The Life of Elizabeth Stirredge by Elizabeth Stirredge

THE LIFE AND CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY OF THAT FAITHFUL SERVANT OF THE LORD ELIZABETH STIRREDGE Who Departed this Life at Her House at Hemstead in Hertfordshire In the Seventy-second Year of Her Age Written by Her Own Hand A woman that feareth the Lord shall be praised. Prov 31: 30. COMPILED FOR THE FRIENDS' LIBRARY 1850 Revised and Edited By FRIENDS OF JESUS CHRIST 168 CROSWELL ROAD FARMINGTON FALLS, MAINE 04940 2002 PREFACE As the memory of the just is blessed, so there is a justice due to their memories who walked in the path of the just which is as a shining light and are the blessed who die in the Lord. They rest from their labors and their works follow them to their everlasting reward in the kingdom of heaven. In addition, they are held in remembrance for the example and admonition to those that they leave behind. The following relation of her labors and sufferings for Christ renders it unnecessary to say much of the author, her own book being a sufficient memorial of her and what she was. Only as a necessary introduction to her own account, I have this to premise concerning her. I was acquainted with her many years, she being my country woman. And this testimony lives in my heart concerning her, that she was a religiously exercised woman, always seeking the best things, and through the goodness of God found him whom her soul loved. She underwent many deep exercises inwardly and outwardly by contrary spirits who opposed the work of the Lord and his servants and handmaids. She bore a faithful testimony as the Lord laid it upon her and made way for her, being a true mourner in Zion for the abominations of the times. She had a solid, savory testimony for the truth which she received early and was faithful and diligent in according to her gift, and she was well esteemed for her service by the honest-hearted in and about Bristol and Chewmagna in the county of Somerset and in the countries adjacent, where her service mostly lay till she and her husband and family removed to Hemstead in Hertfordshire in the year 1688. She stayed at my house in London when she came to the Yearly Meeting, and I was often comforted in her savory testimony and to find that the Lord's presence was so fresh with her in her latter days. After several years abode at Hemstead and labor and service there, she died in the Lord in the year 1706 and seventy-second of her age and is undoubtedly entered into rest. The following papers were some time since put into my hand to peruse, as falling mostly within the compass of my knowledge, especially that part in relation to her imprisonment at Ivelchester, I being then a prisoner there for the testimony of truth in the time of the great imprisonment for attending meetings in the year 1683. She was taken at meeting at Chewmagna with nearly thirty more and sent to prison by that wicked persecutor and under-sheriff of the county, John Helliar of Bristol, at the instigation of the priest of the parish, both of whom were soon after cut off by death. The said priest Cross immediately, in a very remarkable manner, as is herein related, and the said Helliar also was smitten with great terror and horror of mind for the violence he had committed on the people of God in that city and kept men to watch with him night and day for fear the devil would fetch him away, as I have been credibly informed that he expressed. Another great persecutor there was R. Oliffe who made much spoil of the said people. As I heard, he cried out he was damned and that he should make restitution to them that he had wronged, which he was never able to do. And so both died miserably, and several others. Such a thrifty trade, says one, is persecution, that it leaves men never a friend in heaven or on earth. Oh, that others would take warning in time by examples of divine vengeance to avoid such things and do no more so wickedly. For as the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance, so the name of the wicked shall rot, and wherever Helliar's name is mentioned it stinks, as all persecutors do. I have carefully perused and put in order the following relation which I have been comforted in reading, being matter of experience, warning, exhortation, and counsel, written in a good understanding of the things of God and the mysteries of his kingdom. To which is added a short supplement of the last fourteen years of her life collected chiefly from her son's account, with an epistle to Friends and a warning to others, formerly printed, all which I hope may be of service to her posterity and benefit to others and that it will tend to the glory of God and the comfort and edification of his people, to whose perusal in much love and sincerity I recommend it, and all to the grace of God which is able to build them up and give them an inheritance among them that are sanctified, which is the sincere desire of, reader, thy real friend, John Whiting London, the 21st of the Second month, 1711. TESTIMONIES CONCERNING ELIZABETH STIRREDGE. A Testimony of The Monthly Meeting at Hemel and Hemstead. Our dear friends, James and Elizabeth Stirredge, came here to reside about the year 1688, whose coming into these parts was seasonable and we believe ordered by the good providence of God. It had a tendency to the strength and edification of Friends, for about that time some were busy to weaken love among brethren under