SOCIETY OF FRIEIDS 
 The Epistles from the Yearly-Meeting
 
 11 K-^ 
 
 ■''ANTA BAJiBARA 
 
 rvKNl^ 
 
 (O 
 
 THE 
 
 T L E 
 
 F R O M T H E 
 
 Yearly-Meetin, 
 
 Of 'Friends and Brethren^ held in London, hy 
 Adjr^urnment, from the loth Day of the 
 Fourth Month, to the f 4th Day of the fame, 
 inclufive, 1728. 
 
 To the §^iarterly and Monthly Meetings of Friends 
 and Brethren in Great Britain and eljewhere. 
 
 Dear Friends and Brethren^ 
 
 N the pure Love of that Eternal Truth, whereby we have been 
 gathered to be a People, we tenderly fa lute You, liaving renewed 
 Occafion in great Humility, to bleK the Name of our gracious Got), 
 whole continued Goodnels we have been lavoured with at this our ■^■''''"""''* 
 Annual Meeting; and tliroughout the Atiairs thereof, have been con- 
 tluded in Meeknefs of Wispom and true Brotherly Condcfccntion, to 
 Our mutual Comi ort and lion ication. 
 
 BY Accounts from the Qiiarterly Meetings in England ^.nd of the rnff-:. 
 
 li'j/U-s, a^ aUu by Hpiltlcs iVom ^SffuA;;;^, IrcLijid, l^iriiinn, M.i>}l.iriJ,''iiJH>t Truth. 
 
 Pcnjylvamti, 'luirhados. Long Ijlifui and Holland, we iinderllantl tlut 
 l-'RiENDsin General, continue in a good Djgrceof Brotlierly Love and 
 Unity ; and that there is an Oi'emni ?s in divers Place*;;, both in Great 
 JjV//d/ii and beyond the Seas, to hear the Teltimony of Truth, and 
 Ibme convinced j tho' in fomc lew Places the Accounts arc not fo 
 favourable. 
 
 THE
 
 CO 
 
 THE Accounts of Frikkd's Suffering;; brought in tliis Year, in 
 En^bnd and IVales, do amount to Three Thoufand Nine Hundred 
 Mccwiof and Fourteen Pounds and upwards, moAly on Account orriTHFs and 
 "H""&'' Church Rates, fo called : and there is one Friend only continued Pri 
 loner on that AccouiNt. 
 
 AND Dear Friend?, inafmuch as the holy Scriptures are the ex- 
 ternal Means of conveighing and preserving to us an Account of the 
 Things moR furcly to be believed, concerning the Coming of our Lord 
 JefusChria in the Flesh ; and the Fulfilling the Prophesies relatin-- 
 thereto. We therefore recommend to all Friends, efpecially Elders 
 in the Church, and Mailers of Families, thatTHFv would, both by 
 Example and Advice, imprcfs on the Minds of the Younger, a reve- 
 rend Elleem of thofe Sacred Writings, and advife them to a frequent 
 reading and meditating therein; And that Ministers as well as El- 
 ^Jvice to tbc DERs and others, in all their Preaching, Writing and Converfing about 
 "'''• the Things of God, do keep to the Form of found Words, or Scripture- 
 
 Terms ; and that .none pretend to be wise above what is there written; 
 and in fuch pretended Wisdom, go about to explain the Things of God, 
 in the Words wliich Man's Wifdom teaches .• But on the contrary, that 
 you would at proper Times and Seafons, when you find your Minds 
 rightly difpofed thereunto, give the Youth to underlhnd, ihit the 
 fame good Experience of the Work of Sanftification, through the Opc- 
 rationsof theSpiiitof God, which the lioly Scriptures plentifully bear 
 Teftimony to, is tobe witnciTed by Believers in all Generations, as well 
 as by tlioiem rlie nrit Ages or ^Christianity ; in wT.icn Liale, Joinc 
 Account of yourown Experience will be helpful to them. And this wc 
 ^ recommend as the moft effedlual Means for begetting, Am\ eftablilliing, 
 in their Minds a firm Belief of the Chriilian Dodrinc, in general, as 
 wellasthe Neceflity of the Aid and Hclpof the Operations of the holv 
 Spirit of God in the Hearts of Men, in particular, contained in tha't 
 moft excellent Book the Bible ; arid for the preferving them from bcin^^ 
 defiled with the many pernicious Notions and Principles, contrary to 
 fuch found Doctrinf, which are at this Time indulhioully dilperf- 
 cd in the Nation, to the Reproach of the Chriftian ProfelFion in gcneraf. 
 
