Memoirs of the life of Isaac Penington : to which is added a review of his writings by Joseph Gurney Bevan

Introduction

The character of a man may be known by his writings : and it must be allowed of greater importance to inspect the thoughts of a virtuous man, than simply to know r the outward circumstances of his life. But when we are pleased or edified with the writings of an author of distinction, we become naturally curious to know the manner in which he passed his time : and, on the other hand, if we are led from the perusal of biography, to believe that the subject of it was a person qualified to please or to edify, we are disposed to continue our acquaintance, by perusing also the memorials of his wisdom which he has left behind him.

It is chiefly on the former account that a collection of the few scattered accounts of the life of Isaac Penington would be, if well executed, a useful work. His numerous tracts have been three times edited, and lie open to the access of every one. They are generally grateful and consolatory to that class of readers which is composed of persons who feel their own feeble state, with respect to religious concerns ; and desire to be, so far as it is right they should be, assisted by the experience of others. But two quarto, or four octavo volumes, closely printed, are, to many, formidable things ; and it is certain too, that considerable attention of mind is a requisite qualification, and considerable calmness of mind a very desirable one, to sit down to the perusal of the valuable remains of this eminent Friend. Cursory readers, also, have imputed to Isaac Penington the charge of mysticism ; a term, as generally used, of not the most definite import, but sometimes sufficient to deter the impatient from examining for themselves into the justice of the charge.

vi

INTRODUCTION.

It is then worth the attempt to introduce, by a short memorial, so excellent ^writer as Isaac Penington, to the knowledge of such as are not likely otherwise to undertake to know him for themselves ; and there is the more reason to hope that the account which I have compiled, may occasion a desire to know more of him, because it must necessarily include many extracts, in which he will be permitted to relate, in his own terms, his own testimony.

In the narrative considerable use is made of a manuscript Account of many particular events in the life of Mary Penington, wife of Isaac Penington, written by herself. Recourse has also been had to a manuscript Collection of letters written on various occasions by Isaac Penington, lately presented by John Kendall, of Colchester, to the library belonging to Friends in London.

However, beside the many specimens of his temper and manner, which are interspersed throughout this biographical sketch, I have provided a slight epitome of his written labours, in the Review* which follows it. By the perusal of both, * believe the reader will form an idea, not very far from the truth, of the character of this our predecessor in profession. I hope that it may induce him occasionally to have immediate recourse to his instructive page ; and I heartily desire that an acquaintance with it may be beneficial ; as it will be, if it prove the means of leading him to a more intimate acquaintance with his own wants, and with the power and love^of his Redeemer.

* In the second part of the Review the reader will frequently observe mention made of Whiting's Catalogue. The title at length is « A Catalogue of Friends' Books ; written by many of the people called Quakers, from the beginning or first appearance of the said people, collected for a general service, by J. W. London. 1708 :" about 238 pages, octavo. It is the prime book for such as wish to make a collection of our ancient Friends' writings.

Chap. I

His birth— education — station of his father— some hints at his political sentiments, and his moderation, taken from his early writings-— his marriage — the reproof given to him and his wife, for their gaiety, by a Friend— further discourse with this person — interview with T. Curtis and W. Simpson, by which Mary Penington is convinced — Isaac at J. Crook's in Bedfordshire, there fully convinced by George Fox — his account of his spiritual travail, taken from his treatise "Concerning God's teachings and Christ's law"— further account from T. Ell wood's testimony — further account from Works, vol. 2. p. 49 — further account from his Address to the Rulers, Teachers, and People of New England, Works, vol. 1. p. cclvi.

