one shall see the Lord. And let your Conversation be as becometh the Gospel To Friends in Cumberland the Holy Power of God which is the Gospel of Christ the Holy One who suffered by the Vnholy Ones And keep in the Lowly Mind and the Humility of Christ that the Fruits of your good Conversation and Translation and Regeneration in your Lives may appear The Fruits of a good Conversation as a People redeemed from the Pleasures of the Flesh and the Spirit of the World and the beggarly Lusts and that ye may obtain the Promise of the Eternal God and the Power of the Truth through the Word in the Heart the hidden Man that ye may obtain Victory over that which wars against your Souls through which ye may be arrayed and adorned and by that ye may be preserved and kept from that which is not of the Father the Lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life in the Simplicity and Innocency of Christ Jesus over all the Subtilty and feigned Deceit through which ye may esteem nothing in Comparison of that which is of God and him above all through Christ the Light the Truth the Power of God manifested in you False Liberty And keep out of all false Liberties and that which would lead you out of the Fear of God and in that ye will be preserved in the Sense of the Power and the Truth of God in your own Hearts In that every one watch through which Knowledge and Virtue is ministred unto you and Peace from the God of Virtue and Peace And keep out of all that which tends to Strife and Whisperings and Backbitings and Tattlings which draws from the Witness Watch and Fear of God within which leavens into the Fleshly Lusts and Nature and then that Judges and yet is in the same thing for which he Judges others which Nature and Judgment all is for Judgment and Condemnation So be Wise and keep your First Love break not Wedlock with the Lord Jesus Christ keep your first Habitation keep your Garments clean for such as so do they are blessed that ye may shine as Lights to the World Be Examples in Virtue and be Examples in Virtue Righteousness and Holiness walking in the Truth in all Patience and Quietness looking at the Lord your Strength and Christ Jesus the Conqueror and beyond all the Hills and Mountains that ye may be a good Savour to the Lord having Salt in your selves Let your Lamps be burning and your Lights shining and then ye will see over all the Unsavouriness that is in Adam's Family in the Fall who live in Christ the Power of God that never fell and keep Marriage with him the Holy One the Just One the Light the Truth and Power of God who makes an End of all Vnholiness And so walk in the Righteousness that your Feet may be kept in the Way of Peace And keep both your Tongues and Hands and Bodies and Lips and Minds and Words out of all that which would defile and corrupt you and bring you under the Indignation and Wrath of God and his Hand to be turned against you So keep in the Fear of God and keep in his Truth which ye at first received for Truth never changes And walk in the Spirit and then the Lusts of the Flesh will not be fulfilled and then Strife is kept out that which would be high and get up through which comes Strife and Wars So keep your Fellowship in the Spirit in which is the Unity and Bond of Peace Fruits of the Spirit and the Fruits of the Spirit will appear Righteousness Holiness Goodness Peace Soberness and Gentleness Chastity and Virtue through which ye may have Fruit to feed the Hungry and to relieve the Sick and Poor For the Unfruitful walks not in the Spirit and so bears not Fruit and so the Curse comes and Briars and Misery So eye the Lord God in all things in the Spirit who is a Spirit in that ye may distinguish his things and the things that are of your selves and what is of Men and what is of God and what to keep alive and what must dye So be Obedient to the Spirit and to the good Power of God that hath quickened you and live in it that ye may dye no more for that gives you Life For they that are made alive and come to dye again and to be Twice Dead Twice Dead plucked up c. and then come to be plucked up by the Roots such lye dead upon the Earth and corrupt it So let not the World let not things visible draw your Minds away from the Lord. Do not mind the Body more than the Lord do not forsake the Lord but be of good Faith in the Truth of God and live in it then ye live in Christ Jesus who is your Way who is your Teacher who is your Prophet who is your Priest who is the Bishop of your Immortal Souls Christ that never fell nor never changed nor never will change And here ye come into the Seed the Top-stone The Seed the Top-stone that is atop of the World set and before the World was who will remain when the World is gone who was full of Grace and Truth and Virtue and Life by whom Grace comes that brings Salvation who is every one of your Teacher in your selves So know Christ the Head and Salvation in which there is Peace and no Condemnation for the Condemnation is upon them that are out of the Light And so live in Vnity in the Light before Darkness and Enmity was in which ye have Peace and Love to God to Christ and to one another G. F. An Epistle to the Travellers in the Lord's Way with a Testimony against the False Prophets and them that hold them up FRriends Epist 38. All are to receive your Spiritual Bread and Water from the Father of Life by which ye may be strengthened and watered from the Father of Life in your passing and travelling on in your Spiritual Journey heartily and comfortably that ye may come to your heavenly Rest The Spiritual Travel being come and coming out of the great City of Sodom towards the City of heavenly Jerusalem where ye shall abide Eternally for ever Reason not with Flesh and Blood that shall never enter take not Counsel of that which draws thee nearer to Carnal things and draws thee to Consult with Carnal Reason Carnal Reasoning and so draws thy Eye and Mind to Visible things and so brings thee to wander from going on thy Journey and if thou followest that thou goest to Death Hell and Destruction and to the Pit and the Snare and that gets Dominion over thee and comes to rule over thee which ought not But every one wait in the pure Spirit to guide you to God then ye shall see the Promise of God fulfilled in you and the Springs of Life opened to you and Refreshment
other Places A AMerica 2. 352. 399. 401. 426. 453. 471. 477 Algier 455. 471. 491. 502 Amsterdam 505 B Bishoprick 2. 36. 45. 52 Bristol 123.317 329. 489 Barbadoes 129. 138. 143. 181. 226. 228. 253. 316. 324. 326. 343. 353. 366. 395. 471. 488 Burlington 456 Bednal-Green 532. 540. 543. 545 C Cumberland 3. 31. 36. 45. 52. 394 Castle 5. 203 City 6 Colchester 186 Cockford 196 Carolina 321. 462. 490 Carribby Islands 354. 363 Charles Town 490 D Darbyshire 2 Dover 5 Dantzick 398. 491. 508. 529. 542 Dolston 471. 490. 502 E England 2. 5. 329. 399. 470. 473. 491. 504 Exon 88 Essex 196. 493. 554 Edmunton 480. 554 Enfield 541 East-Jersey 543 F France 140 Friezland 255. 470. 539 Frederickstadt 539 G Germany 129. 151. 255. 470. 491 Guilderland 255 Gousey 493. 554. 555 H Holland 129. 151. 255. 337. 399. 470. 471. 491. 539 Hamborough 255. 539 Horsham 458 I Ireland 2. 112. 129. 181. 304. 471. 491 Jamaica 4. 153. 186. 329. 363. 397. 470 Islands 138. 144. 178. 180. 181 Italy 140 Isle of Man 397 K Kendal 19 Kingston 340. 477. 489. 529. 556 L Leicestershire 2. 460 Lancashire 13. 18. 36. 52 Lancaster 154. 200. 203 London 4. 5. 76. 77. 108. 109. 127. 164. 235. 255. 344. 411. 417. 454. 455. 456. 459. 462. 471. 477. 491. 504. 508. 540. 542. 545. 552. 554. 555. 556. 557 Leghorn 140 Low Countries 140 Lynn 172 M Malton 63 Markets 61. 128 Medlesham 172 Maryland 177. 186. 226. 228. 253. 316. 327. 398. 400 Marshgrainge 389. 394 Middlesex 480 Macqueness 556 N Nottinghamshire 2 Northumberland 2. 36. 45. 52 North 11.65.115 Northern 13 Newcastle 36. 52 New-England 129. 138. 146. 178. 181. 186. 226. 253. 262. 277. 316. 324. 397 Norway 140 Norfolk 172 Nevis 186. 363 New-Jersey 401. 473. 541 O Oxford 416 P Plymouth 77 Poland 140. 151 Palatine 151 Palatinate 255. 539. 541 Pensilvania 473. 540. 543. 545. 553 R Reading 147 Rode Island 366. 470 S Scotland 2. 125. 129. 471. 491 Southwark 5 Suburbs 6 Swarthmore 10. 353. 357. 361. 368. 397. 399. 400. 401. 402. 416. 417. 420. 426. 428. 439 Sedburgh 12 Sweedland 255 Swisserland 255 Surrey 256 Sussex 412. 458 V Virginia 129. 138. 146. 177. 180. 186. 226. 228. 253. 316. 324. 335. 398. 400 W Westmorland 2. 36. 52 White-Chappel 6 Wales 112. 541 Worcester 129. 333. 335. 336. 340. 346 Worplesdom 453 West-Jersey 456. 543. 545. 555 Y Yorkshire 2. 416. 455. 552 York 474. 486. 488. 507. 528 Z Zealand 255 THE SECOND TABLE Being a Catalogue of the Epistles of that Faithful Servant of Christ G. Fox to Friends contained in this Volume 1643. A Testimony how the Lord sent G. F. forth at the first Page 1 1644. Concerning the spreading of the Truth and how that many were Imprisoned c. Page 2 1650. Upon the fourth Day of the first Month I felt the Power of the Lord to spread over all the World in Praise Page 7 Epistle 1. Friends forsake the Company of c. Page 8 2. Friends the Children of the Devil how expert are they in Evil Ibid. 3. Friends there is an Eye that looketh to see the good Seed Page 9 1651. 4. All Friends mind that which is pure in you to God Ibid. 1652. 5. Dear Father and Mother c. Page 10 6. Friends no one is justified breaking the Commands of Christ Ibid. 7. To Friends at Swarthmore Ibid. 8. Dear Friends those that will Live Godly in Christ Jesus Page 11 9. Friends that which is set up by the Sword is upheld by the Sword Ibid. 10. To Friends to stand still in Troubles and see the strength of the Lord Ibid. 11. Dear Hearts Brethren and Babes of Christ wait to feed Page 12 12. Friends if you love the Light and walk in it ye love Christ Ibid 13. To the Flock of God about Seburgh Ibid. 14. A word from the Lord to Friends Page 13 15. To the Church of God in Lancashire Ibid. 16. To all you my Dear Friends who have tasted of c. Page 14 17. Dear Friends prize your time and the Love of the Lord Page 15 18. All Dear Friends every where Ibid. 19. Dear and Tender Friends Page 16 20. To all my Dear Brethren Page 17 21. To Friends at Kendal Page 19 22. Oh Friends keep close to the Light in you Ibid. 1653. 23. Friends fear not the Power of Darkness Page 20 24. To all Friends every where dwell in the Truth Ibid. 25. To Friends in the Truth Page 22 26. To Friends concerning Marriages Friends all they Page 23 27. To all my Dear Friends and Brethren Ibid. 28. To all you that are enlightened c. Page 24 29. Concerning Tithes Ibid. 30. To a Suffering Friend Page 26 31. Dear Friends mind the stedfast Guide to the Lord Ibid. 32. To Friends that their Minds go not from the Spirit of God Ibid. 33. To Friends for all to wait and walk in the Truth Page 28 34. Friends I do warn you c. Page 30 35. To Friends in the Ministry Page 31 36. Friends take your heavenly Censures and offer c. Ibid. 37. Dear Friends prize your heavenly Calling Ibid. 38. An Epistle to the Travellers in the Lord's Way Page 33 39. All Friends in Westmorland Cumberland Bishoprick Northumberland and Lancashire Page 36 40. Friends I do you all warn and charge to be Faithful c. Ibid. 41. Friends to you all this Exhortation is from c. Page 36 42. To Friends concerning the Light Page 37 43. To all my Dear Brethren the Flock of God c. Page 38 44. All Friends wait upon the unlimitted Power and Spirit c. Page 40 45. Concerning the Heirs of rhe Kingdom of God Page 41 46. To all Friends who are in the Unity which is in the Light Page 44 47. All Friends every where who with the Light c. Page 45 48. To Friends concerning Judging Page 47 49. Friends in the Life and Power of God dwell Page 49 50. All Friends dwell in that which is Pure c. Page 51 51. To Friends concerning the Cross of Christ the Power of God Ibid. 52. All Friends in Westmorland Lancashire Cumberland Bishoprick Page 52 53. Concerning the Duty of all Friends in Truth c. Page 53 54. This is sent among Friends who be in the Light Ibid. 55. The Word of the Lord God to all my Brethren c. Page 54 56. To call the Minds out of the Creatures Page 55 1654. 57. To a Friend in Distress Page 57 58. Oh Friends look not out c. Ibid. 59. Friends make not Flesh your Arm by carnal Reasoning Ibid 60. To Friends to keep in the fear of the Lord Page 58 61. Friends dwell all in the Immortal Seed of God Ibid. 62. All Friends be low in the Life of God Ibid. 63. To Friends concerning the Covenant of Light and Life Ibid. 64. To Friends in the Ministry Page 61 65. This is the Word of the Lord to all Friends and Fellow-Labourers
in the Truth Ibid. 66. All Friends meet together in the Light c. Page 62 67. To Friends concerning Marriages Ibid. 68. Friends know the Life and Power of God Page 63 69. To Friends at Malton Ibid. 70. Friends I do Judge that in all which is contrary to the Life and Power of God Page 64 71. To Friends to live in the Power of God in Christ that never fell Ibid. 72. To Friends in the North Page 65 73. Concerning Tithes Ibid. 74. My Dear Friends live in the Immortal Seed and Power of the Lord God Page 66 75. Dearly beloved Friends and Brethren in the Power and Life Page 67 76. Oh all Friends in the Unchangable Life Power and Seed c. Page 68. 77. Friends in the Measure of Life Ibid. 78. Friends in the Power and Life of God dwell in Unity Page 69 79. To all Friends to abide in their Callings Ibid. 80. To seek the Kingdom of God first Page 72 1655. 81. All Friends every where c. Page 73 82. The Word of the Lord to all Friends Page 74 83. Dear Friends in the Eternal Truth of God c. Page 75 84. To Friends to sit under their own Vines c. Page 76 85. An Epistle to Friends that with the Light they may see c. Ibid. 86. To Friends in London Page 77 87. Friends in the Power of the Lord go forth Ibid. 88. Friends meet together waiting upon the Lord c. Ibid. 89. For Plimouth Ibid 90. Friends all ye whose Minds are turned c. Ibid. 91. A General Epistle to Friends concerning the Priests Page 78 92. To all the Seed of Abraham c. Page 79 93. That Friends should have a sense of one anothers Sufferings Page 80 94. Friends I do Warn and Exhort you all Ibid. 95. Grow in the Increase of God Page 81 96. A Warning to Friends to keep to the Light out of Deceit Ibid. 97. To a Friend Ibid. 98. Dear Friends stand in the Faith Ibid. 99. To all that make mention of the Name of the Lord c. Page 82 100. Concerning all such as set up outward Crosses c. Ibid. 101. Dear Friends and Brethren in the Everlasting Seed of God c. Page 83 102. Friends incourage not c. Ibid. 103. To keep to the Witness of God Page 84 104. All Friends every where in the Power of God dwell Ibid. 105. Concerning the Light c. Page 86 106. To Friends to keep in the Life c. Ibid. 107. Now dear Friends in the Power of the Everlasting God Page 87 1656. 