A General Epistle Given forth by the People of the Lord, called, QUAKERS,  
That all may know, we own none to be of our Fellowship, or to be reckoned or numbered with us, but such as fear the Lord and keep faithfully to his heavenly Power, that with a holy Conversation they may adorn that Truth they profess, otherwise, what experience soever they have had of the Truth, and are fallen from it, we account them as so many Judasses' or Demass●s, and own such no more than the primitive Christians owned them; but we testify against them, and say, such go into Perdition through Transgression, and fall under Darkness into a state of Damnation, twice dead, plucked up by the Roots, reserved in everlasting Chains, until the Judgement of the great Day, except it be possible they yet can find a place of Repentance through God's great unlimited Mercy. Read the general Epistle of Judas.  
Printed and Sold by William Bradford at Philadelphia in Pennsilvania, 1686.   

A General Epistle given forth by the People of the Lord, called; Quakers.  
CHRIST and his Disciples were the blessed Church in the days of his Flesh, and Judas was one of the twelve, who was Guide to them that took Jesus, and had been numbered with the other Disciples, and obtained part of the same Ministry with them, who fell by Transgression, that he might go to his own place, for he was a Devil, as Christ himself said of him, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a Devil? for he was a Murderer in betraying his Lord and Master into the hands of those Murderers who slew him, and causelessly put him to death.  
But the wicked Serpent was kept out from entering upon the other eleven Disciples, because they gave ear to Jesus, and abode in his Doctrine, and therefore being faithful, were sent to turn Nations and People from Darkness to Light, and from Satan's Power unto God, that they might receive forgiveness of sins, and Inheritance among them which were sanctified by Faith i● Christ Jesus.  
Now these blessed Apostles and Ministers of the overlasting Gospel kept their Habitations and Stations in the holy Truth, from which Judas fell by Transgression, and they were good Examples unto others, unto wh●m they preached in a holy Life and Conversation. They did not converse with Drunkards, Swearers, Liars, Murderers, false Accusers of the Innocent, Fornicators, Adulterers, Idolators, Blasphemers, malicious Backbiters (he added) and proud high minded ones, etc. to join or unite with them in the Iniquities their hearts were privy to, but were sound in the faith, and preached the everlasting Gospel with Power from Heaven, to the subjecting and trampling upon Satan's Power, to stand over his Deeds of Darkness and Wickedness; and such Majesty and Dominion is with all Christ's Ministers, who live with God in his holy Truth and Power; but they who go from this Power of the living God, and fall by Transgression, as Judas did, become as so many Judasses' to betray the Truth into the hands of the wicked Murderers of the Light, Life. Spirit and Power of Jesus, by their scandalous walking and wicked acting, falling into presumption with the Angels which kept not their first estate in the Truth, doing things contrary to the good Order of it, showing forth Examples of Lewdness, Vanity and Wickedness, and so become twice dead, plucked up by the Roots; and such may come raging against the Truth, foaming out their own shame, through the enmity that Satan hath begot in them, being tormented because of Truth, whose Testimony stands and arises against all such Judasses' who fight against the Light and the Power of God in his faithful Servants, and so Judas-like, for their own base ends, do what they can to insinuate their own wicked Spirits of enmity into the hearts of the innocent, to betray them from that simplicity and stability that is in the Truth, to draw and lead them into Confusion, to start back from the Truth, and so to fall with them by Transgression, as Judas did, that Thief and Murderer: To such is reserved the blackness of Darkness forever.  
And such, whether they be Drunkards, Fornicators, Adulterers, false Accusers, Blasphemers, or live in any other sort of Wickness, though they have been convinced of Truth, as Judas was, and received part of Truth's Ministry, as Judas did, yet being fallen from the Truth by Transgression into Enmity, Wickedness and Mischief, we in the blessed Truth, which is everlastingly pure and precious, do deny them all, who are wickedly bend and set against the Truth, and live in a factious, rebellious, sensual, lose, vain and profane Condition, to the dishonour of God, and shame to pure Religion, the good Order and Government of it.  
And know this, though many may profess in show to be Christians, and the People of God amongst us, who were in scorn and derision first abused and called and nicknamed Quakers, Let all know, that since first, through God's Mercy, we became a People, the Devil hath laboured to bring forth his wicked Instruments to abuse us & the Truth, through the scandalous living of such as have made a profession of Truth, but never owned by such as lived in it, no, not from the beginning, but have been denied, and testified against, both by word and writing, so that if amongst the twelve Disciples there was one became a Devil, and fell by Transgression, so now if amongst every twelve who Profess the same Truth with us called Quakers, one should become a Devil, and fall by Transgression, we cannot help it.  
