upon the Mountains publishing Peace binding up the Broken-hearted having Oil of Gladness for them that mourn And this is the Word of the Lord God to you keep ye a-top of the Heads of all the Mountains of Sin and Opposition in Innocency Meekness and true Humility in the Fear of God that in his Dread and Wisdom ye may all be kept Dwell in the Light and in the Fear of the Lord staied And dwell in the Light of Christ that doth Enlighten every Man that comes into the World that all through him might believe and bring all to believe in the Light to give them the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ from whom the Light comes that they are all enlightned with and that they may come into the Covenant of Light with God and his People And so dwell in the Power of the Lord God that ye may comprehend the World and see over it all And keep ye over all the unclean Spirits and Execute true Judgment answering to that of God in every Man and here is the Saints Honour And this is the Word of the Lord God to you Consultings Enter not into consultings with the wrong Nature lest ye Consult with the Adversary whose Head must be bruised and lest in the mean time that blind your Eye and raise up a light Spirit in you and take you Captive But dwell in the Power Dread and Fear of the Lord God that ye may answer that of God in every Man and stop the Mouth of that which Opposes that ye may blind the Eye that will not see the Light and the Ear stop that will not hear it for that must be judged For that is it that keeps all from Conversion and that is the Seed of the Serpent which must be bruised with the Seed of the Woman yea the Head of it And keep a-top of the Head of it that ye may answer that of God in every Man and be kept a-top of the contrary and tread it under feet And so the Lord God Almighty keep you in his Power and Wisdom Bind the Vnruly and by it bind the unruly and when ye have bound them then ye may speak to them and by it to fetter them then ye may catch them when ye will when they are fettered And get the Yoke upon the wild Heifer then will ye save your selves from a Push The wild Heifer and bring them down and order them with the Power and reach to the Witness And see that ye keep the Bit in the wild Horses Mouth The wild Horse whereby his Head may be held down And howsoever see that he be bridled then with the Power he will be ordered though he Snuffs and Snorts the Bridle being kept in his Mouth he is held down by it Though he cries Aha aha that is above the Witness And when this is done being kept in the Power ye will know him that Rides meekly upon the Foal of the Ass the Colt the Foal of the Ass to Jerusalem the highest place of Worship who brings the Prisoner out of the Pit where there is no Water Christ The Foal of the Ass the same to day as yesterday and for ever And the Lamb gets the Victory he that sits Meekly upon the Colt the Foal of the Ass He it is that gets the Victory he by whom the World was made who is not of the World that treads upon the Highest Worship in the World Lay Hands upon no Man suddenly I warn and charge you all in the Presence of the Living God but touch the Witness of God in every one G. F. DEar Friends in Jamaica and else where Epist 195. who know the Truth of God and have been Sufferers for the same All live in it Live in the Truth which the Devil is out of that ye may all be preserved in Peace and Freedom For Truth brings to the Noble Mind Spirit and Nature and Seed which never will bend to Sin and Vnrighteousness nor Vngodliness whatsoever nor to the Author of it And therefore all walk in the Truth that ye may all come to honour the Lord God in your Lives and Conversations in your Words and Dealings Just Dealings doing Truly Justly and Righteously unto all People that God may be glorified amongst you And that ye may come to be as Lights to the World and the Countries about you so that by your Light they may come to walk out of their dark unrighteous ungodly and corrupt Ways which the Corrupt People walk in which the holy and the sanctified Ones are of a more Noble Nature and Seed than to tread in those Paths And therefore all mind that in which ye may honour God and his holy Name into which ye are called that ye may answer the Lord God for all his tender Mercies and great Riches that he hath plentifully manifested and inriched you withal The Love of God That the Love of God may fill your Hearts which hath abundantly been shed in you that so it may abound one towards another and to all the Creatures of God for their Good that they may come to the Way of Life and Peace and that they seeing your Good Works may Glorifie your Father which is in Heaven And so let Truth Righteousness Holiness Pureness and Justness be your Jewels and in your Eyes esteemed above all for Unrighteousness Unholiness and Ungodliness is but Dross and is not of God nor Christ And therefore Live in the Truth which the Devil is out of and in the Life which was before Death and the Devil the Power of it was and in the Light which was before Darkness was and the Devil the Prince of it and in this ye will have Fellowship with God with Christ and one with anothr And so no more but my Love Things here are well and Meetings are quiet and large in this Nation and this part of the World Farewell Ye may Write unto us and let us know how things are with you G. F. DEar Friends in the Power of the Lord dwell Epist 197. which will keep you all in Vnity dwelling in it and all be bold in that threshing down all Deceit and wait to have all your Minds guided with that which is Eternal up to God who is Eternal And walk wisely in the Wisdom of God I Charge you in the presence of the living God and take heed of acting in your own Wills Self-Will judged contrary to that which is pure of God in you And know the Power and Life of God in one another which gave forth the Scriptures which was before the Scripture was which Life the Saints had Vnity in one with another So in the Life God Almighty preserve you And Meet together every where I Charge you in the Presence of the Lord and wait together upon God to have your Minds guided by that which is of God up to him Vnrighteousnes with
when ye speak an evil Word and tells you that ye should not be proud nor wanton nor fashion your selves like unto the World for the fashion of this World passeth away And if ye hearken to that it will keep you in Humbleness of Mind and Lowliness of Heart and turn your Minds within to wait upon the Lord to be guided by it and bring you to lay aside all Sin and Evil and keep you faithful to the Lord and bring you to wait on him for Teaching till an Entrance thereof be made to your Souls There is your Teacher the Light obeying it there is your Condemnation disobeying it If ye hearken to the Light in you it will not suffer you to conform to the evil Ways Customs Fashions Delights and Vanities of the World and so lead you to Purity to Holiness to Vprightness even up to the Lord. Dear Hearts hearken to it to be guided by it For if ye love the Light ye love Christ if ye hate that ye hate Christ Therefore in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ consider of it and the Lord open your Understandings to know him G. F. ALL Dear Friends every where Epist 18. who have tasted of the Everlasting Power and are made Partakers of his Divine Nature Be faithful An Exhortation to Faithfulness and dwell in that which is Pure And take heed of the World 's evil Ways Words Worships Customs and Fashions neither let fair Speeches draw you out nor hard Speeches trouble you and make you afraid But fear the Lord God of Heaven and Earth who by his mighty Power upholds all things And be bold in the Power of Truth and valiant for it upon the Earth treading triumphing over and trampling all Deceit under Foot inward and outward having done it in your selves in particular ye have Power over the World in general And Meet together every-where and keep the Unity of the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace which Circumciseth Inwardly and puts off the Body of Sin and Baptiseth all into one Body with one Spirit And being written all in one another's Heart have all one Voice and the pure Language of Truth where in all plainness of Speech things may be spoken in Nakedness of Heart one unto another in the Eternal Unity in one Spirit which draws off and weans you from all things that are Created and External which fade and pass away up to God the Fountain of Life and Head of all things to whom be Glory Wisdom Riches and Honour God blessed for ever Who hath blessed us and given to us Eternal Life and this Life is in his Son and he that hath the Son hath the Father also And that which the World doth profess and make a Trade withal the Saints do enjoy and possess which the World doth not know but in the Letter And all Friends and Brethren in what ye know be faithful rejoycing and praising the Lord with all Thankfulness that the wise God should Call you and Elect you Oh! dwell in Love in your Hearts to God and one to another And the God of Love and Life keep you all in his Power and Love and Spirit to himself that ye may all be kept pure and stand pure and clean before him The Work and Harvest of the Lord is great My Prayers to God are for you that ye may be faithful and be kept faithful in the Work G. F. Dear and tender Friends MY Love is to you all in the Truth of God Epist 19. and my Prayers and Soul's Desire is to God To Friends in Truth that ye may be kept in the Simplicity of the Truth in Christ Jesus growing up in the Power of his Resurrection and to be made Conformable to his Death and to have Fellowship with him in his Sufferings and that all your Hearts may be knit together in Love and in one Spirit to God and be kept out of all the World 's evil Customs Fashions Words Works Manners Ordinances and Commandments which will all perish which the World holdeth up in the Carnal Mind The Carnal Eye and Mind and the Carnal Man doth act them For whatsoever is seen with a Carnal Eye is Carnal See if ye do find something in your Understandings made manifest which is Eternal to guide your Minds out of all External things which wither away and fade For the Cross is to the Carnal Mind your Carnal Minds going into the Carnal and Earthly things or your Eyes and Lusts into the Earth where Lightness Rashness Crosness Bitterness and Presumption is then the Tongae will run at random and is at liberty and he that hath not Power over his own Tongue his Religion is vain and the light Mind ruleth But the Light within which doth convince thee it will shew thee when the Mind goeth forth and shew thee the daily Cross which is to Crucifie that Carnal Mind For the Carnal Mind minds Carnal Things and the Cross is to the Will of Man for it shall never enter Therefore give not way to your Wills nor busie your selves nor Minds with needless and careless Words or such things for they will vail you and draw your Minds from God But keep within And when they shall say Christ is within Lo here or Lo there is Christ go not forth for Christ is within you And they are Seducers and Anti-Christs which draw your Minds out from the Teaching within you For the Measure is within and the Light of God is within and the Pearl is within you which is hid and the Word of God is within you and ye are the Temples of God and God hath said he will dwell in you and walk in you And then what need ye go to the Idols-Temples without you The true Church the Saints is in God but the Imitation of the Church is in the World without God The Seducers are in the World Anti-Christs and Deceivers are in the World and false Prophets are in the World and Covetousness is in the World and all Hypocrisie and all Heresie and Dissimulation and all Pride and looking for Honour is in the World and he that seeketh for it is of the Devil And all idle foolish Jesting and all light vain Talking which is not seemly nor convenient is in the World Therefore lay aside all Filthiness and Superfluity of naughtiness and fear God and give Glory to him and worship not the Beast for the Beast and the false Prophet must be cast into the Lake of Fire The true Figures and Types were outward and visible to the outward Eye and Mind but the Carnal Mind is to be taken away and destroyed For the Figures did Type forth the Substance when the Substance was come the Figures were taken away and Types were ended And the false Imitations of Christ and of God are in the World and the vain Worships of the World are the Worships of the Beast and are not of God For God is a Spirit and he that
And he is the Thief that steals the Apostles Words and Christ's Words And is the Drunkard who abides not in the Light gone from his Measure and so abides not in the Doctrine of Christ And this Light shall be thy Condemnation when the Book of Conscience is opened which shoud exercise your Conscience which will condemn you And the Wrath of God abides upon the Children of Disobedience G. F. ALL Friends every where who with the Light Epist 47. that never changeth are Convinced and turned from Darkness To Friends in Cumberland Bishoprick and Northumberland In the Light dwell that ye may come to learn of Christ in the Life and with it know the Movings of the Spirit of Life in you that moves against all the Works of Death and so works Freedom A Measure of this living Spirit and Power being known in every one and ye kept to it with it ye are kept diligent quick and lively to walk in the Life The Life Redeems for it is the Life that Redeems which only Overcomes and gives an Entrance into Rest Therefore every one of you know a Measure of that Spirit which exerciseth Meekness Truth and Faithfulness in you in Power which as it is known breaks the Bonds of Iniquity and scatters the Armies of the Aliens that ye may all know what it is to follow the Lamb with Joy and Peace in your Minds your Hearts upright to your Guide Take heed Imitation of others that none of you walk by Imitation of others only For though the Way they walk in be good to them who are in the Light yet thou art in Darkness and knowest not whether thou goest nor canst ever receive any Strength from God to Carry thee on in that Way nor Reward for it and thy Fellowship is not with God in that Way but with Men and in this Way thou canst not be Cleansed but in the End thy Labour will be lost And of this sort are they that turn back and speak evil of the Way of God when Way of God they never came into nor his Life Peace and Power that 's a Way they never knew By these the Offence comes and the Stumbling-block whereby many are offended but Wo to such by whom the Offence comes And take heed of Judging the Measures of others but every one mind your own Judge not the Measures of others and there ye famish the busie Minds and high Conceits and so Peace springs up among you and Division is Judged And this know That there are Diversities of Gifts but one Spirit and Unity therein to all who with it are guided And though the Way seems to thee divers yet Judge not the Way lest thou Judge the Lord and knowest not that several Ways seeming to Reason hath God to bring his People out by yet are all but one in the End This is that he many be looked to from all the Ends of the Earth to be a Guide and Law-giver and that none should Judge before him Deep is the Mystery of Godliness Therefore Silence all Flesh and see your own Ways be Clean and as ye grow therein the Way of Peace will be more prized by you and the perfect Bond ye will come to know And all who are here established shall stand in Strength when others fall on the right-hand and on the left Dear Friends ye have long been Convinced and owned the Lord in Word and Form and look for it ye must be proved and tried not only your Faith and Patience in Persecution by the Enemy without for that many of you have escaped but proved ye must all be with that which is nearer The Trial by a Falling away even a Falling-away amongst your selves And it is good that the Stedfastness of all should be known herein For many are crept in unawares who are self-ended slow-bellies who love this World more than the Cross of Christ who are got high in th Form and have great swelling Words which they can utter for their Advantage in Earthly things deceiving the Simple therewith who are not yet got above the Pollution of the World And this was ordained of Old for the manifesting of him that is approved And with that Eye that leads out of the Fall is he seen to be fallen who hath got the Saints Words to plead for that which is in the Fall it to uphold And here the Oppressor would set his Seat faster than before the Devil being now transformed into the Likeness of an Angel of Light And thus is the Scripture fulfilled My little Children this have I written to you that when ye see this come to pass ye might not be amazed as though some strange thing had befallen the Church of God but even the same that was of Old to prove you and to perfect yo against the Devil Herein is he made manifest that ye may know his Wiles And great Stedfastness shall it produce to all who mind their standing upon Christ the Rock and have Salt in themselves to savour withal But that which will not come to the Everlasting Foundation Airy Spirits is apt to be tossed to an fro with Airy Spirits who are now gone out into the World to deceive such whose Hearts look back after Worldly things Therefore stand with your Minds girded up to God above the World lest ye run in vain and lose your Crown which none receives but he that continues to the End G. F. Let this go to all the Churches of the Saints To Friends concerning Judging FRiends to you all this is the Word of the Lord Epist 48. Take heed of Judging one another Judge not one another I charge you in the Presence of the Lord with that which must be Judged neither lay open one anothers Weaknesses behind one another's Backs for thou that dost so art one of ham's Family which is under the Curse But every one of you in particular with the Light of Christ which he hath enlightened you withal see your selves that Self may be Judged out with the Light in every one Now Self Judged all loving the Light here no Self can stand but it is Judged with the Light and here all are in Unity and here no Self-will can arise nor no Mastery but all that is Judged out And let there be no Back-biting amongst you but in Love ye that dwell in the Light and see clear speak to the others whose Minds are gone from the Light Else as I said before if ye do speak behind their backs there will be the Evil Eye and Filthy Mind which dare not speak to their Faces And so the same Mind which doth condemn behind the back is for Condemnation and so Self should be Judged first Here ye will be kept watchful ub the pure Fear and Love of God and all Self will be Judged out from amongst you which would be Judging in secret which is a Work of Darkness And take heed I charge you all
Pure and in that wait which is Pure to have your Minds guided thereby which will let you see God and shew you your evil Thoughts and Judge them and is a Cross to your evil Desires Wills and Lusts I say Dwell in that which is Pure which will guide you to God but if ye lust as aforesaid then the Pure is vailed and the light Mind speaks at random with a drunken Spirit and not from the Mouth of the Lord. And there lodgeth the Dreamer and the lying Spirit and the false Prophet The Dreamer and false Prophet and that which is like the Truth but is not the Truth but dwelling in the Truth this will be discovered And wait upon God in that which is Pure for the receiveing of that which comes from God which is living which nourisheth up to Everlasting Life So God Almighty be with you G. F. To Friends Concerning the Cross of Christ the Power of God that leads out of the World to the World that is without End THE Cross is to the Carnal Part which is the Ground of Images Epist 51. the Ground of the Seducers and the Ground of the false Prophet and Anti-Christ the Cross is to that Ground Concerning the Gross to the Root and Life of it This being minded which is Pure and Eternal it makes a Separation from all other Lovers and brings to God and the Ground of evil Thoughts comes to be opened and the Cross is to that Ground The Ground of Evil Thoughts which Cross overturns the World in the Heart Which Cross must be taken up by all who follow Jesus Christ out of the World which hath an End into the World which is without End and all the evil things of the World must be denied For who loves the World the love of the Father is not in him but where the World is standing the Cross is not lived in But dwelling in the Cross to the World here the Love of God is shed abroad in the Heart and the Way is opened into the Inheritance which fades not away where nothing shall enter which is defiled For God is not seen but in the Eternal Light God is seen in the Light from whence all pure Wisdom comes This Treasure is not seen but with the Spiritual Eye nor received but with the Pure in Heart and by those who dwell and abide in the Eternal Light But the Carnal Heart may get the Words from them who had received the Wisdom who dwelt in the Fear of the Lord but they who live without the Fear may get their Words and yet know not Wisdom's Gate from whence those Words proceeded having the old Bottle Watch all therefore and see what ye do possess For all who gave forth the Holy Scripture who dwelt in the Fear of God they possessed th Life which those Words proceeded form and the Secrets of the Lord wer with them Therefore all in your Measure which is of God wait that it may guide your Minds up to God and followit and not your evil Desires nor the Lust of the World for the Fear of the Lord will keep your Hearts Clean A Clean Heart and the true Wisdom will be with you in the pure Heart And every one that hath this Light which Christ hath enlightned them withal the Deeds that are Evil ye know them so to be by the Light and this Light will be their Condemnation ye know it And all who witness this Light and love it their Eye is in their Head which is Christ if they be Ten Thousands G. F. ALL Friends in Westmorland Epist 52. Lancashire Cumberland Northumberland Bishoprick and about New-Castle whose Minds are turned to the Light To Friends in the North. Meet together and wait upon the Lord and keep your several Meetings in the Light of Christ that all your Hearts may be joined together and ye all kept in Vnity up to God the Father of Lights The Lord God Almighty keep you and preserve you that ye may all see the Blessings of God for he Blessings of the Lord are among you And that ye all with the Light may know your Minds kept up to God The Wisdom of God to receive the Wisdom of God by which all things were made that with it ye may come to order the Creatures and in the Wisdom of God ye may be preserved to walk wisely And that no Deceit nor Slothful Spirits be amongst you Slothful Spirits nor Hangers-on getting the Form c. who speak what they are not all such I do deny and with the Light all such are to be condemned Such cumber the Ground and stain the Earth that it cannot enjoy her Sabbaths nor yield her Increase They that are so and act contrary to the Light are by it to be condemned and with it I do them deny which Light is one in all your Consciences that with the Light your Minds may be kept up to God and all that which is contrary may be condemned to the Fire which is for the Fire And I warn you all in the Presence of the Living God to take heed to the Measure of the Grace of God The Grace of God that with it your Minds may be kept up to God and that ye may all come to profit in the Spirit And from you all God doth look for the Fruits of that Spirit of which a Manifestation is given you to profit withal And to you this is the Word of the Lord. O Friends mind the Seed of God and the Life of Christ And take heed of being hurried with many Thoughts but live in that which goes over them all and that in it ye may reign and live in the Seed of God G. F. Concerning the Duty of all Friends in Truth ALL Friends every where that have Wives or that have Husbands Epist 53. or that have Children or that have Servants or Servants that have Masters or Children that have Parents that are not Friends This is to you all that are in the Light which lighteth every Man that cometh into the World that they that act Contrary to the Light and believe not in it which know not the Word Chast Conversatior and will not be won with the Word speaking to them that your Chast Conversation ye walking in the Light which comes from the Word may answer to the Light in them which they hate and walk Contrary to that your Chast Conversation may Judge them and ye may win them by your Chast Conversation walking in the Light which answereth the Light in them wherewith they be enlightned which Light comes from the Word which casteth down all that is Contrary to it That they that act Contrary to the Light beholding your Chast Conversation and your Good Works the Light which they act Contrary to may make them Confess to your good Conversation and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven who are born of the Light Children of
it condemn Let this go to all them that dwell in the Light whose Minds are turned towards Jesus the Way to the Father Let that be burnt up which the Light doth discover to be evil and condemns it And to you this is the Word of the Lord. G. F. Concerning Tithes ALL Friends who are in the Eternal Light ye see the Figures Epist 73. the Shadows and the Types the Beginning and Ending of them and with the Light ye come to see the Substance of the things shadowed and figured forth So all in the Light dwell Christ the Substance of the Types that with it ye may come to know the Ministry of Life and the Ministry of Condemnation that with the Light ye may come to witness the Substance Christ Jesus And with the Light ye will see what the Apostle meant when he spake of Tithes and Offerings and of the Changable Priesthood and when he spake of the Substance of those things he had before spoken of who with the Light denied the First Priesthood the Tithes and Offerings that were Changable And now with the Light the Changable Priests are denied and the Vnchangable Ministry of Life witnessed and the Law that gave Tithes and the Commands about them with the Light ye see are ended And with the Light God is seen who was before those things were and the End of those things ye come to see Christ Jesus the Sum and the Substance of them So all ye Summons by Writs to Answer that are Summoned with Writs which come from the Courts ahove to Answer because ye connot pay Tithes Keep to the Light in you which comes from Jesus Christ that with the Light ye may all come to see Jesus the Sum and Substance and the End of all the before mentioned Tithes and Offerings And so according to the Light of Christ in them all speak that to it their Minds may be guided and declare the Truth to them which is agreeable to that of God in every one's Conscience And bear Witness to the Sum and Substance The Sum and Substance Christ Jesus Christ Jesus and shew forth that to them all And declare it to the Highest Judicature in the Nation when that ye suffer for the Testimony of Jesus that ye witness to the Substance Christ Jesus who is ascended far above all the Principalities and Powers and that ye witness to the Ministry of Life And shew forth the Substance to them if ye have an Opportunity shewing to them that ye suffer for Conscience sake And so over the World stand and over all their evil Works and bring all Mens Works to the Light And being guided by the Light it will let you joyn to none of their vain Inventions that are acted and made in that Nature that is contrary to the Light it will bring you to witness the Sum and Substance Christ Jesus over all the World And so if the Spoilers take your Goods let them go and let them take the Coat also And keeping to the Light which comes from Jesus to that of God in every one's Conscience ye will be manifest and keeping clear your Consciences with it all that which is contrary will be condemned And so every one to the Light keeping it will let you pay no Tithes to the Hirelings nor Join with them therein but it will bring you to witness the Sum and Substance Tithes and Offerings in the first Priesthood Christ Jesus For the Tithes and Offerings were ministred in the First Priesthood's time and it was glorious in its place but with the Light it was and is seen the Beginning their Time and the End of them and with the Light the Sum and Substance Christ Jesus is witnessed And all in the Light dwell to guide you that to that of God in all Consciences ye may be made manifest that they that Imprison you for Tithes and resist the Light of Christ in their own particulars that over them all ye may stand being guided by that which is pure that it may lead you to act that no Condemnation upon your Actions may come For who Contrary to the Light doth act upon his Actions Condemnation doth come That so over all the World ye may stand in the Light which doth it comprehend and condemn and with it ye may witness the End of the Shadows And unto you this is the Word of the Lord God And none to act any thing in your own Wills But who act Contrary to the Light and pay Tithes go to the Changable and with the Unchangable are cast out from the Children of Light And so the Children of Light are one in the Light and with the Light see the Body and Christ Jesus the Head and are all one in him Where did any Sue one another for Tithes under the first Priesthood Suing for Tithes But with the Light the Primitive Christians witnessed Christ Jesus the Substance of the things typified in the first Priesthood's time To the Light of Christ Jesus in all your Consciences which comes from Christ I speak that ye may see what ye act and that such as are Sued for Tithes may look to the Sum and Substance the Unchangable Priest Christ Jesus G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 74. Live in the Immortal Seed and Power of the LORD GOD that ye may Meet in that and in that feel one another The Spiritual Weapons And live in the Spirit in which ye will have Vnity and Peace and the Spiritual Weapons to cut down the Spiritual Enemies of your Peace And dwell in the Life and Power of God that ye may have Dominion and come to witness that ye are the Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life and of a World whereof there is no End and so in this keep your Meetings And dwell in the Peaceable Seed which destroyeth that which causeth Troubles Wars and Fightings in that dwell which was before that was in that will ye have Life and Peace Everlasting AND living in the Seed ye will see the Everlasting Commander that saith Swear not at all Swear not as all and the Witnesses of the true Seed say the same And this is the Command of the Royal Seed which is the Everlasting Commander among the Believers and to all others and they that believe not in the Light it condemns them being in the Evil. The Oath did bind to God in the time of the Law and the Prophets but Christ the Oath of God the Everlasting Covenant ends the Law and Prophets who bringeth up to God and destroyeth the Devil and endeth Strife and Oaths and fulfils the Law and the Prophets And the Everlasting Command of the Royal Seed is Love Enemies To love Enemies which the Jews were allowed to destroy for ye are all Brethren not ruling in Lordship like Jews and Gentiles but the Greatest shall be as the Least amongst you for the Seed is one in all and that is the Master who
opened and made manifest such are subject to the Hasband Christ Jesus Now take heed of getting these Words into the Comprehension and the light Mind speaking them there is Danger but that ye may all wait to be comprehended of and to walk in the Truth My little Children in the Lord God Almighty this is my Joy that ye be all ordered and guided by the mighty Power of God and dwell in it and know it in one another and know the Voice that speaketh and the Sound of the Words and Power of them For Words without Power destroy the Simplicity and bring up unto a Form and out of the Obedience of the Truth And therefore walk in the Power of the Truth Words without Power that the Name of the Lord God may be glorified among you and his Renown may be seen in you and among you and all the World may be astonished and the Lord admited in ordering of his People who are guided by his Wisdom and in it found And take heed of running out to make Conceited Ones Wise for then thou wilt consume that which the Lord hath given thee upon their Lusts and so give holy Savour and Salt and Discerning Therefore have Salt in your selves and be Low in Heart the Light is Low in you Be Low the Light is Low and it will teach you to be Low and to learn that Lesson of Jesus Christ to the plucking down all the high Thoughts and Imaginations And take heed of Strife in your Minds and if there be then glory not for it is the vain Mind and it is not good Let no Srife be amongst you and let none seek for the highest Place for there is the Separated Pharisee but be Lowly-minded Condescending one to another in a low Degree and bare one with another in Patience and be not High-minded but fear And all who are Servants Servants labour in Love labour in Love as unto God for the Earth is the Lord's and the Fulness thereof and labour in Singleness as unto the Lord. And all who have Families rule in the Power and Love of God that that Love may be Head among you For the time is coming that it shall be as with the Servant so with the Master and as with the Maid so with her Mistress For it is one hSeed that hath raised them up with one Power out of one Grave one Death which Seed all the Promises of God are to and as thou passest out of Death thou shalt witness the Promises of God fulfilled which are to the Seed destroying the one and raising up the other in thee So all Friends this is to you who know the Voice of the living God and know your Calling stand fast and waver not lest ye loose your Recompence of Reward but stand fast that ye may receive the Recompence of Reward For God is Just in all his ways and abideth faithful Turn not aside lest he whet his Sword and cut you asunder for ye that do the Wo followeth you Therefore all Friends mind that which is of God in you which is pure which is but One to guide you to the Father of Life who gives you Food and Rayment Food and Raiment and Strength that ye may gather strength and flourish and your Souls delight themselves in Fatness and feed and eat of the Abundance of Riches with him and from him which filleth all things and of the daily Bread which cometh from above which none can feed upon but who are above the World for who are below The daily Bread the Bread of Life never could nor would but are ready to stone them that confess they eat of the Bread of Life and would give of it to them Dear Friends wait upon the Lord that all of you may grow up in the Inward Man and be comforted and cherished there in the things that be Eternal So with Bowels of Love to you all I rest Read this among Friends who have an Vnderstanding and are called of the Lord and so Farewell And stand in the Will of the Lord and be Obedient to him And the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ which teacheth you to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts that Grace fill and establish your Hearts that your Hearts may grow up in that Grace to God from whence all Gifts and Graces come Amen And all Friends Vain Palkers take heed of Vnruliness and vain Talking and Talkers for such are not Obedient to the Truth therefore avoid and shun it and them G. F. To seek the Kingdom of God first FRiends Epist 80. Seek the Kingdom of God first and the Righteousness thereof An Epistle to Friends conceraing seeking the Kingdome of God and the Rightousness thereof and those things what ye shall Eat and what ye shall Drink and wherewith ye shall be Cloathed will be added and will follow Therefore take no Thought what ye shall Eat nor what ye shall Drink nor wherewithal ye shall be Cloathed for the Gentiles seek after these things who seek not after the Kingdome of God and the Righteousness of it But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and the cloaths the Earth with Grass and who feeds the Young Ravens when they cry And the Kingdom of Heaven being sought after and the Righteousness of it he that is here lives out of the Creatures up to the Greator which differs him from the People of the World who take Thought which Thoughts they live in what they shall Eat what they shall Drink and what they shall put on And they that be there be out of the Wisdom of God which the Saints are in that have sought and found the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness which Wisdom brings them to use the Creatures to his Glory whether they Eat or whether they Drink all is done to the Praise and Glory of God Such as abide there can do nothing against the Truth Vse the Creatures to God ' Glory which Truth hath made them free indeed who into the Kingdome of the Dear Son of God are come which is without End who over the Kingdoms of the World reigneth G. F. ALL Friends every where Epist 81. to you this is the Word of the Lord God Dwell in the Life and Power of God and the Seed of God 1655 which inheriteth the Promise of God that all light hasty airy drunken Spirits may be limited and stopped and judged Airy drunker Spirits Judged and all Foolishness and Vnsavouriness and Confusion which causeth Distraction the Cause of it may be taken away and all ye kept in the Authority and Power of the Truth that know the Power of God manifested among you And ye knowing it and the Life dwell all in it and abuse it in no wife but wait for the Wisdom of God that it may be Justified of her Children and God glorified and honoured and exalted and the Pretiousness of his Truth considered well of which ye
Power and Life and Seed of God must be set a-top of which keeps you over the World and brings you to the Beginning And all Friends every where Mectings In all your Meetings know and feel the Power and the Seed that is the Heir of the Promise of the Lord God amongst you over you and in you then in that ye will feel the Presence of the Lord God dwelling in the midst of you And to the Lord your Hearts will be brought and it will bring you nigh one to another and to come into sweet Love and Vnity Love and Vnity and into Easiness and Openness of Heart and keep you over all that which would stain you or hurt you or defile you Whereby Wisdom shall be given to you with which ye shall be ordered to God's Glory whereby ye shall feel his Blessing and order the Creatures to his Praise And the Gospel ye shall be shod with all Shield of Faith And standing and dwelling in the Power of God there the Shield of Faith ye will receive that gives the Victory over the World with which ye have all Access to God which Mystery of Faith is held in a pure Conscience So in the Power of God ye all living ye live in the Lamb's Authority in the Lamb's Dominion and Victory thro' him over all the World ye come to obtain to Answer that of God in all Consciences in Cleanness of Heart and Mind And all Friends In the Life and Power that stands in God dwell that ye may have Vnity with God and one with another and feel his Presence among you And the Seed and Life Feel God's Presence and Power and Wisdom of Christ know in you all and one in another And the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keep you in his Power Life and Dominion which lets you see him who was in the Beginning before the World was made that nothing may rule but Life it self that ye may feel God's Presence in you and with you that Truth and Life over all the World may spread So the Lord God Almighty preserve you in the Life and Power and Wisdom of God that ye may all be ordered to his Glory This is to be read in all your Meetings G. F. Concerning the Light To be read amongst Friends ALL Friends every where Epist 105. Keep your Meetings waiting in the Light To wait to know the Word of God which from the Lord Jesus Christ doth come so will ye receive Power from him and have the refreshing Springs of Life opened to your Souls and be kept sensible of the tender Mercies of the Lord. And know one another in the Life ye that be turned to the Light and in the Power which comes from the Lord Jesus Christ who is your Light who is your Life that ye may all in the Life see Christ to reign in you who is the Truth from whence ye have Light Here the Old Serpent is chained and put into the bottomless Pit and Christ is known to reign Christ to reign and ye to reign with him Heirs with him Joint-Heirs and Heirs of God Here is the Dominion received and witnessed of the World that is without End and the Promise of Life from the Father of Life to you who are turned to the Son who to the Father is the Way who is the Mediator between the Father and you The Everlasting Priest All wait to receive the Everlasting Priest the Everlasting Covenant of God of Light Life and Peace into which Covenant no Sin no Darkness nor Death comes but the Blessing of the only Wise God the Father of Life here is known where no Earthly Man can approach But he that is of God knows God's Truth and he that is of the Devil The Devil a Murderer doth his Lusts who was a Murderer from the Beginning in whom is no Truth who in it abode not So he it is that speaks a Lie and speaks of himself and not God's Word for he is out of the Truth But ye that be turned to the Light walk in the Light walk in the Truth where no Darkness is with which Light that never changeth ye may come to see that which was in the Beginning before the World was where there is no Shadow nor Darkness In which Light as ye wait ye will come to receive into your Hearts the Word of Faith The Word of Faith which reconciles to God and is as a Hammer to beat down all that is contrary and as a Sword to divide the Precious from the vile and as a Fire to burn up that which is contrary to the Precious Which Word is Pure and endureth for ever which was in the Beginning and is now again witnessed and made manifest Therefore wait in the Light that ye may all receive it the same Word that ever was which the Scriptures were given forth from So Friends keep your Meetings and as ye are moved of the Lord be Obedient to him and keep your Habitations And be not troubled but look at that which giveth you to see over the World So the Lord God Almighty preserve you all to his Glory Amen G. F. To Friends to keep in the Life out of Janglings FRiends Epist 106. Stand faithful to your Measures of the Gift of God which cometh from him who was before the World was made that ye may stand over the World and all the betraying Spirits in it that nothing may reign but Life in you all And keep out of Janglings and Parties Janglings and Parties in that which is able to keep you above them all to God and in that all wait And the Bustlings of the World keep out of in the Covenant of Peace with God G. F. MY Dear Friends in the Power of the Everlasting God which comprehends the Power of Darkness Epist 107. and all the Temptations in it In that Power of God dwell which will keep and bring you to the Word which was in the Beginning The Word which was in the Beginning which will keep you up to the Life and to feed upon the same over the Power of Darkness In that ye will find Strength and feel Dominion and Life and that will let you see before the Tempter was and over him and into that the Tempter cannot come for the Power and Truth he is out of And in that Life dwell in which ye will know Dominion And therefore let your Faith be in the Power and over the Weakness and Temptations Weakness and Temptations and look not out at them but look in the Light and Power of God at the Lord's Strength which will be made perfect in your weakest State And look at the Grace of God in all Temptations to bring your Salvation which is your Teacher to teach you for when ye do look or hearken to the Temptations ye go from your Teacher the Grace of God and so are darkened The Grace of
