PENN's Works, Vol. I. Address to Protestants. What this Author observes to the Civil Government of this Nation, may be applicable or useful to us as a, religious Society, viz. ‘We are a sort of Trustees for the Youth of our So­ciety, who, tho' now Minors, yet will have the Go­vernment when we are gone: Therefore depress Vice and cherish Virtue, that through good Edu­cation they may become good and happy in this World, and a good Way to fit them for that which is to come; They will then own more to your Memories for their Education than for their Estates. First then, says that Author, let Care be taken to breed up Youth in Morality: Virtue prepares the Mind, helps the Understanding, and gives Industry [...]o compass what is desired.—I would have no Books used in Schools, in which. there may be the least Indecency. There were, and not without Reason, ancient Canons against the Reading such Heathen Authors; and not a few learned and sober Men have rebuked that Practice among us. It is an Affront to Christianity, yea to our Natures, to fetch our Wit and Manners from them. It were well if some Tracts of moral Vir­tues and Invectives against Vice, were written in those Languages we would have Youth to learn; for in such Discourses they might obtain good Manners with the Languages; whereas by pre­ferring in Schools Heathen Authors, our Youth have [Page 12] learn'd base Obscenities and a corrupt Conversa­tion.’ This Author proceeds to recommend what he thinks suitable for Youth to be instructed in, which see in pag. 740.

Abstract of an Epistle from the Quarterly-meeting at York, 1690. ‘That Friends be watchful the Enemy darken not their Minds, and bring them back into Folly and Vanity, wherein their Minds are alienated from God, their Understanding veiled; and turn again into the Practice of those Things which they were sensible the Lord by his Spirit testified against, and reproved them for; and it is possible they may indulge such Things not only in themselves, but among their Children and Families, which in Time of their first Convince­ment they durst not allow of; nor are they to be allowed in our Christian Society. First then, be diligent to assemble to worship God, 2d. Ministers Conversations answer their Testimonies. 3d. Pa­rents (and let me add Tutors) indulge not their. Children in speaking to one in the plural Number, nor allow the Liberty of Sports and Plays, which have a Tendency, to viciate their Minds and Man­ners; but train them in the Fear of God, re­straining them from Evil, Folly and Vanity, and cause them to read the holy Scriptures, and such Books as are profitable; bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord; that none go into the vain and gaudy Habits, Dress, nor foolish antick Modes and Fashions, either in Ap­parel, Furniture, or other Superfluities whatso­ever; nor join in keeping up Feasts and Fast­days; Banquets and vain Customs of the World; and where, any Fault appear, let such Persons be duly warned and admonished by faithful Friends.’

And here may not inaptly come in, John Burnyeat's Exercise on Occasion of some differing Judgments about Fast-days. See his Works, pag, 107, viz. ‘There was [Page 13] a Fast at Barbadoes, that the Judgments of God might be removed, and there was among Friends different Minds about owning or not owning of it; but after a Time of deep Exercise, the Lord God by his eternal Word raised my Zeal, and I did in his Power smite against all such Mockeries; and then in the heavenly Revelation shewed me, that it was to be witnessed against by all that stood in the Testimony of God; and that those who would weaken the Spirits of any, in their Testi­mony, it was shewed me plainly from the Lord, they would draw a Vail over themselves; and in a cowerdly underly Spirit, by the corrupted fallen Wisdom, would put the Candle, which God had lighted, under a Bushel, until at last it would be put out: So that we, like other Professors, at last would be led to yield to any Thing rather than suffer; and so then the Offence of the Cross might cease.’

George Fox says, ‘That which brings to the true Fast, seperates from them who bow down the Head for a Day, and would be seen of Men to fast.’

Dell's Works, pag. 186., Reformation of Learning, ‘In teaching Youth the Tongues, to wit, the Greek and Latin, such Heathenish Authors be most care­fully avoided, be their Language never so good, whose Writings are full of the Fables, Vanities, Fil­thiness, Laciviousness, Idolatry and Wickedness of the Heathens; seeing usually, whilst Youth do learn the Languages of the Heathen, they also learn their Wickedness in that Language: Whereas it were far better for them to want their Language, than be possed of their Wickedness. And what should Christian Youth have to do with Heathenish Poets, who were for the most part the Devil's Prophets, and delivered forth their Writings in his Spirit; and who, through the Smoothness, [Page 14] Quaintness and Sweetness of their Language, do insensibly instil the Poison of Lust and Wickedness in the Hearts of Youth, whereby their Education, which ought to correct their natural Corruptions, doth exceedingly increase and inflame it. Where­fore my Counsel is, that they learn the Tongues especially from Christians, without the Lies, Fa­bles, Follies, Vanities, Whoredoms, Lusts, Pride, Revenge, &c. of the Heathens; especially seeing, neither their Words nor Phrases are meet for Christians to take into their Mouths. And most necessary it is, that Christians should forget the Names of their Gods and Muses, and all their fabulous Inventions, and let them go to Satan from whence they came.’

Light shining out of Darkness. ‘The Christians in the primitive Times lived excluded from all Ho­nours and Magistry, and did neglect those Studies necessary for civil Trusts and Employments; and because Sophisters and Philosophers were the prin­cipal Enemies of Christianity, they were disgusted at all Philosophy, and severely censured all manner of florid and polite Learning: They condemned Tragedies and Comedies, and other poetical Wri­tings, being the main Part of human Learning, and thinking they did not conduce to solid Know­ledge, being full of Wantonness and Obscenity, as also Promptuaries of fabulous Idolatries. Hence it was, Tertullian thinks, Schoolmasters, and other Professors of Learning, to be guilty of a manifold Idolatry, whose Business it was to explain the Names, Genealogies, fabulous Acts and Elogies of the Heathen Gods. Generally the Believers in those Days harboured a very bad esteem for worldly Learning: Whence it is clear, secular Learning was endangered in those Times of the ancient Christians, who was so much the more provoked thereunto, because the Gentiles did con­tinually [Page 15] upbraid them, That they were a Sort of Idiots and illiterate Persons; that their Teachers were rude and ignorant Combers of Wool, Coblers and Fullers. The Christians reply'd, That the Learning in which they did so pride themselves, was an useless Thing, no Ways advantageous to Salvation; nay, that it did estrange the wise Men of this World from the Ways of God, and was a great Occasion of their Ruin. Hence it was that Celsus upbraided them as a Communion of Fools and Slaves. The Gentiles also objected unto the Chris­tians their rude Stile, harsh Language, calling them Rusticks and Clowns. Clemens enjoyned Chris­tians to abstain from all Books of the Gentiles; for what have you to do with strange Discourses, or Laws, or false Prophets, who seduce weak Men from the Truth? Bishops were also forbid to read Heathen Authors; out of the Bucolicks they sing Love Verses, they peruse Virgil, &c. and what is a Sin of enforced Necessity in Children, becomes their Delight. If you say, there is not now any Danger of reading heathenish Books, you give but the same Reason Bellermin does, which is refuted by Lawrentius, since the Errors of the Heathen are not more manifest now than of old, nor Men more fixed and constant. Machivel says, the first Pro­moters and Founders of Christianity were so assi­duous and deligent in extirpating the Superstitions of the Gentiles, that they commanded all Poets and Historians, which contained any Thing of that Nature, to be burn'd: They did not spare Plautus, Martial and Terence, and for the same Reason as they burn'd some of the Latin Authors, did they destroy the Greek, because they were lascivious. Bellonius, a great Traveller, says, when he came to Mount Athos, which is the greatest of any of the Greek Church, he did not find there among reli­gious Persons (no nor in all Greece) one Man that [Page 16] was learned. In their Libraries they had several Manuscripts of Divinity, but no Poets, Historians or Philosophers. Yet thou art to understand, Reader, that the Greek Church is owned as a true Christian Church, and highly magnified by Pro­testants; yet neither they, nor the Picards, or Wal­denses, did value Learning: So far were they from esteeming it as a Prop of true Religion.’

