A COLLECTION OF Many Select and Christian EPISTLES, Letters and Testimonies. Written on sundry Occasions, by that Ancient, Eminent, Faithful Friend and Minister OF CHRIST JESUS, George Fox. The Second Volume. What thou seest, writ in a Book, and send it unto the Seven Churches, Rev. 1.11. For we writ none other things unto you, than what you have read and acknowledged, and I trust you shall acknowledge even unto the End, 2 Cor. 1.11. LONDON, Printed and Sold by T. Sowle, in White-Hart-Court in Gracious-street, and at the Bible in Leaden-Hall-street, 1698. AN EPISTLE By way of PREFACE, To all Truth's Friends and Friendly Readers, Greeting: In the dear and tender Love of my Heavenly Father, which by his dear Son and blessed Spirit, he hath plentifully shed abroad in many Hearts in this glorious Gospel-Day; Glory to his worthy Name and excellent Power for ever. Dear Friends, I Am concerned to recommend the serious reading and perusal of the ensuing Collection, unto all who sincerely desire the Promotion of Christ's Kingdom, and Prosperity of his Church and Zion, in true Love, Union and Order, in and by Christ Jesus himself, the Head and Foundation thereof. And that none of you would think the perusal of these Epistles wearisome or tedious, because the same Words and Things in many of them may seem frequently repeated, there being numerous Evangelical Truths, and variety of good and wholesome Matter, as well as diversities of Episties, containing much Christian Counsel to many various States and Conditions of enlightened and enlivened Souls travelling and breathing to God; so that the frequent intermixed Repetitions of the same necessary Truths may be the better allowed and born with in the Reading. However, the moderate and ingenious Reader will not be offended thereat: It being a thing frequent in the Holy Scriptures, to have the same Gospel-truths' often repeated, which many dull and forgetful Persons have need to be often told of such Matters, of so great Importance. The Author's Epistles and Matters of most general Concern are here collected, to avoid Prolixity and unnecessary Repetitions, as much as could be. The Simplicity and Plainness of the Author's Style is not to be despised, he being more in Life and Substance than in the Wisdom of Words, or Eloquence of Speech. And the Lord being pleased in his Day to make great Use of him, and to do great Things by him, for his Name and Seed's sake; of which there yet remains Clouds of Witnesses, even to that Divine Power and hidden Wisdom of God (in the Mystery of Christ) which was with him, and supported him, and lifted up his Head thorough many great Fights, of Afflictions and Trials. I confess, I have not read or heard all the Epistles in the ensuing Collection; but many of them, which I know to be very seasonable, weighty and necessary; and therefore have cause to believe so of the rest, which I have not read. But, by our long and frequent Conversation, Knowledge and Intimacy (together with his living and revived Testimonies, his godly Care and Zeal for Truth's Honour and Prosperity) I have deeply read, and known the Author, his unfeigned Love, Innocency and Integrity, in the blessed Living Truth, whose Christian Care (among many other things relating to the Churches of Christ, the Union, Good Order and Discipline thereof greatly was, That no Offence in any thing might be given; that the Ministry might not be blamed; well-knowing what Trials and Proofs attended Christ's Ministers and Ministry in these latter Days (in some degree) as in the Primitive Christians Times; namely, that he (with many others in his Day) approved himself, and themselves, as the Ministers of Christ, in much Patience, in deep Afflictions, in Necessities, in Distresses (and some in Stripes and cruel Beat) in Prisons, in Tumults, in Labours by Watch, and by Fast, by Purity, by Knowledge, by Long-suffering, by Kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by Love unfeigned, by the Word of Truth, by the Power of God, by the Armour of Righteousness, on the Right-hand, and on the Left, by Honour and Dishonour, by evil Report and good Report; as deceivers, and yet true, etc. 2 Cor. 6. In which Proofs of God's Ministers, this his Ancient Servant had a deep share, and the true Root of the Matter was in him, far beyond his Expressions. And though many false Predictions, Prophecies, and cruel Threats were early breathed out by Persecators and envious Spirits against Him, and Us his Friends and Brethren (whom he unfeignedly loved) and against His and Our Holy Profession, Way and Testimony, as if in a very short time all would come to nought, and be laid waste; yet they have all been disappointed, and proved false, and his Christian Living Testimony and Work further manifest to be of God, and not of Men, nor of the Will of Man: For Truth, that's strongest of all, hath still prevailed, and must prevail. And though the Memory of this our deceased Brother and faithful Servant of Jesus Christ, be still greatly Envied, and be most grossly Defamed, by some implacable Adversaries, and hardened Apostates, who could not obtain their evil Ends, and destractive Designs, against him in his Life-time; yet his Memory is truly Precious to many Thousands, who truly Fear God and Love his Truth, who have a true Inward Sense, That such a Divine Power and Providence attended him in his Innocent Christian Testimony, Ministry, Labours, and Sufferings, that the Devil and all persecuting Agents, could never stop nor frustrate his Testimony or Service, in turning many to Righteousness, even from Darkness unto Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God, In many of the ensuing Epistles, he often mentions the Seed, the Life, the Power of God, and the like; whereby he intends no other than what the Holy Scriptures testify of Christ; which, we know, he truly loved and esteemed, and was often conversant in reading of them, and had an excellent Memory and spiritual Sense thereof given him of the Lord. By the pure holy Seed, he meant and declared Christ, the promised Seed; wherein all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen. And as Christ is the Word of God, the Word of Life, the Word of Faith, he is that immortal and incorruptible Seed, of which all true and spiritual Believers and Children of the Light are begotten to God, and born again; and which Seed, or Word of Eternal Life abideth in him that is born of God, and sinneth not because thereof, 1 John 3. And as the Generation of God, and Children of his Kingdom, and of the Promise, are called the good Seed, and counted for the Seed, being born of that Incorruptible Seed, or Word of Life, which endureth for ever, 1 Peter 1.23, 15. And being that blessed Seed and Holy Generation, which was foretold Christ should see, and for which the travel of his Soul was, Isa. 53. This our deceased Friend and Servant of Jesus Christ truly testified of him in all Respects, both as come in the Flesh and in the Spirit, both as Christ was and is our only Mediator and Advocate, and as he was and is God over all, blessed for ever; whom he so dearly loved and honoured, that he often offered up his Life, and deeply suffered for him; and that in dear and constant Love to his Seed, that a holy Generation might be raised, strengthened, and increased in the Earth among the Children of Men. And his knowledge and Ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, being after the Spirit in Life and Power, did no ways imply, any lessening of the Dignity or Glory of Christ, nor any defect of Faith or Love to Christ, as he came and suffered in the Flesh for Mankind, as some Adversaries have injuriously misrepresented and aspersed him; for he highly esteemed Christ's Sufferings, Death, Resurrection, and Glory; and powerfully testified of the Virtue, Power, blessed and spirtual Design, Fruit and Effects thereof, as revealed and witnessed by his Holy Spirit. And as we have no cause to question, but as with this innocent and good Man, to live was Christ; so, to die was Gain; in both which he glorified God. Christ Jesus being our Spiritual Rock, Foundation and Head, he is truly precious to us and all true Believers, in all States and Conditions, both of his Humiliation, Glory and Dominion; his great Grace and Goodness appearing in those precious Ministerial Gifts given by him (when he ascended up on high) for his Ministry and Church. And 'tis very observable, that though to express Christ's Lowly Condition and Appearance in the World, He is sometimes in Holy Scripture termed the Seed; His Name is also called Wonderful Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace: Upon whose Shoulders the Government is laid: And of the increase of his Government and Peace there shall be no end, Isaiah 9 And 'tis most suitable to Christ's low, humble and suffering Condition, to make use of such Instruments as are most like himself in Humility and Lowliness of Mind; although they be but low and mean in the World's Eye and Esteem: God is pleased to make choice of low, mean and weak things (and of Instruments contemptible in the Eyes of the high and lofty ones of this World) to confound the Wisdom of the World, according to 1 Cor 1. He chose poor Shepherds to divulge that great Evangelical Truth of Christ's Birth; and certain Women to preach that Gospel-Truth of his Resurrection, Luke 2. & 24. And both from Angelical Testimony, as well as from their sight of Christ himself: Truth must not be rejected because of such Instruments which God in his Wisdom is pleased to employ in his Work; nor the Day of small things despised: From small Beginnings of good Matters, great Things, glorious Attainments and Perfections do spring. Glory, Honour and Dominion, to our most Gracious God, and to the Lamb on his Throne, for ever and ever. Now, dear and well-beloved Friends, all live in Love and Peace, following the true Faith, peaceable and good Example of the Faithful in Christ, and the God of Love and Peace will be with you. Your true Friend and Brother, In CHRIST JESUS, George Whitehead. London, 1698. A COLLECTION Of many Select Epistles to Friends, OF THAT Ancient, Eminent and Faithful Minister of Jesus Christ GEORGE FOX. A Testimony, how the Lord sent G.F. forth at first, in the Year 1643. WHEN the Lord first sent me forth in the Year 1643. The Year when the Lord first sent G.F. forth to declare his Truth. I was sent as an Innocent Lamb (and Young in Years) amongst (Men in the Nature of) Wolves, Dogs, Bears, Lions and Tigers into the World, which the Devil had made like a Wilderness, no right Way then found out of it. And I was sent To Turn People from Darkness to the Light, which Christ, the Second Adam, did Enlighten them withal; that so they might see Christ, their Way to God, with the Spirit of God, which he doth pour upon all Flesh, that with it they might have an Understanding to know the Things of God, and to know him, and his Son Jesus Christ, which is Eternal Life; and so might worship and serve the Living God, their Maker and Creator, who takes Care for all, who is Lord of all; and with the Light and Spirit of God they might know the Scriptures, which were given forth from the Spirit of God in the Saints, and Holy Men and Women of God. And when many began to be turned to the Light (which is the Life in Christ) and the Spirit of God, which gave them an Understanding, and had found the Path of the Just, the Shining Light, than did the Wolves, Dogs, Dragons, Bears, Lions, Tigers, Wild Beasts and Birds of Prey make a Roaring and a Screeching Noise against the Lambs, Sheep, Doves and Children of Christ, and were ready to devour them and me, and to tear us to pieces. But the Lord's Arm and Power did preserve me; though many times I was in Danger of my Life, and very often cast into Dungeons and Prisons, and haled before Magistrates. But all things did work together for good: And the more I was cast into outward Prisons, the more People came out of their Spiritual and Inward Prison (through the Preaching of the Gospel) But the Priests and Professors were in such a great Rage, and made the Rude and Profane People in such a Fury, that I could hardly walk in the Streets, or go in the Highways, but they were ready ofttimes to do me a Mischief. But Christ, who hath all Power in Heaven and in the Earth, did so restrain and limit them with his Power, that my Life was preserved; though many times I was near killed. Oh! the Burdens and Travels, that I went under! Often my Life pressed down under the Spirits of Professors and Teachers without Life, and the Profane! And besides, the Troubles afterwards with Backsliders, Apostates and false Brethren, which were like so many Judas' in betraying the Truth, and God's Faithful and Chosen Seed, and causing the Way of Truth to be evil spoken of! But the Lord blasted, wasted and confounded them, so that none did stand long; for the Lord did either destroy them, or bring them to nought, and his Truth did flourish, and his People in it, to the Praise of God, who is the Revenger of his Chosen. G. F. Concerning the first Spreading of the Truth, and how that many were Imprisoned, etc. AND the Truth sprang up first (to us, as to be a People to the Lord) in Leicestershire in 1644. and in Warwickshire in 1645. and in Nottinghamshire in 1646. and in Darbyshire in 1647. and in the adjacent Countries in 1648. 1649. and 1650. and in Yorkshire in 1651. and in Lancashire and Westmoreland in 1652. and in Cumberland, and Bishopric, and Northumberland in 1653. and in London, and most parts of the Nation of England, and Scotland and Ireland in 1654. etc. And in 1655. many went beyond Seas, where Truth also sprang up. And in 1656. Truth broke forth in America, and many other places. And the Truth stood all the Cruelties and Sufferings, that were Inflicted upon Friends by the Long-Parliament (to the Spoiling of Goods, Imprisonment and Death, and over all the Reproaches, Lies and Slanders) and then by O. Protector, O. C. etc. and all the Acts that O. Protector made and his Parliaments, and his Son Richard after him; and the Committee of Safety. And after, it withstood and lasted out all the Acts and Proclamations since 1660. that the King came in. And still the Lord's Truth is over all, and his Seed reigns, and his Truth exceedingly spreads unto this Year, 1676. And Friends never feared their Acts, nor Prisons, nor Goals, nor Houses of Correction, nor Banishments, nor Spoiling of Goods; nay, nor Life itself. And there was never any Persecution, that came, but we saw, it was for Good; and we looked upon it to be Good, as from God: And there was never any Prisons, that I was in, or Sufferings, but still it was for the bringing Multitudes more out of Prison: For they that Imprisoned the Truth, and Quenched the Spirit in themselves, would prison it, and quench it without them. So that there was a Time, when there were so many in Prison, that it became as a Byword, Truth was scarcely any where to be found, but in Goals. And after that the King came in, divers Friends suffered much, because they would not Drink the King's Health, and say, Sufferings for not Drinking the King's Health. God bless the King; so that many times Friends were in Danger of their Lives by rude Persons, who were ready to run them through with their Swords for refusing it; until the King gave forth a Proclamation against Drinking Healths. For we were and are against all Drinking Healths and Excess, both before his Coming in, and after; and we desire the King's good, and that the Blessings of God might come upon him, and all his Subjects, and all People upon the Face of the Earth. And we did desire People not to Drink the King's Health, but let him have his Health, and all People else; and so to Drink for their own Health and Necessity only: For that way of Drinking Healths, and to Excess, was not for the King's Health, nor their own, nor any others. Which Excess often brought forth Quarrelling and Destroying one another; for they destroyed the Creation, and one another: And this was not for the King's Wealth, nor Health nor Honour; but might grieve him to have the Creatures destroyed, and his Subjects. And so, the Lord's Power gave us Dominion over that also, and all our other Sufferings. But Oh! the Number of Sufferers in the Common Wealth's , and in O. Protector's , and since! But especially they, that were haled before their Courts, for not paying Tithes, Sufferings for Tithes, etc. in O. C's days, etc. and not Swearing in their Juries, and for not putting off their Hats, and for going to Meetings on the First-Days (under pretence of breaking the Sabbath) and other Meetings in the Weekdays; who were abused both in the Meetings, and on the Highways! Oh, Sufferings for Meetings. how great were the Sufferings we then sustained upon these Accounts! For sometimes they would drive Friends by Droves into the Prison-houses (like Penfolds) and there keep them on the First-Days; and then take their Horses from them, and keep them for pretended Breach of their Sabbath: Though they would Ride in their Coaches, and upon their Fat Horses to the Steeple-houses themselves, and yet punish others. And many Friends were turned out of their Copyholds and Customary Tenements, because they could not Swear; And as they went to Meetings, they have been Stoned through the Streets, and cruelly abused otherwise. Sufferings for the Hat. And many were Fined with great Fines, and lay long in Prison for not putting off their Hats; but Friends could never pay them, though they kept them in Prison, till they had satisfied their own Wills upon them; and at last turned them out, after they had kept them a Year, or more, in Prisons. And many Friends were exceedingly spoiled in their Estates and Goods in the petty-Courts for Tithes, till we got a Prohibition and Demur out of the King's-Bench, that then threw the Trial of such things out of their petty-Courts, that they might sue for them in the Courts at London: And my Desire is, that the Lord may open their Understandings also (if it be his Will) to throw them out of those Courts also. And many Books I gave forth against Tithes, and how the Priesthood was changed, that took them: And that Christ sent forth his 12 (and after, 70) Disciples, and said unto them; Freely they had received, and freely they were to give. And so all that are Transgressor's, and do not obey the Doctrine and Command of Christ therein, we cannot receive them. And many suffered for not Swearing, Concerning not Swearing. both before and since the King came in; because they could not Swear in Obedience to the Command of Christ and the Apostles, who forbade all Swearing. And Tenths were offered up in the time of the Law; but all must be offered up in the time of the Gospel for Christ's sake. For there were no Tithes nor Swearing before the Fall; and so there are none again to be in the Restoration by Christ. And though Swearing was in the time of the Law; yet our Yea is to be Yea, and our Nay to be Nay in the time of the Gospel. And several Books I was moved to give forth against Swearing, and that our Yea and Nay might be taken instead of an Oath; and if we broke that, let us suffer the same Punishment, that they did, that broke their Oaths. And in Jamaica the Governor granted the thing, and the Assembly; Friend's Sufferings about Swearing, and something opened by G. F. concerning Oaths. and it is also granted in some other Places: And several of the Parliament-Men in England have acknowledged the Reasonableness of the thing. For the true Oath of God was but to tie People to swear by the Lord, and to say, and to do Truth, since Man and Woman fell, in the time of the Law, and not before the Fall: And this was the Oath, that Christ came to fulfil and end; and he saith, Swear not at all. And I say, Christ fulfils and ends this Oath, which Men were to perform to the Lord, who performs God's Oath, which he swore by himself, and fulfils that; and he sets up Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay instead thereof: Concerning which I and my Friends have written at large in our Books touching this Subject. And the Magistrates, after some time, when they saw our Faithfulness in Yea and Nay, they that were Moderate (both before and since the King came in) would put Friends into Offices without an Oath: But they that were Cruel and Envious, would fine Friends to get Money of them; though Friends could not pay them any. And thus the Lord's Power hath carried us through all, and over all, to his Everlasting Glory and Praise! For God's Power, which was before the Devil's was, hath been our Hedge, our Wall, and our Keeper, and the Preserver of his Plants and Vineyard, who have not had the Magistrate's Sword and Staff to help them, nor never trusted in the Arm of Flesh: And have gone without Judas his Bag, or the Magistrate's Sword and Staff to preach the Word of Life, which was in the Beginning, before they were; which Word reconciles to God. And Thousands have received the Word of Reconciliation, and are born again of the Immortal Seed by the Word of God, and are feeding upon the Milk of the Word, which lives, and abides, and endures for ever. And many have suffered to Death for their Testimony, both in England and beyond the Seas, both before and since the King came in; which ye may see, as followeth: This was given to the King and both Houses of Parliament, being A brief, and plain, and true Relation of the late and sad Sufferings of the People of God in scorn called Quakers, for worshipping and exercising a good Conscience towards God and Man. By reason whereof Eighty nine have suffered till Death (Thirty two of which died before the King came into England, and Fifty seven since, by hard Imprisonment and cruel Usage) Forty three have died in the City of London and Southwark, since the Act was made against Meetings, etc. (about 1661.) They have thus suffered; of which a more particular Account was given (with their Names, that did suffer) to the King and Parliament (about 1663.) And tho' divers Laws were designed against us, How Friends suffered, and of their Faithfulness; and concerning the Acts, that have been made, since the King came in. yet never could any of them justly touch us, neither did they truly concern us, tho' they did execute them unjustly upon us; and they knew, we were not the People justly chargeable; and some have been made to confess it. And all those Laws, that were already made, and the Oath, which they imprisoned us for (because we could not Swear at all, in Obedience to the Command of Christ Jesus) were never originally intended against us. And yet we suffered by the several Powers and their Laws (tho' they did not concern us) both spoiling of Goods and Imprisonments, even to Death itself. And the Governor of Dover Castle, when the King asked him, If he had dispersed all the Sectaries Meetings? He said, That he had; but the Quakers, the Devil himself could not: For if that he did Imprison them, and break them up, they would Meet again; and if he should beat them, and knock them down, or kill some of them, all was one; they would meet, and not resist again.— And thus the Lord's Power did support them, and keep them over their Persecutors; and made them to Justify our Patience and Lamblike Nature. This was about 1671. And since the King came in, Three Acts have been made against us by the King and Parliament, (besides the Proclamations) by which many have suffered Imprisonment, and Banishment, and many to Death. And yet for all these Acts and Proclamations, and Banishment, and Persecutions, and Sufferings, Faithful Friends are as fresh as ever, in the Lord's Power, and Valiant for his Name and Truth. And some Weak Ones there were, when the King came in, that did Swear, and take the Oaths; but after, when they had so done, they were sore troubled for disobeying the Command of Christ, and the Apostle, that they went to the Magistrates, and condemned themselves, and offered themselves to go to Prison. And thus the Lord, in his Everlasting Power, hath been the Support and Stay of his People. And when the Glorious Gospel and Truth was spread over the Nation, and they had received the Word of Life, Quarterly and Monthly Meetings set up. than first the Quarterly, and some Monthly Meetings, were settled throughout the Nation; and then after, as Truth more and more spread, the Monthly Mens-Meetings, in 1667 and 1668. And then also some Womens-Meetings were set up; and after the Womens-Meetings throughout the Nation, and other Nations were exhorted unto, and set up and established throughout the Nations. For I was sent for to many sick People: women's Meetings set up, and the occasion of it. And at one time I was sent for to White-Chappel, about the third Hour in the Morning, to a Woman, that was dying, and her Child; and the People was weeping about her. And after a while I was moved (in the Name and Power of Christ Jesus) to speak to the Woman; and she and her Child was raised up: And she got up, to the Astonishment of the People, when they came in, in the Morning; and her Child also was healed. And when I came to G. Roberts' House, about Eight in the Morning, there came in Sarah Blackberry to complain to me of the Poor, and how many poor Friends were in Want; and the Lord had showed me, what I should do, in his Eternal Power and Wisdom. How G.F. ordered Friends to Visit the Sick, etc. So, I spoke to her, to bid about Sixty Women to meet me about the first Hour in the Afternoon, at the Sign of the Helmet, at a Friend's House: And they did so accordingly, such as were sensible Women of the Lord's Truth, and fearing God. And what the Lord had opened unto me, I declared unto them, concerning their having a Meeting once a Week, every Second Day, that they might see and inquire into the Necessity of all poor Friends, The Service of Womens-Meetings. who were Sick and Weak, and were in Wants, or Widows and Fatherless in the City and Suburbs.) And so, they blessed the Lord for the Wisdom of God, that had settled such a Meeting in his Power amongst them: For they saw, that all that were Heirs of the Power of God, were to take their possession of the Power of God, the Gospel and its Order, which was, before the Devil was. And this brought them into the Practice of the pure Religion, and to Visit the Sick, and for the Relief of the Fatherless and the Widow, and to see, that nothing was lacking amongst them; and that they, in visiting the Sick in the Lord's Power and Word, through it they would have the Wisdom of the Lord, and of his Creation, and how to administer his Creatures, and by the same Power to heal and strengthen with the outward things, and without them. Which they have felt prosperous to this day; and great things have been done in their Meetings by the Lord's Power, and very honourable it hath been in the Eyes of all the Faithful, yea, and commendable in the World also. And afterwards the same Womens-Meetings were settled up and down the Nation, and beyond the Seas in the Power of the Lord, which was, before the Devil was; into which Power of the Lord no Sect nor Apostasy can come, but Peace and Unity. And the Power of the Lord, the Gospel, is the Authority of all the men's and women's Meetings, and all the Heirs of the Power, the Gospel, both Men and Women are to take their possessions of the Inheritance of the Power of God, which is over the Devil: So, in it nothing can get betwixt them and the Lord God. And at the Settling of the Mens-Meetings in the Gospel, the Power of God, A Mens-Meeting of the Primitive Christians. I let them see, how they had a Mens-Meeting in the first Conversion amongst the Primitive Christians, of such as were faithful Men, and full of the Holy Ghost; and these were to see in the Lord's Power and Wisdom, that nothing was lacking. For since the Christians denied the Jews Temple, 1650 Store-House and Priests, where the Widows, Strangers and Fatherless were relieved; they set up a Mens-Meeting in the Power of God, and in the Holy Ghost, (and they had Deaconnesses also) to see, that Widows, Fatherless and Strangers were relieved, and that nothing was wanting among them. Now, tho' this Practice hath been lost since the Apostles Days, since Men have gone from the Power of God, and the Holy Ghost, that the Apostles were in, (and therefore are the Streets and Country so full of Widows, Strangers and Beggars, From whence Wants come. and so full of Wants, who want the Sense of the good Spirit, and Power to open their Hearts, as the Apostles and Primitive Christians were in.) But the Everlasting Gospel being preached again by the same Holy Ghost, as the Apostles were in; and received from Heaven, as they received it; and many Thousands having received this Gospel now again, Mens-Meetings are set up (as were in the Days of the Apostles) in the Power of God, and in the Holy Ghost: And Womens-Meetings as Mothers, and that they may be Teachers of good Things, and so to see, that nothing be lacking amongst them; and so to do Good unto all, but especially to the Household of Faith. And now, the Power of God is the Authority of both our men's and Womens-Meetings, and all our other Meetings; which Power of God was, before the Apostasy was from the Apostles, and before the Fall and the Devil was, and is over all; and all are to take their Possessions of it, and in it to do God's Service and Business. So these Meetings are for the Converted and Elect, before the World began, and such as are Heirs of the Power, and do possess it; and what they do and act in the Spirit and Power of God, they do it in that, which shall never have an End, to the Glory of God for ever, Amen! G. F. UPon the Fourth Day of the First Month, 1650, I felt the Power of the Lord to spread over all the World in Praise. Praise, Honour and Glory be to the Lord of Heaven and Earth, Lord of Peace, Lord of Joy! Thy Countenance maketh my Heart glad, Lord of Glory, Lord of Mercy, Lord of Strength, Lord of Life and Power over Death, and Lord of Lords, and King of Kings! In the World there are Lords many, but to us there is but one God the Father, of whom are all things; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things: To whom be all Glory, who is Worthy! The Earth maketh Lords. In the World are many Lords, and many Gods, and the Earth maketh Lords, coveting after Riches, and oppressing the Creatures; and so, the Covetous Mind getting to itself, Lords it above others. This Nature of Lordly Pride is Head, until subdued by the Power of God: For every one (in that State) doth strive to be above another; few will strive to be the lowest. O that every one would strive to put down (in themselves) Mastery and Honour, that the Lord of Heaven and Earth might be exalted! G. F. Friends, FOrsake the Company of wild People, and choose the Company of sober Men, Epist. 1. and that will be Creditable in the End. And choosing the Company of wild and light People, To shun ill Company. which delight in vain Fashions and ill Courses, is dangerous, and of a bad Report among sober People; for the Eyes of such will be upon you: And if they see, ye are wild, ye will come under their Censure. Therefore love Gravity, and Soberness and Wisdom, that doth preserve. G. F. Friends, THE Children of the Devil, Epist. 2. how expert are they in Evil, in all Deceit in his Kingdom; and yet they may speak of the things of God: but no Vulturous Eye nor Venomous Beast ever trod in the Steps of the Just, though they may talk of the Way. For who have their Conversation in this World, and only mind the Things of this World, in vain do they profess Godliness. But the Children of God, who are conceived and begotten of him, are not of this World, neither do they mind only the Things of this World, but the Things which are Eternal: But the Children of this World do mostly mind the External Things, The World's Love. and their Love is in them, and the other live by Faith; the one is sanctified by the Word, the other painted with the Words. The Children of God are pure in Heart, not looking only at the Outside: The Favour of the World and Friendship thereof is Enmity to God, Man may soon be stained with it. O love the Stranger, and be as Strangers in the World, and to the World! For they that followed Christ in his Cross, they were Strangers in the World, and Wonders to the World, and condemned by the World; and the World knew him not, neither doth it them that follow him now. So, marvel not, if the World hate you; for the World lieth in hatred and wickedness. Who love this World, are Enemies to Christ; and who love the Lord Jesus Christ, and have him for their Lord over them, they are Redeemed out of the World. The World would have a Christ, but not to rule over them; the Nature of the World is above Christ in Man, until Christ hath subdued that Nature in Man. While the Nature of the World doth rule in Man, Oh the deaf Ears and blind Eyes, and the Understandings, that are all shut up amongst them, with which they Judge! But who love the Lord Jesus Christ, do not mind the World's Judgement, nor are troubled at it; but consider all our Brethren, who have gone before us. When ye think ye are passed all Crosses, when the Trial doth come, ye will find a Cross to that Will, which doth meddle with the things of God presumptuously; that Man may live in Joy, but the Spirit is in Bondage. Fleshly Boastings. Rejoice not in the Flesh, but in the Spirit, which crucifieth all fleshly Boastings; if that Will be fed, than Carelessness cometh up, and they fall into Flatness (from the Spirit) and are mindless of the Lord God; such are soon up and down. The Serpent tempted Eve to eat of the forbidden Fruit, and she took and gave to her Husband, and so they fell under the Serpent's Power, and the Creatures, out of the Power of God, which would have kept them in Dominion: And so, Adam and Eve, and the Serpent, all went out of Truth. And Eve eating of the Tree of Knowledge, she had Knowledge and Wisdom after the Fall, but not in the Dominion, in the Power of God: But the Seed Christ, which was in the Beginning, bruiseth this Serpent's Head, and he is the Wisdom of God. G. F. Friends, THere is an Eye, that hath looked to see the good Seed, Epist. 3. that was sown, and queried, from whence came these Tares? A little Note of G. F. to Friends at first The Answer was and is; The wicked One hath sown them. Now read the Tares, and what is the Effect of them, and their Work? And what they do, and have done? How they hang amongst the Wheat? But now is the time of Harvest, that both Wheat and Tares are seen, and each distinguished, the one from the other. G. F. All Friends, MInd that which is pure in you to guide you to God, out of Babylon, Epist. 4. out of Confusion, there all the World is; About 1651. there is the Seat of the Beast, there are the false Prophets and Deceivers, as well within as without. One Voice of Deceit knows not another, nor none of them the Voice of the Living God. But, Dear Friends, mind the Light of God in your Consciences, which will show you all Deceit; dwelling in it, guides out of the many things into one Spirit, which cannot lie, nor deceive: They that are guided by it, are one, who have been made to drink into one Spirit; and the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets. God is not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace: All Jarrings, all Schisms, all Rents are out of the Spirit, for God hath tempered the Body together, that there should be no Schism in the Body, but all worship him with one Consent. And as the Power and Life of Truth is made manifest, watch in the Discerning one over another. And beware of discouraging any in the Work of God: The Labourers are few. The Labourers are few, that are faithful for God. Take heed of hurting the Gift, which God hath given to profit withal, whereby ye have received Life through Death, and a Measure of Peace by the Destruction of Evil. Pray, that Peace may be multiplied, and the Ministration of Life, to the raising of the Dead, that the Seed of the Woman may bruise the Serpent's Head, discover all Deceit, and rend all Vails and Cover, that the Pure may come to Life, which Deceit hath trampled upon. And all take heed to your Spirits; that which is hasty, discerns not the Good Seed. Take heed of being corrupted by Flatteries; they that know their God, shall be strong. But take heed of labouring to turn the Just aside for a thing of nought, but know the Precious from the Vile, the Clean from the Unclean; These shall be as my Mouth, saith the Lord, for his Work is great, and his Gifts divers. And therefore all mind your Gift, mind your Measure; mind your Calling and your Work. Some speak to the Conscience; some plough and break the Clods; some weed out, and some sow; some wait, that Fowls devour not the Seed. But wait all for the Gathering of the Simple-hearted one's; for They that turn many to Righteousness, shall shine for ever. Mind the Light, that all may be refreshed one in another, and all in one. And the God of Power and Love keep all Friends in Power, in Love, that there be no Surmising, but pure Refresh in the unlimited Love of God, which makes one another known in the Conscience, to read one another's Hearts: Being comprehended into this Love, Oneness. it is Inseparable, and all are here one. And keep in the Oneness, and note them that cause Dissension, contrary to the Gospel ye have received; that one pure Faith may be held in all, to guide and preserve all in the Unity of the Spirit and Bond of Peace; all one Family of Love, Children of one Father, and of the Household of God. G. F. DEar Father and Mother in the Flesh, Epist. 5. but not of that Birth, which speaks to you: For like to that which doth beget, is that which is begotten; Praises, Praises be given to my Heavenly Father, who hath begotten me again by the Immortal Word. To that of God in you both I speak, and do beseech you both for the Lord's sake, to Return within, and wait to hear the Voice of the Lord there; and waiting there, and keeping close to the Lord, a Discerning will grow, that ye may distinguish the Voice of the Stranger, when ye hear it. Oh! be faithful, be faithful to the Lord in that ye know; for in the Buckstider the Lord hath no pleasure, neither shall their Damnation slumber. Oh! be Faithful! Look not back, nor be too forward, further than ye have attained; for ye have no Time, but this present Time: Therefore prise your Time for your Soul's sake. And so, grow up in that which is Pure, and keep to the Oneness; then shall my Joy be full. So Far ye well! And the Lord God of Power keep you in his Power! To him be Praises for evermore! G. F. Friends, NO one is Justified, Epist. 6. breaking the Commands of Christ; no one is Justified, Who they are that are not Justified. living in Iniquity; and no one is Justified in professing only Christ's Words, and the Prophets, and the Apostles Words, and living out of their Lives: And no one is Justified living in the first Birth and Nature, and false Faith and Hope, which doth not purify, as God is pure. No Man is Justified not believing in the Light, as Christ commands, but with the Light is condemned; for the Light is the Condemnation of all them, that walk contrary to it: Therefore the Power of God mind. No Man is Justified, acting contrary to that Spirit, which doth convince them. G. F. To Friends at Swarthmoore. Friends, LOve that which Judgeth the Carnal Mind, Epist. 7. and Crosseth it, which maketh an Entrance to God, and keepeth you open; and than Refreshment will come into your Souls from the Lord. Dwell in the Power, and know the Power of Words in one another; and take heed of Deceit: Farewell. And the God of Love and Power keep you to himself! G. F. Dear Friends, THose that will live Godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer Persecution. Epist. 8. God is Righteous, God is Pure, Holy and Just; God is Clean. He that is Godly and Holy, suffereth by the Ungodly and Unrighteous, The Just suffereth by the Unjust. and Unclean, and Unjust, and Filthy: And so, the Just suffereth by the ; and he that is born of the Flesh, persecutes him that is born of the Spirit. G. F. Friends, THat which is set up by the Sword, is held up by the Sword; Epist. 9 and that which is set up by Spiritual Weapons, About 1652. is held up by Spiritual Weapons, and not by Carnal Weapons. The Lamb shall have the Victory. The Peacemaker hath the Kingdom, and is in it; and hath the Dominion over the Peace-Breaker, to calm him in the Power of God. And Friends, Let the Waves break over your Heads: There is rising a new and living Way out of the North, which makes the Nations like Waters. Hurt not the Vines, nor the Oil, nor such as know, that the Earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof. The Days of Virtue, Love and Peace are come and coming, and the Lamb had and hath the Kings of the Earth to war withal, and to fight withal, who will overcome with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of his Mouth; for the Lamb shall have the Victory. And are not some like Ephraim, with a miscarrying Womb? Which have not brought forth the Substance, the Birth from above; Hos. 9.13, 14. but have brought forth Children to Murder? G. F. To Friends, to stand still in Trouble, and see the Strength of the Lord. Friends, WHatever ye are addicted to, Epist. 10. the Tempter will come in that thing; and when he can trouble you, than he gets Advantage over you, and then ye are gone. Stand still in that which is pure, after ye see yourselves; and then Mercy comes in. After thou seest thy Thoughts, and the Temptations, do not think, but submit; and then Power comes. Stand still in that which shows and discovers; and there doth Strength immediately come: And stand still in the Light, and submit to it, and the other will be hushed and gone; and then Content comes. And when Temptations and Troubles appear, sink down in that which is pure, and all will be hushed, and fly away. Your Strength is to stand still, after ye see yourselves; whatsoever ye see yourselves addicted to, Temptations, Corruption, Uncleanness, etc. then ye think, ye shall never Overcome. And Earthly Reason will tell you, what ye shall lose; harken not to that, but stand still in the Light, that shows them to you, and then Strength comes from the Lord, and Help, contrary to your Expectation: Then ye grow up in Peace, and no Trouble shall you move. David fretted himself, when he looked out; but when he was still, no Trouble could him move: When your Thoughts are out, abroad, then Troubles move you: But come to stay your Minds upon that Spirit, which was before the Letter; here ye learn to read the Scriptures aright. If ye do any thing in your own Wills, than ye tempt God; but stand still in that Power, which brings Peace. G. F. DEar Hearts, Epist. 11. Brethren and Babes of Christ, wait to feed on the Immortal Food, and walk in the Truth, and God Almighty be among you! And in it ye will see him; stand all naked, bare and uncovered before the Lord. And take heed of your Wills, for that (as Herod) slayeth the Just, and shipwrecks the Faith, and runs you into the Flesh. Return back, and stay yourselves upon the Lord every particular, to have your Minds guided by his Spirit; growing up in that which is Precious and Immortal, there is no feigned Love. So, the Eternal God keep you in his Eternal Love pure unto himself, and naked, and knit your Hearts together! God Almighty bless you, and water you with the Showers of his Mercy, and with the Dew of Heaven! G. F. Friends, IF ye love the Light, Epist. 12. and walk in it, ye love Christ, and will all walk in Unity together: And if ye hate the Light, ye hate Christ: Here is your Teacher, The Light is the Teacher. who love it; here is your Condemnation, who hate the Light. And the Conscience being feared, there is a Returning to Teachers without: For the Carnal will have its vain invented Form; but the Spirit's Form stands in the Power: Prove yourselves, where ye are.) G. F. To the Flock of God about Sedburgh. EVery one in your Measure wait upon God, Epist. 13. who is the true Shepherd, and leads his Flock into the green Pastures, and fresh Springs he opens daily; this ye will see and experience. And mind that which is pure in one another, which joins you together; for nothing will join, To wait in the Measure of God. or make fit, but what is pure; nor unite, nor build, but what is pure. Therefore every particular, fear God; for whatsoever ye build (of yourselves) will not stand, but will tumble down again; altho' it be as Gold, or Silver, or Brass, or Iron, the strength of all these things, which is above the Pure (in you) will come to nothing, and this will not unite with the pure. Therefore wait every one in the Measure, which God hath given you; and none of you be Sayers (only) but Doers of the Word: And so, walk in the Truth, and be ye all Servants to it, and it will lead you out of the World. The World would have the Truth to serve them to talk of, to trade withal, and to contend withal; these are the Wells without Water, these are the Trees without Fruit: But who dwell in the Spirit of the Lord (which is pure, which joins together, and unites and builds up all in one Spirit) see all these things, and are separated from them. So if ye live in the Spirit, and walk in it, ye will not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh, which will lead into Uncleanness, and into Adultery, and into that which despiseth Dignity, which defiles the Flesh, and goes from the pure. Therefore the pure Faith is to be contended for; and those who were sanctified by God the Father, did contend for it, and were preserved by it in Christ Jesus. (Therefore wait upon God for the living Bread, that never fades away; which he that eats of, lives for ever. So God Almighty bless you, and keep you in the Measure of his Gift, faithful to himself!) Dear Hearts, to that which is pure in you, I speak (which the presumptuous Mind would veil) that God alone may be exalted, and all Flesh shattered down. And all to take warning, and not one to exalt himself above another; but that God alone may be exalted among you all, and in you all, who alone is blessed for ever. And ye may see, from whence your heavenly Food comes alone, and grow up by it; for God hath done great Things in these Northern Parts, and the Lord is doing great Things to the Exaltation of his Great Name, and astonishing the Heathen; notwithstanding the raging of the Beast, and the opening of his Mouth, to the Blaspheming of God and his Temple. Therefore all be Valiant in the Lord God; and so Far ye well! And the Lord God of Power keep you! G. F. A Word from the Lord to Friends. ALL Friends, Epist. 14. that are grown up in the Life and Power of the Truth, see that when ye appoint your Meetings in any open Place, in the Fields, on the Moors, or on the Mountains, Concerning appointing Meetings. that none appoint Meetings in your own Wills; for that lets in the Wills of the World upon the Life of Friends, and so ye come to suffer by the World. But at such Meetings let the Wisdom of God guide you, that some may be there to preserve the Truth from suffering by the World; that all Burdens may be kept off, and taken away: So will ye grow pure and strong. And when there are any Meetings in unbroken Places, ye that go to Minister to the World, take not the whole Meeting of Friends with you thither, to suffer with and by the World's Spirit; but let Friends keep together, and wait in their own Meetingplace: So will the Life (in the Truth) be preserved, and grow. And let Three, or Four, or Six, that are grown up, and are strong (in the Truth) go to such unbroken Places, and thresh the Heathenish Nature; and there is true Service for the Lord: And to you all this is the Counsel of the Lord! The Grace of God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, be with your Spirits! Amen. G. F. To the Church of God in Lancashire. Friends, EVery one in particular, who are of God, and not of the World, Epist. 15. walk out of the World's vain Customs, Ordinances and Commands; and stand a Witness against them all, in the Testimony of Jesus, and witness him the Substance of all, waiting in the Light of God, and walking in it, then will ye have Unity one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse you from all Sin; for through it and by it we do overcome; which Blood of the new Covenant is but one: There shall ye witness the Lamb of God, that takes away the Sins of the World. Oh, wait all in that which is pure, to be fed alone of God with the Eternal, Living Food! Go not out among the Swine, who feed upon the Outside, the Husk, among the Merchants of Babylon, and so forsake the living Bread; but as ye have received Christ Jesus, in him walk, that ye may all honour the Lord Jesus Christ, and adorn his Gospel. And be famous in his Light, and bold in his Strength, which will carry you above the World, and above all the Deceits of it. Oh, in Love watch over one another for good, and for the better, and not for the worse! And dwell in that which is pure of God in you, lest your Thoughts get forth; and then evil Thoughts get up, and Surmising one against another, which ariseth out of the veiled Mind, which darkens the pure Discerning. But as ye dwell in that, which is of God, it guides you up out of the Elementary Life, and out of the Mortal into the Immortal (which is hid from all the fleshly ones) where is Peace and Joy Eternal to all, that can witness the new Birth. Babes in Christ, born again of the Immortal Seed, in it wait, my Life is with you in perfect Unity; bow down to nothing, but the Lord God. Bow down to nothing but the Lord. Satan would have had Christ to have bowed down, but he would not; the same Seed now, the same Birth born in you now, which is the same to day, yesterday, and for ever. The Tempter will come to you; and if ye look forth, and hearken to his Words, and let them in, than ye bow down under him, and worship him. But I say unto you, and charge you in the Presence of the Lord, Mind the pure Seed of God in you, and the mighty Power of God will cherish you up to the Lord God above all Temptations, not to bow down to any thing; but feeding upon the Immortal Food, ye will feel yourselves supported, and carried over him by your Father and your God, why is over all, blessed for ever! Who is the Virtue of all Creatures, the Wisdom of all Things; all Holy Praises be unto the Holy, Glorious Lord God for ever! G. F. TO all you, Epist. 16. My dear Friends, who have tasted of the immediate, working Power of the Lord, and do find an Alteration in your Minds, and do see, from whence Virtue doth come, and Strength, that doth renew the Inward Man, and doth refresh you; which draws you in Love to forsake the World, and that which hath Form and Beauty in it to the Eye of the World; and hath turned your Minds within, which see your Houses foul, and Corruptions strong, and the Way narrow and strait, which leads to Life Eternal: To you all I say, Wait upon God in that which is pure. Tho' you see little, and know little, and have little, and see your Emptiness, and see your Nakedness, and Barrenness, and Unfruitfulness, and see the Hardness of your Hearts, and your own Unworthiness; it is the Light, that discovers all this, and the Love of God to you, and it is that which is Immediate, but the dark Understanding cannot comprehend it. So, wait upon God in that which is pure, in your Measure, and stand still in it every one, to see your Saviour, to make you free from that, which the Light doth discover to you (to be Evil.) For the Voice of the Bridegroom is heard in our Land; and Christ is come amongst the Prisoners, The Prisoner of Hope. to visit them in the Prison-Houses; they have all Hopes of Releasement and free Pardon, and to come out freely, for the Debt is paid; wait for the Manifestation of it, and he that comes out of Prison, shall reign. So, Meet together all ye, that fear the Lord God, and think upon his Name, his Mercies endure for ever; his Mercies are in Temptatations and Troubles, his Mercies are in Afflictions, in Reproaches and in Scorns. Therefore rejoice, ye Simple ones, which love Simplicity, and meet and wait together to receive Strength and Wisdom from the Lord God; and in departing from Sin and Evil, ye will be able to speak to the Praise of the Lord: And meeting and waiting in his Power, which ye have received, in it all to Improve your Measure, that God hath given you; for ye never Improve your Measure, so long as ye rely upon any visible thing without you; Labour in Love. but when ye come alone to wait upon God, ye shall every one have a Reward according to your Deserts, and every one your Penny, who are called into the Vineyard to labour. (Therefore be faithful to God, and mind that which is committed to you, as faithful Servants labouring in Love; some Threshing, and some Ploughing, and some to keep the Sheep): He that can receive this, let him: And all to watch over one another in the Spirit of God. So God Almighty bless, guide and prosper you unto his Kingdom, where there is no Tribulation. When your Minds run into any thing outwardly, without the Power, it covers and vails the pure in you. G. F. Dear Friends, PRize your Time, Epist. 17. and the Love of the Lord to your Souls above all things; The Light show Sin and Evil. and mind that Light in you, that shows you Sin and Evil. Which checks you, when ye speak an evil Word, and tells you, that ye should not be proud, nor wanton, nor fashion yourselves like unto the World; for the fashion of this World passeth away. And if ye harken to that, it will keep you in Humbleness of Mind, and Lowliness of Heart, and turn your Minds within, to wait upon the Lord, to be guided by it; and bring you to lay aside all Sin and Evil, and keep you faithful to the Lord; and bring you to wait on him for Teaching, till an Entrance thereof be made to your Souls, There is your Teacher, the Light, obeying it; there is your Condemnation, disobeying it. If ye harken to the Light in you, it will not suffer you to conform to the evil Ways, Customs, Fashions, Delights and Vanities of the World; and so lead you to Purity, to Holiness, to Uprightness, even up to the lord Dear Hearts, harken to it, to be guided by it. For if ye love the Light, ye love Christ; if ye hate that, ye hate Christ. Therefore in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ consider of it; and the Lord open your Understandings to know him!) G. F. ALL Dear Friends every where, Epist. 18. who have tasted of the Everlasting Power, and are made Partakers of his Divine Nature, Be faithful, An Exhortation to Faithfulness. and dwell in that which is Pure. And take heed of the World's evil Ways, Words, Worships, Customs and Fashions; neither let fair Speeches draw you out, nor hard Speeches trouble you and make you afraid: But fear the Lord God of Heaven and Earth, who by his mighty Power upholds all things. And be bold in the Power of Truth, and valiant for it upon the Earth; treading, triumphing over, and trampling all Deceit under Foot, inward and outward; having done it in yourselves in particular, ye have Power over the World in general. And Meet together , and keep the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace; which Circumciseth Inwardly, and puts off the Body of Sin, and Baptiseth all into one Body with one Spirit. And being written all in one another's Heart, have all one Voice, and the pure Language of Truth, where, in all plainness of Speech, things may be spoken in Nakedness of Heart one unto another, in the Eternal Unity in one Spirit, which draws off and weans you from all things, that are Created and External (which fade and pass away) up to God, the Fountain of Life, and Head of all things; to whom be Glory, Wisdom, Riches and Honour, God blessed for ever! Who hath blessed us, and given to us Eternal Life, and this Life is in his Son; and he that hath the Son, hath the Father also. And that which the World doth profess and make a Trade withal, the Saints do enjoy and possess; which the World doth not know, but in the Letter. And all Friends and Brethren, in what ye know, be faithful, rejoicing and praising the Lord with all Thankfulness, that the wise God should Call you, and Elect you. Oh! dwell in Love in your Hearts to God, and one to another! And the God of Love and Life keep you all in his Power, and Love, and Spirit to himself, that ye may all be kept pure, and stand pure and clean before him. The Work and Harvest of the Lord is great: My Prayers to God are for you, that ye may be faithful, and be kept faithful in the Work. G. F. Dear and tender Friends, MY Love is to you all in the Truth of God; Epist. 19 and my Prayers and Soul's Desire is to God, To Friends in Truth. that ye may be kept in the Simplicity of the Truth in Christ Jesus, growing up in the Power of his Resurrection, and to be made Conformable to his Death, and to have Fellowship with him in his Sufferings; and that all your Hearts may be knit together in Love, and in one Spirit to God, and be kept out of all the World's evil Customs, Fashions, Words, Works, Manners, Ordinances and Commandments, which will all perish, which the World holdeth up in the Carnal Mind, The Carnal Eye and Mind. and the Carnal Man doth act them. For whatsoever is seen with a Carnal Eye, is Carnal: See, if ye do find something in your Understandings made manifest, which is Eternal, to guide your Minds out of all External things, which whither away, and fade. For the Cross is to the Carnal Mind; your (Carnal) Minds going into the Carnal and Earthly things, or your Eyes and Lusts into the Earth, where Lightness, Rashness, Crossness, Bitterness and Presumption is, than the Tongae will run at random, and is at liberty; and he that hath not Power over his own Tongue, his Religion is vain, and the light Mind ruleth. But the Light within, which doth convince thee, it will show thee, when the Mind goeth forth; and show thee the daily Cross, which is to Crucify that Carnal Mind: For the Carnal Mind minds Carnal Things; and the Cross is to the Will of Man, for it shall never enter. Therefore give not way to your Wills, nor busy yourselves nor Minds with needless and careless Words, or such things, for they will veil you, and draw your Minds from God: But keep within. And when they shall say, Christ is within. Lo here, or Lo there is Christ, go not forth; for Christ is within you: And they are Seducers and Anti-christs', which draw your Minds out from the Teaching, within you. For the Measure is within, and the Light of God is within, and the Pearl is within you, which is hid; and the Word of God is within you, and ye are the Temples of God; and God hath said, he will dwell in you, and walk in you: And then what need ye go to the Idols-Temples without you? The true Church (the Saints) is in God; but the Imitation of the Church is in the World, without God. The Seducers are in the World; Anti-christs' and Deceivers are in the World, and false Prophets are in the World; and Covetousness is in the World, and all Hypocrisy, and all Heresy, and Dissimulation, and all Pride, and looking for Honour is in the World; and he that seeketh for it, is of the Devil. And all idle, foolish Jesting, and all light, vain Talking, which is not seemly nor convenient, is in the World. Therefore lay aside all Filthiness and Superfluity of naughtiness, and fear God, and give Glory to him, and worship not the Beast; for the Beast and the false Prophet must be cast into the Lake of Fire. The true Figures and Types were outward, and visible to the outward Eye and Mind; but the Carnal Mind is to be taken away, and destroyed. For the Figures did Type forth the Substance; when the Substance was come, the Figures were taken away, and Types were ended. And the (false) Imitations of Christ and of God are in the World; and the vain Worships of the World are the Worships of the Beast, and are not of God. For God is a Spirit; and he that worships him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth. The Beastly Nature in Man and Woman holdeth up the Beast, and his Customs and Worships; and the Plagues of God are to be poured upon the Beast, and all them that worship the Beast and false Prophet. And they that abide in the Truth, worship not the Beast Inwardly, nor Outwardly, The Worship of the Beast denied. but deny all the Beast's Worships and false Prophets, and worship God in Spirit and Truth. And they which do not abide in the Truth, hold up the Beast's Worship, and the false Prophets; and they that do so, shall have their Portion together: Plagues will be poured upon such. And ye that know God, dwell in the Truth, and tread upon the Deceit; for God will be Glorified alone: To whom be Glory and Honour for ever! Amen. G. F. TO all my Dear Brethren, Epist. 20. whom the God of Power hath enlightened with his Eternal Light, and discovered unto you his Way of Truth, and brought you out of the dark ways, wherein ye have walked; which dark ways all the World walks in: But where the pure Light of God is witnessed, it guides to himself. The Light is but one, which leads out of Darkness and the dark World, into the World which is without End. Therefore all Friends and Brethren in the Eternal Truth of GOd, walk in it up to God, and be not Sayers (only) nor Backsliders; for the Backslider is a Sayer, and not a Doer, and there ariseth Ambition, Pride and Presumption out of that Nature. But dwell in the pure Light, which God hath made manifest to you in your Understanding, and turn your Minds to him, and walk as Children of the Light, The Backslider, a Sayer. and of the Day, and be not Drunken in any thing, nor run not to Extremes in any thing; but be Moderate and Patiented. Wait for the Presence of the Great God, and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and be not so Childish, as to be tossed with men's Words without Life. And run not out after others Liberties, which they have got into their Notions; for thou that dost so, wilt not abide in the Truth; and so thou may'st come to be shaken, and shake others, who look at Words. But wait every one in particular (in the Measure, that God hath given you) upon God, in the Fear of God, than your Hearts will be kept clean; and this is the sure Way. (And wait all to have the Son made manifest in you, and the Son alone to set you free in yourselves in particular; The Son makes free. and all that are made free by the Son, are one. But the first Nature, that would have Liberty, must go into Captivity; which they, that live in their Carnal Reasoning, seek Freedom for: But here is Man deceived in his first Birth.) But ye all, in whom the Immortal Seed is brought to Light, who are raised up to sit in heavenly Places with Christ Jesus, and are become Children of the Day, walk as Children of the Day, and as Children of the Light, and Let your Light so shine before Men, that they may glorify your Father, which is in Heaven. All loving the Light, ye love the one thing, which gathers your Hearts together to the Fountain of Light and Life; and walking in it, ye have Unity one with another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth you from all Sin. The Knowledge of the Letter, The Knowledge of the Letter. which you formerly got into your Notions and Comprehensions, the dark Mind gave dark Meanings to it, and so kept you in the Broad Way; but now wait all, to have the same Spirit manifested in your Understandings, which was in them, which gave forth the Scriptures, who were come out of the Broad Way, Holy Men of God, who had escaped the Pollutions of the World. And if every particular of you know not a Principle within, which is of God, to guide you to wait upon God, ye are still in your own Knowledge, which is brutish and sensual: But waiting all upon God in that which is of God, ye are kept open to receive the Teachings of God. And the pure Wisdom and knowledge is that, True Wisdom and Knowledge. which comes from above, which is to know God, and Jesus Christ, the Way, which is hidden from the World; and to walk out of your own Ways, and out of your own Thoughts. And dwelling in that which is pure, up to God, it commands your own Reason to keep silent, and to cast your own Thoughts out; and dwelling in that which is pure, it discovereth all this. So dwelling in the Spirit, it keepeth all your Hearts to God: To whom be all Praise, Honour and Glory for ever! From Judge Fell 's in Lancastire ' the 31st of the 11th Month, 1652. G. F. To Friends at Kendal. TO that of God in you I do speak, Epist. 21. that ye may watch over the Weak, and see, how the Plants of the Lord do grow. And walk in the Joy and Love of the Truth, Watch over the Weak. serving God with Joyfulness of Heart; and to you this is the Word of the Lord. And keep all that is bad, down and out with the Light, which condemns all Ungodliness; so keep all that out, which is for Condemnation; that ye may all be preserved clean and pure, that out of Condemnation ye may be kept, and walk in the living Light. So God Almighty be with you all! And I charge you to read this among the Brethren, and these Words mind with the Light, that no Looseness be amongst you; but own and be obedient to the Commands of the Lord, that ye may stand out of, and above all the contrary Commands of Man. And so Farewell. G. F. OH Friends, Epist. 22. keep close to the Light in you, and do not look forth at Words, that proceed from a vain and light Mind; but at the Power of Words. The Power of Words. For the Words of God, that proceed from him, are Powerful and Mighty in Operation, to the throwing down of all the strong Holds of the man of Sin. The Lord is coming in Power, to gather his Chosen one's to himself, and to Judge and Condemn the wicked One for evermore. He will plague the Beast, and burn the Whore, and plague and torment the Disobedient, and Rebellious and Backsliders very sore: Therefore ye that know the Voice of the Lord, harken to it, and see, how ye stand in his Fear, and how ye are brought into the Obedience of the Truth. And take heed of looking forth at Man; but keep close to the Light in you, and see, that your Minds be kept close to that, and guided by that; and being guided by that, it will keep you clear and pure to receive the Teaching of the Lord. Have Salt in yourselves, and let your Words be few and seasoned, Words few and savoury: that they may be savoury. And watch over one another in Love, and walk in Wisdom and Sobriety, and Gravity, and Sincerity, in Purity and Cleanness. And keep free from Deceit, and have no Fellowship with the unfruitful works of Darkness, but rather reprove them. And be Faithful to the Lord; walk so, as the World may be confounded and ashamed, when they speak evil of you, as Evil-Doers; walking in Humbleness, Lowliness and Uprightness before them, it will take away all just Occasion of speaking Evil against the Truth. And be bold and valiant for the Truth, and press forward, towards the Mark of the Price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus, and let no Man take your Crown. Dear Friends, watch over one another in Love, and stir up that which is pure in one another, and exhort one another daily. And the Lord keep you all in his Fear, and in his Obedience now and evermore! G. F. FRiends, Fear not the Powers of Darkness, but keep your Meetings, and meet in that, Epist. 23. which keeps you over them; and in the Power of God ye will have Unity. And Dwell in Love and Unity one with another, and know one another in the Power of an Endless life, which doth not change. And know the Second Adam, The first and second Adam. the Lord from Heaven, which is above the First Adam, the Earthly, where all Strife and Transgression is. And all Friends every where, be Faithful in the Life and Power of God, and keep your Meetings (above all the World) in that which changes not, that nothing but Christ may reign among you, the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God, the Sanctification and Redemption; that the Just over all may reign, and the Seed of God may have the Dominion in you all; that with that ye may all be ordered to the Glory of God, Love thinks no Evil. and kept in the Bond of Peace, and reign in the love of God, (which is out of the Iniquity, and rejoiceth not in it) which thinks no Evil. And have this Love shed abroad in all your Hearts, and feel it abiding in you; which Love of God edifies the Body. And know the Word of God abiding in you, The Word of God, its Effects. which was in the beginning, and brings to the Beginning; which Word being engrafted, it saves the Soul, and hammers down, and throws down and burns up that which wars against it. G. F. TO all Friends every where, Epist. 24. Dwell in the Truth, and walk in the Love of the Truth, in Patience, and every one in your Measure keep your Habitations, and learn that good Lesson of Jesus Christ, To be Low and Meek in heart, giving no Occasion to the Adversary by Evil-doing. Walk Uprightly. But walk all honestly and uprightly; for the Upright and Meek in Heart know God, and God delights in the Upright and Righteous. And walking in Uprightness, ye will be bold, as Lions, resisting the Wicked with your Spiritual Weapons, not by bloody Hands, as the Wicked are tearing and rending the Just, that dwell in the Truth. For the Lion's want and hunger, and rage; but ye that fear the Lord, shall want no good thing; and they that wait upon the Lord, he will give them their hearts Desire. I witness the Words of the Lord to be true, praised be his Name! O Friends, dwell in the Fear of the Lord, and take heed of Presumption, Presumption. that your Minds run not out into Vanity and Lightness, that the World may not take Occasion, and the Truth suffer. But every one keep your Habitation, where God hath called you; and take heed of Deceit, and form nothing in your own Wills or Minds, but grow up in the Inner Man (putting off the Old Man with his Deeds) as Trees of Righteousness, which the Lord hath planted, growing in Wisdom and Understanding to do the Will of God, and not your own Wills. He that doth the Will of God, abideth in that, which endureth for ever, and seethe all Flesh to be as Grass, and the Glory of the World to pass away. woe to the Proud. woe unto you proud Men, who Compass the Earth, to set your Nests on high; all your Gods of Gold and Silver must perish, and that Mind that holds them up, must perish. But all Friends, mind that which is Eternal, which gathers your Hearts together up to the Lord, and lets you see, that ye are written in one another's Heart; Meet together every where, growing up in the Spirit to the Lord, the Fountain of Life, the head of all things, God blessed for ever! Let not hard Words trouble you, nor fair Speeches win you; but dwell in the Power of Truth, in the mighty God, and have Salt in yourselves to savour all Words, and to stand against all the Wiles of the Devil, in the mighty Power of God. For God that raised up his own Seed in his Saints, which Seed Christ is but one in all, and spreads over all, and throughout all; and we now are through him come to have Dominion and Power over the Evil-One, and to tread upon that, which hath been too strong for us, the Enemy of our Peace, and the Enemy of our Unity with God and one with another. Our Unity with God, and one with another. So in that, which is raised up in us, which trampleth upon the Earthly, dark Power, have we Unity with God, and Fellowship with his Son, and Unity one with another; so known to one another in that, which none, who are of the World, knoweth. So our Life is hid, and our Happiness, Joy and Delight hid from all, who are ruled and governed by the Prince of the Air, from under whose Dominion and Government we are Redeemed by the only Redeemer Christ Jesus, not with Corruptible things, neither is our Redemption of Man, nor by man, nor according to the Will of Man, but Contrary to Man's Will.) And so, our Unity and Fellowship with vain Man is loft, and all his evil Ways are now turned into Enmity; and all his Profession is now found to be Deceit, and in all his fairest Pretences lodgeth Cruelty; and the Bottom and Ground of all his Knowledge of God and Christ is found Sandy, A Sandy Knowledge. and cannot endure the Tempest. For being brought off from that Foundation, and having suffered the Loss of all, which seemed beautiful upon the Sand (which was there builded according to that Wisdom, which was not Eternal, but was Earthly, upon which the Curse of God was, and yet doth remain, where it is standing) we do declare against that Bottom and Foundation, by the Power of God, in that Light of Christ, which discovers all false Foundations, and makes manifest all Sandy Bottoms, which Man hath builded upon. For where the only true Seed takes Root, Earthly Plants and Dwellings. there all Man's Plants and Plantations are plucked up; for there the Earth, in which the Earthly Plants do grow, is broken up, ploughed up, and ripped up, and all things made manifest, which have lain hid in it. For in the Earth dwell all the noisome Creatures, and the Evil Beasts, which are hurtful to the Creation: For in the Earth the Devil dwells, and walks; but the Earth being ploughed up, he is made manifest, and the Seat of his Dwelling is broken up. That Mind, which doth speak of God, but lives not, dwells not, nor abides in the Fear of God, that Mind must suffer, and pass under the Judgement of God, for the Curse of God is upon that Mind: For that Mind is Earthly, and of the Earth, upon which the Curse of God is. And that Mind may talk of God, and speak of God, but not in Union with God, nor from Enjoyment of God in the Spirit, nor from having purchased the Knowledge of him through Death and Sufferings; A Hear-say Knowledge. but from Hear-say of him, and from Custom and Tradition, which the true Fear of God doth destroy that Mind, which speaks of him, but doth not live in his Fear: And that Mind is raised up, which doth abide in his Fear; and this is Acceptable Sacrifice, which is pure, clean, holy and without Spot. Then that which knows God, speaks of him, which hath purchased the true Knowledge of him through Suffering; and to such there is no Condemnation, but Joy and Peace. And this Mind sings true Praises to God, the other in Hypocrisy; and therefore the Woe is unto it. And this Mind is stayed upon God, the other is gadding after the Creatures, committing Fornication with other Lovers; and speaks of God, but is not subject to God, and must pass through Condemnation. G. F. To Friends in the Truth. FRiends, Epist. 25. the Love of God is to you, the Springs are opening, and the Plants are refreshing with the living Waters. Now Friends, walk in the Truth, as ye have received it; and wait in that which keeps you in the Yea and Nay, Yea and Nay the pure Commusication. in the pure Communication, in the Good Manners. In the pure Conversation over all the World ye will reign, whose Conversation is in Heaven; and here the World ye will Judge, walking in the Life. And ye which turn from the Light, which Jesus Christ hath enlightened you withal, here are the Corrupt Manners, the evil Communication, the filthy Conversation, which with the Light is all to be condemned. Ye which turn from the Light, are in Esau's Nature, and choosing the Earth, there is Profaneness: Therefore take heed to the Light, and wait to receive Power from God, to stand against that, which the Light discovers to be Evil. And ye, which are turned from the Light, which Jesus Christ hath enlightened you withal, and do turn to the Hireling-Priests, which are Changeable, from the Priest which never changes, Judas his Way. ye walk in Judas his Steps, Woe will be your End; ye had better never to have been born, ye are Betrayers of the Just. Ye that turn from the Light, ye turn from Christ, as Judas did; and ye that walk in the Light, ye walk after Christ, and he is your Way; but ye that turn from it to the Hireling-Priests, Judas is your Way, which is Destruction. And ye that turn from the Light, turn from the Command of God; Cain is your Way: And ye that turn from the Spirit, Cain. Balaam. Core. Balaam is your Way; and ye that get up into Presumption, Core is your Way, which leads into Self-Separation; and this Fruit will whither, which is natural Knowledge, which is seen with the Light, and is to be condemned with the Light, which never withers, which is the Condemnation of the World; which all the Children of the Light walk in. Which Light walking in, it will bring you to receive Christ, Christ the Way to Salvation. from whence it comes, here is the Way to Salvation; and as many as receive him, to them he gives Power to become the Sons of God. And the Son of God is but one in all, Male and Female; and the Light of God is but one: So all walk in it, to receive the Son; in which Light is the Unity, which brings to Fellowship with the Father and the Son. And the Oneness is in the Light, as the Father and the Son is one, and brings you to, where he is, out of the World, from the World, and not to be of the World. Therefore walk in the Light, which is all the World's Condemnation, even them of the highest Religion, who act contrary to the Light: And to you this is given forth from the Word of the Living God. And thou that lovest thy Soul, love the Light to wait for Christ, the Saviour of thy Soul: And ye that hear the Word, The Word, which was in the Beginning. wait in the Light, which comes from the Word, which leads up to the Word, which was in the beginning, which breaks the World to pieces, that lies in Wickedness, and burns it as with a Fire; and divides asunder the Precious from the Vile. This is the Word, which makes all clean, which is received into the Heart; and this is the Word of Faith, which we Preach: And the World Preaches the Words without, being out of the Life, and in the brutish Knowledge, which is condemned of God, and by all, who are of God, that have (and are in) the Life of the Holy Scriptures. Therefore I charge you all in the Presence of the Living God, to wait in the Light, which comes from Christ, that with it ye may receive the Life; that with the Light and Life, which is one, ye may come to have the Scriptures opened to you, which were given forth from the Light.) And so all the World, who have not the Light guiding their Understandings, nor the Life, but are Strangers to it, there are the Sects, The Rise of Sects and Opinions. there are the many Opinions, there is the Heresy, which makes a Profession of the Letter declared from the Light, but are out of the Life, with the Light all this is condemned; and the Children of Light are in Unity, in that which gave forth the Holy Scriptures. And so to you all this Testimony is from the Word of God. This is to be Read among all Friends every where; for this was I moved to send among you. G. F. Concerning Marriages. FRiends, All they, who do act contrary to the Light, which comes from Christ Jesus, Epist. 26. and it hate, whose Deeds are evil, and live in strife about Words, and their Minds are in Earthly things, defrauding and wronging one another, they know, when they do so, with the Light, which comes from Christ Jesus. So this Light, which lets them see and know, when they act contrary to it, with this Light are they Condemned. The Light condemns the Evil. And all, that do act contrary to the Light, and do join together in Marriage contrary to the Light, and are joined with that which is contrary to the Light, this is their Condemnation, the Light, which leads to God. But who are joined together with the Light, are Joined together in God; and let no Man put them asunder. True Marriages. Here is the true Joining; and there will be a Clear Testimony unto them, that God did Move and Command, and Join them with his Light, among all the Children of Light; And this Marriage is honourable, and the Bed not defiled. And whom God doth move, and command, and join together, it was and is by his Power. G. F. TO all my Dear Friends and Brethren every where. Epist. 27. To Friends, to be faithful, and valiant in the Lord. (He that hath the Son of God, hath Life; all that have not the Son of God, have not Life. The Son of God is he, which makes free from all Sin, and is come to destroy the Works of the Devil, and to make us Conformable to his Image, and the Image of the Devil to deface and destroy, Freedom from Sin. and the Image of God to renew us up in; and so to bring us to walk in Righteousness. Praises be unto the Glorious God for ever, who has sent his Son into the World, to take away the Sins of the World. The Lamb of God, the Son of God, is but one in all his Males and Females; Sons and Daughters, and they all are one in Christ and Christ one in them all.) And all Friends, walk worthy of your Calling in all Holiness, for Holiness becomes the Saints; without Holiness no Man shall see the Lord. And every one Improve your Talents, labouring in the Vineyard, dressing the Lord's Vineyard, that ye may be found the faithful Servants, who are as good Servants, and walking all in Love to God, and one to another. And know one another in the Spirit, which is Immortal; for all other Knowledge in the Flesh vails the pure, and hinders your Discerning: There will arise Tares out of that Ground, whence that Love springs. Therefore dwell all in the pure Spirit of God, and walking therein, it will teach you every one in particular, to know God the Father of Spirits. And all to stand naked and bare, and uncovered before the Living Lord God: For Woe is to every one, that is Covered, Be Covered with the Spirit. but not with the Spirit of the Lord; and who are Covered, and not with his Spirit, will not stand in his Counsel. But all ye, who are uncovered, walking in the Spirit of the Lord God, it will keep you all in his Counsel to stand uncovered before the Lord, bare and naked, to receive Instruction and Counsel from him. So, God Almighty be with you all! The Dew of Heaven is falling upon you to Water the tender Plants; and the Blessing of God be amongst you, which showers down amongst you! The Heavenly Joy fill your Hearts, and Comfort you in the Inward Man in all Tribulations. The Glorious Light is shining, the Immortal is bringing forth out of Death, the Prisoners have Hope of their Pardon (the Debt being paid) and they freely purchased by Christ's Blood, Prisoners of Hope. and he into the Prison-Houses is come, that the Prisoners begin to sing in Hope of their Eternal Freedom, for Joy of Heart leaping, and the dumb Tongue shall sing Praises. And the Arrows of the Almighty are shooting against the Wicked: Therefore be bold and valiant for the Truth, triumph over all the Deceivers, and trample upon their Deceits. G. F. TO all you, Epist. 28. that are Enlightened with the Light, that comes from Jesus, The right Course of Nature. to it take heed, which leads into the right Course of Nature, which who act contrary to it, go out of the right Course of Nature into Drunkenness, Rashness, Lying, Blaspheming, Deceit and Uncleanness: All this is out of the right Course of Nature, and leads out of the right Course of Nature, and destroys it, and is to be Condemned with that which leads to the Glory of the first Body, and leads Nature into its right Course and right Being, which Man was in, before he fell. G. F. Concerning Tithes. FRiends, Epist. 29. The Counsel of the Living God to you all is, that ye may come to discern the Ministers of God and Christ from the Ministers of the World, that have gotten the Scriptures for their Cloak, and with it make a Colour to deceive, and tell you, That they are the Ministers of Jesus Christ, and Christ hath sent them; who sue you at the Law, and hale you before Magistrates for Tithes and Maintenance, when they do you no Work, nor have ye hired them. Yet they come and tell you, Priest's Objection. The Workman is worthy of his Meat, and the Labourer is worthy of his Hire: Here the Custom of Sin hath taken away the Sense; they are so accustomed to it. But praised be the Lord God, who hath given us his Light, and with it all such are seen, comprehended and judged; and to such we cannot give Tithes, nor Hire, which do us no Work, whom we have not hired; for it is Contrary to Scripture and Christ's Doctrine, and to that of God in our Consciences. It is not for the saving of the Earth (for it is the Lord's, and the Fullness of it) that we do not pay the Pirests Tithes; for if we should, we should uphold the First Priesthood, and its Office, who had their Storehouses, The first Priesthoods Storehouses. to put the Tithes into, that were given them; and then all the Widows, Fatherless and Strangers did come, and were to be filled in the Priest's Gate, and the Priests were to minister it out of the Store-House; as ye may read in Malachy, and the Book of Moses, who received a Law from God, and gave it forth to the Priests to receive Tithes. So with the Light, which Christ Jesus hath given us, with it we come to Witness him, the Unchangeable Priest, and see the Change of the first Priesthood, and the Change of the Law also, by which the Priest received the Tithes; as ye may read Heb. 7. So we do witness the New Testament, and the New Covenant, and the Everlasting Priest (praised be God) and do Confess Christ Jesus come in the Flesh. And all ye, that would have us to give Priests Tithes, and would Compel us so to do, ye are they, that do Oppose Christ's Doctrine and Commands to his Disciples, Freely ye have received, freely give; and do not own the Unchangeable Priest's, being come to teach his People: ye are against the Unchangeable Priest's Office; ye are against the New Covenant, and New Testament. And so we cannot uphold Tithes, and such as take Tithes, who act against Christ Jesus, Tithe-takens act against Christ. his Commands, and deny him to be come in the Flesh, in Life, Doctrine and Power. So, we that suffer our Goods to be spoiled Joyfully, it is for Christ's sake, the unchangeable Priest, and for the New Covenant's sake, and the New Testament's sake. As the Hebrews did, who suffered their Goods to be spoiled Joyfully, and were a Gazingstock; and so we suffer now by the Changeable Priesthood, which takes Tithes, as the People of God did then. But if we hire any Man, and set him at Work, we will give him his Wages and his Meat; but such Dissemblers, as say, The Scripture is their Rule for it, and we neither hired, nor set them at Work, all such Deceivers are denied, who take the Scripture-Words, and make a Cloak of them for their Covetous Practices. Nevertheless, if any Minister of Jesus Christ, or Son, or Daughter, or Servant, which Jesus Christ sends forth, (who said, Freely ye have received, freely give) comes to our Houses, and Minister unto us Spiritual Things, we will set before him our Carnal things; and he that soweth unto us Spiritual things, it is the least, that we minister unto him of our Carnal things. But he, that sueth us at the Law for Means, Tithe-Suers. and calleth me before Courts and Sessions, and telleth me, He is a Minister of Christ, and Christ sent him, all such Evil (Beasts as the Apostle speaks of) we deny, who mind Earthly things, whose God is their Belly, who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own Bellies. But if any one come into our Houses (as afore said) to preach the Gospel to us, we shall set before them, and they shall eat freely, as Christ saith, Whatsoever they set before you, that eat. But to give Tithes to such, as do not preach to us Spiritual things, but deny Christ come in the Flesh, and hold up things in the Figure, all such we deny; and for the Truth's sake do we suffer by such. Tithe-buyers. And ye that have bought Tithes to get Gain thereby, to you we cannot pay Tithes; ye are as bad as the Priests to hold up such things, as were acted in the Figure, and deny Christ come in the Flesh. And though ye may say, Give Caesar his Due, for a Cloak, that Cloak we deny: Nevertheless, if we be owing any thing to Caesar, or to any Ruler, or Magistrate, or Minister, he shall have his Due. So, Caesar shall have his Due in his place; and the Figure we own in its place, and Christ in his place. G. F. DEar John, Epist. 30. the Everlasting Arm of the Lord hold thee up, and break all thy Bonds asunder, and set thee upon the Rock on thy Feet, To a suffering Friend. in which thou may'st know his Presence, and his Everlasting, Supreme Power. And so the God of Life be with thee! And pray for thy Enemies, for the Lord to open them and their Hearts, and see themselves and thee. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 31. Mind the steadfast Guide to the Lord, where we do all meet in the Eternal Spirit, in Oneness, all being Baptised by it into one Body, Baptism in one Spirit. having one Food, the Eternal Bread of Life, which the Immortal feed upon, and all made to drink into one Spirit, Perfection. which is the Cup of the Communion of the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which makes Perfect, and Redeems from all that is Vain, Fleshly and Earthly, up to God, who is Holy, Pure, Spiritual and Eternal. And let not any of you in your Desires wander from that which is Pure in you; then your Conditions will be kept clear and pure to see all things, as they are, and a clear Separation will be made from that, which is of Man, and of your own, and that which is of God; and there will be a Growing up in that which is Pure. And so, be Low in your Minds, waiting for the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in you all, who is Lord over all, to be Lord over all in you. And so the Lord God of Power keep you all! Farewell. G. F. To Friends, that their Minds go not out from the Spirit of God. FRiends, Epist. 32. when your Minds go forth from the pure Spirit of God, and are drawn out from it, there the Image of God comes to be lost, G. F.'s Epistle to Friends, to live in the Cross. About 1653. in those whose Minds goes out from the Pure, to lust after that which is in the Fall, which may appear like Truth in the Notion; in that Nature, out of the Truth, lodgeth the Enchanter and Sorcerer. To speak of Truth, when ye are moved, it is a Cross to the Will; if ye live in the Truth, The Enchanter, and Sorcerer, etc. which ye speak, ye live in the Cross to your own Wills. For that which joins with the Earthly Will, goes out from God, and that which is pure; and so makes a place for the Enchanter and Sorcerer, and the Airy Spirit to lodge in; whereby a Grave is made for the Just, and the Partition-wall between God and Man standing; Death comes to reign, and the Grave hath the Victory over such; and in the Airy Spirit lodgeth the Enchanter, which the Lord will rebuke. Dwell in the Pure and Immortal, and wait upon the Living God, to have your Hope renewed, and to be renewed again into the Image of God, and the Image of the Devil defaced, and the Prince of the Air cast out; for he lodgeth in the Mind, that doth despair, and in that Mind, that doth presume. So, dwell in the Light, and wait upon God to have the Image of God renewed; and all come to witness yourselves to be restored by Christ Jesus into the Image of God, The Image of God. and to be made by him like to God, pure, holy, perfect and righteous: This was witnessed, this is witnessed, and this will be witnessed measurably with Thousands, who are growing up out of the Fall, and coming up out of the Grave. Let not the Lust go out to any thing, which is mortal, to be Servant thereto; but mind the Joining to the Life: Here ye are kept in the Image of God. Not but that ye may use the Creatures lawfully, but being kept in the Image of God, The lawful Use of the Creatures. ye are kept as Kings over all the Creatures, and over the Creation; here ye will see all things, and by whom they stand. To the Pure all things are pure, being in the Image of God above all the Creatures below, not worshipping the Host of Heaven, nor being in Bondage to the Creatures, nor minding any thing in Comparison of that which is Immortal, which joins you unto the Lord; and all that speak here, in that which is Immortal, are joining unto the Lord. But that Nature keep out, and that judge, which is mortal, which will join to the Harlot, the fleshly; from all that there is to be a Separation. And here (as ye are brought by the Power of God) the Gate is seen, that stands open; which Gate is shut from all Mortal Eyes. And all the Wonderers are here seen, who inquire after new things and Novelties; but the Wise Man satisfies not the Fool: Novelties. For that part is above the pure, if it be not kept in the Cross; which, not being wrought out, will join to the Flesh, and so become one with the Harlot: And such Join together to put Christ to Death afresh. So therefore, dwell in that which is Pure and Eternal, which guides the Mind to God; here is perfect Peace to those, whose Minds are stayed upon the Lord: Which if the Mind goeth from, there the Peace is lost; and there getteth in the light, airy Spirit in that Nature. The light airy Spirit. And if the Mind go back, to fetch up things again, and speak them forth, there will lodge the Airy Spirit too, the there may be true Experiences; and if the Life speak them forth, by which they were opened, it keeps down the Airy Spirit. Therefore Mind the Substance, that keeps you in your present Conditions, and that which doth disobey or rebel against the Word of the Lord, in that Nature lodgeth the Airy Spirit; and that which hearkens to things, that are spoken out of the Life, without, that lets in the Devil: And so, ye come to be possessed with evil Thoughts, and Doubts, and Carnal Reasonings, and Bondage; and Troubles; these things in you will rest, until the Life be risen again within, to cast all that forth, which the Earthly Ear and Mind hath let in. Now, if ye harken diligently, ye will learn your Safeguard, and Judge forth that which is not Pure, which defiles; that the Just may have the Dominion. And here ye will see, what stains, and what defiles, and the pure Eye and Ear will be opened to hear God; and the Vizard, and the Enchanter, and the Sorcerer, and the Soothsayer, all that will be kept out and Judged. For none of that must live in Israel, where there is to be no Transgression: For where they live, Truth doth not; and where Truth doth live, that doth not, but is all judged out. G. F. To Friends, for all to wait and walk in the Truth. ALL Friends and Brethren every where, Epist. 33. in the Life and Power of the Lord wait, and from it none walk; but that to the Light of Christ in every one ye may be made manifest, that the Fear and Dread of the Lord may be in all your hearts, that nothing may reign, Keep your Meetings. but Life itself. And so, all your Meetings in every place keep, waiting in the Light, which from Christ doth come, the Saviour of your Souls; that his Presence in the midst ye may all feel, who are gathered together in his Name and Power in his Light (which is his Name) and from the World's Gatherings are turned. (And if any be moved (who are turned to the Light) with the Power, which comes from him, To be moved with the Power, to the Service for the Lord. to any Service for the Lord, to it be Obedient; and ye will see Christ with you to the End of the World. But if any go, before they are moved, and so from the Light walk, he is a Stumbling-block, and is to be Judged and Condemned by the Light; and is out of the Wisdom, and out of the Fear, and soweth to the Flesh, and reaps Corruption, and by the Light is Condemned. For that answereth not the Light in every Man's Conscience, neither doth it reach to the Life, the Spirit in Prison; but it manifesteth Weakness, and Foolishness and Nakedness, which is from the Light, and contrary to it: And such are Stumbling-blocks, and do not answer the Witness of God in the Conscience. Therefore wait all in the Light, for to receive the Power from him, who is not of the World, that ye may be preserved from Nakedness and Weakness. For that which goes from the Light, and is not guided with it, The Slothful. runs into the Lust; and there is the Slothful, which is to be Judged, and that, that will offend, to which the Woe is; for it answereth not that of God in the Conscience: Neither is it Honourable, nor of good Report; for that which is Honourable, and of good Report, answereth that which is of God, and answereth the Light of Christ in every Man in the World with Wisdom, which from the Light doth come, even from him, by whom the World was made. Therefore all Friends, this is a Charge to you all, and a Command to you all in the Presence of the Living God, In the Light, Life and Power and Wisdom of God walk, that to that of God in every one ye may be manifested in the sight of God, and it may be your Witness, that ye are of God, in every Man's Conscience, which witnesseth against the World, and for him, who is not of the World. And wait all in the Light for the Wisdom, by which all things were made, with it to use all the Lord's Creatures to his Glory (and none to stumble one another about the Creatures, for that is not from the Light) for which End they were Created, and with the Wisdom, Wait for the Wisdom by which all things were Created. by which they were made, ye may be kept out of the Mis-use of them in the Image of God, that ye may come to see, that the Earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof, and the Earth may come to yield her Increase, and to enjoy her Sabbaths; and all such that walk Contrary to the Light, may be turned to the Light, that with the Light they may see and condemn that, which is contrary to it. So that in the Wisdom of God ye may all be kept, and in the Fear of the Lord and his Righteousness established, which is far from Oppression, where all Bonds of Iniquity are broken, and the Prince of Darkness Judged out, and the Prince of Peace reigns, under whose Dominion keep and walk. And all that cause Strife, are to be Condemned and shut out, which have their Eye without, and are Condemned by the Light, the God of the World having blinded the Eye of the unbeliever. Therefore ye Believers in the Light, wait in the Wisdom, that with it and in it ye may be ordered to the Glory of God, that among you nothing may reign, but Light, and Life, and Wisdom, and Power, the Dread and Fear of the Lord be among you, and Truth and Righteousness reign; which will answer the Light of Christ in every Man. And all that is Contrary, let it be Condemned with the Light, which comes from him, by which the World was made, who was, before the World was, who lighteth every Man, that cometh into the World: Though they believe not in it, yet ye may answer the Light in every Man, tho' it be their Condemnation. So being kept in the Light, which cometh from him, by whom the World was made, who was, before it was made, ye come to receive the Wisdom, by which all things were made, and with it to order and use them to the Glory of God. For that which is not from the Light, nor from the Wisdom, is the Offender, which is to be Condemned with the Light, which comes from the Life; and to it in you all take heed, that your Hearts may be joined together to God, and all that is Contrary, Condemned. And so, the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all in Wisdom! Friends, A Warning from the Lord to you all, in Wisdom to walk, P. S. that ye may Adorn every one, what ye profess, A Warning to Friends, to walk in the Testimony of God. that the measure of God's Spirit in every one ye may answer. And know the Lord to guide your Understandings, and let his Wisdom be Justified by you all, and ye in the measure of the Spirit of God in Unity kept; Wisdom Justified. that ye may see Righteousness spring and flourish among you, and no Deceit stand, nor nothing that is deceitful; but with the Eternal Judge it down, and keep it down, that nothing may live, that is for the Sword, which would defile the Land. Therefore in that which is Eternal, dwell, as a Royal Priesthood, in that which comes from him, by whom the World was made; who to all your Souls is a Friend, from whence the Refreshing is received. So the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all, that in his Life, Dread and Power ye may be preserved. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 34. I do Warn you in the Presence of the Living God, not to speak the things of God out of the Fear of God, at Random, in a presumptuous Mind; Proud Boasters. for proud Boasters are excluded out of the Kingdom of God, and with the Light of Christ condemned, and with the Life, that gave forth the Scriptures, are they Judged. Therefore to you this is the Word of the Lord, In the Light, which Christ hath enlightened every one of you withal, in it wait, and it love, and ye shall have the Light of Life; and it will bring you to stand in the Counsel of God, and keep you from all wicked Ways: And with it ye will see all the Enchanters, Enchanters and false Prophets seen with the Light. false Prophets, who speak a Divination of their own Brain, whose Minds are turned from the Light of Christ; with this Light are they condemned: All whose Minds are turned from it, and hate it, whose Deeds are evil, with this Light are they Condemned; though they may make a Profession of the Words, which did proceed from the Light, from them who lived in it, and walked in it. So they that turn from it, and hate this Light, making a Profession of their Words, that dwelled in it, and hate them, that walk in the Light now, (Oh, high Deceit!) all such are to be Condemned with the Light. And such that hate the Light, and deny it, though they may profess the Words, that did proceed from the Life, and be full of them, they turn no People from their wicked Ways; for in the Counsel of God they stand not: For they were in the Counsel of God, who gave forth the Scriptures, who were in the Life of them, from which the Letter did proceed. Therefore in the Life (every one in your Measures) wait and walk, The Life opens the Scriptures. which gave forth the Scriptures, which will open them to you again;) else you all I do deny, and ye are to be turned away from, as having the Form, but not the Power. And know the Life of God in one another, and the Power of God in one another; but that Knowledge in the Form without the Life, we deny, tho' it be never so finely painted, and the Harlot be never so beautiful, who is turned from the Light, which Christ hath enlightened withal. This is the Harlot, The Harlot's Dress. who dresseth herself with the Words, that proceeded from the Light, who persecuteth them, who dwell in the Light, who drinketh the Blood of the Saints, who dwell in the Life, which gave forth the Scriptures. And with the Words, that proceeded from the Light, doth she clothe herself, and is harlotted from the Life; and all that she brings forth, is contrary to the Light: So she is called the Mother of Harlots. But if ye love this Light, and your Minds be guided by it to see the Face of Jesus, and him the Head, then with this Light ye will see all the Harlots, and the Mother of Harlots, and where she is, and what she is joined to. The Light is that, by which ye come to see; he that walketh in it, stumbleth not: But thou stumblest, who art turned from the Light among the Harlots. I charge you every one in the Presence of the Living God, to take heed to the Light: It is your Teacher, loving it; it is your Condemnation, hating it. G. F. To Friends in the Ministry. STand up, ye Prophets of the Lord, for the Truth upon the Earth; Epist. 35. quench not your Prophecy, neither heed them that despise it; but in that stand, Quench not Prophecy. which brings you through to the End. Heed not the Eyes of the World, ye Prophets of the Lord, but answer that in them all, which they have closed their Eye to; that ye may to them tell of things to come, answering that of God in them, that shall remain. Keep ye in your Habitations, ye Sons of God, that over all the Contrary ye may reign. And ye Daughters, to whom it is given to Prophesy, keep within your own Measure, seeing over that which is without, answering that of God in all. And despise not the Prophecy, keep down that Nature that would, which is the same as that is, which acts contrary to that of God in them. Not lifted up. Neither be lifted up in your Openings and Prophecies, lest ye depart from that which opened, and so come by the Son of God to be Judged, and bidden to departed, as Workers of Iniquity; for a Worker of Iniquity is gone from that, which leads to the Son of God, who is the End of the Prophets. Quench not the Spirit, by which ye may prove all things, The Spirit proves all things. and that which is good, hold fast; for if the Spirit be quenched, than Light is put for Darkness, and Darkness for Light, and Evil is put for Good, and Good for Evil: This is, when the Spirit is quenched, then cannot ye try all things, then cannot ye hold fast that which is good.) For than they cannot see good, when the Spirit is quenched; but when the Spirit is not quenched, then with the Spirit ye may see the Good, to take the Good, and the Evil to shun. And this brings to put a Difference between the Precious and the Vile, the Profane and the Holy, the Clean and the Unclean; the Spirit is it, that proves all things. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 36. Take your heavenly Censers, and offer up your Spiritual Prayers to the Almighty God, and having heavenly Fire in your Censers, it will consume all false Offerings and Sacrifices, The Sacrifice of Prayer. which are offered in the evil Nature. G. F. DEar Friends, Prise your heavenly Calling, Epist. 37. by which ye are called into Holiness and Righteousness, without which no one shall see the Lord. And let your Conversation be, as becometh the Gospel, To Friends in Cumberland. the Holy Power of God, which is the Gospel of Christ, the Holy One, who suffered by the Unholy Ones. And keep in the Lowly Mind, and the Humility of Christ, that the Fruits of your good Conversation, and Translation, and Regeneration in your Lives may appear, The Fruits of a good Conversation. as a People redeemed from the Pleasures of the Flesh, and the Spirit of the World, and the beggarly Lusts; and that ye may obtain the Promise of the Eternal God, and the Power of the Truth, through the Word in the Heart, the hidden Man, that ye may obtain Victory over that, which wars against your Souls; through which ye may be arrayed and adorned, and by that ye may be preserved and kept from that which, is not of the Father (the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life) in the Simplicity and Innocency of Christ Jesus (over all the Subtlety and feigned Deceit) through which ye may esteem nothing in Comparison of that which is of God, and him above all, through Christ the Light, the Truth, the Power of God manifested in you. False Liberty. And keep out of all false Liberties, and that which would lead you out of the Fear of God; and in that ye will be preserved in the Sense of the Power and the Truth of God in your own Hearts: In that every one watch, through which Knowledge and Virtue is ministered unto you, and Peace from the God of Virtue and Peace. And keep out of all that, which tends to Strife, and Whisper, and Backbitings, and Tattle, which draws from the Witness, Watch and Fear of God within, which leavens into the Fleshly Lusts and Nature; and then that Judges, and yet is in the same thing, for which he Judges others: which Nature and Judgement, all is for Judgement and Condemnation. So be Wise, and keep your First Love, break not Wedlock with the Lord Jesus Christ; keep your first Habitation, keep your Garments clean, for such as so do, they are blessed; that ye may shine as Lights to the World, Be Examples in Virtue. and be Examples in Virtue, Righteousness and Holiness, walking in the Truth in all Patience and Quietness, looking at the Lord, your Strength, and Christ Jesus, the Conqueror, and beyond all the Hills and Mountains; that ye may be a good Savour to the Lord, having Salt in yourselves. Let your Lamps be burning, and your Lights shining, and then ye will see over all the Unsavouriness, that is in Adam's Family in the Fall, who live in Christ, the Power of God, that never fell, and keep Marriage with him the Holy One, the Just One, the Light, the Truth and Power of God, who makes an End of all unholiness. And so, walk in the Righteousness, that your Feet may be kept in the Way of Peace: And keep both your Tongues, and Hands, and Bodies, and Lips, and Minds, and Words out of all that, which would defile and corrupt you, and bring you under the Indignation and Wrath of God, and his Hand to be turned against you. So, keep in the Fear of God, and keep in his Truth, which ye at first received, for Truth never changes. And walk in the Spirit, and then the Lusts of the Flesh will not be fulfilled, and then Strife is kept out, that which would be high, and get up, through which comes Strife and Wars. So, keep your Fellowship in the Spirit, in which is the Unity, and Bond of Peace, Fruits of the Spirit. and the Fruits of the Spirit will appear, Righteousness, Holiness, Goodness, Peace, Soberness and Gentleness, Chastity and Virtue, through which ye may have Fruit to feed the Hungry, and to relieve the Sick and Poor.) For the Unfruitful walks not in the Spirit, and so, bears not Fruit; and so the Curse comes, and Briars, and Misery. So, eye the Lord God in all things in the Spirit, who is a Spirit; in that ye may distinguish his things, and the things that are of yourselves, and what is of Men, and what is of God, and what to keep alive, and what must die. So, be Obedient to the Spirit, and to the good Power of God, that hath quickened you; and live in it, that ye may die no more, for that gives you Life. For they that are made alive, and come to die again, and to be Twice Dead, Twice Dead plucked up, etc. and then come to be plucked up by the Roots; such lie dead upon the Earth, and corrupt it. So, let not the World, let not things visible draw your Minds away from the Lord. Do not mind the Body more than the Lord; do not forsake the Lord; but be of good Faith in the Truth of God, and live in it, than ye live in Christ Jesus, who is your Way, who is your Teacher, who is your Prophet, who is your Priest, who is the Bishop of your Immortal Souls, Christ that never fell, nor never changed, nor never will change. And here ye come into the Seed, the Top-stone, The Seed, the Top-stone. that is atop of the World set, and before the World was, who will remain, when the World is gone; who was full of Grace and Truth, and Virtue and Life, by whom Grace comes, that brings Salvation, who is every one of your Teacher in yourselves. So, know Christ the Head and Salvation, in which there is Peace, and no Condemnation; for the Condemnation is upon them, that are out of the Light. And so, live in Unity in the Light, before Darkness and Enmity was, in which ye have Peace, and Love to God, to Christ, and to one another. G. F. An Epistle to the Travellers in the Lord's Way, with a Testimony against the False Prophets, and them that hold them up. FRriends, Epist. 38. All are to receive your Spiritual Bread and Water from the Father of Life, by which ye may be strengthened and watered from the Father of Life, in your passing and travelling on in your Spiritual Journey hearty and comfortably; that ye may come to your heavenly Rest, The Spiritual Travel. being come and coming out of the great City of Sodom, towards the City of heavenly Jerusalem, where ye shall abide Eternally for ever. Reason not with Flesh and Blood, that shall never enter; take not Counsel of that, which draws thee nearer to Carnal things, and draws thee to Consult with Carnal Reason, Carnal Reasoning. and so draws thy Eye and Mind to Visible things, and so brings thee to wander from going on thy Journey; and if thou followest that, thou goest to Death, Hell and Destruction, and to the Pit and the Snare, and that gets Dominion over thee, and comes to rule over thee, which ought not. But every one wait in the pure Spirit to guide you to God, than ye shall see the Promise of God fulfilled in you, and the Springs of Life opened to you, and Refreshment daily coming in from the Lord; and than ye will come to Walk with the Lord, forsaking all, Father, Mother, A forsaking all. Wife and Children, Lands, Live and all: Here is Joining to the Lord, as one Spirit; and he that doth not forsake all, is not worthy of him. All who are in the first Birth, and all who reason with Flesh and Blood, stand here, and are for Persecuting them, who are born of the Spirit, that are passing out of this City, towards the City, whose Foundation and Builder is God: For in that City the Righteous Ones are slain, by them who are of Cain's Generation. All ye, who are got up into his steps, professing Christ and to be Ministers of Christ, who stand in the Envy, and have the Chiefest place in the Assemblies, and are called of Men Master, which Christ forbids; Lie down all for shame, who are in Pride and Oppression, Professors Pride and Oppression. and in the steps and places of the Pharisees, and have got a Form of the Words, which the Apostles said, and which Christ said, and have got it in Three or Four Languages; the Lord hath discovered you now; the Lord God Almighty hath discovered you by his Prophets and Servants: All Honour, and Glory, and Thanks be to him for ever, who now is come to rule alone in his Saints. Rejoice, O all ye Prophets and Righteous ones! The Beast, which made War with the Lamb and the Saints, the Lamb hath got the Victory over the Beast, and the Ten Horns, which pushed at him. Powerful Father and Eternal God, to thee alone be all Glory, Honour and Thanks for ever! Now all ye Teachers, The World's Teachers and Hearers described. and Hearers (that hold you up) I witness against you, that ye may be Witnesses against yourselves, and that ye may witness yourselves to be in Cain's Generation, and in the Generation of the false Prophets, and Anti-christs', and Seducers (who have the Form of Godliness, but deny the Power) and in the Generation of them that ever slew the righteous Seed, as it will appear. Now All People, take notice, who are they, that bear Rule by their Means? Who are the Hirelings now, that the Scriptures speak of? Who seek for their Gain from their Quarters now? Who feed themselves with the Fat now? Who seek for the Fleece, and themselves with the Wool now, and so make a Prey of the People? Where are the Hirelings now? The Priests preach for Hire, and the Prophets prophesy for Money. Who sues Men at the Law now, which Christ spoke against; which the Apostle speaks against, who was a Minister of the living Truth, which testifies against all such Practices? Who goes in the Way of Balaam now for Gifts and Rewards? Where are the Covetous Teachers now? Who are called of Men Master now? Who love the Chiefest Places of the Assemblies now? Who goes in Long Robes now? Who stand praying in the Synagogues now, and speak a Divination of their own Brain, which the Woe was pronounced against by Christ Jesus (the Substance of all the Prophecies) who cried Woe against all such Pharisees and false Prophets? Who hale out of the Synagogues now? Who stone and stock, prison and beat now, and hale before Magistrates? This was the Jews Practice and Religion, ye may say; the Jews did so. The Prophets of God they testified against these things; and the Apostles they testified against all these Practices: And Jesus Christ testified against all the evil Works of the World; and all these Practices were held up in Cain's Generation. So, be ye Witnesses, that ye are here in the Generation of the false Prophets, False Prophet's Generation. and in the Chair of them, that spoke a Divination of their own Brain, that are called of Men Masters; love the Chiefest places in the Assemblies; lay heavy burdens upon the people; of them that seek their Gain from their Quarters, and of them that go in the Way of Balaam, Cain's Sacrifice. and in the Generation of Cain. Where any Prophet comes to Cry against any of you, ye seek to Imprison him, or to destroy him, which Abel did not (as ye may read) but Cain, who was the first Birth, whose Sacrifice God had no respect to; no more hath God to your Customary Will-worships, Praying and Prayers, than to Cain's. Cain's Generation. For Cain's Generation was and is the same, that ever it was, and is not of the Generation of the Righteous: And except ye all be born again, ye cannot Inherit the Kingdom of God. So, here be ye Witnesses against yourselves, that ye are in the Generation of Cain, which ever slew the Righteous Seed; and in the Generation of all the false Prophets. Put it not far from you, as they did, which put Christ to Death. If thou hadst lived at that day (thou may'st say) thou wouldst not have put Christ to Death: But thou shalt see the same Nature in thee now, as was then. For now is the Son of God come; and ye are of the same Generation, that they were, seeking to put him to Death, where he is manifest. But the Eternal, Glorious God of Heaven and Earth, the same, as ever he was, is manifesting himself in his Sons and Daughters, who are called out of that Generation and Worship. For he said, Come out from among them, be ye separate, touch no thing, Be ye Separate. and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters; and this we witness, and this is fulfilled. The Generation of the Wicked we know, and the Generation of the Faithful we know, here is a Separation between the Precious and the Vile, between the Holy and the Profane. So all People, weigh and see, in what Generation ye are? The Generation of the Righteous shall shine; The Generation of the Righteous and Wicked distinguished. the Generation of the Wicked are for the Fire prepared, and to be turned into Hell. Ye are the Stubble; ye that are Proud, are for the Fire; ye that are Wicked, ye are Chaff, that the Wind drives to and fro; ye that are Scorners, are turned from God; ye that are Heathenish, know not God; and all that are Heathen, know not God; the Lord will render Vengeance in Flames of Fire upon you. The mighty Day of the Lord is coming, that shall burn as an Oven: The Fire is kindling in the Earth, which shall burn up all, Root and Branch, Head and Tail; the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it. The Lord God of Power will reign: O happy Day! Praises! Praises! Praise ye the Lord, ye Righteous Ones; sing Praises to the Lord God Almighty for ever! All ye Liars and Dissemblers must never inherit the Holy City (in that State) And all ye, Liars and Dissemblers state. which commit Sin, and live in Sin, know not God; and who are disobedient, and hold the Truth in unrighteousness, the Wrath of God abides upon you. All ye, that work Iniquiquity (and live and die in that) are to departed from God, as Cursed, to Everlasting Punishment; where then will ye find him, that ye talk of with your Mouths, and call your Saviour? Ye that live in your vain, wicked, profane Ways, and take him to be your Cloak, and say, Ye are Redeemed by him, and live in your Wickedness, Go, ye Cursed, (he will say) I know you not: Plagues, Woe and Misery will be poured upon you all. Let every one, that nameth the Name of the Lord, depart from Iniquity: None can call him Lord, but by the Holy Ghost; and where the Holy Ghost is come, there he is Lord and King: This is witnessed in all his Saints, where he is so; but in Cain's Generation it is not, but he persecutes it. But he is risen and come in his Saints, who is Lord and King, who will reign over all the World, and bear the Government upon his Shoulders. The Lord is King in his Saints. For the Lord is King in his Saints, he guards them, and guides them with his mighty Power, and doth preserve his Seed and Children from the Seed of Evil-doers, into his Kingdom of Glory and Eternal Rest, where they find Joy, and Peace and Rest Eternal. All Glory and Praise be to the Lord God Almighty for ever! G. F. ALL Friends in Westmoreland, Cumberland, Bishopric, New-Castleside, Northumberland and Lancashire, Epist. 39 Wait in the Measure of the Spirit of the Living God, that with it all your Minds may be guided up to the Living God, To Friends in the North. and to it take heed, that ye may have Dominion over these Spirits, that are in the Earth; that in the Spirit of the Living God ye may all know one another, and with it come to reign over the World, in the Power of the mighty God, which upholds all things; and wait to receive Wisdom from God, who created the Creatures to his Glory. And the Lord God Almighty keep you all in the Spirit, and be with you all! And all of you, Live in the Life. live in the Life, that with it ye may come to know the Father of Life; and all being led with the Spirit of the Living God, the Lord's Presence ye will enjoy; and all that is contrary, with it will be Judged. So the Lord God Almighty preserve you in that which is Pure, up to himself, who is Pure, to receive his Wisdom, and that with it and in it, ye all may come to be ordered to his Glory, who is God over all; to whom be all Honour and Glory, God blessed for ever; that with it ye may come to see the Lamb of God, the Saviour of your Souls, who was, before the Letter was. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 40. I do you all Warn and Charge, to be faithful in the Measure of the Life of God, Be Faithful. which he hath given you. And watch over one another, that with that which is Pure, ye may discern, and Unity have with that which is Pure. And take heed of any Lightness and Frowardness, which is Contrary to that which is Pure, but in that wait and dwell, Lightness and Frowardness to shun. which doth that Judge in particular and general; that the Garden of the Lord may be dressed, and ye in his Wisdom preserved and kept. The Mighty Power of the Lord keep you all in his Spirit, and with it up to himself your Hearts joined together! And see that ye Meet together, and be led together in the Spirit and in the Power of the Lord; and that out of all men's evil Wills ye keep, which contrary to the Power and Light are. This is the Counsel of the Lord to you. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 41. to you all this Exhortation is from the Word of the Lord: Dwell in the Life, Friends to live in what they profess. that with it ye may see the Father of Life. And dwell in the Light, with which Light the World is Condemned; which Light comprehends the World's Wisdom; which Light comprehends the World and their Knowledge, and all the Deceivers, which are entered into the World (who are turned from the Light) with which Light they are condemned, that is, the World, which hates the Light, because their Deeds are Evil; and they will not bring their Deeds to the Light, because the Light will reprove them, they hating it, Deceivers and Anti-christs'. and you, that live in it: And all the Deceivers, and all the Anti-christs' they are such, as are turned from the Light, which oppose Christ. To you all, my Brethren, who dwell in the Light, which is the Condemnation of the World, and of all the Deceivers, who are turned from the Light; it is not possible, that those Deceivers should deceive you, who are the Elect, which dwell in the Light, which comprehends the World. I do Charge you all in the Presence of the Living God, to dwell in what ye speak and profess; and none to profess, what he doth not dwell in; and none to profess, what he is not; a Sayer, and not a Doer; such beget vain Talkers: So, with the Light all such are to be condemned from the Life. So, I charge you all in the Presence of the Living God, to Dwell in the Light, which is the World's Condemnation, The Light is the World's Condemnation. who hates it: Tho' they may profess all the Words declared from them, that were in the Light of Christ; they hating the Light in the particular, with the Light, which never changes, are they and all their Profession to be condemned, and Woe is the End of it and them, from Christ, who is the Light. Wherefore to you I speak, Friends, that dwell in the Light, and love it, that to the Light in all Consciences of them that hate it (which Christ Jesus doth enlighten them withal) ye may be made manifest, which is the World's Condemnation. In the Light all Friends dwell, which comprehends the World, which is its Condemnation: The highest Religion to it must bend and bow; and all that is to be Condemned, which is Contrary to it. And all Friends, dwell in the Light, which is Eternal, which comprehends the World, that with it ye may comprehend the World; and rise up, and go on in the mighty Power of God, as mighty Men of War in the Power and Strength of the mighty God of Life, the Lord of Hosts, who is with you, your Shield, The Lord of Hosts is your Armour. Buckler and Defence, and Armour, who arms you over all the Wicked to reign, triumph and trample. God Almighty bless you, and prosper his Work, that to the Light in all Consciences ye may be made manifest, to the Measure of God, which is Pure, which is given to every one; that with it all may see, what is contrary to God. And to you this is from the Word of God. G. F. To Friends, concerning the Light, in which they may see their Saviour, and the Deceivers. TO all Friends every where, scattered abroad: In the Light dwell, Epist. 42. which comes from Christ, that with it ye may see Christ, your Saviour; that ye may grow up in him. For they, who are in him, are new Creatures; and Old things are passed away, and all things are become New. And who are in him, are led by the Spirit, to them there is no Condemnation; but they dwell in that, which doth Condemn the World, and do with the Light see the Deceivers, and the Anti-christs', which are entered into the World. And such Teachers, as bear Rule by their means; and such as seek for the Fleece, Hireling-Teachers. and make a Prey upon the People, and are Hirelings, and such as go in the Way of Cain, and run greedily after the Error of Balaam; and such as are called of Men Master, and stand praying in the Synagogues, and have the Chief Seats in the Assemblies, All which are in the World, which by those that dwelled in the Light, were cried against; for it did them Condemn, and all such, as speak a Divination of their own Brain, and are filthy Dreamers, who use their Tongues, and steal the Words from their Neighbours; with the Light, the World and all these aforesaid are comprehended, and all that is in it; and all they that hate it, and all the Anti-christs', that oppose it, and all the false Prophets and Deceivers, that are turned from it, with the Light are comprehended, and with the Light are Condemned, and all that are turned from it, and hate it. I am the Light of the World, saith Christ, and he doth enlighten every one, that cometh into the World; and he that loves the Light, and walks in the Light, receives the Light of Life: And the other, he hates the Light, because his Deeds are evil, and the Light doth reprove him. And this is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the World, in which Light, they that love it, walk; which is the Condemnation of him that hates it. Anti-christs', false Prophets and Deceivers are seen. And all the Anti-christs', and all the false Prophets, and all the Deceivers, the Beast and the well-favoured Harlot, all these are seen with the Light, to be in that Nature, acting contrary to the Light; and with the Light are they comprehended, and by the Light condemned. For he is not an Antichrist, that walks in the Light, that comes from Christ; he is no Deceiver, that walks in the Light, that comes from Christ: Many Deceivers are entered into the World. The World hates the Light, and Deceivers are turned from the Light, and the Anti-christs they are turned from the Light, therefore they oppose it, and some of them call it a Natural Conscience, a Natural Light; and such put the Letter for the Light. But with the Light, which never changes (which was, before the World was) are these Deceivers seen, where they enter into the World. For many Deceivers are entered into the World, and the false Prophets are entered into the World; the World hates the Light, and if it were possible, they would deceive the Elect. But in the Light the Elect do dwell, which the Anti-christs', Deceivers, and false Prophets are turned from, into the World, that hate the Light: That Light which they do hate, the Children of Light dwell in, the Elect. So it is not possible, that the Anti-christs' and Deceivers, that are entered into the World, that hate the Light, should deceive the Elect, who dwell in the Light which they hate; which Light doth them all comprehend, and the World; which Light was, before the World was, and is the World's Condemnation; in which Light the Elect walk: And here it is not possible, that they that dwell in the Light, should be deceived, which comprehends the World, and is the World's Condemnation. Which Light shall bring every Tongue to Confess, and every Knee to bow; when the Judgements of God come upon them, it shall make them confess, that the Judgements of God are Just. G. F. TO all my Dear Brethren, the Flock of God every where; Epist. 43. Keep together in the Power up to God, 8. Month, 53. and none be discouraged or disheartened at the Enemies without, which are without God in the World; but be bold all in the Power of Truth, triumphing over the World. Stand fast in the Freedom of Christ. Hold your Freedom, and keep and stand fast in it, that ye may be armed with Wisdom, and furnished against your Enemies, who are Wiser in their Generation, than the Children of Light. But the Wisdom of the Most High is spreading, and making itself manifest in your Hearts, by which ye may comprehend the World's Wisdom, the World's Worship and Knowledge. The World's Worship and Knowledge. And waiting in that which is Pure, it will lead you into that which was, before the World was, before the false Worship was, before the Seducers were, before the Antichrist was, and before the outward Temple was, and false Prophet and Hirelings: And here ye will comprehend the World, and what is done in the World. Therefore every one keep your Habitation, abide the Trial, and abide the Day, and stand fast in your Freedom, so far as Christ hath made you free; free from Man's Will and Commandments, Freedom from the Lusts of the World. which imbondageth; free from the Fashions and Lusts of the World, the fleshly Will, which bondageth and burdens the Pure. And to you, that cannot witness this, Wait, and mind the Pure, and then the Burden will be easy; and wait for Redemption and Salvation, to make it so. And your Strength is, to stand still, that ye may receive Refresh; that ye may know, how to Wait, and how to Walk before God, by the Spirit of God within you. So God Almighty be with you, and keep you up to himself under his own Dominion, from under the Dominion of Satan, that ye may trample him under your Feet. And Friends every where, Meet together, treading and trampling all the Deceit under your Feet; Watch in the Eternal. and watch over one another in that which is Eternal, and see every one, that your Words be from the Eternal Life: Examine and Search with that which is Eternal, which speaks to that, which is in Prison in others. And ye that are led forth to Exhort, or to Reprove, do it with all Diligence, taking all Opportunities, reproving that which devours the Creation, and thereby destroys the very humane Reason: For the Truth doth preserve every thing in its place. And all Meet together every where, and in your Meetings wait upon the Lord; and take heed of forming Words, but mind the Power, and know that which is Eternal, which will keep you all in Unity, walking in the Spirit, See the Lord near. and will let you see the Lord near you, and amongst you. So, God Almighty be with you, and multiply you, and give you the Dew of Heaven, the heavenly Dew, the living Mercies (which nourisheth the tender Plants, which causeth them to grow, bud and bring forth) and water you with his Blessings. So, the Lord God of Power be with you all, my dear Hearts! I am with you in the Spirit, and in the Love of your God, your Father and mine. The Lord God prosper, guide and protect you, and bring you all into his Kingdom of Glory, you who are Elected, Called, Chosen and Faithful, who are the Lambs. God Almighty bless you, and keep you all, my dear Hearts! The Love of God passeth Knowledge. The Love of God is Love past Knowledge, which bears all things, endures all things, hopes all things, envieth not, thinketh no Evil. And the Love of God is the Ground of all true Love in your Hearts, which casts out the Love of the World, and the Enmity, which was gotten betwixt you and God. He that believes, is born of God; and he that is born of God, overcomes the World. So, Far ye all well, and God Almighty bless and prosper you. G. F. And all ye Friends, that wait in that which is pure in itself, which cannot lie, which doth not change, Wait upon God, for God doth not change, and let all Flesh be silent before the Lord, that the Life may speak in all; then the Mouth of the Lord is known, Let Life speak. and God is Exalted and Glorified with his own Work, which he brings forth. And Meet together therein every where, and mind that which gathers you, and wait on that which is pure, which gathers you out of the World's Nature, Disposition, Conversation, Churches, Forms and Customs, which will knit your Hearts together up to God. That which gathers you out of all these, is the Spirit of the Lord, which will gather you up to him, who is the Father of Spirits; that ye may be able to Judge and Discern, and Confound all the Deceit in the World, and grow up to be as Kings, and suffer nothing to reign in you, but what is in the Life Eternal. And beware of speaking in the Presence of the Lord, except your Words be from the Eternal Life, Words spoken from the Word. the Eternal Word of God, else it doth not profit, nor build up, nor edify. So, God Almighty be with you all in your Meetings, that ye may see him to be your Head, King and Lord over all. To you all, who are enlightened with the Light of the Spirit, that is the Light, which shows you Sin and Evil, and your evil Deeds and Actings, and the Deceit and False-heartedness; The Light teaches Holiness. which will Teach you Holiness, walking in it, and bring you into Unity; and it will draw your Minds up to God, and in it ye will see more Light: But hating the Light, there is your Condemnation. G. F. ALL Friends, Epist. 44. wait upon the Unlimited Power and Spirit of the Lord, which baptises into one Body; where ye will have all Unity in that which crucifies the Flesh, and mortifies all evil Desires, and puts off the Body of Sin, the Old Man with his Deeds, and Circumcises without hands, and joins together your Hearts up to God, from whence the living Mercies come, from the Living God alone, who is God over all, blessed for ever. To that in every one of your Consciences do I appeal and speak, to the Measure that God hath given, the Light; The Light, is the Eye. loving it, and taking heed to it, and waiting in it for Power from God, it will guide you to the Father of Light, in which ye will have all Unity; and hating the Light it will be your Condemnation. Oh Wait, wait upon the Living God to nourish the tender Plant in you, that ye may bring forth Fruits of Righteousness unto God, for he accepts such, and none else. Therefore wait upon God, he hath a pure Seed among you: Let your waiting be in the Light; and mind that he is a Wise Man, whose Eye is in his Head, which is Christ, the End of all Priests, the End of the outward Temple; and the Fool's Eye is abroad, after many Priests, and they are led away with Conceivings, Temptations. and divers Temptations. Therefore in the Light wait, where ye will see all Deceits within and without: For it is a Sin to enter into Temptations; but it is no Sin to be tempted: Christ was tempted, but he entered not into the Temptation: Therefore in the Fear of the Lord wait and watch. The Light is that, which lets thee see Sin and Evil and Temptations; which if thou enter into, the Light will be thy Condemnation; then thy Heart will not be right towards God. But in the Light of God all wait, Wisdom's Gate. which will bring you to see, where Wisdom's Gate is; the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of it. Pure Wisdom is let out of the Treasury into the pure Heart, which sees God; and fearing the Living God, it keeps the Heart pure and clean, to receive the Wisdom from the Treasury freely, who doth not upbraid. And as ye depart from Evil and Iniquity, he breaks the Bonds by showing Mercy; and then the Understanding grows pure and clear. So in the Power of the Lord God Far ye well. And the Lord God of Power keep you all in his Measure up to himself, from and above all the World's evil Ways, Baits, Customs and Teachings, to trample upon them in his Power; that Wisdom may be Justified of you all, and ye may be preserved, and God glorified: To whom be all Glory, Honour and Thanks over all, God blessed for ever! Read these among all my Brethren and Friends, and send it abroad to Friends, that ye may all know the Power of the Living God in one another, not in Words, but in Power. So Farewell. G. F. Concerning the Heirs of the Kingdom of God, and how Christ was, and his Saints are Tempted. THey are the Heirs of the Kingdom of God, Epist. 45. and of the Generation of God, that live out of the Kingdom of the Wicked World (up to God, in the Seed, which all the Promises of God are to) following after Christ, who was in Egypt, and passed out of Egypt, the House of Darkness. And he was in the Wilderness, Christ was Tempted. and there he was tempted to Lust after the Creature; he was tempted to make himself away; he was tempted to Worship the Devil (to bow down and worship him) He is the Captain of our Salvation; he's gone before, he endured the Cross, he despised the Shame, he suffered the Contradiction of Sinners, for the Glory that was set before him, he hath won the Crown: He hath overcome Egypt, and he hath fulfilled the Law, he hath overcome the World, he hath overcome the Temptations; he is able to secure all who are tempted. It is no Sin to be tempted, but to enter into the Temptation, that is Sin: He is the Head of the Body, he is the Head of the Church, Christ the Head of the Church. who hath blotted out the Ordinances and Traditions of Men; who is the End of the daily Sacrifice; who is the End of the Levitical Priesthood; he is the End of all outward Temples, who is the Substance of the Prophets, for they all witnessed of him: He is Ascended above all Principalities and Powers. Now, to all Dear Ones, the same Seed, which is Christ, the same Spirit is now manifest, as ever was; the same World is now, as ever was; the same Temptations, and the same Devil, and the same vain Worship of the World, twining into another Form and Colour. And Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Door, that all must pass through, and he it is, that opens it; the same Door that ever was, the same Christ yesterday, to day, and for ever. And all who follow Christ, the Seed, and are of his Generation, and are brought out of Egypt, the House of Darkness, and from under the Law, the Righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in them; who walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit (as the Apostle saith) which we do witness. And the Seed's Generation hath passed through the Wilderness, Temptations in the Wilderness. where they have been tempted to Lust after the Creature: Ye that have been in the Wilderness, can witness this with me, and the same Temptations, even to Despair, and to make themselves away. The Devil, before he would go out of his Kingdom, he would destroy all: But look at the Captain Jesus Christ, who hath passed before, who was tempted (the Captain of our Salvation) with the same Temptations to worship the Devil; and that if thou wouldst worship the Devil, thou shouldest have the Glory of the World; if not, be called a Devil, as Christ was, The Glory of the World. and be called a Madman, as he was; and that none followed him, but a Cursed People (as they said) And they that worship the Devil, gave those Titles to him) And thou shalt lose thy good Name, and be a Laughingstock to them that worship the Devil, and as a Derision among them, and a Mark for every one of them to shoot at, and the Drunkards to make Songs of. This is the Portion of them, who deny the Worship of the World, and the Glory, and the Favour, and the evil Fashions thereof, and cannot Fashion themselves to it; who are tempted to all these things: But it is no Sin to be tempted; but standing in the Power of the Almighty God, ye will be enabled to stand against, and above all the Wiles of Satan. So dwell in the Power of Almighty God, which carries through the Wilderness, and through Temptations to the End, and gets the Victory over all the Carnal Ordinances, and Commands, and Traditions of Men; and he that overcomes, ascends above them all: And he that overcomes, shall sit down with Christ in his Throne. So, every one must witness Christ born in them, passing through Death to him, through the World, through the Law, through Temptations, through the Wilderness, and out of the World; and the Son of God ye will witness to arise, who doth overcome, who was born of God. And the same Spirit, that raised up Jesus Christ, the same Spirit raiseth you up, and quickeneth your Mortal Bodies; and he that hath not the same, is none of his. So, Fellowship with Christ in his Sufferings. Examine yourselves, and see, if ye have Fellowship with Christ in his Sufferings, and be brought to be Conformable to him in his Death, and to have Fellowship with him in his Temptations and Reproaches, and Buffet, and Scorn, and the Contradiction of Sinners, and to be spit upon, as he was; and he that hath Fellowship with him in his Sufferings, shall have Fellowship with him in his Glory: And he that doth Confess him in this dark World, him will he Confess before his Father, and his Angels; and he that doth deny him in this World, him he will deny before his Father and his Angels in the World to come. Now to all you, who are Convinced, and have your Understandings Enlightened, and the Worship of the World doth appear to you to be Contrary to the Worship of God and Christ in Spirit, and all the Prophets and Apostles, who Worshipped the Living God in Newness of Life, Lust not after the Creature. in the Second Birth, Beware, ye enter not into the Temptation, to lust after the Creature, and give not way to the Lazy, Dreaming Mind, for it enters into the Temptations. So there thou wilt be polluted with the Pollutions of the World; then thou wilt be tempted to Despair, and the Devil there gets Power upon thee, if thou enter into Temptations, and follow thy Imaginations in going from the Light of Christ within thee. And then thou judgest with evil Thoughts; and he will come with his Instruments, his evil Angels, to tempt thee from God's Worship to the false Worship, Temptations to the false Worship. or else thou wilt lose thy Credit or good Name, or thy Place, or thy Authority, where thou art, except thou wilt bow to him: And every one will stare at thee, and thou wilt be gazed at, and wondered at. So if thy Mind go from the Light, and out of the Fear of the Lord, than thou wilt Consult with Flesh and Blood, which must never enter into the Kingdom of God, and that Carnal Reason must never enter. And then thou wilt take Counsel of the Harlot, and so the Eye of thy Mind will be turned out from God, and so thou goest under the Power of the Prince of the Air, which rules and reigns in the Children of Disobedience, and so under the Dominion of Satan. And then, though thou hast the Praise of the World, and the Glory of the World; yet disobeying that, which should have led thee into the Kingdom of God, and from under the Dominion of Satan, thy latter End will be worse than thy Beginning. The World's Honour. And in the World there thou may'st have thy Honour, and the fleshly Man is nourished, and thy Glory and Renown may grow again among the Fleshly ones, who are gone out from God, and have disobeyed the Light in them, which should have led them from under the Dominion of Satan (under whose Dominion they are now) up to God, where there is Joy Eternal, where there are Riches and Glory Eternal, and where there is Comfort Eternal; whose Kingdom is for ever, whose Dominion is an Everlasting Dominion: But thou, who forsakest the right Way, goest into Eternal Destruction. woe, Woe is to thee! For the love of the World is an Enemy to God; and he that loveth the World, the love of the Father is not in him: And thou, who settest thy Hand to the Plough, and lookest back, art not fit for the Kingdom of God. And all who can Witness the Second Birth, and are born again, The Second Birth. know, the Promises of God in and to the Seed are Yea and Amen; and ye coming out of that which was in Time, ye come up to God, who was before Time was: This is a Mystery, he that can receive it, let him; and he that hath an Ear to hear it, let him hear, In Time and before Time. what the Spirit saith. Abel was the Second Birth, he was no Murderer, nor no Sinner; for God called him: And God saw no Iniquity in Jacob, but Esau the first, is hated, and not perfect. And except ye be born again, ye cannot enter into the Kingdom of God: Flesh and Blood shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. And he that is born of God, sins not, because the Seed of God remains in him, neither can he sin, 1 John 3.9. because he is born of God. And he that is born of God, overcomes the World; he that is born of God, is not of this World. And he that is born of God, testifies against all the Works of the World, and the Wickedness of it; and he that is born of God, doth not commit Sin. He that commits Sin, is of the Devil, and hath not seen God at any time: Hereby are the Children of God made manifest from the Children of the Devil; for he that sins, is of the Devil, and knows not God. For this Purpose was the Son of God made manifest, to destroy the Works of the Devil; and he that doth Righteousness, is Righteous, even as he is Righteous. And they that were of the Second Birth, were taught of God, Born of God. and needed no Man to teach them; and were come into the Everlasting Covenant: And those are the Second Birth, who are born again of the Immortal Seed by the Will of God, and not by the Will of Man. And as many as received Christ, he gave Power to them to become the Sons of God, which are not born by the Will of Man, but by the Will of God; John 3.5. not by Water only, but by Water and the Spirit. G. F. TO all Friends who are in the Unity, which is in the Light; Walk in the Light. Epist. 46. It is one Light, that doth Convince you all; and one Christ, that doth call all to Repentance, up to himself, the one Head, Concerning the Unity, which is in the Light. which is Christ. The wise Man's Eye is his Head, who changeth the Mind, and calleth from above, to that which lies below; it is he alone, that gives Faith, and all who are in this Faith, are one. It is one Power, that raiseth up the Seed; and your Faith being out of Words, in the Power, ye are all one, and that Seed is one; and ye are all one, if ye he Ten Thousand; which Seed is one, which is Christ, and he is the Master, which is one: and all the Brethren, who are in the Spirit, are one. Ye have all one Eye, ehich is the Light; one Fire, which Consumes all, which the Light discovers to be evil; and one Spirit, which baptises all into the one Body, where there is no Confusion, but Pureness and Oneness. Therefore all Friendds, mind the Oneness, and that which keeps you in the Oneness and Unity, it is that which keeps you out of the World; and this one Light leads you out of Darkness into the Everlasting Day, where ye see the Church of God.) But living in the Darkness, and following that Mind, it leads into the World's Assemblies, who have the Letter of the Saints Words, but live out of the Life, smiting at one another, fight for the Husks: But minding the Light within, it leads you into the Assemblies of the Righteous, who are in the Life. The Kernel is (to be found) within, The Kernel, and the Husk distinguished. the Husk is without, which the Swine feed upon, but the Pearl is hid from them; and the Swine, and the Dogs would devore them, in whom the Pearl is found: They are Outsides, who feed upon Outsides. God that made the World, and all things therein, seeing he is the Lord of Heaven and Earth, dwells not in Temples made with Hands, Acts 17.24. and hath made all Nations of Men, that dwell upon the Face of the Earth, of one Blood, and hath appointed the Times and Seasons, and hath given to every one a Measure according to their Ability. God hath given Ability to every one according to their Measure (that are Faithful to it) and here is the Righteousness of God received, and the Wrath of God revealed upon the Children of Disobedience. The Grace of God hath appeared unto all, which taught the Saints to deny Ungodliness, and teacheth us; which the World turns into Wantonness, and walks despitefully against the Spirit of Grace; and yet tempts God, and calls for Grace: These are they, that set up Teachers without. And Christ saith, He is the Light of the World, and hath enlightened every one, that cometh into the World; and he that loves the Light, brings his Deeds to the Light, to him there is no occasion of stumbling: and this Teaching guides to God, the Father of Light. And the other, he hates the Light, because the Light will reprove him, here he knows, his Deeds are evil, by the Light: And this is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the World, and Men love Darkness rather than Light. And here thou must become silent, The Sight of Sin. Oh Flesh, that temptest God to give thee a Sight of thy Sins; for Christ hath enlightened thee, and given thee a Sight of thy Sins, which shall be thy Condemnation, hating it: For thou that hatest it, hast it. And it is Thou, that puttest the Letter for the Light, which was given from the Light, from them that walked in the Light; but thou hating the Light given thee, thou knowest not the Conditions of them that had the Light, but puttest Darkness for Light, and Light for Darkness: and so Woe rests upon thee! It is Thou, that puttest Evil for Good, and the Woe rests upon thee! And it is Thou, that art covered, and not with the Spirit of the Lord: And it is Thou that standest not in the Counsel of the Lord, but followest thy own Imaginations, that art turned out from God; and so the Woe rests upon thee! And thy Kingdom and Crown is Pride; and Woe is to the King of Pride! And Thou art the Wicked, that forgettest God, which must be turned into Hell; and livest in Perverseness, and art a Child of Disobedience, who disobeyest the Light; and so the Wrath of God rests upon thee. But who love the Light, and walk in the Light, Jesus Christ is their King, whose Gospel is preached to every Creature. For Death having passed over all Men, all in the first Nature are Children of Wrath, and all in the Second are Children of God. The Seed is sown upon all sorts of Ground; The Seed and its fourfold Ground. upon the High-Way-Ground, Thorny and Stony Ground, and Good Ground. And Christ hath given to every one a Measure, and Ability according to his Measure; he that improves not his Measure, he hath the Eye, and seethe not, and Ear, and heareth not; and Heart, and doth not understand. And he is the Thief, that steals the Apostles Words, and Christ's Words: And is the Drunkard, who abides not in the Light; gone from his Measure, and so abides not in the Doctrine of Christ. And this Light shall be thy Condemnation, when the Book of Conscience is opened, which should exercise your Conscience, which will condemn you: And the Wrath of God abides upon the Children of Disobedience. G. F. ALL Friends every where, who with the Light, Epist. 47. that never changeth, are Convinced, and turned from Darkness, To Friends in Cumberland, Bishopric, and Northumberland. In the Light dwell, that ye may come to learn of Christ in the Life, and with it know the Movings of the Spirit of Life in you, that moves against all the Works of Death, and so works Freedom. A Measure of this living Spirit and Power being known in every one, and ye kept to it, with it ye are kept diligent, quick and lively, to walk in the Life; The Life Redeems. for it is the Life, that Redeems which only Overcomes, and gives an Entrance into Rest. Therefore every one of you know a Measure of that Spirit, which exerciseth Meekness, Truth and Faithfulness in you in Power, which as it is known, breaks the Bonds of Iniquity, and scatters the Armies of the Aliens; that ye may all know, what it is to follow the Lamb, with Joy and Peace in your Minds, your Hearts upright to your Guide. Take heed, Imitation of others. that none of you walk by Imitation of others only: For though the Way they walk in, be good to them, who are in the Light, yet thou art in Darkness, and knowest not, whether thou goest, nor canst ever receive any Strength from God to Carry thee on in that Way, nor Reward for it; and thy Fellowship is not with God in that Way, but with Men, and in this Way thou canst not be Cleansed, but in the End thy Labour will be lost. And of this sort are they, that turn back, and speak evil of the Way of God, when Way of God they never came into, nor his Life, Peace and Power; that's a Way they never knew. By these the Offence comes, and the Stumbling-block, whereby many are offended; but Woe to such, by whom the Offence comes! And take heed of Judging the Measures of others, but every one mind your own; Judge not the Measures of others. and there ye famish the busy Minds and high Conceits, and so Peace springs up among you, and Division is Judged. And this know, That there are Diversities of Gifts, but one Spirit and Unity therein to all, who with it are guided. And though the Way seems to thee divers; yet Judge not the Way, lest thou Judge the Lord, and knowest not, that several Ways (seeming to Reason) hath God to bring his People out by, yet are all but one in the End: This is, that he many be looked to from all the Ends of the Earth, to be a Guide and Lawgiver; and that none should Judge before him. Deep is the Mystery of Godliness! Therefore Silence all Flesh, and see your own Ways be Clean; and as ye grow therein, the Way of Peace will be more prized by you, and the perfect Bond ye will come to know: And all who are here established, shall stand in Strength, when others fall on the right-hand, and on the left. Dear Friends, ye have long been Convinced, and owned the Lord in Word and Form; and look for it, ye must be proved and tried, not only your Faith and Patience in Persecution by the Enemy without (for that many of you have escaped) but proved ye must all be with that which is nearer, The Trial by a Falling away. even a Falling-away amongst yourselves: And it is good, that the Steadfastness of all should be known herein. For many are crept in unawares, who are self-ended, slow-bellies, who love this World more, than the Cross of Christ, who are got high in th' Form, and have great swelling Words, which they can utter for their Advantage in Earthly things, deceiving the Simple therewith, who are not yet got above the Pollution of the World: And this was ordained of Old, for the manifesting of him, that is approved. And with that Eye, that leads out of the Fall, is he seen to be fallen, who hath got the Saints Words, to plead for that which is in the Fall, it to uphold. And here the Oppressor would set his Seat faster, than before, the Devil being now transformed into the Likeness of an Angel of Light. And thus is the Scripture fulfilled; My little Children, this have I written to you, that when ye see this come to pass, ye might not be amazed, as though some strange thing had befallen the Church of God; but even the same, that was of Old, to prove you, and to perfect you against the Devil: Herein is he made manifest, that ye may know his Wiles. And great Steadfastness shall it produce to all, who mind their standing upon Christ the Rock, and have Salt in themselves to savour withal. But that which will not come to the Everlasting Foundation, Airy Spirits. is apt to be tossed to an fro with Airy Spirits, who are now gone out into the World, to deceive such, whose Hearts look back after Worldly things. Therefore stand with your Minds girded up to God above the World, lest ye run in vain, and lose your Crown; which none receives, but he that continues to the End. G. F. Let this go to all the Churches of the Saints. To Friends, concerning Judging. FRiends to you all this is the Word of the Lord: Epist. 48. Take heed of Judging one another; Judge not one another (I charge you in the Presence of the Lord) with that which must be Judged; neither lay open one another's Weaknesses behind one another's Backs; for thou that dost so, art one of ham's Family, which is under the Curse. But every one of you in particular with the Light of Christ (which he hath enlightened you withal) see yourselves, that Self may be Judged out with the Light in every one. Now, Self Judged. all loving the Light, here no Self can stand, but it is Judged with the Light; and here all are in Unity, and here no Self-will can arise, nor no Mastery; but all that is Judged out. And let there be no Backbiting amongst you; but in Love, ye that dwell in the Light, and see clear, speak to the others, whose Minds are gone from the Light: Else (as I said before) if ye do speak behind their backs, there will be the Evil Eye and Filthy Mind, which dare not speak to their Faces. And so the same (Mind) which doth condemn behind the back, is for Condemnation; and so Self should be Judged first. Here ye will be kept watchful ub the pure Fear and Love of God, and all Self will be Judged out from amongst you, which would be Judging in secret; which is a Work of Darkness. And take heed (I charge you all in the Presence of the Living God) of a feigned Humility, and a feigned Love, Feigned Love and Humility. which is out of the Light, and then that to use as a Customary Salutation, or a Formal Gesture; which is all for Condemnation, and to be kept out, being out of the Covenant. So see, that all your Actings be in and from the Light; here ye will be kept clean and pure, and will come to be sealed in the Everlasting Covenant of God with the Light, which comes from Christ. And again, I charge you all in the presence of the Living God, not to suffer your Minds to go out to Contend with them, Contentions out of Truth. who be not of the Truth, in that which is out of the Truth, both which are to be condemned with the Truth. For the same Mind will boast and get up, which is out of the Truth, and reaches at things in the Comprehension, though it lives not in it, but is excluded out of the Truth, and shall not enter; but is for Condemnation. And so to you all this is the Counsel of the Lord God of Power and of Peace, that in Peace ye may be preserved, to wait for the Spirit of Grace, and of Wisdom, and of Understanding. And Friends all every where, Meet together, waiting upon the Lord, that your Minds may be guided by the Spirit of God up to God. And know the Life of God in one another, which all, whose Minds are abroad, are Strangers to, and to the Covenant of Promise; for the Covenant and Promise of Life is with and to the Seed: The Covenant and Promise of Life. And there is no Sin, Iniquity or Transgression in the Covenant; for that is all Judged, being out of the Covenant of God. And therefore all wait, that ye all may come to witness the Covenant of Life made with your Souls, and to find the Witness, the Seal of the Spirit, that ye are Sealed to God with, Sin and Transgression finished. and that ye may all witness Sin and Transgression finished, and blotted out by Christ Jesus, the New Covenant of God; and ye may all come to know the Lord, and to love the Light, which Christ hath given you, to teach you; than ye will witness the Covenant, yea Ten Thousands will witness the Covenant, Christ Jesus. For as the Lord said, I will give him for a Covenant of Light to the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes; And so, this Light doth open the Eyes of the blind. All ye, that were blind, as the Gentiles, or the Jews, ye know, that with the Light your Eyes are opened, and ye do see the New Covenant, the Unchangeable Priest, the Unchangeable Covenant. So in that, which changeth not, dwell, that that which is changeable and wavering, may be Judged and Condemned with that which changeth not. And though the Ministration of Condemnation was and is glorious in its time, The Ministration of the Spirit. yet the Ministration of the Spirit exceedeth in Glory, which changeth not; and there is no Condemnation to them, who are in Christ Jesus, the New Covenant, who walk in the Spirit. But who are in that which changeth, running into the Changeable Ways and Works without, and are in that Nature which hates the Light, all such are for Condemnation by the Light, which is Eternal, and never changeth. And all the beggarly Lusts, Traditions and Rudiments of Men, which are acted in that Nature, contrary to the Light, are for Condemnation by the Light. So, dwelling all in the Light, which is unchangable, ye come to Judge all the Changeable Ways and Worships, Changeable Worships. that are Variable and Changeable, by that which comes from God, which changeth not; and with his Light, which he hath given, all those things are Judged. So dwelling in the Judgement, ye will be filled full of Mercy; for first Judgement, and then Mercy is to spread over all, that the Just may rule over all. And Friends, I charge you all in the Presence of the Living God, let no Evil Communication, Evil Communication. nor evil Words proceed out of your Mouths. And if ye find the Root in you not taken away, that would act such things, dwell in the Light, which lets you see the Evil Communications, and with the Light give Judgement upon it in the particular, and first Judge it there; for that is it, which corrupts the Good Manners. And there areno good Manners, but all is corrupted, whilst there is Evil Communication, and all that Profession is Abomination to the Lord, whilst that stands. So, put away all filthy Communication out of your Mouths, and all Wrath, unrighteousness and Ungodliness, with the Light ye will see it all; and walking in the Light, and loving it, ye may Judge all that with the Light, and with it come to know the good Manners and pure Communication. And walking in this Light, it will keep out all Evil Communication from amongst you, for the corrupt Manners are there, and proceed form that; and all the Profession, which is performed in that Nature, whilst the Evil Communication is standing, is Abomination, and for Condemnation: For all the Evil Manners corrupt, and all their Profession is corrupt and for the Fire. So, all walk in the Light, with which ye are enlightened, for it will teach you all the good Manners and pure Communication, Good Manners. and condemn all corrupt Manners and corrupt Communication; and so to have the Heart and Mind cleansed from all such things. And all walking in the Light, ye have the Besom; labour to sweep the Land from all such corrupt Manners and vain Communication, and with the Light all that comes to be Judged down. So the Light is the Judge, and the Condemnation; and in the Light walk, and ye will shine. And My Dear Brethren in the Covenant of Life, keep to Yea and Nay, and (call the days) First day, Second day, Third day, Fourth day, Yea and Nay. Fifth day, Sixth day and Seventh day, as they were given forth, First day, Second day, etc. and called by God in the Beginning. The Endless Riches ye are made partakers of, and the Endless Inheritance ye are come to have a share of, Heirs with Christ of the Kingdom, that never fadeth away; and ye that suffer with Christ, shall reign with Christ. And to you all Friends, who are not come up to the Covenant, and cannot witness, that ye are come into it, and sealed (by the Spirit) follow no Image-makers, but the Life guiding you, which is Eternal; that will hue down all Imaginations, and Likenesses, and Images, and Image-makers, Image-makers. that the Glorious God, the Father of Life may be exalted, the Ground of all Truth. And Friends, none to speak abroad, but as ye are moved of God with the Spirit of the Lord, and to that be obedient, as faithful Servants; that ye may enter into the Joy of your Lord. And Friends, I warn and charge you all, that there be no keeping of Old things in store in the Mind or Memory, or Heart-rising one against another, or Backbiting among you, Evil-speaking. or speaking evil one of another; but Judge that out by the Light of Christ. And dwell in the Life of God, than ye all in this Life of God will have Unity: And beware of, and not suffer that in you to Contend, which goeth out of the Truth; but by the Truth Judge it out. And Meet together every where, knowing one another in the Spirit, and not in the Flesh; and with the Spirit of God wait upon God, the Father of Spirits. And Friends, Live not on that, which is out of the Truth, but all be kept low; that that, which is pure of God, and comes from God, ye may live and feed upon. And that there be no feeding on feigned Love, Feigned Love but on that which is Pure and Eternal, without Mixture or Stain; that all the other may be hewn down, and trampled upon, and trodden down. Earth to the Earth, Dust to the Dust; that ye may allbe kept pure, and in Joy, waiting for the Eternal Riches from the Eternal God. So all to know the Ministry and Prayer, which is from and in the Spriti, and in it all are one; and by it all the contrary is Judged. And take heed of Pride, but by the Eternal Spirit, Pride. keep all that down, and judge it. The Sacrifices of the Wicked are Abominaiton to the Lord, and he hears not Hypocrites; but the Prayers of the Righteous are heard. G. F. FRiends, in the Life and Power of God dwell, Epist. 49. which doth teach you to deny yourselves, which keeps you from all Strife, and from all Deceit, that nothing may appear, Self-denial. but by the pure Spirit it may be Judged; and that by the Spirit of God ye may all be kept up to him, who is a God of Order, and not of Confusion: For all who are in Confusion, are in that Nature that's contrary to the Light, who are with it to be Condemned. And so the God of Life be with you all, that the Fear of the Lord in all your hearts may be set, that the Dread, Terror and Fear of the Lord amongst you may remain, and Faith from him ye may all come to receive, and Love. And let Love proceed one towards another, from the Faith, which purifies, that all Actions to the Light may be brought, that all Deeds contrary to the Light, may with it be Condemned; that in Peace and Righteousness ye may all grow up in that which is Eternal, guided to him who is Eternal, taking all heed to the Measure of God's Grace, that with it your Minds may be guided up to God, the Father of Life, and all your Minds with the Eteranl kept to him, who is Eternal: That the Kingdom of God ye may all come to see, The Kingdom of God. waiting in the Light, taking heed to it, which calls to Repentance, which informs your Minds towards the Kingdom of God, where there is no End, but Love, Joy and Peace for Evermore. And wait in the Light for Power to remove the Earthly part, that ye may all witness the Kingdom, and Joy in the Holy Ghost; that with the Light your Minds may be kept up to God, who is Pure, and in it ye may all have Unity, who in the Light of Life do walk: For who contrary to the Light do act, this is their Condemnation. unsavoury Speeches, etc. And let no unsavoury Speeches, nor Profaneness, nor Looseness, nor Idleness, nor Filthiness be amongst you, but be diligent, serving the Lord in the Light; for all that which is contrary to the Light, with the Light is to be Condemned. And to you this is the Word of the Lord, that with the Spirit of the Lord, that comes from the Father of Spirits, ye may all come to witness the Spirit of Promise, and set to your Seals, that God the Father of Spirits is true. So in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ be ye all kept and preserved; and Keep together, and Meet together, that ye may grow in the Measure of God's Grace. G. F. And all Dear Friends, in the Eternal dwell, that as the Plants of the Lord ye may grow; The Plants of the Lord. and ye, who are the Vineyard-dressers, keep out the subtle and cunning Foxes, who make their Holes in the Earth. If in the Light ye all dwell, which was, before the Earth was, with it ye will the tender Plants preserve. And all Friends, in that which is pure, patiently wait to inherit the Substance; and in that dwell, which sees beyond the Shadow, Types, Traditions and evil Lust. And dwell in the Life, that ye may be nourished with living Food, and be kept above the World in the Light, that the Son of God be not crucified afresh, with that which turns from the Light into the Lust. So all ye, that have a Sight of this, and are come hither, Wait in the Light, that ye may grow up in the living Word, to comprehend the World; that every one of your Souls may come to find its Rest, where no Burden is, and the Travel in the Will of Man is ceased. For all those Travels and Burdens are among them, that contrary to the Light do act, Self-Burdens and Travels. and the Burden is their own, and the Travel is their own; which is to be condemned with the Light, which leads up into Life. And so the Power of the mighty God of Life be with you, which is raising up his living Seed, and the Seed is one, which is turning up the Earth, and cleaving it asunder, and removing it out of its place, and bringing into the Faith of Abraham, and to the God of Abraham. The Lord God be with you, that in the Light dwell, whose Minds are turned towards Christ the Way, from all that which Christ the Light discovers to be evil. Ye Children of the Light, seek to turn many to the Light, and to Wisdom's Gate bring them, that ye may all come to be Doorkeepers in the House of the Lord, and see what must be kept out of high House, Wisdom's Gate. Doorkeepers. and what to receive into the House; and own no Sacrifice, but that which is from the Living, which is accepted of the Lord. G. F. ALL Friends, Dwell in that which is Pure, Epist. 50. and wait for the Power of God to preserve you in that which is. Pure, up to God. Concerning the Power of God. And know the Seed of God in one another, that the Knowledge, which is after the Flesh, may die; and know the Power of God in one another. Let your Faith stand in that which throws out the Earthly Nature, and the Loftiness of Man; which overturns the Worldly Wisdom and the Carnal Knowledge, which is brutish and Devilish. In that which is Pure, dwell, that ye may be able to discern, and savour and comprehend that, which is not Pure; Dwell in that which is Pure. and in that wait which is Pure, to have your Minds guided thereby, which will let you see God, and show you your evil Thoughts, and Judge them; and is a Cross to your evil Desires, Wills, and Lusts. I say, Dwell in that which is Pure, which will guide you to God; but if ye lust (as aforesaid) then the Pure is vailed, and the light Mind speaks at random, with a drunken Spirit, and not from the Mouth of the Lord. And there lodgeth the Dreamer, and the lying Spirit, and the false Prophet, The Dreamer and false Prophet. and that which is like the Truth, but is not the Truth; but dwelling in the Truth, this will be discovered. And wait upon God in that which is Pure, for the receiving of that which comes from God, which is living; which nourisheth up to Everlasting Life. So God Almighty be with you! G. F. To Friends, Concerning the Cross of Christ, the Power of God, that leads out of the World, to the World that is without End. THE Cross is to the Carnal Part, which is the Ground of Images, Epist. 51. the Ground of the Seducers, and the Ground of the false Prophet and Antichrist; the Cross is to that Ground, Concerning the Gross. to the Root and Life (of it.) This being minded, which is Pure and Eternal, it makes a Separation from all other Lovers (and brings to God) and the Ground of evil Thoughts comes to be opened, and the Cross is to that Ground; The Ground of Evil Thoughts. which Cross overturns the World in the Heart. Which Cross must be taken up by all, who follow Jesus Christ, out of the World, which hath an End, into the World which is without End; and all the evil things of the World must be denied: For who loves the World, the love of the Father is not in him; but where the World is standing, the Cross is not lived in. But dwelling in the Cross to the World, here the Love of God is shed abroad in the Heart, and the Way is opened into the Inheritance, which fades not away; where nothing shall enter, which is defiled. For God is not seen, but in the Eternal Light, God is seen in the Light. from whence all pure Wisdom comes: This Treasure is not seen, but with the Spiritual Eye; nor received, but with the Pure in Heart, and by those, who dwell and abide in the Eternal Light. But the Carnal Heart may get the Words from them, who had received the Wisdom, who dwelled in the Fear of the Lord; but they, who live without the Fear, may get their Words, and yet know not Wisdom's Gate, from whence those Words proceeded, having the old Bottle. Watch all therefore, and see, what ye do possess: For all who gave forth the Holy Scripture, who dwelled in the Fear of God, they possessed th' Life, which those Words proceeded form; and the Secrets of the Lord were with them. Therefore all in your Measure, which is of God, wait, that it may guide your Minds up to God, and followed, and not your evil Desires, nor the Lust of the World; for the Fear of the Lord will keep your Hearts Clean, A Clean Heart. and the true Wisdom will be with you in the pure Heart. And every one, that hath this Light, which Christ hath enlightened them withal, the Deeds that are Evil, ye know them so to be by the Light; and this Light will be their Condemnation, ye know it. And all who witness this Light, and love it, their Eye is in their Head, which is Christ, if they be Ten Thousands. G. F. ALL Friends in Westmoreland, Epist. 52. Lancashire, Cumberland, Northumberland, Bishopric, and about Newcastle, whose Minds are turned to the Light, To Friends in the North. Meet together, and wait upon the Lord, and keep your several Meetings in the Light of Christ; that all your Hearts may be joined together, and ye all kept in Unity up to God, the Father of Lights. The Lord God Almighty keep you and preserve you, that ye may all see the Blessings of God; for he Blessings of the Lord are among you: And that ye all with the Light may know your Minds kept up to God, The Wisdom of God. to receive the Wisdom of God, by which all things were made; that with it ye may come to order the Creatures, and in the Wisdom of God ye may be preserved to walk wisely. And that no Deceit nor Slothful Spirits be amongst you, Slothful Spirits. nor Hangers-on, getting the Form, etc. who speak, what they are not; all such I do deny, and with the Light all such are to be condemned: Such cumber the Ground, and slain the Earth, that it cannot enjoy her Sabbaths, nor yield her Increase. They that are so, and act contrary to the Light, are by it to be condemned, and with it I do them deny which Light is one in all your Consciences; that with the Light your Minds may be kept up to God, and all that which is contrary, may be condemned to the Fire, which is for the Fire. And I warn you all, in the Presence of the Living God, to take heed to the Measure of the Grace of God; The Grace of God. that with it your Minds may be kept up to God, and that ye may all come to profit in the Spirit. And from you all God doth look for the Fruits of that Spirit, of which a Manifestation is given you to profit withal: And to you this is the Word of the Lord. O Friends, mind the Seed of God, and the Life of Christ! And take heed of being hurried with many Thoughts, but live in that which goes over them all, and that in it ye may reign, and live in the Seed of God. G. F. Concerning the Duty of all Friends in Truth. ALL Friends every where, that have Wives, or that have Husbands, Epist. 53. or that have Children, or that have Servants; or Servants that have Masters, or Children that have Parents, that are not Friends, This is to you all, that are in the Light, which lighteth every Man, that cometh into the World, that they, that act Contrary to the Light, and believe not in it, which know not the Word, Conversatior. and will not be won with the Word (speaking to them) that your Conversation (ye walking in the Light, which comes from the Word) may answer to the Light in them, which they hate, and walk Contrary to; that your Conversation may Judge them, and ye may win them by your Conversation, walking in the Light, which answereth the Light in them, wherewith they be enlightened; which Light comes from the Word, which casteth down all that is Contrary to it. That they, that act Contrary to the Light, beholding your Conversation, and your Good Works, the Light, which they act Contrary to, may make them Confess to your good Conversation, and glorify your Father, which is in Heaven; who are born of the Light, Children of Light. That ye may receive the Wisdom from above (which is neither Earthly, nor Sensual, nor Devilish) with which ye may be ordered to the Glory of God, and with that order all, that ye have to order: And to you this is the Word of the Lord. G. F. Honouring all Men, P. S. is reaching that of God in every Man for that brings to seek the Honour of God; the other fades, and reacheth not to that of God in Man: For the Saints, Honour all Men. which were to honour all Men, they were in that of God, which did reach to that of God in all Men And they that are not in the Spirit of God, do dishonour the Son, and miscall Men, honouring and fetting up that which is out of the Truth; which is to be trodden under Foot. G. F. This is to be sent among Friends, who be in the Light. ALL my Dear Brethren, Babes of God, Born of the Immortal Seed, Epist. 54. whose Dwelling is in the Power, that upholds all things, Concerning the Light. which Power is made manifest, which hath brought you to him, that was in the Beginning, before the World was, and with the Life to Comprehend the World, and that which is in it, and what it is, Life comprebends the World. and what it lies in. All my Dear Babes of God, who are in the Arms of the Almighty, dwell in the Light, that ye may be manifested to the Light of God in all Conseiences, that to the Light, which is of God, People's Minds may be directed, and they come to receive the Life, and to witness it, that gave forth the Scriptures; that with the Light ye may see them, who act contrary to the Light, who are for the Sword, who are for the Hammer, and who are for the Fire. Here not a Deceiver shall stand, nor a false Prophet, nor an Antichrist, False Prophet and Anti-christs'. who do oppose the Light; but with the Light all such are seen and comprehended. Which Light is Eternal, and was, before the World was, which comprehends the World; which Light is one in every Man's Conscience: Which Light is the Condemnation of all that hate it, and of all that Profession, that is acted in that Nature contrary to the Light. My Babes, dwell in the Light, in the Immortal Seed of God, and grow up in it, and be clothed with Christ's Zeal, having his Mind; that with the Light ye may see them, which be from the Light turned, and act contrary to the Light, who with the Light are to be condemned. And so all they, that make a Profession of the Scriptures declared from the Light, and act contrary to the Light, that comes from Christ Jesus, and yet profess his Command; their Zeal is without Knowledge, and they will persecute. For they, Self-Righteousness. that be in the Self-Righteousness, are in that Nature, that acts contrary to the Light, who with the Light are to be condemned; which Light leads to Christ, and brings to witness him, the Lord of Righteousness. Therefore dwell in the Light, that to the Light in all Consciences ye may be made manifest, to turn them from the Darkness to the Light, and so to Christ, from whence it comes; that with the Light every one may see their Salvation, Christ Jesus, and so, ye may bring every one to sit under the Vine Christ Jesus, and bring every one into the Light, which comprehends the World, which is the World's Condemnation, False Prophets, Anti-christs' and Deceivers. and all them that hate it. And bring every one to the Light, which condemns all evil Deeds and Works of Darkness, and Works of the Flesh; that with the Light they may all see, what shall enter into the Kingdom of God, and what not. And bring all into the Light, that they may see the false Prophets, and the Anti-christs' and Deceivers, A Brutish Knowledge. which are all in that Nature, which acts contrary to the Light; in which Light is Unity, with which Light are they all condemned: And to you this is the Word of the Lord. And who turns from the Light and gets the Words of them, that knew what they declared from the Light, and makes a Profession of them, this Knowledge is brutish: But who dwells in the Light, and with the Light sees Christ, his Knowledge is from that which is Eternal; with which Light the other is Condemned, which acts contrary to it, though he may have the Words declared from it. And all who are turned from the Light, and make a Profession of the Words declared from the Light, and gather there a great deal of Wisdom, yet their Minds are turned into the Earth, which is a Seat for the Devil, there is the Sensualness, there is the Devilishness and Earthliness, there is the Wisdom that is from below, which is acted in that Nature contrary to the Light; with the Light that is comprehended, and with the Light that is condemned: That Wisdom is from below. But the Light leads the Mind up to Christ, from whence it comes, to receive the Wisdom which is from above, and condemns that which leads from the Light, for that is pure and gentle, which is from above; but the other is Sensual, Earthly and Devilish, Perverse and Envious, and is with the Light comprehended and condemned: Which Light is against the false Prophet, whose Words, Knowledge and Wisdom is not from it. G. F. THE Word of the Lord God to all my Brethren, Epist. 55. Babes and Soldiers, that are in the Spiritual Warfare of our Lord Jesus Christ; The Spiritual Warfare. Arm yourselves, like Men of War, that ye may know, what to stand against. Spare not, pity not that which is for the Sword (of the Spirit) Plague and Famine, and set up Truth, and confound the Deceit, which stains the Earth, and cumbers the Ground: The Dead stinks upon the Earth, and with it the Earth is stained, therefore bury it. And wait in the Light, which comes from Jesus, to be clothed with his Zeal, to stand against all them, who act contrary to the Light, which comes from Jesus, and yet profess the Words declared from the Light; which are only Sayers, but not Doers: Sayers and not Doers. All such are to be trodden without the City under Foot; and Woe proceeds from the Lord against all such, and the Stone is falling upon such, and fallen, to grind them to Powder. Arm yourselves like Men of War, the mighty Power of God goes along with you, to enable you to stand over all the World, and (Spiritually) to chain, to fetter, to bind, and to imprison, and to lead out of Prison; to famish, to feed and to make fat, and to bring into green Pastures. So the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you! And go on in the Work of the Lord, that ye may trample upon all Deceit within and without. And all they, who are gathered together with the Light, and their Minds turned towards Christ Jesus, who doth them enlighten, that they may all see the Lord Jesus among them, their Head, and they his Branches; in the Light waiting, and growing up in Christ Jesus, from whence it comes, they may bring forth Fruit to the Glory of his Name. And all waiting and walking in the Light, with it ye will see the Lord Jesus amongst you: And ye will see with the Light, all that hate it, who profess Christ Jesus Words declared from his Light, and walk not in it; by his Light are they, and all their Profession condemned. And to you this is the Word of the Lord. G. F. To call the Minds out of the Creatures. ALL Friends of the Lord every where, Epist. 56. whose Minds are turned within towards the Lord, Take heed and hearken to the Light within you, which is the Light of Christ and of God, which will call your Minds to within (as ye heed it) which were abroad in the Creatures; that by it your Minds may be renewed, and by it turned to God, with that which is pure to worship the Living God, the Lord of Hosts, over all the Creatures. That which calls your Minds out of the Lusts of the World, The Lusts of the World and Evil Affections; it will call them out of the evil Affections and Desires, and turn you from them, and set your Affections above: And the same, which calls your Minds out from the World's Teachers, and the Creatures, and to have your Minds renewed, there your Obedience is to be known and found; and there the Image of God is renewed, and ye come to grow up into it. That which calls your Minds out of the Earth, turns it towards God, where the pure Babe is born in the Virgin-Mind; and the Babe's Food is known, and the children's Bread witnessed, which comes from the living God, which nourisheth up to Eternal Life: Which Babes and Children receive their Heavenly Wisdom from above, from the Pure, Living God, and not from the Earthly One; for that is trodden under Foot with such. And all who hate this Light, whose Minds are abroad in the Creatures, and in the Image of the Devil, they may get the Saints Words (who received their Wisdom from above) in their old Nature and corruptible Mind; but such are they, who are Murderers of the Just, Enemies to the Cross of Christ, in whom the Prince of the Air lodgeth, Sons of Perdition, Murderers of the Just. Betrayers of Christ. Therefore take heed to the Light, which is oppressed with that Nature; which Light shall Condemn (as it ariseth) all that evil Nature, and shut it out, and turn it out of the House. And so ye will come to see the Candle lighted, the House sweeping and swept, and then after the pure Treasure will be found; The Treasure. found. and then the Name of the Eternal God will be exalted. And the same Light, that calls your Minds, which were abroad, out of the World, the same turns them to God, the Father of Light: Here the pure Mind is known, and the pure God is waited upon for Wisdom from above; and the pure God is served night and day, and the Peace, which hath no End, is enjoyed. For ye may have Openings; but your Minds going into the Lusts of the Flesh, here the Affections are not mortified. Therefore harken to that, and take heed to that, which calls your Minds out of the vile Affections, and the World's Lusts, to have them renewed; the same will turn your Minds to God, the same Light will set your Affections above, and bring you to wait for the pure Wisdom from God from on high, that it may be Justified. Wait all in that which calls your Minds inward, and turns them to God; and here is the Cross witnessed, The Cross. that the Mind shall feed upon nothing, but the pure Light of God, and on the living Food, which comes from the living God. So, the Lord God Almighty be with you all, and keep you all in his Strength and Power to his Glory, over all the World, whose Minds are called out of it, and turned to God to Worship the Creator, and serve him, and not the Creature. And the Light of God, that calls your Minds out of the Creatures, turns them to God, to an Endless Being, To see God always present. Joy and Peace; here is a seeing God always present, who is not known to the World, whose Minds are in the Creatures, whose Knowledge is in the Flesh, and whose Minds are not renewed. Therefore to you, whose Minds are called out of the Creatures, and out of the World, and fading things by the Eternal Light of God, the same Eternal Light, which hath turned it, and presented it to God, will bring you to see all these things, and those whose Minds are abroad in the Creatures; and so, Judgement will be given upon that, and them who hate the Light. And Friends, the Seed of God mind, and dwell in it, which will bring you to reign over the World; and the Power of the Lord dwell in, which will keep you Clear in your Understanding; that the Seed of God may reign in you all, which is but one in all, which is Christ in the Male and in the Female, which Seed the Promise is to. Wait upon the Lord, to feel the Just to reign over the , and the Seed of God to reign over the Seed of the Serpent, and to be the Head, that all which is Mortal, Presumption. may die; for out that will rise Presumption. So Far ye well! And God Almighty bless, guide and keep you all in his Wisdom. G. F. To a Friend in Distress, when the Accuser had got in. IN the Time of thy Weakness the Accuser of the Brethren is got in; Epist. 57 therefore mind the Seed of God to cast him out, and what may hinder thee from eating the things of the Creation. So do not hear that, but mind the Seed of the Lord, and thou wilt feel Life and Dominion. G. F. OH Friends, Look not out; for he that doth, is darkened. Epist. 58. And take heed of Lightness; take heed of the World, and of busying your Minds with things not serviceable. The Wise Man's Eye. A Wise Man's Eye is in his Head, but a Fool's Eye is gazing up and down. Oh! Be Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, and tread upon the Deceit! And keep to Yea and Nay; for he that hath not Power over his own Tongue, his Religion is vain. And take heed of Knowledge, for it puffeth up, Knowledge puffeth up. but dwell in the Truth, and be what ye speak; he that abideth not in the Truth, is led by the Evil one. Wait on the Lord, he will perfect his Work amongst you; he that hearkens diligently to the Teacher within, denieth all outward Hireling-Teachers: He that is made the Temple of the Holy Ghost, placeth no Holiness in the World's Temples. The Teachers without exalt the Carnal Mind, but the Teacher within destroyeth it. There is not a Word in all the Scripture to hold up the Practice of Sprinkling Infants, nor the Word Sacrament, Sprinkling Infants, etc. nor to hold up an Hourglass to preach by for an Hour's time in a place; but the vain Mind doth hold up many things, which Christ doth not command. Earth maketh Masters (amongst Earthly Men) but let him that ruleth, The Earth maketh Masters. rule in Love; for the Earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof: And he that laboureth, let him labour as to the Lord, in love. So let Love be the Head in all things, and then the Lord is exalted, then there is no Eye-service, but Singleness of Heart; then all that is done, is done as as to the Lord. So, be faithful in all things, and keep from the World's vain Customs. Do not wear Apparel, Apparel. to gratify the proud Mind, neither Eat nor Drink, to make yourselves wanton; for it was created for the Health, and not for the Lust, to be as Servants to us, and we Servants to God, to use all those things to his Glory: To whom be Praises, Honour and Glory for evermore, who hath created all things to his Glory, and so to be used and spent. Do not make Profession to be seen outwardly, for Christ was Condemned by the World (and the formal Professors) and all his Followers are as Wonders to the World: Therefore marvel not, if the World hate you, but rejoice. Look not back, but keep forward, knowing, that the World is Enmity with God. Ye that know the Light, love one another, and dwell in it, and know one another in it. G. F. FRIENDS, Make not Flesh your Arm by Carnal Reasonings, Epist. 59 Consultations and Dispute in that part, An Exhortation to Friends, not to make Flesh their Arm. which is above the Innocent Life, for that needs none to plead its Cause, but God its Father, who will give you sufficient Strength and Wisdom at the same Hour; the other shall and will fall before the Enemies of the Lord. G. F. To Friends, to keep in the Fear of the Lord. FRiends, Epist. 60. Every particular mind that, which is pure of God in you, to guide you up to God, and to keep you in the Fear of the Lord, that ye may receive Refreshment from God alone in yourselves, and grow up in the Inward Man, nourished and strengthened by that, which is Immortal. And delight in that, which shows you the Deceit of your Hearts, and Judges that which is contrary to God, and be Obedient to that which is pure; The Lord God a daily Help. so ye will see the Lord God present with you, a daily Help, his Hand always ordering of you, and as a Shepherd always keeping the Dogs from his Lambs, whom he feeds in Green Pastures, and waters with his Heavenly Dew of Mercy, who makes them all fruitful. The Cry of Want and Poverty shall be no more heard in the Land of the Living, but Joy, Gladness and Plenty. The wearied Soul, that hath lain in the Pit and in the Mire, and lived in the Clouds of Temptation, God is our King. and cried out for want of the Lord, shall cry plenteous Redemption, and say; God is our King, who fills Heaven and Earth, and the Voice of our King is heard in our Land. So Fare-ye-well in the Lord! And the Lord God Almighty keep you and preserve you in his mighty Power. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 61. dwell all in the Immortal Seed of God, which is Heir of the Promise of God, and doth inherit the same; so every one of you know the Promise of God your Portion, and the Power of God your Portion, and the Kingdom of God, that is everlasting, without End, and the Power of an endless Life, being Heirs of that, come to inherit it, knowing it your Portion; that ye may possess it, and increase in the same Kingdom and Power, and endless Life: Here ye lay up Treasure in Heaven, Lay up Treasure in Heaven. where the Thief, Moth, nor Rust comes not. And know the Seed of God, in which is the Election, that never altereth nor changeth; which Seed never changeth, neither doth it submit to that which doth change, but standeth steadfast and distinct from all the Changable's: Which Seed endeth all Types, Figures and Shadows, and variable things, and Typical things, that do change; which Seed doth not change, which is Christ, which keeps above all the Inventions, Rudiments, Traditions, vain Talkers and Babblers, that be in the World, and standeth, when they will be all gone, and have an End. In which Seed is Power, Wisdom and Life Eternal, that remains for ever and ever, which hath the Dominion in the Life and Power, The unchangable Wisdom of God. and unchangeable Wisdom of God, which is pure and gentle from above, and preserving above all the Destroying; which keeps up the heads of the living to Life; in that live. Which Seed of God breaks the Head of them, that go out of the Truth, to wit, the Serpent's: And here Life goes over all in Renown and Dominion, and the Top-stone comes to be over all laid. So live in Life, and the Love, and the Power of God, which was, before Man and Woman fell; in that Power ye are kept over all outward things, that have been set up, and are set up in the Fall, which causeth Pride and Contention, and Strife; which, if lived in, keeps out of the Power, in which is the Saints Everlasting Fellowship, that stands and remains, and is Everlasting, for ever and ever. In which Power the living Seed lives, and the living Babes are preserved; in which Power they have their Food from the God of Life, which is living, which nourishes the Immortal Babes up to the Immortal God, with the Immortal Food; through which they come to be the living Stones, that build up the spiritual Household, The Church is in God. who are the Church in God; who are brought out of the State, where Adam and Eve with his Sons and Daughters is driven from God, up to God again by Christ, the Power of God, who is the Way to God, where the Church is in God, that is the Pillar and Ground of Truth. So all in that live, which brings you up to God, out of the State of Adam and Eve, and his Sons and Daughters in the Fall. In that Power (as I said before) ye will have an everlasting Fellowship with God, and one with another; which Power of God was, before the Fall was: In that Power ye will know one another, and see one another, in which ye shall ever be together; in which ye shall see and know your Election, before the World began. So Farewell. G. F. ALL Friends, be Low, and in the Life of God dwell, Epist. 62. to keep you Low. Ye are the Salt of the Earth, to make it savoury unto God: Ye are the Light of the World. The Light Justifies, walking therein. Therefore walk in the Light of Christ, whose Light doth Justify you, who then shall condemn you? Therefore in that dwell, which doth Condemn all the Evil in the World. G. F. AND all Friends every where, pray to the Lord to give you Dominion over all, and that in his Power, and Life, and Seed, ye may live and reign. And all Friends, submit yourselves one to another, in the Fear of God, and be one with the Witness of God in all, One with the Witness of God. and look at that, and that will keep you down from looking at the Bad; but looking at the Good, keepeth your Minds over the Bad, with the Lord. G. F. To Friends, Concerning the Covenant of Light and Life. FRiends every where, Epist. 63. to the Measure of the Life of God in you all take heed, that with it your Minds may be guided up to the Living God, from whence Light and Life doth come, and Virtue, A Note concerning the Life. and Strength, and Nourishment; so that with the Life ye may be kept from that which vails, and clouds and darkens, where the Mist of Darkness cometh over you. Wherefore to the Measure of Light take heed, that with it all your Minds may be guided up to the Father of Life, from whence Life cometh; that the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Christ Jesus, ye may all come to enjoy. So that in Peace, Patience, Righteousness, and Temperance, and Godliness ye may be kept, and all grow up in brotherly Kindness, Brotherly Kindness. and be kept from that which causeth Strife, and Sects, and Divisions; so that nothing may rule, but the Light of God among you. To that which is pure and lowly, take heed, that Mastery and Strife may be thrown down, and the Evil Eye, and the Eye, that is out from the Life of God, may be known and plucked out; so that the Light of the glorious Gospel may shine, and that ye may all know it. And so, all awake to the Righteousness of Christ, the Righteousness of God, whom Man was departed from, Christ the Righteousness of God, who enlighteneth every one, The Righteousness of Christ. that cometh into the World, that all Men through him might believe. So, all having a Light from Christ Jesus, the Righteousness of God, he is the Way to the Father, whom God gave for a Covenant of Light, Life and Peace. Therefore every one in your Measures Wait, that ye may see him, and come to witness the Covenant of Life and Peace with God, receiving his Gift, Christ Jesus, the Son and Mediator. So this I warn you all in the Presence of the Living God, to wait every one in the Measure of Light and of Life, that ye may all come to witness the Seal of the Covenant, The Seal the Covenant. and be led and kept with that which will keep you Spotless, and Clean, and Holy, and Righteous, where Power is received from him, who hath given you a Light; so that in the Light ye may all have Unity, and in it be kept, and all that which is contrary to it, with it may be Condemned. And in this Covenant of Light and Life (the Gift of God) know one another, and him by whom the World was made, who was, before the World was; who is now again manifested (Glory and Honour for ever be unto the Lord!) That the Crown, that is Immortal, ye may all come to see and receive, and your own Crowns lay down at the Feet of Jesus. And so, his Light being come to, all your own Works are ceased from, and your own Thoughts; which if ye follow them, they will lead you into Error. Therefore wait in the Light, which comes from him, by whom the World was made, to receive Wisdom from him, that in it and with it ye may be preserved from the World, and out of the World, to him by whom the World was made; and that Wisdom may be Justified of her Children, Wisdom Justified of her Children. and ye kept all Low in the Fear of God, from all Strife and Deceit, and Dissension, and Pollution, and Hypocrisy, and Dissimulation, single with the Measure of Light, which comes from the Father of Life. Every one to feel with the Life of God, the Arm of the Lord God not to be shortened; but to reach to every one of you all, and to carry you all in his Arm, and gently to lead them, that are with young. So feeling the Presence of the Lord God with you, ye receive Virtue into your Souls from the Living God, who nourisheth his own living Plant and Plants. So the Lord God Almighty preserve you in the Light, which shows to every one their evil Deeds, and reproves for them; this is the true Light, which if ye come to it, and love it, ye come to Christ, and love him, by whom the World was made; and it will let you see the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls, and how ye have gone astray, like Sheep without a Shepherd: For it is that, which restores you to Christ, the Bishop of your Souls, who is the Prophet, that must be heard. And all who will not come to the Light, which cometh from Jesus Christ, but hate it, because their Deeds are evil; they do know, that the Light will reprove them. Therefore this is their Condemnation, The Light of Truth. the Light, which is your Teacher; who come to it, and receive it, ye receive Christ, and he giveth the Power to become the Sons of God; which many do witness, blessed be the Name of the Lord. Therefore wait every one in your Measure, to know the Scripture fulfilled in you, which came not by the Will of Man, but was learned of God; which is for the perfecting of the Man of God through Faith in Christ Jesus, and is to be read, and to be fulfilled, and to be practised, which was given forth from the Spirit. Therefore every one wait in the Measure of the Spirit, to learn of him, as they did, which gave it forth. G. F. To Friends in the Ministry. ALL Friends, Epist. 64. who are moved of the Lord to speak the Word of the Lord, whom the Lord hath made to be his Mouth, speak not your own Words to feed the sensual part of Man, in your own Wills; for there God is not honoured, and Wisdom is not justified. But ye that are moved to speak in Steeple-Houses, or to the Priests (who have not the Word of the Lord, Speak the Word of the Lord faithfully. but the Letter) speak the Word of the Lord faithfully, neither add to it with your Reason, nor diminish from it with a disobedient Mind; but speaking the Word of the Lord (faithfully) it is sharper than a Two-edged Sword, to cut down all Deceit, and as a Fire to burn up the Chaff; and it purifies you, that speak it: And so as an Hammer, it will break down all the Contrary. And the Word is but One, which sanctifies all, and cleanseth the Heart, and sanctifies and reconciles to God. And the Light is but One; and all being guided by it, all are subject to One, and are One in the Unity of the Spirit. And if your Minds turn from the Light, and that Mind speak of the Light, there gets up Pride and Presumption, and the Will; and than ye begin to strike your Fellow-Servants. Therefore all Dear Friends and Brethren, Be Servants to the Truth, and do not strive for Mastery, but serve one another in Love. Wash one another's Feet, take Christ for your Example, Serve one another in Love. that I may hear of no Strife among you: But all walk in the Truth, and in the Love of it, up to God, for there ye are my Joy and Crown in the Lord. Children would be striving; but that which would have the Mastery, must die, and shall not enter into the Kingdom of God. Therefore mind not high things, but fear, and condescend to Men of Low Degree; for the Fear of the Lord keeps the Heart clean, and the pure in Heart sees God. AND Friends, spread yourselves abroad, that ye may be serviceable for the Lord and his Truth, and get over the Head of the Wicked, and trample all that which is Contrary to God, under your Feet; that ye may Answer that of God in every one. And him, who was promised to be the Covenant of God to the Gentiles, The Covenant of God. and the New Covenant to the Jews, hold forth to them both; that all may know him their Leader to God, and the Prisoner to come forth unto him. G. F. THis is the Word of the Lord to all Friends and Fellow-Labourers in the Truth, who are subduing the Earth, and its earthly Knowledge, Epist. 65. and its Carnal Wisdom, and beating down and threshing down that, in Hope to get forth the Wheat, and to be made Partakers of your Hope; I charge you all, dwell in the Light, which doth comprehend the World, their evil Ways, their Will Worships, what they worship, Will-Worship. and what is their End in all their Actions: So that ye may yoke the Oxen, and bridle the Horses, and tame the wild Heifers, and bring them to Christ's Yoke, that is, to the Light; bring every one unto it, to see their Way to Salvation, and with it every one may know their Condemnation, who act contrary to it. Wait all on the Lord, that ye may be settled and stayed in the Lord, and to grow up in the Light, that gave forth the Scriptures; that there may be no stumbling about the Words, which came from the Light. For no Creature can read the Scriptures to profit thereby, but who come to the Light and Spirit, that gave them forth. LOVE the Truth more than all, and go on in the mighty Power of God, Good Soldiers of Christ. as good Soldiers of Christ, well fixed in his glorious Gospel, and in his Word and Power; that ye may know him, the Life and Salvation, and bring up others into it. G. F. ALL Friends, Epist. 66. Meet together in the Light, that with it ye may see the Father of Life amongst you in your Meetings. And so, the Lord God of Power be with you, and keep you. And the Lord God Almighty give you Dominion over the Beasts of the Field, The Beasts of the Field. and the Fowls of the Air, the Fishes in the Sea, and all creeping things. And the Lord God Almighty be with you all! Farewell. AND all live in Peace, in Love, in Life, and in the Power of the Lord God, and keep your Meetings, every one of you waiting in the Power of God upon him; Unity with God. that in it ye may have Unity with God, the Father, and the Son, and one with another.) AND, Dear Friends, Let Wisdom guide you in Patience, and do not strive with any in Meetings; Strive not in Meetings. but dwell in the Power of the Lord God, that can bear and suffer all things. And make no Strife among Friends, but live in that which makes for Peace, and Love and Life, in which Edification is known. G. F. To Friends, concerning Marriages. WHom God joineth together, Epist. 67. are with the Light (which is Eternal) in the Unity, in the Covenant of Life, and of Peace, and this Marriage is honourable, What Marriage is honourable, and what is not. and this Bed is not defiled. For the Light leads from all Whoredom and Adultery, which God will Judge. For there is no Marriage honourable, but what is in the Lord, and that is in the Light; with which Light the Covenant of Life is known and seen, and the Faith in Jesus (the Gift of God) is received: And they that forbidden Marriage, are out of the Light, and in the Doctrine of Devils. And they which are in the Light, whom God doth Join together, let no Man put them asunder; for they that seek to do so, are in that Nature, which acts contrary to the Light. And this Marriage, which is honourable with the Children of the Light, is seen and known, who are in the Covenant of Light, and with the Light are turned to the Lord Jesus Christ, who leads from all the Works of Darkness. And none, who are in the Light, are afraid of their Deeds being tried, but they bring them to the Light, to be tried, whether their Works be wrought in God. Motions of the Flesh Condemned. Now who follow the Motions of the Flesh, fulfilling the Desires of their Will, and go into the Lust of the Flesh, such are adulterated from the Light, and their Marriage is not honourable, and the Children of the Light cannot approve of them. But whom God doth Join together, they are led from the evil Motions of the Flesh; and the Children of the Light do Approve of and Justify them. And who follow the Motions of the Flesh, are in the Eagerness, Lust, Extremes, Excess, and the Hastiness; and that Mind is afraid to declare its Work, tho' afterwards is forced by Constraint: And that the Children of Light cannot Justify, which is done in that Nature contrary to the Light. Therefore the Joining together in the Light, the Children of the Light do Honour and Justify, and the Light doth not hid from its own; but the Darkness hides from the Light, and is afraid to be reproved. Therefore all ye Children of the Light, let your Light so shine before Men, that the Marriage, which is Honourable, may be witnessed, and all that is Contrary to the Light, condemned. Therefore let all Proceed in such things, Proceed in Marriage. where they are Intended, be declared to the Children of Light, that therewith they may have Unity, and all the Motions and Works of the Flesh, may be condemned, and that the Pretence of the Spirits Moving may not be a Cloak or Cover for the beastly Lust; but that all such Proceed may be searched into by the Light, and tried, whether they stand in or out of the Covenant. Let this be read amongst all Friends. The God of Peace and Love be with you, that to the Lord of Life ye may all be a sweet Savour, and in the Wisdom of the Lord ye may all be kept; watching one over another in that which is Pure, and waiting for the Appearing of that which is Good. G. F. FRiends, know the Life and Power of God in yourselves, Epist. 68 and one in another, and to that Power be Obedient, Know the Life and Power. to Thresh down all Deceit within and without you in Wisdom, and in that dwell, which Comprehends the World; and know the Rest, which is for the People of God, which he that believeth, hath entered into. So know the Life, that stands in God; and all know the Power of God, for that Power shall never be shaken nor change, but will shake down all, that must be shaken and will change. So in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you, which giveth you to see, where there is no Changing nor Shadow. G. F. To Friends at Malton ALL my Dear Friends at Malton, mind that which is Pure in you, Epist. 69. that ye may grow up in the Power, out of the Form. And take heed of Deceit, and of Jarring one with another; take heed of Strife and Confusion in your Minds: But mind the pure Life of God in you, according to your Measures, to guide you up to God out of the Flesh, and all the Ways and Works of it, within and without, which that which is Pure and Holy, calls all unto. So all walk in the Wisdom of God, which is given into the pure Heart, that none of your Nakedness may appear, and Men see your shame; but all wait in the Spirit upon God, the Father of Spirits, to be Clothed with his Righteousness. Be Clothed with Righteousness. So God Almighty keep you and bless you; the Blessing of the Lord be with you and among you! I am with you, Present in Spirit (joying and beholding your Faith towards God, which ye have in Jesus Christ) though Absent in Body. AND all Friends, Quench not the Spirit of God in you, but live in the Authority of the Son of God, and his Power, whereby ye may be kept on Top of the World. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 70. I do Judge all that in all, which is contrary to the Life and Power of God, even the Ground and Root of all Jars and Strife, which is not of God, Jars and Strife Judged. but is out of the Life of God: I Judge its Beginning and its Ending, Judged it is by the Light. And I do Judge with the Spirit of Truth all Foolishness, Hastiness and Strife, which is not of God. And all Friends, Wait in the Measure of the Spirit of God, to guide you up to God, and keep you all in Peace and Unity. Heed nothing, P. S. but the Life and Power of the Lord God; for all that is out of it, is and will be Confounded. G. F. To Friends, to live in the Power of God, in Christ that never fell. DEar Friends, Epist. 71. all be Faithful in the Everlasting Seed, in which ye have both Life and Power, Dominion and Wisdom, and Clothing with that which is Immortal, and the Blessing of the Lord, and Peace in the Seed, Christ, that never fell nor changed, nor will change; in whom ye have Peace, in whom ye have Blessings, who takes away the Curse. The Peace is in Christ. For the Peace is in the Second Adam, that never fell, Christ Jesus, and the Blessings, and the Righteousness is in him; but the Troubles, and the Curse, and the Unrighteousness and Misery is in Adam in the Fall, and all deceitful Teachings, Ways and Worships. And so, sit not down in Adam in the Fall, but in Christ Jesus, that never fell (than in him ye will all have Life) that was with the Father, before the World began: He ends all the Types, Figures and Shadows, first Covenant and Priefthood, and Ways in the Fall, in old Adam, Christ that never fell, who is the Way, who is the Substance; in him (I say) sit down, and then ye will be all found in the endless Life. For Adam lost his Habitation and Eve, and the Apostate-Christians from the Righteousness, from the Law, and from the Power of God. Therefore ye, that are come to Christ Jesus the Substance, the End of the Prophets, in whom ye have Life (as I said before) which was with the Father, before the World began, in him live, Serve one another in Love. and love one another, and serve one another in Love, and in the Fear and Wisdom of God, that is above Adam and Eve's Sons and Daughters Sensual, Devilish Wisdom in the Fall. And so, keep your Meetings in the Name of Christ Jesus, that never fell, than ye will see over all the Meetings of Adam and Eve's Sons and Daughters in the Fall, their Confused Meetings and Gatherings, who are out of the Habitation of Righteousness and Holiness, and so out of Peace. So, in the Life (Christ) live, in whom ye have Peace, keeping your Habitation in him; that none be as the untimely Figs, nor as the Corn upon the House top, that is soon withered and gone. But that ye may live in the Seed, the Substance, Christ the Life, in whom ye have Riches, that never fade away; feeding upon the Tree of Life, whose Leaves heal the Nations. So, live in Unity one with another in the Life, Christ Jesus, that the Seed may be all your Crowns. And so Farewell. My Love to all Friends in the Seed of God, Christ Jesus, who was with the Father, before the World began. G. F. AND Friends, In the Measure of Life, which the Father of Life hath given you, Wait, with it to be guided; that ye all may profit in the Life and Spirit, that the Fruits of it may appear, To profit in the Life. to the Glory of the Father of Life. G. F. To Friends in the North. FRriends, see that all Friends professing Truth there-aways, Epist. 72. in Order be kept, that no Confasion, no Pride, Pride and Lust Judged. Filthiness nor Uncleanness be amongst you; but with the Light let all that be Judged down and Condemned, and cast out, that all in that which is pure, may patiently wait to inherit the Substance. And in that dwell, which doth bring out of the Shadows, Types, Traditions, Ungodliness, unrighteousness, Pride, Filthiness, Lust and Uncleanness. So, the mighty Power of the Lord God be with you all, and keep you. And all Friends, dwell in the Life, which from God comes, the Father of Life, that with it ye may see God, and all may be nourished and fed with the living Food, which comes from the Living God. Ye Babes of God, dewell in the Wisdom of God, in Grace, that ye may grow up in the Wisdom and the Grace of God. So, the mighty Power of the Lord be with you all, and keep you in Obedience to the Light, out of the Evil of the World; which Light doth it condemn. Let this go to all them that dwell in the Light, whose Minds are turned towards Jesus, the Way to the Father; Let that be burnt up, which the Light doth discover to be evil, and condemns it. And to you, this is the Word of the Lord. G. F. Concerning Tithes. ALL Friends, who are in the Eternal Light, ye see the Figures, Epist. 73. the Shadows and the Types (the Beginning and Ending of them) and with the Light ye come to see the Substance of the things shadowed and figured forth. So all in the Light dwell, Christ the Substance of the Types. that with it ye may come to know the Ministry of Life, and the Ministry of Condemnation; that with the Light ye may come to witness the Substance, Christ Jesus: And with the Light ye will see, what the Apostle meant, when he spoke of Tithes and Offerings, and of the Changeable Priesthood, and when he spoke of the Substance of those things he had before spoken of; who with the Light denied the First Priesthood, the Tithes and Offerings, that were Changeable. And now, with the Light, the Changeable Priests are denied, and the unchangable Ministry of Life witnessed; and the Law, that gave Tithes, and the Commands about them (with the Light, ye see) are ended: And with the Light God is seen, who was, before those things, were; and the End of those things ye come to see, Christ Jesus, the Sum and the Substance of them. So all ye, Summons by Writs to Answer. that are Summoned with Writs (which come from the Courts ahove) to Answer, because ye cannot pay Tithes, Keep to the Light in you, which comes from Jesus Christ; that with the Light ye may all come to see Jesus, the Sum and Substance, and the End of all the before mentioned Tithes and Offerings. And so, according to the Light of Christ in them all, speak, that to it their Minds may be guided; and declare the Truth to them, which is agreeable to that of God in every one's Conscience: And bear Witness to the Sum and Substance, The Sum and Substance, Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus, and show forth that to them all. And declare it to the Highest Judicature in the Nation, when that ye suffer for the Testimony of Jesus, that ye witness to the Substance, Christ Jesus, who is ascended far above all the Principalities and Powers; and that ye witness to the Ministry of Life: And show forth the Substance to them (if ye have an Opportunity) showing to them, that ye suffer for Conscience sake. And so over the World stand, and over all their evil Works, and bring all men's Works to the Light: And being guided by the Light, it will let you join to none of their vain Inventions, that are acted and made in that Nature, that is contrary to the Light; it will bring you to witness the Sum and Substance, Christ Jesus, over all the World: And so, if the Spoilers take your Goods, let them go, and let them take the Coat also. And keeping to the Light, which comes from Jesus, to that of God in every one's Conscience ye will be manifest; and keeping clear your Consciences, with it all that, which is contrary, will be condemned. And so, every one to the Light keeping, it will let you pay no Tithes to the Hirelings, nor Join with them therein; but it will bring you to witness the Sum and Substance, Tithes and Offerings in the first Priesthood. Christ Jesus. For the Tithes and Offerings were ministered in the First Priesthood's time, and it was glorious in its place; but with the Light it was and is seen, the Beginning, their Time and the End of them, and with the Light, the Sum and Substance, Christ Jesus is witnessed. And all in the Light dwell to guide you, that to that of God in all Consciences ye may be made manifest; that they that Imprison you for Tithes, and resist the Light of Christ in their own particulars, that over them all ye may stand; being guided by that which is pure, that it may lead you to act, that no Condemnation upon your Actions may come: For who Contrary to the Light doth act, upon his Actions Condemnation doth come. That so over all the World ye may stand in the Light, which doth it comprehend, and condemn; and with it ye may witness the End of the Shadows: And unto you this is the Word of the Lord God. And none to act any thing in your own Wills: But who act Contrary to the Light, and pay Tithes, go to the Changeable; and with the Unchangeable are cast out from the Children of Light. And so, the Children of Light are one in the Light, and with the Light see the Body, and Christ Jesus the Head, and are all one in him. Where did any Sue one another for Tithes under the first Priesthood? Suing for Tithes. But with the Light the Primitive Christians witnessed Christ Jesus, the Substance of the things typified in the first Priesthood's time. To the Light of Christ Jesus in all your Consciences, which comes from Christ, I speak, that ye may see, what ye act; and that such, as are Sued for Tithes, may look to the Sum and Substance, the Unchangeable Priest Christ Jesus. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 74. Live in the Immortal Seed and Power of the LORD GOD, that ye may Meet in that, and in that feel one another. The Spiritual Weapons. And live in the Spirit, in which, ye will have Unity and Peace, and the Spiritual Weapons, to cut down the Spiritual Enemies of your Peace. And dwell in the Life and Power of God, that ye may have Dominion, and come to witness, that ye are the Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life, and of a World, whereof there is no End; and so, in this keep your Meetings. And dwell in the Peaceable Seed, which destroyeth that which causeth Troubles, Wars and Fightings; in that dwell, which was, before that was, in that will ye have Life and Peace Everlasting. AND living in the Seed, ye will see the Everlasting Commander, that saith, Swear not at all; Swear not as all. and the Witnesses of the true Seed say the same: And this is the Command of the Royal Seed, which is the Everlasting Commander among the Believers, and to all others; and they that believe not in the Light, it condemns them, being in the Evil. The Oath did bind to God in the time of the Law and the Prophets; but Christ, the Oath of God, the Everlasting Covenant, ends the Law and Prophets, who bringeth up to God, and destroyeth the Devil, and endeth Strife and Oaths, and fulfils the Law and the Prophets. And the Everlasting Command of the Royal Seed is, Love Enemies. To love Enemies (which the Jews were allowed to destroy) for ye are all Brethren, not ruling in Lordship, like Jews and Gentiles, but the Greatest shall be as the Least amongst you; for the Seed is one in all, and that is the Master, who destroyeth the Devil. And to respect men's Persons, is a Transgression of the Royal Law; let there be no such thing among you: But let every one believe in the Light, and then in it see their Salvation; and ye will receive Power to become the Sons of God. Let no one have but one Wife, for Christ hath but one, his Church, which is his People. So, in the Power, and in the Bed of Purity, The Bed of Purity. in the Singleness of Virginity, and in the Beauty of Holiness live, where Righteousness, and Holiness and Truth dwelleth together, and Peace in the Kingdom of Power, where is the Everlasting Joy, Peace and Dominion, and Victory, where the Bed is not defiled, but the Marriage that is honourable, is known; in that live. About am I compassed with the Virgins pure, The undefiled Beauty of the Virigns. and the Undefiled ones are my Beauty: The Virgins trimmed with Oil in their Lamps, enter in with the Bridegroom. And all ye Virgins pure, lose not the Ornaments of he Lord, but wait, that ye may be Married to the Lamb in the Everlasting Marriage, and to remain with him in the World, that is without End. G. F. DEarly beloved Friends and Brethren, In the Power, Epist. 75. and Life and Seed of God all dwell, serving one another in Love and in the Wisdom of God, Serve one dnother in Love. that with it ye may be ordered to the Glory of the Lord God; that nothing may reign, but Life itself, and in it be faithful. Keep all your Meetings, and know the Power of the Lord God among you all. YE must do nothing for the Lord by Earthly Policy, nor trust to that; but wait in the Power of the Lord God, Earthly Policy. and be ordered by that to his Glory: Ye will never be right, till then, and that must keep Peace among you. AND take heed of High-mindedness, for that will puff up that part, which should not be Exalted; and if that come up to rule, High-mindedness puffs up: which is for Judgement, than it will do hurt. but when he comes to reign, whose Right it is, than Peace and is unto all Men; and no hurt in all the holy Mountain of the Lord is seen. G. F. OH, Epist. 76. all Friends, in the unchangeable Life and Power, and Seed of God live, and be out of the Low, Earthly, Changeable Spirit of the World, The Chargeable Spirit of the World. which is given to Changing and Tossing, and Tempest and Waves, by which Dirt is cast up. Oh! Therefore the Life and Power of God and his Seed live in, which never changeth, by which every one may stand in the Power of God, and in his Life and Wisdom, through which ye may all live. And stand steadfast in the unchangable Life and Seed of God, The unchangable Life. which was, before Changins and Altering were; and which will remain, when all that is gone. So, God Almighty in that peserve you, in which ye may have the Blessing among you, and God's Wisdom to order you (both Men and Women) to his Glory; that so in his Fear ye may be preserved to the Glory of God, in his Wisdom and Life, in that which doth not change, in which ye may feel the unchangable Fellowship. AND Friends, Be Wise and Low, and take heed of Abusing the Power of God; Be Low, and Answer the Good in all. but live in it, in the still Life, patiented, to the Answering the Good in all, to the Refreshing one of another, and not to the Stumbling: But mind that which keepeth in Unity, in the Life, tho' never so little. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 77. in the Meafure of the Life of God wait, to guide your Minds up to the Fathers of Life, there is no Shadow nor Changing. That which doth not change. As ye do hither come, ye must know a Removing and Changing of that which will Change, with that which doth not Change; to that take heed to guide all your Minds, that none be found Naked: For who are found Naked, they are in that which hath an End, and doth Change, and that causeth Blindness. And therefore to you all this is the Word of the Lord: In the Measure of the Life wait, that it may join your Hearts unto the Father of Life, that Clothing and Righteousness ye all may come to receive, and come to feel your Strength renewed from the God of all Strength, to every one of you according to your Measrue, and see him, that Mercy shows. And so, in Peace live, which come from the God of all Peace, who bruises Satan under your Feet, who hath ruled. So here the Love of God will in your Hearts come to be shed abroad, which Love is one, and doth not change; The Love of God doth not change. in it dwell, and grow and abound, that over all that, which is contrary to the Lord of Life, who destroys Death, ye may reign every one over your own Hearts, and Lusts and vile Affections, and your former vile Conversation, Disposition, and Nature and Wills. So that ye may come to know the Saints State, unto whom all things were become New, and the Old things were passed away; and that which doth not change, which is New, that mind, to guide all your Minds up to the Living God, from whence Light, Life and Power doth come. So in it the Lord God of Life preserve you, that to him ye may be a sweet-smelling Savour; for that which will corrupt, and doth corrupt, and will grow ragged, and come to be torn, and will die of itself, and will whither, fade, and stink in the Nostrils of God, is that, which is contrary to the Measure of the Life of God, and is with the Light condemned. Therefore wait (I do warn you all in the Presence of the Living God) in the Measure of the Life of God, Grow up it Love. in it to grow up in Love, in Virtue and in Immortality, in that which doth not fade, which joins and unites your Hearts together; and that all that may with the Light be Condemned, which is contrary to it. For that which doth defile, is out of God's Kingdom, and is with the Light seen and condemned; in which Light the Children of the Light walk, and have Unity one with another, and with the Son of God, from whence it comes. AND, My Dear Friends, Keep your Meetings, and ye will feel the Seed of God among you all, tho' never a Word be spoken among you: But be faithful, that ye may Answer that of God in every one. And do not neglect your Talents, Talents. but be faithful in the Power and Life of God, which ye have received: And dwell in the Life and Power, and Love of God one with anothre. G. F. FRiends, in the Power and Life of God dwell, Epist. 78. in Unity one with another, that with the Life of God ye may Answer that of God in every one. And keep down and Low, that nothing may reign, Keep Low. but Life among you; and unto the Power of God be Obedient. And Friends, the going from the Life and Power into the Changeable things, there is the Strife, which the Life is over; by which Power of God all things were made, wherein Wisdom is received to order all things to his Glory. So, the Seed, Christ in you all know, which doth go over the Earth, and inherits the Promise of God; that ye may be all Heirs of the Promise of God. And Cease from your own Words, The Promise of God. but in the Power live; for it breaks down Rocks, Mountains, old and Sandy Foundations, and the Bond of Iniquity, and makes up the Breach between God and Man, and breaks down that, which made the Breach. So the Seed know one in another, which Seed is Christ; who according to the Flesh was of Abraham, and according to the Spirit, the Son of God. And this is the Word of the Lord God to all Friends, and a Charge to you from the Lord God, To live in Peace one with another, and that the Peace, Life and Wisdom of God may rule you all. G. F. To all Friends, to abide in their Callings. TO all Dear Friends, who are called, who are enlightened, Epist. 