life.'

'But if we go on in sin, we shall die in to the people, "That touching this point he had undertaken to prove, viz: that freedom from sin in this life is inconsistent with the doctrine of Christ and his apostles, but could not; and we had adduced several plain, applicable, and unanswerable texts of Scripture, proving that freedom from sin in this life, is the doctrine of Christ and his apostles, and had left the truth over his head."

our sins; and if we die in our sins, whither he is gone we cannot come.' But the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus,' saith the apostle, personating every true member of the church of Christ, hath made me free from the law of sin and death.' A glorious liberty indeed!"

Then said the priest, "Yea, that is true, we are to be made free from sin, but not in this life." Then Samuel Jennings asked the priest, since he had acknowledged a freedom from sin, but not in this life, "When, where, and how must it be effected, since no unclean thing can enter the kingdom?'"

To which he replied, "We are driven to a necessity to confess, it is not done in heaven, and in this life it cannot be; therefore it must be at the very point of death, as the soul departeth from the body."

By this time it was about mid-day, and we were willing to depart, and our antagonist as desirous we should, for he sweated much, and often sighed deeply; which gave me occasion to think he argued against his own understanding. Yet we had a short touch on baptism, or rather rantism, for I held him to sprinkling infants; which, though no baptism, yet being their practice instead of baptism, they must be determined by it.

The next day we went on to Milford, Strat"Well then," said I, "let us see thee split ford, and Fairfield, and there we alighted at a hair, and show what distance there is be- an inn, the house of one Burr; where, after tween the utmost point of time and the begin- some refreshment, we requested the liberty of ning of eternity. For if done in the last point his house for a meeting-place, but could not of time, it is in this life; and if not till its obtain it, he being an old, zealous, or cowardentrance into eternity, then the unclean thing ly Independent or Presbyterian; for in those enters the kingdom, which is already granted parts, though many could be willing to hear cannot be. Where then is this freedom?" Friends, yet such is the bondage they are in Which question Samuel Jennings pressing upon to their ministers, elders, magistrates, and one him, he then affirmed, "The soul is cleansed to another, that they dare not attempt it in the from sin in its way between earth and hea-day-time. ven; for there is," said he, "a considerable space between.”

Then said Samuel Jennings, "This is such a purgatory as I never heard of before." And though the preacher had hitherto seemed to have command of his passion, yet upon this he grew very angry; for we then exposed him to his own people.

If the soul is freed from sin after it departs from the body, in its ascending from earth to heaven, speaking in an outward sense according to his apprehension, it is still in time. Being reduced to this condition before his people, he then began to accuse us falsely; and having his members now pretty well fit ted to his evil purpose, to laugh, setting his rustics to mock us, and said he would tell us a story of a merchant in London, intending thereby to raise levity, and so take off all sense of what had been said, for there were several of the people very sober and attentive all the time. But I sharply reproved him, and said, that he manifested himself, to all that had eyes, in a thing ill becoming his grey hairs, and much worse his profession, and least of all the matter in hand, touching the everlasting life or death of mankind. This utterly suppressed his jest; and then I summed up the whole matter in short, and noted

We took horse on that evening, and went again to Norwalk and lodged. As we went to this place, we fell in with a neighbouring man, who told us that many of the people were much dissatisfied with the measure we met with at Fairfield, in being hindered to speak to them, seeing we had not interrupted their minister, nor offered to speak till their service was over: that the priest of Fairfield, next sabbath day, as he called it, took his text in 2 Tim. iii. 5, From such turn away; upon which some of the people said among themselves, their minister could now talk much against the Quakers behind their backs, but face to face, had very little to say. And some of them told him, that the Quakers made seven of them together say and own what they pleased; and that some of the people had been wishing our return.

In the morning we went on to Horseneck, where we arrived about noon, when it began to rain heavily, and continued till near night; so that we lodged there, and some of the inhabitants came to see us.

