A Testimony concerning the Beginning of the Work of the Lord, and the first Publication of Truth, in this City of London; and also Concerning the Cause, End, and Service of the First Appointment and Setting up of the Men’s Meeting at the bull and Mouth; that it may be known to all Perfectly, how the Lord hath begun and carried on His Work to this Day.
[This highly interesting document, signed by Edward Burrough, and dated 1662, is taken from a collection of copies of letters and papers, in four folio volumes, entitled “John Pennington’s Collection of his Father’s Manuscripts,” and preserved in London. These volumes, (which are very closely written) contain a large number of Isaac Pennington’s letters and papers; many of them have at different times been published. The Editor is not aware that the document in question has ever been printed or referred to in any treatise upon our early discipline: it is not only valuable as an ancient record, but very instructive. Respecting the primitive meeting alluded to, held at the Bull and Mouth, London, William Crouch gives us the following account:
“After the taking of the house called Bull and Mouth, for a meeting place, as aforesaid, the ancient men Friends about the City, did sometime meet together, to the number of eight or ten, (sometimes a few more added,) in an upper room belonging to the place; there to consult about and consider of the affairs of Truth; and to communicate to each other what the Lord opened in them, for the promotion thereof; and also to make such provision to supply all necessary occasions, which the service of the church might require. And now also, some ancient women Friends did meet together, to consider of what appertained to them, as their most immediate care and concern; to inspect the circumstances and condition of such who were imprisoned on Truth’s account, and to provide things needful to supply their wants: and what did or might more immediately concern men Friends, the women would acquaint them therewith: and all was done in great love and unity; -no jar or discord amongst them no repining or murmuring but a sweet harmony and agreement was preserved in all things. These women did also inquire into and inspect the wants and necessities of the poor, who were convinced of the Truth: and they sat not still, until the cry of the poor came to their houses; but when they did suppose or discover a want of help, their charity led them to inquire into their conditions, and to minister to their necessities. And thus things were carried on with cheerfulness and brotherly kindness, in the infancy of the church: all whisperings and backbitings were shut out, and love and good will to all were promoted and cherished. And afterwards as Truth grew and prospered, and many came to be added to the faith, the meetings came through the Providence of God, to be settled in order and method, as at this day. -Memoirs of William Crouch, Sect. III]
The Following is a Copy of the Testimony.
It having pleased the Lord God of heaven and earth, by his Spirit and power to move the hearts and spirits of divers of us, the ministers of his everlasting Gospel of truth and salvation, to come to this great city of London, to publish and declare the message of eternal life, which we had received power from the Father to do; that people might be warned of the day of their visitation, and turned from darkness to the light, and from Satan’s power to God, and be converted to the knowledge of the ways of salvation, that their souls might live; for our testimony was and is the same, as ever was held forth by the holy prophets and apostles of old. To which moving of the Lord in us, we were obedient and though in much weakness, and not without many trials, tribulations, and difficulties, we entered this city, and as the wisdom of God prepared our way, we began to publish and declare the things of the kingdom of God, as we had received the gift thereof, in power and authority, to the wounding and piercing of many consciences, and to the quickening and awakening the witness of God in many hearts, as is well known to the faithful this day. And though we met with, and were exercised in, many trials and much opposition from men of all conditions; yet we were not discouraged, nor of fearful hearts, nor fainting in the work of the Lord, nor overcome by oppositions but we went on in boldness and confidence in God, holding forth the perfect way of salvation to all, both by doctrine, practice, and conversation; which have been to this day, every way according to the ancient and true gospel of peace, and there is not any other.