108. Friends wait in the Light c. Ibid. 109. Friends keep to the Patience c. Ibid. 110. To Friends Prisoners at Exon Page 88 111. A Warning from the Lord for Plainness of Speech to be used Ibid. 112. All Friends mind the Light Page 91 113. To a Friend in the Ministry Ibid. 114. Dear Brethren in the mighty Power of God c. Ibid. 115. To Friends concerning the Word of Life c. Page 92 116. Concerning Judging in Meetings Ibid. 117. My dear Friends keep your Meetings c. Page 93 118. Let no Friends go beyond their own Measures Ibid. 119. Friends wait in the Life c. Ibid. 120. My dear Friends dwell in the Everlasting Seed c. Ibid. 121. To Friends to take care of such as suffer for owning the Truth Page 94 122. Friends to that which is pure I speak c. Ibid. 123. Men in the Fall are in the Wars and Strife c. Page 95 124. My Friends be faithful and keep your Meetings Page 96 125. Friends to you all this is c. Page 97 126. For Friends to dwell in Love and Unity Ibid. 127. All Friends every where do not delight in Apparrel c. Ibid. 128. To all Friends to keep in the Power of God c. Ibid. 129. My dear Friends and Brethren keep in the Seed of Peace Page 98. 130. All Friends dwell in the Truth Ibid. 131. Friends every where dwell in the Power of the Lord God Page 102 132. An Epistle to Friends for all to keep in the Light Page 104 133. Friends towards all Men walk in Wisdom c. Page 106 134. Live in Peace c. Ibid. 1657. 135. To Francis Howgill and Edward Burroughs Ibid. 136. Dear Friends dwell in that which keeps your Peace c. Page 107 137. Friends let God's Wisdom have the Stay of your Minds Ibid. 138. Friends ye that are Prisoners of the Lord Jesus Christ Ibid. 139. Friends know the Praying in the Spirit Page 108 140. All Friends every where that do suffer for Tithes Ibid. 141. To Friends to gather up their Sufferings and lay them before Judges Page 109 142. All my dear Friends keep up your Heads above the Waters Page 110 143. All Friends and Brethren in the Noble Seed of God Page 111 144. Friends get not Knowledge in the unsanctified Part Ibid. 145. Friends where there is Strife among any of you c. Ibid. 146. To Friends in Ireland Page 112 147. To Friends in Wales Ibid. 148. An Exhortation to fervent Prayer and stedfast Faith Page 113 149. To Friends to know one another in the Light c. Page 115 150. Friends all every where in the Life and Power of God live Page 116 151. Friends there was a time when the Apostles preached Christ Ibid. 152. This is the Word of the Lord God to you all Page 117 153. To Friends beyond the Sea that have Black and Indian Slaves Ibid. 154. Oh Friends keep out of that State c. Ibid. 155. Concerning the Light Page 119 156. All Friends I do Warn and Charge you Page 120 1658. 157. Friends by the Wisdom of God was all things made c. Page 121 158. Friends and Brethren every where dwell in that which makes for Peace Page 122 159. Dear Friends all dwell in the Everlasting Seed of God Christ Jesus Page 123 160. All my dear Friends Folly and Wickedness will have an end c. Ibid. 161. Oh Friends do not dye from the Good Ibid. 162. Friends keep your Meetings in the Power of God c. Page 124 163. Dear Friends in the Life live Ibid. 164. My dear Friends keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord Ibid. 165. All Friends be faithful in the Power of God Page 125 166. To the Church of God in Scotland Ibid. 167. My dear Friends be not carried away by good Words c. Page 126 168. Friends all every where who have tasted of the Love c. Page 127 169. To all the Elect Chosen and Faithful Ibid. 170. Friends every one of you having Light from the Son of God Page 129 1659. 171. A General Epistle to them who are of the Royal Priesthood Ibid. 172. We are of the Royal Seed Elect and Precious c. Page 133. 173. All Friends take heed of running on in a Form c. Page 135 174. Dear Friends all every where feel the Seed of God over all Ibid.
175. To Friends to serve one another in Love Page 136 176. Friends that Minister c. Ibid. 177. All Friends every where who are dead to all Carnal Weapons Page 137 178. To Friends in Barbadoes Virginia New-England and all the Islands about Page 138 180. My dear Friends in the Love and Life c. Page 139 181. Friends live in the unchangeable Power of God Ibid. 182. My dear Hearts do your Business faithfully Page 140 183. Friends dwell in Patience c. Ibid. 184. Oh my dear Friends and Brethren Page 141 185. All Friends be obedient to the Power of God Page 142 186. Friends which have known and tasted of the Power of the Mighty God Page 143 187. This to go among Friends Page 144 188. Friends live in the Seed of God Page 145 189. To Friends in New-England and Virginia Page 146 190. Oh Friends have an esteem of Truth and God's Glory Page 147 1660. 191. All Friends every where that are Convinced with Truth Page 148 192. Friends in the fear of the Lord God live Page 150 193. Dear William thou hast c. Page 151 194. Dear Friends who have found the better Part Ibid. 195. Friends all that are moved of the Lord c. Page 152 196. Dear Friends in Jamaica and elsewhere Page 153 197. Dear Friends in the Power of the Lord dwell Ibid. 198. Dear Friends keep over all that which tends to Strife Page 154 1661. 199. Friends the Matter concerning not putting off the Hat in Prayer Ibid. 200. The Line of Righteousness and Justice stretched forth over all Merchants c. Page 156 201. Dear Friends in the Stilness and Silence of the Power of the Almighty dwell Page 162 202. An Answer to a letter sent to G. F. Page 163 203. What Friends do ye Reign as Kings c. Ibid. 204. To all Friends Prisoners Page 164 205. All Friends live in God's Dominion Ibid. 206. In the Power of God that is Everlasting Page 165 207. Dear Friends look over all Sufferings Page 170 208. All ye Prisoners of the Lord for his Truth Ibid. 209. My Dear Friends in the Power of God c. Page 172 210. Friends trust not in Man c. Ibid. 211. Friends all ye that know the way of Truth Page 173 212. To a Friend under an exercise of Spirit Page 174 213. Dear Friends in the Life and Power of God dwell Ibid. 214. Friends the Power of the Lord God is over all Page 175 1662. 215. To Friends to Labour in the Ministry that their Lives may Preach Page 177 216. To Friends in New-England and the Islands beyond Sea Page 178 217. All my Dear Friends and Brethren c. Page 180 218. Dear Friends and Brethren let Patience possess your Souls Page 181 219. All my Dear Friends dwell in the Life Page 182 220. Friends Truth is that which is pure Ibid. 221. All my Dear Friends every where the Power of the Lord God c. Page 183 222. A General Epistle to be read in all the Christian Meetings c. Page 186 223. All Dear Friends and Brethren stand fast in the Power of the Lord God Page 196 224. Dear Friends whom Death Bonds nor the Outward Creature can separate Page 197 225. Friends keep in the Power of the Lord Ibid. 1663. 226. My Dear Friends in the Everlasting Seed c. Page 198 227. Sing and Rejoyce ye Children of the Day Page 199 228. Dear Friends who have tasted of that which is precious Ibid. 229. Friends let not your knowledge be after the Flesh Page 200 230. Friends stand still and see be still and hear Page 201 1664. 231. My Dear Friends be faithful to the Lord God Page 202 Two General Epistles to be read c. 232. 1. All Friends every where who are gathered in the name of Jesus Page 203 233. 2. Friends this is the day of the tryal of your Faith Page 209 234. All you Prisoners of the Lord c. Page 211 235. Friends you who now come to suffer by a Land-Flood keep on the Rock Page 212 236. All my Dear Friends in the Everlasting Power c. Page 213 237. My Dear Friends and Brethren the Lord is with you all c. Page 214 238. My dear Friends and Brethren all every where keep your Habitations Ibid. 239. A General Epistle to all Friends Ibid. 240. Friends all Outward Things Figures Types Shadows and Inventions c. Page 220 241. Dear Friends keep your Meetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Page 225 1665. 242. The Saints Weapons are Spiritual Page 226 1666. 243. All my Dear Friends this is your day to stand Ibid. 244. To Friends in Barbadoes Virginia Maryland New-England c. Ibid. 245. An Epistle to be read in all the Assemblies of the Righteous Page 228 246. Oh Dear Friends mind every one your Habitation c. Page 234 247. Dear Friends dwell in the gentle Wisdom of the Lord God Page 235 248. Friends keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God Ibid. 1667. 249. A General Epistle to Friends and to all People c. Page 236 1st Concerning the Worship of God and the Jew Outward c. Page 242. 2d Concerning who drink the New Wine and who drink the Old Page 246 3d Concerning Gathering in the Name of Jesus Page 248 250. A Warning to all to keep out of the Vain Fashions of the World Page 249 251. My Dear Friends in the Truth and Seed of God c. Page 251 252. For Friends in the Ministry scattered abroad in Virginia c. Page 253 253. To Friends in Holland Page 255 1668. 254. Friends let your affections be set on things which are above Page 256 255. Dear Friends all who from the beginning have been Convinced Ibid. 256. My Dear Friends live in the Wisdom of God Ibid. 257. Dear Friends be faithful in the service of God Page 257 258. Dear Friends in the Truth of God Ibid. 259. Dear Friends be faithful in the Truth which the Devil is out of Page 258 260. Dear Friends if the Truth make you free then are you free indeed Page 259 261. Friends to call Men Masters or Gracious Lord c. Page 266 262. All Friends and People this is to be condemned c. Page 267 263. An Exhortation to keep in the Ancient Principles of Truth Page 274 1669. 264. An Additional Extract from other of G. F's Epistles Page 276 265. All you that are believers in the Light which manifesteth Darkness Page 293 266. And all you believers in the heavenly Light c. Page 299 267. To Ministring Friends Page 300 268. Not to be over-thoughtfull of the things of this World Page 301 269. Concerning the single Language Page 302 270. For all that be gathered in the Name of Jesus Ibid. 271. Concerning those who go out of Unity and deny Forms Page 303 272. To Friends in Ireland Page 304 273. Not to trust in uncertain Riches Ibid. 274. My Dear Friends in the pure
and undefiled Life all Live Page 305 275. All Friends every where in the living Spirit and living Power c. Ibid. 276. Dear Friends live in Peace and Love Page 308 277. My Dear Friends when you were formerly in a Profession Ibid. 278. And Friends see that all Apprentices that are bound amongst you c. Page 310 1670. 279. The Substance of a General Epistle Page 311 280. All Dear Friends every where who have no helper but the Lord Page 315 281. Dear Friends the Truth of God mind Ibid. 282. Friends in the Seed that bruises the Serpent's Head c. Page 316 283. To Friends at Bristol in time of Suffering Page 317 1671. 284. Dear Friends and Brethren see that all live in the peaceable Truth Ibid. 285. Dear Friends this is the Counsel of the Lord to you all Page 319 286. Friends when you are met together in the Name of Jesus Ibid. 287. Friends consider you that have known the Mercies of the Lord Page 320 1672. 288. To Friends in Carolina Page 321 289. Dear Friends every where be faithful to God Page 322 290. Dear Friends live in Love for that is of God Ibid. 291. To all the Womens Meetings that are Believers in the Truth Page 323 292. To Friends in New-England virginia and Barbadoes Page 324 293. To Friends in Barbadoes Page 326 1673. 294. Friends the Truth is above all c. Page 327 295. Friends at the first Convincement there is not so much danger Ibid. 296. Friends all keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God Page 328 297. Dear Friends keep in the Power of the Lord Ibid. 298. Dear Friends to whom is my Love in that which changes not Page 329 299. To Friends at Jamaica Ibid. 300. Dear Friends let your Faith stand in the Power of God Page 330 301. To all the Womens Meetings Page 333 302. To all Friends that live in the Truth Page 334 303. Dear Friends all be faithful c. Page 335 304. To Friends in Virginia Ibid. 305. My Dear Friends live in the Seed c. Page 336 1674. 306. To Friends in Holland Page 337 307. My dear Friends who feel the Precious Truth Page 338 308. My dear Friends in England and all parts of the World Page 340 309. Friends seek the Peace of all Men Page 342 310. Friends in every thing give thanks Page 343 311. For the Men and Womens Meetings in Barbadoes Ibid. 312. All Friends that are in the Power of God Page 344 313. Friends all that are sensible of the Power of God c. Page 346 1675. 314. To all my dear Friends Elect and Precious in America Page 352 315. To Friends in Barbadoes Page 353 316. Dear Friends all that feel the Life and Power and Spirit of the Living God Page 354 317. To all the Elect and Chosen of God in Christ Jesus before the Foundation of the World Page 357 318. All Dear Friends and Brethren keep up your Testimony c. Page 361 319. To Friends in Nevis and the Caribby Islands Page 363 1676. 320. An Incouragement to all the faithful Womens Meetings c. Page 368. 321. To all the Men and Women's Meetings that are gathered in the Name of Jesus Page 389 332. To Friends in Cumberland Page 394 333. To Friends in Barbadoes Page 395 334. To Friends in the Isle of Man Page 397 335. To Friends in Virginia and Maryland Page 398 336. To Friends at Dantzick Ibid. 337. To Friends in Holland Page 399 338. To Friends in Maryland and Virginia Page 400 339. All my dear Friends and Brethren c. Page 401 340. To Friends in New-Jersey in America Ibid. 341. My Friends all you that know God and Christ your Teacher Page 402 342. My dear Friends and Brethren that Faith which is the Gospel of God c. Page 403 343. Friends in the Power and Image and Truth c. Page 405 1677. 344. An Epistle to be read in the Men and Womens Meetings c. Page 409 345. My dear Friends to whom is my Love in the Everlasting Seed Page 411 346. To Friends at Sussex Page 412 347. Concerning the Subjection of the Spirits of the Apostles one to another c. Page 413 348. Dear Friends to whom is my Love in the heavenly Seed Page 414 1678. 349. To Friends in the County of Oxford Page 416 350. To the Yearly Meeting in Yorkshire Ibid. 351. Friends know what the Lord doth require of you c. Page 417 352. An Epistle to Friends to keep in the Power of God c. Page 418 353. My dear Friends whose Faces are set towards Zion Page 420 354. And dear Friends my Love to you all in the Seed of Life Page 423 1679. 355. To Friends in America concerning their Negroes and Indians Page 426 356. Dear Friends every where that have received the Truth as it is in Jesus Page 428 357. Dear Friends all live in the Life of the true Christians Page 430 358. Dear Friends with my Love to you all in the holy peaceable Truth Page 431 359. An Epistle to be read among Friends Ibid. 360. To all the Men and Womens Meetings every where Page 434 361. An Epistle to Friends for them to read Page 439 And now my dear Friends concerning true Liberty Page 443 1680. 362. And now Friends you who are called into the Glorious Liberty Page 450 363. Dear Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ Ibid. 364. To Friends in America Page 453 365. To Friends in Yorkshire Page 454 366. A Letter to the Captives who meet together to worship God in Algier Page 455 1681. 367. To Friends in Burlington West-Jersey Page 456 368. To suffering Friends at Horsham in Sussex Page 458 369. To the Flock of Christ Jesus every where Page 459 370. To suffering Friends at Leicester Page 460 371. To Friends in Carolina Page 462 372. An Epistle concerning the Government of Christ Page 463 1682. 373. To Friends in Jamaica Page 470 374. To Friends in Holland Page 471 375. To Friends in Barbadoes Ibid. 376. To Friends in New-Jersey and Pensilvania Page 473 377. To Friends that are Prisoners in York Page 474 378. To all the Elect of God chosen and faithful c. Page 476 379. An Epistle to all Planters c. in foreign Plantations America Page 477 380. To all Christians to keep to Yea Yea and Nay Nay c. Page 478 381. A Way to prevent the Indignation and Judgments of God Page 480 382. An Epistle to the Houshold of Faith Page 482 1683. 380. To the Quarterly Meeting at York Page 486 384. To the Six Weeks Meeting in Barbadoes Page 488 385. To suffering Friends in Prison at Bristol Page 489 386. To Friends in Charles-Town in Carolina Page 490 387. To the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting in England c. Page 491 388. To Friends that are Captives at Algier Ibid. 389. To the Houshold of Faith which is the Church of Christ Page 493 390. An Epistle to all
