A TESTIMONY TO THE True Light, Which is the Way of Life and Righteousness, to all that obey it, and are subject to its requirings.  
Being a Serious Admonition to all People to turn to the Lord; but more especially intended for the Inhabitants of the Town of Colchester and Parts adjacent.  
By John Furly.  
Also, A true Relation how the Lord made manifest strength in weakness, and raised up a living Testimony to his Eternal Truth, in a Child of his, (named, Elizaboth, who deceased the 16th of the eight Month, called February 1669.) to the admiration of all that were about her.  My Son, if thy heart be wise, my heart shall 〈◊〉, even mine; yea, my reins shall rejoice when thy lips speaketh right things, Pro. 2●. 15, 16. The lip of Truth shall be established for ever, Prov. 12. 19 Every man will kiss his lips that giveth a right answer, Prov. 24. 26. The Tongue of the Just is as choice Silver, Prov. 10. 20. 〈◊〉 unto the Righteous, it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their do, Isa. 3. 10. 
Printed in the Year, 1670.   

A Serious Exhortation to my Neighbours and Acquaintance in and about the Town of Colchester, to improve their time, before the day of their Visitation be over.  
TO praise my dear deceased Child (who is entered into her Rest, and her Works follow her) or to exalt myself, the Lord is my Witness, I do not expose this Relation to public view; but to exalt the Name of our God, and of his Everlasting Truth, whose Name alone is excellent throughout all the Earth; who rather than fail will and doth raise up Children to be the Heralds to proclaim his Goodness, making good his Promise; to ordain praises out of the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings: I say for 
Psal. 8. 2.  this cause am I made willing it should be communicated to public view, and that others may be excited and stirred up thereby to inquire after the Way of Life and Happiness; that they with her may find rest also for their immortal Souls. There are many I know with Balaam will desire to die the death of the Righteous, and that their latter end may be like theirs, who never so much as choose the Lord to be their Portion, as she did, nor scarce set one foot forward in the Way which is Everlasting, but are rather walking in the many by-paths, and in the crooked and broad way which leads to perdition, when as the Way is but one, and its a plain Way, in which the Wayfaring-man, though a Fool, (giving heed 
Isa 35. 8.  thereunto) shall not err: It's the Way in which this Child was educated from her childhood, and it led her, and it is of ability (I do affirm it in the Name of the Lord, and give it in as my Testimony for his everlasting Truth) to bring all that shall obey it to the same Haven of Rest and Happiness as it brought her.  
Quest. Now many an honest heart may say, Let me know that Way, and acquaint me with that Principle; for rest is that which I desire, and is that which I have long been seeking after.  
Answ. To such I answer, Christ Jesus is the Way, who hath lighted every man and woman that cometh into the World; who is come a Light into the 
Joh. 9 Joh. 3. 17.  World, to the intent that all men through him might believe and be saved; according to his own assertion, I am the Light of the World, he that believeth 
John 12. 46. Joh, 8. 12 Joh. 1. 12 Joh. 3. 19  in me shall not abide in Darkness but shall have the Light of Life; And as many as did receive him, to them he gave Power to become the Sons of God; And to those that believe in him he is the same at this day; but those that did not believe on him, but reject him and his Counsel, against their own souls, those were condemned by him, because they believed not in him; for so himself affirms, This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World, and men love darkness rather than Light; That is the very cause of condemnation, and the cause why the Wrath of God comes upon men and women; to wit, Because they are disobedient to the Light with which they are enlightened, which if they did obey, it would lead them to the Light of Life.  
Quest. But some are ready to say, Why is it called Light? Where doth this Light shine? Or where is it to be found? And what effects, when it is obeyed, will it produce?  
Answ. For the sake of the simple-hearted I shall lay it down, as I have received it of the Lord.  
First, Most properly it is called Light, because it maketh manifest, according to the Apostles own words, What ever is reproved, is made manifest by the Light; for whatever maketh manifest is 
Ephe. 5. 13.  Light.  
Secondly, This Light shineth in the heart, making manifest the evil that lurketh and lodgeth there, discovering the very hidden things of dishonesty; 
2 Cor. 4. 6.  making a difference there, between the precious and the vile: And it is a Discoverer of the very thoughts, intentions, and purposes of the heart, so 
Heh. 4. 12.  that the Enemy of the soul cannot lay a bait to ensnare you, or with his cunning wiles come to tempt you; but as you apply yourselves to the Light of Christ, (which shineth in your hearts) for direction, and believe therein, and flee thereunto, as unto a strong Tower, ye will find safety.  
Thirdyy, I do affirm, that this Light of Christ, which shineth in the heart, hath Power, Virtue, and Efficacy in it to overcome the evil One in all his appearances; and therefore the Apostle Paul rightly 
Rom. 13. 12.  calls it Armour; commends it to be the Armour of proof; commands it to be put on: Saith he, Put on the Armour of Light, by which you shall be able to resist 
Ephe. 6. 16.  the fiery Darts of the Devil; not only be able to resist temptations from wicked men without you, but also the Devils temptations within you: Yea his Darts, his most piercing Darts, his fiery Darts, and not only some of them, but all his fiery Darts are to be resisted by this Light, which is Armour.  
