and strikingly emblematical of his future service in the church.

others that he should enter the army. Such proposals, however, were little suited to the state of his feelings, and rather added to his sorrows. He sought lonely places and there poured out his cries to the Lord, from whom alone he expected true comfort.

While in his master's employ, much property and money passed through his hands; and being governed by the preserving power of divine grace, he was scrupulously careful to wrong none, but to exercise justice and During this season of conflict, he applied to honesty toward all. In his dealings he fre- several ministers for counsel and aid; but quently used the word, verily,' and such was none of them could help him, nor indeed did his known firmness in adhering to his word, they appear to understand his disconsolate that it became a common observation among condition. But though afflicted, he was not those who knew him, "If George says veri- forsaken; and by the teachings of the Holy ly,' there is no altering him." Spirit, which our blessed Saviour promised The simplicity and plainness of his appear-should lead his followers into all truth, his ance and demeanor, sometimes excited the ridicule of rude persons, of which he took little notice; but sober people generally loved him for his innocency and integrity. His tender mind was often grieved with the inconsistent conduct of the professors of religion. On one occasion, when about nineteen years of age, having observed the light and unprofitable conversation and conduct of some, and the eagerness with which others were pursuing the riches of this world, though both made a high profession of religion, his mind was deeply affected; and withdrawing from the company, he spent the greater part of the night alone, in prayer, mourning because of the wickedness which abounded in the world. In this situation, the language was intelligibly addressed to his mind, "Thou seest how young people go together into vanity, and old people into the earth-Thou must forsake all, old and young, and be as a stranger unto all."

About the twentieth year of his age, his exercises increased; he broke off all familiarity with his former acquaintance, and travelled into Northampton and Buckinghamshire, and by Newport-Pagnel and Barnet, to London, seeking for the most religious professors; hoping to find in their society some relief for his tribulated spirit. For a time, however, his distress increased, and satan, taking advantage of his sorrows, tempted him to despair of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. Not succeeding in this snare, he tried to draw him into the commission of some sin. But it pleased the Lord, who saw the integrity of his heart, and knew his close trials, to support his mind and eventually to deliver him out of them all.

Hearing that his relations were uneasy with his absence from home, he returned, and remained some time with them. They seem to have been in great measure strangers to the nature of his religious exercises; and in order to remove his deep thoughtfulness respecting the everlasting welfare of his soul, and the things which belong to the kingdom of heaven, some proposed that he should marry, and

mind was instructed in many of the mysteries of Christian redemption. He gave a striking evidence of this on one occasion, when Nathaniel Stevens, the priest of his native town, asked him " Why Christ cried out on the cross, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? and why he said, If it be possible let this cup pass from me, yet not my will but thine be done." "I told him," says George, "that at that time, the sins of all mankind were upon him, and their iniquities and transgressions with which he was wounded, and which he was to bear and be an offering for, as he was man; but that he died not, as he was God. So in that he died for all men, tasting death for every man, he was an offering for the sins of the whole world." Thus early in his Christian experience did this faithful servant of the Lord bear his testimony to the truth of that consoling and fundamental doctrine of the Gospel, that our dear Redeemer came into the world to save sinners, and laid down his precious life as a sacrifice and propitiation for the sins of mankind.

In the year 1645 he went to Mansetter in Warwickshire, then to Tamworth and Coventry; at each of which places he had conversation with those called ministers, respecting the state of his mind; but their attempts to assuage his grief, and the advice they of fered, showed them to be very deficient in solid religious experience, and left him without relief. One advised him to take tobacco and sing psalms-and another began to question him as to Christ's parentage. "I told him," says he, "that Mary was his mother, and that he was supposed to be the son of Joseph, but was the Son of God."

Speaking of his situation at this time, he remarks, " My troubles were so great that I could have wished I had been born blind, that I might never have seen wickedness or vanity; and deaf, that I might never have heard vain and wicked words, or the Lord's name blasphemed."