Friends Page 498 1684. 391. To the Meeting of Friends in Truth that are Captives in Algier Page 502 392. To the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings in England c. Page 504 393. To Friends in Holland Page 505 394. Dear Friends and Brethren who are Elect and Chosen in Christ Page 506 395. To Friends at the Yearly Meeting in York Page 507 396. To the Suffering Friends of Dantzick Page 508 397. An Epistle to Friends against Pride and Haughtiness Page 510 398. An Epistle to all the Prisoners and Sufferers for the Name of the Lord Jesus Page 521 1685. 399. Concerning the Pure and Undefiled Religion c. Page 526 400. To Friends at York Page 528 401. Dear Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ Page 529 402. A General Epistle Dear Friends go not from your Habitations Page 533 403. Dear Friends in Holland Friezland Hambrough Frederickstadt Dantzick Palatinate c. Page 539 404. To Friends in Pensilvania Page 540 405. To Friends in the Ministry in Pensilvania and New-Jersey Page 541 406. To Friends in Wales Ibid. 407. To Friends in Dantzick Page 542 1686. 408. To Friends in Pensilvania East and West-Jersey Page 543 409. To all the holy Women that trust in God c. Page 545 410. An Epistle for them that are learn'd in Christ to read and understand Page 548 411. To the Yearly Meeting in Yorkshire Page 552 1687. 412. To Friends in West-Jersey and Pensilvania Page 553 413. Dear Friends my desire is that all Friends prize the Mercy c. Page 554 1688. 414. All my Dear Friends and Brethren Ibid. 415. Dear Friends my Love is to all Ibid. 1689. 416. To the Quarterly Men and Womens Meetings in London Ibid. 417. Dear Friends and Brethren in Christ Jesus Page 555 1690. 418. To the Six Weeks Meeting in London Ibid. 419. Dear Friends something was upon me to Write to you c. Page 556 420. To Friends Captives in Macqueness Ibid. The End of the Second Table ERRATA PAge 14. l. 45. no Parenthisis p. 15. l. 36. for and so r. but p. 16. l. 42. for into r. of p. 18. l. 10. for into r. in p. 3 r. l. 23. for they r. â—e p. 39. l. 44. after Friends dele that p. 42. l. 42. for so r. for p. 43. l. 3. after reason add which p. 59. l. 8. for is r. are p. 64. l. 6. after ending add and p. 67. l. 34. for Beauty r. Joy p. 137. l. 23. for he r. the Ibid. l. 31. dele the before of p. 142. l. 29. r. Lord's r. Lord p. 146. l. 6. after it dele to p. 153. l. 23. for which r. but p. 180. l. 26. after Ills add and p. 211. l. 7. after Abomination add that Ibid. l. 11. dele that p. 226. l. 39. dele are p. 234. l. 13. dele it p. 267. l. 3. after say add that p. 334. l. 44. for this r. these p. 338. l. 47. for has r. have p. 339. l. 39. dele let Ibid. l. 40. for wander r. wandring p. 344. l. 26. for which r. this Ibid. l. 34. after things dele and p. 353. l. 22. for Word's r World's p. 356. l. 17. after Sacrifices add for p. 398. l. 22. for feedeth r. feed p. 437. l. 27. for sprikles r. sprinkles p. 455. l. 9. for met r. meet p. 456. l. 5. for Bondange r. Bondage Ibid. l. 17. after how add He brought them down p. 462. l. 45. after of add the p. 475. l. 40. dele his p. 508. l. 19. dele fore p. 514. l. 49. dele and p. 517. l. 8. for to r. and p. 534. l. 45. for Disciple r. Disciples p. 545. l. 27. after to add be BOOKS Printed and Sold by T. Sowle next Door to the Meeting-House in White-Hart-Court in Gracious-Street And at the Bible in Leaden Hall-Street near the Market 1699. SAmuel Fisher's Works in Folio Robert Barclay's Works in Folio George Fox's Journal with W. Penn's Preface Folio The Works of the Long Mournful and Sorrowful Distressed Isaac Penington Folio The VVorks of that Memorable and Ancient Servant of Christ Stephen Crisp containing also a Journal of his Life giving an Account of his Convincement Travels Labours and Sufferings in and for the Truth price bound 5 s. A Collection of the several Writings and Faithful Testimonies of that suffering Servant of God and patient Follower of the Lamb Humphry Smith Truth 's Innocency and Simplicity Shining through the Conversion Gospel-Ministry Labours Epistles of Love Testimonies and VVarnings to Professors and Profane with the Long and Patient Sufferings of that Ancient and Faithful Minister and Servant of Jesus Christ Tho. Taylor VVho finished his Course in the Year MDCLXXXI price 5 s. A Collection of certain Epistles and Testimonies of Divine Consolation Experience and Doctrine Written by that Faithful Patient and Long-suffering Servant of Christ William Bennit The Memory of the Righteous Revived being a brief Collection of the Books and Written Epistles of John Camm and John Audland Together with several Testimonies relating to those two Faithful Labourers price bound 2 s. Truth Vindicated by the Faithful Testimony and Writings of the Innocent Servant and Hand-maid of the Lord Elizabeth Bathurst Deceased price bound 1 s. Baptism and the Lord's Supper Substantially Asserted being an Apology in behalf of the People called Quakers concerning those Two Heads By Robert Barclay price bound 1 s. A Catechism and Confession of Faith By R. Barclay price bound 9 d. No Cross No Crown A discourse shewing the Nature and Discipline of the holy Cross of Christ By W. Penn. In Two Parts The Fifth Addition price bound 3 s. An Address to Protestants of all Perswasions more especially the Magistracy and Clergy for the Promotion of Virtue and Charity In Two Parts By W. Penn a Protestant The Second Edition Corrected and Enlarged price bound 1 s. 6 d. An Account of W. Penn's Travails in Holland and Germany for the Service of the Gospel of Christ by way of Journal Containing also divers Letters and Epistles writ to several Great and Eminent Persons whilst there The Second Impression Corrected by the Author 's own Copy with some Answers to the Letters not before Printed price bound 2 s. A Brief Account of the Rise and Progress of the People called Quakers in which their Fundamental Principle Doctrines Worship Ministry and Discipline are plainly Declared to prevent the Mistakes and Pervertions that Ignorance and Prejudice may make to abuse the Credulous With a Summary Relation of the former Dispensations of God in the World by way of Introduction By W. Penn. price bound 1 s. Primitive Christianity Revived in the Faith and Practice of the People called Quakers Written in Testimony to the present Dispensation of God through them to the VVorld That Prejudices may be Removed the Simple Instructed the VVell-enclined Encouraged and the Truth and its Innocent Friends Rightly Represented By W. Penn. price bound 1 s. The Harmony of Divine and Heavenly Doctrines Demonstrated in sundry Declarations on
is our only Mediator and Advocate and as he was and is God over all blessed for ever whom he so dearly loved and honoured that he often offered up his Life and deeply suffered for him and that in dear and constant Love to his Seed that a holy Generation might be raised strengthned and increased in the Earth among the Children of Men. And his knowledge and Ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ being after the Spirit in Life and Power did no ways imply any lessening of the Dignity or Glory of Christ nor any defect of Faith or Love to Christ as he came and suffered in the Flesh for Mankind as some Adversaries have injuriously misrepresented and aspersed him for he highly esteemed Christ's Sufferings Death Resurrection and Glory and powerfully testified of the Vertue Power blessed and spirtual Design Fruit and Effects thereof as revealed and witnessed by his Holy Spirit And as we have no cause to question but as with this innocent and good Man to live was Christ so to die was Gain in both which he glorified God Christ Jesus being our Spiritual Rock Foundation and Head he is truly precious to us and all true Believers in all States and Conditions both of his Humiliation Glory and Dominion his great Grace and Goodness appearing in those precious Ministerial Gifts given by him when he ascended up on high for his Ministry and Church And 't is very observable that though to express Christ's Lowly Condition and Appearance in the World He is sometimes in Holy Scripture termed the Seed His Name is also called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Upon whose Shoulders the Government is laid And of the increase of his Government and Peace there shall be no end Isaiah 9. And 't is most suitable to Christ's low humble and suffering Condition to make use of such Instruments as are most like himself in Humility and Lowliness of Mind although they be but low and mean in the World's Eye and Esteem God is pleased to make choice of low mean and weak things and of Instruments contemptible in the Eyes of the high and lofty ones of this World to confound the Wisdom of the World according to 1 Cor 1. He chose poor Shepherds to divulge that great Evangelical Truth of Christ's Birth and certain Women to preach that Gospel-Truth of his Resurrection Luke 2. 24. And both from Angelical Testimony as well as from their sight of Christ himself Truth must not be rejected because of such Instruments which God in his Wisdom is pleased to employ in his Work nor the Day of small things despised From small Beginnings of good Matters great Things glorious Attainments and Perfections do spring Glory Honour and Dominion to our most Gracious God and to the Lamb on his Throne for ever and ever Now dear and well-beloved Friends all live in Love and Peace following the true Faith peaceable and good Example of the Faithful in Christ and the God of Love and Peace will be with you Your true Friend and Brother In CHRIST JESUS George Whitehead London 1698. A COLLECTION Of many Select Epistles to Friends OF THAT Ancient Eminent and Faithful Minister of Jesus Christ GEORGE FOX A Testimony how the Lord sent G.F. forth at first in the Year 1643. WHEN the Lord first sent me forth in the Year 1643. The Year when the Lord first sent G.F. forth to declare his Truth I was sent as an Innocent Lamb and Young in Years amongst Men in the Nature of Wolves Dogs Bears Lions and Tigres into the World which the Devil had made like a Wilderness no right Way then found out of it And I was sent To Turn People from Darkness to the Light which Christ the Second Adam did Enlighten them withal that so they might see Christ their Way to God with the Spirit of God which he doth pour upon all Flesh that with it they might have an Understanding to know the Things of God and to know him and his Son Jesus Christ which is Eternal Life and so might worship and serve the Living God their Maker and Creator who takes Care for all who is Lord of all and with the Light and Spirit of God they might know the Scriptures which were given forth from the Spirit of God in the Saints and Holy Men and Women of God And when many began to be turned to the Light which is the Life in Christ and the Spirit of God which gave them an Understanding and had found the Path of the Just the Shining Light then did the Wolves Dogs Dragons Bears Lions Tigres Wild Beasts and Birds of Prey make a Roaring and a Screeching Noise against the Lambs Sheep Doves and Children of Christ and were ready to devour them and me and to tear us to pieces But the Lord's Arm and Power did preserve me though many times I was in Danger of my Life and very often cast into Dungeons and Prisons and haled before Magistrates But all things did work together for good And the more I was cast into outward Prisons the more People came out of their Spiritual and Inward Prison through the Preaching of the Gospel But the Priests and Professors were in such a great Rage and made the Rude and Profane People in such a Fury that I could hardly walk in the Streets or go in the High-ways but they were ready oft-times to do me a Mischief But Christ who hath all Power in Heaven and in the Earth did so restrain and limit them with his Power that my Life was preserved though many times I was near killed Oh! the Burdens and Travels that I went under Often my Life prest down under the Spirits of Professors and Teachers without Life and the Profane And besides the Troubles afterwards with Backsliders Apostates and false Brethren which were like so many Judas's in betraying the Truth and God's Faithful and Chosen Seed and causing the Way of Truth to be evil spoken of But the Lord blasted wasted and confounded them so that none did stand long for the Lord did either destroy them or bring them to nought and his Truth did flourish and his People in it to the Praise of God who is the Revenger of his Chosen G. F. Concerning the first Spreading of the Truth and how that many were Imprisoned c. AND the Truth sprang up first to us as to be a People to the Lord in Leicestershire in 1644. and in Warwickshire in 1645. and in Nottinghamshire in 1646. and in Darbyshire in 1647. and in the adjacent Countries in 1648. 1649. and 1650. and in Yorkshire in 1651. and in Lancashire and Westmorland in 1652. and in Cumberland and Bishoprick and Northumberland in 1653. and in London and most parts of the Nation of England and Scotland and Ireland in 1654. c. And in 1655. many went beyond Seas where Truth also sprang up And in 1656. Truth brake forth in America and many other places And
