A MANIFESTATION OF Divine Love, OR Some spiritual Breathings, consisting of two general Epistles, directed in Manuscript to the Flock of God in the West of England.  
Where they were red to the great refreshment of many, and now out of a sincere desire that Friends in all parts of this Nation( and others) may participate of that unfeigned love herein manifested, these things are made public by a Member of the Church of the first born. W. H.  Arise, Shine for your light is come, and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon you: Your Sun shall no more go down, neither shall the moon be hide, for the Lord shall be your everlasting Light, and the dayes of your mourning shall be ended, Isa. 60. 
LONDON; Printed for Thomas Simmons at the sign of the Bull and Mouth within Aldersgate, 1660.   

A general Epistle to all Friends, and a Salutation to the Saints, separated from the World; with a word of Exhortation to the Church of the first born, in Summerset-shire, Devon, Plymouth, Cornwall, and else where, in the West of England.  
EVerlastingly beloved Friends, in the Truth of God, and faithful Followers of the Lamb, in the Regeneration, who are asking the way to Sion, with your faces thitherwards; unto you all as one, who are of one mind and of an upright heart, is my love freely given, and dearly remembered, and for you is my soul poured forth into the bosom of my Father, and your Father, that by the eternal word of his power, you may be kept unspotted of the World, faithful unto him who hath ●alled and chosen you, till you come to the end of your faith, that in the kingdom which cannot be shaken, you may sit down, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, being heirs of the same inheritance, and partakers of the like precious faith, for which we earnestly contend, in these last dayes, with respect to that recompense of reward, which is appointed of the Father, for the Seed, which he hath blessed.  
Oh my dear, and eternal beloved Friends, and fellow Citizens, a people saved by the Lord; and known to him, of all the families of the earth, who is like unto you? how amiable is your habitation, and how pleasant is your dwelling place? how delightful is it to meet with you in the Tabernacle which God hath pitched amongst you, even as lilies among thorns, are you set before me, who are found walking in the truth, and faithful to the Lord, and as fruitful Trees, among the Trees of the forest, faire, and fresh, green, and lively; yea verily in the light of life do I behold you, in the beloved, as vessels of honour, sanctified, and made meet for the Masters use, although you were taken out of the same Lump, and hewed from the same Rock, and of the same earth, blood, and offspring, that they are of, who yet remain vessels of wrath, in the unconverted estate, separated from the Lord as reprobate Silver.  
Surely, the Lord whom you have sought, and for whom you have waited, hath done great things for you, yea, mighty things hath his right hand brought to pass, amongst you, glory to his name for evermore: My beloved and longed for in the Lord, let the high, holy, and honourable call of God, which hath reached unto you be answered by you, with pure obedience, and his loving kindness with faithfulness, let his manifold mercies be had in an everlasting remembrance, and declare his noble Acts unto your children, that they may tell it to another Generation, that so in Ages to come, you may manifestly be declared to be a chosen generation, an holy nation, a peculiar people, saved by the Lord, and sanctified by him, through the operation of his good Spirit, which was manifested unto you, and received by you, through the hearing of faith. And Friends, in as much as you have many dayes and months past, enquired for the new and living way, and now in an acceptable time, as an answer to your earnest expectation, the Lord hath administered an entrance into it, let his free love constrain you all to walk in it as obedient children, that your light may shine forth as the light of seven dayes, to the astonishment of the adversaries of the Lord, and the stoping of all slanderous mouths, whose practise is to blaspheme God, and his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven; for the Lord is risen in glory, and in great Majesty, to shake all Nations, and to stain the glory of all flesh, to assemble the outcasts of Israel, to comfort the mourners in Sion, and to proclaim liberty to the Captives, who hath shewed you the path of life, and guided your feet into the way of peace, who is giving beautiful garments instead of ashes, even the garment of praise, for the spirit of heaviness; yea, I bear you record, your light is come, and the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, is arising among you, and upon you, in the day of the visitation of his everlasting love; and this one thing the Lord requires of you, that is, to obey his voice, and the way to manifest your obedience, is to walk humbly with him, in a holy life, and in a chast conversation, in your place and callings, according to your measure of the free gift of God communicated unto you, and manifested in you to profit withall; and that you may be filled, with the spirit of wisdom, and furnished with the heavenly treasure, unto every good word and work, my hearts desire and prayer for you all is that, Grace, Mercy, Truth, eternal Love, everlasting righteousness; and perfect Peace, may be abundantly multiplied, and increased in you, and among you all, that you may be made complete in him, who is the head of the spiritual body, the Church or household of faith, which is builded of living stones, upon the foundation of many Generations, for an habitation of God through the Spirit, that in you he may dwell, and be glorified, and over you he may rejoice, as the operation and workmanship of his own hands, who is creating you again in Christ Jesus unto good works, which he hath before time ordained that we should walk in them.  
