AN EPISTLE GENERAL CONTAINING Wholesome Exhortations and Good Counsel from the Spirit of Truth, unto all such as are or may be under the Judgement or Sentence OF BANISHMENT, FOR THE Testimony of Jesus Christ (which is held in a Tender Conscience) throughout the Nation of England.  
As also, Unto all them that are yet at Liberty (to be faithful to the Lord, and meet often together in the fear of his Name, and not to fear Man, that shall be made as Grass) and to all in Bonds, Prisons, and Holes  throughout the World, who are bearing (and suffering for) the same Testimony of Truth and Righteousness, which the Lord hath decreed shall prosper and spread over all the World, till the Kingdoms thereof are become his Kingdoms, and he shall Reign for ever and ever. Amen.  
With a few Words of Advice, to all who have or may have any Message or Business upon the account of Truth to such as are in Authority in the Nations.  
By a Servant of the Churches of Christ Jesus. W. B.  
Printed in the Year, 1664.   

AN EPISTLE GENERAL, Containing Wholesome Exhortations and Good Counsel, from the Spirit of Truth, unto all such as are, or may be, under the Judgement or Sentence of BANISHMENT, for the Testimony of Jesus Christ, etc.  
MY dear Friends and Brethren, who for your testimony of truth (and obedience to the God of Abraham) are or may be caused to wander (as some of our Fathers have done) from your Native Countries, and to be exposed to the want of a certain dwelling place in the Earth, and to forsake All for the Name of Christ, that is near and dear in the World, and be liable to great Jeopardies and Perils by Sea and Land, among Strangers, and in strange Countries; why, take ye no thought for your Life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, or wherewith ye shall be clothed, or, for your Relations and Families, what they shall do in your Absence, for the Lord (for whose sake ye suffer) will provide both for you and them, as ye faithful to him abide, whose tender bowels of compassions are open toward them that fear him, and pitieth them, even as a Father pitieth his Children. But consider how great and weighty a Work and Service the Lord at this time hath called you unto, and how greatly the Honour and Glory of his holy Name is concerned therein; the Lord my God give you a clear understanding thereof, and direct you in his Counsel in all ye take in hand, that in it ye may stand faithful, and be preserved in his pure Fear, in meekness and wisdom, to his praise; for it is the faithfulness of his people, in their patiented sufferings, and circumspect, humble, sobe, just, wise, upright, harmless conversation, that will answer the Principle of God in all Nations, and preach his Kingdom come nigh unto People, among whom-soever they may come, or be scattered for his Namesake; and by this Gospel (which is everlasting) shall thousands be converted unto God, and multitudes be gathered into his Name, and many through his knowledge shall be justified, which must cover the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea, as was prophesied in days past.  
Therefore my dear Friends, be ye not at all discouraged in your sufferings, but look at the End for which the Lord hath called you thereunto, which is the exaltation of his Name, and the gathering of his precious Seed out of Captivity, where they have been scattered in all quarters, in the cloudy and dark day, that they might come to inherit rest in their own Land, and partake of the glory which was before the world was: and consult not with flesh and blood in any thing, for ye have need of great watchfulness this day, that no reasoner may enter you, to the betraying the Innocent into the Sinners hands, so that Spirit will sell the Lord that bought them, to save self and the things of this Life: But flesh and blood must not inherit the Kingdom of God, for 'tis prepared for that blessed innocent Seed only, which hath no Kingdom in this World, out is a stranger in the Earth, So let your pure breathe be manifest unto the Lord, that ye may receive power from him, be preserved in his truth, out of all the snares of this World, and commit your cause and all ye have, freely and wholly unto him, and be purely resigned and subject to his heavenly Will (eyeing his Glory) in all things, at all times, and in all places; for the Work is his, and the Cause ye are engaged in is the Lords, and not your own; ye are but as Servants or Instruments in this great Work, which the Lord hath begun, and is causing to spread and prosper throughout the Earth, that he may get himself a great, and glorious, and dreadful Name, to the ends of the World, who shall be made to bow down and worship at his footstool, and confess that we are his People, and that the Everlasting God is with us, is on our side, and sights for us, who cannot strive, nor fight for ourselves, nor avenge our own cause, but leave it to him who judgeth righteously; and this shall be an evident token that our Kingdom is not of this World unto all people.  