Chap. II

Account of Mary Penington — her desire to be able to perform true prayer — her written, and extemporaneous prayer — marries Colonel Springett — her husband's death — refuses to have her child sprinkled— seeks soli* tude, for prayer — yet attends diversions — a dream — her habit of trust — cannot pray-another remarkable dreamher marriage with I. Penington, and its motives — some previous knowledge of Friends — her state of mind when Curtis and Simpson visited the family — her conflicts — her joy at the first meeting held at I. Penington's house — further account of her spiritual state P a ge 37

Chap. III

Ileproaches and insults bestowed on I. and M. Penington — extract of a letter to his father — a visit from the family of Ellwood — the alteration of that of I. P. — its effects — a second visit, at which the younger Ellwood is convinced — M. Penington pleads for him with his father, and takes him to Chalfont. First imprisonment of Isaac Penington — his letter from prison to T. Ellwood — the man-

Vlll

CONTENTS.

ner of his confinement — his employment — his piece " Concerning the Magistrate's protection of the innocent'^ — release — apprehended again but not imprisoned — is the means of introducing Ellwood, as reader, to Milton — engages him as tutor to his children — some extracts from his writings — second imprisonment— third imprisonment, having been taken into custody whilst attending the burial of a Friend — his cheerfulness in prison — release— fourth imprisonment — plague in the gaol — released — soon imprisoned a fifth time — his letter to the Earl of Bridgewater — his health impaired — his release — letter to a Friend — to George Fox — to Friends of Amersham page 48

Chap. IV

Loss of his estate — attachment to his friends in Bucks — goes to board at Waltham Abbey, Essex— by the assistance of his wife purchases a house at Amersham Woodside — she superintends the alterations — Conventicle act — sixth imprisonment, at Reading- — released by patent with many others— his constancy in suffering — death of his son at sea — his tract entitled "Flesh and blood of Christ," &c. — its occasion — a review of it — letter to a friend page 11

Chap. V

Goes to A strop Wells—writes to the resort er^ to that spot — also his tract called " The everlasting Gospel," &c. also to the Oxford scholars — goes into Kent — at meeting in Canterbury — taken ill — dies at Goodnestone court — buried at Jordan's, Bucks — register — some account of those who wrote testimonies of him — G. Whitehead — S. Jennings — A. Rigge — T. Zachary — R. Jones — T. Evernden — C. Taylor — A. Parker— Copy of his son's testimony — of his wife's page 94

Chap. VI

Account of his widow — her state of mind — her daughter Gulielma Penn — laid up with a fever at Edmonton — her state of mind when ill, and ailing — her fear of death removed — dies at Worminghurst, Sussex page 108

CONTEXTS.

ix

REVIEW.

PART t

Review of the writings of Isaac Penington before he joined the Society of Friends.

Page

1. A Touchstone, or Trial of Faith, &c. 1648 . .115

2. The great and sole Troubler of the Times, represented in

a map of misery, &c. 1649 117

3. A Voice out of the thick darkness, &c. 1650 . . 117

4. Light or Darkness, displaying or hiding itself, as it pleaseth, &c. 1650 ........ 118

. 5. Several fresh inward Openings, &c. 1650 . . ibid.

6. An Echo from the great deep, &c. 1650 . . ibid.

7. The fundamental right, safety, and liberty of the people, &c. 1651 .120

8. The life of a Christian, which is a lamp kindled and lighted from the love of Christ, &c. 1652 . . . ibid,

9. A considerable question about Government briefly discussed, &c. 1653 121

10. Divine Essays, or considerations about several things in Religion, &c. 1654 122

11. Expositions, with observations sometimes, on several scriptures, &c. 1656 124

REVIEW.

PART IL

Review of the writings of Isaac Penington, after he joined the Society of Friends.

Page

1. The way of life and death made manifest, &c. 1658 130

2. The scattered sheep sought after, &c. 1659 . . 132

3. Babylon the great described, &c. 1657 . . . 133

4. The Jew outward, being a glass for the professors of this age, kc. 1659 134

5. The Axe laid to the root of the old corrupt tree, &c. 1659 ibid.

6. To the Parliament, the Army, and all the well-affected

in the nation. 1659 137

7. A brief account of some Reasons, &c. No date . ibid.

8. Some considerations, proposed to the city of London, &c. No data ibid.

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CONTENTS.

