the care of those who seek the good of mankind, to admonish such as they find occasion.

The slothfulness of some of them, in providing for themselves and families, it is likely would require the notice of their neighbours; nor is it unlikely that some would, with justice, be made servants, and others punished for their crimes. Pure justice points out to each individual their due; but to deny a people the privilege of human creatures, on a supposition that being free, many of them would be troublesome to us, is to mix the condition of good and bad men together, and to treat the whole as the worst of them deserve.

If we seriously consider that liberty is the right of innocent men; that the mighty God is a refuge for the oppressed; that in reality we are indebted to them; that they being set free, are still liable to the penalties of our laws, and as likely to have punishment for their crimes as other people; these may answer all our objections; and to retain them in perpetual servitude, without just cause for it, will produce effects, in the event, more . grievous than setting them free would do, when a real love to truth and equity is the motive to it.

Our authority over them stands originally in a purchase made from those who, as to the general, obtained theirs by unrighteousness. Whenever we have recourse to such authority, it tends more or less to obstruct the channels through which the perfect plant in us receives nourishment.

There is a principle, [the Spirit of Truth] which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath had different names; it is however pure, and proceeds from God. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms of religion, nor excluded from any, where the

heart stands in perfect sincerity. In whomsoever this takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they become brethren, in the best sense of the expression. Using ourselves to take ways which appear most easy to us, when inconsistent with that purity which is without beginning, we thereby set up a government of our own, and deny obedience to Him, whose service is true liberty.

He that hath a servant made so wrongfully, and knows it to be so, when he treats him otherwise than a free man, when he reaps the benefit of his labour, without paying him such wages as are reasonably due to free men for the like service, clothes excepted; these things, though done in calmness, without any show of disorder, do yet deprave the mind in like manner, and with as great certainty, as prevailing cold congeals water. These steps taken by masters, and their conduct striking the minds of their children whilst young, leave less room for that which is good to work upon them. The customs of their parents, their neighbours, and the people with whom they converse, working upon their minds; and they from thence conceiving similar ideas of things and modes of conduct, the entrance into their hearts becomes in a great measure, shut up against the gentle movings of uncreated purity.

From one age to another, the gloom grows thicker and darker, till error gets established by general opinion; that whoever attends to perfect goodness and remains under the melting influence of it, finds a path unknown to many, and sees the necessity to lean upon the arm of Divine strength, and dwell alone or with a few, in rightly committing their cause to Him, who is a refuge for his people in all their troubles.

Where through the agreement of a multitude, some

channels of justice are stopped, and men may support their characters as just men, by being just to a party, there is great danger of contracting an alliance with that spirit, which stands in opposition to the God of love, and spreads discord, trouble and vexation among such who give up to the influence of it.

Negroes are our fellow creatures, and their present condition amongst us requires our serious consideration. We know not the time when those scales, in which mountains are weighed, may turn. The Parent of mankind is gracious: his care is over his smallest creatures; and a multitude of men escape not his notice. And though many of them are trodden down and despised, yet he remembers them: he seeth their affliction, and looketh upon the spreading increasing exaltation of the oppressor. He turns the channels of power, humbles the most haughty people, and gives deliverance to the oppressed, at such periods as are consistent with his infinite justice and goodness. And wherever gain is preferred to equity, and wrong things publicly encouraged to that degree, that wickedness takes root and spreads wide amongst the inhabitants of a country, there is real cause for sorrow to all such, whose love to mankind stands on a true principle, and who wisely consider the end and event of things.

CONSIDERATIONS

ON PURE WISDOM AND HUMAN POLICY; ON LABOUR; ON SCHOOLS; AND ON THE RIGHT USE OF THE LORD'S OUTWARD GIFTS.

FIRST PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1768.

"The wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James iii, 17.

INTRODUCTION.

My mind hath often been affected with sorrow, on account of the prevailing of that spirit, which leads from an humble waiting on the inward teaching of Christ, to pursue ways of living, attended with unnecessary labour, and which draws forth the minds of many people to seek after outward power, and to strive for riches, which frequently introducé oppression, and bring forth wars and grievous calamities.

It is with reverence that I acknowledge the mercies of our heavenly Father, who in infinite love visited me in my youth, and wrought a belief in me, that through true obedience a state of inward purity may be known in this life, in which we may love mankind in the same love with which our Redeemer loveth us, and therein learn resignation to endure hardships for the real good of others.

"While the eye is single, the whole body is full of

light;" but for want of this, selfish desires and an imaginary superiority, darken the mind; hence injustice frequently proceeds; and where this is the case, to convince the judgment, is the most effectual remedy.

Where violent measures are pursued in opposing injustice, the passions and resentments of the injured, frequently operate in the prosecution of their designs; and after conflicts productive of very great calamities, the minds of contending parties often remain as little acquainted with the pure principle of Divine love, as they were before; but where people walk in that pure light in which all their "works are wrought in God," and under oppression persevere in the meek spirit, and abide firm in the cause of Truth, without actively complying with oppressive demands, through these the Lord hath often manifested his power, in opening the understandings of others, to the promoting of righteousness in the earth.

A time I believe is coming, wherein this Divine work will so spread and prevail, that “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor learn war any more." And as we, through the tender mercies of God, do feel that this precious work is begun, I am concerned to encourage my brethren and sisters in a holy care and diligence, that each of us may so live under the sanctifying power of Truth, as to be redeemed from all unnecessary cares; that our eye being single to him, no customs, however prevalent, which are contrary to the wisdom from above, may hinder us from faithfully following his holy leadings, in whatsoever he may graciously appoint for us.