The Epistle to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of Friends in England, Wales, and Elsewhere.  
From Our Yearly Meeting, held in London, the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Days of the Fourth Month, 1693. Dear and truly beloved Friends and Brethren,  
WE tenderly salute you in the Lord with Love unfeigned, hearty desiring Sion's Prosperity, and earnestly praying for the Peace of Jerusalem and of the whole Israel of God and Church of Christ, That all the Assemblies of Friends may be truly comforted, and abundantly refreshed in the living sense of his Presence and unspeakable Goodness of our God, as we have been beyond Expression in this our solemn and seasonable Assembly at this time, for which we are greatly obliged to bless and praise the God and Fountain of all our Mercies, and always to continue humbly thankful to him for the same.  
The Principal Matters of most General concern agreed upon by this Meeting to be communicated, we do faithfully recommend to your Christian Care and Notice as heretofore.  
Our last Yearly Epistle being very comprehensive and weighty, 
Reference to our last Yearly Meeting Epistle.  and more large than usual, It is earnestly desired, that the Contents thereof be seriously Reminded in all your Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in order to the faithful performance, according to our Christian Religion and Profession in the purity thereof, and as God's faithful Witness in all Hearts doth enjoin, and is ready to assist all the Faithful and diligent in the Conduct of their Conversations.  
And therefore that all due and Godly care be taken and exercised among all Friends in the Christian and sober Education of their Children and Youth, 
A summary of the former Years Epistle to be taken notice of by Friends.  which are under their Care and Trust, that they be good Examples and Patterns both in Conversation, Words, and Habits, becoming our holy Profession and humble Religion of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, against the Pride of Life, against the Breach of Promise, Injuring and defrauding others in their Properties, Trade and Commerce, etc. against the grand Oppression and Antichristian yoke of Tithes, that our Christian Testimony born and greatly suffered for, be faithfully maintained against them in all respects; and against Steeplehouse Rates or Lays; as also against the Burden and Imposition of Oaths; and against all Whisper and Backbitings which tend to Strife and Division, and making Parties; and all disorderly and undue proceed in Marriages, That Truth's Order, Method and Testimony be faithfully kept unto concerning all these matters, and the judgement thereof in God's Wisdom, set over all perverseness, unfaithfulness, and disorderly walking, tending to the dishonour of God, reproach and scandal of our holy Profession, and of us his People.  
It is desired, that Friends at all their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings be reminded to call for the Records of the Sufferings of Friends, to see that they be duly gathered, 
The Records of Sufferings to be more carefully looked after.  truly entered and kept, and accordingly sent up, as hath been often advised, both of what Tithes, etc. are pretended to be due, and for how long a time, and the time when taken, and by, and for whom; and what Goods are taken, and the value thereof, as well of those not exceeding, as those exceeding the sums or quantities demanded (it being a suffering in both for Truth's sake) they being in these particulars found defective and imperfect in divers Counties, which is an Obstruction to the General Record of Friends Sufferings. And therefore the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings are advised to take more care for the future, that all Friends Sufferings for Truth's sake may be brought up as full and complete in all respects as possibly may be.  
A complaint being made about some Shipmasters, who profess the Truth, and are esteemed Quakers, their carrying Guns in their Ships, supposing thereby to defend and secure themselves and their Ships, contrary to their former Principle and Practice, and to the endangering their own and others Lives thereby; also giving occasion of more severe hardships and sufferings to be inflicted on such Friends as are pressed into Ships of War, who for Conscience sake cannot fight nor destroy men's Lives, 
Of Shipmasters reputed Quakers carrying Guns in their Ships, the dangerous Consequences thereof.  'tis therefore recommended to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings whereunto such Shipmasters belong, to deal with them in God's Wisdom, and tender Love, to stir them up, and awaken their Consciences, that they may seriously consider how they injure their own Souls in so doing, and what occasion they give to make the Truth and Friends to suffer by their declension, and acting contrary thereunto through Disobedience and Unbelief, placing their security in that which is altogether Insecure and Dangerous, which we are really sorry for, and sincerely desire their Recovery and safety, from Destruction, that their Faith and Confidence may be in the Arm and power of God.  
Dear Friends, you very well know our Christian Principle and Profession in this matter, both with respect to God and Caesar, That because we are Subjects of Christ's Kingdom, 
Our Respect to Christ and to Caesar.  which is not of this World, we cannot Fight, Jo. 18.36. Yet, being Subjects of Caesar's Kingdom, we pay our Taxes, Tribute, etc. according to the Example of Christ and his holy Apostles relating to Christ's Kingdom and Caesar's, wherein we are careful not to Offend, Matt. 17.27. and 22, 20. Rom. 13.6, 7. Being also very glad, and much satisfied in the many Testimonies given at this Meeting, of our Friend's Innocency, quiet and peaceable Behaviour, under the outward Government, as becomes our Christian Principle and Profession.  