Lawson's Works. ‘Many Since the Apostles Days have borne Testimony against teaching Heathen Authors in Christian Schools; nay, a Heathen, Plato, blames the first Education of Youth as de­structive, in Reading the feigned, Comical and tragical Inventions of Poets.— A. Sympson says, There is much precious Time spent in prophane Stories and lascivious Poems.—The. Romans brought in Heathen Poets and Comedies into Schools; which to the Shame and corrupting this Nation are yet continued: Though in the Days of Queen ^* Elizabeth, the Lords of her privy Coun­cil sent Letters to her Commissioners in Causes Ecclesiastical, requiring them to write Letters to all the Bishops of this Realm, and require them to give Commandment, that in all Grammar and! Free-schools, Christopher Ocland's Book should be taught in Place of some Heathen Poets; saying, The Youth of this Realm receive rather Infection in Manners, than Advancement in Virtue from the Heathen Poets taught in Schools.—Bishop Wilkins says, Men have neglected sound, savory and use­ful Matter, the Quintessence of Learning, and have devoted themselves to an Excess of fine [Page 17] Speaking.’ Augustin accounts Terence unworthy to be read, and blames Grammarians for teaching of it."

In a Synod for the Estate of Guernsey and Jersey, 1576, it was provided in Behalf of Schoolmasters, "That they should instruct their Scholars in the most pure Authors, both for Learning and Language, left Children by reading immodest Writings should be infected with their Venom.

"Far be it, says Jerom, (in the Year of Christ 384) that Jupiter, Macastor, and other Monsters rather than Gods, should be heard out of the Mouth of a Christian. But, says one, scarce any other Thing rings in Schools now.

"Socrates Scholasticus saith, That for Christians to imbibe the Learning of the Heathen, can no ways advantage their Religion, for it is not without Danger, because it teacheth Plurality of Gods.

"Abstain from all Heathen Books, says Clemens; for what is wanting in the Law of God, that thou should apply thy Mind to Heathen Fables? Clement adds, The Ancients deny'd these Things; but now through a Pretence of instructing Youth, the Knowledge of these Things is so incorporated in tender and simple Minds, as that the same can scarce by any Ways or Means be rid out of them.

"Martin Luther says, It is a serious and Weighty Thing, that Youth be instructed in a Godly and Christian Manner.

"Objection to T. Lawson. Did not thou teach all usual School Authors? 'Tis true I taught these Things, but I found no Peace, but entering into my Chamber communing with the Lord, I found the Mouth of Heaven open'd against them, and in secret Retirement the Inchantment aforesaid was more and more discovered; and I have put off that Coat, never more to put it on. It is not Schools, but the Abuses, that this Testimony is against,"

[Page 18] And now let us hear George Fox's Sentiments con­cerning Heathen Authors, which see in his, Battledoor. "The Children of Israel was to be taught the Law of God, and Statutes of the Lord: They were to destroy the Heathen Inventions, to break down what they invented, and not to teach their Children them, but they were to be rooted out of their Memories. But you, call'd Christians, must befa in to have Heathen Books to teach your Children in your Schools, whereby the Children must learn the Heathen Words. What Christians! what Gospel-Professors! are not you to teach your Children the Gospel, as the Jews were to teach their Children the Law? and train them up in that, and break down all the Heathen Books? Must the Heathen help you? must you be Borrowers of the Hea­thens? The Jews were not to be Borrowers, and are you Borrowers of the Heathen Books? Did not the Christians burn Abundance of Books when they were converted? And are you gathering up Heathen Books since the Days of the Apostles, (in the Apostacy) as Virgil, Ovid, Horace, Terence, Plautes, Cicero, and others, which you extol in your Schools? If you will teach your Children other Tongues, translate the Scriptures into other Tongues to teach their Children, and make an End of all Heathenish Books which corrupt the Earth, and do not teach your Children the Way of the Heathen by teaching their Books: And, con­tinues George Fox, we have drawn some few Ex­amples forth of the School Books, to shew the Reader whether such Words are fit to be taught in Schools." See the latter End of the Battledoor.

Rutty's Introduction, Liberty of the Spirit, pag. "'Tis not in the Power of a Parent to convey Faith to his Children; but this should not hinder him from conveying to them what he can. A Parents who hath happily experienced the Advantages of a [Page 19] Life and Conversation conducted in the Ways of Truth and Simplicity, Temperance, Sobriety and Frugality, and of an Education exempting him from many Snares and Temptations to Vice, to which many others are exposed: Shall a Parent thus situated abandon his Offspring during a State of Minority, Ignorance and Weakness, to Nature or to corrupt Company?"

Amborse Rigg 's Life, pag. 28, "We educated our Children in (the Way of) Truth, and watched over them in Love. Many Days and Years have I, with bended Knees, pray'd to God before the Throne of his Grace, to guard my Children by his Power from the Evils of this World, and to direct their Steps in Righteousness, which hitherto I have in great measure enjoy'd; blessed be the Lord for ever."

