A General Epistle To all FRIENDS Every where, Scattered up and down in the WORLD, That they all may faithfully keep and walk in the Truth of God, as they have received it, thereby to eschew Evil, and do Good, in their Day and Generation.  
Written by a Servant of God, and Labourer for the Honour of his Name, Prosperity of his Truth, and the Church's Peace and Welfare;  
JAMES PARK.  Heb. 13.20, 21. Now the God of Peace that brought again from the Dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant, make you perfect in every good Work, to do his Will, working in you, that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be Glory for ever and ever; Amen. 
Printed, and Sold by T. S. at the Crooked-Billet, in Holywell-Lane, in Shoreditch, 1691.   

A General Epistle to all Friends every where, scattered up and down in the World, etc.  
My Dear Friends and Brethren,  
WHom I very dearly love in the Covenant of Light and Eternal Life from God made manifest, wherein we have Peace with God, and feel the Joy of his Salvation, which hath been all along, and is our Walls and Bulwarks of defence, wherein we know Safety and true Rest and Peace with God through Faith in Christ Jesus; herein do I dearly Remember and Salute you all, who are the Sons and Daughters of God, begotten to him by the Word of his Grace and Eternal Life, which liveth and abideth for evermore. Oh! keep all within the Walls and Bulwarks of God's Salvation, that will be a sure Defence, and as a munition of Rocks to you, where your Bread will be sure, and your Waters never fail, but the Waters of a full Cup of Blessing will be known, and the refreshing Streams be witnessed to your heavenly Joy, Comfort and Refreshment in the Lord, the everlasting Fountain, from whom all our Comfort, Joy and Refreshment cometh, in all Storms, Rains, and greatest Raging of the Sea of wicked and ungodly Men, your everlasting Rock, Refuge, and hiding Place you know, which is most sure and certain in all the Perils and Dangers that you may meet with in your sojourning here: flee to your Invincible Rock, Christ Jesus, and you will not fear the Rage of the Wicked, nor be afraid what man can do unto you, whose Breath is in his Nostrils; but than you will only dread and fear the eternal God, and reverence his Name, who keepeth the Feet of his Saints, that none of their Steps may slide, but that all may walk uprightly, without staggering at the Promises of God, or stumbling at any Stumbling-block appearing in your Way and Travel, as Pilgrims in this World; than you will not be dismayed, although the Earth be removed and carried into the midst of the Sea, now when it is a time of the Lord's shaking the Earth, with the Heavens also, and all Nations, which are in the Hand of the Lord: and he will shake them, and remove the Earth out of its place; and all Nations before him, are but as the drop of a Bucket, and the small Dust of the Balance; he taketh the Islands in his Hand as a very light thing, and doth whatever he pleaseth in Heaven and in Earth, and in all the Kingdoms of men: and who hath a spiritual Eye opened and seethe through the vail of Darkness, may see the Lord wonderfully shaking the old Heaven and the old Earth, and that the old things shall pass away, and all things become new, a new Heaven and a new Earth, wherein dwells Righteousness: Blessed are you that know the old Heavens, the old Earth, with all the old things passed away, that are quite from them, and stand clear from the old Heavens and the old Earth, wherein Unrighteousness is found; for the Lord said, Behold I make all things new, and rejoice evermore in that which I create, for I create Jerusalem a Rejoicing, and her People a Praise. And this is the New Jerusalem that cometh down from God out of Heaven, as a prepared Bride for her Husband; Mark, as a Bride prepared for her Husband, who is her Maker, the Holy One of Israel, in the midst of her who is not an unprepared, but a prepared Bride, for Christ Jesus her Husband.  