Names and Horns amongst the Apostate-Christians who have professed themselves to be Elders Amongst this Eldership have they had outward and earthly Rulers which have got up since the Days of the Apostles But who come to Christ who was and is the true Christians Hea he is their Ruler by whom all things were made And when the Apostate-Christians went from the APostles Doctrines into the World Many Ruiers and Heads they set up many Rulers amongst them and many Heads when they went from the Seed of God in themselves in the Male and in the Female then they forsook their Head Christ Jesus And so whosoever go from the Seed of God in themselves and set up other Heads they lose the One Head which is Christ Jesus and then come to be covered with Darkness and the Seed comes to be loaden as a Cart with Sheaves And then they forsook their Head Christ Jesus And so whosoever go from the they go from the Seed in the Male and in the Female which is the One Head And then come up the Fightings about earthly things Fightings and Warrings for Self Interest and Warrings with Carnal Weapons about Earthly things and Self-Interest and Man's Honour and Titles and about their Churches and Religions and Worships and Ministry which have been set up since the outward Sword the Heathen and one another but Christ Jesus the Prince of Life fulfils the Law and ends the outward Jews Types Figures and Shadows Ordinances and Carnal Weapons who is the King of the whole Earth who comes to save Mens Lives yet slays and kills with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of his Mouth And the Apostles who followed Christ they wrestled not with Flesh and Blood so all who come to witness Christ to reign and to rule who is the Prince of Life that Saves Mens Lives and follow him do not wrestle with Flesh and Blood nor seek to destroy Mens Lives And here comes the Wisdom to be known that is from above that is pure and gentle and easie to be intreated that is not sensual carnal and devilish So in the time of the Law among the Jews there was Fighting outwardly but in the time of the Gospel of Christ Jesus who came to end the Law they were to Love Enemies Love enemies and not to kill them and love them that hate them and not kill them But in the times since the Days of the Apostles in the Apostate-Christians time they are crying up the outward Sword again and this is the Dragon 's and the Beast's Power the Prince of Death which hath reigned since the Apostles Days But who come to follow Christ they come to reign in Spirit over all these Fighters with carnal Weapons that are got up since the Days of the Apostles Therefore who are come now into the Power of the Lord God and to the Seed that is Royal who was the Elected before the World began keep your Meetings and dwell in the Power of God in which ye may know his Image and come into it with which ye may Spiritually reign and have Dominion over all the World and rule in it over them and their Vanities and work them down without a Carnal Weapon in the Power of God So keep your Meetings both particular and in the general in the Power of the Lord God and dwell in the Life and Power and Wisdom of the Lord that all Vncleanness whatsoever may by the Power of the Lord be brought down and rooted out and that such have no Rule nor Authority amongst you Vncleanness though they be never so fair or excellent of Speech But let all such be brought under by the Power of the Lord God who is to reign over it that in the Sweetness and Unity ye all may be brought to be a sweet Savour to the Lord God and in the Hearts of one another and let no Vncleanness be amongst you ' And all Friends every where Printing Take heed of Printing any thing more than ye are required of the Lord God And all Friends every where Take heed of wandring up and down about needless Occasions Wandring for there is Danger of getting into the Careless Words out of Seriousness Weightiness and Savouriness And all Friends every where Take heed of Wronging the World or any one in Bargains Over-reaching or Over-reaching them but dwell in the Cool Sweet and Holy Power of the Lord God and in Righteousness that it may run down amongst you and that will keep you Low And all Friends every where Take heed of Slothfulness and Sleeping in your Meetings Sleeping in Meetings for in so doing ye will be bad Examples to others and hurt your selves and them And all take heed of going up and down to Minister but as ye are moved of the Lord God Ministry or to speak in Meetings or any other Places for Travelling to such is dangerous to lift them up going amongst sttled Meetings that are settled For there is Difference betwixt Friends going into the World and of coming among them that are come to Silent Meetings and to feed there for that which may be seasonable to the World may not be to them Therefore let all live in the Seed and Wisdom and Fear and consider before they utter that the Life be up whereby all may be settled and they themselves be washed ' And dwell in the Seed that ye all may know Christ come to reign in you so that all may be done and spoken by and in the Power of the Lord God that is done and spoken and not out of it And in that ye will all have Vnity in the Record of Life whereby the Power of God and the Seed of God may come up which is Heir of the Blessing and of the Promise that ye may come to know the Place where there is no Curse and the Lamb's Power Throne Life and Dominion And in the Wisdom of God all dwell that to him ye may be a sweet Savour and a Blessing in the Hearts of all People that nothing may rule nor reign amongst you but the Seed it self and the Life of God Let this be read in your Meetings G. F. An Epistle to Friends for all to keep in the Light and to watch over one another ALL Friends and Brethren every where Apist 132. Walk in the Truth and know one another in the Measure of Life that in it your Minds may be guided up to the Father of Life A Note concerning Life and stand in his Counsel that he alone may be loved with all your Strength with all your Minds and with all your Souls so that ye may all know one another in the Life and Light that ye may all be kept from Idols For if ye know one another in the Flesh only that Love which will rise out of that Knowledge The Knowledge in the Flesh is feigned and that will wither and under the Condemnation
the 16th of the 9th Month 1666. G F. DEar Friends Dwell in the gentle Wisdom of the Lord God Epist 247. which is easie to be intreated and let not Wilfulness Hastiness and Impatience lay open your Nakedness to the World but dwell in the Power Seed and Life of Christ Jesus the Wisdom of God that with that ye all may be kept Cloathed in Patience and in the Love of the Lord God and in the Light in which is the Vnity one with another and with God And in the peaceable Mind and Spirit dwell for the Patient Sufferer weareth the Crown and hath the Victory at last and not the hasty agravating revengeful killing and fighting Spirit which must be crushed down with the Seed of the Lord God that bruiseth the Serpent's Head which is the cause of Enmity Venom and Poyson which Head being bruised down with the Seed and Life then nothing is fed upon but Life and Glory And in that is the Peace G. F. FRiends Keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God Epist 248. that hath gathered you and none quench the Spirit nor despise Prophesying An Exhortation to set up Womens Meetings but keep up your Testimony in Publick and Private Let not the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings be stopp'd nor the Seed in Male or Female but all be Valiant for the Lord's Truth upon the Earth Concerning the Womens Meetings encourage all the Women of Families that are convinced and mind Vertue and love Truth and walk in it that they may come up into God's Service that they may be serviceable in their Generation and in the Creation and come into the Practice of the pure Religion which you have received from God from above that every One may come to know their Duty in it and their Service in the Power and Wisdom of God For now the practick Part is call'd for For People must not be always Talking and Hearing but they must come into Obedience to the Great God of Heaven and Earth And so that none may stand idle out of the Vineyard and out of the Service and out of their Duty for such will Talk and Tattle and Judge with evil Thoughts of what they in the Vineyard say and do And therefore the Power of the Lord God calls in all into their Duty into their Service in their Places in Vertue and Righteousness and into the Wisdom and Power of God For all that are out of this are out of their Duty and Services tho' they may have the Knowledge of it yet are not serviceable in the Creation nor in their Generation and the Power of God must go over and is over all such in which all must be acted and in which true Obedience is known And therefore train up your young Women to know their Duty in this thing that they may be in their Services and Places Young Women to be Instructed for all Truth 's Business you are to do in the Power and Wisdom of God by which you are kept open to the Lord to receive of his Gifts and Graces and of his Life through which you are to minister one to another And all keeping in it then there is none to lett nor stop its Flowings but through it you are all watered as a Garden of Plants by which you are nourished And so all be Faithful and Diligent And make all the sober Women both of Town and Country acquainted with this thing And read this in your Monthly Meetings when you are gathered together And when you have made the sober Women acquainted in the Towns and Countries and have them together then read this amongst them So no more but my Love G. F. A General Epistle to Friends and all People to read over and consider in the Fear of God BLessed are all those whose Minds are staid upon the Lord Epist 249. for they shall be kept in Perfect Peace I. Concerning the Word of God and the Original what it is so where the Mind is staid upon the Lord there is a Perfect Peace for it is a whole Peace which cannot be broken So here is not only a Perfect Peace but a Blessing a Perfect Peace which comes from the God of all Peace that bruiseth the Serpent's Head under your Feet the Troubler and the Blessings which come from the blessed God Perfect Peace in God only and not in the Creatures So all imperfect Peace may be broken that is when the Mind is staid upon the Creature or in any Creature and not upon the Creator or in any outward Things Goods Houses Lands or Inventions of Vanities in the foolish vain Fashions which the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life go into which will defile and corrupt it When any of these things fail and are not according to your Mind it being in them then your Peace is broken and you are cross and brittle and Envy gets up So this is not a perfect Peace but is a broken Peace and then you have the Trouble and not the Blessing And the Reason is because your Minds are in the Creatures and the outward Things and are not staid upon the Creator where the perfect Peace is and the Blessing where nothing can get betwixt you and the Lord. And this is below Job to have the Mind in the Creatures and visible things for when you are tried and Creatures fail you you are cross'd and troubled that shews an imperfect State for God said That Job was a perfect Man And when that the Lord suffered him to be tried and when that his Goods and Houses were thrown down and driven away and Servants killed he said Blessed be the Name of the Lord for the Lord gave and the Lord taketh Here his Mind was staied upon the Lord and he retained his Peace And when that his Children were destroyed and his Wife said to him What dost thou still retain thy Integrity Curse God and die he rebukes her and calls her A foolish Woman and said unto her Shall I receive good of the Lord and not evill Naked I came out of my Mother's Womb and naked I must return Here Job kept his Integrity still and did not all this while offend with his Lips Now many of you who think your selves high and above Job if that your Goods and Children should be after the same manner taken away whose Minds are in them you would be found in a troubled brickle State far below Job And when that Job's Friends came to reason with him who kept his Integrity and would no way yield to them they counted him an Hypocrite and said He restrained Prayer and filled his Belly with East-wind and said What shall mortal Man be more pure than his Maker Shall Man that is born of a Woman be just God chargeth his Angels with Folly and the Heavens are not clear in his Sight And these are the Scriptures the Priests use to bring against Friends who keep their Integrity
round the Nation to advise to the setting up the Men and Womens Meetings and to write to those Places where I could not go That all the Faithful might keep their Meetings in the Power of God and in it be settled and established And that all Marriages might be laid before the Men and Womens Meetings who were in the Wisdom of God and in the Possession of his Gospel Order who had the Care of the Church of Christ's Business that they in the Wisdom of God might look into it and see that they were clear from all other Persons c. And therefore now that Pretence is generally taken away from all they cannot say now That they cannot tell where to find a Meeting of the Faithful to lay their Marriages before them before they declare it in the common Publick Meetings Now that the Men and Womens Meetings are settled in the Power of God to look after the Churches Affairs for all knows where they may be found at certain Days Times and Places to lay it before them And they that go together in the Truth and Power of God will be willing to lay their Marriages before them that be in the same Truth and Power of God So that all things may be done in Truth Love and Vnity and Pureness Clearness and Holiness to the Praise and Glory of God And all whosoever they be that oppose this good Order are loose Spirits out of the Power of God and their Work tends to Loosness and to draw into a loose Liberty under a deceitful Pretence of keeping People out of Forms So the same Power and Spirit that directed all Marriages to be laid before the Faithful at the first when there were but few Friends in many parts of the Nations and no Mens nor Womens Meetings I say the same Power of God that did convince Friends at the first the same Power and Spirit directed to the setting up the Mens and Womens Meetings that they might be in the Possession of the Gospel and its Order And the same Power and Spirit of God set up our Order for Marriages in our Mens and Womens Meetings All to seeck first to the Parents before they engage the Affection of the Child And that all are to speak first to their Parents and have their Consent before they engage the Affections of the Children and this Order is settled by the Power of God in the Men and Womens Meetings for some formerly did speak to neither Father nor Mother till they had drawn out and entangled the Affections of the Daughter and that brought great troubles and discontent upon the Parents and among Friends And therefore this is to be enquired into in the Men and Womens Meetings where their Marriages are to be spoken of So as Friends come to Truth which the Devil is out of and to the Power of God which was before the Devil was all being Heirs of Life and the Gospel and Heirs of Christ I say take your Possession of Life and come into the Order of Life and into the Order of the Gospel and then you will have a Witness in your selves and will say with me our Order is not of Man nor by Man but by Jesus Christ and his Gospel and of his Government the increase of which there is no end And so all be faithful keeping in your Possessions and in your Inheritance in that where no Apostacy can come For I must tell you here is the same Spirit stirring if it could prevail that would lay waste God's Heritage and bring you out of your Possessions that it might rule over you But if you keep your Possessions of the Gospel-Order the Power of God in Christ Jesus you will rule over it being in and upon the Foundation of God that stands sure thought some earthly loose Spirits it may draw after them But mark the end of it