These things my Friends I writ unto you, as moved of the Lord, for the stirring up of the pure mind in you, who knows the truth and are made partakers of the pure and precious faith which was once delivered to the Saints; and hereby I do as your servant for Christs sake, and in Christ stead, exhort and beseech you all to attend, and condescend to the counsel of the Lord, directed unto you through him that hath loved and doth love you unfeignedly, as being not only nearly related, but also inseparably united unto you, as a member of the same body, whereof Christ Jesus is the head, in whose behalf these necessary things are brought before you, by way of remembrance, not as if you were ignorant of them, but because you know them already, and other foundation can no man lay then that which is laid; and if any beast or false prophet, out of the Sea, or out of the earth, nay if an angel enlightened from Heaven, should bring any other doctrine, or preach any other Gospel among you, then that which hath been freely preached, and by you received, in which you stand, let him be accursed, and receive none such into your houses, neither bid them God speed, least you partake with them in their evil deeds: And Beloved, believe not every spirit, for some deceitful spirits may fall in among you, whose wickedness is more spiritual, and their iniquity more malicious, then formerly hath appeared, though many of the like spirit, and principle, hath been denied, and declared against, and turned away from, by some of you, that have known the depths and wil●ss of satan, who letteth and will let until he be taken out of the way, who is now revealed, and made manifest, that he may be destroyed, and cast out, as an Accuser of the Brethren, and an enemy of their peace.  
Truly Friends, My heart is enlarged towards you, and my love abounds to you, more then herein can be expressed, or contained, let me be red by you where I am written without hands, and let this be received, as the flowing forth of one stream from the fountain; In the fear of the Lord, I writ unto you who are called to be Saints, both to the Ancient, and Honourable, Male, and Female, in the household of Faith, in bonds, and at Liberty.  
Fathers and Mothers, in love, fear, wisdom, and moderation, rule, reprove, inform, instruct, correct, and counsel your Children, and according to their growth and knowledge in the truth, administer unto them, for their edification, and confirmation, and let not your own wills, or, a zeal, before true knowledge, usurp authority over them, because they are the fruit of your body, but look upon them who are begotten of God, and have received the truth, as upon the off-spring of God, and equal with you, as in that relation; and if they be such as have chosen the better part, and are made truly wise unto salvation, despise not their youth, but be ready to receive instruction, or information from them, as well as to administer to them; and if they be such as be out of the truth, provoke them not to wrath, but by all means possible, labour in wisdom and moderation, to provoke them to love, and to good works, that if peradventure you may be a means to gain them, to the acknowledgement of the truth, in which you have believed, so will your renown go forth amongst the Heathen round about, and the Lord will multiply and increase your off-spring, and cause them to break forth on the right hand and on the left, to build the old wast places, and to inherit the desolate heritages, and herein the Lord will be glorified in you, and by you, and if you abide faithful to him, he will make you an eternal excellency, even the joy of many Generations, and crown you with the first dominion, who first believed in the truth, and whom God hath set as the first fruits of his creatures in this Generation.  
