Journals of the lives and gospel labours of William Caton and John Burnyeat

Preface

The present volume contains a re-print of the Lives and Gospel Labours of William Caton and John Burnyeat, — the former from the First Edition of 1689, the latter from that of 1691 ; to which is added a Brief Memoir concerning John Croker, of Plymouth, who was born in the year 1673, now first published.

The Editor thinks it proper to explain, respecting this edition of William Caton's Life, that instead of adopting the very short chapters of the first edition, he has divided the work into chapters of more convenient length and periods, and fresh headings have been given to them. The text of the original edition has been pretty closely followed ; some verbal changes to a limited extent have been made, to favour grammatical construction, and lessen the unnecessary repetition of some words and particles. The Editor has also been able, through the kindness of his friends, to introduce into this edition several very interesting unpublished letters of William Caton, which give additional information respecting his labours and a2

IV PREFACE.

services ; they are nearly all from originals, which appear in very good legible hand-writing for that day : these, with a few other letters and quotations from published sources, are introduced within brackets, or otherwise described, to denote that they are the additions now made to the text of the first edition of the Author's Life.

The Journal of John Burnyeat is nearly a verbatim re-print of the first edition ; the chief variations may be stated to be in orthography and occasional division into more convenient paragraphs, with a very few verbal omissions, mostly of particles. This work has also been divided into chapters with headings, for the first time. A portion of the Epistles contained in the first edition are added : they are truly valuable and edifying. In several of these ancient epistles to the churches, from both of the above Authors, we often meet with exhortations and advice remarkably applicable to present times and recent trials in the Society.

The concluding Memoir concerning John Croker, now first put in print, has remained in manuscript during several generations, in the possession of the Fox family of the western counties of Devon

PREFACE. V

and Cornwall, into which family a sister of the author married. It is hoped that this Memoir will be perused with much interest and profit, more especially by the youth amongst us.

Since the publication of the last volume of the Select Series, the valuable and deeply devoted services of its Editor have been closed by his removal from works to rewards. Fervent were his desires, and earnest his exertions, to promote the religious welfare and edification of his fellow professors, as well as of others of every class, who loved " in sincerity" " our Lord Jesus Christ" and " His appearing." Had his life been spared, and strength bestowed, it is probable he would have added to the present work other volumes of interest and of worth. It is the desire of the undersigned (his brother), to be enabled to follow up, according to his limited qualifications, a publication which appears to have been acceptably received, and its circulation much encouraged by Friends.

A. R. BARCLAY.

Leytonstone, near London, Ninth Month, 1839.

ERRATA.

Page 6, Line 16 — read became for become.

„ 81, In the letter to Thos. Willan, 2nd line, read

omit for admit. „ 130, In the lowest Epistle, read, " Dear Friends."

Contents

Life of William Caton.

Page

Chapter I. The infinite mercy of the Lord God to him from his very infancy ; how it was with him in the days of his youth : his introduction into Judge Fell's family at Swarthmore - 1

Chapter I

The infinite mercy of the Lord God to him from his very infancy ; how it was with him in the days of his youth: his introduction into Judge FeWs family at Swarthmore.

The God of my salvation hath been pleased of his infinite love, to show mercy unto me from my very infancy unto this present clay, and hath through a secret hand kept and preserved me from many of the evils in the world, which befall the children of men, and with which many of them are overcome ; yea, from my very childhood hath he dealt exceeding gently, bountifully, and mercifully with me, and especially since he was pleased to make known his heavenly truth in me, and his eternal salvation unto me. How should I therefore forbear to show forth his praise, and to declare his wonderful works ? to the end, that others may learn to fear and know him, to serve and obey him, that their souls may receive mercy from him as I have done, and that they may praise and magnify him in the land of the living, — who is God over all, the

Creator of all things ; to whom be glory, honour, and dominion for ever and ever.