And dear Friends, Brethren and Sisters, blessed are you who are come to know the Spirit of God, and a being Married to Christ Jesus, who are come to the general Assembly, and Church of the firstborn, and keep as wise Virgins, vigilant, sober and watchful, being stored with the heavenly Oil in your Vessels, with your Lamps always kept burning, being ready, and prepared for the Lord's appearing in Power and great Glory; and stand upon your Watch-Tower, to oppose every appearance of the Enemy, with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, very nigh you, with that war against the Enemy, that he may not enter again into any of your Hearts to work that which is Evil, and destroy the Good wrought or created in any particular of you, by the Lord God; when the Enemy cometh as a Flood, to tempt, assault, buffet, or winnow you as Wheat, it is to hurt the tender Vines, that they may not grow nor put forth in freshness and greenness, according to the good end of the heavenly great Planter: and the Enemy would destroy the heavenly Babe begotten of God; but you being all armed with the whole Armour of God, waring with the Enemy, the Enemy will fly from you, and will not be able to prevail for to enter any of your Hearts again, by any of his Temptations, Assaults, Buffet or Winnowing, whereby he cometh seeking whom of us he may devour: And the Children of the wicked One, know not God, nor that which is begotten or wrought by him, and therefore they set themselves in great Rage and Fury against the Lord, and that which he worketh in his People, who are begotten to him, and purely live to him, God who hath made you Witnesses of a Spiritual Warfare, for God and his Works, and against the Devil and his Works; and you know the Lord by his Spirit led us on with heavenly Zeal and Courage, to strike at the Devil and his Works, that are dark and corruptible, that they might be put of; for the Birth and Fruits that are of the Flesh, cannot please God; that birth and fruits of the Flesh must be known to die and whither; for they that are in that Birth, cannot be subject to the Righteous Law and Decree of the Lord God. So all must come out of that Birth which is of the Flesh, and the corrupt Nature that came upon Man by his fall from God, whereby he became an evil and corrupt Tree, and brought forth Briars and Thorns, nigh unto cursing, whose end is to be burned, becoming a degenerate Plant, even a Child of a strange Vine unto the Lord, who did plant mankind a noble Vine, a holy and right Seed. My dear Friends, feel that right Seed, that God hath sown in all your Hearts, that in and by the same you may all stand and remain as noble Plants, in the Vineyard of the Lord, that none of you may be found corrupt Trees that whither, and bring not forth good Fruit, or as them who are twice dead, and plucked up by the Roots, and as wand'ring Stars, who have left their Habitation that once they had in the Truth; although such may retain the Profession of the Truth, and come amongst us; but Friends, you having an inward Eye opened by the Spirit of the living God, you will see them, and beware of them, and avoid their Deceit and Falsehood, in their most plausable Words and fair Speeches, which may tickle the Ears of such as have itching Ears, and draw out the Minds of the Simple to their hurt: But all of you mind the Lord God, and eye him in all his Leadings; and whither so ever the Lamb goeth, follow him faithfully, even through the greatest Hardships, Difficulties and Tribulation that you may be called to pass through in this present world, of Calamity and Troubles: Oh! keep going on to Perfection, in the Path of the Just, and run the Race that God hath set before you with patience, although you meet with many great Troubles and fiery Trials, look not out, for that is the way that God leadeth his People into his Kingdom of Love, Joy, Rest and Peace, which is everlasting; and the great Tribulations which the Righteous meet with for a season in this world, and are called to pass through, is but the more to wash them and prepare them for that everlasting Crown and Kingdom, which the faithful God, in what he hath promised to the Flock of Christ, will certainly give unto them; and whatsoever evil men may do against the Church of God, in the execution of their Malice, Violence, Spoils or Ruins, which the Lord hath in many Ages suffered to come upon the precious Sons & Daughters of Zion; yet in all that which such suffered, our heavenly Father designed nothing towards them but good, and for their profit, to make them more and more partakers of his Glory, who in common Calamities and Judgements met with hard measure and sufferings from wicked men, that did not fear God, but were bend to work Wickedness, to do it with greediness; such now will the Lord judge and recompense the Evil of their own Ways and Do upon their own Heads; and the divine Vengeance of God did overtake, and will overtake such, and with all the Wicked and Unrighteous of the Earth, is the Righteous God pleading, and they shall be broken to pieces by him, even like a Potter's Vessel; for they cannot stand in Judgement, in the great Day of the Lord, wherein terribly he will shake the Earth, that it may be removed out of its place in People's hearts; also he will shake the Heavens, for that is to be shaken, that Heaven and Earth may be full of his Glory, and that the Knowledge of the Lord may cover the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea, that Knowledge may be increased.  