Likewise all ye Children of the Light, who have received the truth in the love of it, let Honour and Obedience, be manifested to your Parents in the Lord, and for his sake submit to them in things pertaining to this life, in singleness of heart, and receive their counsel with meekness of spirit, and readiness of mind, when they speak according to the Word of God, and mind of Christ, that the precious Promises of God you may receive, both length of dayes, and peace in your dwellings, the blessing and presence of God, both in your going forth, and in your coming in, so shall you be for ever established in the Truth, and everlasting righteousness, and the Lord will give you a name in his house, and within his Walls, better then that of Sons and Daughters, if you continue faithful unto the end.  
And you that are Husbands love your Wives, who are joined unto you, and given as meet helps for you, and watch over them for good, to instruct, cherish, comfort, confirm, and establish them in the truth, that you may both come to be joined, and everlastingly betrothed to one Head and Husband in the Spirit and in the Truth, that here your union may increase, and your offspring may become holy to the Lord, who saw that it was not good for man to be alone, and therefore gave him the help of another, who is no more two but one, being joined in and by the Lord, which thing by some of you is witnessed, according to measure.  
And Wives submit yourselves to your Husbands, in the fear of the Lord, as head over you, to order, guide, and counsel, comfort, and direct, and in all wisdom, meekness, and moderation, as meet helps and faithful yoak-fellowes, behave yourselves towards them, so will you have praise of men, and favour with God; for the ornament of a meek spirit, is the garment of praises, and let your adorning be after the manner, and according to the example of the holy and honourable women, in the dayes of old, and this is a thing of good report, which may stand recorded for ages to come, that the children yet unborn may hear of your renown, and come to the brightness of your rising.  
Likewise you that are Masters of Servants, and Rulers in Families, be not hasty, nor high minded, but in the spirit of meekness, rule in love, and in the fear of God, in the authority of Christ, as his Servants, and not as Lords over Gods heritage, for he that rules amongst men, must be just, ruling in the fear and wisdom of God, and by this means the Lord will bow the spirits of your servants, in subjection to the power of God, when his Law and Government thus comes to be set up in you, to order and rule your houses well, so will the Lord honour you in the sight of men, and bless you in all that you put your hands unto.  
And let as many Servants, and handmaids as are under the yoke, be subject unto their own Masters, to whom they are related by any outward Covenant, contract, or engagement whatsoever, serving them with a ready mind, in singleness of heart, not with respect to their persons as men pleasers, and eye servants, but as servants of Christ, and subject to men in the thing that is good, for his sake; And hereby will the Lord be honoured, and his Truth be spread abroad in the earth, so will his Doctrine be adorned, and your light will go forth as the Morning, and your Salvation, as a lamp that burneth.  
And all you Prisoners of hope, for the Testimony of Jesus, be still, and wait upon the Lord in patience, all the dayes of your appointed time, for the Lords love is unto you, and your cause is owned by him, who will arise for your Redemption, and return your Captivity, as the streains in the South, and pled with your adversaries face to face, for all the hard measure you have received from their hands, which are full of blood: I am as a companion with you to this day, as one bound with you, being a member of the same body which the Lord hath prepared to fulfil his will, both by doing, and suffering; And so unto the Protection of Israels keeper, I commit you all; and as a manifestation of the love of God, let these lines be received, and red, amongst you, which are written in bowels of love and tenderness, by your Friend in the Truth, and a servant unto you, for and in the behalf of Jesus Christ our Head.  
Thomas Salthouse.   

