A SALUTATION OF THE Father's Love, UNTO The young Men and Virgins, who are in the Openings of the Prophecies in Visions and in Revelations. And to the Labourers in his Vineyard; who sound forth his praises in the Congregation of the Righteous.  
Through his suffering Servant William Gibson.  
Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart: Wisdom hath lift up her voice, and understanding cryeth aloud.  
The knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the Seas.  
The time is at hand.  
LONDON, Printed in the Year, 1663.   

To the READER  
DEar Friend, Child of the glorious day, whose heart is turned unto the God of Light and Life, in whom there is no darkness at all, who is come out of the Region where death over shadowed thee, who is come to know the vail taken away, by the resurrection of Christ from the dead; unto thee, I say, are these following lines directed, as a Salutation of the Father's love unto thee: Therefore dear Friend, I say unto thee, sink down low to feel the Wondered Counsellor in thee, the key of David, which openeth, and giveth thee to understand deep sentences; for from the moving of the Father's love is this given forth in pure fear; so, in the measure of the same love do thou read it, in pure fear, in the uprightness of thy heart, and what opens unto thee as thou readest in the true fear, that receive, and treasure it up in thy heart; and if there be something which doth n●t open unto thee as thou readest, be contented honestly to pass by it, and let is alone, and suffer not thy mind to start aside from the measure of God into the subtlety, to comprehend that, which doth not open unto thee, for from that part it is hid, and unto that part there is nothing spoken but judgement; and the things that are recorded, are true say, as I have received them from the Father, yea, that which I have seen, and heard, and felt, declare I unto thee, that thou mayest receive a benefit thereby: So, the Lord direct thy understanding in all things.  
W. G.   


A SALUTATION Of the Fathers Love.  
UPon the seaventeenth day of the tenth Month, as I lay upon my Bed, I was swallowed up in the great Deep, where glorious things I there beheld; and when I was thus swallowed up, and lay in great fear and trembling, These ensuing words did arise fresh in me, in the Life of Jesus, in supplication unto the Father.  

Wisdom doth flow, God keep me low,  
In it to grow, My place therein to know,  
That my guide I may not overgo.   

And O ye children of the day,  
Unto you all I say,  
Your minds upon God stay, and ever pray,  
That he may keep us in the narrow way,  
That so in peace lay down our heads we may,  
Even so, Amen, I say.  
Peace be with you.   
W. G.   

To the young Men and Virgins, upon whom the Spirit is poured, and is pouring forth, who are in the openings of the Prophecies in Visions and in Revelations; unto you is my words directed, in the word of Life, in fear and trembling; therefore listen attentively, and give ear.  
FRiends all, keep low, down, and close to that, which opens unto you the mysteries or God's Kingdom, for that which opens is his own power; therefore, I say, keep ye all low down unto it in much reverence and fear, and I say, take great heed, that you suffer not your minds to start aside from that which opens unto you, into that which it opens; for if you do let forth your minds to comprehend it in the sensual or earthly wisdom, that is exceeding dangerous, for than that which opened unto you will shut suddenly again from you, and you will be left groping in the dark; & that which is already opened, which the earthly and sensual part in you hath catched up, that same which hath stolen it, that will speak it forth again boastingly, without the true fear of God, for that is not the true wisdom, but the false; therefore beware of it, for that is the subtle Will or Serpent, which led the First man to run before his guide, and by following of it he became a transgressor, and this subtle Will or Serpent hath passed over all, and it lieth very near to catch up that which is opened, and here, by the subtlety, the simplicity hath been betrayed in many, that after they have felt the true power of God, and by it their understandings have been truly opened, they went from the power that opened unto them, and the subtlety catched up that which was opened, and the same spoke it forth again boastingly; and so, such who have been thus betrayed, many of them have lost all that good thing, and have sat down in darkness and blindness, even in a worse estate than they were in at the first; but now my Friends, the power which opens unto you, is that which will keep this untuly Beast in subjection, yea and seal him in the pit, and keep him there, but if so you witness it, you must devil in pure dread, and fear, continually: So than, this I say, all keep in the feeling of the Lamb's power, who is meek and lowly, who saith, Learn of me, and herein you will be kept humble and low, and you will feel Christ Jesus to rule and reign over that subtle Serpentine and beastly will in you, for I tell you plainly that, that is it which first did the evil, and that must either be kept under the yoke continually, which is the power of God, or else man cannot be kept out of the transgression: So than, I say, keep to the power which opens unto you, and look not out into that which is opened, for this, I say unto you, if you keep to the power which opens that which runneth through your understandings, once in the power, it will stand and remain open unto you in the same power, while you have a Being, if in that which opened it you abide; so in the power abide, and that which is opened unto you treasure it up in pure fear, and let it lie a hidden treasure in you, and when the power that opened it moveth in you to speak forth any part of the mysteries revealed unto you, than you may freely do it, but in much fear and reverence, lest that crooked Serpent or beastly will lead you beyond what the true power moved you unto; for I say, you must take great care continually, that you keep that forward part, the subtle Will in subjection, for if in a little measure that do but get way, it speedily bringeth all out of order; so, I say unto you all (a● moved of the Lord God) as you prise the glory of God, and the everlasting welfare of your souls, wait in fear and trembling to keep that part in subjection, so shall you grow and prospero in the eternal and everlasting truth of God, and stand, and abide, and be blessed for evermore.  
W. G.   

