Chapter 3

On Merchandizing

On Trading

Where the Treasures of pure Love are opened, and we obediently follow him who is the Light of Life, the Mind becomes chaste; and a Care is felt, that the Unction from the Holy One may be our Leader in every Undertaking.

Where the treasures of pure love are opened, and we obediently follow him who is the Light of Life, the mind becomes pure. We feel a concern that the Holy One’s anointing may guide us in everything we undertake.

In being crucified to the World, broken off from that Friendship which is Enmity with God, and dead to the Customs and Fashions which have not their Foundation in the Truth; the Way is prepared to Lowliness in outward Living, and to a Disintanglement from those Snares which attends the Love of Money; and where the faithful Friends of Christ are so situated that Merchandize appears to be their Duty, they feel a Restraint from proceeding farther than he owns their Proceeding; being convinced that we are not our own, but are bought with a Price, that none of us may live to ourselves, but to him who died for us, 2 Cor. v. 15. Thus they are taught, not only to keep to a moderate Advance and Uprightness in their Dealings; but to consider the Tendency of their Proceeding; to do nothing which they know would operate against the Cause of universal Righteousness; and to keep continually in View the Spreading of the peaceable Kingdom of Christ amongst Mankind.

When we are crucified to the world, we break away from friendship with the world, which is hostility toward God. We also become dead to customs and fashions that are not grounded in truth. This prepares the way for a humble life and freedom from the snares that come with the love of money. Some faithful friends of Christ find themselves called to trade. They feel restrained from going further than he approves. They are convinced that we are not our own, but are bought with a price, so that none of us may live for ourselves, but for him who died for us, 2 Cor. v. 15. Thus they are taught to charge only a moderate profit and deal honestly. But they must also consider the effects of their business. They must do nothing they know would work against the cause of justice for all. They must always keep in view the spread of Christ’s peaceful kingdom among all people.

The Prophet Isaiah spake of the gathered Church, in the Similitude of a City, where many being employed were all preserved in Purity; They shall call them the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord, and thou shalt be called sought out, a City not forsaken, Isa. lxiii. 10. And the Apostle, after mentioning the Mystery of Christ's Sufferings, exhorts, Be ye Holy in all Manner of Conversation, 1 Pet. i. 15. There is a Conversation necessary in Trade; and there is a Conversation so foreign from the Nature of Christ's Kingdom, that it is represented in the Similitude of one Man pushing another with a warlike Weapon; There is that speaketh like the Piercings of a Sword, Prov. xii. 18. Now in all our Concerns it is necessary that the Leading of the Spirit of Christ be humbly waited for, and faithfully followed, as the only Means of being preserved chaste as an Holy People, who in all Things are circumspect, Exod. xxiii. 13, that nothing we do may carry the Appearance of Approbation of the Works of Wickedness, make the Unrighteous more at Ease in Unrighteousness, or occasion the Injuries committed against the Oppressed to be more lightly looked over.

The prophet Isaiah described the gathered Church as a city where many people were employed and all were kept pure. They shall call them the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord, and you shall be called sought out, a City not forsaken, Isa. lxiii. 10. After speaking of the mystery of Christ's sufferings, the apostle urges, Be holy in all your conduct, 1 Pet. i. 15. Some dealings with others are necessary in trade. But other dealings are so foreign to the nature of Christ's kingdom that they are compared to one person attacking another with a weapon: There is one who speaks like the piercing of a sword, Prov. xii. 18. In all our affairs, we must humbly wait for the guidance of the Spirit of Christ and faithfully follow it. This is the only way to remain pure as a Holy People who are careful in all things, Exod. xxiii. 13. Then nothing we do will appear to approve of wicked deeds, make the unrighteous more comfortable in their wrongdoing, or cause the wrongs done to the oppressed to be treated more lightly.

Where Morality is kept to, and supported by the Inhabitants of a Country, there is a certain Reproach attends those Individuals amongst them, who manifestly deviate therefrom. But where Iniquity is committed openly, and the Authors of it are not brought to Justice, nor put to Shame, their Hands grow strong. Thus the general Corruption of the Jews shortly before their State was broke up by the Chaldeans, is described by their Boldness in Impiety; for as their Leaders were connected together in Wickedness they strengthened one another, and grew confident; Were they ashamed when they had committed Abominations? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush, Jer. vi. 15, on which Account the Lord thus expostulates with them, What hath my Beloved to do in my House, seeing she hath wrought Lewdness with many, and the Holy Flesh is passed from thee; when thou doest Evil, then thou rejoicest, Jer. xi. 15.