79. whose Midns are turned from the World's Worships and Teachers, having your Eye to the Light and Guide within, which is leading you out of this dark World, and your old, vain Conversations towards God, and the World, which is without End; Mercy and Peace from God the Father be multiplied among you! Every one of you abide in your Calling, waiting upon God, where he hath called you: And take heed of Reasoning with Flesh and Blood, for there Disobedience, Pride and Presumption will arise; and there ye will grow up to be Trees, Fruitless Trees. that bear no Fruit, and as a Figtree, which beareth Leaves, and no Fruit, and as Wells without Water Oh! Therefore mind the Pure, which would lead you out of this Corruptible, Heathenish, dark World and its vain Ways, and from Destruction and Death to Life. And so the Lord God of Power bless you, guide you and preserve you on in your Way towards the holy City, being called out of the unholy City; for he that hath called you, is Holy. Now many are called, but few are chosen: Oh! Therefore abide in that, which hath called you (which is Holy and Pure) up to him, who is Holy and Pure, and let the Time passed of your eil Ways be sufficient, wherein ye have lived in Wickedness, and in the Ways of this untoward Generation; lest your Minds do turn back into Egypt and the World, and so cause the Worthy Name of the Lord to be blasphemed (which hath called you) by turning aside, and growing into Hardness of Heart, and turning from a pure Conscience, and making Shipwreck of it, and of Faith. For ye may see, how far many may go, and did go, and were led out of many things; yet did turn again into the World. So mind your present Guide, and your present Condition, and your Call, what ye are called from, and what ye are called to; for whom the Lord hath called and chosen, The Lord's Freemen. are the Lord's Freemen. And so, abide every one in your Calling with God, where God hath called you, and there walk in Newness of Life, and not in the Oldness of the Letter; for he that turneth from him, that calleth, walks not in the Life of God. Therefore all Friends, walk in the Truth and in the Love of it up to God; and every one in particular mind your Guide, that ye may grow up in Wisdom, Improve your Talents. and improve your own Talents, and the Gift, which God hath given you. And take heed of Words without Life, for they tend to draw you out of the Power to live above the Truth, and out of your Conditions; which Nature will not have Peace, except it have Words: But every particular submit to that, which is of God in you, to guide you to God. And be ye all Servants to the Truth, and diligent in your Callings, and serve one another in Love, in which ye can wash one another's Feet. Serve one another in Love. So, serve one another in Love, and do not lavish out yourselves without the Fear of God; such are Clouds without Water, which have the Words, but not the Power, flown up into the Air; which have a Light, and yet are as Wand'ring Stars, which lead up into the Presumption; and thou that art there, thy Garments are defiled, for thou goest from the Spirit, which should sanctify thee; for ye are sanctified through Obedience to the Spirit. Therefore every particular, Walk in the Spirit and obey it, than ye will have all Unity one with another in the Spirit, and ye will see, Knowledge, Tongues and Prophecies shall cease; Prophecies scall ceafe. but he that cometh to the End, to him who openeth all Truth, is blessed. Therefore all Friends, Obey that which is pure within you, and know one another in that, which brings you to wait upon the Lord; that ye may all witness a living Soul, and yourselves to be come out of Death. For these things ye must all find within, there is your Peace, and there Refreshing comes into your Souls from the Lord: And standing still in the Light within, and therein waiting, ye will see your Saviour Christ Jesus, raising you up out of Death; by which Work he is glorified: For the Works of the Lord praise him, which are Wondrous to the World. Now every one in particular, mind the Pure in you, The Virgins. for the Virgins follow Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the Sins of the World; and who are not , will not follow him. For that in every particular of you, which is not , will not submit to the Pure, which would guide you to God, but rather submit to their own Thoughts, and follow them, and run after them and their own Wills, and seek to accomplish them; and so run out into that Generation, whose Thoughts were not as God's Thoughts, nor Ways, as God's Waries. Therefore watch all, and abide all in your Callings; the Light is that, which will let you see your Transgression and your Running aside, and the By-paths and Crooked ways, and the Generation of Serpents and Vipers: And this Light is Christ, which showeth these things. Now, before these things be known and judged of aright, Judgement must be brought forth into Victory, and set up in the Earth, where this State is witnessed. Now the Woman (which is the Church) must be subject to her Husband in all things: Jesus Christ is the Husband; The Woman subject to her Husband. in every thing she must be subject to him. Who are in the Flesh, know nothing of this in the first Nature, for it the Mystery, which the Apostle speaks of; and so, it is a Mystery still, but where it is opened and made manifest, such are subject to the Husband Christ Jesus. Now take heed, of getting these Words into the Comprehension, and the light Mind speaking them, there is Danger; but that ye may all wait to be comprehended of, and to walk in the Truth. My little Children in the Lord God Almighty, this is my Joy, that ye be all ordered and guided by the mighty Power of God, and dwell in it, and know it in one another, and know the Voice that speaketh, and the Sound of the Words, and Power of them. For Words without Power destroy the Simplicity, and bring up unto a Form, and out of the Obedience of the Truth. And therefore, walk in the Power of the Truth, Words without Power. that the Name of the Lord God may be glorified among you, and his Renown may be seen in you and among you, and all the World may be astonished, and the Lord admitted in ordering of his People, who are guided by his Wisdom, and in it found. And take heed of running out, to make Conceited Ones Wise; for than thou wilt consume that, which the Lord hath given thee, upon their Lusts, and so, give holy Savour, and Salt, and Discerning. Therefore have Salt in yourselves, and be Low in Heart; the Light is Low in you, Be Low, the Light is Low. and it will teach you to be Low, and to learn that Lesson of Jesus Christ, to the plucking down all the high Thoughts and Imaginations. And take heed of Strife in your Minds; and if there be, then glory not, for it is the vain Mind, and it is not good. Let no Srife be amongst you, and let none seek for the highest Place, for there is the Separated Pharisee; but be Lowly-minded, Condescending one to another in a low Degree, and bare one with another in Patience; and be not , but fear. And all who are Servants, Servants, labour in Love. labour in Love, as unto God, for the Earth is the Lord's, and the Fullness thereof; and labour in Singleness, as unto the Lord. And all who have Families, rule in the Power and Love of God, that that Love may be Head among you: For the time is coming, that it shall be, as with the Servant, so with the Master; and as with the Maid, so with her Mistress. For it is one hSeed, that hath raised them up with one Power, out of one Grave, one Death, which Seed all the Promises of God are to; and as thou passest out of Death, thou shalt witness the Promises of God fulfilled, which are to the Seed, destroying the one, and raising up the other in thee. So all Friends, this is to you, who know the Voice of the living God, and know your Calling, stand fast, and waver not, lest ye lose your Recompense of Reward; but stand fast, that ye may receive the Recompense of Reward. For God is Just in all his ways, and abideth faithful: Turn not aside, lest he whet his Sword, and cut you asunder; for ye that do, the Woe followeth you. Therefore all Friends, mind that which is of God in you, which is pure, which is but One, to guide you to the Father of Life, who gives you Food and Raiment, Food and Raiment. and Strength; that ye may gather strength, and flourish, and your Souls delight themselves in Fatness, and feed and eat of the Abundance of Riches with him and from him, which filleth all things; and of the daily Bread, which cometh from above, which none can feed upon, but who are above the World; for who are below, The daily Bread, the Bread of Life. never could nor would, but are ready to stone them that confess, they eat of the Bread of Life, and would give of it to them. Dear Friends, wait upon the Lord, that all of you may grow up in the Inward Man, and be comforted and cherished there, in the things that be Eternal. So with Bowels of Love to you all, I rest. Read this among Friends, who have an Understanding, and are called of the Lord; and so Farewell! And stand in the Will of the Lord, and be Obedient to him: And the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which teacheth you to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts, that Grace fill and establish your Hearts, that your Hearts may grow up in that Grace to God, from whence all Gifts and Graces come. Amen. And all Friends, Vain Palkers. take heed of unruliness, and vain Talking and Talkers, for such are not Obedient to the Truth; therefore avoid and shun it and them. G. F. To seek the Kingdom of God first. FRiends, Epist. 80. Seek the Kingdom of God first, and the Righteousness thereof, An Epistle to Friends, conceraing seeking the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof. and those things, what ye shall Eat, and what ye shall Drink, and wherewith ye shall be Clothed, will be added, and will follow. Therefore take no Thought, what ye shall Eat, nor what ye shall Drink, nor wherewithal ye shall be Clothed; for the Gentiles seek after these things, who seek not after the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness of it: But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and the the Earth with Grass, and who feeds the Young Ravens, when they cry: And the Kingdom of Heaven being sought after, and the Righteousness of it, he that is here, lives out of the Creatures, up to the Greator, which differs him from the People of the World, who take Thought (which Thoughts they live in) what they shall Eat, what they shall Drink, and what they shall put on. And they that be there, be out of the Wisdom of God, which the Saints are in, that have sought and found the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness; which (Wisdom) brings them to use the Creatures to his Glory; whether they Eat, or whether they Drink, all is done to the Praise and Glory of God. Such as abide there, can do nothing against the Truth, Use the Creatures to God ', Glory. which Truth hath made them free indeed; who into the Kingdom of the Dear Son of God are come, which is without End, who over the Kingdoms of the World reigneth. G. F. ALL Friends every where, Epist. 81. to you this is the Word of the Lord God: Dwell in the Life and Power of God, and the Seed of God, (1655) which inheriteth the Promise of God; that all light, hasty, airy drunken Spirits may be limited and stopped, and judged, Airy, drunker Spirits Judged. and all Foolishness and Vnsavouriness, and Confusion (which causeth Distraction) the Cause of it may be taken away, and all ye kept in the Authority and Power of the Truth, that know the Power of God manifested among you. And ye knowing it, and the Life, dwell all in it, and abuse it in no wife; but wait for the Wisdom of God, that it may be Justified of her Children, and God glorified, and honoured and exalted, and the Pretiousness of his Truth considered well of, which ye have bought; Buy the Truth, and sell it nol. and do not sell it for changeable things, for things that pass away, and subsist but for a time. But as the glorious Truth is springing and manifest among you, live and walk all worthy of what ye are called unto, the high Calling in God and Christ Jesus above all the World, out of all that which doth change, where the Life, that is Immortal, is felt, and a Crown, that fadeth not away, a Crown of Life, that endureth for ever! Live in the Dominion of the Life, that is hid in God, and every particular it know in one another. And live in the Power of God, and of Life, that ye may see over the Day of Tempest, over the Day of Darkness and Blackness, and Mists: And feel, and know, and come into that, which comprehends the World; that ye all may be guided with Wisdom, and ordered to God's Glory. And be all obedient to the Truth, which all the Enmity is out of; Be obedient to the Truth. and know the Life of God in you all, that with it ye may all be guided, and your Hearts joined together up to God, the Father of Life; that ye may all be Inheritors of the Power of an Endless Life, and of the World, Fell the Seed of God. where there is no End, and Possessors of Substance. And feel the Seed of God in you all, which inherits the Promise from God; which Seed is atop of the Serpent's Head. And keep that under, that feeds upon Dust, which the Glory and Life is over; which Seed breaks the Strength of all Men, and inherits the Strength of the Almighty, the Possessor of Heaven and Earth; which Seed is Christ, that gives the Dominion over the first Adam, over the Earthly, and brings down all that which stains. So feel the Seed, which is Christ in you all, and ye all will feel the Lamb of God, which taketh away the Sins of the World, who gives to see, where there is no Shadow, nor Change, nor Altering, nor Variableness; wherein ye all may come to inherit the Blessings from God, and come into the living Way. For whose Way dies, they err from the living Principle of God in them; The Principle of God. for who walk in the Way that lives, they answer the Principle of God in every Man; though they act contrary to it, that are in the Way, that days, and do not live, but change and alter: The Lamb must get the Victory. And to you this is the Word of the Lord. So the Lamb must get the Victory in every one of you, which is Christ in the Male and in the Female; who brings into the Father's House (from all the Congregations of the Dead, and their Houses of Darkness) wherein every one comes to have his Mansion, and his Food of Life from God, the Father of Life, who is Blessed for evermore! Whose Kingdom and Glory is revealed and revealing, and setting up in the Life, and Power and Wisdom of God. The Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all in Love, in Peace and Unity one with another, in the Light and Covenant with God, and one with another; which Light is the Condemnation of all that hate it. AND my Dear Lambs, and Babes, and Plants the Lord God, dwell every one of you in Your own, Dwell in your own. that ye may feel the precious Springs of God. AND Friends, all dwell in the Authority of the Truth, the Power of the Son of God, and feel the Power and Dread of the Lamb, which is to subdue all other Powers. The Lamb subdues all other Powers. All Power in Heaven and in Earth is given to the Son; and his Authority stands over the World, and will subdue it, and make the Kingdoms of the World to become the Kingdom of the Son of God. So, live in Love, Meekness, Patience, and in the Power and Wisdom of God, which is over all the World. SOUND, Sound the Trumpet of the Lord of Hosts, whose Terrible Day is come and coming, and pleading with all Flesh by Fire and Sword. The mighty Day of the Lord is coming upon all Flesh, that all Hearts shall be ripped up and made manifest: Therefore whilst ye have time, Repent. This is the Message of the Lord to all Nations, Let all your Laws be according to that of God in all Consciences. G. F. THE Word of the Lord to all Friends, Epist. 82. who are brought into the Eternal Truth of God, whose Minds are guided out of the Earth up to the Lord (whose it is) and have received Wisdom from God; Wisdom Justified in the Diligent, and the Slothful condemned. that with it ye may come to know, how to order the Creation with the Wisdom, by which all things were made. This I charge you and warn you all in the Fear of the Living God, that no Creatures be destroyed through Slothfulness, Laziness and Filthiness, nor upon the Lust; for if ye let that rule and be set up, that is for Condemnation, and that which sets it up, if for Condemnation with the Light, that leads to the Wisdom, by which the Creation must be ordered. And Friends, to the Light in you all I speak: See, that there be no Slothfulness amongst you, Slothfulness Judged. but all keep in Diligence and Liveliness; for he that is Slothful, and gets the Form, may have an easeful Mind, but is an evil Example: And all such must be Judged with the Light, that they may come to know the Servant's place, and be Diligent. And such who have gone up and down a-Begging, Beggars to inbour. if ye have received any such amongst you, with the Light, which hath Convinced them, see, that they be kept in Diligence, and not suffered to wander, but be kept in Obedinence to the Light, to receive the Wisdom from God, how to labour in the Creation; and see, that they have things decent and necessary, and their Nakedness covered, that no Reproach nor Shame may come upon the Truth amongst such, as are without; but that with the Light all such may be Condemned, who act contrary to it: That in the Light, which condemns the World, ye may walk, and receive the Light of the Son of God, which the World stumbles at, which is their Condemnation, and in which the Saints have Unity. And all being kept diligent, and walking in the Light, there will be no Slothfulness; and then none shall have Self-ends in recceiving any, but those Ends shall be Judged with the Light, which is Eternal. Nor no one can come in amongst you, which hath such Ends, to make a Prey upon you; but ye dwelling in the Light, which is Eternal, he is Judged, and Self-ends, Self-Ends Judged. with the Light which is Eternal; which is one with the Light in his Conscience, which condemns him. Then if he own his Condemnation, he is to be received amongst you in the Light, in which ye all have Unity with Christ and with God. And to you this is the Counsel of God. (To go amongst Friends every where.) G. F. Dear Friends in the Eternal Truth of God, Epist. 83. whose Minds by the Light of Jesus Christ are turned towards God, Meet often together in the Fear of the Lord, and to the Light take heed, that with it all your Minds may be kept up to God, from whence it comes. And in all your Meetings wait Low in his Fear, Wait Low Meetings. that ye may come to know the Life and Power of Truth one in another. And all ye, whom the Lord hath made Overseers over his Church in your several Places, Overseers of the Church. be faithful to the Lord, and watch over the Flock of Christ with all Dilignce; ye which are Strong, watch over the Weak, and stir up that which is Pure one in another; see, that in order all your Meetings be kept: Be faithful unto the Lord, where he hath set you, and ye shall not lose your Reward. Servants, be faithful unto your Masters, Masters and Servants. not with Eye-service, serving them as Men-pleasers, but in Singleness of Heart, as unto the Lord; that ye may come to undo the heavy Burdens; Being faithful in your Places, where the Lord hath set you, there is your right Service. And take heed of forward Minds, and of running out before your Guide, for that leads out into Looseness; and such plead for Liberty, and run out in their Wills, and bring Dishonour to the Lord; and the Unbridled Will gets at Liberty, and an Exalted Spirit gets up, and Pride and Haughtiness, and high Words. Pride. And such are they, which add to the Burden, and do not take it off. Therefore all wait Low in the Fear of the Lord, and be not hasty nor rash, but see the Way be made Clear; and as the Lord doth move you, so do, and return with speed (when ye have done) to the Place, where ye were abiding, and be faithful there; that the Truth of God be not evil spoken through you, as they speak of Vagabonds and Wanderers, that it may not be so amongst you: Vagabonds and Wanderers. For such are Vagabonds and Wanderers, which run before their Guide. And Master's rule over your Servants in Love, with all Diligence and Meekess, knowing, that ye have one Master in Heaven. And Friends, in all Places, where any do go abroad, as they do pass by, Examine them, Whether they are going, and what about? And if they cannot give a good Account, to exhort them to return back, and abide faithful in their Places, until they see their Way mad Clear. So Farewell in the lord The Eternal God of Power and Wisdom direct and guide you to his Eternal Praise, that his Name may be honoured and glorified in you and through you all! Be Diligent. Be diligent every one in your Places, where the Lord hath set you, for the Work of the Lord is great; and God Almighty keep you to be faithful Labourers in his Work. From one, who is a Lover of your Souls, and whose Care is over the Church of God, that it may be kept in Order, and that all, that are guided by his Spirit, may be lead into all good Order. London, the 15th of the 3d Month, 1655. G. F. To Friends, to sit under their own Vine. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 84. Sat every one of you under your own Vine, and there none shall make you afraid; and in that ye will bring forth Fruit to God abundantly, to his Praise. And in the Vine as ye abide, Heirs of Christ. ye will all become Heirs of Christ, and come all to know the Seed, which is Heir of the Power of the World, where there is no End; and Heirs of the Kingdom, and so possess that. And live in the Seed, The Seed, the the Top-Stone. the Top-Stone, which was before Enmity was, in which ye will feel Untie and Virtue, and Love and Peace; in that keep your Meetings. G. F. An Epistle to Friends, that with the Light they may see their Salvation. FRiends, Epist. 85. All to the Light, which Jesus Christ hath enlightened you withal, that heed, that with the Light of Christ, the Saviour of your Souls ye may all come to see, and enjoy Rest; and the New Covenant ye may all witness, where ye need no man to teach you, saying, Know the Lord. The Light shows Sin and Evil. And this Light shows you Sin, and the Evil of the World, and the Lust of it, and the vain Fashions of it, that pass away, and the Unrighteousnss, and the Ungodliness of it; for they are not in Covenant with God, but are contrary to the Light, and to be condemned with the Light. Therefore to the Light I direct you, that with it ye may see yourselves; then in it stand, that with it ye may see Jesus, from whence it comes: And not to join with your vain Thoughts, nor that which doth consult, and set and frame Ways; there is the Idol-maker, The Founder of Images. and the Image-maker, and the Founder of the Images, whom ye will see with the Light, if ye to it take heed: And so, the Founder of the Image will be destroyed, and with that ye will come to hear the Voice of the Son of God; and who hears his Voice, shall live. Stephen. Moses. And Stephen, who was stoned to Death, witnessed the Substance, and Moses Words fulfilled, who said, Like unto me will God raise up a Prophet, him shall ye hear: He heard this Prophet, and denied the First Temple and Priests; The First Temple denied. and so, to deny that, which God had commanded, was more, than to deny these, which God never commanded. Therefore consider in your Life-time, how much time ye have spent in Hearing of othem, and what Assurance ye have of the Eternal Inheritance, which never fades away! G.F. To Friends in London. THere is something drawing towards you, see to it. Epist 86. Take heed of the Earth, and keep atop of that, which will cumber the Mind; and Dwell in Love and Peace one with another. Keep a top of the Earth. G. F. FRiends, In the Power of the Lord go forth, Epist. 87. and gather with it into the Fold, and spread the Name and Truth of the Lord abroad; and in his Service be Diligent, Concerning Preaching the Truth to the Heathen, and all that are out of the Truth. and for his Truth be Valiant on the Earth, and for his Name's sake. And dwell in that which will pierce the Hearts of the Heathen, and will overturn their Heathenish Customs, and take away their false Covers; and in that Power of the Lord be diligent, answering the Witness of God in all Consciences. And dwell in Peace and Love amongst yourselves; Pierce the Hearts of the Heathen. Confound the Deceit, and bring the Truth over the Heads of the Heathen, to the answering the Witness of God in them all: And that is the Word of the Lord to you. And live in the Seed, The Ministry of the Life and Spirit. and there ye will feel the Ministry of the Life and Spirit in your own particulars; in which ye may be serviceable to others, that are without, and amongst yourselves. And let the Heathen know, that the Plagues, and Curses, and Wrath, and Woe is unto them, that live out of the Truth; for Wrath, woe to the Heathen. Envy and Strife is out of the Truth, and the Vengeance of God is due to them, that do not Obey it, where is the burning, flaming Fire: And let them know, that the Glory of the Lord is risen. AND walk in the Power of the Lord, and in his Wisdom, that in Places, where ye do come, ye may season them, and be all of a good Savour in the Hearts of all, and to the Lord a Blessing in your Generation. G. F. FRiends, Meet together, waiting upon the Lord, Epist. 88 that nothing but the Life may among you reign; and that in Life, Life to reign. Love and Wisdom ye may grow up: And in the Measure of the Grace of God all wait, to guide your Minds up to God. And all Friends, Meetings in Order kept. I do lay it upon you for to see, that in Order all your Meetings be kept. So, the Lord God Almighty keep you all to his Glory, in his Wisdom to himself. Amen. To be read among all Friends at their Meetings. G. F. For Plymouth. FRiends, keep your Meetings, that in the Truth ye may reign, Epist. 89. and in the Power spread it abroad. And keep in the Truth, that Be Valiant for the Truth on Earth. ye may see and feel the Lord's Presence? amongst you; and for it be Valiant upon the Earth, and know one another in the Power of it. So, the Lord God Almighty preserve you in his Power to his Glory! Amen. G. F. FRiends, All ye, Epist. 90. whose Minds are turned with the Light towards Jesus Christ, from whence it comes, in it wait, Something of the Work of the Light manifest. that with it ye may all see Jesus, and all that Condemned, which is Contrary to it; that so by that ye may be kept from all Extremes, Passions, Passions and Hastiness. Agonies and Hastiness, Presumption and Desperation. For dwelling in the Light, which doth never change, this keeps your Minds out of all those things , which lead Nature out of its true Course; The true Course of Nature. and with the Light all that is seen and condemned, which is contrary to it. And that which doth Condemn, keeps you in Peace and Order, and leads to the Door of Mercy, and Nature into its right Course, and into the Virtue of that Word, by which the Creatures were made, and with it to use them all to his Gloy. Which Light is the Condemnation of the Carnal Wisdom and Knowledge of the wicked World, and the Condemnation of the Disobedient, and the Condemnation of them, whose Deeds are Evil, who hate the Light: Which brings to witness the Word to be as a Fire, to burn up that which is to be condemned, and to the purging of the Floor, and burning the Chaff with unquenchable Fire, and to the Gathering of the Wheat into the Garner. Therefore in this Light dwell and wait, True Words. from which the true Words did proceed, that with it all those Words may be opened again, and all they condemned with the Light which have the Words, and act contrary to it; such must go empty away. And to you this is the Word of the Lord, Have Salt in yourselves. That ye may come to have Savour and Salt in yourselves. For dwelling in the Light, ye will be manifest to the Light in their Consciences (though they hate it) who have the Words declared from the Light; such go empty away from God, who is Light. And all they, who abide in the Light of the Lord, see all such to be out of the true Course of Nature, who act contrary to the Light, which defiles the Flesh; and they are such, who were of old ordained to Condemnation with the Light. G. F. A General Epistle for Friends, Concerning the Priests. ALL Friends, Epist. 91. in the Spirit of the Living God wait upon God, to learn of, The Blasphemy known, and who they are; and with the Light they are seen and discovered. and to be taught by him. For now doth the Beast open his Mouth in Blasphemy, speaking great, swelling Words: And now is the Cage of Birds and the Spirits, which are gone forth into the Earth, seen. And now are the Locusts see, and the Caterpillars known: And now are the Seven Thunders uttering their Voices: And now are the Hailstones falling, and the Vials of the Wrath of God pouring out upon the Beast and the false Prophet. And now are the whited Walls seen, Whited Walls. and the painted Sepulchers, who garnish the sepulchers of the Righteous, and build the Tombs of the Prophets, full of dead men's Bones. Ravening Wolves. Now are the Inwardly-ravening Wolves seen, which have gotten the Sheeps-clothing: And now are the false Prophets seen, which through Covetousness make Merchandise of the People. Briars and Thorns. And now are the Thistles, and Briars and Thorns, where the Figs do not grow, seen: And now are they seen, which make Merchandise of the Words of the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles, and through Pretence make long Prayers; who devour Widows Houses. And now are such known, who lead silly Women Captive, who are always learning, and never able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth, some Thirty, Forty, some Sixty Years. And now are such known and seen, Beating in the Synagogues. and mainfest with the Light, that Christ spoke of, that should beat his Followers in the Synagogues, and hale them before Magistrates for his Names sake; yea, if they killed them, should think they did God good Service. And now are such Teachers seen and known, that sport themselves in the Daytime, and walk after their own Ungodly Lusts. And now such are seen, that go in Cain's Way, Cain's Way. who would murder, and do murder in their Hearts, who are in Envy, who are the Vagabonds, and the Fugitives, who have not an Habitation in God, who is Love. And now are such seen and known, that go in Balaam's Way, that love the Wages of Unrighteousness, Balaam's Way. Gifts and Rewards. And now are such seen and known, that bear Rule by their Means, and the people love to have it so; holding up the horrible and filthy thing committed in the Land, as in Jeremy. Jerem. 5. And now are such Shepherds seen and known, Isaiah 56. as seek for their Gain from their Quarters. Now are such seen and known, Hirelings. as seek for the Fleece and the Wool, and make a Prey upon the people; and such as re Hirelings, which the Lord sent Ezekiel and Micah to cry against. Ezek. 34.35. Mich. 3. And now are such seen and known, which our Lord Jesus Christ cried Woe against; who stand praying in the Synagogues, Mart. 23. having the chiefest Seats in the Assemblies, called of Men Masters, which devour Widows Houses. And now are such Deceives seen and known, Deceivers. that by their Lies and Lightness have caused the people to err; which speak a Divination of their own Brain, and use their Tongues, and say, The Lord sent them, when he never sent them. And now are th' Mockers and Scorners come, which the Scriptures speak of, which mock, Scoffers. stone and persecute the Children of the Light, as they pass up and down the Streets; and many have been almost murdered in the Highways and Steeple-houses by them. And now is the Scripture fulfilled, which saith, The Beast and Dragon. That the Beast and the Dragon shall make War against the Lamb and the Saints; for such are manifest now, who are as natural, brute Beasts, what they know, they know naturally, having not the Life, that gave forth the Scriptures; but are found in the Self-Separation (from the Spirit of God) having gotten the Words, which were declared from the Spirit of God, murdering and destroying (as much as in them lieth) those, that are in the Light and Life of those holy Men of God, that gave forth the Scriptures. Now the Shame of all their Profession is seen, which is Abomination unto the Lord, which profess the Words declared from the Light of God, but are strangers to the Light and Life. And now the unsavoury things are smelled, tased of, and seen to be among many of the Professors of Religion, who are more like Swine rending, Dogs and Swine. and like Dogs biting and devouring one another, than like the Children of the Light: Which doth them mainfest to be contrary to the Light; which all that are contrary unto, with the Light are condemned. G. F. To all the Seed of Abraham, which suffer for denying the World's Customs, and because they cannot hold up the Corrupt Priesthood, that is therein; or for Testifying against the World, that the Works threof are evil. ALL Friends and Brethren every where, Epist. 92. that are Imprisoned for the Truth, give yourselves up in it, and it will make you free, To the Prisoners. and the Power of the Lord will carry you over all the Persecutors, which was, before they were. For since the Beginning hath this Persecution got up; therefore live and reign in that Power, which remains, when the other is gone, and in that ye will have Peace and Unity with God, and one with another, who suffer for not putting into the false Prophet's Mouths, and for Crying against them, and for not swearing, Sufferings for not Swearing. and not giving the World's Compliments and their Honour, which the Lord is staining; and who are suffering for reproving Sin in the Gate. Be faithful in the Life and Power of the Lord God, and for the Truth be Valiant on the Earth, and look not at your Sufferings, but at the Power of God, and that will bring some good out in all your Sufferings; and your Imprisonments will reach to the Prisoned, that the Persecutor prisons in himself. So be faithful in your Sufferings in the Power of the Lord, Tithes, Oaths, Temples. who suffer now by a false Priesthood for his Tithes, Oaths, Temples, which have got up since the Apostles days. For as the Apostles and true Christians suffered for denying the Jewish Temple, Priesthood, Tithes and Oaths, so ye do by the false, and amongst the Apostatised Christians, who are got up since the Apostles days. So the Power, and Life, and Wisdom of the Lord God Almighty keep you, and preserve you, to finish your Testimony to the End, that ye may witness every one of you a Crown of Life Eternal, in which ye may sing Praises to the Lord, and in that triumph! And so, be faithful in that which overcomes, and gives Victory. G. F. That Friends should have a Sense of one another's Sufferings. FRiends, Epist. 93. in the Power of the Lord God live, which goes over the Heads of all the World, that so in the Power ye may witness forth the Truth in their Courts; and than if ye suffer, ye by suffering will get Dominion over their Heads. And lay down and offer up your Lives for one another: Offer up your Lives for one anoher. And here is the Love of, and unto the Brethren manifest, to lay down their Lives one for another. But the Love of Christ is further, he laid down his Life for his Enemies. So dwell Low in the Life, that ye may answer that of God in every one. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 94. I do Warn and Exhort you all in the Presence of the Lord God, Dwell in the Measure, which God hath given you of himself, in which is no Strife, Dwell in Unity. but Unity: Therefore every one of you dwell in it. Boast not yourselves. And this I do Warn you of, Boast not yourselves above your Measures, but dwell in the Truth itself; that with the Measure of the Living Spirit of the Living God ye may be guided up to God, in which Spirit ye will all have Unity in the least Measure of it. And so every one of you Judge Self, for it would have the Mastery; which is to be Condemned with the Light, Self Judged and Mastery. in which is Unity. So, the Eternal God of Light, and Life and Power be with you all, and in you all! And keep from all Strife, and above it in Love and Unity in every Place. AND Friends, the Going from the Life into the Changeable, is the Cause of Strife and Confusion. G. F. GRow in the Increase of God, My Dear Children, and know all your Assurance in the Lord, and the Seed in every one of you, Epist. 95. which the Promise of God is to. And be Obedient to the Just, and in the Truth of God walled, and the Love of it. And my Dear Hearts, in the Seed dwell, which gives the Victory over the World, Victory over the World. and that in the Wisdom ye may be preserved, which bruises the contrary under foot; whereby ye may reign in the Life of God, to be as Nursers and Waterers of the Plants, Nursers and Waterers. and that all the Contrary may be kept under; that in the Eternal Power of God ye may be kept, which gives Dominion over all, and condemneth the contrary. In which Power the Lord God Almighty preserve you to his Glory, Amen. Live in the Life of God, and feel it. AND Friends, take heed of being hurried with many Thoughts; Many Thoughts. but live in that, which goes over them all. G. F. A Warning to Friends to keep to the Light, out of Deceit and Strife in Unity. FRiends, Epist. 96. I do warn and exhort you all in the Presence of the Lord God, to Meet together in the Measure of Life, that with it ye may be guided up to God, and in Unity kept together up to him, the Father of Light and Life; and God Almighty be with you! And that the Dread and Terror of the Lord may among you be, and Deceit confounded; and that with the Measure if Life all your Mind may be guided up to God, that so ye all in Peace and Love may be kept. And let this be sent among Friends, to be read in all their Meetings G. F. To a Friend. IN the Will of God stand, with thy own Will offered up, Epist. 97. as his was, who said, Not my Will, but thine be done. And beware of Striving in thy own Will against the Eternal Providence and Power, The Eternal Providence and Power. which is now working Invisibly, cross and contrary to all the Powers of Darkness. And in the Fear of the Lord wait, that thy Duty to the Lord thou mayst know, whose Everlasting Love is to thee; whose Blessing reacheth unto thee, if thou be faithful with faithful Abraham, who received the Blessing, and to his Seed after him. So beware, left through thy Forwardness and Rashness thou bring the Curse upon thee, and so break thy Peace and Covenant with the Lord God. Rashness. The Everlasting God give thee Faith in Christ Jesus, in whom the Promise is Yea and Amen. G. F. DEar Friends, stand in the Faith, Epist. 98. which gives the Victory over all the World, in which ye all will have Victory, and so come to be of Abrabam's Faith, and know the Word, that quickens you, Faith gives Victory. and reconciles to God, and hammers down the Contrary. So, in the Power and Life of Christ Jesus live, and in that ye all will be preserved to his Glory. G. F. To all that make Mention of the Name of the Lord, and that profess his living Truth. FRiends, Epist. 99 A Warning and Charge to you all from the Presence of of the Living God, To let all Lighness and Airiness, Foolishness, Wilfulness and Frothiness be Judged in Patience, Lightness and Airiness Judged. let it come to the Fire and be burned; and Hay, Wood and Stubble, and all that which is above the Seed, he that builds there, is above the Foundation, his Works are to be burned, he will suffer Loss. Therefore keep all down to the Seed of God, and feel that atop of all, which Seed inherits the Promise of God; that nothing may reign, but the Seed itself, which inherits from God. So all come into the Authority of God, which is not usurped, which gives the Dominion over all the usurped Authority; The one Power of the Son of God. that ye may live all in the one Power of the Son of God, which brings all into the Unity, and subdues all things, that cause the Enmity. So, the one Power, the one Soul, the one Heart, the one Mind is witnessed; here the Glory is revealed among you, and the one Head (Christ) the Seed, and ye are all of one Family. Here is the Power of the Son of God known, all Power being given to him; which Power and Seed bruiseth the Serpent's head, and breaks it, in which standeth the Enmity: So all Power is given to the Son to rule, to subdue and to judge. So, live in the Power, and ye live in the Unity, ye live in the Peace, ye live all in the Subjection one to another in the Fear of the Lord; The Seed is one. ye live all in the Seed, which is one, which keeps atop of the Head of the Serpent, and keeps his Head down, and bringeth it under. So, feel the Seed of God in every particular to be the Head in the Male and in the Female, and then ye come to be Bone of his Bone, and Flesh of his Flesh, and to inherit every one the Promise of God in the particular; whereby ye may come to be Inheritors in the Lord's Strength, feeling it and possessing it in your own particulars. So the Seed of the Serpent being kept down with the Seed, which is Christ in the Particular, he brings to see over all, that is Contrary. G. F. Concerning all fuch, as set up outward Crosses. FRiends, Epist. 100 in the Power of the Lord God dwell and live, that over all the World ye may stand, in that which fathoms it, that ye may handle the Word of God aright, The Word a Hammer. which is as a Hammer, and as a Sword to divide the precious from the vile; and is as a Fire, to burn up that which is hammered down, and divided from the precious. And in the Wisdom of God wait, that ye may answer that of God in every one; which Light will bring them off those things, which they have set up in that Nature, which is gone from the Light. Which things the Light goes over, and brings to see the Beginning and Ending of all those, whom Christ said, should come, which John saw, were come, who went out from them, whom all the World went after; amongst whom have come up all these heads and Horns, and Babylon, Beast and false Prophet, and Mother of Harlots, who have sat upon the Waters, which have been Peoples, Nations and Languages. And these have been from the Light, and so from the Rock, and from the true Foundation; and the Kings of the Earth have drunk of the Cup of her Fornication: And all Nations, that have been from the Life and the Foundation of God, have been in this Fornication, from Christ the Husband. So now People are to be turned by the Light to Christ, their Husband, the Rock, the Cornerstone, and are to be brought from their outward Crosses to the Cross of Christ, the Power of God within them, and from the dead Image to the Image of God, which they have lost through their going forth from the Light, and thereby have lost the Power of God. And all these Crosses of Wood and Stone, Crosses of Wood and Stone. and the Founder of them must all be thrown down by the Power of God, which is the Cross of Christ; and to the Light must they be turned, which answers to that of God in every one, before they come to feel Christ to rule and reign in them. Then the outward, dead Crosses of Stone, Wood, Silver or Gold they shall not need (to have to put them in Remembrance of Christ, or to bring him into their Minds; for such as are come to the Light, which Christ hath enlightened them withal, and believe in it, they feel the Power of God, they feel Christ and his Cross, which is the Power of God. G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren in the Everlasting Seed of God, Epist 101. which hath the Wisdom, and Life Eternal, and Dominion over all that is in the Fall, in which the Blessing of the Everlasting God is known, An Exhortation to Patience in the time of Suffering. and his Life, that never fadeth; in which Seed (that hath the Dominion nion over all that is in the Fall) is the Wisdom that is pure and gentle, which was, before the Wisdom below was. And so, all Friends, be ready to Offer up yourselves in the Power of God, joining to the Suffering Seed, in which ye offer up yourselves to God in the Patience, Offer up your self, to suffer. in your Sufferings, feeling the Seed, which was before that was, which makes to suffer. For the Lamb must have the Victory, mark, the Lamb, and not the rough Nature, which hath gotten up, since Man fell from God's Image; the Lamb must have the Victory over that. (So, The Lamb must have the Victcry. give up all in the Lamb's Nature, that in that ye may all Meet in Life, in Power, in Victory and Dominion over all that, which is in the Fall, knowing the Birth, that will persecute, and the Birth that is persecuted; and knowing the Birth, that is born of the Flesh, and the Birth, that is born of the Spirit: There is but these two Briths, and the Elder must serve the Younger; Two Births. and the Elder is the first Birth. Therefore feel all Jacob, and the Seed of God, than ye come to feel that, which shall remain for ever and ever. So in that all stand and dwell, that to the mighty God ye may be a Blessing, and a good Savour in the Hearts of all People, being Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth. And take heed of grieving the Spirit, but be faithful; and take heed of provoking, and keep down all that with the Spirit of God, that is Contrary to God, by which ye may answer that of God in every one. G. F. FRiends, Encourage not your Wives nor Children, Epist. 102. in setting them up in the World's Honour; for that which would do so in you, is Carnal; and the Carnal Mind is not subject to the Law of God. If ye do mind that which is of God in you, it will draw you up to God, out of the World's Honour, and Friendship, and Words, and Ways, and Fellowships, and Preferments, Customs and Fashions, up to God's Everlasting Kingdom, The World's Honour and Preferments. where is Everlasting Joy for evermore. G. F. To keep to the Witness of God. FRiends, Epist. 103. take heed of Darkness, or going beyond your Bounds or Limits, but keep in God's Fear, that ye may receive his Wisdom from above, To keep in Sincerity, etc. that with it ye may order all things to his Glory, answering the Witness of God in every one, keeping in Godly Sincerity and Simplicity, Meekness, Patience and Humbleness, Justice, Truth and Mercy; What graceth the Government. and this graceth a Government, and is a Praise to them that do well, and is a Terror to them that do Evil: For they that do Evil, go from the Witness of God in their own Conscience, and then the Higher Power comes over them. Therefore keep to the Witness of God in yourselves, and that is the Word of the Lord to you; and than ye will have the Just Weight, Just Weight. and Measure and Balance, and true Understanding, to answer the just Principle of God in every one. Bow and submit yourselves to the Power of the Mighty God of Heaven and Earth, and to no Deceit, and take heed of bringing any into it. Respecting Persons. And take heed of respecting Persons in Judgement; and that's the Way to obtain Favour from the Lord, and his Blessing. From him, who loves your Soul's Eternal Peace and Good. G. F. ALL Friends every where, Epist. 104. in the Power of God dwell, and know that over all to keep you. And lose not the Power of God, which keeps down, Concerning the Power. tames and breaks all wild, unruly, rash and hasty Spirits, which will run without the Power; which Spirits reach not to the Seed and the Witness of God in Men, and strike not through the Earthly, neither receive Wisdom to be ordered to the Glory of the Lord God. And there is Safety in the Power; and there is the Wisdom of the Most-High felt, Wisdom. and the Power of the Endless Life. And this is the Word of the Lord God to you all every where: Dwell in the Power of the Lord God, and live in it; for that brings all your Souls into Peace, into Oneness, into God, from whence they come, who hath them all in his Hand. And in the Power ye will all come to feel the End of Words, the Life, The End of Words, the Life. from which all Words of Truth were given forth; and all hasty, rash, lose, lustful Spirits the Power will strike down, for they beget nothing to God, but go out of his Dread. Therefore this is the Word of the Lord God, and a Charge unto all Friends upon the Earth, to dwell all in his Power; then his Dread, Fear, Terror and Majesty will be with you, and amongst you all, to Cleanse, Wash, Vessels for the Lord's Use. Water, Regenerate and Sanctify every one's Vessel, who will be thereby fitted for the Lord's Use. So that the Power being lived in, it keeps you over all the World in the Dread and Majesty of Truth, in Cleanness and Newness of Life; and to know the Wrath of the Lamb against all his Enemies. And the Power of the Lord God will strike down the Lust, that causeth Pride, Strife and Contention; it will bring you to live in Love and Unity one with another, and to know the Kingdom of the Most-High, that stands in Power, ruling in you all. And all your Crowns it will lay down, that are Mortal, and will raise up the Seed, and bring Life and Immortality to Light; where the Crown, that is Immortal, is known, and the Glory, that fadeth not away, is possessed. And all Spirits, that are unruly, and out of the Power, must be Judged with it, and kept subject; A Crown Immortal. for that which lives in the Power, is begotten by the Seed Christ, the New Man, that's made after God in Righteousness and Holiness: This Birth is of the Immortal Seed by the Word and Will of God, not begotten or brought forth by the Will of Man. And none quench the Spirit's Movings in the least Degree, nor none go beyond. And feed not upon that, which Dies of itself, but on that which cometh from above: Know the Son of Man's Flesh, which is your Bread, and his Blood, which is your Drink; which who eats and drinks of, hungers no more, nor thirsts no more, but hath the Endless Life. Nor none Writ, Writing, Printing, Speaking. Print nor Speak (for God) but as ye are moved of the Lord God; for that reacheth to that of God in others, and is Effectual. Nor none stop Writing or Speaking, when ye are moved with the Spirit of the Lord God, for the Power of the Lord God is to order, and to keep down that which would be hasty, or that which would not be Obedient, for that leads into the Wilderness (each way) which the Power, and Life and Seed of God must be set atop of, which keeps you over the World, and brings you to the Beginning. And all Friends every where, Mectings. In all your Meetings know and feel the Power, and the Seed (that is the Heir of the Promise) of the Lord God amongst you, over you and in you; then in that ye will feel the Presence of the Lord God dwelling in the midst of you. And to the Lord your Hearts will be brought, and it will bring you nigh one to another, and to come into sweet Love and Unity, Love and Unity. and into Easiness and Openness of Heart; and keep you over all that which would slain you, or hurt you, or defile you. Whereby Wisdom shall be given to you, with which ye shall be ordered to God's Glory; whereby ye shall feel his Blessing, and order the Creatures to his Praise. And the Gospel ye shall be shod with all: Shield of Faith. And standing and dwelling in the Power of God, there the Shield of Faith ye will receive, that gives the Victory over the World, with which ye have all Access to God; which Mystery of Faith is held in a pure Conscience. So, in the Power of God ye all living, ye live in the Lamb's Authority, in the Lamb's Dominion; and Victory through him over all the World ye come to obtain, to Answer that of God in all Consciences, in Cleanness of Heart and Mind. And all Friends, In the Life and Power, that stands in God, dwell, that ye may have Unity with God, and one with another, and feel his Presence among you: And the Seed, and Life, Feel God's Presence. and Power and Wisdom of Christ know in you all, and one in another. And the Lord God Almighty preserve you, and keep you in his Power, Life and Dominion, which lets you see him, who was in the Beginning, before the World was made; that nothing may rule, but Life itself; that ye may feel God's Presence in you and with you, that Truth and Life over all the World may spread. So the Lord God Almighty preserve you in the Life, and Power and Wisdom of God, that ye may all be ordered to his Glory. This is to be read in all your Meetings. G. F. Concerning the Light. (To be read amongst Friends.) ALL Friends every where, Epist. 105. Keep your Meetings, waiting in the Light, To wait to know the Word of God. which from the Lord Jesus Christ doth come; so will ye receive Power from him, and have the refreshing Springs of Life opened to your Souls, and be kept sensible of the tender Mercies of the Lord. And know one another in the Life (ye that be turned to the Light) and in the Power, which comes from the Lord Jesus Christ, who is your Light, who is your Life; that ye may all in the Life see Christ to reign in you, who is the Truth, from whence ye have Light. Here the Old Serpent is chained, and put into the bottomless Pit, and Christ is known to reign, Christ to reign. and ye to reign with him; Heirs with him, Joint-Heirs, and Heirs of God. Here is the Dominion received and witnessed of the World, that is without End, and the Promise of Life from the Father of Life to you, who are turned to the Son, who to the Father is the Way, who is the Mediator between the Father and you. The Everlasting Priest. All wait to receive the Everlasting Priest, the Everlasting Covenant of God, of Light, Life and Peace, into which Covenant no Sin, no Darkness nor Death comes; but the Blessing of the only Wise God, the Father of Life, here is known, where no Earthly Man can approach. But he that is of God, knows God's Truth; and he that is of the Devil; The Devil, a Murderer. doth his Lusts, who was a Murderer from the Beginning, in whom is no Truth, who in it abode not. So he it is, that speaks a Lie, and speaks of himself, and not God's Word; for he is out of the Truth. But ye, that be turned to the Light, walk in the Light, walk in the Truth, where no Darkness is; with which Light, that never changeth, ye may come to see that, which was in the Beginning, before the World was, where there is no Shadow, nor Darkness. In which Light as ye wait, ye will come to receive into your Hearts the Word of Faith, The Word of Faith. which reconciles to God, and is as a Hammer, to beat down all that is contrary; and as a Sword, to divide the Precious from the vile; and as a Fire, to burn up that which is contrary to the Precious: Which Word is Pure, and endureth for ever; which was in the Beginning, and is now again witnessed and made manifest. Therefore wait in the Light, that ye may all receive it, the same Word that ever was, which the Scriptures were given forth from. So Friends, keep your Meetings; and as ye are moved of the Lord, be Obedient to him, and keep your Habitations. And be not troubled; but look at that, which giveth you to see over the World. So the Lord God Almighty preserve you all to his Glory! Amen. G. F. To Friends, to keep in the Life, out of Janglings. FRiends, Epist. 106. Stand faithful to your Measures of the Gift of God, which cometh from him, who was, before the World was made; that ye may stand over the World, and all the betraying Spirits in it, that nothing may reign, but Life in you all. And keep out of Janglings and Parties, Janglings and Parties. in that, which is able to keep you above them all to God; and in that all wait. And the Bustlings of the World keep out of, in the Covenant of Peace with God. G. F. MY Dear Friends in the Power of the Everlasting God, which comprehends the Power of Darkness, Epist. 107. and all the Temptations in it, In that Power of God dwell, which will keep and bring you to the Word, which was in the Beginning, The Word, which was in the Beginning. which will keep you up to the Life, and to feed upon the same, over the Power of Darkness: In that ye will find Strength, and feel Dominion and Life, and that will let you see, before the Tempter was, and over him; and into that the Tempter cannot come, for the Power and Truth he is out of: And in that Life dwell, in which ye will know Dominion. And therefore, let your Faith be in the Power, and over the Weakness and Temptations, Weakness and Temptations. and look not out at them; but look in the Light and Power of God at the Lord's Strength, which will be made perfect in your weakest State. And look at the Grace of God in all Temptations, to bring your Salvation, which is your Teacher to teach you; for when ye do look or hearken to the Temptations, ye go from your Teacher, the Grace of God, and so are darkened: The Grace of God is sufficient in all Temptations to lead out of them, and to keep over them. G. F. FRiends, Wait in the Light, Epist. 108. that with the Light every one of you may come to see Christ to be your Wisdom, and your Righteousness, and so come to see the Body, his Church, About 1656. of which he is the Head; and in the Measure of Life waiting on the Father of Life, ye may come to reign in the Life: All that are here kept, are in pure Joy and Love. And in the Light wait, Harlots and Idolaters seen. that ye may see the Harlots and Idolaters, etc. which are to be fed with Judgement. Spare not that which is for the Sword, and for the Fire; let all Fleshly-mindedness be trodden under your Feet. And standing in the Power, ye will see the Seed slaying the Fat, and chaining and binding the Unruly, The Fat and Unruly. and succouring all the Lambs and Babes: This is the Word of the Lord to you. G. F. FRiends, Keep to Patience, this is the Counsel of the Lord to you. Epist. 109. Do not Judge one another behind one another's backs, Concerning Judging. nor speak Evil one of another, for that is that, which soweth the Enmity among Brethren. Nor do not Judge one another before the World, for that is that, which is in the Extremes, Passion and Hastiness; and there ye do let in the World's Spirit to rejoice over you, and that is out of the Patience, and Love, and Wisdom and Fear of God and his Truth. And every one dwell in the Seed and Life of God, and in that know one another, and Meeting together in that, ye may see the Lord Jesus in the midst of you. And Friends, The Aggravating Part. go not into the Aggravating Part to strive with it, lest ye do hurt to your Souls, and run into the same Nature; for Patience must get the Victory, and answers to that of God in every one, which will bring every one from the contrary. So let your Moderation, and Temperance and Patience be known to all, for that which joins to the Aggravating Part, sets up the Aggravating Part, and breeds Confusion, and reaches not to the Witness of God in every one. And Friends, keep out of the Worldly-Wise Part, The Wise Part. for that will never let People join and unite together (in Truth) which enters into the Earth, and the Apprehensions of Words; but let Innocency be the Garment, and Truth and Simplicity the Covering: Then in the Innocency ye will have Unity, where there is no evil Thought, but Love, that thinks no Evil. Therefore Cover one another's Nakedness; let all things be done in Love, and that will Edify: And let the Weight and Preciousness of Truth be in your Eye, and esteemed above all things by you. For here is my Grief, when I hear any thing amongst Friends, that hinders their Unity, and makes a Breach, (whereby the Wrong gets Ground) who should live in the Seed, which breaks the Bond of Iniquity, Breaches. and makes up all Breaches; in which Seed shine, answering the Witness of God in every one, which bruises the Earthly Part under, that brings forth Briars and Thorns, and spreads over the World, and all the contrary. Therefore all ye, which have known the Power of the Lord God, and have tasted of the Seed of God, Live in that, in which ye come to have Unity; that that Part may be kept down: And the Wrong Eye, that looks out at one another's Weaknesses, that must be kept under, even that, where the Heat, and the Burn, and the Enmity is; the Seed of God atop of all that must be set, Cover Nakedness. in which is the Unity. Therefore, if there be any Nakedness in any, or among any, cover that, and come all to the Seed of God in your own selves; for in that is the Virtue to heal, yea, all Nations. Slaughterings, Wounds and Cuttings are the other Weapons in the other Part, which is out of the Seed of God, whose End is Peace; in which is the Unity, which is the Top-stone over all the Enmity, and atop of it is laid, and bruiseth it all down. I am a Lover of your Souls Eternal Good, Peace and Unity, in the Kingdom, that stands in the Power, which hath no End. G. F. To the Prisoners at Exon. FRiends, Epist. 110. Mind that, which keepeth you all Meek and Low, to be guided with it. Keep Meek and Low. And all consider that, which keepeth you in the Way of Peace; that none of you may be pudling in your own carnal Wisdom, which is to be confounded, which is shut out of the Kingdom of God: All wait to have Dominion over that, that ye may know Peace and Unity, and the Love of God, that doth not change. And do not strive one with another, lest ye do hurt one another; for it is not the hasty Spirit, that doth get the Victory, but the Lamb, who must reign over the World, and was, before it was. And the Mind, which is forward, The forward Mind Judge. Judge, and dwell in the peaceable Way; and that ye may be Patterns in your Imprisonments to them, which be out of the Image of the Son of God. To the Prisoners in Exon; Written, whilst J. N. was there, with many more in Prison. G. F. A Warning from the Lord for Plainness of Speech to be used. (To go among Friends) FRiends of God and Brethren, Epist. 111. This is a Warning to you all from the Lord God and Jesus Christ, that all that ye speak, it may be in Plainness of Speech, Plainness of Speech. according to that of God in all Consciences, and that it may proceed from that of God in you, the Light of Christ, that all your Words be Words of Life to the Life, and Death to the Death, where it reigns above the Light. And that all Words, which are spoken, be in Plainness of Speech; that the Light of Christ in all Consciences, which he hath enlightened every one withal, may witness your Words to be the Words of Life: So that dwelling in the Light, to that of God ye may be made manifest in all Consciences; which shall be their Condemnation, that hate it. Ye that dwell in the Light, and walk in the Light, use Plainness of Speech and plain Words, single Words in the single Life, pure Words from the pure Life, seasoned Words, seasoned with Grace, which teacheth to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts. They who live in Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts, turn from the Grace of God into Wantonness, who are light and vain, whose Words are unsavoury, not seasoned with Grace, whose Words edify not; upon whom God will render Vengeance in Flames of Fire, who shall be separated from his Presence and his Angels. Therefore Friends, in Plainness of Speech all dwell; for dwelling in the Light, it will bring you to Plainness and few Words, to live in the Life, The Life of the Scriptures. which gave forth the Scriptures, which was, before the Scriptures were given forth; and with it ye will see their Conditions, that dwelled in the Life, and gave forth the Scriptures. And with this Light ye will see their Conditions, who were testified against (who were out of the Life) by them who dwelled in the Light; and with it all that comes to be seen, read and understood, which was given forth with the Life, and from the Life; and all comes to be known in Plainness, and is with Plainness spoken forth again. Which comes not by the Will of Man: For no Prophecy of the Scripture came by the Will of Man; all the Prophecies in it were out of the Will of Man: The Will of Man. And they Witnessed and Prophesied of Christ, who was born not by the Will of Man; who was supposed to be the Son of Joseph, but was the Son of God. And all the Apostles were made Ministers by the Will of God, and not by Man, nor of Man, but by the Will of God; and so, they witnessed Christ, who was not born by the Will of Man, who were made Ministers not by the Will of Man: And they witnessed, that no Prophecy of the Scripture in old time came by the Will of Man, neither was it of any private Interpretation; but holy Men of God spoke it, as they were moved by the holy Ghost, the holy Mover, which is but one. And all who are in their own Wills, and have the Scripture, and make a feigned Profession of that (which came not by the Will of Man) are in the Presumption; and with the Light of Christ, which he hath enlightened every one, that comes into the World, withal, with that Light shall they be condemned, even all that hate it, and live in their own Wills. And so, the Unity of the Saints is in that, which condemns the World. And all who live in their own Wills, and yet make a Profession of the Scriptures, there are the Sects and Opinions, Sects and Opinions. and there is no Unity, and they have not Unity amongst themselves; but only an Oneness in Nature, tho' not in Unity in their Meanings of the Letter. That which comes not by the Will of Man, but is contrary to his Will, and contrary to all the World's evil Ways, and overturns them, which is according to that of God in all Consciences, with that have Unity; which testifieth against every Man, when he acts contrary to it, and with it he shall be judged, and condemned in his own Knowledge and Understanding. And ye all walking in this Light, it will bring you to all Plainness and Singleness of Speech; Mystery of Iniquity. which will make the Deceit to tremble, and the Mystery of Iniquity to shake, which lodgeth in the Temple and sits there, where it ought not to sit, and is exalted above all that is called God: Now, with the Brightness of his Coming is he discovered, and with the Breath of his Mouth he is to be consumed. So, dwell all in the Eternal Power of God, and in his pure Light, that ye may be a Terror to all Evil-doers, and to all Ungodliness, and to all who act Unrighteously, and live in Uncleanness. And so, ye will come to use plain Words and plainness of Speech to them all, The Witch and jachanter. and no Flattery shall dwell in you, no Enchanter nor Witch shall live, no Hypocrisy shall stand before the Judgment-Seat of God; but shall be as the Chaff, driven to and fro; that the Scripture may be fulfilled upon them. And all who are out of Plainness, with the Eternal Light, which Christ hath enlightened them withal, shall they be condemned and confounded in Time: The Light was before Time. (For this Light was before Time, and is in Time, which lets every Man and Woman see all their Actions done in Time; and hating this Light, this is their Condemnation.) But all loving this Light, and walking in this Light, ye will come to walk in that, which is the World's Condemnation; and it will bring you to see the World to be gone from God, from Christ, and all who are of God. And this is the Counsel of God to you, that in that, which is contrary to your Fleshly Wills, ye may all wait and walk, for that will lead you from all vain Thoughts, and all evil Desires; there wait, and ye will witness the Birth born, not by the Will of Man: And this Birth is Heir of another World, and Heir of the certain Riches, which is manifest to that of God in all Consciences. So to you all this is a Warning from the Lord, who are in the Light, and love the Light, which Christ Jesus hath enlightened you withal, which is contrary to your Wills, and all men's Wills; that with it ye may use plainness of Speech to all, and so to be made manifest to that, which they hate, which is their Condemnation, the Light. And abiding in Christ, Christ the Vine. who is the Vine, every one will come to witness yourselves to be as Branches abiding in the Vine, and sitting under the Vine. This was I moved of the Lord to send out abroad among you, as a Message to all the Plants of the Lord. If ye speak any thing contrary to the Light, which Christ hath enlightened you withal, with the Light ye are to be condemned. And if any among you do speak of Former Experiences, and not dwell in the Light, but in Hypocrisy and Prefumption, and Envy without the Fear of God, ye are to be thrown down, and with the Light condemned; and Woe upon thy Head from God and Christ proceeds, and art to be turned out, and Judged with the Light and with the Life! Therefore in the Life dwell and walk every one in particular; than ye will have Unity one with another, and grow up to be Trees of Righteousness, the Planting of the Lord. G. F. ALL Friends, Mind the Light, and dwell in it, and it will keep you a top of all the World; and the Seed of God mind, Epist. 112. and know it, and in it be Content. Dwell in the Seed, which is Heir of the Promise of Life Eternal, The Seed, the Heir. and dwell in the Possession of that. And in all your Do (and Words) be faithful to the Lord, and to Men; let this be your daily Exercise. G. F. To a Friend in the Ministry. DEar Brother, Supposed to E. B. Mind the Lord, and stand in his Will and Counsel. Look not forth at Time nor Place, Epist. 113. but at thy Father's House, wheresoever thou art. And dwell in the pure Measure of God in thee, and there thou wilt see the Lord God present with thee. For the bringing forth many out of Prison, art thou there set; behold, See the Lord God present. the Word of the Lord cannot be bound: The Lord God of Power give thee Wisdom, Courage, Manhood and Boldness to thresh down all Deceit. Dear Heart, be Valiant, and mind the pure Spirit of God in thee, to guide thee up unto God, to thunder down all Deceit within and without. So Farewell! God Almighty keep you all! G. F. DEar Brethren, In the mighty Power of God go on, Epist. 114. to which Power of the God of Heaven and Earth, To E. B. and F. H. all the Powers of the Earth must bow; that to that of God in all Consciences ye may be made manifest, that that in them, which is of God, may witness, The mighty Power of God. that ye are sent of God. Dwell in the Life of God, that to the Spirits in Prison ye may minister, and to it be made manifest, that ye are no Deceivers, but Saviour's, and such as are sent to lead from all Deceivers, The Spirits in Prison. and them to testify against. So, in the mighty Power of God go on Preaching the Gospel to every Creature, and Discipling them in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Name of Christ Preach the mighty Day of the Lord to all the Consciences of them, who have lain long in Darkness (and under its Chain) where the Light shined, but the Darkness could not comprehend it. So, in the Power of the Lord God go on, and thresh that, which hath been fed with the Harlot's Spirit, and the Harlot famish, The Harlot's Spirit. which hath and doth Prison the Just. I Charge you in the Presence of the Living God dwell in his Power, that with his Power ye may be carried along to minister to all the Spirits Imprisoned by the Deceit. As the Life of God doth arise, it will lead you up to God, the Father of Life; in this your Fruits shall never whither. But go on to plant a Vineyard, The Vineyard. and to Blow, that ye may eat the Fruit thereof; and to plant in Hope, and to thresh in Hope, that ye may be made Partakers of your Hope: And to thresh out the Corn, that the Wind may scatter the Chaff, that the Corn may be gathered into the Barn. So, in the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ preach the Everlasting Gospel, that by his Power the Sick may be healed, the Leprous cleansed, the Dead raised, the Blind Eyes opened, and the Devils cast out. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ go on, that that of God in all Consciences may witness, that ye are sent of God, and are of God; and so according to that speak, to bring up all unto the Head Christ, and into the Life, which gave forth the Scriptures; for there's the Unity, and out of it is the Confusion. G. F. To Friends, Concerning the Word of Life. FRiends and Brethren, Epist. 115. the Eternal Word, from which ye have both spoken and ministered to others, is the Word of Life, the Word of Peace, The Word of Reconciliation. the Word of Reconciliation, which makes of Twain one New Man; and if ye do abide there, there is no Division, but Unity in the Life, which was before Death was, and before Division was: Therefore that which is divided, is of the Kingdom that cannot stand, and is for Condemnation by the Life, and Word of Reconciliation. That which speaks the Evil Language, I do deny; for that which speaks so, doth not see throughly. Therefore in the Light wait, where the Unity is, where the Peace is, where the Oneness with the Father and the Son is, where there is no Rent nor Division; but all one in Christ Jesus, the Everlasting Fountain of Life, and Covenant of Peace. The Son of Man cometh not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Where the Life and Fullness dwells, it hides and covers from that, to which the Curse is; that so it may minister forth to the Seed's Seed. SOUND, sound the Trumpet abroad, ye Valiant Soldiers of Christ in his Kingdom, Anti-christs' in Arms. of which is no End! All the Anti-christs' in the Kingdoms (of fallen Men) are up in Arms against Christ. G. F. Concerning Judging in Meetings. FRiends, Epist. 116. Do not Judge one another in Meetings, ye that do minister in the Meetings; for your so doing hath hurt the People, both within and without, Meetings quiet. and yourselves under their Judgement ye have brought. And your Judging one another in the Meetings, hath emboldened others to Quarrel, and Judge you also in the Meetings: And this hath been all out of Order, and the Church-Order also. Now, if ye have any thing to say to any, stay, till the Meeting be done, and then speak to them in private between yourselves, and do not lay open one another's Weakness; Not to lay open Weakness. for that is Weakness, and not Wisdom to do so. For your Judging one another in Meetings, hath almost destroyed some Friends, and distracted them: And this is for want of Love, that beareth all things; and therefore let it be amended. No more, but my Love. FRIENDS, If any amongst you have Movings to do any Service for the Lord, Do Service for the Lord. when they have done it, let them return again with speed to their Habitation, and there serve the Lord in their Generation; that no Slothfulness may be amongst you. But all keep in Diligence, that no Occasion may be given to any to speak evil of the Truth; but that ye may answer that of God in all. So, give no Offence; Give no Offence. for Woe is to those, by whom Offences do come: Yet Quench not the Spirit. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Keep your Meetings, and ye will feel the Seed to arise, though never a Word be spoken amongst you: Epist. 117. And be Faithful, that ye may Answer that of God in every one. Neglect not your Talon. And do not neglect your Talon, but in the Life and Power of God live, which ye have received. And, my Dear Friends, dwell in the Life and Power and Love of God, and one towards another. FRIENDS, Dwell in the Measure of the Spirit of God, and to it take heed, that in it ye may grow; The Love that is Eternal. for the true and lasting Love proceeds from God, who is Eternal. And abiding in the Measure of Life, ye will have Peace and Love, that never changeth; if from the Measure you turn, Iniquity gets up, and so the Love waxeth Cold, and in that lodge the evil Thoughts, Jealousies, evil Will and Murmur. Wait in the Light, which is of God, that ye may all witness the Son of God, and witness that, which shall never whither; so ye will see and feel God near. G. F. LEt no Friends go begond their own Measure given them of God, Epist. 118. nor rejoice in another Man's Line made ready to their Hands; Another Man's Line. lest that get up, and would be Justified, which is to be Condemned: And that which will Boast, and be Justified in the Sight of Men, is out of the Kingdom excluded. Therefore in the Measure of Life wait, and with it be led to have Power over your own Wills (which are Mortal and Changeable) that the Way of Righteousness may be found, Man's Will. where your Wills are shut out, which causes the Hastiness and the Strife, to run into Words without the Life, Words without Life. where Judgement and Condemnation doth overtake you. Wherefore delight in Judgement, which leads to the Door of Mercy. G. F. FRiends, Wait in the Life, which will keep you above Words, Epist. 119. and keep your Minds up to God, the Father of Life, and Condemn and Judge all them, which would have Words more than the Life. Grow in the Life. God Almighty be with you in the Measure of Life, that in it ye may grow; and with it your Minds may be kept up to him, the Father of Life. And that all Strife may be kept down with the Life, and all Light Spirits judged down, with that which comprehends the World, Light Spirits. and judgeth it. So, God Almighty be with you all, and keep you in his mighty Power up to himself, and condemn all that which is contrary to him and his Light. To be read at Meetings. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Dwell in the Everlasting Seed of God, Epist. 120. in which ye all will feel Life Eternal, that never hath an End; and in that Meet, and keep your Meetings. And dwell together in the Love and Life of God, with which ye may all be filled, through which Love ye may cover the Multitude of Sins, Love covers. and Answer the Life of God in all; in which ye may feel the Blessings of the Almighty God, covering you as with a Garment. And so, Possession of Life. live in the Possession of the Life; in which ye all will have Unity and Fellowship with God, and one with another. DEAR Friends, Exhort all your Families at Times and Seasons, whether they be Servants or Children, that they may be Informed in the Truth. For when ye were Professors, many of you did Exhort and Instruct them in the Form, Exhort your Families. when that ye had not the Power: And therefore now being brought into the Truth, ye should be more diligent to Exhort, Admonish and Instruct them. G. F. To Friends, To take Care of such, who suffer for owning the Truth. FRiends, Epist. 121. In the Wisdom and Power of God dwell, by which all things must be ordered to his Glory, in which ye may do all things to his Glory; and that with the Wisdom of God ye may order and preserve the Creation, and every thing that is Good. And if any Servants be convinced, Servants Convinced. and turned from their Places for Truth's sake, Friends to be tender to them, that they be not lost; but that they may be preserved. Soldiers. Children. Wives. And if any Soldiers be put out of the Army for Truth's sake, that they may be nourished and cherished; or any Children be turned from their Parents, or believing Wives from their unbelieving Husbands, that they may be admonished to walk wisely towards them. Prisoners. And that all Prisoners, that have but little of their own, there may be Care taken for them, and for the Lame and Sick. And that, if any Friends be Oppressed any manner of way, others may take Care to help them: And that all may be as one Family, building up one another, and helping one another. And if any desire Meetings any way for Truth's Service, Friends not to look out; but to dwell in the Life and Power of God, and therein to answer it. AND all Friends every where, in the Power, and Life and Seed of God keep your Meetings, that over all the Top-Stone may be laid, and ye all in the Wisdom and Patience may be preserved, Wisdom and Patience. and as a sweet Savour may be kept to God, and in the Hearts of all People. And every one be Obedient to the Life and Power of the Lord God, Obedient. and that will keep you from being as a Wilderness; but be Faithful and still, till the Winds cease, and the Storm be over. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 122. To that which is Pure, I speak, in which is Unity, where no defiled thing shall enter. Silence all Flesh, who strive about Words, in which is no Profit; who would draw you out of your Conditions, and others out of their Conditions. Therefore be Low, and mind that which is Low, Mastery and Pride. to draw you out of Contention. And strive not for Mastery, and do not exercise Lordship over one another; but mind that which is Pure, which keeps you in the Fear of the Lord God. For if your Minds go from that which is Pure, which leads to God, your Nakedness will appear to the World; and than ye go in your own Wills and Strength, and there is the Seat for Mastery and Pride, out of the Will of God, and that is out of the Unity, out of the Oneness, out of the Way; and instead of building, ye destroy; and instead of edifying, ye draw back into the World. Therefore all be Low, and wait upon the Lord, and be swift to Hear, slow to Speak, and slow to Wrath; be Low, and wait upon God, to receive the living Food from God, to nourish you in Time, with that which was before Time; that God in all things may be glorified. So, the Lord God Almighty direct you, and bring down all fleshly Wills; that the Pure may be raised up. So, meet together and wait upon God, if there be not a Word, I charge you. Beware of Contention, for there ye get above that of God in the Conscience; and so go out of the Fear of the Lord. G. F. Men in the Fall are in the Wars and Strife, but Truth restores, and brings into Peace. DEar Friends, My Love is to you all in the Everlasting Seed of God, Epist. 123. that never changes nor falls, Concerning Christ, that never fell, and Adam in the Fall. nor gives itself to that which doth change, which is not of this World, but is over it, and was, before the World was; in which is the Steadfastness and Staiedness, and Life Eternal: Which reigns over all the Airy Spirit (and that which doth change) and remains, and is as the Winter-fruit, and stands, The Seed, the Winter-fruit. when all the untimely Figs are gone. (Mark) And Seed is not as the Corn, that grows upon the Housetop, that withers; for the Leaves, that this Seed brings forth, never fade nor fall; The Leaves heal the Nations. for the Leaves thereof heal the Nations, which are wounded. The Second Adam goes over Adam in the Fall, and his quarrelling Sons and Daughters, who War one with another with their carnal Weapons, who remain in their carnal Worships, carnal Fellowships, carnal Teachings: But who are in the Noble and Royal Seed, are all in Peace, and in Love, and in Life, and in Unity, and are in the Spiritual Worship, and Spiritual Fellowship, and Spiritual Teaching, being in the Seed, Christ, that never fell, nor never will fall, nor never changed, nor never will change. In this Seed, Christ, is Peace and Rest, out of all Troubles, out of all Whimsies, Christ the Rest. foolish Dreams, Imaginations, Fancies, false Visions, false Revelations. For the Seed, in which the Blessing is, is felt, and the Life, and the Light, and the Righteousness, and the Truth, that answers the Witness of God in all Men and Women, whether they will hear or forbear. And so, all that are in Adam in the Fall, both Men and Women, and there remaining in the Fall, they never are in Rest nor Peace, Adam in the Fall his Travels. but are in Travels, Wars, Strife, Fightings; the Lust's being the Ground of all this. And Whimsies and Imaginations, Fancies, false Visions, false Dreams, Arrogancy, Pride, Ambition, Swell, Puffed-up-ness, that being's Shame, and covers them with Shame; which they possess, that are in the Fall, out of Christ, the Second Adam, that never fell, For in Adam in the Fall is all the (inward) foul Wether, Storms, Tempests, Winds, Strifes, the whole Family of it in Confusion, being all gone from the Spirit and the Witness of God in themselves, and the Power, and the Light; in which Power, Light and Spirit is the Fellowship with God and one with another, through which they come out of Adam in the Fall, into the Second Adam that never fell, The Second Adam, the Quickener. the Quickener, who awakens Old Adam's Children in the Fall out of their Sleep of Sin, and brings them out of his Ways up unto himself, the Way, Christ that never fell nor changed, and out of and from his Teachers, and Priests and Shepherds, etc. that change and fall, to the Priest, Shepherd and Prophet, that never fell nor never changed, nor never will fall nor change, nor leave the Flock in the cold Wealther, nor in the Winter, nor Storms nor Tempests; nor the Voice of the Wolf doth not frighten him from his Flock. For the Light, the Power, the Truth, the Righteousness, did it ever leave you in any Wether, or in any Storms or Tempests? And so, his Sheep know his Voice, and follow him, who gives them Life Eternal abundantly; who saith to all, that are Dead in Adam, I am come (mark) I am come, that ye (Dead in Adam) might have Life. Christ, the Second Adam is come, that the Dead in the first Adam might have Life, and might be quickened, and might be awakened to Righteousness, who are asleep in the unrighteousness. And so, he doth invite all Adam's Posterity to come to him, that all through him might believe, and come to Light, and come to Life, and come up into Peace and Rest; for in the Second Adam ye have Peace, ye have Rest. So, they have no Peace nor Rest in the Old Adam in the Fall; but in the Second Adam, Christ, that never fell, is both the Rest, Christ, the Rest and Peace. and the Peace, and the Life. But in Adam in the Fall is neither Rest, nor Peace, nor Life; but Darkness and Trouble, and Sorrow, and Burdening, and Changins: And this Adam's Sons and Daughters in the Fall do inherit and possess in the World. Therefore all come out of Adam in the Fall, and haste to him that never fell, nor never changed; in whom ye have all both Rest, and Peace and Life, that was with the Father, before the World began. And so, Meeting in the Name. In in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that never fell, keep your Meetings, ye who are gathered in his Name; and than ye will see over all the Gatherings of Old Adam's Sons and Daughters, that be in the Fall, and out of his Name. But ye being gathered into his Name, that never fell, Christ Jesus, fell the Seed of God over all that set, that makes to suffer; which was, before that was, and will stand and remain, when that is all gone. So Farewell. G. F. MY Friends, Epist. 124. Be faithful, and keep your Meetings; and in that Light wait, which comes from the Head, Christ, in whom are all your Lives; from whence ye have your Light, which is the Life in the Son. The High Calling in Christ. And ye, which do witness the High Calling in Christ Jesus, and are redeemed by him out of the World, and are become New Greatures, walk above the World, and be not Hasty; but in the Light and Life wait, that with it your Minds may be directed and guided, and joined together with that which is Immortal and Undefiled, in one Spirit, up to the Immortal God. And that with the Spirit, One Baptism, One Faith. which he hath given you, ye may witness the One Baptism into One Body, and ye all with the Light may see the One Faith, which Christ is the Author and the Finisher of; and that ye may all see the End of you Faith, the Salvation of your Souls, with that which gives you the Victory over the World. And fear the Lord, and take heed of Strife, and live in Peace and Love one with another, believing all in the Light, which maketh manifest; that all ye may be the Children of the Light: And this Belief giveth the Victory over the World. He that is of this Faith, is born of God; and he that believeth in the Light, shall not abide in Darkness, nor shall ever be confounded. For he believeth in that, which manifesteth that, which is to be confounded and trampled upon; and he shall not be condemned, but shall have the Light of Life. And he that believeth not in the Light, is with the Light condemned already. And he that heareth not the Voice of the Son of God, doth not live, but is in Death: Therefore he that heareth not the Light, which comes from Christ the Life, The Voice of the Son of God. heareth nor the Vioce of the Son of God, and he cometh not to Life. And the Hour is come, that they, which have been in the Graves, have heard the Voice of the Son of God, and do live; and they that do not hear the Voice of the Son of God, do not live, but are in the Death and the Grave. And they that come to believe in the Light, hear the Voice of the Son of God, and live, and out of the Condemnation are come; and live over Death, and the Grave and Hell, and so come to Life. G. F. FRiends, to you all this is the World of the Lord: Epist. 125. Know the Seed of God in one another, which Seed is Christ. Look not out, than ye will not Wonder, but will be atop of the Wonderer. The Seed, The Wonderer. which is Christ, being known in one another, which the Promise of God is to, every one of you know the Promises fulfilled in you; whereby ye all may witness the Blessing of God fulfilled to you, and in you. And so in this the Lord God Almighty preserve you all to his Glory, and that ye all may know the Flesh of Christ your Food, and know his Reign. And quench not the Spirit, and stop not the Power; Quench not the Spirit. but dwell in that, which doth stop and quench the Deceit: And to you this is the Word of the Lord God. And all Friend's mind and heed the Life and Power of the Lord God; for all that are out of it, are and will be confounded. Therefore dwell in that which condemns it, in which will be your Peace. G. F. For Friends, to dwell in Love and Unity. THE Word of the Lord God to all Friends: Epist. 126. Dwell in Peace and Unity with God, and one with another, that to the Lord ye may be a sweet Savour, and to one another, A sweet Savour. and also in them that hate the Light; that ye may all come to witness the Sonship, and to be Heirs of God, and in the Spirit have Unity, The Bond of Peace. which is the Bond of Peace. And the Seed of God, and the Life mind. G. F. ALL Friends every where, do not delight in Apparel, Epist. 127. do not delight in the Creature, more than the Creator. Apparel and Riches. Trust not in uncertain Riches, which fade and pass away; but in the living God trust, and love the Riches that endure, and fade not away. Delight not in the World that ends, but in the World that hath no End; that there ye may all come to have an Assurance of the Endless Life. G. F. To all Friends, to keep in the Power of God, out of the Cares of the World. ALL Friends, to that which is pure, take heed, Epist. 128. that with that all your Minds may be kept up to God, who is pure; Grow as the Lilly. that as the Lily ye all may grow, and receive Wisdom from God, how to use the Creatures in their places, to the Glory of him that created them. For Woe is unto you, that Lay up for the latter Day with Covetousness; ye act in that Nature contrary to the Light, taking Thought for to morrow, what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, and what ye shall put on. Look at the Life, which is more than Food, and the Body, which is more than Raiment; and consider the Lilies and Ravens, The Lilies Ravens and the Earth. and who feedeth them, and clotheth the Earth? That in the Faith ye may stand, and with it ye may come to see him, who is Invisible. He who lays up for the Latter Day with Covetousness, he goes from that, which should keep him out of Days, The Ancient of Days. up to God, the Beginning of Days; here the Ancient of Days comes to be seen, and the Life out of Death springs, and a diligent Serving God is known, and every one for his Family provides: For he is worse than an Infidel, that doth not. That which was, before Days were, Mind, which brings to be Diligent, serving the Lord; and that keeps down the Destroyer. And that keeps down the Covetous and the fleshly Principle, and that which would run out into the Observation of Days: And that keeps the Life up, out of the Earth, and keeps from trusting in the Riches, Trasting in Riches. that be uncertain, and brings to trust in God, who is living, who is the Condemner of all the Gods, who have Eyes, and see not; who keep People under their Dominion from the Light. But all, who to the Light take heed, see God, who is Living, who all things seethe. G. F. MY Dear Friends and Brethren, Epist. 129. Keep in the Seed of Peace, which was, before the Enmity and Adversary was, in which ye will all have Life and Peace, and Unity and Dominion; and in that ye will know Christ Jesus to reign, The Reign of Christ. who was, before the World began; in whom ye may know your Election, and a Sitting in the Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, above all the Earthly Places below, and men's evil Traditions and vain Customs; sitting in Christ Jesus keepeth out of them, for he was, before they were. And let all Friends every where pray to the Lord, to exalt his Truth to his Glory, and his Kingdom which hath no End, but is from Everlasting to Everlasting. G. F. ALL Friends, Epist. 130. Dwell in the Truth, in my Father's House there are many Mansions, said Christ. And ye all, that do know the Life, To all Friends, to dwell in the Truth, the Life of God, the 〈◊〉, etc. go not from it: Heed not Words without Life; but heed that, which lets you see and know the Father. For Mountains will arise, and may arise: But this is the Word of the Lord God, and a Charge to you all in the Presence of the Lord God, Heed the Power and Life, the Power, which ye have formerly known and tasted of; and that will keep you, until the Day of Salvation, and that brings you to know the Kingdom of God to stand in Righteousness, etc. and that will bring you to comprehend Deceit, The Deceit of the World. and to fathom it, and bring you to be over the Deceit of the World. So ye, that know the Power of the Lord God, heed it, and it will remove Questionings out of your Minds; it will remove that, which causeth Trouble to come into your Minds: The Power is the Gospel. But if ye go from the Power, the formal Part gets up in you, and the Wonders you'll run into. But the Power of God it is the Gospel, and ye that have received the Power of God, ye have received the Gospel; and he is cursed, that preacheth any other, yea, if an Angel from Heaven: For Christ is the Power of God, to whom the Angels must bow. And Christ Jesus, who was born (of a Virgin) crucified, and is ascended (and there is no other) all of you, that are turned to the Light, wait to have him born in you, every one in particular. I am the Light of the World, saith Christ, by whom the World was made, who doth enlighten Every Man, that cometh into the World: Christ the Light, the Bread of Life. Who is the Bread of Life, that came down from above; and who eateth of this Bread, lives for ever. Now, Every one of you having a Light from Christ, the Bread of Life, wait, and with and from it you'll see, know and have your Food in due Season. Now, every one that comes into the World, having a Light from Christ Jesus, who is not of the World, and being turned to this Light, which he is lighted withal, he is turned to Jesus Christ, from whence it comes. And here none shall say, Lo, here is Christ, or Lo there is Christ; but every one with the Light, which comes from him, Christ is seen with the Light. shall see Christ (and shall see the Father through the Spirit, that proceeds from the Father and the Son) and the Glory, that he had with the Father, before the World began; and shall have Dominion over all the contrary in the Male and in the Female, having a Light from him, that gives the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus. Which Light shines in your Hearts; and there shall every one feel their Treasure in the Earthen Vessel, and the Power which is of God. Now, whosoever goes from the Light, which they are enlightened withal, they go into the Darkness, and they go into the Wonders; and run out gazing, Lo here, Lo there is Christ. and saying, Lo he is here, Lo he is there. I am come a Light into the World (saith Christ) which every one, that cometh into the World, is lightened withal, which Light is the Covenant; and every one, who are in the Light, are in the Covenant with God. And so Friends every where, keep your Meetings (this is the Word of the Lord God to you) and do not heed the Lo-here's or Lo-there's, neither be troubled; but heed every one the Life of God, and do not gad abroad from the Truth within; that ye may be kept out of all highswelling Storms, Bustlings and Tempests, and with it ye may be kept over the World, to him and in him, that is not of the World. And take heed of denying the Truth; whosoever do, they go from the Light within them, and so go into the Darkness, and into the Wonders. The Wonderer. And who go from the Light within, go from the Emanuel, from the Saviour within, Christ Jesus, and from the Truth in the inward parts, and from the Wediator between you and God, and from the Vine; and so, ye bear not Fruit to the Glory of God. And going from the Light within, ye go from your Peace, and from the Covenant of God; and going from the Light within, ye go from the Life, where every one receives the Light of Life. And who go from the Light within, go from the Increase of God; who go from the Light within, go from the Anointing within them, and so continue not in the Son, nor in the Father: All who go from the Light within, go out of the Covenant of Eternal Life. But every one walking in the Light within, which he hath received, he shall there receive the Bread of Life, Christ, whom the Light comes from. And so, having your Food within, ye shall not go forth to gather it; but he that is in the Light, and believes in it, comes to know the Garner, where-into the Wheat is gathered, The Bread of Life. and the Chaff, that is to be burned with unquenchable Fire, and the Floor throughly purged; and the Immortal Crown is known. Therefore all Friends, keep in the Power, and know the Power of God in one another, and the Life, that stands in God; that out of all Dryness and Barrenness ye may be brought, and kept in the Living and Eternal Spirit and Power. And so, the God of Glory keep you from the Evil, that is in the World, in Glory and in Unity, every one in your Measures! Now, the Power of God will never be shaken; that which is to be shaken (or tossed) is out of the Power, and the Power remains; Therefore dwell in the Power, which throws down all that, which may be shaken (or tossed) and raiseth up that, which can never be thrown down nor shaken: And to you this is the Word of the Lord God. And dwell in that, and keep in that, which keeps you out of and above the Knowledge of that, which entereth into the Sensual Part; for both these will fail. Therefore in the Power and in the Life of God dwell, which comprehends the World, and reacheth and fathometh over it all, in that dwell and live, there will be your Peace; it will keep you out of the Strife, and Combustions and Heaps. For this all comes to be fathomed, Strife and Combustions. chained and kept down by the Eternal Power, and bound and bundled up for the Fire, and judged down, and all that which brancheth forth from it, that nothing may reign, but Life itself; and all the Contrary, the Filth and Dross, with the unquenchable Fire is to be consumed and burned. Wait all this to know, here is the Path of Righteousness and Purity; and nothing shall stand, but the Mountain of the Lord: Glory to the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness, which is felt and seen! And all being kept in the Light, and walking in that, which ye are enlightened withal, ye cannot be in the Strife; for the Enmity is out of the Light, and the vain Boaster, which comes to nothing, but is judged and condemned. And when that ye are Met together in the Light, harken to it, that ye may feel the Power of God in every one of you: So here comes your Ear to be opened to hear the Counsel of the Lord God; and here the Eye comes to be opened to see the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of you, ye all sitting under you Vines. So, every particular wait on him, who received not Honour of Man, neither glorified himself; but the Light, which enlighteneth every one, Man's Honour. that cometh into the World, is a Witness against all them, that seek their own Glory, or glorify themselves, or bear witness of themselves. Now they, who receive Honour from Man, are from the Light, both he that gives, and he that takes it; and it is to be stained, and the Light stains it, and condemns it. So every particular of you, to you this is the Word of the Lord God, Know the Son of God to be revealed in you. And know the Seed, which is Christ, to which the Promise of God is; that ye may all witness the Seed of the Woman to bruise the Serpent's Head in every one of you. The Serpent's Head. That ye may all witness ye are come to him, that was in the Beginning; and to the Seed of the Woman, which bruiseth the Serpent's Head in every one of you in your own particulars. Then ye all will come to feed on the Bread of Life, that comes from above: And such are Redeemed out of the Transgression, who are here, that witness this. But where the Seed of the Woman hath not bruised the Serpent's Head, and that which abides not in the Truth, reigns; there is the Transgressor. So, that which is out of the Truth reigning, the Serpent being Head, The Seed of the Serpent, and his Food. he sows his Seed, his Seed goes forth from him, and his Food, his Meat is Dust; for he could not feed upon Life, that abode not in the Truth, which is the Life. He that abides not in the Truth, which is the Life, his Food is Dust; and he it is, that is tormented. And who are out of the Truth, are out of the Worship of God; for who are the Worshippers of the Father, they must be in the Truth and in the Spirit. And being in the Spirit and in the Truth, they are in that the Devil abode not in, but is out of; and all false Ways, and Seducers, and Deceivers and false Worshippers are out of. And Jerusalem's Worshippers, Jerusalem's Worshippers, etc. and Samaria's Worshippers, and the Worship that is at the Mountain, and the Idolatrous Worfhippers, and the Worship of Devils; all these are out of the Truth, and out of the Spirit, that changeth not. But who are in the Truth and in the Spirit, they are atop of the World, and atop of him, that abode not in the Truth; their Feet are shod with it. Therefore every one of you, that are come into the World, coming all to the Light, ye come to your Armour, ye come to that, which lets you see Sin, it is the Armour against it; it is the Eye, The Arment against Sia. with which ye see that, which must be cut down and judged to Death: In which Truth, which is the Light, we have Fellowship one with another. And this is the Counsel of the Lord God to you, dwell all in the Power of God, which is the Gospel of Peace. And the Power of God is the Cross of Christ; and ye that feel the Power of God, ye feel Christ; for Christ is the Power of God. The Power of God is but one, and the Light is but one, and the Cross (of Christ) is but one, which is the Power of God; and the Gospel of Truth is but one, which is the Power of God, and there's no other: Ye that come to know these, look for no other. And Christ is that One in the Male and in the Female, which is the Seed, which the Promise of God is to; and there all wait to find him, and receive him. Know ye not, that Christ Jesus is in you, except ye are Reprobates, said the Apostle; so now, Reprobates, if ye are Reprobates, ye are Wonderers and Gazers in Adam, in Transgression, out of the Light, out of the Life, out of the Power, out of the Truth, out of the Way, which is Christ: But being in the Life, ye are in the Way, in the Truth, in the Power of God, in Christ, out of Transgression, in the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, out of the Transgression of the First Adam. And if Christ Jesus be in you, the Body of Sin is dead, and ye are brought to God; Emanuel. and the Emanuel being known, God with us is witnessed by every one of you, that are redeemed by him out of the Transgression, who are in the Second Adam. So, if Christ Jesus be in you, and ye in him, the Body is dead; and ye are alive to Righteousness, and Death is brought into Death. Friends, dwell all in the Light, and then ye will dwell in Covenant with God, and with God ye will have Peace. And Friends, all dwell in the Light, that ye may receive the Wisdom of God, of God, The Wisdom of God. by which all things were created; with which Wisdom ye may come to order all the Creatures. And be Low, as Babes and Little Children, for the Little Children receive the Kingdom. And so, all know the Promise, which is to the Seed; and know the Seed of God in one another, that there be no Master, but Christ, who bruiseth the Serpent's Head, where Debate and Enmity is, No Master but Christ. which is the cause of Strife. So, let the Seed be Master in the Male and in the Female, that the Ground of Strife, which would be Master, may be kept under, and the Seed, which the Grave could not hold under, be the Ruler; so that ye may witness the Rock, that the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against, nor the Temptations of the Devil. G. F. FRiends every where, Epist. 131. Dwell in the Power of the Lord God, which is without End, Striving about Earthly things. in which ye may all have Unity. And take heed of striving about Earthly things, which is the unredeemed Part, that is out of the Paradise and the Garden of God; but that with the Wisdom of God ye may come to be ordered, and order the Creatures by that, by which they were made and created, that by it ye may know yourselves to be grverned. And after that Riches do increase, take heed of setting your Hearts upon them, lest they become a Curse and a Plague to you. For when ye were Faithful at the first, the World would refrain from you, and not have Commerce with you; but after, when they saw, Trading and Dealing. ye were Faithful and Just in things, and Righteous and Honest in your Trade and Deal, than they came to have Commerce and Trade with you the more, because they know, ye will not Cousin them, nor Cheat them: Then ye came to have greater Trading, double than ever ye had, and more than the World. But there is the Danger and Temptation to you, of drawing your Minds into your Business, and clogging them with it; so that ye can hardly do any thing to the Service of God, but there will be crying, My Business, my Business; and your Minds will go into the things, and not over the things; and so therein ye do not come into the Image of God, in which is Dominion. And so, Riches. when your Minds are got into the Riches, and cumbered therewith, ye go back into that ye were in before: And then, if the Lord God cross you, and stop you by Sea and Land, and take your Goods and Customers from you, that your Minds should not be cumbered; then that Mind, that is cumbered. it will fret, being out of the Power of God. And all Friends, take heed of Jars and Strife, for that is it, which will Eat out the Seed in you; Jars and Strife. therefore let not that harbour in your Bosoms, lest it eat out the Good in you, and ye come to suffer in your own Particulars. Therefore dwell in Love and Life, and in the Power and Seed of God, which is the Honourable, Royal State. And all that Speak or Preach abroad, see, that ye be in the Life, and Power and Seed of God, which will Edify the Body, and not in a brittle, peevisb, hasty, fretful Mind; but dwell in that, which keeps down the contrary, that that may speak, which edifies the Body in Love. And all take heed of vain Words, Vain Words. and Tattling idle Words, but every where shop such; that Love may continue in the Body, and that the Seed may spread over all, that Unity may be kept. And all Friends every where, if Friends be Poor, Poor Friends and Prisoners. and in Want, or in Prison, that ye may in Wisdom relieve and cherish shch. And all Friends every where, Stop the Deceit, that would devour and destroy, which is out of the Truth, and true Wisdom; which must be limited, that transgresseth the Spirit of God. For since the Days of the Apostles, the true Church hath been in the Wilderness, and the Beast, false Prophet, Antichrist and false Church have ruled and reigned; The false Church. amongst whom have been the many Names and Horns amongst the Apostate-Christians, who have professed themselves to be Elders. Amongst this Eldership have they had outward and earthly Rulers, which have got up since the Days of the Apostles: But who come to Christ, who was and is the true Christians Hea, he is their Ruler; by whom all things were made. And when the Apostate-Christians went from the APostles Doctrines into the World, Many Ruiers and Heads. they set up many Rulers amongst them, and many Heads; when they went from the Seed of God in themselves, in the Male and in the Female, than they forsook their Head, Christ Jesus. And so, whosoever go from the Seed of God in themselves, and set up other Heads, they lose the One Head, which is Christ Jesus; and then come to be covered with Darkness, and the Seed comes to be loaden, as a Cart with Sheaves: And then they forsook their Head, Christ Jesus. And so, whosoever go from the they go from the Seed in the Male and in the Female, which is the One Head. And then come up the Fightings about earthly things, Fightings and Warrings for Self. Interest. and Warrings with Carnal Weapons about Earthly things and Self-Interest, and Man's Honour and Titles, and about their Churches and Religions, and Worships and Ministry, which have been set up since the outward Sword the Heathen, and one another; but Christ Jesus, the Prince of Life, fulfils the Law, and ends the outward Jews Types, Figures and Shadows, Ordinances and Carnal Weapons, who is the King of the whole Earth, who comes to save men's Lives, yet slays and kills with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of his Mouth. And the Apostles, who followed Christ, they wrestled not with Flesh and Blood; so all, who come to witness Christ to reign and to rule (who is the Prince of Life, that Saves men's Lives) and follow him, do not wrestle with Flesh and Blood, nor seek to destroy men's Lives. And here comes the Wisdom to be known, that is from above, that is pure and gentle, and easy to be entreated, that is not sensual, carnal and devilish. So in the time of the Law among the Jews there was Fight outwardly; but in the time of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, who came to end the Law, they were to Love Enemies, Love enemies. and not to kill them; and love them that hate them, and not kill them. But in the times since the Days of the Apostles, in the Apostate-Christians time, they are crying up the outward Sword again; and this is the Dragon's and the Beast's Power, the Prince of Death, which hath reigned since the Apostles Days. But who come to follow Christ, they come to reign (in Spirit) over all these Fighters with carnal Weapons, that are got up, since the Days of the Apostles. Therefore who are come now into the Power of the Lord God, and to the Seed that is Royal, who was the Elected, before the World began, keep your Meetings, and dwell in the Power of God, in which ye may know his Image, and come into it; with which ye may (Spiritually) reign, and have Dominion over all the World, and rule in it over them and their Vanities, and work them down without a Carnal Weapon, in the Power of God. So, keep your Meetings, both particular and in the general, in the Power of the Lord God, and dwell in the Life, and Power and Wisdom of the Lord, that all Uncleanness whatsoever may by the Power of the Lord be brought down and rooted out; and that such have no Rule nor Authority amongst you, Uncleanness. though they be never so fair or excellent of Speech: But let all such be brought under by the Power of the Lord God, who is to reign over it; that in the Sweetness and Unity ye all may be brought to be a sweet Savour to the Lord God, and in the Hearts of one another, and let no Uncleanness be amongst you. ' And all Friends every where, Printing. Take heed of Printing any thing more, than ye are required of the Lord God. And all Friends every where, Take heed of wand'ring up and down about needless Occasions, Wand'ring. for there is Danger of getting into the Careless Words, out of Seriousness, Weightiness and Savouriness. And all Friends every where, Take heed of Wronging the World or any one in Bargains, Over-reaching. or Over-reaching them; but dwell in the Cool, Sweet and Holy Power of the Lord God, and in Righteousness, that it may run down amongst you; and that will keep you Low. And all Friends every where, Take heed of Slothfulness and Sleeping in your Meetings; Sleeping in Meetings. for in so doing ye will be bad Examples to others, and hurt yourselves and them. And all take heed of going up and down (to Minister) but as ye are moved of the Lord God, Ministry. or to speak in Meetings, or any other Places; for Travelling to such is dangerous to lift them up, going amongst sttled Meetings, that are settled. For there is Difference betwixt Friends going into the World, and of coming among them, that are come to Silent Meetings, and to feed there; for that which may be seasonable to the World, may not be to them. Therefore let all live in the Seed, and Wisdom and Fear, and consider, before they utter, that the Life be up; whereby all may be settled, and they themselves be washed. ' And dwell in the Seed, that ye all may know Christ come to reign in you; so that all may be done and spoken by and in the Power of the Lord God, that is done and spoken, and not out of it: And in that ye will all have Unity in the Record of Life, whereby the Power of God and the Seed of God may come up, which is Heir of the Blessing and of the Promise; that ye may come to know the Place, where there is no Curse, and the Lamb's Power, Throne, Life and Dominion. And in the Wisdom of God all dwell, that to him ye may be a sweet Savour, and a Blessing in the Hearts of all People; that nothing may rule nor reign amongst you, but the Seed itself, and the Life of God. Let this be read in your Meetings. G. F. An Epistle to Friends, for all to keep in the Light, and to watch over one another. ALL Friends and Brethren every where, Apist. 132. Walk in the Truth, and know one another in the Measure of Life, that in it your Minds may be guided up to the Father of Life; A Note concerning Life. and stand in his Counsel, that he alone may be loved with all your Strength, with all your Minds, and with all your Souls; so that ye may all know one another in the Life and Light, that ye may all be kept from Idols. For if ye know one another in the Flesh only, that Love, which will rise out of that Knowledge, The Knowledge in the Flesh. is feigned, and that will whither, and under the Condemnation of the Light must come: Therefore all wait in the Measure of Life, that with it your Hearts may be knit together. And none to be hasty, nor to will any thing; there is not any thing received from God by him, who willeth with his own Will: For no Prophecy of the Scripture came by the Will of Man; Peter, The Will of Man. that was not learned of Man, but of Christ, saw this. And the Scripture is for the perfecting of the Man of God, which is learned of God, and came not by Man's Will: So now, mind your Growth, and your Perfecting, and your Steadfastness in the Light, in which is the Unity. So every one wait in the Light, which comes from Christ the Head, from whence Nourishment comes, which nourishes the Body, and all the Members; from whence comes the Bread of Life, which is from above, and the Water of Life. Therefore all wait in your Measure, and walk after your Line, which is the Light, which comes from Christ, The Line of Light. which is your Life; that every one of you may have Praise and Comfort in the same, and every one of you may be kept in the Way of Righteousness and Peace up to the Lord, who is Righteousness and Peace, where the blessed Hope is seen with the Light, that comes from him, by whom the World was made. That so, the Covenant of Light, Life and Peace ye may all come to witness, and every one come to have Dominion and Rule over your own Spirits; for the Spirit of Man lusteth to Envy, if it be not subdued by the Spirit of the Living God. Therefore wait, and take heed, lest any Nakedness appear, and that which is not justified in the Sight of God. Presumption. And Presumption take heed of, lest ye go from the Living God; but in the Spirit dwell, that over all that ye may reign, and come to be recorded in the Book of Life, which Life was, before the World was. And this brings you to see and read one another, as Epistles written in one another's Hearts, where in Unity, Love and Peace ye will come to dwell, in the Life of the Spirit of the Living God, The Saints, taught of God. in which the Saints had Unity, which brought them to be taught of the Living God; and so, they gave forth the Scrptures, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. So, no Prophecy in the Old Time came by the Will of Man, but was learned of God: So now, ye waiting in the Spirit every one, to be taught of God, the Father of Spirits, your Teacher is with you present, and one in you all, according to your Measures. Which Spirit is given to every one of you to profit withal; by which Holy Spirit the Scripture was given forth: Which Scripture the World hath got, who are sensual, not having the Spirit, and there they are fight about the Outside and the Languages. And there is the Sea, Languages, Sea and Beast. which the Beast ariseth out of, which the World wonders after; and there is the Mother of Harlots, with all her false Colours, whose Eyes are out from the Light, which comes from him, by whom the World was made; there ye may go, and have a Name to live, but are dead. Now all be willing to wait in the Measure of that, which is Eternal, that no Fornication be found amongst you, nor Deceit; Fornication and Deceit. that all may come to receive Wisdom from Christ, who is the Wisdom of God. That this Wisdom may be Justified in you all, and ye all in the Light preserved, and that which is contrary condemned: So that ye may all be kept from Deadness and Slothfulness, in the Fear of the Lord God, and therein your Hearts kept clean. And so, the Lord God Almighty preserve you! Friends, Keep your Meetings every where, waiting upon the Lord, that to him ye may be a sweet Savour. And watch over one another with the Measure of the Spirit of the lord Meetings. The Lord God Almighty preserve you, and keep you in his Will, Wisdom, Light, Life and Power. Let this be read among Friends. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 133. Towards all Men walk in Wisdom, and be gentle to all Men; To keep in Love, for that edifies. for the Meek inherit the Earth, and receive the Blessing: And they that thirst after Righteousness, shall inherit Righteousness, and the Blessing: And the Merciful do obtain Mercy and the Blessing: And the pure in Heart shall see God, Blessed are the pure in Heart. and receive the Blessing. And Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted: And Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they are the Children of God: And Blessed are they, that are persecuted for Righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of God: And Blessed are ye, when Men shall revile and persecute you, and shall say all manner of Evil against you falsely for Christ's sake. And it is Love, that edifieth, Faith. and the Edifying is in the most Holy Faith, which Faith is the Gift of God, which giveth Victory over the World; and in this is the Blessing, which purifieth the Heart, and this is it, which bringeth to please God. And that which edifieth, is the living Faith, and not the dead Faith; and Love rejoiceth in the Truth, and not in the Iniquity, for that is not in Love. So ye, that are the Lord's Lot (Mark) and are his Inheritance, and are in Covenant with God, with him ye have Peace; The Covenant with God. which Covenant is given to all the World. But they that hate the Light, are out of Covenant with God, and by the Light they are condemned; and those which the Light doth condemn, are out of the Covenant. G. F. LIve in Peace, Epist. 134. all my Dear Babes of God, one with another, for Patience that obtains the Crown, and hath the Victory. And in Pureness live over the Deceit, Patience obtains the Crown. and answer the Witness of the Lord God in every one. And keep in the Seed and Life of the Lord God, that ye may feel the Blessing of the Lord God amongst you and upon you. AND That which doth let you see your Sins, in that stand, and ye will see your Saviour, The Saviour seen. who was, before the World was, him by whom the World was made, glorified with the Father, before the World began; he will be your Stay and Rest. DEAR Friends, dwell in the Seed of God, and know it in you all, that ye may know it to reign, which is the Heir of Power; and in that live and dwell, and in it keep your Meetings. And we must have the Patience to bear all manner of Evil done or spoken against us for Christ's sake, and rejoice at it. G. F. For Francis Howgil and Edward Burrough. About 1657. DEar Friends and Lambs, Epist. 135. Put on the Armour of Light, and the Shield of Truth, and the Breastplate of Righteousness, that ye may stand in Battle against all the Philistians, The Armour of Light. and the Enemies of God, being led and guided with the Spirit up to God, the Father of Spirits; that what ye do beget, may be to him, and into his Image, and that which ye do present, it may be perfect: And so, Mind this. Sow not sparingly, for the Lord hath a Seed that-aways: So the Lord God Almighty preserve you! And stir abroad, whilst the Door is open, and the Light shineth; and so, go on in that, which letteth you see the World, to comprehend it, and to see, what is imprisoned by it, and suffereth by it. So, the Lord give you an Understanding in all things, and his Arm go along with you, that ye may be to his Glory. And the Blessing of the Lord be with you! DEAR Francis and Edward, In the Life of God wait, that ye may be with it led and kept to receive Wisdom from God, To Fra. howgil and Edw. Burrough. that ye may order all things there with it, and to be manifest to the Witness of God in all, that ye may beget to God; that as good Ploughmen, and good Thresher-men ye may be, to bring out the Wheat. Good Plowmen. So the Lord God Almighty keep and preserve you! G. F. DEar Friends, Dwell in that which keeps your Peace, Epist. 136. and comprehends the Deceit, and answers that of God in every one. To Friends, to dwell in that which keeps Peace. And let Friends keep their Meetings, and never hearken to Tales, nor things without; but keep their Peace, and know the Life and Power, Union and Fellowship, which stands in God, in and with which ye may stand over the World in the one Power, Life and Wisdom, Meetings. and therein be kept to the Glory of the Lord God. So, in that which is pure, the Lord God Almighty preserve you! G. F. FRiends, Let God's Wisdom have the stay of your Minds, Epist. 137. and let it be the End of all your Words; beware of that Spirit, God's Wisdom. that leads out of it into any thing. There is a Day coming, wherein some may wish, that they had walked in Wisdom, Weaknesses and Failings. as touching the Weaknesses one of another, or the Failings one of another; for what know ye, who may stand or who may fall in the Day of God's Trial? Then many, that have been unstable, may wish, that they had kept their Secrets in their Bosoms, and in God's Wisdom sought to restore all, Secrets. and not to scatter; as that Spirit doth, which cannot bear and cover the Weaknesses one of another, who are yet in the Wilderness, where the Trials are many: I have seen a great Danger in this thing. Wherefore beware of that Spirit, that cannot bear one with another, Forgime and Cover. or forgive one another; for that which cannot, will discover rather than cover, and bring a Cloud over many, wheresoever it is received, and raise the contrary in many, and veil the Just (it may be in whole Meetings) for want of Wisdom to be stayed in the Meek Spirit, The Meek Spirit. which tries all Spirits, and gives clear sight of things: For want of this many may be cast by, and scarce ever restored again. Therefore I say, Tread over the Dead, and that which works in that Nature, and reach to the Witness in all; so will ye stand for God, and God will bless you in the Day of Trial. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 138. Ye that are the Prisoners of the Lord Jesus Christ in outward Bonds, who witness him, by whom the World was made, who is the King of Saints, and who are his, Prisoners Note. and come under his Dominion and Government, Ye are not your own; but purchased with his Blood, which washes and makes you clean, and justifies, whose Bodies are his Temple. Though he suffers you to be Imprisoned, yet in his Power your Bodies are kept, and your Spirits also; ye standing Witnesses for your Master, Standing Witnesses. for your King, for your Prophet, for your Covenant of Light, for your Wisdom of God (him by whom all things were made) for the Word and Power, by which all things were made and upheld, against the Powers of Darkness, who are out of the Light, out of the Truth, who cannot bind, stop nor limit the unlimited Power, which is over it, and comprehends it. They who are born of the Word, and in the Power which upholds all things, over that (and the Power of the Evil One) have Victory, and sing over the false Prophet. The false Prophet. For the Devil was the Deceiver, who in the Truth abode not; and there is the false Prophet, who speaks of his own, and not from the Lord; and there is the Beast, that makes the War against the Lamb and his Saints, who witness the Testimony of Jesus, and the Word of God. Therefore mind the Word of God, ye Children of the Light, who are in the Light, that comes from the Word; mind the Word of the Lord, which is as a Hammer, and as a Fire, and sharper than a Two-edged Sword. And ye, who are the Lord's, are not your own; but they who are in their own Time, The Time in the Father's hand. see not the Time, which is in the Father's Hand; their Time is always, and they do their own Works, and not the Works of God, which the Son of God did. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 139. Know the Praying in the Spirit, and with the Understanding; than ye will come to know the Sighs and Groans, that cannot be uttered. Praying in the Spirit. For such as have not the Spirit, that gave forth the Scriptures to guide them, are as the Pharisees were, in the Long Prayers, and in the Wrath, and in the Doubting, and do not lift up holy Hands. This makes a Difference between Praying in the Spirit, and the Pharisees long Prayers, that devoured Widows houses. AND None owns the Light; as it is in Jesus, but he that owns the Light, that Christ lighteth them withal. And none owns the Truth, Light and Truth. but who owns the Light, that cometh from Christ, the Truth. And none cometh to the Father, but such who owns the Light, that cometh from Christ, which leads to him. Nor none owns the Son, except he owns the Light, that cometh from him. FOR all dwelling in the Light, that comes from Jesus, it leads out of Wars, leads out of Strife, leads out of the Occasion of Wars, and leads out of the Earth up to God, Wars and Strife. out of Earthly-mandedness to Heavenly-mindedness, and bringeth your Minds to be in Heaven. G. F. ALL Friends every where, Epist. 140. that do suffer for Tithe, and are served with Writs to answer at London, take Copies of your Suppoena's and Writs, To Friends, Concerning Collecting their Sufferings. that ye may have them, when ye Appear, to show them to the Court; whereby ye may be kept a top of the Persecutors and Evil-doers. And keep a Copy of all your Sufferings for Tithes in every County, that it may be laid on their Heads, that cause you to suffer. And all Friends, that suffer Imprisonment, or are Fined for not Swearing, Titles. Not Swearing. keep a Copy of your Sufferings in every County, and the men's Names, that cause you to suffer, for Tithes, or for not Swearing. And all Friends, that suffer for not giving Money for Repairing of Steeple-houses; keep Copies of your Sufferings in every County, and by whom: And as any are brought to suffer for these things, Repairs. or for not bowing to any Deceit whatsoever, Let a true and a plain Copy of such Suffering be sent up to London. And such as are moved of the Lord to go to Steeple-houses, and are beat, knocked down or Imprisoned; Steeple-houses. Let a Copy of all such Sufferings be sent up as abovesaid, that the things may be laid on the Heads of them, that caused the Sufferings. And if any be beaten or wounded in going to Meetings, Meetingsses or be struck or bruised in Meetings, or taken out of Meetings and Imprisoned; let Copies of such things be taken, and sent as abovesaid, under the hands of Two or Three Witnesses; that the Truth may be exalted, and the Power and Life of God lived in. And if any Friends be Summoned up by Writs, or Suppoena'd to appear personally to Answer for Tithes, let them do it, that the Truth may stand over the Head of the Liar; To Appear personally. which may answer the Truth in every one. And as ye are moved, be obedient to the Truth, that nothing may reign, but the Truth. They that say, Ye must appaer personally, and when ye appear, say, They do not mean so, but that ye must appear by an Attorney; This is not Truth, this is made up of a Lie, and is to be judged by them, that dwell in the Truth. If any Friends be moved to write to them, who cause their Sufferings, let them do it; nevertheless let Copies be sent of their Sufferings, To Write. as aforesaid. And also, any that suffer for not putting off their Hats for Conscience sake, let Copies be sent up of these things likewise. Hats. Let this be sent among all Friends in all Counties in this Nation. G. F. To Friends, to gather up their Sufferings, and lay them before the Judges. ALL Friends every where, Epist. 141. that are in any Sufferings, let your Sufferings be gathered up together in every County, Sufferings to be laid before Justices and Judges. ye that have suffered by Justices, or Constables, or Bailiffs; let your Names be set to your Sufferings, and a Name or Two to witness them, and the Names of them that caused you to suffer. And after that ye have gathered up your Sufferings in every County, In the County where the Judges come, let your Sufferings be laid before them, who are sent forth from the Head and Heads of the Nation (which Nation or Nations is to be governed as a Family in Justice and Truth, and Judgement and Righteousness:) For he that is the Head in the Nation, gives forth his Charge to the Judges; for they are all as his Servants. The Judges they come forth into the several Counties, and the Counties are as their Families; and they give forth their Charge to the Justices, Sheriffs, Juries, Bailiffs, The Judge's Charge. Constables. The Justices and Sheriffs of the Counties, they are to look to their places, as to their Families; Chief Constables and other Constables in their places, as to their Families; and the Constable to look to his Town, as to his Family: The Judges give Charge to all in their places. Now, these not judging and doing justly, Sheriffs, Juries, Constables not doing justly, righteously or equally; the Sufferings being gathered together short and true, and their Actions, that have not been just and righteous, who caused the Righteous to suffer, and Truth to fall in the Gates, and in the Streets, that Equity cannot enter (for Equity cannot enter, where Truth is fallen; for that which lets in Equity, is Truth) Gather up such your Sufferings in every County, Sufferings delivered to the Judges. that suffer by the Unjust and Unrighteous, and deliver them to the Judges, that they may see it; that they may Judge justly, and see, what is done in the Family, to whom they give their Charge, and what their Master's Servants have done, Justices, Sheriffs, Constables. And if the Judge, that sits in the Gate, will not Judge righteously, nor plead the Cause of the Innocent, nor help the Helpless, nor break the Jaws of the Wicked, that tear and rend the Innocent (but is light and vain) God, who is Just, is ready to plead their Cause, and to judge and cast out the Judges: He Judges among the Judges. For he that Judgeth among the Judges (and relieves the Oppressed, and helps the Helpless, and strengthens the weak Hands and feeble Knees, and gives Righteousness to every one that loves it, to every one, whose Intents are Upright and Single) gives true Judgement, agreeable to that of himself in every one, and crosses the Ends and Intents of every one, that is from that, and giveth Judgement upon the . And that a Copy of all your Sufferings, which are delivered to the Judges in every County, be kept, and sent up to him, that is the Head in the Nation (who sends forth the Judges, The Head in the Nation. as his Servants) that he may see, measure and weigh, how unrighteously they have Judged, and what his Servants have done, which cause the dividing of his Family; and through the want of Judgement running down the Streets, Equity cannot enter, because Truth is fallen. So, these things being laid upon the Heads of the Nation, that they may feel and see, God's Judgements are Just. that God's Judgements are Just; and will come upon them, if they justly do not Judge, and righteously do not measure, and truly do not weigh. So that in every Circuit and Assizes the Sufferings of all Friends being gathered, and sent to every Judge in his Circuit, a Copy of the said Sufferings (which were so laid before such a Judge) may be afterwards brought and sent to the Head of the Nation; that Truth, Righteousness and Justice may reign, and Friends be clear of the Blood of all Men: That the Seed of God may reign; which doth reign above all the Wicked. G. F. ALL my Dear Friends, Epist 142. Keep up your Heads above the Waters and the Sea, in which there is a Tempest. Fear not the Devil, nor all his Darts nor Weapons, nor all his Soldiers and Instruments, that he keeps in League with; but mind the Power of God, and the Light of Jesus, The Armour of Light. and be clothed with, and put on the Armour of Light, and the Helmet of Salvation, and the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Shield of Faith, in which ye have Victory and Unity, and Access to God. And dwell in Patience and Love to God, and one towards another; for the Lamb must have the Victory over them all, the Wild Beasts in the Field or Wilderness, who are in the Fall from God. And tho' these Beasts Horns be never so long, The Beast's Horns. yet the Lamb shall conquer them; who gets the Victory, and overcomes, and takes away the Sin. And the Lamb hath Wisdom, the Lamb hath Power; follow him, than ye shall have his Mind, Wisdom and Patience; and in that ye follow the Spirit of Truth, and are led by that (against which there is no Law) in which there is Life and Peace, and Fellowship with the Son and the Father, and all the Saints and their Words. Therefore live in the Truth, and then ye live in Christ the Way, that lives, who was, before the Untruth was, in which the many Ways in the Wilderness are. The Way of Truth. And living in the Truth, ye live in the Love and Unity, yea in that, which was before the Enmity was and Imperfection; in which Truth is all Perfection of Love and Life, and Light, which Light, Life and Truth is the Way to God, in whom the Church is, which Christ is the Head of. And who come to this Church, they come into God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; and who come to God, they must come into the Light, Life and Truth. And that is the Way, in which People are renewed into God's Image of Holiness and Righteousness again, in which God is seen: Which Way is out of the Ways of Man, that is fallen from the Image of God's Righteousness and true Holiness; in which Way are all the Gadders abroad from God, out of the Life. G. F. ALL Friends and Brethren, In the Noble Seed of God live, Epist. 143. which hath the Promise of Life, which is the Top-and Cornerstone, The Top-and Cornerstone. Christ over all set, in whom is Life Eternal and Fullness for you all, and Life, Peace and Wisdom. And the Seed Christ destroyeth the Devil and his Works, which Seed Christ lives for ever: Feel and know that in yourselves, which will never have an End; and than ye will know that which doth remain and abide, when the Devil and his Works are destroyed and gone. (The Seed remaineth, Christ, the Power of God, which goeth over the Power of the Devil, in which is the Saints Unity, that is Everlasting; which bringeth to the Church; The Saint's Unity. that is in God. And so, all in the Power of the Lord God and the Seed live, which is over all that, which is not in his pure Life; in which ye all have Unity, that never hath an End. My Love is to you in the Seed, in which there is Life.) G. F. FRiends, Epist. 144. Get not Knowledge in the unsanctified and unregenerated Part; for that which is not sanctified in your own particulars, Knowledge. will not be to them, that it is declared to. Neither can ye feel your Words go from you with Joy and Life, The unsanctified Part. that come from the unsanctified and unregenerated Part; for that Part will glory and boast, and vaunt itself, and say, This have I done, and that have I spoken, and not glory in the Lord. So, this satisfies not, and the Spirit in Prison is not refreshed by those things. G. F. FRiends, Where there is Strife among any of you, Epist. 145. mind the Light to Judge it down, and Condemn it; by which Light your Minds may be guided up to Christ, where there is no Scrife, to learn of him, Strife Judged down. and to Condemn all that with the Light, which would give the World a Ground to reproach Truth, and to see your Nakedness: For that which is out of the Light, will fall, and confound itself. So, mind that which keeps your Peace, and condemns that which leads into Weakness; and that which will let in Prejudice, from the Light goes: All which is to be condemned with the Light, which leads to Christ, the Covenant of Peace. And where there is Strife, which leads out into many Words, such will whither, and bring themselves under Condemnation at last: Many Words. Such must be Silent, and mind that which doth condemn them; that the Life in them may arise, wherein is no Strife. For where men's Spirits are high, something is stirring, that should be kept under; take heed, that get not up into Rule. So, first learn the Ministry of Condemnation in yourselves, that Life may arise, before Ministry in the Spirit be known, which preacheth Peace by Jesus Christ, where there is no Strife: Therefore wait to know the Time of Silence. A time of Silence. And all Friends, Let your Patience and Moderation be known to all Men; for nothing is attained to, that is good, by Strife, for that is out of Christ, in the forward Will, which is to be condemned with the Light (where is the Unity) which cometh from Christ, and leadeth up to Christ, the Covenant of Life. And take heed, All Friends, of causing his Name to be blasphemed through you among the Heathen, but mind and wait to receive the Love of God, which bears all things, and suffers all things; and so comes to receive the Armour of Righteousness, Love bears all things. which quenches all the fiery Darts of Satan, that the Patience, that bears and suffers all things, may be witnessed. G. F. To Friends in Ireland. FRiends, Epist. 146. Feel all of you the Power of the Lord God in yourselves, to guide your Minds up to God, and to give you Dominion over all Weakness, Dominion over Weakness. and to strengthen and to heal you. And look not out, but every one feel the Power of God in your own particulars, and let all your Faith stand in that; then will ye have Unity, and in that ye will have Dominion and Victory, and it will keep you in Order: In which ye will have Virtue, and in which ye will feel the Spirit, in which ye will have Fellowship and Comfort. And be Low and Still in the Life and Power, and not hasty nor rash; that ye may in the Life and Power answer that of God in every one, Not Hasty nor Rash. that crieth for Peace and Rest. So, dwell in the Love of God, this I warn you, and charge every one of you; your Faith standing in this, and in the Power of God, than ye will feel the Presence of the Lord God among you. G. F. To Friends in Wales. FRiends, Epist. 147. Live in the Wisdom of the Lord, for that is it, which doth preserve you pure, lively and gentle, above that which is below. And in the Increase of God live, The hicrease of God. and in his Virtue, Power and Love, that through it your Hearts may be established and filled with the same; that Justice and Truth may in all things be amongst you, and Christ Jesus known in the midst of you as a Prophet, Christ a Prophet, Priest and King. Priest and King (who hath gathered you in his Name) to Open and Reveal to you, and Rule you, who is the quickening Spirit, in whom the Spiritual Sacrifices are offered. Therefore I say, Know Christ, who is the Substance of all the Types, Figures and Shadows, by whom the World was made, who destroys the Enmity among People, and the Devil, the Author of it; The Heave-Offering. and in him is both Life and Peace. The Heave-Offering was a Figure of Christ, the One Offering; the Priests, and the Law and the First Covenant were Figures of the Everlasting Covenant, Christ Jesus. Oaths, Oaths. which ended Strife in the Time of the Law and before, were Figures of Christ, the Oath of God, who swore by himself; which Oath Christ Jesus endeth, and destroys the Devil, the Author of Strife, and brings People to Yea and Nay, who judges the false Oath, and ends the true. For there was no Oaths commanded before the Fall: so there is none to be in the Restoration and Redemption by Christ. They see this Doctrine, that are renewed again (in Measure) into God's Image, and are come into Obedience to Christ's Doctrine and the Apostles, as in the Primitive Times; and see the Ground of Swearing among the Jews, The Ground of Swearing. and see the Ground of Swearing got up since the Apostles Days, among the Apostates from the Primitive Practice in the Church in the Apostles Days. And they see, that Oaths were not given to Man before the Fall, and see, they are not to be in the Restoration; nor were not in the Primitive Times, nor in the Beginning, according to the Doctrine of Christ, who is the First and the Last, who is to be minded, and his Doctrine, who is the Top-and Cornerstone. And now is the Bride, his Wife, The Bride, his Wife. coming up out of the Wilderness, where she hath been driven, and been fed of God in this time of the Beast's, Dragon's, false Church's and Whore's Worship, which hath gotten up since the Apostles Days. Therefore all walk in the Light of the Lamb, that by his Blood ye may be washed; that through it, and the Testimony of the Lord Jesus ye may overcome. And Meet in the Power of God, and in that keep your Meetings; Meet in the Power. that ye and every one of ye may inherit the Power of God, and so come into your own Inheritances. So, live in Love, Peace and Unity one with another; for the Body doth edify itself in Love: And the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you (Amen!) to teach you, and to season and to establish your Hearts, and to bring you Salvation; and in that live, which was, before Enmity was. G. F. An Exhortation to fervent Prayer and steadfast Faith, in time of the greatest Troubles and Exercises. OH My Dear Friends and Brethren every where, Epist. 148. Let all your Cries and Prayers be to the Lord in Singleness of Heart, Cries and Prayers. in his Spirit and Power, and in Belief in God through Christ, to receive what ye pray for! For the Lord's Ears are open to the Cries of his Poor and Afflicted Ones: So, Day and Night let your Cries be to him, who will keep you in all Distresses. For in your Afflictions Christ is afflicted, Christ is Afflicted. and in all your Oppressions he is oppressed, and in all your Imprisonments he is imprisoned, and in all your Sufferings he suffereth, and in all your Persecutions he is persecuted: Saul, Saul, Why persecutest thou me? said Christ. And all Friends, keep out of the vain Fashions of the World in your Apparel, Vain Fashions. and run not after every New Fashion the World inventeth and setteth up; keep in your plain Fashion, that ye may Judge the World's Vanity and its Spirit in its vain Fashions, and show a Constant Spirit in the Truth and Plainness. And be Moderate and in all your Families, The Fast to the Lord. and in all your Imprisonments keep in the Fast to the Lord, which breaks down the Bond of Iniquity, by which every one's Health groweth. And ye may also see, how Christ Jesus encourages to Pray, Mark 13. Take ye heed, watch and pray; Watch and Pray. and what I say unto one, I say unto all, Watch. And in Luke 11. 5-13. wherein he further encourages to Pray, where Christ saith; The Importunate Friend. Which of you shall have a Friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three Loaves, for a Friend of mine is in his Journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him. And he from within shall answer and say; Trouble me not, the Door is now shut, and my Children are with me in Bed, I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, though he will not rise, and give him, because he is his Friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise, and give him as many as he needeth. Ask, and it shall, given. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one, that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. And upon this Christ encourages to Knock, Pray and Seek. For if a Son shall ask Bread of any of you, that is a Father, will he give him a Stone? Or if he ask a Fish, will he for a Fish give him a Serpent? Or if he, shall ask an Egg, will he give him a Scorpion? If ye then being Evil, know how to give good Gifts unto your Children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him. And further he encourages to Pray, Luke 18. He spoke a Parable unto them, that Men ought always to pray, and not faint, saying: There was in a City a Judge, The . Judge. that feared not God, neither regarded Man. And there was a Widow in that City, and she came to him, and said, Avenge me of mine Adversary; and he would not for a while. But afterwards he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard Man; yet because this Widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust Judge saith; And shall not God avenge his own Elect, which cry day and night unto him, tho' he bear long with them? I tell you, that he will avenge them speedily. Here mind the Promise of Christ, that doth not change, but will be fulfilled. And Christ distinguishes in a Parable of a Pharisee (who was a public praying Man) and of a Publican, The Pharisee and Publican. that stood a far off, and cried for Mercy; which being in the Fear, was more Justified, than the Pharisee, who was in the public Praying: So, Pray in the Spirit and in the Faith, nothing wavering nor doubting. And seek and watch in the Spirit, every one in your Measures, that ye have received, and therein to be preserved; and Christ the Life will open to you, and the Spirit will give you an Understanding, and a Distinction of the State of Ask, The wavering State. and not receiving, and of seeking, and not finding, and the Praying in the wavering and in the doubting, which is not in the Spirit of God. But such ask in that Nature which doubts, and would consume it on their Lusts. Ask in Faith. So, ask in Faith, that gives the Victory over the wavering, doubting Nature: And whatsoever ye ask believing, it will be given unto you; it is Christ's Promise, John 14.13, 14. For Christ saith, Whatsoever ye ask in my Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thidg in my Name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my Commandments. So, every one's Prayers are assured unto them, and their Requests effectual in their Obedience, and loving Christ, and keeping his Commandments. G. F. To Friends, to know one another in the Light. ALL Friends every where, Meet together, Epist. 149. and in the Measure of God's Spirit wait, that with it all your Minds may be guided up to God, to receive Wisdom from God; To Friends, in the North. The first and second Adam. that ye may all come to know, how ye may walk up to him in his Wisdom, that it may be justified of you, and ye in it preserved up to God, and he glorified. And Friends, Meet together, and know one another in that which is Eternal, which was, before the World was: For knowing one another only in the Letter and Flesh, A Natural Knowledge. differs you little from the Beasts of the Field; for what they know, they know naturally. But all knowing one another in the Light, which was, before the World was, this differs you from the Beasts of the Field, and from the World's Knowledge, and brings you to know one another in the Elect Seed, which was before the World was. And if ye turn from this Light, ye grow strange; and so neglecting Meetings, ye grow cold, and your Minds run into the Earth, and grow weary and slothful, and careless, and heavy, Neglect of Meetings. and sottish, and dull and dead. Ye may speak then of things, which were opened once from the Light, though now ye be turned from it; but with the Light, in which is the Unity, is all that condemned: In which (Light) is the Fellowship with the Son, from whence the Light comes, which keeps in the Liveliness, which keeps from Slothfulness, and all those things before mentioned, which are contrary to the Light; which who turns from, turns into. Therefore in the Light wait and walk, that ye may have Fellowship one with another. I charge you all in the Presence of the Living God, None boast. that none boast yourselves above your Measure of Light; if ye do, ye will be buffeted: For such run into Presumption, and so into Reproof. Which Reproof that Spirit will not take patiently, but gets up into Presumption; which is to be condemned with the Light, in which is the Unity, which keeps from Desperation and Presumption. They which go from the Light, the Enemy comes into them, and the Envy, and the Manslayer gets up within, The . and slays the Man; and no such one hath Eternal Life abiding in him, for he is turned from the Light, which comes from Christ Jesus, the Life. All who do in the Light dwell, which comes from Christ, come to receive the Eternal Life: The Love of God. And here the Love of God is shed abroad in the heart; and dwelling in Love, ye dwell in God, and from the Life the Eternal Love doth flow, which Life comes from the Father of Life, whose Love doth not change. And so with the Light (ye dwelling in it, which leads to the Life) ye will come to witness the Faith unfeigned, and the Humility unfeigned, and the Faith, Faith. which works by Love, which purifies the Heart; waiting in the Light, which comes from Christ Jesus, this is received from him. For with the Light, Man sees himself, which (Light) comes from Christ, who is the Author and Finisher of his Faith; which Faith gives him the Victory over that, which he sees to be contrary to the Light and to the Word. And this is the One Faith; and here the first Adam and the second Adam are known and seen. Let this be read amongst Friends every where. G. F. FRiends all every where, In the Life and Power of God live and dwell, and spread the Truth abroad. Epist. 150. Quench not the Spirit, but live in Love and Unity one with another; To Friends, to live in Love and Unity together in the Power of God. that with the Wisdom of God ye may all be ordered to God's Glory. And live all in Patience one with another, and in the Truth, that ye may feel and see to the Beginning, before the World and its Foundation was, in the Faith, which gives the Victory; that nothing may reign, but the Life and Power amongst you. And live all as the Family of God in Love, in Life, in Truth, in Power, having your House established atop of all the Mountains and Hills; that ye may answer that of God in every Man, and the Word of the Lord ye may witness to go forth among you, and be among you. So in this the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keep you. The Son of God's Power. And in the Son of God's Power live, for all Power in Heaven and Earth is given to him; who is to subdue all the Powers of Darkness, and to make the Kingdoms of the World his Kingdom. And none go beyond the Measure of the Spirit of God, nor quench it; for where it is quenched, it cannot try things. So if any have any thing upon them to speak, in the Life of God stand up, Speak in the Life. and speak it, if it be but Two or Three Words, and sit down again; and keep in the Life, that ye may answer that of God in every Man upon the Earth. To you this is the Word of the Lord God. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 151. There was a Time, when the Apostles preached Christ, that died at Jerusalem; Concerning several Ministrations of Paul's preaching Christ. and they witnessed him forth, and brought (for Proof) the Prophet's Testimonies, which prophesied of him. And they that preached Christ's Sufferings at Jerusalem, shown the Fulfilling of the Prophet's and the Law, and all that was written of him. And after, the Apostles preached Christ the Substance (the End of the Types and Figures) amongst them that had the Prophet's Words, Christ died at Jerusalem. and the Law, and the outward Temple; and they shown them out of the Prophet's Words, and out of the Law, that that was the Christ, that died at Jerusalem, and suffered without the Gate. And then there was a Time, that the Apostles preached Christ in them, to them that did believe, and had received him; Know ye not, that Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates? And, Christ in you, the Hope of Glory: Christ in you, the Hope of Glory. And, If Christ be in you, the Body is dead: And, They that are Christ's, have crucified the Affections and Lusts, and all things are become new. But this was spoken to them that believed, who were the Saints, to them Christ in them was preached, the Substance, of what the Prophets prophesied of; and to believe in him, who was risen, the Resurrection: Repentance and Faith. But to the World the Apostles preached Repentance, and to believe in Jesus Christ; and taught Faith towards God. But to them, who were Redeemed out of the World, in and to whom the Son of God was made manifest (who were brought to God, the Judge of all, and to the Church in God, and to the innumerable Company of Angels, and to the Spirits of Just Men, who were made perfect in him through Faith towards God) preaching Repentance, and the Doctrine of Baptism was needless, Baptism. in whom it was fulfilled, to and in such as were brought to God: He that can receive this, may, for to it there is no private Meaning. There is a Time of preaching Faith towards God; and there is a Time, to be brought to God: But such as are here, deny the first Priesthood, and witness the second with the Eternal Spirit of God; who witness him without Father or Mother, a Priest for ever, after the Order of Melchisedech. G. F. THis is the Word of the Lord God to you all: Epist. 152. In all Openings and Speaking, let not the Man be lifted up, for that will not be the Servant, but the Master; which is to be thrown down with that, To Friends in their Openings. from whence the Openings come. Therefore that keep down, which would be lifted up in the sight of the World, Not to be lifted up. for that doth (often) fall in the sight of the World; but that being lifted up, which answereth that of God in every Man, this is of the Son of God, who is exalted above the World, and was, before it was made and created. And Every one dwell in the Seed and Life of God, and in that know one another: And Meet together, and keep your Meetings, that ye may see the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of you. G. F. To Friends beyond Sea, that have Blacks and Indian Slaves. DEar Friends, Epist. 153. I was moved to write these things to you in all those Plantations. God that made the World, and all things therein, and giveth Life and Breath to all, and they all have their Life and Moving, and their Being in him, he is the God of the Spirits of all Flesh, and is no Respecter of Persons; but Whosoever feareth him, God is no Respector of Persons. and worketh Righteousness, is accepted of him. And he hath made all Nations of one Blood to dwell upon the Face of the Earth, and his Eyes are over all the Works of his Hands, and seethe every thing, that is done under the whole Heavens; and the Earth is the Lords and the Fullness thereof. And he causeth the Rain to fall upon the Just and upon the , and also he causeth the Sun to shine upon the Just and the ; and he commands to love all Men, for Christ loved all, so that he died for Sinners. And this is God's Love to the World, Christ died for Sinners. in giving his Son into the World; that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish: And he doth Enlighten every Man, that cometh into the World, that they might believe in the Son. And the Gospel is preached to every creature under Heaven; which is the Power, that giveth Liberty and Freedom, and is Glad Tidings to every Captivated Creature under the whole Heavens. And the Word of God is in the Heart and Mouth to obey and do it, and not for them to ascend or descend for it; and this is the Word of Faith, which was and is preached. For Christ is given for a Covenant to the People, and a Light to the Gentiles, A Light to the Gentiles. and to enlighten them; who is the Glory of Israel, and God's Salvation to the Ends of the Earth. And so, ye are to have the Mind of Christ, and to be Merciful, as your Heavenly Father is Merciful. G. F. OH Friends! keep out of that State, Epist. 154. which is out of and below the Nature; for all Vnchastness by the Power of the Lord, The Nature. and his Truth and Light is to be judged. Therefore live in the Truth and in the Light of God, that keeps you all , for in that is the Unity, and out of that is the War. For from the Lusts are the Wars and Strife; Oh keep over that Nature, that Purity may flow, and Righteousness spread, and Truth flourish, and Love and Peace abound in and amongst all the Family of God Keep down the Unchaste, keep down the Adulterous Eye, The Adulterous Eye. and keep down the Lust of the Flesh, which is not of the Father, but of the World; and Lust is against the Spiritual Fellowship, and Spiritual Union, and Spiritual Dominion, for that would be as a Lord, to Lord above the Spirit, which the Spirit of God is Lord over, and Judges it. Keep down the Lustful Heart and Eye, for that leads from God, and joins with the Adulterate in any thing, or with any thing, that is Evil; keep Truth and a pure Conscience, and there ye have an unspotted Life, in which ye may see over the spotted Life, where no Chastity nor Purity is. Therefore live in that which keeps you , Fellow the Lamb. than ye follow Christ the Lamb; for there is the holy Joy, and Peace, and Comfort and Unity known, in the Life and Fellowship with the God of Life. For what is the Cause of all the Lusting Spirits to Envy, and of the Wisdom, that is Sensual, Earthly and Devilish, but a Living and a Going out from the Truth and the Life? Which (Truth and Life) is the Mark of the high Calling of God in Christ, where the Peace is. And so, the Spirit of this World lusts to Envy, it lusts to Strife, it lusts to Contention, it lusts against the Spirit of God; the Lusts of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, and the Lusts of the Flesh, clothed with Flesh, covered with Flesh, not with the Spirit, such are unchaste, and follow the Lust, not the Lamb, and so live in that, which the War proceeds from, and in Strife and Contention. And therefore, Mark that Spirit with the Eternal Power of God, Evil Thoughts. for it Judges with evil Thoughts, being in the Earth, and thinks all to be like itself, being in the Bad, and in the Lust, and in the Adultery; it judges all to be like itself. Oh therefore mind the Holy Life, the Life! That is the Bride's Clothing, by which she adorns herself for her Husband, Christ Jesus. Therefore in that, which keeps your Peace, live, there is your Life and Dominion, that Weeds may not grow, nor Brambles, but that it all may be cut down and weeded out. For those grow through the Liberty of the Flesh, and by that ye come to be darkened, and lose your Discerning and Feeling; The Beam in the Eye. and there gets the Beam into the Eye, by which ye come to Judge with that Judgement, which is for Judgement, which should be judged down by the Spirit of Truth and Peace. And so, Live in the same Peace with God, and one with another, and have Fellowship in the Life, and in the Spirit and Power of God. And keep down that which lusts to Envy, and Strife and Contention, for that will not, nor cannot bear true Judgement, but will flatter and fawn, and sow Dissension; and so in the End will bring Dishonour both to God and his People: That can never abide true Judgement or sound Doctrine, for that Adulterates from God, and joins in Marriage with that, which is Adulterated from God. And so, the Unchaste follows the Whore and the Adulterer, The Whore and Adulterer. and goes to the Marriage-Supper of the Adulterer and the Whore; but the Virgin follows the Lamb, and goes to the Marriage-Supper of the Lamb: Therefore all live in the Life, by which ye may follow the Lamb of God to his Supper and Marriage. And keep ye all out of that, from whence Contentions and Strife and Wars arise, which are the Fruits of them that live in the Lust, which is seen with the Everlasting Power, the Ground, from whence Strife and Contention, and Wars come, The Ground of Strife. the Unchaste, which live in the Lust; which Lust will defile all, that receive it. Therefore all Friends every where, your Fellowship is to be in the Gospel, the Power of God, and in the Spirit, the Fruits of which is Peace; in which ye all will be kept in Dominion, Pure and Chaste to God, and one towards another. For all that come to the Sabbath of Rest, must put off their Old , which they have worn in their Old Works, Labours and Travels: For Six Days the Jews were to labour, but the Seventh Day was their Rest, which is Perfection. G. F. Concerning the Light. FRiends, Ye that be turned to the Light, in it Wait, Epist. 155. in it Meet together, that with it your Hearts may be joined together up to Christ, the Head, from whence the Light doth come; The World's Gatherings. with which ye may see all the World, and all the Gatherings, that are out of the Light, which are in the Vanities of their Minds, and in the Rebelliousness of their Hearts, and Stubbornness of it, from the Light. But ye believing in the Light, and receiving it, ye receive and come into the Covenant with God, and Peace with God; and into that, which gives the Knowledge of his Glory, and of his Image. And this Belief giveth the Victory over the World, and brings unto God, and into his Likeness, and separates you from the World, The World and its Likeness. and its Likeness and Image, and its Fashion, which is out of the Light; and its Knowledge, and its Wisdom, and its Honour, and its Fear, and its Love, and its Rejoicing, which are out of the Light, in the Flesh, and in the Iniquity, where the Soul is in Death. But in the Light rejoicing and walking, ye receive the Love of God shed abroad into your Hearts, which Love rejoiceth in the Truth (mark) in that which the Devil abode not in; with that ye know and will know the Increase of God, and know God and his Law put in your Minds, and in your Hearts written, where the Fear is placed, where the Secrets of the Lord are revealed, and the Light, which is the Truth, comes to be walked in: Here is a Joy in the Lord, where no Flesh glories. In this waiting (in the Light) the World, where there is no End, it gives you to see; World without End. and the Power of the World, which is to come, ye will come to see, and be Partakers of. Which Power ye receiving (who are in the Light) it brings you to become the Sons of God, and to be Heirs of the World, where there is no End, and of the Everlasting Inheritance, which fadeth not away, and the Riches, which are durable, where no Thief can come, nor nothing to rust or canker; for that is out of the Light, that doth thieve, rust or canker, and in the Transgression. Therefore, ye Saints in the Light of the Most-High God, whose Name is dreadful amongst you, and his Power made manifest in Measure and his Glory appearing, Walk worthy of the High Calling! The High Calling. Keep your Dominion, keep your Place of Rest in the Power and Strength of the Almighty, and Meet together in the Love, Unity, and Peace, Meet in the Love. and know one another in this Love, that changeth not; which being received, ye walk in that, which condemns that which is changeable. This Love rejoiceth in the Truth, and hath Dominion over him, that abode not in the Truth, but rejoiceth in that, which the Devil abode not in. And here the Spirit is received, in which God is Worshipped, the Father of Spirits: He that believeth here, believes in the Lord, and shall never be confounded; for he believes in that, which doth Confound and Condemn those, who are out of the Light, and gone from the Word of God in the Heart, and from the Power of God, and from the Light of the Glorious Gospel, which is the Power of God. The God of the World hath blinded their Eyes, that abide not in the Truth, they are gone from the Light, which is the Truth; and all that are blinded by the God of the World, The God of the World. these are out of the Light, and out of the Truth. Therefore ye being in the Light, and to it turned (the Light of the glorious Gospel) the Image of God is seen, and the glorious Gospel received. Therefore walk in the Light, as the Children of the Light, and know the Wisdom, that is of her Children justified; that ye may answer the Light in every one (that comes into the World) that hateth it. And keep your Habitations, that ye may every one feel your Spring in the Light, which comes from the Lord, and feel your Nourishment and Refreshment; which waters the Plants, and causeth them to grow up in the Lord, from whom the pure, living Springs come. The Water the Witness. And here is the Water, which is the Witness in the Earth, which doth wash; and here comes the Spirit to be known, the Witness, which doth baptise, and the Witness the Blood, which doth cleanse, which agrees with the Witness in Heaven. So, he that believes, hath the Witness in himself (Mark and take Notice.) And so, ye being in the Light, every one in particular feed upon the Bread of Life, The Bread of Life. which comes from above, which nourisheth up to Eternal Life; wherein as every one grows up, here every one gives Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and knows the Light, which is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Every one of you, that are to it turned, ye are in the One Way, Truth, Light and Life, feeding upon the One Bread, which comes from above; which whosoever doth eat of, lives for ever, and shall never die. Let this be read among all Friends every where in this Nation and elsewhere, that to the Light are turned, and in it are kept, that in the Unity they may all be kept. And in it God Almighty preserve and keep you, that ye may feel his Promises, which is to the Seed; and know the Seed, to which the Blessing is, and know the Flesh of Christ, that ye may be Flesh of his Flesh. And Friends, Live at Peace among yourselves, waiting upon the Lord; and the Lord God of Life and Peace be with you! Let no Friends be discouraged; but walk in the Truth and the Love of it, and to it bend. G. F. ALL Friends, About 1658 I do Warn and Charge you in the Presence of the Living God, in his Wisdom and Life keep, that no Ill Savour be nor get up amongst you. Epist. 156. For ye are the Salt of the Earth, to season and to make savoury to God; To Friends, to keep in that which is Savoury. but if the Salt have lost its Savour, it is henceforth good for nothing. Therefore I do Warn you all, Mind that which doth keep your Peace; whereby ye all may grow in Love, and know Christ in you all, in whom is Peace. Ye are the Light of the World to answer the Light in every one, that with the Light they may see your good Works, and by seeing them, Good Works. they may glorify your Father, which is in Heaven; for all Deceit is Judged and Condemned by it. And every one keep in the Measure of the Life of God, and see, that there be no Strife nor Presumption among you; but all serve one another in Love, and let that of God guide every one of you, Serve in Love. in which ye may have Unity one with another, and with God: And in his Life wait, to receive Power to bind and chain all down, which is contrary to Truth. And so, in the Life and Power of God, the Lord God Almighty preserve you to his Glory! Amen. THE Light is precious to him, that believes in it, and walks according to its Leading. So, while ye have the Light, walk in the Light, and live in the Light, Christ the Truth; The Light, the Truth. that ye may through Obedience to it be the Children of the Light and of the Day: For the Light and the Truth is and was, before Darkness and Deceit were. G. F. FRiends, By the Wisdom of God were all things made, Epist. 157. and by the Wisdom of God must all things be ordered again to God's Glory. The Wisdom of God to order. Transgression and Sin brings Death and Destruction; but the Wisdom hid from the Eyes that be therein (by which Wisdom all things were made and created) was, before Sin, Death and Destruction were. And so, that is it, which the Creatures and Creation of God must be ordered by that Wisdom, which made them, and doth not change; which is hid from Death and Destruction, and from that which is in the Transgression of Life, and must not rule. So Friends every where, be Tender to those, that have forsaken any thing for Truth: Parents, Masters. And if that their Parents have put them out from them, or their Masters put them away for Truth's sake, and them that are put out of their places for Truth's sake, such in the Truth receive and cherish; that they may be kept in the Service of the Creation to God's Glory, answering that of God in all. For every one is to abide in their places, and there to be faithful, except they be put out, or put away, and be buffeted for no Fault, and take it patiently; that's Thanks-worthy. And do good unto all, especially to them, that are of the of Faith, The of Faith. and be as the Church of God, guided in the Wisdom of the Most-High, who causeth his Rain to fall upon the Just and upon the : And so, be ye Merciful, as your Heavenly Father is Merciful. And know the Seed of God, that is Heir of the Promise in every one of you, and the Wisdom, by which all things must be ordered to his Glory, who upholds all things by his Word of Power: By which Word of Wisdom all things were created, and must be ordered again to the Glory of the Creator; in which Man will be kept Clean unto God, and honour God with his Substance, and glorify God in his Spirit. Whereby every one's Conversation will come to be ordered aright, and ye come to sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus; The High Calling and to know the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus, who calls out of Darkness into the Light, out of Death into Life: For he that calls, is Holy, and calls into Holiness, without which none shall see the Lord. AND all Friends, be faithful in the Seed and Life of the Lord God; that is it, which abideth in the Love of God for ever, where every one hath his Bread, which comes down from above: That is the Birth, which abideth in the House of the Lord God for ever, The Birth which abideth. and shall go no more forth; which is greater than he that is in the World. And in the Seed and Life keep your Meetings with God and one with another. So in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you all to his Glory. G. F. FRiends and Brethren every where, Epist. 158. Dwell in that which makes for Peace and Love; for Blessed are the Peacemakers, for theirs is the Kingdom, To Friends, to dwell in Peace and Love. that stands in Righteousness, Joy and Peace in the Holy Ghost and in Power. Therefore seek the Peace, in which is the and Good of every one. And take heed of Strife and Contention, for that eats out the Good, and does not Edify, nor make for Peace, for 'tis Love, that Edifies the Body. Therefore keep in the Seed, and know that which was, afore Enmity was, in which there's both Peace and Life. And all be careful to Watch over one another, for one another's Good; and be Patiented, and keep low and down in the Power of the Lord God, that there ye may come to enjoy the Kingdom of Peace, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the same. For Blessed are all ye, that lie down in the Power of the Lord, and rise up in it, and in Faith remain; through which Power ye come to be preserved and united to the God of Life and Truth. Words and Carriage. And take heed of any Words or Carriage, that do not tend to Edification and Building up in the Love and Life. Therefore ye, that have tasted of the Power of God, and of his good Word, and of his Light, wait for Wisdom, and in it walk, that ye may be preserved in Unity in the Light and Life, and in Fellowship with God, and one with another; that to the Lord God ye may be a Good Savour. and to him a Blessing in your Generation, strengthening one another in the Faith, in the Grace, in the Word, by which all things were made and created. The Word of Patience. And keeping the Word of Patience, herein ye will see the Lord keeping you from all the Temptations, which come to try them, that dwell upon the Earth; by which Word of God ye may all be preserved in the sweet and holy Life, in which there is Unity in the Word, which was before Enmity; which Word doth fulfil the Words. Therefore in that live, that ye may all feel Life abundantly through the Light and Power, that comes from the Word, which was in the Beginning; through which Immortal Word your Immortal Souls may be brought up to the Immortal God, where is Joy, Peace and Comfort. So, Strife and Contentions. above all things live in that which stops Strife, Contentions and Janglings, and live in that, by which ye come to Serve one another in Love, even in the Love of God, which thinks no evil, nor envies not, neither is it easily provoked. Therefore live in that, which is not easily provoked, and thinks no evil; which fulfils the Law, which is Love out of a pure heart. Prejudice. And let not Prejudice boil in any of your hearts, but let it be cast out by the Power of God, in which is the Unity, and the Everlasting Kingdom; that ye may all witness your being made Heirs of the same Kingdom of Peace, and to be Inheritors of it, sitting down in the same, knowing your own Portion, and increasing in the heavenly Riches: And this is above all Strife, that's below, and the Man of it, which is born of the Egyptian Woman, which genders to Bondage. Therefore know the Seed, the Second Man, The Egyptian Woman. the Heir of the Promise over all set, and the Blessing and Presence of the Lord, which was, before Strife was. Therefore know the Seed of Life and Peace to reign in you all, which possesses the Kingdom, where there is no End. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, to teach, season and establish you, which brings your Salvation. G. F. DEar Friends, All dwell in the Everlasting Seed of God, Epist. 159. Christ Jesus, in whom ye have Health and Strength, Life and Dominion, and Power over all Weaknesses. Weaknesses and Infirmities. And keep your Minds in the Strength of the Almighty, and not in Weakness, nor in the Infirmities, but in the Lord's Power, which was, before Weakness and Infirmities were; and then in that Power ye will find. Life and Refreshment from the God of Strength. And so in the Power of God, that is over all, keep your Minds in the Life and Peace of God, and in the Assurance of him and his Love; and so, in that dwell and live in the Dominion of God, in his Love, and Life and Strength. And be of good Faith, Be of good Faith. and of a valiant Mind for God's Truth upon the Earth, in the Power, Life, Truth and Seed, in which ye have Dominion, Peace, Wisdom, and the Blessing of God upon you, and in you; and in that dwell, and know that blessed Seed your Crown and Life. No more, but my Love. For the Comfort of the People of God, and their Encouragement to be Faithful, and to put their Trust in him, who performeth all his Promises. THE People, that know their God, they prosper and prevail, and they that do understand, shall Instruct many: And though they may fall, and go into Captivity, and be spoiled now; yet when they shall so fall, Captivity. they shall be helped; and when they are helped, many shall cleave unto them. And some of Understanding may fall, for to try and purge them, and to make them white, till the Time be out: For there is a Time appointed to Liberty, for the faithful Sufferers, A Time of Liberty. that come from and through the great Tribulations; and Michael shall stand up for the Children of thy People, and every one shall be delivered, that shall be found written in the Lamb's Book of Life. G. F. ALL my Dear Friends, Folly and Wickedness will have an End, Epist. 160. but the Word of the Lord will have no End, but endureth for ever. So, feed upon the Milk of the Word, ye Babes, To Friends, in Bristol. that ye may live by that, which comes from it, which doth endure. G. F. OH Friends! Epist. 161. Do not Die from the Good through the Wantonness of flesbly Lusts, neither be choked with the Cares of this Life, nor fear the Shearers, neither let the Heat scorch your green Blade; but dwell under the Shadow of the Almighty, who will shade you from the Heat and Cold. Neither be cumbered nor surfeited with the Riches of this World, nor bound, nor straitened with them, Riches. nor married to them; but be free and lose from them, and be married to the lord The Sufferings in all Ages of the Righteous and Just were, because they could not join to the Nations vain Worships, evil Customs, Rudiments, Traditions and carnal Inventions, but joined to the Lord, and not to them; The Sufferings of the Righteous. and therefore they suffered, and kept single to the Lord God in following him and his Truth, and living in it, the Amen, the Crown, Life, Virtue and Righteousness, that floweth over all, in which the Righteous have Peace. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 162. Keep your Meetings in the Power of God, and in his Wisdom (by which all things were made) and in the Love of God, Meetings for Business. that by that by may order all to his Glory. And when Friends have finished their Business, sit down and continue a while quietly, and Wait upon the Lord to feel him: And go not beyond the Power, The Power. but keep in the Power, by which God Almighty may be felt among you. For the Power will bruise the Head of the Serpent, and all false and contrary Heads; this blessed Seed, as he is the Head of the Church, so he is also the Head of every Member of his Body. And so, by the Power of the Lord ye come to love Truth, and love Jesus Christ, and love Holiness; and by the Power ye come to love God, and praise him, and bless him and magnify him, who lives for evermore. For the Power of the Lord will work through all, if that ye follow it. WHEN ye do Judge of Matters, or when ye do Judge of Words, or when ye do Judge of Persons, Concerning Judging. all these are distinct things. A wise Man will not give both his Ears to one Party, but reserve one for the other Party, and will hear both, and then Judge. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 163. In the Life live, in which is the Unity and Peace one with another, and Lowliness and Humbleness of Heart and Mind, Wisdom received. serving one another in the Fear of the Lord God; by and in which Fear the Wisdom of God is received from above, and by which all things were made and created, and by which ye may all be ordered to his Glory. And so, this is the Word of the Lord God to you all, Live in the Power of the Lord God, in which is Peace, Love, Unity and Dominion in the Life and Power of God, which was, before Enmity was; The Light and Life. and in the Light, which was before Darkness was; and in the Life, which was before Death was: And so, in that feel Unity and Life in the Power of God. And so, the Seed of God feel over all that set, which makes to suffer; which was, before it was, and will remain, when that is all gone. And so, feel the Top-Stone over all laid, that his Life ye may feel over all, and in that live. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 164. Keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God, To Friends, To keep their Meetings. in which ye may all feel Life Eternal among you. And do not forsake the Assembling of yourselves together, but provoke one another to Love, in which is Edification, Life, Peace, Truth and Dominion; in which ye may feel the Blessing of God covering you, ye dwelling in the same. And so, Meet together in the Name of the Sons and Daughters of Adam in the Fall, and will stand, when they are all gone; in which there is Life, Peace and Wisdom, Order and Edification, in the Love and Life of Christ, over all the brittle and foolish Priests and Professors in the World; and in which Life and Power there is the perfect Fellowship, that will stand for ever, Perfect Fellowship. when all other Fellowships are ended and gone. And so, ye that know the Life and Power, and Light of Christ, which was before Death and Darkness, and the Power of the same was, Be Faithful, who are gathered together in this Life and Power, and are Met in it, in it keep your Meetings, in the Life and Power of the Lord, over all other Meetings; in which ye may all feel one another in the Fellowship and Unity, that is Everlasting, and never hath End. And so, in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you all to his Glory; that to the Lord God ye may be a Blessing in your Generation, and a good Savour to God, and in the Hearts of all People. That none may say, ye are an unstay'd, unestablihsed, or a fickle People, and have your Religion, Truth and Worship to seek; but that ye have it already, and are established in the Life and Power of God, Christ the Heal. and in his Worship, Church and Religion, which Christ is the Head and the Life of (which destroyeth the Devil and his Works) who is the Pasture of Life, who was, before Death was. And so, him feel over all that set, which makes to suffer, who was, before it was, and will remain, when it is gone: And so, feel the Top-Stone over all laid, and Christ to reign. G. F. ALL Friends, Be faithful in the Power of God and his Seed, Epist. 165. and mind the Power of God, which was before the Power of Darkness, and the Fall of Adam were. In which Power of God is your Fellowship, and in which Fellowship ye may see over the Jews Fellowship and the Gentiles, and ye may see the Apostles Fellowship, Fellowship in the Power. and the Apostatised Christians. Now, the Gospel is preached, and the true Fellowship come into again, which the Apostles were in, which was, before the Apostatised Christians Fellowship was, out of the Life and Power of God, which the Apostles were in, and the Church in the Primitive Times: And the Gospel-Fellowship, the Power of God is perfect, in which is our Fellowship, which was, before any Imperfection was. And they have no more Command to set up Temples, Tithes, Temples, Tithes, Oaths. Swearing. Oaths or Swearing among the Christians since the Apostles Days, than the Gentiles had to set up Diana's Temple; for the Temple-Worship, Tithes and Oaths Christ came to end, and to bring People out of them, and to make them his Temples, and to bring to Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay in their Communications. And so, before the Fall there were no Oaths, in the Fall there were; but in the Restoration there are to be no Oaths, Tithes, nor outward Temples. G. F. To the Church of God in Scotland. DEar Friends, In the Power and Light is my Love to you all, Epist. 166. in which the Virtue, Life, Holiness and Righteousness is known, To Friends in Scotland, to live in the Truth, which they first received. and the Riches, that never fade away. Live in the Truth, which ye first received; that it may be your Crown, and your Clothing. And dwell in Love, and Peace and Unity one with another in the Trath of God, which the Devil is out of; and keep your Meetings in the Name of Christ Jesus, that never fell; and than ye will see over all the Gatherings in the Fall, in whom the Peace, Life and the Blessing is. And all know one another in him, who is the Substance, and him to be your Way and Teacher, Priest and Prophet, that never fell; and than ye will see over all the false Ways, Christ your Way, Teacher, Priest and Prophet. Prophets, Priests and Teachers in the Fall, ye being in him, that never fell, your Priest and Prophet. Be Faithful to God every one in your Measure of Light, Life and Truth; which Truth is over the whole World, and all that is in it. And so, living in the Light and Truth, ye may answer the Light and Truth in every Man and Woman; and be a good Savour to God in the Hearts of all People. And keeping your Habitations in the Truth, and in the Light and Life, than ye will see over Adam and Eve, their Sons and Daughters Habitations in the Fall, who cannot abide the Truth, Light and Life in the inward Parts; therefore they are not in Peace one with another, Habitations in the Fall. being not in the Habitation, that Adam was in, before he fell, nor in Christ, that neve fell, in whom the Saints sit down, in the Life, Christ, who was with the Father, before the World began. Adam lost his Habitation, and the Jews lost their Habitations, the one went into the Earth, and the other into Captivity, where the Apostates are; and so are become like untimely Figs, or like unto the Corn upon the Housetop. Now this is the Word of the Lord God unto you all, Keep your Habitations in the Light, Life and Power, which ye first received and felt in yourselves; that ye may be clothed with the Blessing of the Lord, which was, before the Curse was. And live in the Unity in the Light, which was before Darkness was, or the Power of it; and in the Life, which was, before Death was; and in the Truth, which was, before the Devil was; and in the Power of God, which was, before the Power of Satan was: All live in this, that ye may be clothed with that which is Immortal, and attain to the Crown of Life, and to know the Election, before the World began. He that is the First and the Last, that is the Beginning and the Ending, sit down in him, not in Adam in the Fall, but sit down in Christ, that never fell; and there that Life ye will come to know, Sat down in Christ. which was with the Father, before the World began. And so, live in the Substance, which is the Seed, Christ, who ends the Prophets, first Conveant, first Priesthood, and all the Types, and Figures, and Shadows given after the Fall. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 167. Be not carried away by good Words and fair Speeches, Good Words and fair Speeches. nor the Affectinate Part, which is taken with them; but every one have hold of the Truth in yourselves, and the Life, and Light and Power of the Most-High, by which ye may be stayed upon Christ, Bread, the Staff of Life. your Bread of Life, he is the Staff of your Heavenly and Eternal Life; Bread is the Staff of Life. Now Friends, who have denied the World Songs and Singing; Songs and Singing. sing ye in the Spirit, and with Grace, making Melody in your Hearts to the Lord. And ye having denied the World's formal Praying, Praying. pray ye always in the Spirit, and watchy in it. And ye, that have denied the World's giving of Thanks, and their saying of Grace, and living out of it; do ye in every thing give Thanks to the Lord through Jesus Christ. And ye, Giving Thanks, that have denied the World's Praising God with their Lips, whilst their Hearts are afar off; do ye always praise the Lord night and day, Saying Grace. and from the Rising of the Sun to the Going down of the same praise ye the Lord. And ye, that have denied the World's Fast, Praising. Fast. and of their hanging down their Heads like a Bulrush for a day, who smite with the Fist of Wickedness, Keep ye the Fast of the Lord, that breaks the Bond of Iniquity, and lets the Oppressed go free; that your Health may grow, and your Light may shine, as the Morning. G. F. FRiends all every where, who have tasted of the Love, Epist. 168. Mercy and Kindness of God, and his Power, ye are called to Holiness and Chastity. Therefore keep out of inordinate Affections, Inordinate Affections. and inordinate fleshly Love, and feigned Flattery and Desires, which is below the Truth; which will bring you to Infirmness. And keep out of fond Affections and fond Love, that draws out the fleshly Part, the fleshly Eye, and brings into Pride, and Looseness and false Liberty, and to abuse the Power of God. Oh, keep out of all Uncleanness, whatever may be pretended, and fleshly Desires; for the Lust of the Eye, the Lust of the Flesh, and the Pride of Life are not of the Father, but of the World: And therefore keep down that, which is not of the Father, but of the World. And take heed of dishonouring your Bodies, and defiling your Minds, but keep your Bodies clean from all Fornication, Fornication and Adultery. Adultery and Uncleanness; for that which pretends otherwise, and doth so, defiles it, and is out of the Truth, and is contrary to the Law of God, and contrary to Christ's Doctrine. And therefore defile not yourselves, but live pure, chaste and holy, as becometh the Saints; for no Adulterer nor Fornicator hath any part in the Kingdom of God. Such go from that of God in themselves, and quench the Spirit of God, and abuse his Power, and go into fleshly Love, and feigned Desires and flattering Pretences, covering it with a false Liberty, and so are in the Bondage to the beggarly, fleshly Lusts; and whom they overcome, they bring into the same Bondage, and through their feigned Flattery and dissembling Carriage rob, and beguile and spoil, Flattery. to fulfil their insatiable, ungodly Desires, Wills and Lusts. Therefore live in the Truth, for all such things are out of the Truth, and such as do the same, whatsoever they be; therefore all that go into Uncleanness, under what fair Pretence soever, are to be Judged. G. F. TO all the Elect, Chosen and Faithful, Epist. 165. who are of the Royal Seed of God, living Stones, Elect and Precious, knit and built up together, and united, the Family and of God, London, the 11th of the 3d Month. and come to his Mountain, that is established upon the top of all Mountains, that walk in the Light of the Lord, in Unity and Covenant with God, in the Covenant of Life and Peace with him: Who in this the Lamb's Day are the Gold tried in the Fire. Who have been tried by Goods spoiling, As Gold tried in the Fire. by Bonds, by Whip, by Mockings and Reproaches in the Day of the Lamb's Power, and some have been tried unto Death; and ye have proved to be the pure Gold, that hath come out brighter and brighter. Who have not feared the Waves of the Sea, nor the Winds; who fears not the storms nor the Wether; whose Anchor holds, which is the Hope, the Mystery, which Anchors the Soul, which is Immortal, to the Immortal God. Among whom the Star or Jacob is seen, and the Morningstar is risen, and the Sun of Righteousness shines, and the Lamb's Voice is known, the Charch in the Glory and Beauty is appeared and appearing; The Mirriage of the Lamb. the Marriage of the Lamb, and the Bride, and the Wedding-day is known, in which there is Unity; and the Vigins sing Praises, and follow the Lamb, because of his sweet Ointment; and the Virgins are upon Mount Zion. And the Gospel is going forth unto all Nations, Kindred's and Tongues; and Life and Immortality is coming to Light thuough the Gospel, which is the Power of God; and the Mystery of the Fellowship is known, The Mrstery of the Fellowship. which is in the Power: And for want of the Power, the Gospel, in which is the Fellowship, hath Christendom been on Heaps, and the Heathen Ignorant. And now ye, who know the Power of God, ye know the Gospel; and ye, who are in the Power of God, ye are in the Mystery of the Fellowship: So Mark, the Fellowship is a Mystery, and the Mystery of the Fellowship is Everlasting. So, if any wants the Power of God, he wants the Mystery, in which is the Fellowship, althought he may have all the Scriptures. 2. And now Friends, if any be moved of the Lord God by his Power, be Obedient to it, Obedience to the Power. and waithin the Life and in the Power, and it will direct you to the Glory of God, in his Wisdom, not to abuse it; that whatsoever ye do, ye may do it to his Glory, ye answering the Just Principle of God in every one. 3. If any be moved to go to the Steeple-houses or Markets, or to Rereove Sin in the Gate, or to Exhort High or Low, or to Reprove them; Reason not with Flesh and Blood, nor quench the Spirit: And when ye have done, in the same Spirit live; and than ye will have Peace, and Rest and Fellowship with God, and one with another: For the unity is in the Spirit, and it is the Bond of Peace. 4. And all Friends, in your Meetings do not quench the Spirit. And take heed, Judging in Meetings. and do not judge one another in the Meetings; but have patience, until the Meetings be done: So, if any have any thing upon him to speak to another, he may speak to him after the Meeting is done; that will cover one another's Weakness, and not hurt othres. 5. And all Friends every where, wait to feel the Power of God in yourselves in your Meetings: Sleeping in Meetings. And take heed of Sleeping, and feel the Power of God in one another; that ye all may be in the Mystery of the Fellowship. For Woe unto them, that are at Ease in Zion! I Warn and Charge you all in the Presence of the Living God, that none make their Habitation in the Earth, or build Tabernacles there, lest ye become Vagabonds from the Lord: But let every one rest in his Habitation in God, and here is no Vagabond; but there shall every one know an Heir-ship, an Habitation and an Inhere it ance. And I warn and charge you from the Lord, not to make any of the World's Jewels your God; but live all in the Power of the Lord God, in which ye will be carried over the Spirit of the World. 6. And Friends all every where, dwell in the Love and Fear of the Lord God, and in Peace one with another, and in the Power and Life of the Lord God keep your Meetings; and live in the Mystery of the Fellowship of the Gospel, which is Everlasting. This is to go to all the Meetings in the North among them to be reda. G. F. FRiends, Every one of you having a Light from the Son of God, Epish. 170. wait in it, that ye may come to receive the Son of God, from whence it comes; and receive Power from him tobecome the Sons of God, To Friends at Worcester. and have Faith in him. For who are of Faith, are of abraham's Seed, which faith gives the Victory over the World: It is by Faith, Concerining the Light. our Hearts are purified. (So. dwell in the Light, Faith. which casts out all Jangling Spirits; in which ye may have unity one with another, Unity. and with Christ, from whence the Light comes, and with the Father, whom he is the Way to: And that with the Light ye may answer the Light in every Man (which comes from Christ) though they hate it.) So, the Lord God Almighty keep and preserve you. AND all keep your Meetings in the Power of God, that the Lord ye may see present among you. G. F. An Epistle General to them who are of the Royal Priesthood, About 1659. and Chosen Generation; Given forth from the Movings of the Power and Spirit of Truth, and now made public: To be sent abroad among the Saints scattered in Old and New-England, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Scotland, Barbados and Virginia, for them to read in the Fear of the Lord. FRiends, Let all that ye do, Epist. 171. be done in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom all things were made and created, that ye may do that which ye do, in the true Dominion; and than what ye do, ye do in the Power of God. And all Friends, dwell in Love, for that is the Mark of Disciple, and Fruits of Faith and the Spirit; Love the Mark of a Disciple. which Love out of a pure Heart is the End of the Commandment, and fulfils the Law, and in that is Edification and Building: And the Fruits of being passed from Death to Life, there is Love to (God) Brethren and Enemies, being in the Seed that destroys Death, and the Power of it, the Devil. We need no Mass for to teach us; for the Spirit that gave forth the Scripture, teacheth us, how to pray, sing, praise, rejoice, 1. The Mass. honour and worship God, and in what; and how to walk, and to behave our felves to God and Man, and leadeth us into all Truth, in which is our Unity; and (it is our) Comforter, and Guide and Leader, and not Men without, which say, They have not the Spirit and Power, as the Apostles had, that gave forth the Scriptures. And we need not your Common-Prayer to teach us, for the Spirit, 2. Common-Prayer. that gave forth Scriptures, teacheth us, how to pray, praise, sng, fast and to give thanks, and to praise and worship, andin what; and how to honour and glorify God, and how to walk before Him and Men; and (how to use) all Creatures upon the Earth; and leadeth and guideth into all Truth, which was given forth from it, which reproves the World of Sin, That is our Comforter, Leader and Guider; by which we know Sonship, and in which we have Unity, and this doth ever change: But that which Man doth invent, and their Prayers and Forma (which do say, Men's invented Forms. That they have not the same Spirit, which gave forth the Scriptures) do change. But the Spirit, that gave forth Scriptures, teacheth us, how to pray, speak, sing, fast, give thanks, and how to read (them with Understanding) and how to walk before God and Man, and how to worship God, and in what; for it leadeth us into all Truth, which is our Comforter, in which we have Unity and Fellowship, and to know the (true) Religion, which doth never change. And so, the Spirit of Truth, which gave forth the Scriptures, is our Director, Guide, Leader and Comforter, which reproveth the World for Sin. Directories, the End of them. And this leadeth to see the End of all Directories, which Man invents, which have not the Spirit the Apostles had; and when they cannot hold it up, they cry to the Powers of the Earth, to help them. And these we see, are from the Spirit erred, and without the Spirit; with whom we cannot trust our Bodies, Spirits nor Souls into their hands, but have committed them to the Lord, whose they are. And we are a People, that are redeemed from the Earth and World and need none of your Church-made-Faith, The Church-made-Faith. which ye have framed and made in Eleven Days time, and your other Three Days set apart. For Christ is the Author of our Faith, which is the Gift of God, which is a Mystery held in a pure Conscience: And we say, that all the Priests in Scotland, London and New-England cannot make the Gift of God, the Mystery, which is the Faith, which remains (and by which Men are justified and saved) neither have they Power over it; which brings us to have Access to God, and giveth us Victory over that, which separated us from God. And so, we need none of their Faith to lead us; for the Faith Christ is the Author of, we live in, Magistrates. which they cannot make nor frame. And though they may cry to the Magistrates to help them to uphold their Made-Faith (which Idol they cannot hold up themselves) which they have Invented, and say, They are not in the Life and Power, as they were in, that gave forth the Scriptures; and say, Revelation is ceased from People, and There is no Victory, while they be upon the Earth; These are the Fruits of their Framed-Faith, which we need not. For the Spirit, that gave forth the Scriptures, teacheth us to know, who is the Author of our Faith, and the Fruits of it; which giveth Victory. And the Spirit teacheth us, how to pray, sing, give thanks, praise, rejoice, fast, worship God, and in what; and how to walk to God and Man, and leadeth us into all Truth, the Reprover of the World for Sin, which is our Comforter, Guide and Leader, and Director; in which we have Unity and Fellowship, that is without End, and a pure Religion, that doth never change. And a great deal of stuff there is in their Books, which is not worth mentioning, which it and that Nature will Rot, that gave it forth; Church-Faith changeth. but the Seed, and Life and Power will stand. Church-Faith changeth, Directory changeth, Common-Prayer changeth, and Mass changeth: And here are the four Religions, which are got up since the Apostles Days; which they have fought for, and killed one another about. But the Pure Religion doth not change, which we are of and own; in which is the Spiritual Weapons, which were amongst the Apostles. The True Faith changeth not, for it abideth and remaineth, which is the Gift of God, Rom. 13. and a Mystery held in a pure Conscience; of which we are, and which is our Faith. Mass for the Papists, Common-Prayer for the Episcopal-Men; and the Directory for the Presbyterians; Church-made and framed Faith for the Independents, and mixed Baptists and others: And those have had their Fellowships in these, for which they fought, and about which Carnal Weapons got up, since the Days of the Apostles. Carnal Weapons. But the Fellowship in the Spirit remains, and doth not change, which hath Spiritual Weapons, and these are known and used to fight withal about Religion, in which the Seed of God is known, which bruiseth the Serpent's Head, which led Man from God, and made a Separation betwixt Man and God. And the Election is known (in him who was) before the World began; who is the Head of our Church, and not they that be Head of the Mass, The various Heads of them. Head of your Directory, Head of the Common-Prayer, and Head of the Church-made-Faith, which we see all change and come to nought, and God confounds: And Men stand in Doubts and Questions, and have not Assurance in their Religion; but that of God stands in them all bound. They that followed the Pope, were called Papists; Papists and Protestants. and they that protested against the Pope, were called Protestants. And thus they gave Names one to another. And so Common-Prayer-Men, and Directory-Men, and Independents, and Baptists. And thus in the Envy, out of the Love, out of the Spirit, which gave forth the Scriptures, gave they Names once to another; all which we judge. Our Faith, our Church, our Unity is in the Spirit, The Quakers Faith. and our Word at which we Tremble, was in the Beginning, before the Papists Mass, and your Episcopals Common-Prayer, and the Presbyterians Directory, and Independents, Baptists, and other Church-made framed Faiths were; and our Unity, Church and Fellowship will stand, when they are all ended: By which Spirit we judge them all, and deny their works; in which is our Unity with God, with the Scriptures, and one with another. For they have been to People, like so many Changeable Cover, but now the Spirit is taking them off; by which we are Covered, and is our Weapons in this Day of great Battle with them. The Scriptures, which ye do speak, The Scriptures owned. and show forth in your Books, are owned, but your Imaginations of them we deny; but they are all owned in themselves, and places: So, they are all Ours, which end in Christ, who is Ours, and in him we are, that remaineth. The Mass is the Papists Sacrifice, that they kill about. The various Sacrifices of them. The Common-Prayer is the Episcopals Sacrifice, that they persecute and kill about: And— The Directory is the Presbyterians Sacrifice, they persecute and kill about. The Made and framed Church-Faith is the Independents and and Baptists Sacrifice, which they kill and persecute about. Which Sacrifices the Lord doth not accept, neither hath he Respect to; which are of them, who have erred from the Spirit, which the Apostles were in, with which they offered Spiritual Sacrifice to God, the Father of Spirits, which we are in. And all my Dear Hearts, Fellowship in Suffering. and know the Fellowship of the Seed in its sufferings, and to be made Conformable to his Death; that ye in the suffering through it may know the Power of the Resurrection of the Just Seed: And this is it, which kills all bad Spirits, that will talk, but not do; such may crucify Christ in themselves afresh. Therefore mind the daily suffering, which the Seed had, and have Unity with that; so ye may rise with that, which destroyeth that, which causeth it to suffer. The Papists cry, Higher Powers Help! Higher Powers, Help, help, or else my Mass will go down, and all my Ceremonies. The Episcopal-Men cry, Help, help, Higher Powers, or else my Common-Prayer goes down. The Presbyterians cry, Help, help, Higher Powers, or else my Directory will down. The Independents (and Anabaptists and others) cry, Help, help, Higher Powers, or else my Framed Faith (which is my Eleven Days Work) will down, and we shall not stand. Are not ye ashamed all? And show, ye are Naked, out of the Power and Life, the Apostles were in; and from their Weapons Naked? The Outward Power neither uphelp nor separated them from the Love of God, which they had in Christ, the End of the Law. I am not one of them, that call themselves Papists, Common-Prayer-Men, nor Presbyterians, Independents, nor Anabaptists, Puritans nor Heathens, which are out of the Life of God; but that which God hath clled me to, that I am, and in the Elect, before the World began. This is to go every where abroad amongst Friends, who are of the Royal Priesthood, which destroys that which made a separation from God. From the Royal Seed goes the Royal Commandment, The Royal Priesthood. which Seed remains for ever, from the Royal Seed to the Royal Seed, which are the Royal Priesthood, which have the Royal Law, and Love to Friends and Enemies; which is beyond the Love of the World, and before it was: That is the Royal Love, where no Enmity can come. FORGIVE us, as we forgive them, cry Papists, cry Episcopal, cry Presbyterians, and Baptists and Independents, these cry and say the Lord's Prayer, Forgive us our Debts and Trespasses, as we forgive them, that trespass against us; and then like a Company of senseless Men, without Understanding fall a fight one with another about their Trespasses and Debts, and never mind, what they prayed, as though they never looked for Forgiveness, and to receive the things they praycd for. Forgive us, as we forgive. That pray, Forgive us Lord, as we forgive them, and fall a persecuting and imprisoning one another, and taking their Brethren and Fellow-servants by the Throat about Religion, which in their Prayers they said, Forgive us, as we forgive them, and will not forgive, but say their Prayers, as the Pharisees did the Scriptures, and did not; this is he, that must be cast into Prison, until he pay the utmost Farthing, and must not come out. And this hath been their Work, since the Apostles Days, and is not here Law? The Apostles and Christ did not bid, that any should kill about their Words, but that they should love Enemies; but ye will kill about their Words, who were killed for speaking them forth. And so all Friends, dwell in the Seed of God, which is Heir of the Power of the World which is without End; in that dwell and keep your Meetings, that ye may all be Possessors. ALL Religions will fight about Religions and Worship, and kill like the Heathen about their Gods; Jews, Gentiles, Papists, Protestants of all Sects, which are out of the Power of the Lord, and the Spirit that the Apostles were in: And so, they are all out of the Royal Spirit, Fight Religions. that hath the Royal, Spiritual Weapons, and out of the Royal Seed, which saith, Love Enemies, which is the Royal Command to the Royal Priesthood. And they confess, they have not the same Power and Spirit of the Apostles; so than its true for them to say, We are not the spiritual Men, we have not spiritual Weapons to fight withal; if ye do not help us, Higher Powers, we fall. For we hold our Traditions, and that which we have, is by Tradition, is by the Earthly Powers. For we are not made Ministers, as the Apostles were, by the immediate Spirit and Power, and Gifts as the Apostles were; therefore the Higher Power must help us, and to them go we with our Packet of Letters, as Saul did; for we are not spiritual-weaponed Men, as Paul was. For in all these things are the Priests guilty. THE Papists, Common-Prayer Men, Presbyterian, Independents, Baptists persecute one another about their Inventions (which they have invented) their Mass, their Common-Prayer, their Directory, Persecuting Religions. Church-Faith (which they have made and framed) their Inventions and Handiworks, and not for the Truth: For they know not, what Spirit they are of, that persecute, and would have men's Lives destroyed about their Church, Worship and Religion; for Christ said, He came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them, Now they, that know not what Spirit they are of, that will persecute and destroy men's Lives, and not save them, we cannot trust our Bodies, Souls nor Spirits into their Hands, that know not, what Spirit they are of themselves; they are not like to be trusted with others, that would destroy by a Law, which the Disciples would have done by Prayer, to command Fire to come down from Heaven to destroy them, that would not receive Christ: Which Sort Christ rebuked, and told them, that they did not know, what Spirit they were of. And now, if they did not know, what Spirit they were of; do these, which have persecuted about Church and Religion, since the Apostles Days, who would compel men's Bodies, Goods, Lives, Souls and Estates into their Hands by a Law, or else make them suffer? These are not the Ministers of Christ (the Saviour) that destroy men's Lives, and they know not, what Spirit they are of; and the Lives, Bodies and Souls are not to be trusted in their Hand. And ye, that do persecute, shall have no Resurrection to Life, except ye Repent: But they that do know, what Spirit they are of themselves, they are in the unrebukable Zeal, and by the Spirit of God they offer up their Spirits, their Souls and Bodies to the Lord, which are his; whose they are, to keep them. G. F. WE are of the Royal Seed, Elect and Precious, Epist. 172. before the World began, that which (ever) the Sodomites crucified, grieved and vexed by their unrighteous, ungodly Conversation, who lived in Fullness and Pleasures, and abundance of Idleness. And we are of that Seed, that cannot serve the Wills and Lusts of Men, and bow and stoop to them; who are a People redeemed out of Kindred's, Kingdoms, Peoples and Nations, who are of the Household of God, built up together a spiritual House, whose Builder and Maker is God, and do reign upon the Earth, as Kings and Priests unto God; whom we serve Day and Night. The Household of God. And are of the Seed, that hath been slain from the Foundation of the World, which the Princes of the World and Counsels, and the Great and Wise of the Earth crucified; who lived in the Form of Godliness of the Saints Words, but quenched the Spirit in themselves, and being that Birth born of the Flesh, persecuted that which is born of the Spirit. We are of the Seed, the Anointed, which the Powers of the Earth combine, and take Counsel together against, whom God (we see) sitting in Heaven, The Royal Priesthood. laughs them to Scorn. We are the Royal Priesthood, who offers daily to the Lord the Spiritual Sacrifice; the Holy Generation, and the peculiar People, zealous of good Works, clothed with the Zeal of Christ against the bad Works, and the Workers thereof. Therefore of all Nations, Peoples, Sects, Ways, Professions and Talkers of Religion are we hated, by them that are out of the Way and Power of God, though they profess Scriptures, Church-Worship and Ministry; yet such have crucified Christ, and the Lord of Glory. We are they, that witness the Promise of God fulfilled, and that do witness, that the Age is come, wherein God would show forth his exceeding Riches and Kindness, which was wrought amongst the Apostles: The Anointed of God. We are the Anointed of God, and his Prophets, that he saith, Touch not; who are, as the Apple of his Eye; who for our sakes hath reproved Powers, and Thrones and Dominions, and rebuked them. We are the Preachers of Righteousness in the great City Sodom, wherein Christ was crucified, where the Life of the Prophets, and the Apostles and Holy Men of God lies slain, and Cursers, Cursers, Swearers, Drunkards. Swearers, Drunkards, Eaters and Drinkers, that rise up to play, in all Fullness, Wantonness and Profaneness profess their Words, and make merry over their Lives: And the Witnesses since the Apostles Days have been slain; the Woman in the Wilderness, the Lamb and his Wife shall be known, which is come up out of the Wilderness. So in this great City Sodom and Gomorrah, Sodom and Gomorrah. the False Church and the Whore are, where all the Abominations are, that made all the Nations drunk of the Wine of the Wrath of her Fornication; whereby the World is all on Heaps about Religion and Church-Worship, and the several Ways in Sodom's Nature, professing the Saints Words, imitating Forms, killing and slaying one another about professing the Saints Words, but out of their Life. Which shows, that they are not of the Royal Seed, The Royal Seed. which saith, Love Enemies, that's the Royal Seed; and they that follow him, are of the Royal Priesthood, and holy People and Generation, amongst whom is the Royal Law of Love; whereby we cannot respect men's Persons, for he who doth, is convinced of the Royal Law, to be a Transgressor. So every one of us, that is come to the Seed of God, that bruiseth the Serpent's Head, that led Man from God, who is the Prince of the World, the Prince of Darkness, and the Prince of the Air, the Father of Lies, a Murderer from the Beginning, the Corrupter of Mankind, the Author of the Separation from God, and the Original of Sin, the Beginning of it, which led Man from his Dominion over the Handiworks of God; The Handiworks of God. which the Royal Seed Christ, destroys, and renews Man again in the Image of God, and brings him again to his Dominion over the Handiworks of God. And this Hundreds of Thousands are now witnessing; by which they come to be Kings, and redeemed from the Earth, and come to be made Kings upon the Earth in the Image of God, over the Handiworks of God, in the Wisdom, by which they were created. So, all Powers whatever, that are a Terror to Evil-Doers, that bear not the Sword in vain, to us are a Praise, that do well. And all Kings upon the Earth, that were Anointed by God, a Figure of our Christ, the King, the Anointed, he ends them all, Revel. 1.6. and makes Kings to reign upon the Earth; amongst these Christ is King, which Thousands witness, amongst these he is King, and all other Kings made by Man, and putting Man on Earthly Crowns, Earthly Man will put them off again, and un-King them, if they cross them: This is the State amongst them, in whom Christ reigns not, nor the true Magistrate obeyed, which is to the Evil-Doers a Terror. But since the Apostles Days all hath been in Confusion about Religion, Church and Worship, amongst them that have killed the Witnesses, and since the true Church went into the Wilderness, and the Witnesses have been slain, and the Manchild caught up to God. So they, that have slain the Witnesses, and killed the Saints, have been in all this Confusion; The Witnesses rising. and the Witnesses are rising, and the Everlasting Gospel shall be preached again (amongst them, that have had the Words, but have slain the Life of the Prophets and the Apostles) unto all Nations, Kindred's and Tongues of them that dwell upon the Earth. So the great Professors of the World (which were the Jews) could not abide Jesus, the King, that he should reign; and where he is now in the Male and in the Female, he is King, and that makes Kings, among whom he is King. All in the Name of the mighty King of Kings is to be done, and then it is in the Power. G. F. ALL Friends, Take heed of running on in a Form, Epist. 173. lest ye do lose the Power; but keep in the Power and Seed of God, in which ye will live in the Substance. And at any Disputes take heed; Disputes. many may be lifted up in the Victory and Conquest, and after have a Joy in the Prophecies and Openings, and after fall. And if Babblers come, and Janglers say, They have a Bad Metting; and so, the murmuring Nature getteth up, out of Patience, and the Seed, which beareth all things, and suffereth all things, which keepeth down that, which causeth Lifting up, Murmuring and Disputing, which the Seed endeth, and Prophecy, and keepeth down all the other, that is contrary, and would live in the contrary; that which keeps down that, which doth change, is the Peace and the Cornerstone, and the staiedness in the Seed and Life. G. F. DEar Friends all every where, Feel the Seed of God over all that, Epist. 174. which is in the Fall, that is gotten up, The Fall of Adam. since Adam and Eve fell from Righteousness and the Image of God; and in which Fall the Lamb hath been slain. And so, feel the Seed of God over all that, which makes to suffer; and will stand and remain, when he, that makes to suffer, is gone. And so, feel Christ to reign and rule over all that, which is in the Fall, Feel Life over all. and there ye may all feel the Life to flow over all, which Life was with the Father, before the World began; and which Life will remain, when Death and the Power of it is gone. And in that Life all live and dwell, and in it keep your Meetings. AND feel the Word of Patience and the Word of Wisdom, in which ye may find both Patience and Wisdom in this Day of Life: Patience and Wisdom. And feel my Love to all Friends in the Everlasting Seed of God. G. F. To Friends, to serve one another in Love, in outward things. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 175. in the Order and Wisdom of Life order all things to God's Glory, and dwell in the Love of God together, all serving one another in Love, and in the Life of the Truth; and ye that give to the Poor, Give to the Poor. lend to the Lord, and he will give you again with Advantage. And so, be Fruitful in every good Work, and be Subject to one another in the Fear of the Lord, and do that which ye do, in Love and Peace; and in that keep in the Authority and Power of God, in Kindness. Passion and basty Spirits. And keep down, and be Master over all Passion, and the hasty and cross Spirits, and silence that, which is sudden; and let Love have the Pre-eminence in all and over all. And provoke one another to Love and to good Works, and be diligent in all your places; that ye may be a good Savour in the Hearts of all, and that the Truth may flow over all: And let nothing be wanting amongst you, and then all is and will be well. And encourage one another to seek out the Poor, and Sick, and Fatherless, and Widow, and Imprisoned, and make up their Necessities and Wants; Necessities and Wants. then there will be nothing lacking. And keep in Discerning, that ye may not be ensnared, nor made a Prey upon; but that in the Power and Wisdom of God ye may be kept over all such, and to feel through all States and Conditions: That the Lord God may be honoured in and by you all, and ye all may be preserved in his Power and Life to his Glory. For your bestowing of outward things to such as stand in need, is the least Love, and things of little Value, in Comparison to the things that are above and Immortal. And so, keep over all in that, in which ye have the Blessing poured upon you from the Lord God to cloth and cover you. This is for the men's Meetings. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 176. That Minister up and down among Friends, be Examples in Wisdom, Life, Patience, Righteousness, Holiness, and in Godliness and Soberness, An Exhortation to Friends that Minister, to be good Examples. that your Lives and Conversations may preach. And keep out and over all vain youthful Ways and Childishness, and over all those fallen Spirits, that quarrel, jangle and contend about outward things, and have a Life in them; through which they are eaten out from the Life and Truth of God: and such become as the Dross, and they come to be as the untimely Figs, and as the Corn and Grass on the Housetop. And so ye all, that minister abroad to others, first see, that ye be in the Truth, that will never change, and in the Word and Life, that will abide; and in the Gospel, the Power of God, Meats, Drinks, Apparel. which was before Meats and Drinks, and outward Apparel were; that ye may abide in that, which never changes, that ye may not be confounded. For when they, that are Ministers, change and alter from that, which they went forth first in, and brought the People into, it doth show, that they are either gone out of the Truth, or else they were never in the Truth; and this confounds People: They had better never have gone out at all. Therefore ye, that Minister abroad, see, that ye be in that, which will never change, and is over all them, that do jangle about changeable things; for that being Ministered to People, that never changes, and they that Minister, being in that, An established State. which never changes, this begets People into an Established State. For they are all fallen Spirits, and not Ministers of the Word, nor the Gospel, nor of Christ that never fell (which destroys the Devil and his Works in the Fall) that are quarrelling and siding, and disputing, and contending and striving about outward things. For that Mind, that goes into them, is in the Heats and Tempests, up and down, and is in the wrong Judgement, and cries against others, as being Lords, and being esteemed and looked upon, and looking at Men; when the Wrong Lords in themselves, and that is it which should not be esteemed. The outward Part being gotten up in themselves, who have gotten a Life in outward things, in the outward Knowledge, and the outward Reason, and outward Wisdom, that outward Part and Reason, Wisdom and Knowledge must all perish, and the Life they have in them also, The Life of God. before the Life of God can come to rule in them, in which is the Everlasting Unity and Fellowship. And so Friends, all that minister abroad in the Everlasting Word, which never changes, and the Gospel, in it abide, he First and Last: For the Word keeps down the Pride of Life, the Lust of the Flesh, and the Lust of the Eye; which is of the World, and not of the Father. And so, let your Liberty be in the Word and Spirit, and the Power of God, which keeps you out of the Liberty of the World, and its vain Fashions; and be not fashioned after them. And so, take heed of light Words, unseasoned Talk; Unseasoned Talk. and of taking Liberty to the Flesh; but walk in that which is pure, and keep in that, in which ye may have the Wisdom (which is the Beauty the of grey Hairs) that to the Lord God ye may be a good Savour, and in the hearts of all; walking in all Comeliness and Decency. The Word of Truth makes you to be seasoned and savoury; and this is Comely, keeping in the Beauty of Holiness, in which Holiness the Lord is seen, over the Beauty of the World, that is vain. G. F. ALL Friends every where, who are dead to all carnal Weapons, Epist. 177. and have beaten them to pieces, stand in that, Carnal Weapons. which takes away the Occasion of Wars, in the Power, which saves men's Lives, and destroys none, nor would have others. And as for the Rulers, that are to keep Peace, for Peace's sake and the Advantage of Truth, Give Tribute. give them their Tribute. But to bear and carry carnal Weapons to Fight with, the Men of Peace (which live in that, which takes away the Occasion of Wars) they cannot act in such things, under the several Powers; but have paid their Tribute: Which they may do still for Peace sake, and not hold back the Earth, but go over it; and in so doing, Friends may better claim their Liberty. G. F. For Friends in Barbadoes, Virginia, New-England, and all the Islands about. FRiends and Brethren, Epist. 178. who are made Partakers of the Power of the World, that is without End, and are Partakers of the heavenly Gift, and feel the Power, in which is the Unity, Peace and Kingdom, that hath no end, in that feel one another, and know one another, and in the Life, in which ye will have Peace and Unity one with another; that the Top-Stone may be laid over all, and ye all in the Wisdom, Life and Seed in your measures may be preserved, spreading the Truth abroad, confounding the Deceit, answering the Witness of God in all: To which they must be brought, before their Minds can be turned to God, and be acquainted with his Covemnt of Promise, and his Life, and to know God, Christendom on heaps. the Father of Spirits. For all Christendom, which hath gotten the Words of the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles, that are not in the Spirit and Power, as they were in, that gave them forth, are all on heaps about them, and not in Unity, being out of the Spirit, in which is the Unity and true Fellowship. For there are the Heaps amongst them, that are out of the Spirit and Power of God, having the Words in the Transgression, in the Fall, in the Earth, and in the many Bodies, Names and Heads, Churches, Religions and Worships, which are in the first Birth, born of the Flesh, which will persecute him, that is born of the Spirit; Baptism. which Spirit plungeth down by Baptism, and putteth under, and bringeth into the One Body, and putteth that under, which causeth many Heads, and answereth to that which is Transgressed against: For all must come to the One Baptism with the Spirit into the One Body. And all my Dear Friends, be faithful, and quench not the Spirit, but be Obedient to the Truth, and spread it abroad, The Witness of God in all. which must go over all the World, to Profossors, Jews, Christians and Heathen, to the answering the Witness of God in them all; that they may come to the Truth, which answers the Witness in them, to be made free by it. And Friends, In the Wisdom of God dwell, which preserveth in Unity in the Spirit and Power. If any thing be spoken in a Meeting, which ye cannot bear, speak to them concerned betwixt them and you, Meetings quiet. after the Meeting is ended; for if any of the World be there, it may give Occasion to them to reproach Truth. For Wisdom preserveth in the Peace, and maketh Peace, and preserveth out of the Contrary, and overcomes with the Wisdom and Love, and answereth the Witness with the Life, and so hath Unity, and that hath the Kingdom. G. F: ALL Friends, Ye must come into a Tomperance above all the World. And all Friends, Ye must come into a Patience above all the World. And all Friends, Ye must come into a Moderation above all the World. And all Friends, Ye must come into a Wisdom above all the World. And all Friends, Ye must come into a Knowledge above all the World. And all Friends, Ye must come into an Understanding above all the World. And all Friends, Ye must come into a Sobriety, and Gravity, and a seasoned State above all the World. G. F. MY Dear Friends, In the Love, Epist. 180. and Life and Power of the Lord God dwell, in the Power, Life and Seed, which hath no End; To Friends, to take beed of getting into the Form without the Power. in which ye all may have Unity. And be Faithful and Diligent in the things that are good, and keep your Meetings, and Meet together in the Power of the Lord, which cannot be broken; in which is an Everlasting Unity. And live in Peace and Unity one with another, and all keep in the Power of the Lord God, and take heed of getting into a Form without the Power (any of you) for that will bring Deadness and Coldness, and Weariness and Faintings; and what will it not bring in that Nature? therefore keep in the Power of the Lord, which will keep all the Contrary down and out, and preserve you in Peace and Life, Love and Unity, fresh and fruitful, and diligent in the Wisdom of the Lord God, with which and in which ye may be kept and preserved to his Glory, and be a good Savour to him, and in the Hearts of all People. (That to the Lord ye may be a Blessing in your Generation, and a peculiar People in Tenderness, and full of that Faith, which overcomes the World, and all things in it; through which ye may come all up into the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace. AND all Friends, Live in the Power of the Lord God, and keep down the Wise Part, which will judge Truth to be Simple, The Wise Part. and come to despise it; and cry up their own Words of Wisdom in its place. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 181. Live in the unchangeable Power of God, which will keep you in Righteousness and Truth, and Love and Unity, and Dominion over all the unclean Spirits, The Supreme Power. and rough Ways and Mountains within and without; that the Power of the Lord God may be Supreme amongst you, and that ye may in the Wisdom of the Lord be preserved. And none abuse it, but all patiently in the Power of the Lord wait, that in it ye may be all kept Low, in Love and Unity with God, and one with another; that in the Seed ye may be kept, which is Heir of the Power. Earthly things. And all be diligent in your Places serving the Lord, and that your Spirits may not be plucked down with Earthly things, nor limited by them; but that in the Power of the Lord God ye may act over them (the Handiworks of God) out of the Entanglements and Thraldom of them, and out of the vain Inventions of Men, but keep in the Power of the Lord God over them; in which Power is the Mystery of the Fellowship and the Dominion, and let every one's Eye behold it, and mind it. For that is it, which will keep you out of the Changeable things, and present your Minds, Souls and Spirits to the Lord; and there the Seed comes up, which is Heir of the Power, and of the Wisdom, which is pure from above, where the City if known, that lets no Uncleanness in, and the Salt is known, that savours all things: Therefore feel it in the Heart, which is more than in the Head or Tongue; which many may strive for, but do not obtain the Power, nor the Kingdom. Therefore all be Wise the Wisdom of God, The beginning of Wisdom. and let every one's Eye be unto that Wisdom, which the departing from Sin and Evil is the Beginning of; that with it ye may be ordered, and do, whatsoever ye have to do, with it and by it: In that ye will feel his Presence and Blessing, that ye may know the Seed Immortal to have the Dominion in you; that there ye may come to know Christ to reign. And your Growth in the Seed is in the Silence, The Growth in Silence. where ye may all find a Feeding of the Bread of Life. And all Friends, keep in the Wisdom of the Lord, that is pure and holy from above, by which Wisdom ye may be preserved and kept, holy and pure, above that which is below, and out of that which is below, the wise part, wherein is the Strife; that being kept down by the Power of the Lord, the Seed comes up, which is Heir of the Power: And there Innocency and Simplicity, and Nakedness of Heart and Spirit is lived in, and Life is fed upon. G. F. And so, if any Friends have Friends (or Relations) beyond Sea, send them Books or Papers, Books. and be diligent to spread the Truth; and send Latin Books, or French Books, or other Books to Leghorn, France, Poland, Italy, Norway, Low-Countries, etc. MY Dear Hearts, Epist. 182. Do your Business faithfully, and fear not the Amazement of Men, To Friends beyond the Sear. ye Sons and Daughters of Abraham. Trample upon all Deceit, and keep over all that, in the Dominion of God's Power, Fear not Man. above the World, answering that of God in all; and spare not any Deceit. Be ye faithful, and ye will find and feel the Word, Cut down Deceit. which is sharper, than any two-edged Sword, to cut down Deceit; and ye will feel the Blessing of the Lord God with you. And if the World's Works lie like a Wilderness, care not for it, and matter it not, but do the Work of the Lord faithfully; and ye will feel it prosper, answering that of God in every one. And so, God Almighty preserve you in his Power. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 183. Dwell in Patience, and in the Power, Life and Wisdom of God, and in Peace, and Love and Unity one with another: And be subject in the Power, and Life and Wisdom of God, to God and to one another; that in it ye may be as a pleasant Field to the Lord God, As Libies and Flowers. and as the Lilies, and the Flowers and the Buds feeling the pleasant Showers and the Streams of Life from the Living God flowing upon you, and coming into you, whereby the Presence and Blessing of the Lord God Almighty amongst you all may be felt. And in that the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you, that to him ye may be a good Savour. And live in Peace: And the God of all Peace keep you, that nothing may reign and rule amongst you, but the Life, and Power, and Seed and Wisdom of God; that in him ye may be preserved, by which all things were made and created. That ye may be all ordered to his Glory, and be a good Savour in the Hearts of all People; in which ye do refresh others, and are refreshed. So, dwell in the Fear of the Lord, which brings a Dread and Terror upon all his Enemies, Esau's Mount. that are in Esau's Mount; but your Peace comes from the Mountain of God: And let your Joy and Peace be in the Lord. G. F. OH my Dear Friends and Brethren every where, The Power of the Lord God, that is over all, live in, Epist. 