And we being carried on in faithfulness to this work, unto which we were thus called and ordained, it pleased the Lord to bless us and prosper his work in our hands: and our labour and travails were successful, to accomplish the good and happy end of converting and turning many to the Lord, and to walk in his way of truth and peace; wherein they found perfect rest and peace to their souls, and assurance in his mercies for ever, through faith in the gospel held forth by us. The Spirit of the Father doth testify this in the hearts of many in this City, in whom the seed of God is raised up by his power, by the ministry of Christ sent unto them insomuch that they with us, are now both partakers of the grace, love, wisdom, and inheritance of the everlasting Father; and have no master but Christ, and are all brethren; -no lord nor commander, no shepherd nor preserver, but the Lord Jesus Christ alone; and He is become all in all unto us all who have believed and received him, and are gathered into his fold, and born of his seed elect, which is blessed for ever.
And though some few of us were at first particularly called and chosen of God to this work, and have been instruments to publish his name, and preach his gospel in this city for these divers years and the Lord by us hath gathered many people to himself, to know him, and be taught of him, according to his covenant of promise, in conversion and regeneration yet of all this happy and blessed work accomplished and still carrying on, the praise and worth thereof pertains not unto us, but unto the living God, who is the fulness and fountain of all good things; and hath only chosen us as vessels of his glory, and instruments in his hand, to bear and publish his name in the world having endued us with power, wisdom, and strength from himself for such a work: and his alone is the honour and renown of all his own works, now and for evermore. Yea, the Holy Spirit of the Father is witness, and bears full proof in us and for us, that we have not sought ourselves in any thing in this case, nor taken too much upon us, nor been as lords over Gods heritage, nor exalted ourselves among them, nor preached ourselves, but Christ Jesus, and ourselves their servants for His sake. We have been no otherwise in any case, than becomes such a calling and profession in the gospel; and are only to be accounted of, as stewards of the grace of God, and dispensers of his holy word, and ministers of Christ and such as are instruments in his hand to gather the flock, and go before them in truth and righteousness, in meekness and uprightness and all the {Page 297} fruits of the Spirit, both in doctrine and conversation, and also in suffering, tribulations and afflictions for the same. Thus ought we to be esteemed, loved and obeyed, and not otherwise: and the Spirit of Christ thus witnesseth, in us and for us, in the hearts of the faithfull in this city; to which we can, in all boldness and confidence of our pure consciences, commend ourselves to be approved and justified, -for to that testimony are we known.
And though we appeared at first in much weakness, and for the name of Christ were despisable amongst men, and were liable to reproaches, necessities, and afflictions for his sake, and had no men to stand by us, or to help to bear our burdens, at our first coming to this place, as being strangers both in body and spirit to the whole city yet the Lord appeared for us, and his power and wisdom were manifest through us in a large manner; his strength, authority, dignity and riches were exalted and administered through our weakness and poverty in spirit; and many were made truly sensible thereof in their own souls, in whose hearts the word of the Lord had place, to his own praise. And as we began, so we went on, in the name and power of Christ Jesus, in the work of the Lord in this city and it prospered daily, and grew honourable and fruitful in the hearts of many, who believed our testimony, and received the Truth: and all such gave up themselves in soul, body and estate, to obey the Truth, and to follow Christ as they had received Him. And in the space of about two years’ time, Truth was much spread, and many were convinced, and turned to the Lord, to believe, obey, and acknowledge the message of eternal life; and he kept us faithful in those times, as at this day, to hold {Page 298} forth the testimony of his Truth in all trials, through all tribulations, and against all oppositions. And God hath made his Truth to prosper through our ministry, from the beginning until this moment and we have in a measure seen the blessed effect of the travail of our souls, and are satisfied.
