The journal, with other writings of John WoolmanWoolman, John
Religion
The journal, with other writings of John Woolman
Woolman, John
Quakers -- Biography; Woolman, John, 1720-1772
To have our Trust settled in the Lord, and not to seek after, nor desire
outward Treasures, any further than his Holy Spirit leads us therein, is
a happy State, as saith the Prophet, _Blessed is the Man that trusteth
in the Lord, and whose Hope the Lord is_.
Pure Wisdom leads People into Lowliness of Mind, in which they learn
Resignation to the Divine Will, and Contentment in suffering for his
Cause, when they cannot keep a clear Conscience without suffering.
In this pure Wisdom the Mind is attentive to the Root, and original
Spring of Motions and Desires; and as we know _the Lord to be our
Refuge_, and find no Safety but in humbly walking before him, we feel an
Holy Engagement, that every Desire which leads therefrom may be brought
to Judgment.
While we proceed in this precious Way, and find ardent Longings for a
full Deliverance from every thing which defiles, all Prospects of Gain,
that are not consistent with the Wisdom from above, are considered as
Snares, and an inward Concern is felt, that we may live under the Cross,
and faithfully attend to that Holy Spirit, which is sufficient to
preserve out of them.
When I have considered that Saying of Christ, _Mat._ vi. 19, _Lay not up
for yourselves Treasures upon Earth_, his Omnipotence hath often
occurred to my Mind.
While we believe that he is every where present with his People, and
that perfect Goodness, Wisdom and Power are united in him, how
comfortable is the Consideration.
Our Wants may be great, but his Power is greater. We may be oppressed
and despised, but he is able to turn our patient Sufferings into Profit
to ourselves, and to the Advancement of his Work on Earth. His People,
who feel the Power of his Cross, to crucify all that is selfish in them,
who are engaged in outward Concerns, from a Convincement that it is
their Duty, and resign themselves, and their Treasures, to him; these
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 desires _to know Christ, and the
Fellowship of his Sufferings_, Phil. iii. 10. so far as the Lord for
gracious Ends may lead into them; as such feel that it is their Interest
to put their Trust in God, and to seek no Gain but that which he, by his
Holy Spirit, leads into; so, 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
Christ_, Col. i. 24. in patiently suffering for the promoting
Righteousness in the Earth; but have an Eye toward the Power of Men, and
the outward Advantage of Wealth, these are often attentive to those
Employments which appear profitable, even though the Gains arise from
such Trade and Business which proceeds from the Workings of that Spirit,
which is estranged from the self-denying Life of an humble contrite
_Christian_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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