specious pretenses of liberty, &c. But the said Elizabeth, being gifted for the ministry and acquainted with the wiles and subtle devices of the enemy, was made a serviceable instrument in our defense and preservation, being attended with power, wisdom, and true zeal for the prosperity of the truth and people of God. She was sound and savory in her doctrine and public ministry, and tender and affectionate in Christian advice and counsel to the comfort of the afflicted and exercised in spirit, declaring that the way to the kingdom of God is through tribulation, agreeably to the ancient account we read in holy Scripture. And she frequently pressed Friends to sincerity and uprightness of heart. Although the Lord had given her a large gift and a good utterance, she was not forward to appear in public service except as an immediate concern came upon her. She was a good example in frequenting meetings both on first and weekdays and was often made instrumental to stir up the pure minds of many by way of remembrance, to our mutual comfort, by her fresh and living testimony. Her husband also, who departed this life some time since her decease, was an honest, zealous Friend and her fellow-helper in the work of the Lord in his proper gift, and our true friend and brother. And they were both very near and acceptable to Friends both here and away. But what shall we say? The Lord hath called them to his rest in a good old age. We earnestly desire, as they frequently did, that the young generation may come up in faithfulness and fill up the room of all such, being thereunto spirited by the Lord, that his name may be more and more known and glorified to all succeeding generations. Amen. Our said friend, Elizabeth Stirredge, departed this life at Hemstead aforesaid, on the 7th of the ninth month, 1706, and was buried in Friends' burying-ground at Woodend in the said parish. John Edmonds, Michael Turpin, Moses West, Michael Turpin, Jr., Edmond Neale, James Stirredge. John Thornton's Account of His Neighbor, Elizabeth Stirredge I had an intimate acquaintance with her, and as the Lord had given her a measure of the Holy Spirit to lead her in the way of peace, he also gave her a public testimony in which she was very serviceable in our meetings, being attended with power, wisdom, and true zeal. Her testimony was sound and savory, to the comforting of the upright-hearted, she being many times drawn forth to encourage the exercised and afflicted in spirit and led to declare that the way to the kingdom of God is through tribulations. She would frequently press Friends to upright-heartedness, sincerity, and integrity, being also a good example in her conversation. Although the Lord had given her a large gift, yet she was backward to appear therein except she found it was immediately required of her. She was zealously concerned against that spirit that led into separation and against deceit and hypocrisy, and she had a sharp testimony against such as the great enemy had so misled. She was a diligent frequenter of meetings, both on first and week-days. Her husband also being an honest and zealous Friend, they were both serviceable to truth and Friends. But the will of God be done, for fully satisfied am I that they are gone to rest and entered into joy and happiness where all sorrows cease and tears are wiped away. John Thornton. John Neale's Testimony Concerning Elizabeth Stirredge It is in my mind to write something as a testimony concerning my dear and well beloved friend, Elizabeth Stirredge, deceased. She received the truth in the love of it in her young years, as I have heard from her own mouth during the time of my acquaintance with her, which was about fifteen years. She lived about seven miles from us and sometimes came to visit our meeting at Watford, and I with many more were glad to see her, she being one on whom the Lord was pleased to bestow a gift of the ministry so that she might tell unto others what God had done for her soul. My heart hath been well affected many times with her testimony, for she spoke as one having authority, almost to admiration, considering the weakness of body with which she was afflicted. But the Lord was with her, who giveth strength to the weak, and his power was her support. It was her lot many times when she came to our meeting to lodge at my house, my dear mother, Hannah Neale, and she being very intimate friends and heartily loving each other's company, which I also loved, for it was pleasant and her discourse was edifying to me. I have been affected to hear her give an account of the sufferings which she and many others went through in early days. When they were going to meeting, they went in peril of their lives, the wicked and ungodly people throwing stones, clods, and other things at them. And although many rose up against them, yet how wonderfully did the Lord preserve his people through many tribulations, most of which, blessed be the Lord, we in this day are free from. Much might be said concerning our friend. She was a valiant woman for truth on the earth, a mother in Israel, and a worthy, faithful elder in the church of Christ in her time. And my desire is that we who are of a younger generation and are yet left behind may in our measure be found treading in the steps of our ancients who have served the Lord faithfully in their generation and are removed from us. Though our loss of such worthies be great, yet doubtless they are entered