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 littp://www.arcliive.org/details/ancienttestimonyOObarc 
 
T H E 
 
 ANCIENT TESTIMONY 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 People called O u a k e r s, 
 
 REVIVED; 
 BY THE ORDER AND APPROBATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 YEARLY MEETING, 
 
 Held for the Provinces of P e n n s y l v a n i a 
 and New-Jersey, 1722. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 PRINTED BY JOSEPH JAMES, 
 
 M.DCC.LXXXVIIl, 
 
T H S^ 
 
 ANCIENT TESTIMONY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 People called O^ u a k e x s, 
 
 REVIVED, &c. 
 
 t) E All Friend s, 
 
 HAVING lately by an Introduction 
 to our 'Book of Diicipline,' given a jntroduai- 
 Ihort Hint how our refpc^Vive Meetings, «"• 
 for Church- Afi airs, do confill, and by what 
 Authority, and Example, they came at firfl: 
 to be inflituted, we think well at this Time, 
 for the further Information, and Encou- 
 ragement of our Youth, and others, whofe 
 Faces are turned towards Zion, to figni- 
 fy, that by living Experience, we find, and 
 can with good Confcience declare and telli- 
 fy, that the fame bleffed holy Spirit which 
 led us to believe and receive the Dodirines ^he h >;v 
 and Principles of Truth, (as they were de- Spiriiieaa.^ 
 clared by Chrifl: and his Apoflles in the ho- orcTcr, 
 ly Scriptures) did and now doth, lead us 
 
 O 2 
 
t 4 ] 
 
 into tlie like holy Order and Government 
 to be exercifdd among us, as it was amongjfl: 
 the primitive Chriflians, in SancT:ification 
 and Holincrs. 
 T-he For the Church of God is a Gathering 
 
 wT^'^" of ' them that are fan^ified^ by the Woixi 
 aCoii,^. pf Truth, ' called to be Saints,' who are 
 Members of the Body, even the true Churchy 
 whereof Jefns Cln-ifl is the Head ; But be- 
 fore any can come to be true Members of 
 F'cry Bap- that Body, they mud witnefs the fiery Bap- 
 ''^^"' tifm of the Holy Ghofl:, to initiate them into 
 this true Church ; and as they follow 
 :,iatjq,i8- Chrifi, in the Regeneration, they will wit- 
 nefs a Purity of Living, and be qualified to 
 pnaiificsto '^^^ ^^^^ j'-^^^to^ ^^^ him, wlio ill difpeuling 
 -a for \i[^ i^oly Spirit, doth in his infinite Wifdom, 
 miniller unto every Member a Meafure 
 The Ope- thereof which operates diverlly ' for the, 
 the Spirit edifying of thc Body, there being fome A- 
 diveriiy. poftles, fomc Teachers, fome Paiiors,Mbme 
 Elders, young Men and Babes ; for all are 
 hp'.i. 4> not Apoftlcs, Elders, nor Babes ; yet all 
 J Cor. 12, Vvdio are tridy gathered are Members, and 
 ^^' as ftich, have a Senfe and Feeling of; the 
 
 Life of.tiie Body flowing from the Head Je- 
 fiis Cluiri:. And whiifl they remain in, tliat 
 r.phy 4 2, ^^^^-, acting' with all Lowlinefs, Meeknefs, 
 3. ' ' ' and Long-fufFering, forbearhig one another 
 in Love,, endeavouring to keep the Unity 
 of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace,' they 
 will be endued with right Judgment, fea- 
 
C 5 ] 
 
 foned with pure Charity, and perfect Love, 
 wliich is the Bond of our holy Comhiunion, 
 and Church-Fellow (hip. 
 
 And as we become thus initiated and qua- The Gry^ 
 lified, wc (liall he enabled to maintain the ',fX!"'^ 
 holy Order and Government above menti- chriiiian 
 oned in perfed Unity; and according to [;^'"J''^'^^*_*' 
 the Degree of Faithfulncfs we are found in, fra Unky. 
 fhall more and more fee ' the holy City New r^.faYcm or 
 Jcrufalem coming down from God out of church of 
 rieaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for Rcv.ai.*. 
 her Huiband,' and the River of Water <^f ^heWaii 
 Life proceeding out of the Tlirone of God, and loun- 
 and of tlie Lamb ; which City being the f^^^^'^^f 
 true Church, ' had a Wall great and high,' Wu 14. 
 fignifying tiie Excellency of God's Power 
 cncompaffing thofe that are within tliis 
 (>lunxh, and keeping out all that would in- 
 \ ade or hurt it : * And this Wall had twelve 
 Foundations, and on tliem the Names of the 
 twelve Apof ties of the Lamb ;' wjiich denotes 
 tliat the Doctrines of the Apoilles are to be 
 embraced, and thofe that are not founded 
 upon them to be rejected and fliut out of 
 this holy City v/hich had but one Street, 
 luid that is the ,Way to die Tree of Life, 
 wiiere tlie true Members of tlie Church of 
 Chriil are travelling in the Unity of his 
 hlefied Spirit ; and i^o they become * of one a^s 1.3'. 
 Heart, and of one Soul,' as the Multitude 
 of them that believed in the Apofllc's Days 
 
[.'6 j 
 
 were, in which precious Unity we fiiallfeel 
 the Life of Righteoufnefs. 
 Glory of And as we come to feel this Life, and 
 Juai Dit' therein experience the Arifmgs of this glo- 
 penfation. Hous Day of Lov'C and Light, with the In- 
 creafe of this bleifed Unity, we (hall more 
 and more witnefs the Glory of this fpiritual 
 Rev. 21. 3. Difpenfation, by knowing God's * Taberna- 
 cle with us,' and his Dwelling in us, and the 
 peaceable Governm.ent of the Lamb among- 
 us myllerioufly fignif.ed by the defcending 
 of this holy City ; and as we abide here, we 
 Rev. 21. 1. ihall with 'John fee no more Sea, that is, we 
 DuX^nin ^"^ nc>t degenerate into that outragious 
 the Church and dividing Principle that has at Times 
 prevailed in fome that walked amongfl us to 
 fj'^; ''• manifefl they were not of us; but fhall ■ 
 * prefent our Bodies a living Sacrifice, holy^ 
 acceptable unto God, which is our reafona- 
 ble Service, and not to be conformed to this 
 World, but transformed by the renewing 
 of our Mind, proving v/hat is that good, 
 acceptable, and perfecH; W ill of God/ and 
 Ver, 3. then none among us * will think of himfelf 
 more highly than he ought ; but will think 
 foberly according as God hath dealt to eve- 
 ry Man the Meafure of Faith,' 
 '-T Hf ^^^' having * Gifts difFei ing,' as faid tiie^ 
 icnng. Apoftle, ^ according to the Grace that is 
 given to us, v^hether Prophecy, v/e fhall^ 
 prophefy according to the Proportion o^ 
 Faith, or Miniflry we (hali wait on our Mi- 
 
C 7 ] 
 
 nifhy, or he that teacheth, on Teaching, or 
 he that exhoi-teth, on Exhortation, he that 
 giveth, will do it with Simplicity, he that 
 ruleth, with Diligence, he that flieweth 
 Mercy, with Cheerfulnels ; our Love will be ^o"- *»» 
 
 * v/ithout Dillimulation, abhorring that ^' 
 which is evil, cleaving to that which is 
 good, kindly affedlionate one towards an-yer. ie» 
 other with brotherly Love, in Honour pre- 
 ferring one another, not flotliful in Bufinefs,' vcr. m 
 but providing I'hings honeft in the Sight of 
 
 all Men, and yet have our Minds kept above 
 the furf citing Cares of the World, by being 
 
 * fervent in Spirit, ferving the Lord, re- 
 joicing in Hope, patient in Tribulation, — '«» 
 continuing inflant in Prayer, diftributing ^i^l 
 to the Necelfity of Saints, given to Hofpi- 
 tality, blefling them which perfecute us, and 
 not curfe.' 
 