Friends and People, there is but Christ or Belial, there is but Light or Darkness ruling in every man or woman that is in the World; the Darkness, and the power of it, is that which leads and hurries men and women into sin and evil: The Light and Power thereof, is that which makes sin and evil manifest, convinceth of sin, repoveth for it, and leads out of it; and this Light is not at a distance from 
Joh. 16. 8  you, but it shineth in your hearts, in which the abundant Love and Kindness of God unto man hath appeared; that as the Enemy of men's Souls hath got a Seat in man, and is near to him (for as it's said, He ruleth in the hearts of the Children of 
Ephe. 2. 2  disobedience) to tempt him to sin and evil; so the Light of Christ is in him also, to show him the sin, and to lead man out of it, and to give him power to resist him in all his appearances: So by minding hereof you will not be caught in his snare; for as it's said, In vain is the Net laid in sight of the Bird; yea, 
Prov. 1. 17.  as you apply yourselves to the Light, and wait for power there from, and stand upon your watch Tower, the Enemy of your souls will flee from you, as a routed Enemy, or as darkness doth when the Sun ariseth, and it cannot be otherwise, for he cannot abide the Light, in it he cannot dwell; darkness is his Centre and Habitation: The appearance 
Pro. 4. 17  of Light is the appearance of God, and that is terrible to him, that wounds him most; for God is Light, and in it he dwells, and in him is no darkness 
1 John 1. 5. 2 Cor. 6. 15.  at all; and Light and Darkness cannot dwell together, nor Christ with Belial; and therefore this old subtle Serpent the Devil, the Enemy of mankind, bends his greatest strength against the Light: I say the power of Darkness most opposes that, if he can but bring men and women into a  and disregard of the Light, to account that as a slight or a 
2 Cor. 4. 4.  mean thing, not worth the minding, he soon makes that man or woman his Slave and Vassel; as it is written, The god of this World blinds the minds of them which believe not, lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ (which is the Image of God) should shine upon them; [Mark] He would not have the Light to shine, nor its operation in the heart to be regarded; for where it's minded he knows men and 
Joh. 12. 40.  women soon comes to be redeemed, from under his power, region, and dominion; and therefore he blinds their minds and closes their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and be converted, and the Lord should heal them: I say, the power of darkness both in himself within, and in his Instruments without, bends his greatest strength and force (setting it as it were in battle array) against the Light, and the Children of the Light, because that makes him and his Kingdom manifest, and not only so, but destroys, and also detects all the deceitful & unfruitful works of darkness, that are brought forth by him, and by his offspring, which are all children of darkness; and could he but expel the Light out of the World, and root that out of the hearts of people, than he would soon accomplish his desired end indeed; then would his mountain stand strong for ever; but blessed be the Lord, & magnified be the pure Name of our God for ever, whose Glory is revealed, and whose Light is risen, which not only makes him and his subjects manifest, but shall also destroy and expel the power of darkness, and lay waste his heritage for ever; it hath done so already in the hearts of thousands, 
Prov. 4. 18.  yea, of ten thousands, and it shall increase more and more, till the Righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the Salvation thereof as a Lamp 
Isa. 62. 1.  that burneth; for that is God's determination, to exalt his Son Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, and to give him a Name above every name; yea; he will magnify his Law (and Solomon tells thee in the Proverbs, The Law is Light) and make it honourable; 
Pro. 6. 23 Isa. 23. 21.  he hath done it in a great measure already; the reproach of his people he hath taken away, the mockings of Moab, the revile of the Children of Ammon is little now to what it was in years past; but he will magnify it yet more, and make it yet more honourable; for the Gentiles must come to this Light, and Kings to the brightness of its rising, 
Isa. 60. 3. Revel. 21 24.  as it was prophesied by Isaiah; for the Nations of them that are saved must come to walk in the Light of the Lamb, of which Friends and People, we affirm that without it ye cannot be freed from the cunning wiles of Satan, who goes about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour; for Friends, there is not another power can save you from sin, but that Power which makes sin manifest; there are but two powers to which all men and women in the World are subject, the one leads into sin, the other leads out of sin; that power which prompts and leads into sin, all men will readily grant that's the power of Darkness, that never leads to God, nor yet to goodness; that Power which leads out of sin and evil, it must on the contrary be confessed, is the Arm and Power of God, none dare say that that at any time leads into sin and evil.  