into those mansions of eternal bliss where joy unspeakable and full of glory is their portion for evermore. John Neale. Concerning Her Husband, James Stirredge, by the Same Hand He was a man with whom I was well acquainted for many years; an honest upright-hearted man, one that feared God and eschewed evil, zealous for the honor of God and for the promotion of his truth on earth, and a hearty lover of faithful Friends. And in his conversation amongst men he was blameless. A zealous man for Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of church government, his desire was that Friends in such meetings might so wait upon the Lord to receive counsel from him, as to act in the wisdom of God, that everything contrary to the principles of truth might be kept out of them and nothing but truth have the preeminence. He was a meek-spirited and lowly-minded man, more in substance than in show. I went to visit him in his last illness when he was so weak that he spake very low, but very sensibly, and was in a good frame of mind so that I was refreshed in my visit. He was very patient under his affliction and I believe fully resigned to the will of God. He departed this life in the eighth month, 1708, at Hemstead in Hertfordshire, and was buried at Friends' burying ground at Woodend, in the same county. John Neale THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH STIRREDGE S eeing the Lord hath been pleased to count me worthy to travel in Zion's way and I have found it so straight and narrow, and so many that have been called and some who have entered into it have gone into bypaths and crooked ways again, and I have found the blessed effect of keeping in the right way, therefore I have a great concern upon my spirit for my children who are coming up after me that they may not be forgetful of keeping in the right way, whensoever the Lord shall be pleased to take me from them. It is in my heart, as my heavenly Father will be pleased to assist me, to leave a short testimony behind me for my children of some passages of my life and of the goodness of the Lord to me all my life long unto this very day, which is worthy for ever to be had in remembrance, and in reverence to the worthy name and power of the Lord is it spoken, and he shall have the praise of his own work forever. In 1634 I was born at Thornbury in Gloucestershire of honest parents. My father's name was William Taylor and my parents were people fearing God and very zealous in their day. My father being one of those called Puritans prophesied of Friends many years before they came. He said, "There is a day coming wherein truth will gloriously break forth, more gloriously than ever since the apostles' days, but I shall not live to see it." He died in the faith of it seven years before Friends came. His honest and chaste life is often in my remembrance, and his fervent and zealous prayers amongst his family are not forgotten by me. My parents brought me up after a very strict manner so that I was much a stranger to the world and its ways. In my tender years I was of a sad heart and much concerned, with inward fear, what would become of me when I should die. And when my lot was to be near any who would talk rudely or swear or be overcome with strong drink, I dreaded to pass by them. When I heard it thunder, oh, the dread and terror that would fall upon me! And I would get to the most private place that I could to mourn in secret, thinking the Lord would render vengeance upon the heads of the wicked. When I saw the flashes of lightning, oh, thought I, whither shall I go to hide myself from the wrath of the dreadful and terrible God! Thus was I possessed with my soul's concern. And before I was ten years of age, I was so filled with fears and doubts that I could take no delight in anything of this world. When I grew up to riper years, I went to hear those accounted the best men, who lived up to what was made known to them. I delighted to hear them and be in company with those who talked of good things and discoursed of Scripture, of God and Christ, and of heaven's glory. Oh! how delightsome was it to me. But still I was not satisfied because I found that I was not a living witness of the states and conditions that the people of God were in, in former days, and how to attain to them I did not know. Then did I mourn and say in my heart, oh, that I had been born in the days when the Lord spake to Moses and to the children of Israel, and with a high and wonderful power brought forth his people out of Egypt through the Red Sea so that I might have known how to walk in the right way and to do what the Lord required of me and been in acquaintance and familiarity with my Maker; that I might have known when I pleased or displeased the Lord whom my soul loved, but knew not how to become acquainted with him. What would I not have parted with for the enjoyment of the Lord and assurance of salvation? Surely if it were possible for me to have enjoyed all the world, I could freely have parted with it for peace and satisfaction to my poor distressed soul that mourned as without hope. Many a time and many hours have I spent alone, reading and mourning, when no eye saw me nor ear heard me, neither could I find comfort in reading, because it was a book sealed unto me. Then did I mourn and say, "Oh! that I had been born in the days when our blessed Savior Jesus Christ was upon the earth! How would I have followed him and sat at his feet, as