 We fliail alfo ' be of the fame Mind, one 5^,.^^,! 
 towards another, affeiSling not high Things, C"""- 
 but condefcending to Men of low Eflate ; Rom. ,j, 
 not wife in our own Conceits ; nor recom- ^6' ^T' 
 pence to any Man Evil for Evil, or Railing , pet3, 9. 
 for Railing ; but overcome Evil with Good ; Rom 12, 
 and as much as lieth in us, live peaceably ^^- 
 
 ' i- J ver, 21) 
 
 with all Men, having the fame Love, doing 
 noticing tliro' Strife or vain Glory, but in phu. 2. 
 Lowlinefs of Mind, each efleeming the other ver 2, 3. 
 better than themfelves ;' the ftrongefl and 
 beft gifted,' not defpifing the meaneft, nor 
 they envying the flrongefl 5 but all in their 
 
[ 8 ]. 
 
 Phil. 3i refpecftive Stations and Degrees will ' walfcj 
 
 *^- by the fame iluic/ be of one Accord, ' and. 
 
 mind the fame Thing/ heartily joining tO:. 
 
 ^t^"'^y ^" maintain Charity in all its Branches, and: 
 
 211 Its ^ ■ . 
 
 Branches Carry on the Aliairs of Truth in the Lambr 
 mabtain- ^^^^ Spirit, to the Honour of God and com-^ 
 cd. fort one of another in him, and then we 
 
 fliall dcmonflrate that we experimentally 
 Eph. 4, 4, know there is * one Body, and one Spirit^ 
 ^'^' one Lord, one Faith, one Baptifm, one God 
 
 and Father of all, who is above all, and 
 
 thro' all, and in us all.' 
 Church By all which, it is manifeft that our 
 
 Fdiowftip Church-Fellowfhip flands in the Bond of 
 
 Charity and true Unity of the holy Spirit, 
 Eph. 5. Q. ^^ Fruit whereof, as faith the Apoflle, * is 
 The Fiuit in all Goodnefs, Righteoufnefs and TlYuth, 
 Spiaf. Love, Joy, Peace, Long-fuifering, Gentle- 
 
 nefs, Faith, Meeknefs, Temperance, againfl 
 Gal. 5 22, i'^ch there is no Law^ ; for tlie Law^ is fulfilled 
 23- ' in one Word,' faith the fame Apoftle, * even 
 The '^' this, Thou thalt love thy Neighbour as thy- 
 i^^^v fulfil- felf •' which is that perfed: Charity we fpeak 
 
 of, and defire all may come unto, and be 
 
 preferved in ; fo that God (' v/ho is Love')' 
 
 may take Dehght in us, and make his Abode 
 Gal 5, 16, with us, and then ftiall we * walk in the 
 '7- Spirit, and not fulfxl the Lufls of the Flefli,- 
 
 for the Flefli lufbeth againfl: the Spirit, and 
 
 the Spirit againR: the Fkii:i.' 
 The * The Works of the FleHvare manifeft' 
 
 1^'\\X. (faid the Apodle Paul to the Calatlam) 
 
C 9 ] 
 
 ^ which are thefe, Adultery, Fornication, ^'='^- 5- ^9' 
 Uncleannefs, Laicivioufnefs, Idolatry, 
 Witchcraft, Hatred, Variance, Emulations, 
 Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Kerelles, Envy- 
 iiigs. Murders, Drunkennefs, Revelling 
 and fuch like, and they that do fuch Things 
 fliall not inherit the Kingdom of God.' 
 And the fame Apoftle, v\-hen he wrote to 
 the Churches of Rome, Corinth, Ephefus, 
 and ColoiTc, teftifying againft the like Evils, 
 and againfl 'foolidi Talking and Jefling,' ^p^'5»4> 
 he added, that * no Whoremonger, nor 
 unclean Perfon, npr c6vetous Man who is^°^3'5« 
 an Idolater, hatli any Inheritance in the 
 Kingdoin of Chrifh and of God, for becaufe ^p^* ^' ^* 
 of thefe Things cometh the Wrath of God 
 upon the Children of Difobedience : Be not 
 therefore (faid he) Partakers with them, 
 and have no Fellowfhip with the unfruitful 
 Works of Darknefs, but rather reprove 
 them.' 
 
 And the fame Apoftle fpeaking of fome fP^' ^' 
 ' who were paft feeling, had given them- 
 felves over to Lafcivioufnefs to work all 
 Uncleannefs with Greedinefs : But ye, (faid"**^' 
 he to the Believers) have not fo learned 
 Chrift : If fo be, that ye have heard him, "~^'' 
 and have been taught by him as the Truth 
 is in Jefus ; that ye put off concerning the~~^^' 
 former Converfation the old Man which is 
 corrupt, according to deceitful Lufts ; and"~23c 
 be renewed in the Spirit of your Mind ; and 
 
-3i> 
 
 [ 10 ] 
 
 that ye put on the New Man, which after 
 
 '~24> God is created in Righteouihefs and true 
 
 ^25, Holinefs ; wherefore putting away Lying, 
 
 fpeak evei^ Man Truth with his Neighbour; 
 
 for we are Members one of another :* And 
 
 _26, after he forbad them ' to be angry and give 
 
 Place to the Devil/ he v/ould have them 
 
 _5^^ that * ftole, fteal no more/ and that * no 
 
 —28, corrupt Communication (liould proceed out 
 
 — 29» ^^ their Mouth ; but that which is good to 
 
 the Ufe of edifying, that it might minifter 
 
 Grace to the Hearers, and that all Bitter-i 
 
 nefs and Wrath, and Anger^ and Clamour, 
 
 and Evil-fpeaking ftiould be put away with; 
 
 ail Malice/ , 
 
 And the ApoRle having teftified againfl 
 29. ' thofe * who were full of Envy, Murder 
 Debate, Deceit, Mahgnity^ Whifperers, 
 Backbiters, Haters of God, defpightful, 
 proud, Boailers, Inventers of evilThings, 
 difobeJient to Parents ; without Under- 
 vcr. 31. ftanding, Covenant-Breakers, without na- 
 tural AfFeiTtion, implacable, unmerciful, 
 and fuch as held the Truth in Unrighteoui- 
 ''"•'^- nefs,' he faith, * Know ye not that the un- 
 iCor.6. Hghteous fliall not inherit the Kingdom of 
 -^9, ' God : Be not deceived, neither Fornicators, 
 nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor EfFemi- 
 — *o, nate, nor Abufers of themfelves with Man- 
 kind, nor Thieves, nor Covetous, nor 
 Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, 
 — ^»i fhall inherit the Kingdom of God ; and fuch 
 
 I 
 
 Rom. 1, 
 
 ver. 30. 
 