Now in the woeful Day of Judgement & Calamity from God come and coming upon the Wicked and Ungodly; it doth appear to me, as if some weak and feeble Ones amongst us, should say, What will become of us? shall me be hid in the Day of the Lord's Wrath? will the Lord have pity upon, and spare us, when the overflowing Scourge shall pass through the Land? This I have to say as from God concerning the Righteous every where; Fear not Man, neither be dismayed at his Looks, because of God's Judgements being in the Earth, or when Calamity cometh; for although Judgements and outward Calamity may reach all in general, yet will the Lord remember to spare, keep and support the weak of his Flock, that continue with him in Tribulations, and follow him fully, he will give them a Kingdom of Rest, Joy and Peace, which is everlasting, the Light of his Countenance shall shine upon them; he will give them Beauty for Ashes, and the heavenly Oil of Joy instead of the Spirit of Heaviness; that is but for a Night, but Joy cometh in the Morning; the Lord will hid, spare and pity you weak and feeble Ones, in times of Peril, Trouble and greatest Danger; you abiding faithful unto him, he will not leave you comfortless, but will comfort you, and will be a Rock and Refuge to you; for you will find a sure place of Refuge in his holy Name, in which you have believed, and do trust; he will not forget you, nor forsake you in your greatest straits: be patiented in Tribulation, for Tribulation worketh Patience, and patience Experience, and Experience that Hope which maketh not ashamed, and that will be as an Anchor to hold you all unto, and keep you steadfast upon the sure and certain Rock of Ages, Christ Jesus, even from the least of you to the greatest; and from the weakest of you to the strongest; and you will mightily be upheld and supported by him, in all, through all, and over all, that which God may permit wicked Men, or Devils, to do against you, to trouble, oppress or try you, who being sound Righteous, you shall have the blessed Reward thereof freely bestowed upon you in this World, and that which is to come, and it shall go well with you; however it be as to Troubles, Oppressions or Trials in this world, when God's Judgements are in the Earth, and the Vials of his Wrath poured forth with fury upon the Heads of the Wicked and Ungodly, to cut them off; the Lord will have mercy upon Zion, he will hear the Cry of the Afflicted true Zion, his Bowels of Compassion will the more appear and be enlarged, to relieve, save, help and deliver you, and to cause your Enemies to be at Peace with you: God's love and care in watching over his, and to incamp about them, that is a sure Defence; and a Buckler and Shield will the Lord ever be to all that fear him, and think upon his Name, whether weaker or stronger, God who is just and equal in all his judgements and ways; will not destroy the Righteous with the wicked, from that great Deluge that came upon the old World, for there great wickedness, wherewith they then provoaked the Almighty to great Indignation against them; yet he saved Noah that Preacher of Righteousness and his Family, being Righteous in an Ark which Noah built, being warned of God to do it long before it was finished; when the Flood came, in that Ark was he and his Family saved, and not destroyed with the wicked: and when God overthrew the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrow by a dreadful violent Fire, the destroying Angel could not proceed to his work till just Lott was gone out of Sodom; but afterward those Cities were laid in Ashes. And how did the Lord keep and preserve that fruitful Bow Joseph, who was hated of his Brethren and sold by them a Slave into Egypt? how did the Lord help him, stand by him and strengthen him, when they agreed to cast him into the Pit to destroy him? did not the Lord cause it to work effectually for his good, who by his wisdom and virtue obtained great favour and honour with King Pharaoh and his Court, and throughout the Land of Egypt, where he was a succour and as a saviour to his Father Jacob's Family, his envious Brethren that took Counsel together to destroy him; Joseph did good unto, and rewarded them good for their envy and cruelty; and the Lord delivered Jacob out of all his troubles which he had met with in the days of his Pilgrimage, which were many, very great and grievous, as the Scriptures declare; and he that helped, saved and delivered the Righteous in all Ages, he is the same God now, and changeth not with the times and seasons that are in his Hands, but he will work Wonders for the ho●our and exaltation of his Name, for the Salvation of his chosen Flock, and for the destruction of his Enemies that will not bow to him, nor his Government in them, nor over them to reign; and he will certainly bow them and break them in pieces and scatter them in there evil Imaginations, and will bring to nought all the unrighteous designs and wicked Conspiracies of all the wicked and unrighteous in the Earth, to exalt his Name and spread his Truth abundantly.  