Mary did. How freely could I have left my father's house and all my relations for true peace and assurance of life eternal for my immortal soul." Under this exercise I grew very sad, insomuch that my mother apprehended that I was going into a consumption and greatly feared my death and would say to me, "Canst thou take delight in nothing. I would have thee walk forth into the fields with the young people for recreation and delight thy self in something." And to please her, I have sometimes, when we were out of our employment, gone forth with sober young people, but I found no comfort in that. Then I fell into a custom of reading the Scriptures alone in private, reading and crying, because I knew not that heavenly power and Spirit to have dominion in me that was in them who gave forth the Scriptures. And nothing else but the substance would give me true satisfaction. Therefore the Scripture was but a book sealed unto me. Then I fell down upon my knees to pray unto the Lord with my heart full of sorrow and the tears running down my face, and I could not utter one word, which seemed very strange to me and set me to thinking that there was none like me. But it was the enemy's work to persuade me that there was none like me and that because I could not pray in words, as others could, and was under afflictions, therefore the Lord had no regard to me. But the enemy is a liar, for the Lord was near me in every exercise and broke my heart and melted my spirit, or else it would not have been so with me. Oh! my soul can now behold his goodness, for he was near me, although I was not aware of it and thought none were so miserable as I, the enemy endeavoring to cast me down and to make me despair. Truly it was the great mercy of the Lord that preserved me from it, for my affliction was great and my distresses very many, the enemy following me with temptations. And I wanted right information as to where my strength was to be found, which was to have stood still and waited upon the living God for strength to overcome him. Instead of doing so, the enemy disturbed me and followed me with his subtle allurements, sometimes to draw my mind into the vanities of this world and to delight in decking myself with fine clothes so that I might appear comely in the eyes of the world. "For," said the enemy, "as for this sadness and trouble that thou art under, it will redound to no advantage nor comfort. Thou wilt not be in any esteem amongst thy neighbors. Therefore, take thy pleasure and be at rest." A liar he is and ever was from the beginning. And, my dear children, believe him not if it be your lots to be under temptations or exercise of any kind or what way soever that the Lord may be pleased to lead you in for the trial of your faith and patience. The enemy will betray as many as he can. Therefore look unto the Lord and keep him in your remembrance and pray unto him in your minds. Although you cannot utter one word, know assuredly that he is near to help his afflicted children at all times. Oh! that I had known this in the days of my ignorance, in my young and tender years, when the Lord was at work in my heart and I knew it not. For want of an understanding the enemy betrayed me and led me aside in those things by hearkening to him and the young people who were my neighbors in persuading me that it would be of great benefit to me, for I was young and knew not what I might come to. I was left of my tender father, with hardly any friend, and in my distress and afflictions I was willing to have a little rest and comfort. I lent an ear to the enemy of my soul and let my mind go forth after fine clothes. When it was drawn out, it went without limit, and when I decked myself as finely and as choice as I could, it would hardly give me content, for when I had one new thing and saw another or a third, I was as desirous of it as for the former, and so ever unsatisfied. The lying enemy had promised me rest and peace, but he could not give it. A liar he is and ever was. My soul is at enmity with him. The Lord preserve me out of his snares, and my house also for ever. But though he had thus drawn out my mind, the Lord did not leave me. For many times I had a concern as to what would become of me. And if at any time I was drawn into mirth or laughter, I would feel something smite my heart and bring great heaviness over my spirit. I knew not what it was and little thought that it was the Lord, who was ever good and gracious, kind, merciful and slow to anger and not willing that people should run into destruction. I little thought he looked so narrowly to my ways, but since the Lord hath been pleased to open my eyes, I can look back and admire his goodness. And blessed be his worthy name and the right arm of his strength, he hath early been my guide and kept me in great degree from running into the evil of the world which greatly attends young people. He took me by the hand and led me in my tender years when I knew it not. And if I had not hearkened unto the enemy, my condition had been well. As soon as he had drawn my mind into pride and to take delight in fine clothes, they became my burden. In a little time after, in 1654, the Lord in the riches of his love was pleased to fit and send forth his faithful servants and painful laborers, whose industry he greatly prospered— two men of worthy memory, dear John Audland and John Camm. And when I heard the report of them, it struck a dread over my