sought after When he heard such Doctrine Viz. Have an Eye to the Brethren it seemed strange and new not like Truth as the proceedings about Outward Orders did remembring the Doctrine before was Look unto the Lord and eye him and The Wisemans Eye is in his Head Spiritually meaning in Christ However what was meant by having an Eye to the Brethren they best know who have used it but John Story in his Life had a great Dislike of it doubting to what it would grow he profest not much discerning in making an outward shew with his Eyes but he had a pure discerning with the Light of the Spirit in the Elect Estate in Christ Satan transformed into an Angel of Light nor his Ministers appearing as the Ministers of Righteousness could not deceive him nor feigned Flattery nor Sheeps Cloathing hide the Ravening Wolf from his Sight nor make him conclude with Threatnings that false Accusations and unrighteous Judgment was of the Lamb's Nature truly the worth of such a Minister of Truth cannot be equalled with outward Treasure and such sent of God is a Blessing to a Kingdom or a Nation but being rejected and opposed will surely bring a Curse but no Disturbers could move him but in all his Sufferings God endued him with Patience though many times in great weakness of Body and often in appearance nigh unto Death But the Prophecy of the badness of his Life in 1676 is now proved as false as Solomon Eccles Prophecy is of the Time of his Death for some years after that God gave him Strength and carryed him hundreds of Miles in his Service afterwards he was very weak at which time a Friend a Doctor George Walker came to visit him and I heard him say He was near gone to all outward Appearance unless God had some further Work for him to do And indeed the Almighty into whose Hand he was committed raised him up again and carryed him South and West Strengthening and Comforting the Brethren till his Testimony was finished in those Parts whose loss is great and Cause of sorrowing that they shall see his Face no more for the Lord brought him to Westmoreland his Native Country where he was received with great Gladness for the Lords Power and Presence was with him to the great Refreshment of the truly Righteous and on a First-day at a Meeting in Kendal cleared his Conscience in Testimony to the Antient Truth in which his Doctrine was wonderful weighty and his Experience very great He was but young as to number of years between fourty and fifty but he fulfilled a great time if Wisdom be Gray-hair and undefiled Life old Age he was weak of Body about two weeks not able to go abroad but little complained of Sickness the gentle Dealings of the Lord was wonderful to him and brought many to remember his meek Behaviour and Neighbours said he lived well and was like to dye well he was like an innocent Lamb opened not his mouth to complain the merciful Dealings of God unto him at all times filled him with a great sense of Joy and true content having assurance to rest with him the Fountain of Life and Fulness which through but a measure of his Spirit such Heavenly Joy and true Content cometh And he seeing his Testimony and Time on Earth was finished his great Love he signified to all Friends in Truth while he had Strength to speak desiring God to preserve them in it to the End and lay silent a pritty while moving his hands as I took it while with him in a sense of Rest and Heavenly Praise after that I had not been two hours from him which was on urgent occasion till word came to me he was Departed So much concerning his Innocent Life and part of Trouble he met with for his Testimony to Truth his Meekness and Content and Assurance of Eternal Felicity as duely observed about the manner of his Departure by John Wilkingson POSTSCRIPT I Have this farther to add that John Story is gone to his Rest whose Testimony when God Revealed his Son in him was given in Gods power and would have sitten in Silence without he Revealed the Word of Life and to all unprejudiced hearers that thirsted after Righteousness and that Knowledg and Power that leadeth to Happiness his Doctrine dropt as the Rain that Refresheth the tender Grass to all thristy and longing souls to their great refreshment and consolation and my Counsel to all opposers of the Ministers of Truth is that they cease for time to come and Repent and let no more slanderers have place to beget prejudice in you but let the Truth you profess be your defence against it And with your own measures savour for your selves least you be led in a false belief by men that love and lust to rule under pretence of Gods motion and unbrotherly proceedings under pretence of Church Power be slow in speaking without certain knowledge especially evil of anytill your own experence with Truth prove it to you through your exact tryal least you be lead by Men into a false Faith to speak evil of true Believers and condemn them to be of a wrong spirit whom God Justifieth and if this counsel had been followed and was the Doctrine of Truth in the begining to your own to your own the difference among Friends had been kept in a narrow compass and but a few concerned that caused difference and the things but Temporal which Spiritual Weapons would soon have conquered and overcome and Truth Peace and stablity would have abounded then high places with spiritual wickedness had not been assumed but when temporal things hath Religion placed in them which only springs form the Fountain of Life this dishonours God who is the Author of all true Religion And makes it a shelter for the greatest Hypocrites and even a Cage for all unclean Birds to Chatter against the Righteous that receive the Word of Truth and both live and practice as their Measures of God Requireth and agreeable to the Scriptures of holy Men who are gon to their Rest where neither false Witness nor unrighteous Judgment can take away their Inheritance I. W. Something taken out of a Letter from George Dodgson to a friend bearing date the twenty seventh of the ninth Month 1681. concerning the departure of John Story THat which I have to communicate to thee and Friends and which is to the Sadening and Sorrow of many hearts is the departure of our Dear Brother I. S. who in much peace and quiet departed this Life the last third day having no sense of Paine upon him to the apprehension of Friends but even as though he had Slumbered very Quietly breathed his last He had been out of health about fourteen dayes before but not very likely for Death till about four dayes before he dyed when the Distemper and Weakness seized more fully upon him He was Intrerred very honourably a great many People being there present both of Friends and of
him to be and through that gift and wisdom that was bestowed upon him he knew how to behave himself aright in the Assemblies of Gods People and amongst his fellow servants and could give very good counsel and advice unto such as were but young in the work and seâ—vice of the Ministry but indeed in this respect he had not that opportunity to manifest very much of that gift of Wisdom that God had endued him with because too many of late years did to much Disesteem Slight and Reject his Counsel and good Advise for he was a true honest-man and so was his Conversation among men even from his young years unto his latter end nor ever was as we could understand addicted to any Vice from his Child-hood unto his dying day neither was he subject to Flatter or Dessemble with any for his own ends But we believe that he abhored deceit and flattery from the bottom of his heart and Doubtless he did not any way deserve those vilyfying terms of a Dark or Creeping Spirit for we never knew him to creep after or dissemble with any for his own self-Intrest neither did he ever that we know off by flattery seek after the favour of any Great or Rich Men that so he might gain thereby but as a true Minister of Christ and an able Preacher of the Gospel that sought not after his own profit or applause Coveting no mans Silver nor Gold but the real Good Benefit and Wellfare of Souls And as he had freely received a Dispensation of the Gospel from the Lord so did he freely Minister of it unto others as the Lord did order him being as we said before an able and sound Preacher dividing the Word aright and was very Intelligible and plain unto