 And forafmucli, as repeated Occafion hath been given of great Grief 
 and Affliftion to Friends, which hath caufed the Way of Tku in tube 
 evil fpoken of, by the launching out of divers under our Profcinon too far 
 into the Affairs of tiiis World, to their own Hurt, the Reproach of the 
 Society, and wronging other Perfons ot their uill Properties ; We recom- 
 mend great Care and Circumfpedion to all Friends in this Refjx-'d, and 
 in particular do refer to the Advices in the Yearly Epiilles in 1710, 
 1724 and lad Year; and do dcfire Friends at their I'cvcral Monthly- 
 Meetings, toufc their utmolt Endeavours by a watchful E)e, to pre- 
 vent as much as io them lyes, all fuch un)uli Practices and Scandals- 
 
 At this Time, as at feveral other Times in former Years, it hath 
 been thcConceiji of this Meeting, to advife on particular Occafions, 
 
 and
 
 ■ (3) 
 
 and in particular Cafes ; which Occafions could not offer thcmfclves ia 
 
 this Manner, if all Friends, who make Profcffion of the holy Truth 
 
 with us, did duly regard the Teachings of the Grace of God in thenn- 
 
 felves ; and obey the Advice of that imnderful Counfellor : Becaufe it is ifa. ix. 6. 
 
 moll certain, that all thofe who do or fliall attend to the Teachings and ,(■_,. ^.^j^^ .^^ 
 
 Counfel of the holy Spirit of God, will findcaufe to fay with the Pfal- 
 
 mi/^, Thy Commandment ts exceeding broad. For by it, all may be fuffici-aTim.ii. ai. 
 
 cntly inltrufted and prepared to every good Work. 
 
 Finally, dear Friends, 
 
 Our Beginning was in the Spirit, and our comfortable Fellowfhip is ^'""''^'*''' 
 under the holy Influences of it. Therefore, let all be diligent in waiting 
 on God for the Renewings thereof, and watching in it, whereby the 
 Snarcsof the Evil One may be feen and avoided ; and we continue a 
 People tothePraife of his Name, who hath called us out of Darknefs 
 into his marvellous Light, and therein fhine as his Children before the 
 Wot Id, And weearnelily pray the Father of all our Mercies, may keep 
 you blamelefs unto the Day of the Coming of his Son our Lord Jefus 
 Chrift ; in the Fellowfhip of whofe Spirit we falute You, and remain 
 
 Your Friends and Brethren. 
 
 Signed in and on the Behalf of the ICearly- Meeting in London, the 
 it\xhof the Fourth Month, 1728. 
 
 By Alexander Arfcott, 
 
 Clerk of the Meeting this lear.
 
 CO 
 
 ib^Ai^^Mri^H 
 
 THE 
 
 V P 
 
 T L E 
 
 J i.. 
 
 FROM T H.E 
 
 -ivieetini 
 
 Of Friends and Brethren, held in London, by 
 Adjournment, from the 26th Day of the 
 Third Month, to the 30th Day of the fame, 
 inclufive, 17:29. 
 
 To the SluarterJy and Monthly Meetings of Friends 
 and Brethren in Great Britain md elfewhere. 
 
 ^ear Friends and Brethren^ 
 
 ~ryN the Love of our Heavenly Father, we hlute you, fignifying, that in 
 
 1 I i\ii% o\xr Aiinual yi[femhl)\ the Light ot hi"; gloiious Countenance hath 
 
 i ■ gracioufly been atrorded to us ; and under the BleiTing thereof, the 
 
 ""-^ Affairs of his Church have been carried on amongft us inmuch Love, 
 
 Peace and Condefcenlion. 
 
