AN EPISTLE TO FRIENDS IN BARBADOES. My dear Friends, fellowship of his light, as co-workers together in his vineyard. Thus all things may be kept clean and sweet, and every weed and seed that God hath not sown, may be plucked up and rooted out of his garden, which is to bring forth good and pleasant fruit to his honour, that he may take pleasure to walk, and dwell in you, to sup and make his abode with you, and in you, to your comfort. And if it should be my lot in my old age to see you again, I might be comforted in your faithfulness and growth in the blessed truth, and a godly concern fixed in your minds, for the promotion of the government of it, both in doctrine and discipline. You are in my memory in the ancient love of God, in which I visited you, and laboured in your island, and those parts of the world, to gather into the blessed unchangeable truth, and to settle and confirm you in it, according to the ability and gift of God given to me, and ministered to you in the demonstration of the spirit and power of Christ. In this, the mysteries of faith and the discipline of the Gospel were unfolded to you, for your settlement under Christ's government in the new covenant, and to know the bounds and liberty of it, that you might walk in it in all things, to the praise and honour of God, who called and gathered you to be a people; and not turn to the elements of the world, nor be entangled, neither carried away after the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, or pride of life; but walk in the liberty of the new covenant, as lights in the world. God hath set limits for his people in his new covenant, as he set bounds for the Jews in the old covenant, which they were to observe and do, yet did not; but took liberty beyond the bounds of that covenant, and were cut off, though they were the natural branches. And now all inward Jews, who are circumcised with the spirit of Christ, are to know the liberty of the Gospel of Christ, and the bounds of the new covenant, and observe them in all things, that their doings may be to the praise and honour of God; whether in eating, drinking, buying, selling, marrying or giving in marriage. They are not to take liberty to themselves in their unsubjected wills, to satisfy their carnal minds, in vanities and pleasures; and so break God's new covenant, as the natural Jews did the old covenant. Such fruitless branches will wither, and be cut off My sincere love, in the unchangeable truth, from God's people, and be ranked with Adam is to you all, and my prayers to God for in the fall, who broke God's covenant, by going beyond the bounds that God set him, and was driven out of the garden of God. So all that go into fleshly liberty, out of the cross of Christ and self-denial, go into the earth, and into the pleasures and delights of it, and are dead whilst they live. In this nation we are very peaceable, and truth prospers; Friends are in good esteem, and a godly concern comes upon many, to be devoted with their whole abilities to serve the Lord, who gives them wisdom and understanding in the management of truth's affairs, for the good of all. And the Lord blesseth their endeavours; so that in his spirit and power, which is strong and mighty with us, the authority of truth in church government is over all gainsayers; and the close order of the Gospel is over all loose libertine spirits and earthly worldlings; and truth prevails to the great satisfaction of all the sincerely concerned, and to the praise and honour of God. Amen. Walk in the blessed and comely order, established in the church of Christ by his spirit and power, in his heavenly counsel and divine wisdom, that all may be preserved from the evils and vanities that are in the world, and grow up together in the faith of Jesus, and grace of God, from one degree of strength and knowledge of Christ Jesus to another; that through the exercise of your senses, in the law of the spirit of life in Christ, you may be skilful in the word of righteousness, to act for God in the unity of his holy Spirit, and The parliament is now sitting in Dublin, where I, with several Friends attend, and they are very loving and kind to us-ready to do us good, and to ease us in what they reasonably can, and have a regard to us in acts that pass. The Lord is to be admired in the care he takes of his people who trust in him, and cast their care upon him, and seek his honour before all private interest; such the Lord is honouring; everlasting praises to his name. you. WILLIAM EDMUNDSON. CONCERNING MEN'S AND WOMEN'S MEETINGS. LET us seriously consider the great and weighty service of our men's and women's meetings, to order and manage matters relating to Gospel order in the church of Christ, to the honour of God and his blessed unchangeable truth, made manifest to us, that we may be preserved faithful therein, and our lights may shine in the comely order thereof, by the good fruits brought forth among us, the Lord's peculiar people in this generation, as good examples to others, and as lights in the world. Men's and women's meetings had need to have a special godly care, to see that all their members keep within the bounds of truth in the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, as the children and household of Abraham, that the promise of God's blessings to Abraham and his seed may rest upon us. My Friends, it is no small charge, that the Lord commits to the care of the aforesaid meetings, the care of his flocks, the preservation of the testimony of truth, and the honour of his great and worthy name: so that it is of absolute necessity for all the members, both male and