EPISTLE FROM THE women's Yearly Meeting at York, 1688. AND An EPISTLE from Mary Wait.   

A TESTIMONY for the Lord and his Truth, given forth by the women friends, at their yearly meeting, at York, being a tender salutation of love, to their friends and sisters, in their several monthly meetings, in this county, and else where, greeting.  
Dear friends and sisters,  
WE, being met together in the fear of the Lord, to wait upon him for his ancient power, to order us, and, in his wisdom and counsel, to guide us in our exercise relating to church affairs: It hath pleased him to break in among us in a glorious manner, to our great satisfaction, and he hath filled our meeting with his living presence, and crowned our assembly with his heavenly power, and opened the fountain of life unto us, and caused the streams of his love freely to flow among us, and run from vessel to vessel, to the gladding of our hearts, which causeth living praise, and hearty thanksgiving to be rendered unto him, who alone is worthy. And, friends, we hereby signify to you, that there hath been many living testimonies delivered among us from the divine openings of the spirit of life, in many brethren and sisters, whereby we are fully satisfied that the Lord is well pleased with this our service, and doth accept our sacrifices and freewill offerings, and returns an answer of peace unto our bosoms, which is greatly our reward. Here hath also been brought several testimonies in writing from divers of our monthly meetings, to our great satisfaction, touching the care of friends for the honour of God, and prosperity of truth in one another. And, dear friends, in that unchangeable love and precious truth of our God, we dearly salute you, wherein our relation and acquaintance with him, and one with another, in spirit, is daily renewed, and our care and concern for his honour, and one another's good, is still continued; and therein we see there is as great need as ever to watch over one another for good; tho' it hath pleased God, in his infinite mercy and love, to give us a day of ease and liberty, as to the outward, and hath broken the bonds of many captives, and hath set the oppressed free, and hath opened the prison doors in a great measure: living praises be given him for ever! And now, friends, it is our desire that we all may make a right use of it, and answer the end of the Lord in it, and neither take nor give liberty to that part in any which may give the Lord occasion to suffer our bonds to be renewed, but in his fear and holy awe walk humbly before him, in a holy and selfdenying life, under the cross of Christ Jesus, which daily crucifies us to the world, and the world to us, and teacheth us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live righteously and soberly in this present world, that by our holy lives and righteous conversation, others, seeing our good works, may glorify our heavenly Father, and that, by our truthlike and Christian behaviour, and upright dealing in all our affairs among the children of men, we may walk as becomes the truth. And, dear friends, join not with any sort of people further than will stand with truth's honour, and reach God's witness in every conscience, but as much as in you lieth live peaceably with all men, and do good unto all, especially unto the household of faith, and so daily fulfil the royal law of love, in showing to all men that you are Christ's disciples, by loving him and one another. And, friends, we cannot but warn you of the separating and quarrelling spirit which leads unto strife, contention and jangling, and would thereby lay waste your concern for God's honour, and one another's good; this is that old adversary and enemy of mankind, who, in all ages, went about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he might devour, and, as a ravenous wolf, sometimes gets the sheep's clothing, and never wants specious pretences to accomplish his design, and bring about his end, which is to divide, read, tear, destroy and separate from God and one another; and would lay waste the heritage of God, and make spoil of his plantation, and leave his tender plants without care, in the briers and thorns, and every hurtful weed to wrap about them to hinder their growth, and draw them out of their order, by reason of which, as in the days of old, the way of truth might be evil spoken of. The Lord disappoint him of his purpose, and frustrate him of his end, is our prayer, and keep him livingly sensible, that the end of the Lord, in all his fatherly corrections, gentle chastisements, and kind reproofs, hath been to preserve us from the snares of the enemy. Therefore, dear friends, be concerned for the preservation of one another in every of your respective monthly meetings, and be faithful in performing your service and duty to God, and to one another, as he opens it in you, and lays it upon you, in exhortation, admonition and reproof, in tender love, for so it will be as the balm of Gilead unto those who are wounded by the wiles of the enemy; for, dear friends, it is the very end of our travel and labour of love, that the hungry may be fed, the naked clothed, the weak strengthened, the feeble comforted, and