John Crook
The Design of Christianity, With Other Books, Epistles, and Manuscripts of the Ancient Faithful
Servant of Christ Jesus, John Crook. London: James Phillips, 1791, pages 411-412.
This Document is on The Quaker Writings Home Page.
I must leave you in a wicked age, but comment you to the measure of the grace of God in your
inward parts, which you have received by Jesus Christ; and as you love it, and mind the teachings
of it, you will find it a counselor to instruct you in the way everlasting, and preserve out of the
ways of the ungodly.
I have seen much in my days, and I always observed, that the fear of the Lord God proved the
best portion, and those that walked in it, were the only happy people, both in this life (while they
continued faithful) and when they come to die, though they meet with many hardships in the
passage. By experience I can speak it, that the ways of holiness afford more true comfort and
peace to the upright soul, than the greatest pleasures this world can afford; the former reaches the
heart and soul, while the delights of this world are but a shew, and appearance only, vanishing like
a dream; and whoever believes otherwise of them, will certainly find them to be but lying vanities;
therefore the apostle, Rom. vi. 21. might boldly put the question to the converted Romans, viz.
"What fruit had you then in those things whereof you are now ashamed? for the end of those
things is death."
[p414] Therefore, dear children, be in love with holiness; make it your companion, and those that
walk in it; you may find buddings of it, from an holy feed in your hearts; as you mind the inner
man, the light will manifest the stirrings of it after God, which I felt from my tender years;
although I understood them not so plainly, till I heart the truth declared.
I advise you to keep a pure conscience, both toward God and man; for it that be defiled,
hypocrisy and formality will deprive you of all comfortable feeling of God's presence; and then
deadness and dryness will be your miserable portion.
Be careful of how you spend your precious time, for an account must be given of every idle word,
though but few regard it; but foolish jesting, and vain talking, are said to grieve the spirit of God;
read Eph. iv. 29, 30. But improve your time in prayer, and religious exercises, &c. and be diligent
in your lawful callings, for "The desire of the slothful man killeth him," Prov. Xxi. 25.
Be careful what company you keep; for a man is commonly known by the company he keeps, as
much as by any one outward thing; and of your behaviour in company; for I have found, that a
wise and sober deportment, adds much to a man's reputation and credit in the world.
Watch to the light, and its discoveries of good and evil, that you may not be ignorant of Satan's
devices; so the net will be spread in vain in the flight of the bird; for watchfulness will make you in
love with a retired estate; and the more truly and perfectly any man knows and understands
himself, the better discerning will such have of other men; as in the beginning, when deep silence
of all flesh was more in use, the spirit of discerning was more common, and quicker, than since it
hath be neglect; [p415] therefore be sure you spend some time, at convenient seasons, in waiting
upon God in silence, though it be displeasing to flesh; for I have had more comfort, and
confirmation in the truth, in my inward retiring in silence, than from all words I have heard from
others, though In have often been refreshed by those also.
Love the holy scriptures, preferring them to all other books whatsoever; and be careful to read
them with an holy awe upon your spirits, lest your imaginations put constructions upon them to
your hurt; but execute faith in the promise of Christ, who hath said, "My spirit shall take of mine,
and shew them unto you."
Keep constantly to religious meetings amongst Friends; but look to your affections, that you
respect not persons, but the power and life of truth, from whomsoever it comes; not minding the
tickling of your affections, but the demonstration of the truth to your understandings an
consciences; for that will abide, when flashes of affections will fade and come to nothing, after the
words are ended.
Love one another truly, manifesting your love by good counsel; and being helpful to each other
upon all occasions; being good examples to all you converse with, especially to your children, and
those of your own families, that pride and vanity may not be countenanced by you, but rather
reproved; remembering, while they are under your government, you must give an account of the
discharge of your duty to God towards them.
Lastly, Be always mindful of your latter end, and live as your would die, not knowing how soon
your days may be finished in this world: and while you do live in it, despite not the chastenings of
the Lord, whatever they be, he is pleased to visit you withal. I have been afflicted from my youth
up, both [p416]inwardly and outwardly, but God whom I served, provided for me, when all my
outward relations forsook me, none of them giving me any portion to begin the world withal. This
I speak, to let you know, I shall leave more outwardly, even to the least of you, than was left me
by all my relations, &c. I need not mention this affliction (beyond expression) in my old age,
because, in some measure, you know it; but I could not have been without it, as the Lord hath
shewed me, for I have seen his wonders in the deeps: therefore I say again, despise not afflictions,
but embrace them as messengers of peace to your souls (though displeasing to the flesh.)
These things I commend unto you, out of true love to your souls, knowing how the vain mind of
man little regards such advIce as this I leave behind me: but by this advice I shew my true love to
you, desiring God's blessing upon it; to whom I commit you all, my dear children, and end my
days.
Your loving father and grandfather,
Hertford, the 1st of the
1st month, 1698-9.
JOHN CROOK.