God is sufficient in all Temptations to lead out of them and to keep over them G. F. FRiends Wait in the Light Epist 108. that with the Light every one of you may come to see Christ to be your Wisdom and your Righteousness and so come to see the Body his Church About 1656. of which he is the Head and in the Measure of Life waiting on the Father of Life ye may come to reign in the Life All that are here kept are in pure Joy and Love And in the Light wait Harlots and Idolaters seen that ye may see the Harlots and Idolaters c. which are to be fed with Judgment Spare not that which is for the Sword and for the Fire let all Fleshly-mindedness be troden under your Feet And standing in the Power ye will see the Seed slaying the Fat and chaining and binding the Vnruly The Fat and Vnruly and succouring all the Lambs and Babes This is the Word of the Lord to you G. F. FRiends Keep to Patience this is the Counsel of the Lord to you Epist 109. Do not Judge one another behind one anothers backs Concerning Judging nor speak Evil one of another for that is that which soweth the Enmity among Brethren Nor do not Judge one another before the World for that is that which is in the Extremes Passion and Hastiness and there ye do let in the World's Spirit to rejoyce over you and that is out of the Patience and Love and Wisdom and Fear of God and his Truth And every one dwell in the Seed and Life of God and in that know one another and Meeting together in that ye may see the Lord Jesus in the midst of you And Friends The Aggravating Part. go not into the Aggravating Part to strive with it lest ye do hurt to your Souls and run into the same Nature for Patience must get the Victory and answers to that of God in every one which will bring every one from the contrary So let your Moderation and Temperance and Patience be known to all for that which joins to the Aggravating Part sets up the Aggravating Part and breeds Confusion and reaches not to the Witness of God in every one And Friends keep out of the Worldly-Wise Part The Wise Part. for that will never let People joyn and unite together in Truth which enters into the Earth and the Apprehensions of Words but let Innocency be the Garment and Truth and Simplicity the Covering Then in the Innocency ye will have Vnity where there is no evil Thought but Love that thinks no Evil. Therefore Cover one anothers Nakedness let all things be done in Love and that will Edifie And let the Weight and Preciousness of Truth be in your Eye and esteemed above all things by you For here is my Grief when I hear any thing amongst Friends that hinders their Vnity and makes a Breach whereby the Wrong gets Ground who should live in the Seed which breaks the Bond of Iniquity Breaches and makes up all Breaches in which Seed shine answering the Witness of God in every one which bruises the Earthly Part under that brings forth Briars and Thorns and spreads over the World and all the contrary Therefore all ye which have known the Power of the Lord God and have tasted of the Seed of God Live in that in which ye come to have Vnity that that Part may be kept down And the Wrong Eye that looks out at one anothers Weaknesses that must be kept under even that where the Heat and the Burnings and the Enmity is the Seed of God a-top of all that must be set Cover Nakedness in which is the Vnity Therefore if there be any Nakedness in any or among any cover that and come all to the Seed of God in your own selves for in that is the Vertue to heal yea all Nations Slaughterings Wounds and Cuttings are the other Weapons in the other Part which is out of the Seed of God whose End is Peace in which is the Vnity which is the Top-stone over all the Enmity and a-top of it is laid and bruiseth it all down I am a Lover of your Souls Eternal Good Peace and Vnity in the Kingdom that stands in the Power which hath no End G. F. To the Prisoners at Exon. FRiends Epist 110. Mind that which keepeth you all Meek and Low to be guided with it Keep Meek and Low And all consider that which keepeth you in the Way of Peace that none of you may be pudling in your own carnal Wisdom which is to be confounded which is shut out of the Kingdom of God All wait to have Dominion over that that ye may know Peace and Unity and the Love of God that doth not change And do not strive one with another lest ye do hurt one another for it is not the hasty Spirit that doth get the Victory but the Lamb who must reign over the World and was before it was And the Mind which is forward The forward Mind Judge Judge and dwell in the peaceable Way and that ye may be Patterns in your Imprisonments to them which be out of the Image of the Son of God To the Prisoners in Exon Written whilst J. N. was there with many more in Prison G. F. A Warning from the Lord for Plainness of Speech to be used To go among Friends FRiends of God and Brethren Epist 111. This is a Warning to you all from the Lord God and Jesus Christ that all that ye speak it may be in Plainness of Speech Plainness of Speech according to that of God in all Consciences and that it may proceed from that of God in you the Light of Christ that all your Words be Words of Life to the Life and Death to the Death where it reigns above the Light And that all Words which are spoken be in Plainness of Speech that the Light of Christ in all Consciences which he hath enlightned every one withal may witness your Words to be the Words of Life So that dwelling in the Light to that of God ye may be made manifest in all Consciences which shall be their Condemnation that hate it Ye that dwell in the Light and walk in the Light use Plainness of Speech and plain Words single Words in the single Life pure Words from the pure Life seasoned Words seasoned with Grace which teacheth to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts They who live in Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts turn from the Grace of God into Wantonness who are light and vain whose Words are unsavoury not seasoned with Grace whose Words edifie not upon whom God will render Vengeance in Flames of Fire who shall be separated from his Presence and his Angels Therefore Friends in Plainness of Speech all dwell for dwelling in the Light it will bring you to Plainness and few Words to live in the Life The Life of the Scriptures which
over all the contrary in the Male and in the Female having a Light from him that gives the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus Which Light shines in your Hearts and there shall every one feel their Treasure in the Earthen Vessel and the Power which is of God Now whosoever goes from the Light which they are enlightned withal they go into the Darkness and they go into the Wonders and run out gazing Lo here Lo there is Christ and saying Lo he is here Lo he is there I am come a Light into the World saith Christ which every one that cometh into the World is lightned withal which Light is the Covenant and every one who are in the Light are in the Covenant with God And so Friends every where keep your Meetings this is the Word of the Lord God to you and do not heed the Lo-here's or Lo-there's neither be troubled but heed every one the Life of God and do not gad abroad from the Truth within that ye may be kept out of all high-swelling Storms Bustlings and Tempests and with it ye may be kept over the World to him and in him that is not of the World And take heed of denying the Truth whosoever do they go from the Light within them and so go into the Darkness and into the Wonders The Wonderer And who go from the Light within go from the Emanuel from the Saviour within Christ Jesus and from the Truth in the inward parts and from the Wediator between you and God and from the Vine and so ye bear not Fruit to the Glory of God And going from the Light within ye go from your Peace and from the Covenant of God and going from the Light within ye go from the Life where every one receives the Light of Life And who go from the Light within go from the Increase of God who go from the Light within go from the Anointing within them and so continue not in the Son nor in the Father All who go from the Light within go out of the Covenant of Eternal Life But every one walking in the Light within which he hath received he shall there receive the Bread of Life Christ whom the Light comes from And so having your Food within ye shall not go forth to gather it but he that is in the Light and believes in it comes to know the Garner where-into the Wheat is gathered The Bread of Life and the Chaff that is to be burned with unquenchable Fire and the Floor throughly purged and the Immortal Crown is known Therefore all Friends keep in the Power and know the Power of God in one another and the Life that stands in God that out of all Dryness and Barrenness ye may be brought and kept in the Living and Eternal Spirit and Power And so the God of Glory keep you from the Evil that is in the World in Glory and in Vnity every one in your Measures Now the Power of God will never be shaken that which is to be shaken or tossed is out of the Power and the Power remains Therefore dwell in the Power which throws down all that which may be shaken or tossed and raiseth up that which can never be thrown down nor shaken And to you this is the Word of the Lord God And dwell in that and keep in that which keeps you out of and above the Knowledge of that which entreth into the Sensual Part for both these will fail Therefore in the Power and in the Life of God dwell which comprehends the World and reacheth and fathometh over it all in that dwell and live there will be your Peace it will keep you out of the Strife and Combustions and Heaps For this all comes to be fathomed Strife and Combustions chained and kept down by the Eternal Power and bound and bundled up for the Fire and judged down and all that which brancheth forth from it that nothing may reign but Life it self and all the Contrary the Filth amd Dross with the unquenchable Fire is to be consumed and burned Wait all this to know here is the Path of Righteousness and Purity and nothing shall stand but the Mountain of the Lord Glory to the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness which is felt and seen And all being kept in the Light and walking in that which ye are enlightned withal ye cannot be in the Strife for the Enmity is out of the Light and the vain Boaster which comes to nothing but is judged and condemned And when that ye are Met together in the Light hearken to it that ye may feel the Power of God in every one of you So here comes your Ear to be opened to hear the Counsel of the Lord God and here the Eye comes to be opened to see the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of you ye all sitting under you Vines So every particular wait on him who received not Honour of Man neither glorified himself but the Light which enlightneth every one Man's Honour that cometh into the World is a Witnesse against all them that seek their own Glory or glorifie themselves or bear witness of themselves Now they who receive Honour from Man are from the Light both he that gives and he that takes it and it is to be stained and the Light stains it and condemns it So every particular of you to you this is the Word of the Lord God Know the Son of God to be revealed in you And know the Seed which is Christ to which the Promise of God is that ye may all witness the Seed of the Woman to bruise the Serpent's Head in every one of you The Serpent's Head That ye may all witness ye are come to him that was in the Beginning and to the Seed of the Woman which bruiseth the Serpent's Head in every one of you in your own particulars Then ye all will come to feed on the Bread of Life that comes from above And such are Redeemed out of the Transgression who are here that witness this But where the Seed of the Woman hath not bruised the Serpent's Head and that which abides not in the Truth reigns there is the Transgressour So that which is out of the Truth reigning the Serpent being Head The Seed of the Serpent and his Food he sows his Seed his Seed goes forth from him and his Food his Meat is Dust for he could not feed upon Life that abode not in the Truth which is the Life He that abides not in the Truth which is the Life his Food is Dust and he it is that is tormented And who are out of the Truth are out of the Worship of God for who are the Worshippers of the Father they must be in the Truth and in the Spirit And being in the Spirit and in the Truth they are in that the Devil abode not in but is out of and all
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
evermore For the Power of the Lord will work through all if that ye follow it WHEN ye do Judge of Matters or when ye do Judge of Words or when ye do Judge of Persons Concerning Judging all these are distinct things A wise Man will not give both his Ears to one Party but reserve one for the other Party and will hear both and then Judge G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 163. In the Life live in which is the Vnity and Peace one with another and Lowliness and Humbleness of Heart and Mind Wisdom received serving one another in the Fear of the Lord God by and in which Fear the Wisdom of God is received from above and by which all things were made and created and by which ye may all be ordered to his Glory And so this is the Word of the Lord God to you all Live in the Power of the Lord God in which is Peace Love Unity and Dominion in the Life and Power of God which was before Enmity was The Light and Life and in the Light which was before Darkness was and in the Life which was before Death was And so in that feel Vnity and Life in the Power of God And so the Seed of God feel over all that set which makes to suffer which was before it was and will remain when that is all gone And so feel the Top-Stone over all laid that his Life ye may feel over all and in that live G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 164. Keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God To Friends To keep their Meetings in which ye may all feel Life Eternal among you And do not forsake the Assembling of your selves together but provoke one another to Love in which is Edification Life Peace Truth and Dominion in which ye may feel the Blessing of God covering you ye dwelling in the same And so Meet together in the Name of the Sons and Daughters of Adam in the Fall and will stand when they are all gone in which there is Life Peace and Wisdom Order and Edification in the Love and Life of Christ over all the brittle and foolish Priests and Professors in the World and in which Life and Power there is the perfect Fellowship that will stand for ever Perfect Fellowship when all other Fellowships are ended and gone And so ye that know the Life and Power and Light of Christ which was before Death and Darkness and the Power of the same was Be Faithful who are gathered together in this Life and Power and are Met in it in it keep your Meetings in the Life and Power of the Lord over all other Meetings in which ye may all feel one another in the Fellowship and Vnity that is Everlasting and never hath End And so in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you all to his Glory that to the Lord God ye may be a Blessing in your Generation and a good Savour to God and in the Hearts of all People That none may say ye are an unstay'd unestablihsed or a fickle People and have your Religion Truth and Worship to seek but that ye have it already and are established in the Life and Power of God Christ the Heal. and in his Worship Church and Religion which Christ is the Head and the Life of which destroyeth the Devil and his Works who is the Pasture of Life who was before Death was And so him feel over all that set which makes to suffer who was before it was and will remain when it is gone And so feel the Top-Stone over all laid and Christ to reign G. F. ALL Friends Be faithful in the Power of God and his Seed Epist 165. and mind the Power of God which was before the Power of Darkness and the Fall of Adam were In which Power of God is your Fellowship and in which Fellowship ye may see over the Jews Fellowship and the Gentiles and ye may see the Apostles Fellowship Fellowship in the Power and the Apostatised Christians Now the Gospel is preached and the true Fellowship come into again which the Apostles were in which was before the Apostatised Christians Fellowship was out of the Life and Power of God which the Apostles were in and the Church in the Primitive Times And the Gospel-Fellowship the Power of God is prefect in which is our Fellowship which was before any Imperfection was And they have no more Command to set up Temples Tithes Temples Tithes Oaths Swearing Oaths or Swearing among the Christians since the Apostles Days than the Gentiles had to set up Diana's Temple for the Temple-Worship Tithes and Oaths Christ came to end and to bring People out of them and to make them his Temples and to bring to Yea Yea and Nay Nay in their Communications And so before the Fall there were no Oaths in the Fall there were but in the Restoration there are to be no Oaths Tithes nor outward Temples G. F. To the Church of God in Scotland DEar Friends In the Power and Light is my Love to you all Epist 166. in which the Vertue Life Holiness and Righteousness is known To Friends in Scotland to live in the Truth which they first received and the Riches that never fade away Live in the Truth which ye first received that it may be your Crown and your Cloathing And dwell in Love and Peace and Vnity one with another in the Trath of God which the Devil is out of and keep your Meetings in the Name of Christ Jesus that never fell and then ye will see over all the Gatherings in the Fall in whom the Peace Life and the Blessing is And all know one another in him who is the Substance and him to be your Way and Teacher Priest and Prophet that never fell and then ye will see over all the false Ways Christ your Way Teacher Priest and Prophet Prophets Priests and Teachers in the Fall ye being in him that never fell your Priest and Prophet Be Faithful to God every one in your Measure of Light Life and Truth which Truth is over the whole World and all that is in it And so living in the Light and Truth ye may answer the Light and Truth in every Man and Woman and be a good Savour to God in the Hearts of all People And keeping your Habitations in the Truth and in the Light and Life then ye will see over Adam and Eve their Sons and Daughters Habitations in the Fall who cannot abide the Truth Light and Life in the inward Parts therefore they are not in Peace one with another Habitations in the Fall being not in the Habitation that Adam was in before he fell nor in Christ that neve fell in whom the Saints sit down in the Life Christ who was with the Father before the World began Adam lost his Habitation and the Jews lost their Habitations the one went into the Earth and
the other into Captivty where the Apostates are and so are become like untimely Figs or like unto the Corn upon the House-top Now this is the Word of the Lord God unto you all Keep your Habitations in the Light Life and Power which ye first received and felt in your selves that ye may be cloathed with the Blessing of the Lord which was before the Curse was And live in the Unity in the Light which was before Darkness was or the Power of it and in the Life which was before Death was and in the Truth which was before the Devil was and in the Power of God which was before the Power of Satan was All live in this that ye may be cloathed with that which is Immortal and attain to the Crown of Life and to know the Election before the World began He that is the First and the Last that is the Beginning and the Ending sit down in him not in Adam in the Fall but sit down in Christ that never fell and there that Life ye will come to know Sit down in Christ which was with the Father before the World began And so live in the Substance which is the Seed Christ who ends the Prophets first Conveant first Priesthood and all the Types and Figures and Shadows given after the Fall G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 167. Be not carried away by good Words and fair Speeches Good Words and fair Speeches nor the Affectinate Part which is taken with them but every one have hold of the Truth in your selves and the Life and Light and Power of the Most-High by which ye may be staied upon Christ Bread the Staff of Life your Bread of Life he is the Staff of your Heavenly and Eternal Life Bread is the Staff of Life Now Friends who have denied the World Songs and Singing Songs and Singing sing ye in the Spirit and with Grace making Melody in your Hearts to the Lord. And ye having denied the World's formal Praying Praying pray ye always in the Spirit and watchy in it And ye that have denied the World's giving of Thanks and their saying of Grace and living out of it do ye in every thing give Thanks to the Lord through Jesus Christ And ye Giving Thanks that have denied the World's Praising God with their Lips whilst their Hearts are afar off do ye always praise the Lord night and day Saying Grace and from the Rising of the Sun to the Going down of the same praise ye the Lord. And ye that have denied the World's Fastings Praising Fastings and of their hanging down their Heads like a Bulrush for a day who smite with the Fist of Wickedness Keep ye the Fast of the Lord that breaks the Bond of Iniquity and lets the Oppressed go free that your Health may grow and your Light may shine as the Morning G. F. FRiends all every where who have tasted of the Love Epist 168. Mercy and Kindness of God and his Power ye are called to Holiness and Chastity Therefore keep out of inordinate Affections Inordinate Affections and inordinate fleshly Love and feigned Flattery and Desires which is below the Truth which will bring you to Infirmness And keep out of fond Affections and fond Love that draws out the fleshly Part the fleshly Eye and brings into Pride and Loosness and false Liberty and to abuse the Power of God Oh keep out of all Vncleanness whatever may be pretended and fleshly Desires for the Lust of the Eye the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life are not of the Father but of the World And therefore keep down that which is not of the Father but of the World And take heed of dishonouring your Bodies and defiling your Minds but keep your Bodies clean from all Fornication Fornication and Adultery Adultery and Vncleanness for that which pretends otherwise and doth so defiles it and is out of the Truth and is contrary to the Law of God and contrary to Christ's Doctrine And therefore defile not your selves but live pure chast and holy as becometh the Saints for no Adulterer nor Fornicator hath any part in the Kingdome of God Such go from that of God in themselves and quench the Spirit of God and abuse his Power and go into fleshly Love and fained Desires and flattering Pretences covering it with a false Liberty and so are in the Bondage to the beggarly fleshly Lusts and whom they overcome they bring into the same Bondage and through their fained Flattery and dissembling Carriage rob and beguile and spoil Flattery to fulfil their insatiable ungodly Desires Wills and Lusts Therefore live in the Truth for all such things are out of the Truth and such as do the same whatsoever they be therefore all that go into Vncleanness under what fair Pretence soever are to be Judged G. F. TO all the Elect Chosen and Faithful Epist 165. who are of the Royal Seed of God living Stones Elect and Precious knit and built up together and united the Family and House-hold of God London the 11th of the 3d Month. and come to his Mountain that is established upon the top of all Mountains that walk in the Light of the Lord in Unity and Covenant with God in the Covenant of Life and Peace with him Who in this the Lamb's Day are the Gold tried in the Fire Who have been tried by Goods spoiling As Gold tried in the Fire by Bonds by Whippings by Mockings and Reproaches in the Day of the Lamb's Power and some have been tried unto Death and ye have proved to be the pure Gold that hath come out brighter and brighter Who have not feared the Waves of the Sea nor the Winds who fears not the storms nor the Weather whose Anchor holds which is the Hope the Mystery which Anchors the Soul which is Immortal to the Immortal God Among whom the Star or Jacob is seen and the Morning-Star is risen and the Sun of Righteousness shines and the Lamb's Voice is known the Charch in the Glory and Beauty is appeared and appearing The Mirriage of the Lamb. the Marriage of the Lamb and the Bride and the Wedding-day is known in which there is Unity and the Vigins sing Praises and follow the Lamb because of his sweet Ointment and the Virgins are upon Mount Zion And the Gospel is going forth unto all Nations Kindreds and Tongues and Life and Immortality is coming to Light thuough the Gospel which is the Power of God and the Mystery of the Fellowship is known The Mrstery of the Fellowship which is in the Power And for want of the Power the Gospel in which is the Fellowship hath Christendom been on Heaps and the Heathen Ignorant And now ye who know the Power of God ye know the Gospel and ye who are in the Power of God ye are in the Mystery of the Fellowship So Mark the Fellowship is a Mystery
over all And let nothing be wanting amongst you and then all is and will be well And encourage one another to seek out the Poor and Sick and Fatherless and Widow and Imprisoned and make up their Necessities and Wants Necessities and Wants then there will be nothing lacking And keep in Discerning that ye may not be ensnared nor made a Prey upon but that in the Power and Wisdom of God ye may be kept over all such and to feel through all States and Conditions That the Lord God may be honoured in and by you all and ye all may be preserved in his Power and Life to his Glory For your bestowing of outward things to such as stand in need is the least Love and things of little Value in Comparison to the things that are above and Immortal And so keep over all in that in which ye have the Blessing poured upon you from the Lord God to cloath and cover you This is for the Mens Meetings G. F. FRiends Epist 176. That Minister up and down among Friends be Examples in Wisdom Life Patience Righteousness Holiness and in Godliness and Soberness An Exhortation to Friends that Minister to be good Examples that your Lives and Conversations may preach And keep out and over all vain youthful Ways and Childishness and over all those fallen Spirits that quarrel jangle and contend about outward things and have a Life in them through which they are eaten out from the Life and Truth of God and such become as the Dross and they come to be as the untimely Figs and as the Corn and Grass on the House-top And so ye all that minister abroad to others first see that ye be in the Truth that will never change and in the Word and Life that will abide and in the Gospel the Power of God Meats Drinks Apparel which was before Meats and Drinks and outward Apparel were that ye may abide in that which never changes that ye may not be confounded For when they that are Ministers change and alter from that which they went forth first in and brought the People into it doth shew that they are either gone out of the Truth or else they were never in the Truth and this confounds People They had better never have gone out at all Therefore ye that Minister abroad see that ye be in that which will never change and is over all them that do jangle about changable things for that being Ministred to People that never changes and they that Minister being in that An established State which never changes this begets People into an Established State For they are all fallen Spirits and not Ministers of the Word nor the Gospel nor of Christ that never fell which destroys the Devil and his Works in the Fall that are quarrelling and siding and disputing and contending and striving about outward things For that Mind that goes into them is in the Heats and Tempests up and down and is in the wrong Judgment and cries against others as being Lords and being esteemed and looked upon and looking at Men when the Wrong Lords in themselves and that is it which should not be esteemed The outward Part being gotten up in themselves who have gotten a Life in outward things in the outward Knowledge and the outward Reason and outward Wisdom that outward Part and Reason Wisdom and Knowledge must all perish and the Life they have in them also The Life of God before the Life of God can come to rule in them in which is the Everlasting Vnity and Fellowship And so Friends all that minister abroad in the Everlasting Word which never changes and the Gospel in it abide he First and Last For the Word keeps down the Pride of Life the Lust of the Flesh and the Lust of the Eye which is of the World and not of the Father And so let your Liberty be in the Word and Spirit and the Power of God which keeps you out of the Liberty of the World and its vain Fashions and be not fashioned after them And so take heed of light Words unseasoned Talk Vnseasoned Talk and of taking Liberty to the Flesh but walk in that which is pure and keep in that in which ye may have the Wisdom which is the Beauty the of gray Hairs that to the Lord God ye may be a good Savour and in the hearts of all walking in all Comliness and Decency The Word of Truth makes you to be seasoned and savoury and this is Comely keeping in the Beauty of Holiness in which Holiness the Lord is seen over the Beauty of the World that is vain G. F. ALL Friends every where who are dead to all carnal Weapons Epist 177. and have beaten them to pieces stand in that Carnal Weapons which takes away the Occasion of Wars in the Power which saves Mens Lives and destroys none nor would have others And as for the Rulers that are to keep Peace for Peace's sake and the Advantage of Truth Give Tribute give them their Tribute But to bear and carry carnal Weapons to Fight with the Men of Peace which live in that which takes away the Occasion of Wars they cannot act in such things under the several Powers but have paid their Tribute Which they may do still for Peace sake and not hold back the Earth but go over it and in so doing Friends may better claim their Liberty G. F. For Friends in Barbadoes Virginia New-England and all the Islands about FRiends and Brethren Epist 178. who are made Partakers of the Power of the World that is without End and are Partakers of the heavenly Gift and feel the Power in which is the Vnity Peace and Kingdom that hath no end in that feel one another and know one another and in the Life in which ye will have Peace and Unity one with another that the Top-Stone may be laid over all and ye all in the Wisdom Life and Seed in your measures may be preserved spreading the Truth abroad confounding the Deceit answering the Witness of God in all To which they must be brought before their Minds can be turned to God and be acquainted with his Couemnt of Promise and his Life and to know God Christendom on heaps the Father of Spirits For all Christendom which hath gotten the Words of the Prophets Christ and the Apostles that are not in the Spirit and Power as they were in that gave them forth are all on heaps about them and not in Unity being out of the Spirit in which is the Vnity and true Fellowship For there are the Heaps amongst them that are out of the Spirit and Power of God having the Words in the Transgression in the Fall in the Earth and in the many Bodies Names and Heads Churches Religions and Worships which are in the first Birth born of the Flesh which will persecute him that is born of the Spirit Baptism which
Witness one another in the Sight of weak Friends but dwell in the Power of the Lord God and that will keep that down in every particular which is to be judged through which ye may judge the whole World that lies in Wickedness Therefore dwell all I warn you from the Lord God of Power of Life of Heaven and Earth dwell in his Power and Wisdom and Life that in that ye may have Dominion over the World and the Andersaries in it and live in it through which ye will feel the Preciousness and Weight of Truth The Weight of Truth which now is going over all the World and To all Nations of Mankind the Everlasting Gospel the Power of God is to be preached through which life and Immortality shall come to Light in which Power is the Fellowship Therefore this is the Word of the Lord God to you all those that are convinced by the Power of the Lord God and the Light let them dwell in it in which they may have Vnity For the the Lord hath a Seed that ways if ye in Patience all of you wait and not matter the Weather the Storms the Winds the Hail the Rain when ye are to sow the Seed nor the rough Ground The Husbandman that is to be tilled For the Husband-man waits patiently after the Seed is sown there is a Winter before the Summer comes And there must be a great Work before the Misty Heathen be cleared in their Understandings that are so naturally and the dark Air be driven back and the Prince of Life and Light be witnessed Dwell in the Life and in the Light for the great Professors of Spiritual Babylon the Mother of Harlots that are full of Craft will be brought down and that must be witnessed before ye know the bride made ready for her Husband So live in Patience and in Peace and in the weighty Wisdom of God and then ye will see the End of all frothy Spirits that will not abide the Trial. Therefore Friends keep ye in the Power of the Lord God and dwell in Live one with another and in the pure Power and Life of Truth and the Seed of God which ye first kept in that ye may be kept over all light and airy Spirits that will be up and down like a Tempest Comers and Goers to the Seed that ye may stand in the Seed which is Everlasting Airy Spirits In that the Lord preserve you Ye may write over how things are there for Truth is well here and spreads abroad in the World in other Nations and is of a good Report G. F. Reading the 15th of the 8th Month 1659. THE Lord is King over all the Earth and Christ hath all Power in Heaven and in the Earth and he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords let him rule and reign in all your Hearts by Faith and exalt him in the Land and in your Assemblies G. F. OH Friends have an Esteem of Truth and God's Glory Epist 192. Keep down all Inordinate Affections Concerning Marrying with the world and bad Marriages and have an Esteem of Truth above your Lusts and Earthly things worldly Riches and Goods and mind the Example of the Old World When the Sons of God saw the Daughters of Men were fair they took unto them Wives of all that they liked and so made no Distinction between the Righteous and the Wicked Which grieved the Lord God that he said His Spirit should not always strive with Man And therefore he shortned his Days to an Hundred and twenty Years which before were many Hundred Years Enoch-Methuselah and Lamech Though Enoch Methuselah and Lamech and the holy Men of God their Marriages God did not Judge but when the Sons of those holy Men which were called the Sons of God went to the World for Wives they slew the Spiritual Birth in them and quenched the Holy Spirit of God in them and corrupted the Earth and filled it with Cruelty and followed the Imaginations of their own Hearts Lasts continually insomuch that they grieved the Lord and he repented that he made Man For he saw All Flesh had corrupted his Way upon the Earth saving Noah a Just Man with his Family who walked with God Noah a Just Man and did not join with the Wickedness of the World Therefore God destroyed the Old World The Old World and the Beginning thereof was these bad Marriages as Jude and Peter saith They followed strange Flesh by which they came to be corrupted and therefore God sent a Flood and destroyed the Old World with its ungodly Deeds And there is your Example that Marry with the World Gen. 6. And doth not the Lord say to the Chidren of Israel Forbidden Marriages Thou shalt not give thy Sons nor thy Daughters in Marriage with the Heathen And were not such as did so reproved by the Lord and his Prophets As ye may see through the Scriptures And doth not the Apostle say Be ye not unequally yoked together with Vnbelievers for what Fellowship hath Light with Darkness or Christ with Belial or a Believer with an Infidel For how many Thousands of the Jews did the Lord destroy which went and married with other Nations and pleaded Liberty And did not Phineas run one through and his Heathenish Woman Phineas And so must not all such be run through with the Sword of the Spirit of God And the Lord said Numb 25.7 8. Phineas hath turned mine Anger away from the Children of Israel when the Lord had destroyed Twenty four Thousand of them And doth not the World call such Bastard and Hypocrite Quakers and not faithful that go to the World for a Wife and to the Priests to be Married Priest's Marriages Oh! That ye should profess Truth and go from its Power and Life and so corrupt your selves and to have no more Esteem of your Bodies which God hath so honoured and made them Vessels of his Mercy to put his Mercy into And have no more Esteem of God his Truth nor his People but to Esteem your Affections and Lusts above them all and to make your selves a Talk and a Laughing-stock by going into that for which ye are judged of God and of all his People and of that of God in your own Consciences also Burying-places And do not Friends buy Burying-places because they cannot give their dead Bodies to the World no more than Abraham could And ye that profess your selves to be quickned by Christ and made alive by him to give your Bodies to them that are dead in Sins and Trespasses Oh ye makde your selves ridiculous both to God's People and the World and come under the Judgment of both and of God and the Scriptures to be such as follow strange Flesh and corrupt the Earth like the Old World Ye bring Burthens upon the Just But God will shorten your Days as he did the Old World's except ye repent as ye may
that the Thorns choak it and the Cares of the World they are such Stony Hearts that the Seed hath not much Earth that when Tryals and Persecutions comes with its heats it is scorched by the heat of the Sun And therefore be ye all warned of these Natures both of the Stony and of the Thorny and of the High-way Ground and of the Fowles and of the Air. And Friends keep down feigned Flattery Keep in the Truth that brings to plain-heartedness that all may be the good Ground that you may abound in Goodness and Righteousness and Holiness for Peace is sown to the Righteous and Gladness to the upright in Heart and see that you walk in the Light and the Life that it may be your Life that you may have Treasure in your Vessels that you may enter in with the Bridegroom having the Oil in your own Lamps that you may inherit the Life that is above all the foolish Talkers which be out of the Peace the Second Adam in whom the Peace is and the Life for they that be in Strife about the Body of Christ are in Adam in the Fall and they are neither at Peace in themselves with God nor Christ nor them that be in Christ so whatever Men or People profess their End manifests them and crowns them with Death or Life So live in the Word which all ends in the Seed this keeps over all Pretences in the Substance and over the Airy Spirits that be out of the Life running up and down sowing Dissention Tatling and Back-biting and Whispering and setting one against another The Seed Christ is over that Spirit and he hath little room in their Hearts for they are abroad in the Fields Above the World lifting up themselves higher than the World but are worse to deceive the Simple but Truth and the Light and the Life is over all that in which all keep your Habitation for Adam lost his Habitation and so his Sons and Daughters who are in the Disobedience are in the Fall and the Jews lost their Habitation from the Love of God and so they lost their Authority and were mingled among the Heathen And the Apostate-Christians lost their Habitation from the Life and Power that the Apostles were in And so have brought all Christendom into Heaps and Sects about outward things being out of the Life and Word which was in the Beginning before the Apostacy and the Fall was So live in the Word in that you have Life and Dominion and Authority over all that which Adam and Eve's Sons and Daughters invented and also over all in the Fall In which Word you have Wisdom as I said before and there is a faithful Witness Christ whose Name is called the Word and he is the First and the Last the Beginning and the Ending the Amen And Friends keep over all the Bustlings and Wars and Strife and the Talkers of such things among the Sons of Adam in the Fall you that be in Christ Jesus that never fell in whom is the Peace who makes the First Adam's Sons and Daughters to break their Swords into Plough-Shares and their Spears into Pruning-Hooks that they shall not learn War any more for they that be there are in the foolish State but they that are in Christ are in the wise State and have Spiritual Weapons though accounted by the World foolish yea the Wisdom of God is so to the Wisdom of the World which is Foolishness And so you that the Lord hath blessed in outward things for his Truth keep over them and out of them serving the Lord who hath blessed you lest you be intangled So keep above them in the Righteous Life and Conversation that Righteousness may flow to all Men in all things Honesty and Truth and that which doth Justice and doing justly that may flourish for whose Conversation is ordered aright they shall see the Salvation of God keep out of all Heats and Passions and over the tempestuous Spirits the ground of which is Vncleanness all which are up and down and sudden which makes a Mountain of Wickedness and Vnholiness and keeps out of the Holy Mountain which they that walk in the Light of the Lord goes to and they are taught his Ways Take heed of a false Liberty in any thing to the Flesh but keep your first Love and Habitation in the Power and Truth of God for the lowly Mind the humble and meek and broken and contrite Spirit and Heart the Lord doth not despise but exalt Keep out of the many Words of the World and take heed of a liberty of going into them but keep in the Power of the Lord God over all which was before all and is over all that your Lives and Conversations may preach to all Men and adorn the Truth of God and speak in the Hearts of all Men. Forsake not the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some was in the beginning of the Apostacy which entred into the reasoning Part and so went from the Exhorting daily and the Building and the Fellowship and the Communion of the Saints in the Spirit and from the Flocks and the Garden of God which he waters with his Water of Life and feeds with his Bread of Life and sets open his broad Rivers of Living Water to drink And such as forsake the Assemblies of the Righteous some for fear of the Earth and Sufferings become quarrelling Spirits and so go out of the Path of the Flocks Footsteps and sits not down with the Flock at Noon-day in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus for there the Flocks meet and there they have all a Fountain through which they are all of one Soul and Mind and Judgment and Heart and Spirit and comes to be gathered out of all the Separations and Sects and Fellowships and Gatherings and Meetings of Adam and Eve in the Fall and sits down in Christ Jesus that never fell where the Fulness is and the Life in whom there is no Shadow no Variableness nor Turning in him that is the Way But Oh the Poverty the Shadows the Variableness the Turnings the Worships and Traditions and the Sects that be in the World among the Sons of Adam in the Fall Oh the Riches that is in him that never fell the Peace and the Life that was with the Father before the World began the Amen And Friends take heed of the vain Inventions and Arts of the World keep out of their Rhimes and their Verses for they are the Arts of Men and stirs up the light part and lifts up that that pertains to it self that is stirred up that will turn in the end to the Strife or the Earth But you that lives in the Word of God that never fell changes nor alters do not but as you are moved by it and that will stand and remain in whom you may know a Dwelling Life over Death and before it was for the Serpent that got into Adam and Eve by Disobedience they