Dear Friends, a great and terrible day of God's fierce Wrath from Heaven is revealed against them that hold the Truth in Unrighteousness, they hold the bare Profession of it, out of the Life and Power thereof, and something of the Form, out of the Power, such do dishonour God, and are a Scandal to the Name of Christ Jesus, and waver from him, and balk his Testimony, being not faithful to him, nor true in their Testimony for those things which we have most surely believed, to be of and from the Lord. Now his Day is come and coming, that will be upon all found in that state, although they may hold the Profession of the Truth of God, yet they are out of the Possession, and they are out of the Kingdom which stands in Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the holy Spirit, and are led and guided by an unholy Spirit, into disobedience to the Lord, and are held Captives therein; and such show forth the Rule and Government of the Prince of the power of the Air, having dominion in and over them: Now the terrible Day of God's Wrath will fall heavy on them that obey Unrighteousness, and hold the Truth in Unrighteousness; and when the Righteous shall scarcely be saved, where shall they appear that hold the Profession of the Truth in Unrighteousness? will not such be found amongst the Hypocrites and Unbelievers? and will not there be Lamentation, Weeping, and great Woe? and shall not Tribulation, Anguish and Wrath come upon every Soul of man that doth Evil, of what Name and Profession soever they have been of in this present world? Now as Righteousness and true Holiness leads such who are in it, to be faithful in their Testimony for God; so Unrighteousness doth the contrary, even cause many to how their Knee to Baal in something or other, to worship the Beast, and receive his Mark in something or other, more or less, which it may be such know that they ought not to fall under in, or to give way unto; and that will bring down Judgement and Wrath from God upon all the disobedient, who are not just, true and faithful in bearing their Testimony against Wars and Fightings with Carnal Weapons, and against Tithes and Offerings, which God in the Gospel-Day puts an end unto, and requireth not; and that which the Testimony of Truth in all the Faithful in our Day, hath clearly gone forth against from the beginning; and God apparently hath been with his People, and blessed us herein: How any can slight, go from, or violate that, and directly, or indirectly, join with them, or give strength to them that falsify their Testimony, making void as much as in them lieth the great and hard Sufferings of many Ancient Friends formerly, who loved not their Lives to the Death, so that they might fight the good Fight of Faith, and keep their Testimony firm and constant for God to the end? And feel the Spirit of Life from God, to enter into you, and possess all your Hearts, that you may stand upon your Feet, and be armed with the Armour of Light, and the Shield of Faith, and the Sword of the Spirit, which proceeds out of the Lamb's Mouth, that faithful Witnesses for him you may stand against all that which is Evil, and contrary to the Truth and Testimony thereof.  
Dear Brethren and Sisters, and all Friends, who are called of God to do Service in your Men and women's Meetings, that are of such great tendency for the Welfare and Peace of the Church of God; be diligent to keep up and preserve your Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, in the pure and peaceable Wisdom of God, all minding and following those things which are pure, lovely, and of good Report, which makes for Peace; within your Walls of Salvation and Strength from God dwell, and stand up for God's Authority, and that all your Men & women's Meetings therein may be kept, all being diligent and faithful to God, he will be your Shield and exceeding great Reward; your Shield to defend you against all the Opposition you may meet with, & against the Malice & Rage of them that seek your hart and overthrow. And be wise in Heart in your Words and Actions, do all that you do to the Glory and Praise of God, in self-denial and self-abasement, considering that you act for God, and his Eye is over all; You know that you are not your own, but the Lords, bought with a Price. So all aught faithfully to serve, glorify and honour him, to the uttermost of the strength and ability that you have received from God, or may receive in your Day and Generation: Be careful in the fear of the Lord, and then all things will be done decently, and in good order in the Church of God; and let nothing be done in Strife or vain Glory, but do all things in Love, in that dwell together, and edify one another, doing all things without Partiality, without Hypocrisy, and without Dissimulation; and keep your Eye single to God, in all whatever you do in Word or Deed, that all may be done in the peaceable Wisdom of Truth and Righteousness, keeping an equal hand of Judgement and Justice without respect to Persons, in all matters and things that may come before you; for such as respect the Rich Persons case, more than the case of the Poor, may err in Judgement, and commit Sin, and the just, equal and righteous Law of God will take hold on such, and judge them, that are found respecting and bearing with the Cause of the Rich, because Rich, more than the Cause of the Poor of the Flock of God, because they are poor in this World. Wait for Counsel from the Lord, to direct you how to give Advice and Direction unto others, that are but weak in the Faith, and do not so clearly see their way and work; be tender towards them, and helpful to them in the Lord, and Eyes to them, and Feet to the Lame that have halted, and help them on by a Hand of Love and true Tenderness, held forth to them that need it; then will the Lord be with you, bless your Meetings, beautify and honour them more and more with his holy comfortable Presence, and give you Dominion and Power over all that which would hurt and destroy, or make Schisms, rend and divide Member from Member, or the Body from the Head: The Lord hath been with you, and preserved you together of one Heart, in his business; and when you have been about your own, his Blessing you have felt; and he will be with you, as ye all stand, fast in the Faith, doing his Work unto the end.  