And now, O ye young men and Virgins, whose mouths the Lord of Life hath opened, and is opening, to declare his wondered works, and what he hath done for your souls; yea I say, unto you is my speech directed, who are moved of the Lord to declare, and to sound forth prayers and praises unto him, in the Assemblies and congregations of the righteous: Therefore in the true fear listen and give ear.  
FRiends all, When you go to meet with your Brethrens & Sisters, to wait upon the great and mighty God, who searcheth all hearts, and before whom all things are naked and bore: Than I say, sink down low to feel his pure powerful presence to arise in you, and to come up and stand over all that is contrary unto it in you, and than what you receive in the power, to utter forth, that is in the word of the Lord God, which is Pure, and that will answer the pure in all, and in your declaring of that, which is given you in the true power, your souls will be greatly Refreshed: But Friends, In God's pure fear and dread, I Warn you all, Take great heed that you suffer not your will to get at liberty, but when you feel the true power rising in you, and words come in, look not out into the Words, but keep to the power, and wair, still, and low, and let the power work through and over the contrary, forward and subtle Will, which would lead you to look at the Words, and to catch up the words into your Memory, and to turn from the power, and so that subtle part which catcheth at words as they open, that would speak them forth, but that is to be judged down, and kept silent, and the mind kept close to the power that works, and the power will work over that which would run before, and the words which openeth in the power will arise more and more clear in you, if you do not look at them, but at the power that moveth, and when you feel the power of God to stand over your own wills, and feeleth it to burn in your hearts, even as a fire, so that you feel you are in the dominion over the contrary Part, than, I say, stand up boldly, in the fear and dread of God, and let the power open your mouths, and keep close unto it, and let that go freely forth which the power moves unto, and when your mouths are opened, and your fouls greatly refreshed, than take heed that your souls be not over much Lifted up in Joy and Zeal, for that is very dangerous to lead you cut of your measure, but keep down to the power, and still utter in the true fear, and when you are emptied of the words which was given in, in the power, than, even than take heed, that you suffer not your minds to start from the power, into the subtle part to fetch in words, for verily, there is great danger in that very thing; therefore beware of it, for if that get way, it will bring a burden, both in the particular, & in the general, and so the power cometh to be abused, and he that thus utters he looseth his dominion by abusing the power, and he sitteth down in sorrow: But this I say in the fear and dread of the Lord God, unto thee whosoever thou art, when thou feelest that thou art emptied of those words, which was given unto thee clear in the power, than sit down, and keep thy mind close unto the power, & wait in the coolness, still and low, and feel that thou hast such dominion over thy own will, that thou canst be as freely willing to be silent as to utter, feel it even so, for if it be not so, it is not Right, & so if thou sit down in the true fear of the Lord before thou have overspent thyself, than the power may open again and again in a meeting, and as the power opens and truly moves, thou art to be obedient, and here thou goest along with thy Guide, and in so doing thou dost please the Lord, and wilt grow daily in his wisdom and power, and he will prospero his work in thy hand, and in his truth he will make thee stand, and abide even to the end and this I say unto thee in God's pure fear, keep low and humble continually, and all things which thy Lord maketh thee an Instrument for good in, purely give him the glory of his own work, and take thou great heed, that thou give not way in the lest unto that in thee which would lead thee to have high thoughts of thy self, for that is an evil appearance; therefore as thou prizest thy life do thou slay from that, for if thou shouldst give way to that, it would lead thee to take glory to thy self, which is not due unto thee, and so thou wouldst rob God, and he that robbeth God shall not prospero, God will blast him in his fury, and he shall die and come to naught, the mouth of the lord hath spoken it; therefore, O