part through which wrong Liberty gets up which will bring a Plague into the Heart which is worse than an outward Plague O therefore consider the Life and the Power of God hath not the Supremacy in all your Hearts for I feel some Minds and some Bodies have let in that which hath defiled them and doth defile them O Cleanse cleanse cleanse and joyn to the pure Immortal Power for the Power of the Lord God will make room for it self either in cleansing or in vomiting or casting out them and that that doth not joyn to the Power of God Sodom that Whorish and Adulterous Spirit it must to the Fire and gainsaying Core into the Earth And it will throw down that which hath been lifted up The Beesom of the Lord is going forth to sweep the Candle of the Lord is lighted to search every corner of your Houses for the Just walks in the Path which is a shining Light which admits of no rubbish in it O come out of all these things which you have entertained in your Minds which you received not from them that came to minister unto you in the Beginning O dwell in the Power of the Lord God for to keep you low and take heed of getting up into Conceitedness and the Air and to set up that which pertains not to the Kingdom of God but to Strife which never the Apostles nor the Saints since in the Power of God set up for if you do the Power of God will sweep it and you all away And O you that come to be Vessels of Honour and Vessels of the Mercies of God have esteem of your Bodies for such as defile their Bodies are neither Vessels of Honour nor Vessels of the Mercies but of Wrath and are for the Wrath. Therefore keep out Strife keep out Fornication and the Adulterous Spirit keep out the Lusts of the Eye the Lusts of the Flesh and Pride of Life which is not of the Father that that which is of the Father may be received and have an entrance into every Vessel O be not lifted up with a vain Mind and let Balaam's Nature be slain that erreth from the Spirit and raiseth Stumbling-blocks and such as keep not their First Habitation in the Power of God and his Truth become Enemies to such as are Heirs of the Kingdom and the Power of an endless Life Therefore all Friends and People mind that which first convinced you that Power of God which first awakended you and arise and live in it that all your Eyes Minds and Hearts may be kept single and naked to God and to one another and uncloathed of all that which is contrary and is got up since For the Seed and the Life of Christ Jesus reigns and rules Glory to him for ever I have been uncapable to write or receive Writing along time or to speak or bear to be spoken to but have been as a Man buried alive for else I should have writ to you before now and therefore O Dear Friends give no occasion of stumbling keep tender for hardness of Heart is worse than an outward Plague for that brings Destruction many ways And so grieve not the Spirit in others nor in your selves And whatsoever is decent and comely follow honest and of a good report that makes for Peace and not for Strife under pretence of Love for that 's not of God For God who is Love is not the Author of Strife and Confusion but of Peace So I desire you to let Copies of this be sent into Virginia Maryland and New-England to be read amongst Friends in all their Meetings Things are pretty well here Friends being in Love and Unity and the Dread of the Lord God is amongst us who reigns and will reign G. F. An Epistle to be read in all the Assemblies of the Righteous ALL my Dear Friends every where Epist 245. live in the Noble Seed Christ Jesus the Saviour and the anointed One and the Righteous Holy One that your Minds Hearts Souls Spirits and Bodies may be Righteous living in the Righteousness of Christ Jesus in all Love Vertue Truth and Holiness without which none can see God For the Lord loveth the Righteous and the Righteous are in Peace and all Workers of Iniquity their Mouths shall be stopp'd The Throne of Iniquity must down and the Chamber of Imagery in every Heart for the Lord must have the Heart for it is to be his Offering and Sacrifice All Lips must be pure and Hands clean that confess the Lord Jesus Christ and all Tongues and Eyes single to God and one to another and all mind the Lord's Business in the Truth and be given up to him and in it serving the Lord God in newness of Life that all your Feet may be guided in the Way of Peace and to walk uprightly before the Lord in his Way which is Christ Jesus the Light which is Perfect This is the Way of the Just which is a shining Light and in this Way is the Living God well pleased with you And you that grow rich in the World in earthly things who have had a stirring in you formerly in the Service of God take heed lest your Minds run into your outward Businesses about outward things and therein be lifted up above the good and just Spirit and so leave the Service of the Lord and his Business in minding your own For outward Riches and the things of this World will pass away with the outward Riches therein for they have Wings but the Word of the Lord which lives and abides and endures for ever will remain Labour for the Riches of it for that will endure with you and seek the Kingdom of God which will never have an end that stands in Righteousness and in Holiness in which you have Joy and Peace in the Holy Ghost then all outward things will follow which is below So that in Righteousness Holiness and Truth as just Men and holy Men and Men fearing God and as righteous Men Sons and Servants and Children of God you may all live in all Righteousness Holiness Pureness Truth Justice and Equity in all manner of Life and Conversation so that your Conversations may shine as Lights of the World knowing that all Unrighteousness Uncleanness Unholiness Unjustice Untruth and Impurity is not of God but is out of the Kingdom of God and likewise all Cheaters and Cozeners who do enrich themselves by Falshood and all Drunkards Adulterers Whoremongers Fornicators Murderers Idolaters and Lyars these Works and Workers are out of the Kingdom of God and his Power and they are of their Father the Devil who is out of the Truth And therefore in the Truth live which the Devil and his Works are out of and that Truth makes you free In which Truth and Spirit is God worshipped All that do violence cursed Speakers and Swearers are out of the Truth and the Command of Christ Jesus and therefore live you in the Love of God in
as Job's Friends did against him But at the last the Lord commanded Job to offer a Sacrifice for his Friends because they had sinned and spoken not right as Job had who was Perfect and kept his Integrity And the Apostle said to the Saints That he had learned in all Conditions to be content Mark in all Conditions but this was when he was Paul not when he was Saul running up and down with his Packet of Letters halling the Saints before the Rulers like a Parater then he was not Content neither with his own Condition nor others But when he came to learn Christ who destroys the Devil and his Works who teacheth to know all things then in all things he learned to be Content so that you know that there is Learning and Learned as a Child when he is Learning and become Learned is witness of two States so Paul he had learned in all conditions to be content and who was his School-Master but Christ by whom all things were made not of Man nor by Man out of the Truth so while he learned of Men and by Men he was not Content neither are any others Therefore all are to learn of Christ the Light the Life and the Truth that you may come to that Condition to have learned in all Conditions to be content and not to trust in uncertain Riches for they have Wings and will flee away And so he is never counted a wise Man that will put any Confidence in that which will flee away from him for those are the Heirs of the Earth and the World that load themselves with thick Clay that they may set their Nests on high but they that be Heirs with Christ and of the Power of an Endless Life trust in the Living God and come to possess an Everlasting Inheritance of the Power of an Endless Life and come to increase in the Riches of the Everlasting Inheritance and there lay up Riches that are Everlasting which will abide for ever And mind every one God's Word in your Hearts and in your Mouths and obey it and do it and be not of them that are saying in their Hearts Who shall ascend or descend to fetch him from above or from the deep Keep down that Sayer under reproof and then your Ear will be open to that which the Righteousness of Faith saith The Word is nigh thee in thy Heart and in thy Mouth so thou needest not to say Who shall ascend or descend And that was the Word which the Messengers of God preached and do Preach and rebukes the Gain-sayer And so all People seeing the Devil hath made the World like a Wilderness and there is so many Ways in it that they do not know which Way to come out of it nor which to follow Therefore this is my Answer to you all Take David's Lamp and Light you may say What is that And where is it I say it is within you the Word of God You may say People do not use to carry Lamps in the Day-time but in the Night I say you be in the Night of Darkness and therefore the Word is called a Lamp and a Light to you by which you may see the Way of the Lord which is Perfect from all Mens Ways which are imperfect by which ye may see the Path of the Just to be a shining Light from all the unjust Paths that are in the Darkness for by this Word did David come to outstrip his Teachers and was made wiser than them all so it will you if you obey it for by this Word he saw Christ and called him Lord Therefore he loved the Word and hid it in his Heart and by it he spake so many glorious Expressions which the World since hath turned into Meeter and made Songs of them And this was the Word that came to Abraham which made him forsake his National Religion and Worship and obey the Lord and this was the Word that came to Jacob the Shepherd by which he saw Christ and prophesied of him to his Sons on his Death-bed when he said to Judah The Scepter should not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from betwixt his Feet till Shilo came meaning Christ and the gathering of all Nations should be to him as it is at this Day the Gathering is to Christ And this was the Word that came to Moses the Shepherd when he was keeping Sheep which he obeyed and went to Egypt and brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt by which Word he was made a Minister and when that the Children of Israel were come out of Egypt into the Wilderness Deut. 30.14 he told them They need not go for the Word beyond the Seas c. for it was nigh them in their Hearts and Mouths to obey it and do it And this was the Word that made Moses a Prophet who prophesied of Christ and said Like unto him God would raise up a Prophet him should they hear in all things Mark in all things we are to be ordered both inward and outward through hearing Christ by whom all things were made And every one that would not hear this Prophet Christ should be cut off For how should they continue or reign that will not hear Christ And this was the Word that came to Samuel and made him a Prophet who spoke to Eli the Priest and reproved his Sons and the Children of Israel and this was the Word that made Saul to Prophesie and Balaam though they erred from it And this was the Word that made all the Prophets to Prophesie and to reprove the Kings of Israel and their Priests of their Superstition and Idolatrous Ways in setting Groves and Images in high places Isaiah 47.13 and reproved all their Monthly Prognostications who spoke and acted from them and not from the Lord. And this was the Word that came to Isaiah by which he prophesied of Christ and of his Preaching and of his Sufferings and by which Word he reproved the Shepherds which were as greedy dumb Doggs that could never have enough seeking their Gain from their Quarter And by this Word he saw that all the Children of God should be taught of God and be established in Righteousness and Peace and though many Tongues should rise up in Judgment against them yet those that were taught of God should condemn them all such Power should be given to his Children And the many Weapons formed against them should not prosper God would restrain them And also he saw them that were cast out that trembled at God's Word to whom God would appear to their glory and to the shame and to the confounding of them that cast them out for his Name sake as it is at this Day And this was the Word of God that made Jeremiah a Prophet by which he saw the New Covenant by which Word he was said to reprove the People and the Princes of the filthy and horrible thing committed in the Land that the Priests preached for
have an Eye over them that come to spy out your Liberty in Christ and will report out of your Meetings things to make Advantage and to the defaming of Persons And let every one seek the good of one another and their Wellfare in the Truth and make others Condition their own and this keeps as a Father and Mother to condescend to a Child And all live in the Seed which hath the Blessing and in the Wisdom by which you may order all things to God's Glory over the evil Seed that is out of the Truth And if any one hath any thing to say in opposition to the matter of Marriages propounded by any to the Meeting such Friend or Friends to make it known what they have against the Parties to such as are appointed by the Meeting to enquire into the Clearness of the Parties who laid their Intentions before the Meeting And such Friends as have Intentions of Marriage first to lay it before the Men and Women of the Monthly Meeting they belong to and to see that things are Clear before they are brought to the Two Weeks Meeting And if any Difference arise either about Marriages or any other Case in the Two Weeks Meetings that the Business be presently referred to Six Friends to have a hearing of the Matter another day or else for them to go forth and determine it presently and not to discourse it in the open Meeting And if any Legacy be left by any deceased Friend to a particular Use as to putting forth Apprentices and breeding up poor Friends Children that the said Money be kept distinct as a Stock for the said Use and a particular Account thereof to be kept And the Quarterly or Six Weeks Meetings to see that the said Monies be disposed of to the Uses as aforesaid And if any of the principal Money so given be at any time made Use of to any other Use that it be again made up by the Meeting of Friends in General And though the Money be left or given to any particular Friend for the Use aforesaid yet the same to be paid to Two or Three Persons whom the Quarterly Meeting or Six Weeks Meeting shall appoint to receive such Money that so the Meeting may have the Ordering and Disposing of the said Money to the best Advantage and Use intended And that Friends do keep in their Testimony against the vain Fashions of the World and all Loosness and Vncleanness whatsoever and againsT all Prophane idle Tipling and taking Tobaccor in Coffee-Houses and Ale-Houses which is an ill Savour And against all Strife and Contention whatsoever And that some Friends be appointed at every Meeting to keep the Doors to keep down rude Boys and unruly Spirits that so the Meetings may be kept Civil and Quiet And if one Friend hath any thing against another let him not treasure it up till the time of his Marriage and then cast it upon him publickly but let him presently speak to the Friend and also to them that the Meeting hath appointed to see after his Clearness c. And that things may not be deferred too long at the Two Weeks Meeting concering Marriages but that they may be answered in a short time lest they be put to a strait in the Matter And stop all bad Reports for thou shalt not raise a falfe Report upon my People saith the Lord and minister Justice upon it presently so that no Man or Woman may be defiled or defamed with such things Read this in the Men and Womens Meetings in the Fear of the Lord as often as you see occasion and record it in your Book G. F. An Additional Extract from other of G. F's Epistles both of former and later Dates more largely speaking to things contained in the Paper foregoing with some new Matters recommended to Friends by him from time to time to be taken notice of at their Quarterly and other Meetings FRiends Fellowship must be in the Spirit Epist 264. and all Friends must know one another in the Spirit and Power of God And in all the Meetings of the County Two or Three may be appointed from them to go to the Quarterly Meetings for to give Notice one to another if there be any that walk not in the Truth and have been convinced and gone from the Truth and so have dishonoured God And likewise if any that profess the Truth follow Pleasures Drunkenness Gaming 's or are not faithful in their Callings and Dealings nor Honest nor Just but run into Debt and so bring a Scandal upon the Truth Friends may give Notice to the Quarterly Meeting if there be any such and some may be ordered to go and Exhort them and bring in their Answers to the next Quarterly Meeting And so to query and search out all such as live not as becomes the Truth and the Gospel and yet do profess it so that they all may walk in it as well as talk of it for none hath the heavenly Comfort of it but who do walk in it For all the Talkers of Christ and his Gospel that do not walk in him disthonour him And all Uncleanness and Loosness in all your Meetings Judge and Condemn with the Light Power and Spirit of Christ so that nothing may reign among you but that which doth glorifie God and Christ And to admonish all them that be Careless and Slothful to Diligence in the Truth and Service for God and to bring forth heavenly Fruits to God that they may mind the good Works of God and do them in believing in his Son and shew it forth in their Conversations and to deny the Devil and his bad Works and not to do them And to seek them that be lost or driven away from the Truth into the Devil's dark Wilderness by his dark Power seek them again by the Truth and by the Truth and Power of God bring them to God again And to see that all that come amongst Friends and profess Truth keep to Yea and Nay in their Dealings and Communications in Justice and Equity and not in Oppression And that in all the Monthly Meetings there be an Inquiry whether any that profess Truth are out of the pure Language Thou to every one whether they keep up God and Christ's Language that the Holy Prophets and Apostles used over all the flattering Words in the World And Friends my Desire is That ye all may be preserved in the Lord's Power and in his Everlasting Seed and so in the Order of the Gospel and in the Government of Christ Jesus of the Increase of which there is no end And that ye may keep up your ancient Testimony in the Power and Spirit of God against Tithes and that ye may keep up your ancient Testimony in the sincere Life for Christ your High-Priest against the Heireling Priests and their Old Temples manifesting that ye are the Temples of God And let Inquiry be made concerning all such among Friends as do pay Tithes which
inwardly ravening Spirit who hath ravened from the Spirit of Christ who said Freely you have received freely give and Christ's Ministers coveted no Man's Silver nor Gold nor Apparel And keep up your Testimony in the Power of Christ for the Church that is made of Living Stones And for the true Church which he is the Head of who are the First-born written in Heaven a Spiritual Houshold a Royal Priesthood that offers up Spiritual Sacrifices So that every one may have something to offer from the Spirit to God who are of the Church that is in God gathered by the Power and Spirit of Christ to him who feed on the Bread that comes down from Heaven and drinks of the heavenly Wine and so become Flesh of his Flesh and Bone of his Bone and sits together in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus who is the heavenly and Spiritual Head of his Church which is written in Heaven c. And also keep your Testimony for your pure and undefiled Religion And for the pure Religion c. And for the Wisdom that is above c. And keep your Testimony for the Cross of Christ which is the Power of God by which the World is crucified to you and you to the World And you that were dead and are risen with Christ keep your Testimony for those things that you have sought and have found and received from above those heavenly Things where Christ sits at the Right-hand of God And likewise keep your Testimony for the new and living Way Christ Jesus and likewise for the Light of Christ which you believ in and become Children of the Light and of the Day The New and Living Way And keep your Testimony for your Men and Womens Meetings in the Power of God by which you are gathered out of the Apostacy and over it into the Everlasting Gospel-Order as was in the Apostles Days Which Gospel-Order is not of Man nor by Man but by Christ the Spiritual Man And all ye that are Ministers of this Gospel help and encourage all those Women in their Meetings Ministers of the Gospel to help the Women Labourers therein that Labours in the Gospel and the Women may in the same Power of God the Gospel help and assist you So that you may be helps meet together in the Restoration by Christ in his glorious Gospel and Order who never fell nor changed nor will change So that all the Plants that God hath planted may flourish bud and spring and bring forth Fruit to the Praise and Glory of God in his Power And this Gospel of Christ Jesus is Everlasting and Holy and Glorious which you all that feel it are Heirs of which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in you which Gospel the Power of God was before the Devil was that had darkened you Now in this Power of God the Gospel is all your Comfort and glad Tidings and an Everlasting Joy in this Everlasting Gospel and an Everlasting Possession and Comfort in the Everlasting Order which is the Gospel of Christ Jesus who is the First and Last the Spiritual heavenly Man his Spiritual and Heavenly Order for his Spiritual and Heavenly Ones to keep and walk in And Friends keep your Testimony against the World's vain Ways Words Fashions Customs and Worships as you did at First and to your proper Sound plain Language And Friends keep your Testimony to the Lord in all your Sufferings and Afflictions for by the Testimony of Jesus and the Blood of the Lamb did and doth the Saints overcome and the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesie by which they see him that gives them their Victory and they feel him that suffered for them and in all their Sufferings and Afflictions he suffers with them and is afflicted with them who is able to save to the uttermost and to help and succour you in all Distresses who is blessed for ever Amen And Friends To keep their Testimony for Christ our Counsellor Priest Bishop c. keep your Testimony who are Children of the New Covenant and are taught of God in whose Hearts God hath written his Law and put it in your Minds for your Counsellor and Leader which God hath given you and for your Prophet which God hath raised up whom you ought to hear and for your Shepherd that God has given who laid down his Life for you who hath Redeemed you from the World's Hireling Shepherds and feeds you in his Pasture of Life and brings you to Rest in his Fold And keep your Testimony for Christ your Priest who is made higher than the Heavens who laid down his Life for you and sanctified you and presents you to God without Spot or Wrinkle who is Holy Harmless and separate from Sinners And so keep your Testimony for your Heavenly Spiritual Bishop Christ Jesus who is the Bishop of your Souls who doth oversee you with his Light Power and Spirit And keep you Testimony for the Sufferings and Resurrection of Jesus Christ for they that suffer with him shall Reign with him But they that shuffle and flee in the time of Persecution To keep our Testimony to Christ c. and denies him before Men such he will deny or be ashamed of before his heavenly Father Who denies him or is ashamed of him before earthly Men such fear the Wrath of Men more than the Wrath of God and such are the stony Ground whose Blade is scorched up by the Heat of Persecution but the good Seed sown in the good Ground that brings forth Thirty Sixty and an Hundred fold in this Life And keep your Testimony for your Vnity in the Faith that gives you Victory and your Fellowship and Vnity in the Spirit which is the Bond of the Prince of Princes King of Kings and Lord of Lords Peace Amen G. F. To Friends in Nevis and the Caribee Islands DEar Friends To you all in Nevis Epist 319. and the Caribee Islands there abouts I have seen a Letter from some of you wherein I understand that there has been some Scruple concerning Watching or sending forth Watch-Men in your own way Truly Friends this I declare to you Advice to Friends to keep Watch in their own Way without Arms c. That it is a great Mercy of the Lord to subject the Govenor's Mind so much by his Power and Truth that he will permit you to Watch in your own way without carrying Arms which is a very civil thing and to be taken notice of For Could Friends obtain the same in Jamaica and other places they would willingly have done it and did profer themselves for to do it to the Governors But because that they would not bring Swords and Guns and other Arms to watch against the Spaniards as they pretended their standing Fine was about 17 s. each Man's neglect but they took often 30 s. worth for it and tied some of them neck and heels besides till the Blood
this Immortal Word and so are of an Incorruptible Generation which is above the Corruptible and here is the hidden Man of the Heart that is Incorruptible known that hath an Everlasting Fellowship and hath an Incorruptible Crown and is an Heir of an Incorruptible Kingdom And now the God of this World and his Followers that abode not in the Truth in whom there is no Truth cannot endure to hear talk of the Order of Truth which is in the Light and Life and in the Gospel and in the Wisdom of the God of Truth For the World is full of Disorder and Confusion but the Living Eternal Immortal God of Truth is a God of Order and not of Confusion who hath sent his Son to destroy the Devil and his Works Blessings and Praises with all Glory and Thanks be unto him who hath all Power Might Majesty and Dominion now henceforth and for ever Amen G. F. DEar Friends Epist 357. All live the Life of the true Christians and not the Life of old Adam that went from God's Command and Voice nor like the Jews To live the Life of Christianity and such as have got the Name of Christians that say There is no hearing of God and Christ's Voice now which are out of the Life Power and Spirit Grace and Truth and Image of God that the true Christians were in and Adam and Eve before they fell so that none can live the Life of the true Christians and the holy Prophets and Apostles except they are in the same Power and Spirit Grace and Truth and Faith and Image that they were in which is a Life above the World and its God in whom there is no Truth no Life Light nor Power of the Living God abiding in them And therefore before any can live the Life of the Saints they must bow to the Name of Jesus their Saviour in his Light Grace and Truth and Power and Spirit which cometh from him who submitted himself to the shamesul Death of the Cross and destroyed Death and his Power who had no Sin nor Guile in his Mouth and is risen again for our Justification and so hath tasted Death for every Man and given himself a Ransom for all that all should now bow at his Name Jesus a Saviour and so to his Power and Authority bow who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him So all Men have bowed under Death and Sin by Transgression Christ submitted to the Cross and Death for us And Christ hath submitted to the Cross and Death for them and hath born their Stripes for Sin and Iniquity who had no Sin neither knew any to bring us out of Death and Sin Therefore every one must bow at the Name of Jesus as before whatsoever they do in Word or Deed it must be done in the Name of Jesus and before that they can confess to Jesus Christ to the Glory of God the Father they must all bow at the Name of Jesus and bow to his Grace and Truth Light Spirit and Power that cometh by Jesus which they know Him the Fountain the Rock and Foundation to build upon who brings out of Death and Darkness into Light and Life and a Kingdom and a World that is Everlasting and there to have Food and Cloathing that is Everlasting G. F. DEar Friends With my Love to you in the holy Peaceable Truth that never changes nor admits of no Evil Epist 358. but makes all free that receive it and tht walk in it To live in Truth which admits of no Evil. and is over all the Clouds without Rain and Wells without Water and Trees without Fruit And from the Truth floweth Justice Equity Righteousness and Godliness Mercy and Tenderness that brings a Man's Heart Mind Soul and Spirit to the Infinite and Incomprehensible God and from it a Love flows to all the Univerfal Creation and would have all to come to the Knowledge of the Truth and it bends every one to their utmost Ability to serve God and his Truth and to spread it abroad and it brings their Minds out of the Earth which makes them brittle and changeable and uncertain for it doth not change neither doth it touch with that which does change As to Vnity It makes all like it self that do obey it Vniversal to live out of narrowness and self and deny it So it brings all into Oneness and answereth the good Principle of God in all People and brings into Humility and the Fear of the Lord which is the beginning of his Wisdom and it brings all to have a care of God's Glory and his Honour and watches over all the Professors of it for their good to keep within its bounds and walk within its order which he that is out of Truth leads into all disorder in whom there is no Truth and the Truth makes all its Children free from him and in it to reign over him Thanks Glory and Honour to the Lord God of Truth over all for ever Amen The Lord who is the God of all Peace and Order The Lord is the Protect or of his People alone Protects and Preserves his People with his Eternal Power for the Devil's Power is not Eternal it had a beginning and must have an ending for the Eternal Power limits that Devourer and Destroyer And therefore Friends Patience must be exercised in the Truth and keep to the Word of Patience which Word was before the World was and abides and endures for ever and it will keep Friends over and out of all the Snares of the World and its Temptations So with my Love in the Seed of Life that reigns over all and in it the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all to his Glory Amen G. F. An Epistle to be read amongst Friends FRiends You that are Believers in the Light Epist 359. which is the Life in Christ To Gather in the Name of Jesus and are grasted into him who is ascended far above all Principalities Power Thrones and Dominions by whom all things were made and created all the Children in the New Covenant do Gather together in the Name of Christ Jesus whose Name is above every Name under the whole Heaven and in whose Name they have Salvation and not by any other Name under the whole Heaven And at this Name must every Knee bow and every Tongue confess Christ Jesus to the Glory of God the Father and they that have bowed their knee to the Name of Jesus and do confess him to the Glory of God the Father cannot Gather in any other Name under Heaven below the Name of Jesus but Gather in the Name of Jesus which is above every Name under Heaven in whom they have Salvation and so cannot not Gather in any Name below Christ for they do know that they have not any Salvation in whatsoever Name that they do Gather together in below the Name of Jesus And being gathered in the Name of Jesus he
is the midst of them the Prince of Life and Peace and Captain of Salvation and a Prophet to open the Book of Couscience Christ the Prince of Life and Captain of our Salvation and the Book of the Law and Prophets and Gospel and his Book of Life to them and a Bishop to oversee them and a Heavenly Shepherd to feed them in his Heavenly Pasture of Life and a Heavenly King to rule in their Hearts and in his glorious Kingdom amongst them that are born again and that seeth and entereth into his Everlasting Kingdom of Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost And all these Children in the Kingdom and in the New Covenant of Grace Light and Life cannot feed of any Bread for their Immortal Souls that is made by Man which he hath heavened with the sowre Leaven for that sowre leavened Bread will make their Hearts to burn and the Jews were not to keep their Feasts with leavened Bread in the old Covenant The Jews in Spirit keep their Feast with unleavened Bread from Heaven then much more the Jews in the Spirit in the new Covenant who hath their Bread from Heaven their unleavened Bread who in the new Covenant doth keep their Feast with unleavened Bread from Heaven and cannot feed their Souls with any Bread but that which cometh down from Heaven and this Bread from Heaven giveth Life to the Soul and is the Staff of their heavenly Life this heavenly Bread as the outward Bread is the Staff of the natural Life in this World that must have an end but the Bread from Heaven is the heavenly Staff of Life that doth nourish up into a heavenly Life and a World and a Kingdom that is without end And such as feedeth on this heavenly Bread cannot feed their Souls with any Bread below that which comes from Heaven for it doth not give them Life So that they can neither touch taste nor handle that which is below which perisheth for the Breaa of Life from Heaven doth not persh but giveth Life Eternal and this Bread is sure and they that feedeth upon it shall hunger no more So all Eyes are to look up to Heaven for this Bread of Life which giveth them Life and not below Heaven for neither are they to follow them that crieth Lo it is here and lo there or to drink of their Cup that are whored from the Spirit of God nor to eat of their leaveneed Bread for they that do believe in the Light which is the Life in Christ are grafted into him the true Vine So the Believers do feel a living Spring springing up in them to Eternal Life True Believers drink of the Spring of Eternal Life from the Fountain from whence it cometh And so here all the true Believers have the upper and the nether Springs in themselves and such may drink freely and eat freely of the Bread and Water of Life and doth hunger and thirst no more but eat and drink that which is Eternal which nourisheth them up to Eternal Life and so beareth Heavenly Spiritual Fruits to the Praise of the Eternal God which Plants he hath watered by his upper and nether Springs which Trees or plants their Fruits are unto Holiness and their End is Everlasting Life So none of the Children of the New Covenant need go to the World for Bread or Water to give them Life Everlasting to keep them from the World's Storms or Weapons to defend their Church or Worship for they have them from Heaven and heavenly Bread and Water and Spiritual Weapons and Armour and the Righteousness of Christ the fine Linnen their Cloathing Glory to the Lord for ever who makes all his spiritually Rich and to be Lenders and not Borrowers and Givers and not Receivers which is more blessed than the Receiver And the Jews in the old Covenant were to wash their Cloaths and to sanctifie themselves when they did appear before the Lord and so are the Children of God in the New Covenant of Life Light and Grace who do appear before the Lord God's Children are to put on the Righteousness of Christ are to be washed and cleansed and sanctified and to put on the Righteousness of Christ their fine Linnen that never will wax old and so to put off all the Old Adam's Garments that he hath covered himself and his Sons and Daughters with in the Fall and Transgression which will wax old and rot but that which God and Christ doth put on and cloath his Saints withal is Everlasting So Man's Righteousness and his filthy Rags must be put off and they must come into the Righteousness of Christ and put it on which doth exceed the Righteousness of the Law if they do enter into the Kingdom of God which doth stand in Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Now in the Old Testament it 's said The Priests Lips is to preserve the Peoples Knowledge But the New Testament saith Christ is the Treasnre of Wisdom and Knowledge That Christ is the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowledge The Old Testament saith That you must offer your Sheep Goats Bulls and Heifers and other Creatures which God commanded by the Law in the Old Testament for your Sins and cleansing But the New Testament saith That Christ is offered up once for all And the Old Testament saith That the Blood of Bulls and other Creatures cleanseth from Sin But the New Testament saith That Christ's Blood cleanseth from all Sin And in the Old Testament it 's said You must carry your Offerings and First-Fruits and Tithe to the Store-House But the New Testament saith Freely you have received freely give and forbiddeth Bag or Staff And in the Old Testament the Priest was to light the Candles and Lamps in the Tabernacle and Temple and to circumcise the Men-Children But the New Testament saith And enlightens his People with his Light and Life Christ doth enlighten every Man that cometh into the World with his heavenly Light which is the Life in Christ the Word and the Spirit of Man is the Candle of the Lord So he doth enlighten the Candle and Lamp in the Tabernacle and saith Believe in the Lght that ye may become Children of the Light and Christ doth minister the Circumcision in the Spirit that putteth off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh that came upon Man and Woman by Transgression So that the Children are the Circumcision of the Spirit in the New Testament and not of the Flesh and Letter as they were in the Old Testament And in the Old Testament it 's said That the Priests put the Testament and the Law and the Pot of Manna into the Ark in the Tabernacle and Temple But in the New Testament God poureth out of his Spirit upon all Flesh in the new Covenant God poureth out of his Spirit upon all Flesh and the Holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Son into the Hearts of his
Author and Finisher of So in this holy divine pure and precious Faith they have a holy divine pure and precious Vnity and Liberty which is the Victory over the Enmity and the Adversary the Destroyer and all this Instruments and they cannot come within this holy divine pure and precious Vnity and Liberty which is in the Faith for it is a Mysteryj and gives Victory over him and the access to the pure God and to Christ the Author of it which all are too stand fast in that Liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free who is the heavenly and spiritual Man the Second Adam For the Bondaged Captivity and Thraldom false Freedom and false Liberty was and is in Old Adam in Transgression and the true Liberty is that which Christ the pure and holy One makes free in and this is a pure holy Liberty which Christ makes and sets his People free in in which they are all to stand fast over all the false Liberties and Freedoms which are Bondage Also the true Libertyis in the Truth which if the Truth hath made you free then are you free indeed from him that abode not in the Truth in whom there is no Truth So then there is no true Freedom nor Liberty in him and he in whom there is no Truth cannot come into this Freedom and Liberty which is in the Truth but remains in the False For the Jews in the days of Christ boasted of their liberty and Freedom though they were in Bondange both inwardly and outwardly and that they were of Abraham their Father but Christ told them The Devil was their Father and his lusts ye will do And also in the Days of the Apostles many of the false Christians boasted of their Liberty but who was overcome by them was brought into Bondage And the Apostle was so careful of his Liberty in Christ Jesus To be careful of our I iberty in Christ that such as came to spie it out and were somewhat in Conferrence but they added nothing to him and unto such he would not give place by Subjection but rather reproved them and directed every one to walk according to the measure of the Rule which God hath distributed to them And also true Liberty is inthe Light and Grace and the Spirit which comes by Jesus which by believig in te Light they are grafted into Christ and so into true Liberty and Freedom and so are entred into the Rest out of the Toil of old Adam for they are grafted into him who was befor old Adam For Unbelievers in the Light are grafted into old Adam in Transgression And the Believers in the Light which is the Life in Christ are grafted into Christ the Word by which all things were made and created So here is perfect true Freedom and Liberty And likewise the true Liberty and Freedom is in the Grace which brings Salvation and not Destruction and teaches to live Godly not Ungodly and Soberly not Unsoberly and Righteously not Unrighteously and teaches to deny the World and not to cleave to it and follow it This Grace establishes the Heart and seasons the Words the Fruits of its Liberty and Freedom will manifest it self And also the true Liberty in the pure Holy Spirit of God and Christ doth Baptize and Plunge down that which is gotten up by Transgression in Man and Woman and circumcises and cuts off the Body of Death and Sin in the Flesh that is gotten up in Man and Woman by Transgression and mortifies and kills that which would grieve vex or quench the Motions of the pure Spirit of God so that in this holy pure Spirit of this pure God and Christ is the holy pure Freedom and Liberty over all Bondage and false Liberties and Freedoms And the Fruits of this pure Spirit is pure Love Righteousness and Godliness Fruits of the Spirit Patience Temperance and Humility by which Spirit all are made to drink into one Spirit so that all are the living Wells that have their living Water from God and Christ their true and living Fountain and in which Spirit they have a holy and spiritual Fellowship in this Baptizing Mortifying Circumcisig Spirit yea one wit another and with the Son and the Father also through which the Love of God warms every one's Heart But when the Love of many waxes cold as Christ saith then they go from this Grace Ligth Truth Power and Spirit and the Anointing and the Word of God in their own Hearts then such turn to be Betrayers and not Saviours upon Mount Zion And against such God's swift Judgment turns and suddenly falls though they may cry for a time Liberty Freedom and Peace Peace but a Day of trouble will overtake them ere they are aware And therefore all ye Friends of Christ Jesus stand fast in that Liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free by his Light Grace Truth Spirit Faith and Everlasting Gospel the Everlasting Power of God which is an Everlasting Freedom and Liberty above all Bondage and false fallen Liberties and Freedoms in this glorious Gospel and glorious joyful Libert where all may exercise God and Christ's Holy Gifts in his Holy Supernatural Light Grace Truth Spirit and Divine Faith and Word of Life and the Gospel which Word cannot be bound with all the World's Cords or Chains For it is a Fire to burn and a Hammer to break and a Sword to cut in pieces and therefore love the Word and keep the Word of Patience and the Lord will keep you for it is a tried Word and it will keep you in all trials which shall come upon all the World to try them For the Word was before the World was and will be when the World is gone which all the new-born Babes of the Incorruptible Seed who partake of the Milk of the Word grow by it up into an Immortal Life and Kingdom that is without End Glory and Praises to the Lord God for ever And now ye Babes of Christ If the World do hate you it hated Christ your Lord and Master also if they do mock and reproach and defame and buffet you they did so to your Lord ad Master also who was and is the Green Tree that gives nourishment to all his Branches his Followers Now if the World do Persecute you and take away your Goods or Cloaths was not your Lord and Master so served Christ was persecuted mocked and crucified for us Did not they cast Lots for his Garments Was not he haled from the Priests to Herod and before Pontius pilate and spit upon And if they hate thee and spit upon thee he was hated and spit upon for thee Did he not go to Prison for thee And was he not mocked and scourged for thee Did not he bow to the Cross and Grave for thee he who had no Sin neither was Guile found in his Mouth And did he not bear they Sins in his own Body upon the Tree And was he not scourged for thee by whose