And all you who are Convinced of God's Truth, but not brought to live and walk in it, following your own Wills, Spirits, Passions, and vile Affections, not knowing how to bridle your Tongues, nor to keep out of the Evil Words and Ways of the Wicked, but are often catched in the Snares of the Wicked, and led captive by Satan at his Will, tremble before the Lord, fear his holy Name, whilst God spareth you, and suffereth you to cumber the Ground; for you fruitless Trees cumber the Ground, and must be cut down, God will not always spare, nor bear with you for your abuse of his Patience and Long-suffering; the Lord will judge you, he will plead with you in his Wrath, who follow your own Wills, and suffereth your own Spirits, Passions and vile Affections to sway, govern and make you Bondslaves, and to keep you fast Captives to Sin and Satan, which is great slavery; and so are apt to be drawn into lewd Company, and to have fellowship with them, who are given up to work Wickedness, and to hatch Mischief, and put it in practice; Take heed how you go on in the ways of evil men, take no pleasure in their company; if sometimes thou fall into their company occasionally or accidentally, without thy seeking or desiring, but with all and care diligence avoid their company; avoid their evil Words, and avoid all their ungodly Conversation, and avoid as much as in you lies Taverns and Alehouses, where so many wrong their own Souls and Bodies also, and impoverish their Families, and waste the Creatures that in themselves are good, which many may want greatly; and although it be lawful to go to such public Houses upon just occasion, or as necessity may require it; yet for any to go for Lust or Fashion-sake, and to sit long with them, who Injuriously frequent such Houses, that hath been a Snare to many Young Men and Women to their great hurt every way; and is no good expedient for the Aged, to spend their precious time unprofitably in Taverns and Alehouses, or any other Houses where you may receive harm, and bring Reproach upon the Name of the Lord, amongst wicked and ungodly men and women, who regard not what Wickedness they do act, nor what Evil they can tempt and draw others into, desiring that you that know the Truth might become the Companions of Drunkards, Swearers, Liars, and be made partakers with them in their ungodly Deeds, whereby such debauch the Minds of all that will have fellowship with them, and then rejoice in their Iniquity, and sport themselves, when they have drawn the minds of others out to join with them in their abominable Practices: Therefore let such as are Convinced of the Truth, and frequent our Meetings, whom this may concern, leave off such Company, and put away all your Iniquities that you are guilty of, and amend your ways and doing, lest the Lord be provoked so to Wrath by you, as suddenly to cut you off in your Iniquity, and it prove your utter Destruction.  
And dear Friends, be mindful of, and patiently wait for your final Change or the Dissolution of the earthly House of this Tabernacle; and before, give all diligence to obtain a certain assurance, that you have a House not made with Hands, eternal in the Heavens. There are but few mind or consider how near their Change may be, or when the last moment of Time they may have to spend in this present World shall be, many Wise men and Prophets of God in our day, are removed and taken away from us, and from the Evil to come, and many other Ancient Friends that stood firm in their Day, in Testimony to the Lord and his Truth, who had overcome, and were made as Pillars in his House, are fallen asleep, and are at Rest from their Labours and Services for the Lord, and Works of Righteousness which they wrought in their Day; let it be your care to remember and follow that good Example they gave you, and left to us all, that we might be one with them, who were faithful Followers of Christ Jesus, and laboured in his universal Spirit, and endured much Hardship and great Sufferings, but did not stagger nor faint in their minds, being of great Courage and Heavenly Resolution in God's Work, and prepared for their Dissolution before it came, and their Work was done which the Lord gave them to do: O! be of the same Mind and Resignation to serve, please and follow God, and to finish that Work he hath given you to do, before it be said to you, That time with you in this World shall be no longer.  
The Lord is sealing his Servants by his holy Spirit, and hath sealed many to the Day of Redemption, such have the mark of God on their Foreheads, but cannot touch nor receive the mark of the Beast on their Foreheads or in their Hands; the destroying Angel must not hurt nor harm such, that are sealed with the holy Seal of the Spirit of God, which all aught to wait for, after you have believed, and feel a fervent Zeal for God as much as ever, being always zealously affected in that which is good, with a circumspect watch against that which is Evil, and every appearance thereof; and keep harmless and without fault in the sight of God, than whoever blame you, or speak evil of you falsely, yet will you be justified by the Lord, and clear when he judgeth, that judgeth Righteously.  