female, to know their election, and in what it stands, and in what authority they sit in those meetings; for the service thereof must be performed in the wisdom and counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the authority of his blessed spirit and power. For the things of God knoweth no man; but the spirit of God, in which the election stands, and this is that which fits for the Lord's service in his church, as he hath appointed every one to his service and office. We know that our men's and women's meetings for the Lord's service in his church, were ordained of God, and settled among us in the authority and by the assistance of his blessed spirit and power, and committed to the trust and care of faithful men and faithful women, to keep them up in the spirit and power of God, in which they were set up: testimonies whereof may be seen in many comfortable epistles written to men's and women's meetings, for all the members to keep their possession in the spirit and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is, and was the Lord's way in the settling of his church and people under his government. For when the Lord's ancient people came out of Egypt by an high hand, the Lord gave them laws and statutes to keep and do, and appointed elders, as judges and overseers, to see that they kept the Lord's way, which he prescribed, and to do justice and judgment, as Abraham commanded his household after him. And those elders and overseers were of God's appointing, and known by the people to be men qualified for the service; such unto whom the Lord gave of his good spirit, which opened their understandings to make a true inspection into matters that came before them, to do justice and judgment, according to the law of God. And when such elders or overseers ruled, as were thus rightly elected, and walked by the rule of the Lord's good spirit, they were a blessing to the people, and the Lord was with them: but when others came to sit in the assemblies, as elders, overseers and judges, not appointed of the Lord, neither guided by his spirit, what calamity then came upon Abraham's household. Likewise in the primitive times, when many in divers places, both of Jews and Gentiles, were gathered to the faith in Christ Jesus, and churches or meetings were established; then faithful men who were qualified for that service, were appointed as elders or overseers by the approbation of the holy Ghost, to take the oversight of the flock of Christ, to see that all who professed faith in Christ, should walk in his doctrine, as it was first delivered by Christ and his holy apostles; and to see that the testimony of Jesus was kept in all its branches, that the comely order of the Gospel might be shown forth in them to unbelievers, as lights in the world; that if any could not be won by the word and doctrine, the witness of God in them might be reached by the just and good examples of the churches of Christ. And those qualified elders and pastors, whom the holy Ghost made overseers in the churches, were to feed them in due season, not of constraint, but of a willing mind; neither for selfish gain, but for truth's sake; neither as lords over God's heritage, but examples to the flock, and to do justice and judgment without partiality; being faithful men, sanctified with truth, seasoned with the grace of God, and gifted with a good understanding in church affairs, relating to Gospel discipline; having their senses well exercised in the law of God, to know what was for truth, and what was against truth; and accordingly to suffer nothing to be ushered into the church of Christ that was against truth; but as doorkeepers in the Lord's house, to stand in and for truth's testimony against everything that would lessen the credit thereof. But when the faith of Jesus was departed from, and self-interest got into the churches, then this godly care and holy discipline went to decay, and earthly wisdom, carnal reasoning, worldly policy, riches, greatness and literal learning swayed the counsels in church affairs. And now the Lord is raising up those ruins, and putting his church in its ancient order, settling those meetings of faithful members, to be kept up in the authority of his spirit and power, wherein neither riches nor policy must rule; but in all such meetings about the Lord's business, the Lord must be chairman, ruler and judge, whose good spirit of heavenly wisdom and divine counsel must rule in the hearts of his people, who sit with him in that weighty service of church government; for it is in the gift of the Lord's good spirit, that the ability stands to perform that service as well as doctrine. If any undertake it otherwise, they miss their way, mar the work, and instead of being helpmeets in government, do many times cause trouble in the church. This from [1708.] THE END. Your ancient friend and brother, WILLIAM EDMUNDSON. THE LIFE AND CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY OF THAT FAITHFUL SERVANT OF THE LORD, ELIZABETH STIRREDGE, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE, AT HER HOUSE AT HEMSTEAD, IN HERTFORDSHIRE, IN THE SEVENTYSECOND YEAR OF HER AGE. WRITTEN BY HER OWN HAND. 