So Friends and Neighbours, with the Light which shines in your hearts, which as you are faithful unto, will increase to shine more and more until it be perfect 
Pro. 4. 18  d●y, examine yourselves every day and hour under wh●t Powe● and Region you are, and whom you do 〈◊〉, (For his Servants assuredly you are (as it is written) to wh●m you yield obedience) This Light will 〈…〉 with you, it will fl●●ter none of you, nor will i● accuse any of you falsely; its Voice is God's Voice in you: and speaks one and the same Language with the Lord in Heaven; it will never justify you when you do evil, (but then brings anguish, tribulation, and sorrow upon you) nor never condemn you when you have done well; when you do well, you find and feel inwardly acceptance with the Lord; Honour, Glory, and Immortality, is your Portion, agreeable to the Apostles words, If our Hearts condemn us not, then have we peace towards 
1 John 3. 21.  God; So dear Friends, slight not its appearance, for it never appears but to do you good, or to preserve you from evil before you enter into it; it is a faithful Witness, there is no bribing of it, that will do 
Pro. 14. 5  its Office, it will show you the evil you are about to do, that so of your blood it may be clear, and if you are condemned, your condemnation may be of yourselves, as Christ the Light of the World said, If I had not come ye had not had sin, but now you have no Cloak for your sin; now men have no excuse, as it is written, All men shall be left without excuse; 
John 15. 22.  Every mouth shall be stopped; because, What could the Lord have done more for men and women, then to place a Light (which is a measure of his own Spirit) so near them, even in, in their very Hearts and Consciences, that the Enemy of their souls cannot budge or stir, but this Light makes him manifest; 
Eph. 5. 13  and often wooeth and beseecheth men to forsake the evil of their ways, which grieves his holy Spirit, and wounds their own souls; had the Lord not caused such a Light to shine, or had it not shined within, in the heart, where the Devil, and his temptations, and his goods lodgeth, man might have had a fair plea, and a just excuse another day; & have said, Lord, I saw not the Tempter, nor his Temptation, thou gavest me nothing to discover him; nor yet, that that was of authority or power to resist or grapple with so potent an Adversary; I was without any Light which should manifest his approach to me, or if I had it, it was a Light remote from me, the Enemy was in one place, and the Armour of Light by which I should resist the Devil (and so he be made to flee from me) was in another place, at a great distance from me, and I needed it nearer me, yea, within me, for, there I felt the power of Darkness stirring to tempt and prompt me to sin and evil, and so I was overcome 
Eph. 2. 2.  by him: Yea, and this would have been a fair excuse at the Bar of God's Tribunal; but all men shall be left without excuse, because, Christ is 
1 Joh. 2. 8.  come, the true Light shineth, and it shineth in your hearts, and makes manifest the sin that lodgeth there, to the end that ye might join to its Power, and resist the Devil in his first appearance, that so the Cockatrice-Egg might be broken, before ever it come to be a Serpent: Myself, with many others can set to our seal, that this is true; We have been redeemed by its Power; We have been saved and preserved by its Arm; We have felt its Efficacy in our hearts, not only to make sin and evil manifest, but also to give us power against sin, as we have adhered and joined to it; yea, it hath cleansed us, and sanctified us, and wrought in us mightily, and enabled us to make that resistance which otherwise we had never been able to make against the man of sin, and the power of darkness, by which we know it is the Power of God; as Christ said, If I do not the Works that none ever did, believe me not; If I do, then believe me for my Works sake: We have felt and tasted it, and experienced it many a year; and so we affirm not of a thing which we have not tried, or which we have taken up upon trust or here-say, from other men's reports; but we have believed, and therefore do we speak; we have tried it, and therefore we cannot but praise it, and recommend it ●o others, as the only Armour by which ye must be enabled to resist all the fiery Darts of the Devil; and as that without which ye cannot be preserved from sin and evil, but no sooner from Sinners without shall ye be enticed, but you shall consent unto them; 
Prov. 1. 10.  nor no sooner be tempted by the Evil-One within, but you shall yield to his temptations. And therefore dear Friends and Townsmen, I exhort you all in the Name and Fear of the Lord, to prove and try this excellent piece of Armour of Light; and to that end examine first, whether there is not a Light in you, which shows you your thoughts, intentions, and purposes of your hearts, whether they be evil or good, and by what name can you call this, but Light; and then examine further, when you have an intent and purpose to do evil, whether this Light doth not warn you of it beforehand, showing you it's a wicked thing you are about to do? and that its against the Will and Command of God, and against the Witness of God in your own Consciences, and yet ofttimes you will presume to do it, (can any man deny this to be true, except such as are seared as with a hot Iron?) Well, notwithstanding the Light thus testifieth against the evil, yet when ye have committed it, examine further, whether it ceaseth to do another Office, and that is to bring Judgement upon you, to reprove you, and convince you of the evil you have done, and sometimes lies so hard upon your Consciences that you resolve not to do the like another time; and yet again you not minding the Light, but rather rebelling against it, are soon over-taken in the same evil again: Oh Friends, upon examination of your own hearts, you knowing these things to be true, methink, if you would act reason but as men, you should argue in this manner; Surely this Light which shines in my heart is the Light of the Lord, & it's not placed in me to be put under a Bushel; surely I ought to obey it, & give heed to it; it is a precious Light, for it strives with me to make me good; it pleads with me on God's behalf, to forsake evil, and it never reproves me