all their members keep within the bounds of truth in the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment, as the children and household of Abraham, that the promise of God's blessings to Abraham and his seed may rest upon us. My Friends, it is no small charge, that the Lord commits to the care of the aforesaid meetings, the care of his flocks, the preservation of the testimony of truth, and the honour of his great and worthy name: so that it is of absolute necessity for all the members, both male and female, to know their election, and in what it stands, and in what authority they sit in those meetings; for the service thereof must be performed in the wisdom and counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the authority of his blessed spirit and power. For the things of God knoweth no man; but the spirit of God, in which the election stands, and this is that which fits for the Lord's service in his church, as he hath appointed every one to his service and office. We know that our men's and women's meetings for the Lord's service in his church, were ordained of God, and settled among us in the authority and by the assistance of his blessed spirit and power, and committed to the trust and care of faithful men and faithful women, to keep them up in the spirit and power of God, in which they were set up: testimonies whereof may be seen in many comfortable epistles written to men's and women's meetings, for all the members to keep their possession in the spirit and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. were gathered to the faith in Christ Jesus, and churches or meetings were established; then faithful men who were qualified for that service, were appointed as elders or overseers by the approbation of the holy Ghost, to take the oversight of the flock of Christ, to see that all who professed faith in Christ, should walk in his doctrine, as it was first delivered by Christ and his holy apostles; and to see that the testimony of Jesus was kept in all its branches, that the comely order of the Gospel might be shown forth in them to unbelievers, as lights in the world; that if any could not be won by the word and doctrine, the witness of God in them might be reached by the just and good examples of the churches of Christ. And those qualified elders and pastors, whom the holy Ghost made overseers in the churches, were to feed them in due season, not of constraint, but of a willing mind; neither for selfish gain, but for truth's sake; neither as lords over God's heritage, but examples to the flock, and to do justice and judgment without partiality; being faithful men, sanctified with truth, seasoned with the grace of God, and gifted with a good understanding in church affairs, relating to Gospel discipline; having their senses well exercised in the law of God, to know what was for truth, and what was against truth; and accordingly to suffer nothing to be ushered into the church of Christ that was against truth; but as doorkeepers in the Lord's house, to stand in and for truth's testimony against everything that would lessen the credit thereof. This is, and was the Lord's way in the settling of his church and people under his go- But when the faith of Jesus was departed vernment. For when the Lord's ancient peo- from, and self-interest got into the churches, ple came out of Egypt by an high hand, the then this godly care and holy discipline went Lord gave them laws and statutes to keep and to decay, and earthly wisdom, carnal reasondo, and appointed elders, as judges and over- ing, worldly policy, riches, greatness and liteseers, to see that they kept the Lord's way, ral learning swayed the counsels in church which he prescribed, and to do justice and affairs. And now the Lord is raising up those judgment, as Abraham commanded his house- ruins, and putting his church in its ancient hold after him. And those elders and over- order, settling those meetings of faithful memseers were of God's appointing, and known bers, to be kept up in the authority of his by the people to be men qualified for the ser- spirit and power, wherein neither riches nor vice; such unto whom the Lord gave of his policy must rule; but in all such meetings good spirit, which opened their understandings about the Lord's business, the Lord must be to make a true inspection into matters that chairman, ruler and judge, whose good spirit came before them, to do justice and judgment, of heavenly wisdom and divine counsel must according to the law of God. And when rule in the hearts of his people, who sit with such elders or overseers ruled, as were thus him in that weighty service of church governrightly elected, and walked by the rule of the ment; for it is in the gift of the Lord's good Lord's good spirit, they were a blessing to spirit, that the ability stands to perform that the people, and the Lord was with them: but service as well as doctrine. If any undertake when others came to sit in the assemblies, as it otherwise, they miss their way, mar the elders, overseers and judges, not appointed of work, and instead of being helpmeets in gothe Lord, neither guided by his spirit, what ca-vernment, do many times cause trouble in the lamity