Chapter 1

On serving the Lord in our outward Employments

On serving the Lord in our daily work

Under the humbling Dispensations of the Father of Mercies, I have felt an inward Labour for the Good of my Fellow Creatures, and a Concern that the Holy Spirit, which alone can restore Mankind to a State of true Harmony, may with Singleness of Heart be waited for and followed.

Under the humbling guidance of the Father of Mercies, I have felt a deep concern for the good of my fellow creatures. I have also felt that we must wait for and follow the Holy Spirit with a single heart. Only the Holy Spirit can restore humanity to a state of true harmony.

I trust there are many under that Visitation, which if faithfully attended to, will make them quick of Understanding in the Fear of the Lord, and qualify with Firmness to be true Patterns of the Christian Life, who in Living and Walking may hold forth an Invitation to others, to come out of the Entanglements of the Spirit of this World.

I trust that many are experiencing this visitation. If they faithfully attend to it, it will give them quick understanding in the fear of the Lord. It will also enable them to be steadfast examples of the Christian life. By how they live and walk, they may invite others to escape the entanglements of the spirit of this world.

And that which I feel first to express is, a Care for those who are in Circumstances, which appear difficult, with respect to supporting their Families in a Way answerable to pure Wisdom, that they may not be discouraged, but remember that in humbly obeying the Leadings of Christ, he owneth us as his Friends, Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you; and to be a Friend to Christ, is to be united to him, who hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth; and though a Woman may forget her sucking Child, yet will he not forget his faithful Ones.

The first thing I feel moved to express is my concern for those struggling to support their families in a way that accords with pure wisdom. I hope they will not be discouraged. Let them remember that when we humbly obey Christ’s guidance, he recognizes us as his friends: You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. To be a friend of Christ is to be united with him who has all power in heaven and on earth. Though a woman may forget her nursing child, he will not forget his faithful ones.

The Condition of many who dwell in Cities hath often affected me with a Brotherly Sympathy, attended with a Desire that Resignation may be laboured for; and where the Holy Leader directeth to a Country Life, or some Change of Employ, he may be faithfully followed; for, under the refining Hand of the Lord, I have seen that the Inhabitants of some Cities are greatly increased through some Branches of Business which the Holy Spirit doth not lead into, and that being entangled in these Things, tends to bring a Cloud over the Minds of People convinced of the Leadings of this Holy Leader, and obstructs the coming of the Kingdom of Christ on Earth as it is in Heaven.

The condition of many city dwellers has often moved me to brotherly sympathy. I have also wished that they would strive to accept God’s will. When the Holy Leader directs them to live in the country or change their work, may they faithfully follow him. For under the Lord’s refining hand, I have seen that some cities have grown greatly through businesses the Holy Spirit does not lead people into. Becoming entangled in these businesses tends to cloud the minds of people who are convinced that the Holy Leader guides them. It also hinders the coming of Christ’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Now if we indulge a Desire to imitate our Neighbours in those Things which harmonise not with the true Christian Walking, these Entanglements may hold fast to us, and some, who in an awakening Time, feel tender Scruples, with respect to their Manner of Life, may look on the Example of others more noted in the Church, who yet may not be refined from every Degree of Dross; and by looking on these Examples, and desiring to support their Families in a Way pleasant to the natural Mind, there may be Danger of the Worldly Wisdom gaining Strength in them, and of their Departure from that pure Feeling of Truth, which if faithfully attended to, would teach Contentment in the Divine Will, even in a very low Estate.

Now, if we give in to a desire to imitate our neighbors in ways that do not accord with true Christian living, these entanglements may cling to us. Some may awaken to a tender concern about their way of life. They may look to the example of others who are more prominent in the Church, though those people may not yet be free of every trace of impurity. By looking to these examples and wanting to support their families in a way pleasing to their natural desires, they may be in danger. Worldly wisdom may grow stronger in them, and they may turn away from that pure feeling of truth. If they faithfully attended to it, that feeling would teach them to be content with the divine will, even in very humble circumstances.