To all who are Lovers of, and Believers in the true Light, Grace, Mercy, and everlasting Peace be multiplied amongst you.  
dear and precious souls, for as much as it hath pleased the infinite wise God, who is pure for ever, and just, and equal in all his ways, who loves Truth and delights therein, who is strong, and mighty to deliver, and able to save from sin and satan, bondage, and corruption, all who comes unto him, and waits upon him, in truth and meekness, and sincerity of heart, who is the God of the spirits of all flesh, who gives life and breath unto all, who made the World and all things therein by his power, and by his Word which is powerful upholds all things at this day and time, who is the same to day as ever, in Power and Majesty, his arm is not shortened that it cannot save, nor his Eye closed that it cannot see, neither is his Mouth shut that it cannot speak, but he lives, and works, and speaks, and sees, and discerns what is contrived and acted among the Sons and Daughters of men; his living Word abides for ever, and is as quick, and as lively as ever, as powerful, and sharp, for the cutting down of sin, and corruption, as it ever was in the dayes of old and ages past, according to the Testimony of the holy men of God recorded in the Scriptures of truth, as the many living and true witnesses at this day do likewise testify, and set to their seals, that these things are true, though the dark World do not see, whose eyes are closed, and ears stopped, and hearts hard●●ed, by reason of sin, that they cannot see, nor hear, nor rightly understand those things that are of the greatest concernment, but notwithstanding the blindness, and ignorance, and the great darkness which is over many thousands, so that they know not the Majesty, and saving power of God, but are laden with( and daily add sin upon sin) yet a Remnant there are who are quickened by the living Word, who bear witness to the same saving, living, powerful Truth, which makes free, and seals up in one Covenant of light, and life, all such as live in the power of it.  
Now seeing Dearly Beloved, that it hath pleased our gracious Almighty God, to appear in these last times according to his promise declared by his holy Prophets, concerning his great love in pouring forth of his holy Spirit upon his people, and to gather them from off the barren Mountains, and from the mouths of the Wolves, and all false shepherds, that they might no longer be made a prey upon, nor starved for want of bread, but the promise of God, is to feed them himself, in fresh and green pastures, and bring them back into the fold of the good shepherd, and there shall be one sheepfold, and one shepherd.  
Dear hearts, both I, and you, and all the rest of the Sheep and La●●● of Christ, may truly confess, and say, that we all like Sheep that have gone astray, we were wandring upon the dry and barren Mountaines, and feeding upon the husks and empty shadows, even as well as others, but for evermore blessed and praised be the Lord our God, who in a good and an acceptable time, did appear, and stretched forth his holy arm, and gathered us into the fold of the good shepherd, whereby we are refreshed, with the favour, and tender loving kindness of the Lord; O what manner of love is this, that even when we were enemies and Rebells against God, yet his eye was over us for good, and waited to be gracious unto us,( as he doth now unto the World) not willing the death and destruction of any, but rather that all might turn unto him, and harken to his voice that their souls might live.  
dear Friends, as the Lord in his rich love hath visited you, and by his grace called you out of darkness into his marvellous light, so, dear ones, prise his love, and walk worthy of that high and heavenly calling whereunto the Lord hath called you, pleasing him in all things, waiting in the light which is pure,( which is of Christ) in you, that ye all may receive, wisdom, and counsel from God, that whatsoever ye do or take in hand, may be done to the glory and praise of him, that hath called you.  
Remember and always keep in mind the goodness of the Lord, and let his Word dwell and abide in you, lay it up in your hearts, as a precious and holy treasure, so will ye be kept in a lively sensible state, apt, and fit to receive instruction from the Lord; The living word seasons and keeps the heart sweet and savoury, so that corruption cannot grow there, neither any other lusts, or bad thing, but by the Word it is cut down and destroyed, blessed are they that keep the Word of God in them, such shall be kept in peace and unity, with God, in the light, and there every one shall see the honourable calling unto which ye are called, he that calls is holy and honourable, and the calling unto which you are called is likewise holy and honourable, considering what ye are called from, and what ye are called unto, formerly ye walked in darkness, and had fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, now ye are called out of darkness to walk in the light, and there to have communion one with another, and fellowship with God, who is light, and with his son Jesus Christ, who likewise declares himself to be the light of the world, in the light is the precious unity, with God, and with Christ, and one with another. If we walk in the light,( saith the beloved Disciple) as he is in the light, then( not till then) have we fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. They that love the light, and believe in the light, and walk in the light, such receive remission of sins, such worship God truly, such are of one heart, and of one mind, and soul, such only are accepted of the Lord, and with, and to such is my soul for ever united, and bound up in the Covenant of light, life, and peace: And unto you all who are lovers, and followers of the light, is my heart poured forth in love towards you.  