When I was a child I was nurtured and tutored with such a fatherly care and motherly affection, as my parents at that day were endued with. While T was yet very young, my heart was inclining to wisdom and understanding : and being inspired with a divine principle, I did in those days sometimes feel the power of it overcoming my heart, and begetting tenderness in it towards my Creator, when I have stood musing upon his handiwork : and through this divine principle, I was much restrained from some evil vices which children are prone and incident to. But, alas, I knew not, that that which restrained me was within me, though I had a dread and fear upon me when I was liable to sin against my Creator ; which now I know right well, came through the aforesaid divine principle. Howbeit, I had also a fear upon me of reproof and chastisement from my parents, who according to their knowledge endeavoured to educate me in virtue and Godliness : and therefore did thev instruct me to pray morning and evening, to read often, and to go frequently to hear that which they called the Word of God. And great was their care to bring me up in the fear of the Lord, according to their ability and understanding, as also in good fashion (as they called it) in the world ; therefore did they educate me in such schools as the country there did afford, and that for many years.

When I was about fourteen years of age, my father took me to Judge Fell's, there to learn with a kinsman (a priest) who was preceptor to the aforesaid judge's son ; and thereby I came to have an opportunity to be conversant with them that were

WILLIAM CATON.

great in the -world. And through the mercy of the Lord, I behaved myself so well among them as to the outward, that I found favour among the whole family, even from the greatest to the least of them ; and was in due time promoted to be a companion night and day to the judge's son, and did eat as he did eat, and lodged as he lodged, and went after the same pleasure which he went unto, as to fishing, hunting, shooting, &c. In that day my heart was affected with my condition ; forasmuch as Providence had cast me into such a noble family, where there were such sweet children, with whose company I was more than a little affected; and in much pleasure, ease and fulness, I lived with them as my heart could well desire. In those days there remained an integrity in my heart towards God, and often did I call upon his name : to that end, I would linger in the chamber, until the judge's son, with whom I lodged, was gone down, that afterwards I might go to prayer alone; for my soul desired to have the blessing and favour of the Lord, in which there was satisfaction to be found, but not in the pleasures which I followed, nor yet in the ease and fulness in which I then lived.

After we had learnt some time together in the judge's family, we were removed to a school in the country, at a place called Hawkshead ; where I met with many temptations, and seldom good company, but such as were given to folly and wantonness. But the Lord was wonderfully gracious to me ; and many times when I have deserved nothing but stripes from him, hath he broken and overcome my heart with his divine love ; so that I have often stood admiring his wonderful mercy, his long-suffering ; forbearance, and infinite goodness : for truly b2 had his compassion failed, I might have been destroyed in the sins of my youth : but blessed be his name for ever, he had mercy on me. And as Providence ordered it, we did not stay long at that school, but returned to Judge Fell's, where it was. with me as before mentioned, so that I began to see pretty far into the depth of what the world could afford.

Being then about fifteen years of age, my heart was pretty much inclined after wisdom, as also to seek after knowledge ; for in that family there was a great profession, and such as could speak of the Scripture, and could make repetitions of sermons, and paraphrase thereupon, were held in esteem : therefore I endeavoured much to retain the heads thereof, hut when my memory would not serve me to do as some did in that particular, I used myself to write much after the priests : but that which I reaped thereby, could not give satisfaction to my soul, which at times hungered much after the Lord.

Chapter II

1652. — George Fox' s first visit to Sivarthmore; the tendency of Ins doctrine — TT r . C. leaves school, and oecomes an inmate in the Fell family, as teacher and writer ; the divine love and refreshment prevalent amongst them — Is moved to go into steeple-houses, markets, cjx. — Quits Syvarthmore.

In the year 1652, about the middle of the Fourth month, was that faithful messenger and servant of the Most High, by name George Fox, cast among

WILLIAM CATON.

us, who declared unto us the way of life and peace. Of those in that family who believed his report, I was one, who came finally to be affected with his doctrine ; though at the first I did as much admire at his non-conformity to our fashions, customs, and salutations, as strangers at this day admire at our non- conformity unto them ; yet something in me did love him, and own his testimony. And I began to find the truth of what he spoke in myself; for his doctrine tended very much to the bringing of us to the light, which Christ Jesus had enlightened us withal, which shined, in our hearts, and convinced us of sin and evil ; and into love with that, and obedience to that, he sought to bring us, that thereby through the Son we might be brought into unity and covenant with the Lord.

And in due time the witness of God was awakened in me, whereby my sins came to be set in order before me ; and it brought judgment and condemnation upon me by reason of them : but I, being as the wild heifer which is unaccustomed to the yoke, sought to get from under it, as I often did, until I came to know something of the power of God, which brought that wild nature in me, which was unaccustomed to the yoke, into subjection. And so good was the Lord unto me, that I had not long heard the Truth, when I came to be a witness of the power of it in myself; whereby the strong man was made to bow in himself, and the keepers of the house to tremble.