Yearly-meeting Epistle, 1753. "Various Branches of our Christian Testimony neglected: We can't omit fresh Advice to Parents, to be careful in the Education of their Children, to train them up in a godly Conversation, reading the holy Scriptures and Friends Books; in Plainness of Speech and Habit while young, that a gradual Advancement [...]rom Minority may tend to a firm Establishment in the Truth; and that they walk before them in [...]ll Godliness, remembring the Day of Account to [...]e render'd of their Stewardships."

Epistle from the Womens Meeting at York. "And [...]ou that are Mothers of Children and Rulers in [...]amilies, be good Examples to your Children and [...]ervants; discourage the Evil, and encourage the [...]ood, and in the Love of God and Authority of [...]ruth rule over them: For if Children rule over [...]arents, 'tis a Dishonour to Truth."

Fox 's Epistles, pag. 547. "If you will have com­ [...]rt in your Children, train them up in the Fear [...] God, and in his Covenant of Light; and if [Page 20] Children and young People must be left, and let alone to themselves, and not to be admonished, ex­horted and restrain'd from the Evil and Vanities of the World, then why did Moses and the Pro­phets, and Apostles, which were sent of God, ex­hort the People to train up their Children in the Fear of the Lord, and to teach them his Law while they were young, that they might not depart from it when they were old? And if they did, the Lord would judge them.—And if that they must be left to themselves, and not restrain'd from Evil, how came it to pass, old Eli lost his Life and his Priesthood, and the Ark of God, for not restrain­ing his Children? God commanded Abraham to circumcise himself, his Children and Servants; and Gen. xvii. here you may see Abraham was to teach and instruct his Family and Servants; he was not to keep one uncircumcised in his Family. Now you that profess the new Covenant, are not your Children and Servants to be circumcised with the Spirit? And do not they who have not the Body or Death and Sin cut off by Circumcision, go down into the Pit, and not into the Kingdom of God? Therefore, may not such uncircumcised by the Spirit, hurt the Families of true Christians in the Light?"

An Epistle from an ancient Friend, Anne Galloway. "Dear Sisters, it lies upon me to intreat you to whom God hath given Children, that ye bring them up as becomes the Truth, and do not dress them, not yourselves, to imitate the World's Fashions, tho' it be it Plainness; for if you do, it is with me in the Love of God to forewarn you of it, for it will grieve the Lord, who in measure has redeemed you out of the Fashions of the World: And if you do look back again and take Liberties, we shall suffer Loss, which one Day will be greater than if we were stripped of all that can be enjoy'd in this Life."

[Page 21] Fox 's Epistles, pag. 289 and 309. "Train up your Children in the Fear of God, instruct and keep them employed in some lawful Calling, serv­ing the Lord in the Things that are good.—They that are to govern, are first to be governed and ordered themselves by the Spirit of God, to his Glory, and Examples in their Families. — Begin while Children are young to restrain them from Evil.—Every one, in the Life and Power of Truth, keep your Authority, and lose not the Under­standing given you by Christ, nor true Reason, which gives to distinguish Good from Bad.—In all Things keep your Authority in God, and you will bring up and govern your Sons and Daughters, Servants and Apprentices, and cause them to keep their Places."

Yearly-meeting Epistle, 1690. "Our earnest Advice and Counsel to all Friends concern'd, so far as in them lies, to provide Schoolmasters and Mistresses who are faithful Friends, to teach and instruct their Children; and not send them to such Schools where they are taught corrupt Ways, Manners, Fashions and Language of the World, and of the Heathens in their Authors, and Names of Heathenish Gods and Goddesses, tending greatly to corrupt and alienate the Minds of Children into an Aversion or Opposition against the Truth and the Simplicity of it; but take Care to train up your Children in the good Nurture, Admonition and Fear of the Lord, and in that Plainness and Language which becomes Truth."

Extract of an Epistle from R. Jordan to Friends. "'Tis manifest there is a great Declension in true Love and Tenderness among us, towards the Lord and one another, and in too many Elders, both in respect to their own Conditions and the Tuition of their Children, for that in many of the Youth appears little Sense of Truth; but as some has [Page 22] already taken their Flight, more seems to be upon the Wing; which in a Word, seems to lie much at the Doors of such Elders who have not kept their first Love. Oh! is not Blindness in part already happened to our Israel, through the subtil Work­ings and Aboundings of the Mystery of Iniquity, and the Prevalence of the God of this World! Let us, as many as have the Cause of Truth at Heart, offer our Supplications, with Singleness to the Lord, as Jacob did, when the Enemy was coming in like a Flood to destroy the Heritage and Seed of Promise; that he will be graciously pleased to turn the Captivity of his People, by renewing his powerful Visitation, to the searching the deceitful, hard and ungrateful Heart, &c. Yet there is a precious Seed both in Elders and Young, whom the Lord will preserve; but the Stumbling-blocks shall be discovered, and the Weak com­forted."

Extract from an Epistle of A. Rigge. "Friends, Stand as Witnesses for God against all wordly Lusts, both among yourselves and the World; be watchful over yourselves and your Children, in­dulge them not in any thing that is evil, but timely restrain it, left it become your Sin; and command them to observe the Law of the Lord in their Hearts.—If you love the Truth, you will train up your Children in it when they are young.—Keep them to sound Language, which Truth required in the Beginning.—Keep them in plain and modest Apparel and Behaviour, in due Subjection to the Truth in all Things, in [...]n holy Conversation.—'Tis your Duty, the Lord requires it of you, as you must give an Account to God while they are under your Wing— Eli's not restraining his Sons became his Sin, and brought a Curse upon his House for ever; beware then of neglecting or winking at your Childrens Sins.—Train them up [Page 23] in the Nurture of the Lord left they bring a Shame upon your Houses, and so made a Scorn to Fools, and a Derision to them that are round about us, and have opened the Mouths of evil Men to blas­pheme the Name of the Lord."

And here let me add a Remark of the foregoing Author, for the Admonition or Instruction of the Youth of our Society.—His Wife's Parents were convinc­ed of Truth before she was; yet she had that reve­rend Respect for them, that she would not willing­ly appear before them in any Dress they did not like; and in a little Time she and her Sisters were convinced.

