The doctrines of their society have been variously represented; and some have thought and taken pains to prove them favourable to Soci- "We reverence those most excellent precepts nianism. But, according to Penn, they believe which are recorded in Scripture to have been dein the Holy Three, or the trinity of the Father, livered by our great Lord; and we firmly believe Word, and Spirit, agreeable to the Scripture. In that they are practicable, and binding on every reply to the charge that they deny Christ to be Christian; and that in the life to come every man. God, Penn says, "that it is a most untrue and will be rewarded according to his works, Matt. uncharitable censure-that they truly and ex-xvi. 27. And, further, it is our belief, that, in pressly own him to be so according to the Scrip- order to enable mankind to put in practice these ture." To the objection that they deny the human sacred precepts, many of which are contradictory nature of Christ, he answers, "We never taught, to the unregenerate will of man, John i. 9, every said, or held so gross a thing, but believe him to man coming into the world is endued with a be truly and properly man like us, sin only ex- measure of the light, grace, or good Spirit of cepted." The doctrines of the fall, and the re-Christ; by which, as it is attended to, he is enademption by Christ, are, according to him, believed firmly by them; and he declares, "that they own Jesus Christ as their sacrifice, atonement, and propitiation."

"From what has been said respecting worship, it follows that the ministry we approve must have its origin from the same source; for that which is needful for man's own direction, and for his acceptance with God, Jer. xxiii. 30 to 32, must be eminently so to enable him to be helpful to others. Accordingly, we believe that the re"To Christ alone we give the title of the Word newed assistance of the light and power of Christ of God, John i. 1, and not to the Scriptures, al- is indispensably necessary for all true ministry; though we highly esteem these sacred writings, in and that this holy influence is not at our com subordination to the Spirit, (2 Pet. i. 21) from mand, or to be procured by study, but in the free which they were given forth; and we hold, with gift of God to chosen and devoted servants. the apostle Paul, that they are able to make wise | Hence arises our testimony against preaching

"As we dare not encourage any ministry but that which we believe to spring from the influence of the Holy Spirit, so neither dare we attempt to restrain this influence to persons of any condition in life, or to the male sex alone; but, as male and female are one in Christ, we allow such of the female sex as we believe to be endued with a right qualification for the ministry, to exercise their gifts for the general edification of the church; and this liberty we esteem a peculiar mark of the Gospel dispensation, as foretold by the prophet Joel, Joel ii. 28, 29; and noticed by the apostle Peter, Acts ii. 16, 17.

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of moral and religious duty, from the example of our Lord himself, Matt. v. 39, 44, &c.; m 52, 53; Luke xxii. 51; John xviii. 11; and fr the correspondent convictions of his Spirit in o hearts, we are confirmed in the belief that was and fightings are in their origin and effects uttes ly repugnant to the Gospel, which still breather peace and good-will to men. We also are cry of the judgment, that if the benevolence of the Gospel were generally prevalent in the minds of men, it would effectually prevent them from o pressing, much more from enslaving, their thren (of whatever colour or complexion fr whom, as for themselves, Christ died; and w even influence their conduct in their treatme of the brute creation, which would no lagt groan, the victims of their avarice, or of their false ideas of pleasure.

"There are two ceremonies in use among "Some of our ideas have in former times most professors of the Christian_name,-water has hath been shown, subjected our friends to baptism, and what is termed the Lord's Supper. much suffering from government, though to the The first of these is generally esteemed the essen-salutary purposes of government our praciphe tial means of initiation into the church of Christ; are a security. They inculcate submission to the and the latter of maintaining communion with laws in all cases wherein conscience is not vis him. But as we have been convinced that no-lated. But we hold that, as Christ's kingd thing short of his redeeming power, invariably revealed, can set the soul free from the thraldom of sin, by this power alone we believe salvation to be effected. We hold, that as there is one Lord and one faith, Eph. iv. 5, so his baptism is one, in nature and operation; that nothing short of it can make us living members of his mystical body; and that the baptism with water, administered by his forerunner John, belonged, as the latter confessed, to an inferior dispensation, John iii. 30.