At that time I had not left the school, but did go along with Judge Fell's son thereto ; and he being somewhat convinced of the same truth, and somewhat touched with the same power, it was the easier and the better for me: howbeit, we were often wild, vain and wanton, and sported ourselves in folly, to the extinguishing of the good oftentimes in ourselves. But such was the love of God to me in those days, that I was as surely pursued with judgment, as I was overtaken with folly. Sometimes I would separate myself from the rest of my school-fellows, and get retired into some place, where I might wait upon the Lord, and ponder upon his marvellous works. When I was thus retired, and in singleness of heart waited upon the Lord, I received refreshment from him ; but when I was drawn aside through the provocation of my companion, or the temptations of the wicked one in myself, then was I troubled and disquieted in my own heart.

In process of time my study become my burden ; for when I was so much in trouble through the condemnation that was upon me, I was so much the more incapable of making themes, Latin verses, &c, neither could I well give unto the master the trivial compliment of the hat, for I was then convinced in my conscience of the vanity of it. My special friend Margaret Fell (the judge's wife) taking notice of my condition, was not willing to suffer me to go longer to the school than 1 was free, but caused me to stay at home to teach her children, and to go with her when she went abroad, and to write for her, &c, which was a happy time forme ; for after that I left the school, I was also much exercised in writing of precious and wholesome things pertaining to the Truth ; whereby I came to have good opportunities to be conversant with Friends, in whom the life of righteousness began to bud and spring forth, and who grew in love and unity, with which my soul was exceedingly affected;

and I desired very much to be one with them in it, that I might share with them therein, for my soul was delighted with it and in it, far beyond the pleasures and delights of this transitory world.

When I was about seventeen years of age, the power of the Lord God did work mightily and effectually in me, to the purging, cleansing, and sanctifying of me ; and then I began to see something of the gloriousness of the ministration of condemnation, and of the goodness of the word of life, which was become as afire in my bones, and as a sword and liammer in my heart. And then I began to be broken, melted, and overcome with the love of God, which sprang up in my heart, and with the divine and precious promises that were confirmed to my soul. Oh ! the preciousness and excellency of that day ! Oh ! the glory and the blessedness of that day ! how, or wherewith shall I demonstrate it? or by what means shall I explain it, that generations to come, and they that are yet unborn, might understand it, and give glory unto the Lord Jehovah ?

Oh ! the love which in that day abounded among us, especially in that family ! and oh ! the freshness of the power of the Lord God, which then was amongst us; and the zeal for Him and his truth, the comfort and refreshment which we had from his presence, — the nearness and dearness that was amongst us one towards another, — the openings and revelations which we then had ! I confess I find myself insufficient to declare these things to the utmost; neither do I now intend to go about to describe the multitude of them particularly ; for then I might make a larger volume by much, than now I am intending ; but, my very heart is affected with the remembrance of them at this veryday.

In those days were meetings exceeding precious to us, insomuch that some few of us did commonly spend some time eveiy night in waiting upon the Lord; yea, often after the rest of the family were gone to bed : and, oh ! the comfort and refreshment which we had together, and the benefit which we reaped thereby, how shall I declare it ! For if we had suffered loss in the day-time, when we had been abroad about our business or the like, then we came in a great measure thus to be restored again, through the love, power, and mercy of our God, which abounded very much unto us : howbeit, sometimes I was deprived of that sweet society (when my heart was with them) through my going to my bed so early with the judge's son, with whom I then did lodge ; who for a season was tender and hopeful ; but afterwards meeting with many temptations, his heart was drawn aside from the truth, and his mind ran after the delights and pleasures of this present world. When he was removed to another school, we came to be separated, which was at that time no disadvantage to me in one respect, though looked upon by some to be a disadvantage to me as to my outward preferment : but in that day I could have chosen much rather to have done any kind of labour pertaining to the house, with the servants that were in the truth, than to have enjoyed the delights of this world with this son, or any one else, for a season. For my delight was not then, so much as it had been, in the vain, perishing, and transitory things of the world, but my delight was then in the Lord, in his mercy and loving-kindness, and to be with his people; for the sake of whose company