And, as I have said, in some space of time after our coming to this City, the work of the Lord was much increased, and had grown into good esteem with many and it advanced greater and greater daily, in respect of the service pertaining to it. And many occasions happened, and, divers matters came to pass daily in relation to the truth, all which occasions and matters so coming to pass were to be ordered and managed with all heavenly wisdom and prudence, for the prosperous carrying on the good work of the Lord, so happily begun in this City and nation. And the occasions and matters happening in relation to Truth to be managed as aforesaid, were such as so properly did not belong or appertain to us of the ministry to be exercised in, as to the Friends of the City who had believed in the Truth; (to wit;)-concerning providing convenient meeting-places for the publishing of Truth, -and how the poor people that believed, should be honestly taken care for, that no want should be amongst them, and that the sick and weak and impotent should be visited and provided for, and that such servants as were put away out of their services for receiving the Truth, should be looked after, and placed in some honest employments. These occasions, with many more of the like kind, relating to the service of Truth, were administered to be looked after and managed in God’s wisdom and power, as Truth grew in the {Page 299} City and increased which occasions and services as I have said, were not so proper for us of the ministry, as for the Friends of the City: neither had we the opportunity of such exercises, being wholly devoted to the work of the ministry, to which we were ordained of God, and were continually exercised in preaching the gospel, in answering books and manuscripts put forth against us, and in disputes and contentions with such as opposed the Truth. These and the like services have been our continual work and exercise for these divers years, faithfully performed by us in the sight of God; for which our reward is with us, in our peace and comfort with the living God for ever. Therefore seeing such occasions, as aforesaid, fell out to be managed for the service of Truth in this City, and that they were not so proper for us, as for the Friends of the City, to look after and serve in and also seeing necessity (for the carrying on the work of the Lord) required the prudent and orderly management of such affairs; -we therefore, in the name, power and wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, as we were endued with the same, and as He had given us power and authority so to do, for the furtherance of the gospel and prosperity of the work of the Lord, committed to our charge, - did by virtue of the same, ordain and appoint, -that the men Friends of the City, or the ancientest of in the Truth, (not excluding any, ) should together at the Bull and Mouth or elsewhere, once in the fortnight, or once a month, as they in the wisdom of God should find it necessary, for the management of Truth’s affairs. And in such their meetings they should wisely consider and determine in and concerning the matters and occasions and {Page 300} such like before-mentioned; and that they should order in outward things relating to Truth; and be assisting one to another, for the good and honour and service of the Truth, and the Friends of it, so much as in them lay, according to that measure of the wisdom of God given to them, in perfect love and unity together; bearing one anothers burdens and helping together in mutual concord and good will: that in all things in the respects before mentioned, good and wholesome order and government and management might be carried on among the flock of Christ; so as that Truth might be honoured, and have a good report among all men, while they behold the comely and honest order and government of all outward affairs in the wisdom of God Amongst us.
Thus for these causes, and for these ends, to the service and honour of the Truth, was your meeting of men as aforesaid ordained and appointed that ye in your places according to your gifts, as well as we in our callings to which we were ordained and sent forth, should be helpful and assistant one to another; and in unity together, advising, and counselling, and agreeing, and assenting one to another for the management of Truth’s affairs, and to the carrying on of the blessed work of the Lord God begun in this nation and City: -not to be divided, I say, “ye not contrary to us, nor we to you, in any case relating to the good and wholesome ordering of affairs pertaining to Truth; but we to go on in the ministry of the gospel, in our gifts and callings and works, as aforesaid, to the gathering of more to the Lord; and ye to be faithful in your services and works appointed you in the wisdom of God, and to go on in and by the counsel and {Page 301} instructions of the power, wisdom, and authority of Christ Jesus, which gave you your power, and ordained you to your service, which through us, (as ministers of the same,) was communicated to you from the Father: that these gifts might dwell in you also, and enable you as well as us, in dear and tender unity together, for the work of the Lord in our generation which he hath appointed to be effected in his own power and Spirit dwelling in his people, in the union and fellowship together, in advising and consenting unto one another, in what we are each of us called to manage and perform on the Lord’s behalf, for his service: not acting for self-ends, apart, reservedly, or oppositely one to another, in any work pretendedly for the Lord but going on in unity together, asking, giving and taking counsel, advice and information one of another in the Lord; and all for the better carrying on his good work, that it may prosper in the earth.