but when I do evil; surely it can be no less than a measure of God's Good Spirit, that thus shines in my heart; and so caus● you to take up a Resolution henceforth to love and obey it and be led by it; it was so with me when I was first convinced: The Light was so plain a Thing, and so precious, and so clear a Truth to me, that I have ofttimes wondered in myself how I could oppose it so long, and did not bow to it sooner; and I then concluded what ever it cost me, to walk in the Light, and be obedient thereunto; and I can truly say to this day, I have not served a hard Master, nor was it ever in the least in my heart to question the truth of it, nor hath my faith therein been shaken; but without all controversy it is undoubtedly the Way to Life and Immortality, and a Voice from that excellent Glory, which if men do not give heed unto, and answer its requiring, it will be their condemnation; for if they that despised Moses' Law died without mercy, of how much 
Heb. 10. 28, 29.  sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy, that treads under foot the Son of God and doth despite to the Spirit of Grace. Consider further, that that which hath no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but which constantly declares against it, & reproves for it, cannot be of the nature of the darkness, against which it testifies, but of a contrary Nature, to wit, of the Light; and it is that Seed which God hath left in man, of which the Apostle testifies, Had he not left us a Seed, we had been as Sodom, 
Rom. 9 29.  and made like unto Gomorrah. Now some will confess there is a relic of the Image of God (which Adam was in, in innocency) left in man; but they reckon it a trifle, and deny it to be of any power or efficacy to lead to God; but we who h●ve felt its living Power and Virtue do testify for God, and for his Truth, that its of a growing Nature, and though, in its first appearance, it is small and little, even as a Grain of Mustardseed, as Christ compared it, the least of all the Seeds in the Garden, yet it comes in time to be the greatest of all Herbs, and becometh a Tree. Friends, doth it make manifest to you one evil one day? be faithful to its manifestation, & cease from that evil, & then it will teach you to deny an other, and an other evil after that; for, to that end the Grace of God appeareth, until all ungodliness 
Titus 2. 11.  and worldly lusts be denied, and teache● to live Righteously, Holy, and Soberly in this present World: And until you become a new Lump created in Christ Jesus unto good Works; for like unto Leaven also did Christ compare it, which hide in three measures of Meal leavened the whole Lump: I say, as ye are subject to its operation and manifestation, be it in never so little, yet being faithful hereunto, ye shall be Rulers over much, and so at length come to rule in the Power and Authority of the Lord, over Satan and all his temptations.  
So, Friends and People, to this Principle of God, which is near you, which brought this Child near unto the Lord, and near and dear unto his People, do I recommend you, and not to a new thing which you have never before heard of, or in no wise experienced; but to that which you cannot but be sensible of hath striven with you ever since you were Children, and came to know your right hand from your left, which, I say, from that time bore a secret testimony in your hearts, for God, against your Lies and Falsehoods, and Evils committed, though in never so much secrecy; nay, although your Lies had the best gloss and cover put upon them that the Devil, and your own wicked hearts, could invent, yet did this pure Witness of God (which never consented to sin and evil, nor could be contaminated o● defiled by it) bear a true and faithful Witness against you, and show you that you lied and did wickedly; unto this, I say, do I recommend you, if ever you expect to enter that Kingdom into which no unclean thing can enter, or ever ye expect to be a Habitation for God, or fit Vessels for the Lord's use; even to the Word in your hearts; for he that is the Light of the World is also called the Word of God, 
Rev. 19 13.  which was from the beginning, unto which David in his day recommended Youngmen, as that by 
Psal. 119. Prov. 6. 23. Joh. 15. 3.  which they should cleanse their way; and which Solomon testified of, Which was Guide unto his Feet, and a Lamp unto his Path; And which Christ testified of, had cleansed his Disciples, Ye are clean through the Word; Which Peter also testified, of, To be a marvellous Light; and the Apostle Paul 
1 Pet. 2. 9  brings in his testimony concerning this engrafted Word, That it's nigh, even in the Heart and in the Mouth, so that none shall need to say, Who shall ascend to bring it down, or descend to bring 
Rom. 10.  it up, for its nigh in the heart and in the mouth: And this was the Doctrine of all the holy Men of God, in all Ages of the World: David prayed to the Lord, That he would lift up his Light, and his Truth, that they might lead him; for as he saith in another place, In thy Light we shall see Light; 
Isa. 2. 5.  And the Prophet Isaiah exhorted those that he loved, To walk in the Light of the Lord, and walked therein himself; Come, saith he, And let us walk in the Light of the Lord; he calls it, The good old Way, and leads into the new and living Way; and this was the very end why Paul had a Ministry committed to him, to wit, That h● might turn people from Darkness unto Light, and fro●●he power of Satan unto God; Good old Simion 〈◊〉 saith, It's 
A●t. 26. 18.  the Way prepared before the face of all People: Therefore now Friends, you giving up your consent to the truth of these things, by an inward conviction in your Consciences, (for to that I appeal, and to that always the Apostles desired to be evident) rebel no longer against it, the Spirit of God shall not always strive with you, and if you continue in rebellion against it, you shall never know the Way 
Job 24. 13  of it; and this is one main reason why the Light is so much opposed and spoken against, because people through their rebellion to it, know not the virtue and efficacy of it, and so speak evil of that they know not, but are incompetent Judges in the case; and an other reason is, because commonly they are men of perverse minds, evil men, concerning the Faith, Reprobates.  
