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often reduced, I have no words to convey a full idea of; but have known more of perfect submission in such seasons, than ever before. My life, and my all, are much of the time, freely given up; even at times when I can scarce forbear groaning out aloud-times when I feel as if I could not live much longer, without relief. But as I bow to it, and say, "Lord, thy will be done: I will, through thy holy help, endeavour to bear, as well as I can, whatever thou seest best to lay on me, or require of me," he is graciously pleased, from time to time, to appear, dispel the clouds, scatter my enemies, and beyond all expectation, to arm me with the whole armour of God; making way to the hearts of the people of all ranks and denominations; tendering their very hearts in a manner truly marvellous, and to my great confirmation, that I came into this land in the right time.

Dear James Ladd is yet with me. We have had many meetings among Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, some Dunkers, Mennonists, Nicholites, and Church people; and the Lord seems to be shaking their sandy foundations. The openness is such, that I find it specially needful to guard carefully against being led out to appoint meetings, without real necessity; especially as Friends are forward in proposing; and I have declined many places, where we might have been received with open arms and hearts. And yet in some few meetings, I as clearly feel, they prepare war against us, by inwardly bracing against us, and shutting us and our testimony out, as my eyes see their faces. These are settled in the form; full of their dead faith and performances. And, being in the ground of things, exactly in the state of the old scribes and Pharisees, like them, they shut up the kingdom of heaven; not entering themselves, nor suffering those who gladly would enter. Among such it is almost, if not sometimes quite impossible, for many mighty works to be done. There is more openness among publicans and harlots; and some of these, I believe, will be so wrought upon, and humbled down, as to enter the kingdom, while great professors, and strict in outward devotions, will be shut out, and even many such in our society, as well as others. For I find "the letter killeth" every where; and scribes and Pharisees abound among Friends, nearly as much as among any. And though zealous of the law, and outward discipline

and order, are still greatly shutting up the spiritual heavenly kingdom, against themselves and others. Oh, what care!—what toil and pains!-what earnest labours, to build up society!-to cleanse the camp, and extend the testimony. And, alas! alas! after all, how much, and mournfully, this is carried on in man's strength and wisdom. Oh! how hard it is for self to be still, and all flesh silent before the Lord, till he arise, and abilitate. Many Friends, in our and this land, are so far from full reliance on the Lord, that they seem as if they thought the great cause would be deserted, and the testimony fall to the ground, if the arm of creaturely ability was not stretched out to support it, and scarce dare to wait for life and help divine lest it should be too long in coming. Surely this is lack of faith in Israel's never failing Helper, and an unwise trust in the arm of flesh. Even some who began in the spirit, seem now attempting to be made perfect in the flesh; as Paul hinted to the Galatians. And it matters not, what it is they are engaged in, so that it be in their own strength and wisdom; it is still flesh, in the apostle's sense of the word. It is not confined to circumcision, days, or times; but comprehends all creaturely performances; and these have greatly eat out the life of religion in almost, if not quite all societies.

I have been abundantly constrained to bear testimony, from place to place, among Baptists, Methodists, &c., against this vain endeavour to be made perfect in the flesh; lifeless preaching, praying, singing, dipping, eating, drinking, &c.; and I feel the same want of life in great part of the buildings up, &c., in our own society, that has so distressed my mind among others. Oh! that the Lord were rightly trusted in and waited for. He would not tarry longer than best; and when he did appear, the healing, helping virtue would be with him, and he would do more for us, in our meetings of discipline, in one hour, than a host of us can do for ourselves in our whole life-time.

How my soul has been affected in beholding all societies too much clothed with the linsey-woolsey garment; a little smattering of divine influence, and a great mixture of creaturely invention, activity, and zeal. And yet, alas! a right zeal is mournfully wanting. And too many that have seen the insufficiency

of man, are settled in the other extreme, and instead of waiting with their lips in the dust for help, are sitting down at ease, caring but too little for any of these things; and some, glad to find a hole in an exercised brother's garment; whereas, every right spirit mourns.