mean Capacities Demonstrating the way of Life and exhorting all to walk therein and we believe that he did not in the least preach for filthy Lucres sake but of a ready and willing mind according to the requirings of Gods holy and blessed Spirit yea doubtless in this respect he might surley have said as Samuel did whose Ox or Ass did he take or whose Gold or Silver or Riches or Land did he seek or covet after He was a good Pastor who had a tender regard and care of the Flock of God where the Lord did order his service and especially among such where he had laboured much in gathering and confirming of them his care was great that they might be truly Instructed in the way of Life and gathered unto the gift and grace of God in themselves and that in it all might waite upon God to recevie a Divine and Heavenly understanding and come to be truly Centered and Established upon the Rock of Ages and in the Truth and way of God And it was his Care and Labour that none might walk disorderly unto the dishonour of God but that such might be Reproved Advised and Admonished as Friends did either feel Drawings in themselves so to do or as there was a seasonable Opportunity wherein Friends might do it in love and tenderness in a more general way as they saw it their places that if possible none might go astray Likewise on the other hand it was his care that Friends might not be Imposed on or over much driven into the Ceremonial part of Religion having an Understanding given him to discern how apt People have been to be led and to run into Imitations and the practice of Outward Things which some others have practised and so by that means have not taken that regard unto their own measures of the Spirit of God in themselves as they ought to have done But have through a kind of Zealous Mistake sometimes cryed up and esteemed the Traditions and Inventions of Men as Ordinances of God and such have been very forward in Judging and Condemning of others who were of a better Understanding and did see further than themselves And forasmuch as our dear Friend J. S. was by some who profess the Truth misrepresented unto many Friends that did not know him as a Person that was against good Order in the Church and as if he was a Man of a Loose and Libertine Spirit or that he did countenance others in their Failings c. It is with us to testifie that as it was our Lot to be well acquainted with him as any in these parts to our Knowledge were for many years yet we did never know him to oppose any good Order which any of Gods People did believe was their Duty to perform either Male or Female because Gods People are and ought to be a free and willing People and what they do as unto God it ought to be from a willing Mind and not by Man's Constraint Mark it was against the Imposing of it and so not against any good Order in it self which Friends might be in the practice of for we do know that he did love to see good Order among Friends and that things might be done decently but he was not for laying the Stress of Salvation upon any Outward Things or Methods that were or might be practiced among Gods People for that would be an Idolizing of it and Hippocrites may come into an Outward Conformity or Uniformity with Outward Orders or Methods when they are neither Heirs of Salvation nor Members of that Church which is in God of which Jesus Christ is Head for he would say That it was an incumbant Duty on Christians to be Charitable to the Poor and to relieve their Necessities But after what Manner or Method they did extend their Charity so that the end was answered he thought it indifferent For we read in History the Church at Jerusalem did Collect every First Day or once a Week but the Church of the Gentiles once a Month and doubtless they did not fall out or differ about their Method while they stood in Gods Counsel And as to Liberty that as he did abhor taking any Liberty in Unrighteousness so on the other hand he was one that did stand much for that Christian Liberty which is in Christ Jesus and he did both spend and was spent for the Gospel of the Kingdom which doth not consist in the strict Observance of any Outward Observations or Traditions or Inventions of Men but to wait upon God and serve him according to the Manifestation of his own Spirit that he hath given to Man to profit withal and then If the Truth doth make us free are we free indeed we say it was this Christian-Liberty that stands in Truth and Righteousness that J. S. did stand for and so do we and that all may know the Spirit of Truth to be their Leader in the Things that they do and perform as unto God that so none may act in those things from anothers Measure but from the measure of Gods Grace in themselves without being Judged one of or by another about their Christian Liberty and Freedom in the Truth And further we have to say
as I have approved my self a Man of Peace so my Desires are that the Peace of God in the Love and Unity of the Truth may abound amongst you And now Friends I shall leave it to the Righteous God to Judge whether what is now proposed be not according to the Spirit of Truth which by its appearance in every Member of the Church of Christ at this day is become the only Lawgiver in every such Member in Matters that relate to the World to come for by it we are instructed in our Heavenly Duties to God Viz. How to Sacrifice to Worship and Serve him acceptably by Obedience to all his Requirings and through the same are the Lords People led into such Methods or Outward Practices wherein they are helpful and Serviceable each to other in their Generation for the Lord alone ought to be ey'd in and beyond Outward Forms though his Presence hath been and still is with his People in those Forms he leads into and so to him let us look who was before all Time and Days of this Fading World and is the Alpha and Omega the Beginner and Finisher of the Work of our Redemption which was and which is and which is to come the Almighty who alone ought to be minded beyond all visible Things and unto him in all our Exercises whether Inward or Outward my Soul desires we may all be kept even in that Spiritual Appearance of our Lord and Saviour which is that acceptable Day which shines in the Inward Man through which God hath made me amongst many other of his Servants partaker of that Heavenly Religion which is unspotted many of you know our Beginning was in his Holy Spirit and Power through which Death is and shall be more fully abolished and Life and Immortality brought to Light in and through which Power alone the Saints have and shall be throughly Sanctified and Perfected for ever and through it are the Heirs of that Eternal Inheritance and Heavenly Kingdom which outlasts all Outward Things and never fadeth away where all the Longings Earnings and Desires of the Righteous shall be fully Answered and Satisfied for evermore with the full Injoyment of that Life and Immortality over which the Second Death hath no Dominion and then may it be truly said of such That they are entred in and do take their Possessions Now into this Life in which the Heavenly Brotherhood and Fellowship of Saints stand the Lord gather you all more and more that whatever hath appeared in any contrary thereto may by his Word of Life be broken down subdued and rise no more that into the Bond of Peace and Union in the Truth ye may be again United and become Co-workers together as Gods Heavenly Family in the Love even in that Love which thinks no Evil for the Desire of my Soul is that ye may be cemented and Established together upon that Everlasting Rock and Foundation which the Gates of Hell and Death can never prevail against I shall now conclude with those wholesome words of the Apostle of our Lord and Saviour Put on therefore as the Elect of God Holy and Beloved Bowels of Mercies Kindness Humbleness of Mind Meekness Long-Suffering Forbearing one another if any Man have a Quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you even so do ye and above all these Things put on Charity which is the Bond of Perfectness and let the Peace of God Rule in your Hearts to the which you are called Col. 3. 