"With respect to the other rite, we believe that communion between Christ and his church is not maintained by that, nor any other external performance, but only by a real participation of his divine nature (1 Pet. ii. 4.) through faith; that this is the supper alluded to in the Revelation, Rev. vii. 20; 'Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me; and that where the substance is attained, it is unnecessary to attend to the shadow, which doth not confer grace, and concerning which, opinions so different, and animosities so violent, have arisen.

not of this world, it is not the business of the civil magistrate to interfere in matters of religi but to maintain the external peace and good ar der of the community. We therefore think persecution, even in the smallest degree, unwarrant able. We are careful in requiring our members not to be concerned in illicit trade, nor in any manner to defraud the revenue.

first appearance, has disused those names of the "It is well known that the society, from its honour of the heroes or false gods of the beaten, months and days, which, having been given in originated in their flattery or superstition; and the custom of speaking to a single person in the plural number, as having arisen also from tives of adulation. Compliments, superfluity of p parel and furniture, outward shows of re and mourning, and the observation of days and times, we esteem to be incompatible with the simplicity and sincerity of a Christian life; and public diversions, gaming, and other vain ar ments of the world, we cannot but conde They are a waste of that time which is given for nobler purposes; and divert the atte "Now, as we thus believe that the grace of the reproofs of instruction by which we are guad the mind from the sober duties of life, and tr God, which comes by Jesus Christ, is alone suf-ed to an everlasting inheritance. ficient for salvation, we can neither admit that it is conferred on a few only, whilst others are left the several tenets which distinguish our reg "To conclude: although we have exhibited without it, nor, thus asserting its universality, can society as objects of our belief, yet we are s we limit its operation to a partial cleansing of the ble that a true and living faith is not produced in soul from sin, even in this life. We entertain the mind of man by his own effort, but is the worthier notions both of the power and goodness gift of God in Christ Jesus, Eph. ii. 8, nouns of our heavenly Father, and believe that he doth and increased by the progressive operation of vouchsafe to assist the obedient to experience a Spirit in our hearts, and our proportionate total surrender of the natural will to the guidance dience, John vii. 17. Therefore, although of his pure, unerring Spirit; through whose re- the preservation of the testimonics given s newed assistance they are enabled to bring forth bear, and for the peace and good order of the s fruits unto holiness, and to stand perfect in their ciety, we deem it necessary that those who present rank, Matt. v. 48; Eph. iv. 13; Col. iv. 12. admitted into membership with us should be p "There are not many of our tenets more gene-viously convinced of those doctrines which we rally known than our testimony against oaths, esteem essential, yet we require no formai su and against war. With respect to the former of scription to any articles, either as a condition of these, we abide literally by Christ's positive in-membership, or a qualification for the service of junction, delivered in his sermon on the mount, the church. We prefer the judging of men by Swear not at all,' Matt. v. 34. From the same their fruits, and depending on the aid of H sacred collection of the most excellent precepts who, by his prophet, hath promised to be 'a spira

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of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment,' Is. xxviii. 6. Without this, there is a danger of receiving numbers into outward communion, without any addition to that spiritual sheep-fold, whereof our blessed Lord declared himself to be both the door and the shepherd, John x. 7, 11; that is, such as know his voice and follow him in the paths of obedience.

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they be clear of other engagements respecting marriage; and if at a subsequent meeting, to which the parties also come and declare the continuance of their intention, no objections be reported, they have the meeting's consent to solemnize their in tended marriage. This is done in a public meeting for worship, towards the close whereof the parties stand up, and solemnly take each other for "In the practice of discipline, we think it in-husband and wife. A certificate of the proceed dispensable that the order recommended by Christings is then publicly read, and signed by the parhimself be invariably observed, Matt. xviii. 15, 17. ties, and afterwards by the relations and others as "To effect the salutary purposes of discipline, witnesses. Of such marriage the monthly meetmeetings were appointed at an early period of ing keeps a record; as also of the births and bu the society, which, from the times of their being rials of its members. A certificate of the date, held, we e called quarterly meetings. It was of the name of the infant, and of its parents, afterwards found expedient to divide the districts signed by those present at the birth, is the subject of those meetings, and to meet more frequently of one of these last-mentioned records; and an from whence arose monthly meetings, subordinate order for the interment, countersigned by the to those held quarterly. At length, in 1669, a grave-maker, of the other. The naming of chil yearly meeting was established, to superintend, dren is without ceremony. Burials are also con assist, and provide rules for the whole, previously ducted in a simple manner. The body, followed to which general meetings had been occasionally by the relations and friends, is sometimes, preheld. viously to interment, carried to a meeting; and at the grave a pause is generally made; on both which occasions it frequently falls out that one or more friends present have somewhat to express for the edification of those who attend; but no religious rite is considered as an essential part of burial.