the wounded healed. So that the very weakest, and hindermost of the flock, may be gathered into the fold of rest and safety, where no destroyer can come, where the ransomed and redeemed by the Lord have the songs of deliverance and high praise in their mouths, giving him the honour, who alone is worthy for ever. And, friends, let us ever remember the tender dealing and mercies of the Lord to us, and that it was not for our deserts, nor any worthiness in us, but his own good will, and for his seed sake, in which he heard our many cries, and had regard to our tears, and helped us through many exercises and trials inwardly and outwardly, and hath been our rock and refuge, and our sure hiding place, in many storms and exercises; and yet preserves in perfect peace all those that trust in him, who keep his new creation full of joy; and the voice of thanksgiving and melody is heard in our land, and the Lord becomes unto us the place of broad rivers, and makes us before him as well watered gardens, and affects our hearts with his divine love to praise his name. And now to you young women, whom our souls love, and whom the Lord delighteth to do good unto, and hath visited with the tastes of his love, be you ordered by him in all things, that, in your modest and chaste behaviour, your comely and decent dresses in your apparel, and in all other things you may be good examples to others, not only those that are without, but to some professing of the faith, that in the line of life, and language of truth, we may speak one to another and say, Arise, ye daughters of Zion, shake yourselves from the dust of the earth, put on the beautiful garments, even the robes of righteousness, the saints clothing, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. And be not too careful for preferment or riches in this world, but be careful to know the Lord to be your portion and the lot of your inheritance. Then testimonies will arise as in the days of old; our lot is fallen in a good ground, we have large possessions. And, friends, be not concerned in reference to marriage out of God's fear, but first wait to know your Maker to become your husband and the bridegroom of your souls, than you will come to know that you are not your own, but that he must have the ordering and disposing of you, in soul, body and spirit, which are all his; for he, being the only one unto you, and the chiefest of ten thousand among you, will be your beloved and your friend. Oh! friends, this state is happy, and blessed are they that attain it, and live in it; the Lord is not unmindful of them, but in his own time, if he see it good for them, can provide meet helps for them; then will your marriage be honourable, being orderly accomplished with the assent of parents, and the unity of friends, and an honour to God, and comfort to your own souls: then husbands and children are a blessing in the hands of the Lord, and you will arise in your day, age and generation, as mothers in Israel, as those holy ancients whose living testimonies reacheth unto us, and blessed memories liveth with us according to our measures; as Lydia open hearted to God and one to another, as Dorcas careful to do one another good, as Deborah concerned in the common wealth of Israel, and as jael zealous for the truth, who was praised above women. And you, friends, who are under the present concern, and in your day's work, do it not negligently, not with careless minds, but be you diligent in every of your women's meetings, and order two faithful women in every meeting to take the care upon them, and so far as may answer truth, do you endeavour that nothing be practised among you, but what tends to God's honour, and one another's comfort; let nothing be indulged or connived at in any, whereby truth is dishonoured, and let that be cherished and encouraged in all wherewith truth is honoured; and these our testimonies cast not carelessly into a corner, but some time peruse them, and mark well the wholesome advice therein; that our travel may be answered, the Lord honoured, and you reap the benefit; and let a record be kept from month to month, and from year to year, of the Lord's dealing with us, and mercy to us, to future ages; that from age to age, and one generation to another, his own works may praise him, to whom all praises do belong, and be ascribed both now and for ever.  
From our yearly meeting at York, the 28th of the 4th month, 1688. Signed on the behalf of the meeting by 

Catharine Whitton  
Judith Boulby  
Elizabeth Sedman  
Frances Taylor  
Mary Wait  
Deborah Winn  
Eliz. Beckwith  
Mary Lindley     

A WARNING to all friends, who profess the everlasting truth of God, which he hath revealed and made manifest in this his blessed day, whether on this side, or beyond the seas.  
Dear friends,  
IN tender bowels of love do I feel, from the Lord, a warning spring in my heart to you, that you all may be kept low in his humble selfdenying life, where safety is to be found; for, assuredly, the great and notable day of the Lord is at hand, in which he will arise in the greatness of his strength, to plead the cause of his suffering seed with all its enemies, whether within or without.  