Stripes we are healed Did not he suffer the Contradictio of Sinners who died for Sinners and went into the Grave for Sinners and died for the Ungodly yea tasted Death for every Man who through Death destroyed Death and the Devil the Power of Death and is risen For Death and the Grave could not hold him nor the Powers and Principalities Death could not hold Christ in the Grave with all their Guards and Watches could not hold him within the Grave but he is risen and is ascended far above all Principalities Powers Thrones and Dominions and is set down at the Right Hand of God and remaineth in the Heavens till all things be restored And he is restorign with his Light Grace Truth Power Spirit Faith Gospel and Word of Life so that you read of some that came to sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus And therefore all must bow at the Name of Jesus their Saviou in his Light Grace Truth Power Spirit and Gospel for he hath bowed for you if you rise with him and you must suffer with him if you will reign with him and die with him if you will live with him And all that are dead and buried with Christ and are risen with him they will seek those things that come down from above where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God and there you will seek those things which come down from above and not things which are below For those which seek those things that are below are the Talkers of God and Christ and the Prophets and Apostles words but they are not dead with Christ nor risen with him and therefore they do not seek those things that come down from Heaven where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God But they are them that seek the things that are above To seck those things which are above that are dead with Christ and risen with him they I say do seek those things which come down from Heaven where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God and they have not only sought them but have found them and received them and come to sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus a safe established and heavenly sitting in the heavenly Rest and Habitation in Christ Jesus who is the First and Last and over all from Everlasting to Everlasting Blessings and Praises over all be to the Lord God through him for ever Amen God is a God of Order The Eternal Living God of Truth he is a God of Order and is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace in all the Chruches of the Saints Now the Author of Confusion and not of Peace is the God of the World who abode not in the Truth because there is no Truth in him and when he speaks a Lie he speaks of his own for he is a Liar and the Father of it Now the Jews which did the God of the World's Lusts and them called Christians that do were in Strife Confusion and Disorder For the Jews they went out of the Order of Aaron and oses going from the Spirit of God poured out upon the House of Israel and so went from the Lord and his Law into Confusion and Disorder which the living God of Truth was not the Author of Also the Christians who go from te Light Grace Truth Power Spirit Gospel and Faith which Christ Jesus is the Author of they go from Christ and his Order who was not madee a Priest after the Order of Aaron but after the Order of Melchizedeck who was without beginning of Days or end of Life an Everlasting Order And such go into Strife and Confusion that go from Christ which Christ and God is not the Author of but the World's God who got into Man and Woman by Transgression and Disobedience of the Command of God who is the Author of Confusion Strife and Disorder in whom there is no Truth For what Order can there be in the World's God and amongst his Subjects in whom there is no Truth For in whom there is no Truth there is no true Order and they that abide not in the Truth Grace Light Spirit Gospel Faith and Word of Life they abide not in the Order of God and Christ And such will cry against the Order of the Truth Light Grace Spirit Gospel Faith and Word of Life which bring into the Order of Christ and the Order of the Living Eternal God of Truth who is a God of Order and delights in Order having Pleasure in them that live in his Sprit and Law of Life and the Gospel and its Order For Blessed is the Man that delights in the Law or Order of God it was so under the Old Covenant Much more Blessed is the Man or Woman that delights in the Law and Order of Love and the Law and Order of Faith and the Law and Order of Life and of the Gospel the Power of God And none keep the Law of Faith but who keep in the Faith which Christ is the Author of which wourks by Love And none keep the Law of Life but who keep in the Law of the Spirit and walk in it which is in Christ Jesus the heavenly and spiritual Second Andam who was before old Adam who under the World's God out of Truth in whom there is no Truth nor true Order but Confusion and Disorder And therefore all who come to God who is a God of Order must come bythe Grace Truth Light Power Gospel Faith and Anoitnting the Word of Life within and such come to love the Lord Jesus Christ and to delight in God and Christ's Order So you may see that God is a God of Order who called Aaron and Moses and they had an Order from God And Melchizedeck had an Order and Christ is after his Everlasting Order Christ'r Kingdom is Everlasting And Christ the Truth hath an Everlasting Kingdom that stands in Everlasing Righteousness and Power and Joy in the Holy Ghost yea an estableshed Kingdom that will never have an end and cannot be broken and no imperfect defiled nor corruptible thind enters into is And all Christ Jesus's Subjects of his Everlasting Kingdom that see it and enter into it are born again not of the Will of Man but of an Incorruptible Seed by the Word of God and have the Incorruptible Milk of the Word of God by which the grow from Babes to Men of God and have the Fine Linnen the Incorruptible Cloathing the Righteousness of Christ which is the Linnen which they do wear in Christs Kingdom So all Christ's Subjects of his Kingdom are known by their Birth and Cloathing and live in the Order of hiw Gospel of Love Lifew Light Grace and Truth and no Man comes into his Kingdom and Order but by the Light Grace Truth Faith Power and Spirit and Anointing and Word of Life within through which they know Christ and his Everlasting Kingdom that stands in Power and Righteousness and Joy in the Holy Ghost
the World could meet outwardly together and are not in the Power and Spirit the Apostles were in they are in a Separation But God Almighty is bringing his People by his Son Christ Jesus and by the same Power the Apostles were in out of this Separation and Apostacy from the Apostles Spirit that began in the Apostles days into the same Spirit that the Church and the Apostles were in in the Primitive Times and though they be absent in the Body or Flesh yet they are present in the Spirit seeing and beholding in the Spirit the Spiritual Order and the Stedfastness of their divine Faith which Christ the Second Adam the Spiritual Man hath been the Author and Finisher of And therefore let no Man beguile you by enticing Words from this Spiritual Order Fellowship and Vnity And again the Apostle saith For I verily as absent in the Body but present in the Spirit have judged already as though I was present concerning him that hath so done this deed So here was a Spiritual Sight and a Spiritual Judgment yea a Judgment though absent in the Body by a Spiritual Sight of such as walk not in the Spirit but walk out of the Order of it 1 Cor. 5.3 And this is to the Spiritual-minded who can judge of these things for as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God and the Lord now by his Spirit is separating his Sons and Daughters from the Apostacy and Sin which hath separated from the Spirit that the Apostles were in that they may behold one another with joy and comfort with the Spirit in the Spiritual Order Fellowship and Vnity though they be absent in the Body and in the Flesh yet they are present in the Spirit and know one another in the Spirit of God And also All one in Christ the Apostle saith As many as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ There is neither Jew nor Greek Bond nor Free and here is neither Male nor Female but ye are all one in Christ Jesus So though these be absent in the Body one from another Jews Greeks Bond or Free Males or Females yet they are all one in Christ Jesus the spiritual and heavenly Man and with the Spirit joying and beholding one anothers Spiritual Order so the Joying Vnity and Fellowship stands in the Spirit of God and not in the outward Fleshly Bodily Presence and Carnal and Natural Sight And therefore keep your Spiritual Order To keep in the spiritual Order joying in the Spirit beholding your Spiritual Order and Stedfastness of your Faith in Christ Jesus and in this you will be all stedfast Men and stedfast Women and not tossed up and down with every windy Doctrine and the cunning Crafts and Slights of Men but stedfast Men and stedfast Women in the Faith of Christ as Trees of Righteousness the Planting of the Lord whose Fruit is unto Holiness and whose end is Everlasting Life and such have Fruit on their own Trees and Water in their own Wells and are not shaken with Winds Storms nor Tempests that may rise up within or without but are stedfast and unmoveable built upon the Rock and Foundation of Life Christ Jesus so that as every one hath received the Gift even so minister one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God And this is the Grace of God wherein ye stand that will teach you to live Godly Righteously and Soberly and brings Salvation so not only to talk Godly but to live Godly keeping your selves in the Love of God and building up your selves in the most Holy Faith which you have from Christ Jesus which makes you stedfast and unmoveable from him who is the Author and Finisher of it and with the Spirit of God in which you spiritually behold your substantial and stedfast Spiritual Order over all outward and carnal Orders and will out-last them all with which Spirit you all see your work and service for the Eternal Immortal God of Truth to whom be all Glory Honour Thanks and Praises in the Church of Jesus Christ throughout all Ages World without end Amen From your Friend and Brother in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Worplesdom the 22d of the 5th Month 1680. G. F. To Friends in America DEar Friends My Love to you all in the holy peaceable Truth Epist 364. and my Desires are that whatsoever ye do may be done in the Name of Jesus to the Glory of God the Father and all be subject one to another in the Fear of the Lord God so that ye may all come to dwell in the Love of God which edifies the Body of Christ who is the heavenly Man and let all Strifes and Divisions and Backbitings All Strifes Divisions c. to cease or Whisperings or Prejudices cease and be buried and so whatsoever is amiss or hath been amiss let it be put down by the Truth and Spirit of God that it may be uppermost which is a strong Bond to Vnite your Hearts and Minds and Souls together and to the Lord and be kind and courteous one towards another all studying to be quiet and to excel one another in Vertue and Purity and Holiness and Righteousness and Godliness in all your Words and Lives and Conversations so that you may all walk as become Saints and Christians every one esteeming and preferring one another above your selves in the Truth in Meekness and Lowliness of Mind and Humility for he that Inhabits Eternity dwells with an humble Heart Not to quench the Spirit And therefore do not quench the least Motion of God's good Spirit in your selves nor in any other but let Truth and Goodness be cherished in all and let all Harshness and Bitterness and Revilings be kept down by the Truth that it may have its passage through you all and in it you may bear one anothers Weakness and Infirmities and so fulfil the Law of Christ keeping down Revenge Hastiness or Passion as knowing Vengance is the Lord's and he will repay it on every one that does wrong without respect of Persons For Friends you there should be as Lights or as a City that cannot be hid Lights I say to to give Light in all People and also to be as the Salt of the Earth to be a good Savour and savoury to all People for he or she that is an ill savour hath lost the Salts savour and is good for nothing and is trodden under the Foot of Men and therefore take heed of loosing the Salts savour either in Word or Conversation for if you do you will come under the Foot of Men they will trample upon you therefore be Careful Fervent Circumspect and Faithful in the Truth and let your Moderation Temperance and Sobriety appear to all Men shewing forth the Work of the Lord and your Honesty and Justness in all your Words and Dealings between Man and Man and that you may owe nothing to any Man
Jesus to outstrip the World in Vertue Chastity Modesty and Temperance and in that which is of good Report Our Light to shine before Men. For our heavenly Light ought to shine so before Men that they may see our good Works and glorifie our Father which is in Heaven And therefore all in the Church of Christ ought to live in the Spirit and Power of Christ in which they do Judge the World and all the fallen Angels So in this Heavenly Power the Vertue Purity Chastity flows and shines over all and they that do possess as though they did not and they Marry as though they married not They are all resigned in the Power of Christ that gives Dominion over the World which brings all into one Mind and to be of one Heart and Soul and to one Judgment and are a Chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood and Holy Nation a peculiar People that shews forth the Praise of Christ who hath called them out of Darkness into his marvellous Light and as Living Stones are built up a Spiritual Houshold an Holy Priesthood to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ And so my Dear Friends To walk in Christ my desire is That in Jesus Christ ye may all live and walk who is the Seed of the Woman that bruises the Serpents Head that is the Head of all Wickedness and Strife and in this Seed Christ all Nations are blessed as they live and walk in him And the Blessings from above and the Blessings beneath rest upon them And in this Seed Christ all have Rest and Peace who is the First and the Last over all Blessed for ever Amen In him is my Love to you all as though I named you Read this in your Quarterly Meeting at York G. F. To the Six Weeks Meeting in Barbadoes DEar Friends Epist 384. In Christ in whom we have Peace Purity Holiness and Righteousness you must be kept Holy and Righteous to the Glory of God and Righteousness and Holiness and Puririty must wear and outlive all that is contrary to it and Patience and Meekness and Humility and Kindness and Sobriety must wear out Passion Envy Strife and Wrath High-mindedness and Loftiness and Wilfulness and therefore consider the Holy Men and Women of God must not strive but be gentle to all and in that alone keep their Dominion Not to strive but be gentle For truly Friends Love gathereth into Love and edifies the Body of Christ and let nothing be done with Strife but in Love to the Glory of God in the Name of Christ and in his Power so that you all may see and feel Christ among you ordering you all to his Glory with his Wisdom which is Pure Peaceable and Easie to be intreated so that none may be burdened nor oppressed in your Meetings but that the Life and Seed may reign in you all and so the Lord may have the Glory of all and ye may all have Comfort in him your Head And do not much strive with unruly Talkers but keep your Peace in the Spirit and Power of Christ that will overcome and wear out all that is contrary to it So that all may keep their own Habitation in Christ Jesus who is over all the First and Last and in his Power and Spirit live and walk that so you all may be Trees with Fruits and Wells with Water and have Bread in your own Tabernacles and your own Lamps trimmed and burning and that there may be no Strife among you but dwell in Love for he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God so God who is Love is to be your Salvation To condescend to the Meek c. And condescend to the meek and to every appearance of the Lord God and make every one's Condition in the Truth your own in that you will deny your selves and become all to all in the Truth so that none may be hurt in the Truth nor made to stumble nor the blind caused to wander but be directed into the right way and all as the tender Plants may grow together as the Lord 's Planting and he watering them and giving the increase and growth to his Glory so that the Lord may have the Praise and Glory of all his Works Amen And be careful in all your Meetings that they may be kept peaceable in the Wisdom of God that is pure and peaceable and easie to be intreated so that Wisdom may be justified of her Children That there be no Harshness or Fierceness but Meekness and Mildness and gracious Language which will edifie and season the Hearers and be of a good savour And this will honour the Seed Christ from whence Grace and Truth cometh and will be to your Comfort and shew forth whose Children you are for as Christ said Blessed are the Peace-makers they are Children of God And therefore all do this Work that you may have this Blessing And so with my Love to you all that are convinced of God's Truth as though I named you all and all to dwell in Love then you all do dwell in God as I said before and so the Lord God Almighty preserve you all in Christ your Sanctuary Amen You may read this in your Monthly or Quarterly Meetings Kingston the 7th of the 9th Month 1683. G. F. To suffering Friends in Prison at Bristol DEar Friends With my Love to all the Prisoners and the Faithful Epist 385. as though I named them It is the time now for all the Faithful to keep in Christ their Sanctuary To keep to Christ our Sanctuary in whom you have all Peace Rest Life and Salvation and by the Testimony of Jesus and the Blood of the Lamb whose Names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life before the Foundation of the World they were they that did overcome and did eat of the hidden Manna and had the new Name and therefore now is the time to keep the Word of Patience and the Testimony of Jesus for they that keep the Word of Patience the Lord will keep them in the Hour of Temptation which will come upon the whole World to try them which dwell upon the Earth for the Word was before the World was and the Tempter for all things were made by the Word And it is also the Word of Reconciliation the Word of Power the Word of Wisdom and the Word of Life and the Word of Salvation by which People are reconciled to God that are born again of the incorruptible Seed by the Word of God and they feed and grow by the Milk of the Word which lives and abides and endures for ever which strengthens all the Faithful in all Ages in all their Afflictions Imprisonments and Sufferings and it is the same to God's People now in this Day of Trial to preserve all his People every where in his Spirit and Power faithful to himself for he that endures faithful to the End shall be saved He that end ares
supply you and is near unto all that calls upon him in Truth and Righteousness Therefore cast your Care upon him for he Cares for you And so as you walk in the Truth to answer the Truth in your Patroons and others you will see in time you will reach the Good in them that they will give more Credit to you and Trust you more than them that disobey the Spirit of God in their Hearts So the Lord preserve you Faithful to himself Let us hear as often as you can how things are with you G. F. London the 4th of the 3d Month 1684. To the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings in England c. DEar Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ Epist 392. who reigns over all and has all Power in Heaven and Earth given unto him by whose Eternal Power our Meetings this Year have been preserved unto his great Glory and Honour and his living refreshing Presence has livingly been amongst us for which his People do give him the Honour Glory Thanks and Praise who is Lord over all and worthy of all blessed for ever and ever And therefore we desire and intreat all our Friends and Brethren every where who are of the Seed of the Promise and the Children of the Kingdom of God and of the New Covenant of Light and Life To walk as becometh the Gospel To Walk in the same and worthy of the same to the Glory of God And you that do profess the primitive pure and undefiled Religion which is above all the Religions in the World Shew it forth in Life and Practice And you that profess the Worship of God in the Spirit and Truth which Christ hath set up which is above the Jews Worship and all the Worships that the Men of the World have set up Be stedfast in the same for all Worships out of God's Spirit and his Truth are Idolatry And now dear Friends and Brethren who profess and possess that which is above all Religions Ways and Worships in the World our desire is To exceed in Vertue c. that you may always out-strip and exceed the World in Virtue in Purity in Chastity in Godliness and in Holiness and in Modesty Civility and in Righteousness and in Love with that you may overcome the Evil and with the Good overcome the Bad So that your Moderation and sober Life may appear unto all Men and answer that of God in all that so the Fruits of the Spirit of God may shew themselves forth in Meekness and Kindness and Humility from the holy Understanding and the pure heavenly Wisdom and the Word of Life and Patience by which all things were made in that you will be able to bear all things and endure all things through him that strengthens you And whatsoever things are lovely decent or comely and honest and of a good Report that answers the Truth in all That mind and practice that God Almighty may be glorified through you in the Seed in which all Nations are blest which bruiseth the Head of the Serpent that brought the Curse in which Seed no Enmity nor Strife can come in wich Seed Christ Jesus your heavenly Vnity and Fellowship is preserved And whatsoever Storms or Tempests should arise in the World keep in the Seed Christ Jesus your Sanctuary Christ our Sanctuary who was before the World was who is your Saviour that destroys the Destroyer in whom you have all Life Peace Rest Safety and Salvation in him who is the Amen the First and Last in him Farewell and from him the Blessings of the Lord rest upon you G. F. To Friends in Holland DEar Friends in the peaceable Truth The Glory of God all mind Epist 393. in all your Lives and Conversations and that the heavenly Fruits of the Holy Spirit of God you may all bring forth to his Praise living in Righteousness Godliness and Meekness Lowliness and Humility To live in Righteousness c. learning of Christ Jesus your Saviour who is meek For the humble God doth teach and they grow up in his Grace and Favour And therefore all take heed of going back again into the World's Ways Spirit and Words but keep to the holy Spirit of God that doth lead you in the narrow way that is to Life Eternal And in the Lord's Light Power and Spirit meet together and keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus Christ who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him that you may feel his living and divine Presence among you and in his pure gentle and heavenly Love and Wisdom you may be valiant for the Name of Jesus and his Truth upon the Earth Not to be ashamed of Christ and not to be ashamed of Christ your Teacher and Prophet that God hath raised up in his New Covenant and Testament whom you are to hear neither be ashamed of Christ your Shepherd who hath laid down his Life for his Sheep whose Voice you are to hear who doth feed his Sheep and give them Life Eternal and none is able to pluck his Sheep out of his Hand his Power neither be ashamed of your High Priest who hath offered up himself for you and doth sanctifie you who is a Priest made higher than the Heavens neither be you ashamed of your Bishop and the chief Shepherd of your Souls to whom now ye are returned by his Grace and Truth who doth oversee you with his heavenly Eye that you do not go astray from God So in him let your Faith stand who is the Author and Finisher of it So with my Love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ who is your Sanctuary in whom you all have Life Peace Rest and Salvation who is the Amen Greet ye one another with a Kiss of Charity Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus Amen This Charity keeps all God's People in the heavenly Love and Unity Amsterdam the 14th of the 4th Month 1683. G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren who are Elect and Chosen in Christ Jesus before the the Foundation of the World Epist 394. in Christ you have Peace and in the World you have Trouble But be of good cheer Christ hath overcome the World Christ hath overcome the World that lieth in Wickedness and all the Persecutors in it and in him you all overcome the Devil and his Works and without him you can do nothing but through Christ and his Power and Strength you will be able to do all things according to the Will of God And though for a time ye may suffer for the Name of Jesus and for his Truth and be cast into Prison and suffer the spoiling of your Goods the Eternal God knows and his Son Christ Jesus it is for him alone and his Truth 's sake we suffer and not for any evil doing or doing wrong to any Man And so the Lord hath given us not only to believe but also to saffer for his Name and Truth
A COLLECTION OF Many Select and Christian EPISTLES Letters and Testimonies Written on sundry Occasions by that Ancient Eminent Faithful Friend and Minister OF CHRIST JESUS George Fox The Second Volume What thou seest write in a Book and send it unto the Seven Churches Rev. 1.11 For we write none other things unto you than what you have read and acknowledged and I trust you shall acknowledge even unto the End 2 Cor. 1.11 LONDON Printed and Sold by T. Sowle in White-Hart-Court in Gracious-street and at the Bible in Leaden-Hall-street 1698. AN EPISTLE By way of PREFACE To all Truth 's Friends and Friendly Readers Greeting In the dear and tender Love of my Heavenly Father which by his dear Son and blessed Spirit he hath plentifully shed abroad in many Hearts in this glorious Gospel-Day Glory to his worthy Name and excellent Power for ever Dear Friends I Am concerned to recommend the serious reading and perusal of the ensuing Collection unto all who sincerely desire the Promotion of Christ's Kingdom and Prosperity of his Church and Sion in true Love Vnion and Order in and by Christ Jesus himself the Head and Foundation thereof And that none of you would think the perusal of these Epistles wearisom or tedious because the same Words and Things in many of them may seem frequently repeated there being numerous Evangelical Truths and variety of good and wholsom Matter as well as diversities of Episties containing much Christian Counsel to many various States and Conditions of enlightned and enlivened Souls travelling and breathing to God so that the frequent intermix'd Repetitions of the same necessary Truths may be the better allowed and born with in the Reading However the moderate and ingenious Reader will not be offended thereat It being a thing frequent in the Holy Scriptures to have the same Gospel-Truths often repeated which many dull and forgetful Persons have need to be often told of such Matters of so great Importance The Author's Epistles and Matters of most general Concern are here collected to avoid Prolixity and unnecessary Repetitions as much as could be The Simplicity and Plainness of the Author's Stile is not to be despised he being more in Life and Substance than in the Wisdom of Words or Eloquence of Speech And the Lord being pleased in his Day to make great Vse of him and to do great Things by him for his Name and Seed's sake of which there yet remains Clouds of Witnesses even to that Divine Power and hidden Wisdom of God in the Mystery of Christ which was with him and supported him and lifted up his Head thorow many great Fights of Afflictions and Trials I confess I have not read or heard all the Epistles in the ensuing Collection but many of them which I know to be very seasonable weighty and necessary and therefore have cause to believe so of the rest which I have not read But by our long and frequent Conversation Knowledge and Intimacy together with his living and revived Testimonies his godly Care and Zeal for Truth 's Honour and Prosperity I have deeply read and known the Author his unfeigned Love Innocency and Integrity in the blessed Living Truth whose Christian Care among many other things relating to the Churches of Christ the Union Good Order and Discipline thereof greatly was That no Offence in any thing might be given that the Ministry might not be blamed well-knowing what Trials and Proofs attended Christ's Ministers and Ministry in these latter Days in some degree as in the Primitive Christians Times namely that he with many others in his Day approved himself and themselves as the Ministers of Christ in much Patience in deep Afflictions in Necessities in Distresses and some in Stripes and cruel Beatings in Prisons in Tumults in Labours by Watchings and by Fastings by Purity by Knowledge by Long-suffering by Kindness by the Holy Ghost by Love unfeigned by the Word of Truth by the Power of God by the Armour of Righteousness on the Right-hand and on the Left by Honour and Dishonour by evil Report and good Report as deceivers and yet true c. 2 Cor. 6. In which Proofs of God's Ministers this his Ancient Servant had a deep share and the true Root of the Matter was in him far beyond his Expressions And though many false Predictions Prophesies and cruel Threats were early breathed out by Persecators and envious Spirits against Him and Vs his Friends and Brethren whom he unfeignedly loved and against His and Our Holy Profession Way and Testimony as if in a very short time all would come to nought and be laid waste yet they have all been disappointed and proved false and his Christian Living Testimony and Work further manifest to be of God and not of Men nor of the Will of Man For Truth that 's strongest of all hath still prevailed and must prevail And though the Memory of this our deceased Brother and faithful Servant of Jesus Christ be still greatly Envied and be most grosly Defamed by some implacable Adversaries and hardned Apostates who could not obtain their evil Ends and destractive Designs against him in his Life-time yet his Memory is truly Precious to many Thousands who truly Fear God and Love his Truth who have a true Inward Sense That such a Divine Power and Providence attended him in his Innocent Christian Testimony Ministry Labours and Sufferings that the Devil and all persecuting Agents could never stop nor frustrate his Testimony or Service in turning many to Righteousness even from Darkness unto Light and from the Power of Satan unto God In many of the ensuing Epistles he often mentions the Seed the Life the Power of God and the like whereby he intends no other than what the Holy Scriptures testifie of Christ which we know he truly loved and esteemed and was often conversant in reading of them and had an excellent Memory and spiritual Sence thereof given him of the Lord. By the pure holy Seed he meant and declared Christ the promised Seed wherein all the Promises of God are Yea and Amen And as Christ is the Word of God the Word of Life the Word of Faith he is that immortal and incorruptible Seed of which all true and spiritual Believers and Children of the Light are begotten to God and born again and which Seed or Word of Eternal Life abideth in him that is born of God and sinneth not because thereof 1 John 3. And as the Generation of God and Children of his Kingdom and of the Promise are called the good Seed and counted for the Seed being born of that Incorruptible Seed or Word of Life which endureth for ever 1 Peter 1.23 15. And being that blessed Seed and Holy Generation which was foretold Christ should see and for which the travel of his Soul was Isa 53. This our deceased Friend and Servant of Jesus Christ truly testified of him in all Respects both as come in the Flesh and in the Spirit both as Christ was and
all to his Everlasting Glory and Praise For God's Power which was before the Devil 's was hath been our Hedge our Wall and our Keeper and the Preserver of his Plants and Vineyard who have not had the Magistrates Sword and Staff to help them nor never trusted in the Arm of Flesh And have gone without Judas his Bag or the Magistrates Sword and Staff to preach the Word of Life which was in the Begining before they were which Word reconciles to God And Thousands have received the Word of Reconciliation and are born again of the Immortal Seed by the Word of God and are feeding upon the Milk of the Word which lives and abides and endures for ever And many have suffered to Death for their Testimony both in England and beyond the Seas both before and since the King came in which ye may see as followeth This was given to the King and both Houses of Parliament being A brief and plain and true Relation of the late and sad Sufferings of the People of God in scorn called Quakers for worshipping and exercising a good Conscience towards God and Man By reason whereof Eighty nine have suffered till Death Thirty two of which died before the King came into England and Fifty seven since by hard Imprisonment and cruel Usage Forty three have died in the City of London and Southwark since the Act was made against Meetings c. about 1661. They have thus suffered of which a more particular Account was given with their Names that did suffer to the King and Parliament about 1663. And tho' divers Laws were designed against us How Friends suffered and of their Faithfulness and concerning the Acts that have been made since the King came in yet never could any of them justly touch us neither did they truly concern us tho' they did execute them unjustly upon us and they knew we were not the People justly chargeable and some have been made to confess it And all those Laws that were already made and the Oath which they imprison'd us for because we could not Swear at all in Obedience to the Command of Christ Jesus were never originally intended against us And yet we suffered by the several Powers and their Laws tho' they did not concern us both spoiling of Goods and Imprisonments even to Death it self And the Governor of Dover Castle when the King asked him If he had dispersed all the Sectaries Meetings He said That he had but the Quakers the Devil himself could not For if that he did Imprison them and break them up they would Meet again and if he should beat them and knock them down or kill some of them all was one they would meet and not resist again And thus the Lord's Power did support them and keep them over their Persecutors and made them to Justify our Patience and Lamb-like Nature This was about 1671. And since the King came in Three Acts have been made against us by the King and Parliament besides the Proclamations by which many have suffered Imprisonment and Banishment and many to Death And yet for all these Acts and Proclamations and Banishment and Persecutions and Sufferings Faithful Friends are as fresh as ever in the Lord's Power and Valiant for his Name and Truth And some Weak Ones there were when the King came in that did Swear and take the Oaths but after when they had so done they were sore troubled for disobeying the Command of Christ and the Apostle that they went to the Magistrates and condemned themselves and offered themselves to go to Prison And thus the Lord in his Everlasting Power hath been the Support and Stay of his People And when the Glorious Gospel and Truth was spread over the Nation and they had received the Word of Life Quarterly and Monthly Meetings set up then first the Quarterly and some Monthly Meetings were settled throughout the Nation and then after as Truth more and more spread the Monthly Mens-Meetings in 1667 and 1668. And then also some Womens-Meetings were set up and after the Womens-Meetings throughout the Nation and other Nations were exhorted unto and set up and established throughout the Nations For I was sent for to many sick People Womens Meetings set up and the occasion of it And at one time I was sent for to White-Chappel about the third Hour in the Morning to a Woman that was dying and her Child and the People was weeping about her And after a while I was moved in the Name and Power of Christ Jesus to speak to the Woman and she and her Child was raised up And she got up to the Astonishment of the People when they came in in the Morning and her Child also was healed And when I came to G. Roberts's House about Eight in the Morning there came in Sarah Blackberry to complain to me of the Poor and how many poor Friends were in Want and the Lord had shewed me what I should do in his Eternal Power and Wisdom How G.F. ordered Friends to Visit the Sick c. So I spake to her to bid about Sixty Women to meet me about the first Hour in the Afternoon at the Sign of the Helmet at a Friends House And they did so accordingly such as were sensible Women of the Lord's Truth and fearing God And what the Lord had opened unto me I declared unto them concerning their having a Meeting once a Week every Second Day that they might see and inquire into the Necessity of all poor Friends The Service of Womens-Meetings who were Sick and Weak and were in Wants or Widows and Fatherless in the City and Suburbs And so they blest the Lord for the Wisdom of God that had settled such a Meeting in his Power amongst them For they saw that all that were Heirs of the Power of God were to take their possession of the Power of God the Gospel and its Order which was before the Devil was And this brought them into the Practice of the pure Religion and to Visit the Sick and for the Relief of the Fatherless and the Widow and to see that nothing was lacking amongst them and that they in visiting the Sick in the Lord's Power and Word through it they would have the Wisdom of the Lord and of his Creation and how to administer his Creatures and by the same Power to heal and strengthen with the outward things and without them Which they have felt prosperous to this day and great things have been done in their Meetings by the Lord's Power and very honourable it hath been in the Eyes of all the Faithful yea and commendable in the World also And afterwards the same Womens-Meetings were settled up and down the Nation and beyond the Seas in the Power of the Lord which was before the Devil was into which Power of the Lord no Sect nor Apostasy can come but Peace and Unity And the Power of the Lord the Gospel is the Authority of all