12. So in the Desire to the Lord God that these things may truly be weighed and have place with you I rest Your Servant in the Work and Labour of the Gospel John Story POST-SCRIPT LET this Epistle be read in an Assembly to be appointed for both Meetings Viz. that called Quarterly and that called Separate in or near Kendal for my earnest Desire is that it should be so Read because as I said before I have a Concern upon my Spirit thus to write unto you both the things therein Contained I Recommend to Gods Witness in all your Consciences not desiring to Impose on any I knowing this that where it is awakened there will be an Answer to the Spirit of Peace and Truth in which 't was wrote and though some have given forth their false Censures and false Prophesies concerning me and others laid various Temptations before me which I look upon to be the Work of the Common Enemy that so I might have Stumbled and Fallen though those in whom it hath so wrought may not have an Eye open to see it yet my Joy and Rejoycing in the Lord is that they have not yet removed me from the hope of the Gospel Blessed be the Name of God for ever more for to his Praise and Glory and in his Fear which hitherto hath Preserved me I speak it my Cryes the Lord hath heard and he hath given me a certain Knowledge of his Way otherwise I might have been in great Danger to have sunk into the Pit of Confusion and never risen more but his Love is unchangeable his Mercy never fails them that put their Trust in him this by long Experience can I now Speak therefore I exhort and intreat you all to turn your Minds to his Inward Appearance through which his Love which is stronger than Death will be shed abroad in your Hearts and his Power be felt which will remove that which hath been the Cause of your Breach that you may come again to walk together in that Heavenly Charity through which no former Miscarriage will be remembred and so come to Serve him with one Heart in that way of Life which he hath made known unto us in these latter Days and thus you may finish your Course with Joy and leave this World in Peace and Injoyment of Immortality and take your Possessions in that Kingdom in which the Fulness of Joy that ever shall be is Inherited and where through the Earnest and Assurance of the Heavenly Kingdom the last End of the Righteous is Crowned with Honour and in that Day the many Temptations that have and do attend Gods People in this Fading Life shall cease and never be again J. S. Calne the last of the 7th Month 1677. And at present for a Conclusion we Thus End NOw as to all such that have or yet may think to defame us by saying in a proud scoffing manner These are Storians or of Story ' s Spirit we know nothing that he either held or practised on a Religious Account but what was agreeable to the Holy Scriptures and the Testimony of Gods Spirit as received amongst us in the Beginning so he is gone to his Grave no Sect-Master but a Follower of Christ and we never desire to follow him nor any Man but in the Steps and Way of that Stable Truth that shall outlast all New Inventions and Envious Nick-Names And although for a time the multitude of Israel did give their Ear-rings or Jewels of Prey to Giddion to make a Golden Ephod and said he should Rule over them the Evil Snare and Shame it afterwards brought upon them and him might be a Warning to others Giddions Beginning was Glorious and wonderfull but when the Hearts of that People began to turn from the Lord they tempted Giddion they were suffered to be a Snare to one another FINIS ERRATA Page 8. Line last but 2 for of trouble read of the trouble p. 11. l. 22. f. as Friends r. all Friends p. 12. l. 16. f. and as some r. as some l. 39. f. Opposers at r. Opposers of or at p. 13. l. 29. f. amongst you r. against you p. 19. l. 15. f. are we r. we are p. 26. l. 33. f even r. evil p. 28. l. 1. f. Keep 's r. Keyes and the Folio to be made 28. p. 32. l. 3. f. one r. own l. 33. f. now r. nor l. 43. f. thy years r. the year
the Neighbourhood And as he in his Life time was of a grave and reverent Deportment even so was he accompanyed to his Grave People generally bemoning his death but the Hearts of Friends was generally filled with sorrow and their Eyes with Teares by reason of that inward affection they bare unto him as also the great sense of the great Loss they sustained in his Death who hath been a living example of Righteousness amongst us both in Life and Doctrine even in a manner from his Child-hood as if he had been Chosen from the Womb and Sanctified for a Vessel of honour and as he often exhorted others to continue walking in the way of Truth that in the latter end they might attain and come more fully to possess the Joyes of the everlasting Kingdom where all the Troubles and Sorrows of this present Life shall be wiped away and come to an end So Doubtless he is now entred into the full fruition of those never-fading Joyes wherein all the sorrow and sighing and Troubles of this present Life is come to an end and is Ascended out of the reach of wicked Tongues and Pens But what can be said Doubtless God endued him with Divine Wisdom to a large degree and accompanyed him with his Devine Power and Presence in Declaring the way of Life and opening the Misteries of the Kingdom to the comfort and Consolation of many who now mourn in Secret for his absence and I fear that time to come may know the want of such and I also fear that many in this present time have also rendred themselves unworthy of such but I desire we may make a good use of these things and that we look to our own standing and that we may walk according to the exhortations and counsel delivered unto us both by him and other his faithful Companions which have answered the Truth in our own hearts There was a very good opportunity for J. W. and others to bear a Testimony to Truth and the People gave very Diligent attention while he exhorted and Counseled to follow those things that make for peace and brings to rest in the latter end clearly Demonstrating the way thereunto with such things further as opened in him suitable upon that occasion G. D. The Testimony of John Jennings by way of Preface to the following Testimonies of several Friends in Wiltshire Courteous and Friendly Readers BE It known unto you that what is here written by way of Lamentation Testimony of our Deceased Friend John Story is not to draw forth the Minds of any for to admire him or any other Instrument that the Lord may make use of for the good of any Person or People but that which is here written is truly to certify all friendly People unto whom it may come what manner of Life Doctrine and Conversation this our deceased Friend did Live and Declare whilst he was amongst us and if any through envy or prejudice either against him or any of us doth or shall endeavour to gainsay oppose or invalidate this our Testimony concerning him we doubt not but that by Gods assistance we shall be throughly enabled for to Vindicate the same against any Opposers hereof for we know that what is here written of him is what is true and according to the best of our knowledge and indeed we had rather come short of commending any Person rather than to praise or commend any beyond their due deserts But forasmuch as it hath so happened that this worthy Man and Servant of God hath been by some too much abused in his Christian Reputation and mis-represented as an Apostate or Dark and Creeping Spirit it was so much the more on some of our Spirits for to give forth this following Testmony that as friends might truly know what he was amongst us and what Just Cause we had truly to love and esteem him as a servant of Christ even unto the last and truly as the power and presence of God was with him in his Ministry in former years when he was generally well spoken of by most or all that did love the Truth in these parts So we can truly say that at the last Meeting which he had in this Country the Lord did appear by him and through him as in former times unto the Edifieing and Comforting of his People and we had a very good and comfortable Meeting and therefore if any have let in any Prejudice or hard thoughts against him because they may have heard an evil report of him we do advise such to be more carful how they do receive Reports and let in prejudice against any of Gods servants least they do there by hurt themselves and break their own Inward Peace and as concerning others who have villified this servant of God either