Yearly-meeting Epistle 1709. "Dear Friends, who are Heads of Families, especially Elders in the Church, watch over the young Generation, that Sobriety, Plainness and Virtue may be promoted and exem­plarily recommended by you to them.—Let the Aged remember, and the Youth know, that when any apparent Signs of the Plague of Leprosy ap­peared on the Walls of the Houses of Israel, it was the Care of the Priests under the Law, to have the Houses cleansed and the Lepers also: And surely Christ's Priesthood should not fall short of their Care, to endeavour to stop and remove the mani­fest Tokens of the great Sin of Pride, and all Superfluity of Naughtiness: And therefore let all concerned, be earnestly stirred up to sincere Obe­dience to the Light of Christ, our great high Priest, that he may cleanse the Hearts and Houses of that growing Plague, which tends to the Ruin of Families, and Posterity.—And further, let all be concerned not only to watch over their Chil­dren for Good, but rule over them in the Fear of the Lord, that none in Fondness of Affection lose their Authority, wherein the Lord hath set them for their Childrens Preservation; and let all be Examples in Wisdom, Moderation, Plainness in [Page 24] Language and Habit; and not Examples only, but also to restrain them from Things hurtful either inwardly or outwardly, neither providing for them costly Attire unbecoming Godliness, nor letting them have Money to gratify themselves therein.—And 'tis a Duty incumbent on Friends, to cause them to be frequent in reading the holy Scriptures, observing to them the Examples of such Children as have early learned the Fear of the Lord; instructing them in the Fear and Dread of the Lord; planting Impressions upon their Spirits of Reverence towards God, from whom they have their daily Support; shewing they ought not to offend him, but love, serve and honour him: And as their Hearts are seasoned with Truth, good Fruits agreeable to Truth will appear, to the Ho­nour of God and Comfort of Parents."

Fox 's Acts and Monuments, pag. 23. where Bishop Ridley speaks after this Manner; "Conscience doth move me to fear, left the Lightness of my Family shall be laid to my Charge, for lack of more earnest and diligent Instruction which should have been done.—I bless God that he hath given me to see this Fault, and to lament it from the Bottom of my Heart. — I would that I esteem nothing available for me, which will not further the Glory of God; for whosoever wittingly neglecteth to clear his Conscience, can't have Peace with God.—Conscious of this, that we Pastors, many of us, are too cold, and bare too much with the wicked World so on every Side, and of every Sort, we provoke God's Anger."

Yearly-meeting Epistle 1751. "And you Parents, Guardians, Masters, and all under whose Care and Tuition our Youth are placed, we tenderly cau­tion, and in Love intreat you, that you faithfully discharge the Trust in you reposed, and that you would neither encourage nor permit the Youth, [Page 25] under your immediate Direction and Care, to take undue Liberties in Speech, Behaviour and Ap­parel; but that you earnestly advise, and as much as in you lies, keep them from conforming to the Fashions of the World.—By such a timely Care, Parents and Guardians may keep themselves from any just Imputation of Blame, arising from the Misconduct of those committed to their Care, from being accessary to their Ruin, which unwary Youth too often incur through such Means."

Ambrose Rigg 's Life, pag. 348. "Let young Women have a Care how they look out at the Glory of the World, where the Lust of the Eye and Pride of Life is, which is not of God, left they be ensnared, as the young Men of the Hebrews with the Daughters of Moab; which brought a Plague upon Israel. And you Elders, Fathers and Mothers of Families, walk in him your heavenly Head as Examples of Gravity, and Temperance, and Modesty; be watchful over your Children in their young Years; beware of letting them alone without due and loving Reproof for the least Ap­pearance of Evil in Word or Deed.—This is the Will of God concerning you, to whom he hath given Power in their younger Years to restrain from every Appearance of Evil.—They are of your Loins, and you must be accountable for their Evils, till they know and be made sensible of the Spirit of Truth in themselves, and when they turn from it, the Miscarriage will lie at their own Door."

And it may not be amiss here to add, That it is a Duty incumbent on Parents, Tutors, Schoolmasters and Mistresses, carefully to watch the Passions and Dispositions of Youth, [and to provide some sober Person to attend them in their vacant Hours, to prevent any Sports which may have the evil Ten­dency before mentioned] and as much as possible [Page 26] to correct or amend the evil Inclinations which may appear in any, by Methods suiting the Tempers of the Children; and as ceasing to do evil, is but one Part of the Injunction delivered by the Prophet in the Name of the Lord, it is indispensibly necessary they should be taught to do well: That they be carefully instructed in a Manner suitable to their Age and Capacities, in the Principles of our Christian Profession, as well as reading such Parts of the holy Scriptures and Friends Writings, as their Under­standings might take in, when a little explained by the Instructor. And as proper Habits, as well as suitable Nurture, may have some good Influence on their future Life and Practice, it is but agreeable to our Profession, as well as to the repeated Advices of our Friends, to recommend to Parents, School-masters and Mistresses, that they spare a little Time in some seasonable Part of each Day, to sit with their Families in a religious Silence; if it were only to think on the Name of the Lord, it would be comely and of good Report; for it don't seem to, be so, when many are behind the formal Worship­pers of this World in Family Acknowledgements of God, who is to be enquired of for Help and Asist­ance, not only once a Week, but, as the Jews outward, so the Jew inward, is to offer the daily Sacrifice. Well, I say, if this be done by us in In­tegrity and Uprightness of Heart, the Result of the Love of God, the Advantages arising from such a Practice will not only be certain but great, as the Prophet assures us; and when done in Simplicity, while we may be thus musing the Fire may kindle, and the warming Beams of God's Love may shed its, enlivening Influence on Elders and Youth; to whom our Memorials of God's Mercies might be produced. I am sensible, if we more generally lived in a due Sense of our Dependency on the Lord, and of his Benefits to our Souls and Bodies, past and present, [Page 27] an humble Gratitude must arise and fill our Hearts with high Praises, and we shall sensibly worship before him, who is worthy of Dominion and Glory.

Ury, 29th of the 6th Month, 1693.

I Beheld the Worlds and so! there was Peril, because of the Devices which were come into it, 2 Esdras, ix. 20. for tho' God made Man upright, he hath found out many Inventions, not only in Religion (which respects the Soul, but in outward Things which relate to the Body) to make that an easy agreeable Duty, suitable to the carnal Mind that is content with the Form there­of, so they may be excused from coming under the Influence of its Power, and thereby be left more [Page 64] at Liberty to search out and make Things to indulge the same carnal Mind in the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes and Pride of Life; and so these Craftsmen must consequently have Retailers of their Inventions, from whence 'tis probable this Complaint against Israel was taken up, Thou hast defiled thy Sanctuaries by the Multitude of thine Iniquities, and by the Iniquity of thy Traffick, Ezck. xxviii. 18. The ge­neral Pretence of Mankind for encouraging Super­fluities of all Kinds, is, that these Crafts helps the Poor to a Subsistance; which, by the way, is far from being the Motive of these Promoters of Lust and Vanity, at least but of a very few; and the greatest Charity will not allow us to judge otherwise, as 'tis evident in Instances where some Invention is become unfashionable, the Craftsmen have been reduced to a State of Poverty for want of Employment.