Of Tho. Wilson's and James Dickinson's Travels.  Our dear Friends and Brethren, Thomas Wilson and James Dickinson, being by the good providence of God, preserved in their Travels, and safely returned, and present at this Meeting, gave account of their eminent Preservation and Deliverance both by Sea and Land, and of their Travils and Service in Barbadoes, East and West Jarsey, Pensilvania, Maryland, Virginia, New-England, North-Carolina, Rhoad-Island, Long-Island, Antego, Mevis; and that they found Friends in good Unity in most Parts, and great openness to Truth, and that in many parts, their great need of being Visited, and Friends there much desire it. And that in New England the cry of the Blood of Friends formerly put to Death there, is much revived, by the late Judgement and Confusion fallen upon the Professors there, about Witchcraft, several being there put to Death, under pretence of being Witches, which they wickedly accused Friends formerly with; insomuch, that some of the more Moderate People among them declared, that they believed, that the Hand of the Lord would not be taken from off that Place, until a day of Humiliation be appointed, to acknowledge and condemn that action, in putting the Quakers to Death. Which we pray God give them Repentance for.  

Of four Epistles from Ireland.  Four Epistles from Ireland, one from the half Years Meeting in Dublin, another from Ulster Province, another from Munster Province; the fourth, from the Province-Meeting at Lemster; intimating the goodness of God in their Preservation and his Presence amongst them, and how well things are with respect to Unity, Peace and Concord among themselves; and withal, return their grateful acknowledgements of Friends dear Love; great Affection and Charity here towards them, for the Relief of poor Friends that greatly suffered by the late Calamities, which hath been to the great refreshment of the Bowels of many.  

Of several Epistles from Foreign Parts.  Several other Epistles from Foreign Parts, as Barbadoes, Maryland, Pensilvania, Virginia, Scotland, Holland, were Read, signifying for the most part, the Love and Unity amongst Friends, and great Openness in divers parts, with desires of Friends Prayers for them, particularly in Pensilvania. And that in Barbadoes there hath been a very violent Distemper, which has caused a great Mortality.  

Of the Earthquake in Jamaica.  A Letter also from Jamaica, signifying the sad effects of the late terrible Earthquake there, by the destruction of many with their Substance; two Thirds of the People (as is supposed) at Port-Royal, and the most of Friends then there lost, except those that were at a Monthly Meeting, twelve Miles distant from Port-Royal, who were by that means Preserved.  
An Epistle from Amsterdam in Holland, signifying their Meetings are quiet, and that they are thankful to God for it, 
John Furley's late Travels in Holland, etc.  and desires to be Visited.  
And our dear Friend, John Furley, of Colchester, being newly returned out of Holland, and present at this Meeting, gave a full account, that he hath lately visited all the Meetings in Holland and Lowcountrys in those Parts, except one little Meeting, which he could not get to, the place being much covered with Water. And that there is some Openness in some places, and great flocking of Strangers to the Meeting at Amsterdam.  

Of Dantzick Friends.  An account was given of Dantzick Friends, that they have been quiet one Year and half, and so continue, though but few left; some having died under Persecution— The Magistrates there now pretty kind— And that there are a People raised up and increased in Germany, 
Of a People called Pietes.  from among the Lutherans called Pietes, and by some called Quakers, many whereof Persons of Learning and of the Gentry; That they are a People of sober Conversations; Persecuted by the Duke of Saxony and the Priests, but favoured and Tolerated by the Duke of Brandenburg; several Friends Books at their request, have been spread among them: The Priests at Hamburgh much disturbed and enraged against our Friends and them, do rail and abuse them in Print, endeavouring to insense the Magistrates there by their Lies and Calumnies, but the Magistrates do not gratify them, but rather discountenance them; Blessed be the Lord, whose power is at work in the Hearts of many People.  

Of the Captives in Macqueness.  The Friends yet remaining Captives in Maqueness, are still held under great Severities and Hardships, by that cruel tyrannical Taskmaster, who is yet suffered cruelly to punish, wound and kill poor Captives at his pleasure; and all possible care of their Redemption and Relief, is by this Meeting still recommended to the Meeting for Sufferings, to continue their endeavours for the effecting thereof.  
This Meeting being acquainted that endeavours have been used for the relief of Friends in relation to Oaths, pursuant to the last Yearly Meetings Advice in that case, 
Of Friend's endeavours for Relief from Oaths.  and what progress was made in the House of Commons in order thereto, and before the Committee of Parliament, who after a due hearing of Friends, drew up a fair Report, and gave their opinion for our Relief, which nevertheless was lost by Vote in the House.  
This Meeting being sensible of the great care of the Meeeting for Sufferings here in that case, many tenderly acknowledged Friends labours and endeavours therein.  
And the Meeting still leaves it to the said Meeting for Sufferings, to continue their care and endeavours in that case as the Lord shall please to make way for the general Ease of Friends.  