And now dear souls, as you have been called to such an high and heavenly calling, mind every one your particular duties, in walking answerable to the Lord in every thing, that good order may be kept amongst you, both in your meetings and solemn Assemblies, in your service and Worship of God, and also in your common occasions and affairs amongst men; something is upon my spirit to writ unto you at this time, concerning these two weighty things.  
And first, Concerning the Worship and Service of God: That which God requires of every one, is Justice, Mercy, and a humble, and orderly conversation, for as it is the love of God by his light to show you his will and mind, so it is your duties to do the Will of God, which Will is your Sanctification, and as it was the manner and practise of the holy men of God,( who were called in the light) to meet together to wait upon God, and to speak one to another, as the Spirit of Truth did move and give them utterance, for the strengthening one another, and building up one another in the most holy faith; so it is now judged meet, and good, also useful and necessary, for all who are called to be Saints, to meet often together, to wait upon the Lord, that their strength may be renewed: So Friends, when ye come together to wait upon God, come orderly in the fear of the Lord, the first that enters into the place of your meetings, be not careless, nor wander up and down, either in body or mind, but innocently set down in some place, and turn in thy mind to the light, and wait upon God singly, as if none were present but the Lord, and here thou art strong; then the next that comes in let them innocently and in sincerity of heart sit down and turn into the same light, and wait in the Spirit, and then ye are stronger: One in the Truth is strong, two in the Truth is stronger then one, and so all the rest coming in, in the fear of the Lord, sitting down in pure stillnesse and silence, waiting in the light, a few that are thus gathered by the arm of the Lord, into the unity of the Spirit, this is a sweet and precious meeting, where all meet with the Lord, and being thus set waiting together, if any good thing move or stir in any it will be felt and heard throughout the whole meeting, if a pure sigh or groan, it will preach and draw inward to the watch, and so as all minds are stayed on the Lord in spirit, is refreshment to the soul, words which are precious, sweet and good; as the stream is sweet, so is the fountain, for if words be good( as it is confessed by most sorts of people, and that to meet together to speak words is good, to edify one another, but to meet in silence many do not know what to think or make of it; Now I say that words in their place and season as they are spoken from the movings of love and life, are good and serviceable, but all words which are spoken in the custom, and dead form, though they be never so good words, if they do not spring and arise from the good word, they are vain and unprofitable, but words spoken in and from the life and Spirit of God, are good and profitable for the stirring up of the pure mind, then if words be good) the Spirit from which good words are spoken must needs be better; so then those who are brought to a pure still waiting upon God in the Spirit, are come more nearer to the Lord tben words are, for God is a Spirit, and in the Spirit is and worshipped, so that my soul hath dear union with you, who purely wait upon God in the Spirit, though never a word be spoken, to the hearing of the outward ear, yet in the spirit of love, I have unity with you, and here is the true feeding, in the spirit, and all who thus meet together to wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength daily, and in such a meeting where the presence and power of God is seen and felt, there will be an unwillingness to part asunder, being ready to say in yourselves, it is good to be here, and this is the end of all words and writings, to bring people to the eternal living Word. So all dear hearts, when ye come together to wait upon God, come singly, and purely, that your meeting may be for the better, and not for the worse.  
And if any be moved to speak words, wait low in the pure fear to know the mind of the Spirit, where, and to whom, they are to be spoken, for a multitude of words in one particular meeting, to one and the same people, will burden the Seed, and bring deadness; therefore if any be moved to speak, see that they speak in the power, and when the power is still, be ye still, for in the house of God amongst the family there will be little need; But if thou hast skill, go and cast thy net into the Sea, and gather as many as thou canst, good and bad, out of the Sea, and they may be separated, the good from the bad afterwards.  
