them, may starve both their bodies and their souls. Therefore, quench not the Spirit of God, which will lead to be diligent in all things."

With this I wrote another short paper, showing the hurt they did, and the danger they run into, who turned people from the inward manifestation of Christ in the heart :

"THE Jews were commanded by the law of God, 'Not to remove the outward land-mark,' Deut. xix. 14. They that did so, or that caused the blind to wander, were cursed in the Old Covenant, Deut. xxvii. 17. · In the New Covenant the apostle saith, 'Let him be accursed, that preacheth any other gospel than that which he had preached,' Gal. i. 8. Now the gospel that he preached, was 'The power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth,' Rom. i. 16. And the gospel that was preached to Abraham was, 'That in his seed all nations, and all the families of the earth should be blessed.' And in order to bring men to this blessed state, God poureth out of his Spirit upon all flesh; and Christ doth enlighten every one that cometh into the world; and the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, hath appeared unto all men, and teacheth Christians, the true believers in Christ; and God doth write his law in the true Christians' hearts, and putteth it in their minds, that they may all know the Lord, from the greatest to the least;' and he giveth his word in their hearts to obey and do, and the anointing within them; so that they need not any man to teach them, but as the anointing doth teach them. Now all such as turn people from the Light, Spirit, Grace, Word, and Anointing within, remove them from their heavenly landmark of their eternal inheritance, and make them blind; and cause the blind to wander from the living way to their eternal house in the heavens, and from the new and heavenly Jerusalem. So they are cursed, that cause the blind to wander out of their way, and to remove them from their heavenly landmark.” G. F.

I wrote also a paper to show, by instances from the Scriptures, that "many of the holy men and prophets of God, and of the apostles of Christ, were husbandmen and tradesmen;" by which people might see how unlike to them the world's teachers now are:

"RIGHTEOUS Abel was a shepherd, a keeper of sheep,' Gen. iv. 2. Noah was a husbandman; and he was a 'just man, and perfect in his generation, and walked with God,' Gen. ix. 20; vi. 9. Abraham, the father of the faithful, was a husbandman, and had great flocks of cattle; and just Lot was a husbandman, and had great flocks and herds, Gen. xiii. Isaac also was a husbandman, and had great flocks and herds of cattle, and great store of corn,' Gen. xxvi. 12, 14. And the promise was with Isaac; for the Lord said to Abraham, 'In Isaac shall thy seed be called,' Gen. xxi. 12. Jacob was a husbandman, and his sons 'keepers of flocks of cattle,' Gen. lxvi. 32, 34, and God loved Jacob. Moses kept sheep, Exod. iii. 1, and the Lord spake to him when he was keeping sheep, ver. 4, and sent him to Pharaoh, to bring God's people, or sheep, out of Egypt. And by the hand and power of the Lord, he and Aaron his brother brought them out of Egypt, a land of anguish, bondage, darkness, and perplexity.

And Moses kept the Lord's people, or sheep, forty years in the wilderness; a meek shepherd of God he was, and kept his great flock of sheep; though some of them were scabbed with the leprosy of contention and murmuring, and were destroyed in the wilderness.

"David (though he afterwards came to be a king) was a keeper of his father's sheep in the wilderness, 1 Sam. xvii. 15, 28. And the Lord God called him from the sheepcotes to feed his sheep, the house of Israel, and to defend them from the spiritual wolves, bears, and lions; and he did it to purpose, who was a man after God's own heart.

"Elisha was a ploughman, 1 Kings xix. 19. He was called from the plough, to teach God's people, the children of Israel, to plough up the fallow ground of their hearts, that they might bring forth seed and fruits to God, their Creator.

"The word of the Lord came to Amos, when he was among the herdsmen of Tekoa, Amos i. 1. And Amaziah, the priest of Bethel, said to Amos, Prophesy not again any more at Bethel; for it is the king's chapel, and it is the king's court,' chap. vii. 13. Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, 'I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet's son; but I was a herdsman, and a gatherer of sycamore-fruit; and the Lord took me, as I followed the flock. And the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel,' ver. 14, 15. Here ye may see, how the Lord made use of a poor man, and how he called him from following the outward flock, and from gathering outward fruits, to gather his fruits, and to follow his people or flock, the children of Israel.