Let such remember Judas his end at the except they can find a place of Repentance. Judas his state represents the body of the whole Apostasy and Degeneration from the holy Faith, so that Judas is the Father of them all, and they may read their state and Doom in Judas; they all give an occasion for Truth to be evil spoken of, its blessed face to be spit upon, to be reproached and shamed, and evilly entreated, even unto Death and Destruction, as much as in them lies; so that it may have no esteem at all in People's hearts, but be accounted a base and unworthy thing, that People may slight it through their wicked living who profess it, as if it had no power or virtue in it to save People's Souls, and heal their Distempers of Iniquity and Sin.  
This is the Devil's Work in such Instruments, that he may block up the way of Truth, and cause the simple to stumble, and so discourage their Faith, and keep them in Unbelief and Sin: Thus the Murderer of Souls thinks to have his end by keeping People under his dark Power.  
But this is our Testimony from the living God, That though many may profess the Truth, who live not in it, but are a scandal to it, yet the Lo●d hath a living People who fear him, and have kept their Habitations in his Truth, and are good Examples in word and work for others to follow, whose hearts are known to the Lord, and their Zeal for the prosperity of his heavenly Jerusalem, who are Wells with Water and ●loud● with Rain, to refresh the hearts of many with their Virtue, through the Influence of the Lords heavenly Power, and Showers of pure divine refreshing Bounty, and are the Servants of the living God in their Measures, in the true Faith, and unity with the Disciples and holy Ministers of Jesus Christ, who fell not with Judas by Transgression, but kept the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ to the end, and in the end received a Crown of Glory laid up for them in Christ Jesus; and we testify for God against all dark Souls, who may meet with us as if they were of us, and profess the Truth, yet have not on the Wedding Garment of uncerity and holy mindedness, but are reprobate concerning the Faith, and hold the Truth in Unrighteousness.  
Such are Spots in our Feasts of Charity, and partake not with us of the refershing sense of the holy Life of the pure God, neither can they eat of the Flesh or drink with us of the Blood of the Lord Jesus, or discern the Lords Body, though we wish all such who come to our Meetings a better Condition, that with us they may truly say, Verily our fellowship is with the Lord's People in Christ Jesus.  
So we give forth our general Testimony, That we own none to be of us, or to have ●nity with us, but such as fear the true and ●●ving God, and take up the Cross of Christ ●hich is his eternal Power, that so they may ●e kept in the Faith that stands in the same ●ower, to the purifying of their hearts, and giving them victory over the World, the Mystery of which Faith is held in a pure Conscience.  
But we dearly cherish and love every tender desire that is raised up towards God in all, that their hearts and Souls may be kept hungering and thirsting after Righteousness, earnestly breathing for Mercy from the ●ence of the weight of Iniquity which hath been upon them, that so they may come to the state of the bruised Reed and smoking Flax, to wait upon the Lord to renew their strength in his Power, and to be Witnesses of his burning day, to the purifying of their hearts, and purging of their Iniovities with a true and pure spirit of Judgement and everlasting Burning; let such receive encouragement, for in due time, thorough the exercise of Patience and faithfulness to God, they will reap, and not faint, and attain their desired end; but all such as Judas (a traitor) and Demas, who turned from the Truth into the evil World, Hymeneus and Alexander, ●ho made shipwreck of Faith and a good Conscience, we utterly deny, and cannot own, though they may in words and show profess the Truth, but their Fruits will make all such manifest, and God's Wisdom will teach all the Lovers of it how to behave themselves towards all men, in all states and conditions whatsoever, and to love Enemies, and false Friends and brethren's Souls, by wishing for them true Repentance unto Life, that they may escape the danger of the Wrath and Indignation of God, which will suddenly and everlastingly overtake all such as persevere in Unrighteousness, and hold the Truth in it.  
For as the Apostle saith, Neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Effaminate, nor Abusers of themselves with MANKIND; nor Thiefs, nor Covetous, nor Drunkard's, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. But if any have been so, but now are sanctified, washed and jnstified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, by the Spirit of God, it is well; but all such as live and abide in such things aforementioned, without Repentance, will utterly perish.  