then came upon Abraham's household. church. This from Likewise in the primitive times, when many in divers places, both of Jews and Gentiles, [1708.] THE END. Your ancient friend and brother, THE LIFE AND CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY OF THAT FAITHFUL SERVANT OF THE LORD, ELIZABETH STIRREDGE, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE, AT HER HOUSE AT HEMSTEAD, IN HERTFORDSHIRE, IN THE SEVENTY A woman that feareth the Lord, shall be praised. Prov. xxxi. 30. PREFACE. As the memory of the just is blessed, so there is a justice due to their memories, who walked in the path of the just, which is as a shining light, and are the blessed who die in the Lord, who rest from their labours, and their works follow them to their everlasting reward in the kingdom of heaven; as well as for the example and admonition of those they leave behind. This is either by publishing their own memoirs of their lives, when they leave any; or where that is wanting, by commemorating them according to the example of holy Scripture. The following relation of her labours and sufferings for Christ, written by an early disciple in this Gospel-day, renders it unnecessary to say much of the author; her own book being a sufficient memorial of her, and what she was; only as a necessary introduction to her own account, I have this to premise concerning her. according to her gift, and was well esteemed of The following papers written with her own hand, in relation to her labours and sufferings, were some time since put into my hand to peruse, as falling mostly within the compass I was acquainted with her many years, she my knowledge; especially that part in relabeing my country-woman; and this testimony tion to her imprisonment at Ivelchester, I lives in my heart concerning her, that she being then a prisoner there for the testimony was a religiously exercised woman, always of truth, in the time of the great imprisonseeking the best things, and through the good- ment for attending meetings, in the year 1683. ness of God, found him whom her soul loved. She was taken at meeting at Chewmagna, She underwent many deep exercises inwardly with nearly thirty more, and sent to prison by and outwardly, by contrary spirits, who op- that wicked persecutor, and under-sheriff of posed the work of the Lord, and his servants the county, John Helliar of Bristol, at the inand handmaids. She bore a faithful testimony, stigation of the priest of the parish; both of as the Lord laid it upon her, and made way whom were soon after cut off by death; the for her, being a true mourner in Sion, for the said priest Cross, immediately, in a very reabominations of the times. She had a solid markable manner, as is herein related, and the savory testimony for the truth, which she re- said Helliar also was smitten with great terror ceived early, and was faithful and diligent in, and horror of mind for the violence he had com mitted on the people of God in that city, and kept men to watch with him night and day, for fear the devil would fetch him away; as I have been credibly informed he expressed. Another great persecutor there, R. Oliffe, who made much spoil on the said people, as I heard, cried out he was damned, and that they should make restitution to them he had wronged, which he was never able to do; and so both died miserably; and several others. Such a thrifty trade, says one, is persecution, that it leaves men never a friend in heaven, or on earth. Oh, that others would take warning in time by examples of divine vengeance, to avoid such things, and do no more so wickedly. For as the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance, so the name of the wicked shall rot; and wherever Helliar's name is mentioned it stinks, as all persecutors do. I have carefully perused and put in order the following relation; which I have been comforted in reading, being matter of experi ence, warning, exhortation and counsel, written in a good understanding of the things of God, and the mysteries of his kingdom. To which is added a short supplement of the last fourteen years of her life; collected chiefly from her son's account; with an epistle to Friends, and a warning to others, formerly printed; all which I hope may be of service to her posterity and benefit to others; and that it will tend to the glory of God, and the comfort and edification of his people; to whose perusal in much love and sincerity I recommend it, and all to the grace of God, which is able to build them up, and give them an inheritance among them that are sanctified; which is the sincere desire of, reader, Thy real friend, London, the 21st of the JOHN WHITING. TESTIMONIES CONCERNING ELIZABETH STIRREDGE. A Testimony from several Friends belonging to the meeting at Hemel, Hemstead, and the parts adjacent, in the county of Hertford, concerning Elizabeth Stirredge, the 8th of the Third month, 1711. fresh and living testimony. ancient account we read in holy Scripture. And she frequently pressed Friends to sincerity and uprightness of heart. Although the Lord had given her a large gift, and a good utterance, she was not forward to appear in public service, but as an immediate concern OUR dear