Wilkinson, of Cumberland, formerly a very mental religion, of a sound judgment and pious practice, valiant for truth upon the earth, and ready to serve all in the love and peace of the Gospel. He was among the first in Cumber-me advise thee to hold thy religion in the land who received the glad tidings of it; and then readily gave up, with other brethren, to declare unto others what God had done for their souls. Thus I first met him, and as I received his testimony through its savour of life, so I was kindly encouraged by him in the belief of the blessed doctrine of the light, spirit, grace, and truth of Christ in the inward parts; reproving, instructing, reforming, and redeeming those souls from the evil of the world, who were obedient thereunto. He was a means of strength to my soul, in the early days of my convincement, together with his dear and faithful brother and fellow-traveller, John Spirit, whether thou prays, praisest, or ministers to others; go forth in the ability God giveth thee; presume not to awaken thy beloved before his time; be not thy own in thy performances, but the Lord's, and thou shalt not hold the truth in unrighteousness, as too many do, but according to the oracle of God, who will never leave nor forsake them who will take counsel of him; which that all God's people may do, is, and hath long been, the earnest desire and fervent supplication of their and thy faithful friend in the Lord Jesus Christ, WILLIAM PENN. London, the 23d of the TESTIMONIES CONCERNING JOHN BANKS. BANKS. JOHN WHITING'S Testimony concerning JOHN ways loved its messengers for its sake, as I did the author of the ensuing papers for his sound SINCE it pleased the Lord, in his infinite and savoury testimony, which ministered grace He divided the word aright, love, to cause his day to dawn and his truth to the hearers. to break forth in this nation of England, even according to their several states and condiin an acceptable time, when many were seek- tions, of which he had a good discerning, and ing the Lord, and wandering like sheep with- could speak a word in season accordingly; out a shepherd upon the barren mountains of like a good scribe instructed unto the kingdom lifeless profession, seeking rest but finding of heaven, who bringeth forth of his treasure He was also one that none; many messengers have been raised up, things new and old. and sent forth to publish the glad tidings of ruled well, not only his own family, but in the the Gospel, and to turn people from darkness church of God. to light, that they might find rest to their souls; many of whom, especially of the first rank, are fallen asleep. Among these our dear friend John Banks, the author of the following papers, was early raised and sent forth with the word of life, and was a faithful labourer in his day, who gave up himself for the spreading of truth, spending and being spent in the service of the Gospel, for gathering people to the knowledge of the truth, in which he was made an effectual instrument to many, in this and other nations, particularly Scotland and Ireland. Since the Lord was pleased to give me the knowledge of his truth, to which my education by religious parents was a good help, I al I knew him above thirty years, from his coming into the county of Somerset, in the year 1677; and could then, though but a young man, set my seal to the truth of his ministry, and witnessed the efficacy of it. It was with demonstration of the spirit and power; he being endued from on high, to preach the everlasting Gospel of life and salvation. I have often been comforted in meetings with him since, especially about the time of his coming to settle in the county of Somerset. One of the last duties we owe to the memory of such who have laboured among us in word and doctrine, and for their works' sake have been worthy of double honour, is to publish their memoirs, as occasion offers, after their decease; in which, I confess, I have often been comforted, as commemorating the worthy and noble acts of the Lord done by them, and his goodness, mercies, and providences in preserving them, and carrying them over all opposition of men of perverse minds, and the persecutions and sufferings which have attended them for their testimony, and which have not been few in these latter days. This has always been the lot of truth and its witnesses, and was the lot of the author of this book. The following journal and collection of his writings were sent to me by him in his life-time, with a desire that I, and J. Field, should take the care of publishing them after his decease, which we have carefully done. I have been comforted in reading them, by the sound, solid, serious matter contained in them, which 1 doubt not will have a witness in the consciences of all who read them in the fear of God. In them he being dead yet speaketh, whose memorial still lives and will live among the faithful in a lively remembrance of him. I truly loved him for his sincerity and uprightness, being a faithful man to the testimony of Truth, and concerned for good order in the church of Christ, against disorderly walkers, and to keep things clean in Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, from all that would defile or break the love and unity. When he grew weak in body, that he could not travel as in time past, though he got to several meetings beyond expectation but a little while before his death, yet his care for the church was not lessened, that all things might be kept well; and at last having served his generation according to the will of God, he fell asleep