Where the people of a country uphold morality, those who openly stray from it face a measure of shame. But where people openly commit wrongdoing without being brought to justice or put to shame, they grow stronger. The widespread corruption of the Jews shortly before their state was destroyed by the Chaldeans is described in terms of their boldness in impiety. Their leaders were joined together in wickedness, and they strengthened one another and grew confident. Were they ashamed when they committed abominations? No, they were not at all ashamed, nor could they blush, Jer. vi. 15. For this reason, the Lord challenges them: What is my beloved doing in my house, since she has committed lewd acts with many? The holy flesh has passed from you. When you do evil, you rejoice, Jer. xi. 15.

Now the faithful Friends of Christ, who hunger and thirst after Righteousness, and inwardly breathe that his Kingdom may come on Earth as it is in Heaven, he teacheth them to be quick of Understanding in his Fear, and to be very attentive to the Means he may appoint for promoting pure Righteousness in the Earth; and as Shame is due to those whose works manifestly operate against the gracious Design of his Sufferings for us, a Care lives on their Minds that no wrong Customs however supported may bias their Judgments, but that they may humbly abide under the Cross, and be preserved in a Conduct which may not contribute to strengthen the Hands of the Wicked in their Wickedness, or to remove Shame from those to whom it is justly due. The Coming of that Day is precious, in which we experience the Truth of this Expression, The Lord our Righteousness, Jer. xiii. 6, and feel him to be made unto us Wisdom and Sanctification.

Christ teaches his faithful Friends, who hunger and thirst for righteousness and pray inwardly for his kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. He teaches them to be quick to understand in the fear of God. He also teaches them to pay close attention to whatever means he may appoint to promote pure righteousness on earth. Those whose works clearly oppose the gracious purpose of his sufferings for us deserve shame. So his faithful Friends are careful not to let any wrong customs influence their judgments, however strongly those customs are supported. They seek to remain humbly under the cross and to be kept from conduct that might strengthen the hands of the wicked in their wickedness or remove shame from those who deserve it. The coming of the day is precious when we experience the truth of the expression, The Lord our Righteousness, Jer. xiii. 6, and feel him to be made unto us Wisdom and Sanctification.

The Example of a righteous Man is often looked at with Attention. Where righteous Men join in Business, their Company gives Encouragement to others; and as one Grain of Incense deliberately offered to the Prince of this World, renders an Offering to God in that State unacceptable; and from those esteemed Leaders of the People may be injurious to the Weak; it requires deep Humility of Heart, to follow him faithfully, who alone gives sound Wisdom, and the Spirit of true Discerning; and O how necessary it is, to consider the Weight of a Holy Profession!

People often pay close attention to the example of a righteous man. When righteous men join in business, their participation encourages others. Yet even one grain of incense deliberately offered to the Prince of this World makes an offering to God unacceptable. Such an offering by those regarded as leaders of the people may harm the weak. For these reasons, we need deep humility of heart to follow him faithfully. He alone gives sound wisdom and the spirit of true discernment. And oh, how necessary it is to consider the weight of professing a holy life!

The Conduct of some formerly gave Occasion of Complaint against them; Thou hast defiled thy Sanctuaries by the Multitude of thine Iniquities, by the Iniquity of thy Traffick, Ezek. xxviii. 18, and in several Places it is charged against Israel, that they had polluted the Holy Name.

The conduct of some people in the past gave cause for complaint against them: You have defiled your sanctuaries through your many sins, through the sin of your trade, Ezek. xxviii. 18. And in several places, Israel is accused of having polluted the Holy Name.

The Prophet Isaiah represents inward Sanctification in the Similitude of being purged from that which is Fuel for Fire; and particularly describes the outward Fruits, brought forth by those who dwell in this inward Holiness; They walk righteously, and speak uprightly. By walking he represents the Journey through Life, as a righteous Journey; and by speaking uprightly, seems to point at that which Moses appears to have had in View, when he thus express'd himself; Thou shall not follow a Multitude to do Evil, nor speak in a Cause to decline after many to wrest Judgment, Exod. xxiii. 2.