And accordingly, in the counsel and authority of God, and for the causes and ends aforesaid, that meeting was first set up, now some years ago; and then entered upon its work and service, and began to consider and order concerning the things and occasions before mentioned, relating to the service of Truth: in which service the Lord blessed the meeting, and made it in some measure prosperous (as at this day, to the good government and well ordering of the affairs of Friends in outward things and all this effected through the power and wisdom of the Lord God manifest in the hearts of his people, and in our concurrence together in the same; that we together one with another, may give our judgment and advice, for the just and righteous determination of all affairs in the service of Truth. {Page 302} Thus we assisting one another in the work of the Lord, we in our callings and places, and you in yours, -each one walking in the integrity of his heart to the Lord, and concurring together in the consideration and judgment of things pertaining to the Truth; not you against us, nor without us, to proceed in the determination of Truth’s affairs; but in the same power, Spirit, and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is with us, -and in which we have been instrumental to turn you to the Lord, and to watch over the flock of Christ unto this day -nor we to judge nor determine in the affairs of Truth otherwise than may answer the testimony of Christ in your consciences, in which ye may have unity.
Thus hath it been, and shall it be manifest, that the one Spirit of love and unity guides us, and rests with us in all our ways; and that every one of us by that same Spirit do walk with the Lord, and serve him faithfully, in whatsoever we are called unto, each one in his place. And this way is of the Lord, to our everlasting peace, and the honour of His name, to go on together in love and unity, and without the least grain of contempt one of another, or lordliness over one another; for this is not of the Father, but tends to destroy and confound what we have wrought for the Lord in our day. If (I say ) there be any such spirit of slighting or contempt on your part, of the ministry and ministers of the gospel, who have been faithful instruments to beget you to the Lord, and do faithfully go before you in afflictions and persecutions for the Truth’s sake at this day or if on our part do arise any lordliness or self-seeking over and among the flock of Christ, which God hath made us {Page 303} overseers of, to watch over their souls, of which we must give an account unto Him; -this kind of spirit is not from above, but is devilish; and its effects will be destructive, and bring the wrath of the Lord against such as shall ever give place unto it. Wherefore it behoves all the saints, always to be watchful against the spirit of the power of darkness, lest at any time there should be a withdrawing or turning aside from the paths of peace and prosperity; which may also dishonour the God of heaven, who hath thus far marvellously wrought for us, in gathering us to be his chosen people to his praise; who were sometimes strangers to him, as others, but now are called and faithful and chosen. Let us therefore stand always armed with his power and patience-with his meekness, innocency and righteousness; and be in true subjection to him, and one to another, each one minding to fulfil the will of the Father, in what He calls unto; not intruding without the Lord’s call into anything, or to judge one of another beyond the measure of the Spirit of true judgment but every one to live and walk in the particular measure of the life of righteousness, begotten in him of the Father; and in that let us all be joined to concur in judgment and practice, in carrying on the work of the Lord, according to his purpose in our day; being all of a weighty and careful spirit to do His will: and this is a charge in the presence of God our heavenly Father, to all concerned: and to whom I am moved of the Lord to writ for the service of Truth.
And this may truly inform all who desire it, concerning the cause, end, and service of the aforesaid meeting and may be as an answer to the question, why, for what use and service, was that {Page 304} meeting at first appointed, and what was the power and authority of it? Herein, I say, is the same resolved, which may be for the service of our age that all who are young in the Truth, and have not frequented that meeting from the first beginning of it, and such also as shall unite yet in that same assembly, both in our age and in ages to come, may not be doubtful, but certainly know the very just cause, end, and service, and extent of this said meeting, and upon what ground it was first ordained; and [that] this meeting still be continued and preserved in all wisdom and sincerity, in the fear, and name, and authority, and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, as it was ordained and begun at the first; that is to say:
First, that the meeting do consist of just and righteous men, all believing in the Truth, and walking in the same, -men of sound principles and judgment in the truth of Christ, of good and blameless conversation amongst men, -and such that have kept their integrity and first principles and abide in love and unity in the Lord among themselves; the meeting not limited to a number of persons, but freedom for all Friends in Truth, (none excepted,) as they are moved to come for the Service of Truth, -to assist in counsel and advice for the good of the body, and the carrying on the work of the Lord. But if any person out of the Truth and of another spirit, contrary to the faith of Christ professed and practised by Friends, come to the meeting, such are not members thereof, but are excluded from having their advice and judgment taken in matters of Truth, pertaining to the service of the Lord.