The next day we went forward, and in our way, heard of a quarterly meeting to be the day after, at Westbury, in Long Island, and therefore we went that evening, over the sound, to Samuel Bowne's, and had a com.

fortable lodging after so long a journey, where and captious inquirer, "Thou fool, thou sowour accommodations had not been extraordi-est not that body that shall be, but bare grain," nary.

On the 26th we went to Westbury and had a good meeting with Friends, and next day, being the first of the week, had another very large meeting there.

On the 28th we had a meeting on occasion of a marriage, about nine miles from thence. To this meeting came some of the Ranters of Oyster Bay; and during the greatest part of the time, were pretty still, save only an old man, who sometimes hooted like an owl, and made a ridiculous noise, as their manner is. The marriage being solemnized, he stood up, and bare his testimony, as he called it, against our set forms, and cried for liberty to the oppressed seed; "Which," said he, "is oppressed with your forms," meaning the manner of the celebration of our marriages, generally approved by mankind as the most decent.

&c. And this man coming into the friend's house after the meeting, made objections in public, saying, "He believed in the resurrection of the very same body; for, said he, the apostle saith, It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body,' &c." And Roger discoursed with him on the subject, and adduced arguments sufficient to have satisfied any sober inquirer, and yet he continued to cavil. Then for the sake of the people and others that might be weak among us, I called for the Bible and read that part to them, viz: "That which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body which shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat," &c. "Therefore the same body doth not arise; but as the grain of wheat dies to its present form of being, by sending forth a blade, being no other than the one grain expanded, and that blade a stalk, Those Ranters would have liberty to all and often many; and that stalk, or stalks, an who profess Truth to do what they list, with-ear, or many, with other grains, but not the out being reproved, or accountable to any same individual grain, of the same nature, person or people. For they say, to be ac- shape, and kind; so argues the apostle for countable to man is bondage; and for man to the resurrection of the body, that that which judge is vain, since those actions he may cen- is sown ariseth no more, but God gives it a sure may be done in the motion of the holy body as it pleaseth him; though no compariSeed and Spirit of Christ; under which pre- son will hold in every circumstance." Upon tence they would cover many vile practices, this he was silent; and so the matter ended. by reason whereof we had sometimes been But upon our inquiry what this man was, he upbraided and reproached in Connecticut, appeared to be one of those the people call where some of them, in times past, had ap- wet Quakers: no wonder then he remained peared, in their extravagant ravings, under the so carnally minded, though so long a proname of Quakers. We said not much to fessor of the truth; for it is not profession them, Truth being over them, and the meet-only, nor confession alone, that the Almighty ing ended well. That evening we went to Jericho, eight miles, and lodged at the widow Mary Willis'.

We went from Jericho to Jerusalem, and had a pretty good meeting at Benjamin Seaman's; and next day had a meeting at Hempstead, where came a priest, or teacher of a sect, and some people with him, and he began to write after my companion; who, in a short time, fell so exposingly and heavily upon the sort he was of, that the teacher ceased from writing, and departed the place, without offering to defend his profession.

But one among ourselves, who had professed the Truth about twenty years, took exception against something Roger said concerning the resurrection of the body; for in his testimony he said, "He had once believed, that if the body of a man were burnt to ashes, and those ashes sifted through a sieve over all the earth, sea and air, yet, at the last day, the same dust should come together again, and the same body should then arise; but," said he, "I now believe otherwise:" and then cited the words of the apostle to the too curious VOL. X.-No. 4.

regards, but faith, which works by love, to the conversion of the mind to the will of God, through the sanctification of the Spirit.

Now, though we fully believe the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, yet we take not upon us to determine the mode of existence in that state, or with what bodies they shall come; but leave it with the Almighty to give unto us bodies as may best please him. But there is a wonderful mystery in this thing, far out of the sight of the natural man; but "blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power." And the Son of God hath said, "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die." So then they who are truly in him, and he in them, are arisen with him, and live in and with him, to the praise of his own arm; who reigneth in glory for ever and ever.

