THE worthy Author of these Writings, was one whose near Relation to me began our Acquaintance almost with our Lives; she was the only Child of her Mother, as I of my Father, and they one Brother and Sister. This gave us Op­portunity of frequent Converse with each other; and having no Sisters of our own, and our natural Inclinations and Tempers being suitable, caused us more to respect each other: Tho' she was of more Years, and different Principles, in Matters of ReligionBeing one called Quaker., at that Time, yet the Sympathy and Kindness that was betwixt us, out-balanced the seeming Disparity; and we could argue without Wrangling, and dissent without Discord; and such [Page] was her prudent winning Carriage towards me, that even in my green and childish Years, she often pre­vail'd with me to quit many trifling Things, in which I then delighted, for more profitable Employments; which she was not wanting to recommend to me, nor to tell me of my Faults; but with so much Af­fection and good Counsel, that like a mollifying, healing Balsam, it cured almost insensibly. And so far was I from accounting her my Enemy, for telling me the Truth, that considering her Wis­dom and Virtue, together with her plain Dealing, which I took as no small Argument of her Kind­ness; knowing, Reproof and good Advice to be so thankless an Office, that nothing but Love and Duty can prevail with a discreet Person to act that Part: I say, upon these Inducements I made Choice of her as my particular Bosom Friend. Nor was I mistaken or disappointed, for such she approved herself; making Choice of me also as hers, soon after my Convincement. Thus was our Love reci­procal: And this was the Beginning of our Friend­ship, so often mentioned in her Verses; which the rather induceth me to hint it here, as an Encou­ragement to all who profess the pure unerring Truth, to keep faithful in their Place and Testimo­ny, that so the Lord may make Use of them to in­vite and win their Familiars and Relations to love and embrace the precious Truth, as she was made an happy Instrument of Good to me, by her many kind Admonitions, and seasonable Cautions, verbal and literal, both in Verse and Prose: But chiefly, that prevailing Argument of good Example, and circumspect Conversation, which the Lord, in his infinite Mercy, was pleased so to bless, that they became Motives to me, to consider how much I was short of her; and to examine her Principles, as well as my own: Then did the Lord open my Eyes, and by his Light and Spirit in my Heart, gave me [Page] a Sight of my inward State and Condition; which I found to be unsafe, notwithstanding the Advan­tages of a sober Education; and that, if my Righ­teousness exceeded not that of the Scribes and Pha­risees, in vain was it to expect an Admittance into the heavenly Kingdom. So that after much Sor­row and many Conflicts, the Lord brought me to this Resolution in my own Mind, That if he would be pleased to discover his Way, which leads to Life and Salvation, and how I should attain Power to walk in it, so that I might enjoy his Peace, which I so much wanted, with his Assistance I would be­come his Disciple, and follow him whithersoever he should lead: Then did the Lord, in his great Love, and never to be forgotten Condescension, shew me, that it was a straight Way, despised by many wise and prudent of the World; and walked in by a poor, self-denying, under-valued People, which it would be hard for me to be numbered with: And so I found it, being almost ready to despair, until the Lord inclined my Heart to take her Counsel, and go to some Meetings of the People called Quak­ers; where I heard the Way of God so plainly dis­covered, and his blessed Truth so livingly preached, that I was convinced thereof, and well satisfied that the glorious Presence of the Lord, and his Heart-mollifying Power, was with this People; which unusually tender'd my Spirit, and distinguished their Meetings from those I had formerly frequented. This made me delight to meet with them, though much wonder'd at, scoff'd and reproach'd for it; yet by her encouraged: But, praised be the great Almighty God, he brought me in his own appoint­ed Time, to witness the Fulfilling of his ancient Prophecy,Psalm cx. 3. making me willing in the Day of his Power; willing to become a Fool and Gazing-stock to my former Acquaint­ance; willing to be rid of the Load of Sin I had [Page] laboured under: And considering that no Burden could be heavier, was also made to accept the ten­der Invitation of our blessed Lord and Saviour, who said,Mat xi. 8. 29, 30. Come unto me, all you who la­bour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you Rest; take my Yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in Heart, and ye shall find Rest to your Souls; for my Yoke is easy, and my Burden is light: And blessed be the eternal Goodness, I have witnessed it to be so, in comparison of the Bondage of Corrup­tion. And I here insert my Exercise, for the En­couragement of the Sincere-hearted, that all may depend upon the Lord,Heb. xi 6. who is a good Rewarder of them who diligently seek him; and can give Testimony, ac­cording to their Measure, that his Ways are Ways of Pleasantness, Prov. iii. 17. and all his Paths are Peace: Therefore let those, whose Feet are thither turned, hold on their Way, and persevere in Righ­teousness and Purity; that so they may grow strong­er and stronger, and be able to lend a helping-hand to them who are weak; as this my dear Friend hath often done, both to me and others. And let all, who are yet seeking the Lord and his Truth, be encouraged in his Faithfulness and Obedience to follow God's Requirings in their own Hearts;Rom. i. 19. for that which may be known of God, Eph. v. 13. is there manifest; and what­soever doth make manifest, is Light, (viz.) the Light of Jesus, which enlighteneth every Man that comes into the World: This is that which truly discovers God to Man, and Man to himself; yea, the whole Mystery of Godliness. Therefore let none tire in their Search after Truth, nor be weary in well-doing, Gal. vi. 9. for they shall reap in due Season, the Benefit thereof, if [Page] they faint not, but hold out to the End; as did the Author of the ensuing Verses; of whom I am wil­ling to give the Reader some Account.

