style
of the scriptures, and that it is an absolute and essential propriety of
speech. And what good, alas! had their religion done them, who were so
sensibly touched with indignation for the use of this plain, honest, and
true speech?

VIII. They recommended silence by their example, having very few words
upon all occasions. They were at a word in dealing: nor could their
customers, with many words, tempt them from it, having more regard to
truth than custom, to example than gain. They sought solitude: but when
in company, they would neither use, nor willingly hear unnecessary or
unlawful discourses: whereby they preserved their minds pure and
undisturbed from unprofitable thoughts, and diversions. Nor could they
humour the custom of Good Night, Good Morrow, God Speed; for they knew
the night was good, and the day was good, without wishing of either; and
that in the other expression, the holy name of God was too lightly and
unthankfully used, and therefore taken in vain. Besides, they were words
and wishes of course, and are usually as little meant, as are love and
service in the custom of cap and knee; and superfluity in those, as well
as in other things, was burthensome to them; and therefore, they did not
only decline to use them, but found themselves often pressed to reprove
the practice.

IX. For the same reason they forbore drinking to people, or pledging of
them, as the manner of the world is: a practice that is not only
unnecessary, but they thought evil in the tendencies of it, being a
provocation to drink more than did people good, as well as that it was in
itself vain and heathenish.

X. Their way of marriage is peculiar to them; and shows a distinguishing
care above other societies professing Christianity. They say, that
marriage is an ordinance of God, and that God only can rightly join man
and woman in marriage. Therefore, they use neither priest nor
magistrate; but the man and woman concerned take each other as husband
and wife, in the presence of divers credible witnesses, promising to each
other, with God's assistance, to be loving and faithful in that relation,
till death shall separate them. But antecedent to this, they first
present themselves to the monthly meeting for the affairs of the church
where they reside; there declaring their intentions to take one another
as husband and wife, if the said meeting have nothing material to object
against it. They are constantly asked the nece