of God which would have kept them in Dominion And so Adam and Eve and the Serpent all went out of Truth And Eve eating of the Tree of Knowledge she had Knowledge and Wisdom after the Fall but not in the Dominion in the Power of God But the Seed Christ which was in the Beginning bruiseth this Serpent's Head and he is the Wisdom of God G. F. Friends THere is an Eye that hath looked to see the good Seed Epist 3. that was sown and queried from whence came these Tares A little Note of G. F. to Friends at first The Answer was and is The wicked One hath sown them Now read the Tares and what is the Effect of them and their Work And what they do and have done How they hang amongst the Wheat But now is the time of Harvest that both Wheat and Tares are seen and each distinguished the one from the other G. F. All Friends MInd that which is pure in you to guide you to God out of Babylon Epist 4. out of Confusion there all the World is About 1651. there is the Seat of the Beast there are the false Prophets and Deceivers as well within as without One Voice of Deceit knows not another nor none of them the Voice of the Living God But Dear Friends mind the Light of God in your Consciences which will shew you all Deceit dwelling in it guides out of the many things into one Spirit which cannot lye nor deceive They that are guided by it are one who have been made to drink into one Spirit and the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace All Jarrings all Schisms all Rents are out of the Spirit for God hath tempered the Body together that there should be no Schism in the Body but all worship him with one Consent And as the Power and Life of Truth is made manifest watch in the Discerning one over another And beware of discouraging any in the Work of God The Labourers are few The Labourers are few that are faithful for God Take heed of hurting the Gift which God hath given to profit withal whereby ye have received Life through Death and a Measure of Peace by the Destruction of Evil. Pray that Peace may be multiplied and the Ministration of Life to the raising of the Dead that the Seed of the Woman may bruise the Serpent's Head discover all Deceit and rend all Vails and Coverings that the Pure may come to Life which Deceit hath trampled upon And all take heed to your Spirits that which is hasty discerns not the Good Seed Take heed of being corrupted by Flatteries they that know their God shall be strong But take heed of labouring to turn the Just aside for a thing of nought but know the Precious from the Vile the Clean from the Unclean These shall be as my Mouth saith the Lord for his VVork is great and his Gifts divers And therefore all mind your Gift mind your Measure mind your Calling and your VVork Some speak to the Conscience some plough and break the Clods some weed out and some sow some wait that Fowls devour not the Seed But wait all for the Gathering of the Simple-hearted ones for They that turn many to Righteousness shall shine for ever Mind the Light that all may be refreshed one in another and all in one And the God of Power and Love keep all Friends in Power in Love that there be no Surmisings but pure Refreshings in the unlimited Love of God which makes one another known in the Conscience to read one another's Hearts Being comprehended into this Love Oneness it is Inseparable and all are here one And keep in the Oneness and note them that cause Dissension contrary to the Gospel ye have received that one pure Faith may be held in all to guide and preserve all in the Vnity of the Spirit and Bond of Peace all one Family of Love Children of one Father and of the Houshold of God G. F. DEar Father and Mother in the Flesh Epist 5. but not of that Birth which speaks to you For like to that which doth beget is that which is begotten Praises Praises be given to my Heavenly Father who hath begotten me again by the Immortal Word To that of God in you both I speak and do beseech you both for the Lord's sake to Return within and wait to hear the Voice of the Lord there and waiting there and keeping close to the Lord a Discerning will grow that ye may distinguish the Voice of the Stranger when ye hear it Oh! be faithful be faithful to the Lord in that ye know for in the Buckstider the Lord hath no pleasure neither shall their Damnation slumber Oh! be Faithful Look not back nor be too forward further than ye have attained for ye have no Time but this present Time Therefore prize your Time for your Soul's sake And so grow up in that which is Pure and keep to the Oneness then shall my Joy be full So Fare ye well And the Lord God of Power keep you in his Power To him be Praises for evermore G. F. Friends NO one is Justified Epist 6. breaking the Commands of Christ no one is Justified Who they are that are not Justified living in Iniquity and no one is Justified in professing only Christ's Words and the Prophets and the Apostles Words and living out of their Lives And no one is Justified living in the first Birth and Nature and false Faith and Hope which doth not purifie as God is pure No Man is Justified not believing in the Light as Christ commands but with the Light is condemned for the Light is the Condemnation of all them that walk contrary to it Therefore the Power of God mind No Man is Justified acting contrary to that Spirit which doth convince them G. F. To Friends at Swarthmoore Friends LOve that which Judgeth the Carnal Mind Epist 7. and Crosseth it which maketh an Entrance to God and keepeth you open and then Refreshment will come into your Souls from the Lord. Dwell in the Power and know the Power of Words in one another and take heed of Deceit Farewell And the God of Love and Power keep you to himself G. F. Dear Friends THose that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution Epist 8. God is Righteous God is Pure Holy and Just God is Clean. He that is Godly and Holy suffereth by the Ungodly and Unrighteous The Just suffereth by the Unjust and Unclean and Unjust and Filthy And so the Just suffereth by the Vnjust and he that is born of the Flesh persecutes him that is born of the Spirit G. F. Friends THat which is set up by the Sword is held up by the Sword Epist 9. and that which is set up by Spiritual Weapons About 1652. is held up by Spiritual Weapons and not by
Carnal Weapons The Lamb shall have the Victory The Peace-Maker hath the Kingdom and is in it and hath the Dominion over the Peace-Breaker to calm him in the Power of God And Friends Let the Waves break over your Heads There is rising a new and living Way out of the North which makes the Nations like Waters Hurt not the Vines nor the Oil nor such as know that the Earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof The Days of Vertue Love and Peace are come and coming and the Lamb had and hath the Kings of the Earth to war withal and to fight withal who will overcome with the Sword of the Spirit the Word of his Mouth for the Lamb shall have the Victory And are not some like Ephraim with a miscarrying Womb Which have not brought forth the Substance the Birth from above Hos 9.13 14. but have brought forth Children to Murder G. F. To Friends to stand still in Trouble and see the Strength of the Lord. Friends WHatever ye are addicted to Epist 10. the Tempter will come in that thing and when he can trouble you then he gets Advantage over you and then ye are gone Stand still in that which is pure after ye see your selves and then Mercy comes in After thou seest thy Thoughts and the Temptations do not think but submit and then Power comes Stand still in that which shews and discovers and there doth Strength immediately come And stand still in the Light and submit to it and the other will be hush'd and gone and then Content comes And when Temptations and Troubles appear sink down in that which is pure and all will be hush'd and fly away Your Strength is to stand still after ye see your selves whatsoever ye see your selves addicted to Temptations Corruption Vncleanness c. then ye think ye shall never Overcome And Earthly Reason will tell you what ye shall lose hearken not to that but stand still in the Light that shews them to you and then Strength comes from the Lord and Help contrary to your Expectation Then ye grow up in Peace and no Trouble shall you move David fretted himself when he look'd out but when he was still no Trouble could him move When your Thoughts are out abroad then Troubles move you But come to stay your Minds upon that Spirit which was before the Letter here ye learn to read the Scriptures aright If ye do any thing in your own Wills then ye tempt God but stand still in that Power which brings Peace G. F. DEar Hearts Epist 11. Brethren and Babes of Christ wait to feed on the Immortal Food and walk in the Truth and God Almighty be among you And in it ye will see him stand all naked bare and uncovered before the Lord. And take heed of your Wills for that as Herod slayeth the Just and shipwracks the Faith and runs you into the Flesh Return back and stay your selves upon the Lord every particular to have your Minds guided by his Spirit growing up in that which is Precious and Immortal there is no feigned Love So the Eternal God keep you in his Eternal Love pure unto himself and naked and knit your Hearts together God Almighty bless you and water you with the Showers of his Mercy and with the Dew of Heaven G. F. Friends IF ye love the Light Epist 12. and walk in it ye love Christ and will all walk in Vnity together And if ye hate the Light ye hate Christ Here is your Teacher The Light is the Teacher who love it here is your Condemnation who hate the Light And the Conscience being fear'd there is a Returning to Teachers without For the Carnal will have its vain invented Form but the Spirit 's Form stands in the Power Prove your selves where ye are G. F. To the Flock of God about Sedburgh EVery one in your Measure wait upon God Epist 13. who is the true Shepherd and leads his Flock into the green Pastures and fresh Springs he opens daily this ye will see and experience And mind that which is pure in one another which joins you together for nothing will join To wait in the Measure of God or make fit but what is pure nor unite nor build but what is pure Therefore every particular fear God for whatsover ye build of your selves will not stand but will tumble down again altho' it be as Gold or Silver or Brass or Iron the strength of all these things which is above the Pure in you will come to nothing and this will not unite with the pure Therefore wait every one in the Measure which God hath given you and none of you be Sayers only but Doers of the Word And so walk in the Truth and be ye all Servants to it and it will lead you out of the World The World would have the Truth to serve them to talk of to trade withal and to contend withal these are the Wells without Water these are the Trees without Fruit But who dwell in the Spirit of the Lord which is pure which joins together and unites and builds up all in one Spirit see all these things and are separated from them So if ye live in the Spirit and walk in it ye will not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh which will lead into Vncleanness and into Adultery and into that which despiseth Dignity which defiles the Flesh and goes from the pure Therefore the pure Faith is to be contended for and those who were sanctified by God the Father did contend for it and were preserved by it in Christ Jesus Therefore wait upon God for the living Bread that never fades away which he that eats of lives for ever So God Almighty bless you and keep you in the Measure of his Gift faithful to himself Dear Hearts to that which is pure in you I speak which the presumptuous Mind would veil that God alone may be exalted and all Flesh shattered down And all to take warning and not one to exalt himself above another but that God alone may be exalted among you all and in you all who alone is blessed for ever And ye may see from whence your heavenly Food comes alone and grow up by it for God hath done great Things in these Northern Parts and the Lord is doing great Things to the Exaltation of his Great Name and astonishing the Heathen notwithstanding the raging of the Beast and the opening of his Mouth to the Blaspheming of God and his Temple Therefore all be Valiant in the Lord God and so Fare ye well And the Lord God of Power keep you G. F. A Word from the Lord to Friends ALL Friends Epist 14. that are grown up in the Life and Power of the Truth see that when ye appoint your Meetings in any open Place in the Fields on the Moors or on the Mountains Concerning appointing Meetings that none appoint Meetings in your own Wills for
that lets in the Wills of the World upon the Life of Friends and so ye come to suffer by the World But at such Meetings let the Wisdom of God guide you that some may be there to preserve the Truth from suffering by the World that all Burdens may be kept off and taken away So will ye grow pure and strong And when there are any Meetings in unbroken Places ye that go to Minister to the World take not the whole Meeting of Friends with you thither to suffer with and by the World's Spirit but let Friends keep together and wait in their own Meeting-Place So will the Life in the Truth be preserved and grow And let Three or Four or Six that are grown up and are strong in the Truth go to such unbroken Places and thresh the Heathenish Nature and there is true Service for the Lord And to you all this is the Counsel of the Lord The Grace of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirits Amen G. F. To the Church of God in Lancashire Friends EVery one in particular who are of God and not of the VVorld Epist 15. walk out of the World 's vain Customs Ordinances and Commands and stand a Witness against them all in the Testimony of Jesus and witness him the Substance of all waiting in the Light of God and walking in it then will ye have Unity one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse you from all Sin for through it and by it we do overcome which Blood of the new Covenant is but one There shall ye witness the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World Oh wait all in that which is pure to be fed alone of God with the Eternal Living Food Go not out among the Swine who feed upon the Outside the Husk among the Merchants of Babylon and so forsake the living Bread but as ye have received Christ Jesus in him walk that ye may all honour the Lord Jesus Christ and adorn his Gospel And be famous in his Light and bold in his Strength which will carry you above the World and above all the Deceits of it Oh in Love watch over one another for good and for the better and not for the worse And dwell in that which is pure of God in you lest your Thoughts get forth and then evil Thoughts get up and Surmising one against another which ariseth out of the vailed Mind which darkens the pure Discerning But as ye dwell in that which is of God it guides you up out of the Elementary Life and out of the Mortal into the Immortal which is hid from all the fleshly ones where is Peace and Joy Eternal to all that can witness the new Birth Babes in Christ born again of the Immortal Seed in it wait my Life is with you in perfect Unity bow down to nothing but the Lord God Bow down to nothing but the Lord. Satan would have had Christ to have bowed down but he would not the same Seed now the same Birth born in you now which is the same to day yesterday and for ever The Tempter will come to you and if ye look forth and hearken to his Words and let them in then ye bow down under him and worship him But I say unto you and charge you in the Presence of the Lord Mind the pure Seed of God in you and the mighty Power of God will cherish you up to the Lord God above all Temptations not to bow down to any thing but feeding upon the Immortal Food ye will feel your selves supported and carried over him by your Father and your God whi is over all blessed for ever Who is the Vertue of all Creatures the Wisdom of all Things all Holy Praises be unto the Holy Glorious Lord God for ever G. F. TO all you Epist 16. My dear Friends who have tasted of the immediate working Power of the Lord and do find an Alteration in your Minds and do see from whence Vertue doth come and Strength that doth renew the Inward Man and doth refresh you which draws you in Love to forsake the World and that which hath Form and Beauty in it to the Eye of the World and hath turned your Minds within which see your Houses foul and Corruptions strong and the Way narrow and straight which leads to Life Eternal To you all I say Wait upon God in that which is pure Tho' you see little and know little and have little and see your Emptiness and see your Nakedness and Barrenness and Unfruitfulness and see the Hardness of your Hearts and your own Unworthiness it is the Light that discovers all this and the Love of God to you and it is that which is Immediate but the dark Understanding cannot comprehend it So wait upon God in that which is pure in your Measure and stand still in it every one to see your Saviour to make you free from that which the Light doth discover to you to be Evil. For the Voice of the Bridegroom is heard in our Land and Christ is come amongst the Prisoners The Prisoner of Hope to visit them in the Prison-Houses they have all Hopes of Releasment and free Pardon and to come out freely for the Debt is paid wait for the Manifestation of it and he that comes out of Prison shall reign So Meet together all ye that fear the Lord God and think upon his Name his Mercies endure for ever his Mercies are in Temptatations and Troubles his Mercies are in Afflictions in Reproaches and in Scorns Therefore rejoyce ye Simple ones which love Simplicity and meet and wait together to receive Strength and Wisdom from the Lord God and in departing from Sin and Evil ye will be able to speak to the Praise of the Lord And meeting and waiting in his Power which ye have received in it all to Improve your Measure that God hath given you for ye never Improve your Measure so long as ye rely upon any visible thing without you Labour in Love but when ye come alone to wait upon God ye shall every one have a Reward according to your Deserts and every one your Penny who are called into the Vineyard to labour Therefore be faithful to God and mind that which is committed to you as faithful Servants labouring in Love some Threshing and some Ploughing and some to keep the Sheep He that can receive this let him And all to watch over one another in the Spirit of God So God Almighty bless guide and prosper you unto his Kingdom where there is no Tribulation When your Minds run into any thing outwardly without the Power it covers and vails the pure in you G. F. Dear Friends PRize your Time Epist 17. and the Love of the Lord to your Souls above all things The Light shew Sin and Evil. and mind that Light in you that shews you Sin and Evil. Which checks you
worships him must worship him in Spirit and Truth The Beastly Nature in Man and Woman holdeth up the Beast and his Customs and Worships and the Plagues of God are to be poured upon the Beast and all them that worship the Beast and false Prophet And they that abide in the Truth worship not the Beast Inwardly nor Outwardly The Worship of the Beast denied but deny all the Beast's Worships and false Prophets and worship God in Spirit and Truth And they which do not abide in the Truth hold up the Beast's Worship and the false Prophets and they that do so shall have their Portion together Plagues will be poured upon such And ye that know God dwell in the Truth and tread upon the Deceit for God will be Glorified alone To whom be Glory and Honour for ever Amen G. F. TO all my Dear Brethren Epist 20. whom the God of Power hath enlightned with his Eternal Light and discovered unto you his Way of Truth and brought you out of the dark ways wherein ye have walked which dark ways all the World walks in But where the pure Light of God is witnessed it guides to himself The Light is but one which leads out of Darkness and the dark World into the World which is without End Therefore all Friends and Brethren in the Eternal Truth of GOd walk in it up to God and be not Sayers only nor Backsliders for the Backslider is a Sayer and not a Doer and there ariseth Ambition Pride and Presumption out of that Nature But dwell in the pure Light which God hath made manifest to you in your Understanding and turn your Minds to him and walk as Children of the Light The Backslider a Sayer and of the Day and be not Drunken in any thing nor run not to Extremes in any thing but be Moderate and Patient Wait for the Presence of the Great God and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and be not so Childish as to be tossed with Mens Words without Life And run not out after others Liberties which they have got into their Notions for thou that dost so wilt not abide in the Truth and so thou may'st come to be shaken and shake others who look at Words But wait every one in particular in the Measure that God hath given you upon God in the Fear of God then your Hearts will be kept clean and this is the sure Way And wait all to have the Son made manifest in you and the Son alone to set you free in your selves in particular The Son makes free and all that are made free by the Son are one But the first Nature that would have Liberty must go into Captivity which they that live in their Carnal Reasoning seek Freedom for But here is Man deceived in his first Birth But ye all in whom the Immortal Seed is brought to Light who are raised up to sit in heavenly Places with Christ Jesus and are become Children of the Day walk as Children of the Day and as Children of the Light and Let your Light so shine before Men that they may glorifie your Father which is in Heaven All loving the Light ye love the one thing which gathers your Hearts together to the Fountain of Light and Life and walking in it ye have Unity one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth you from all Sin The Knowledge of the Letter The Knowledge of the Letter which you formerly got into your Notions and Comprehensions the dark Mind gave dark Meanings to it and so kept you in the Broad Way but now wait all to have the same Spirit manifested in your Understandings which was in them which gave forth the Scriptures who were come out of the Broad Way Holy Men of God who had escaped the Pollutions of the World And if every particular of you know not a Principle within which is of God to guide you to wait upon God ye are still in your own Knowledge which is bruitish and sensual But waiting all upon God in that which is of God ye are kept open to receive the Teachings of God And the pure Wisdom and knowledge is that True Wisdom and Knowledge which comes from above which is to know God and Jesus Christ the Way which is hidden from the World and to walk out of your own Ways and out of your own Thoughts And dwelling in that which is pure up to God it commands your own Reason to keep silent and to cast your own Thoughts out and dwelling in that which is pure it discovereth all this So dwelling in the Spirit it keepeth all your Hearts to God To whom be all Praise Honour and Glory for ever From Judge Fell 's in Lancastire ' the 31st of the 11th Month 1652. G. F. To Friends at Kendal TO that of God in you I do speak Epist 21. that ye may watch over the Weak and see how the Plants of the Lord do grow And walk in the Joy and Love of the Truth Watch over the Weak serving God with Joyfulness of Heart and to you this is the Word of the Lord. And keep all that is bad down and out with the Light which condemns all Ungodliness so keep all that out which is for Condemnation that ye may all be preserved clean and pure that out of Condemnation ye may be kept and walk in the living Light So God Almighty be with you all And I charge you to read this among the Brethren and these Words mind with the Light that no Loosness be amongst you but own and be obedient to the Commands of the Lord that ye may stand out of and above all the contrary Commands of Man And so Fare-well G. F. OH Friends Epist 22. keep close to the Light in you and do not look forth at Words that proceed from a vain and light Mind but at the Power of Words The Power of Words For the Words of God that proceed from him are Powerful and Mighty in Operation to the throwing down of all the strong Holds of the man of Sin The Lord is coming in Power to gather his Chosen ones to himself and to Judge and Condemn the wicked One for evermore He will plague the Beast and burn the Whore and plague and torment the Disobedient and Rebellious and Backsliders very sore Therefore ye that know the Voice of the Lord hearken to it and see how ye stand in his Fear and how ye are brought into the Obedience of the Truth And take heed of looking forth at Man but keep close to the Light in you and see that your Minds be kept close to that and guided by that and being guided by that it will keep you clear and pure to receive the Teaching of the Lord. Have Salt in your selves and let your Words be few and seasoned Words few and savoury that they may be savoury And watch over one another in Love and walk in
Wisdom and Sobriety and Gravity and Sincerity in Purity and Cleanness And keep free from Deceit and have no Fellowship with the unfruitful works of Darkness but rather reprove them And be Faithful to the Lord walk so as the World may be confounded and ashamed when they speak evil of you as Evil-Doers walking in Humbleness Lowliness and Uprightness before them it will take away all just Occasion of speaking Evil against the Truth And be bold and valiant for the Truth and press forward towards the Mark of the Price of the high Calling of God in Christ Jesus and let no Man take your Crown Dear Friends watch over one another in Love and stir up that which is pure in one another and exhort one another daily And the Lord keep you all in his Fear and in his Obedience now and evermore G. F. FRiends Fear not the Powers of Darkness but keep your Meetings and meet in that Epist 23. which keeps you over them and in the Power of God ye will have Unity And Dwell in Love and Vnity one with another and know one another in the Power of an Endless life which doth not change And know the Second Adam The first and second Adam the Lord from Heaven which is above the First Adam the Earthly where all Strife and Transgression is And all Friends every where be Faithful in the Life and Power of God and keep your Meetings above all the World in that which changes not that nothing but Christ may reign among you the Power of God and the Wisdom of God the Sanctification and Redemption that the Just over all may reign and the Seed of God may have the Dominion in you all that with that ye may all be ordered to the Glory of God Love thinks no Evil. and kept in the Bond of Peace and reign in the love of God which is out of the Iniquity and rejoiceth not in it which thinks no Evil. And have this Love shed abroad in all your Hearts and feel it abiding in you which Love of God edifies the Body And know the Word of God abiding in you The Word of God its Effects which was in the beginning and brings to the Beginning which Word being ingrafted it saves the Soul and hammers down and throws down and burns up that which wars against it G. F. TO all Friends every where Epist 24. Dwell in the Truth and walk in the Love of the Truth in Patience and every one in your Measure keep your Habitations and learn that good Lesson of Jesus Christ To be Low and Meek in heart giving no Occasion to the Adversary by Evil-doing Walk Vprightly But walk all honestly and uprightly for the Vpright and Meek in Heart know God and God delights in the Upright and Righteous And walking in Vprightness ye will be bold as Lions resisting the Wicked with your Spiritual Weapons not by bloody Hands as the Wicked are tearing and rending the Just that dwell in the Truth For the Lions want and hunger and rage but ye that fear the Lord shall want no good thing and they that wait upon the Lord he will give them their hearts Desire I witness the Words of the Lord to be true praised be his Name O Friends dwell in the Fear of the Lord and take heed of Presumption Presumption that your Minds run not out into Vanity and Lightness that the World may not take Occasion and the Truth suffer But every one keep your Habitation where God hath called you and take heed of Deceit and form nothing in your own Wills or Minds but grow up in the Inner Man putting off the Old Man with his Deeds as Trees of Righteousness which the Lord hath planted growing in Wisdom and Understanding to do the Will of God and not your own Wills He that doth the Will of God abideth in that which endureth for ever and seeth all Flesh to be as Grass and the Glory of the World to pass away Wo to the Proud Wo unto you proud Men who Compass the Earth to set your Nests on high all your Gods of Gold and Silver must perish and that Mind that holds them up must perish But all Friends mind that which is Eternal which gathers your Hearts together up to the Lord and lets you see that ye are written in one another's Heart Meet together every where growing up in the Spirit to the Lord the Fountain of Life the head of all things God blessed for ever Let not hard Words trouble you nor fair Speeches win you but dwell in the Power of Truth in the mighty God and have Salt in your selves to savour all Words and to stand against all the Wiles of the Devil in the mighty Power of God For God that raised up his own Seed in his Saints which Seed Christ is but one in all and spreads over all and throughout all and we now are thro' him come to have Dominion and Power over the Evil-One and to tread upon that which hath been too strong for us the Enemy of our Peace and the Enemy of our Unity with God and one with another Our Vnity with God and one with another So in that which is raised up in us which trampleth upon the Earthly dark Power have we Vnity with God and Fellowship with his Son and Vnity one with another so known to one another in that which none who are of the World knoweth So our Life is hid and our Happiness Joy and Delight hid from all who are ruled and governed by the Prince of the Air from under whose Dominion and Government we are Redeemed by the only Redeemer Christ Jesus not with Corruptible things neither is our Redemption of Man nor by man nor according to the Will of Man but Contrary to Man's Will And so our Unity and Fellowship with vain Man is loft and all his evil Ways are now turned into Enmity and all his Profession is now found to be Deceit and in all his fairest Pretences lodgeth Cruelty and the Bottom and Ground of all his Knowledge of God and Christ is found Sandy A Sandy Knowledge and cannot endure the Tempest For being brought off from that Foundation and having suffered the Loss of all which seemed beautiful upon the Sand which was there builded according to that Wisdom which was not Eternal but was Earthly upon which the Curse of God was and yet doth remain where it is standing we do declare against that Bottom and Foundation by the Power of God in that Light of Christ which discovers all false Foundations and makes manifest all Sandy Bottoms which Man hath builded upon For where the only true Seed takes Root Earthly Plants and Dwellings there all Man's Plants and Plantations are plucked up for there the Earth in which the Earthly Plants do grow is broken up plowed up and ripped up and all things made manifest which have lain hid in it For in
become one with the Harlot And such Joyn together to put Christ to Death afresh So therefore dwell in that which is Pure and Eternal which guides the Mind to God here is perfect Peace to those whose Minds are stayed upon the Lord Which if the Mind goeth from there the Peace is lost and there getteth in the light airy Spirit in that Nature The light airy Spirit And if the Mind go back to fetch up things again and speak them forth there will lodge the Airy Spirit too the there may be true Experiences and if the Life speak them forth by which they were opened it keeps down the Airy Spirit Therefore Mind the Substance that keeps you in your present Conditions and that which doth disobey or rebel against the Word of the Lord in that Nature lodgeth the Airy Spirit and that which hearkens to things that are spoken out of the Life without that lets in the Devil And so ye come to be possessed with evil Thoughts and Doubts and Carnal Reasonings and Bondage and Troubles these things in you will rest until the Life be risen again within to cast all that forth which the Earthly Ear and Mind hath let in Now if ye hearken diligently ye will learn your Safe-Guard and Judge forth that which is not Pure which defiles that the Just may have the Dominion And here ye will see what stains and what defiles and the pure Eye and Ear will be opened to hear God and the Wizzard and the Inchanter and the Sorcerer and the Soothsayer all that will be kept out and Judged For none of that must live in Israel where there is to be no Transgression For where they live Truth doth not and where Truth doth live that doth not but is all judged out G. F. To Friends for all to wait and walk in the Truth ALL Friends and Brethren every where Epist 33. in the Life and Power of the Lord wait and from it none walk but that to the Light of Christ in every one ye may be made manifest that the Fear and Dread of the Lord may be in all your hearts that nothing may reign Keep your Meetings but Life it self And so all your Meetings in every place keep waiting in the Light which from Christ doth come the Saviour of your Souls that his Presence in the midst ye may all feel who are gathered together in his Name and Power in his Light which is his Name and from the World's Gatherings are turned And if any be moved who are turned to the Light with the Power which comes from him To be moved with the Power to the Service for the Lord. to any Service for the Lord to it be Obedient and ye will see Christ with you to the End of the World But if any go before they are moved and so from the Light walk he is a Stumbling-block and is to be Judged and Condemned by the Light and is out of the Wisdom and out of the Fear and soweth to the Flesh and reaps Corruption and by the Light is Condemned For that answereth not the Light in every Man's Conscience neither doth it reach to the Life the Spirit in Prison but it manifesteth Weakness and Foolishness and Nakedness which is from the Light and contrary to it And such are Stumbling-blocks and do not answer the Witness of God in the Conscience Therefore wait all in the Light for to receive the Power from him who is not of the World that ye may be preserved from Nakedness and Weakness For that which goes from the Light and is not guided with it The Slothful runs into the Lust and there is the Slothful which is to be Judged and that that will offend to which the Wo is for it answereth not that of God in the Conscience Neither is it Honourable nor of good Report for that which is Honourable and of good Report answereth that which is of God and answereth the Light of Christ in every Man in the World with Wisdom which from the Light doth come even from him by whom the World was made Therefore all Friends this is a Charge to you all and a Command to you all in the Presence of the Living God In the Light Life and Power and Wisdom of God walk that to that of God in every one ye may be manifested in the sight of God and it may be your Witness that ye are of God in every Man's Conscience which witnesseth against the World and for him who is not of the World And wait all in the Light for the Wisdom by which all things were made with it to use all the Lord's Creatures to his Glory and none to stumble one another about the Creatures for that is not from the Light for which End they were Created and with the Wisdom Wait for the Wisdom by which all things were Created by which they were made ye may be kept out of the Mis-use of them in the Image of God that ye may come to see that the Earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof and the Earth may come to yield her Increase and to injoy her Sabbaths and all such that walk Contrary to the Light may be turned to the Light that with the Light they may see and condemn that which is contrary to it So that in the Wisdom of God ye may all be kept and in the Fear of the Lord and his Righteousness established which is far from Oppression where all Bonds of Iniquity are broken and the Prince of Darkness Judged out and the Prince of Peace reigns under whose Dominion keep and walk And all that cause Strife are to be Condemned and shut out which have their Eye without and are Condemned by the Light the God of the World having blinded the Eye of the Vnbeliever Therefore ye Believers in the Light wait in the Wisdom that with it and in it ye may be ordered to the Glory of God that among you nothing may reign but Light and Life and Wisdom and Power the Dread and Fear of the Lord be among you and Truth and Righteousness reign which will answer the Light of Christ in every Man And all that is Contrary let it be Condemned with the Light which comes from him by which the World was made who was before the World was who lighteth every Man that cometh into the World Though they believe not in it yet ye may answer the Light in every Man tho' it be their Condemnation So being kept in the Light which cometh from him by whom the World was made who was before it was made ye come to receive the Wisdom by which all things were made and with it to order and use them to the Glory of God For that which is not from the Light nor from the Wisdom is the Offender which is to be Condemned with the Light which comes from the Life and to it in you all take heed that your Hearts may be
joyned together to God and all that is Contrary Condemned And so the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all in Wisdom Friends A Warning from the Lord to you all in Wisdom to walk P. S. that ye may Adorn every one what ye profess A Warning to Friends to walk in the Testimony of God that the measure of God's Spirit in every one ye may answer And know the Lord to guide your Understandings and let his Wisdom be Justified by you all and ye in the measure of the Spirit of God in Unity kept Wisdom Justified that ye may see Righteousness spring and flourish among you and no Deceit stand nor nothing that is deceitful but with the Eternal Judge it down and keep it down that nothing may live that is for the Sword which would defile the Land Therefore in that which is Eternal dwell as a Royal Priesthood in that which comes from him by whom the World was made who to all your Souls is a Friend from whence the Refreshing is receiv'd So the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all that in his Life Dread and Power ye may be preserved G. F. FRiends Epist 34. I do Warn you in the Presence of the Living God not to speak the things of God out of the Fear of God at Random in a presumptuous Mind Proud Boasters for proud Boasters are excluded out of the Kingdom of God and with the Light of Christ condemned and with the Life that gave forth the Scriptures are they Judged Therefore to you this is the Word of the Lord In the Light which Christ hath enlightned every one of you withal in it wait and it love and ye shall have the Light of Life and it will bring you to stand in the Counsel of God and keep you from all wicked Ways And with it ye will see all the Inchanters Inchanters and false Prophets seen with the Light false Prophets who speak a Divination of their own Brain whose Minds are turned from the Light of Christ with this Light are they condemned All whose Minds are turned from it and hate it whose Deeds are evil with this Light are they Condemned though they may make a Profession of the Words which did proceed from the Light from them who lived in it and walked in it So they that turn from it and hate this Light making a Profession of their Words that dwelt in it and hate them that walk in the Light now Oh high Deceit all such are to be Condemned with the Light And such that hate the Light and deny it though they may profess the Words that did proceed from the Life and be full of them they turn no People from their wicked Ways for in the Counsel of God they stand not For they were in the Counsel of God who gave forth the Scriptures who were in the Life of them from which the Letter did proceed Therefore in the Life every one in your Measures wait and walk The Life opens the Scriptures which gave forth the Scriptures which will open them to you again else you all I do deny and ye are to be turned away from as having the Form but not the Power And know the Life of God in one another and the Power of God in one another but that Knowledge in the Form without the Life we deny tho' it be never so finely painted and the Harlot be never so beautiful who is turned from the Light which Christ hath enlightned withal This is the Harlot The Harlots Dress who dresseth her self with the Words that proceeded from the Light who persecuteth them who dwell in the Light who drinketh the Blood of the Saints who dwell in the Life which gave forth the Scriptures And with the Words that proceeded from the Light doth she cloth her self and is harlotted from the Life and all that she brings forth is contrary to the Light So she is called the Mother of Harlots But if ye love this Light and your Minds be guided by it to see the Face of Jesus and him the Head then with this Light ye will see all the Harlots and the Mother of Harlots and where she is and what she is joined to The Light is that by which ye come to see he that walketh in it stumbleth not But thou stumblest who art turned from the Light among the Harlots I charge you every one in the Presence of the Living God to take heed to the Light It is your Teacher loving it it is your Condemnation hating it G. F. To Friends in the Ministry STand up ye Prophets of the Lord for the Truth upon the Earth Epist 35. quench not your Prophecy neither heed them that despise it but in that stand Quench not Prophecy which brings you through to the End Heed not the Eyes of the World ye Prophets of the Lord but answer that in them all which they have closed their Eye to that ye may to them tell of things to come answering that of God in them that shall remain Keep ye in your Habitations ye Sons of God that over all the Contrary ye may reign And ye Daughters to whom it is given to Prophesie keep within your own Measure seeing over that which is without answering that of God in all And despise not the Prophecy keep down that Nature that would which is the same as that is which acts contrary to that of God in them Not lifted up Neither be lifted up in your Openings and Prophecies lest ye depart from that which opened and so come by the Son of God to be Judged and bidden to depart as Workers of Iniquity for a Worker of Iniquity is gone from that which leads to the Son of God who is the End of the Prophets Quench not the Spirit by which ye may prove all things The Spirit proves all things and that which is good hold fast for if the Spirit be quenched then Light is put for Darkness and Darkness for Light and Evil is put for Good and Good for Evil This is when the Spirit is quenched then cannot ye try all things then cannot ye hold fast that which is good For then they cannot see good when the Spirit is quenched but when the Spirit is not quenched then with the Spirit ye may see the Good to take the Good and the Evil to shun And this brings to put a Difference between the Precious and the Vile the Profane and the Holy the Clean and the Unclean the Spirit is it that proves all things G. F. FRiends Epist 36. Take your heavenly Censers and offer up your Spiritual Prayers to the Almighty God and having heavenly Fire in your Censers it will consume all false Offerings and Sacrifices The Sacrifice of Prayer which are offered in the evil Nature G. F. DEar Friends Prize your heavenly Calling Epist 37. by which ye are called into Holiness and Righteousness without which no
