NINTH MONTH, 1780. I. The parliament being dissolved, a general election is coming on; the devil cometh forth, and hell from beneath; the heart of man will be moved for him, to meet him at his coming. The present period is important and interesting beyond many others; but if it pleaseth infinite Wisdom to punish a people for their iniquities, it mattereth not whether it is done by one man or by many: but it becometh not the members of our society to meddle much in those matters, or to be active in political disquisitions. Our duty and felicity consists in peaceably acquiescing in the all-wise determinations of Him, who ruleth in the kingdoms of men. In respect to elections, we ought to go no farther than voting for the candidates we best approve, and declaring our preference of them, without endeavouring by any other means to influence others. "Israel is to dwell alone, and not to be mixed with the people." 6. An excellent letter dispersed, concerning the sin of perjury. 7. This day I voted for members to represent the borough of Hartford, in the ensuing Parliament. To the best of my knowledge, I maintained "a conscience void of offence," in the course of the contested election; only, by attending at the polling place the second day of the poll, for about two hours, contrary to the dictates of truth in my own mind, I became wounded: my religious exercise was obstructed, and death and darkness was the covering of my spirit for many days. Thus it pleaseth infinite Wisdom to visit for our unfaithfulness; sometimes even in, what may be esteemed by others, little things. 24. The forenoon meeting was large. This day sharp doctrine was delivered, and seemed in the general to be pretty well received; the compassions which are in Christ Jesus being measurably prevalent. 29. Recollection in weakness was this day experienced. 30. A member of our society having suffered his premises to be illuminated, I was induced to review the testimony of our ancient friends against illuminations,—a testimony I have ever approved and maintained with unremitting perseverance. At one season the fleshly part would have gladly joined in rejoicing after the flesh. From my being first convinced of sin, righteousness and judgment, I have been shy of receiving either doctrinal or practical truths upon trust, or only because others have received or believed them; my concern having rather been to try them by the law and the testimony-" the law of God after the inward man," and the precious testimonies of holy writ. If all who profess the truth as held forth by us who are called Quakers, were built upon the rock of divine and internal revelation; the rapid inroads of libertinism would be repelled, and deism extir pated. But the law written on the fleshly tables of the heart, the Scriptures of truth, and the advices of our brethren contained in their yearly meeting minutes would, as a threefold cord, unite, and not easily be broken. TENTH MONTH, 1780. 8. At the forenoon meeting, truth measurably prevailed in silence. I have often been fearful lest, in our society, human reason and the works of a mere moral and creaturely righteousness, should be substituted in the place of the law of faith and the new-creation work; for according to the testimony of our truly learned and deeply experienced friend, Isaac Penington, "God is all in redemption; God doth all, as fully therein as in creation; it is a new creation; yet the creature quickened and renewed, is in unity with him in its operations." Penington's Works, vol. i. p. 526. All boasting of supposed rectitude and self ability is excluded by the law of faith; if the most perfect compliance with its requisitions was attained, the reward would be not of debt, but of grace only; but every deviation from the line of duty merits death, and that condemnation which is most justly and rightfully the sinner's portion; as it is written, "The wages of sin is death." 16. As I walked in the fields, the following sentences concerning the incomprehensibility of the Supreme Being were suddenly impressed. "Touching the Almighty we cannot find him out." "He comprehends all things, but is comprehended by no man." "His ways are not as our ways, neither are his thoughts as our thoughts." "There is no searching of his understanding; he giveth power to the faint, and to them who have no might, he increaseth strength." What is to be feelingly and savingly known of him, is manifest in man, by the revelation of his Son Christ Jesus; as it is written, "He was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." And again, "For God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ; but we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 22. Standing up pretty early in a meeting, I was soon doubtful of the rightness of my concern; or, at least, I was apprehensive of having stood up too soon. 28. I was much solicited to engage in a conference, between two friends, respecting misconduct during the town election, but found no freedom to intermeddle with strife; my principal business at present being in the vineyard of my own heart. "My time is not yet come," said the Saviour to his immediate followers. The Lord's remark might not only relate to the matter then proposed, but might also be intended as a watch word to his followers, throughout all generations. Many of our society have suffered loss by hastily engaging in supposed services, both in the ministry and discipline, at the instigation of others, without duly waiting to feel their own way. 29. I went to the forenoon meeting at Hartford, in lowness of mind and pain of body; after some time of waiting, the nature of that charity, so emphatically described by the Apostle, 1 Cor. chap. 13. fell very unexpectedly on my mind, and a short testimony was delivered respecting it. S. R. and S. W. afterwards appeared in a line somewhat similar; it was measurably a favored season. ELEVENTH MONTH, 1780. I. A day of treading down in the valley of vision; "the heavens being as brass, and the earth as iron." 2 and 3. There is no journeying for Israel while the cloud remains upon the tabernacle; these have been days of clouds and thick dark ness. 4. This day I was favored with some glances towards that city, where neither sorrows exist, nor pains annoy. 9. I walked by the Grange to Shad Thames, with some desires after those comforts which are in love, and those consolations which are in Christ. May "the beloved of souls come into his garden, |