[ n ] 
 
 were fome of you ; but ye are wadied, but 
 ye are fan^lified, bat ye are jufti lied, in the 
 Name of the Lord Jefas, and by the Spirit 
 of our God. 'By this we may clearly under- 
 hand that the vilell of People., as they give 
 Way to the Power and Word of Truth, may 
 be fancli-ied, and fo become Members of the 
 Church of Chrill, which is great Encou- 
 ragement for all to fubmit themfelves to the 
 divine holy Hand that eads them to Re- 
 pentance and x\mendment of Life . 
 
 But we may obferve, that notwithftand- Apoftaies, 
 ing the many Cautions and repeated Advice oo!""'^* 
 of the Apoflle, yet fome in their Days, as 2 rim. 2, 
 in our Time, who profelFed tlie Truth, and [l^^^ g. 
 feemed in Mcafure redeemed out of the — 4' »o. 
 Evils of this World, fell into thefe and the ^.•^"''''' 
 like Enormities which the Apoflles teftified ^^^;^'^'^' 
 againil ; and fome others who were then —12. 
 gathered into the Belief of the Principles ~~^' '* 
 and Do&ines of the Gofpel of Chrill, fell 
 from thofe Principles as fome have done in 
 our Day ; in which Cafes fuch as flood firm 
 in the Faith, had Power by the Spirit of 
 God (after Chriflian Endeavours to convince 
 and reclaim thofe Backfliders) to exclude 
 them from our fpiritual Fellowfliip and 
 Communion, as alfo the Privileges they 
 had as Fellow-Members ; which Power, wc 
 know by good Experience, continues with 
 us in carrying on the Difcipline of the 
 Church in the Spirit of Meeknefs. 
 P 
 
C 12 ] 
 
 Power in Tliercforc, we fay, as our Bretliren have 
 t^cal'fure!' ^^^^etoforc concludccl, tliat where any in the 
 Church of God pretending ("onfcience or 
 Revelation, fhall arife to teach and pratfti e 
 (however infignificant or fmall in themielv es) 
 w^heth'er Principles or Practice, yet if they 
 be contrary to fuch as are already received 
 a3 true/ and confirmed by God's Spirit in 
 the Hearts of his Saints ; and that the in- 
 troducing of thefe Things tend to bring 
 Reproacli upon the Truth, as fuch as are 
 not edifying in themfelves, and lb ilumble 
 the weak ; thofc who have a true and right 
 Difcerning, may in and by the Power of 
 God authoriung them (and no otherwife) 
 condemn and judge fuch Things ; and their 
 fo doing will be obligatoiy upon all the 
 ?^embers that have a true Senfe, becaufe 
 they will fee it to be fo, and fubmit to it. 
 jTinf)vai- Whatfoever Innovation, Difference, or 
 diverfe Appearance, whether in Doctrine or 
 Pratftice, proceedeth not from the pure 
 Moving of the Spirit of God, or is not done 
 out of pure tendernefs of Confcience, but 
 either from that which being puffed up af- 
 fedleth Singularity, and there-through 
 would be obferved, com.mended and exalte 
 ted, or from that which the Malignity of 
 fomc Humours and natural Tl'empers, 
 which will be contradi(Sl:ing without Caufe, 
 and fecretly begetting Divifions, Animofi^ 
 ties and Emulations^ by which the JJnity 
 
 •or.s 
 
C 13 ] 
 
 iind unfeigned Love of the Brethren is lef^ 
 iened or rent, all Things proceeding from 
 this Root and Spirit, however little they 
 may be fuppofed to be of themfelves, are to 
 be guarded againft, withflood and denied, as 
 hurtful to the true Church 's Peace and* 
 Hindrance of the Profperity of Truth. 
 
 And now we come to take Notice of fome t} ings 
 Things, that others profeffing Chriflianity, f^'JZ'- 
 deem lawful, which are not fo to us, as fui.arenot 
 fwearing and fighting, or going to War sweVin's. 
 when required by lawful authority. The 
 iirfl we teftify againfl, becaufe it is contra- 
 ry to the exprefs Command of our blelTed 
 Saviour, who faid, * Sw^ear not at all ;' and -Mat,^. 34. 
 the Apoftle James, writing to the twelve 
 fcattered Tribes, who, according to their 
 Law, were to * fwear by the Lord, and per- 
 form their Oaths to him,' * faith, ' But above , 
 all Things, my Brethren, fwear not, nei- '^'""^^' *"' 
 ther by Heaven, neither by the Earth, nor 
 by any other Oath ; but let your Yea be 
 Yea, and ^^oiu- Nay, Nay, left you fall into 
 Condemnation/ By this we believe, tiiat 
 all Oaths commanded or allowed by the 
 Mofaical Law, which took their Beginning 
 from Want of Truth and Faithfulnefs, as 
 w^ell as the Oaths of thofe Times, are total- 
 ly abrogated, and inflead thereof the fpcak- 
 ing of Truth cflablifhcd ; and v/e are great- 
 ly thankful to God that our Superiors in 
 Great Britain have been pleafedto grant Re- 
 
C H ] 
 
 lief and Eafe to us in that Point, and hope 
 it will be a firm and renewed Obligation 
 upon us to keep peaceable, faithful, harm- 
 iefs and honed towards all the Children of 
 Men : And then we fhall alTuredly be pre- 
 ferved out of thofeConteils, Fallacies, Strife 
 and Perfidies, againft which Oaths were at 
 firfl: introduced as a Remedy, and are flill 
 alleged to be a Security. 
 
 Admini- And fmce w^e muft not * fwear at all,' 
 
 ollhs ^^^ cannot adminifter Oaths to others, there- 
 fore let all of our Community, who are or 
 may be concerned as Magiflrates, be tender 
 of God's Honour in this Matter. 
 
 And as for Wars and Fightings, they are 
 
 w^rs. altogether unlawful to us, becaufe our Lord 
 and Saviour Jefus Chrift (who for the Ex- 
 
 ifa. 9. 6. cellency of his government is called ' the 
 Printe of Peace') in his bleffed Sermon up- 
 on the Mount commanded that we ihould 
 
 Mat. 5, 44 ' ^^"^^ our enemies/ 
 
 And the Apoille Paul exhorts not to ' a- 
 Rom. venge our fe Ives,' but * if our Enemy hun- 
 
 ~'9.' g^^» ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^"^ 5 ^^ ^^^ thirft, give 
 
 --^°' him Drink:' But it is evident, that War 
 
 3. ° ' ' teacheth to hate, famifh and deflroy them. 
 
 The fame Apoflile declares, that we war not 
 
 Eph.6,12. ^f^^^, ^Yie Flefii, nor ' wreflle againfl Flefh 
 
 and Blood :' But outward War is according 
 
 to the Flefii, and againil: Flefh and Blood, 
 
 for the fhedding of the one, and deflroying 
 
 of the other. The fame Apoflle faith fur-. 
 