Instead of spending the time called Christmas, in feasting and merriment, as was too

generally the case, his benevolent disposition properly declare to others, the mysteries of induced him to go from house to house, seek-life and salvation, they must become in meaing out destitute and needy widows and other sure practically acquainted with them, in their objects of charity, to whom he extended re- own experience: That as Christ called, comlief; having the means not only of keeping missioned and sent forth his apostles, in the himself from being chargeable, but of admin- beginning of the Christian dispensation, so all istering to the necessities of others. In 1646 those now who had a part in the ministry, he appears to have fixed his residence at Co- must be called and qualified by Him. These ventry, where he remained for a considerable views were so clearly impressed on his mind, time. that he was fully satisfied of their truth, and It is interesting to trace the gradual unfold-greatly admired the Lord's goodness in thus ing of the Christian testimonies now held by instructing him. He perceived that they struck the Society of Friends, as they were opened, at the priests' ministry, and he could not go one by one, to the mind of this eminent servant of the Lord. His attention had been early directed to the Spirit of Christ in his own heart, as the great Teacher, under the gospel dispensation. By obedience to its discoveries he not only grew in grace and obtained the victory over sin, but the Holy Scriptures were so clearly opened to his understanding, that he became deeply instructed in the knowledge of divine things. The perceptible influences of the Holy Spirit in the mind of man, was a fundamental doctrine with him; and it is only by a belief in the same doctrine, and a humble submission to its operations in the soul, that we of the present day can sincerely embrace and practically maintain those religious principles which, through the faithfulness and sufferings of our worthy forefathers, have been transmitted to us.

Of the opinions then generally prevalent among professors, one of the first which was clearly shown him to be an error, was calling persons believers and Christians merely because they made a profession of religion. He was taught that none were true Christians or believers, but such as were really born of God, and passed from death unto life; and that all others, however high their pretensions to religion, were deceiving themselves. The effect of this sentiment was to strike at the root of a formal ceremonious religion; to lead to close self-examination, and an earnest endeavour to experience the great work of regeneration begun and carried on in the heart, that thus they might become true believers in Christ.

At another time, while walking in the fields on a first-day morning, the Lord gave him to see that being bred at college, or acquiring human learning, was not a sufficient qualification for gospel ministry; at which he greatly wondered, because the prevailing idea then was, that men could be fitted by education for that sacred office. But he was now convinced that nothing short of an immediate call and qualification from Christ, the Head of the Church, was a sufficient authority to preach in his name; and that before persons could

any longer to hear their preaching, but took his bible and retired alone into private places, there waiting on the Lord in silence. His relations were troubled at his conduct, and endeavoured to persuade him to attend their place of worship, but he could not feel at liberty to do so, nor yet to join with any class of dissenters, but became as a stranger to all, relying wholly on the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the further progress of those openings, he was shown that "God who created the world, did not dwell in temples made with hands," and that it was therefore improper to call the houses erected for the public worship of the Almighty, "the temples of God" and "dreadful places;" or the land on which they were built, "holy ground;" which terms were at that time commonly applied to them both by priests and people. He apprehended that the use of such epithets had a tendency to keep the minds of the people too much outward, and to prevent them from realizing the truth of the gospel declaration, that the hearts of sincere Christians are the temples of the Holy One. Both Stephen and the Apostle Paul declared that the Most High did not dwell in temples made with hands, not even in that which he commanded to be built at Jerusalem, after he put an end to the legal dispensation; but that according to the new covenant of the Gospel, he dwelt and walked in his obedient people. Thus divinely instructed, he could say with David, " Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." "When I had openings," he observes, "they answered one another, and answered the Scriptures; for I had great openings of the Scriptures.'

Yet at times he was still under great conflict of mind, and many temptations beset him, insomuch that when it was day he wished for night, and when it was night he longed for the coming of the day. Early in 1647 he felt his mind drawn to go into Derbyshire, in the vicinity of the Peak, where he met with some friendly people. From thence he went through parts of Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, where he found a number of tender,

His convictions of this truth are thus described. "The Lord God opened to me by his invisible power, how every man was enlightened by the divine light of Christ. I saw it shine through all, and that they that believed in it came out of condemnation, to the light of life, and became the children of it; but they that hated it, and did not believe in it, were condemned by it, though they made a profession of Christ."

prison, where he was detained until the sheriff, taking compassion on his uncomfortable situation, removed him to his house. How long he remained there does not appear, but he says it was "a pretty long time;" and after being discharged, he travelled, as before, in the work of the ministry.

