shall be there, nor ravenous beast shall walk therein, nor be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away: Isaiah xxxv. 8, 9, 10.

But as it happened to the outward Jews in their day, who by resisting and quenching the measure of God's Spirit given them, whereby they might have seen and known Christ, in his appearing in that body of flesh in all things like unto man, sin excepted; even so hath it happened in our day, to the outward and nominal Christians, who by resisting and quenching the Spirit of God given them, are ignorant of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in spirit, and cannot receive him, nor the testimony given of him by his servants, but say as the mockers whom the apostle Peter warns the saints of, who walked after their own lusts in the last days: [These say] Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were. Revelation is ceased, and nothing now to be depended upon, or expected, but outward literature acquired by man's wisdom, and the letter of the Scriptures, which the chief priests and scribes of the Jews had, and thought to have eternal life in them, but would not come to Christ the light, and so shut up the kingdom of heaven, and all divine knowledge and understanding of the things appertaining to the kingdom of God, from the sons and daughters of men; and will neither enter themselves, nor willingly suffer them that would: Matth. xxiii. 13. But the root of divine knowledge is springing in many hearts, and the true light is shining out of darkness in many souls, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; and this treasure we have in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us: 2 Cor. iv. 6, 7.

And the ancient doctrine of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is renewed again, with living thanksgiving to God, who hath hid the secrets of his kingdom from the wise and prudent of the world, and hath revealed them by his Spirit, unto babes and children, who are taught of him; and hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world which are despised, hath God chosen; and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence. This was the Lord's choice in the ancient gospel day: 1 Cor. i. 26, 27, 28, 29.

Now this knowledge which is given to the

weak and ignorant, by the revelation of the Son of God in spirit, is saving, and giveth life eternal, to them who in faith and hope wait for it, and continue in it to the end; and such can tell others what the Lord hath done for their souls, even what their hands have handled, and how they have tasted of the word of life, and what their eyes have seen. Such wait low at the feet of Jesus to hear his gracious words, that they may speak what their ears have heard, and publish what their eyes have seen; such gather not people to themselves, nor for their own gain and interest, nor seek their own glory; but turn people to Christ, the great shepherd and bishop of their souls, that they may hear his voice, and follow him, that he may give unto them eternal life, according to his word: John x. 27, 28.

But the world's knowledge puffeth men up into pride, mastership, and lordship over God's heritage, and such are not examples of meekness, humility and self-denial to the flock, but like the scribes and pharisees which Christ cried woe against, who loved the chief places at feasts, and to have the chief seats in the assemblies, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men rabbi, i. e. master: Mat. xxiii. 5, 6. Mark who these are in our day, and know them, not by their words, but fruits, for that gives the true knowledge of them, to whom the woe now is, as Christ said: Mat. vii. 15. 16. And they who increase in the world's knowledge, increase sorrow: Eccles. i. 18.

But he who would have true wisdom, and saving knowledge, must attain thereto, by waiting and continuing in the fear of God, which is the beginning of it; Prov. ix. 10: and depart from pride, arrogancy, and every evil way and work: Prov. viii. 13. This is the way to seal and confirm it to every soul; true wisdom and knowledge cannot be gotten for gold, the price thereof is above rubies. This little legacy I am willing to leave to the world, which I have had long experience of, in my pilgrimage in this life, that the root and ground of divine knowledge, and spiritual understanding of the things of God's kingdom, is near unto every man and woman, that they may go no more after them who say, lo here is Christ, and lo there. For many deceivers are, and for ages have gone out into the world, who though in words they profess Christ's name, and seem to have great veneration for him, yet in works deny him, and will not that he shall rule in their hearts and consciences, or be followed and obeyed in all things, calling him Lord and Master, and yet do not his commandments. These keep people learning all their days, and yet the saving knowledge of the Truth is still hid from them, and so freedom by it is never obtained, but such

live under the bondage of corruption, and die in their sins, for want of receiving the word of the kingdom, the word of faith, which is nigh in their hearts, and giving up to obey it. This Moses testified unto, many ages and generations by-past, Deut. xxx. 14, saying to the house of Israel, the word is very near unto thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. And David hid this word in his heart, that he might not sin against God, Psal. cxix. 11, and it became a lantern to his feet, and a light to his path: Psal. cxix. 105.