by their hard speeches or Writings against him it is with us to advise such for to Repent of what they have already done and to learn to do so no more least they are found fighters against God and his faithful servants and in thus doing we have thus far cleared our Consciences towards all such and shall leave the effect thereof unto God and desire all those that Read the following Testimony for to Read it without Prejudice or Carping at what is written but to read it as in Gods fear and with a serious and considerate mind that so they may the better understand what they read and consider of it If any sober and moderate Inquirer that is yet Ignorant of the matter should ask or inquire of us what was the ground or cause wherefore the said J. S. have been so misrepresented as an Apoastate and a dark and creeping spirit if he was such an honest man as you seem to signifie To this we shall give in short this Answer That as far as we could yet ever understand the Real ground and cause of it was because he did not so far conform and submit unto the seting up and establishing of some outward Orders and Ceremonys amongst Friends and as some that did or yet doth profess the Truth would have had him to have done and if any should yet inquire why he did not submit unto others for Unities sake To this we Answer that this Question might more properly have been proposed unto him in his Life time and if it had been so Proposed doubtless he would have given a sound and proper Answer thereunto yet forasmuch as he is gone and cannot now Answer for himself we do believe that we may truly give this Answer on his behalf viz. That it was for conscience sake that he could not or did not Conforme and submit unto the setting up such Orders and Ceremonies as others would have had him to have don and douptless he thought them to be superfluous and more then was Really needful for to be so strictly practiced amongst Gods People and that this was the Real ground and Cause wherefore he hath been so Callumniated and mis-represented we have case to
believe for these following Reasons First Because he was alwayes owned and esteemed as a servant of Christ and a true Minister of the Gospel by such as did profess the Truth as far as ever we did understand until such time as he did object against or dislike with the setting up of such outward Orders and Ceremonies as aforesaid 2dly Because that since that time he did mislike such things as aforesaid we have found that there hath been endeavours by some to undervalue him and his Testimony and occasions sought against him to render him as unworthy and contemplible as possible they could 3ly Because some of us concerned in the following Testimonies have often asked of those who have been Opposers at least Dislikers of him what they had against him of evil either in his Life Conversation or Doctrine to lay to his charge and it hath been said unto such that if they could make any thing of evil appear in him either in Life Conversation or Doctrine that then we would disown him But instead of proving any thing of evil against him it hath been oftentimes answered after this manner That as to his Life and Conversation it was honest or they had nothing against him for that and as to his Doctrine it was good Words but that they did not come from a Right Spirit Or to that effect And therefore since his Opposers did not prove any thing of this nature against him while he was Living we shall think our selves or any others not much obliged to believe any thing of evil Report that others may say of or concerning him now he is Removed from amongst Men and if any shall endeavour to defame him in his Christian Reputation now he is gone doubtless it will rather seem to us or any sober and moderate People to savour of a Spirit of Malice and Prejudice than of the Spirit of Christianity or common Civility but if any of his Opposers should think that out of fear we do as it were bespeak their Silence we do say to such let them do as they please for we fear them not We further say we have observed That not one Man we know of who hath a Publick Testimony and doth not Conform unto Orders and Ceremonies as aforesaid that is now owned or accounted of as formerly by those who have appeared against him or are Hot and Zealous for the Orders c. And although such Nonconformists are as blameless in their Lives and Conversations and as Sound in their Doctrine and Testimonies as formerly yet we find that they are either publickly Disowned or else privately Calumniated and Disliked withal And on the other hand we have likewise observed That if others who are Conformable and Preach up the Orders c. are guilty of such things as in Truth cannot be justifiable yet such Persons are either Owned or at leastwise not publickly reproved that we know of And therefore we do say unto such as do thus turn Justice and true Judgment backwards and endeavour to smother over the Errours either in Doctrine or Life and Conversation of the Guilty and to Condemn the Innocent because of their Nonconformity beware least you provoke the Lord to Wrath and he doth break forth amongst you in his sore Displeasure And if any Friendly Reader should suppose that the Publication of this Preface and following Testimonies may give occasion for a further Contention because some things therein may seem to reflect somewhat hard in General on such as were Opposers or Dislikers of him and so for that reason the Reader who loves to be quiet and desires that all Contentions amongst Friends were at an end doth dislike the Publication hereof To which it may be answered That after the Decease of J. S. it rested on the Spirits of several Friends in several Places and Countries where he had Ministred and been Serviceable to write something concerning him and what Service he had done for the Lord amongst them in his Day and Time and among the rest it came upon some of us in Wiltshire to publish a Testimony after this manner by way of Lamentation for the Loss of so able a Preacher of Gods Truth as he was in his Day and Time and also to give some account of what he was amongst us and what he did stand for and against that so those who had heard of him and not known him by face might be truly informed of his Doctrine Life and Conversation among us who were well acquainted with him for many years and so have had the more Experience thereof But forasmuch as several Friends who were Conscientiously concerned to Write did live some of them far distant one from the other it hath been the more trouble to collect their several Testimonies and so that hath caused some obstruction in the Publication hereof for some were written long since and still did rest on the Spirits of many to Write which at first was not expected by us and now at length is made Publick not to Reflect on others for what is past if possibly it could be avoided but to clear our Consciences in the Sight of God and for the true Information of the Upright in Heart who do love the Truth more than a bare Notion of it and cannot at all times either Saile with the Wind nor Swim with the Tide but keep in mind that good Advice Viz. To try all things with the Truth and hold fast that which is Good But for a further Answer to the Objection aforesaid We judge it is in vain for any to expect that the most moderate Testimony that can be given on behalf of him should escape without the severe Censures or Calumniations of some of his Opposers because we have often found by Experience that some of his Opposers have at some times been so filled with Prejudice against him that they could hardly with Patience endure to hear him well spoken of and account the Party so speaking in his Commendation to be either a Leavened or Bad Spirit and therefore we cannot in our present apprehension expect but that his Opposers will endeavour to invalidate our Testimony which if they do in publick it may bring a Concern upon some of us to be more particular and plain if occasion be given for it as to naming of some particular Persons than now we are free to do on this Occasion although as we said before for any to think that a Testimony for him can be given and not in some sort to reflect on some of his Opposers Actions or Doctrines it is in vain for any so to suppose But this we may assure the tender Reader that we have been as sparing as with clearness of Conscience we could and if any are offended at us for this plain and honest Testimony for the Truth and concerning our Deceased Friend Let all such know that we do account it more true Wisdom and better for us to endeavour to please the Almighty and unchangeable