Secondly, that the meeting be kept once a-week {Page 305} or fourteen days, as service and Truth’s necessities do require, as the Friends see cause when and where to appoint it: and being orderly come together, not to spend time with needless, unnecessary and fruitless discourses; but to proceed in the wisdom of God, in such things as may upon occasion be moved amongst you, for the service of Truth and good order of the body; to hear and consider, and if possible to determine the same in justice and truth, not in the way of the world, as a worldly assembly of men, by hot contests, by seeking to outspeak and over-reach one another in discourse as if it were controversy between party and party of men, or two sides violently striving for dominion in the way of carrying on some worldly interests for self-advantage; not deciding affairs by the greater vote, or the number of men, as the world, who have not the wisdom and power of God -that none of this kind of order be permitted in your meeting. But in the wisdom, love and fellowship of God, in gravity, patience, meekness, in unity and concord, submitting one to another in lowliness of heart, and in the holy Spirit of truth and righteousness, all things to be carried on; by hearing and determining every matter coming before you, in love, coolness, gentleness, and dear unity say, as one only party, all for the Truth of Christ, and for the carrying on the work of the Lord, and assisting one another in whatsoever ability God hath given: and to determine of things by a general mutual concord, in assenting together as one man in the spirit of truth and equity, and by the authority thereof. In this way and spirit all things are to be amongst you, and without perverseness, in any self-separation, in discord and {Page 306} partiality; this way and spirit is wholly excepted, as not worthy to enter into the assembly of God’s servants, to give any judgment or counsel amongst them, in any case pertaining to the service of the church of Christ; in which his Spirit of love and unity must rule.
Thirdly, -And if at any time, any matter or occasion be presented to the meeting, which is doubtful or difficult, or not within the judgment of Friends then assembled, they not having full knowledge or experience of the matters depending, that then on such occasions the judgment be suspended, lest any unfruitful contest should arise through want of full knowledge and discerning in that case, or any determination be made unsoundly or untruly; till more Friends that are anciently grown in the Truth have the understanding of the matter, as it hath been from the beginning: and that we may be present, assisting in counsel and judgment with that meeting in all such things, for the carrying on the work of the Lord and that all things may be ordered in all verity and soundness of judgment, for the honour of the Lord and happiness of his people, in all outward affairs relating to the Truth. For the proper work and service of the meeting is, for the well ordering of the affairs of the Truth in outward things, among the body of Friends; and that a general concord and assent may be among the ancients of them, for the government of the whole, by hearing and considering of things fitting for the advancement of Truth.
Fourthly, -But if at any time, any strife or division shall happen to fall out amongst Friends, as between any two Friends, or between a Friend and a stranger concerning any outward things, as bargains, debts, {Page 307} or the like, - that then the said meeting, in the wisdom of God, make inquiry or search into the same, if the matter be presented to them; otherwise they may send two persons of the meeting, or send for the parties, concerning whom such divisions are, before them; and to inquire diligently into the cause and ground of the same, and to use all possible fair means, in the wisdom of God, for the ending of all such strifes and contentions, which may happen among Friends aforesaid; that the body may be preserved in peace and love together, and not rent with divisions about outward things, which are of no moment in comparison of the eternal substance. And inasmuch as divisions and contentions of that kind are exceeding prejudicial to the wounding of the body, and have woeful effects to the dishonour of the name of the Lord and his Truth, professed by us, - therefore in the authority of Christ it is enjoined that meeting, to take care upon it, and to be diligent as much as in you lies, to stop and prevent all divisions and contentions among Friends, that at any time may arise or happen to be; that peace and concord may flourish among us, and the name of the Lord be kept undefiled, and the work of the Lord may be carried on in all wisdom and power.