And all along in the true prophets' days, the word of the Lord was in them, i. e. Christ, whose name is called The Word of God, Rev. xix. 13, by which they prophesied of his coming into the world: Isa. vii. 14: Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, or God with us, which name can agree to none, but to him that is both God and man; to which agreeth the prophesy of the prophet Isaiah. And the apostle, writing to the Romans concerning the righteousness of faith, &c.: "For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doeth those things shall live by thern. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: Rom. x. 5, 6, 7, 8. John viii. 31, 32," by which freedom and redemption is obtained, according to the testimony of Jesus Christ, when on earth.

And before he ascended to the Father, he promised unto his disciples to send the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Truth, which should guide them into all truth: John xvi. 13. This was, and is the true guide of life, doctrine, and conversation, to all true gospel believers, and will so continue to the end, to all who truly receive it, and walk in it, to whom there is no condemnation: Rom. viii. 1. For the true gospel ministration is a ministration of the Spirit, and its commands are spiritual, which no carnal man or woman, in that state, can perceive or know; for they are spiritually discerned and received, being included in the true and spiritual worship of God the Father, in his Son Christ Jesus: John iv. 23.

Therefore we say, with the apostle to the Ephesians, who were grown up to the life and spirituality of Christianity, There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is

above all, and through all, and in you all: Eph. iv. 4, 5, 6.

And to the Colossians, when he instructed them concerning meats and drinks, or in respect of a holy day, or new moon, or sabbath day; he said, which all are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship and humility, and neglecting the body &c.: Col. ii. 20, 21, 22, 23.

Now they being come to the anti-type of all shadows, types and figures, which were for a time allowed to be practiced in the first cove nant, though they did not disallow them in their time and place; yet they witnessed an end of them, exhorting the saints to purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened; for Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleaven ed bread of sincerity and truth: 1 Cor. v. 7, 8 Here was that feast which ended, and was the substance of all the Jews' feasts, which were many and great, in remembrance that the Lord passed over the doors of the Hebrews, when he destroyed the Egyptians, where the blood of the paschal lamb was sprinkled upon the lintel, and the door posts, according to the commandment of Moses: Exod. xii. 22, 23. And Christ the paschal lamb offered himself once for all, that he might bear the sins of many, in that body wherein he finished the work his Father gave him to do on earth, which the Spirit of Truth, in our day, hath given us the true knowledge, and sincere esteem of; and also, that he is come again in Spirit, to sprinkle our hearts with his blood; and if we keep within, the destroying angel sent of God to smite the Egyptians, will pass over our houses. This was typified by the outward passover, a feast often kept by the outward Jews, who had the outward circumcision, temple and offerings; and yet were ignorant of Christ, the true Christian passover, whose blood had sprinkled the hearts and consciences of all true believers, that the destroyer could not enter into their houses. Thus was salvation brought about them, for walls and bulwarks, according to the testimony of Isaiah the prophet: Isa. xxvi. 1. And the church began to put on her beautiful garments, and no more to be called desolate or forsaken; for her stones were living, built up together a spiritual household, an habitation of God, through his Spirit, in which they worshipped him, and kept

This was her state in the ancient gospel day: but, after the spirit of anti-christ prevailed, and men forsook the Lord, the fountain of living waters, and hewed to themselves cisterns that would hold no water; then the false church began to clothe herself with a glorious outside, and sat as a queen, having a golden cup in her hand, full of filthiness; so that she prevailed with the potentates of the earth, and made them drunk with her cup; by which their hearts and minds were adulterated from God. The great dragon, that old serpent, called the devil, being cast down into the earth; the beast rose out of the sea, that had seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And another beast rose out of the earth, which had two horns like a lamb; but he spoke like the dragon, and exercised all the power of the first beast, and caused them who dwelt on the earth to worship the beast, and to receive his mark, both small and great, rich and poor, bond and free; and deceived them that dwelt on the earth, by the great wonders that he was permitted to work in the sight of the beast. The dragon persecuted the true church, and cast a flood of water out of his mouth, after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away with the flood; but the earth helped the woman, and opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood. Then was the dragon wroth with the woman, and made war with the remnant of her seed; and the beast that arose out of the sea made war with them, and overcame them; and power was given him, over every kindred, tongue and nation; and all that dwelt upon the face of the earth worshipped him, whose names were not written in the book of life of the Lamb, which was slain from the foundation of the world. Here darkness, and the power thereof, gained victory in the earth for many generations; but a refuge for the true church was prepared in the wilderness, where she was to be preserved, till the words of God were fulfilled, and she hath continued as a desolate widow for many generations.

