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
May the Faithfulness of the Martyrs when the Prospect of Death by Fire
was before them, be remembred. And may the patient constant Sufferings
of the upright-hearted Servants of God in latter Ages be revived in our
Minds. And may we so follow on to know the Lord, that neither the
Faithful in this Age, nor those in Ages to come, may ever be brought
under Suffering, through our sliding back from the Work of Reformation
in the World.
While the active Members in the visible gathered Church stand upright,
and the Affairs thereof are carried on under the Leadings of the Holy
Spirit, although Disorders may arise among us, and cause many Exercises
to those who feel the Care of the Churches upon them; yet while these
continue under the Weight of the Work, and labour in the Meekness of
Wisdom for the Help of others, the Name of Christ in the visible
gathered Church may be kept sacred; but while they who are active in the
Affairs of this Church, continue in a manifest Opposition to the Purity
of our Principles, this, as the Prophet _Isaiah_ x. 18. expresseth it,
is like _as when a Standard-bearer fainteth_; and thus the Way opens to
great and prevailing Degeneracy, and to Sufferings for such who through
the Power of Divine Love, are separated to the Gospel of Christ, and
cannot unite with any Thing which stands in Opposition to the Purity of
it.
The Necessity of an inward Stillness, hath under these Exercises
appeared clear to my Mind; in true Silence Strength is renewed, the Mind
herein is weaned from all Things, but as they may be enjoyed in the
Divine Will, and a Lowliness in outward Living opposite to Worldly
Honour, becomes truly acceptable to us;--in the Desire after outward
Gain, the Mind is prevented from a perfect Attention to the Voice of
Christ, but being weaned from all Things, but as they may be enjoyed in
the Divine Will, the pure Light shines into the Soul, and where the
Fruits of that Spirit which is of the World, are brought forth by many
who profess to be led by the Spirit of Truth, and Cloudiness is felt to
be gathering over the visible gathered Church, the Sincere in Heart who
abide in true Stillness, and are exercised therein before the Lord for
his Name's Sake, have a Knowledge of Christ in the Fellowship of his
Sufferings, and inward Thankfulness is felt at Times, that through
Divine Love, our own Wisdom is cast out, and that forward active Part in
us subjected, which would rise and do something in the visible gathered
Church, without, the pure Leadings of the Spirit of Christ.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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