She was one who, in her Childhood, was much afflicted with weak Eyes, which made her unfit for the usual Employment of Girls; and being of a large natural Capacity, quick, witty, and studious­ly inclined, her Father brought her up to more Learning, than is commonly bestowed on our Sex; in which she became so good a Proficient, that she well understood the Latin Tongue, fluently dis­coursed in it; and made a considerable Progress in Greek also; wrote several Hands well; was a good Arithmetician, yea, in the best Arithmetick; for she so numbered her Days, as to apply her Heart unto Wisdom; Psalm xc. 12. as also to the Study of several useful Arts; had a good Under­standing of Physick and Surgery, the nature of Plants, Herbs, and Minerals; and made some In­spection into divers profitable Sciences; delighting in the Study of Nature, and to admire the great God of Nature, in the various Operations of his Power and Goodness; the wonderful Harmony and Order of the Creation, and the infinite Wisdom by which it is govern'd; of which she would often speak: Admiring how there could be an Atheist in the World, since the Creation doth so plainly assert the Being of a Deity. And as we have been walk­ing or riding together, would often discourse of the present Objects, much tending to Edification; making many pretty Remarks, and comparing out­ward Things with inward: As also, upon all Oc­casions, would draw such useful Observations, as made her Company profitable and delighting: For she was of a thoughtful, composed Temper; yet of a quick Apprehension, and ingenious; which, be­ing season'd with Truth, in which she had many sweet Openings, these meeting in a Temper con­versable, [Page] and concerned for the Good of others, made her Conversation improving and desirable. She was one who loved the blessed Truth, and they who walked according to it, from a Child, being early convinced thereof; tho' she was not satisfied with a bare Profession of Religion, but zealous for the Life of it, both in herself and others; also fur­nished with good Arguments to defend it, being ready to give an Answer to every one that asked a Reason of the Hope which was in her, with Meekness and Fear: Nor forward to begin a Dispute, yet sound in what she undertook, and never, that I know of, [...]oil'd in an Argument; for she had an Eye to the Lord, and liked to be satisfied that she was in her Place, and called by him to what she did for him: Would often mention the Passage of Uzzah, 2 Sam. vi. 6, 7. how Death was his Pu­nishment, for putting forth his Hand to take hold of the Ark of God, when the Oxen shook it; it being a Service not required of him.

Nor was she proud, or conceited of her Parts and Learning, but adorned with an humble Modesty; having, I believe, meaner Thoughts of herself, than any one else had of her, who knew her Qualifi­cations.