But now she is returning, and putting on her beautiful garments, clothed with the sun, and crowned with stars, which shine in the firmament of the Lord's power, being mysteries of the heavenly Jerusalem, whose children are free, begotten by the immortal word of life, and born of the immortal seed, to be heirs of an incorruptible inheritance, that fadeth not away; and the eyes of many are opened, and yet will be opened, to see and behold her beauty; for

And whoever would attain to the true and saving knowledge of God, and be saved from the wrath to come, must come to the light of the Lamb, with which he hath enlightened them, and walk in it, which discovers the deceit of their hearts, and every evil thought, word and work, before it is brought forth into action. In it is power to resist the devil, in all his temptations and assaults; and whoever believe in it, believe in Christ, and are children of God, according to Christ's word: John xii. 36. John i. 12. Rom. viii. 14. For God is light, and dwells in it, and the light dwelleth with him: Dan. ii. 22. Psal. xxxvi. 9. and xliii. 3. and xcvii. 11. and civ. 2. and cxviii. 27. Isa. ii. 5. and xlii. 6. and xlix. 6. and lx. 3. Micah. vii. 8, 9. Luke ii. 32. Acts xiii. 47. 1 Tim. vi. 16. 1 John i. 5. This light is God's day, every soul by it may see its Saviour and deliverer, out of the bond of iniquity, and house of darkness; in which, while men live and walk, though the light shine never so clear, they cannot comprehend it, nor know the way of it, nor understand the paths thereof, neither have any benefit by it, in order to their salvation: John xxiv. 13. This is the light the apostle Peter exhorted the gospel believers to take heed unto, saying, we have a more sure word of prophecy, (than that voice which was heard in the holy mount,) unto which ye do well to take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, till the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts; 2 Pet. i. 19. Here the gospel day was to spring, and the day star to appear, in all true believers in the light, with which every one is enlightened, that they may take heed to it; so shall the true gospel day dawn, and the day star arise in their hearts, from generation to generation. And blessed be the Lord, the gospel day now shines, and the darkness is past with many, who are engaged to watch and be sober, having put on the breast-plate of righteousness, and the shield of faith, and helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, or spiritual sword, which is the word of God, by which they are able to resist the enemy of their souls, and to quench his fiery darts within and without. The Lord is their shield and buckler, who trust in him, and depend upon his protection; they never meet with disappointment from him, but always return victors; glory, honour and living praises be unto his eternal and honourable name for evermore.

But many are ready to object and say, that false spirits and prophets are now come, accord

ing to Christ's words to his disciples: Mat. vii. 15, 17, Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, for inwardly they are ravening wolves: you shall know them by their fruits, &c. Now let all seriously consider, that he spake to his disciples then in being, many ages ago; that they should come to them, and that by their fruits they should know them, i. e. the false prophets; and the apostle John said to the little children in his day, Ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know it is the last time: they went out from us, for they were not of us: 1 John ii. 18, 19. And again in his 4th chapter, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God, for many false prophets are gone out into the world: 1 John iv. 1. Christ had said, they should come, as above; and John said they were come, and that they went out from them, because they were not of them, else they would have continued with them. I have declared above, what bloody fruits they have brought forth in the world since they went into it; which are obvious to every judicious eye, like briars and thorns, of which no grapes can be gathered; and have made the world as a wilderness full of wild beasts, and beasts of prey, to this day. Many false prophets are now in the world, who through covetousness with feigned words are daily making merchandize of people, such as the apostle Peter speaks of, 2 Pet. ii. 1, but the day hath discovered them; glory to God on high, peace on earth, and good will to men.

