have come, for I desire to hear them; but, being in the Menists' meeting-house, if I should go there, it would be taken notice of by my own people, weaken me and my party, and strengthen the Menists;" but he was very friendly.

invite him to the meeting, he said, "if the worship, and remained alone; but his two meeting had been in private house, I would daughters inclining to our meetings, he had given them their freedom, and himself also had an inclination to Truth. He received us very kindly; and after some time of silence after dinner, John Padley had some words in prayer, I also having had a secret concern during the time I had been there; and when John had done, I then spoke to this effect, "That the Lord was at work in many hearts to draw men under his own blessed teachings; and the voice of the angel of the covenant of life was now calling to the people of God yet in Babylon, to come out of her; not to be partakers with her in her sins, lest also they should partake of her plagues: and so exhorted him to be true and faithful unto the Lord in what he knew, and the Lord would soon make him wiser than all his former teachers, &c." I then kneeled down in prayer; in which we had a very tender and comfortable season. He went with us about a quarter of a mile, and we parted with him in much tenderness, he heartily embracing us. That af ternoon we went to Twisk, with our friend Henry Johnsen; where we were kindly received by him and the rest of our friends.

ers.

This afternoon we passed along the coast to Henleven, and procured a meeting with the Menists that sect called Collegians-in their meeting-house; which began about the sixth hour. It was pretty large, and most of their chief people there, also one of their preachThis was the most open meeting we had on that coast, and many things of great weight were made plain and clear to the understandings of several, and especially one of their teachers, who expressed his satisfaction. The divinity of Christ was fully set forth, and proved according to scripture; showing them, that the divine nature is not the human nature; neither is the human nature, abstractly considered, the divine nature; but the divine Word, assuming a reasonable soul, and cloathing that soul and Word with that holy body, born of the virgin Mary; this is the true Christ, and so appeared to the Jews. This meeting ended in much sweetness in prayer, and I had great peace after it, and was very easy, as if I had done on that side the sea.

The next morning we went forward by water; and through the goodness of God, our great Protector and Saviour, we arrived safe at Enchuysen, in great peace with him, about seven in the evening; and went to the house of Martin Daniel, a friendly man, who with his wife received us freely. But after supper, discoursing with him about a meeting, he told us there was hardly any in all that great city who inclined to come to a meeting, they being generally Calvinists, full and wanting nothing. Next morning he had considered it further, and said, "if you will stay till the afternoon, I will tell all whom I have any expectation will come, who are but two or three, and let you have my house to meet in." But we finding things so cold, and expecting better service elsewhere, did not think proper to stay upon so uncertain a ground. Before we departed, I exhorted them to be true and faithful to the Lord, according to the degree of manifestation they had, and then they might expect more; and after a time of prayer, whereby they were both much reached and tendered, we parted in peace and love, he conducting us to the gate of the city. We departed by wagon, and in our way, called to see Dirrick Mindersen. He had been a Menist, but for some time, had withdrawn himself from their

The next day, the 25th, we were at their meeting, which was not large; but there being several of the sober neighbours at it, the little place was full. But here, where we might have expected more openness than in many other places, being most of them such as make some profession of Truth, I was very sensible of as great a power of darkness as in any place we had been in all this journey; and the meeting was dull and dry a long time in silence, and hard to be wrought through in testimony; but the Lord being with us, gave us victory and dominion in the end, and several were tendered and comforted. The meeting being ended we went to Henry Johnsen's; and most of the Friends, who may be so accounted, came to us, expecting some further comfort and edification in our society. But as in the days of Job, satan came also to hinder; so there was one of that place, a man of some account among them, who had for some time met with them and professed Truth, and yet was full of self-conceit and self-contri vance. He at first, had opposed their weekday meetings, and then falling in with them, would sleep great part of the time, and then stand up to preach; and sometimes, in the end of a silent meeting, would propose that all should kneel down together in the meeting in silent mental prayer, before they parted; and this mental prayer he pretends to perform every night. He is also for the continuance of water baptism, and the bread and wine. By these whims he has been hurtful to Friends

nature with him. He was then at a pause, and so grew a little hot, which I reproved him for, and cautioned him against it; telling him, if he let that fire arise in him it would darken his understanding, being from the root of evil.