"A monthly meeting is usually composed of several particular congregations, situated within a convenient distance from each other. Its business is to provide for the subsistence of the poor, and for the education of their offspring; to judge of the sincerity and fitness of persons appearing to be convinced of the religious principles of the society, and desiring to be admitted into membership; to excite due attention to the discharge of religious and moral duty; and to deal with disorderly members. Monthly meetings also grant to such of their members as remove into other monthly meetings certificates of their membership and conduct; without which they cannot gain membership in such meetings. Each monthly meeting is required to appoint certain persons, under the name of overseers, who are to take care that the rules of our discipline be put in practice; and when any case of complaint, or disorderly conduct comes to their knowledge, to see that private admonition, agreeably to the Gospel rule before mentioned, be given, previously to its being laid before the monthly meeting.

"When a case is introduced, it is usual for a small committee to be appointed to visit the of fender, to endeavour to convince him of his error, and to induce him to forsake and condemn it. If they succeed, the person is by minute declared to have made satisfaction for the offence; if not, he is disowned as a member of the society.

"In disputes between individuals, it has long been the decided judgment of the society, that its members should not sue each other at law. It therefore enjoins all to end their differences by speedy and impartial arbitration, agreeably to rules laid down. If any refuse to adopt this mode, or, having adopted it, to submit to the award, it is the direction of the yearly meeting that such be disowned.

"To monthly meetings also belongs the allowing of marriages; for our society hath always scrupled to acknowledge the exclusive authority of the priests in the solemnization of marriage, Those who intend to marry appear together, and propose their intention to the monthly meeting; and if not attended by their parents and guardians, produce a written certificate of their consent, signed in the presence of witnesses. The meeting then appoints a committee to inquire whether

"Several monthly meetings compose a quarterly meeting. At the quarterly meeting are produced written answers from the monthly meetings to certain queries respecting the conduct of their members, and the meeting's care over them. The accounts thus received are digested into one, which is sent, also in the form of answers to queries, by representatives to the yearly meeting. Appeals from the judgment of monthly meetings are brought to the quarterly meetings, whose business also it is to assist in any difficult case, or where remissness appears in the care of the monthly meetings over the individuals who compose them. There are seven yearly meetings, viz.-1. London, to which come representatives from Ireland; 2. New England; 3. New York; 4. Pennsylva nia and New Jersey; 5. Maryland; 6. Virginia; 7. The Carolinas and Georgia.

"The yearly meeting has the general superintendence of the society in the country in which it is established; and, therefore, as the accounts which it receives discover the state of inferior meetings, as particular exigencies require, or as the meeting is impressed with a sense of duty, it gives forth its advice, making such regulations as appear to be requisite, or excites to the observance of those already made; and sometimes appoints committees to visit those quarterly meetings which appear to be in need of immediate advice. Ap "peals from the judgment of quarterly meetings are here finally determined; and a brotherly cor respondence, by epistles, is maintained with other yearly meetings.

"In this place it is proper to add, that, as we believe women may be rightly called to the work of the ministry, we also think that to them belongs a share in the support of our Christian discipline; and that some parts of it wherein their own sex is concerned, devolve on them with peculiar propriety; accordingly they have monthly, quarterly, and yearly meetings of their own sex, held at the same time, and in the same place with those of the men; but separately, and without the power

"Prophecy keeps the attention of Christians credit and authority of the prophets. Futur alive to the truth, and importance of their holy ages will comprehend more than the present, as religion to its truth because prophecy and the present understands more than the past; and Christianity had one and the same origin, both the perfect accomplishment will produce a period being derived from the same fountain of perfec-knowledge of all the prophecies. tion; it keeps them alive to its importance, because prophecy shows that the Supreme Being has vouchsafed, through a long succession of ages, to prepare mankind, by gradual revelations of his will, for future blessings; and has proved, by sending chosen messengers to usher in this final dispensation, that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. It confirms the general belief of a God, and points out to a careless world the plain traces of his watchful providence. It displays the counsels of inspiration incessantly directing the course of events, without violating the order of reason and of human action. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us: such power is above our comprehension! But the fact is placed before our eyes. We see, or may see, a regular train of prophecies tending towards one declared end, accurately fulfilled and fulfilling amidst all the confusion and opposition of this tumultuous world; and we see that these prophecies are clear, both in prediction and accomplishment, in proportion to their importance in fixing our belief in the providence of God, and in the great truths of divine revelation. Thus it appears that the chief design of prophecy is to bear constant witness to religious truth; but though to convince gainsayers of this truth is justly considered as its principal use, it has another very important object, to which it well becomes us to pay attention, from motives of gratitude, as well as from fear of incurring the blame which Scripture invariably imputes to those who neglect to take advantage of the light afforded them. It is designed to protect believers in the word of God from the dangers arising from the prevalent corruptions, errors, and vices of the age in which they live. The due consideration of prophecy will administer consolation amidst present distress, and enliven faith and elevate hope, whilst passing through those dark, depressing scenes, which, without this gracious aid, might lead through the intricacies of doubt to the gloom of despair."