9. Some considerations proposed to the distracted nation of England. 1659 . . . . . . . 138

10. To the Army ........ ibid.

11. A question propounded to the rulers, &c. of England, 1659 ibid.

12. The root of Popery struck at, &c. 1660 . . 139

13. An examination of the grounds or causes, Szc. respecting the persecution in New-England. 1660 . . 140

14. A warning of love, &c. 1660 . . . . ibid.

15. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? &c. 1660 141

16. An Epistle to all such as observe the seventh-day of the week for a sabbath. 1660 ...... 142

17. The new covenant of the gospel distinguished from the

old covenant of the law, Szc. 1660 . . . . ibid.

18. Some few queries, &c. proposed to the Cavaliers, &c.

No date ibid*

19. Some queries concerning the work of God in the world, &c. 1660 . . 143

20. The consideration of a position concerning the book of

Common Prayer. 1660 144

21. An answer to that common objection against the Quakers, that they condemn all but themselves, 1660 . 145

22. The great question concerning Swearing, Sec. 1661 146

23. Somewhat spoken to a weighty question, concerning the magistrate's protection of the innocent, Szc. 1661 . ibid.

24. Concerning Persecution, &c. 1661 . . . . ibid.

25. Some directions to the panting soul, &c. 1661 . 147

26. Concerning the worship of the living God, Szc. No date 148

27. To all such as complain they want power, &c. 1661 ibid.

28. Some questions and answers for the opening of the eyes

of the Jews natural, &,e. 1661 149

29. Some questions and answers showing man his duty &c. 1662 ibid.

30. Some observations on thatportion of scripture, Rom. xiv.

20. 1662 ... 150

31. Three queries propounded to the King and Parliament.

No date 151

32. A salutation of love and tender good-will to the Commissioners of the Peace for the county of Bucks. No date 152

33. A weighty question propounded to the King and both houses of Parliament. 1663 ibid.

34. Some of the Mysteries of God's kingdom glanced at, Szc. 1663 153

35. Some deep considerations, concerning the state of Israel, past, present, and to come, Szc. No date . . . 155

36. Concerning God's seeking out his Israel, &c. 1663 157

37. Some queries concerning the order and government of the church of Christ. No date 159

CONTENTS.

xi

Page

38. To Friends in England, Ireland, &c. 1666 . . 160

39. One more tender visitation to this generation, Sec. 1666 ibid.

40. Concerning the Church, under the Gospel, &c. 1666 ibid.

41. Concerning the sum or substance of our Religion, who

are called Quakers. No date 161

42. Some things of great weight and concernment to all,&c. 1667 162

43. A question to the professors of Christianity, &c. 1667 163

44. To such as are not satisfied with a profession, Sec. 1668 165

45. Observations on some passages of Lodowick Muggleton,

46. Some things relating to Religion, proposed to the Royal Society, &c. 1668 ibid.

47. Of the Church in its first and pure state, in its declining state, Sec. 1668 168

48. An inquiry after Truth and Righteousness, Sec. 1671 170

49. The holy Truth and People defended, Sec. 1672 . ibid.

50. The ancient principle of Truth, Sec. 1672 . . 171

52. The flesh and blood of Christ testified to, Sec. 1675 175

53. To the Jews natural and spiritual, &c. 1677 . . 176

54. The everlasting Gospel testified to, &c. 1678 . 178

55. A further testimony to Truth. Posthumous . . 179

56. Life and Immortality brought to light through the Gospel. Posth. . . 181

57. A reply to queries and animadversions. Posth. . 186

58. A few experiences, &c. Posth 189

59. A treatise concerning God's teachings, &c. Posth. . 191

60. A question answered, concerning reading the Scriptures aright. Posth 193

61. Somewhat relating to Church-government. Posth. 194

62. Some misrepresentations of Me, concerning Church-government, cleared. Posth 196

63. The Seed of God, and of his kingdom, treated of, &c. Posth ... 197

£4. An epistle to all serious professors. Posth. . . 200 65. A reply to an answer of some queries . . . 203 Also, the following short pieces, scarcelv to be called books.

a. Five Epistles to Friends in Chalfont .... ibid.

b. Some queries concerning compulsion in Religion . ibid.

c. Concerning the dispensation of the Gospel . . ibid.

d. Some experiences, &c 204

c. Concerning the times and seasons, &c. . . . 205

ADVERTISEMENT.