Then his pretended friend showed himself, and alleged some insignificant things in the same, or more heat than the other. Then they owned that water baptism was not sav

and others in this place, they being yet but children in the way of Truth; and some he partly draws with him; he and they keeping to meetings under all this, and thereby laying a greater load upon the right-minded. These things were largely spoken to in the meeting, with a caution to Friends to keep close to the power and virtue of Truth, which is the substance of all; and to beware of such as would draw them from that, and back into the rudi-ing of itself; but only, being a command, ments of the world; which had not profited those who had been exercised therein, who now, as of old, wanted something to glory in, in their flesh, and in an outward show; being ignorant of the life of Christ; and where that took place, such were of no account: but where they could continue in imitation of shadows, they magnified themselves, and boasted. This galled him much, and he seemed sullen after the meeting; but said nothing till he came into the Friend's house, and brought another with him, a stranger from Groeningen. Soon after they came in, the stranger began slily and smoothly to move some conference about matters of religion, and more especially drew on towards the subject of baptism; but being aware of them, we were upon our guard; and the controversy falling to my share, it held not long. For as his chief allegation was, that Christ instituted another water baptism, distinct from John's baptism, urging Matthew xxviii. 19, for proof, I repeated that, and the other texts uttered by Christ at the same time, explaining that in Matthew, which is but a small part of what the Lord then said; in all which there is no water baptism mentioned, but only John's, and that by way of distinction to the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the true baptism of Christ there set forth. This put him to the common reply, viz. to a conjecture that it was water baptism, from common circumstances; which was balanced by other circumstances to the contrary, and overruled by the apostle's doctrine, where he saith, "There is one body and one spirit; one Lord, one faith, one baptism: for by one spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, bond or free; for we have all been made to drink into one Spirit." This is the Spirit of Truth, even of Jesus Christ, who is that one Spirit of Truth and eternal life; into whom whosoever drinketh, and continueth to drink, is a true and living member of that holy and living body, in which that holy Spirit dwelleth as a living and holy temple, and of whom he is the life, and only ruler and head; "even the church, which is his body, the fulness of him who filleth all in all; the church of the first-born, written in heaven;" the true spouse; "bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh;" of one spirit, life and VOL. X.-No. 7.

should be complied with, because commanded.
But this being only a begging of the question,
I again insisted on proof. Then he alleged
Peter's question, "Who can forbid water," &c.
I asked him who Peter spoke to in that question?
And it appeared he spoke to a few believing
Jews then with him. And as a question is no
command, so there were prudential reasons
for what Peter thought best at that time, as
things were then circumstanced. For these
Jews, being always tenacious and bigotted to
ceremonies and shadows, even after they had
believed, if Cornelius and his house had not
been baptized, or at least an offer made of it,
for it does not appear that they were baptized,
these Jews, and others who might hear of it,
might think those Gentiles still wanted some-
thing they should have had to make them
complete, and so deny them communion;
which, when all was done, they were apt to
do, being always self-conceited of themselves,
and a tincture of the old bitterness, and con-
tempt of the Gentiles still remaining after
they had believed in the same Saviour. To
this I added, that the apostle Peter, in his
defence before the apostles and elders, did not
so much as mention this passage about water
baptism; but on the contrary, places the com-
mand and baptism of Christ, in Mat. xxviii.
altogether upon the Holy Ghost. I alleged
also, in the proper part of this conference,
that it is not "the putting away the filth of
the flesh, but the answer of a good consci-
ence towards God;" and therefore not that
baptism which extends only to an outward
cleansing of the body, as water can only
do; but that inward baptism and cleansing of
the mind and conscience by the Holy Ghost,
and fire of the word of God and Spirit of
Christ; for, "not by works of righteous-
ness which we have done, but according to
his mercy he saved us." But how? "by the
washing of regeneration, and by the renew-
ing of the Holy Ghost." And this baptism
is known by its effects; for, by this baptism,
"we are buried with Christ into his death;
who, in that he died, he died unto sin once,
but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God:" so
that they that are thus baptized, and thus bu-
ried, "are dead indeed unto sin, but alive
unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord,"