3. Of the fulfilment of prophery Our limits will not permit us to give a copat account of the various prophecies which tam been remarkably fulfilled; but whoever bas amined profane history with any degree of attor tion, and compared it with the predicts Scripture, must, if he be not blinded by pr dice, and hardened by infidelity, be convived f the truth of prophecy by its exact accord ment. It is in vain to say that these proces were delivered since the events have taken place; for we see the prophecies, the latest where delivered about 1700 years ago, and some of them about 3000 years ago, fulfilling at this very tane; and cities, and countries, and kingdeas in the very same condition, and all brought about in the very same manner, and with the very sale circumstances, as the prophets had foret. We see," says Bishop Newton, "the descendants of Shem and Japheth, ruling and enlarged in As and Europe, and perhaps in America, and the curse of servitude,' still attending the wretched descendants of Ham in Africa. We see the posterity of Ishmael, multiplied excredingly and become a great nation' in the Aral; yet living like 'wild men,' and shiftung free to place in the wilderness; their Landag inst every man, and every man's hand against them; and still dwelling an independent and free people, 'in the presence of all their brethren, and in the pre sence of all their enemies. We see the tacy of Esau totally extinct, and that of Jacob subsisting at this day; 'the sceptre departed from Judah, and the people living no where in authority, every where in subjection; the Jews still dwelling alone among the nations, while 'the remembrance Amalek is utterly put out from under heaven. We see the Jews severely punished for their delity and disobedience to their great ple unto Moses; plucked from off their n and removed into all the kingdoms of the rat oppressed and spoiled evermore; and 'proverb and a bye-word among all nations, We Objections, however, have been raised against see 'Ephraim so broken as to be no more a pes the prophecies from their obscurity. But to this ple,' while the whole nation is compe it is answered, that they have often a first or par- under the name of Judah; the Jews wonuertant tial, and an ultimate completion, of which the preserved as a distinct people, while the pre former may be generally considered as an earnest conquerors are every where destroyed; the of the latter. It is principally this double sense lying desolate, and themselves cut off fr of prophecy which renders it obscure: for though the people of God, while the Gentiles ar the predictions of the prophets were sometime vanced in their room. We see Nineveh so oni positive and exactly descriptive, and delivered with pletely destroyed, that the place ther an accurate and definite designation of names and cannot be known; Babylon made dest and times, prophecy was not generally designed to for ever a possession for the bittern, and p be clear before its accomplishment. It is, how-water;' Tyre become like the top of a ro ever, always sufficiently exact in its descriptions place for fishers to spread their nets upo to authenticate its pretensions to a divine autho- Egypt, 'a base kingdom, the basest of the rity; to produce, when it comes to pass, an doms, and still tributary and subject to strate acknowledgment of its unerring certainty; and to We see, of the four great empires of the demonstrate the wisdom and power of God. As the fourth and last, which was greater and Bishop Newton observes, prophecies are the only powerful than any of the former, divided int species of writing which are designed more for western part thereof into ten lesser king ke the instruction of future ages than of the times and among them a power with a triple c wherein they are written. In this respect, as differs from the first,' with a mouth sp the world groweth older, it groweth wiser. Time, very great things,' and with 'a look more shat detracts something from the evidence of than his fellows, speaking great words agains other writers, is still adding something to the Most High, wearing out the saints of the s

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PROPHESYINGS

High, and changing times and laws.' We see a empire, or kingdom, erected? that empire of power 'cast down the truth to the ground, and kingdom is erected with a view, directly or indiprosper, and practise, and destroy the holy peo-rectly, to the kingdom of Messiah. Is an em

pire, or kingdom, subverted or overthrown? that empire, or kingdom, is overthrown in subserviency to the glory of his kingdom and empire, which shall know neither bounds nor end, but the universe, and whose end no other than the days of eternity. Jesus Christ, then, is the only person that ever existed in whom all the prophecies meet as in a centre." In order, therefore, to oppose error, and confront the infidel, we must study the prophecies, not as independent of each other, but as connected; for "the argument from prophecy," says Bishop Hurd, "is not to be formed from the consideration of single prophecies, but from all the prophecies taken together, and considered as making one system; in which, from the mutual dependence and connexion of its parts, preceding prophecies prepare and illustrate those which follow; and these, again, reflect light on the foregoing just as in any philosophical system, that which shows the solidity of it is the harmony and correspondence of the whole, not the application of it in particular instances.