 By Accosttiti brought Irom the feveral Quarterly and Monthly Mcetirgs in 
 Fjighvid, and by Epiftles from tValeSy Ncrlh-Bntairt^ Ireland^ llolLwdy 
 Rbode-ljhtid, Lon^j^-IjlarJ, Peufthama., Miiiylaud, hlorth-Caroltna, BaiLidoes^ 
 and yJntegiia-y and alfo by the verbal Accounts ot our Friends Jcjl^ua Fdldtn^:; 
 and Samuel Bo-junasy who have lately, fcperately, vifitid the Meetings of 
 Friends in Aiver'tcHy alfo fomc Place, where no Friends do dwell, and where 
 'no Meetings had before been: We have the comfortable and fatisfaflory Ac- 
 count, that 'Trutb doth profpc!"^ and in many Places, there is an Opcnncfs 
 among the People, not only to hear, but alfo to receive the Tcflimony 
 •thereof; And that Friends are generally in Peace and Unit>- one with 
 another. 
 
 \Vc
 
 
 • \\'e rii-e slfo particularly iiiformed, (hat on (Ik Cor.tinent of JiiML-j^}}^: 
 :s-a very ^rcrir Incrraic ot the Number ot Friends, among whom the Afeirs 
 ot Tnitb arc well managed, and that there is a Spring ot Jiung ar«i fpuni 
 Miniftry raifed in divers Parts of thoie Pbutatioiu ; which we heartily wj^ 
 and defire, may be a Means to provoke and ftir up Fiiends in general, to 
 a l<:rv<;nt Zeal and Conce/n /or die Hcxnour and Glory of tJie Lord our God, 
 and xheGofpel of our Saviour Jefus ChriU, who ha:h been gracioufly plealcd, 
 ncito'nJy togathcr usto be a People, but hath alfo hitherto prefcrved ii<^ 
 and by the Arm oi his mighty Power, hath wrought wonderlully for cur 
 Deliverance from many grievous Burdens and Opprellions whxh our El- 
 ders laboured under. 
 
 The Accounts of the i'/ijferiu^s o[ FrieirJs brought in this Year in EnglvJ 
 and JVdl-s^ do amount unto Vour ThnfjnJ one llnndicd and (birty tcuiidi 
 and upwards, yi:oftly on Account of T///v/, ^ud Cbuirh- Rales fo called; 
 There is at prelent jio Fxiend Prifoner on T^rutbs AccoUHt, that we hear of 
 in this Kingdom, on which Occafion, we cannot but commemorate the 
 Goodnef> ot our God in this his merciful Difpcnfation, i'o ditlcrcnt from.ihs 
 jLoc ot our Fathers, which we earneftly pray, may, by all o:" us, be remem- 
 bied with deep Humility and Tbankfulncls. 
 
 All Friends every where, keep to the Lord's Power that gathered >x)u to 
 be a People that were not a People, that under the Work of it," you may lie 
 made what the Lord would have you to be; where every one of you may 
 come clearly to fee your Places and Services in the Chinches ofCbrift, and from 
 a real Senfe of your Duty, be heartily engaged to fiand by the Tcftimonv 
 which God hath given you to bear ; that as good Stewards of the mrjiifoli 
 Gilts he hath been pleated to beftow, you may be prcierved faithful : And 
 iabouT in that Ability to ftir up one another in Loe, and againft the Evil 
 One, who is ialiouring toiovv^his evil Seed ot St n je :ind Contention^ whereby' 
 he JTiay diviJc in Ju^ub^And f>.attcrin Jjr.zdy or by Coldncis and Nci^]ji/ericc, 
 
 lead any from the Lord and the Light ot his holy Spirit, wherem our Com- 
 munion hath been and ftill is fweet and pleafant, in which as we are careful 
 to walk, wecanhavc no Fellowfhip wilh the unfruitful Woiks of Dark- 
 iicfs, but are engaged to reprove them. 
 
 Dear Frieiidsy many are the good and wholeiome Advices which in for- 
 mer Years have been recommended from tliis Meetjit^^, exhorting to Faith- 
 fulneis and Perfe crance in all Godlincfs and Honefty, yet to our Grief wc 
 find there are freili Inftances of great Shortnels in coming up in the Praaicc 
 thereof, particularly by fome injurioufly detrauding their CieJiiors ot their 
 Jtift Deists, and not pcrt'orming their Word and Promifc, which have occa- 
 fioncd grievous Complaints ; Whcrctore wc dclire and intrcaf, when any 
 fuch Occafion of Reproach fliall be, that whatfoevcr Monthly Afi-r/;/;^ within 
 the Compafs whereof it may happen, they do not fail fpcedily to 1ft ri^^h- 
 teous Judgmoit on the Head of the Ti\Ji:ji',re[jor. 
 