Fifthly, -That cognizance be taken, and records faithfully kept, of all births, marriages, and burials, that shall happen to be of, and among Friends. That marriages particularly, be carefully ordered in the wisdom of God, according to the honest beginning used amongst us; and by so much the more, as false and self-corrupted persons and ends may creep in amongst us, upon pretence of motion from God in that case, to the hurt of the persons themselves, {Page 308} and the dishonour of Truth, -the more diligent care is to be had concerning the same. And that such marriages only be recorded, and none else, of such persons believing, professing, and walking in the truth of Christ Jesus: and such as are known to be of just, upright, and blameless conversations: and of whom it is believed they are moved of the Lord, or otherwise proceed upon reasonable causes, in the fear, counsel, and wisdom of God in their under-taking to come together in marriage: so that their going together may be justified to be, in and according to the truth of Christ; that so it may be recorded among Friends in the light, and testified to by them in prosperity or adversity, as occasion shall require; otherwise not to be recorded, but rather the parties reproved and rebuked in the power and authority of Christ Jesus.
Sixthly, - That especial care be taken concerning provision for the poor that believe and profess the Truth; and that such who are of ability of body to labour, that have not whereon to work nor where with to maintain themselves, -as servants, who may happen to be put forth of their places, or otherwise, -to be set to some employment to serve themselves in the creation: for the end that all things of this kind may be wisely ordered among the flock of Christ, and for the honour of Truth in the world that as on the one hand, there may be no want or complaining of necessity, by such as be poor and weak in body and estate, so on the other hand, no sloth or idleness be permitted in any that profess the way of Truth, by depending on Friends for maintenance, Thus shall the Truth be honoured and the work of the Lord promoted in city and nation. And that the meeting of the women Friends {Page 309} be assisting to help the prudent ordering of affairs, particularly in this case; for which end that meeting was appointed in the wisdom of God by us on this occasion, viz., some years since the first appointment of the men’s meeting, as before was shewed. It was seen and considered by us, that the affairs concerning Truth being grown more large daily, and that it was not so proper for the men as for the women to visit the sick, and to search out the necessities of the poor, weak, widows, and aged that therefore the women Friends should keep a like meeting at such convenient times and places, as they in God’s wisdom should see cause; to be assisting, in what was convenient, to the men; especially in that particular of visiting the sick and weak, and looking after the poor, widows, and fatherless, -and that provision should be made for them, how and after what manner, as they in God’s wisdom should be taught and this was the very occasion of the first setting up that meeting of women, which since hath continued for the body, and been happy and prosperous in the work for which it was appointed; and it is in the same manner ordered, in the authority of Christ, to be continued in the service aforesaid.
Seventhly, -That care be taken in the meeting of men, for the collecting and preserving all Friends sufferings, past and to come, which have been or shall happen to be, in and about this city and country and that the same, with what remarkable passages falling out in relation to the Truth as it is judged fit, be prudently recorded, plainly, fully, and amply, for the service of this age, and for the ages to come.
These also and what other things in relation to the service of Truth, pertaining to the outward affairs {Page 310} thereof, as is found fitting, [are] to be considered and managed by the Friends of Truth in the said meeting; and that in unity and love, in the counsel and wisdom of the Lord God, every person be diligent in his place to fulfil the service required of the Lord, for the service of his Truth in general.
These things was I moved of the Lord to write forth, in the name, and power, and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the service of Truth; and in the same name, power, and authority, and by virtue of the love of Christ and the testimony of his Spirit which I have received, do I enjoin the free and perfect observation of the things herein signified and that Friends in the Truth be diligent and careful, every one according to the grace and wisdom of God given, in that meeting; and all this for the honour of the Lord God, and the promotion of his blessed work in the world.
Written, as moved of the Lord, in the ninth year of the publishing of Truth in this clty, and is to be presented to the meeting of men to be read amongst them in the fear of the Lord.
By one that from the beginning hath travelled in the work of the Lord in this city, 1662.
Edward Burrough
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