And this Light reproves for evil deeds; as Christ said, He that doth evil hateth the Light, and will not bring his deeds to the Light, lest the Light should reprove 
John 3. 20.  him; so from Christ's own Words it follows, they are evil men that hates the Light, or speaks contemptibly of it, they are such as are Enemies in their minds to it through wicked works. 
Col. 1. 20.   
But may some say, Do not our Priest and Professors with one consent (yea, as unanimonsly, as ever the Jews called to have Christ crucified, release not this man to us, but Barrabas) speak and exclaim against the Light; Some say its a check; some say a natural light; and some a carnal light; others an insufficient light; and some call it an Ignus Fatuus; and some a diabolical light; but the truth is (saith many an honest heart) they are divided among themselves about it (as the Elders was in accusing innocent Susanna; some said, under a Sick more Tree; and some under an other Tree; and none of all these testimonies in this case are true; or to be regarded) and we know not what to think of it; but I dare not but think (say some people) that many of them are knowing men, and good men, and who shall we believe? It's none but you Quakers commend the Light, as it was said of Christ's Followers of old, Do any of the Rulers of the People believe in him? but this People that know not the Law are accursed.  
Here what Christ saith, He concludes them ignorant men; against whom thou art not (whosoever thou art) to oppose thy judgement: He said to the learned 
Mat. 22. 29.  Pharisees, You err not knowing the Scripture (though they had the Scripture) nor the Power of God; and testifies further against them, They were evil men, and a Generation of Vipers, and herein their wickedness appeared in hating the Light; He that doth evil hates the Light; such as are reproved by 
John 3. 20.  it, and judged by it, and condemned by it, are the only Haters of it: I say, such as would have Christ's Kingdom pulled down, and Satan's Kingdom set up, it's no other that dare lift up a hand or a tongue against the Light, whatever they may profess in words; can you make me believe, or any rational man, that a good man that hath experienced its operation, and that walks in the Light, can speak against the Light? its as easy and as possible for a man to fathom the Are, or make a Girdle for the Sun; he cannot, he dares not; for the Light is his Life, his Armour, his Preserver, his strong Tower, (which as he flees unto he is safe) it's his delight to dwell in it, and walk in it; it's that which he is made a child of; should he speak against the Light, he should speak against the Lord, he should vilify his Maker, he should speak against his own Interest, and against that Kigndom of which he is an Heir; for the Inheritance which is prepared for him, and others of the Cloud of Witnesses gone before him, is an Inheritance of Light; for the Apostle 
Col. 1. 12.  called it, An Inheritance with the Saints in the Light; Nay he is so far from speaking against it, that he continually exalts it, and commends it; and commends it best by walking in the Light, and is ready to lay down his Life in defence of the truth of it; He that doth well (it's written) loves the Light, and 
Joh. 3. 21  brings his deeds to it, that it might be manifest his works are wrought in God. So all Friends and People, it's an everlasting Truth to you, neither your Guides nor yourselves can ever be competent Judges of the Light, or of its sufficiency, nor ever truly report of its Authority or Power, nor know what it will lead you from▪ nor bring you unto, until you come to be led by it, and give up to its requirings, (as did this dear Child) and when you have done so, you will bring in your Testimonies for the Lord with me and others, that its a marvellous Light, and worthy to be followed, loved, and obeyed, for Wisdom was, and ever will be justified of her Children, as it was ever hated of its Enemies; but on the contrary, the children of Darkness will exalt their father's Kingdom, the Prince of Darkness, and their inheritance, which is a kingdom of Darkness, 
2 Pet. 2. 17. Judas 6.  where they are reserved in Chains of Darkness to the Judgement of the great Day.  
So Friends and Townsmen, whose lives the Lord hath miraculously spared, in the last great Contagion in this Town, which swept away thousands, and also hath hitherto preserved, in or from this last Visitation of the Smallpox; and made you living monuments of his Mercy at this day: Let the time passed suffice, wherein you have walked contrary to this Light of Christ in your Consciences, and said often to it in your Hearts in this kind, Cease from before me, I desire not the knowledge of thy Law; nor would you hear the voice of the Charmer, charm he never so wisely (nor never so seasonably, (even just when your feet were ofttimes going down to the chambers of Death) and which sometimes hath looked you in the face, and smit you in your Hearts, when you have entertained thoughts of acting wickedly; yet have ye made good the Prophet's words, In a Land of ●●righteousness you would do unjustly, and would not behold the Majesty of the Lord: I say, let the time passed suffice (and now turn at his reproof, and obey his call, lest his Wrath be kindled against you, and he may not hear when you call, but may laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh (for though you have escaped one woe, and a second, yet the Lord hath many more Arrows in his Quiver, which he can bring out of his Armoury of his Justice, wherewith he will wound the hairy Scalp of every one that goeth on in his iniquities) that so a time of refreshing you may know from the presence of the Lord, before you go hence and see man no more, which is my hearts desire to the Lord for you all.  
