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They advised the believers not to forsake the assembling of themselves together for the worship and service of God; they advised to preach sound doctrine, and to oppose and withstand that which is false; they advised to Christian duties, under all stations, to holiness in all manner of conversation; to bridle their tongues; their words to be few and savory, seasoned with grace; they advised to humility and lowliness of mind, and against pride and height, and not to adorn themselves with putting on of apparel, broidered hair, and wearing of gold, and pearls and costly array, but on the contrary, to modest apparel, and the ornament of a meck and quiet spirit. They advised to diligence in business, and against idleness and sloth, against tattling, and being busy bodies, and also flattery, against the love of the world and things of it, too eager pursuit of riches, covetousness, &c.; on the contrary, to charity and liberality, and especially that the rich of this world be rich in good works, and to be humble, blameless, harmless, as the sons of God, ever following that which is good, just, and honourable. They advised the believers to be of one mind and one heart, to be easily entreated, and to mark such as cause divisions and give offences, that such be warned and sharply reproved.

of, they thereby cut themselves off from the appears, that most of the things which the privileges of that society. Thus also, and apostles commanded or recommended to the much further, I think the parallel holds good elders and overseers, are now in our day unin relation to our religious Society, in the der the care of the church. good order and government of the church, in those things relating to doctrine and practice, which are not repugnant to, but are agreeable to Scripture. For if every unruly or disorderly person were left to their own liberty, to do and act as they please, or to advance doctrine contrary to what we believe, and this without dealing with, or controlling them, I say such forbearance might justly render us accountable for such actions or doctrines. We might also bid farewell to all just pretences to be the true members of the body or church of Christ; and instead thereof, be, rendered a confused, distracted body, drawing and dividing confusedly, some one way and some another, until at length those who were not guided by Truth, would run out into the wide sea of the world. As God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, in all the churches of the saints, we find church discipline began with the very beginning of the church; and that, as the believers increased, so elders and overseers were appointed in all places for services in the church, as the apostle Paul said to Titus; "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee," ch. i. These elders were, in the first place, to take heed to themselves, and be good ex- These things and much more, relating to amples to the flock, as the apostle Paul said, conversation and behaviour, and using the "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to things of the world, the apostles, in their seve all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost ral epistles, gave forth by the movings of the hath made you overseers." Acts, xx. 28. Holy Spirit to the churches. And we find, And the apostle Peter says, "The elders they mentioned superfluous things, that were which are amongst you, I exhort, who am worn and used in their days, which will comalso an elder, and a witness of the sufferings prehend those things that are now recomof Christ, &c.; feed the flock of God, which mended by the churches of Christ or godly is among you, taking the oversight thereof, elders in our day. The apostle Paul charges, not by constraint, but willingly, neither as to abstain from all appearance of evil; whether being lords over God's heritage, but being en- they eat or drank or whatsoever they did, to do samples to the flock." 1 Pet. v. 1. And all to the glory of God; not to be conformed Paul says to Timothy, "These things com- to this world, but to be transformed by the remand and teach. Let no man despise thy newing of their mind; as obedient children, not youth; but be thou an example of the be- fashioning themselves according to their forlievers, in word, in conversation, in charity, mer lusts in their ignorance; not to give any in spirit, in faith, in purity. Take heed unto offence to the Jews or Gentiles, neither to the thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in church of God; to submit themselves one to them." 1 Tim. iv. 11, &c. Then as to the another, in the fear of God; likewise the manner of dealing with sinners, and doing all younger to submit themselves to the elder; things impartially, he says thus, "Them that yea, all to be subject one to another, and be sin, rebuke before all, that others also may clothed with humility. Thus they were to fear. I charge thee, before God, and the put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts therethou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality." 1 Tim. v. 20. From all which it

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of. It is very plain, that these texts include all things, that were in any respect likely to prove hurtful. As we are commanded to ab

stain from all appearance of evil, we should lished. And if he shall neglect to hear them, also abstain from every appearance of pride, which manifests itself in fine, fashionable furniture, houses, and dresses of all kinds, which most certainly lead thereto. And as we are commanded, whatsoever we do, to do all to the glory of God, we are not to be conformed to the world in adorning our bodies, but instead thereof, we should be clothed with humility, letting our moderation be known to all men; giving no offence to the church of God. In a word, such texts plainly show, that all those who are true members of the church of Christ, ought not to wear or use any of those things which grieve or offend the church; and as the younger were to be subject to the elder, and they to one another, so it utterly excludes all such from abounding in their own strong will, contrary to the advice and counsel of the church.

tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican," Matt. xviii. 15, &c. Here then, it appears, that private dealing for private faults is first to be used; though private faults may be great, yet if they are not publicly known, private labour should be first used; but if they are publicly known, especially if they be such as relate to faith and doctrine, we have an example from Christ himself to his disciples. "And when he (Christ) came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the Scribes questioning with them. And he asked the Scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not." This pub lic instance brought in question the power of faith in the disciples; and he answered and said, "Oh faithless and perverse generation! how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? Bring him unto me," Luke ix. 41. This was a public rebuke, on a public occasion: and thus the apostle Paul dealt with the apostle Peter, in a case that in some respects affected the doctrine of the church, by telling the church of Galatia, which was far distant from Antioch. Paul says, "When Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed," and that before them all, Gal. ii.; and see also 1 Tim. v. 20. "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." So that, in some cases, according to the nature and circumstances of things, public rebuke may be more proper than private. We find the holy apostles dealt very tenderly with penitent sinners, but on the other hand to the obstinate and unruly they were at times very sharp; and the Holy Spirit leads to the same in our day. "If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Gal. vi. 1. when any are overtaken with a temptation, Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ himself, the spiritual man, who knows the frailties in the days of his flesh, laid down the method of human nature, endeavours in the spirit of proceeding with offenders, thus, "Take of meekness to restore such. And Christ heed, to yourselves; if thy brother trespass spoke of joy in heaven, over the repentant sinagainst thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, for- ner, in the parable of the prodigal son, who, give him," Luke xvii. 3. "Moreover, if thy upon his repentance and return, was joyfully brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell received by his father. Many such instances him his fault between thee and him alone; if he we have in Scripture, showing the Lord's mershall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.cy to repentant sinners; but, while they conBut if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word may be estab

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And again, we are commanded, to obey them that have the rule over us, and submit our selves; inasmuch as they watch for our souls, as those that must give an account; that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, Heb. xiii. 17. "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love, for their works' sake." 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. "Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour; especially they who labour in the word and doctrine," 1 Tim. v. 17. "Remember them which have the rule over you,' Heb. xiii. 7. "Salute all them that have the rule over you," ver. 24. From these texts it is undeniably plain, that there were elders in the primitive church, who were to oversee and rule the church of God, and the flock were obliged in Christian duty to be obedient to them. And as the Lord ordered it so then, he has, in his Divine wisdom, led his church into the same godly order now, by elders and overseers, whom he hath gifted for the same services, and who are concerned in spirit to advise, counsel, exhort, and reprove, as occasion offers, to keep out of all hurtful things that draw away from the Lord.

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tinue in hardness of heart, they are not in a state of forgiveness. "If any man" (says the apostle,) "obey not our word by this epistle,

Thus I have shown by Scripture the manner and method of dealing with and censuring offenders, together with the order and government practised in the church in the primitive times; wherein we have in measure followed their example, being led by the same Holy Spirit. And I am so firmly established in my belief, that they were set up by the immediate moving and power of the Lord, that if I saw the likeness or appearance of an angel from heaven, who preached a liberty contrary to church government, as practised in the primitive times, and now again, in a good degree, renewed in our day, it would be no more in my power to believe that he was sent from God, than to believe that I am now bodily dead, while I am writing this; agreeably to what the apostle says, "Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." Gal. i. 8. And I further add, that I never saw any thrive or grow in the Truth, who opposed the discipline of the church; but on the contrary, grew dead, dry, and senseless, as to the things of God. I have been thus large, as relating to church government and discipline, and have, in several places, mentioned that our first elders and fathers in the Truth, testified against the finery and fashions of the world, as being contrary to the leadings of the Holy Spirit of Truth. I shall only refer to the Works of that man of God, and worthy elder, George Fox; and particularly to his 250th and 397th Epistles, where he warns and advises all Friends against pride, haughtiness, and high-mindedness, and not to let the eye of their mind run after and follow the changeable customs, and new invented fashions of the world, neither to take delight in apparel, so as to deck and adorn the body with fine and costly array; for such like things lift up the mind and lead from God, to quench his Spirit, slight his Truth, and mould them into unity with the world's spirit. He pressingly advises all Friends to lowliness and humility of mind, to plainness of apparel, and to keep down that spirit which leads into the fashions of the world, that there

