--ceremonies they have refused, not out of humour, but conscience
reasonably grounded; inasmuch as no scripture example tells us, that the
priest had any other part, of old time, than that of a witness among the
rest, before whom the Jews used to take one another: and, therefore, this
people look upon it as an imposition, to advance the power and profits of
the clergy: and for the use of the ring, it is enough to say, that it was
a heathenish and vain custom, and never in practice among the people of
God, Jews, or primitive Christians. The words of the usual form, as
"with my body I thee worship," &c. are hardly defensible. In short, they
are more careful, exact, and regular, than any form now used; and it is
free of the inconveniences, with which other methods are attended; their
care and checks being so many, and such, as that no clandestine marriages
can be performed among them.
XI. It may not be unfit to say something here of their births and
burials, which make up so much of the pomp of too many called Christians.
For births, the parents name their own children; which is usually some
days after they are born, in the presence of the midwife, if she can be
there, and those that were at the birth, who afterwards sign a
certificate for that purpose prepared, of the birth and name of the child
or children; which is recorded in a proper book, in the monthly-meeting
to which the parents belong; avoiding the accustomed ceremonies and
festivals.
Pages:
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48