And beware of all manner of Deceit, Guile and Hypocrisy, with all Double-dealing, Dissimulation, Whispering, Tale-bearing, too much practised amongst some professing the pure and precious Truth of God (that come amongst us) and would be owned as of us, and of the pure Religion, but have not a Bridle for their Tongues, neither take heed to their Say or Do; no● are they simple-hearted, but subtle, some of them, and wise to do Evil, shuning and avoiding the Plain Language of Truth, according to the Scripture of Truth, which is Thee and Thou to a particular Person: But is all stood firmly in the Cross of Christ, which is the Power of God, than it would not be so with such amongst us, but they would bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance, and be kept both in the Language and Life of the naked Truth, as it is in Jesus; For all Deceit, Dissimulation, Hypocrisy and Unrighteous Cover are abhorred of the Lord; and to be double-tongued, double-dealing, are loathsome and abominable to God, and Good men and women, and as the Scriptures witness. O! let all be awakened out of Sleep, and know that now the Day of the Lord is at hand! The Lord is come, who will judge the Secrets of all men's Hearts, as the Apostle said, According to my Gospel; and bring all hidden things to light, as he appeareth, as he ariseth in People's hearts; who will not judge after the sight of the Eye, or after the hearing of the Ear, or according to appearance; but with Righteous Judgement will he judge both Poor and Rich, High and Low; he will be justified when he judgeth, and clear when he condemneth for Sin and Evil: he will do no unrighteousness in Judgement, nor judge as man judgeth, with severe and rash Judgement: He will remember Mercy in the midst of Judgement; although men are apt to forget it, and not to mix Mercy with their Judgement, but often show Rigour instead of Mercy, which is not pleasing to the Lord; for he desires Mercy rather than Sacrifice, and that we harken to him, that is better than the Fat of Rams.  
And Friends, beware of Covetousness, which is Idolatry, and the love of Money, which is the Root of all Evil: how many men heap Sorrows upon Sorrows upon themselves, by their Covetousness, and being overcome with the Cares of this Life, and seem as drowned in Perdition through the love of Money, the Root of all Evil? For what Evil may not arise and spring from this evil Root? How many evil, hurtful and corrupt Branches that now appear, coming from this pernicious Root in men and women, are daily brought forth to the dishonour of God, and great Reproach of his Name, by the Christians in Name only, but not in Nature: and it matters not much what Profession Idolatrous men and women make that still bring forth evil Branches, and evil Fruit from this evil root.  
And beware of Lying, loving or making a Lie, to slander, defame or judge another man's Servant, who must stand or fall to his own Master; and God is able to raise them up that fall; and he that stands had as much need as ever to take heed, lest he fall amongst them that fall into Mischief, and lest he tempt the Lord, and grieve his holy Spirit, which is the cause of man's Fall and Misery, and the Spirit's ceasing to strive with them that utterly fall, by which Spirit of God we are sealed to the Day of Redemption, as we abide and walk therein.  
And beware of Unjust and Unrighteous Measures; but keep to the Balance of the Sanctuary, which will direct us all to give Right Weight and Measure to others, even such as we desire they should meet to us; for such measure as we meet to others, may be measured to us again; and 'tis but just and equal for the equal just God to suffer it so to be, that men hear, fear and understand the Rod of Severity that God can make use of, when his Favour and Mercy is kicked at and rejected, than an Eye for an Eye, and rendering Evil for Evil, and thinking to overcome the Evil with the Evil, for want of Christian skill to overcome the Evil with the Good.  
And beware of Hatred, Prejudice and Enmity; envy not one another, for because of that the Wrath of God cometh upon the Children of Disobedience, although they may know much in comprehension, or external Notions of the things of God, in the head or brain, and be swelled and lifted up therewith; for that Knowledge that is out of the Life and Simplicity of the Gospel, will hurt, and not heal, or pour Oil into the Wound, to heal the Hurts or Bruises of the Daughter of God's People; and what Hurt, Envy, Hatred and Prejudice hath done amongst men, is so obvious, that much need not be said to demonstrate it, for all may see or hear of the Murders and Bloodsheds that are in the World, the many Combats and Duels amongst Men, and how they kill one another in their heat of Passion, Malice and Envy; and he that doth envy his Brother is a Murderer in his heart, and hath not eternal Life abiding in him: and the Treachery that is amongst men, their betraying one another to Death, it oftentimes doth arise and come from that bitter Root of Prejudice and Envy, which is the work of the Devil. But all Friends every where, keep out of those things that gender to Strife, Contention, or doth provoke to Evil, or to any manner of Sin, but exercise yourselves unto Godliness, cease from Anger and for sake Wrath, fret not yourselves in any wise to do Evil; for Evil-doers shall be cut off; follow the things that make for Peace, and you shall enjoy Rest, Peace and Quiet, and know the perfect love of God, to cast out the fear of man, or what man can do, when others are full of Fears and Unbelief, because of evil Tidings, and concerning future things that may come to pass; dwell in the Love of God and perfect Charity one towards another, and the Lord will be a Shelter and Hiding Place to you.  