184. that in that ye may feel Unity and Fellowship, that in the Power of the Lord God ye may all come to be Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life, through which ye may inherit Eternity, and so to feel Life Eternal abiding in you. Now, The and Persecutor. the hath not Eternal Life abiding in him, that is he that envies his Brother; so all the Persecutors, that envy their Brethren, have not Eternal Life abiding in them: Under this all the Persecutors about their Church and vain Religion, false Worship, Faith and Ministry are. Therefore all of you, feel this Eternal Life abiding in you, for he that hath the Son of God, hath Life Eternal; and so, in this Eternal Life ye have Fellowship with God and his Son, and with one another; and in this, the Law of Life, that is in Jesus Christ, The Law of Life. passeth Sentence on the Law of Sin and Death in every Man and Woman, and brings it to the Execution. Through which Law of Life Righteousness flows and runs down, and also Justice and Truth; and by this Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Mark, in Christ Jesus) ye come to know the Lamb's Throne, and the Throne of Iniquity thrown down, and all blasphemous Mouths stopped, and the Chambers of Imagery thrown down, and the Household of God raised up, and the Fruit less Trees thrown down, and the Plant of God raised up, The Plant of God. which is of his own Planting, the Tree of Righteousness, whose Fruit is unto Holiness, whose End is Everlasting Life. So mark, here's the Fruit of this Tree, and the End of this Tree, and by this Spirit ye do distinguish Names and Planting, and Plucking up; and God's Building ye will distinguish from Man's Building; and Man's Plucking down, and man's Gathering together: Ye that are gathered together in the Name of Jesus, can distinguish men's Gathering, and their Scattering. Oh! The Knowledge of Truth: Therefore be Valiant for the Truth, which ye are come to the Knowledge of, and worship God in that Truth, which the Devils is our of, and abode not in; this makes you free from the Devil and his Works, that are out of the Truth: Here in this Worship (in the Truth and in the Spirit) the living God, who is a Spirit, the God of all Truth, he hath his Glory and his Honour from his Spirit in every Heart. And so, keep in the Spirit and Truth, and the Power of the Everlasting God, who is from Everlasting to Everlasting, that ye may know him Lord of the Earth and of the Heaven, and of the Heaven of Heavens, ruling and reigning, whose Eye is over all his Works; that ye may glorify him in his Power and Spirit, and serve him in the New Life, which will keep you over all men's Fables and Devices, Fables and Devices. Whimsies and Imaginations, out of all Janglings and vain Dispates of Men of corrupt Minds. And so, all to live in that, which is the same to day, as was yesterday, Christ Jesus, the Power of God and the Seed of Life, and Word that was in the Beginning; so, no new thing, but that which was and is to all Eternity: Let your Fellowship be in that, and your Unity and Communion be in that; for by the Spiritual Eye the Eternal Unity with the Eternal God is seen. So, The Voice of God soaks the Earth and the Heavens. Hear his Voice every where, that speaks from Heaven, whose Voice shakes the Earth, and not the Earth only, but Heaven also. The Heaven signifies Joy; so, all the false Joys, the liftedup Joys, or exalted Joy, and Joy in vain Glory, and Joy in the world, or any outward thing or Creature, or Men or Women, his Voice, that speaks from Heaven, shakes the Earth and the Heavens, and this must be shaken and removed, both the Heaven and the Earth, before that doth appear, that can never be shaken, the Noble, Royal Seed, Elect and Precious, which was before the World began; being Heirs of him, come to inherit him, in him ye shall know that which cannot be shaken. and there is the true JOy, the standing Joy, in that which is from Everlasting to Everlasting, who is the Beginning and Ending; here is not any lifted up, nor cast down. So I say, Hear his Voice, and hearden not your Hearts; for through not hearing his Voice, ye harden your Hearts, than ye provoke God to Wrath and sore Displeasure. Let him have your Ear, that speaks from Heaven; that ye may come to observe his Counsel, Teachings, Instructions and Directions. For all the Prophets, the holy Men of God and the Apostles were Attentive and Obedient to this heavenly Voice, who witnessed to the Truth, who had a Witness in Heaven also; and such declared forth the glorious Truth, which they had from the Instruction of the Almighty. As ye may read throughout the Scriptures, what glorious Expressions and weighty Truths they declared, whose Ears were Attentive to him, that spoke from Heaven; and how they declared against them, that stopped their Ears, and closed their Eyes, and hardened their Hearts. For such, whose Ears are not Attentive to the heavenly Voice, are Earthly; so, if the Earthly, and Sin and Evil have the Ear, it will fill it with that which is bad, and harden the Heart, and choke the good: Therefore the Lord must have the Ear, who is the Ruler of Heaven and Earth. And as your Ears are attentive to the Lords' Voice, that is from Heaven; Iniquity's Mouth is stopped in you, Iniquity's Mouth stopped. the Throne of Iniquity is thrown down in you (that is, the wicked Spirit and Power) wherein Iniquity sits, and the Chamber of Imagery is thrown down in you, where Man's Thoughts and Imaginations are. But as the Ear is Attentive to the Voice of him that speaks from Heaven, ye will come to the Throne of the Lamb, who hath the Victory and the Dominion; that all may live in the Everlasting Power of God, that goes over all Deceit, which was before Deceit and Darkness was. A Growth in the Power. And always feel a Growing in the Power of the Lord God, that is Universal and Everlasting, that ye may be all Heirs of the Power of the Endless Life, and come to inherit it, and possess it, and sit down in the Possession of the same; that every one's Lot may fall in the Land of the Living, where the Lord hath his Glory and his Honour for ever and ever! Oh the Glory of the Lord spreads itself over all! and here as ye abide, ye have the Savour, and can taste your Meat in the Power of the Lord God, feeding upon every Word, that proceeds out of the Mouth of God, having your Ear open, and attentive to his Voice; in this ye grow up in the Life, that is Eternal. G. F. ALL Friends, Epist. 185. be Obedient to the Power of God, which is the higher Power, To Friends, to know the Authority of the Seed. and is above that which abode not in the Truth. So ye, that know the Power of God, be obedient to it; for ye have Authority from the Power of God, which comprehends all the Powers of Darkness, to answer the Witness of God in every one; and to trample upon all the Power of Darkness; and its Authority. For ye, that feel the Power, that comprehends the World, and all the Powers of Darkness, keep in the Authority, in the Power of God. Mind not Words without the Power, Mind not Words without the Power. nor the pleasing of the Reason and Carnal Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding of Fancies and Thoughts of Men; but dwell in the Authority (the Power of God) ye that know it; That over all ye may reign in the Seed, who fulfilled the Law and the Prophets; who spoke with Authority, and speaks with Authority now, more than the Scribes and Pharisees, the Writers of the Law and of the Prophets, and the Speakers of them, who were Transgressor's against the Life, that gave forth the Words, which were written. And so, the Authority of the Scriber and Pharisees, who wrote Moses and the Prophets, is as the Authority of the professing Christians, who profess Christ and the Apostles Writings, but are without the Life and from the Seed of God; these are one with them, who put Christ to Death, and knew not the Authority of the Seed. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 186. which have known and tasted: of the Power of the Mighty God of Heaven and Earth, and of his Light and Life, be faithful in the Power, Light, Life and Truth, To Friends in Barbadoes, to wait to witness the Immanuel. to the spreading of the Truth abroad; with which ye may answer the Truth in the inward parts in every one. And dwell in that which hind and chains, and gives to see over the World; that Life, Wisdom and Power may reign among you, that he turned to the Life, and believe in it, which come to receive the Light of Life, Christ, the Power of God. Be saithful, and spread the Truth abroad, and walk in the Wisdom of God, answering that of God in every one, and write, speak and send Books abroad into the Countries, and Islands and Nations, or main Land, as ye are moved; that the Sound of the Trumpet of the Lord's Host may be heard in the Nations and Islands. Be valiant for the Truth. And be faithful and valiant for the Truth of God upon the Earth, that is the Truth, that the Devil is out of, and abode not in; in that dwell and live, in Unity and Peace one with another. So, the God of Love, Life and Power, and Wisdom be with you! And ye that are turned to the Light, and gathered into it, Meet together, and keep your Meetings, Keep your Meeting. that ye may feel and see the Life of God among you, and know that in one another; for that keeps down and lays low all that which is out of the Kingdom. So, know the Power of God, and keep your Peace therein; that ye may all grow up in the Increase of God (mark, in the Increase of God) and feel his Presence among you. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, saith Christ (that is, in the Power) I am there in the midst of them: In this Meeting, in this Gathering Christ is felt in the midst. Who feels the Power of Christ, feels Christ, for he is the Power of God, and the Immanuel with them; but who go from God, in the Transgression, are in the first Adam, where Death reigns and Darkness; and this is the State, that is Reprobated. But who are turned to the Light, Christ Jesus, to the Immanuel, they know the Interpretation thereof, God with us; who redeems out of Transgression and out of Death, Immanuel, God with us: Darkness and Sin, who being witnessed, the State of fallen Man, that was driven from God, and the State of being brought to God again, is witnessed by Jesus Christ, the Covenant of Light. In which Covenant, which is Eight, the Lord God Almighty preserve you all! Ye may Write, how things are with you in the Island. G. F. This is to go among Friends. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 187. Dwell in the Love of God together, for that edifies you all, Love edifies. and by that ye are built up; and who go from that, puck down with Enmity and Discord, and Wrangling, and Quarrelling and Disputing; and are puffed up with high-lweling Words, and are large in their Worldly Wisdom and Earthly Knowledge in a Show, to tread upon the simple; and are of the great Comprehension. Therefore keep over the Spirit, for that will not stand to the End, although it would be Lord; it is scorched, when the Heat of Persecution comes. Disputes and Janglings. And therefore stand Faithful: For that which runs into Janglings, and Disputes, and Contentions and Questioning, is the Disobedient: That was the Devil's work in the Beginning, which brought Eve out of her Habitation; and that is the Work of his Servants in the Fall, to bring the Innocent out of their Habitation, to question, reason and jangle with them, to bring them out of their Habitation. They will say, They must not Meet together, such as are gathered in the Name of Christ Jesus, that never fell, who is above Adam, that sell: And thus the Devil would lay all waist, and make the World like a Wilderness, and break down the Bounds of the righteous Gardens and Plantations, and would break them down into his Wilderness, and lay them barren and waste. And so, when they are gone fromt he Truth themselves, the Devil is got into them, and would keep them from Meetings, Meetings. to draw others into the same, who are gathered into the Name of Jesnes, and are come to sit down in the heavenly Plate in Christ Jesus, and are found with the Flock, that lie down at Noonday. And so, that fallen Spirit would bring the Saints to for sake their Assemblies, and wouldmake them like a Wilderness; if he cannot, he will throw Dirt upon them, and backbite them, and prejudice them, and slander them, and speak Evil of them, and strive to sow discord amongst them, and preach up some outward things amongst them, to bring them into an outward Fellowship, from the Immotal Power and Gospel-Fellowship, and fill them with Earthly Wisdom and Knowledge, Carnal Policy. and Understanding, and carnal Policy, with Quirks, Tricks, Turn and Wind to over-word and ensnare the simple, and to bring them into Questioning. And so, this Spirit is to destroy, ruin and lay waist, and to rob and beguile, and would destroy (if it were in its Power) the Saint's Fellowship and Worship, and if it were possible, to deceive the Elect. For sometimes it will come in the show of Worship and feigned Humility, and other times with Esau's Tears; but all the strength of it is set, to lead the Innocent out of his Habitation, and to destroy and devour him. And so, being adulterated from the true Spirit, the true Light, and the Fellowship in it, Secret Evils. it runs into all the secret Evils, inward Adultery, and outward Adultery, Uncleanness and Fornication; and being in the Evil, Darkness and Uncleanness, judges all like unto itself with its evil Thoughts, and casts out its Flood of Evil-Speaking and Wickedness upon the righteous and just, the Saints of the Most-High, whose Garments are clean and pure. And so, this Spirit will cry down the Saint's Fellowship in Spirit, and Worship in Spirit and Truth, and their Fellowship in the Power, which was, before their Forms were, or the Devil either; and when it cannot get them down, and break their Fellowship, to forsake their Assembling together (which is contrary to the Apostles Doctrine, and the Churches in the Primitive Times, before the Apostasy) and when they see, they can neither break their Fellowship nor Worship, Forms of Worship. than they say, Away with your Forms; and cry down Forms to such, as be in the Power of Godliness. and that Spirit's Work, that doth so, is to bring into such Forms in Time, which are out of the Spirit, and Truth and Power of God, in which the Saints have Fellowship and Refreshment; in which God is worshipped in that which is above, and was before Time. And that contrary Spirit its Work is, to bring into the many Invented Forms in the Fall, and sometimes runs out of all right Form into Confusion, and out of all Orde of Life, in which the Saints of the Most-high, that walk in the Spirit, are, in the Fellowship and Power of Life, having the Order of Life amongst them. Keep your Habitation. And therefore all Friends, Keep your Habitation every where in the Truth of God, and let your Lights be shining, and your Lamps burning, and have Oil in your Lamps, and Salt in yourselves to savour withal, that ye may grow up into Christ Jesus, by whom all things were made, that were made; that through him ye may know all things. And so, Live in him, that destroys the Enmity; and in him sit in Christ Jesus, in whom ye have Unity, Life, Peace and Salvation. The Honour was given to him, that never changed, nor never fell, True Honour. who is Christ Jesus, and ye in him are partakers of this Honour; and they that change and fall, do not know this Honour, but are a Dishonour to him. G. F. FRiends, live in the Seed of God, that destroys the Devil, Epist. 188. who is the Author and Cause of Wars and Strife, and brining of Men and People into the Earth, where the War, Strife and Pride is; The Author of Wars. here the outward Swordmen have not learned yet to beat their Swords and Spears into Ploughshares and Pruning-hooks. Yet ye that are in that Seed, see that ye Accuse no Man falsely, that hath the Sword of Justice, The Sword of Justice. which is to keep the Peace, and is a Terror to the Evil-doers, and to keep down the Transgressor's, and for the praise of them that do well; this is owned in its place: But he that killeth with the Sword, must perish with the Sword. So, there was a Time the Jews were to fight with outward Weapons, with Sword and Spear; Outward Weapons. but there is a Time, when Nations shall not learn War any more, but shall come to that, which shall take away the Occasion of Wars, which was in the beginning, before Wars were. And Friends, take heed of blending yourselves with the outward Powers of the Earth. ALL Friends, dwell in the Life, and Power and Seed of God, 2. To Friends, to dwell in the seed, in which is their Safery. in which ye may be kept in the Son of God's Kingdom, and preserved in his Dominion out of all changeable things; in that God's Blessing will be with you. In the Seed of God is the stayed State, and in that is the Life and Peace with God, and the Offering, that satisfieth God; and that perfecteth for ever them that are sanctified. The stayed State. And the Seed bruises and destroys the Serpent's head, who is the Prince of the Air, the Prince of Darkness, the Tempter and the Troubler; in which Seed is Peace and Life enjoyed, and by the Wisdom of it to be ordered to God's Glory: And there the Reign of Christ is known, who is come to reign and to rule. G. F. To Friends in New-England and Virginia. MY Dear Friends, Robert Hodson, William Robinson, Marmaduke Stevenson, Peter Pearson, William Brend, William Leara, and the rest of Friends in New-England and Virginia, Epist. 189. Concerning Judging. Be faithful to the Lord in the Truth of the Lord God, 8. Month 15. and in his Power and Wisdom be valiant for it upon the Earth, and spread it abroad, and confound Deceit: And dwell in the Power of God, and stand in it, which comprehends the whole World; that through it ye may answer the Witness of God in every one, and be a Dread to Nations. And go on in Peace, and Love and Unity one with another, and keep in the Wisdom of the Lord God; that ye may be answerable to the Witness one another in the Sight of weak Friends, but dwell in the Power of the Lord God, and that will keep that down in every particular, which is to be judged; through which ye may judge the whole World, that lies in Wickedness. Therefore dwell all (I warn you from the Lord God of Power, of Life, of Heaven and Earth) dwell in his Power, and Wisdom and Life, that in that ye may have Dominion over the World, and the Andersaries in it, and live in it; through which ye will feel the Preciousness and Weight of Truth, The Weight of Truth. which now is going over all the World: and To all Nations of Mankind the Everlasting Gospel, the Power of God, is to be preached, through which life and Immortality shall come to Light; in which Power is the Fellowship. Therefore this is the Word of the Lord God to you all, those that are convinced by the Power of the Lord God, and the Light, let them dwell in it, in which they may have Unity. For the the Lord hath a Seed that ways, if ye in Patience all of you wait, and not matter the Wether, the Storms, the Winds, the Hail, the Rain, when ye are to sow the Seed, nor the rough Ground, The Husbandman. that is to be tilled. For the Husbandman waits patiently, after the Seed is sown; there is a Winter, before the Summer comes: And there must be a great Work, before the Misty Heathen be cleared in their Understandings (that are so naturally) and the dark Air be driven back, and the Prince of Life and Light be witnessed. Dwell in the Life and in the Light; for the great Professors of Spiritual Babylon, the Mother of Harlots, that are full of Craft, will be brought down; and that must be witnessed, before ye know the bride made ready for her Husband. So, live in Patience and in Peace, and in the weighty Wisdom of God, and then ye will see the End of all frothy Spirits, that will not abide the Trial. Therefore Friends, keep ye in the Power of the Lord God, and dwell in Live one with another, and in the pure Power and Life of Truth, and the Seed of God, which ye first kept in; that ye may be kept over all light and airy Spirits, that will be up and down like a Tempest, Comers and Goers to the Seed; that ye may stand in the Seed, which is Everlasting. Airy Spirits. In that the Lord preserve you. Ye may write over, how things are there; for Truth is well here, and spreads abroad in the World in other Nations, and is of a good Report. G. F. Reading, the 15th of the 8th Month, 1659. THE Lord is King over all the Earth, and Christ hath all Power in Heaven and in the Earth; and he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, let him rule and reign in all your Hearts by Faith, and exalt him in the Land, and in your Assemblies. G. F. OH Friends, have an Esteem of Truth and God's Glory! Epist. 192. Keep down all Inordinate Affections, Concerning Marrying with the world, and bad Marriages. and have an Esteem of Truth above your Lusts and Earthly things, worldly Riches and Goods, and mind the Example of the Old World, When the Sons of God saw, the Daughters of Men were fair, they took unto them Wives of all that they liked; and so made no Distinction between the Righteous and the Wicked. Which grieved the Lord God, that he said, His Spirit should not always strive with Man; And therefore he shortened his Days to an Hundred and twenty Years, which before were many Hundred Years. Enoch-Methuselah and Lamech. Though Enoch, Methuselah and Lamech, and the holy Men of God their Marriages God did not Judge; but when the Sons of those holy Men, which were called the Sons of God, went to the World for Wives, they slew the Spiritual Birth in them, and quenched the Holy Spirit of God in them, and corrupted the Earth, and filled it with Cruelty, and followed the Imaginations of their own Hearts Lasts continually; insomuch that they grieved the Lord, and he repent, that he made Man. For he saw, All Flesh had corrupted his Way upon the Earth, saving Noah, a Just Man, with his Family, who walked with God, Noah, a Just Man. and did not join with the Wickedness of the World: Therefore God destroyed the Old World; The Old World. and the Beginning thereof was these bad Marriages, as Judas and Peter saith, They followed strange Flesh, by which they came to be corrupted; and therefore God sent a Flood, and destroyed the Old World with its ungodly Deeds. And there is your Example, that Mary with the World. Gen. 6. And doth not the Lord say to the Chidrens of Israel, Forbidden Marriages. Thou shalt not give thy Sons nor thy Daughters in Marriage with the Heathen? And were not such as did so, reproved by the Lord and his Prophets? As ye may see through the Scriptures. And doth not the Apostle say, Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what Fellowship hath Light with Darkness, or Christ with Belial, or a Believer with an Infidel? For how many Thousands of the Jews did the Lord destroy, which went and married with other Nations, and pleaded Liberty? And did not Phineas run one through, and his Heathenish Woman? Phineas. And so, must not all such be run through with the Sword of the Spirit of God? And the Lord said, Numb. 25.7, 8. Phineas hath turned mine Anger away from the Children of Israel, when the Lord had destroyed Twenty four Thousand of them. And doth not the World call such Bastard and Hypocrite Quakers, and not faithful, that go to the World for a Wife, and to the Priests to be Married? Priest's Marriages. Oh! That ye should profess Truth, and go from its Power and Life, and so corrupt yourselves, and to have no more Esteem of your Bodies, which God hath so honoured, and made them Vessels of his Mercy, to put his Mercy into! And have no more Esteem of God, his Truth nor his People, but to Esteem your Affections and Lusts above them all, and to make yourselves a Talk and a Laughingstock, by going into that, for which ye are judged of God, and of all his People, and of that of God in your own Consciences also! Burying-places. And do not Friends buy Burying-places, because they cannot give their dead Bodies to the World, no more than Abraham could? And ye that profess yourselves to be quickened by Christ, and made alive by him, to give your Bodies to them, that are dead in Sins and Trespasses? Oh, ye makde yourselves ridiculous both to God's People and the World, and come under the Judgement of both, and of God and the Scriptures, to be such, as follow strange Flesh, and corrupt the Earth, like the Old World! Ye bring Burdens upon the Just: But God will shorten your Days, as he did the Old World's, except ye repent; as ye may read, Gen. 6. And therefore mind God's Ordinance, and then ye will know God's Joining by his Spirit and by his Power. And be not corrupted with them, that follow strange Flesh, and corrupt themselves, that creep among you, and would be called by you Name, Bastard-Quakers. which the Priests and the World call Bastard-Quakers. And therefore keep the Gospel-Order, which is the Power of God (before the Devil was) and the Government of Christ Jesus, which destroys the Devil and all his Works. G. F. ALL Friends every where, that are Convinced with Truth, and profess it, and own it, About 1660. Epist. 191. Keep to the Single Language, the good Spirit, the Light of Christ Jesus leads to it; and that which goes from that, The Single Language. which doth not live in it, is to be judged: And then, if Man or Woman seek to get Gain, by speaking the improper, untrue Language, and flattering Language of the World, which is in Confusion, the Lord may take that Gain away from them. For Plural and Singular was the Language of God, and Christ and all good Men, and of the Prophets and Apostles; Singular and Plural. but the Confused World, that lies in Confusion, cannot endure it, who live not in the Fear of God, neither follow the Example of good Men, but are in the double Tongue, quenching the Spirit, and hating the Light of Christ Jesus, which is Single. And so all Friends, train up your Children in the same Singular and Plural Language; all Masters, Mistresses and Dames, or whatsoever ye are called, Friend's Children. that do take Friends Children, that are in the Singular and Plural Language, it is not fit for you to bring them out of it, neither to Force nor Command them otherwise, to please your Customers, nor to please Men; for if they should pay Two or Three for One, that would displease you, who would have them to speak Two or Three, when they should speak Singular, Thee and Thou to One. And so, do not lose that Testimony, which slays the World's Honour, and do not go into the Custom of the World's Fashions or Commands, nor force others from that, which is the Language of God, and Christ, and all good Men and Women, into that which is Contrary to God and Christ, and all good Men and Women; for there must be, 1660 and always was a Distinction betwixt One and Many. For if in your Practice ye should not do it, but let one have many things, when he should have but one thing, ye would think to suffer Wrong, and your Servants to do that which were not Righteous; and so, do not they speak that which is not Righteous, when they say Many for One, and Nonsense and Confusion? And therefore keep to the proper, sound, Single Language. For indeed, I did hear some, Apprentices and Servants. that were troubled at their Apprentces and Servants, for saying Thee and Thou to one, and because they would not say the word You; and such, who have known the Language from their Childhood. And therefore that Selfish, Man-pleasing and Daubing Spirit ust be put down with the Spirit, and condemned with the Light, else ye will presently be ridiculous to the World, and to all Men, and they will say, Ye are not so, as ye were in he Beginning; and so follows the Customs of the World, and not the Practice of Christ, and all good Men. And so, this is (written) that all may Fear the Lord; and they who have done so, may do so no more, and that others may be warned, and not to go into such things: But mind the Truth and Spirit of God, the Light of Christ Jesus, that none of the Freeborn may lose the true Language, and speak half the World's Language, and half of the People of God. For to say to Friends, thou and Thou, and to the World You, that is Hypocrisy: Hypocyifie. and therefore for all Hypocrites, and hypocrisy and Dissembling to be kept under Judgement, for that is a Dissembling with the Witness of God. For ye see, the Outward Jews, when they went from the Law of God, in process of time spoke half Hebrew, and half Ashdod. Half Hebrew half Ashdod. And therefore to prevent all Dissembling and hypocrisy, keep to the Spirit of God and Light of Christ Jesus, that the Jews inward may not have a Mixed Lanugage, no more than the Jews outward, to speak half the confused Language of the World, and half the true Language. Nor to the World speak confusedly, to speak the Plural for the Singular, and when ye are among the World, speak as the World doth; and when ye are amongst Friends, speak as they do: This Spirit is not from the Spirit of God, but is hypocrisy and for Judgement. And so, let the Truth have its Passage in all things, and speak True Words, and not False, with the Light ye will see; who act contrary to it, will be condemned by it. So let Friends be distinct from all the World in their Language, in their Ways, in Love, and in their Conversations; for in that ye are over the World, and Judge them by Scripture, Scriptures, Grammar and Accidence. by Grammar and Accidence, and all other Teaching-Books, for ye have them all on your side to hammer them down withal, who follow neither Scriptures, Grammar nor Accidence, nor their own Teaching-Books, and are Judged by them all, and the Spirit of God also, which leads to one, and to divide and distinguish Singular from Plural, many things from one thing, and One from Two and Three; and many Men and Women from One, many Ways from One, many Churches from One, many Fellowships from One, and the many Words from One, and the many Gods from One, and the True Christ from the many Anti-christs' and false. All this is distinguished and known by the One Spirit, the Light and Power of Christ Jesus, which gives an Understanding. Let this be sent abroad, that all may read it over. G. F. FRiends, In the Fear of the Lord God live, departing from Sin and Evil, Epist. 192. as it appears in your own particulars, and therein ye will receive the Wisdom of God, by which all things were made and created; A General Etistle to Friends, concerning divers Particulars. with which Wisdom they may be ordered to the Glory of God, that created all things: and with that Wisdom use all things, and order all, that are under your Hands and Dominion, to the Glory of him that created them. And in this ye will feel the Lord God going in and out amongst you (and to be with you) and his Blessing and Presence with you (in your Actings) and he over all giving you Dominion in his Wisdom, Power and Life; that with that ye may come to answer that of God in every one, with which your Minds should be guided up to God: And in that ye will be a good Savour to God, and in the Hearts of all People, that live up to the Witness, and are led by the Witness of God up to God. And such as go from it, upon them the Law of God is to be added, and they by it to be stopped and limited; The Law of God. which Law is a Praise to them that do well, who come from under the Occasion of the Law. And in this that Eye is opened, which beholds God and his Law, which answers that of God in every one; which when Men go from that of God in themselves, the Law takes hold upon them. Which when Adam went from, he transgressed the Law of God, when he went from the Life and Image of God within him; and then the Law came upon him, which was not made for the Righteous, but for Sinners and Transgressor's. And in this stands the Covenant of Works, the Law of Works, that brings under and yokes the Man down; which Christ the Covenant of God, and of Life, and of Peace, redeems Men from under this Law; and the Law of the Spirit of Life makes free from the Law of Sin and Death. The Law of Life. So Christ, the Covenant of God being felt, the Law of Life is come and witneffed within Man again; and to such, they that are in the Wisdom of God, will be a Praise, and your Moderation will increase, your Temperance will increase, your Knowledge of God and his Son Jesus Christ will increase, whom to know, is Eternal Life; and this will not be lacking. And so, as ye are kept in the Wisdom of God, and in his Life and Power, ye will see the Law, that goes over all Transgressor's, which was added, because of Transgression: Which Life lets you see to the Higher Power, The Higher Power. which was, before any Transgression was; because of which the Law was added upon Man, when he went from that of God in himself. Which (as I said before) every true Christian (which is a Christian indeed) witnesseth the Law of Life in Christ, which sets free from the Law of Sin and Death; and such come to see and feel him, who was, before any Transgression was. And so, as to the Lord God ye are kept faithful in your Generation, and in his Fear are preserved in Humility and Mercy, doing good and justly, the Jaws of the Wicked will be broken, and ye will feel the Lord's Blessing upon you, and come to know the Seed in yourselves, which inherits, which is the Heir of the Promise of the World without End. And the Power of an endless Life you'll feel in Christ, the Seed, in whom the Words of the Prophets and Apostles are fulfilled; and therein is Unity and Love, Righteousness and Peace, even in him, who bruifeth the Serpent's Head, that feeds upon Dust. Here there is nothing fed upon, but Life, yea, the Life, which was with the Father, before the World began, which is Christ Jesus: And who are in this, are in the thing the Scripture testifies of. Christendom on heaps. And this hath been wanting in Christendom: They have had the Words of the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles, and been on Heaps about them, not being in the Seed, Christ, who is the End and Substance of them; who is the Light and Life, Righteousness, Wisdom and Truth, which makes free from the Adversary, who is the Cause of Strife. From a Lover of your Souls Eternal Good, and of your Establishment in Righteousness and Peace, in this Day of the Lamb's Power; Glory to the Highest for ever! G. F. DEar William, Thou hast a fine Compassin Holland and Germany, Epist. 193. and under the Prince of Palatin's Government: To William Ames. And there is a Seed in Poland, that desires Friends. So in the Seed be faithful, which is Immortal, and is the Heir of the World, where there is no End. And so, in that be faithful, and spread the Truth over that part of the World: For the Lord hath a Vine and a Mountain to be set up that a-ways, and a Standard and Ensign held out to other Nations. So, in the Power of the Lord God, and his Wisdom and Seed, the Lord God Almighty preserve thee! G. F. DEar Friends, who have found the better part, Epist. 194. and chosen the better thing, the one thing, which lasteth for ever, which is the Ground of all true Rejoicing and Joy, in whom ye have all Riches and Life, and the Blessings, and the Immortal Power to be your Crown and Covering. A time of Shearing. And it may be, there will be a Time of Shearing and Clipping; but the Earth is the Lord's, and the Fullness thereof. So, mind him to be your Portion, and the Seed Christ your All, and your Life; and fear not losing the Fleece, for it will grow again. And keep your Meetings in the Name of him that never fell, which is above all the Meetings of Adam's Sons and Daughters in the Fall. The Fellowship in the Gospet. And keep in the Fellowship in the Gospel, which is the Power of God, which was, before the Devil was; and this Fellowship is above all the National Fellowships in the Fall of Adam. And keep in the Worship of the Father in the Spirit and in the Truth, which the Devil is out of, and in that ye will live in the Truth and Spirit in yourselves, and walk in Unity in the same; and than ye are over all the Will-worships in the Fall of Adam, where they are in the Strife about them. And who are come to the Church in God, do see above all the Churches of Adam in the Fall, drove from God. Egyptians and Babylonians. And as the outward Jew suffered by the outward Egyptians and Babylonians, and they persecuted them, and killed their Children; so the spiritual Egyptians and Mystery Babylon persecute and would kill the Jews in Spirit, that worship God in the Spirit, whose Praise is of God, and not of Man, and such have none from fallen Men, but by them are persecuted. But all such go, as dumb before their Shearers; for he that gave his Back and his Cheek to the Smiters, overcame and reigns, and hath the Victory and the Honour, who is Christ, the Amen, the first and last, the Top-and Cornerstone; in him sit down in Life, and Peace and Rest. So no more, but my Love in the Everlasting Seed, the second Adam, that never fell nor changed, whose Love is above all the Love in Adam's House in the Fall. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 195. all that are moved of the Lord by his Power, Light and Life, to go into other Nations, as Messengers of his Covenant of Light, to preach the Gospel, according to that, which shows the Secrets of every Man's heart, wherein Nations are brought into Covenant with God, and redeemed out of Tongues, and People and Kindred's: Keep your Feet upon the Top of the Mountains, and sound deep to the Witness of God in every Man; then will your Feet be Beautiful, that publish Peace, Liberty to Captives. and to the Captives proclaim Liberty, with your Feet upon the Mountains publishing Peace, binding up the ; having Oil of Gladness for them that mourn. And this is the Word of the Lord God to you, keep ye atop of the Heads of all the Mountains of Sin and Opposition, in Innocency, Meekness and true Humility in the Fear of God; that in his Dread and Wisdom ye may all be kept, Dwell in the Light. and in the Fear of the Lord stayed. And dwell in the Light of Christ, that doth Enlighten every Man, that comes into the World, that all through him might believe; and bring all to believe in the Light, to give them the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, from whom the Light comes, that they are all enlightened with; and that they may come into the Covenant of Light with God, and his People. And so, dwell in the Power of the Lord God, that ye may comprehend the World, and see over it: all And keep ye over all the unclean Spirits, and Execute true Judgement, answering to that of God in every Man; and here is the Saints Honour. And this is the Word of the Lord God to you, Consulting. Enter not into consultings with the wrong Nature, lest ye Consult with the Adversary, whose Head must be bruised; and lest in the mean time, that blind your Eye, and raise up a light Spirit in you, and take you Captive. But dwell in the Power, Dread and Fear of the Lord God, that ye may answer that of God in every Man, and stop the Mouth of that which Opposes; that ye may blind the Eye, that will not see the Light, and the Ear stop, that will not hear it, for that must be judged. For that is it, that keeps all from Conversion, and that is the Seed of the Serpent, which must be bruised with the Seed of the Woman, yea, the Head of it: And keep atop of the Head of it, that ye may answer that of God in every Man; and be kept atop of the contrary, and tread it under feet. And so, the Lord God Almighty keep you in his Power and Wisdom, Bind the Unruly. and by it bind the unruly; and when ye have bound them, than ye may speak to them, and by it to fetter them; than ye may catch them, when ye will, when they are fettered. And get the Yoke upon the wild Heifer; then will ye save yourselves from a Push, The wild Heifer. and bring them down, and order them with the Power, and reach to the Witness. And see, that ye keep the Bit in the wild Horse's Mouth, The wild Horse. whereby his Head may be held down: And howsoever, see that he be bridled, then with the Power he will be ordered; though he Snuffs and Snorts, the Bridle being kept in his Mouth, he is held down by it: Though he cries, Aha, aha; that is above the Witness. And when this is done, being kept in the Power, ye will know him, that Rides meekly upon the Foal of the Ass (the Colt, the Foal of the Ass) to Jerusalem, the highest place of Worship; who brings the Prisoner out of the Pit, where there is no Water. Christ, The Foal of the Ass. the same to day, as yesterday, and for ever. And the Lamb gets the Victory, he that sits Meekly upon the Colt, the Foal of the Ass, He it is, that gets the Victory, he by whom the World was made, who is not of the World, that treads upon the Highest Worship in the World. Lay Hands upon no Man suddenly, I warn and charge you all in the Presence of the Living God, but touch the Witness of God in every one. G. F. DEar Friends in Jamaica, and else where, Epist. 195. who know the Truth of God, and have been Sufferers for the same, All live in it, Live in the Truth. which the Devil is out of; that ye may all be preserved in Peace and Freedom. For Truth brings to the Noble Mind, Spirit and Nature, and Seed, which never will bend to Sin and unrighteousness, nor Ungodliness whatsoever, nor to the Author of it. And therefore all walk in the Truth, that ye may all come to honour the Lord God in your Lives and Conversations, in your Words and Deal, Just Deal. doing Truly, Justly and Righteously unto all People; that God may be glorified amongst you. And that ye may come to be as Lights to the World, and the Countries about you, so that by your Light they may come to walk out of their dark, unrighteous, ungodly and corrupt Ways, which the Corrupt People walk in; which the holy and the sanctified Ones are of a more Noble Nature and Seed, than to tread in those Paths. And therefore all mind that, in which ye may honour God, and his holy Name, into which ye are called; that ye may answer the Lord God for all his tender Mercies and great Riches, that he hath plentifully manifested and enriched you withal. The Love of God. That the Love of God may fill your Hearts, which hath abundantly been shed in you; that so it may abound one towards another, and to all the Creatures of God, for their Good; that they may come to the Way of Life and Peace, and that they seeing your Good Works, may Glorify your Father, which is in Heaven. And so, let Truth, Righteousness, Holiness, Pureness and Justness be your Jewels, and in your Eyes esteemed above all; for Unrighteousness, Unholiness and Ungodliness is but Dross, and is not of God nor Christ. And therefore Live in the Truth, which the Devil is out of, and in the Life, which was, before Death and the Devil, the Power of it was; and in the Light, which was, before Darkness was, and the Devil, the Prince of it; and in this ye will have Fellowship with God, with Christ, and one with another. And so no more, but my Love. Things here are well, and Meetings are quiet and large in this Nation, and this part of the World. Farewell. Ye may Write unto us, and let us know how things are with you. G. F. DEar Friends, in the Power of the Lord dwell, Epist. 197. which will keep you all in Unity, dwelling in it; and all be bold in that, threshing down all Deceit, and wait to have all your Minds guided with that which is Eternal, up to God, who is Eternal. And walk wisely in the Wisdom of God (I Charge you in the presence of the living God) and take heed of acting in your own Wills, Self-Will judged. contrary to that which is pure of God in you. And know the Power and Life of God in one another, which gave forth the Scriptures, which was, before the Scripture was; which Life the Saints had Unity in, one with another. So, in the Life God Almighty preserve you! And Meet together every where (I Charge you in the Presence of the Lord) and wait together upon God, to have your Minds guided by that which is of God, up to him, Unrighteousness. with thta which is pure, which will judge all unrighteousness (which must never enter into the Kingdom of God) and with the Eternal Spirit of God, and in his Power ye may be kept from all Fancies in your own Wills. So God Almighty be among you, to do his Will in his Love. G. F. DEar Friends; Epist. 198. Keep over all that, which tends to Strife, in the Seed Christ, in which is Peace and Life; for that which tends to Strife, Feigned Flattery. and yet is in a feigned Flattery, will corrupt you. And therefore live in that, which is Pure and Steadfast, and is not Changeable; and in that know one another. And lay hands on no Man suddenly; for that which is fickle and changeable, will bring People into an unsettled State, and bring them out of their own Conditions, and bring into a Questioning State. And therefore keep in the Seed, and Light and Power of Christ, in which ye may walk safely, and not give away your Power; but dwell in it, in Love, Unity and Peace one with another. And in it keep your Meetings, and be quiet; and live, and dwell in the Power of Truth over all the Unruly Spirits. And be faithful, that the Seed, Christ Jesus may reign in you, and among you. For the Truth is over all, and reigns: And so, be Valiant for it upon the Earth. Lancaster Prison, the 2d of the 5th Month, 1660. G. F. 1. About 1661. FRiends, The matter concerning not putting off the Hat in Prayer, and when they give Thanks to God, Epist. 199. which hath been said by some, it is Heathenish and Romish, and set up in the time of Darkness and Ignorance, Concerning the Hat. and in the Curse, and in the Fall, and Cursed. Then they, and ye, who have put off your Hats, when ye have Prayed, and given Thanks to God, must be wrong, according to their Judgement (which is false) For who have known the Power of God, and the Motions of it, which Power was, before Hats and Cover were, are out of this Judgement. For there was a Sect of People amongst the Corinthians, that were jangling about Meats, Drinks, Days, Marriages; and whether they should pray covered, and whether the Woman should pray and prophesy uncovered? There was such a Strife, before the Papists got up. And therefore the Apostle set up a Comeliness amongst the Churches, and says, It was a Dishonour for a Woman to Pray or Prophesy with her Head uncovered: And also, a Dishonour for a Man to Pray or Prophesy with his Head covered. Now say they, who keep the Hat on, when they Pray; This Covering of the Woman is the Spirit and Power (which is her Covering, and not the Hat) than the Spirit and Power must be Covered, when she Prays and Prophecies. And how can she Pray and Prophesy, when the Spirit and Power is Covered? For that is her Covering, and her Head (say they) And this must be uncovered in the Man, when he Prays and Prophecies. So, showing hereby a Contradiction in the Male and Female; which shows forth, that the Spirit and Power must be covered in the one, and uncovered in the other. 2. They say, Christ is the Head of the Woman (spoken of in the Corinthians) and her Head must be covered, when she prays and prophecies; and is it not meant of an outward Hat? Then Christ (which is the Head) he must be covered in the Woman, when she prays and prophecies; and when a Man prays and prophecies, his Head must be uncovered: This also shows a Contradiction. For Prophecy is in the Spirit, and Praying is in the Spirit, and by Prophecy they see Christ. And if Christ be covered, than they must consider it, by what the Woman covers him, and whether or nay she can prophesy when he is covered? And so it is that Mind, which runs into outward things, that stumbles; and ever was, and ever will be so. And this Mind and Spirit, which hath given this Judgement so upon Friends, and amongst Friends, not only in a Paper to be spread up and down, but also in Disputes and Jangligns about it; in which is such a Judgement contrary to Truth, and the Apostles comely Order and Practice, which was set up amongst them. This Judgement, hath not only judged us, but also the Apostle: They may as well say, He set up a Form in the Curse, Ignorance, Heathenish and Romish; who calls it, a comely thing for a Man to pray uncovered, if not, Praying and Prophesying. he dishonours his Head; and a Comely thing for a Woman to pray or prophesy with her Head covered: So there was a Comeliness and an Honour in it. We never use to preach up such things, who are come to the Power of God, before Cover or Hats were. And many would not have believed, that ever such things would have come forth amongst us; but now they see our Comely Order and Practice is likened to a Heathenish and Romish Order, and cursed. Some such the Apostle had to do withal, when he set up his comely Order,; before the Romish Way was. Therefore are we necessitated to speak a little to such things, that Friends may keep in the Power of God, which was, before Hats and Cover were. For when we see People run into such things, and make a Sect of it, and cry, They have Attained to a greater Glory than before; they run into such outward things, which the Hat is; and if they have Attained to that, they have but Attained to that, which is since Adam fell. For they that have attained to that State, which Adam was in before the Fall, it is without Hats or Cover. And they that are come to Christ (and abide in him) are in a State beyond Adam, before he fell, The State beyond Adam. far before outward Cover were; for Christ was with the Father, before the World began, before Adam was made. And when the Apostle spoke to the Corinthians, how that he would have them to know, that God was the Head of Christ, and Christ was the Head of the Man, and the Man was the Head of the Woman; and the Woman was made for the Man, and not the Man for the Woman; and he is the Image and Glory of God, and she is the Glory of the Man. This the Apostle spoke to the Corinthians, who were not come to the State of Adam and Eve, before they fell; amongst whom there was a Sect about the Man being covered, and the Woman uncovered. Amongst whom he sets up a Comely Order and Practice, and lets them see, how they should pray, prophesy and practise. So he meant there of outward things, when he speaks of a Man uncovered, and a Woman covered; or else he should be shaved and shorn. Now these (as I said before) were not come to the state of Adam and Eve before the Fall; for who are come there, are come to that which was before Cover were: This was a comely and decent thing, and of good report amongst the Primitive Christians. Therefore all Friends, live in the Power of God, which ye first received, the Power, which was before the Fall was, in that is the Fellowship, and leads to both Order, Comeliness and Decency. For all the Sects about Meats, Drinks and Days, are gotten up among the Sons and Daughters of Adam, that are gone from the Power of God, and his Image, Righteousness, and True Holiness, which were before Cover were: And others, who are fallen from that into such outward things, there they are jangling about them. And therefore keep over all such things in the Power of God, which was before outward things were; in that have ye perfect Fellowship and Unity, for there is your Profit. For they that have a Fellowship in keeping on their Hats, and observing of Meats, those outward things lead them from the Power, and so to no Profit, but into Strife and Jangling, and vain Disputes. Therefore the Power of God all keep in: The Power of God was before Strife was; and in that is the perfect and standing Fellowship, when all other Fellowships shall have an end, which were set up since Adam's Fall. And so Farewell! My Love is to you all in the Everlasting Seed of God. The Church of the Romans fell away by running into outward things, The Church of the Romans. from the Power and Life; also the Corinthians, Galatians, and others of them; and also the Seven Churches of Asia, by running into outward things; and what the outward things were, they ran into ye may read: And how the Apostle reproved them, and what all are gone into, since they lost the Power of God, and the Unity in the Spirit. And therefore all Dear Friends, keep in the Power of God over all outward things, which was before they were; and in that Power is the standing Unity. G. F. The Line of Righteousness and Justice stretched forth over all Merchants, etc. And an Exhortation unto all Friends and People whatsoever, who are Merchants, Tradesmen, Husbandmen, or Seamen, who deal in Merchandise, trade in Buying and Selling by Sea or Land, or deal in Husbandry, That ye all do that which is Just, Equal and Righteous in the sight of God and Man, one to another, and to all Men: And that ye use Just Weights and Just Measures, and speak and do that which is True, Just and Right in all things: That so your Conversations, Lives, Practices and Tongues may preach to all People, and answer the Good Just and Righteous Principles of God in them all. In which ye may be serviceable unto God, and to the Creation in your Generation, and a blessing both to God and Man. ALL Friends every where, Epist. 210. Live in the Seed of God, which is the Righteousness at self, and inherits the Wisdom, and is the Wisdom itself; The Wisdom of God. with which Wisdom ye may order, rule and govern all things, which are under your Hands (which God hath given you) to his Glory: Govern and order with his Wisdom all the Creatures, that ye have under you, and all Exchanging, Merchandizing, Husbandry. Do what ye do, in the Wisdom of God, and with it, which is pure from above, and gentle, and easy to be entreated: With this Wisdom (which is not earthly, sensual, nor devilish) you do good unto all, and hurt no one, nor yourselves; for it is pure, and preserves pure. So, this is the Word of the Lord God to you all; Keep all in the Power of God over all the unrighteous World; which Power of God was before it was: In which Power of God ye will be preserved in Justice, in Truth, in equal Balance, and Weights and Measures, in the Truth, The Equal Balance. Uprightness and Honesty to all People. So all here in this are serviceable to God in their Generation, and to the Creation, and to God are a Blessing. Do rightly, that is the Word of the Lord God to you all, whether ye be Tradesmen, of what Calling, or Profession, or Sort soever, or Husbandmen: Do rightly, justly, truly, holily, equally to all People in all things; and that is according to that of God in every Man, and the Witness of God, and the Wisdom of God, and the Life of God in yourselves; and there ye are serviceable in your Generation, labouring in the thing that is good, which doth not spoil, nor destroy, nor waste the Creation upon the Lusts. And all Merchants whatsoever, Sea men, and Traffickers by Sea or Land; This is the Word of the Lord God to you all: Do justly, speak truly to all People whatsoever: A Terror to the Vnjusts Then are ye a Dread and a Terror to the Unjust: Wrong no Man, overreach no Man (if it may be never so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your Advantage) but be plain, righteous and holy; in this are ye serviceable to your own Nation and others, by your Change and Excharging of things and Merchandise, and to the Lord God ye come to be a blessing in the Creation and Generation. Live in the Life of Truth, and let the Truth speak in all things, and Righteousness; and let Justice be acted and Holiness in all things, without any Guile, Fraud or Deceit; so, that is wellpleasing to God and Men, and according to that of God in every one. And this showeth forth the Fruits of Believers, that are passed from Death to Life; from Death, which came by Sin, the Original of which is the Devil. So being come from Death to Life, which goes over him; over him, I say, who is the Author of all Unrighteousness. Now, in the Truth and Righteousness ye will all have Peace, Favour and the Blessing of the Lord in all things: And that keepeth out the covetous Mind, and covetous Desires; The Covetous Mind. the Power and Life of God, that goes over the Power of Death, which brought the Sin: That which keepeth over this, hath the Blessing and Increase of the heavenly Riches; and that shall not want the Creatures, nor any good thing from them the Lord will not withhold. So, be careful to do good in all things to all People whatsoever: In the Fear of God serve him, and be diligent, and not stubborn in any thing, but pliable in the Power of God, that keeps you over all the Powers of Unrighteousness; acting so in that, that ye may be a good Savour in all Nations Islands and Places where ye come, in the Hearts of all People, doing truly and plainly, uprightly, faithfully, justly and honestly, according to the Light of Christ Jesus in every Man; that ye may witness to all: Then will your Words, Lives and Conversations preach and manifest, that ye serve God in the New Life; and that ye have put off the old Man and his Deeds, which are unrighteous; and that ye have put on the New Man, which is renewed after God in Righteousness and Holiness, according to his Image. Loath Deceit and all unrighteousness, Hardheartedness, Wronging, Cozening, Cheating or Dealing; but live and reign in the Righteous Life and Power of God, Dealing. and Wisdom (that presseth all the other down) and to answer the good and just Principle in all People; and that will win People to deal with you, Doing Truth to all, without respect to Persons; to High or Low whatsoever, Young or Old, Rich or Poor: And so here you Lives and Words will preach wherever ye come. All Husbandmen and Dealers about Husbandry whatsoever, Cattle or Ground, Do rightly. to you all this is the Word of the Lord God; Do rightly, holily, justly, honestly, plainly and truly to all Men and People, whomsoever ye have to deal withal; wrong not any in any case, though it be never so much to your advantage: Deny yourselves, and live in the Cross of Christ, the Power of God, for that destroys Injustice; and without Holiness none can ever see the Lord; and out of Righteousness there is no true Peace. Therefore all, of what Sort soever, or what Calling soever, Do justly (whether ye be Masters or Servants, Fathers or Mothers, Sons or Daughters) to one another, and to all, Do that which is Just and Righteous, uprightly and holily; in that you will hve Peace, and see God. So in all Husbandry, Speak Truth, act Truth, doing justly and uprightly in all your Actions, Speak Truth. in all your Practices, in all your Words, in all your Deal, Buy, Selling, Change and Commerce with People, Let Truth be the Head, and practise it: And in all your Words let Truth be spoken: This brings Righteousness forth, and Deceit to the Judgment-bar. Wrong no Man, nor covet, nor cheat, nor oppress, nor defraud any Man in any case; but keep your Dominion in the Truth, in Righteousness, Holiness and Equity, in the Power, and Light and Wisdom of Christ. In this ye answer the Light of Christ in every one, and are a blessing to the Lord God, and to your Generation ye are serviceable; and come to walk in the New Life, in which the Righteous, Holy God is served: In which Righteousness ye have Peace; and in which Holiness ye see God: For the Kingdom of God stands in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost. So, speak the Truth, whether Merchants or Tradesmen, and all sorts of People whatsoever, in all your Occasions, and in all your Trade Deal and Do, The swift Witness. speak the Truth, act in the Truth, and walk in the Truth; and this brings Righteousness forth: For it answereth the Witness of God in every one; which lets every one see all the Deeds and Actions they have done amiss, and Words, which they have spoken amiss: So the Witness of God Within them ariseth a swift Witness against them, for their Words which they have spoken amiss, and for their Actions which they have done amiss, and brings them to the Judgment-Bar, and to Condemnation. Here Righteousness goes forth, and here the sweet Savour to the Lord God gins to ascend; and Truth and Equity ariseth both to be acted and spoken. So all Friends of what Calling soever, that dwell in the Power of God, The Just Principle in all. and feel the Power of God, and the Light of Christ Jesus: Dwell in that, act in that; that ye may answer that of God in every one upon on the Earth, with your Actions, and by your Conversations, and by your Words, being right, just and true: This goes over the unjust, untrue, unholy and unrighteous in the whole World; and reacheth to the good and true Principle of God in all People, which tells them when they do not do equally, justly, righteously and holily. So that is the Word of God to you all Friends, of what Calling soever ye be: Live in the Power of Truth, and Wisdom of God, to answer that just Principle of God in all People upon the Earth; and so ye answering of it, thereby ye come to be, as a City set upon a Hill, which is above that Mountain, that is in the whole World, that lies above the Just Principle of God in every one there, which the Power of God goes over. So, let your Lives preach, let your Light shine, that your Works may be seen, that your Father may be glorified; that your Fruits may be unto Holiness, and that your End may be Everlasting Life. Dwell in the Power of the Lord God, and Light and Life, with which ye may feel and see, before the Unrighteousness was; in this ye will know the Everlasting Righteousness brought forth, which answered the Righteous Principle of God in every one, to which they must come down, to lead them and guide them, to teach them to speak and act Truth justly, righteously and holily. And that hath the Dominion, which doth justly, holily and righteously speak, act and think; and this hath the praise of God; and they who do so, come to answer that, which God requires, To love Mercy, do justly, and to walk humbly with God. And this is more than all the Talkers of Justice, Righteousness and Holiness, Talkers of Justice. whose Life denies, what their Tongues profess and talk of: By that God and Christ is dishonoured. So these are no good Example, neither serviceable in their Generation nor Creation, nor any but they, who live in the Power of God, and in his Wisdom; in which they have the Righteousness, Peace, Truth, Holiness, Justice and Equity; These are comely and savoury both God and Man. And all, of what Trade or Calling soever, Keep out of Debts; Own to no Man any thing but Love. Go not beyond your Estates, Keep out of Debts. lest ye bring yourselves to Trouble, and Cumber, and a Snare; keep low and down in all things ye act. For a Man that would be great, and goes beyond his Estate, lifts himself up, runs into Debt, and lives highly of other men's Means; he is a waster of other men's, and a destroyer: He is not serviceable to the Creation, but a destroyer of the Creation and Creatures, and cumbereth himself and troubleth others, and is lifted up, who would appear to be some Body; but being from the Honest, the Just and Good, falls into the Shame. Therefore dwell every one of you under your own Vine (that know Redemption from the Earth) and seek not to be Great, but in that, and dwell in the Truth, Justice, Righteousness and Holiness; and there is the Blessing enlarged. And no one (of what Calling soever) run into Debt, Usury and Exaction; for many People have been wronged thereby; they that have taken of them, who by it have appeared great, and lived above what they were, and so would seem to be: Therefore be true and honest, holy and righteous every one, in that which ye have: Own nothing, but Love. Own to none any thing, but Love; and in that ye will feel the Blessing, and come to be serviceable in the Creation, serving one another in Love, and not in Oppression and Taxation. And that keeps all down, in the Power, Wisdom and Life of God; and bends all minds to strive for one another's good, and to help one another in that which is good, just and righteous, and serve one another in that; in that ye live in the Life, and in the Seed, the Power and Righteousness, that is everlasting, which is of God, and his Wisdom, through which ye come to answer the good, just and holy Principle of God in every one upon the Earth: In which Power ye have Dominion; in which ye come to live the Life, which is wellpleasing to God, a Life which shall stand, when the World is ended. And in this Life, Power and Wisdom of God, that is endless, ye are a Terror to all, A Terror to Defrauders. that are in the Wisdom below; ye are a Terror to all, that are in the unrighteous Actions and Words: And ye are a Terror to all, that are in the unjust and unequal do, and all the Defrauders, Cozeners, Cheaters, Over-reachers, Liars and Wrong-dealers. In the Power of God, and his Life, in which ye have Justice, ye have Truth, ye have Equity, ye have Righteousness; and it cometh to be to you, as natural; you Words, your Lives, your Conversations, your Presence and your Practices both judge and preach; and ye will be a Terror to all them in the just Life, and everlasting Righteousness, Christ Jesus; living in him and in his Wisdom, and walking in him, and speaking the Truth, as it is in him in all things; your Life and your Words are a Terror to all, that speak not Truth in their Deal, and to all that act not truly and righteously in their Do, your Lives do judge them, and are a Judge to them; and through your Constancy, Faithfulness and Life, which is Everlasting, ye bring many to Amendment: For both Life, Actions, Words and Conversation preach (all these preach to the unrighteous World) being in the Everlasting Righteousness, which over the World hath Dominion; through which Life, Power, Seed of God and Wisdom ye reach, and answer the good and just Principle of God in every one; and it will make them at last confess to you, though they may go on in the contrary for a time. So in that Power, Wisdom and Strength, that gives you Dominion over all, and to answer that of God in all, the Love and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ preserve and keep you all in his Wisdom, Life, Seed and Dominion, that to him ye may be a Blessing, and a good Savour in the Hearts of all People: And let all your Actions and Words be one with the Witness of God in all People, Amen. The Wicked and Unrighteous own Envy and Hatred, and with that they pay their Debt; but the Righteous, Just and Harmless, who own nothing to any Man, but Love, with that they pay their Debt. But Drunkards, Adulterers, Swearers, Rioters, who eat and drink, and rise up to play, and live in Pleasures wantonly upon the Earth, Fighters, Quarrellers, Envious, Malicious, , Unrighteous; all such Actions and Practices are judged out of the Power of God, and out of his Kingdom. AND all Friends every where, that are Shopkeepers or Merchants, or Factors, or any other Trades, keep low in the Power of God, and do not go beyond your Capacity, nor reach after things more, than ye can justly perform, and answer all Men; but all in your places be just and true, that ye may answer all Men within and without, and Truth and Justice in your Returns, that ye may keep your Words, So say, and so do; which is the Royal Law of Liberty in all your Trade, else ye are a Dishonour to Christianity. So say, and so do. therefore see your Business, that what ye do, and what ye say, ye may perform, that ye may not break your Words and Promises; for if ye do, ye go to Loss. Neither are ye Masters, of what ye take in hand; for a Master should be a top of things, and be in that, which can command things. And none to be Negligent in their Business, but give an Account by Words or Writings, how things are with them, when others write to them; so that none may Wrong one another in these outward things, nor oppress one another, but be serviceable one to another, Things beyond Ability. keeping their Words (their going into things beyond their Ability, makes them break their Words) keeping within their Compass with that which they may answer others, lest any should be lifted up. For it is bad thing to be lifted up, and to make a Noise and a Show for a time with other People's Goods, and cannot keep their Word, their Promise, their Day; such may be lifted up for a time, and Break and Fall, and go out as a Stink, and bring a great Dishonour to Christ and true Christians. And therefore, keeping your Word, your Day, and keeping your just Measure, your just Weight, that keeps down the Oppression: And by keeping to that just Measure and Weight, and to your Word and Day, Just Measure, just Weight. by the Power of God and his Spirit in your own Hearts, there the Blessing is doubled, there ye come to be Rich, and ye are a good Savour to God, and in the Hearts of all People. So every one strive to be Rich in the Life, and in the Kingdom and Things of the World, that hath no End; for he that covets to be Rich in the things of this World, falls into many Snares, and hurtful Lusts. And therefore let him that buys, or sells, or possesses, or uses this World, be, as if he did not: Let them be Masters over the World in the Power and Spirit of God, and let them know, that they own no Man any thing, but Love; yet serve God in Truth, and one another in their Generation. For Friends, if ye be not faithful in the Outward Treasure, and Outward Mammon, who will trust you with the True Treasure? Or who can believe, that ye have the True Treasure, The True Treasure. but that ye speak by hear-say of it? So, I say to you all, See, that ye are faithful in this Outward Mammon, this Outward Treasure of the things of this Life, of this World, faithful to your Word, faithful to your Days, faithful to your Promises, in all your Trade, Traffickings, Bargaining true and just, and righteous and honest in these outward Treasures or Mammon, concerning the things of this World, of this Life, of these outward Riches; just and faithful, true and honest Men and Women in these outward things: I say, as Christ saith, Who will trust you with the true and heavenly Treasure, if not as before? Therefore I say, to be faithful in these Outwards, that shows an honest Man and honest Women; faithful in all your Deal and Practices between Man and Man, and Woman and Woman, that showeth an honest Heart, and a faithful Man and Woman in outward things, that answers the faithful Principle in all People. So all Men and Women to be faithful in these outward things one to another, that shows the good Heart to receive the true Treasure, that ye may be faithful in it to God, who have been faithful in their outward Treasure or Mammon one to another. So, let every one's Conversation be without Covetousness; let not that be once named among Saints. Covetousness. And Do to all Men, as ye would have them do to you, that is the Law and the Prophets; if not, ye are judged by them both: For the Kingdom stands in Righteousness [mark, stands in it] and in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost [mark, in it.] FOR Holiness becomes the House of God: Postscript. Whosoever acts Unholily, it is that doth dishonour his House, and doth not become it: Whosoever acts Unfaithfully in this Outward Treasure or Mammon, The House of God. or in the true Treasure to God, is not justified in the Sight of God nor Man; for they are justified by Faith, through Faithfulness both to God and Man. For whosoever doth Righteousness, is of God; and he that doth not Righteousness, is not of God: For God loveth the Righteous, and delighteth in them; but not in them that do unrighteousness: For in the Righteousness they have Peace; but out of Righteousness People have Trouble. So all God's People, his Children, his Saints must be Holy, as he is Holy; and therefore do that which is holy and just in all your Lives and Conversations: And whatsoever ye do, let it be done to the Praise and Glory of God [mark that] Have God's Praise and Glory in your Eye in all your Speakings and Do, than ye will be preserved to his Glory, and then ye will honour him; and them that honour him, he will honour and beautify, The fine Linen. and cloth with the fine Linen, the Righteousness of Christ, that Men may not see your Nakedness. For God will have a holy People, to serve him in Holiness; a true People, to serve him in Truth, and in his Spirit, and in his new and living Way, above all the dead Ways, that are come by Sin and Unrighteousness, and Transgression of his Spirit, and Power and Command. So all ye, that know his Power and Spirit, live in it, that ye may glorify God in all your Lives, and Conversations and Words, that ye may answer that of God in all; that ye may glorify God in your Bodies, Souls and Spirits, which are his, who hath made them, and gives them to you for that End: To whom be Glory and Honour for ever, who created all for his Glory and for his Honour. So the Lord God Almighty keep and preserve you faithful in all things to his Glory and Honour for ever! He that walketh in his Integrity, is Just; and blessed shall be his Children after him, Prov. 20.7. Weights, and Measures, both these are an Abomination to the Lord, Verse 10. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 201. In the Stillness and Silence of the Power of the Almighty dwell, which never varies, altars nor changes, but preserveth over and out of, 3. Month 3. and above all the Changeable Worships, Religions, Ministers, Churches, Teachings, Principalities and Powers, with the Power of God, Stillness and Silence. which keepeth over all this, to the Kingdom of Christ, that is Everlasting, in which there is no Changing, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; all Power in Heaven and Earth is given unto him, of whose Light, Life, Power and Wisdom, Grace and Riches have ye received, which comes from him, that doth not Change. So, in that live, that doth not Change, the unchangable Life, the unchangable Mind, the unchangable Spirit and Wisdom, and the unchangable Worship and Church, of which Christ is the unchangable Head, who remains the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; in that ye will feel the Blessing and Presence of the Lord God of Life amongst you, The unchangeable Church and Worship. as ye all abide in the unchangeable Kingdom, Dominion, Power and Life, who are Heirs of it according to your Measures, who have received the Light, and received the Life and Grace, and the Power of a Kingdom and a World, that hath no end. So, wait all in it, that ye may be Possessors and Inheritors of the Kingdom, and of the Life and Power, which hath no end, and of the Promises, that are Yea and Amen; and let nothing, that is of the World, altar you, but keep ye in that, which keepeth you in the Everlasting Kingdom of God. The 3d of the 3d Month, 1661. G. F. An Answer to a Letter sent to G. F. concerning the Voluntary Contribution to the King. FRiend, To the Thing thou Queriest of me, concerning this Matter, Epist. 202. my Answer is: Seeing, that the King and his Friends desire it not as a Tax or an Assessment, but a Free Gift of the People, A Free Gift. which cannot be said is an Oppression; therefore it is left to all Friends, to do as they are Free. And what the World doth, Friends are not to look at, who will set up a thing, and dislike it; but Friends are to mind the Universal Power of the Lord God, that they may do that freely in their own Power, which they do, better than by Compulsion, Tax or Assess; for if all things were done so, it were the best, in the Free State, Bounty and Love, which would more break the Hearts of People, than by Force of Assessment and Tax. So, things are left to the Wisdom and Universal Spirit of the Lord God, The Universal Spirit. which goes over the Heads of all in the Fall; that with the Living Power and Wisdom of God ye may overcome them, and so do, as ye are Free. G. F. WHat Friends! Do ye reign as Kings? Epist. 203. Can they pluck never a one (of you) out of the Father's Hand? Are ye put forth? The Father's Hand. Do ye witness that Scripture fulfilled; put forth to follow the King of Kings (the Shepherd) who gives Life abundantly? In that let your Joy be still, and your Comfort remain; in which ye will feel the Endless Kingdom and Dominion: In that the Lord be with you, who is your Strength, Comfort and Fullness for Evermore, World without End! And Friends, Mind the Light, and dwell in it, and it will keep you a top of all the World; and the Seed of God mind, and know it, and in it be Content. Dwell in the Power of Truth, and be not Negligent in that, but Diligent, serving the Lord, every one in your Measures; that to the Lord God every one of you may be a Blessing, Be Diligent. and a sweet Savour unto him in your Creation and Generation, feeling and knowing the Lord's Power every one in yourselves, yea, the Power of an Endless Life, and of a Kingdom, that hath no End, and of a Dominion, that is over all Dominions. And in the Power of the Lord God Everlasting, ye may feel the Seed of God in every particular of you raised up, which doth inherit the same; that ye may sit down in your own Possession of Everlasting Life. And in that Meet together, waiting upon the Lord, and in it keep your Meetings, where ye may feel the Chief Shepherd leading you into Pastures of Life: And so, Meetings. the Blessing of the Lord be with you! G. F. To all Friends, Prisoners. DEar Friends and Brethren, Epist. 204. The Seed of God feel all in yourselves, which is the Heir of the Power of God, that ye may sit down in the Possession of the same; 3d Month 22. inheriting the Power, and the Promise, and the Gospel. The seed of God. In which Power of God is the Fellowship, being Heirs of the same, and Members of that Fellowship, which never hath an End, which brings Life and Immortality to Light; which Power of God was, before that was, which darkneth Life and Immortality from People. Walk in the Truth. So, walk in the Truth, than ye walk with the God of all Truth; and walk in the Righteousness, and then ye walk with the Righteous God in all Peace: Walk in Holiness, and then ye walk in that, in which ye see God; which they that do not, see him not. Therefore walk in the Power of God, which goes over the Power of Darkness, which was before it was; which Power of God is the Gospel, in which is the Mystery of the Fellowship, a Mystery (I say) to all the Fellowships, that are out of the Power of God. Therefore the Seed of God know, The Top-Stone laid. which is the Top-Stone, that it may be over all laid in you, which bruiseth the Serpent's Head, which is the fulfilling of the Prophets and Prphecies; which Seed brings to the Beginning, where are the Pastures of Life. So, in that Meet, in the Seed, in that wait, in the Power of God, in which ye have Life, in that keep your Meetings; which brings to feel that, which was before the Power of Darkness was. The Wisdom of God. And wait to inherit the Wisdom of God, that with that ye may be all ordered to God's Glory in his Life, in which ye may feel Unity with himself, and one with another, and his Presence and Blessings among you, in the Power and Seed of God, which was, before Enmity was; in which is the Unity, and the Holy Will and Dominion: Which Power of God brings from all the barren Mountains, where is Death, to the Begtinning, where is Life. My Love is to all Friends in the Everlasting Seed of God, that hath the Promise of Life, and doth inherit the same; in which is the Fellowship with God, and one with another. London, the 22d of the 3d Month, 1661. G. F. ALL Friends, Epist. 205. Live in God's Dominion, and Power and Life, which was, Storms and Tempests. before Storms and Tempests were, in which ye may feel Life and Dominion, Power and Victory, the Lord's Power being lived in, which was before Tempests were, in which ye will have the Victory. A Summer Religion. There is a Summer-Religion, which appears when the Sun shineth upon them; and in the Summertime all the venomous Creatures creep out of their Holes, Corners and Dens, and the Flies, Wasps and Snakes; but when the Winter is come, and the Storms and Tempests come, than the Summer-Religion is gone, than the Venomous, Viperous Creatures Religion and Works are gone. The standing Religion. But the Religion, that is in the Power of God, standeth, which was before the Devil was, and all his Works and Children. And so, that is the standing Religion, that is in the Power of God, which was before the Power of Darkness was. And Friends, ye that know the Light of Jesus Christ, and have tasted of his Power, by which ye come to be gathered into the Name of Jesus, do not forsake the Assembling of yourselves together; but provoke one another, and exhort one another to Love, The Love of God. and to Good Works, and let not Powers, nor Principalities, nor Prisons, Thrones, nor Dominions, spoiling your Goods, Mockings, Scoffing nor Reproaching, and Pluckers off your Hair and Smiters, separate you from the Love of God, that ye have in Christ Jesus, who conquered Death and the Devil, the Power of it, the Adversary, the Wicked One, the Enmity. Christ is the Life, the Light, the Love of God to Mankind; now ye coming to be gathered into him, who destroys the Devil and his Works, the Life that destroys Death, and the Light, Truth destroy Error. which destroys Darkness, and the Truth that destroys Error and all Falsehood, and the Power of God, that destroys the Power of the Devil, and being gathered into Christ and into his Name, Meetings. keep your Meetings in the Power of God and in his Light and Life, whose Gathering is above all other Gatherings in the Earth; and Christ's Name is above all other Names on the Earth. And feel the Seed of God over all that set, which makes to suffer; which was before it was, and will remain, when it is gone. From a Lover of your Souls, and your Everlasting Good. G. F. IN the Power of God that is Everlasting, Epist. 206. and doth remain in this your Day of Trial, in it stand, of which ye are Partakers, and are come to be Heirs of the same; and in it is your Peace and Kingdom. A Day of Trial. And though ye have not a Foot of Ground to stand upon, yet ye have the Power of God to skip and to leap in; standing in that, which is your Life, that is Everlasting. Who by the Power of God are gathered up to the Beginning, to the Endless Life, who have your Meetings in it, that neither Death, nor the Power of it can separate you from, nor out of the Power of God, for it was, before Death or the Power of it was; in that are your Living Meetings, Meetings. and Joynings and Building up the Spiritual Household of living Stones, gathered by and through the Power of God. In which Power of God is the Household of Faith, which Faith gives them the Victory, in which Power of God ye being, are gathered over Jews, Gentiles and the Apostate-Christians Meetings and Gatherings, who are in Enmity and Confusion, and out of the Power of God; that put the Wheat for the Tares, and so persecute the Elect, which Election was, before the World began, of which ye are made Partakers. Stand fast therefore in your Confidence, in that which is without End, in that in which the Endless Life is seen, in the Power of God, and Light; which rules over Powers, Thrones, Principalities and Dominions. The Power of God goes over them, and ye living in it, nothing can separate you from the Love of God, which ye have in Christ the Seed, which was, before the World began, glorified with the Father, who hath all Kings and Kingdoms in his hand, which is his Power; in that let your Faith stand: With which Immortal Power ye may all be clothed, which covers you and preserves you over the Mortal. And Prisons, Fetters, Dungeons and Sufferings, Prisons, Fetters, etc. the Royal Seed, and Heirs of the Promise, what are they to you, who are Married to the Lamb, who was Slain from the Foundation of the World; against whom they warred and banded themselves, and took Counsel together against the Lord, and his Anointed, who breaks their Bonds asunder; whom neither Death, Grave, nor all the Powers of the World were able to hold nor contain, but over all he risen (the Seed) and reigns, till he hath made all his Enemies his Footstool: Honour and Praise be to the Lord, the living God, that lives for ever! So all ye, which are gathered in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose Name is called, that Power of God, the Word, which was in the beginning, over the Powers of Darkness, before it was, and compelling Worships, Ministry, Maintenance and Churches were; this Gathering, Meeting in the Name. this Meeting in the Name, the Power, the unrighteous World cannot separate you from it; for it is over it, and was, before it was. In that Power have ye the Kingdom and Dominion, in the Power, reigning over all that, which hath been out of the Power. And ye that partake of the Power, have Power with God, in that we need not bid you, keep your Meetings; for ye are met and gathered into the Fold of Christ Jesus, and are put forth by him, and are brought from under that, that leads from God, by the Power of God. In this Gathering by the Power into the Name of Christ (which is the Power) with the Power he is felt in the midst, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and Prince of Life and Peace, and Prophet to open by his Power and Light in you all, and a Priest for ever, that lives to offer up the Spiritual Sacrifice and Praise to God; and he being among you felt, and in you all, ye will have every one of you, in your own particular, Joy, Peace, Comfort, Consolation, Assurance, Confidence and Satisfaction, when all Gatherings, Meetings, Heaven and Earth, Types and Figures, and Shadows and Prophets, and the Prophecies are ended. And Swearing before the Law and in the Law, and all invented Oaths since the Law, and amongst the Heathen, when these are gone, passed away and fulfilled, the Election, and the Seed, and the Gathering in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life remains and stands, and his Throne and Dominion; in which there is no Curse, but a Blessing. So, happy are ye, who are partakers of this, heirs of this Blessing, and heirs of the Promise, and of the Life, and of the World that hath no End; who have your Confidence and Assurance in him! So all ye, that have felt the Light, and have been turned to it, The Light. in that Light ye feel the Covenant with God, who is Light; which brings to be acquainted with the Life of God, and gives the Knowledge of Christ your Saviour and Redeemer, which is the Salvation to the Ends of the Earth. By which Light and Covenant ye are turned from Darkness, and the Power of Satan, that separated you from God, who was the Enemy, through whom ye had not Peace with God. But now being turned from him, into the Light and Power, in this Covenant of Light and Power ye have Peace with God (that destroys the Enmity) and are come to receive it; and so Heirs of the Kingdom, that is Everlasting. Be at Peace one with another, and in Love and Tenderness, and in the Wisdom of God order and preserve, and nourish and cherish all things to his glory; in which ye will feel his blessing, and treasure, and riches and Julness in you, with you and amongst you. So, put on the Armour of Light, that with it ye may be able to defend, and see, and walk, and stand against all the Arrows and Darts, that are in the unrighteous World, The Armour of Light. and before they were, as Children of the Light, and Children of the Day, where the Darkness is past. Put on your Breastplate of Righteousness, to save and preserve your Hearts and Minds, and to keep you from all that, which would defile and surfeit it, or cause you to be weary, or think the War or Time long: For the Power is Everlasting, and the Righteousness is Everlasting, that destroys the Works of the Devil, and him both, whereby the Seed of God comes to be set on the head of it all; The Shield of Faith. Glory and Praise be to him for ever! Put on therefore the Shield of Faith, by which Faith (your Shield) ye have the Victory. For Faith is a Mystery held in a pure Conscience, by which ye have Access to God; in which Faith ye please God, in which Faith ye have Unity, which gives you the Victory over that, which separates from God (the Enmity) In that Faith be Joyful, which is the Faith of God's Elect, that brings them over the World, and to that which was before the Foundation of it. And this is the Faith the Just lives by, by which he is saved and justified, by which he lives and conquers, anmd hath the Victory over the ; Glory to the Highest! PUT on the Helmet of Salvation, and take the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) your Helmet being on, The Helmet of Salvation. nothing can destroy nor hurt your Salvation, Christ Jesus being your Helmet and your Head, who destroys the Devil and his Works, the Sword of the Spirit, that mortifies, that crucifies, baptises, cuts off, plunges under all Corruptions, that have gotten up since the Transgression; then in the Spirit ye will worship God, and have Fellowship and Spiritual Weapons, and come to be Spiritual Men, and not as the Carnal World, that rules and wrestles with Carnal Weapons, and with Flesh and Blood. The Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands, will dash and break into pieces all the Cutters with Hands, and Carnal-weaponed Men about Religion, Church and Worship; and his Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom, and his Dominion hath not End. This Stone is that, which laid Nebuchadnezzar's head low, and brought him to eat Grass, like a Beast; who knew not the Kingdom of the Most-high ruling in Men. So ye, that know this Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands, ye all know the Kingdom of the Most-high God ruling in you, and his Dominion, which s Everlasting, and come to be his Temple. For there was but One Temple in the whole World commanded of God, One Temple. as a Figure of Christ, who would dwell in Man, in Male and Female, who should be the Temples of God, in whom should be his Name and Power: Blessings, Honour, and Glory and Praises be given to the Lord God for evermore, by all them who witness this. So all Dear Lambs, and Babes and Brethren, Happy and blessed are ye, who the Seed do know, which is Heir of the Blessings, and the Power and Life, and the Kingdom, and the World, that is Everlasting and without End. Be shod all with the Gospel, The Gospel. which is the Power of God, which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light, and hath and doth abolish Death; I say, be Shod in the Power, and then your Feet will not slip nor slide, and ye will not fall, and ye will stand steadfast, being shod with the Everlasting Gospel, in the Preparation of it. And standing in the Power, ye stand over the Workers of Iniquity, and all unrighteousness in the World, and slippery Ways, standing in the Power, which was before Death, Darkness, and the Power of Darkness and Death was, which hath darkened Life and Immortality from People, so that they could not walk, and get forward on their Way to the Lord. But in the Power of God (the Gospel) being in it, and with it shod, your Feet standing in the Power, ye over Death, Darkness, and the Power of it may stand, walk, go and leap (which was, before it was) there is Faithfulness and Steadfastness, and there ye may walk without Doubt. And keep the Word of Patience, and take unto you the Word of God; and who are born of it (of the Immortal Seed) nourished by the Milk of the same, up to Eternal Life, know things, as they were in the beginning, they feed upon that which Lives, and not upon that which is in the World, and in the Fall, which is below the Word, and below the Power, and below the Truth, and out of it; who know the Shepherd and his Crook, The Shepherd. which plucks you out, he shows you the Pastures of Life, in which ye must feed: Every one, that knows the Power and Light, and by it is guided and turned to him, feels and knows this. And so, ye that have the Word of Patience, ye have the Hammer, ye have that which was in the beginning; ye have that, which lives, and abides and endures for ever. Ye know, what the Hammer is to; and ye know the Word is a Fire, and what the Fire is to: So ye, that have the Word, have the Fire, which burns up all that which doth not abide, and doth not endure, and doth not live for ever, as the Word doth; which is the Word of Wisdom. So ye, that have the Word, have the Wisdom, which was in the beginning, before that which is below, was. So ye, that have the Word, have the Sword, yea, sharper than a Sword with two Edges; which will cut down all that, which hath gotten up since the beginning, which hath transgressed the Just Spirit, and burn up that which hath gotten up since the beginning, in the Transgression. And this is the Word, that makes clean, and reconciles to God; and is the Word of Reconciliation: The Word of Patience. And this is the Word of Patience to keep you; and ye will be kept in the Hour of Temptation, that comes upon them, that dwell upon the Earth. For the Word of God was, before the Tempter was, and goes over him, and destroys him; in that live, in his Life, that is Fternal, which doth abide. So in that the Lord Jesus Christ preserve you! For in that Patience is exercised, in that Word, which comprehends all that, which hath gotten up since the beginning; for with that ye may be tried. But the Word is over alol, in that live, which hammers, burns, cuts down and reconciles, against whom the Tempter and Temptation cannot come nigh to prevail; it breaks his Head. Neither meddle not, nor mix yourselves with the Powers of the World, nor things below; but live in the Power of God, which is peaceable. And forasmuch as we are scandalised, Plots and Plotters. as Plotters, we in the Power of God do comprehend the Power of Darkness; which Power was, before the Powers of Darkness were, which destroys Darkness, and the Power of it. And we cannot Plot, it is impossible we should; standing in that which destroys Darkness, and the Devil, the Power of it, who is the Author of Plots, and the Enmity in People's Minds, bondaging and bringing the Creature into thraldom; which we in the Power of God would have all Persons from under it, and would have no Man's Person in the whole World hurt; but in the Power of God would have all Men saved, and seek all men's Peace. And so in that, which manifests all Plots, and the Author of them (the Devil) and that which judges him, and destroys him and them, are we in, and are made Partakers of him, who redeems and saves, and heals and sets free, who is the Power of God. (So, all you who are Partakers of the Power of God, that have been turned to the Light, and received the Power of God, Christ Jesus, that hath given you Power to become the Sons of God; in which Light and Power of God, The Saint's Liberty. by which ye were turned to him, ye come up into the Liberty, the Liberty of the Sonship, into the Power of God, that doth redeem and save, and destroy that which leads from God, which doth defile, and destroys it, and giveth Dominion. That is the Power of God, in which the Saints have Liberty, where the Sons of God sing together, and praise, glorify, and honour their Father; to whom be Glory, Praise and Honour for Evermore! Who in him triumpheth in Glory, and can say, Emanuel is born, and a Son is given. So, all in the Life and Power of God's Seed and Wisdom, which is Everlasting, dwell, and know the Seed of God in every one of you, in your own particulars, Male and Female, which Seed is the Heir of the Promise, the Heir of the Wisdom, and Heir of the World, that hath no End, of an Endless Life, and the Heir of the Kingdom that is Everlasting, and the Heir of the Blessing, where there is no Curse. And every one an Heir of the Power, of the Blessings of the Kingdom, come to inherit, The Election. come to possess your own Inheritance, and then sit down in your own Possession; in which ye may know every one your Election (in the Seed) which was, before the World began, and so be Possessors and Inheritors of Life and Substance. The Substance is the Seed, the Top-Stone, on top of the Law, on top of the Prophets, on top of the Types, Figures, Shadows, Parables, and ends them all, and on top of all Heathens Inventions, though it hath been a Mystery hid from Ages. See now, the Seed, the Seed of the Lamb and his Marriage is known, and the Lamb reigns, where there is no Curse, but the Blessing. The Curse is out of his Dominion, who destroys the Author of the Curse, Wrath, Plagues and Woe, that hath the Blessing, the Seed, Christ Jesus. AND all Friends, Improve your Talents, that to you all it may be said, Well done, good and faithful Servants; for they who do not, The Talents. their Talents are taken a way from them, who have been Slothful, Complainers and Idle. Let your Lamps be burning, have Oil in your own Lamps, and Salt in yourselves; than ye are the Wise Virgins, that enters in with the Bridegroom. The Word of God cannot be bound, which makes Rich, which lives for Ever; in which is the Life. So, do not quench the Spirit, nor add to the Prophecy, nor diminish, that keeps you from the Plagues, and to see your Names written in the Lamb's Book of Life: There stands your Joy Everlasting, through which ye see the White-Stone, through which Light, Power and Seed ye do overcome that which is gone forth from God. So, ye dwelling in the Son of God, ye shall go no more forth, but shall inherit all things. So, Farewell! KEEP in the Power of the Lord God, that goes over all the World, Flight in the Winter. that none of your Flight may be in the Winter. And beware, lest any of your Flight be on the Sabbath-Day (which the signification of it is Rest) but all in the Power of the Living God abide, in which ye may feel Life, Peace and Rest, and an abiding Place; a secret Chamber to turn into, till the Indignation and Wrath of the Lord be past, which is to come over all Transgressor's. And if the Judgement begin at the House of God first, and the Righteous passeth the strait way to Salvation, where will the Hypocrites and the Sinners appear? Over whom the overflowing Scourge must come and pass. Therefore in the Life, Power and Love of God all dwell. And the Apostle saith, Forsake not the assembling of yourselves (as the manner of some is) but edify one another in the Light and the Life, as the Day doth appear: And to say, That People must not Meet together to worship God, they may as well say, Ye must not be Christians. For Persecutors were always blind, Persecutors. and they stopped their Ears to the Spirit of God in themselves formerly; so were in the blind Zeal, and turned against them, who were in the true Zeal, in the Spirit of God. Let this be carefully Copied over, and sent amongst Friends. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 207. Look above all Sufferings that are outward, at the Seed of God, which was, before that was, which makes to suffer; Sufferning for Tithes. and the Seed of God, Christ Jesus, will stand, when that which makes to suffer, is gone: And so, in the Seed of God live, and lie down in the same, which is Christ, the Life, the Way to God, the Father of Life. The Tithes of the Jews, and the Tithes of the Apostate-Christians must all be born Testimony against, by them that be redeemed from the Earth, and reigns above it, in his Life, and Power and Wisdom. And so, be of good Faith, and never heed, but make War in Righteousness with the Beast, Dragon, Whore and her Followers; for by the Lord many Walls and Troops have ye gone thorough and leapt over, and the Lord hath given you Dominion over that, which warred against you; and by the Power of the Lord ye have Overcome, and in the Power of the lord ye will Overcome all, and in it will stand, when all the contrary is gone. And know your Portion, and sit down in the Possession of it: So, every one of you to be in your Possessions and Inheritances, and with the Shield of Faith and helmet of Salvation, The Shrill of Faith. and the Breastplate of Righteousness, and the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, which was, before Deceit was, which will hammer, and break and cut down all that which is contrary. And being shod with the Preparation of the Gospel, which is the Power of God, which was, before the Fall was. In that Stand, in the Power of God, which was, before the Devil weas, and will remain, when he is gone. G. F. ALL ye Prisoners of the Lord for his Truth sake, Epist. 208. and for keeping the Testimony of Jesus Christ, against all the Inventions, Traditions, Rudiments, Will-Worships, feigned Humilities and Self-Righteousnesses, that are in the Fall (and are out of God's Power and Righteousness) who have no Weapons but Carnal, like themselves; your Patience must overcome all the rough Spirits in the World, and your Love must bear all things. For Patience obtains the Crown, which is Immortal, which runs the Race: So, it is the Lamb must have the Victory over all the unclean, airy Spirits, and over him that is out of the Truth. So, be Meek and Low, than ye follow the Example of Christ, Patience obtains the Crown. and come to bear the Image of the Just, who suffered by the Vjust; and put on his Righteousness, who suffered by the Unrighteous, whose Back was struck, Hair was plucked off, and Face was spit upon, and yet cried, Father, forgive them: Here he kept his Dominion, though a Sufferer, who had the Victory, which the Followers of the Lamb do (in Measure) attain to. So, put on Courage, put on Patience: Let your Loyalty be known for your King, that hath conquered the Devil, Death and Hell; in walking in Righteousness, Peace and Truth, feeling the Power of God preaching and reaching the Witness of God in every one, when Words are not uttered. And let your Faith be in the Power, that goes through all things, and over all things, and every one harken to it. So, the Power of the mighty God than ye will know, and his Arm, how it works, and the Hand, how it carries you, The Power and Arm of God. which will bring you out of Tribulation and Thraldom, and Spiritual Egypt, into Peace. And this is the Power of God, in which live and dwell, in which ye will feel him, which was, before Enmity was. And be at Peace one with another, than ye will live in the Prince of Prince's Peace, and in his Kingdom, Dominion, and Life, in which is Unity, which was, before Enmity was, and which destroys it. And so, in the Power of the Lord God ye are made strong, which goes over the Power of Arkness, and was, before all that was, which is out of the Power of God. And all People that are gone from the Witness of God in their own particulars, they are all weak and feeble, and staggering: All men's and women's Strength is in the Power of God, which goes over the Power of Darkness. So, feel all this in you, to carry you through all, and over all, and in it preach and Work for God, and let your Ear be lent to it, and hearken to it in one another, and by it feel the Seed raised up in one another, which is Heir of the Power; that ye may know each your Portion. For all People, that are gone from the Witness of God in their own particulars, that are erred from it, and hate the Light, they are full of Darkness, Sin and Iniquity, and are far from Inspiration and Revelation, Inspiration and Revelation. while their Minds are erred from the Spirit of God in themselves, that is hid from them. So, when their Minds are turned with the Light and Spirit of God towards God, then with it they shall know something of Revelation and Inspiration, as they are turned by that of God from the Evil, and emptied of that, than there will be some Room in them for fomething of God to be revealed and inspired into them. And there in that, they will have Prophecy, seeing things to come, being turned from the Evil that hath darkened them, and separated them from God; in which they will see the Covenant. through which they will come to have Peace with God. And all Friends, your Sufferings ye may gently send to them, Sufferings. which make you to suffer, whether it be Sheriffs, Deputy-Lieutenants or Justices, and let them see, Christ's Mind nor the Aposthes, were not to Imprison any, nor did they Imprison any; whereby ye may clear your Innocency to the Consciences and the Witnesses of God in all Men. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 209 In the Power of God and his Immortal Seed dwell, in which ye all will have Life Eternal, and inherit the Substance and Dominion, To Friends, in and about Nortolk and Lyn, etc. and a Kingdom of Life, which never fadeth, nor shall have an end. And so, dwell all in the Power of the Lord God, in which ye may all feel and know your Strength renewed, in that which is Immortal; and be of one Mind in the Power of God, and live in Love and Peace, knowing the Kingdom of the same, which stands in the Power of God, which was, before the Power of Satan. And your Fellowship being in the same Power of God, The Fellowship in the Power. your Fellowship is in that, which is Everlasting, and that never hath an End. And the Church-Fellowship is in God, and the Worship is in the Spirit, and in the Truth; which Truth was, before the Untruth was, and stands when all the Untruth is gone in the World: In this live and dwell, in which ye will all have Unity and Fellowship; in which ye will feel Life Eternal amongst you. In that Meet and keep your Meetings, and wait together upon the Lord, Meet in the Name. who are gathered together in the Name of Jesus; whose Name is above every Name. So is his Gathering above all other Gatherings; which Gathering stands, when all other Gatherings are ended. And not in any other Name under Heaven is Salvation brought, but in the Name of Jesus; in which Name are yur Gatherings; in which Name ye all know your Salvation, and shall all know it, as ye abide all in the Power of God, that keeps unto the Day of Salvation. And so, be Faithful unto the Lord God, minding the Seed, and feeling it, and knowing of it in yourselves; which destroys the Devil, the Destroyer and the Oppressor, Murderer and Liar, the Father of all unrighteousness and Ungodliness, and all that is bad, which the Seed destroys, which Seed is Christ. Therefore know that reign, and the Top-stone over all laid; in which ye will all feel Life, Heirs of the Power. and have Life Eternal, coming to be heirs of the Power of God, knowing every one that to be your Portion, and Heirs of the Gospel, and Inheriting it: Then ye possess Fellowshp, the Gospel Fellowship, which is Everlasting, which is the power of God. And so, Farewell! And the Lord God Almighty preserve you, and keep you. So, my Love in the the Everlasting Seed of God is to you all. From Mendlesham, this 11th Day of the 1st Month. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 210. Trust not in Man, nor in the Arm of Flesh, neither put Confidence in them, but in the Lord. Judge yourselves, and keep down the Boaster, Keep down the Beaster. and that which would be high; under Judgement keep that down, by the Power of God in yourselves, lest the Lord God bring upon you, something without you, to bring you down, who do not keep that down in yourselves. And therefore keep all that down with the Power of the Lord God in yourselves; and than ye will have Dominion over it all, in the Power of the Lord God. And live all in the Power of God, which was before the Fall, in which ye will have Fellowship over all the Fellowships in the Fall, The Fellowship in the Power. and above all outward things, that have an End; which Fellowship soeth over all that which is in the Strife. For in the Power of God your Fellowship there hath no End, which was before the Fall and Strife was in which is peace; which Fellowship will remain, when all that, which is in the Fall, is gone, and in which is the perfect Unity, which keeps over all such Spirits, which run into outward things; from which arise Quarrels, and Strife and Imperfections. And therefore keep in the Power of the Lord God, that is Everlasting, in which is the Fellowship, that hath no End; in that live and dwell. And feel the Seed of God over all that, whlch makes to suffer, and it will remain, when all that is gone, in that ye will feel Life over Death, and Light over Darkness. And so in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keekp you in the Dominon! This Day I came into the Isle of Ely, where I hear nothing, Isle of Ely. but things are peaceable, and Friends Minds kept over all the Bustlings in the World, and take little notice thereof; but minds the Power of God, which was before the Fall was; in which Fall are Bustlings. And so, to the Lord God be faithful- G. F. FRiends, All ye that have known the Way of Truth, and tafted of the Power of the same, and now turn back into the World's Fashions and Customs, ye stop them, that are coming out of the World, The World's Fashions and Customs. ye make them to stumble at the Truth, ye make them to question the say of the lord, which is out of the Way of the World, and its Ways; and ye grieve the Righteous, and sadden the Hearts of the Upright and Simple. ye had better, ye had never known the Way of Light, Life and Power; ye are the Cause of many keeping in Darkness; you are the Cause of the Boasting of the Wicked, and make the sicked to take you for an Example, and their Object against Truth, and them that live in it, to plead against its Ways. Ye had better never have been born; your Days will be Sad, Trouble and Vengeance will be your Garment and Clothing in that State; and a hard thing it will be for any of you to Repent, for you will find a more subtle thing in you, Repentance. than was before you knew the Way fo Truth; who have neglected hearing the Voice of God, through which your Hearts are hardened. Ye are the Cause of many Husbands and many Wives to boast themselves against the Truth, and Servants, and Children thereof; for in some Families, there are Servants Convinced, and Children Convinced, and in others there are Husband Convinced and not Wife, and Wife and not Husband, and Servants and not Master, and Children and not Parents. So ye, that turn from Truth, ye are the Object for them that are not Convinced, to turn against them, that are Convinced; Woe and Misery is for you! woe and Misery. Ye had better never have been born, nor known the Way of Truth; whose latter End is worse than the Beginning, when the Way of Peace is hid from your Eyes, and a place of Repent ance ye cannot find; tho' ye wash your Altar with Tears, being in the stained Life, where all the Tattlers, Tale-carriers, Persons, Envious, Tale-carriers. Murmurers and Complainers be in, and are out of the Life, and Power and Wisdom of God, which hath the Royal Dominion and Possession of the Royal Seed. Theresore Turn, turn all, that are not hardened, and past feeling, and hear the Voice, that the Way of Peace and Repentance, and the Way of Life and Salvation ve may know, and live in; and upon all your disorderly Carriages, Walkings, Words and Actions ye may come to receive Judgement, and through that ye may receive Power to live a New Life, in which God is served in the Truth, and not the Devil, who is out of the Truth; for in the Truth is the holy Unity and hte pure Dominion, and the everlasting Life promised and received, and the Royal Seed, which the Elect hath, wherein they have the Bread of Life. G. F. To a Friend under an Exercise of Spirit. KEEP Low in the Power, Epist. 212. and thy Eye in the Seed, that destroyeth the Devil and his Works, and bruiseth his Head; and live up in the Seed, which was before the Devil was, that in that thou mayst have Life and Peace, in that which was before Death was: And in the Seed Christ, thou wilt have Dominion over all thy Enemies, and see, before they were. And that which letteth thee to see thy Hardness, Darkness, Thoughts and Temptations, and the Tempter, and thy Confusion, Deadness and thy Wants, is the Light, and Power and Spirit of God in thee, which the Bad Spirit persuadeth thee to look out at. The Temper. And then thou murmurest and complainest, and art discontent, and not quiet, and then the Enemy and Death covers thee, and through that, the Mind comes to be unestablished. And therefore keep to the Good Spirit in thee, which doth manifest Sin and the Devil; and thy Mind being stayed by that, it will inform thee. And keep thy Mind in the Seed, in that is thy Life; and look at the Good, and not at the Bad, but over it. For it is not a Sin to be tempted; and that which the Accuser layeth to thee, and thy Mind being against it, and not yielding to it, it will never be laid to thy Charge: And that thou wilt see, as thou-with the Power of the Lord dost overcome. And God give thee Dominion in the Life and Power and Truth, in which is the Blessing and Peace; and the Lord God Almighty bless thee in that. Doubt not, faint not, question not; for Eve was deceived by the Serpent, the Questioner; therefore keep over him in the Power of God, and in that is the Reigning: And take not Belief from the Serpent, nor take Meat from him, but keep thy Fast from that, which is in the Fall; for that bringeth from the Lord, to feed upon the Accuser and the Tempter's Food, Keep thy Fast. that feeds unbelief. And therefore keep thy Fast to the Lord, and feed upon that, which comes down from above, in which there is Life; and that strengtheneth that Faith, which hath the Victory. And therefore keep good Faith, in him that was before the Devil was, Christ, the First and Last; and in him sit down, who is the Amen. And when thou hast been troubled, and resisted the Tempter, hath not the Angel of the Lord after ministered to thee, to the strengthening of thee? G. F. Dear Friends, Epist. 213. In the Life and Power of God dwell, by which ye were raised, and by which ye are nourished and refreshed, it is the sure Foundation, The sure Foundation. which shall never be razed out; for it is laid of God, and no Man can lay another. And ye, that feel the Life and Power of God in yourselves, ye feel Christ the Salvation, Righteousness and Wisdom of God, and so ye, by the Power and Wisdom of God are kept and preserved in Sincerity and Integrity to God; and thereby come to be established upon the Rock, which the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against, nor all the Fiery Darts of the Wicked touch. And in the Power of God, ye being gathered and established, ye stand and live in that, which scatters the Clouds, and keeps your Eye clear to the Lord God; by which Power ye see him (in measure) with a good Understanding, A good Understanding. through all the evil Powers and Spiritis, which work in the Darkness against him, and by the Power of God are preserved out of them, and set above them, where ye reign as Kings in the Immortal Seed of God, by which the Serpent's Head is broken, and his Seed destroyed. For the true Freedom is in the Son, The true Freedom. who suffered and died, and is risen again in Life, and hath brought Life and Immortality to Light again; in which Life and Light ye are the Children of the Most-high God, and Heirs of the Everlasting Kingdom of God, where ye have a sure Portion in the Joy, and Peace and Blessing of God, in which sit ye down and keep your Habitation. And the God of Life and Peace, and endless Love be with you all, and you with the Garment of Everlasting Praise; that in all things ye may give him the Glory, who lives for ever more. G. F. FRiends, the Power of the Lord God is over all them, Epist. 214. that keep on their Hats in Prayer, and they do not keep on their Hats in Prayer neither by the Motion, nor the Power of God, nor by the Spirit of God, Against such Apostates, as kept on their Hats in Prayer. but (by an earthly, dark Spirit) against it, and them that are in the Power of God: This was the first Ground of it, both in Jo. Perrot and his Company, when he run out, and J. N. when he run out; Opposition, the first Ground. and this first was done in Opposition to them, that were in the Truth, and in the Power of God; but the Power of God will crush to pieces that feigned, dark, earthly Spirit, and to the Earth and Pit itmust go, with all its feigned and false Pretences; and the Power of the Lord God, and his Truth reigns over it all. The first, that got up into this Posture of keeping on their Hats in Prayer against Friends, were the Ranters. Ranters. The next was J. N. but he quickly, by the Power of the Lrod, saw it, and judged it; John Perrot. and the next was Jo. Perrot, whose End was according to his Work, and so will those, that continue in it: For the Power of God is over them, Dark, earthly Spirits. and their dark, earthly Spirit; and the Power of God was, before they were, and will remain when that they are gone, and it reigns over them all: And that is the Word of the Lord God to you all. And for my part I had as leive see a Priest to stand up in a Meeting, as one of these dark, earthly Spirits with their Hats on their Heads, when that Friends pray; for they cannot deceive Friends. For I have been more burdened with their dark, subtle and Sophistical Spirit, than with the Priests, which had no more show of Reverence to God (in that) than to a Horse, whose outward seeming Righteousness hath deceived many; but the Power of God (which destroyeth the Deceiver) undeceiveth and bringteth People to that, which did first Convince them. And they that kept on their Hats, when Friends prayed, after a while some of them ran to the Priests to be married, and some to hear them in the Steeple-Houses; then this dark, earthly Spirit could bow, and put off its Hat to its own; the dark Spirit, which kept on the Hat in the Assemblies of the Righteous, in Opposition against the Spirit and Power of God: A Fainedness of Love. And so, this Spirit hath led People into a Fainedness of Love and Liberty, which the Power and Spirit of God cannot own, but judge and stand over, and reign over, if they keep their Habitations in the Power, and Life and Truth of God; which reigneth. If they, that are and have been in this dark, earthly Spirit, had but had a regard to the Power of God and his Truth, they would have been Tender, Offence given. and afraid of giving any Occasion of Offence, both to them that are within, and to them that are without, to draw out their Minds to look at that, which their earthly Spirit has promoted; and so to lay Stumbling-blocks, and set up an Idol, and an Image to look at, which draws People's Eyes from the Witness of God in themselves: But the Power of God is gone over it, and will break it down. And so, this Belial's Spirit, which would be without Yoke, cries (to such, as in Love exhort them, and judge it) Ye Lord over us. And so this earthly, dark Spirit (which is gotten above the Witness of God in themselves, which is not sensible of the moving Spirit and Power of God) it sets up its own earthly Form, which the Power of God never set up, An earthly Spirit. but judges. And this earthly Spirit judges all, that are gathered together in the Power, and that are constrained by the Power and Love of God, in a familiar way, to take one another by the Hand, through the dearness and nearness of the Love of God, and the pure, clean and holy Life; and also are moved by the Power of the Lord God to put off their Hats in Prayer. This dark Sophistical, earthly Spirit, thus hath judged these Practices of the People of God , to be but a Form, which are done in the Power of God, it being out of the Power itself, and the Fellowship and Unity of it. And because they, that are in it, are gone (from that which first convinced them) into outward things, and into their Form in the earthly Spirit, it judges those that will not follow them, that have lost the Power of God. And thus many of them are darkened with a cankered, rusty Spirit, which will corrupt them, and hath destroyed many: And this is that, Hardness of Heart. that has brought the Plague of Hardness of Heart, through which there has been Strangeness, and not Unity, nor Familiarness, nor Nighness in the Truth; for how should it, when they are gone from that, which first Convinced them? To that all must come, before they have Fellowship and true Unity in the Power and Truth of God; which, if that had been minded, it would have led to follow, Whatsoever things are Comely, whatsoever things are Decent, whatsoever things are of good Report, and such things as make for Peace: But this Spirit has followed the contrary, and therefore the Power of the Lord God, and the Life and Truth, is against it, and over it is gone, and reigns. And ye with your earthly Spirit and earthly Form, have given Occasion to the World to say, That the People of God called Quakers, are divided, some with their Hats on, and some with them off, and so they are opposite one to the other. And these are the Fruits of the earthly Spirit, which would bring Darkness and Earth over all; but the Power of God is over this dark and earthly Spirit, and the World, and them that are in it; and looketh upon them, and the World as one against the Truth, and the Power of God. And the People of God called Quakers, The Unity of the People of God. are One (and not divided) in the Power of God and his Truth; and in God's Power and Spirit they are in Unity in the Truth and Power of an endless Life. This I was moved of the Lord God to write. G. F. To Friends that Labour in the Ministry, that their Lives may Preach. DEar Friends and Brethren, amongst whom the Vine is manifest, Epist. 215. and who are (by Faith) grafting into it, The Vine made manifest. through and in which ye may bear Fruit to glorify God; be Wise in all things and Harmless, that your Lives, Conversations and Innocency may preach, and reach to the Hearts of all your Opposers and Persecutors. And be Faithful and Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, and Tender to one another in all Convenient outward things, for that is the least Love. And dwell in that which redeems you from the Earth, the Power of God, in which ye may know the Kingdom, which is Everlasting, and come to be Hairs of that; that ye may sit down in your own Possession, knowing the Seed of God, which was, before the Seed of the Serpent was, knowing the Birth born of the Spirit, The Birth of the Spirit. which was, before the Birth born of the Flesh was. And so, live in the Truth, by which ye may see over that, which stains, corrupts, cankers, loads and burdens the Creation; by which Power of God and Truth ye may answer the Spirit of God in all, which the Wicked grieve, vex and quench by their ungodly Lusts, and filthy Conversation and unsavoury Words. Fear not Sufferings which bring to wear the Crown: Fear not him, that can kill the Body only, Through Sufferings, the Crown. but can't hurt the Soul; for that that is Immortal goes over him. Fear God, and fear not him, hat can spoil the Goods; for the Earth is the Lord's, and the Fullness of it: But mind God's Power, and let your Patience be Perfect, and all your Words seasoned with Grace, that they may edify; by which ye may season the Earth, your Hearts being established in the same, over all the unsavoury Words and Talkers, and live in the Truth above them. And let your Backs and Cheeks be ready to the Smiters; that ye may overcome the Evil with the Good, and may heap Coals of Fire upon their Heads. For it is the Good, that overcomes the Evil, and the Lamb that hath the Victory; the rough Goat must not. So, let your Moderation be known unto all Men, honouring all Men, Honour all Men. that is, having them all in Esteem; that ye may set them in the Way of Salvation and Life: That the Power of God may come over them, that your Meekness and Gentleness may prevail over the rough, and in Boldness in the unalterable, holy Way you may be preserved; which is the New and Living Way, which is the Light and Life, which brings into Covenant with God, in which there is Peace. In which the Lord God Almighty give you Dominion, and preserve you by his Power, into the endless Life, where ye all may know Happiness and Peace in the Pasture of Life, where all the Sheep and Lambs feed; in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you! Let Copies be sent to Virginia and Maryland. G. F. To Friends in New-England, and the Islands beyond Sea. TO all my Dear Friends and Brethren, Epist. 216. among whom the Precious Truth and Power of God hath been declared, and joyfully received, whose Belief, Confidence and Innocency is spread abroad, who are come to the Vine, Christ Jesus, that is your Shade; whom Bonds and Death have not dismayed, for the Worth of Truth sake: And Fetters, Irons, Whip, Stripes and Spoiling of Goods, and the like Cruelties and Persecutions have not daunted ye, whose Courage, Valiantness and Boldness for the Truth, Valiantness for Truth. hath much appeared among a crooked and perverse Generation, that professed Christ, and among whom he hath not had so much place of Entertainment as in their Manger in the outward; Dens of Dragons. whose Hearts are Dens of Dragons and Places of Darkness, and whose Religion and Profession they have shamed, being unfruitful in the Ways of God and Christ, Workers of Darkness, whose Iniquity hath flourished and Sins, sprung as the Grass; that their Folly and Shame might cover them, and that they might be confounded in their Iniquity. So ye, in the Power of the Lord God, in his Might, and Strength and Hand, The Power of the Lord and Might. that brings your Salvation, stand; in which Power and Arm ye see over that, which brought Destruction; in which Power (that is, the Gospel) Life and Immortality cometh to Light, and captivateth that, which hide Life and Immortality; living in the Power of God, see over it, and in that standing, all your Feet are sure. In which Power of God (the Gospel) which goes over the Power of Darkness, and was, before it was, ye see before all Transgression, and how all things were Blessed; which Power goes over all that, which bringeth the Curse, Wrath, Woe, Misery, Thraldom, Bondage and Captivity, by which Power of God that is taken Captive, in that live and dwell; in which ye all have Unity, Peace, Concord, Love and Fellowship in the Gospel, which goes over the Enmity, and was, before it was; in that ye bind and unite, and are established, and are gathered up to Christ, who was, before Transgression was, which hath scattered from God. In the Power of God see over all the Meetings and the Gatherings, that are in the Transgression, unestablished like Water; in this Power is the Praying to the Living God, that lives for evermore: And then is the Gospel, that is Everlasting, The Gospel to all Nation. preached unto all Nations of Mankind, and all that are driven out from God in the Power of Darkness; to the intent that they may all come up again to God, and have Life and Immortality brought to Light by his Almighty Power; that expels Death and Darkness. So, in this Gospel, the Power of God, let all your Faith be and stand, then are ye all but One. And so all ye, that have tasted of the Power, sit down under your own Vine, and abide in it, then will ye bring forth Fruit through the Power of God and Christ Jesus, who is the Vine, The Vine. which goes over the Powers of Darkness, which is the cause of unfruitfulness. Which Power of God, Christ Jesus, destroys the Devil and his Works of Darkness; and dwelling all in the Power of God, ye will have every one of you a Habitation in it, For God's Power is sprung up in your Hearts, so, in no wise abuse it thorough Strife or Jangling, Strife and Jangling. for that eats out. But all in the Power of God live and dwell, which makes you subject to God, and one to another in his Fear, that keeps you from Sin and Evil, which is the Author of Strife; and through the Power of God ye will be all kept in Unity, and Peace and Love. And as many as Received the Light, The Light. Christ Jesus, the Power of God, which he hath lighted you with (who hath all the Power in Heaven and Earth given him) he will give you Power to become the Sons of God. Therefore every one receive Christ the Light, that hath enlightened you, and ye shall feel the Power, in which Light ye shall all have Fellowship; which Light will give every one of you, the Knowledge of the Glory of God, in the face of Christ Jesus, your Saviour. And in the Power of the Lord God, which hath gathered you over the Powers of Darkness, and all the Meetings therein, in that Power of God live, which is Everlasting, and keep your Meetings; Meetings. in that ye may feel Fullness of Life and Wisdom from above, before that which is below was, by which ye may all be ordered to God's Glory, and order all things under your hands to his Honour. Through which Wisdom ye may be a Blessing to the Lord God in your Generation, and a sweet Savour to him in the Hearts of all People upon the Earth, yea, the very Heathen, who are enlightened, to bring them to the Light, which Christ Jesus hath enlightened them withal; that they may come to the knowledge of the same Salvation or Condemnation. So, spread the Truth abroad, ye that are in it, and have it, which the Devil is out of, who hath darkened People from God, Spread Truth. and his Covenant and his Way; through which they are strangers to his Life and Kingdom, that hath no End, and Dominion, that is Everlasting; wandering in strange Paths in the dark World, that lies in unrighteousness, which the Devil hath made like a Wilderness, full of Briars and Thorns, that the Lambs in it can hardly walk or work. Yet work ye Vineyards and Plantations, to the renewing of People's Minds in the Light and Power of God, and the Knowledge of Christ Jesus, turning them from the Enmity and the Darkness (the Power of Satan) to the Light, and to God, that they may be Renewed into his Image and Likeness; that the Image of the Devil, and his Likeness, may be defaced, which is gotten up in the Hearts of Men and People, since the beginning in Transgression. So, bring them to the Great Sacrifice, the Lord Jesus Christ, The Great Sacrifice. the Seed of the Woman, who Offered up himself for the Sin of the World, the Top-stone, which is over all laid, who is Restoring by his Power, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth, who is Restoring all things into the place, as they were in the beginning, and Reconciling in one by his Power, things in Heaven and things in Earth, destroying that which made the Separation, and broke Unity, which is the Enmity in People's Minds, which the Light, that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the World destroys; through which all People come to have Peace with God, and Fellowship, who do believe in it. So, spread the Truth abroad, and be Valiant for it upon the Earth, Improve your Talon, and be the wise Virgins, with Oil in your Lamps; The Talon, and wise Virgins. that ye may enter in with the Bridegroom. Have Salt in yourselves, that ye may savour all things, and keep your Consciences clean and pure unto God and all Men. Live in the Cross of Christ, and rejoice in it, which is the Power of God, and goes over all that which lives out from God, and which is in the Transgression, and its Fruits to which it is Death; to this Cross, the Power of God, all must bend and bow. And in the Power of God is the Fellowship of the Cross, The Cross. which keeps over all the Fellowships in the World, and crucifies to them. And so, ye who are Heirs of the Power of a World that hath no end, and a Kingdom that is Everlasting, sit down in your Inheritances of the Power, of the Kingdom, of the Blessing, of the Promise, that are Heirs of the same; that ye may increase in the Everlasting, in the Blessing and heavenly Riches. And though the Oppressors of the Earth will not let you have a Foot of Ground, yet ye have the Power of God to stand in, and so ye that are Heirs of that, Oppressors. and Christ Jesus, whose the Earth is, and all things therein, and are in the Power of God separated from the Power of Darkness, the Devil, and are come into that, which was, before he was, ye have nothing to lose, for all yours is the Lora's. For they that are separated by Sin and Transgression, into the Earth drove, there they strick fast, and have much to lose; whose Hearts are surfeited with the Earth, and to that Glued; and all their Fellowship is out of the Cross of Christ, the Power of God, and are within the Power of Darkness, and its Dominion, over whom it hath the Supremacy; which the Power of God goes over, in which is the Son's Liberty, and the Saints Fellowship, that Lives for ever, thorough which they have Eternal Life. Let this be Copied over, and sent abroad to the Isls unto New-England and Virginia. G. F. ALL may Dear Friends and Brethren, Epist. 217. who of the mighty Power of God have tasted, in which it hath brought you to the Measure of the Life of Truth, Concerning Judging. and to feel after God in it; unto which ye are turned, as a Way that is Living and has no End, which is Christ Jesus, who is the Way of Peace, and destroys the Devil, the Author of Strife. All ye, that are turned unto this living Way by the Power of the mighty God of Heaven and Earth, Live in Peace one with another, and Unity; and do not Judge one another, for that eats and wears out the Good, and begets the Enmity; and hinders growth in Truth: Keep that down, and live in Love and Peace, that edifies. And all every where, unto you, this is the Word of the Lord God, Live in the Power of the mighty God of Heaven and Earth, that goes over the unrighteous World, The Power of the mighty God. in which is the Strife, and the Devil and his Works; which Power of God was, before they were; in that ye will feel Unity, which was before Strife. So dwell in that, in which ye may have a Kingdom, that hath no End, and the Dominion that is above all Dominions upon the Earth. In which Power of God ye may enlarge your Borders, and spread Truth abroad both to Jews, Christians and Heathens; having the Power of God, that goes over them all, and was before they were. With that Power of God ye will answer the Witness of God in all, and bring them to that; that with that they may have a part in the Kingdom of God; and a share with you of the same; in which ye will have Peace, Life, Joy, Dominion and Prosperity. And so, it will be your Life to do good, and to beget into Life, up to God; and in that Power, that doth so, Do good. ye will not labour in vain. But above all things take heed of Judging one another, for in that ye may destroy one another, and leave one another behind, and drive one another back into the World, and eat out the good of one another; and so hinder Unity, hinder Growth in the Life and the Power of God, in which ye should have Peace and Joy in one another, and Love, which edifies, and overcomes, and gets the Victory. So, go on in the Truth, answering it in every one in the inward parts, and in the Power of God, which comprehends Deceit, The standing Fellowship. which was, before it was, in that is your Life, and in that the Kingdom is felt, that never hath an End, and the Dominion over all Dominions; in that stands your Peace and Joy, in the Holy Ghost, which is the the Spirit of God, that plungeth down that, which made the Separation from God; in that will be your Fellowship, which will stand and remain, when all the Fellowships of the Earth are gone. In which Fellowship in the spirit ye will have Fellowship with God, the Father of Spirits, and all the Scripture given forth from the same Spirit, and with all the Saints, that gave them forth, and with their Spirits; through which Spirit of God ye will be brought, and come to the Spirits of Just Men, which are made perfect, and to God, the Judge of all. In which (as I said before) ye will have an Everlasting Fellowship, in which Spirit ye will have an Understanding, in which Spirit ye will come to worship God, the Father of Spirits, and in the Truth, which the Devil and his Works are out of, and all the Will-worshippers. So, in that ye will know the Royal Dominion and Royal Fellowship; in which Spirit ye will have the Spirit of Wisdom, in which ye will know how to pray to God, who is a Spirit, and to praise and glorify the Everlasting God, who lives for ever and ever Amen! And in that ye will come to know and see to the Beginning, before the World began, and that which quencheth, and grieveth and vexeth the Spirit of God, and that prayeth, and that preacheth, and that praiseth, and yet grieveth, and vexeth and quencheth the Spirit of God; such God, the Father of Spirits accepts not, that judges, rend to pieces, and tear one another about Inventions. Now ye being led by the Spirit of God up to God, the Father of Spirits, in which ye have the Fellowship, out of all that you will be kept; and in that Spirit of God the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keep you, and in that meet and dwell, Meetings. in which your Meetings may be preserved over all that, which is in the World, that are out of the Spirit of God; who are in Confusion, contending about the Words. Therefore ye in the Spirit of God, answer that of God in them all. So, in that dwell and live, and let no man take your Crown. Send Copies of this to all Friends that are convinced in New-England, Barbadoes, and all the Islands (thereways.) G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren, Let Patience possess your Souls, Epist. 218. and in the Seed of God dwell; that over all the Top-Stone may be laid and set. And the Kingdom of Peace dwell in, which hath no End; To Friends in Ireland. in which ye will feel the Supreme Head: And in the Power of the Lord keep your Meetings, which was, before the Waves were, or Winds either. So, in that look over all, and keep in the Faith, by which ye will have Access to God over that, which separates from God; in that ye will have Unity, and will not fear the Amazements, which are in the Sea, Fear not Amazements. because of the Winds, and Storms and Blustering, who know the Election, which was before the World began. And live in Peace and Unity in that, and send over, how things are among you (I am in the North at Swarthmoor.) And Dear Friends and Brethren, be not troubled, but dwell in the Seed of God, whichgoeth over all this; and remains and stands, when all this Blustering is ended and gone. Therefore look at the Lord above all, and his Arm: For God had a Rid in secret, to fetch down these Persecutors, A Rod jam secret. which have long reigned in their Wickedness, until they were neither fit for God, nor Man hardly. So again, God hath a Rod in Reserve, to bring down these Spirits, which have been a Rod. Therefore all dwell in the Power and Spirit of God, which which ye will comprehend all that, which is to change, with that which doth not change, and hath no End; in that live, and ye will have an Everlasting Unity: And to you this is the Word of the Lord God. G. F. ALL my Dear Friends, Epist. 219. Dwell in the Life, and Love, and Power and Wisdom of God, and in Unity one with another; and the Peace and Wisdom of God fill all your Hearts, that nothing may Rule in you but Life, which stands in the Lord God. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 220. Truth is that which is Pure, and is that which the Serpent is out of; for there is no Serpent in the Truth, and it admits of no Impurity: And so there is no Serpent in the Way of Truth, to by't and hurt any; for the Way being the Truth, is the same as it was in the Beginning, though many things have risen against it: Yet it remains the same Pure Truth, and Holy Way. So if any (one) have gone from it, they are for Condemnation and their Works. And when any thing is once condemned and judged, let it not be raised up again, but keep it in the Grave, and raise not up the Dead out of the Grave any more; they living in the Life and Light which doth Condemn and Judge it. And all live in the Love of God, which gives Dominion over all, and Unites and Edifies all that abide in it. If among Friends, Reports to be stopped. any Reports or Surmises be, about any, or any Backbitings, or Whisper, all such things must be stopped and searched out; for thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not raise a false Report among my People. And that some of the faithful Friends of every Meeting, whose Sincerity is for the Glory of God, his Honour, and his Holy Name (into which they are all called) may be chosen to search out such things, and follow it till they find out the Author or Authors of it, that it may not lie upon any, nor in any; but that all may be cleared and taken out of every Mind, and all the Reports stopped; and the things that are for Judgement, let them be Judged and Condemned. And furthermore, That Friends take notice of all such Friends as go to Sea, Seamen, Merchants, Masters of Ships and Passengers, abroad and at home that profess the Truth, That if they have any ways dis-honoured the Lord God, and brought an evil Report, either in their Trading, Lives or Conversations, upon the Truth and the good Land, Directions towards Seafering Persons. and dishonoured the Lord God and his Name, Truth and People; that they may search into the bottom of it; that so, if they have done any thing worthy of Condemnation and Judgement, it may be passed upon them without any Respect of Persons: And, if the Report be false, let their Innocency be manifest, and the Reporter reproved. And so, that all that profess Truth, may walk in the Truth, and the Light of the Lord, who are Children of Light, who have their Name after the Living God. And all to be circumspect, diligent and careful in all these things, that in no wise God may be dishonoured; but in all things your Lives and Words may Preach, that profess the Truth. And all them, that have gone from England and dishonoured God beyond Sea, to write over Sea, to search out and know the Ground of the Matter, that all Obstructins that have hindered the Glory of God, and the spreading of his Truth, may be taken away; that the Lord's Name may not be dishonoured, nor his Way and Truth evil spoken of. And so, all Reports being searched into, in all the Plantations, concerning Friends there, that if any one hath done any thing to dishonour Truth beyond Sea, let them come to Judgement and Condmnation, and give forth Papers of the same, that the Papers may be sent abroad to take off the Reproach from the Innocent, and so answer the Witness of God in them through their Repentance: And, if they will not write their own Condemnations, than Friends must write and deny them, and take it out of the Mouths of the World. And all Friends, that have dishonoured God and his Truth and People, and Friends have been to Admonish them in a Gospel-Way, and they still go on in their Wickedness and not Repent; Friends may draw up a Paper at their Meeting (when they are clear of them) against them and their disorderly Walking, and unruly Spirits, and Looseness, in general Words, not mentioning the particulars, except they be notoriously known: And Friends to do this with speed, Cancerning the disorderly. and to bring it to the Meetings; and if any one be known to be an open Offender, that then there may be an open Testimony against him in the particular; showing how that we have no Unity nor Fellowship with such Workers of Darkness, and how that they cast out themselves from amongst us, being gone from the Life and Power of God; in which our Fellowship is. And that Copies of theh Paper may be read in Meetings, and the Copies of the Papers to be sent to the Men's Meetings in the Countries where they live. G. F. MY Dear Friends all every where, the Power of the Lord God, Epist. 221. that first Convinced you, and his Light and Truth, all wait and walk in, and keep your first Habitations in the Power of the Lord God, and in his Light, and Life, and Spirit, by which all your Minds may be stayed, and kept up to the Lord God, in the unchangeable Light, Life, Power and Spirit. And so ye living in the unchangeable Life and Light, ye see Christ, that does not change, but ends all Changeable things, Types, Figures and Shadows, and destroys the Author of all evil Inventions and Traditions among all the Sons and Daughters of Adam in the Fall; and so live all up in the Royal Seed, in which ye have Life, which Life was before Death; walking in the Light, which was before Darkness, and in the Power of God, which was before the Power of Darkness was; which Power of God will keep you out of all feigned Spirits, creeping in a pretence of Love and Innocency, to draw your Minds out from the Power of God, and your first Habitations, into some outward things; which will draw the Mind outward from the Power, and so from your Habitation of Peace; through which, trouble will enter, as it hath done upon some, which now do see, how they have gone from their Habitation. (Therefore in the Power of the Lord God, which is Everlasting, in which is the Fellowship, Live; which Power of God is perfect, in which is the perfect Fellowship, which was before Imperfection was: In which Power of God is the Joy and Life; and ye keeping in your Habitations of the Light, Life and Power of God (the Gospel) by which you all see and discern your own Conditions, with the Spirit of discerning, laying hands on no Man suddenly, Spirit of discerning. but proving and trying all things; seeing your own Conditions by the Power of the Lord, and his Light, by which ye may have the Spirit of discerning, waiting and walking in the Truth, that ye may adorn it; walking in the Truth, which was before Untruth was.) And whatsoever is comely, decent, and of good report follow, and walk in, which is to the answering that of God in every one; for living in the Power of the Lord God, through which ye have every one a Habitation in God; by the Power of God ye will come over Enmity, and see before it was; for its Habitation is in the Earth, and some outward things, but the Power of the Lord God, and the Truth he is out of (who is the Author of Enmity) and being gone out of Truth, seeks to bring others out of their Habitations, the Power of God. Therefore live in the Power of the Lord God, and keep your Habitations in the Light and Spirit in your own particulars, that by it all your Minds may be subjected to God; in which you may all live in Peace, Love and Unity, and the Royal Spirit and Seed of Unity and Dignity, which keeps over the Spirit of Strife, and was before it; for the Strife among the Sons and Daughters of Adam in their Fall from Righteousness and Holiness, and the Image of God is about these outward things. Therefore mind the Power of God, and the Righteousness and Holiness, and your renewings into it (which was before the Fall was) and follow that which makes for Peace in the Truth, and in the Life and Power of God, which Peace will stand, in the same dwelling in Love and Unity, by which ye may all honour the Truth, which will keep you over all the fallen Spirits, that are striving, and are busy about that which is in the Fall, manifesting that they be fallen from the Power of God, and gone from their first Habitation; in which Power of God is the Peace, in which the Kingdom stands. Therefore all mind that, and to be Heirs of that Kingdom, that stands in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost: And so feel the Seed of God over all that set, that makes to suffer, which was before that was, and will stand and remain, when that which makes to suffer is gone, in which you may all feel the Life, which was in the Father before the World began: and feel Christ to reign amongst you, who is the Prince of Peace and Life; and this will keep you from being tossed and carried about with strange Doctrines (for the Seed Christ was before they all were, and will remain when they are all gone) in a pretence of new discoveries and outward things, to bring People's Minds from their Habitations of Life and Truth, which comprehends all things, and see all things. Therefore mind the Spirit of Truth, and the unfeigned Love, and Faith that works by it, over all the Feignedness, that by the Shield of Faith, the Sword of the Spirit, that may be cut down, that none may be deceived by that, but keep the Unity of the Faith, that gives you the victory and access to God, and the Unity of the spirit, the Bond of Peace, and the Fellowship of the Gospel, which is the Power of God; which Power of God was, before the Power of Satan was, in that Live, and Meet and Walk in the Name of the Lord, which is a strong Tower (whose Name is the Power) and in the Tower is the Safety, over Wickedness, and before it was; sitting under your own Vine, and abiding in it, than ye abide in Christ, by whom the World was made, who is the Light, Life and Truth, and the Power of God; and as ye abide there, ye bear Fruit to the Glory of God, and through him ye come every one to have a Habitation in God, who brings out of the Fall, where the Curse is, to the State that Man was in before he fell, in whom the Saints sit down, in whom are the Pastures of Life, and riches Eternal, Everlasting, and the Blessing of the Lord, that with that ye may be clothed. And so Farewell! My Love to all Friends in the Everlasting Seed of God, that never changes, which was before Change were, and stands when all Change are gone, that ye may know Christ to reign amongst you, the Prince of Life, and the Prince of Peace, and the Counsellor, hearing the Voice of the Light, the Life, the Power of God, and Truth's Voice, which goes before you, who will give you Life abundantly, even that which is Eternal. Now the Professors may see, that the Hireling is fled and flies, because he was an Hireling, whose Religion was for the Summer, whilst the Sun shined; but in a Storm, a Tempest, a Mist, or the Sun Clouded, their Religion they flee from; his Flight is in the Winter: So the day manifests all things. Our Religion is in the Power of God, before Winter-Storms and Tempests were, Mists, Fogs or Clouds; in the Light, which shines over them all is our Religion, that does not change, in which there is Fruit born in the Winter; by which Power of God all their Religions are seen, which must have an end, and will have an end, which People runs into. But in the Power of God, and his Righteousness and Holiness, which was before the Fall was, live; which power of God never altars not changes, in which is both Life and Peace which remains for ever, in that dwell and live; and be Faithful and Valiant on Earth, your Hearts established with Grace, and your Words seasoned with the same; keeping yourselves in the Love of God, and in the Life, in which is Peace, through which ye may be all a Comfort one to another, living in the Life, in which is the Everlasting Fellowship. And so in that the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all. Let this be read in all your Meetings in Barbadoes, New-England, Nevis, and sent to Jamaica, Virginia and Maryland, to Friends there; and to all the parts in the World, where there is Friends: A general Epistle to them all, from Colchester in England. G. F. The 10th Day of the 11th Month, 1662. A General Epistle to be read in all the Christian Meetings in the World. Blessed is he that readeth, and blessed is he that heareth and understandeth, and the eyes that see. Read this over, and you may read that which you have not read, and see that which you have not seen. MY Dear Friends all every where, in the Seed dwell, which is Christ the top-Stone over all; Epist. 222. feel it laid, in which is Life Eternal; which is over Death, and before Death was, and the Devil, the Power of it; every one sitting under their own Vine, which is Christ the Life, by whom the World was made, that in that ye may all bear Fruit to God; and all walking in the Name of the Lord (which is the Power) than you will walk in safety: For blessed are all you that rise in the Power of God, and lie down in the same Power; your Beds are pair, holy and undefiled, who lie down in the Power of God, before Unholiness was. And so you that are gathered in the Name of Jesus, who have bowed to the Name of Jesus, whose Name is called, The Power of God, and the Word, Light, Life and Truth; and for bowing to his Name, for his Name sake have ye suffered all along by many Powers; Christ a strong 'tTwere. his Name is a strong Tower: So who have bowed to the Name, and gathered in the Name of the Lord, ye are in the strong Tower, in which is safety and Peace; for being gathered in the Name of Christ Jesus, whose Name is above every Name (for all things that was made, was made by Christ) above all other Names and Gatherings are you gathered, who are gathered in the Name of Jesus Christ, by whom all things were made and created; and being gathered in the Name of Jesus Christ, by which Salvation is brought, by the Name of Christ, and not by any other Name under Heaven, but by the Name of Jesus Christ is Salvation brought, by whom all things was made. So ye being gathered in this Name, by which Salvation is given, here ye come to be Heirs of Salvation, and then to Inherit Savation, which is Christ; and by this you come to fathom all other Names under the whole Heaven, and to see them, that there is no Salvation in them; and so likewise all other Gatherings in all other Names, no Salvation in them; therefore cry People, There is no assurance of Salvation upon the Earth, who are gathered in other Names, but not in the Name of Christ, by which Salvation is brought and given; by the Name of Christ, by whom all things were made; and this is the standing Gathering; in the Name, in the strong Tower, where is the safety, where is the Salvation given and brought. Rejoice ye all that are brought into this Gathering, and have bowed to the Name of Jesus. Now to bow at the Name of Jesus, who is called, the Power of God, is to bow to the Power of God; all things in Heaven, and things in Earth, must bow to the Name of Jesus, before they be Reconciled to God; Bow to the Name of Jesus. for all things in Heaven, and things in Earth, are Reconciled by him in One: So they must bow to the Name of Jesus, as they have bowed to the Evil, through which they are at difference one among another, and not at Unity, but bowing to the Name of Jesus brings to Reconciliation; for all things in Heaven, and things in Earth, must bow at the Name of Jesus, must bow at the Power of God, before they be Reconciled in One. So bow at the Name of Jesus. 2dly, You must bow at the Cross of Christ, which is the Power of God, which since the Apostles days the Apostate Christians have lost; and therefore they bow to a Cross, a Stick, a Stone, a piece of Iron, a piece of Wood: Now bowing to the Cross of Christ, which is the Power of God, that strikes over the Nature of fallen Man; for who bends, and submits, and yields, and bows to the Power of God within, feels it to rise over, and strike over, and work over the carnal Part, and that Part that turns into ungodliness, and all that is bad, and is a cross to it. So bow to the Power of God: If all Christendom had done this, they had had a Fellowship in this Cross of Christ, which is a Mystery; but a Cross Stick, a Cross piece of Wood, or Iron, or Stone, Crosses of Wood, Iron and Stone. this is not a Mystery; but the Power of God, that crosseth down the earthly, carnal, ungodly Part in Man and Woman, and works over it, and strikes over it, and goes over it, and crosseth it. There is the Mystery of the Cross of Christ, the Power of God, in which is the Fellowship; which Power of God keeps the Mind over all outward things, in the Everlasting Power of God above them; for the Power of God was before Unrighteousness and Uncleanness, and the Idolatrous Part in Man was; which Power of God is a cross to it, and in that is the true Glorying in the Cross of Christ, by which ye all are Crucified to the World, and Dead to the World, and the World is Dead to you; Dead to the World through the Power of the Cross. and the World is dead from the Power of the Cross (in which Power is the Fellowship of the Cross of Christ.) 3dly, The Fellowship of the Gospel, the Power of God, expels away all that which hath darkened the Understanding, darkened the Mind, darkened the Heart; and by the Power of God, Life and Immortality is brought to Light in you; by which Power of God ye come to see before that was, that hath darkened you from Life and Immortality, and over that, Life and Immortaliy shines, being in the Power of God, which was before that was, that had darkened Mankind; and the Power of God (the Gospel) expels away that which burdened your Spirits, Minds, Hearts, Consciences and Souls; so that being driven away by the Power of God, and the Mind set at liberty, the Spirit, the Conscience, the Heart, the Soul that is Immortal being brought up by the Power of God, here the Soul hath its pleasure in God; then, by the Power of God, Man seethe over that which hath burdened his Spirit, Mind, Soul and Conscience, and beyond it, and before it was; where the Spirit, Soul, Mind and Conscience cries glad Tidings: And here is the joyful Gospel, and here is the Faith in the Everlasting Gospel, the Power of God; and here is Life and Immortality come to Light through the Power of God (the Gospel) which Power of God, the Everlasting Gospel, was before that was, that darkened Man from Life and Immortality, and hath loaded People's Minds, Hearts, Souls and Consciences; the Power of God was before that was, and remains when that is all gone. So now, ye that are come to be Heirs of the Gosepl, know it your Portion; for as a Man is Heir of a Piece of Land or Hours, it's his Portion (which must have and end) and he comes to Inherit it: So Heirs of the Gospel, it's the Portion of Man and Woman; and they that Inberit it, they Inherit the Power of God, which hath no end; which was before the Power of Darkness was, which hath darkened People from Life and Immortality, and loaded their Spirits; but being Heirs of that, which was before that was, here you Inherit the Gospel, you Inherit the Power of God, in which is stability; here you are Church-Members, and here you are Living Stones, and here you are built up together a Spiritual Household; here the Church in God is known (the Father of Christ) who is the Way to God, where the Church is; for now, as Adam and Eve were driven from God, and being in the Fall, there Sons and Daughters have their Churches enough, heaps upon heaps, one against another, and Heads of every Church, and there they plead for Sin while they live upon the Earth; but the Church that is in God, the Father of Christ, doth not so; for as Mankind was driven from God, they must come up again out of that state, where they are defiled, and be washed, sanctified and cleansed, and brought up out of the Fall, up to God again. If they come to the Church that is in God, and the Fellowship which is the Gospel-Fellowship, which is the Power of God, in which is Stability, before that was, that hath unestablished People; the Gospel, the Power of God was, and before the Devil was, that hath unestablished People: In which Gospel is Peace, Stability, Life and Immortality, which is come to Light again: In this is the Church-Fellowship with Christ in God, which will stand; for the Gospel is Everlasting; the Church of God is the Pillar and ground of Truth: Therefore this will stand, when all other Churches and Fellowships amongst the Sons and Daughters of Men in the Fall, will have an end: Pillar and Ground of Truth. The Church in God will stand, the Pillar and Ground of Truth, and the Fellowship of it will remain. Therefore, ye Heirs of the Gospel (and Church-Members of it) inherit it, and sit down in the Fellowship of the same: And this is beyond all the Writings, Subscribings and Promising to the Church-Fellowships that be among the Sons and Daughters of Adam in the Fall; that when a storm comes, or a Tempest, they fly from their Church and Fellowship both: But the Gospel stands, the Church in God stands, the Pillar and Ground of Truth; which the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against. 4thly, Worship in Spirin and Truth. The worship of God is in the Spirit and in the truth, that's the Public Worship which Christ set up; he preached it when he put down the Worship at the Mountain, and at Jerusalem, and said, God is a Spirit; and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth; and the hour is come, and now is, that the Father seeks such to worship him: Then the Hour was, that Worship was set up, above Sixteen hundred Years since, when he denied and put down the Worship at the Mountain and at Jerusalem, where the Forefathers worshipped: So this Worship in the Spirit and in the Truth, was contrary to the Forefathers: This is the Public Worship, and this is not private nor particular; the Nations Worships are particular, which the Sons of Adam are broken into the several Worships one against another; but this Worship in the Spirit and in the Truth, hits all Men and Women; they must come to the Spirit in themselves, and the Truth in the inward parts; this is public, this is not a private Worship, but brings every Man and Woman to the Spirit of God in their own Hearts, and Truth in their inward parts; in which Spirit and Truth they must bow down, and come into it, if they be Worshippers of God in the Truth and in the Spirit: And this is the standing Worship that Christ preached up, atop of the Hill, where the Forefathers had worshipped: And this Worship is over the Worship that was at Jerusalem, and over the Worship that was at the Mountain; so by this must every Man, every Son of Adam, and Daughter, come to the Spirit in their own particulars, and Truth in themselves; by which they must know God is a Spirit, and will be worshipped in the Spirit, and in the Truth; and so no Man must grieve, nor vex, nor quench the Spirit, but all must worship in it, and they must come to the truth in the Heart, to the hidden Man in the Heart, to a meek and quiet Spirit; and they must not rebel against the Spirit, if they worship in it; and all coming to it, they have the adorning, that which beautifies and adorns them in the Eyes of God; none must walk despitefully against the Spirit of Grace, nor turn the Grace of God into Wantonness, if they worship God in the Spirit; if they grieve, vex, quench the Spirit of God within, and turn the Grace of God into Wantonness, and walk despitefully against the Spirit of God, and rebel against the Spirit of God within, and are haters of the Light: These go from the public Worship of God in the Spirit and Truth, to the particular, which fallen Men have invented; but they that worship God in the Spirit and in the Truth, are in that which the Devil is out of, and the Dragon's Worship, and the Beast's Worship, and the Will-Worship are out of; who worship in the Truth and in the Spirit, are over all these Worships: For Truth is before they all were (and the Spirit) and will stand when they are all gone. 5thly, To pray in the Spirit, this was public, the public Prayer set up among the Christians; the Temple was the public Place of Prayer among the Jews; but to pray in the Spirit, which is the Public Prayer set up by the Apostles: Every Man, every Woman then must come to the Spirit of God in their own selves; for it will give them Understanding and Knowledge, and give them Instruction, it will help their Infirmities, it will let them see their wants. So, in that must every Son and Daughter of Adam pray in the Spirit to God, who is a Spirit: And this is Public, the Spirit of God in every Man and Woman to pray with unto God, who is a Spirit; then in this Spirit have they Fellowship and Unity, and a Bond of Peace; and this moderates all People, and mortifies, circumciseth and baptizeth. (Now, who grieves, and quenches, and vexes, and rebels against the Spirit of God within, in which they should pray, they are like the Jews, Babblers, and go into the particular Forms, and go from the Public, which is V; niversal, whereby all Men and Women must pray to God, who is a Spirit, in the Spirit, and keep out of the particular: One hath one Set-Form, another another, that is particular, as I said before; but the praying in the Spirit is general, by which every Man and Woman might see their Necessities and Wants, and turn to God, who is a Spirit, for his help: For Christ the quickening Spirit, and the Spirit of the Lord within, is that which brings People to life up their Eyes to the Lord in Spirit and Truth, and to watch and pray, by which they know Temptations; and the Spirit giveth them Understanding, and Wisdom and Power to withstand them. 6thly, Singing in the Spirit is Public; every Man and every Woman in the whole World, Sing in the Spirit. they must not grieve it, nor vex it, if they sing in it; and this is Public: But they that go from the Spirit of God within, they go into the particular singing, inventing this thing and that thing, and then one will do it, and another will not do it, and so there is no true Fellowship, because it is not done in the Spirit; and there is no true Fellowship in their Worshipping, nor in their Praying, because it is not done in the Spirit; for the true Fellowship in Singing, in Praying, in Worshipping of God, is in the Spirit of God, which the Devil is out of; for in that is the Bond of Peace. 7thly, The Teachers of the World told us (who called themselves Ministers of Christ) That they had receved a Gift from Christ, who did ascend on high, and led Captivity captive; and this Gift was for the work of the Ministry, and for the perfecting of the Saints, and how that they were to bring People to the Knowledge of the Son of God, from whence they had received this Gift, and to the Unity of the Faith, which Faith gives the Victory, and brings to have access to God, and also to a perfect Man's State, and to the Measure of the Stature of the fullness of Christ. And thus People followed them, and were glad that they would bring them to a perfect Man's State, that is, to the State of Adam and Eve before they fell, for they were perfect then; and when we had followed them, some twenty, some thirty, some more, some less Years; then they told us again, that they hoped we would not look for Perfection while we are upon the Earth, on this side the Grace, for we must carry a Body of Sin about us; and they hoped we would not look for Perfection, and would not hold the Erroneous Doctrine of Perfection; and yet told us, as before, That they would bring us to a perfect Man's State; Perfection. and so we looked they would have fulfilled their Words; for we have given our Money, and have spent out Labour in following after them, and hoped they would have fulfilled their Words, and brought us to the Knowledge of the Son God, and so to he Unity of the Faith, and to a perfect Man's state, to our Father Adam's and Eve's state before they fell; and now they have gotten our Money, they hope we will not look for Perfection here. Oh, Deceivers! We will never set foot more after them, who will neither fulfil their Words, nor give us our Money back again; for we gave our Money, that they should bring us to the Knowledge of the Son of God, and to the Unity of the Faith, and bring us to a perfect Man's state, and to a Measure of the Stature of the Fullness of Christ: And now the Scriptures that speak of Sin and Imperfection, they bring to prove that we should not be Perfect, against their own Promises and Words; and all the Scriptures that speak of Perfection or overcoming, they tell us there must be a meaning put to them: And thus they deceived us, instead of bringing us to the Measure of the Stature of Christ, who never fell, the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, who said, they would bring us to his Stature; and now they cannot bring us to the Measure of the Stature of the Righteousness and Holiness of our Father Adam and Mother Eve, that they were in before they fell; for they had no Body of Sin before they fell, nor Spot, nor Wrinkle, nor Blemish: So, the Deceivers hath got our Money, and now calls that an Error, which they said they would bring us unto (a perfect man's state) and so will not fulfil their Words, nor give us our Money back again neither. Thereforenow mark which of these Theree States the Shepherds, and Teachers and Leaders kept their Flock in, and do keep them in: Whether is it in the State of Adam and Eve in the Fall, where the Body of Death, the Curse, Wrath and Woe is, Imperfection, Spots, Wrinkles and Blemishes, and tell them they must be there for term of Life? Or, whether or no can they keep them in the blessed and good State of Righteousness and Holiness, as Adam and Eve was in before they fell? Or, whether or no can they keep them in the Measure of the Stature of Christ, who never fell. Now consider which of these Three States do they Shepherds pretend to keep their Flocks in, that deny Perfection, and say their Sheep must carry a Body of Death on their Backs while on Earth; for, as the Tree falls, it lies, and htere is no Repentance in the Grave. Whether it be not in Adam and Eve in the Fall, with his Sons and Daughters? Or, in that State before they fell, which was a good State, in Righteousness and Holiness? Or, whether it be in Christ, that never fell, whom it cost his Blood and his Life to fetch Adam and Eve, and his Sons and Daughters, out of that State in the Fall (out of the unjust State) to set them in the State, before they fell; and not only there, but to b'ing them into himself that never fell. Now what Value and Price, and Worth have they made of the Blood of Christ, that cleanseth from Sin and Death; and yet told People that they would bring them to the Knowledge of the Son of God, and to a perfect Man, and now tell them they must not be perfect on the Earth, but carry a Body of Sin about them to the Grave? As much as to say, They must be in the State of their Father Adam and their Mother Eve in the Fall, under the Wrath, Curse and Woe, and must not come to the State they were in before they fell, to the Image of God, in Righteousness and True Holiness. And thus the Deceivers are not worth the setting Foot after; and yet ask them for what End Christ came? They will say, To destroy the Devil and his Works. And then ask them, if the Body of Sin and Death be not the Devil's Works and Imperfection? They will say, Yes; and so are in Confusion: Christ came to destroy the Devil and his Works, they say, and yet they must carry them to the Grave; and yet People are saved by Christ, they will say; but while you are upon Earth, you must not be made free from Sin. This is as much as if one should be in Turkey a Slave, chained to a Boat, and one should come to redeem him to go into his own Country; but say the Turks, Thou art redeemed, but while thou art upon the Earth, thou must not go out of Turkey, nor have the Chain off thee. So saith Satan's Messengers, you are redeemed, but must carry a Body of Death about you, and cannot go to your Father Adam's House before he fell, but you must live in your Father Adam's House in the Fall, while ye be upon Earth: Redemption to by the Blood of Christ. But, I say, you are redeemed by Christ; it cost him his Blood to purchase Man out of this State he is in, in the Fall, and bring him up to the State Man was in before he fell; so Christ became a Curse, to bring Man out of the Curse, and bore the Wrath, to bring Man to the Peace of God, that he might come to the Blessed State, and to Adam's State he was in before he sell; and not only thither, but to a State in Christ that shall never fall. And this is my Testimony to you, and to all People upon the Earth. And so the Teachers of the World cried, Men are redeemed, but while on the Earth, they must have Original Sin in them, and that is the Devil, for he is the Original or Sin, and of the Body of Death, and that they are redeemed; but they must never come to the State of their Father Adam before he fell, while on the Earth. This is sad Tidings! Are these Messages of God, or Messengers of Satan? So you may see by this where the Shepherds have brought their Flocks, and in what they sit, in Adam and Eve in the Fall; not in Adam and Eve before they fell, a good blessed State, but in Adam and Eve in the Fall, a bad, cursed State, and not in Christ that never fell. Now mark, the Apostle said, He hath quickened us, who were dead in Sins and Trespasses, and hath made us to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus; that in the Ages to come he might show forth his exceeding Riches and Kindness towards us. Now the Ages are come, Glory to the Lord God over all, in the Highest for ever, that this Kindness and this Riches is seen, that the Apostle's Preaching is fulfilled, who said, He had quickened us, and made us to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So mark, in Christ Jesus, [Us] the Church, [Us] the Saints, [Us] the Believers and True Christians, made us to sit together: Here was their meeting, here was their sitting in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, him that was glorified with the Father before the World began, him that never fell, but fetched Man and Woman out of the Fall, to the State that Man and Woman was in before they fell; and they not to sit there, in Adam in the Fall, nor in Adam before he fell, but in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, before Adam fell: And there is the safe sitting, in Christ the New and Living Way, the Word of God, the Power of God, the Light, the Life and Truth, in the First, and in the Last, in the Beginning, and in the Ending, in him in whom is no Shadow of turn nor variableness; in him the Saints sit (the Church) in Christ the Head, and there is the exceeding Riches and the Kindness known again: For is not here Kindness and Riches, for Man and Woman to be brought out of that State in the Fall, to the State of Adam and Eve before they fell: Christ his Blood, the Prince of our Redemption. And he that doth bring them thither, is Christ, and it is by his Blood, it cost him his Blood, his Life, and he doth not leave them in the State as Adam and Eve was in before they fell, but he sets them down in himself, who never fell, a safer State than Adam was in the before he fell. Now who sits he in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, the First and the Last, the Beginning and Ending, State of Innocency. the safe Place, in the Wisdom of God. 1. They see where Adam and Eve sat before before they fell; blessed and in a good State, in the Image of God, in Righteousness and Holiness. 2. They see where Adam and Eve sat in the Fall, with their Sons and Daughters, fallen from Righteousness and Holiness, and the Image of God, where they have no Peace, neither do they see God, State under the Law nor have Dominion over the Creation. 3. They see where the Jews sat, in the Types, Figures and Shadows, and Temples, and Oaths, in the Offerings and Sacrifices, and there were to sit till Christ the Substance came to end them all; which Christ the Substance was, before they was. 4. They see where the Apostles sat in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, the Substance of all the Types, Figures and Shadows, who ended them all, and was before them all, and will be when they are all gone. 5. States since the Law. They see where the Gentiles sit, in the Traditions, Inventions, Idols Temple, which God never commanded. 6. They see where all the Apostate Christians have sat since the Apostles Days, in the Rudiments, Inventions, Handiworks, and Traditions, and cannot sit long in them, therefore turn one against another. 7. Now the Age is come, that the Kindness and Riches of the Lord is seen, which was manifest among the Apostles and Saints, who sat in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, where many sit now, in Christ the Seed, the First, the Last, and Beginning and the Ending; and who sits in him, as I said before, sees where all the Apostatised Christians have sat since the Apostles Days; who have removed their Seat from the Apostles, and have not sat in the Seat the Apostles and the Saints sat in; for had they sat in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, him that destroyed the Enmity, the Devil and his Works, they had all sat in Unity and Peace: And they see where Jews sit, where Gentiles sit, and where Adam and Eve sat before they fell, and where they sat in the Fall with their Sons and Daughters, and where the Apostles sat in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus: They that sit in Christ, they sit in him the Apostles sat in, who is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending; they see the Top and Cornerstone over all set, in which the Life flourisheth over all, which was before the Devil, the Power of Death, and the Power of Darkness was; which Seed (Christ) bruiseth and destroyeth the Saints sit, in whom they have the Pastures of Life, that floweth over all, Death, and was before it was, and the Power of it. 8. So as Newborn Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby (mark) the Milk that comes from the Word which was in the Beginning, by that Milk is the growth, and not in the Traditions, handle not them, nor the Rudiments, nor the vain Inventions of Men neither, touch them not, taste them not, for they perish with the using of them; so than they do not grow by them: But they may say, Thou deniest the Means, because thou dost not handle the Doctrines, the Commandments, the Rudiments that perish with the using: Now that is not the Means, but that is the Means, the Milk that comes from the Word, by which thou must grow, thy growth is not by that which perisheth; but, as I said, by the Milk that comes from the Word, which was in the Beginning, before the false Doctrines, Traditions, Rudiments of Men, false Churches, false Ways, false Teachings, Worship and Religion was; before all these was, the Word of God was; thou dost not grow by any of those, if thou shouldst teach them all thy Life-time, and spend thy Days, thou art never the nearer, neither dost thou grow by them, nor by the Tongues, which makes their Divines, the beginning of which was Babel, which builds up, and throws down, as you may see; Did they not build up the Church-Faith and Directory, and now throw them down again? Here is Babylon; and were they not offended because you would not touch their Ordinances, and told you, you denied the means. Now doth not the Word of God live, abide, and endure for ever, when they are all gone. So feed upon the Milk of the Word, that you may grow by that Milk that comes from the Word, that was before their Tongues; and when you are redeemed from the Tongues, and see the Beginning of Tongues, Babel, thou that feekest for the Milk of the Word, Milk of the Word. thou must seek to before Babble and Babylon was, for the Word was before Babel was, and stands when Babylon is down: So the Milk which cometh from the Word, is it by which thou must grow up in the things of God; and this keeps the Eye pure, and nourisheth thee up in the Word of Wisdom, Word of Life, Word of Patience, by the Milk that comes from it, up into the Word of Wisdom (for Wisdom is with the grey Hairs) and so up into the Life, up into a living, abiding State; for the Word liveth and abideth for ever; and by the Milk that cometh from the Word which was in the Beginning, before the Fall of Man was, with all the Confusions, false Ways, Worships, Churches; the Word was before they all were, and abides when they are all gone; feed of the Word, the Milk of it, and be quiet with the Milk by which thou growest and art nourished up to Everlasting Life, by which thy Fruits will be unto Holiness, and the End Everlasting Life, feeding upon the Milk that comes from the Word which was before unholiness was, and stands and remains when all that is gone; by these you are all nourished, by this you all grow in a living and abiding State, upon into the Word Christ, whose Name is called the Word of God, in whom is the sitting down; so Heirs of Christ, and of Salvation, inherit Salvation, and Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life, and Heirs of a Kingdom that hath no End, and of a Power of a World to come. So know this to be your Portion every one, that you may be Heirs of the Blessings, and inherit them that with them you may be clothed, meeting in the Name, in the ftrong Tower, meeting in the Spirit in which you may pray unto and worship God, and sing, which is the public Worship of God, which hath been lost since the Apostles Days, by, and amongst the inward Raveners from the Spirit of God, which have been got up into particular Worshipping and Praying; which if they come to the Public, they must come to the Spirit of God, which their Forefathers inwardly ravened from and to the Public Praying in the Spirit. So dwell in the Love of God, and build up yourselves in the most Holy Faith, and keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace; and Worship God in the Spirit and Trath (which the Devil is out of) and in that meet in the Truth, in the Power of God, which wwas before the Devil was, in which is the perfect Fellowship, the Gospel-Fellowship, which stands in the Power of God, which was, before the Devil was, or the Fall of Man either, where all Imperfection was, and is, which the Power of God expels away, in which is the perfect Fellowship, as I said before; the Worship of God is a perfect Worship, it is in the Truth, in the Spirit; so the Truth is that the Devil is out of, and all Imperfection, which Truth was before Imperfection was; the Worship in the Truth never changeth, which is of the God of all Truth, who is a Spirit; and this is the perfect standing Worship, which will stand when all the Worships in the Fall is gone, Devil, Dragon, Beast and Will-worship; for Truth was before they all were; for they are not perfect, being out of Truth, our of that which is perfect. So all Friends, be faithful and valiant for the Truth of God upon the Earth: For there are Religions only for the Summer, while the Sun shines, amongst the Sons of Adam in the Fall; but when the Storm comes, their flight is in the Winter: So this Day manifesteth every Birth of what sort it is, and at that look; it is not professing God, nor Christ, nor the Scriptures, nor the Ordinances, but mind the Birth, he that is Born of the Flesh, and he that is Born of the Spirit, together with each Birth's Fruits: For he that is Born of the Spirit, is the Royal Birth of God, whose Fruits is above him that is Born of the Flesh below, not in Righteousness and Love, nor of the Spirit; and so each Birth hath its Religion, hath its Worship, hath its Praying and its Singing; but when the Winter comes, then is its flight, and then the Wall-makers are discovered, the Hireling flieth because he is an Hireling; but ye, mind the Power of God, which was before Winter-Storms was, and such Religions as is while the Sun shines and the Summer is; but when the Winter comes are gone. Therefore mind ye the Power of God, that ye may bear Fruit in Winter, and sit under your Vine, Christ Jesus, that ye may see before Winter-Storms and Tempests was, and that which shall never have an end, nor change, in this is the pure Religion: And so in the Name of the Lord being gathered, having bowed to it, than ye are in the strong Tower, in the deepest Storms and Tempest, being in the Name of the Lord, by whom all things was made; there is the strong Tower, than ye are safe in all Waves, Tempests, Winds Hail, Floods, being in the Name of the Lord, your strong Tower. And so feel the Seed of God (Friends, and Brethren, and Babes) over all that set, that makes to suffer, which was before that was, and will stand and remain, when that is gone that makes to suffer, that in that you may know Christ's reign, and the Seed to reign, in which there is Life Eternal, and therein ye will have Life Eternal: and so feel the Top-Stone overall laid; and hearing the Voice of Christ, which is the Light, the Light's Voice, the Life's Voice, the Truth's Voice, the Power of God's Voice, which goes before you, through which ye may have Life Eternal, in Christ's Fold, where his Sheep carry no Body of Sin upon their Backs, for that is carried in Satan's Fold, which Christ's Sheep is put out of, in which Life (Christ) did foresee the Hirelings flying, when the Wolf comes. And so Christendom have more minded the Hireling's Voice, than Christ the Light Voice, the Truth's Voice, the Voice of the Life and Power of God in themselves, they have gone from that, and gone to the Voice of the Hireling, who flies when the Wolf comes, and leaves his Flock, and cares not for it. Therefore you that have heard the Voice of Christ, which are his Sheep, and follow him, who hath put you forth, who goeth before you, and ye have followed him; follow him still, and he will give you Life Eternal, for he is the Rest; and know the sitting down in the Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, being Heirs of Grace, which Grace comes by Christ: Now the Grace of God that brings Salvation, hath appeared unto all Men; which if all Men minded it, this is public, it would teach them to live Righteously, Soberly and Godly, and to deny the contrary, and then come to be Heirs of this Grace, and Inherit it, and so Inherit their Teacher that bringeth Salvation, and so come to enjoy Salvation, and inherit Christ, in whom is the Light and Life, and in him is the sitting down in the Salvation. All keep to the Beauty of Holiness; for in Holiness lies your Beauty; and the Fruits of Righteousness is a Tree of Life, and the Name of the Lord is a strong Tower, and the Righteous flee into it, and are safe. From Cockford in Essex the 12th Day of the 11th Month, 1662. G. F. ALL Friends and Brethren, Epist. 223. Stand fast in the Power of the Lord God Almighty with the Breastplate of Reghteousness, with the Shield of Faith, your Weapons, by which you have Victory, and have access to God, in which you please him, and in which you have Unity one with another; take unto all your Spiritual Weapons, and be ready with the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God, which was in the beiginning, before Death and the Power of it was: And all the false Worships, Churches and Teachers; and that your Feet be shod with the Gospel, the Power of God, in which you have all, Fellowship, (which is a Mystery) by which Life and Immortality is brought to Light in you all; every one having the Word of God, which hammereth down all that which is gotten up since the beginning; and every one having the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, which doth divide the Precious from the Vile, in which you have Wisdom, which cuts down all that for the Fire; which hath gotten up since the Beginning, who knows the Earth in which dwells the Righteousness, and dwell in Righteousness, and Truth, and Justice and Equity, for in that ye dwell with God; and they that dwell not n this, dwells not with him, but are such as greves, and vexes and quenches God's Spirit in them. Be bold and valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, every one according to your Measure, beholding the Face of God. And fear not the Power of the Devil, but in the Power of God, which was before he was, tread on his Head; and know the Honour of the Saints, and the Election in Christ the Seed, which was before the World began, and your Salvation wrought out, and the Glory of the Lord to be your Reward. And keep your Faith in the Power of God, in which you may all know your Health grow, and all your Hearts to be established in Grace, which is your Teacher, and brings your Salvation, that all may see it is the Grace of God, by which you stand, which Stablisheth, Seasoneth, Teacheth, and bringeth Salvation; heed not the Earth, nor the Rudiments of the World, nor the Swine nor Dog's Vomit, nor Men's carnal Understandings, Wisdom nor Knowledge; but mind the Wisdom of God, that is pure from above, and keeps so; and the Spirit that gives the true Understanding, and the right Knowledge of God, which is Life Eternal; and know your Fellowship to be in the Spirit, which is the Bond of their Peace, in that live, and keep in it, in which you may have Perfection, and the perfect Gifts of God. And mind the Worship of God, which is in the Spirit and Truth, which was before the Devil was, which he is out of, and his ways: For God's Ways are in the Truth; and in his Power meet, and in his Life live, in which you may feed in the Pastures of Life, in which Pasture Christ is the Leader and Shepherd: So all that be plucked out of the fall by his Crook, which is the Power of God, and that knows him and his Voice; follow him, and ye will have Life abundantly, and Riches eternal. And every one on your Watch and Guard keep, against the Enemy that led out from God, out of Life and Truth. For all the Sufferings is by and through him that is out of the Truth; so they will live Godly shall suffer Persecution; but you that suffer in the Truth, and by the contrary for the Truth's sake, the Spirit of Glory will rest upon you; and if you be evil spoken of for its sake, being faithful on your parts, Christ is Glorified. AND Friends, your House being built upon the Rock Christ Jesus, by whom the World was made, the Storms, the Floods, Rock Christ. the Tempests you fear not; but all whose House is built on the Sands, the Floods, the Storms, beats down and washes away, as you may see before your Eyes. So Friends that are come to the beginning, see over Storms, and Tempests, and Floods, and live on the Rock, which was before they were; on that you may rest safe, and in peace. And Friends, Fear not him that can kill the Body, I say, fear him not that can spoil thy Goods, be not afraid of them; for when they have done that, they can do more; for the Life is over them all, they cannot touch that. So mind that which is over them all. G. F. DEar Friends, whom Death, Epist. 224. Bonds nor the outward Creatures can separate from the Love of God in Christ Jesus, Live in Peace and Love one with another, and keep above that Sraightned Spirit of Strife, which is below, and out of the Power, and Truth and Life of God: Dwell in Dominion, in Love, in Life and in Unity one with another, in the Power of God, which was before the Power of Darkness was, and in the Seed of God, which was before Enmity was, and that you may all know Christ's Reign. And feed in the Pastures of Life; and none slain your Virginity nor Holiness, where lieth your Beauty. And all that Minister abroad, walk as Examples to them you Minister to: And keep in Peace, that you may not destroy them that you do minister to. So in the Fear of God live, and spread the Truth abroad, and set the Truth over all, and in it live; in which you will have Unity. So my Love is in the Seed of God, which is Immortal to you all. G. F. FRiends, keep in the Power of the Lord, Epist. 225. which will bring you over all, to the Fine Linen the Righteousness of the Saints, and your Bread of Life; and the same Power of the Lord will bring all your Persecuters to Rags and Poverty: When they have done their Work they will have their Wages; when the Righteous and Wicked have done their Work, each shall have their Wages; and so, do not think the Time long: For each must have their Day to do their Work in, when the Wicked's Sun is gone down, their Day is ended; and then they are Reckoned withal, and paid, and then the People of God's Day approaches, wherein according to their Works they shall have the Rewards of Life Eternal. THE Power of God is over all, P. S. and they that keep in it, it will carry them over all. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 226. in the Everlasting Seed and Covenant of Life, be valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, and dwell in the Power of the Lord God, and never heed that which makes to Suffer; but the Power of the Lord, which was before it was, and all live in that, and spread the Truth abroad; and every one improve your Lord and Master's Money, your Talon, to the advantage of your Lord. And be of good Faith, and Valiant for the Truth; you who are gathered in the Name of Jesus, keep your Meetings in his Name, over all the Meetings which are gathered by the Sons of Adam in the Fall; and look over all Prisons and out ward Boads, which are in time, and will have an end; at the Power of God look, which hath no end, in which your Life is, and Peace, Crown and Dominion, and think not the time long, that the Rod of the Wicked should lie on your Backs; but rejoice in Tribulations and Persecutions, which is for the Trial of your Faith, that it may be found more precious than Gold that perisheth: For remember that Christ the Word, was Tried, and Christ is the Tried Stone, and all the Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs were Tried for their Testimony to the precious Pearl, Seed and Truth; and what Sufferings they had in all Ages were for the same by the dark World, which was not worthy of them; who were as Pilgrims and Strangers in the Earth, and many of them forsook their Native Land and Country. And so live in that which glorifieth the Lord, you who know the Kindness, Love and Mercies of God, and are made partakes of the Heavenly Riches, and of the Inheritance that never fadeth away, and are Heirs of the Kingdom that never hath an end, and are partakers of the Promises and Blessings, that was before the Curse was; and know the New Covenant made manifest in your Hearts, and the Law of God there written, and the Anointing within you to teach you, and then you need no Man to teach you, but as it doth teach you. So abide in him, and learn of him, in whom God is well pleased; and none turn to them which God is not well pleased with: For you who are Children of God, are not to look for Salvation from the Hills, neither to look at the Arm of Flesh, nor to put Confidence in Man, who are redeemed from under the Curse, and the Fear of Man, and are bought with a Price, the Blood of Jesus Christ; and so are not your own, and cannot do your own Wills, nor other men's, but are to glorify your Father which is in Heaven. And so dwell in the Love of God together, and in Peace, and Unity and Fellowship in the Seed and Life: For there is your growth, and therein ye grow in Grace and Faith together: The Lord God Almighty preserve you all in his Everlasting Arm and Hand, which is his Power, over all to his Glory, bearing one with another in the gentle Wisdom, which is peaceable and from above: For how Joyful a thing it is, for Brethren to dwell together in Unity; and hereby it is known, that you are the Desciples of Christ, if you love one another; and a Mark, that you are passed from Death to Life, if you Love one another. And so the Lord God preserve your Minds, and Souls and Hearts, all Holy and Pure to his Glory; and all live and sit down in Christ the Seed, who is the Faithful Witness, the Amen, the First and Last, the beginning and ending. No more, but my Love is to you all, in the Everlasting Seed, Christ Jesus, that never fell. And Dear Friends keep low, for there is no danger. G. F. SIng and Rejoice ye Children of the Day, and of the Light; Epist. 227. for the Lord is at work in this thick Night of Darkness that may felt: And Truth doth flourish as the Rose, and the Lilies do grow among the Thorns, and the Plants atop of the Hills, and upon them the Lambs doth skip and play. And never heed the Tempests nor the Storms, Floods nor Rains, for the Seed Christ is over all, and doth reigh. And so, be of good Faith and Valiant for the Truth: For the Truth can live in the Goals. And fear not the loss of the Fleece, for it will grow again; and follow the Lamb, if it be under the Beast's Horns, or under the Beast's Heels; for the Lamb shall have the Victory over them all. And so all live in the Seed Christ, your Way that never fell; and you do see over all the ways of Adam's and Eve's Sons and Daughters in the Fall: And in the Seed Christ your Way, you have Life and Peace; and there you do see over all the ways of Adam in the Fall, in which there is no Peace. So in the Seed Christ stand and dwell, in whom you have Life and Peace; the Life that was with the Father, before the World began. The 9th Month, 1663. G. F. DEar Friends, who have tasted of that which is precious, Epist. 228. and have felt the Truth convincing of you; and also felt the Power of the Lord God: I feel something amongst some of you that is not right; and how that such get up into the wise Part, but are out of the Power, and out of the Life, and with that Judges, and are beholding the Moats in others Eyes, whilst the Beam is in their own Eyes: Oh! Abuse not the Power, in which is the Gospel-Fellowship, which will keep all in Unity, and grieve not the Spirit, in which is the true Fellowship, and the Bond of Peace. Keep down High-mindedness, despise not Prophecies, and quench not the Spirit in the least; for that is Flesh and not Spirit in yourselves that doth so. Judge not before the time that the Lord do come, who brings to light all the hidden things of darkness in you; run not into outward things, that is the fleshly Mind, that will run from one thing, and so be restless, and will not know what Seat to sit in; after it hath been in one outward thing it will run into another, and call it, his growth in the Truth, and fall a Judging others; but that Jadgment is after the Flesh, and there growth is in the Flesh; for the Fruits of it is Strife, Backbitings, Whisper, and leads to Idleness, Busybodies from House to House, Slandering, Scandalizeing, Vilisying, and are in Lightness, out of the Fear of God, in Variance and sowing Dissension, and these are the Seeds-Men of the Flesh, and not of the Spirit; and so feeds one another with that which burdens the Seed, and quenches the Spirit, and destroys the Love and Unity, which Love you should grow in: So the Fruits of every Birth manifesteth itself; the Fruits of the Spirit is Love, and Peace, and Truth, and Plainness, and Righteousness and Godliness: But the Frutis of the Flesh are Backbitings, Whisper, Lying, Slander, Scandalising. And therefore mind what this Birth hath brought forth (and shame it) that hath cried up outward things, and what it hath run into, and what it hath drawn you into, that are in it, and what it hath rend you from, and whether you are not come to a loss, and whether you are not gone into the Flesh, and into the Air, and lost your first Habitations of Tenderness and Compassion; for every Birth knows its own, and is grieved when it's own is Judged, and that will never love plain Dealing and righteous Judgement, which is honest and true; but will have the false Prophet's Cushion and Pillow; and can neither endure sound Doctrine nor Judgement. And therefore mind your first Habitation and first Love, and that which did Convince you, that you may all come into Life and Power, to sit down in the Habitation of it, in Love, and Life and Unity, and let there not be a Backbiter nor Slanderous Tongue, nor Liar, nor Whisperer, Reproacher, nor a Busybody found amongst you; for if there be, it will leaven one another, and bring Darkness and Death upon you. Therefore, as I said before, Dwell in the Power of God, in which you may keep Unity, Life, Love and Peace; and in which Power of God you may be drawn up out of Satan's Power, into the Power of God, in which is my Life, and in it is my Habitation and Dwelling, where I know the unspotted Garment hid from all the unclean Beasts Tongues, Lips, Hands and Eyes; and Blessed are all you that keeps in the Power, and have kept your first Habitation; for you grow up as Calves in the Stall; and such gad not abroad to change their ways; for the Birth of the Flesh would have some outward thing to feed upon, but the Birth of the Spirit reigns over it, Farewell. Lancaster Prison, the 6th Day. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 229. Let not your Knowledge be after the Flesh, but in the Spirit: Let not your Fellowship be in the Flesh, but let it be in the Spirit, So, know Unity in the Spirit. and in the Gospel: Let not your Affections be in the Flesh, and on things below, but let them be set on things that are above, and on things that are heavenly, above the things below: Let not your Souls be subject to the Lower Power of Darkness, which is out of the Truth, lest you bring Destruction upon your own selves; but let your Souls be subject to the Higher Power, that is above the Lower Power of Darkness: Let your Acquaintance and Familiarity be in the Spirit, over that which would ensnare or entangle you, and bring you not Bondage: Let all your Minds be Heavenly, and not Earthly: Let all your Minds be Spiritual, and kept above all that which is Carnal; then they are kept out of Death, in Life and in Peace. For the Invisible is above all the Visible, and the Immortal is above the Mortal, and the Eternal is above the External, and the Incorruptible is above the Corruptible. As Life is above Death, Life, Light and Truth over the contraries. and Truth is above Error and Falsehood, and Light is above Darkness, and Righteousness is above Unrighteousness, so the Goldy are above the Ungodly, and Holy above the Profane, the Just is above the Unjust, and the true Prophets, and the true Ministers or Preachers, and Apostles, and the true Desciples are above all the False. And the true Christ is above all the Anti-christs', and God is above the Devil, and Virture is above Vice, and the true Worship in the Spirit and in the Truth is above the false, which is out of the Spirit and the Truth, and the true Belief, and Faith and Hope is above the false Belief, which is Unbelief, and the Living Faith is above the Dead Faith, and the Hope that is the Anchor, both sure and steadfast, Anchors the Soul in the great Sea, the World, Sure Anchor. when the Liviathan maketh a Storm, among the Tongues, Peoples, Nations and Languages, which are as Waters; then the true Hope standeth and stayeth, and is sure and steadfast, and keeps the Soul up to God, atop of the Sea, when the false Hope of the Hypocrite sinks therein, which are the Waters, and it goes over them, and in it they are swallowed up. The Unity in the Spirit is the Bond of the Prince of Prince's Peace, and the Fellowship in the Gospel, and the Liberty in it is a perfect one, above the imperfect, where is Bondage. G. F. FRiends, Stand still and see, be still and hear, sit at Jesus Feet, Epist. 230. and choose the better thing; to do the Work of God, A Greneral Epistle to Friends. is to believe in his Son Jesus Christ the Light; and your Hope and Faith is to stand in God, and in his Son, walk by that Faith which he is the Author of, and walk in the Light, and walk in the Spirit: As every one hath received Christ, so walk in him, and so serve God in the Spirit, and worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth; for God is not worshipped out of the Spirit and Truth. The Babes Milk is from the Word, and their Bread is from above, and there is no true Religion, but what is pure from above; and the stayed patiented People abide in their own House, but the Whore is gadding abroad; and there is no true Church, but where Christ exercises his Offices in and amongst them, and they are ask their Husband at home, and he is their Head, and the true Marriage to Christ the Heavenly Man is witnessed, by such as are Flesh of his Flesh, and Bone of his Bone; none comes to be Children of the Light but such as believe in the Light; no Sons of God, but by receiving Christ, and by being led by his Spirit; no coming into all Truth, but by being led by the Spirit of Truth; no running the true Race in the strait way to get to the Glorious Crown, but with Patience; no Purifying, but by coming to Christ, the Hope of Glory, the Purifier; and no overcoming, but by Believing in Christ the Light, and he that doth so, is Born of God: And there is no true Witness within, but the Light, the Life and Spirit of Christ, the true Record; no true Faith, but that which Christ is the Author of, which giveth Victory; no true Anchor to the Immortal Soul but by Christ, the Hope of Glory: So by Hope you are saved; no true Liberty but in Christ, and in his Law of the Spirit of Life, and in his Gospel; no true Knowledge of God, but by his Light and Spirit in the Heart; no Salvation, but by the Name of Jesus; no true Praying, but in the Spirit; no true Singing, but in the Spirit; Wherein true Rest, Peace, Joy, etc. stand, and are enjoyed. no true Fast, but that which breaks the Bond of Iniquity; no true Fellowship, but in the pure Faith, Light, Spirit and Gospel of God and Christ; no true Foundation, but Christ, to build upon; no true Way, but Christ; no true Seed, but what Christ hath sown in the Heart; no true Rest, but in Christ; no true Peace, but in Christ; no true Service to God and Christ, but in the Newness of Life; no knowing the things of God, but by the Spirit of God; no knowing the Son nor the Father, but by the Revelation of the Holy Spirit; no knowing the Scriptures, but by the same Holy Ghost that moved the Holy Men to give them forth; no calling Jesus, Lord, but by the Holy Ghost, by which he was Conceived; no Grafting into Christ, but by Believing in the Light, which is called the Light in Men, and the Life in him; no true Wisdom, but from above; and no true receiving it, but in the Fear of the Lord; and no true Understanding of Spiritual Things, but what Christ gives; no Divine Reason, but in the Faith that Christ is the Author of, which giveth Victory over that which is unreasonably, and separates from God; and no true Love to God, but what he sheddeth abroad in the Heart; and to know a Fellowship with Christ in his Death and Sufferings, is above the Fellowship of Bread and Wine, which will have an end; but the Fellowship in the Gospel and Holy Spirit hath no end. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 231. be faithful to the Lord God every one in the Truth and Power of God, and his Righteousness, that it may flow over all, and walk and live in it, that to the Lord God you may be a good Savour, and a Blessing in your Generation: Look over all Sufferings, and that which makes you to Suffer: Dwell in the Rock, which is above all Storms and Tempests; for now is the Trial of your Faith, now is the Trial of your Meetings (who are gathered in the Name of Jesus) by them that are gathered in the name of Adam in the Fall; Time of Trial. now is the Trial of your Worship, which is in the Spirit and Truth, by such as Worship out of the Spirit and Truth: And now is the Trial of your Fellowship in the Gospel, the Power of God; by such whose Fellowship lies in outward things; now is the Trial of your Church, which is in God, by those that have their Church in the Fall, unsanctified; and now is the Trial of your Faith, and your Gospel-Fellowship in it, which is a Mystery, and Christ the second Adam is a Mystery to fallen Adam, and Truth is a Mystery to all them that are out of it, and the Light is a Mystery to all the Builders and Stumblers at it, and haters of it; and Godliness is a Mystery to all the Ungodly. Therefore may you Praise the Lord, and Bless his Name, who hath reveaied these Mysteries to you in the Day of Trial, by which you may withstand the Day of Darkness, and the Hour of it. For those that have Oil in their Lamps, enter in with the Bridegroom, who have heard his Voice at midnight. And so happy and blessed are all you that have laid up in store against this Day, and the time that is now come, whose Bread fails not, nor Water, and have found the Landmark of your Everlasting Portion and Inheritance in the Kingdom, where nothing that defiles can enter. And therefore be valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, and fear no Amazement, but fear the Lord, who upholds all things by his Word and Power, in whom is all your fresh Springs of Life. Live and walk in the second Adam, the Lord from Heaven; and all keep out of Adam in the Fall, that is Earthly, that you may sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, that never fell, God's care over his Heritage. who is your Life, who is your Peace and Salvavation, who redeems you from the Earth, that you may reign upon the Earth, who makes you Kings and Priests to God; and blessed be the Lord for ever, who reigns, and lives and rules amongst his Flocks and Assemblies, Gardens, Plants, Vineyards, Babes, Children, Sons and Daughters, Servants and Prophets, watering them with the Water of Life, giving the increase of Life to them; Glory and Praise be to his Name for ever. And God accepts you in his Son, the second Adam, the Seed Christ Jesus, who reigns. But God is displeased with People, as they be in Adam in the Fall, as they are out of Christ. And so in him be faithful, who is your Crown, let no Man take your Crown from you: Yea, I say, be faithful to him, who was the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World, who reigns and sits down at the right Hand of God, till all his Enemies be made his Footstool; he who was Glorified with the Father before the World began, sit down in him, the Amen and faithful Witness. Let this go among Friends, and dwell in Peace and Love, forbearing one another, and so fulfil the Law of Christ. From Lancaster Castle, the 1st Month, 1664. G. F. Two General Epistles to be read in all the Congregations of the Righteous, who are gathered out of the House of Adam in the fall, into the House of Christ that never fell, to be read amongst them. ALL Friends every where, Epist. 232. who are gathered in the Name of Jesus Christ, that never Fell nor Changed, yea into him that never Fell, being Gathered ye will see over all the Gatherings of Adam and Eve in the Fall, from the Garden of God, and the blessed State, and from the Image of God, and the Righteousness, and the Holiness that he was in before he Fell; wherein all is in the confusion in the Fall: The Sons and Daughters of Adam are broken into the many Gatherings, being in the Fall from Righteousness and Holiness, and the Image of God and the blessed state that they were in before they Fell; and so are from the Witness of God, the Spirit and the Light in their own Particulars: And so as jacob's prophecy was on his Deathbed to his Sons, how that the gathering of all Nations should be unto Shilo, unto Christ Jesus [mark] to Christ Jesus that never Fell, who was with the Father before the World began, in whom is the Light, Life and Peace and Rest in this Gathering, and so that Gathering is out of Adam in the Fall, up into Christ that never Fell, and in him is Safety and Peace; and in this Gathering you have every one a River, yea of Living Water, in your own Bellies, which River comes from the Fountain; for all Nations are Blessed in him, Christ Jesus that takes away the Curse that stood over all Nations, and destroys the Devil the Author of it; and spreads over the Blessing again, and all are Blessed in him, and therefore bless and curse not: And all they that are saved walks in the Light of the Lamb, and so comes to the holy City, that comes down from God out of Heaven, into which there is no unclean thing enters; in which City there is no need of the Sun nor Moon, the Lord God and the Lamb is the Light thereof: Of this City, which fences out all Bad, and Unclean, and Unrighteous, and the Adulterer and Idolater, and the Liar; and the Power of the Lord God goes over all the Bad; and they that come into this City are Seved (as I said before) and walks in the Light of the Lamb. And therefore Friends, all know the Blessed Truth, which the Devil is out of, which Truth makes you Blessed, through which you come every one to have a Crown, and so to Feed upon the Tree of Life, through which you come to Live for ever; the Leaves of which Heals the Wounded Nations. So you that have bought the Truth, sell it not for Trifles, neither give it nor leave it; for that which the Tempter will tempt you unto, is out of the Truth, to outward things; but consider all the Faithful all along how they Suffered, and by whom, and for what, in all Ages since the Fall, from the Foundation of the World; since the Lamb hath been Slain, not joining to Men in any thing which the Sons of Adam have invented and set up, the Sons of God nor the Faithful could not join to: They followed the Lord, his Counsel, and his Word and Promises, and went through the great Tribulations to the Rest, as Pilgrims and Strangers to all the Sons of Adam's evil Ways, Religions and Worships; them that were in the Worship of God, and in the way of God, Christ Jesus that never Fell, saw over them all. And take heed of the rough Garments and rough Spirit of Esau's rough Nature, but mind the plain Jacob, that supplants rough Esau; and mind the constant Truth, and take heed of the unconstant, and such as are given to changing, which the Son gives not himself unto, for he ends the change, the Son Christ doth that never changes, and as every one hath received him, so walk in him that never changes; walk not in the Traditions of the Jews that changed, nor the Gentiles, nor the Apostate Christians, but in him (as I said before, Christ Jesus) that never changed, and the Way that never Fell, nor never changed, nor never will change; and than you will see over all the ways of the Priests, the Shepherds, the Prophets, and the Teachers of Adam and Eve's Sons and Daughters in the Fall, that do change, and do fall and stumble, and are turned by every Wind, you being in Christ Jesus that never fell nor never changed, in whom you have Life and Peace, and Rest: For to Preach Christ the Way, the Prophet, Priest and Shepherd, that never fell, and People to receive him, they come out of all them that doth fall, both Prophets, and Shepherds, and Priests ways; and this is opposite to them all, in which they took Counsel against them that Preached Christ the Word, which was in the beginning before the Jews Ways and Traditions were, or the Gentiles, or the Apostate Christians, and he will be when they are gone. So to Preach Christ, is not to Preach up the Jews Traditions, nor the Gentiles, nor the Apostate Christians, nor to follow the Traditions of their Forefathers, but to follow the Word; neither receive them, nor them that Preach them, and to follow that which lives, and endures, and remains for ever: And this is the Word that makes the Jews to Grieve, and the Gentiles, and the Apostate Christians, to Preach the Word which was before their Traditions were, and their Inventions; and this is the Word which makes wise Men and wise Women; and the Word is the Seed, which Seed is sown in the Field, and the Field is the World, and there is Stony, Thorny and Highway Ground, and Good Ground; and so this is Universal Doctrine, the Universal Seed hits the Stony, Thorny and Highway Ground, and falls upon all, only it is the Good Ground that brings forth Fifty, Sixty, or a Hundred Fold Increase; and such as is the Highway Ground, they are so full of the Fowls, and of the Air, that it takes it away; and such as are sown among Thorns, they are so full of the Cares of the World, and the Deceitfulness of Riches, that the Thorns choke it; and the Cares of the World, they are such Stony Hearts that the Seed hath not much Earth, that when Trials and Persecutions comes with its heats, it is scorched by the heat of the Sun. And therefore be ye all warned of these Natures, both of the Stony, and of the Thorny, and of the Highway Ground, and of the Fowls, and of the Air. And Friends, keep down feigned Flattery: Keep in the Truth, that brings to plain-heartedness, that all may be the good Ground, that you may abound in Goodness, and Righteousness, and Holiness, for Peace is sown to the Righteous, and Gladness to the upright in Heart; and see that you walk in the Light, and the Life, that it may be your Life, that you may have Treasure in your Vessels, that you may enter in with the Bridegroom, having the Oil in your own Lamps, that you may inherit the Life, that is above all the foolish Talkers which be out of the Peace (the Second Adam) in whom the Peace is, and the Life; for they that be in Strife about the Body of Christ, are in Adam in the Fall, and they are neither at Peace in themselves with God, nor Christ, nor them that be in Christ; so whatever Men or People profess, their End manifests them, and crowns them with Death or Life. So live in the Word, which all ends in the Seed; this keeps over all Pretences in the Substance, and over the Airy Spirits that be out of the Life, running up and down sowing Dissension, Tattling and Backbiting, and Whispering, and setting one against another. The Seed Christ is over that Spirit, and he hath little room in their Hearts, for they are abroad in the Fields, Above the World. lifting up themselves higher than the World, but are worse to deceive the Simple; but Truth, and the Light, and the Life is over all that, in which all keep your Habitation; for Adam lost his Habitation, and so his Sons and Daughters, who are in the Disobedience, are in the Fall; and the Jews lost their Habitation from the Love of God, and so they lost their Authority, and were mingled among the Heathen: And the Apostate-Christians lost their Habitation from the Life and Power that the Apostles were in. And so have brought all Christendom into Heaps and Sects about outward things, being out of the Life and Word, which was in the Beginning before the Apostasy and the Fall was: So live in the Word, in that you have Life, and Dominion, and Authority over all that which Adam and Eve's Sons and Daughters invented; and also over all in the Fall: In which Word you have Wisdom, as I said before, and there is a faithful Witness, Christ, whose Name is called the Word, and he is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending, the Amen. And Friends, keep over all the Bustlings, and Wars, and Strife, and the Talkers of such things among the Sons of Adam in the Fall; you that be in Christ Jesus that never fell, in whom is the Peace, who makes the First Adam's Sons and Daughters to break their Swords into Ploughshares, and their Spears into Pruning-Hooks, that they shall not learn War any more; for they that be there, are in the foolish State, but they that are in Christ are in the wise State, and have Spiritual Weapons, though accounted by the World foolish; yea, the Wisdom of God is so to the Wisdom of the World, which is Foolishness. And so you that the Lord hath blessed in outward things for his Truth, keep over them and out of them, serving the Lord who hath blessed you, lest you be entangled: So keep above them in the Righteous Life and Conversation, that Righteousness may flow to all Men in all things; Honesty and Truth, and that which doth Justice, and doing justly, that may flourish; for whose Conversation is ordered aright, they shall see the Salvation of God; keep out of all Heats and Passions, and over the tempestuous Spirits, the ground of which is Uncleanness, all which are up and down, and sudden; which makes a Mountain of Wickedness and unholiness; and keeps out of the Holy Mountain. which they that walk in the Light of the Lord goes to, and they are taught his Ways. Take heed of a false Liberty in any thing to the Flesh, but keep your first Love and Habitation in the Power and Truth of God; for the lowly Mind, the humble, and meek, and broken, and contrite Spirit and Heart the Lord doth not despise, but exalt. Keep out of the many Words of the World, and take heed of a liberty of going into them, but keep in the Power of the Lord God; over all, which was before all, and is over all, that your Lives and Conversations may preach to all Men, and adorn the Truth of God, and speak in the Hearts of all Men. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some was in the beginning of the Apostasy, which entered into the reasoning Part, and so went from the Exhorting daily, and the Building, and the Fellowship, and the Communion of the Saints in the Spirit, and from the Flocks, and the Garden of God, which he waters with his Water of Life, and feeds with his Bread of Life; and sets open his broad Rivers of Living Water to drink. And such as forsake the Assemblies of the Righteous; some for fear of the Earth and Sufferings, become quarrelling Spirits, and so go out of the Path of the Flocks Footsteps, and sits not down with the Flock at Noonday, in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus; for there the Flocks meet, and there they have all a Fountain, through which they are all of one Soul, and Mind, and Judgement, and Heart, and Spirit, and comes to be gathered out of all the Separations, and Sects, and Fellowships, and Gatherings, and Meetings of Adam and Eve in the Fall, and sits down in Christ Jesus that never fell, where the Fullness is and the Life: in whom there is no Shadow, no Variableness, nor Turning, in him that is the Way: But, Oh, the Poverty, the Shadows, the Variableness, the Turn, the Worships, and Traditions, and the Sects that be in the World among the Sons of Adam in the Fall; Oh the Riches that is in him that never fell, the Peace and the Life that was with the Father before the World began the Amen. And Friends, take heed of the vain Inventions and Arts of the World, keep out of their Rhimes and their Verses, for they are the Arts of Men and stirs up the light part, and lifts up that, that pertains to itself, that is stirred up, that will turn in the end to the Strife, or the Earth: But you that lives in the Word of God that never fell, changes, nor altars, do not, but as you are moved by it, and that will stand and remain; in whom you may know a Dwelling, Life over Death, and before it was; for the Serpent that got into Adam and Eve by Disobedience, they had Dominion over all things that God had made: Yea, over the Serpent, and he came and told her, they should be as Gods, if they would eat of the Fruit that was forbidden; and they thought to have been as Gods, and to be made wise; but the Devil came to be God, and they came to be Slaves; and so he got into Adam's Heart, and Eve's Heart, through their Disobedience, through which they lost their Dominion, and the Serpent came to be God of the World, the Deceiver. Now saith the Lord to the Serpent, Upon thy Belly shalt thou go, and Dust shall be thy Meat all the Days of thy Life. So you may see how the Serpent got into Adam and Eve by Disobedience. Secondly, He ruleth in all Adam's Sons and Daughters Hearts that are disobedient to the Light, the Truth, the Power of God in themselves, and he darkens their Hearts and Minds, and makes them envious; and from him they have their devilish earthly Wisdom, and all their invented Arts and Ways that be bad, that keeps up, and stirs up the fallen Nature that is sometimss puffed up, and sometimes down, through which the Earth is brought out of its Course, and the Bonds of Civility broken: So here he that rules in the Disobedient, and got into Adam and Eve's Heart by Disobedience. which is called the God of the World, whose Meat is Dust, goes upon his Belly: Now if this Ruler, and this Governor of the Hearts of such as are Disobedient, who is called the Prince of the Air, and so whirls them up into the Air, who got into Adam and Eve's Heart by Disobedience, and rules in his Sons and Daughters Hearts by Disobedience, if he goes upon his Belly, how go they that he rules? Better than the Ruler, think you? Must the ruled go better than the Ruler. Thirdly, If this Ruler's Meat be Dust that rules in the Hearts of the Disobedient, which got into Adam and Eve's Heart by Disobedience, what feeds the ruled upon then, if the Ruler's Meat be Dust; for, can any feed upon Life, but they that come to the Light and Life, and Truth in their own Hearts; by which Truth they come to see how he got in by Disobedience, and how he rules the Disobedient: Now, do you think that the Devil would have any Man or Woman, or his Messengers or Apostles, to obey the Truth and Light in themselves? then how can he rule in their Hearts nuless they went out of the Truth? The Devil, the Serpent, got into their Hearts by Disobedience, and rules the Disobedient; and therefore it's not like that the Devil, or his Messengers, or Prophets, or Apostles, would have any Man or Woman to obey the Light, the Truth in their own Hearts; for, if they obey the Light, the Truth, which the Devil is out of, and abide just: By this they come to go upright, from under the slavery of him which upon his Belly goes; they come to feed upon the Life, Christ, which was with the Father before the World began; not upon the Dust, which he feeds upon, which is out of the Truth; and they that he rules, are out of the Truth. So it's no strange thing for him and his Messengers to speak against the Light in the Heart, for he hath made the World like a Wilderness, all wild and rough; he that got in by Disobedience, and rules in the Disobedient, it is not like that he would have People to obey the Light nor Life within them; he that is out of Truth, who got into Adam and Eve by Disobedience, and rules in all them that are Disobedient, going roaring up and down, seeking whom he may devour: And so Adam came to be lost, and the Lamb came to be slain, from the Foundation of the World; and therefore comes Christ the First and the Last, to destroy the Devil and his Works in men's Hearts, and sanctifies them by his Blood, his Life, which was the Sacrifice for the Sins of the whole World, and destroys the Devil and his Works, through Death; and him that hath the Power of Death, and Sanctifies and Washes Men and Women, and presents them back again to God perfect; but the Devil would not have Men and Women to own Perfection; who hath made them Imperfect, nor his Messengers; but it is Christ that destroys him and his works, and saith, Be perfect, and presents Men and Women perfect to God out of the Fall, up to Adam before he fell; and not only there, but up to himself that never fell, the Royal Seed. And in him keep your Meetings, and dwell in Peace and Love, that the Fruits of the Spirit may abound among you; for the Fruits of the Flesh are in the Fall, where the Spirit is grieved; for there they be out of the Quietness, and out of the Rest and Peace. Therefore in Christ, that never fell, the Peace, and Rest, and Light, and Life, and the Power and Truth, live; and God is well pleased, and doth accept you in his Son, Christ Jesus, in the Seed, in the Light, in the Truth, in the Power of God, in the Righteousness, and in the Wisdom; but God doth not accept them nor you, as they and you be in Adam in the Fall, in their own Righteousness, in their own Wisdom, out of the Light, out of the Truth, out of the Life, and not living in it in themselves: And so God doth accept you in Christ the second Adam, that never fell, and is well pleased with you in Christ the Second Adam, that Righteousness, which was before Adam was, is in Christ that never fell, as you come out of Adam in the Fall, and live in Christ Jesus that never fell. And so Christ comes to be manifest in People's Hearts, and the Son to be revealed, who casts out the strong Man, which hath kept the House, and spoils his Goods, who got into Adam and Eve by disobedience, and rules in the Hearts of Adam and Eve's Sons and Daughters, who are in disobedience: And so Christ the Second Adam must rule in People's Hearts, who are in the Obedience, as he doth in all that have Power, and enjoy Life. And so be valiant and faithful for the Truth upon the Earth, serving the Lord in a new Life, that is in Christ Jesus that never fell, out of the old Life of Adam in the Fall; for the old Life is in Adam in the Fall, where the Spirit is grieved; and the new Life is in Adam that never fell, who was born in Bethlehem: Beth is a House, and lathem is Bread, where the fullness is, who will dry up the River Euphrates with its Froth, which hath run so up and down among the Sons of Adam; that People may drink at him the Fountain, the Water of Life, through whom you come to know the mighty God of Heaven and Earth, the upholder of all things, and creator of all things, to his Glory and Honour, being in Christ Jesus, by whom were all things, who is the Top and Corner Stone, in whom you all have Life; in him live: And so Farewell; that you may have the Blessings of the Lord come upon you. And Dear Friends, keep your Hands, Tongues, Feet, Bodies and Hearts clean and open, out of all Pollutions and Uncleanness; for blessed are all you whose Feet are guided in the Way of Peace, which is in the Way of Righteousness, through which the Immortal Life is lived in. And light Words and Jesting all avoid, and Fables, and foolish Talk; but live in the Power of the Lord that's over all, through which you follow Godliness and Holiness, without which none shall see the Lord God. And blessed be God the Father, who hath set Christ over all, who is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, God's faithful and true Witness, the Amen; in him have you the Book opened, and in him you see all things unsealed, in him manifest in you, who is your Life, who was with the Father before the World began, the Amen. For in this Night of Apostasy from the Spirit and Power, that the Apostles were in, hath all things been Sealed up, and no Man could open; but now is the Lamb come again, that opens the Sealed Book. And all Friends, keep out of all the vain Fashions of the World, and over that unchaste Spirit that invents new Fashions daily, both in Apparel and Diet. Therefore keep in the Power of God over them all, that your Lives and Conversations may Judge them in such things, who devour those things upon their Lusts, which God hath given to the service of Man. G. F. The Second EPISTLE. FRiends, this is the Day of the Trial of your Faith, Epist. 233. and therefore be faithful; for the Faith is it by which you have Victory and Access to God; by Faith all the Fiery Darts of Satan are quenched, and by Faith the Mountains are subdued and removed; and in this Faith all your Sacrifices are accepted of God, and that gives you Victory and Access to God; and in this Faith you please God, and that gives you Victory over that which displeased him; and in this Faith you have all Unity, which is the Faith of God's Elect; the One Faith, which keeps you in the Oneness, and all the Sacrificers, and Worshippers, and Religions that is not in this Faith, they are not One, their Sacrifices nor Offerings God hath no respect to, but it is like Cain's, that went from the Presence of God, and Persecuted about his Religion, who built a City in the Land of Nod, which signifies, Wandering to and fro, and unsettled, and toss to and fro, up and down: And this is the City, that all that Persecute about Religion lives in, the Land of Nod, toss, wander to and fro; let them be of what Profession or Religion soever, Heathen, Jew or Christian, if they be Persecutors about Religion with carnal Weapons, they are in Cain's Land of Nod, wandering out of the Faith of Abel, of the Elect; in which Faith God accepts the Sacrifice, and these be in the Land of the Living, but the Cain's Land of Nod, where the envious Ones are Persecuting others about Religion; in that Land God has no respect to none of their Sacrifices nor Religions. The outward Jew had outward Weapons to hold up their outward Services, for which they had a Command from God; but the Heathens had no Command from God to hold up their Inventions; and Christ Jesus came to end the Jews Law and Commandents, that held up their outward Services, together with their outward Weapons, and all outward things: And he who is the Substance reigns, for all the Types, and Figures, and Shadows was given to Man, after Man fell, which Christ that comes to redeem Man out of the Fall, to the State that he was in before he fell, ends them all, and in him there is no Shadow. So he sets up a Spiritual Mininstry, and Spiritual Worship, and a Spiritual Fellowship, and a Church that's without spot or wrinkle, and a Religion that's pure from above; and this Religion is ruled with Spiritual Weapons. And now Friends, here you may discern what is set up by Christ and his Spirit, and what is set up by Man: For Christ who ended the Jews Law and Commandments, who preached and taught his Disciples, who was to go into all Nations to Preach the Gospel, to gather People unto him, and to Establish Churches; he gave forth no Command nor Order, that them that would not hear them, nor receive them, his Law, his Commandment, his Doctrine, that they should be Persecuted, Imprisoned, or Banished; though he suffered, and was Blasphemed and Persecuted, and his Apostles, for publishing forth the Truth; and he rebuked them that would have had men's Lives destroyed, and said, that He came to save men's Lives: And the Apostles, and the the true Church in the Primitive Times, before the Apostasy, that were in the Spirit of Christ Jesus, walked in the Doctrine of Christ, and his Commands, and did not Persecute any about Religion, nor Imprison among themselves, nor others about Religion, tho' they had Ordinances and Commands amongst them for the utmost; and if they did reject the Church's Counsel, they was to be left as Heathen, which was the utmost Penalty. And so here you may see, the Spirit of Christ did not Persecute any for not observing that which it gave forth and set up, which it received from God. Now here's a distinction betwixt the Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of fallen Men; for that which Man's fallen Spirit sets up, which he hath invented, and if others will not fall down to it, and worship it, they Persecute them: This is the Practice of the Heathen and the Jews, that transgressed the Law of God, and followed their Inventions, who persecuted the Prophets, and killed the just One. And this is the Practice of the Spirit of all the Apostatised Christians, from the Primitive Spirit, which was among the Christians, which was the Spirit of Christ. So that Spirit that does set up Ordinances, Commandments, Ways, Religions, Worships, and Persecute others because they will not observe them; this is the Spirit of the World, that lusts to Envy, and not the Spirit of Christ: And also those are the Works of Men which they Persecute about, and not the Works of Christ, which neither he nor his Apostles persecuted about. And so here's a clear distinction to you, that you may know what leads to the Spirit of Christ, and what lusts to the Spirit of Envy; for the Spirit of Christ does not Persecute any that does not receive that which he sets up; but the Spirit of the World doth persecute them that will not receive that which it sets up: And in this you may try both Fruits and Spirits (as the Rod of Moses devoured up all the Magician's Serpents) of the Lying Signs and Wonders; so shall the Rod of Christ, who has all the Power in Heaven and Earth given unto him, who will rule all Nations with his Rod of Iron. Christ's Rod shall and will devour all the Serpents and Lying Wonders of the Spiritual Egypt and Sodom, yea, and all the Serpents that be in all Nations; for all Nations are to be ruled by it. And Moses Song was sung when his Rod had devoured the Serpents, and the outward Egyptians in the Sea: So the Lamb's Song shall be known, as all the Spiritual Egyptians Serpents are devoured by Christ's Rod; and the Spiritual Egyptians being overthrown in the Sea, the Jews in Spirit shall rejoice and sing the Song of the Lamb. The Abomination made Desolation, that's spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, which should come in after the daily Sacrifice was taken way, and should continue One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Days; this Abomination that hath made Desolate from the Truth, Light, Life, and the Power of God; true Religion, and true Worship, and true Church and Fellowship: So the Beast that John saw and speaks of, which must continue Forty Two Months, and the Whore, the false Church upon the Beast; which Beast should be Worshipped Forty Two Months, the time of his continuing; and the Whore should sit in her Scarlet, the false Church upon the Beast. The true Church this time has been in the Wilderness a Thousand Two Hundred and Threescore Days; which is now come out again, and the Manchild is come down from Heaven to Rule all with his Rod of Iron, and the Lamb and the Saints shall have the Victory, who make War in Righteousness, and are going on Conquering and to Conquer. And so you followers of the Lamb be faithful and valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, and heed not your Native Soil, but mind the Birth that's born and brought forth from the Womb of Eternity, that separates you from your Mother's Womb, by which you believe in God, and fear not Man, what he can do unto you; neither look at the Hills for Salvation, for the Lord can make the Rocks a standing Pool, and the Mountains Streams. And therefore dwell in the Power of God, which was before the Fall of Man was; whose fallen Spirit persecutes those who are come to taste of the Power of Christ's Resurrection and Life, and in this Power of God you will not be weary nor faint, which was before the fallen Spirit was that doth assault you; and in this Power you will have stability, content, comfort, joy and peace; and keep over that Spirit, let it not have power over you, that may receive the Truth in a Notion, and may be a little Civilised by it, that is ready to join with every gainsaying Core, and is ready to wander after every strange thing that's new, and so will follow strange Flesh, who are uncleansed by the Power of Truth, and unestablished in it; and such often hath their Religion to seek, that lives in Questioning and Dispute in carnal Reasons, out of the Power of God, in which is the Fellowship, the one thing, which is Christ the Substance, in which all Stability is felt, which has little room in such Hearts. G. F. ALL you Prisoners of the Lord for his Truth's sake, Epist. 