One formerly speaking on the Profitableness of true Humility saith, "He that troubles not himself with anxious Thoughts for more than is necessary, lives little less than the Life of Angels, whilst by a Mind content with little, he imitates their want of nothing." Cave's Prim. Christi. Page 31.

Someone once wrote about the benefits of true humility: "A person who does not worry about having more than is necessary lives almost like the angels. By being content with little, he imitates the angels, who lack nothing." Cave's Prim. Christi. Page 31.

"It is not enough," says Tertullian, "that a Christian be chaste and modest, but he must appear to be so: A Virtue of which he should have so great a Store, that it should flow from his Mind upon his Habit, and break from the Retirements of his Conscience, into the Superficies of his Life." Same Book, Page 43.

"It is not enough," says Tertullian, "for a Christian to be chaste and modest. He must also appear so. He should have so much of this virtue that it flows from his mind into his dress. It should emerge from the privacy of his conscience and become visible in his life." Same Book, Page 43.

"The Garments we wear," says Clemens, "ought to be mean and frugal—that is true Simplicity of Habit, which takes away what is vain and superfluous, that the best and most solid Garment, which is the farthest from Curiosity." Page 49.

"The clothes we wear," says Clemens, "should be modest and economical. True simplicity in dress removes what is vain and unnecessary. The best and most durable garment is the least elaborate." Page 49.

Though the Change from Day to Night, is by a Motion so gradual as scarcely to be perceived, yet when Night is come we behold it very different from the Day; and thus as People become wise in their own Eyes, and prudent in their own Sight, Customs rise up from the Spirit of this World, and spread by little, and little, till a Departure from the Simplicity that there is in Christ becomes as distinguishable as Light from Darkness, to such who are crucified to the World.

The change from day to night is so gradual that we can hardly perceive it. Yet when night comes, we see how different it is from day. In the same way, as people become wise and prudent in their own eyes, customs arise from the spirit of this world. These customs spread little by little. Eventually, the departure from the simplicity found in Christ becomes as clear as light and darkness to those who are crucified to the world.

Our Holy Shepherd, to encourage his Flock in Firmness and Perseverance, reminds them of his Love for them; As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my Love. And in another Place graciously points out the Danger of departing therefrom, by going into unsuitable Employments; this he represents in the Similitude of Offence from that useful active Member, the Hand; and to fix the Instruction the deeper, names the right Hand; If thy right Hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee—If thou feelest Offence in thy Employment, humbly follow him who leads into all Truth, and is a strong and faithful Friend to those who are resigned to him.

Our holy shepherd encourages his flock to remain steadfast and persevere by reminding them of his love: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Continue in my love. Elsewhere, he graciously warns of the danger of leaving his love by taking up unsuitable work. He compares this danger to the offense caused by the hand, a useful and active part of the body. To impress the lesson more deeply, he names the right hand: If your right hand offends you, cut it off and cast it from you. If you feel offense in your work, humbly follow him who leads into all truth. He is a strong and faithful friend to those who surrender themselves to him.

Again, he points out those Things which appearing pleasant to the natural Mind, are not best for us, in the Similitude of Offence from the Eye; If thy right Eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. To pluck out the Eye, or cut off the Hand, is attended with sharp Pain; and how precious is the Instruction which our Redeemer thus opens to us, that we may not faint under the most painful Trial, but put our Trust in him, even in him who sent an Angel to feed Elijah in the Wilderness; who fed a Multitude with a few Barley Loaves, and is now as attentive to the Wants of his People as ever.

Again, he points out things that seem pleasant to our natural minds but are not best for us. He compares them to an eye that leads us astray: If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and cast it away. Plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand causes sharp pain. How precious is the instruction our Redeemer gives us through this comparison. It teaches us not to lose heart under the most painful trial, but to trust in him. He sent an angel to feed Elijah in the wilderness and fed a multitude with a few barley loaves. He is now as attentive to the needs of his people as ever.