31

Upon this they grew impatient, and wanted to be going, and after a few soft words to them by John Padley, in a testimony to the life and substance, telling them that we were surely come to it, without the use of any shadows, and therefore he exhorted them to wait for it in themselves; they went away under a disappointment. But though we, by their means, were also disappointed of the comfort we expected with these few tender and living souls, who in love came to visit us, yet this afforded some satisfaction and confirmation to them.

the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, the raised witnesses against them, and for the quickening Spirit. "That like as he himself ever-living substance: without which, all that was raised from the dead, by the power and man can do or imitate, is but as Cain's sacri glory of the Father," which was a full and fice, of no acceptance." perfect resurrection, even so also all those that then were, now are, and hereafter shall be, so baptized, are, and shall be so raised, as they keep with that holy Word of life, and divine power and nature, which effects this great and truly wonderful change; which common observation and experience in all ages teach water baptism could never do, or can do, by whomsoever administered, though even by Peter, Paul, Philip, or any other, or all of the apostles. I further urged, that since Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, and not one whit behind the chief of the apostles; and The next morning they all went with us to since that command in Mat. xxviii. was given Horn, where we had a far more open and long before his conversion and call to the min- comfortable season together in the Menist's istry and apostleship, if that had been a com- meeting-house, which began at nine in the mand for water baptism to all who should morning. have a part in the ministry and apostleship, then it would have been a command to the apostle Paul. But he did not think he had any power from that text, or in any other way, to baptize with water; for long after this he saith, "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel;" which was to open the blind eye, to unstop the deaf ear, "to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God." That is, from the spirit and power of the prince of this world and of all the ungodly, who is the prince of darkness, and blinds the eye of the ungodly; and unto the Prince of peace, the true light, "who lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

This almost silenced them, and then they fretted; and the stranger replied, "That since it had once been in use, what hurt could it do to any, though such had already received the Holy Ghost, having been once administered to such ?"

I returned, "That so had circumcision, yet not fit at this day. But this is not all: water baptism is imposed as a command of Christ from that text, where there is no command for it, and is will-worship, made a part, and a great part too, of the Christian religion, and not by Christ's authority, but by the errors of men; not being of the true nature of the kingdom of Christ, which is spiritual, but a shadow, in which antichrist hath wrought in a mystery; all shadows being of the nature of darkness, and continued beyond their due bounds, become hurtful. This having been as a garment or cover to the ungodly for many ages, God hating the garment spotted by the flesh, cannot approve of men in their unwarrantable imitation of any shadow, at any time in use in the church; but has

After the meeting we went into the Track shute, and that night about seven arrived safely at Amsterdam, where our friends were glad of our return, and received us kindly. Here we staid till the 28th, being the fourth of the week, and their meeting-day. The meeting was small and cloudy, but Truth in some more dominion than in the meetings before in this place. On the 29th was their quarterly meeting, which was small and dull.

On the 30th we went to Harlaem, and had a meeting there, which was both larger and more open than that we had before in this place, many things relating to Truth being clearly opened, and the Truth in good dominion, and the people generally satisfied, and Friends comforted.

Next day, in the afternoon, we returned to Amsterdam, and on the 2nd of the eighth month, being the first of the week, we were again at the meeting, which was larger and more open than on any other day, both forenoon and afternoon. For several persons com. ing in when they hear of strangers, there is, for the most part, a fresh visitation to them, which makes things more lively and open, though the meeting was not so large as some Friends ex pected, by reason of the rain that fell that day.

On the 5th, being the fourth of the week, we were at their meeting, which was small, dark, and hard in the fore part of it, but Truth prevailed in some good degree before it ended. That evening there came a dark and heavy load upon my spirit, from a cause then unknown, as to any thing which outwardly appeared, and so continued till the sixth-day; when, after some discourse with an ancient Friend, concerning certain offences and misunderstandings between some of them about little things, I found myself much easier.