"Christ called Peter and Andrew his brother, when they were fishing, and casting their net into the sea (for they were fishers); and he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,' Matt. iv. 18, 19. Christ likewise called James and John his brother, when they were 'in a ship, with Zebedee, their father, mending their nets; and they immediately left the ship, and their father, and followed him,' ver. 21, 22. He gave them power (a net that will hold, and not want mending), and made them fishers of men, to fish them out of the great sea, the world of wickedness. We read, that when Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and other disciples, went a fishing together, and that night caught nothing, in the morning Jesus appeared to them and said, 'Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find;' and they did so, and caught so great a multitude, that they were not able to draw them to shore. When thereupon one of the other disciples said unto Peter, 'It is the Lord,' Peter hearing that it was the Lord, 'girded his fisher's coat unto him,' John xxi. 2-7. This was after Christ was risen. So here ye may see, Peter had not laid aside his fisher's coat all the while that he had been preaching before Christ's death

"Jesus saw Matthew sitting at the receipt of custom, and he said unto him, Follow me; and he arose and followed him,' Matt. ix. 9. And Christ employed Matthew to gather his people, that were scattered from God; another manner of treasure than the outward custom of the Romans. Luke was a physician, whom Christ made a physician spiritual; which was better than outward.

"Paul was a tent-maker; and being one of the same craft with Aquila and Priscilla, he abode with them at Corinth, and wrought (for by their occupation they were tent-makers), Acts xviii. 3."

Gooses, the 1st Mouth, 1688-9.

G. F.

It was now a time of much talk; and people busied their minds and spent their time too much in hearing and telling news. To show them the vanity thereof, and to draw them from it, I wrote the following lines:

"IN the low region, in the airy life, all news is uncertain; there nothing is stable; but in the higher region, in the kingdom of Christ, there all things are stable and sure, and the news always good and certain. For Christ, who hath all power in heaven and in earth given unto him, ruleth in the kingdoms of men; and he, who doth inherit the heathen, and possess the utmost parts of the earth with his divine power and light, rules all nations with his rod of iron, and dashes them to pieces like a potter's vessel, the vessels of dishonour, and the leaky vessels, that will not hold his living water; and he doth preserve his elect vessels of mercy and honour. His power is certain, and changes not, by which he removes the mountains and hills, and shakes the heavens and the earth. Leaky, dishonourable vessels, the hills and mountains, and the old heavens and the earth, are all to be shaken, and removed, and broken to pieces, though they do not see it, nor him that doth it; but his elect and faithful both see it and know him, and his power, that cannot be shaken, and which changeth not."

The 5th of the 1st Month, 1688-9.

G. F.

About the middle of the first month, 1688-9, I went to LONDON, the parliament then sitting, and engaged about the bill for indulgence. Though I was weak in body, and not well able to stir about, yet so great a concern was upon my spirit on behalf of truth and Friends, that I attended concontinually for many days, with other Friends, at the parliament-house, labouring with the members, that the thing might be done comprehensively and effectually.

In this, and other services, I continued till towards the end of the second month, when, being much spent with continual labour, I got out of town for a little while as far SOUTHGATE and thereabouts. While I was there I wrote a letter to Peter Hendricks, a Friend at Amsterdam, in which I enclosed an epistle to the Friends at Dantzic, who at this time were under great persecution. And as I wrote to encourage and strengthen them in their testimony, and comfort them in their sufferings for the truth, so also I wrote a paper to their persecutors, the magistrates of Dantzic, laying before them the evil of persecution, and persuading them to Christian moderation, and "to do unto others in matters of religion as they would be done unto.' Which papers were as follows:

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"To Peter Hendricks at Amsterdam, and to Friends at Dantzic who are under persecution.

"DEAR FRIEND P. H.

"With my love to thee and thy wife, J. Claus, and J. Rocloffs, and all the rest of Friends everywhere in Christ Jesus, who reigns over all. I

am glad to hear that Friends are well everywhere, except at Dantzic; and that you were so diligent in spreading my papers to the strengthening of Friends. I have lately printed the life of William Caton, but have not made a collection of his books. I think to send some of them to you, which you may translate and print, if you will; they may be serviceable among Friends, especially them that knew him.*

Concerning the dear Friends at Dantzic, whom the Lord hath supported by his eternal arm and power to this day; I hope by the same arm and power he will support them, and in it they will feel his blessed presence with them in all their sufferings; who is over the cruelty of their persecutors, who will hardly let them breathe outwardly or inwardly in the common air of their native soil. Which shows both their immorality, inhumanity, and unchristianity, and that they want the counsel of a Gamaliel amongst them; whose actions are below the law of God, to 'do unto others as they would have others to do unto them:' God will not bless the doings of such. I desire, however, that Friends may mind the Lord's power, that is over all; be valiant for his truth, and keep upon their rock and foundation, Christ Jesus, that stands sure in this time of the heat of persecution, which is so hot upon you, that they will not suffer you to have so much as your houses to work and sleep in, nor to meet, nor serve God in. The Lord beholds all such actors and their actions. Therefore look over all to Him, who is able to deal with them and reward them according to their works. God Almighty preserve you all in Christ Jesus, in whom you have rest, life, and peace. Amen." G. F.

