moving all his doubts, and scruples about that matter,) it is here inserted, translated from the Latin wherein it was written.

"Friend Owen,

"I had answered thy letter long before now, if either the necessity of thy business had required it, or, at least, if the urgency of my own affairs would have permitted it. But although thou mayst think me slack in writing; yet I would have thee esteem me both serious and sincere therein. Thou art sensible by long experience, that I have, ever since I first knew thee, studied thy welfare both inwardly and outwardly; and I hope, I shall never be wanting, by God's assistance, to promote thy honest concerns, with what help and advice I can give, so long as thou continuest to walk humbly in the most holy truth.

"But as it often happens, through ignorance of the circumstances of things, that one may sometimes request that of a friend, which was neither fit to have been requested; nor had been asked, if the petitioner himself had been thoroughly apprized of the case. It becomes therefore a faithful friend, gently to admonish the mistaken, and kindly to show him wherein he has missed it, and for what reasons he ought to desist from his purpose. This I take to be my place toward thee, to evince and make appear, that thy request about the bishop's licence for instructing children is of that sort; and that thou mayst have a clear view of the matter, read and observe what follows.

"In the book of Canons or Constitutions Ecclesiastical, Can. 77, concerning tutors, or schoolmasters, it is thus decreed and ordained, 'No person shall teach or instruct children in any public school, or in any private house, unless he shall have first obtained a licence under the hand and seal of the bishop of his diocese, or the ordinary of the place; and, unless he shall first subscribe the first and third entire articles; and the two first parts of the second article.' In which Canon these two things are ordained: 1. That no person shall teach and instruct children without the bishop's licence. 2. That such licence shall be granted to none but such as shall first subscribe to the said articles.

"As to those articles, see Can. 6, entitled [None is to be ordained, until he hath subscribed to the three articles.]

"Art. 1. "That the King's majesty is next under God, the only supreme governor of this kingdom, and of all other his dominions and territories, as well in all things and causes spiritual or ecclesiastical, as in temporal; and that no foreign prince, person, prelate, state, or potentate, hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence, or authority ecclesiastical or spiritual, within his majesty's said kingdoms, dominions, and territories.'

"Now, though the latter part of this article beginning at these words, [and that no foreign prince, &c.] is true, and may be subscribed: yet the former part is in some sort false, and not to be assented to with a good conscience. For, although the queen under God hath the supreme government of this kingdom, in all matters or causes temporal; yet it is not so in spiritual. For in matters of faith and eternal salvation, no supreme is to be acknowledged, besides God, to whom alone our consciences are subject in things spiritual, because to him alone we are to give an account of them, so far as relates to faith and worship. The former part therefore of this article cannot be subscribed with a safe conscience.

"Art. 2. That the Book of Common-Prayer, and of ordaining and consecrating bishops, priests, and deacons, containeth nothing in it contrary to the word of God; and that it is lawful to use the same,' &c.

"To this article, every one that expects a licence to teach children must subscribe. But seeing that Book of Commonprayer, and of ordaining and consecrating bishops, priests, and deacons, is in many places, not only contrary to the Holy Scriptures, but also an invention devised and contrived by men ; how can any man that believes in the light, which both discovers and dispels the darkness of human traditions, and that embraces and professes a spiritual worship, subscribe to that corrupt, superstitious, and unlawful Book of Common-prayer?

"Art. 3. "That he approves in every part, of the book of the articles of religion, consented to by the archbishops and bishops, of both provinces, and the rest of the clergy in the convocation held at London, in the year 1562; and that he acknowledges all and every the articles in the same contained (being thirty-nine in number, besides the ratification) are agreeable to the word of God.'