On the 8th we visited several families of Friends in town to our mutual satisfaction. On the 9th, being the first of the week, we were there again, and being fair weather, the meeting was large, and many strangers; and the Lord was pleased to condescend to us, and give me a good time to the clearing of my mind fully among them, and Truth was over all and exalted: in the afternoon the meeting was not so large, but pretty fresh and open, especially towards the end of it.

On the 11th, taking leave of them in much love, and pretty easy in our minds, we went to Hariaem, and that evening had a meeting there, about the sixth hour, which was large and very open. Several teachers of different sorts were at this meeting, and generally satisfied, some of the Menists expressing it freely and openly.

with good authority, concerning Christ as God and man, and the object of the faith of the Gentiles, as he is light and life, being so promised of the Father unto us. The meeting being over, we had the comfort of the society of Friends at our lodgings, where we had some discourse and conversation concern. ing Truth and divine things.

On the 19th, being the fourth of the week, and their meeting-day, we were there again; and being a select meeting, altogether of Friends, it was small; but the Lord was graciously pleased to visit us together in his tender kindness and mercy, and opened things fully to the states of all, and it was a good meeting.

On the 22nd John Padley embarking for London, and no opportunity offering for Yarmouth, where I intended, I was there also the next day; and being the first of the week, the meeting was full, both in the forenoon and afternoon, and many things were fully and plainly opened, and they generally satisfied; and the Lord's presence being with us, it was a good meeting.

On the 12th, about ten in the morning, accompanied by our ancient friend Jacob Claus, an old servant of Truth, and of the ministry, as an interpreter in above thirty long and laborious journeys, we departed hence in the draw-boat, and arrived at Rotterdam that even- The winds standing contrary, and generally ing about eight, and Robert Gerard meeting stormy or foggy weather, I continued here us in the way, took us with him to his house, longer than otherwise I would have done, but where we were well and openly entertained. was from time to time with Friends at their Notice being given of our coming, we ap. meeting; and the Lord was pleased to com. pointed a meeting next day at five in the even- fort us together, and condescended to be with ing; where we had the company of some us therein. During this time I inquired more people of different persuasions, as Presbyte- particularly into the state of the Menists in rians, Baptists, Papists, and one Menist teach- those parts, and found that all along their er, though we knew not what they were till ministers had preached freely, till of late some after the meeting. Truth was declared plainly here and there had begun to receive hire, but and fully to them; during which they were were moderate therein ; and though they still very still, and seemed touched with some keep up their old testimony against fighting sense of the power of God, which reigned in and swearing, yet they are not so lively in the meeting; though the same thing, opened their worship, or so near the Truth as they as_formerly, about transubstantiation, viz : | were in their first appearance; and I was in"That if the bread, after consecration (as formed that their ministers are, for the most, they call it) were really transmuted into the but weak and dry in their ministry, and very body of Christ, retaining only the ac- sometimes their hearers had rather some of cidents of bread, and were really eaten in them would be silent than preach, though that sense, which some people take it in; yet gratis. If thus it be, it hath fared with them even that eating of his flesh and drinking of as with many others, who, having had a day his blood would profit nothing. For we have of visitation from the Lord, and obtained a the authority of Christ himself against all the reputation through his goodness among them, world, that his real flesh and blood profiteth and by that holy and innocent conversation nothing to be eaten and drank in the sense of they have had through his grace; yet some the people, who carnally conceived such an becoming more loose, and not keeping in the eating and drinking from his words; by which grace of God, and the virtue and power of it, he intended a being quickened by his Spirit, have ended in mere formalists; and then, in a and living unto God by him, who is the resur-generation or two, little has appeared but the rection and the life, the second Adam, a quick- outside and form of godliness, which the power ening Spirit." This was a good meeting, and of grace brought forth in those who went be the Lord's name was honoured by it. fore, and so in a great measure it is with On the 16th, being the first-day of the week, them; and yet, in the main, they are prewe were there again, both forenoon and after-served from the gross evils of the world, and noon; and people of several notions were at I hope the Lord hath a visitation of life and the meeting, and things opened largely and power yet in store for them. Among other

things I obtained the form of words used by them instead of an oath, which is thus: "In the words of truth, instead of a solemn oath, I declare," &c.

