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A further Illustration of Friendly Cor∣respondence by way of Letters.
Friend,
THou knowest that about the Eleventh Day of the Fifth Month my late Wife Margaret departed out of the State of Mor∣tality, having done the part of Friend for Thirteen Years. She had in that time no less than Fourteen Children, which were named without Dipping, Crossing or
Sprinkling; the first came in Two Months after we came together, being the First Fruits, and Pledge of our friendly Acquain∣tance; as for the rest she often told me, that some of them resembled thee, espe∣cially Isaac and Thomas, and I hope thee wilt be kind to me for their sakes. Since her outward Tabernacle was laid amongst the dust of Friends in the purchased place of Burial, I have had great hankerings and lustings after strange Women, and have some∣times suspected that somewhat of the Root of Wickedness hath remained in me. But (as thee art a Friend) I will be plain with thee, for I am apt to think thy Wife's Sister Elizabeth may be in Condition to cure these wild Inclinations. All the while I was at the Holding-forth in Lombard-street, she carried away my affections so far from what was said, that not a Word of that precious Friend could sink into my Memory; yea, I must acknowledge to thee that my Desires went a wandring, and Margaret was as much out of my Thoughts as if I had never known her. Indeed Margaret hath told me, that thee wast a very good Natur'd Man, and didst very well understand the very Symptoms of friendly Inclinations; therefore, it may be, thou knowest the bet∣ter
how to advise thy Friend in like Condi∣tion; so that, if thou thinkest it conveni∣ent, I may take her home to me, to lie in my Bosom. Verily, Friend, this seems to be very agreeable to me, and I am apt to think thy Sister-in-Law Elizabeth may have some well-wishings to me; for, to be plain with thee, she permitted me (all the time of the Meeting) to use a Famili∣arity with her. It is said, That the Hea∣then Philosopher, called Aristotle, recom∣mended it as the fittest time for Males to Marry at Thirty Years of Age, and the Females at Fifteen; and I am of the mind it may be very suitable (if Friends may take a Heathens advice) for (though my Name was never entered on the Church-Book, as they call it) yet, by computation I am about Four and thirty Years of Age, and (as I have been told) she may be a∣bout Sixteen; which suites so exactly with the advice of that Philosopher (who they say was a great Midwife.) And I remem∣ber Margaret read much in a Book, said to be h•••• that it might not be unsuitable if we did Join together for the Propagation of a∣nother Race of Friends: If this will not be hearkned unto, I am afraid I may some time or other requite thy kindness to my
Margaret upon thy Abigail; so that if it may be proper for thee to advise Eliza∣beth concerning this matter, I would not have it be long before thee send me an Answer; for if I be not the sooner Accom∣modated, I shall go near to be in the State of the Wicked. Thus I have thought fit to set before thee the whole of my Condi∣tion, and to crave thy Assistance in this matter, especially I having by Industry ob∣tained somewhat of the outward things of the World, and being sensible that Eliza∣beth will bring with her somewhat that may add to the fulness of the Creature, and to the Desires of
Thine in the Light, J. N.
Friend John,
THine of the Eleventh Day of this Fifth Month (by the World called July) came safe to my Hand, and as touching and concerning what thou writest about Elizabeth, it is very likely I may be free to act for thee according to thy desires. Thee
writest of the need thy outward Man stand∣eth of a Meet-helper; it is very probable, that having been accustomed to use of a Yoke-Fellow, thee mayst have some Yearn∣ings after Creature-Refreshment. If thee didst thy self reveal the matter to Eliza∣beth, and shew her how the Case standeth, it is very likely thee mayst find her Incli∣nable, it being now about the Age of De∣sires with her; and I doubt not but she may prove a Help-meet for thee upon both accounts, being possess'd not only of Youth enough to set an Elder agog, but having besides a considerable Stock of what the World calls Fortune, besides what she ex∣pects from Pensylvania. I shall give her such a Character of thee, as shall not leave her insensible of thy Inclination and Ability, as to the Affair in Question; and here∣in thou shalt not fail of the best perfor∣mances of
Thy Friend as to the Light, D. F.
From the South-side of Moorefields this 19. day of the afore∣said fifth Month.
NAY, John, but thee mayst not think to take such freedom with me, unless thee and I had been better Acquainted; for (to deal plainly with thee) thy Carriage is no less boisterous than that of the loose, carnal Ones amongst the Wicked: Didst thou ever see any one so tumbled and tossed, unless it were one of the Light-housewifes in their sinful Houses? and dost thee think to serve me after that manner?
Yea, but Elizabeth, heark thee unto me, I say, were it one of the worldly Youths that should handle thee after this manner, thee mightest have some cause to complain; I say, if one of the carnal Ones should press so upon thee; but for me who am (as thee knowest) a Brother of the first Head, and have divers times held forth at Meetings of Friends: I say, this looks as if thee wert not acquainted with that Free∣dom which we of the Light may use within, and amongst one the other. Alack, if I should have come and made such a brisk Attempt upon thee in presence of the loose
Ones of the World, then thee mightest have had some Reason to Complain; but how is it possible that thee canst have any Fellow-feeling of my Condition, or I of thine, unless we come close to the Business, to know how things are.