daily coming in from the Lord and then ye will come to Walk with the Lord forsaking all Father Mother A forsaking all Wife and Children Lands Livings and all Here is Joining to the Lord as one Spirit and he that doth not forsake all is not worthy of him All who are in the first Birth and all who reason with Flesh and Blood stand here and are for Persecuting them who are born of the Spirit that are passing out of this City towards the City whose Foundation and Builder is God For in that City the Righteous Ones are slain by them who are of Cain's Generation All ye who are got up into his steps professing Christ and to be Ministers of Christ who stand in the Envy and have the Chiefest place in the Assemblies and are called of Men Master which Christ forbids Lye down all for shame who are in Pride and Oppression Professors Pride and Oppression and in the steps and places of the Pharisees and have got a Form of the Words which the Apostles said and which Christ said and have got it in Three or Four Languages the Lord hath discovered you now the Lord God Almighty hath discovered you by his Prophets and Servants All Honour and Glory and Thanks be to him for ever who now is come to rule alone in his Saints Rejoyce O all ye Prophets and Righteous ones The Beast which made War with the Lamb and the Saints the Lamb hath got the Victory over the Beast and the Ten Horns which pushed at him Powerful Father and Eternal God to thee alone be all Glory Honour and Thanks for ever Now all ye Teachers The World's Teachers and Hearers described and Hearers that hold you up I witness against you that ye may be Witnesses against your selves and that ye may witness your selves to be in Cain's Generation and in the Generation of the false Prophets and Anti-Christs and Seducers who have the Form of Godliness but deny the Power and in the Generation of them that ever slew the righteous Seed as it will appear Now All People take notice who are they that bear Rule by their Means Who are the Hirelings now that the Scriptures speak of Who seek for their Gain from their Quarters now Who feed themselves with the Fat now Who seek for the Fleece and cloath themselves with the Wooll now and so make a Prey of the People Where are the Hirelings now The Priests preach for Hire and the Prophets prophesie for Money Who sues Men at the Law now which Christ spake against which the Apostle speaks against who was a Minister of the living Truth which testifies against all such Practices Who goes in the Way of Balaam now for Gifts and Rewards Where are the Covetous Teachers now Who are called of Men Master now Who love the Chiefest Places of the Assemblies now Who goes in Long Robes now Who stand praying in the Synagogues now and speak a Divination of their own Brain which the Wo was pronounced against by Christ Jesus the Substance of all the Prophecies who cried Wo against all such Pharisees and false Prophets Who hale out of the Synagogues now Who stone and stock prison and beat now and hale before Magistrates This was the Jews Practice and Religion ye may say the Jews did so The Prophets of God they testified against these things and the Apostles they testified against all these Practices And Jesus Christ testified against all the evil Works of the World and all these Practices were held up in Cain's Generation So be ye Witnesses that ye are here in the Generation of the false Prophets False Prophets Generation and in the Chair of them that spake a Divination of their own Brain that are called of Men Masters love the Chiefest places in the Assemblies lay heavy burthens upon the people of them that seek their Gain from their Quarters and of them that go in the Way of Balaam Cain's Sacrifice and in the Generation of Cain Where any Prophet comes to Cry against any of you ye seek to Imprison him or to destroy him which Abel did not as ye may read but Cain who was the first Birth whose Sacrifice God had no respect to no more hath God to your Customary Will-worships Praying and Prayers than to Cain's Cain's Generation For Cain's Generation was and is the same that ever it was and is not of the Generation of the Righteous And except ye all be born again ye cannot Inherit the Kingdom of God So here be ye Witnesses against your selves that ye are in the Generation of Cain which ever slew the Righteous Seed and in the Generation of all the false Prophets Put it not far from you as they did which put Christ to Death If thou hadst lived at that day thou may'st say thou would'st not have put Christ to Death But thou shalt see the same Nature in thee now as was then For now is the Son of God come and ye are of the same Generation that they were seeking to put him to Death where he is manifest But the Eternal Glorious God of Heaven and Earth the same as ever he was is manifesting himself in his Sons and Daughters who are called out of that Generation and Worship For he said Come out from among them be ye separate touch no Vnclean thing Be ye Separate and I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters and this we witness and this is fulfilled The Generation of the Wicked we know and the Generation of the Faithful we know here is a Separation between the Precious and the Vile between the Holy and the Profane So all People weigh and see in what Generation ye are The Generation of the Righteous shall shine The Generation of the Righteous and Wicked distinguished the Generation of the Wicked are for the Fire prepared and to be turned into Hell Ye are the Stubble ye that are Proud are for the Fire ye that are Wicked ye are Chaff that the Wind drives to and fro ye that are Scorners are turned from God ye that are Heathenish know not God and all that are Heathen know not God the Lord will render Vengeance in Flames of Fire upon you The mighty Day of the Lord is coming that shall burn as an Oven The Fire is kindling in the Earth which shall burn up all Root and Branch Head and Tail the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it The Lord God of Power will reign O happy Day Praises Praises Praise ye the Lord ye Righteous Ones sing Praises to the Lord God Almighty for ever All ye Liars and Dissemblers must never inherit the Holy City in that State And all ye Liars and Dissemblers state which commit Sin and live in Sin know not God and who are disobedient and hold the Truth in Vnrighteousness the Wrath of God abides upon you All ye that work Iniquiquity and live and die in that
are to depart from God as Cursed to Everlasting Punishment where then will ye find him that ye talk of with your Mouths and call your Saviour Ye that live in your vain wicked profane Ways and take him to be your Cloak and say Ye are Redeemed by him and live in your Wickedness Go ye Cursed he will say I know you not Plagues Wo and Misery will be poured upon you all Let every one that nameth the Name of the Lord depart from Iniquity None can call him Lord but by the Holy Ghost and where the Holy Ghost is come there he is Lord and King This is witnessed in all his Saints where he is so but in Cain's Generation it is not but he persecutes it But he is risen and come in his Saints who is Lord and King who will reign over all the World and bear the Government upon his Shoulders The Lord is King in his Saints For the Lord is King in his Saints he guards them and guides them with his mighty Power and doth preserve his Seed and Children from the Seed of Evil-doers into his Kingdom of Glory and Eternal Rest where they find Joy and Peace and Rest Eternal All Glory and Praise be to the Lord God Almighty for ever G. F. ALL Friends in Westmorland Cumberland Bishoprick New-Castleside Northumberland and Lancashire Epist 39. Wait in the Measure of the Spirit of the Living God that with it all your Minds may be guided up to the Living God To Friends in the North. and to it take heed that ye may have Dominion over these Spirits that are in the Earth that in the Spirit of the Living God ye may all know one another and with it come to reign over the World in the Power of the mighty God which upholds all things and wait to receive Wisdom from God who created the Creatures to his Glory And the Lord God Almighty keep you all in the Spirit and be with you all And all of you Live in the Life live in the Life that with it ye may come to know the Father of Life and all being led with the Spirit of the Living God the Lord's Presence ye will enjoy and all that is contrary with it will be Judged So the Lord God Almighty preserve you in that which is Pure up to himself who is Pure to receive his Wisdom and that with it and in it ye all may come to be ordered to his Glory who is God over all to whom be all Honour and Glory God blessed for ever that with it ye may come to see the Lamb of God the Saviour of your Souls who was before the Letter was G. F. FRiends Epist 40. I do you all Warn and Charge to be faithful in the Measure of the Life of God Be Faithful which he hath given you And watch over one another that with that which is Pure ye may discern and Vnity have with that which is Pure And take heed of any Lightness and Frowardness which is Contrary to that which is Pure but in that wait and dwell Lightness and Frowardness to shun which doth that Judge in particular and general that the Garden of the Lord may be dress'd and ye in his Wisdom preserved and kept The Mighty Power of the Lord keep you all in his Spirit and with it up to himself your Hearts joined together And see that ye Meet together and be led together in the Spirit and in the Power of the Lord and that out of all Mens evil Wills ye keep which contrary to the Power and Light are This is the Counsel of the Lord to you G. F. FRiends Epist 41. to you all this Exhortation is from the Word of the Lord Dwell in the Life Friends to live in what they profess that with it ye may see the Father of Life And dwell in the Light with which Light the World is Condemned which Light comprehends the World's Wisdom which Light comprehends the World and their Knowledge and all the Deceivers which are entred into the World who are turned from the Light with which Light they are condemned that is the World which hates the Light because their Deeds are Evil and they will not bring their Deeds to the Light because the Light will reprove them they hating it Deceivers and Anti-Christs and you that live in it And all the Deceivers and all the Anti-Christs they are such as are turned from the Light which oppose Christ To you all my Brethren who dwell in the Light which is the Condemnation of the World and of all the Deceivers who are turned from the Light it is not possible that those Deceivers should deceive you who are the Elect which dwell in the Light which comprehends the World I do Charge you all in the Presence of the Living God to dwell in what ye speak and profess and none to profess what he doth not dwell in and none to profess what he is not a Sayer and not a Doer such beget vain Talkers So with the Light all such are to be condemned from the Life So I charge you all in the Presence of the Living God to Dwell in the Light which is the World's Condemnation The Light is the World's Condemnation who hates it Tho' they may profess all the Words declared from them that were in the Light of Christ they hating the Light in the particular with the Light which never changes are they and all their Profession to be condemned and Wo is the End of it and them from Christ who is the Light Wherefore to you I speak Friends that dwell in the Light and love it that to the Light in all Consciences of them that hate it which Christ Jesus doth enlighten them withal ye may be made manifest which is the World's Condemnation In the Light all Friends dwell which comprehends the World which is its Condemnation The highest Religion to it must bend and bow and all that is to be Condemned which is Contrary to it And all Friends dwell in the Light which is Eternal which comprehends the World that with it ye may comprehend the World and rise up and go on in the mighty Power of God as mighty Men of War in the Power and Strength of the mighty God of Life the Lord of Hosts who is with you your Shield The Lord of Hosts is your Armour Buckler and Defence and Armour who arms you over all the Wicked to reign triumph and trample God Almighty bless you and prosper his Work that to the Light in all Consciences ye may be made manifest to the Measure of God which is Pure which is given to every one that with it all may see what is contrary to God And to you this is from the Word of God G. F. To Friends concerning the Light in which they may see their Saviour and the Deceivers TO all Friends every where scattered abroad In the Light dwell
Epist 42. which comes from Christ that with it ye may see Christ your Saviour that ye may grow up in him For they who are in him are new Creatures and Old things are passed away and all things are become New And who are in him are led by the Spirit to them there is no Condemnation but they dwell in that which doth Condemn the World and do with the Light see the Deceivers and the Anti-Christs which are entred into the World And such Teachers as bear Rule by their means and such as seek for the Fleece Hireling-Teachers and make a Prey upon the People and are Hirelings and such as go in the Way of Cain and run greedily after the Error of Balaam and such as are called of Men Master and stand praying in the Synagogues and have the Chief Seats in the Assemblies All which are in the World which by those that dwelt in the Light were cried against for it did them Condemn and all such as speak a Divination of their own Brain and are filthy Dreamers who use their Tongues and steal the Words from their Neighbours with the Light the World and all these afore-said are comprehended and all that is in it and all they that hate it and all the Anti-Christs that oppose it and all the false Prophets and Deceivers that are turned from it with the Light are comprehended and with the Light are Condemned and all that are turned from it and hate it I am the Light of the World saith Christ and he doth enlighten every one that cometh into the World and he that loves the Light and walks in the Light receives the Light of Life And the other he hates the Light because his Deeds are evil and the Light doth reprove him And this is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World in which Light they that love it walk which is the Condemnation of him that hates it Anti-Christs false Prophets and Deceivers are seen And all the Anti-Christs and all the false Prophets and all the Deceivers the Beast and the well-favoured Harlot all these are seen with the Light to be in that Nature acting contrary to the Light and with the Light are they comprehended and by the Light condemned For he is not an Anti-Christ that walks in the Light that comes from Christ he is no Deceiver that walks in the Light that comes from Christ Many Deceivers are entred into the World The World hates the Light and Deceivers are turned from the Light and the Anti-christs they are turned from the Light therefore they oppose it and some of them call it a Natural Conscience a Natural Light and such put the Letter for the Light But with the Light which never changes which was before the World was are these Deceivers seen where they enter into the World For many Deceivers are entred into the World and the false Prophets are entred into the World the World hates the Light and if it were possible they would deceive the Elect. But in the Light the Elect do dwell which the Anti-Christs Deceivers and false Prophets are turned from into the World that hate the Light That Light which they do hate the Children of Light dwell in the Elect. So it is not possible that the Anti-Christs and Deceivers that are entred into the World that hate the Light should deceive the Elect who dwell in the Light which they hate which Light doth them all comprehend and the World which Light was before the World was and is the World's Condemnation in which Light the Elect walk And here it is not possible that they that dwell in the Light should be deceived which comprehends the World and is the World's Condemnation Which Light shall bring every Tongue to Confess and every Knee to bow when the Judgments of God come upon them it shall make them confess that the Judgments of God are Just G. F. TO all my Dear Brethren the Flock of God every where Epist 43. Keep together in the Power up to God 8. Month 53. and none be discouraged or disheartned at the Enemies without which are without God in the World but be bold all in the Power of Truth triumphing over the World Stand fast in the Freedom of Christ Hold your Freedom and keep and stand fast in it that ye may be armed with Wisdom and furnished against your Enemies who are Wiser in their Generation than the Children of Light But the Wisdom of the Most High is spreading and making it self manifest in your Hearts by which ye may comprehend the World's Wisdom the World's Worship and Knowledge The World's Worship and Knowledge And waiting in that which is Pure it will lead you into that which was before the World was before the false Worship was before the Seducers were before the Antichrist was and before the outward Temple was and false Prophet and Hirelings And here ye will comprehend the World and what is done in the World Therefore every one keep your Habitation abide the Trial and abide the Day and stand fast in your Freedom so far as Christ hath made you free free from Man's Will and Commandments Freedom from the Lusts of the World which imbondageth free from the Fashions and Lusts of the World the fleshly Will which bondageth and burdens the Pure And to you that cannot witness this Wait and mind the Pure and then the Burden will be easie and wait for Redemption and Salvation to make it so And your Strength is to stand still that ye may receive Refreshings that ye may know how to Wait and how to Walk before God by the Spirit of God within you So God Almighty be with you and keep you up to himself under his own Dominion from under the Dominion of Satan that ye may trample him under your Feet And Friends every where Meet together treading and trampling all the Deceit under your Feet Watch in the Eternal and watch over one another in that which is Eternal and see every one that your Words be from the Eternal Life Examin and Search with that which is Eternal which speaks to that which is in Prison in others And ye that are led forth to Exhort or to Reprove do it with all Diligence taking all Opportunities reproving that which devours the Creation and thereby destroys the very humane Reason For the Truth doth preserve every thing in its place And all Meet together every where and in your Meetings wait upon the Lord and take heed of forming Words but mind the Power and know that which is Eternal which will keep you all in Vnity walking in the Spirit See the Lord near and will let you see the Lord near you and amongst you So God Almighty be with you and multiply you and give you the Dew of Heaven the heavenly Dew the living Mercies which nourisheth the tender Plants which causeth them to grow bud and bring forth and water you
with his Blessings So the Lord God of Power be with you all my dear Hearts I am with you in the Spirit and in the Love of your God your Father and mine The Lord God prosper guide and protect you and bring you all into his Kingdom of Glory you who are Elected Called Chosen and Faithful who are the Lambs God Almighty bless you and keep you all my dear Hearts The Love of God passeth Knowledge The Love of God is Love past Knowledge which bears all things endures all things hopes all things envieth not thinketh no Evil. And the Love of God is the Ground of all true Love in your Hearts which casts out the Love of the World and the Enmity which was gotten betwixt you and God He that believes is born of God and he that is born of God overcomes the World So Fare ye all well and God Almighty bless and prosper you G. F. And all ye Friends that wait in that which is pure in it self which cannot lie which doth not change Wait upon God for God doth not change and let all Flesh be silent before the Lord that the Life may speak in all then the Mouth of the Lord is known Let Life speak and God is Exalted and Glorified with his own Work which he brings forth And Meet together therein every where and mind that which gathers you and wait on that which is pure which gathers you out of the Worlds Nature Disposition Conversation Churches Forms and Customs which will knit your Hearts together up to God That which gathers you out of all these is the Spirit of the Lord which will gather you up to him who is the Father of Spirits that ye may be able to Judge and Discern and Confound all the Deceit in the World and grow up to be as Kings and suffer nothing to reign in you but what is in the Life Eternal And beware of speaking in the Presence of the Lord except your Words be from the Eternal Life Words spoken from the Word the Eternal Word of God else it doth not profit nor build up nor edifie So God Almighty be with you all in your Meetings that ye may see him to be your Head King and Lord over all To you all who are enlightned with the Light of the Spirit that is the Light which shews you Sin and Evil and your evil Deeds and Actings and the Deceit and False-heartedness The Light teaches Holiness which will Teach you Holiness walking in it and bring you into Unity and it will draw your Minds up to God and in it ye will see more Light But hating the Light there is your Condemnation G. F. ALL Friends Epist 44. wait upon the Unlimited Power and Spirit of the Lord which baptises into one Body where ye will have all Unity in that which crucifies the Flesh and mortifies all evil Desires and puts off the Body of Sin the Old Man with his Deeds and Circumcises without hands and joyns together your Hearts up to God from whence the living Mercies come from the Living God alone who is God over all blessed for ever To that in every one of your Consciences do I appeal and speak to the Measure that God hath given the Light The Light is the Eye loving it and taking heed to it and waiting in it for Power from God it will guide you to the Father of Light in which ye will have all Unity and hating the Light it will be your Condemnation Oh Wait wait upon the Living God to nourish the tender Plant in you that ye may bring forth Fruits of Righteousness unto God for he accepts such and none else Therefore wait upon God he hath a pure Seed among you Let your waiting be in the Light and mind that he is a Wise Man whose Eye is in his Head which is Christ the End of all Priests the End of the outward Temple and the Fool 's Eye is abroad after many Priests and they are led away with Conceivings Temptations and divers Temptations Therefore in the Light wait where ye will see all Deceits within and without For it is a Sin to enter into Temptations but it is no Sin to be tempted Christ was tempted but he entred not into the Temptation Therefore in the Fear of the Lord wait and watch The Light is that which lets thee see Sin and Evil and Temptations which if thou enter into the Light will be thy Condemnation then thy Heart will not be right towards God But in the Light of God all wait Wisdom's Gate which will bring you to see where Wisdom's Gate is the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of it Pure Wisdom is let out of the Treasury into the pure Heart which sees God and fearing the Living God it keeps the Heart pure and clean to receive the Wisdom from the Treasury freely who doth not upbraid And as ye depart from Evil and Iniquity he breaks the Bonds by shewing Mercy and then the Understanding grows pure and clear So in the Power of the Lord God Fare ye well And the Lord God of Power keep you all in his Measure up to himself from and above all the World 's evil Ways Baits Customs and Teachings to trample upon them in his Power that Wisdom may be Justified of you all and ye may be preserved and God glorified To whom be all Glory Honour and Thanks over all God blessed for ever Read these among all my Brethren and Friends and send it abroad to Friends that ye may all know the Power of the Living God in one another not in Words but in Power So Farewell G. F. Concerning the Heirs of the Kingdom of God and how Christ was and his Saints are Tempted THey are the Heirs of the Kingdom of God Epist 45. and of the Generation of God that live out of the Kingdom of the Wicked World up to God in the Seed which all the Promises of God are to following after Christ who was in Egypt and passed out of Egypt the House of Darkness And he was in the Wilderness Christ was Tempted and there he was tempted to Lust after the Creature he was tempted to make himself away he was tempted to Worship the Devil to bow down and worship him He is the Captain of our Salvation he 's gone before he endured the Cross he despised the Shame he suffered the Contradiction of Sinners for the Glory that was set before him he hath won the Crown He hath overcome Egypt and he hath fulfilled the Law he hath overcome the World he hath overcome the Temptations he is able to succour all who are tempted It is no Sin to be tempted but to enter into the Temptation that is Sin He is the Head of the Body he is the Head of the Church Christ the Head of the Church who hath blotted out the Ordinances and Traditions of Men who is the End of the daily
in store in the Mind or Memory or Heart-rising one against another or Backbiting among you Evil-speaking or speaking evil one of another but Judge that out by the Light of Christ And dwell in the Life of God then ye all in this Life of God will have Vnity And beware of and not suffer that in you to Contend which goeth out of the Truth but by the Truth Judge it out And Meet together every where knowing one another in the Spirit and not in the Flesh and with the Spirit of God wait upon God the Father of Spirits And Friends Live not on that which is out of the Truth but all be kept low that that which is pure of God and comes from God ye may live and feed upon And that there be no feeding on feigned Love Feigned Love but on that which is Pure and Eternal without Mixture or Stain that all the other may be hewen down and trampled upon and troden down Earth to the Earth Dust to the Dust that ye may allbe kept pure and in Joy waiting for the Eternal Riches from the Eternal God So all to know the Ministry and Prayer which is from and in the Spriti and in it all are one and by it all the contrary is Judged And take heed of Pride but by the Eternal Spirit Pride keep all that down and judge it The Sacrifices of the Wicked are Abominaiton to the Lord and he hears not Hypocrites but the Prayers of the Righteous are heard G. F. FRiends in the Life and Power of God dwell Epist 49. which doth teach you to deny your selves which keeps you from all Strife and from all Deceit that nothing may appear Self-denial but by the pure Spirit it may be Judged and that by the Spirit of God ye may all be kept up to him who is a God of Order and not of Confusion For all who are in Confusion are in that Nature that 's contrary to the Light who are with it to be Condemned And so the God of Life be with you all that the Fear of the Lord in all your hearts may be set that the Dread Terror and Fear of the Lord amongst you may remain and Faith from him ye may all come to receive and Love And let Love proceed one towards another from the Faith which purifies that all Actions to the Light may be brought that all Deeds contrary to the Light may with it be Condemned that in Peace and Righteousness ye may all grow up in that which is Eternal guided to him who is Eternal taking all heed to the Measure of God's Grace that with it your Minds may be guided up to God the Father of Life and all your Minds with the Eteranl kept to him who is Eternal That the Kingdom of God ye may all come to see The Kingdom of God waiting in the Light taking heed to it which calls to Repentance which informs your Minds towards the Kingdom of God where there is no End but Love Joy and Peace for Evermore And wait in the Light for Power to remove the Earthly part that ye may all witness the Kingdom and Joy in the Holy Ghost that with the Light your Minds may be kept up to God who is Pure and in it ye may all have Unity who in the Light of Life do walk For who contrary to the Light do act this is their Condemnation Vnsavoury Speeches c. And let no unsavoury Speeches nor Prophaness nor Loosness nor Idleness nor Filthiness be amongst you but be diligent serving the Lord in the Light for all that which is contrary to the Light with the Light is to be Condemned And to you this is the Word of the Lord that with the Spirit of the Lord that comes from the Father of Spirits ye may all come to witness the Spirit of Promise and set to your Seals that God the Father of Spirits is true So in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ be ye all kept and preserved and Keep together and Meet together that ye may grow in the Measure of God's Grace G. F. And all Dear Friends in the Eternal dwell that as the Plants of the Lord ye may grow The Plants of the Lord. and ye who are the Vineyard-dressers keep out the subtil and cunning Foxes who make their Holes in the Earth If in the Light ye all dwell which was before the Earth was with it ye will the tender Plants preserve And all Friends in that which is pure patiently wait to inherit the Substance and in that dwell which sees beyond the Shadow Types Traditions and evil Lust And dwell in the Life that ye may be nourished with living Food and be kept above the World in the Light that the Son of God be not crucified afresh with that which turns from the Light into the Lust So all ye that have a Sight of this and are come hither Wait in the Light that ye may grow up in the living Word to comprehend the World that every one of your Souls may come to find its Rest where no Burden is and the Travel in the Will of Man is ceased For all those Travels and Burdens are among them that contrary to the Light do act Self-Burdens and Travels and the Burden is their own and the Travel is their own which is to be condemned with the Light which leads up into Life And so the Power of the mighty God of Life be with you which is raising up his living Seed and the Seed is one which is turning up the Earth and cleaving it asunder and removing it out of its place and bringing into the Faith of Abraham and to the God of Abraham The Lord God be with you that in the Light dwell whose Minds are turned towards Christ the Way from all that which Christ the Light discovers to be evil Ye Children of the Light seek to turn many to the Light and to Wisdom's Gate bring them that ye may all come to be Door-Keepers in the House of the Lord and see what must be kept out of hi House Wisdom's Gate Door-Keepers and what to receive into the House and own no Sacrifice but that which is from the Living which is accepted of the Lord. G. F. ALL Friends Dwell in that which is Pure Epist 50. and wait for the Power of God to preserve you in that which is Pure up to God Concerning the Power of God And know the Seed of God in one another that the Knowledge which is after the Flesh may die and know the Power of God in one another Let your Faith stand in that which throws out the Earthly Nature and the Loftiness of Man which overturns the Worldly Wisdom and the Carnal Knowledge which is bruitish and Devilish In that which is Pure dwell that ye may be able to discern and savour and comprehend that which is not Pure Dwell in that which is
Light That ye may receive the Wisdom from above which is neither Earthly nor Sensual nor Devilish with which ye may be ordered to the Glory of God and with that order all that ye have to order And to you this is the Word of the Lord. G. F. Honouring all Men P. S. is reaching that of God in every Man for that brings to seek the Honour of God the other fades and reacheth not to that of God in Man For the Saints Honour all Men. which were to honour all Men they were in that of God which did reach to that of God in all Men And they that are not in the Spirit of God do dishonour the Son and mis-call Men honouring and fetting up that which is out of the Truth which is to be troden under Foot G. F. This is to be sent among Friends who be in the Light ALL my Dear Brethren Babes of God Born of the Immortal Seed Epist 54. whose Dwelling is in the Power that upholds all things Concerning the Light which Power is made manifest which hath brought you to him that was in the Beginning before the World was and with the Life to Comprehend the World and that which is in it and what it is Life comprebends the World and what it lies in All my Dear Babes of God who are in the Arms of the Almighty dwell in the Light that ye may be manifested to the Light of God in all Conseiences that to the Light which is of God Peoples Minds may be directed and they come to receive the Life and to witness it that gave forth the Scriptures that with the Light ye may see them who act contrary to the Light who are for the Sword who are for the Hammer and who are for the Fire Here not a Deceiver shall stand nor a false Prophet nor an Anti-Christ False Prophete and Anti-Christs who do oppose the Light but with the Light all such are seen and comprehended Which Light is Eternal and was before the World was which comprehends the World which Light is one in every Man's Conscience Which Light is the Condemnation of all that hate it and of all that Profession that is acted in that Nature contrary to the Light My Babes dwell in the Light in the Immortal Seed of God and grow up in it and be cloathed with Christ's Zeal having his Mind that with the Light ye may see them which be from the Light turn'd and act contrary to the Light who with the Light are to be condemned And so all they that make a Profession of the Scriptures declared from the Light and act contrary to the Light that comes from Christ Jesus and yet profess his Command their Zeal is without Knowledge and they will persecute For they Self-Righteousness that be in the Self-Righteousness are in that Nature that acts contrary to the Light who with the Light are to be condemned which Light leads to Christ and brings to witness him the Lord of Righteousness Therefore dwell in the Light that to the Light in all Consciences ye may be made manifest to turn them from the Darkness to the Light and so to Christ from whence it comes that with the Light every one may see their Salvation Christ Jesus and so ye may bring every one to sit under the Vine Christ Jesus and bring every one into the Light which comprehends the World which is the World's Condemnation False Prophets Anti-Christs and Deceivers and all them that hate it And bring every one to the Light which condemns all evil Deeds and Works of Darkness and Works of the Flesh that with the Light they may all see what shall enter into the Kingdom of God and what not And bring all into the Light that they may see the false Prophets and the Anti-Christs and Deceivers A Bruitish Knowledge which are all in that Nature which acts contrary to the Light in which Light is Unity with which Light are they all condemned And to you this is the Word of the Lord. And who turns from the Light and gets the Words of them that knew what they declared from the Light and makes a Profession of them this Knowledge is bruitish But who dwells in the Light and with the Light sees Christ his Knowledge is from that which is Eternal with which Light the other is Condemned which acts contrary to it though he may have the Words declared from it And all who are turned from the Light and make a Profession of the Words declared from the Light and gather there a great deal of Wisdom yet their Minds are turned into the Earth which is a Seat for the Devil there is the Sensualness there is the Devilishness and Earthliness there is the Wisdom that is from below which is acted in that Nature contrary to the Light with the Light that is comprehended and with the Light that is condemned That Wisdom is from below But the Light leads the Mind up to Christ from whence it comes to receive the Wisdom which is from above and condemns that which leads from the Light for that is pure and gentle which is from above but the other is Sensual Earthly and Devilish Perverse and Envious and is with the Light comprehended and condemned Which Light is against the false Prophet whose Words Knowledge and Wisdom is not from it G. F. THE Word of the Lord God to all my Brethren Epist 55. Babes and Soldiers that are in the Spiritual Warfare of our Lord Jesus Christ The Spiritual Warfare Arm your selves like Men of War that ye may know what to stand against Spare not pity not that which is for the Sword of the Spirit Plague and Famine and set up Truth and confound the Deceit which stains the Earth and cumbers the Ground The Dead stinks upon the Earth and with it the Earth is stained therefore bury it And wait in the Light which comes from Jesus to be cloathed with his Zeal to stand against all them who act contrary to the Light which comes from Jesus and yet profess the Words declared from the Light which are only Sayers but not Doers Sayers and not Doers All such are to be troden without the City under Foot and Wo proceeds from the Lord against all such and the Stone is falling upon such and fallen to grind them to Powder Arm your selves like Men of War the mighty Power of God goes along with you to enable you to stand over all the World and Spiritually to chain to fetter to bind and to imprison and to lead out of Prison to famish to feed and to make fat and to bring into green Pastures So the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you And go on in the Work of the Lord that ye may trample upon all Deceit within and without And all they who are gathered together with the Light and their Minds turned towards Christ Jesus
who doth them enlighten that they may all see the Lord Jesus among them their Head and they his Branches in the Light waiting and growing up in Christ Jesus from whence it comes they may bring forth Fruit to the Glory of his Name And all waiting and walking in the Light with it ye will see the Lord Jesus amongst you And ye will see with the Light all that hate it who profess Christ Jesus Words declared from his Light and walk not in it by his Light are they and all their Profession condemned And to you this is the Word of the Lord. G. F. To call the Minds out of the Creatures ALL Friends of the Lord every where Epist 56. whose Minds are turned within towards the Lord Take heed and hearken to the Light within you which is the Light of Christ and of God which will call your Minds to within as ye heed it which were abroad in the Creatures that by it your Minds may be renewed and by it turned to God with that which is pure to worship the Living God the Lord of Hosts over all the Creatures That which calls your Minds out of the Lusts of the World The Lusts of the World and Evil Affections it will call them out of the evil Affections and Desires and turn you from them and set your Affections above And the same which calls your Minds out from the World's Teachers and the Creatures and to have your Minds renewed there your Obedience is to be known and found and there the Image of God is renewed and ye come to grow up into it That which calls your Minds out of the Earth turns it towards God where the pure Babe is born in the Virgin-Mind and the Babe's Food is known and the Childrens Bread witnessed which comes from the living God which nourisheth up to Eternal Life Which Babes and Children receive their Heavenly Wisdom from above from the Pure Living God and not from the Earthly One for that is troden under Foot with such And all who hate this Light whose Minds are abroad in the Creatures and in the Image of the Devil they may get the Saints Words who received their Wisdom from above in their old Nature and corruptible Mind but such are they who are Murderers of the Just Enemies to the Cross of Christ in whom the Prince of the Air lodgeth Sons of Perdition Murderers of the Just Betrayers of Christ Therefore take heed to the Light which is oppressed with that Nature which Light shall Condemn as it ariseth all that evil Nature and shut it out and turn it out of the House And so ye will come to see the Candle lighted the House sweeping and swept and then after the pure Treasure will be found The Treasure found and then the Name of the Eternal God will be exalted And the same Light that calls your Minds which were abroad out of the World the same turns them to God the Father of Light Here the pure Mind is known and the pure God is waited upon for Wisdom from above and the pure God is served night and day and the Peace which hath no End is enjoyed For ye may have Openings but your Minds going into the Lusts of the Flesh here the Affections are not mortified Therefore hearken to that and take heed to that which calls your Minds out of the vile Affections and the World's Lusts to have them renewed the same will turn your Minds to God the same Light will set your Affections above and bring you to wait for the pure Wisdom from God from on high that it may be Justified Wait all in that which calls your Minds inward and turns them to God and here is the Cross witnessed The Cross that the Mind shall feed upon nothing but the pure Light of God and on the living Food which comes from the living God So the Lord God Almighty be with you all and keep you all in his Strength and Power to his Glory over all the World whose Minds are called out of it and turn'd to God to Worship the Creator and serve him and not the Creature And the Light of God that calls your Minds out of the Creatures turns them to God to an Endless Being To see God always present Joy and Peace here is a seeing God always present who is not known to the World whose Minds are in the Creatures whose Knowledge is in the Flesh and whose Minds are not renewed Therefore to you whose Minds are called out of the Creatures and out of the World and fading things by the Eternal Light of God the same Eternal Light which hath turned it and presented it to God will bring you to see all these things and those whose Minds are abroad in the Creatures and so Judgment will be given upon that and them who hate the Light And Friends the Seed of God mind and dwell in it which will bring you to reign over the World and the Power of the Lord dwell in which will keep you Clear in your Understanding that the Seed of God may reign in you all which is but one in all which is Christ in the Male and in the Female which Seed the Promise is to Wait upon the Lord to feel the Just to reign over the Vnjust and the Seed of God to reign over the Seed of the Serpent and to be the Head that all which is Mortal Presumption may dye for out that will rise Presumption So Fare ye well And God Almighty bless guide and keep you all in his Wisdom G. F. To a Friend in Distress when the Accuser had got in IN the Time of thy Weakness the Accuser of the Brethren is got in Epist 57. therefore mind the Seed of God to cast him out and what may hinder thee from eating the things of the Creation So do not hear that but mind the Seed of the Lord and thou wilt feel Life and Dominion G. F. OH Friends Look not out for he that doth is darkned Epist 58. And take heed of Lightness take heed of the World and of busying your Minds with things not serviceable The Wise Man's Eye A Wise Man's Eye is in his Head but a Fool 's Eye is gazing up and down Oh! Be Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth and tread upon the Deceit And keep to Yea and Nay for he that hath not Power over his own Tongue his Religion is vain And take heed of Knowledge for it puffeth up Knowledge puffeth up but dwell in the Truth and be what ye speak he that abideth not in the Truth is led by the Evil one Wait on the Lord he will perfect his Work amongst you he that hearkens diligently to the Teacher within denieth all outward Hireling-Teachers He that is made the Temple of the Holy Ghost placeth no Holiness in the World's Temples The Teachers without exalt the Carnal Mind but the Teacher within destroyeth it There