Plain and decent in her Cloaths, which she va­lued for Service more than Sight; and slighted, in comparison of those better Ornaments of the Mind, which she prefer'd above splendid or costly Apparel.

She was one that loved to read the Holy Scrip­tures, and such useful Authors as had a Tendency to Improvement; in which she spent much Time: God having furnished her with an extraordinary Memory to retain the same.

She delighted much in Solitude, and was often alone; setting apart some Time of the Day for Re­tirement; and would frequently say to me, in the Evenings, Let us go aside, and wait upon the [Page] Lord; we have daily Need of daily Bread, and to renew our Strength; and how can we expect it, if we do not wait for it? And would recite the Pas­sage of Elijah, 1 Kings xviii. 36. that at the Time of the Evening Sacrifice, the Lord answered by Fire; with other pretty Remarks, too tedious to insert, which she abounded in, upon all Occasions, to promote that which was good: In these Times of Retirement, Verses would often come up in her Mind, which she afterwards wrote: Many of these, herewith printed, being Meditations according to the Frame and Exercise of her Spirit, when thus composed.

Neither did she neglect publick Opportunities to worship God; for she was diligent in frequenting religious Meetings, not being apt to omit any, unless upon an extraordinary Occasion. Nor did she suffer her Eyes to wander, which the Mind too often accompanies; but the Composedness of her Countenance, shewed the Sedateness of her well exercised Mind: And the good Improvement she made of publick and private Devotion, her in­nocent and Christian Life did clearly discover; which she well began in her early Years, and ma­nifested her Progress therein, by her Constancy and Perseverance to the End, which crowns all; for 'tis he that endures to the End, that shall be saved: This she had a Regard to, more than the fading Enjoy­ments of this uncertain World; and, I believe, she was in a good Condition when she left it, and laid down her Head in Peace with the Lord, leav­ing a good Savour behind her.

She was one who willingly and chearfully suffer­ed for the Truth, encouraging others to do the like, both by Precept and Example: One just, honest, and true to her Word, temperate and self-denying; keeping within the Limits prescribed for Health, which she regarded, more than to gratify a [Page] luxurious Appetite: Solid and grave in her Car­riage, mixt with an innocent Chearfulness; not formally austere; yet rather reserv'd, than over-free; bashful, than bold.

To conclude, she was one whose Modesty, Charity, Friendship, and religious Conversation, came not short of her excellent Writings; to which I refer the Reader, for a fuller Character of their Author than I am capable of giving: Her own Pen having discovered the rich Treasure of her pious Mind. But what I have written, is from an ex­perimental Knowledge of her; and no one, I be­lieve, knew her better than myself: For she was as much without Reserve to me, I think, as one Friend could be to another; for we loved entirely, communicated our Minds and Exercises to each other freely, advising with one another on most Occasions: And great was our Nearness and Unity of Spirit, in the Truth; yea, great was her Con­cern of my Welfare, which she zealously laboured for; as the many Letters, both in Verse and Prose, to me writ, and herewith printed, largely demon­strate.

And tho' Verse is not so commonly used in divine Subjects as Prose, and but too much abused by the extravagant Wits of the Age; yet she, like a skil­ful Chymist, had learned to separate the purer Spirits, and more refined Parts of Poetry, from the earthly, worthless Dross; and made Use of her Gift, rather to convince and prevail upon the Mind, to affect and raise the Soul upon the Wings of di­vine Contemplation, than to please the airy Fancy with Strains of Wit, and unprofitable Invention; which she was ever careful to avoid.

And tho' living Testimonies to the Truth are numerous, yet few extant in Verse, which hath an harmonious delightful Faculty in it, that influences the Minds of some more than Prose, especially [Page] young People, and is more apt to imprint itself in the Memory: Therefore her Subject being divine, and so sensibly and solidly managed; as it hath been of Service to those few who have had the Perusal of it, so, I hope, will be attended with a general Be­nefit.