The Prophet Isaiah represents the unrighteous Doings of the Israelites toward the Poor, as the Fruits of an effeminate Life; As for my People, Children are their Oppressors, and Women rule over them: What mean ye, that ye beat my People to pieces, and grind the Faces of the Poor? saith the Lord God. Then he mentions the Haughtiness of the Daughters of Sion, and enumerates many Ornaments, as Instances of their Vanity; to uphold which, the Poor were so hardly dealt with, that he sets forth their Poverty, their Leanness and Inability to help themselves, in the Similitude of a Man maimed by Violence, or beaten to pieces, and forced to endure the painful Operation of having his Face gradually worn away in the manner of grinding.

The prophet Isaiah portrays the Israelites’ unjust treatment of the poor as the fruit of an effeminate life: As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. What do you mean by beating my people to pieces and grinding the faces of the poor? says the Lord God. He then mentions the pride of the daughters of Sion and lists many ornaments as examples of their vanity. To support that vanity, the poor were treated so harshly that he describes their poverty, thinness, and inability to help themselves through a comparison. They are like a man maimed by violence or beaten to pieces, then forced to endure the pain of having his face gradually worn away, as if by grinding.

And I may here add, that at Times, when I have felt true Love open my Heart towards my Fellow Creatures, and being engaged in weighty Conversation in the Cause of Righteousness, the Instructions I have received under these Exercises, in Regard to the true Use of the outward Gifts of God, have made deep and lasting Impressions on my Mind.

I may add that at times, true love has opened my heart toward my fellow creatures. During those times, I have taken part in serious conversations for the cause of righteousness. The lessons I received through these experiences concerned the proper use of God’s material gifts. They have made deep and lasting impressions on my mind.

I have here beheld, how the Desire to provide Wealth, and to uphold a delicate Life, hath grievously entangled many, and been like Snares to their Offspring; and tho' some have been affected with a Sense of their Difficulties, and appeared desirous, at Times, to be helped out of them; yet for want of abiding under the humbling Power of Truth, they have continued in these Entanglements; for in remaining conformable to this World, and giving Way to a delicate Life, this expensive Way of living, in Parents, and in Children, hath called for a large Supply, and in answering this Call the Faces of the Poor have been ground away, and made thin through hard Dealing.

I have seen here how the desire to gain wealth and maintain a life of luxury has deeply entangled many people. It has also been like a trap for their children. Some have felt the weight of their difficulties and at times seemed eager to be freed from them. Yet they have remained entangled because they did not continue to submit to the humbling power of truth. They have continued to conform to the world and indulge in luxury. This expensive way of life, among parents and children alike, has required a large supply of wealth. And to meet this demand, the poor have been worn down and made thin by harsh treatment.

There is Balm, there is a Physician; and O what Longings do I feel! that we may embrace the Means appointed for our Healing, know that removed which now ministers Cause for the Cries of many People to ascend to Heaven against their Oppressors, and that we may see the true Harmony restored.

There is a balm, and there is a physician. Oh, how I long for us to embrace the means appointed for our healing! May we see removed what now causes so many people to cry out to heaven against their oppressors. And may we see true harmony restored.

Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for Brethren to dwell together in Unity. The Nature of this Unity is thus opened by the Apostle; If we walk in the Light, as Christ is in the Light, we shall have Fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Christ will cleanse us from all Sin.

How good and pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity. The Apostle explains the nature of this unity: If we walk in the light, as Christ is in the light, we will have fellowship with one another. And the blood of Christ will cleanse us from all sin.

The Land may be polluted with innocent Blood, which like the Blood of Abel may cry to the Almighty; but those who walk in the Light, as Christ is in the Light, they know the Lamb of God, who taketh away Sin.

The land may be polluted with innocent blood. Like the blood of Abel, it may cry out to the Almighty. But those who walk in the light, as Christ is in the light, know the Lamb of God, who takes away sin.