man, fear and dread, and stand in awe, continually, for God is zealous of his own Glory, and he will not give it unto another; he doth forbidden that thou shouldest glory in any thing, but only in his powerful presence, And that is it, which will keep down that which will rob him, and it will keep thee humble and ●●eek and lowly continually; and thou being duly humble, thou art truly honourable, for mile man abides in the power of God, he is truly honourable, and that of God in the hearts of all that fear God, honoureth him: But that which leadeth into conceits of self, and seeketh honour to itself, That, is gone from the power of God, in which the true honour standeth, and unto which it is due; and the more that man seeketh it, the further he is from it, for the Curse is unto that Part; God bringeth the lofty from his Seat, and exalteth them of low degree.  
And now Friends, The Serpent being move subtle than any Beast of the Field, which the Lord God created, he moved without the power of his Creator, and so in rebellion against the power that created him, and so he became evil, and so accursed, by the power against which he hath rebelled, and so he standeth in continual enmity against the power that created him. Now my Friends, This wicked one, which is at continual enmity against the workings of the Spirit of God in Man, he hath divers operations and influences upon the souls or spirits of men, that inward or invisible creature, which moveth about the outward or visible creature Man: And my Friends the Spirit and power of God, is that which was before the wicked One was, and shall be when he shall be not more. All things was good in the beginning, and there was no evil, and therefore no Curse. And now friends all, sink down and keep low, to that which was in the beginning, the power of God, and that will give you to know your own spirits, what spirits you are of, for men do differ in their spirits, or that inward Creature, which moveth about the outward Creature.  
Now Friends, Some are of a forward, bold and valiant spirit, and others are of a more backward and fearful: Now I say, The power of God will show unto every one that believeth, and abideth in it, what spirit they are of: Now thou that wast bold and forward before thou camest to know the Lord, thou art now bold and forward, and full of zeal for the Truth; and there lieth thy weakness, for the subtlety to lead thee before thy Guide, the power of God which created thy Spirit, and in which thy spirit is to move, and not before it: So keep down to the power, that thy spirit may be subject unto the power, and move in the power, and so the power bringeth man into the state in which he was created in the beginning. So far thee well, keep to thy Guide, for in thy obedience consisteth thy eternal welfare.  
And now thou that wast of a backward, slow, or fearful spirit, before thou knew the lord, thou art now fearful, backward, and slow, and when the Spirit of God moveth upon thy spirit, to speak forth what he requireth of thee, than here lieth thy weakness, for the subtlety to enter; if thou look 〈◊〉, the subtlety will tell thee, that thou art 〈◊〉 to speak, and it will bring strange Rea … unto thee; if thou harken unto it, it will tell thee, that there is thy elder Brethrens, who are to speak, but thou art not, and if thou do, they will judge thee. Many other things it will present unto thee, which would be too tedious to mention; It may bring bad and wicked things before thee, to tender thee unfit and unworthy to speak; and all this his labour with thee, is to 'cause thee to disobey thy God, and to strangle the motion of his Spirit in thee; and thus he will do with the boldest of men, if they look out that way; but he more frequently worketh upon this hand with thee that is of a fearful and slow spirit: But this I say both to the bold and fearful, Look not out, harken not to this subtle One, which on his belly creepeth, striving which of us he may devour, but keep ye down low to feel the Lamb's power, and to its moving be obedient, yea, follow him whithersoever he leadeth you, and in the Lamb's power you will grow in the Dominion of the Lamb, over the subtle Serpent, and devouring Wolf, and his Kingdom and Dominion shall come to an end, for it had a beginning. So far you well, ye Beloved of the Lord, unto whom my soul is united, in the everlasting Light of the Day, that is sprung from on high, and hath visited us; O the blessing of God be with your spirits, even so saith my spirit in the power that created it.   