At Mansfield Woodhouse, in 1649, he entered the place of public worship, and attempted to speak to the people, but they fell upon In describing his commission as a minister, him and cruelly beat him with their hands, he says he was sent to turn people from bibles, and sticks; then put him into the stocks, darkness to light"- "to the grace of God and where he remained some time; and, finally, to the truth in the heart, which came by Je-stoned him out of the town.* By this unsus," "that all might come to know their salvation nigh." "I saw that Christ died for all men; was a propitiation for all," "and that the manifestation of the Spirit of God was given to every man to profit withal. These things I did not see by the help of man, nor by the letter, though they are written in the letter; but I saw them in the light of the Lord Jesus Christ and by his immediate spirit and power, as did the holy men of God, by whom the Holy Scriptures were written. Yet I had no slight esteem of the Holy Scriptures; they were very precious to me, for I was in that spirit by which they were given forth; and what the Lord opened in me, I afterwards found was agreeable to them. I could speak much of these things, and many volumes might be written; but all would prove too short to set forth the infinite love, wisdom, and power of God, in preparing, fitting, and furnishing me for the service he had appointed me to; letting me see the depths of satan on the one hand, and opening to me, on the other hand, the divine mysteries of his own everlasting kingdom."

*After the dissolution of the monarchy by the death of Charles, and the consequent suspension of the national form of worship, much greater latitude was allowed to the ministers of religion. During Cromwell's victorious campaign in Scotland, the ministers of that nation objected against him, for "opening the pulpit doors to all intruders;" to which he replied, "We look on ministers as helpers of, not lords over, the faith of God's people. I appeal to their consciences, whether any, denying their doctrines or dissenting from them, will not incur the censure of a sectary. And what is this but to deny Christians their liberty, and assume the infallible chair? Where do you find in Scripture that preaching is included [limited] within your functions? Though an approbation from men has order in it, and may be well, yet he that hath not a better than that, hath none at all. I hope He that ascended up on high, may give his gifts to whom he pleases, and if those gifts be the seal of missions, are not you envious, though Eldad and Medad prophesy? You know who has that we may prophesy; which the apostle explains bid us covet earnestly the best gifts, but chiefly to be a speaking to instruction, edification and comfort, which the instructed, edified and comforted, can best tell the energy and effect of.

He now travelled more extensively, and la- "Now if this be evidence, take heed you envy boured abundantly in preaching the word.not for your own sakes, lest you be guilty of a Many were convinced of the doctrines which greater fault than Moses reproved in Joshua, when he promulgated, and during the years 1647 he envied for his sake. Indeed you err through and 1648 several meetings of Friends were of convenience, in respect of order, not of necesmistake of the Scriptures. Approbation is an act settled. But as the nature of his principles sity, to give faculty to preach the Gospel. Your was opposed to the outward and lifeless pro- pretended fear, lest error should step in, is like the fession of religion which too much prevailed man that would keep all the wine out of the counin that day, tending to draw the people from try, lest men should be drunk. It will be found a dependence on human teaching and external an unjust and unwise jealousy, to deny a man the ceremonies, to the work of regeneration by liberty he hath by nature, upon a supposition he the Holy Spirit in their own hearts, he met may abuse it. When he doth abuse it, then judge." This letter shows to what length Cromwell was with much opposition and cruel usage. His disposed to go, as respects the license for preachfirst imprisonment took place in 1648, at Not-ing, and taking his sentiments as indicative of the tingham, where he entered the place of public worship on a first-day morning, and spoke to the people on the subject of the Holy Scriptures, showing that the Spirit of Christ, by which the holy men of old wrote the Scriptures, was that by which only they could be rightly understood. As he was speaking, the officers arrested him and took him to a filthy

opinions on the subject generally prevalent among the Independents, a great change from the previous restriction is obvious. Whether the practice of going into the places of worship and addressing the assembly, was at all times warrantable, it would be difficult at this day to decide. That it was not uncommon is evident, and the peculiar circumstances of the times, furnish reasons in defence of it which do not now exist. It was by no