note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed; yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." 1 Thess. iii. 14. And for this reason we cannot countenance or have fellowship, with those who reject the counsel of Friends. "Now, we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." 2 Thess. iii. 6. This signifies such as did not observe the rules and orders given them. "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Eph. v. 11. "I beseech you, brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." Rom. xvi. 17, that is, have no fellowship, (have no unnecessary conversation) with them. "Now, we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly," &c. 1 Thess. v. 14. “Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith." "These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority." Titus i. 13, and ii. 15. "I would they were even cut off which trouble you." Gal. v. 12. These texts may suffice to show the manner and way, that the apostles used and directed, in dealing with offenders; but where they could not be reclaimed by such Christian reproof, in order to prevent scandal to the church, they were directed to be censured and denied. Now, Christ has given his true church great power on earth, "Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." The transgressor first cutteth himself off, by not hearing the church, then the church does its incumbent duty, in declaring to the world that they disown him to be of their society and yet, if he repent and acknowledge his fault, I think it is plain from the text, that the church has power to loose him again. And this method the apostles followed, after Christ's ascension, in casting out of the church such obstinate offenders and evil doers, as would not hear the church and be reclaimed. Paul speaking of some who had made ship-in they may judge the world; for though the wreck of faith and a good conscience, says, "Of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.' 1 Tim. i. 20. "A man that is an heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject." Titus iii. 10. This heretic I take to be one who held false doctrines, and this rejecting, was to make him, unto the church, as an heathen man and a publican.

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world is in the practice of these things themselves, yet, if Friends follow them, the world itself will judge them, which it really does.

When some have been spoken to for wearing costly apparel with fashionable dresses, contrary to the plainness of Truth; they have answered that they do not see, nor are they convinced of any hurt or evil in them, but when they do, they will put them away; and some have added, that no one can charge

them with any evil or immoral practices in in plainness, I have already allowed, that retheir conversation; that religion does not con- ligion does not consist therein; but yet, as prosist in these trivial things; that Friends ought ceeding from a sincere mind, obedience in them not to make so much ado about them. I refer is one of the effects of pure religion, or the such to that excellent Treatise of Robert Bar- Holy Spirit would not have led the apostles in clay's upon Church Government, called "The their day, and the elders in our day, so reAnarchy of the Ranters," &c., in which he peatedly to press plainness, &c. And indeed cites this very plea, calls it the "wisdom of the wisdom of God is great, as seen by those man, and deceitfulness of the serpent," which who walk in the light, in leading our first elwould reason Truth from themselves, saying, ders into plainness, and out of the fashions and "I must stay until I be convinced of this, ceremonies of the world. that, and the other thing. I see not yet this Forasmuch, as there are degrees of growth in this thing to be wrong, or the other thing to the Truth, as fathers, young men, and children, be my duty." How did our elders knock and that some do not see as far as others; so down this manner of reasoning, by the Spirit I shall show by Scripture, there lies an absoof God. I desire all such to consider in the lute obligation on such as are less spiritual, to light of Truth, what is the cause, that they follow the counsel and example of the apostles want sight and conviction in so very plain a and elders, until they see further into the things case. It was the Holy Spirit of Christ that of God, in order to preserve the unity of the led our ancient Friends, in their first steps, to body, the church of Christ. He himself take up the cross and deny themselves of the prayed for his disciples, that they might be vain fashions, customs, manners, speech, ap- one, as he and his Father were one; and Paul parel, and needless ceremonies of the world; to the Ephesians beseeches the church, that and by these outward marks, as well as by they walk worthy of their vocation, “endeaother things, they were distinguished from vouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the other professors. While we have such a bond of peace.' In accordance herewith, Rocloud of witnesses, is it not wonderful, that at bert Barclay says, that there is no greater this time of the day, they should pretend property in the church of Christ, than pure want of light and conviction; yet supposing unity of spirit, which yet admits of different they do not really see, let them consider, growths and measures, but never contradictory whether it is not because of their unwilling- ones. And, in order to the maintenance and ness to give pure obedience to the cross of preservation of this unity and oneness, the aposChrist, by which they would see, that the tle Paul repeatedly recommends the church, want of clearness in things of plain duty, to be all of one mind; speak the same thing; may proceed from want of faithfulness to to be of one accord, and perfectly joined towhat we do know, or might know; as Christ gether in the same mind and judgment, and says, "He that hath been faithful in a few that there should be no contrariety or divisions things, shall be made ruler over many among them. They were not only to be adthings." As to pleading morality, &c., this, vised, governed, and obedient to the apostles I confess, is so far well, but that alone will and elders, but they were also to follow their not do; because a man cannot be a right example. "Those things which ye have both Christian, without being a good moralist; but learned, and received, and heard, and seen in yet a man may be a moralist, without being me, do; and the God of peace shall be with an acceptable Christian in the sight of the you," Phil. iv. 9. Paul recounts unto them Lord. I suppose none, who plead for and his own experience and progress in the way of wear such fine and fashionable things as righteousness, and his pressing on to perfecgrieve faithful Friends, will pretend to say, tion, to the mark for the prize of the high that they are more spiritual, or see further calling of God in Christ Jesus, and says, “Let into the things of God, than the apostles did, us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus or our first elders have done; neither, that the minded; and, if in any thing ye be otherwise Holy Scriptures do justify them in the prac-minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. tice of such things. If this be granted, which Nevertheless, whereunto we have already atI think cannot be denied, it follows, that as tained, let us walk by the same rule, let us the apostles and our elders were more spiritual, and from the movings of the Holy Spirit advised to plainness, they, together with those who in sincerity follow their example, are in the right, and those on the opposite side are in the wrong.