heart. Hearing of their plainness, I began to think, "How shall I demean myself to go to hear them." In a little time after, there was a meeting appointed by them where it was my lot to be. Dear John Audland was preaching and as soon as I heard his voice, it pierced me. When I came into the meeting and heard his testimony and beheld his solid countenance, oh! how my heart was troubled within me, insomuch that I knew not what would become of me. After meeting was over, I separated myself from my company and traveled alone two miles so that no ear should hear me, making my moan unto the Lord. And out of the bitterness of my spirit, I said, "Lord, what shall I do to be saved?" I would do anything for assurance of everlasting life and if the Lord would be pleased to accept me upon any terms, I mattered not what would become of this body. If I could find a cave that I might get into where I might mourn out the remainder of my days in sorrow and see man no more, I thought I could have been contented. But it pleased the Lord to open the eyes of my understanding and to lead me by a way that I knew not and to begin the first day's work in my heart, which was "the Spirit of the Lord moving upon the waters, and dividing the light from the darkness." When the separation was made, I could see my way in the light, which was the "light unto David's feet, and a lantern to his paths," and it will order everyone's goings aright if they take heed unto it. It would be too tedious to go through every particular state, but my earnest cries were to the Lord to lead me by the right way and to create in me a new heart and renew a right spirit within me. "Let me be unto thee, O Lord, what I am, and not unto man. I do not take care for this outward body. Do but redeem my soul from death, out of this horrible pit wherein I am held as in chains of darkness and shall perish for ever if thou dost not, out of thy infinite mercy, have compassion on me and bow thy ear unto my cries, for I can do nothing else." I can truly say that my heart was filled with sorrow, my sighing came before I ate, and tears were as my sorrowful meat. When I lay down, it was in sorrow and I watered my pillow with my tears before I could take my rest. And when I awoke, it was with the dread of the Lord over my heart. Oh! my soul can do no less than magnify the living God who is worthy of praise, honor and renown, thanksgiving, and obedience for evermore. And why so? Because he hath condescended to the lowest estate of his handmaid and bowed his ear to my prayers and had a regard unto my cries, and hath answered my request and given me my heart's desire, which was to be led in the right way. Zion's poor travelers know very well this is a beginning, or a step in the way, for I can truly say that I never coveted heaven's glory more than I desired to walk in the way that leads thereunto. And I truly believed that the Lord would redeem a people out of the world, its ways and customs, language, marriage and burying, and all the world's hypocrisy. I looked for this change before I saw any appearance of it. But all my fear was that I should not live to see it, the enemy always following me with his temptations to work me into unbelief and to cast me down into desperation. My soul cannot but give the Lord God the glory, the honor, and the renown, for he is worthy of it for ever and evermore. And now my dear children, this is for you to remember and keep by you, that ye may always know the way to heaven's glory, to enjoy true peace and satisfaction. It is a straight and narrow way and whoever thinks it is not, they are mistaken. Keep to the daily cross all the days of your lives and to truth's language. And more especially keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Then will you be brought nearer unto the Lord and grow into acquaintance with him, which was what my soul mourned for in the days of my tender years, which I cannot forget and I hope never shall. For I find the good effects of it from day to day. It bows my spirit and humbles my heart, and keeps me in a living remembrance of what the Lord has done for me, though he hath been pleased to give me the waters of a bitter cup to drink and to feed me with the bread of affliction, and to suffer temptation upon temptation to come near me. The enemy, the subtle serpent, the old dragon, which was more subtle than all the beasts of the field, followed me with his lies to persuade me that the Lord had no regard to me, that if he had, he would not take delight to afflict me. "For there is none like thee," said the wicked one. "Thou mayest look abroad and see where thou canst find one whose sorrows are like unto thine." Then would I wander alone in some remote place where no eye could see me nor ear hear me to make my moan unto the Lord who hath sweetly comforted me and refreshed my spirit many a time and hath kept my head above the waters. Blessed be the worthy name of the Lord my God and the right arm of his strength that hath wrought wonderfully for my deliverance, and cursed is the old dragon who ever envied man's prosperity. He endeavored to destroy the blessed work of the Lord, as much as in him lay, after the Lord had done much for me and in a good measure redeemed my soul from death, and by a high hand and stretched out arm had brought me out of Egypt's darkness and through the Red Sea, where my soul had true cause to sing praises unto the most high God, who lives for