The prophet Isaiah compares inward sanctification to being cleansed of what would fuel a fire. He also describes the outward fruits of those who live in this inward holiness: They walk righteously and speak uprightly. By walking, he describes the journey through life as a righteous journey. And by speaking uprightly, he seems to point to what Moses had in mind when he said: You shall not follow a crowd in doing evil, or take its side in a dispute to distort justice, Exod. xxiii. 2.

He goes on to shew their Firmness in Equity; representing them as Persons superior to all the Arts of getting Money, which have not Righteousness for their Foundation; They despise the Gain of Oppressions: And further shews how careful they are that no Prospects of Gain may induce them to become partial in Judgment respecting an Injury; They shake their Hands from holding Bribes.

He goes on to show their commitment to fairness. He describes them as people who rise above all ways of making money that are not founded on righteousness: They despise the profits of oppression. He also shows how careful they are not to let the prospect of gain lead them to judge an injury unfairly: They shake their hands free of bribes.

Again, where any Interest is so connected with shedding Blood, that the Cry of innocent Blood goes also with it; he points out their Care to keep innocent Blood from crying against them, in the Similitude of a Man's stopping his Ears to prevent a Sound from entering his Head; They stop their Ears from hearing Blood: And where they know that Wickedness is committed, he points out with Care, that they do not by an unguarded Friendship with the Authors of it, appear like unconcerned Lookers on, but as People so deeply affected with Sorrow, that they cannot endure to stand by and behold it; this he represents in the Similitude of a Man shutting his Eyes from seeing Evil.

Again, some interests are so tied to bloodshed that the cry of innocent blood goes with them. He describes how carefully people avoid letting innocent blood cry out against them. He compares them to a man covering his ears to keep out a sound: They stop their ears from hearing blood. Where they know that evil is being done, he also describes their care not to seem like unconcerned bystanders through careless friendship with those who commit it. Instead, they are so deeply grieved that they cannot bear to stand by and watch. He compares them to a man shutting his eyes from seeing evil.

Who amongst us shall dwell with devouring Fire? Who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting Burnings? He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly. He that despiseth the Gain of Oppressions, that shaketh his Hands from holding of Bribes, that stoppeth his Ears from hearing of Blood, and shutteth his Eyes from seeing Evil, Isa. xxxiii. 15.

Who among us can live with devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting flames? The person who lives righteously and speaks honestly. The person who rejects gains from oppression and refuses to accept bribes. The person who closes their ears to talk of bloodshed and their eyes to the sight of evil, Isa. 33:15.

He proceeds in the Spirit of Prophecy to shew how the Faithful, being supported under Temptations, would be preserved from that Defilement that there is in the Love of Money; that as they who in a reverent Waiting on God, feel their Strength renewed, are said to mount upward; so here their Preservation from the Snare of unrighteous Gain, is represented in the Likeness of a Man, borne up above all crafty, artful Means of getting the Advantage of another; They shall dwell on high; and points out the Stability and Firmness of their Condition; His Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks; and that under all the outward Appearances of Loss, in denying himself of gainful Profits for Righteousness Sake, yet through the Care of him who provides for the Sparrows, he should have a Supply answerable to his infinite Wisdom; Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure. And as our Saviour mentions the Sight of God to be attainable by the Pure in Heart, so here the Prophet pointed out, how in true Sanctification the Understanding is opened, to behold the peaceable harmonious Nature of his Kingdom; thine Eyes shall see the King in his Beauty: And that looking beyond all the Afflictions which attend the Righteous, to a Habitation eternal in the Heavens, they with an eye divinely open shall behold the Land that is very far off.

He continues in the Spirit of Prophecy, showing how the faithful would be supported through temptation. They would be kept from the defilement that comes from loving money. Those who reverently wait on God and feel their strength renewed are said to mount upward. In the same way, the faithful are pictured as being lifted above the snare of dishonest gain. They rise above every crafty scheme to take advantage of another: They shall dwell on high. The prophet also shows how stable and secure their condition is: His Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks. They may appear to suffer loss when they give up profitable gain for the sake of righteousness. Yet he who provides for the sparrows will care for them. He will supply their needs in accordance with his infinite wisdom: Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure. Our Saviour says that the Pure in Heart can see God. Likewise, the prophet shows how true sanctification opens the understanding to see the peaceful, harmonious nature of his kingdom: thine Eyes shall see the King in his Beauty. The righteous look beyond all the afflictions they face, toward a Habitation eternal in the Heavens. With eyes opened by God, they shall behold the Land that is very far off.