 And we would hope if Friends in their ;^/o;/rW>• M-ff/w.!:;, fliouldpurfunr.c 
 to the Direction of this Meetmi in the Epiftlc 1708, appoint proper, fcr>!:blc 
 and h.nefl Friends to vifit their refpcrtive Members, it may in great Mcl- 
 fure, prevent the Neccflity of repeating the Ad jccs which have keen ;o fre- 
 quently piven. To which we hnd ourfclves at this Time engaged, to add, 
 i:d do reoueft, that Friends in any Fart of this Kingdom or other Pl.-.cc, 
 ^here Fro'vifions, and the NccctTarics of Life arc dear and tcarcc, cr/ick- 
 
 a
 
 (3 ) 
 
 nefs doth remarkably afflict, would in proportion tofuch Scarcity orAfflif^ion, 
 exert cheir charitable Afiidance to ihc Poor, which is our Chriftian Duty, as 
 Stewards of the many Mercies wherewith the Lord hath intrufted us. 
 
 This Medina being at this Time under a tender and religious ■Concern 
 for the Toitto among us, that the fucceeding Generation may be preferred in 
 the Way of Ti/.;/^, and through the Grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, grow 
 up therein, that when we are removed, they may ftand in a faithful Te- 
 fiimony for the Lord, and be valiant in their Day for his Truth upon Earth. 
 
 Do earncftly recommend it to all Friends, as much as in them lyes, to 
 prevent their Children and Servants from reading Flays, KomaiictSy and all 
 fuch Books as have any Tendency to lead their Minds t'rom God, and draw 
 their Youthful Affediions to a Love of the World, and Defire after the 
 Vanities and Evils that are therein. 
 
 And alfo to be very careful, to prevent their Children and Servants from 
 
 reading vile and corrupt Books (fomc of which have been publifhed of late) 
 
 'as maniteftly tend to oppofe andrejcflthe divine Authority ot the Holy Scrip- 
 
 tares, and to introduce Deiftn, yitbeifm, and all manner of Infidelity and Cof 
 
 Tiiption both in Principle and Praflice 
 
 And likewife it ought to be the great Care and Concern o^ Parents, as they 
 value the Wellfare of their Children and Pofterity, and others who have 
 Youth under their Care, that they endeavour, by their Example as 
 well as Precept, to keep them from bad Company, for many have found by 
 lad Experience, theTruthof that Saying of the Apoftle, Evil Communication 
 doth corrupt good Maimers. 
 
 We again recommend the Advice given in the Year 1723, that Friends 
 le diligent in attending Firfl and Week Days Meetings, for the Worfhip of 
 Almighty God, and that the Elders and Heads of Families, be good Exam- 
 ples therein, and bring their Children and Servants to them. 
 
 Finally JearFyi.^nds^ approve your felves as tlic Children of the Light and 
 of the Day, in all holy and chriftian Converfation among Men, whereby 
 God will be glorified, the Inquirer informed, the Weak flrengthned, the 
 •whole Cbnrcb edified and comforted in the Spirit of the Lamb, by whom the 
 Vi£fory over the JVorld, the Fle[h and the Devil is obtained j and that thus 
 the Ends of the Earth may be gathered, and all Flc(h fee his Salvation, is the 
 hearty Prayer of your Friends and Brethren. 
 
 Stgnedin and by Order of the YE ARLY -MEETING, 
 
 ■ . ' By John Wilfon, 
 
 Clerk this Tear.
 
 ( ' ) 
 
 THE 
 
 
 K 
 
 .- Yearly-Meetin 
 
 Held in LONDON, by Adjournments, from 
 the 2 jd of the Fifth Month 1763, to ih^ 31 ft 
 of the fame, inclufive. 
 
 To the §luarterJy and Monthly Meetings of Friends 
 and Brethren, in Great Britain, Ireland, 
 
 ' and elje-where^" •— - '\ Z"^' ' 
 
 Dearly beloved FrkhJs an J Brethren ! 
 
 TTE have renewed Caufc, in deep Thankfalnefs, to acknowledge 
 SSI the Continuance ot divine Regard, nianifcftcd to us in this 
 large Airembly j and in a Seirie of the rcfreHiing Influences 
 of that Love, which firrt: gathered and united us into an heavenly 
 FellowHiip in our Lord Jesus Christ, we tenderly falute you. 
 