Your Friend, J. F. Colchester, the 18th of of the 12th Month, called February, 69.   

Friends,  
THis choice Child, this goodly Plant, this Tree of Righteousness; lovely in her life to all that knew her, but most lovely at her Death, was of age thirteen Years five Weeks: She loved the Lord of a Child, and also those that feared him: Her delight was to hear Truth declared, and to be with the excellent of the Earth, even with such as excelled in Virtue: She died at her Father's House in Colchester, after five day's sickness; two days before her departure she was filled with the Love of God; and the Springs of Life were so opened in her, that made her Cup to overflow, so that she broke forth into many precious Expressions, concerning, HOw Good the Lord was, and how Gracious he had been to her all her days, and never did her hurt in all her life; and then she lay still a while musing and meditating upon the Lord, and making melody with Grace in her heart, which was clearly perceived by all that were about her; after which she again broke forth into praises, How good the Lord was, and often breathed up to the Lord, that she might be faithful, for if she were not, her Talent would be taken from her; and often, with great fervency of Spirit, begged of the Lord, That he would speak what he had to say to her, and by her; for said she, I am ready to serve thee, and also to obey thee; (she was not willing to speak more or less than what the Lord should speak by her, and in her by his Spirit) very often with great eagerness did she put up that Petition to the Lord, at which time she lay with most pleasant and sweet Countenance; saying, She was well, and that she felt no pain: Soon after in the presence of seven or eight Persons she spoke, as followeth (which was taken in Shorthand from her mouth as she uttered the words.)  
WHatever is not of thyself Lord purge out of me; yea, purge me throughly Lord, leave not a wicked word in me; thrust away the power of Darkness, Lord make me able to praise thee, let me not come into the way which is evil, for if I do I shall dishonour Thee and thy Truth: I hope I shall never rebel against thee more, but have full satisfaction in Thee and in thy Ways, and not in the evil One and his ways: Wash me O Lord throughly, let not an unadvised word come out of my mouth; If it be thy will O Lord speak, for I am willing to hear thee, and obey thee, though I be accounted unshamefaced by the People of the World, for the same; I hope I shall never forget thy Lovingkindness while I am in this World: Oh! thy everlasting Kindness is never to be forgotten; purge me, cleanse me throughly, let not any evil be left in me; make me clean O Lord, that I may be able to serve thee in the Land of the Living: Show them, O Lord, the evil of their ways, that have done evilly, and lay a burden upon their spirits that they may leave it: I feel no pain, the Lord is good to me; good is the Will of the Lord; let thy Will be done in Earth as it's done in Heaven; Everlasting Kindness, hast thou shown me, and I hope I shall never forget it while I am in this World; Lord purge all here, that they may all be clean and able to serve thee, let not an unclean spirit be here, that they also may serve thee in the Land of the Living, whilst they have a being in this World; Oh the Everlasting Kindness of God is never to be forgotten, good art thou unto me, thy Goodness is never to be forgotten, wondrous Works haste thou done; wash me, make me clean, leave not in me any thing which is not of thyself; thou desirest not the death of a Sinner, but rather that he should repent and live. And Lord, if I should not improve my time, that which I have shall be taken from me; Lord take away the very stump of evil, leave it not in me; if I improve not my time, my Talent will be taken from me, yea, assuredly it will.  
Then turning to one of her Brothers (who had not carried himself so in the Awe and Dread of the Lord as he should do, though of late he hath given some hopes of his return) she said to him, Improve thy time, for thou knowest not how soon thou mayst be taken away: If thou give thy mind to Drunkenness what will become of thee? thou must assuredly go to destruction, thou canst not go to Heaven that way, thou canst not ever expect it; but to Hell thou must go, where there is torment for ever, where the Fire never goes out, but the Flames thereof are everlasting: Thou art running headlong to destruction, and therefore wait upon the Lord, and exercise thy mind upon him, else thou must go to destruction.  
And so she said to two other of her Brothers, Mind the Lord, improve your times, as I hope I shall do mine, or else I had better never have known the Way of Truth.  