Therefore my dear Friends and Brethren, faint not in your minds, neither be ye discouraged as concerning the greatness of the Trials ye have to undergo, but cast your burden (in this matter) upon the Lord, for the weight of your sufferings herein he hath pondered, and it's come near unto him, and to the hearts of his dear Children, whose secret Cries and tender Breathe are uncessantly poured forth into his bosom, in your behalf, in the tender yearning bowels of his everlasting compassions; that ye may stand faithful in his counsel, and so walk, that his glorious Name may be exalted, and his Truth glorified in you, and by you, and by all that make mention thereof; else to what end is all our sufferings and profession of his Name in the World? Surely, surely the Lord is choosing a Remnant to himself (to walk with him in faithsulnese) that shall greatly honour him, and magnify, and reverence his Holy Name, and bring praise unto him in this his day, and such only will the Lord my God honour with everlasting dominion, and beautify with his Eternal Salvation and Peace. Oh happy is the man, and happy will be that soul, whose lot falls in this ground; and verily it's but a little while, and he will wipe away the reproach of this his chosen Remnant, and plead their cause with all their Oppressors, when the measures of the iniquities of his Adversaries are filled up, and our Faith and Patience sufficiently tried, and proved, and made manifest to the World; for of this great controversy (now in hand) the tender Seed of God is very sensible through Nations, which gives many People to see and discern, an absolute difference of Spirit, and a great gulf fixed between us and our adversaries; and this shall arise and break the hearts of thousands, who are yet afar off, when they shall hear of your patiented innocent sufferings, only for your tender Conscience and the Worship of your God, to whose Name and Power many shall confess (as the King in daniel's day) that he is the Living God, and steadfast for ever, and his Kingdom that which shall never be destroyed, and his Dominion shall be even to the end; he delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in Heaven and in Earth. And thus is our God (who is the same) doing at this very day (though the ungodly see it not) as shall hereafter be confessed and published, as this was after the beloved Daniel was tried and proved, and not before, mark that; and then woe will be to your Persecutors (as it was to his) when the Seed shall arise in the Nations and witness for you, and against them, who shall curse the hour in which they were born, and the moment in which they breathed in the World, and the womb that bore them, that ever they should be so blind to bring swift destruction upon their own heads, for the lucre of a moment of pleasures.  
Therefore my dear Friends, let your minds be stayed, and your hearts fixed on the Lord, that ye may be always kept and preserved in the pure sense of the weight and ponderousness of this his great and honourable Work, which he hath called you into, that so ye may be patterns, and pure examples, of righteousness, gravity, truth and holiness to the Nations, even as Lights in a dark place, and as a City set on the Everlasting Hill of God, above all the fury and rage of your enemies, or their most subtlest Temptations or provocations, which ye may meet withal in your Travails and daily exercises: From which my God deliver you, and keep you steadfast in watchfulness, wisdom, and fear to the end; that ye may be preserved out of all the snares of the Enemy, to the honour of his great Name, and the comfort and peace of your own souls; for its the endurer to the end, that shall be saved.  
And dear Friends, Take heed and beware of letting in the spirit of this world into your hearts, which naturally draws from God, into its own Centre, to look after the riches, ease, and glory thereof; for it was not in vain, that the same Spirit that now dwells in his Children, exhorted his Disciples (in Ages past) to take heed and beware of Covetousness, for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things of this world which he may possess; For whosoever shall let forth his mind after these things, and embrace and entertain those subtle Contrivances which may arise in the mind as Temptations, and shall follow the whisper thereof, and so let that be his Guide which leads to seek self, his own honour, riches and glory, and not the things of Jesus Christ, the Truth and its glory only, such a one will be destroyed, and not preserved. And this I have received from my God, to warn you of it, in tender love to your souls, and to the honour of his everlasting Name, which must and will be exalted over all the Earth: And though a Thousand should fall on the right hand, and ten Thousands on the left hand, yet the Lord shall be glorified, and all people be left without just excuse.  