 In a good degree of this pure and precious Love, we have been enabled 
 to tranfad the Affairs of this Meeting, in brotherly Condefcention and 
 Concord, to our mutual Edification and Comfort. 
 
 The Amount of Friends Suftlrings in E/ig/anJ and JTaUs, brought in 
 this Year, being chiefly for Tithes, and thofe called Church-Rates, is Two 
 Thoufand Six Ilundred and Sixty-nine Pounds and upwards ; and from 
 Ireland, One Thouland Seven Hundred and Sixty-one Pounds and 
 upwards. 
 
 By the Accounts received fiom the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings 
 in England, and by Epifllcs from IVales, North-Britain, Ireland, Holland, 
 Rhode-ljland ior Nra:-England, N^iv-Tork, Penfihania znd Nnv-Jerfey, 
 Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and Soutlj-Carolina ; and by the 
 verbal Relation of a Friend lately re:urn'd from a jcligious Vifit to fomc 
 Parts of America, wc arc informed, that the Churches arc generally 
 
 prcfcrvcd 
 
 Tlie SjIuU- 
 lioQ. 
 
 State of tlic 
 Meeting. 
 
 Account o( 
 Sutfcf.nj'. 
 
 Of the 
 Hrnf[<iify 
 of T.TJiJu
 
 (O 
 
 preferved in Peace and Unity ; liut a lively Zeal is revived for tlic 
 Maintenance of Difciplinc and good Order ; that there is a good Difpofi- 
 tion and great Openncfs aniongft the People in many Places; and divers 
 have been convinced of the bkllal Truth. 
 Exiiortation As it is apparent that many, through the Flowlngs forth of Infinite 
 lo GodhiKfs. Goodness, are under a povverfiil Vifitation from on high, into whofe 
 Hearts the divine Light hath fo clearly (liined, as to difcover the Infuffi- 
 ciency of the ftri<!l:«^Obfervation of Ceremonies and human Tradition?, 
 which cannot make the Comers thereunto perfedl, as pertaining to the 
 Confcience. 
 
 'Thefe being engaged in an carneR Purfuit after never-failing Subftance, 
 are feeking that Bread the World knows not of, and looking out for a 
 People, whofe Affedions are fct on Things above, with whom they may 
 unite in Spirit, and join in Wcrfhip to the Most High. The Eyes of 
 many being turned towards us with this View, let us gird up the Loins 
 of cur Minds, be fober, and hope to the End, for the Grace which is to 
 be revealed, walking in Godlinefs and Plonefly in the Sight of all Men ; 
 that by the Circumfpedtion, Innocency and Purity of our Lives and 
 Converfations, we may dcmonflrate we are not of the World, but are 
 redeemed from its Spirit ; and having put on Christ, the Righteoufnefs 
 of Saints, are not making Provifion ior the Fleih, to fulfil the Lufts 
 thereof: So fliall we be Examples to thofe who are enquiring the Way 
 to true Reft and Peace. 
 Exhortation And, dear young People, as fome of you, in many Places, have 
 to the Youth, embraced the renewed Vifitations of divine Love in your Hearts, and 
 ]uve, in degree, entrcd into Covenant with your Creator , Arong is 
 the Engagement we feel for your Prefervation and Advancement in the 
 Path of the Jufl ; that through the Power of divine Grace, and your 
 faithful Obedience thereunto, you may become ufeful Members in the 
 Body, and fill up the various Stations in the Church, to its Edification 
 and your own lafting Advantage. 
 
 And the Youth in general we intreat ; That a conflant Care be upon 
 all your Minds, to prefs after the Power and Virtue of that heavenly 
 Principle, in the Profcflion whereof mofl of you have had your Educa- 
 tion. If you keep your Places therein, it will prcferve you ; but if thro* 
 Difobcdience ye depart therefrom, ye forfake your own Mercies, and 
 others will take your Crown. Remember tiie Children of Abraham, by- 
 deviatin'T from the Steps of their Fathers, loft the Privileges and BlcUings 
 they would otherwife have been entitled to. 
 Cnutlcn to ^^^ ^^'^ befeech you, who are engaging in the AfTliirs of this Life, 
 