evermore. Oh! let me never forget this great and wonderful deliverance but keep in that which will bow my heart from day to day and humble my spirit before the Lord who hath been pleased to do more for me than my tongue is able to declare. And although I can say mine eyes have seen afflictions, and no affliction seems joyous but grievous for the present, yet afterwards it brings the peaceable fruits of righteousness. And now, my dear children, my aim is to make you a little acquainted with the work of the Lord in my heart, and also with the subtle devices and contrivances of the enemy of your immortal souls. His way is to set his baits according to people's nature, for therein he is most likely to prevail. And because I was of a sad heart and very subject to be cast down, therefore did he with all his might endeavor to cast me into despair and unbelief, persuading me that I should never hold out to the end. Then would I pray to the Lord to preserve me to the end, for my affliction was very great, both inward and outward. And many things he cast before me, that seemed too hard for me to go through. When my mind was sorrowful, the enemy got ground upon me and filled me with imaginations, until my heart grew hard before I was aware of it and I had lost that sweet enjoyment and heavenly fellowship with which I was comforted. I had great cause to magnify the worthy name of the Lord who was pleased to comfort my afflicted soul. But when the enemy had gotten a little ground, he set his baits so agreeably to my nature that when I had any remembrance of the condition I was in before and now for a little time had lost, I had great cause to mourn to the Lord who was able to deliver me, as he had done many times, blessed be his holy name and the right arm of his strength, which lives forever. And though he was able to do it, yet the enemy prevailed upon me a little further when I was making my complaint to the Lord by saying in my heart that there is no sorrow like mine. And why none like mine was because I had lost my beloved. And my loss was great because he had redeemed my soul from death and had done well for me. Oh! I could do no less but mourn for him. This mourning was very suitable to my condition, but that subtle serpent was persuading me that I was discontented, a murmurer and complainer, and that I made the Lord weary with my crying and that I should be shut out of his kingdom, for it was the murmurers and complainers who perished in the wilderness. I was soon caught by his subtlety, for he persuaded me that it was in vain to strive any longer, that I should never inherit the kingdom of heaven. But a liar he was and ever will be, my soul is at enmity with him. The Lord in whom I trust preserve me and my house for ever. It pleased my heavenly Father who had a regard to me to make way for me to escape. For in a little time after, it was my lot to be at a meeting where a faithful servant of the Lord was, by name William Dewsbury, whose testimony was mostly to the distressed and afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted, in which state many were in that day, 1655. A true messenger he was to many. I was twenty-one years of age when I was in this condition, and after meeting was ended, I dreaded to go to him, for I thought he was one of great discerning and would be sensible of the hardness of my heart. And if he should judge me, I should not be able to bear it. But yet I could not go away in peace until I had been with him. Seeing me coming so heavily, he held up his hand and with a raised voice said unto me, "Dear lamb, judge all thoughts and believe, for blessed are they that believe and see not." And with a raised voice again said, "They were blessed that saw and believed, but more blessed are they that believed and saw not." He was one who had good tidings for me and great power was with his testimony at that time, for the hardness was taken away and my heart was opened by that ancient power that opened the heart of Lydia, everlasting praises be given unto him that sits upon the throne for ever, who hath preserved me out of the snares and subtle contrivances of the adversary. My dear children, you have been brought up in the way of truth. It is made known to you, and my soul cannot but bless and praise the Lord my God who hath preserved me out of the evil of the world. Therefore trust in his name and believe that he will keep you unto the end, which he will assuredly do if you depart not from him, which I hope you will not whilst you live and my prayers are both night and day for you. I can truly say that when any of our family have gone out of our habitation, though upon outward occasions, my prayers have ascended to the Lord for their preservation. And unto this day the Lord hath heard, blessed be his name. For you may well remember the many dangers you have been preserved out of, which have been likely to hazard your lives. But the Lord of his infinite goodness hath hitherto kept you all so that you may serve him. Therefore, dear children, forget not your duty to the Lord and the counsel that Jesus Christ gave to his disciples, which was to watch and pray so that you may be preserved out of all dangers, both inward and outward, which you may be liable to fall into if you do not keep to the guide of your youth. But if you keep to Him, he will never depart from you. And "keep in remembrance your Creator in the days of your youth," then will he keep you