And as to the objection of things being small and trivial, and that religion does not consist

mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an example." Phil. iii. 15, &c. From these texts it is to be observed, that to those who are otherwise minded from the apostles, and yet tender in spirit, the Lord would in due time reveal these things, as they press on to further spiritual attainments. İt

could not be expected, that the weak or children should see as the fathers did, and therefore, Paul is positive, that they should walk by the same rule, and follow their examples. And Robert Barclay observes largely upon the foregoing texts, in the same treatise, and shows that, "Where any shall arise to teach and practise things contrary to such as are already received as true, and confirmed by God's Spirit in the hearts of the saints, whether in principle or practice, however small in themselves, such things are to be judged and condemned:" consequently, though finery and fashions are by some accounted small things, yet, as they have been testified against by the apostles, and also by our elders, through the Spirit of God, they are accordingly to be judged and condemned.

This discourse on church discipline is much longer than I intended; especially as relates to fashions and finery, because these are spreading, and many have been hurt by going into them. I hope it may give information to some, who may read it with an unbiassed mind, and though I have repeated Scripture texts and subjects in some places, and therefore some may judge me guilty of tautology, yet I have purposely done it, in order to impress upon the minds of my readers that which I have advanced from Scripture, and from the testimony of our first elders, &c. We find in the Holy Scriptures the same things several times repeated, even in the same chapter, in order to fix them deeper in our minds, for our benefit and instruction; I have taken this method, in this discourse as to church government and discipline, and I do in much love and good will, recommend what I have written to the serious consideration of all the impartially minded.

I shall now return to the relation of our procedure upon visiting families by appointment of the Province Meeting in the year 1692. Having, as before mentioned, cleared our own houses and families of superfluities, as we thought the plainness of Truth required, we then proceeded to visit others, and the method of our procedure was thus. We first met to gether, being six or seven in number; and after waiting for a time in silence upon the Lord, every one, as he found it on his mind, spoke what appeared to him suitable on the occasion; and in a tender, brotherly manner, every one of us freely submitted ourselves to one another; how far, each stood clear as to life and conversation and other matters: as also, whether we ourselves had complied with the rules of the Society. For in our conference together, we told one another, that if we were not good examples ourselves, we were not fit to advise others and in our discourse, we VOL. II.-No. 10.

were very plain and free with each other in the love of God. I can say of a truth, our hearts were greatly humbled before the Lord, under a sense of the great weight of the concern, and our own weakness and unworthiness for such a service; yet as we were appointed thereto, and with a deep concern of mind for the prosperity of Truth, and the welfare of those whom we were to visit, we proceeded accordingly, and visited every Friend's family, and those who attended our meetings in the city of Cork. In doing which, we first sat down with them together; and as we found a concern to come upon our minds, suitable to their respective states and conditions, we gave them advice and counsel, &c.; and particularly to keep close to the witness of God in themselves, the gift and measure of his Holy Spirit, by which they might come to know and experience a growth in the Lord's holy Truth, whereby the inside would be made clean, and then the outside would be made clean also.

After we had spoken what was in our minds relating to spiritual things, we then proceeded to other things relating to conversation and behaviour, &c., as occasion offered. Then we read sundry rules of superior meetings, and spake the needful to those rules and advices, without partiality to any. And I can in great humility of mind say, the Lord owned us in our service by the attendance of his living presence, which in several places broke in upon our spirits and some of theirs also, bowing their hearts into great tenderness. Some who had not been so faithful to Truth, nor so orderly in their conversation as they ought to have been, were so reached by what was spoken, that in much brokenness of mind, they acknowledged the same, with desire that for the time to come, they might be more faithful to the Lord, and walk more circumspectly. And indeed we had very melting seasons in many places, all which greatly strengthened and confirmed us in our service and labour of love; and I do not know that we met with any opposition or stubbornness in all the places we visited, but a general condescension in all, to put away superfluities in apparel and household furniture, which was accordingly done some time after. So that there was a pretty thorough reformation in this city as to things that appeared contrary to Truth and the rules of the Society. And I must further add, that in all our visits we did not meet with as much opposition and stiffness, as has been the case of latter time from some young men, who must bear their own burdens in the day of the Lord, though at present they bring trouble and burdens upon the faithful.

Much of the stubbornness and stiffness in children who are grown up, is owing to fond

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