The wind at length coming fair, and I inclining to take the first likely opportunity, on the 13th of the ninth month, [1715] about six in the evening, after two good meetings, being the first of the week, I went to the Briel in a boat, and there we lay at anchor that night; and the wind being high all next day, we staid there till the 15th, about eleven in the morning, when I embarked on board the John of Yarmouth, Michael Bailey master, the wind being easterly, and a steady and fine gale, but very cold, and through the good providence of God, arrived safely in the harbour at Yarmouth on the 17th, about nine in the morning: for which, and all the preservations of the Lord through so many dangers, I desire to remain thankful unto him only.

company was acceptable, and we were mutually comforted one in another.

The 15th, being the half-year meeting at Reading, I was there. It was large, and as open as could well be expected, considering how long that old separation had continued among them, and most of the separate party present; but the gospel being preached, and nothing dropped like reflection, but rather for healing, things were well and comfortable, the Lord being with his people. The meeting held till the second-day afternoon, and in the evening I returned to Ruscomb, and staid there all third-day.

On the 23rd I went to Calne, accompanied with Daniel Smith, and that evening had a pretty large and open meeting there among Friends. The testimony of Truth ran sharply against such as in an underhand manner colleague with priests, and support them by pay. ment of tithes, &c. I heard afterwards some there were guilty; and the honest-minded were comforted, in that the reproof was full and plain from the testimony of one who was so great a stranger to any of their conditions in particular.

On the 28th I went to the city of Bristol, and lodged with Brice Webb, where I staid during my abode there, and was kindly en tertained.

I continued at Yarmouth till the 20th, and being the first of the week, was at their meeting, which, though small, was open and well. On the 21st we went on to Norwich, and the 23rd being their meeting-day, we had a good and open time together; for the Lord was with us, and was very gracious to me in this city. Here I staid till the 27th, being the first of the week, and was at their meetings fore and afternoon. They were large of Friends, and The 29th of second month was the begin many strangers were there in the afternoon; ning of the yearly meeting at Bristol, and I and things opened fully, particularly concern- had some public concern among them, which ing war and fighting, and the inconsistency took some impression, and my spirit was unthereof with the nature and end of the king-laden in some degree; for I went thither in dom of Christ, and we had a good meeting to great heaviness. general satisfaction.

On the 29th I had a meeting at Lammas, and the Lord was pleased to give us a good time. On the 30th I had an appointed meeting at Holt, which was small but lively, and on the 1st of the tenth month one at Wells, which was not large, but very good and tender.

[He continued visiting the meetings of Friends in England, but his health declining he went to London on the 23rd of eleventh month; respecting which he says:]

Continuing weakly and indisposed, I staid at London some time, and the Lord was pleased to make my services acceptable to his people there in a general way, and many good times we had together in his blessed presence. During my stay about this city I also visited some of the neighbouring meetings; as Ryegate, Winchmorehill, Plaistow, &c. But the yearly meeting at Bristol approaching, and having some drawings thither, on the 14th of the second month, 1716, being the seventh of the week, I set forward from London, and that night lodged at Ruscomb, with our friend William Penn, where my

On the 30th, in the morning, was the meet. ing of ministering Friends, which was not so large, they said, as sometimes formerly; but it was a very open, comfortable meeting. I was much eased, and we were mutually strengthened and refreshed in the Lord. That afternoon was their meeting for inquiry into the affairs and prosperity of Truth within the limits of that meeting, and things were well and hopeful in the main. The next day fore noon, being the 1st of the third month, was a time of public worship; in which I was silent, but much comforted in the Truth and strength. ened. In the afternoon I went to the meeting for business, where I staid a little while, and then went to the women's meeting. There I had some time in testimony, and being well satisfied, retired, and left them to their own concerns in the church.

The next day in the forenoon, being the parting meeting, it was very large and full, both of Friends and strangers; and after several brethren, I had a public concern, in which the Lord was pleased to raise his Truth and wisdom over all to his own glory, and the