And having reaped no small Advantage thereby myself, could do no less, than recommend her wor­thy Labours, and exemplary Life, to others, as a Pattern well worth following. For her Acquaint­ance may say of her, as was said of Ruth, The City of my People doth know that she was a virtuous Woman. And being a good Instrument in the Hand of the Lord to me, having also been much comforted, en­couraged, and refreshed by her Verses, my Desire is, that the Lord may so bless them to Posterity, that they may reap such an Advantage by them, as may tend to the Promotion of Truth, and the Good of Souls in general.

AS concerning my dearly beloved Friend, Many Mollineux, I have more to testify than I shall commit to Writing, having had intimate Ac­quaintance and Fellowship with her above sixteen Years; in all which Time, her grave, virtuous, modest Life and Conversation, deserveth singular Remembrance; because her friendly Communica­tion, Conference, and Deportment, was always solid, sensible, and tender, mixt with a feeling and sympathizing Love to her Friends, in all Exercises and Afflictions: She was one, to whom I could freely impart my Mind and Concerns, in any Ex­ercises; as I have often done, to my Comfort and Refreshment. My Heart is moved, in the Remem­brance of her Faithfulness and Integrity, from the Day that I was first acquainted with her, with Sor­row for the Loss of so near a Friend; who, although she was plentifully endued with many worthy Gifts and Parts, both natural and spiritual, yet I never knew her lifted up in any of them, nor exalted a­bove her Measure; but rather reserved, than in any wise forwardly divulging her Gifts to the pub­lick Censure, without weighty Consideration; so that she would not cast her Pearls before Swine: Yet not so much reserved, but that to her near in­timate [Page] Friends, whom she knew in the Fellowship and Bond of Truth, she was very free and tender. I remember, that several Years ago, when she was a single Woman, upon the Perusal of some Copies of her Verses which she gave me, I felt such Unity of Spirit with them, that I said, I thought they might be of Service, if made publick in print; but she was not then free that her Name should be ex­posed; she not seeking Praise amongst Men, but to communicate the Exercise of peculiar Gifts amongst her near Friends and Acquaintance; but now, since it hath pleased the Lord to remove her out of the earthly Tabernacle, into everlasting Rest, in which I am well satisfied she is forever blessed, I think it would be very ungrateful to her Memory, and also a wronging of others, to keep such worthy Things unpublished; with which, I believe, the most that are of open Understandings, and unprejudiced Hearts, will have, in some measure, Unity. I de­sire and hope, they may truly tend to the Benefit of all moderate Readers, and to the Praise of Him, who is the only Author of every good and perfect Gift.