for the Power remains and will remain and the Seed reigns over the Head of all such false Spirits A Warning to Oppose rs and Orders and Governments that is not set up by Jesus Christ and it will grind them to pieces That is the Word of the Lord God to you let whoever will oppose it for the Power was before they were and will stand when they are gone For all our Men and Womens Meetings which are set up by the Power and Spirit of God these Meetings are for the Practise of Religion and to see that all that do profess Truth do practise it and walk in it And all such as are against them are begetters of People into talking and not walking and of Saying but not Doing and such always were Judged by all them that walk in the Truth and in the pure Religion that is undefiled before God that kept and keeps from the Spots of the World And all such are never like to prosper that are against the Practice of the pure Religion And therefore as I said before live in the Possession of the Gospel and its Order the Power of God which was before the Devil was or the Apostacy either and know his Government of the increase of which there is no End who is set up from Everlasting to Everlasting the Amen And live in Love and Vnity one with another for that edifies the Body of Christ and that is it which will bear all things and in the Patience run the Race and have the Crown and keep in the Meekness of the Lamb that will have the Victory And such Opposers as crys against Forms and Prescriptions and Edicts of Men they are the most in it themselves this Day and gathers into a Separation by Prescriptions and Subscriptions and under a Pretence of crying against such things oppose the Power and them that be in the Possession of it But the Power will blast them and make them to wither like the Grass and Corn on the House-top as it did John Parrot and his Company to whom it was the Word of the Lord then and so it is to these now and the Word lives and abides and endures for ever So with my Love in the Lord Jesus Christ to you all in whom is my Labour and Travel for your Eternal Good and Settlement upon the Eternal Rock Amen Farewell Let this be read in the Men and Womens Meetings when Friends are assembled together Swarthmore the 12th of the 12th Month 1675. G. F. ALL Dear Friends and Brethren Keep up your Testimony Epist 318. in the Light Power and Spirit of God for the Worship Friends to keep their Testimony against the Anti-Christian Ministry that Christ set up above Sixteen hundred Years since in the Spirit and Truth which Truth the Devil is out of who is an unclean Spirit which is a Worship that cannot be shaken And keep up your Testimony against the Anti-Christian Ministry that is inwardly ravened from the Spirit of God and the Light of Christ and his Anti-Christian Tythes and Maintenance which he hath set up by that
Faith was and are still denied And all such as preach God and Christ and crucifies Christ to themselves afresh and denies God in their Works were then and are denied And all such as preach the Light and walk in Darkness and preach the Spirit the Fruits of which is Love and Peace and are in Strife and Enmity were never owned by God nor Christ nor good Men though they may be called Christians And all such as preach Liberty and themselves were Servants of Corruption were and are still denied And all such as cries Lord Lord and preaches Christ Christ and does not his Will enters not into his Kingdom themselves And into it they can bring none that do not go into it themselves Which Kingdom stands in Power and in Joy and Peace in the Holy Ghost And all such as preach the Word of God and are not doers of the Word they are Deceivers of their own Souls and they may deceive others with the good Words And such cannot be reconciled to God neither can they bring others to Reconciliation with God So this Spirit is but One which Spirit all along has wrought against the true Spirit of God in all his People and was in Srife and Contention and Disquietness against the Righteous in all Ages but it wrought its own Destruction and the Fall of them that followed it as you may see through all the Scriptures And therefore all are to keep the Vnity of the Spirit All are to keep the Vnity of the Spirit the Bond of the heavenly Man Christ Jesus's Peace who renews Man up into the Image of God as Man was in before he fell and not only into that State but up into himself that never fell where they know both his Gospel-Order and his Heavenly Government and are subject to it He being the Head above all Principalities Powers Thrones and Dominions Who is ascended above all that he might fill all things Who is over all the Beginning and Ending and Lives and Reigns from Everlasting to Everlasting the Amen G. F. An Epistle to be read in the Men and Womens Meetings DEar Friends Epist 344. My Love in the Lord Jesus Christ to you all in whom I have laboured and my Desires are the God of all Peace and the Son of Peace may fill all your Hearts with his Love and Peace and Wisdom and Knowledge in all things to do his heavenly glorious Will in that you will know his Son's Doctrine and as you know it obey it And my Desires are in the Lord All to walk worthy of their Holy Vocation that you may all walk worthy of your Vocation and of him that his called you to Holiness and Righteousness and to Peace so that his Peace may flow as a River and Righteousness run down as a Stream to the gladding of the City of God the Walls of which is his Power and Salvation and Light and Life And now My Friends Keep all your Meetings in the Name of Jesus in whom you have all Salvation which is above every Name under the whole Heaven in which there is no Salvation And also all your Men and Womens Meetings every where keep in the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ his Gospel by which he hath brought Life and Immortality to light in you that you may see over him that hath darkned you and before he was which Power will preserve you in Life and Immortality So that you may now all labour in the Gospel the Power of God in his glorious and comfortable Gospel joyfully serving the Lord in his Gospel of Peace through which Gospel you have Peace with God So that in this Gospel All to be stirred up to Labour in the Lord's Service the Power of God there can come nothing between you and God Here is your heavenly Order not of Man nor by Man So that all the faithful Men and Women may in the Lord's Power be stirred up in their Inheritances of the same Gospel and to labour in it helps-meet in the Restoration as Man and Woman was before the Fall in the Garden of God all are to work in his Righteousness and in his Image in his Power in his Garden to subdue the Earth and keep the Dominion in his Power in the Restoration as Man and Woman did in the Image of God before the Fall Whosoever would hinder you in this Work it is the same Serpent's Spirit that led Adam and Eve into the Fall from the Work of God which now would keep you in the Fall to do his Work and Command and not the Lord's and therefore over that keep your Dominion Authority and Inheritance in the Restoration in the Power of God in which every one of you must give an account to God and therefore be diligent in the Lord's Power Light Life and Spirit in which you all see your Services to God so that he may be glorified among you all and in you all and over you all his Glory may shine And you all Men and Women in your Men and Womens Meetings be diligent labouring in the Light Life and the Power of God the Gospel in the Garden and Church of God so that Righteousness and Peace may flow down amongst you and Truth and Godliness Purity Vertue and Holiness over all that is contrary and that the Weight and Care of God's Glory and his Honour and his pure Holy Name and his Truth Religion and Worship you may all stand up for against that which would in any wise cause it to be evil spoken of by ill Walkers and Talkers and let all things you do be done in Love and condescend one to another in the Power of the Lord and in his Truth have esteem one of another and let all things be done among you without any Strife for it's Love that edifies the Body and knits it together and unites it to Christ the heavenly and holy Head The Reproach taken from Woman that was first in Transgression And now you Women though you have been under Reproach because Eve was first in Transgression the Promise was The Seed of the Woman should bruise the Serpents Head And this Promise of God is fulfilled A Virgin should have a Child and they should call his Name Emanuel God with us again For Man and Woman was drove from God out of Paradise and the Serpent became their Head and god of the World but Christ is come according to the Promise of God and his Prophets who was born of a Virgin and therefore saith Mary My Spirit doth rejoyce in God my Saviour My Soul doth magnifie the Lord for he hath regard to the low estate of his Hand maid for behold from henceforth all Generations shall call me Blessed Now here comes the Reproach to be taken off from Women which were first in Transgression who are not suffered to speak in the Church but here Mary did speak and believe that which was spoken to her And also the Reproach
same Mind be in you as was in Christ Jesus for the Apostle said That they had the Mind of Christ and the Lamb overcame and had the Victory and his sanctified Ones that following him are partakers thereof Glory to his Name for ever Amen The 18th of the 5th Month 1677. G. F. To Friends at Sussex MY Dear Friends Epist 346. To whom is my Love and to the rest of Friends that a-ways And my desire is that you may all Suffer as Lambs of Christ for when he was reviled he reviled not again and he gave his back and cheek to the Strikers and Smiters and his hair to be pluck'd off and was as a Lamb led dumb before his Shearers and he opened not his Mouth though he was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and so left his Fellowers and Believers an Example that they should follow him like Innocent Lambs for the Lamb and the Saints have the Victory over all the Tearers and Strikers and Pluckers Let Patience have its perfect Work and Devourers and Persecutors and so let Patience have its perfect Work in you and among you in which you run the Race and do obtain the Crown of Eternal Life And do not strive but keep down that Spirit that would strive with Love which differeth you from all other Sufferers that have not Love which envieth not neither is provoked but beareth all things and indureth all things and will wear out all Evil Doers And so be Faithful and of the good Faith that hath the Victory and in it suffer joyfully as the Saints did and leave the Gain-sayers to the Lord God who will Reward and Re-pay them And keep in the Seed that will out-last all and bruise the Head of the Serpent And so the Lord God preserve you all both in Life Word and Conversation to his Glory and that all your Words may be Gracious Amen The 8th of the 5th Month 1677. G. F. Concerning Subjection of the Spirits of the Apostles one to another in the Vnity of the Spirit of Christ THE Apostles heard at Jerusalem Epist 347 that the Samaritans had received the Word of God and they sent unto them Peter and John Acts 8.14 Now Peter and John did not in opposition say Peter and Paul We will stay till we have a Motion But as the Spirts of the Prophets were subject to the Prophets so the Spirits of the Apostles were subject to the Apostles And when tidings came to the Church at Jerusalem That the Grecians had believed they sent forth Barnabas to them Barnabas and when he came he Exhorted them and when Barnabas had found Paul he brought him to Antioch and there the Disciples were first called Christians and the Church sent the Collection by the hands of Paul and Barnabas unto the Elders Acts 11.22 23 30. and 9.27 Paul and Barnabas Paul and Barnabas took with them John whose Sirname was Mark and Mark did not Gain-say and tell them I must wait for a Motion Acts 12.25 It pleased the Apostles and Elders with the Church to send chosen Men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas and Judas Surnamed Barsabas and Silas chief Men among the Brethren Barsabas and Silas and writ Letters by them unto the Gentiles Acts 15.22 saying For asmuch as we have heard that certain that went out from us have troubled you with words subverting your Souls saying Ye must be Circumcised and keep the Law unto whom we gave no such Commandment It seemed good unto us being assembled with one accord to send chosen Men unto you Men that have hazarded their Lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Paul said unto Barnabas Let us go again unto every City The Care of the Apostles to visit those again to whom they bad preacht the Gospel where we have preached the Word of the Lord and see how they do and Barnabas determined to take Mark with them and Paul chose Silas being recommended by the Brethren unto the Grace of God and they went through Syria and Cilicia and as they went through the Cities they delivered them the Decrees for to keep that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem and so were the Churches confirmed and established in the Faith and increased in number daily Acts 16.4 The Brethren exhorted the Disciples to receive Apollos Acts 18.27 Apollos And Paul sent unto the Ephesians and called the Elders of the Church and exhorted them Acts 20.17 Paul commends Phebe Phebe a Servant of the Church which is at Cencrea and bid them receive her in the Lord and assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of Rom. 16. Now if Timothy come so that ye receive him without fear let no Man despise him but conduct him forth in Peace that he might come unto me for I look for him with the Brethren Paul said to the Corinthians Did I make a gain of you by any whom I sent unto you 2 Cor. 12.17 Or did Titus make a gain of you Tychicus a beloved Brother and faithful Minister of the Lord shall make known unto you all things Titus and Tychicus whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose that you might know our affairs and comfort your hearts Eph. 6.21 22. Paul sent to the Colossians Onesimus with Tychicus to make known all things unto them that was done with him Col. 4.9 And when they had read his Epistle Onesimus they were to cause it to read at Laodicea and Paul charged the Thessalonians by the Lord that they did read his Epistle amongst all the holy Brethren 1 Thess 5.27 And Paul saith Take Mark bring him with thee for he is profitable to me for the Ministry and Tychicus I have sâ—at to Ephesus Artemas and Zenas the Lawyer 2 Tim. 4.11.12 Paul said to Titus Chap. 3.12 When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus unto thee be thou diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis and bring Zenas the Lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently that nothing be wanting unto them Paul saith to Philemon Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee knowing that thou will also do more than I say Philemon 21 22. John saith 2 Epist Look to your selves that we lose not these things that we have wrote but that we may receive a full reward I wrote unto the Churches but Diotrephas who loveth to have the preheminence amongst them received us not Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doth prating against us with malicious words 2. and 3. Epistle of John The woful End of such as separate themselves having not the Spirit And in Jude Such as goes in Balaam Cain and Corah's way wandering Stars raging Waves of the Sea Wells without Water Clouds without Rain Trees without Fruit twice dead and pluck'd up by the Roots their Mouths speak great Swelling Words to whom is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever These are