 thofc' who that in the fuft Place, you feek carefully after His Favour, whofe is the 
 arc buixd E^rth and the Fulnefs thereof ; and hath promifed to be found of thofc 
 cfihTiWoi'lii! that feek Iliin early. Endeavour to build your Houfes in His Wifdom. 
 who alone can give Duration and Stability to every Blcniiig, and dircrt 
 how to ufe them to His own Prailc, and the folid JJencfu of the favour'd 
 Receiver. As ye abide in His Fear, you will have an Eye to a glorious 
 ■ • Inheritance, and be kept from high cxpcnfive Living, and evil Emulatioa 
 of others who may affcd a fplcndid Appearance, and be prcfer>'cd f:oin 
 the many Snares which arc laid to incrcalc the arfii<5^ing Inftinccs of Folly 
 
 and Milcondui^. - 
 
 May
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 May tlie holy Principle of Truth prevail in your Minds, whom Advice to 
 Providence hath ennulicd with Afriuence, that your Inclinations and ''"■■ ^''=''- 
 AfteiTtions may be rightly bounded, and not carried away, by a Pcrverfion ' 
 of the divine Bounty, into Pride, Indolence, or Extravagance ; which 
 have led many to exceed their Ability, whereby they have brought Ruin 
 upon themfclves. Damage to thofe with wiioin they have been concerned, 
 and great Affli(5tion and Reproach to our Society. 
 
 We think it feafonable, at this Time, to renew our Exhortation, That Caution 
 Friends every where be cfpecially careful to keep their Hands clear of a;aiiift ufing 
 giving Encouragement, in any fhnpe, to the ^lt»U^tr(lt)e, it being evi- Jl^J'^''" 
 dently dcflrudive to the natural Rights of Mankind ; wlio arc all ranlomed . 
 by one Saviol'R, and vifitcd by one divine Light, in order to Salvation : 
 A Traffick calculated to enrich and aggrandize fome, upon the Mifery 
 of others ; in its Natuic abhorrent to every jufl 'and tender Sentiment, 
 and contrary to the whole Tenor of the Gofpel. 
 
 And, dear Friends, as it hath pleafed the Most High; who ruleth in TliankfnlncC; 
 the Kingdoms of Men, fo to influence human Affairs, that Peace is aeain acknowlcJg'd 
 Reffored ; we earneftly defire, that an humble Senfe of fo great Mercy, jtoriag of 
 may reft upon all our Minds : That, in a grateful Commemoration of Peace. 
 His wonderful Kindnefs, who hath preferved thefe Kingdoms from the 
 Defolation and Diftrefs which attended divers other Countries, we may 
 reverently acknowledge it is the Lord's Doing, and ought to be marvelous 
 in our Eyes : And, as the beft Return for Favours received, let us, thro' 
 divine Afilllance, bring forth Fruits of an holy and.blamelcfs Converfa- 
 tion ; endeavouring to .advance His righteous Kingdom amongft Man- 
 kind, that His Salvation may become our Walls and Bulwarks, in every 
 Trial permitted to come upon us, by that God who judgcth the Earth. 
 
 And althou'a,h the Favour of Princes hath never been the Rule of our Admonition 
 dutiful SubmilVion and Fidelity to them, being bound by our religious ^"^"^^^[IJy*^ 
 Principles to a quiet and peaceable Conduit, even when under fcvcrc ,o tiic K-mg. 
 Sufferings ; yet inafmuch as the Obligations of Gratitude, for the Enjoy- 
 ment of our religious and civil Liberties, are added to thofe of Duty, let 
 their united ImpreHlons engage all our Minds, to walk with great "Cir- 
 cumfpe<ftion and Integrity, evidencing an humble Thankfulncfs to the 
 wife and gracious Difpofer of Events ; and to the King, the jiift Returns 
 of Loyalty and Obedience, in every Part of our Condud and Convcrfc, 
 carefully avoiding any Inlbnce of indccent~Fieedom, either in Language 
 or Behaviour. . _ _ 
 
