things, fpecially to fuch who had been inftrumental in the Lord's hand to their coming to the saving knowledge of Jefus Chrift. But I fhewed the priest, that all this carried no analogy to what was between him and me, for I being excommunicated, was but to him as an heathen man and a publican, and as we never came. to hear him, we could not owe him any acknowledgment, nor could he expect any thing as a free-will offering on that account.

This prieft Wykes (for that was his name) was a Atrong-fpirited man, of confiderable parts and learning; and a neighbouring justice of the peace- told me, he was fearful would be very fevere with me; yet to his commendation be it fpoken, he was ever after this conference very loving, and never gave me any trouble for thofe he called his dues.

I may add one obfervation or two not mentioned in our debate, which were, that if the maintenance of the priests was to be wholly withdrawn, or left to the freedom and generosity of the people, many of them would want and come to poverty, and be forced to labour with their hands, which would diftrat, or at leaft impede their studies. I answered, That with such ministers as they were, this might be the cafe but if all would come truly and rightly to wait on the great teacher, the anointing in themselves, it would greatly tend to the advantage of Chriftendem; for the Almighty, who

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by his good Spirit is alone able to raise up and qualify gospel minifters, as he knows the wants of his people, and their faith and truft in him, would no doubt raife up from among them faithful minifters; fuch, who being humble, meek and low in heart, like him of whom they had learned, would be content to live in moderation on a little, and to labour in their refpective callings, like the apostle Paul, that great minister of the Gentiles, working with their hands that their ministry might not be chargeable, such as fishermen, collectors of customs, &c. whofe miniftry being not their own, but received immediately from the great fhepherd of the fheep, would not require much time and study to pen down, but coming from the Spirit of Truth immediately moving upon the minifters hearts, would be more effectual to reach the witness of truth in the hearts of their hearers, than all the laboured difcourfes of the moft fubtle prieft, though the produce of much pains and ftudy. Neither have I found in all my travels, from any obfervation I have made, that ever the faithful minifters of Chrift became any great burthen or charge to the churches; for I have feen the divine Providence attend the Lord's faithful fervants, who thereby have been enabled to order their affairs with difcretion, fo as to want little.

I

HAVING had drawings in my mind, for fome

confiderable time, once more to vifit Friends in feveral parts of America, and inafmuch as I believed it was my duty, and what the Lord required of me to give up to, I was refigned, after fome reasonings about my age, and declenfion as to ability of outward ftrength, concerning which I met with fome inward conflicts and combatings which brought me very for a time; but the Lord helped me through these difficulties, and caufed his truth to fpring comfortably in my heart, and his heavenly prefence I witneffed at times

low

times to refresh my soul in these exercises unknown to many; and the time being come for my preparing for the journey, on the 15th of the third month, 1731, I fet forward from Hutton in the Hole to Scarborough, where I took shipping with George Widget for London, and came thither the first day of the Yearly-meeting, with which I was very well satisfied, and on the 25th day of the fourth month went on board of a veffel bound for Philadelphia, in America, John Wilcox mafter, who was very civil and kind to me.

On the 27th of the said month we fet fail, and had a good paffage in the main, excepting that we had one very great storm, in which we were in danger of being loft; our bolt-fprit was broke, and the masts were in danger of coming down, yet we were preserved; and in about eleven weeks, being the 12th of the seventh month, I landed near Philadelphia, to the great fatisfaction of friends as well as myself, renowned be the great Name of the Lord for ever.

I have many times confidered, that although it was my place to leave my very near and dear friends, children, and relations, who in a tender frame of fpirit were much concerned for me, and I for them,

yet I met with many tender-hearted friends in my travels, who were very near with me in the bleffed truth; which fails not those who truft in the Lord, and are faithful, according to the ability and under

standing

ftanding which the Lord hath given to the children of men, and are devoted to answer the leadings and guidance of his Holy Spirit, and willing to bear the cross, burthen, or yoke, which he fees good to lay upon his fervants and handmaids: and I intreat all fuch who are called unto the Lord's great work, to give up cheerfully and not grudgingly, and not to look back at what is behind, so as to haften or hinder themselves in that work they are called to, left they fall fhort of that penny or crown, which the faithful will receive in the end of all their labour.

The Yearly-meeting at Philadelphia was nigh when` we landed, which was large, and a good meeting, many friends from feveral parts being at it. Here I met with Henry Frankland, and we were truly glad to fee each other, and went in company together fouthward towards Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, and returned to Pennsylvania; and in a fhort time after we parted: he came for England, and I travelled for New England through the Jerseys, Long Island, Rhode Ifland, and Nantucket, having Richard Walne, of Pennsylvania, for my companion, an innocent good man; we paffed through all, or most part of the aforefaid provinces and iflands, and had very large meetings, and great attention there was in many to hear the teftimony of truth, and an open door both of utterance, and in many places of entrance, for what was delivered; yet not without oppofition in some places.

I had