A time, I believe, is coming, wherein this divine work will fo spread and prevail, that "Nation fhall not lift up fword against nation,

nor learn war any more," Ifaiah ii. 4. And as we, through the tender mercies of God, do feel that this precious work is begun, I am concerned to encourage my brethren and fifters in a boly care and diligence, that each of us may fo live, under the fanctifying power of truth, as to be redeemed from all unnecessary cares; that our eye being fingle to bim, no customs, however prevalent, which are contrary to the wildom from above, may binder us from faithfully following his holy leadings, in whatsoever be may graciously appoint for us.

T

10 have our truft fettled in the Lord, and not to feek after nor defire out→ ward treasures, any farther than his Holy Spirit leads us therein, is a happy ftate; as faith the prophet, "Bleffed is the man that "trufteth in the Lord, and whofe hope the " Lord is."

Pure wisdom leads people into lowliness of mind, in which they learn refignation to the divine will, and contentment in fuffering for his caufe, when they cannot keep a clear confcience without suffering.

In this pure wifdom the mind is attentive to the root and original fpring of motions and defires; and, as we know the Lord to be our "refuge," and find no fafety but in humbly walking before him, we feel a holy engagement, that every defire which leads therefrom may be brought to judgement.

While we proceed in this precious way, and find ardent longings for a full deliverance

from

from every thing which defiles, all profpects of gain, that are not confiftent with the wif dom from above, are confideted as frares; and an inward concern is felt, that we may live un der the crofs, and faithfully attend to that holy fpirit which is fufficient to preferve out of

them.

When I have confidered that faying of Chrift, Matt. vi. 19, "Lay not up for yourselves "treafures upon earth," his omnipotence hath often occurred to my mind.

While we believe that he is every where prefent with his people, and that perfect goodness, wifdom, and power, are united in him, how comfortable is the confideration!

Our wants may be great, but his power is greater. We may be oppreffed and defpifed, but he is able to turn our patient fuffer ings into profit to ourfelves, and to the advancement of his work on earth. on earth, Hiš people, who feel the power of his cross, to crucify all that is felfish in them, who are engaged in outward concerns, from a convincement that it is their duty, and refign themselves, and their treafures, to him; thefe feel that it is dangerous to give way to that in us, which craves riches and greatness in this world.

As the heart, truly contrite, earnestly defires" to know Chrift, and the fellowship

of his fufferings," Phil. i. 10. fo far as the Lord for gracious ends may lead into them; as fuch feel that it is their intereft to put their trust in God, and to feek no gain P 4

but

but that which he, by his Holy Spirit, leads into; fo, on the contrary, they who do not reverently wait for this divine teacher, and are not humbly concerned, according to their measure," to fill up that which is behind of "the afflictions of Chrift," Col. i. 24, in patiently fuffering for the promoting righte ousness in the earth, but have an eye toward the power of men, and the outward advantage of wealth, thefe: are often attentive to thofe employments which appear profitable, even though the gains arife from fuch a trade and business which proceed from the workings of that fpirit, which is eftranged from the felf-denying life of an humble contrite christian.

While I write on this fubject, I feel my mind tenderly affected toward those honestlydifpofed people, who have been brought up in employments attended with thofe diffi culties.

To fuch I may fay, in the feeling of our heavenly Father's love, and number myself with them, Oh! that our eyes may be fingle to the Lord! may we reverently wait on him for ftrength, to lay afide all unneceffary expence of every kind, and learn contentment in a plain fimple life.

May we, in lowlinefs, fubmit to the leadings of his fpirit, and enter upon any outward employ which he graciously points out to us, and then whatever difficulties arife, in confequence of our faithfulness, I trust they will work for our good.

Small

Small treasure to a refigned mind is fuffi cient. How happy is it to be content with a little, to live in humility, and feel that in us, which breathes out this language, Abba! Father!* mabilia

'

1

If that, called the wisdom of this world, had no refemblance of true wifdom, the name of wisdom, I fuppofe, had not been given to it.

དངལ

As wafting outward fubftance, to gratify vain defires, on one hand; fo flothfulnefs and neglect, on the other, do often involve men and their families in trouble, and reduce them to want and diftrefs; to thun both thefe oppofite vices is good in itself, and hath a refemblance of wisdom; but while people, thus provident, have it principally in view to get riches and power, and the friendship of this world, and do not humbly wait for the fpirit of truth to lead them in purity; thefe, through an anxious care to obtain the end defired, reach forth for gain in worldly witdom, and, in regard to their inward ftate, fall into divers temptations and fnares, And though fuch may think of applying wealth to good purposes, and to ufe their power to prevent oppreffion, yet wealth and power are often applied otherwife; nor can we departe from the leadings of our holy shepherd, without going into confufion.

Great wealth is frequently attended with power, which nothing but divine love can qualify the mind to use rightly; and, as to the humility and uprightness of our chil

dren