Penn's no Cross, no Crown, pag. 213. "But if the Inventors of evil Things want a Livelihood, feeding them that way nurses the Cause instead of starving of it.—Let the Poor be help'd by Charity to better Callings, and the rich Vanity-huxters retreat, and spend it more honestly than they got it."

Some People alledge, That it is Necessity obliges them to sell such Superfluities as gratify the vain Mind; Let these remember, that we are not to do the least Evil that the greatest Good may ensue; and also, that there is one Necessity greater than all others, and that is, the Necessity of not offending the Lord and grieving his holy Spirit.

Again, says the above mentioned Author, "The Kingdom of God, say some, stands not in Meats, Drinks, nor Apparel, &c. I answer, right.—But it stands out of them. True honest Religion don't send People out of the World, but it preserves them from Evil. But some would endeavour to make God serve with their Sins, and would rather [Page 65] charge the Almighty with the Creation and In­vention of their dirty Vanities, than want a Plea to justify their Pretence and Practice. But to such miserable Souls I answer, What God has made for Man's Use is good, and what the blessed Jesus allow'd, enjoin'd, or gave in an heavenly Example, is to be believed, observ'd and practised; but in the whole Catalogue the Scriptures give of both, I never found the Attires and Way of living of the Generality of the Christians of these Times."

Penn's no Cross, no Crown, pag. 93. Giving an Account of the Day of the Lord's Visitation, and our Call from the Spirit of the World, he says, "Now there was a grand Inquest came upon our whole Life; the Root examined, and Tendency considered of every Thought. The Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life open'd to our View, and the Mystery of Iniquity in us; and knowing the evil Leaven, and its divers evil Effects in ourselves, how it had wrought, and what it had done, we came to a Sense and Know­ledge of the State of others, and what we could not, nay dare not let live and continue in ourselves, as being manifested to proceed from an evil Prin­ciple in the Time of Man's Degeneracy, we could not comply with in others."

Christopher Story's Journal, pag. 59. He gives an Account of Aaron Atkinson, and his Master William Armstrong, convinced and lived together, and honoured Truth in their Trading, being at a Word. "They saw they were not to trade in pro­hibited Goods, neither to sell striped and gaudy Cloth, such as was not seemly for Friends to wear: Honest Friends, of what Employment soever, were concerned to be Testimony Bearers in the Way of their Trade and Business, and tho' it looked for a Time as if it would have hurt their Trades, yet as they were faithful, they prospered,"

[Page 66] Shield of Truth. A Tract by James Parnel, 1655. "Pride is the Fruit of the corrupt Tree.—Are Points and Ribbands of any Use but to satisfy the proud Mind? Also following the new Fashions and Inventions of the World, to make the Creature seem something in its own Eyes, and in the Eyes of others; are not these the outward Signs of Pride which lodges in the Heart? Covetousness is another Root of the corrupt Tree, which excites People to pursue Wealth by unlawful Means, by gratifying the Lust of the Eye and Pride of Life; has not the Lord pronounced a Woe against the Crown of Pride? and is he not determined to destroy it Root and Branch? and shall any professing as we do, by any Act of ours spare, nourish and keep it alive in any one? God forbid! whoever then has thus done, let the Time past suffice, wherein they have been making Provision for the Flesh, to fulfil the sinful Lusts thereof."

Penn's Just Measure. "The Society we are of, has nothing to do with what House I live in, what Food I eat, what Clothes I wear, nor what Trade I follow, provided there be no Excess nor Uncom­liness in all these."—Agreeable to what the Apostle writes, Whatsoever is comely and of good Report, &c. that follow.—Now judge ye, is it comely and of good Report for the Members of a Society, pro­fessing to deny all the fantastick Modes and Fashions, and all the Superfluities in Use among what we term the World's People, and in Words zealous against them in the Youth of our own Society, and desiring that all Mankind might be so enlightened by divine Grace, to see the Evil and Folly of these external Things, and are at times calling to them to forsake them, seeing the great Danger in these Luxuries, of hurting their eternal Interest? and what is astonishing, at another Time exposing to Sale rich plain and gaudy Silks, fashion­able [Page 67] Ribbands, with a Train of other Vanities too numerous to add here. Judge yourselves, Brethren, in these Things by the Spirit of Truth, and then no Man will judge you.

Penn.—"Visible Objects have a great Influence on the People, and therefore Satan is represented tempting Eve with fair Fruit, pleasant to the Senses, the Palate, the Eye, &c. And are not they who fell vain and superfluous Things, exposing them at Door and Windows, Tempters of the People to the Lust of the Eye and Pride of Life?

Barclay's Apology, pag. 532. "'Tis not lawful for Christians to use superfluous Things, in Clothes, &c." And then certainly not lawful to sell them, to feed these Lusts.

Fox's Doctrinals, pag. 828. "Do not nourish the Lust of the Eye in your Families; if you do, you nourish that which is not of God.—Pag. 881. Whatever you gain by your Covetousness from the Lusts of others, will not this bring Destruction upon you and your unrighteous Gain, which you have got by feeding their Lusts; for that Spirit which feeds the destroying Lust is the Destroyer, and the Profit of that will not be Gain to you in the End."

Fox's Epistles, pag. 2. "The Children of this World do mostly mind external Things, their Love is in them; but they who follow Christ in his Cross, they are Strangers to the World, Wonders to the World, condemn'd by it: But while the Nature of the World doth rise in Man, O the deaf Ear, the blind Eye, the Understand­ing shut up, in which they judge!—Pag. 8. We see Men despise us when we go from our Principles, Pag. 262. Friends keep to Truth's Principles."

John Fothergill's Journal, pag. 10. "God is desirous that his Camp should be cleansed, for it seems to me, that there are Abundance of People, [Page 68] not of our Society, will confess, to the Truth in Words, that have their Eyes very strictly upon us, to see if our Actions agree with our Principles, and our Conduct answers the Profession we make."

Lawson's Mite, pag. 38. "As Nations come to be rectify'd and season'd with the Salt of the King­dom, all Arts not savouring of God, but tending to deprave the People, and lead them into an airy uncertain State, will be witness'd against."

Penn's Epistle to the Churches, 1677. "A Warning to all that make mention of the Name of the Lord, that they take care how they let out their Minds in any wise to please the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and Pride of Life, which are not of the Father, but of the World; left any be exalted into a Liberty that maketh the Cross of Christ of none effect, and the Offence to cease.—These will become as the Salt which has lost its Savour, and at last will be trod under the Feet of God and Man."