So the Lord God of Heaven direct you, and preserve you chaste and single unto himself, for his Name sake, and for his tender Seeds sake, which is very dear and precious to him in every Nation. And this is the breathe of my heart and soul for you all, in the true and living sense of the marvellous work and wonderful things he is bringing to pass in these latter days; for its the Life must confound Babel, (as in the days of old) and build up Zion, whose walls is salvation and gives praises for evermore. Therefore in the retired watchful, pure, light and life of God itself, all dwell, always eyeing his eternal power, and presence to go before you (this was Moses' mind, Carry us not hence except thy presence go with us) for that is it by which the Lord wrought wonderful things, and preserved his people in all ages, who were obedient thereinto; and this hath preserved us, who hath been led and guided thereby to this day, and will preserve us to the end, as we are faithful to obey its requirings, and no otherways can any be preserved, or saved out of Temptations, and from the wrath to come. And this I do affirm from certain experience; For Transgression against God's requirings, was, and is, the Ground and cause of the separation and alienation from him, and from his Covenant of promise, and is the breach of the peace and unity between God and man; So that there is no peace to the wicked, neither can there, so long as the whoredoms and witchcrafts of Jezabel remains, and disobedience is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is Iniquity and Idolatry; so that none can enjoy perfect peace with the holy God, but them whose feet are guided by his light and holy Spirit, in the way of peace, which all the world that lie in wickedness (in Transgression) are ignorant of, the way of peace they know not; But the Children of the Lord shall be all Taught of him, and great shall be the peace of his Children.  
So my dear Friends, mind the Light of the Lord, and let it be your Guide and Teacher, and your dwelling place; for them of the Nations that are saved, must walk in the Light; mark, though they are saved, yet they must still walk in the Light of the Holy City; and to it shall the gathering of the people be, who shall stock thereunto, as the doves to the windows, as was prophesied and is now fullfiling in this our day, blessed for ever be the Name of the Lord. And take good heed to your Ways, Words, and Carriages, amongst all people wherever you come, as ye love the honour of God, and the peace of your own souls, in whose Name, in bowels of love, I lay it upon you all; for many will be the eyes; that will be sharply fixed upon you, both for good and for evil, even to mark all your steps in every path which you shall tread with your feet: Therefore keep your feet in the way of peace, and walk with God, as Enoch, that ye may be more and more translated, and taken up out of the sight of all that watch for your halting; so shall ye have the Witness in yourselves, that your Ways please the Lord, as he had, and as many of his dear children have at this day, with whom ye will have precious Unity, as ye walk in the same steps, and mind the same things, that are eternal. And walk in lowliness, in the fear of God, and in love and tenderness one towards another, that men seeing your good Works, & blameless conversation, may glorify the Name of our God (in whose sight, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is of great price) so shall your good and sweet savour of all virtues abound and spread through Nations, And by these things (as leaves and fruits of the Tree of life) must the Nations be healed and replanted. And this is God's decree and determination, and the work he hath begun amongst us, and is about at this very day, even to make new Heavens, and a new Earth, wherein Righteousness shall dwell for ever; and the old shall pass and is passing away with this great noise; for the Lord is finishing transgression, and making an end of sin, and bringing in everlasting Righteousness. Blessed is the eye that seethe and the heart that beleiveth and understandeth, and waiteth patiently and faithfully for the accomplishment thereof, for such only shall be kept under the shadow of the Almighty, who abide in the secret of the Most High, where they enjoy the sure mercies of David, and the Kingdom and Dominion which never ends: Into which the God of Life bring you by his Eternal Power, and keep and preserve you in his pure peaceable Wisdom, at all times and in all places, wherever you come, by Sea and Land. The Eternal God of my Life, of Heaven and Earth, be with you, and cause you to grow daily, as living plants to his renown and glory, and give you favour among all people, that generations to come, may call you the blessed of the Lord. And as in this ye walk and abide, your enemies shall be made to confess, that you are his chosen people, and many shall take hold of your skirts, because of these venues, of which your garments will send forth a sweet savour among them But woe to that man, by whom the Lord shall be dishonoured among you, it had been good for him, that he had not been born.  