they that separate themselves such as have not the Spirit But Beloved build up your selves in the most holy Faith praying in the Holy Ghost and keep your selves in the Love of God Jude Now I praise you Brethren that ye remember me in all things and keep the Ordinances as I delivered them unto you and the rest will I set in order when I come 1 Cor. 2.11 34. Paul in his Second Epistle to the Thessalonians Chap. 3.4 And we have Confidence in the Lord touching you that ye both do and will do the things which we command you Now we command you Brethren in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the Tradition which he received of us Now we exhort you Brethren to warn them that are unruly and comfort the feeble-minded and support the weak and be patient towards all Men for ye your selves are taught of God to love one another and that ye study to be quiet and walk honestly to them that are without and that ye may have lack of nothing 1 Thess 5.14 And in 2 Thess 2.15 Therefore Brethren stand fast and hold the Traditions which you have been taught whether by Word or our Epistle G. F. DEar Friends Epist 348. To whom is my Love in the heavenly Seed Christ Jesus Abraham and all the Faithful blessed in Christ without the Deeds of the Law in whom all Nations are blessed O therefore keep all in this Seed in which ye are blessed and in which Abraham and all the faithful were blessed without the Deeds of the Law and so the Promise was and is to the Seed and not to the Law of the first Covenant and in this Seed all Nations and ye are blessed which bruiseth the Head of the Seed which brought the Curse and separated between Man and God This is the Seed which reconciles you to God and this is the Seed in which ye are blessed both in Temporals and Spirituals through which you have an Inheritance that cannot be defiled among the sanctified neither can any defiled thing enter into its Possession for all Defilements are out of this Seed this is that which Leavens up into a New Lump and bruiseth the Head of the wicked Seed that Leavens into the Old Lump upon whom the Sun of Righteousness goes down and sets but never goes down nor sets to them that walk in the Seed in which all Nations are blessed by which Seed they are brought up to God which puts down that Seed which separated betwixt them and God so that there comes to be nothing betwixt them and God And so now all my Dear Friends my Desires are To be valiant for Truth and to spread it abroad That you may all be valiant in this heavenly Seed for God and his Truth upon the Earth and spread it abroad answering that of God in all that with it the Minds of People may be turned towards the Lord that he may come to be known and served and worshipped and that ye may all be the Salt of the Earth to make the unseasoned Savoury And in the Name of Jesus keep your Meetings who are gathered into it in whose Name ye have Salvation and he in the midst of you whose Name is above every Name under the whole Heaven And so you have a Prophet and Bishop Shepherd Priest and Counsellor above all the Counsellors Priests Bishops Prophets and Shepherds under the whole Heaven to exercise his Offices among you in your Meetings that are gathered in his Name And so Christ's Meeting and Gathering is above all the Meetings and Gatherings under the whole Heaven And so his Body his Church and He the Head of it is above all the Bodies and Churches and Heads under the whole Heaven And so the Faith that Christ is the Author of and the Worship that he hath set up and his Fellowship in his Gospel is above all Historical Faiths and the Faith 's that Men have made together with their Worships and Fellowships under the whole Heaven And now Dear Friends Light and Immortality brought to Light keep your Men and Womens Meetings in the Power of God the Gospel the Authority of them which brings Life and Immortality to light in you And this Gospel the Power of God will preserve you in Life and in Immortality which hath brought it to light in you that ye may see over him that hath darkned you and so from the Knowledge of the things of God And so it is he and his Iustruments that would darken you from Life and Immortality and that would throw down your Men and Womens Meetings which are established in the Power of God the Gospel and would darken you again from this Life and Immortality which the Gospel hath brought to light and will preserve you in Life and in Immortality as your Faith stands in the Power of God the Gospel in which every one sees your Work and Service for God and every Heir of the Power of God the Gospel hath Right to this Authority which is not of Man nor by Man which Gospel the Power of God is Everlasting and leads you into an everlasting Fellowship and in the Gospel is everlasting Joy Comfort and Peace which will-out-last all those Joys Comforts and Peace that will have an End and also that Spirit that opposes its Order and the glorious Fellowship Peace and Comfort that is in it And now my Dear Friends my Desire is By the Spirit are we all baptized into one Body That ye may keep in the Unity of the Spirit that Baptises you all into one Body which Christ is the Heavenly and Spiritual Head of so that you may see and witness to your Heavenly and Spiritual Head and all drink into that one Spirit which all People upon the Earth is not like to drink into while they grieve quench and rebel against it nor be baptised into one Body nor keep the Vnity of the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace Yea the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Peace which is the Duty of all true Christians to keep who are inwardly united to Christ So with my Love in the Everlasting Seed Swarthmore the 26th of the 7th Month 1678. G. F. To Friends in the County of Oxford DEar Friends Epist 349. Keep in the Lord's Power that his Kingdom stands in In what the Kingdom of God stands and in Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost which the Devil and all his Instruments of Strife and Debate and Sowers of Discord among Brethren are out of and keep that Spirit out with the Power of God which was before it was in which Gospel the Power of God is your Holy and Heavenly Order in the Possession of the same Labour walking in the New and Living Way over all the dead Ways in Adam let them be what Sect they will and in this New and Living Way you
that you never let any Man or Woman have any more Wine Ale strong Drink Brandy or strong Waters or other strong Liquors than what is for their Health and their Good in that they may praise God for his good Creatures For every Creature of God is good and ought to be received with Thanksgiving But if you do give or let Men or Women have so much Wine Brandy strong Liquors strong Beer or Ale till they be Drunk or to make them Drunk 1. You destroy the good Creatures of God 2. You destroy them that have not Power over their Lusts no more than a Rat or a Swine who will drink till they are Drunk 3. You are a great caufe of ruining them in their Healths Purses and Estates their Children and Families in feeding of them in their Lusts The occasion of the Judgments of God by letting them have more than doth them good which also tends to bring God's Judgments upon you to your own Ruine and Destruction For many when they are full of Wine Beer or strong Liquors then they will call for Musick Pipe and Harp and it may be their Whores also And so in this you that suffer or allow such things are Nursers of Debauchery and Corrupters of them and of your own Families also And also such Men when they are full of Wine or strong Liquors and have destroyed the Creatures by taking more than doth them good then they are got to that height that they are ready to Quarrel and Abuse or Kill or Destroy one another and sometimes kill other People who do them no harm as they are walking or travelling in the Streets or High-ways For when they are overcome by strong Liquors then are they fit and do lie open to all manner of Wickedness And though you think by selling or letting People have Wine or strong Liquors more than doth them good or is for their Health The more they arink the more Gain you think it brings you and the more you vend your Goods the more Profit you get Ah poor Sellers Do not you think that God with his all seeing Eye doth behold you and your Actions And cannot the Lord soon bring a Blasting upon all your Undertakings and such ungodly Gain and Profits and whatsoever you have gained by your Covetousness and from the Lusts of others through which they do destroy their Estates Children and Families Will not this bring destruction upon you and your unrighteous Gain which you have gotten by feeding their Lusts For that which feeds the destroying Lust must needs be Destroyed and the Profit of That will not be Gain to you in the End For are not you sensible how many after they have spent their Estates or part of them they will run into your Debts for Wine or strong Liquors yea such as you let have more than did or doth them good And is not this the Cause that many break by trusting and other ways as before mentioned Trust should be with that which is Trusty which doth not Waste or Destroy and such God will bless And therefore take heed of letting any Man or Woman have any more Wine or strong Liquors than what is for their Nourishment Health and Good See what a dreadful Woe the Lord pronounced against them That rise up early in the morning that they may follow strong Drink that continue until night till Wine inflame them Then they call for the Harp and the Viol the Tabret and the Pipe c. But such regard not the work of the Lord neither consider the operation of his Hands A sad state Woe unto them that are mighty to drink Wine Woe to them that are mighty to drink Wine and are Men of strength to mingle strong Drink And therfore all to shun such thing all are to be sober and to mind and fear God that they may escape these Woes As you may see in Isaiah Chap. 5. And therefore all Vintners and such as sell Wine with Ale-Houses Inns and Victualling-Houses who sell Ale Brandy and strong Liquors never let any one have more than doth them good and is for their health as is said before so that all may eat and drink the good Creatures of God to his Praise and Glory which Drunkards and Gluttons cannot nor they who let them have the Creatures of God in excess or immoderately till they are drunk and surfeited for such do feed themselves without the Fear of God Secondly Let all who go under the Name of Christian Families train up their Children in the Fear of God and keep themselves in the Fear of God that they may keep all their Servants and Familes in the Fear of God out of all Loosness and Wantonness and Vanities and Excess and from all Drunkenness Fornication Whordom or Vncleanness and Vnrighteousness and all Vngodliness that they may keep out of all those things that displease or dishonour the Lord God And do not nourish up the Lust of the Eye nor the Pride of Life nor the Lust of the Flesh for if you do Sin the Cause of God's Wrath upon Families you nourish up that which is not of God the Father And therefore to shun all these Evils and to depart from them and keeping in the Fear of God this is the way to bring the Blessing of God upon a Land Kingdom Nation or Family God will destroy them which destroy the Earth Revel 11.18 Drunkenness makes a Man worse than a Beast and makes a strong Man Weak and a wise Man a Fool. This Testimony and Warning was and is owned and subscribed by many Vintners and others concerned in the Trades and Callings before-mentioned who were present at the reading of the Manuscript G.F. An Epistle to the Houshold of Faith FRiends Epist 382. Consider how the Blessing of the Lord came upon the Obedient and faithful to the Lord and rested upon them The Lord said to Abraham Get thee out of thy Country and from thy Kindred and from thy Fathers House The Promise to the Faithful c. And I will make of thee a great Nation and I will bless thee c. And thou shalt be a Blessing and I will Bless them that Bless thee and Curse them that Curse thee and in thee and thy Seed shall all the Families of the Earth be blessed Abraham obeyed the Lord and went forth from Vr of the Caldees and so he left all the Religions and Worships and Teachers of the Country of the Caldees behind him and followed the Lord And the Lord said unto Abraham Walk before me and be thou perfect Gen. 17.1 And again The Lord said unto Abraham Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty Nation and all the Nations of the Earth shall be blessed in him Gen. 12.1 2 3. 18.18 And again The Lord said unto Abraham That in Blessing I will Bless thee and in Multiplying I will Multiply thy Seed as the Stars of Heaven and as the Sand which