晶 A woman that feareth the Lord, shall be praised. Prov. xxxi. 30. PREFACE. As the memory of the just is blessed, so according to her gift, and was well esteemed there is a justice due to their memories, who for her service by the honest-hearted in and walked in the path of the just, which is as a about Bristol, and Chewmagna, in the county shining light, and are the blessed who die in of Somerset, and in the countries adjacent, the Lord, who rest from their labours, and their works follow them to their everlasting reward in the kingdom of heaven; as well as for the example and admonition of those they leave behind. This is either by publishing their own memoirs of their lives, when they leave any; or where that is wanting, by commemorating them according to the example of holy Scripture. The following relation of her labours and sufferings for Christ, written by an early disciple in this Gospel-day, renders it unnecessary to say much of the author; her own book being a sufficient memorial of her, and what she was; only as a necessary introduction to her own account, I have this to premise concerning her. where her service mostly lay; till she, and her husband and family, removed to Hemstead, in Hertfordshire, in the year 1688. She staid at my house in London, when she came to the Yearly Meeting, and I was often comforted in her savory testimony, and to find that the Lord's presence was so fresh with her in her latter days. After several years abode at Hemstead, and labour and service there, she died in the Lord, in the year 1706, and seventy-second of her age, and is undoubtedly entered into rest. of The following papers written with her own hand, in relation to her labours and sufferings, were some time since put into my hand to pe ruse, as falling mostly within the compass I was acquainted with her many years, she my knowledge; especially that part in rela being my country-woman; and this testimony tion to her imprisonment at Ivelchester, I lives in my heart concerning her, that she being then a prisoner there for the testimony was a religiously exercised woman, always of truth, in the time of the great imprisonseeking the best things, and through the good-ment for attending meetings, in the year 1683. ness of God, found him whom her soul loved. She was taken at meeting at Chewmagna, She underwent many deep exercises inwardly with nearly thirty more, and sent to prison by and outwardly, by contrary spirits, who op- that wicked persecutor, and under-sheriff of posed the work of the Lord, and his servants the county, John Helliar of Bristol, at the inand handmaids. She bore a faithful testimony, stigation of the priest of the parish; both of as the Lord laid it upon her, and made way whom were soon after cut off by death; for her, being a true mourner in Sion, for the said priest Cross, immediately, in a very reabominations of the times. She had a solid markable manner, as is herein related, and the savory testimony for the truth, which she re- said Helliar also was smitten with great terror ceived early, and was faithful and diligent in, and horror of mind for the violence he had com the mitted on the people of God in that city, and kept men to watch with him night and day, for fear the devil would fetch him away; as I have been credibly informed he expressed. Another great persecutor there, R. Oliffe, who made much spoil on the said people, as I heard, cried out he was damned, and that they should make restitution to them he had wronged, which he was never able to do; and so both died miserably; and several others. comforted in reading, being matter of experi ence, warning, exhortation and counsel, written in a good understanding of the things of God, and the mysteries of his kingdom. To which is added a short supplement of the last fourteen years of her life; collected chiefly from her son's account; with an epistle to Friends, and a warning to others, formerly printed; all which I hope may be of service to her posterity and benefit to others; and that it will tend to the glory of God, and the Such a thrifty trade, says one, is persecution, that it leaves men never a friend in hea-comfort and edification of his people; to ven, or on earth. Oh, that others would take warning in time by examples of divine vengeance, to avoid such things, and do no more so wickedly. For as the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance, so the name of the wicked shall rot; and wherever Helliar's name is mentioned it stinks, as all persecutors do. I have carefully perused and put in order the following relation; which I have been whose perusal in much love and sincerity I recommend it, and all to the grace of God, which is able to build them up, and give them an inheritance among them that are sanctified; which is the sincere desire of, reader, Thy real friend, London, the 21st of the JOHN WHITING. TESTIMONIES CONCERNING ELIZABETH STIRREDGE.. A Testimony from several Friends belonging to the meeting at Hemel, Hemstead, and the parts adjacent, in the county of Hertford, concerning Elizabeth Stirredge, the 8th of the Third month, 1711. ancient account we read in holy Scripture. And she frequently pressed Friends to sincerity and uprightness of heart. Although the Lord had given her a large gift, and a good utterance, she was not forward to appear in public service, but as an immediate concern came upon her. She was a good example in frequenting meetings, both on first and weekdays, and was often made instrumental to stir up the pure minds of many, by way of remembrance, to our mutual comfort, by her fresh and living testimony. OUR dear friends James and Elizabeth Stirredge, came here to reside about the year 1688, whose coming into these parts was seasonable, and we believe ordered by the good providence of God. It had a tendency to the strength and edification of Friends; for about that time some were busy to weaken Her husband also, who departed this life love among brethren, under specious preten- some time since her decease, was an honest ces of liberty, &c. But the said Elizabeth zealous Friend, and her