So my dear friends and Brethren, dwell in your particular measures of the grace of God, the light and power of his eternal Spirit of Truth, for whose Name sake ye suffer, and resign up your own wills (in the Cross daily) to his heavenly will and providence, and cast all your care upon him, for he careth for his Children; only let this be your care, that his Name and Truth be kept clean, and not be reproached or blasphemed, or suffer justly any way through any of you, for that would bring weakness, and even a Consumption upon you, Condemnation and Anguish upon every soul that doth evil. So the eternal God keep your minds and hearts, in the deep Consideration of the substance of these things: For truly Friends, great is the Lord, and greatly to be feared, and honoured, by all that make mention of his Name; the weight of which my soul doth daily ponder, and yet there remains a depth beyond that the mind of man can fathom. So unto the Lord and his faithful Witness I leave you, being clear of what lay on me to write unto you in this matter at present, yet my soul doth daily travail, and breath to my God for you all; For the honour of his Name is settled in my heart, daily more and more, in the sense whereof I cannot forget his dear suffering people, who suffer so this Namesake. So the God of Heaven be with you, and his pure lively presence fill your hearts with everlasting joy and peace, and in this we shall daily meet together, and embrace each other, where nothing can separate, as in it we faithful abide, though we may be separated as to the outward vessels, through the wills of men, never to see each others faces more: the will of the Lord be done, saith my soul,  
Who am your dear Brother in the bond of love and peace, which never changeth.  
ANd all friends every where, who are yet at liberty, keep your meetings together, in the Name and fear of the Lord, and be not daunted, or terrified, in any thing, as from your Adversaries; for the Lord hath permitted or suffered them, in some measure, according to their hearts desire, to try you, and to sift and winnow you for a season, and ye shall have Tribulation ten days; For the Devil (who hath already cast many of you into prisons) hath desired to winnow you as wheat, and not only so, but to destroy you utterly, root and branch from off the earth: But blessed be the Lord, who hath sent down the Angel of his presence, with the great Chain in his hand, and hath laid hold on the Dragon, so that he is limited (as in the days of Job) though he cast out his floods of rage, and fury, against the manchild, persecuting the Woman that brings him forth, and makes war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the Commandments, and hold fast the Testimony of Jesus. But his time is but short, of which he is sensible, that his ruin and downfall approacheth, and dreadfulness hath taken hold of his heart, because the two Witnesses are risen (which torments the Earth) the Spirit of life from God is entered into them, and they stand upon their feet, and great fear is fallen upon their enemies, and this is the smoke of their Torment, of the fire which is kindled in their bowels, which will never be quenched, till the ungodly are consumed, whose swift destruction is hastening upon them, and this way it cometh to pass, even by those very actions and contrivances by which he thinks to stand and uphold his power and Kingdom, so blind is your Adversary, and his followers; and when they shall cry peace and safety, then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as pangs on a Woman in Travel, and they shall not escape.  
Therefore my dear Friends, be of good courage, and stand valiant for the Truth upon Earth, and dwell in the will of God, and be faithful to him in whatsoever he makes manifest to you, that ye may witness perfect peace with him, in all ye do or suffer for his Name sake. And fear not him that can but kill the body, and hath power to do no more, but fear and reverence the living God of Heaven and Earth, and let him be your dread (and not man) and commit yourselves, and all ye have, and the Cause ye are engaged in, freely unto the Lord, who takes care for his Children, that not one hair of their head shall perish beyond his permission; And keep your meetings diligently, and let in no Reasoner or Consulter with flesh and blood, to hinder you therefrom; And meet together as exactly as ye can possible, at the time appointed, for your faithful testimony here in is honourable in the sight of the Lord, and of his children, who suffer bonds, or may suffer exilement, or banishment, for the same Terlin : And in so doing, ye will be a strength & encouragement one to another, and a good savour in the hearts of many (that are even ready to join with you in the light of the Lord) and a dread to your enemies, for by a foolish Nation will he anger the mighty and wise men of the Earth, and provoke many people to jealousy; and the Time is come that whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord (in truth) shall be saved.  