In the second part of the Review, may be found some observations on the following important subjects ; in most of which the sense of our author on them is plainly apparent.

Atonement . Page 202 Christ . . . 188 Co-essence . 183,ibid.

Imputation . . 185 Infallibility . . 204 John's 1st Epistle, v. 7. 201 Joy .... 175 The Lord's Prayer . 183

Love Perfection

Reading the Scriptures 193

Scripture . . . 187

The Seed . . 197

Silent worship . 192

Trinity ... 201

MEMOIRS,

Chap. I

His birth — education — station of his father — some hints at his political sentiments, and his moderation, taken from his earlywritings — his marriage — the reproof given to him and his wife, for their gaiety, by a Friend — further discourse with this person — interview with T. Curtis and W. Simpson— by which Mary Penington is convinced — Isaac at J. Crook's in Bedfordshire, there fully convinced by George Fox — his account of his spiritual travail, taken from his treatise " Concerning God's teachings, and Christ's law" — further account from T.Eliwood's Testimony — further account from Works, vol. ii. p. 49 — further account from his Address to the Rulers, Teachers, and People of New England, Works, vol. i. p. 256.

Isaac Penington was born about the year 1616, heir, to use the words of his son-in-law* William Penn, to a fair inheritance. It would be gratifying to trace the steps of the childhood of a man, in whom the simplicity of the child so long survived the weakness ; but until further search can be made, it must suffice to learn from the same author, that his education was suitable to his quality among men, and that he had all the

* By marriage with Gulielma Maria Springett, daughter of Isaac Penington's wife by a former husband.

B advantages that the schools and universities of his own country could bestow ; as well as such as arose from the conversation of some of the most knowing and considerable men of the time. He arrived at manhood at a period when England was agitated with the tempest of civil commotion, by means of the discord between Charles I. and his parliament ; and as the father of Penington was himself a violent partisan, the son, had his temper inclined him to enter the lists, might probably soon have arisen to eminence in the republic. But he seems early to have set his mind on another contest than the one for worldly power ; and " to have chosen a life dedicated to an inquiry after God, and a holy fellowship with his despised" people. He chose, he sought, he strove, and he obtained ; but had his choice been to follow the path into which his father had entered, disappointment would most likely have been the ultimate consequence. The elder Penington had been chief magistrate of the metropolis, he had raised the forces of the city to join the parliament's army, he had been intrusted with the charge of the Tower, and had been one of the council of state ; but the Restoration reversed the condition of public affairs, and he died a prisoner in the fortress which he had formerly commanded.

But though Isaac Penington forbore to enter into the contests which rent the nation, he was far from being an unconcerned spectator of the misery of his country. To this some of the tracts which he published long before he joined the Society of Friends, bear ample testimony. But he looked for the cause of the evil rather in the depraved state of man's heart in general, than in any particular party or set of men. In the preface to one tract, published in 1 650, entitled, according to the fashion of titles in those days, £ A Voice out of the thick Darkness," he mentions an intention he had before conceived of publishing something concerning the state of affairs. " 1 should have expressed," says he, " ill will to none, but only have ut-

ISAAC PENINGTON.