About poor Friends Removal, etc.  An account being given to this Meeting, that several poor Friends have removed themselves and their Families from divers parts of the Nation, to the City of London, who soon after their coming, being not capable to subsist, have applied themselves to Friends there for Relief, and have been very chargeable.  
It's advised, that if any poor Friends for the time to come should incline to remove themselves and Families to this City, that before they unsettle themselves, they apply themselves to the Monthly or Quarterly Meetings to which they belong, for Advice and Counsel; and that such Meeting do rather advertise them to be contented in their Station, and places, where Provisions, and Accommodations may be easier and much cheaper obtained then at London. Or if permitted by Certificate from the Counties to Remove, that then the monthly and quarterly Meetings from whence they come, do take care to supply their Necessities, that the Friends of London be not overcharged for the future.  
It's desired that the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings respectively take notice of all Friends Books, that are or may be sent to them, according to former agreement, 
Of Friend's Books.  and take care for the dispersing the same for the Service of Truth.  

Correspondants only to be written to about Sufferings.  And also it is agreed that each Quarterly Meeting take care to advise the Correspondants for the Counties, and any others concerned to Write Only to your Correspondants in London about their Sufferings, and not to other persons, lest their suffering Case be delayed.  
Friends appointed to view the Accounts Report, that they find they are truly stated and rightly kept. 
Accounts.  And Friends are again advised to bring up with them the total Sum of each Counties Collection for the Relief of Friends that suffered by the late Calamities in Ireland.  
We are truly comforted and greatly refreshed in the Lord by the weighty Accounts given at this our solemn Assembly from the respective Counties in England and Wales, by the Friends sent up, as also by some Epistles from several Counties, importing the Unity, 
Accounts of Truth's Prosperity, etc.  Love, Peace and Concord among Friends, and Prosperity of the blessed Truth and increase of the Government of Christ, and his Peace in the Church, in which we pray God to keep his People to the end.  
To avoid Contention and Strife in all Meetings, It is the Advice and Sense of this Meeting,  

1. That all Friends have a care of God's Glory, be tender thereof, as hath been often advised. 
Seasonable Advice for Peace & good Order in several particulars   
2. And to keep the Authority of your Meetings in the Power of God, and Unity of his blessed Spirit, whereby they were errected, and settled, and continue your Godly care and services therein for these good ends for which they were first instituted.  
3. And to keep out all Contention, personal Reflections and Smitings out of your Meetings; and keep down and out of all Heats, and Passions, and doubtful Disputations.  
4. Suffer no turbulent contentious quarrelsome Spirit or Person to be concerned among you, in ordering your affairs, that they may be all managed in the peaceable tender Spirit and Wisdom of Christ Jesus.  
5. Suffer no Divisions, or Schisms, or making parties among yourselves one against another, for that will greatly tend to weaken your Meetings, and lose their power, and to cause them and you to be slighted.  
6. Both our men's and women's Meetings, and our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, and Yearly Meetings, and Meetings for Sufferings were set up in the Wisdom, Counsel, and tender Love of God, and in the same peaceable Wisdom to be kept and encouraged for all those good ends for which they were intended and appointed.  
7. All Differences happening in Personal or Temporal occasions to be speedily ended (according to the Advice given in our last Yearly Epistle) and if any doubtful point in Law be in the case, than both parties may advise with some well knowing in the Law; For if any lust to be con 〈…〉 we have no such Custom in the Churches of Christ.  
8. The Meeting for S●…gs is entrusted to take care of all Sufferings of Friends for Truth and Conscience sake, as at first intended.   
The six Friends of the City appointed and entrusted this Year with the Accounts, are William Crouch, John Staploe, William Macket, William Chandler, William Beech, and Nathaniel Marks.  

The blessed Progress and Conclusion of the Meeting.  Our Souls also were very deeply affected with the refreshing Presence and Counsel of the Lord our God attending this our Yearly Meeting, and the Amicable and Peaceable Management of the Affairs, and the Blessed End and Closure thereof, to the great Consolation and Satisfaction of Friends, and honour of his Blessed Truth, in which our Unity stands: blessed be the God of all our Mercies forever.  
It's agreed that our Yearly Meeting be continued as hitherto, if the Lord will, being Adjourned till the next Year. And that Friends of each County send two Faithful Friends to attend the Service thereof as formerly directed.  
Signed in behalf of our said Meeting, by Benjamin Bealing.