Therefore resist every appearance or thought to the contrary (in the light and strength of God) as a Temptation of the enemy: And remember the Serpent Tempted in Paradise, to break the Command of the Lord, and is yet near to betray the Innocer into the sinner's hands, whose mercy will be sound cruelty; for he is not wanting at this day, to strive every way to make you fall from you: steadfastness, neither is his subtlety abated, to beguile the simple, to draw them into his own state of Condemnation, of which all have been, are, and ever will be partakers, who harken to his voice, and obey his Temptation: And this lies on me to warn you of; For if he get you to bow a little, he will get more strength against you, and more hold and ground in you, by his fair flourished baits and cunning crafty allurements, whereby your faith would be weatned, and even fail, till he cause you to make shipwreck there of and of a good Conscience, through the tossing your minds to and fro in the Sea of Temptations; and this would be an horrible day of Tempests unto you. The Lord my God by his eternal power keep open your understandings, that ye may perfectly see & discern him in all his wiles and cunning craftiness, by which he lies in wait to deceive, both within and from without; that so ye may be able to resist him in every appearance, and quench all his fiery darts in the living faith, that not a place be given to him, for if ye give him place, he will get more room and matter to work on, till he becomes a strong man armed, to keep the house against every motion and appearance of God in you, thereby endeavouring to dwell at peace; but all his strong 〈◊〉 must be stormed, and his piece overturned, and the league and covenant with death and hell shall be broken, by the pure Life and Seed of God (his head bruiser) let him do what he can, and then ye will perceive he was a false Prophet, and hath deceived you.  
Therefore my dear Friends, watch and pray continually, that ye enter not into temptation, but that ye may see every appearance of evil and abstain from it; so shall the God of Truth and Peace sanctify you wholly, in Body, Soul and Spirit, whereby ye shall become fit habitations for the Lord to dwell and walk in, and have his Testimony in yourselves, that you are his Children, being taught of him, and preserved by him to his praise, and your everlasting comfort and peace. So keep your eye open in the Eternal Light, in which ye will see over time, and all things comprehended in it, and through the end of all temptations, and over all the storms and tempests of the wicked, who at this day are like the troubled Sea, and cannot rest, for there is no peace to the wicked, saith my God: But he is your peace and resting place, who rebukes the Winds, and walks upon the Sea, and calms the Storms at his pleasure; though in the World ye have Tribulation and Persecution for his Name sake, it's but for a moment in respect of the Eternal Life, if it should be so all the days of your Pilgrimage on Earth, and but Light Affliction, in comparison of the exceeding Weight of the Glory ye shall be partakers of, as ye abide faithful to the End.  
So the Eternal God of Life and Peace be with you, and preserve you by his Power, and keep you all valiant for his living Truth, in the pure sense and enjoyment thereof in all your hearts, to the End.  
And my dear Friends, who are in Bonds, Prisons and Holes, for the same Testimony of Jesus Christ, where ye are oppressed and thronged, as sheep appointed for the slaughter, without Mercy from your Adversaries; be ye not discouraged, but lift up your Heads in the pure Life of your Testimony; for this is a day in which the Lord will glorify himself in the eyes of all Nations, and get himself a Name above every name, that every knee may bow to him, and that all flesh may dread and tremble before him, and become as the grass, and as the flower that fadeth away, at the majesty and glory of his presence, who hath touched the Mountains and they smoke, and the smoke of their torment ascends night and day, because of the everlasting burn, with which he is melting the Hills like wax, and consuming the ungodly like the fat of Lambs, and folding them up as thorns and stubble for the fire. Great is the work which the Lord is doing, and cutting short in righteousness, yea, such a day is approaching as many will not believe, though it be, and hath been declared unto them, in which the Lord will plead with all flesh, by fire and sword, and with plague and pestilence, famine and earthquakes, in divers places, and dreadful storms, and fearful sights within and without, so that all flesh shall be pained, and wax feeble before him; for the terrors of God (within and without) shall set themselves in array against the ungodly, and compass the wicked as with snares of fire, till they are consumed; and the very stars in their courses shall fight against them, yea, he will make his wonders known upon them, as in the days of Egypt. And this I am bold to proclaim, in the Name and Authority of the Everlasting God, for I have seen the consumption determined, and how it will come to pass, which is coming upon them as swift as on eagle's wings, and it shall not tarry nor be prolonged, and he that will come (to reward every man according as his work shall be) will come quickly: Blessed are they that wait for him.  
