creaturely will, believing that though there may be many things admitted by this wisdom, which may appear founded in equity, and due from man to man, yet that the government of men, both in a national and individual capacity, is the ultimate and sovereign right of the Almighty, and that the establishment of peace on earth can never be expected, until the rule and dominion is surrendered up to him. Then will that kingdom be set up, both individually and in the world which the same enlightened prophet saw. "And in the days of these kings,shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people but it shall break in pieces, and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." Dan. ii. 44. While the pride of man continues to usurp the government, and his will and wisdom dictate the measures to be adop ted, the effect will be what this fallen wisdom ever has produced. But when

that kingdom shall be set up, which is already begun in the souls of many people, it shall remove the spirit of war, and establish in the room thereof, the peaceful reign of the Messiah. As members of this kingdom which the Lord designs to exalt, what have such to do with any other, but to be examples of the peaceable government of Christ? Therefore, let all those who profess to be his subjects, and who believe in his lamb-like, suffering nature, beware how they mar his work in their own souls, and retard its progress in the earth, lest they stumble and fall, and lose that inheritance in his light and truth, to which they are called.

But some will say, that if this be the profession of Friends, they are against all civil government, and look for the kingdom and government of Christ to do all things, to answer all ends and purposes. To such I would observe, that the foundation of Christian gov

ernment stands upon the ground of conviction, convincement, and good will to men and that I know of no constitution or government in the world that at this day, agrees with Christianity they all make provision for war, they all complete their ends by force. And therefore, it becomes a people who cannot act upon opposite principles, to be on their guard how they connect themselves with the measures of government. The Christian may live in the world, he may comply with all the commands of government, either actively or passively, and there is nothing to fear from him, if he be a Christian. And if all men were Christians, the principles of civil government would be changed from compulsion to consent, the subjects from force to submission without it. But I may be told, all men are not Christians, therefore force is necessary to protect Christians. This consequence will not follow; for a Christian is like a plant in the earth, he

stands till he is cut down; or in other words, his stay on earth is wholly submitted to the will of his Creator; and because his Creator has forbidden the exercise of force, he knows that it is not the will of his Lord that he should resort to it, even when he cannot stand without it. He is removed from the world, he has made no resistance, he dies in peace; therefore, by the power of non-resistance, he is made victorious; and this is our victory, even our faith. And thus it is, that the Lamb and his followers are unconquerable, because they never strive. All, therefore, who take this ground, are members of the kingdom of the Prince of Peace; they are redeemed from war, and the occasions that lead to it, and stand in that spirit which is of God, and which is willing, like him, that blessings should flow upon the evil and the good.

I have confidence that the day is fast approaching, when according to the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah," he

shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people, and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more," Isaiah, ii. 4, and Micah, iv. 4. But there will be a qualification to say one to another, "Come let us walk in the light of the Lord." Isaiah, ii. 5.

CHURCH GOVERNMENT.

HAVING now completed a summary of the profession of the society of Friends, respecting ministry, worship, and doctrines, I come in the next place to speak of church government. That it is consistent with the practice of primitive believers in Christ to adopt some form of government, will appear from many passages in the Scriptures; and that they were united for this purpose, we may surely take for granted.

L