I could have exposed myself to some pretty hard employment; neither was it then too contemptible for me to become as Amos, a keeper of cattle, or as Elisha, to follow the plough ; for indeed in those days I did enjoy and possess that which made all things easy and light to me. And oh ! the abundance of living refreshment, which I received from the Lord ! it is hard for me to utter or declare the same to the utmost : for I was often overcome with the love of my Father, which did exceedingly break and ravish my heart, and so I know it was with others of that family; and of the overflowings thereof, did we communicate one to another, to the comforting and refreshing one of another : and truly willing we were to sympathize and bear one with another, to be helpful one unto another, and in true and tender love to watch one over another. And, oh ! the love, mercy, and power of God, which abounded to us, through us, and among us, who shall declare it? And hence came that worthy family to be so renowned in the nation, the fame of which spread much among Friends : and the power and presence of the Lord being so much there with us, it was as a means to induce many, even from afar, to come thither ; so that at one time there would have been Friends out of five or six counties : all which tended to the augmenting of my refreshment ; for by reason of my much writing, it came to pass that I especially was much conversant with them, and thereby I had a privilege beyond others of my fellow-servants; for I was frequently with dear George Fox, who, as a tender-hearted father (after he had begotten me through the Gospel), sought to nurture me up in all wisdom, faithfulness, and righteousness, to the glory and praise of my heavenly

Father. And on the other hand was I cherished, and encouraged in the way of life, by my entirely beloved friend Margaret Fell, who as a tender-hearted nursing mother cared for me, and was as tender of me, as if I had been one of her own children : oh ! the kindness, the respect, and friendship which she showed me, ought never to be forgotten by me.

When I had thus plentifully reaped of the mercy of the Most High, and his power had wrought so effectually in me, to the redeeming of my soul from death, then did his word of life begin to grow powerful in me : and seeing the darkness and ignorance so great, in which people were involved, my spirit was stirred within me, and my earthen vessel came to be filled with love to their souls, and with zeal for God and his truth. And about that time I began to know the motion of his power and the command of his spirit ; by which I came to be moved to go to the places of public worship, to declare against the deceit of the priests, and the sins of the people, and to warn all to repent : for I testified to them that the day of the Lord was coming. But oh ! the weakness, the fear and trembling in which I went upon this message, — who shall declare it? and how did I plead with the Lord concerning this matter : for I looked upon my own weakness and insufficiency, and how unfit I was in my own apprehension, to encounter with gainsayers, who I knew would also despise my youth. Howbeit, whatsoever I alleged by way of reasoning against the Lord concerning this weighty matter, I could not be excused; but I must go, and declare what he should give me to speak ; and his promise was, he would be with me.

WILLIAM CATON.

Wherefore when I saw it must be so, I put on courage in the name of the Lord ; and having faith in him, which stood in his power, I next gave up to his will, and went in obedience to his motion. And when I came to the place, behold, the consultations which before I had had, were gone, and the fear of man was departed from me ; and strength, and courage, and boldness, and utterance were given me, so that I became, through him that strengthened me, rather as a potent man than as a stripling, and that even in the face of the congregations. Howbeit, my testimony was by many little regarded, neither did thev lav to heart what I declared among them ; but some as brute beasts fell upon me, and did much abuse me; others pitied me and were much troubled for me; and sometimes they were much divided among themselves, for some were for me, and others against me ; but in the midst of them the Lord was with me, and his mighty power did preserve me ; and when I had cleared my conscience among them, I returned in much peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, for my reward was with me.

After that the Lord had fitted me for his work as aforesaid, I was much exercised in going to steeple-houses, insomuch that there seldom passed a First day of the week, but I was at one or another ; and I was also often in markets, where I was moved to declare God's eternal truth, which through his infinite mercy I was become a witness of. And though when I went to such places as aforesaid, I seldom knew what I should say till I came there ; yet behold when I was to speak I never wanted words or utterance, to declare that which the Lord gave me to publish ; but oftentimes on the contrary I had fulness to my great admiration. And the beating, buffeting, stocking, stoning, with the many reproaches which I went through in those clays, were little to me ; nay,' not to be compared to the refreshment which I had through the enjoyment of the life, power, and love, which the Father had revealed in me, and by which I was carried through them and over them all. By how much the more the Lord tried me in those days, by so much the more I came to experience his loving-kindness to me.