 my dear Friends, seeing our God is no respecter of persons, but is risen as a Giant to the Battle, to plead the cause of his elect Seed, and to exalt his Name over all the Earth; and seeing we look for such things, which will certainly come to pass, and be fulfilled in their season (which hastens) What manner of persons ought we to be, in all holy conversation and godliness? and what need have we of diligence, watchfulness and readiness, that we may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless? The God of all mercies (whose long-suffering and kindness hath been exceedingly manifested to us-ward) keep you exceeding still, quiet, and low in your minds and spirits, fearing to offend him in thought, word and deed, at all times and seasons. And take heed of Discourses among yourselves which are unnecessary, for the enemy hath a secret end to effect among such things, to draw out your minds from the living sense of the precious tender Seed of God in you, which preserves the mind joined to it, in the humbleness and watchfulness against every appearance of evil; for he will not let slip any opportunity which tends to his advantage, that he may thereby preserve, continue and uphold, his own Kingdom and Interest. Now he perceives his ruin approaching, and his perpetual downfall at hand, who will dwell as long as he can in the two men (one) possessed, but being wholly cast our from thence, his last habitation is the herd of Swine, whom he hath caused, and will cause, to run down with violence and perish.  
So my dear Friends, be very careful, and let your words be sew, and your moderation known unto all men, and in all things, for the Lord is at hand, who weigheth the thoughts, words, and actions, intents and purposes of all people, with a just Balance, who will not acquit the guilty, without punishment, wheresoever it is found. And keep within the bounds of the feeling, of the Seed of God, in all your ways, for that is the ancient Landmark, which he that goes beyond transgresseth; and take heed of loudness, forwardness, or hastiness of speech, in all your discourses about the things of this world (and this I lay upon you from the Lord, to whom you must give an account) but be dead & slow to such things, and be lively in Christ Jesus the Truth, and yet moderate, patiented and cool, for God requireth stillness, yea, great stillness, and watchfulness amongst you at this day, that you may hear his Voice, and do his Will, and stand in his pure Counsel, which the many words without knowledge and meekness of wisdom darkeneth, for which the reproofs must come. So the Lord guide you in his fear, and gentle peaceable wisdom, that no folly, superfluity or unsoundness, may be found among you, but that ye may all learn of him daily, who is meek and lowly, and be kept in his weighty and savoury Life, to the honour of his Name, and the comfort and edification of one another. And mark them that are unruly & walk disorderly among you, and cause divisions, through their unsubjected wills, and exalted spirits, above the Seed of God, which is but one in you all, and have no fellowship with them, that they may see their shame; and yet have no prejudice or enmity rise in your hearts against any, but let your upright Life and Conversation daily judge and condemn them, that if possible they may be awakened, and be sensible of their state, and repent and be saved. So let there be no strife or contentious amongst you, no needless disputations, whereby the weak may stumble, no foolish jesting, no vain jangling, but quietness and soberness, with gravity and godliness, in all reverence and godly fear, for our God is a consuming fire; and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and transgressor appear?  
So dear Friends, study to be quiet, and eat your own bread, and wait for it daily, and be content therewith, and let all your striving be to stand still, for herein is your strength increased; and be good examples one unto another, and to all people that may come among you to visit you, or to behold your order, for the holy Name of our God is greatly concerned in this matter, and we are now the very people by whom he will be honoured and greatly exalted, or else reproached and dishonoured, in this our day and generation. So grieve not the Spirit of God in yourselves, or others, neither provoke him to jealousy against you, but dwell retired and watchful against every motion that would exalt itself above the precious tender Seed, to hurt it; so shall ye have peace (as ye dwell in the holy Mountain) and be justified in the sight of the Lord, and be a good favour in the hearts of all sober people, whose eyes are towards you for good. So mind the honour of God, and bear in remembrance the end for which he hath called you out of the world at this day, to bear your testimony in sufferings for his Name sake; and be circumspect, humble, and wise in all your ways, that the Lord may be honoured by you, and his Witness answered in all People; so shall his Seed be raised, and the weak be strengthened, and your own souls comforted in him that guides his Children (that learn of him) in the way of Peace. And for this is the daily travel of my soul, who am one in sufferings with you for the same pure testimony, which shall stand for ever.  