Walking is a Phrase frequently used in Scripture, to represent our Journey thro' Life, and appears to comprehend the various Affairs and Transactions properly relating to our being in this World.

Scripture often uses the word “walking” to represent our journey through life. It seems to include the various matters and activities that properly belong to our life in this world.

Christ being the Light, dwells always in the Light; and if our walking be thus, and in every Affair and Concern we faithfully follow this Divine Leader, he preserves from giving just Cause for any to quarrel with us: And where this Foundation is laid, and mutually kept to, by Families conversant with each other, the Way is open for these Comforts in Society, which our Heavenly Father intends as a Part of our Happiness in this World; and then we may experience the Goodness, and Pleasantness of dwelling together in Unity; but where Ways of Living take place, which tend to Oppression, and in the Pursuit of Wealth, People do that to others which they know would not be acceptable to themselves, either in exercising an absolute Power over them, or otherwise laying on them unequitable Burdens; here a Fear lest that Measure should be meted to them, which they have measured to others, incites a Care to support that by Craft and cunning Devices which stands not on the firm Foundation of Righteousness: Thus the Harmony of Society is broken, and from hence Commotions and Wars do frequently arise in the World.

Christ, being the Light, always dwells in the Light. If we walk in the Light and faithfully follow this divine leader in everything we do, he keeps us from giving anyone a just reason to quarrel with us. When families who associate with one another build on this foundation and remain faithful to it, they can enjoy the comforts of society. Our Heavenly Father intends these comforts to be part of our happiness in this world. Then we may experience the goodness and pleasure of living together in unity. But ways of living can lead to oppression. In the pursuit of wealth, people may do to others what they know they would not accept themselves. They may exercise absolute power over others or place unfair burdens on them in other ways. Then fear that others will treat them as they have treated others leads them to use craft and cunning devices to support what has no firm foundation in righteousness. Thus the harmony of society is broken, and turmoil and wars frequently arise in the world.

Come out of Babylon my People, that ye be not Partakers of her Sins, and that ye receive not of her Plagues. Rev. xv. 3, 4. This Babel, or Babylon, was built in the Spirit of Self-exaltation: Let us build us a City and a Tower, whose Top may reach to Heaven, and let us make us a Name. Gen. xi. 4. In departing from an humble Trust in God, and following a selfish Spirit, People have Intentions to get the upperhand of their Fellow Creatures, privately meditate on Means to obtain their Ends, have a Language in their Hearts which is hard to understand. In Babel the Language is confounded.

Come out of Babylon, my people, so that you do not share in her sins or suffer her plagues. Rev. xv. 3, 4. This Babel, or Babylon, was built in a spirit of self-exaltation: Let us build a city and a tower whose top reaches heaven, and make a name for ourselves. Gen. xi. 4. When people abandon humble trust in God and follow a selfish spirit, they intend to gain power over their fellow creatures. They privately consider ways to achieve their ends. They have a language in their hearts that is hard to understand. In Babel, language is confused.

This City is represented as a Place of Business, and those employed in it, as Merchants of the Earth: The Merchants of the Earth are waxed rich through the Abundance of her Delicacies. Rev. xviii. 3.

This city is described as a place of business. Those who work there are described as merchants of the earth: The merchants of the earth have grown rich from her abundant luxuries. Rev. 18:3.

And it is remarkable in this Call, that the Language from the Father of Mercies is, my People, Come out of Babylon my People. Thus his tender Mercies are toward us in an imperfect State; and as we faithfully attend to the Call, the Path of Righteousness is more and more opened; Cravings, which have not their Foundation in pure Wisdom, more and more cease; and in an inward Purity of Heart, we experience a Restoration of that which was lost at Babel, represented by the inspired Prophet in the returning of a pure Language. Zeph. iii. 9.