tered that deep affection that was then in me, towards the soldering and healing the distempers of such spirits as are made more miserable by their own discontents, than they could be by any thing else that can, in probability, befall them." — " There are one sort of men whom I should more especially have applied myself unto ; who are wonderous eager after making the nation happy ; whose spirits can be no ways satisfied till they see the attainment of that universal freedom, and the flowing forth of that universal, speedy justice, which is easy to be desired, but hard to be met with." To persons of this description, he gives the following advice. " Be content to pass through your pilgrimage without the full enjoyment of that freedom ye have desired, and pressed so hard after. There is a power above, whose will may cross yours in this ; which may as well find fault with your untowardness to be governed, as with the self-seeking of such as have been governors." — 6 * It is a brave thing sometimes to oppose the yoke ; but a braver, from judgment to submit unto it. It is, in many cases, better for particular persons, yea for societies, to bear than avoid the yoke." — " It is the stiffness of the neck, and unbrokenness of the spirit that chiefly makes all our yokes so harsh." But he subjoins, "Groan, pant after, and, in a just way, pursue the attainment of perfect freedom. Lie not down as a slave, with a base, abject spirit, counting slavery best ; but with a sweet spirit submit to it for necessity's sake : and let a sense appear of your prizing and desiring of liberty. And what way of attaining it is made out to you plainly and evidently justifiable, forbear not to fall in with ; yet not in such a violent and irrational manner, as to make your more noble parts far worse slaves to brutish passions within, to avoid a more inferior slavery of the outward and more ignoble part."

It is probable, that notwithstanding the mildness and moderation of his temper, and his great preference of peace to contention, Penington in his judgment inclined to a commonwealth. For in the following year he published a pamphlet entitled " The fundamental Right, Safety and Liberty of the People (which is radically in themselves, derivatively in the parliament, their substitutes or representatives) asserted." " This right," saith he, " lielh chiefly in these three things — in the people's choice of their government and governors— in the establishment of that government and governors whom they shall choose — and in the alteration of either as they shall find cause." These principles are democratical, and accordingly the Salus populi, suprema lex, is the prominent feature of the book. But it is at most a representative, not a pure, democracy at which the author aims. He shews the impossibility of the people acting for themselves: and the impropriety of a parliament assuming both legislative and administrative power. He seems even not averse to the latter being placed in the hands of a king. " Though," these are his words, " I shall not plead for the resettlement of kingly government (for I am not so far engaged in my affections to it, as it yet hath been) yet I would have a fair and friendly shaking hands with it, and not any blame laid upon it beyond its desert. For doubtless it is both proper, good, and useful in its kind ; and hath its advantages above any other government on the one hand, as it hath also its disadvantages on the other hand."

In short, though the desire of Penington seems to have been the general welfare of the people : he only expected it (so far as civil policy can effect it,) from the preservation of every rank in the state within its own limits. " Kingly power," thus he writes in his prefatory address to the parliament, " did pass its limits, we may now speak it." The times of Charles 1. the late stretches of prerogative by that monarch, and the attempts at power independent of the parliament, were of course fresh in his memory. But Penington immediately subjoins, "Doth parliamentary power keep within its limits?' — " And if things should yet devolve

ISAAC PENINGTON.

lower, into the great and confused body of the people, is it likely they would keep their limits V 7 — " Man cannot be free in himself, nor free from himself, (while self is in him it will make him selfish) and while it is so, others under his power or within his reach cannot be free."

Another short extract from the body of the work may close the description of the political part of the character of Isaac Penington, and show that universal benevolence formed its basis. " There is not one sort of men upon the face of the earth, to whom I bear any enmity in my spirit (though in some respect I must confess myself an enemy to every sort of men) but wish, with all my heart, they might all attain and enjoy as much peace, prosperity, and happiness as their state will bear. There are not any to whom 1 should envy government : but, whoever they are, they should have my vote on their behalf, whom I saw fitted for it and called to it."*

At the time of these publications Penington was more than thirty years of age ; they are not, therefore, to be considered as the mere effusions of an ingenuous youthful mind ; but as the result of observation and judgment, operating on a mind amply endued with philanthropy and piety. Nor can his attachment, at a much

* The following extract of a letter written many years after may further show how little of a politician, as the word is commonly used, was Penington. See Kendall's MS. Coll. vol. i. p. 334.-5- "Now as to his relation of the affairs of the late times, I was observed by all sorts to be one of a retired spirit and conversation, not meddling with affairs, covenants, or engagements ; nor taking any advantage of preferment, gain, or honour, in those times, when thrust upon me ; but mourned with those that suffered in those times ; not expecting much happiness from outward changes ; nor satisfied with any of the changes that then were. I would I could yet see the change which I have all along, longed to see, which was not of the outward form of government, but from unrighteousness to righteousness. This is the plain truth of my heart in these things, and I could wish from my heart that the Lord God of heaven and earth had taugnt chee to fear and love God and the kinoas He hath done me, in truth and righteousness."