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Blessed be the Lord: the Spirit of Truth is come which Christ promised that when he went to the Father, he would send, John xvi. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14: I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I not away, the Comforter will not come: but if I depart, I will send him; and he described the fruits of the Spirit of Truth. First, he should reprove the world of sin. This every sinner on earth may witness to; that when he sins, he is reproved within himself by the Spirit of Truth. Secondly, he will reprove the world of righteousness and of judgment, which every one who is in the world's righteousness may seal unto, being but as filthy rags: Isa. Ixiv. 7. This is that outside righteousness, which the scribes and pharisees had; which Christ cried woe against: Mat. xxiii. This righteousness the Spirit of Truth, now received by man, doth reprove and judge, being not the righteousness. of faith which first cleanseth the inside. Thirdly, and when he is come, even the Spirit of Truth, he will lead you into all truth of this there are many witnesses at this day, who have

received the Spirit of Truth, and given up to walk in it; it hath led them into all Truth, and out of all untruth. Fourthly, he shall glorify me, for he shall take of mine, and show it unto you. There are thousands can seal unto this, at this day, who can and do glorify God in their bodies and spirits, by virtue of that spirit they have received from him. So we believe not every spirit, but try the spirits and prophets, what fruits they bring forth, by the Spirit of Truth and the Holy Scriptures, which we believe were given by divine inspiration; and are profitable for doctrine, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to every good work, 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17, and do see and certainly know that those are false spirits and prophets, who bring not forth fruits of holiness and righteousness in their lives and conversations. Nor do they turn people to righteousness, or from the evil of their ways; but keep them for ever learning, that they may be ever paying, and yet never savingly come to the knowledge of the Truth, whereby to be made free, as Christ said to the Jews: John viii. 31, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the Truth, and the, Truth shall make you free. The Lord God open people's eyes, that they may see and know the things that belong to their peace with God, before it be hid from their eyes, Amen.

This being the desire, and fervent prayer, of him who would have all men come to the knowledge of the Truth, and be saved, called among men, AMBROSE RIGGE..

Riegate in Surrey, the 8th of the Fifth month, 1703.

THE SONG OF A SOLACED SOUL.

Mount up, my soul, on contemplation's wing,
And sound high praises, to thy Heavenly King:
Who hath destroyed death; that he may be
For evermore a Saviour unto thee.
Therefore to live is Christ, to die is gain,

That thou with Him, for ever mayest remain,
In perfect triumph, over death and hell,

In those sweet mansions, which no tongue can tell. So while on earth thou dost continue here,

Mind thy Redeemer, with continual fear; Who will preserve thee, to thy finishing day, From sin to death, and every evil way, Then will God's secrets ever thee attend, And crown thy head with laurel in the end. by Ambrose Rigge. Written at Riegate in Surrey, the 4th of the Eighth month, 1703.

INTRODUCTION.

As few lives have exhibited a more pure example of piety and virtue, than that which is set forth in the ensuing pages, it has been thought right to bring it forward to general notice; under a hope, that an account of this humble, self-denying, and dedicated servant, will prove the means of instructing others; and of strengthening their faith in the efficacy of that divine Spirit, "which wrought all her works in her."

It will be proper to inform the reader, that the materials from which this work is composed, consist of journals written by herself of her travels through Scotland, Ireland, and some of the western counties in England, and of a considerable number of letters to some of her intimate friends. From these last have been extracted such parts, as were descriptive of her other labours and travels, or likely to be of public use. A connexion of the different events and circumstances, has been made throughout, by

short narratives or explanations; but great care has been taken to preserve, as much as could be, her own words and arrangements.

Although, from the time of her engagement in the ministry, she was greatly dedicated, and much employed in various religious services during the remainder of her days; yet, for want of materials left by herself, an account of many of these is omitted in the following work; which it seemed proper to confine, almost throughout, to such part of her life and labours as could be collected from her own writings. It may not be improper to observe also, that this mode of composing a narrative by extracts from letters, will sometimes be, unavoidably attended with a want of close con. nexion, and with a degree of repetition: but as this was the only way by which a material part of her labours could be brought into view, it is hoped that these circumstances will not be deemed of much consequence; and that the deeply instructive nature of her literary correspondence, will sufficiently warrant its publication.