To her Brother, that she first called; to him she said James, be not a sorrow to thy Father and Mother, and Brother and Sister; but love the Lord, and then the Lord will love thee: Go not about to drink Wine (the house of our Father affords wine, where thou mayst drink Wine, as we do moderately) lest wrath and destruction be thy Portion: Fear the Lord, and mind what I say, Go not a Fuddling, but fear the Lord, and beg of him to forgive thee; yea, beg Life of the Lord, and he may give it unto thee; but if thou go on in the broad way, destruction will be thy Portion; therefore fear the Lord, and mind what I say, the Lord will forgive thee if thou return and repens; but if thou dost not, headlong into Hell thou must go▪ Thou hast of ten grieved thy Father and Mother, Oh▪ what will become of thee! if thou return not Hell will be thy Portion for ever: Beg of the Lord to forgive thee; repent and walk in an other Way; Repent, I say, whilst thy day lasteth; if thy day be over, than Hell will be thy Portion, Hell and Torment that never ends: The Lake is for the Liar, and for the unclean, and for the Swearer, Hell is for them; But Heaven the Father's Bosom, the Father's House, where there is Bread enough; that's the Portion of the Righteous: Then she took him by the hand, and also about the neck, and kissed him: Mind what I say, O dear Brother, the Fire of Hell never goes out, no, never; is not that a long day? no, never, but flames for ever; that a long day Brother: Therefore beg of the Lord whilst thou hast a day: Thou hast been very wicked, and hast grieved us, yea, thou hast cost me many a Tear; repent whilst a day lasteth, lest everlasting Flames of Fire seize upon thee; that's a long day, Brother; and thou know'st not how soon thy days may be shortened, and thou mayst come to die.  
The Lord hath been good to me, I hope I shall never forget his loving kindness: To her Brother Benjamin, whom she called, to him she said, Thou hast been a Boy of a perverse spirit; woe will also overtake thee, if thou walk in the Way of wickedness; but if thou walk in the smooth and narrow way, it will be well with thee; thou hast been naught and stubborn, be not so naught now any more, but turn a new leaf, that when thou diest thou mayst go to the Lord; In the Father's House there is bread enough; there thou shalt want for nothing, no, for nothing, thy stubborn heart must be plucked down, beg of the Lord to forgive thee; go not on in crooked paths, but walk in the straight and narrow way, and he will lead thee to happiness, thou shalt not miss of it.  
Then she called to her Brother Jonathan, and said to him, Be not thou naught; thou art very apt to be pettish and peevish, that is a bad spirit also, turn a new leaf, and beg of the Lord to forgive thee.  
Then to her Brother James she said again, Beg of the Lord to forgive thee, dear Brother James, walk in the way of the Righteous; I shall be glad you may all grow up as Trees of Righteousness, and as Plants of the Lord; mind what I say to thee dear James, it's my love to thee that causeth me thus to call upon thee, to be a new Plant, regenerate, born again; when a good thing comes into thy mind, hold it fast, make much of it; when a wicked thing comes into thy mind, put it far from thee, put it away, and put a righteous thing in the room of it, and then thou wilt become a good Plant: I shall never forget the goodness of the Lord, if I should his hand would reach me; if thou hast but a day to live, be good that day, the Lord would not have one Soul to die and perish, desire of the Lord to break thy stony heart, and to give thee a new heart; thou hast had a foul heart, if thou goest on thou wilt never be out of torment, is not that a long day? yes, it's a long day; Call upon the Lord, mind what I say, Brother, that will rejoice me and thy Parents, Brothers and Sisters; thou hast been wicked; Oh, what will become of thee, if thou dost not repent, I cannot express it, thou wilt never be out of Torment, but always burning; and that is not a heat, Brother, like an Oven, heat with a little wood: Oh, Brother, let it never be said that, any of John Fu●ly's children are gone to Hell, and that he was a good man, but his children are wicked children; thou hast cost me many a tear; if thou return to the Lord, thou wilt then be their joy and delight; repent whilst thou have a day to live; love the Lord, Brothers, love good men, hate the Devil; but, oh, love the Lord, and then ye will he a joy to your Father and Mother.  
Then she made a little pause, and said, I see a Vision, a little Youth came in, in a Murry Gound, the lovei●est Lad that ever I saw in all my life, with a white cloth about his middle, and a Crown upon his head, and he picked at my Nose; but when I spoke to him in the Name of the Lord, his Crown fell from off his head, and almost all his hair, and so he vanished away; the next day she again mentioned the loveliness of the Lad. This Vision is recommended to the Spirit of God, that reveals secrets to them that fear him; she not giving any Interpretation thereof.  
When she saw one of her Sisters weep, she said, Weep not for me, I am well; she never took notice of death: Then she said again▪ I am very well, I hope I shall never forget the Lord; all serve the Lord, that he may be your Portion, that will be manner of boasting; in my Father's House there is bread enough, there is fullness, want of nothing, yea, there is fullness of Bread, durable Riches and Honour; I desire never to forget the Lord.  
The Reader may take notice, that all these foregoing words were not spoken by her without intermission; but of times she made a pause, as being spent and out of breath, and then her heart being lifted up unto the Lord, and rejoicing in his Pure, Holy, Fresh, Living Presence; ●●e would sing unto the Lord inwardly, with Grace in her heart; and then begin again, as the spirit of the Lord breathed through her; for it was manifest to the Beholders, and Hearers of her, as it will be evident to the Consciences of all that hears this Relation, that have any sense or feeling of the Life of God; that it was not she that spoke, but the Spirit of her Heavenly Father that spoke in her; and that thus enabled her rightly to divide the Word of Truth, and to give to each of her Brothers their Portion in due season, which I hope will take root downward, and bring forth fruit upward, to the Honour, Glory, and Praise of the Husbandman, whose Handiworks Praise him; to whom be Glory, Honour and Praise for ever, and Dominion in the highest, and Heavenly hallelujahs for ever Amen.  