It is remarkable that the Father of Mercies calls us “my people”: Come out of Babylon, my people. His tender mercies reach us even in our imperfect state. As we faithfully heed his call, the path of righteousness opens more and more before us. Cravings that have no foundation in pure wisdom gradually cease. And as our hearts become inwardly pure, we experience the restoration of what was lost at Babel. The inspired prophet describes this as the return of a pure language. Zeph. iii. 9.

Happy for them who humbly attend to the Call, Come out of Babylon my People. For though in going forth we may meet with Trials, which for a Time may be painful, yet as we bow in true Humility, and continue in it, an Evidence is felt that God only is wise; and that in weaning us from all that is selfish he prepares the Way to a quiet Habitation, where all our Desires are bounded by his Wisdom. And an Exercise of Spirit attends me, that we who are convinced of the pure Leadings of Truth, may bow in the deepest Reverence, and so watchfully regard this Leader, that many who are grievously entangled in a Wilderness of vain Customs, may look upon us and be instructed. And O that such who have Plenty of this World's Goods, may be faithful in that with which they are entrusted! and Example others in the true Christian Walking.

Happy are those who humbly heed the call, Come out of Babylon my People. Though we may face trials as we leave, and they may be painful for a time, we must bow in true humility. If we continue in that humility, we come to feel that God alone is wise. By weaning us from all that is selfish, he prepares the way to a peaceful home. There, all our desires are kept within the bounds of his wisdom. I feel a spiritual concern for those of us who are convinced of the pure guidance of Truth. May we bow in the deepest reverence and follow this guide so carefully that others may learn from our example. May they learn, though they are painfully entangled in a wilderness of vain customs. And may those who have plenty of this world's goods be faithful with what has been entrusted to them! May they set an example for others by living a true Christian life.

Our blessed Saviour, speaking on Worldly Greatness, compares himself to one waiting and attending on a Company at Dinner; Whether is greater, he that sitteth at Meat or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at Meat? But I am amongst you as he that serveth. Luke xxii. 27.

Our blessed Saviour speaks about worldly greatness. He compares himself to someone serving a group at dinner: Who is greater, the one sitting at the table or the one serving? Isn't it the one sitting at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:27.

Thus in a World greatly disordered, where Men aspiring to outward Greatness were wont to oppress others to support their Designs, he who was of the highest Descent, being the Son of God, and greater than any amongst the greatest Families of Men, by his Example and Doctrines foreclosed his Followers from claiming any Shew of outward Greatness, from any supposed Superiority in themselves, or derived from their Ancestors.

The world was deeply troubled, and men seeking worldly greatness often oppressed others to achieve their aims. Yet the one of the highest birth was the Son of God, greater than anyone from the greatest human families. Through his example and teachings, he prevented his followers from claiming any appearance of worldly greatness based on supposed superiority, whether their own or inherited from their ancestors.

He who was greater than Earthly Princes, was not only meek and low of Heart, but his outward Appearance was plain and lowly, and free from every Stain of the Spirit of this World.

He who was greater than earthly princes was not only gentle and humble at heart. His appearance was also plain and humble, free from every trace of the spirit of this world.

Such was the Example of our blessed Redeemer, of whom the beloved Disciple said, He that saith he abideth in him, ought also to walk even as he walked.

This was the example set by our blessed Redeemer. The beloved disciple said of him, Anyone who says they live in him should live as he lived.

John Bradford, who suffered Martyrdom under Queen Mary, wrote a Letter to his Friends out of Prison, a short Time before he was burnt, in which are these Expressions; "Consider your Dignity as Children of God, and Temples of the Holy Ghost, and Members of Christ, be ashamed therefore to think, speak, or do any Thing unseemly, for God's Children, and the Members of Christ." Fox's Acts and Mon. Page 1177.

John Bradford was martyred under Queen Mary. Shortly before he was burned, he wrote a letter to his friends from prison. In it, he wrote: "Consider your dignity as children of God, temples of the Holy Ghost, and members of Christ. Therefore, be ashamed to think, say, or do anything unbecoming to God's children and the members of Christ." Fox's Acts and Mon. Page 1177.