234. and for keeping the Testimony of Jesus Christ, against all the evil Inventions, Traditions, Rudiments, Will-Worships, feigned Humilities, and Self-Righteousness of them that be in the Fall, who are out of God's Power and Righteousness, who have no Weapons but Carnal, like themselves Carnal: Your Patience must overcome all these rough and hasty Spirits in the World, and your Love must bear all things; for Patience obtains the Crown which is Immortal, which runs the Race: So it is the Lamb must have the Victory over all the unclean airy Spirits, and over him that is out of the Truth. So, be Meek and Low, than you follow the Example of Christ, and come to bear the Image of the Just, who suffered by the Vnjast; and put on his Righteousness, who suffered by the Unrighteous; whose Back was struck, and his Hair was plucked off, and Face was spit upon, and yet cried, Father, forgive them. Here he kept his Dominion, a Sufferer who had the Victory, which the Followers of the Lamb do in Measure attain unto. So, put on Conrage, put on Patience: Let your Loyalty be known; for your King that hath conquered the Devil, Death and Hell, in walking in Righteousness, Peace and Truth, feeling the Power of God, teaching every one of you when that Words are not uttered. And let your Faith be in the Power that goes through all things, and over all things, and every one harken to it. So, the Power of the mighty God know (the Arm) and how it works, and the Hand how it carries you, which brings out of Tribulation, and Thraldom, and Spiritual Egypt, into Peace. And this is the Power of God, in which you will feel to before Enmity was, and be at Peace one with another, than you live in the Prince of Peace his Kingdom, and Dominion and Life; in which is Unity, which was before Enmity was, which destroys it. And so in the Power of the Lord God you are made strong, which goes over the Power of Darkness, and was before it was, which is out of the Power of God. And all People that are from the Witness of God in their own particulars, they are all weak and seeble, and stagger. All Men and women's Strength is in the Power of God; that goes over the Power of Darkness. So, feel all this to go through all and over all, Preaching and working in you; and let the Ear be lent to it, and hearken to it in one another: And by it feel the Seed raised up in one another, which is Heir of the Power, that you may know each your Portion. For all People that be from the Witness of God in their own particulars, that be erred from it, and hate the Light; they are full of Darkness, Sin and Iniquity: Inspiration and Revelation, while their Minds are erred from the Spirit of God in themselves, is hid from them. So, when their Minds are turned with the Light and Spirit of God, towards God, then with it they shall know something of Revelation and Inspiration, as they are turned with that of God from the Evil, and emptied of that, than there will be some room in them for something of God to be revealed and inspired into them. And therefore in that, they will have Prophecies, and seeing things to come; being turned from the Evil that hath darkened them, and separated them from God; in which they will see the Covenant, through which they will come to have Peace with God. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 235. You who now come to suffer by a Land-Flood, keep on the Rock, for there is Safety, though a Storm be in the Sea, and the Flood be great, and the Winds great, and the Way rough and crooked, the Seed Christ can make all plain. And so think not the Winter and Cold Wether, nor the Night long; for the Lilies do grow, and the Gardens do give a good smell; and there is a difference between the Carnal Mind and the Spiritual, and the meetings of Adam in the Fall, and them that be gathered into Christ the Resurrection, and the Life, and Power, and Spirit. And the Sun shines, and the Light is clear, and not dim, that you may see your Way, and Life, though there is a Storm and Tempest in the Sea. And so mind the Summer, and singing of Birds; and not the Winter and Night, in which evil Beasts do yell. And so blessed and happy are you that have the Oil in your Lamps, and have risen at the Voice of the Bridegroom, and have laid up in store against this Day that is come; which, now all the rich in Profession, who thought they had something, are come to Poverty, your old Opposers. And the Rock remaineth: And therefore all, and every one, from the Highest to the Lowest, let none take your Crown, but be Faithful, for the Lord's Ears are open to the Cries of his oppressed and afflicted Ones; he heareth the Groans and Cries, Day and Night, of them: And the Lord's Eye is open, and he sees all the Actions of Men, and Times and Seasons, are in his Hands, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; the Strong and All-sufficient, Omnipotent God, Elshdy, who destroyeth the Destroyer, and ruineth him that would destroy and ruin all; who by his Seed destroyeth him and his Works: And so in the Seed sit down, in whom ye have Life and Peace; and he remaineth, and changeth not, who now reigneth and is over all; and in him live, that hath been slain-from the Foundation of the World, and prisoned and pressed as a Cart with Sheaves, and yet gave his Back and Cheeks to the Smiter, and his Hairs to the Pluckers of them off. And so in him, the Second Adam, you will not be weary, nor faint, nor think the time long of your Sufferings: For all the Weariness and Faintings is in Adam in the Fall. And so, your Church being in God, and your Worship in the Spirit, and Power and Truth, which the Devil is out of; and your Fellowship in the Gospel, the Power of God, which was before the Devil was, keep your Fellowship in the Power of God, and look above all outward Sufferings, and dwell in that which is above all, and will stand when all other is gone. And so, dwell in the Love of God, and in the Unity of the Spirit, one with another: And in that, the Lord God Almighty preserve you all; yea, over all that which is contrary to his Power, to his Glory, for ever. Amen. G. F. ALL my Dear Friends, in the Everlasting Power, Epist. 236. Life and Truth live, for you cannot live without it, in the Winds and Storms: And though the Hills and the Mountains are burnt, and the Trees are become fruitless, and that Winter hath devoured the former Fruits, and you do see that Persecution hath choked them, and the Heat hath scorched them; whereby the untimely Figs are fallen, and the Corn is withered on the Housetop, and the Night is come, and the Evil Beasts go out of their Den: But Truth lives, and the Power of God is over them all; and Christ ruleth, and there is Bread of Lafe, and Water of Life in him, and in his House; though the Caterpillars and Locusts are agreed to eat up all the Green: But, as you are in the Truth, you are in its Day; and they in the Darkness, are in the Day of Darkness. And all who are in the Truth, rejoice through Christ, in the God of Truth, and never heed Prisons, for they are but for a time; and mind him who hath all Times and Seasons in his Hand: And never heed the raging Waves of the Sea, nor be troubled at his Tongue that speaks nothing but Tribulation, Anguish and Bondage; nor be troubled at the Cords of the Ungodly; for the Cords of Love, the Power of God are stronger: And what doth he that sits in Heaven, but laugh them to scorn? And so be Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, for the Power is the Lords. And so my Love to all Friends in the Everlasting Seed, that never fell nor changeth. G. F. MY Dear Friends and Brethren, Epist. 237. The Lord is with you all every where, who suffer for his Name and Truth's sake, in all your Bonds and Afflictions be of good Comfort, for the Lord is with you; neither be dismayed at your Sufferings, for if you suffer, Christ suffereth; and if you be persecuted, it is Christ that is persecuted; and if you be not visited, it is Christ that is not visited; and if you be oppressed, it is He that is oppressed: And He will lay no more upon you than you are able to bear: And the Angel of his Presence suffered with the Outward Jew, and Christ suffereth with the Inward Jew in the Spirit: And so hath a fellow-feeling with you all, in all your Bonds and Afflictions; and Christ, who suffereth, will overcome all his Enemies: He reigns, and they must be his Footstool to stand upon. And so, be of good Faith, and be Valiant for the Turth upon the Earth. G. F. MY Dear Friends and Brethren all every where, Epist. 238. Keep your Habitation and your First Love, and do not go forth from your Rule of Faith and Life within; in which you all have Unity and Fellowship, and the Lord will be your Comforter and Teacher: And if you do not go forth from the Light, Spirit and Truth within, the Light you will feel to guide and lead you, and instruct you: And by it you may have Immortality put upon you: And be not ashamed of Christ Jesus the Light, and Life and Teacher; nor of his Spirit, to lead you. For, can they find no occasion against you, but because you worship God in Spirit, and obey Christ Jesus his Command. And so, as the old Cry was, Away with such a Fellow from the Earth, it is not fit for him to live; so it is now: But blessed are those that keep their Habitations clean, and live in the Power of the Lord, which was before the Curse was. G. F. A General Epistle to all Friends. ALL my Dear Friends and Brethren, Epist. 239. who are of the Royal Seed of God: Patience obtains the Victory, that runs the Race and obtains the Crown; be married and joined to the Seed Christ the Lamb, slain form the Foundation of the World; form its Foundation I say: For as you are joined to the Seed, and married to that which hath been slain from the Foundation of the World, which hath the Victory and doth overcome; by this you come to the End of the World; mark, to its End. And now all Friends, look upon the Sufferings that have been since the Fall, and since the World began. And again, look upon the Valiant Prisoners, and such as stood with the Lord and for the Lord, and followed and obeyed his Movings, and Motions, and Commands; with the Victory they had, how they triumphed in the Lord, over that which was against the Lord; for by Faith Abraham forsook his Country, and his Father's House, and his National Worship. And by Faith was Abel's Offering accepted of God, unto whom God had respect: Therefore did wicked Cain persecute and kill him about his Religion: And this was not long after Man was fallen from the Righteousness, and the Power, and the Image of God, which Man was made in. And by the Faith, and the Power and Wisdom of God did Moses go down and speak to Pharaoh the King of Egypt, and through the Power, and Hand, and Arm of God he led them out of Egypt; which signifies Misery, Thraldom and Bondage; though afterwards when they were come out, and had tasted the Power of God, many fell. And Moses saw Christ, the great Prophet that was to come, which was to build his House (as Moses by the Wisdom of God had done his, in the time of the Law, with Types, Figures and Shadows) and so look upon Moses how he conquered all the Magicians, and comprehended all the Sorcerers, and Soothsayers, and Pharaoh's Religion and their Worship; and could not bow nor bent unto it. Look upon Joseph, who through the Enmity in his Brethren was sold into Egypt, who underwent Reproach and Imprisonment; unto whom God gave Power over all at last, and confounded all the wise Men, and the National Worshippers in Egypt, and came in Favour over them all by the Power of God: And remember Abraham, who was in the Faith and the Fear of God; and how Abimalek's House for his sake God plagued. Therefore keep in the Faith of Abraham, than who wrongs you, the Hand of the Lord will turn against them: And whilst they stood in the Power of God, what Victories they had over their Enemies! As instance Samson, David, and Saul: But when any went from the Command of God, how under the Heathen they fell! So, now ye who are come to God's Power, which goes over the Power of Darkness, and before it was; in that stand, tuiumph, and trample; who are come to the End of Carnal Weapons and striving with outward Arms: And ye may lood upon them, how Valiant they were over the Philistines, both Samson and David, and his mighty Men, when they were in the Power of God, and how David's three mighty Men, broke through a whole Host to fetch Water to refresh David: Therefore now ye in the Power of the Lord, the mighty God, go over all the Philistines of the Earth, and their Carnal Weapons, as there they in the time of the Law did with Carnal Weapons: And how often Jacobs Well was stopped up (the beloved of God, the Second Birth by the Philistines; but Jacob did thresh the Mountains, as he did arise, and drove them away; by which he might drink again. So, read this in the Substance, who are come to the Second Birth, which goes over Esau and the Philistines, both which was before they were: And also remember how the Prophets were Imprisoned, and put into Dungeons and Stocks, etc. As in particular Jeremiah, and how they were mocked, and scoffed at, and reproached, for declaring against the Sins and Wickedness of the Times, both by Rulers, Teachers and People; and yet by the Power of God they were carried through, and over all: And the Cry was then, Cursed is he that puts his Trust in Man, or feared Man, or the Arm of Flesh, etc. So remember Daniel, and the Three Children, though Prisoners, yet could not bow to the National Worship, and so were cast into the Fiery Furnace, and the Den of Lions, unto whom the Lord God gave Dominion over their Enemies, and confounded the National Worshippers, with all the Magicians, and made the King to change his Decree and Law. And this was in the Babylonish Monarchy; and when the Medes and Persians got up, the Power was changed, than they cast Daniel into the Den of Lions, because he prayed to his God contrary to the King's Decree, to whom God appeared again and confounded them all, and made the King or Emperor to change his Decree. Therefore keep Faith in the Power of God, for that is it by which the Elders of old obtained a good Report. And consider Mordecay, who stood faithful, and could not bow to proud Flesh, though it was in danger of destroying all the Jews, over whom, through Obedience to God, he gave him Victory, by which he came to answer the Good in all People. Now consider, they that came to profefs Christ, who was the Substance before the Types, Figures and Shadows, which were held up by the Jews in the Law, and first Covenant, and Priesthood and Ordinances (which Christ the Substance came to end) how that I say, the Christians of Old by that kind of People, the Jews, as you do now suffer the most, and have done by them that are the greatest Professors of Christ's Words, but out of the Life and Power of Christ, which the Apostles and Saints were in, in the Primitive Times. So it is no new thing, and as Solomon saith, Here is no new thing under the Sun; for it is not a new thing for the Birth that is born after the Flesh to persecute the Birth that is born after the Spirit. And look upon the Apostles, and consider how they suffered (and by whom) that bore Testimony to the Substance; their Sufferings were by such as were in the Husks, Shadows, Inventions and Rudiments of the World, and such as were fallen from God's Righteousness, Image and Holiness, and not in the renewed State. And consider how that the Hebrews suffered the spoiling of their Goods by the Hebrews, who were called Jews, as you may read in the Epistle to the Hebrews; for ye read in few of the Epistles, that the Gentiles suffered the spoiling of their Goods (or the Christians by the Gentiles) but mostly by the Jews, the great Professors, as you do and have done in these Days. And consider how the Witness hath been slain, and (the true Church) the Woman fled into the Wilderness, who was persecuted; and how she hath been fed there of God; and how since that time the Beast and Dragon's Worship hath been up, and the false Prophet, and the Whore (the false Church) which hath ridden on the Beast in the Dragon's Power, whom the People have Worshipped; who hath caused all Nations to drink of the Whore's Cup of Fornication. Now you that have come to the end, and beyond all the Worships of the Beast, and after the Worship of the Dragon, who comes now to fathom the Whore (the fale Church) and the false Prophets, and comes to see the Power, and to be in it, that takes them and and casts them alive into the Lake of Fire (which hath been Worshipped) and burns the Whore's Flesh with- Fire; which Power gives them Dominion over them all, and to see to the very Apostles Days, what they were in, and what hath got up since then; for it is Sixteen Hundred Years since the false Prophets and Anti-christs' came in (therefore they may plead Antiquity.) Now with the Power of God ye may look what Tricks they have played in the World, since the Primitive Times in the Apostasy: But now is the Bride coming up out of the Wilderness, and the Prophet is arisen and arising, and the Everlasting Gospel shall be, and is, Preached again to all Nations, Kindred's, Tongues and People's, of them that dwell upon the Earth; and the Reapers and going forth to reap People down, and so up to God, and to bring them into the Barn, and to gather the Wheat into the Garner. And People shall come to Worship God, that made Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all that is therein, and the Beast's Worship, and Dragon's Worship, and the great Whore's Church is falling (the true Woman is coming up) false Prophets are falling, true Prophets and true Witnesses are rising and fisen: Sing, Triumph and Rejoice, Glory in the Highest, trample, tread and bow them before the mighty God: Let the Wicked bow before the Gates of the Righteous: Sing and Rejoice, the Heaven of Heavens Praise the Lord. Now the Dragon's Worship, Beast, false Church, false Prophet is taken, the old Dragon cast into the Lake of Fire (and with him the false Prophets) and the Flesh of the Whore burned: Reap out, reap out, reap out I say (with the Power of God) ye Reapers unto the Lord, for here is the Day of Harvest, for as the other falls, the Day of Harvest is known, a Day of Gathering; for it is that which hat inwardly Ravened, that hath scattered. For the inwardly Raveners, and Wolves in Sheep's Clothing, whose Fruits have been Briars and Thorns, and Thistles, are them which have made up the false Church, the Whore, the false Prophets, and the Beast's Worship, and the Dragon's Worship out of the Truth, which have made the World like a Wilderness, overgrown with Thistles, Thorns and Briars, in which lodge the Wolves and Dragons; the beginning of this Ravening into this State was a matter of Sixteen Hundred Years since, amongst whom is found the Blood of the Martyrs, Prophets and Saints in the Faith, and in the Testimony of Jesus, shed in this dark Night of Apostasy, Separation, Degeneration, with all their compelling Worships, Inventions, Laws, Traditions, Churches, Rudiments to be observed, and Cups for People to drink: In these (I say) and among these, have the Righteous suffered since the Days of the Apostles; and among them is the Blood of the Martyrs, and the Prophets, and holy People of the Royal Seed found; and by them have they all suffered, and from amongst them will God fetch his Royal Seed with his own Hand, and with his mighty Power will he fetch it: Glory over all to him, Rejoice and Sing Praises, He is now Triumphing Gloriously, and bringing ye over with his Power, that ye might see to the beginning before Man fell; and know the State of the Jews in the Law, and the State of the Christians in the end of the Law, and the State of the Apostatised pretended Christians since the Apostles Days, out of both Law and Gospel, how they have gotten up, and in what they have lived out of the loaf and Power the Apostles were in, and Christ Jesus, who is the First and the Last, the Top and Cornerstone, who is over all felt, and lies heavy upon the Transgressor's, who is the Rock, upon which the Lambs leaps and skips; him feel in you all, than ye may all feel the First and the Last, who destroys the Devil and his Works (which are imperfect) whose works are Persecution, and Murder, and Banishment, and Cruelty, and Imprisonment: For the Devil shall cast some into Prison, saith John in the Revelations; and the Devil was a Murderer from the beginning, and a Liar, whom Christ destroys, and his Works, who was before he was, and remains when he is destroyed and gone, and his Works. Therefore in him (the Seed) have ye Life Eternal, and in him meet together, and then ye are in the Pastures of Life, who is the First and the Last, who is over Death and the Power of it, and the Pastures of Death, So who are in this Royal Seed comprehends the State and Time before the Law, the Time of the Law, the Time of Christians, and the Time of the Apostasy: For the Seed Christ is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending; and in the Seed is the stayedness and plainness of Words and Life (yet a Mystery to all them that be out of it.) And comprehends and sees the State of the Sufferings of the Just before the Law, and the State of the Sufferings of the Just in the Law, by whom, and for what they suffered; and also comprehends the State of the Christians, who lived in the end of the Law, in Christ the Substance, and by whom they suffered, and for what; even by such as were the greacest Professors, out of the loaf of Moses and the Prophets, which, had they been in it, they would have read Christ the Substance, and all them that testified of him, and were Witnesses of him: And also comprehends the State, and sees who are them that Apostatised from the Apostles, and the Church in the Primitive Times, who have been the Sufferers, and who it is that hath made them to Suffer, and for what. So the Measuring Line of Righteousness is in this known; and also the State now wherein the Lamb and the Saints shall have the Victory; and the rising of the Witnesses, and the Prophets, and the Reapers going forth to Reap the Earth, and the Woman is coming out of the Wilderness, and the Worshipping of God that made Heaven and Earth, the Sea and the dry Land is known; and the desturction of the Devil's Worship, and the Dragon's, and the false Prophets, and the great Whore (the false Church) and the Saints shall reign, and the Lamb shall have victory; and the Bride, the Lamb's Wife, shall be known (which is the true Church, which Christ is the Head of.) So in this live; that is, in the Life and Power of Christ, in Christ the Substance, in which ye may know him, the First and the Last, and the Gospel-Fellowship which is preached again; which Gospel is the Power of God, which was before the Power of Darkness was, which hath darkened Life and Immortality from People; in which Power, Life and Immortality comes to be brought to Light again to People; in which Power of God is the Fellowship, which is a Mystery. So wait to know every particular of yourselves, to be Heirs of this; and know your Portion, the Power of God, the Gospel-Fellowship, then are ye Members one of another, and living Stones, that build up the Spiritual Household: And also know the Cross of Christ, which is the Power of God, which Crucifies from the State in the Fall and the Apostasy; in that State, I say, that Adam and Eve, and all their Sons and Daughters are in, in the Fall; where, in that State, they glory in the Creaturcs, and in their Shame, and in their Inventions, or in their Strength, Wisdom or Riches: But glorying in the Cross of Christ, the Power of God, the glorying is in that which doth Crucify from the State of Adam and Eve, and all their Sons and Daughters in the Fall; and from this State all the Apostate-Christians are since the Apostles Days: And in this Power of God is Everlasting Glorying; which is a Cross to all that live (as I said before) in the Apostasy, and in the Fall; but not a Cross to them that be Redeemed and Crucified; for their glorying stands in it which is over all the gloryings in the Fall, and all Creatures. So in the Power of the Lord God meet, wait, live, and dwell, and have fellowship; for in the Power, Christ lives: Therefore now you that are come to know the Gospel preached again which was amongst the Apostles, in this Power of God you will feel before the Fall of Adam and Eve, where all things were good and blessed in the Beginning before the Fall; which, after the Fall, the Curse came, which buought the Woe and Misery: So you that feel the Redemption out of the Fall, you know the State of the Blessing before the Fall, how all things were good and blessed: Come into the same Power that brings you up before the Fall, and brings you to be gathered in the Name of Jesus, which is above every Name, and be gathered into the Name of Jesus, by which Salvation is brought; for there is no other Name under Heaven given, by which Salvation is brought, but by the Name of Jesus. So, ye being gathered in the Name which is above every Name, and also in the Name by which Salvation is brought, and by no other Name; in that wait, and meet, and keep together; so ye will feel the Blessing of the Lord in you, and amongst you. So Farewell. And consider how the Servants of the Lord, and his Royal People, and Prophets, feared not Flames, feared not Dens of Lions, or Dragons, heeded not Prisonments, Bonds, Banishments, Whips nor Scourge, nor spoiling of their Goods, and their Tortures; nor feared not their being sawed asunder, nor their Socks, their Clubs and Staves, nor Persecution; but chose rather to suffer Reproach with the People of God, then to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a season: And how that Reproaches, Slanders, vilifying Words they regarded not, but trampled upon such, and said, The Sufferings were not to be valued with the Excellency and Riches of Grace, which they were made Partakers of. And the Cry was, What shall separate us from the Love of God, which we have in Christ Jesus? Shall Death, shall Famine, or Sword, or Persecution, or Cold, or Nakedness, or Things present, or Things to come, or Height, or Depth, or Angels, or Men, or Principalities, or Powers, separate us from the Love of God? etc. For by the Powers were all the National Worships held up, as they are at this Day, and the false Prophets, the Teachers, and the Powers joined together then against them that were in the Faith; by which Faith they overcame, and said, There was not any thing that was able to separate them from the Love of God which they had in Christ Jesus. Mark Christ the Seed, who destroys the Devil and his Works; in which Seed (Christ) ye come over the Devil the Author of all Prisoning, Persecuting, Darkness, Ungodliness, unrighteousness, unholiness; Christ who doth subdue all things to himself, whose Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom, and Dominion, an Everlasting Dominion over all Dominions: And in this Kingdom and Dominion have ye all Peace, where no unrighteous thing enters: And so in this ye come to be a free People, in Life, and Power, and Dominion. And there is no new thing under the Sun, for the Wicked cries, Light is Darkness yet (as of old Time) and calls Good, Evil; and Evil, Good; and Truth, Error; and cries up the false Teachers and Prophets, for the true; and false Church and Worship, and the feigned Humility, for the true; and the blind Zeal, for the good and true Zeal, now as in former Days: And so it is the old Enemy of Mankind, and his Works, which the Seed destroys, who reigns. Glory for ever to the Highest. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 240. All outward Things, Figures, Types, Shadows and Inventions, have been set up since Adam fell; which Inventions Christ destroys, and the Types, Figures and Shadows of him he fulfils, and brings Man up out of the Fall, to the State Ire was in before he fell; and so in the Power of God, into Peace, Love, and Unity, and into the Everlasting Fellowship. Cain differed from Abel in matter of Worship; Abraham from his Countrymen and Nation: Likewise in matter of Worship, Moses and the Children of Israel differed from the Egyptians and Canaanites, and other Nations, in matter of Worship. Yet after the Children of Israel were brought out of Egypt by the Power of God, how soon after did they set up a Calf, an Outward thing? Therefore in the Power of God keep over all things, and in his Wisdom. And how soon Chora, Dathan and Abyram began to offer a strange Sacrifice, after they were brought out of Egypt by the Power of God; and went from the Power of God, in which they should have offered; therefore in the Power of God keep. And how soon the Children of Israel (when they multiplied and grew numerous) offered out of the Life of the Law, and the Power of God; then their Sacrifices were like unto the cutting off a Dog's Neck, and blessing Idols; therefore keep in the Life and Power of God. And ye may see Daniel's Religion and Worship differed from Nebuchadnezzar's the Emperor of Babylon, and likewise differed from the Chaldeans and Persians, as yours comes to differ now from all the Apostates, gone from the Apostles, and Christ's Life and Doctrine; and there is the Mystery of Babylon, as the Jews differed from outward Babylon; therefore keep in the Power of God, that keeps you to the Beginning. And also ye may see what differences there was among the Churches in the Primitive Times, about Meats, Drinks, Days, and Times, but the Apostle tells them the Kingdom of God stands not in such things, but in Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost; and they were not to Judge one another about such things; for Meats was for the Belly, and the Belly for Meats, but God would destroy both them and it, and shown them that it was below Christians to jangle about such things. And also what jangling was there in the Church in the Primitive Times about Circumcision, which the Apostle brings them off, and tells them, That Circumcision nor Uncircumcision availeth nothing, but a new Creature. Therefore mind that New Creature, and the Faith that works by Love. And how also there was Janglings about Baptism and the Supper, and about Men, some for Paul, and some for Apollo, etc. But the Apostle directed them all to know Christ the Seed, in the Male and Female, and told them he preached Christ in them, and bid them examine themselves, and prove themselves, and to know him to be in them, otherwise they were Reprobates; and he brings them off from things that are seen, for the things which are seen are Temporal, but the things that are not seen are Eternal. Now these things which they jangled about, were things that were seen, and not Eternal things, but Temporal; for, if they did not come to Christ Jesus, the Substance of those things, they remained in the Reprobation from the Life, Truth and Substance. And also what Janglings there was amongst the Primitive Christians, about Marriage of Believers, and Unbelievers, and the departing of the Believers from the Unbelievers; which the Apostle told them, That Marriage was honourable in all, and the Bed undefiled; and how that they should abide together, the Believer with the Unbeliever; and how that the Believer sanctifieth the Unbeliever, by which their Children were not unholy, but clean; and how it was better to marry than to burn; though he spoke to the same Corinthians of a State which was beyond that. And likewise, also how there was Janglings about Ministers and Teachers, about such as transformed themselves as into Angels of Light, and such as preached for filthy Lucre, and such as served not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own Bellies; which the Apostle stops all such, and brings them to the Life, and Seed, and Power of God over them all; and shows concerning Marriage, how God made them Male and Female in the Beginning; which was the honourable Marriage before the defiled State was. And likewise what Janglings there was, whether the Woman should be covered, or the Man should be covered, when they Prayed or Prophesied; in which the Apostle set forth a Comeliness among them, of the Man's being uncovered, and the Woman covered; in as much as the Man was the Image and Glory of God, and the Woman the glory of the Man. Nevertheless, he would have them to know, that God was the Head of Christ, and Christ was the Head of the Man, and the Man was the Head of the Woman; and the Woman was made for the Man, and not the Man for the Woman. And thus ye may see that these Corinthians were not come up to the State of Adam before he fell, and of Eve, by the Apostles setting thus forth their States: And whereas it is said by some, That Christ is the Head of the Man, etc. Which Head of Man (say they) is the same that is Head of the Woman. Mark, Now, if it be so, according to this Interpretation (which is wresting) than Christ must be covered in the Woman, when she Prays or Prophecies, and the Woman must have Power over Christ, and she be uncovered, than Christ must be shorn or shaved; which is ridiculous, and shows then a difference of Christ in the Male and the Female; which is not so, for God is the Head of Christ, and Christ the Head of Man, as he was made, and Man the Head of the Woman: But as Woman received the Temptation, and likewise also the Man, and so are both in the Fall; now this was spoken as Man was made before he fell, which as Man comes up again out of the Fall, and Woman, Christ in the Male and in the Female he is Head of both. But now this was spoken to the Corinthians (who were not come up to the State that Adam and Eve were in before they fell) among whom this difference about covering or uncovering was, Whether the Man should be uncovered, and the Woman covered when they Prayed? etc. Which was the comely Order which the Apostle set amongst them, and told them there should be Heresies among them, 1 Cor. 11 19 that they that were approved might be made manifest, and looked upon them as Heretics, who jangled contrary to his comely Order and Practice, which was, as said before, spoken to such as were not come to the State of Adam and Eve before they fell; for they that are come thither to that State by Christ, are come before outward Cover were; and them that are come to Christ, are come to the end of Prophecy, to the Seed Christ, the Top-Stone, in whom all things end; which Top and Cornerstone is over all that laid that Ends and Changes. So, let your Life be in that which never ends, nor never changes, and in whom there is no changing nor altering: And who are come to this, will not go back again into outward things. And also ye may see what Jangling there was amongst such as did forbid Meats, and Drinks, and Marriage; and such got up into worshipping of Angels and compelling Ways, which after a time did separate, and Apostatise from Christ, and the Apostles, and so afterwards became Anti-christs', in an Anti-Liberty, and Anti-Freedom, to such as know all things good and blessed as they were in the Beginning; which, who are there, are out of the State which Adam and Eve was in before the Fall, where all the Janglings are about outward things, which is in the fallen Wisdom; but who are come up into the Wisdom, and the Seed, and the Life, and the Substance, and know the State of Adam in the Fall, and his Sons and Daughters, where the Curse, Wrath and Woe is, and know the State of Adam and Eve before the Fall, how all things were good and blessed to them: These, I say, are above the Janglings about outward things; for they that set up outward things are in the Fall, and there keeps People from going home to the Beginning, and there is the Ground of making Sects about outward things, which keeps them from the Universal Power of God, which was before the Fall, and brings up out of it; and that is, not to preach the Gospel, which is the Power of God, which was before Types, Figures, and Shadows were, and brings up out of them: And in this Power of God is the Fellowship of the Gospel, which lasts for ever; so is the Fellowship everlasting, that never hath an end. For all the Janglings in the Apostasy brings into Sects, and Schisms and Heresies, since the Apostles Days (from the Apostles, out of the Life and Power of God, as they were in) it hath been in outward things, and about outward things, and their Eyes have been at them, and about them have been Jangling; which, now ye that have seen the Everlasting Gospel, and known the Everlasting Gospel preached again, which was among the Apostles, and have been reaped out from among the Apostates, got up since the Apostles days; I say, live in it, and dwell in it; in which Life and Power ye see over to the Apostles Days, by the Spirit that gives to have an Understanding of things; in which Power of God ye do not only see to the Apostles Days, but over the Jews Law without, and its Figures, Type, and Shadows, which was given to the Sons of Men, and of Adam after he fell, in the Fall, which types out the Life, that is to say, Christ, who redeems up out of the Fall, which Man was in before he fell, and up into the State of Christ which shall never fall, unto himself, And in this Man seethe the Blessed State, how all things were Good and Blessed, and how all the Works of God are perfect, and he himself, God's Work, who set him in Dominion before he fell, as he was in the Power, Image and Righteousness of God. And so Christ, who brings Man out of the Fall, whom all the Types, Figures and Shadows, and typical things figured forth; all which he ends, and is the Substance of all variable and changeable things, in whom all the true Christians have Life, and live in his Life. Now the Janglings of the Jews against the Christians was, about their outward things, in the First Covenant, Law, and First Priesthood that held up thess things (in opposition to the Christians) which God had commanded, not seeing him whom the true Christians witnessed, who restored them out of all the changeable things, up into the State Man was in before he fell, and before those Types, Figures, and changeable things were, which since the Days of the Apostles, and also in their Days, things were getting up, which the Apostles judged; and setting up also by such whom the Apostles judged and denied, and set forth Orders and Comeliness among the Saints, and preached up the Substance Christ, in whom there is no Shadow, Changing, nor Variableness. And that the Heat of some Spirits got up so high about their outward things, that when they were not owned nor received, their Sacrifices, and their Will-Worships, and their feigned Humility, and their observing of Days, and Times, and for bidding Marriages, setting up their Doctrines, and Traditions, which was not to be touched, tasted, nor standled, they went enviously into Cain's ay, and Balaam's and got great Men on their sides, and admired their Persons because of their Advantage. Such went from the Voice of God, which brought them out of Egypt, as Core did. And all the envious Spirits risen against them, that were in the Power of God in all Ages, because they could not observe their outward things, which they had set up to be observed, which they that were in the universal Power of God, which was before the Fall was, could never do; for their Freedom stands in that; therefore is Cain wrathful (against his Brother) who is the Wanderer and Vagabond from God's Voice, Way, Life and Acceptation. So ye may read all, the State in the Fall from God's Power, where the forcing and compelling to outward things hath been, which hath kept People out of the Power, and from coming up to the Beginning again, and from the universal Fellowship; in which Fall and Apostasy have they broken to pieces into many Sects, Heads, Heaps, Names and Peoples. Therefore ye all dearly beloved Friends, that know the universal Power of God, that goes over all the Apostasy and the Fall (where the Curse, and Wrath, and Woe is) to the Beginning; you know the Redemption out of this State into the Beginning, where all things are blest to you that live in Love and Life, in which ye have the Everlasting Peace with God. And so keep in the universal Eye, and the Power of God, which keeps you over all to the Beginning, which is the pure Eye; for the impure Eye is in the Fall, out of God's Power; for all the setting up outward things in the Apostasy, and in the Fall, doth but keep People from home, and from going home, that is to the State which Man was in before he fell, up into that State home again; which, when come thither, he is come both out of the Fall, and also out of the Apostasy. Now they that do so (to wit, set up outward things) gathers People to themselves, not unto God, nor home again to their first Habitation; for they who set up outward things lost their first Habitation, to keep People in the Fall: Adam and Eve lost their Habitation; Cain lost his Habitation not doing well; Balaam from his Prophecy and his Habitation not doing well And all they that went from the Apostles in Cain, Core's and Balam's Way, lost their Habitations, and so came under a Chain of Darkness. As likewise all they that are inwardly Ravened from the Spirit of God, who are gone into outward things since the Apostles Days, in the Apostasy have lost their Habitation, and set up outward things, to keep others out of their Habitations, and then if they do not observe them, they are wrathful against them like Cain. And Core went from his Habitation, from the Power that brought him out of Egypt; and so such come under the Chain of Darkness, who lose their Habitations, and they that lost their Habitations, lose their first Love. Therefore to you all, this is the Word of the Lord God, who have tasted of his Power, and believed in his Light, and enjoyed his Light, by which ye see his Seed, keep your Habitations, than ye keep your first Love, than ye keep Unity and Fellowship, than ye keep Dominion. And let Cain, Balaam, Core, and all the Apostates, and the Devils out of Truth, and the Sons of Adam in the Fall, Roar and Rage never so much, ye in your Habitations and in your Houses coming up to the Beginning, ye are safe and at peace: In which ye feel the Power, and Life, and Seed of God, that never altars nor changes, in which ye have the Blessing and Promise of God; and know the State where the curse is, to them that goes from their Habitation, and so lose their First Love. In which ye in your Habitations and first Love abiding, the Power of God, and his Seed the Top-Stone is over all set. And in the Wisdom of God ye come to answer that of God in every one, and so come into Dominion, and the Habitation, in which ye hear the Voice of God, and see the blessed State, where all things are Blessed, as I said before, before the Apostasy, that Man was driven from God, in which ye feel Life and Power, and the Seed which remains, when all that which is in the Fall and Apostasy is gone; in which ye know the Kingdom of the Son of God that lasts for ever; in which ye know the Worship of God in Spirit and Truth, which the Devil is out of; and the Fellowship of the Gospel, which was before the Devil was; and the Fellowship of the Cross, which crucifies from the State of Adam and Eve, with their Sons and Daughters in the Fall; and in that be glad and rejoice, in which ye have Settlement and Establishment, and come to the Church in God. Therefore ye in the universal Seed of God, and Power of God, which fathoms all things that never ends nor changeth; in that all dwell and live, that the Seed ye may feel over all set, and the Top-Stone over all laid, which is the First and the Last. G. F. DEar Friends, Keep your Meetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ that never fell, Epist. 241. in which you may see over all the Meetings that are gathered by all the Sons of Adam, that are out of the Power and Life. You that are gathered in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ that never feel, him will you feel in the midst of your Gatherings, in the Light, Life and Truth: And so look (over all the Wicked's Prisons) at the Seed of God, Christ, which was before they were, and will stand when they are all gone. And so never heed the Wicked's Tempest, Storm, nor Hail, nor his Arrows nor Instruments of Cruelty; let nor the Back and the Hair, the Cheek and the Shoulder be ever turned from him; though many Weapons be form against him and his followers, yet they shall never Prosper, for the Seed Christ shall reign over all, and will stand when they are gone, which was before they were. And so be Faithful unto the Lord God, and be Valiant for his Truth upon Earth! Showing that something will oppose it, or else what need the word Valiant be spoken? And so mind the Truth (and not the Wicked's Persecutions) and the Living Way, which is Christ Jesus, who never fell nor changeth, in which you may see over all Adam's Sons and Daughters Ways in the Fall, who do change, being in the Way, Christ Jesus that never fell, who doth not change; in this Way you have Life Eternal, in which you see over all in the Fall (in which is Death) and so Christ being the Way, he that forsakes his Way, forsakes his Life; and he that doth not come out of the Way of Adam that fell (into the Way of Adam that never fell) lives in Death. So let all haste and run for their Lives into Adam that never fell, out of Adam that fell; for Adam's Ways that fell, are the Ways of Death; but Adam that never fell is the Way of Life: In Adam in the Fall is Trouble and Unquietness; but in Adam that never fell is Peace and Rest: In Adam in the Fall is Shadows and Turn; but in Adam who is the Living Way is no Shadows nor Turn. So every one in Adam that never fell (Christ Jesus) who never changeth, the same yesterday, to day, and for ever, than you are in the Living Way, in which you all have Life, in Christ the Living Way, which never fell: And so He is the Way, and he that forsakes the Way, Christ, forsakes his Life. In this all may sound forth, Who hath any thing against this Way Christ, who neur fell nor changed? 'Twas Adam changed, and Eve changed, and their Sons and Daughters in the Fall are in the falling, changing, changeable Ways: But who are in Christ that never fell, sees over them all in the Fall, that turns about with every Wind as it ariseth. And so in your Way live, all in Christ Jesus, so will you feel Light, Life and Power; that Life which was with the Father before the World began: In that all Feed, and in that feel Power, and that way never changeth with the Winds and Tempest; and the cry is, Haste, haste, out of Adam and Eve's evil Ways, in the Death, Fall and Change; and run, run, out of them into the Second Adam, the Life, and the Way that never fell nor changeth. G. F. The Saints Weapons are Spiritual, that the Blessing of God may come upon all Men. WE are not against any Man, Epist. 242. but desire, that the Blessing of the Lord may come upon all Men, and that which brings the Curse may be destroyed; and in patience do we wait for that, and with Spiritual Weapons against it do we wrestle, and not against any Man or Woman's Person: For amongst Us Christ is King, who bringeth the Blessing, and destroyeth that which brought the Curse: And whoever dwells in Righteousness (Man or Woman) and loves Mercy, and doth Justly, and walks Humbly with God, and hath the Humility, which goes before the Honour, we are not against. But whosoever doth Unrighteously, or doth not Justly, nor Righteously, nor walk Humbly before God, and will have Honour before Humility, God will overturn such by his Power: And in that let your Faith be; for we look not at Persons, but at the Power of God; and know the reign of Christ amongst us. And as it is said, God save the King, or God bless the King; we would not have him nor any Man destroyed, but saved; and so blessed. And the saved Man will not suffer any thing to rule that destroys; and so our Mind is, and we would that all Men were saved, and come to the knowledge of the Truth, which the Persecutors are out of. And all Friends, dwell in the endless Power of the Lord, in which the Supremacy is known, and the Power which hath no end; whose Dominion is over all Dominions, and will stand, when all other have an end; and in that is the Patience felt, which runneth the Race, and obtaineth the Crown; and that hath the Wisdom, which is sweet and cool, and pure, whereby the living Truth hath the Supremacy and Dominion, and in that keep your Meetings. G. F. ALL my Dear Friends, Epist. 243. this is your Day to stand in him that stood steadfast, and reigned over old Adam and the Devil, and all the Persecutors. Old Adam did not stand, but Christ the second Adam the heavenly Man stood, and never fell: Ye, I say, in him stand; for now is your time to stand in the Life over Death, and in the Light over Darkness, and in the Seed that bruises the Serpent's Head, in whom you all have Life, Dominion and Peace. The Lord is coming upon the Wicked in his Thundering Power, for they are ripe: For they are all corrupt with Blood, and their Flesb is rotten; and they are all fallen into the Pit, being led by their Blind Guides into the Pit and Ditches, where they are rot and stink, being putrified with the heat of their Lusts. G. F. To Friends in Barbadoes, Virginia, Maryland, New-England, and elsewhere. OH! Epist. 244. You all that have tasted of the Power of the Lord God, and of his Truth, that is pure, and doth not admit of any impurity nor change: O! therefore the holy Truth mind, which will let nothing that is unholy in you live: For nothing that is unholy can enter into the Kingdom of God; and none that are disobedient to Truth must enter into the Paradise of God; for, because of Disobedience was Man and Woman put out of Paradise. And therefore all every where, mind the pure Power of the Lord God, and the Truth which first Convinced you; and whatsoever is gotten up through the Carnal Reason, and your Eyes going from the Power of God, and that which doth Convince you; let that be purged out of your Hearts; if not, it will lift up your Hearts to Consultations, Subtlety, Questioning, Reasonings and Disputes. Oh! I fell too much of that which hath gotten up into the wrong understanding part, through which wrong Liberty gets up, which will bring a Plague into the Heart, which is worse than an outward Plague. O therefore consider, the Life and the Power of God hath not the Supremacy in all your Hearts; for I feel some Minds, and some Bodies have let in that which hath defiled them, and doth defile them: O Cleanse, cleanse, cleanse, and join to the pure Immortal Power; for the Power of the Lord God will make room for itself, either in cleansing, or in vomiting, or casting out them, and that that doth not join to the Power of God: Sodom, that Whorish and Adulterous Spirit, it must to the Fire; and gainsaying Core into the Earth: And it will throw down that which hath been lifted up. The Besom of the Lord is going forth to sweep, the Candle of the Lord is lighted to search every corner of your Houses; for the Just walks in the Path, which is a shining Light, which admits of no rubbish in it. O come out of all these things which you have entertained in your Minds, which you received not from them that came to minister unto you in the Beginning: O dwell in the Power of the Lord God, for to keep you low; and take heed of getting up into Conceitedness and the Air, and to set up that which pertains not to the Kingdom of God, but to Strife, which never the Apostles, nor the Saints since, in the Power of God set up; for if you do, the Power of God will sweep it and you all away. And O you that come to be Vessels of Honour, and Vessels of the Mercies of God, have esteem of your Bodies; for such as defile their Bodies, are neither Vessels of Honour, nor Vessels of the Mercies, but of Wrath, and are for the Wrath. Therefore keep out Strife, keep out Fornication and the Adulterous Spirit; keep out the Lusts of the Eye, the Lusts of the Flesh, and Pride of Life, which is not of the Father; that that which is of the Father, may be received, and have an entrance into every Vessel. O be not lifted up with a vain Mind; and let Balaam's Nature be slain, that erreth from the Spirit, and raiseth Stumbling-blocks; and such as keep not their First Habitation in the Power of God and his Truth, become Enemies to such as are Heirs of the Kingdom, and the Power of an endless Life. Therefore all Friends and People, mind that which first convinced you, that Power of God which first awakended you, and arise and live in it, that all your Eyes, Minds and Hearts may be kept single and naked to God, and to one another; and unclothed of all that which is contrary, and is got up since: For the Seed and the Life of Christ Jesus reigns and rules, Glory to him for ever. I have been uncapable to write or receive Writing along time, or to speak, or bear to be spoken to, but have been as a Man buried alive, for else I should have writ to you before now; and therefore, O Dear Friends, give no occasion of stumbling; keep tender; for hardness of Heart is worse than an outward Plague, for that brings Destruction many ways: And so grieve not the Spirit in others, nor in yourselves. And whatsoever is decent and comely follow; honest and of a good report; that makes for Peace, and not for Strife under pretence of Love; for that's not of God: For God who is Love, is not the Author of Strife and Confusion, but of Peace. So, I desire you to let Copies of this be sent into Virginia, Maryland, and New-England, to be read amongst Friends in all their Meetings. Things are pretty well here, Friends being in Love and Unity, and the Dread of the Lord God is amongst us, who reigns, and will reign. G. F. An Epistle to be read in all the Assemblies of the Righteous. ALL my Dear Friends every where, Epist. 245. live in the Noble Seed Christ Jesus, the Saviour and the anointed One, and the Righteous Holy One, that your Minds, Hearts, Souls, Spirits and Bodies may be Righteous, living in the Righteousness of Christ Jesus in all Love, Virtue, Truth and Holiness, without which none can see God: For the Lord loveth the Righteous, and the Righteous are in Peace, and all Workers of Iniquity their Mouths shall be stopped: The Throne of Iniquity must down, and the Chamber of Imagery in every Heart; for the Lord must have the Heart, for it is to be his Offering and Sacrifice: All Lips must be pure, and Hands clean, that confess the Lord Jesus Christ, and all Tongues and Eyes single to God and one to another; and all mind the Lord's Business in the Truth, and be given up to him, and in it, serving the Lord God in newness of Life; that all your Feet may be guided in the Way of Peace, and to walk uprightly before the Lord in his Way, which is Christ Jesus the Light, which is Perfect. This is the Way of the Just, which is a shining Light; and in this Way is the Living God well pleased with you. And you that grow rich in the World in earthly things, who have had a stirring in you formerly in the Service of God, take heed lest your Minds run into your outward Businesses, about outward things, and therein be lifted up above the good and just Spirit, and so leave the Service of the Lord and his Business, in minding your own: For outward Riches, and the things of this World, will pass away with the outward Riches therein, for they have Wings; but the Word of the Lord, which lives and abides, and endures for ever, will remain. Labour for the Riches of it, for that will endure with you; and seek the Kingdom of God, which will never have an end, that stands in Righteousness and in Holiness, in which you have Joy and Peace in the Holy Ghost; then all outward things will follow, which is below: So that in Righteousness, Holiness and Truth, as just Men and holy Men, and Men fearing God, and as righteous Men, Sons, and Servants and Children of God, you may all live, in all Righteousness, Holiness, Pureness, Truth, Justice and Equity, in all manner of Life and Conversation; so that your Conversations may shine as Lights of the World, knowing that all Unrighteousness, Uncleanness, Unholiness, Unjustice, Untruth and Impurity is not of God, but is out of the Kingdom of God; and likewise all Cheaters and Cozeners, who do enrich themselves by Falsehood; and all Drunkards, Adulterers, Whoremongers, Fornicators, Murderers, Idolaters and Liars; these Works and Workers are out of the Kingdom of God and his Power, and they are of their Father the Devil, who is out of the Truth: And therefore in the Truth live, which the Devil and his Works are out of; and that Truth makes you free: In which Truth and Spirit is God worshipped. All that do violence, cursed Speakers and Swearers are out of the Truth and the Command of Christ Jesus; and therefore live you in the Love of God, in which you may be sensible of his Mercies; in which Love, you living in the pure Humility, you learn of Christ Jesus: For Presumption is learned of Adam in the Fall, of the Serpent that brought him into the Fall, where all the Defilement is, and the Profaneness: Being in the Whoredom from God, where all manner of Whoredom and Uncleanness is, and Deceit and Falsehood, the Liar, and all Sin and Unrighteousness and Transgression: And this is comprehended all to be in the Fall, with the Serpent that brought them into the Fall, whose Head Christ comes to bruise, that is, to break his Power and Strength, and to destroy him and his Works. And Christ is Pure, the Holy One that doth this, the Righteous One, the Holy One, and in him live, the Second Adam that never fell; then shall you come to know a State that will never fall, in that which is First and Last; for Christ that sanctifies he is Pure, who sanctifies the Impure; he who never fell, sanctifieth and washeth them that are in the Fall; he who never transgressed, redeems out of Transgresson; he who never sinned, redeems out of Sin, and makes an end of it; and he who never trespassed, comes to forgive Trespasses, and blot them out: And every one that comes to witness this Forgiveness by him, who have been the Trespassers against God, they cannot but forgive Men their Trespasses against them, as they come into the Kingdom of Glory and Life, where the Lord hath his Glory. O the Glory of the Lord which lasteth for ever! And Glory, Glory be to him for ever, whose Everlasting Glory, and life and Power shines over all, and spreads itself, and puts forth itself over all. O Friends, let Righteousness flow amongst you all, Truth and Equity, Uprightness and Holiness, which becomes the House of God; and live in the holy Order of the Life, Spirit and Power of the Everlasting God. Keep in the Faith that works by Love, that purifieth your Hearts; the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience; which Faith brings you to have access to God, and gives you Victory over that which separates from God. This is that by which you subdue Mountains, and quench the fiery Darts of Satan, and overcome him withal; and in this you have all pure Unity; and you edify and build up in the Holy Faith the Gift of God; and this is that which is to be contendd for, which is the same that was once delivered to the Saints. O live in the pure Hope, which purifies you as he is Pure; which Hope is Christ, who was before the Hypocrites Hope was, who both (him and his Hope) are impure; and so feel Christ your Hope, which anchors your Immortal Souls, that stays it in all Waves, Storms and Tempests, and is sure and safe in all Wethers; Christ, who is the same to day as he was yesterday; so no new thing: For he is the Rock of Ages, who was before Ages; who is the Cornerstone, and also the First and Last, who will crush and bruise to pieces all giddy, wandering and unstablished Spirits, and confound them who are cunning, and hunt before the Lord; for the Lord should go before them, he should be the Guide: For they that hunt before him, will not have the Lord to be their Guide, who is the same to day as he was yesterday, and so for ever: For Adam and Eve did not abide in their Possession, not Cain, nor Core, nor Balaam; see what came upon them, and what was their end: And likewise the Jews did not abide in the Possession of the Law of God, which was Just and Holy: And also the Apostatised Christians have gone from Christ, and did not abide in him, who is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever; therefore they are gone into so many Ways, and seek after so many new Ways, and run into so many Fables, as though Christ, who is obeyed one day, should not be obeyed next day: And this is disobedient Cain, wandering in the Land of Nod, smiting at Abel, who obeys Him, who is the same to day as he was yesterday, and so for eur; yea a Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World; who reigns over that Nature that hath slain him, and will reign till he hath put all under his Feet. And therefore, Friends, in Christ live, and in him walk, hear, obey and follow him, who is the same to day as be was yesterday, and so for ever: And so you that are the true Belieus, who are passed from Death, and Sin that brought it, and the Devil the Author of it, are come to the Life of Christ Jesus; who (as I said before) is the same to day as he was yesterday; if your Belief stands in him that is the First and Last, the same to day, yesterday, and for ever. And this is the Believer that is born of God, the Immortal Birth; and this Birth is he that overcomes the World, that doth not Sin, that keeps himself, because he is born of God, and the Seed of God remains in him; and hereby the Children of God, and the true Believers are manifest from the false Believers and Children of the Devil. He that doth Righteousness is of God; he that doth not Righteousness, is not of God. Therefore you that feel the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, to have put down the Law of Sin and Death in you (that Authority of putting it down) Be ye ordered by the Law of the Spirit of Life that is in Christ Jesus, which makes you free from the Law of Sin and Death: So in this Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus have you Fellowship, Order, Rule and Government in the Law of Life, and in the Law of Peace that gives Victory, which Christ Jesus is the Author of, who renews you up into the Righteousness and Holiness in the Image of God, out of the unrighteousness and unholiness, and the Image of Stan. Here the Lord hath the Glory, and Christ your Holy Redeemer and Saviour is confessed, to the Glory of God. So wait that you may all sit down in Christ, who is the First and the Last, and the Image of God, and Wisdom of God; that by his Wisdom, which is Pure, Righteous and Holy, you may come to order all things to God's Glory. Adam fell from the State God placed him in; and in the Fall, Adam's Sons and Daughters turn from Way to Way of their own. But for Man and Woman to come out of all National corrupt Ways, Religions, Churches, Worships, Fellowships and Teachers, to the State that Adam and Eve was in before they fell, and no farther; that's State where he may fall again: But, to come to Christ, who was before the World began, who is First and Last, Beginning and Ending, such abiding in him shall know a State that will never fall. For Adam's State before he fell, was above all the earthly and worldly-wise, and knowing, and their dark Understandings and perverse Ways, which their perverse Spirit leads into; here are all manner of Uncleanness, Unrighteousness, Falsities, Puffing-up and Pride, and all the crooked, rough, cross Ways, and Mountains of Sin, which are become as Graves and Prisons for the Just. Adam's State before he fell is beyond all this, who fell into this; but Christ that never fell, is a State beyond Adam; and he is to be heard and followed that never fell; and in him are People to sit down, who is the Rest, and Peace and Life; who destroyeth the Devil and his Works, and makes and end of Sin, together with Ungodliness and unrighteousness, which hath dishonoured God; so bruiseth the Head of the Serpent, and breaks his Power, and crusheth him to pieces, that the Seed Christ may rise in all; which honoureth the Father. Now this being manifest and known in all, than the Lamb is known to have the Victory, which hath been slain from the Foundation of the World; and then in the Seed you come to know your Election before the World began: And here the Lord's Words are fulfilled, his Glory he will not give to another, who destroyeth that that took the Glory to itself; which brings up to that Noble Seed and Plant in Man which gives the Glory to God. And here as you live in the Seed Christ Jesus, your Election you know before the World began, and Reprobation since the World began. For Core, Cain, Ishmael, Esau, Sodom and Egypt, Spritual and Temporal, have been since the World began. For Egypt is Thraldom, Bondage, Anguish and Darkness, and Sodom is Whoredom, and Cain disobeyed the Voice of God, and Core gainsaid the Law; and whoever feels all this Nature in them, they are Vessels of Wrath; and let them not complain and say, Why hast thou made me thus? For there are Vessels of Honour, and Vessels of Dishonour: Vessels of Mercy, Vessels of Wrath: And it is not in him that willeth and runneth, but in God that showeth Mercy. Now Esau, the First Birth, signifieth a Worker: Jacob is the Second Birth, signifieth a Supplanter; and when Jacob hath supplanted Esau the First Birth, the profane Nature, Jacob is called Israel; that is as much as to say, Thou hast Power with God now. So, where the Election is risen, and hath put down Cain, Core, Egypt, Sodom, the First Birth slain, which brought all the Wrath into the Vessel, and the old Bottle broken: Here is a new Bottle that holdeth the new Wine, and Vessels of Honour, and Vessels of Mercy in the Election, before the World began; and you have all things made new, a new Heaven and a new Earth. (And all Friends, that be in any manner of Sufferings, Imprisonments or Banishments for Christ and his Truth's sake, live in Christ and sit down in him, in whom you have all Peace, Life, Virtue and Rest in Christ Jesus, who was before all that was, that makes to suffer, and will remain when it's all gone; and was the First and Last, the Beginning and Ending, the same to day, yesterday, and for ever: In him sit down and live, that doth not change; then your Religion doth not change, your Worship doth not change, your Way doth not change; for Christ being you Way, who is the same to day, yesterday and for ever, and your Fellowship, and Unity and Community doth not change, being with the Father, who doth not change, but is the same from Everlasting to Everlasting: And they whose Religion, Fellowship and Worship changes and god's about, and changeth their Ways, are fickle, and have itching Ears after the Ways that change from Christ, who doth not change, who is the Way, the same to day as he was yesterday, to be walked in.) And all Friends, that are in any Temptations or Troubles, look at Christ, who bruiseth the Serpent's Head, your Adversary, your Enemy, your Troubler, your Tempter, your Defiler, your Accuser, he Wicked One; fear him not, but look at Christ Jesus, that bruiseth his Head, breaketh his Power and Strength, and crusheth him to pieces; in Christ have you Peace, which was before the Devil was: Reign in him, Christ Jesus, who is your Light, and Life, and Salvation; and fear God, and give glory; glory to him for ever: For this Serpent, the Enemy, the Adversary, the Devil, the Wicked One, the Dragon, the Accuser, the Tempter, he tempted Christ to the Creatures, to the Glory of the World, and to worship him, to destroy himself; but Christ bruiseth his Head, breaks his Power and Strength, and crusheth him to pieces, and destroyeth him and his works. So in him live and rejoice, in whom you have Peace, and Life and Dominion; in him who was before the Serpent was, the First and Last, the same yesterday, to day, and for ever. Ah my dear Friends and Brethren every where, the Power of the Lord God is over all, live in it, that you may feel a Unity and Fellowship in the Power of the Lord God; that through that Power of the Lord God you may all come to be Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life; through which you may Inherit Eternity, and so to feel Life Eternal abiding in you; the Manslayer hath not Eternal Life abiding in him; that is, he that envies his Brother. So all the Persecutors, that envy their Brethren, have not Eternal Life abiding in them: Under this all the Persecutors about Church, Religion, Worship, Faith, Ministry and Fellowships and Envious Persons, having not Eternal Life abiding in them, are comprehended. Therefore you all fee! this Eternal Life abiding in you: And he that hath the Son of God, hath Life Eternal abiding in him; and so in this Eternal Life you have an Eternal Fellowship with God and his Son, and with one another. And in this the Law of Life, that is in Jesus Christ, passeth Sentence on the Law of Sin and Death in every Man and Woman, and brings it to the Exceution: Through which Law of Life, Righteousness flows and runs down as a stream, and also Justice and Truth. Here by this Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus (Mark, in Christ Jesus) you come to know the Lamb's Throne, and the Throne of Iniquity thrown down, its Mouth stopped, and the Chambers of Imagery thrown down, and the Household of God raised; the Fruitless Trees thrown down, and the Plant of God raised up, which is of his own planting; a Tree of Righteousness, whose Fruit is unto Holiness, whose end is Everlasting Life. So mark here the Fruits of this Tree, and the End of this Tree: By this you distinguish Man's planting, and Man's plucking up; and God's building you will distinguish from Man's building; and Man's plucking down, and Man's gathering together, you that are gathered in the Name of Jesus distinguish, and their scattering. Oh therefore be valiant for the Truth, which you are come to the knowledge of, and worship God in that Truth which the Devil is out of, and abode not in; this makes you free from the Devil and his Works, that are out of Truth. Here in this Worship, in the Truth and in the Spirit, the Living God, who is a Spirit, the God of all Truth; he hath his Glory and Honour from the Spirit of the Lord in every Heart. And so keep in the Spirit, and Truth and Power of the Everlasting God, who is from Everlasting to Everlasting, that you may know him Lord of the Earth and of the Heaven, and of the Heaven of Heavens, Ruling and Reigning, whose Eye is over all his Works, that you may glorify him in his Power and Spirit, and serve him in the New Life; which will keep you over all men's Fables and Devices, Whimsies and Imaginations, out of all Janglings and vain Disputes of Men of corrupt Minds: And so it is good for you all to live in him which is the same to day as he was yesterday, Christ Jesus, the Power of God, and the Seed of Life, and Word which was in the Beginning: So no new thing, but that which was and is to all Eternity: Let your Fellowship be in that, and your Unity and Communion be in that; for this is seen by the Eternal Eye, the Eternal Unity, and the Eternal God. So hear his Voice, every one of you, that speaks from Heaven, whose Voice shakes the Earth, and not the Earth only, but the Heavens also: The Heavn imports Joys. So all the false Joys, the liftedup Joys, or exalted Joys, and Joys in vain glory, and Joys in the world, or any outward thing or creature, and Men or Women: His Voice that speaks from Heaven shakes the Earth and the Heavens; and this must be shaken and removed, both the Heavens and the Earth, before that doth appear that can never be shaken, the Noble, Royal Seed, Elect and Precious, before the World began; being Heirs of Him, come to Inherit Him: In Him you shall know that which cannot be shaken, and there is the true Joy, in that which is from Everlasting to Everlasting, who is the Beginning and Ending: Here is not any either lifted up or fallen down to despair. So, I say, hear his Voice, harden not your Hearts; for not hearing the Voice, you harden your Hearts, and then you provoke God to Wrath and sore Displeasure. Let Him have your Ear, that speaks from Heaven, that you may come to observe his Counsel, Teaching, Instruction and Direction; for all the Prophets and holy Men of God, and the Apostles were attentive and obedient to this Heavenly Voice, who Witnessed to the Truth, who had a Witness in Heaven also: And such declared forth the Glorious Truth, which they had from the Instructions of the Almighty, as you may read throughout the Scriptures, what glorious Expressions and weighty Truths they declared, whose Ears were attentive to Him that spoke from Heaven; and how also they declared against them that stopped their Ears, and closed their Eyes, and hard ned their Hearts: Their Ears not being attentive to the Heavenly Voice, but to the Earthly; and so if the Earthly, and the Sin and Evil have the Ear, it will fill it with that which is bad, and harden the Heart, and choke the Good; therefore the Lord must have the Ear, who is the Ruler of Heaven and Earth. And as your Ears are attentive to the Lord's Voice, that speaks from Heaven, Iniquity's Mouth is stopped in you, the Throne of Iniquity is thrown down in you; that is, the Wicked Spirit and Power, where Iniquity fits, and the Chambers of Imagery are thrown down in you, where all Thoughts and Imaginations are. As the Ear is attentive to the Voice of Him that speaketh from Heaven, you will come to the Throne of the Lamb, who hath the Power, who hath the Victory and the Dominion, that all may live there in the Everlasting Power of God, that goes over all Deceit, which was before Deceit and Darkness was; and always feel a growing in the Power of the Lord God, that is Universal and Everlasting, that you may all be Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life, and come to Inherit it, and possess it, and sit down in the Possession of the same, that every one's Lot may fall in the Land of the Living, where the Lord hath his Glory and his Honour for ever and ever. O the Glory, Glory of the Lord, that spreads it over all! And here you have his Savour, and can taste your Meat in the Power of the Lord God, feeding upon every Word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God, having every one's Ear attentive to his Voice: In this you grow up in the Life that is Eternal. G. F. OH Dear Friends, Epist. 246. Mind every one your Habitation in the Power of the Lord God, that first Convinced you, and keep your Possession in it, in the sense of God's Love and Mercy to your Souls; for your Unity and Fellowship lies in the spotless Power, Truth and Life of the Everlasting God of Life and Power; and herein to you the Springs of Life will be opened, through which you may be daily Refreshed up to the God of Life. Oh be tender of the spotless Truth and Life, through which you may come to answer it in all Friends, that they may have Unity with you in the same Life and Power, through which you may be a good Savour to God, and a Blessing to him in your Generations, serving the Lord God in the Newness of Life, as a Spouse and Bride to him, in Body, Soul and Spirit, having an Esteem of your Bodies, which are for the Lord, and to be his Temple, not for Adultery or Fornication, nor Idolatry. Oh therefore mind and keep in the holy Life, and feel the Moving and Counselling Power and Spirit of the Almighty in you, directing you into the Ways of Truth and Righteousness, Peace and Holiness, without which none shall see God: Live in the Peaceable Life, and love it; eye that which makes for Peace, for God is the Author of Peace, and not of Confusion. So live all in the precious Truth of God, feeling it in its Operation; through which Unity and the Peaceable Life may be preserved amongst you in Righteousness and Peace; for Wars, and Strifes, and Troubles and Fightings comes by Unrighteous Actions, which is below Truth and Righteousness; for Truth leads into the modest, decent and comely Life, which is Honourable and Esteemable to God, and in the Hearts of all his People. So live in the Truth and the Power of it, that you may all come to be Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life, and to Inherit and Possess the Endless Life, the Power of a World that hath no end. And so keep your Eyes to your Possessions, and to the Life that hath no end; and herein you will increase in the Truth, in the Righteousness and Holiness, and the Power and Virtue of the Holy Life; and so sit down in your Possessions, that you may all serve the Lord in a pure Mind, Soul and Spirit, and none to defile your Bodies, but have esteem of them, as Vessels of Honour, and Vessels fitted to receive the Treasures of the Lord. London, the 16th of the 9th Month, 1666. G F. DEar Friends, Dwell in the gentle Wisdom of the Lord God, Epist. 247. which is easy to be entreated; and let not Wilfulness, Hastiness and Impatience, lay open your Nakedness to the World; but dwell in the Power, Seed, and Life of Christ Jesus, the Wisdom of God, that with that ye all may be kept Clothed in Patience, and in the Love of the Lord God, and in the Light; in which is the Unity one with another, and with God: And in the peaceable Mind and Spirit dwell, for the Patiented Sufferer weareth the Crown, and hath the Victory at last; and not the hasty, agravating, revengeful, killing and fight Spirit; which must be crushed down with the Seed of the Lord God, that bruiseth the Serpent's Head; which is the cause of Enmity, Venom and Poison; which Head being bruised down with the Seed and Life, than nothing is fed upon but Life and Glory: And in that is the Peace. G. F. FRiends, Keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God, Epist. 248. that hath gathered you; and none quench the Spirit, nor despise Prophesying, An Exhortation to set up women's Meetings. but keep up your Testimony in Public and Private: Let not the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings be stopped, nor the Seed in Male or Female, but all be Valiant for the Lord's Truth upon the Earth. Concerning the women's Meetings; encourage all the Women of Families, that are convinced, and mind Virtue, and love Truth, and walk in it; that they may come up into God's Service, that they may be serviceable in their Generation, and in the Creation, and come into the Practice of the pure Religion, which you have received from God, from above; that every One may come to know their Duty in it, and their Service in the Power and Wisdom of God: For now the practic Part is called for. For People must not be always Talking and Hearing, but they must come into Obedience to the Great God of Heaven and Earth. And so, that none may stand idle out of the Vineyard, and out of the Service, and out of their Duty; for such will Talk and Tattle, and Judge with evil Thoughts, of what they in the Vineyard say and do: And therefore the Power of the Lord God calls in all, into their Duty, into their Service, in their Places, in Virtue and Righteousness, and into the Wisdom and Power of God: For all that are out of this, are out of their Duty and Services, tho' they may have the Knowledge of it, yet are not serviceable in the Creation nor in their Generation; and the Power of God must go over, and is over all such; in which all must be acted, and in which true Obedience is known. And therefore train up your young Women to know their Duty in this thing, that they may be in their Services and Places; Young Women to be Instructed. for all Truth's Business you are to do in the Power and Wisdom of God; by which you are kept open to the Lord, to receive of his Gifts and Graces, and of his Life, through which you are to minister one to another: And all keeping in it, than there is none to let nor stop its Flow; but through it you are all watered, as a Garden of Plants; by which you are nourished. And so, all be Faithful and Diligent. And make all the sober Women, both of Town and Country, acquainted with this thing. And read this in your Monthly Meetings, when you are gathered together. And when you have made the sober Women acquainted, in the Towns and Countries, and have them together, then read this amongst them. So, no more but my Love. G. F. A General Epistle to Friends, and all People, to read over and consider in the Fear of God. BLessed are all those whose Minds are stayed upon the Lord, Epist. 249. for they shall be kept in Perfect Peace; I. Concerning the Word of God, and the Original, what it is. so where the Mind is stayed upon the Lord, there is a Perfect Peace; for it is a whole Peace, which cannot be broken: So here is not only a Perfect Peace, but a Blessing; a Perfect Peace which comes from the God of all Peace, (that bruiseth the Serpent's Head under your Feet, the Troubler) and the Blessings which come from the blessed God. Perfect Peace in God only, and not in the Creatures. So all imperfect Peace may be broken, that is when the Mind is stayed upon the Creature, or in any Creature, and not upon the Creator; or in any outward Things, Goods, Houses, Lands, or Inventions of Vanities, in the foolish vain Fashions; which the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life go into, which will defile and corrupt it. When any of these things fail, and are not according to your Mind, it being in them, than your Peace is broken, and you are cross and brittle, and Envy gets up: So this is not a perfect Peace, but is a broken Peace, and then you have the Trouble and not the Blessing: And the Reason is, because your Minds are in the Creatures, and the outward Things, and are not stayed upon the Creator, where the perfect Peace is, and the Blessing, where nothing can get betwixt you and the Lord. And this is below Job, to have the Mind in the Creatures and visible things; for when you are tried, and Creatures fail you, you are crossed and troubled; that shows an imperfect State; for God said, That Job was a perfect Man: And when that the Lord suffered him to be tried, and when that his Goods and Houses were thrown down, and driven away, and Servants killed, he said, Blessed be the Name of the Lord; for the Lord gave, and the Lord taketh: Here his Mind was stayed upon the Lord, and he retained his Peace. And when that his Children were destroyed, and his Wife said to him, What, dost thou still retain thy Integrity? Curse God and die; he rebukes her, and calls her, A foolish Woman; and said unto her, Shall I receive good of the Lord, and not evil? Naked I came out of my Mother's Womb, and naked I must return. Here Job kept his Integrity still, and did not all this while offend with his Lips. Now many of you, who think yourselves high, and above Job, if that your Goods and Children should be after the same manner taken away (whose Minds are in them) you would be found in a troubled brickle State, far below Job. And when that Job's Friends came to reason with him, who kept his Integrity, and would no way yield to them, they counted him an Hypocrite, and said, He restrained Prayer, and filled his Belly with East-wind; and said, What, shall mortal Man be more pure than his Maker? Shall Man that is born of a Woman be just? God chargeth his Angels with Folly, and the Heavens are not clear in his Sight. And these are the Scriptures the Priests use to bring against Friends (who keep their Integrity) as Job's Friends did against him: But at the last the Lord commanded Job to offer a Sacrifice for his Friends, because they had sinned, and spoken not right, as Job had, who was Perfect and kept his Integrity. And the Apostle said to the Saints, That he had learned in all Conditions to be content. (Mark) in all Conditions; but this was when he was Paul, not when he was Saul, running up and down with his Packet of Letters, haling the Saints before the Rulers like a Parater; then he was not Content, neither with his own Condition, nor others: But when he came to learn Christ, who destroys the Devil and his Works, who teacheth to know all things, then in all things he learned to be Content; so that you know that there is Learning, and Learned; as a Child when he is Learning and become Learned, is witness of two States; so Paul, he had learned in all conditions to be content; and who was his Schoolmaster, but Christ, by whom all things were made, not of Man, nor by Man (out of the Truth) so while he learned of Men, and by Men, he was not Content, neither are any others. Therefore all are to learn of Christ the Light, the Life, and the Truth, that you may come to that Condition, to have learned in all Conditions to be content, and not to trust in uncertain Riches, for they have Wings, and will flee away: And so he is never counted a wise Man, that will put any Confidence in that which will flee away from him; for those are the Heirs of the Earth and the World, that load themselves with thick Clay, that they may set their Nests on high; but they that be Heirs with Christ, and of the Power of an Endless Life, trust in the Living God, and come to possess an Everlasting Inheritance of the Power of an Endless Life, and come to increase in the Riches of the Everlasting Inheritance, and there lay up Riches that are Everlasting, which will abide for ever. And mind every one God's Word in your Hearts, and in your Mouths, and obey it and do it; and be not of them that are saying in their Hearts, Who shall ascend, or descend, to fetch him from above, or from the deep? Keep down that Sayer under reproof, and then your Ear will be open to that which the Righteousness of Faith saith, The Word is nigh thee, in thy Heart, and in thy Mouth; so thou needest not to say, Who shall ascend or descend? And that was the Word which the Messengers of God preached and do Preach, and rebukes the Gain-sayer. And so all People, seeing the Devil hath made the World like a Wilderness, and there is so many Ways in it, that they do not know which Way to come out of it, nor which to follow: Therefore this is my Answer to you all, Take David's Lamp and Light; you may say, What is that? And where is it? I say it is within you, the Word of God: You may say, People do not use to carry Lamps in the Daytime, but in the Night. I say, you be in the Night of Darkness, and therefore the Word is called a Lamp, and a Light to you; by which you may see the Way of the Lord, which is Perfect, from all men's Ways, which are imperfect; by which ye may see the Path of the Just to be a shining Light, from all the unjust Paths that are in the Darkness; for by this Word did David come to outstrip his Teachers, and was made wiser than them all; so it will you, if you obey it; for by this Word he saw Christ, and called him Lord: Therefore he loved the Word and hide it in his Heart; and by it he spoke so many glorious Expressions, which the World since hath turned into Meeter, and made Songs of them: And this was the Word that came to Abraham, which made him forsake his National Religion and Worship, and obey the Lord; and this was the Word that came to Jacob, the Shepherd, by which he saw Christ, and prophesied of him to his Sons on his Deathbed, when he said to Judah, The Sceptre should not departed from Judah; nor a Lawgiver from betwixt his Feet, till Shilo came (meaning Christ) and the gathering of all Nations should be to him, as it is at this Day; the Gathering is to Christ: And this was the Word that came to Moses, the Shepherd, when he was keeping Sheep, which he obeyed and went to Egypt, and brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt; by which Word he was made a Minister; and when that the Children of Israel were come out of Egypt into the Wilderness, Deut. 30.14. he told them, They need not go for the Word beyond the Seas, etc. for it was nigh them, in their Hearts and Mouths, to obey it and do it. And this was the Word that made Moses a Prophet, who prophesied of Christ, and said, Like unto him God would raise up a Prophet, him should they hear in all things. Mark (in all things) we are to be ordered both inward and outward, through hearing Christ, by whom all things were made: And every one that would not hear this Prophet (Christ) should be cut off: For how should they continue or reign, that will not hear Christ? And this was the Word that came to Samuel, and made him a Prophet, who spoke to Eli the Priest, and reproved his Sons, and the Children of Israel: and this was the Word that made Saul to Prophesy, and Balaam, though they erred from it: And this was the Word that made all the Prophets to Prophesy, and to reprove the Kings of Israel, and their Priests, of their Superstition and Idolatrous Ways, in setting Groves and Images in high places; Isaiah 47.13. and reproved all their Monthly Prognostications, who spoke and acted from them, and not from the Lord. And this was the Word that came to Isaiah, by which he prophesied of Christ, and of his Preaching, and of his Sufferings, and by which Word he reproved the Shepherds, which were as greedy dumb Dogs, that could never have enough, seeking their Gain from their Quarter: And by this Word he saw, that all the Children of God should be taught of God, and be established in Righteousness and Peace; and though many Tongues should rise up in Judgement against them, yet those that were taught of God should condemn them all; such Power should be given to his Children. And the many Weapons form against them should not prosper, God would restrain them: And also he saw them that were cast out, that trembled at God's Word; to whom God would appear to their glory, and to the shame, and to the confounding of them that cast them out for his Name sake, as it is at this Day. And this was the Word of God that made Jeremiah a Prophet, by which he saw the New Covenant; by which Word he was said to reprove the People and the Princes, of the filthy and horrible thing committed in the Land, that the Priests preached for Hire, and the Prophets prophesied falsely: And for reproving them for their Superstition and Idolatry, they struck him, and put him in the Stocks and Prison, and persecuted him in the Dungeon, till his Persecutors were carried into Captivity: And by the Word Jeremiah saw the number of Seventy Years of his Persecutors being in Babylon's Captivity. Elijah by this Word was made a Prophet, and by the Word reproved Ahab and Jezebel for their Idolatry, and Worshipping of Images: For which Word's sake they persecuted him, and the rest of the Prophets; and was not he fed of the Ravens by the River? And did they not seek to take away his Life? And did not he think all the Lord's Prophets had been killed, and he left alone; yet did not the Lord say to him, He had reserved Seven Thousand that had not bowed the Knee to Baal? And Elisha the Ploughman, by this Word, was made a Prophet, and forsook his Plough; and by the Word reproved the Idolatry in his Age of Priests and People. And by this Word was Ezekiel made a Prophet; by which Word he reproved the Shepherds of Israel, that made a Prey upon the People, and Taught them for the Fleece: And by the Word he saw that God would bring the People from under them, that they should be made a Prey upon no longer; and would gather them from their Mouths, and set one Shepherd over them, even Christ (who is witnessed) and by the Word he reproved the false Prophets, that taught for handfuls of Barley, and pieces of Bread, and daubed with Vntempered Mortar, and sewed Pillows under the Armholes: And by the Word he saw the Pattern of the Temple, and the return of the Jews. And by this Word Daniel was made a Prophet, and saw Christ and his Kingdom, and how the Saints should take his Kingdom: And by the Word he saw such that should rise up against the People of God: And by the Word he numbered the Years of Christ to his time, Four Hundred Ninety Nine Years, and of his Death, and how he should end the Sacrifices; and how that Christ should bring up Everlasting Righteousness, and put an end to Sin, and end their Prophets, and seal up their Visions. And by the Word was Micah made a Prophet, by which he cried against the Priests that preached for Hire, and the Prophets that prophesied for Money, and the Judges that judged for Rewards, and such as preached Peace to the People that put in their Mouths (like the Priests in these times) and when they did not, they prepared War against them, and chopped their Flesh, and broke their Bones: But Micah saw by the Word, that the Sun was gone down upon such Prophets and Priests, and they should have no Vision nor Answer from God. Therefore such are against Revelations and Visions, on them the Sun is fet, and gone down upon, and the Night comes upon them. And by the Word was Amos the Herdsman made a Prophet, who was a gatherer of Fruits; and likewise all the rest of the Prophets, who spoke forth Divine Things, and reproved the Superstition and Idolatry in their time and day: And by the Word did the Prophets speak forth Divine Things; which Word brought them into the Divine Nature and Mind; which Word hammered and cut down that which corrupted their Natures: And this was the Word that made so many Fishermen Preachers of the Gospel, which is the Power of God. And this was the Word which made Matthew the Tollgatherer, Luke the Physician, and Paul the Tentmaker, Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel, and Power of God: And this was the Word which made Peter to see Joel's Prophecy, how that God would pour out of his Spirit upon all Flesh, and Sons and Daughters should Prophesy, and young Men should see Visions, and old Men dream Dreams; and the pouring forth of the Spirit upon Servants and Handmaids, that every one should have something to speak to the Glory of God. And now Priests, and proud Prelates, and Bishops, and Popes, though you have made a Trade of the Saints Words, and the Apostles and Prophets Words, and gotten a great deal of Money by them (which were Fishermen and Shepherds Words from the Word) Yet nevertheless if a company of Shepherds, Herdsmen, Fishermen, Tent makers and Toll-gatherers should come amongst you to Preach, you would say, Away with these Mechanic Fellows, they have not served Seven Years Apprenticeship at the Coledges, which were set up to make Ministers; therefore they are not to set up, because they have not served their Apprenticeship. What say the Shepherds, Herdsmen, Fishermen, Tent-makers, Physicians and Toll-gatherers? Do you make a Trade of our Friends Words, who were of our Occupation, that never served Apprenticeships in Colleges, before they spoke forth the Words you make a Trade of? What, will you make a Trade of our Friends Words, who were of our Occupation? Away with you, to Work, and away with your Colleges; for our Brother Paul the Tentmaker said, He that will not Work must not Eat. For, would you own Christ if he had come in your Day, who was called, A Carpenter's Son? You Popes with your Triple Crowns, and you Lord Bishops, with your Coaches and pampered Horses, and gorgeous Apparel, with your Black Coats, and White Coats, and Silk Girdles: Are you like to entertain him who was called, A Carpenter's Son? Or to cast him and his Mother into the Manger in your Stables? This was the Word by which John the Evangelist saw Christ, who doth Enlighten every Man that cometh into the World, and saw how, he became Flesh, and came to his own, and that his own did not receive him; but to as many as received Christ the Light, that to them he gave Power to become the Sons of God; which all they that are Ministers of the Letter, made by their Seven Years learning in their Colleges, and not by the Word (hating the Light) cannot know. And by this Word, the Minister of the Word preaches Christ's Word, Life, Death and Resurrection: And therefore as John saith in his Epistle, That which our Eyes have seen, our Hands have handled, and our Ears have heard of the Word of Life, do we preach unto you; that which was from the Beginning: In the Beginning was the Word; Scriptures, the Words of God and Christ. tho' since the Beginning were the Words and Letters; for the Scriptures of Truth are the Words of God, and the Words of Christ; and he that adds to these Words (faith John in the Revelations) God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book, etc. So the Word was in the Beginning, and Christ's Name is called, The Word of God; but Christ is neither called Scriptures nor Writings, for Scriptures signify Writings. So, In the Beginning was the Word; since the Beginning were all false Ways, false Churches, false Teachers; and in the Word ye comprehend them all. The Priests say, That Hebrew, Greek and Latin are the Original, and the many Languages began at Babel, which Nimrod, the Hunter before the Lord, began to Build, after God had destroyed the Old World with Water; then would he go Build a Tower, which should reach to Heaven; then God came down and confounded them into many Languages: So he hunted before the Lord, but the Lord followed him, and confounded him in all his Work, as he will all the Builders that run before him. And all the Priests that have gotten the many Languages, which began at Babel, they tell simple ignorant People, that they have the Original, and are the Orthodox Men, and get into a different Habit from them, and say, The Quakers are a simple People, and despise the Learned Orthodox Men, who have the Original. Give Ear O People! If these Languages, which came up at the confounding of Babel, are the Priests Original that makes them Orthodox and Divine; then Pilate, that crucified Christ, was as good an Orthodox Divine as they; for when he crucified Christ, he writ a Paper in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, and set atop of him, he was as ignorant of Scripture, and of Orthodox and Divine Matters as you, and you as he: And the Apostle saith, That Tongues must cease; 1 Cor. 1●. 8. then that which makes Orthodox Men and Divines, as you say, must cease, according to the Apostles Doctrine; and so then Tongues neither are the Original, nor make Orthodox nor Divine; and John, that gave forth the Revelations, saith, That the Whore and Beast set upon Tongues, etc. and the Everlasting Gospel must be preached again to all Kindred's and Tongue's; which was before Babel was, where was the first beginning of Tongues. Now it is clear that the Gospel must be preached to all Nations and Tongues; and that Tongues are not the Original, neither do they make Divines or Orthodox Men; but it is clear that it is the Word which was in the Beginning which makes a Divine; yea, Tradesmen, which are base and contemptible in the Eyes of the Proud, and them that have gotten Babel's Tongues, who are confounded by the Ministers of the Word, which was in the Beginning before Babel was; for all the Earth was of one Language and Speech before Babel. And you that call yourselves Orthodox Men made by Tongues, and say, That is your Original, who are so blind, and cannot see that there was an Original before Babel was; for, did not Enoch the Prophet, the seventh from Adam, who prophesied in the Old World before it was destroyed, and long before Babel was, speak concerning the coming of Christ in Ten Thousand of his Saints, as in Judas: And Lamech prophesied in the Old World concerning Noah and Adam, and others might be instanced, who were before your Tongues (which you call your Original) were: And so we say, that the Word of God is the Original, which doth fulfil the Scriptures; and the Word is it which makes a Divine, which is called a Hammer, but it is a Living Hammer; and is called a Sword and Fire, but it is a Living Sword, and a Living Fire, to hammer, and cut down, and burn up that which separated and kept Man from God; by which Word Man is reconciled again to God, which is called, The Word of Reconciliation; by this Word are Men and Women sanctified and made clean; and this is the Word that makes both Men and Women Divine, and brings them into the Divine Nature, which hammers and cuts down that which corrupted their Nature; and by this Word are they brought into a Divine Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Spirit and Power: And this is the Word that lives, and abides, and endures for ever, by which the Saints are born again of the Immortal Seed and Word of God (who feed upon the Milk of the Word) up into a Divine Life, Wisdom and Understanding, and Divine Nature; and by this Word they do see all Flesh to be as Grass, and as the Flower of the Field that fadeth; and the Word of God that lives, and abides, and endures for ever is Christ, whose Name is called, The Word of God. And so keep the Word of Patience, which is over all the Impatient Spirits, and then you will know that the Word of Life, the Word of Patience, and Word of Wisdom is Everlasting, and abides and endures for ever; which all they that are in the Letter, out of the Life and Word, have neither Patience to themselves nor others; for the Word of Patience, and the Word of Life, which is to be kept in all Tribulations, was before Death and impatient Spirits were. Concerning the Worship of God, and the Jew Outward, and the Jews Inward Offering, with their Garments. 1. THere was a Worship at Jerusalem. 2. There was a Worship at the Mountain, where Jacob's Well was. Jacob went down into Egypt with his Family, and he died in Egypt, and his Sons carried him out of Egypt, and Buried him in the Land of Canaan, in his Grandfather Abraham's Burying-place; and after several Hundred Years the Children of Israel came out of Egypt into the Land of Canaan, and there they built Jerusalem and the Temple; and there was but one Temple in the whole World commanded of God, and that was at Jerusalem. And before, in the days of Jacob, there was a Worship set up at the Mountain, near unto Samaria, where Jacob digged a Well: Therefore when the Woman of Samaria came out to fetch Water at Jacob's Well, the Woman reasoned with Christ about Worship, and she said, Our Fathers worshipped at this Mountain, but others at Jerusalem; and Christ answered her again, The time cometh that neither at Jerusalem, nor at this Mountain shall God be worshipped: There he denies the continuance of these two public Places of Worship; and when he had done that, he sets up another Worship, for he said, God was a Spirit, and they that worshipped him, must worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth; for the Hour cometh, and now is, that such God seeks to worship him. And this Worship he set up, and preached up above Sixteen hundred Years since; which Worship he set up many Hundred Years before Mass-Book, Common-Prayer-Book, Directory or Church-Faith was: And this was the public Worship that Christ set up in the Spirit and in the Truth; For God is a Spirit, and such he sought to Worship him; that worshipped him in Spirit and Truth. So all are to mind the Worship that God seeks, and not the Worship that Men seek And Christ said, That the Temple should be thrown down, and the City of Jerusalem, and the Jews scattered over all Nations: And the Apostle saith, He is not a Jew that is one outward, but he is a Jew that is one inward in the Spirit, and not of the Letter; for that killeth, but the Spirit makes alive. What, cries the World, do you deny Temple-worship? Nay, we say every Man and Woman must come into the Temple, if he Worship God in the Spirit and Truth: And is not the Spirit within, and the Truth in the inward parts? For, Do not you know that your Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost, which is the Holy Spirit? And can any Worship God, who is a Spirit, in the Truth, but they must come to the Spirit and the Truth of God in their own Hearts? Here we set up the Public and Temple Worship, which Christ set up, which every Man and Woman in the World must come to, Truth in the inward parts, and the Spirit of God within them, and Worship in the Spirit; they must be in it, and in the Truth, to Worship the God of all Truth, who is a Spirit. And this is the Public and Universal Worship; and this brings every Man and Woman in the World to Truth, and the Spirit of God in their own Hearts: And so this brings all to know their Bodies to be the Temples of the Holy Spirit, in which they worship, as the Jew outward worshipped in his outward Temple: But the Temple, since the Apostles days, has been so filled with Smoke out of the Bottomless Pit, and so filled with Darkness, that no Man could enter into the Temple to Worship God; and there the Spirit of God hath been vexed and grieved: And so their Prophecy, Revelation and Vision hath been denied by the Authors of this Smoke; but the Seventh Angel has poured out his Viol, that Men begin to enter into the Temple to Worship God in the Spirit and Truth; and the Glory of the Lord shall fill the Temple. And Christ and his Apostles never altered this Worship, in the Spirit and in the Truth; though the Beast and the Whore, the false Church have set up another Worship since the Apostles days: But all must come to Worship God in Spirit (which was before their Worship was set up) which was set up in the Apostles days. And so all must come to Worship God in the Spirit and in the Truth, which was before Mass-Book was, which got up many Hundred Years after Christ; but that is and was the Public and Universal Worship, set up by Christ the Second Adam, to the Sons of Adam in the Fall, which brings every Man and Woman to Truth, and the Spirit of God in their own Hearts, in that Spirit and Truth they must Worship God. But, cries the World, Did not they Pray in the Temple, the Jew outward, and must not you Pray in the Temple? Yes, the Jews in the Spirit prays in his Temple, and sings, and rejoices in his Temple; for what, Do you not know, that your Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost? And so, if you Pray, you must Pray in the Holy Ghost, and rejoice in the Holy Ghost, and sing in the Spirit: And how can you sing, and rejoice and pray in the Spirit, but you must go into the Temple, your Bodies being the Temples of the Holy Ghost? For the outward Jew his Temple was thrown down: And He is not a Jew that is one outward, but he is a Jew that is one inward in the Spirit. Stephen was Stoned to Death, for denying the Jews outward Temple, and witnessing Christ; and Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost; so he was the Temple of the Holy Ghost: And so they whose Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost, are the Temples made without Hands, which are set above all Temples made with men's Hands. But if you say, Did not the Jews Priests dwell in the Temple, and there they were to offer in the Temple? I answer, Yes; there was but one Temple in the whole World commanded of God, and it was set up at Jerusalem, and never commanded to be set up in England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain and Rome; but the Jews were to go either to worship at Jerusalem, and there to keep the Feast of Tabernacles, or else their Eyes were to rot in their Heads, and their Tongues in their Mouths, and their Camels were to die of such and such Plagues; as in Zachary you may read. And they were to come out of all Nations under Heaven to worship and keep the Feast of Tabernacles at Jerusalem; and the Apostles did there wait, at the time of Pentecost, to be endued with Power from on High: And so that Temple was thrown down about Forty Years after Christ: For you that cry up outward Temple-worship, made with men's Hands in your own Nations, are worse than the Jews; for they were to have but one Temple, and one People; and that Temple is down, and the Worship; and he is not a Jew that is one outward, but he is a Jew that is one inward in the Spirit. And so Christ's Worship in the Spirit and Truth is set above the Jews outward Worship at Jerusalem, and the Mountain Worship near Samaria; and the Jew inward is set above the Jew outward; and above the Jews outward Offering in his outward Temple, and the Priest having Chambers in the Temple, that was the Place of their Offering; the Jew inward, he offers in his Temple the Spiritual Sacrifices; and no where else doth he offer but in his Temple; for by the Spirit, doth he offer to God who is a Spirit. And they that offered in the Jews Temple, were to wear the holy Garments; so are you to do that are the true Christians, and are called a Royal Priesthood. What, are all true Christians Priests? Yes: What, are Women Priests? Yes, Women Priests. And can Men and Women offer Sacrifices without they wear the holy Garments? No: What are the holy Garments Men and Women must wear? The fine Linen; and they must go in White: What, is this the Priest's Surplice? Nay; the Surplice got up when the fine Linen, the Righteousness of Saints, and going in White, was lost. What is the fine Linen and going in White, that this Royal Priesthood must wear, which are the Royal Garments? It is the Righteousness of Christ, which is the Righteousness of the Saints; this is the Royal Garment of the Royal Priesthood, which every one must put on, Men and Women; so every one put of your Robes, put on your Garments, the Righteousness of Christ, as a Cloak, that you may offer to the Lord an Offering in Righteousness: You that be sensible of the Lord's Mercies, offer to him his Praise, his Glory and Honour, his Spiritual Sacrifice in your Temple, as the sweet Odours, Myhre and Frankincense. And when the Jews Temple was cleansed, and the Rubbish cast out of it, the Glory of the Lord filled the Temple: And when your Temples are cleansed, and the Rubbish cast out of your Temples by your High Priest Jesus Christ, in the Male and the Female, who destroys the Devil and his Works, you will witness renewing up into the Image of God, into Righteousness and Holiness, as Man was in before the Serpent got the Rubbish into him. So Christ, who destroys the Devil and his Works brings them to the State as Man and Woman was in before he got into him, that is, into Righteousness and Holiness, and up into himself, to the Measure of the fullness of Christ, who was glorified with the Father before the World began: Here the Glory of the Lord will fill every one of your Temples, through which you will come to Praise the Lord in your Temple, and to offer an Offering in Righteousness in your Temple by the Spirit, a Spiritual Sacrifice to God, who is a Spirit. So here you are a Royal Priesthood, offering up the Spiritual Sacrifices. And was not the Jew outward, to have Fire and Lamps burn always in his Temple? And are not the Jews in Spirit always to have the Word, which is a Fire in their Temple, and the Light of Christ? For doth not Christ say, Have Oil in your Lamps? And were not their Bodies that Lamp? And was there not to be Salt in the Jews Temple, to season their Sacrifices? And so, are not you to have always Salt in yourselves (doth not Christ say so?) by which you may savour and be seasoned, that all your Sacrifices may be seasoned with Salt? And you know that the Jews outward were not to offer the Blind, the Lame, the Unclean, and the Halt in their Temple; neither are you, that be the Jews in the Spirit, to offer the Halt, the Lame, the Unclean, nor the Swine, nor the Blind; but the Spiritual Sacrifice with the Spirit to God (who is a Spirit) by which Spirit you see, and by which Spirit you are made clean and sanctified, and are enabled to mortify that Swinish Nature; by which Spirit you come to walk upright, not to halt; as you walk in the Spirit, by the Spirit you come to offer to God the Spiritual Sacrifices. And this is the standing Offering in the Temple, which Christ your Priest dwells in, who ends the Jews Priests that dwelled in their outward Temple, and their Temple; and ends their Offerings and Sacrifices, and the Blood of Bulls and Goats; Christ the Offering, once for all their Offerings; and Christ the Everlasting Covenant, ends the first Covenant; and Christ the Temple, ends the Jews outward Temple, where their Offerings and Sacrifices were, and the Priesthood, and sets up the Royal Priesthood, with his Royal Garment, his Righteousness, that offers to God the Spiritual Sacrifices in the Temple: And so Christ ends all the Types, Figures and Shadows, and variable things that were given to Man since the Fall, and held up by the Law, which they were not to add to the Law of God, nor take from it; which stood very nigh Two thousand Years: Which Law served till Christ came, and was good in its Place, and was added because of Transgression; when many transgressed the Image of God, his Righteousness and Holiness, and were fallen from it, than the Righteous Law, which is Good, Holy and Just, came atop of Man; and this served (till the Seed Christ came) with all its Shadows; but Christ is come, who was the End of the Law for Righteousness sake, to every one that believes; and in Christ is no Shadow, Variableness, nor Turning, for he was before Shadows were, glorified with the Father before the World began; who is the First and Last, the Beginning and Ending, the Top and Cornerstone, the chief Master-Builder, the Elect and Precious One, whom all the Builders in all Ages rejected, that were of Men, and by Men, and from Men; whom the Heirs of the World cast out, and could not abide that he should Reign, whose Right it is, though he be the Foundation of many Generations, all the Heirs of the World know not his Generation; they that are in the First Birth, whose Building is not on Christ the Rock, but on the Sand; and therefore have their Houses of Religion and Worship so often been beaten down with the Storms of the Sea, not being upon the Rock Christ Jesus, which is above all the Storms and Tempests in the World, and before the Sea was; who is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and the Root of David, and the Lamb of God which takes away the Sins of the World: And the Lamb must have the Victory over all that are in the Nature of wild Beasts, wild Heifers, Dogs, Wolves and Horses. And is not this a Mystery to you all, that the Lamb should take away your Sins, that the Lamb should have the Victory over the Doggish, Wolfish, Heiserish and Swinish Nature in you, like Horses or Serpents? The Clean and Holy Lamb must have the Victory over all this in you; and therefore join to him that hath the Victory, who is the Captain of your Salvation, who bruiseth the Serpent's Head; Christ the Seed (that is he) that breaks the Serpent's Power, and crusheth him to pieces, destroying him and his Works: Here Christ is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, above all Principalities, Powers and Thrones is he ascended; Who opens and no Man shuts, and shuts and no Man opens; so he that opens to you by his Light, none can shut from you, who filleth your Lamps with Oil of Gladness; and Christ shuts to all them that deny his Light, for they deny him; no Man among them then can open; and that makes them go together by the Ears about their Worships, and Churches, and Scriptures, and to Persecute one another: Though they do profess Christ, yet denying his Light, they deny him: These be Anti-christs', that be against him, though they do profess him; and such are by the Light condemned, that are against the Power of God and the Gospel; the Power of God is the savour of Death to them, but a savour of Life to them that be in the Life. And, In me you have Peace, says Christ; and he gives Peace to them that are in him, that no Man can take away: But in the World you have Trouble, saith Christ: that is, in Adam, in the Fall from Righteousness and Holiness; for in Righteousness there is Peace, and in Holiness People see God; and out of this Holiness they do not see God. Concerning who drink the New Wine, and who drink the Old, and who are the Bottles that hold each: And whose Teeth are set an Edge, and whose not. NOW all that are called Christendom, they do profess to believe in the Name of Christ; yet look upon them, see what a confused Family it is, worse than the Turks, and Moguls, and the Heathen; for in the Turks Country there are Jews, Christians and Turks, and the Turks keep their Sabbath upon the Sixth Day, the Jews upon the Seventh Day, and the Christians upon the First Day; and the Turks doth not Persecute them about Religion, but lets them enjoy their Meetings. And the Mogul, it is said of him, That there have been Sixty Sorts of Religions in his Country; but he Persecutes none for their Religion, but lets them have their Meetings. And that all that are called Christendom, professing the Name of Christ, that they should Persecute one another, and tear one another to pieces about Worship, and Religion, and the Steeplehouse, which they have given the Title of Church to; which is a Title taken from the People, and given to an House: And that they should persecute one another about eating Flesh and Fish, the Lents, and holidays, and about Fast, and about White-Coats, Black-Coats, Girdles, Tippets and Hoods, Altars, Crosses and Candlesticks, and about Processions, and running to Graves for Relics, and such visiting Places. And that they that profess Christ should fall out about outward things, and tear one another to pieces about outward things, and kill, imprison, and burn one another about such things; and about their Sacraments, and Baptisms, which is Bread, and Water, and Wine; the Kingdom of God stands not in Meats nor Drinks, nor Flesh, nor Fish, nor holidays, nor Fasting-Days, nor Tippets, nor Hoods, nor Girdles, nor White-Coats, nor Black-Coats, nor Altars, nor Candlesticks, nor Processions, nor Beads, nor Steeple-Houses: The Kingdom of God stands in Righteousness, and Faith, and Joy in the Holy Ghost; and where there is Righteousness there is Peace; and where there is true Faith there is Victory, and Building one another up in the Holy Faith; but out of this Faith there is no Building, no Victory; but Cain, the Sacrificer, persecuting Abel. And therefore they are not counted wise Men and wise Women that persecute one another about such things that the Kingdom of God stands not in. Therefore love one another, instead of persecuting one another; and be meek, and not high; and entreat, and not threaten; and bless, and not curse; and love, and not hate; and do good, and not evil; and live in the Will of God, and be not self-willed; and mind the Religion of Christ, and not your own; for you persecute one another about your own things (that you invent) and not Christ's; for Christ's Religion doth not admit of any Persecution or Violence, nor to hate Friends or Enemies; but Self-Religion will hate and persecute both; such deny Christ, manifesting they are not of God. And so biting and devouring one another, hath been the way of consuming one another: For, was there not more true Christians before, than there was after the Pope got up? For when they did begin to by't one another, than they consumed one another. And you read in the Scriptures of Two Bottles, the Old Bottle, that holds the old Wine; and the New Bottle, that holds the New Wine; and he that drinks the New will not desire to drink the Old; and he that drinks the Old, will not desire to drink the New. And Christ is the Vine that affords this New Wine, which is put in the New Bottle; which, they that believe in his Light, and become Children of his Light, sit under his Vine, and drink of his Wine. And Adam in the Fall is the Old Bottle, that holds the Old Wine of Transgression, where all the sour Grapes are, and they that sit in Transgression drink of the sour Grapes, of which their Bottle is full, full of the Wine of the Wrath of Fornication: So they will not drink of the New. So this old Wine, that comes from the sour Grapes, sets all their Teeth on Edge, by which they by't and devour one another, and so are consumed one of another, and devoured one of another, by their biting with their edged Teeth: Let all the Places called Christendom witness to this since there hath been a Pope, and since there hath come up a Turk; and how it was before there was a Pope or Turk either; what grinning and biting with their Edged Teeth, and consuming one another there hath been, and is to this Day about Religions, which they made themselves, and are the works of their own Hands (contrary to Christ and the Apostles Religion) and have fed of the works of their own hands, and bitten others (with their edged Teeth) that would not. But they that drink of the New Wine, and desire not to drink of the Old, by't not, but love one another, and love Enemies; and so they are not consumed one of another, but live in Love, Peace and Unity, and mind that which the Kingdom of God stands in, Righteousness, and Faith, and Joy in the Holy Ghost; and there is the pure Religion from above, that keeps itself from the spots of the World; which is, To visit the Fatherless, and relieve the Widows; and live in the Unity and Fellowship of the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace; and lives in the Law of the Spirit of Life, which makes free from the Law of Sin Death, which Life was before Sin was or Death either: And such sit under their own Vine Christ, in the Fellowship of the Gospel the Power of God, which Power of God was before the Devil was, and are the Church in God, and Christ is their Head: But they that have the old Bottle full of the old Wine, that comes from the Grapes of Transgression (by which their Teeth are set on edge) obey the Law of Sin and Death, and are under the Authority of the Prince of the Air and Darkness, and are under the Power of Death, and his Lusts and Works they do, who was a Liar from the Beginning, whose Religion lies in a Lie, and not in the Truth that makes Free; but that is it which the Devil is out of, and all his Servants, and therefore they fight against the Truth with their edged Teeth, who are drunk with the old Wine; and such cannot abide to hear talk of Truth, and the Spirit to guide People, who first hate it in themselves, and quench it, and grieve it; but such the God of Truth will quench their fierceness, and will grieve them that grieve his Spirit, which is given to them; Who will judge the World in Righteousness, and the secrets of every one's Heart, according to the Gospel, and every one shall have a Reward according to his doing: And all you that profess Jesus, and live out of the Law of Jesus, the Law of Love and Faith, and the Spirit of Life that is in him, you are all on Heaps about His and the Apostles Words, like unto the Scribes, Pharisees, Jews and Saducees, that professed the Law of God and his Prophets, and lived out of the Law of God, and the Life of his Prophets, such were Heaps, as the Christians are now, that live not in the Law of Jesus, which cannot build up one another, but are the old Bottles, full of old Wine, whose Teeth are on edge with it, tearing and biting at the Righteous, and one at another; but the Righteous shall Reign, and his Seed shall have the Victory, and God will break the Teeth of the Wicked. Concerning gathering in the Name of Jesus. CHrist Jesus the Second Adam, who came amongst the Sons of fallen Adam, you may see the beginning of his setting up his Meetings, when he saith, Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, I am in the midst of them: So you see here Christ gins with a few, two or three, for there was the gathering of the Jews, Scribes and Pharisees, their Temples and Synagogues. And likewise there was the gathering of the Heathen to Diana's Temple; and all them that gathered in the Name of Jesus came from the Jews Synagogue and Temple, and likewise the Gentiles, into the Name of Jesus, whose Name is above every Name, and there is no Salvation by any other Name under the whole Heaven, but by the Name of Jesus, into which the true Gathering is, where all know their Salvation. And so who are gathered into the Name of Jesus, are gathered into his Power and Authority: For you know when a Tax or Assessment is gathered in the Name of the Head or Heads of a Nation, it comes with Power and Authority, and you obey it either actively or passively. And so who are gathered in the Name of Jesus, they are gathered in the Power of the Second Adam, whose Power and Authority is above the Power of the First Adam's Sons and Daughters; by which Power, and in whose Names their People are gathered; but Christ, whose Name is above every Name, there is no Salvation by any other under Heaven, but by the Name of Jesus; and they that are gathered in this Name of Jesus, by his Power in which they know their Salvation; they do see that there is no Salvation by any other Name under the whole Heaven, nor Gathering, by which they gather; they bid Farewell to all other Names and Gatherings under Heaven, as knowing there is no Salvation but in the Name of Jesus; and this fulfils Jacob's Prophecy, who said, The Lawgiver shall not departed from between Judah 's Feet until Shilo come, and the Gathering of all Nations shall be unto him: So then it's clear, if the Gathering of all Nations be unto Christ, they must forsake all that, into which they were gathered before: And therefore that makes all the Heads of the National Ways to be angry that holds them up; and with such, The Lamb makes War in Righteousness, going on Conquering and to Conquer, that he may Rule whose right it is, that he might subdue all things to himself; in whose Name all things are to be done, and to whom all People are to be gathered, whom God hath given for Salvation to the ends of the Earth: And likewise this doth fulfil Moses prophesy, who said, Like unto me will God raise up a Prophet, whom in all things the People shall hear, who is the Salvation to the ends of the Earth, to whom the Gathering of all Nations must be; and they who are gathered in his Name do and must hear him in all things, by whom all things were made and created, who was glorified with the Father before the World began. A Warning to all to keep out of the vain Fashions of the World, which lead them below the Serious Life; and not to Fashion themselves according to the World. FRiends, Keep out of the vain Fashions of the World, Epist. 250. let not your Eyes, and Minds, and Spirits run after every Fashion (in Apparel) of the Nations; for that will lead you from the Solid Life into unity with that Spirit that leads to follow the Fashions of the Nations, after every Fashion of Apparel that gets up: But mind that which is sober and modest, and keep to your plain Fashions, that therein you may judge the World, whose Minds and Eyes are in, What they shall put on, and what they shall eat: And Friends that see the World so often alter their Fashions, if you follow them, and run into them, in that ye cannot judge the World, but the World will rather judge you. Therefore keep all in the Modesty, and Plainness, and Fervency, and Sincerity, and be Circumspect; for they that follow those things, that the World's Spirit invents daily, cannot be Solid; and many Fashions might be instanced, both of Hats, Caps and of Men and Women that daily are invented, which they that run into them are near unto the World's Spirit, and their Eyes are gazing after them, when they should be upon the Lord, from whom they should receive Judgement. Therefore all keep down that Spirit of the World that runs into so many Fashions to please the Lust of the Eye, the Lust of the Flesh, and the Pride of Life: And Fashion not yourselves according to your former Lust of Ignorance; and let the time passed be sufficient, in which you have lived according to the Lusts of Men, and the Course of the World, that the rest of your time you may live to the Will of God, taking no thought what ye shall Eat, what ye shall Drink, or what ye shall put on; that therein your Lives may judge the Heathen, and that you may be as the Lilies: For nothing you brought into the World, neither any thing shall you take out. And therefore, while the Eye is gazing after every new Fashion, and the Mind and Desire is thirsting to get it; when it has it, it lifts up the Mind, and so brings under the Judgement of them that be in the sober Life, and of the World also, and to be like them. Therefore take heed of the World's Fashions, lest ye be moulded up into their Spirit, and that will bring you to slight Truth, and lift up the wrong Eye, and wrong Mind, and wrong Spirit, and hurt and blind the pure Eye, and pure Mind, and quench the Holy Spirit; and through such foolish Toys, and Fashions, and fading things, you may lose your Conditions. Therefore take heed of the World's Vanity, and trust not in uncertain Riches, neither covet the Riches of this World, but Seek the Kingdom of God, and the Righteousness thereof, and all other things will follow; and let your Minds be above the costly and vain Fashions of Attire, but mind the hidden Man of the Heart, which is a meek and a quiet Spirit, which is of great Price with the Lord: And keep to Justice and Truth in all your Deal and Trade, at a Word, and to the form of sound Words, in the Power of the Lord and in Equity, in Yea and Nay in all your Deal, that your Lives and Conversations may be in Heaven, and above the Earth, that they may preach to all that you have to deal withal; so that you may be as a City set on a Hill, that cannot be hid, and as Lights of the World, answering the equal Principle in all, that God in all things may be glorified: So that you may pass your time here with Fear, as Pilgrims, and Strangers, and Sojourners, having an Eye over all things that are uncertain, as Cities, Houses, Lands, Goods, and as things below; possess them as if ye did not; and they that Mary, as if they did not; yet as having a City, whose Maker and Builder is God, and a Possession of an Inheritance that will never fade away, in which you have Riches that will abide with you Eternally. G. F. MY Dear Friends in the Truth and Seed of God, Epist. 251. in which is Purity and Life, let that flow from the Head to the Feet, that Righteousness and Judgement may run down our Streets as a stream: For now Friends are become a People gathered in the holy Name of Jesus. Therefore all are to walk worthy of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus; and every one as he hath received Him, so walk in Him, as becometh the Gospel, which is the Power of God, which was before the Devil was; that in that your Life may shine before Men, to answer that of God in all, that they may behold your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven: And so, walk in the Light as Children of the Light and of the Day. For you know that formerly we did cry against the Powers of the Earth, because that Judgement, and Justice, and Righteousness did not run down their Streets: And now that Friends are become a great People, shall not Judgement, and Justice, and Righteousness run down our Streets as a Stream and a Flood, to drive away all the filth from amongst us? And now that Friends are become a good Savour in the Hearts of all People, they have a Friend in their House that will plead for them; by which Friends have been kept and preserved in the Life, to answer the Friend in their House: And God having given them his Dominion and Favour, lose it not, but rather increase it in the Life; for at first ye know that many could not take so much Money in your Trade as to buy Bread with; all People stood a loof of you, when you stood upright, and gave them the plain Language, and were at a Word; but now you, through the Life, come to answer that of God in all, they say, they will trust you before their own People, knowing that you will not Cheat, nor Wrong, nor Cousin, nor Oppress them: For the cry is now amongst them that are without, Where is there a Quaker of such and such a Trade? So that they will deal with Friends before they will deal with their own. Oh! Therefore Friends, who have purchased this through great Sufferings, lose not this great favour which God hath given unto you, but that you may answer the Witness of God in every Man, which witnesseth to your Faithfulness, that they may glorify your Father on your behalf. And now Friends, if there be any Oppression, Exaction or Defrauding by making a Prize, through the Freedom which God hath given you, the World will see such, and say, the Quakers are not as they were; therefore such should be exhorted to Equity and Truth: And also if any run into Debt, and aim at great things, and make a great Show in the World of others Goods, which comes to burden others, and lift up themselves with that which is not their own, and are not able to satisfy them, according to their time and word; such hurt themselves, burden others, and oppress them, and brings grief and cause heart-rising in them to see such grown up by Oppression; therefore such must be exhorted to Justice, Equity and Righteousness, and an even Measure, to do as they would be done by. And also, such as go under the name of Quaker, that are gotten into the Earth, and settle their Nests there in ease; such comes to cry against Quakers Meetings, saying, Away with your Forms; and will not come to our Meetings, and hurts others, by which the World gets occasion against the Truth. Therefore such must be exhorted, for such never knew the purchase of the Truth, and if they did, they have sold it. And Friends, forget not the Assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is, and was; lest there be an evil Heart of Unbelief, in departing from the Living God, but exhort one another daily; and so much the more, as the Day doth appear, showing the more Light, the more Day, the more Building, the more Exhorting in the Light, and in the Spirit, in Fellowship one with another: And they that do forsake the Assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some was in the Apostles Days, and is the manner of some now, such grow more and more in the evil Heart, departing from the Living God: And this brought in the Apostasy, which the Apostates set up, and all the whole Body of trifling Traditions: Therefore such as be in the Everlasting Power of God, must exhort such to take heed and be wise. And also, all such unruly Spirits that have professed (falsely) and got under the Name of Quakers, whose evil Words corrupt good Manners, must be exhorted from House to House. And also such young People, Lasses and Lads, that goes in youthful Ways, and takes Liberty to go into Pleasure, and to Play, and to Alehouses and Drunkenness; which corrupt the Earth, which is one Mark, that they are dead whilst they live: And kills the Just, and burdens the Righteous, and causeth the Way of Truth to be evil spoken of: Therefore such must be exhorted to live in the Truth, and to come to that which will mortify that, which leads to Death; so that Truth may be adorned by them. And also such that will not go to Meetings, and cries against others that do, and says, they are Forms of Men; and one while they will not give the Hand; and another while they will keep on their Hats when Friends Pray, and yet secretly they can go to bad Houses, as several have done: From these abominable things they must be exhorted and reproved. And if they do not repent, and come to judge and condemn those things that they have done amiss, and do live in that which doth condemn, and give forth a Paper to take their Transgressions and bad Do out of Friends Minds; and to the People of the World, manifesting their Repentance: But, if they do neither repent, judge nor condemn, nor give forth a Paper against such bad Actions, which makes the World to speak evil of the Truth and the right Way, than Friends must give forth a Paper to the World, to certify against them, for clearing the Truth: And better such had never professed the Name, nor known the Truth, nor come among them who were gathered into the Name of Jesus, and into the Form of Sound Words, and into the Son of God and Godliness; then to have gone into a Form of their own, which they have received; yea, even from the worst of Men, who are thereby come under the Judgement of common, outward People: And therefore Friends, all Uncleanness, of all sorts, and Unrighteousness, and Unfaithfulness, and youthful Ways of running out, and liftings up, such must be exhorted and reproved; that Truth and Righteousness may flow; through which you may keep that which you have bought, and kept through great Sufferings, and some to Death; that Truth in all things may be adorned. And all such as are Tattlers, Busybodies, Backbiters and Gossippers, are to be exhorted to mind their own Conditions, that they may live in the Truth, and not to draw others out to Words, wherein there is no profit; that Truth may flow, and the Life may flow, and the Unity may increase in the Spirit and Power; that all may come to live in the Gospel-Order, which was before the Devil, or Enmity or Adversary was. And all such as cry, Away with your Laws, we will have none of your Laws: To such as come to the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, which makes free from the Law of Sin and Death, and puts down that Authority; which Life was before Death and Sin was, and remains when it is gone; and in the Life in Christ Jesus, is the Saint's Fellowship, and Unity, and Bond of Peace: All such as cry against Laws so much, are the Sons of Belial, and would be without the Yoke of the Law of the Son of God: Such always were the stirrers up of Mischief and Schism from the Body, and they took Liberty to say any thing; as ye may read in the Book of Kings, in the Days of Jezebel, and in the Days of Stephen; and yet these that cry so much against Laws, yet they live themselves in the Law of Sin and Death; which they obey when they do Evil; who are without the Understanding of the Righteous Law, which the Righteous live in and sees: Therefore such must be exhorted and reproved, if they go under the Name of Quakers, and are not in the Life: That Justice, Judgement and Righteousness may flow as a River, and as a Stream, and drive away all the Filth from among us; that nothing but the Power of God, and the Life of Truth, may amongst us rule; that the Living God, which hath blessed you with his heavenly Riches and Mercies, and largely manifested them among you, may be in all things honoured, magnified and exalted: To whom all belongs, God over all, blessed for ever. So that every one may adorn the Truth, and the Gospel, and mind the Lord's Business above their own: And every one be tender of the Glory of God, and be careful, that in no ways his Name and Truth be dishonoured. So let this be read in all your Men and women's Meetings, who are to take notice of all such things. So no more, but my Love in the Universal Seed of God, which never sinned, which is First and Last, the Top and Cornerstone. G. F. For Friends in the Ministry, scattered abroad in Virginia, Maryland, New-England, Barbadoes, and other Plantatations beyond the Sea. TO all you that minister abroad in those Parts, Epist. 252. this is the Word of the Lord to you all, Live in Lowliness of Mind, and Meekness of Spirit, and Pureness of Heart, and be Examples in your Lives, and Chaste in your Conversations, in Holiness of Mind, that you may be a good Savour amongst the People where you come. Let all ungracious, light, unseasoned Expressions, be kept out of your Minds and Mouths, which edifies not the New Life, and keep single unto God, and single-hearted to Man, and plain in all things and low. For it is the Word of the Lord, and the Light of God, that Prophesieth and Revealeth, the Dispensation of the Gospel of Christ unto People: Be ye faithful in it, Epist. 252. and walk answerable to it, and to that holy Gift or Manifestation of Prophecy. And let none be lifted up with it, for Life brings low, and down, as you are kept in the Holiness of it, and the Wisdom of God; through which you answer that of God in all: This doth not hinder the effect of that which you have to minister; but the Life is opened to receive it, in walking and answering that which you have to minister; tho' the contrary part may rise up against you: Be at Unity amongst yourselves, that you may not make Sects nor Schisms, or stumble the Weak: For you know that cursed Spirit that made Rents and got into the Affections and uppermost Part of People, hath buried the Witness of God in many, and made open Rents (which may break also into other Ages against Truth, and them that live in it) which in time will whither and fade away, as Grass upon the House top, and their Arrows will turn into their own Bowels, that are shot against the Righteous, both of the Professor and Profane. And so, be Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, abhorring all Uncleanness and unrighteousness, flying all youthful Ways and fond Affections below, being kept above them; showing the new Life to them that be in the Old, and a New Conversation to them that be in the Vain, and Gentleness to all the Perverse, and Straightness to all the Crooked, and Plainness to all the Rough, and Lowliness to all the Mountains of Ungodliness and Unrighteousness; for the Lamb must have the Victory: And so you may be one another's Crown, Joy and Rejoicing in the Lord; and not one another's Sorrow and Grief. And so, that all may be brought to the Witness of God (which first convinced them) who have run out, and to the Life to answer it; through which you may come to have Unity with God, and with them in the Eternal and Everlasting Life. And some of you should take some of the eminent, true, good and upright Friends, and go and discourse with some of the Heathen Kings, desiring them to gather their Council and People together, that you may declare God's Everlasting Truth, and his Everlasting Way of Life and Salvation to them, knowing that Christ is the Promise of God to them, a Covenant of Light to the Gentiles (which is the Heathen) who is also the New Covenant to the Jews; for you have been amongst the old, rotten-hearted Professors, and seen the Power of the Lord come over them. So, now turn to the Gentiles, to whom Christ is given for a Covenant of Light, and of Salvation, to the Ends of the Earth. So that the Light must be preached and sounded throughout all the Heathen Kings and Princes Countries; and therefore, as you feel and are moved, about Six or more Persons, living in those Parts near unto them, to go with you, as I said, and desire the King to gather his Council and Subjects together, that they may hear that which hath been promised to them (God's Everlasting Covenant of Light, and Life and Salvation, to the Ends of the Earth) And so, be faithful in his Power, which was, before the Devil was; who hath darkened People, and set them one against another: You having on the Armour of Light, which was before the Power of Darkness (and which must stand against them) and having on the Breastplate of Righteousness, that you may stand against all unrighteousness, and the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, which was before the World was; through which you may savour and discern in Wisdom, and in Understanding you may judge, and feel by the Word of Reconciliation committed to God's Servants, his Sons and his Daughters; which Word of Faith is now preached, even the same which was amongst the Apostles; which all must obey and do; which reconciles to God, and to just men's Spirits, and to one another. So, no more, but my Love to you all in the Everlasting Seed of God that never changeth. For the Word is the same now as it was in the Beginning, in Ages past, manifested over all; which many Thousands have received. Glory and Blessing to the Lord God for ever. So, be Faithful, that you may be one another's Crown, and rejoicing in the Lord, going together in the Love and Fear of the Lord. For Friends in Maryland were a pretty People: And Friends, you have had large Experience of that Spirit that run into the Hat, that it was not of God, which scatters to the World (and begot none to God) which is to be bruised by the Seed of God, Christ Jesus, which gathers to God. London, the 1st of the 7th Month, 1667. G. F. To Friends in Holland. DEar Friends, In the Everlasting Power of the Lord God, Epist. 253. I salute all the Faithful and Upright, among whom the Lord hath Joy and Delight; in which Everlasting Power of God have you your Unity Fellowship, and Dominion. And so Friends, all Sufferings of Friends, of what sort soever, for Conscience sake to Christ, in Holland, in Germany, in Zealand, in Gilderland, in the Palatinate, in Freezland, Sweedland, Switzerland and Hambrough, send an Account for what they have suffered, and by whom; together with the Examples that are fallen upon the Persecutors; with their Mittimuses and Examinations, send all these to London, to Friends there; that if any Ambassadors or Agents, out of any of those Places, come to London, Friends may make Application to them; for there are some Friends, who are ordered for the same Purpose, to take knowledge of such things. And likewise, if any Friends have come over into those Parts of the World, and have not walked answerable to the Gospel of Truth, but have walked scandalously and disorderly; whether they have been such who have come over to Minister, or Seamen, and Factors, or Merchants, or Masters of Ships, whereby the Lord God hath been dishonoured, and his Holy Name blasphemed; by which his People are called. And also all such who have not been Faithful in their Callings between Man and Man, but have been deceitful in their Callings, and have been Exactors, and have not been true to their Word; by such Do they cause the Holy Name of the Lord God, and his Righteous Truth, to be evil spoken of. That a List of all such may be gathered up, and sent over to London, to such who are to receive them; and that if they condemn those things, and have given forth a Paper of Condemnation against them, if so, that we may have a Copy of it also, to take away the Reproach of their Transgressions from Friends. And let the Faithful Friends amongst you meet together, to consider and take Care about these things. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 254. let your Affections be set on things that are above; for if they be on things below, than your Minds, Bodies, Souls and Spirits will be brought into Bondage, and in that the Evil will get into you and burden you, which ought to be kept down by the Seed of Life: And learn the true Humility of Christ the Second Adam. And so all they that watch for the Soul, must have the Immortal Eye; for the Soul is Immortal: And therefore all Eyes must be kept above that which is Mortal, and out of it up to the Immortal God, whose Dwelling is in the Light. And so mind the Gospel, which is Immortal, and the Government of him that never sinned nor fell, and to know the increase of it daily, which hath no end. For the Lord is establishing his Church in Righteousness and Truth, whose Church is without spot, wrinkle and blemish, or any such thing; and his People are a holy Generation, and they are to stand up for Holiness, in which Holiness they will see God among them: And let every one see that they do keep their own Vineyard clean. Dear Friends, mind the Gospel, which is the Power of God, that was before the Devil and old Adam was; in this Power is the Comely Order; and out of this Power is all the Uncomely Orders. And so know the Government of Christ, and the Increase thereof, which hath no end: And this Governor and Government was before the Devil and old Adam was, and will stand when all that is gone. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 255. all who from the Beginning have been convinced of God's Truth, and are turned to the World, or gone into Drunkenness, Swearing, Pleasure and Looseness, or to the old Mass-house, or have fold the Truth for a Wife or Husband, and gone to the Priests covertly to be Married, contrary to the Truth they have professed: These all must be Admonished to come to the Light that did first Convince them, and give forth a Paper of Condemnation, and send it to the Priests, and to those Places where they have dishonoured God, his Truth and People. And so to clear the Truth, that none may make a Jest of their Transgressions; and by walking out of the Truth, cause the Blind to wander, so that the House may be swept: And ye being an holy Generation, may stand up for Holiness in your Generation, as the Wicked World stands up for unholiness. Surrey, the 10th of the 7th Month, 1668. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 256. Live in the Wisdom of God, which is gentle and pure from above, and easy to be entreated, all bear one another's Burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ. And if any weakness should appear in any in your Meetings, not for any to lay it open and tell it abroad, that's not Wisdom that doth so; for Love covereth a multitude of Sins, and Love preserves and edifies the Body; and he that dwells in Love dwells in God; for God is Love, and Love is not easily provoked; and therefore keep the Law of Love, to keep down that which is so provoked; for that which is easily provoked hath Words, which are for Condemnation. Therefore let the Law of Love be amongst you, which is not easily provoked; and this Law of Love being amongst you, it will keep down that which is so provoked, and its Words; and so the Body edifies itself in Love. G. F. DEar Friends, be faithful in the Service of God, Epist. 257. and mind the Lord's Business, and be diligent, so will the Power of the Lord be brought over all those that have gain-sayed it. And all ye that are faithful, go to visit them that have been Convinced, from House to House, that if it be possible ye may not leave a Hoof in Egypt. And so, every one go seek the lost Sheep, and bring him home on your backs to the Fold, and there will be more joy of that one Sheep than the Ninety and nine in the Fold. And Friends, all take heed of Sleeping in Meetings, and Sottishness, and Dulness; for it is an unsavoury thing to see one sit Nodding in a Meeting, and so to lose the Sense of the Lord: And it's a Shame and a Sadness both, and it grieveth the Upright and Watchful, that wait upon the Lord, to see such things; and for the Priest's People and others, that come into your Meetings, and see you, that come together to Worship God, and to meet together to wait upon him, and to have Fellowship in his Spirit, for you to sit Nodding, it is a shame and an unseemly thing. Therefore be Careful and Watchful, and let it be mended; and mind the Light and Power of Christ Jesus in you, and that will condemn all such things, and lead you out of, and above, such things, and make you watchful one over another for your Good. Let this be read in all your Meetings. G. F. DEar Friends, in the Truth of God that changeth not, Epist. 258. is my Love to you in that which is unfeigned and everlasting, in the same Power, and the same Seed of Life as ever was, and was at the first going forth among you: And so Friends, the Lord in his everlasting and mighty Power hath moved some to go over in those parts to Declare his Word of Life and Everlasting Gospel. And some have not walked afterwards as becometh the Gospel, both them that have declared it, and them who have received it; whereby there hath been a stop to the progress of the Truth and Power of God, that it hath not had its full Course; and by that, burdens have been brought upon the Just and Innocent, and the Mouths of the World, instead of stopping them, they have opened them to speak evil of the Truth and Way of God. And so Friends, this is the thing in short and plainness, all that have come over into your Plantations and Islands, either to Minister or Plant, or as Passengers to see the Country, or Seamen, Masters of Ships, Factors, or Merchants, that have dishonoured the Lord God and his Truth, and have opened the Mouths of the World to Blaspheme God, and to speak Evil of his Way and Holy Truth that the Righteous live in: Such, I say before mentioned, that have gotten into Drunkeness, or Looseness in Words and Life, and have not been faithful in their Deal, or have showed any immodest Carriages, or are gotten up into those things which the Power of God did not set up in the beginning (which faithful Friends have continued in) and have gone into Sects and Jangles, which is out of the Power of God, which Friends are in, who keep their Habitations in Christ Jesus, in whom there is Peace: And all such likewise, who are gone into Uncleanness, and such who pretend to preach the Gospel, and are sat down in the Earth, like Demas, and have forsaken the Gift of God, and sit down in the Earth, and esteemed the Earth before it; and so set up their own Business, and slighted the Lord's: And such who are gotten into the rotten Principles of the Ranters, who wear their Hats when Friends pray; who out of the Wisdom of God would manifest to the World a Separation, and to show that they are not of the Spirit, Power and Mind, as Friends were in at the first. As also, all such that raise false Reports, which are forbidden by the Lord among his People: These things are to be searched out to the bottom, that Righteousness and Truth may flow, and have its passage through all Hearts, and all may come to the Habitation which they had at the first; and all that is contrary may come to Judgement and Condemnation: For the House must be swept and cleansed of all the things that hath gotten into any, that all may come up into the Sanctified Life; for the Ancient of Days is come, and the Judgement is set, and they that have kept their Habitations witness this. And therefore Friends, this is my Advice to you, I would have you to gather up a List of all these things aforementioned, in all your Istands and Plantations, let them be searched throughly, that what is for Judgement and Condemnation may be brought to it; and that you may send an Account to Friends at London of such that come from thence, that have been since Scandalous in their Conversations: So that every one may come to that which did at first Convince them, and to condemn their contrary Actions: And that Papers may be sent to the World, who have known their Transgressions, to clear Truth and Friends, and to fetch it out of their Mouths; that so they may not feed upon any one's Transgressions; that the Miscarriages of some may not be charged on the Body of Friends. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 259. be faithful in the Truth which the Devil is out of; in which Truth you have Dominion over him: And live in the Power of God, which was before the Devil was; in which Power of God, which is the Gospel, is your Fellowship: And live in the Light, which was before Darkness was, and the Power of it: in which Light is also your Everlasting Fellowship; and in this you will know God's dwelling, which is in the Light: And dwell in the Life, which was before Death was, and the Devil, the Power of it; and in this Life you will have Dominion over Death and the Power of it: And so you do well that take heed to the Light, and walk in it; and they that do Evil do not take heed to the Light: And so, walk in the Light, as Children of the Light, and in that ye will have Fellowship one with another, and with the Son and the Father. And so mind the Engrafted Word, which is able to save your Souls; and that will keep your Eyes and Minds over all that which is not able to save, and keep your Feet on the top of that. And so be of that good Faith which gives you victory and access to God, in which you do all please God, and have Unity one with another. And so mind the Seed Christ, which is over all that which makes to Suffer, and was before that was, and will stand when that is gone, that makes to suffer; in that Seed live, and know it your Crown and Life, and in that you will be one another's Crown and Joy in the Lord God blessed for ever. And so keep your Meetings in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ that never fell; and the Seed Christ reigns, in whom you have Life, that was with the Father before the World began. G. F. DEar Friends, If the Truth make you free, then are ye free indeed: Epist. 260. So then there are none made Freemen, but by Truth; and all that are Freemen, they are made free by the Truth, they are God's Freemen; they are Free-Citizens, they are Freeholders' of an Everlasting Inheritance, and free of an Everlasting Kingdom; and they are Free-Heirs of Salvation; and they are free of the heavenly City Jerusalem, which is from above; and they are free of the Power of an Endless Life, which was before Death was. So, they are not Captives, they are not Bondmen, they are not Servants, nor Slaves. But (Mark) Freemen and Free-Women. And what hath made them Freemen, and Free-Women, but Truth? For, if the Truth hath made you free, then are you free indeed. So, free to worship God in the Spirit and in Truth (which the Devil is out of) for to serve the Lord God in the Spirit and in the New Life. They are above the Serpent, and from under his Control; and from under the Control of old Adam, and his beggarly Rudiments, and Will-Worships, and false Righteousness: Truth makes free from all these; and makes free to be Partakers of Christ Jesus, and of his Blood, and his Spirit, and Mind; who is the Prince of Peace, and Prince of Life; and makes free to be Partakers of the Divine Nature and Precious Faith; and to be Members of the True Church, and Gospel Fellowship, and Power of God, which was before the Devil was. So, stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, free from the Devil, Dragon, and Serpent, and all Slavery and Servitude. For Freemen do walk in their Freedom; for it is the Truth makes them Free, and so to Triumph in Glory. And so, if the Truth have made you free, then are you free indeed; free from all the Will-Worships, and from all the windy Doctrines; from all the evil Inventions, Traditions, Imaginations and Notions, and Rudiments of Adam in the Fall, who are from Truth; and free from the Devil, who is out of Truth. So, it is plain, none are free but by the Truth, and all in the Truth are Freemen. And all, out of the Truth, are Slaves in Old Adam, and Slaves to Sin and Satan, and to his Will-Worship, and to their own Self-Righteousness, and to their Rudiments, Doctrines and Traditions; serving divers Lusts, Pleasures and Corruptions, and serving the Creatures more than the Creator, who is God blessed for ever, and serving the Desires of their own Minds; and so as Slaves are kept in Bondage; all in Prison all in the Bonds of Death and Jaws of Death; for who are out of Truth are no Freemen. Though they be High Priests and Readers, Preachers and Expounders, as the great High Priests, and the lofty Pharisees and Scribes were, Professing the Scriptures, yet not in the Truth, and so not Freemen. For they are in Malice and Envy, like Cain; Oppressors, like Pharaoh; raging Persecutors, like Nabuchadnezzar and the Jews; as Wild as Ishmael, as Profane as Esau; out of the Truth are all those found, fasting with Fists of Wickedness, lifting up bloody Hands, mingling their Sacrifices with the Blood of the persecuted, praying to the Magistrates for Persecution: All this is out of Truth, and not in the Freedom; so not Freemen, but doing the Devil's Lusts and Service, as the Jews did. And so, if the Truth make you free, ye are free indeed; ye are free from all those things . The Truth makes free from Envy, and from Profaneness, and from Wildness, and from Wickedness, and from the bloody Hands: Free from the Fasts of those that hang down their Heads like a Bulrush, free from the persecuting Spirits, free from the false Prophets, Deceivers, Seducers, Anti-christs'; and all Antichristian false Prophets, Deceivers and Seducers, are Satan's Bondslaves, Vassals and Bond men; and being with his Oars chained in his Galleys, they carry his Wares, and do his Work up and down the World; which is the Sea: But Truth makes free from all these, free from the Hypocrites Hope, which perisheth; free from Nebuchadnezzar's Fury; and it makes free from the wild Heifers Nature, and from the Dog, Swine, Horse, Viper, Cockatrice, Serpent's Nature, and from the Spider, and his Webb; and from the Oak and Cedar, and the Bramble and Briar, and Bear and Lion: The Truth makes free from all these, and brings Man and Woman into the Image of God. And so, if the Truth makes you free, then are you free indeed. And the Truth is Christ, and Christ is the Truth, which makes you free from all Falsehood, and makes you free from the World, which lies in Wickedness and unrighteousness; by which you come to be Freemen of the World which hath no End. And an highway shall be there, Isaiah 35.8. and a way, and it shall be called the way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. (Mark) The unclean shall not pass over it. This Way, which is called the Way of Holiness, was spoken of by Prophecy; and this Way is Christ, who is the Way of Holiness, who is above the , and destroys it, and the Ground of it, the Devil; and so, the cannot pass over this Way of Holiness. This is our Way, who are in scorn called Quakers, to wit, Christ: And this Way of Holiness shall be for the way-faring Men, though Fools, yet they shall not err therein; where no Lion, nor ravenous Beast, nor Lion's Whelp shall go thereon. All the ravenous Beasts are without, in the Way of the World, without Christ and God: But the Redeemed shall walk in this Way of Holiness, Christ Jesus; and the ransomed of the Lord shall walk in this Way of Holiness; and they that do return from the Way of the World to Zion, shall walk in this Way of Holiness, with singing and everlasting Joy upon their Heads. And they that walk in this Way of Holiness, Christ Jesus, shall obtain Joy and Gladness; and Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away: And all that walk in this Way of Holiness, their deaf Ear is unstopped, and their blind Eye is opened. And the lame Man here shall leap as an Hart, and the dumb Man's Yongue shall sing: And here he shall see Waters gush out of the Rock, and Streams out of the Desert, in this Way of Holiness: And here he shall see in this Way the patched Ground become a Pool, and the thirsty Land full of Springs; and in the Habitation, where Dragons lay, shall be Grass with Reeds and Rushes, which gins to spring: Glory be to the Lord for ever. And this Way of Holiness, which the Prophets prophesied of, is Christ Jesus, the Way, who said of himself, I am the Way; and he is over all the fallen Ways, and before the Way of the Serpent; glorified with Father, before the World began: And this is the Way of the way-faring Men, who have been way-faring up and down from Religion to Religion, from Worship to Worship, from one People to another, from one Minister and Teacher to another, and could not sit down in any of their Ways, but way-fared, traveled and sought: And now, Glory be to the Lord for ever, Thousands of these way-faring Men are come to find their Way, Christ Jesus (and though Fools) yet shall not err therein; that is, they shall not err in their Way: They shall not err in Christ Jesus, for there is no Error in him, for he was before Error was; for Christ, the Way, destroys the Devil and his Works, the Ground of all Error. So, though they be called Fools (these way-faring Men) by all the Sons of Adam, that are set down in their own Rudiments, and have persecuted these way-faring Men as Fools, because they would not sit down with them in their Rudiments, Worships, Self-Righteousness and National Church, which National Powers have established; yet those way-faring Men walk on in their Way, Christ Jesus (where though Fools) yet they shall not err in the Way, Christ Jesus, though they be called Fools by all the Sons of Adam, who are in their own Ways and Rudiments; yet those Fools shall not err in the Way, Christ Jesus, though counted Fools for Christ sake. And they see how all the wise Men in old Adam mixed with the Wisdom of the Serpent, how they are all in their own Ways, Worships and Religions; and all the Sects in it, how they are like Tradesmen, plucking from one Church to another, and getting Customers, and drawing People from one another's Church to their own Ways; and tearing one another to pieces, to get People from one another's Church to themselves. And so are like Lions and ravenous Beasts one against another, to get from one another's Church to maintain themselves; and thus they seek the People's, not the People; and feed themselves, and not the Flock; for they are out of the Way, Christ, and sit down in their own Ways. But, for the way-faring Man, the Way of Holiness is; for him, that is way-faring and seeking up and down for his beloved. I sought my beloved by Night, and the Watchmen smote me. Did not the way-faring Man go to the Papists and say, You Watch men of the Night, did ye see my Beloved? What is thy Beloved more than another's Beloved, said they? What is thy Religion, more than fewer Religion? Or, thy Profession, more than fewer Profession? So the Papists smote and wounded the way-faring Men. The way-faring Men did not ask the Papists for his Beloved; for the Papists had a Beloved, a Mass-Book; but he asked him for his own Beloved, Christ Jesus. Well, the next Watchmen was the Common-Prayer Men of every Parish. The way-faring Men went to those Watchmen of the Night, and said, Did ye see my Beloved? They stormed at the Way-faring Men, and said, What is thy Beloved more than another's Beloved, and thy Religion more than fewer Religion: They smote him, and wounded him also. Well, the next Watchmen of the Night were the Presbyterians; they were also the Watchmen of some People, the Way-faring Men went to them, and said, Ye Watchmen of the Night, did ye see my Boloved? And they were exceeding angry, and said, What is thy Beloved more than another's Beloved, and what is thy Religion more than fewer Religion? He did not ask him for his Beloved; for he knew he had a Beloved, his Directory: And these Watchmen smote the Way-faring Men, and punished some, spoilt some of their Goods, and killed some, (as some at New-England) because they would not follow their Beloved, as the Papists and others had done before them. The next Watchmen were the Independents and Baptists, the Way-faring Men went to them also; for they were the Watchmen of some People, and said unto them, Ye Watchmen of the Night, did ye see my Beloved? And these Watchmen of the Night were also exceeding angry, and said, What is thy Beloved more than another's Beloved, and thy Way more than fewer Way, and thy Religion more than another's: And these Watchmen of the Night smote cruelly. Then the Wayfaring Men went to the private Meetings of the Manifesterians and seekers; and these Watchmen fell a Mocking, and Scoffing, and Railing, and Smiting with the Tongue, and thrust them out of their Meetings: And when it was asked them, If they saw the Wayfaring Man's Beloved? And they scoffed at their Beloved. And so the Way-faring Men way-fared up and down from Watchman to Watchman to seek their Beloved; and many were imprisoned and persecuted by some of these Watchmen of the Night. And now Glory for ever be to the Lord, Thousands of these Way-faring Men have found their Beloved, and have found their Way, Christ Jesus, and a Fool shall not err therein; for there is no Error in Christ Jesus, all the Error is out of Christ, who is the Way, wherein the Way-faring Men, tho' counted Fools, yet shall not err. And now my Beloved is mine, and I am his; we are come to the Banqueting House, and his Banner over us is Love. And the Watchmen of the Night told the Way-faring Men, That there was not any Way, but there was Error in it; and that all the Religions, and Worships and Churches erred. And so the Way-faring Men way-fared up and down to find the Way of Holiness: For all the Ravenous Beasts, and the Lion's Whelps trod in the Way of Error. And all those Night Watchmen were among the Ravenous Beasts and the Lion's Whelps; And so neither the Watchmen nor Ravenous Beasts could pass over this Way of Holiness, nor enter into it, which is the Way for the way-faring Men, the Way of Holiness, where the Fools shall not err; which fools, all the wise Men in old Adam, and the Serpent's Error, cannot see, nor their ground, nor how they Err in their own Ways. And this is the Eye which the Way-faring Man hath opened in him, who sees his Beloved: And the Way where the Fools shall not Err in. And all that shall come to this Way of Holiness, in which the Fools shall not Err, which is the Way of the Way-faring Men, into which all must come; and out of the Way of the Serpent, and out of the Way of old Adam in the Fall. And did not you Watchmen of the Night tell the Way-faring Men, That the Scriptures were not truly Translated that speaks of a Way of Holiness, and a Way that the Way-faring Men, though Fools, should not err therein? For ye Watchmen of the Night could not see this Way of Holiness: For, do you not say, that a Fool will Err in every thing he doth? And was it possible there should be a Way wherein the Fool should not Err? for you said, the wisest Man that was sinned: And here have not you Wise Men of old Adam manifested your Ignorance and Error of the Scriptures and the Way of Holiness, which is the Way-faring Man's Way: For all Error is in your own Way, and there is no Error in Christ, the Way of Holiness; for Way-faring Men and the Fools shall not Err therein; that is to say, they shall not Err in Christ Jesus; for he was before Error was, and destroyeth the ground of it. The Outward Jew worshipped in his outward Temple made with Hands, at Outward Jerusalem, Concerning the Worship of God that Christ set up above 1600 Years since; and concerning the Worship of the Jews before. and they came up Yearly to Worship there; and if they did not come up to Worship at outward Jerusalem, and keep the Feast of Tabernacles in the Temple, upon them should be no Rain; and their Eyes were to rot out of their Heads, and their Tongues out of their Mouths, that fought against Jerusalem, as in Zachary 14.12. So the outward Jew had but one Temple in the whole World, and there they went to Worship in it; and the Priest had a Chamber in the Temple. And when Christ came, he ended the Priesthood, he ended the Offerings, and the Temple and the Worship therein of the outward Jews; and set up another Worship in the Spirit and in the Truth: For when the Woman of Samaria, that came to Jacob's Well, said unto Christ, How that our Father's Worshipped in this Mountain, where Jacob's Well was, and the Well was made before Jerusalem was, or the Temple either; for Jacob died in Egypt, and after him his Sons came out of Egypt, and builded a Temple in Jerusalem; and so there they set up a place of Worship after the Well was made: So Christ said unto the Woman, The Hour is coming, and now is, that they that Worship the Father must Worship him in Spirit and Truth; and not at Jerusalem, nor at this Mountain is God worshipped; For God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth: And then did Christ set up his Worship, which was before the Popes, Turks, Common-Prayer, Presbyterian, Independent, and other Worships were, and the Worship that Christ Jesus set up, was in the Spirit and in the Truth. Now where is this Spirit, and where is this Truth? Is it not within People? So as the Jew outward was to Worship in the Temple, and there was but that one Temple commanded of God to be built, which Christ came to end, who set up his Worship in the Spirit and in the Truth. So seeing the true Worship is in the Spirit and in the Truth, and the Truth is within you, in the inward parts, the Spirit of God is within you; you must not grieve, vex nor quench it. And so every Man and Woman in the whole World must come to the Spirit and Truth in their own Hearts, by which they must know the God of Truth, who is a Spirit, and to feel the Spirit in their own Hearts, and in the Spirit of Truth to Worship the God of Truth, who is a Spirit. So now, as the Jew outward was to offer his Sacrifice in the outward Temple, and no where else, which Temple is now thrown down, he is not a Jew who is one outward, but he is a Jew who is one inward, in the Spirit and in the Truth; and so, all ye Jews inward, in the Spirit, ye must worship in the Truth and in the Spirit. And so, the Jew inward can worship no where but in the Temple. What Temple? It is not a Temple that is made with Hands. The Jews outward worshipped in the Temple that was made with Hands; but the Jew inward his worship is to be in the Spirit, and in the Truth, and in a Temple not made with Hands. So to worship in the Spirit, and in the Truth, is to worship in the Temple, and no where else. And so, every Man and Woman in the whole World must worship in the Temple. What Temple? The Temple that is not made with Hands. Where the Spirit of Truth is. Know ye not, that your Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost; that is to say, the Holy Spirit: And so, every Man and Woman must be brought to Truth in their own Hearts, and brought to the Spirit of God in their own Hearts. This is the standing and perfect Worship, and it will stand when all the Worships of old Adam are gone, and when the Jews, and Turks, and Christians Worships, that be not in the Truth, are gone: For this is a standing and perfect Worship; the Spirit of God is Perfect. And this is an Universal Worship, and brings every individual Man and Woman to the Spirit of God in their own Hearts. This makes no Sect, but every one in the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace, is in the Truth, which the Enmity is out of: And this Spiritual Worship is in the Spirit and Truth, Christ Jesus, the Spiritual Man, the Heavenly Man, which the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven set up above Sixteen hundred Years since. And so, every one is to be in it, and to walk in the Truth, and in the Spirit, and to come to the Truth in their own particulars. For that Spirit makes Sects, which persecutes People for not following them; but they are all to Worship in that Spiritual Worship, which Christ Jesus set up; and every Son and Daughter of Adam is to come to the Truth and Spirit in their own Hearts; and so in that Spirit and Truth to Worship the God of Truth, who is a Spirit; for he seeketh such to Worship him. And Christ persecuted none for not following his Worship; but all are condemned by the Spirit in their own selves, who grieves it, and vexes and quenches it, and all are Condemned with the Light and Truth that hate it, who will not come to it, but hate it. So they all that Persecute about Religion run into Heaps, and Sects and Darkness, and are with the Light condemned. And so none can Worship the God of Truth, but who comes to the Truth in their own Hearts; and none can Worship God, who is a Spirit, but who comes to the Spirit of God in their own Hearts, which mortifies Sin and Evil; which Spirit leads into all Truth: So every one who is a Jew inward must Worship in the Spirit and Truth; and every one must be brought to the Temple which is not made with Hands, and to Worship in the Spirit which Christ set up, who is the Spiritual Man. Carnal Men may set up Worships, who have not the same Spirit and Power the Apostles had. And such leads People into Sects and Heaps, and leads People out of the Spirit, and persecutes one another about their Worships, which is not the Way of Truth, nor the Command of Christ, but on the contrary, to love one another. So all that Worship in the Spirit and Truth, comes to the Spirit and Truth in their own Hearts, and loves one another, and loves Enemies. And so as the outward Jews Priests had Chambers in the Temple; which Priests, Chambers and Temple Christ hath ended. So let Christ Jesus now have a Chamber in your Temple, to sanctify your Temple, and cleanse your Temple, that the Glory of the Lord may fill your Temple: The Jews Priests were to cleanse the Temple, and when they had cast the Rubbish out of it, the Glory of the Lord filled their Temple: And so Christ, as I said before, hath ended the Jews Priests Chambers and Temple. And so all ye who are Jews inward in the Spirit, let Christ your Priest have a Chamber in your Temple, that he may cleanse your Temple, and cast the Rubbish out of it, which is come in by Transgression, who doth renew you up into the Image of God, as Adam and Eve were in before they fell; so that the Glory of the Lord may fill your Temple. And so as the Jew outward had but one Temple to Worship in, the Jew inward must not have two; for than they make a Sect, and goes from Truth in their own Hearts, and from the Spirit of God. And so to Worship in the Truth and in the Spirit, is to Worship in the Temple. So every Man and Woman come to this one Temple: Where is this one Temple? Where the Spirit is in the Heart, and the Truth in the inward Parts: And this is the Temple that is not made with Hands; do you not know that your Bodies are the Temples of the Holy Ghost? And so this is the true Worship that Christ set up, in the Spirit and in the Truth; every Man and Woman in the whole World must come to it, the Truth in their own Hearts, that by it they may know the Truth, and the God of Truth. And by the Spirit they may know God, who is a Spirit, and so Worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth; and this is the standing universal Worship, that Christ the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, the Spirtual Man, set up above Sixteen hundred Years since; John 4. when he denied the Mountain Worship, where Jacob's Well was, and the Temple Worship of the outward Jews at Jerusalem, where they went to the outward Temple Yearly to Worship. And so every one are to Worship in the Spirit, and come to the Spirit and Truth in their own Hearts; and in that to Worship the God of Truth, who is a Spirit, as Christ commanded. And so by the Spirit of Truth, they come to Jerusalem which is above, which cometh down out of Heaven from God. So this is a true, certain, standing, infallible and perfect Worship; for Truth and the Spirit of God is certain, infallible and perfect; and so this Worship is a certain perfect Worship. And so every one, as I said before, come to the Truth in your own Hearts, and to the Spirit of God, or else you cannot Worship the God of Truth, who is a Spirit: And every Man that Worships in the whole World, who would find this Spirit and Truth, they must go into the Temple. And so in the Spirit and Truth Worship God, who is a Spirit; and this Spirit gives an Understanding to know God, who is a Spirit; and the Truth, and to know the God of Truth, who is to be worshipped in the Spirit and Truth, who is God blessed for ever, Amen. G. F. FRriends, To call Men Masters or Gracious Lord, and putting off the Hat to them, Epist. 261. and the Man's Scraping with his Foot, and the Woman's making a Curchey. These Titles and Fashions not giving and observing, doth not break the Law of Christ, nor of God, which respects no Man's Person, but they are the customs of Nations which are vain; and the great Manners and Civilities that lies among Christians, is in saying You to one Man, and the Man's putting off his Hat, and scraping with his Foot, and the Woman's bending her Knees; and in these and such like things lies their Civilities, their Honour and Manners, and Well-Breeding, as they call it: But the right Manners is to keep People from evil Words, which corrupts good Manners, and God's Law; and Christ respects no Man's Person: And Man and Woman in their not Yoving, nor Scraping and Bowing, are not unmannerly, nor uncivil: for Man was forbidden by the Angel to bow to him, but to bow to God, and to Worship him, and to bow at the Name of Jesus, who is called, The Power of God, and the Word of God; for the Angel said to John, he was his Fellow-servant. So Servants were not to bow one to another; and if they do, is it not reproved by the Angel, and reproved by Christ, the seeking Honour one of another? For how can you believe, saith Christ, that receive Honour one of another, John 5. So it is a mark, that they are Unbelievers, who receive Honour one of another; and they are like the Pharisees, that love the Praise of Men, and are called of Men Master, and like the Heathen, that will be called Gracious Lords; For, saith he, you are all Brethren, and have one Master and Lord, Christ Jesus, and one Lord, who is the Creator of all. For all things were made subject to Man, and Man subject to God; all Creatures was to fear and dread Man and Woman, but Man and Woman were to fear and dread God. So all Christians are to have one heavenly spiritual Head, Christ Jesus, and heavenly spiritual Master, and they all as Brethren are to serve and worship him. And the Prophets and Apostles Thou'd God and Christ, Kings and Princes, and great Men and Women, as you may see in the Scriptures, and they were never offended at it. And you never read in all the Scriptures of any that feared God, that were offended at any for saying Thou to a single Person, and standing with their Hats on (unless it were the Pharisees, that loved the praise of Men) as it is said in the Book of Job, If I give flattering Titles to Men, my Maker would soon take me away: And so all their flattering Titles, and loving the Praise of Men, and seeking Honour one of another, it comes from that Ground that is out of Truth, in the Image of the Beast and the Dragon, who will be worshipped; but the Angel would not be bowed down to by the Servant of the Lord; he says, God must be worshipped. So they that Worship the Beast and the Dragon receive the Mark from the Dragon; he Brands them and Marks them with his Spirit (out of Truth) and then he receives Honour from them, and the vain Glory they give to him; but they which are sealed with the Spirit of Promise, they have their Father's Mark in their Foreheads; these Worship the Living God, and are in his Image and his Likeness, that he made them in the Beginning, and in the Spirit of Christ Jesus, and those are Christ's. G. F. ALL Friends and People, That is to be condemned in yourselves, which hath led you from Christ, from God, Epist. 262. and from Unity in the Light; I say, is condemned by the Light, and must be executed and killed, and stoned with the Living Stone, and run thorough with the Living Sword, and hammered down with the Living Hammer to pieces, and burnt up with the Living Fire, and so made an end of: For that which leads into Looseness, Whimsies, Imaginations, false Visions, though it be condemned, yet, if it be not executed, it is in danger to rise again; and if it rise again, and get over you, it will be your Ruler, if it get out of Prison and be alive, and not executed: For, after a thing is condemned, as Drunkenness, Adultery, Fornication, or any manner of Looseness whatsoever, or run out from the Spirit and Light, if it be condemned, and Judgement passed upon it, if it be not executed, there is danger of its reviving: For, after a thing is Condemned, and Judgement passed upon it, it is to be executed. For you know, after a Thief or a Murderer is Condemned and Judged, and have Sentence passed upon him, yet he is not executed that Day; the Execution comes afterwards. And therefore, after Condemnation or Judgement is passed upon any inward Evil, or any outward Action of Evil, let Execution be speedily done with the Living Hammer, and the Living Sword, and the Living Stone; that the Living Fire may burn it up and consume it. No Man after he hath beaten his Child, hateth him ever afterwards, but loveth him (if he repent and amends, so doth the Eternal Father) and if the Child be fallen down into the Dirt, he doth not go and tumble him more into the Dirt, or into the Ditch, and there let him lie in the Dirt and Ditch, but takes him out, and washes him; and so doth the heavenly Father, which leads his Children by his Hand, and dandles them upon his Knee. And so, all that be called Fathers in the Truth, or Mothers, their Tenderness should be the same to all little Children in the Truth, that can hardly go without leading, that sometimes may fall into the Dirt and Ditch, and ship aside, and then be troubled, and cry. To such there should be Tenderness shown, and to wash them, and help them; and Love to such should be manifest; for there is difference betwixt a stubborn, rebellious and wilful Child, and one that is Penitent; for those must have great Chastisements, that knows the will of their Father, and doth it not; they must have greater Stripes, and sorer Stripes they must look for (be sure to expect it) than the other. For Christ is manifest in the Flesh, to condemn Sin in the Flesh, all that witness Christ in them. Male and Female; I say, Christ manifest in their Flesh; he doth condemn the Sin that is in their Flesh; yea, and makes an end of Sin, and finishes the Transgression, and brings in Everlasting Righteousness into them: But first he condemns the Sin that is in their Flesh, the Unrighteousness in their Flesh, and Ungodliness in their Flesh; the Liar, the Swearer, that is in their Flesh; the Adulterer, the Fornicator, the Idolater, and all Sin, whatsoever it is, he condemns in the Flesh. So Christ is manifest in the Flesh, to condemn the Sin that is in the Flesh; that every one that witnesss Christ condemning Sin in the Flesh, that they through Christ, that condemns Sin in the Flesh, might become God's Righteousness; so they become another's: But the Sin being uncondemned in the Flesh, they are of the Serpent, of the Unrighteous One, of the Ungodly One, who adulterated from Truth, they are his: But the Sin being condemned in the Flesh, Christ is manifest in the Flesh, so that they become Christ's; they are God's, and are in Christ, who destroys the Devil and his Works, that are out of Truth. And these know the New Life, which God is served in; and these know the New Earth, wherein dwells Righteousness; and these knows the Old Earth, wherein dwells unrighteousness: And these can bring forth things New and Old. For they that are led by the Spirit of God, are the Sons of God; they that are led by the Spirit of the Devil, are the Children of the Devil, and his Works they do, the Works of their Father; as they that are led by the Spirit of God, his Works they do, the Works of their Father; and all they that quench the Spirit of God, and vexes the Spirit of God, and grieves the Spirit of God, and hate the Light of Christ, and walks despitefully against the Spirit of Grace, and turns it into wantonness, and disobeys the Word of God in their Hearts and Mouths: Sure you all may see such are not the Sons of God, and do not the Works of God; though they may profess the Scriptures from the beginning of Genesis to the end of the Revelations: Neither doth that Birth know the Scriptures, for they are known by the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, which led the holy Men of God to speak them forth; by the same Spirit are they known again: And Christ, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin, he is known by the Holy Ghost again, which led the holy Men of God to give forth Scriptures; which now leads into all Truth. And all them now, who despise Revelations, Inspirations, Prophecies, Gifts, and Talents, they despise the Spirit of God and his Gifts. Such are neither Ministers of God, or Christ, nor his Sons; but are the Sons of him that is out of the true Spirit, that is of God, in the Darkness, Babel and Confusion; who think they can do great matters with their Languages, and with them make a Trade of the Scriptures; who cannot endure any People should come to the Spirit, that gave them forth; for none can walk in the Spirit, that quenches it, and vexes and grieves it. And none comes into the Church Fellowship that grieves, and vexes, and quenches the Spirit of God: For the Fellowship is in the Spirit, that is the Bond of Peace; and none is led into all Truth, but by the same Holy Ghost, that was in the holy Men of God, that gave forth the Scriptures of Truth. And all that are led by this Spirit of Truth, are led from the Spirit of the Devil, that is out of Truth. And all that are led by the Spirit that is out of Truth, are the First-Birth of the Flesh, and of that Murderer, which will persecute him that is born of the Holy Spirit of God, which leads into all Truth: Which they that are led by the Spirit that is out of Truth, are out of both the Father and Son. And they that are led by the Spirit of Truth, are the Sons of God; and here are both in the Father, and in the Son, and in the Truth, which abides for ever. And here the Heir, the Son, inherits his Possession, his Inheritance in the Kingdom that never hath an end. The true Hope, the true Cross, the true Faith, the true Worship, the true Religion, the true Way, true Image, and true Fellowship have been lost since the Apostles-Days, amongst those called Christians, which are out of the Life. And they that have lost the Cross of Christ, which is the Power of God, in which is the true Fellowship, they have set up a wooden or a stone Cross, etc. so false Crosses, false Christians. They that have lost the true Hope, which purifies, as He is Pure, they have set up a Purgatory to cleanse them when they are dead. And others cry up a Body of Sin and Death on this side of the Grave, with their Hypocrites Hope; and they have lost the true Ministry, and set up a false One, to preach up Imperfection. And People were imperfect in old Adam before Christ came; for the Law made nothing Perfect; but the true Minister, Christ, in you the hope of Glory, doth make Perfect both in the Apostles Days and now: Christ in you, the hope of Glory, said the Apostle, whom we preach, warning every Man, that we may present every Man perfect in Christ Jesus. So the Perfection is in Christ Jesus; the Imperfection is in old Adam. So this is the true Hope that purifies, which every one that hath it purifies himself, even as he is Pure: And every one that hath not a Possession of this Hope, pleads for Impurity and Imperfection, and a Body of Sin and a Body of Death unto their Grave, and a Purgatory when they are dead. Such have a Profession of the Scriptures, like the Pharisees; and the Hypocrites Hope which shall perish. And the true Faith hath been lost since the Apostles Days; the true Faith which purifies the Heart, which is the Faith of God's Elect, which Faith gives Victory over that which separates from God; in which Faith ye all please God; which Faith is the Gift of God, and Christ is the Author of it; every one look unto him for it, for the finishing of it, who is the Author of it: In this Faith have all the Saints Unity in that which gives Victory over the Devil; for by the Faith, which is the Shield, do they resist him and quench his fiery Darts; and they resist him that would defile them and make them imperfect, and lead them into those things which would displease God. And all that be out of this Faith, they cry, No Victory while we be upon the Earth; but they must have a Body of Sin unto the Grave, and a Purgatory to cleanse them in; these be all in the Error concerning the Faith, these have made Shipwreck of Faith and a good Conscience, these are all in the dead Faith, and so cannot preach the true and Living Faith of God's Elect: These are all out of Unity; for the Unity is in the Faith, which gives Victory over the Devil. These be out of the just Life; which Just lives by his Faith. The Life that I now live, is by the Faith of the Son of God; yet it is not I, but Christ that lives in me, said the Apostle. And all that walks in the Faith of God's Elect, which is the Victory over the Devil, they walk in Unity over the Enmity. And the true Worship hath been lost smce the Apostles Days; yea, the Worship that Christ set up above Sixteen hundred Years since, in the Spirit, and in the Truth; yea, in the Spirit of God, which was, before the Spirit of the Devil was, who is out of Truth; and in the Truth, which the Devil is out of: In this Spirit, and in this Truth, God, who is a Spirit, and the God of Truth, seeks that Men should worship him in the Truth; and so every Man and Woman must come to Truth in the inward Parts, and to the Spirit of God within themselves, if they be Worshippers of God in the Spirit and Truth; which the Devil abode not in: And this is the standing and perfect Worship, in which there is Unity in the Truth; for the Enmity is out of it, and he cannot get into it. Glory be to God for ever. And Men that are erred from the Worship that Christ set up, above Sixteen hundred Years since, they are from the Truth within, and the Spirit of God. And by that unclean Spirit they have worshipped Images, they have worshipped the Works of their own Hands, they have worshipped the Dragon, they have worshipped the Beast, they have worshipped the Creature, they have worshipped Angels, persecuted one another about their Worships, and they have persecuted the true Worshippers. These are in the Blind Zeal, who have hated the Light. And so none can worship God, who is a Spirit, but they must come to the Truth in their inward Parts, and to the Spirit of God in themselves; by which Spirit they must know God to be a Spirit, and to worship him in the Spirit. They must know God to be the God of Truth, and then worship him in the Truth; which the Devil is out of, in the Enmity, an Adversary. And this is the standing, perfect, infallible Worship, that Christ Jesus, the perfect, infallible Man, set up above Sixteen Hundred Years since. And the true Way is lost since the Apostles Days, which Christ set up above Sixteen Hundred Years since; who said, I am the Way to the Father; and no Man cometh to the Father, but by me. So, no one comes out of Old Adam, but by Christ, the Second Adam. No one comes out of Darkness, but by Christ, the Light; no one comes out of Death, and from under the Prince of Death, the Power of it, but by Christ, the Life. So, he is the Way to God. No one comes out of unrighteousness, but by Christ, the Righteousness; no one comes out of the Wisdom below, but by Christ, who is the Wisdom of God, which is from above. And no one comes out of Error and Evil, but by Christ, the Truth. So, he is the Door and the Way to God Almighty. And no Man comes to the Father, but by him. No one comes out of Captivity or Prison, but by Christ, the heavenly Man. And so, they having erred from Christ, the Way, they have set up so many Ways in Christendom among them; and fall out about their Ways one with another, Enmity being among them. Now Christ is the Way, which the Unclean cannot walk in, who was before the unclean Way was; for he is over all the unclean; and he is over all the perverse and crooked Ways, and Mountainous Ways, and evil and unrighteous, and ungodly Ways; he is over them all. And none comes to this New and Living Way, Christ Jesus, but who come to the Grace of God in their Hearts; the Spirit of God in their Hearts. So, he is the New and the Living Way, who is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending, set up from Everlasting to Everlasting. And all that be out of this New and Living Way, though they have all the Scriptures, from the beginning of Genesis to the Revelations, yet they are dead, and under the Power of Death; which Christ the Way destroys, through Death, yea, the Power of Death, the Devil; and was before Death and his Power was. Here is the New and the Living Way. And the true Religion hath been lost, and erred from, since the Apostles days: The Religion that is pure from above, and undefiled before God, which keeps from the spots of the World, which is to visit the Widows and the Fatherless. Now they that are out of this Religion have made many Religions, but they are spotted and defiled, and they cry up a Body of Death, and Sin and Imperfection to the Grave, and a Purgatory when they are Dead: And their Widows, and their Fatherless and Strangers go begging up and down their Streets and Highways; so their Steets and Highways are Judges against them and their Bodies of Death, and their Purgatories, manifests their Errors and Ignorance from this pure Religion, that comes down from above, which is not of Man's making; but comes down from God, which is Pure before God, and undefiled in his Sight, that keeps from the Spots of the World. (Mark, the Spots) And these do not cry up a Body of Death, nor a Purgatory, when they are dead; they are kept from the Spots of this World. So, they are far degenerated from this pure Religion from above (which is undefiled before God, which keeps from the Spots of this World, and leads to visit the Fatherless, Widows and Strangers) whose Religion is, that they must have a Body of Sin and Death unto the Grave, and a Purgatory when they are dead. And their Fatherless, and Widows, and Strangers must go a begging in the Streets. All these Religions are from below, and of their own making, and not from above, but of him that is out of Truth. And all they that come to this pure Religion, that is from above, and comes to receive it, it must be by the Spirit of God within, and the Light of Christ within, and his Grace within, and his Faith within. And the Image of God in them hath been lost since the Apostles days, that Man and Woman was renewed into by Christ; and therefore they have set up so many Inventions of their own Brain, and outward Images, and Likenesses, and worship them; for Man and Woman was in the Image of God, before they fell: And when they fell from the Image of God, they set up many Images of God and Man, and other Creatures of things in Heaven and things in Earth: And when Christ came, he renewed Man into the Image of God again, and into his Likeness; but since the Apostles days have they lost this Image of God, and this Likeness; and made a profession of Christ and the Apostles words, as the Jews did of the Law, and worshipped the Works of their own Hands, and Images: But now is Christ renewing Man again into the Image of God, as they were in the Apostles days; yea also I say, as Adam and Eve were in before they fell: Yea, and in this Image of God they will reign over all Images and Image-makers, either with hand or brain; for they have made those Images and Likenesses by the Evil Spirit, that is out of Truth, which the Spirit of Truth leads out of, and above them, and from their works: Glory to God for ever, for his Image and his Likeness is led into by Christ Jesus, and into Adam and Eve's State before they fell; and not only into that State, but into Christ Jesus that never fell. And the true Praying hath been lost since the Apostles days; for none can pray truly, but by the Spirit of God, unto God, who is a Spirit, or unto Christ, who is a Quickening Spirit. And all they that have erred from the Spirit, cannot abide to hear talk of it; and yet may have the Scripture from Genesis to the Revelations, and make Prayers, and say them over, and give them to others to say over; and so Pray by the Book, and that must help his Infirmity; and so have erred from the Spirit, and from the true Doctrine of the Apostles, who said, The Spirit must help their Infirmities; and they must pray in the Spirit. So all that grieves, and vexes and quenches the Spirit of God cannot pray in it to God, who is a Spirit: But they think to be heard by their much Babbling, and asks and prays, but do not receive; and every one must come to the Spirit of God in themselves, and to the Light,, and to the Faith that purifies his Heart, and to the Spirit of Grace and Supplication; and by this his Mind is to be turned towards Christ, who prays to God, and asks in the Name of Jesus, and in the Power, and Light, and Spirit of Christ. And the true Fellowship hath been lost, and Sanctification, and Belief, and the Righteousness since the Apostles days. For many have had the letter, but lost the Life; the Notion, but lost the Possession; the Profession, but lost the Substance, Christ Jesus; but the true Fellowship is in the Gospel, the Power of God, which was before the Devil was; and since Men lost this Power of God they have not known the Scriptures aright, but they have set up Fellowships by that Spirit, which is of him that is out of the Truth, that have destroyed one another, and persecuted them which are in the Power of God, which is the Gospel, which was before the Devil, and all the Fellowships in old Adam was, and will be when they are all gone. Now the Gospel-Fellowship is a perfect Fellowship, a pure and an holy Fellowship, it is an everlasting Fellowship; for the Power of God is everlasting, it is over the Jews Fellowship in the outward things, and the Gentiles invented Fellowships, and the Fellowships of Bread, Water and Wine; for these are no Mysteries, the World's Fellowship is no Mystery, the Fellowship of Bread, Water and Wine is no Mystery; but the Gospel-Fellowship is a Mystery, and none sees it, but who comes to the Light of Christ, and to the Truth in the inward parts: For this is a standing Fellowship, the Gospel, the Power of God; and all Fellowships out of it are imperfect and corrupt, where the Body of Death and Sin and their Purgatory is pleaded for, which Fellowships below, Men make, and are of Men, and from Men; but the Gospel is not of Men, nor by Men, but of God, and from Christ: So this Fellowship is the Church-Fellowship that is in God, and it is a pure Fellowship, the Gospel-Fellowship is, which Gospel brings Life and Immortality to Light, and expels away all that which darkens, and burdens, and loads the Soul, Mind, Spirit and Heart. So this is Glad-Tidings to the Immortal Soul, which comes by the Immortal Power up to the Immortal God, where Life and Immortality comes to Light, and to shine over him that hath darkened it: Here is liberty to the Immortal Soul, Mind, and Spirit in the Gospel, the Power of God, which is the Gospel-Fellowship, which is a Mystery (but Bondage and Darkness to the other) so Life and Immortality is hid from all them that makes Fellowships below, and have their Fellowships by Men, and of Men, who are out of the Power of God, the Gospel; and makes Fellowships of old Authors, and makes Fellowships of the Scriptures: But being erred from the Spirit, they know not the Scriptures, nor the Power of God, and there they are in Strife and Enmity in their Fellowships, and falling-out about their Bread and Wine, some taking it one way, some another; and falling-out about their handy Works, and plucking People from one another to themselves, and not to Christ, nor his Gospel-Fellowship, that came not by Men, neither was it of Man. So they that deny Revelation cannot preach Christ until he be revealed, nor cannot preach the Gospel until it be revealed. And they that say Revelations are ceased, they may as well say, there is no Gospel; and so have no Christ to preach, and are only Ministers of the Letter; neither have they the Secrets of God to preach, which are revealed to them that fear him. And that is the Spirit of Darkness from the Prince of Darkness, that is out of the Fellowship of the Gospel, where is Enmity, which speaks itself sufficiently abroad among all their Fellowships; and into this Fellowship of the Gospel, the Power of God, which was before the Devil was, he cannot get. And the Righteousness hath been lost since the Apostles days; therefore People have been found in their own Self-Righteousness and unrighteousness; and therefore they are all found out of Peace with God, and with Christ, and one with another; for where there is Righteousness there is Peace. And Sanctification hath been lost since the Apostles days; therefore both Teachers and Hearers are found in Uncleanness, and preach up the Body of Death, and Sin and a Purgatory; and so have forsaken him that should sanctify them, and make them clean. And the Sanctifying Belief hath been lost since the Apostles days; for he that Believes is born of God; and he that Believes in the Light, may become a Child of the Light; every one that cometh into the World are enlightened by Christ, that they should believe in the Light, as he commands them, and so become Children of the Light; and he that believes, overcomes the World. And if there be no overcoming on this side of the Grave, as the World's Preachers, made of Men, say, then there is no true Believing on this side of the Grave; and therefore the World is not overcome in them; and he that is their God, is of the World also: For he that believes, overcomes the World; for greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the World: So this greater overcomes the less, and he that Believes passes from Death; and Sin, that brings Death, and the Devil the Power of Death. So becomes a Child of Light and of the Day; and of the Light, which was before Darkness was, or the Prince of it; for this is the Belief that overcomes the World, that sanctifies the Unbelieving Husband, and the Unbelieving Wife, else their Childeen were unholy, but now they are clean, 1 Cor. 7.14. For this Belief is greater than he that is of the World, which overcomes him that would defile; for this Belief in Christ, which passes from Death to Life, it takes away the root of Sin and Iniquity, which is complained of in the Scriptures, which they were born in, though they had the Law which made nothing perfect, which took hold of their outward Actions or Branches; but this Belief makes the Root holy, and if the Root be holy, the Branches that springs from the Root will be holy also. And all you that preach up a Body of Sin and Iniquity, and that you must have a Body of Sin and Death unto the Grave, and a Purgatory when you are Dead. Neither Man nor Woman of you do believe aright; for the Believing Wife sanctifies the Unbelieving Husband; and the Believing Husband sanctifies the Unbelieving Wife; else their Children were unclean, but now they are holy. So from this Sanctifying Belief you are all erred since the Apostles days: But have made Beliefs and Creeds of your own, and then say, there is no overcoming on this side of the Grave; you may as well say, there is no true Belief. G. F. An Exhortation to keep to the Ancient Principles of Truth. FRiends, Epist. 263. Keep at a word in all your Deal, without Oppression. And keep to the sound Language, Thou to every one. And keep your Testimony against the World's vain Fashions. And keep your Testimony against the Hireling Priests, and their Tithes and Maintenance. And against the old Mass-houses, and the repairing of them. And against the Priests and the World's joining in Marriages. And your Testimony against Swearing, and the World's corrupt Manners. And against all Looseness, Pleasures and Profaneness whatsoever. And against all the World's evil Ways, vain Worships and Religions, and to stand up for God's. And to see that restiution be made by every one, that hath done wrong to any. And that all Differences be made up speedily, that they do not fly abroad to corrupt People's Minds. And that all Reports be stopped that tend to the defaming one another. And Friends, Live all in the Power of the Lord God, and in his Truth, Light and Life, that with it you may all with one Heart, Soul and Mind keep Dominion; and in the Light, Life, Truth, and Power of God do true judgement, Justice and Truth, Righteousness and Equity in all your Men and Woman's Meetings, without favour or affection to Relations, Kingdreds and Acquaintance, or any Respect of Persons; for if you do not so, Judgement will come upon you from God, to put you down from your Places: For the Power of God, Light, Life and Truth respects not any, but Justice, Truth, Righteousness and Equity, etc. Let Mercy overshadow the judgement Seat, and let Mercy be mixed with Judgement. Take heed of Foolish Pity; and if you be not diligent against all Profaneness, Sin, Iniquity and Uncleanness, Looseness and Debauchery, and that which dishonoureth God, than you let those things come up upon you, which you should be atop of, and subdue, and keep down with Righteousness, and the Truth, and the Power of God. And in all your Men and Woman's Meetings, let all things be done in Love, which doth edify the Body; and let nothing be done in Strife and vain Glory, but keep in the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace: And let all things be done in the Wisdom of God, which is pure and gentle from above, above the Earthly, which is below, sensual and devilish. And take heed of hurting any concerning Marriages, if the thing be right (through any earthly Reasoning) lest they do worse. And so all be diligent for the Lord God and his Truth upon the Earth, and the Inheritance of a Life that hath no end, that you may live in that Seed that is blessed for evermore. And be diligent in all your Meetings, and see to the setting forth of Apprentices, all Fatherless and poor Friends Children; and that all the poor Widows be carefully looked after, that nothing may be lacking among you; then all will be well. And keep your Testimony against all the filthy Rags of the old World; and for your fine Linen, the Righteousness of Christ Jesus. And keep your Testimony for your Liberty in Christ Jesus, and stand fast in it, against all the false Liberties in old Adam, and your Liberty in the Spirit of God, and in the Gospel of Christ Jesus, against all the false and lose Liberties in the Flesh. And train up all your Children in the Fear of the Lord, and in his New Covenant, Christ Jesus; as the Jews did their Children and Servants in the old Covenant, and so do you admonish your Children and Servants: And let no Man or any live to themselves, but in that Love that seeks not her own. And have an Eye over them that come to spy out your Liberty in Christ, and will report out of your Meetings things to make Advantage, and to the defaming of Persons. And let every one seek the good of one another, and their Welfare in the Truth, and make others Condition their own; and this keeps as a Father and Mother to condescend to a Child. And all live in the Seed which hath the Blessing, and in the Wisdom, by which you may order all things to God's Glory, over the evil Seed, that is out of the Truth. And if any one hath any thing to say, in opposition to the matter of Marriages, propounded by any to the Meeting, such Friend or Friends to make it known (what they have against the Parties) to such as are appointed by the Meeting, to inquire into the Clearness of the Parties, who laid their Intentions before the Meeting, And such Friends, as have Intentions of Marriage, first to lay it before the Men and Women of the Monthly Meeting they belong to, and to see that things are Clear, before they are brought to the Two Weeks Meeting. And if any Difference arise, either about Marriages, or any other Case, in the Two Weeks Meetings, that the Business be presently referred to Six Friends, to have a hearing of the Matter another day, or else for them to go forth and determine it presently, and not to discourse it in the open Meeting. And if any Legacy be left by any deceased Friend, to a particular Use, as to putting forth Apprentices, and breeding up poor Friends Children; that the said Money be kept distinct, as a Stock for the said Use, and a particular Account thereof to be kept. And the Quarterly or Six Weeks Meetings to see, that the said moneys be disposed of to the Uses as aforesaid. And if any of the principal Money so given, be at any time made Use of to any other Use, that it be again made up by the Meeting of Friends in General. And though the Money be left or given to any particular Friend for the Use aforesaid; yet the same to be paid to Two or Three Persons, whom the Quarterly Meeting or Six Weeks Meeting shall appoint to receive such Money; that so the Meeting may have the Ordering and Disposing of the said Money to the best Advantage, and Use intended. And that Friends do keep in their Testimony against the vain Fashions of the World, and all Looseness and Uncleanness whatsoever; and againsT all Profane, idle Tippling, and taking Tobaccor in Coffeehouses and Alehouses, which is an ill Savour: And against all Strife and Contention whatsoever. And that some Friends be appointed at every Meeting to keep the Doors, to keep down rude Boys and unruly Spirits; that so the Meetings may be kept Civil and Quiet. And if one Friend hath any thing against another, let him not treasure it up, till the time of his Marriage, and then cast it upon him publicly; but let him presently speak to the Friend, and also to them, that the Meeting hath appointed to see after his Clearness, etc. And that things may not be deferred too long at the Two Weeks Meeting concerning Marriages; but that they may be answered in a short time, lest they be put to a straight in the Matter. And stop all bad Reports (for thou shalt not raise a false Report upon my People, saith the Lord) and minister Justice upon it presently, so that no Man or Woman may be defiled or defamed with such things. Read this in the Men and women's Meetings in the Fear of the Lord, as often as you see occasion, and record it in your Book. G. F. An Additional Extract from other of G. F's Epistles, both of former and later Dates, more largely speaking to things contained in the Paper foregoing, with some new Matters; recommended to Friends by him (from time to time) to be taken notice of at their Quarterly and other Meetings. Friend's Fellowship must be in the Spirit, Epist. 