Father, but of the world," we fail in our testimony to the purity and peace of his government, and get into that which is for chastisement.

This matter hath lain heavy on my mind, it being evident, that a life less humble, less simple and plain, than that which Christ leads his sheep into, necessarily requires a support, for which pure wisdom does not provide; hence there is no probability of our being "a peculiar people, so zealous of good works, as to have no fellowship with works of darkness," while we have wants to supply which have their foundation in custom, and do not come within the meaning of those expressions, "your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."

Those things which he beholds to be necessary for his people, he fails not to give them in his own way and time; but as his ways are above our ways, and his thoughts above our thoughts, so imaginary wants are different "from those things which he knoweth that we have need of."

As my meditations have been on these things, compassion hath filled my heart toward my fellow-creatures, involved in customs, which have grown up in "the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with God." O that the youth may be so thoroughly experienced in an humble walking before the Lord, that they may be his children, and know him to be their refuge, their safe unfailing refuge, through the various dangers attending this uncertain state of being.

If those whose minds are redeemed from the love of wealth, and who are contented with a plain, simple way of living, find that to conduct the affairs of a family, without giving countenance to unrighteous proceedings,

or having fellowship with works of darkness, the most diligent care is necessary;

If customs, distinguishable from universal righteousness, and opposite to the true self-denying life, are now prevalent, and so mixed with trade, and with almost every employ, that it is only through humble waiting on the inward guidance of Truth, that we may reasonably hope to walk safely, and support an uniform testimony to the peaceable government of Christ; if this be the case, how lamentably do they expose themselves to temptations, who give way to the love of riches, conform to expensive living, and reach forth for gain, to support customs which our holy Shepherd leads not into.

CONSIDERATIONS

ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND; AND HOW IT IS TO BE

MAINTAINED.

FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1770.

wwwww

"And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people, as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men." Micah v, 7.

INTRODUCTION.

As mankind, though descended from one parent, are divided into many families, and as trading to sea is greatly increased within a few ages past; amidst this extended commerce, how necessary it is that the professed followers of Christ keep sacred his holy Name, and be employed about trade and traffic no farther than justice and equity evidently accompany them; that we may give no just cause of offence to any, however distant, or unable to plead their own cause; and may continually keep in view, the spreading of the true and saving knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, amongst our fellow-creatures, which through his infinite love, some feel to be more precious than any other treasure.

291

CONSIDERATIONS ON TRUE HARMONY.

CHAPTER I.

On serving the Lord in our outward employments.

UNDER the humbling dispensations of the Father of mercies, I have felt an inward labour for the good of my fellow-creatures, and a concern that the holy Spirit, which alone can restore mankind to a state of true har mony, may with singleness of heart be waited for and followed.

I trust there are many under that visitation, which, if faithfully attended to, will make them quick of understanding in the fear of the Lord, and qualify them with firmness to be true patterns of the Christian life, who, in living and walking, may hold forth an invitation to others, to come out of the entanglements of the spirit of this world.

That which I feel first to express is, a care for those who are in circumstances which appear difficult, with respect to supporting their families in a way answerable to pure wisdom, that they may not be discouraged, but remember that in humbly obeying the leading of Christ, he owneth us as his friends; "Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you;" and to be a friend to Christ, is to be united to him who has all power in heaven and in earth; and though a woman may forget her sucking child, yet will he not forget his faithful ones.

The condition of many who dwell in cities has often

affected me with a brotherly sympathy, attended with a desire that resignation may be laboured for; and where the holy Leader directeth to a country life or some change of employ, he may be faithfully followed; for under the refining hand of the Lord, I have seen that the inhabitants of some cities are greatly increased through some branches of business which his holy Spirit doth not lead into, and that being entangled in these things, tends to bring a cloud over the minds of people convinced of the leadings of this holy Leader, and obstructs the coming of the kingdom of Christ on earth as it is in heaven.

If we indulge a desire to imitate our neighbours in those things which harmonize not with the true Christian walking, these entanglements may hold fast to us, and some who in an awakening time, feel tender scruples with respect to their manner of life, may look on the example of others more noted in the church, who yet may not be refined from every degree of dross; and by looking on these examples, and desiring to support their families in a way pleasant to the natural mind, there may be danger of the worldly wisdom gaining strength in them, and of their departing from that pure feeling of Truth, which if faithfully attended to, would teach contentment in the Divine will, even in a very low estate.

One formerly speaking on the profitableness of true humility, saith, "He that troubles not himself with anxious thoughts for more than is necessary, lives little less than the life of angels; whilst by a mind content with little, he imitates their want of nothing." Cave's Primitive Christianity, page 31.

"It is not enough," says Tertullian, "that a Christian be chaste and modest, but he must appear to be so: a virtue of which he should have so great a store, that it should