After this we went with Samuel Bowne and his wife to Flushing, where we had a glorious meeting next day; and the day after had a 16

That evening we set forward, but when we came to the inn all was full, and no attendance could be had but a superannuated negro, who could do but little for us; so that we were

fetch them hay a considerable way off. That night I lay with my clothes on in the entry, and slept very well for where the Lord subjects the mind and makes it content, all things are easy. Next day we went about thirtyfive miles to Crosswicks, and had very good accommodations with our friend Francis Davenport.

pretty large meeting at Jamaica, about four trance of the river that goes up to Elizabethmiles from thence; and that evening we re-town, and went to an inn at Elizabeth Point turned to Flushing. The next day I went about one in the morning, where all the beds over the Sound, accompanied by several were taken up; so that we had little rest that Friends, to West Chester; and the day fol- night. As soon as it was light we set forlowing, being the first of the week, had a large ward, got to Woodbridge, and had a meeting open meeting there, many Friends coming there that afternoon; in which, though small, from Long Island, and abundance of people I was refreshed; to the praise of Him whose from all quarters round, and some as far as presence is life, and at whose right hand is Horseneck the people were very still, and fulness of joy for evermore. many affected with the testimony of truth. After the meeting we returned over the Sound in a canoe, and lodged that night at Thomas Stevenson's. The next day we had a meeting at New-obliged to take care of our own horses, and town, three miles off, to which came John Rodman and my companion from York: the meeting was not large, but much affected with trouble at the account Roger Gill published in his testimony, of many being taken away at Philadelphia, by a pestilential fever then greatly prevalent, ten being buried in one day, and four died on the same; several of them being good Friends. His testimony was by way of warning to Friends in that meeting, to be prepared to meet the Lord, if peradventure the stroke of his hand might reach those parts. Then Samuel Jennings reminded the meeting, that it was no new or strange thing for the people of God to suffer in common calamities; but the love and favour of God being assured to them, whether life or death ensued, as it might best please the Lord, there was no occasion of fear, or to be dismayed at such things, especially to those who were prepared, as the apostle, when he said, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." And since a translation through death to life is the ex-left him to the concern and liberty of his own ceeding great gain of the saints, we have no ground to repine at the loss of their society here, though most grateful, but rather patiently and diligently wait upon the Lord, till it may become our lot.

From this time my companion could never fully settle his mind to stay any longer in those parts; but said if he had wings he could fly to Philadelphia to the distressed Friends: but I kept to our settled purpose, stipulated before we heard of their condition and exercise.

That night Samuel Jennings and I lodged with Robert Field, and Roger Gill and John Rodman returned to New York; where, next day we had a meeting, and each of us a good opportunity therein among the people; who seemed to have good understandings generally as men; and Friends were well satisfied, there being pretty many from the island.

My spirit was heavy and sorrowful all night; and the next morning we took boat, and in the evening came to anchor in the en

The day following we went to Burlington, being met in the way by some Friends from thence, and lodged with Samuel Jennings; where we heard more of the sad effects of the pestilential distemper still prevailing at Philadelphia; and the next day being the first of the week, in the morning my companion fell under a great concern to go to the meeting that day at Philadelphia, and asked my thoughts upon it: I answered, that it was a case too difficult for me to advise in, as things were then circumstanced; but for my own part, I did not see any cause to recede from the plan of proceeding formerly settled, but

mind; and that since notice had gone abroad of our intention of being that day at Burlington, I thought it my place to stay there; which I did accordingly, and he hastened to Philadelphia; where he arrived, as he said, before the morning meeting was ended, though twenty miles off, and he had the great river Delaware to cross by a ferry.

The meeting at Burlington was very large, but not so open as in some other places, for which I knew no particular reason. Next day I rested there, and on the 12th went over the river into Pennsylvania, to a meeting appointed at the Falls, and the presence of the Lord was tenderly with us; and that night I lodged with our honourable friend in the truth, Phineas Pemberton, and rested there next day.

