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and firmly grasp. the shield of faith, they are quiet in the centre of storms, safe in the heart of danger, and victorious amidst a host of enemies.

Such, in a multitude of instances, has been the lot of Christian individuals, and such might also be the experience of Christian nations. When we consider the still degraded condition of mankind, we can hardly, at present, look forward to the trial of the experiment; but, was there a people who would renounce the dangerous guidance of worldly honour, and boldly conform their national conduct to the eternal rules of the law of Christ was there a people who would lay aside the weapons of a carnal warfare, and proclaim the principles of universal peace; suffer wrong with condescension; abstain from all retaliation; return good for evil, and diligently promote the welfare of all men -I am fully persuaded that such a people would not only dwell in absolute safety, but would be blessed with eminent prosperity, enriched with unrestricted commerce, loaded with reciprocal benefits, and endowed, for every good, and wise, and worthy, purpose, with irresistible influence over surrounding nations.

CHAPTER XII.

ON THE MORAL VIEWS OF FRIENDS, PLAINNESS OF SPEECH,
BEHAVIOUR, AND APPAREL.

FROM the statements contained in the two preceding chapters, it will have been observed, that, on two practical points of a very leading and important character, Friends have been led to adopt a higher and purer standard of action, and one which appears to be more exactly conformed to the requisitions of the divine law, than that which generally prevails among their fellowChristians.

In point of fact, the adoption of an exalted standard of action is the proper result of their main and fundamental principle, that, in matters of conduct, man is bound to follow the guidance of a perfectly wise and holy Monitor-even the Word of the most high God, revealed in the heart; a guide who will never fail to distinguish the good from the evil, the precious from the vile. According to the doctrine of the inspired author of the epistle to the Hebrews, this Word of God "is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Neither is there any creature", adds the apostle, "that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do;" Heb. iv, 12, 13.1

True Christians, of every name and nation, will ever be found producing the fruits of the Spirit: it is by those fruits alone that they are known and distinguished; nor can any one who does not bear them, however right his opinions, or orthodox his profession, justly claim a membership in the mystical body of Christ. Being thoroughly convinced of these truths, I am little disposed to forget either the virtues of those real Christians who do not coincide with us in our peculiar views, or the moral deficiencies and delinquencies which, when we forsake the Fountain of living waters, quickly make their appearance among ourselves. Nevertheless, the impartial observer will, probably, allow that the force and clearness with which Friends maintain that great principle of religion to which I have now adverted, is accompanied, in the serious part of the Society, with a corresponding completeness of view respecting good and evil. "Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, and calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of

1 It might, undoubtedly, be said of the word of God, as it is outwardly preached, (when applied by the Spirit of Truth,) that it is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. When, however, we view this passage as a whole, we can scarcely fail to perceive that the apostle is speaking of the essential word of God; that divine Person" with whom we have to do," and who, in the subsequent verse, is plainly described as "a great High Priest -Jesus the son of God"; see ver. 14. Such is the express judgment of a variety of able commentators; see Poli Synopsis. On the supposition that the passage describes the Son of God, it appears very plainly to relate to the secret operations of his Spirit in the hearts of men; comp. John i, 4. 9; II Cor. iii, 17.

rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and, what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Mic. vi, 6-8. As friends have been much impressed with the inefficacy of sacrificial rites and other formal ordinances, so have they been led to direct a very particular attention to the several branches of moral duty which are inculcated in this passage of Scripture, and which, under the Gospel dispensation, are unfolded and required in their true perfection. A few examples will elucidate and justify this assertion-it being always understood that my appeal is not to the practice of the unsound professor or mere formalist amongst us, but to the principles of the Society, as they are recognized and enforced in its publick acts, and as they are, in some small measure, I trust, manifested in the known conduct and deportment of its more consistent members.

2

With regard, then, in the first place, to the great Christian law of truth and integrity, the reader may already have remarked that the testimony of Friends, against the use of the oath in confirmation of the assertion, is founded on a just though exalted view of this law. A similar high standard, in reference to the same law, may be traced in the peculiar care exercised (by means of our meetings for discipline) throughout the Society in this realm, that the king

2 The laws by which the discipline of Friends is regulated, and the moral and religious principles by which the Society is distinguished, will be found recorded under various heads, (as many of my readers are probably well aware,) in an invaluable volume, entitled the "Book of Extracts"-a book consisting of selections, made by the authority of our yearly meeting, from the publick acts and advices of that body. To this book a very useful and interesting Appendix has lately been added.

may not be defrauded, by any of our members, of his customs, duties, or excise; and that there be no using of goods or dealing in them, if they be even suspected to be contraband. The views of Friends, with respect to the nice honesty which ought ever to be observed in trade, are also conspicuously strict. Thus, for example, it is a principle universally recognized amongst us, that, although a tradesman, who has entered into a composition with his creditors, or has been made a bankrupt, may have become legally clear of all pecuniary demands against him, he is, nevertheless, in honour bound, whenever the means are in his power, to carry on and complete the liquidation of his debts. The Quaker who, under the circumstances alluded to, omits the performance of such a duty, is considered by his brethren as a delinquent and a dishonest man :* nor is it customary with Friends, even for the support or education of their poor, to receive contributions from any persons who have failed in business, until such a liquidation has been effected.

With reference, secondly, to the Christian law of mercy, charity, and love, the same high standard will be found to prevail in the professed sentiments and, to

3 The following query is addressed to the preparative, monthly, and quarterly, meetings of Friends, throughout Great Britain and Ireland, and answered by them respectively to their superiour meetings, once every year. "Are Friends clear of defrauding the king of his customs, duties, and excise, and of using or dealing in goods suspected to be run ?”

4. And it is the sense and judgment of this meeting, if any fall short of paying their just debts, and a composition is made with their creditors to accept a part instead of the whole, that, notwithstanding the parties may look upon themselves legally discharged of any obligation to pay the remainder, yet the principle we profess enjoins full satisfaction to be made, if ever the debtors are of ability. And in order that such may the better retrieve their circumstances, we exhort them to submit to a manner of living in every respect the most conducive to this purpose. 1759. P.E. See Book of Extracts, 66 Trade," p. 196, § 5.

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