264. and all Friends must know one another in the Spirit and Power of God. And in all the Meetings of the County, Two or Three may be appointed from them, to go to the Quarterly Meetings, for to give Notice one to another, if there be any that walk not in the Truth, and have been convinced, and gone from the Truth, and so have dishonoured God. And likewise if any that profess the Truth, follow Pleasures, Drunkenness, Gamings, or are not faithful in their Callings and Deal, nor Honest, nor Just, but run into Debt, and so bring a Scandal upon the Truth, Friends may give Notice to the Quarterly Meeting (if there be any such) and some may be ordered to go and Exhort them, and bring in their Answers to the next Quarterly Meeting. And so to query and search out all such, as live not as becomes the Truth and the Gospel, and yet do profess it, so that they all may walk in it, as well as talk of it; for none hath the heavenly Comfort of it, but who do walk in it. For all the Talkers of Christ and his Gospel, that do not walk in him, disthonour him. And all Uncleanness and Looseness in all your Meetings, Judge and Condemn with the Light, Power and Spirit of Christ; so that nothing may reign among you, but that which doth glorify God and Christ. And to admonish all them that be Careless and Slothful, to Diligence in the Truth and Service for God, and to bring forth heavenly Fruits to God; that they may mind the good Works of God and do them, in believing in his Son, and show it forth in their Conversations; and to deny the Devil and his bad Works, and not to do them. And to seek them that be lost, or driven away from the Truth into the Devil's dark Wilderness, by his dark Power; seek them again by the Truth, and by the Truth and Power of God, bring them to God again. And to see, that all that come amongst Friends, and profess Truth, keep to Yea and Nay, in their Deal and Communications, in Justice and Equity, and not in Oppression. And that in all the Monthly Meetings there be an Inquiry, whether any that profess Truth, are out of the pure Language, Thou to every one, whether they keep up God and Christ's Language, that the Holy Prophets and Apostles used, over all the flattering Words in the World. And Friends, my Desire is, That ye all may be preserved in the Lord's Power, and in his Everlasting Seed, and so in the Order of the Gospel, and in the Government of Christ Jesus; of the Increase of which there is no end. And that ye may keep up your ancient Testimony (in the Power and Spirit of God) against Tithes; and that ye may keep up your ancient Testimony in the sincere Life for Christ, your Highpriest, against the Heireling Priests and their Old Temples; manifesting that ye are the Temples of God. And let Inquiry be made concerning all such among Friends as do pay Tithes, which makes void the Testimony and Sufferings of our Brethren, who have suffered (many of them) to Death; by which many Widows and Fatherless have been made; and which is contrary to the Doctrine of the Apostles, and the Doctrine of the Martyrs, and contrary to the Doctrine of the Righteous in this present Age; all which are to be inquired into, and to be exhorted to Faithfulness therein. And that ye may keep your ancient Testimony for the Church which is in God, the Living Members, which Christ, the Spiritual Man, is the Holy Head of, and your Heavenly Rock and Foundation. And all such as marry by the Priests, who have some of them the wrought Hands of Esau, and Fists of Wickedness, and who have had their Hands dipped in the Blood of our Brethren in New-England, and who have been the Cause of the Banishment of some of our Brethren, and have spoiled so many of their Goods, casting them into Prisons, and keeping so many of them in Prison at this day. All such as go to them for Wives or Husbands, must come to Judgement and Condemnation of themselves and that Spirit, that led them to the Priests to marry them; or else Friends, that keep their Habitations, must write and bear their Testimony against them both. For from Genesis to the Revelations you never read of any Priests that married any People, but its God's Ordinance; and whom God hath joined together, let no Man put asunder. And they took one another formerly in the Assemblies of the Righteous (when all things were clear) therefore let all these things be inquired into, and brought to the Quarterly Meeting; and from thence some ordered to go to them, and to return what they say, at your next Meeting. And let all this be done before they (or any of them) be declared as Heathens, or written against, let them be Three or Four times admonished, that they may have Gospel Order, so that if it be possible, they may come to that which at first did Convince them, and to repent and condemn their Unrighteous Do: So that ye may not leave, if possible, a Hoof in Egypt. Now, all Friends, who have known the Power of God, and do believe in the Light of Jesus Christ, who is your Highpriest, who is made higher than the Heavens; you come to know him to be your Teacher, and to hear him in all things, and that God may work all your Works in you and for you. And all such pretended Friend or Friends, that have gone to the Priests to marry them, or have been drawn by their Heirs) such have gone from the Light of Christ in themselves, and have quenched the Motions of the Spirit of God in their own Hearts, and distrusted God, and let a Spirit of Unbelief enter into them, and thereby such cause the World to glory over them, and Friends; and both Priests and the World say that such are Hypocrites, and they come to them but to save their Estates. And they talk of the Living God, but it's seen, the World is their God, and the Priest must do their Work to preserve their Estate. Such distrust the Living God about outward things, though formerly they used to cry against them, and their Teaching, and their Marrying, and their Baptising; but now they can come to them to marry them to save their Earth, and to shun Suffering. And thus they manifest their Hypocrisy. And therefore all such, as have gone to the Priest, to be married by him, come to the Witness of God in your Consciences, by which you may come to condemn that Spirit, that led you to them to be married. For all those are far gone, who can come so near a Priest as to hear his Prayers for Money, and to partake of his Works. Such have turned against the Light, and quenched the Spirit, and abused the Power which would have risen in them against it. And such in their Apostasies may have cried the Power of God is not amongst Friends, as it was in the Beginning; when they have abused it in themselves, and grieved the Spirit of the Lord, and Friends, which live in the Spirit. For it is not the Bishops nor Priests Work to marry People, nor is it to be seen; nor you never read throughout the Holy Scriptures, that either Priests or Bishops married any; but it is God's Work, and his Ordinance; for whom God joins together, let no Man put asunder. And Marriage is honourable in all, the Bed being undefiled: And they took one another in the Assemblies of the righteous, the Saints, and holy Ones of God, who were of the Seed of the Righeous. Which Practice is now followed amongst the People of God, called Quakers, who are of the Seed and Generation of the Righteous, the Elect People of God. And also you may read, how Jacob, who was of the Seed of the Righteous, took his Wife in the Assembly at Laban's House, who gathered the People together when he took her, having declared it before; and all Parties were satisfied: And Jacob was the beloved of God, who took his Wife of the best sort of People; his Father and Mother would not have him unequally yoked, as Esau had been before. And also you may read Isacc's Marriage, in whom the Blessed Seed was called, as the Apostle saith; In Isaac shall they Seed be called. And how wonderfully it was carried on by the Lord! See Gen. 24.25. And also read, how Boaz took his Wife Ruth (after both Sides were satisfied) in the Assembly of the People and Elders; and how he declared it unto the Elders, Ye are Witnesses this day, that I take Ruth to be my Wife; and they said, We are thy Witnesses. And of this Boaz came the Line of Christ. For Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David. And also Isaiah the Prophet, who prophesied of Christ's Birth, Sufferings and Death, God commanded him, when he was to go to the Prophetess, that he should take Witnesses, and write it in a Roll: and this was the Command of God; and he was of the Seed of the Righteous. And likewise the Children of Israel, when they were carried into Captivity, when any did Marry, and all things on both sides were clear, they took one another, according to the Law of Moses: As for Example, see Tobias. And also Christ Jesus went to a Marriage in Cana in Galilee (who ended the First Priesthood, who is the Everlasting Priest;) And he went with his Disciples and the Mother of Jesus: Whence it is clear that there was a Meeting and an Assembly of People. And Marriage Being God's Ordinance, and God's Joining; here Christ owns it; for it was God's Joining before the Fall; and God's giving before the Fall; and it is so in the restauration out of the Fall again by Christ Jesus, who are come into the Spirit and Power of God; they know its God's Joining again in the Restanration; and whom he joins together, let no Man put asunder. And so Marriage was a Figure of Christ and his Church, as the Apostle instanceth in Ephesians. And therefore they were not to be unequally yoked, Believers with unbelievers: The Law of God did forbid it; they were not to give their Sons and Daughters to the Heathen, or marry with them, for it grieved the Lord in the Old World, and brought Destruction upon those bad Marriages. When the Sons of God saw the Daughters of Men were fair, and they took them Wives of all which they chose, who corrupted the Earth, and filled it with Violence: Yet the Holy Men of God, their Marriages were never judged of God in the Old World. Neither Seths, Lamech's, nor Mahalaleel, nor Methusalah, nor Noah, nor Abraham, Isaac nor Jacob; and so none before the Law, nor none in the Law, nor in the time of the Gospel, their Marriages were not judged by the Lord, who walked in the Power and Spirit of the Lord, and knew God's Joining; who brings the Man and Woman together; but such as mingled with the Heathen and unbelievers, and followed strange Flesh, they went from the Spirit, the lost the Sonship; through such the Earth was corrupted and filled with Violence; and such could not know God's Joining, who went from the Spirit, and from the Law and Gospel; and such are mingled among Heathens and unbelievers, and follow strange Flesh, and corrupts their own, who go from the Spirit, by which they have been sanctified and led into the Sonship. And such as Marry with unbelievers and Heathen, they go contrary to the Law of God, and grieves him and their Righteous Parents. So Marriage is God's Holy Ordinance, and Christ, that comes to restore all things again into their place, he saith, Whom God joins together, let no Man put asunder: And brings it to the beginning again, how God made them Male and Female. So in the Restauration inther Image of God and Sanctification they are brought to the joining one Male with one Famale again: not for one Man to have many Women at once, God did not make many for him; but in the Fall from the Righteousness of God and his Image, there they run together like Beasts, a Man and many Women. There Men join and put asunder; but in the beginning it was not so, saith Christ the Heavenly Men, the Second Adam, for God made them Male and Female, and whom he joins together, let no Man put asunder: And so God joins with his Spirit and Power, for he is a Spirit; and this is a heavenly and spiritual Joining; and them that God joins, they do not follow strange Flesh, but the Spirit of God; and such a Marriage is sanctified by the Spirit, and by the Lord, and such knows his Heavenly Ordinance: And this is the Marriage Christ owns, and sets up and encourages, who is the Covenant and the Quickening Spirit. And so God, who is a Spirit, joins with his Spirit, Power and Light; this joying is in the Covenant of God, all such Marriages are honourable in all things, for their Bed is not defiled; but where the Bed is defiled, that Marriage is not Honourable. And all that forbidden Marriage are in the Doctrines of Devils; and they that are in the Doctrine of Devils, are out of Truth, who destroys the Creation, and destroys some one way and some another, that are under his Power and Command from Truth; but they that obey the Truth, and obey Christ, and obeys God; they are over him and his Doctrine, and the defiled Bed, and strange Flesh; and the Spirit gives them an Understanding to know God, and his joining by his Spirit, who is blessed for ever. Now if any should say, That Adam took his Wife alone; and so run into the Works of Darkness, and go together in the Dark, contrary to the Righteous Seed and Holy Generation: Such are judged by the Holy Seed, and by them in the Holy Life and Law of God, and with the Light of Christ Jesus condemned. And as for Adam taking his Wife alone, that was before there was any Witnesses: But there was a Form of Words betwixt them before they went together, or he knew her (as followeth) viz. And when the Lord God brought the Woman to Adam, Adam said to the Lord, This is Bone of my Bone, and Flesh of my Flesh,; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man; and they shall be one Flesh. But this Form of Words of Adam's and his doing is nothing to them that are Workers of Darkness, and run together in the Dark. For after the Earth was peopled, you may read how the Generations of the Righteous did take one another in the Assemblies of the Righteous, and it was Recorded before Witnesses. So all such as Marry by the Priests, or Marry by the World, that are unbelievers, do go from God's Power and Spirit, and his joining, and do break the Law of God in their Marriages, who forbade to join with unbelievers: And therefore with the Light of Christ Jesus are such judged and condemned, and must come through Condemnation and Judgement. For the right joining in Marriage is the Work of the Lord only, Right joining in Marriage is the Work of the Lord: and not the Priests or Magistrates; for it is God's Ordinance, and not Man's: And therefore Friends cannot consent, that they should join them together: For we Mary none, it's the Lord's Work, and we are but Witnesses. But yet, if a Friend through tenderness have a desire that the Magistrate should know it (after the Marriage is performed in a public Meeting of Friends and others, according to the holy Order and Practice of Friends in Truth throughout the World, and according to the manner of the Holy Men and Women of God of old) he may go and carry a Copy of the Certificate to the Magistrate; Friends are left to their Freedom herein. But for Priests or Magistrates to Marry or join any in that Relation, it's not according to the Scripture; and our Testimony and Practice hath been always against it: It was God's Work before the Fall, and it is God's Work only in the Restauration. Let not any go disorderly together in Marriage, contrary to the Practice of the Holy Men of God, who declared it in the Assemblies of the Righteous, Twelve or more faithful Friends Relations to be present at Friends Marriage. when they took one another (all things being clear) and they both being free from any other, in respect to Marriage. And when any take one another in Marriage, let there not be less than a dozen Friends and Relations present (according to your former Order) having first acquainted the Men's Meeting, and that they have Clearness and Unity with them, and then it may be Recorded in a Book. And if any walk contrary to the order of Truth herein, let some be appointed to speak to them, and give notice thereof to the next Meeting. And all that are Widows, who have Children, and do intent to Marry, All Widows to set out a proportionable part for her first Husband's Children before she Marries. let inquiry be made, what she hath done for her Children (if there be no Will made) then let such part of her late Husband's Estate be set out for the Children, as is equal and according to Truth; and what they can do more afterwards, let them do it also. And where there is a Will made, let those Legacies and Portions be improved and secured (before their Marriage) for the Children of the Deceased, with what more they can do for them. And then, when these things are done, let them be Recorded in a Book at the next Quarterly Meeting. And all Men that hunts after Women, from Woman to Woman; Such reproved as run from one Woman to another a Suiting. and also Women, whose Affections run sometimes after one Man, and soon after to another, and so hold one another in Affection, and so draws out the Affection's one of another; and after a while leave one another, and go to others, and then do the same things there; these do are more like Sodom than Saints, and is not of God's moving nor joining, where they are not to be parted. For Marriage is God's Ordinance, and God's Command one to another, and in that is felt the Power of God. And if any goes together in Marriage, Friends to bring a Copy of the Certificate to the Magistrates, if thereunto required. having declared it at Friends Meetings, if the Magistrates do cast them into Prison, because they are not married according to the National Law, or by a Priest, all the Men Friends and Women Friends in the Meeting (or Twelve of them may set their Hands to a Paper and send it to the Justices, it being done in Truth and Righteousness, and according to the Scriptures of Truth. As Boaz declared his taking of Ruth in the Town-gate; and Jacob when he was married, Laban called in his Kindred; and other Examples you may see in the Scriptures, who did Marry, and had no Ring, nor Priest neither to Marry them. Now, All Friends to speak first to the Parents, before they speak to the Party. no Man ought to speak to a Woman concerning Marriage, before that he hath spoken to her Father and Mother, and have their Consent; and if she have no Father or Mother, but Guardians and trusties, than they must speak to them, if she be under Age, that they may have their Consent, and so proceed accordingly, as Abraham's Servant did concerning Isaac's Wife. And you are to see, that all Widows do make Provision for their Children, before they are married to another, according to Truth and Righteousness. And you are to see, Strict Inquiry to be made into Friend's Clearness from all others. that every Man and Woman are free from all Entanglements, with any other Woman or Man, before that they are married; and if they have been engaged, you must have a Certificate under the hands of the Person, that they have been entangled with to discharge them; so that all things may be done in Peace and Unity, and Righteousness, according to the Truth that is in every Man and Woman. And if the young Man or young Woman's Relations be of the World, they must have their Consent, and a Certificate from them. And if the Man or Woman comes from beyond Sea, or out of another Country, ye must have a Certificate from the Men and Woman's Meetings there, how they have lived, and whether they are free from all other Persons, by any Engagement, Covenant or Contract concerning Marriage; and if they are not clear, they must answer that, and be cleared by a Certificate under their Hands, before they proceed any further. And if any Man should defile a Woman, If any one defile a Woman he is to Marry her. he must Marry her, if she be a beggar, though he have never so many Hundreds; for he must fulfil the Law of God, for the Law of God commands it, that he must Marry her, and condemn his Action, and clear God's Truth. But no such Marriages, where the Bed is defiled, we bring into our Men and Woman's Meetings; but some Friends (if such a thing happen) draw up a Certificate, and they to set their Hands to it, that they will live faithfully together, as Man and Wife, and fulfil the Law of God. And this I write, if ever such a thing should happen; but I hope that Friends will be careful, and keep in the Fear of the Lord, that they may have an Esteem of the Lord's Truth, and their own Bodies, and of the honourable Marriage, where the Bed is undefiled. And when any Marriages is to be propounded, Marriages first to be propounded to the women's Meetings. let it be laid before the Woman's Meeting first. And after they have declared it there, if they do know any thing of the Man or the Woman, that it should not proceed so far as to the Men's Meeting, then let two or or three Women go to the Men's Meeting, that some of the Men and Women may have a distinct Meeting concerning it, and let them end it before it comes to the Men's Meeting; and if there be no such occasion of any such Meeting, let two or three Women go along with them to the Men's Meeting: And so after Friends have taken their Names, and Places of abode, let two Women of the Woman's Meeting be nominated, and two Men of the Men's Meeting, that if any one have any thing to say against the Couple before the next Meeting they may speak to them; and if there should appear any thing, they may end it before they come to the Meeting. And if there be nothing, when they come the second time again to the Woman's Meeting, the Woman may go along with them to the Men, and testify, that they know nothing against their proceed. And likewise the Men, that are appointed to inquire out to make the like report (and let the Man and the Woman always appear together, when they lay their Intentions of Marriage) So then the thing is left to the Men to give their Judgement and Advice to the Couple that is to be married, all things being clear, and nothing appearing to the contrary; and their Fathers and Mothers, or Guardians, or Overseers being satisfied, than they may have their Liberty to appoint a Meeting, where they please, in some public Meetingplace, where their Relations and Friends may be present, After they have passed through the Meetings, than the Persons to be married to appoint a solemn Meeting for their Marriage. and there get a Certificate ready drawn up, with the Day of the Month, Place and Year, how that such a Couple did take one another in the Presence of God, and in the Presence of his People, who had laid their said Intions so often before them; and all things being found clear, according to the Law of God and the Practice of the Holy Men, recorded in the Scriptures of Truth, to live together in Christian, Honourable Marriage, according to God's Ordinance and his Joining, to be Help-meets together as long as they live. And if any Man or Woman come out of another Country, they must bring a Certificate from the Men and women's Meeting to them, where they take their Wife and Husband. And no Man or Woman is to be permitted to proceed in Marriage, if they be engaged or entangled with any other, till they be cleared. Dear Friends, All Differences amongst Friends to be ended by some appointed out of the Meetings. if there happen any Difference betwixt Friend and Friend, let them speak to one anothe; and, if they will not hear, let them take Two or Three of the Meeting they belong to, that they may End it, if they can. And, if they cannot End it, than it may be laid before the Monthly Meeting. And if it cannot be ended there, than it may be brought to the Quarterly Meeting, and there let it be put to half a Dozen Friends, that they may End it, that they may keep their Meetings quiet. Or, Friends to stand to the End made by Six or more. they that are at Difference, may choose Three Friends, and Friends may choose Three more to them, and let them stand to their Judgement: For there is few, that love Quietness and Peace, will have their Names brought to a Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, to have their Names sounded over the Country, That they are in Strife; but will rather endeavour to End it amongst themselves or at their own Meeting, before that they come to the Monthly Meeting. And if there be any Difference brought to the Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, either men's or women's, Friends to speak but one at a time. after you have heard them one by one, and let but one speak at a time, know of them, whether they will stand to your Judgement? And, if they will, let half a Dozen Friends make a final End of it. But, if they will not stand to your Judgement, they are not fit to bring it thither. And if any Brother or Sister hear any Report of any Brother or Sister, Reports to be stopped. let him or her go to the Party, and know the Truth of the Report; and if true, let the thing be Judged. If false, go then to the Reporter, and let him or her be Judged. And if any should report it at a second or third hand, without going to the Party, of whom the Report goes, let such be brought to Judgement: For thou shalt neither raise nor suffer a false Report to lie upon my People, saith the Lord; for they are to be Holy, as he is Holy; and Just, as he is Just. Now concerning Gospel-Order; though the Doctrine of Jesus Christ requireth his People to admonish a Brother or Sister twice, before they tell the Church, yet that limiteth none, so as that they shall use no longer forbearance, before they tell the Church, but that they shall not less than twice admonish their Brother or Sister before they tell the Church. All disorderly Persons to be admonished. And it is desired of all, That before they publicly Complain, they wait in the Power of God to feel, if there is no more required of them to their Brother or Sister, before they expose him or her to the Church: Let this be weightily considered. And further, when the Church is told, and the Party admonished by the Church again and again, and he or they remain still unsensible and unreconciled, let not final Judgement go forth against him or her, till every one of the Meeting have cleared his or her Conscience; that if any thing be upon any further to visit such a Transgressor, they may clear themselves, that if possibly the Party may be reached and saved. And after all are clear of the Blood of such an one, let the Judgement of Friends in the Power of God go forth against him or her, as moved, for the Lord's Honour and Glory's sake, that no Reproach may come or rest upon God's Holy Name, Truth and People. And all such as behold their Brother or Sister in a Transgression, Such as admonish others, to do it in a Spirit of Meekness. go not in a rough, light or upbraiding Spirit to reprove or admonish him or her, but in the Power of the Lord, and Spirit of the Lamb, and in the Wisdom and Love of the Truth, which suffers thereby, to admonish such an Offender. So may the Soul of such a Brother or Sister be seasonably and effectually reached unto and overcome, and they may have Cause to bless the Name of the Lord on their behalf, and so a Blessing may be rewarded into the Bosom of that faithful and tender Brother or Sister that so admonished them. And be it known unto all, Friends casts out none, but such as go from Truth casts out themselves. we cast out none from among us; for if they go from the Light, and Spirit, and Power, in which our Unity is, they cast out themselves. And it has been our Way to admonish them, that they may come to that Spirit and Light of God, which they are gone from, and so come into the Unity again. For our Fellowship stands in the Light, that the World hates, and in the Spirit which the World grieves, vexes and quenches; and if they will not hear our Admonitions, as before, the Light condemns them, and then goes the Testimony of Truth out against them. And no Condemnation ought to go further than the Transgression is known; No Condemnation to go further than the Transgression. and if he or she returns, and gives forth a Paper of Condemnation against him, or herself (which is more desirable, than that we should do it) this is a Testimony of his or her Repentance and Resurrection before God, his People, and the whole World; as David, Psal. 57 when Nathan came to admonish him. And that no Testimony, by way of Condemnation, Admonition to be before Condemnation. be given forth against any Man or Woman, whatever Crime they commit, before Admonition, and till such time as they have had Gospel-Order, according to Christ's Doctrine. And so keep the Church-Order of the Gospel, Admonition to be in the gentle Wisdom of God. according as the Lord Jesus Christ hath commanded; that is, If thy Brother offend thee, speak to him betwixt thee and him; and if he will not hear, take two or three: If he will not hear two or three, then tell it to the Church, etc. And if any one do miscarry, admonish them gently in the Wisdom of God, so that you may preserve him and bring him to Condemnation, and preserve him from farther Evils, which it is well if such do not run into; and it will be well for all to use the gentle Wisdom of God towards them in their Temptations and condemnable Actions, and with using gentleness to bring them to condemn their Evil, and to let their Condemnation go as far as the bad Action has gone, and no farther, to defile the Minds of Friends or others; and so to clear God's Truth and People, and to convert the Soul to God, and preserve them out of further Evils. And take heed of spreading such things in the Minds of the World, and farther than they are gone there, lest you by that means do cause them to blaspheme God's Name, and cause them to speak evil of the Truth and God's People; such do deserve Reproof that so do, and Condemnation. So be Wise in the Wisdom of God. And let no one accuse any one, None to be publicly Reproved before privately spoken unto. either in a Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, publicly, except they have spoken to them by themselves first, and by two or three as before. And Dear Friends, in the Power of the Lord God, you who are gathered with it, which is the Authority of your men's and women's Meetings; in the Power of the Lord Jesus see, that all things be well amongst you, and that all do walk in the Truth, All Friends to walk in the Truth they do profess. and as becometh the Gospel of Christ, and his Glorious Light and Life, so that all may stand up for God's Glory, and be valiant for his Truth, and all to grow up in it. And if any hear Reports, or have any thing against any Brother or Sister, let them first speak to them, before that they declare it abroad; and this will keep down Backbiting and Whispering, and preserve in Brotherly Love. And all Looseness whatsoever, let it be reproved: And Admonish, and Exhort, and Encourage such as are young and tender, to keep and preserve them in the Way of Life; and so watch over one another for good. And that Care be taken from time to time, Friends to take care of the Poor, and of Prisoners, and such as are Sick. as Friends are moved thereunto, for relieving faithful Friends Necessities, and for other Services of Truth which shall be delivered into the Hands of a faithful Friend or Friends, (who are desired to be Receivers for that Purpose) who are to give an Account of all moneys, that shall be by them received and disbursed at the next Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, after it shall be laid out (if it be desired) and so the Account to be ended, that ministering Friends may not be cumbered with outward things, but kept out of them; and that what moneys shall be by them disbursed for the Service of poor Friends, as aforesaid, shall be disposed of, as Friends of the Monthly or Quarterly Meeting see meet to dispose of the same. And all Friends, be tender over all Friends that are Prisoners upon Truth's account, and that are sick and weak People, Strangers and Fatherless, and Widows, Servants and Children, that their Parents, Masters, or Dames and Relations are not Friends; keeping in the Power of the Lord, it will lead you in all things without many Words, and bring you to see and feel, and live in that which was before Enmity was, or Words either, which will chain it under. In that you all will have Unity, and be all as a Family, and in it be all as one; in that is the Peace and Unity. And also all Widows, in all your several Meetings, let them be taken notice of, To take Care for the Widows, and to set out their Children Apprentices. and informed, and encouraged, in their outward Business, that there be not any hindrance put to them in their inward Growth, and so to be carefully looked after, that they may be nourished and cherished, and preserved in the Truth, that Love may be increased. And if they have many Children, to put them out Apprentices (or Servants) which may be a Burden to them to bring up, then let Friends take Care to case them, by putting them forth, as may be seen meet. Let all these things be looked into every Meeting, and Notice thereof given to the next Monthly or Quarterly Meeting, and some ordered to see, that all these things are done according to Truth and Righteousness. And in all your Meetings, let notice be given to the Quarterly Meeting of all poor Friends: And when ye have heard, that there is many more Poor belonging to one Meeting than to another, and that Meeting thereby is burdened and oppressed, One Meeting to help another. let the rest of the Meetings assist and help them, so that ye may ease one another, and help to bear one another's Burdens, and so fulfil the Law of Christ. And so see that nothing be lacking, according to the Apostles words (mark) nothing lacking; then all is well. For the Jews outward, though they were as the Stars of Heaven, and as the Sand upon the Seashore for multitude, ye there was not to be a Beggar amongst them, according to the Law of God. And amongst the Christians in the first Age, there was a Men's Meeting set up at Jerusalem to see that nothing was lacking, which was the Gospel-Order, according to the Law of Jesus; and this continued as long as they lived in the Life, Power and Spirit of God. But when the Apostasy came in, and the true Church fled into the Wilderness, which was to continue there One thousand two hundred and sixty Days, and the Witnesses prophesied in Sackcloth One thousand two hundred and sixty Days, and the Beast was worshipped just so long, One thousand two hundred and sixty Days; and then all things went out of order, and every thing was wanting in that time they worshipped the Dragon and the Beast; and the Devil made the World like a Wilderness. But now the Judgement of the Great Whore, and of the Beast is come, and with them the false Prephet and the Dragon, who shall be cast alive into the Lake of Fire: The true Church coming out of the Wilderness. And the true Church is coming up out of the Wilderness, and the Manchild (which was caught up into Heaven) is come down again to rule all Nations with a Rod of Iron: And the Marriage of the Lamb is come, and the Lamb and the Saints shall have the Victory, and the Everlasting Gospel is and shall be preached again, as was among the Apostles; and the Gospel-Order shall be set up, as was amongst them; and a Men's Meeting, as was at the first Conversion, to see that nothing be lackingi in the Church; then all is well. So there is not to be a Beggar now amongst the Christians, according to the Law of Jesus, as there was not to be any among the Jews, according to the Law of Moses. And Dear Friends, who feel the Power of the Everlasting God (for all who are out of it, are in Confusion) you being come into God's Fear, which is the beginning of true Wisdom, by which all things were made and created; and by it all things must be ordered again to God's Glory. All that are out of this Wisdom are in the earthly, devilish and destroying State; but the Wisdom from above is gentle and pure, and preserves you, yea, and the whole Creation to the Glory of God. And now, The Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to be made up of two or three faithful Friends out of every particular Meeting. that Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of two or three out of every particular Meeting of true and faithful Friends are set up, and kept in the most convenient place in the middle of your County, you may know in your Meetings of the Wants and Necessities of all Friends, whether in Bonds, or out, Widows or Fatherless, or aged People, their Necessity's being looked into, and every one feeling one another's Condition; this keeps in Tenderness and Love, as a Family; and nothing being lacking amongst you, than all is well, every Want and Necessity being supplied. And by this, one Meeting may be serviceable to another in outward things, for that is the least Love; and by this you may come into the Practice of the pure Religion, which is to relieve the Widows, Strangers, Fatherless and Helpless. And Friends all the Legacies that are given to the Men or Woman's Meetings, let them be kept as a public Stock for the setting forth of Apprentices, and setting them up. And Friends to have and provide a House for them that be distempered, and not to go to the World. And to have an Alms-House or Hospital for all poor Friends, that are past Work. And Friends to have and provide a House or Houses, where an Hundred may have Rooms to Work in, and Shops of all sorts of things to Sell, and where Widows and young Women might work and live. And Dear Friends, dwell all in the Everlasting Power of God, and his Life, in which is both Unity, Order, Peace and Fellowship; and wait in the Fear of the Everlasting God, that his Wisdom you may receive, which is pure and gentle from above, by which all things were made, by which Wisdom you may order all things to the Glory of God. The Poor, the Sick, the Widows, the Fatherless, the Prisoners be tender of, and feel every one's Condition, as your own, and let nothing be lacking amongst you, according to the Apostle's Doctrine to the Church of God of Old Time; and if nothing be lacking, all is well. And Dear Friends, know in all your Meetings who is Sick, and Weak, and in Want, and Widows, and Fatherless, and aged People, that cannot help themselves; and such as God hath distributed unto, of that which God has distributed, to lay aside for the Necessities of others, as you are moved and commanded of the Lord God by his Power and Spirit; for he that gives to the Poor, dareth to the Lord; and he loves a cheerful Giver. Secondly, That all Prisoners for Truth be minded, who are in want, and who are not, and the Families of such who are in Prison, whether they are in want or not; and such as are decayed any manner of way, and cannot help themselves; and such as have left a Calling, which they cannot for Conscience sake follow; do the best you can to help them, and further them to Employment, that they may labour in the thing that is good, and be a Blessing in the Creation; that this you may do, that you may be a Blessing in your Generation. And all the Fatherless Children their Estates to be Recorded in a Book at the Monthly or Quarterly Meeting; and all that are entrusted with any Estates may be entered at the Monthly or Quarterly Meetings (Fatherless or Widow's Estates) that the Meeting may see, that Justice be done unto them, and require them to give an Account (if need be) and to do that which is just and equal; so that there may be no Strife about outward things amongst you. And that every one that is entrusted with any Widows or Fatherless Children Estates may be faithful, and not fail them in time of need. And that every Quarterly Meeting may have an Eye over such as are entrusted, and assist them in that which is right and righteous, and to see that they are faithful to their Trust. So that Righteousness, and Justice, and Truth and Equity may flow down amongst you, and that the Wisdom of God be among Friends, to order them in all things to his Glory. And let two faithful Friends in the Truth in every particular Meeting be ordered to receive all Collections, and to bring them to the Monthly Meetings; and let two such Friends receive them there, and bring them to the Quarterly Meeting; and let four faithful Friends receive them there. And whatever Collections are received, let an Account be kept of what is received, and to whom it is disbursed; that so an Account may be given to any faithful Friend that may desire it. And in every Monthly and Quarterly Meeting to inquire, what Poor there are, and who are fit to go Apprentices or Servants; and that Friends then and there may order them to Apprenticeships to such Trades, as they in Wisdom shall think fit. And if any Legacy be left by any deceased Friends to a particular Use, as to putting forth Apprentices, and breeding of poor Friends Children, that the said Money be kept distinct as a Stock for the said Use, and a particular Account thereof to be kept; and the Quarterly Meeting to appoint some Persons to receive the said Money, and to keep the Account thereof, and the Meeting to see that it be disposed of to the Uses aforesaid. And if any of the Principal Money so given be at any time made use of to any other Use, that it be again made up by the Quarterly Meeting of Friends. And though the Money be left or given to any particular Friend for the Use aforesaid, yet the same to be paid to the two or three Persons, whom the Quarterly Meeting shall appoint to receive such Money, that the Meeting may have the ordering and laying-out the said Money to the best Advantage to the Uses aforesaid. So that the Legacies given a part to the Meeting of Men or Women, be kept a part for the setting forth poor Friends Children, and setting them up in their Trades, that the Memory of the deceased just Friend, that gave it, may not be forgotten. And all Friends in the Wisdom of God train up your Children in the Fear of God, Friends to train up their Children in the fear of the Lord. that they may receive the Wisdom of God; and as they are capable, they may be instructed and kept employed in some lawful Calling, that they may be diligent, serving the Lord in the things that are good; that none may live Idle, and be Destroyer's of the Creation, or unserviceable in the Creation, and thereby become burdensome to others, and to the Just in themselves; but that in the Wisdom of God all may walk, and with it all things may he ordered. And all Friends, see that your Children be trained up in Soberness, And in Soberness, etc. and Holiness, and Righteousness, and Temperance, and Meekness, and Gentleness, and Lowliness, and Modesty in their Apparel and Carriage, and so to Exhort your Children and Families in the Truth, that the Lord may be glorified in all your Families. And teach your Children when they are young, then will they remember it when they are old, according to Solomon's Counsel: So that your Children may be a Blessing to you, and not a Curse. And all Men and Women are to order their Children and Servants in the Order of the Gospel, and in the New Covenant, And to order them in the Order of the Gospel. that they may all come to know the Lord. For the outward Jews were to train up their Children in the Old Law, in the Old Covenant: And so you that are called Christians are to train up your Children in the Fear of the Lord, and in Christ Jesus, that they may walk in Him in Modesty, and Holiness and Virtue. And so all to govern their Families: And they that are to Govern, are to be governed and ordered themselves, by the Spirit and Power of God, to God's Glory, and as Examples in their Families; for all Looseness is out of the Power of God, either in Word or Life. And so by the Power of God, and his Righteousness, and Truth, and Light and Life, all that is to be judged, and kept under and down; and the Truth, and the Light, and Spirit of God must be walked in, which all Looseness is out of. And so, whatsoever things are of good Report, or whatsoever things are Lovely, or whatsoever things are Pure, and Decent, and Virtuous, and Godly, and Righteous, and Holy, and Just, that follow after; and do the Works of Charity, and not your own, but the good Works of Hospitality, which are accepted of God. And keep the Order of the Gospel, the Power of God, which Power of God was, before the Devil was, and is over him, which brings Life and Immortality to Light in Men and Women; and Men and Women they are to walk in this Power of God, and to keep in it, Men and Women to walk in the Power of God. being Heirs of the same, and under the Government of Christ Jesus, who bruiseth the Serpent's Head, and destroys him and his Government; Men and Women being Heirs of Grace and Life together, and of the Power of God, and of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, the Amen. And so as they come to possess and inherit him and his Gospel-Order, they come to possess him and his Government and Order; the increase of which there is no End. And that Notice be taken of all evil Speakers, Backbiters, Slanderers, and foolish Talkers, and idle Jesters, for all these corrupt good Manners, and are not according to the Saints and Holy Men's Practice, Against Backbiters. whose Words were seasoned with Salt, ministering Grace to the Hearers. And all such as go up and down to Cheat, Against Cheats. by borrowing and getting Money of Friends, and have cheated several, all such are to be stopped and judged (and Notice of them is to be given to Friends, and to other Persons.) And Dear Friends in the Everlasting Seed of Life, Wisdom and Salvation, my Desire is, that you all may be preserved in it, to the Glory of God, For heavenly Unity. and in his Power, and Light, and Life, over Death and Darkness, in the heavenly Unity, in all your Meetings. Now concerning them that do go to the Quarterly Meeting, they must be substantial Friends, Quarterly Meetings Members. that can give a Testimony of your Sufferings, and how things are amongst you in every particular Meeting. So that none that are raw or weak, that are not able to give a Testimony of the Affairs of the Church and Truth, may go on behalf of the particular Meetings to the Quarterly Meetings, but may be nursed up in your Monthly Meetings, and there fitted for the Lord's Service. So that two may go one time from every particular Meeting, and two another time, or as it is ordered in your Monthly Meetings. So that some may go from all your Meetings, that make up your Monthly Meetings; for the Quarterly Meeting should be made up of weighty, seasoned and substantial Friends, that understands the Business of the Church; for no unruly and unseasoned Peasons should come there, nor indeed into the Monthly Meetings, but who are single-hearted, seasoned and honest. And if any one should speak or tattle any thing out of your Monthly or Quarterly Meetings, Against Partling. to the blemishing or defaming any Person or the Meetings, such are to be brought to Judgement and Condemnation; (for it breaks the Privilege and Order of your Christian Society in your Meetings) so that all may be kept and preserved in the Power of the Lord, and in his Spirit, in Love and Unity. And therefore keep your Meetings solid and sober, and let the Authority of your Men and women's Meetings be in the Power of God; Authority of Meetings. for every Heir of the Power has Right to that Authority, and in it keep the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's Peace in his Church. And so, the Lord give you Wisdom, that by it you may be ordered to his Glory, Care of God's Glory and Truth. and that every one may have a care of God's Glory, and of his Name and Truth; and that in his Power you may see, that all do walk, as becomes his glorious Gospel, which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in you; which will preserve you in Life and in Immortality, over the Devil that has darkened you. So that nothing may get betwixt your Souls and Minds, and the Lord God, that he may be glorified in you all, and through you all, and over you all, blessed for ever. Amen. And the least Member in the Church hath an Office, and is serviceable; and every Member hath need one of another. And now Friends, so many Monthly men's Meetings as you have in your County, you may have so many Monthly women's Meetings; and if once a Year, at least, you had a General women's Meeting it would be well (for in some Counties they have as many Quarterly women's Meetings as men's) and in others they have only two in the Summertime, women's Meetings. because the Ways are foul and Days short in Winter. And that one or two Friends in every Meeting do take an Account of all the Marriages, Births and Burials, Births, Burials. and carry them to the Monthly Meetings; and let one or two there be ordered to receive them, and record them there in a Book, which is to be kept at the Monthly Meetings. And from thence a Copy of what is recorded there, to be brought to the Quarterly Meeting, and let one or two Friends be appointed there to receive them; and to record them all in one Book, which is to be kept for the whole County. And this will be most safe, that if one Book should happen to be lost, the other may be preserved for the Use of such, as may have occasion. And that all Friends, who are not already provided, may speedily procure convenient Burying-places, Burying Places. and that thereby a Testimony may stand against the Superstitious Idolising of those places, called holy Ground. For Abraham bought a place to bury his Dead in, and would not Bury them amongst the Egyptians and Canaanites. And Jacob was brought out of Egypt, and Joseph, and they were buried in their Grandfather and Father's Burying-places. And so Friends, get decent Burying-places for your Dead, and let them be decently and well fenced, that you may show a good Example to the World in all things. And Dear Friends, do all that you do in Peace and Love, Do all in Peace and Love. and in the Fear of God, condescending one unto another, in the Simplicity and Innocency of Life, and Truth, and in the Wisdom of God, that that may be every one's Crown, that nothing may be done in Strife, to occasion Words; for you are called to Peace and Holiness, in which the Kingdom stands, and to serve one another in Love. And my Love is to all Friends in the Everlasting Seed of God, in which is Life, Purity, Cleanness and Righteousness that shines over all. And all Friends, do that which ye do in the Power of God, And in the Power of God. and then you are the Lord's Freemen in Love, and not Captives: For all which is done out of the Power of God is in the Captivity. So wait all in the Power of the Lord, and in the Light, in which you will feel Life and Peace, and the Lord's Blessing. So in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you, and keep you over all that which is contrary, and give you Victory and Dominion. And in Peace and Love live, in the Spirit and Power of God, in which is the Unity and the Fellowship in the Bond of Peace, that Truth and Life may reign amongst you; that in all things you may adorn and grace the Truth, that never hath an end. And the Lord God Almighty preserve you in his Seed, His Prayer for the same. Life and Wisdom, and give you Discerning, Victory and Dominion over all that which is contrary, that you may feel Christ's Reign and Authority, in which you may all act in his Power and Authority. So in that, God Almighty preserve you. And draw up an Account of all that have died in Prison, Of Prisoners. in every County for Truth's Testimony, and lay them before the Magistrates; and so to keep Friends clear from the Blood of all Men. And preserve a Lift of their Sufferings, together with the Number that have died in Prison; that their Blood may come upon them that have thirsted after it, And Sufferings. and that their Testimony may not be lost, who have sealed it with their Blood, but that it may be preserved. And so keep a Record of them in your Quarterly Meeting Books. So that the Memorial of the Innocent Sufferers for the Truth and the Name of Jesus may not be lost nor forgotten; that his Name and Power, that hath supported them, may be exalted, that hath carried them over Death, and their Persecutors, and the spoiling of their Goods. So in the heavenly Seed Christ Jesus, that reigns, who is the Living Rock and Foundation, and stands sure for all his Elect to build upon, stand above all the Rocks and Foundations that are below, and will have an end; and in him the Lord God Almighty preserve you, and keep you all. Amen. And all my Dear Friends every where, Speaking in Steeple-houses. who have been moved of the Lord God to speak in Steeple-Houses to the Priests, or in Markets to the People, or in Courts, or Fairs, or Assizes, or Towns; let an Account thereof be drawn up together in one Book, with the substance of their Words, that they spoke in the Power of God: This would be a Book, that may stand to Generations, that they may see their faithful Testimony, and what Strength God did ordain out of the the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings. And Friends that have been moved to go to the Professors Meetings; that their Testimony there may not be lost, together with all the Examples that have fallen upon the Persecutors. And such Testimonies of Friends as are deceased, Of Deceased Friends Testimonies. let them be Recorded, that so the Testimony of the Lord through his Servants may not be lost, that he raised up in his People, for the same they were carried on through great Tribulations and Sufferings; and many laid down their Lives, and had their Goods spoiled, and they persecuted to Death) to keep up their Testimony (which the Lord moved them to speak by his Spirit) to future Generations: So that those Words, that they were moved to speak forth by the Power, may not be lost; that the Power and Spirit of the Lord may be exalted. So that an account may be taken of that which hath been spoken and done by the Motions of the Spirit of God from the first, as . And so be Diligent, and those that can write, help them that cannot: This may be easily done. And all they that be Public Ministers (if unknown) that pass up and down the Countries, What Ministers to have Certificates. and to other Nations, for them to have a Certificate from their Meeting, where such Persons are known, and all their Practices are looked into, that will prevent any bad Spirits, that may scandalise honest Men. For they that do minister to others, must have a double Diligence in Virtue, and Chastity, and Patience, and Carefulness, and Watchfulness, more than their Hearers, lest they Judge them. For Christ, the heavenly Man, is our Example; and the Apostle saith, Fellow us, as we do follow Christ. For who esteems the beggarly Lusts before Virtue, is not worthy of it; and who preferreth his Ungodliness, and his Unholiness, and his Earthliness, before that which is Heavenly, is not worthy of the Heavenly, nor of Godliness, nor Righteousness, etc. And Dear Friends, be Faithful, you that know the Light, the Truth and the Power of God, and his Life; in the Wisdom of God be Faithful; by which Wisdom all things was made and created; In Wisdom. and by which Wisdom all things that are created, must be ordered again, to the Glory of the Creator. And you that are come to know the Truth and the Power of it, all come to know the Order of Life, so that all things may be kept in that sweet Order and Government to the Glory of God and the Refreshment of all, Order. and a sweet Savour to God and in the Hearts of all People, that through the Wisdom of God ye may adorn the Truth in all things, for the preserving of Love, Peace and Unity amongst all. And live in the peaceable Truth, and keep in the heavenly Order of the Gospel, and in the Government of the heavenly Man, And Government of Christ. the Increase of which there is no end; and walk in the pure and underfiled Religion, that keeps you from the spots of the World, and in the Worship of God in the Spirit and Truth, which the Devil is out of. So that in the Truth you may be preserved in Peace with God, and one with another: And in the Spirit of Truth you may be preserved in the Unity and Fellowship of it, in which is the Bond of Peace. And my desire is, that all the faithful Men, and faithful Women in the Light, and Power, and Spirit of Christ, And Possession of Truth. all may be kept in the Possession of the Truth, and that all such may make up the Men and women's Meetings, so that you all may be in your Possessions of the Order of the Gospel, and the Government of Christ the Seed, that bruises the Head of the Serpent, who is the Head of all ill Government, and Disorders. So that the joyful and glorious Order of the Everlasting Gospel, all may be in the Possession of; so that in the Light, Spirit and Power, ye may all have a care of God's Glory, and his Honour, and his Church's Peace, keeping in the Unity of his Everlasting Spirit, which is the Bond of the Heavenly and Spiritual Prince of Prince's Peace. And all that are in the Possession of this, Admonish. may admonish and exhort all such as walk not as becomes the Gospel, and glorify not the Lord with their Bodies, Souls and Spirits; and so see, that as every one has received Christ Jesus, that they do walk in him; that all may walk in the Holiness, which becomes the House of God: so that God may be glorified by his Light, Power and Spirit in all, who is over all, God blessed for ever. And so, the God of Glory, who hath brought Christ from the Dead, Quickened for what end. by him are you quickened and raised from the Dead, that henceforth you should not live to yourselves, but to him, and walk in him, who is the Amen, and over all, the First and Last. G. F. ALL you that are Believers in the Light of Christ, Epist. 265. which manifesteth Darkness, ye are kept by the Power of God unto the Day of Salvation. So, though your Salvation is not yet completed, Believers how kept. yet you have your Keeper, the Power of God, which neither slumbers nor sleeps, and it will keep you unto that Day. For those Virgins, in the Parable, they had their Keeper, by which they were preserved in their Virginity, which they were never accused of losing; for it is said, that the Cry was at midnight; that is, the mid time of Darkness; for Darkness is called Night, and the Voice of the Bridegroom was at midnight, Arise: Now they that had no Oil in their Lamps did not enter with the Bridegroom, but they that had Oil did. Now that which doth keep, is the Power of God, and preserves pure unto him in the Virginity, from that which would defile the Virgin Mind, Virgins. and the Virgin Soul and Spirit. For it is all from the same Man of Sin that defiles the Mind, and the Spirit, that leads them out to defile their Bodies, and corrupt them; therefore all is to mind their Keeper, the Power of God, which was before the Devil, the Man of Sin, Oils, Lamps. was; by which Power of God they have Oil in their Lamps, through which their Lamps may be always Burning in their Temple, and such come to be the Temple of God; for they that defile the Temple, defile their Souls and Bodies, they let in the Defiler and Destroyer, and so their Lamps go out, and they go from God and his Power, the Keeper, and such God will destroy; and so many as are kept by the Power of the Lord unto the Day of Salvation, Day of Salvation, Power. though the Day of Salvation is not yet completed, yet in the Day of Salvation, the People of God are a willing People, even in this Day of his Power. And so they are to abide with their Keeper, which is the Power of God; for while they be in the Night, and not in the Day of Salvation, nor Day of Power, tho' they may be in the Widerness of Temptations and Trouble, Spiritual Israel's Travel. yet may feel the Power, the Keeper, to lead through all these things, out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, through the Wilderness, through Jordan, the River of Judgement, and over the Canaanites; and therefore every one's Faith is to stand in the Power of God, and believe in the Power of God, that will bring to the Day of God's Power, and to the Day of his Salvation. For the outward Jew did not enter, because of Unbelief; and so this great foul Man of Sin hath defiled all Mankind outwardly and inwardly. And therefore all to have their Faith to stand in the Power of God, their Keeper; for the defilement is in the Night, by the Power of Darkness, and through it. By Faith in the Power, safety. Therefore let thy Faith stand in the Power of God, thy Keeper, which will keep both Body, and Soul, and Spirit clean and blameless to the Day of Redemption, and Day of Salvation, and by the Power of God such will have a Dominion over the foul Man of Sin, the Devil; for it is he in People that leads and tempts to outward Defilement of their Body, Loss of Virginity, the Cause. and so to lose their Virginity; and it is he that draws their Minds from God and Christ, and from God's Ways, and his Worship, and his Truth, and his Spirit, and his Grace, and his Faith that he works in People: Therefore if thy Faith stand in the Power of God, all by it is preserved in this Body, Soul and Spirit, in Purity and a hidden Mind, Soul and Spirit secret to the Lord, who is a Spirit; and they are preserved by his Power, their Keeper: For, as is the saying of some of the World, that are the most modest, that they will keep their outward Virginity to the Day of their Death, or of their Marriage, but such as before that have no esteem of their Bodies, no more than unruly Beasts, Uncleanness. give up their Bodies to Uncleanness, and Themselves to work Wickedness, and so forsake their Keeper, the Power of God, which should keep both inwardly and outwardly: And so all the inward Virgin Minds, and Souls and Spirits, that are hidden to the Lord, they will die before they will lose their inward Virginity, but will keep it to the Marriage of the Lamb, as the Wise Virgins did; by which Power they are preserved over the Man of Sin, whom Christ their Husband bruises the Head of, and destroys him and his work; for Christ was before the Man of Sin was (the Devil, and his Works either) who was glorified with the Father before the World began; and therefore all such Virgins as are come to Christ, and are married to him, Christ your Husband, He will deal with the foul Man of Sin, Who are married to Christ. and bruise his Head, and break his Power and Strength to pieces, and will take him and cast him into Everlasting Fire. And therefore keep your Faith in the Power of God, which will bring you to the Marriage of the Lamb; by which Power of God, which was before the Devil was, you may have Oil in your Lamps, that your Lamps may burn always; by which Power of God you may come to the Day of God's Power, and all to be a willing People, to serve God, and walk in Truth, and to obey Him; and so by the same Power of God, Day of God's Power, and of Salvation. which is your Keeper, you may come to the Day of Salvation; you may have the Song of Salvation, and Joy of Salvation, and Comfort of Salvation, and the Possession of Salvation, and be Heirs of the same. And so here you have your Keeper, to wit, the Power of God. And Peter's words answers to this, You have a Light which you do well to take heed unto, that shines in a dark place, until the Day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your Hearts; signifying it is sufficient, which you must take heed to, it will lead you to the Day dawning (the Light) that shines in the dark place of your Hearts, in the dark place of your Minds; now you do well to take heed to this Light, for it leads you to the Day Star, and Day Dawning.) Out of Egypt have I called my Son, saith the Lord; How to come to that Day. and Israel was called God's Son, who was called out of the House of Durkness and Bondage; they had Light in Goshen, when the Children of Egypt were in Darkness, and could not see one another: For now the Children of Light have Light, and can see one another; the Children of Egypt, Sodom, and Babylon cannot see one another: And so, they do well that take heed to the Light, but they do ill that do not take heed to the Light, for they walk in Darkness, and know not whether they go, and stumble at Noon day, the highest time of Light; Who stumble for this Light leads to the Day Dawning, and Day Star arising in their Hearts, which is a sure Word of Prophecy: A Prophet is a Seer, and so with the Light he will see, that which doth make manifest is Light; by it you shall see the Day Dawning, and the Day Star arising, and when that ariseth, the Sons of God sing together, because of the joyful Day; How to see the Daystar. and the Saints sing, who hath been long in the brambly, briary Walderness, and in the House of Bondage, of Darkness and Trouble, and of Sorrow and Misery. Therefore there is joy, when the Day Star appeareth, and the Day dawn, there is great cause of joy for all the Sons of God, when the Day Star appears, and for them to sing together; for long Nights of Trouble and Travel have they been in. The Path of the Just is a shining Light, the Path of the is Darkness: Two Paths. So there is but two Paths. Now the cannot abide to hear talk of the Light, but call it Natural, and created and made, or conscience, they do not know what to call it, whose Darkness cannot comprehend the Light, though it shines in the Darkness; and so, the Path of the just being a shining Light, which shines more and more unto the perfect Day; signifying that the Day is come, that the Just hath his Path, and his Path is a shining Light; and so increaseth, Shineth more and more unto the perfect Day. Now the being in Darkness, they hate the Light, Of the truer Light. and love Darkness rather than Light; the Just Man's Path, the Light, because their Deeds are Evil; for the Light will reprove them. So the Just Man's Path is sufficient, a shining Light; for if it shines more and more, The just Man's Path. it increaseth, it is sufficient, and brings to the perfect Day: Now the , whose Path is Darkness, say, It is not sufficient, but such cannot abide the Light, cannot abide the Just Man's Path, nor the Just neither, but hate both, and speak against him and his Path, with his Darkness, that cannot comprehend the Light, though Light shines in his Darkness; and therefore if he cannot comprehend the Light with his Darkness, (how can he comprehend the Prophets, and Apostles, and Christ's Words?) but calls Light, Darkness, Where mistaken. and Darkness, Light, and calls it natural, or created, or made, or conscience; and so this come to be fulfilled on them, as John said, Who with their Darkness could not comprehend the Light, yet they would be talking of the Saints Words, Law and Prophets, with their Darkness, which could not comprehend the Light. They would call light, Darkness. Saith Christ, If that Light that is in you be Darkness, how great is that Darkness? You neither know the Scriptures nor the Power of God: How should they know the Scriptures or the Power of God either, whose Darkness doth not comprehend the Light? A dark Man, In Blindness. is a blind Man: A blind Man hath not true Judgement: Therefore how should they call it otherwise, but a natural Light, a created or made Light? So the Pharisees believed that Christ was to come, and preached him to come; as the Protestants and Papists preach him, that He is come and to come; and can tell by Scripture where he was crucified, as the Jews could tell by Scripture where he was to be born: Who were against Christ, the Light. But they were all against Christ, the Light: When he came, they said, Christ had a Devil: the Pharisees said of him, who was Light, That he was the Prince of Devils; who was the Light, and the Truth, and the Life; and that he was the Carpenter's Son. So without the Light they could not see him, nor his Works, with their Darkness; neither can they do now; neither can they know the Scriptures nor the Power of God, whose Darkness cannot comprehend the Light, John 1.6, 7. And John was a Man sent from God, the greatest Prophet born of a Woman, who came for a Witness, to bear Witness of the true Light, which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World, that all through him might believe; John 1.4. and 'tis said, in Christ was Light; and this Light was the Life of Men: And so the Life that is in Christ, is the Light of Men. So this is a Heavenly Light, a Divine Light, a Spiritual Light, The Life in Chhist, the Light in Men. a Saving Light; which is the Life of Christ, which is the Light of Men; though the Professors in Christ's Time, and these Times, Papists and Protestants, with their Darkness, cannot comprehend the Light, so not the Life; so no true Preachers of Christ without the Light and Life. John said, he was not the Light, but was sent to bear witness of the Light: That he was not worthy to unloose the Latchet of Christ's Shoes. And yet John, who had seen Christ, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the Sins of the World, pointed his Disciples to him, and shown them Christ; and they forsook him and went to Christ: For John came for a Witness, to bear Witness of him, who was the true Light, and that He that was to come after him, was preferred before him, for he was before him: Yet when John was cast into Prison, he questioned whether Christ was he, or whether he should look for another; and sends to Christ: And Christ answers his Messengers, and saith unto them, the Blind receive their Sight, Christ the Messiah, and not another. and the Poor receive the Gospel, etc. And as for these Papists, and Protestants and Jews, they question whether Christ, the Light that lighteth every Man that cometh into the World, be the Spiritual, Divine, Saving and Heavenly Light. And further, mark Christ's own Words, John 12.46. He saith, He is the Light of the World, that teacheth you how to believe; to wit, All his Disciples, as Christ hath taught them, who saith, Believe in the Light. Now, believing in the Light, you believe in that which doth make manifest all things; for that which doth make manifest, is the Light; The Light maketh manifest all things. and therefore to believe in the Light, is to believe in that which doth make manifest Christ to be their Way, their Teacher, Priest and Mediator, Interceeder, Saviour and Redeemer: And he that believeth in the Light, he believes in that which makes manifest all false Ways, and false Religions, and false Worship, and false Teachers, and Antichrists: For they that believe in the Light, it manifests all true Ways, and true Religions. And so, they are no true Believers, True Believers believe in Christ, as both outwardly and inwardly manifest. neither Protestant, nor Papists, who only believe Christ is come from Scripture, as the Jews, believed Christ was to come from Scripture: But, I say, they are no true Believers, but as they also believe in the Light as Christ the Heavenly Man doth teach: For the Jews, they may teach their People to believe from the Scripture, the Papists and Protestants may teach their Children to believe from the same; but, not believing in the Light, they are no true Believers, as Christ hath taught; for Christ, who is the Saviour, he teacheth People how to believe, and saith, Believe in the Light: Which is plain, that they are no true Believers that do not believe in the Light, neither Jews, nor those that have got the name of Christians; for Believing in the Light, they become Children of the Light. And so it is plain, they are no Children of Light but who Believe in the Light, nor Children of the Day: For Children of Darkness may profess Scriptures, the Devil may bring Scripture, and Protestant, and Turk, and Papist, and Jew may bring Scripture, with a dark Spirit, and hold them in the Unrighteousness; but there is no true Believer in God, nor in Christ Jesus, but who Believes in the Light, which the Scripture testifies of; showing there is no Salvation, Redemption, Justification, Sanctification, but to them who Believes in the Light, that manifesteth all things, nor seeing Christ, who died, and is risen for them: And therefore the heavenly Man, the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ, teacheth how to believe, and saith, Believe in the Light, The second Adam, the Lord Jesus teacheth how to believe. while you have it; and this Light will manifest him to be their Way, their Truth and Life; which Light comes from him, who enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World, that all through the Light might believe. And so they that believe not in the Light, as Christ hath taught, are no true Ministers, nor no true Messengers, nor true Disciples, nor no true Christians, nor true Preachers of Christ Jesus, who believeth not, as he hath taught them; but they that lay away Christ's teaching, and teach one another to deny the Way that Christ hath taught to Believe in, are keepers of People in Darkness, out of the Light, and call it Natural, created, and made, and conscience, and so with their Darkness and Blindness give the Light such names, who with their Darkness cannot comprehend it; for he that believes in the Light, The Light distinguisheth Truth from Error. it lets him see the Scriptures, the Prophets, Christ and the Apostles words, and by it they do distinguish the true Prophet's words from the false, the holy men's words, from the unholy, the sanctified from them that are not sanctified, Christ's words from Anti-christ's, the true Apostles words from the false: So Christ the Light teacheth his People to believe in that which manifests all things; and they that believe in the Light hath the Witness in themselves of Christ, in whom they do believe, they have the Witness in themselves, that he is their Redeemer, and Saviour, and their Way, their Truth and their Life; for with the Light they see him (they believing in the Light) that doth make manifest; and after they believe in the Light, become Children of the Light; they witness themselves, that they are sealed, for their Belief in the Light stands in Christ the Light, who hath bought and purchased them; and after that, they are sealed by the Spirit of Promise, having God's Mark or Stamp set upon them, they can set to their Seal, That God is true in all his Promises, in all his Prophets, concerning Christ Jesus, who taught them to believe in the Light: With the Light they see, and come to know, the three that bear Record in Heaven, and the three that bear Record on Earth, Three that bear Record on Earth. the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood; first the Spirit that beareth witness in the Earth, which mortifies them, which circumcises them, which leads them into all Truth; in which Spirit is their Fellowship, and a Bond of Peace, that keeps down that which troubles them; by which Spirit the Believers are Baptised into one Body, brought out of the many Bodies; and so by the Spirit they are brought to the one Head, The Spirit. which is Christ Jesus (tho' there are many Heads in the World) by which Spirit they are sanctified, by which Spirit they are instructed, by which Spirit they worship God, by which Spirit they are covered, by which Spirit they pray, and by which Spirit they sing praises to God, who is a Spirit, by which Spirit they have an understanding, the Spirit of Wisdom and Knowledge, which is to know God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, which is Life Eternal. 2dly. They come to know the Water, The Water. which is a Witness in the Earth; by which Water they are washed, their Minds, their Souls, their Spirits, and in their Bodies, with this pure Water; and this is a Witness in the Earth, with the Light, they that Believe in it, it manifesteth these two Witnesses in the Earth, and with the Light they see the Pope's counterfeit Holy Water, which he hath set up since the Apostles Days, who with the Light beareth witness against it, not to be God's witness, nor God's setting up. And so the Children of the Light, that believe in the Light, their Bodies, their Souls, their Spirits, and their Minds are washed clean in this pure, clean, holy Water, that comes from above, from the pure holy God, which is one of these Witnesses in the Earth. And the Blood. The third Witness is his Blood, with which the Hearts of People are sprinkled, and their Consciences are sprinkled with the Blood of Jesus: As Moses sprinkled the outside of the Posts, etc. with the Blood of Bulls and Goats; which Blood of Bulls and Goats, Christ's Blood ends, which sprinkles the Heart and Conscience of People. So this Blood of Jesus Christ, the heavenly Man, is felt in the Hearts and Consciences of People; by which Blood they are sanctified, they are cleansed from all their Dead Works, to serve the Living God, and to serve their Dead Works no longer: So by this Blood they are cleansed from all Sin. They that walk in the Light, and believe in the Light, they are Children of the Light, and Children of the Day; and the Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Blood of Christ cleanseth from all Sin. cleanseth them from all Sin; and their Garments are made white in the Blood of the Lamb; by which they come to testify of Jesus, they overcome the Beast, the Whore, the false Church. And so every true Believer, believes as Christ hath taught them, to Believe in the Light, that so they may become Children of the Light. The true Believer hath the Witness in himself. They have these three Witnesses that bear witness in the Earth, to bear witness in themselves; and they can set to their Seal, That God is true in all his Works, in Prophets and Apostles, and his Son; and they shall come to know, and do come to know, the Three that bear Record in Heaven, and the Three that bear Record in the Earth. G. F. AND all ye Believers in the heavenly Light, as Christ hath taught, Epist. 266. you seek that which is lost and driven away; but the false Prophets, false Ministers and Teachers, they did not seek that which was lost, True Ministers seek that which is lost. and driven away from God; they put no difference between the precious and the vile, but mash all together, like the Priests and Prophets of our times; therefore seek that which was lost and driven away; some may be driven away by the Storms, some may be driven away by the great Winds of the Wicked, and Storms of the Ungodly; some may be driven away by Tempests and foul Wether, and some may be lost in the foul Wether, and lost in the Sea of the World; for it is this wicked One that raiseth all these foul Wether and Storms; therefore seek that which is lost, ye that believe in the Light, by which you see, than you are distinguished from the false Prophets and Teachers, and by the Light you put a difference between the precious and the vile; for Jacob was found in a desert Land, and you see all the Prophets, how they sought that which was lost, and the Apostles, and how Christ encouraged to seek that which was lost; and when the lost Sheep was found, what Joy there was, more than of the Ninety and Nine; an who were they that make the Land desolate, but the rough Esau's, and wild Ishmael's, and Core's; and who makes the World as a Wilderness but the Devil; and who brings the whole World to lie in Wickedness, but the Devil, that wicked One; and if you should not find that which is lost and driven away, at the first, nor second, To continue in seeking. nor third time of seeking, if you sold not find him that is lost, go again, that you may have your joy, and rejoice others; for Christ in the Parable saith, The Prodigal Son was lost, yea was dead, and is alive again; when he had been feeding among Swine, and upon Husks, and could never fill his Belly: When any such come back again, they will tell you how hungry they were, they could never fill their Bellies among the Husks, while they went astray, and tell you long Declarations of the Citizen that he was joined to: And therefore when the lost is found, and brought back again to the Father's House, where there is Bread enough, Joy for the lost Sheep is found. there is Joy, and the heavenly Instruments of Music, and the heavenly Feast of the heavenly Fat Things, and the heavenly Robes of Righteousness are enjoyed. And so all be diligent, ye Believers in the Light, as Christ hath taught you; look up and down, in the Light you will see where the lost Sheep are, and such as have been driven away, you will spy them out, out of the Woods, or Brambles, or Pits, where there is no Water, where they are ready to be Famished, where they are tied with Thorns and Briars; and so with the Light you will see, and put a difference, between the precious and the vile; for whatsoever makes manifest is Light: For by that you see, and you will see with it, how the false Prophets, and Ministers and Teachers drive People away; they drive them away from God, and his Way, from Christ, and the Covenant of Light. How angry they are with them that believe in it? With their Clubs, how have they beaten many, and wounded many, and imprisoned many, because they would not be driven by them into the Devil's Pit-fold, or Prison; but do you never give over seeking, for the Light shines over all, which believe in, and walk in the Path of the Just, which is as a shining Light; for it hath been the work of all the false Teachers and Ministers to drive away from God, and his Truth and Light, and those have been the Devil's Servants, and the Wages he gives them is Death. This hath been the Way of all true Ministers, to seek that which was lost, and that which was driven away; as you may see Christ and the Apostles, and all the true Prophets did, and to bring them to feed in the Pastures of Life, and gently to lead them, whose Wages is Life; and he gives them their heavenly Penny of Life Eternal. G. F. To Ministering Friends. FRiends, Epist. 267. All ye that Believe in the Light, as Christ hath commanded, that are become Children of the Light, and of the Day, and of the Promise, Not to Judge one another. and do minister therein, do not judge one another in public Meetings, you that do Minister, as you have received the Grace, and have the Word of the Lord God committed to you that Minister abroad, or go abroad in Cities, Towns, Countries or Nations, do not judge one another, nor reflect one upon another in public Meetings, for that hurts the Hearers; and you do more hurt than you do good, and that makes Confusion; for if you have any thing to say, have Patience, let that Gift be exercised, and speak to one another by yourselves alone; But exercise the Gift oft Patience. for that was the way before any thing was spoken against any of the Church, and that will show the Spirit of Order and Government, and the Spirit of Love, and of Patience and Humility; and keep down Passion, and that part in yourselves that cannot bear all things, nor endure all things, whereby the Love comes up that will endure all things, and bear all things, which edifies the Body, and by which the Body is edified; for the Spirit of the Prophets, is subject to the Prophets; this shows the true Spirit, for that which cannot bear all things, many times, is forward in Judging, that cannot bear all things, nor endure all things, and so goeth out of the true Love and Edification, which breeds Confusion and Distraction, and destroys more than ever it will beget to God. And also goes out of the Church Order, first speak to him alone; for by that he may win his Brother: Speaking publicly makes Strife, some owning and some disowning, and that Spirit must be shut out, by the true Spirit that keeps Order, and Unity and Fellowship, and the true Love which edifies the Body. And so every one which feels the Power stirring in them to Minister, when they have done, To live in the Power wherein they minister. let them live in the Power, and in the Truth, and in the Grace, that keeps in the seasoned Words, and that keeps in a established and seasoned Life: And so all may Minister as they have received the Grace; so every one is a Steward of the Grace of God, if he do not turn the Grace of God into Wantonness; and so to Minister in that Love, and Grace, and Power that keeps all things in Subjection and Order, and in Unity in the Life and in the Power, and Light, by which you may see that of God in every Man, and answer to that which God hath showed unto People: For the true Labourers in the Vineyard do answer that of God, the true Ministers brings People to that which is to instruct them, viz. the Spirit of God, True Ministers reacheth to the Witness of God in men's hearts. and so are Ministers of the Spirit, and Ministers of the Grace, they answer the Spirit, and the Grace and Truth in all, in which all that do Minister have Unity, and through which they have Fellowship with God and Christ. G. F. Not to be over-thoughtful of the things of this World. FRiends, Epist. 268. Did not God provide for Man and Woman before he made them? Did he not make all things in Six Days? And the sixth Day he made Man in the Image of God, in Righteousness and Holiness: And therefore Christ, who is the Son of God, who comes to restore Man up again into the Image of God, Not to be over-thoughtful. and leads Man up into his Image in Righteousness and Holiness, as he was in before he fell: Doth he not reprove such as take thought, and told them of their little Faith, and that they could not add one Cubit to the Stature that God had made; and it was the Practice of the Heathens and of the Gentiles to take thought? So it's clear, before God made Man, he took care for him; but after Man was fallen from the Image of God, and his Righteousness, he took care and toiled, though he cannot add one Cubit to his Stature in the Lord's Work: For thou mayst sow thy Seed in the Ground or Garden, thou mayst have much , But trust in the Lord for all. and other things, but yet there is no increase but by the Lord, neither of thy Seed, nor of thy Cattle; for is not the Earth the Lord's and the Fullness thereof? Mark, and doth he not give the increase, who upholds all things by his Word and Power, who is the Creator of all, and provided for Man before he made him, and set him in Dominion over all the Works of his Hands; which Dominion Man lost: Man lost Righteousness and Holiness, in his disobeying the Command of God, Christ restores Man into the Image of God. which Christ comes to restore Man to, and sets Man above all again, as he was in the Beginning, and up to his own State beyond Adam before he fell, to him that never fell. And so all that believe in the Light, as Christ commanded, in the Light they see, they cannot add Cubit to the Stature, and so they come to grow in the Faith in Christ and in God. And so herein hath the Lord the Praise of his Works; and all things praise him, who hath created them all to his Honour, and to his Glory, and to his Praise; and Man to glorify him in Righteousness and Holiness, in the Image of God and of Christ Jesus, above all other Creatures in the Covenant of God, in the Covenant of Light and Life in Christ Jesus; Him by whom the World was made, by him they praise and please God; and in their pleasing God, they Honour God and Christ. G. F. Concerning the single Language. ALL Friends, Epist. 269. that do believe in the Light, as Christ hath commanded you, and are become Children of Light, keep to the proper Speech; Proper Speech, Thou to One, and You to many. that is, thou and Thou to a singular, and You to many; as you may see throughout the Scriptures, it was the Language of God and Christ, his Prophets and Apostles, and all good men's; though it is the Practice of the First Birth, and of the Flesh, to say You, when they should say Thou; therefore take you heed of Flattery to please Men, and of letting the World's Spirit over you; though they have learned in their Grammar and Accidence, and other teaching Books, the Plural and Singular Language, yet they speak Plural when they should speak Singular to One. G. F. FOR all that be gathered in the Name of Jesus, Epist. 270. and are mad a live by him, and quickened by him, they come to the Flock of Christ; and know where they feed at Noonday, they are gathered into the Name of Jesus Christ, Salvation in no other Name than the Name of Jesus. whose Name is above every Name; and know that there is no Salvation under the whole Heaven, but in the Name of Jesus, in the Testimony that they have of Jesus, which is the Spirit, by which they see Jesus, and see his Pastures of Life, see his Springs of Life, and his Rivers of Life, and his Bread of Life; and see the Footsteps of the Flock, the Testimony of Jesus, the Spirit, by which they see him and his Flock; and they see the barren Mountains they have been upon and come off from: And therefore all you that be gathered into the Name of Jesus, and walk in the Path of the Just, where the Footsteps of the Flock are; quench not the Spirit in any; and if any will not have of your Bread of Life, and Water of Life, let them fast, Of the Bread of Life. that will neither receive, nor give; for the Bread of Life and Water of Life, is not only given to feed yourselves, but by it you may feed others, and refresh others, therefore have Bread in your Houses, and Water in your own Well, and Fruit of your one Tree, and Salt in yourselves, to Savour withal, that you may try all things; and have Oil in your own Lamps, that they may burn in your own Temple; and Odour and Frankincense, that it may burn continually upon your own Altar, that it may ascend as a sweet Savour, Holy and Pure, up to God, who is Holy and Pure. Be not removed off your Ground, wherein you may grow and increase: And so quench not the Spirit, despise not Prophecy, hate not the Light, but improve your Talon; hid it not, but improve it; mind the Kingdom within, and the heavenly Penny, and the Spirit of God, which is given to Instruct you; and walk according to the Rule of the Spirit of God, that he hath given to you to profit withal; and mind the Truth in the Inward Parts; so that you may be adorned and arrayed with a meek and a quiet Spirit. For the Light that shines in your Hearts will give you the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ, How the Knowledge of God is attained. that you may know the Heavenly Treasure in your Earthly Vessels, and the Daystar to arise, the Day to dawn in your own Hearts, that you may become Temples of Christ; He to dwell with you, and walk with you, and sup with you; and the Blood of Christ to sprinkle your Hearts from dead Works, and your Consciences also, that you may serve the Living God. So, know the true Faith, to purify your Hearts, Christ the Author of true Faith. which Christ is the Author and Finisher of; and the true Hope, to purify you. And so, be true Believers in the Light, as Christ Commands, and become Children of the Light; for he that believes, hath the Witness in himself: And know the true Word in your Hearts and Mouths; which is the Word of Faith the Apostle preached, which distinguishes your good Thoughts from bad, and your good Words from bad; which Word is in your Hearts to obey and do: Which is as a Hammer to hammer down Sin and Evil, and as a Sword to cut it down, and as a Fire to burn it up: So that by that Word you may be sanctified, The Word Sanctifieth, etc. by that Word you may have Salvation, by that Word you may be reconciled to God; by which all things are upheld by his Word and Power; by this Word you may be born again of the Immortal Seed, that lives and abides for ever: And so from this Word you may have your Milk; for this is the engrafted Word, that is able to save the Soul, and raise the Soul, that is Immortal, up unto the Immortal God: And by this Word you will see over all the Deceivers of your Souls; which Word was before they were: And by this Word you will understand the Scriptures of Truth, that cannot be broken: And by this Word you will come to Judge all those that are got into the Imaginations concerning the Scriptures, and that set them up in the room of God and Christ, in their dark Imaginations, who in their Darkness cannot comprehend the Light: And by this Word you will have Riches; out of this Word is Poverty: And by this Word you will come to know Life and Salvation; for in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God; and Christ's Name is called The Word of God; and the Scriptures are the Words which are to be fulfilled. So all be diligent in the Truth, that you may be fruitful in the Word of God, that it may have its Passage through you all. G. F. Concerning those that go out of Unity and deny Forms. THose that are gone from the Light, Epist. 271. from the Spirit and Power of God, and so from the Unity, by the Light, and by the Spirit, True Unity in the Light and Spirit. and by the Power are judged; and the Power, and Light, and Spirit is over them; and they being gone into their own Wills, and into a perverse Spirit, than they say, they will not be subject to men's Will, nor to the Will of Man; and that Spirit leads them out of the Bonds of Humanity, when they are thus gone from the Light, and the Power and Spirit of God, they go out of all true Forms, into Confusion and Emptiness, without Form; then they say, they will not be subject to Forms, and cry down all Forms with their Darkness and a perverse Spirit, and so mash all together. For there is a Form of Godliness, Of the Form of Godliness. and there is a Form of Sound Words, many have a Form. All Creatures have a Form, the Earth hath a Form, and all Things were brought into a Form by the Power of God; for the Earth was once without Form, and was void, and empty and confused. So they that be gone out of the Covenant of God and Life, and out of the Power of God, are gone into a confused Condition without Form, a State which is out of the Bond of Civil Men and Women: And so such are confused without the right Form; for the Form that God hath made, viz. The Form of the Earth, the Form of the Creatures, the Form of Men and Women, the Form of Sound Words, the Form of Godliness, nor the Form of Sound Doctrine, was never denied by the Men and Women of God: Those testified against, who deny the Power and quench the Spirit. But such as got the Form only, and denied the Power of Godliness, those were denied, for they deny the Power; and do not only so, but quench the Spirit, and grieve and vex it, and hate the Light; by which Light they are condemned. G. F. To Friends in Ireland. KEep to the equal Measure and just Weight in all things, Epist. 272. both inwardly and outwardly, that you may answer Equity, answer Truth in the Oppressed, and the Spirit, and Grace, and Light in all People: To do Justice and Equity in all things. And so, being kept in Righteousness, and Equity, and Truth, and Holiness, that preserves you over the Inequality, Injustice, and the false Measure, and Weight, and Balance in all Things, both inward and outward: And this keeps your Eye open, keeps you in a Feeling Sense, keeps you in Understanding, and true Wisdom, and true Knowledge, what you are to answer to all Men in Righteousness, and Truth, and Equity, both inward and outward. And this is to all you that have purchased or bought any Irish Land, so that Justice and Righteousness, and the true Measure, and true Weight, and even Balance, may be among you, to answer that which is True, and Just, and Even, and Equal; that you may answer that which is Equal, and Just, and True in yourselves, and in every Man and Woman; that you may be preserved in the Sense and Favour of God, and so may answer the good and righteous Principle in all, by which they may be brought to Truth, the equal Principle, and just Measure, and true Weight and Balance; by which they may know the just and true God in all his Works and Out-going G. F. Not to trust in uncertain Riches. ALL Friends, Epist. 273. Be ye as Strangers to all Things visible and created, but be acquainted with the Creator, your Maker, the Lord God Almighty; Outward things not durable. for outward Things are not durable Riches, nor durable Substance, nor durable Habitations, nor durable Possessions, for they have Wings and will fly away; and so, therefore be as Pilgrims and Strangers to the World, and all worldly, created and visible things, and witness Redemption from the Earth, that you may reign upon the Earth, as Kings and Priests to God, The Righteous are as Kings and Priests to God. that you may know a Habitation in God, and the Riches of his Grace and Life, that is everlasting, and a Substance that fadeth not away, the Riches which hath not wings, and the Riches that is not deceitful, that is durable and true. For Men trusting in outward Riches, and outward Things, they will deceive and fail them, and have Wings and flees away from them: And so Man in that State is deceived, and Riches are deceitful to him. Therefore, as I said before, be as Strangers and Pilgrims to the World, and all things therein, possess, as though you did not possess them, and what you enjoy, as though you did not; be above all such things, and lose to them in the Invisible Life and Power, which is over all things; for the Birth that is born again of the Immortal Seed by the Word of God, that lives and abides, and endures for ever, and is above all things; for all things are upheld by his Word and Power. And so be acquainted with the heavenly and certain Riches, the durable Substance, and the everlasting Possession and Inheritance of Life, through which you may be acquainted with your Maker and Creator, the Lord God Almighty. G. F. MY Dear Friends in the pure and undefiled Life, Epist. 274. All live in the Holy Seed that changes not, that will wear out all in the Transgression, and was before Transgresion was (and this Seed was never a Transgressor) and it will be when Transgression is gone, and is over that Spirit which is in Transgression, and is a burdensome Stone to the Transgressor, and him that is out of Truth, and it will outlast all; and so in that live, in which ye may reign in the Life and Truth, and in its time it will break all their Bonds: For that Spirit that doth transgress, doth Persecute in the particular the Just, and Persecution makes the Just to suffer in the general; and so, they that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution, by them that Persecute those that are Godly; it is no wonder for them to persecute the Godly in Christ the heavenly Man; so the Just Suffereth, within and without, by the . And so be Valiant for the Lord's Truth upon the Earth, and dwell in Love, and in Humility, and Meekness, and Patience, and Righteousness, in which the Love of the Lord is manifested: So no more but my Love. G. F. ALL Friends every where, in the living Spirit, and living Power, Epist. 275. and in the heavenly Light dwell, and quench not the Motions of of it in yourselves, nor the Movings of it in others; Not to quench the Motions of the Spirit. though many has run out, and gone beyond their Measures, yet many more has quenched the Measure of the Spirit of God, and after became dead and dull, and questioned through a false Fear; and so there hath been hurt doth ways. And therefore be obedient to the Power of the Lord, and his Spirit, and his Spiritual Weapons; War with that Philistian that would stop up your Wells and Springs. Jacob's Well was in the Mountain (read that within) he was the second Birth. And the Belief in the Power keeps the Spring open, and none to despise Prophecy, neither to quench the Spirit; so that all may be kept open to the Spring, that every one's Cup may run over: For you may all Prophesy one by one, All may Prophecy one by one and the Spirit of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets: Would all the Lord's People were Prophets, said Moses in his time, when some found fault; but the last time is the Christians time, which enjoys the Substance, Christ Jesus; and his Church is called a Royal Priesthood, offering up Spiritual Sacrifices; and his Church are his Believers in the Light. And so in the Light every one should have something to Offer; and to Offer an Offering in Righteousness to the living God, else they are not Priests; and such as quenches the Spirit cannot Offer, In the time of God's pouring out of his Spirit upon all Flesh. but becomes dull. I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh, in the last time, saith the Lord, which is the true Christians time, God's Sons and Daughters shall prophesy, and your young Men shall see Visions, and old Men shall dream Dreams; and on my Servants and Handmaids I will pour out of my Spirit in those Days, and they shall Prophesy. Now Friends, if this be fulfilled, Servants, Handmaids, Sons, Daughters, old Men, young Men, every one to feel the Spirit of God, by which you may see the things of God, and declare them to his Praise; for with the Heart Man doth believe, and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation; first, he has it in his Heart, before it comes out of his Mouth; and this is beyond that Brain-beaten-heady stuff, which Man has long studied, about the Saints words, which the holy Men of God spoke forth, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost: So the Holy Ghost moved them, before they came forth and spoke them. And therefore, as I said before, do not resist the Holy Ghost, for they that did so, grew stiffnecked, and their Hearts were uncircumcised; but feel this Holy Ghost, this Spirit of Truth, that leads you into all Truth. So with the Holy Ghost, and with the Light, Build upon Christ the true Foundation. and Power of God, do you build upon Christ the Foundation, and Life, and by the same heavenly Light, and Power, and Spirit, do you Labour in the Vineyard, and do you minister and speak forth the things of God, and do you dig for your Pearls; therefore bring them forth, and let them be seen how they glister, the glistering Pearls. And all come into the Vineyard of God to labour, in the Light, which was before Darkness was, and with the Life, which was before Death and his Power was; and in the Truth and Power of God, which the Devil is out of, that every one of you may have your Penny, that precious Penny, and heavenly Treasure from God Almighty, the great Lord, who is the orderer, and disposer, and governor, and ruler in the Vineyard among his Servants, who pays them their Wages, and gives them their heavenly Penny of Life: Mark, it is the Labourers in the Life, And the Lord will give us the beavenly Penny. Truth, and Power of God, that labours in God's Vineyard, that have their heavenly Penny, that Everlasting Treasure: So see that you have it, if you be in the Labour of Life, you will have it. Friends you see how Men and Women can speak enough for the World, for Merchandise, for Husbandry, the Ploughman for his Blow; but when they should come to speak for God, they quench the Spirit, and say, and do not obey God's Will; but come let us see what the Wife Merchants can say, have they found the Pearl and Field, and purchased the Field, which yields those glorious glistering Pearls, let us see what can you say for God, and that heavenly Merchandise? 1670 What can the Ploughman say for God with his Spiritual Blow? Is the Fallow-Ground Ploughed up? Has he abundance of the heavenly Seed of Life? So what can the heavenly Husbandman say, has he abundance of Spiritual Fruit in store? What can the Thresher say, his he gotten the Wheat out of the Sheaf, the heavenly Wheat, with his heavenly Flail? and let us see, what can the Spiritual Ploughman, Husbandman and Thresher say for God? And how they have laboured in the Vineyard, that they may have their Penny, some are breakers of Clods in the Vineyard, some are Weeders, some are cutting off the Brambles and Bushes, and fitting the Ground, and cutting up the Roots with the heavenly Axe for the Seed, some are Harrowing in, some are gathering and laying up the Riches; so you may see, here are Merchants, Ploughmen, Harrowers, Weeders, Reapers, Many sorts of Labourers in God's Vineyard. Thresher's in God's Vineyard, yet none are to find fault one with another, but every one labouring in their places, praising the Lord, looking to him for their Wages, their heavenly Penny of Life from the Lord of Life: So none are to quench the Spirit, nor to despise Prophecy, lest ye limit the Holy One; and every one is to minister as he hath received the Grace, which hath appeared to all Men, which brings Salvation; so that the Lord's Grace, his Light, and Truth, and Spirit and Power may have the passage, and the rule in all Men and Women, that by it he may have the Glory, and from it in all, who is blessed for ever and for ever. The Lord hath said, From the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great among the Gentiles. Now mark Friends, this is a large Space, wherein God's Name shall be great; and the Lord further saith, Holy and pure Incense is to be offered to God. In every place, Incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a pure Offering; for my Name shall be great among the Heathen, saith the Lord of Hosts. Now mark Friends, this heavenly Incense, and pure Offering, is a spiritual Offering, which is to be offered by the Spirit to God, who is a Spirit; then here none quenches the Spirit of God in their own Hearts, and all such comes under the Title of the Royal Priesthood, offering up Spiritual Sacrifices; which Royal Priesthood has a Priest that lives for ever, Christ Jesus. And Friends, do not quench the Spirit, nor abuse the Power, when it moves and stirs in you, be obedient; but do not go beyond, nor do not add to it, nor take from it; for if you do, you are reproved, either for going beyond, or taking from it: And when any has spoken forth the things of the Lord, by his Power and Spirit, let them keep in the Power and Spirit, and that keeps them in the Humility, that when they have spoken forth the things of God, they are neither higher nor lower, but still keeps in the Power, before and after; and being obedient to the Spirit and Power of God, it keeps them from deadness, and alive to God, and keeps them in a Sense, that they do not go beyond, and run out, as some (you know) have done; and all that hath come for want of living in the Power of God, and in his Spirit, which keeps all things in Subjection and in Order, and in the true Fear of the Lord, always to feel the Presence of the Lord with you. Come Fishermen, what have you catched with your Nets? What can you say for God? Your Brethren Peter and John, Fishermen, could say much for God? Read in the Acts and you may see it; I would not have you degenerate from their Spirit. Shepherds and Herdsmen, where are you? What can you say now for God, whose abiding is much in the Fields? David, Jacob and Amos, your fellow Shepherds and Herdsmen (do not you see) they could say much for God; I would have you to be like them, and not to degenerate from their Spirit. Come Tradesmen, Tent-makers', Physicians and Custom-Men, what can you say for God? Do not you read that your fellow Tradesmen in Ages past could say much for God? Do not degenerate from their Spirit. Do not you remember the Accusations of the wise and learned Grecians, when the Apostles preached Christ among them, that they were called Poor Tradesmen and Fishermen? Therefore be Faithful. The Preachers of Jesus Christ now, are the same to the Wise of the World as then. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 276. live in Peace, and Love, and Patience one with another, for that doth edify the Body, and Strife doth not, but doth eat out the Good; To live in Peace and Love. for the Body doth edify itself in Love; in which there is Nourishment, and Virtue, and Life from the Head; so in that meet and build up one another. Dear Hearts be faithful, and live in the Life, and Power, and Seed of God, and in Love and Peace one with another. And so the God of Peace in it preserve you. Peace be among you, and live in that which keeps Peace; for the Peacemakers are blessed: And all strive for that which makes for Peace; and they that are Lowest, and so keeps, receives the most from God. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 277. when you were formerly in a Profession, you took your Servants, your Apprentices, your Children along with you to your Places of Worship. Care in training up Friends Children and Servants. And now, that you are come to Truth, and are convinced that the same is the Truth of God, through which you come to have a Portion and Inheritance of Life and Salvation, and of a Kingdom and World which hath no end, and into a Possession of that which formerly you did profess in Words. Now therefore, Friends, you that are come to this Possession, and go into the Assemblies of the People of God, that be gathered into his Name (where Salvation is) and in no other Name under Heaven, but in the Name of Jesus Christ: Is it not more Reputable for you, to take your Servants, And bring them to Meetings. Apprentices, Children and Maidens along with you to the Meetings, to be partakers of the Eternal Truth, that they may have a Possession with you of the same that you do possess? For, if you should leave them behind, and be careless of them, they are many of them apt to run into Liberty, and to Looseness, and to Plays, and to Tippling-Houses, and so into lose Company: Such Liberty hath been a great hurt to Youth, and the Truth hath been much dishonoured thereby: And such do not only lose the Wisdom of God, and the true Understanding given to them by his Son, but the Reason of Men in these Practices. And then after you may come to find fault with your Servants, Children, etc. and for a small matter put some of them away, when the Fault is in yourselves, that you did not take them along with you to the Meetings, and govern them in the Wisdom of God, and true Understanding and Knowledge; which is to know the true God, and his Son Jesus Christ, who he hath sent; whom to know is Life Eternal: By which Liberty such do not keep Authority over them; for you should bring them to the Meetings with you, to wait upon the Lord. For truly my Life hath been often burdened through the want of restraining them of that Liberty they run into; wherein you should be more Prudent, Wise and Careful, and should keep more in your Dominion and Authority in the Life, Power and Seed, in which you have the true Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding. Therefore consider of these things in all your Families, and remember the time of your former Professions, wherein you exercised the Reason of Men, as to bring your Servants, etc. to an outward Profession. Now you being come to a Possession of Life, take heed lest you lose the right Reason, Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge. Therefore rouse up yourselves, that you may exercise the right Wisdom and Understanding in that which lives for ever, and is and will remain when all the contrary is gone; Master's to be good Patterns to their Children and Serwants. into which all must be brought; that in that you may be good Patterns and Examples in all your Families, and bring them forth with you to your Meetings, that they may find the Substance of that which you did formerly profess in Words: And now you enjoying the Substance, be more careful, be more diligent and circumspect, that God may be glorified throughout all your Families, and his Name may be called upon, and honoured, and exalted, who is God over all, blessed for ever. And Friends, some among you breed up your Children not as when you were in a Profession only, in such a rude, heady Way, that when they grow up, they do not matter you, nor care for you; so they are not a Blessing and a Comfort to you; but in many Things they are worse than many of the World's, more lose, stubborn and disobedient: Which Truth teaches no such things, but brings more into Humility, and Meekness, and Gentleness, and Tenderness; so that when they come to be set to Apprentice, many times they run quite out into the World: And therefore, by the Power, and Life, and Wisdom of God, these things you must take notice of, that all such may be brought into, and kept in subjection by the Power of God, that God may be honoured and glorified, through the breaking of the stubborn Will in them, and subjecting them to Truth; and let them all know their Places, and not to give way to that which may get over you; so than you will not know how to rule them at last, but bring a Grief, and Sorrow, and Trouble upon you, as too many Examples may be seen. Therefore while they are young restrain them from such things, and every one in the Life, and Power and Seed of Truth, And to restrain Youth from evil Practices. keep your Authority, and lose not the true Wisdom and Understanding given you by Christ, nor the true Knowledge, nor true Reason, which gives to distinguish good from bad; but in all things keep your Authority which is given to you of God, and your Places in it; for they that fear and worship the Lord, shall have a Place with him: And in the Power, and Life and Wisdom of God, you will breed up and govern your Sons and Daughters, Servants and Prentices, and cause them to keep in their Places, and in the Power of God answer the Good in them all: For an outward Father or Mother, over their Families, Apprentices and Maidens, are to keep all things that are outward, civil and subject in their Places, with Reason and true Wisdom: And such as come to be Fathers in Truth, are to train them up in the Truth, and to exercise that Wisdom, and that Knowledge and Understanding which is beyond the outward: Therefore in it they should train them up in the Truth, through which all should be free; not in the Eye-service of Men, but serving the Lord in Righteousness and Diligence, in their Services: That they may be Partakers of the heavenly Life, and come to be Heirs of Salvation, and Children of the Promise, and Sons and Daughters of Zion, to whom Christ is elect and precious, and through him their Conversations may be brought up into heavenly Things, and their Minds and Affections to be set on Things above. So Friends, all these Things consider of, in the Life which was before Death was, in the Truth which the Devil is out of, in the Wisdom of God, which is Pure from above, and in the Righteousness, which was before unrighteousness was, that God may be glorified throughout all your Families, who is blessed for ever. G. F. AND Friends, Epist. 278. See that all Apprentices that are bound amongst you may serve out their times faithfully, according to Covenant, that all may know their Places; Apprentices faithfully to serve out their Times. for Youth if they be let lose are like wild Asses, and wild Heisers; and such many times bring a great dishonour to God, by running into Looseness; which are more fit to be under Rule and Order than to Rule; and through a foolish Pity of some, they let up a great deal of Airiness and Wildness in them: All which should be kept under by the Power of God, wherein the Honour of the Lord may be preserved; and so, that Liberty may not be given to Youth in those Cases; for the true Liberty is in Christ Jesus, which gives Authority over that which will dishonour God; for many such things hath spoiled several, in letting unbridled Youth at Liberty, in taking the Reins to themselves, and brought Trouble upon their Parents, Masters and Mistresses, and great dishonour upon God: Let care be taken, that Truth suffer not about such things, and that none buy out their Time without the Consent of their Parents or Guardians; or, And none buy eut their Times without Consent of Parents, etc. in the want of them, to advise with the Mothly-Meetings. For do you not see what Hurt hath been done in such Cases? Wherefore keep all such, under the Yoke; and hinder and stop Wickedness and Looseness that would break forth. So in all such things you should exercise the pure Wisdom of God, the pure Reason, Knowledge and Understanding; and in the Authority of it keep, that none under a Profession of Truth be let into Looseness; whereas Youth should be kept under a Bridle and Restraint, and be nurtured and trained up in the Fear and Wisdom of God, that the Power of God and God's Truth may have its Passage through all, and over all; and all Lightness, Frothiness, Wildness and Looseness may be kept down: So that the Good may be kept up in all, to honour and to glorify the Lord God Almighty, who is blessed for evermore, who Reigns among us. G. F. The Substance of a General Epistle. 1670 ALL Friends, every where, Epist. 279. who are Friends of Christ the heavenly Man, by whom the World was made, and are become Friends of God through Christ Jesus, who are quickened by Jesus, and made alive by him, who were dead in Old Adam, and now are made alive by the Second Adam, and have drank his Blood, through which you have Life, and by which you come from among the Congregations of the dead, who only talk of his Blood and his Flesh. And now being gathered in the Name of Jesus, Friends to keep cheir Meetings in the Name of Jesus. who hath made you alive, in the Name of him, whose Blood you have drank, yea even of the heavenly Man's, which is his Life; and so are come out of your native Countries, Religions and Worships, and left the old Stuff behind, who are gotten a top of the old House, and will not go down again to fetch out any of the old Stuff. I say, ye that are gathered in the Name of Jesus, the heavenly Man, out of the Old Adam, and are made alive by the heavenly Man, keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus. Then it is he, that is persecuted, if you be persecuted; and he, Christ suffers in his persecuted Members. that suffers; for in all your Afflictions and Sufferings, he is with you, who are made alive by him, and have drank his Blood, and so are come to be faithful Witnesses of Christ Jesus, as all that are made alive by him are, and have drank his Blood; for they that have not drank his Blood, and are not made alive by him, are no true Witnesses of Christ Jesus. And therefore you that the Lord hath gathered, and sought and searched out, who have been scattered in this cloudy dark Day (since the Apostles Days of Light) and have been made a Prey upon, by the Hireling Shepherds, and have been left to the Wolves by the flying of the Hirelings, whom you thought had been true Men, and now the Lord hath sought and searched, and found and gathered you from their Mouths, to whose Mouths you have been a Prey; and the Lord is known to feed you a top of the Mountains with his heavenly Bread, and he hath set one Shepherd over you (the heavenly Man) who lives for ever, who is the Shepherd over all the Living, that are made alive by him; and so the Lord hath the Glory of seeking and of gathering you out of the Wildernesses, Pits, Graves and Ditches of Old Adam and the Serpent, and from him Brambles and Briars; and so Christ, by whom the World was made, is the Rest of the Living, that he hath made alive, and is their Shepherd, to feed them with Life, and with the Springs of Life, and is the Bishop of their Souls, that doth Oversee them, that they do not go out of the Pastures of Life, and from the Springs of Life, nor from the Fold of Life. It is a glorious Pasture, to be fed a top of all the Mountains in the Life, in the Pastures of Life, by the living Shepherd, and to be overseen by the living Bishop, and to be sanctified, and to be presented to God by the living Priest, and to be counselled by the living Counselsor to an Everlasting Inheritance, and to a Kingdom, and to a World, that hath no End, by an everlasting Priest, that sanctifies and offers you to God without Spot or Wrinkle, a perfect Offering, who sprinkles your Consciences and Hearts with his Blood, that you may serve the living God, and not the dead Works among the Dead. And now you having an Everlasting Preacher, Christ the Everlasting Minister, etc. whom God hath anointed to preach, and an Everlasting Minister, that ministers Grace, and Life, and Salvation, and Truth to you; an Everlasting Prophet that God hath raised up, who s to be heard; all the Living hear him, but the Dead talk but of his Fame; So none can silence or stop the Mouth of them whom he opens, or take away your Shepherd, your Bishop, your Minister, your Freacher, your Prophet, your Councillor, etc. And therefore let him have your Ears, harken to him, let him be set up in your Hearts, who was set up from Everlasting to Everlasting by the Father, whom all the Righteous Witness, Christ Jesus, who is your Possession, being Heirs with him, by whom all the living are made alive; and so in him live, by whom the World was made, who was glorified with the Father before the World began. So in Christ the heavenly Man, you have rest, but in old Adam (the Transgressor) you have no rest; there is the Wilderness, Sodom, Egypt, Babylon and Confusion. For God blessed Abraham in his obeying of his Commands, when he went from his Native Country, and Relations; yea, and made him a Prince. So they that are redeemed out of Kindred's and Tongue's, Christ makes as Princes, to overcome the Prince of Darkness. And Abraham was to walk before God, who was perfect, and he was to be perfect; so must all who are of the Faith of Abraham. Abraham saw Christ's Day, and did rejoice; but Thousands now come to enjoy the Day that Abraham saw. The outward Jews did eat of the Manna in the Wilderness, and disobeyed, and perished; The blessed effects of eating of the Flesh of Christ. but they that eat of the Flesh of Christ, and drink his Blood, have Life Everlasting; and this gives an Eternal Life, by which they come to an Eternal Possession, and to the Land of the Living, as the outward Jews came to possess the Land of Canaan: And so you that are Heirs of Christ, the heavenly Man, and are come to possess him (whom he hath made alive) stand fast, now is your time to stand; stand in the Life, which was before Death, or the King of it was; stand in the Light, which was before Darkness, or the Prince of it was; and stand in the Power of God, which was before the Devil was; and sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, who was set up from Everlasting to Everlasting. And therefore keep your Faith in the Lord; for he is the same, who hath given you Dominion, through Faith over the Mountains of Opposition, by which they have been subdued, and by which the Fiery Darts have been quenched: And hath not this been fulfilled, In all their Afflictions he was Afflicted; Have Faith in Christ in time of Trial. and that the Angel of his Presence should be with them in their Trials and Sufferings: So the Lord hath a tender Care of his Sheep, his People, that the Angel of his Presence should be with them in all their Trials. And therefore let your Minds be out of all outward things, and visibles; and fear not the Fleece, for it will grow again; and if the Lord should try you now, with the spoil of outward things, after he hath blessed you with them, to see whether your Minds be with them, or with him. Therefore now stand, having on the whole Armour of God, and his Righteousness; and your Feet shod with the Power of God, which was before the Devil was, this will keep you from slipping; and have on the Armour of Light, to stand against Darkness; and the Breastplate of Righteousness, which is Armour-proof, against the Devil and his Fiery Darts; and keep the Shield of Faith, and Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and the Helmet of Salvation, that preserves the Head in all Battles, with the Devil and his Instruments. And thus with your heavenly Armour and Arms stand, and keep your Possession of Life, who are brought out of Spiritual Egypt, Sodom and Babylon, having one to go before you, the Captain of your Salvation (Christ Jesus) who was before Moses and Joshua were; and see how the Children of God all along in the Scriptures through Faith had the victory; Daniel by Faith, the three Children by Faith, Abraham by Faith, The Excellency of Faith. Joshua by Faith, and Caleb by Faith; and the other Spies, which had no Faith, and the Elders among the outward Jews and the People, how they fell through Unbelief; but by Grace through Faith the Just were saved, by Faith they had victory, and by Faith they pleased God; and therefore keep in the Faith, and you will have the Water of Life, and the Bread of Life, from above; and stand still in the Faith, for the Just live by Faith; and they that had not Faith to Believe, they perished; and Christ hath taught all how to believe, To Believe in the Light. who hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World, he saith, Believe in the Light; which was a blessed Doctrine of the heavenly Man; for, you believing in the Light, you believe in that which makes manifest all Things, all Fruits, all Creatures, all Religions and Worship; for the Light was before they all were, and will be when they are all gone: Therefore Believe in the Light, saith the heavenly Man, who teacheth what to believe in; for whatsoever is made manifest, is made manifest by the Light: So to believe in the Light, that doth make manifest all things that are reprovable, therein you will become Children of the Light, and Children of the Day, and Sons of God, And so will become Children of the Light. and Daughters of God, and Sons of Zion, and Daughters of Zion, the heavenly Zion, the heavenly Joy; and so herein you come to be of the Royal Family, above all the Families of the Earth, above all the Households of the Earth, a Household of God, the Workmanship of God, the Planting of God, the Building of God, the Household of Faith; which are Titles higher than all the Titles among Men in the World, in the Creation, Sons and Daughters, and Servants and Hand maids, every Man to enjoy something in the Household. Every one to have an Inheritance (of their own) of Life, that they may offer to God of their heavenly Substance, who are called a Royal Priesthood; that is, a Kingly Priesthood over the Devil, and over Adam, in a Possession of a Spiritual Kingdom, and of a World that hath no End, and of an heavenly durable Substance and Riches which are Spiritual; and so to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices to God, who is a Spirit. So now the time of Trying is, therefore all to stand, To stand faithful in time of Trial. and see if there be any thing able to separate you from Christ, who is from Everlasting to Everlasting, who is First and Last, who makes an end of Sin, and finishes Transgression, and destroys the Devil and his Works, and is the Top and Cornerstone, the Possession of all the Righteous, the Rest and Sabbath of all the Righteous, that have drank his Blood, whom he hath made alive. So in Christ you shall bear no burden, for he destroys that which oppresses both Man and Beast; and in Christ you shall not go out to gather your Meat, who is your Sabbath and Rest; but in old Adam there is no Rest, in the second Adam the heavenly Man, there is the Rest; and in him, to wit, Christ the heavenly Man, you need not go out to gather your Meat. For he is the Bread of Life, Christ is the Bread of Life, and living Way to God. that comes down from above, in him stand, and sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, who was with the Father before the World began, who is your Way to God; which Way was set up above Sixteen Hundreds Years since, before all these got up, among the Papists and Protestants, who is the New and Living Way to all who are made alive by him, and drink his Blood: The Dead make dead Ways for the Dead to walk in; but mind you Christ's Worship, which was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years since, by himself, in the Spirit and Truth, whereby every one comes to the Truth, the Spirit of God in his own Heart; in which Truth and Spirit he worships the God of Truth (who is a Spirit) and feels him always present. Now to Worship God in the Truth, is that which the Devil and old Adam is out of; and this is the perfect and standing Worship; and People that have lost this Worship, that Christ set up, they have set up so many false Worships among Protestants and Papists, and compelling one another to them, since they have lost the peaceable Truth, in which the God of Peace is worshipped. And enough all prize the standing Truth, To stand in the Liberty which Christ gives. and walk as becomes, the Gospel, the Power of God, which was before the Devil was, which destroys the Devil and his Works; and so, Stand fast in the Liberty where with Christ hath made you free; yea, free from the Devil and old Adam; for the freedom is in him, in Christ, and not in the Devil, who is out of Truth, nor in old Adam; yea, Christ is able to deliever out of the Six Troubles, and the Seventh Trouble, the perfection of Trouble; he who is the Perfection itself, so he is the Deliverer and Mediator, Who is our Deliverer, Mediator and Intercessor. and the Intercessor, that makes Peace betwixt you and God: So in Christ (who is the Deliverer) is the Peace and the Rest; yea, an everlasting Rest, he was set up over all Troubles, and Persecutions, and Persecutors, who was before they were, glorified with the Father before the World began, and he will be when they are all gone, as I said before, all that have drank his Blood, and are made alive by him, have Life; yea, a Possession that will never have an end; but them that are Dead in old Adam, are against Christ, who is the Life, till he make them alive by Believing in the Light; and then they become the Congregation of the Living. And these are them that are gathered together by the Lord; and them that are not gathered together by the Lord, but by Men, to themselves, they come to be scattered: Now the Congregation of the Living, they have drank the Blood of Jesus, that are alive by him, and so are gathered together by him, the heavenly Man, and he is in the midst of them, to preserve them, and exercife his Offices among them, as a Shepherd, and a Bishop, and a Prophet, etc. And these are the living Members, who have a living Head, Christ Jesus; and that saying comes to be fulfilled, Thy dead Men shall live together, with my dead Body shall they arise; so come to live with Christ Jesus. And they are the Congregation of the Dead, that believes not in the Light, nor drinks the Blood of Jesus, but Death and Destruction talks of him, and of God, and his Prophets and Apostles words; and they come to set their House upon the Sand, To build upon the Rock, Christ Jesus. and so are the Fools; and then a Storm arises upon the Sea, and their House is presently in the Sea again, and there they are drowned; the House sits so nigh the Sea, that in a little Storm they are drowned, they are so nigh the World: But the Wise Men sets their House upon the Rock, and the Rock is Christ, the Life, who was before the World was, and will stand over all; and they that are built upon it, the Storms and and Tempests cannot move their Rock, nor their House. So here is the Wisdom of the Wise, who build their House upon him, by whom all things was created, who is the Rock of Ages: So in all Storms they keep to their House, and they meet in Him, and are gathered in Him, and He is their Head and Counsellor, to order them; and in Him they all please God; and in Christ Jesus are one another's Crown and Life; and so through him they have all a Crown of Life, who was with the Father before the World began: So in him sit down, over all the windy Doctrines, that tosses the Chaff abroad in the World. I say, in Christ sit down, in him who was before the World was, for out of him is all wearisomeness, but in him ye have rest. G. F. ALL Dear Friends every where, who have no Helper but the Lord, Epist. 280. who is your Strength and your Life, Let your Cries and Prayers be to him, from whom all your help and strength comes; God is the only Help of his People. who with his Eternal Power, hath kept up your Heads above all Waves and Storms, let none go out of their Habitations in the stormy Time of the Night, and stand in his Lot, the Seed Christ Jesus, to the end of the Day. There is the Lot of your Inheritance, and in this Seed you will see the Bright and Morning Star appear, which will expel the Night of Darkness that hath been in your Hearts; by which Morning Star you will come to the Everlasting Day, which was before Night was. So every one feel this Bright Morning Star in your Hearts there to expel the Darkness. G. F. DEar Friends, The Truth of God mind, and his pure holy Power, Epist. 281. which the Lord hath made you partakers of, by his good Spirit. Grieve not the Spirit. O let not his Spirit be grieved by you: Let that be mortified that would get up to grieve or quench the Spirit, for that will corrupt your Reason, Understanding and Knowledge; and that which gives you to know God and Christ, that's Life Eternal. And all have a care that you do not abuse the Power, Nor abuse the Power. nor crucify to yourselves the Seed afresh, but let that be crucified by the Seed; in which Seed you have Life Eternal: And therefore prise the Truth above all things. Now you have Liberty to spread it abroad; for you are called to Righteousness and Holiness, without which none shall see God. Therefore mind your High Calling in God, out of lod Adam, into Christ Jesus, the second Adam; and keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus, and feel him in the midst of you, who is your Life and Salvation; and that all occasions and stumbling-blocks may be taken away, so that the precious Truth may be minded by you all, wherein all are to live in Unity, and walk in Peace, Live in Unity, Peace, etc. with the God of Peace, and one with another; that all your Springs may be kept open, and all your Fountains may run with living Water; and all your Candles may burn, and every one may have Bread on his own Table in his Temple, and his Rod budding there, that he may be known to be a Priest of the Royal Priesthood. So that all may have Salt in yourselves, that you may be good for something; for if you be not the good Salt, you cannot make the Earth savoury. Therefore all keep in the Sense of Truth, and be digging for the Pearl in your own Field, and to find the Silver in your own House, that was lost, and the Leaven in your own Hearts; that where it works, and is joined to, will leaven into its own Nature. So in all your Meetings, be faithful in the Power and Life, that you may be watered by the Spring of Life, that you may grow. And so whatever Strife, or whatever runs out, Eat all occasion of Offence. or whatever occasion of Offence has been, let the Seed of God rise, and put all that down in All; that all you, in the everlasting Seed, the second Adam, may have your Peace, Familiarness, and Kindness, and Affableness, and Courteousness, and Gentleness, and Love, one with and towards another; for the Power of the Lord God is over all, and his Everlasting Seed, Christ Jesus, reigns over all, in whom is Eternal Fellowship, Peace and Unity, and not in old Adam; for old Adam's Sons and Daughters may get the words of Christ, and of the Prophets, and Apostles, but are out of their Life, as their Practice speaks. And therefore it's the Life that differs, and the New way differs from the Old, and the Religion that's above, from that which is below; and the Worship Christ set up above 16 Hundred Years ago, from all them that are made since, amongst the Nominal Christians; and the Fellowship of God in the Spirit and Gospel, differs from all the Fellowships that have been made since the Apostles Days, and the Liberty in Christ, in the Gospel, in the Spirit, is far above the Liberty of old Adam in the Flesh, in the Sin, the Wages of which is Death; here no false Liberty can be in the Spirit, and in the Power of the Gospel, and in Christ Jesus; nor no false Freedom in the Truth, for all false Freedom is out of the Truth; and therefore keep over all those false Liberties and false Freedoms: In old Adam, and his Spirit, and Power of God, that's holy and pure, without Spot. So no more, but my Love in the Holy Seed, that's over all. To be read in all Friends Meetings: And send Copies of this to Maryland, Virginia, Barbadoes, New-England, etc. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 282. in the Seed that bruises the Serpent's Head, and destroyeth the Devil and his Works, live; and in the Light, which is the Life, In Christ the Seed who bruiseth the Serpents Head. in the Word, by which all things were made; which Light, and Life, and Word, doth hammer, and cut down, and condemn, and judge, all evil Words and Works, and the Spirit of them, that is out of the Light, Life, Seed, and Word of Reconciliation; in this, I have Unity with you, and in this all true Believers are reconciled to God, and one to another, Is our Unity and Fellowship. and in it is the heavenly Wisdom, in which is the holy and spiritual Fellowship preserved, over that short, brikle, defaming and unconstant Spirit, which must be kept down with the Spirit of God that doth not change, which hath been crucified by the Wicked; but the Seed of Life doth slay the Enmity, and in Life and Power reigns over it: Glory to the Lord God for ever, Amen. G. F. To Friends at Bristol in time of Suffering. DEar Friends, Epist. 283. Now is the Time for you to stand; therefore put on the whole Armour of God, from the Crown of the Head unto the Soles of your Feet, To public Men to keep their Testimony. that you may stand in the Possession of Life: And you that have been Public Men, and formerly did travel abroad, mind to keep up your Testimony, both in the City and in the Countries, that you may encourage Friends, to keep up their Meetings as usual there-away; so that none faint in the time of Trial; but that all may be encouraged, both small and great, to stand faithful to the Lord God, and his Power and Truth; that their Heads may not sink in the Storms, but may be kept up above the Waves. So, go into your Meeting-Places as at other times: And keep up your Public Testimony, and visit Friends , now in this time of Storm; for there is your Crown, in the Universal Power and Spirit of God. So let your Minds, In the time of Persecution. and Souls and Hearts be kept above all outward and visible things. Few travel now the Countries: It may be well to visit them, lest any should faint. Stir up one another in that which is Good, and to faithfulness in the Truth, this Day. And let your Minds be kept above all visible things; for God took Care for Man in the Beginning, and set him above the Works of his Hands: And therefore mind the heavenly Treasure, that will never fade away; and dwell in the Seed, in which you may know your Election. It's hard for me to give forth in Writing what is before me, because of my bodily weakness; but I was desirous in some measure to ease my Mind, desiring that you may stand fast, and faithful to Truth. Of my Travels and Weakness it's like you have heard, and of my Affliction, both by them that are without, and also by them that are within, which are hard to be uttered and spoken. My Love is to all faithful Friends. The 2d of the 11th Mouth, 1670. G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren, See that all live in the peaceable and blessed Truth, into which no Enmity can come; Epist. 284. for the blessed Seed, Christ Jesus, takes away the Curse; They who receive Christ, receive Power to become the Sons of God. the Increase of whose Government there is no End; who rules in Righteousness amongst the Righteous for ever. And see that this Righteousness, (in which you all have Peace) run down and flow as a Stream among you, who are begotten again into a lively Hope, and born again by the Immortal Seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides for ever. And you who have received Christ, have received Power to become the Sons of God, and to believe in the Light, in Obedience to Christ's Command; by which you become Children of the Light, and Children of the Day: Therefore this I say unto you, Let no Man abuse this Power, that is Everlasting; and keep the Gospel-Order, which was before any Impurity was, and will be when it is gone. So that in all your Men and Womens-Meetings, see that Virtue flow, and see that all your Words be gracious, and see that Love flows, which bears all things, that Kindness, Tenderness and Gentleness may be among you, and that the Fruits of the good Spirit may abound; That Love, Kindness, and Gentleness abound. for nothing that is unclean must enter into God's Kingdom, which stands in Righteousnss, and in Holiness, and in the Power of God, and in the Joy of the Holy Ghost: For all Joy that is out of the Holy Ghost, will have an End. And see in all your Men and Womens-Meetings, that God be no ways dishonoured, nor the pure and blessed Name of Christ (in which you are gathered) be blasphemed; but in all things that God may be glorified, exalted, and honoured; And to take Care that nothing be lacking among the Poor. for you have the Light, to see all Evil, and the Power to withstand it, And to take Care that nothing be lacking among the Poor. and to see, that nothing be lacking, than all will be well among you, in all your Men and Womens-Meetings. And see that nothing be lacking, neither within, nor without, for God is rich in both, and abundance of his Riches you have received. And so this is a Warning and a Charge to you all, in the Presence of the Living God, that you keep up the Testimony of Jesus, against all that which is contrary to Jesus the heavenly Man, that your Fruits may appear to his Glory, and your Works to his Praise; and that you may have Water in your own Cisterns and know those Clouds through which Christ gives you Rain, having purchased the Field wherein the Pearl lies; and now is the Spring time that the Lily and the Rose gins to flourish, and the Power of the Lord God, who is over all. And keep your Testimony for your Religion, that you have received from God, and for your Worship in the Spirit and in the Truth, that Christ Jesus hath set up; and for your Gospel-Fellowship which is in the Power of God, before the Devil was: And see that all live in Peace and in the Love of God, for Love edifieth the Body; for he who is the Head of it, is the beloved of God, who is from Everlasting to Everlasting. And see that every one's Affections be set on things above, To set our Affections upon things above. and not upon things below that be Earthly; for now is the time to contend for the Faith, that gives Victory, which was once delivered to the Saints, in which you have Unity. And so the God of Power preserve you all, and keep you in his blessed Seed (to wit) Christ Jesus, that none of you may be without a Minister, without a Priest, or without a Prophet, or without a Shepherd, or without a Bishop, but let every one receive him in his Offices: Then you all have One, who will exercise his Offices in you all, whom God hath given for a Leader and a Covenant; yea, an Everlasting Leader, who was the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles, and is to us this Day. And so be Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, in the Seed Christ Jesus, that through him who Destroys Death, you may have a Crown of Life; and through him you may be one another's Crown and Joy in the Lord; yea, I say, through Christ, who was glorified with the Father before the World began. I am just now upon leaving this Island, where I have had very great and blessed Service; though I underwent very great Weights, and Burdens, and Sufferings, and Travels: But all is well, and the blessed Seed and Power is over all; to whom be Glory for evermore. Amen, Amen. G. F. DEar Friends, This is the Counsel of the Lord to you all, who are brought into the Eternal Truth of God, Epist. 285. whose Minds are guided out of the Earth up to God, and have received their Wisdom from God; which Wisdom order all the Creatures; To receive Wisdom from God. that with it you may come to know, how to order in the Creation, with the Wisdom by which all was made: This I charge you, and warn you all, in the Presence of the Living God, That you suffer no Creature to perish for want of the Creatures, and that none be lost through Sloathfulness, Laziness and Filthiness; and let not these things be, which are for Condemnation with the Light that leads to the Wisdom, To Order the Creation. with which the Creation must be ordered. And Friends, let there be no Sloathfulness among you; but all keep in Diligence and Liveliness: For he that is Slothful, he is an evil Example; and such must be judged with the Light, that they may come to know the Servants Place, and be Diligent. And such as have gone up and down begging, which you have received in amongst you, with the Light which hath convinced them, And to Inccurage Industry. see that they be kept in Diligence, and not wander, but be kept in Obedience to the Light, to receive their Wisdom from God, how to Labour in the Creation; and see that they have things decent and necessary, and that their Nakedness may be covered, that no Reproach nor Shame may come upon the Truth, from such as are without; but that with the Light all such may be denied, who act contrary to it; and in the Light, which condemns the evil World, ye may walk, and receive the Light of the Son of God (which the World stumbles at, which is their Condemnation) and in which the Saints have Unity. And all being kept diligent, walking in the Light, there will be no Sloathfulness. For that is judged with the Light, And Condemn that which is Evil. which is one with that in his Conscience, which condemns him for Evil. This to go among Friends every where. G. F. FRiends, When you are met together, Epist. 286. in the Name of Jesus your Saviour, let your Minds be over all to him, and out of all things that changeth and perisheth and dieth of itself, and will corrupt, Our Mind to be over all things which perisheth and is visible, up to him that is invisible, the Lord God, and his Son Jesus Christ, that you may see him and feel him among you, and in your Meetings, in his Life, and Light, and Power, and Spirit; and that you may know that God is, and that he is the Rewarder of all them that diligently seek him; and to know that God is present: And that which giveth the knowledge of him, is the Light that shineth in the Heart, in the Face of Jesus Christ, and so see him in all your Troubles and Afflictions; and that God is present, God is present beholding our most secret Thoughts. beholding all your Actions done in your Bodies, and your Consenting to your Evil Thoughts, Lusts, or Motions; the Thoughts, what you will speak, or act; or Motions which you have not acted outwardly; but if you do consent to do them in your Mind or Heart, the Lord seethe them there to be done, though they be not done outwardly to the sight of Men; and so to God you must give an account of things done in your Bodies, and of things done out of the Body; for God both heareth, and seethe what is done in the Body, and what is said, and done without the Body; and therefore turn from the Evil that leadeth to destruction, and judge it, and yourselves for cleaving to it; and turn to the Lord, and know him who is mighty to save, and to reward all them that diligently seek him, who is Almighty in his Power to save and deliver, and to help in time of need. So know him that was from Everlasting to Everlasting: And here thou knowest God in his Power, Light, Kingdom of God stands in Righteousness. and Life, and Righteousness, which his Kingdom stands in, in that Righteousness, and Power, and Holy Ghost, and Peace, that never will have an End; and is over all Kingdoms that will have an End, and are unclean; and any unclean and imperfect thing may enter into them; and in them is Troubles, Tumults, and Sin, and not Peace, but Sorrow: But into the Kingdom of God, no imperfect thing entereth, nor Sin, nor any unclean thing: For the Kingdom of God standeth in Righteousneass, and Everlasting Peace, and in Joy in the Holy Ghost. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 287. Consider you that have known the Mercies of the Lord God, To remember the Mercies of the Lord. and of Jesus Christ: Look back, and see (how) them that had known much of God, how soon they forgot him, as in the Days of the old World, and in the Days of Moses, and in the Days of the Judges, how they soon forgot God, that had done great things for them, and forsook God, and his Way, and Religion and Worship, and followed such Gods as Men had made. And in the Days of the Prophets, how the People forsook the Lord God; and in the Days of Christ and his Apostles, how they were mostly gone astray from God; though they kept an outward Profession of their Words, yet denied Christ in his Light, and Life, and Power; who was the End of the Law and the Prophets. Many of old Time forsock the Truth, and ran into Error. And them that did receive Christ Jesus, and believed in him, in a few Ages after the Apostles, how most of Christendom ran from the Life into Death, and ran from the Light into Darkness; and into Error, from the Holy Spirit, and into Babylon, which is Confusion; and from the Worship in the Spirit, and in the Turth, that Christ set up, and follwed after the Worship of the Beast and the Dragon; and went from the true Church, after the Whore; and from Christ, the Way to God, after the Ways that Men had made; and from the Religion that is Pure from above, after the Religions that Men have made. And so, now the Gospel is preached again, Now the Gospel is preached again. and the Living Way (Christ) to the Living God, and his Religion and his Worship is set up and received of many, and they come to the true Worship, which is in God. And all be Faithful, All be faitbful. and take heed of running back again, where you were before, lest you and your Children perish, as others have done, that forsook the Lord God for Mercies. And therefore train up your Children in the Fear of God, and in the Way of Christ, and in his Worship and Religion, that they may observe and keep in it, when you are gone. And walk in the Spirit and Truth, And walk in the Spirit, and keep in the Order of the Gospel. in which God is worshipped, and keep in the Order of the Gospel, in the Power of God, which was before the Devil was; which Power of God will keep you Pure to God, that nothing may get betwixt you and the Lord God. And be obedient to the Law, that God hath written in your Hearts, and put in your Minds, that you may be the Children of the New Covenant; and that you may be the Royal Priesthood, offering up to God the Spiritual Sacrifices. And sitting under your Teacher, the Grace of God, which bringeth Salvation, and seasoneth your Words, and establisheth your Hearts. And this Grace saveth, and is sufficient, saith God Almighty: And you need no Man to teach you, but as the same Anointing doth teach you to know all things; which Anointing abideth in you: And hearken all what the Righteosness of Faith saith, speaking on this wise, Rom. 10.6, 7, 8. The Word is nigh thee, even in thy Heart and in thy Mouth, to obey it and do it; That thou need not say, Who shall ascend to bring Christ from above, or descend to bring Christ from the Grace, etc. for that is the Word of Faith which we do Preach. G. F. To Friends in Carolina. DEar Friends, to whom is my Love in the blessed Seed, Epist. 288. which bruiseth the Head of the Serpent, and is over all, and changeth not, which is the First and Last, in whom you have Life and Peace with the God of Peace. So you few that are that ways, keep your Meetings, Keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus. and meet together in the Name of Jesus, whose Name is above every Name, and Gathering is above every Gathering; and there is no Salvation in any other Name, but by the Name of Jesus; and you Gathering in his Name, where Salvation is; he is your Prophet, your Shepherd, your Bishop, your Priest, in the midst of you, to open to you, and to sanctify you, and to feed you with Life, and to quicken you with Life; wait in his Power and Light, that ye may be Children of the Light, by believing in the Light, which is the Life in Christ; that you may be grafted into him, the true Root, and built upon him, the true Foundation, Who is the Foundation of his People. who was the Foundation of the holy Prophets and Apostles, and of all the holy Martyrs, and is the Foundation of all his holy People now; and is the Rock of Ages, yea, of the Ages of the Prophets, and of the Ages of his Apostles, and of the Ages of his People now, and Martyrs, who kept them above the Raging of the Seas, and doth now; which Rock the Wise Men builds upon, the Rock that stands against all the Storms and Tempestuous Wether. And therefore be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth, and his good Spirit; and live in it by which you may profit in the things of God, through which ye may answer the Witness of God in all, and the Spirit which they grieve and quench, which they are erred from, through which he may be served, and his Truth spread abroad. So every one in your Measoures' of the Spirit of God and Christ, be faithful, that in it you may increase, and answer the Lord in a good Life and Conversation, for all his Mercies. And as every one hath received the Lord Jesus Christ, so walk in him, that you may serve the Lord in a New Life, and worship him in the Spirit and Truth, which the Devil is out of; and by this Truth you may be made free, by ye may be espoused and married to Christ Jesus, for the Marriage of the Lamb is come and coming. And therefore if you want Wisdom, keep in the Truth, that you may go to the Treasure of Life and of Salvation, that you may be Heirs of the same, and of Life, and Possessors of it: Yea, I say, Heirs of Life, and Inherit that, and that will be more to you, than if all the World was your Portion; and the Riches you lay up there, will stand buy, and be with vyou when time is gone, and shall be no more. For the Truth is the Truth, and changeth not, in which live, and it will be your Peace and Joy everlasting. And in the Seed, Christ Jesus (who bruises the Serpent's Head, who was before the Devil was, glorified with the Father before the World began; and was from Ecverlasting to Everlasting, the First and Last, the Top and Cornerstone in him live, that you may inherit Life Everlasting; and dwell in the Love of God in Christ Jesus, that will edify and build one another up; and therein walk in all Holiness of Life and Conversation, for that becomes God's House; and dwell, and live, and walk in the Peaceable Truth, that keeps you in Peace, and in the Holy Fellowship of the Spirit, the Bond of Peace; by which Spirit you may be led into all Truth, up to God and Christ, from him who is out of the Truth: Amen saith my Soul. G. F. DEar Friends every where, Epist. 289. be faithful to God, who hath been faithful and true to you; therefore be you true to God, and faithful Witnesses to him, To be faithful Witnesses of Christ in time of Persecution. and to Christ Jesus; that now ye may all have Riches and Treasure laid up in store, against a time of want, storms and tempests, that you amy stand; for if you do not stand now, you are as bad as such Professors, who stood only when the Sun shined, and crept out when it was fine and fair Wether, but when a Storm or Tempest came, than they ran creeping into their Holes and Corners, and skulked into by-corners and fled by bace-doors, who were ashamed or their Religion, and what they Professed; but when the Sun did shine, than they showed their Enmity to the Righteous. And therefore be you of the Faith of Dvid, and of his Spirit, who said, I was Young, and now am old: I never saw the Righteous forsaken, nor his Seed begging Bread; and the Lord (to encourage his People) saith, In all their Af-flitions he was Afflicted, and the Angel of his Presence saved them; and Christ tells you, It's he that Suffers and is Persecuted, when his Children are persecuted: And so it's for the Lord's sake that the JusT suffer by the Unjust; and you read how such as suffer the spoiling of their Goods, and Scoffing and Mocking, yet they were not to forsake the Assembling themselves together, as the manner of some was; for they that suffer with Christ shall reign with him; for the Lord, may try you (who hath blessed you with outward things) whether your minds do stand with him, or in the outward things. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 290. Live in Love; for that is of God, and doth edify the Body of Christ, and keep in the Truth of God, which the Devil is out of; To live in Love and Peace with God, and one with another. and walk in Righteousness; and than you will walk in Peace with God, and one with another; and walk in Holiness, for that becomes the House of God, and in Holiness you will see the Holy God among you. And so that you may keep the Unity in the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace, and dwell in Love one with another; for all Eyes in upon you, and some watches for Evil, but do you answer the Good in all, in your Words and Lives. This is the Counsel of the Lord God to you all, and that you may be the Salt of the Earth, and the Light of the World, and as a City set on a Hill that cannot be hid; so that all that do profess Christ and God, may show forth Christ and Godliness in Life and Word. G. F. To all the women's Meetings, that are Belivers in the Truth. FRiends, Keep your women's Meetings in the Power of God, EpisT. 291. which the Devil in out of; and take your Possession of that which your be Heirs of, and keep the Gospel-Order. Man and Woman helps meet in the Image of God. For Man and Woman were helps meet in the Image of God, and in Righteousness and Holiness, in the Dominion before they fell; but after the Fall, in the Transgression, the Man was to rule over his Wife; but in the Restauration by Christ, into the Image of God, and his Righteousness and Holiness again, in that they are helps meet, Man and Woman, as they were in before the Fall. Sarah obeyed Abraham, and called him Lord. Abraham did also obey the Voice of his Wife Sarah, in casting out the Bondwoman and her Son. Dorcas a Woman was a Disciple: So there was a Woman Disciple, as well as Men Disciples; and mind the Women that accompanied her. And Women are to take up the Cross daily, and follow Christ daily, as well as the Men; and so to be taught of him their Prophet, and fed of him their Shepherd, and counselled of him their Councillor, and sanctified by him who offered up himself once for all. And there were Elder Women in the Truth, as well as Elder Men in the Truth; and these Women are to be teachers of good thins; so they have an Office as well as the Men, for they have a Stewardship, and must give an Account of their Stewardship to the Lord, as well as the Men. Deborah was a Judge; Examples of amny good Women. Miriam and Huldah were Prophetesses; old Annah. was a Prophetess, and a Preacher of Christ, to all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem. Marry Magdalen, and the other Marry, were the first Preachers of Christ's Resurrection to the Disciples, and the Disciples could not believe their Message and Testimony that they had from Jesus, as some now adays cannot; but they received the Command and being sent preached it: So is every Woman and Man to do, that sees him risen, and have the Command and Message; Daughters shall Prophesy as well as Sons. So they are to be obedient, that has the Spirit poured upon them: Women are to Prophesy; and Prophecy is not to be quenched. Them that has the Testimony of Jesus, are commanded to keep it, whether Men or Women. Priscilla and Aquilla were both Exhorters and Expounders, or Instructers to Apollo's: So in the Church there were Women Instructers, and Prophetesses, and Daughters Prophetesses in the Church; for Philip had four Virgins that were Prophetesses; and there were Women Disciples in the Church, and Women Elders in the Church, as well as Men. So Women are to keep in the FGovernment of Christ, and to be Obeyers of Christ; and Women are to keep the ComelyOrder of the Gospel, as well as Men, and to see that all that have received Christ Jesus, that they walk in Christ Jesus; and to see that all that has received the Gospel, do walk in the Gospel, the Power of God, which they are Heirs of; for this is a Day for all to keep their Possession in the Gospel-Order, who be Heirs with Christ, of the increase of whose Government there is no end. So the Foundation of our women's Meetings is Christ, to all them that be Heirs of him, and of his Government. And the ground of our Order of the women's Meetings is the Gospel, the Power of God, which was before the Devil was; and all that be Heirs of the Gospel, which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in them, which shines over him that hath darkened them, and was before he was: I say, they are Heirs of the Comely Order of the Gospel; and therefore, I say, take your Possessions of it, and walk as becomes the Gospel; and keep the Comely Order of it, and in it keep your Meetings: And here is the Ground and Foundation of our women's Meetings. Now Mothers of Families, that has the ordering of Children, Maids, and Servants, may do a great deal of Good in their Families, to the making or spoiling of their Children, Maids and Servants; and many things Women may do, and speak of, amongst Women, which is not men's business. So, as I said before, that you, both Men and Women, be helps meet in the Image of God, in the Righteousness and Holiness in the Restoration, as Man and Woman was in the Image of God before they frll; and not only so, but in Christ the Foundation, and in his Gospel that never fell, nor never will fall, whose Foundation stands sure, for all his Members and Heirs to build upon. And so see that nothing be lacking amongst you, than all will be well. And the Elder Women in the Truth were not only called Elders, but Mothers. Postscript. Now a Mother in the Church of Christ, and a Mother in Israel, Mothers in the Church are to feed, cherish, etc. is one that gives Suck, and Nourishes, and Feeds, and Washeses, and Rules, and is a Teacher in the Church, and in the Israel of God, and an Admonisher, an Instructor, an Exhorter. So all that are come to that Office, Growth and Stature, be diligent; for a Mother in Israel, or in the Church of Christ, is beyond all the Mothers in Egypt, and in Sodom, and the Mother of Harlots, Mystery Babylon, who had Power over Tongues, Nations and People, with the Cup of her Fornication: But the Mothers in Spiritual Israel, and Church of Christ, has the Cup of Salvation, and the Breasts of Consolation, which are full of the Milk of the Word, to Suckle all the Young Ones, and to Nourish, and Instruct, Admonish, and Exhort, and Rebuke all the contrary; and to Refresh and Cherish every tender One. So the Elder Women and Mothers are to be teachers of good things, and to be teachers of the Younger and trainers up of them in Virtue, in Holiness, and Godliness, and Righteousness, in Wisdom, and in the Fear of the Lord, in the Church of Christ. And if the Unbelieving Husband is sanctified by the Believing Wife, than who is the Speaker, and who is the Hearer? Surely such a Woman is permitted to speak, and to work the Works of God, and to make a Member in the Church; and then as an Elder, to oversee that they walk according to the Order of the Gospel. G. F. To Friends in New-England, Virginia and Barbadoes. DEar Friends. Epist. 282. Be faithful in the Power of the lord God, in what you know, and then the Lord will preserve you; that you may answer the Witness of God in every Man, whether they are the Heathen, that do not profess Christ, or whether they are such as do profess Christ, that have the Form of Godliness, and be out of the Power. And keep your Meetings, you that know the Power of the Lord, and fell it, that in it you may have Unity with God, and one with another. The Lord God hath a Seed in those parts, who shall be Heirs of his Grace, that brings Salvation, which Grace is it that teacheth, in which Grace they sing Praises to the Lord. So, now you who are come to the dawning of the Day, and to the ending of the Night of the Apostasy; happy and blessed are you, who are come to see these things, to see the hidden Mysteries of God revealed, and his Glorious Riches to the Gentiles, through the Power of an endless Life. And you that are and have been faithful, spread the Truth abroad, To spread Truth abroad. ye that know it; and feel that which makes free; let not Principalities and Powers separate you from the Love of God, which you have in Christ Jesus, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given unto him, mind his Reign, his Teaching, his Kingdom, which hath no end; for God hath some to be brought out from amongst those Heathens, if you be faithful among them, answering the Witness of God in them; for as the Lord saith, I will give him for a Covenant to the Gentiles: And keep your Meetings in the Power of Truth. and those are called Heathens. Therefore keep your Meetings, and dwell in the Power of Truth, and know it in one another. and be one in the Light, that you may be kept in Peace and Love in the Power of God, that you may know the Mystery of the Gospel: And all that ever you do, do in Love; do nothing in Strife, but in Love that edifies the Body of Christ, which is the Church. So as any is moved to go amongst the Heathen, in the Power and Love of God, to Preach the Gospel (which is the love of God to them) b'ing them to the Power of God; to that God, which is the God of the Stones, which they make Idols of, and the God of the Trees, Earth, Brass, Silver, Iron and Gold, which they make Gods of; and that he is the Living God; for those are dead Gods that are made with men's hands; He is the Living God that the Earth with Grass and Herbs, and causes the Trees to grow, and bring forth Food for you, and makes the Fishes of the Sea to breath and live, and makes the Fowls of the Air to breed, and causes the Roe and the Hind, and the Creatures, and all the Beasts of the Earth to bring forth, whereby they may be Food for you: He is the Living God, For God is the living God. and causes the Stars to arise in the Night, to give you light, and the Moon to arise to be a light in the Night: He is the Living God, that causes the Sun to give warmth unto you, to nourish you when you are cold: He is the Living God, that causes the Sonws and Frost to melt, and causes the Rain to water the Plants: He is the Living God, that made the Heaven and the Earth, and the Clouds, and causes the Springs to break out of the Rocks, and divided the great Sea from the Earth, and divided the Light from the Darkness, by which it's called Day, and the Darkness Night, and divided the great Waters from the Earth, and gathered them together: which great Waters he called Sea, and the dry Land Earth: He is to be worshipped that doth this: He is the Living God that gives unto you Breath, and Life, and Strength, Who giveth Breath, etc. to all Creatures. and gives unto you Beasts and Cattle, whereby you may be fed and clothed: He is the Living God, and He is to be worshipped. And that which gives you to be sensible of him, and to know him, is that which Convinceth you in your Hearts of Sin and unrighteousness. So all Gods that are made of Stone, Morter, Wood, Silver, Brass, Iron or Gold, are not the Living God, but are made of men's Hands; and the Living God is he that gives you Life, and Breath, and Strength; and all things that is Good, and would have you to feel after him, with that which checks you for Sin and Evil; and would have you to worship him in Spirit, and serve him who is Holy and Righteous, and to live in Peace; who hath promised he will give Christ Jesus for a Covenant of Light and Peace, to you, who are called Gentiles and venant of Light,) by which you shall come to have Peace with the Lord God, the King of the whole Earth: This is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, in whose Hand is the Breath of all Mankind: This is the God of the Spirits of all Falsh, who hath made all Nations of Mankind of one Blood, to dwell upon the Face of the Earth. And God having divided the Sons and Daughters, of Adam, and scattered them up and down the Face of the Earth, being in the Transgression and Sin, led away with the God of the World, the wicked One, the Devil, that abode not in the Truth, who causes People to destroy one another, and murder one another about Earthly things: This is the Prince of Darkness, that rules in all the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience; disobedient to that which is Righteous in them, which discovers the unrighteous Actions and Words drum the Righteous: And Christ, the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, saves Men from Sin; Christ the Second Adam, the Saviour of Men. who is Prince of Peace, and of Life, and the Covenant of God, who brings Men to have Peace with God, and one with another, who destroys the Devil, the Author of Strife: This is Christ the Second Adam, which brings the Sons and Daughters of Adam, into Reconciliation with God again, and destroys Sin, and finishes it, and makes Reconciliation for Sin and Iniquity. G. F. To Friends in Barbadoes. DEar Friends, Epist. 293. To whom is my Love in the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom were all things made, and by whom all things do consist, and who filleth all things, and doth uphold all by his Word and Power; Christ the Head of his Church, etc. who is the First and Last, the Holy Head of his Holy Church, and the Door into the Holy Way, for his Holy People to walk in, and the setter up of a Holy Worship in the Holy Spirit and Truth, to worship the Holy God in; and the setter up of a Holy Religion, to keep from the Spots of the World; which Religion is pure in his Sight: And this never came out of the Brain-beaten Stuff of Man, nor of his Chamber of Imagery; but for his People to walk in, that they might sing forth his Praises in Righteousness. And therefore, all Friends, in your Men and Womens-Meetings, be faithful, and see how you do grow in the Truth and Power of Godliness, and are circumcised; and witness your Renewing into the heavenly Image of him that created you; and that you all may be fruitful in the Knowledge and Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Orderer of all things; and wear his Livery and fine Linen, the Righteousness of Christ; and hold forth his Ensign and his Standard, and all to be filled with his Grace, and Love, and peaceable Truth, and be over all outward Earthly things; so that none be Carnally but Spiritually minded: And walk as becomes the glorious Order of the Gospel, having the Water of Life in your Cisterns, and the Bread of Life in your Tabernacles, and Fruits on your Trees, to the Praise of God. Amen. And all your Family Meetings do not neglect, among your Whites and Negro, but do your Diligence and Duty to God and them; To keep Family Meetings. which you will not neglect, if you keep in the Faith of Abraham, and of the blessed Seed which inheriteth the Crown. And be at Peace among yourselves, that each one show that you are in Christ the Prince of Peace; and that doth show that you are the Disciples of Christ, and Learners and Followers of him: So possess him who is Life Eternal. Aman. And your Love and Kindness toward us, the Lord redouble it of his Mercy into your Bosoms. We are all pretty well. We have had great Travail by Land and Sea, and Rivers and Bays, and Creeks in New-England, Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Carolina, where we have had great Service, among Friends, and Governors, and others, (and Men and Womens-Meetings) and with the Indians, and their Kings and Emperoar. O blessed be the Lord God Almighty, who is over all, and over all giveth Dominion: And Glory be to his Great Name for ever. Amen. And his Truth is of a good Savour in the Hearts of People, and spreads. So no more but my Love. Read this in your Men and Womens-Meetings. G. F. Maryland, the 24th of the 12th; Month. 1672. FRiends, The Truth is above all, will stand over all them that hate it, who labour in vain against it, Epist. 294. and will bring their old House on their own Heads, to their great Trouble; Truth above all. and in the Winter, and cold Wether, when that their HoUse is down, and their Religion is frozen, and their Rivers are dried up, and their Husks are gone, and the Swine begin to cry about the Plantations, and the Vermin runneth up and down amongst their old Rubbish, and their Sparks and Candles are gone out, and Hail and Storms lighteth upon the Head of the Wicked, than Woe will be to God and Magog, and to all the Wicked, who have no Covering. In Christ you have Peace, in the World you have Trouble. No Peace with God can be enjoyed, but in the Covenant of Light; which it Trouble. Amen. G. F. FRiends, at the first Convincement there is not so much danger, Epist. 295. for the Spirit of God keeps in the Fear of the Lord, and under Judgement; Our Knowledge must be in the Spirit. then after getting Acquaintance or Knowledge, and a Familiarity, and a Liberty, but not in the Holy Spirit, there is great danger; and therefore your Knowledge and Familiarity must be in the invisible Spirit; for the Flesh Fadeth and withereth, as the Grass: So that Knowledge and Familiarity is as Grass that withers; but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And the right knowledge of one another is this, To know one another in that Word which was in the beginning, before Man fell; For Man liveth not by Bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God. This is the fresh and heavenly Food from above, and above all the Husks that the Swineherd feedeth his Swine with, in the unrepented State. G. F. FRiends, All keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God, that hath gathered you; Epist. 296. and none to quenth the Spirit, nor despise Prophesying; Quench not the Spirit, etc. and so keep up your Testimony in public and private. Let not the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings be stopped, nor the Seed in Males or Females; but all be valian for the Truth upon the Earth. Concerning your Womens-Meetings; encourage all the Women of Families that are convinced, and minds Virtue, and loves the Truth, and walks in it, that they may come up into God's Service, that they may be serviceable in their Generation, and in the Creation, and come into the Practice of the pure Religion, which you have received from God from above, that every one may know their Duty in it, and their Service, in the Power and Wisdom of God; for now the Practic Part is called for: People must not be always talking and hearing, but they must come into Obedience to the Great Power of the Great God of Heaven and Earth. And so that none may stand out of the Vineyard idle, and out of Service, None to be idle in the Vineyard. and out their Duty; for such will talk and tall, and judge with evil Thoughts of what they in the Vineyard say and do: And therefore the Power of God must call all into their Duty, into their Service, into their Places, into Virtue, and Righteousness, and into the Wisdom of God: For all that be out of their Duty in their Service, though they have the knowledge of it, yet are not so serviceable in the Creation, nor in their Generation; for the Power of God must go over, and is over all such; by which Power all must be acted; in which true Obedience is known. And therefore train up your young Women to know their Duty in this thing, the Elder women train up the Tounger Women, etc. that they may be in their Services and Places; which they are to do in the Power and Wisdom of God; by which you are kept open to the Lord, to receive of his Gifts, and Graces, and of his Life, through which you are to minister one to another: And all keeping in it, than there is none to let or stop its flowing, but through it you all are to be watered as a Garden of Plants, by which they are nourished; and so all be faithful and diligent in the Lord's Business, and make all the sober Women, professing Truth in the Country about you, acquainted with this thing; and when you have them together at the Monthly Meeting, read this among them. So no more but my Love. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 297. Keep in the Power of the Lord; for if you do lose that, To keep in the Power of the Lord. you lose the Kingdom which stands in Power and Peace, and Righteousness, and Joy in the Holy Ghost; for out of the Kingdom is Strife, and no Peace; and therefore keep in the Power, and Life, and Love, which you did first receive; that you all may be Heirs of the Kingdom, and fit under your Teacher the Grace of God, which will bring your Salvation, that you may witness that you have a Teacher from God, that doth bring your Salvation; which Salvation is your Walls and Bulwarks, that he may be glorified, and ye may have your Comfort in your Salvation. And keep your men's and women's Meetings, both being Heirs of Life, and of the Gospel-Order, and of Christ and his Government; though you may have some Opposers; but this is a Day of possessing of Christ, and his Government, and of the Gospel-Order; and therefore do not lose your Authority, Men nor Women, in the Gospel, nor in Christ; though some may slight it: For the Foundation of our men's and Womens-Meetings is Christ Jesus, who bruiseth the Serpent's Head, who is the Head of all false Orders, and Foundations, and the Gospel, which is the Power of God, which bringeth Life and Immortality to Light, shines over him that did darken you; which Power of God he is out of. And therefore all in the Power and Spirit, encourage both Men and Women in their Duty, in the Order of the Gospel of Christ, in whom you have Dominion, and in him who changeth not. My Love is to you all. G. F. DEar Friends, to whom is my Love in that which changeth not, Epist. 298. the Royal Seed, that bruiseth the Serpent's Head, in whom you have Life and Peace, in that live and walk, that you may bear Fruit to the Glory of God, and answer that of God in every one. And live in the Peace that passeth Knowledge and Understanding; and in this troublesome time of Wars and Strife, mind the Power or God, and his Kingdom, that standeth in Righteousness, and Joy in the Holy Ghost, that is over all, and never will have an end; and that will keep you over all these times of Trouble, fresh in the Life and Power. My Troubles have been great in the Service of the Lord; and the Convincement of People is great in America, and the Islands in those parts, Blessed be the Lord God over all for ever, Amen. whose Power, and Life, and Truth is over all; and he in his Power gave Dominion over all, by Sea and by Land. And People and Friends are well settled beyond the Sea; and Meetings are precious, beyond words. So in haste, my Love to all Friends, in all those parts, as tho' I named them; and live in Love, for that doth edify you. Bristol, the 1st of the 6th Month, 1673. G. F. To Friends at Jamaica. FRiends, We do hear that some, professing Truth amongst you, Epist. 299. do not keep to your Meetings so diligently as they ought to do, nor yet meet but few of you together on the First Days. And the reason is, That upon the First Days some of you writ and make up your Accounts; so as you cannot have time to go to and frequent the Meetings. Truly Friends, this is an ill Savour to come over here into England, and shows that you mind your own Business more than the Lord's, and the things of this Life, more than the things that appertain to the Life that is without End; which should be sought for first, if you desire to be blessed and to presper. And if you do not, you will grow lose, and whither, and not have the Blessing of God with you; you cannot expect it. And therefore you that go under the Name of the Friends of God and of Truth, keep diligently your Meetings on the First Day together, that the Lord's Power may stir among you; for if you do not keep your Meetings upon the First Day of each Week, you are worse than the World, that meet in their Steeple-Houses or Places of Worship, who prefer your own Business before the Lords. The Lord, I say, will not, in so doing, prosper you in it. And therefore, I say once more, in the Name of Christ Jesus, keep your Meetings, who are gathered in it. And let there be Meetings on the Week Days, and also men's Meetings, to see that nothing be lacking among you, once in a Fortnight; and likewise a women's Meeting, though there be but a few. For you that have seen the Order of Truth in England, and other Places, how can you go out of the Practice of it, without growing wild and withering? That so Men and Women in their distinct Places, may be Helps meet in Government, in the Seed of Life, and in the Wisdom of God, by which all things was made, and in the Gospel, the Power of God, which was before the Devil was. So that you may feel the Presence of the Lord with you. And-that all Friends may be invited to the Meetings; and that you may be good Examples and Patterns unto all in the Island in righteous Dealing and Do, in Weights and in Measures. And keep to the sound Language, and the Honour that you have received from above; so that your Lives and Conversations may preach in Virtue, Righteousness and Holiness, that God may be glorified through you, and among you all, that you may be Patterns in Holiness and in Truth, as you expect the Blessing of God in, with and among you. And own nothing to any Man but Love. And so seek first the Kingdom of God, and keep in it, than all outward things will flow to you, so as there will be no want of them, if you enjoy God, who upholds all with his Word and Power, and gives the increase of all. And see that there may be no ill Example among you, and no such ill Report may be heard of you in Old England. And when you have got up your First Days and Weekly Meetings, and Men and women's Meetings, in the Power of God, which will preserve you in Truth and Righteousness, see that nothing be lacking among you; then send over how things are with you, how Truth speads and prospers, from your Men and women's Meetings, to the Men and Momens Meetings in Old England. So no more but my Love. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 300. Let your Faith stand in the Power of God, for that is your Keeper unto the Day of Salvation; so every one that hath not yet obtained it, come to that Day, for the Kingdom stands in Power, and not in Words. Therefore, as I said before, let you Faith stand in the Power of God, in which the Kingdom stands, Kingdom of Peace and Joy, which stands in Righteousness, and Holiness, and in the Holy Ghost; where no unclean things enters, neither can it: For the Power of the Lord God keeps you fresh, keeps you open, and keeps you alive, and keeps you in a sense of the things of his Kingdom, the Treasures, the Pearls, and Riches, and Jewels thereof; and this Power will keep you all in Peace, and in Unity, and Quietness, and Condescension, and Love, and Kindness one to another; and in the Power of the Lord, and in his Spirit, you will be enabled to give the Lord his Glory, and continual Praise, and continual Thanks, which is due unto him from you all; it will ascend to him who is worthy of all, blessed for evermore. And so none quench the Spirit, nor the Motions of it in you, lest Isaac's Well be stopped up by the uncircumcised Philistine, that must go down into the Pit, who hath lived aloft; for as Christ comes to take the Peace from the Earth, which Men are in, as all Sects and Ways, that have Peace in their Ways, Religions, and Worships, and Traditions of their Forefathers; as in the Days of his Flesh, when he came amongst the Pharisees, Sadduces, Herodians, Scribes, and other Sects among them; and likewise all others, that now have a Peace in the Earth, and that are settled in it, they must know that Peace taken away before they are redeemed out of the Earth; and so as he taketh away that Peace, such as come to learn of him, and to be his Disciples and Followers, his Peace he gives unto them; who is the King of Peace, the Prince of Peace, and of Life; and which is such a Peace that the World cannot take away from them: And this you and all Friends, every where, have sufficiently known, who have been and are the Learners of Christ Jesus, both Men and Women, that in all your Persecutions, Mockings, Imprisoning, spoiling of Gods, they could never take your Peace away, which you had from this Prince of Peace. Is not this true, and the Scripture fulfilled in you? Therefore let him have the Praises and the Glory out of all your Hearts; and keep this Peace, in the Unity of the Spirit, the Bond of Peace; you are bound to keep it with the Spirit, this Prince of Prince's Peace; you are all bound to keep it by the Law of Life, the Law of the Spirit; for Christ is the same now, to day as yesterday, and so for ever; the same as in the Apostles Days, who said, Think you that I came to send Peace on Earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather Debate. For the Father shall be against the Son, and the Son against the Father: And the Mother against her Daughter, and the Daughter against her Mother: And the Daughter in Law against the Mother in Law, etc. Luke 12.53. And he that loveth Father or Mother more than me, is not worthy of me, said Christ Jesus: Or he that loveth Son or Daughter more than me, is not worthy of me: And he that taketh not up his Cross, and follows not me, is not worthy of me. He that will save his Life, shall lose it; and he that is willing to lose his Life for my sake, shall save it. And, speaking to his Disciples, said, He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me, Matth. 10. These things, Friends, have been seen, and have been fulfilled, and must be fulfilled; for Christ is the same to day as yesterday, and so for ever: For have not you seen, Son against the Father, and Father against the Son; and Mother against the Daughter, and Daughter against the Mother? etc. And this hath been through retaining Christ, who sets at Variance, and so not at Peace; for he doth not bring a Peace to that Nature they lived in in Old Adam: And so we may see, when People are convinced, what Variance it maketh in a Family: This hath been seen and fulfilled, when a Husband is convinced, or a Wife is convinced, or Son or Daughter in a Family is convinced: And this must be fulfilled, and interprets its self in the fulfilling; for he brings a Sword and War, and not Peace to tha Nature they lived in, and had in Old Adam, before they received the Prince of Peace, and te Sword of the Spirit from him, to war against the other Peace which they had; and so the Peace of all Religions must be broken, before they come to the true Religion from above; and the Peace of all Worships must be broken, before they come to the worship in the Spirit and Truth, the Davil is out of; and the Peace of all Ways must be broken, that Men and People are in, before they come into the Way of Christ Jesus; and the Peace of all Churches must be broken, before they come to the Church which is in God; and the Peace of all Fellowships must be broken, before they come into the Fellowship of the Spirit, and Unity therein, which is the Bond of Peace; and the Peace of all Earthly Teachers must be broken, who are made of Men by natural Tongues, before they come to the Heavenly Teacher, and the Tongue of the learned indeed; and the Peace of all Earthly Bishops and Shepherds must be broken before they come unto Christ, the Bishop of the Soul, and heavenly Overseer, and heavenly Shepherd, who feeds with his heavenly Food, and so the heavenly Priest, made higher than the Heavens, who is holy, harmless, separate from Sinners, breaks the Peace of the Earthly Priests, and of all them that are made lower than the Heavens (mischieful) that are not separate from Sinners, nor from Sin, but hold up Sinners, and prop them up, and plead for Sin term of Life; this Prince of Peace, made higher than the Heavens, breaks all their Peace, as he did above Sixteen Hundred Years since, for he is the same now as then, and his Power and Spirit will make them rage's still, and they that confess him before Men, they will rage's at them still; and therefore, as I said, keep in Christ's Power, in which the Kingdom stands, and not in words, that you may see the fulfilling of the Scriptures; and stand still in the Power, which will keep you all to the Day of Salvation, that are not come to it. And so the Lord preserve you in his Fear, and give you Wisdom from above, that you may be preserved in the Unity of the Spirit, which (as I said before) is the Bond of Peace, which is your Duty to keep the Peace of the Prince of Princes. And all you that have received the Power of Christ in your Hearts, have you not seen what Wars, and what Rumours, and Nation against Nation, as it was in the two Births in the Womb, that came forth, two Nations, two Births, Nation against Nation; and much may be seen, what Wars outwardly there has been, and bringings down, before the appearance and receiving the Lord; and so here he being received, here's People against People, and Nation against Nation, and Earthquakes, and Shakes within and without: They that receive the Lord's Power must feel this, and know this, and see the fulfilling of it, and not look out, for his Kingdom without, like a company of Pharisees, lo here, lo there, but as Christ, the Power of God, is known within (as Christ said, The Kingdom of Heaven is within) and as they come to feel it there, they shall know the Shakes and Earthquakes, and Wars, and Rumours, and that part that partains to Nations, that must be shaken before they come to be of the holy Nation, which is against the other; and this is to be known, and seen, felt, and fulfilled with the Power of Christ Jesus, and by his Spirit; as they that live in it may take a prospect of these wonderful things and workings of the Lord God and his Power in this Age. Therefore be still in the Power of God, which is your Keeper, as I said before; for it's your Keeper in the Night, before you come to the Day, and it keeps you to the Day of Salvation; for the Virgin's Lamps did burn in the Night, and it was their Light, and they that were wise, that got Oil in their Lamps entered; for the Voice of the Bridegroom was at Midnight, and bid them atise. And so as outward Midnight is a great while off, the Day-Star's arising; yet here is a Lamp burning. Therefore every one see that you get Oil in your Lamps, that you may not go forth, that you may arise at the hearing of the heavenly Voice of the Bridegroom, and enter with him; though Satan's Messengers have told you, there is no hearing his Voice : Sad Messengers they are, and have been, they see who have received the true Message of the Messiah in his Power, through which they see over them, and see their own Foundation, Christ Jesus, who was the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles. Let this be read in your men's and women's Meetings, and Copies kept in their Books. Worcester Prison, the 2d of the 7th Month, 1673, G. F. To all the women's Meetings. DEar Friends, This is the Day for all to take your Possessions, Epist. 301. that knows the Gospel, the Power of God, which brings Life and Immortality to Light in them: I say, this is the Day for all to take their Possessions of this Gospel-Order, which was the Apostles Doctrine to the Church in the Primitive Times, that they should keep the Comely Order of the Gospel. The words are general to Men and Women; and now you being Heirs of the Gospel, as was said before, that hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in you, by which you see over the Devil, that has darkened you, and before he was, in whom is all Disorder. Therefore keep this Comely Order of the Gospel, the Power of God, the Everlasting Order and Gospel, it will out last all other Orders in old Adam; in which Order of the Gospel you have Joy, you have Peace and Comfort. So every one take your Possessions of this holy, everlasting, joyful and peaceable Gospel and Order; for the Peace is in the Power of God; so it is called the Gospel of Peace, that keeps all in the Peace, which you have from the Prince of Peace, that the World cannot take away from you; and likewise that you may be Heirs and Possessors of Christ, and of his Government, which is pure, holy, righteous and heavenly, of the Increase of this heavenly Man's Government there is no end; but there will be an end of old Adam's and the Devil's, which began in time, and will end in time, but there will be no end of his, that was set up from Everlasting to Everlasting. So all be Possessors of this heavenly Government, and of this heavenly, glorious and comely Order. And whereas it hath been said, by them which are without, you must come to hear the Gospel preached; the answer is, and will be from the Possessors of the Gospel, I am an Heir of the Gospel, and do ●●her it it; for it is my Portion, and do know it and possess it, and need not thee to tell me of it, and of my Portion. And whereas it hath been said, by them without, You must come and hear Christ preached: The answer is from the Possessors of him, I have examined myself, and proved myself, and have found Christ Jesus in me, and he rules in my Heart by Faith; and I am in him, and he is in me; And behold ye (that is as much as to say, take notice) all things is become new. And whereas the saying has been, by them that are without, Why do not you come to hear the Word preached? The answer is, and will be, from the Possessors of him, The Word is nigh me, in my my Heart and Mouth, to obey it and do it; and need not say to any, who shall ascend to bring it down from above, or who shall descend to bring it up from the Grave; for I am come to the Righteousness of Faith's speaking (mark Faith's speaking) that saith on this wise, The Word is nigh thee, in thy Heart and Mouth, to obey it and do it; by which Word I am born again of the Immortal Seed, which lives, and abides, and endures for ever; by which Word I have Milk to give freely to Babes and Sucklings. So the Possessors have Breasts; and the Possessors Breasts are not dry, Glory to the Lord for ever. So no more but Love; and God Almighty preserve you in his Wisdom, that is pure and gentle from above, by which you may be all ordered, and order all that you have under your Hands to his Glory: And keep in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace, of the Prince of Prince's Peace, which is every one of your Duty to keep this heavenly Peace of the Prince of Princes, which none can take away from you; for you are bound with the Spirit to keep it, so that your Praise may be in the Gospel; that you may admonish and exhort all that does profess the Truth of the Gospel, that they may walk in the Truth, and as becomes the Gospel, and that every one that does profess Christ Jesus, and has received him, may walk in him in the new and living Way, out of the old Way. G. F. TO all Friends that live in the Truth, Epist. 302. and by it are become God's Freemen and Women, and by the Truth and Power of God, are brought out of the World's vain Fashions and Customs, in their Feast, and Revel, and Banquet, and Wakes, and other vain Feast, where they spoil the Creatures, and dishonour the Lord God more those Times and Days, which they call Holy Days, and Feast Days, than any other Times and Days; and therefore you that are brought out of such things, and do see the Vanity and Folly of them; and likewise you that are brought out of all the extravagant Feast of Compannies in Corporations, and of making of Feasts, when the Masters of Companies are Chose, and Constables, and Head-Burroughs, you see their Vanity, and their Folly and Madness, in their destroying of the Creatures, to the Reproach of Christianity, and the Dishonour of God, and the Blaspheming of his Name; and many times through the abusing of themselves by excess, are more like Beasts than Men, in these things and do; and therefore as you do see the Folly and Vanity of all such Do, in their voluptuous and vain Feast, and cannot observe their evil Customs, than that vain Spirit is in a great Rage and Fury, because you have, and do, break off Fellowship with them in all this their vain Customs. And therefore you that are redeemed from these things by Christ, and from the Feasting of the Rich, and all other their Vanities, and voluptuous Dishonouring of God therein; I say to you, mind and practise Christ's words, as you may read in Lake 13.14. Christ saith, When thou makest a Dinner, call not thy Friends, nor thy Brethren, neither Kinfolks, nor thy Rich Neighbours, lest they also bid thee again, and a Recompense be made thee; but when thou dost make a Feast, call the Poor, the Maimed, the Lame and the Blind, and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee again, but thou shalt be recompensed at the Resurrection of the Just. So here you may see how Christ ordereth thee to make a Feast or a Dinner, and to whom, contrary to the World; and tho' it be a cross to them, yet it is to be obeyed, and observed, and practised; for it is the heavenly Man's Doctrine, and Command, and Will, and he that doth it shall know his Doctrine; and this will judge the World in their vain Feasts, Dinners and Suppers, which they make for the Rich, for which they have self Reward; but Christ's command being obeyed, denieth self, and hath the Lord's Recompense; and all that call him Lord, should do as the Lord commandeth; and they that are his Disciples, and do love him, will keep his Commands; for saith Christ, If you love them that love you, what thank have you? For Sinners also loves those that love them: And if you do good to them that do good to you, what thank have you? For Sinners also do even the same: So give and it shall be given unto you. Good Measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over into your Bosoms; and the Lord is kind to the unthankful, and therefore, be ye Merciful as your heavenly Father is Merciful, Luke 6. And therefore as you have forsaken all the World's vain Feast, and Dinners and Suppers (if so) give the Blind, the Lame, the Maimed, the Widow, the Fatherless, and the Poor, a Feast or a Dinner, and obey Christ, the heavenly Man's Doctrine, tho' it do cross old earthly Adam's Will and Practices; and though he be angry, never heed him, but obey the Lord. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 303. all be Faithful in the Eternal Power of God that is over all; I say, keep in this Power of God, that you may answer that of God in all, and not that which is contrary; for the Kingdom standeth in Power, and in Righteousness, and Joy in the Holy Ghost: So that which doth not live in the Power, and Righteousness, and Joy in the Holy Ghost, cometh not into the Kingdom. So this Kingdom, and Power, and Righteousness, and Holy Ghost, in which is the Joy, is over all; and this Kingdom standeth not in Word, but in Power. So know one another in the Power, and in the Spirit of God (who is a Spirit) know and confess Christ in his Death and Sufferings, and in his Resurrection. So no more but my Love in him. Worcester Prison, the 21st of the ●th Month, 1673. G. F. To Friends in Virginia. DEar Friends, to whom is my Love, Epist. 304. I am glad to hear of the Increase of Truth amongst you, and the Lord prosper his Work, and increase People in his Knowledge, who will fulfil his Promise, That the Knowledge of the Lord shall cover the Earth as the Waters covers the Sea, in the New Covenant; though in the Old Covenant, the Word was to Jacob, and the Statutes to Israel; the like was not to other Nations, but the New Covenant is to all Nations, Jews and Gentiles; For I will give him for a Covenant of Light to the Gentiles, and he shall be my Salvation to the ends of the Earth; therefore he saith, Look unto me all ye ends of the Earth, and be ye saved; And there is no Salvation by any other Name under Heaven, but by the Name of Jesus, which signifies a Saviour. And in his Name keep your men's and women's, and all your other Meetings, that you may feel Him in the midst of you, exercising his Offices; as he is a Prophet, which God has raised up to open to you, and as he is a Shepherd, who has laid down his Life for you, to feed you; so hear his Voice, and as he is a Councillor, and a Commander, follow Him and his Counsel; and as he is a Bishop to oversee you, with his heavenly Power and Spirit; and as he is a Priest, who offered up himself for you, who is made Higher than the Heavens (and that is Higher than all the Priests that are made upon the Earth) who Sanctifies his People, his Church, and presents them to God without blemish, spot or wrinkle: So, I say, know him in all his Offices, exercising them amongst you, and in you. I am glad to hear of some of your diligence, in taking that great Journey to Carolina through the Woods; for if you visit them sometimes, it would do well: And there is a People at that place you call New-Country, as you go to Carclina, which had a great desire to see me, amongst whom I had a Meeting. I received Letters, giving me an account of the Service some of you had with and amongst the Indian King, and his Council; and if you go over again to Carolina, you may inquire of Capt. Batts, the Old Governor, with whom I left a Paper to be read to the Emperor, and his Thirty Kings under him of the Tusrowres, who were to come to Treat for Peace with the People of Carolina: Whether he did read it to them or no, remember me to Major General Benett, and Col. Dew, and the rest of the Justices that were Friendly and Courteous to me, when I was there, and came to Meetings; and tell them, that I cannot but remember their Civility and Moderation, when I was amongst them: And so the Lord redouble it into your Hearts, and theirs, the Love and Kindness which they and you shown unto me. I have been a Prisoner here about these Eight Months, and now I am Premunired, because I cannot take an Oath; but the Lord's Seed and Power is over all, blessed be his Name for ever, and Glory and Honour to Him, who is over all, and is worthy of all. Read this amongst Friends in their Meetings. G. F. Worcester, 1673. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 305. Live in the Seed that bruiseth the Serpent's Head, who is the Head of all false Teachers, and Ways, and false Worships, and Religions: But Christ is the Head of all the true Worshippers; and in his Name keep your Meetings, in whom you have Salvation, and not by any other Name under Heaven. And fit under your Teacher, Christ Jesus, that doth bring your Salvation, the Grace of God, that you may all witness that you have a Teacher, from God, that doth bring your Salvation; and in your Hearts you have received him, and believed in him, and with your Mouths confession is made to Salvation, that your Teacher hath brought you; that you all may witness his Salvation to be your Walls and Bulwarks, that doth surround your Camps and Tabernacles. London, 1673. G. F. To Friends in Holland. FRiends, Do not grow barren, but in the Root abiding, Epist. 306. ye will spring upward, and bring forth much Fruit in this Life, To grow in the Root. and in the Life to come, inherit Life Eternal; and so your Lives being hid with Christ in God, you will be made conformable to his Image, and know the Power of his Resurrection, and the Fellowship with him in his Sufferings, and the Fellowship with him in his Death, that you may have Fellowship with him in his Resurrection and Life; And as you have born the Image of the Earthly, so also you may bear the Image of the Heavenly: And as your Vessels hath been full of Wrath and Dishonour, so your Vessels may be full of his Mercies, and Praises to God; and as in your Old Earth hath dwelled Unrighteousness, so you may see and know the New Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteousness. There is a Belief that God is not the Author of, for such have not the Witness in themselves of what they do believe; and a Belief may be of God and Christ, and of the Scriptures, and yet such may be in Death, Faith. for they are not in Christ the Light, and so are not Children of the Light; and there is a Faith, which Christ is not the Author of, and that Faith giveth not the Victory, nor purifieth the Heart, neither do they in it please God, nor have they access to God, and that is the dead Faith which hath no Works. And there is a Hope that doth not purify, and that Hope is that which is not of Christ, who saves, and purifieth, as he is pure; but that Hope is the Hope of the Hypocrites. Hope. And there is a Way that may be defiled, where all the Wolves, Dogs and Beasts, and the passeth, and hath many turning Ways in it, and many crooked, and rough, and mountanious Ways in it; and there is the broad Way that leadeth to Destruction; and these are not the Way of Christ, that leadeth to Life, which is the narrow and straight Way. And there arem any Names in the World, by which there is no Salvation,; the Beast hath many Names, which all the World wondereth after, and receive the Beast's Mark, that he marketh them with his Beastly Spirit and Power, which he hath from the Dragon; but there is but one Name under the whole Heaven by which People shall be saved, and that is the Name of Jesus; Salvation in the Name of Jesus only. and they gathering in his Name, by whom the World was made, and receiving their Father, (the Lord God Almighty's) Name and Mark in their Foreheads, Christ is in the midst of them, and they will not receive the Beast's Mark, nor will not be marked by him. And there are many Religions in the World, all which are spotted and defiled with the World's Spirit, with which they do destroy one another; but there is but one pure Religion from above, that is undefiled in the sight of God, and that keeps from the Spots of the World, Pure Religion. and leads to visit the Widow and Fatherless in their distress; and they that receive this pure Religion from God (who is above) it is by God's Spirit, the fruits of which is Love; and this pure undefiled Religion from God hath the Glory in all the Hearts of them that do receive it, who is the Author of it; and it is above all those Religions that are below, that are made by Men's earthly, sensual and devilish Wisdom, who with it compel People to conform to them, and such are not gentle, pure, nor peaceable, as the Wisdom which is from above is. And there is but one true Worship, which the Devil is out of, and his unclean Spirit, and he cannot get into it; The true Worship in the Spirit. which Worship is in the Spirit and in the Truth, which Christ the heavenly Man hath set up above Sixteen Hundred Years since; and every one that cometh into the Spirit, and into the Truth, are the true Worshippers of the God of Truth, who is a Spirit; and all that are not in the Spirit and Truth, are in the Beast's Worship (out of the Spirit of God) and in his Wrath under the Dragon's Power; and there are many Instructors that causeth People to err; but there is but one Spirit of Truth, which leadeth into all Truth; and this is the one Spirit that led the Prophets and Apostles to give forth the Scriptures; and all the Instructers that are out of it, causeth People to err from the Spirit that the Prophets and Apostles were in, and so are in Confusion. And there is one Leader, One Leader, Jesus Christ. Christ Jesus, that God hath given; and all that are not led by him, are led into the Ditch, the corrupting place, and they tell them, there is no Perfection here; and all the Learned in Babel's confused Tongues, who have the Letter of the Scriptures, yet following their own Spirits (seethe not) and the Divination of their own Brains, and using their Tongues, such buildeth up Babylon again, who are not in the Spirit the Prophets and Apostles were in, and know not the Tongue of the Learned, nor the Scriptures of Christ, and the Prophets, and the Apostles; but they are as a sealed up Book to them; and therefore they are Raging and Contending about the meanings of them, teaching their People, by their Example, to do the same. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 307. who feels the precious Truth of God, by which you are made God's Freemen and Women, and have bought the Truth, To be fruitful in good Works. do not sell it for Dross or Dung, but be valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, you who have received God's Seed into the good Ground, that in this Life some bring forth Fifty, Sixty and a Hundred fold of Fruit from God's Seed, to his Glory, and that have received the Anointing Oil in your Lamps from the Holy One, that they may burn and shine both Night and Day in your Tabernacles, through which you may be lighted into the Bridegroom's Chamber; and the Power of God has always been your Keeper, and will be unto the Day of Salvation; which Power of God is over all, yea, over the Power of the Devil, the Waster and Destroyer, who makes the World like a Wilderness, and fills it with unrighteousness, Death, Darkness and Cruelty. Therefore let your Faith stand in the Power of God, which the Kingdom stands in, which is a Cross to the World's Power, that causes Persecution; which Power of God is the Gospel, which was before the Devil was, that brought Death and Darkness into you; this Power of God brings Life and Immortality to Light in you, by which Power you see over him that has darkened you, and before he was. And you that are Heirs of this Gospel, keep the holy and heavenly Order of it; by which Power of God you come to dig, and has found the Pearl in your own Field, of great Price; by which Power of God you come to sell all, and to purchase the Field, than you have Riches enough. And have Salt in yourselves, that you may savour withal; and that your Salt lose not its savour, through which you may be kept from under the Feet of Men, though they that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution; and it is not only given you to believe in Christ, but to suffer for his Name, whose Name is above every Name; and there is no Salvation by no other Name under Heaven, but by the Name of Jesus; The Name of Jesus, a strong Tower. whose Name is a strong Tower, and the Righteous flee unto it, and are safe; by whose Name and Power (that is over all) you have been upheld through all your Tribulations, Sufferings, Imprisonments, spoiling of Goods: And Christ Jesus, and his Power, is the same to day as he was yesterday, and so for ever. And therefore, as I said before, let your Faith stand in his Power; for Christ's Kingdom stands not in Word, but in Power, and in Righteousness, and in Joy in the Holy Ghost; whose Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom, and the Riches in it is Everlasting: Blessed are all they that are Heirs and Possessors of this, their Minds and Hearts are kept over all fading things, and the Riches that has Wings, that the Spoiler may spoil. And therefore Consider all the Faithful before you, The excellency of the knowledge of Christ. how they Accounted all but as loss, dross and dung, to the excellency of the Knowledge that they had in Christ Jesus; and Consider likewise the Faith of the Martyrs, the Faith of the Apostles, and Primitive Christians, that kept the Faith and Testimony of Jesus; their Patience was seen: And likewise Consider all the Prophets of God to Enoch, how their Faithfulness is made manifest; and all the rest, how they were tried by Persecutors, by Prisons, and by spoiling of their Earthly Goods and Riches, but never of the Heavenly Goods and Riches; for there the Thief and Spoiler could not come. And therefore mind that Noble Seed, that never bowed to Sin and Iniquity, nor the Devil, but bruises his Head, and destroys him and his Works, that ye may all be Flesh of his Flesh, and Bone of his Bone, who is your heavenly Food and Bread that comes down from Heaven, through whom you may eat and live by him, as he lives by the Father; and so by eating this heavenly Bread that comes down from Heaven, you may have Everlasting Life. The Lord may try you by Persecution, or spoiling your outward Goods, which he has given you, by permitting the Spoilers and Persecutors come to try you, that you may come forth like Gold seven times tried in the Fire (the Perfection of trial) for many are the Troubles of the Righteous, but the Lord will deliver out of them all; and happy are they that are tried, Above all Earthly Riches. that they may come forth more purer than Gold. And let none sell their Birthright for a Mess of Pottage, and a Piece of Bread (Esau-like.) And let let none have their Eyes wander after their carrying away the Fleece; nor look back at Sodom's Judgements; for the Earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; and he can make the Fleece grow again: And therefore consider the Riches of Job, and the Poverty of Job, and how his Friends despised him in his Poverty, and how they were reproved; and God increased his Prosperity, and lenghthened his Tranquillity. And as Daniel's Windows were open towards outward Jerusalem, in the time of the Informers, when he prayed to his God, as he did before, in the time when they were not: And therefore should not all your Windows and Doors be open towards heavenly Jerusalem, your Mother, that God may come in and help you against the false Mother, and her Children. And therefore keep your Meetings in the time of Sufferings, as you did before, and preach the Word in season, and out of season; the Word, I say, that commands the Clouds and Storms, and was before they were: And therefore blessed are those Eyes that sees the Sun of Righteousness that never sets, the Sun of Righteousness that changes not; for the Prophet speaks of a Sun and Moon that shall be turned into Darkness, before the Notable Day of the Lord come; and where this Notable Day of the Lord is seen, and by whom it is seen, they see the Glorious Son of God, the Son of Righteousness, by whom was all things, who is over all things, who is the Head of his People, and dwells in them, who is present with them, and who was, and will be, to all Eternity; of whose Kingdom there is no end, who is God over all, blessed for ever. Kinston, the 1st of the 7th Month, 1674. G. F. MY Dear Friends in England, Epist. 308. and all parts of the World; the Gospel, which is the Power of God, which you have received from the Beginning, Given forth in the time of his Sickness in Worcester Prison, 1674. keep in it, and the Fellowship of it; in which there is neither Sect, nor Schism, but an Everlasting Fellowship, and an Everlasting Order; which Gospel brings Life, and Immortality to Light, in every one of your Hearts, and lets you see over him, that hath darkened you. Now every Man and Woman here, will have a Testimony in their own Hearts, Friends to have their Fellowship in the Truth. of this Order and Fellowship, being Heirs and Inheritors of it; by which you will see over all the Jalse Orders and Fellowships, that are or may be fet up, or made. Therefore it is good for every one to keep their Habitation: For those that went in Cain's Way (as the Apostles speaks of) they envied the Apostles that kept the Fellowship. And Corah's Way, and Balaam's Way; these were them that had been great Professors, that envied the Apostles. For mark, it was the Way of such as were of Cain, Corah and Balaam's Spirit, to oppose the Power, who were against Abel, and Moses, and the Apostles; and so there began the Apostasy, and there came up the many Orders, amongst them in the Apostasy: So that at last the Gospel-Order was lost amongst them, And keep the Cospel-Order. and the Government of Christ, and his Worship; and the Beast was then set up. And therefore now the Gospel-Order is to be set up again, and the Government of Christ Jesus, by them that be Heirs of him, and of his Government, who is First and Last, the Beginning and the End, of the increase of whose Government there is no End. Now, I say, you that be Heirs of Christ, possess him, and walk in him; and as you have received him, so walk all in Peace, and Love, and live in his Worship in the Spirit and Truth, which the Devil is out of. And at your General Assemblies of the Ministry at London, or elsewhere, examine, as it was at the first, whether all the Ministers that goes forth into the Countries, The Ministers to watch over one another. do walk as becomes the Gospel: For that you know was one End of that Meeting, to prevent and take away Scandal. And to examine, whether all do keep in the Government of Christ Jesus, that preach him, and in the Order of the Gospel, and to exhort them that doth not: For the Foundation is already laid, which is Christ, and his Government is set up; of the increase of which, there is no end. So had all these called Christians, kept in his Order, and Government, they had not troubled themselves, and others, with so many Disorders, if he had been Head of their Church; so if you keep in the Gospel-Order, and Government of Christ Jesus, you will keep out of the Apostasy, which they have been in, and the many false Orders, That more go from Gospel-Order to the Apost acy. and Governments, that they went into, and made one against another, when they went from the true; as you may see in the Scriptures of Truth, that it was some high Cain and Corah-like Spirits that did so; for Cain was able to build a City: And Corah, that opposed the Chief Leader Moses, was of the Princes of the People: And so these opposed (with their many Orders) the true Order. And Balaam, that was able to teach a Nation, and Prophesy before a King, and made the Children of Israel to stumble by his bad Counsel: These were Men of Esteem, these are them the World went after, these came to ride upon the People; and such as these opposed Abel, Moses and Christ, (the Leader and Governor) and his Apostles, and set up the many Orders, and Governments, in their Churches, and broke all into Sects. And therefore, Friends, if you keep under Christ, the Governor, who governs his Church in Righteousness, and who is a Prophet, and Preacher, and keep in his Gospel-Order; none of these can deceive you, let them come with never so fair Pretences: For Christ bruises the Serpent's Head, who is the Head of all false Teachers, and false Orders, that are not in his Power, and is the First and Last; and therefore, keep in his Power, and in the Unity of his Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace. Mark, the Pure, Holy, Eternal, invisible Spirit of God, is the Bond of Peace: Therefore forfeit not your Bond, of the Prince of Princes; for if you do, you lose your Life, and go into Death, and into an evil Spirit, and break the Prince of Prince's Peace, so that you lose your Peace with him Christ Jesus. And therefore it concerns all, that profess themselves to be Ministers, to be humble, else they are no Learners of Christ, not to be harsh nor high minded, but walk as Examples amongst God's Flock, and not to be Lords over God's Inheritance; but let him be Lord whose Right it is, etc. And you have known the manner of my Life, G. F's great Labour in the Gospel. the best part of Thirty Years, since I went forth, and forsook all things; I sought not myself, I sought you and his Glory that sent me; and when I turned you to him, that is able to save you, I left you to him: And my Travels hath been great, in Hunger's and Colds when there was few, for the first Six or Seven Years, that I often lay in Woods and Commons in the Night; that many times it was as a byword, That I would not come into Houses, and lie in their Beds; and the Prisons have been made my Home a great part of my time, and in danger of my Life, and in Jeopardy daily: And amongst you I have made myself of no Reputation, to keep the Truth up in Reputation, as you all very well know it, that be in the Fear of God: With the low, I made myself low; and with the weak and feeble, I was as one with them, and condescended to all Conditions, for the Lord had fitted me so before he sent me forth; and so I passed through great Sufferings in my Body, as you have been sensible. And few at the first took Care for the establishing Men and women's Meetings, tho' they were generally owned when they understood them; but the Everlasting God, that sent me forth by his Everlasting Power, first to declare his Everlasting Gospel, and then after People had received the Gospel, I was moved to go through the Nation, to advise them to set up the men's Meetings, and the women's; many of which were set up; G. F. Advice effectual, for the establishing good Order in the Church. and I was moved to write to other Places, for them to do the like, that kept the Power: And this was the End, that all that had received the Gospel, might be Possessors of it, and of the Gospel-Order which is Heavenly; and that all that had received Christ Jesus, might so walk in him, and possess his Government in the Church, who are Members of him the heavenly Head; and so Men and Women being Heirs of Christ, they are Heirs of him, and of his Government: So that Men and Women may be both Possessors of this Government; and Men and Women being Heirs of this Gospel, might inherit it: Then Men and Women are Heirs of the Order of the Gospel, which is from Heaven, and not by Man, nor of Man; which is an Everlasting Order, which is from the Power of God; for the Gospel is called, the Everlasting Gospel: So that all now in the Restoration by Christ Jesus, into the Image of God, may be helps meet in Holiness and Righteousness, as Adam and Eve were in, before they fell; for in the Church of Christ, where he is Head, there is his Gospel, and his Order, and his Government; there is his Power felt in every one's Heart, and there is these Offices of Admonishing, Rebuking, Exhorting, Reproving, amongst them that are convinced, and converted, by them that are in the Power; for there are several States. So they that would not have People to be Admonished, that goes under the Name of Truth, and yet goes into Sin and Wickedness, those are out of the Gospel-Order, and Government of Christ Jesus, and of a lose Mind themselves, and would be up themselves, and Lords: But that Spirit is for Judgement, for it is out of the Power of God, and out of the Spirit, in which is the Fellowship. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 309. Seek the Peace of all Men; which Peace is in Christ, which is a Peace that the World cannot take away; and blessed are the Peacemakers', To seek Peace. that makes Peace among the Brethren and People; these shall have a Blessing from the Lord, the King of Peace; but Woe be unto them that cause Strife and Offence. And all walk in the Righteousness of Christ, the Lord, over your own Righteousness, and do, and act, and speak in his Righteousness; than you act, and do, and speak and walk in that, in which you have Peace, and then God will delight in you, and you will be loved of him, for he loveth the Righteous. And let it be below any of God's People to raise an evil Report on his People, Nat to receive false Reports. or any others, or to give both their Ears to any one's Report of his People or Matter, till they have heard both Parties; so that Righteousness, and Truth, and Judgement, may be kept up, and not fall. And in your Men and women's Meetings, you are in and about the Lord's Business, and not your own; and therefore let the Lord be in your Eyes, that all of you his Presence, and Power, and Wisdom, and Judgement may receive, to do, and act, and speak in: And this keeps all in his Fear, to be careful of their Words and Do, and keeps all Solid, and Virtuous, and Sober; and than whatsoever is of a good Report, and is Decent and Comely, and whatsoever is Virtuous, and tends to Virtue, and is Lovely, that to follow after and cherish: And here your Eyes are kept open, to see that nothing be lacking, and that you stand in that which shall never fall, in the Power, and Spirit, and Seed Christ, who is the sure Foundation, and the Rock of Ages. G. F. FRiends, In every thing give Thanks to the Lord; Epist. 310. for from him every good thing you do receive; for the Apostle saith, 1 Thess. 5.18. In every thing give thanks: To be Thankful for every good thing. For this is the Will of God in Jesus Christ concerning you; and they that do not obey this Doctrine, do not do the Will of God in Christ Jesus. And the Apostle saith, Every Creature of God is good, and nothing to be refased, if it be received with thanksgiving, etc. 1 Tim. 4.4. And David saith, At midnight I will rise to give thee thanks, because of thy righteous Judgements, Psalms 119.62. And David saith, O give thanks unto the Lord, for it is good, because his Mercies endureth for ever, Psal. 118.1. So the Lord is worthy of all the Thanks and Praises, through Jesus Christ, who created all by Jesus Christ, to his Glory and Honour for evermore. G. F. For the Men and women's Meetings in Barbadoes. DEar Friends, Let all things be done in Love, Epist. 311. and in the Spirit of Christ, which is the Spirit of the Lamb, that must have the Victory; To keep in Love. for Patience runneth the Race, and hath the Crown. And keep down rough Esau's Spirit, for that will not let the Jew inward pass the King's Highway. And therefore quench nothing that is good; but keep in the Love of God, that is shed in your Hearts, and every one keep to your own Springs, and at your own Breast, and feel your own Bread in your own House (from Heaven.) And strive not for Mastery, but let Christ be the Master, who is the Wisdom of God, and your Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and Justification, And dwell in Humility. and you to dwell in Humility and Love, that will bear all things; and that is not easily provoked, and envieth not: If your Love is not in this Love, it is not the Love of God. Though you may be convinced of the Truth; but they are happy that do obey the Truth of what they are convinced; and if they do not, they will lose the Days of their Innocency, and Simplicity. And know the Birth that is Freeborn, which can give the Cheek to the Smiter; for there is a Birth of the Mortal Seed, and there is a Birth of the Immortal Seed, by the Word of God, that liveth and abideth for ever; which latter hath a Habitation that is for ever. And take heed Friends, in laying open one another's Weakness; Not to expose the Weaknesses of one another. but if any one has any thing to say, let them speak to the Person concerned; and if they will not hear, take two or three more before they are brought into Public. This is the Order of the Head Christ, to his Body, his Church. And if any Report be upon any, let them speak to the Parties that are concerned; for the Report may be false: And the Lord saith. Thou shalt not raise a false Report upon my People. So in this you will have a Care one of another for one another's good, preferring one another in the Truth. And so let the true Brotherly Love continue, and Kindness, Affableness, and Courteousness, and whatsoever is Decent, Comely, and of a good Report in the Eyes of God, and the Hearts of all good Men, that to follow after; and so, that in your Men and women's Meetings, nothing may be seen of the old Leaven, of the old Malice, nor of the old Man, nor hid Deeds, nor his old Image, nor his old Bottle may not be drank of, nor his sour Grapes eaten of; for if you do, it will set your Teeth on edge one against another: But mind the Royal Seed, Christ Jesus, that makes all things new, that new and Living Way, a new Man, after God and his Image: So Children of the New Covenant, having the new Leaven, that leavens up onto the Love of God, which edifies the Body, of which Christ is Head; and new Bettles, full of new Wine from Christ the Vine; the new Wine which makes all your Hearts glad to God, and Christ, and one in another. To serve God with a new Heart. So here is the new Heart, the new Spirit, the new Life, in which the Living God is sere. And therefore, this is the Word of the Lord God to you all, Let this new Way, new Covenant, new Man, new Leaven, new Wine, new Life, show forth its Fruits in the new Life, from the new Man. So that the Fruits, of the Old may not appear, and that the Bond of Peace, in the Unity of the Spirit, may be kept amongst you. So keep in this Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace; and none to break their Peace, and go into the ill Behaviour; for that is out of the Spirit of God and Christ, which is meek, gentle, etc. So that the Lord God of your Lives may be Glorified in you all, and above all, who is over all, God blessed for ever and ever. London, the 15th of the 3d Mouth. G. F. ALL Friends that are in the Power of God, Epist. 312. and in his Spirit; through which Spirit you pray unto God, and ask in the Name of Christ Jesus (which all true Prayers are to be in) and the true Singing and Rejoicing is to be in the Spirit, All true Worship performed in the Sptrit. and the true Preaching and Ministry is to be in the Spirit; for the Saints were made able Ministers of the Spirit, and not of the letter. Now when a Minister, in the Spirit of the living God, does minister Spiritual and Heavenly Things, and they that receives them, receives them with joy in the Assembly; now he that is a Minister of the Spirit, and ministers Spiritual Things, and if they that receive them, receive them in Sincerity, with Joy and Gladness, and Rejoice in the receiving of them, whilst the other is ministering; of them, he that is a Minister of the Spirit, does not judge such; but Rejoices in them, that does receive them, and praises God for the same. And so likewise they that do Sing in the Spirit does reach to the Spirit in others, whereby they have a sense that it proceedeth from the Spirit; for at the Hearing of the Speech the true Minister, there is Joy to all that seek and thirst after Righteousness; for the preaching the Gospel is the Glad-Tidings, the Joyful News, and is a comfort both to Soul, Body and Spirit, to all that receive it in Integrily and Sincerity, and they cannot but Rejoice at the Cound of the Power, where it is received; and they that preaches in this cannot judge such as Rejoices in the Spirit and Power, and in their Souls praises God when they hear the Sound of it. Oh the Everlasting Gospel, the Everlasting Power of God, which is Liberty, where this is heard (the Sound of it) which is the Liberty to the Spirit, to the Soul, to the Creature; if a Creature should praise God in his Soul, in his Spirit, in the very hearing of the Sound of this glorious Gospel, or make a Joyful Melody; the Minister of the Spirit, which preaches the Glorious Gospel, cannot judge such for that, and say, it is a confused Noise; for that is the Minister of the Letter that so judges, who may gather up parcels of the Letter, and make a Song of that, or Preachment of that, to which the Gospel-Ministry of the Spirit is the Savour of Death unto Death, and of Life unto Life. And concerning Praying in the Spirit; which Spirit make Intercession to God, with Sighs and Groans that cannot be uttered. Of Prayer in the Spirit. Now where this Spirit is prayed in (which all true Prayer is to be in) it makes Intercessino through the Vails, through the Clouds and thick Darkness, by the Invisible power, to the Invisible God; and this prayer being made in an Assembly to the Throne of Grace; and there the Assembly (in their Spirits) joins in this Spirit, and does make Intercession, and does enter through the Vails, Clouds and thick Darkness to the Throne of Grace; and if some of these should praise God in a Joyful Sound with their Souls and Spirit, can he that prays in the Spirit, and makes Intercession therein, judge them that Groans in the Spirit, and feels the Intercession to the Throne of Grace? No, he cannot; for he feels a Unity in the Spirit; and set case that some do Groan and Sight, when another is Praying in the Spirit, that makes the Intercession easy in the Invisible Spirit, to the Invisible God, and Throne of his Grace; which the Spirit of God operating in the Assembly, makes some to Sigh and Groan, being sensible of their wants; and the Power has awakened such; therefore can any judge such that prays in the Power and Spirit, that has awakened them? Nay, but hears them, and is glad where it stirs; and so having the Mind of the Lord, and makes Intercession to him by his Spirit, who hears the Sighs of the Needy, and Groans of the Oppressed, he cannot judge such; and therefore they that do judge such Sighers, Prayers, and such who make a joyful Melody (from the Word dwelling in their Hearts) they who judge such, are not in the Spirit that makes Intercession; and that which is contrary is to be reproved and admonished in private, by them that are in the Spirit of God, lest they pluck up the Wheat and Tares together, and make a Confusion in the Church; for God is not the Author of Confusion, God the Author of Peace. etc. but of Peace and good Order: But that Spirit which is High and Lofty, and can form a Praise by words, and Pray in his own Spirit, will judge such Sighing, Groaning, Praising and Singing, as before; but that exalted Spirit is to be cut down with the Sword of the Spirit: For if any should Sigh. or Groan, or Rejoice, or make a joyful Sound, when another is Praying in the Spirit of God, and Ministering in the Spirit, Spiritual Things; this the Spirit of Error cannot bear, but swells, and breaks out into Confusion and Disorder, which (as I said before) is to be cut down with the Sword of the Spirit; for he denies the effect of true Prayer, and the Spirit of Prayer, which makes Intercession; who hath, or would have, no feeling of the effects of true Prayer, but that which is Formal, and in the Imitation, that makes many to Groan and Sigh, which is burdened with that Spirit; yea, many tender ones. And therefore all is to keep low before the Lord, in the Humility, in the Spirit and Power; out of the Imagination, Imitation, and Self-exaltation. And so keep in the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace; Caution to keep cut Imagination, etc. yea, the Bond of the Prince of Prince's Peace; hear the Gospel of Peace is known, and the Peace of God, which passes all Understanding; which is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and Prince of Prince's Peace, who saith, In me you have Peace; and all is bound by the Spirit of God to keep his Peace; and all his Believers, and faithful Ones, and true Christians, are bound to keep it amongst themselves, and in all their Assemblies (his Church which he is the Head of. Worcester Goal, the 14th of the oath Month, 1674. G. F. FRiends, Epist. 313. All that are sensible of the Power of God, and has received it, All live in the Power of God. which is Immortal and Everlasting, live in it, and grow up in it; for the Power of God is over the Power of the Devil; which Power of God is the Gospel, and it's called the Cross of Christ. And therefore all ye Men and Women, that has received the Gospel, the Power of God, and come to be Heirs of it, take your Possessions of the same; and init keep your men's and women's Meetings, in your Possession of the Gospel, the Power of God; herein is the holy, heavenly and powerful Order, which is Everlasting, and will have no end; and this Order of the Gospel, which is the Power of God, is over all the Orders is the World, and before they were, whether Jews, Gentiles, or Apostate-Christians. For the Apostle saith, in Gal. 1.11, 12. Now I certify you Brethren (to wit, the Church) that the Gospel which was preched of me, was not after Man; for I neither received it of Man, neither was I taught it, but by the Revelation of Jesus. So I can declare to you all, in the Presence of the Lord, That the Gospel, which is the Power of God, I neither received of Man, neither was I taught it, but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ. And all you that have received the same Power (to wit, the Gospel and are Possessors of it, can testify, that the Gospel, the Power of God, is neither by Man, nor of Man; tho' some Men and Women, in their Carnal Wisdom, may oppose it; but as Peter saith, 1 Pet. 1.11, 12. The Gospel by the Holy Ghost, sent down from Heaven, was it which was preached to the Churches then, and so it is now. And therefore all you that have received it, this heavenly and everlasting Power of God, the heavenly Dignity, keep in your Possessions of it, beig Heirs of it, and in the Holy Order of it, and walk as becomes the Gospel, and let your Conversation be according to it, as the Saints, As the Saints did in Primitive Times. and the Churches were in the Primitive Times; for Christ That redeemed his People out of their vain Conversation, and purchased them with his Blood, and is become the Head of the Church, the heavenly and spiritual Man has given them a heavenly and spiritual Possession and Order to walk in, and to keep in, which is the Heavenly, and Eternal, the Power of God, which I am not asamed of, of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the Power of God unto Salvation, to every one that believes Rom. 1. 16. And the Cross of Christ is the everlasting power of God; so no longer do you keep in Fellowship, but as you keep in the Cross of Christ; for the Enemy to the Cross of Christ is the Mind that runs into outward and earthly things, and sets up another God, to wit, their Belly; and another Glory, to wit, their Shame; and therefore it's called the Mystery of the Fellowship of the Cross of Christ, which is the Power of God; so this Fellowship is not of Man, nor by Man; for it is in the Everlasting Power of God. And therefore forsake not the Fellowship, And forsake not the Assembling yourselves together. and the Assembling of yourselves together in it, as the manner of some is, and was; but Exhort one another, and so much the more, because ye see that the Day draweth nigh more and more unto you; for if there be a Sinning wilfully, after that ye have received the Knowledge of the Truth, there remanins no more Sacrifice for Sin, but a fearful looking for Judgement, and for Indignation, which shall devour the Adversaries. And therefore keep in the new and living Way, which is prepared for all the true Believers, as you may see in Heb. 10.20. And exhort one another daily, while it is called to day; mark while it is called to day; for thou mayst lose the Harvest Day, and be hardened before to morrow; and lest any of you be hardened, through the Deceitfulness of Sin; and this was the Practice of the Church, that was in the Light, Power and Spirit of God, as in Heb. 3. And in Titus, see how the Apotle admonishes him, who was in the Power of God, to Exhort and Rebuke, with all Authority; and so forth, after he had showed him how the Grace of God, which bringeth Salvation, which appeareth to all Men, which taught the Saints how to live, etc. and they that went from it was to be Rebuked, and others Exhorted to it, Tit. 2.11. And also he Instructs Timothy, who was in the Power of God, to Exhort the Church; and likewise that the Scriptures, Scriptnre profitable for Reproof, Instruction, Correction. etc. which were given forth by the Inspiration of God, were profitable for Doctrine, to Reprove, Instruct and Correct, in Righteousness, that the Man of God may be Perfect; throughly furnished to all good Works; mark, the Man of God, not the Man of the World, that denies Perfection; and they that have the Spirit of God, that gave forth the Scriptures, does the same, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. And they that was to Exhort, was to be an Example in Word and Conversation, in Love, in Spirit, in Faith, and in Pureness; such was to give attendance to Exhortation, and to Doctrine, and still are, as you may see in 1 Tim. 12.13. And Peter saith to the Church in the Primitive Times, which ought to be the Practice of the Church of Christ now, as every Man hath received the Gift, even so let him minister the same one to another, as good Stewards of the manifold Grace o God: If any Man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God; if any Man minister, let him do it as of the Ability which God gieth; mark, God giveth, and not Man, or as God hath ministered to him, that God in all things may be glorified through jesus Christ, to whom be Praise and Dominion for ever and ever, Amen. 1. Pet. 4. And the Apostle saith to every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the Gift of Christ; for there is one God and Father of all, which is above all, and through all, and in you all; so every one, now as then, is to mind him that is in them all, who is above all, and his Gift, and the measure of Grace, the Gift fo Christ; for it will teach them, and bring their Salvation; and through the measure of the Gift of Grace they grow up to a perfect Man, and to the measure of the Stature of the fullness of Christ, as may be seen Eph. 4. And as God hath dealt to every Man a Measure Of Faith, in the Faith they should walk, which gives them Victory and access to God, which purifies their Hearts; with which they please God. And the Apostle said to the Church then, which is to be the Practice of the true Church now, That according to the Grace that was given, whether we Prophesy, Every one to keep to the Measure of Grace received. let us Prophesy according to the Proportion of Faith; or any Office, let us wait on the Office; or, he that Teacheth, on Teaching; and he that Ministereth, on Ministering; or, he that Exhorteth, on Exhortation; and he that distributeth, let him do it with simplicity, etc. And be that showeth Mercy, with cheerfulness; as you may see, Rom. 12. So all this is to be done, in the Faith, and according to the Measure of the Grace given to every one; so that all may be done in the Faith, according to the Measure of Grace given to every one, so that all may be done in the Faith from one Spirit, which the manifestation of is given to every one to profit withal; by which Spirit they are all baptised into one Body, which Christ the heavenly Spiritual Man is the Head of. So all Members, from the Eye to the Foot, are serviceable in the Body, in the Grace of God, who are joined together by the Spirit of God, and to Christ their Head, from whom they receive Nourishment; for the Spirit of God does distribute to every one severally, as he will, and so are all made to drink (mark to drink) into one Spirit; in which they have all Fellowship in the heavenly drinking of the Spiritual Drink, and eating of the Spiritual Bread that comes down from Heaven. Therefore every Man and Woman's Eye must be lifted up to Heaven, and Minds, and Thirsts, and Desires, and Hearts, and the Soul that hungers, and the Needy that sighs, and the Poor that groans, for this Bread that comes down from Heaven; and the Spiritual Drink, and so they may have the Spiritual Bread in their own Houses, and heavenly Water in their own Cisterns, with which they may have to refresh them felves and others: So, here may all eat and drink to the Praise and the Glory of God, for all drinks into one Spirit: And as they eat of the Bread that comes down from Heaven, than they can say the Scripture is fulfilled, all Eyes are Lifted up unto thee, thou opens with thy Hand; to wit, thy Power; and thou fillest with thy Blessings; and then with their Souls, Hearts and Spirits, Minds and Lips, they will show forth his Praise, in praising God, the Creator, who is in all, over all, through all, and above all. And therefore, in the Power and Name of Jesus, in whose Name you were gathered, keep your Meetings, your Mesn and women's Meetings, that in the Power you may be kept in the Holy Unity, and Holy Order, in Diligence, in the Church of God, and in his Business, and Affairs, Admonishing, Exhoring, Rebuking, such as talk, and does not walk accordingly; such as professes, and does not possess; and such as are the Sayers, and are not the Doers: So that every one's Life and Conversation may be, as becomes the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, the heavenly Man, and keep in the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of the Prince of Prince's Peace; which, if you break, you fonfeit your Riches in your Estate and Inheritance of Life. And some Men may say, Man must have the Power and Superiority over the Woman, because God says, The Man must rule over his Wife; and that Man is not of the Woman, but the Woman is of the Man: Man and Womin to be helps-meet, now as in the beginning. Indeed, after Man fell, that Command was; but before Man fell, there was no such Command; for they were both meet helps, and they were both to have Dominion over all that God made. And as the Apostle saith, for as the Woman is of the Man, his next Words are, so is the Man also by the Woman; but all things are of God. And so the Aposcle. clears his own Words; and so as Man and Woman is restored again, by Christ up into the Image of God, they both have Dominion again in the Righteousness and Holiness, and are helps meet, as before they fell. So then the Man is not without the Woman, neither the Woman without the Man in the lord He that hath an Ear to hear, let him hear. But there is some dark Spirits that say, That for Women to meet together to worship God, apart from the Men, is monstrous and ridiculous: But this dark Spirit has not defined what Worship is; for if a Company of Women should meet together, and some of these Women should kneel down, and lift up their Hands and Eyes to God, and pray to God, or praise God, as John would have fallen down to the Angel; this is Worsbip: And if the dark Spirit calls this Monstrous and Ridiculous, because Men is not with them, than it will follow, it will be monstrous and ridiculous to pray to God, or to worship God, except Men be with them: Therefore with the Spirit of God, all may see what Confusion this dark Spirit is running into, that is against Womens-Meetings, and that Women must not worship God apart from the Men, and calls it monstrous and ridiculous; but from their own monstrous Spirit, their own ridiculousness is manifest. For you may see in the Scripture what Worship was, and what Worship is; such as was not to worship Idols; they were not to lift up their Hands nor Eyes to them, nor to fall down to them, but to worship God, and to bow bown to him, and to lift up their Hands and Eyes to him; for all Men and Women must lift up their Eyes, Hands, Hearts and Spirits to the Lord, and to bow to him, and worship him; and aught in all their Meetings, that gather in the Name of Jesus, to wait upon the Lord for Wisdom, Counsel and Under standing, that by it they may be ordered and directed in his Holy Service and Business, in his Holy Church, which Christ is the Holy Head of, as they are directed and ordered by the Lor's Power and Wisdom, to praise, and magnify, and glorify him, with Thanksgiving, both in your mesn and women's Meetings, and all other Meetings, in the Name of Jesus Christ, for he is in the midst of them, their Prophet, Priest, Teacber, Shepherd, Bishop and Counsellor, opening with his heavenly Power, feeding with his heavenly Food, counselling with his heavenly Counsel, sanctifying them, to present them to the Holy God without Spot, over-seeing them with his Holy Power, and Spirit; that God may have the Praise and the Glory through Jesus Christ, in all, and through all, who is bleffed for ever. So Friends are not to meet like a Company of People about Town or Parish-Business, neither in their men's nor women's Meetings, Frienas to feel the Pewt of God in their Meetings for the Affairs of Truth. but to wait upon the Lord; and feeling his Power, and Spirit to lead them, and order them to his Glory; that so whatsoever they may do, they may do it to the Praise and Glory of God, and in Unity in the Faith, and in the Spirit, and in Fellowship in the Order foe the Gospel; and the Devil and his Instruments cannot get into this Gospel, which is the Power of God; and that makes him rage; and he would not have the Woman to have a share in it (who first deceived the Woman, and now would again) nor the Men neither. Nor he cannot get into the worship of God, which is in Spirit and Truth, which the Devil is out of; and therefore keep your Possessions in the Power of God, and your Habitations there within, and in Christ Jesus, who bruises the Head of the Serpent, who is the Head of all false Orders, and Disorders, and has made the World like a Wilderness, and he in his Instruments is against the Order of the Gospel, and the Power of God; that Men and Women should be in the Possession of, and the Dignity thereof: And this many spoke evil of in the Apostles Days, and so they do now; but the Power stands, and the Order of it over his Head, and his Instruments; and Christ is the same to Day as Yesterday, and so for ever; and of the increase of his Government there is no End. So all that be Heirs of Christ, and of his Power and Righteousness are Heirs of his Government; and they see there is no End of the increase of it. And you may see how the Apostle, after he had convinced People, he brought them into Order of the Gospel; and the Jews after they came out of Egypt, they were brought into the Order of the Law of God. And as the Christians come to believe in Christ, than they are to come into the Order of the Gospel. So as I was first moved of the Lord God, G. F. moved first to preach the Gospel. to go up and down the Nation to preach the Gospel, then after the Lord moved me to go up and down, to exhort and to write, that all People might come into the Possession of the Gospel (and the Order of it) which is the Power of God, which was before the Devil was; which is not of Man, nor by Man and his Word; by which all things are upheld and ordered to the Glory of God. And Christ is a Priest after the Order of Melchizedeck. So you may see there was a Heavenly Order in the Power and Spirit of Christ's Priesthood, as there was of Aaron's; of whose Order Christ came not. And the Apostle saith to the Church, Let all things be done decently, and in order: And this Order was in the Power of God, the Gospel, 1 Cor. 14. Afterwards to exhort to the walking in the Order of the Gospel. where all Decency is. And the Apostle saith, Though he was absent in the Flesh, yet he was present with them in the Spirit, rejoicing and beholding their order; to wit, the Church's Order, and their stead fastness in Christ. And as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. So this was the Spiritual Order of the Gospel, which the Apostle in Spirit beheld, and does admonish them unto; in whom their walking should be; to wit, in Christ, the Spiritual heavenly Man; and not to walk in Old Adam, who was without this Spiritual heavenly Gospel-Order; which is the Duty of all true Christians, to walk in Christ and his Gospel-Order. And it's said in Psalm 37.23. The steps of a good Man is ordered by the Lord; and that is, by his Power and Spirit. And in Psalm 50. To him that ordereth his Conversation aright will I show forth the Salvation of God; and whoso offereth Praises, Glorifies me, saith the Lord. So they that offers up Praises by the Spirit, they glorify God, which all must keep to, and not quench. And all whose Conversation is ordered aright, it is by the Power of God, the Gospel; for they are kept by the Power of God unto the Day of Salvation; and this is the right Order, and everlasting Order, which all must keep and walk in; by which all Conversations must be ordered aright, that all may see their Salvation, Christ Jesus, who is the Head of the Church, and who fees and receives him, has Life Everlasting, and through him they have Peace with God. So all in him live, and meet, in whom you have Life and Peace that is Everlasting, that none can take away; which Peace is not this World's Peace. And also the whole- Church of Christ, which are the Believers in the Light, Children of the Light, living Stones, that makes up the Spiritual Household; over which House Christ is the Head; True Believers, a Chosen Generation, etc. all such Believers Men and Women, are a Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, and Holy Nation, a Peculiar People, that they should show forth the Virtue of Christ, that hath called them out of Darkness into his Marvellous Light. So into him the Life, to wit, Christ Jesus, by whom the World was made, here in him they know their Election, before the World began: So a Royal Priesthood, Christ's Church is called, offering up Spiritual Sacrifices to God, who is a Spirit; and this Royal Priesthood has a High Priest, made higher than the Heavens, to wit, Christ Jesus; and this Royal Priesthood is not after the order of Aaron, whose Order was proved by his Rods bearing Fruit, laid over Night in the Tabernacle, and in the Morning brought forth Fruit; but your Order is proved by your Rods budding, and bringing forth Fruit, in the Morning of God's Day, which are the Fruits of the Spirit; through which Spirit you come to offer according to your Order, which is in the Power of God, the Gospel; the Spiritual Sacrifices, To offer up Spiritual Sacrifices, etc. the first Frays of the Spirit to God, who is a Spirit; according to your Order (as I said before) of the Gospel, the Power of God: For the Jew outward was to offer the first Fruits of the Earth, according to the Order of Aaron; but according to the Order of the Gospel, you (both Men and Women) are to offer the first Fruits of the Spirit to God, who is a Spirit, over all, blessed for ever: And show how the Lord has blest you in your Spiritual Fruits, and how you have been Captives, in Spiritual Egypt, and how you were redeemed. Much more I might Write concerning these things but they are hard to be uttered, or to be born; for there has so much Strife and Foolishness entered into the Minds of People, and a want of the stillness and quietness in the pure Spirit of God, in which things are revealed that hath been vailed; in which things are opened that hath been hid, and uncovered that hath been covered: But wait all in the Diligence, in the holy Life, by which the holy things are seen and received, in which the holy Unity and Fellowship is. So no more but my Love. G. F. To all my dear Friends, Elect and Precious, in America. STand fast in the Faith which Christ Jesus is the Author of, Epist. 