christian usage he was so injured as scarcely extravagance which prevailed among the peoto be able to stand or walk; but meeting with ple. He believed that the Christian religion some persons who pitied his situation, they ad- led all those who faithfully obeyed its requirministered to his relief, and through the mercy |ings, into simplicity and self-denial in their of the Lord he was soon healed. From there manner of life. That instead of being conhe went through Leicestershire, by Bagworth, formed to the world, they were to renounce Coventry, Atherstone, Market Bosworth, and its vain fashions and customs, and avoid every Twy Cross, and into Derbyshire, preaching thing which promoted pride or luxury. Hence the Gospel of life and salvation, and warning he inculcated, by example as well as precept, the people to repent and turn from their wick-a plain and simple mode of living, free from edness. needless show and expense. Convinced that "About this time," says he, "I was exer- the use of compliments and flattering titles, cised in going to courts to cry for justice, in bowing, and putting off the hat, and of the speaking and writing to judges and justices plural number when speaking to one person, to do justly, in warning such as kept public had their origin in the pride of the human houses for entertainment, that they should not heart, which seeks honour from man, he was let people have more drink than would do conscientiously bound to refrain from the use them good, in testifying against wakes, feasts, of everything of the sort, and keep to the May games, sports, plays and shows, which Scripture language of thou and thee, to one trained people up to vanity and mirth and led person, according to the correct grammar them from the fear of God; and the days set | rules. "The Lord showed me," says he,

*

forth for holy days were usually the times" that it was an honour which he would lay wherein they most dishonoured God by these in the dust and stain: an honour which proud things. In fairs also, and in markets, I was flesh looked for, and sought not the honour made to declare against their deceitful mer- that comes from God only. That it was an chandize, cheating and cozening; warning honour invented by men, in the fall and alienall to deal justly, to speak the truth, to let ation from God, who were offended if it was their yea be yea, and their nay nay, and to not given to them, yet would be looked upon do unto others as they would have others do as saints, church members, and Christians. unto them, forewarning them of the great and But Christ saith, How can ye believe, who terrible day of the Lord that would come upon receive honour one of another, and seek not all. I was moved also to cry against all sorts the honour that cometh from God only?' 'And of music, and against mountebanks playing I,' saith Christ,' receive not honour of men.' tricks on their stages, for they burdened the O the blows, punchings, beatings and impripure life, and stirred up the minds of the peo-sonments, we underwent, for not putting off ple to vanity. I was also much exercised with the hat! The bad language and evil usage we school-masters and mistresses, warning them to teach children sobriety in the fear of the Lord, that they might not be trained up in lightness, and vanity, and wantonness. I was made to warn masters and mistresses, fathers and mothers, in private families, to take care that their children and servants might be brought up in the fear of the Lord, and that themselves should be examples of sobriety and virtue to them."

Among other subjects which engaged the attention of George Fox, was the gaiety and

means peculiar to our Society, and in most cases, where Friends did it, there is reason to believe they waited until the stated preacher had done, before they attempted to speak.

*The reader will recollect that James I. had issued a proclamation encouraging these sports and revels, and that it was revived by Charles I. The licentiousness which grew out of the indulgence thus given, furnishes an explanation of the distress of mind which George Fox experienced on account of the prevailing wickedness, and the earnest manner in which he warned the people to repent and amend their lives.

received on this account, is hard to be expressed; besides the danger we were sometimes in of losing our lives for this matter, and that by the great professors of Christianity." Scarcely any testimony held by our worthy predecessors caused them more deep and bitter sufferings at their first appearance, but their faithfulness was not shaken; through it all they held fast their profession without wavering.

Believing that none could preach the Gospel but those whom Christ Jesus called, qualified, and commissioned for the work, and that these necessary qualifications were without regard to human learning or ordination, riches, station or sex, and that all those thus anointed and engaged in the work were commanded by their Divine Master to give as freely as they had received, he bore a decided and faithful testimony against making merchandize of the Gospel and receiving a pecuniary compensation for preaching. He deplored the covetous spirit which was apparent among many who took upon them the responsible office of the ministry, which induced them to seek for the highest salaries, leaving their flocks and places