for our Deceased Friend J. S. that he was one whom the Lord had endued with many Spiritual Gifts and pretious Christian Vertues which were as so many Ornaments unto him and if any should ask what those Gifts and Vertues were and how and which way they did appear and might be demonstrated to be in him To this we may answer First His Moderation and Temperance did much appear in the many Debates and Discourses had with him about Religious Matters wherein he did usually carry himself very moderate when reasoning about the Things of God and as to his Temperance it did much appear in his Life and Conversation Secondly He was endued with the Gift and Vertue of Patlence which did much appear in him by his patient bearing of those severe and bitter Reflections and Oppositions that of late years he met withal as also with many false and untrue Reports of him Thirdly Also he did very patiently bear that great and long Weakness and Infirmity of Body that he was very much attended withal and afflicted with very sore and grievous Pains as well as weakness in Body which he underwent with much Patience and Content Fourthly He had an excellent Gift of Christian Fortitude and Constancy in his Testimony so that notwithstanding he met with very much Opposition and sometimes with flattering Perswasions yet he persevered in the Way Work and Testimony that God had called him unto and in this respect it may in some measure be said of him as Jacob said of Joseph Gen. 49. 23 24. The Archers have sorely grieved him and shot at him and hated him but his Bow abode in Strength and the Arms of his Hands were made strong by the Hands of the Almighty God of Jacob from thence is the Shepherd the Stone of Israel Fifthly He was endued with a large portion of Christian Charity which the Apostle reckons as one of the most excellent Gifts And if any should ask how that did appear or was manifest in him We say it did not only appear in him in that he was not of a Rash and Rigid Spirit towards others that might differ from him in Things Indifferent but was also very Charitable towards such in whom he found any true tenderness towards God and was not apt to Judge so harshly and Censoriously of such as some have been too apt to do but was willing to inform the understanding when under mistake and also to perswade them that opposed themselves to imbrace the Truth If we consider the Fruit of true Charity spoken of by the Apostle 1 Cor. 13. we may indeed say that Charity did largely manifest it self in him because it brought forth or did manifest the same Fruits and Effects in and through him as is there spoken of by the Apostle And as these and other Christian Vertues did appear and were manifested in him while he was amongst us so we are credibly informed by some Friends of Westmoreland that were with him in the time of his last Sickness that he gave very good Counsel and Advice to Friends that were with him and that he being very weak in Body but not in much pain as was supposed by those who were about him he very gently breath'd his last and laid down his Head in much Peace and Quietness of Mind and Spirit Given forth at Sutton on the 1st Day of the 11th Month 1682. and Subscribed by us on the behalf of our selves and many more Friends of Wiltshire that are concerned and consented unto the Publishing hereof John Jennings John Fry Thomas Crabb Sen. John Sealy William Colman John Rogers Benjamin Lawrance The Testimony of John Metrevers A Short Testimony Concerning John Story that worthy Servant of the Living God though dead yet the Seal of his Ministry and Service for God in his Day and Age lives in the Remembrance and hath an Impression on the Hearts of many in these Parts and forasmuch as the Unchangeable Truth remains the same as ever we cannot forget those worthy Messengers who in the Days of our young and tender Years came amongst us in the Demonstration of the Spirit and Power of Almighty God not only to proclaim a Day of Vengence from God upon that Part or Nature in Man that hath transgressed his Law but also with a Message of Peace and Glad-tidings unto our Souls And now as for my Dear Friend John Story in particular concerning whom I have a few words which at this time rest upon my Spirit to treat about I have this to say and that not by here-say or to boast in another Mans Words but according to that true and Experimental Knowledge which I have had of him for these seven or eight and twenty years past it being about the Year 1654 or 1655 as near as I can remember that this worthy Servant of the Almighty God came amongst us into Wiltshire at which time for my own part I was about fourteen years of Age notwithstanding which what shall I say it is even with me at this time to signifie That had I the Tongue of an Orator or the Pen of a Ready Writer I could not demonstrate the Sense that now lives and remains upon my Spirit of the Mighty Power of God that appeared in and through that Man both in Life and Doctrine whereby I was at that time though but young in years often sweetly Refreshed and Comforted in his Company by that Eternal Power that dwelt with and ran through him Oh! What shall I say my Heart at this time is even melted in the Consideration thereof his Message then was to direct all to turn inward from the Lo here and the Lo there to the Grace Light or Spirit within which according to Measure was given to all assuring all unto whom he gave the Word of Exhortation that it being obeyed and followed in all its Requirings was that only means and that in which the sufficiency for Salvation of the Soul consisted this Doctrine was received by many by the Mighty Power of God which accompanyed and manifested it self through that Man many brought to the Faith and so as the Lord made way he travelled from Place to Place appointing Meetings up and down among Friends directing all as above mentioned and unfolding the Scriptures by way of Parables and opening to the Edification of the Hearer many hard Sayings both to the Convincing of those that receiv'd it and Admiration of many that receiv'd it not insomuch that my Ears have heard it acknowledged and confessed unto that the Doctrine so Preach't through the Power and Demonstration of the Spirit as then it was would never fail while the Water keeps its Course his Work was also very much among the Priests and Professors of that Age who then like Gog and Magog joyned together against the Lord and his Anointed but the Lords Power and Presence being with him and always giving of him both Mouth and Wisdom he was thereby furnished to speak a word in due season both
to the Strengthening and Comforting the Weak and Feeble of the Flock whom he had Laboured and Travelled for and also to the stopping the Mouths of all Gainsayers whose Opposition at that day was very great Much could I speak and that within the compass of my own knowledge to the particulars of many Sufferings by way of Imprisonment and other Dangers and Jeopardies that he was often in in his Masters Work and Service which I shall here omit and that because I would rather straiten my self than be tedious to the Reader when that is said I have this further to add which I cannot be clear to omit or pass by Viz. That he was always a very plain hearted Man in plainness speaking the Truth to the Face and never could endure either in himself or others Whispering or Backbiting but would sharply reprove it whereever he found it and furthermore all Outward Shews Formalities Jestures or Deportments whatsoever that was by the Creature brought forth in the Likeness or Imitation of the true Power without the Powers bringing forth thereof his Righteous Soul always abhorred And for the Confirmation thereof one thing amongst many I well remember that whereas there was a Day of shaking the Outward Body by the stirrings of the true Power some in imitation thereof as I have observed in his Presence in their own Strength have imitated the like which he would in the Integrity of his Soul