Southgate, the 28th of the 2nd Month, 1689.

"To the Magistrates of Dantzic:-Christian Shroder, President of the Council, and Emanuel Dilger, N. Gadecken, and N. Fraterus, Deputies of the Council, and the rest of the Magistrates and Priests.

"WE have seen your order, and your breathing out persecution against. that little flock, the lambs of Christ, that live under your jurisdiction in the city of Dantzic; and that you have imprisoned and banished two by the hangman out of the government of your city; and others you threatened to do the same to, with great punishment, if they return. Likewise

* William Caton, whose service was much in Holland, died at Amsterdam in 1665. He was one of the earliest associates of George Fox, being convinced by him in 1652, and is often mentioned in the earlier part of this Journal. He was not only a literary man, but zealous for religion; and being of a courteous and affable disposition, was in general esteem. When about fourteen years of age he went to reside in Judge Fell's family at Swarthmore Hall, as a companion for his son, sharing with him both in instruction and recreation. He was very early inclined to religion, and, as he grew in years, he advanced in godliness.

After joining Friends, he travelled considerably as a gospel minister, and underwent many sufferings for Christ's sake. At Maidstone, in 1654, he and another Friend

were stripped, their necks and arms put in the stocks, and, in that condition, they were desperately whipped. At Yarmouth he was, with seven other Friends, taken from a religious meeting on the first day of the week, and confined six months in prison.

A valuable collection of letters of carly Friends was met with at Swarthmore some VOL. II.

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you threaten those with punishment they rent their houses of, if they let them have them either to live in, or meet in to serve and worship the Lord that made them. Truly I am heartily sorry for both your magistrates and priests, that go under the name of Christians, and show such immoral, inhuman, and unchristian actions, below the royal law of God, which is, to 'do to others as you would have them do unto you.' For would you think it was moral, human, or Christian, or according to the law of God, if the king of Poland, who is of another religion than you, should banish you out of your city by the hangman, and call you murderers of souls? Could you say, but this was according to the law of God, 'to do unto you as you have done unto others ?' But if you say that you have the sword, the horn, and the power; blessed be the Lord that hath shortened your sword, your power, and your horn, that it reaches no further than your jurisdiction at Dantzic; and you do not know how long God may suffer you to have your horn, your power, and your sword. We are sure you have not the mind nor the Spirit of Christ; and the apostle saith, They that have not the Spirit of Christ are none of his,' Rom. viii. And Christ bids Peter 'put up his sword:' they that draw the sword concerning him, to defend him and his worship and faith, should perish with the sword. Peter and the apostles never drew the outward sword after; but said their weapons were spiritual, not carnal; and they did not wrestle with flesh and blood. Christ never gave any such command, that they should banish any by the hangmen that were not of their religion, and would not receive it. Are not you worse than the Turks, who let many religions be in their country, yea, Christians, and to meet peaceably? Yea, the Turkish patroons let our Friends that were captives meet together at Algiers, and said, 'it was good so to do.' You are worse than those barbarous people at Sallee who do not profess Christianity, for you profess Christ in words, but in works deny him. And did you ever find, either in Scripture or history, that any persecutors prospered long? You are worse than they are in the Mogul's country, who, they say, permits sixty religions in his dominions: and many others might be mentioned, all of whom you exceed in your cruelty and persecution of God's people, only for meeting together in the name of Jesus, and serving and worshipping God, their Creator. No, they must not breathe their natural air, neither natural nor spiritual, in your dominions. I pray, where had you these commands from? Neither from Christ nor his apostles. Do not you profess the Scriptures of the New Testament to be your rule? But, I pray you, what Scripture have you for this practice? It is good for you to be humble, to do justly, and love mercy; call home your banished ones, and love and cherish them: yea, though they were your enemies, you are to obey the command of Christ, and love them. I wonder how you and your wives and families can sleep quietly in your beds,

years ago, written nearly throughout by William Caton, and appears to have been intended by him for publication. It has a title page, dated Swarthmore, 23d of 6th Month, 1659; and a preface signed by himself, dated 7th of 2d Month, 1660. The life of Caton, George Fox mentions having been printed, was re-published in 1839, by John Barclay, forming one of the Select Series, to which the reader is referred for further particulars.