in the hour of temptation and will take care for you. If you "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, all other things shall be added unto you." He that cannot lie hath spoken it. Therefore put your trust in him for ever. Then will my heavenly Father do for you as he hath done for me in the days of my tender years. He took me by the hand and led me by a way I knew not. He made darkness light before me and hath preserved me unto this very day in covenant with himself, everlasting praises and honor be given to his holy name for ever, saith my soul. You may remember, since you have had an understanding, the straits and difficulties the Lord hath enabled me to go through, though but weak and greatly afflicted with sickness and very near the grave many times. The Lord renewed my strength again to bear a faithful testimony for him and his blessed truth. Various straits and hardships hath the Lord, my Redeemer, brought me through, which when I look back and consider, I am filled with admiration in remembering how my soul hath escaped to this very day. But this saying of Christ Jesus often comes before me, "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." And he said to his disciples, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." This hath been a comfort to me many times. I often remember a saying of a faithful servant and minister of Jesus Christ, whose name was Miles Halhead, when I was under great exercise. He steadfastly looking upon me, said, "Dear child, if thou continue in the truth, thou wilt make an honorable woman for the Lord, for the Lord God will honor thee with his blessed testimony." And ten years after, in 1665, he came to my habitation and said to me, "My love and life is with thee, and that for the blessed work's sake that is going on in thee. The Lord God keep thee faithful, for he will require harder things of thee than thou art aware of. The Lord give thee strength to perform them and keep thee faithful to his blessed testimony. My prayers shall be for thee as often as I remember thee." Soon after, a great exercise fell upon us. We were exposed to much suffering and the Lord had opened my mouth in a testimony but a little before. I had been concerned for fear my friends should suffer for me, but not for myself. For I could truly say that my heart was given up to serve the Lord, come what would come. But the least of our sorrow was loss of goods, beating, hurling to and fro, dragging out of our meeting-house, and many other abuses which the Lord made us able to go through and sanctified to us. And my soul blesseth the Lord that he accounted us worthy to suffer for his name sake. For in the time of suffering a selfish separating spirit began to break forth amongst us which added to our affliction more than all our persecutors could do. Though we went in great hazard of our lives to our meetings, the informers were so wicked and inhuman and filled with such envy and madness that they swore that it was no more sin to kill us than it was to kill a louse and that they would bathe their swords in our blood. But blessed be the Lord our God who liveth for ever, we were in no wise affrighted at these things nor concerned at them, for we knew that He in whom we believed was able to deliver his chosen ones who put their trust in Him. My dear children, some of these things you know, your eyes have seen them. And though but young and tender, yet the Lord kept you from the fear of men. In this time there fell upon me another greater exercise of spirit which seemed so strange and wonderful that I could not believe the Lord would require such a service of me who was so weak and contemptible, so unfit and unlikely, my understanding but shallow, and my capacity but mean and very low in my own eyes. Looking so much at my insufficiency made me strive hard against it, crying often times within myself, "Surely this is something to ensnare me, for the Lord does not require such things of me, seeing there are so many wise and good men who are more honorable and fit for such service than I. Oh Lord, remove it far from me and require anything else of me that I can better perform." Thus did I reason and strive against it till my sorrow was so great that I knew not whether ever the Lord would accept of me again. Then I cried unto the Lord again and again, "Lord, if thou hast found me worthy, make my way plain before me and I will follow thee, for thou knowest that I would not willingly offend thee." But knowing myself to be of a weak capacity, I did not think the Lord would make choice of such a contemptible instrument as I, to leave my habitation and tender children who were young, to go to King Charles, an hundred miles off, and with such a plain testimony as the Lord did require of me. This made me go bowed down many months under the exercise of it and oftentimes I strove against it. I could get no rest but in giving up to obey the Lord in all things that he required of me. And though it seemed hard and strange to me, yet the Lord made hard things easy, according to his promise to me when I was going from my children and knew not but my life might be required for my testimony, it was so plain. And when I looked upon my children, my heart yearned towards them. These words ran through me, "If thou canst believe, thou shalt see all things accomplished, and thou shall return in peace and thy reward shall be with thee." For ever blessed be the name and