and died in the faith and full assurance of a blessed immortality and eternal life. He laid down his head in peace with the Lord, in a good old age, and full of days, aged about seventy-four, and is entered into the fruition and reward of his labours, and his works follow him. London, the 12th of the Twelfth month, 1711. JOHN WHITING. A Testimony from Friends of PARDSHAW MONTHLY MEETING IN CUMBERLAND, concerning JOHN BANKS. He was one upon whom the Lord poured forth of his holy Spirit, and gave a large gift thereof to serve him. The Lord's love is universal to all; he would have none to perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved; and for that end he gives gifts to men, to make them instrumental in his hand, to bring the sons of men to have faith in his only Son the Lord Jesus Christ, "who is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Our dear friend was early called into the work of the ministry, and was faithful to improve his gift; and the Lord made him useful in his hand, and many are the seals of his ministry who yet remain in this county, who are witnesses of the power that was effectually with him, to the convincing of many. He was a faithful minister of the everlasting Gospel, and given up to preach it freely, and labour faithfully in the work thereof; and went through great hardships, and travelled much both by sea and land, in Ireland, Scotland, and in this nation, and most of all in this county, where he laboured night and day for the gathering of people to God, and for the settling of those who were gathered. He was one of good discernment, and was often opened by the Spirit of Truth, to speak to peoples' states, and had an answer from God's witness in their hearts, so that many were convinced by him. He was instrumental to gather several meetings in this county; being an incessant labourer in the Lord's work, both in body and mind; rising up early, and lying down late, and freely given up to spend and be spent ; and we sincerely desire that we who had the benefit of his labour, may be kept in true fear and walk worthy of all the Lord's mercies, to his glory, and our salvation. His ministry was powerful and piercing, ministering judgment upon the transgressor, yet filled with consolation to the sincere hearted, so that he was both beloved and feared by many. His memory lives amongst the righte ous; and we doubt not but he is entered into rest. It was not only given him to believe, but to suffer for the testimony of God; in which he was preserved firm and true, to the stripping of his goods by the Conventicle Act, public sale being made of what he had; yet the Lord bore him up over all, that he was as one of the stakes of Sion, that could not be moved. He was afterwards in prison at Carlisle for his testimony; yet retained his integrity, and stood faithful, and the Lord was with him, and gave him courage still to stand firm in his testimony against tithes and the hireling priests, not only in word, but in deed and in truth. In the time of the Conventicle Act, he kept close to meetings, so that the informers concluded, whoever were not, he would be there; insomuch that they ventured to inform against him, whether they saw him, or not; and thereby laid a snare for themselves; and swore he was preaching on Pardshaw Crag, when he was gone in the service of the Gospel into Ireland, and was taken prisoner in Wicklow; which was proved against them, and they were forced to fly the country, and both came to miserable ends. He had great service at that time, for many were convinced of the truth at the meeting in which he was taken prisoner. We might say more on this subject; yet the bent of our minds is not to attribute anything to him, or to any man, but to the Lord's power, which raised him up and made him what he was, to his honour and the peace and benefit of the church; desiring that we who yet remain may keep in true fear and humility, following the Lord Jesus in the way of self-denial, that we may so run as to obtain the crown of immortal glory. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." JOHN BOUSTED'S Testimony concerning his de ceased friend, JOHN BANKS. both by the convincement of some, and the As the labours, travels, and exercises of our dear friend John Banks were great, both in doing and in suffering for the name of the Lord, I shall here give a relation of some part of them, where I was present with him. The next meeting he had in our parts was at Edward Atkinson's of Masthorne. A great meeting it was, and many received the truth in the love of it, and lived and died in it. Others were so reached, that though they never took the profession of the truth upon them, yet they often manifested their love to truth and Friends, to their dying day. The first time I saw him was at a meeting at John Iveston's, of Jerishtown in CumHe was a faithful minister of Christ in this berland, in the latter end of the year 1672, or his glorious Gospel day, after that long and about the beginning of the year 1673, where dark night of apostacy, which had spread itself there were many Friends and other people. over the nations, in which many were made It was a good meeting, to the confirming of drunk with the cup of fornication. After it had those who had lately received the truth in the pleased the eternal, wise God to open his un-love of it; and convincing others of the right derstanding, and to let him see his own state way of the Lord. and condition, and reveal his Son in him, he was made willing to give up freely to the heavenly and inward appearance of