The Apostle Paul in his first Epistle to the Corinthians chap. 6. reproveth the Corinthian-Believers for going to Law one with ●nother, and that before the Unbelievers, ●●d upbraids them for so doing, ask them ●f there were not a wise man amongst them, 〈◊〉, not one able to judge between his Brethren? ●elling them, it was utterly a fault amongst ●hem, ask them, Why they did not rather ●ake wrong, or suffer themselves to be defrauded? ●aying also, Know ye not that we shall judge Angels? how much more things that pertain to ●his Life? Nay, says, he you do wrong & defraud, 〈◊〉 that your Brethren; Do ye not know that in places of Judicature all sorts of People are admitted to hear matters debated there? And will ●t not be a shame for such as profess the Truth to ●e heard there by the vilest of men, to endeavour to the utmost to uncover one another's Nakedness, for some worldly end or other; this is worse than Ham's villiany, who uncovered the real Nakedness of his Father to his Brethren only; but these who may be called Quakers endeavour to uncover one another's Nakedness to all Sects and sorts of People, who will be Spectators thereof, though they may be the vilest of men, who hate the Truth. This is far from Christianity, and endeavouring to cover one another's Nakedness, Weaknesses & Infirmities; Let such who are concerned be ashamed of such things.  
All false and Unjust Dealing, Fraud and Deceit, Cheating, Over-reaching one another, which things are Unchristian, we utterly disown; for Truth acteth Righteousness, and to do to others as we would they should do to us; but we would not that any through false pretences, & equivocations or subtlety should betray any by borrowing, buying, or otherwise, whenas the bottom of the matter being found out, it is found to be an implicit kind of Theft, to get others Goods and things into their hands, under pretence of borrowing or buying, etc. whenas aforehand they have known they have not been in a capacity to perform their Promises or Bargains, which hath been the cause of Contention, and Troubles, and Lawsuits, and the Ruin of Families, and casting into Prisons for Debt; but the Truth and fear of God casts out all such things, and introduces plainness and simplicity, but the Lord helpeth the needy who trust in him, and fuch have no need to exercise Craft and Fraud to live by, as they fear and reverence the true and living God, without guile, he will bless them and help them, and stir up true hearted Friends to do them good. The poor man's Basket and store is blessed, whose heart is with the Lord, and his morcel of Bread and cup of cold Water, as he stands in the counsel of God, and keeps in to him, and looks not out at others, to murmur at their prosperity, or covet their worldly substance, but are content with their own present need or want, their own Innocence and Righteousness will be felt amongst God's People, who will answer their Conditions one way or other; and if it were possible that should fail, which is not, the Lord for their sakes will cause Stones to be made Bread, and the hearts of their Enemies to open and feed them. This is concerning the Lords Poor, who are neither slothful nor idle minded, nor murmurers, nor look out to repine at others prosperity, but are content to wait upon the Lord only, to be supplied by him what way he sees meet. Thus Innocency and Simplicity never fails of Mercy; but as for Subtlety, sinister false Hypocritical Dealing, which would deceive and get for self, God will confound it all, and such will live miserably in the end, and poor every way, and be cast ou● and separated from the society and fellowship of God's People, and so will be the Worlds, but not the Lords Poor, except they repent, and show forth Fruits meet for it, to amendment of Life, and a holy Conversation, in Justice, Truth and Righteousness.  
Written in th' 6th Month, 1685.  
Postscript.  
THis Epistle was written, and read on our First Days Meeting at Philadelphia in the sixth Month last passed, and seen meet to be now printed for the sakes of the moderate Enquirers after Truth, and our Principles, that such may have true satisfaction, and to stop the Mouths of the Clamorous and Ungodly, who are Blasphemers and Railers against it, especially when they can espy a J●das amongst us, or any one to fall by Transgression, which Christ the Truth, whose Name we profess, who never fell, is clear of; And when such things happen, let not the Ungodly rejoice in their Wickedness, who love it, and live in it without Repentance; for the Damnation of such ●umbers not.  
From the Church of Philadelphia in Pennsilvania.   

An Epistle to the People of God called Quakers in the Province of Pennsilvania, and the Territories thereunto belonging.  
Dear Friends;  
THe Salutation of my Love is unto you that make a Profession of the blessed way of Truth in the inward parts, desiring both night and day, with tender and servant Supplication to the God of the Light that hath sprung upon us in a living and powerful Visication, that we may all answer the Love and Mercy of the Lord to us, so plenteously manifested.  