The same Author to the young Convinced, 1669. "We are as well to be a Cross in our Garbs, Gate, Salutations and Dealings, as to the Worships of this vain and adulterated World.— Epistle 1696. My Friends, blessed are they that see their Captain go before them, counselling and leading them in all their outward and lawful Concerns, that they offend not:"

Stephen Crisp's Works, pag. 364. Beware of the Wiles of those who are crafty, and would lead from the Simplicity of the Gospel, but keep your Testimony alive in all Things.—Pag. 381. Have a Care that nothing be done or permitted which hurts your Testimony for God, his Name and Example to others, in a Restoration (from the sinful Life) of the whole World.—Pag. 368. What is not right, Love constrains to deal uprightly with.—That which God calls unclean, let no Man presume to call clean, or join with it.—Page. 169. [Page 69] There are many reasoning with the Flesh, May I not do this that my Heart desireth, and keep in the Way of Truth? Thus the Serpent begets a Question of obeying the Truth, and his Answer is always with a Liberty to disobey.—This bringeth Oppression on the pure Seed, and that withdraws, and so Night comes. Pag. 366. Let your Lives shine that sober Enquirers may be reach'd, without which all Testimony is to no Purpose but to con­demn us; keep then a single Eye, for ye cannot serve two Masters."

Penn's Maxims, pag. 169. "Fear and Gain are the great Perverters of Mankind, when either pre­vails the Judgment is violated." If we contribute to Pride, we make ourselves accessary to the Conse­quences arising therefrom, and justly charged with keeping the World in Ignorance.

Ireland, 1688. At a Meeting of Merchants, Clothiers and Taylors. "We being met together according to the Appointment of the Half-year's Meeting, to consider whether it be convenient for Friends to make draught, figur'd and strip'd Work, or to sell such, or make them up into Clothes; and upon the whole Debate and Resolves, we believe it is comely and according to Truth, and Truth­like, for Friends to wear plain Apparel, and to make plain Stuffs, and to sell plain Things, and for Taylors to make Clothes plain; and that it will be commendable that all Friends, who have the Truth chiefly in their Eye in all the said Clothes and Goods, in their dealing, making and wearing; and that if any Friend do, for Truth's Sake, lay aside and deny themselves of the Profit of what they might expect to get, by figur'd and strip'd Things, we believe they will not lose their Reward. And Friends would do well to encourage Friends of that Trade that cannot answer the World's Fashions."

[Page 70] Half-year's Meeting, 1693. "The Yearly-meeting of Women apply to this Meeting for Advice, about Friends having printed or painted Hang­ings, Shining-tables, Chests of Drawers, and Dress­ing-boxes, large Looking-glasses, painted Rooms, &c. The Sense of this Meeting is, That Friends ought not to run into, but lay aside all printed and painted Hangings, and to avoid any Hang­ings of Rooms as much as possible; if they have real Necessity for plain Hangings, that they may take Advice before they do it.—And that they deny themselves of such Finery of Tables, Drawers, &c. which gratify an high Mind, and use plain ones for Service; that none keep large Looking-glasses, (and if Partitions colour'd, to be of one plain Colour.") And may I add, it is advisable to reduce the Number of small Looking-glasses.

Advices of Half-year's Meeting continued. "'Tis desir'd, all Friends that are Joiners, Ship-carpen­ters, Founders, that are present, to meet apart and consider what is convenient for them to make, and give their Judgment to the Meeting to spread abroad for Truth's Service; which was as fol­lows: That Chests of Drawers ought to be plain, all of one Colour, without any swelling Works: That Tables and Chairs ought to be plain with­out carving, keeping out of all new Fashions; and all Mouldings one above another about Beds, Clock-cases, &c. ought to be avoided, only what is according to Truth, so that all Furniture should be plain.—That Ship-carpenters leave off carving and making Images, and putting them up in Ships.—That Founders take care to keep out of casting Images, or superfluous Things.—That Saddlers make plain Saddles for Men and Women."

Fox's Doctrinals, pag. III. The Fashions of the World made manifest. "Is not all your Fashions to please the Lust of the Eyes? You are carried [Page 71] away with the Vanities of your Minds, and the Inventions of your wicked Hearts: Do you not believe that God will spew you out for thus pol­luting the Earth and staining of it, who are given up to the Inventions of Fashions? Craftsmen given up to Inventions of Fashions.—The newest Fashions pleases the People best.—You serve your Inventions more than God, though you call on him with your Lips.—You say the Quakers Reli­gion stands in this, to cry against the Fashion of the World; nay, not altogether; yet it. doth stand to cry against them.—The Quakers Religion is pure, and keeps from the Spots of the World and the Fashions of it.—It is Time to cry against all your Fashions, for the Devil hath carried you to such a Height, who are in the Wisdom of the Earth, which is sensual, that it is Time to cry against them upon the Wall."

No Cross no Crown, pag. 15. "The true Disciples of our Lord must be crucify'd to Objects and Employments that attract downwards."

Fox's Epistles, pag. 209. "Friends, keep your Hands, Tongues, Feet, Bodies and Hearts clean, out of all Pollutions; keep out of all the vain Fashions of the World, and over that unchaste Spirit that invents new Fashions daily in Apparel and Diet? keep chaste, that your Lives and Conversations may judge them, in such Things."

Gilbert Latey, convinced by Edward Burroughs in 1654, was a Man fearing God, and hating Iniquity, fervent and zealous against Deceit; which Testi­mony he bore faithfully according to his Ability. Having received a Gift in the Ministry, he honoured them greatly who were Elders in the Lord, as they kept to that Power that first broke forth in their Hearts; he would often say, they were as Marrow to his Bones.—He took up the Cross, and despised the Shame, and it pleased the Lord to bring a Trial [Page 72] upon him, like cutting off a right Hand, viz. He being a Taylor, was employed by Persons of Note, who would have their Apparel set off with much Cost and Superfluity of Lace and Ribbands, and he came under a conscientious Concern not to meddle therewith, nor suffer his Servants to put it on; so he was forced to part with his Servants, not knowing but he must be a Servant himself; yet he chose to leave all rather than lose his Peace with the Lord, who never forsakes those who trust in him: Thus was he resigned to God's Will.—He wrote an Epistle to all Tradesmen whatsoever, telling them, The Lord was appearing to search out the Works and Deeds of Darkness; and exhorts all, of what Trade, Office or Calling soever, to leave off all the Evil in them, for the Lord was weary of it, and grieved with the Evil used in their Employments which they were daily exer­cised in, and led to by the Enemy of Souls; for which they must all come to Judgment for the Pride that they have been Leaders into, and Preparers of the Way for Pride and Vanity, which grieves the Lord Day by Day.

