The First Edition, edited by Thomas Ellwood
From the text published London: Thomas Northcott, 1694 (unless otherwise noted.)
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THE TESTIMONY OF SOME OF THE AUTHOR'S RELATIONS
Neither days, nor length of time with us can wear out the memory of our dear and honored father
George Fox, whom the Lord has taken to himself. And though his earthly house of this tabernacle
be dissolved, and mortality put off; yet we believe, he has a building with God eternally in the
heavens, and is entered into rest, as a reward to those great labors, hard sufferings, and sore trials,
he patiently endured for god and his Truth. Of which Truth he was made an able minister, and
one, if not the first promulagator of it in our age: who tough of no great literature, nor seeming
much learned, as to the outward (being hid from the wisdom of this world;) yet he had the tongue
of the learned, and could speak a word in due season to the conditions and capacities of most,
especially to them, that were weary, and wanted soul's rest; being deep in the divine mysteries of
the Kingdom of God. And the Word of Life and Salvation through him reached unto many souls;
whereby man were convinced of their great duty of inward retiring to wait upon God: and as they
became diligent in the performance of that service, were also raised up to be preachers of the
same Everlasting Gospel of peace and glad tidings to others; who are as seals to his ministry both
in this and other Nations, and may possible give a more full account thereof. Howbeit we knowing
his unwearied diligence, not sparing, but spending himself in the work and service, whereunto he
was chosen and called of God, could not but give this short testimony of his faithfulness therein;
and likewise of his tender love and care towards us: who as a tender father to children (in which
capacity we stood being related to him) he never failed to give us his wholesome counsel and
advice. And not only so, but as a father in Christ,, he took care of the whole family and household
of faith, wich the Lord made him an eminent overseer of, and endured him with such an excellent
spirit of wisdom and understanding, to propose direct helps and advantages to the well ordering
and establishing of affairs and government in the Church, as now are found very serviceable
thereunto; and have greatly disappointed and prevented the false, loose and libertine spirit in
some, who to their own confusion have endeavored (by separations and divisions) to disturb the
Church's peace. And although many of that sort have at sundry times shot their poisonous darts at
him, publicly in print, and privately in other ways; yet he has been always preserved by the
heavenly power of God, out of the reach of their envy, and all perils and difficulties, that attended
on their account: who was as a fixed star in the firmament of God's power, did constantly abide,
and held his integrity to the last, being of a sweet, savory life; and as to conversation kept his
garments clean: and though outwardly dead, yet lives, and his memory is right precious to us; as it
is and will be to all, that abide in the love of Truth, and have not declined the way of it. For he
was one of the Lord's worthies, valiant for the Truth upon earth, not turning his back in the day of
battle; but his bow still abiding in its strength, he through many hardships brought gladness and
refreshment to Israel's camp: being assisted by the might of that Power, that always put the armies
of aliens and enemies to flight. And now having finished his course, is removed from us into a
glorious state of immortality and bliss; and is gathered unto the Lord, as a shock of corn in its full
season, and to that habitation of safety, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary be
at rest.
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John Rouse |
Margaret Rouse |
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William Meade |
Sarah Meade |
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Thomas Lower |
Mary Lower |
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William Ingram |
Susanna Ingram |
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Daniel Abraham |
Rachel Abraham |
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Abraham Morrice |
Isabel Morrice |
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