gard to that use of things which perfect wisdom approves; to be brought to a sense of it, and stopped in my pursuit, is a kindness; for when I proceed to business without some evidence of duty, I have found, by experience, that it tends to weak

ness.

If I am so situated that there appears no probability of missing the infection, it tends to make me think, whether my manner of life, in things outward, has nothing in it which may unfit my body to receive this messenger in a way the most favourable to me. Do I use food and drink in no other sort, and in no other degree, than was designed by Him, who gave these creatures for our sustenance? Do I never abuse my body by inordinate labour, striving to accomplish some end which I have unwisely proposed? Do I use action enough in some useful employ? Or, do I sit too much idle, while some persons, who labour to support me, have too great a share of it? If, in any of these things, I am deficient, to be incited to consider it, is a favour to me.

There is employ necessary in social life; and this infection, which often proves mortal, incites me to think, whether these social acts of mine are real duties. If I go on a visit to the widows and fatherless, do I go purely on a principle of charity, free from any selfish views? If I go to a religious meeting, it puts me on thinking, whether I go in sincerity and in a clear sense of duty; or whether it is not partly in conformity to custom, or partly

from a sensible delight which my animal spirits feel in the company of other people; and whether to support my reputation as a religious man, has no share in it.

Do affairs, relating to civil society, call me near this infection? If I go, it is at the hazard of my health and life; and it becomes me to think seriously, whether love to truth, and righteousness is the motive of my attending; whether the manner of proceeding, is altogether equitable; or whether aught of narrowness, party interest, respect to outward dignities, names, or distinctions among men, do not stain the beauty of those assemblies, and render it doubtful, in point of duty, whether a disciple of Christ ought to attend as a member united to the body or not.

Whenever there are blemishes, which, for a series of time, remain such; that which is a means of stirring us up to look attentively on these blemishes, and to labour according to our capacities, tohave health and soundness restored in our country, we may justly account a kindness from our gra cious Father, who appointed that means.

The care of a wise and good man for his only son, is inferior to the regard of the great Parent of the universe for liis creatures. He hath the command of all the powers and operations in nature;. and "doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." Chastisement is intended for instruction, and instraction being received by gentle chastisement, greater calamities are prevented.

By an earthquake, hundreds of houses are sometimes shaken down in a few minutes, and multitudes of people perish suddenly; and many more being crushed and bruised in the ruins of the buildings, pine away and die in great misery.

By the breaking in of enraged merciless armies, flourishing countries have been laid waste, and great numbers of people perished in a short time, and many more pressed with poverty and grief.

By the pestilence, people have died so fast in a city, that through fear, grief, and confusion, those in health have found great difficulty in burying the dead, even without coffins.

By famine, great numbers of people in some places, have been brought to the utmost distress, and pined away for want of the necessaries of life. Thus, where the kind invitations, and gentle chastisements, of a gracious God hath not been attended to, his sore judgments have, at times, been poured out upon people.

While some rules, approved in civil society, and conformable to human policy, so called, are distinguishable from the purity of truth and righteousness while many professing truth are declining from that ardent love and heavenly-mindedness, which was amongst the primitive followers of Jesus Christ; it is a time for us to attend diligently to the intent of every chastisement, and consider the most deep and inward design of them.

The most High doth not often speak with an outward voice to our outward ears; but, if we hum

bly meditate on his perfections, consider that He is perfect wisdom and goodness, and to afflict his creatures to no purpose, would be utterly reverse to his nature, we shall hear and understand his language; both in his gentle and more heavy chastisements; and take heed that we do not, in the wisdom of this world, endeavour to escape his hand by means too powerful for us.

Had He endowed men with understanding to hinder the force of this disease, by innocent means, which had never proved mortal nor hurtful to our bodies, such discovery might be considered as the period of chastisement by this distemper, where that knowledge extended. But as life and health

are his gifts, and not to be disposed of in our own wills, to take upon us, when in health, a distemper, of which some die, requires great clearness of knowledge, that it is our duty to do so.

CHAPTER VII.

His visit, in company with Samuel Eastburn, to Long Island, Rhode Island, Boston, &c. in New England-Remarks on the slave trade at Newport, and his exercise on that account; also on lotteries-some observations on the island of Nantucket.

HAVING, for some time past, felt a sympathy in my mind with friends Eastward, I opened my concern in our monthly meeting; and, obtaining a certificate, set forward on the seventeenth day of the fourth month, in the year 1760, joining in company, by a previous agreement, with my beloved friend, Samuel Eastburn. We had meetings at Woodbridge, Rahaway, and Plainfield; and were at their monthly meeting of ministers and elders in Rahaway. We laboured under some discouragement; but, through the invisible power of truth, our visit was made reviving to the lowly minded, with whom I felt a near unity of spirit, being much reduced in my mind. We passed on and visited chief of the meetings on Long Island. It was my concern, from day to day, to say no more nor less than what the spirit of truth opened in me, being jealous over myself, lest I should speak any thing to make my testimony look agree