He shall dwell on high, his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks, Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure. Thine Eyes shall see the King in his Beauty; they shall behold the Land that is very far off, Isa. xxxiii. 16.

He will live on high. The rocky cliffs will be his fortress. Bread will be given to him, and his water will be sure. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. They will see the land that is very far away, Isa. 33:16.

I often remember, and to me the Subject is awful, that the great Judge of all the Earth doeth that which is right, and that he, before whom the Nations are as the Drop of a Bucket, is no Respecter of Persons. Happy for them, who like the inspired Prophet, in the Way of his Judgments wait for him, Isa. xxvi. 8.

I often remember that the great Judge of all the Earth does what is right. This thought fills me with awe. He, before whom the nations are like a drop in a bucket, shows no favoritism. Happy are those who, like the inspired Prophet, wait for him in the way of his judgments, Isa. xxvi. 8.

When we feel him to sit as a Refiner with Fire, and know a Resignedness wrought in us, to that which he appoints for us, his Blessing in a very low Estate, is found to be more precious than much outward Treasure in those Ways of Life, where the Leadings of his Spirit are not followed.

When we feel him sitting as a refiner with fire, we come to accept what he appoints for us. Then we find his blessing in a very humble condition more precious than great wealth gained by living without following his Spirit’s guidance.

The Prophet in a Sight of a divine Work amongst many People, declared in the Name of the Lord, I will gather all Nations and Tongues, and they shall come and see my Glory, Isa. lxvi. 18. And again, from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great amongst the Gentiles, and in every Place Incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure Offering, Malachi i. 11.

The Prophet saw a vision of a divine work among many people. He declared in the name of the Lord, I will gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see my glory, Isaiah 66:18. And again, from the rising of the sun to its setting, my name will be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense and a pure offering will be offered to my name, Malachi 1:11.

Behold here how the Prophets had an inward Sense of the Spreading of the Kingdom of Christ; and how he was spoken of as one who should take the Heathen for his Inheritance, and the utmost Parts of the Earth for his Possession, Psal. ii. 8. That he was given for a Light to the Gentiles; and for Salvation to the Ends of the Earth, Isa. xlix. 6.

See how the prophets had an inward sense that the kingdom of Christ would spread. Christ was spoken of as one who would take the Heathen as his inheritance, and the farthest parts of the earth as his possession, Psal. ii. 8. He was also given as a light to the Gentiles, and for salvation to the ends of the earth, Isa. xlix. 6.

When we meditate on this divine Work, as a Work of Ages; a Work that the Prophets felt long before Christ appeared visibly on Earth, and remember the bitter Agonies he endured when he poured out his Soul unto Death, that the Heathen Nations, as well as others, might come to the Knowledge of the Truth and be saved.

When we reflect on this divine work, we see it as a work of ages. The Prophets felt it long before Christ appeared on Earth. We also remember the bitter agony he endured when he poured out his soul unto death, so that the Heathen Nations, as well as others, might come to know the truth and be saved.

When we contemplate on this marvellous Work, as that which the Angels desire to look into, 1 Pet. i. 12. And behold People amongst whom this Light hath eminently broken forth, and who have received many Favours from the bountiful Hand of our Heavenly Father; not only indifferent with respect to publishing the glad Tidings amongst the Gentiles, as yet sitting in Darkness and entangled with many Superstitions; but aspiring after Wealth and worldly Honours, take hold of Means to obtain their Ends, tending to stir up Wrath and Indignation, and to beget an Abhorrence in them to the Name of Christianity. When these Things are weightily attended to, how mournful is the Subject?

When we consider this marvelous work, which the Angels desire to look into (1 Pet. 1:12), we see people among whom this light has shone brightly. They have received many favors from the generous hand of our Heavenly Father. Yet they are indifferent to sharing the good news among the Gentiles, who still sit in darkness and are entangled in many superstitions. Worse still, in their pursuit of wealth and worldly honors, they use means that stir up wrath and indignation and turn the Gentiles against the name of Christianity. When we give these things serious thought, how mournful the subject is!

It is worthy of Remembrance, that People in different Ages, deeply baptized into the Nature of that Work for which Christ suffered, have joyfully offered up their Liberty and Lives for the promoting of it in the Earth.

It is worth remembering that, throughout the ages, people have been deeply immersed in the work for which Christ suffered. They have joyfully given up their freedom and their lives to advance that work on earth.