314. by his heavenly Ensign, To stand fast in the Faith. in your heavenly Armour, and your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Heavenly Gospel of Peace, and your Heads preserved with the Helmet of Salvation, and your Hearts fenced with the Breastplate of Righteousness, and so stand feeling and seeing God's Banner of Love over your Heads, manifesting that you are the good Ground, that God's Seed hath taken Root downward in, and springs upward in, and brings forth Fruits in some Sixty, and some Hundred fold in this Life, to the Praise and Glory of God, always beholding the Sun of Righteousness, that never sets, ruling the supernatural Day, of which you are Children, and the Persecutors Sun (the heat of it, which rises and sets again) cannot scorch your Blade, which it may do, that Seed that grows on the Stony Ground. And therefore be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth, and fear him, And be Valiant for God's Truth. that can break their Fetters, their Goals, and their Bonds in sunder, and can make your Fleece to grow again, after the Wolves have torn the Wool from your Backs; for the Rod of the Wicked shall not be always upon the Backs of the Righteous. And therefore mind Christ, who is the first and last, who bruises the Head of him who is the Head of all Persecutors, (to wit, the Devil.) And consider how all the Faithful in all Ages suffered, from Righteous Abel to Just Lot, and the Children of Isreal by Pharaoh, and the true Prophets by the false, and Christ and the Apostles by the vagabond Professing Jews (out of the Possession) and what rejoicing it was to them to suffer for the Lord Jesus, and how it was given unto them, not only to Believe, but also to Suffer; so it was the Gift of God to them, not only to Believe, but to Suffer, and to bear them up in their Sufferings. And consider how all the Martyrs and Saints have suffered since the Apostles days, by the Heathens and false Christians; and so there is no new thing under the Sun, And therefore keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus, And keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus. whose Name is above every Name, in whose Name you have Salvation; and be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth, and sound his Name abroad, and keep in the Truth, and give no just Occasion to the Adversary; for the Lamb must have the Victory; and keep in the Lord's Power, that is over all, and in his peaceable Truth, in which you will seek the Good and Eternal Welfare and Salvation of all People. And the Prophet Isaiah speaking of Christ, says, In all their Afflictions he was afflicted, and the Angel of his Presence saved them; so all Friends feel the Lord in all your Afflictions. And the Apostle saith, We ourselves glory in you (to wit, in the Churches of God) for your Patience and Faith in all your Persecutions and and Tribulations that you endure. So here you may see the Saints are one another's Joy in the Lord, who doth uphold them in all their Persecutions, Tribulations, and Sufferings; and therefore look over the Devil, that is out of Truth, that makes to suffer, to Christ, who bruises his Head; and in Christ, who is First and Last, in him have you Rest, Life and Peace. And you see by Faith, Examples of Faith. Moses chose rather to suffer Afflictions with the People of God, than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a Season. So by Faith, he esteemed the Reproaches of Christ greater Riches, than the Treasures in Egypt. And by Faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the Wrath of the King, for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible; and so by Faith God's People now forsake Spiritual Egypt. And by Faith the Mouths of the Lions were stopped; and by Faith they endured Tortures, not accepting Deliverance that they might obtain a better Resurrection; and by Faith they underwent all the cruel Mockings, Scorn, Bonds and Imprisonments; and by Faith they underwent Stoning and Sawing asunder, and were tempted and slain with the Sword; and they wandered about in Sheep skins and Goats-skins, being destitute, afflicted and tormented; of whom the World was not worthy, etc. Now all these lived in the one Faith, by which they saw him who was invisible; which is the Faith of God's Elect now (which Christ Jesus is the Author and Finisher of) which Faith upholds his People now, as it did them, against the Persecutors in Days and Ages past. And hold fast the Hope which anchors the Soul, which is sure and steadfast, that you may float above the Word's Sea; for your Anchor holds sure and steadfast in the bottom, let the Winds, Storms and raging Waves rise never so high: And your Star is fixed, by which you may steer to the Eternal Land of Rest, and Kingdom of God. So, no more, but my Love to you all. Swarthmore in Lancashire, the 12th of the 12th Month, 1675. G. F. To Friends in Barbadoes. DEar Friends, To whom is my Love in the Holy Truth, Epist. 315. my desire is, that you may all be valiant for it, against all Deceit, that the Camp of God may be kept clean; Faithful in their Testimenies. and all may be faithful in your Testimonies of Light and Life, against all those things which have come up in this Night of Apostasy, from the Light, Life, and Power of God: So look at the Lord and his Eternal Power, which hath brought you out of the Night of Apostasy, to his Eternal Praise, and his Power hath preserved you to this Day: The Lord with his glorious Power was with us, in all our Assemblies, at this Yearly Meeting, he hath the Dominion, and over all evil Spirits gave Dominion to his People: Glory to his Name for ever. Amen. Great Persecutions are in most Counties in England, and may are imprisoned in many Places, and their Goods spoiled. and we had a very large Yearly Meeting here, and very Peaceable and Quiet: And the Lord's Power and Presence was richly manifest in our Meetings, and the Lord wonderfully supports Friends in all their Trials and Sufferings, and Friends generally are in much Love and Unity one with another. Now Friends, we desire that at your Quarterly Meeting, you may write over an Epistle to the Yearly Meeting in London, of the Affairs of the Church of Christ, and the Prosperity, and the spreading of his Truth there; for we had a large Epistle from the Half Year Meeting in Ireland, which declares, that Friends were all in Unity there; and likewise and Account was given from Scotland, that Friends were in Unity there; Account from divers parts of Friends Love, etc. and likewise an Epistle was read in our Yearly Meeting here, from the Yearly Meeting in Holland, which gives an Account, that Friends are in Love and Unity there; and in Freezland, Germany, and other places; but at Embden and Dantzick, they are under great Persecution; and we have lately a new Meeting set up beyond Holland, who have been under much Suffexings and Persecutions, but they stand faithful so the Lord. And at Algiers, in the Turks Country, Friends there have set up a Meeting amongst themselves (which are Captives) about Twenty Friends, A Meeting of Captive Friends at Algiers. and some other of the Captives have been Convinced at that Meeting. And one Thomas Tilby, a Captive Friend, hath a Testimony for God, and speaks there among them; and their Patroons, or Masters, lets them meet; and one of their Masters spoke to a Friend, as he was going to a Meeting, and thought he had been going to a public Tippling House, and he stopped him, and asked him whether he was going, and he told him, to Worship the Great God; and he said, it was well, and let him go; and some of the Turks said, They had some among them of their People, that would not buy Stolen Goods. I have written a large Epistle to them to encourage them, and that they might Preach the Gospel abroad in those Parts, both in their Words, Lives and Conversations; and this Meeting there, among the Turds, may be of great service. And now Friends, all be careful of God's Glory, and seek the good one of another; and strive all to be of one Mind and Heart, and that the Peace and gentle Wisdom of God may order you all: And be courteous, and kind, and tender-hearted one to another; and so the Lord God Almighty, in his Holy Spirit, preserve you all in Unity and Fellowship one with another, Amen. And Friends you may send a Copy of this to the Caribbe Islands, to be read in their Quarterly Meetings; and you may read it in your own. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 316. All that feels the Life, and Power, and Spirit of the Living God, who are made alive by Christ Jesus, the living, heavenly and spiritual Man; and sp are come to feed upon the Heavenly and Spiritual Things, which Christ your Shepherd directs you to, according to your Capacity, Age and Growth; and so to know him that God has sent to Feed you, above all the Feeders that Men have sent. To look to Jesus Therefore look unto him, who with his Net (which is his Power) hath gathered you out of this great Sea, the World: And now, do not build like the Fools upon the Sand of the Seashore; but upon the Rock and Foundation, which is Christ the Life, that will stand over Death, Tempests, Winds and Storms; and so looking unto Jesus, that is your Saviour, that has saved you out of the Flood you may walk upon the World's Sea, looking unto him that will finish it; and so in truth you can say, Faith is your Victory; this is your Victory, even your Faith, that Jesus has been the Author of, the heavenly and spiritual Man: And Faith comes by hearing of the Word, by which all things was made and created, and by which all things are upheld, which lives, and abides, and endures for ever; which Word was in the beginning with God, and God was the Word; which Word became Flesh, and dwelled among us, who beheld his Glory, the Glory, as of the only begotten Son of God, who is risen, whom you come now to hear and see, and not only so, but come to be made partakers of his Glory, and of his Resurrection from the Dead: So blessed are they, They are blessed who have a part in the first Resurrection. and you that comes to have part in the first Resurrection, that on you the second Death may have no power; and such as doth, they know a dying to Sin here, and putting off the Body of Sin and Death, and a crucifying the Old Man, with his Affections and Lusts; and a putting him off, and to be dead from the Rudiments of the World: And so they that die with Christ, shall live with him; and they that are risen with Christ can never touch, taste nor handle the Doctrines, Commandments, and dead Rudiments of Men of the World; but let such put on the New Man, which (after the Image of God) is created in Righteousness and Holiness; and such comes to live in Christ, and walk in him, and have their part or lot in the first Resurrection, in Christ Jesus, and the second Death hath no power over them; but they live in him, that hath Power over Death, Hell, and the Grave (and over the Devil, and the Power of Death) Christ Jesus, who was before he was, the First and Last; but they that will not believe in Christ the Resurrection and the Life, are for Condemnation with the Devil, Hell and Death, which is to be cast into the Lake of Fire; and over such the second Death hath Power. And therefore all that comes out of Death, and partake of the first Resurrection, and know that they have been Dead in Sins and Trespasses, and are quickened by Christ Jesus, and know a living here in Christ, and a dying here with Christ, while upon the Earth (for John spoke it, whilst he was upon the Earth) the second Death shall have no power over them; and they that does not, the second Death hath power over them, which (as I said before) must be cast into the Lake of Fire, that burns with Brimstone; and such has not the Blessing (as they in the first Resurrection) but the Curse, Woe and Misery. And therefore all you who are the first Fruits to God, in the Resurrection by Jesus Christ, and who know him, the Resurrection and the Life, and are translated from Darkness to Light, and into the Kingdom of his dear Son, that stands in Righteousness and Holiness, and Joy in the Holy Ghost; that you may show forth righteous and holy Fruits, so that you may glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; and may beas lights to the dark World, and Salt to season the unsavoury; for every Sacrifice, which was offered up to God, it was to be seasoned with Salt; Every Sacrifice to be seasoned with Salt. so every Sacrifice now that is to be offered up to God, it must be seasoned, and made savoury with this heavenly Salt, of his heavenly Spirit, so that all may give a good savour to him, and be as a sweet smelling Sacrifice to the pure holy God, that made all to his Glory; and you cannot bring forth this holy, righteous, and pure Fruit unto God, but as you abide in Christ Jesus, the Truth, who did descend and ascend far above all Principalities, Thrones and Dominions, that he might have the Pre-eminence above all, and that ye in Him might live above all unto God; and so every one of you that has received Christ Jesus the Lord over all: So in Him (who is your Lord) walk, who is the Amen; and there all the Living can Praise God together; and the Living gathers in the Name of Jesus, the Name of him who was dead, and is alive again, and lives for evermore, who is the First and Last: And here you all know, that there is no Salvation in any other name under the whole Heaven, but in the Name of Jesus; who is a Priest made highter than the Heavens. So in his Name keep your Meetings, To keep their Meetings in the Name of Jesus. in whom you have Salvation; and these are the true Meetings, and true Gatherings, who feels Jesus Christ in the midst of them, their Prophet, their Councillor, their Leader, their Light and Life, their Way and their Truth, their Shepherd, that laid down his Life for them, that has bought you, his Sheep, who feeds you in his Pastures of Life, and your heavenly Bishop, to oversee you, that you do not go astray again from God: And so it's through him you overcome, and he that overcomes shall go no more forth out of his Fold, out of his Pastures, who shall sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, who is your Priest, that offered up himself for you, and Sacrifices you, and makes you holy and clean, that he may present you blameless up to the the holy and pure God; and here you come to witness and know him in his Offices, by his Light, Spirit and Power; and all your men's and women's Meetings, in the Power of God, which was before the Devil and his Power was, Of the holy Order of the Cospel. in the Holy Order of the Gospel keep them, you being Heirs of the Everlasting Gospel, the Everlasting Power of God, that will last for ever; a joyful Gospel, in joyful Order, a comfortable Gospel, so a comfortable Order, a glorious Gospel, and glorious Order: So in this Everlasting Gospel, the Power of God, in which you have Everlasting Fellowship and Dominion over all Sin and Wickedness, unrighteousness, unholiness, and all that is bad whatsoever, you have Dominion over, in the Gospel, the Power of God, yea over the Devil. And this Gospel may every one testify unto, and to the Order of it, that it is not of Man, nor by Man, neither is it received but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ, sent down from Heaven, which all the Believers, that have part in the first Resurrection, lives, walks, and keeps in the Order of this Gospel; and so has Power to Admonish, Exhort, Reprove and Rebuke, with all Authority, such as talks of Christ, and does not walk in him; such as profess him, and does not possess him; such as lives not in the Religion that was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years since; such as profess Christ, the Way, and walk not in the Way, the Truth, and the Life, all such talkers, and not walkers, are dishonourers of God, and causes his holy Name to be blasphemed among such as make no Profession. And therefore all Friends that knows that you are alive to God, by Jesus Christ, and knows your translation from Death to Christ the Life, and from Darkness to Christ the Light; so that you may all come now to be helps meet in your Restoration by Christ Jesus, into the Image of God, and his Righteousness and Holiness, as Man and Woman was in before they fell: For before they fell they were meet helps to subdue the Earth, they had both Power over all that God made, while they kept in the Image of God, and his Righteousness and Holiness; and so all that God made was blest and good to them; and so none can renew up into the Righteousness and Image of God, but Christ Jesus. And therefore, I say, in him live and walk, and keep his Gospel-Fellowship and Order; so that Men and Women may be meet helps in the distinct Men and women's Meetings one unto another in the Gospel, the Power of God, Men and Women helps meet i● their services. in the Restoration, as Man and Woman was in before they fell: So if the Men has any thing to communicate unto the Women, or the Women any thing to the Men, in the Righteousness and Wisdom, and Power of God, in the Gospel-Order, in which the heavenly Fellowship, Unity and Order is kept, they may as Brethren and Sisters. So here is the Foundation of our Meetings; and our Men and women's Meetings is testified unto by the Spirit of the Everlasting God, that the Foundation of them is Christ, of the increase of his righteous, glorious and spiritual Government and Peace there is no end; nor of the glorious, everlasting, heavenly Unity and Order of his Heavenly Gospel, which the spiritual and heavenly Minds keeps and walks in accordingly, which is not of Man, nor by Man; so Man has no Glory, but God and Christ, alone, who is Almighty, Omnipotent, Immortal, Everlasting and Eternal, and dwells in the Light, blessed for ever, the Inexpressible God. And so all keep the Unity of his Eternal Spirit, which is the Eternal Bond of your Heavenly and Eternal Peace of your King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Prince's Peace, Amen. All Friends be faithful in the Lord's Power, and in his Spirit to the Lord God and his Truth, that is over all, and will keep you over all, as you all do live and walk in it, to the Glory of God, and bring forth Fruits that is heavenly to his Praise. So live in the Possession of Life Eternal, which was before Death: And so in this Power of Christ, nothing can get between you and the Lord, your Everlasting Home. So with my Love. Swarthmore, the 10th Month, 1675. G. F. To all the Elect and Chosen of God in Christ Jesus, before the Foundation of the World. FRiends and Brethren, Epist. 317. It lies upon me from the Lord to write unto you these following Lines. First I was sent out by the Lord God, in his Eternal Light and Power, G. F. sent to preach the Word of Life. to preach the Word of Life, which was before the Word of Death, and to turn People to the Light, which was before Darkness, and the Power of it, that all might be reconciled to God, by the Word; and that all might believe in the Light, which is the Life in Christ the Word, and so become Children of the Light, and to know Christ the Author of their Faith; and their Faith to stand in him, who is the Author and Finisher of it; and to turn People to the Spirit, which they had quenched, vexed, grieved, and rebelled against; that in that Holy Spirit, they might see before the Spirit of Error was; and that in the Spirit they may know God and Christ, and the Scriptures, which were given forth from it; and that in the same Spirit, they might all have Fellowship one with another, and with the Father and Son; and so to preach the Everlasting Gospel, the Power of God (which was before the Devil was) that brings Life and Immortality to Light, in all that do receive it, that they might see over him that had darkened them: Which Gospel I received not of Man, nor by Man, but of the Lord Jesus Christ, by his Holy Spirit, sent down from Heaven. And so after I had received this, and preached it, and many Thousands were come into it, G. F. advised to Gospel Order. in several Places of the Nation, then by the same Power, and Spirit, and Light, I was moved to advise, to the setting up the men's Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, and the women's Meetings. So that all in the Power of God, the Gospel, which was before the Devil was; and in the Light, which was before Darkness was, and all in the Holy Spirit, before the unholy Spirit was: That they might be all in their Possessions of the Light, Spirit, and Power of God; and therein to keep this heavenly Order of the Gospel, being Heirs of Christ, and of his Government; of the increase of which there is no End. Which Gospel-Order is over all the Orders of Adam in the Fall, or amongst the Apostates, from that Gospel the Apostles was in, and will stand (the Power of God, the Gospel) when they are gone. So that all the Heirs of Life, and Grace, and Heirs of the Gospel, might be in their Possession, and keep in the Power which was before the Fall was; and into this no Apostasy can come. So here in this Power of the Gospel, all have their Liberty, and all have Unity, and all have Liberty in the Spirit, and Unity in the Light, and Unity in the Faith, that Jesus Christ is the Author of: So that all may see Him and his Government, which is over the Government of Adam in the Fall; for he was before Old Adam was, and will be when he is gone. And so that all might be in the Possession of Christ, and as they have received him, so to walk in him, the Heavenly and Spiritual Man; of the increase of whose Government there is no End; but there will be an End of Old Adam's. Now, A Caution to such who oppose God's Discipline in the Church. Friends, whosoever shall come under what Pretence soever, to alter these Meetings, or to deny or speak against the Men and women's Meetings, it is the Spirit of Confusion and Opposition, which would be seeming to do something, yet it's Work is to disquiet the simple Minds; and it is the very same Spirit with John Parrot's; and mark his End, and their End, and such as joins with it. For it is against the Power of God, in which the Order is established, and the Eternal Spirit and Light, in which the Men and women's Meetings were set up; in which all things should be established, and are fastened, in the Light which was before Darkness was, and in the Power of God, before the Devil was, and in the Holy Spirit, before the unclean Spirit was, and will stand when he is gone. Therefore in it keep your Possessions in the Power of God, and in his Light and Spirit, that you may know the Mountain of the Lord, established above all Mountains. And they are none but lose Spirits, and such as tends to Looseness, that stand against the Men and women's Meetings, though it may come under pretence to set up a better Way; or, under pretence only to alter them to another Day; and, it may be, pretend their Fear of the Corruption of observing a Day. All this is but from a corrupt Spirit of Darkness; which God will blast; for we put no Holinss in the usual and constant Days of Monthly and Quarterly Meetings. For I would have them all to know, that they who be Heirs of the Gospel, and of Christ Jesus, are redeemed out of the vain observation of Days, and out of the Jewish and Apostate Christians holidays, to God by Christ, who made all Days, and every thing Good, and their Eyes are to the Supernatural Day of Christ; and they are the Children of this Day. And that is a creeping Spirit, To keep the appointed Days for Meetings. that would go to alter the usual and constant Meeting-Days, under pretence to prevent People from the Corruptions of observing a constant Day, or under a pretence of keeping People out of a Form, and so would father their Deceit upon God. For them who be in the Possession of the Power, by which all true Forms, and all things are upheld (which Word and Power gives Form and Being to all Things) and all they that are in it, are above all such Things, and Judges all such dark Spirits. And they that be in the Observation of Days, they are not Heirs of the Power, nor of Christ, who was before Days was; and such cannot sit in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, to do his Church's Business. So, I say, that after People were turned to the Light, Power and Spirit of God; and they all come into the Light, Power and Spirit of God; all such are to make up the Men and women's Meetings; and in it to feel the Wisdom of God, by which all things were made and created, and with it to be ordered, and to order all things to God's Glory. So that Wisdom may be justified of her Children. Now concerning laying all Marriages before the Men and women's Meetings. Some have darkly objected, This is not as was in the Beginning. Whereas in the Beginning we were but few in Number, and could not presently be so sensible of the service of them, as when grown more numerous, and a Body of People; but in the Beginning there was a Care things might be kept clear: For, in 1653, several Friends came to me, concerning Marriage, and to know what they should do in that Case. And I waited upon the Lord, and saw in his Eternal Light, that all that did Marry, they should lay it before some faithful Friends in the Wisdom of God, that they might see into it: These were my Words then, as in a Paper of mine, given forth that Year, may be seen. And afterwards I was moved to go round the Nation, to advise to the setting up the Men and women's Meetings, and to write to those Places where I could not go; That all the Faithful might keep their Meetings in the Power of God, and in it be settled, and established: And that all Marriages might be laid before the Men and women's Meetings, who were in the Wisdom of God, and in the Possession of his Gospel Order, who had the Care of the Church of Christ's Business, that they in the Wisdom of God might look into it, and see that they were clear from all other Persons, etc. And therefore now that Pretence is generally taken away from all, they cannot say now, That they cannot tell where to find a Meeting of the Faithful, to lay their Marriages before them, before they declare it in the common Public Meetings. Now that the Men and women's Meetings are settled in the Power of God, to look after the Church's Affairs; for all knows where they may be found at certain Days, Times and Places, to lay it before them. And they that go together in the Truth and Power of God, will be willing to lay their Marriages before them that be in the same Truth and Power of God: So that all things may be done in Truth, Love, and Unity, and Pureness, Clearness and Holiness, to the Praise and Glory of God. And all, whosoever they be, that oppose this good Order, are lose Spirits, out of the Power of God; and their Work tends to Looseness, and to draw into a lose Liberty, under a deceitful Pretence of keeping People out of Forms. So the same Power and Spirit, that directed all Marriages to be laid before the Faithful, at the first, when there were but few Friends, in many parts of the Nations, and no men's nor women's Meetings: I say, the same Power of God that did convince Friends at the first, the same Power and Spirit directed to the setting up the men's and women's Meetings, that they might be in the Possession of the Gospel, and its Order. And the same Power and Spirit of God set up our Order for Marriages in our men's and women's Meetings: All to seeck first to the Parents before they engage the Affection of the Child. And that all are to speak first to their Parents, and have their Consent, before they engage the Affections of the Children; and this Order is settled by the Power of God, in the Men and women's Meetings; for some formerly did speak to neither Father nor Mother, till they had drawn out, and entangled the Affections of the Daughter; and that brought great troubles and discontent upon the Parents, and among Friends. And therefore this is to be enquired into, in the Men and women's Meetings, where their Marriages are to be spoken of: So as Friends come to Truth, which the Devil is out of, and to the Power of God, which was before the Devil was; all being Heirs of Life, and the Gospel, and Heirs of Christ; I say, take your Possession of Life, and come into the Order of Life, and into the Order of the Gospel, and then you will have a Witness in yourselves, and will say with me, our Order is not of Man, nor by Man, but by Jesus Christ, and his Gospel; and of his Government, the increase of which there is no end. And so all be faithful, keeping in your Possessions, and in your Inheritance, in that where no Apostasy can come: For I must tell you, here is the same Spirit stirring, if it could prevail, that would lay waste God's Heritage, and bring you out of your Possessions, that it might rule over you: But if you keep your Possessions of the Gospel-Order, the Power of God in Christ Jesus, you will rule over it, being in and upon the Foundation of God, that stands sure; thought some earthly lose Spirits it may draw after them. But mark the end of it; for the Power remains, and will remain, and the Seed reigns over the Head of all such false Spirits, A Warning to Opposers. and Orders, and Governments, that is not set up by Jesus Christ, and it will grind them to pieces: That is the Word of the Lord God to you, let whoever will oppose it; for the Power was before they were, and will stand when they are gone: For all our Men and women's Meetings, which are set up by the Power and Spirit of God, these Meetings are for the Practice of Religion, and to see that all that do profess Truth, do practise it and walk in it. And all such as are against them, are begetters of People into talking, and not walking, and of Saying, but not Doing; and such always were Judged by all them that walk in the Truth, and in the pure Religion, that is undefiled before God, that kept and keeps from the Spots of the World: And all such are never like to prosper, that are against the Practice of the pure Religion. And therefore, as I said before, live in the Possession of the Gospel and its Order, the Power of God, which was before the Devil was, or the Apostasy either; and know his Government; of the increase of which there is no End, who is set up from Everlasting to Everlasting, the Amen. And live in Love and Unity one with another; for that edifies the Body of Christ, and that is it, which will bear all things; and in the Patience run the Race, and have the Crown, and keep in the Meekness of the Lamb, that will have the Victory. And such Opposers as cries against Forms, and Prescriptions, and Edicts of Men, they are the most in it themselves this Day, and gathers into a Separation, by Prescriptions and Subscriptions; and under a Pretence of crying against such things, oppose the Power, and them that be in the Possession of it. But the Power will blast them, and make them to whither, like the Grass and Corn on the Housetop, as it did John Parrot and his Company; to whom it was the Word of the Lord then, and so it is to these now; and the Word lives, and abides, and endures for ever. So with my Love in the Lord Jesus Christ to you all, in whom is my Labour and Travel for your Eternal Good and Settlement, upon the Eternal Rock. Amen. Farewell. Let this be read in the Men and women's Meetings, when Friends are assembled together. Swarthmore, the 12th of the 12th Month, 1675. G. F. ALL Dear Friends and Brethren, Keep up your Testimony, Epist. 318. in the Light, Power and Spirit of God, for the Worship, Friends to keep their Testimony against the Antichristian Ministry. that Christ set up above Sixteen hundred Years since, in the Spirit and Truth (which Truth the Devil is out of, who is an unclean Spirit) which is a Worship that cannot be shaken. And keep up your Testimony, against the Antichristian Ministry, that is inwardly ravened from the Spirit of God, and the Light of Christ, and his Antichristian Tithes, and Maintenance, which he hath set up, by that inwardly ravening Spirit, who hath ravened from the Spirit of Christ, who said, Freely you have received, freely give; and Christ's Ministers coveted no Man's Silver, nor Gold, nor Apparel. And keep up your Testimony in the Power of Christ, for the Church that is made of Living Stones, And for the true Church. (which he is the Head of) who are the Firstborn written in Heaven, a Spiritual Household, a Royal Priesthood, that offers up Spiritual Sacrifices: So that every one may have something to offer from the Spirit to God, who are of the Church that is in God; gathered by the Power and Spirit of Christ to him; who feed on the Bread, that comes down from Heaven; and drinks of the heavenly Wine, and so become Flesh of his Flesh, and Bone of his Bone, and sits together in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus; who is the heavenly and Spiritual Head of his Church, which is written in Heaven, etc. And also keep your Testimony, for your pure and undefiled Religion, And for the pure Religion. etc. And for the Wisdom that is above, etc. And keep your Testimony for the Cross of Christ, which is the Power of God, by which the World is crucified to you, and you to the World. And you that were dead, and are risen with Christ, keep your Testimony for those things, that you have sought, and have found, and received from above; (those heavenly Things) where Christ sits, at the Right-hand of God. And likewise keep your Testimony, for the new and living Way, Christ Jesus; and likewise for the Light of Christ, which you believ in and become Children of the Light and of the Day. The New and Living Way. And keep your Testimony for your Men and women's Meetings, in the Power of God, by which you are gathered out of the Apostasy, and over it, into the Everlasting Gospel-Order, as was in the Apostles Days: Which Gospel-Order is not of Man, nor by Man; but by Christ, the Spiritual Man. And all ye that are Ministers of this Gospel, help and encourage all those Women in their Meetings, Ministers of the Gospel to help the Women Labourers therein. that Labours in the Gospel; and the Women may in the same Power of God (the Gospel) help and assist you: So that you may be helps meet together, in the Restoration by Christ, in his glorious Gospel and Order, who never fell, nor changed, nor will change. So that all the Plants that God hath planted, may flourish, bud, and spring, and bring forth Fruit, to the Praise and Glory of God, in his Power: And this Gospel of Christ Jesus, is Everlasting, and Holy, and Glorious; which you all, that feel it, are Heirs of; which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in you; which Gospel, the Power of God was, before the Devil was, that had darkened you. Now, in this Power of God, the Gospel, is all your Comfort, and glad Tidings; and an Everlasting Joy, in this Everlasting Gospel; and an Everlasting Possession and Comfort, in the Everlasting Order, which is the Gospel of Christ Jesus, who is the First and Last, the Spiritual heavenly Man; his Spiritual and Heavenly Order, for his Spiritual and Heavenly Ones to keep and walk in. And Friends, keep your Testimony, against the World's vain Ways, Words, Fashions, Customs and Worships, as you did at First, and to your proper, Sound plain Language. And Friends, keep your Testimony to the Lord in all your Sufferings and Afflictions; for by the Testimony of Jesus, and the Blood of the Lamb, did and doth the Saints overcome; and the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy; by which they see him that gives them their Victory; and they feel him that suffered for them; and in all their Sufferings and Afflictions, he suffers with them, and is afflicted with them; who is able to save to the uttermost, and to help and secure you, in all Distresses; who is blessed for ever. Amen. And Friends, To keep their Testimony for Christ our Counsellor, Priest, Bishop, etc. keep your Testimony, (who are Children of the New Covenant, and are taught of God; in whose Hearts, God hath written his Law, and put it in your Minds) for your Counsellor and Leader, which God hath given you; and for your Prophet, which God hath raised up, whom you ought to hear; and for your Shepherd, that God has given, who laid down his Life for you, who hath Redeemed you from the World's Hireling Shepherds, and feeds you in his Pasture of Life, and brings you to Rest in his Fold. And keep your Testimony for Christ, your Priest, who is made higher than the Heavens, who laid down his Life for you, and sanctified you, and presents you to God, without Spot or Wrinkle; who is Holy, Harmless, and separate from Sinners: And so keep your Testimony for your Heavenly Spiritual Bishop, Christ Jesus, who is the Bishop of your Souls, who doth oversee you with his Light, Power and Spirit. And keep you Testimony, for the Sufferings and Resurrection of Jesus Christ; for they that suffer with him, shall Reign with him: But they that shuffle, and flee, in the time of Persecution, To keep our Testimony to Christ, etc. and denies him before Men, such he will deny; or, be ashamed of, before his heavenly Father. Who denies him, or is ashamed of him, before earthly Men, such fear the Wrath of Men, more than the Wrath of God; and such are the stony Ground, whose Blade is scorched up by the Heat of Persecution; but the good Seed, sown in the good Ground, that brings forth Thirty, Sixty, and an Hundred fold in this Life. And keep your Testimony, for your Unity in the Faith, that gives you Victory; and your Fellowship and Unity in the Spirit, which is the Bond of the Prince of Princes, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords Peace. Amen. G. F. To Friends in Nevis, and the Caribee Islands. DEar Friends, To you all in Nevis, Epist. 319. and the Caribee Islands there abouts, I have seen a Letter from some of you, wherein I understand that there has been some Scruple concerning Watching, or sending forth Watchmen in your own way. Truly Friends, this I declare to you, Advice to Friends, to keep Watch in their own Way, without Arms, etc. That it is a great Mercy of the Lord, to subject the Govenor's Mind so much by his Power and Truth, that he will permit you to Watch in your own way, without carrying Arms, which is a very civil thing, and to be taken notice of: For, Can Friends obtain the same in Jamaica, and other places, they would willingly have done it, and did proffer themselves for to do it to the Governors. But because that they would not bring Swords and Guns, and other Arms, to watch against the Spaniards, as they pretended; their standing Fine was about 17 s. each Man's neglect, but they took often 30 s. worth for it, and tied some of them neck and heels besides, till the Blood hath come forth at their Mouths, Nose, and Ears: And this I have seen upon Record, who freely proffered to watch in their own way, but it would not be accepted. And in other places it hath been the same. And now as for Watching in itself: Don't you Watch your Plantions against Thiefs in the Night? And are not common Watches, set to discover Thiefs in the Towns, or House-Breakers, or such as might wickedly Fire Houses? Such civil Things we were subject to, and do submit ourselves, for Conscience sake, unto every such Ordinance of Man, which are for the punishment of Evil Doers, and for the praise of them that do well. Now those Evil Doers that may Rob your Plantations, or Houses, you complain to the Magistrates, for the Punishment of them, tho' you cannot Swear against them; or if the Indians come to Rob your Plantations, or Houses, you complain to the Magistrates for the Punishment of such evil doers, to stop them, which Magistrates are for the Praise of them that do well. So this Watching is for the preventing Thiefs and Murderers, and stopping Burning of Houses: So we do submit to every such Ordinance of Men for the Lord's sake; for the Apostle exhorted to Submission; whether it be to the King, as supreme; or Governors; as unto them that are sent by him; for the Punishing of the Evil Doers, Of Subjection to Magistraies. and for the praise of them that do well; for so it is the Will of God, that with well doing you might put to Silence the Ignorance of Foolish Men, as free, not using your Liberty for a Cloak of Maliciousness, but as Servants of God; so that Justice, and Truth and Righteousness may be set upon the Unrighteous and Unjnst, not using this Liberty for a Cloak of Unrighteousness to any one, but as Servants in the Righteousness of the Righteous God, as you may see in 1 Pet. 2.13. and in Titus 3.1. Put them in mind to obey Magistrates, and to be ready to every good Work: Mark (every good Work) that is against the evil, as Drunkeness, Murder, whoredom, these and all manner of Uncleanness; so far we can obey them, in the Lord's Power and Truth, as they act against the Evil, and that which dishonours God; and if they Act against the Good, or if they would comple us to those things, which is matter of Conscience in us towards God, we resist not, burr suffer under them: For Rulers are not to be a Terror to the Good Workers, but to the Evil, and wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power; do that which is good, and thou shalt have Praise of the same; for he is a Minister of God to thee for good, for he should keep down the Evil, but if thou dost that which is Evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the Sword in vain; for he is a Minister of God to Revenge and Execute Wrath upon him that doth Evil. Who is the Executor of Wrath upon the Evil Doer. So he is the Revenger and Executioner of the Wrath upon the Evil Doer, as God hath placed him, upon the Adulterer, and him that Steals or Kills, and bears false Witness, etc. But when the Magistrate turns his Sword backward upon the Just and Righteous, than he abuses his Power, and therein the Just suffers under him: And therefore such has been Warned by the Just, as you may see through the Scriptures. So you are not to be the Revengers, but he is the Revenger; and to that Power that executes the Revenge, and brings the Sword upon the Adulterer, Murderer, Thief, false Witness, and other Evil Doers, we must be subject to that Power, and own that Power, not only for Wrath, but for Conscience sake; which is for the Punishment of the Evil Doers, and the Praise of them that do well. For if any should come to Burn your House, or Rob you, or come to Ravish your Wives or Daughters, or a Company should come to Fire a City or Town, or come to Kill People; don't you watch against all such Actions? And won't you watch against such evil things in the Power of God in your own way? You cannot but discover such things to the Magistrates, who are to Punish such things; and therefore the Watch is kept and set to discover such to the Magistrate, that they may be Punished; and if he does it not, he bears his Sword in vain. So if thou watches thy own Plantation against Thiefs, in thy own way, which thou art desired, for the good of thyself and Neighbours, against such as would Burn thy Plantation, and thy Neighbours, and Destroy and Rob you, wilt not thou discover this to the Magistrates, to Punish such Evil Doers, who is set for the Punishing of the Evil Doers, and Executing Wrath upon them, and for the Praise of them that do well? Surely Yes. And for this cause we pay tribute to them, and give Cesar his due, that we may live a Godly and Peaceable Life under them, as they are God's Ministers attending upon this very thing, to wit, the Punishing of the Evil Doers, and the Praise of them that do well; for the Law was not made for the Righteous, but for the Sinner and Disobedient, which is good in its place. Now if they do not do their Duty, we are clear in giving them their Tribute or Customs; I say, if they do not do their Duty to keep down Evil Doers, and be for the Praise of them that do well, God Almighty will turn against them. But if the Magistrate would have all, both God's due, and Cesar's too, that we cannot give; for God must have his Worship, his Praise, his Honour, and his Due; and Cesar must have his Due, Render to God the things which are his, and to Cesar the things which are his. his earthly Custom and Tribute; and so herein, we render unto God the things which are God's, and unto Cesar the things which are his. And whereas some may say, That the Apostle would not eat Flesh, lest he should offend his Brother, that was upon a Religious Account; and not to give offence to the Magistrate, who is set for the Punishing of the Evil Doers, and for the Praise of them that do well. And whereas the Apostle saith, Col. 2. Wherefore if you be dead with Christ, from the Rudiments of the World; why, as though living in the World, are ye subject to Ordinances, touch not, taste not, handle not, which all are to perish with the using, after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men? Now these Ordinances, these Doctrines, these Commandments, were concerning Religion and Worship; and that was another thing, where the Apostle saith, Be subject to every Ordinance of Man, for the Lord's sake; for the Punishment of Evil Doers, 1 Pet. 2.13. For this was for the Lord's sake, which was for the Praise of them that do well, and for the Punishment of the Evil Doer. So he makes a distinction here. And you know that Masters of Ships, and Friends, have their Watches all Night long, and they Watch to preserve the Ship, and to prevent any Enemy, or Hurts, that might come to the Ship, by Passengers, or otherwise. And Christ came in the Fourth Watch of the Night, walking on the Sea, etc. And Peter was in the Ship, and his Disciples, as you may see in Matth. 14. and in Mark 6. and 48. And Simon Peter had part of the Ship, as you may see in Luke 5. And so it was that James and John, Sons of Zebedee were Partners with Simon. And Christ saith, Luke 12.38, 39 speaking of his Coming, We are to keep our Watch, both outwardly and inwardly and Exhorting to watch, If he (to wit, the Master) should come in the second or third Watch, and find them Watching, blessed are those Servants. So this Watching was for Christ, and against Sin and Evil in their own Hearts. And then he brings a Comparison, And this know, that if the good Man of the House, said he, had known what Hour the Thief would come, he would have watched, and not suffered his House to be broken up, etc. And so here is the good Man's watching against Sin and Evil without, and the Spoiler and Thief without, whom the Magistrate is to Revenge, and to lay his Sword upon: And here is also a watching against Sin and Evil within, and a waiting to receive Christ the Lord at his Coming. And as there is a shutting the outward Doors, to keep out the Murderers and the Thiefs, and a Bolting and Locking of them out: So there is a shutting up, and locking the Door of the Heart, to keep out the Adulterer and Murderer, and all that is Deceitful, from coming within, into the Heart. And Friends, the Priests and Professors used to bring this Scripture, You must be subject to every Ordinance of Man for the Lords sake; to the end that we should pay them their Maintenance, and hold up their Worship. And when the Magistrates brought that Scripture for these ends, we could not obey them in these things, nor touch, nor taste their Ordinances, Doctrines nor Commandments. But to be subject to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake; which was for the Punishment of Evil Doers; as Drunkards, Thiefs, Murderers, Adulterers, and such like, and to keep down such Evil Doers, and that we might live a Godly and Peaceable Life under them; which was for the Praise of them that do well; this we always owned, and were subject to, and watched against, and declared against in our own way, and laid such Actors and Actions before the Magistrates, for them to punish, and keep down with their Power, If a Magistrate compel against our Conscience, we patiently Suffer. which is their Sword of Justice; but if they would compel us to things that we could not do, contrary to our Conscience, for the Lords sake, we suffered for it. So where Friends has the Government, as in Rhode Island, and that Province Friends was willing to watch, in their own way, and they made a Law, that none should be compelled to take Arms. So Friends have always proffered the Magistrates, though they could not join with then in carrying Arms, Swords and Pistols; yet to watch in their own way against the Evil Doer. And this they have proffered in Barbadoes, as I have heard, to discover, if Negroes should rise up to Burn Plantations, or Steal, or do any hurt, or other Indians invading their Land. And so if the foreign Indians should come to Steal your Goods, or to Kill; for you to be left to your freedom to watch in your own way, and to discover to the Magistrate such as would destroy your Lives or Plantations, or Steal, let them come from at home, or come from abroad, such Evil Doers the Magistrate is to punish, who is for the Praise of them that do well. So that you may live and lead a Godly and Peaceable Life under them: And you that are Righteous, you watching, discovering and declaring against such Evil doers, and things, you clear yourselves, and demonstrate that your testimony is against such things: And if the Magistrates should be evily inclined, and God should bring the Evil Doers as a Rod upon them; yet you are clear in your testimony, that knows Truth, and are in your Duty, and in your Obedience. And for this cause he has his Tributs, To give to the Magistrate Tribute, Custom and Due, and double Honour. and his Custom, and his Due, and double Honour, if he Rules well, and God has his Praise, and his Honour; and in that Power and Truth of God, which is against Untruth, and the Power of Darkness; and in the Light, which is against Evil; and in the Life, which is against Death, you discover the Bad to him, for him to Punish them upon true Evidence; and if he does not do it, it will lie upon him. And if he be a Praise to the Evil, and a Discouragement to the Good, than the Lord will deal with him; and tho' to such, for Conscience, and for the Lord's sake, we cannot be subject to the Evil, but rather suffer thereby, and are subject to that which punishes and keeps down the Evil, and are glad of it: And we desire that Justice were uppermost in all Magistrates, that they would hear Friends at their Yea or Nay, that do come to them, and discover to them the Evil, and that they might see what they should do, and what they should not do. So Friends may discover all that which is Evil, which comes to devour and destroy, both within and without; both within the Island and without, to them that should keep it down. And so, in the Lord's Everlasting Power, in which Freedom is and Dominion, the Lord God Almighty keep you in his Power and Life, in the Gospel, which brings Life and Immortality to Light in you, that you may see over the Devil that had darkened you, and kept you in a separation from God: So that by his Gospel, the Power of God, which was before the Devil was, and will be when he is gone, who was the Author of Strife: That in that Power you may all freely approach to God, and in it feel nothing betwixt you and the Lord of hindering your Passage unto him. So that in this Gospel, the Power of God, in which Life and Immortality is brought to Light, you may keep and feel your Everlasting Fellowship and Order of the Gospel; which is not of Man, nor by Man. So with my Love to all Friends in all those Parts, as though I named them; and be at Peace one with another; neither Judge one another about such things, but live in Love, which doth edify. And in the Power of God, that your Hearts, and Souls, and Minds, may unite together in it; and all to walk as becomes the Gospel: That our Lives and Conversations may preach, etc. And let your Lives and Conversations Preach, that with a Measure of the Spirit of God, you may reach to that of God in all; so that his Name may be glorified, and he honoured, in your bringing forth much heavenly Spiritual Fruit, from the heavenly Seed, that Christ the heavenly Seedsman hath sown in your Hearts; that so an Hundred fold of Holiness, Righteousness, Godliness, Virtue and Piety, from this heavenly Seed, you may bring forth and increase in this Life-time, and in the World to come reap Life Everlasting. And give no occasion to your Adversaries, neither in your Lives nor Words; but that you may all serve God in the New Life, showing forth that you are new Men, and that you are renewed in the Image of God, and that you are born again of the Immortal heavenly Seed, by the eternal Everlasting Word, that lives, and abides, and endures for ever. And that you do feed upon the heavenly Milk and Bread from above, and that your Conversation is in Heaven, and that you are clothed with the fine heavenly Linen, which is the Righteousness of Saints, which is Christ's (the Heavenly and Spiritual Man's) Livery; by which his Servants are known by his Badge of Righteousness, and distinguished from all the Servants of Old Adam, Egypt, Sodom and Babylon, with their Badge of unrighteousness. And so be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth, And be valiant for the Truth, etc. and spread it abroad, preach Christ and his Kingdom, his Light, his Grace, his Truth to Men; that all should walk in it; and his dreadful Day upon all the Talkers of God, Christ, his Prophets and Apostles Words, that do not walk in the same Power, Spirit and Life, Grace and Truth, as they walked in. I say, Preach this to the Magistrates, and amongst the Heathen-men, and show your seles to be quickened (by Christ) who have been dead in Sins and Trespasses; but that you are now made alive by him; and so show forth his Light, Life and Truth, and that you are awakened to Righteousness; and therefore show it forth to them that are asleep in the unrighteousness: So that the Lord's Glory, and righteous Power, Truth, Light and Life, may flow over all, to his Glory over all, for ever. Amen. And much I could write to you concerning these things, but I have not been very well; but, blessEd be the Lord God, his Everlasting Seed is over all, which reigns from Everlasting to Everlasting, and my Life is in it. And therefore stand and live in the Lord's Name and Power, which is against all manner of unrighteousness; and in the Light, which is against Darkness, and all the Works thereof; and in the Life, which is against Death, and over Death, and all the Actors of it: and in the Truth, that is over all Evil, and against all the Doers thereof, within and without. And so, that in the Light, Life, Power and Truth of God, and in his Holy Spirit, you may live in Fellowship, and in the Unity of the Spirit, which is your Bond of Peace; yea, even of the Prince of Prince's Peace; which the World cannot take away from you. Swarthmore. the 5th of the 9th Month. G. F. An Encouragement to all the Faithful Womens-Meetings in the WORLD, who assemble together in the Fear of God, for the Service of the Truth. Wherein they may see how the Holy Men encouraged the Holy Women, both in the Time of the Law, and in the Time of the Gospel; though Selfish and Unholy Men may seek to Discourage them. But go on in the Name and Power of Christ, and Prosper. FRiends, Epist. 320. You may read in the old World, how one FAmily after another, till Noah's time, served the Lord God. And then from Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their Wives, and after Moses and Aaron had brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt, and that they were come to be a great People, Moses said, I would all the Lord's People were Prophets, Numb. 11.29. And when a young Man said unto Moses, Eldad and Medad do Prophecy in the Camp; Moses desired that all the Lord's People were Prophets. and he would have had Moses to forbid them: But Moses ansered and said unto him again, Would to God all the Lord's People were Prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them. So Moses here (who was Captain, Governor, and Judge over Israel) was far from restraining any from Prophesying in the Camp, but reproved his Envy that would have had him forbid them; and did moreover encourage them, by saying, I would to God all the Lord's People were Prophets: And surely all the Lord's People are made up of both Men and Women. And the Lord having given his Law to the Children of Israel, which was Holy, Just, and Good, the Lord said, I have poured out my Spirit upon the House of Israel: So that by this Spirit, they might understand his Law, which was Spiritual, Ezek. 39.29. Now in the time of the Law, there were the Assemblies of the Women; for all the Women that were wise of Hearth, did work with their Hands about those holy Things which God had commanded. And all the Women those Hearts stirred them up in Wisdom, Assemblies of the Women under the Law. these Women wrought about those holy Things that belonged to the Tabernacle and Sanctuary; as you may see in Exod. 35. And likewise the Assemblies of the Women, in the 38th Chap. and of the women's assEmbling at the Door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation; and in the Margin it's said, They assembled by Troops. Now, here you may see, That the Women were in the Work and Service of God, as well as the Men; and they had their Assemblies. For God had poured out of his Spirit upon the House of Israel, to give them an Understanding, both Men and Women, to do that, and make those things which God had commanded, which were called holy things; which were but Figares and Shadows of the Substance, Christ Jesus, the Holy One. Now Moses and Aaron, and the Seventy Elders, did not say to those Assemblies of the Women, We can do our Work ourselves, and you are more fit to be at home to wash the Dishes; or suchlike Expressions; but they did encourage them in Work and Sevice of God, in those things which God had commanded them in the time of the Law. For God having pured his Spirit upon the House of Israel, God give his Spirit to the House of Israel under the Law. to give them an Understading, to do those things, which God had commanded them; by which Spirit their Hearts were stirred up to do God's Work, both Males and Females. And in the time of the Law, the Women were to offer up Sacrifices and Offerings, as well as the Men, upon God's Altar; as you may see, Hannah when she brought Samuel, and offered him up to the Lord, she brought him to the House of the Lord in Shiloh, and when she brought him, she took up with her three Bullocks, besides Flower and Wine: So see how she paid her Vows to the Lord, and offered up her Sacrifices upon God's Altar. And other Places might be showed of the women's Offerings and Sacrifices. And you may see Hannah's fervent Zeal to God, and what a large Speech she made in magnifying and exalting the Lord, in 1 Sam. 1st. and 2d. Chap. And so you may see, the Offerings and Sacrifices of the Women were accepted upon God's Altar, as well as the men's. But the hire of a Whore was not to be brought into the House of God for any Vow, for it was an abomination to the Lord, Deut. 23.10. Now Hannah's Husband, and the other women's Husbands, Hannah's Offering. that offered up their Offerings upon God's Altar, were not offended at them, nor did they say, their Offerings were enough for them both; but every one was to offer up their Peace-Offerings and Thanksgiving-Offerings themselves, and other Offerings. So here youmay see the Service and Work of the Women, and how serviceable the Women were in their Assemblies in the time of the Law, about the Tabernacle and Holy Things, and how the Women offered upon God's Altar, as well as the Men, they had their Liberty. But the hire of the Whore was to be kept out of God's House, and not to be offered up upon God's Altar. So ye may see man and Woman were meet helps in Paradise, before the Fall; and Death reigned from Adam till Moses, and after Moses received the Law from God, which went over Death (and Sin that brought it) who saw the State of Man and Woman in Paradise: Men and Women in the time of the Law were meet helps again to one another, in the Work and Service of the holy Things about the Tabernacle and Sanctuary, and the Women had their Assemblies. And it's said, in Joel 2. and in Acts 2. That the Lord would pur cut of his Spirit upon all Flesh in the last Days or Times. So this Spirit being poured upon all Flesh in the Christian Times, God poureth his Spirit upon all Flesh under the Gospel. Sons and Daughters, Handmaids and Servants, old Men and young Men, that by the Spirit of God, all these might have his Visions, Prophecies and Dreams: and this is his Spirit, by which all should profit in the things that be Eternal, and to serve God in the Spirit, both Men and Women, Sons and Daughters, old Men and young Men, Handmaids and Servants; and all offer up to God his Spiritual Sacrifices. For all being dead in old earthly Adam, Christ, the heavenly Adam has tasted Death for them all, and is a Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World, and he enlightens all, and his Grace hath appeared unto all, and his Spirit is poured upon all Flesh, and his Gospel, which is the Power of God, is preached to every Creature under Heaven. And now, must not all receive the Grace, and believe in the Light, and receive this Gospel, and walk and labour in it, both Men and Women, Sons and Daughters, old Men and young, Servants and Handmaids. Yea, I say, the Gospel being preached to all Nations, and to every Creature under Heaven, old Men and young, Servants and Handmaids, Sons and Daughters; I say, then must not all these receive this Gospel, and the Light and Grace? And are they not all to walk in it? and to offer up their Spiritual Sacrifices upon the heavenly Altar, in the New Covenant, and to walk in the New and Living Way; and all to receive the Light of Christ, which enlightens all; and to become Children of Light, and to feel the Blood of Christ to cleanse them from all Sin, which they have in old Adam. So as the Women were to offer in the old Covenant, and in the time of the Law, upon the outward Altar their Offerings; and God poured out his Spirit upon the House of Israel, that they might understand, and do what he commanded them: At which time they had the Assemblies of the Women, which were not forbidden. So now, in the time of the Gospel, and the Day of Christ, which enlightens all, and in the time of his Grace, which hath appeared unto all Men, to teach them, and to bring their Salvation; and in the time of his Gospel preached to every Creature, and in the time of his pouring out of his Spirit upon all Flesh, that they might understand, and walk, and live in his Gospel, and by his Spirit offer up their Spiritual Sacrifices. So in this the Time and Day of Christ, the captain of our Salvation, must not all these Labour in the Gospel, and in the Word, and in the Grace, and in the Light, and know and do God and Christ's Work and Service about his heavenly Tabernacle and Sanctuary? Assemblies of the Women in the time of the Cospol. etc. Hath not every one their Service that are enlightened? And his Grace, that hath appeared unto them, are they not Stewards of it? And must not they have their Assemblies of the Women in the time of the Gospel, and of the New Covenant, and in the time of Grace, and Light and Life, as well as in the time of the Law, and of the old Covenant? And are not all to albour in that which tends to Goded Glory, and Praise, and Honour? For which End he hath made them all, and for which End he hath redeemed them, and converted them, and translated and sanctified them, to make them VessEls of his Honour, and of his Grace and Mercies. And so now the End of all our Men and women's Meetings in the time of the Gospel (the Power of Christ being the Authority of them) is, That they might all labour in his Power, and in his Grace, and in his Spirit, and in his Light, to his Service, and his Business in Truth and Righteousness. So the Women in the time of the Gospel, Light and Grace, are to look into their own selves and Families, and to look to the Training up of their Children; for they are ofttimes more amongst them than the Men, and may prevent many things that may fall out, and many times they may make or mar their Children in their Education. So now they come to be exercised in the Grace of God, and to admonish and exhort, reprove and rebuke, and to keep all their Families modest, honest, virtuous, sober and civil, and not to gibe Liberty, nor indulge that which tends to Vice, or Lasiviousness, or any Evil, or Idleness, or Sloathfulness, or the Fashions of the World, which pass away; and to stop all vain Words, and idle Talking, and Stories and Tales, which are unproffitable; but rather to turn their Ears to Godliness, which they should be trained up and exercised in, and not to fulfil the Lust of the Eye; for that being satisfied, brings the Pride of Life, and then comes the Lust of the Flesh; and this is not of the Father, but of the World. And if either Men or Women suffer such things, they suffer that which defiles their Children and Families; And therefore such things are to be reproved in Families, and their Children to be stopped from going into such things. And therefore they are to have an Esteem of Truth and Virtue above all such things, and not to indulge any such things as will draw out their Minds from Virtue to Vice. Now when the Women are met together in the Light, womans when met, to be helpful to one another. and in the Gospel, the Power of God; some are of a more large Capacity and Understanding than other Women, and are able to inform, and instruct, and stir up others into Diligence, Virtue, and Righteousness, and Godliness, and in the Love and Wisdom of God, to Inform and Reform, their Families, and to help them that be of weaker Capacities and Understandings in the Wisdom of God, that they may be fruitful in every good Work and Word. So that they may see that all their Families are ordered to God's Glory; and that which tends to Looseness or Evil, either in words, ways or actions, that would corrupt them, either in their Lives or Manners, may be kept down and reproved. So that all their Children and Servants may be trained up in the Fear of God, in the New Covenant; for among the Jews in the Old Covenant, them that sojourned amongst them were to keep the Sabbath, and if they did eat of their Sacrifice, they were bo be circumcised. And the Women had their Assemblies in the Days of the Judges and the Kings; and old Ely's Sons abused them, and old Ely did admonish his Sons, but he did not resTrain them from their Wickedness; and therefore God cut off his Sons, and he lost the Ark of God, and the Priesthood, and his own Life also. So many of you may admonish your Children, but if ye do not restrain them by the holp of the Spirit of God, which God hath given to you, you will quench the Spirit of God in you, by indulging them; so by that you will lose your spiritual Offering, and your Priesthood therein; Ely an example to all Parents. and take heed if you do not lose your own Lives, and your children's also; therefore mind old Ely for your Example. Now old Ely was not against the Assemblies of the Women, who assembled by Troops, as (in the Margin of the Bible) you may see, 1 Sam. 2.21, 22. though some Men now a days may be against women's Meetings or Assemblies in the Gospel-times, and against Woments Speaking or Prophesying, but they are ignorant of the universal Spirit, and of their Service and Labour to God, in his Grace and Gospel, and are of a narrow Spirit, and are not the true Servers of God themselves; for if they were, they would have all People to serve God in his Power, and to keep the true Religion, which is to visit the Fatherless and the Widows, and to keep themselves from the Spots of the World. And some there have been, that would not have the Women to meet without the Men; and some of them say, the Women must not speak in the Church, and if they must not speak, what should they meet with them for? But what Spirit is this, that would exercise Lordship over the Faith of any? And what a Spirit is this, that will neither suffer the Women to speak amongst the Men, nor to meet amongst themselves to speak? But all this is for Judgement, with that Spirit that gives Liberty unto all that Labour in the Gospel, in the Light, and in the Grace. And some Men and Women there are that suggest, if Women should meet (by themselves) in the Order of the Gospel, the Power of God, they would be too high; but such Men and Women, as so suggest, are too high already, and would be ruling over Men and Woman's Possessions, and waste their own; for if they were in the Power and Spirit of God, they need not fear any one's getting over them: For the Power and Spirit of God gives Liberty to all; for Women are Heirs of Life as well as the Men, and so Stewards of the manifold Grace of God. And they must all give an account of their Stewardship, All must give account of their Stewardship and are to be Possessors of Life, and Light, and Grace, and the Gospel of Christ, and to Labour in it; and to keep their Liberty and Freedom in it, as well as the Men. And they are Believers in the Light, as well as the Men, and so Children of the Light and of the Day, as well as the Men. And so the Assemblies of the Women, Assemblies of Women to be in the Gospel, as was in the time of the Law. whom God hath poured out his Spirit upon, are to be in the time of the Gospel, as well as in the time of the Law, that they may be helps meet to the Men in the time of the Gospel, in the Restoration, as they were in the Beginning, and time of the Law. So all the Women (in all their Assemblies in the time of the Gospel, and of the New Covenant of Light, Life and Grace) are to be encouraged, as they were in the time of the Law, and to be stirred up in the Wisdom of God to their Diligence and Service of God and Christ, in his New Covenant, in his Gospel-time, Concerning the? Substance. to do the Lord's Business about the Heavenly Tabernacle, and Heavenly Garnients, as the Women were about the Figure in the time of the Law. And now, you that stumble at women's Meetings, had not your Women many vain Meetings before they were convinced, and you were not then offended at them, when they met to satisfy the Flesh. and had Junketing Meetings to themselves, did you reprove them for such Meetings? And why should they not now meet in their Conversion in the Lord's Power and Spirit, to do his Business, and to visit the Fatherless and Widows, and to keep themselves from the Spots of the World, which is the Practice of the pure Religion, wherein the Men and Women may be helps meet in the Religion that is not of the World, that keeps from the Spots of the World. But some have said, That such Meetings must not be, That they may be helpful with the Men to prevent Evil, etc. but as Business requires or occasions them: As much as to say, you must not make up the Hedges till the Beasts have devoured your Corn; and then the Parish Overseers must meet together to compute the Damage. And here their Wisdom is seen, as if it were not more their Duty to meet, to prevent bad Actions that may fall out, and with the Power of God to stop up Gaps to prevent Evil, or weak Places; for when the Evil is entered into, it is of the latest to meet then, which rather brings Scandal that Remedy; and therefore the Labourers in the Gospel, Men and Women (being helps meet) are to see that all walk and live in the Order of the Gospel, and to see that nothing be lacking, than all is well: For the Women in their Assemblies may inform one another of the poor Widows and Fatherless, and in the Wisdom of God may find the best way for the setting forth of their Children; and to see that their Children are prerseved in Truth, and to instruct them in the Fear of the Lord. And you may see the care of Abraham, about Isaac taking of his wife; The Care of Abraham, Isaac, and their Wives, for their Children. and the Care of Sarah, that the Son of the Bond Woman should not be Heir with her Son, and how that he sent his Servant, that spoke to the Parents, before he spoke to Rebecca the Daughter, concerning the MessAge of his Master Abraham, and they confessed it did proceed from the Lord, as in Gen. 24. And also you may see the Care of Rebecca concerning Jacob, who said, If jacob Take a Wife of the Daaghters of Heth, what good will my Life do me? And here you may see Isaac and Rebecca helps meet; and Isaac did not say, Hold thy Tongue, thou Foolish Woman: For Isaac exhorted Jacob, and charged him, not to take a Wife of the Daughters of Canaan; as you may see in Gen. 27. And when Rebecca was with Child, the Children struggled in her Womb, and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to the Lord to inquire, and the Lord said unto her, Two Nations are in thy Womb, and two manner of People, and the Elder shall serve the Tounger, etc. as in Gen. 25. So you may see, that she had Recourse to the Lord, and enquired of the Lord, and he heard her, and spoke to her, and she heard the Lord's Voice: she is an Example to all Women in that Condition, to ask Counsel of the Lord, as she did. And when Sarah said to Abraham, Abraham obeythe Voice of his Wife. Cast forth the Bondwoman and her Son; for the Son of the Bondwoman shall not be Heir with my Son Isaac; but this thing was grievous in Abraham 's sight, because of his Son Ishmael: But God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight, because of the Lad, and because of the Bondwoman; for in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, harken unto her Voice; for in Isaac shall thy Seed be called. Here you may see God justified this honourable Woman's speaking and her Husband Abraham did according to her words, as in Gen. 21 for the Church was in Abraham's House at that time; and so Sarah spoke in the Church. And you may see the Counsel of Rebecca to Jacob, and how she instructed her Son, in Chap. 27. etc. And likewise you may see Rechel and Leah their Counsel to Jacob, who answered Jacob, And Jacob was Counselled by his Wives. and said unto him, Is there yet any Portion or Inberitance for us in our Father's House? Are we not counted of his as Strangers? For be hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our Money; for all the Riches which God hath taken from our Father, that is ours, and our children's; and now therefore, whatsoever God hath said unto thee do. This was Rachel's and Leah's Counsel unto Jacob; and were not these three a Church then? And did he forbidden them from speaking in the Church? see Gen. 31.14, 15, 16. And in Exod. 1. there you may see the Midwives, which feared God, did not obey King Rharaoh's Command, in destroying the Male-childrens, but saved them alive. And after that the King of Egypt sent for the Midwives, The Egyptian Midwife's an Example. and asked them, Why they had done so, in saving the Male-childrens? Yet these Midwives, after he had thus examined them, and reinforced his Command, yet they still disobeyed his Command, and would not yield to his Persecuting, Murdering Deuree; and therefore it is said, God dealt well with the Midwives. And it came to pass, because the Midwives feared God, that he made them Houses. And here you may see the Lord took Care for these honourable Women that feared him. And do ye think that these honourable Women did not meet often together, and took Counsel together, to stand together, and adventure their own Lives and Estates to preserve the Lives of those Male-childrens? Would you not say, if this were in your Days, that these were bold Women to answer the King after such a manner, and to disobey the King's Commands thus? as in Exod 1. And after the Children of Israel came out of Egypt, and saw the Destruction of Pharaoh and his Host; after Moses made an End of his Song, and praising of the Lord, than Miriam the Prophetess, Miriam troth the Woman's Song. the Sister of Aaron, took a Timbrel in her Hand, and all the Women went out after her with Timbrels and with Dances (mark, all the Women) and Miriam answered them, and said, Sing ye unto the Lord; for he hath triumphed gloriously, the Horse and his Rider hath he overthrown in the Sea, etc. Now, here you may see what an Assembly there was of the Women, that praised the Lord, which were instructed by Miriam the Prophetess; and Moses and Aaron were not offended at them; for they were sensible of their Joy, and were Partakers of the Deliverance and Salvation, the Women as well as the Men; as you may see in Exod. 15. And Deborah, a Prophetess, she judged Israel, Deborah a Judge and Prophetess. and sent to Baruch and exhorted and encouraged him; and she prophesied to him, that he should not have the Glory of the Battle; but that the Lord should sell Sisera into the Hands of a Woman; as you may see in Judges 4, 5. Chap. Then sung Deborah and praised the Lord; and there you may see her large Declaration, in praising and magnifying the Name of the Lord, the whole Chapter throughout; and how she said, BlessEd be jael above all Women, the Wife of Heber; blessed shall she be in the Tent, etc. And we do not read that the Elders did reprove her, or bid her hold her Prating; for she was filled with the Power of the Lord to praise his Name, Judges 5. And you may see how the Apostle set forth the honourable Women, and their Faithfulness and Constancy, who by Faith received the Dead, raised to Life again, Hebr. 11.35. And Hannah, who prayed in the Temple before Ely, as aforesaid, Hannah's Prayer. who was ignorant of her Condition, he teproved her, and thought she had been Drunk; but she convinced him; so that at last he encouraged her, and desired the Lord to grant her Petition: And when the Lord had granted it to her, you may see how this honourable Woman exalts the Lord, 1 Sam. 2.1, to the 10th. And Ruth and Naomi, you may see what virtuous Women they were, and how the Women blessed the Lord on their behalf, and how they declared of the Goodness of the Lord to them. And Huldah the Prophetess, which dwelled in Jerusalem, in the College, Huldah's Instruction to the King's Ministers. where the King sent out the Priest Hilkiah, and his Scribe, and others, to inquire of her. Now the Jews here did not despise Communication with a Woman. And she instructed the Priest and the King's Scribe, which came to her. So neither King nor Priest did despise this Propheress' Teaching and Instruction, but obeyed it, as you may see what a large Sermon she preached to them, in 2 Kings 22. from 14, to the end. And you may see Abigail, that honourable Woman's Wisdom, Abigail's Conduct and advice to David. how she saved her FAmily and her House from DesTruction. Yet she did not go to ask her Husband (old churlish Nabal) at home, but she, who was innocent and wise, took it upon herself; and you may see what a brave Sermon she preached to David, who heard her patiently; and she toll David, how that he was bound up in the bundle of Life with the Lord God. And David blessEd the Lord God that she come to him, and said, The Lord God of Israel had sent her that day to meet him; and said, Blessed be thy Advice, and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from shedding Blood; as you may read in 1 Sam. 25th. And was not this a Noble and Honourable Act of his Woman, which prevented so much Evil and Bloodshed, which her Husband had like to have brought upon them. So David did not despise the Counsel of this honourable Woman, who was wiser than her Husband Nabal. And now, must not the Virgins, in the time of the Gospel, trim their Lamps, and get Oil into their own Lamps, by labouring in the Grace, Light and Power of Christ, and keep their Lamps trimmed and always burning. In the time of the Law it was Aaron the Priest's Office; but in the time of the Gospel all the Virgin. Minds must trim their Lamps, that their Lamps may burn the clearer; and to see that they have Oil in their Lamps from the heavenly Olive-Tree, Christ Jesus. And therefore, they that would not have the Virgins and Women to be diligent, serving the Lord in his heavenly Business and Service, their Lamps are going out, and they are become Fools, and would have others like themselves. And the Lord sent Elijah in the time of the Famine, Wisdom of Zaphath's Faith. and said unto him, Behold, I have commanded a Widow Woman to sustain thee; and he arose, and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the Gate of the City, the Widow-Woman was gathering Sticks to make a Fire, to bake her a Cake, who had but one handful of Meal and a little Oil in a Cruse, and yet in Faith she made the Man of God a Cake, though she had no more than his, that she and her Son might eat and then die; but her Meal wasted not, nor her Cruse of Oil, according to the Word of the Lord; and so the Lord blessed his Woman, as you may see in 1 Kings 17. And in the 2d of Kings and the 4th, there you may see the Faith of the Widow-Woman, and how largely she spoke unto the Prophet Elisha, and how the Lord increased her stock of Oil through her Belief and Faithfulness. And Elisha passed unto Shunnim, And the Shunamite Woman's Hospitality to the Prophet. where there was a great Woman, and she constrained him to eat Bread; and so it was, as oft as he passed by, that he truned in thither to eat Bread; and she said unto her Husband, Behold, now I perceive, that this is a Holy Man of God, which passes by us continually, let us make him a little Chamber, I pray thee, on the Wall, and let us set for him there a Bed, and a Table, and a Stool, and a CandlesTick, and it shall be that when he comes to us, that he shall turn in thither. Now to this good Action of this holy Woman was her Husband subject; and how she was blest afterwards for her Faithfulness, and receiving of the Man of God. Now the Prophet of the Lord did not despise this Woman's speaking in the time of the Law. Neither did Solomon despise the Prophecy his Mother taught him, Prov. 31. And David said, The Lord gave the Word, and great was the Company of those that published it, psalm 68.11. And the King's Daughter was among the honourable Women: So there were the honourable Woman, that feared and served the Lord God, in the time of the Law and before the Law. But now there should be much more in the time of the Gospel, Women should be more Servicealle in the Church, in the time of the Gospel, than they were under the Law. which is preached to every Creature; which Gospel-Light has enlightened every Man that cometh into the World; and in the time of the Covenant of Grace, which hath appeared unto all Men, to teach them and bring their Salvation: And so in the time of the Gospel, Light and Grace, the honourable Women should be meet helps, and Fellow-labourers together in the Work and Service of the Lord, as Man and Woman was before they fell, and as they were in the time of the Law. For that honourable Deborah, which was a valiant Mother in Israel, Deborah a valiant Mother in Israel. was a Judge and a Prophetess, Judges 5. And Jephtha's Daughter, was not she a virtuous young Woman? and see what a Sermon she preached to her Father, and said to him, Jeptha's Daughter virtuous. Let me go up to the Mountains to bewail my Virginity: and he said unto her, Go; and she went and her Companions, Fellow-Virgins, and she said unto her Father, As thou hast opened thy Mouth unto the Lord, so do unto me according to what hath proceeded out of thy Mouth, forasmuch as the Lord hath taken Vengeance for thee of thy Enemies. And the Daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the Daughter of Jeptha, Judges 11. So here they had a Yearly Meeting upon this Occasion: But the Assemblies of the Women about the Works and Services the Lord commanded, was beyond this. And Manoah, Sampson's Mother, Manoah had more Faith than her Huaband. unto whom the Angel of the Lord appeared, and declared unto her great things, which she declared unto her Husband, but her Husband did not reprove her; and when her was in fear that they should die, than his Wife encouraged him, saying, If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have rceived a Brunt-Offering, and heave showed us all these things. And here you may see the steadfastness of this Woman's Faith, beyond her Husband's, as in Judges 13. And the Woman of Tekoah, see what a Sermon she preached to King David, 2 Sam. 14. And you may see what a large Sermon the Woman of the City of Abel preached unto Joab the General; she told him, The wise Woman of the City Abel. she was one of htme that were peaceable and faithful in Israel; and thou seekest to destroy a City and a Mother of Israel; why wilt thou swallow up th' Inheritance of the Lord? So she convinced him and preserved the City. And so these and such Women are recorded to Posterity for their Wisdom, and their Virtue, and Zeal, and their Faith, as you may see in the 2d of Samuel and the 20th. And what think you of Esther? read her Book, Faster a Nursing Mother, and by her Interecssion saved the Nation of the Jews. and see the Behaviour of this virtuous honourable Woman, who by her Wisdom, Faith and Virtue preserved her People Israel, she was a Nursing-Mother to them; as you may read in the Book of Esther, who kept a Fast with her Maidens to the Lord, and also desired Mordecai to keep a Fast in Shushan, Esther 4.16. Now, Awarning to Careless Women. all you careless Women, that are out of God's Service, and think ye have no need to be in the Service and Work of the Lord, hear the Word of the Lord, what Isaiah says to such: Arise up, ye Women, that are at ease; hear my Voice, ye careless Daughters, give ear to my Speech; Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless Women; for the Vintage shall fall, and the Gathering shall noit come. Nor you cannot expect it in your Ease and Carelessness, that neglect God's Voice and Speech, and are not Diligent; your heavenly Vintage will fall, and of it ye will have little gathering. Tremble ye Women, that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless Ones; strip ye, make ye bare, gird Sackcloth upon your Loins, etc. Isaiah 32. Therefore put off that careless Garment, and shake off Sloth, and put on diligence in the Service of God. Now, the Jews had their Assemblies of Mourning-women; and therefore the Prophet calls for the Mourning-women, and let them bewail, says he, when the Jews went into Transgression. And this was because the Men and Women were not Diligent in his Service, in the Power and Spirit of God, which he had poured upon them. And Jeremiah says, Hear the Word of the Lord, O ye Women! and let your Ears receive the Word of his Mouth, and teach your Daughters wailing, and every one their Neighbour's Lamentation, Jer. 9.20. So, here the Prophet exhorts the Women, to hear the Word of God first, and then to teach and exhort their Daughters and Neighbours, yea Wailing and Lamentation. And were they not, and are they not, to teach their Families and their Neighbours from the Word of the Lord, both in the time of the Law and the Gospel, to prevent Wailign and Lamentation. And see in Ezekiel, how he exhorted, and what the Lord says there; I will cause Leadness to cease out of the Land, that all Women may be taught not to do after their Lewdness. And then, as they are obedient to this Teaching, they will shun the Judgements that came upon the Jews, which were compared to Women; as in Ezek. 23. And the Assemblies of the Women did continue amongst the Jews till they went into Captivity. And when Saul and David had made a great slaughter upon the Philistines, A General Asembly of Women the Women came out of all the Cities of Israel (mark, out of all the Cities of Israel; and surely this was a great Assembly of Women) singing and dancing, etc. with Joy, and with Instruments of Music; and the Women answered one another as they played, and sung Praises unto God. And Saul the King was not angry with the Women, but at David, because they ascribed so much Honour to him; for they were Partakers of the Salvation of the Lord, and of the Deliverance, as well as the Men, 1 Sam. 18.6. And so they are Partakers in the Gospel, of the Deliverance over the Devil, the grand Enemy of Mankind: and are exhorted to praise the Lord, and to make Melody in their Hearts to the Lord, for their Salvation and Deliverance by Christ in the time of the Gospel, as well as the Men, 1 Sam. 18. And in 2 Chron. 25. there Jeremiah lamented for Josiah, and all the Singing Men and Singing-Women spoke of Josiah in their Lamentation. So here was not only Singing-Men, but Singing-Women, which did not only Sing but Lament for this good Man Josiah. And in the days of Ezra, after the Jews returned from their Captivity to their Land, there were Two Hundred Singing-Men and Singign-Women, uEzra. 2. And in Neh. 7. Women assistants to the Men in the Worship of God under the Law where the Priest stood up with Vrim and Thummim (that is, Light and Perfection) they had Two Hundred and Forty Five Singing-Men and Singing-Women. So these were encouraged by the Priests, according to David and Solomon's Order; and these were besides the Assemblies of the Women, about Works and Services in the Holy Things; for these sung Praises to God. And in Zeph. 3. he saith, Sing ye Daughters of Zion, shout and rejoice with all thy Heart, ye Daughters of Jerusalem; the Lord hath taken away thy Judgement, etc. the Lord is in the midst of thee, thou shalt see Evil no more. And in Zach. 2. he encourageth them, to Sing and Rejoice, Oh Daughter of Zion; for, lo I come, and I will dwell in the migst of thee, saith the Lord. So here is great cause for the Daghter of Zion to rejoice; and who shall stop her Mouth? And in Luke 1. you may see, how the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Mary the Mother of Jesus, and what he said to her, and what a Noble Veruous Mind was in her; and she said unto the Angel, Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy Word; so her Belief was beyond Zachariah's the Priest. And when Mary came unto Elizabeth, what a Meeting and Salu. Marry the Mother of our Lord and her Cousin Elizabeth's Meeting, etc. tation what there; and how she was filled with the Holy Ghost, and the Babe leapt in her Womb, and she praised the Lord God, and called her, the Mother of her Lord. Read from the 40th to the 57th verse, and see how she extols the Lord, and magnifies Christ Jesus; for here was a Heavenly Meeting of these two, which is chronicled to Ages. So you may see her Belief was above Zachariah's the Priest: So Mary and Elizabeth were notable Preachers of Christ Jesus. And you may see in Luk. 2.7. how Mary wrapped Christ in Swadling-Cloaths, and how tender she was of the Heavenly Birth, conceived by the Holy Ghost. And so must all true and tender Christians, that receive him in the Spirit, and how she kept all the Say that were spoken of Christ, and pondered them in her Heart, ver. 19 And so should every true Christian. And there was Anna a Prophetess, Annah spoke of Christ in the Temple. which was Eighty Four Years old, who departed not from the Temple, but served God with Fasting and Prayer Night and Day, and she gave thanks unto the Lord, and spoke of Christ unto all that looked for Redemption in Israel; she spoke of Christ: Here was a notable old Woman of Eighty Four Years of Age, a Preacher and Declarer of Christ. And you do not read that ever any despised her, or said, it was forbidden for a Woman to speak in the Church. But this Woman is set forth for an Examp; e to all Young and Old Women, of her Love to Christ her Saviour; and not only so, but a preacher of him to all that looked for Redemption in Israel. And the Woman of Canaan that came unto Jesus, and said, Lord help, The Woman of Canaan, her Faith. but he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's Bread and cast it unto Dogs; and she said, Truth Lord, yet the Dogs eat of the Crumbs which fall from the Master's Table: Then Jesus answered and said unto her, Oh Woman! Great is thy Faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt. So you may see, by this Woman's Faith in Christ Jesus, this Woman's Daughter was made whole, which was an Example for all the Faithful to look unto Jesus for Help, as you may see in Mat. 15. And Marry, The Bounty and Humility of Mary. that took a Pound of Oinment of Spikenard, very costly, and anointed the Feet of Jesus, and wiped his Feet with her Hair; and the whole House was filled with the Odour of the Ointment: But when Judas saw it, he had Indignation, saying, What profit is this waste? Why was not this Ointment sold for Three hundred Pieces of Silver, and given to the Poor, as you may see in Mat. 26. and Mark 14. and John 12. Now this was Judas, which carried the Bag, and betrayed Christ; and many there are that carry the Bag now, that would not have their Wives nor the Women bestow any thing upon Christ, nor his poor Followers. But Jesus said, Let her alone, why trouble you her? she hath wrought a good Work on me/ for the Poor ye have with you always, and whensoever ye will, ye may do them good, but me ye have not always; she hath done what she could; she is come before hand to anoint my Body to my Burial. Verily I say unto you, wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the World, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of, for a Memorial of her. So Christ did not forbid the Woman's Practice, but encouraged her, and so he doth still, them that obey him. And the Woman that was Twelve Years troubled with an Issue of Blood, who had spent all upon Physicians, and grew worse and worse; her Faith was so strong, that she believed, if she could but touch the Hem of his Garment, she should be well. And as soon as she had touched his , The Faith of the Woman Twelve Tears diseased. virtue went from Christ and healed her; and then the Woman came fearing and trembling, and fell down before Christ, and told him all the Truth, what she had done; And he said unto her, Daughter, thy Faith hath made thee whole, go in Peace, Mark 5. Now Christ, who is the Head of the Church, here sufferedf a Woman to speak before him, from whom she had received the Healing-Vertue. And you may see when Christ was crucified, how many Women were there, as Marry Magdalen, and Mary the Mother of James, and many others which came up to Jerusalem, that were about Jesus at the time of his being crucified, as in Mark 15. And Mary Magdalen, Women the first Wienesses of Christ Resurrection. and Mary the Mother of James came to the Sepulchne, and the Angel said unto them, Be not afnaid, ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified, he is not here, he is arisen, behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his Disciples and Peter, that he goeth beofe you into Galilee there shall you see him, as he said unto you. For Jesus appeared first, viz. to Mary Magdalen, as in Mark 16. And in John 20. it is said, The two Angels said to Mary, Woman, why weepest thou? And she said, because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him; and when she had thus said, she turned herself, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus, etc. But Jesus said unto her, Marry, and she turned herself, and said unto him, Rabbi (as much as to say Master) and Jesus said unto her, touch me not; for I am not ascended yet unto my Father, but go unto my Brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God, etc. And Mary Magdalen came and told the Disciples, that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. So here Marry Magdalen was a Messenger of Christ Jesus, Marry Magdalen a Messenget of Christ. who did not despise her speaking before him, who was the Head of the Church, nor did not refuse to send her to preach his Resurrection to his Disciples, though she was a Woman. And in Luke 24. it's said, It was Mary Magdalen, and Joanna, and Mary the Mother of James, and other Women which were with them, which told the Apostles, that Christ was risen; and this was said unto them, Why seek ye the Living among the Dead? He is not here, he is risen: Remember that he spoke unto you, when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the Hands of Sinful Men, etc. And they remembered these words, and they returned from the Sepulchre, and told all these things unto the Eleven Disciples, and all the rest. And mark, as I said before, it was Mary Magdalen, and Joanna, and Mary the Mother of James, and other Women that were with them, which told these things unto the Apostles; and these words seemed unto them as idle Tales, and they believed them not. Now mark their Message, and to whom it was, and who they were that were the Messengers, the weaker Vessels, and to whom, to the Apostles; and what they preached was, what they remembered Christ had spoken to them before, to wit, that Christ should suffer, and rise again. And Christ appeared again unto two of his Disciples, The Disciples going to ●maus, etc. and lie talked with them, and asked them, What Communication they had? And they said unto him, Art thou a Stranger in Jerusalem, and knowest not the things that have befallen, & c? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, that was a great Prophet, and mighty in Deed and in Word, before God and all People, which the Jews have crucified; but they trusted he should have redeemed Israel; and besides all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. And certain Women also of our Company made us astonished, which were early at his Sepulchre; and when they found not is Body, they came, saying, That they bade seen a Vision of Angels, which said, he was alive. So here the Woman's Testimony of the Resurrection of Christ aftonished them. And Jesus said unto them, O Fools, and slow of Heart, to believe all that the Prophets have spoken! Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his Glory, & c? Now here you may see it was Mary, and Joanna, and Mary the Mother of James, and the other Women that were with them, that declared the Resurrection of Christ unto the Eleven, which seemed but as idle Tales to the Apostles. And here was a joyful Woman's Meeting indeed, Women spoke in the Church by Commission from Christ, the Head of the Church. of Messengers and Preachers of Christ's Resurrection, which is Recorded to Posterity to their Renown, that all should believe; though their Message and Speech were as idle Tales to the Disciples; but they were owned by Christ the Head of the Church, as aforesaid, though their Preaching was slighted by the Apostles, and counted as idle Tales; but they came to believe afterwards, as in Luke 24. And the Woman of Samaria, that Christ Jesus convinced, and taught her how God was to be worshipped, to wit, in the Spirit and Truth; you may see what a large discourse Christ had with her, as in John 4. from the 7th to the 27th, and suffered her to speak before the Head of the Church. And Christ's Disciples marvelled that he talked with a Woman; and the Woman left her Pitcher of Water, The Woman a Preacher of Samaria. and went away into a City of Samaria, and said unto the Men of the City (mark, unto the Men) Come and see a Man that told me all that ever I did, is not this the Christ? And many of the Samaritans believed because of the Say of the Woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. And when they heard Christ, they said unto the Woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying only, but we have heard him ourselves, and know that he is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the World. So here you may see, there was a Woman Preacher, that Christ (the Head of the Church) suffered; and through her means many were converted unto Christ. And when they had crucified Jesus Christ, there were many Women that beheld him afar off, which followed him from Galilee, ministering unto him, amongst which were Mary Magdalen, and Mary the Mother of James, and Joses the Mother of Zebedee's Children. And here you may see, there was a Woman's Meeting with Christ, in his Sufferings, which when he was risen, some of them preached his Resurrection, as you may see in Matth. 27.61. and Chap. 28.5, 6, 7. where you may read the Message Christ gave to the Women, to declare to the Apostles, as aforesaid, which is recorded and set forth that others might believe their Message. And when Christ spoke in Reproof to the Jews, he said, I tell you of a Truth, many Widows were in Israel in the days of Elisha, etc. but to none of them was Elisha sent, save to Zarephath, a City of Sidon, unto a Woman that was a Widow, The Widow of Zarephath. etc. And the Jews arose up, and thrust Christ out of their City, being filled with Wrath against him, for this Saying, and his Reproving of them. And you may read at large the Acts, Doing and Sayings of this faithful Woman, in 1 Kings 17.9. and Luke 4. And in Luke 7. Christ turned him to the Woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this Woman: A Reproof upon Covetousness. I entered into thy House, but thou gavest me not Water for my Feet; but she hath washed my Feet with Tears, and wiped them with the Hair of her Head: And thou gavest me not kiss; but this Woman, since the time I came into the House, hath not ceased to kiss my Feet: My Head with Oil thou didst not anoint; but this Woman hath anointed my Feet with Ointment: Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loved little. And they that sat at Meat with him began to say, Who is this that forgiveth Sins? and he said unto the Woman, Thy Faith hath saved thee; go in Peace. So here you may see how Christ justified the Woman's Actions above Simon, whose Faith saved her; which is chronicled to her Renown, and the Honour of God. And in Matth. 28. there you may see this Mary Magdalen, which was a Preacher of Christ, it was she, The Charity of divers Women. out of whom Christ had cast seven Devils; and with her Joanna, the Wife of Chusa, Herod's Steward, and Susanna, which ministered unto Christ of their Substance. Now, would not some Niggard's be ready to say, These Women picked their Husband's Pockets; and others with Judas, who carry the Bag, may say, We must have but one Purse, and is not our Gift and Benevolence sufficient? as in Matth. 28. Luke 24. But his Woman loved Christ; and Christ said, My mother and my Brethren are these, which hear the Word of God and do it, Luke 8.21. And Martha received Christ into her Honse, and she had a Sister called Mary, that sat at Jesus 's Feet, and beard his Words; The excellency of Mary's Choice. but Martha was cumbered about much serving; and Jesus said unto her, Martha, thou art caring and troubled about many things, but one things is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good things, which shall not be taken away from her. Which is the Duty of every good Man and Woman to do, if they will be kept out of the many things. And you may see how Mary talked with Christ, and Christ with her. So this is chronicled, that all might choose the Good Part, and the One Thing, which cannot be taken away from them; and to be kept out of the many things, that cumber, as you may see in Luke 10. And doth not Christ say, The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto Leven, which a Woman took and hid in three Measures of Meal, till all the Lump is levened? So, must not every Man and Woman know this Leven in their Hearts, if they will know the Kingdom of Christ? Luke 13. And the Parable of Christ, concerning the Woman that lost her Piece of Silver, who lighted a Candle and swept her own House, and found it in her own House; and when she had found it, she rejoiced, and told her Neighbours. And must not every Woman light her own Candle at the Light of Christ Jesus, and sweep her own House with the Power of God, before she finds God's Treasure? And then for Joy that they have found it, The Woman who found her lost piece of Silver. go and declare it unto their Friends and Neighbours? And do not all those Women that have found this, preach Christ to their Friends and Neighbours, and call them together? For may they not be suffered after they have lost an outward Treasure, and found it again, to call their Neighbours together to rejoice with them, which they may find by lighting an outward Candle? But their Spirits being the Candle of the Lord, this must be lighted at the Heavenly Light and Fire, by which their Everlasting Treasure is found; and must not they say then to their Neighbours and Friends, Rejoice with me, for I have found the Piece which was lost? Likewise, I say unto you, saith Christ, there is joy in the Presence of the Angels of God, over one Sinner that repenteth; as you may see in Luke 15. Now, here you may see all these renowned, faithful Women, were encouraged by Christ and his Followers; and are recorded and set forth to encourage all that are faithful to wait upon Christ, and to light their Candle at God's Light and Fire, that so they may sweep their House and find their Treasure, that they may declare their Joy of it to their Friends and Neighbours. And also you may see Dorcas was full of good Works, and Alms-deeds which she did: Dorcas full of good Works. And all the Widows stood by Peter weeping, showing the Coats and Garments which Dorcas made, whilst she was with them, (to wit, the Widows:) Mark, and was not there a Womens-Meeting then? whilst Dorcas was with them; to wit, the Widows; and Dorcas was a Disciple of Jesus, Acts 9 And Paul on the Sabbath went out of the City by a Riverside, where Prayers were wont to be made, and spoke to the Women which resorted thither; and was not there a Womans-Meeting also, which resorted there to pray together? And there was a certain Woman named Lydia, THe Feithfulness of Lydia. a Seller of Purple, of the City of Thyatira, which worshipped God, whose Heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things spoken by Paul, and she besought him to come to her House, if he judged her faithful to the Lord, and abide there, and she constrained him and them that were with him, Acts 16. So you may see the Faithfulness of this Woman, and the Practice of the other Women before they were converted. And Priscilla, Priscialla a Labourer in the Gospel. which was a notable Faithful Woman, whom Paul often mentions with her Husband Aquilla; and Philip's four Daughters, which were Prophetesses, which were set forth to encourage others. And you may see Phebe, whom the Apostle Paul sends his Epistle to the Romans from Corinth by, and calls a Servant of the Church of Cenchrea; and he saith, Greet Mary, which bestowed much Labour upon us; and Priscilla and Aquilla, my Fellow-Labourers in Christ Jesus. So here you may see there were Women Labourers and Helpers in the Gospel. With other Women Labourers in the Gospel. And he farther saith, I commend unto you our Sister Phebe, Who is a Servant unto the Church, etc. And saith, That Priscilla and Aquilla, my Fellow-helpers in Christ Jesus, which for my Life have laid down their Necks, unto whom not only I give Thanks, but also all the Churches of the Gentiles. So here you may see in what esteem was this Man and Woman, and Phebe, and other Women for their Faithfulness to the Churches; as you may read, Rom. 16. And the Apostle saith, That the unbelieving Husband is sanctified by the unbelieving Wife, etc. else their Children were unholy; but now they are clean; and the unbelieving Wife is sanctified by the believing Husband: So here is an equal share in the Belief, 1 Cor. 7. And the Apostle saith, That every Woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her Head uncovered, dishonoureth her Head. So Women may Pray and Prophesy here, according to Order, in the Church, as well as the Men, 1 Cor. 11. And yet the same Apostle in the 14th Chapter, forbids a Woman to speak in the Church. And the Apostle saith, Let the Women keep Silence in the Church; and if they will learn any thing, let them ask their Husbands at home. But when they have learned of Christ their Husband at home, What sort of Women forbidden to speak in the Church. they are not forbididen of Christ from Prophesying or Praying; but to lie babbling and prating in the Church, such Speaking in the Church is a Shame. Now a Widow hath no Husband to ask but Christ; nor a Virgin, yet she may Prophesy; and a believing Woman, that hath an unbelieving Husband, he is to be sanctified by her: So she is not to learn her Salvation of him, but of Christ, and to do his work. And the same Apostle saith, Let the Men keep Silence in the Church, if they speak in an unknown Tongue, and there be not an Interpreter. So, here the Men must keep Silence in the Church in this case, Men forbidden in some Cases to speak in the Church, as well as some Women. as well as the Women, 1 Cor. 11. and Chap. 14.27. And the Apostle further saith, I permit not a Woman to speak in the Church, but to be under Obedience; as also saith the Law. But tho' the Law did not permit their usurping Authority in the Church, yet it did permit their Prophesying in the Church, in the time of the Law, as well as in the time of the Gospel; as you may see by those Famous Women , in the Old Testament, as well as in the New. And the same Apostle saith, I beseech thee, Euodias, and I beseech Syntyche, that they may be of the same mind in the Lord; and I entreat thee also, true Yoke-Fellow, help those Women which laboured with me in the Gospel; with Clement also, und iwth other my Fellow Labourers, whose Names are in the Book of Life. So here the Apostle entreated his Yoke-Fellow to help those Women which laboured with him in the Gospel (the Power of God:) So these Women were meet Helps with the Apostle in the Labour of the Gospel (the Power of God) as you may see in Phil. 4. And all that be of his Mind in the Lord, will encourage either Women or Widows, or Virgins, that have received the Gospel, to labour in it; and all that have not the Mind of the Apostle in the Lord, will discourage women's labouring in the Gospel, and not entreat others to help them; but such will give them Liberty to labour in the Power of Darkness, and to Slothfulness, and Carelessness; which the Woe is unto, and not the Blessing. And again, the Apostle writes to Timothy, That the Women should adorn themselves in modest Apparel, and Shamefacedness, and Sobriety, not with broidered Hair, or Gold or Pearls, or costly Array, but which becomes Women professing Godliness, with good Works; and let your Women learn in Silence with all Subjection, etc. But I suffer not a Woman to teach nor to usurp Authority over the Man; but learn in Silence, etc. For the Woman being deceived, was first in Transgression, etc. Now for a Woman to Preach or Teach, such a Teaching as Eve taught Adam, such a Sermon as she had from the Serpent, that drew herself, and Adam her Husband, from God's Teaching; here, in this Teaching, she usurped Authority over the Man; and therefore God see the Man to rule over the Woman; but they were meet helps before, while they were under God's Teaching. Now, to usurp Authority over the Man by such Teaching, is out of the Unity; which Teaching is forbidden both by Law and Gospel; and they are not fit to Teach, if they have not learned Subjection to the Spirit of God, and know the Silence of all Flesh before the Lord, and have not learned to adorn themselves with that which is modest, and the Lesson of Sobriety, becomes Godliness; and with the good Works, the Fruits of the Spirit. And such Women as have learned this Lesson may Teach and Prophesy; for the Spirit is poured upon them to that End. And the same Apostle saith, Elder Women, Nurses, Mothers, Teachers, etc. in the Church of Christ, 1 Tim. 5. That the Women should be as Mothers; and a Mother is a Nurser, and a Teacher, and Instructor of her Children; and the younger Women as Sisters, with all Purity; and Sisters in Christ and in Purity, all have but one Father; and a Sister is in the Unity, in the Spirit, in the Gospel, 1 Tim. 5. And if any Woman that believes have widows, let them relieve them: So here was the Woman's Work, to relieve their Widows, etc. And again, The Apostle writes to Titus, and saith unto him, Speak thou the things which become sound Doctrine, etc. The aged Women, that they be of good behaviour, as becometh Holiness; not false Accusers, not given to much Wine; teachers of good things. Now here they must be qualified before they can be Teachers of those good things. And that these aged Women teach the younger Women; first, To be Sober; secondly, To love their Husbands; thirdly, To love their Children; fourthly, To be Discreet; fifthly, To be Chaste, and keepers at home, and Good, Obedient to their own Husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed. Now here the aged Women, not a Woman, but the aged Women, were to teach the younger Women these things. And how could these Women be Teachers of all these Virtues and good Things, if these Mothers and holy Woman did not meet togeter, and converse together of Holiness and Virtue; as in Tit. 2. And in 1 Pet. 3. Women to win Husbands by the Word and Conversation also. he encourageth Wives and Women, That if their Husbands will not be won by the Word, they may without the Word be won, by the chaste Conversation of the Wives; whilst they behold your chaste Conversation, saith he, coupled with Fear; and whose adorning, saith he, Let it not be that of the Outward, with plaiting of the Hair, or wearing of Gold, or putting on costly Apparel, but let it be the hidden Man of the Heart, in that which is not Corruptible, even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God of great Price. And this, he saith, was the Ornament of the holy Women in the old time, with which they adorned themselves, who trusted in God, as Sarch, etc. whose Daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any Amazement. And likewise the Believing Husband, and the Believing Wife are Heirs together of the Grace and Life. And therefore the Believing Women being Heirs of Grace and Life, as well as the Men, they may impart of their Life, which they do inherit, as well as Men; for an Heir of Life is beyond an Heir of the Earth. And there is no Believing Husband will hinder his Believing Wife, Men not to hinder Wives from administering to the Necessity of the Poor, etc. being Heirs of Life, to adiminister some of their temporal things to them that are in Necessity; he will not have all the Earth to himself, but let her have the disposing of some of it, as well as himself, whilst they do enjoy it; and ministering of outward things is the least Love: And Women many times know the Condition of poor Families, and Widows, and such as are in distress, more than the Men, because they are most conversant in their Families, and about such things. But there are many Idle Talkers, and Busy Bodies, that are out of the Sense and Service of God, that will not do good themselves, nor suffer others to do their Service of Love and Charity for the Lord in the Church. And John writes in his Second Epistle unto the Elect Lady and her Chidlren, whom I love in the Truth, saith he, and not I only, Note, John the Evang list sent his Epistle to a Woman. but also all they that have known the Truth, for the Truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever, etc. I rejoice greatly, says he, that I have found they Children walking in the Truth. And further saith, I writ no new Commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning that we love one another. And so he trusts to come and see her, and speak Face to Face unto her; the Children of thy Elect Sister greet thee, Amen. The elect Lady, and her elect Sister. So was not this an honourable Woman, that had trained up her Children in the Truth, as was commanded by John? And he admonished her against such as did transgress, and did not abide in the Doctrine of Christ Jesus, that they had not the Father nor the Son; but they that did abide in the Doctrine of Christ Jesus, had both the Father and the Son. So, is not this an Encouragement to all faithful Women, to see that their Children do walk in the Truth, and abide in the Doctrine of Christ, that they may have both the Father and Son? And farther Solomon saith, A gracious Woman attains Honour, The virtues of a gracious Woman. and a virtuous Woman is a Crown to her Husband, and every wise Woman buildeth her own House. Surely then she hath a work to do; he that hath Ears let him hear: But the foolish Woman plucketh it down with her Hands. And there are too many of those that are in the Transgression of the Spirit and Power of God, with which they must build. But a Woman that feareth God, she shall be praised; give her of the Fruit of her hands, and let her Works Praise her in the Gates. And then surely she hath a work to do, that must praise her in the Gates. She stretcheth forth her hands to the Poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the Needy, Prov. 31. And must she not then have something of the Outward to do it withal? She opens her Mouth in Wisdom, and in her Tongue is the Law of Kingness: She looks well to the Ways of her Household, and eateth not the Bread of Idleness: She is like the Merchant's Shir, she bringeth her Food from far; she riseth also whilst it is Night, and giveth Meat to her Household, and Portions to her Maidens; she considereth a Field, and buyeth it with the Fruit of her hands; she planteth a Vineyard; she guirdeth her Loins with strength, and strengtheneth her Arms; she perceiveth that her Merchandise is good; her Candle goeth not out by Night, etc. And here is an Example to all Women, a Pattern of Virtue, and of Fruitfulness, and Faithfulness, and Valour, and Practice in the Lord's Work; and such their Children will rise up, and call her blessed. Many Daughters have done Virtuously (says he) but this Woman excelleth them; that is, the Nurse of them. And now Friends, many of other Examples in the Scriptures might be showed, to encourage women's Meetings in the Service of God and Christ, both concerning their Faithful Testimony for the Lord and Christ, and their Encouragement by the Faithful in the Old and New Testament, how that they had their Assemblies and their Meetings; and now they being Heirs of Life, and of Grace, and of the Gospel of Christ, which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light, you may see over him that has darkened you, and before he was. Therefore this Gospel, the Power of God, which is the Everlasting Orderer, is to keep you in Life and in Immortality, that you may be meet helps in the Power and Image of God to the Men, as Man and Woman was in before they fell. So, to administer of the Heavenly and Temporal Refreshments, to such as want it; and to stand up for your Liberty in the Light, and Life, and Grace, and Glorious Gospel, being Heirs of Life and Grace, and of the Gospel of Salvation, and of Christ Jesus, as well as the Men. So that all, Males and Females, are one in Christ Jesus, who is the First and Last, and over all from Everlasting to Everlasting, your Everlasting Joy, Peace and Happiness. And if there was no Scripture for our Men and women's Meetings, Christ is sufficient, who Restores Man and Woman up into the Image of God, to be helps meet in the Righteousness and Holiness, as they were in before they fell: So He is our Rock and Foundation to Build upon. Wisdom she hath sent forth her Maidens, she cryeth upon the high places of the City, Who so is simple, let him turn in hither; as for him that wanteth Understanding, she saith to him, come, eat of my Bread, and drink of my Wine, which I have mingled; forsake the Foolish and live, and grow in the Way of Understanding. Here you may see the Wisdom of God sends forth Maidens * True Ministers, who are to Christ. though the Wisdom of the World will not receive them (that makes Ministers by their Wisdom) and such as will not receive Wisdom, will not receive her Maidens, Prov. 9.1, 2, 3. The Lord faith, I will pour out upon David, and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of Grace and of Supplication, and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and mourn, etc. In that Day there shall be great Mourning, the House of David apart, and their Wives apart; the House of Nathan apart, and their Wives apart; the House of Levi apart, and their Wives apart; the Family of Shimei apart, and their Wives apart; all the Families that remain, every Family apart, and their Wives apart, Zach. 12.10. And this would be Madness to all them that are not in that Spirit; but here every one hath the Sense of Christ, whom they have pierced in the Spirit, which is poured upon them, but the Hard-hearted are not sensible. Marshgrainge. the 16th of the 9th Month, 1676. G. F. To all the Men and women's Meetings that are gathered in the Name of Jesus: Several Scripture Testimonies to the Saints Practices, Wherein all may see the Practice of the holy Men and Women of God, in their Services in the Church of Christ, and what good Works and Practices, and Services, they exhorted unto, as followeth, as you may see both in the Old and New Testament, which is the Duty of all True Christians to follow. WHO gave himself for us, Epist. 321. that he might redeem us from all Iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar People, zealous of good works, Titus 2.14. The Woman wrought a good work upon Christ, as he saith, Mat. 26.10. Paul saith to the Church of the Collossians, Being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, Col. 1.10. And that you may be established in every good word and work, Encouragement to good Works. 2 Thess. 2.17. She (to wit, a Widow) well reported for her good Works, 1 Tim. 5.6, 10. That the Church which believe in God might be careful to maintain good works; these things are good and profitable to Men, Tit. 3.8. And let ours also (to wit, the Church of Christ) learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they may not be unfruitful. This says Paul to Titus, and to the Church, Tit. 3.14. Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works, Heb. 10.24. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; for God giveth us all things to enjoy, 1 Tim. 6.17, 18. But to do good, and to communicate, forget not; for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased, Heb. 13.16. As God hath distributed to every Man, Distributious for the Plor. and as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk, and so ordain I in all Churches, 1 Cor. 7.17. And Paul exhorts the Church of the Romans to their distributing to the necessity of the Saints, and of being given to Hospitality, Rom. 12.13. And to make Contribution for the poor Saints that were at Jerusalem, which the Apostle Paul mentions to the Romans, Chap. 15.26. Only that we should remember the Poor, the same which I also was forward to do, said the Apostle to the Church at Galatia, Gal. 2.10. If any Man minister, let him do it, as of the ability which God hath given him, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praises and dominion for ever and ever, Amen. 1 Pet. 4.11. And let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not; as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all Men, especially to the Household of Faith, Gal. 6.9, 10. And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus; and whatsoever ye do, do it hearty, as unto the Lord, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Reward of the Inheritance; for ye do serve the Lord Christ, Col. 3.17, 23, 24. Therefore to him that knoweth how to do good, and doth it not it is to him Sin, James 4.17. He that hath pity on the Poor, Compassion to the Poor. dareth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again, Prov. 19.17. And you may see, such as were careful to hearken unto the Voice of the Lord God, and to obey and keep his Commandments; for the Lord thy God will bless thee, as he hath promised, Thou shalt lend unto many Nations, and thou shalt not borrow, etc. Deut. 15.5, 6. For the Lord shall open unto thee his good Treasure, the Heaven to give thee Rain unto thy Land in his season, and to bless all the works of thine hands, and thou shalt lend unto many Nations, and thou shalt not borrow; and all People of the Earth shall see, that thou art called by the Name of the Lord; and they shall be afraid of thee, Deut. 28.10, 12. And David said, I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the Righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging Bread; for he is ever merciful and dareth, and his Seed is blessed, Psal. 37.25, 26. A good Man showeth favour, and dareth, he will guide his affairs with Discretion, Psal. 112.5. The Righteous showeth mercy, and giveth, Psal. 31.21. The Righteous giveth, and spareth not; he that hath a bountiful Eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his Bread to the Poor, Prov. 21.26. and 22.9. And he that giveth to the Poor, shall not lack, Prov. 28.27. God giveth to all Men liberally, and upbraideth not: So all Men should give of that which they have received of him, liberally, without upbraiding, as in James 1.5. And he that giveth, let him do it with Simplicity, Rom. 12.8. Give and it shall be given unto you, saith Christ, Luke 6.38. And see the Care of the Apostles of the poor Saints, as in 2 Cor. 9.6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. But this I say, he which soweth sparingly, shall reap sparingly; and he which sows bountifully, shall reap bountifully, 2 Cor. 9.6. So every Man, To give liberally, not grudgingly. according as he purposeth in his Heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver [mark, a cheerful giver] and God is able to make all Grace abound towards you, that ye always having All-sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work, as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad, he hath given to the Poor, his Righteousness remaineth for ever; [mark] now he that ministereth Seed to the sour, both ministereth Bread for your Food, and multiplies your Seed sown, and increaseth the Fruits of your Righteousness, Isa. 55.10. and 2 Cor. 9.7, 10. Being enriched in every good thing to all Bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. And you may see how the Disciples, every Man according to his ability, determined to send Relief unto their Brethren, which dwelled in Judea, and they sent it by the Hands of Saul and Barnabas, Acts 11.29, 30. And so of Brotherly Love, ye need not that I writ unto you; for God teacheth you to love one another, 1 Thess. 4.9. But whoso hath this World's goods, and seethe his Brother have need, Brotherly Love. and shuts up his Bowels of Compassion from him, how dwelleth the Love of God in him? 1 John 3.17. There is a Generation whose Teeth are as Swords, and their Jaw-teeths as Knives, to devour the Poor from the Earth, and the needy from among Men, Prov. 30.14. And therefore the Poor and Needy is not to be oppressed nor vexed, nor sent away empty; but relieved, and their Cause is to be pleaded; as in Prov. 31.9. And the Apostle saith to the Church, Give to him that needeth, Eph. 4.28. But my God shall supply all your need, according to his Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus, Phil. 4.19. And Christ said, That the Father knoweth what things ye have need of, Matth. 6.8. And you may see the manner and way of Collections, that the Apostles ordered for the Saints, in 1 Cor. 16.1. And the Lord saith, If thou deal thy Bread to the hungry, To feed the Hungry. and that thou bring the Poor that are cast out to thy House, and when thou seest the Naked that thou cover him, and that thou hid not thyself from thy own Flesh, then shall thy Light break forth as the Morning, and thy Health shall spring forth speedily, and thy Righteousness shall go before thee; the Glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward, Isa. 58.7. & 8.10. And if thou draw out thy Soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted, then shall thy Light arise in Obscurity, and thy Darkness shall be as the Noonday. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy Soul in Drought, and make thy Bones fat, and thou shalt be like a watered Garden, and like a Spring of Water, whose Waters fail not: Here is the Practice of Godliness, Isa. 58.7, 8, 9, 10, 11, etc. The hungry and thirsty, their Souls fainteth in them, than they cry unto the Lord, and he fatisfieth the longing Soul in their trouble, and filleth the hungry with Goodness (or good things) Psalm 107.50. The Lord which made Heaven and Earth, which giveth Food to the Hungry, preserveth the Stranger, and relieveth the Widow and Fatherless; but the way of the Wicked he turns up-side down, Psalm 146.9. If thy Enemy hunger, give him Bread to eat; and if he thirst, give him Water to drink: Thou shalt heap Coals of Fire upon his Head, and the Lord shall reward thee, Prov. 25.21, 22. And the Law of God ye may see in Ezek. 18.7, 9 Against Oppression. He that hath not oppressed any, but hath restored the Debtor his Pledge, and hath spoiled none by Violence, and hath given his Bread to the Hungry, and hath covered the Naked with his Garment, he shall surely live, faith the Lord God. And Job said, Because I delivered the Poor that cried, and the Fatherless, and him that had none to help, the Blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: I caused the Widow's Heart to sing for Joy, and I was a Father to the Poor, Job 29.12, 13. Dorcas (a Woman) a certain Disciple of Jesus Christ; when she was dead it is recorded, This Woman was full of good work [mark] full of good Works and Alms-deeds, which she did in her Life-time; and all the Widows [mark] all they stood by Peter (the Widows) and wept, and shown him the Coats and Garments that she had made whilst she wasalive with them [mark, with them] A women's Meeting in the Practice of Religion, Acts 9.36, to the end. Pure Religion, Pure Religion and undefiled. and undefiled before God and the Father (is this to visit the Fatherless and Widows in their Affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world, James 1.27. And this Religion is to be practised by all the right and true Christians: For if a Brother or Sister be naked, and be destitute of daily Food, and thou say unto one of them, Depart in Peace, warm yourselves, and fill your Bellies, notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the Body, what helpeth it? Even so Faith, if it have no Works, is dead in itself, James 2.15, 16, 17. See how James encourages to practise Religion, and to show forth the Works of Faith, that works by Love. If thou afflict any Widow of Fatherless Child in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, To relieve the Wisdom. I will surely hear their Cry, saith the Lord, and my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the Sword, and your Wives shall be Widows, and your Children Fatherless, Exod. 22.22. The Lord is good to all, and his tender Mercies are over all his works, Psalms 145.8, 9 The Righteous considereth the Cause of the Poor; but the wicked regardeth not to know it (to wit, the Cause of the Poor) what Condition they are in, And consider the Poor. Prov. 29.7. And if thy Brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee, then shalt thou relieve him; yea, though he be a Stranger or a Sojourner, that he may live with thee, Leu. 25.35. The Poor is hated even of his Neighbour, but the Rich hath many Friends; but he that is merciful to the Poor, happy is he, Prov. 14. 20, 21. He that oppresseth the Poor, reproaches his Maker; but he that honoureth him (to wit, his Maker) hath Mercy on the Poor, Prov. 14.31. Whoso mocks the Poor, reproaches his Maker, Prov. 17.5. Whoso stops his Ears at the Cry of the Poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard, Prov. 21.13. The Lord maketh Poor, and maketh Rich; he bringeth low, and lifteth up, I Sam. 2.7. Therefore I command thee, thou shalt open thy Hand wide unto thy Brother, to thy Poor, and to thy Needy in the Land, saith the Lord, Deut. 15.11. The Poor useth Entreaties; but the Rich answereth roughly, Prov. 18.23. Here you may see what Care the Lord lays upon his People, to look after the Poor, Widows and Fatherless, both in the time of the Law and in the time of the Gospel; and how that they should obey him in his Commands, the Lord God, who created all, and gives the increase of all, and giveth Man and Woman good things, both Temporal and Spiritual, to do good withal: So the Lord is to be obeyed, and his Truth is to be practised; and the pure Religion, that in undefiled before God and the Father, is above all Religions in the World: And this Religion is, To visit the Widows and Fatherless in their Affliction, Of the pure, unspotted Religion. and to keep himself unspotted from the World; (mark, unspotted from the World.) And this Religion is above the Papists, that must have a Purgatory to wash off their Spots of the World; and above those protestants, that plead they must have a Body of Death and Sin to the Grave, with which they are spotted like Leopards: And these are the Religions of the World; and are not the pure and undefiled Religion before God and the Father; and their Fatherless and Widows in their Afflictions are not visited, as they ought to be: And therefore, you who are come to be of this Pure Religion, that is undefiled before God and the Father, and do visit the Widows and Fatherless in their Afflictions, and do keep yourselves unspotted from the World; you are of the Religion that was not set up by Man, but by Christ and his Apostles above Sixteen Hundred Years since; by which you see over all the Religions set up since; and see therefore that you practise it. And Job said, If I did despise the Cause of my Manservant, Not to despise the Cause of the Poor. or of my Maid-Servant, when they contended with me, what then shall I do when God shall arise? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? See the Care of this patiented Man! Is not this for all the true Christians to practise? Job 31. ver. 13, 14, 15. And, saith Job, Did not he that made me in the Womb, make him? and did not one fashion us in the Womb? Verse 15. And if I have withheld the Poor from their Desire, or have caused the Eyes of the Widow to fail, or have eaten my Morsel myself alone, and the Fatherless have not eaten thereof; for from my youth he was brought up with me as with a Father, and I have guided her (to wit, the Widow) from my Mother's Womb: If I have seen any perish for want of Clothing, or any poor without Covering, if his Loins have not blessed me, But to relieve the oppressed and the stranger. and if he were not warmed with the Fleece of my Sheep, if I have lift up my Hand against the Fatherless when I saw my Help in the Gate; then let mine Arm fall from my Shoulder-blade, and mine Arm be broken from the Bone: The Stranger did not lodge in the Street, but I opened my Doors for the Traveller, Job 31. Did not I weep for him that was in Trouble? was not my Soul grieved for the Poor? Now, here ye may all see the Actions and Practice of this Man, by his practising the pure Religion: So it is not a Talk, but a walking in it; as you may see in Job 30, 31 Chapters. And blessed is he that considereth the Poor, the Lord will deliver him in time of Trouble, Psalm 41.1 Now, all you that profess God and Christ, see how you walk in the Steps of these good Men and Women; and not only to talk as they did, but do and practise as they did; for it is not every one that saith Lord, Lord, enters the Kingdom, but be that doth what he commands. And Christ saith, Ye call me Lord and Master; and ye say well, for so I am; and if I than your Lord and Master have washed your Feet, Of Self-denial. ye also aught to wash one another's Feet: For I have given you an Example, that ye should do as I have done unto you. And if ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them, John 13.17. And Christ saith, Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven, Matth. 7.21. So all People may see by Christ's own Words, that their Saying and Speaking of God and Christ, and his Prophets and Apostles, signifies nothing, except they Do his Will; that is, Practise it, and be obedient to what be commands and requires. G. F. To Friends in Cumberland. DEar Friends, Epist. 332. Who are gathered in the Name of Jesus, by whom all things were made and created, who upholds all things by his Word and Power, To be faithful in Sufferings. and gives the increase of all things; the Earth is his, and the fullness thereof. And therefore let your Minds and Hearts be with the Lord, and your Care cast upon him: And though the Lord is pleased now to try you, and to exercise you in Sufferings, and permits your Persecutors to spoil your Goods, or cast you into Prison, to try whether your Minds be in him, or in the outward things he gives you: Yet let not visible things separate you from the Love of God in Christ Jesus, nor no Persecutions amaze you, nor separate your Minds from the Love of God. For all things shall work together for Good, to them that love God; for the Love of God bears all things and suffer all things; and they that spoil the Goods of the Innocent and cast them into Prison, for serving and worshipping of God, the Lord fees it and beholds it; and so leave them to the Lord to deal with them. For that which they get by spoiling you, they will never be the richer for; and when they have done spoiling, the Lord can spoil them and theirs. And all the Goods they take from Friends, for serving God, will torment them at last, and be a greater Plague to them, more than keeping on your Hats, and saying Thou to them was. And you have had Experience how the other Powers spoiled your Goods; The Spoil of the Righteous, not durable Riches to their Persecutors. but were they either the richer, or the fatter? Nay, the more thery did eat, destroy and devour, the more they look like Pharaoh's lean . And did not the Christians of old suffer joyfully the spoiling of their Goods, by Professors and Profane? So, they that are born of the Flesh, will persecute them that are born of the Spirit; and they that will live Godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer Persecution; and blessed are they that do suffer Persecution for Christ and his Righteousness sake. And so never fear the loss of the Fleece, for God can make it grow again, as he did poor Job's. And it is the way of the Enemy and Adversary, to set upon the young convinced, to think by that means to make them to yield. For, have you not read, it was the way, how that the Enemies of Israel, of old, fell upon the weak and feeble of their Camp, and the hindermost of the Flock; but they had their Reward at the End. And so wait upon the Lord, and he will support you, though he may try you a while; as he doth all his Saints, that the Trial of your Faith may come forth more pure than Gold. And so never fear Man, nor what they are permitted to do unto you, but the Lord: Though the hungry Lions may lack, yet they that wait upon the Lord, shall not want any good thing; for his Promise is, he will never leave them nor forsake them. And so the Lord God Almighty give you Power and Courage, to stand against all the Wiles of the Enemy, and to be Valiant for his Truth upon the Earth. And so, with my Love in the Everlasting Seed, Christ Jesus, who is over him that makes to suffer, and will be when he is gone. Marshgrange, the 6th of the 4th Month. 1676. G. F. To Friends in Barbadoes. MY Dear Friends in the heavenly Relation, and Zion's Children, Epist. 333. amongst whom the Stone that the Builders rejected, is elect and precious, and in him, Christ, you are Elect, Christ the Head of God's Church. who is the Head of the Corner of God's Building: And therefore in the Name of Jesus keep your Meetings, in whom you all have Salvation, and not by any other Name under Heaven; and though the Lord may try you, where your Minds are, and in what, by the outward Powers, yet be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth, and if some of you be cast into Prison, and your Goods be spoiled, the Seed is upon the Head of him that maketh to suffer, and will remain when he is gone: And the Lord God, who giveth the increase of all, both Invisible and Visible, can make the Fleece to grow again. And therefore let your Faith be in the Power and Word of Life: And the Authority of your Men and women's Meetings is the Power of God; and all the Heirs of the Gospel are Heirs of Christ, the heavenly Man, and of his Government, the increase of which there is no end. And so all walk in Christ, So walk in Christ. who bruiseth the Serpent's Head, that hath gotten between you and God; so as you all are in him, than nothing can get between you and the Lord God; and so in the glorious Order of the Gospel, the Power of God, dwell, which is over the Devil, and the World, and before he and it was, and the Power of God will be when he and it is gone: This is the everlafting Gospel, which bringeth Life and Immortality to Light; and that you all may see over him that hath darkened you, to him who was before he was, and the Power of God will be when he is gone. And therefore walk in the glorious, blessed, peaceable and comfortable Order of the everlasting Gospel; for the Gospel, the Power of God, is the Gospel of Peace, and the Truth is Peaceable: The Devil, the Destroyer and Adversary abode not in the Peaceable Truth, and the Kingdom of God stands in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost; and the Unity of the Spirit is a Bond of Peace, yea, the Bond of the heavenly Man, the Prince of Prince's Peace, that Bond must be kept, by all Zion's Children, the Heirs of Life. And all seek the Peace and Good one of another, To seek Peace, and dwell is Love. and dwell in the Love of God, thet does edify the Body of Christ, and bears all things, and endures all things; and build up one another in the most holy Faith, which you have from Christ, the holy One; for Holiness becomes the House of God. And therefore all mind that which becomes his House; and now is the time for every one to put on the Armour of God, and to take his Weapons and Arms, that you may stand by God's Ensign in the Truth, against him that is out of Truth, keeping on your Helmet of Salvation; as a token of your Victory, and your Breastplate of Righteousness, which preserves both Mind, Heart and Soul, and your Loins girded with Truth, Keep on the Armour of Righteousness. that you may be Valiant for it, and your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel, the Power of God, that your Feet may stand fast over all slippery Places, in the Power of God, the Gospel, that is sure and everlasting: Here is your Armour; and your Weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, the Word of Life and Salvation, and Wisdom and Reconciliation; that is as a Sword and a Hammer, to cut down and hammer down that which hath made a separation betwixt you and God, and is as Fire to burn it up: And the Shield of Faith, that is your Shield by which you have victory and access to God; by which Faith all the Just lives, and are saved, and contend for it, which is declared to the Saints by Christ, who is the Author and Finisher of it. And by this Faith you come to Christ, the Author, and as many as receive him, walk in him, that you may be always fresh and green in him, who bruises the Head of the Serpent, that hath made People lean and barren, and hath made so many barren Mountains, which Christ is gathering and calling his People from, that they might walk in the Light of the Lord, and come to the Mountain of the House of the Lord, that is established above all the Mountains, where God teaches all his, the Way of Life, Truth and Salvation. And the Mountain of the House of the Lord is always green, with fresh Springs, and Fruitful, and all that lives under God's Teaching knows it. So serve God in the Spirit, and in the newness of Life, which is over the old, that the Lord God's Presence may be felt amongst you; and his Son, a Prophet to open to you, and a Priest to sanctify you, a Bishop to oversee you, and a Shepherd to feed you; the Rock of your Age, and Ages, the Foundation of your Generation, and many Generations, and who are in him, who was elected before the Foundation of the World, they build upon him, who is the First and the Last, the Beginning and Ending; in him you have all Life and Salvation, who is the Amen. And my desire is, To Encourage the Faithful Women in the Service of God. that you may, in the Power of God, encourage all the Faithful Women in your Island, in the Work and Service of God; and now you have Six men's Meetings, if you had as many women's Meetings, it would include all the faithful Women in all the Corners of your Island, and some of your ancient faithful Women to go from Meeting to Meeting, till they are settled in the Power of God, and that will keep all alive in the Lord's working Power and living Life. And all that are not Faithful, let them be admonished to Faithfulness, that so they may come into the Light, and Life, and Service of God and Christ; for all the Wise-hearted and Faithful Women, in the time of the Law, were to work about the Tabernacle of God, and the Holy Things: And they were called the Assemblies of the Women. And all the Women in the time of the Law was to offer Sacrifices upon God's Altar, as well as the Men. And now in the time of the Gospel, which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light, God doth pour out of his Spirit upon all Flesh; and therefore live in the Gospel, and its Order; and all true Christians, Men and Women, doth offer their Spiritual Sacrifices to God, who is a Spirit. And therefore my Friends, be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth; dwell in Love, that will bear all things; and let there be an Order entered in your Books, To avoid provoking Words. that there be no provoking Words spoken in your Meetings, but if any have any thing to say, let them speak to them in love privately. And when ye have settled your Six women's Meetings, than you may have a Six Weeks, or a Monthly as well as a Quarterly Meeting, as you may see meet. And so that all your Wells of Life may be kept open, and every one have a fresh Spring springing up in you; so that in every one of you the living Water of Life may flow; so that ye all may be refreshed with the Fountain of Life, and feel Christ a Bishop to oversee, and a Counsellor to counsel, and a King to rule in your Hearts, and a Prophet to open, and a Shepherd to feed you with his heavenly Food. And so see that nothing be lacking among you, To follow whatsoever is of good Report. both inward and outward; and whatsoever is decent, comely, modest, virtuous, righteous, and of good report, follow after, and be steadfast upon Christ the Rock and Foundation. And whatever you do, let it be done in the Name of Jesus (that is, in his Power) and mind the Gospel of Peace, and its Ordr, which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light, that you may be preserved in Life, and in Immortality, by the Immortal Power. And all to be Children of the Wisdom that is from above, which is pure and peaceable, and easy to be entreated, keeping the Unity in God's Holy Spirit, in which is the Bond of the Prince of Prince's Peace, in whom you have all Peace, Life and Salvation. I received your Letter from your Quarterly Meeting, and I am glad that you are in the Lord's Work and Service. And my desire is, That ye all may stand up for the Glory and Honour of the Lord God, and that his Blessings may abound among you. And so if you do Writ to New-England and Jamaica, where I hear they have precious Men and women's Meetings, it might do well, to encourage one another in the Work and Service of God: So that the Women may all be helps meet to the Men in the Restoration, in the Image of God, as Man and Woman was in before they fell. So with my Love in the Seed of Life to all Friends in the Island. Swarthmore, in Lancashire, the 25th of the 8th Month, 1676. G. F. To Friends in the Isle of Man. MY Dear Friends, be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth, Epist. 334. and and live in the Light, and Power and Spirit of God, that you answer that of God in all, by which their Minds may be turned to God. And keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus, To keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus. in whom you have Salvation; whose Name is above every Name under the whole Heaven; that the Lord's Glory you may see to shine in and about your Tabernacles, and his Presence among you to teach and order you, and be you obedient to it. So with my Love to you all in the Everlasting Seed, that bruiseth the Head of the Serpent; which Seed liveth and reigneth over all, from Everlasting to Everlasting, in his Glory, in whom the Saints do sit down in their Peace, and Rest and Joy for evermore, Amen. Swarthmore, the 5th Month, 1676. G. F. To Friends in Virginia and Maryland. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 335. all dwell in the Love of God, and in his Power and Truth, that the Presence of the Lord God you all may enjoy, who is the Life of you all, and the length of your Days, who hath the Breath of all Mankind, and the Spirits of all Flesh in his Hand; and in him you do all live, and move, and have your being, who is your Rock and Salvation, and Fountain of Life, and of all your Mercies, and of your Water of Life: And therefore serve, and honour, and fear, and worship him in his Spirit and Truth; and that you all may abide in the holy, heavenly and spiritual Vine, and in him bring forth heavenly and spiritual Fruits, to the Glory of God, who sent his Son to be a Leader, Christ the Leader and Way to God. and the Way to God, who draweth all Men up to himself, where he is ascended, to sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, out of all Sin and Transgression, by which Man was droven from God, that made him barren and unfruitful. And therefore be ye separated from the World to the Lord, by the Word which was in the Beginning, which divideth the Precious from the Vile; that by that Word ye may be reconciled to God; which Word reconcileth all things in Heaven and in the Earth in one; which Word hammereth down that which made twain; and so by the glorious Everlasting Word of Life you are born again of the Immortal Seed of God, and feedeth upon the Milk of this everlasting Word which liveth, and abideth, and endureth for ever, and was in the beginning; by which Word you have Wisdom and Salvation, by which Wisdom all God's Children are justified. The Lord God in his Immortal Power preserve you out of all Evil, and out of the Earth, and over your Enemies, within and without, in his everlasting Seed Christ, that is over all, to his Glory, for ever, Amen. G. F. To Friends at Dantzick. DEar Friends, Epist. 336. in the Love of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, look above all your outward Sufferings, and him that is out of Truth, that makes you to suffer; and let nothing separate you from the Love of God which you have in Christ Jesus, by whom all things were made: Not to be moved from the true Foundation Christ Jesus. I say, let not the Birth of the Flesh, with all his carnal Weapons, Goals and Prisons, Threats or Reproaches, move you, nor separate you from the Love of God, nor from your Foundation, the Rock of Ages, Christ Jesus: But feel the Well of Life springing up in you, to nourish the Plant that God has planted in you, of his Renown, that that may grow up within his Hedge, his Power, which will keep out the Devil and all the Venomous Beasts, from entering into God's Garden, or Kingdom. And therefore let your Faith stand in the Lord's Power, which is your Hedge and Defence, and which is your Keeper, and will keep you safe, that you need not be afraid of your Enemy your Adversary; for the Lord's Power is over his Head, and you within his Power, than nothing can get betwixt you and God; and in the Power of the Lord is the City set upon his Hill, where the Light shines, and the heavenly Salt is, and the Lamps burning, and Trumpets sounding forth the Praise of God, of the Eternal Joy, in his Eternal Word of Life, that lives, and abides, and endures for ever. And so to the Praise and Glory of God you may bring forth fresh and green Fruit, being grafted into the green Tree, that never withers. Oh, be valiant for God's Glory and his Truth upon the Earth, To be valiant for the Truth, and spread it abroad. and spread it abroad, answering that of God in every Man and Woman's Conscience; knowing him that hath brought Everlasting Peace into the Earth: So, that the Songs of Salvation may be in your Mouths; for it is said, With the Heart Man believes, and with the Mouth Confession is made to Salvation. So every true Believer will confess to Christ his Salvation, their Way, Light and Life, out of Death and Darkness; their Prophet, to open to them; their Shepherd, to feed them; and their Bishop, to oversee them; their Captain and Commander, to command and to lead them; their Counsellor, for to counsel them; and their Priest, who hath offered himself for them, and also sanctifies them, and offers them up to God: To whom be all Praise and Golory for ever. Amen. I writ something to the Magistrates, which is in Print in England; which, if you have it not to give them, you may send into Holland, and let it be translated into your Language and given to them, and spread it up and down in your Country. And as for Truth in this Part of the World, and in America, Truth prospers it prospers, and spreads, and goes on; and by it many Men and Women are made God's Free Men and Women, being redeemed from him that is out of Truth, that they may serve God in the New Life in Christ Jesus (out of the Old Life in Adam in the Fall) and so come to live in the heavenly Unity, Wisdom, Love and Dominion. So, in that Love that bears all things, and keeps your Hearts, Minds and Souls up to God, which comes from God, through which you come to love God, and Christ, and one another; in that live and dwell. Swarthmore, the 17th of the 3d Month, 1676. G. F. To Friends in Holland. DEar Friends, To whom is my Love in the Seed of Life, Epist. 337. that bruises the Head of the Seed of Death; and through him you have all Life Eternal; who is the Foundation of the Prophets, and the Apostles, and all God's People, in all Ages, their Rock to build upon, that will stand the Waves of the Sea, and all Storms and foul Wether, who is the Horn of your Salvation, to push down all, that stands in your way to God; and to push down him, that has led Man and Woman from God: So, that you may all sing of your Rock, and the Horn of your Salvation, as the Holy Ones did in Ages past; and Christ, who is your Foundation, the Lamb of God, who hath been slain from the Foundation of the World, Christ overcame the World and is ascended far above all things. but now he has overcome the World, and is risen, and ascended far above all Principalities, Powers, Thrones and Dominions; and is razing down to the Ground the World's Foundation, from which Foundation he has been slain, and is setting up himself, the Living and Everlasting Foundation, for all his to build upon; and therefore, because the World and its Foundation, Christ is razing down, they are are offended and angry, and the Heathen Rage and take Counsel against the anointed; but it's to no purpose, for he will shake the Foundation of all false Religions, Ways, Worships, Churches and Teachers, and will make the Pillars of them to totter, and they must be at their wit's end, before they see another Foundation; for God shook down the Four Monarchies, the great Empires of the World, and scattered them abroad with his Wind, as the Chaff of the Summer Floor, all those great Persecutors, and the little Stone that's cut out of the Mountain without Hands, The Stone out of the Mountain without Hands, etc. that no earthly Man has the glory of, is becoming a great Mountain, and will fill the whole Earth (Glory to God for ever) and it will dash down all men's Glory and Pride, let them soar as high as Nabuchadnezzar, and shelter as many under them as he did, in their Sects, that he may make them to know, that the most High rules in the Kingdom of Men, and that his Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom. And therefore, all Friends, that know the Light, which is the Life in Christ, be faithful in the Truth, and spread it abroad, answering the Light of Christ in every one; for Christ bid his Disciples go preach the Gospel unto all Nations: And since that was done, are many gathered into the Fellowship and Order of it; but since the World has worshipped the Beast, and given their Glory and Honour to him, instead of God and Christ; which Beast is out of Truth, and had his Power from the Dragon, and the Whore, which all Nations has drunk of her Cup, and she has rid upon the Beast; and now the Everlasting Gospel must be preached again to all Nations, Tongues and People that dwell upon the Earth: So all Nations hath been darkened from Life and Immortality; and now the Gospel, which is the Power of God, brings Life and Immortality to light again, that they may come to see over him that has darkened them, and before he was; and such comes into the City of the heavenly Jerusalem, and drinks of the Waters of Life freely. And therefore all live and walk in the Light, in which you have Fellowship and Unity, To live in Unity, Peace and Love, which edifies. and be at Peace among yourselves, and in Love, which edifies, and bears all things; for this is that which passes Knowledge, and keeps in the Humility of Christ Jesus. So, my desires are, That you may all spread and grow in the Vine, for the Lord hath a great People to come out in those Parts, which I saw in 1651. And therefore Labour in God's Power, that you may increase your heavenly Treasure, and enter into the Joy of the Lord. And so, with my Love to all in the Truth, that walk and live in it, that by it they may be made God's Freemen. Swarthmore, the 2d of the 7th, 1676. G. F. To Friends in Maryland and Virginia. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 338. be Valiant for the Truth, and the Power of it, in the Spirit and Faith of Jesus, and let no one take your Crown, for the Saints overcame by the Blood of the Lamb and the Testimony of Jesus; and so fear not the Wrath of Man, but fear the Lord, and keep your Men and women's Meetings in the Name of Jesus; in whose Name you have Salvation, Life and Peace; so that all may be in the Vine, bringing forth heavenly Fruit, to the Glory of God; and so feel his Banner of Love over you, and you sitting under the Shadow of the Almighty, and look over that which maketh to suffer, to that which was before it was; and know your Faith, to stand in the Seed that bruiseth the Head of it; which Seed Christ is your Rock and Foundation, who will raze down the Foundation of the World of Wickedness, from which Foundation the Lamb hath been slain, but he is risen, and hath overcome the World, and hath the Victory, Glory to the Lord God and the Lamb for ever, Amen. And in him you have the Victory, and do overcome; and they that do overcome, From which Foundation in Christ we have the Victory. shall eat of the hidden Manna, and shall go no more forth into the barren World of Wickedness, but feed in the fruitful Land of the Living, and their Feet shall be set in a sure Place; and beautiful are the Feet of those that publish Peace and glad Tiding, and that says in Truth and Righteousness to Zion, Thy God reigneth. Who is a consuming Fire to the Wicked; and the Joy of the Lord if strength to the Righteous: So serve the Lord in the Newness of Life; for the Lord is dishonoured in the Old Life of Wickedness, and keep the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace, which no Man can take away. So, with my Love to you all, in the Everlasting Seed, that changeth not. G. F. ALL my Dear Friends and Brethren, every where, Epist. 339. in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ, your Lord and Saviour, Life and Peace, To live and walk in Christ. live and walk in the Lamb which hath the Victory; and so in the Humility of Christ, which you have learned of him; and in Patience, with which you run the Race, and obtain the Crown of Immortal Life; and in the Love of God all dwell, which will warm all your Hearts, and knit and unite you together, and build you up a Holy Temple for the Lord: And his Love will keep and carry you above all things, to the Glory of God: And this Love will enable you to bear all things wicked Men can do unto you; or, what the Lord may try you withal. So, let your Faith be in the invisible God and his Son, who is able to secure you, and save you to the uttermost; who is over all, King Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God, blessed for ever, Amen. So, God Almighty establish you all upon this Holy Rock and Foundation, Christ Jesus, who is the same to day as yesterday, and so for ever, who was all the Holy Men and women's Foundation, who is the First and the Last, the Beginning and Ending, the Saints Mediator and Peacemaker between them and God: Their Joy and Rejoicing is in him, their Everlasting Joy, the Amen, blessed for ever. So, with my Love in the Lord Jesus Christ unto you all, in whom I have laboured, (and) among you. Swarthmore, the 19th of the 12th Month, 1676. G. F. To Friends in New Jersey in America. MY Dear Friends, in New Jersey, and you that go to New Jersey, Epist. 340. My desire is, that you may all be kept in the Fear of God, and that you may have the Lord in your Eye, in all your Undertake: For many Eyes of other Governments or Colonies will be upon you; yea, the Indians, to see how you order your Lives and Conversations. And therefore, let your Lives, and Words, and Conversations, be as becomes the Gospel, that you may adorn the Truth, and honour the Lord in all your Undertake: Let that only be in your Eye, Honour God in all Undertake. and then you will have the Lord's Blessing and increase, both in Basket, and Field, and Store House; and at your lyings down you will feel him, and at your go forth, and come in. So that you may answer the Light, and the Truth, in all People, both by your godly Lives and Conversations: Serving the Lord, and being valiant for his Truth, with a joyful Heart, upon the Earth, and the Glorious Name, in whom you have Salvation. And keep up your Meetings for Worship, and your Men and women's Meetings for the Affairs of Truth, both Monthly and Quarterly: And, after you are settled, you may join together, and build a Meetinghouse. And do not strive about outward things; but dwell in the Love of God, for that will unite you together, and make you kind and gentle one towards another; and to seek one another's Good and Welfare, and to be helpful one to another; and see that nothing be lacking among you, than all will be well. And let Temperance, and Patience, Temperance. Patience and Brotherly Love be exercised. and Kindness, and Brotherly Love be exercised among you, so that you may abound in Virtue, and the true Humility; living in Peace, showing forth the Nature of Christianity, that you may all live as a Family, and the Church of God, holding Christ your heavenly Head, and he exercising his Offices among you, and in you; and hold him, the Head, by his Light, Power and Spirit; and that will keep your Minds over the Earthly Spirit, up to God; for the Earth, and the Sea, and all things therein, are his, and he gives the increase thereof. And therefore be not over eager after outward things, but keep above them in the Lord's Power, and Seed Christ Jesus, that is over all; in whom you have all Life, Election and Salvation. And writ over Yearly, from your Meetings, how you are settled, and how your Affairs go in the Truth, and how your Men and women's Meetings are settled. And my Desires are, That we may hear that you are a good Savour to God, in those Countries: So that the Lord may Crown all your Actions with his Glory. So with my Love to all. Swarthmore, the 4th of the 1st Month, 1676. G. F. MY Friends, Epist. 341. All you that do know God and Christ your Teacher, and are come to be the Sons and Daughters of the Lord God, and are in his New Covenant; in which you all do know the Lord, and need not any Man to say unto you, Know the Lord: And are Heirs of the Gospel of Peace and Salvation, that hath brought Life and Immortality to light; and that by the Power of God, the Gospel, you do see over him, the Adversary and the Destroyer, that hath darkened you: And so doth know, that the Power of God is the Authority of your men's and women's Meetings; in it keep them, and all other Meetings; and all such as be Heirs of Grace, and Heirs of Life, and Heirs of the Gospel, keep your men's and women's Meetings, in the Power of God, the Authority of them; and they that crieth against them, or you strive not with them, for they will in God's time die of themselves, and whither away; but keep your Testimony of the Life, and of Grace, and of the Gospel, and of the Order of it, and your Faith in him, your Teacher, who bruises the Head of the Serpent, the Author of all Disorder and ill Government; even Christ, the increase of whose Government (in his Truth, and Power, and Righteousness) there is no end: Glory to the Lord God for evermore. And so all strive to be of one Mind, and Heart, and Soul, and Spirit, To live in Unity in the Love of God. and Faith, living together in Unity, and in the Love of God, all drinking into one Spirit, by which you are Baptised into one Body, having one Head, who is Heavenly and Spiritual; and in the one Spirit, by which you are Circumcised, which putteth off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh. So as you do keep to the Spirit of Christ, it will keep you to be one Body, and to him the one Head, Christ Jesus, the Amen. G. F. MY Dear Friends and Brethren, Epist. 342. That Faith (which is the Gift of God) which all the Saints lived in, and by which they pleased God, and had Victory, by which they had access to God, and by, To live in that Faith, wherein the Ancients pleased God. and in which Faith they did walk: And all the Just, in all Ages and Generations, did live by the same Faith: Do you all live and walk now in your Age? I say, walk in that Faith by which Enoch (the Seventh from Adam) was translated, and by which he had this Testimony, that he pleased God. And also keep in that Faith by which Noah built his Ark, wherein he and his Family were preserved; and the old World, that grieved God, and his good Spirit, were drowned. And also walk in that Faith by which Abraham forsook his Father's House, and Native Country, and their Idolatrous Religion. And live in that Faith, by which Moses forsook Egypt, and refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter, and chose rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy the Pleasures of the World for a season: And by this Faith (which is the Gift of God) he saw God, who is Invisible. And by this Faith was Rahab. the Harlot saved, and her Family: And by this Faith the Walls of Jericho fell down, without any outward Instrument of War. And by this Faith Jacob went down into Egypt, and his Children; and by this Faith he knew they should return again. And the Jews that did not keep in this Faith, their Carcases fell in the Wilderness; but they that kept in this Faith entered into the Land of Promise. And by this Faith had all the Valiants of God the Victory, and his holy Prophets and Prophetesses, as you may read all along in the Scriptures. And by this Faith were they kept in the Fire, and by it the violence of the Fire was quenched; and by it the Mouths of the Lions were stopped: So by this Faith they had the Victory. And by this Faith was Elijah taken up to Heaven: And so as Christ Jesus saith, Faith saves, and makes whole. To look unto Jesus. And all are to look unto Jesus, the Heavenly and the Spiritual Man, the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, by whom all things was made and created, who is the First and the Last, to be both the Author and Finisher of their Faith. Now Christ said, When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find Faith in the Earth? For all, both Jews and Gentiles, were concluded under Sin and Unbelief; so Sin and Unbelief was over them, and they shut up under it. So whosoever hath this true, saving and justifying Faith, Christ Jesus hath been the Author of it, and is the Finisher of this Divine and Precious Faith. So all Eyes must look unto him, for he is both the Author and Finisher of this Living, Precious and Divine Faith: And this is the Faith of God's Elect; by which Faith they have access to God, and know their Election; by which Faith they are translated from Death to Life, and from the Darkness to the Light, and from the Power of Satan unto the Power of God, and from the Corruption to the Incorruption, and from the Mortal to the Immortal, and from the Natural to the Spiritual. And by this Faith, By Faith the Devil is resisted. the Devil, the Destroyer, is resisted, who abode not in the Truth; and by this Faith the Fiery Darts is quenched, of Satan (the Adversary of Man) and he thereby is overcome. So by this Faith you come to know the Partition Wall broken down, that hath been betwixt you and God. So in this Faith are all the Household of Faith to build upon Christ Jesus (who bruises the Serpent's Head) who is the Author and Finisher of Faith; and this is called the Holy Faith, and the One Faith, and by this one Faith, which Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of (by whom all things was made and created) by it we do understand the Worlds were made [by the Word of God] and this is the Faith which all the Household of Faith are to contend for, That Faith which Christ is the Author of. this One Faith which Christ Jesus is the Author of; which Faith is the Gift of God, and is held in a pure Conscience: And it is called the Mystery of Faith; for no natural Men, with all the Arts, Languages and Wisdom, upon the Earth, can find it out, or know this Mystery, nor make it; for Christ Jesus, the heavenly and spiritual Man, is the Author and Finisher of it; and no natural Man, though he may have all the Languages that began at Babel, and yet he may not know the Mystery of this One Faith, which Christ Jesus is the Author of: For Pilate, that set Hebrew, Greek and Latin atop of Christ, who was the Author and Finisher of Faith; he was so ignorant of the Mystery of Faith, that he asked Christ, What is Truth? And the Greeks, that spoke Natural Greek, and the Hebrews, that spoke Natural Hebrew, the Preaching of Christ, the Author and Finisher of the true Faith, was a Stumbling-block and Foolishness to them. So I do conclude, That no Man or Woman hath true Faith only by the Natural Knowledge, Reading, or Understanding of the Original Tongue and Language of the New Testament, no more than the Natural Jews had by the Reading or Knowing of the Natural Tongue of the Old Testament; nor can any in the whole World have true Faith, except Jesus Christ be the Author and Finisher of it. Now those that do say, That the Tongues are the Original, and by them the Orthodox Men, and the Divines (so called) are qualified, (which Tongues began at Babel) and these be the Preachers that makes Faiths for People, who hath gotten Scriptures in Hebrew, Greek and Latin: But I must tell you, that Pilate, and Herod, and the Jews, and the Chief Priests, and the Grecians, and others that could speak Latin, and Greek and Hebrew Naturally, knew not Christ, nor this One Faith, which is the Gift of God, which Christ is the Author of: No more can they, with all their Natural Knowledge of all the Tongues, until Christ Jesus (the Author of the true and saving Faith) give it unto them; by which One Faith was Enoch translated before the many Languages were; and by which Faith Abel's Sacrifice was accepted, and by which Faith Noah built the Ark, and by which Faith he was saved; and by which Faith now all the Household of Faith are saved from the Wrath, by which God will destroy the wicked World, which is reserved in store by the same Word unto Fire, against the Day of Judgement and Perdition of ungodly Men; which Word will hammer down all, and burn up all, and cut down all the ; and by which Word all things were made; by which Word of Life and Wisdom his People are reconciled to God; and therefore they love the Word Christ, who doth fulfil the Mind of God. G. F. FRiends, In the Power and Image and Truth and Wisdom of God, Epist. 343. who are come under God and Christ's Teaching (the heavenly and spiritual Man) Don't you strive about Men, like the Carnal Corinthians, Not to be carnal and divide about Men. that cried, I am of Paul, and I am of Apollo's: And them that do so, leave them to themselves, after you have admonished them, to keep to the Light, Grace and Faith that comes from Christ; if they will not hear it, nor him, nor you, than I say, they must be left to themselves. And you, whose Faith stands not in Men, but in Christ, the Author of it, and in his Gospel of Salvation, by which you are saved; which Gospel is the Power of God, your Keeper: Keep ye in the Order of the Gospel (the Power of God) all ye that are Heirs of it; and in this Power of God keep your Men and women's Meetings, the Power of God being the Author and Authority of them; by which Power of God, the Gospel, you are saved, and have your liberty; and in it you are over him that would destroy you, and darken you, and keep you in Bondage: In which Power of God (the Gospel) you see Life and Immortality brought to light. So it is the Gospel that hath brought it to Light, and keeps Life, and Immortality, and an Understanding up in you, above him that has darkened you from it. Now this is an Everlasting and Invisible Power, in which you are all help meets in the Restoration, by Christ the heavenly and spiritual Man, whereby you are brought into the Image, Lakeness, Righteousness, Holiness, and Power of God, as Man and Woman were in before they fell. And now the same Spirit that drew Adam and Eve from the Image and Likeness of God, and his Power, and Righteousness, and Holiness, under a pretence to feed upon that which God had forbidden them (for they thought they should have been wiser than God had taught them) would keep Man and Woman in the Fall. Now they, by harkening to that Spirit, and eating of the forbidden Fruit, fell and lost the Image of God, The cause of Man's fall. and Righteousness, and Holiness, and the Power in which they had the Dominion, and were brought into the Fall by harkening to this false Spirit, the Adversary, who envied their Happiness and Prosperity. And so by their Fall they came under another Power, another Image, another Likeness, and another God, even the God of the World. Now this Adversary and Deceiver appeared against Man in Paradise; and now Men and Women are deceived by him, and under his Power in the Earth; who creeps on his Belly, and Dust is his Meat: This same Spirit, who is the Adversary and Destroyer, that led Adam and Eve into the Fall, strives to keep Men and Women in the Fall, and in the Earth, and opposes them in their Conversion, Regeneration and Restoration. And this was the same Spirit that risen in Cain against Abel, and envied his Acceptable Sacrifice, and his Righteous State, as it did Adam and Eve's Prosperity in the Ruling Power, wherein they had Dominion over all. And the same Spirit is risen now, which strives to keep People in the Fall (where he has got them) that Men and Women should not be helps meet in the Restoration, by Christ Jesus, as they were in before they fell, in Power, and Righteousness, and Holiness, and Likeness, The same Spirit that envied M●●s happiness, the same opposes good Order in the Church. and Image of God. So, I say, the same Spirit that envied Adam and Eve before they fell, the same Spirit opposes the Men and women's Meetings in the Order of the Gospel, in their Restoration: And that which led them into the Fall, does strive to keep them in the Fall, that It might be Lord, and not Christ Lord, who Restores them; so the same Spirit now would not have Men and Women to have Dominion in the Power of God, over all in the Restoration, as they were help meets together in the Beginning. And this is the Adversary, the Serpent, that led into the Fall, and would keep in the Fall, and there be Head: But Christ, who is the Head, and gives forth the Order of his Gospel (for his People to live and walk in, and under his Spiritual and Heavenly Government) bruises the Head of this Adversary, to Man and Woman, and God's Order, and Government, and Teaching; and Christ (that does bruise his Head) is the Head of all his People, that fits under his Teaching, and under his Order and Government, which they are to walk in: So the same Spirit is risen, that risen against Noah in the Old World; yea it is seen what the Sons of God run into then, even that which grieved God, by following that Spirit which led from God (which led Adam and Eve also from God:) But Noah was preserved in the Ark, over the Floods, when the Old World was drowned, but all God's People are preserved in Christ Jesus, over the Floods of the World; and that Spirit that led Adam and Eve into the Fall, and to feed upon that which made them think they should be wiser than God had taught them: I say, they are preserved in Christ Jesus (the Ark) over all the Floods of the Adversary, and from the Judgements that God brings upon him, and them that follows him: And as Noah was preserved in the Ark, over the outward Floods that drowned the Old World, so will God's People be preserved from the Fire and Brimstone, that is prepared for the Wicked, and the Devil and his Angels. And the same Spirit is risen now, that led Nimrod to build Babel, a City to preserve him and them after the Flood, but God did confound Them and their Work: And so he will do all such Builders. For you see how God did confound all the Jewish Builders, yea, the Wise Master Builders, who rejected Christ the Cornerstone, and his Order, and his Government, and his Counsel. And the great City Babylon, which this Spirit, and its Followers has built since the Apostles, is come into remembrance with God, which the same destroying Spirit has built, that led Adam and Eve from God, and from the Order he placed them in. So this same Spirit, which hath led Man and Woman from the Order the Apostles were in, strives to lead People from it now, where it is risen. And the same Spirit that led Cain to kill Abel, who afterwards built a City; and the same Spirit that led Adam and Eve from the Command of God in Paradise, leads from it now; but God will lay Cain's City waste, and there is no Lodging in it for the Saints, who seek another City, whose Builder and Maker is God. And the same Spirit is risen now, that arose in Pharaoh, and in Corah, Dathan and Abiram; in Pharaoh, to oppose the People, and stop them from going out of Egypt, and walking in the Law of God, in which they might worship God; which Law of God was Good, Just and Holy, and went over all Transgression and Sin, which led into Death, that it might reign; and not the Lord and his Law. And that Spirit that led Corah, Dathan and Abiram, who thought Moses took too much upon him, and busied himself too much, pretending that the People were Holy; so would not have them go further, but there to have made a stop, and set down according to its Will: But see how they were stopped, and what became of Pharaoh, how he was sunk in the Sea, and the other into the Earth. And what became of them that opposed Aaron in his Priesthood, The Spirit of Coran risen now to oppose the Servants of the Lord. their Rods did not bud, yet they would have been Teachers and Ministers, but had not the Fruit in the Tabernacle in the Morning, that they might see how to deal their Bread to the hungry; and therefore they whose Rods did not bud, God's Fire consumed them; for they have nothing to offer to God, but manifest Presumption and Rebellion: And see the end of such. And the same Spirit that risen against the Prophets in the Jews, who resisted the Holy Ghost, and rebelled against the Spirit, is risen now, and is the same Spirit that deceived Adam and Eve in Paradise, which led the People from God, and his Law, and his Prophets: But what became of these Jews, and what was their end? Some to the Fire, some to the Sword, and some to Captivity; as you may read. And those that rebelled against Moses, and Joshua, and Caleb, wandered in the Wilderness till they perished, and came not to the good Land. And therefore keep under Christ Jesus' Teaching, To keep under the Teaching of Christ. who is the Prophet God has raised up, like Moses, whom all should hear and obey. And the same Spirit is risen now, that risen against Christ and the Apostles. And Christ called them Serpents, and of their Father the Devil, the Destroyer, the Adversary, who had deceived Adam and Eve by his false Teaching; and envied their Happiness, and led them from God. So you may see how these Jews, high and low, were gone from God, and his Law, and his Command, by harkening to, and obeying this Spirit, which had led Adam and Eve to disobey God's Command; and therefore they would not receive his Son, nor his Order, nor Doctrine. And what became of all these Jews? was not their City laid waste, and they scattered over all Nations, and they destroyed of the Destroyer, who had denied Christ their Saviour, that wept over them, and would have saved them from Destruction? And such as came to John, and was baptised by him, and rejoiced in his Light for a season, and many that followed Christ, and said he was a Prophet; yet at last these turned from him that descended and ascended; and he told them that rejoiced in John's burning Light for a season, God's Mind was not abiding in them, and that they had not seen his Shape, nor heard his Voice at any time; and that they received Honour of Man, but knew not Christ the heavenly Man, that received not Honour of the earthly Man, who received their Favour one of another: And such as said he was a Prophet, when he said, They must eat his Flesh, the heavenly Bread that came down from Heaven, they forsook him; for their Minds turned downward, to feed upon that which was below. And the same Spirit is risen now, The same Spirit that risen against the Apostles is risen now. that risen against the Apostles, as you may see in their Epistles, in the Romans, Corinthians, and in Peter, Timothy, Titus, Judas and John. Some got the Form of Godliness, and denied the Power; and some were Enemies to the Cross of Christ, the Power of God; others were getting another Gospel than the Power of God, which brought them under the Curse; others were speaking the things of God, in the Words that Man's Wisdom taught them; others their Faith was standing in Words, and not in the Power of God; others their Faith was standing in Paul, and Apollo's, which should have stood in Christ: Which grieved the Apostles, for their Faith should have stood in Christ, whom they preached: Others with good Words and fair Speeches deceived the Hearts of the Simple. And therefore, all they which preached Faith, and made shipwreck of Faith, was, and are still denied: And all such as preach God and Christ, and crucifies Christ to themselves afresh, and denies God in their Works, were then, and are denied. And all such as preach the Light, and walk in Darkness, and preach the Spirit (the Fruits of which is Love and Peace) and are in Strife and Enmity, were never owned by God, nor Christ, nor good Men, though they may be called Christians. And all such as preach Liberty, and themselves were Servants of Corruption, were, and are still denied. And all such as cries Lord, Lord, and preaches Christ, Christ, and does not his Will, enters not into his Kingdom themselves: And into it they can bring none, that do not go into it themselves: Which Kingdom stands in Power, and in Joy and Peace in the Holy Ghost. And all such as preach the Word of God, and are not doers of the Word, they are Deceivers of their own Souls, and they may deceive others with the good Words: And such cannot be reconciled to God, neither can they bring others to Reconciliation with God. So this Spirit is but One; which Spirit all along has wrought against the true Spirit of God in all his People: and was in Srife, and Contention, and Disquietness against the Righteous in all Ages; but it wrought its own Destruction and the Fall of them that followed it; as you may see, through all the Scriptures. And therefore all are to keep the Unity of the Spirit, All are to keep the Unity of the Spirit. the Bond of the heavenly Man Christ Jesus' Peace, who renews Man up into the Image of God, as Man was in before he fell; and not only into that State, but up into himself, that never fell, where they know both his Gospel-Order and his Heavenly Government, and are subject to it: He being the Head above all Principalities, Powers, Thrones and Dominions: Who is ascended above all, that he might fill all things: Who is over all the Beginning, and Ending, and Lives and Reigns from Everlasting to Everlasting, the Amen. G. F. An Epistle to be read in the Men and women's Meetings. DEar Friends, Epist. 344. My Love in the Lord Jesus Christ (to you all) in whom I have laboured, and my Desires are, the God of all Peace, and the Son of Peace, may fill all your Hearts with his Love and Peace, and Wisdom and Knowledge in all things, to do his heavenly glorious Will, in that you will know his Son's Doctrine; and as you know it, obey it. And my Desires are in the Lord, All to walk worthy of their Holy Vocation. that you may all walk worthy of your Vocation, and of him that his called you to Holiness and Righteousness, and to Peace; so that his Peace may flow as a River, and Righteousness run down as a Stream, to the gladding of the City of God; the Walls of which is his Power and Salvation, and Light and Life. And now, My Friends, Keep all your Meetings in the Name of Jesus, in whom you have all Salvation; which is above every Name under the whole Heaven, in which there is no Salvation. And also, all your Men and women's Meetings every where, keep in the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ his Gospel, by which he hath brought Life and Immortality to light in you, that you may see over him that hath darkened you, and before he was; which Power will preserve you in Life and Immortality: So that you may now all labour in the Gospel, the Power of God, in his glorious and comfortable Gospel, joyfully serving the Lord in his Gospel of Peace; through which Gospel you have Peace with God: So that in this Gospel, All to be stirred up to Labour in the Lord's Service. the Power of God, there can come nothing between you and God: Here is your heavenly Order, not of Man nor by Man. So that all the faithful Men and Women may, in the Lord's Power, be stirred up in their Inheritances of the same Gospel, and to labour in it, helps-meet in the Restoration, as Man and Woman was before the Fall, in the Garden of God; all are to work in his Righteousness, and in his Image, in his Power, in his Garden, to subdue the Earth, and keep the Dominion in his Power, in the Restoration, as Man and Woman did in the Image of God before the Fall: Whosoever would hinder you in this Work, it is the same Serpent's Spirit that led Adam and Eve into the Fall, from the Work of God, which now would keep you in the Fall, to do his Work and Command, and not the Lord's; and therefore over that keep your Dominion, Authority and Inheritance in the Restoration, in the Power of God, in which every one of you must give an account to God; and therefore be diligent in the Lord's Power, Light, Life and Spirit, in which you all see your Services to God; so that he may be glorified among you all, and in you all, and over you all, his Glory may shine. And you all, Men and Women, in your Men and women's Meetings be diligent, labouring in the Light, Life, and the Power of God, the Gospel, in the Garden and Church of God; so that Righteousness and Peace may flow down amongst you, and Truth and Godliness, Purity, Virtue, and Holiness, over all that is contrary; and that the Weight and Care of God's Glory, and his Honour, and his pure Holy Name, and his Truth, Religion and Worship you may all stand up for, against that which would in any wise cause it to be evil spoken of by ill Walkers and Talkers; and let all things you do, be done in Love, and condescend one to another in the Power of the Lord, and in his Truth, have esteem one of another, and let all things be done among you without any Strife; for its Love that edifies the Body, and knits it together, and unites it to Christ the heavenly and holy Head. The Reproach taken from Woman, that was first in Transgression. And now, you Women, though you have been under Reproach, because Eve was first in Transgression; the Promise was, The Seed of the Woman should bruise the Serpent's Head: And this Promise of God is fulfilled, A Virgin should have a Child, and they should call his Name Emanuel, God with us, again: For Man and Woman was driven from God out of Paradise, and the Serpent became their Head, and god of the World; but Christ is come according to the Promise of God and his Prophets, who was born of a Virgin; and therefore saith Mary, My Spirit doth rejoice in God my Saviour: My Soul doth magnify the Lord, for he hath regard to the low estate of his Hand maid; for behold, from henceforth all Generations shall call me Blessed: Now, here comes the Reproach to be taken off from Women, which were first in Transgression, who are not suffered to speak in the Church; but here Mary did speak, and believe that which was spoken to her: And also the Reproach and Transgression taken off Men, that believe in the Seed Christ Jesus, who bruises the Head of the Serpent, that has brought Man and Woman into his Image, and his Works; which Christ destroys both him and his works, and renews Man and Woman up into the Image of God, as they were in before they fell, and into the Power, to have Dominion, to work in his Garden, to subdue the Earth, etc. So that all are now to labour in the Garden of God, that are in the Power and Image of God, being brought into it by Christ Jesus, that bruises the Serpent's Head, that has been Head in them all. So that Christ Jesus may be Head in all Men and Women, and every Man and Woman may act from him their Holy Head, their Life and Salvation, and keep his heavenly Peace in his Church, and every living Member (believing in the Light, which is the Life in Christ) may be grafted into him the Fountain of Life, and receive from him the Water of Life, that they may feel the living Springs, and the Rivers springing up in them to Eternal Life: These are living Stones, the spiritual Household, of which Christ is both Head, Rock and Foundation. And Christ is called the Green Tree, Christ the green Tree, from whom all the Branches receive their Nourishment. which Green Tree never withers, into whom they are grafted by Belief in the Light, which is the Life in him, from whom they all receive their heavenly living nourishment, through which every Graft is nourished; then it comes to bud and bring forth Fruit to the Praise of the Eternal God. Now every one of these living Believers are Members of the living Church in God, which Christ is the Head of, and every Member in the Church hath an Office; and so every Member is serviceable in the Body in his Office, in the Light, which is over Darkness, and was before it was; and in the Life which is over Death, and was before it was; and in the Power of God, which was before the Power of the Serpent was; and so they are in this Light, Life and Power to execute their Offices: I say, in this Divine Light, Life, Power and Spirit of God for God's Glory, in Truth, Purity, Virtue, Holiness and Righteousness, they are to stand up for, and the Honour of his Son, and receive him, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him; and all that receive him, he gives them Power to become the Sons and Daughters of God; then in his Power all are to act and walk, and to serve God in their Generation, and in it to serve him in the New Creation, in Righteousness and Holiness, and to stand up in his Power for his Glory, in his Power, Righteousness and Holiness, that Christ brings into them, and renews them in, and so into the Restoration; that they may Labour in the Church and Garden of God in his Power, to his Everlasting Praise and Glory, Amen. And all Friends, To stand fast in the Liberty of Christ. stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and in the Liberty in the Faith, which Christ is the Author and Finisher of; which Faith purifies the Hearts, and gives Victory, in which you have access to God, the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience; in which Faith it hath its true Liberty. And keep in the Liberty of the Everlasting Glorious Gospel of Peace, which is not of Man, nor by Man, but from Heaven; which Gospel bringeth (and hath brought) Life and Immortality to Light, and will preserve you in Life and Immortality, over him that hath darkened you; and in this Gospel you have Everlasting Liberty and Peace, and in the Truth, which maketh you free from him that is out of the Truth: This free State all are to keep in; and also in the pure holy Spirit of God and Christ, that doth Mortify all that is to be mortified and crucified, and doth Baptise you into one Body: In this Holy Spirit you are to walk, which leadeth you into all Truth, in which is your Unity and Fellowship; and giveth Liberty from that which hath grieved it, and quenched, and vexed it. And so in the Liberty, and Fellowship, and Unity of the holy, pure and peaceable Spirit you are all to dwell and walk, which is the Bond of the Prince of Prince's Peace, which the World cannot take away. London, the 13th of the 9th Month, 1677. G. F. MY Dear Friends, To whom is my Love in the Everlasting Seed, Epist. 345. that reigns over all, and will overcome all your Persecutors, and the Devil, that is the cause thereof, who fighteth against the Light, (which is the Life in Christ) as they did against him in the Flesh, above Sixteen Hundred Years ago. And now my Friends, Suffer as Lambs in the time of your Sufferings, To suffer as Lambs in the Patience of the Lamb. let all your Wills be subjected with the Patience that hath the Victory; and run the Race, and obtain the Crown of Life; and be willing to go to Suffer for Christ's sake; for the Apostle said, It is not only given you to Believe, but also to Suffer for his Name sake, in whom you have Salvation; for, They that suffer for Righteousness sake are Blessed, and theirs is the Kingdom of God; and by Faith the holy Men of God had Victory, as you may see at large in Heb. 11. So nothing is overcome by any Man's Will, but by Faith that giveth access to God, in which they do Please God: And I do believe that all your Sufferings will be for good for your Establishing upon the holy Rock of Life, which was the Rock of all the Sufferers, the Prophets and the Apostles, who is the anointed Saviour, to the answering that of God in all People: for the Lord hath a great Work and Seed in that place. So live in the Spirit, that Mortifieth all, and Circumciseth all, and Baptiseth all; so that with the Spirit you may sow to the Spirit, and of the Spirit reap Life Everlasting. And my desire is, All to live in the Unity of the Spirit, and in the Bond of Peace. that you may all be kept alive to God, and live in the living Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of the heavenly Peace, that passeth the Knowledge of the World; which Peace brings such Joys which transcend all your Sufferings, and will carry you above them: And so in love to God, and in love to your Persecutors, you can pray for them who persecute you; and this Suffering is above all the Sufferings in the World, which are without Love and Charity, who maketh one another to suffer, when they get the upper hand; but such are not the Sufferers for the true Lord Jesus, who suffered, though he was above all, yet he made none to suffer; and when he was Reviled, he reviled not again, but said, Father forgive them; and committed himself to him that judged Righteously: So let the same Mind be in you as was in Christ Jesus; for the Apostle said, That they had the Mind of Christ, and the Lamb overcame, and had the Victory: and his sanctified Ones, that following him, are partakers thereof; Glory to his Name for ever, Amen. The 18th of the 5th Month, 1677. G. F. To Friends at Sussex. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 346. To whom is my Love, and to the rest of Friends that a-ways: And my desire is, that you may all Suffer as Lambs of Christ; for when he was reviled, he reviled not again; and he gave his back and cheek to the Strikers and Smiters, and his hair to be plucked off, and was as a Lamb led dumb before his Shearers, and he opened not his Mouth; though he was the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; and so left his Fellowers and Believers an Example that they should follow him, like Innocent Lambs; for the Lamb and the Saints have the Victory over all the Tearers, and Strikers, and Pluckers, Let Patience have its perfect Work. and Devourers, and Persecutors; and so let Patience have its perfect Work in you and among you, in which you run the Race, and do obtain the Crown of Eternal Life. And do not strive, but keep down that Spirit that would strive, with Love, which differeth you from all other Sufferers that have not Love, which envieth not, neither is provoked, but beareth all things, and endureth all things, and will wear out all Evil Doers: And so be Faithful, and of the good Faith that hath the Victory, and in it suffer joyfully, as the Saints did, and leave the Gain-sayers to the Lord God, who will Reward and Re-pay them. And keep in the Seed that will outlast all, and bruise the Head of the Serpent. And so the Lord God preserve you all both in Life, Word, and Conversation to his Glory; and that all your Words may be Gracious, Amen. The 8th of the 5th Month, 1677. G. F. Concerning Subjection of the Spirits of the Apostles one to another in the Unity of the Spirit of Christ. THE Apostles heard at Jerusalem, Epist. 347 that the Samaritans had received the Word of God, and they sent unto them Peter and John, Acts 8.14. Now Peter and John did not, in opposition say, Peter and Paul. We will stay till we have a Motion: But as the Spirits of the Prophets were subject to the Prophets, so the Spirits of the Apostles were subject to the Apostles: And when tidings came to the Church at Jerusalem, That the Grecians had believed, they sent forth Barnabas to them, Barnabas. and when he came, he Exhorted them; and when Barnabas had found Paul, he brought him to Antioch (and there the Disciples were first called Christians) and the Church sent the Collection by the hands of Paul and Barnabas unto the Elders, Acts 11.22, 23, 30. and 9.27. Paul and Barnabas. Paul and Barnabas took with them John, whose Surname was Mark; and Mark did not Gainsay, and tell them, I must wait for a Motion, Acts 12.25. It pleased the Apostles and Elders, with the Church, to send chosen Men to Antioch, with Paul, and Barnabas, and Judas Surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief Men among the Brethren, Barsabas and Silas. and writ Letters by them unto the Gentiles, Acts 15.22. saying, For as much as we have heard, that certain that went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your Souls, saying, Ye must be Circumcised and keep the Law; unto whom we gave no such Commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen Men unto you; Men that have hazarded their Lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again unto every City, The Care of the Apostles to visit those again, to whom they bade preached the Gospel. where we have preached the Word of the Lord, and see how they do; and Barnabas determined to take Mark with them; and Paul chose Silas, being recommended by the Brethren unto the Grace of God; and they went through Syria and Cilicia; and as they went through the Cities, they delivered them the Decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem; and so were the Churches confirmed and established in the Faith, and increased in number daily, Acts 16.4. The Brethren exhorted the Disciples to receive Apollo's, Acts 18.27. Apollo's. And Paul sent unto the Ephesians, and called the Elders of the Church, and exhorted them, Acts 20.17. Paul commends Phebe, Phebe. a Servant of the Church which is at Cencrea, and bid them receive her in the Lord, and assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of, Rom. 16. Now if Timothy come, so that ye receive him without fear, let no Man despise him, but conduct him forth in Peace, that he might come unto me, for I look for him with the Brethren. Paul said to the Corinthians, Did I make a gain of you by any whom I sent unto you? 2 Cor. 12.17. Or did Titus make a gain of you? Tychicus a beloved Brother and faithful Minister of the Lord, shall make known unto you all things, Titus and Tychicus. whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that you might know our affairs, and comfort your hearts, Eph. 6.21, 22. Paul sent to the Colossians Onesimus with Tychicus, to make known all things unto them that was done with him, Col. 4.9. And when they had read his Epistle, Onesimus. they were to cause it to read at Laodicea; and Paul charged the Thessalonians by the Lord, that they did read his Epistle amongst all the holy Brethren, 1 Thess. 5.27. And Paul saith, Take Mark, bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the Ministry; and Tychicus I have s●at to Ephesus, Artemas and Zenas the Lawyer. 2 Tim. 4.11.12. Paul said to Titus, Chap. 3.12. When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus unto thee, be thou diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, and bring Zenas the Lawyer, and Apollo's, on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. Paul saith to Philemon, Having confidence in thy obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou will also do more than I say, Philemon 21, 22. John saith, 2 Epist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not these things that we have wrote, but that we may receive a full reward. I wrote unto the Churches, but Diotrephas, who loveth to have the pre-eminence amongst them received us not: Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doth, prating against us with malicious words, 2. and 3. Epistle of John. The woeful End of such as separate themselves, having not the Spirit. And in Judas, Such as goes in Balaam. Cain, and Corah's way, wandering Stars, raging Waves of the Sea, Wells without Water, Clouds without Rain, Trees without Fruit, twice dead and plucked up by the Roots, their Mouths speak great Swelling Words, to whom is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever: These are they that separate themselves, such as have not the Spirit: But Beloved build up yourselves in the most holy Faith, praying in the Holy Ghost; and keep yourselves in the Love of God, Judas. Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember me in all things, and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them unto you; and the rest will I set in order when I come, 1 Cor. 2.11, 34. Paul in his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians, Chap. 3.4. And we have Confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do, and will do the things which we command you. Now we command you Brethren in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every Brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the Tradition which he received of us: Now we exhort you Brethren to warn them that are unruly, and comfort the feeble-minded, and support the weak, and be patiented towards all Men, for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another; and that ye study to be quiet, and walk honestly to them that are without; and that ye may have lack of nothing, 1 Thess. 5.14. And in 2 Thess. 2.15. Therefore Brethren stand fast, and hold the Traditions which you have been taught, whether by Word or our Epistle. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 348. To whom is my Love in the heavenly Seed Christ Jesus, Abraham, and all the Faithful blessed in Christ, without the Deeds of the Law. in whom all Nations are blessed: O, therefore keep all in this Seed, in which ye are blessed, and in which Abraham and all the faithful were blessed (without the Deeds of the Law) and so the Promise was and is to the Seed, and not to the Law of the first Covenant; and in this Seed all Nations and ye are blessed, which bruiseth the Head of the Seed which brought the Curse, and separated between Man and God: This is the Seed which reconciles you to God, and this is the Seed in which ye are blessed, both in Temporals and Spirituals; through which you have an Inheritance, that cannot be defiled among the sanctified, neither can any defiled thing enter into its Possession, for all Defilements are out of this Seed; this is that which Leavens up into a New Lump, and bruiseth the Head of the wicked Seed, that Leavens into the Old Lump, upon whom the Sun of Righteousness goes down and sets; but never goes down nor sets to them that walk in the Seed in which all Nations are blessed, by which Seed they are brought up to God, which puts down that Seed which separated betwixt them and God; so that there comes to be nothing betwixt them and God. And so now, all my Dear Friends, my Desires are, To be valiant for Truth, and to spread it abroad. That you may all be valiant in this heavenly Seed, for God and his Truth upon the Earth, and spread it abroad, answering that of God in all; that with it the Minds of People may be turned towards the Lord, that he may come to be known, and served, and worshipped, and that ye may all be the Salt of the Earth, to make the unseasoned Savoury. And in the Name of Jesus, keep your Meetings, who are gathered into it, in whose Name ye have Salvation, and he in the midst of you, whose Name is above every Name under the whole Heaven. And so you have a Prophet, and Bishop, Shepherd, Priest and Counsellor, above all the Counsellors, Priests, Bishops, Prophets and Shepherds under the whole Heaven, to exercise his Offices among you, in your Meetings, that are gathered in his Name. And so Christ's Meeting and Gathering is above all the Meetings and Gatherings under the whole Heaven. And so his Body, his Church, and He the Head of it, is above all the Bodies, and Churches, and Heads under the whole Heaven. And so the Faith that Christ is the Author of, and the Worship that he hath set up; and his Fellowship in his Gospel is above all Historical Faiths, and the Faiths that Men have made, together with their Worships and Fellowships, under the whole Heaven. And now, Dear Friends, Light and Immortality brought to Light. keep your Men and women's Meetings in the Power of God, the Gospel, the Authority of them, which brings Life and Immortality to light in you. And this Gospel the Power of God will preserve you in Life and in Immortality, which hath brought it to light in you, that ye may see over him that hath darkened you, and so from the Knowledge of the things of God. And so, it is he and his justruments, that would darken you from Life and Immortality, and that would throw down your Men and women's Meetings, which are established in the Power of God, the Gospel, and would darken you again from this Life and Immortality, which the Gospel hath brought to light, and will preserve you in Life, and in Immortality, as your Faith stands in the Power of God the Gospel, in which every one sees your Work and Service for God; and every Heir of the Power of God, the Gospel, hath Right to this Authority, which is not of Man, nor by Man; which Gospel, the Power of God is Everlasting, and leads you into an everlasting Fellowship; and in the Gospel is everlasting Joy, Comfort and Peace, which will-out-last all those Joys, Comforts and Peace, that will have an End; and also that Spirit that opposes its Order, and the glorious Fellowship, Peace and Comfort that is in it. And now, my Dear Friends, my Desire is, By the Spirit are we all baptised into one Body. That ye may keep in the Unity of the Spirit, that Baptises you all into one Body, which Christ is the Heavenly and Spiritual Head of; so that you may see, and witness to your Heavenly and Spiritual Head; and all drink into that one Spirit; which all People upon the Earth is not like to drink into, while they grieve, quench and rebel against it; nor be baptised into one Body, nor keep the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace: Yea, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Peace, which is the Duty of all true Christians to keep, who are inwardly united to Christ. So with my Love in the Everlasting Seed. Swarthmore, the 26th of the 7th Month, 1678. G. F. To Friends in the County of Oxford. DEar Friends, Epist. 349. Keep in the Lord's Power, that his Kingdom stands in, In what the Kingdom of God stands. and in Righteousness, and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost, which the Devil and all his Instruments of Strife and Debate, and Sowers of Discord among Brethren, are out of; and keep that Spirit out with the Power of God, which was before it was; in which Gospel (the Power of God) is your Holy and Heavenly Order; in the Possession of the same Labour, walking in the New and Living Way, over all the dead Ways in Adam, let them be what Sect they will; and in this New and Living Way you have the Life and the Truth, which Death and Darkness cannot get into, which is out of the Truth, tho' they may talk of the Words of the Truth; but keep in the pure Religion that was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years ago; and this pure Religion, which is undesiled before God, will keep you from the Spots of the World, and above all the spotted and dirty Religions that are not pure, but are defiled before, and in the sight of God. And in this Religion, in your men's and women's Meetings, that are in the Gospel of Christ, and in the Order of it, you will see that nothing is lacking, being ordered by the holy, pure, peaceable and gentle Wisdom of God from above; and so keep in the Worship of God, in the New Covenant, in the Spirit, and in the Truth; which the Devil that foul Spirit, who is out of the Truth, cannot get into, nor his Company: And so in the Seed of Life, which bruiseth the Head of the Serpent, all dwell, and sit down, who is the Amen, the First and Last, in whom you have Peace with God; and then nothing can get between you and the Lord God. G. F. To the Yearly Meeting in Yorkshire. MY Friends, Epist. 350. In the Service, and in the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, in his Power, Light and Truth live, over Death and Darkness, and him that is out of the Truth: So, all in the Seed that bruises the Serpent's Head, stand up for God's Glory and Honour; All to walk as becomes the Gospel. in which Seed you are all one, Male and Female; and in which Seed you all have Peace and Unity that is Everlasting. And in this heavenly Seed, see that all walk as becometh the glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus, which hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel; by which you do see over him that hath darkened you. And this Gospel, the Power of God, will keep you in Life and in Immortality; in which you may all see your Work and Service for the Lord God, in Holiness, and in Righteousness, and in Godliness, that the Lord God may be glorified in you all, and among you all, who is over all, blessed for ever. Amen. And Friends, see that all your Children and Families be trained up in the New Covenant of Grace, and in Life, and Peace, and circumcised and baptised with the Spirit, That Families be seasoned with Truth. that they may all eat of the Spiritual Food, and drink into one Spirit in the New Covenant, and to feed upon the Substance, as the Jews did on the Shadows in the Old, which faded away: And the Power of God, the Gospel, is the Authority of your men's and women's Meetings; and every Heir of the Gospel is to Labour in their Inheritance and Possession, in the Restoration, into the Image of God, in Righteousness and Holiness, being made by Christ, that never fell, helps meet in the Restoration (as they were before the Fall) who is the First and Last, the Foundation and Rock of Ages; in him sit down in Life, and Peace, and Rest, the Amen, that nothing may get between you and the Lord God; and see that nothing be lacking among you, than all is well. So with my Love in the Lord Jesus Christ. London, the 3d of the 4th Month, 1678. G. F. FRiends, Know what the Lord doth require of you, Epist. 351. and all have a Sense of that in yourselves, that he doth require; which is, to do Justly, and to love Mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Now, the Lord who is Merciful and Just, Holy and Righteous, Pure and Perfect, he doth require, The Lord requireth but in propoation to what he giveth. That Man and Woman should do Justly and Righteously, and live Godlily and Holily, by the Holy Light and Spirit, and Truth and Grace, that the Lord hath given every Man and Woman to profit withal: And so, to answer the Holy, Pure, Righteous, Just God of Truth, in all their Lives, and Words, and Conversations; and so, to glorify him upon the Earth. And the more the Lord gives, the more he requireth; and the less that he giveth, the less he requireth: But the Lord requireth of every Man and Woman as he giveth, who will judge the World in Righteousness, by the Man Christ Jesus, according to the Gospel, the Power of God, that is preached to every Creature under Heaven; that is, according to the invisible Power; manifesting, that there is something of the invisible Power of God in every Man and Woman: So, here the Lord Jesus Christ doth not Judge according to the hearing of the Ear, and to the seeing of the Eye; for with Righteousness shall he Judge you, according to the Light, which is the Life in the Word, Christ, with which he doth enlighten every Man that cometh into the World, to the Salvation of them that believe in it, and the Condemnation of them that do hate it, and that will not receive the Gospel, nor the Grace, which bringeth Salvation, which hath appeared to all Men, but walk despitefully against the Spirit of Grace, and iurn it unto Wantonness. So, according to his Grace, and Light and Gospel will the righteous God Judge the World in Righteousness, by Christ the Heavenly and Spiritual Man, who hath died for the Sins of the World; though they deny him that bought them, and tasted Death for every Man: Such deserve his Judgement. Send this abroad among Friends, to be read in their Meetings. Swarthmore, the 11th Month, 1678. G. F. An Epistle to Friends, to keep in the Power of God in their Peaceable Habitations, over all the Troubles of the World ALL my Dear Friends and Brethren, Epist. 352. who are gathered by the Light, Grace, and Truth, and Power, and Spirit of Jesus Christ, to him, the Head over all, by whom were all things created; the Firstborn of every Creature, and the First-begotten from the dead, know him, and the Power of his Resurrection, that you all may be Partakers of it, and of Life Everlasting, and may sit together in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, who is over all, the First and Last; and in him you have Peace, who is not of this World; for in this World there is trouble; and the World did and doth hate Christ, The World hated Christ before it hated them. yea, and his Light, Grace, Truth, Power and Spirit; and therefore it is no marvel if the World do hate Christ's Members, that do follow him in his Light, Grace, Truth, Power and Spirit; and so with it receive him into them, their Life and Salvation; and so he that hath the Son of God hath Life; who is the Fountain that filleth all that wait upon him, with his heavenly Blessings and Riches of Life, from Christ the Rock and Foundation, that cannot be shaken, though the Rocks and Foundations of the World may be shaken, and cloven in pieces, and the Pillars of the Earth may reel and stagger, and all Hypocrites and Sinners may fear; but they that fear the Lord, and wait upon him, shall be as Mount Zion, that cannot be removed; for the Lord's Power is over all, by which he keeps his People to the day of Salvation. And therefore all you that have this Keeper, Let the Lord be your Keeper. the Power of the Lord, through Faith unto the Day of Life and Salvation, need none of the slumbering Keepers or Watchers; for the Lord was the Keeper of Israel, who neither slumbered nor slept, till Israel forsook the Lord, and then they set up slumbering and sleepy Watchers and Keepers; like the Apostate Christians, who have forsaken the Power of God to keep them, and then they are soon forsaken. And therefore, Friends, you that do know the Power of God, in which the Kingdom of God stands, you know your Keeper, through the Faith which Jesus Christ is the Author of, which stands in his Power, and not in Words; and so your Faith standing in his Power, it will keep you out of the Words of men's Wisdom, and above them. And the golden Lamp in your Tabernacle, all are to have to burn with the heavenly Oil, Heavenly Oil. which you have from Christ your High Priest, being returned to him, the great Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls, who will bring you, his Sheep, into his safe Fold; who gives unto his Sheep eternal Life, and his Sheep shall not perish, neither shall any pluck them out of his Hand. Though Men may pluck Hypocrites and Apostates one from another; Feel the Hand that preserved you. but Christ saith, No Man is able to pluck his Sheep out of his Father's hand. And therefore, all feel the Hand that hath brought you out of Spiritual Egypt, where Christ hath been crucified, to Christ, in his new Covenant of Light and Life, as the Jews were brought out of Egypt in the Old Covenant, which Christ hath abolished, and makes all things new; so that all may be grounded on him, who was the Foundation of all the holy Prophets and Apostles, and of all the holy Men of God to this day. And therefore consider who it is that abides in the Tabernacle of God, and dwells in his Holy Hill; it is the Faithful and the Upright, which Holy Hill is a safe place for all the Upright: As the Lord said, In the last days the Mountain of the Lord's House should be established on the top of the Mountains, and should be exalted above the Hills, and all Nations should flow unto this established Honse: And here the Lord does teach his People that comes up to the Mountain of the House of the God of Jacob: So all Mountains, Houses, Hills and Teaching will be shaken, but the Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the last Days, as the Prophet said, which is the Days of Christ. Is not this the Stone that became a great Mountain, and fills the whole Earth, which smote and broke to pieces the Iron, Clay Brass, Silver and Gold, Image or Monarches, which were as Mountains? And this Stone which becomes a great Mountain, The Stone that became a great Mountain. sets up a Kingdom which shall never have an end: Is not this the Kingdom of Christ, which Christ saith, Except a Man be born again he can neither see the Kingdom of God, nor enter into it? And therefore Friends, all you that do know his Kingdom that stands in Power, in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost, over the Power of the Evil, and all the unclean Ghosts, which keeps them in their first Birth, and leads them into all Evil, as the Holy Ghost leads them into all Truth. And so dear Friends and Brethren, know this Rock, this Stone, this Foundation, the House of God, that is established upon the Lord's Mountain, above all other Houses, Hills, Mountains and Teachings in the World, where God doth teach his People, and establish them upon Christ Jesus, the living Rock and Foundation, and living Way: And so though there may be troubles without, and troubles within; yet if you wait upon the Lord, he will renew your strength. And the Children of God they are set for Signs and Wonders; for as it is said, Lo the Children that thou hast given me they are for Signs and Wonders. And therefore Friends, keep your Habitation in Christ Jesus, Keep to Christ, out of vain jangling. in whom you have Peace; for all the rude Talkers and vain Disputers and Janglers, which cankers and rusts, goes out of the peaceable Truth; and that which is torn, and dies of itself, must not be fed upon, but the Life must be fed upon, which gives you Life Eternal. And the Lord did not build his Zion, and outward Jerusalem with Blood, in the Old Covenant; for they that did build their Zion and Jerusalem with Blood, made their Zion a Field, and their Jerusalem an Heap; so if this Practice was forbidden in the Old Covenant, much more in the New, Zion not buil: with Blood. who think to build Zion and Jerusalem with Blood and Iniquity; for such has not been Zion's Children, nor Jerusalem's, that is from above, who shed men's Blood concerning Religion, Church and Worship; for Christ rebuked such that would have had men's lives destroyed, and told them, They knew not what Spirit they were of; so they that do not know what Spirit they are of, they are not like to build up God's Zion and Jerusalem. For Christ said, He came to save men's Lives, and not to destroy them; for the World's God was the destroyer of men's lives, but Christ came to destroy Him and his Works, and to save men's Lives and Souls also. And so dear Friends, let the Love of God, which is shed abroad in your Hearts, cast out all Fear: And keep in the Name of Jesus, in which you are gathered, which is above every Name under the whole Heaven, in whom you have Life and Salvation, and his Presence among you; whose Name is a Strong Tower; and Christ is a Rock to hid yourselves in, and his Spirit to cover you, which is a Covering sufficient enough for you; and Woe will be to that Spirit which is covered, but not with his Spirit; they may fly to the Rocks and Mountains to cover and hid them, No help in Egypt. which will not be sufficient; for the Rocks will rend, and the Mountains will be removed; such may run down into Spiritual Egypt for strength, where Christ was crucified, like the Jews in the Old Covenant, that ran into outward Egypt from his Spirit, but all was in vain. And therefore trust in the Lord, who has preserved you by his Glorious Light and Power to this day, that you may be settled upon the Seed Christ Jesus, which is over all that, within and without, that is contrary to it, and bruiseth the Head of the Serpent, that hath been between you and God: So that in Christ the Seed you have Peace with the Lord God, Life, and Dominion, and Election, and Salvation, who Redeems out of the Curse, and Fear of Men, or that makes the Arm of Flesh his strength, and not the Arm of God; and therefore the Arm of the Lord being your Strength, Christ your Rock and Salvation, than you need not fear what Man can do unto you; for all God's Children are dear and tender to him, whom he hath begotten again by the Word of God to be Heirs of his Kingdom, he feeds them with Life Eternal, and the Milk of his Word, which Word lives, and abides, and endures for ever, and is always full and plenteous of Milk to nurse and nourish all God's Children unto Eternal Life, and to inherit his Kingdom, and the World which is Everlasting, which Christ is the Ruler of (the heavenly and spiritual Man) and therefore they that are in him, must be New Creatures; for all the Old Creatures are in old Adam. And therefore my Desires are, that you may all be settled in Christ Jesus, who was dead and is alive again, and lives for evermore, a Prophet, Counsellor, Priest, Bishop and Shepherd, a Circumciser and Baptiser, a living Rock and Foundation for evermore, the Beginning and Ending, the First and Last, the Amen; sit down in him, and he in you, in whom you have Peace with God. Amen. Swarthmore, the 6th of the 12th Month, 1678. G. F. MY Dear Friends, Epist. 353. Whose Faces are set towards Zion, from this Dunghill World of Vanity and Vexation of Spirit; the Glory, Comfort and Pleasures of which pass away; they that have more or less of it, and that enter into it, enter into Trouble; and when they are in it, it is a great Trouble to come out of it, and to be a Fool for Christ's sake, Be a fool for Christ's sake. who is not of this World, but of the World that hath no end: And therefore you must believe in the Light, Grace and Truth that cometh from him, in the Inward Parts or Heart, which directeth your Minds to Christ, from whence this comes, and to unite to him that is Heavenly, who saith, Seek the Kingdom of God first, and the Righteousness of his Kingdom, than all outward things will be added to them that have found the Kingdom of God, that stands in Righteousness over Unrighteousness; and it stands in the Power of God, over the Power of the Devil, and was before he was, and it standeth in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost, over all the Unclean Ghosts, or Unholy Spirits; and the good Seed are the Children of this Kingdom, which is Everlasting. And take heed of your Wills, and give not way to them, but give way to the Power and Spirit of God, which crucifieth it, Submit your Wills to God. and keeps it under the Cross of Christ; so that your Inward Man may be renewed, and the Old Adam put off, so that the Day Light of Jesus Christ may be seen, which Abraham rejoiced to see, and so do they that be of the Faith of Abraham, which Faith is the Gift of God, that see the Son of Righteousness shine in their Hearts, to nourish that which God hath there planted, who watereth it with the living Water of the Word, his living Plant: And here is Water in your own Wells, that you may drink out of your own Wells or Cisterns, and to have Grapas off their own Vines, from which they may have the new Wine in their new Bottles to glad and cheer their Hearts with the Wine from the heavenly Branch of the heavenly Vine, of which the Lord is the Husbandman; and this must every one of God's People feel. What is the matter that all the World is of so many Ways since the Apostles days? Because they are out of Christ, the Way, Out of Christ the one Way. the new and living Way (which is over all the dead Ways) which was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years ago. And why have they so many Religions? Because that they are out of the pure and undefiled Religion before God, which was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years ago, which Religion keeps from the spots of the World; and then this Religion must be above the World, that keepeth from the spots of it; and they that are gone from this Religion, into them of their own making, and tell People, They must not be Perfect here, and must carry a Body of Death with them to the Grave: and others say, That they must have a Purgatory when they are Dead; this Doctrine is contrary to the Apostles, who said, Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus. that They were cleansed by the Blood of Jesus, and washed by the Water of the Word; and this Blood and Water God's People must feel the effects of within, to wash and cleanse their Hearts, Souls, Minds and Consciences; Their Hearts and Consciences being sprinkled (as the Apostle saith) with the Blood of Jesus from their dead Works, to serve the Living God: For many may talk of the Blood of Jesus without them in their dead Works, not serving the Living God, their Hearts and Consciences being not sprinkled with the Blood of Jesus; and they must feel it within as well as without: And if they have Life, they eat his Flesh and drink his Blood, if they do live by him that is Heavenly and Spiritual, the second Adam, the Lord from Heaven: For they have drank long enough into old Adam's unclean Spirit, which is the cause that there are so many Bodies, that they do vex and quench the good Spirit, and resist the Holy Ghost, which should Baptise them all into one Body; that is, to plunge down all Sin and Evil that is got up by Transgression, and burn that up which is Chaff or Corruption, and so to drink into one Spirit, as the Apostles and Churches did in the Primitive Times, and so to have the same Fellowship and Unity in the holy spirit of Christ, as they had, to wit, in Christ Jesus, who was, and is, the holy Head of his Church, his Elect in him: And Jerusalem, that is above, is the Mother of all such; and such do worship God, as Christ taught above Sixteen Hundred Years ago, in Spirit and in Truth. So all must come to the Spirit and the Truth in their Hearts and Souls, if they do know the God of Truth, who is a Spirit, and must worship him in Spirit and in the Truth; into which holy Spirit and Truth the unclean Spirit, and him that is out of Truth, cannot come: So all Will-worshippers, and the Dragon, and Beast, and False Worshippers, are out of this Holy spirit and Truth, in which the Pure and Holy God is worshipped; and as all that did eat of the Passover in the Old Covenant were to be Circumcised in the Flesh, so are all in the New Covenant to be Circumcised with the Spirit, by putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh, that came upon Man by Transgression, if they will feed on Christ their Heavenly Sacrifice; All feed on Christ your beavenly Sacrifice. for the Old Covenant of Circumcision was held in the Flesh, and then they did feed upon the Natural Sacrifices; but the New Covenant is held in the Grace, Light and Spirit, by which they are Circumcised, and so do feed on their Heavenly Sacrifice: For in the Old Covenant they were not to eat the Blood of Beasts, or any Blood; but in the New Covenant Christ tells you, Except ye do eat my Flesh, and drink my Blood, ye have no part in me: For as by Adam and Eve, their eating that which God forbade, came Death; so if Adam and Eve's Sons and Daughters have Life again, it is by eating of that which Christ commands; and as by eating came Death, so by eating gometh Life, and not by talking; no, not by talking of the Son of God; for all Reprobates may do so; for the Apostle saith, If Christ be not in you, ye are Reprobates; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not Life; and he that hath the Son of God, hath Life; and the Saints did confess the Son of God was come, and had given them an Understanding, and they were in him, and they were to walk as he walked, and not only to talk as he talked: For there are too many Talkers, and few Walkers in Christ; my desire is there may be more. And the Lord God Almighty strengthen you in your inward Man, and over all give you Dominion in the Seed of Life, which bruiseth the Head of the Serpent ( brought Death and a Curse) and this Seed bringeth the Blessings, in which all Nations are blessed; and out of this Seed they are not blessed, though they may profess all the words of this good Seed; and if they are not in it, they have not the Blessing in it; and they that be in this, their Blessings and Peace flow as a River from the Rock and Foundation of Life, that standeth sure, which all the Prophets, Apostles and sanctified Ones did and do build upon, who is their Life and Salvation. So feel the Stone that is cut out of the Mountain without Hands, which must become a great Mountain, and foll the whole Earth, which hath a Kingdom that is everlasting, which, except a Man be born again, he neither can see it, nor enter into his Kingdom. And my Desire is, that you (in your Measures) may be preserved to the Lord, Love Mercy, and do Justly. and know what he doth require of you, to love Mercy, to do Justice, and to walk Humbly with God; for the more he giveth, the more he requires; and the less that he gives, the less he requires, who will judge the World in Righteousness according to the Gospel preached in every Creature, showing that there is something of God in every Creature that shall answer his Judgement: And therefore my desire is, that all may be faithful to what the Lord hath made known unto them by his Grace and Truth, Light, Power and Spirit, and then the Lord will supply them with more; to whom be Glory and Praise, who is the Creator of all, through Jesus Christ, by whom all things were made. Amen. G. F. AND Dear Friends, Epist. 