So all dear friends be faithful under your several dispensations; for in our Father's house are many mansions. Keep in the low valleys, for there will be your safety, there will the green pastures of God's love be partaken of, and with such will he delight to dwell. So, all friends, keep to your watch, that the day of the Lord come not in an hour you look not for it, and so you receive the unfaithful servant's reward; for indeed, friends, my soul is in a great travel for the prosperity of Zion, that her walls may be builded, her breaches repaired and made up; for, for many months, yea some years, hath my spirit been bowed down, and groaned under the sense of an easeful, selfish, lukewarm spirit, that hath crept in upon many for want of watchfulness, and keeping to the daily cross of Christ Jesus, and in the narrow way and savoury life, that only will bring honour and praise to the name of the Lord. And how to be eased of these weights and burdens I did not know: my cry was to the Lord, that he would give me wisdom and strength to do his will. And it pleased him to lay his hand upon me, and bring me near to the gates of death, so far as I saw; and was pleased to hid himself from me, and my soul was in a languishing condition, and my cries were great unto the Lord, that he would not hid his face from me, but let me feel of his wont goodness and mercy, by which I had received daily comfort and satisfaction from him in his unerring path, in which he had been pleased to lead me. And, at length, the Lord appeared, and said he would be my physician, and cure my disease, and came in and comforted my spirit with his overcoming love, which greatly revived me. And in the openings of the bowels of his endless love, he shown me a terrible day drew near, even, as one may say, at the door, and laid it upon me, to go warn his people in this city, and elsewhere, to departed from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, from all lukewarmness, from the fashions, customs and friendships of this world; from pride, covetousness, and every sin that separateth from the Lord, and brings dryness, barrenness and deadness upon many, and makes as unsavoury salt, that is good for nothing, but to be cast forth and trodden upon.  
And to warn them not to delay time, but come into the true humility, lowliness of spirit, and selfdenying life, that the Lord might be a hiding place to them, for terrible will that day be to all the unfaithful and disobedient. All the sinners in Zion shall be afraid, fearfulness shall take hold on the hypocrite, dread and horror shall surprise them. O whither will you unfaithful fly! Would you not be glad that either rocks or mountains could hid you from the presence of the Lord, and the wrath of the Lamb? O this will be a terrible day indeed unto all those that have had a form of godliness, but denied the power that would have saved them out of all defilements and pollutions of this world.  
For long hath the spirit of the Lord been grieved with these, who have long come and sitten among God's people, as if they had been of them, but never came to sink down to the heart searching light of Christ Jesus in them, that by it they might be cleansed from all secret and open sins, from every Dalilah that lodgeth in the bosom, as pride and covetousness, which often the one attends the other; covetousness, saith the servant of the Lord, is the root of all evil, and advised them to fly from it; but who abide not in the spirit of judgement, and of burning, which God hath prepared to purge away the filth of the daughter of Zion, their filth hath not been purged or done away, which causeth many miscarriages, blots and stains, and great reflections have such brought upon the blessed truth, and much dirt hath been thrown on the pure, holy, and undefiled way of the Lord, which he hath cast up for the ransomed to walk in, and so through the unfaithfulness and uneven walking of such, the name of the Lord hath been greatly dishonoured, his spirit grieved, and the hearts of the righteous made sad. And many a wounded soul there is among the Lord's people, who are bowed under these weights and pressures; but assuredly the day hastens that every one must bear their own burden, and the Lord will ease his innocent ones, who have been bowed down before him, and have mourned and groaned under these things; yea the day hastens, that the unfaithful and disobedient shall bear their own burdens. And the Lord will arise for his own name and glory sake, and will ease him of his enemies, and avenge him of his adversaries, and take to himself his great power, that he may reign and rule in the hearts of his, that faithfully labour in his work, and order their conversations aright before him. His glory shall rest upon them, for he will not give it to another seed or birth, but to Christ Jesus the seed of the woman, who was given to bruise the serpent's head; he hath born the iniquities of all, and been pressed under them as a cart with sheaves; his face hath been more marred than any man's, and his voice not heard in the streets, no beauty nor comeliness seen in him; and, because he hath been a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, therefore hath he been passed by, and not regarded, but the Lord will make him the joy of many generations, and his Zion the praise of the whole earth.  
Therefore, dear friends, love him with all your souls, and be you delighted in him above all enjoyments whatever, that you may lie down in the bosom of his love, and be nourished by his side, as children of our heavenly Father, begotten by the immortal word of life, to live and reign here in it, and, when time shall be no more, enter into that blessed rest prepared for all those that have obeyed his glorious gospel; and though as yet we be but as the gleaning of the vintage, yet the Lord hath many to gather, yea the numberless number shall be gathered, and great will be the work of our God, which he is bringing to pass in this his blessed day; it cannot be declared as it is seen and felt in the spirit.  