[ 15 3 
 
 iher, 'The Weapons of our %V^rfare are 2 Ccr. : 
 not carnal, but mighty thro' Cod ;' lb are 4- 
 not the Weapons of outward Warfare ; and 
 the Apoftle James teiliiies, tlia^: ' W:ars and J'^"- ^' '• 
 Fightings come from Lufts,' and thofe Luits 
 war in the Members of carnal Men : Eut 
 fuch as have crucified the Flefli with its Af- 
 fections and Lufts, cannot indulge them by 
 waging War ; nor can the .Servants of Chrilt: 
 fight, becaufe his ' Kingdom is not of this >''"• '^^ 
 W^orid/ So that when Peitr ufed the Sword, 
 his Lord and Maikr reproved him, faying, 
 ' V\\z up again tliy Sv/oixl into liis Place, for 
 ail they that take up the Sword, fhall perifh 
 with the Sword.' W^e are not v/ithoutforrow- 
 ful Inflances of foms that iiave been educat- 
 ed in the peaceable Principles here aiferted ; 
 and yet became fo far degenerated from 
 it as to ufe the Sv^ord ; and the^/ per- 
 iflied by the Sv/ord ; which is here men- 
 tioned only as a Warning to thofe who bv 
 purfaing the Vanity of their Pvlinds, niav 
 happen to firay out of the pure Path of 
 Peace, and fall into the like Inconveniences. 
 
 By all v/hich it may appear, that Jefus chrifi's 
 Chriil: the Captain of onV Salvation calls ^'"''^'^'■* 
 thofe that lift themfelves under his Banne-/, 
 to bear hi; Crofs, and abide in Humility, 
 Patience, Simplicity and true Cliarity, and A-aimi 
 not any Ways indulge the leafl Thought of Kum"f2, 
 Ilevcnp-e, or ' rendrino- Evil for Evil, or ^r- 
 Railing for Railhig ;' much leis endeavour 9/^ ' "' 
 
 P 2 
 
[ 16 ] 
 
 to adv^ance themfelvcs by the fraudulent 
 Stratagems of War ; but fufi^er true Love 
 to take Place of W^rath, and Forgivenefs to 
 overcome Injury and Revenge ; fo the 
 Lamb will be preferved before the Lion, and 
 ^ the Lion / refignto, and * lie down with 
 the Lamb/ 
 
 And altho' thefe Teflimonies of Chrift 
 and his Apofdes are fo clear againfl Wars 
 and Fightings, yet our elder Brcthi'en and 
 s ifferir.as fome of US formerly, fuffered much becaufe 
 •f Fiicr.Js. ^g could not omTelves bear Arms, nor fend 
 others in our Places, nor pay for buying 
 of Drums and other military Attire, as alfo 
 for not obierving thofe Days which were 
 appointed to crave a blelTing for Succefs to 
 the A-rms of the Nation where we lived, or 
 to give Thanks for the Victories acquired 
 by the EfFuiion of much Blood. 
 ri>tterin- Thcrc arc other Things, as giving flatter- 
 rules, ° incr Titles, uncoverino-thc Flead, and crino;- 
 ^o%vin-3, 1^^^ ^^ Men, calling the Days, and Months 
 by the Heathen Names, and drinking one 
 to another, drinking Healths, Riotings, 
 Gsmes, Bauquetings, and uflng Games, Sports, 
 Fla^/s, Ftevels, Comedies, and fuch like 
 (vv'hich many of the ProfeiTors of Chrilliani- 
 ty allow) are not at all lawful to us, becaufe 
 they not only wafte that Time which is but 
 lent us, and fiiould be fpent to the Honour 
 of God, but alfo naturally draw Men from 
 God's Fear ; and v/e know the Tcflimony of 
 
 tVc. 
 
[ 17 ] 
 
 the Spirit of Truth is againft them, and the 
 inward Conviclions of Light and Grace in 
 OLir own Hearts,, have prevailed upon us to 
 lay them afide. 
 
 And fome called Chriftians about the firfl sporu ite. 
 coming forth of our Friends, encouraged 
 People to go from tlieir W or (hips to Gam- 
 I ing, Sportings,. Mufick, Dancing, 'Wrefl- 
 ling^ runnin'^ of Races, and the like, count- 
 ing it not Inconfiflent with Pveligion fo to 
 do, which was fo abominable in the Sight 
 of God, that he was pleafed to raife a holy 
 Zeal in our elder Brethren againft thofe un- 
 godly Practices, and againfl: drinking Drinking 
 Healths, Banquettings and riotous Living, HeaUh^ 
 v/hich not only piovoke People to excefs of 
 Eating, Drinking, Laughter, foolifli Talk- 
 ing, Jefling, and fuch like Things that are 
 linful^ and in no v/ife becoming the Solidity, 
 Gravity and Sobriety which Men p'ofeiFing 
 Chriftianity ought to be adorned with ; but 
 it is Obvious, that fuch as run into thofe 
 Exceifes, bring a Scorn and Slight upon 
 their Profellion, to the Grief of the honefl 
 hearted, and not only fo, but they lay 
 themfelves open to commit all fuch Vices as 
 the Devil may tempt them to. 
 
 And our conflant Teftimony has been, Scripture 
 and is againft faying You to a (ingle Perfon, ^^"S"*^^- 
 not only becauie it is contrary to the true 
 Propriety of Speech and Scripture Language ; 
 but it gratifies that proud Hamuji-YikQ Spirit An osaucc. 
 
[ I8 J 
 
 \vhicli poiTeffes the Heart of fuch who would 
 arrogate to themrelves the Homage and 
 Reverence due to God, requh^ing to be ad- 
 dreUed in ilich Language as they judge more 
 honourable than that which they beflow 
 upon the Ahnighty. 
 
 And becaufe our ancient Friends and El- 
 ders in the Truth could not join with that 
 Spirit, they fuffered deeply for their inno- 
 cent Teltimony againfl it, and yet upon all 
 Occaiions fliewed the decent llefpecl due to 
 Men, and maintained in the Wifdom of God, 
 the true Honour and Obedience due from 
 Subjects to their Prince, Inferiors to Supe- 
 riors, from Children to Parents, and Ser- 
 vants to Mailers, whereby the mutual Rela- 
 tions betwixt thofe different Ranks and 
 Degrees of Men have been and are afferted, 
 and endeavoured to be elTiabiifhed after the 
 Pvlanner our Saviour and his Apoilles were 
 pleafed to direct. 
 
 Now before we go further, we think 
 proper to give fome Accounts of our Prin- 
 ciples and Pra<f>ices concerning thofe mutu- 
 al Pi.elations or Ranks of Men. And nrfi: of 
 Kings, Rulers, and Magiilrates, as it is our 
 Belief, that the Povrers and Government 
 we live under are of the Lord, fo v/e ac- 
 knowledge that Fidelity and Subjed:ion is 
 due to thofe who are in Authority over us, 
 expeding only the Benefit of thefe good 
 Laws v/hich are deemed our Birthright as 
 
[ 19 ] 
 
 EnglijfJj vSubjecfis, and not the Frote<n:ion by 
 Gun and Sword which others make the 
 Terms of their Allegiance ;r.nd we faitliful- 
 \y own, that Magiilracy is an Ordinance o^ rq^'^"^^ 
 God, and ' thoie who rule well are wortliy 2. 
 of double Honoui'/ and deferve to be really \-']^^' ^' 
 valued and much efteemed, not by giving 
 them vain Appellations or flattering Titles, 
 nor by bowing the Body, or uncovering the 
 Head, nor by feigned Words called Com- 
 pliments, but by obeying their juft and 
 lawful Commands, wherein the true Honour 
 and Subjection due to them doth chiefly 
 confifl. 
 