fellow-helper in the being gifted for the ministry, and acquainted work of the Lord, in his proper gift, and our with the wiles and subtle devices of the enemy, true friend and brother; and they were both was made a serviceable instrument in our de- very near and acceptable to Friends, here and fence and preservation; being attended with here-away. But what shall we say? The power, wisdom, and true zeal for the pros- Lord hath called them to his rest in a good perity of the truth and people of God. She old age; we earnestly desire, as they frewas sound and savory in her doctrine and quently did, that the young generation may public ministry, and tender and affectionate come up in faithfulness, and fill up the room in Christian advice and counsel, to the com- of all such, being thereunto spirited by the fort of the afflicted and exercised in spirit, Lord, that his name may be more and more declaring, that the way to the kingdom of known, and glorified to all succeeding generaGod is through tribulation, agreeably to the tions ;-Amen. VOL. II.-No. 5. 24 Our said friend, Elizabeth Stirredge, departed this life at Hemstead aforesaid, on the 7th of the ninth month, 1706, and was buried in Friends' burying-ground at Wood-end, in the said parish. JOHN EDMONDS, MOSES WEST, EDMOND NEALE, MICHAEL TURPIN, John Thornton's account of his neighbour, for her soul. My heart hath been well affected many times with her testimony, for she spoke as one having authority, almost to admiration, considering the weakness of body with which she was afflicted; but the Lord was with her, who giveth strength to the weak, and his power was her support. It was her lot many times when she came to our meeting, to lodge at my house, my dear mother, Hannah Neale, and she being very intimate friends, and heartily loving each others company, which I also loved, for it I HAD an intimate acquaintance with her; was pleasant, and her discourse was edifying and as the Lord had given her a measure of to me. the holy Spirit, to lead her in the way of I have been affected to hear her give an peace, he also gave her a public testimony, account of the sufferings, which she and in which she was very serviceable in our many others went through in early days. meetings; being attended with power, wisdom When they were going to meeting, they went and true zeal. Her testimony was sound and in peril of their lives, the wicked and ungodly savory, to the comforting of the upright-heart-people throwing stones, clods, and other things ed; she being many times drawn forth to en- at them. And although many rose up against courage the exercised and afflicted in spirit, them, yet how wonderfully did the Lord preand led to declare, that the way to the king- serve his people through many tribulations; dom of God is through tribulations. She most of which, blessed be the Lord, we in this would frequently press Friends to upright- day are free from. And my desire is, that we who are of a younger generation, and are yet left behind, may in our measure be found treading in the steps of our ancients, who have served the Lord faithfully in their generation, and are removed from us. heartedness, sincerity and integrity; being Much might be said concerning our friend: also a good example in her conversation. she was a valiant woman for truth on earth, Although the Lord had given her a large gift, a mother in Israel, and a worthy faithful elder yet she was backward to appear therein, ex-in the church of Christ in her time. cept she found it was immediately required of her. She was zealously concerned against that spirit that led into separation, and against deceit and hypocrisy, and had a sharp testimony against such as the great enemy had so misled. She was a diligent frequenter of meetings, both on first and week-days. Her husband also being an honest and zealous Friend, they were both serviceable to truth and Friends. But the will of God be done; for fully satisfied am I, that they are gone to rest, and entered into joy and happiness, where all sorrows cease, and tears are wiped Concerning her husband, James Stirredge, by away. JOHN THORNTON. John Neale's Testimony concerning Elizabeth Ir is in my mind to write something as a testimony concerning my dear and well-beloved friend, Elizabeth Stirredge, deceased. Though our loss of such worthies be great; yet doubtless they are entered into those mansions of eternal bliss, where joy unspeakable and full of glory is their portion, for evermore. JOHN NEALE. the same hand. He was a man with whom I was well acquainted for many years; an honest uprighthearted man, one that feared God and es chewed evil; zealous for the honour of God and for the promotion of his truth on earth; a hearty lover of faithful Friends, and in his conversation amongst men, blameless. She received the truth in the love of it in A zealous man for Monthly and Quarterly her young years, as I have heard from her Meetings of church government; his desire own mouth, during the time of my acquaint- was, that Friends in such meetings might so ance with her, which was about fifteen years. wait upon the Lord, to receive counsel from She lived about seven miles from us, and him, as to act in the wisdom of God, that sometimes came to vist our meeting at Wat-everything contrary to the principles of truth ford, and I with many more were glad to see might be kept out of them, and nothing but her, she being one on whom the Lord was truth have the pre-eminence. pleased to bestow a gift of the ministry, that she might tell unto others what God had done He was a meek-spirited and lowly-minded man, more in substance than in show. |