whose Light doth Justifie you who then shall condemn you Therefore in that dwell which doth Condemn all the Evil in the World G. F. AND all Friends every where pray to the Lord to give you Dominion over all and that in his Power and Life and Seed ye may live and reign And all Friends submit your selves one to another in the Fear of God and be one with the Witness of God in all One with the Witness of God and look at that and that will keep you down from looking at the Bad but looking at the Good keepeth your Minds over the Bad with the Lord. G. F. To Friends Concerning the Covenant of Light and Life FRiends every where Epist 63. to the Measure of the Life of God in you all take heed that with it your Minds may be guided up to the Living God from whence Light and Life doth come and Vertue A Note concerning the Life and Strength and Nourishment so that with the Life ye may be kept from that which vails and clouds and darkens where the Mist of Darkness cometh over you Wherefore to the Measure of Light take heed that with it all your Minds may be guided up to the Father of Life from whence Life cometh that the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Christ Jesus ye may all come to enjoy So that in Peace Patience Righteousness and Temperance and Godliness ye may be kept and all grow up in brotherly Kindness Brotherly Kindness and be kept from that which causeth Strife and Sects and Divisions so that nothing may rule but the Light of God among you To that which is pure and lowly take heed that Mastery and Strife may be thrown down and the Evil Eye and the Eye that is out from the Life of God may be known and pluck'd out so that the Light of the glorious Gospel may shine and that ye may all know it And so all awake to the Righteousness of Christ the Righteousness of God whom Man was departed from Christ the Righteousness of God who enlighteneth every one The Righteousness of Christ that cometh into the World that all Men through him might believe So all having a Light from Christ Jesus the Righteousness of God he is the Way to the Father whom God gave for a Covenant of Light Life and Peace Therefore every one in your Measures Wait that ye may see him and come to witness the Covenant of Life and Peace with God receiving his Gift Christ Jesus the Son and Mediator So this I warn you all in the Presence of the Living God to wait every one in the Measure of Light and of Life that ye may all come to witness the Seal of the Covenant The Seal the Covenant and be led and kept with that which will keep you Spotless and Clean and Holy and Righteous where Power is received from him who hath given you a Light so that in the Light ye may all have Vnity and in it be kept and all that which is contrary to it with it may be Condemned And in this Covenant of Light and Life the Gift of God know one another and him by whom the World was made who was before the World was who is now again manifested Glory and Honour for ever be unto the Lord That the Crown that is Immortal ye may all come to see and receive and your own Crowns lay down at the Feet of Jesus And so his Light being come to all your own Works are ceased from and your own Thoughts which if ye follow them they will lead you into Error Therefore wait in the Light which comes from him by whom the World was made to receive Wisdom from him that in it and with it ye may be preserved from the World and out of the World to him by whom the World was made and that Wisdom may be Justified of her Children Wisdom Justified of her Children and ye kept all Low in the Fear of God from all Strife and Deceit and Dissension and Pollution and Hypocrisie and Dissimulation single with the Measure of Light which comes from the Father of Life Every one to feel with the Life of God the Arm of the Lord God not to be shortened but to reach to every one of you all and to carry you all in his Arm and gently to lead them that are with young So feeling the Presence of the Lord God with you ye receive Vertue into your Souls from the Living God who nourisheth his own living Plant and Plants So the Lord God Almighty preserve you in the Light which shews to every one their evil Deeds and reproves for them this is the true Light which if ye come to it and love it ye come to Christ and love him by whom the World was made and it will let you see the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls and how ye have gone astray like Sheep without a Shepherd For it is that which restores you to Christ the Bishop of your Souls who is the Prophet that must be heard And all who will not come to the Light which cometh from Jesus Christ but hate it because their Deeds are evil they do know that the Light will reprove them Therefore this is their Condemnation The Light of Truth the Light which is your Teacher who come to it and receive it ye receive Christ and he giveth the Power to become the Sons of God which many do witness blessed be the Name of the Lord. Therefore wait every one in your Measure to know the Scripture fulfilled in you which came not by the Will of Man but was learned of God which is for the perfecting of the Man of God through Faith in Christ Jesus and is to be read and to be fulfilled and to be practised which was given forth from the Spirit Therefore every one wait in the Measure of the Spirit to learn of him as they did which gave it forth G. F. To Friends in the Ministry ALL Friends Epist 64. who are moved of the Lord to speak the Word of the Lord whom the Lord hath made to be his Mouth speak not your own Words to feed the sensual part of Man in your own Wills for there God is not honoured and Wisdom is not justified But ye that are moved to speak in Steeple-Houses or to the Priests who have not the Word of the Lord Speak the Word of the Lord faithfully but the Letter speak the Word of the Lord faithfully neither add to it with your Reason nor diminish from it with a disobedient Mind but speaking the Word of the Lord faithfully it is sharper than a Two-edged Sword to cut down all Deceit and as a Fire to burn up the Chaff and it purifies you that speak it And so as an Hammer it will break down all the Contrary And the Word is but One which sanctifies all and cleanseth the Heart and sanctifies and reconciles
to God And the Light is but One and all being guided by it all are subject to One and are One in the Vnity of the Spirit And if your Minds turn from the Light and that Mind speak of the Light there gets up Pride and Presumption and the Will and then ye begin to strike your Fellow-Servants Therefore all Dear Friends and Brethren Be Servants to the Truth and do not strive for Mastery but serve one another in Love Wash one another's Feet take Christ for your Example Serve one another in Love that I may hear of no Strife among you But all walk in the Truth and in the Love of it up to God for there ye are my Joy and Crown in the Lord. Children would be striving but that which would have the Mastery must dye and shall not enter into the Kingdom of God Therefore mind not high things but fear and condescend to Men of Low Degree for the Fear of the Lord keeps the Heart clean and the pure in Heart sees God AND Friends spread your selves abroad that ye may be serviceable for the Lord and his Truth and get over the Head of the Wicked and trample all that which is Contrary to God under your Feet that ye may Answer that of God in every one And him who was promised to be the Covenant of God to the Gentiles The Covenant of God and the New Covenant to the Jews hold forth to them both that all may know him their Leader to God and the Prisoner to come forth unto him G. F. THis is the Word of the Lord to all Friends and Fellow-Labourers in the Truth who are subduing the Earth and its earthly Knowledge Epist 65. and its Carnal Wisdom and beating down and threshing down that in Hope to get forth the Wheat and to be made Partakers of your Hope I charge you all dwell in the Light which doth comprehend the World their evil Ways their Will Worships what they worship Will-Worship and what is their End in all their Actions So that ye may yoke the Oxen and bridle the Horses and tame the wild Heifers and bring them to Christ's Yoke that is to the Light bring every one unto it to see their Way to Salvation and with it every one may know their Condemnation who act contrary to it Wait all on the Lord that ye may be settled and stayed in the Lord and to grow up in the Light that gave forth the Scriptures that there may be no stumbling about the Words which came from the Light For no Creature can read the Scriptures to profit thereby but who come to the Light and Spirit that gave them forth LOVE the Truth more than all and go on in the mighty Power of God Good Soldiers of Christ as good Soldiers of Christ well fixed in his glorious Gospel and in his Word and Power that ye may know him the Life and Salvation and bring up others into it G. F. ALL Friends Epist 66. Meet together in the Light that with it ye may see the Father of Life amongst you in your Meetings And so the Lord God of Power be with you and keep you And the Lord God Almighty give you Dominion over the Beasts of the Field The Beasts of the Field and the Fowls of the Air the Fishes in the Sea and all creeping things And the Lord God Almighty be with you all Farewell AND all live in Peace in Love in Life and in the Power of the Lord God and keep your Meetings every one of you waiting in the Power of God upon him Vnity with God that in it ye may have Vnity with God the Father and the Son and one with another AND Dear Friends Let Wisdom guide you in Patience and do not strive with any in Meetings Strive not in Meetings but dwell in the Power of the Lord God that can bear and suffer all things And make no Strife among Friends but live in that which makes for Peace and Love and Life in which Edification is known G. F. To Friends concerning Marriages WHom God joyneth together Epist 67. are with the Light which is Eternal in the Vnity in the Covenant of Life and of Peace and this Marriage is honourable What Marriage is honorable and what is not and this Bed is not defiled For the Light leads from all Whoredom and Adultery which God will Judge For there is no Marriage honourable but what is in the Lord and that is in the Light with which Light the Covenant of Life is known and seen and the Faith in Jesus the Gift of God is received And they that forbid Marriage are out of the Light and in the Doctrine of Devils And they which are in the Light whom God doth Join together let no Man put them asunder for they that seek to do so are in that Nature which acts contrary to the Light And this Marriage which is honourable with the Children of the Light is seen and known who are in the Covenant of Light and with the Light are turned to the Lord Jesus Christ who leads from all the Works of Darkness And none who are in the Light are afraid of their Deeds being tried but they bring them to the Light to be tried whether their Works be wrought in God Motions of the Flesh Condemned Now who follow the Motions of the Flesh fulfilling the Desires of their Will and go into the Lust of the Flesh such are adulterated from the Light and their Marriage is not honourable and the Children of the Light cannot approve of them But whom God doth Join together they are led from the evil Motions of the Flesh and the Children of the Light do Approve of and Justifie them And who follow the Motions of the Flesh are in the Eagerness Lust Extremes Excess and the Hastiness and that Mind is afraid to declare its Work tho' afterwards is forced by Constraint And that the Children of Light cannot Justifie which is done in that Nature contrary to the Light Therefore the Joining together in the Light the Children of the Light do Honour and Justifie and the Light doth not hide from its own but the Darkness hides from the Light and is afraid to be reproved Therefore all ye Children of the Light let your Light so shine before Men that the Marriage which is Honourable may be witnessed and all that is Contrary to the Light condemned Therefore let all Proceedings in such things Proceedings in Marriage where they are Intended be declared to the Children of Light that therewith they may have Vnity and all the Motions and Works of the Flesh may be condemned and that the Pretence of the Spirits Moving may not be a Cloak or Cover for the beastly Lust but that all such Proceedings may be searched into by the Light and tried whether they stand in or out of the Covenant Let this be read amongst all Friends The God of
destroyeth the Devil And to respect Mens Persons is a Transgression of the Royal Law let there be no such thing among you But let every one believe in the Light and then in it see their Salvation and ye will receive Power to become the Sons of God Let no one have but one Wife for Christ hath but one his Church which is his People So in the Power and in the Bed of Purity The Bed of Purity in the Singleness of Virginity and in the Beauty of Holiness live where Righteousness and Holiness and Truth dwelleth together and Peace in the Kingdome of Power where is the Everlasting Joy Peace and Dominion and Victory where the Bed is not defiled but the Marriage that is honourable is known in that live About am I compassed with the Virgins pure The undefiled Beauty of the Virigns and the Vndefiled ones are my Beauty The Virgins trimmed with Oil in their Lamps enter in with the Bridegroom And all ye Virgins pure lose not the Ornaments of he Lord but wait that ye may be Married to the Lamb in the Everlasting Marriage and to remain with him in the World that is without End G. F. DEarly beloved Friends and Brethren In the Power Epist 75. and Life and Seed of God all dwell serving one another in Love and in the Wisdom of God Serve one dnother in Love that with it ye may be ordered to the Glory of the Lord God that nothing may reign but Life it self and in it be faithful Keep all your Meetings and know the Power of the Lord God among you all YE must do nothing for the Lord by Earthly Policy nor trust to that but wait in the Power of the Lord God Earthly Policy and be ordered by that to his Glory Ye will never be right till then and that must keep Peace among you AND take heed of High-mindedness for that will puff up that part which should not be Exalted and if that come up to rule High-mindedness puffs up which is for Judgment then it will do hurt but when he comes to reign whose Right it is then Peace and Good-Will is unto all Men and no hurt in all the holy Mountain of the Lord is seen G. F. OH Epist 76. all Friends in the unchangable Life and Power and Seed of God live and be out of the Low Earthly Changable Spirit of the World The Chargable Spirit of the World which is given to Changing and Tossing and Tempest and Waves by which Durt is cast up Oh! Therefore the Life and Power of God and his Seed live in which never changeth by which every one may stand in the Power of God and in his Life and Wisdom through which ye may all live And stand stedfast in the Vnchangable Life and Seed of God The Vnchangable Life which was before Changins and Alterings were and which will remain when all that is gone So God Almighty in that peserve you in which ye may have the Blessing among you and God's Wisdom to order you both Men and Women to his Glory that so in his Fear ye may be preserved to the Glory of God in his Wisdom and Life in that which doth not change in which ye may feel the Vnchangable Fellowship AND Friends Be Wise and Low and take heed of Abusing the Power of God Be Low and Answer the Good in all but live in it in the still Life patient to the Answering the Good in all to the Refreshing one of another and not to the Stumbling But mind that which keepeth in Vnity in the Life tho' never so little G. F. FRiends Epist 77. in the Meafure of the Life of God wait to guide your Minds up to the Fathers of Life there is no Shadow nor Changing That which doth not change As ye do hither come ye must know a Removing and Changing of that which will Change with that which doth not Change to that take heed to guide all your Minds that none be found Naked For who are found Naked they are in that which hath an End and doth Change and that causeth Blindness And therefore to you all this is the Word of the Lord In the Measure of the Life wait that it may join your Hearts unto the Father of Life that Cloathing and Righteousness ye all may come to receive and come to feel your Strength renewed from the God of all Strength to every one of you according to your Measrue and see him that Mercy shews And so in Peace live which come from the God of all Peace who bruises Satan under your Feet who hath ruled So here the Love of God will in your Hearts come to be shed abroad which Love is one and doth not change The Love of God doth not change in it dwell and grow and abound that over all that which is contrary to the Lord of Life who destroys Death ye may reign every one over your own Hearts and Lusts and vile Affections and your former vile Conversation Disposition and Nature and Wills So that ye may come to know the Saints State unto whom all things were become New and the Old things were passed away and that which doth not change which is New that mind to guide all your Minds up to the Living God from whence Light Life and Power doth come So in it the Lord God of Life preferve you that to him ye may be a sweet-smelling Savour for that which will corrupt and doth corrupt and will grow ragged and come to be torn and will dye of it self and will wither fade and stink in the Nostrils of God is that which is contrary to the Measure of the Life of God and is with the Light condemned Therefore wait I do warn you all in the Presence of the Living God in the Measure of the Life of God Grow up it Love in it to grow up in Love in Vertue and in Immortality in that which doth not fade which joins and unites your Hearts together and that all that may with the Light be Condemned which is contrary to it For that which doth defile is out of God's Kingdom and is with the Light seen and condemned in which Light the Children of the Light walk and have Unity one with another and with the Son of God from whence it comes AND My Dear Friends Keep your Meetings and ye will feel the Seed of God among you all tho' never a Word be spoken among you But be faithful that ye may Answer that of God in every one And do not neglect your Talents Talents but be faithful in the Power and Life of God which ye have received And dwell in the Life and Power and Love of God one with anothre G. F. FRiends in the Power and Life of God dwell Epist 78. in Vnity one with another that with the Life of God ye may Answer that of God in every one And keep down
and Low that nothing may reign Keep Low but Life among you and unto the Power of God be Obedient And Friends the going from the Life and Power into the Changable things there is the Strife which the Life is over by which Power of God all things were made wherein Wisdom is received to order all things to his Glory So the Seed Christ in you all know which doth go over the Earth and inherits the Promise of God that ye may be all Heirs of the Promise of God And Cease from your own Words The Promise of God but in the Power live for it breaks down Rocks Mountains old and Sandy Foundations and the Bond of Iniquity and makes up the Breach between God and Man and breaks down that which made the Breach So the Seed know one in another which Seed is Christ who according to the Flesh was of Abraham and according to the Spirit the Son of God And this is the Word of the Lord God to all Friends and a Charge to you from the Lord God To live in Peace one with another and that the Peace Life and Wisdom of God may rule you all G. F. To all Friends to abide in their Callings TO all Dear Friends who are called who are enlightned Epist 79. whose Midns are turned from the World's Worships and Teachers having your Eye to the Light and Guide within which is leading you out of this dark World and your old vain Conversations towards God and the World which is without End Mercy and Peace from God the Father be multiplied among you Every one of you abide in your Calling waiting upon God where he hath called you And take heed of Reasoning with Flesh and Blood for there Disobedience Pride and Presumption will arise and there ye will grow up to be Trees Fruitless Trees that bear no Fruit and as a Fig-Tree which beareth Leaves and no Fruit and as Wells without Water Oh! Therefore mind the Pure which would lead you out of this Corruptible Heathenish dark World and its vain Ways and from Destruction and Death to Life And so the Lord God of Power bless you guide you and preserve you on in your Way towards the holy City being called out of the unholy City for he that hath called you is Holy Now many are called but few are chosen Oh! Therefore abide in that which hath called you which is Holy and Pure up to him who is Holy and Pure and let the Time past of your eil Ways be sufficient wherein ye have lived in Wickedness and in the Ways of this untoward Generation lest your Minds do turn back into Egypt and the World and so cause the Worthy Name of the Lord to be blasphemed which hath called you by turning aside and growing into Hardness of Heart and turning from a pure Conscience and making Shipwrack of it and of Faith For ye may see how far many may go and did go and were led out of many things yet did turn again into the World So mind your present Guide and your present Condition and your Call what ye are called from and what ye are called to for whom the Lord hath called and chosen The Lord's Free-Men are the Lord's Free-Men And so abide every one in your Calling with God where God hath called you and there walk in Newness of Life and not in the Oldness of the Letter for he that turneth from him that calleth walks not in the Life of God Therefore all Friends walk in the Truth and in the Love of it up to God and every one in particular mind your Guide that ye may grow up in Wisdom Improve your Talents and improve your own Talents and the Gift which God hath given you And take heed of Words without Life for they tend to draw you out of the Power to live above the Truth and out of your Conditions which Nature will not have Peace except it have Words But every particular submit to that which is of God in you to guide you to God And be ye all Servants to the Truth and diligent in your Callings and serve one another in Love in which ye can wash one another's Feet Serve one another in Love So serve one another in Love and do not lavish out your selves without the Fear of God such are Clouds without Water which have the Words but not the Power flowen up into the Air which have a Light and yet are as Wandring Stars which lead up into the Presumption and thou that art there thy Garments are defiled for thou goest from the Spirit which should sanctifie thee for ye are sanctified through Obedience to the Spirit Therefore every particular Walk in the Spirit and obey it then ye will have all Vnity one with another in the Spirit and ye will see Knowledge Tongues and Prophecies shall cease Prophecies scall ceafe but he that cometh to the End to him who openeth all Truth is blessed Therefore all Friends Obey that which is pure within you and know one another in that which brings you to wait upon the Lord that ye may all witness a living Soul and your selves to be come out of Death For these things ye must all find within there is your Peace and there Refreshing comes into your Souls from the Lord And standing still in the Light within and therein waiting ye will see your Saviour Christ Jesus raising you up out of Death by which Work he is glorified For the Works of the Lord praise him which are Wonderous to the World Now every one in particular mind the Pure in you The Chast Virgins for the Chast Virgins follow Jesus Christ the Lamb of God who takes away the Sins of the World and who are not Chast will not follow him For that in every particular of you which is not Chast will not submit to the Pure which would guide you to God but rather submit to their own Thoughts and follow them and run after them and their own Wills and seek to accomplish them and so run out into that Generation whose Thoughts were not as God's Thoughts nor Ways as God's Warys Therefore watch all and abide all in your Callings the Light is that which will let you see your Transgression and your Running aside and the By-paths and Crooked ways and the Generation of Serpents and Vipers And this Light is Christ which sheweth these things Now before these things be known and judged of aright Judgment must be brought sorth into Victory and set up in the Earth where this State is witnessed Now the Woman which is the Church must be subject to her Husband in all things Jesus Christ is the Husband The Woman subject to her Husband in every thing she must be subject to him Who are in the Flesh know nothing of this in the first Nature for it the Mystery which the Apostle speaks of and so it is a Mystery still but where it is
have bought Buy the Truth and sell it nol and do not sell it for changable things for things that pass away and subsist but for a time But as the glorious Truth is springing and manifest among you live and walk all worthy of what ye are called unto the high Calling in God and Christ Jesus above all the World out of all that which doth change where the Life that is Immortal is felt and a Crown that fadeth not away a Crown of Life that endureth for ever Live in the Dominion of the Life that is hid in God and every particular it know in one another And live in the Power of God and of Life that ye may see over the Day of Tempest over the Day of Darkness and Blackness and Mists And feel and know and come into that which comprehends the World that ye all may be guided with Wisdom and ordered to God's Glory And be all obedient to the Truth which all the Enmity is out of Be obedient to the Truth and know the Life of God in you all that with it ye may all be guided and your Hearts joined together up to God the Father of Life that ye may all be Inheritors of the Power of an Endless Life and of the World Fell the Seed of God where there is no End and Possessors of Substance And feel the Seed of God in you all which inherits the Promise from God which Seed is a-top of the Serpent's Head And keep that under that feeds upon Dust which the Glory and Life is over which Seed breaks the Strength of all Men and inherits the Strength of the Almighty the Possessor of Heaven and Earth which Seed is Christ that gives the Dominion over the first Adam over the Earthly and brings down all that which stains So feel the Seed which is Christ in you all and ye all will feel the Lamb of God which taketh away the Sins of the World who gives to see where there is no Shadow nor Change nor Altering nor Variableness wherein ye all may come to inherit the Blessings from God and come into the living Way For whose Way dyes they err from the living Principle of God in them The Principle of God for who walk in the Way that lives they answer the Principle of God in every Man though they act contrary to it that are in the Way that dayes and do not live but change and alter The Lamb must get the Victory And to you this is the Word of the Lord. So the Lamb must get the Victory in every one of you which is Christ in the Male and in the Female who brings into the Father's House from all the Congregations of the Dead and their Houses of Darkness wherein every one comes to have his Mansion and his Food of Life from God the Father of Life who is Blessed for ever-more Whose Kingdom and Glory is revealed and revealing and setting up in the Life and Power and Wisdom of God The Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all in Love in Peace and Vnity one with another in the Light and Covenant with God and one with another which Light is the Condemnation of all that hate it AND my Dear Lambs and Babes and Plants the Lord God dwell every one of you in Your own Dwell in your own that ye may feel the pretious Springs of God AND Friends all dwell in the Authority of the Truth the Power of the Son of God and feel the Power and Dread of the Lamb which is to subdue all other Powers The Lamb subdues all other Powers All Power in Heaven and in Earth is given to the Son and his Authority stands over the World and will subdue it and make the Kingdoms of the World to become the Kingdom of the Son of God So live in Love Meekness Patience and in the Power and Wisdom of God which is over all the World SOVND Sound the Trumpet of the Lord of Hosts whose Terrible Day is come and coming and pleading with all Flesh by Fire and Sword The mighty Day of the Lord is coming upon all Flesh that all Hearts shall be ript up and made manifest Therefore whilst ye have time Repent This is the Message of the Lord to all Nations Let all your Laws be according to that of God in all Consciences G. F. THE Word of the Lord to all Friends Epist 82. who are brought into the Eternal Truth of God whose Minds are guided out of the Earth up to the Lord whose it is and have received Wisdom from God Wisdom Justified in the Diligent and the Slothful condemned that with it ye may come to know how to order the Creation with the Wisdom by which all things were made This I charge you and warn you all in the Fear of the Living God that no Creatures be destroyed through Slothfulness Laziness and Filthiness nor upon the Lust for if ye let that rule and be set up that is for Condemnation and that which sets it up if for Condemnation with the Light that leads to the Wisdom by which the Creation must be ordered And Friends to the Light in you all I speak See that there be no Slothfulness amongst you Slothfulness Judged but all keep in Diligence and Liveliness for he that is Slothful and gets the Form may have an easeful Mind but is an evil Example And all such must be Judged with the Light that they may come to know the Servant's place and be Diligent And such who have gone up and down a-Begging Beggars to inbour if ye have received any such amongst you with the Light which hath Convinced them see that they be kept in Diligence and not suffer'd to wander but be kept in Obedinence to the Light to receive the Wisdom from God how to labour in the Creation and see that they have things decent and necessary and their Nakedness covered that no Reproach nor Shame may come upon the Truth amongst such as are without but that with the Light all such may be Condemned who act contrary to it That in the Light which condemns the World ye may walk and receive the Light of the Son of God which the World stumbles at which is their Condemnation and in which the Saints have Unity And all being kept diligent and walking in the Light there will be no Slothfulness and then none shall have Self-ends in recceiving any but those Ends shall be Judged with the Light which is Eternal Nor no one can come in amongst you which hath such Ends to make a Prey upon you but ye dwelling in the Light which is Eternal he is Judged and Self-ends Self-Ends Judged with the Light which is Eternal which is one with the Light in his Conscience which condemns him Then if he own his Condemnation he is to be received amongst you in the Light in which ye all have Unity with Christ and with God And to
you this is the Counsel of God To go amongst Friends evey where G. F. Dear Friends in the Eternal Truth of God Epist 83. whose Minds by the Light of Jesus Christ are turned towards God Meet often together in the Fear of the Lord and to the Light take heed that with it all your Minds may be kept up to God from whence it comes And in all your Meetings wait Low in his Fear Wait Low Meetings that ye may come to know the Life and Power of Truth one in another And all ye whom the Lord hath made Over-seers over his Church in your several Places Over-seers of the Church be faithful to the Lord and watch over the Flock of Christ with all Dilignce ye which are Strong watch over the Weak and stir up that which is Pure one in another see that in order all your Meetings be kept Be faithful unto the Lord where he hath set you and ye shall not lose your Reward Servants be faithful unto your Masters Masters and Servants not with Eye-service serving them as Men-pleasers but in Singleness of Heart as unto the Lord that ye may come to undo the heavy Burdens Being faithful in your Places where the Lord hath set you there is your right Service And take heed of forward Minds and of running out before your Guide for that leads out into Loosness and such plead for Liberty and run out in their Wills and bring Dishonour to the Lord and the Unbridled Will gets at Liberty and an Exalted Spirit gets up and Pride and Haughtiness and high Words Pride And such are they which add to the Burden and do not take it off Therefore all wait Low in the Fear of the Lord and be not hasty nor rash but see the Way be made Clear and as the Lord doth move you so do and return with speed when ye have done to the Place where ye were abiding and be faithful there that the Truth of God be not evil spoken through you as they speak of Vagabonds and Wanderers that it may not be so amongst you Vagabonds and Wanderers For such are Vagabonds and Wanderers which run before their Guide And Masters rule over your Servants in Love with all Diligence and Meekess knowing that ye have one Master in Heaven And Friends in all Places where any do go abroad as they do pass by Examine them Whether they are going and what about And if they cannot give a good Account to exhort them to return back and abide faithful in their Places until they see their Way mad Clear So Farewell in the Lord. The Eternal God of Power and Wisdom direct and guide you to his Eternal Praise that his Name may be honoured and glorified in you and through you all Be Diligent Be diligent every one in your Places where the Lord hath set you for the Work of the Lord is great and God Almighty keep you to be faithful Labourers in his Work From one who is a Lover of your Souls and whose Care is over the Church of God that it may be kept in Order and that all that are guided by his Spirit may be lead into all good Order London the 15th of the 3d Month 1655. G. F. To Friends to sit under their own Vine MY Dear Friends Epist 84. Sit every one of you under your own Vine and there none shall make you afraid and in that ye will bring forth Fruit to God abundantly to his Praise And in the Vine as ye abide Heirs of Christ ye will all become Heirs of Christ and come all to know the Seed which is Heir of the Power of the World where there is no End and Heirs of the Kingdom and so possess that And live in the Seed The Seed the the Top-Stone the Top-Stone which was before Enmity was in which ye will feel Vnty and Vertue and Love and Peace in that keep your Meetings G. F. An Epistle to Friends that with the Light they may see their Salvation FRiends Epist 85. All to the Light which Jesus Christ hath enlightned you withal that heed that with the Light of Christ the Saviour of your Souls ye may all come to see and enjoy Rest and the New Covenant ye may all witness where ye need no man to teach you saying Know the Lord. The Light shews Sin and Evil. And this Light shews you Sin and the Evil of the World and the Lust of it and the vain Fashions of it that pass away and the Unrighteousnss and the Ungodliness of it for they are not in Covenant with God but are contrary to the Light and to be condemned with the Light Therefore to the Light I direct you that with it ye may see your selves then in it stand that with it ye may see Jesus from whence it comes And not to join with your vain Thoughts nor that which doth consult and set and frame Ways there is the Idol-maker The Founder of Images and the Image-maker and the Founder of the Images whom ye will see with the Light if ye to it take heed And so the Founder of the Image will be destroyed and with that ye will come to hear the Voice of the Son of God and who hears his Voice shall live Stephen Moses And Stephen who was stoned to Death witnessed the Substance and Moses Words fulfilled who said Like unto me will God raise up a Prophet him shall ye hear He heard this Prophet and denied the First Temple and Priests The First Temple denied and so to deny that which God had commanded was more than to deny these which God never commanded Therefore consider in your Life-time how much time ye have spent in Hearing of othem and what Assurance ye have of the Eternal Inheritance which never fades away G.F. To Friends in London THere is something drawing towards you see to it Epist 86. Take heed of the Earth and keep a-top of that which will cumber the Mind and Dwell in Love and Peace one with another Keep a top of the Earth G. F. FRiends In the Power of the Lord go forth Epist 87. and gather with it into the Fold and spread the Name and Truth of the Lord abroad and in his Service be Diligent Concerning Preaching the Truth to the Heathen and all that are out of the Truth and for his Truth be Valiant on the Earth and for his Name 's sake And dwell in that which will pierce the Hearts of the Heathen and will overturn their Heathenish Customs and take away their false Covers and in that Power of the Lord be diligent answering the Witness of God in all Consciences And dwell in Peace and Love amongst yourselves Pierce the Hearts of the Heathen Confound the Deceit and bring the Truth over the Heads of the Heathen to the answering the Witness of God in them all And that is the Word of the
Lord to you And live in the Seed The Ministry of the Life and Spirit and there ye will feel the Ministry of the Life and Spirit in your own particulars in which ye may be serviceable to others that are without and amongst your selves And let the Heathen know that the Plagues and Curses and Wrath and Wo is unto them that live out of the Truth for Wrath Wo to the Heathen Envy and Strife is out of the Truth and the Vengeance of God is due to them that do not Obey it where is the burning flaming Fire And let them know that the Glory of the Lord is risen AND walk in the Power of the Lord and in his Wisdom that in Places where ye do come ye may season them and be all of a good Savour in the Hearts of all and to the Lord a Blessing in your Generation G. F. FRiends Meet together waiting upon the Lord Epist 88. that nothing but the Life may among you reign and that in Life Life to reign Love and Wisdom ye may grow up And in the Measure of the Grace of God all wait to guide your Minds up to God And all Friends Meetings in Order kept I do lay it upon you for to see that in Order all your Meetings be kept So the Lord God Almighty keep you all to his Glory in his Wisdom to himself Amen To be read among all Friends at their Meetings G. F. For Plimouth FRiends keep your Meetings that in the Truth ye may reign Epist 89. and in the Power spread it abroad And keep in the Truth that Be Valiant for the Truth on Earth ye may see and feel the Lord's Presence amongst you and for it be Valiant upon the Earth and know one another in the Power of it So the Lord God Almighty preserve you in his Power to his Glory Amen G. F. FRiends All ye Epist 90. whose Minds are turned with the Light towards Jesus Christ from whence it comes in it wait Something of the Work of the Light manifest that with it ye may all see Jesus and all that Condemned which is Contrary to it that so by that ye may be kept from all Extremes Passions Passions and Hastiness Agonies and Hastiness Presumption and Desperation For dwelling in the Light which doth never change this keeps your Minds out of all those things before-mentioned which lead Nature out of its true Course The true Course of Nature and with the Light all that is seen and condemned which is contrary to it And that which doth Condemn keeps you in Peace and Order and leads to the Door of Mercy and Nature into its right Course and into the Vertue of that Word by which the Creatures were made and with it to use them all to his Gloy Which Light is the Condemnation of the Carnal Wisdom and Knowledge of the wicked World and the Condemnation of the Disobedient and the Condemnation of them whose Deeds are Evill who hate the Light Which brings to witness the Word to be as a Fire to burn up that which is to be condemned and to the purging of the Floor and burning the Chaff with unquenchable Fire and to the Gathering of the Wheat into the Garner Therefore in this Light dwell and wait True Words from which the true Words did proceed that with it all those Words may be opened again and all they condemned with the Light which have the Words and act contrary to it such must go empty away And to you this is the Word of the Lord Have Salt in your selves That ye may come to have Savour and Salt in your selves For dwelling in the Light ye will be manifest to the Light in their Consciences though they hate it who have the Words declared from the Light such go empty away from God who is Light And all they who abide in the Light of the Lord see all such to be out of the true Course of Nature who act contrary to the Light which defiles the Flesh and they are such who were of old ordained to Condemnation with the Light G. F. A General Epistle for Friends Concerning the Priests ALL Friends Epist 91. in the Spirit of the Living God wait upon God to learn of The Blasphemy known and who they are and with the Light they are seen and discovered and to be taught by him For now doth the Beast open his Mouth in Blasphemy speaking great swelling Words And now is the Cage of Vnclean Birds and the Vnclean Spirits which are gone forth into the Earth seen And now are the Locusts see and the Caterpillars known And now are the Seven Thunders uttering their Voices And now are the Hail-stones falling and the Vials of the Wrath of God pouring out upon the Beast and the false Prophet And now are the whited Walls seen Whited Walls and the painted Sepulchres who garnish the Sepulcres of the Righteous and build the Tombs of the Prophets full of dead Mens Bones Ravening Wolves Now are the Inwardly-ravening Wolves seen which have gotten the Sheeps-Cloathing And now are the false Prophets seen which through Covetousness make Merchandize of the People Briars and Thorns And now are the Thistles and Briars and Thorns where the Figs do not grow seen And now are they seen which make Merchandize of the Words of the Prophets Christ and the Apostles and through Pretence make long Prayers who devour Widows Houses And now are such known who lead silly Women Captive who are always learning and never able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth some Thirty Forty some Sixty Years And now are such known and seen Beating in the Synagogues and mainfest with the Light that Christ spake of that should beat his Followers in the Synagogues and hale them before Magistrates for his Names sake yea if they kill'd them should think they did God good Service And now are such Teachers seen and known that sport themselves in the Day-time and walk after their own Ungodly Lusts And now such are seen that go in Cain's Way Cain's Way who would murder and do murder in their Hearts who are in Envy who are the Vagabonds and the Fugitives who have not an Habitation in God who is Love And now are such seen and known that go in Balaam's Way that love the Wages of Unrighteousness Balaam's Way Gifts and Rewards And now are such seen and known that bear Rule by their Means and the pople love to have it so holding up the horrible and filthy thing committed in the Land as in Jeremy Jerem. 5. And now are such Shepherds seen and known Isaiah 56. as seek for their Gain from their Quarters Now are such seen and known Hirelings as seek for the Fleece and the Wooll and make a Prey upon the people and such as re Hirelings which the Lord sent Ezekiel and Micah to cry against Ezek.