And take heed of Whimsies, or Imaginary vain Conceits, and then to think of yourselves above what is meet; but all keep low in your minds, and be little in your own Eyes; for some being blown up into high Conceits, are hurried into uncertain Sounds, and flashes of false Joy, which is not the Joy of the Lord, that is strength to the Righteous, neither doth tend to the Good or Edification of the Church of Christ; howbeit, put on Christian Charity, and bear one with another, more especially in public Assemblies: We ought to bear with some Weaknesses, rather than crush or hurt any thing that is good and right; have Charity towards the Weak, and bear one another's Burdens, that Peace, Order and Unity in the Spirit may be kept in all the Churches of Christ: And as much as in you lies, live peaceably with all men, and in the Spirit of God pray for all men, high and low, rich and poor: And obey Magistrates so far as you may with a safe Conscience, or your Testimony for the Truth will admit, that under them we may live a sober righteous Life in all Godliness and Honesty, that whereas many speak against us as Evil-doers, they may be ashamed, & acknowledge to your upright Godly Conversation, coupled with fear, to do an evil thing, to harm or be injurious to any man.  
And beware of Pride and vain Glory, with the vain and the foolish Fashions of this perishing world, that passeth away, keep out of all spiritual Pride, let it not have place in any of your Hearts, and hid it not from your Eyes, for God beholds the Proud afar off; and would any of you have God to behold you afar off; and such as God beholds afar off, are not near him; for who are near him, he doth behold them so, they are precious in his sight, his Eyes are over them, and he giveth them more Grace: but he resisteth the Proud; a high Mind goeth before a Fall, and Pride before Destruction; and it hath brought Woe and Destruction upon many; and but few humble themselves under the mighty Hand of God, lowliness of mind, and humility. Therefore all keep in, give not way to any proud Desires of your Hearts, from whence cometh Proud Words, and inclinations after high Attire, shining and costly Apparel outwardly, affecting the Antic Fantastical Fashions of the World, which too many professing God's plain Truth get into, and delight themselves in.  
And all you Elder Men and Women, professing the holy pure plain Truth of God, be good Examples in Plainness, Purity and Holiness, unto the Younger Men, Women and Children, in your Lives and Conversations wherever you come; wear nothing, neither speak or do any thing but that which is Grave and Savoury, becoming Godliness, which may reach to the Good, and that which is of God in all may own, approve and justify you in; the Younger look at you who are Elder, and when or wherein any of you take liberty to fashion yourselves like unto this World: How can you expect but that the Younger Men, and Women, and Children, will in that be apt to follow your Example; and when you speak rude unsavoury Words, may not you be ill Instruments to corrupt the good Manners of the younger sort of People amongst us? And when you that are Elders, do any thing against the pure Truth of God, and the Younger behold you, may not that hurt and defile them? and so you become Ministers of Evil things to the weak and Young, and grieve the Spirit of God in them, and also in yourselves, which should seal you to the Day of Redemption, and would keep the Crown of Pride from you all, if you would keep in the Spirit of God, and be led and guided by it; for that never led, nor will ever lead any to speak, do, or wear any thing unbecoming the Truth or Godliness. I know that by the Worldly Liberty, which some Elder men and women among us have taken in Words, Deeds and Habits, out of the Truth, and condemned by it, they have but weakened themselves, brought a Veil over the Seed of God in them, and rendered themselves less useful to serve God and his precious Truth in their Generation; and all evil Words, evil Deeds, or evil Fashions, spoken, done or followed, are a dis-service to the Truth, works against it, causeth a slight esteem of it, and doth tend to hinder the Prosperity of it. And therefore every one of you professing the Truth, keep out of that which works against it, and bringeth dishonour to it; What manner of Persons ought we to be in all holy Conversation and Godliness, who know the Truth of God, to keep in his fear at all times, to fear to offend him or grieve his holy Spirit, in Words or Actions, or by giving any way to Pride or High-mindedness in any thing what we say or do. And in our Apparel, men and women especially, the Elder sort, to be plain and modest, and all to behave themselves in Sobriety and Moderation.  