Friends, It is upon me, and long hath been● from the God of Truth and Righteousness, to communicate to you a short word of Counsel and Advice: God hath brought us hither, and we are yet among the Living; He hath a Work for us to do her● though the Spiteful and Envious will not believe it: Oh! that we may be faithful to the measure of Grace received, that the Evil minded may be disappointed. Friends, keep in the sense of that which first visited you, and kept you, and he that was with you to bless you in your native Country, will be with you and bless you and yours, and make you a Blessing to them that you are come among, that know him not, in this Wilderness also; for the Earth is the Lords, and his Presence fills it, and his Power upholds it, and it is a precious thing to enjoy and use it in the sense and feeling of the same; truly this honour have all the Saints, to whom he will give it for a quiet Habitation● Have a care of Cumber, and the Love and Care of the World: 'Tis the Temptation that lieth nearest to those that are redeemed from Looseness, or not addicted to it. The Moon, the Figure of the changeable World, is under the foot of the true Woman, whose Seed— we ought to approve ourselves, God hath ordained it for a Footstool, and we must not make a Throne of it, nor doth it become them who seek heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Oh! show forth a blessed Example, for the Lords sake; and truly, blessed is that Man and Woman, who in the invisible Power rule their Affections about the visible things, and that use the the World as true Travellers and Pilgrims, whose Home is not here below; such do not extort, grinned o● oppress their Neighbours in their Deal, but are content with moderate Gain, looking to the Blessing that follows, knowing right well, that they that over-value and over-care, fall into divers Snares and Sorrows, that hurt and pierce the Souls Peace. And in like manner, dear Friends, have a care of Looseness, for it becometh us to be watchful, and gird up the Loins of our Minds, and be sober, and hope to the end. Are we from under outward Sufferings and Trials that once we knew, and that carry an Humiliation with them upon the Spirits of People? let us be more circumspect that we forget not the Lord nor his tender Mercies to us; for he is God, and he can find us out, and trouble, and vex, and plague the disobedient and careless here, as well as in other Lands. Be zealous therefore for the Lord, for he is a jealous God, and especially over those that have betrothed themselves unto him by the Profession of his holy Truth, yea, he will be avenged of the Hypocrite and Rebellious, but the Obedient he will bless, which my Soul prayeth you may be, that so I may never have an occasion to exercise any other Power than that of Love and Brotherly Kindness. And, dear Friends, remember who it was that said to his Children and ●ollowers, Ye are Brethren, have a care of Unnaturalness in the Profession of the Truth: To be without natural Affection to one another in the Truth, is a Mark of Apostasy, wherefore love one another, and help, and assist, and comfort one another; this was the new and living Commandment of our blessed Lord and Master, which if you keep, then can you not fall out, backbite, slander, go to Law, or hate one another in the sight of the World, and that for the things that perish; verily if any do these things, the Wrath of God will overtake them.  
Oh ' Friends! Let us call to mind the day that hath dawned upon us, and what manner of Persons we ought to be: Besides, you know that the Eyes of the Inhabitants of the Lands, and those of neighbouring Countries, yea, the People of remote Regions are upon us, and our do, how we Live, how we Rule, and how we Obey, and joy would it be to some to see us halt, hear evil Tidings of our proceed, as it would be an heavy, and an unspeakable Grief to those that wish well to our Zion. Friends, God requireth great Watchfulness from you, especially Elders and Teachers in the Church of Christ, that they watch over their own, and others Families, that whatever appears in any, contrary to the Testimony and Mind of Truth, may be brought to Judgement, and disowned, that the Camp of the Lord may be kept clean of the Uncircumcised that resist the Spirit.  
My Friends, remember that the Lord hath brought you upon the Stage, he hath now tried you with Liberty, yea, and with Power too; he hath now put precious Opertunities into your Hands, have a care of a perverse Spirit, and do not provoke the Lord by doing those things, by which the Inhabitants of the Land grieved his Spirit, that were before you, but sanctify God, the living God in your Hearts, that his Blessings may fall and rest as the Dew of Heaven upon you, and your Offspring, then shall it be seen to the Nations, that there is no Enchantment against Jacob, nor Divination against Israel, but your Tents shall be goodly, and your Dwellings glorious: Which is the daily humble Supplication of my Soul to my God and your God, and to my Father, and your Father; that am, with unfeigned Love, in that lasting Relation,  
Your tender faithful Friend and Brother, William Penn.   

An Epistle to Friends to be read in their Meetings.  
Dear Friends;  
What a blessed thing is it to fear the Lord, and to seek him continually, for his Mercies fail not those that truly wait upon him; he hath been very bountiful to us in our native Land, and hath been very tender and good to us, in bringing of us to this Wilderness; he was with us upon the tempestuous Seas, he abides with us still, blessed be his Name forever, and for evermore.  