To the Labourers in the Lord's Vineyard, am I drawn forth in the power of the Love of the Lord of the Vineyard. Unto you Brethrens and Sisters, a humble Salutation, in much fear and trembling, in the lowly life of the Lamb, which always moves contrary unto the corrupt will of man.  
FRiends all, keep low in the feeling of the Arm and Power of the Lord of the Vineyard, for that is it which worketh the Lord's work; so whatever thy employment be in the Vineyard, still wait low to feel the power of the Lord to lead thee on, so will the blessing of the Lord accompany thee continually, and he will bless thy labours, and prospero his work in thy hands, and thy reward will be sure unto thee. And now my Brethrens and Sisters, This is that which is in my heart from the Lord of the Vineyard unto you, When you are drawn together into the Congregation of the righteous, to sound forth the praises of the Lord of the Vineyard, than keep in the true fear, that so you may have the perfect feeling one of another, in the spirit of prophecy, that so your spirits may be subject one unto another in the spirit of prophecy, and so one give way unto another, that so all may be eased, and none burdened.  
Friends, It is a good and honest and upright heart, that in all things will do as it would be done by; the Lord God loveth that heart, and he will greatly bless and prospero that man. So ye beloved of the Lord, Labour in the love, every one in the uprightness and integrity of his heart, both towards his God and his Neighbour, and every one will know his place and his work in the Vineyard, and every one will labour in the measure of the gift committed unto him, as a good Steward of the grace given unto him, whether it be more or lesle; and here none will look out at another, he that hath the lesser measure will not overstrain himself in his labour, to strive to run or equal parallel with him that hath the greater measure; but every one here will labour in the love, according to the strength received from the Lord of the Vineyard; and here none will be stifled, or maimed, but all will be preserved, and grow and prospero and renew their strength daily, and the Lord of the Vineyard will walk in the midst of us continually, and he will fill our Vessels with the pure virtue of his own life, and the Harmonious and Melodious sound will be heard amongst us. O my Friends, Let us all devil in the Munition of the Rock that is low in the Valley, so shall we be safe from harm. In the Munition of the Rock which lyoth low in the Valley, the great Leviathan, that piercing Serpent hath no place; therefore there let us all repose, and devil and abide continually, so shall we be preserved unto the end, and the Fountain kept open, yea more and more open, and the streams flow more and more, to the refreshing of the tender plants of the Lords Vineyard, and all the honour and glory will sweetly sound and redound unto the Lord of the Vineyard, unto whom it is due, and here none of the Labourers in the Lord's Vineyard, will murmur against the Lord of the Vineyard, nor say in their hearts, We have laboured in the heat of the day; and dost thou give unto those that come but now, as much as unto us? And if any should so say unto the Lord of the Vineyard, than this is the answer of the voice which is holy, Friend, I do thee no wrong.  
But ye Ancients in Israel, Feel, I say seel me, You are very honourable in my heart, God Almighty knoweth; and you know honour is not to that which seeketh it; and what I here writ, is by the constraint of the Spirit of my Lord, and in the same receive me. O my Friends, Bowels of love and pity I do feel greatly to yearn in me unto the weak and feeble, and strained and maimed; O pity, pity and compassion towards them. O ye Ancients in Israel, who devil in the deep, and have the healing virtue, strengthen the weak, comfort the feeble, bind up the wounds of your neighbours, like the good Samaritan, pour in oil, and the chief Shepherd, the Lord of the Vineyard, he will be your everlasting reward. The Lord God keep you in your Dominion, and make you more and more famous and honourable; even so Amen, saith the soul of him, who is one of the little ones of the thousands of Israel.  
Friends, We are come unto the glorious day that maketh all things manifest, which searcheth out the hidden things of Esau: We are come to the true Touchstone, by which we are come to know our own spirits in measure, and we are become the Salt of the earth, by the Revelation of the Day which is sprung from on high, and hath visited us, and now as we have received Jesus Christ the Light, let us walk in him, who is the fountain of Love; and if we abide in him, who is the Light, Way, Truth and Life, here we cannot stumble nor fall, for he that walketh in the Light, there is no occasion of stumbling in him: Now Friends, seeing that our God hath done such great and glorious things for us, let us all wait upon him in great reverence and fear, seeing it is he that bringeth all hidden things to Light; let us diligently wait upon him, to lead us and guide us in all our labours and travels in this glorious work of his, in which he hath made us Instruments.  
Friends, it is a high and weighty work that our God hath called us unto, even to be as Instruments in his hands to win Souls unto him, which is the high-calling, no things to be compared to it; therefore let us fear, let us dread, yea, let us stand in awe continually of him, the Lord our Leader, that so we may know that we have our continual being and Centre in him, and so live in him, and move in and with him, and not without him, nor before him, for in him we have the true seeing, feeling, tasting and handling; he that hath given us the knowledge of our own spirits, by the same wisdom he giveth us to know and discern and taste the spirits of men: So Friends, let us follow our Guide with much diligence and fear, and let no reports be received as at a distance, but try the spirits that report with the true Touchstone, whether it be of God, or not; and if upon trial you found it be of God, than you may wait to feel the thing reported, and than wait to feel whether God requires any thing of you, to speak unto the thing reported unto you, and this I found to be very safe; but if upon trial made, that you found that spirit that reports, not to be of God, but a flattering or backbiting, or whispering, or envious, or proud spirit, than, I say, wait upon the Lord God, and if thou feel him move in thee, to lay weight upon that spirit, pity it not, for it is for the wrath, plague and vengeance of the Lord God, and here the evil Eye will be kept blind, and straightness kept out of the Mind, and our understandings will be kept open, and we shall grow in the pure discerning, and with the eye that is of God we shall see what to nourish, and what to feed with judgement; and here is the true judgement, and this judgement will stand, and it will not hurt nor destroy any thing of God in any; and here that wicked one, who fitteth his vessels to spread his Poisonful and cursed seed of Dissension, will be kept out, and his Instruments kept under, and the body will be kept out of Rents, and love, mercy and peace will be greatly multiplied unto us and amongst us.  
And thus I have discharged my Conscience in obedience unto my God, and now in love, joy and peace, I cease to writ, and hearty bid you all Farewell.   
Shrewsbury Common Goal, where I remain a Witness for my God, this 26 day of the 10. Month, 1661. W. G.  
THE END.