On the 14th of seventh month [1699] we had a pretty large meeting at Neshaminy, and very tender, the Lord being good to us. The next day 1 had a good meeting at Poquessink, but not very broken: I came away in peace, and

rode very hard, being late, to Philadelphia was no room left for doubt, but that it was that evening; where my soul for some time his will we should hold our meeting and serve had desired to be, and where I found my com- God therein, as well in times of adversity and panion well, but many Friends on their sick affliction, as in prosperity and less seeming and dying pillows; and yet the settled pre- danger. Friends were generally comforted sence of the Lord was with them at that time: in the divine truth, and the fear of the consuch is the goodness of God to his own peo-tagion was much taken away, and the testiple, that in their bodily, or any other afflic-mony of truth was exceedingly glorious in tions, his holy presence greatly abates the several instruments, and over the meeting in exercises of nature by its divine consolation. general, and so continued to the end; which O the love that flowed in my soul to several in the times of my visits to them! in which I was lifted over all fear of the contagion, and yet not without an awful regard toward the Lord therein.

The first I visited was Aaron Atkinson, then at Edward Shippen's; of whose recovery I was glad, both from personal respect and for the sake likewise of his services in the churches; and Edward and his wife were also well recovered. In this distemper had died six, seven, and sometimes eight a day, for several weeks together; and the yearly meeting being to begin there next day, we had some exercise and consultation about it, arising from the prevalency of the distemper in the city at that time, and yet not much in the country.

Some Friends had written from Burlington to Friends at Philadelphia, proposals to adjourn the meeting till a cooler time; to which it was answered, that till the meeting was come together, they had no power to adjourn; but thought it might do well to discourage, in all places, the great numbers of young people and servants that usually come to town on those occasions; and such only to come as were necessarily concerned in the service of the meetings, because of the great infection, and incapacity of Friends and inns in town, at such a juncture, to lodge and entertain them, there being few, if any, houses free of

was the first, second, and third days for wor ship, and the fourth for business; which was managed in wisdom and unanimity, and ended in sweetness and concord; as becomes all meetings of the people of God everywhere.

But that which was very remarkable, was, that though the distemper was very raging and prevalent all the week before, yet there was not one taken ill during the whole time of the meeting, either of those who came there on that account, or of the people of the town, that could be remembered by such Friends as made the observation; and yet presently after there were many taken ill thereof in town, and several died, but few in comparison to what had died before; and a little after that it was finally stopped by the good hand of divine Providence.

My companion and I both remained in town till the 23rd of the seventh month, visiting the sick Friends from time to time, as we found necessary or expedient. Great was the presence of the love of God with his people, in the midst of this trying visitation; which gave us occasion to say, Good is the Lord, and greatly to be feared, loved and obeyed; for though he suffers afflictions to come upon his own chosen people, in common with other men, yet that which otherwise would be intolerable, is made as nothing, by how much the sense thereof is swallowed up in his divine love. O the melting love! O the sweetness I enjoyed with several, as they lay under In the morning meeting of ministers and the disease, being unspeakably comforted in elders, on the seventh-day of the week at the Lord: let my soul remember it, and wait Philadelphia, we were under great concern low before the Lord to the end of my days! about holding the meeting in the usual time, or Great was the majesty and hand of the Lord! whether it were better to suspend it; and as we Great was the fear that fell upon all flesh! I waited on the Lord for counsel, the testimony saw no lofty or airy countenance, nor heard of truth went generally against the adjourn- any vain jesting to move men to laughter; ment, or suspension; and the Lord's presence nor witty repartee, to raise mirth; nor extrawas greatly with us to the end, though some vagant feasting, to excite the lusts and desires opposition we met with from the prudentially of the flesh above measure; but every face wise men present, who consulted their own reason, but not the Truth; who hath all power, and can do and prevent what He pleaseth.

the sickness.

Accordingly the next day, being the first of the week, the meeting was held, and was large, all circumstances considered; and the Lord so evidently appeared with us, that there

gathered paleness, and many hearts were humbled, and countenances fallen and sunk, as those who waited every moment to be summoned to the bar and numbered to the grave.