And all Friends every where, who have, or may have any occasion or business to any in Authority in the Nations, or who having done any thing in obedience to the Lord (as your faithful Testimony to his Name) for which ye are, or may be, brought before any of them; or, have any motion lie upon you, to go and warn them, or, any particular of them, concerning the work they are about, or of the day of the Lord, that is coming as a Thief upon them; or as concerning them that suffer bonds, or the spoiling of their goods, or sentence of Banishment for the Truth-sake, or the like; this I lay upon you, from the Lord (which hath often rise in my heart) go not in your own will, nor time, but wait upon him in stillness, and eye his pure presence and power to go with you, before you, to lead and carry you on in obedience to his own pure motion, in which ye will feel strength sufficient, and receive the pure wisdom from above (as in his Light, Dread and Counsel ye abide) so to speak, that Gods Witness in all may be answered, & here ye will be a good savour to him, whether they hear or forbear. So premeditate not afore hand, what to speak, or answer, but singly give up, and dwell low, and subject to the Lord, and keep within the ceiling of his eternal Power, and sink into it, and then ye will be preserved innocent, and cool, and patiented, and bold, in dominion over all fear and weakness, which would be ready to enter; and so the Truth being kept clear in you, and by you, in all things, the Lord will be honoured, and his Name exalted over all the contrary, to whom all honour and fear belongs. And let none suit or frame themselves to please men, but all seek to please the Lord, and seek his face, and his glory; and let his Truth be very dear and precious to you and amongst you all, yea, more than your own lives, and then by it ye will be preserved to his praise, and your own eternal comfort and peace; for great hath been the sufferings for its sake, and many hath sealed their testimony of it with their blood, who have not loved their lives unto death, for the joy that was set before them, whose faithfulness lives in an everlasting record, and can never be blotted out of the hearts of the righteous, but is had in eternal remembrance: the consideration whereof, shall break the hearts of Children that are yet unborn, and the life thereof shall raise up thousands from the dead, who shall give glory to God in their behalf. So in his Truth, the Lord God of all mercies and everlasting blessings keep you all. Amen.  
In whose blessed Will, I lie down, with all the faithful and upright in heart, daily waiting in his pure Light (which makes all things manifest) to know more of his counsel, and to be obedient thereunto, in whatsoever he requireth of me; in which I exhort some, that they suffer not a motion of that spirit of Core or Eliab to rise in their hearts, lest thereby they endanger themselves; for what was Moses? and what was Aaron? and what are all that bore a pure Testimony this day, for the Name of the Most Holy dreadful God, but such as hazard their Lives, and are your servants for Christ's sake? therefore let such be very careful, and tender in this matter; for cannot we say to them (as little to David his brethren) Is there not a cause? Do not the care and zeal for the honour of the great and holy Name of our God daily increase in our hearts? I Can truly say, The zeal of thine house hath even eaten me up. That his living Truth and People may be kept blameless, and spotless, in this great and notable day of Trial, is the travel of my breathing soul, day and night; and I seek not mine own honour, but the honour of him that hath had mercy upon me, who hath opened mine eyes, and given me of his free Spirit, & eternal Power, and all I have, I have received from him, and I have nothing to boast of, but in the Lord, and his Mercies, which endureth for ever, in whose Salvation I rejoice, and in his fear I delight: and Lord let me never forget thy Name, nor the multitude of thy Mercies toward me, and toward all thy People, but let me ever give thanks to thee in the lively remembrance of them, who is setting a Remnant as watchmen upon the walls of Jerusalem, who cannot hold their peace, for her sake, day nor night, till she is made the Praise of the whole Earth, and so much the more as they see the day approaching, though their life is in great stillness; and I could be content to be silent, but I must obey his requirings, or I cannot be clear in his sight; And I know to this end hath he preserved me to this day and hour, in the secret of his Pavilion; blessed be his Name for ever.  
Into whose hand I freely commit my soul, and body, and all that he hath given me, and all his dear people every where, to be disposed at his good will and pleasure, in which I feel my reward with me, and my witness is in heaven, and the true joy of the Lord is in my heart as an open fountain, which none knows but the redeemed from the earch; and yet I am daily a man of sorrows, and well acquainted with griefs, for the redemption of his seed in Captivity, and for the whole Creation, that groaneth under the bondage of corruption; but in all estates I have learned to be content, knowing the Lord is with me, and hears, and in due time will answer the breathe of his own, to whom be the glory, dominion and praises, now and for evermore. Amen.  
I am your dear Brother and Companion, who suffer with patience for the everlasting Truth of God (which must spread over all the Earth, and be established on the top of all Mountains) in which I bid you, Farewell. W. B. From Hertford, where I remain a Prisoner for the Testimony of Jesus Christ, the 26 of the 6th Month. 1664.