Policarp, who was reputed a Disciple of the Apostle John, having attained to great Age, was at length sentenced to die for his Religion; and being brought to the Fire, prayed nearly as follows, "Thou God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom I have received the Knowledge of thee! O God of the Angels and Powers, and of every living Creature, and of all Sorts of just Men which live in thy Presence. I thank thee, that thou hast graciously vouchsafed this Day and this Hour to allot me a Portion among the Number of Martyrs, among the People of Christ, unto the Resurrection of everlasting Life; among whom I shall be received in thy Sight, this Day, as a fruitful and acceptable Sacrifice; wherefore for all this, I praise thee, I bless thee, I glorify thee through the everlasting High Priest, Jesus Christ, thy well-beloved Son; to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all Glory, World without End. Amen."

Policarp was said to have been a disciple of the Apostle John. He lived to a great age and was finally sentenced to die for his religion. When he was brought to the fire, he prayed roughly as follows: "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom I have come to know you! O God of the angels and powers, of every living creature, and of all kinds of just people who live in your presence. I thank you for graciously granting me a place among the martyrs at this day and hour. You have granted me a place among the people of Christ, to rise again to everlasting life. Among them I shall be received in your sight today as a fruitful and acceptable sacrifice. For all this, I praise you, I bless you, and I glorify you through the everlasting High Priest, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son. To him, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all glory, forever. Amen."

Bishop Latimer, when Sentence of Death by Fire was pronounced against him, on Account of his Firmness in the Cause of Religion, he said, "I thank God most heartily, that he hath prolonged my Life to this End; that I may in this Case glorify him by this Kind of Death." Fox's Acts and Mon. 936.

Bishop Latimer was sentenced to death by fire because he stood firm in the cause of religion. He said, "I thank God most heartily that he has prolonged my life to this end, so that I may glorify him by this kind of death." Fox's Acts and Mon. 936.

William Dewsbury, who had suffered much for his Religion, in his last Sickness, encouraging his Friends to Faithfulness, made mention, like good old Jacob, of the Loving kindness of God to him in the Course of his Life, and that through the Power of Divine Love, he, for Christ's Sake, had joyfully entered Prisons. See Introduction to his Works.

William Dewsbury had suffered much for his religion. During his final illness, he encouraged his Friends to remain faithful. Like good old Jacob, he spoke of God’s loving kindness to him throughout his life. He also said that, through the power of divine love, he had joyfully entered prisons for Christ’s sake. See the introduction to his works.

I mention these as a few Examples, out of many of the powerful Operations of the Spirit of Christ, where People are fully devoted to it, and of the ardent Longings in their Minds for the Spreading of his Kingdom amongst Mankind. Now to those, in the present Age, who truly know Christ, and feel the Nature of his peaceable Government opened in their Understandings, how loud is that Call wherewith we are called to Faithfulness; that in following this pure Light of Life, we, as Workers together with him, may labour in that great Work for which he was offered as a Sacrifice on the Cross; and that his peaceable Doctrines may shine through us in their real Harmony, at a Time when the Name of Christianity is become hateful to many of the Heathen.

I mention these as a few examples among many of the powerful work of the Spirit of Christ in people fully devoted to it. They also show the people's deep longing for his kingdom to spread among humankind. Today, some truly know Christ and understand the nature of his peaceful rule. How strongly we are called to be faithful! By following this pure light of life, we, as workers together with him, may labor in the great work for which he was offered as a sacrifice on the cross. And his peaceful teachings may shine through us in their true harmony. This is especially important at a time when the name of Christianity has become hateful to many of the Heathen.

When Gehazi had obtained Treasures which the Prophet under divine Direction had refused, and was returned from the Business; the Prophet troubled at his Conduct, queried if it was a Time thus to prepare for a specious Living.

Gehazi obtained treasures that the prophet had refused under divine direction. When Gehazi returned, the prophet was troubled by his conduct. He asked whether it was a time to prepare for a life of outward splendor.

Is it a Time to receive Money and Garments, Men Servants and Maid Servants? The Leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave to thee, and to thy Seed for ever, 2 Kings v. 26. And O that we may lay to Heart the Condition of the present Time, and humbly follow his Counsel, who alone is able to prepare the Way for a true harmonious Walking amongst Mankind.

Is this a time to receive money, clothes, male servants, and female servants? Therefore, Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and your descendants forever, 2 Kings v. 26. Oh, may we take to heart the condition of the present time. May we humbly follow the counsel of the one who alone can prepare the way for people to live together in true harmony.