"But many articles in that book are manifestly repugnant to

the Holy Scriptures; as for example:-Art. 20, attributes to the church a power of ordaining rites and ceremonies, and authority in controversies of faith. Art. 23. says, That they are lawfully called and sent forth to the office of public preaching, who are called and sent by men. Art. 25. affirms, That the sacraments are certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace. Art. 26. asserts, That evil ministers act in the name of Christ, and do minister by his commission and authority. Art. 27. says, That baptism is a token of regeneration, by which the promises of remission of sins, and our adoption to be the sons of God, are visibly sealed by the Holy Spirit; and that baptism of infants, is by all means to be retained in the church, as being most agreeable with the institution of Christ. Art. 34. affirms, That every particular, or national church, hath authority to institute, change, or annul ceremonies, or rites of the church, instituted by human authority, so that all things be done to edification. Art. 36. says, That the book of the consecration of archbishops, bishops, and of the ordering of priests and deacons, &c. contains nothing that is of itself either superstitious or impious. Whereas that book savours of superstition, and has no foundation in the Holy Scriptures. Art. 37. determines, That it is lawful for Christians to bear arms, and go to war, at the magistrate's command. Contrary to the precept of Christ. Art. 39. says, That at the magistrate's command, it is lawful to swear in a cause of faith and charity. When Christ and the apostle James have expressly forbid all swearing.

"There are also other errors in others of the articles, which I omit at present. But by these which I have mentioned, and as it were cursorily hinted at, thou mayst easily see how contrary they are to the Holy Scriptures, and how wide from truth; and are therefore in no wise to be subscribed by the followers of the truth.

66 Lay aside therefore all thoughts about a licence from the bishop, and reverence his supreme authority only, who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. Let not the enemies' threats, citations, courts, excommunications, prisons terrify thee; but, fear God, perform the office to which divine Providence hath called thee; and who shall harm thee, if thou follow after that which is good? Either God of his mercy will avert the impending storm; or, if he suffer it to fall, will give thee strength to go through it; the way of the cross is that of the crown; do not

thou prefer prosperity before adversity; but humbly pray to God, that his will may be done; and in every state of life, let glory and honour ascend to him for ever and ever. Amen.

"Take care of thy flock, though small at present, with all diligence. Be a faithful and gentle pastor, and, doubt not, but that, trusting in God, thou shalt in his time see an increase to thy wish. Thou hast learned of me the most easy and sure method of teaching; let not thine own industry be wanting, to the improvement of thy scholars.

"Remember my love to Friends, especially to Moses West, and his wife, who kindly entertained me at their house. I commend thee unto God, the Father of mercies, and rest, formerly thy master, but now

"Barking,

"Thy fellow Servant,

"RICHARD CLARIDGE."

"the 9th of the Tenth Month, 1704."

CHAPTER VII.

RICHARD CLARIDGE having seen in the light of truth, the emptiness, formality, and superstition of the National Church, and its ceremonies, a concern increased upon him, that he might stand clear from contributing to the support of the same, either immediately, or consequentially.

A Narrative of his Testimony against the Steeplehouse-rates, being intermixed with those for the Poor, &c. is here subjoined.

When I came first to live at Barking, which was in the year 1700, I observed there was no warden's rate for the steeple-house repairs, as, tiling, leading, or other covering of the roof, glazing the windows, paving the floor, paint

ing, or beautifying the walls, &c. Nor for their communion-table, or altar, carpet, cloth to cover the consecrated elements, (as they call them,) nor for their pulpit-cloth and cushion; nor for the surplice, buying, mending or washing of it; nor for the Book of Common-prayer, book of homilies, book of articles of religion, book of constitutions and canons ecclesiastical, book of articles of enquiry at visitations; nor for the court-fees, paid when they come into, and go out of their office, to the bishop's or arch-deacon's officers, as registers, apparitors, and the like; nor for the priest's dinners, and their own at visitations; nor for procession-charges, vestry-dinners, compotations, bells, and bell-ropes, and other expenses. I observed, that the wardens had no distinct rate for these things, as is usual, in other places: I inquired of some ancient Friends, that had lived long in the town, whether there was any rate for the steeple-house, &c. And they said, Nay, whereupon I paid the poor's rate as they and others did, but not without some dissatisfaction of mind; and therefore, when I paid the collectors of the poor's rate, I asked them, Whether it was for the poor only, and not for the steeple-house also? They answered, it was for the poor, and it was not enough to pay them neither, with more of this kind; yet still I remained dissatisfied, because I knew, having been a parish priest for so many years, there must be money raised some way or other, to defray the warden's charges. Besides, I had a great concern upon me, to find out the matter, that I and other Friends might bear our testimony against steeple-house, or warden's rates.

And therefore, I told Jonathan Goddard, over