ment in myself beyond what I am able to express. And when I have been drawn away into anything which tended to hinder my growth in that which I found to my soul's advantage, sorrow and trouble took hold of me; under a sense whereof I often made vows and promises that I would never join with the like again, which being my first fruits before the Lord, I believe he had a tender regard to, and often assisted me to perform those covenants, which through some good measure of Divine influence I then entered into. In the time of this exercise, great and many were the conflicts I had to encounter; but, to the praise of his great name I speak it, his compassionate, fatherly care was over me, and always attended me with such a portion of his Divine and saving grace, that I knew preservation thereby through things of the most trying and pinching nature: in the experience whereof thankfulness would arise."

Here the manuscript breaks off, and therefore we shall proceed to observe, that as he was thus early visited, so, through faithfulness to the Divine manifestations, he was early anointed and sent forth to preach the gospel, even in his minority, either whilst under education at the school of that ancient and honourable Friend Gilbert Thompson, or very soon after he left it; as near as we can gather, his mouth was opened in public testimony about the year 1711, and in the fifteenth of his age. Through Divine favour, as he abode in faithfulness, he grew in the Truth and increased in his gift, which was very acceptable. He entered upon his first journey in the service of Truth with Edward Upsher in the year 1714, being the eighteenth of his age, and visited Friends in several adjacent counties. In 1716, he accompanied George Gibson through Ireland: he visited Friends in that kingdom again in 1726: he travelled most parts of this nation many times over, and twice into Scotland; and in the year 1742, a concern having long and weightily been upon him to pay a religious visit to Friends in America, he went over in company with our Friends John Haslam, and Michael Lightfoot, who was then upon his return to Philadelphia. Having discharged that duty to the edification and great satisfaction of the churches

U

there, as appears by their many emphatical certificates, the Lord was pleased in 1744 to restore him again in safety to his native land, with the rich reward of peace in his bosom. In 1753, he made his third visit to Friends in Ireland, and continued afterwards, as he found it his concern, to travel in divers parts of this nation, was a constant attender of the Yearly Meeting in London, and at many other opportunities paid very acceptable visits to that city. In the exercise of his gift, he was frequently opened and enlarged in Divine counsel, in delivery was manly and distinct, his doctrine sound and flowing, and his spirit lively and powerful. He appeared at times as a cloud filled with celestial rain, to the reviving and refreshment of the living heritage of God, zealous for the prosperity of the church, and for the gathering of all. He spared not to spend himself in the strength of his days, and Almighty goodness was pleased to preserve him a strong man and an able minister for a long course of years. He usually delivered himself with great fervency; and often in the flowing forth of Divine love upon his spirit, he was raised to sing the song of Zion in a melodious manner. While favoured with ability, he was constant and particularly careful in giving due attendance to meetings, and very serviceable on occasions of marriages and burials. He was exemplary in life, unstained in character, assiduous to preserve discipline and order in the church, and that love and unity might be maintained and increased, painful in travail, laborious in word and doctrine, an elder worthy of double honour, to whom we cordially gave it. The deep impressions that remain on many of our spirits in the grateful remembrance of his labours of love, which through Divine assistance he was enabled to bestow upon us, we hope will be lasting engagements to us to preserve a just and affectionate regard to his memory. His doctrine was often wonderfully suited to the states of those to whom he ministered, and the holy unction which accompanied it effectual to the melting the hearts both of Friends and others. We have cause to believe that in many distant and different parts, as well as in his own neighbourhood, a number are still in being who are as seals to the truth and power of his ministry, to whose

convincement he was made instrumental, or to whose growth he was helpful.

It so pleased the Sovereign Wisdom, that about three years before his decease his mortal part received a shock of a paralytic kind, which, both in his own apprehensions and in that of his friends, seemed to threaten him with a hasty dissolution. Under this

affecting visitation, by the account of a relation who visited him the same evening, he was graciously preserved in a broken, tender, living frame, and expressed himself after this manner:-That he had now the satisfaction of a good conscience, and of having discharged himself in the duty required of him, according to the ability afforded him, declaring at the same time the great consolation he inwardly enjoyed. The next morning, after a short sleep, and taking some little refreshment, he was somewhat revived, and signified, that he was well pleased his outward affairs were settled, and was fully satisfied with the manner in which they were ordered, and entirely resigned to the disposal of all-wise Providence, whether it might be to lengthen his days or to take him hence: that he felt a blessed assurance, and found the Lord, who had been his support in many trials from his youth to his advanced years, still to be near him, and could experimentally say his Redeemer lived, who had ever been the strength of his faithful people, and had brought to pass many things in his no short pilgrimage, which to outward appearance seemed very unlikely. After this, he lay in a sweet quiet frame of mind, and his pain lessening he appeared pretty cheerful, and in time he became so far restored as to be able to appear abroad by means of a carriage, but with considerable difficulty to himself. And though in common conversation his apprehension and memory seemed much impaired, yet his public appearance in meeting continued sound, consistent and savoury. A few months before his death he was rendered totally unable to attend meetings, and continued gradually to decline; and the gracious Lord, who had been his strength and stay in the prime of his life, supported him in his last moments; for then he appeared to be favoured with a comfortable taste of that glorious immortality which is prepared for the

righteous. For though he was deprived of bodily strength to speak so distinctly as usual, yet he was sufficiently understood to intimate the inexpressible joy and felicity that he felt, and seemed to pass away as with an heavenly song of Divine praise in his mouth. He departed this life at Wells, the 19th of 7th mo. 1767, and his remains were buried at Fakenham the 22nd, after a large and solemn meeting of relations, friends, and neighbours. He died in the seventysecond year of his age, and the fifty-seventh of his ministry.

Signed in and on behalf of our monthly meeting held at Wells the 4th of 5th mo. 1768 by many Friends.

CHAPTER VII.

IN the 7th mo. 1769, my wife and I took a journey to London, principally to attend the marriage of my brother John Oxley to Elizabeth Chorley. The marriage was solemnized at Devonshirehouse, in a very large assembly of Friends and friendly-minded people, who conducted themselves well on the occasion. Thomas Whitehead concluded the meeting in supplication, which was to good satisfaction. The same day we dined at Tottenham, and returned to Norwich the 7th day following.

I continued my usual employment in business, keeping much at home, except visiting neighbouring meetings as I found a concern so to do, and occasionally to London, but not with certificate.

Many years before my going into Scotland I was apprehensive that one time or other it would be required of me to take a much longer journey. But nothing of that kind appeared to be very nigh at hand, and I desired to wait in a state of resignedness, and not to be afraid, and so terrify myself with apprehensions of what might be, neither on the other hand to be forward in giving credit to every appearance as a real concern. But to live in reverence and fear before the Lord, and walking circumspectly before men, seemed the present requirement and way of duty. And having a very pleasant habitation in a good city, an affectionate wife, and comfortable children made