Written by the Father of this dear Lamb, who is a Companion to all that fear the Lord, In scorn called a Quaker.  
J. F.   

Postscript.  

ALl young Lads and Girls, that reads this Relation, read it with seriousness and good consideration; and as you feel desires, that your latter end may be as this dear Child's was; then consider; what led her to that end? and whether the same doth lead you? whether her way be your way, her delight your delight, and such Companions a she chose be your Companions? Her Way was the Light in her own heart, which made her to eschew evil words and actions which others ran into forlack of taking heed thereto: Her delight was to be obedient to her Parents, and to be serviceable to the least of God's People, without repining; nay, she never thought any thing that she was capable of doing, for any of the Servants of God, a burden Her Companions were them that feared the Lord; and for children, she bore most affection to those that were most sober and innocent; to be short, she lived as she died, that was, In subjection to that pure Principle of Light that was in her, by which she was taught obedience, to that godly discipline and government, to those that were over her in the Lord; so all that would lay down their heads in the like joy and peace, as she hath done, and would be crowned with honour and immortality, must diligently search to find and know that pure Principle of Light in you, that is a Reprover of every evil thought, word, and action, and then walk in obedience and subjection thereunto, that it may not be your Reprover, but your Comforter, and speak peace unto you in your own bosoms morning and evening; that so when the last morning and evening of your lives come, you may be sure of that Peace that none can take from you; that so death may be no more terrible to you, than it was to this tender Plant, who walking in innocency, died in peace, and is gathered into Glory; and hath a Name and Place among the Faithful.  
S. C.   

SInce the departure of my dear Lamb, hearing what Lies hath been broached concerning her, in despite of God's precious everlasting Truth, as if in her life time she walked not amongst those People called Quakers; but gave her Brother's charge, to have a care of them at her death; which thing being as false and contrary as Light is to Darkness: I could not but bear my Testimony against it; The Child was always a Lover of those People; to go to their Meetings it was as her appointed food; their company was her delight, she never knew when she had enough of it, or did enough for them: Both in her life, and at her death also, she chose to forsake Father and Mother to live in the City of London, because she could enjoy more of their Meetings and Company then at Colchester: she was a Child that feared the Lord, loved and obeyed his Light in her heart (according to her Measure) which God had placed in her; she feared and hated a Lie, and lived and died in the Truth, which the People called Quakers do profess.  
I say, hearing this false Report concerning my dear Child; for the Truth's sake I cannot be silent, but am constrained to bring in my testimony concerning her life and death, That it was in God's precious Truth, to wit, the Light Christ Jesus, the Rock of Ages, which she was built upon, which is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, which hath led her to her Heavenly Father, where she resteth in his Bosom, and her good Works follow her; as you may see by the foregoing Treatise; and the Lord knoweth that it is not so much to commend my Child, as the Truth and the Way in which she walked, which preserved and kept her unspotted of the World to the coming of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in whom she is now at rest: And I would advise all, both old and young, that have not yet walked in obedience to the Light which shineth in their hearts, now to delay no longer, but speedily to give up to be led thereby; for the Light is the Way to Life eternal, to all such as walks in, and are given up to be led by it, as she was; for Wisdom is justified of her Children; a good Tree cannor bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil Tree bring forth good fruit (as the Scripture of Truth Testifieth) by the fruit you shall know whether the Tree or Root, which it grew upon, be good or evil; so I shall leave this to the Witness of God in all Consciences to judge of the Root, which she was engrafted upon, and of the Way which she walked in, by the fruit which she brought forth, to the Praise and Glory of God, who loved her, and hath taken her to himself, who knoweth what is best for us; to whom be all Glory and Praise rendered, who alone is worthy.  
By me her dear Mother, Anna Furly.   

THe Lord having in measure made me sensible of that blessed Truth, which the People of God called Quakers do own, and which my dear Sister bore testimony unto, both in her life and at her death: I could do no less than bring in my testimony also to the same Truth; that there is no other way but that to Heaven and Happiness; and that I may be found walking and abiding therein to the end of my days is the desire of my soul; knowing that he or she that turns their backs upon the Light, which is the Way of Life, the Lords Soul shall have no pleasure in such; yea, better were it for such they had never been born, then having once professed this Truth, they should turn aside from it, into crooked and bypaths; surely to such the Light will be their condemnation; but unto them that walk in the Light, as he is in the Light, there is no occasion of stumbling. Thus having born this my Testimony, I have peace therein, not minding the reproaches of Amoleck, nor the revile of the Children of Moab; for I esteem it greater riches to suffer afflictions with the People of God, then to dwell in the tents of wickedness or enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.  
Anna Furly, jun.  
The End.