But why should I dwell on the various ways wherein religion is obstructed in others? Have not I enough to do in watching against the enemies' subtle workings against the life in myself? Oh! how many snares !-how many ways to be hurt! May the Lord, without whom I am nothing and altogether vanity, hold my right hand, direct my feet, keep my heart, and finally make my way perfect before him. David said, " As for God, his way is perfect." It seems he had good cause to say so, for he could also say, "He maketh my way perfect." Oh! that I may be able to bear like testimony. But truly he does so for us all, as far as we are wholly given up, at all times, to do and suffer his will. Our help is only in him. All our destruction and imperfection is of ourselves. And we keep ourselves long complaining, by not fully submitting. Great part of the many bitter pills and potions is greatly owing to want of resignation. "This duty gives up little more, than anguish of the mind." It sweetens many a bitter cup. And if thou, my sweetest portion in life, the love of God excepted, canst be resigned to the Lord's will in my absence, I have the most unshaken assurance he will fill thy cup with blessing, and divide the spoil equally with those who "stay by the stuff," and those "who go forth to war;" as my friend J. A. writes me, he had to think, when dear John Simpson visited thee and thine. My soul rejoiced in hearing that that worthy servant was favoured in my family, and that the hovering wing of divine good was eminently among you. The Lord Almighty keep you all to his glory, your own, and my poor soul's peace and consolation. Give my love to Jonathan. Tell him I really thank him for his kind letter, and his proposing my dear wife and family to John's attention, but want of time, amid the crowd of this Yearly Meeting, now in being, and writing letters which I cannot well avoid, prevents my writing to him at present.

I rejoice that thy health has been better than usual, and

especially that thou hast thereby been the more cheerful. See how good the Lord is! My health is much improved by cooler weather, and is now tolerable; though what I went through in the extreme heat, I believe thou wilt scarcely ever have a complete idea of. I marvel how I got along; both body and mind were so greatly afflicted. But as Christ is head over all things to the church, so he is to each lowly member; and still makes wind, waves, and when he pleases, all things obey him, and all works good to the truly humble. I have seen his hand in the deeps, his wonders in the mighty waters. My soul prostrates before him. My eyes run down with tears in remembrance of his gracious dealings, and my heart is moved within me while I thus commemorate his goodness.

I sometimes am just ready to let in a fear that some dear Friend may think my stile a little affected. But, Oh! let them feel deeply with me, and for me, and I trust all will be well, and will sit easy on their minds. I am far from thee, and other endeared connexions; and when I write, my bosom heaves with feelings of affection to thee and them; and my heart, as it were, swells with gratitude to Him that has made darkness light before me, and stood by me in the hottest battle. Many painful conflicts has he led me safely through. And though I am in deaths oft, yea, die daily, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ that liveth in me. Though I suffer loss, I dare not repine; for he maketh me again and again to possess all things. And though I know certainly I am poor, and have nothing, yet hope the Lord, through me, though mean and abundantly unworthy, is in some degree making others rich; and filling their souls with songs and hallelujahs. Blessed be his holy name for ever.

29th. Yearly Meeting is over. A more trying, stripping, and conflicting time, I scarce ever knew, than during part of this Yearly Meeting; nor more consolation and wonderful goodness, than in the solemn close of it; a close, as weighty, solemn, and soul-tendering, and I trust, as long to be remembered by many, as ever I knew in my life.

Dear James Ladd is yet with me, but I don't expect him much longer. Dear Zachariah Dicks says, "Don't, dear Job, by any means, forget to give my most endeared love to thy dear

wife." Do write to me, my dearly beloved, as soon as thou canst a letter from thee is as marrow to my bones. Nurture the dear children in the right way of the Lord. Give my dear love to my dear father. May he trust in the Lord in his old age, and gain a nearer acquaintance with him, before he goes hence, to be seen of men no more. Who knows but that is what the Lord is lengthening out his days for. May he keep in the patience, and not be fretful. I believe fretting grieves the holy spirit.

I now enjoy what more than makes amends for all afflictions. May thy soul enjoy a portion thereof. And now, in dear love and affection, I rest thy true and faithful husband,

JOB SCOTT,

To his Wife.

Dear love,

Amelia, Virginia, 14th of 11th month, 1789.

I wrote thee largely from Centre, North Carolina, at Yearly Meeting time there, a little more than two weeks since. Some few days past I wrote to Thomas Arnold, and soon after, I took a severe cold, and repeating it several times, it brought on a hard cough, head-ache, and considerable fever; but I hope the worst is over. I have kept travelling, though scarcely able. I have rode about 17 miles to-day; and since I left home, by accounts, 3708. This is my 15th letter to thee. And since I cannot be with thee, as my heart desireth, I hope my letters, if they reach thee, will afford thee some satisfaction. I hope thy dwelling may be where thou may daily receive far greater satisfaction than earthly things can afford. All our real good is in God. Other things are, in a lower sense, goods, as he is pleased to give us real enjoyment in them; but by and by, we must be separated from them all, not for a short time only, but forever. How needful then, that we be so prepared to take satisfaction in him only, as that this great change may not deprive us of our happiness. Oh! the depth of poor James Naylor's expressions, respecting the spirit which he felt!-every word, indeed, of said expressions

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