power of the Lord because he sustained me in my journey, gave me strength to do his will, and afforded me his living presence to accompany me, which is the greatest comfort that can be enjoyed. This was my testimony to King Charles II in the eleventh month of the year 1670. "This is unto thee, O king. Hear what the Lord hath committed unto my charge concerning thee. As thou hast been the cause of making many desolate, so will the Lord lay thee desolate. And as many as have been the cause of persecuting and shedding the blood of my dear children, in the day when I call all to an account, I will plead with them, saith the Lord. Therefore hear and fear the Lord God of heaven and earth, for of his righteous judgments all shall be made partakers, from the king that sitteth upon the throne to the beggar upon the dunghill." This testimony I delivered into his hands with these words, "Hear, oh king, and fear the Lord God of heaven and earth." I can truly say that the dread of the most high God was upon me which made me tremble and great agony was over my spirit, insomuch that paleness came in his face and with a mournful voice he said, "I thank you, good woman." My soul honoreth and magnifieth the name and power of the Lord my God for keeping me faithful to his testimony and giving me strength to do his will. And he made good his promise that if I could believe, I should return in peace and my reward should be with me. So the Lord blessed my going forth, his presence was with me in my journey, preserved my family well, and my coming home was with joy and peace in my bosom, everlasting praises, glory, and honor be given unto Him that sits on the throne and to the Lamb for evermore. May you remember the goodness of the Lord to his children who faithfully follow and obey him with their whole hearts, though they may be attended with many weaknesses and are at times crying to the Lord, "Oh my weakness, I am not able to go through this great work, neither indeed am I worthy. There are many honorable, wise men whom thou hast prepared for thy service that are fitter than I am. And there seem so many mountains and difficulties in my view that it appeareth too wonderful for me to go through." I gave way to the reasoner many times till my sorrow hath been so great that I have not known which way to turn, and it dimmed my sight and hurt my life, and plunged my soul into trouble. But it pleased the Lord to appear in a needful hour and turn back the enemy of my soul's peace and show me that he would choose the weak and them who were nothing in their own eyes and could do nothing, no, not so much as utter a word but what the Lord giveth them, I mean, in testimony for the living God, that the Scriptures of truth may be fulfilled in this our day, as it was in times past, that no flesh should glory in his presence. Then did I freely give up to obey the requirings of the Lord with peace and comfort and received the blessed reward in my bosom, as I have already said. Our exercise continued by our persecutors but, blessed be the name and power of the Lord for his infinite mercies, according to the day, so was our strength. A little time after, the officers came and demanded money for the king for our meeting together. My husband answered them, "If I owed the king any, I would surely pay him. But seeing that I owe him no money, I will pay him none." They asked leave to distrain his goods, to which he said,"If you will take my goods, I cannot hinder you, but I will not give you leave to take them, neither will I be accessary to your taking them." The officers seeing our innocency, for we were in our shop at our lawful calling with our hands to our labor and our children with us, the constable leaned his head down upon his hand with a heavy heart, and said, "It is against my conscience to take their goods from them." Then I said, "John, have a care of wronging thy conscience, for what could the Lord do more for thee than to place his good Spirit in thy heart to teach thee what thou shouldest do and what thou shouldest leave undone." He said, "I know not what to do in this matter. If paying the money once would do, I would do it, but it will not end so. It will be thus whilst you keep going to meeting, for the rulers have made such laws that never was the like in any age." I said, "John, when thou hast wronged thy conscience and brought a burden upon thy spirit, it is not the rulers who can remove it from thee. If thou shouldest go to the rulers and say, 'I have done that which was against my conscience to do,' they may say as the rulers did to Judas, 'What is that to us, see thou to that.'" The officers who were with him came and pulled down our goods and the power of the Lord smote them, insomuch that paleness was in their faces and their lips quivered and their hands did so shake that they could not hold it long. Then they would force a poor man to take them. But he refused until they forced him and laid them upon his arms and shoulders. But he, looking much like a dead man, replied, "You force me to do that which you cannot do yourselves, neither can I." He trembled very much, though we had nothing more to say to them after they came in, but we could rejoice that the Lord had found us worthy to suffer for his blessed truth and testimony.

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The Life of Elizabeth Stirredge

Elizabeth Stirredge

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