chaste Mind And therefore they are not like to expect a Blessing in this Life nor in that which is to come without great Judgment and Repentance Therefore such Actions are to be reproved that they may be brought into Chastity Vertue and Piety and to the Adorning the hidden Man of the Heart which is not corruptible and the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit which Ornament or Adorning is acceptable with the Lord. For after this manner in Old Time the Holy Women who trusted in God adorned themselves And likewise such To keep Covenant in Marriage as after they are married break their Covenant in Marriage such go from the Spirit of God and his Joining and from the Spiritual Society of God's People and their Unity and Fellowship Such are to be reproved by the Spirit of God And if they do not return after Reproof Friends cannot have Unity or Fellowship with them but turn away from them though they may have the Form of Godliness and have been called a Sister or a Brother but have denied the Power of Godliness Therefore all must abide in Christ the Vine if they bring forth Fruit to the Glory and Praise of God Amen The Apostle says Now we command you Brethren in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that ye withdraw your selves from every Brother that walks disorderly c. 2 Thess 3. Now The Case of old Eli a Warning to Parents Dear Friends consider old Eli's Case who did admonish his Children but because he did not restrain them from the Follies and the Evils they run into therefore the Lord brought his Judgments upon him that he lost his Childrens Lives and his Priesthood and his own Life And do you think that this was not written for an Example that others should be warned hear and fear And was not the Gospel and the Law given forth to restrain People from Sin and Evil and such things as dishonour God G. F. An Epistle to all Friends every where FRiends Epist 390. This is the Word of the Lord unto you all All live in the Seed in which all Nations are blest in which Seed you are blest every way Christ the Blessing of all Nations in your rising up and lying down in your goings forth and comings in And you have the Blessings from above and the Blessings from beneath in this Holy Seed yea the Blessings of him that dwelt in the Bush that made the very Ground Holy that Moses trod upon who brings you out of the World which is as a Bushy Thorny Wilderness that ye might dwell in this blessed Seed in which all Nations are blest which bruises the Serpent's Head who was the first Questioner and Tempter and Lyar and Deceiver and Man and Woman by harkening or giving Ear to this Questioner Lyar and Tempter the Serpent they fell from their Habitation in the Image of God and so went out of their Habitation and Service that God had placed them in and commanded them to do But the Seed of the Woman is come that bruises the Serpent's Head in which Seed Christ all Nations are blest And all you who live and walk in this Seed you live in him that bruises the Serpent's Head that Lyar Tempter and Questioner yea and every one by this Seed Christ may be renewed up into the Image of God as Adam and Eve were in in the Beginning Then you are all in your Habitations of Life and Truth and the Image of God and in it you know your Services Vnruly Talkers that the Lord God Almighty commands you And you living in this Holy Seed you live over all vain unruly Talkers and vain Disputers Men of corrupt Minds which have the Form of Godliness but deny the Power thereof All you as live in the Seed that bruises the Serpent's Head turn away from such for their Work is to destroy whose Words eat as a Canker who do profess Truth in Words and may have the Form of Godliness but in their Works deny the Power thereof who are to every good Work or Service Reprobated And these are as the raging Waves of the Sea and Tempests they are known by their tempestuous Spirits and its raging like a raging of the Sea cassing up Mire and Dirt a murdering Spirit like Cain a Gain-saying Spirit like Corah and erred from the true Spirit like Balaam No Rain in their Clouds no Water in their Wells nor Fruit on their Trees twice dead that is once dead and made alive and dead again so they cannot grow in the Truth Light nor the Spirit of God nor his Gospel but such corrupt the Earth and corrupt Peoples Minds are sowers of Discord Strife and Contention Co-workers with the Serpent to beguile the unstable Minds all such the Seed of God reigns over And therefore in this Holy Seed Christ all live and walk and shun such evil Spirits and their Works and all be establish'd in this Seed Christ Jesus that the Serpentine Spirit either by its Strife Vain Jangling Vain Disputing or its sowing of Dissention Tempting and Questioning not with feigned fair flattering inticing Words may not draw you out of your Habitation of the Seed Christ Jesus and the Image of God and your Work and Service in it that God and Christ Commands you And therefore beware of this Serpentine Spirit Beware of Doggs who will devour that you may not be deceived as Eve was and beware of Doggs that will bite and devour you and beware of Evil-workers though they have never such fair Words to deceive the Hearts of the simple Beware of false Prophets which are inwardly ravened from the Spirit of God and are become Wolves though they have got the Sheeps cloathing and the Words of Truth of Christ and his Apostles whose Fruits are as Thorns and Thistles But the Seed Christ that discovers all these things in him live grow up and walk and be established And beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees And of the Leaven of the Pharisees who make an outward Profession of the Holy Mens Words but are Persecuters of the Seed Christ Jesus in whom all Nations are blest and Despisers of his peaceable Government of the increase of which there is no end And into this blessed Seed the Serpent cannot come nor none of his Instruments nor his Angels which are evil Spirits And all the Doters about Questions and Strife of Words and the vain Janglers and vain perverse Disputers and Contenders and the sowers of Strife and Dissention Not to dote about Questions and strife of Words makers of Debate and Strife All these are out of the blessed peaceable Seed although they may profess the Truth of all the New and Old Testament in Words without the Power of God that they are turned away from and therefore they are to be turned away from the Trumpet of the Lord his Spirit and Power is blown against them though they have never such high swelling Words of
the Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared unto all Men. Teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly Lusts That we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World Which is the Duty of every true Christian that to deny and so to live Tit. 2.11 And thefore the Apostle exhorts Timothy to fly Youthful Lusts and to follow Righteousness Faith and Charity and Peace with all them that call on the Name of the Lord out of a pure Heart And such Teachers who had the Form of Godliness but deny the Power which the Saints were to turn away from those were them that led silly People Captive laden with Sin and divers Lusts 2 Tim. 2.22 and 3.5 And such as could not abide sound Doctrine but after their own Lusts shall heap to themselves Teachers having Itching Ears they turn away their Ears from the Truth and Grace that comes by Jesus Christ which should teach them to bring their Salvation and from the Spirit of God which they should walk in To walk in the Spirit as the Apostle saith If ye walk in the Spirit mark in the Spirit ye shall not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh Gal. 5.16 And the Apostle further saith That every one of you should know how to possess his Vessel in Sanctification and Honour and not in the Lusts of Concupiscence even as the Gentiles which know not God 1 Thess 4.4 If a Man purge himself from these things he shall be a Vessel unto honour and sanctified and meet for his Masters use and prepared for every good work 2 Tim. 2.21 But they that will be rich fall into Temptations and Snares and into many foolish hurtful Lusts which drowns Men in Destruction and Perdition But the Man of God is to fly these things and follow after Righteousness Godliness Faith Love Patience and Meekness 1 Tim. 6.11 And they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Gal. 5.24 And Haughtiness and High-mindedness was forbidden both by God and his People And David saith The afflicted People the Lord will save And his Eyes are upon the haughty to bring them down 2 Sam. 22.28 And David said Lord my Heart is not haughty nor mine Eyes lofty and my Soul is like a weaned Child Psalm 131.2 Then he was fit for the Kingdom God And again David saith God will save his afflicted People but will bring down high looks Psalm 18.27 And Solomon saith Before Destruction the Heart of Man is haughty and before Honour is Humility Prov. 18.21 And Isaiah declared against the Haughtiness of the Daughters of Zion Isaiah 3. And how the haughty People of the Earth do languish because they had transgressed God's Laws and changed his Ordinances And doth not the Lord say by Isaiah Chap. 16.6 The Pride of Moab That Moab should howl for his Pride and Haughtiness And I will punish the World for their Evil and the Wicked for their Iniquity And I will cause the Arrogancy of the Proud to cease And I will lay low the Haughtiness of the Terrible The lofty looks of Man shall be brought low and the Haughtiness of Men shall be bowed down and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that Day And this is a good Day for the Day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty and upon every one that is lifted up and he shall be brought low Isaiah 2.3 10.24 And Ezekiel saith That the Children of Israel was haughty and like Sodom and committed abominations before the Lord and he took them away Ezek. 16.46 And Zephaniah saith Thou shalt be no more haughty Zeph. 3.11 Neither shall ye go haughtily Mic. 23.1 And therefore all are to learn Humility that they may exalt the Lord their Maker And the Apostle exhorted the Romans Not to be high-minded but fear for they stood by Faith Rom. 11.20 And the Apostle exhorted Timothy to charge those that were Rich in this World The Rich not to be high-minded That they be not high-minded nor trust in uncertain Riches but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy 1 Tim. 6.17 And the Apostle again tells Timothy That the heady high-minded are lovers of Pleasure more than lovers of God And daily Experience shews as you may see at large the Fruits of such 2 Tim. 3.4 And therefore all those things the Faithful are to shun and to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly Love and in Honour preferring one another Rom. 12.10 And the Apostle exhorts the Corinthians to be perfectly joined together in the same Mind and in the same Judgment that they might all speak the same thing So that there may be no Division among them 1 Cor. 1. And again To be of one Mind and to live in Peace in 2 Cor. 13.11 The Apostle saith Be Perfect be of good Comfort be of one Mind live in Peace And the God of Love and Peace shall be with you For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body whether Jews or Gentiles Bond or Free And have been all made to drink into one Spirit and the Spirit of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets For God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace 1 Cor. 12.13 14.32 33. And the Apostle writes to the Philippians That they should be of one Accord and of one Mind and said Let nothing be done in strife or vain-glory but in lowliness of Mind c. Phil. 23. And the Apostle saith to the Romans Be of one Mind towards one another and not mind high things and to be wise in their own Conceits but condescend to Men of low estate Rom. 12.16 And the God of Patience and Consolation grant you to be like minded all towards one another according to Christ Jesus That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorifie God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Receive ye one another as Christ also received us to the glory of God Rom. 15.5 6 7. For God hath given to his People the Spirit of Power and of Love and a sound Mind 2 Tim. 17. And Peter in his first General Epistle Chap. 3. ver 8. saith Be ye all of one Mind and have Compassion one of another love as Brethren be pitiful be courteous And the Apostle Paul saith in Acts 20.19 how he served the Lord in all humility of Mind And it is a Mark of Christ's Disciples as he saith if they love one another and love Enemies And so all that are Believers in him are to love one another as he hath loved us who hath laid down his Life for us And therefore all are to deny themselves yea and to offer all up for him And whatsoever you do do it in the Name of Jesus to the Praise and Glory of God G. F. POSTSCRIPT A Testimony out of the Old Testament and New of the Lord sending his Prophets to declare his Judgments against
the Disobedience and Pride of the Jews and how his Judgments were fulfilled upon them that did not Repent and how the Apostle did admonish and reprove such as went into Pride and the Fashions of the World THE Lord saith Because the Daughters of Zion are Haughty The Pride of the Daughters of Zion and walk with stretched forth Necks and wanton Eyes walking and mincing as they go and making a tinkling with their Feet therefore the Lord will smite with a Scab the Crown of the Head of the Daughters of Zion and the Lord will discover their secret Parts in that Day the Lord will take away the Bravery of their Tinkling Ornaments about their Feet and their Cauls and their Round Tyres like the Moon the Chains mark the Chains and the Bracelets and the Mufflers the Bonnets and the Ornaments of the Legs and the Head-bands and the Tablets and the Ear-rings the Rings and Nose-Jewels the Changable Suits of Apparrel and the Mantles and the Wimbles and the Crisping-pins and Glasses and the fine Linnen and the Hoods and the Vails And it shall come to pass that instead of sweet smell there shall be a stink and instead of a girdle a rent and instead of well set hair baldness and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloath and burning instead of beauty Thy Men shall fall by the Sword and thy Mighty in the War and her Gates shall lament and mourn and she being desolate shall sit on the Ground Isa 3.16 to the end And you may read in 2 Kings 17. how that the Children of Israel were carried into Captivity in Assyria for the King of Assyria besieged Samaria and after three Years Besieging he took it and carrried away the Ten Tribes of the Children of Israel into the Land of Assyria And Isaiah according to the Word of the Lord went to the Prophetess and she conceived and bore a Son c. And the Lord said Before the Child should have the Knowledge to cry My Father and my Mother the Riches of Damascus and the Spoil of Samaria shall be taken away by the King of Assyria Isa 8.3 4. Now here you may see what a Destruction came upon Samaria and the Jews because of their Rebellion and Disobedience The Ten Tribes punished for their Pride and their Haughtiness and Pride as Isaiah cried against in Chap. 3. And then what became of all their Haughtiness and Pride and their Mincing and their Tinkling with their Feet and their Chains and Bracelets and Jewels and Round Attire with their Glasses and Hoods and Veils when they were driven away by Droves by the King of Assyria into Captivity into Assyria out of their own Land Houses and Cities Then Isaiah 's Prophecy was fulfilled upon those Haughty and Proud Jews And did not Nebuchadnezzar afterwards carry away the two Tribes and destroy Jerusalem because of their Disobedience Rebellion Haughtiness and Pride who would not regard the Lord nor his Prophets therefore the Lord suffered them to be led away Prisoners out of their own Houses Cities and Land into Babylon so strip'd them of their Pride And the Two Tribes also and caused them to be carried away into strange Countries so was not the Prophets Prophecy fulfilled upon them The Lord saith Behold the Day cometh that shall burn as an Oven and all the Proud yea all that do Wickedly shall be as Stubble and the Day that cometh shall burn them up The proud as Stubble saith the Lork of Host that it shall leave them neither Root nor Branch But unto them that fear my Name shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his Wings and ye shall go forth and grow up as Calves in the Stall Mal. 4.1 2. Therefore it is good for all to keep out of Pride and Wickedness in Humility lest they be burnt up And the Apostle commanded That Women adorn themselves in modest Apparrel with Shamefacedness and Sobriety not with Broidered Hair or Gold or Pearls or Costly Array but that which becometh Women professing Godliness with good Works I tim 2.9 10. And likewise Peter in his General Epistle saith to the Women Whose Adorning let it not be that outward Adorning of plaiting the Hair and of wearing of Gold or of putting on of Apparrel but let it be the hidden Man of the