B 2 later period, to the principles of Friends, be ascribed of course to the ardency of a youthful imagination, for he had then arrived at least at his fortieth year ; an age at which the manly character is, if ever, fully developed : and he appears, besides, by his writings, to have been a man of unusual calmness of mind. He had married, in what year I do not find,* Mary, the widow of Colonel Springett ; and at the time of his adopting the profession of Friends lived on his estate at Chalfont, called St. Peter's, in Buckinghamshire. The ground of their union was a coincidence in religious sentiments, Each had long been dissatisfied with many of the forms in use, even in those times of supposed reformation % each was earnestly seeking after a religion that could bring assurance with it ; and each was in no small degree already acquainted with spiritual exercises, and devotions. One day, as they were walking together in a park, a man who had lately attached himself to the people called Quakers, rode by ; and remarking their gay apparel, reproved them aloud for their pride. Mary Penington replied with disdain, " You are a public preacher indeed, thus to preach on the high-way." The stranger, who having said what appeared so far sufficient for him, was probably riding on, now turned back : for he said that he again felt a love for Isaac Penington, as he saw grace in his very countenance. He therefore drew up close to the pales, and spoke to them of the light and grace of God, which had appeared to all men. Isaac Penington engaged him in discourse, and the occupier of the premises invited him in ; but as he perceived Penington to be superior to him in argument, by means of his natural and acquired abilities, and as he knew himself to be but young in religious experience, he declined the debate; but said that he would the next day bring with him a man, who should answer all the questions and objections of his

* Probably not later than 1654, setat. 38.

learned disputant. The person thus intended to be produced was George Fox ; but the zealous stranger was disappointed of his assistance ; and our pious couple were visited by two other Friends, namely, Thomas Curtis of Reading, and William Simpson from Lancashire. I do not find any particulars of their conversation so far as it related to Isaac. Mary has left an account of the effect of the visit on her mind, as tending to her fully giving up her heart to the doctrines and practices of Friends. It is also not to be doubted that Isaac received in this conference some inducements to make trial of their doctrines ; but he was not hasty to adopt their manners ; and indeed those of the persons who had declared to him these doctrines, appeared very mean and contemptible.

It is not easy to fix with precision the date of the convincement of Isaac Penington. Alexander Parker, an eminent Friend, in his testimony prefixed to Penington's works, says that he first saw him at a meeting at Reading in the year 1 656 (probably attracted thither by acquaintance with Thomas Curtis) ; and that though Penington did not then bear the garb and appearance of a Friend, his soul cleaved to him in the bowels of the love of truth. William Penn, in a similar testimony, but in his own peculiar style, says, " About the year 1657 it pleased the Lord to send him a Peter, to declare to him that the time of the pouring forth of the Holy Spirit, and breaking forth of the heavenly work of God, in the souls of men and women, was come ; and many Aquilas and Priscillas came after, who instructed him in the way of God more perfectly." It seems, however, to have been at a meeting held at the house of John Crook, who had been in the commission of the peace, in Bedfordshire, and by means of the preaching of George Fox, that Isaac Penington became fully satisfied. Of this meeting, which was held about the time called Whitsuntide, 1658, and of the doctrine preached in it, there is a large account in the Journal, or rather Annals of George Fox. " At this meeting," says Alexander Parker before mentioned, " the mystery of iniquity was so opened, and the mystery of the gospel of peace so plainly manifested, that he (Penington) was fully satisfied : and from that time gave up himself to the obedience of Truth — took up the cross — and suffered with us for the name and testimony of Jesus." These dates bespeak him to have been from forty to forty-two years of age when he joined the rising and persecuted society of Friends. The steps which led to this event, and the peaceful establishment of the mind of Isaac Penington in the adoption of this despised profession, let his own w r ords declare.