 And it has been, and is our frequent Suppiica- 
 Concern, according to the piu-e Leadingsand K?:"gs,°i«. 
 Ditlates of God's holy Spirit, in our neareft 
 Approaches to the Throne of his Grace, to 
 make ' Supplication, Prayer, Intercellion, 1 Tim. 2. 
 and giving of Thanks for Kings, and all *' 
 that are in Authority:' And we have not 
 been wanting in our refpedlive Places and 
 Stations, to put People in Mind, as the 
 Apoftle exhorted, to be ' fubje*fl to Prin-xit. 3. t. 
 cipalities and Powers, to obey Magiflrates, 
 and fubmit to every Ordinance of Man for ^ Pct. b. 
 the Lord's Sake, whether it be to the King ^3. »4- 
 as fupreme, or unto Governors as unto them 
 that are fent by him for the Punillimcnt of 
 Evil-Doers,and Fraife of them that do well;' 
 for fo the Magiflrates ' are Minifters of God Rom. 13. 
 to us for Good, bearing not the Sword in ^' 
 
C 20 ] 
 
 vain, being Revengers tO' execute VVfath 
 upon him that doth Evil ;' and for this 
 Caufe pay we Tribute alfo, for they are 
 God's Minifters attending continually on 
 tiiis very Thing. 
 Laws a- Yct v/lieii Laws and Statutes were made, 
 A^i'^nce^""' req^^i^ii'^g certain Conformities which for 
 G. F. II. Confcience Sake could not be comply'd witb 
 ^^'- by our faithful Friends, fome Magiftrates, 
 
 inflead of the Sword of Juflice, took up the 
 Sword of i^erfecution againfl: them : never- 
 thelefs they did not rehfr, but patiently fuf-- 
 fered the fpoiling of their Goods, grievous 
 Imprifonments, Scourging and Banifhment 
 from tlieir tender Families, Friends and 
 Relations, chooling, as the holy Apoftles 
 Aas5. 29. did in the like Cafe, * to obey God rather 
 *■ ^°' than Men / for they could not * but {peak 
 the Things which they had feen and heard '/ 
 and for all tiiis cruel Ufage and Sufferings, 
 Mathew22 they paid their Taxes and Tributes, * ren- 
 dering to Cefar the Things which were his, 
 and to God the Things that were his ' for 
 i Pet. 2. 15 ^^ ^2.5 ' the Will of God, that with well 
 doing, they fiiould put to Silence the Igno- 
 cance of foolifli Men/ 
 Dminguifti And here it is ncceflary to diflinguifli be- 
 Las?.^"" tween the Laws or Statutes which occafion- 
 1 Tim I e^ thofe Suiferings, and the Latv, which the 
 ' ^' Apoflle faid, ^ is good if a Man ufe it law- 
 fully, knowing this, that the Law is not 
 v^xxd^ for the Righteous Man, but for the 
 
 ( 
 
C 21 ] 
 
 lawlefs and difobedient, for the Ungodly 
 and for Sinners, for unholy and profane, 
 for Murderers of Fathers, and Murderers of 
 Mothers, for Man-ilayers, for Whoremon- 
 gers, for them that defile themfelves with 
 Mankind, for Man-flealers, for Liars, for 
 {perjured i^erfons, and for any other Thing 
 Itiiat is contrary to found Doctrine.' 
 
 Dear Friends! 
 
 It is evident, that it was defigned by i Tit. i, 
 thofe Statutes, not only to brino; all to one .\°-.. 
 Form of Worfhip contrived by human In-ofWorOup 
 vention ; but alCo to eftablifh a Miniftry and ;°,';X':; 
 Minifters called and ordained by Men, k. ^* 
 *' many of whom judged the Life, Grace H'^'^g. 
 ^ ' and Spirit of God no eflTcntial Part of their 
 ^- MiniRry, nor any necelTary Oiialification 
 ' of tjieir Minifbers, which Judgment of 
 I*' theirs being againft the Law of the Spirit 
 '*' of Life, and the divine Infiitution of oiu* 
 '' Saviour's Spiritual Worfhip, mud needs 
 ' be contrary to found Dodtrine/' 
 
 Neverthelefs to uphold their human Mi- ProviHon 
 jiiilry, ample Provifion v/as made for Main- ft^rs. '" ' 
 tenance of their Minifliers ; and to extort it 
 from fuch as could not for Confcience-fake, 
 pwn, hear, or receive their Miniftry. But 
 ^yhen it pleafed God to difcover to our 
 Friends and Elders, that * they who worfliip J''^" 4- 
 the Father, nmft worfhip him in Spirit and ^^' ^^' 
 in Truth/ and be brought to true Ui^i- 
 
1 Pet 
 
 10. i: 
 
 [ 22 ] 
 
 ty thcrepf, and not into a mecr outward 
 Confoniiity, they were foon led to embrace 
 TJiefree thc antient, holy, living and free Miniftry, 
 ^^'"'^^'y- which at the breaking forth of this Day and 
 Difpenfation of the New Covenant, was 
 plentifully beflov/ed upon Men and "Wo- 
 men, who (iiaving received the true Know- 
 ledge of Things Spiritual, and being in 
 Me afure purified and fancSiiified) were called, 
 moved, and ordained to Minilier by the in- 
 1 John 2. ward Power and Virtue of the V^'^ord of 
 20,27. Life, feeling a peculiar Unclion from the 
 Holy One, to prepare and fupply them in 
 the V\''ork of this Miniilry. x\nd ^ as every j 
 one hath received the Gif!:, even fo they mi- 
 niflered one to another as good Stewards of 
 the manifold Grace of God ; approving 
 themfelves in much Patience, in Aiiliftions, 
 c Cor. 6. in Necellity, in Diftrefs, in Stripes, in Im- 
 4' 5> prifonments,' Sec. and as they freely receiv- 
 ed, they freely gave, feeking the Salvation 
 ■i Cor. 9. Qf Souls, and keeping ' the Goipel without j 
 Atis 2c. Charge ; coveting no Man's Silver, Gold, or 
 Apparel/ And this pure, free and living 
 Miniftry of the Word does in a good Degree 
 (thro' the great loving kindnefs of God) 
 continue amongft us hitherto. 
 