friends James and Elizabeth came upon her. She was a good example in Stirredge, came here to reside about the year frequenting meetings, both on first and week1688, whose coming into these parts was sea-days, and was often made instrumental to stir sonable, and we believe ordered by the good up the pure minds of many, by way of reprovidence of God. It had a tendency to membrance, to our mutual comfort, by her the strength and edification of Friends; for about that time some were busy to weaken Her husband also, who departed this life love among brethren, under specious preten- some time since her decease, was an honest ces of liberty, &c. But the said Elizabeth zealous Friend, and her fellow-helper in the being gifted for the ministry, and acquainted work of the Lord, in his proper gift, and our with the wiles and subtle devices of the enemy, true friend and brother; and they were both was made a serviceable instrument in our de- very near and acceptable to Friends, here and fence and preservation; being attended with here-away. But what shall we say? The power, wisdom, and true zeal for the pros-Lord hath called them to his rest in a good perity of the truth and people of God. She old age; we earnestly desire, as they frewas sound and savory in her doctrine and quently did, that the young generation may public ministry, and tender and affectionate come up in faithfulness, and fill up the room in Christian advice and counsel, to the com- of all such, being thereunto spirited by the fort of the afflicted and exercised in spirit, Lord, that his name may be more and more declaring, that the way to the kingdom of known, and glorified to all succeeding generaGod is through tribulation, agreeably to the tions ;—Amen. VOL. II.-No. 5. 24 for her soul. My heart hath been well affected many times with her testimony, for she spoke as one having authority, almost to admiration, considering the weakness of body with which she was afflicted; but the Lord was with her, who giveth strength to the weak, and his power was her support. It was her lot many times when she came to our meeting, to lodge at my house, my dear mother, Hannah Neale, and she being very intimate friends, and heartily loving each others company, which I also loved, for it was pleasant, and her discourse was edifying to me. I HAD an intimate acquaintance with her; and as the Lord had given her a measure of the holy Spirit, to lead her in the way of I have been affected to hear her give an peace, he also gave her a public testimony, account of the sufferings, which she and in which she was very serviceable in our many others went through in early days. meetings; being attended with power, wisdom When they were going to meeting, they went and true zeal. Her testimony was sound and in peril of their lives, the wicked and ungodly savory, to the comforting of the upright-heart-people throwing stones, clods, and other things ed; she being many times drawn forth to en- at them. And although many rose up against courage the exercised and afflicted in spirit, them, yet how wonderfully did the Lord preand led to declare, that the way to the king-serve his people through many tribulations; dom of God is through tribulations. She most of which, blessed be the Lord, we in this would frequently press Friends to upright- day are free from. heartedness, sincerity and integrity; being Much might be said concerning our friend: also a good example in her conversation. she was a valiant woman for truth on earth, Although the Lord had given her a large gift, a mother in Israel, and a worthy faithful elder yet she was backward to appear therein, ex-in the church of Christ in her time. cept she found it was immediately required of And my desire is, that we who are of a her. She was zealously concerned against younger generation, and are yet left behind, that spirit that led into separation, and against may in our measure be found treading in the deceit and hypocrisy, and had a sharp testi- steps of our ancients, who have served the mony against such as the great enemy had so Lord faithfully in their generation, and are misled. She was a diligent frequenter of removed from us. meetings, both on first and week-days. Her husband also being an honest and zealous Friend, they were both serviceable to truth and Friends. But the will of God be done; for fully satisfied am I, that they are gone to rest, and entered into joy and happiness, where all sorrows cease, and tears are wiped Concerning her husband, James Stirredge, by away. JOHN THORNTON. John Neale's Testimony concerning Elizabeth It is in my mind to write something as a testimony concerning my dear and well-beloved friend, Elizabeth Stirredge, deceased. She received the truth in the love of it in her young years, as I have heard from her own mouth, during the time of my acquaintance with her, which was about fifteen years. She lived about seven miles from us, and sometimes came to vist our meeting at Watford, and I with many more were glad to see her, she being one on whom the Lord was pleased to bestow a gift of the ministry, that she might tell unto others what God had done Though our loss of such worthies be great; yet doubtless they are