CONCERNING my dear, loving, and late deceased Wife, Mary Mollineux, formerly Mary Southworth, whom I took in Marriage on the 10th Day of the Second Month, 1685. I was first acquainted with her at Lancaster-Castle, where we both at one Time were Prisoners, for being at a peaceable religious Meeting of the People called Quakers, in the Year 1684, tho' we had seen each other before. In which Imprisonment, I believed that she should be my Wife; but never intended to express any Thing thereof, whilst we were both Prisoners there; and after she was released, I saw her, and was in Company with her several Times, before I expressed any Thing of my Concern to take her to be my Wife; several considerable Men having before attempted to prevail with her on that Account: And during the whole Time of my Ac­quaintance with her, which was above eleven Years, her Life and Conversation was serious, in­nocent, sweet and savoury; and she was very lov­ing, diligent, tender-hearted, and kindly affection­ate towards me, and our Children; and generally [Page] loving and tender towards all People, especially such as were in any Distress, Sickness, or Affliction, tho' never so poor; and the Lord blessed her En­deavours, as well in Advice, as Administration of Remedies, to several; so that they have acknow­ledged their Recoveries to have [...] thereby, thro' his Blessing: And what she did therein, was free. She was very careful, that nothing of Evil might get a Place in her Children, or in any with whom she was concerned: And therefore good Advice and Admonition she frequently gave, which many re­ceived in Love and good Esteem of her. The Lord opened her Understanding, and enlarged her Capacity, in a great Degree, upon several Accounts; yet her Mind was not lifted up thereby, so as to glory in her Gifts or Parts; but learning of Christ, the Truth, to be lowly in Heart, she chose rather to appear little to Men. She was very constant and cordial to her Friends, and true in concealing of Secrets. She was often concerned to make Peace amongst them that were at Difference, and often prevailed therein. She was plain and free in speak­ing to the Faces of any, but abhorred to reproach any in secret. Her Heart was inclined towards God, therefore she was just in her Dealing, with all people with whom she had to do. She was con­vinced of the Way of Truth in her Youth, by the Light or inward Appearance of Christ in her Heart, which she loved; and therefore, she retaining her Integrity to the End of her Time, a Crown of end­less Life and Glory, I believe, the Lord hath be­stowed upon her. She was very noble in suffering Persecution for the Testimony of Truth, and en­during hard Exercises, occasioned by my several Imprisonments for the same Cause, whilst she was my Wife. And through several Sicknesses and Afflictions the Lord supported her, to persevere in Patience, Faithfulness and Constancy to him. She [Page] was very punctual in Performance of her Under­takings, and quick, discreet, and diligent in her Business; yet still she used to take a Time for pri­vate Retirement in Evenings alone, except I was with her, to wait upon, and feel after the Lord, in the Gift of his Light; Love and Grace in her Heart; and to see that, with the wise Virgins, she had Oil in her burning Lamp, that it might not go out; but that she might be ready to enter into the Marriage Chamber, whensoever the Lord, the Bridegroom of her Soul, came. She was also very diligent, in attending the Assemblies of the People of God called Quakers, with them to meet in the Name, Power, Light and Spirit of the Lord, to wait upon him, to be opened by him, and to re­ceive Refreshment, Strength and Comfort from him, and to feel the Renewings of his Love and Goodness in her Soul. And that Day Week next before her last Illness seized her, after a more than usual manner, she said to me, That the feeling and enjoying of the sweet eternal Love of God in her Heart, was more precious to her, than all other Things that could be enjoyed, &c. She was concerned in her Spirit, that many, with her, and all that are faith­ful to God, might come to taste and see how good the Lord is; and upon that Account, her Words, Writings and Conversation, were acceptable, pre­valent, and serviceable to the Invitation, Convince­ment, Strengthning and Encouragement of some to seek after the Lord, and his blessed Way and Truth, inwardly revealed, and to be revealed; wherein many have found great Satisfaction and Cause of Rejoicing. And that many more may re­ceive Benefit by her Writings, I am desirous and concerned to publish them, and refer all sober Rea­ders, in the Fear of God, to peruse them; not doubting but such may receive Advantage thereby; tho' she was not free to commit them to publick [Page] View in her Life-time, yet she had nothing against the publishing thereof afterwards.

And now I shall give a brief Account of what I was and am a Witness of, concerning her last Illness; and some of the sweet, sensible and precious Words which she spake in the Time thereof, being very sensible to the End; so that she spake no imperti­nent or unsensible Word therein, that I know of, who constantly attended her.