 But thofe Minifters ordained by Men are 
 ordained of a coutrary Difpontion ; ' for they preach 
 ^[j^^^''"„ for Hire, and divine for Money, and look 
 11. for their Gain from their Oiiarter, andpre- 
 
 Mx^a" 5!' P3-re War againft fuch as put not into their 
 
 33 
 
 Minifters 
 
C "3 ] 
 
 Mouths ;' and fo they have always done. 
 And becaufe bur Friends could not in good 
 Conicience contribute to fupport their faUe c. f. ii. 
 Miniflry, they flirred up Periecution, and p^^'^^^^-^ 
 turned the Magiflrate's Sword backward, 
 and the Laws againfl the righteous, vrhich 
 was alfo contrary to found Dci^rine, as well 
 as the true Ufc and End of good Laws, 
 and far from fulfilling the Royal Law ac- Royat 
 cording to the Scripture, which the Apoftle ^'^' ^^ 
 [fames funis up in thefe Words, * Thou fhalt "8- 
 love thy Neighbour as thyfelf :' Therefore, 
 with what Juftice could thofe Statutes be 
 put in Execution againfl our Friends for 
 theirpeaceabie Meeting to worfliip God * in 
 Spirit and Truth/ fmce our moft holy Sa- 
 viour and Bi(hop of Souls declared, that the 
 ' Father feeks fuch to worlhip him.' And Joh. 4. 
 for ever bleifed and happy will they be who ^3> H* 
 are found of him, and willingly fubmit to 
 his Requirings, both tc^ believe on him, and 
 worfhip him in his own Spirit, as alio con- 
 fcientiouily to fuffer for his Name and Tef- 
 ^imony. ^^^: - 
 
 So, dear Friends, having by the foregoing 
 Hints briefly obferved how the material or Camai 
 carnal Sword, invented by Men to execute ^^^^[^^ 
 their Wrath and Ptevenge upon their Fel- from'h? 
 low-Creatures, differs from the Sword of ]Xt°^ 
 Juflice ' ordained of God for Punifnment 
 of evil Doei's, and Praife of them that do 
 wfll 'y as alfo having in Part fhewed our 
 
Cm] 
 
 Duties of Duty, to Kings and Rulers, we come now 
 
 Children 
 and Pa- 
 rents, 
 Kph. 6. 
 g. 3- 
 
 Col. Q. 
 
 to treat of thoic Relations between Children 
 
 and Parents, Servants and Mafters, whole 
 
 refpcvflive Duties each to the other, are beft 
 
 exprelfed in the x^poflle's Words, who faid, 
 
 * Chikh en, obey your Parents in the Lord, 
 
 fV>r this is right ; Honour thy Father and 
 
 Mother, (which is the firft Commandment 
 
 witli Promife) that it may be well with thee, 
 
 and thou may'it live long in the Earth.' 
 
 rartnfs tq ^j^^ jq < Fatlicrs, provokc not your Chil- 
 
 Eph.G.^i. drento Wrath, left tliey be difcouraged ; 
 
 Coi.3.ai. ]3^|- bring- them up in the Nurture and Ad- 
 Duty of . . ° ^ , T , - 
 
 Sen ants to monition of the Lord. 
 
 E't'T'.' 'Servants, be obedient to them that are 
 - :, s/ your Mafters according to the Flefh, with 
 Fear and Trembling, in Singlenefs of your 
 Hearts, as unto Chrift, not with Eye-Ser- 
 vice, as Men-Pleafers, but as the Servants- 
 of Chrift^ ; doing the will of God from the 
 Heart, with good Will, doing Service as to' 
 the Lord, and not to Men ; knowing that' 
 whatioever good Thing any Man doth, the 
 fame Ihall he receive of the Lord, whether 
 r,i. 3. he be bond or free: But he that doth 
 Wrong, iliail receive for the Wrong which 
 he hath done ; and there is no RefpeA of 
 Perfons. Let as many Servants as are un- 
 der the Yoke, count their ov/n Mafters v/or- 
 thy of all Honour, that the Name of God 
 and his Dodrine l>e not blafphemed. And 
 they that have believing Malters, let them 
 n<?t defpifc them,becaufe they are Brethren ; 
 
 Tim. 6. 
 
[ ^5 J 
 
 but rather do them Service, becaufe they ur^ 
 faithful and be^c^ved, Partakers of the Ee- 
 nefit. Exhort Servants to be obedient unto Tit. 2. 9 
 their own Mafters, and to pleafe them well '^• 
 in all Things, not aniwering again, or Gain- 
 faying ; not piu'loining, but fnev/ing all 
 good Fidelity ; that they may adorn the 
 Do£lrine of God our Saviour in all Things.' 
 And the Apoftle Peter bids ' Servants be fub- 1 Pe:. 2. 
 je<^ to their own Mailers, with all Fear, not '^• 
 only to the good and gentle, but alfo to tiie 
 froward ; for this is thank worthy, if a Man ~^5- 
 for Confcience towards God endure Grief, 
 fuifering wrongfully/ 
 
 * Mailers, give unto your Servants that coi. 4.1. 
 which is juiL and equal, knowing alfo that 
 ye have a Maflcr in Fleaven, neither is there zph. e. o, 
 Refpecn: of Peribns with him.' 
 
 And as the good Apofllcs were moved Exhonati- 
 in their Day, by the Lords holy Spirit thus °'';^'.J°j,^;'j 
 to exhort, fo in a Meafure of the fame Spi- children. 
 rit, our Friends and Brethren have in this 
 Day been concerned to deilre th?.t Parents 
 might be excm-plary to their Children in 
 Converfation, and in keeping out of the 
 vain Fafhions, Cufloms and Pride of the 
 World, by adorning themXelves modefdy, 
 and in Plainneis, obferving the Sci'ipture- 
 Language, wlierein is true Propriety of 
 Speech ; And that a godly Care and Con- 
 cern fliould be upon the Minds of all Parents 
 to watch over their Children with Supplica- 
 tion to the Lord, that they be not drawn 
 
[ ^6 ] 
 
 away from the Iiinocency, Simplicity, and 
 Plainnefs of the Way of Truth, and in a 
 Senfe thereof to reach the VVitnefs in them, 
 that fo they might feel in their own Spirit a 
 Degree of Fear and Reverence towards God, 
 inffcriKfling them to follow his Counfel and 
 ceut. 6, obey his Voice ; and as the Tribes o^ Jfrael 
 ^' were required of God to teach his Precepts 
 
 dihgently unto their Children, and talk of 
 them when they fate in their Houfes, and 
 v/alked by the Way, and when they laid 
 down, and when they rifed up, fo fliould 
 Parents be concerned to acquaint their Chil- 
 dren how the Lord led them from one De- 
 gree of Faithfulnefs to another, in a Denial 
 of the World's corrupt Ways, Language, 
 Refraaory aud Cuiloms. But if Children reje(Sc their 
 Fpi'Ue^"' l^^i'ents or Guardians Advice, and prove 
 1691. refractory, tliey are to acquaint the proper 
 Meetings therewith, in Order to have far- 
 ther Advice and Ailiflance for reclaiming 
 fuch Children. 
 Parents not And that all Parents be watchful over 
 Pridf^n their Children, and careful not to fuiFer 
 their chu- them to get into Pride and Excefs, but to 
 keep them to that decent Plainnefs which 
 becomes the People of God ; that the Sin of 
 the Children may not be upon their Parents, 
 nor they expofed to Ruin by their Parents 
 Neglect, or evil Example in Word or Deed/ 
 And oar Advice is, that all Friends Chil- 
 dren have fo much Learning as to read the , 
 holy Scriptures and other Englijlo Books, | 
 
C ^1 3 
 
 and to write and cail Accounts fo far as to ciiiUrcn 
 underftand fome necefliary Rules in Arlth- Learnmg. 
 metic, and for that End let the Rich help the 
 Poor. 
 