John Hall, Father of David Hall of Skipton, lately deceased, born in 1637, a Taylor by Trade, was often employed in the Families of great Men and Circum­stances, had in great Esteem amongst them, being wil­ling, capable and ready to gratify them in the Modes, Cuts and Superfluities of the Times, being himself at that Time a Youth gay and modish in Apparel, sprightly and jovial in Spirit, swimming towards the Profits and Pleasures of this fading World; yet pre­served from gross Enormities, was awakened by one Gervase Beson: Some Time after, in a silent Meeting, convinced of the blessed Truth, and continued in it to his dying Day. Now the Light of the just Man's Path, which shines more and more to the perfect Day, made fur­ther Discoveries unto him; for whereas aforetime he had gratified the vain Minds of Men and Women in the Fashions and Superfluities then in vogue, now he [Page 73] found a Restriction laid upon him, and a conscientious Scruple in doing such like Things: Howbeit, for some Time, through Reasoning, &c. permitted his Servant or Servants that wrought with him to have some hand in the doing of it. He did not at the first renounce all those Superfluities, and the Profits that might seem to arise therefrom, but the Light shone brighter and brighter, and discovered Things further and further; and as he sat in a Meeting on a certain Day ( the Power of the Lord seized him) he was so remarkably affected, that his Hands were drawn together, the Use of his Limbs taken from him, and he fell down on the Floor, where he laid for some Time, to the Admiration of the Spectators. After this Visitation, which he took to be a Dispen­sation of the righteous Judgments of the Lord, for his being instrumental in setting on of Lace on Womens Apparel, and other Superfluities of the Times, which frequently occur'd in his Business, he was sweetly favoured with an immediate Succession pf refreshing Consolation, so that he could sing of Judgment and Mercy. From that Time he never durst set on any Lace, or other superfluous Orna­ments, or gratify the proud Minds of Men and Women in the vain Fashions and changeable Modes of the Times, neither with his own Hands, nor the Hands of his Servants, what Disadvantage soever it might be unto him: But the Lord prospered what he put his Hand to; he was with his Servant, and is with all the Faithful that follow his Leadings and Drawings of the Light and Truth, even to the giving an hundred Fold in this World, and in the World to come Life everlasting.

Soon after this, he was sent for by a great Man to make some very fine Clothes; when he saw the Work was to be wrought with many Superfluities, which for Conscience-sake he durst not undertake, upon his Refusal they told him, he might let his [Page 74] Man do them; but he said he durst neither permit his Man to do them, nor assist him; then they said they must employ another. He was willing to lose all rather than his Peace with the Lord: He freely turn'd his Back of all that worldly Interest: And Providence so favoured his conscientious Care, that he got plan Work enough, and his Wages increased; as he was faithful in a little, the Lord made greater Things manifest unto him, for in the Families in which he had been light, airy and wanton, he was now made to reprove Vanity, and bear a living Testimony to the everlasting God in Word, Doc­trine, Life and Conversation; and it pleased the Lord to dispense to him a Gift or Talent in the free living Ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, which through his Blessing he improved to God's Honour and the Comfort of Souls. He recruited in the World and lived reputably among his Neighbours; but the Officers were very rigorous in the Execution of the Law upon him, and in the Year 1683 was several Times in Prison, but the Lord made way for him and all that faithfully follow him, let their Difficulties be what they may. He was zealous in Discipline to keep up that Hedge, and strict and conscientious in the Nurture and Education of his Children.

Extract from a Treatise wrote by Henry Lombe of Norwich, Weaver; printed 1684, reprinted 1693. "I do declare, that the Work which has been wrought in me is the Lord's Work, and Praises be given to him alone. And I do also further de­clare that the Lord, in this Day of great Love to my Soul, has been pleased to discover to me divers Things, wherein I disobey'd his holy Law in my Heart, and which he did require me to forsake and part withal; but that which in particular I find a Concern to live upon my Spirit, to give forth as a publick Testimony unto others, is, That [Page 75] the Lord hath manifested to me his Displeasure against my being concerned in making any figur'd and gaudy Stuffs, whose End and Service was chiefly to satisfy the vain and proud Minds of Men and Women, that live in Disobedience to God; and that those Things have their Rise and Beginning, and are invented by Man, whose Heart and Mind is gone astray from the Counsel of the Lord, and therefore by such as come to yield up unto him, and take Counsel of his holy Spirit, they are to be deny'd and turn'd from; and we are not to reason with Flesh and Blood about these Things, saying, If I leave this Way, I know not how I shall get such a Maintenance for my Family as I now can; and if the Lord would make, out a Way for me in other Things, I could willingly part with this. And so are prefering their present Prosperity in this short and transitory Life, before their Peace and eternal Comfort and Felicity with the Lord for ever: O, my Friends, it is better to have inward Peace with the Lord, and the Seal and Testimony of Faithfulness born Witness unto us, and in us, though we do suffer in the outward, than to enjoy outward Comfort for a little Season, and want inward Peace.— My Friends, it is the Lord hath given unto me, that those that are obedient unto him, and bear a faithful Testimony for his Truth, against that Spirit of Pride and Wickedness, that so much abounds in this our Age, they shall not want that which is necessary for their Support in the outward; and on the contrary, they that refuse to obey the Lord and answer his Requirings, and think by continuing in that which grieves his holy Spirit, to gather to­gether and increase in Riches, the Lord is able to blast all their Increase when he pleases; therefore let all be persuaded to be faithful to the Lord, and turn their Hearts and Minds to seek him [Page 76] above all other Things, and all Things good for us shall be added."

Collection of Tracts written by several Friends: William Billing, in the third Page of his Epistle to Friends, says, "Let nothing be bought or sold that is superfluous, or destructive to God's Creation,—Let none, I say, return to any Part of the old Vomit,"

Deut. xxiii. 18. The Price of a Dog shalt thou not bring into God's House.—The marginal Note says, forbidding Gain got by evil Things to be apply'd to the Service of God.

Ambrose Rigg's Life. Epistle to Friends, pag. 348. "Wait upon the Lord in Faith, and he will give you what is needful in his own Time, and with a Blessing added; but I have learn'd this by long and good Experience, to recommend to you in Brotherly Caution, not to seek lawful Things by unlawful Means, for that is not good in the Sight of God; but let the Lamp of Righteousness go before you in all your outward Undertakings, by which all Snares which may be laid in the Way may be avoided, in the Dominion which subdueth. all Things which are not of God."