And you Friends, that are Rich, and have plenty of created Comforts in this World, let not your Table become your Snare, nor that which was given you, for your Welfare become your Trap, and withhold any of you from God, or your Duty, wherein you ought to be found constant to him; but be wise, and show forth Christian Moderation in the right use of all Creatures; and keep out of that Excess which the World, and worldly Professors take liberty in, and sport themselves in the practice of, in their Eating and Drinking at Marriage Feasts, and other Feasts: Oh! what ●luttening Rioting and Wantonness are even many found in! which sorely displeaseth the Lord, kindles his Wrath, and that which they have cause to be ashamed of, and such indeed as is a shame to Christianity, in the Life of it; for that is that which we are to mind, and keep to the ancient practice and manner of the Primitive Christians, in our Eating and Drinking, Marriages, Apparelling ourselves, that whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, or take in hand, that all may be done to the Praise and Honour of God, in pure mindedness to give Thanks unto God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us and all men, and did purchase us with his own Blood, that we all might know Remission of Sin, and know the Deeds of the Body mortified, and the Old man with his Deeds, that are corruptible put off; and to be covered with and adorned with the Heavenly Man, who is from above, and he, nor the glory of his Kingdom is of this world: O let all come to bear his Image, be willing to be made by him conformable to him who is from above, and above all, that your Wills or Affections may not go out after, or be set upon any thing that is Visible, or Temporal; but with a pure Eye look to him who is from Everlasting to Everlasting, Invisible and Eternal; let your Minds and Affections go after him, and be set upon him; and those things which are Invisible and Eternal, all wait more and more to love and take pleasure in.  
And all dear Friends and Brethren every where, having received the Spirit of God poured forth from him, keep therein, for its good and profitable to be in the Spirit of God; and that tends to Godliness, which is profitable in all things, having the promise of this Life, and that which is to come: and Pray often in the Spirit of God, having a Spiritual Mind and Understanding also: Pray to God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that you may be kept steadfast to him, and preserved in Purity to his praise, whilst in this present World. O! be ye all fervent in Prayer and Supplications to God, that you may abide faithful to him in your Words and Actions, and that Testimony God hath called you to bear for him and his Truth; be righteous, true and faithful therein, and grow up as Pillars in his House, and not to defile your Garments any more with the Pollutions of this evil World, but constantly be kept to God out of Sin & Evil, throughout your Pilgrimage in it: be tender one towards another, and pray one for another in the love of God, that you may be kept always abounding in it; and love and pray for your Enemies, and do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use and persecute you, considering that the Prayers of the Righteous the Lord doth hear, regard and answer, and their fervent Prayers in the Name of Christ prevails much with God, and availeth much for the good of his Church, and also for the benefit of the Children of men in general, that have not sinned out their day, nor are finally given up to utter Ruin and Destruction. And my Friends, in every thing that you do receive from God, give humble and hearty Thanks to him; and be you always contented with what you do receive from him, whether it be that which may appear Evil or Good, Affliction or Prosperity, being Poor or Rich, in every state be contented, with your lot and portion in this world; and shut out all murmuring against the Lord, and all evil Thoughts and Grudge one against another; be content with such things as you have, considering that we brought nothing with us into this world, neither must we carry any thing out with us when we go away out of it; and in it there is no long continuance.  
And you that are but weak in the Faith, or have but a little Faith, neither have so much Wisdom and Knowledge, as may be others have, let not the weakness of thy Faith, or want of that Wisdom and Knowledge that others may have, at all discourage thee, or raise any Doubts, Reasonings, or Questioning in thy mind, that God will not hear or regard thy Prayers, being in the least measure of the Spirit of God offered to him; for he will both hear and answer thy Prayers that are in the living Faith, without doubtings and reasoning of the Flesh, notwithstanding thy weakness or littleness of thy Wisdom and Knowledge; and if thou know not how to pray, nor what to ask, wait for the Spirit, and to feel Life thereby to arise and move in thy heart, for that will help thy Infirmities, with Sighs and Groans that cannot be uttered forth in words, howbeit he knoweth the mind of his own holy Spirit; for it moves to Holiness, to that which is good, but not to that which is evil, in any man or woman; but to avoid that which is evil in all Thoughts, Words and Actions: our God knoweth the mind of his own Spirit, in a holy Desire or pure Meditation, without Words, as well as with Words spoken forth.  
Therefore my dear Friends, let none of you struggle or strive in your own Wills to use many Words or Repetitions in Prayer to God the Father, but feel his Spirit to move in all your Hearts; for that will sufficiently help your Infirmities, and teach you how to make your Requests in Prayer to God, who knoweth what you stand in need of.  
So dear Friends, I do commit you to God, and his Spirit of Truth in all your Hearts, that that therein you may all serve, worship, and pray unto him, and that you may please the Lord in all things, is the fervent breathing Desires of your Friend and Brother, in a Spiritual Relation in and through God, and Christ Jesus, the only Saviour and Mediator betwixt God and Man, who ever liveth, making Intercession for all the Saints.  
J. P. Hosleydown, the 18th of the 6th Month, 1691.  
THE END.