But the just appeared with open face, and walked upright in the streets, and rejoiced in secret, in that perfect love that casteth out all fear; and sang praises to Him who liveth and

reigneth, and is worthy for ever, being re- had passed in it; for sooner or later all was signed unto his holy will in all things; say-clear: and he had also given a general cauing, Let it be as thou wilt, in time, and in tion in the meeting, that all should be careful eternity, now and for evermore. No love of to know in what spirit and to what end they the world, nor fear of death, hindered their re-judged or censured others, lest they judged signation, abridged their confidence, or cloud- others in the same spirit in which they themed their enjoyments in the Lord. selves had committed greater evils than those they judged in others; and so incur greater condemnation.

On the 23rd my companion went to Burlington, to be at the meeting there next day, having passed it as we went to Philadelphia; where notice was given, and some meetings appointed for me the same week on that side the river. He returned on the 25th to Philadelphia; and the same evening he appeared to be under symptoms of the common distemper. We discoursed together concerning our further proceedings in our service, but he told me he did not see his way any further to any meeting at all.

That night we lodged together, and he sweated very much, and next morning arose, but soon took bed again; and then, at his request, I took an account of some small things he had in America; upon which he asked me how his effects there, and in England, would be distributed among his wife and children, if he should die intestate? in which I resolved him. The meetings being appointed, I could not stay with him; and when I took leave of him, he told me he was pretty easy and not very ill yet I departed under a very great load upon my spirit, and suspected the worst; for he had prayed in the yearly meeting, with great zeal and earnestness, that the Lord would be pleased to accept of his life as a sacrifice for his people, that a stop might be put to the contagion; and I had thought in the mean time he would be taken at his word, though no such sacrifices in such cases are required; only therein appeared his great love and concern for Friends, whom he had come so far to see.

But when I came to the bottom of the matter, I understood that as I had been concerned in some other meetings, to expose some of the false doctrines of the apostate George Keith, which had obtained a place among many in those parts, some of that sort had invited a very critical Keithian to this meeting, in hope to get some advantage, or matter for dispute and contention; in which he and they more delighted, than in the practice of any Christian duty toward God or man. And the rather they had this hope, because I had in some former meetings in those parts, been concerned about the sufferings of Christ in the flesh among the Jews, and his powerful and effectual baptism by the Spirit; but in this meeting I had little on those subjects, save a short introduction as to the coming of Christ in the flesh, but rather the blessed effects and consequences thereof; his divine and spiritual manifestation, as he is the Word of God and light of the Gentiles, in whom, as such, we ought to believe; and by which faith in his divine light and obedience thereto, we have remission of sins and the full benefit of his death and sufferings. So that those contentious apostate spirits were not gratified; who usually, and falsely charged us with neglecting, and even disbelieving Christ's outward appearance, and too much preaching the light; which they hated, and at which they stumbled, and were offended; and of whom it may justly be said, When they That evening I went to Burlington, and knew God, they did not glorify him as God, next day had a pretty large and good meet- but turned aside into envy and vain jangling; ing at John Shinn's; where was a new meet- in which there is no honour to Christ, nor life ing-house, about six miles from Burlington, in to the soul. But none of them made any obthe woods; and next day had another meet-jection to any thing that was delivered in the ing at John Adams', about seven miles further meeting that day. down the river, where many people were gathered. In the beginning of this meeting my mind was greatly concerned about going to the yearly meeting, to be in the eighth month, at Choptank, in Maryland; which being yielded to in secret, I then had a pretty open time, and the meeting ended well. But Samuel Jennings having used some expressions in his testimony concerning evil surmising and false censuring, I inquired of him after the meeting, whether I had missed in any expression, that might be justly censured? To which he answered, he was well pleased with the meeting, and what

The same evening I set forward for Philadelphia, where I arrived about the ninth hour, and found my companion very ill, and several dead, and others taken ill in the few days I had been absent.

On the 29th was a monthly meeting at Philadelphia, which was small, yet the Lord was gloriously with us; Aaron Atkinson was likewise there. In that meeting I acquainted Friends that I intended to leave them for some time, and that there were some there I should never see more in that meeting. Before the meeting was ended, John Busby, a