 And that Friends of all Degrees take due Children 
 Care to bring up their Children to fome ufe- Trud^. 
 fal and neceiTary Employment, that they 
 may not fpend their precious Time in Idle- 
 nefs, which is of evil Example, and tends 
 much to their Hurt. 
 
 And that it is a very evil Tiling for Chil- ^'^^ [^ a^- 
 dren to anlwer their Parents croliiy or tro- ^vaiJiy. 
 wardly ; but if they think amifs of what is 
 propofed or fa id, they (houkl anfv/er fober- 
 }y and dutifully ; for Parents are to be re- 
 garded and obeyed next to God : and if Pa- 
 rents become poor or helplefs, their Chil- 
 dren ought according to their Abilities to 
 relieve and help them. 
 
 T ^- - T•\^ A n 1 ^ Ordinance 
 
 In tne next Place, v/e are to inew v/hat of Man i^. 
 our Principles are cancefnlng that holy Or- ^s^* 
 dinance of Marriage, which may be reduc- 
 ed to thefe three Particulars. 
 
 Fird, v/e ought not to marry vdth tliofe 
 who are out of the Belief and ProfeHion of 
 the blefTed * Truth as it is in Jefus,' or being 
 of another Judgment or Fellowfliip, or pre- 
 tending to the Truth, or making Profellion 
 thereof, v/alk not in fome good Degree an- 
 fvv'erable thereunto. 
 
 Secondly, we ought not to many by the 
 Priefls, vrho take upon them to join People 
 
 Q.3 
 
[ 28 2 
 
 in Marriage, withont any Command from 
 the Law of God, or Precedent, or Example 
 from the Holy Scripture for fo doing. 
 
 Thirdly, we ought not to fuffer fuch Kind 
 of Marriages to pafs among us, which as to 
 the Degrees of Confanguinity, x\flinity,, or 
 which by Reafon of Precontratfl or other- 
 wife, are in themfelves unlawful, or from 
 which there may be any jiifl Kefie^ion cart 
 upon our Way. 
 A-ain:^ As to the firfl, we fay, that if fuch as: 
 
 wi'hlhofe make Profeifion with us, and believe in the 
 «f ciiffercnt Light, aud own the Bodlrines and Princi- 
 pies ot Iruth, concerning the Spiritual Ap-* 
 pearance and Mauifeflation of our Lord 
 and Saviour Jefus Chrifl, fhould marry with, 
 fuch as do not fo profefs and believe, or with 
 fuch as profefs the Truth, and walk not in 
 fome good Degree anfvverable thereunto, 
 we cannot have Unity with fuch Marriages. 
 But if any fhould think it flrange that, 
 we diflike joining in Marriage with thofe . 
 that are not of our Profellion, tho' fome of 
 Mivt Mar- them may atherwife be of a civil Deport- 
 ment, we can fay from the Tellimony of 
 the Spirit of God in our Hearts, that fuch 
 mixing in Marriages is an unequal Yoking, 
 and ought not to be fuifered amongft us ; 
 And if any (hould think it lawful, yet fome 
 know by Experience, that it has not been 
 expedient, but very hurtful, and of ill Con- 
 fequence to the Parties, as well as a Grief to 
 their honeil Friends and llelations, and fre- 
 
 ria-.rcs an 
 unequal 
 Yokin.^. 
 
L -9 1 
 
 quently ends in Vv^qe and Ruin of them- 
 feh^es and their Children. 
 
 x\nd we find that the Judgment of Tnitli Gen ^.4, 4. 
 in the Patriarchs, and Propliets v/as againfl ]%^^' ^^* 
 mixt Marriages in their Time, becaufe of Neh. 13, 
 the dangerous Efte^ls. which attended them, ^^" 
 in drawing God's, pecuJiar People into cor- 
 rupt Language, Heathenilli Cuftoms, grofs 
 Idolatry, and at length into a total .Separa- 
 tion from the holy San(fluary, and Protec- 
 tion of the x\lmighty. 
 
 As to the Second concerning the Pricfls ^Agninftth© 
 afTuming Authority to marry, our concur- ufurpcd 
 rent Teitimony with all our faithful Bre- -Authority 
 theren ai:d Elders, is,, and has been,, againfl ^°"^^"^' 
 that Uiurpation which feems to be an In- 
 vention to get Money. And they tliem- 
 felves have confeiFed, that it is no part of 
 the EfTence of a Marriage : But it is m.oft 
 evident to us, that (after the Confent of Pa- pj;;;;;-/,. 
 rents or Guardians and Relations is had, «5cc.agood 
 and other due and orderly Proceedings are "^^"'^^• 
 made, according to the Rules and Difcipline 
 of our religious Society) the mutual Promife 
 and x\greement of the Parties before Wit- 
 neiTes in our Meetings appointed, for fuch .^^."^ ' 
 Solemnities, amounts to an a»Slual Mamage, 3 Lev 376.. 
 which the Law cannot make void, nor the. 
 Parties themfelves diiTolve by lleieafe, or 
 other mutual Agreement. 
 
 Divers Inflances might be brought where Marriages 
 Marriages have been adjudged good in Law Cw, uvo' 
 tho' they were not folemnized by Priefls, ^oiiokm^ 
 

 C 3'« } 
 
 for Brevity wc omit ; and fliall only mentf-'f 
 on a Cauie ^\■ilicU our bonoumble Friend and: 
 elder Brother George Fox in his Journal, p..' 
 ca^e?'scc ~■^^^' -^i^ wss tried at the Aliizes at Notting- 
 Hale's Life ham in the Year 1 66 1 . The Cafe was thiik'i 
 net, p,' 73!" Some Years before,, two Friends were ni-ar- 
 7i. ried among Friends, and lived together aS 
 
 Man and Wife about tvv^o Years ; then the 
 Man died, TcavJnj^ his Wife v.^ith Child, and 
 an Efbte in Gopy-hoId-Lands : When the 
 V/oman was delivered, the Jury prefented 
 the Child Heir, v/ho was accordingly admit- 
 ted ; afterwards qne that was near of Kin to 
 the Child's Father bro'ught that Suit, there- 
 by intending to deprive the Child of the In- 
 heritance ; and to eifecl this, he v/ould 
 prove the Child illegitimate, alleging the 
 Marriage \vas not according to Law. After 
 the Council on bath Sides had done Plead- 
 Xo Fa- ^^'g' J'^^<^''g^ Archer direvfted the Jury to find 
 voarre of the Child Heir, v/hich they did accordins;- 
 
 Quakers j^^ ^ ^: 
 
 Our Me- By this we may imderftand, how far we 
 nlarrvL^. ^^'^ jufthied in the Method of confummating 
 our Marriages by mutual Promifes, whicll 
 are made with much Awe and Reverence,, 
 in the Prefence and Audience of God's Peo- 
 ple, at their religious AiTembhes. But it is 
 to be underitood, that tho'" we are prefent 
 We marry j^*- i\^ch Solemnities", yet WC niarry none, batv 
 are WitnefTes thereunto, "as afiy 'other Specr 
 tators may be.. . ^ . ; . . 
 
