people guided by the same principle, are naturally led into; so that what is an evil to one, is so to all, and what is virtuous, honest and of good report to one, is so to all, from the sense and savour of the one universal principle which is common to all, (and which the disaffected profess to be) the root of all true Christian fellowship, and that spirit into which the people of God drink and come to be spiritually minded and of one heart and one soul,

Some weakly mistook good order in the government of church affairs, for discipline in worship, and that it was so prest or recommended by him and other brethren; and they were ready to reflect the same things that Dissenters had very reasonably objected upon the national churches, that have coercively pressed conformity to their respective creeds and worships: whereas these things related wholly to conversation, and the outward (and as I may say) civil part of the church, that men should walk up to the principles of their belief, and not be wanting in care and charity. But though some have stumbled and fallen through mistakes, and an unreasonable obstinancy, even to a prejudice, yet blessed be God, the generality have returned to their first love, and seen the work of the enemy, that looses no opportunity or advantage by which he may check or hinder the work of God, and disquiet the peace of his church, and chill the love of his people to the truth and one to another; and there is hope of divers that are yet at a distance.

In all these occasions, though there was no person the discontented struck so sharply at, as this good man, he bore all their weakness and prejudice, and returned not reflection for reflection; but forgave them their weak and bitter speeches, praying for them that they might have a sense of their hurt, and see the subtilty of the enemy to rend and divide, and return into their first love, that thought no ill.

And truly, I must say, that though God had visibly cloathed him with a divine preference and authority, and indeed his very presence exprest a religious majesty, yet he never abused it, but held his place in the church of God with great meekness and a most engaging humility and moderation. For upon all occasions, like his blessed Master, he was a servant to all; holding and exercising his eldership, in the invisible power that had gathered them with reverence to the head and care over the body; and was received only in that spirit and power of Christ as the first and chief elder in this age; who, as he was therefore worthy of double honour, so for the same reason it was

given by the faithful of this day; because his authority was inward and not outward, and that he got it and kept it by the love of God and power of an endless life. I write my knowledge and not report, and my witness is true, having been with him for weeks and months together on divers occasions, and those of the nearest and most exercising nature, and that by night and by day, by sea and by land; in this and in foreign countries: and I can say, I never saw him out of his place, or not a match for every service or occasion.

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For in all things he acquitted himself like a man, yea a strong man, a new and heavenly minded man; a divine and a naturalist, and all of God Almighty's making. have been surprised at his questions and answers in natural things; that whilst he was ignorant of useless and sophis tical science, he had in him the foundation of useful and commendable knowledge, and cherished it every where. Civil beyond all forms of breeding, in his behaviour; very temperate, eating little, and sleeping less, though a bulky person.

Thus he lived and sojourned among us, and as he lived, so he died; feeling the same eternal power that had raised and preserved him in his last moments. So full of assurance was he, that he triumphed over death; and so even to the last, as if death were hardly worth notice or a mention; recommending to some with him, the dispatch and dispersion of an epistle, just before written to the churches of Christ throughout the world, and his own books; but above all, friends, and of all friends, those in Ireland and America, twice over. Saying, mind poor friends in Ireland and America.

And to some that came in and inquired how he found himself, he answered, Never heed, the Lord's power is over all weakness and death, the seed reigns, blessed be the Lord' which was about four or five hours before his

departure out of this world. He was at the great meeting near Lombard-street on the first day of the week, and it was the third following about ten at night when he left us; being at the house of H. Goldney in the same court. In a good old age he went, after having lived to see his children's children to many generations in the truth. He had the comfort of a short illness, and the blessing of a clear sense to the last; and we may truly say, with a man of God of old, that being dead, he yet speaketh; and though absent in body, he is present in spirit; neither time nor place being able to interrupt the communion of saints, or dissolve the fellowships of the spirits of the just.

His works praise him, because they are to the praise of him that worked by him; for which his memorial is, and shall be blessed. I have done, as to this part of my preface, when I have left this short epitaph to his name; 'Ma y sons have done virtuously in this day, but dear George thou excellest them all.'

And now, friends, you that profess to walk in the way this blessed man was sent of God to turn us into, suffer, I beseech you, the word of exhortation, as well fathers as children, and elders as young men. The glory of this day and foundation of the hope that has not made us ashamed since we were a people, you know is that blessed principle of light and life of Christ which we profess, and direct all people to, as the great instrument and agent of man's conversion to God: it was by this we were first touched, and effectually enlightened as to our inward state, which put us upon the consideration of our latter end, causing us to set the Lord before our eyes, and to number our days, that we might apply our hearts to wisdom. In that day we judged not after the sight of the eye, or after the hearing of the ear, but according to the light and sense this blessed principle gave us; we judged and acted in reference to things and persons, ourselves and others, yea, towards God our maker. For being quickened by it in our inward man, we could easily discern the difference of things, and feel what was right and what was wrong, and what was fit and what not, both in reference to religion and civil concerns. That being the ground of the fellowship of all saints, it was in that our fellowship stood. In this we desired to have a sense one of another, acted towards one another, and all men, in love, faithfulness, and fear.