So, friends, be faithful in the work of your day, be valiant for the Lord and his blessed truth; come up in the nobility of his life, and stand faithful witnesses for him; for we are the city set upon a hill, yea battle axes in God's hand, though our weapons are not carnal, but spiritual and mighty, through the power of God, to the pulling down the strong holds of sin and satan. Friends, we are they whom the Lord hath raised to hold forth Christ Jesus, whom he hath given for an ensign to the nations, unto whom all the ends of the earth must come for salvation.  
So, dear friends, let your light shine forth before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your heavenly Father, so that by your godly life and holy conversation many may inquire the way to Zion.  
All friends be faithful, and keep your meetings in the fear of the Lord; be diligent in his work, for the woe and curse belongs to them that do the Lord's work negligently, or with careless minds, and it is come on some already, and will come more upon others, if by speedy repentance they return not unto the Lord. So be zealous for the Lord and his truth, and, as much as in you lies, gather orderly together as near the time as possible, that the meeting is appointed at; for disorderly coming hath been a hurt and burdened the faithful, who dare not be negligent in the Lord's work, and often they have waited a considerable season, and God's power hath been felt, and the manifold grace of God been dispensed among us and then others come in and miss of the counsels, admonitions and refreshments, which the Lord, by the operation of his blessed spirit, hands forth to his people, and so, for want of zeal in coming duly to meeting, especially on the week days, truth hath not grown in them, but such have long traveled in the wilderness, and many carcases fallen there, and so, for want of zeal and faithfulness, the enemy hath crept in, and darkened many minds, where once there was tender good desires raised after God. So all have need to be faithful, and wait diligently every opportunity the Lord gives you to feel your strength renewed; for in the world are many encumbrances and entanglements, some on one hand, and some on another, to draw the mind from God, and but one to draw it to him; so there is great need of holy zeal and diligence, in observeing the time to wait upon the Lord to feel your strength renewed, to help through the many things, and his power to strengthen and support, that in your families, and all your undertake, you may be a good savour to the Lord, being guided by his wisdom to rule and order your children and servants, and he will give authority to stand over every thing that is contrary to his witness. And in the fear of the Lord I warn and exhort all parents not to wink or connive at any sin in your children, as you tender their everlasting well being; let no sin go unreproved or uncorrected, but take the wise man's counsel, who saith, Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction must drive it out, and he that corrects his child shall deliver his soul from death. So, friends, train up your children in the blessed truth and fear of the Lord, so may you have hope they will not departed from it when they are old. And take heed of giving way or suffering them to get into pride, and the vain and foolish fashions, which are a shame to sober people, and a great inlet to many evils, for they are prone to that by nature, and it may soon be set up, but hard to get it down. So, friends, keep the yoke upon that nature that is proud, stubborn, or disobedient to parents, break that will in them betimes which comes from the evil one, and bend them while they are young, lest when they grow up you cannot. And then you may sorrow greatly when it is too late; for by your overlooking their folly or pride, the wrong nature grows in them to a strong head, whereby you have helped them forwards in the broad way which leads to destruction, and their blood may come to be required at your hands. Ah, friends! friends! as much as in you lies keep down the evil, and the good will arise, than there will be room for the tender seed to grow up in them, and they will bless the Lord on your behalves, for your love and care of their immortal souls.  
And all masters and mistresses of families, keep in the dominion of truth, that in it you may rule over every unclean thing, and wrong spirit, that is contrary to the Lord, that you abiding in him who is the highest power, and higher than the powers of darkness, may in it keep your authority in your families; and look that all be kept sweet and clean out of the condemnable state, first in yourselves, and then in your families, to see that all wildness, wantonness and rudeness, be kept under by the power, yea every thing that would blot or slain the precious truth. And then if the Lord requires any service or testimony of any of you, for his name and blessed truth, that all may be clear in yourselves, and justified by God's witness, that you have stood in his counsel and authority in your families, and been good examples in life and conversation, by keeping your own houses in order, and ruling there for God; then may you openly with boldness appear for the Lord, and thresh down sin and every evil way, in the power and authority of his life, that none may have any thing to accuse any of you on the accounts above mentioned. And, dear friends, all keep in the savoury life; but more especially you who are drawn forth to bear public testimony for the Lord and his blessed truth, keep you to the watch, that at all times, places, and on all occasions, your lives may preach for God, by a clean unspotted conversation, which is the crown of all the faithful, who labour in the work of the Lord, and are upright before him; his glory shall rest upon them, and their reward is sure.  
