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II.

BOUT the year 1668, being then in the twenty-fourth year of his age, William Penn, having passed through many deep exercises and probations, both inwardly and outwardly; having parted with all that the world holds dear for Christ's sake, and been made a partaker of the powers of the world to come, a gift in the ministry of the gospel of life and salvation was dispensed to him by the head of the Church. Animated with an ardent concern for the everlasting welfare of his fellow-creatures, his heart warmed with divine love, and reaching forth in good will towards all without distinction of name or party, he became a zealous, indefatigable, and effectual laborer in the vineyard of his divine Master.

The following letter, written about this time to a young person of his acquaintance, will serve to show his solicitude for others, and his Christian plainness :

"NAVY OFFICE, 10th of the Fifth month, 1668. "FRIEND:—It was a true word spoken by Jesus Christ to undeceive the careless, wanton Jews, among whom He manifested his glorious Truth, through that body prepared of God for that very end, that the way which leads to everlasting life and rest is straight and narrow. My friend, how much it concerns the welfare of thy immortal soul to reflect upon the course of life and way thou now

art walking in, before an evident stroke from heaven call thee hence, and send thy so much indulged flesh and blood into the grave.

"Well, my friend, this know, and by these shalt thou be judged, and in it I am clear, that as without holiness none can see God, so without subjection to that Spirit, Light, or Grace in the heart, which God in love hath made to appear to all, that teacheth to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; I say, without subjection hereunto, there is no attaining to that holiness which will give thee an entrance into his presence, in which is joy and pleasure forever. Examine thyself, how remote thou art from the guidings and instructions of this Spirit of grace, who canst countenance this age in frequenting their wicked and vain sports, plays, and entertainments, conforming thyself to ridiculous customs, and making one at idle talking, and vain jesting, wheresoever thou comest, not considering thou shalt account to God for every idle word. And let all thy frolicking associates know the day is hastening in which they shall not abide the presence of Him that sits upon the throne. It shall be a time of horror, amazement, and distress. Then shall they know there is a righteous, holy Judge of all.

"Retire from the noise and clatter of tempting visibles, to the beholding Him who is invisible, that He may reign in thy soul, God over all, exalted and blessed forever. Farewell. I am thy well-wishing, real friend,

WILLIAM PENN."

Almost as soon as he had identified himself with the

Society of Friends, he felt himself called to be a defender of their religious belief against public attacks. In this year Jonathan Clapham published a work called "A Guide to True Religion," in which he set forth certain articles as the true Christian creed, declaring all who did not assent to them incapable of salvation, and inveighing with severity against the doctrines of the Friends. William Penn in reply wrote "The Guide Mistaken," from which a few passages are taken.

"Thou must not, reader, from my querying thus, conclude we do deny (as he hath falsely charged us) those glorious three which bear record in heaven, the Father, Word, and Spirit, neither the Infinity, Eternity, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, for we know that He is the mighty God; nor what the Father sent his Son to do on the behalf of lost man; declaring to the whole world, we know no other name, by which atonement, salvation, and plenteous redemption comes; but by his name are, according to our measures, made sensible of its mighty power.

"His next accusation is, That they extol the light in all men, as the only sufficient rule to walk by, to the apparent slighting of Scriptures and preaching.

"Reader, if yet thou art a stranger to this Light, let me beseech thee once to observe it in thyself, and tell me then if it has not that divine quality to discern between the precious and the vile, and manifest every thought, word, and act; whether it is well-pleasing, or the contrary, to the great God? If it be criminal to own those Scriptures he falsely says we slight, the case is changed, otherwise, we all confess that God is light, and that He hath enlightened every man; by heeding and obeying the

dictates of which we may be preserved in that capacity, as the same Scripture says, which shall bring us into the pure fellowship, and that the blood of Jesus shall cleanse us from all sin. Nor do they own a principle in the clouds, but above all people, have demonstrated the power and authority of their principle by that redemption it has wrought for them, and the alteration it has made from that condition which nakedly exposed their immortal souls to the snares and entanglements of this world's perishing glories, to experience the blood which cleanseth from all iniquity, the unspeakable peace of perfect reconciliation with God.

"And for his confident affirming we slight both Scriptures and preaching, I have this to say, That as there is not any who discover more respect for them, by a conformity of life to what they require, so do they both read, and as often quote them in preaching or declaration as any who profess them for their rule.

"His fifth reflection is, Our openly denying the doctrine of the Trinity. But methinks it would become him who is reproving others for not paying that respect they ought unto the Scriptures, to be a little more exemplary in using their unquestionable phrase and sound expression, for I am altogether ignorant of any Scripture that mentions that word Trinity; yet if by Trinity he understands those three witnesses in heaven, Father, Word, and Spirit, he should have better acquainted himself with what we dis own, than thus ignorantly to blaze abroad our open denial of what we most absolutely credit and believe.

"His next slander runs thus: The person of Jesus Christ, as to his human nature, with all his offices assigned

to Him by his Father, they utterly reject, though this is an arcanum that is kept hid from their novices.

"Fain would he here insinuate hard thoughts concerning an inoffensive people; whilst in reality they own no other name by which salvation is obtainable than the Christ of God; and all the offices that ever were assigned Him by his Father are by them acknowledged; and so remote are they from hiding their sentiments, that whosoever will but give himself the time of frequenting their meetings, or perusing their books, will soon perceive how very far this character is wide of truth.

"His next report is, we call not upon God in the name and mediation of Jesus Christ. But, reader, assure thyself, the Quakers never knew any other name than that of Jesus Christ, through which to find acceptance with the Lord; nor is it by any other than Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, by whom they expect redemption, and may receive the promise of an eternal inheritance.

"He further says: They trust not in his death for pardon and salvation, but in a pretended sinless perfection. "They are so far from disowning the death and sufferings of Christ that there is not a people on the earth that so assuredly witness and demonstrate a fellowship therewith, confessing before men and angels that Christ died for the sins of the world, and gave his life a ransom. Perfection from sin they hold attainable, because he that is born of God sins not, and that nothing which is unclean can enter the kingdom of God; no crown without victory; the little leaven leavens the whole lump; the strong man must be cast out. Paul prays they might be sanctified wholly; be ye perfect as God is perfect; be perfect, be of good com

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