And after that the Lord came to honour me with bearing his name, and accounted me worthy to bear my testimony, both in public and in private, to his eternal truth, I had much favour and respect from and among his people, whose love abounded much to me ; and I being sensible thereof, was very much supported and strengthened thereby, in that service which God appointed for me, and called me unto in those days. When such service was over I returned again to the place of my residence, where I was diligent in my employment, until the Lord ordered me to other service again, either to meetings abroad on the first days of the week, or else to steeple-houses : and the Lord was with me, and his word of life did often pass powerfully through me, and never did I go about any service for the Lord, in which I was faithful, but I had always my reward with me.

When I returned again unto that honourable family, the place of my external abode, (I mean Judo*e Fell's at Swarthmore in Lancashire.) then was our refreshment very great together in the Lord, and with rejoicing did we speak together of his wonderful works, which were very marvellous in our eyes. And after I had had many glorious days there, and seen many of the wonderful works of the Lord, in the fulness of time, according to the will of God, I was called out from among them, the Lord having other service for me abroad elsewhere. When it was the will of the Lord that I should go, the judge was much against it, being then very unwilling to part with me ; but his dear wife, who could not well give me up before, was then made willing freely to resign me to the will of the Lord, especially upon so honourable an account ; for I left not them to go to serve other men, but to publish the name of the Lord, and to declare his eternal truth abroad.

Chapter III

1654. — Leaving Swarthmore he travels southwards into Warwickshire and to Norwich, and afterwards to London; he and the brethren have great service in that city, fyc.

It was in the year 1654, in the Eleventh month, when I was about eighteen years of age, that I took my leave of that renowned family at Swarthmore. But, oh ! the tears that w r ere shed among us at our parting; — oh! the prayers and intercessions that were made to the Lord; and what deep impression our parting had upon our hearts, who can declare the same? So exceedingly were we united and bound up together, that it was very hard for us to part one w r ith another. Howbeit, when we considered upon what account it was, and that notwithstanding our then external parting, we should enjoy one another in the Lord, &c. then could we give up to the will of the Lord so much the better in the thing. Therefore according to the will of the Lord, in his name and power, I set my face southwards ; and visited Friends in Lancashire, and in some parts of Yorkshire and Derbyshire, which counties I passed through into Warwickshire, to a place called Badgley ; where I met with many of the brethren, who did dearly own the power, and the motion of it, by which I was drawn forth into that glorious work : and being very sweetly refreshed together, and confirmed in the faith and power of God, and encouraged to go on in that glorious and honourable service, I took my leave of them, and went on in the name and power of the Lord towards Norwich in Norfolk, (being accompanied with another Friend ;) and coming to Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, we found several there newly convinced of the Lord's truth, with whom we were much refreshed. And being there the First day of the week, it was upon me to go to their steeple-house, where I had some liberty (and but little) to declare the everlasting truth of God. After that I returned to the meeting of Friends, where the power and presence of the Lord God was with us ; so that a very sweet, comfortable, and refreshing meeting we had. Howbeit, that day I and my companion were apprehended, and kept that night in custody ; but the next day, as Providence ordered it, while the priest and some with him (as we were informed) were gone to get a warrant to bring us before a justice, we were by a certain officer released.

After that we travelled towards Cambridge, where we had a very good opportunity to visit Friends; which having done, we passed on our journey towards Norwich. It being in the depth of winter, and we travelling altogether on foot, it was something hard to the outward man ; but the Lord was with us, and his mighty power upheld us, and carried us through all, and through mercy we got finally well to Norwich ; where there were several of our north country Friends in prison, whom we visited, and with whom we were sweetly refreshed.

In this city we had a very large meeting, unto which many people resorted; and the Lord was with me, and gave me a mouth and wisdom freely and powerfully to declare his living truth : at that time we were also in much jeopardy of being taken, but the Lord preserved us out of the hands of unreasonable men. At that city my companion left me, and returned towards the north ; and after I had visited Friends and the brethren there, I went into the country, and had very good service for the Lord ; and in a short time after I went to London, w T here I was very kindly received by Friends there, and we were refreshed together in the Lord.