entered into those mansions of eternal bliss, where joy unspeakable and full of glory is their portion, for evermore. JOHN NEALE. the same hand. He was a man with whom I was well acquainted for many years; an honest uprighthearted man, one that feared God and eschewed evil; zealous for the honour of God and for the promotion of his truth on earth; a hearty lover of faithful Friends, and in his conversation amongst men, blameless. A zealous man for Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of church government; his desire was, that Friends in such meetings might so wait upon the Lord, to receive counsel from him, as to act in the wisdom of God, that everything contrary to the principles of truth might be kept out of them, and nothing but truth have the pre-eminence, He was a meek-spirited and lowly-minded man, more in substance than in show. I went to visit him in his last illness, when he was so weak, that he spake very low, but very sensible, and was in a good frame of mind; so that I was refreshed in my visit. He was very patient under his affliction, and I believe fully resigned to the will of God. He departed this life in the eighth month, 1708, at Hemstead in Hertfordshire, and was buried at Friends' burying-ground at Woodend, in the same county. JOHN NEALE. LIFE OF ELIZABETH STIRREDGE. SEEING the Lord hath been pleased to count thunder, oh, the dread and terror that would me worthy to travel in Sion's way, and I have fall upon me! And I would get to the most found it so straight and narrow, and so many private place that I could, to mourn in secret, that have been called, and some who have thinking the Lord would render vengeance entered into it have gone into bypaths and upon the heads of the wicked. When I saw crooked ways again; and I have found the the flashes of lightning, oh, thought I, whither blessed effect of keeping in the right way, shall I go to hide myself from the wrath of therefore I have a great concern upon my the dreadful and terrible God! Thus was I spirit for my children, who are coming up possessed with my soul's concern; and before after me, that they may not be forgetful of I was ten years of age, was so filled with keeping in the right way, whensoever the fears and doubts, that I could take no delight Lord shall be pleased to take me from them. in anything of this world. When I grew up It is in my heart, as my heavenly Father to riper years, I went to hear those accounted will be pleased to assist me, to leave a short the best men, who lived up to what was made testimony behind me, for my children, of some known to them. I delighted to hear them, passages of my life, and of the goodness of the Lord to me all my life long, unto this very day, which is worthy for ever to be had in remembrance; and in reverence to the worthy name and power of the Lord is it spoken, and he shall have the praise of his own work for ever. and be in company with those who talked of good things, and discoursed of Scripture, of God and Christ, and of heaven's glory. Oh! how delightsome was it to me; but still I was not satisfied, because I found I was not a living witness of the states and conditions that the people of God were in, in former days; 1634. I was born at Thornbury, in Glou-and how to attain to them I did not know. cestershire, of honest parents; my father's Then did I mourn, and say in my heart, oh, name was William Tayler; and my parents that I had been born in the days when the were people fearing God, and very zealous in Lord spake to Moses, and to the children of their day. My father being one of these Israel, and with a high and wonderful power called Puritans, prophesied of Friends many brought forth his people out of Egypt, through years before they came. He said, "there is a the Red Sea, that I might have known how to day coming, wherein truth will gloriously break walk in the right way, and to do what the forth, more gloriously than ever since the Lord required of me, and been in acquaintapostles' days, but I shall not live to see it." ance and familiarity with my Maker; that I He died in the faith of it seven years before might have known when I pleased or disFriends came; whose honest and chaste life is pleased the Lord, whom my soul loved, but often in my remembrance, and his fervent and knew not how to become acquainted with him. zealous prayers amongst his family, are not What would I not have parted with for forgotten by me. My parents brought me up the enjoyment of the Lord, and assurance of after a very strict manner, so that I was much salvation? Surely if it were possible for me a stranger to the world and its ways. In my to have enjoyed all the world, I could freely tender years I was of a sad heart, and much have parted with it, for peace and satisfaction concerned, with inward fear, what would be- to my poor distressed soul, that mourned as come of me when I should die; and when my without hope. Many a time, and many hours lot was to be near any who would talk rudely, have I spent alone, reading and mourning, or swear, or be overcome with strong drink, when no eye saw me, nor ear heard me, neiI dreaded to pass by them. When I heard it ther could I find comfort in reading, because |