354 My Love to you all in the Seed of Life and Peace, which floweth as a River, and bruiseth the Head of the Serpent, that hath brought Death and Darkness, Woe, Elected in Christ the Seed. Misery and Imperfection upon and in Man; and in this Seed Christ is all Nations blessed and elected; and out of it is the Curse and Reprobation: And out of this Seed are all the false Religions, false Ways, false Worships, and false Churches, or Bodies without Heads, like so many Monsters, which the Seed of the Serpent hath brought forth since the Apostles days, and then they have made them Heads, out of their Bodies, or Churches; and when one Head is fallen off, than another they make, and set it upon their Body or Church, having lost and gone from the true Head, Christ. And sometimes the Members do fall out about making a Head for their Body, so that the Members do destroy one another about it: Going from Christ their Head, they make to themselves Heads. Now this monstrous Body is brought in by this ovil Seed in such as are gone from the Light, Grace, Truth, Power and Spirit, that cometh from Christ, the heavenly Head, in whom dwelleth the fullness of Divinity: And they are never like to come to the true Head, Christ, but by coming to the Light, Grace, Truth, Power, Faith and Spirit of Jesus, which cometh from him, and turneth to him again (the Head) and so to hold him their Head, by which all the Members are coupled together by Joints and Bands, which do receive their Nourishment from him their Head, who doth supply every Member with Life Everlasting from him that is alive, and liveth for evermore. And since such have gone from the Light, Grace, Truth, spirit and Power of Jesus in this Night of Apostasy, they have gone from that which cometh from the Head, Christ, which should join to him. And therefore in this night of Apostasy there have been many Bodies without the true Head, which have made so many Heads, and set them upon their Bodies, and when they are gone, they do make more; and the Beast, Dragon, Wolves, and flse Worships or Bodies of People, without the true Head, Christ, being out of the Grace, Truth, Light, Power, Faith and Spirit which the Apostles were in, they have brought forth so many monstrous Bodies without Heads, till they have made Heads for them; and when one is gone, they do make another. And therefore all must come to the Grace, Truth, Power, Spirit and Faith that cometh from Jesus, if that they do come to him, from whence it cometh, and so hold him their Head, Christ, which Head all things were made by, who is First and Last, the Beginning and Ending. hallelujah. And my desires are, That all may be in their Services for Christ, Men and Women, in his Grace, Truth, Light, Power and Spirit, that from him they may all have their Penny, Diligence rewarded. who doth reward every Man and Woman according to their Works, and not stand idle chaffering in the Marketplace. So, with my Love in the Lord, the Creator of all, and in the Lord Jesus Christ, by whom was all, who is over all, the First and Last, a living Rock and Foundation for all the Living to build upon that are quickened by him, and do believe in his Light, which is the Life in Christ, the Word, by whom all things were made; and so are grafted into Christ, Grafted in Christ. the living Tree, that never withereth; and so from him the green Tree every Graft doth receive its Nourishment, that is grafted into him; and so the living Root doth bear every living Branch, and nourishes it, that it may bring forth Fruit to the Praise of God over all, blessed for ever. And this is the Tree whose Leaf never fadeth, nor Fruit faileth; but its Fruit feedeth all the Living, and the Leaves thereof heal the Nations: And this Tree stands in the midst of God's Garden, who saith, In the midst of thy Church will I sing Praise, The Eyes of People are upon it. which are living Stones, a spiritual Household of Faith, Elect and Precious, the Church of the living God, written in Heaven; so Holiness becomes the House of the Lord. And therefore the Lord doth require more from Friends than all other People, because he hath given more to them; and so all People do expect more from Friends than all other People, in answering that of God in them all in truth and in Righteousness, Holiness and Godliness; for ye are the Lights of the World, and the Salt of the Earth to season it: So all must glorify the Lord God in their Lives and Conversations with their Bodies, Spirits and Souls, which are Christ's, who has bought them and cleansed them with his Blood and the pure Water of his Word, who makes them sanctified Vessels of his Mercy for his Glory; therefore none must dishonour the Lord. And therefore my Desires are, that you may all be valiant for the Truth upon the Earth; and keep up all your Men and women's Meetings in the Lord's Power, the Gospel, which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light, and it will preserve you in Life and Immortality over hom that hath darkened you; and in this all will see their Works and Services for the Lord God, and his Son Christ Jesus, in that which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light; in which Gospel is an Everlasting Perfect Fellowship and Order, which will stand when all others are gone; all the Saints that do enjoy this, cannot but Praise the Lord, and sing Praises to him for ever and ever, Amen. The Apostle saith, If any Man be in Christ he is a new Creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new, 2 Cor. 5.17. So they that are in Christ are new Creatures; and they that are in old Adam are old Creatures, and are in their old Things, old Ways, old Worships, Old things done away. and old Religions, and have the old Garments, and the old Bottles, that hold the old Wine, and cannot endure the new; and have the old, rusty, moth-eaten Treasure: And they that are in Christ, the heavenly and spiritnal Second Adam, who maketh all things new, are new Creatures, and spiritual Men, and are heavenly-minded, and are new Bottles, that hold the new Wine and the new heavenly Treasure, and have the new Clothing, the fine Linen, the Righteousness of Christ, and are in the New and Living Way, over all the dead Ways; and they are in the New Worship; which Christ set up above Sixteen hundred Years ago, which is in the Spirit and in the Truth; in which Holy Spirit and Holy Truth the Holy God is worshipped: And this was new to both Jews and Gentiles, and is new to all the Apostate Christians, who are not in the Holy Spirit and Truth that the Apostles were in. And this new Creature in Christ hath a new Religion, which is pure and undefiled, The new Creature bathe the pure Religion. and keepeth from the spots of the World: And this Religion is new to the Jews and Gentiles, and all the apostatised Christians that plead for a Body of Death and Sin to the Grave, and a Purgatory when they are dead. And they that be in Christ are new Creatures, and they have a new Head, who is the Head of all things, the First born of every Creature, and the Frist-begotten from the dead, who is alive, and liveth for evermore, who bruiseth the Serpent's Head, who hath made things old, but Christ maketh all things new; and they be in him, are new Creatures; and they that be out of Christ, are the old Creatures in Old Adam; and these old Creatures are doting about their old things, and their old Bottles, old Wine, old Garments, and are doting about their old Ways, old Religions, and old worships, and persecuting one another with their old Carnal Weapons, these old Creatures, which dote about their old Worships, Religions and Ways; so that one old Creature falleth out with another old Creature, so that these old doting Creatures in Old Adam, out of Christ the Second Adam, do wrestle with Flesh and Blood about their old Ways, Religions and Worships: And these old doting Creatures (which be out of Christ the Saviour) do destroy one another about their old Ways, Worships, Religions and Churches: And these old Creatures, that be out of Christ the Head, are monstrous Bodies without a Head, till that they have made one, and then the old Creatures set it upon their Body; which Head (as they do think) doth pardon their Sins; and when this their Head is fallen off their Body, than they do make another, and set it on their old Creature's Body: But they that are in Christ, are new Creatures, And Christ is their Redeemer, etc. and Christ is their Head, who is their Redeemer, Sanctisier and Saviour, who is alive, and liveth for evermore; and walk in Christ, the Second Adam, who is Heavenly and spiritual. And the old Creatures, out of Christ, their Walk is in old Adam, who are Natural and Carnal; and so are their Weapons and Armour, that they defend their old Ways, Church, Religion and worship with, they are Carnal (and not Spiritual) by which they kill one another; and the old Creatures do study or dote which way they may destroy or imprison, persecute or banish, spoil or torture the Righteous or new Creatures in Christ. And they that be in Christ are new Creatures, their Weapons and Armour are Spiritual, and they do not wrestle with Flesh and Blood, but Spiritual Wickedness and Rulers of Darkness in high Places, and bring down Imaginations and high Thoughts, as Christ (whom those new Creatures are in) teacheth them, who saith, that He came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them; and rebuked such as would have had men's Lives destroyed, and told them, that they did not know what Spirit they were of: So it is clear, that the old Creatures; that be out of Christ (which destroy men's Lives about their old Ways, Churches, Religions, and their old Worships) do not know what Spirit they are of; and although they do not know what Spirit they are of, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one; yet People must conform to that Way, Religion, Worship and Church that this old Creature, that is out of Christ, hath set up, or else he will persecute them or destroy their Lives, They that do Persecute for Rcligion are ignorant what Spirit they are of. though Christ saith, They do not know what Spirit they are of: And is not this hard, to conform to that which the old Creatures have made and set up, which do not know their own Spirits, nor what Spirit they bd of? And therefore were not those Doctrines, Ordinances, Traditions and Rudiments of the World the old Creatures (who are in old Adam) which they did and do dote after, which the new Creatures in Christ Jesus, the second Adam, were not to taste, touch, nor handle, for they did perish with the using? And are not all the Will-worships, and the Beasts and the Dragon's Worships, of the old Creatures, that be out of Christ, bearing the Mark of the Beast in their Hand or Forehead? And they that be in Christ, which be new Creatures, have their Father's Mark or Name in their Fore heads, and worship the Holy, Pure and Living God in Spirit and in Truth. And it was the old Creatures that made Images and Idols; and such make them now, and worship them: But they that are in Christ, are new Creatures, and are renewed up into the Image of God, and worship him in his Holy Spirit and Truth, that liveth for ever. Amen. And these cannot touch, taste nor handle the old Creatures Images, Idols, Not to touch with the Rudiments of the World. Doctrines, Ordinances, Traditions or Rudiments of the World, which are the old Creatures, in Old Adam, which doth touch, taste and handle them: But the new Creature cannot, who is in Christ, the express Image of the Father; and he maketh his new Creatures like himself. Moses appointed Servants for God in the Law or Old Testament; but Christ made Sons in the New Testament; for as many as received Christ, he gave them Power to become the Sons of God. Swarthmore in Lancashire, the 30th of the 11th Month, 1678. G. F. To Friends in America, concerning their Negroes and Indians. ALL Friends, Epist. 335. every where, that have Indians or Blacks, You are to preach the Gospel to them, The Gespel to be preacked to the Blacks, Indians, etc. and other Servants, if you be true Christians; for the Gospel of Salvation was to be preached to every Creature under Heaven; Christ commands it to his Disciples, Go and teach all Nations, baptising them into the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. And this is the one Baptism with the Spirit into one Body, which plunges down Sin and Corruption, which hath gotten up by Disobedience and Transgression: For all hath been plunged into Sin and Death from the Life, for all died in Adam, than they have been all subjected by the Evil Spirit, which hath led them out of the Truth into the Evil; and therefore they must all be baptised into the Death of Christ, and put on Christ, if they have Life. And also, you must preach the Grace of God to all Blacks and Indians, which Grace brings Salvation, that hath appeared unto all Men, to teach and instruct them to live Godly, Righteously and Soberly: Which Grace of God is sufficient to teach and establish all true Christians, that they may appear before the Throne of Grace. And also, you must teach and instruct Blacks and Indians, and other, Indians and Negro directed to God's Spirit. how that God doth pour out of his Spirit upon all Flesh in these days of the New Covenant, and New Testament; and that none of them must quench the Motions of his Spirit, nor grieve it, nor vex it, nor rebel against it, nor err from it, nor resist it; but be led by his good Spirit to instruct them; and with which they may profit in the things of God; neither must they turn from his Grace into Wantonness, nor walk despitefully against the Spirit of Grace, for it will teach them to live Soberly, Godly and Righteously, and season their Words. And also, you must instruct and teach your Indians and Negro, and all others, how that Christ, by the Grace of God, Christ tasted Death for every Man, and is the Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World. tasted Death for every Man, and gave himself a Ransom for all Men, to be testified in due time, and is the Propitiation not for the Sins of Christians only, but for the Sins of the whole World: And how, that he doth enlighten every Man that cometh into the World, with his true Light, which is the Life in Christ, by whom the World was made. And Christ, who is the Light of the World, saith, Believe in the Light, that ye may become Children of the Light. And they that do Evil, and hate the Light (which is the Life in Christ) will not come to the Light, because it will reprove them, and love the Darkness more than the Light, this Light is their Condemnation. And so, all must be turned from Darkness to Light, to believe in the Light; and from the Power of Satan to God; and, if they do not believe, they will be reproved, condemned and judged by Christ, who hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth given unto him, who will judge both the Quick and the Dead, and reward every Man according to his Works, whether they be good or evil. And therefore you are to open the Promises of God to the Ignorant, and how God would give Christ a Covenant, a Light to the Gentiles, Christ a Light to the Gentiles. the Heathen, and a New Covenant to the House of Israel, and the House of Judah, and that he is God's Salvation to the ends of the Earth; and how that the Earth shall be covered with the Knowledge of the Lord as the Waters covers the Sea; so that the glorious Knowledge of the Lord, should cover the Earth. And the Lord said, The Example of Abraham for the Instruction of Families. He knew that Abraham would teach and instruct his Family, that they should learn to keep his Laws and Statutes after he was gone; and Abraham did Circumcise all his Males, yea, them that he had bought with his Money of any Stranger. Now who are of Faith, and walks in the steps of faithful Abraham, doth preach up and instruct all their Families in the Circumcision of the Spirit, that they might be Circumcised with the Spirit, which puts off the Body of Death, and the Sins of the Flesh, that is come up in Man and Woman by Transgression; so that in the Spirit they may serve and worship the true and living God; and so that ye all may come to enjoy the Presence of the Lord in your Families, and improve your Talents that Christ hath given unto you; for David saith, that saw Christ in his New Covenant, Let all Nations Praise the Lord; and again, All that have Breath Praise the Lord; again, Let the Poor and Needy praise thy Name: And let all People praise thee, O God: And O ye Servants of the Lord praise the Lord; for the Lord is good to all, and his tender Mercies is over all his Works: And all thy Works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy Saints shall bless thee, they shall speak of thy Glory and of thy Kingdom, and talk of thy Power: For the Lord saith, From the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great among the Gentiles: And in every place Incense shall be offered unto my Name; and a pure Offering; for my Name shall be great among the Heathen, saith the Lord of Hosts. And this heavenly Incense, and Offering in every place, is the Spiritual Offering in the New Covenant; for the Jews was to offer but in one place, in the Temple, in the Old Covenant, but in the New Covenant their Offering is in the Holy Temple of their Hearts, in the Spirit, with which they Offer the pure, and holy and acceptable Sacrifice to God; with that Spirit which God hath given them, they have a living Sense of God their Creator, and Father of all their Mercies, who hath made them, and hath made all things for them, and redeems them by his Son Christ Jesus, to whom be Praise, and Glory, and Honour and Thanks for evermore. So let all bow at the Name of Jesus, to his Power, and Light, and Spirit, All are to low to the Name of Jesus. for they have bowed to the Power of Darkness, that foul and unclean Spirit, who is out of Truth, and in whom there is no Truth. And therefore now all are to bow at the Name of Jesus; for there is no Salvation in any other Name under Heaven, but in the Name of Jesus, whose Name is above every Name under the whole Heaven, who is the First Born of every Creature, and the First Begotten from the Dead, whom God now speaks to his People by, his Son; and all are to hear him, the great Prophet; and every Tongue is to confess to Christ Jesus, to the Glory of God the Father, who is the First and Last, who bruises the Serpent's Head. And so through Christ Jesus Man and Woman comes again to God: All Blessings and Praises be to the Lord God, through Jesus Christ, for ever and evermore, Amen. Swartmore, the 10th Month, 1679. G. F. DEar Friends every where, that have received the Truth as it is in Jesus, Epist. 356. which is holy and pure, and brings to live in him that is Pure and Holy. The Truth is Peaceable, and a Peaceable Habitation; and the Truth is sufficient and able to make you free from him that abode not in the Truth, To live in the peaceable Truth out of Strife, etc. and in whom there is no Truth; and all that do not live and walk in the Peaceable Truth, follows him that is out of the Truth, into Strifes, and vain Janglings and Dispute, like Men of Corrupt Minds, destitute of the Truth. And now the Grace and Truth that comes by Jesus Christ, is that which all People should be under in this New Covenant of Light, and Life, and Grace, and Truth; as the Law came by Moses in the Old Covenant, and the Jews were to be under the Law: But the true Christians who hath received the Grace and Truth comes to be under this Grace's teaching, leading and eftablishing; by which Grace and Truth they are united and joined to Jesus Christ, from whence it comes. And this Grace and Truth is able and sufficient to make you free from him that is out of the Truth, and to come to have a Peaceable Habitation in Christ Jesus, their Eternal Rest and Sabbath: For Christ Jesus saith to his Believers and Followers, In me ye have Peace, but in the World ye have Trouble; and the trouble is in the World of Wickedness. In Christ we have Peace. And therefore God's People are not to love the World, nor the things of the World; for the love of the World is Enmity to God. And therefore feel God's Love shed abroad in all your Hearts, through Christ Jesus, to carry all your Hearts and your Minds above the Love of the World; and this Love is that which will preserve you in the excellent way of bearing all things; and the Love of God fulfils the Law. And the Fruits of the pure holy Spirit of the God of Truth is Love, which is a peaceable Spirit; but the foul unclean Spirit, that is out of the Truth, is a ravenous, unquiet, unpeaceable Spirit: And the Faith that Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of, it works by Love; and the Spirit of Faith is a Peaceable Spirit; which Faith gives the Victory over the unpeaceable, unruly, ravenous Spirit; and by which Faith you have the Inheritance. And the Glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus, which is the Power of God, the Gospel of Peace, which is over the Power of Darkness, and was before it was, and it will be when it is gone; and in this Gospel all the Heirs of it have an Everlasting Unity, and an Everlasting Glorious Fellowship in the Glorious Gospel of Peace, yea, a Glorious, Peaceable Fellowship and an access to God. And the Wisdom of God from above is gentle and peaceable, and justifies and preserves all her Children above the unpeaceable Wisdom that is below; and this Peaceable Wisdom preserves above all the unruly Spirits, and vain Talkers and Janglers, such as talk of the Wisdom of God, but lives not in it, but in the Wisdom of the World. And such as talk of the Gospel of Christ, the Power of God, Such as talk of the Gospel, and live out of it, have not comfort in the Scriptures, nor the Spirit of God. but lives not in it, but do live in the Power of Satan, the Enemy and Adversary, and the Devil, the destroying Power and Spirit; and such have no comfort of the Scriptures, nor of the things of God, nor of the Grace, nor of the Truth, nor of the Wisdom of God, nor of Faith, nor Light, though they may talk of all these things, while they follow that unruly, foul, unpeaceable Spirit, that abode not in the Truth (in whom there is no Truth) and where there is no Truth there is Confusion and Disorder. Now the God of Truth is a God of Order, from whom you have Grace, Truth, and Faith, which is his Gift, and his Spirit, and Gospel, and Wisdom, that you may all live in the Order of it, and as it order you: For God is a God of Order, and his Order is known in his Light, Grace and Truth, and Spirit, and his Gospel, the Power of God, and in his Wisdom. And all his Children and People should live in the Order of his Light, Spirit, and Gospel and Wisdom, and delight in the Order of it. And all you that know God, and Jesus Christ, which is Eternal Life; then in this Eternal Life you do know, that the God of Truth is a God of Order, and you love his Order, in his Light, and Life, and Grace, and Truth, in his Gospel, and in his Spirit, and in his heavenly pure Wisdom, by which all his Children are justified. And in his Truth, that makes free from him that abode not in the Truth (in whom there is no Truth) that all his Children should walk in the Order of Truth, which hath made them free, who are born again of the Incorruptible Seed by the Word of God, The Truth makes free. that lives, and abides, and endures for ever: And so feeds of the Milk of this Immortal Word, and so are of an Incorruptible Generation, which is above the Corruptible; and here is the hidden Man of the Heart, that is Incorruptible, known, that hath an Everlasting Fellowship, and hath an Incorruptible Crown, and is an Heir of an Incorruptible Kingdom. And now the God of this World (and his Followers) that abode not in the Truth, in whom there is no Truth, cannot endure to hear talk of the Order of Truth, which is in the Light, and Life, and in the Gospel, and in the Wisdom of the God of Truth: For the World is full of Disorder and Confusion; but the Living, Eternal, Immortal God of Truth is a God of Order, and not of Confusion, who hath sent his Son to destroy the Devil and his Works: Blessings and Praises, with all Glory and Thanks, be unto him, who hath all Power, Might, Majesty and Dominion, now henceforth and for ever, Amen. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 357. All live the Life of the true Christians, and not the Life of old Adam, that went from God's Command and Voice; nor like the Jews, To live the Life of Christianity. and such as have got the Name of Christians, that say, There is no hearing of God and Christ's Voice now, which are out of the Life, Power, and Spirit, Grace and Truth, and Image of God, that the true Christians were in, and Adam and Eve before they fell; so that none can live the Life of the true Christians, and the holy Prophets and Apostles, except they are in the same Power and Spirit, Grace and Truth, and Faith and Image that they were in, which is a Life above the World and its God, in whom there is no Truth, no Life, Light, nor Power of the Living God abiding in them. And therefore before any can live the Life of the Saints, they must bow to the Name of Jesus, their Saviour, in his Light, Grace, and Truth, and Power, and Spirit, which cometh from him, who submitted himself to the shamesul Death of the Cross, and destroyed Death and his Power, who had no Sin, nor Guile in his Mouth, and is risen again for our Justification, and so hath tasted Death for every Man, and given himself a Ransom for all, that all should now bow at his Name Jesus a Saviour; and so to his Power and Authority bow, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him: So all Men have bowed under Death and Sin by Transgression: Christ submitted to the Cross and Death for us. And Christ hath submitted to the Cross and Death for them, and hath born their Stripes for Sin and Iniquity, who had no Sin, neither knew any, to bring us out of Death and Sin. Therefore every one must bow at the Name of Jesus (as before) whatsoever they do in Word or Deed, it must be done in the Name of Jesus; and before that they can confess to Jesus Christ to the Glory of God the Father, they must all bow at the Name of Jesus, and bow to his Grace and Truth, Light, Spirit and Power that cometh by Jesus, which they know; Him the Fountain, the Rock and Foundation to build upon, who brings out of Death and Darkness into Light and Life, and a Kingdom and a World that is Everlasting; and there to have Food and Clothing that is Everlasting. G. F. DEar Friends, With my Love to you in the holy Peaceable Truth that never changes, nor admits of no Evil, Epist. 358. but makes all free that receive it, and walk in it, To live in Truth, which admits of no Evil. and is over all the Clouds without Rain, and Wells without Water, and Trees without Fruit: And from the Truth floweth Justice, Equity, Righteousness and Godliness, Mercy and Tenderness, that brings a Man's Heart, Mind, Soul and Spirit to the Infinite and Incomprehensible God, and from it a Love flows to all the Univerfal Creation, and would have all to come to the Knowledge of the Truth; and it bends every one to their utmost Ability to serve God and his Truth, and to spread it abroad, and it brings their Minds out of the Earth, which makes them brittle and changeable, and uncertain; for it doth not change, neither doth it touch with that which does change. As to Unity: It makes all like itself, that do obey it: Universal, to live out of narrowness and self, and deny it: So it brings all into Oneness, and answereth the good Principle of God in all People, and brings into Humility, and the Fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of his Wisdom; and it brings all to have a care of God's Glory and his Honour; and watches over all the Professors of it, for their good, to keep within its bounds, and walk within its order; which he that is out of Truth, leads into all disorder, in whom there is no Truth; and the Truth makes all its Children free from him, and in it to reign over him. Thanks, Glory and Honour to the Lord God of Truth over all for ever, Amen. The Lord, who is the God of all Peace and Order; The Lord is the Protect or of his People. alone Protects and Preserves his People with his Eternal Power; for the Devil's Power is not Eternal, it had a beginning, and must have an ending; for the Eternal Power limits that Devourer and Destroyer. And therefore Friends, Patience must be exercised in the Truth; and keep to the Word of Patience, which Word was before the World was, and abides and endures for ever; and it will keep Friends over and out of all the Snares of the World, and its Temptations. So with my Love in the Seed of Life, that reigns over all, and in it the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all to his Glory. Amen. G. F. An Epistle to be read amongst Friends. FRiends, You that are Believers in the Light, Epist. 359. which is the Life in Christ, To Gather in the Name of Jesus. and are grasted into him who is ascended far above all Principalities, Power, Thrones and Dominions, by whom all things were made and created, all the Children in the New Covenant do Gather together in the Name of Christ Jesus, whose Name is above every Name under the whole Heaven, and in whose Name they have Salvation, and not by any other Name under the whole Heaven: And at this Name must every Knee bow, and every Tongue confess Christ Jesus, to the Glory of God the Father; and they that have bowed their knee to the Name of Jesus, and do confess him to the Glory of God the Father, cannot Gather in any other Name under Heaven, below the Name of Jesus; but, Gather in the Name of Jesus, which is above every Name under Heaven, in whom they have Salvation, and so cannot not Gather in any Name below Christ; for, they do know that they have not any Salvation in whatsoever Name that they do Gather together in below the Name of Jesus: And being gathered in the Name of Jesus, he is the midst of them, the Prince of Life and Peace, and Captain of Salvation, and a Prophet to open the Book of Couscience, Christ the Prince of Life and Captain of our Salvation. and the Book of the Law, and Prophets, and Gospel, and his Book of Life to them, and a Bishop to oversee them, and a Heavenly Shepherd to feed them in his Heavenly Pasture of Life, and a Heavenly King to rule in their Hearts, and in his glorious Kingdom, amongst them that are born again; and that seethe and entereth into his Everlasting Kingdom of Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost: And all these Children in the Kingdom, and in the New Covenant of Grace, Light and Life, cannot feed of any Bread for their Immortal Souls that is made by Man, which he hath heavened with the sour Leaven; for that sour leavened Bread will make their Hearts to burn, and the Jews were not to keep their Feasts with leavened Bread in the old Covenant; The Jews in Spirit keep their Feast with unleavened Bread from Heaven. then much more the Jews in the Spirit, in the new Covenant, who hath their Bread from Heaven, their unleavened Bread, who in the new Covenant doth keep their Feast with unleavened Bread from Heaven, and cannot feed their Souls with any Bread, but that which cometh down from Heaven; and this Bread from Heaven giveth Life to the Soul, and is the Staff of their heavenly Life; this heavenly Bread, as the outward Bread is the Staff of the natural Life, in this World that must have an end, but the Bread from Heaven is the heavenly Staff of Life, that doth nourish up into a heavenly Life, and a World, and a Kingdom that is without end: And such as feedeth on this heavenly Bread cannot feed their Souls with any Bread below that which comes from Heaven, for it doth not give them Life: So that they can neither touch, taste nor handle that which is below, which perisheth; for the Breaa of Life from Heaven doth not persh, but giveth Life Eternal; and this Bread is sure, and they that feedeth upon it shall hunger no more. So all Eyes are to look up to Heaven for this Bread of Life, which giveth them Life; and not below Heaven; for neither are they to follow them that crieth, Lo, it is here, and lo, there, or to drink of their Cup that are whored from the Spirit of God, nor to eat of their leaveneed Bread; for they that do believe in the Light, which is the Life in Christ, are grafted into him the true Vine. So the Believers do feel a living Spring springing up in them to Eternal Life, True Believers drink of the Spring of Eternal Life. from the Fountain from whence it cometh. And so here all the true Believers have the upper and the nether Springs in themselves; and such may drink freely, and eat freely of the Bread and Water of Life, and doth hunger and thirst no more, but eat and drink that which is Eternal, which nourisheth them up to Eternal Life, and so beareth Heavenly Spiritual Fruits, to the Praise of the Eternal God; which Plants he hath watered by his upper and nether Springs, which Trees or plants, their Fruits are unto Holiness, and their End is Everlasting Life. So none of the Children of the New Covenant need go to the World for Bread or Water, to give them Life Everlasting, to keep them from the World's Storms; or Weapons to defend their Church or Worship, for they have them from Heaven, and heavenly Bread and Water, and Spiritual Weapons and Armour, and the Righteousness of Christ, the fine Linen, their Clothing; Glory to the Lord for ever, who makes all his spiritually Rich, and to be Lender's and not Borrowers, and Givers and not Receivers, which is more blessed than the Receiver. And the Jews in the old Covenant were to wash their , and to sanctify themselves when they did appear before the Lord, and so are the Children of God in the New Covenant of Life, Light and Grace, who do appear before the Lord, God's Children are to put on the Righteousness of Christ. are to be washed and cleansed, and sanctified, and to put on the Righteousness of Christ, their fine Linen that never will wax old; and so to put off all the Old Adam's Garments, that he hath covered himself, and his Sons and Daughters with in the Fall and Transgression, which will wax old and rot; but that which God and Christ doth put on and his Saints withal is Everlasting. So Man's Righteousness and his filthy Rags must be put off, and they must come into the Righteousness of Christ, and put it on, which doth exceed the Righteousness of the Law, if they do enter into the Kingdom of God, which doth stand in Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost. Now in the Old Testament it's said, The Priest's Lips is to preserve the People's Knowledge: But the New Testament saith, Christ is the Treasnre of Wisdom and Knowledge. That Christ is the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge. The Old Testament saith, That you must offer your Sheep, Goats, Bulls, and Heifers, and other Creatures, which God commanded by the Law in the Old Testament, for your Sins and cleansing: But the New Testament saith, That Christ is offered up once for all: And the Old Testament saith, That the Blood of Bulls and other Creatures cleanseth from Sin: But the New Testament saith, That Christ's Blood cleanseth from all Sin. And in the Old Testament it's said, You must carry your Offerings, and First-Fruits and Tithe to the Store-House: But the New Testament saith, Freely you have received, freely give; and forbiddeth Bag or Staff. And in the Old Testament the Priest was to light the Candles and Lamps in the Tabernacle and Temple, and to circumcise the Man-children: But the New Testament saith, And enlightens his People with his Light and Life. Christ doth enlighten every Man that cometh into the World with his heavenly Light: which is the Life in Christ the Word; and the Spirit of Man is the Candle of the Lord: So he doth enlighten the Candle and Lamp in the Tabernacle, and saith, Believe in the Lght, that ye may become Children of the Light; and Christ doth minister the Circumcision in the Spirit, that putteth off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh, that came upon Man and Woman by Transgression. So that the Children are the Circumcision of the Spirit in the New Testament, and not of the Flesh and Letter, as they were in the Old Testament. And in the Old Testament it's said, That the Priests put the Testament, and the Law, and the Pot of Manna into the Ark, in the Tabernacle and Temple: But in the New Testament, God poureth out of his Spirit upon all Flesh in the new Covenant. God poureth out of his Spirit upon all Flesh, and the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Son into the Hearts of his People, to lead them into all Truth, and reproveth the World of Sin; and the Bread of Life that they have from Christ, is in their Arks and Hearts, or in their Temples; and God doth write his Law in the Hearts and Minds of his People. So, in the New Testament they have the Law written in the Heart and Mind, and the Old they had in the Letter and Tables of Stone; and in the New they have the Testament and Testimony, the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts, and the heavenly, unleavened Bread in their Hearts, which they do keep the Everlasting Feast with. And in the Old Testament, The circumcised in Heart do eat of the heavenly Bread & Flesh. the Clean and circumcised out wardly did eat of the Passover, the Lamb without blemish: But in the New Testament, the clean and circumcised in Heart do eat of the Passover Christ, the heavely Bread and Flesh, and so doth keep the Feast of their Passover in the New Testament. And the Old Testament had the outward Temple and Tabernacle, and outward Lights: But in the New Testament, the Saints Bodies are the Temples and Tabernacles of God, and his Light doth shme in their Hearts, to give them the knowledge of the Glory of God, in the Face of Jesus Christ. And in the Old Testament it's said, Do this and live; and the New saith, Believe in the Light (Christ) and be saved. And the Old Testament saith, Thou shalt Swear, and perform thy Oaths to the Lord: But Christ saith in the New True Christians are not to be angry without a Cause. Swear not at all. And the Old Testament saith, Thou shalt not kill, nor commit Adultery: But Christ in the New saith, Thou shalt not be Angry without a cause, and thou shalt not lust after a Woman. And the Old Testament saith, Thou shalt stand up and Curse: But the New saith, Bless, and curse not. The Old Testament saith, Thou shalt hate thine Enemy: But the New saith, Thou shalt love thy Enemies, and do good to them that hate thee, and despitefully use thee. So the New Covenant and Testament is not according to the Old. And in many other things besides these, it might be showed how one doth exceed the other in Glory. G. F. To all the Men and women's Meetings every where. ALL the faithful Men and Women, Epist. 360. are to be as Abraham and Sarah; Abraham, the Father of the Faithful; and Sarah, a Mother in Israel, Men and Women are meet belps in the Restoration by Christ Jesus. to give Suck, and to nourish up the Seed, the Heir of the Promise. Likewise to be as Adam and Eve, before they fell, weet-helps in the Image of God, and in the Power of God, with which they were to sudue the Earth: In which Power of Image of God, they were not only to subdue the Earth, but subdue Unrighteousness and all Ungodliness, and that which they know doth dishonour God. And likewise all the faithful Women are to be as Dorcas, And to be fellow helpers in Christ Jesus. a Disciple of Christ Jesus, that their good Works of the Spirit and Faith may follow them: And also they are to be as Phebe, who was a Minister of the Church at Cencrea, and she was such a faithful trusty Minister, that the Apostle sent his Epistle by her to Rome, from Corinth, with a Recommendation of her. And also all the faithful Men and Women are to be as Aquilla and Priscilla, who were the Apostles fellow-helpers in Christ Jesus, and had a Church in their House, and were Inftructers concerning the things of God, and Christ Jesus (in his New Testament and New Covenant) and of his Kingdom: And likewise to be as Mary Magdalen, and Joanna, and marry, the Mother of James, and other Women that were with those Women, which first preached and declared to the Apostles the Resurrection of Jesus Christ; and Christ said unto those Women, Go and tell his Disciples that he was risen from the Dead; so these Women were the first Messengers of the Glad-Tidings, Matth. 28. Luke 24. Mark 16. And these Tidiugs did astonish the Apostles at first; for they said, Certain Women of our Company (which were of the Disciples) made us astonished, saying, That Jesus was risen from the Dead; this two of his Disciples said when they were talking with Christ, Women were the first Preachers of Christ's Rgsurrection. but they did not perceive it till he opened their Eyes, as in Luke 24. So the Women continued in their firm Belief; and then after wards the Apostles came to believer also. And therefore it is good for every one to have a Sense of the Resurrection of Christ, and not seek him below; but seek him above, for he is risen from the Dead, and lives, and sits at the Right Hand of the Living God. And also all the Faithful are to be as Miriam the Prophetess, to Encourage the Church, and Praise God. And also to be as Huldah the Prophetess, who instructed the King, his Princes and Priests in the Law of God, and the Old Covenant: So they should be much more diligent to teach and instruct in the New Covenant, and Testament, which doth exceed the Old in its Glory. And also to be as Anna the Prophetess, an ancient Woman of Eighty four Years Old, and she gave thanks, and spoke of Christ to all them that looked for Redemption in ferusalem; and so here was general and a public Preaching of Christ Jesus. And also to be as Hannah, in the old Testament, who conscecrated her Son Samuel unto the Lord; and the Lord accepted her Prayers, Tears, and Offerings: So she had not a mind to let him run Wild. And likewise as Deborah, Deborah both a Prophetess and a Judge in Israel. who was a Prophetess in the Old Covenant, and a Judge in Israel; what Victories, with outward Weapons, the Lord did give her, and how she praised the Lord, which was by Faith in the time of the Old Covenant: But in the time of the New Covenant the true Believers wrestles not with Flesh and Blood, but are all to be diligent in the Spiritual Judgement, and warfare in the Spiritual Israel. And the Apostle writes to Titus, how he had left him in Crete, that he should set in order the things that were wanting, and ordain Elders in every City, as he had appointed him. And after he had spoken many things to Titus concerning Overseers and Teachers, that they must be Blameless; he saith, That the Aged Men must be sober, grave, temperate, sound in Faith, in Charity, and in Patience. Aged Men and Women that their behaviour be as becomes the Gospel. And the AgedWomen likewise, that they be in Behaviour, as hecomes Holiness, not false Accusers, etc. but to be teachers of good things; and that they teach the younger Women to be sober, to love their Husbands, and to love their Children, and to be chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient, etc. that the Word of God be not blasphemed. And likewise Titus was to exhort the young Men to be sober-minded; and here you may see the Apostle, which did forbid one sort of Women to be teachers, which were Usurpers of Authority, which both the Law and the Gospel forbids; yet the Law, and Christ, and the Apostles in the Gospel, encouraged the Honourable Women to Preach and to Teach: For Christ sent the faithful Woman to declare and preach his aged, And to be teachers of good things. and honourable, and faithful Women to Prophesied and Teach, and to be teachers of good things, as before: That is his Charge to them in general. Then he comes to Particulars, charging them, that they should teach the young Women to be sober and discreet, chaste and good, and to love their Husbands, and their Children that the Word of God be not blasphemed: So these to be were as Mothers to the younger Women, and were public Women in their public Services, and Charge that was committed to them. And a Bishop, and an Elder, or a Deacon, was to order and rule well his own House, and to have his Children in subjection, with all Gravity: For if a Man know not how to rule his own House, And to rule well their own House. how shall he take care of the Church of God? So every Man and Woman is to teach, instruct and order their own Children and Families, as the Jews did in the old Covenant; then much more they should Train them up in the new Covenant, which exceeds the old; so that in all things they might give thanks, and praises to God, that in all things the Lord might be glorified in all their Families: So all Christian Families are concerned in these Particular Services, before they come to the General Service (to wit) to be Overseers and Ministers, faithful Men as Fathers, and faithful Women as Mothers, and Teachers of good things; and the young Men and Women as Brethren and Sisters in purity. And so let none spoil their Families with bad Lives, And to keep their Tongue under the Bridle. and unruly Tongues, with letting the Poison of Asps be under their Tongue, by which they spoil and corrupt their Families; which begets into a lose and bad Language; but that is to be bridled by the Word of God; for a soft Tongue breaketh the Bone, the Tongue of the Just is as choice Silver, and the Tongue of the Just is Health, and useth Knowledge aright, and a wholesome Tongue is a Tree of Life; and who keepeth his Mouth and his tongue, keepeth his Soul from Trouble: And after that Solomon had spoken of a Virtuous Woman, he saith, And the Law of Kindness to rest in their Tongne. In her Tongue is the Law of Kindness, and her Children riseth up, and calls her Blessed; and her Husband also praises her: He that hath an Ear to hear, let him hear. And therefore all is to keep in this Law of Kindness, and there your Candle doth not go out by Night, and your Virtue will flow; for the Hoary Head is a Crown of Glory, if it be found in the way of Righteousness; and Better is he that rules over his own Spirit, than he that takes a City; for he that hath no rule over his own Spirit, is like a City that is broken down, without Walls; then the security and strength is gone: And to rule over their own Spirit. And therefore let every one keep his own little City with the Spirit and Power of God, by which you have Power over your own Spirit; and then the Power of God is your strength, and keeps you safe in it, that be led by the Spirit of God. And so that all Men and Women may exercise their Talon, their Gift that God hath given them in the true Light which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World; that is, the Light in Christ, that they may become Children of the Light, and grafted into Christ, and walk as Children of the Light and of the Day: And that all may profit in the Manifestation of the Spirit that God hath given them; and be led by the Spirit, that you all may be the Sons and Daughters of God in this day of his New Covenant, and New Testament, wherein God poureth forth of his Spirit upon all Flesh, which none is to grieve, vex, nor quench, nor rebel against, but obey it: And the Grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared unto all Men, to teach them to live Godly, Righteously, and Soberly, All to be faithful Stewards of the Grace of God and to deny Ungodliness and Unrighteousness. And therefore all are to be Faithful Stewards of this Grace of God, which teaches them, and brings them their Salvation: For the Apostle saith, As every one hath received the Gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God, that the God of all Grace, and Christ by whom it comes, may be glorified in all his People, who gives unto them freely the spiritual and heavenly Gifts. And the Gospel of Peace and glad Tidings, God and Chrift hath sent to be preached to every Creature under Heaven: And all you that have received it, by which Life and Immortality is brought to Light in you, by which you see over him that hath darkened you; by the Everlasting Gospel, the Power of God, and are come to be Heirs of this Everlasting Gospel, the Power of God; so you are Heirs of the Everlasting Order of the Gospel; for the Power of God, is the Order and Authority of all your Meetings: This Everlasting Gospel, the Power of God, is an unlimited Order; and this Glorious Order of the Gospel, the Power of God, is beyond the Order fo Aaron, God's Order is beyond the Or-of Aaron. and beyond all the Orders of the Heathen. And the Power of God cannot be limited, though it may limit that which is contrary to it, and out of the Truth. So our Order and Government is of Christ, and his Gospel, and in his Light, and Holy Spirit, and we are Heirs of it: Being Heirs of Christ, and grafted into him by Belief; and all his Sons and Daughters do know his Glorious Liberty, and their rest in him: The Liherty in Christ is a glorious Liberey. For we have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we can cry Abba Father; for the Spirit itself beareth witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God; and if Children, than Heirs of God, and joint Heirs with Christ. And now Friends (as I said before) Train up all your Children in the Fear of God, in his New Covenant of Light and Grace, Friends to train up their Children in the Fear of God. that they may know Christ, who is their Baptizer and Circumciser, and he sprikles your Consciences and Hearts with his Blood to cleanse you from all Sin, and the Lord writes his heavenly Law in their Hearts, that they may obey it and do it: For, doth not all People in their several false Religions, Ways and Sects, yea, the very Turks and Heathens train up their Children in their own Ways? And likewise, did not the Jews train up their Children in the Old Testament, and Old Covenant, of works; which old Testament and Covenant Christ hath abolished, and hath established the New Covenant of Light, Life and Grace? And therefore must not all the Jews in Spirit, in this New Testament, train up their Children in this New Covenant of Light, Life and Grace? Or else do they not bring themselves under Condemnation? For, doth not the Beasts and the Fowls teach their Young to pick, suck, and feed their Young? All our good things comes from God, and Christ the giver of them. And will not the Young one cry after the Old ones for their Food? All these things might teach People. Now you having your Food from Christ, and God your Father; yea, your Bread, your Milk, your Water, your Wine, your Honey, your Fine Linen, your Clothing, your Breath, your Life, your Souls, and the Image of God, which he made you in, which Man and Woman hath lost by Transgression, but are to be renewed into it again by Christ, your Redeemer, and Sanctifier, and Reconciler, and Mediator, who makes your Peace between you and God, from whom you have your Light, Grace, and Truth, who gives you his Gospel, and Faith, and Spirit, in whose Name you have Salvation, and not by any other Name under the whole Heaven, who is your heavenly spiritual Rock and Foundation; and have not you all these things from above freely, and none of them from below? And also your Heavenly Armour, and Spiritual Weapons, in which you stand Witnesses for God and Christ: And cannot you train up all your Children in the Fear of God, and tell them from whence you have all these good things, that they may come to receive of all these good things which you receive from the good God, and Christ the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge, Good Children are the Crown of old Men. that you may say, The Children of your Children are the Crown of your old Men in the Truth, and the Glory of their Fathers in God; and that you may say, Your Wives are as fruitful Vines by the sides of your House, and your Children like Olive Plants round about your Table; thus shall they be blessed, that fear the Lord, that you may say, Your Sons are Plants of God, growing up in their Youth, And Daughters in Truth as polished Stones. and that your Daughters may be as Corner-Stones, polished after the similitude of a Palace; and that your Garners are full, and affordeth all manner of Store, so that there is no complaining in your Streets: And happy is that People whose God is the Lord. And now my Friends, if there happen any Difference among Friends, either with Friends or the World, Let it be put to Reference, if it cannot be ended between themselves: And all that are concerned to End any Difference, Friends not to go to Law, but to end Differences amongst themselves. let them have but one Ear to one Party, and let them reserve the other Ear to hear the other Party; so that they may Judge Impartially of Matters, without Affection or Favour, or Respect of Persons: For you may see how the Jews in the Old Covenant did judge of things among themselves, as long as they kept the Law of God, and did not go to other Nations, or to the Heathen for them, to judge of their Matters; and therefore the Apostle reproves the Corinthians for that fault, for going to Law one with another before unbelievers, and told them, that the Saints should judge the World, yea, Angels; and then how much more might they Judge of things appertaining to this Life? And therefore the Apostle exhorted, If then ye have Judgement of things pertaining to this Life, set them to judge that are least esteemed in the Church: And to speak to him that hath Offended alone. And Christ saith, If thy Brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone; if he should hear thee, thou hast gained thy Brother: But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the Mouth of two or three Witnesses every Word may be established: And if he neglect to hear them, tell it to the Church; and if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a Heathen and a Publican. Verily I say unto you, whatsoever is bound on Earth shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever ye shall lose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven: And farther Christ said, If two of you shall agree on Earth, as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven: For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them, Mat. 18. And Christ saith, And if he neglect to hear them, to tell the Church. If thy Brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he Repent, forgive him: And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times, if he turn again, saying, I Repent, thou shalt forgive him, Luke 17. Here you may see what Instructions Christ (who is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords) gives to his Church, and much more, which is too large to write. And they had Elders in the Old Covenant then, much more ought there to be Elders in the New Covenant, which are grown in the Truth. And they had the Assemblies of the Women in the Law, who was concerned in the things about the Figures and Shadows, and they wrought about the Holy things, and they brought of their clean things to be offered; all which Christ, the Holy One, hath abolished, and put an end to in the Old Covenant: All are to walk in the fear of God. So much more the Believers in Christ in the New Testament, in the time of the Gospel, are to have their Assemblies and Meetings; besides their Instructing and looking into their own Families, whether they walk in the Fear of God: And then after, in the General Service of the Church of God, the aged Men, and aged Women in the Truth are to be Teachers of good things, as the Lord shall order them with his Spirit, to Teach and Instruct, Exhort, Admonish, Reprove, Rebuke with the Holy Spirit; And to rebuke and reprove in the holy Spirit. for the least Member hath an Office, and every Believer in the Light (which is the Life in Christ) is a Member of Christ's Church, and grafted into him; and so he is the holy Head of the Church, and they are Heirs of his Order, and of his Government, of the Increase of which there is no end, in his Eternal Power and Spirit. And therefore all that deny the Men and women's Meetings that are established in the Light, Power and Spirit of Christ, by which we are gathered together; He being in the midst of them, they may as well deny Christ, as deny his heavenly Order of his Gospel, and his Heavenly Spiritual Government. And all them that deny the Men and women's Meetings, People are to come into the possession of what they profess. in the New Covenant, in the Restoration out of Death and Darkness, by Christ, and in his Gospel of Light and Life, they may as well deny the Preaching of the Gospel, if People shall not come into the Possession of that which is Preached and Practise it. For the Faithful Men and Women that are restored into the Image of God, by Christ Jesus, as Adam and Eve were in before they fell, they were meet-helps in Righteousness, and in the Image of God, and in Christ Jesus; yea, they were meet-helps one to another; and Christ makes them as Kings and Priests to Reign upon the Earth, over the Serpent and the Devil, the Destroyer in the Power of God, which was before he was, in which is the holy Order. And they do that offer the Spiritual Sacrifices to God, and are his heavenly Witnesses, stands for God and Christ, and his Righteousness, in his Light and Life, They that do offer Spiritual Sacrifices are to stand up for God and Christ. by which they are grafted into Christ; and so by and in his Power, Light and Life stands over Death and Darkness, and the Prince and Power of it, and in it Reigns over him: And so doth Praise God, and his Son that liveth for ever, and sings Hallalujah. Swarthmore, the 10th Month, 1679. G. F. An Epistle to Friends, for them to read. MY Dear Friends, The peaceable Truth live in, Epist. 361. which you have received from Jesus your Saviour, and that by the Grace and Truth that is come by him into your Hearts, No bringing forth good Fruits but by abiding in Christ. you may all abide in Christ, and grow up in him, from whence it comes: For, as Christ saith, Except you abide in me, ye cannot bring forth Fruit. And there is none that abide in Christ, but who abide in his Light, Grace and Truth. And Christ saith, Without me ye can do nothing; who is the Heavenly and Spiritual Man, without Christ we can do nothing. the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him. So without this Truth and Grace, and Light, and Power, and Spirit of Christ Jesus, which you receive from him, you cannot abide in him: This brings you to abide in him, and to have his Presence to strengthen you, so that through him you may do all things which he commands and requires of you. And now, The Grace and Truth that comes from Christ brings to Christ the Rock and Foundation. Dear Friends, to the Light, and Grace, and Truth in your Hearts you were turned at the first, and now as you do all walk in the Light, and are established in the Grace and Truth, in your Hearts, Minds and Souls, it brings you to Christ, the heavenly spiritual Rock and Foundation, and to build upon him, with the Light, Grace and Truth that comes from him; and than you will see such as Christ speaks of, that did profess him and preach him, but did not abide in his Light, Grace and Truth, so not in Christ Jesus; and such Christ will not know, that do not abide in him, with his Light, Grace and Truth, from whence it comes. For the Grace, And the Grace and Truth that cometh from Jesus makes inward Christians. Truth and Light that cometh by Jesus, this makes inward Christians, and the Jews inward, who have the Praise of God, though may be not of Men. And the Apostles in their Days, they had to do with several sorts of People, some that preached Christ of Envy, and some of Contention, and some of , notwithstanding the Apostles rejoiced that Christ was preached. But then after a time, when many had gotten the Form of Christianity and Godliness, and denied the Power thereof, he exhorted the Faithful, that kept their Habitation in Christ Jesus, to turn away from such. And yet such went under the Name of Christians, else they could not have the Form of Godliness. And likewise, Such as have the form of Godliness, but deny the Power of it, are to be turned away. such as got the good Words and fair Speeches, with which they deceived the Hearts of the Simple, these were got to be Preachers among the Christians. And the heady, highminded and fierce Despisers, these had the Form of Godliness, though they denied the Power of it, which they were turned from. So they that lived in the Light, Grace and Truth, and the Power and Spirit of Christ, were to turn away from such, that had the Form of Godliness, and denied the Power. And such as these, that had the Form of Godliness and denied the Power, were come farther than such as taught for Doctrine the Rudiments and Precepts of the World, and Doctrines of Men; or the professing Jews and Gentiles, that stood against the Name of Christ, which were altogether Unbelievers of the very Form of Godliness of the New Covenant. And likewise such, that were doting about Questions, and Strife about Words, The vain Talkers were the Persecutors of the Church in the Apostles days; and so are now. vain Janglers and Disputers, Men of corrupt Minds, and those that were unruly, and vain Talkers; many of these were Teachers, which were Troublers of the Churches in the Apostles days. And those that Peter and Judas cried against, that were come so far as Balaam to Prophesy, and Cain to hear the Voice of God, and a Corah, which came out of Egypt; many of these got up to be Teachers, having high swelling Words, which the Apostle judged amongst the fallen Angels, and the old World, and Sodom; who were turned to be Mockers. And suchlike as these were they, that separated themselves, being sensual, having not the Spirit. And so it seems these did set up Separations from the Apostles and Saints in their Days. And the Apostle declareth, how the Lord saved his People out of the Land of Egypt, and afterwards destroyed them that believed not; Angels left their first Habitation. and the Angels that kept not their first State, but left their own Habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting Chains under Darkness, unto the Judgement of the great Day. And so these, which went under the Name of Christians, that had been convinced, and had got a Form of Godliness and Christianity, that kept not their first State, in the Light, and Grace and Truth, and by it, their Habitation in Christ Jesus, they came under the Chain of Darkness. And therefore, Friends, you see how the Apostle was troubled with the false Apostles and Satan's Messengers, that got among the Corinthians, and how they despised the Apostle. And likewise what was got up among the Romans and Galatians, and in the Days of John, as he manifests in his Epistles. And therefore, how Careful were the true Apostles, of the Saints, in their Watching over them! For John said, If ye walk in the Light, as he is in the Light, then have we Fellowship one with another. And that ye also may have Fellowship with us; for truly our Fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. And these things writ we unto you, that your Joy may be full. For many may talk of the Light, and preach the Light; Those that walk in the Light are accepted. but to walk in the Light; that is it which grafts into Christ Jesus, and brings to live in him, which talking of him doth not. And as the Apostle said, As every one hath received Christ Jesus, so walk in him. And the Sayers of the Word, and not the Doers, deceived their own Souls. So there may be many Sayers of the Word, deceivers of their own Souls and others, and Preachers of Christ Jesus. But the Doers of the Word, and the Walkers in Christ Jesus, are they that are accepted of the Lord. And again, as the Apostle saith, The Word of Faith was nigh them, in their Hearts and Mouths, to obey it and do it; and that was the Word of Faith which they preached. And the Light shined in their Hearts, to give them the knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Christ Jesus. And the anointing which you have received of him, abideth in you; and ye need not that any Man teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you all things, that is true, and is no Lie; and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And these things I have written unto you, saith the Apostle, concerning them that seduce you. So here may all the inward Christians in the Grace, Light, Truth, Power and Spirit of Christ Jesus, see what the Apostles exhorted the Saints unto, that they might be preserved in their Day, and so by the sme now, from them that deceived their own Souls and oaths. And so by this Light, The Anointing the Saiats Guide. this Word, the Anointing, Grace, Truth, power and Spirit of Jesus Christ in the Heart, Mind and Soul, must all the Saints be guided now, by which they may come to be inward Christians and have a Habitation in Christ Jesus, and so built upon Him the Living Rock and Roundation, as the Saints were in the Apostles Days; and so to have Salt in yourselves, and the Leaven in your own Meal, and the Pearl in your own Field, and yvor Lamps lighted in your own Tabernacles, and nourished with the heavenly Oil. So that you may put a Difference betwixt the Clean and the Unclean, and what you are to touch, and whaat you are not. And that no Man or Woman may look below Heaven for their Bread, tonourish their Souls and inward Man, and below God and Christ for their Springs, which by continuing in the Light, which is the Life in Christ, the Word, by which all things were made and created, they shall have a Spring from him the Fountain, springing up in them to Eternal Life; so they shall have both the upper and nether Springs to nourish the Plant that God hath planted. And such as came out of Egypt with Moses, and after rebelled against the Lord, and Moses, and the Law and the Prophets, were a greater Grief, to Moses and the Prophets than the Heathen. And likewise, Apostates both under the Law and the Gospel the greatest Exercises to the Servants of God. those that came to be christian's (called) and had got the Form of Godliness, came to be a greater Grief to the Apostles than the World; for their Work was to seek to destroy that which the Apostle had begotten, and them that they had turned to Christ. And therefore well might the Apostle exhort the Saints, to turn away from such, that had the Form of Godliness, and denied the Power; and therefore he told the Saints, The Kingdom of Heaven stands not in Words, but in Power; and therefore they were to know one another in the Spirit and Power; and that is the Internal Knowledge: And their Fellowship was to be in the Holy Ghost, and their Unity in the Spirit, which was the Bond of Peace; and their Fellowship was to be inthe Gospel, which was the Power of God. So an Everlasting Fellowship in the Everlasting Power of God, that will outlast the Power of Darkness; for it was before it was. And also, their Unity was to be in the precious Divine Faith, which Christ was the Author and Finisher of; the Mystery of which was held in a pure Conscience; and their Worship was in the Spirit of God, and in Truth. So you may see what a Heavenly Unity and Fellowship, and a Worship Christ and the Apostles set up. And the Saints in the Light, Grace, Truth, Spirit and the Power of God the Gospel, lived in it, and walked in it. So with the Light, Grace, Truth, Power, Spirit and Word of Life in the Heart, all hold Christ the Head, who is the Head of all things, by whom all things were made, who is the Treasure of the heavenly saving Wisdom and Knowledge, who is called the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven. And therefore all are to have their Knowledge and their Wisdom from him the Treasure, by the Light, Grace, Truth, Power and Spivit that comes from him, it leads you to him your Treasure of heavenly Wisdom and Knowledge; by which Knowledge you know God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, which is Life Eternal to know. And now, my Dear Friends, concerning True Liberty. THE True liberty is in the Gospel, the Power of God, which the Devil and his Instruments, with his false Liberty, cannot get into. And in this Gospel is the Saints Fellowship, which the Devil with all his false Fellowships cannot get into, nor find it; True Liberty in the Faith of Christ. for it is a Mystery. Likewise, true Liberty is in the Faith, which Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of, which gives Victory over that which separated Man and Woman from God, and by which they have access to God again. And in this holy, pure, divine, precious Faith, that is held in the pure Conscience; which pure Conscience hath its pure, holy, divine, precious Liberty, in this holy, divine, precious Faith, which works by Love (and not as the dead Faith doth, which works by Enmity) which is the Fruit of this holy, pure, divine Faith; and in it is the divine, pure, holy and precious Liberty and Freedom. So here is the divine, holy, pure and precious Liberty in this Faith, which works by Love, that is the Victory over that which brought Man and Woman into Bondage, and Slavery, and false Liberty. Faith is the Saints victory. So this living Faith is the Victory over all dead Faiths and false Freedoms and Liberties; which holy, divine, pure and precious Faiths the Saints were and are to contend for, which Christ the Holy One is the Author and Finisher of: So in this holy, divine, pure and precious Faith, they have a holy, divine, pure and precious Unity and Liberty, which is the Victory over the Enmity and the Adversary, the Destroyer, and all this Instruments; and they cannot come within this holy, divine, pure and precious Unity and Liberty, which is in the Faith; for it is a Mysteryjs; and gives Victory over him, and the access to the pure God, and to Christ the Author of it; which all are too stand fast in that Liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free, who is the heavenly and spiritual Man, the Second Adam. For the Bondaged, Captivity and Thraldom, false Freedom and false Liberty was and is in Old Adam, in Transgression; and the true Liberty is that, which Christ the pure and holy One makes free in; and this is a pure holy Liberty, which Christ makes, and sets his People free in; in which they are all to stand fast over all the false Liberties and Freedoms, which are Bondage. Also, the true Libertyiss in the Truth, which if the Truth hath made you free, then are you free indeed, from him that abode not in the Truth, in whom there is no Truth. So then there is no true Freedom nor Liberty in him; and he in whom there is no Truth, cannot come into this Freedom and Liberty, which is in the Truth, but remains in the False. For the Jews in the days of Christ, boasted of their liberty and Freedom, though they were in Bondange both inwardly and outwardly; and that they were of Abraham their Father; but Christ told them, The Devil was their Father, and his lusts ye will do. And also in the Days of the Apostles, many of the false Christians boasted of their Liberty; but who was overcome by them was brought into Bondage. And the Apostle was so careful of his Liberty in Christ Jesus, To be careful of our I iberty in Christ. that such as came to spy it out, and were somewhat in conference; but they added nothing to him; and unto such he would not give place by Subjection, but rather reproved them; and directed every one to walk according to the measure of the Rule which God hath distributed to them. And also true Liberty is inthe Light and Grace, and the Spirit which comes by Jesus, which by believig in te Light, they are grafted into Christ, and so into true Liberty and Freedom, and so are entered into the Rest, out of the Toil of old Adam; for they are grafted into him, who was old Adam. For Unbelievers in the Light are grafted into old Adam, in Transgression. And the Believers in the Light (which is the Life in Christ) are grafted into Christ the Word, by which all things were made and created. So here is perfect, true Freedom and Liberty. And likewise, the true Liberty and Freedom is in the Grace, which brings Salvation, and not Destruction; and teaches to live Godly, not Ungodly; and Soberly, not Unsoberly; and Righteously, not Unrighteously; and teaches to deny the World, and not to cleave to it, and follow it. This Grace establishes the Heart, and seasons the Words; the Fruits of its Liberty and Freedom will manifest itself. And also, the true Liberty in the pure Holy Spirit of God and Christ doth Baptise and Plunge down that which is gotten up by Transgression in Man and Woman, and circumcises and cuts off the Body of Death and Sin in the Flesh, that is gotten up in Man and Woman by Transgression, and mortifies and kills that which would grieve, vex or quench the Motions of the pure Spirit of God; so that in this holy pure Spirit, of this pure God and Christ, is the holy pure Freedom and Liberty over all Bondage and false Liberties and Freedoms. And the Fruits of this pure Spirit is pure Love, Righteousness and Godliness, Fruits of the Spirit. Patience, Temperance and Humility; by which Spirit all are made to drink into one Spirit; so that all are the living Wells, that have their living Water from God and Christ, their true and living Fountain; and in which Spirit they have a holy and spiritual Fellowship, in this Baptising, Mortifying, Circumcisig Spirit, yea, one wit another, and with the Son and the Father also, through which the Love of God warms every one's Heart: But when the Love of many waxes cold, as Christ saith, than they go from this Grace, Ligth, Truth, Power and Spirit, and the Anointing, and the Word of God in their own Hearts; then such turn to be Betrayers, and not Saviour's upon Mount Zion: And against such God's swift Judgement turns, and suddenly falls, though they may cry for a time, Liberty, Freedom, and Peace, Peace; but a Day of trouble will overtake them ere they are ware. And therefore all ye Friends of Christ Jesus, stand fast in that Liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, by his Light, Grace, Truth, Spirit, Faith and Everlasting Gospel, the Everlasting Power of God, which is an Everlasting Freedom and Liberty above all Bondage and false fallen Liberties and Freedoms; in this glorious Gospel, and glorious joyful Libert, where all may exercise God and Christ's Holy Gifts in his Holy Supernatural Light, Grace, Truth, Spirit, and Divine Faith, and Word of Life, and the Gospel; which Word cannot be bound with all the World's Cords or Chains; For it is a Fire to burn, and a Hammer to break, and a Sword to cut in pieces; and therefore love the Word, and keep the Word of Patience, and the Lord will keep you (for it is a tried Word, and it will keep you) in all trials, which shall come upon all the World to try them: For the Word was before the World was, and will be when the World is gone, which all the newborn Babes of the Incorruptible Seed, who partake of the Milk of the Word, grow by it up into an Immortal Life, and Kingdom that is without End; Glory and Praises to the Lord God for ever. And now ye Babes of Christ, If the World do hate you, it hated Christ your Lord and Master also; if they do mock, and reproach, and defame, and buffet you, they did so to your Lord ad Master also; who was and is the Green Tree, that gives nourishment to all his Branches, his Followers. Now if the World do Persecute you, and take away your Goods or , was not your Lord and Master so served? Christ was persecuted, mocked and crucified for us. Did not they cast Lots for his Garments? Was not he haled from the Priests to Herod, and before Pontius , and spit upon? And if they hate thee, and spit upon thee, he was hated and spit upon for thee: Did he not go to Prison for thee? And was he not mocked and scourged for thee? Did not he bow to the Cross and Grave for thee, he who had no Sin, neither was Guile found in his Mouth? And did he not bear they Sins in his own Body upon the Tree? And was he not scourged for thee, by whose Stripes we are healed? Did not he suffer the Contradictio of Sinners, who died for Sinners, and went into the Grave for Sinners, and died for the Ungodly, yea, tasted Death for every Man, who through Death destroyed Death, and the Devil, the Power of Death, and is risen? For Death and the Grave could not hold him, nor the Powers and Principalities, Death could not hold Christ in the Grave. with all their Guards and Watches, could not hold him within the Grave; but he is risen, and is ascended far above all Principalities, Powers, Thrones and Dominions, and is set down at the Right Hand of God, and remaineth in the Heavens till all things be restored: And he is restorign with his Light, Grace, Truth, Power, Spirit, Faith, Gospel, and Word of Life; so that you read of some, that came to sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus. And therefore all must bow at the Name of Jesus their Saviou, in his Light, Grace, Truth, Power, Spirit and Gospel (for he hath bowed for you) if you rise with him; and you must suffer with him, if you will reign with him; and die with him, if you will live with him: And all that are dead and buried with Christ, and are risen with him, they will seek those things that come down from above, where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God; and there you will seek those things which come down from above and not things which are below. For those which seek those things that are below, are the Talkers of God and Christ, and the Prophets and Apostles words, but they are not dead with Christ, nor risen with him; and therefore they do not seek those things that come down from Heaven, where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God. But they are them that seek the things that are above, To sack those things which are above. that are dead with Christ, and risen with him; they, I say, do seek those things which come down from Heaven, where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God; and they have not only sought them, but have found them, and received them, and come to sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, a safe established and heavenly sitting in the heavenly Rest and Habitation in Christ Jesus, who is the First and Last, and over all, from Everlasting to Everlasting: Blessings and Praises over all be to the Lord God through him for ever, Amen. God is a God of Order. The Eternal Living God of Truth, he is a God of Order, and is not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace in all the churches of the Saints. Now the Author of Confusion, and not of Peace, is the God of the World, who abode not in the Truth, because there is no Truth in him; and when he speaks a Lie, he speaks of his own; for he is a Liar, and the Father of it. Now the Jews, which did the God of the World's Lusts, and them called Christians that do, were in Strife, Confusion and Disorder. For the Jews, they went out of the Order of Aaron and oses, going from the Spirit of God poured out upon the House of Israel, and so went from the Lord, and his Law, into Confusion and Disorder, which the living God of Truth was not the Author of. Also the Christians, who go from te Light, Grace, Truth, Power, Spirit, Gospel and Faith, which Christ Jesus is the Author of, they go from Christ and his Order, who was not madee a Priest after the Order of Aaron, but after the Order of Melchizedeck, who was without beginning of Days, or end of Life; an Everlasting Order. And such go into Strife and Confusion that go from Christ, which Christ and God is not the Author of, but the World's God, who got into Man and Woman by Transgression and Disobedience of the Command of God; who is the Author of Confusion, Strife and Disorder, in whom there is no Truth. For what Order can there be in the World's God, and amongst his Subjects, in whom there is no Truth? For in whom there is no Truth, there is no true Order; and they that abide not in the Truth, Grace, Light, Spirit, Gospel, Faith, and Word of Life, they abide not in the Order of God and Christ And such will cry against the Order of the Truth, Light, Grace, Spirit, Gospel, Faith, and Word of Life, which bring into the Order of Christ, and the Order of the Living Eternal God of Truth, who is a God of Order, and delights in Order, having Pleasure in them that live in his Spirit, and Law of Life, and the Gospel, and its Order: For Blessed is the Man that delights in the Law, or Order, of God; it was so under the Old Covenant: Much more Blessed is the Man or Woman that delights in the Law and Order of Love, and the Law and Order of Faith, and the Law and Order of Life, and of the Gospel, the Power of God. And none keep the Law of Faith, but who keep in the Faith which Christ is the Author of, which wourks by Love. And none keep the Law of Life, but who keep in the Law of the Spirit, and walk in it, which is in Christ Jesus, the heavenly and spiritual Second Andam, who was before old Adam, who under the World's God, out of Truth, in whom there is no Truth, nor true Order, but Confusion and Disorder. And therefore all who come to God, who is a God of Order, must come bythe Grace, Truth, Light, Power, Gospel, Faith and Anoitnting, the Word of Life within; and such come to love the Lord Jesus Christ, and to delight in God and Christ's Order. So you may see, that God is a God of Order, who called Aaron and Moses, and they had an Order from God. And Melchizedeck had an Order; and Christ is after his Everlasting Order. Christ'r Kingdom is Everlasting. And Christ, the Truth, hath an Everlasting Kingdom, that stands in Everlasing Righteousness, and Power and Joy in the Holy Ghost; yea, an estableshed Kingdom, that will never have an end, and cannot be broken; and no imperfect, defiled nor corruptible thind enters into is. And all Christ Jesus' Subjects of his Everlasting Kingdom, that see it, and enter into it, are born again (not of the Will of Man) but of an Incorruptible Seed, by the Word of God, and have the Incorruptible Milk of the Word of God, by which the grow from Babes to Men of God; and have the Fine Linen, the Incorruptible Clothing, the Righteousness of Christ, which is the Linen, which they do wear in Christ's Kingdom. So all Christ's Subjects of his Kingdom are known by their Birth and Clothing, and live in the Order of hiw Gospel of Love, Lifew, Light, Grace and Truth; and no Man comes into his Kingdom and Order, but by the Light, Grace, Truth, Faith, Power and Spirit, and Anointing, and Word of Life within, through which they know Christ, and his Everlasting Kingdom, that stands in Power, and Righteousness, and Joy in the Holy Ghost; and by ti keep in the Order of the Law of Life, which they have in Christ Jesus. Such as follow the God of the World, bate the Order of Truth. And they that follow the World's God, that are out of Truth, and disobey their Creator, the God of Truth, and the Lord Jesus Christ; I say, all such obey and follow him in whom there is no Truth; and such cannot endure to hear talk of the Order of Truth and of the Gospel, or the Law, or Order of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus; which all they that do obey the Voice of the Lord, and Christ Jesus in his Light, Grace and Truth, and Gospel, the Power of God, and his Holy Spirit, and Faith, and Word of Life within, come into Unity and Fellowship one with another, and with the Son, and with the Father; and in this they know the Order of Christ, and God to be a God of Order, and delights in his Heavenly and Eternal Order of Light, Life, Power and Spirit of God, that is over Death and Darkness, and the World's God, who is a God of Disorder, in whom there is no true Order, but Confusion; and into this holy Order of the Everlasting Light and Life he cannot come: Glory to the Lord God, and his Son Christ Jesus, who is over all from everlasting to Everlasting, and is the Rock and Foundation, and Habitation of his People, blessed for ever and evermore. Amen. G. F. POSTSCRIPT. Here you may see by these following Scriptures, how the Apostles loved the Good and holy Order of Christ in his Gospel, Some Scripture Collections concerning good Order in the Church. and Light, and Life and Truth; but as Job said, The Land of Darknese is without any Order. And Babylon signifies Confusion, which is the false Church, and is called a Woman, and a City of Confusion, who iw against the Order of the true Church, and gets the Titles of the true Church that is called a City, and a Woman, which brings forth the Manchild, Christ Jesus; and of the increase of his Government and peace there shall be no end; who sits upon the Throne of David, and upon his dom, to order it, to establish it with Judgement and with Justice, henceforth and for ever. So here you may see Christ doth in his Kingdom; and them that have him, have his Order. Isa. 9.7. And David saith, Although mine House be not so with God, yet he hath made with me an Everlasting Covenant, ordered in all thins, and sure; for this is all my Salvation, and all my Desire, etc. 2 Sam. 23.5. Again David saith, Order my steps by thy Word, and let not Iniquity have Dominion over me, Psalm 119.133. Which is the Duty of every Christian, to have their Steps ordered by the Word of God, that lives, and abides, and endures for ever; which Word is a Word of Order. And David saith, The Steps of a good Man are ordered by the lord, and he delights in his Way. I have been young and now am old, yet I have not seen the Righteous forsaken, nor his Seed begging Bread: He is ever merciful, and dareth, and his Seed is blessed, Psalm 37. Here you may see, how the Lord delights in him, and them that walk in the Steps, the Lord order them with his Word. And him that order his Conversation aright, shall see the Salvation of God, Psalm 50.23. And this Order must be in the Light, which is the Life in Christ the Saviour. And the Apostle Paul, after he had spoken many things to the Corinthians, he said, Therest will I set in Order when I come, 1 Cor. 11.34. And he saith concerning the Collections for the Saints, in 1 Cor. 16.1. As I have given Order to the Churches of Galatia, even so do ye (to wit, the Corinthians.) So they were to practise the same Order, which were the Believers in Christ, which the Apstle in the Power of Christ had given to them. For the Apostle had the Wisdom of God, which he had ordained before the World began, unto the Glory of his People then and now also, 1 Cor. 2. And the Order that the Apostle did give to the Churches of the Galatians and the Corinthians was, That upon the First Day of the Week, every one of them lay by him in store as God had prospered him, etc. 1 Cor. 16.2. And in Acts 14. When they had ordained Elders in every Church, and had prayed, they commended them to the Lord on whom they had believed, confirming the Souls of the Disciples, Elders Ordained. etc. and exhorting them to continue in the Faith; and that they must through much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. And as Paul and others with him went through the Cities, Decrees to be kept. they delivered them the Decrees for to keep, that were ordain of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem; and so were the Churches established in the Faith, and increased in Number daily, Acts 16. And the Occasion of these Decrees was, because some Men that went from Judea, taught the Brethren, saying, Except ye be circamcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved, Acts 15. And these Decrees were to stop such Preachers. For the Apostles and Elders said, Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us, have troubled you with ords, subverting your Souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the Law; to whom we gave no such Commandment. Now it is clear, the Apostles and Elders gave these Teachers no such Commandment, to preach such Doctrine to Trouble the churches. And the Apostle Paul, after he had spent some time t Caesaria and Antioch, he went over all the Country of Asia and Phrygia in Order, strengthening all the Disciples, Acts 18. So you may see, how they were a Comfort one to another. And the Apostle writes to Titus, Titus in Crete. Chap. 1. For this Cause I have left thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in Order the thins that are wanting; and ordain Elders in every City, as I have appointed thee. So here Titus in the Sapirit of God did observe that which Paul in the Power of Christ did exhort him to. But such as are against the Order and Pracxtice in the Light and Gospel, cannot order their Speeches by teason of SDarkness. And the Apostle saith, Col. 2.5. Though I be absent in the Flesh, yet am I with you in the Spirit, joying and beholding your Order, and steadfastness of your Faith in Christ: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Here the Apostle rejoiced in the Order that kept them in the Faith and Steadfastness in Christ Jesus. Therefore the Apostle saith, Every Man in his own Order, Christ the First Fruits, etc. For in Adam all died, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. And they that are alive in Christ Jesus, are in his Order of Life and Light, and in his Gospel the Power of God. And the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 14. 40. Let all things be done Decently and in Order. And the Heavens and the Earth, and all things therein, All things ordered by the Lord. are governed and ordered by the Lord, in his Power and Wisdom; and all God's Holy Angels are governed and ordered by God; and all God's Children and People are governed and ordered by God and Christ in his Light, and Spirit, and Grace, and Truth, and Power, Gospel and Word of Life. And the Lord hath set apart him and them that are Godly for himself, Psalm 4. And God hath ordained his Arrows against the Persecutors, Psalms 7.13. And it ought to be the Practice of all the true Christians now, that are in the same Power and Spirit as the Apostles were in, to let all thins be done Decently and in Order, in the New Covenant of Ligth, Life and Grace, to the Glory of the Great God, who is over all, and orders all things to his Glory. Amen. G. F. AND now, 1680 Friends, you who are called into this glorious Liberty of the Sons of God, Epist. 362. stand fast in it. And as the Apostle saith, Brethren, ye have been called unto Liberty, Of ture Liberty. only use it not for an Occasion to the Flesh; but in Love serve one another, Gal. 5.13. As free, not using your Liberty for a Cloak of Maliciousness, but as the Servants of God, 1 Pet. 2. For there were some, who while they promised themselves Liberty, they themselves were Servants of Corruption: Such were like the Dog and the Sow, biting, and renting, and vomiting, and wallowing in the Mire; and as bad as the Synagogue of the Libertines that turned against Stephen, 2 Pet. 2. and Acts 6.9. And therefore the Apostle was careful of the Church's Liberty in Christ, when he said, But take heed, lest this libet of yours become a Stumbing-block to them that are Weak, etc. 1 Cor. 8. For the Apostle was so careful and tender, that he would not have his true Liberty judged of another man's Conscience, etc. as you may see more at large in 1 Cor. 10. And the Apostle said, Falss Brethren came unawares privily, to spy out their Liberty, which they had in Christ Jesus, that they might bring them into Bondage; to whom we gave place by Subjection, no not for an Hour, that the Truth of the Gospel might continue with you (to wit, the Galatians,) Gal. 2.4. And therefore he exhorts them to stand fast in that Liberty wherewhith Christ Jesus hath made them free, To stand fast in the Liberty of Christ. etc. which is the Duty of all true Christians now, for to stand fast in that heavenly glorious Liberty, which Christ the heavenly and spiritual Man, the Second Adam, makes them free in; and in this they will have Salt in't hemselves, to discern between the true Liberty and Freedom and the false, and know how to use their holy and spirtual Liberty and Freedom in Christ Jesus, to the Praise and Glory of God. So, Friends, the Lord God Almighty preserve you all, in the heavenly Order of Christ Jesus, in his holy Seed, Life, Pfower and Spirit, that all may live and walk in it, to the Praise, and Glory, and Honour of God and Christ. Amen. The 3d of the 9th Month, 1679. G.F. DEar Friends and Brethren, Epist. 3●3. in the Lord Jesus Christ, and blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, and hath chosen us in him, before the Foundation of the World. And now, that all may walk in him in Love, who hath seen the great Deliverances of the Lord, and hath been acquainted with his great Mercies that endure for ever; Deliverance after Deliverance, multitude of Deliverances, out of great Trials and Temptations; and hath seen how the Lord hath brought to Confusion, the Enemies of his Truth, both within and without, from the Beginning; and therefore in the Lord's Spirit and Power, all that live in it, that know the Lord, are encouraged to trust in him: God hath raised you up together, and quickened you who were dead in Adam, and made you to sit together, in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, that you might show forth the Riches of his Grace, and Glory, and his Kindness towards you through Jesus Christ. By one Spirit are we baptised into one Body. For by one Spirit we are all baptised into one Body; wherther we be Jews or Gentiles, Bond or Free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit: And therefore endeavour all to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace, and live and walk in the Spirit: And the Fruits of this Spirit of God, is Love, Joy, and Meekness etc. And by this one Spirit, you have access to the Father of Spirits; and this one Spirit, which baptises you into one Body, both Male and Female, knows your Service to God: For the Spirit of God divides severally to every one of you, as he wills your Offices and Places, yet all in Unity in the Spirit, with which you are baptised into one Body, and drink into one Spirit. And the Apostle Paul, who writ from Rome to the Collosians, told them, That they were complete in Christ Jesus; and said, Though I be absent in the Flesh, yet am I with you in the Spirit, joying and beholding your Order, and the steadfastness of your Faith in Christ. And now the Lord hath gathered his People, by his Power, into the same Spirit that the Apostles and Churches were in, in the Primitive Times: And though they be absent in the Body, or Flesh, Men in one Room, and the Women in another; yea, as far as the East is from the West, or the North is from the South, The Spirit present every where. yet they are present in the Spirit, rejoicing and beholding with the Spirit, the Spiritual Order that the Churches and Apostles were in, and the steadfastness of their precious, holy and divine Faith, which Christ (the Second Adam) is the Author and Finisher of; and this is no Separation, but they are the Household of this holy, divine and precious Faith; and live and walk in this holy Faith, and Spirit of God, by which they are baptised into one holy Body, of which Christ Jesus, the holy and spiritual Man, is the Head: And this I say again, is no Separation, thought they be absent in the Body or Flesh, yet they are present in the Spirit, and with the Spirit behold the Spiritual Order: And this is not an imposed outward Form, Order or Prescription, as some Ignorantly think. But they that do say, and prescribe, that Men and Women must meet all together outwardly, in a Bodily Presence in one Room, or else it is a Separation, I say, it is an outward Form, an outward Order, and Imposition, and Prescription, and fiercely Press it, that know not the Spiritual Order; yea, I say, if all Men and Women in the World could meet outwardly together, and are not in the Power and Spirit the Apostles were in, they are in a Separation. But God Almighty is bringing his People by his Son Christ Jesus, and by the same Power the Apostles were in, out of this Separation, and Apostasy from the Apostles Spirit, that began in the Apostles days, into the same Spirit that the Church and the Apostles were in, in the Primitive Times; and though they be absent in the Body, or Flesh, yet they are present in the Spirit, seeing and beholding, in the Spirit, the Spiritual Order, and the Steadfastness of their divine Faith, which Christ (the Second Adam, the Spiritual Man) hath been the Author and Finisher of. And therefore, let no Man beguile you by enticing Words, from this Spiritual Order, Fellowship and Unity. And again, the Apostle saith, For I verily, as absent in the Body, but present in the Spirit, have judged already, as though I was present, concerning him that hath so done this deed. So here was a Spiritual Sight, and a Spiritual Judgement; yea, a Judgement, though absent in the Body, by a Spiritual Sight of such as walk not in the Spirit, but walk out of the Order of it, 1 Cor. 5.3. And this is to the Spiritual-minded, who can judge of these things, for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God; and the Lord now by his Spirit, is separating his Sons and Daughters from the Apostasy and Sin, which hath separated from the Spirit that the Apostles were in; that they may behold one another with joy and comfort with the Spirit, in the Spiritual Order, Fellowship and Unity, though they be absent in the Body, and in the Flesh, yet they are present in the Spirit, and know one another in the Spirit of God. And also, All one in Christ. the Apostle saith, As many as are baptised into Christ, have put on Christ: There is neither Jew nor Greek, Bond nor Free; and here is neither Male nor Female, but ye are all one in Christ Jesus. So, though these be absent in the Body, one from another, Jews, Greeks, Bond or Free, Males or Females, yet they are all one in Christ Jesus, the spiritual and heavenly Man, and with the Spirit joying and beholding one another's Spiritual Order; so the Joying, Unity and Fellowship stands in the Spirit of God, and not in the outward Fleshly Bodily Presence, and Carnal and Natural Sight. And therefore keep your Spiritual Order, To keep in the spiritual Order. joying in the Spirit, beholding your Spiritual Order, and Steadfastness of your Faith in Christ Jesus; and in this you will be all steadfast Men and steadfast Women, and not tossed up and down with every windy Doctrine, and the cunning Crafts and Slights of Men, but steadfast Men, and steadfast Women in the Faith of Christ, as Trees of Righteousness, the Planting of the Lord, whose Fruit is unto Holiness, and whose end is Everlasting Life; and such have Fruit on their own Trees, and Water in their own Wells, and are not shaken with Winds, Storms, nor Tempests, that may rise up within or without, but are steadfast and unmoveable, built upon the Rock and Foundation of Life, Christ Jesus; so that as every one hath received the Gift, even so minister one to another, as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God. And this is the Grace of God wherein ye stand, that will teach you to live Godly, Righteously and Soberly, and brings Salvation; so not only to talk Godly, but to live Godly, keeping yourselves in the Love of God, and building up yourselves in the most Holy Faith, which you have from Christ Jesus, which makes you steadfast and unmoveable, from him who is the Author and Finisher of it; and with the Spirit of God, in which you (spiritually) behold your substantial and steadfast Spiritual Order, over all outward and carnal Orders, and will outlast them all; with which Spirit you all see your work and service for the Eternal Immortal God of Truth, to whom be all Glory, Honour, Thanks and Praises in the Church of Jesus Christ, throughout all Ages, World without end, Amen. From your Friend and Brother in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus. Worplesdom, the 22d of the 5th Month, 1680. G. F. To Friends in America. DEar Friends, My Love to you all in the holy peaceable Truth; Epist. 364. and my Desires are, that whatsoever ye do may be done in the Name of Jesus, to the Glory of God the Father; and all be subject one to another in the Fear of the Lord God, so that ye may all come to dwell in the Love of God, which edifies the Body of Christ, who is the heavenly Man; and let all Strifes, and Divisions, and Backbitings, All Strifes, Divisions, etc. to cease. or Whisper or Prejudices, cease and be buried; and so whatsoever is amiss, or hath been amiss, let it be put down by the Truth and Spirit of God, that it may be uppermost, which is a strong Bond to Unite your Hearts, and Minds, and Souls together, and to the Lord; and be kind and courteous one towards another, all studying to be quiet, and to excel one another in Virtue, and Purity, and Holiness, and Righteousness, and Godliness, in all your Words, and Lives, and Conversations; so that you may all walk as become Saints and Christians, every one esteeming and preferring one another above yourselves in the Truth, in Meekness, and Lowliness of Mind, and Humility: for he that Inhabits Eternity, dwells with an humble Heart. Not to quench the Spirit. And therefore do not quench the least Motion of God's good Spirit in yourselves, nor in any other; but let Truth and Goodness be cherished in all; and let all Harshness, and Bitterness, and Revile be kept down by the Truth, that it may have its passage through you all, and in it you may bear one another's Weakness and Infirmities, and so fulfil the Law of Christ; keeping down Revenge, Hastiness or Passion, as knowing Vengeance is the Lord's, and he will repay it, on every one that does wrong, without respect of Persons: For, Friends, you there should be as Lights, or as a City that cannot be hid: Lights, I say, to to give Light in all People; and also, to be as the Salt of the Earth, to be a good Savour, and savoury to all People; for he, or she, that is an ill savour, hath lost the Salts savour, and is good for nothing, and is trodden under the Foot of Men; and therefore take heed of losing the Salts savour, either in Word or Conversation; for if you do, you will come under the Foot of Men, they will trample upon you; therefore be Careful, Fervent, Circumspect and Faithful in the Truth, and let your Moderation, Temperance and Sobriety appear to all Men, showing forth the Work of the Lord, and your Honesty and Justness in all your Words and Deal between Man and Man; and that you may owe nothing to any Man but Love, that every one of you may be adorned with a meek and quiet Spirit, which is with the Lord of great Price; and every one of you to be endued with Wisdom from on High, which is pure and peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, and full of Mercy and good Works; let the Fruits of this appear among you all, and then you will all be gentle and easily entreated one of another. And keep in the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of the heavenly Peace (and then none quenches it) and all walking as becomes the Glorious, Joyful, Peaceable Gospel of Christ, which is the Power of God, which was before the Devil, and his Power was, and is over him; in this Gospel you all know Life and Immortality brought to Light, that you all see your Everlasting Glorious Fellowship, in the Everlasting Gospel of Peace; in this Gospel, the Power of God, that was before Enmity was, and will remain when it is gone. And therefore all you who know this Glorious Gospel of Peace live and walk in it, keeping your Glorious, Heavenly, Comfortable Fellowship in this Glorious Gospel of Peace, in which Enmity cannot come, as before; and in this Everlasting Gospel, the Everlasting God (who is over all, from Everlasting to Everlasting) will have the Praise, Glory and Thanks, who is worthy of all, for ever and evermore. London, the 7th of the 12th Month, 1680. G. F. To Friends in Yorkshire. DEar Friends, Epist. 365. In the Lord's Power and Holy Spirit, feel his Presence amongst you, who hath drawn you with his Spirit to his Son; and you that have received him, he gives you Power to become his Sons and Daughters; and so from the Son of God, the second Adam, you have Power to meet, whose Power is above Adam's Power, and his Sons and Daughters in the Fall. And now my Friends, If you do want Wisdom and Knowledge to order you in the Affairs and Service of God: Christ the Treasure of Wisdom, etc. Christ is the Treasure of your Wisdom and Knowledge; and so receive them from his Treasury which is above: This heavenly, saving Wisdom and Knowledge, from whence you have your Grace and Truth, Light and Life, and the Gospel, the heavenly Spirit; yea, heavenly Food, and heavenly Bread, and Water of Life from above; and the unleavened Bread, and sweet Milk of the Word, and Water of Life, to keep the Feast of the heavenly Man's Passover, which is not to be found in any of old Adam's Sons and Daughters Storehouses in the Fall; but his old mouldy leavened, sour Bread, which makes his Sons and Daughters Hearts to burn one against another, and them with his old Rags, which will not cover their Nakedness, which they have stitched together, which must be all cast off, and trodden under Foot by the Spirit and Power of Christ; which Power turns you to Christ, who all his Sons and Daughters with his heavenly Fine Linen, which will never wax old. And therefore let all your Lamps be trimmed, and Candles lighted, that all of you may see your Work and Service for God and Christ, in this his Day. So that you may have the Blessings from above from him, as the holy Men and Women of God had in the days of old; so that there may be nothing lacking, neither Spiritual nor Temporal. And so let all things be done in Peace and Love, in the Name and Power of Jesus, amongst you; and all condescend to one another in Meekness, Patience and Quietness, in the Fear of the Lord; being all ordered with the Wisdom of God, which is from above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, that all your Hearts, Minds and Souls may be knit together in the Love of Christ, and that you may be all of one Mind and Spirit in him; and whatever you do, let it be done in the Name and Power of Jesus, to the Glory of God the Father, that created all, and taketh care for all, Blessed for ever, Amen. London, the 6th of the 4th Month, 1680. G. F. A Letter to the Captives who met together to Worship God in Algiers. DEar Friends, I understand by a Letter from a Friend, Epist. 366. a Captive amongst you, dated the 20th of the 10th Month, 1681, That you have a Meeting there in Algiers of about Twenty, I am glad to hear you meet; and it is very well, that you have so much Liberty from your Patroons; and my desire is, That the Lord may preserve you all, that do meet in the Name of Jesus, that in your Lives, and Conversations, and Words, To preach Righteousness in Life and Conversation. you may preach Righteousness and Holiness, and Godliness, and the Life of Truth; so that you may answer the Spirit of God, both in the Turks and Moors, and the rest of the Captives; that God's City may be set upon the holy Hill there, which cannot be hid; but that all may see it with the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightened every Man that cometh into the World. And that Christ's Ensign may be set up in those Parts; that with his Light in all Men, they may all see it, and flock to it; and Christ the Ensign furnisheth all that come to him, with heavenly Armour and Spiritual Weapons. Now Christ enlightens every Man that cometh into the World, that every one may believe in the Light, and may become a Child of the Light, and have Eternal Life, and be saved; and so the Gospel of Salvation, the Power of God, is to be preached to every Creature under Heaven. And he that believes, is saved, and hath the Salvation; for Christ by the Grace of God, hath tasted Death for every Man. And the Grace of God that brings Salvation, hath appeared to all Men: And therefore all Men, if they will have Salvation, it must be by believing, receiving, and walking in the Grace of God, which brings it. And the Lord pours out of his Spirit upon all Flesh; and therefore all Men and Women must come to this Holy Spirit of God, by which the Spirit of Enmity may be slain and crucified in them; that in this Holy Spirit of God, they may all be in Love and Unity; and with the Spirit of God, they may all come to know the Eternal, Immortal God, and serve and worship him in his Holy Spirit of Truth, which he hath poured upon them. And in this, all will honour God, and glorify him through Jesus Christ in his New Covenant of Light and Grace. And so, my Dear Friends, be faithful and valiant for God's Truth upon Earth, and do not deny the Name of Jesus, To be valiant for the Truth. in whom you have Salvation; whose Name is above every Name under the whole Heaven; that ye may all be with his Light built upon him your Rock and Foundation that stands sure. And now, my Dear Friends, tho' you remain as Captives, yet if ye be Christ's and God's Freemen, who leads the Devil into Captivity, that led you Captive into his Prison of Death, Darkness and Corruption: If Christ, I say, has led you out of that Prison and Captivity, into the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God, stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free; and be not entangled with any Yoke of Bondange, to bring you out of that heavenly, spiritual Liberty. For in this you are free, notwithstanding the Prisons and Captivity of Men; and they are but small matters to it: And therefore trust in the Arm of the Lord's Power, who can lay the Mountains low, and remove the Hills out of their Places, and make his Lambs to skip over all. And therefore mind the Lord and his Power, Good effects may come out of Afflictions. that is over all that, that makes you to suffer. Now your Sorrows and Afflictions may bring many to call upon the Name of the Lord, when he has brought you low; for God is Merciful and Gracious to the Righteous, and his Mercies endure for ever. And tho' Hunger, and Thirst and Cold, many times you are in, and many Distresses, yet the Lord is able to support you. And now, that you may mind the Lord in your Poverty, and prise his Mercies; and consider how that did not enough prise his Mercies, and Liberty and Plenty. And ye may read 107th Psalm throughout; there ye may see how the Lord brought down such as contemned his Counsel, and rebelled against his Words: Well, what can you tell but that this may be the Day of the Lord with you, in your Captivity, to bring down your Hearts and Spirits, that with the Spirit of the Lord you may turn to him, who is a God at Hand; and that you may call upon the Lord in Truth and Righteousness, that all your Sufferings, Afflictions and Captivity may be sanctified to you. So, that you may say, All things shall work together for good, to them that love God. And so with Job you may bless God, who giveth and taketh away, and that you may glorify God in whatsoever Condition you may be; that no Trouble may move you; and that you may rejoice in Afflictions, Persecutions and Tribulations in the Lord, through his Spirit that doth uphold you. And as you do walk in the Light, Grace, Spirit and Gospel, you may turn others to it: That you may have Unity with them in it; and that they may come out of the spiritual Prison of Death, Darkness, and Corruption and Captivity, into the Liberty of the Sons of God in Christ Jesus. Amen. So with my Love to you all in the Holy Seed Christ Jesus, that Reigns over all from Everlasting to Everlasting: The Lord preserve you all tender Vines in him. Amen. London, the 17th of the 1st Month, 1682. G. F. To Friends in Burlington, West-Jersey. DEar Friends, Epist. 367. The Lord by his mighty Hand and Power having brought you to that Place; and now you are settled there, my desire is, That your Lives and Conversations may preach Righteousness and Holiness; for without Holiness none shall see God. And going into Unholiness, that's the Cause that none sees God; and the Cause why there is not Peace among a Nation or People is, because they do not live and walk in Righteousness; but walk and follow the unrighteous Spirit, which is out of the Truth. And again, Christ says, Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God: For it is the defiled and impure Hearts that do not see God. And therefore keep in the pure Spirit of God, that does mortify all Impurity and Unholiness, which doth blind People from the Sight of the pure God. And now, my Friends, Friends to be Circumspect. The Eyes of other Nations will be upon you; and now you, professing Truth beyond them all, but if that you don't exceed them in Truth, in Righteousness, in Holiness, Justice and Equity; and in the Wisdom of God, that's Pure, Peaceable, etc. by which you may answer the Good in your Government, and all Governments about you likewise (which is my desire that you may, that they may not see any Nakedness among you) if you do not, you will bring both the Judgement of God upon you, and the Judgement of Truth that you and we profess. For you know how that Friends in England and other Places have admonished the Governors and Rulers to do that which is Just and Right; and therefore now you are come into Place, Ruler's must be Just. have a Care that you do that which is Just and Right, lest you come under the same Reproof by others. And therefore have an Eye to the Lord in all your Actions: For David saith (2 Sam. 23.3. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, He that ruleth over Men must be just, ruling in the fear of God: and he shall be as the light of the morning (that doth so) when the Sun riseth, even as a morning without Clouds; as the tender Grass springing out of the Earth by clear shining after Rain. Here you may see, it must not be unjust Men, and Men that do not fear God, that must be Rulers, for they do not receive his Wisdom to rule withal; and such will be as Clouds without Water (as in Judas) and then they are not like to refresh the tender Grass, but hurt it. And Solomon saith, As the roaring Lion, and the ranging Bear, Magistrates a Terror to evil doers, etc. so is a wicked Ruler over the poor People. And therefore with the Spirit of God keep down the wicked Spirit in you, and then you will keep down the roaring Lion and the ranging Bear, with the Spirit of Meekness, and Patience, and Wisdom and Understanding, Prov 28.15. And the Apostle says, Rulers are not a terror to good Works, but to the evil. Therefore both Rulers and ruled must be out of the evil Works: And the Rulers cannot be a Terror to evil Works, if they live in them themselves. Therefore all aught to live in the Power of God, which brings them out of the Evil to do that which is Good; and then they will be an Honour to God, and a Praise one to another, both Ruler and Ruled. Now the Lord said unto Moses, Judges and Officers shalt thou make in all thy Gates, (so they was not to be made in Corners,) which the Lord giveth thee in all the Tribes; and they shall judge the People with just Judgement: (Mark just Judgement.) Thou shalt not wrest judgement, Not to wrest Judgement, etc. thou shalt not respect Persons; thou shalt take no Gift: For the Gift blindeth the Eyes of the wise, and perverteth the Words of the righteous. Thou shalt not wrest the judgement of the Poor in any Case: Keep the far from a false matter: The innocent and righteous slay thou not; for I will not justify the wicked. That which is altogether just, shalt thou follow, that thou mayst live and inherit the Land which the Lord thy God hath given thee. Now a People following and doing that which is not Just, is the Cause they do not live and inherit the Land, Deut. 16.18, 19, 20. Ex. 23.6. And therefore do that which is Just, that you may inherit Christ and your spiritual Land. Thou shalt not oppress a stranger, seeing you were strangers; nor vex the Widows and Fatherless. And the Lord saith, You shall be holy Men unto me. Again, the Lord says, Thou shalt not raise a false Report, etc. Put not thy Hand with the wicked to an unrighteous Witness. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a Cause, to decline after many, to wrest Judgement, Exod. 23.1, 2. Again, To Respect no Man in Judgement. the Lord saith, Ye shall not do unrighteousness in judgement; thou shalt not respect the Person of the Poor, nor honour the Person of the Mighty: But in righteousness thou shalt judge thy neighbour, Levit. 19.15. And Deut. 1.16, 17. and Josh. 7.24. I charged your Judges (says Moses) saying, Hear the Causes between your Brethren, judge righteously between every Man and his Brother, and the stranger that is with him. So let all the Strangers that are with you have righteous Judgement, as well as those among yourselves. And again he saith, Ye shall not respect Persons in judgement; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great: You shall not be afraid of the face of Man; for the judgement as God's: So long as ye judge Righteously. And therefore, now Friends, my desire is, That you all may be kept in the Power and Spirit of God and Christ in Humility, and in that you will have a sense of all things, that whatever you act, it may be done in the Spirit and Power of Jesus Christ, to the Praise of God the Father, who is over all, from Everlasting to Everlasting, who beholds and sees all your Words and Actions; that you may behold and see with his Spirit, His and his Sons Divine Majesty among you. Amen. Read this in your Assembly, and in your Meetings. G. F. To suffering Friends at Horsham in Sussex. DEar Friends, Epist. 368. Who suffer for your Testimony, and to all the rest in your County, I am glad to hear of your Faithfulness, and of your standing for the Church which Christ is the Head of, Two or three gathered in Christ's Name is a Church. which is in God, and are become his living Members; and therefore wheresoever ye are in Prison, or out of Prison, where two or three are gathered in his Name, there is a Church, and Christ the Living Head in the midst of them; a Prophet, to open to his Church the things of his Kingdom; and a Bishop, to Oversee his Living Members, that they be preserved in his Light, Grace, Truth, Spirit and Gospel; and he is a Shepherd, to feed them with heavenly Food, who gives Life Eternal to his Sheep, which he hath purchased with his own Blood; and a Priest, who has offered up himself a Sacrifice for the Sins of the whole World, who cleanses, and washes, and purifies his Church, his People; a High Priest, made higher than the Heavens, Heb. 7. And no Priest made below the Heavens will become Christ's Church; and therefore feel and see Christ exercising his Prophetical, Priestly and Kingly Offices, and his ruling in your Hearts. And all that will know the right Way, or Highway, or Path to the Church in God, 2 Thess. 1. must walk in the Light, which is the Life in Christ, and that will guide them to Christ, the Way to God, the Head of the Church, the Rock and Foundation of God that stands sure. And now, Dear Friends, my Desires are, that you may all live in the Love of God, and in the Unity of his Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace, in which you will be all Kind and Courteous one to another; and so the God of all Peace and Power support you, and strengthen you, and uphold you, throughout all your Trials and Sufferings, that he may be glorified in you all, who is over all, from Everlasting to Everlasting, blessed for ever; from whom ye have Blessing and Life. London, the 20th of the 12th Month, 1681. G. F. To the Flock of Christ Jesus every where, to be read in their Assemblies. GRace, Epist. 369. Mercy and Peace be multiplied among you all from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Fountain of all: And God, who hath called you by his Grace, and gathered you to be a People by his Power and Spirit, to his Son Christ Jesus, your holy, heavenly, spiritual Head, Life, Rock and Foundation. Now that you may all walk in Christ Jesus, and abide in him your Vine, and in him you will all bring forth heavenly Fruit to the Praise and Glory of God. Christ saith, In me ye have Peace, in the World ye have Trouble; In Christ we have Peace. and therefore keep out of the Spirit of the World; let not the Spirit of the World come into you; for if ye do, ye go into Trouble both inwardly and outwardly: But if ye keep in Christ, who is not of the World, you keep in your heavenly Place and Region: For, He that hath the Son of God, he hath Life; and therefore keep in the Life in Christ; and he that hath not the Son of God, is in old Adam, in Death without Life. And, Without me (says Christ) ye can do nothing; without his Grace, Without Christ we can do nothing. his Light, his Truth, his Gospel, his Power, his Spirit, his Faith, ye can do nothing; and, If Christ be not in you, ye are Reprobates; and if he be in you, and you in him, you are in the Election, and in the Seed, in which all Nations are blest. And therefore my Friends and Brethren, both Males and Females, keep and walk in the Seed, in which all Nations are blest, which bruises the Head of the Serpent, and destroys the Devil and his Works, which brought Misery and the Curse upon all Nations. So that in this holy Seed, you all may be the Children of the Kingdom of God that stands in Righteousness and Power, and Joy in the Holy Ghost: I say, in the Righteousness of Christ, which was before Unrighteousness was; and in the Power of God, which was before the Power of Satan and Dragon was; and in the Peace of God, that passes all the Understanding of the World, and was before the God of the World was; and in the Holy Ghost, which was before the unclean Ghost got into Man and Woman. And so that you may all come to walk in the New Covenant of Light, which was before the Prince of Darkness was, and Life, that is over Death, 1601 and was before Death was. Here in this you will have your heavenly Religion to walk in, which will keep you out of all the World's unruly Ways and Actions, and ungracious Words and Languages, that all your Words be seasoned with the Grace of God, that hath brought you Salvation, that you may edify the Hearers, and your Conversation may be in Heaven. And keep in the Cross of Christ, The Cross of Christ, the Power of God. the Power of God, that keeps you crucified to the World; that is, Dead to the World, and the World Dead and Crucified to you: For if you do not keep in this Power of God, which was before the World and its God was, to keep you crucified to the World, but let in the Spirit of the World, you let in his God, which will crucify the Good in you, and you will come to crucify to yourselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame. Therefore keep that crucified with the Power of God, the Cross of Christ, which did and would crucify the Just; and than you will keep alive in the Power of God, and live in Christ Jesus, and he is alive in you, and you in him. And now, all Friends and Brethren, let your Meekness, your Temperance, and your Gentleness and Sobriety, and Tenderness and Moderation appear to all Men, That your Light may so shine, that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. And ye being the Salt of the Earth, you will make all Savoury; therefore take heed of losing your Salt, lest you be trodden under the Feet of Men. And keep out of the restless, discontented, disquieted Spirit of the World about the Government: To be peaceable under Government. For you know it has been always our way to seek the Good of all, and to live Peaceably under the Government, and to seek their Eternal Good, Peace and Happiness in the Lord Jesus Christ; and to lay our Innocent Sufferings before them, who have suffered as Lambs and Sheep, and made no Resistance, but have prayed for them that persecuted us, and despitefully used us, and hated us, according to the Command of Christ. For ye were as Sheep gone astray, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls: For hitherto ye are called; because Christ hath suffered for us, leaving us an Example, that ye should follow his steps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his Mouth: Who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth Righteously. And he that will love Life, and see good Days, let him refrain his Tongue from speaking Evil, and his Lips that he speak no Guile, 2 Pet. 2. The 21st of the 9th Month, 1681. G. F. To Suffering Friends in Leicester. DEar Friends, Epist. 370. that are in Prison, and all Friends and Sufferers that are in the County, to whom is my Love in the Lord's Eternal Power, and Seed of Life, that reigns over all, in whom you have Peace with God, and Riches that is Everlasting. Now Dear Friends, your Sufferings has been long in that County, and great have been your Trials, and spoiling of your Goods, through your Adversaries and Persecutors Rage's against you; but the Lord's secret Hand and Power is that which hath upheld you through all to himself; and therefore we may say, What shall separate us from the Love of God that we have in Christ Jesus? Shall Tribulations, Pesecutions, Powers or Principalities, Thrones or Dominions? Nay, there is not any thing able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus, whom you have chosen; a Priest that is from above, not from below, who has offered up himself to God for you, who is not like the Jews Priests, that had the Tithes of the People for offering up their outward Offerings, and such like Services. So you have a Priest from Heaven, Christ a Priest made higher than the Heavens. and is made higher than the Heavens, and is the Prophet that God has raised up like Moses, whom ye are to hear in his Light, Grace and Truth. And he is your Shepherd from Heaven, who has laid down his Life for his Sheep, who is above all the Earthly Shepherds below; and this Shepherd will feed you with that which is Heavenly. And he is your Bishop from Heaven, to oversee you, that you may be kept from sitting down in any Earthly Place with your Minds, Spirits and Souls, but only to sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, who is the heavenly and spiritual Bishop, who lives for evermore, the First and Last, the Beginning and Ending, who is the First Born of every Creature, and the First Begotten from the Dead, who does quicken and makes alive, and begets from the Death, and makes them to sit together (whom he has made alive) in the Heavenly Places in himself. And now, Dear Friends, I do feel the Lord's Eternal Power present with you, in all your Sufferings, Faith to stand in the Power of God. how it hath and doth support you; and therefore let your Faith be steadfast in the Power of God, which will keep you all unto the Day of Salvation. And that you may all be Valiant and Faithful for God's Truth upon the Earth in this Day of Trial and Persecution, from both Teachers, Professors and Profane, which are below, whose Persecuting Spirit will have but a time; and therefore be of good Faith; for a Sparrow shall not fall to the Ground without the Will of the Father; and ye are of more value than many Sparrows. And Blessed are they which suffer Persecution for Righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven: And blessed are ye when Men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of Evil against you falsely for my sake: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your Reward in Heaven: For so the old Persecutors persecuted the Prophets and Apostles before you. But Rejoice in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's Sufferings; for the Spirit of Glory, and of God, rests upon you, who are railed upon, and suffer for his Name sake. And though he is evil spoken of by your Persecutors, but on your part he is glorified, that suffer for his Name. And therefore let none be ashamed to suffer as a Christian, but let him glorify God in his Sufferings, who doth support him. And so, Dear Friends, live in Love and Unity, and be Kind, To live in Love and Unity. and Courteous and Tender-hearted one towards another; yea, and to all your Persecutors, that you may heap Coals of Fire upon their Heads; and so overcome Evil with Good. And so the God of all Peace establish you all upon his heavenly Rock and Foundation of Life (Christ Jesus) which standeth sure, and cannot be moved. And so with my Love to you all in the holy Seed, in which all Nations are blest: And in this Seed, the Lord God Almighty keep and preserve you, which bruises the Head of the evil Seed, that makes you to suffer. And the Lord God Almighty arm you with his Armour, and strengthen you, that you may be able to stand to his Glory, and that he may be glorified in and amongyou. Amen. So Far ye well in the Lord. G. F. London, the 18th of the 12th Month, 1681. To Friends in Carolina. DEar Friends, Epist. 371. with my Love to all the Faithful and Tender Friends, in Christ the Holy Seed, that bruises the Head of the Serpent (the cause of Enmity) in which Seed no Enmity is, Christ bruises the Head of the Serpent. nor can come; for in this Seed is all Nations blessed, which destroys the evil Seed that brought the Curse, and his cursed Works and Workers: So let this Seed Christ rule in all your Hearts, who was promised and prophesied of to come, who is come, and reigns, in whom is Wisdom, Salvation, Life and Glory over all, the First and Last; this Seed doth live and reign over all that doth change, and will have an end. Now in this holy Seed you enjoy the Blessings, and your Election in it, which was before the World began: Now in this holy Seed is the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge, and as you all live and walk in this Seed, you will have Wisdom and Knowledge that is heavenly from this Treasure; with which Wisdom and Knowledge you will have Understanding, that all your Conversations may be ordered by it aright, and to preach Righteousness and Holiness, and Godliness, so that you may glorify God in your Lives and Conversations, and all your Words may be gracious, and seasoned with Grace; and whatever Promises you may make to any Man, you may consider before, that you may perform them; that so your Words may preach Righteousness and Truth; so that you may be the Lights of the World, and the Salt of the Earth, that by your Light shining, you may answer the Light in all Men; and by the Grace, and by the Salt, you may savour that which is unsavoury; and so by your good Works, and keeping to the Salt, and to the Light shining, you may be Instrumental to open the Eyes of others, to know your Father which is in Heaven, that they may glorify him. And my Desire is, To keep low, week, etc. that all Friends may keep low, and meek and humble, that he that doth Inhahit Eternity may dwell with you; and that you may take upon you Christ's Yoke, that you may draw with his heavenly Blow, that with it the Earth may be turned up, that hath oppressed and grieved the tender Seed, and God's Holy Spirit; so that God's Plantations may be minded above the out ward, that his Lilies and Vines may grow, and bring forth Fruit to his Praise, who giveth the Increase. And now, Dear Friends. Keep in the Love of God, which doth edify the Body of Christ; that will bear all things. And be gentle, and courteous, and kind one to another in the fear of Lord; for there is no danger in keeping low; for the danger is to such that are high and lofty, and puffed up: Such will swell; and though they may have good Words, and a form of Godliness, yet such that do so swell, will break out into bitter Fruits Strife and Contention; and such go out from the Power of God and his Spirit, and so out of the Camp of God, and then out of the Unity of the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace; and therefore all must keep in the holy Spirit of God, if they will keep in Fellowship with the Saints in Light, and so keep the Bond of Peace: For they that go from the Spirit of God in themselves, though they have the whole Form of Godliness, they break the Bond of Peace; and such runs into vain Disputes, Strife and Contention. But there is no such Custom in the Church of Christ, which keeps the Unity in the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace. And now, Dear Friends, in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and his Spirit, keep all your Meetings for Worship, and your Meetings for Business, that you may see that all that professes the Light of Christ, and his Truth, and hath received it, that they do walled according to Truth, and as becomes the Gospel, that the Name of God may not be blasphemed amongst you. And if that you of Ashly Cooper River, and that ways, and Albermarle River, and that ways, Advice for a Yearly Meeting. had once a Year, or once in a half Year, a Meeting together, it might do very well, some where in the middle of the Country, as you shall see meet, as they have in Maryland and Road Island. And if you had sometimes some Meetings with the Indian Kings and their People, to preach the Gospel of Peace, of Life, and of Salvation to them; for the Gospel is to be preached to every Creature; and Christ hath tasted Death for every Man, and died for their Sins, that they might come out of Death and Sin, and live to Christ, that died for them; who hath enlightened them, with the Light, which is the Life in himself; and God pours out of this Spirit upon all Flesh; that is, upon all Men and Women. And the Grace and Favour of God appears unto all Men; so that all may believe in his Light, and walk in his Holy Spirit, and receive his Grace, which will teach them to live Godly, etc. and bring them Salvation; so that you may come to see the Light of Christ's Glorious Gospel set up in those Parts. And God hath promised he will lift up an Ensign unto the Nations. And again, There shall be a Root of Jesse, Christ God's Ensign to the Nations. which shall stand for an Ensign to the People; to it the Gentiles shall seek. And again, he saith, For the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea. So, I desire that That part of the Earth may be filled with the Knowledge of the Lord. And now, dear and tender Friends, my tender desire is, That you may in no wise abuse, neither by your Words, nor by your Lives nor Conversations, the Liberty which God or the Rulers have given you; but in all things you may have an Eye to God's Glory, that he may be glorified by you all, who is worthy of all, who is the Lord of all, both in Heaven and Earth, blessed for ever. G. F. An Epistle concerning the Government of Christ and his Peace, of whose Kingdom there shall be no End. COncerning the Government of Christ and his Peace, Epist. 372. the increase of which there shall be no End upon the Throne of David, and upon his Kingdom to order it, and to establish it with Judgement, and Justice, from henceforth and for ever: The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. Now Christ Jesus thd Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, it is He who Rules, and Reigns, and Governs in the Hearts of his Saints, who are the Believers in his Light (the Life in him) who is their Governor and Counsellor, who died for their Sins, and is risen for their Justification, and is the Captain of Salvation. And Christ's Government in the Hearts of his People, is by his Grace and Truth, Christ governs by his Light, etc. in the Hearts of Men. that comes from Christ Jesus, by whom all things were made, who doth enlighten every Man that cometh into the World, which Light is the Life in Him; he saith, Believe in the Light, that you may become the Children of the Light; and such have the Light of Life, and by it comes under Christ's Government and Peace, and his Order in his Light and Life. Now, they that hate his Light, they hate the Life in Christ the heavenly Man; and such will hate Christ by whom all things were made and created; and hate his Order, and his Justice, and Judgement, and his Light and Life: And such are not like to come into his established Government and Kingdom; so Christ, who is the Governor, the Counsellor, the Orderer, He orders and governs with his Light (his Life) in the Hearts of all the Believers in the Light; and all the Believers in the Light, have the Witness in themselves, of Christ their Ruler, Counsellor, Orderer, heavenly Governor, and of his Judgement, Justice, and Peace; and that of the increase of his Government there is no End. Now, they that hate the Light, which is the Life in Christ the Second Adam, They that hate the Light, refuse Christ to Rule over them. the Lord from Heaven, they are them that would not have Christ rule over them, nor in them; therefore it condemns them; and, what is the matter that all Men and Women do not see, but are blind, and are not in Unity? Is it not because they hate the Light (the Life in the Second Adam) and will not come to the Light, nor walled in the Light? And then, is not the Light their Condemnation, who are in transgressing Old Adam? And, how are they like to see or believe, or have Faith in Christ, that hated his Light, and will not come to it (which is the Life in the Second Adam?) And therefore all that hates his Light (which is the Life in him) are not like to see, nor receive Faith from him, that will not believe in his Light, nor come to it, but hate it; and such will hate both the Divine Faith and the Author of it: And therefore all that do hate the Light (which is the Life in Christ) which he enlightens them withal, they hate his Order, they hate his Government, his Rule; yea, Christ the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven: And all such haters of Christ, his Light, Life, Order, Government, and Counsel, are in a false Liberty, though they may profess Christ, or his Government in Words, yet not believing in the Light, and walking in the Light (the Life of Christ) they have no true Fellowship one with another, but are in Confusion; and have no true Fellowship with the Believers in the Light (the Life in Christ) nor with the Son, and the Father; for, how should they? For, until they come to believe in the Light (the Life in the Second Adam) they cannot see their own States, they are in a blind State; for none sees, nor enters into the Kingdom of God, till they are Boru again; and those that are Born again, are the Believers in the Light (the Life in Christ) and so Bocome Children of the Light, grafted into Christ; and such do know and see the true Liberty in Christ Jesus, the Second Adam: All such do see, and know, that all false Liberty is out of the Light (the Life in the Second Adam) in Old Adan in the Transgression. And Christ that doth enlighten every Man that cometh into the World (which is the Life in him) such comes to Christ, Christ enlighteneth every Man. and are grafted into him the Head, and so holds Christ their Head, by whom all things were made and created: who is over all from Everlasting to Everlasting, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the Ending: These are they that see his Order, his Government, and his Rule in their Hearts, and receives his Law of Spirit and Life, and live and walk in it, which makes them free from the Law of Sin and Death: These see Christ to be the Author and Finisher of their holy, divine, precious Faith: And their Faith stands in Christ, who is the Author of it, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him. Christ hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth. And the Mystery of this Faith they hold in a pure Conscience, and do know the Law of this Faith, and the Law of Love that God hath shed in their Hearts through Jesus Christ: And so in this Light, Faith and Life, that they have from Jesus the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, they come all to be of one Faith, of one Light, and one Life; and so of one Mind, Heart, and Judgement, in this New Covenant of Light and Life; so in it they are under the Government, and Counsel, and Order of Jesus, that he establishes in his Everlasting Covenant of Light and Life in their Hearts. The Law came by Moses, and all the Jews were to be under the Law in the Old Covenant; and this Law served till Christ (the Seed) came, in his New Covenant; He is come, and now Grace and Truth is come by Jesus Christ, the great Governor. And now this Grace, and this Truth is come form Him, into the Hearts of all his Believers. And with and in this Grace and Truth, Christ rules in the Hearts of them that receives his Grace and Truth; and with this Grace and Truth, and in it, every Believer and Saint receiveth Christ their Governor, and his Order, and his Counsel, and heavenly Judgement, and Justice from the heavenly Man, in his established Government, The Grace of God bringeth Salvation. which he establishes with his Grace and Truth. Now this Grace of God which brings Salvation, which hath appeared unto all Men, which does manifest, that all Men have a Day of Grace and Favour: Now this must needs be the special Grace of God, which brings Salvation, which hath appeared unto all Men. Now then, not receiving this Grace and Favour of God, but turning from this Grace into Wantonness, and walking despitefully against the Spirit of Grace; therein they are hardened, and blind, and turns that into Wantonness, and walks despitefully against it; which should teach them, and bring their Salvation: And therefore such comes to be blind, and hardened against the Grace and Favour of God, that truns it into Wantonness, as I said before, and walks despitefully against the Spirit of Grace and Truth; and such turns against God and Christ, from whence Grace and Truth comes, and turns from and against his People that are established in the Grace of God, that brings their Salvation: Tho' such may profess God and Christ in Words only, and his Grace and Truth, their Profession will come to nothing, except they receive his Grace and Truth into their Hearts: They that do receive Christ in his Grace and Truth, which comes from him; they know his Government in the Truth, They who receive Christ in his Grace, know his Government in the Truth. and in the Covenant of Grace; yea, in their Hearts, and knows their gracious and true Liberty in the Grace and Truth, and in Christ from whence it comes, and his holy and heavenly Order in his Grace, and his Reign in their Hearts. And all such that walks despitefully against the Spirit of Grace, and turns the Grace into Wantonness, though such may profess God and Christ, their Profession will come to nothing, and all their Liberty is false, and in the Flesh, in Old Adam in Transgression: For true Liberty is in the Grace and Truth that is come by Jesus, which leads up unto Jesus, from whence it comes, in whom the everlasting true Liberty is. For Christ, who is the Truth, Holy and Pure, he reigns in the Truth, and in his Grace: And therefore every Man and Woman, must with this Grace and Truth in their Hearts (which they have from Christ) feel and see Christ's Reign, and Rule in their Hearts; and him in his heavenly Eternal everlasting Government. The Lord spoke by his Prophet Joel, That it shall come to pass in the last Days, God will pour out of his Spirit upon all Flesh, etc. Joel 2.28. And Peter said, This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel, It shall come to pass in the last Days (saith God) that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh, and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophesy: Your young Men shall see Visions, and your old Men shall dream Dreams; and on my Servants, and on my Handmaids, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall Prophesy, Acts 2.17, 18. Now it is God that pours out of his Spirit upon all Flesh, by which Sons, God pours out his Spirit upon all Flesh. Daughters, young Men, old Men, Servants and Handmaids, have their Visions, and Prophecies, and Dreams. And these last Days, are the Days of Christ, in his Gospel and New Covenant. It is said in the Old Covenant. That God did pour out of his Spirit upon the House of Israel, and the House of Judah. But in the Days of the New Covenant of Light and Grace, God poured out of hes Spirit upon all Flesh, both Jews and Gentiles. Now all Flesh must come to the Spirit of God, and be led and guided by it, if they will see Christ's heavenly spiritual Government and Order; and with this Spirit, to know Christ the spiritual Man, to rule and govern in their Hearts. And all that by this Spirit are circumcised, they eat of the heavenly Passover, or their Bread from Heaven. And all that are baptised with the Spirit, are baptised into one Body, and do all drink into one Spirit. So here they are one, in this spiritual Fellowship, which is the true Church-Fellowship; even that Church which is in God, the Pillar and Ground of Truth, which Church Christ is the heavenly and spiritual Head of; and well he may, for he is the Author of their Faith, and the Author of their Light and Life, Grace and Truth, and Spirit, and Gospel of Peace and Salvation; by which he Rules in the Hearts of his living Members (the Church.) And all they that grieve, vex, quench, and rebel against the Spirit, comes to be blind, as the Jews, and will not see with their Eyes, nor hear with their Ears, nor perceive with their Hearts; and such may profess Christ in the New Testament, and the Apostles Words, and the Government, and Order of Christ; as the Jews did profess the Old Testament, and Christ to come; but they would not receive him then, when he was come. No more do they now, that profess he is come, who vexes and quenches his Spirit, and grieves it, and rebels against it, and errs from it. And such are not like to receive Christ into their Hearts, nor come into his heavenly Order, and established peaceable Government; as those that are led by the Spirit of God, which are the Sons of God, and keeps the Unity of the Spirit; which Holy Spirit is the Bond of Peace amongst all Christ's Subjects, Lambs and Sheep, thet feed together in his Pasture of Life. For it is God that gives the heavenly Understanding of Christ's established Government and Order. And they that quench, and vex, and rebel against the Spirit of God, will rebel against Christ's established Government and Order; and his People that are in it, that are led by the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, and a sound Mind. And such as will not hear the Spirit of God in themselves, will neither hear God nor Christ, nor his Sheep, nor such as he sends, but rebel against them. Now the Gospel being preached to, or in, every Creature under Heaven; which Gospel is the power of God to Salvation, to every one that Believes: So that all that receives this Gospel, the Power of God unto Salvation, in their Hearts, receives Christ (the Power of God) and his Government and Order in the Power: And Christ reigns in their Hearts in his Power; and such comes into the Gospel-Order; and they that come to be Heirs of the Gospel, the Power of God to Salvation, are Heirs of Christ's peaceable established Government, and are true Subjects to Christ's Power, and established peaceable? Government; and so this Gospel, the Power of God to Salvation, is peaceable, joyful and comfortable, which is the Gospel of Christ, the Second Adam, Christ the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven. the Lord from Heaven; and is not called the Gospel of old Adam in Transgression; and this Gospel, which is the Power of God unto Salvation, it keeps all that believes in it, in the Everlasting Joy, Peace and Comfort, and in Order; for it is the Everlasting Gospel, which brings Life and Immortality to Light, by which they see over the Devil, and before he was, that hath blinded them, and darkened them from Life and Immortality. So in this Gospel, that hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in God's People, both Men and Women, they are established in the Order of it, in which they do serve the Eternal Everlasting God of Truth. Now all they that do not receive the Gospel of Christ, the Power of God to Salvation, which is preached to every, or in every Creature under Heaven, Life and Immortality is not brought to Light in them; and such the God of the World hath blinded (and so they remain Blind under the God of the World) and such are Blind concerning the Order of the Gospel, and are ignorant of their Salvation, and of that Joy, and Comfort, and Peace of the Gospel; neither can they serve God in the Gospel, though they may profess Christ, and his Gospel in words, yet such hath no Comfort of it. And therefore such as disobeys the Gospel of Christ, the Power of God to Salvation, and will not receive it, nor believe in it, How can they receive the Order of the Gospel of Christ, the heavenly Man, from whence the Gospel comes; or to receive him to reign in their Hearts, when they will not receive his Gospel, the Power of God to Salvation, in their Hearts? And again, How can they receive his People, or believe his People, that are in the Order of the Gospel of Christ, and hath received it, and him in their Hearts, who disobeys it, and will not receive it in their own Hearts? Such are not like to come into the Order of the Gospel, that disobey it: Such will disobey Christ, and will not regard his People, in whom he reigns, who walk in the Order of his Gospel, the Power of God unto Salvation. Now it's Christ the Second Adam, that lighteth every Man that cometh into the World, with the Light (which is the Life in himself) and every one that believeth in the Light, and becomes Children of the Light, and walks in it, they walk in Unity and Fellowship, and in the Order of the Light and Government of Christ; in such Christ doth reign: And all them that hate this Light, and will not come to it, nor believe in it, they are condemned by it. Now, The Grace of God hath appeared unto all Men. The Grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared unto all Men; and all Men that receives this Grace and Truth, that is come by Jesus, they receive Christ from whence it comes, in their Hearts, to be their Teacher and their Salvation; and so comes into Christ's Government and Order, in the Truth, and into the Covenant of Grace: And they that hate the Truth, and turn from the Grace mto Wantonness, and walk despitefully against the Spirit of Grace, they turn against Christ, his Order and Government, and his Power also. And God pouring out if his Spirit upon all Flesh: All that are led by the Spirit of God, and Christ, are the Sons of God; and such are obeyers of Christ's Spiritual Order and Government: And they that quench the Spirit of God, and rebels against it, rebels against Christ's Order and Government, and Him in his People; and their Spiritual Fellowship, and the Gospel of Salvation being preached to every Creature under Heaven; which Gospel is the Power of God: Every Creature under Heaven must receive this Gospel in their Hearts, if they receive Christ and his Government, and his Order of the Gospel, and him to rule in their Hearts. And all you that have received it, have received the Comfort of it; and those that disobey and rebel against the Gospel, the Power of God, such disobeys and rebels against God and Christ, and his Government, and his People, which are in the Order of the Gospel, the Power of God. And as it is said, Christ is in you, except you be Reprobates; and all that receives Christ in them, it is by his Light (which is the Life in him) and the Grace and Truth that comes by Jesus, and the Faith that he is the Author of, and his Spirit and Gospel: This they must receive in their Hearts, if they receive Christ in them. And Christ said to his Disciples and Followers, That He would send them the Spirit of Truth (the Comforter) which should proceed from the Father and the Son, which should lead them into all Truth: and be should reprove the World of Sin, Righteousness and Judgement: So that which leads the Believers and Diseiples of Christ into all Truth, and is their Comforter, is the Reprover of the World of their Sin, Righteousness and Judgement. So here is that which is the World's Reprover, is the Saint's Comforter, and Leader into all Truth, and so into all true Fellowship, and true Liberty: And this Holy Spirit, and Comforter, does not proceed from old Adam, nor any of his Followers, but from the Father and the Son. And so every one is to have Oil in your own Lamps, from the heavenly Olive-Tree, To have Oil in our own Lamp from Christ the Olive-Tree. that your Lamps may burn always, both Night and Day in your Tabernacles, looking to your Highpriest, who will feed your Lamps with heavenly Oil. And every one have heavenly Salt in yourselves to favour withal, what is Earthly, and what is Heavenly; and what is from Below, and what is from Above; and what is out of the Truth, and what is in the Truth. And that every one may keep their own Vine in their own Garden, Vine. and their own Lily in their own Field, or Orchard; which Lily doth exceed Solomon in all his Glory. And every one have the Word of Faith in their Hearts and Mouths, to obey and do, which will Sanctify, and make you Holy, and Reconcile you to God. And every one have the Anointing, or Unction, within you, Anointing. which you have from the Father, or Holy One; so that in it you may continue in the Father, and in the Son. And every one continue in the Grace of God, Grace. which will teach you how to live, and what to deny, adn will bring your Salvation, and establish you upon Christ, the Rock and Foundation, from whence the Grace does come. And every one abide in the holy, divine and precious Faith, Precious Faith. which you do hold in a pure Conscience, by which Faith you do live, and have Victory over that which displeaseth God: And in this Faith you do please God, which Jesus Christ, the Lord from Heaven is the Author and Finisher of. And every one that hath digged deep, Pearl. and found the Pearl of great Price; and hath sold all, and purchased the Field, than the Field and Pearl is your own: Such do know a thorough Redemption. And all you Believers in the Light (which is the Life in Christ) that are become the Children of Light, walk in the Light, and in Christ, as you have received him. And every one mind the heavenly Leaven, Leaven. that will leaven you into a new Lump. And every one keep the Feast of Christ our Passover, Passover with his heavenly unleavened Bread, in Sincerity and Truth. And every one mind the Light, that God hath commanded to shine out of Darkness, and hath shined into your Hearts, to give you the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ (your Saviour) that the excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of yourselves: In this you are sensible of his heavenly Treasure in your earthly Vessels; and every one have Water in your own Wells and Cisterns, and heavenly Fruit on your Trees, which God hath planted. Nabuchadnezzar, though his Greatness reached to Heaven, Nebuchaadnezzar bumbled. as a Tree, yet he was to be hewn down, until he knew that the Most High ruleth in the Kingdoms of Men: And the God of Heaven shall set up a Kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the Kingdom shall not be left to other People, Dan. 2.44. And the Stone that smote the Image became a great Mountain, and filled the whole Earth, verse 35. They shall not hurt nor destroy in my holy Mountain: For the Earth shall be full ot the Knowledge of the Lord, ad the Waters covers the Sea, Isa. 11.9. The 27th of the 8th Month, 1681. G. F. To Friends in Jamaica. Dear Friends, Epist. 373. with my Love in the Lord to you all: It hath been often in my mind, from a Sense of the Spirit of the Lord; which thing I shall lay before you, and commend it to the Witness of God in all your Consciences. The thing is this, Advice to have a Yearly Meeting in Jamaica. That if you had (once in a Year) a Yearly Meeting, as they have in Holland, Cermany and Freezlan, and at Road Island, and in England, and else where, which is, and hath been, of great Service; for Friends to see one another, and know how the Affairs of Truth prospers, and how Friends doth grow in the Truth of God, to the Comfort and Joy of one another in it; in which the Lord Jesus Christ is exalted: And if there should be any Difference among Friends, it may be ended at the Yearly Meeting, by some Friends out of the Meeting, which could not be ended at other Meetings: So that all things (by the Truth, and Power of God) may be kept in Peace and Love, all dwelling in the Wisdom of God that's from above, which is pure, and peaceable, and gentle, and easy to be entreated. And so for you once in a Year to meet together in the Lord's Power, and to wait upon him in his Spirit and Truth one day, and then another day you may have a Yearly Men and women's Meeting in the Lord's Power; which in time you may find and feel a great Service in the Lord's Spirit and Power; in which you may feel his Presence and Blessing flow among you; and as for Place and Time, I shall leave it to your best Convenience; and the Lord direct you, that you may do all things, whatever you do, to his Glory; for you know that in other Countries, or Provinces, they have either Half-Year Meetings, or Yearly Meetings, except it be in Jamaica, which several times hath been in my Mind for you to have one there; for where they are settled, they see a great Service in them; and the Lord hath owned them, and honoured them with his Presence, and that keeps all in a Sense of a care of his Glory, and a care of one another, that they may be kept and preserved in God's Eternal Truth, in meekness, in gentleness, and in tenderness, and in love, that edifies the Body of Christ, the second Adam, the Lord from Heaven. And so that all of you, in Godliness, Holiness and Righteousness, may spend your Days to the Glory of God; that your Conversations may be in Heaven, and not below in the Earth, among the wicked, that the Lord God, and his Son Christ Jesus may be glorified in you all, who is over all, blessed for ever, Amen. And Friends, it would be very well, if that you brought on your your Case of not Swearing, and taking Oaths, which hath been lost through that Spirit which was unfaithful: Now the same Governor is come over again, in whose time (when he was there formerly) that Act was obtained, Yea and Nay instead of an Oath. at the Assembly, in which your Yea and Nay was taken instead of an Oath and Swearing. Therefore see if you can prevail with this Governor, and his Assembly, to have the same Act renewed again, and to clear yourselves from that Spirit which was the cause that the Act was repealed. So with my love in the Lord Jesus Christ to you all. And my Desires are, That you may all be preserved in God's Power, to his Glory; and that you may grow in the Truth, and with the Truth answer the Truth in every one's inward parts; so that ye may spread the Truth abroad, and that with it your Hearts may be united together. And walk in it, and in the love of it; for Love edifies the Body of Christ. And that ye may be good Examples in the Truth, and in Righteousness and Holiness, and show forth Christianity in the Possession of it, above the outside Professors. From Dolston, the 24th of the 7th Month, 1682. G. F. To Friends in Holland. FRriends and Brethren, in the Holy Seed of Life, Epist. 374. that reigneth over all; in it walk, and in the Power, and Spirit, To be as the Salt of the Earth, etc. and Truth of God, that you all may be as a City set upon a Hill, that cannot be hid; and the Salt of the Earth, and Light of the World, to answer the Light of Christ in all, and be a good Savour in them that are saved, and in them that perish; and all live in Love, that beareth all things, and doth deify the Body of Christ, and grow up in him, your Head and Life; and be kind, and courteous, and tender in Affection to one another, and walk as becometh the Gospel of Christ, the Power of God. And dear Friends, this Yearly Meeting the Lord's Power Was over all, and his Seed of Life; and the Lords living refreshing Presence was among us in all our Meetings: And your Epistle from your Yearly Meeting in Holland was read, to the refreshing of Friends; and another from the half Years Meeting in Ireland; and a Testimony from Scotland, that Friends are in Love and Unity there, and the Truth prospereth and spreadeth; and by Letters from America, Friends have set up a Meeting about Twenty that are Captives among themselves; and a Friend that is a Captive, declareth the Truth there among them; and their Masters doth let them meet, and it may be of great Service there; and the Lord's Power is over all, and in it be Valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth, and spread it abroad; and that you may all, in Humility, exalt the Lord, and that the Presence of God, and his Son, may be among you all; and so the Blessing of the Lord be among you all. Amen. London, the 17th of the 4th month, 1682. G. F. To Friends in Barbadoes. DEar Friends, In all your Meetings see that the Lord God be glorified, and have an Eye to his Glory, Epist. 375. and let all things be done without Strife or Reflections; but all to mind the Testimony of Life, and that which doth preserve your Unity in it; and in that you will seek one another's good, and not slight one another; but to esteem one another in the Truth, and keep low in Humility, for such God will exalt; and be kind and tender-hearted one to another, and dwell in the Love of God, To be kind and tender hearted one to another. that he doth shed abroad in your Hearts; for that Love which cometh from God doth edify the Body of Christ; and therefore you must be of a noble Spirit, that are of the noble Birth, born of the Spirit; and to love the Brotherhood in the Spirit, and to esteem all Men and Women, as they are God's Creation; whose natural Sun and Rain shineth and falleth upon the just and unjust, and on their natural Fields; and so doth God's Eternal Son of Righteousness shine with his Light, and Grace, and Spirit, that he doth enlighten them withal, and gives his Grace and Peace to all; for his Spirit is poured out upon all: Thus doth he shine through all, and upon all, and over all, and above all; and therefore let your Light shine, that are the Believers in the Light, that are become the Children of the Light, that others may glorify your Father which is in Heaven, in seeing your good Works, and your good and gracious Words, and Lives and Conversations; and mind the more excellent way the Apostle showeth to the Corinthians, which is the Charity that will bear all things, and is not puffed up, nor envieth not: This doth keep above all brittleness. And Friends, Friends not to alter their settled Meetings without Mutual Consent. after that your Meetings are settled and seasoned by the Power of the Lord, if that you do alter them, without the Consent of Friends, in the Power of the Lord, that makes and breeds Discontent; and therefore keep them, after they be settled, in the Power of the Lord (and you settled in it) upon Christ the holy Rock and Foundation of God, that standeth sure. And in all your Meetings, if that there be any Difference between Brother and Brother, do not reflect one upon another in Meetings, but speak one to another between yourselves, as Christ Commands; and than you may preach the Gospel of Peace freely, and speak the Truth in the love of it, as it is in Christ Jesus: And this is the best way; that so nothing may be seen in your Meetings but the Life, Truth and Peace; so that the Serpent, whose Meat is Dust, may find none in your Meetings; and none to quench nor abuse the Power or Spirit, nor none to go beyond its Motion; for, if you do, you will both bring Trouble and Burdens upon yourselves and others, and run out, that so you cna hardly get in again; and therefore be wise in the heavenly Wisdom of God, to be ordered in his Spirit of Understanding, to the Glory of God, and the Comfort and Edifying of his People; that you all may know how to behave yourselves in the Church of God, to the glory of God: And let all your Lives and Conversations preach Virtue, Purity, Righteousness, Holiness and Godliness, else you cannot be the Lights of the World, nor the Salt of the Earth, And when any doth badly or wickedly, they instead of being Lights or Salt, are unsavoury, and are stumbling-blocks; and when the Salt hath lost its savour it is good for nothing, but to be trodden under the foot of Men; and therefore keep your favour, and then you will not come under the Foot of Men; and in the Light, and then you will not go into Darkness. And therefore have Salt in yourselves, and Oil in your own Lamps, and keep in your own Houses (for it is the Whore that abideth not in her own House) with the Word of Life, and Grace and Truth within, and to the Light and purifying Faith, and mortifying and baptising Holy Spirit of God; (the Fruits of which Spirit is Love, Peace, The Fruits of the Spirit. Long suffering, Gentleness, Meekness, Temperance, and bear one another's Burdens; and so fulfil the Law of Christ, and forgive one another, as Christ hath forgiven you; and ftrive to excel one another in Holiness, and Righteousness, and Godliness, and Meekness, and Modesty, in Virtue, Truth and Love, that you may all live to the Praise and Glory of God, Amen. And the Lord saith, Isaiah 49.8. speaking of Christ, I will give thee for a Covenant of the People, to establish the Earth, Christ a Covenant of the People. to cause to inherit the desolate Heritage's. So that you may see the fulfilling of this in the Promise, and have a Care of God's Glory; and all live in the Seed Christ, your Sanctuary, which is a safe Place, over all Storms, and Destroyer's, who was before they were, and will be when they are gone; in whom you all have Rest and Peace; and by whom you are presented to God, holy in Body, Soul and Spirit; and therefore all must be kept clean and holy, if that they do offer up, or be presented to him that is Holy; and therefore you must be a holy People, and walk in the holy Truth, and obey the holy Word of God, and walk godly, as the Grace of God teaches, which brings Salvation, and walk in the Light: If that you do keep in the Fellowship, in the heavenly Light; and in this you do differ from the World, that makes a profession of the Scriptures of Truth, and dishonoureth God, and causes his Holy Name to be blasphemed, by their not obeying the Word, nor walking in the Light, Spirit, and Grace, and Truth, whose Candle is gone out, and now cannot endure to hear talk of the Light; and therefore let your Light so shine before Men, that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven; and than you will have both his Favour, Presence and Blessing; and the Lord God Almighty preserve you all, and Friends every where in his Power and Seed Christ Jesus. Amen. The 26th day of the 8th Month, 1682. G. F. To Friends in New-Jersey and Pensilvania. DEar Friends, With my dear Love to you all, Epist. 376. in God's holy peaceable Truth; and my desires are, Wisdom of God gentle, kind and easy to be entreated. That you may be all kept careful of God's Glory. Now in your settling of Plantations and Provinces, and especially in woody Countries, as those are, you may have many Trials and Troubles; but if you keep in the Wisdom of God, that will keep you both gentle, and kind, and easy to be entreated one of another, that will preserve you out of Heats, or Extremes, or Passions; and that all Friends that come over, be with speed settled in their Plantations, that they may not lie and waste their Time, both of themselves, and their Servants, and spend that which should help to settle them in their Plantations. And therefore you that are concerned in ordering those things, have a Care that no Reproach come upon yourselves, and your Countries; but there may be such Care taken in all things, that there may be no Complaints come into England against you. And I desire that you may be very kind, and courteous, to all in Necessity, in the Love of God; for there are many People goes over to your Countries, some Poor and some Rich; and so, many Eyes are upon you, To be kind to all in Necessity. and them that come over to you; and therefore my desire is, that you may all be careful in the Love of God, and in his Truth and Righteousness, as the Family of God; and be careful and tender to your Servants, in all Respects, that there may come no Complaints from them or others; that so in all things you may be ordered by the Wisdom of God, that his Blessing may be amongst you. And Dear Friends, I desire, that you would send over an Account by the next Ship how many Meetings you have, and how many Meetings Monthly, of Men and Women, and how many Quarterly Meetings, and Half-Year Meeitings; and let us know how Truth spreacs and prospers amongst you; which you would do well to write over every Year, to the Yearly Meeting at London. So, with my Love in the Seed, which reigns over all, in whom you have all Life and Salvation, and Peace in the Lord God. G. F. To Friends that are Prisoners in York. DEar Friends, Epist. 377. with my Love to you, and all the rest of the faithful Friends in Bonds; and my desire is to the Lord, that ye all may stand faithful and valiant for his glorious Name, To stand saithful in the time of Storms. and his holy peaceable Truth now in this Day of Storm and Tempest, that none may turn their Backs on the Lord in this Day of Trial, and none may be ashamed of confessing of Christ, before the Adulterous Generation, as Christ said, lest Christ be ashamed of them before his Father, and before his holy Andels; and therefore now is the Time and Day of your Trial; for the Lord is Just; though I know that the Faithful and Innocent, Just and Righteous must stand it out; and therefore mind the Lord in all your Sufferings, and keep all low, and in the Humility of Heart, and there you will feel that he that inhabits Eternity, dwells with an humble Heart, and he will be your Shield and Buckler, and defender in time of Trouble; and the Lord hath promised to deliver his People in the Six Troubles, yea in the Seventh, the Perfection of Troubles; and therefore do not think Time long, and your Sufferings long, for the Lord will lay no more upon you but what you are able to bear; yea, upon his faithful People: I know it, and am a Witness for God in all my Sufferings and Imprisonments, and haling before Magistrates about Sixty times, about this Thirty six Year. And so Friends, when you are tried, you may come forth more precious than Gold that is tried in the Fire; and keep the Word of Patience, and it will keep you from the Temptations that comes upon the World to try them; for the Word of God was before the World was: And though you be in outward Bonds from your Wives, Families, Houses and Relations, yet the Word of God is not bound, The Word of God is not bound. neither can they bind the Word of God, it's at Liberty, it abides and endures for ever, it will make you all rich, though they think to make you poor with their Bonds, and casts you into Prisons; but, I tell you, the Word of God will make you rich, for the Word of God was before the Wicked and his Bonds were; for in the Beginning was the Word, but since the beginning was the Devil, who had cast some into Prison, spoken of in Revelations, that ten Days might be a longer time than ten natural Days: For they that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer Pesecution by the ; for it was the Just that suffered by the Unjust in all Ages; and Christ said to Saul, Why Persecutest thou me? So they that stood in Christ, and were in Christ Jesus, it was Christ that was Persecuted, as well as they in whom he reigned: And do not you understand, and know, the Sufferings and Trials of the holy Men of God went through; and how by Faith they subdued the Mountains; and consider the Faith of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, The Faith of the Patriarches. and the Faith of Abel, and Enoch, and Noah, and the Faith of Jeremiah, and the rest of the Prophets, and the Faith of Daniel, and the Three Children, and the Faith of all the Apostles, what Sufferings and Imprisonments they went through; and consider all the Martyrs since the Apostles days, consider what Sufferings they have gone through; and God and Christ is the same to uphold you, that are given up in his Spirit, Power and Faith, to stand for his Glory; and be valiant for his Truth and Name upon the Earth. And therefore keep in your Sanctuary, Christ Jesus, who destroys the Destroyer, and bruises the Serpent's Head; and so in Christ Jesus, your Sanctuary, you all are in safety, in whom you have all Life and Salvation, and Peace with God, in him you may all Triumph and Rejoice with exceeding great Joy, and say, What shall separate us from the Love of God which we have in Christ Jesus? And the Apostle said to the Saints in their Days, That there was not any thing able to separate him from the Love of God in Christ jesus; you feeling the same Love, you feeling the same Faith to dwell in you, and walk by; For the just shall live by Faith, which is his victory, and hath access to God, in which he pleases God. And so with my Love to you all in Christ Jesus, who was before the Devil was, that makes you to suffer, and will be when he is gone: In Christ you have heavenly Peace, that none can take away from you; in him dwell and live, Amen. POSTSCRIPT. AND all be Faithful in their Testimony of Life, against Riches, and all those things which hath come up in this Night of Apostasy, from the Light, Life and Power of Christ and God, against all Looseness whatsoever, that the heavenly Camp of God may be kept holy, clean and pure. And all Friends, look at the Lord above allyour Sufferings, and trust in him, who with his his Eternal Power hath preserved you to this day; and the Lord in his Glorious Power was with us in all our Assemblies, at this Yearly Meeting; he over all hath the Dominion, and over all evil Spirits gave Dominion to his People: Glory to his Name for ever, Amen. And therefore let you Faith be in the Gospel, the Power of God, which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in you. G. F. To all the Elect of God, Chosen and Faithful, who have known the Work of the Lord, and his Deal, and his Eternal Hand, his Spirit and Power, in preserving of you to this Day, and in this Glorious Gospel Day of Christ Jesus, who are built upon him, the holy Rock and Foundation of God, that standeth sure, and are fed with the Heavenly Bread, and feel the Springs of Living Water, and enjoy the Presence of Lord, who daily gives the Increase. AND now Friends, Epist. 378. with the Eternal Power, and Heavenly Light of Christ, with it you have seen, and do see, and will see, that which Christ hath spoken, Matth. 13. and Luke 8. which he taught to the great Multitude in Parables, Parable of the Srwer. when he sat in a Ship; Behold, saith Christ, a Sower went out to sow his Seed, and as he sowed, some fell by the Highway side, and it was trodden down, and the Fowls of the Air devoured it; and some fell upon the Rocks, or Stony Places, where they had not much Earth, and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away. So he that receiveth the Seed into rocky and stony Places, the same is he that receiveth the Word with joy, yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while, or for a while believeth, and in Temptations falleth away; for when Tribulations or Persecutions arise because of the Word, by and by he is offended; and upon too many such have we seen this Parable fulfilled in Times of Persecutions, and Tribulations, and Sufferings; the Heat of Persecution, when it is up, they are scorched, and withered away, and so come to nothing: And some fell among Thorns, and the Thorns sprung up and choked it; and they also that received Seed among the Thorns, are they that hear the Word, and when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with the Cares of this World, and Deceitfulness of Riches, and Pleasures of this Life, and become unfruitful, and bring no Fruit to Perfection: And this is seen to be the Condition of too many: But the other fell into good Ground, and brought forth Fruit, some Thirty, some Sixty, and some an Hundred fold: So they that received the Seed into the good Ground, are they which (in an honest and good Heart) have heard the Word, and understand it, and keep it, and bring forth Fruti with Patience, some an Hundred fold, some Sixty, some Thirty, as was said before; these are the honest and good Hearts, upon whom Christ, the Son of Righteousness, shines, that nourishes his good Seed, whole brings forth Fruit unto Perfection, who lives over the deceitful Riches and Cares of the World, and the Pleasures of this Life that pass away; who are not offended nor moved at Tribulations and Persecutions, but patiently do endure them; such do bring forth Fruit unto Perfection, yea, an Hundred, Sixty, Thirty fold in Christ Jesus, who bruises the Head of the Serpent that makes Men and women's Hearts like the Highway, thorny, rocky and stony Ground; for Men and Women, whose Hearts are like unto the Highways, stony, rocky and thorny Ground, the Seed hath fallen into these Grounds (as before) and from these Grounds all can talk of the Seed, and of the Word, but bring forth no Fruit unto Perfection. And therefore let all consider what Ground you are, and what Fruit you bring forth; and when ye hear the Word of the Kingdom, that ye understand it, which none can, without the Light and Spirit of Christ (and walk in it) but he that shall endure to the end in the Light, in the Grace, Truth and Spirit, and in Christ, from whom you do receive these, shall be saved. For the Apostle saith, The just Man lives by Faith: The just lives by Faith. And this is not by any Faith which Men make, but by the Faith which Christ Jesus is both the Author and Finisher of, in your Hearts and Consciences; and in this Faith ye have access to God, and do please him: But, If any Man draw back (to wit, in not living by this Faith) doth not the Lord say, my Soul shall have no pleasure in him? But we are not of them who draw back unto Perdition (that is a sad drawing back) but of them that believe, to the saving of our Souls. From Kingston upon Thames, the 2d of the 9th Month, 1682. G. F. An Epistle to all Planters, and such who are Transporting themselves into Foreign Plantations in America, etc. MY Friends, that are gone, and are going, over to Plant, Epist. 379. and make outward Plantations in America, Keep your own Plantations in your Hearts, with the Spirit and Power of God, that your own Vines and Lilies be not hurt. And in all places where you do outwardly live and settle, invite all the Indians, and their Kings, To invite the Iddian Kings to Friends Meetings. and have Meetings with them, or they with you; so that you may make inward Plantaions with the Light and Power of God (the Gospel) and the Grace, and Truth, and Spirit of Christ; and with it you may answer the Light, and Truth, and Spirit of God, in the Indians, their Kings and People; and so by it you may make Heavenly Plantations in their Hearts for the Lord, and so beget them to God, that they may serve and worship him, and spread his Truth abroad: And so that you all may be kept warm in God's Love, Power and Zeal, for the Honour of his Name: That his Name may be great among the Heathen, or Gentiles; and ye may see over, or be Overseers with the Holy Ghost, which was before the unclean Ghost got into Man and Woman: So with this Holy Ghost you may see, and oversee, that the unclean Ghost and his Works may be kept out of the Camp of God: So that his Camp may be Holy, and all the Holy may come into it; and He, who is Holy, may walk in the midft of you his Camp, and be glorified in and among you all, who is over all, and worthy of all Glory, from Everlasting to Everlasting, blessed and praised for evermore. From the rising of the Sun, even to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great among the Gentiles: And in every place Incense shall be offered unto my Name, and a Offering; for my Name shall be great among the Heathen, saith the Lord of Hosts, Mal. 1.11. The Lord reigneth, let the Earth rejoice, let the Multitudes of the Isles be glad; let every thing that hath Breath praise the Lord, for the Lord taketh pleasure in his People: He will beautify the meek with Salvation, Plal. 97, and 98. and Plal. 149, 150. London, the 22d of the 9 the Month, 1682. G. F. To all christians, to keep to Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay, and to fulfil their Words and Promises. ALL my Dear Beloved Friends and Brethren every where, The Lord God Almighty, Epist. 382. with his holy Power and Spirit, hath gathered, and kept, and preserved you to this Day a People to himself: And now dear Friends and Brethren, in all your Words, in all your Business and Employments, Have a care of breaking your Words and Promises to and People; but that you may (before you make and Promises to any Man or Woman) consider beforehand, that you may be able to perform and fulfil both you Words and Promises to all People, that you make your Promises, or give your Word unto: And that you Yea be Yea, That our Yea be Yea. and Nay, Nay, in all things, which Christ hath set up instead of an Oath; yea, above an Oath and Swearing, in his New Covenant and Testament: And the Apostle James holds forth the same Doctrine. And this Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay, was set up when they forbade all Oaths and Swearing: And therefore every one's Yea should be Yea, and every one's Nay should be Nay, and so to stand. And therefore all are to consider aforehand, before they speak their yea, yea, and before they speak their Nay, Nay, in the New Covenant of Grace, Light and Life; that with the Light they may see safely when they speak their yea, yea, and their Nay, Nay, which is the Practice of the Children of Light in the New Covenant of Light; by and in which Light they see and consider what they are albe to perform, what they speak at Yea, Yea, and what they are able to stand to at Nay, Nay. So if you walk in the Light, it will preserve you out of all rash and hasty Words and Promises, which many runs into, that do neither perform either their Yea, Yea, or their Nay, Nay. in the New Covenant of Grace, Light and Life, all are to speak Yea, Yea, to what they can do and perform; and what they say Nay, Nay to, thatin the Light, and Life, and Grace of God they may likewise stand to their Nay, what they say Nay to. So that none make any Promise, or speak Yea, Yea, or Nay, Nay, rashly, To keep Promises. which they cannot perform: For such kind of inconsiderate and rash Speaking is not in the Everlasting Covenant of Light, Life and Grace: Take heed, lest you be numbered among the Covenant-breakers, spoken of, Rom. 1.31. and such Truce-breakers, which the Apostle speaks of, 2 Tim. 3. Which have a form of Godliness, but deny the Power thereof; from such turn away, saith the Apostle. And therefore they that deny the Power of Godliness, will not be faithful to God nor Man; and such cannot exercise a good Conscience to God, in Obedience to him, nor to Man, to perform that which is just, righteous and honest. Therefore the Apostle exhorts the Christians in the New Testament, to speak the Truth in Love, and to put away Lying, and to speak every Man the Truth to his Neighbour, Eph. 4.15, 25. And David saith, Who shall abide in thy Tabernacle, and who shall dwell in thy holy Hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh Righteousness, and speaketh the Truth in his Heart: But they that speak Vanity, every one to his Neighbour, with flattering Lips and a double Heart, the Lord shall cut off. And Solomon, speaking of Wisdom, say, My Mouth shall speak Truth, and Wickedness is an Abomination to my Lips. And James says in his General Epistle, So speak ye, and so do, etc. So see here how certain and steadfast the holy Men of God would have God's People to be in their words and do. And also James was careful, that the Saints in their very outward Deal were to be just, and reproved such for saying, To day or to morrow we will go into such a City, and continue there a Year, and buy, and sell, and get gain: To have regard to God in our Purposes. Whereas they did not know what should be on the morrow. But they ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that. Therefore you may see how careful the Apostle was, to keep all true Christians in the Fear of the Lord, and in the Sense of his Will. God is true and faithful to his People in all Generations; and so he would have his People to be true and faithful to him, and to one another, and to all Men in his Spirit and Truth. And Christ saith, He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much; and be that is unjust in the least, is unjist also in much. And further he faith, If ye have not been faithful in the Unrighteous Mammon, or Riches, who will commit unto you the true Riches? Therefore there must be a Justness and Faithfulness in the outward Riches between Man and Man, if you will have a place in your Hearts for the true heavenly Riches: The inword Faithfulness to God bringeth forth Faithfulness to Men in outword Things: And as the Apostle said to the Saints, Finally Brethrean, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, Fellow whatsoever is pure, and of good Report. whatsoever thing's are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things: Which are very good things to be minded, thought upon, and practised by the Church of Christ. The Lord faith by Zachary, These are the things that ye shall do, speak ye every Man the Truth to his Neighbour, execuse the Judgement of Truth and Peace in the Gates: Again, Therefore faith the Lord, I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and Jerusalem shall be called a City of Truth, and the Mountain of the Lord of Host, an holy Mountain. And if outward Jerusalem was called so in the Days of the Old Testament, surely much more is heavenly Jerusalem, in the New Covenant and Testament, called The City of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; into which nothing that is unclean can enter; but all the Believers in the Light, and the Children of the Light, enter into it, whose Names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life; and are to walk in Truth and Righteousness, and speak the Truth every Man to his Neighbour, according to the Apostle's Doctrine. And so as every one hath received Christ Jesus, who is the Truth, walk in him the Truth, and speak the Truth, as it is in Jesus: For you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your Bodies and in your Spirits, which are his. And the Lord in Mercy grant, that all his People (who profess his Name) may do s to his Praise, to his Glory, and to his Honour, over all for ever, Amen. And do not slight the form of sound Words in Truth: You who have bought the Truth, do not sell it: And, He that order his Conversation aright shall see the Salvation of God. And the Apostle says to the Philippians, Let your Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ: For the Apostle says, Our Conversation is in Heaven, where must be the Conversation of all the true Followers of Christ, that are built upon him the Rock and Foundation, who is from above. And the Lord GOD establish all his People upon this Rock and Foundation which standeth sure, that upon him they may stand fast with the Grace and Truth that comes from him. Amen. Edmonton, in the County of Middlesex, the 23d of the 11th Morth, 1682. G.F. A way to prevent the Indignation and Judgements of God from coming on a Kingdom, Nation or Family; commended to the Consciences of all concerned. First, Epist. 381. All you Vintners that sell Wine, that keep Taverns or such like Houses; and all you Innkeepers, and you that keep Victualling-Houses, Alehouses, Not to suffer Men to abuse the Creation. Strong-Water-Shops, etc. see that you never let any Man or Woman have any more Wine, Ale, strong Drink, Brandy or strong Waters, or other strong Liquors, than what is for their Health and their Good; in that they may praise God for his good Creatures. For every Creature of God is good, and aught to be received with Thanksgiving. But if you do give or let Men or Women have so much Wine, Brandy, strong Liquors, strong Beer or Ale, till they be Drunk, or to make them Drunk: 1. You destroy the good Creatures of God. 2. You destroy them, that have not Power over their Lusts, no more than a Rat or a Swine, who will drink till they are Drunk. 3. You are a great caufe of ruining them in their Healths, Purses and Estates (their Children and Families) in feeding of them in their Lusts, The occasion of the Judgements of God. by letting them have more than doth them good; which also tends to bring God's Judgements upon you, to your own Ruin and Destruction. For many when they are full of Wine, Beer or strong Liquors, than they will call for Music, Pipe and Harp (and it may be their Whores also:) And so in this, you that suffer or allow such things, are Nursers of Debauchery and Corrupters of them, and of your own Families also. And also such Men, when they are full of Wine or strong Liquors, and have destroyed the Creatures, by taking more than doth them good, than they are got to that height that they are ready to Quarrel and Abuse, or Kill or Destroy one another; and sometimes kill other People (who do them no harm) as they are walking or travelling in the Streets or Highways. For when they are overcome by strong Liquors, then are they fit and do lie open to all manner of Wickedness. And though you think by selling or letting People have Wine or strong Liquors, more than doth them good, or is for their Health, The more they arink, the more Gain you think it brings you; and the more you vend your Goods, the more Profit you get: Ah poor Sellers! Do not you think, that God with his all seeing Eye doth behold you and your Actions? And cannot the Lord soon bring a Blasting upon all your Undertake, and such ungodly Gain and Profits, and whatsoever you have gained by your Covetousness, and from the Lusts of others, through which they do destroy their Estates, Children and Families? Will not this bring destruction upon you and your unrighteous Gain, which you have gotten by feeding their Lusts? For that which feeds the destroying Lust must needs be Destroyed; and the Profit of That will not be Gain to you in the End. For, are not you sensible, how many, after they have spent their Estates or part of them, they will run into your Debts for Wine or strong Liquors, yea, such as you let have more than did or doth them good? And is not this the Cause, that many break by trusting, and other ways as before mentioned? Trust should be with that which is Trusty, which doth not Waste or Destroy; and such God will bless. And therefore take heed of letting any Man or Woman have any more Wine or strong Liquors, than what is for their Nourishment, Health and Good. See what a dreadful Woe the Lord pronounced against them, That rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong Drink, that continue until night, till Wine inflame them: Then they call for the Harp and the Viol, the Tabret and the Pipe, etc. But such regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his Hands: A sad state! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink Wine, Woe to them that are mighty to drink Wine. and are Men of strength to mingle strong Drink. And therefore all to shun such thing; all are to be sober, and to mind and fear God, that they may escape these Woes: As you may see in Isaiah, Chap. 5. And therefore all Vintners and such as sell Wine, with Alehouses, Inns and Victualling-Houses, who sell Ale, Brandy and strong Liquors, never let any one have more than doth them good, and is for their health (as is said before) so that all may eat and drink the good Creatures of God to his Praise and Glory; which Drunkards and Gluttons cannot, nor they who let them have the Creatures of God in excess or immoderately, till they are drunk and surfeited, for such do feed themselves without the Fear of God. Secondly, Let all who go under the Name of Christian Families, train up their Children in the Fear of God, and keep themselves in the Fear of God, that they may keep all their Servants and Families in the Fear of God; out of all Looseness and Wantonness, and Vanities and Excess, and from all Drunkenness, Fornication, whoredom or Uncleanness, and unrighteousness, and all Ungodliness; that they may keep out of all those things, that displease or dishonour the Lord God. And do not nourish up the Lust of the Eye, nor the Pride of Life, nor the Lust of the Flesh; for if you do, Sin the Cause of God's Wrath upon Families. you nourish up that which is not of God the Father. And therefore to shun all these Evils, and to departed from them, and keeping in the Fear of God; this is the way to bring the Blessing of God upon a Land, Kingdom, Nation or Family. God will destroy them which destroy the Earth, Revel. 11.18. Drunkenness makes a Man worse than a Beast, and makes a strong Man Weak, and a wise Man a Fool. This Testimony and Warning was and is owned and subscribed by (many) Vintners and others, concerned in the Trades and Callings , who were present at the reading of the Manuscript. G.F. An Epistle to the Household of Faith. FRiends, Epist. 382. Consider how the Blessing of the Lord came upon the Obedient and faithful to the Lord, and rested upon them. The Lord said to Abraham, Get thee out of thy Country, and from thy Kindred, and from thy Father's House, The Promise to the Faithful. etc. And I will make of thee a great Nation, and I will bless thee, etc. And thou shalt be a Blessing, and I will Bless them that Bless thee, and Curse them that Curse thee; and in thee and thy Seed, shall all the Families of the Earth be blessed. Abraham obeyed the Lord, and went forth from Vr of the Caldees, and so he left all the Religions and Worships, and Teachers of the Country of the Caldees behind him, and followed the Lord: And the Lord said unto Abraham, Walk before me, and be thou perfect, Gen. 17.1. And again, The Lord said unto Abraham, Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty Nation, and all the Nations of the Earth shall be blessed in him, Gen. 12.1, 2, 3. & 18.18. And again, The Lord said unto Abraham, That in Blessing I will Bless thee, and in Multiplying I will Multiply thy Seed as the Stars of Heaven, and as the Sand which is upon the Seashore, and thy Seed shall possess the Gates of his Enemies; In the Seed are all Nations blessed. and in thy Seed shall all the Nations of the Earth be Blessed, because thou hast Obeyed my Voice. Abraham Obeying God's Voice, brought this Blessing upon him, as in Gen. 22. And the Lord said, I know Abraham that he will command his Children and his Household after him, That they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do Justice and Judgement, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham all that which he hath spoken of him. Now you may see here what it is that brings the Blessing, and kept the Blessing upon Abraham and his Seed, Faithful Abraham. etc. Now if you be of the true Faith, you are of Abraham, and are blessed with faithful Abraham, Gal. 3.9. And in this Seed and Faith of Abraham, you will Command your Children and your Household after you, to keep the way of the Lord, to do Justice and Judgement, that the Lord may bring the Blessing upon you and your Household and Children; keeping in the same Faith and Seed of Abraham, and you and your Children and your Household, keeping in the way of the Lord to do Justice and Judgement, than I say the Blessing which came upon Abraham will come upon you, and upon your Children and your Household, and then you will know the Promise of God fulfilled; Cursed is he that Curses thee, and Blessed is he that Blesseth thee; and therefore live and walk in the Seed, which bruises the Head of the Serpent, in which Seed all Nations are Blessed, yea all Families, Households and Children, in which Faith and Seed you Command. (Mark Command) your Children and your Household after you, to keep the way of the Lord as Abraham did, to do Justice and Judgement, Gen. 18. & 19 Now you that have not this Authority to Command over your Children and Households, you are not in the Faith and Seed of Abraham, to wit, To Command our Families to keep the way of the Lord. To Command your Children and Household after you, to keep the way of the Lord, and to do Justice and Judgement. Now the Lord had a Confidence in Abraham, and so he hath in all them that be of his Seed and Faith now, that they will Command their Children and Household to keep the way of the Lord, as he did, and walk before the Lord, and to do Justice and Judgement; and that Abraham's Family and Children should not go back again into those Country Religions or Ways, which the Seed and Faith of Abraham hath and had led them out of: For they that are commanded to come out of them, into God's Way, into the Way of the Lord, are commanded to keep in the Way of the Lord, and they are to command their Children and their Household to keep the Way of the Lord, and to keep out of all the Ways of the World, and out of all the Ungodly, Unjust Ways, in the Seed, which bruises the Head of the Serpent. And the Lord said to Isaac, I will make thy Seed to multiply as the Stars of Heaven, etc. And in thy Seed shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed, Gen. 26.4. Now here you may see that Isaac inherited his Father's Inheritance in the Seed, and in the Faith and Way of the Lord; in which Seed all Nations are blest: And so do all they that are of the Faith and Seed of Abraham, that walk in the steps of faithful Abraham, in the Way of the Lord, and obey his Voice, They who obey God's Voice inherit the Blessing. inherit the Blessing of Abraham; for you may see it was not the only Care, that their Children might inherit a little Earth after them, but that they might inherit the Seed and the Faith, which had the Blessing And Isaac said to Jacob, God Almighty bless thee, and give the Blessing of Abraham to thee, and to thy Seed with thee, Gen. 28. And this Isaac spoke to Jacob before Jacob had any Children; and here you may see Isaac's care, that Jacob and his Seed might inherit the Faith and Blessing of Abraham and Isaac; and this should be their first Inheritance, and then they should inherit the outward Land: And this should be the care of all them that walk in the steps of the Faith of Abraham, to see, that their Children and Household do inherit the Faith, Seed and Blessing of Abraham, in the first place, by keeping in the Way of the Lord, etc. And they are to command their Children to walk in the Way of the Lord, etc. that they may so do; and you may see, that Jacob did inherit the Blessing of Abraham and Isaac, in Abraham and Isaac's Seed and Faith. When the Lord said unto Jacob, Thy Seed shall be as the Dust of the Earth, and thou shall spread abroad to the West, and to the East, and to the North, and to the South, and in thee, and in thy Seed shall all the Families of the Earth be blessed: So here you may see Jacob's Possession, who did inherit the Blessing of Abraham and Isaac; and they that are of the Seed and Faith, which keep the Way of the Lord, they do inherit this Blessing in the Seed, in which all Nations are blest: And this is according to Christ Doctrine, Seek the Kingdom of God first. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you, to wit, What ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, or wherewith shall ye be clothed; for after all these things do the Gentiles seek: For your Heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. And here Christ, (who was of the Seed of Abraham, and of David, according to the Flesh) would have People to seek their Inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven, and its Righteousness, before they seek outward things; and they were to Lay up for themselves Treasure in Heaven, etc. And to know that Portion for them and their Children, Matth. 6. And the Apostle saith, The Children of the Promise are counted for the Seed, Rom. 9.8. For in Isaac shall thy Seed be called, Gen. 21.12. And Christ saith, The good Seed are the Children of the Kingdom, Matth. 13.38. And this is the Seed in which all Nations are blest, who keep the Way of the Lord, and Justice and Judgement, such the Almighty hath blessed with the Blessings from above, The Blessing of the Faithful. the Blessings of the deep, the Blessing of the breast, and of the womb, Gen. 49. And he will also bless the fruit of the Land, thy Corn, and thy Wine, and thy Oil, and the increase of thy Kine, and the flocks of thy Sheep, Deut. 7. And they that serve the Lord their God, he will bless their Bread and their Water, Exod. 23. And a faithful Man shall abound with Blessings, Prov. 28.20. So you may see, they that are in the Faith, and in the Holy Seed, which keeps in the Way of the Lord, and commands their Children and Household to do the same; they have the Blessings from Heaven above, and the Blessings below, yea, the Blessings of the Eternal Inheritance, and of the Kingdom of God; and that was their chief Inheritance, That all the Faithful Seed of Abraham sought to possess their Household and their Children in, who did command their Children and Household to keep the Way of God, that they might inherit the Blessing. David saith, Blessed is the Man that walketh not in the counsel of the , nor standeth in the way of Sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the Scornful: But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law doth meditate Day and Night. Now here is the condition of them that do enjoy the Blessing, they must keep from the Counsel of the Ungodly, and the Way of Sinners, and the Seat of the Scornful: Now here you may see David's Instruction, how People might inherit the Blessing. Levit. 10. That you may put a difference betwixt the holy and unholy, and between the clean and unclean, and that you may teach your Children all the Statutes, which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses. And it was so in the Old Testament, that they might learn the Statutes there: Surely much more they are to learn the Commands of Christ in his New Testament. And in Deut. 4.9, 10. To Teach our Children the Fear of the Lord. They were to Teach their Sons, and their Sons Sons; and again, they were to Teach their Children, that they might learn to fear God all the days that they lived upon the Earth, etc. This they were to teach their Children; and again, in Deut. 11. It was the Command of God, that they were to Teach their Children the Commandments of God, and they were to speak of them, when they sat in their House, and when they walked by the Way, when they lay down, and when they risen up; and in Deut. 30. Moses told them, that The Word was nigh them, in their Mouths, and in their Hearts, that they might do it. And David said, Come you Children, harken to me, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. O fear the Lord you Saints; there is no want to them that fear him, Psal. 34.9, 11. Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord, he is their Help and their Shield, Psal. 115.11. And you may see all along in the Old Testament, they that feared the Lord were commanded to teach and instruct their Children the Way of the Lord, that they might walk in it, and inherit the Blessing; which was a better Portion than outward Riches which will pass away; for they make themselves Wings and fly away. Solomon saith, Train up a Child in the may he should go, and when he is old he will not departed from it: Foolishness is bound up in the Heart of a Child, but the Rod of Correction shall drive it far from him, Prov. 22.15. He that spareth the Rod, hateth his Son; but he that loveth him, chastiseth him betimes. By Mercy and Truth, iniquity is purged out; and by the Fear of the Lord, they depart from evil, Prov. 13.24. and 16.6. And the Apostle's Command is, For Children to obey their Parents in the Lord, for this is right, Eph. 6.1. and Col. 1.3, 20. It is well pleasing to the Lord, Children to obey their Parents; Children to obey their Parents. and the Bishops or Elders, were to Rule well their own Houses, and to have their Children in subjection, with all gravity; and likewise, the Deacons were to rule their own Children and their own Houses well, Tim. 1.3. And likewise you may see the good Report of the Widows bringing up Children, which followed every good work, etc. And in Titus, such as were Elders or Overseers, their Children were to be Faithful, Elders to govern their Families well. not accused of Riot, or Unruly; and the aged Women were to be of good Behaviour, as becometh Holiness, etc. and Teachers of good things; and that they Teach the younger Women to be Sober, etc. And That the Word of God be not blasphemed. And Titus was to exhort young Men to be Sober-minded: For the Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared unto all Men, teaching us, that denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts, we should live Soberly, Righteously and Godly in this present World; that being justified by his Grace, we should be made Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life. And Peter saith, As Obedient Children, not fashioning yourselves according to your former Lusts, in your Ignorance; but as he who hath called you is Holy, Be Holy in all manner of Conversation. so be you Holy in all manner of Conversation; and be not like them, feeding themselves without fear, which are the Clouds without Rain, and Wells without Water, and Trees without Fruit, whom Judas declares against, such cannot eat and drink to the Praise and Glory of God, etc. So you see what care, both in the Old and New Testament, the faithful Parents had to teach their Children the Way of the Lord; and the Lord hath a Confidence in all them that fear him, and are of the Faith and Seed of Abraham, that they will not only admonish their Children and Household, but Command their Children and Household after them, to keep the Way of the Lord, etc. Gen. 18. And to keep out of the wicked Ways of the World: The Apostle saith, They which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham: And so are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus; and if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham 's Seed, and Heirs according to the Promise, Gal. 3. And so the Children of God are counted for the Seed, which the good Seed Christ saith, are the Children of the Kingdom. And the Apostle spoke to the Romans, that they should Walk in the steps of the Faith of Abraham. Again, the Apostle saith to the Corinthians, concerning Titus, Walked we not in the same Spirit, walked we not in the same steps? And in the first Epistle of Peter, Christ hath suffered for us, leaving us an Example. Christ hath suffered for us, leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps, who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. So these were holy steps, and are a Religious Holy People that walk in the steps of faithful Abraham, and of Christ and the Apostles, and these have the pure Religion, and do visit the Fatherless and Widows in their Affliction, and keep themselves unspotted from the World; and these are they that are Circumcised with the Spirit, and Baptised with the Holy Ghost, and serve God Night and Day, and worship him in Spirit and Truth; and these are the Religious Families, which are of the holy, divine, pure and precious Faith, which Christ is the Author and Finisher of, which Faith purifieth their Hearts, and is their Victory, by which they have access to God, True Faith purifieth the Heart. in which they please him, in that Truth which Christ is the Author and Finisher of, which is called the Gift of God; and they that are of this Faith, the same are the Children of Abraham, and are blessed with faithful Abraham; and Abraham was called the Friend of God; and so are all his Children that are of his Seed and Faith, they are not Friends of the Devil, the wicked and unrighteous One, but him and his Works they forsake, who are Friends of God, they are Friends of Righteousness and Holiness, etc. And such the Blessings of God rest upon, them that are of the Seed, and walk in the Seed, Christ, that bruises the Serpent's Head, and in that Seed are all Nations blest; and out of the Mouth of the Seed's seed, shall not God's Word departed; but it shall abide in the Mouth of the Seed's seed (this living Word of God) but the Word of God doth not abide in them, who make a Profession of the Scriptures, but live not in the Power and Spirit of the Holy Ghost, that gave forth the Scriptures; such are like the Jews, John 5. and such think to have Life in the Scriptures, but they will not come unto Christ that they may have Life; for none come to Christ, but by believing in the Light, which is the Life in him the Word. Now dear Friends and Brethren in Christ Jesus, if you keep in the Seed and Faith of Abraham, in it you will command your Children and Families to walk in the Way of the Lord; for in it you have Authority that they may keep the pure holy and righteous Way of the Lord after you, when you are gone, that they may succeed you in the Faith and Seed, and Way of the Lord, and in the Blessing of God, as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did. Amen. G. F. To the Quarterly Meeting at York. DEar Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, Epist. 383. your Life and Salvation, your Rock and Foundation, Rest and Sanctuary, in all Storms, Trials and Sufferings. Now dear Friends, my desire is, that you may all strive for that which makes for Peace: For Blessed are the Peace makers, they are called the Children of God. And therefore, whatsoever things are Honest, Just, Pure, Lovely, and of good Report, if there be any Virtue and Praise, think on these things to Practise them. So that in the Power of the Lord, that is over the Devil and his Power, all may be kept Chaste, In the Power of God all to keep , etc. Pure and Holy, to the Glory of God; and all that are in the true Faith and Knowledge may show it forth in Virtue, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and true Charity or Love, which beareth all things: For they that dwell in Love, dwell in God, that is their Habitation. And let all things be done in Love, in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ: And all to strive in the Spirit of the Lord God, and his Truth, to be of one Mind and Judgement; so that you may all be baptised with one Spirit into one Body, and so all to drink into one Spirit. And keep the Unity and Fellowship in the Holy Spirit of God, which is the Bond of Peace amongst all God's Children, that are led by his Holy Spirit, whose Communion and Fellowship is in the Holy Ghost, by which ye are led into all Truth. Now Dear Friends, Let there be no Strife in all your Meetings, nor vain Janglings nor Dispute; but let all that tends to Strife be ended out of your Meetings, that they may be kept Peaceable; so that you may be at Peace among yourselves, and the God of Peace and Love may fill all your Hearts, which Love edifies his Church. To condescend one to another in the Fear of the Lord. And condescend one to another in the Fear of the Lord, to that which is Honest, Just, Virtuous, and of good Report: And where any Weakness has been in any thing, let it be covered and buried in the Spirit and Love of God, that his Spirit and Love may be uppermost in you all, to unite all your Hearts together: And that you may all show forth that you are the Children, which the heavenly Wisdom is justified of, which is Pure, (mark) Pure, Peaceable, Gentle, and easy to be entreated, which is above the Wisdom that is below, that's neither Pure, Peaceable, nor easy to be entreated, etc. And in all matters of Business, or Difference, or Controversies, treat one another in such things kindly and gently, and be not fierce, or heady and high minded; for that Spirit will bring Men and Women to be Lovers of themselves, and to be Despisers of others, and that which is good, which leads Nature out of its Course, and so loses Natural Affections, and at last comes to be without Natural Affections; which Spirit we see most of Christendom is led by: For, if they were in natural Affections they would not destroy their fellow Creatures about Religion; but being without natural Affections, they have not Affections to their fellow Creatures; to wit, Man and Woman, which were made in God's Image. The Law and the Prophets Commanded to Love their Neighbour as themselves; To love our Neighbour as ourselves. and Christ Commands, to do unto all Men, as they would have Men do unto them. And the Gospel Commands, to Love one another; by which they are known to be Christ's Disciples; and to Love their Enemies, and to pray for them, and to forgive one another, as Christ has forgiven them. So that those, whose Conversation is according to the Gospel of Peace, do establsh the Law and the Prophets; who know the Divine Nature, and are made Partakers of it, are not without natural Affections, but have Affections to it, to cherish and preserve it. And this the Word of Wisdom teaches, by which all things were made and created good and blessed; by which all things are upheld, by which all things are sanctified to God's People, that God created by his Word, and made them good, and blessed them: By which Word and Wisdom all things are sanctified to God's People (as before) and are used and ordered by his Word of Wisdom to his Glory and Praise. And now, Dear Friends, whereas there have been formerly some Discourses by some in your Meeting, of Marrying within a Year after the decease of the Wife or of the Husband; my desire is, in those things, Friends may show forth both Chastity, and Virtue and Temperance: For formerly hasty Marriages was reckoned amongst the infamous Persons, Marriage within the Year not of good Report. as for a Man or a Woman to Marry within the Year of the Death of the Wife or Husband. And therefore, for Virtue and Chastity's sake, and the Truth, and good Examples sake, that which is Honest, Lovely and of good Report, keep and walk in, and follow: For we ought in the Power of Christ Jesus to outstrip the World in Virtue, Chastity, Modesty and Temperance, and in that which is of good Report. Our Light to shine before Men. For our heavenly Light ought to shine so before Men, that they may see our good Works, and glorify our Father which is in Heaven. And therefore all in the Church of Christ ought to live in the Spirit and Power of Christ, in which they do Judge the World and all the fallen Angels. So in this Heavenly Power, the Virtue, Purity, Chastity flows and shines over all; and they that do possess, as though they did not; and they Marry, as though they married not: They are all resigned in the Power of Christ, that gives Dominion over the World, which brings all into one Mind, and to be of one Heart and Soul, and to one Judgement, and are a Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, and Holy Nation; a peculiar People, that shows forth the Praise of Christ, who hath called them out of Darkness into his marvellous Light, and as Living Stones, are built up a Spiritual Household, an Holy Priesthood, to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. And so my Dear Friends, To walk in Christ. my desire is, That in Jesus Christ ye may all live and walk, who is the Seed of the Woman, that bruises the Serpent's Head; that is, the Head of all Wickedness and Strife; and in this Seed Christ all Nations are blessed, as they live and walk in him: And the Blessings from above, and the Blessings beneath, rest upon them: And in this Seed Christ all have Rest and Peace, who is the First and the Last, over all Blessed for ever. Amen. In him is my Love to you all, as though I named you. Read this in your Quarterly Meeting at York. G. F. To the Six Weeks Meeting in Barbadoes. DEar Friends, Epist. 384. In Christ in whom we have Peace, Purity, Holiness and Righteousness, you must be kept Holy and Righteous to the Glory of God, and Righteousness, and Holiness, and Puririty must wear and outlive all that is contrary to it; and Patience, and Meekness, and Humility, and Kindness, and Sobriety must wear out Passion, Envy, Strife, and Wrath, High-mindedness, and Loftiness, and Wilfulness; and therefore consider the Holy Men and Women of God must not strive, but be gentle to all; and in that alone keep their Dominion: Not to strive, but be gentle. For truly Friends, Love gathereth into Love, and edifies the Body of Christ; and let nothing be done with Strife, but in Love, to the Glory of God, in the Name of Christ, and in his Power; so that you all may see and feel Christ among you, ordering you all to his Glory with his Wisdom, which is Pure, Peaceable, and Easy to be entreated; so that none may be burdened nor oppressed in your Meetings, but that the Life and Seed may reign in you all; and so the Lord may have the Glory of all, and ye may all have Comfort in him your Head: And do not much strive with unruly Talkers, but keep your Peace in the Spirit and Power of Christ, that will overcome and wear out all that is contrary to it. So that all may keep their own Habitation in Christ Jesus, who is over all, the First and Last; and in his Power and Spirit live and walk, that so you all may be Trees with Fruits, and Wells with Water, and have Bread in your own Tabernacles, and your own Lamps trimmed and burning, and that there may be no Strife among you, but dwell in Love; for he that dwelleth in Love, dwelleth in God; so, God who is Love, is to be your Salvation: To condescend to the Meek, etc. And condescend to the meek, and to every appearance of the Lord God, and make every one's Condition in the Truth your own; in that you will deny yourselves, and become all to all in the Truth, so that none may be hurt in the Truth, nor made to stumble, nor the blind caused to wander, but be directed into the right way, and all as the tender Plants may grow together, as the Lord's Planting, and he watering them, and giving the increase and growth to his Glory; so that the Lord may have the Praise and Glory of all his Works. Amen. And be careful in all your Meetings, that they may be kept peaceable in the Wisdom of God, that is pure and peaceable, and easy to be entreated; so that Wisdom may be justified of her Children: That there be no Harshness or Fierceness, but Meekness and Mildness, and gracious Language, which will edify and season the Hearers, and be of a good savour: And this will honour the Seed Christ, from whence Grace and Truth cometh, and will be to your Comfort, and show forth whose Children you are; for, as Christ said, Blessed are the Peacemakers, they are Children of God: And therefore all do this Work, that you may have this Blessing. And so, with my Love to you all, that are convinced of God's Truth, as though I named you all; and all to dwell in Love; than you all do dwell in God, as I said before; and so the Lord God Almighty preserve you all in Christ your Sanctuary. Amen. You may read this in your Monthly or Quarterly Meetings. Kingston, the 7th of the 9th Month, 1683. G. F. To suffering Friends in Prison at Bristol. DEar Friends, With my Love to all the Prisoners and the Faithful, Epist. 385. as though I named them: It is the time now for all the Faithful to keep in Christ their Sanctuary, To keep to Christ our Sanctuary. in whom you have all Peace, Rest, Life and Salvation, and by the Testimony of Jesus, and the Blood of the Lamb, whose Names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, before the Foundation of the World, they were they that did overcome, and did eat of the hidden Manna, and had the new Name; and therefore now is the time to keep the Word of Patience, and the Testimony of Jesus; for they that keep the Word of Patience, the Lord will keep them in the Hour of Temptation, which will come upon the whole World, to try them which dwell upon the Earth; for the Word was, before the World was, and the Tempter; for all things were made by the Word: And it is also the Word of Reconciliation, the Word of Power, the Word of Wisdom, and the Word of Life, and the Word of Salvation, by which People are reconciled to God, that are born again of the incorruptible Seed by the Word of God; and they feed and grow by the Milk of the Word, which lives, and abides, and endures for ever, which strengthens all the Faithful, in all Ages, in all their Afflictions, Imprisonments and Sufferings; and it is the same to God's People now in this Day of Trial, to preserve all his People every where, in his Spirit and Power, faithful to himself; for, he that endures faithful to the End shall be saved: He that end ears to the end shall be saved. And Christ saith, He that is ashamed of me before Men, him will I be ashamed of before my Father, and his Angels, which are in Heaven. And therefore it is good to confess Christ before Men, to be your Priest, Prophet, your Shepherd, your Bishop, your Way, your Mediator, that makes your Peace betwixt God and you; and be valiant for his glorious Name and Truth upon the Earth. And so with my Love in the Seed, in which you and all Nations are blest. From Dosston, the 6th of the 10th Month, 1683. G. F. To Friends in Charles-Town in Carolina. DEar Friends, Epist. 386. of the Monthly Meeting of Charles-Town, in Ashley Cooper River in Carolina, I received your Letter, dated the Sixth Day of the Eighth Month, 1683. Wherein you give an Account of your Meeting, and of the Country, and of your Liberty in that Province, which I am glad to hear of, though your Meeting is but small; but, however, stand all faithful in Truth and Righteousness, that your Fruits may be unto Holiness; and your End will be Everlasting Life: And that you may be Patterns of Virtue, Modesty, Chastity and Sobriety, showing forth the Fruits and Life of Christianity in your Lives and Conversations, To be Patterns of Virtue, etc. that they may preach Righteousness, Truth and Holiness to all People in that dark Wilderness, that you may answer the Truth both in them that are called Christians, and in the Indians. And my desire is, that you may prize your Liberty, both Natural and Spiritual, and the Favour that the Lord hath given you, that your Yea is taken instead of an Oath; and that you do serve both in Assemblies, Juries, and other Offices, without Swearing, according to the Doctrine of Christ: Which is a great Thing, worth prising. And take heed of abusing that Liberty, or losing the Savour of the Heavenly Salt, which seasons your Lives and Conversations in Truth, Holiness and Righteousness: For you know, when the Salt hath lost its Savour, it's good for nothing but to be trodden under the Foot of Men. For we here are under great Persecution, betwixt Thirteen and Fourteen Hundred in Prison; an Account of which hath lately been delivered to the King: Besides the great Spoil and Havoc which is made of Friends Goods, by Informers; and besides the great Spoil upon the two thirds of our Estates, About 1400 Friends in Prison in 1683. and upon the Twenty Pound a Month Acts, and for not going to the Steeplehouse; and besides many are imprisoned and premunired for not Swearing Allegiance, both Men, Women, Widows and Maids; and many are fined and cast into Prison, as Rioters, for Meeting to worship God. And we are kept out of our Meetings in Streets and Highways in many Places of the Land, and beaten and abused: And therefore prize the Liberty, both Natural and Spiritual, that you enjoy. And many are cast into Prison because they cannot pay the Priests Tithes; and also many are cast into Prison by the Bishop's Writs, De Excommunicato Capiendo. So, that at present we are under great Sufferings, Persecutions and Imprisonments: But the Lord's Power is over all, and that supports his People. But in Ireland, Scotland, Holland, Germany and Dantzick, we hear that Friends are in peace and quietness; and therefore you that have great Liberty, both natural and spiritual (as aforesaid) be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth, and spread it abroad, To spread Truth abroad. both among them that are called Christians and Indians, turning them from Darkness to Light, Christ Jesus, the Saviour, whom God hath set up for an Ensign among the Gentiles or Heathen, and to be his Salvation unto the ends of the Earth: So seek the Good of all, and the Profit of all, and the Salvation, and the Glory of God above all, and the Exalting of his Name and Truth in your Day and Generation; and live in Love, and in the Truth, and the Love of it; and overcome evil with good; and hold fast that which is good, than you can try all things. And so with my Love to you all in the holy Seed of Life, Christ Jesus, that reigns over all, who is your Sanctuary, in whom you have all Life, and Peace, and Salvation, in Him, the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all Holy, Pure and Clean, to his Glory, Amen. London, the 23d of the 12th Month, 1683. G. F. To the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting in England, etc. FRiends, Be all Faithful in your Testimony against Tithes, Epist. 387. and all those things that have come up in the Night of Apostasy from the Light, Life and Power of God and Christ, and against all Looseness whatsoever, that the heavenly Camp of God may be kept clean and pure. And all Friends, look at the Lord above all your Sufferings, To look at the Lord above all Sufferings. and trust in him, who by his Eternal Power has preserved you to this Day. The Lord in his Glorious Power was with us in, all our Assemblies, at this Yearly Meeting; he over all hath the Dominion, and over all evil Spirits gave Dominion to his People: Glory to his Name for ever, Amen. And therefore let your Eye be to the Gospel, the Power of God, which has brought Life and Immortality to Light in you, which is farther than the Law to be looked at. The 9th of the 4th Month, 1683. G. F. To Friends that are Captives at Algiers. DEar Friends, who are Captives in Algiers, Epist. 388. whom the Lord hath enlightened with his Day spring from on High, and visited you with his tender Mercies in your Slavery and Captivity, that you may know his Will, and do it in his Light, Grace, Truth and Spirit, that you may serve and worship the Holy, Eternal and Invisible God, that made you. Now dear Friends, to you is my Love, and to all the rest that fears God, that meets with you; my Desires are, To keep in Humility, and the Fear of God. that you may all keep low in Humility, in the Fear of God, there is no danger; for God dwells with the Humble, and teaches the Humble the way they should walk. And therefore be careful of God's Glory, you who profess the Name of God, and his Son, that your Lives and Words, and Conversations may preach Godliness, Righteousness, Holiness, Virtue, Sobriety and Modesty, both to Turks, Moors, Jews, and to your Patroons, and to the Families where you live; for Christ hath enlightened every Man that comes into the World, Christ hath enlightened all Men. he hath enlightened the Turks, Jews and Moors, with the Light (which is the Life in him the Word) that all in the Light might know God and Christ; and The Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared unto all Men; so to the Turks, Jews and Moors, yea, to all Nations; so that with the Grace of God they may be taught to deny Ungodliness and Unrighteousness, and live Righteously and Godly; and therefore all must come to this Grace of God in their Hearts, which brings their Salvation (if they have Salvation) and come to the Throne of Grace; and this is the Covenant of Grace, in which is the Election; and God (who made all) pours out of his Spirit upon all Men and Women in the World, in the Days of his New Covenant, yea, upon Whites and Blacks, Moors, and Turks, and Indians, Christians, Jews and Gentiles, that all with the Spirit of God, might know God and the things of God, and serve and worship him in his Spirit and Truth, that he hath given them; but they that do resist the Truth, and quench, and vex, and grieve and rebel against the Spirit that God hath given them, such are not like to serve and worship God in his Spirit and Truth; but he that endures to the end in God's Grace, Spirit, Light and Truth, shall be saved; and the Gospel of Salvation is preached to every Creature under Heaven; which Gospel is the Power of God, and the Gospel of Peace; and so it is glad Tidings to every Creature under Heaven, and to all Nations, to the Turks, Jews, Indians, Moors, Christians and Gentiles, if they receive and obey the Gospel of Salvation, it is glad Tidings to them all. Now, this is the Day of God's gathering: And therefore all must come to the Light, Grace, Truth, Power and Spirit of God in their own Particulars, which they have from God and Christ, that by it they might be built upon Christ, their heavenly Rock and Foundation, who is their Way to God, who bruises the Serpent's Head, and through Death destroyed Death, and the Devil the Power of Death, and so destroys Death, and so destroys the Devil and his Works; for Sin brought Death; and now Christ, who destroys Death that Sin brought, and makes an end of Sin, is the Sanctuary for all his Believers in all Storms and Tempests, Trials, and Troubles and Sufferings to rest upon, in whom they have Peace; yea, Life and Salvation. Now there is a common Saying among the Turks to the Christians [Your Crucified God] meaning Christ: Now this is their mistake, tho' God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself, it was not the Eternal God that died, It was Christ, as he was Man, who suffered in the Flesh, upon the Cross, and not God that was crucified. and was crucified, that was in Christ; for Christ said, when he was about to suffer, My God my God, why hast thou forsaken me? So Christ suffered in the Flesh, and died, and was crucified, as he was Man, not as he was God, the Word, which was in the Beginning; but as he was Man, who bore the Sins and Iniquities of all Mankind, and was an Offering for the Sins of the whole World, who through Death tasted Death for every Man; all being in Death in Adam; so that they might have Life through Christ the Second Adam: So, I say again, that Christ did not die as he was God, but as Man: He was crucified and buried, and risen again the third Day, and ascended, and is at the Right Hand of God; this he did by the Power of God, as he was Man. So the Turks are mistaken, to say, or to think, that the Eternal God could be crucified or die. Dear Friends, I thought needful to write a Letter to you concerning this their mistake, which you may be wise in making use of; To exalt God's Name in their Captivity. and my desires are, that you may be preserved, and exalt God's Name in your Places of Captivity, and in your Lives, Words and Conversations, answering God's Witness in the Turks, Jews, Moors, and your Patroons. And keep low, and walk wisely, that you may be a good Savour in the Hearts of all there-aways; and then the Blessings of the Lord, and his Presence, will rest upon you, and be in you: I think you have more Liberty to meet there than we have here; for they keep us out of our Meetings, and cast us into Prison, and spoil our Goods. And therefore prise your Liberty in your Meetings, and do not abuse it; and the Lord preserve you all in his Grace, Fear and Wisdom, that you may grow up in Christ the Head, and walk in him, to the Glory of God, Amen. Read this openly in your Meetings; and I have sent you here some Books that you may read them, and give them to the Turks or English, as you may see fit; which Books are to the Turks, one concerning Good Conversation; and another concerning the Temple; and another concerning Abraham instructing his Family, and one to all Kings and Princes; and another concerning Revelation and Inspiration, with some others, to read among yourselves. And Friends, it would be very well for you, if you could get the Turks and Moors Language, that you might be the more enabled to direct them to the Grace and Spirit of God in them, which they have from God, in their Hearts; and then getting their Language, you would be able to write and translate any Papers to them, which may be serviceable to instruct them, and for the spreading of the Truth among the Turks and Moors. So with my Love to you. Gousey in Essex, the 10th of the 2d Month, 1683. G. F. To all the Household of Faith, which is the Church of Christ, who is the Author and Finisher of Faith; who are to do good unto all, but especially to them of the same Faith. THE Apostle saith to the Church of Christ, Epist. 3●3. I wrote unto you an Epistle, not to keep company with Fornicators; yet not altogether with the Fornicators of this World, nor with the Covetous, Extortioners, Not to keep Company with Scandalous Persons. Idolaters, etc. For than ye must needs go out of the World, 1 Cor. 5. But now I have written unto you, Not to keep Company; if any Man that is called a Brother, be a Fornicator, or Covetous, or an Idolater, or a Railer, or a Drunkard, or an Extortioner, etc. with such an one, no not to eat. Therefore you see all such are to be avoided, as knowing, neither Fornicators, Adulterers, Effeminate, and Abusers of themselves with Mankind, nor Thiefs, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God. So ye may see, all such Workers you are not to keep Company with, nor so much as to eat with them, though they have gone under the Notion of Brothers and Sisters. So the Camp of God must be kept clean of such; for the Feast must be kept with unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth. So the old Leaven must be purged out; For a little Leaven leavens the whole Lump. And therefore ye must be a new Lump, as ye are leavened by it; For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore (as is said before) let us keep the Feast with Sincerity and Truth. And the Apostle saith, Not to be unequally yoked. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: For what Fellowship hath Righteousness with unrighteousness? And what Communion hath Light with Darkness? And what Concord hath Christ with Belial? And what part hath he that Believeth with an Infidel? (Mark, Part) and what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols? Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you (that is, take care for you) and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty. And therefore if God's Sons and Daughters must be separated from all such things without, and not to touch them, neither to have an agreement or unity with them, nor be yoked with such Actions and Actors without, and not touch such as act such things: Then, are they not to be separated from all such Actions and Actors within, and not to touch such as act such things, though he be called a Brother or Sister, seeing such Actions makes them Infidels, and like Belial, and bring them into Darkness? And if there be no Fellowship, Communion, Yoking or Agreement with such Actions and Actors without, than what Yoking, Communion, or Fellowship and Agreement (mark Agreement) can there be with such as act such things within, that is called a Brother or Sister, or keep Company with such, or Eat with such, that have a form of Godliness, but deny the Power? Therefore such Lepers that defile the Camp of God ought to be turned out of it, till they be healed and cleansed from such Leprosies; as knowing that such Actions and Actors are out of the Kingdom of God, and out of the Holy City, New and Heavenly Jerusalem: And no unclean thing comes into the Kingdom of God, nor enters into the Kingdom, the Holy City: And none comes into the Holy City, but by Repentance, and being turned and changed from all manner of Evil and Uncleanness whatsoever. The Adulterer is brought to a Morsel of Bread, and the Slothful goes in Rags: But the Virtuous are Happy, and the Diligent are Rich that serve the lord To have no Fellowship with the Works of Darkness. Therefore have no Fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness, but rather reprove them: For the Church of Christ's Fellowship (that are the Believers) is in the Light, which is the Life in Christ: And so their Fellowship is with the Father and the Son, and their Communion is in the Holy Ghost, which proceeds from the Father and the Son. And therefore the Church of Christ is to abstain from every Appearance of Evil: And if they are to abstain from every Appearance of Evil, than they cannot join or have unity with them, where Evil appears. And again, the Apostle saith to the Church of the Thessalonians, That they were to study to be quiet, and to do their own business, and to work with their own hands, and to walk honestly towards them that are without; and that ye may have lack of nothing. So here you may see the Diligence in the Truth that the Apostle exhorted the Church to Practice. First, They are all to study to be quiet. Secondly, They are all to do their own business, and work with their own hands, that they may lack nothing. None to be busy Bodies. And Thirdly, To walk honestly towards them that are without: And if they walk honestly towards them that are without, they must walk honestly to them that are within. For the Apostle had some occasion to write to the Thessalonians upon the Matter: For, saith he, we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busy Bodies: Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own Bread: And if any Man obey not our Word by this Epistle, note that Man, etc. and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an Enemy, but admonish him as a Brother. You may see there were not those gross Evils charged upon him, as were upon some among the Corinthians. So you may see the Apostle's care in the Church of Christ was to keep all things clean and pure, and all diligent in their places, serving the Lord, and not to be busy Bodies, and talkers about other Men's business; but to be quiet, and not idle, but doing their own business, that they may lack nothing; and so eat their own Bread Natural and Spiritual. Now the Apostle speaks of Widows in his first Epistle to Timothy, Chap. 5. what sort of Widows they were to receive: To instruct the Elder as Fathers, and the younger Men as Brethren. And ye may see first the decent and lovely Practice in the Church of Christ; Rebuke not an Elder, but entreat him as a Father, and younger Men as Brethren; and the elder Women as Mothers, and the younger Women as Sisters, with all purity: So are these to be entreated; And honour Widows, that are Widows indeed. And if any Widow have Children or Nephews, let them learn (mark, learn) first to show piety at home, and requite their Parents; for that is good and acceptable before God. So this Piety must be learned and showed at home; and these the Widows must learn to look to. Here these Widow-women have a service; and in the first place they must learn to show Piety at home, and to their Parents and Nephews, and to show it abroad then in the Church of Christ. So all must learn this Lesson, to show Piety to their Children and Nephews, and to requite their Parents. For this Practice and Service is good and acceptable before God. Now the State of desolate Widows, She that is a Widow indeed, A Widow indeed. and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in Supplications and Prayers night and day: But she that lives in Pleasure is dead while she lives. These things give in charge, that they may be blameless: But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own House, he has denied the Faith, and is worse than an Infidel (mark, that is worse than the World) For the Faith brings every Man and every Widow to be diligent, and to provide for their own; that is, their Children and Nephews, or Kindred and Parents, as before: But the Apostle says, Especially those of his own House: And so here is Piety to be shown still two ways; For his own, and especially to those of his own House or Family; and here are Nephews and Parents, as before mentioned. Again the Apostle saith, Let not a Widow be taken into the Number under Threescore Years Old, etc. Mark, here was a Number that the Widow was to be taken into; and the Widow that was to be taken into this Number, see her qualifications before she come into the Number. She must be well reported of for good Works, if she have brought up Children, The Qualifications of a Widow indeed. if she have lodged Strangers, if she have washed the Saints Feet, if she have relieved the Afflicted, if she have dilgently followed every good Work, etc. These are the qualified Widows that are to be taken into the Number: So here was a great Practice, and a diligence in Piety for this Woman to do, before she was receivinto the Number of the Faithful. But says the Apostle, The Younger Refuse; for when they begin to wax Wanton against Christ, etc. they cast off their first Faith, and withal, they learn to be Idle; so they forsake to learn and show Piety, and to live in that; and so do not learn to be diligent; and wander about from House to House, and not only Idle, but Tattlers and busybodies, speaking things they ought not; and therefore such things were, and are to be reproved: such as these were not to be received, and taken into the Number of the Faithful but to be refused. And again the Apostle saith, I will therefore, that ye Younger Woman Marry, bear Children, guide the House, give no occasion to the Adversary to speak reproachfully. And the Apostle says, To relieve our own Relations, and to charge the Church with them. If any Man or Woman that believeth, have Widows, let them relieve them, and let not the Church be charged; that it may relieve those that are Widows indeed. So here you may see the Care, Piety and Duty, if either Man or Woman that Believes, have Widows, they are to relieve them, and not let the Church of Christ be charged with them. So let Men and Women learn to show Piety to Widows, to Nephews, and to Parents. And the Apostle saith to Timothy, I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Elect Angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, do nothing by partiality, lay hands suddenly on no Man. So here you may see the Apostle's Care in the Church of Christ, who would have all to be exercised in Truth and Piety, and be diligent in their Service, that Truth requireth of them. And then again, the Apostle speaks of such as are Lovers of themselves, Covetous, Proud, Boasters, disobedient to Parents, Unthankful, Unholy, without natural Affections (to wit, to Husband or Wife, Children, Parents, or others) and likewise, Truce-breakers, which break their Covenant or Promises in their Marriages, with God and with Man; and so likewise, break their Truce and Covenant with Men in Outward Things; and also, such as are false Accusers, Incontinent, Fierce, Despisers of them that are Good, such are not like to be subject to the good Spirit of God in themselves; and Traitors, Heady, , Lovers of Pleasures, more than Lovers of God, having the form of Godliness, but deny the Power thereof; from such turn away, says the Apostle; now if they were to turn away from them, they were not to be heeded, though they had the Form of Godliness, and of Christianity; if they were to turn away from them, they were not to receive them into the Camp; for such are as Lepers are to be turned away from. And therefore the Camp of God must be kept clean. And Christ hath given Authority to his Church to admonish and exhort, and to reprove and rebuke all such things with his Authority. Now, Friends, concerning putting on of Apparel: The Apostle in the Spirit and Power of Christ had a Care in the Church of God, that they should adorn themselves as becomes the Gospel, The Gospel Adorning. with chaste Lives and Conversations, and with the hidden Man of the Heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit; which is in the sight of God of a great Price. This is that which arrays and beautifies God's Church; and not the outward adorning and plaiting the Hair, and every new Fashion that comes up into the World, 1. Pet. 3. And also the Apostle writes to Timothy, and gives him that Exhortation to the Church, That Women adorn themselves with modest Apparel (mark, Modest) with shamefacedness and sobriety, (mark, Sobriety) not with broidered Hair, or Gold, or Pearls. For that was the Practice of the Jew outward, and is to this Day; (or costly Array.) But with that which becomes Women professing Godliness, with good Works. So this is the Adorning that all that profess Godliness must be arrayed withal, 1 Tim. 2.9. So that all may be in that good Behaviour, as becomes Godliness and Holiness. And likewise Chaste and Discreet, Teachers of good things; that the Word of God may not be blasphemed, which they profess; as in Tit. 2. And it's desired, That all Friends, that have Children, To train up Children and Servants in the pure Religion. Families and Servants, may train them up in the pure and unspotted Religion, and in the nurture and fear of God; and that frequently they read the Holy Scriptures, which is much better than to be gadding abroad. And exhort and admonish them; that every Family apart may serve and worship the Lord, as well as in Public. And that when they go to Meetings, they may take their Servants and Families with them, that they may not go wand'ring up and down in the Fields, or to Alehouses, as many have done, to the dishonour of God, and to the dishonour of their Masters and Mistresses Families, and to their own Ruin and Destruction. And therefore, for Christ's sake and his pure Religion, let there be Care taken, to prevent all these things. For such an one as cannot rule well his own House, having his Children in subjection with all gravity, how can he take Care of the Church of God, 1 Tim. 3. And now, Friends, concerning Marriages, Concerning Marriages. of which very many things have been written, it's desired that all may be careful in that thing, of running hastily together: And consider it first; that first, as it is God's Joining, so it is his Ordinance, and it is honourable in all, and the Bed undefiled. And again, such Men as draw out young women's Affections, and run from one to another; and leave them, and run to others. And such Women as draw out men's Affections, and then leave them, and draw out other men's Affections: These Practices bring many young Women, and many young Men into Trouble; and are sharply to be reproved. For this Work is not of God's Joining, but out of his Covenant: Some of which have gone so far, as to Promises, Espousals and Contracts, and then left them, and gone to others. This is to be Judged and Reproved. For, as we make no Contract for Marriages, we break none. And likewise such young People, that trim up themselves in gay Apparel, and make a great show, and hang most on their Backs, that appear what they are not in Substance; The ill Consequence of Pride and Vanity. which Women have sometimes deceived young Men; and Men deceived Women, and drawn out their Affections and Minds by outward show, and deceived one another, and brought one another into Trouble: Such are out of the Fear of God and a chaste Mind. And therefore they are not like to expect a Blessing in this Life, nor in that which is to come, without great Judgement and Repentance. Therefore such Actions are to be reproved, that they may be brought into Chastity, Virtue and Piety, and to the Adorning the hidden Man of the Heart, which is not corruptible, and the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit; which Ornament or Adorning is acceptable with the Lord. For after this manner, in Old Time, the Holy Women, who trusted in God, adorned themselves. And likewise such, To keep Covenant in Marriage. as after they are married break their Covenant in Marriage, such go from the Spirit of God, and his Joining, and from the Spiritual Society of God's People, and their Unity and Fellowship. Such are to be reproved by the Spirit of God. And if they do not return after Reproof, Friends cannot have Unity or Fellowship with them, but turn away from them; though they may have the Form of Godliness, and have been called a Sister or a Brother, but have denied the Power of Godliness. Therefore all must abide in Christ the Vine, if they bring forth Fruit to the Glory and Praise of God. Amen. The Apostle says, Now, we command you, Brethren, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every Brother that walks disorderly, etc. 2 Thess. 3. Now, The Case of old Eli, a Warning to Parents. Dear Friends, consider old Eli's Case, who did admonish his Children; but because he did not restrain them from the Follies and the Evils they run into, therefore the Lord brought his Judgements upon him, that he lost his children's Lives, and his Priesthood, and his own Life. And do you think, that this was not written for an Example, that others should be warned hear and fear? And was not the Gospel and the Law given forth to restrain People from Sin and Evil, and such things as dishonour God? G. F. An Epistle to all Friends every where. FRiends, Epist. 390. This is the Word of the Lord unto you all: All live in the Seed, in which all Nations are blest; in which Seed you are blest every way, Christ the Blessing of all Nations. in your rising up and lying down; in your go forth and come in: And you have the Blessings from above, and the Blessings from beneath, in this Holy Seed; yea, the Blessings of him that dwelled in the Bush, that made the very Ground Holy, that Moses trod upon, who brings you out of the World, which is as a Bushy, Thorny Wilderness, that ye might dwell in this blessed Seed, in which all Nations are blest; which bruises the Serpent's Head, who was the first Questioner, and Tempter, and Liar, and Deceiver; and Man and Woman by harkening or giving Ear to this Questioner, Liar and Tempter, the Serpent, they fell from their Habitation in the Image of God, and so went out of their Habitation and Service, that God had placed them in, and commanded them to do. But, the Seed of the Woman is come, that bruises the Serpent's Head, in which Seed Christ, all Nations are blest. And all you who live and walk in this Seed, you live in him that bruises the Serpent's Head, that Liar, Tempter and Questioner; yea, and every one by this Seed Christ, may be renewed up into the Image of God, as Adam and Eve were in, in the Beginning: Then you are all in your Habitations of Life and Truth, and the Image of God; and in it you know your Services, Unruly Talkers. that the Lord God Almighty commands you. And you living in this Holy Seed, you live over all vain unruly Talkers, and vain Disputers, Men of corrupt Minds, which have the Form of Godliness, but deny the Power thereof: All you as live in the Seed that bruises the Serpent's Head, turn away from such, for their Work is to destroy; whose Words eat as a Canker; who do profess Truth in Words, and may have the Form of Godliness, but in their Works deny the Power thereof, who are to every good Work or Service Reprobated. And these are as the raging Waves of the Sea and Tempests, they are known by their tempestuous Spirits, and its raging, like a raging of the Sea, cassing up Mire and Dirt; a murdering Spirit, like Cain; a gainsaying Spirit, like Corah; and erred from the true Spirit, like Balaam: No Rain in their Clouds, no Water in their Wells, nor Fruit on their Trees; twice dead; that is, once dead, and made alive, and dead again; so they cannot grow in the Truth, Light, nor the Spirit of God, nor his Gospel; but such corrupt the Earth, and corrupt People's Minds; are sowers of Discord, Strife, and Contention; Co-workers with the Serpent to beguile the unstable Minds; all such the Seed of God reigns over. And therefore in this Holy Seed Christ, all live and walk, and shun such evil Spirits and their Works; and all be established in this Seed Christ Jesus, that the Serpentine Spirit, either by its Strife, Vain Jangling, Vain Disputing, or its sowing of Dissension, Tempting and Questioning, not with feigned, fair, flattering, enticing Words may not draw you out of your Habitation of the Seed, Christ Jesus; and the Image of God, and your Work and Service in it, that God and Christ Commands you. And therefore beware of this Serpentine Spirit, Beware of Dogs who will devour. that you may not be deceived, as Eve was; and beware of Dogs that will by't and devour you; and beware of Evil-workers, though they have never such fair Words to deceive the Hearts of the simple. Beware of false Prophets, which are inwardly ravened from the Spirit of God, and are become Wolves, though they have got the Sheep's clothing, and the Words of Truth, of Christ and his Apostles, whose Fruits are as Thorns and Thistles: But the Seed Christ, that discovers all these things, in him live, grow up, and walk and be established. And beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees, And of the Leaven of the Pharisees. who make an outward Profession of the Holy men's Words, but are Persecuters of the Seed Christ Jesus, in whom all Nations are blest, and Despisers of his peaceable Government; of the increase of which there is no end: And into this blessed Seed, the Serpent cannot come, nor none of his Instruments nor his Angels, which are evil Spirits: And all the Doters about Questions and Strife of Words, and the vain Janglers, and vain perverse Disputers and Contenders, and the sowers of Strife and Dissension, Not to dote about Questions and strife of Words. makers of Debate and Strife. All these, are out of the blessed peaceable Seed; although they may profess the Truth of all the New and Old Testament in Words, without the Power of God (that they are turned away from, and therefore they are to be turned away from) the Trumpet of the Lord, his Spirit and Power is blown against them, though they have never such high swelling Words of Vanity, and have never so many flattering fair Words and good Speeches, and trimmed and decked with the Sheep's clothing, yet they are in the Wolf's Nature, and Whored from the Lamb and his Nature, and so from the Seed Christ, in whom all the Children of the Kingdom and the Elect are to walk, that are of his Heavenly and Spiritual Generation, and grow up in him as Trees of Righteousness, whose Fruits are unto Holiness, and whose End will be Everlasting Life. And the End of that Spirit and Fruits, before mentioned, that are out of Christ and his peaceable Truth, will be Destruction in the Lake of Fire. And that is the Word of the Lord to you all; therefore be warned what you join to, and what you lay hands on suddenly. For I remember, before we were called Quakers, as I was sitting in an House in Nottinghamshire (about the Year 1648) the Word of the Lord came to me and said, Some of those that should come to be convinced with the Light and Spirit of God, and should come so far as Cain to hear God's Voice, and as far as Balaam to hear God's Voice, and to have some Openings, and to come so far as Corah, Dathan and Abiram, these should be the Deceivers, and the Troublers of the Church of Christ, and seek to destroy the Faithful, and to betray them: Who formerly had some Experience to talk of, but did not live in the Truth. Which I and many others have seen come to pass and fulfilled. For Christ said to his Disciples, False Prophets and Anti-christs'. That the false Prophets and the Anti-christs' (which were inwardly the ravened Wolves, which the Apostles and Believers should beware of) should come to them, to try them, they had the Sheeps-clothing, and Outward Profession of Christianity, but were Inwardly ravening Wolves to devour them. Now, these were Inwardly ravening from something. And the Apostle John speaks of such as went out from us: It seems, they were one among them, But (saith he) they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out from the true Church, that they might be manifest that they were not of it. And these were the Anti-christs and false Prophets, that Christ said, should come, which John and the Apostles saw were come, and exhorted the Church to beware of, and to keep to the Unction which they had from the Holy One. And this Unction and Anointing, as it abides within the Saints, the true Church, and they in it, it will teach them all things, and is Truth; and by it they shall continue in the Son and the Father, and so in the Holy Seed, Rock and Foundation, that cannot be shaken. And the Apostle saith, There was to be a falling away first, before the Man of Sin was revealed; the Son of Perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself, etc. And when the Apostle saw the Mystery of Iniquity already working; and his coming is after the working of Satan, with all Deceiveableness of Unrighteousness in them that perish, because they receive not the Love of the Truth, that they might be saved. And such go into strong Delusions, that they should believe a Lie, and not the Truth. And here you may see there is a falling away, before the Son of Perdition, or Judas, be revealed; and they that fall away, receive not the Love of the Truth, that they might be saved, but believe Lies that they shall be damned. And the Lord will consume him with the Spirit of his Mouth, and will destroy him with the Brightness of his coming, the wicked One, and Son of Perdition, that is against the Righteous, and is the Opposer and Betrayer of them. Therefore all the Church of Christ are to stand steadfast, To stand steadfast in Christ. and be established in Him, in every good Word and Work, who are from the beginning chosen for Salvation through Jesus Christ, through the Sanctification of the Spirit, and the belief of the Truth, and are called by the Gospel, the Power of God, to the obtaining of the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom the glorious Rest and Peace is. And you may see, how the Church of Christ was troubled by such as went out from them, and fell away from Truth, and Inwardly ravened; some went like unto the Swine into the Mire; and some like the Dogs to the Vomit; and some like Wolves, that Inwardly ravened, and yet kept the Sheeps-clothing: Some went in the Nature of Cain, Sacrificers, and yet were Destroyer's of the Righteous; and some went in the Nature (or Spirit) of Jannes and Jambres, that withstood Moses; and others in the Nature of Judas to Betray; and others in the Nature of Corah, Dathan and Abiram, to Gainsay and Resist the Truth; and others in the Nature of Jezabel. And this Spirit and Nature troubled the Church in the Old Testament, Troublers of the Church. and troubled the Church in the New Testament, and are troubling the Church of Christ in this Gospel-Day, that is come and coming out of the Apostasy. But God's Trumpet, Spirit and Power was and is always sounded against it, that all People may beware of this Evil Spirit and Nature, and keep in the Seed Christ Jesus, that bruises the Head of it, in whom you have Love, Rest, Salvation, Quietness and Peace. Hallelujah. And all dwell in Love, than you dwell in God, who is Love; All dwell in God, who is Love. let that be all your Habitations, which Love edifies the Body of Christ, and builds you up in him, and all strive to excel one another in Virtue, in Patience, Courteousness, Kindness, Tenderness, Meekness and Humility, in Temperance, Modesty and Chastity; and whatsoever things are Decent and Comely, and of good Report, Honest and Lovely, that follow: For these are the good Fruits of the Spirit of God, and his Heavenly Seed; which Fruits are acceptable to God, and will make you all lovely and comely to him, and unto one another in his Heavenly Seed; in which (as I said before) you are blest, and all Nations are blest; which Seed (Christ) is your Sanctuary, who destroys the Devil the Destroyer, and so is over him, and was before he was, in whom the true Believers live, and have Peace, who them with Salvation, and with his Righteousness, the sanctified One's fine Linen. So all walk worthy of the Mercies of God and his Blessings from Above, and from Below, to the Glory and Praise of God. And they that dwell not in Love and Charity, are like the sounding Brass, and tinkling Cymbals; as you may read 1 Cor. 13.1, 8. This you may read amongst the Children of the Light, and of the Day. Dolston, the 13th of the 10th Month, 1683. G. F. To the Meeting of Friends in Truth, that are Captives in Algiers. NOw, Epist. 391. Dear Friends, The Lord having drawn you by his Spirit to his Son Christ Jesus, in whose Name ye come to be Gathered, in whose Name ye have Salvation, and not in any other Name under the whole Heaven: So that now you come to know Christ your Saviour, who destroys the Destroyer, the Devil and his Works; and it's He, that brings forth Everlasting Righteousness, that makes an End of Sin, and finishes Transgression. So that now, you may live and walk in the Everlasting Righteousness of Christ Jesus, who is your Priest, Christ our Priest and Prophet. that is made higher than the Heavens, Hebr. 7. And who is your Prophet, that God has raised up, and not Man, whom ye must hear in all things, Acts 3.22. & 7.37. who were as lost Sheep gone astray; but are now retarned to the chief Priest and Bishop of your Souls; namely, Christ Jesus, 1 Pet. 2.25. And Christ saith, He is the true Shepherd, that hath laid down his Life for his Sheep; and his Sheep know his Voice, and follow him: Who is the Holy and Just one, and never Guile was found in his Mouth. And Christ says, No Man comes to the Father but by me. So he is the New and Living Way; and God has given him for a Leader and Counsellor, to Counsel his People; who is the Holy Living Rock and Foundation, which is above all the Rocks and Foundations below: For He the Rock and Foundation is from above, whom all the Children of the Light, that believe in his Light, which is the Life in him, and are grafted into him, do build upon. And so, the Lord God Almighty with his Eternal Power support you all, in all your Afflictions and Sufferings, Trials and Temptations, that you may be built and settled upon this Rock and Foundation, that cannot be shaken. And now, dear Friends, my desires are, and the Desires of Friends here, that you may all walk soberly, honestly, modestly, and civilly, and lovingly, and gently, and tenderly to all your Patroons, and to all People. And, To walk Justly and Holily in all Words and deal. That ye may walk Righteously, Justly and Holily in all your Words, Deal and Do; that his Name you do profess now, may be honoured, and you may reach by your Righteous Godly Lives and Conversations, the Good in all your Patroons, and in all others; so that you may show forth the Fruits of the Spirit, and the Fruits of Christianity; and that you are the Possessors of Christ Jesus your Mediator, who has made Peace betwixt you and your God. And as you have received Christ, so walk in him, and know him to rule in your Hearts by Faith. For herein (as Christ said) is my Father glorified; that you bring forth much heavenly Fruit, and that your spiritual and heavenly Light may shine before Men, that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. And now, Friends, we understand, That some that have come lately among you, have been under great Sufferings and Abuses by their Patroons, because they cannot honour them with that Honour as other Slaves do, or as they have done before. Now, To wear out Sufferings by Patience. if you wait in Patience upon the Lord in his Truth (for you are to buy the Truth, and not to sell it; and Truth is that that's stronger than all) the Lord in his time (though he may try you) can mollify that Nature in them there, as he hath done in other Places, where he hath tried his People with such things. And when they have seen, 'tis for Conscience sake towards God, and it is from the Principle of Truth and the Spirit; in which Spirit and Truth they worship the Most-High God, who is an Eternal, Incomprehensible Spirit, who is God in Heaven and God in the Earth, and dwells by his Spirit in his humble People, they have been overcome. And now Friends, consider, They are blessed who suffer for Christ's sake. they are blessed that suffer for Christ's sake; and it is not only given you to believe, but to suffer for his Name: And they that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffar Persecution. But the Apostle says of the true Christians, Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ? Shall Tribulation, or Distresses, or Persecution, or Famine, or Nakedness, or Peril, or Sword? As it is written, For thy sake are we killed all the day long: We are counted as Sheep for the slaughter; In all these things we are more than Conquerors through him that loved us. I am persuaded that neither Death nor Life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Rom. 8.36, 39 Psal. 44.22. Now dear Friends, you may see here was a Godly Sincerity, Fervency, Steadfastness and Resolution in the true Christians, which ought to be in all such now, without boasting. And the Apostle says, Rejoice, for as much as ye are partakers of Christ's Sufferings, that when his Glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding Joy: For if ye be Reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye: for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you; on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified, 1 Pet. 4.13, 14, 15. And so dear Friends, Be wife, that you may give no just occasion: To give no just occasion of Offence. And keep low in the Humility; for such learn of Christ, and the meek follow him. And so my desire is, That you may all be preserved to the Glory of God, and that you may be Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth, and spread it abroad, that all may come to the Spirit of God, that God poureth upon all Flesh, and to serve and worship him: And so that all Flesh may see the Glory of God, by his Spirit; and that all might come to the Light, which is the Life in Christ the Word, by whom all things were made and created, with which Light he enlighteneth every Man that comes into the World, to believe in, and to love it, and to try their works, whether they be wrought in God, yea or nay, 1 John 3.19, 20, 21. And that all might come to the Grace of God, which hath appeared to all Men, and brings Salvation. which will teach to live Godly, Righteously and Soberly, and deny Unrighteousness. This is the true Christian's Teacher, which brings Salvation, and teacheth to deny that which would lead them into Destruction, The true Christians Teacher. into Ungodly, Ungracious Ways and Words; but this Grace teacheth the Saints to walk in Gracious Ways, and their Words come to be seasoned with Grace, which teaches them, and brings their Salvation. So that which is the true Christian's Teacher, brings their Salvation. And so every one sit under this Teacher, as the true Church of Christ did; as you may see Tit. 2.11, 12. And so dear Friends, I do commend you to him that has all Power to support, who is God All-sufficient to supply you, and is near unto all that calls upon him in Truth and Righteousness. Therefore cast your Care upon him; for he Cares for you: And so, as you walk in the Truth, to answer the Truth in your Patroons and others, you will see in time, you will reach the Good in them, that they will give more Credit to you, and Trust you more than them that disobey the Spirit of God in their Hearts. So the Lord preserve you Faithful to himself. Let us hear as often as you can how things are with you. G. F. London, the 4th of the 3d Month, 1684. To the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings in England, etc. DEar Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, Epist. 392. who reigns over all, and has all Power in Heaven and Earth given unto him, by whose Eternal Power our Meetings this Year have been preserved unto his great Glory and Honour; and his living refreshing Presence has livingly been amongst us, for which his People do give him the Honour, Glory, Thanks and Praise, who is Lord over all, and worthy of all, blessed for ever and ever. And therefore we desire and entreat all our Friends and Brethren every where, who are of the Seed of the Promise, and the Children of the Kingdom of God, and of the New Covenant of Light and Life, To walk as becometh the Gospel. To Walk in the same, and worthy of the same, to the Glory of God. And you that do profess the primitive, pure and undefiled Religion, which is above all the Religions in the World: Show it forth in Life and Practice. And you that profess the Worship of God in the Spirit and Truth, which Christ hath set up, which is above the Jews Worship, and all the Worships that the Men of the World have set up: Be steadfast in the same; for all Worships out of God's Spirit and his Truth, are Idolatry. And now dear Friends and Brethren, who profess and possess that which is above all Religions, Ways and Worships in the World; our desire is, To exceed in Virtue, etc. that you may always outstrip and exceed the World in Virtue, in Purity, in Chastity, in Godliness, and in Holiness, and in Modesty, Civility, and in Righteousness, and in Love, with that you may overcome the Evil, and with the Good overcome the Bad: So that your Moderation and sober Life may appear unto all Men, and answer that of God in all, that so the Fruits of the Spirit of God may show themselves forth in Meekness, and Kindness, and Humility from the holy Understanding, and the pure heavenly Wisdom, and the Word of Life and Patience, by which all things were made, in that you will be able to bear all things, and endure all things through him that strengthens you: And whatsoever things are lovely, decent, or comely, and honest, and of a good Report, that answers the Truth in all, That mind and practice, that God Almighty may be glorified through you in the Seed, in which all Nations are blest, which bruiseth the Head of the Serpent, that brought the Curse; in which Seed no Enmity nor Strife can come; in which Seed, Christ Jesus, your heavenly Unity and Fellowship is preserved. And whatsoever Storms or Tempests should arise in the World, keep in the Seed Christ Jesus, your Sanctuary, Christ our Sanctuary. who was before the World was, who is your Saviour, that destroys the Destroyer, in whom you have all Life, Peace, Rest, Safety and Salvation; in him, who is the Amen, the First and Last, in him Farewell, and from him the Blessings of the Lord rest upon you. G. F. To Friends in Holland. DEar Friends in the peaceable Truth, The Glory of God all mind, Epist. 393. in all your Lives and Conversations, and that the heavenly Fruits of the Holy Spirit of God you may all bring forth to his Praise, living in Righteousness, Godliness and Meekness, Lowliness and Humility, To live in Righteousness, etc. learning of Christ Jesus your Saviour, who is meek: For the humble God doth teach, and they grow up in his Grace and Favour. And therefore all take heed of going back again into the World's Ways, Spirit and Words, but keep to the holy Spirit of God, that doth lead you in the narrow way, that is to Life Eternal: And in the Lord's Light, Power and Spirit meet together, and keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus Christ, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him, that you may feel his living and divine Presence among you, and in his pure gentle and heavenly Love and Wisdom you may be valiant for the Name of Jesus, and his Truth upon the Earth, Not to be ashamed of Christ. and not to be ashamed of Christ your Teacher and Prophet, that God hath raised up in his New Covenant and Testament, whom you are to hear; neither be ashamed of Christ your Shepherd, who hath laid down his Life for his Sheep, whose Voice you are to hear; who doth feed his Sheep, and give them Life Eternal, and none is able to pluck his Sheep out of his Hand, his Power; neither be ashamed of your High Priest, who hath offered up himself for you, and doth sanctify you, who is a Priest made higher than the Heavens; neither be you ashamed of your Bishop, and the chief Shepherd of your Souls, to whom now ye are returned by his Grace and Truth, who doth oversee you with his heavenly Eye, that you do not go astray from God: So in him let your Faith stand, who is the Author and Finisher of it. So with my Love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is your Sanctuary, in whom you all have Life, Peace, Rest and Salvation, who is the Amen. Greet ye one another with a Kiss of Charity: Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus, Amen. This Charity keeps all God's People in the heavenly Love and Unity. Amsterdam, the 14th of the 4th Month, 1683. G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren, who are Elect and Chosen in Christ Jesus before the the Foundation of the World; Epist. 394. in Christ you have Peace, and in the World you have Trouble: But be of good cheer, Christ hath overcome the World. Christ hath overcome the World, that lieth in Wickedness, and all the Persecutors in it; and in him you all overcome the Devil and his Works, and without him you can do nothing; but through Christ and his Power and Strength, you will be able to do all things according to the Will of God: And though for a time ye may suffer for the Name of Jesus, and for his Truth, and be cast into Prison, and suffer the spoiling of your Goods; the Eternal God knows, and his Son Christ Jesus, it is for him alone, and his Truth's sake we suffer, and not for any evil doing, or doing wrong to any Man. And so the Lord hath given us not only to believe, but also to safer for his Name and Truth's sake; and so it is the Gift of God, with his Eternal Spirit and Power, that doth uphold us in all our Sufferings, which hath made so many to finish their Testimony for the Truth in Goals and Prisons; and not to love their Lives to the Death, but love God and Christ Jesus above their Lives, and all outward things; as Practice and Experience have declared it. And now dear Friends, To be faithful to the end. be faithful in Christ Jesus to the end, that you may all have the Crown of Life, and that Peace from Christ Jesus, which the World, and all the Apostate Spirits from the Truth, cannot take away from you; I say, neither the World, with their outward Persecutions and spoiling of Goods, nor the Apostate Spirits from the peaceable Truth, with all their Lies and Defamations, and their filthy, scandalous Books, and evil Tongues, though they be like the raging Waves of the Sea, casting up Mire and Dirt, whose Folly is manifest to all that hear and see them; yet all this cannot disturb the Peace of the Righteous: And all the restless, unquiet, unruly Murmurers and Complainers, that are filled with false Jealousies, and are the wandering Stars, who are wandered from the Witness of the Lord in their own Hearts; such their Judgements do not linger, nor their Damnation doth not slumber, though they may be suffered for a time to try God's People. And now Friends, you know envious Cain was a Sacrificer as well as Abel, but out of the Faith and Righteousness, who Murdered his Brother Abel, he may be said to have been a Type of Judas, who was a partaker of the Ministry, yet betrayed his Master. And you read that Ishmael and Esau were circumcised as well as Isaac and Jacob; but Esau hated Jacob, and would have slain him; and Ishmael scoffed at Isaac, and so he that is born of the Flesh persecuteth him that is born of the Spirit; and that Birth is not Heir with the Seed of the Promise, though it may come into the outward Form, and outward Profession. And likewise you read of Corah, Dathan and Abiram, and their Company, and their Rebelling against the Lord, and his Servants, Moses and Aaron; and of their false Liberty; but what became of them, in Numb. 16. you may see. And likewise how that the Jews (after the Lord brought them out of Egypt) made themselves a Calf of their Jewels and Earrings, as in Exod. 32. Psalm 106.19. The Jews made a Calf in Horeb, and worshipped the Golden Image, and forgot God their Saviour, who had done great things in Egypt, and wondrous things in the Land of Ham, and murmured in their Tents, and harkened not to the Voice of the Lord: And therefore God overthrew them in the Wilderness, and they came not into the promised Land. And you read how the Jews run into false Liberty in the Days of Baalam, and joined with Baal-Peor, Examples of Apostates of old Times. and how the Anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and what a destruction he brought upon them, who had turned against the Lord and his faithful People; as in Numb. 25. And likewise how often the Jews murmurred against Moses and Aaron, and what a destruction came upon them in the Wilderness, that none of that old Stock the Lord brought out of Egypt that dishonoured him; though they had seen his Glory, none entered into the Land save Caleb and Joshua, but they perished in the Wilderness for their Murmuring and Rebelling; and therefore take heed of Murmuring and Rebelling against the Lord and his Spirit, but in all things learn to be content. And also you read in Judges, how often the Jews forsook the Lord, and what Judgements came upon them; and also how the Jews turned against the Prophets, and imprisoned and persecuted them: And in the Days of the Kings, as in the Chronicles, how David and many of the Prophets, and the Righteous suffered: But what became of them that made them suffer? And likewise in the Days of Christ, and his Apostles, how did they suffer, by the professing Jews? And there were many Comers and Goers in the Days of Christ that could say, Lord, Lord: But such do not enter into the Kingdom of God, except they do the Will of God. And you read how the Apostles and the true Church were troubled with false Christians and false Brethren; whom Paul writeth against in many of his Epistles, and Peter, and John, and Judas; and John in his Revelations. And therefore, all Friends, dwell in the Seed Christ Jesus, in whom ye cannot be deceived, who bruises the Head of the Serpent, who is the Head of all Deceivers; and the Head of all Enmity, and false Ways, Worships and Religions; and the Head of all false Liberties: But in Christ Jesus, in whom all Nations are blessed, is the true Liberty; in him all stand fast, so far as he hath made you free; and in him all walk, as ye have received him, to the Praise and Glory of God: In whom you have all Eternal Life, Peace, Rest, and Salvation; and in him the Lord God Almighty preserve you all in Love, Unity, and Fellowship. Who is able to support you, and supply you with his Eternal Hand and Power, with what you do need in all your Sufferings and Trials. Amen. G. F. To Friends at the Yearly Meeting in York. DEar Friends, Who are turned to the Light, Epist. 395. and are the Believers in the Light, which is the Life in Christ, my Desires are, To be established upon Christ the Rock. That you may all be established upon him, your Eternal Rock and Foundation, and grow up in Christ Jesus, the Second Adam, by his Light, Grace and Truth, that is come from him; for you know Christ had many Enemies (and his Disciples and Followers, and Moses in the time of the Law) such as turned their Backs on the Lord, Christ and his Followers have many Enemies. and erred from his good Spirit, and rebelled against it, they turned against the Lord, and Moses and Aaron, and they went from the Fellowship of the Law of God and his Spirit, and then Destruction came upon them: Such Jews were they that rebelled against Christ and his Apostles, and yet were great Professors of the Old Testament. And such that were called Christians, that got the Form of Godliness, and the fair Speeches, and good Words, but denied the Power thereof, and so the Order thereof: Such as these separated themselves, and erred from the Spirit and the Faith, and so from the Unity of the Faith, and the Fellowship of the Spirit of God. Such were and are to be turned away from by all them that are in the Faith, and the Spirit of God; and all the Spiritual Witnesses in the Tabernacles of God, testifies against such, though they may make a great Profession of Christ and the Apostles Words, but deny the Power, and err from the Spirit, and the peaceable Truth: Such cannot be the true Worshippers of God in the Spirit and Truth: And thereforefore, Friends, you that have been turned to the Light, and Truth, and Grace of Christ, and know the Power and Spirit of Jesus, walk in the same, and in it keep your Fellowship, and your Dominion, over all that which is out of the Truth, and abides not in the Truth: And that your heavenly Light may shine, and you may all be kept in Love and Unity in the same Light, Power and Spirit, to the Glory of God, and the Comfort one of another. Amen. London, the 27 of the 3d Month, 1684. G. F. To the suffering Friends of Dantzick. FRiends, Epist. 396. With my Love in the Lord Jesus Christ to you, who is your Saviour and Prophet, Christ the Prophet, Shepherd, Highpriest, and Bishop of Souls. that God has raised up for you, to hear in all things; your Shepherd, that has laid down his Life for you, whose Voice ye must hear, who will seed you in his Living Pastures of Life, who is your Priest, that offered himself for you, who sanctifies you, that he might present you to God: So is become your High Priest, who is made higher than the Heavens; so is a higher Priest than the Priesthood of Aaron, and all the Priesthoods upon the Earth, that are made by Men below: For he is a Highpriest, made higher than the Heavens, Hebr. 7. And so, is the chief Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls, to Oversee you, that you do not go astray from God, who is your Sanctuary, in whom you are preserved from the Destroyer; who destroys the Devil, the great Destroyer, and his Works, and bruises his Head, and breaks his Power: He, namely Christ, is your Saviour; in him you have Rest and Peace, Salvation and Life Eternal. Now, Dear Friends, We do hear and understand, that the Magistrates have cast you into Prison again in Dantzick; and that they have proffered you your Liberty, upon Condition that you would go away, or forsake your common Meeting-place, or divide yourselves into several little Meetings. Truly, Friends, we have had many of these proffers made to Us within this Twenty or Thirty Years, but we never durst make such Bargains or Covenants, to forsake the Assembling of ourselves together, as we used to do; but did leave our suffering Cause wholly to the Lord Christ Jesus, To Commit our Cause to God. in whose Name we were gathered, who has all Power in Heaven and Earth given unto him: And the Lord at last did and hath tendered the Hearts of many of our Prosecutors both in England and other Places; and therefore in the Spirit and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is good to be faithful; who is God all sufficient to support and supply you all in whatever you do, and strengthen you in all Conditions. For if that should get a little Advantage upon you, and get you into Weakness, it would not rest so, but get more upon you. And therefore it is good to stand fast in the Liberty in Christ Jesus, the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, who hath made you free out of the Snares, and Bondage, and Limitations of the Wills of the Sons of Old Adam. And whereas some of the Magistrates have alleged, That Christ departed out of the Coasts of the Gadarenes upon their Request, after he had cast the Devils out of the possessed Men, and they entered into their Swine, and run into the Sea. This Argument is of no weight, for you to go out of their Coasts or City, who are settled Citizens, and have Wives and Families; for Christ went up and down from Place to Place and preached; as he said, The Son of Man hath not where to lay his Head, though the subtle Foxes had Holes, and the high-flown Fowls had their Nests. And would they take it kindly themselves, if the King of Poland, their Protector, who is of a contrary Profession, should use the same Argument to them, and say, Be gone, or else do not meet at your great Public Places of Worship, but meet in small Companies, or else to departed out of these Coasts, as Christ did out of the Coasts of the Gadarenes. And, if ye do not, than you are disobedient to Christ's Example; as they do apply it upon you. And so, let them weigh the Matter and their Argument with the just Law of God to do unto you, as they would be done unto themselves. And now, Dear Friends, I desire, however, that you walk wisely, To walk wisely before all. and gently, and lovingly, and meekly, and soberly to all the Magistrates, and all People, that they may have no just Occasion in any thing against you: For the Good must overcome the Bad, as the Apostle says, Overcome Evil with Good, and dwell in that Love that can bear all things, and endure all things: And nothing can separate you from this Love which you have in God through Jesus Christ: In this Love build up and edify one another, that by it you may answer the Good in all People, and spread his Truth abroad, and be valiant for that upon Earth. So in his Holy peaceable Truth, and his Seed Christ Jesus, in which all Nations are blest, God Almighty preserve and keep you to his Glory. Amen. And now, Dear Friends, To take beed lest Flattery prevail more than Cruelty. you that have stood such hard and cruel Sufferings so long, for the Lord's Name and Truth, and could not be overcome by Cruelty, take heed now lest you be overcome by fair Words and Flattery; for in that there is a greater Danger. G. F. An Epistle to Friends, against Pride, Haughtiness, and the vain Customs and Fashions of the World. FRiends, Epist. 397. Here you may see, how the holy Men of God testify against Pride, Against Pride, Haughtiness, etc. Haughtiness, High-mindedness, and the abominable Customs and Fashions, and the ungodly Lusts of the World, which is not of the Father, but of the World. And how Man and Woman came into these things by forsaking the Lord, and so falling from his Image. And how Christ renews them up into the Image of God again, to serve him in Humility. And all that are in the Image of God are of one Mind. To all Friends and Brethren every where. Peace from God and the Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied in you, who by his Grace, Light and Spirit, are turned towards the Lord, to receive it from him; and that by it you may grow up in the Lord Jesus Christ, out of the World's Nature and Spirit. For Christ said unto his Believers and followers, Ye are not of the World, even as I am not of the World. I have given them thy Word, and the World hath hated them, because they are not of the World. And therefore, as the Apostle saith, love not the World, nor the things of the World, for the love of the World is Enmity to God. And in the beginning God created Man in his own Image: So in the likeness of God created he him; Male and Female created he them, and God blessed them. And in this state God set them, above all things that he had made. But, after Man and Woman had transgressed the Command of God, they sewed Figg-leaves together to make them Aprons; for their Eyes were opened, and they came to see their Shame. By their Transgression, and by transgressing the Command of God, the spiritual Eye came to be shut, and Man and Woman came to fall from the Image of God. And so, after Man and Woman had transgressed the Command of God, and fallen from his Image, the Lord God made Coats of Skins to them withal. So, you may see, That the first Covering which Adam and Eve made after Transgression, was made of Figg-leaves; and the natural Sun would soon scorch and dry them to Powder: But those that the Lord made them, was of Skins. So the transgression of the Command of God came, when the Ear went out after the Serpent, Sin the cause of Shame, and Shame the cause of Covering. and the Eye went after the Fruit of the Tree, which God forbidden them to Eat of. So here they came to see their outward Shame and Nakedness; who had fallen from the Image of God that covered them; and therefore they went to cover the outward Shame. And now Man and Woman in the Fall, is taking thought what they shall eat and drink, and what they shall put on: And this is come upon them by forsaking the Lord's Teaching, and following the Serpents. And doth not John say, Love not the World, neither the things that are in the World. If any Man love the World, the love of the Father is not in him. And farther saith, For all that is in the World, the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life; this is not of the Father, but of the World; and the World passeth away, and the Lust thereof. Now, all may see, what Man and Woman is fallen into, by transgressing the Command of God; and therefore it is not good for any to live in that which will pass away, and is not of the Father, but of the World. And you may see how Pride is cried against throughout the Scriptures of Truth. And they that fear the Lord, do hate Evil, The evil Consequences of Pride. Pride and Arrogancy: By Pride cometh Contention, and a Man's Pride shall bring him low; but Honour upholds the Humble in Spirit, Prov. 29.23. For when Pride cometh, then cometh Shame; and Pride goeth before Destruction, and an haughty Mind before a fall; but with the lowly is Wisdom, Prov. 11.2. and 16.18. And better it is to be of an humble Spirit with the lowly, than to divide the Spoil with the proud. And Isaiah saith, The Lord of Host hath purposed to slain the Pride of all Glory, and to bring into contempt all the Honourable of the Earth, Isa. 23.9. And therefore love not that which God will slain. The Lord saith, He will spread forth his Hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth, and he will bring down their Pride, Isa. 25.11. And therefore it is good to keep it down in every one. And the Lord cries, Woe to the Crown of Pride, whose glorious Beauty is a fading Flower; and when the Crown of Pride is trodden under Foot, the Lord of Host shall be for a Crown of Glory, Isa. 28.1, 5. And the Lord saith, He will mar the Pride of Judah, and the great Pride of Jerusalem, Jer. 13.9. And doth not Jeremiah say, Because of the Pride of Moab, he was so exceeding Proud, his Loftiness, his Arrogancy, and the Haughtiness of his Heart brought him unto Derision, Jer. 48.26, 29. And therefore it is good to keep in the Humility: For Pride is that which deceives the Heart, and brings the Judgements of God, Jer. 49.16. And therefore take heed, let not Pride bud, lest the Rod blosom, Ezekiel 7. to verse 11. And the Children of Israel, they were grown in Pride and fullness of Bread, like Sodom, when they transgressed against the Lord, like their Father Adam. And therefore let them that profess themselves Christians take heed, lest they be found in the same steps. And see in Ezekiel 16.49. what became of Sodom, and the Children of Israel. And when Nabuchadnezzar confessed the Kingdom of God, and Praised, and Extolled, and Honoured the King of Heaven, and said, All his Works are Truth, and his Ways Judgements; and those that walk in Pride. God is able to abase, Dan. 4.34, etc. And Hosea saith, The Pride of Israel doth testify to his Face; and therefore Israel and Ephraim shall fall in their Iniquity: And Judah shall fall with them, Hos. 5.5. And therefore you may see, and take heed of Pride, for it is the cause of Man and Woman's fall. And in Hosea 7. you may see that Pride hath hindered Man from seeking after the Lord, and turning to him. And you may see Edom's Destruction was for his Pride, Obad. 1. And you may see the Judgements that came upon the Philistines, and Moab, and Ammon, and Ashur for their Pride, Zeph. 2. And in Zachariah 10 and 11 Chapters, Judgements of God because of Pride. doth not Lord say, The Pride of Jordan shall be spoiled, and the Pride of Asyria shall be brought down; and there shall be a Voice of Howling of the Shepherds, for their Glory is spoiled. And Christ saith in Mark, Pride is one of those Evils that cometh out of the Heart, and defiles the Man; so take heed of that which defiles. And as John saith, The Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life; this is not of the Father, but of the World; all this must be kept down in Christians. And David saith, The wicked in his Pride doth persecute the Poor; but are they not taken in their Devices that they have imagined, Psal. 10.2. Again David saith, The Lord hide them that feared him, in the secret of his Presence, from the Pride of Man, and kept them secretly in a Pavilion, from the strife of Tongues, Psal. 31.20. And also David saith, That Pride compasseth the wicked as a Chain, etc. and they speak loftily; and they set their Mouths against Heaven; but the Lord casts down such to Destruction, and saves the Righteous that fears him. And so you may see how Pride was testified against by Christ and his Prophets, and the holy Men of God, both in the Old and New Testament, since Man and Woman fell from the Image of God; and therefore all is to fear the Lord, and learn of Christ Jesus, who is meek and low in Heart. For it is said, That Josiah's Heart was tender, and he humbled himself before the Lord, 2 Chron. 34.33. And if my People, The effects of true Humility. which are called by my Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my Face, and turn from their wicked Ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and forgive them their Sins, and heal the Land; and mine Eyes shall be opened, and mine Ear attentive to their Prayer; this is the Comfort of the humble, 2 Chron. 7.12. And David saith, The Lord forgets not the cry of the humble, Psal. 9.12. Again David saith, Arise O Lord, lift up thy Hand, forget not the humble: Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their Hearts, and wilt cause thine Ear to hear, Psal. 10.12, 17. And the Lord, who Inhabits Eternity, whose Name is Holy, saith, I dwell in the High and Holy Places: And also with him that is of a contrite and humble Spirit; to revive the Spirit of the Humble, and to revive the Hearts of the Contrite Ones, Isa. 57.15. Here is Joy and Comfort to the Humble. And James saith, God gives Grace to the Humble, but he resisteth the Proud, James 4.6. Humble yourselves therefore under the Mighty Hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; and be clothed with Humility, 1 Pet. 5.6. So you may see how God resisteth the Proud, and dwells with the Humble, as is testified, both in the Old Testament and the New. And Christ saith, Whosoever shall humble himself as this little Child, the same shall be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. So here you may see Christ, and the Prophets, and the Apostles taught Humility, and judged Pride. And again Christ saith, He that humbleth himself shall be exalted, and he that exalteth himself shall be abased, Luke 14.11. and 18.14. And therefore learn of christ, who is meek and low in Heart: For he rules in the Hearts of the Humble, who is King, Priest and Prophet, and a Shepherd to feed them, and a Bishop to oversee them, and an Everlasting Father, who begets Man and Woman up into the Image of God, and an Everlasting Prince of Peace. And so all that are in true Humility, are the true Subjects of Christ; and all the Children of Pride are subject to the Prince of the Air, the God of the World, who is the King of Pride, in whom there is no Truth. Now concerning vain Fashions, Deckings and Customs, etc. THE Lord forbids his People, by Jeremiah, to follow them, Not to follow the People in their Customs, etc. nor to learn the way of the Heathen, for the Customs of the People were vain, and they did not only deck themselves, but they also decked their Images and Idols; and God's People were not to be dismayed at the Signs of Heaven, in the Old Covenant; for the Heathen was dismayed at them; much less in the New Covenant should the true Christians not be dismayed at them, Jer. 10.2, etc. And again, doth not Jeremiah cry against the Paintings and Deckings of Judah? And though Judah rend her Face with painting, yet her Lovers would despise her. And this was when they forsook God, and followed other Lovers; and therefore God's Anger was against them in the Old Covenant; much more in the New, Jer. 4.30. And it is true, God did deck the Jews in the Old Covenant with outward things; but when they played the Harlot with them, and decked their Images with them, the Lord's Anger was against them, as in Ezekiel 16.15, 16. And Hosea cries out against the Jews decking of themselves with Earrings and Jewels, and going after other Lovers, and forgetting the Lord, Hosea 2.13. And you may see the attire of the Harlot, and the subtlety of her Heart, how she decks herself, and decks her Bed, and deceives a young Man among the Youth, Prov. 7. And therefore let all that profess themselves Christians take heed of such deckers. And you may see how the Lord sent Isaiah to cry against their Haughtiness, and stretched out Necks, and wanton Eyes, and Tincklings, Pride and Haughtiness. and Mincing, and their round Tires like the Moon, and their Chains, and Braclets, and their Rings, and Nose-Jewels, and other vain Ornaments; and told them, They should be, desolate, for the spoil of the Poor was in their Houses, Isa. 3.16. Now if such things was testified against in the Old Covenant, then surely much more in the New. And in Revelation 17 & 18 Chapters, you may see how the Whore decked herself, who drank the Blood of the Martyrs; but at her fall God's People sung Hallelujah. And in Levit. 18. The Lord commanded the Jews in the Old Covenant, Not to defile themselves with the Customs of the Heathen; so much more they should not do it in the New Covenant. And the Apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthians, to use this World, and not abuse it; for the Fashion of this World passeth away. And Peter exhorts the Saints, Not to fashion themselves according to their former Lusts, in their ignorance; but as Christ, who had called them was Holy, so be ye Holy in all manner of Conversation, 1 Pet. 1, 14. So see what a Care the Apostle had, lest that they should go into their former Lusts of Ignorance. And the Apostle Paul tells the Philippians, Their Conversations was in Heaven, from whence we look for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile Bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body, Philip. 3.21. This is the fashion that all true Christians is to look at. Now concerning wearing and putting on of Apparel. Isaiah testifieth against the vanity in the Apparel, Vanity in the Apparel. and the changeable Suits among the Jews, Isaiah 3. And what became of Tyrus, with all his broidered Works, and Chests of Rich Apparel, did not the Lord bring them down in their Pride, Ezek. 27.24. And did not Zephaniah say, The Lord would punish all such as were clothed with strange Apparel? Zeph. 1.8. But first they were clothed Inwardly in Transgression before they clothed Outwardly with the strange Apparel. And what became of Dives, with all his Sumptuousness and Bravery, who despised poor Lazarus? And also Herod: And are not People's Eyes gazing more after fine Apparel than after the Image of God, Luke 16.19. and Acts 12.21. And you may see that the first Apparel that Adam made after Transgression was of Figg Leaves, and then God made them Coats of Skins: But now People are so far degenerated from that, and have gotten so far into the Lusts of the Flesh, the Lusts of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, that they know not what to put on. And their Life is below the Lilies, and the Fowls of the Air, as Christ saith, The Fowls of the Air do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into Barnes: And the Lilies they toil not, neither do they spin; but the heavenly Father feeds and cloaths them. And Christ also saith (speaking to People) That ye are much better than the Fowls of the Air, or the Lilies: And therefore take ye no thought what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, or wherewith ye shall be clothed; for after these things the Gentiles do seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of all these things; but first seek ye the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Righteousness thereof, and all these things shall be added unto you, as in Matth. 6. Here you may see how Christ is restoring People up into the Image of God, out of the Thoughts and Cares of the Heathen; for God took care of Man and Woman before he made them. And the Apostle exhorted Timothy, how the Women should adorn themselves with modest Apparel, Modest Apparel, etc. and with Shamefulness and Sobriety, and not with broidered or plaiting the Hair, or Gold, Pearls, or Costly Array, but with that which becomes Women professing Godliness, with good Works, 1 Tim. 2. mark this every one. And James, he reproves and and exhorts such, whose Eye and Esteem was to the Gold Ring, and goodly Apparel, more than the poor in vile Raiment, and tells them, They were not to hold the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect to Persons; much more not with gay Clothing or Apparel, James 2.1. And Peter, in 1 Pet. 3. exhorts the Saints how to adorn themselves: The Adorning of the Holy Women. Whose Adorning, let it not be the outward Adorning, of plaiting the Hair, or wearing of Gold, and putting on of Apparel. But let it be the hidden Man of the Heart, in that which is not corruptible; even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit: Which is in the sight of God of great Price. For after this manner, in old Times, the holy Women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves. And this aught to be the Adorning now in the New Covenant. And though you may say, The Jews or Hebrews adorned themselves with Jewels, and they did adorn the Temple, etc. But in the New Covenant these things were forbidden: And they were to adorn the Temple of the Heart, and not to defile that, and to know the hidden Man of the Heart, which is not corruptible. And therefore look into all your Hearts, and see if you can find any thing there, which is not corruptible, and to put off the old Man with his Deeds; with the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life; which is not of the Father, but of the World. And this old Man delights in the glory of the World, which must be put off. And all Christians in the New Covenant must put on the New Man, that is renewed in Knowledge, after the Image of God that created him, which walks and serves God in the New and Living Way; who is born again, not of corruptible Seed, but of incorruptible Seed, by the Word of God; and feed upon the incorruptible Milk, and Wine, and Water, and Bread, and the incorruptible Flesh and Blood of Christ, and wears the fine Linen, the Righteousness of Christ, the incorruptible Clothing. And this is the Birth born of the Spirit, that enters into the incorruptible Kingdom of God, as in John 3.5. and in 1 Pet. 1.23. And the Apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesians in Chapter 4.22. To put off out vain Conversation. To put off their former Conversation, the old Man, which is corruptible, according to the deceitful Lusts; and be renewed in the Spirit of your Minds; that is out of the Fall of Adam. And that ye put on the New Man, which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness. So here Man comes to know his first Creation, and his Degeneration; so always to see the New Man put on, which is in Righteousness, and Holiness; and the old Man put off, with all his vain Deckings, Trim, and Cloathings, which is not acceptable both in the sight of God and his People. And so all in the New Covenant are to be conformable to the Image of God, Rom. 8.2. For all hath been conformed long enough to the Image of Satan. And the Apostle saith, We all behold with open face, as in a Glass, the Glory of the Lord; and are changed into the same image from Glory to Glory; even as by the same Spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor. 3.10. So every one are to mind this happy and blessed Change. And the Apostle saith, Put on the Lord Jesus, and make no provision for the Flesh, to fulfil the Lust thereof, Rom. 13.14. And as every one hath received the Lord Jesus, so walk in him, and then you will put off the Old Adam, and his Deeds in Transgression; and not walk in him, but walk in Christ that never sinned, nor was guilt found in his Mouth. And if any Man be in Christ, he is a new Creature: Old things passeth away, and all things become new, 2 Cor. 5.17. Therefore the Apostle exhorts the Colosians, Chap. 2.8. That they were not to follow the Rudiments of the World, for they were not after Christ. And so People are not to follow the World's Rudiments, but Christ. And you may see, how the Children of Israel, that came out of Egypt, Not to Lust and tempt God, as Israel did. and the mixed Multitude, lusted after the fleshpots of Egypt. And the Lord smote them with a grievous Plague, Numb. 11. And David saith, They tempted God in their Hearts, by ask Meat for their Lust, Psam 78.18. And again David saith, They lusted exceedingly in the Wilderness, and tempted God in the Desert. And he gave them their Request, but sent leanness into their Souls, Psalm 106.14, 15. And therefore in the New Covenant the Apostle saith, These things were for our Examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things; as they also lusted 1 Cor. 10.11. And Solomon exhorts to keep from the evil Woman, from the flattery of the Tongue of a strange Woman. Lust not after her Beauty in thy Heart, neither let her take thee with her Eyelids. For by means of a whorish Woman, a Man is brought to a piece of Bread: And the Adulterous will hunt for thy precious Life, Prov. 6.26. And Christ not only forbids Adultery, but Lust also, Matth. 5. And again Christ saith, The Cares of the World, and the Love of other things chokes the Word, and it becomes unfruitful to them, Mark 4.19. And you may see what became of such, as the Apostle speaks of in Rom. 1.21. Who when they knew God, they glorified him not, as God; neither were thankful: How at last God gave them up, when they forsook him, through the Lust of their Hearts. And there you may see what Evils they run into. And also you may see in Judas 16.18. How he declares against Murderers, and Complainers, and Mockers, who walked after their ungodly Lusts. And in 1 Pet. 2.11. there the Apostle Peter saith, Dear beloved, I beseech you as Strangers and Pilgrims, abstain from fleshly Lusts, which war against the Soul. And James saith, Wars and Fightings came from the Lusts. War and Fightings came from the Lusts, that warred in their Members. And such asked, but received not, because they asked amiss, that they might consume it upon their Lusts. Therefore, saith he, know ye not that the friendship of this World is Enmity to God: Whosoever therefore will be a Friend to the World, is an Enemy to God, James 4.1. And Paul saith, That the Grace of God, which brings Salvation, hath appeared unto all Men. Teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly Lusts: That we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present World. Which is the Duty of every true Christian, that to deny, and so to live, Tit. 2.11. And therefore the Apostle exhorts Timothy, to fly Youthful Lusts, and to follow Righteousness, Faith and Charity, and Peace with all them that call on the Name of the Lord out of a pure Heart. And such Teachers who had the Form of Godliness, but deny the Power which the Saints were to turn away from; those were them that led silly People Captive, laden with Sin and divers Lusts, 2 Tim. 2.22. and 3.5. And such as could not abide sound Doctrine, but after their own Lusts, shall heap to themselves Teachers, having Itching Ears; they turn away their Ears from the Truth and Grace that comes by Jesus Christ (which should teach them to bring their Salvation) and from the Spirit of God, which they should walk in, To walk in the Spirit. as the Apostle saith, If ye walk in the Spirit (mark, in the Spirit) ye shall not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh, Gal. 5.16. And the Apostle further saith, That every one of you should know how to possess his Vessel in Sanctification and Honour, and not in the Lusts of Concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God, 1 Thess. 4.4. If a Man purge himself from these things, he shall be a Vessel unto honour, and sanctified, and meet for his Master's use, and prepared for every good work, 2 Tim. 2.21. But they that will be rich, fall into Temptations and Snares, and into many foolish hurtful Lusts, which drowns Men in Destruction and Perdition. But the Man of God is to fly these things, and follow after Righteousness, Godliness, Faith, Love Patience and Meekness, 1 Tim. 6.11. And they that are Christ's, have crucified the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts, Gal. 5.24. And Haughtiness and High-mindedness was forbidden both by God and his People. And David saith, The afflicted People the Lord will save. And his Eyes are upon the haughty, to bring them down, 2 Sam. 22.28. And David said, Lord my Heart is not haughty, nor mine Eyes lofty; and my Soul is like a weaned Child, Psalm 131.2. Then he was fit for the Kingdom God. And again David saith, God will save his afflicted People, but will bring down high looks, Psalms 18.27. And Solomon saith, Before Destruction, the Heart of Man is haughty; and before Honour, is Humility, Prov. 18.21. And Isaiah declared against the Haughtiness of the Daughters of Zion, Isaiah 3. And how the haughty People of the Earth do languish, because they had transgressed God's Laws, and changed his Ordinances. And doth not the Lord say by Isaiah, Chap. 16.6. The Pride of Moab. That Moab should howl for his Pride and Haughtiness? And I will punish the World for their Evil, and the Wicked for their Iniquity. And I will cause the Arrogancy of the Proud to cease. And I will lay low the Haughtiness of the Terrible. The lofty looks of Man shall be brought low, and the Haughtiness of Men shall be bowed down; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that Day. And this is a good Day; for the Day of the Lord of Hosts, shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up, and he shall be brought low, Isaiah 2.3. & 10.24. And Ezekiel saith, That the Children of Israel was haughty, and like Sodom, and committed abominations before the Lord, and he took them away, Ezek. 16.46. And Zephaniah saith, Thou shalt be no more haughty, Zeph. 3.11. Neither shall ye go haughtily, Mic. 23.1. And therefore all are to learn Humility, that they may exalt the Lord their Maker. And the Apostle exhorted the Romans, Not to be highminded, but fear; for they stood by Faith, Rom. 11.20. And the Apostle exhorted Timothy, to charge those that were Rich in this World, The Rich not to be highminded. That they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain Riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy, 1 Tim. 6.17. And the Apostle again tells Timothy, That the heady highminded are lovers of Pleasure more than lovers of God. And daily Experience shows; as you may see at large the Fruits of such, 2 Tim. 3.4. And therefore all those things the Faithful are to shun, and to be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly Love, and in Honour preferring one another, Rom. 12.10. And the Apostle exhorts the Corinthians, to be perfectly joined together, in the same Mind, and in the same Judgement; that they might all speak the same thing: So that there may be no Division among them, 1 Cor. 1. And again, To be of one Mind, and to live in Peace. in 2 Cor. 13.11. The Apostle saith, Be Perfect, be of good Comfort, be of one Mind, live in Peace. And the God of Love and Peace shall be with you. For by one Spirit we are all baptised into one Body, whether Jews or Gentiles, Bond or Free: And have been all made to drink into one Spirit, and the Spirit of the Prophets, are subject to the Prophets. For God is not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace, 1 Cor. 12.13. & 14.32, 33. And the Apostle writes to the Philippians, That they should be of one Accord, and of one Mind; and said, Let nothing be done in strife, or vainglory, but in lowliness of Mind, etc. Phil. 23. And the Apostle saith to the Romans, Be of one Mind towards one another, and not mind high things, and to be wise in their own Conceits, but condescend to Men of low estate, Rom. 12.16. And the God of Patience and Consolation grant you to be like minded all towards one another, according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind, and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God, Rom. 15.5, 6, 7. For God hath given to his People the Spirit of Power, and of Love, and a sound Mind, 2 Tim. 17. And Peter in his first General Epistle, Chap. 3. ver. 8. saith, Be ye all of one Mind, and have Compassion one of another, love as Brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. And the Apostle Paul saith, in Acts 20.19. how he served the Lord in all humility of Mind. And it is a Mark of Christ's Disciples (as he saith) if they love one another, and love Enemies. And so all that are Believers in him, are to love one another as he hath loved us, who hath laid down his Life for us. And therefore all are to deny themselves; yea, and to offer all up for him. And whatsoever you do, do it in the Name of Jesus, to the Praise and Glory of God. G. F. POSTSCRIPT. A Testimony out of the Old Testament and New, of the Lord sending his Prophets to declare his Judgements against the Disobedience and Pride of the Jews; and how his Judgements were fulfilled upon them that did not Repent; and how the Apostle did admonish and reprove such as went into Pride and the Fashions of the World. THE Lord saith, Because the Daughters of Zion are Haughty, The Pride of the Daughters of Zion. and walk with stretched forth Necks and wanton Eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their Feet; therefore the Lord will smite with a Scab the Crown of the Head of the Daughters of Zion; and the Lord will discover their secret Parts; in that Day the Lord will take away the Bravery of their Tinkling Ornaments about their Feet, and their Cauls, and their Round Tires, like the Moon, the Chains (mark the Chains) and the Bracelets, and the Mufflers, the Bonnets, and the Ornaments of the Legs, and the Head-bands, and the Tablets, and the Earrings, the Rings, and Nose-Jewels, the Changeable Suits of Apparel, and the Mantles, and the Wimbles, and the Crisping-pins, and Glasses, and the fine Linen, and the Hoods, and the Vails. And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell, there shall be a stink; and instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty: Thy Men shall fall by the Sword, and thy Mighty in the War; and her Gates shall lament and mourn, and she being desolate shall sit on the Ground, Isa. 3.16, to the end. And you may read in 2 Kings 17. how that the Children of Israel were carried into Captivity in Assyria; for the King of Assyria besieged Samaria, and after three Years Besieging, he took it and carrried away the Ten Tribes of the Children of Israel into the Land of Assyria. And Isaiah, according to the Word of the Lord, went to the Prophetess, and she conceived and bore a Son, etc. And the Lord said, Before the Child should have the Knowledge to cry, My Father and my Mother, the Riches of Damascus, and the Spoil of Samaria shall be taken away by the King of Assyria, Isa. 8.3, 4. Now here you may see what a Destruction came upon Samaria and the Jews, because of their Rebellion and Disobedience, The Ten Tribes punished for their Pride. and their Haughtiness and Pride, as Isaiah cried against in Chap. 3. And then what became of all their Haughtiness and Pride, and their Mincing, and their Tinkling with their Feet, and their Chains, and Bracelets, and Jewels, and Round Attire, with their Glasses, and Hoods, and Veils, when they were driven away by Droves, by the King of Assyria, into Captivity, into Assyria, out of their own Land, Houses and Cities? Then Isaiah 's Prophecy was fulfilled upon those Haughty and Proud Jews: And did not Nabuchadnezzar afterwards carry away the two Tribes, and destroy Jerusalem, because of their Disobedience, Rebellion, Haughtiness and Pride, who would not regard the Lord nor his Prophets; therefore the Lord suffered them to be led away Prisoners, out of their own Houses, Cities and Land, into Babylon, so stripped them of their Pride, And the Two Tribes also. and caused them to be carried away into strange Countries; so, was not the Prophet's Prophecy fulfilled upon them? The Lord saith, Behold the Day cometh that shall burn as an Oven, and all the Proud, yea, all that do Wickedly, shall be as Stubble; and the Day that cometh shall burn them up, The proud as Stubble. saith the Lork of Host, that it shall leave them neither Root nor Branch: But unto them that fear my Name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings, and ye shall go forth, and grow up as Calves in the Stall, Mal. 4.1, 2. Therefore it is good for all to keep out of Pride and Wickedness, in Humility, lest they be burnt up. And the Apostle commanded, That Women adorn themselves in modest Apparel, with Shamefacedness and Sobriety, not with Broidered Hair, or Gold, or Pearls, or Costly Array, but that which becometh Women professing Godliness, with good Works, I tim. 2.9, 10. And likewise Peter in his General Epistle, saith to the Women, Whose Adorning, let it not be that outward Adorning, of plaiting the Hair, and of wearing of Gold, or of putting on of Apparel; but let it be the hidden Man of the Heart, in that which is not Corruptible, even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price: For after this manner in the old time, the holy Women, who trusted in God, adorned rhemselves, being in subjection unto their own Husbands, 1 Pet. 3.3, 4, 5. Here you may see both the Prophets and Apostles declared against the Pride and Haughtiness of People, both in the Old and New Testament. And the Apostle John saith in his first General Epistle to the Church of Christ, Love not the World. Love not the World, neither the things that are in the World; if any one love the World, the love of the Father is not in him; for all that is in the World, the lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, is not of the Father, but is of the World; and the World passeth away, and the Lust thereof; but he that doth the Will of God, abideth for ever, 1 John 2.2, 15, 16, 47. Now here you may see an express Command to the true Christians (the Church of Christ) against the Love of the World, and the Things of the World, and the Lust of the Eye, and the Lust of the Flesh, and the Pride of Life; and they that love the World, the love of the Father is not in them; and how that the World passeth away, and the Lust thereof; and therefore love not the Lust of the Eye, the Lust of the Flesh, and the Pride of Life, which is not of the Father. And do not most of Christendom say the Lord's Prayer, Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name, etc. and you that live in the Lust of the Flesh, and the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of your Life, which is not of the Father which is in Heaver, but of the World that passeth away, and the Lust thereof. And is it not said, The Devil is the king of Pride? And therefore do not do his Lusts; but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever: And therefore consider when you say, Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be the Name, etc. when you live in those things which are not of the Father which is in Heaven, and daily obey and love the Lust of your Eye, the Lust of your Flesh, and the Pride of your Life, which is not of the Father, but of the World. And the Apostle John tells you, He that toves the World, the love of the Father is not in him. G. F. An Epistle to all the Prisoners, and Sufferers for the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Worship. The Word of God is not bound, 2. Tim. 2.9. Dear Friends, in the Seed of Life that is over all, Epist. 398. whom the Lord doth support, and hath supported by his Eternal Arm and Power, to stand for his Glory; be valiant for his Truth and his Name upon the Earth, who is God All-sufficient and Almighty, over all to support you all, and to supply you with all things needful. Now dear Friends, it is not only given you to believe in the Name of Christ, but also to suffer for his Name sake; so you see and know, To suffer for Christ is the Gift of God, as well as Faith. 'tis a Gift given you to believe, and a Gift to suffer for Christ's sake, and his Righteousness; but however, as Christ saith, Be ye wise as Serpents, and harmless as Doves; for Christ's Believers are as Sheep or Lambs among Wolves, he hath declared that they shall be brought before Counsels, and before Rulers, for his Name sake: But Christ bids his Disciples, Take no Thought what they shall speak, for it shall be given you in that same Hour what ye shall speak: for it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you; and this Spirit of the Father is sufficient to trust to, for it shall answer all, if they have Ears to hear, and comfort his People, his Lambs and Sheep. And Christ further said, speaking to his Disciples, Ye shall be hated of all Men for my Name sake; but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved; and he that heareth you (to wit, Christ's Sheep) heareth me, saith Christ; and he that despiseth you despiseth me (namely Christ) and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me, to wit, the Father, Matth. 10. Luke 10. And the Disciple is not above his Master, nor the Servant above his Lord; for Christ the Lord and Master of the Sheep was despised; so it is enough for the Desciple that he be as his Master, The Desciple is not above his Master. and the Servant as his Lord; for if they call the Master of the House (namely Christ) Belzebub, how much more shall they call them of his Household? But the very Hairs of your Head are all numbered: Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many Sparrows, and not one of them shall fall to the Ground without the heavenly Father. See here Christ encourages his Lambs and Sheep; therefore stand in his Will. And if the Lord suffer you (who are his Lambs, and Sheep, and are as Doves and Chickens, that Christ hath gathered under his Wings, and none are able to pluck you out of his Hands (his Power) who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him; and now if it be the Will of the Lord to try you, his Lambs and Sheep, by spoiling of your outward Goods, as he did his Servant Job, and others of his Servants and Children, in the days of the Apostles, who took joyfully the spoiling of their Goods; and Moses by Faith chose rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin, which are but for a season; esteeming the Reproaches of Christ greater Riches than all the Treasures of Egypt; for he had an Eye to the Recompense of Reward; as in Heb. 11. And therefore consider how Noah, Lot, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, by Faith served the Lord, and went through Sufferings and Trials; and Jeremiah, and the rest of the Prophets, through Faith went through great Sufferings and Imprisonments; and Daniel, and the Three Children, passed through great Sufferings and Trials by Faith; so Faith was their Victory, which was the Gife of God, which Christ is the Author and Finisher of; and you read in the Days of the Apostles, what Sufferings and Imprisonments they were carried through by Faith; and since the Apostles Days, how all the Martyrs were carried through great Sufferings and Imprisonments by their Faith, which was their Victory; in which Faith they pleased God, and had Victory over the Devil; and in which Faith they were all in Unity. Now dear Friends and Brethren, if it doth please the Lord to try you, who are the Believers in the Light, and Children of the Light and the Day of Christ: I say again, if it please the Lord, and it be his Will, to try you in stinking Prisons and Dungeons, Bride-wells, Houses of Correction, and suffer you to be put in such places, who are his Sheep and Lambs, The Lord can Sanctify all our Sufferings to us and make them pleasant. Plants and Branches; I say, the Lord can sanctify all such places for his People, his Children, his Sons and Daughters, and make all pleasant to them: For his Sheep and People cannot go any where from the Lord, for the Lord and his Presence is with them, and the Angel of his Presence saves them; and therefore such Goals and Dungeons, bridewells, Houses of Correction, which are for evil Doers, if the Lord do try, or suffer his People to be put in such places, yet his People are all in the Hand, and under the Wings of Christ, and he can sanctify all such places to them; and you, in that State, are to pray for the Enemies that put you there; and if they curse and hate you, you are to bless them, and to do good unto them, and you are to pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you, and love your Enemies, that you may be Children of your Father which is in Heaven; for he maketh the Sun to shine on the Evil and on the Good, and causeth his Rain to fall on the Just and on the . And the Apostle saith to the Believers, Try all things, hold fast that which is good; so you holding fast that which is good, with that you cna try all things, whether they be good or bad; and be not overcome with Evil, but overcome Evil with Good; To over come Evil with Good. This is the Command. So it is the Good that must overcome the Evil; and what hath the Children of God to overcome the Evil withal, but the Good? Therefore, than all must hold fast that which is Good, if that with the Good they overcome the Evil, and can try all things; but when any do go from the Good in themselves, than they are not like with it to ovecome the Evil, nor with it try all things, without holding fast that which is Good; for without it you cannot try all things, nor overcome the Evil, except you hold fast that which is Good, which was before the Dad was, or Evil either; for by the Good, Evil is overcome, and with it you can try all things, whether they are Good or Bad; and a good Man; David saith, He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his Righteousness endureth for ever; his Horn shall be exalted with honour. They that choose the things that please the Lord, and keep his Covenant, even them will I give a Name in my House, and within my Walls, a Place and a Name, better than of Sons and Daughters, saith the Lord, and I will give them an everlasting Name, which shall not be cut off, Isa. 56. So you may see how the Lord doth encourage his People to walk in the Truth, in Faithfulness to him; for the Lord hath loved his People with an everlasting Love; therefore with lovingkindness hath he, and doth he draw them unto himself, to serve and worship him, Jer. 31. And Christ saith, He that believeth on him hath everlasting Life. Mark, hath it, as in John. And again Christ saith, He that drinketh of the Water that I give, shall never thirst; but the Water that I shall give, shall be in him as a well of Water springing up to Eternal Life. So every one mind this Well in you, who have drank of the Water which Christ hath given you. And the Apostle saith, God will punist them who disobey the Gospel. God will punish them that disobey his Gospel with an everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the Glory of his power, 2 Thess. 1.9. Here you may see everlasting Destruction to the Wicked, that disobey the Gospel; and everlasting Life, to them that believe and obey the Bospel of Christ. Now they that disobey the Gospel of Christ, refuse their own Comfort and Joy of Life and Salvation; which Gospel is the Power of God, which is preached to every Creature under Heaven to believe and obey; therefore happy are you who have received it, and obeyed it, which brings Life and Immortality to Light in you; that you see over the Enemy which darkened you, and are now become Heirs of this comfortable and joyful Gospel of Life and everlasting Salvation; in which everlasting Gospel you have an everlasting golrious Fellowship; and in this everlasting Gospel, you can praise the everlasting God, that reigns over all from everlasting to everlasting. And all that are of the Seed and Faith of David can say as David said, Blessed be God from everlasting to everlastin; and let all the People say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord. And further can say, That the Mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, upon all them that fear him and his Righteousness unto the Children of Men, Psalm 103.17. For the Lord God he changeth not, he is the same that he was, who inhabits Eternity, and dwells in the humble Heart; and therefore you humble Ones, fear and serve and worship him. And keep under the Wing of Christ, and in him your Sanctuary and Saviour, who destroys the Destroyer, and is over all the First and Last. Amen. Dear Friends, To show forth the Nature of the Lamb. Who are under Sufferings for the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and for his new and living Way, and his pure undefiled Religion, and his Worship in the Spirit and Truth, that Christ who is from above, and hath all Power in Heaven and Earth, hath set up, for all the followers of the Lamb to walk in his new and living Way, and to keep in his pure undefiled Religion and Worship, in Spirit and in Truth. And now, Dear Friends and Brethren, my desire is, That you may show forth the Nature of the Lamb, and the Virtue and the Life, in which the Nobility of true Chriftianity is seen and manifested in your peaceable, modest and virtuous Behaviour, before the Powers that you are brought before; and that none are to question or take thought what they are to say; for it shall be given you in that same Hour what ye shall speak, saith Christ; Whosoever therefore shall confess me bfeore Men, hism will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven: For with the Heart Man believeth unto righteousness, and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation, Rom. 10.10. And every Tongueshall confess to God, Rom. 14.11. And again, the Apostle saith, That every Tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father, Philip. 2.10. So we cannot but confess and declare what our Eyes have seen, Every Tongue shall confess to Christ. and our Ears have heard, and our Hands have handled of the Word of Life Christ Jesus, by whom all things were made and created. And Christ and his Disciples, who often met on Mountains, and in the Wilderness, and on the Seaside, and in Ships, and sometimes in Houses. We do not read, that the Jews and Priests called Christ and his Apostles Meetings Routs or Riots, though the Jews and the chief Priests were bad enough against them. For, all Routs and Riots are out of the Spirit of Truth; and so is Misbehaviour of all People; for the Truth is peaceable, and brings People into peaceable Lives and Conversations, out of Routs and Riots, and Misbehaviour; and in Peace they worship God; and they worship God in the Spirit, who is a Spirit, an din this holy pure Spirit is the Unity and Bond of Peace, and is the Bond of good Behaviour, and of holy Walking and Talking, and it is the Bond of peaceable Lives and Conversations of all that worship God in Spirit and Truth, and walk in the New and Living Way, and keep in the pure, holy and undefiled Religion. And so, Dear Friends, be of one Mind, and heart, and Spirit, and God Almighty Arm you with Patience and Humility; who is God All-sufficient, to give you Dominion with his Power, and to support you. And so, with my Love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ. And let your Moderation appear unto all Men; for Wisdom is justified of her Children: And what any one of you doth want, God is All-sufficient to supply you; trust in him, and in fear walk before him. London, the 3d day of the 10th Month, 1684. G. F. POSTSCRIPT. JOhn said, Of evil Spirits. That he saw three unclean Spirits like Frogs, that came out of the Mouth of the Dragon, and out of the Mouth of the Beast, and out of the Mouth of the false Prophet. Mark, they do go out of their Mouths, for they are Serpents and Devils working Miraracles, that goeth out of their Mouths, the foul unclean Spirits which goeth forth unto the Kings of the Earth, and of the whole World. Mark, the whole world to gather together them. (Mark. to gather them) so here they are to be gathered to the Battle of the great day of God Almighty, Rev. 16.13, 14. And Satan the old Serpent shall go out to deceive the Nations, which are in the four Quarters of the Earth, God and Mgog, to gather them together to Battle; the Number of whom is as the Sand of the Sea (so here is a gathering together by the Devil) and they went upon the breadth of the Earth, and compassed the Camp of the Saints about, and the beloved City, and Fire came down from God out of Heaven and devoured them; so these were gathered together by the Devil, the Destroyer, was destroyed by God the Saviour of his People, Rev. 20.8. And the Lord scattered Nimrod, that mighty Hunters gathering, who gathered up People together to build Babel, and confounded them, Gen. 10.11. And Isaiah said, All they Children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the Peace of thy Children; and in Righteousness shall they be established. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me, saith the Lord: And whosoever shall gather together against thee, shall fall for thy sake. No Weapon that is form against thee, shall prosper; No Weapon formed against God's Heritage shall prosper. and every Tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement, thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord, and their Righteousness is of me, saith the Lord, Isai. 54. And Christ Jesus saith, Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them. And the Apostle said to the Jews, speaking of Christ, That there is no Salvation in any other: For there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men, whereby we must be saved, Acts 4.12. but by Christ Jesus. So here is the Saints true Gathering in the Name of Christ Jesus the Second Adam; and none is able to pluck them out of his hand, John 10. For Christ the Seed of the Woman bruises the Serpent's Head, and Christ through Death destroys Death, and the Devil the Power of Death; and so doth reconcile all things, both in Heaven and in the Earth into one. The Devil abode not in the Truth, and so he became a Devil, The Devil not abiding in the Truth became an Enemy. a Destroyer, and a Serpent, and Enemy, and a Satan, and Adversary to the Truth, and to Righteousness, and Holiness, and to Man and Woman, that God made in his Image, in Righteousness and Holiness, so he became an Enemy, and Adversary, and Destroyer, who is out of the Truth, and abode not in it, in whom there is no Truth, and so is called the Old Serpent, and Satan, and Devil, Tempter, and false Accuser; and Christ through Death destroys Death and the Devil, the Power of Death. And when the Jews went from the Truth, they became Enemies and Adversaries to it, and Destroyer's of the Righteous, and the Just; yea, they were Adversaries, and Accusers, and Enemies to the Prophets, and Christ Jesus, and Apostles; and Christ called the Jews, Vipers and Serpents, and said to them that made a Profession of the Scriptures of the Old Testament, but were gone from the Truth of them, that they were of their Father the Devil, and his Works and Lusts they would do. And here the Jews that went out of the Truth, did not they become as Serpents, Enemies, Satan's, Adversaries, and Judas', Betrayers, and of the Devil, Destroyer's of the Just? And when they which are called Christians became haters of the Light, and Walkers despitefully against the Spirit of Grace, Despisers of the Word in their Hearts, and erred from the Truth and the true Faith, and professed the Form of Godliness, but denied the Power thereof, and so denied the Spirit ot true Christianity: These became as Serpents, Enemies, Satan, Adversaries to true Christianity, and of the Devil, that seek to destroy it, and Judas', Betrayers of it, and of the Righteous and the Just, wherever it appeared to the unjust: And this hath been the Work of that Spirit, that did not abide in the Truth in all Ages, to be as Enemies, Adversaries and Judas', Betrayers, who seek to deftroy the Truth; but Christ the Truth, doth destroy that destroying Spirit, who is the Saviour. And Christ said to the Jews, and to the Scribes and Pharisees, which were the greatest outward Professors, and appliers of the Prophets and Promises of the Old Testament to themselves upon the Earth, and yet the greatest Persecutors of the holy Men and Women, and the Lord's Prophets upon the Earth. I say, that Christ said to them, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets, Christ lamented over Jerusalem. and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered they Children together, even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings, and ye would not! Behold, your Houses are left unto you desolate, etc. Matth. 23.37, 38. Jersalem was the chiefest Place of Worship, and the chiefest City among the Jews, and the greatest Place of Persecution, and yet the Lord Jesus Christ wept over this City, and would have gathered these persecuting Professors (who were without possessing of the Life of what they did profess) but they would not come to him that they might have Life. And these persecuting Jews, Scribes and Pharisees, Christ said unto them, To compass Sea and Land to make one Proselyte, and when he is made he is twofold mord the Child of Hell, Matth. 23. Here you may see these Scribes, Pharisees and Jews, the great Professors and Temple-Worshippers without Life, what they gathered into, and what Disciples they made in their compass Sea and Land, they made them like themselves, and the Devil, and Satan, and the Serpent, who abode not in the Truth, and seek to draw all out of the Truth, and to make them as Serpents and Satan, Adversaries, and of the Devil, Destroyer's; and so he rules in the Hearts of the Disobedient, and blindeth the Eyes of the Heathen or Infidels, and the apostatised Christians from the Spirit of Christ, and the Life of Christianity, they do seek to draw all from the Truth and Spirit of Christ, and the Life of Christianity into Death, Enmity, and into Persecution and Destroying, like the Devil, Jews and Judas, both in one Spirit, according to their Measures that they have from the Devil; but all that live and walk inthe Truth and the Spirit of Jesus, labour to bring and draw, and gather all into the Truth, and to Christ their Saviour, who destroyeth the Destroyer. G. F. Concerning the pure and undefiled Religion, that was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years ago: Which all that do own God and Christ are to walk in. DEar Friends, Epist. 399. You, who profess the Light, Faith, Grace and Spirit of Christ, and the pure undefiled Religion before God the Father, To keep from the Spots of the World. are to keep yourselves unspotted from the World, and to bridle your Tongues from evil Words, which corrupt good Manners; the Light of Christ Jesus letteth you see the Spots of the World; and the Grace of God will teach you though deny them; and the Spirit of Truth, if you be led by it, teacheth you to mortify and subdue them. And now, Friends, Here is the pure and undefiled Religion, which the Apostles in the Primitive Times did own, and which now we do own: This is pure Religion, and is undefiled before God the Father, and to keep unspotted from the World. First, This Religion is Pure. Secondly, It is undefiled before God the Father. And that which is pure and undefiled before God the Father, if you live in it and obey it, it will keep you unspotted from the World, and so from the Spots of the World: And that which keeps you from the Spots of the World, will keep you from the Body of Death, and Sins of the World; which you are made free from, by the Circumcision of Christ, by his Spirit, and by the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, are made free from the Law of Sin and Death. And now Friends, you that do profess this pure and undefiled Religion before God the Father, to keep unspotted from the World, or from the Spots of the World; take heed you that profess this pure and undefiled Regilion, than tie keep yourselves from the World, or that you do not get the World's Spots upon you. And take heed of Grediness, and Earthly-mindedness, and Covetousness, which the Apostle called Idolatry; for it is a great Spot and Blot of the World that lieth in Wickedness. And take heed of Unrighteousness in your Trades, Commerces or Deal: For Unrighteousness is a Spot. To be Just in Trade, etc. And take heed of Over-reaching, or using any Deceitsulness or Defraud in your Trade or Commerce: For Over-reaching, and using Deceit, of any Unjust thing, will Blot you an Spot you, and is contrary to the pure and undefiled Religion. And take heed of Unrighteousness, Ungodliness, Unholiness, Profaneness, Looseness, Filthiness, Naughtiness, and Evil Words, which corrupt good Manners: These things will Blot you and Spot you, and are contrary to the pure undefiled Religion before God the Father. And also take heed of Drunkenness, Theft, Murder, whoredom, Fornication, Adultery, and all manner of Uncleanness: For they which act such things are void of the pure undefiled Religion before God the Father, and they are blotted and spotted with the Actions of the World that lieth in Wickedness, and their Religion is vain. And take heed of Lying, Swearing and Cursing, which are Spots of the World, and forbidden by Christ and the Apostle. And all such that follow the Lust of the Eye, the Pride of Life, and the Lust of the Flesh, which is not of the Father, but of the God of the World, that abode not in the Truth, such are spotted with the Spots of the World, and are Proud, Vain, Lofty, Scornful, High, Spots of the World. and Spotted with the World's Spots, and are void of the pure undefiled Religion before God the Father. And take heed of Malice, Hatred, Envy, Wrath, Rage and Fury, these are the Spots of the World, who bear such Fruits, contrary to the Spirit of Meekness, Gentleness, Kindness, Tenderness, Sobriety, Love and Mercifulness, which are the Fruits of the pure Spirit of God, which leadeth to the pure undefiled Religion before God the Father, which is To visit the Fatherless and Widows in their Affliction, and to keep unspotted from the World; this pure undefiled Religion keepeth in the Purity of Life and Conversation; and this is above all, and keeps from all the vain Religions in the World; which pure and undefiled Religion, it is the Duty of all true Christians to walk in, by which they may be kept from the Spots of the World; and this is the Religion that was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years ago, in the Church of Christ; and happy had all Christendom been, if they had kept to this pure undefiled Religion to this day, and then they would not have made so many Religions, as they have done; but to this pure undefiled Religion they must come again, if ever they come to the true Religion; The pure Religion, and undefiled, is the hest Religion. for none can make a better, than the pure undefiled Religion, which was set up in the Church (in the Apostles days) above Sixteen Hundred Years ago; unto which all that profess Christianity should be conformable; even to this pure undefiled Religion, which will keep them from the Spots of the World, and then their Religion will not be of the World: And this is the one pure undefiled Religion that all Christians should be of, which is from one God, the Creator of all: So there is one God, the Creator of all, and one Lord Jesus christ, by whom all things were made and created, who is the one Mediator betwixt God and Man; even the Man christ Jesus, there in one Body, and one Spirit, even as you are called to one Hope of your Calling, and one God and Father of all, who is above you all, and in you all, and through you all; and there is one Faith which Christ Jesus is the Author and Finisher of; and there is one Baptism, and by one Spirit we are all baptised into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, Bond or Free, must all drink into this one Spirit of Christ and so to keep the Unity in the Spirit, which is the Bond of Peace; for the Apostle saith, If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his, Rom. 8.9. for Christ saith, in his Prayer to his Father, That they may be all one (meaning the true Christians) as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that they may be one, ever as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; to wit, the Believers and Followers of Christ, John 17.21, 22, 23. Here you may see, God and Christ are one in them (so he Prayeth, that his People may be one) in whom they have Rest, Life, Peace and Salvation with God, through Jesus Christ, Amen. Let your Conversation or Practice be without Covetousness, etc. Hebr. 13.5. Only let your Conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ, Philip. 1.17. The 4th of the 2d Month, 1685. G. F. To Friends at York. DEar Friends, Epist. 400. To you is my Love in the Seed of Life, that bruises the Head of Enmity; and in this Seed you all have Life and Peace that is Everlasting: And my Desires are, That you may all dwell in the Love that can bear all things: To keep the Word of Wisdont and of Patience. And keep the Word of Patience, which will never be worn out; for the Word liveth, and abideth, and endureth for ever, and over all Trials keeps; for the Word was in the Beginning, and all things are upheld by the Word of his Power; in it abide. And so, live and walk in the Wisdom that is from above, that is heavenly, pure, peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated: And keep in the Lamblike Nature; for the Suffering Lamb must have the Victory. And so the Man of God must not strive, but be gentle, and yet valiant for God's Truth, and not to fallen it; for they that do, go into Bondage and Captivity; for the Truth maketh all God's People free, and the peaceale Truth is a peaceable Habitation: And so in it God Almighty preserve you, and all the Lord's People every where, that they may Glorify the Lord God of all their Comforts, Lives and Mercies, Amen. Kingston, the 13th of the 10th Month, 1685. G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren, in the Lord Jesus Christ, Epist. 401. who is your holy, heavenly Rock and Foundation of God, that standeth sure, who was the Foundation and the Rock of his Church, Christ the Foundation of God, that standeth sure. in the Apostles days, and is now. You may see how Christ sent John tho Encourage his Church, and saith in Rev. 3.8. I know thy Works: Behold, I have set before thee an open Door, and no Man can shut it: For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my Word, and hast not denied my Name. Behold, I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan (which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie) behold, I will make them to come and worship before they feet, and to know that I have loved thee: Because thou hast kept the Word of my Patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of Temptation, which shall come upon all the World, to try them that dwell upon the face of the Earth. Now you may see what Comfort the Sons and Daughters of God have, that keep the Word of Patience, what a Door is opened to them of the Blessings, Mercies and Riches of God, which no Man can shut from them. And they which said they were Jews, and were not, or such as make outward Profession of the Words of Truth, and Form of Godliness, and are not in the Truth; such the Lord saith, Behold, I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan, etc. So here you may see the Lord would have his Children, his Church, to take notice, what he will make of them that do not possess. the Truth, namely, The Synagogue of Satan, he will bow them down, and make them to know, He loveth his faithful People. And all such as went out from the Church of Christ, Those who go from the Church maifest themselves. in the Apostles days, which were not of them; and Corah, Dathan and Abiram, that went out from the Jews, etc. and all they that separated themselves in the Apostles days, from the Church of Chrift, and all they that separated themselves now, etc. and are gone out from the Church of Christ, have maniseft they were not of them: They that went out from the Church of Chrust, in the Apostles days, and separated themselves from them; and all they that go from the Church of Christ now, and separate themselves from them, they have erred from the Word of Patience, and have not kept that; but such are gone into Temptations of the World, and are become as the Synagogue of Satan, and like Raging Waves of the Sea, Satan's Fruits and Works they do manifest; so that by their Fruits it is known of what Synagogue they are, and have and do, sufficiently discover it in all Ages, how that Patience is worn out, and weareth out, and that they have not kept the Word of Patience; and none such are like to preach the Word of God, and the Word of Life, and the Word of Patience, and the Word of Wisdom, that liveth, and abideth, and endureth for ever, that keep not the Word of Patience; for, how can such keep the Word of Patience, or the Word of Life, or the Word of Wisdom, when they separate themselves, and go out from the Church of shrist, and are not of it? For had they been of it, they would have continued with the Church of Christ, in the Word of Life, Wisdom and Patience: But now they do manifest themselves to be out of the gentle Wisdom of God, The Fruits of him who ere not led by the Wisdom of God. and out of the Word of Patience, in a Rash, Hasty, Furious, Envious, Malicious, Hateful, Lying, Defaming, Slandering, gainsaying and Envious Spirit of Cain, Corah and Ham; and the Fruits of this Spirit is manifest sufficiently now, as in other Ages, to them that live in the Word of Life, Wisdom and Patience; by which Word all God's Children are born again of the Immortal Seed, and feeds upon the Milk of the Word; by which Word all things were made and created; by which Word all God's People are reconciled to God; which Word liveth, and abideth, and endureth for ever. Now as there isa growth and adding to Faith, and Virtue, and Knowledge, and Temperance, and Godliness, and Patience, and Brotherly Kindness, and Charity, as God's Children are led by the Spirit of God, in which they have Unity, and it is the Bond of their Peace: So as there is an erring from the Spirit of God, there is a degenerating from Virtue, Kindness, and true Knowledge, and Godliness, and Temperance, and Patience, and Brotherly Kindness, and Charity, this we have seen both now in this Age, as in the Days of the Apostles; and this degenerating Spirlt, whose Patience is worn out, they may get all the good Words in the Scriptures, Words of the Spirit, Words of Truth, Words of Faith, and the Promises, and apply them to their Impatient Spirits, but they will lose the Comfort of them: But the Word of Life, the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Patience will never be worn out, but liveth, and abideth, and endureth for ever. Dear Friends, f we suffer for Righteousness, appy are we. Be ye Followers of that which is good; and if ye suffer for Righteousness sake, happy are ye: For it's better (if the Will of God be so) that ye suffer for well-doing, and not for evil-doing, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth Righteously: If ye suffer for Righteousness sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their Terror, neither be troubled, having a good Conscience; that whereas they speak Evil of you, as of Evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ: And if ye are Reproached for the Name of Christ Jesus, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part he is Evil spoken of, but on your part he is Glorified: But let none of you suffer as a Murderer, or a Thief, or as a Busybody in other men's matters: But if any Man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him Glorify God upon this behalf, that he suffereth as a Christian, not as a Murderer, Thief, Evil-doer, or a Busybody in other men's matters, for that is not a Suffering for Christ, who hath suffered for you; and they that will reign with him, must suffer with him: The God of all Grace, who hath called us into his Eternal Glory, by Jesus Christ, after that ye have suffered a while, make ye perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you; this is through the Sufferings for Christ Jesus, the Captain of our Salvation, who was made perfect through Sufferings, and is able to secure all his Followers in their Temptations and Sufferings. And the Apostle saith to the Church of Christ, the Philipians, I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, Of the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ. that I may know him and the Power of his Resurrection, and the Fellowship of his Sufferings; being made conformable unto his Death: Which every true Christian should be of the same mind, as this Holy Apostle was. So here you may see the Apostle exhorts People to Suffer with Christ, and for him, but not as Murderers, Thiefs, Evil-doers, and Busybodies in other men's matters. And as David saith, Depart from the evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it; keep thy Tongue from evil, and thy Lips from speaking guile: For the wicked have set their Mouths against the Heavens, and their Tongues walk through the Earth: But be not as the Horse and the Mule, whose Mouth must be held with the Bit and the Bridle. And David saith, I will take heed unto my Ways, that I Sin not with my Tongue: I will keep my Mouth with a bit, while the Wicked is before me. And this is good Advice, that God's People be not ensnared by the Wicked's Snare: And therefore it is good for all God's People to be careful and wise, that none do suffer as Busybodies in other men's matters, or as Evil-doers etc. but let their Sufferings be foi Righteousness sake, and with Christ, that they may reign with him. And keep out the Athenians Spirit, spending their time in hearing and telling of News, which the World is full of, in whom your Trouble is; But in me ye have Peace, saith Christ. And therefore as every one hath received Christ, so walk in him, and let your Conversations be in him, Amen. And blessed are they who suffer for Righteousness sake, and in whose Hearts there is no Enmity: And blessed are they that dwell in the Love of God, that can bear all things, and are in the Wisdom of God, which is pure and peaceable. For Troubles, Afflictions, Sufferings, Imprisonments, spoiling of Goods, and many Perils do attend God's People, by the World that lieth in Wickedness: And therefore it is good for all God's People to keep in Christ their Sanctuary, in whom they have Eternal Rest and Peace. And also God's People are exercised now (as in days past) with Trials and Perils by false Brethren, as the Church of Christ was in the Apostles day, such as went from the Church, in Cain's, Trials by false Brethren. Corah's and Balaam's Way, as the Apostle saith, Fierce Despisers, false Accusers of those that are good; and you may read in 2 Pet. 2. throughout, of such as forsook the right Way, and of many following their pernicious Ways, by reason of whom the Way of Truth was evil spoken of: And so it is now, as it was in the Apostles days. And the Apostle saith to the Church, You have heard say, that Anti-christs should come; even now are there many Anti-christs: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out from us, that they might be manifest they were not of us, 1 John 2.18, 19 Christ did forewarn his Disciples of these Anti-christs and false Prophets, that they should be inwardly Ravening Wolves, and by the Fruits of their Trees they should be known; to be of the Nature of the Wolf, and not of the Lamb: Such as these went from the Church (in the Apostles days) into the World; and such as these are gone from the Church of Christ now, into the Spirit of the World; their evil Spirits are tried; as in 1 John 4. And the Sufferings, and Perils by false Brethren, have been more Grief many times to the Church of Christ, than open Persecution; for they cause the Way of Truth to be evil spoken of; that turn from the Way of Righteousness, like the Dog to the Vomit, or the Sow to the Mire. And in the Way of Righteousness, Christ Jesus, God preserve all his People from all the biting devouring Dogs, and greedy Swine. And you read how Righteous Abel suffered by his false Brother Cain; The Righteous suffer by the Unrighteous. and did not Ishmael persecute his Brother Isaac? And would not Esau have destroyed his Brother Jacob: But God prevented him? And was not Ishmael and Esau in an outward Profession of the Circumcision? And how often did the Jews (that were brought out of Egypt by the Power of the Lord) turn against Moses and Aaron, and other Elders, and so turned against the Power and Spirit of God, that brought them out of Egypt, whom the Lord destroyed in the Wilderness, and they never came to see the Land of Promise? And how often did the Jews turn against the holy Prophets of God, after they came into the Land of Canaan, and what was their end, when they had rebelled against the good Spirit that God gave them to instruct them? And were not these holy Prophets the Jews Brethren, whom they killed, and imprisoned, and presecuted? And was not Joseph sold into Egypt, and persecuted by his Brethren; but God was with him, and preserved him: And so he will his faithful People? And did not Moses say unto the Children of Israel, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up of your Brethren, him shall ye hear in all things, whatsoever he shall say unto you, Deut. 18.15. Acts 3.22. and 7.37. Now when God had raised up this Prophet, Christ the Prophet. Christ Jesus, you see many of the Jews would not receive him, nor believe him, nor many would hardly hear him, though they were called Brethren; but they Mocked him, and Persecuted him, and Blasphemed him; and the Chief Priest gave Money to Juaas (one of his Disciples) to betray him: And what became of all the Jews, and of Judas, that betrayed and persecuted Christ and the Prophets? And what became of all those false Apostles and Anti christs that went in Cain's, Corah's, Balaam's and Jezabel's Way? And will not all of the same Spirit in our Age, that hath gone and goeth in the same Way, or Path, have the same End, yea their latter End will be worse than their Beginning, and to be as the Synagogue of Satan, who maketh them to Accuse, Slander and Revile God's Righteous People, from whom Christ will save and deliver his People, who bruises the Head of the Serpent; and against such Synagogues of Satan the Wrath of the Lamb is turned: And in Christ, the Lamb of God, the Saints have their Rest and Peace, and can Sing Hallelujah. Bednal-Green, the 14th of the 4th Month, 1685. G. F. A General Epistle. DEar Friends, Go not out from your Habitation, Epist. 402. but keep in your heavenly Habitation, in the Spirit of Grate and Truth, and the Gospel, the Power of God, To keep our Habitation in Christ Jesus. and the holy Divine Faith you will feel in your Habitation Christ Jesus; for all Storms and Tempests, and Clouds of Darkness, and the Tempter with his Temptations you will see without; and therefore keep in your Habitation Christ Jesus; there you are safe, and there you have your heavenly Weapons and Armour, to war with him and his Followers, that is out of the Truth; to wit, the Devil, whom Christ destroys, and his Works; and Christ reconciles to God all things in Heaven and in the Earth: And so, all that be reconciled do seed upon the Milk of the Word, by which Word all things were made, and by this Word all things are upheld, and by this Word all things do increase, and by it all things have their Virtue and their Being, and Man and Woman comes to feed upon the Virtue of the Creatures; and Man and Woman is sanctified by the Word; and by the Word all things are sanctified to them; by which Word all things are reconciled, all things in Heaven, and all things in the Earth. And so, Man liveth not by Bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God. And he that reads the Scriptures of Truth, and understands them, he must have Christ Jesus in him, who is the Substance of them: For if Christ Jesus be not in you, the Apostle saith, you are Reprobates. And is not Christ the Substance or Body of Divinity? And if Men that are unlearned in natural Language and Tongues, have Christ Jesus the Substance, do not they come to know the Body of Divinity? And if natural Men do learn all the natural Tongues and Languages, and Arts and Sciences in the Earth, at natural Schools, can those natural Men receive or perceive the Body of Divinity, or things of God. without the Spirit of God and Christ in them? And, if not, then what do all the natural Tongues and Languages, or natural Arts or Sciences, profit natural Men, to perceive or receive the things of God, by which they learn at Schools or Colleges? For the Apostle saith, The natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. And again the Apostle saith, The things of God knoweth no Man, but the Spirit of God. So it is clear, the things of God are revealed and discerned by the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2.10, 11, 14. And the Apostle saith, The World by Wisdom knew not God, The World by Wisdom knew not God. nor yet be their Wisdom do they know God. Therefore the Christian's Faith is not to stand in the Wisdom of Men, etc. by which they do not know God; but in the Power of God. And the Apostle saith, We speak the Wisdom of God in a Mystery; even the hidden Wisdom, which God ordained before the World to our glory, which receives it, 1 Cor. 1.21. & 2.7. And so in the Wisdom of God, which was before the World and its Wisdom was, the living God is known: And the beginning of this Wisdom is the Fear of God; and the Fear of God is, to departed from Evil. And so, True Believers Sanctification. to all the true Believers and Christians that are called in Christ by his Grace and Truth, Christ is made unto them, the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God, and Righteousness, and Sanctification and Redemption; as in 1 Cor. 1.24, 30. And now, such that are redeemed and sanctified by Christ, and he is their Righteousness and their Wisdom, which is from Above, and above the World's Wisdom that is Below, who by their Wisdom do not know God; they that know Christ made so unto them, witness Christ, by whom all things were made and created: Such cannot look down into the World after the World's Wisdom, nor the natural Man's natural Tongues, Arts and Sciences, which he learns at the natural Schools and Colleges, thereby to know God: For by all his natural Parts, and his worldly Wisdom, the natural Man knows not, nor receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are Foolishness to him. And therefore all Men and Women must come to the Spirit of God, and to Christ the Wisdom of God, if they do know God and the things of God. The Apostle saith, If any Man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new Creature, old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new. And Christ saih, Behold, I make all things new, 2 Cor. 5.17. Revel. 21.5. Are not the old things in the Old Testament, and the old Covenant, which Christ abolishes and doth away? Christ abolishes the outward Priesthood, Sacrifices, etc. under the Law. And is not outward Circumcision, and all outward Offerings and Sacrifices, and the Blood of Bulls, Goats, Lambs, and other Creatures, and the sprinkling of their Blood, and cleansing with it; are not these old things in the Old Testament and Old Covenant, abolished and done away by Christ in his New Covenant and New Testament? And is not Aaron's Priesthood, with his outward Linnen-Garments, and other Garments, and Bells, and outward precious Stones, are not all these old things in the Old Covenant, abolished and done away by Christ in his New Covenant, who is the precious Cornerstone? And were not all the outward Washings, and Tabernacles, and Sanctuaries, and Temples, and all the Surplaces and fine Linen of the Priests Garments in the Old Testament, and Old Covenant the old Things which are done away and abolished by Christ Jesus? And are not all the Jews Feasts, and New Moons, and Sabbaths, and holidays, and Aaron's Priest's Lips, which were to preserve People's Knowledge, and the Priests receiving Tithes, and paying Tithes to Aaron; are not all these old Things, in the Old Covenant and Old Testament, held up by the Law, which served till the Seed Christ came, done away and abolished by Christ? And Christ said to his Disciple, Learn of me; freely ye have received, freely give, in his New Testament. And soall these old Things, held up by the Old Covenant and Old Testament, which Old Things and Old Covenant is decayed, and vanishes and passes away, being abolished by Christ Jesus in his New Covenant and New Testament: And all that be in Christ are New Creatures, and they see Old Things are passed away; and can say, Behold, all things are become new, to the new Creatures in Christ. For to the new Creature, Christ is the Offering once for all; and his Blood giveth Life in the New Testament, and New Covenant, and taking Oaths and swearing to the Lord, and performing them to the Lord, this was in the Old Time, in the Old Covenant and Testament; and Christ hath abolished that Law and Covenant, Whatsoever is more than Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay, cometh of Evil. and those Old Things that were in the Old Time. And in his New Covenant and New Testament, he saith, Swear not at all; but let your Yea, be Yea; and your Nay, Nay: Whatsoever is more than these, cometh of Evil. And in the New Covenant and New Testament, Circumcision is of the Spirit, and of the Children of the New Covenant, their Bodies are the Temples of the Living God; and none are saved or justified by the Works and Righteousness of the Law in the Old Covenant, but by the Faith of Christ and his Righteousness. And so all the Figures, Shadows and Types, Christ the substance of all Figures and Types. in the Old Testament and Covenant, Christ the Substance is come and abolishes them, and doth them away; and he saith, Behold, I make all things new. So the New Creature in Christ Jesus, seethe the Old Things are passed away, and all Things are become New. So the New Creature is the new Bottle, that holds the new Wine, he hath the new Garments; and a piece of new Cloth must not be sewed in the Old Garment. So the old Garments, and old Bottle, and old Wine, must be kept distinct from the new Garments, and new Cloth, and new Bottles, and new Wine. So the New Covenant, and New Testament, is distinct from the Old Covenant, and Old Testament: The New and Living Way in the New Testament, and New Covenant, is distinct from the Way in the Old Testament, and Old Covenant; and the new Creatures in Christ Jesus, that beholds all things, are become new to them; and see that the old Things are passed away from them: Here is a Distinction betwixt the new Creatures and the old Creatures, that cry up the old Thing, and live in them; and the New, that crieth up the New, and liveth in them. And in the Old Testament, the outward Jews defended their Religion by Carnal Weapons, and outward Armour; but in the New Testament, the Children of the New Covenant, their Armour and Weapons are Spiritual, not Carnal. And in the Old Testament, and Old Covenant, there was a Tribe of Priests that offered up outward Offerings and Sacrifices; but in the New Testament, the Children of the New Covenant are called, A Spiritual Household, and a Royal and a holy Priesthood, to offer Spiritual Sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. And in the Old Testament, and the Old Covenant, the Priesthood was made by the Law of a Carnal Commandment; but Christ, our Highpriest, in the Testament, was made after the Power of an endless Life. And the Highpriest in the Old Testament entered into the outward Sanctuary, called, The Holy Place, made with Hands; which Priesthood and Sanctuary is abolished and done away by Christ: But Christ in his New Testament, is entered into Heaven itself, now to appear in the Presence of God, for the Children of the New Testament, who do praise God through Jesus Christ their Mediator, who makes their Peace betwixt them and God; for he that sitteth on the Throne, maketh all things new, and reconciles to God. The Temple built by Solomon, The Temple of Solomon a Figure of Christ and his Church. was partly a Figure of Christ, and partly of his Church: For, when Christ suffered the Temple of his Holy Body to be destroyed, and was raised again from the Dead, John 2.19. then Christ raised up us the Christian Church; which is the true spiritual House and Temple wherein God dwelleth, 1 Cor. 6.19. And Isaiah the Prophet, and also the Apostle, speaking of Christ's Sufferings, saith in Isa. 53. and Acts 8.33. how that the Lord should make Christ his Soul an Offering for Sin, Christ's Soul an Offering for Sin. who poured out his Soul unto Death; and the Prophet saith, Who shall declare his Generation? Yet the Prophet saith, He shall see his Seed (namely Christ) and did not Christ see his Seed, his faithful Apostles and Disciples? And the Apostle saith, For both he that Sanctifieth (namely Christ) and they who are Sanctified are all of one; for which cause Christ is not ashamed to call them Brethren: So than they are of his Seed, which can preach Christ, and can declare his heavenly and holy Generation. And again he saith, I will declare thy Name among my Brethren: So here Christ calleth his Believers his Brethren; Christ our Brother. and again he saith, Behold I, and the Children which God hath given me, are for Signs and for Wonders in Israel; so they are now to all outward Professors without Possession, Isa. 8.18. and Heb. 2.11. And Isaiah saith, The Lord himself shall give you a Sign (namely, the outward Jews.) Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his Name Emanuel, Isa. 7.14. Mat. 1.23. This Christ, Christ the Emanuel. the Emanuel, God with us, he was a Sign to the Jews, and a Wonder, when he came; and he is a Sign and a Wonder to all outward Professors of the Scripture, without Possession, where he is revealed and manifest in his People; for he saith, Behold I, and the Children whom the Lord hath given me, are for Signs and for Wonders in Israel. So where Christ, the Son of God, is revealed in his People, and they come to be of his Seed, Brethren and Generation, and declare his Generation, they are for Signs, and for Wonders, and for Gazing-Stocks to all the outward Professors of God, and Christ, and the Prophets and Apostles, without the Possession of their Life and Spirit. And the Apostle saith, That Abraham was called a Friend of God, James 2.24. We are the Friends of God if we keep his Commandments And Christ saith to his Disciples, Ye are my Friends, if ye do whatever I command: Henceforth I call you not Servants, for the Servant knoweth not what his Lord doth: But I have called you Friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Here Christ called his Disciples sometimes Friends, and sometimes Brethren, as before; as in John 15.19. and Heb. 2.11.12. And as many as received Christ, to them he gave Power to become the Sons of God; even to them that believed on his Name; which were born not of Blood, nor of the Will of the Flesh, nor of the Will of Man, but of God, John 1.12, 13. These are they that declared the Generations of Christ. And John saith, Behold (or take notice) what manner of Love the Father bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God: Beloved, now we are the Sons of God; therefore the World knoweth us not, because it knew him not, 1 John 3.1, 2. Here you may see the World knoweth not God, nor his Sons: So it is no marvel, if the World that lieth in Wickedness, be haters of God, and haters of his Son, and Sons, but greater is he that is in God's Sons and Daughters, than he that is in the World; by which they do overcome the World, as in 1 John 4.4. And the Lord said to Job, When the Morning Stars sang together, and all the Sons of God shouted for joy, Job 38.7. There was cause of Joy to hear that heavenly Harmony. And God hath Anointed Christ with Oil of Gladness above his fellows, Heb. 1.9. Moses was faithful in all his House, as a Servant, Christ the Son to abide for ever. for a Testimony of these things which were to be spoken after (namely, the Substance, Christ) but Christ as a Son is over his House, whose we are (namely, that are the Sons and Children of God) as in Heb. 3.5, 6. So here is a distinction betwixt the Servant's House, Moses; and the Son's House, Christ Jesus. And Christ said, While ye have the Light, believe in the Light, that ye may become Children of the Light; as in John 12.36. So the way to become the Children of the Light, is to believe in the Light. And the Apostle saith to the Ephesians, Chap. 5.8. Ye were sometimes Darkness, but now are ye Light in the Lord; walk as Children of the Light. And again, the Apostle writeth to the Thessalonians, Ye are all Children of the Light, and Children of the Day; we are not of the Night, nor of Darkness, 1 Thess. 5.5. These were the Believers in the Light, that were become Children of the Light, and Day of Christ. And Christ said unto such, Ye are the Light of the World, and a City set on a Hill, To be Blameless, and without Rebuke. that cannot be hid; and such are to be blameless and harmless, the Sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation, among whom ye shine as Lights in the World, Philip. 2.15. For as the Prophet saith in Isa. 54.13. and Christ saith in John 6.45. All thy Children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the Peace of thy Children; in Righteousness shall they be established. And the Apostle saith, As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God: The Spirit itself beareth Witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God; and if Children, than Heirs of God, and Joint Heirs with Christ: If so he that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together, namely, with Christ, Rom. 8.14, 16, 17. Here you may see the Sons of God are Heirs of God, and Joint Heirs with Christ; such can declare of his Generation; for they which are Children of the Flesh, these are not the Children of God, nor cannot in Truth declare of Christ's Generation; but the Children of the Promise are counted for the Seed, as in Rom. 9.8. For Christ saith to Nicodemus, Except a Man be born again of Water and the Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God, nor enter into it: That which is born of the Flesh is Flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit, John 3.3, 5, 6. For he that is born of the Spirit is persecuted by him that is born of the Flesh; and Jerusalem, that is above, is the Mother of all them that are born of the Spirit; and so are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus, as in Gal. 3.26. and 4.26. So as the Apostle saith to the Church of Ephesians, Chap. 3.6. That the Gentiles should be Fellow Heirs of the same Body, and Partakers of his Promise in Christ by the Gosspel, who were built together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit, Eph. 2.22. And God hath chosen the poor of this World rich in Faith, and Heirs of the Kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him; as in James 2.5. Christ said, christ soweth good Seed in the Heart. He that soweth the Seed is the Son of Man, the Field is the World; the good Seed are the Children of the Kingdom, but the Tares are the Children of the wicked One, the Enemy that soweth them is the Devil, Matth. 13.37, 38, 39 Here Christ maketh a distinction betwixt the two Seeds and the two Sowers; and the good Seed are the Children of the Kingdom of God, but the bad Seed must be cast into the Fire, which are the Children of the wicked One. And Christ said in Luke 8.11. The Seed is the Word of God. And Peter saith, Being born again, not of Corruptible Seed, but of Incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth, and abideth, and endureth for ever; such feed upon the Milk of the Word, and grow thereby, I Pet. 1.23. and 2.2. And John saith, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin; for his Seed remaineth in him; and he cannot Sin, because he is born of God; in this the Children of God are manifest from the Children of the Devil; and in this the true Birth is manifest, and this Seed and Birth knows the Kingdom of Christ, and declares of his Generation, who is built upon him the heavenly Rock and Foundation; for Jesus Christ our Saviour abolished Death, and hath brought Life and Immortality to Light, through his Glorious Everlasting Gospel, the Power of God, 2 Tim. 1.10. And the Apostle saith, The Law served till Christ came. The Law served, and it was added because of Transgression, till the Seed should come, namely Christ, Gal. 3.19. And now Christ the Seedsman is come, who is the end of the Law, for Righteousness sake, to every one that believes; and they that Believe are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus. And the Lord said to Abraham, In thy Seed shall all the Kindred's (or all the Families) of the Earth be blessed, Acts 3.25. Gen. 12.3. Acts 7.6. And this is the Seed that sojourned in a strange Land, and they that did evilly entreat this Seed, and bring it into Bondage, God did judge. And the Promises of God is sure to all the Seed, as in Rom. 4.16. And the Children of the Promise are counted for the Seed; for these are the Children of the Kingdom, as in Rom. 9.8. And the Dragon was wroth with the Woman, and went to make War with her Seed, which kept the Command of God, and had and have the Testimony of Jesus, Rev. 12.17. Now here you may see it is against the Seed, which keeps the Command of God, and Testimony of Jesus, the Dragon maketh War; but Christ, the Seed of the Woman, bruises the Serpent's Head: For the Lord saith, I will pour out my Spirit upon thy Seed, and my Blessing upon thy Offspring, Isa. 44.3. All who are in the Seed know God's Spirit and Blessings. And the Lord said, My Words which I have put in thy Mouth, shall not departed out of thy, nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed, nor out of the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed: Now is not this the Seed in which all Nations are blessed, in whose Mouch God's Word remains? As in Isaiah 59.21. And are not these the Children of the Seed, which are the Children of the kingdom of God. And the Lord said concerning Christ, Ask of me, and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance, and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession. Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron, thou shalt dash them to pieces like a Potter's Vessel, Psal. 2.8.9. And the great Image of Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron and Clay, spoken of in Daniel, which was broken to pieces by Christ the Stone, and became like the Chaff of the Summer Threshing-Floor, and the Wind carried them away, that no place was found for them; and the Stone that smote this Image, became a great Mountain, and filled the whole Earth, Christ filleth all things with his Divinity. Dan. 2. Is not this Christ Jesus, who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him, that he filleth the whole Earth with his Divinity, to whom God gave the Heathen for an Inheritance, and the attermost parts of the Earth for his Possession; and his Seed doth inherit the Gentiles, Isa. 54. And doth not Christ now inherit the Gentiles or Heathen? Yea, the uttermost parts of the Earth he possesses with his divine Power, Light and Seed, who filleth the whole Earth, and hath all Power in Heaven and Earth, and Ruleth with his Spiritnal Divine Rod of Iron: Not a Rod of corruptible Iron, but he Ruleth them with his Divine Rod, and dashes them to pieces like a Potter's Vessel; they that are the Children of the Kingdom see this, and know Christ to rule in their Hearts, and sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, who is the First and Last, the Beginning and Ending, by whom all things were made. G. F. DEar Friends, in Holland, Friezland, Hamborough, Frederickstad, Dantzick, Palatinate, and all other places there-aways, where God's Truth and Ensign is set up, Epist. 403. Peace, Grace and Truth be multiplied among you from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, the Fountain of all Life, Peace, Grace, and heavenly Wisdom and Understanding; and the God of all Power and Peace, through our Lord Jesus Christ, fill you with it, and his heavenly Riches, and that you may all walk worthy of his heavenly Calling, in all Holiness, Righteousness and Godliness, etc. in Life and Conversation, and that by the Word of Life and Patience, you may answer the Truth in all both High and Low; so that you may be of good savour to God in the Hearts of all People. For you know there is no other Way to God but by Christ Jesus; No Way to God but by Christ Jesus. and you know, that God has raised up Christ to be a Prophet in his New Testament to be heard in all things; and you know, He opens, and none can shut, and he shuts and none can open; and you know, that Christ is the Bishop of your Souls, to oversee, that you do not go astray from God: And you know that Christ is the true Shepherd, and has laid down his Life for his Sheep, and they know his Voice, and they follow him, and he gives them Life Eternal: And also you know, that Christ is your High Priest, made higher than the Heavens, by the Power of an Endless Life, and by him you are made a Spiritual Priesthood, to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices to God. And as for our Yearly Meeting, the Presence of the Eternal God Was amongst us, and his Glory, which shines over all; and all was quiet and peaceable; and it was the Lord's doing, blessed be his Name for ever. And your Epistle was read in the Yearly Meeting, and Friends in the Lord's Power Read it, and had Unity with your Spirits, and are Sensible of your Spiritual Care in the Lord's Eternal Power concerning Truth's Affairs in those Parts: In which God Almighty preserve you, and increase you, both in his Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding, that you may spread his blessed Truth abroad, and answer it in all People. Amen. London, the 10th of the 4th Month, 1685. G. F. To Friends in Pensilvania. DEar Friends, Epist. 404. I am glad to hear of the good Yearly Meeting at Road-Island, and that the Lord's Power and Presence was there among you, and it would be very well to Visit the Generation of the Righteous, and to see how their Seed and Vines do grow in their heavenly Vineyards and Plantations, and what heavenly Riches they have laid up in Store in God's Kingdom, and to see how the Wheat is gathered into God's Garner; and that all keep in the Worship that Christ set up in his Spirit and Truth; and that all walk in the New and Living Way, over all the Dead Ways in the World; and all walk in the pure undefiled Religion, that keeps from the Spots of the World; and to see that all are guided in the pure and gentle Wisdom that is easy to be entreated, and in the Love of God that can bear all things; by which all peevish, short and brittle Spirits may be kept down; so that all may have their good Conversation in Christ Jesus, all striving for Unity in the Spirit, and the holy Faith, that giveth and keepeth Victory over the Enemy: And so that all may have a care of their Minds running into the Earth and Carnal Things; For to be Carnally-minded is Death, but to be Spiritually-minded is Life and Peace; and let all take heed of neglecting the Gift of God, but stir up the pure Mind one in another; and the Lord, with his Eternal Arm and Power, preserve you diligent in his heavenly Work and Service in his Vineyard, that it may not grow over with Briars, Thorns and Thistles, to choke the tender Plants. And so my Desires are, That you may live and walk in Christ Jesus, and that you may answer the Truth in all the Professors, and the Heathen: And prise your Liberty, both Natural and Spiritual, while you have it; and labour in the Truth, while it is Day. Remember me to all Friends, as though I named them; and as for the State of Friends here, we are under great Sufferings, and spoiling of Goods, and Imprisonments; and they have of late increased in spoiling of our Goods; but God is All-sufficient, who doth support us: Glory to his Name for ever. So, with my Love in Christ Jesus, to you all, in whom you have all Eternal Rest and Peace with God, Amen. Bednal-Green, the 10th of the 9th Month, 1685. G. F. To Friends of the Ministry in Pensilvania and New-Jersey. DEar Friends, With my Love to you all, Epist. 405. and all the rest of Friends; I was glad to hear from you; but you gave me no account of the increase of Truth amongst you, nor what Meetings you have had amongst the Indian Kings and their People abroad in the Countries, and of your visiting Friends in New-England, Virginia and Carolina, nor of your Travels and Labours in the Gospel; who hath in all those Countries, liberty to serve and worship God, and preach the Truth. And I understand many have a desire to live in it, especially in Carolina; and you who travel now from Friends, to Friends thither, it is thought strange that you do not visit them; therefore I desire that you may all improve your Gifts and Talents, and not hid it in a Napkin, lest it be taken from you; and not to put your Candle under a Bushel, lest it go out; and not to be like the foolish Virgins, which kept their Name of Virgins, but neglected having Oil in their Lamps: Such were not diligent in the Work of God, nor in the Concerns of the Lord, nor in their own Particulars: And therefore my desires are, That you may all be diligent, serving the Lord and minding his Glory, and the Prosperity of his Truth, this little time you have to live; and be not like Adam in the Earth, but use this World as though you did not use it; for they that covet after this World, fall into divers Snares and hurtful Lusts: And therefore consider, that you are but Sojourners here, that you may pass your time in the Fear of God; and you being many, and having many of the Friends of the Ministry, going over into those Parts, you may be a hindrance one unto another, if you do not travel in the Life of the Universal Truth, taht would have all Men to be saved, and come to the Knowledge of the Truth: And if you would have them come to the Knowledge of Truth, let them know it, and where it is to be found. So I desire that you be valiant for it upon the Earth, that you may give a good account unto God at the last with Joy. So, I desire that all Friends in the Ministry may see this in Pensilvania and New-Jersey. And so with my Love to you all in the Holy Seed of Life that reigns over all. Amen. Enfield, the 30th of the 5th Month, 1685. G. F. To Friends in Wales. DEar Friends and Brethren, In the Lord Jesus Christ, Epist. 406. whom he hath gathered by his glorious Hand and Power to himself, who is the Rock of Ages, and the Foundation of many Generations, that cannot be shaken, in which you have all Life, Peace, Rest, Salvation, and Eternal Happiness. Your Epistle, dated the Second of the Second Month, 1685, by Order of your Yearly Meeting, signed in behalf of that Meeting, was received and publicly read in our Yearly Meeting, and well accepted of in Love and Unity with the Spirit that gave it forth: And Friends are very glad to hear, feel and see your Fellowship and Unity in the Lord's blessed Truth, and your Communion in the Holy Ghost, and your Care in the Concerns of the holy, pure, peaceable Truth. And how that you are, and have been preserved over those unruly Spirits, that have been as Trees without Fruit, and Wells without Water, inwardly ravening Wolves, that have got the Form of Godliness, and the Sheep's Clothing, but are out of the Spirit, and Power, and Life of the Sheep of Christ: And over such Spirits, we praise God, that he hath given you Dominion. And our desire is, That you may all live and walk in Christ, and sit down in him, in his Grace and Truth, and that you may answer the Truth of God in all People with the Word of Life; and also answer the Good in all, with a Godly, and an Holy Life and Conversation. And likewise all the Magistrates and Officers that are in Power you may answer the just Principle in them all, To answer the just Principle in all Men. and live in the Spirit of Supplication, and pray for all, that you may lead a righteous and a godly Life under them all. So that God over all, and through you all, and by you all, may have the Glory, the Thanks, and the Praise: To whom all is due, God blessed for ever. Our Yearly Meeting was peaceable, and the Lord's glorious Presence was amongst us; whose Glory shines over all, God blessed and praised for ever. Amen. Now all Dear Friends, You know your Teacher and Leader Christ Jesus, and you know him your Highpriest, that's made highter than the Heavens, by the Power of an Endless Life; by whom you are made a Royal Priesthood, to offer up spiritual Sacrifices to God by Jesus Christ. And you know there is no other way to God but by Jesus Christ; and you know that God hath raised him up a Prophet in the New Testament, who is to be heard in all things, who opens, and no Man can shut; and shuts, and no Man can open. And ye know that Christ is the Bishop of your Souls, to Oversee you that you do not go astray from God: And ye know that Christ is the true Shepherd, and has laid down his Life for his Sheep; and is to be heard and followed; who gives unto his Sheep Life Eternal. And so abide in him who is your Life Eternal and Everlasting; in whom you have Peace with the Everlasting God. Amen. London, the 10th day of the 7th Month, 1685. G. F. To Friends in Dantzick. DEar Friends, Epist. 407. I am glad to hear of your Welfare in the Lord: And my desires are, To be valiant for Truth. That in the Eternal Power of God you may be valiant for his holy, pure Truth upon the Earth, and his holy Religion, that keeps from the Spots of the World; and the new and living Way Christ Jesus, that will keep you out and over all dead Ways that are in the World; and the Worship of God in his holy Spirit and pure Truth, which Christ Jesus set up above all the Worships in thd World. And all Men and Women must come to the Spirit of God in their Hearts, if they serve and worship God that made them. And my Desires are, That you may live in Peace and Love one with another, and in the pure, gentle Wisdom of God, that is easy to be entreated. And let your Faith stand in the Power of God, and feel that in your Hearts, which will keep you until the Day of Salvation. And let all your Conversations be according to the glorious Gospel of Life and Salvation; so that you may come to answer the Truth in all People; and in your Words and Actions you may preach Truth, Righteousness, Virtue, Pureness, Godliness and Holiness; without which none shall see the Lord. And now, Friends, consider the Lord's great Mercy and Kindness towards you, who hath brought you through great Sufferings, To praeise Good Mercies. Tribulations and Persecutions, and that you have your Meetings peaceable; it is a great Mercy of the Lord to you, for you to prize, and be faithful. So with my Love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ, that reigns over all; in whom you have Eternal Rest and Peace. Amen. And as for the Affairs of Truth here, we are under great Persecutions, Imprisonments, and spoiling of Goods; but the Lord does support his People above them all. And of late the chief Magistrates have showed some Favour towards us. Bednal-Green, the 11th of the 9th Moutb, 1685. G. F. To Friends in Pensilvania, East and West-Jersey. THE Lord God, who created Man and Woman in his Image, Epist. 408. and after his Likeness, in Righteousness and Holiness, he blessed them, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the Earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the Fish of the Sea, and over the Fowl of the Air, and over all Cattle, and over all the Earth, and over every creeping thing upon the Earth, and over every living thing that moveth upon the Earth, Gen. I. Now, here you may see the Power and Authority that God gave unto Man over all the Earth, and the Sea, and all things therein. The Authority God gaveMan in the beginning. And now when Cain had done wickedly, and killed his Brother about Religion, the Lord told him, He was cursed from the Earth; and when thou tillest the Earth, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength. And then Cain said, It shall come to puss, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. And then Cain went and built a City in the Land of Nod, Gen. 4. Now, here you may see what was the Cause that the Earth should not yield her strength after it was tilled; and of Cain's fear of being killed; and of building the City. And John saith in his Epistle. He that hateth his Brother, is a Murderer, or a ; and no Murderer hath eternal Life abiding in them, 1 John 3.15. Now, here you may see that Cain and such Murderers have not Eternal Life abiding in them; and then they are not like to have Dominion, but be in Fears and get into Cities. But Abraham who sojourned in the Land of Promise, as in a strange Country, dwelled in Tabernacles with Isanc and Jacob, as Heirs with him of the same Promise; for he looked for a City which hath Foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God. So they looked above all the Cities that were built by Men in the Land of Promise; as in Heb. 11. 9,10. For Abraham was in the Faith, in which he pleased God, and had Victory. And the Lord God blessed Noah and his Sons when they came out of the Ark, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and maltiply, and replenish the Earth; and the fear of you, and the dread of you, shall be upon every Beast of the Earth, and upon every Fowl of the Air, and upon all that moveth upon the Earth, and upon all the Fish of the Sea, into your Hands are they delivered, Gen. 9 Here again you may see that faithful Noah had Power over all the Creatures that God made upon the Earth and in the Sea, and they were delivered unto Noah and his Sons hands; and the Lord said unto the Children of Israel, Great Blessings to the Obedient. in Levit. 26. If that they were obedient, and kept his Commandments, he would give them their Rain in due season, and the Land should yield her Increase, and the Trees of the Field should yield their Fruit, and their Threshing should reach to their Vintage, and their Vintage unto their sowing Time, and you shall eat your Bread unto the full, and shall dwell in your Land safely (mark, safely) and I will give Peace in the Land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; and I will rid evil Beasts out of your Land, neither shall the Sword go through the Land: I will set my Tabernacle among you, and my Soulshall not abhor you; and I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my People: This is to all them that are faithful, and obey and serve the Lord; but if you be disobedient, then see what Fears, and Judgements, and Plagues, Many Judgements to Disobedience. and Sorrows comes upon you; and the Curse will come upon you, both in City and Field, when thou goest out, and when thou comest in; and the Curse will be in thy Basket and in thy Store, and the Fruit of thy Body, and the Fruit of thy Land, and the Increase of tby Flocks; and the Lord will send his Vexations and Rebukes upon all that thou sets thy Hands unto; and the Lord will smite with Consumptions, and Fevers, and Blast, and Mildews. etc. and the Heavens that is over their Heads shall be Iron; and the Earth that is under thee shall be as Brass; and the Lord shall make the Rain of the Land Powder and Dust; thou shalt carry much Seed into thy Field, and sbalt gather little; the Locusts shall consume it, and thou shalt plant Vineyards, and the Worms shall eat them, because thou hearkens not to the Voice of the Lord thy God to keep his Commandments, etc. And because thou servest not the Lord God with joyfulness, and with gladness of Heart, for the abundance of all things the Lord thy God giveth thee; and therefore shalt thou serve thine Enemies, which the Lord thy God shall send against thee in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things, and thine Enemy shall put a Yoke of Iron about thy neck, to yoke thee down: Who will not bear the Yoke of Christ, and doth not hearken to the Lord to serve and obey him; but they that diligently hearken to the Lord their God, and obey and serve him in Truth and Righteousness, he blesses them in the City, and in the Field, and in their Basket, and in their Storehouse, and in all they set their Hands to; and he blesses the Fruit of their Body, and the Fruit of their Ground, and the Cattle, and their Flocks; and the Lord shall open his good Treasure, the Heavens to give them Rain upon their Land in his season, and to bless all the Works of their Hands, that thou may lend to other Nations, and shalt not borrow: And these are the Blessings of them that harken to the Lord, and serve him, as you may see in Deut. 28. the Blessings that come upon the Faithful, and the Judgements upon thd Disobedient and Unfaithful. When God giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? etc. whether it be done against a Nation, or against a Man only, Job. 34.29. The Lord shall save the humble Person; he shall deliver the Island of the Innocent; it is delivered by the Pureness of the Hands, Job 22.29, 30. Read this in all your Assemblies, both in Pensilvania and West-Jersey. Bednal-Green, near London: the 4th Month, 1686. G. F. To all the holy Women that trust in God, and do profess Godliness with good Works, according to the Apostles Doctrine in this Age, for them to read over and put in Practice. FRiends, the Apostle saith, Epist. 409. I will therefore that Women adorn themselves in modest Apparel, with Shamefacedness and Sobriety, and not with broidered Hair, or Gold, or Pearls, or Costly Array, The Christian Adorning. but as becometh Women professing Godliness with good Works, 1 Tim. 2.9, 10. And likewise Peter saith in his General Epistle to the Church of Christ, to the Women, Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the Hair, and wearing of Gold, and of putting on of Apparel; but let it be the hidden Man of the Heart, in that which is not Corruptible, even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God of a great price; for after this manner in old time the holy Women also who trusted in God adorned themselves, 1 Pet. 3.3, 4, 5. Now all Women may here consider what is to be the Practice of such Women that profess Godliness, and trust in God, their Adorning is the hidden Man of the Heart, which is Incorruptible, and their Ornament is to of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God of great Price; but those Women whose outward Adorning is with broidered and plaited Heir, and Gold, and Pearls, and Costly Array: these have not the modest Apparel, which become Modest, Sober, Shamefaced Women, that profess Godliness with good Works; but such as are Unsober and Immodest, such as look upon such things to become them, are clothed with corruptible and unquiet Spirits, that do not possessed Godliness with good Works; and these outward Ornaments, as plaiting and broidering the Hair, and wearing of Gold, and Pearls, and Costly Array, the Apostle saith, Do not become Women professing Godliness with good Works; but them that do not profess Godliness, that are Shameless and Unsober, they may become such Women that do not trust in God, their proud Spirit may lead them to adorn themselves with such things, as is said before, which the Apostle forbids; but the holy Women of God, which professed Godliness with good Works, and trusted in God, adorned themselves not with plaiting the Hair, or wearing of Gold, or Pearls, or Costly Array; but with the hidden Man of the Heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. And now consider also, you Women that profess Godliness, and go under the name of Holy Women, who trust in God, see that your selves and your Children, and all your young Women are Adorned and Arrayed, and have on this Ornament, as the Apostle wills the Church of Christ to put on, as the holy Women did of old; and be not of an unmeek and unquiet Spirit, and unsober and immodest, when you are admonished and exhorted, nor act contrary to the holy Women of old that trusted in God, and such as professed Godliness, according to the Apostles Doctrine. And here you may see what care the Apostles had to keep the Saints (the Church of Christ) their Eyes, Minds, and Spirits above the wearing of Gold, plaiting their Hair, and Pearls, and Costly Apparel, which is the Glory of this World, which the holy Women that trusted in God, and professed Godliness with good Works; these things were not to be their Adorning nor Ornaments, but (as is said before) the hidden Man of the Heart, which was not Corrupt, even the meek and quiet Spirit, which is with the Lord of great price: And this aught to be, and is the Adorning and Ornament of all the holy Women, that profess Godliness with good Works, and trust in God. And all you that have been Convinced of the Lord's Truth, by his Spirit, To refuse the Glory of the World. take heed of Satan taking you up into a Mountain, and of his showing you the Glory of the World, and of your Minds and Eyes going after it, and receiving of it; and so in that you fall from the Spirit and Truth of God that did Convince you, and then to worship the Devil, the King of Pride, the God of the World, that abode not in the Truth, in whom there is no Truth; and he to lead your Minds and Eyes after every new vain Fashion of the World that passeth away, and that lieth in wickedness; and so draweth you to the Love of the World, which is Enmity to God, and into the Wisdom of the World, by which ye do not know God; and then to such the Gospel of Life and Salvation is hid, in whom the God of this World hath blinded their Minds; and in such disobedient Ones the Prince of the Air rules, and gets into them by disobeying the Truth; and in such Christ doth not rule in their Hearts by Faith: And it is not like, when they make Shipwreck of it, and a good Conscience. And therefore walk in the Light of Christ, and grow in his Grace, and the Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, that bruises the Serpent's Head, and destroys the Devil and his Works, that you may all be established upon Christ, the Rock and Foundation. And if ye do believe in the Covenant of Light, Life and Grace; then, why do not you all train up your Children in the same? To Train up our Children n the Coveant of Grace. Did not the Lord command the Jews to train up their Children in the Old Covenant, and teach them to walk in it? And were not all the Males to be Circumcised? And they that were not Circumcised were to be cut off from the Congregation of the Lord: So are not all you that profess the New Covenant of Grace, Light and Life, and the Gospel of Salvation preached to every Creature; and the Grace of God which brings Salvation, that hath appeared unto all Men, to teach them to live Godly, and to deny Ungodliness? etc. I say, are not you all to train up your Children and Families in this Light of the Gospel and Grace of Christ which brings Salvation, and brings them into favour with God, that you may have the Comfort of your Children in this World, and in that which is Everlasting? And that they may be Circumcised with the Spirit of God, which he poureth out upon all Flesh, that with his Spiritual Circumcision the Body of Death and Sins of the Flesh may be cut off, which are come into Man and Woman by Transgression, that neither you nor they might die in the Body of Death, and in the Sins of the Flesh, and such do not die in the Lord; for they that are not Circumcised with the Spiritual Circumcision are cut off from the heavenly Jerusalem, and the Kingdom of God and Christ, and from the Church of the Living God written in Heaven. And therefore, if you will have the Comfort of your Children in this World, and that which is to come, train them up in the Fear of God, and in his Covenant of Light and Grace; which Grace brings their Salvation, and brings them into Favour with God, and into the Spiritual Baptism and Circumcision, so that they may serve and worship the Living God in his Spirit and Truth. Amen. And if Children and young People must be left, and let alone to themselves, and not be Admonished, Exhorted and Restrained from the Evil and Vanities of the World, then why did Moses, and the Prophets, and the Apostles, which were sent of God, exhort the People to train up their Children in the Fear of the Lord, and to teach them his Law while they were young, that they might not departed from it when they were old? And if that they did, the Lord did judge them, as ye may read in the Scriptures of Truth; and if that they must be left to themselves, and not restrained from Evil, then how came it to pass that old Ely lost his Life, and his Priesthood, Ely, an Example to Parents. and the Ark of God, for not restraining his Children from Evil? And again, if that they must be left to themselves, why did the Prophets and the Apostles say, That they must not quench, nor vex, nor grieve, nor rebel against the Spirit of God, nor turn the Grace of God into Wantonness, nor walk despitefully against the Spirit of Grace; but walk in the Spirit, and in the Truth, and in the Light, and to love it, and not to hate it; for they that do not love the Light, but hate it, are condemned by it, and so grow in the Condemnation, and are not in the Justification of Life. The Lord God commanded Abraham to Circumcise himself and his Children and Servants, that were bought with Money, and were born in his House. He was to bring all his Males into this Covenant of outward Circumcision; and the Lord said, That Soul shall be cut off that is not Circumcised, he hath broken my Covenant of outward Circumcision, as you may see Gen. 17. Here you may see Abraham was to teach and instruct his Family and Servants, and he was not to keep any Man or Servant that was Uncircumcised in his Family. Now you that profess the New Covenant, True Circumcision. are not you and all your Children and Servants to be Circumcised with the Spirit of Circumcision? And do not they that have not the Body of Death, and the Sins of the Flesh cut off by Circumcision, go down into the Pit, and not into Paradise, and the kingdom of God? And therefore may not such Uncircumcised by the Spirit hurt the Families of true Christians in the Light? Therefore consider, Abraham was not to suffer and of his Children and Servants, that were bought with his Money, or born in his House, to be Uncircumcised in the Old Covenant: This care the Lord laid upon him, in his Family, in the Old Covenant. Therefore consider, you that profess the New Covenant of the Spirit of Circumcision, what Care lies upon you in your Families, of Teaching and Instructing your Servants and Children, and to bring them to the Spirit of Circumcision. And now, do not say but you are all warned in your Life-time; and therefore prize your time, while you have it, that you spend it to the Honour and Glory of God. The 9th of the 5th Month, 1686. G. F. An Epistle for them that are learned in Christ, to read and understand. THe Lord saith, Epist. 410. In this Mountain shall the Lord of Host make unto all People a feast of fat things, etc. And he will destroy in this Mountain the Face of the Covering cast over all People, and the Veil that is spread over all Nations. And he will swallow up Death into Victory; and the Lord God will wipe away Tears from off all Faces, Isai. 5.26, 27. 1 Cor. 15.54. Rev. 21.4. Is not this Mountain Christ, Christ filleth the whole Earth. that filleth the whole Earth, where this Feast of fat things is? And doth not Christ through Death, destroy Death and the Devil, the Power of Death, and so takes away the Veil and Covering that is spread over all Nations, that they may be covered with the Spirit that he pours upon all Flesh? And the Apostle saith, Moses put a Veil over his Face, that the Children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is to be abolished; for their Minds were blinded. For, until this Day remains the same Veil untaken away. in the reading of Moses and the Old Testament the Veil is upon their Hearts; which Veil is done away in Christ; and when they shall turn to the Lord, the Veil shall be done away; as in 2 Cor. 3. So, here you may see the Veil that was spread over the Hearts of People, The Veil over People's Hearts, done away by Christ. is done away by Christ; and all they that are turned to the Lord, with open Face, behold, as in a Glass, the Glory of the Lord, and are changed into the same Image, from Glory to Glory, even by the Spirit of the Lord. And the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne, shall feed his People, and dwell amongst them; who hath made their Robes white in the Blood of the Lamb: And this is the Days of Christ, whom God gives for a Covenant of the People, to establish the Earth. Sing O Heavens, and rejoice O Earth, and break forth into Singing, O Mountains; for God hath comforted his People, and hath Mercy upon his afflicted. And Christ saith to the Prisoners, Go forth, unto them that are in Darkness, show yourselves; and they shall feed in Pastures: For he that hath Mercy on them, shall lead them, and by the Springs of Water shall he guide them, Isai 49. For God gave Christ for a Covenant to the People, for a Light to the Gentiles, to open the blind Eyes, to bring out the Prisioners out of Prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the Prison-Houses, Isai. 42.2, 6, 7. Rev. 7.15, 16, 17. So, we that do witness this do praise the Lord God through Jesus Christ. Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with Men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his People, Rev. 21.3. This is the Day of the New Covenant, which People enjoy in Christ Jesus. The Lord saith, I will ransom them from the Power of the Grave, I will redeem them from Death: O Death, I will be thy Plague: O Grave, I will be thy Destruction, Hos. 13.14. And the Apostle saith, O Death, where is thy Sting? O Grave, where is thy Victory? The Sting of Death is Sin, and the Strength of Sin is the Law: But thanks be to God, which gives us the Victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 1 Cor. 15.55, 56, 57 So, here you may see the Grave had its Victory, Christ gives Victory over Death and the Grave. and Death hath its Sting; which is Sin: But the Strength of Sin is the Law: But Christ gives us the Victory; who makes an end of Sin, the Sting of Death; as in Dan. 9.24. And who through Death destroys Death and the Power of Death, and is the End of the Law for Righteousness sake, to every one that believes; and so are dead to the Law, by the Body of Christ, Rom. 7.4. And Christ saith unto the Jews, Verily, verily, he that hears my Word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting Life, (Mark, Everlasting Life) and shall not come into Condemnation; but hath passed from Death unto Life. Then they have passed from the Sting of Death, which is Sin: And, as John saith, we know that we are passed from Death unto Life, because we love the Brethren; for he that loveth not his Brother, abideth in Death, John 5.24. 1 John 2.44. So, if they were passed from Death to Life, than they were passed from Death, and his Sting, which is Sin, through Jesus Christ, who destroys Death, and makes and End of Sin. And again Christ saith to the Jews, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the Hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God; and they that hear, shall live, John 5.25. Christ saying, The Hour cometh, and now is, that the Dead should hear his Voice: So that they passed from the Death that came by Adam into Everlasting Life in Christ Jesus: See Ephes. 2.1, 2. And so they thanked God through Jesus Christ, who gave them the Victory over Death and Sin, Death's Sting; so as it is written, Death is swallowed up in Victory. For Christ, as I said before, makes an End of Sin, that is the Sting of Death, and through Death destroys Death and the Devil, the Power of Death. So thanks be to God, through and by Christ Jesus, we have the Victory unto Everlasting Life, over the Grave, Death, and its Sting. And the Apostle saith, Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, neither doth Corruption inherit Incorruption. And Christ saith, Except a Man be born of the Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God; neither can he enter into the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 15.50. & John 3.3, 5. And Christ saith, He that heareth my Word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting Life, and shall not come into Condemnation, but is passed from Death to Life, John 5.24. And he that believeth not is condemned already: And he that believeth on the Son of God shall not perish, but have eternal Life. And again, God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son; that whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have everlasting Life, John 3.15, 16, 18. Now this Death which Adam fell into was a spiritual Death; for by one Man's Disobedience or Offence, namely Adam, Judgement came upon all Men to Condemnation. So all Men are under this Judgement and Condemnation in Adam in the Fall. Even so, by the Righteousness of one, namely Christ, the free Gift came upon all Men unto Justification of Life, Rom. 5.18, 19 So they that do not believe in Christ, They who believe not in Christ abide in Death, etc. the Light, as he Commands, John 12.36. they abide in spiritual Death and Darkness, and under the Judgement and Condemnation in Adam in the Fall, in the perishing state: But he that believeth on the Son of God hath Everlasting Life, and passeth from Death to Life, and shall not perish in Darkness, and is not condemned, but comes out of Condemnation, etc. But he that believeth not in the Son of God is condemned, and shall not see Life; and the Wrath of God abideth on him. Such abide in the perishing state, in the Death and Darkness in Adam in the Fall, under Judgement and Condemnation: But they that believe in Christ, the Light, do come out of Darkness, and passes from Death to Life, and come from under Judgement and Condemnation, that came upon all Men by the Offence of one Man Adam, and come from under the Wrath of God, and from under Judgement and Condemnation into Favour with God, and into Eternal and Everlasting Life in Christ Jesus, and so have Victory over Death, Darkness and Sin, its Sting, and the perishing State, and the Grave of Adam, in the Fall from Life Eternal; and so are blessed, that have part in the first Resurrection in Christ Jesus: On such the second Death shall have no Power, for they are in Christ Jesus, the Resurrection, and Eternal Everlasting Life, and their Names are written in the Book of Life; who destroys Death, and Hell, and the Devil, the Power of Death, Revel. 20.10, 14, 15. And casts the Devil, Death and Hell, into the Lake of Fire, that burns with Brimstone; which is the second Death. And, The last Enemy that shall b destroyed is Death as the Apostle saith, The last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death. But as it is written in Hos. 13.14. Death is swallowed up into Victory: For by Man, namely Adam, came Death; and by Man, namely Christ, came also the Resurrection of the dead: For, as in Adam all died, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. So, as by the one Man Adam, Sin and Death came over all; and by the Man Christ, Life cometh over all. And by Nature we are born of Adam; and in Christ we are made the Children of God, by Grace in Christ, and quickened and made alive, and restored to Life Everlasting by him. And Christ, who puts all things under his Feet, he subdues Death under him; who through Death destroys Death, the last Enemy, and the Devil, the Power of Death, and so makes an End of Sin, the Sting of Death, and brings in Everlasting Righteousness. And in the way of Righteousness is Life; and in the Pathway there is no Death. The Law of the wise is a Fountain of Life, to departed from the Snares of Death, Prov. 12.28. & 13.14. The Lord saith, Behold, I create new Heavens, and a new Earth; and the former shall not be remembered nor come into mind: But, be you glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: For, behold, I create Jerusalem a Rejoicing, and her People a Joy. And I will Rejoice in Jerusalem, and Joy in my People, and the Voice of Weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the Voice of Crying, Isa. 65.17, 18. And Peter saith in his General Epistle to the Church, We, according to his promise, look for new Heavens, and a new Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteousness, 2 Pet. 3.13. And John saith, I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth; Of New Heavens and the New Earth. for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away; and there was no more a Sea. And I John, saw the holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband. And I heard a great Voice out of Heaven, saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with Men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his People; and God shall be with them, and be their God; and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes, and there shall be no more Death, mark, no more Death, in new Jerusalem, neither Sorrow, nor Crying, neither shall there be any more Pain: For the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the Throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Writ, for these things are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done: I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, I will give unto him that is athirst of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely; he that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my Son, Rev. 21.1. to the 8th. Jerusalem which is below, is in Bondage with her Children; but Jerusalem which is above, is free, which is the Mother of us all, which believe in the Light in Christ. And in this New and Heavenly Jerusalem there is no Death nor Night; and the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the Light of this New and Heavenly Jerusalem. For the Glory of God doth enlighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof; and the Lord God and the Lamb are the Temple of this New and Heavenly Jerusalem that is from above; and the Lord creates this Heavenly Jerusalem. So, this Heavenly and New Jerusalem is not made by the Workmanship of men's Hands, nor of Wood and Stone; neither are People cast in Prison for not mending or repairing a Temple there; for there is no outward Temple in the Heavenly Jerusalem; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it. And the New Creatures that are in Christ Jesus, and dwell in Love, they dwell in God: Such are in the Temple in Heavenly Jerusalem, and are in Joy and in Fellowship with the Father, and the Son, blessed for ever. Amen. And Christ said to the Jews, The Bread of God is he that cometh down from Heaven, and giveth Life to the World; No Persecution in New Jerusalem. signifying that the World is Dead in Adam, and wanteth Eternal Everlasting Life; and they that eat not the Flesh of Christ, and drink not his Blood, have no Life in them: For Adam and Eve, by eating of the Fruit which God forbidden them, brought Death, and all died in him; but they that eat the Flesh of Christ, the Bread from Heaven, and drink his Blood, have Eternal Life, and shall live for ever, and they do live by Christ, and they do dwell in Christ, and he doth dwell in them: So you may see Adam and Eve, by their eating of that which God forbade, brought them into Spiritual Death; and by eating the Flesh, and drinking the Blood of Christ, as he commands, brings Men into a Spiritual Life, that is Eternal. And the Lord saith, Ezek. 37. concerning the whole House of Israel, which were the dry scattered Bones, That he would open their Graves, Of the Restoration of the House of Israel and bring them out of their Graves; and yet these dry Bones, which were the whole House of Israel, that were in their Graves, could speak (who were the scattered Bones) and say, Behold, our Bones are dry, and our Hope is lost, we are cut off for our parts: So it seems that the whole House of Israel, scattered Bones, who were in their Graves, could speak these words: Then they were alive outwardly, and their Breath was in their Nostrils, but they were gone from the Breath of the Almighty, that gives Life and Understanding: Therefore the Lord poured his Spirit upon them, and caused Breath to come upon them, that they might live to God; and so that they might all have one Shepherd (namely Christ) and come into his Everlasting Covenant, and Christ their Sanctuary; and than God's Tabernacle would be with them, and then the Lord will be their God, and they shall be his People. G. F. To the Yearly Meeting in Yorkshire. DEar Friends, Epist. 411. who are the Sons and Daughters of God, who have his Law written in your Hearts, by which you know God and Jesus Christ, which is Eternal Life to know; and you that have put on Christ Jesus are the New Creatures, and are in him, Clothed with Christ the Son of Righteousness, To be Clothed with Christ. who is the Light of the World; and you that believe in the Light, have the Light of Life, and are Clothed with the Son of God that doth not change, and are the true and living Members of the Church of Christ Jesus, that is in God, and have the Moon (that is changeable) under your Feet: So all changeable Religions, Worships, Ways, Churches and Teachers, which are like the Changeable Moon, and the Changeable World, with its Changeable Fashions; the true Church of Christ, that are Clothed with Christ, the Son, that doth not change, hath all these Changeable Things, like the Moon that changes, under her Feet; for the Son of God never changes; for all things were made by him, who is the First and Last, the Beginning and Ending. So as every one hath received Christ Jesus, the Son of Righteousness, walk in him to the Praise and Glory of God. Amen. London, the 31st of the 3d Month, 1686. G. F. To Friends in West-Jersey and Pensilvania. DEar Friends, Epist. 412. I am glad to hear that the Truth's Concerns is so well as it is with you, and that you have set up your Half Years Meeting there, which may be of great Service: Half Years Meeting in America. For indeed all the faithful Men and Women, in the Power of the Lord, do keep their Meetings, that they may take care of God's Glory, and to see that all are diligent, that profess the Truth, to walk in it; and all the Lose, and such as despise Dignities, and the Power of God, and true Christianity, should be Admonished and Exhorted, and not to have a Name of Truth, without the Nature of it. And so that all may walk in the Truth, and by it come into a holy Life and Conversation; by that they may answer that which is good, both in the People among you, and in the Indians: For, through want of Order in the Power of God, and his Light, Life and Truth, there has been so many run out, some one way and some another way. And therefore all that are Faithful in your Country, being kept in the Lord's Eternal Power, To keep our Meetings in the Lord's Power. in it keep up all your Men and women's Meetings, that the Power of the Lord God may sparead over all, and by it all Deceit and Looseness may be kept under; and this will ease all the Magistrates, and their Courts, of all Evil and Looseness, by having it stopped and killed in the Birth, before it comes into Action; and to see in your Meetings, that Friends may give no Occasion to the Indians. And if sometimes you should have some Meetings with the Indian Kings and their Councils, to let them know the Principles of Truth; To inform the Indians of the Way of Salvation. so that they may know the Way of Salvation, and the Nature of true Christianity, and how that Christ hath died for them, who tasted Death for every Man: And so the Gospel of Salvation must be Preached to every Creature under Heaven; and how that Christ hath enlightened them, who enlightens all that come into the World: And God hath poured out his Spirit upon all Flesh; and so the Indians must receive God's Spirit; for the Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared to all Men: And so let them know, that they have a Day of Salvation, Grace and Favour of God offered unto them, if they will receive it, it will be their Blessing. And so, now you that are settled in those Parts, which have had a Testimony from the Lord to bear to People of the Truth, you should spread abroad God's Eternal Truth; and have Meetings (as I said before) with the Indian Kings and Peopie; so that all the Earth may come to look unto the Lord for Salvation. For if ye should seetle down in the Earth, and have plenty, and be full, Not to set our Hearts on the Earth. and at ease for a time, and not keep in the Power, and Service, and Spirit of God, you would quickly come to lose your Condition, as some did in Road-Island, when settled down in the Earth, after a while, and then turned to Jangling about it, and some ran out one way, and some another. And therefore, I desire that the Lord may grant, that you may be all kept and preserved by his holy Power, on his holy Mountain, that ye may be of the holy Camp of God; that with his Power, Light, Spirit, Grace and Truth, all that is contrary may be kept out from among you; so that the Lord God Almighty, and his Son, may walk in the midst of you, and may delight to do you good. So with my Love to all faithful Friends. My Desire is, that you all may keep in the Power and Spirit of the Lord, in the heavenly Unity, that you may all shine forth to his Glory and Praise, to whom all belongs, God over all, blessed for over, Amen. Edmonton, the 27th of the 11th Month, 1687. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 413. my Desire is, that all Friends may prise the Mercies of the Lord, and live in Humility, in his Power, that is over all, To prise God's Mercies. that you may answer God's Witness in all People, in his Spirit and Truth, in a Righteous, Godly Life and Conversation; and let not Liberty lift them up, nor Sufferings cast them down; but live in the Seed of Life, that no Man can make higher nor lower; for that is the Heir of God's Everlasting Kingdom. So in this Seed, which is your Sanctuary, God Almighty keep you, in whom you have Life and Wisdom, that it may be justified of all her Children, and they exercised in it, in this Day of Christ. Amen. G. F. ALL my dear Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, who by his Eternal Arm and Power, Epist. 414. hath supported, upheld and preserved you steadfast to himself; so that neither Reproaches, Imprisonments, nor spoiling of your Goods, to the almost Ruining you outwardly; and besides long and tedious Imprisoning of you, and many to Death: Persecutors could not drive the Faithful From Christ. And yet all these Persecutors could not make you turn from Christ, your Life, Priest, Bishop and Shepherd, and through him you have been made more than Conquerors: And so live and walk in him, who is the same to day, yesterday, and for ever; who doth overcome, and will have the Victory, in whom you have Life and Salvation, and Peace with God. So no more but my Love. Goosey in Essex, the 18th of the 12th Month. 1688. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 415. my Love is to all Friends in the Truth, in the Eternal Life; and my Desires is, that in the Everlasting Life you and I may live, To live in Christ. even in the Lord Jesus Christ, that is over all, from Everlasting to Everlasting, Amen. G. F. To the Quarterly Men and women's Meetings in London. All Friends, Strive to keep in Unity in the holy Spirit of Christ, which is the Bond of the heavenly Peace, Epist. 416. and that you Elders may be Examples in the heavenly Wisdom, To keep in the Unity of the Spirit. and Word of Life, and of Power and Patience, to all the younger, that hardly know the right Hand from the left; so that they may be trained up, both by the Word and Law in their Hearts, and good Example from their Elders in Grace, Truth, Virtue, Modesty and Sobriety, as becoming Men and Women professing and possessing Godliness, being adorned with a meek and a quiet Spirit, which is with the Lord of a great Price; and keep that Eye blind, and that Spirit under, that would go into the Fashions of the World; for that will blind and burden, and will not bear sound Doctrine; and therefore that must be kept down with the Spirit of God, by which all may have Power over their own Spirits, and they that have not, are like unto a City, whose Walls are broken down, that any thing that is evil or had may come in: And therefore the Power and Spirit of God is as the Wall that preserveth. Therefore be Wise; for when Lust is conceived, it brings forth Sin, and Sin when it is finished, it brings forth Death. Now here you may see what brings forth Sin and Death in Man and Woman, which, by the Spirit of God, is to be mortified, The Spirit of God mortifies Sin. and by it their Affections to be changed, and set on things above, where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God; so that you may come to fit in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus; which is a holy, pure and safe Sitting, in which all may keep that heavenly Feast of Christ, our Passover, not with the old Leaven of Malice and Wickedness, but with the heavenly unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth; for Christ our Passover hath been sacrificed for us; and therefore he is the heavenly Bread, which the Feast of him our Passover must be kept withal, by the clean and circumcised in Spirit in the New Testament and Covenant: For the Jews in the Old Testament and Covenant, they were to be clean and circumcised outwardly, before they eat of the outward Sacrifices; which Sacrifice and Circumcision Christ our Sacrifice hath ended; and therefore keep to him our Circumcisor, and the Feast of our Passover, and let all the old Leaven of Malice and Wickedness be purged out, that you may become a new Lump in Christ Jesus. Amen. Goosey, the 29th of the 10th Month, 1689. G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren in Christ Jesus, Epist. 417. whom the Lord by his Eternal Arm and Power hath preserved to this Day, all walk in the Power and Spirit of God, that is over all, in Love and Unity: For Love overcomes, and builds up and unites all the Members of Christ to him, the Head; for Love keeps out of all Strife, Love keeps out of all Strife. and is of God; and Love and Charity never fails, but keeps the Mind above all outward Things, or strife about outward Thins; and is that which overcomes Evil, and casts out all false Fears, and it is of God, and unites all the Hearts of his People together in the heavenly Joy, Concord, and Unity. And the God of Love preserve you all, and settle and establish you in Christ Jesus, your Life and Salvation, in whom you have all Peace with God. And so, walk in him, that you may be ordered in his peaceable heavenly Wisdom to the Glory of God, and the Comfort one of another. Amen. London, the 27th of the 3d Month, 1689. G. F. To the Six Weeks Meeting in London. 1690 THe Six-Weeks Meeting is for to see, Epist. 418. that all their Meetings are preserved by the Wisdom of God in the Unity of the Spirit, The Care of the Six Weeks Meeting. the Bond of Peace, and in the Fellowship of the Holy Ghost, being ordered by the pure, gentle, heavenly, peaceable Wisdom, easy to be entreated, Holy and Virtuous Examples to all other Meetings, both in City and Country. And that all may be careful to speak short and pertinent to Matters in a Christian Spirit, and dispatch Business quickly, and keep out of long Debates and Heats; and with the Spirit of God keep that down, which is doting about Questions and Strife of Words, that tend to Parties and Contention: Which in the Church of God there is no such Custom to be allowed. And likewise not to speak more than one at a time; nor any in a fierce Way; for that is not to be allowed in any Society, neither Natural nor Spiritual; but, as the Apostle saith, Be swift to hear, and slow to speak; and let it be in the Grace, which seasons all Words. And if there be any Differences, that cannot be quickly ended in the Meeting, let the Six-Weeks Meeting order some Friends to hear the Matter out of the Meeting, without Respect of Persons, and bring in the Report to the same Meeting the same Day (if possible,) and the Meeting may give Judgement; that no Business be delayed from time to time. And so with my Love to you all in the Seed of Life Christ Jesus, in whom ye have all Peace and Wisdom from him, who is the Treasure of Knowledge and Wisdom. Amen. Kingston upon Thames, the 5th of the 3d Month, 1690. G. F. DEar Friends, Epist. 419. Something was upon me to write unto you, that such among Friends, who marry, and provide great Dinners, that instead thereof, it will be of a good Savour on such Occasions, that they may be put in mind at such times, to give something to the Poor that be Widows and Fatherless, To be Charitable and relieve the Poor. and such like, to make them a Feast, or to Refresh them: And this, I look upon, would be a very good Savour, to feast the Poor that cannot feast you again; and would be a good Practice and Example, and would be a means to keep the Mind to the Lord; and in remembrance of the Poor; for they that give to the Poor, lend to the Lord, and the Lord will re-pay them. And I do really believe, what ever they give, less or more, according to their Ability, cheerfully, they will not have the less at the Years End, for the Lord loves a cheerful Giver. I know this Practice hath been used by some Twenty Years ago. And so it is not only to give the Poor a little Victuals, which you cannot eat yourselves, but give them a little Money, that the Lord hath blessed you with; and give it to some of the women's Meetings for to distribute to the Poor: So you will have the Blessings of the Lord, and the Blessings of the Poor: And so, to be of a free noble Spirit, above all the churlish Misers and Nigards, and narrow Spirits These things I do recommend to you (though it may look a little strange) to weigh and consider the thing, it will both be of a good Report, and a good Savour, and manifests a self-denial and openness of Heart, and of the general Love of God. London, the 4th of the 4th Month, 1690. G. F. To Friends Captives at Macqueness. DEar Friends, st. 420. With my Love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom you have Life and Salvation, and Rest and Peace with God; and the Lord God Almighty with his Eternal Arm and Power uphold and preserve you in Christ, in whom you have Rest and Peace; though in the World Troubles, and though you be in Captivity, from your Wives and Children, and Relations and Friends yet the Lord is present with you by his Spirit of Grace, Light and, Truth: And so feel him at all times, and stand in his Will; do not Murmur nor Complain, but stand still in the Faith and Power of God, To stand in the Faith. that you may see your Salvation; for by Faith the Lord delivered his People out of Egypt by his Power; and by Faith Enoch and Noah were preserved, and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and by Faith the Prophets were delivered out of many Perils; and Daniel out of the Lion's Mouth. And you may see how the Righteous were delivered by Faith, in Heb. 11. And it would be very well, if you that be Captives and Friends, To meet to worship God. could have Meetings as they had at Algiers, to the comforting and refreshing one another. And you may speak to your Patroons of your meeting together to worship God that created Heaven and Earth, and made all Mankind, and gives you Breath, Life and Spirit, to serve and worship him. And my Desires are to the Lord, That you in his Truth and Power may answer the Truth in all, both King, and Prince, and Turks and Moors, that you may be a good Savour among them all, and in them all; manifesting that you are the Salt of the Earth, and the Light of the World; and a City set on a Hill, that cannot be hid; So that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father, which is in Heaven. And what do you know, but the Lord hath set you there to preach in Life, and Word, and good Conversation? Therefore while you are there, mind your Service for God, who hath all things in his Hand: And a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Providence. And Christ is the Mountain that filleth the whole Earth; and so you will feel him there. And therefore keep in the Word of Power, and in the Word of Patience, and the Word of Wisdom, that will give you Dominion over all. Amen. London, the 25th of the 8th Month, 1690. G. F. You may petition the Emperor, or King, and your Patroons, Postscript. whose Captives you are, that you may have one Day in the Week to meet together to worship and serve the Great God (that made you) in Spirit and Truth. For you worship no Representation, Image, or Likeness, neither in Heaven nor in the Earth, but the Great God, who is Lord over all, both in Heaven and Earth; and is manifest by his Spirit in his People; from you, poor Captives, who desire their Good here, and their Eternal Happiness hereafter. And you may draw up a Paper to this Effect, and get it Translated into their Language, and send it to the Emperor and his Council, and your Patroons; and set your Hands to it with all speed, after the the receipt of this. George Fox. THE END. THE FIRST TABLE, CONTAINING The Names of Countries, Cities, Towns and Places, mentioned in this Collection of Epistles; being those from, or to which they were sent and directed by the Author, on Truth's Account, in England and other Places. A AMerica 2. 352. 399. 401. 426. 453. 471. 477 Algiers 455. 471. 491. 502 Amsterdam 505 B Bishopric 2. 36. 45. 52 Bristol 123.317. 329. 489 Barbadoes 129. 138. 143. 181. 226. 228. 253. 316. 324. 326. 343. 353. 366. 395. 471. 488 Burlington 456 Bednal-Green 532. 540. 543. 545 C Cumberland 3. 31. 36. 45. 52. 394 Castle 5. 203 City 6 Colchester 186 Cockford 196 Carolina 321. 462. 490 Carribby Islands 354. 363 Charles Town 490 D Darbyshire 2 Dover 5 Dantzick 398. 491. 508. 529. 542 Dolston 471. 490. 502 E England 2. 5. 329. 399. 470. 473. 491. 504 Exon 88 Essex 196. 493. 554 Edmonton 480. 554 Enfield 541 East-Jersey 543 F France 140 Friezland 255. 470. 539 Frederickstadt 539 G Germany 129. 151. 255. 470. 491 Guilderland 255 Gousey 493. 554. 555 H Holland 129. 151. 255. 337. 399. 470. 471. 491. 539 Hamborough 255. 539 Horsham 458 I Ireland 2. 112. 129. 181. 304. 471. 491 Jamaica 4. 153. 186. 329. 363. 397. 470 Islands 138. 144. 178. 180. 181 Italy 140 Isle of Man 397 K Kendal 19 Kingston 340. 477. 489. 529. 556 L Leicestershire 2. 460 Lancashire 13. 18. 36. 52 Lancaster 154. 200. 203 London 4. 5. 76. 77. 108. 109. 127. 164. 235. 255. 344. 411. 417. 454. 455. 456. 459. 462. 471. 477. 491. 504. 508. 540. 542. 545. 552. 554. 555. 556. 557 Leghorn 140 Low Countries 140 Lynn 172 M Malton 63 Markets 61. 128 Medlesham 172 Maryland 177. 186. 226. 228. 253. 316. 327. 398. 400 Marshgrainge 389. 394 Middlesex 480 Macqueness 556 N Nottinghamshire 2 Northumberland 2. 36. 45. 52 North 11.65.115 Northern 13 Newcastle 36. 52 New-England 129. 138. 146. 178. 181. 186. 226. 253. 262. 277. 316. 324. 397 Norway 140 Norfolk 172 Nevis 186. 363 New-Jersey 401. 473. 541 O Oxford 416 P Plymouth 77 Poland 140. 151 Palatine 151 Palatinate 255. 539. 541 Pensilvania 473. 540. 543. 545. 553 R Reading 147 Rode Island 366. 470 S Scotland 2. 125. 129. 471. 491 Southwark 5 Suburbs 6 Swarthmore 10. 353. 357. 361. 368. 397. 399. 400. 401. 402. 416. 417. 420. 426. 428. 439 Sedburgh 12 Sweedland 255 Switzerland 255 Surrey 256 Sussex 412. 458 V Virginia 129. 138. 146. 177. 180. 186. 226. 228. 253. 316. 324. 335. 398. 400 W Westmoreland 2. 36. 52 White-Chappel 6 Wales. 112. 541 Worcester 129. 333. 335. 336. 340. 346 Worplesdom 453 West-Jersey 456. 543. 545. 555 Y Yorkshire 2. 416. 455. 552 York 474. 486. 488. 507. 528 Z Zealand. 255 THE SECOND TABLE, Being a Catalogue of the Epistles, of that Faithful Servant of Christ, G. Fox, to Friends, contained in this Volume. 1643. A Testimony how the Lord sent G. F. forth at the first, Page 1 1644. Concerning the spreading of the Truth, and how that many were Imprisoned, etc. Page 2 1650. Upon the fourth Day of the first Month, I felt the Power of the Lord to spread over all the World in Praise, Page 7 Epistle 1. Friends forsake the Company of, etc. Page 8 2. Friends, the Children of the Devil, how expert are they in Evil, Ibid. 3. Friends, there is an Eye that looketh to see the good Seed, Page 9 1651. 4. All Friends mind that which is pure in you to God, Ibid. 1652. 5. Dear Father and Mother, etc. Page 10 6. Friends, no one is justified breaking the Commands of Christ, Ibid. 7. To Friends at Swarthmore, Ibid. 8. Dear Friends, those that will Live Godly in Christ Jesus, Page 11 9 Friends, that which is set up by the Sword, is upheld by the Sword, Ibid. 10. To Friends to stand still in Troubles, and see the strength of the Lord, Ibid. 11. Dear Hearts, Brethren and Babes of Christ, wait to feed, Page 12 12. Friends, if you love the Light, and walk in it, ye love Christ, Ibid 13. To the Flock of God about Seburgh, Ibid. 14. A word from the Lord to Friends, Page 13 15. To the Church of God in Lancashire, Ibid. 16. To all you my Dear Friends, who have tasted of, etc. Page 14 17. Dear Friends, prise your time and the Love of the Lord, Page 15 18. All Dear Friends every where, Ibid. 19 Dear and Tender Friends, Page 16 20. To all my Dear Brethren, Page 17 21. To Friends at Kendal, Page 19 22. Oh Friends keep close to the Light in you, Ibid. 1653. 23. Friends fear not the Power of Darkness, Page 20 24. To all Friends every where, dwell in the Truth, Ibid. 25. To Friends in the Truth, Page 22 26. To Friends concerning Marriages, Friends all they, Page 23 27. To all my Dear Friends and Brethren, Ibid. 28. To all you that are enlightened, etc. Page 24 29. Concerning Tithes, Ibid. 30. To a Suffering Friend, Page 26 31. Dear Friends, mind the steadfast Guide to the Lord, Ibid. 32. To Friends that their Minds go not from the Spirit of God, Ibid. 33. To Friends for all to wait and walk in the Truth, Page 28 34. Friends I do warn you, etc. Page 30 35. To Friends in the Ministry, Page 31 36. Friends take your heavenly Censures, and offer, etc. Ibid. 37. Dear Friends prise your heavenly Calling, Ibid. 38. An Epistle to the Travellers in the Lord's Way, Page 33 39 All Friends in Westmoreland, Cumberland, Bishopric, Northumberland and Lancashire. Page 36 40. Friends I do you all warn and charge to be Faithful, etc. Ibid. 41. Friends to you all this Exhortation is from, etc. Page 36 42. To Friends concerning the Light, Page 37 43. To all my Dear Brethren the Flock of God, etc. Page 38 44. All Friends wait upon the unlimited Power and Spirit, etc. Page 40 45. Concerning the Heirs of the Kingdom of God, Page 41 46. To all Friends who are in the Unity which is in the Light, Page 44 47. All Friends every where, who with the Light, etc. Page 45 48. To Friends concerning Judging, Page 47 49. Friends, in the Life and Power of God dwell, Page 49 50. All Friends dwell in that which is Pure, etc. Page 51 51. To Friends concerning the Cross of Christ, the Power of God, Ibid. 52. All Friends in Westmoreland, Lancashire, Cumberland, Bishopric, Page 52 53. Concerning the Duty of all Friends in Truth, etc. Page 53 54. This is sent among Friends who be in the Light, Ibid. 55. The Word of the Lord God to all my Brethren, etc. Page 54 56. To call the Minds out of the Creatures, Page 55 1654. 57 To a Friend in Distress, Page 57 58. Oh Friends look not out, etc. Ibid. 59 Friends make not Flesh your Arm by carnal Reasoning, Ibid, 60. To Friends to keep in the fear of the Lord, Page 58 61. Friends dwell all in the Immortal Seed of God, Ibid. 62. All Friends be low in the Life of God, Ibid. 63. To Friends concerning the Covenant of Light and Life, Ibid. 64. To Friends in the Ministry, Page 61 65. This is the Word of the Lord to all Friends and Fellow-Labourers in the Truth, Ibid. 66. All Friends meet together in the Light, etc. Page 62 67. To Friends concerning Marriages, Ibid. 68 Friends, know the Life and Power of God, Page 63 69. To Friends at Malton, Ibid. 70. Friends I do Judge that in all which is contrary to the Life and Power of God, Page 64 71. To Friends to live in the Power of God, in Christ that never fell, Ibid. 72. To Friends in the North, Page 65 73. Concerning Tithes, Ibid. 74. My Dear Friends live in the Immortal Seed and Power of the Lord God, Page 66 75. Dear beloved Friends and Brethren in the Power and Life, Page 67 76. Oh all Friends in the Unchangeable Life, Power and Seed, etc. Page 68 77. Friends in the Measure of Life, Ibid. 78. Friends in the Power and Life of God dwell in Unity, Page 69 79. To all Friends to abide in their Callings, Ibid. 80. To seek the Kingdom of God first, Page 72 1655. 81. All Friends every where, etc. Page 73 82. The Word of the Lord to all Friends, Page 74 83. Dear Friends in the Eternal Truth of God, etc. Page 75 84. To Friends to sit under their own Vines, etc. Page 76 85. An Epistle to Friends, that with the Light they may see, etc. Ibid. 86. To Friends in London Page 77 87. Friends in the Power of the Lord go forth Ibid. 88 Friends, meet together waiting upon the Lord, etc. Ibid. 89. For Plymouth Ibid 90. Friends, all ye whose Minds are turned, etc. Ibid. 91. A General Epistle to Friends, concerning the Priest's Page 78 92. To all the Seed of Abraham, etc. Page 79 93. That Friends should have a sense of one another's Sufferings Page 80 94. Friends, I do Warn and Exhort you all, Ibid. 95. Grow in the Increase of God Page 81 96. A Warning to Friends, to keep to the Light, out of Deceit Ibid. 97. To a Friend Ibid. 98. Dear Friends, stand in the Faith Ibid. 99 To all that make mention of the Name of the Lord, etc. Page 82 100 Concerning all such as set up outward Crosses, etc. Ibid. 101. Dear Friends and Brethren in the Everlasting Seed of God, etc. Page 83 102. Friends encourage not, etc. Ibid. 103. To keep to the Witness of God Page 84 104. All Friends every where in the Power of God dwell Ibid. 105. Concerning the Light, etc. Page 86 106. To Friends to keep in the Life, etc. Ibid. 107. Now dear Friends in the Power of the Everlasting God Page 87 1656. 108. Friends, wait in the Light, etc. Ibid. 109. Friends, keep to the Patience, etc. Ibid. 110. To Friends Prisoners at Exon, Page 88 111. A Warning from the Lord for Plainness of Speech to be used Ibid. 112. All Friends mind the Light Page 91 113. To a Friend in the Ministry Ibid. 114. Dear Brethren, in the mighty Power of God, etc. Ibid. 115. To Friends, concerning the Word of Life, etc. Page 92 116. Concerning Judging in Meetings Ibid. 117. My dear Friends keep your Meetings, etc. Page 93 118. Let no Friends go beyond their own Measures Ibid. 119. Friends, wait in the Life, etc. Ibid. 120. My dear Friends, dwell in the Everlasting Seed, etc. Ibid. 121. To Friends, to take care of such as suffer for owning the Truth Page 94 122. Friends, to that which is pure I speak, etc. Ibid. 123. Men in the Fall are in the Wars and Strife, etc. Page 95 124. My Friends, be faithful, and keep your Meetings, Page 96 125. Friends, to you all, this is, etc. Page 97 126. For Friends to dwell in Love and Unity Ibid. 127. All Friends every where, do not delight in Apparel, etc. Ibid. 128. To all Friends, to keep in the Power of God, etc. Ibid. 129. My dear Friends and Brethren, keep in the Seed of Peace Page 98. 130. All Friends dwell in the Truth, Ibid. 131. Friends, every where, dwell in the Power of the Lord God, Page 102 132. An Epistle to Friends, for all to keep in the Light, Page 104 133. Friends, towards all Men walk in Wisdom, etc. Page 106 134. Live in Peace, etc. Ibid. 1657. 135. To Francis howgil and Edward Burroughs, Ibid. 136. Dear Friends, dwell in that which keeps your Peace, etc. Page 107 137. Friends, let God's Wisdom have the Stay of your Minds, Ibid. 138. Friends, ye that are Prisoners of the Lord Jesus Christ, Ibid. 139. Friends, know the Praying in the Spirit, Page 108 140. All Friends every where that do suffer for Tithes, Ibid. 141. To Friends, to gather up their Sufferings, and lay them before Judges, Page 109 142. All my dear Friends, keep up your Heads above the Waters, Page 110 143. All Friends and Brethren in the Noble Seed of God, Page 111 144. Friends, get not Knowledge in the unsanctified Part, Ibid. 145. Friends, where there is Strife among any of you, etc. Ibid. 146. To Friends in Ireland, Page 112 147. To Friends in Wales, Ibid. 148. An Exhortation to fervent Prayer, and steadfast Faith, Page 113 149. To Friends to know one another in the Light, etc. Page 115 150. Friends all every where, in the Life and Power of God live, Page 116 151. Friends, there was a time when the Apostles preached Christ, Ibid. 152. This is the Word of the Lord God to you all, Page 117 153. To Friends beyond the Sea, that have Black and Indian Slaves, Ibid. 154. Oh Friends, keep out of that State, etc. Ibid. 155. Concerning the Light, Page 119 156. All Friends, I do Warn and Charge you, Page 120 1658. 157. Friends, by the Wisdom of God was all things made, etc. Page 121 158. Friends and Brethren every where, dwell in that which makes for Peace, Page 122 159. Dear Friends, all dwell in the Everlasting Seed of God, Christ Jesus, Page 123 160. All my dear Friends, Folly and Wickedness will have an end, etc. Ibid. 161. Oh Friends, do not die from the Good, Ibid. 162. Friends, keep your Meetings in the Power of God, etc. Page 124 163. Dear Friends, in the Life live. Ibid. 164. My dear Friends, keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord, Ibid. 165. All Friends, be faithful in the Power of God, Page 125 166. To the Church of God in Scotland, Ibid. 167. My dear Friends, be not carried away by good Words, etc. Page 126 168. Friends, all every where, who have tasted of the Love, etc. Page 127 169. To all the Elect, Chosen and Faithful, Ibid. 170. Friends, every one of you having Light from the Son of God, Page 129 1659. 171. A General Epistle to them who are of the Royal Priesthood, Ibid. 172. We are of the Royal Seed, Elect and Precious, etc. Page 133. 173. All Friends, take heed of running on in a Form, etc. Page 135 174. Dear Friends all every where, feel the Seed of God over all, Ibid. 175. To Friends to serve one another in Love, Page 136 176. Friends that Minister, etc. Ibid. 177. All Friends every where, who are dead to all Carnal Weapons, Page 137 178. To Friends in Barbadoes, Virginia, New-England, and all the Islands about, Page 138 180. My dear Friends in the Love and Life, etc. Page 139 181. Friends, live in the unchangeable Power of God, Ibid. 182. My dear Hearts, do your Business faithfully, Page 140 183. Friends, dwell in Patience, etc. Ibid. 184. Oh my dear Friends and Brethren, Page 141 185. All Friends be obedient to the Power of God, Page 142 186. Friends, which have known and tasted of the Power of the Mighty God, Page 143 187. This to go among Friends, Page 144 188. Friends, live in the Seed of God, Page 145 189. To Friends in New-England and Virginia, Page 146 190. Oh Friends, have an esteem of Truth and God's Glory, Page 147 1660. 191. All Friends every where, that are Convinced with Truth, Page 148 192. Friends in the fear of the Lord God live, Page 150 193. Dear William, thou hast, etc. Page 151 194. Dear Friends, who have found the better Part, Ibid. 195. Friends, all that are moved of the Lord, etc. Page 152 196. Dear Friends in Jamaica, and elsewhere, Page 153 197. Dear Friends in the Power of the Lord dwell, Ibid. 198. Dear Friends keep over all that which tends to Strife, Page 154 1661. 199. Friends the Matter concerning not putting off the Hat in Prayer, Ibid. 200. The Line of Righteousness and Justice stretched forth over all Merchants, etc. Page 156 201. Dear Friends, in the Stillness and Silence of the Power of the Almighty dwell, Page 162 202. An Answer to a letter sent to G. F. Page 163 203. What Friends do ye Reign as Kings, etc. Ibid. 204. To all Friends Prisoners, Page 164 205. All Friends live in God's Dominion, Ibid. 206. In the Power of God that is Everlasting, Page 165 207. Dear Friends look over all Sufferings, Page 170 208. All ye Prisoners of the Lord for his Truth, Ibid. 209. My Dear Friends in the Power of God, etc. Page 172 210. Friends trust not in Man, etc. Ibid. 211. Friends all ye that know the way of Truth, Page 173 212. To a Friend under an exercise of Spirit, Page 174 213. Dear Friends in the Life and Power of God dwell, Ibid. 214. Friends the Power of the Lord God is over all, Page 175 1662. 215. To Friends, to Labour in the Ministry that their Lives may Preach, Page 177 216. To Friends in New-England, and the Islands beyond Sea, Page 178 217. All my Dear Friends and Brethren, etc. Page 180 218. Dear Friends and Brethren, let Patience possess your Souls, Page 181 219. All my Dear Friends dwell in the Life, Page 182 220. Friends, Truth is that which is pure, Ibid. 221. All my Dear Friends every where, the Power of the Lord God, etc. Page 183 222. A General Epistle to be read in all the Christian Meetings, etc. Page 186 223. All Dear Friends and Brethren stand fast in the Power of the Lord God, Page 196 224. Dear Friends, whom Death, Bonds nor the Outward Creature, can separate, Page 197 225. Friends keep in the Power of the Lord, Ibid. 1663. 226. My Dear Friends in the Everlasting Seed, etc. Page 198 227. Sing and Rejoice ye Children of the Day, Page 199 228. Dear Friends, who have tasted of that which is precious, Ibid. 229. Friends, let not your knowledge be after the Flesh, Page 200 230. Friends stand still and see, be still and hear, Page 201 1664. 231. My Dear Friends be faithful to the Lord God, Page 202 Two General Epistles to be read, etc. 232. (1.) All Friends every where, who are gathered in the name of Jesus, Page 203 233. (2.) Friends, this is the day of the trial of your Faith, Page 209 234. All you Prisoners of the Lord, etc. Page 211 235. Friends you who now come to suffer by a Land-Flood, keep on the Rock, Page 212 236. All my Dear Friends in the Everlasting Power, etc. Page 213 237. My Dear Friends and Brethren, the Lord is with you all, etc. Page 214 238. My dear Friends and Brethren, all every where keep your Habitations, Ibid. 239. A General Epistle to all Friends, Ibid. 240. Friends, all Outward Things, Figures, Types, Shadows and Inventions, etc. Page 220 241. Dear Friends, keep your Meetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Page 225 1665. 242. The Saints Weapons are Spiritual, Page 226 1666. 243. All my Dear Friends this is your day to stand, Ibid. 244. To Friends in Barbadoes, Virginia, Maryland, New-England, etc. Ibid. 245. An Epistle to be read in all the Assemblies of the Righteous, Page 228 246. Oh Dear Friends, mind every one your Habitation, etc. Page 234 247. Dear Friends, dwell in the gentle Wisdom of the Lord God, Page 235 248. Friends, keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God, Ibid. 1667. 249. A General Epistle to Friends, and to all People, etc. Page 236 1st, Concerning the Worship of God, and the Jew Outward, etc. Page 242. 2d, Concerning who drink the New Wine, and who drink the Old, Page 246 3d, Concerning Gathering in the Name of Jesus, Page 248 250. A Warning to all to keep out of the Vain Fashions of the World, Page 249 251. My Dear Friends in the Truth and Seed of God, etc. Page 251 252. For Friends in the Ministry, scattered abroad in Virginia, etc. Page 253 253. To Friends in Holland, Page 255 1668. 254. Friends, let your affections be set on things which are above, Page 256 255. Dear Friends all who from the beginning have been Convinced, Ibid. 256. My Dear Friends live in the Wisdom of God, Ibid. 257. Dear Friends be faithful in the service of God, Page 257 258. Dear Friends, in the Truth of God Ibid. 259. Dear Friends be faithful in the Truth, which the Devil is out of, Page 258 260. Dear Friends, if the Truth make you free, then are you free indeed, Page 259 261. Friends, to call Men Masters, or Gracious Lord, etc. Page 266 262. All Friends and People, this is to be condemned, etc. Page 267 263. An Exhortation to keep in the Ancient Principles of Truth, Page 274 1669. 264. An Additional Extract from other of G. F's Epistles, Page 276 265. All you that are believers in the Light, which manifesteth Darkness, Page 293 266. And all you believers in the heavenly Light, etc. Page 299 267. To Ministering Friends, Page 300 268. Not to be over-thoughtfull of the things of this World, Page 301 269. Concerning the single Language, Page 302 270. For all that be gathered in the Name of Jesus, Ibid. 271. Concerning those who go out of Unity, and deny Forms, Page 303 272. To Friends in Ireland, Page 304 273. Not to trust in uncertain Riches, Ibid. 274. My Dear Friends in the pure and undefiled Life all Live, Page 305 275. All Friends every where, in the living Spirit and living Power, etc. Ibid. 276. Dear Friends live in Peace and Love, Page 308 277. My Dear Friends, when you were formerly in a Profession, Ibid. 278. And Friends, see that all Apprentices that are bound amongst you, etc. Page 310 1670. 279. The Substance of a General Epistle, Page 311 280. All Dear Friends every where, who have no helper but the Lord, Page 315 281. Dear Friends the Truth of God mind, Ibid. 282. Friends, in the Seed that bruises the Serpent's Head, etc. Page 316 283. To Friends at Bristol in time of Suffering, Page 317 1671. 284. Dear Friends and Brethren, see that all live in the peaceable Truth, Ibid. 285. Dear Friends this is the Counsel of the Lord to you all, Page 319 286. Friends, when you are met together in the Name of Jesus, Ibid. 287. Friends, consider you that have known the Mercies of the Lord, Page 320 1672. 288. To Friends in Carolina, Page 321 289. Dear Friends every where be faithful to God, Page 322 290. Dear Friends, live in Love, for that is of God, Ibid. 291. To all the women's Meetings that are Believers in the Truth, Page 323 292. To Friends in New-England, virginia and Barbadoes, Page 324 293. To Friends in Barbadoes, Page 326 1673. 294. Friends, the Truth is above all, etc. Page 327 295. Friends, at the first Convincement there is not so much danger, Ibid. 296. Friends, all keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God, Page 328 297. Dear Friends, keep in the Power of the Lord, Ibid. 298. Dear Friends, to whom is my Love in that which changes not, Page 329 299. To Friends at Jamaica, Ibid. 300. Dear Friends, let your Faith stand in the Power of God, Page 330 301. To all the women's Meetings, Page 333 302. To all Friends that live in the Truth. Page 334 303. Dear Friends, all be faithful, etc. Page 335 304. To Friends in Virginia, Ibid. 305. My Dear Friends, live in the Seed, etc. Page 336 1674. 306. To Friends in Holland, Page 337 307. My dear Friends, who feel the Precious Truth, Page 338 308. My dear Friends in England, and all parts of the World, Page 340 309. Friends, seek the Peace of all Men, Page 342 310. Friends, in every thing give thanks, Page 343 311. For the Men and women's Meetings in Barbadoes, Ibid. 312. All Friends that are in the Power of God, Page 344 313. Friends, all that are sensible of the Power of God, etc. Page 346 1675. 314. To all my dear Friends Elect and Precious in America, Page 352 315. To Friends in Barbadoes, Page 353 316. Dear Friends, all that feel the Life, and Power and Spirit of the Living God, Page 354 317. To all the Elect and Chosen of God, in Christ Jesus, before the Foundation of the World, Page 357 318. All Dear Friends and Brethren, keep up your Testimony, etc. Page 361 319. To Friends in Nevis, and the Caribby Islands, Page 363 1676. 320. An Encouragement to all the faithful women's Meetings, etc. Page 368. 321. To all the Men and Woman's Meetings that are gathered in the Name of Jesus, Page 389 332. To Friends in Cumberland, Page 394 333. To Friends in Barbadoes, Page 395 334. To Friends in the Isle of Man, Page 397 335. To Friends in Virginia- and Maryland, Page 398 336. To Friends at Dantzick, Ibid. 337. To Friends in Holland, Page 399 338. To Friends in Maryland and Virginia, Page 400 339. All my dear Friends and Brethren, etc. Page 401 340. To Friends in New-Jersey in America, Ibid. 341. My Friends, all you that know God, and Christ your Teacher, Page 402 342. My dear Friends and Brethren, that Faith, which is the Gospel of God, etc. Page 403 343. Friends, in the Power, and Image, and Truth, etc. Page 405 1677. 344. An Epistle to be read in the Men and women's Meetings, etc. Page 409 345. My dear Friends, to whom is my Love in the Everlasting Seed, Page 411 346. To Friends at Sussex, Page 412 347. Concerning the Subjection of the Spirits of the Apostles one to another, etc. Page 413 348. Dear Friends to whom is my Love in the heavenly Seed, Page 414 1678. 349. To Friends in the County of Oxford, Page 416 350. To the Yearly Meeting in Yorkshire, Ibid. 351. Friends, know what the Lord doth require of you, etc. Page 417 352. An Epistle to Friends, to keep in the Power of God, etc. Page 418 353. My dear Friends, whose Faces are set towards Zion, Page 420 354. And dear Friends my Love to you all in the Seed of Life, Page 423 1679. 355. To Friends in America, concerning their Negroes and Indians, Page 426 356. Dear Friends every where, that have received the Truth as it is in Jesus, Page 428 357. Dear Friends, all live in the Life of the true Christians, Page 430 358. Dear Friends, with my Love to you all in the holy peaceable Truth, Page 431 359. An Epistle to be read among Friends, Ibid. 360. To all the Men and women's Meetings every where, Page 434 361. An Epistle to Friends for them to read, Page 439 And now my dear Friends, concerning true Liberty, Page 443 1680. 362. And now Friends, you who are called into the Glorious Liberty, Page 450 363. Dear Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, Ibid. 364. To Friends in America, Page 453 365. To Friends in Yorkshire, Page 454 366. A Letter to the Captives, who meet together to worship God, in Algiers, Page 455 1681. 367. To Friends in Burlington, West-Jersey, Page 456 368. To suffering Friends at Horsham in Sussex, Page 458 369. To the Flock of Christ Jesus every where, Page 459 370. To suffering Friends at Leicester, Page 460 371. To Friends in Carolina, Page 462 372. An Epistle concerning the Government of Christ, Page 463 1682. 373. To Friends in Jamaica, Page 470 374. To Friends in Holland, Page 471 375. To Friends in Barbadoes, Ibid. 376. To Friends in New-Jersey and Pensilvania, Page 473 377. To Friends that are Prisoners in York, Page 474 378. To all the Elect of God, chosen and faithful, etc. Page 476 379. An Epistle to all Planters, etc. in foreign Plantations, America, Page 477 380. To all Christians, to keep to Yea, Yea, and Nay, Nay, etc. Page 478 381. A Way to prevent the Indignation and Judgements of God, Page 480 382. An Epistle to the Household of Faith, Page 482 1683. 380. To the Quarterly Meeting at York, Page 486 384. To the Six Weeks Meeting in Barbadoes, Page 488 385. To suffering Friends in Prison at Bristol, Page 489 386. To Friends in Charles-Town in Carolina, Page 490 387. To the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting in England, etc. Page 491 388. To Friends that are Captives at Algiers, Ibid. 389. To the Household of Faith, which is the Church of Christ, Page 493 390. An Epistle to all Friends, Page 498 1684. 391. To the Meeting of Friends in Truth, that are Captives in Algiers, Page 502 392. To the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings in England, etc. Page 504 393. To Friends in Holland, Page 505 394. Dear Friends and Brethren, who are Elect and Chosen in Christ, Page 506 395. To Friends at the Yearly Meeting in York, Page 507 396. To the Suffering Friends of Dantzick, Page 508 397. An Epistle to Friends, against Pride and Haughtiness. Page 510 398. An Epistle to all the Prisoners and Sufferers for the Name of the Lord Jesus, Page 521 1685. 399. Concerning the Pure and Undefiled Religion, etc. Page 526 400. To Friends at York, Page 528 401. Dear Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, Page 529 402. A General Epistle, Dear Friends go not from your Habitations, Page 533 403. Dear Friends in Holland, Friezland, Hambrough, Frederickstadt, Dantzick, Palatinate, etc. Page 539 404. To Friends in Pensilvania, Page 540 405. To Friends in the Ministry, in Pensilvania and New-Jersey, Page 541 406. To Friends in Wales, Ibid. 407. To Friends in Dantzick Page 542 1686. 408. To Friends in Pensilvania, East and West-Jersey, Page 543 409. To all the holy Women that trust in God, etc. Page 545 410. An Epistle for them that are learned in Christ, to read and understand, Page 548 411. To the Yearly Meeting in Yorkshire, Page 552 1687. 412. To Friends in West-Jersey and Pensilvania, Page 553 413. Dear Friends, my desire is that all Friends prise the Mercy, etc. Page 554 1688. 414. All my Dear Friends and Brethren, Ibid. 415. Dear Friends my Love is to all, Ibid. 1689. 416. To the Quarterly Men and women's Meetings in London, Ibid. 417. Dear Friends and Brethren in Christ Jesus, Page 555 1690. 418. To the Six Weeks Meeting in London, Ibid. 419. Dear Friends, something was upon me to Write to you, etc. Page 556 420. To Friends, Captives in Macqueness, Ibid. The End of the Second Table. ERRATA. PAge 14. l. 45. no Parenthisis, p. 15. l. 36. for and so r. but, p. 16. l. 42. for into r. of, p. 18. l. 10. for into r. in, p. 3 r. l. 23. for they r. ●e, p. 39 l. 44. after Friends deal that, p. 42. l. 42. for so r. for, p. 43. l. 3. after reason add which, p. 59 l. 8. for is r. are, p. 64. l. 6. after ending add and, p. 67. l. 34. for Beauty r. Joy, p. 137. l. 23. for he r. the, Ibid. l. 31. deal the before of, p. 142. l. 29. r. Lords r. Lord, p. 146. l. 6. after it deal to, p. 153. l. 23. for which r. but, p. 180. l. 26. after Ills add and, p. 211. l. 7. after Abomination add that, Ibid. l. 11. deal that, p. 226. l. 39 deal are, p. 234. l. 13. deal it, p. 267. l. 3. after say add that, p. 334. l. 44. for this r. these, p. 338. l. 47. for has r. have, p. 339. l. 39 deal let, Ibid. l. 40. for wander r. wand'ring, p. 344. l. 26. for which r. this, Ibid. l. 34. after things deal and, p. 353. l. 22. for Word's r World's, p. 356. l. 17. after Sacrifices add for, p. 398. l. 22. for feedeth r. feed, p. 437. l. 27. for sprikles r. sprinkles, p. 455. l. 9 for met r. meet, p. 456. l. 5. for Bondange r. Bondage, Ibid. l. 17. after how add He brought them down, p. 462. l. 45. after of add the, p. 475. l. 40. deal his p. 508. l. 19 deal fore, p. 514. l. 49. deal and, p. 517. l. 8. for to r. and, p. 534. l. 45. for Disciple r. Disciples, p. 545. l. 27. after to add be. BOOKS Printed and Sold by T. Sowle, next Door to the Meetinghouse in White-Hart-Court in Gracious-Street. And at the Bible in Leaden. Hall-Street near the Market, 1699. SAmuel Fisher's Works, in Folio. Robert Barclay's Works, in Folio. George Fox's Journal, with W. Penn's Preface, Folio. The Works of the Long, Mournful, and Sorrowful Distressed Isaac Penington, Folio. The Works of that Memorable and Ancient Servant of Christ, Stephen Crisp; containing also a Journal of his Life, giving an Account of his Convincement, Travels, Labours, and Sufferings, in and for the Truth. price Bound 5 s. A Collection of the several Writings and Faithful Testimonies of that suffering Servant of God, and patiented Follower of the Lamb, Humphrey Smith, Truth's Innocency and Simplicity Shining through the Conversion, Gospel-Ministry, Labours, Epistles of Love, Testimonies and Warnings to Professors and Profane, (with the Long and Patiented Sufferings) of that Ancient and Faithful Minister and Servant of Jesus Christ, Tho. 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England's Present Interest-considered, with Honour to the Prince, and Safety to the People, In Answer to this own Question; What is most Fit, Easie and Safe at this Juncture of Affairs to be done, for Quieting of Differences, Allaying the Heat of Contrary Interests, and making them Subservient to the Interest of the Government, and Consistent with the Prosperity of the Kingdom? Submitted to the Consideration of our Superiors. By W. Penn. The Fourth Edition. price Bound 1 s. A Defence of a Paper, entitled, Gospel-truths', against the Exceptions of the Bishop of Cork's Testimony (against the Quakers.) By W. Penn. price Bound 1 s. The Christian-Quaker and his Divine Testimony Stated and Vindicated, from Scripture, Reason and Authority. By W. Penn. price Bound 2 s. A Diurnal Speculum; containing, I. A plain and easy Method to find out those things that are most useful to be known Yearly: And may serve as an Almanac for Thirty Years; and many other things suitable to the Matter, etc. II. 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II. A Relation of the Cruelties they acted after the Pope got up, being worse than the Turk and Heathen: New Rome proving like Old. III. What the People of England worshipped before they were Christians. iv To which is added, The Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church. With several other things, very profitable for all that fear God to Read, Try and give Judgement by the Spirit of Truth, against the Worship of the Beast and Whore. price 1 s. 6 s. Instructions for Right Spelling, and plain Directions for Reading and Writing True English. With several delightful things, very Useful and Necessary, both for Young and Old to Read and Learn. price bound 6 d. A New Book for Children to Learn in. With many wholesome Meditations for them to consider. With Directions for true Spelling; and the Ground of true Reading and Writing of true English. price 3 d. 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