things that I have faid unto you, be circumfpect: and make no mention of the name of other gods; neither let it be heard out of thy mouth." It may also be remembered, that when the reformation of the Jews was foretold by the prophets, thefe amongst other things, were ftated as a part: "I will take the name of Baalim out of her mouth ;"t "I will turn to the people a pure language ;" and "I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they fhall no more be remembered."§

There is another peculiarity in our conduct, on which it may be proper to fay a few words. Our refufal to take off the hat, as a mark of respect to man, is generally known. The reafon for this is, that it is a token of reverence enjoined and used in our folemn approaches to the Supreme Being,when exercifing the religious duties of preaching or prayer. On this account, and not from any difrefpect to our fuperiors, we think it right not to confound this folemn act of reverence to the Almighty, with the marks of respect to our fellow creatures. True civility and due respect may be better fhown by conduct, than by compliment; and we are far from defiring to difmiss thofe focial duties from our attention and regard.

Many are apt to plead general custom, as a fanction to practices, which, were they impartially examined, would be acknowledged to be erroneous and improper and it is to be regretted, that the

* Exod. xxiii. 13.

a See alfo Deut. xii. 2. Joshua xxiii. 7. Pfalm xvi. 4. + Hofea ii. 17. ‡ Zeph. iii. 9. § Zech. xiii. 2.

profeffors of Chriftianity should retain fo much that is inconfiftent with its purity and fimplicity. If thefe things cannot be ftiled "the weightier matters of the law,' "* and we allow they cannot ; yet we believe they may be confidered as the externals of religion, and as things which we "ought not to leave undone."

CHAPTER XI.

ON CIVIL GOVERNMENT.

Peaceableness of our Principles a Security to Government.-Duties of Subjects.-Suffering peaceably fubmitted to, when active Compliance cannot be confcientiously rendered.-Civil and religious Liberty valued and how beft fupported.

THE peaceablenefs of our principles, when ap

plied even to enemies, affords a ftrong fecurity to any government under which we live, that we cannot unite in any practices, that may either injure or fubvert it. The confideration of this circumftance, attended with a correfpondent conduct, has probably been the means of obtaining indulgences for fome of our principles, which are contrary to general laws. Several of thefe principles are fuch as generally exclude us from becoming a conftituent part of government: what we have therefore to confider are the duties of fubjects.

* Matt. xxiii. 23.

These duties are clearly defined in the New Teftament; and under circumstances which render this definition peculiarly ftrong.-When they were enjoined, the primitive Chriftians were frequently under perfecution; the government at that time was of a kind which is generally confidered the worst, and in the hands of the worst of men; nevertheless, we fee no encouragement given to any thing like fedition or refiftance. On the contrary, the believers in Chrift were taught to " be subject unto the higher powers,"*" to obey magiftrates,"t and to "fubmit to every ordinance of man for the Lord's fake.-As free, and not ufing your liberty for a cloak of malicioufnefs, but as the fervants of God." These are the principles on which our Society, as a body, have uniformly acted, as may be feen by the advices given on this fubject, and from which the following is extracted. "We truft we

are called to fhow forth to the world, in life and practice, that the blessed reign of the Meffiah, the Prince of Peace, is begun; and we doubt not but it will proceed, till it attain its completion in the earth, when, according to the prophecies of Ifaiah and Micah, "nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither fhall they learn war any more." Influenced by thefe principles, we cannot confiftently join with fuch as form combinations of a hoftile nature againft any; much lefs in oppofition to those, placed in sovereign or fubordinate authority; nor can we unite with, or encourage, fuch as revile and afperfe them for it is written, "Thou

*Rom. xiii. 1.

Titus iii. 1. 1 Pet. ii. 13, 16

fhalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.". Yearly Meeting's printed epiftle, 1775.

But whilft we think it right to put in practice the advices, given to the primitive Christians on this fubject, we are, as they were, under circumstances, which fometimes prevent us from actively complying with what the laws of the country require. Nevertheless, we fubmit to the law, by fuffering the peaceable execution of it, in cafes in which we cannot actively comply. There are duties which we owe to our consciences and to God, with which human power cannot difpenfe, and of which it is not a competent judge. Confcience is God's prerogative; and when it is neither ufed as a cloak of maliciousness, nor abufed to the dif turbance of the public peace, it ought to be fully free. Our Society in this country,* though under fome circumftances which bear rather hard upon it, has abundant caufe for gratitude to the government for the favours we enjoy; and it is to be hoped, that we fhall always conduct ourselves fo, as to merit the continuance, and even the extenfion of them; "being obliged to demean ourselves, not only as a grateful people, but as a Chriftian fociety, to live peaceably and inoffenfively under the prefent government, as we have always done, under the various revolutions of government, ever fince we were a people."-Yearly Meeting's written epistle, 1692.

But, notwithstanding our peaceable and submisfive principles, in relation to those who are placed in authority over us, we are far from being infenfible to the value of civil and religious liberty. When * England.

thefe are violated, we think it right to reprefent our grievances to thofe who opprefs us, or who have it in their power to afford relief. If this be done in a Chriftian fpirit, and in a language respectfully strong, it would be found, in general, a much more fuccefsful, and always a more proper, means of obtaining redrefs, than feditious and turbulent proceedings, or those bloody appeals to the fword, to which mankind are too apt to resort, as the relief of oppreffion, or the gratification of revenge.

CHAPTER XII.

ON DISCIPLINE.

Neceffity of Difcipline in religious Societies.-Objec tions to it answered.-Objects of our Difcipline enumerated. Different Meetings in which the Discipline is tranfacted.-importance of tranfacting it in a right Spirit..

WHATEVER may be the inducement of any

people to form themselves into a separate society, it must be on fome principles which they affume, and on the preservation of which, their continuance as a particular fociety, muft, in a great meafure, depend. It is alfo the duty of every fociety, formed upon religious principles, to fupport good morals, without which its pretenfions to religion These two confiderations render difci

are vain.