In the feeling of the motions of this principle we drew near to the Lord, and waited to be prepared by it, that we might feel those drawings and movings, before we approached the Lord in prayer, or opened our mouths in ministry. And in our beginning and ending with this, stood our comfort, service, and edification. And as we ran faster, or fell short, we made burthens for ourselves to bear; our services finding in ourselves a rebuke instead of an acceptance, and in lieu of Well done, who has required this at your hands? In that day we were an exercised people, our very countenances and deportment declared it.

Care for others was then much upon us, as well as for ourselves, especially the young convinced. Often had we the burthen of the word of the Lord to our neighbours,

relations, and acquaintance; and sometimes strangers also. We were in travail for one anothers preservation: not seeking, but shunning occasions of any coldness or misunderstanding, treating one another as those that believed and felt God present. Which kept our conversation innocent, serious, and weighty, guarding ourselves against the cares and friendships of the world. We held the truth in the spirit of it, and not in our own spirits, or after our own wills and affections.

They were bowed and brought into subjection, in so much that it was visible to them that knew us, we did not think ourselves at our own dispose, to go where we list, or say or do what we list, or when we list. Our liberty stood in the liberty of the Spirit of Truth, and no pleasure, no profit, no fear, no favour, could draw us from this retired, strict, and watchful frame. We were so far from seeking occasions of company, that we avoided them what we could; persuing our own business with moderation, instead of meddling with other peoples unnecessarily.

Our words were few and savoury, our looks composed and weighty, and our whole deportment very observable. True it is, that this retired and strict sort of life from the liberty of the conversation of the world, exposed us to the censures of many, as humourists, conceited and selfrighteous persons, &c. But it was our preservation from many snares, to which others were continually exposed by the prevalency of the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, that wanted no occasions or temp tations to excite them abroad in the converse of the world.

I cannot forget the humility and chaste zeal of that day. Oh! how constant at meetings, how retired in them, how firm to Truth's life, as well as Truth's principles; and how entire and united in our communion, as indeed became those that profess One Head, even Christ Jesus the Lord.

This being the testimony and example the man of God, before mentioned, was sent to declare and leave amongst us, and we having embraced the same as the merciful visitation of God to us, the word of exhortation at this time is, that we continue to be found in the way of this testimony with all zeal and integrity, and so much the more, by how much the day draweth near.

And first, as to you, my beloved and much honoured brethren in Christ, that are in the exercise of the ministry: Oh, feel life in the ministry! Let life be your commission, your well-spring and treasury in all such occasions, else you well know, there can be no begetting to God,

since nothing can quicken or make people alive to God, but the life of God: and it must be a ministry in and from life, that enlivens any people to God. We have seen the fruit of all other ministries by the few that are turned from the evil of their ways. It is not our parts, or memory, the repetition of former openings in our own will and time, that will do God's work. A dry doctrinal ministry, however sound in words, can reach but the ear, and is but a dream at the best. There is another soundness, that is soundest of all, viz. Christ the power of God. This is the key of David, that opens and none shuts, and shuts, and none can open; as the oil to the lamp, and the soul to the body, so is that to the best of words. Which made Christ to say, My words they are spirit, and they are life; that is, they are from life, and therefore they make you alive, that receive them. If the disciples that had lived with Jesus, were to stay at Jerusalem till they received it; so must we wait to receive, before we minister, if we will turn people from darkness to light, and from Satan's power to God.

I fervently bow my knees to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you may always be like minded, that you may ever wait reverently for the coming and opening of the word of life, and tend upon it in your ministry and service, that you may serve God in his Spirit. And be it little, or be it much, it is well; for much is not too much, and the least is enough, if from the motion of God's Spirit; and without it, verily, never so little is too much, because to no profit.

For it is the Spirit of the Lord immediately, or through the ministry of his servants, that teacheth his people to profit; and to be sure, so far as we take him along with us in our services, so far we are profitable and no farther. For if it be the Lord that must work all things in us and for ourselves, much more is it the Lord, that must work in us for the conversion of others. If therefore it was once a cross to us to speak, though the Lord required it at our hands, let it never be so to be silent, when he does not.

It is one of the most dreadful sayings in the book of God, that he that adds to the words of the prophecy of this book, God will add the plagues written in this book. To keep back the counsel of God, is as terrible; for he that takes away from the words of the prophecy of this book, God shall take away his part out of the book of life. And truly, it has great caution in it to those, that use the name of the Lord, to be well assured, the Lord speaks, that they may not be found of the number of those, that add to the