Heart in that which is not Corruptible even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit which is in the sight of God of great price For after this manner in the old time the holy Women who trusted in God adorned rhemselves being in subjection unto their own Husbands 1 Pet. 3.3 4 5. Here you may see both the Prophets and Apostles declared against the Pride and Haughtiness of People both in the Old and New Testament And the Apostle John saith in his first General Epistle to the Church of Christ Love not the World Love not the World neither the things that are in the World if any one love the World the love of the Father is not in him for all that is in the World the lust of the Flesh the Lust of the Eye and the Pride of Life is not of the Father but is of the World and the World passeth away and the Lust thereof but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2.2 15 16 47. Now here you may see an express Command to the true Christians the Church of Christ against the Love of the World and the Things of the World and the Lust of the Eye and the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life and they that love the World the love of the Father is not in them and how that the World passeth away and the Lust thereof and therefore love not the Lust of the Eye the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life which is not of the Father And do not most of Christendom say the Lord's Prayer Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy Name c. and you that live in the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eyes and the Pride of your Life which is not of the Father which is in Heaver but of the World that passeth away and the Lust thereof And is it not said The Devil is the king of Pride And therefore do not do his Lusts but he that doth the Will of God abideth for ever And therefore consider when you say Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be the Name c. when you live in those things which are not of the Father which is in Heaven and daily obey and love the Lust of your Eye the Lust of your Flesh and the Pride of your Life which is not of the Father but of the World And the Apostle John tells you He that toves the World the love of the Father is not in him G. F. An Epistle to all the Prisoners and Sufferers for the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Worship The Word of God is
the Chaff of the Summer Threshing-Floor and the Wind carried them away that no place was found for them and the Stone that smote this Image became a great Mountain and filled the whole Earth Christ filleth all things with his Divinity Dan. 2. Is not this Christ Jesus who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him that he filleth the whole Earth with his Divinity to whom God gave the Heathen for an Inheritance and the attermost parts of the Earth for his Possession and his Seed doth inherit the Gentiles Isa 54. And doth not Christ now inherit the Gentiles or Heathen Yea the uttermost parts of the Earth he possesses with his divine Power Light and Seed who filleth the whole Earth and hath all Power in Heaven and Earth and Ruleth with his Spiritnal Divine Rod of Iron Not a Rod of corruptible Iron but he Ruleth them with his Divine Rod and dashes them to pieces like a Potters Vessel they that are the Children of the Kingdom see this and know Christ to rule in their Hearts and sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus who is the First and Last the Beginning and Ending by whom all things were made G. F. DEar Friends in Holland Friezland Hamborough Frederickstad Dantzick Palatinate and all other places there-aways where God's Truth and Ensign is set up Epist 403. Peace Grace and Truth be multiplied among you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ the Fountain of all Life Peace Grace and heavenly Wisdom and Vnderstanding and the God of all Power and Peace through our Lord Jesus Christ fill you with it and his heavenly Riches and that you may all walk worthy of his heavenly Calling in all Holiness Righteousness and Godliness c. in Life and Conversation and that by the Word of Life and Patience you may answer the Truth in all both High and Low so that you may be of good savour to God in the Hearts of all People For you know there is no other Way to God but by Christ Jesus No Way to God but by Christ Jesus and you know that God has raised up Christ to be a Prophet in his New Testament to be heard in all things and you know He opens and none can shut and he shuts and none can open and you know that Christ is the Bishop of your Souls to oversee that you do not go astray from God And you know that Christ is the true Shepherd and has laid down his Life for his Sheep and they know his Voice and they follow him and he gives them Life Eternal And also you know that Christ is your High Priest made higher than the Heavens by the Power of an Endless Life and by him you are made a Spiritual Priesthood to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices to God And as for our Yearly Meeting the Presence of the Eternal God Was amongst us and his Glory which shines over all and all was quiet and peaceable and it was the Lord's doing blessed be his Name for ever And your Epistle was read in the Yearly Meeting and Friends in the Lord's Power Read it and had Unity with your Spirits and are Sensible of your Spiritual Care in the Lord 's Eternal Power concerning Truth 's Affairs in those Parts In which God Almighty preserve you and increase you both in his Wisdom Knowledge and Vnderstanding that you may spread his blessed Truth abroad and answer it in all People Amen London the 10th of the 4th Month 1685. G. F. To Friends in Pensilvania DEar Friends Epist 404. I am glad to hear of the good Yearly Meeting at Road-Island and that the Lord's Power and Presence was there among you and it would be very well to Visit the Generation of the Righteous and to see how their Seed and Vines do grow in their heavenly Vineyards and Plantations and what heavenly Riches they have laid up in Store in God's Kingdom and to see how the Wheat is gathered into God's Garner and that all keep in the Worship that Christ set up in his Spirit and Truth and that all walk in the New and Living Way over all the Dead Ways in the World and all walk in the pure undefiled Religion that keeps from the Spots of the World and to see that all are guided in the pure and gentle Wisdom that is easie to be intreated and in the Love of God that can bear all things by which all peevish short and brittle Spirits may be kept down so that all may have their good Conversation in Christ Jesus all striving for Unity in the Spirit and the holy Faith that giveth and keepeth Victory over the Enemy And so that all may have a care of their Minds running into the Earth and Carnal Things For to be Carnally-minded is Death but to be Spiritually-minded is Life and Peace and let all take heed of neglecting the Gift of God but stir up the pure Mind one in another and the Lord with his Eternal Arm and Power preserve you diligent in his heavenly Work and Service in his Vineyard that it may not grow over with Briars Thorns and Thistles to choak the tender Plants And so my Desires are That you may live and walk in Christ Jesus and that you may answer the Truth in all the Professors and the Heathen And prize your Liberty both Natural and Spiritual while you have it and labour in the Truth while it is Day Remember me to all Friends as though I named them and as for the State of Friends here we are under great Sufferings and spoiling of Goods and Imprisonments and they have of late increased in spoiling of our Goods but God is All-sufficient who doth support us Glory to his Name for ever So with my Love in Christ Jesus to you all in whom you have all Eternal Rest and Peace with God Amen Bednal-Green the 10th of the 9th Month 1685. G. F. To Friends of the Ministry in Pensilvania and New-Jersey DEar Friends With my Love to you all Epist 405. and all the rest of Friends I was glad to hear from you but you gave me no account of the increase of Truth amongst you nor what Meetings you have had amongst the Indian Kings and their People abroad in the Countries and of your visiting Friends in New-England Virginia and Carolina nor of your Travels and Labours in the Gospel who hath in all those Countries liberty to serve and worship God and preach the Truth And I understand many have a desire to live in it especially in Carolina and you who travel now from Friends to Friends thither it is thought strange that you do not visit them therefore I desire that you may all improve your Gifts and Talents and not hide it in a Napkin lest it be taken from you and not to put your Candle under a Bushel lest it go out and not to be like the foolish Virgins which kept their Name of Virgins but neglected having
an Example to Parents and the Arke of God for not restraining his Children from Evil And again if that they must be left to themselves why did the Prophets and the Apostles say That they must not quench nor vex nor grieve nor rebel against the Spirit of God nor turn the Grace of God into Wantonness nor walk despitefully against the Spirit of Grace but walk in the Spirit and in the Truth and in the Light and to love it and not to hate it for they that do not love the Light but hate it are condemned by it and so grow in the Condemnation and are not in the Justification of Life The Lord God commanded Abraham to Circumcise himself and his Children and Servants that were bought with Money and were born in his House He was to bring all his Males into this Covenant of outward Circumcision and the Lord said That Soul shall be cut off that is not Circumcised he hath broken my Covenant of outward Circumcision as you may see Gen. 17. Here you may see Abraham was to teach and instruct his Family and Servants and he was not to keep any Man or Servant that was Uncircumcised in his Family Now you that profess the New Covenant True Circumcision are not you and all your Children and Servants to be Circumcised with the Spirit of Circumcision And do not they that have not the Body of Death and the Sins of the Flesh cut off by Circumcision go down into the Pit and not into Paradise and the kingdom of God And therefore may not such Uncircumcised by the Spirit hurt the Families of true Christians in the Light Therefore consider Abraham was not to suffer and of his Children and Servants that were bought with his Money or born in his House to be Uncircumcised in the Old Covenant This care the Lord laid upon him in his Family in the Old Covenant Therefore consider you that profess the New Covenant of the Spirit of Circumcision what Care lies upon you in your Families of Teaching and Instructing your Servants and Children and to bring them to the Spirit of Circumcision And now do not say but you are all warned in your Life-time and therefore prise your time while you have it that you spend it to the Honour and Glory of God The 9th of the 5th Month 1686. G. F. An Epistle for them that are learned in Christ to read and understand THe Lord saith Epist 410. In this Mountain shall the Lord of Host make unto all People a feast of fat things c. And he will destroy in this Mountain the Face of the Covering cast over all People and the Veil that is spread over all Nations And he will swallow up Death into Victory and the Lord God will wipe away Tears from off all Faces Isai 5.26 27. 1 Cor. 15.54 Rev. 21.4 Is not this Mountain Christ Christ filleth the whole Earth that filleth the whole Earth where this Feast of fat things is And doth not Christ through Death destroy Death and the Devil the Power of Death and so takes away the Veil and Covering that is spread over all Nations that they may be covered with the Spirit that he pours upon all Flesh And the Apostle saith Moses put a Veil over his Face that the Children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is to be abolished for their Minds were blinded For until this Day remains the same Veil untaken away in the reading of Moses and the Old Testament the Veil is upon their Hearts which Veil is done away in Christ and when they shall turn to the Lord the Veil shall be done away as in 2 Cor. 3. So here you may see the Veil that was spread over the Hearts of People The Veil over Peoples Hearts done away by Christ is done away by Christ and all they that are turned to the Lord with open Face behold as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord and are changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even by the Spirit of the Lord. And the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed his People and dwell amongst them who hath made their Robes white in the Blood of the Lamb And this is the Days of Christ whom God gives for a Covenant of the People to establish the Earth Sing O Heavens and rejoyce O Earth and break forth into Singing O Mountains for God hath comforted his People and hath Mercy upon his afflicted And Christ saith to the Prisoners Go forth unto them that are in Darkness shew your selves and they shall feed in Pastures For he that hath Mercy on them shall lead them and by the Springs of Water shall he guide them Isai 49. For God gave Christ for a Covenant to the People for a Light to the Gentiles to open the blind Eyes to bring out the Prisioners out of Prison and them that sit in darkness out of the Prison-Houses Isai 42.2 6 7. Rev. 7.15 16 17. So we that do witness this do praise the Lord God through Jesus Christ Behold the Tabernacle of God is with Men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his People Rev. 21.3 This is the Day of the New Covenant which People enjoy in Christ Jesus The Lord saith I will ransom them from the Power of the Grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy Plague O Grave I will be thy Destruction Hos 13.14 And the Apostle saith O Death where is thy Sting O Grave where is thy Victory The Sting of Death is Sin and the Strength of Sin is the Law But thanks be to God which gives us the Victory through Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. 15.55 56 57. So here you may see the Grave had its Victory Christ gives Victory over Death and the Grave and Death hath its Sting which is Sin But the Strength of Sin is the Law But Christ gives us the Victory who makes an end of Sin the Sting of Death as in Dan. 9.24 And who through Death destroys Death and the Power of Death and is the End of the Law for Righteousness sake to every one that believes and so are dead to the Law by the Body of Christ Rom. 7.4 And Christ saith unto the Jews Verily verily he that hears my Word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting Life Mark Everlasting Life and shall not come into Condemnation but hath past from Death unto Life Then they have past from the Sting of Death which is Sin And as John saith we know that we are past from Death unto Life because we love the Brethren for he that loveth not his Brother abideth in Death John 5.24 1 John 2.44 So if they were past from Death to Life then they were past from Death and his Sting which is Sin through Jesus Christ who destroys Death and makes and End of Sin And again Christ saith to the Jews Verily verily