 And, dcur Brethren, we recommend to every Individual, a finccrc and An innar.! 
 folemn'Enquiry into the State of your own Minds ; and bclccch you, Jj^^'^'^'J^''),'," 
 flrive to enter in at the ftrait Gate, and live under the Yoke of Cjirist, ,i,c Mi„d re- 
 walking in Reverence and godly Fear at all Times ; ever feeling after the conwciidea. 
 Virtue and Power of Truth to fesfon your Spirits, and keep you in 
 Stilnefs of Mind, which will wean you 'from the Love of this World. 
 Herein you will feci Drawings to ir.cct with your Brethren for the Wor- 
 Aiip of God ; and, when you prcfent your Bodies before the Lord, labour 
 dilic^ently after inward Silence, and Ahftradion of Thought from all 
 worldly Obieds, that fo you mav feel the gentle Operation of the holy 
 Seed, the Light and Leaven of the Kingdom. This will manitcft the 
 Groiind from whence every Thought and Motion in the Mind proceeds, 
 
 and
 
 ( 4 ) 
 
 and make a Separation between the precious and the vile, that which 
 Icrveth Gob. and that which f.rveth Him not ; ard yc will dearly difcern 
 that the Prom.fe is to the one Seed, Christ, our Light and Life • who' 
 as Ke prevails, bnngcth all Things into due Subjedion to Himfelf. ' Thu^ 
 Hiall you be enabled to fee into the MyHery of Redemption by Him who 
 worketh all ,n all ■ and to wo: H^ip the God of the Spui:s of nil pTeH. ia 
 awful S.Ience, and in the Beauty of Holinefs , and the Lord 'tl c 
 MelTenger of the Covenant being come to his Temple, an holy Sabb h 
 :s kept And as you partake, Time after Time, of the divine SVcetnef; 
 you will find your Mmds engaged to feek a further Advancement in 
 Wifdom and Virtue, and the NcceiTity of daily walking with God will 
 ■evidently appear. . "ui 
 
 Caution ,We are jealous with a godly Jealoufy, that many who are favoured 
 
 Si^: ^f tender Vifuat.ons from above, relax their Cafe and Watchfulnefs 
 nttending ^hen ab(ent from religious Meetings, and thereby Aide from under the 
 Meetings humbling Power of Truth, which would preferve in Meekncfs, Stability 
 ihlp. ' =^5^ holy inward Quiet, amidit the various Engagements and Provocations 
 of this Life, and guard the Mind againft wandering Imaginations irrc 
 gular Defires and Affcdions, 
 
 When thofe who have grieved the holy Spirit, through Inattention 
 thereto, again retire with their Brethren to feek the Lord, they find their 
 Minds clouded, tiieir Thoughts roving, and no true Center or lolid Peace • 
 Hence Meetings appear to them heavy and unpleafant ; the Time of 
 Silence feems long and tedious ; the Eye is out after inftrumental Help 
 and inftead of trufting in God with all the Heart, their Dependance is 
 turned upon Man. This provokes the Holy One of J/rae/, who is jcalcus 
 of His Honour, to with-hold his Favours and BlelTings from fuch , and 
 this we fear is one great Caufe of the Lofs which many have fullaincd : 
 For whofe Recovery, and the Rcftoration of ancient Beauty to the 
 Churches every where, we are fervently engaged. 
 
 Were the Eyes of all truly turned towards the Lord, in humble 
 Dependance upon Him alone for Help, many ufcful InAruments would 
 doubtlefs be raifed to fill up every Station in the Church with Propriety. 
 Then the Caufe of mourning and Complaint would ceafe, and the Repe- 
 tition of particular Advices become lefs nccefiary ; as the holy Undion, 
 being received and rightly attended to, would 'teach us all Thin<'s thjt 
 we ought to believe and pradife. 
 2 Pet. iii. ^^ there/ore, Beloved, pa'fig ye know tlefe Ibiiigi before, bmare left ye 
 
 17, 18. aljo, being led aivay ivitb the Error of ike J kicked, fall from \our cxn 
 Stedfajlnefs. But grow in Grace, and in f:e Knowledge of our Lord and • 
 Saviour Jesus Christ : "To Ilim be Glory both now andjor rjer. Amen. 
 
 Sigrti'd in and on Be/jal/.of ibe Yc3.\\y-'S\ceUn^, 
 
 By Ifaac Wilfon, 
 
 Clerk fo the Meeting this Tear.
 
 340 9 
 
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 ^^ THE LIBRARY 
 IGOQ UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 1 Santa Barbara 
 
 1 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 ' STAMPED BELOW. 
 
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