There may be something in what thee sayst for ought I know, but I have not been much accustomed to things of this Nature, and I did expect thou shouldst have come in a more Courtly manner.
What, then it is possible thee ex∣pectest I should come to thee after the For∣mal and Idolatrous Manner that the Phantasti∣cal Fellows of the Times come to them they call their Ladies and their Misses, which is much after the same manner that the Pa∣gans do to their vile Abominations; that is to say, Cringing and Scraping, and Bow∣ing and Uncovering my Head, saying a Thousand such abominable Lyes and Ʋn∣truths, as, Madam, I am your most humble Servant; Madam, I am glad of the Honour to kiss your Fair Hands, with abundance more of such frothy, ceremonial, useless, nonsensical, canting Balderdash, which signifies no more than a Tale of a Tub; when even themselves▪ and a•••• the wiser sort of Men cannot but know, that to squeeze
the Question in a few honest well-meant words to the purpose, and a good, round, warm Application to the Business in hand, hath been ever found to be more available, and successful (as I said) even amongst themselves. For after all their Congees and Trips, their Legs and their Lips, and the Complement they bring, which can Spell no Thing; they must at last come close to the Matter, or all the Fat's in the Fire, and their noisey blustering Complements vanish in Dust and Smoak. But what signifies all this Bustle and Clutter amongst Friends?
Nay, I never was against that ho∣nest natural Freedom that allows every Creature to make use of their own Gifts and Talents with all the Freedom thee canst imagine; but how I, or mine, came to be Entail'd to thee, I do not yet see, for I am apt to think there may be two words to a Bargain; and that thee oughtest not to lay any Claim to me, without shewing any warrantable Pretence for it; and be∣fore we go any farther, I am willing to be satisfied as to this matter.
Yea, and that thou quickly mayst, for I would have thee to understand, that I am Sound from Top to Toe, and every way as well qualified as another Man. But
if this be not sufficient, I am Free that thee shouldst have any further satisfaction that thee shalt desire.
Nay, John, if thee art of the mind that this be such an undeniable demon∣stration of thy right to use me as thee plea∣sest, I shall be free to declare to thee, that I would have thee to consider this looks in thee like Extravagant Motion, which (when thou shalt come to consult the Light) will appear otherwise than now thou dost ima∣gine; and what will the Wicked say when they shall understand after what manner thou hast been making out thy Title?
First I would not have thee trou∣ble thy mind at what the Discourses of such may be, because it cannot in any ways affect us, because we are not of them; and besides, all that they can say will imply no more than this, That they deny that Free∣dom to us, which themselves take when they think fit. For if only the Carnal Ones should take the Liberty to Encrease and Mul∣tiply, what must become of our Yea-and-Nay Tribe? Must the Family of the Light be Ex∣tinct for want of Issue? This indeed were the ready way that Paganism should again cover the Face of the Earth. But, Eliza∣beth, since I find that thou art come to the
Age of Maturity, it may be needful for thee to receive thy measure of Creature-Comfort, rather from the Hands of a Friend, than an Alien, and from one of the Light rather than from the Men of the World.
As for what thee wert speaking touching Maturity, I can say little to it, because as thee knowest we are denied the use of Books, which are (by Friends) thought to be the Effects only of humane Learning, and by consequence very hurt∣ful to the Light; though (to be free with thee) I am of Opinion they may (in some Cases) be very useful; for it happened that once a Book, called the Academy of Complements, came to my Hands, and real∣ly, John, thee canst hardly think after what manner it wrought with me, for the Readings filled me with such warm and sweet Motions, and such inward Inclinations, as I think very suitable to my Years.
Yea, Elizabeth, and I would have thee consider, how very sweet the Com∣••••••ts of Matrimony must be, if those little Motions, that stir up an Inclination to Love, be so transporting.
Yea, John, I will be plain with thee, for I saw thy Letter to Daniel con∣cerning
me, and he did in friendly man∣ner open the matter on thy behalf; but I must needs say, neither one nor other drew forth my Inclinations towards thee, as the Enlargement thou hast made on the Account, which hath abundantly convinced me that it may be convenient for thee to hold forth in a State of Marriage; for I have a good Opinion of thee, in respect of natural En∣dowments, and am free to tell thee, That it is not the Thing called Fortune shall se∣parate us, for thou knowest I have enough of that to bid Friends welcome withal, and since thou seemest to be a Man of good Parts and of good Condition, I am willing to comply with thy Desires.
Elizabeth, thou hast quite Capti∣vated my outward Man, and hast quite melted down the Light within me.
Farewel, John, I shall be in pain untill I see thee again.
Farewel, Elizabeth; and whilst the Sons and Daughters of the Wicked are tied up by the Pagan Priests, for better, for worse, for term of Life, thou and I will be our own Priests according to the Primitive Invention of conjugal Cohabitation till death us do part.
Fare thee well.
Farewel.