Christ Jesus, the hope of glory. And as he was obedient thereunto, he was intrusted with a large gift of the ministry, in which he grew, and was made powerful in it, to the turning of many unto the right way of the Lord; who were convinced of the evil of their ways, and turned unto Jesus Christ, their free teacher; and were made to bless the Lord on his behalf, that it should please the Lord to send him amongst them who had sat in darkness, and under the region of the shadow of death. He was skilful in dividing of the word aright, having milk for babes, and stronger meat for those of riper age. I knew him well, and truly loved and honoured him, for he was worthy of double honour, as one that ruled well in the church of Christ. As he was bold in asserting the truth, so he was valiant in suffering for it, both by imprisonment, and in spoiling of his goods. When at liberty, he travelled much in divers parts of this nation, also in Ireland and Scotland; and in many places where it was my lot to In the year 1679, our dear friend going to follow him, I found of the fruits of his labours; the Yearly Meeting at London, for the county, So effectually was the love of God manifested in that meeting, that many tears were shed by some for joy that the Gospel of glad tiding was so preached, and by others, in a sense of godly sorrow for their mis-spent time. He had several meetings afterward, nearer to the borders of Scotland; and one at Parkrigg, in which several were convinced by him, and others being added, it is now become a settled meeting. He was serviceable amongst us in word and doctrine, and very exemplary in life and conversation, so that I greatly loved him. He had also a share in government, and the care of the churches was upon him, that they who professed the truth might walk answerably in their lives and conversa. tions. and it being my lot to be his companion at Hall, separated from the rest of Friends, who that time, we met at Strickland in Westmore- were prisoners, and put into a dark place, land; and visited some meetings in Yorkshire, called the citadel, among the felons, something Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and so to London. He had good service in most places, and much comfort and satisfaction I had in his company, he, whom I esteemed above many others, being a loving and a nursing father to me. like a dungeon, where they could not see to work in a dark day, without candle-light; and for no other cause, but for preaching and praying in the time of Friends' meeting to wait upon the Lord, in the place where they were confined. His persecutors hoped by After we had staid the time of the Yearly their being absent, the meetings of Friends Meeting, and he was clear of the meetings of would be silent, and give less occasion of disthe city, we went to a meeting at Windsor, turbance to priests and others, who took occaand so to High Wycombe, Reading, Newbury, sion against his preaching. The first meeting Marlborough, Calne, Chippenham, and most we had amongst the Friends in prison, Andrew of the meetings in those parts. It was a time Graham and I, appearing in public, the jailer of deep exercise to many faithful brethren was much disturbed, and took us away from who kept their habitations in the truth; for in the rest of Friends; and being afraid of the most meetings of this part of the nation, there | priests and others, was at a stand what to do; was a rending, dividing spirit crept into the for there was no room for any more beds church, and many were made to say, "Alas, among the felons. The bed whereon our dear we know not which way to turn, or what will friend lay, was next to the sink, where the be the end," &c. I am a witness, with many filth was discharged, which made it the more, some of whom are yet alive, of the deep more noisome; but the Lord's power carried exercise of spirit he went under, from meeting them over all, and in a few days I obtained to meeting, for the Seed's sake, that the inno-liberty of the jailer, to go with the turnkey, cent might be preserved from hurt, and the and found the Friends, through the Lord's spirit of separation which would divide in goodness, easy and well. The turnkey reJacob and scatter in Israel, might be fully turning, I staid to bear them company till manifested. Though his exercises were such night and day that his meat and sleep were almost taken from him, yet the Lord so strengthened him in his inward man, that he was borne up in his spirit, to confirm and build up the righteous in that most holy faith which works by love, and to proclaim wo and judgment upon the spirit that had led into separation. And though in several places, they who were most in the separation, followed him from meeting to meeting, and bent their bows against him, waiting for an advantage, yet the Lord was pleased, for the honour of his own name, to preserve him by his power, that he came away to the churches' comfort and edifi-happened that at the time when people came cation, and to his own peace. After this, we came to Bristol, and found faithful Friends under great exercise of spirit, by reason of a contentious spirit that some there were gone into. We visited meetings thereabouts, and when our friend was clear, and his service over, we came pretty direct for Cumberland. evening. When the turnkey came again, he told John Banks he and his companion might go to the rest of Friends, if they pleased, for it would avail nothing to keep them there, as there were now other preachers. John Banks replied, the jailer brought them thither without any