ple, not regarding the God of his fathers, nor the desire of wives, but honouring Mahuzzim,' godsprotectors, or saints-protectors, 'and causing the priests of Mahuzzim to rule over many, and to divide the land for gain.' We see the Turks 'stretch-whose limits shall be no other than the limits of ing forth their hand over the countries,' and particularly over the land of Egypt, the Libyans at their steps,' and the Arabians still 'escaping out of their hand. We see the Jews led away captive into all nations, and Jerusalem trodden down of the Gentiles,' and likely to continue so 'until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,' as the Jews are by a constant miracle preserved a distinct people for the completion of other prophecies relating to them. We see one who opposeth and exalteth himself' above all laws, divine and human, sitting as God in the church of God, and showing himself that he is God, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. We see a great apostacy in the Christian church, which consists chiefly in the worship of demons, angels, or departed saints, and is promoted 'through the hypocrisy of liars, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats.' We see the seven churches of Asia lying in the same forlorn and desolate condition that the angel had signified to St. John, their 'candlestick removed out of its place,' their churches turned into mosques, their worship into superstition. In short, we see the characters of 'the beast and the false prophet,' and 'the whore of Babylon,' now exemplified in every particular, and in a city that is seated upon seven mountains;' so that, if the bishop of Rome had sat for his picture, a greater resemblance and likeness could not have been drawn.

"For these things we have the attestation of past, and the experience of present times; and we cannot well be deceived, if we will only believe our own eyes and observation. We actually see the completion of many of the prophecies in the state of men and things around us; and we have the prophecies themselves recorded in books, which books have been read in public assemblies these 170 or 2000 years, have been dispersed into several countries, have been translated into several languages, and quoted and commented upon by different nations; so that there is no room to suspect so much as a possibility of forgery or illusion."

Hence, though the evidence be but small from the completion of any one prophecy taken separately, yet that evidence, being always something, the amount of the whole evidence resulting from a great number of prophecies, all relative to the same design, may be considerable; like many scattered rays, which, though each be weak in itself, yet, concentrated into one point, shall form a strong light, and strike the sense very powerfully. Still more; this evidence is not merely a growing evidence, but is indeed multiplied upon us, from the number of reflected lights which the several component parts of such a system reciprocally throw upon each; till, at length, the conviction rise unto a high degree of moral certainty."

Farther, in order to understand the prophecies, we must endeavour to find out the true subject of prophecy; that is, precisely what the prophets speak of, and the characters that are applied to that subject. The literal sense should be always kept in view, and a knowledge of oriental customs attained. The beginning and end of the prophetic sermons must be carefully observed. The time, as near as possible, of the predictions should be ascertained. An acquaintance with the method of salvation by Christ will greatly assist us in this work. The mind must be unprejudiced, and we should be well acquainted 4. Rules for understanding the prophecies. with the Scriptures at large. These rules, with In order to understand the prophecies, and to dependence on the divine teaching, will assist us in form a right judgment of the arguments for the understanding the prophecies. See Bishop Newtruth of Christianity, we must not consider them ton's Dissertations on the Prophecies; Bishop singly and apart, but as a grand whole, or a chain Sherlock's Use and Intent of Prophecy; Bishop reaching through several thousand years, yet Hurd's Sermons on the Prophecies; Sir Isaac manifestly subservient to one and the same end. Newton's Observations on the Prophecies of This end is no other than the establishment of Daniel and on the Apocalypse; Gray's Key to the universal empire of truth and righteousness the Old Testament; Simpson's Key to the Prounder the dominion of Jesus Christ. We are phecies; Illustrations of Prophecy; Vitringa's not, indeed, to suppose that each of the prophe-Typus Doctrine Prophetica; Gill on the Procies recorded in the Old Testament expressly phets; Ettrick's Second Exodus, or Remarks on points out, and clearly characterizes Jesus Christ; the Prophecies of the Last Times; Kett's His yet, taken as a whole, this grand system refers to tory the Interpreter of Prophecy. See also the him; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of works of Mede, Smith, Halifax, Apthorp, and prophecy. "All the revolutions of divine provi- Faber, on the subject. dence have him for their scope and end. Is an

PROPHESYINGS, religious exercises of the