persons

CONVINCED PERSONS.

WE esteem it very necessary, that young convinced and well inclined and friends, be early visited in the love of God, by faithful friends; for their encouragement, help, and furtherance in the truth. 1710. P. E.

For the sake of tender and young convinced friends, an earnest concern is on the minds of many, that no occasion of stumbling or offence be laid in their way; but that all such as have made longer profession with us, may be careful to walk in all holiness and uprightness of conversation, and in an humble waiting upon the Lord; that their examplę may tend to the encouragement and strengthening of those who have been more lately visited, to a steady and constant perseverance in the path into which the Lord hath directed their feet. 1737. P. E.

As we have received comfortable accounts from divers parts, of a convincement amongst the people, so as to join with us in profession; we earnestly intreat that a holy care may rest upon all our members, to walk circumspectly as good examples; that, in a particular manner, the ministers and elders may carefully watch that their conduct may be to the edification and strength of the honest, though sometimes weak inquirers. And that friends be careful to lay hands suddenly on no man, but distinguish between a true Christian tenderness to help the weak, and a hasty reception of those under convincement, into membership with us; which has often hurt the individuals, by settling them in a false rest, and been very injurious to the reputation of the society. 1753. W. E.

1 Advice con

cerning those newly con

vinced and under convincement.

2

3

4

Care recommended respecting admission into membership.

5

Advice to

those newly convinced.

6

General counsel.

Advised, that monthly meetings lay hands on no man suddenly, nor speedily admit into membership, any who may come to friends' meetings as convinced persons, especially such as discover an earnestness for a speedy admission into communion with us, without a seasonable time to consider their conduct. Let the innocency of their lives and conversation first be manifested, and a deputation of judicious friends be made, to enquire into the sincerity of their convincement of the truth of our religious principles, and let this appear to the satisfaction of the monthly meeting, previously to their admission.

1764.

We have received accounts, this year, as well as in preceding years, that divers persons have joined our society by convincement.-For you of this description, we feel a tender care, that, after admittance into membership, you may not measure yourselves by others; nor take up a rest short of the true rest. Seek rather an increase in the heavenly principle which comes by Jesus Christ, the true and holy pattern for his flock. Thus only, will your union with us contribute to your advantage; and thus only, will the increase of numbers produce 1799. P. E.

an increase of the joy.

We find, at this as at other times, that several persons have been added to us by convincement. We desire it may also have been by conversion, from form to power. Such truly convinced and converted, are a strength to us. They know the sacrifice which they have made for their present condition, and value it accordingly. They have bought the truth, and are so far from desiring to sell it, that they are concerned that others should possess the same enjoyment. But we are sometimes grieved that persons finding their way, and probably through self-denial, into our society, do not always retain their ground. The salt doth not always retain its savour. In tenderness therefore we intreat the newly-convinced not to esteem their admission as a period of rest from conflict. It rather requires a deeper exercise. And we beseech friends among whom such may dwell, to treat them with

great circumspection as well as kindness. Beware of hurting them by any ill example. They may be offended, and if they are sincere, they are in the number of those whom we are cautioned not to offend. On the other hand, they are tender and inexperienced, and they may be laden with the concerns of our discipline faster than their strength will bear. Thus, friends, on every occasion we see that sound judgment and sound practice require depth and solidity. Let us then keep in view, and earnestly desire to be endued with that discernment which is the means, under direction of the Holy Head, of edifying the body of Christ. 1807. P. E.

General

counsel.

General ad

COVETOUSNESS.

LET none strive nor covet to be rich in this world, in these changeable things that will pass away; but let your faith stand in the Lord covetousness God who changes not, that created all, and gives the increase of all. 1676.

vice against

and over

reaching.

2

3

Recommend

ation to self

daily cross as

We do, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, warn and charge all that profess the truth amongst us to take heed and beware of covetousness, over-reaching, oppressing, and defrauding of any, from whence strife, contention, and law-suits do often arise; and if any difference about these things do happen among you, to stop and suppress it. 1697. P. E.

Let all friends be exhorted to abide under the daily cross, whereby the earthly mind may be crucified, which hath its delights and ease in denial and the vanity, pride, and covetousness; that friends, being preserved out of means of pre- those things wherein the enemy hath had, and has, his kingdom, and too plainly lays his snares to hinder their holy progress, may every where be more and more a retired, serious, plain, and self-denying people; growing in the grace and knowledge of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and exalting his spiritual kingdom in their souls. 1699. P. E.

servation.

4 General ad

vice.

Seeing that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ exhorted to take heed and beware of covetousness,' which is idolatry, we are concerned, that all among us, may take heed of pride, covetousness, and hastening to be rich in the world, which are pernicious and growing evils: let them be watched against, resisted, and suppressed in the fear and dread of Almighty God, and have no place or countenance in his camp.

'Luke, xii. 15.

1720. P. E.

We beseech you to stand upon your guard against the allurements and temptations of this evil world; and beware of an ambitious and covetous spirit, by which many are ensnared in an eager pursuit of earthly enjoyments; the danger of which is thus described by the apostle Paul: "They that will be rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition: for the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Beware, therefore, dearly beloved, lest you also, being led aside by the love of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, fall from your own steadfastness. 1740. P. E.

The great deception of mankind is, that they look for happiness where it is not; are ensnared by the love of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, which, "while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith;" have abused what they should have made good use of, and hurt themselves with the means given for the help of others: the love of money shutting up their hearts from the exercise of charity, in proportion to the substance bestowed on them. 1746. P. E.

Dear friends, the continuance of covetousness and of earthly-mindedness in many, calls upon us to endeavour to awaken such as are infected with it, to a sense of what they are pursuing, and at what price. The great Master hath shown the unprofitableness to a man of the whole world, compared with his immortal soul;' and yet many are pursuing a delusive portion of it, at the expense of their soul's interests. But were all thus awakened, what place would be found for extensive schemes in trade, and fictitious credit to support them? To mix with the spirit of the world in the pursuit of gain, would then be a subject of dread; and contentment under the allotment of Providence, a sure means of preservation. 1788. P. E.

3

1 Tim. vi. 9, 10.

21 Tim. vi. 10.

Matt. xvi. 26.