just cause, and he should fetch them back again, and cause what they had to be carried along with them; which he did before he slept. Being now together in one place, we kept our meetings, first-day, and week days; and the place of our confinement being near the upper end of Castle street, and not far from the great cathedral, so called, it often from their worship, on the first-days, John was preaching, and his voice would reach to the door of the great house; and people frequently would either go softly, or stand a littlo; for at that time no meeting of Friends was kept in the city. And at this the priests were much disturbed, and threatened the jailer so much, that he left this place at the year's end, and hired another house. As the labours and travels of this our dear friend were great for the truth's sake, which Our friend John Banks, being a good exhe was called to bear witness to, so he was ample in all things, laboured diligently with also valiant in suffering for it, as appeared in his hands, being a glover and fellmonger by his imprisonment in Carlisle. It was my lot, trade; and with much sitting during that cold with others of our meeting, to be committed winter, in which the great frost continued so to prison at that time, for our peaceable meet- long, he thereby grew infirm. We were sixing together to wait upon the Lord, and to teen in one room, and had the privilege of but worship him in spirit and in truth. We found one little fire; and mostly four or five ancient our dear friends, John Banks and Thomas | people had the benefit of it; but at last we all He had great service at that time, for many were convinced of the truth at the meeting in which he was taken prisoner. We might say more on this subject; yet the bent of our minds is not to attribute anything to him, or to any man, but to the Lord's power, which raised him up and made him what he was, to his honour and the peace and benefit of the church; desiring that we who yet remain may keep in true fear and humility, following the Lord Jesus in the way of self-denial, that we may so run as to obtain the crown of immortal glory. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." JOHN BOUSTED's Testimony concerning his deceased friend, JOHN BANKS. both by the convincement of some, and the Aglionbye, the 25th of the CHRISTOPHER STORY'S Testimony concerning As the labours, travels, and exercises of our dear friend John Banks were great, both in doing and in suffering for the name of the Lord, I shall here give a relation of some part of them, where I was present with him. The next meeting he had in our parts was at Edward Atkinson's of Masthorne. A great meeting it was, and many received the truth in the love of it, and lived and died in it. Others were so reached, that though they never took the profession of the truth upon them, yet they often manifested their love to truth and Friends, to their dying day. The first time I saw him was at a meeting at John Iveston's, of Jerishtown in CumHe was a faithful minister of Christ in this berland, in the latter end of the year 1672, or his glorious Gospel day, after that long and about the beginning of the year 1673, where dark night of apostacy, which had spread itself there were many Friends and other people. over the nations, in which many were made It was a good meeting, to the confirming of drunk with the cup of fornication. After it had those who had lately received the truth in the pleased the eternal, wise God to open his un-love of it; and convincing others of the right derstanding, and to let him see his own state way of the Lord. and condition, and reveal his Son in him, he was made willing to give up freely to the heavenly and inward appearance of Christ Jesus, the hope of glory. And as he was obedient thereunto, he was intrusted with a large gift of the ministry, in which he grew, and was made powerful in it, to the turning of many unto the right way of the Lord; who were convinced of the evil of So effectually was the love of God manitheir ways, and turned unto Jesus Christ, fested in that meeting, that many tears were their free teacher; and were made to bless the shed by some for joy that the Gospel of glad Lord on his behalf, that it should please the tiding was so preached, and by others, in a Lord to send him amongst them who had sat sense of godly sorrow for their mis-spent time. in darkness, and under the region of the He had several meetings afterward, nearer shadow of death. He was skilful in dividing to the borders of Scotland; and one at Parkof the word aright, having milk for babes, rigg, in which several were convinced by and stronger meat for those of riper age. I him, and others being added, it is now become knew him well, and truly loved and honoured a settled meeting. He was serviceable amongst him, for he was worthy of double honour, as us in word and doctrine, and very exemplary one that ruled well in the church of Christ. in life and conversation, so that I greatly As he was bold in asserting the truth, so he loved him. He had also a share in governwas valiant in suffering for it, both by impri-ment, and the care of the churches was upon sonment, and in spoiling of his goods. When him, that they who professed the truth might at liberty, he travelled much in divers parts walk answerably in their lives and conversa. of this nation, also in Ireland and Scotland; tions. and in many places where it was my lot to follow him, I found of the fruits of his labours; In the year 1679, our dear friend going to the Yearly Meeting at London, for the county, |