XXIII.

ABOUT fifteen years had now passed away since Wil

liam Penn left his province in America.

In the year

to which we have arrived, he found his way open to return. On his former visit, we may remember, he left his family behind; but he now resolved upon taking his wife and children with him; expecting in all probability to spend the remainder of his days in Pennsylvania.

In the course of this year, (1699,) and probably while he was preparing for his American voyage, he wrote a valuable compendium of Christian morality, in the form of "ADVICE TO HIS CHILDREN," relating to their civil and religious conduct, from which the following characteristic passages are taken.

"I will begin with that which is the beginning of all true wisdom and happiness, the holy fear of God.

"Children, fear God; that is to say, have an holy awe upon your minds to avoid that which is evil and a strict care to embrace and do that which is good. The measure and standard of which knowledge and duty is the light of Christ in your consciences, by which, as in John iii. 20, 21, you may clearly see if your deeds, aye, and your words and thoughts, too, are wrought in God or not; for thoughts are the deeds of the mind for which you must be judged. And as you come to obey this blessed light in its holy con

victions, it will lead you out of the world's dark and degenerate ways and works, and bring you unto Christ's way and life, and to be of the number of his true, selfdenying followers, to take up your cross for his sake, who bore his for yours.

"Christ is called light because He gives man a sight of his sin. And He is also called the quickening Spirit. It is the great end, and benefit, and blessing of the coming of Christ, viz., the shining forth of this light and pouring forth of this Spirit. God sent his Son to bless us in turning us from the evil of our ways; therefore have a care of evil, for that turns you away from God; and wherein you have done evil, do so no more; but be ye turned, my dear children, from evil in thought, as well as in word and deed, or that will turn you from God your Creator, and Christ, whom He has given you for your Redeemer, who redeems and saves his people from their sins, not in their sins. This holy, divine principle is called grace, too. And why grace? Because it is God's love and not our desert, his good-will, his kindness. He so loved the world that He gave his only-begotten Son into the world, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life;' and this holy Son is declared in John i. 14, 16 to be full of grace and truth, and that of his grace we receive grace for grace, that is, we receive of Him the fulness, what measure of grace we need.

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"This is that which is come by Christ, and a measure of this light, spirit, grace, and truth is given to every man and woman to see their way to go by.

"Oh, my dear children, this is the pearl of price; part with all for it, but never part with it for all the world.

Yea, this is the divine and incorruptible seed of the kingdom, of which all truly regenerate men and women, Christians of Christ's making, are born. Receive it into your hearts, give it room there, let it take deep root in you, and you will be fruitful unto God in every good word and work. As you take heed to it and the holy enlightenings and motions of it, you will have a perfect discerning of the spirit of this world, in all its appearances in yourselves and others. And you will also see that the testimony unto which the eternal God hath brought our poor Friends, as to religion, worship, truth-speaking, ministry, plainness, simplicity, and moderation in apparel, furniture, food, salutation, as you may read in their writings, from the very beginning, is a true and heavenly testimony of his mind, will, work, and dispensation in this last age of the world to mankind, being the revival of true primitive Christianity; where your most tender father prays that you may be kept, and charges you to watch that you may be preserved in the faith and practice of that blessed testimony; and count it no small mercy from God and honor to you that you come of parents who counted nothing too dear or near to part with, nor too great to do or suffer, that they might approve themselves to God, and testify their love to his most precious Truth in the inward parts. in their generation.

"Having thus expressed myself to you, my dear children, as to the things of God, his Truth and kingdom, I refer you to his light, grace, Spirit, and Truth within you, and to the Holy Scriptures of Truth without you, which from my youth I loved to read, and were ever blessed to me, and which I charge you to read daily; the Old Testa

ment for history chiefly, the Psalms for meditation and devotion, the prophets for comfort and hope, but especially the New Testament for doctrine, faith, and worship: for they were given forth by holy men of God in divers ages, as they were moved of the Holy Spirit; and they are the declared and revealed mind and will of the holy God to mankind, under divers dispensations, and they are certainly able to make the man of God perfect, through faith unto salvation, being a true and clear testimony to the salvation that is of God, through Christ the second Adam, the light of the world, the quickening Spirit, who is full of grace and truth. I say, having thus expressed myself in general, I shall now descend to particulars, that you may more directly apply what I have said.

"I will begin here, also, with the beginning of time, the morning. So soon as you wake, retire your minds into a pure silence from all thoughts and ideas of worldly things, and in that frame wait upon God, to feel his good presence, to lift up your hearts to Him, and commit your whole self into his blessed care and protection. Then rise, if well, immediately; being dressed, read a chapter or more in the Scriptures, and afterwards dispose yourselves for the business of the day, ever remembering that God is present, the overseer of all your thoughts, words, and actions. As you have intervals from your lawful occasions, delight to step home, within yourselves, I mean, and commune with your own hearts and be still. This will bear you up against all temptations, and carry you sweetly and evenly through your day's business, supporting you under disappointments, and moderating your satisfaction in success and prosperity. The evening being

come, read again the holy Scripture, and have your times. of retirement before you close your eyes, as in the morning, that so the Lord may be the Alpha and Omega of every day of your lives. And if God bless you with families, remember good Joshua's resolution, 'But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.'

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'In conversation, mark well what others say or do, and hide your own mind, at least till last. A just observance and reflection upon men and things give wisdom; these are the great books of learning seldom read. Interrupt none, anticipate none: 'Be quick to hear, slow to speak.' Affect not words, but matter, and chiefly to be pertinent and plain. Truest eloquence is plainest, and brief speaking is the best. Return no answer to anger, unless with much meekness, which often turns it away, but rarely make replies, less rejoinders, for these add fuel to the fire. It is a wrong time to vindicate yourselves, the true ear being then never open to hear it.

"Have but few books, but let them be well chosen and well read, whether of religious or civil subjects. Shun fantastic opinions; measure both religion and learning by practice. Reading yourselves and nature, in the dealings and conduct of men, is the truest human wisdom. The spirit of a man knows the things of man, and more true knowledge comes by meditation and just reflection than by reading.

"Keep close to the meetings of God's people; and wait diligently at them, to feel the heavenly life in your hearts, Look for that more than words in ministry, and you will profit most. Above all, look to the Lord, but despise not