Upon the 8th Day of the Tenth Month, 1695, she was seized with violent Pain and Sickness, which continued, sometimes more, and sometimes less: And one Morning, soon after, she said to me thus; I have had such a Dream, as I have seldom had; it is an Emblem of my Life. And then she told it me thus; viz. She dreamed, that she was going at the Side of a pleasant broad River, and sometimes she came to Breaches; which Brooks, running into the River, or the like, had made upon the Shore of it; which Breaches she passed over, but sometimes with Difficulty, and then ran fast on still, till she came to another Breach, and having passed several Breaches, some greater, and some lesser, at last, she came to a Breach which was greater than any of the rest, and she said within herself, how shall I get over this Breach? But yet she went on, and passed through it, and it was fair on the other Side; and she awaked. Now, as she looked upon this Dream to be an Em­blem of her Life, so I cannot, nor could not, since she told it me, expound it otherwise than thus, viz. That the pleasant broad River, signified the Lord her Creator, who is to his People a Place of broad Rivers, Isa. xxxiii. 21. and the Shore thereof, upon which she walked, signified Time; and the Brea­ches, which she passed over, were the Difficulties and Afflictions which she passed through in her Time, and the last and greatest Breach which she came to, and passed over, signified her last Sick­ness [Page] and Death. From which Dream, as a signi­ficant Parable, all may learn and consider, how fast they are hastning, or running, towards their last and greatest Breach; even the Death, or Dissoluti­on of their earthly Tabernacles; and none know­eth how near they are to it. About nine Days af­ter her said Illness began, she said to me thus, viz. I am well content, if the Lord see meet, that he take me away by this Distemper, rather than to be in this Pain; for my Pain is great, and I know not what in this World I can desire to stay to enjoy, except it be my Love, and my little Lads; meaning me, and our two Children: Of whom she then said thus: I would rather have my Children enriched with the Fear of the Lord, than with all manner of worldly Riches. About the same Time she said, I am thinking of ho­nest Richard Johnson, who was a near Friend to us, that slept much of the Time of his Illness before his Departure; methinks it seemeth like an easy Passage. And soon after that, she began to be inclin'd to Sleepiness, and slept more and more till the End; yet, at her awaking, was still sensible and chear­ful: And tho' she was daily weaker and weaker, yet she would still sit up five or six, or more, Hours in the Evenings, and discourse freely and chearful­ly, till within five Days of her Departure. I often desired her to accept of the Advice of some Physi­cian, but she was still averse thereto in this Illness, tho' in other [...] she had complied. On the 20th Day of her Illness; in the Evening, discoursing very freely, as formerly, she told me, She was well satis­fied, that if the Lord took her away by that Distemper, she should be eternally happy; with many other sensi­ble and comfortable Expressions: Tho' she was so weak, that the same Evening, about the eleventh Hour, I thought she had been departing; but in a little Time, recovering her Breath, she spoke chearfully, and slept, At her awaking, that Night, [Page] I asked her, How she was? She answered, Through Mercy, indifferent. And after a little Pause, she very sensibly said, Amictum iri, vel Ami [...]iendum esse; which is in English, To be cloathed hereafter, in two Expressions of it: Whereby I understood, that she was minding how the Lord would cloath her here­after, when her mortal Cloathing was put off. Then I desired her, in English Words, for they that were present, understood not Latin, that if she had any Thing in her Mind, either concerning her Children, or any other Thing, farther to com­municate to me, that she would do it; but she, as if all outward Things were then out of her Thoughts, quickly replied in Latin, saying, Why speakest thou such Things? Dost not thou understand me? I answered in Latin, Yes, I very well under­stand thee, and that thou speakest of spiritual Things: She answered, Yes, but she had nothing, concerning outward Things, farther to communicate to me. The next Morning, about the ninth Hour, I again thought she had been departing; but after a little Time, somewhat recovering her Breath, and seeing me express, to Friends that were present, something of my Concern for her, she said to me, N [...] nimis [...] es [...]s; that is in English, Be not thou over-much careful, or troubled; which Advice took Impression in my Heart: And that was the last Latin Sentence that she spake, that I know of; and she never spake in Latin, in this Illness, that I remember, except when Company was present, that she would speak only to me: A little after, most of the Company being gone out, I asked her, How she was? She answered, Drawing nearer and near­er. And many sweet and loving Sentences she spake to me that Day, and the Day next after; but afterwards was scarcely able to answer to any Question, but continued mostly sleeping as it were, sweetly and quietly: And on the 3d Day of the [Page] eleventh Month 1695, in the Evening, she depart­ed without the least Sigh or Groan.

And so, though the Lord, who, in his Love, joined us together, and gave us for Blessings to each other, and blessed us with the abundant In­crease of his Love in our Hearts, even to the End of her Time, hath seen meet to take from me her Company, which I valued above all other temporal Enjoyments; the Loss whereof is great to me: Yet being satisfied that she is entered into Rest, in the Bosom of God's Love, with him to live in Peace and Happiness for ever; and also, being clear, in that, through his Assistance, according to the Understanding given me, I have endeavoured fully to discharge my Duty of endeared Love to her, in every Respect, in her last, as well as for­mer, Exercises; therefore I am, in the Love of God▪ comforted, and can chearfully and freely say, The Lord's Will is worthy to be done in all Things, and his Name to be blessed, praised and magnified, over all, for ever,