London, the 2d of the Eleventh Month 1682.

George Fox's Epistles, pag. 288. "Help such who have left a Calling which they for Conscience sake cannot follow; do the best you can to help them, and further them to Employments, that they may labour in the Thing that is good, and be a Blessing in the Creation."

Extract from a Treatise of Discipline, by Dr. Rutty, pag. 441. History of Friends in Ireland. "There remains yet worthy of Notice, certain particular Instances of their tender Regard to Justice, and their condemning the Acquisition of Riches by Means either unlawful, or such as interfered with the Dictates of their Conscience, viz. I find it to have been the Concern of a National Meeting, held in Dublin 1677, to recommend to Friends, [Page 80] that they should forbear selling needless Things, and such as had a Tendency to uphold Pride and Vanity: Such they deemed to be the Merchandize of Gold and Silver Lace, gaudy Ribbands, Silks, &c. all which Kind of Traffick, several Persons who had been concerned in, when they came to be of this Judgment, did lay down for Consci­ence Sake."

Extracts from the Half-year's Meeting in Ireland, 1676. "Whereas there have been several Testimo­nies from our former Half-year's Meetings, against the vain and never settled Fashions in Apparel, and against Superfluity in Houshold Stuff and otherwise, and against making and selling such Things which Truth will not allow of; and to the End such Things may not creep in again, and that the Expectation of all faithful Friends may be answered herein, and the said Testimonies kept up, Friends at the said Meeting do signify their continued and constant Unity with the said former Testimonies, Copies whereof being sent herewith, desiring the Mens and Womens Meetings every where in this Nation, to look into these Matters, and to use all Ways and Means in Truth to get them swept away, where such Things appear, and are found; that so the House may be kept clean: And that all Friends in Cities, Towns and Coun­try, do keep up their Testimony against Observati­on of Days, called holy Days; also the Womens Meetings every where to be encouraged and help­ed, according to a Paper of our dear Friend John Banks, recommended to the Men and Womens Meetings, to accomplish its Service."

Ibid, in 1677. "Friends of the several Provinces are desired to take Care, that the Testimonies formerly given forth against the World's Fashions in Apparel, and Superfluity in Houshold Stuff, or otherwise, and against Tithes, directly or [Page 81] indirectly, and against making and selling such Things as Truth will not allow of, that these Things be enquired into in every respective Meet­ing by faithful Friends, and that Returns be made to the Provincial Meetings, how such Things are found in each particular Meeting."

A Hammer to break down all invented Images. George Fox's Doctrinals, pag. 312. "Man (says he) transgress'd by touching that which was forbidden.—And the Law was added because of Transgres­sion.—But the Law made nothing perfect, not taking away the Root, only taking hold upon the Actions.—But Christ, which, or who destroy'd Death with his Works, takes away the Root of Sin, and destroys the Beginning of it, to wit, the Original the Devil, who abode not in the Truth himself, [...] led Men and Women out of the Truth, and so to be like him in his Image, and not like God in his Image; and therefore Christ, who destroy'd the Devil, renews Man again into the Image of God.

And now all Men that be in the Image of the Devil, out of Truth, out of the Image of God, they are them that are making Images, Likenesses and Representations of Things in Heaven, in the Earth, in the Waters above and below; so these would be Imitators of the Creator and Maker of all Things in Heaven, in the Earth, &c. tho' they do not worship them; and this is forbidden, both to worship and to make them.

And therefore all Friends, and People, pluck. down your Images, your Likeness, your Pictures, and your Representations of Things in Heaven, &c. I say, pluck them out of your Houses, Walls and Signs, or other Places, that none of you be [Page 84] found Imitators of his Creator, whom you should serve and worship; and not observe the idle, lazy Mind, that would go, invent and make Things like a Creator and Maker; any Thing, I say, that is in Heaven, &c. for mind, while Man was in the Image of God, and his Likeness, and the Woman, they did not make any Likenesses: but when Man lost the Image of God, then they did begin to make such Things as the Stock of Nimrod, in Ninos his Time; then they began to make Images of their Children, and indulge them that would worship them: At last they worshipped four-footed Beasts, as in Rom, i. 23. so in the Re­storation of Jesus Christ there is no Image, nor Likeness, &c. therefore down and away with all your Images, &c you Imitators of God your Maker and Creator, you who have made Like­nesses of Things in Heaven, &c. I say, down with them out of your Houses, and off your Sign-posts, with the Power of God; for as that arises in your Hearts, the Nature that doth appertain to them, or adore or worship them, and the Makers of them, by the Power of God are thrown down, it and them both."

Edward Haistwell, who was once said to be Ser­vant to George Fox, married a rich Merchant's Daugh­ter, and was afterwards esteem'd very rich; but running into Grandeur, he among other Things had Pictures hung up in his House, at the Sight of which William Edmundson was so wounded, that he weigh­tily said thereon, Surely the Lord will visit for these Things. Some Time after a Hand turn'd against this rich Man, so that instead of his own saying, he would leave off Trade when he had arrived to four Hun­dred Thousand Pounds, his Bills were retun'd upon him, and he fell short with his Creditors, ending his Days in that State.

[Page 85] George Fox's Doctrinals, pag. 73. "A Cry so, Repentance to London chiefly, and to those whose Fruits do shame their Profession, that they may come to yea and nay in their Communications and Dealings, that their Life may judge the World." George Fox concludes this warning thus. "And all you Makers of Images, Baubles and Toys, to please the Lusts and Vanity of the People, repent, repent, left God consume you with the Vanity. And you that delight in fine Houses, and Appa­rel, and the Eyes are fix'd in those Things, re­pent, left God destroy you with them, "He calls next to Astrologers, Fortune-tellers, &c. "God's Arm is turn'd, with which he will gather his People to himself; the Furnace is prepar'd, the Oven is provided, and all high buildings shall be laid low, and the Cities waste and without Inhabitants: The Lord God is bringing his People to his City, and many are in their Way wandering to it, and many are enter'd into their Rest.—Therefore to you repenting Ones is this, and to you unrepenting Ones, that you may come to see the Way hither out of the Earth, into the righteous Way and Path of Life, which leads to God the Father of Life; and to you this is the Word of the Lord God, from him that dwells in that which comprehends the World, and answering this shall be with that of God in every one of you.—Have not Ribbands, Jewels, Images and Baubles carried away the Eyes and Hearts of People, which bringeth them to lose Sincerity? O! repent ye whose Hearts and Eyes are given to Vanity, left the Lord come up­on you like Mortar and Clay, and tread you to. Pieces like Potsherds."