Now unto all you young people, sons and daughters, apprentices, men or maid servants, all that are convinced of God's truth, and the way that leads to everlasting life and happiness, be you all faithful to God's witness in you, and mind the motions and operations of it, that thereby you may be changed, and all judge out what's contrary to his pure witness; let not your minds wander, neither look at the vanities in this world, for Christ's kingdom is not of it, nor to be found in pride, wantonness, and lust of the flesh, the fashions, customs, and friendships of this world, for the devil is the king of pride, and all its antecedents, that lead to the gates of hell and everlasting destruction, where there is woe and misery, and that for ever more, where the worm never dies, the fire never goes out; so all you young and tender ones, where desires are begotten after God, keep you low in his fear, and to the daily cross, that all the contrary may be crucified, and all the enmity slain upon it. For every one that will be a disciple of Christ Jesus must come into the selfdenying life. You cannot have two kingdoms; so my advice to you all is, stoop to Christ's appearance in you, he who invites all to come and learn of him, who is meek and lowly, and you shall find rest to your souls. So all be faithful in your several places and the exercises you may be under, that you may grow in grace, and in the fear and wisdom of God. Let not your eyes look out at others, but mind your own conditions; for, if you do, it will spy many faults in others, and may be overlook more at home. This hinders the growth of many, so all wait low within to feel your growth in the blessed truth, and know how the work goes on, and whether thou feel God's love, mercy and goodness, renewed to thee day by day, or not; for your accounts will be for the deeds done in your bodies, and not for others, so every one is to labour to know your calling and election made sure.  
And you that are apprentices keep in the truth, love and obey it, for it will keep you faithful in your places, and out of every deceitful way, performing them not with eye service, but with singleness of heart, as unto the Lord, from whom you must receive a reward. And if the enemy entice, consent not, though he come in with never so fair pretences, That thou mayest deceive thy master, and it will never be known, etc. or purloin or waste his Goods: believe him not, he is a liar, and the father of lies; for there is an eye that sees in secret, which will bring all the hidden deeds of darkness to light, and every work to judgement. So as thy work is, shall be thy reward. But fear the Lord and obey his voice in thee, and he will deliver thee out of every unclean way and polluted path, by his dear son Christ Jesus, whom he hath given for a high way of holiness, and a restorer of paths to dwell in. Glory to his Name for ever saith the redeemed, who are now returning unto Zion with songs of deliverance in their mouths, and everlasting high praises are sounded unto him, by those whose garments are made white in the blood of the Lamb, for Sion's redeemer is come, the taker away of sin and iniquity is made manifest, the mourners in Zion comforted, the weary travellers are refreshed, the feeble knees are strengthened, the broken spirit bound up, and the wounded soul hath oil poured in: who can but rejoice and be exceeding glad? for he hath put a new song in our mouths, he hath given his people beauty for ashes, and, instead of heaviness, the spirit of praise. All that know him will speak well of his name, for all the noble acts he hath brought to pass for his children. My soul is greatly affected in the remembrance of the Lord's numberless mercies (to me) and a little remnant whom he hath plucked as brands out of the fire, to show forth his praises, and declare of his goodness in the land of the living, to hold forth Christ, the way to the Father, to the nations, that his scattered seed may be gathered from all the ends of the earth.  
So I have cleared my spirit of what hath long lain upon me, and discharged my conscience, in delivering the Lord's message faithfully, according to the ability he hath given me. And so am clear in my spirit: The Lord set it home upon every heart whom it may concern, and that it may be received in the same bowels of love it was given forth. Then shall I have my reward, and the Lord his glory. And so shall return to my tent, and enter into the hole of the rock, where safety is to be found, till the indignation be over past; and in the endless unchangeable love of God do I salute you, and bid you farewell in the Lord.  
MARY WAIT. York, the 10th of the 2d month, 1679.  
Let this be read in friends meetings, when they are gathered together, in the fear of the Lord, and in his weighty savoury life.  
FINIS.