Judge saying Away with Deceit and such like words exhorting and advising all to be plain hearted and that they should be what they appear'd to be by the Grace of God and not otherwise And so remaining from time to time as a Man not subject to change his way holding forth his Testimony in Faithfulness to God not only against prophane and sinful Actions but also against all Formalities set up by Man though under pretence of the Motion of the true Power advising the Creature to be inward to God and there to wait to know the true Power it self to bring forth a Form through every man whereby they might have the certain Sense and Knowledge how to do and perform the thing well pleasing to their heavenly Father that thereby they might in the end be accepted of him he was not a Man of Shadows but for the Substantial Part of Religion and to his last I very well remember his Discourse run much after this manner That they were the only Blessed People and for evermore happy who had received the Knowledge of the right Spirit if so be they continued to wait and walk therein to the end of their Days because it is they that remain in well doing unto the end that shall be Crowned Unto which End it is my Faith and Belief in God he hath attained and is now entred into the Joys of that Heavenly Kingdom out of the reach of all envious and clamorous Tongues where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary be at rest there the Prisoners rest together they hear not the voice of the Oppressor the Small and great are there and the Servant is free from his Master And he having been serviceable in the Hand of the Lord and Instrumental to Convert many Souls to God doth and must shine as a Star in the Firmament of God So having eased my Mind by writing these few Lines before exprest concerning this my dear Friend of whom I do assure the Reader I had as certain a knowledge as the very import of the words will bear and forasmuch as the Harvest yet remains great and the true Labourers therein are but few what further shall I say but with this to conclude Viz. Let us cry mightily to the great Lord of the Harvest to pour forth a double portion of his Spirit upon some worthy Instrument as he did upon Elisha to Succeed him in that Work and Service J. M. The Testimony of Robert Arch. FRiends unto all you do I write who have in any measure secretly or openly vilifyed and reproached that Servant of the Lord J. S. or have had any hand in the hindring of him in his bearing a faithful Testimony to the Truth of which he was an Able Minister in publishing the Gospel of Christ and have endeavoured to the utmost of your Power to stop and hinder him in his Declaration and Travel amongst the People of God by evil Surmisings and false Reports and Accusations have raised a Prejudice in the Hearts of People against him without any just Cause on his part given that I know of Consider O Friends What is the Cause that ye have so done Have ye known him to be a Man of an ill Life or a bad Conversation Or hath he committed any Evil or Sinned or Transgressed against God his Truth or People that ye have so hated him Or hath he been one that hath Preached any False Doctrine or held any Principles contrary to Truth Or did he bring in any Innovations amongst the People of God or build again any of those things that he hath by his Ministry destroyed in others If he hath done none of those things nor committed any Personal Trespass against you as some of you have confessed what then was the cause of your Envy and hating of him Was it because he would not bow down nor Worship any other God than the God of Israel Or was it because he would not submit to some Outward Orders Prescriptions or Rules prescribed by Fall'n Man If this be the Cause then do not you Condemn your selves in Judging of him For what People in this latter Age have laboured and Travelled more than some of you have done to bring People out of the Practice and Observation of Outward Things which they called The Ordinances of Christ some of which the Saints in Times past did Practice and perform for a Time as the Scripture maketh mention and also from the many Forms Decrees and Orders that the Professors have been jangling about and Persecuting one another counting it all but Dung and Dross in comparison of the Grace of God or Light of Christ which was held forth to be sufficient to lead unto Salvation and in the Light we were directed to wait upon God to know his Mind and Will to act and do in Outward Things as God should direct us by his Good Spirit And have you not look't upon all those Outward Orders Prescriptions and Ordinances as the Outward Court of the Temple that was given unto the Gentiles to tread under Foot and yet now after all these large Declarations and Testimonies against those Outward Things for you to incourage the Setting up such Things and not only so but to Judge and Condemn others for not Conforming unto your Outward Orders Censuring Friends out of Vnity that do not practice them which is the greatest Penalty that you can inflict for want of Outward Power as if the Saints Unity stood in the Practice and Performance of those Outward Orders Oh! Friends consider of these
didst Preach the Glad-tyding of Salvation unto many that were far from the Almighty bearing a Faithful Testimony unto Christ Jesus the true Light that inwardly enlightens every Man and to the Word nigh in the Heart and in the Mouth to the Anointing within and unto the universality of that Grace which brings Salvation of its Appearing to all Mankind and to the Manifestation of the Spirit of Truth that is is given unto all to profit with labouring to undeceive all and to bring from the Outside Forms Beggerly Elements Traditions Rudiments and Inventions of Men wherein many had been kept in Bondage to Christ Jesus the Living Way the Truth and Life the true Shepherd and Bishop of the Soul in his Light to wait for Counsel and Directions in all things to be Led Guided and Governed by him alone who was and is the Lawgiver and unto whom all Power in Heaven and Earth is committed whose Kingdom is not of this World who alone hath power over the Conscience and over the Inward Man this is his Glory which he never did nor never will give unto another and in this thou wast a Faithful Messenger and Minister turning many from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God and so taught many the way through Judgment unto Life that their Hearts did burn within them whil'st in their Hearts they did learn Righteousness which made many to confess to the Glory of God That thou wast sent of God to shew the way unto the Rest that God had prepared for the Vpright Hearted And truly such a Power went with thee that not I alone but many of the Land came to hear the joyful Sound and were turned to the true Light and the God of Heaven was with thee and a true Ambassadour of Christ Jesus wast thou beseeching Men to be reconciled unto the Lord assuring of us That God had sent his Son to Redeem our Souls by changing of our Natures and to bless us by turning every one of us from our Evil Doings And having a Convincing Ministry committed to thee of God thou became an Instrument in his hand to the opening of our Understandings and to the building us up in the Living Faith which made us bless the Lord for thy coming in his Name and for the Change that in due time was wrought in us and God gave us a Witness in our own Bosomes That thou wast an Apostle of the True and Heavenly Profession and that thou by the assistance of the Power of God accompanying thee directed our Feet into the Way of Peace For which my Soul Praise thou the Lord and all that is within me shall bless his Name with many more who can set to their Seals that thou wast an Instrument in the hand of God of their Conversion and a Man through whom the Way of Life was demonstrated amongst us and many became Witnesses That the Earth was rent asunder and the Stout-hearted bowed and the Strong did fall before thee Thou valluedst neither Riches nor Glory neither did any of those Things overtake thee but as an Armed Man and a Champion indeed thy Warefare was against Spiritual Wickedness and thy Travel was That the Ax of God might be laid to the Root of the Corrupt Three that no untimely Fruit might grow amongst us and thou sought