And all who speak of the moving of the Lord, I lay it as a charge upon you, to beware of abusing the power of God, in acting a wrong thing under pretence of being moved of the Lord, for the pure power may move( and then the enemy who goeth about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour, he presents a wrong thing to the view of the understanding, and here is danger of abusing the power, acting that which the true power condemns, and yet pretends the power moves to it( and this is a double sin) as to bring forth a Bastard is a sin, but to father it upon an honest man who is not guilty of that sin, is a double sin; so to act any thing that the true power condemns is evil, but to father the evil upon the power is a double evil.) Therefore let every one patiently wait, and not be hasty to run in the dark, but keep low in the true fear, that the understanding may be opened, to know the mind of the Spirit, and then as the spirit moves, and leads, it is good to follow its leadings, for such are led into all Truth; and thus my Friends, as you keep close to the Lord, and to the guidance of his good Spirit, you shall not do amiss, but in all your services, and performances, in the Worship of God, ye shall be a good savour unto the Lord, and the Lord will accept of your services, and bless and honour your Assemblies, with his presence and power.  
And now for the ordering of your conversations amongst men, ye are to walk by the same Rule, that is, when your meeting is ended, do not look upon the service of God to be ended, but keep in the fear of God, that ye may receive wisdom from God, to order the creatures, that the pure light may exercise your conscience towards God and men.  
A time there was at your first convincement, when ye stood in the cross, to the worlds spirits, and could not conform to their customs; many of them have stood off for a time, and would not Trade nor deal with Friends, but when they see your fidelity, and honesty, they come again, and many have greater desires to deal with Friends, then many of their own Generation, because they know that ye will not wrong them, nor deal deceitfully with them, and then the blessing of God attends the faithful, and gives an increase, both inward and outward, then is the danger of being lifted up in mind, or drawn back again into the earth, so that the earth comes over, that will choke, and hinder the growth of the Seed, but as every one keeps in the dominion and power of God, so that the earth is his footstool, then the blessing is continued, as love to the Truth is continued; and so dear Friends in all companies at all times and seasons, so walk that ye may be examples of good unto all, and answer the Witness of God in all, that God over all may be glorified, and you by his power daily kept and preserved in holinesse, and righteousness, out of the Worlds wickedness, not for a day, or a week, or a certain time only, but even all the dayes of your lives, for this is but just and reasonable, that we should yield our members servants unto God, who gives us life and strength, and all other good things; glory, and holy praises be rendered unto him, of all that knows him, for evermore.  
And furthermore, dear Friends, as concerning these present overturnings, and these great distractions, divisions, and confusions, in this our Nation, be not ye troubled nor shaken in mind, because of these things, there is a secret hand working in and through all these overturnings; and they come to pass not without the knowledge of the Lord, for making way for greater things, which the Lord hath to bring to pass in this Nation, for much is yet to be thrown down, before Truth and righteousness be set up: My advice and counsel is, that every one of you, who love and believe in the light, be still and quiet, and side not with any parties, but own and cherish the good where ever it appears, and testify against the evil in all, where ever it appears, not like the children of this World, warring with carnal weapons against flesh and blood to destroy mens lives, but like Christians, with spiritual weapons warring against spiritual wickednesses, and against all sinful and fleshly lusts, which war against the soul, not striking at creatures but at the power, that captivates the creatures, that so the creatures may be redeemed from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God; so be not ye overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good, so shall you have peace with God, and true unity with all who are of God; the God of power strengthen you in every good word and work, and perfect his work in you, to his glory, who is blessed for ever, Amen.  
Given forth the 14 day of the 11th Month, 1660. I Rest in the Lord, your dear Brother in the Truth, watching for all your good. Alexander Parker.  
FINIS.