 Sucr^caioas We thus enlarge upon this Head,- that 
 
C St 3 
 
 none may be impofcd upon by tliofe who in-JK»»inft our 
 finuate, that fiich as are not married by a J^^Yr'cd^" 
 Priefl, their Children will be deemed illegi- 
 timate ; for feme pretending to be of us, 
 believed thofe falle Suggeitions, or madeG, f,l> 
 Ufc of them to colom' their feliifli Views, "' * 
 and finiiler Ends, and lb far renounced the 
 Teftimony of Truth as to be married by promoters 
 Friefts. Therefore let fuch v/eak ignoble pf^^a^n- 
 iJpirits, with all thofc that promote, or are ?neil tc^ 
 prefent at any fuch MaiTiages, be dealt with bccenfur- 
 and brought to repent of tiieir Out-goings, 
 or be ccnfured for the farjie. 
 
 As to the third and lall Particular, it is Marriages 
 our Senfe and Tudcment, that none amonfl Y'*''^ ^^'"" 
 us move or proceed, m Orc'er to marry engaged, 
 with fuch as are pre-engaged or contraded n^afaTif^. 
 to others, before they ai-e duly difcharged nottobc 
 orreieafedof that Pre-engagement, and that''^'°'^^*^^ 
 no fuch Procedure be made by fuch as are 
 within the Degrees of Ccnfanguinity or 
 Afrinity, being not allowed by us, or pro- 
 hibited by the Laws and Ufages of England. 
 
 We do not in the leaft fuppofe, by what Mamzg-* 
 we objev^ againfl marrying by the Priefl:, or q-' o^'h^lst 
 others differing from our Way, as if their »^ot f"pp°- 
 Marriages were void ; neithei' do w^ take *^ 
 upon us to hinder any to marry otherwife 
 than by tenderly advifing fuch as are like to 
 go contrary to our Difcipline, and if they 
 rejedl our x\dvicc, we rqfufe to be Witnci- 
 fes and Concurrers with them, and if they 
 go right, and make regular Steps in their 
 
[ 3^ ] 
 
 Procedure, to the Satisfadlion of the Meet- 
 ings whereto they belong/^ we allow them 
 to coniammate their Marriages according 
 to the good Order and Method which bur 
 Fathers and Eiders in the Truth, did at firn: 
 eflabhili in the Wifdom and Power of God. 
 Our Mar. And it has been a conftant Rule fmce 
 paTth^ Difcipline was fidl fet up amongfl Friends, 
 Mens ?nd that all their Marriages &ould be laid before 
 Me'l'i^n^s. the Mens and Womens Meetings, who were 
 fsz^id ^* to take Care that fuch as come before theni 
 360. ' were clear from all otiier Perfons on that 
 Account ; and that no Man fnould fpeak to 
 a Woman, in Order to Marriage, before he 
 had the Conient of his own Parents oi* 
 G.^ardians, and then fpoken to her Father 
 and Mother, and had their Confent ; and if 
 fhe had no Parents alive, but Guardians or 
 Truilees, then to fpeak to them and have 
 their Confent, and proceed accordingly ; 
 and we find the R-cafon of this was, for that 
 fome formerly did ipeak neither to Father 
 nor Mother, till they had drawn out and en- 
 tangled the Aiteftions of the Daughter, and 
 that brought great Troubles and Difcontents 
 upon the Parent, and amongft Friends. 
 And therefore this was to be inquired into 
 in the Mens and Womens Meetings, where 
 the Marriages were to be fpoken of: and fo 
 Confent gU it is, or ought to be amongll us, and if Pa- 
 yennotto j-euts or Guardiaus liave cuce confentcd or 
 
 be retract- i r« /• , * 1 i rr» 1 1 
 
 cd without approved or iuch Adarelies, they ougat not 
 cr-fe. ^Q retrad the fame, without giving fuch 
 
C 33 \ 
 
 Reafons as in the Judgment of the Month- 
 ly Meeting, whereto they belong, fhall be 
 i.uf]icient for fo doing. 
 
 And where Men and Women draw out 
 the AffciTtions one of another, and after a 
 while go to others, and then do the like, ^ y y 
 this ought to be cenfiu^ed as a fcandaloas aSi.* 
 Frav^ice. 
 
 And it hath been tlie early Care, and is second 
 the decent Practice amongft Friends, not to »"^"'=s"- 
 confummate fecond Marriages fooner than a 
 Year after the Death of liulband or Wife, p™;:;^^" 
 
 ... lor Cnil- 
 
 And that before Widows are allowed to drcn by 
 marry, Care (hould be taken that P^'ovifion 1°;;^^;^^^^ 
 be made for theii* Children by former Huf- 
 bands, as Occalion ma}^ require. 
 
 Dear Friends ^ v/c do )iot prefcribe thefe Superficial 
 Rules, as thinking a bare fuperficial Com- fj^^^^^p^'" 
 pliance with them to be fulHcient, for we 
 know a formal Hypocrite may go far that Hypo- 
 Way, and not difcover himfelf till his Tiu-n '"'"• 
 is ferved. Therefore our Defires are, that 
 in this important Affair of Marriage, a godly farrto'^ 
 Care may come upon all fuch as may be con- ^"o^"' ^ 
 cerned therein, as it has been and is upon jSm'ing 
 the Faithful, to know their Hearts and 6'pi- '" ^^'^^^ 
 rits truly and, lincerely given up in Chaftity ^^^* 
 and Plifity of Love one towards another, 
 ivith a free Refignation to the Will of God, 
 and lioly Relblutions to ferve, obey, and 
 follow him thro' the various Exercifes, Dif- 
 ficulties and Trials whicii may attend them 
 in a married ^tate ; and as they fcand in his 
 
[ 54 : 
 
 Comifel they come to know a holy joining 
 in Spirit, and the Blelfing from above to de- 
 fcend upon them in their Undertaking ; 
 and when they come to enter into the Mar- 
 riage-Covenant, they will according to their 
 Growth in the blcfTed Truth, be ienilble of 
 God's heavenly and Spiritual Joining ; this 
 is the Honourable Marriage that is flinctified 
 by the Spirit of God, and owned by his 
 People. 
 j,^^.y of And when Man and Wife are thus * join-, 
 
 Huibands q(\ together, let no Man put them afunder ; 
 wtves. but let the Huiband love his Wife even as 
 Mat 19, 6. hinilelf, and as Chrifl loved the Church, 
 vcT. is.^^' and not be bitter againft her ; and let the 
 Col 3, 19. Wife reverence her Hufband, and fubmit 
 ^ ^' and be fubjecfi: unto him as is fit in the Lord.' 
 Thus far we think proper at prefent, to 
 colled: and lay down our Principles and 
 Pra£life, in Order to be publilhed for the 
 Help and Service of the Youth and Weak a- 
 mong ourfelves, and for the Information 
 and Satisfa£lion of others. 
 
 Signed in and by Order of the 
 [aid Meeting this i^h Bay 
 ■«/■ the 1th Me. if 9.2, by 
 
 Samuel. Preston. 
 FINIS. 
 
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