not the Treasures of the Earth nor to be great amongst thy Brethren but to do the Will of thy Master was thy delight thou wast a true Traveller in thy Day and thy Journying was much on foot several years the Rain abstructed thee not in the Morning neither could the Scorching Sun at Noon-day hinder thy Progress for thy Feet were shod with the Preparation of the Gospel and a true Traveller wast thou in the Work of the Lord for thy Bow did abide in its full Strength and the Opposers were made to fall and the Wicked fled before thee thou didst not turn thy Back but often encounteredst Gainsayers on many Occasions and never wast worsted as ever I could hear in any of thy Assaults for thou was not only experienced in the Work thou undertook'st but very well read in that excellent Book the Holy Scriptures and an aptness was in thee to perceive the Weakness of thy Opposers and having gotten hold of thy Adversaries no Flattery could prevail nor Inchantment pervert thee until thou made him confess unto the Truth for the God of the whole Earth was with thee and the Slain of the Lord were many and such Divine Counsel did attend thy Habitation that no Profession was able in Truth to withstand thy Testimony and thou wast plentifully endued with the Spirit of the Lord whereby thou appearedst as his Battle Ax and the Stroak thereof made the Rocks give way and the Mountains cleft in funder insomuch as the Wisdom of the Wise-men failed them and the Counsel of the Prudent was not found amongst them for their Learning could not hide them nor the Logician's Subtilty could not preserve them but over all their Baits thou trampled'st and many times caught them in their own Snare and all this Conquest was not gotten by Outward Bow or Spear but by the Spirit of the Living God and to speak the truth of thee It was thy Meat and thy Drink to do the Will of thy Master thy Care was great in visiting the Mountains where many the Sheep of Gods Pasture were scattered and what wrestling with the Power of Darkness thou hadst to recover the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel the North can tell the deep Exercises of that Day and the continual Burthen that was then with thee to visit the Dark Corners that were full of Cruelty and what haste thou made then then to visit the Steeple-house forgetting thy ordinary Food until thy Master Christ Jesus his Work was accomplished But O the hardship that sometimes thou met with Were not the Cudgels sometimes laid on about thy Head by Ungodly Men And did not they in great fury dash thee in the face with their Clouted Shoes until the Blood hath gushed out of thy Mouth in a large measure Doubtless such like Treatment thou hast imbraced that the Oppressed might be recovered and the Prisoner brought out of the horrible Pit in which there was no Water and thy Legs did not fail thee in this Travel because the Lord was with thee neither did thy Strength depart from thee because the Bread from Heaven was thy Delight and often Honey out of the Rock did the Lord bestow on thee Springs can tell the Joy they often administred and the Comfort that they often bestowed on thee in that Day when the Bowels of the Earth feemed to be shut up and all other Outward Comforts departed from thee and this from one Week to another was thy Travel so that the North sounds out thy Praise and the West do tell of thee many in the South besides my self cannot but rejoyce in the Lord and be glad that God prepared
Man Nought but thy Lord give Satisfaction can Some things both Old and New they are but vain Truth ' gainst Tradition well thou didst maintain Of Innovation thou Prophetick saw Rules made by Men last turned into Law Yet Truth resist's hence Church Divisions grow Hence Persecutions flow Hence Gospel Teachings put a stop unto J. C. Charles Harris his Testimony AS for John Story he bore the Countenance of a Man of God and was a Preacher of Righteousness in his Day both in Doctrine and Conversation and as such was esteemed by thousands for many years yet he went not to his Grave under that Sentence Viz. Wo to you when all Men speak well of you For he met with such Exercise as Holy Paul did from some that could once have pull'd out their Eyes to Serve him afterwards became his Enemies saying his Speech was Centemptible seeking a Proof of Christ speaking in him and he had some share with that Beloved Disciple that saith in his Epistle to Gaius on this wise Viz. I wrote unto the Church but Diotrephes who loveth to have the Preheminence among them Receiveth us not prating against us with malitious Words and not content therewith neither doth he himself Receive the Brethren and forbiddeth them that would and casteth them out of the Church or declared out of Unity or thrust out of the Congregation I have known him for many years and never found but that he was a Man of Peace it hath been frequently reported he was a Tyth-Payer Let the Reader observe he never stood in such a Capacity all his Days never Keeping House or Occupying any Land being a Single Man and as to his Judgment concerning Tythes it may be seen in what follows under his own hand So whether it be better to Judge of a Man by his own Words and Deeds or by ones own Imaginations called Sense let the Charitable Reader Judge He has also been termed Of a Dividing Spirit Let his Epistle speak for himself some say his Ministry was dead which I say if they had lived in that time that the Disciple John was led to the Church and said not much more but Little Children love one another it may be they would have said he was Dead and Formal It is to be observed J. S. was much spent before his Departure having been a Preacher from his Youth so had not strength of Voice to utter himself as formerly but still what he said was of this tendency Viz. That if Friends did believe in and wait upon God in the Manifestation of our Lord Christ he would in due time answer all the Immortal Longings of their Souls and preserve them to his Glory and Kingdom And indeed to them that loved him he was in their Eye the same Man to his death that he had been all along still growing in the same Truth And as for the Divisions that sprang up both North and South it is well known that it was not he that caused them I well remember how it was Westward till some Persons went that way and stirred up the People into Parties one Day they will feel the Burthen of it In what follows there are two Queries proposed to Friends at Drawell with their Answers If all would but keep to it accordingly there would be no Strife and as for that way that is taken by some to defame every man by endeavouring to take away his Good Name both as a Man and Christian that is not Conformable to some new sort of Church-Government and Discipline so called Though for a time they may seem to Reign as Kings upon Earth they shall dye like Men and it shall be known in the end that the Peace of the Church and Love to Brethren is of more value than all Sounding Brass or Tincling Cymbals So blessed are all such true Preachers that look upwards for their Reward in that World that is to come Amen C. H. As to what follows if thou canst believe that Men mean as they speak Read on if not stay till thou hast Charity Two Questions proposed by J. W. and J. S. to Friends of the Meeting at Drawell and their Answers Viz. Question I. WHether or no we and all Gods People ought not to be left in all Matters of Faith and Discipline so far as Discipline may become Matter of Faith to the Manifestation of Gods Spirit and Truth in our own Hearts and to speak and act therein as we are thereby Instructed and Perswaded and not otherwise Question II. 2dly Since there are Diversities of Talents and Gifts given by the Spirit of God and received by Men Whether the Judgment of Truth it self given forth through a Part of the Members of Christ's Body can become a Bond upon any other Part of the said Body further than their Vnderstandings are illuminated thereby Answer To the first Question we say Yea and Nay to the second Question with that true and simple Sense that the Words import and Friends have been used to understand them but not to strengthen Prejudiced Spirits who have made that their Plea for their Separation and against Truths Authority in our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings nor yet to Justifie any that are Ignorant through their own Sloth and Unfaithfulness or to excuse them that would not be accounted Weak but Strong Wise and as Pillars The Judgment of J. W. and J. S. concerning the Five Heads on which the 44 Articles exhibited against them were grounded which was publickly read in the Meeting at Drawell as followeth ON the whole Matter in the Fear and Presence of the Almighty God we declare That we do approve of Monthly and Quarterly Meetings for the necessary Service of the Truth so we farther say that as those or any other Meetings of Friends in Truth shall be continued to answer those Services we believe that as it now is it also will become our Duty to be at Unity with our Brethren in the Services thereof and that though one of us Viz. J. W. did condescend to Subscribe to a Paper for the Erecting a Womans-Meeting in the Country to answer the ends the Paper proposed which he testifies he then did in singleness of Heart for Unity-Sake yet according to that inward sense we now have there appears to us no absolute necessity to continue Womens-Meetings in the Country distinct and separate from the Men and therefore do Conscientiously forbear to assent or Incourage any to lay the Intents of Marriages before them yet that Inward Sense and Heavenly Understanding we have received from God hath and yet doth confirm us in this Judgment that 't is not agreeable with the Line of Truth to oppose others in the Exercise and appointed Service of the said Meetings as heretofore and now are settled and agreed upon who being Conscientious therein are otherwise Minded than we are and if any of our Words or Actions have had any tendency to oppose c. which we are not Conscious of but if we were
would readily confess and we say the Truth in us would readily have condemned it even as it now doth and if it shall please the Lord to manifest unto us a Service in those Meetings in the Country as well as City the same Integrity towards God which hath dwelt in us these many years past we believe will become a Bond on us to joyn Hand and Heart with others our Brethren and Sisters therein but till then our desires are that this may not become an Occasion of straitness in Spirit each toward the other but that embracing the wholesome Counsel of the Apostle in another Case If in any thing ye are otherwise Minded wait till God reveal it we may walk together in that pure undefiled Love of our God which thinketh no Evil. 2dly That though many of our Brethren see a Service in Recording Condemnations and leaving them upon Record to Posterity yet from that inward Sence and Heavenly Understanding we have we see no necessity to leave them upon Record to Posterity or retain them when the Sin is blotted out and remitted by the Lord neither to be extended farther than the Offence is known nor yet to continue longer than the memory of the Offence abideth but if any see meet from an inward sense of the Truth in themselves to leave such a Testimony relating to themselves to Posterity we have therewith Unity That this our sense may be no occasion of straitness of Spirit each toward the other is the earnest desire of our Souls who desire the Prosperity of Truth and Peace amongst all the Churches of God 3dly As to Tythes we can in truth say 't was never so much as in our thoughts to speak any words whatsoever with the least intent to strengthen any in the Payment thereof nor yet to weaken the Faith of any having a testimony in our hearts that Tythes as at this Day paid are Antichristian 4thly That as Groanings Sighings Soundings and Singings may proceed from Deceitful Spirits so also we declare Groanings Sighings Soundings and Singing may be the Fruit of the Spirit of the Lord among Gods People and that as the first is discouraged the second ought to be incouraged and the earnest Desire of our soul is that as to these things nothing but the Spirit of Truth and Sound Judgment may appear either to reprove or Incourage and though we are accused as if we were Opposers of such Groanings c. which the Truth approved yet God is our Witness we know it not 5thly That though we have been represented as Persons incouraging Flying in time of Persecution We say we are not Conscious to our selves of so doing for we believe those who stand not to their Testimony but flyes therefrom in the Day of Persecution may truly be counted either weak in Faith or departed from the Faith And thus having given our Inward Sence according to the Uprightness and Integrity of our Hearts concerning these five General Heads from whence all the 44 Articles do arise We shall with this conclude That the God of Heaven is our Witness our Desires are to approve our selves Men of Peace in the Abhorrency of all Fleshly Liberty and Looseness to follow after Truth and Righteousness that the Reign of the Power of the Eternal God may be over all so will the Kingdoms of this World become the Kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ As to the two Questions answered by the Friends and Brethren met on this Occasion we in the Fear of the Lord say We in the proposing thereof had not the least thought to obtain your Yea and Nay with intent thereby to strengthen such who may be accounted our Party in any thing that is contrary to Truth nor to incourage Looseness or Bad Spirits but Conscientiously to remove the Scruples of some and further we say we are better satisfied with your Explication therein than with your bear Yea and Nay for we as well as you are sensible Apostates and Bad Spirits seekinga Fleshly Liberty have made use of Arguments deducible from such Principles of Truth to oppose the Power of God it self and the Practice af Gods People in the Power John Wilkinson John Story John Story 's Epistle to Friends in the North in which is signified his Desires for true Unity and Reconciliation Friends IN the Love of God and our Lord Jesus Christ which is Holy and Unchangeable for ever do I Salute you The Occasion of my Writing at this time is to let you know that my Soul hath been deeply exercised from day to day in the inward Considerations that have been with me for some time how the Holy Name of God is Blasphemed and the Profession of his Truth dishonoured among Unbelievers by the Reports that are spread abroad amongst them of the Divisions that are amongst us who have in scorn been called Quakers and also for the hurt and havock that I perceive is at this day made amongst the Heritage of God through this secret and subtil working of the Antient Enemy of Mankind who at this day as in days past hunts to and fro seeking whom he may destroy Now forasmuch as there hath been great Discourses amongst Friends touching a Separate Spirit and Meeting in the North meaning thereby a Spirit and Meeting that is Separate from the Truth and that I have been a strength to such a Spirit and Meeting I have this to say that the Searcher of all hearts knows I own no such Spirit or Meeting that is Separate from the Truth neither have I ever been a Setter up or Actor in any such Meeting for though I am accused that the Subscription of my Name to a Paper amongst others entitules me to be a Setter up of a Separate Meeting yet I am not in my Conscience convinced there is any one Word therein which justly entitles me to be a Setter up of the Meeting called a Separate Meeting For the Paper of Proposals I Signed was intended to Re-unite that Meeting and I am perswaded all Understanding Men that Signed did it for that End and if any thing therein had seemed to them too strait why did not they to whom it was sent desire a loving Discourse about it that they might have understood our meaning before they had either replyed or sent it abroad in which we should have been ready to have given our sence more fully which several have already done and though I have been by some abusively called a Captain the Lord is my Witness my desire neither hath been nor is to be a Captain over any to the Praise of the Lord I speak it I have learned the Truth of our Lord Jesus better than so for I know him that is the Captain of our Salvation ought to be the alone Leader of his People and the earnest breathing of my Soul is that as for many years past I have approved my self to the Friends of Truth the Lords Servant so I may to the end of my days and