Oh my Friends! let us call to mind the time when the Lord first made his blessed Truth known unto us, surely that was very acceptable; my Soul shall never forget it; what then did we enjoy, that we could not part withal for the Lord? Then did we abase ourselves in Dust and Ashes, and I can truly say in that Day, I thought the meanest things I was unworthy of, and I do believe it was so with many more. And now my dear Friends, we are come into this American part, let us above all People not murmur, non be discontented, for we have good experience of the Mercy of the Lord; for as we fear and obey him, he will make this Wilderness a fruitful Field; the greatest thing we desire here, is, that People may come to fear the Lord, it is that, and that alone will make this a happy Country unto us: Let all that fear the Lord put on Strength and Courage to do his holy Work; for here is much to be done, we must begin it, and carry it on, the Lord is ready to help us, and furnish us with his Wisdom, Advice and Counsel; indeed we can do nothing without it.  
Oh my dear Friends! let us not murmur here, for we may read in the Scriptures of Truth, how many fell in the Wilderness of those that murmured; let us be content with our Manna, for here is no liklihood of a Famine, except they famish themselves for want of taking heed to the Lords pure Word, which is daily Bread to his Children, and they live thereby; and many in this Country have great Families and Servants, and for want of good forecast, and a good heavenly Order, they become a burden unto their Masters. Come, come, ●ny dear Friends, call your Families together every Family apart, and discharge your Duties, and there you may exhort, examine, ●nd advise, and by that means Gods holy Truth will be over them all; You may find many Difficulties to frustrate such a good and holy Order, and others may find it a great cross to get into it, because they may have Children or Servants that are very wild and they may think they will rather scoff a● it, then think it will do them good; but do advise you in the fear of the Lord, to sit down with them in the Evening, or according as ye see meet, and wait there upon the Lord, for he is ready and willing at all times, and upon all occasions, to assist and help his People and Servants in all things, and by this means your outward Business will be made easier, and you may save a great deal of lost time that is spent amongst Servants in their Master's absence; and by this means may find out some way that they may be helpful to their Neighbours, and it may prevent much time that is spent in Families after they have done their Labour and Service, in much▪ Talk and idle Jesting; le● every Family that fears the Lord, practise therein this holy Law, and leave the issue to the Lord, and by this means you will find unruly Spirits to be chained: Some have ha● good experience of these things, but som● need not this Advice, who are in the practice of it, and witness the good effect thereof Also, I do think, that here in these parts▪ where S●ips do arrive, it would do well for some small number of Men and Women Friends, to meet together, that are solid and weighty, to take a little care of the Persons that are brought into this Country, that they may not sit down here, or elsewhere, and spend that little that some bring with them, but that they may be advised, ●ook care of, and employed; for here comes many Young People, that are single Men and Women, that go about and spend that little they have, and then when it is gone, and see no way how to have more, they it may be take ill Courses, and revile the Country; it would be very well for the time to come, we might use means to prevent these things, ●nd then that little they bring over with ●hem, may do them good, in order to a settlement, I mean those that be low, and may ●eed advice. These things I was exercised ●ith, and leave them to your Christian Consideration.  
Frances Taylor. Given forth some small time before she ●●parted this Life, who is eternally wi●h ●●e Lord Jesus forever.  
THE END.   

Books sold by W. Bradford.  

NO Cross, No Crown: Or a discourse showing the nature and discipline of the holy Cross of Christ.  
An Address to Protestants upon the present Conjuncture.  
An Answer to a foolish Libel called, the Quakers Opinions▪  
A brief state and examination of Liberty Spiritual.  
Truth Exalted, in a short, but sure, Testimony against al● those Religions, Faiths and Worships that have been form and followed in the Darkness of Apostasy, and for that glorious Light which is now risen: Presented t● Princes, Priests and People, that they may repent, believ● and obey.  
A Persuasive to Moderation to Dissenting Christians, i● Prudence and Conscience humbly submitted to the King and his great Council.  
An Epistle, containing a solemn Farewell to England▪ All writ by William Penn.  
The Spirit 〈…〉 the Martyrs revived in a brief compendi●●● 〈…〉 of the most remarkable Passages and living 〈…〉 of the true Church, Seed of God and faithful martyr's in all Ages.  
The ●●●fering state & condition of the People called Quakers presented to the King and Parliament. Anno 1685.  
A Lamentation over England, and faithful Warning to th● Inhabitants thereof. By William Bingley.  
The true Christians Faith and Experience briefly declared▪  
A Mirror to distinguish the true Ministers from the false.  
A Collection of the several Writings of Humphrey Smith▪  
A plain Path way opened to the Simple hearted, for th● answering all Doubts and Objections. By S. Crisp.  
A● Invitation of Love to all that hunger and thirst after Righteousness. By ●sabel Yemans.  
The state of the Birth Temporal and Spiritual, etc.  
The Principles of Truth, or a declaration of our Faith.  
Truth's Vindication, or a stroke to wipe off foul Asperation●  
Also, Primmers for Children, etc.