34.35 Mich. 3. And now are such seen and known which our Lord Jesus Christ cried Wo against who stand praying in the Synagogues Mart. 23. having the chiefest Seats in the Assemblies called of Men Masters which devour Widows Houses And now are such Deceives seen and known Deceivers that by their Lies and Lightness have caused the people to err which speak a Divination of their own Brain and use their Tongues and say The Lord sent them when he never sent them And now are th Mockers and Scorners come which the Scriptures speak of which mock Scoffers stone and persecute the Children of the Light as they pass up and down the Streets and many have been almost murdered in the High-ways and Steeple-houses by them And now is the Scripture fulfilled which saith The Beast and Dragon That the Beast and the Dragon shall make War against the Lamb and the Saints for such are manifest now who are as natural brute Beasts what they know they know naturally having not the Life that gave forth the Scriptures but are found in the Self-Separation from the Spirit of God having gotten the Words which were declard from the Spirit of God murdering and destroying as much as in them lyeth those that are in the Light and Life of those holy Men of God that gave forth the Scriptures Now the Shame of all their Profession is seen which is Abomination unto the Lord which profess the Words declared from the Light of God but are strangers to the Light and Life And now the Vnsavoury things are smelt tased of and seen to be among many of the Professors of Religion who are more like Swine rending Dogs and Swine and like Dogs biting and devouring one another than like the Children of the Light Which doth them mainfest to be contrary to the Light which all that are contrary unto with the Light are condemned G. F. To all the Seed of Abraham which suffer for denying the World's Customs and because they cannot hold up the Corrupt Priesthood that is therin or for Testifying against the World that the Works threof are evil ALL Friends and Brethren every where Epist 92. that are Imprisoned for the Truth give your selves up in it and it will make you free To the Prisoners and the Power of the Lord will carry you over all the Persecutors which was before they were For since the Beginning hath this Persecution got up therefore live and reign in that Power which remains when the other is gone and in that ye will have Peace and Vnity with God and one with another who suffer for not putting into the false Prophets Mouths and for Crying against them and for not swearing Sufferings for not Swearing and not giving the World's Complements and their Honour which the Lord is staining and who are suffering for reproving Sin in the Gate Be faithful in the Life and Power of the Lord God and for the Truth be Valiant on the Earth and look not at your Sufferings but at the Power of God and that will bring some good out in all your Sufferings and your Imprisonments will reach to the Prisoned that the Persecutor prisons in himself So be faithful in your Sufferings in the Power of the Lord Tithes Oaths Temples who suffer now by a false Priesthood for his Tithes Oaths Temples which have got up since the Apostles days For as the Apostles and true Christians suffered for denying the Jewish Temple Priesthood Tithes and Oaths so ye do by the false and amongst the Apostatized Christians who are got up since the Apostles days So the Power and Life and Wisdom of the Lord God Almighty keep you and preserve you to finish your Testimony to the End that ye may witness every one of you a Crown of Life Eternal in which ye may sing Praises to the Lord and in that triumph And so be faithful in that which overcomes and gives Victory G. F. That Friends should have a Sense of one anothers Sufferings FRiends Epist 93. in the Power of the Lord God live which goes over the Heads of all the World that so in the Power ye may witness forth the Truth in their Courts and then if ye suffer ye by suffering will get Dominion over their Heads And lay down and offer up your Lives for one another Offer up your Lives for one anoher And here is the Love of and unto the Brethren manifest to lay down their Lives one for another But the Love of Christ is further he laid down his Life for his Enemies So dwell Low in the Life that ye may answer that of God in every one G. F. FRiends Epist 94. I do Warn and Exhort you all in the Presence of the Lord God Dwell in the Measure which God hath given you of himself in which is no Strife Dwell in Vnity but Unity Therefore every one of you dwell in it Boast not your selves And this I do Warn you of Boast not your selves above your Measures but dwell in the Truth it self that with the Measure of the Living Spirit of the Living God ye may be guided up to God in which Spirit ye will all have Vnity in the least Measure of it And so every one of you Judge Self for it would have the Mastery which is to be Condemned with the Light Self Judged and Mastery in which is Vnity So the Eternal God of Light and Life and Power be with you all and in you all And keep from all Strife and above it in Love and Vnity in every Place AND Friends the Going from the Life into the Changable is the Cause of Strife and Confusion G. F. GRow in the Increase of God My Dear Children and know all your Assurance in the Lord and the Seed in every one of you Epist 95. which the Promise of God is to And be Obedient to the Just and in the Truth of God wald and the Love of it And my Dear Hearts in the Seed dwell which gives the Victory over the World Victory over the World and that in the Wisdom ye may be preserved which bruises the contrary under foot whereby ye may reign in the Life of God to be as Nursers and Waterers of the Plants Nursers and Waterers and that all the Contrary may be kept under that in the Eternal Power of God ye may be kept which gives Dominion over all and condemneth the contrary In which Power the Lord God Almighty preserve you to his Glory Amen Live in the Life of God and feel it AND Friends take heed of being hurried with many Thoughts Many Thoughts but live in that which goes over them all G. F. A Warning to Friends to keep to the Light out of Deceit and Strife in Vnity FRiends Epist 96. I do warn and exhort you all in the Presence of the Lord God to Meet together in the Measure of Life that with
it ye may be guided up to God and in Unity kept together up to him the Father of Light and Life and God Almighty be with you And that the Dread and Terror of the Lord may among you be and Deceit confounded and that with the Measure if Life all your Mind may be guided up to God that so ye all in Peace and Love may be kept And let this be sent among Friends to be read in all their Meetings G. F. To a Friend IN the Will of God stand with thy own Will offered up Epist 97. as his was who said Not my Will but thine be done And beware of Striving in thy own Will against the Eternal Providence and Power The Eternal Providence and Power which is now working Invisibly cross and contrary to all the Powers of Darkness And in the Fear of the Lord wait that thy Duty to the Lord thou mayst know whose Everlasting Love is to thee whose Blessing reacheth unto thee if thou be faithful with faithful Abraham who received the Blessing and to his Seed after him So beware left through thy Forwardness and Rashness thou bring the Curse upon thee and so break thy Peace and Covenant with the Lord God Rashness The Everlasting God give thee Faith in Christ Jesus in whom the Promise is Yea and Amen G. F. DEar Friends stand in the Faith Epist 98. which gives the Victory over all the World in which ye all will have Victory and so come to be of Abrabam's Faith and know the Word that quickens you Faith gives Victory and reconciles to God and hammers down the Contrary So in the Power and Life of Christ Jesus live and in that ye all will be preserved to his Glory G. F. To all that make Mention of the Name of the Lord and that profess his living Truth FRiends Epist 99. A Warning and Charge to you all from the Presence of of the Living God To let all Lighness and Airiness Foolishness Wilfulness and Frothiness be Judged in Patience Lightness and Airiness Judged let it come to the Fire and be burned and Hay Wood and Stubble and all that which is above the Seed he that builds there is above the Foundation his Works are to be burned he will suffer Loss Therefore keep all down to the Seed of God and feel that a-top of all which Seed inherits the Promise of God that nothing may reign but the Seed it self which inherits from God So all come into the Authority of God which is not usurped which gives the Dominion over all the usurped Authority The one Power of the Son of God that ye may live all in the one Power of the Son of God which brings all into the Unity and subdues all things that cause the Enmity So the one Power the one Soul the one Heart the one Mind is witnessed here the Glory is revealed among you and the one Head Christ the Seed and ye are all of one Family Here is the Power of the Son of God known all Power being given to him which Power and Seed bruiseth the Serpent's head and breaks it in which standeth the Enmity So all Power is given to the Son to rule to subdue and to judge So live in the Power and ye live in the Vnity ye live in the Peace ye live all in the Subjection one to another in the Fear of the Lord The Seed is one ye live all in the Seed which is one which keeps a-top of the Head of the Serpent and keeps his Head down and bringeth it under So feel the Seed of God in every particular to be the Head in the Male and in the Female and then ye come to be Bone of his Bone and Flesh of his Flesh and to inherit every one the Promise of God in the particular whereby ye may come to be Inheritors in the Lord's Strength feeling it and possessing it in your own particulars So the Seed of the Serpent being kept down with the Seed which is Christ in the Particular he brings to see over all that is Contrary G. F. Concerning all fuch as set up outward Crosses FRiends Epist 100. in the Power of the Lord God dwell and live that over all the World ye may stand in that which fathoms it that ye may handle the Word of God aright The Word a Hammer which is as a Hammer and as a Sword to divide the precious from the vile and is as a Fire to burn up that which is hammered down and divided from the precious And in the Wisdom of God wait that ye may answer that of God in every one which Light will bring them off those things which they have set up in that Nature which is gone from the Light Which things the Light goes over and brings to see the Beginning and Ending of all those whom Christ said should come which John saw were come who went out from them whom all the World went after amongst whom have come up all these heads and Horns and Babylon Beast and false Prophet and Mother of Harlots who have sate upon the Waters which have been Peoples Nations and Languages And these have been from the Light and so from the Rock and from the true Foundation and the Kings of the Earth have drunk of the Cup of her Fornication And all Nations that have been from the Life and the Foundation of God have been in this Fornication from Christ the Husband So now People are to be turned by the Light to Christ their Husband the Rock the Corner-Stone and are to be brought from their outward Crosses to the Cross of Christ the Power of God within them and from the dead Image to the Image of God which they have lost through their going forth from the Light and thereby have lost the Power of God And all these Crosses of Wood and Stone Crosses of Wood and Stone and the Founder of them must all be thrown down by the Power of God which is the Cross of Christ and to the Light must they be turned which answers to that of God in every one before they come to feel Christ to rule and reign in them Then the outward dead Crosses of Stone Wood Silver or Gold they shall not need to have to put them in Remembrance of Christ or to bring him into their Minds for such as are come to the Light which Christ hath enlightned them withal and believe in it they feel the Power of God they feel Christ and his Cross which is the Power of God G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren in the Everlasting Seed of God Epist 101. which hath the Wisdom and Life Eternal and Dominion over all that is in the Fall in which the Blessing of the Everlasting God is known An Exhortation to Patience in the time of Suffering and his Life that never fadeth in which Seed that hath the Dominion nion over all that is in the
Fall is the Wisdom that is pure and gentle which was before the Wisdom below was And so all Friends be ready to Offer up your selves in the Power of God joining to the Suffering Seed in which ye offer up your selves to God in the Patience Offer up your selve to suffer in your Sufferings feeling the Seed which was before that was which makes to suffer For the Lamb must have the Victory mark the Lamb and not the rough Nature which hath gotten up since Man fell from God's Image the Lamb must have the Victory over that So The Lamb must have the Victcry give up all in the Lamb's Nature that in that ye may all Meet in Life in Power in Victory and Dominion over all that which is in the Fall knowing the Birth that will persecute and the Birth that is persecuted and knowing the Birth that is born of the Flesh and the Birth that is born of the Spirit There is but these two Briths and the Elder must serve the Younger Two Births and the Elder is the first Birth Therefore feel all Jacob and the Seed of God then ye come to feel that which shall remain for ever and ever So in that all stand and dwell that to the mighty God ye may be a Blessing and a good Savour in the Hearts of all People being Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth And take heed of grieving the Spirit but be faithful and take heed of provoking and keep down all that with the Spirit of God that is Contrary to God by which ye may answer that of God in every one G. F. FRiends Incourage not your Wives nor Children Epist 102. in setting them up in the World's Honour for that which would do so in you is Carnal and the Carnal Mind is not subject to the Law of God If ye do mind that which is of God in you it will draw you up to God out of the World's Honour and Friendship and Words and Ways and Fellowships and Preferments Customs and Fashions up to God's Everlasting Kingdom The World's Honour and Preferments where is Everlasting Joy for evermore G. F. To keep to the Witness of God FRiends Epist 103. take heed of Darkness or going beyond your Bounds or Limits but keep in God's Fear that ye may receive his Wisdom from above To keep in Sincerity c. that with it ye may order all things to his Glory answering the Witness of God in every one keeping in Godly Sincerity and Simplicity Meekness Patience and Humbleness Justice Truth and Mercy What graceth the Government and this graceth a Government and is a Praise to them that do well and is a Terror to them that do Evil For they that do Evil go from the Witness of God in their own Conscience and then the Higher Power comes over them Therefore keep to the Witness of God in your selves and that is the Word of the Lord to you and then ye will have the Just Weight Just Weight and Measure and Ballance and true Vnderstanding to answer the just Principle of God in every one Bow and submit your selves to the Power of the Mighty God of Heaven and Earth and to no Deceit and take heed of bringing any into it Respecting Persons And take heed of respecting Persons in Judgment and that 's the Way to obtain Favour from the Lord and his Blessing From him who loves your Soul 's Eternal Peace and Good G. F. ALL Friends every where Epist 104. in the Power of God dwell and know that over all to keep you And lose not the Power of God which keeps down Concerning the Power tames and breaks all wild unruly rash and hasty Spirits which will run without the Power which Spirits reach not to the Seed and the Witness of God in Men and strike not through the Earthly neither receive Wisdom to be ordered to the Glory of the Lord God And there is Safety in the Power and there is the Wisdom of the Most-High felt Wisdom and the Power of the Endless Life And this is the Word of the Lord God to you all every where Dwell in the Power of the Lord God and live in it for that brings all your Souls into Peace into Oneness into God from whence they come who hath them all in his Hand And in the Power ye will all come to feel the End of Words the Life The End of Words the Life from which all Words of Truth were given forth and all hasty rash loose lustful Spirits the Power will strike down for they beget nothing to God but go out of his Dread Therefore this is the Word of the Lord God and a Charge unto all Friends upon the Earth to dwell all in his Power then his Dread Fear Terror and Majesty will be with you and amongst you all to Cleanse Wash Vessels for the Lord's Vse Water Regenerate and Sanctifie every one's Vessel who will be thereby fitted for the Lord's Vse So that the Power being lived in it keeps you over all the World in the Dread and Majesty of Truth in Cleanness and Newness of Life and to know the Wrath of the Lamb against all his Enemies And the Power of the Lord God will strike down the Lust that causeth Pride Strife and Contention it will bring you to live in Love and Vnity one with another and to know the Kingdom of the Most-High that stands in Power ruling in you all And all your Crowns it will lay down that are Mortal and will raise up the Seed and bring Life and Immortality to Light where the Crown that is Immortal is known and the Glory that fadeth not away is possessed And all Spirits that are unruly and out of the Power must be Judged with it and kept subject A Crown Immortal for that which lives in the Power is begotten by the Seed Christ the New Man that 's made after God in Righteousness and Holiness This Birth is of the Immortal Seed by the Word and Will of God not begotten or brought forth by the Will of Man And none quench the Spirit 's Movings in the least Degree nor none go beyond And feed not upon that which Dies of it self but on that which cometh from above Know the Son of Man's Flesh which is your Bread and his Blood which is your Drink which who eats and drinks of hungers no more nor thirsts no more but hath the Endless Life Nor none Write Writing Printing Speaking Print nor Speak for God but as ye are moved of the Lord God for that reacheth to that of God in others and is Effectual Nor none stop Writing or Speaking when ye are moved with the Spirit of the Lord God for the Power of the Lord God is to order and to keep down that which would be hasty or that which would not be Obedient for that leads into the Wilderness each way which the
gave forth the Scriptures which was before the Scriptures were given forth and with it ye will see their Conditions that dwelt in the Life and gave forth the Scriptures And with this Light ye will see their Conditions who were testified against who were out of the Life by them who dwelt in the Light and with it all that comes to be seen read and understood which was given forth with the Life and from the Life and all comes to be known in Plainness and is with Plainness spoken forth again Which comes not by the Will of Man For no Prophecy of the Scripture came by the Will of Man all the Prophecies in it were out of the Will of Man The Will of Man And they Witnessed and Prophesied of Christ who was born not by the Will of Man who was supposed to be the Son of Joseph but was the Son of God And all the Apostles were made Ministers by the Will of God and not by Man nor of Man but by the Will of God and so they witnessed Christ who was not born by the Will of Man who were made Ministers not by the Will of Man And they witnessed that no Prophesie of the Scripture in old time came by the Will of Man neither was it of any private Interpretation but holy Men of God spake it as they were moved by the holy Ghost the holy Mover which is but one And all who are in their own Wills and have the Scripture and make a feigned Profession of that which came not by the Will of Man are in the Presumption and with the Light of Christ which he hath enlightned every one that comes into the World withal with that Light shall they be condemned even all that hate it and live in their own Wills And so the Vnity of the Saints is in that which condemns the World And all who live in their own Wills and yet make a Profession of the Scriptures there are the Sects and Opinions Sects and Opinions and there is no Unity and they have not Unity amongst themselves but only an Oneness in Nature tho' not in Unity in their Meanings of the Letter That which comes not by the Will of Man but is contrary to his Will and contrary to all the World 's evil Ways and overturns them which is according to that of God in all Consciences with that have Unity which testifieth against every Man when he acts contrary to it and with it he shall be judged and condemned in his own Knowledge and Vnderstanding And ye all walking in this Light it will bring you to all Plainness and Singleness of Speech Mystery of Iniquity which will make the Deceit to tremble and the Mystery of Iniquity to shake which lodgeth in the Temple and sits there where it ought not to sit and is exalted above all that is called God Now with the Brightness of his Coming is he discovered and with the Breath of his Mouth he is to be consumed So dwell all in the Eternal Power of God and in his pure Light that ye may be a Terror to all Evil-doers and to all Ungodliness and to all who act Unrighteously and live in Uncleanness And so ye will come to use plain Words and plainness of Speech to them all The Witch and Iachanter and no Flattery shall dwell in you no Inchanter nor Witch shall live no Hypocrisie shall stand before the Judgment-Seat of God but shall be as the Chaff driven to and fro that the Scripture may be fulfilled upon them And all who are out of Plainness with the Eternal Light which Christ hath enlightned them withal shall they be condemned and confounded in Time The Light was before Time For this Light was before Time and is in Time which lets every Man and Woman see all their Actions done in Time and hating this Light this is their Condemnation But all loving this Light and walking in this Light ye will come to walk in that which is the World's Condemnation and it will bring you to see the World to be gone from God from Christ and all who are of God And this is the Counsel of God to you that in that which is contrary to your Fleshly Wills ye may all wait and walk for that will lead you from all vain Thoughts and all evil Desires there wait and ye will witness the Birth born not by the Will of Man And this Birth is Heir of another World and Heir of the certain Riches which is manifest to that of God in all Consciences So to you all this is a Warning from the Lord who are in the Light and love the Light which Christ Jesus hath enlightned you withal which is contrary to your Wills and all Mens Wills that with it ye may use plainness of Speech to all and so to be made manifest to that which they hate which is their Condemnation the Light And abiding in Christ Christ the Vine who is the Vine every one will come to witness your selves to be as Branches abiding in the Vine and sitting under the Vine This was I moved of the Lord to send out abroad among you as a Message to all the Plants of the Lord. If ye speak any thing contrary to the Light which Christ hath enlightned you withal with the Light ye are to be condemned And if any among you do speak of Former Experiences and not dwell in the Light but in Hypocrisie and Prefumption and Envy without the Fear of God ye are to be thrown down and with the Light condemned and Wo upon thy Head from God and Christ proceeds and art to be turned out and Judged with the Light and with the Life Therefore in the Life dwell and walk every one in particular then ye will have Vnity one with another and grow up to be Trees of Righteousness the Planting of the Lord. G. F. ALL Friends Mind the Light and dwell in it and it will keep you a top of all the World and the Seed of God mind Epist 112. and know it and in it be Content Dwell in the Seed which is Heir of the Promise of Life Eternal The Seed the Heir and dwell in the Possession of that And in all your Doings and Words be faithful to the Lord and to Men let this be your daily Exercise G. F. To a Friend in the Ministry DEar Brother Supposed to E. B. Mind the Lord and stand in his Will and Counsel Look not forth at Time nor Place Epist 113. but at thy Father's House wheresoever thou art And dwell in the pure Measure of God in thee and there thou wilt see the Lord God present with thee For the bringing forth many out of Prison art thou there set behold See the Lord God present the Word of the Lord cannot be bound The Lord God of Power give thee Wisdom Courage Manhood and Boldness to thresh down all Deceit Dear Heart be Valiant and
Power over your own Wills which are Mortal and Changable that the Way of Righteousness may be found Man's Will where your Wills are shut out which causes the Hastiness and the Strife to run into Words without the Life Words without Life where Judgment and Condemnation doth overtake you Wherefore delight in Judgment which leads to the Door of Mercy G. F. FRiends Wait in the Life which will keep you above Words Epist 119. and keep your Minds up to God the Father of Life and Condemn and Judge all them which would have Words more than the Life Grow in the Life God Almighty be with you in the Measure of Life that in it ye may grow and with it your Minds may be kept up to him the Father of Life And that all Strife may be kept down with the Life and all Light Spirits judged down with that which comprehends the World Light Spirits and judgeth it So God Almighty be with you all and keep you in his mighty Power up to himself and condemn all that which is contrary to him and his Light To be read at Meetings G. F. MY Dear Friends Dwell in the Everlasting Seed of God Epist 120. in which ye all will feel Life Eternal that never hath an End and in that Meet and keep your Meetings And dwell together in the Love and Life of God with which ye may all be filled through which Love ye may cover the Multitude of Sins Love covers and Answer the Life of God in all in which ye may feel the Blessings of the Almighty God covering you as with a Garment And so Possession of Life live in the Possession of the Life in which ye all will have Vnity and Fellowship with God and one with another DEAR Friends Exhort all your Families at Times and Seasons whether they be Servants or Children that they may be Informed in the Truth For when ye were Professors many of you did Exhort and Instruct them in the Form Exhort your Families when that ye had not the Power And therefore now being brought into the Truth ye should be more diligent to Exhort Admonish and Instruct them G. F. To Friends To take Care of such who suffer for owning the Truth FRiends Epist 121. In the Wisdom and Power of God dwell by which all things must be ordered to his Glory in which ye may do all things to his Glory and that with the Wisdom of God ye may order and preserve the Creation and every thing that is Good And if any Servants be convinced Servants Convinced and turned from their Places for Truth 's sake Friends to be tender to them that they be not lost but that they may be preserved Soldiers Children Wives And if any Soldiers be put out of the Army for Truth 's sake that they may be nourished and cherished or any Children be turned from their Parents or believing Wives from their unbelieving Husbands that they may be admonished to walk wisely towards them Prisoners And that all Prisoners that have but little of their own there may be Care taken for them and for the Lame and Sick And that if any Friends be Oppressed any manner of way others may take Care to help them And that all may be as one Family building up one another and helping one another And if any desire Meetings any way for Truth 's Service Friends not to look out but to dwell in the Life and Power of God and therein to answer it AND all Friends every where in the Power and Life and Seed of God keep your Meetings that over all the Top-Stone may be laid and ye all in the Wisdom and Patience may be preserved Wisdom and Patience and as a sweeet Savour may be kept to God and in the Hearts of all People And every one be Obedient to the Life and Power of the Lord God Obedient and that will keep you from being as a Wilderness but be Faithful and still till the Winds cease and the Storm be over G. F. FRiends Epist 122. To that which is Pure I speak in which is Vnity where no defiled thing shall enter Silence all Flesh who strive about Words in which is no Profit who would draw you out of your Conditions and others out of their Conditions Therefore be Low and mind that which is Low Mastery and Pride to draw you out of Contention And strive not for Mastery and do not exercise Lordship over one another but mind that which is Pure which keeps you in the Fear of the Lord God For if your Minds go from that which is Pure which leads to God your Nakedness will appear to the World and then ye go in your own Wills and Strength and there is the Seat for Mastery and Pride out of the Will of God and that is out of the Unity out of the Oneness out of the Way and instead of building ye destroy and instead of edifying ye draw back into the World Therefore all be Low and wait upon the Lord and be swift to Hear slow to Speak and slow to Wrath be Low and wait upon God to receive the living Food from God to nourish you in Time with that which was before Time that God in all things may be glorified So the Lord God Almighty direct you and bring down all fleshly Wills that the Pure may be raised up So meet together and wait upon God if there be not a Word I charge you Beware of Contention for there ye get above that of God in the Conscience and so go out of the Fear of the Lord. G. F. Men in the Fall are in the Wars and Strife but Truth restores and brings into Peace DEar Friends My Love is to you all in the Everlasting Seed of God Epist 123. that never changes nor falls Concerning Christ that never fell and Adam in the Fall nor gives it self to that which doth change which is not of this World but is over it and was before the World was in which is the Stedfastness and Staiedness and Life Eternal Which reigns over all the Airy Spirit and that which doth change and remains and is as the Winter-fruit and stands The Seed the Winter-fruit when all the untimely Figs are gone Mark And Seed is not as the Corn that grows upon the House-top that withers for the Leaves that this Seed brings forth never fade nor fall The Leaves heal the Nations for the Leaves thereof heal the Nations which are wounded The Second Adam goes over Adam in the Fall and his quarrelling Sons and Daughters who War one with another with their carnal Weapons who remain in their carnal Worships carnal Fellowships carnal Teachings But who are in the Noble and Royal Seed are all in Peace and in Love and in Life and in Vnity and are in the Spiritual Worship and Spiritual Fellowship and Spiritual Teaching being in the
your Food and know his Reign And quench not the Spirit and stop not the Power Quench not the Spirit but dwell in that which doth stop and quench the Deceit And to you this is the Word of the Lord God And all Friends mind and heed the Life and Power of the Lord God for all that are out of it are and will be confounded Therefore dwell in that which condemns it in which will be your Peace G. F. For Friends to dwell in Love and Unity THE Word of the Lord God to all Friends Epist 126. Dwell in Peace and Vnity with God and one with another that to the Lord ye may be a sweet Savour and to one another A sweet Savour and also in them that hate the Light that ye may all come to witness the Sonship and to be Heirs of God and in the Spirit have Unity The Bond of Peace which is the Bond of Peace And the Seed of God and the Life mind G. F. ALL Friends every where do not delight in Apparel Epist 127. do not delight in the Creature more than the Creator Apparel and Riches Trust not in uncertain Riches which fade and pass away but in the living God trust and love the Riches that endure and fade not away Delight not in the World that ends but in the World that hath no End that there ye may all come to have an Assurance of the Endless Life G. F. To all Friends to keep in the Power of God out of the Cares of the World ALL Friends to that which is pure take heed Epist 128. that with that all your Minds may be kept up to God who is pure Grow as the Lilly that as the Lilly ye all may grow and receive Wisdom from God how to use the Creatures in their places to the Glory of him that created them For Wo is unto you that Lay up for the latter Day with Covetousness ye act in that Nature contrary to the Light taking Thought for to morrow what ye shall eat and what ye shall drink and what ye shall put on Look at the Life which is more than Food and the Body which is more than Raiment and consider the Lillies and Ravens The Lillies Ravens and the Earth and who feedeth them and cloatheth the Earth That in the Faith ye may stand and with it ye may come to see him who is Invisible He who lays up for the Latter Day with Covetousness he goes from that which should keep him out of Days The Ancient of Days up to God the Beginning of Days here the Ancient of Days comes to be seen and the Life out of Death springs and a diligent Serving God is known and every one for his Family provides For he is worse than an Infidel that doth not That which was before Days were Mind which brings to be Diligent serving the Lord and that keeps down the Destroyer And that keeps down the Covetous and the fleshly Principle and that which would run out into the Observation of Days And that keeps the Life up out of the Earth and keeps from trusting in the Riches Trasting in Riches that be uncertain and brings to trust in God who is living who is the Condemner of all the Gods who have Eyes and see not who keep People under their Dominion from the Light But all who to the Light take heed see God who is Living who all things seeth G. F. MY Dear Friends and Brethren Epist 129. Keep in the Seed of Peace which was before the Enmity and Adversary was in which ye will all have Life and Peace and Vnity and Dominion and in that ye will know Christ Jesus to reign The Reign of Christ who was before the World began in whom ye may know your Election and a Sitting in the Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus above all the Earthly Places below and Mens evil Traditions and vain Customs sitting in Christ Jesus keepeth out of them for he was before they were And let all Friends every where pray to the Lord to exalt his Truth to his Glory and his Kingdom which hath no End but is from Everlasting to Everlasting G. F. ALL Friends Epist 130. Dwell in the Truth in my Father's House there are many Mansions said Christ And ye all that do know the Life To all Friends to dwell in the Truth the Life of God the 〈◊〉 c. go not from it Heed not Words without Life but heed that which lets you see and know the Father For Mountains will arise and may arise But this is the Word of the Lord God and a Charge to you all in the Presence of the Lord God Heed the Power and Life the Power which ye have formerly known and tasted of and that will keep you until the Day of Salvation and that brings you to know the Kingdom of God to stand in Righteousness c. and that will bring you to comprehend Deceit The Deceit of the World and to fathom it and bring you to be over the Deceit of the World So ye that know the Power of the Lord God heed it and it will remove Questionings out of your Minds it will remove that which causeth Trouble to come into your Minds The Power is the Gospel But if ye go from the Power the formal Part gets up in you and the Wonders you 'll run into But the Power of God it is the Gospel and ye that have received the Power of God ye have received the Gospel and he is cursed that preacheth any other yea if an Angel from Heaven For Christ is the Power of God to whom the Angels must bow And Christ Jesus who was born of a Virgin crucified and is ascended and there is no other all of you that are turned to the Light wait to have him born in you every one in particular I am the Light of the World saith Christ by whom the World was made who doth enlighten Every Man that cometh into the World Christ the Light the Bread of Life Who is the Bread of Life that came down from above and who eateth of this Bread lives for ever Now Every one of you having a Light from Christ the Bread of Life wait and with and from it you 'll see know and have your Food in due Season Now every one that comes into the World having a Light from Christ Jesus who is not of the World and being turned to this Light which he is lighted withal he is turned to Jesus Christ from whence it comes And here none shall say Lo here is Christ or Lo there is Christ but every one with the Light which comes from him Christ is seen with the Light shall see Christ and shall see the Father through the Spirit that proceeds from the Father and the Son and the Glory that he had with the Father before the World began and shall have Dominion
in Battle against all the Philistians The Armour of Light and the Enemies of God being led and guided with the Spirit up to God the Father of Spirits that what ye do beget may be to him and into his Image and that which ye do present it may be perfect And so Mind this Sow not sparingly for the Lord hath a Seed that-aways So the Lord God Almighty preserve you And stir abroad whilst the Door is open and the Light shineth and so go on in that which letteth you see the World to comprehend it and to see what is imprisoned by it and suffereth by it So the Lord give you an Understanding in all things and his Arm go along with you that ye may be to his Glory And the Blessing of the Lord be with you DEAR Francis and Edward In the Life of God wait that ye may be with it led and kept to receive Wisdom from God To Fra. Howgill and Edw. Burrough that ye may order all things there with it and to be manifest to the Witness of God in all that ye may beget to God that as good Plow-men and good Thresher-men ye may be to bring out the Wheat Good Plowmen So the Lord God Almighty keep and preserve you G. F. DEar Friends Dwell in that which keeps your Peace Epist 136. and comprehends the Deceit and answers that of God in every one To Friends to dwell in that which keeps Peace And let Friends keep their Meetings and never hearken to Tales nor things without but keep their Peace and know the Life and Power Vnion and Fellowship which stands in God in and with which ye may stand over the World in the one Power Life and Wisdom Meetings and therein be kept to the Glory of the Lord God So in that which is pure the Lord God Almighty preserve you G. F. FRiends Let God's Wisdom have the stay of your Minds Epist 137. and let it be the End of all your Words beware of that Spirit God's Wisdom that leads out of it into any thing There is a Day coming wherein some may wish that they had walked in Wisdom Weaknesses and Failings as touching the Weaknesses one of another or the Failings one of another for what know ye who may stand or who may fall in the Day of God's Trial Then many that have been unstable may wish that they had kept their Secrets in their Bosoms and in God's Wisdom sought to restore all Secrets and not to scatter as that Spirit doth which cannot bear and cover the Weaknesses one of another who are yet in the Wilderness where the Trials are many I have seen a great Danger in this thing Wherefore beware of that Spirit that cannot bear one with another Forgime and Cover or forgive one another for that which cannot will discover rather than cover and bring a Cloud over many wheresoever it is received and raise the contrary in many and vail the Just it may be in whole Meetings for want of Wisdom to be stayed in the Meek Spirit The Meek Spirit which trys all Spirits and gives clear sight of things For want of this many may be cast by and scarce ever restored again Therefore I say Tread over the Dead and that which works in that Nature and reach to the Witness in all so will ye stand for God and God will bless you in the Day of Trial. G. F. FRiends Epist 138. Ye that are the Prisoners of the Lord Jesus Christ in outward Bonds who witness him by whom the World was made who is the King of Saints and who are his Prisoners Note and come under his Dominion and Government Ye are not your own but purchased with his Blood which washes and makes you clean and justifies whose Bodies are his Temple Though he suffers you to be Imprisoned yet in his Power your Bodies are kept and your Spirits also ye standing Witnesses for your Master Standing Witnesses for your King for your Prophet for your Covenant of Light for your Wisdom of God him by whom all things were made for the Word and Power by which all things were made and upheld against the Powers of Darkness who are out of the Light out of the Truth who cannot bind stop nor limit the unlimited Power which is over it and comprehends it They who are born of the Word and in the Power which upholds all things over that and the Power of the Evil One have Victory and sing over the false Prophet The false Prophet For the Devil was the Deceiver who in the Truth abode not and there is the false Prophet who speaks of his own and not from the Lord and there is the Beast that makes the War against the Lamb and his Saints who witness the Testimony of Jesus and the Word of God Therefore mind the Word of God ye Children of the Light who are in the Light that comes from the Word mind the Word of the Lord which is as a Hammer and as a Fire and sharper than a Two-edged Sword And ye who are the Lord's are not your own but they who are in their own Time The Time in the Father's hand see not the Time which is in the Father's Hand their Time is always and they do their own Works and not the Works of God which the Son of God did G. F. FRiends Epist 139. Know the Praying in the Spirit and with the Vnderstanding then ye will come to know the Sighs and Groans that cannot be uttered Praying in the Spirit For such as have not the Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures to guide them are as the Pharisees were in the Long Prayers and in the Wrath and in the Doubting and do not lift up holy Hands This makes a Difference between Praying in the Spirit and the Pharisees long Prayers that devoured Widows houses AND None owns the Light as it is in Jesus but he that owns the Light that Christ lighteth them withal And none owns the Truth Light and Truth but who owns the Light that cometh from Christ the Truth And none cometh to the Father but such who owns the Light that cometh from Christ which leads to him Nor none owns the Son except he owns the Light that cometh from him FOR all dwelling in the Light that comes from Jesus it leads out of Wars leads out of Strife leads out of the Occasion of Wars and leads out of the Earth up to God Wars and Strife out of Earthly-mandedness to Heavenly-mindedness and bringeth your Minds to be in Heaven G. F. ALL Friends every where Epist 140. that do suffer for Tithe and are served with Writs to answer at London take Copies of your Suppoena's and Writs To Friends Concerning Collecting their Sufferings that ye may have them when ye Appear to shew them to the Court whereby ye may be kept a top of the Persecutors
Access to God And dwell in Patience and Love to God and one towards another for the Lamb must have the Victory over them all the Wild Beasts in the Field or Wilderness who are in the Fall from God Aud tho' these Beasts Horns be never so long The Beast's Horns yet the Lamb shall conquer them who gets the Victory and overcomes and takes away the Sin And the Lamb hath Wisdom the Lamb hath Power follow him then ye shall have his Mind Wisdom and Patience and in that ye follow the Spirit of Truth and are led by that against which there is no Law in which there is Life and Peace and Fellowship with the Son and the Father and all the Saints and their Words Therefore live in the Truth and then ye live in Christ the Way that lives who was before the Vntruth was in which the many Ways in the Wilderness are The Way of Truth And living in the Truth ye live in the Love and Vnity yea in that which was before the Enmity was and Imperfection in which Truth is all Perfection of Love and Life and Light which Light Life and Truth is the Way to God in whom the Church is which Christ is the Head of And who come to this Church they come into God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and who come to God they must come into the Light Life and Truth And that is the Way in which People are renewed into God's Image of Holiness and Righteousness again in which God is seen Which Way is out of the Ways of Man that is fallen from the Image of God's Righteousness and true Holiness in which Way are all the Gadders abroad from God out of the Life G. F. ALL Friends and Brethren In the Noble Seed of God live Epist 143. which hath the Promise of Life which is the Top-and Corner-Stone The Top-and Corner-Stone Christ over all set in whom is Life Eternal and Fulness for you all and Life Peace and Wisdom And the Seed Christ destroyeth the Devil and his Works which Seed Christ lives for ever Feel and know that in your selves which will never have an End and then ye will know that which doth remain and abide when the Devil and his Works are destroyed and gone The Seed remaineth Christ the Power of God which goeth over the Power of the Devil in which is the Saints Vnity that is Everlasting which bringeth to the Church The Saints Vnity that is in God And so all in the Power of the Lord God and the Seed live which is over all that which is not in his pure Life in which ye all have Vnity that never hath an End My Love is to you in the Seed in which there is Life G. F. FRiends Epist 144. Get not Knowledge in the unsanctified and unregenerated Part for that which is not sanctified in your own particulars Knowledge will not be to them that it is declared to Neither can ye feel your Words go from you with Joy and Life The unsanctified Part. that come from the unsanctified and unregenerated Part for that Part will glory and boast and vaunt it self and say This have I done and that have I spoken and not glory in the Lord. So this satisfies not and the Spirit in Prison is not refreshed by those things G. F. FRiends Where there is Strife among any of you Epist 145. mind the Light to Judge it down and Condemn it by which Light your Minds may be guided up to Christ where there is no Scrife to learn of him Strife Judged down and to Condemn all that with the Light which would give the World a Ground to reproach Truth and to see your Nakedness For that which is out of the Light will fall and confound it self So mind that which keeps your Peace and condemns that which leads into Weakness and that which will let in Prejudice from the Light goes All which is to be condemned with the Light which leads to Christ the Covenant of Peace And where there is Strife which leads out into many Words such will wither and bring themselves under Condemnation at last Many Words Such must be Silent and mind that which doth condemn them that the Life in them may arise wherein is no Strife For where Mens Spirits are high something is stirring that should be kept under take heed that get not up into Rule So first learn the Ministry of Condemnation in your selves that Life may arise before Ministry in the Spirit be known which preacheth Peace by Jesus Christ where there is no Strife Therefore wait to know the Time of Silence A time of Silence And all Friends Let your Patience and Moderation be known to all Men for nothing is attained to that is good by Strife for that is out of Christ in the forward Will which is to be condemned with the Light where is the Vnity which cometh from Christ and leadeth up to Christ the Covenant of Life And take heed All Friends of causing his Name to be blasphemed through you among the Heathen but mind and wait to receive the Love of God which bears all things and suffers all things and so comes to receive the Armour of Righteousness Love bears all things which quenches all the fiery Darts of Satan that the Patience that bears and suffers all things may be witnessed G. F. To Friends in Ireland FRiends Epist 146. Feel all of you the Power of the Lord God in your selves to guide your Minds up to God and to give you Dominion over all Weakness Dominion over Weakness and to strengthen and to heal you And look not out but every one feel the Power of God in your own particulars and let all your Faith stand in that then will ye have Vnity and in that ye will have Dominion and Victory and it will keep you in Order In which ye will have Virtue and in which ye will feel the Spirit in which ye will have Fellowship and Comfort And be Low and Still in the Life and Power and not hasty nor rash that ye may in the Life and Power answer that of God in every one Not Hasty nor Rash that crieth for Peace and Rest So dwell in the Love of God this I warn you and charge every one of you your Faith standing in this and in the Power of God then ye will feel the Presence of the Lord God among you G. F. To Friends in Wales FRiends Epist 147. Live in the Wisdom of the Lord for that is it which doth preserve you pure lively and gentle above that which is below And in the Increase of God live The hicrease of God and in his Virtue Power and Love that through it your Hearts may be established and filled with the same that Justice and Truth may in all things be amongst you and Christ Jesus known in the midst of you as a Prophet
in the Spirit every one in your Measures that ye have received and therein to be preserved and Christ the Life will open to you and the Spirit will give you an Understanding and a Distinction of the State of Asking The wavering State and not receiving and of seeking and not finding and the Praying in the wavering and in the doubting which is not in the Spirit of God But such ask in that Nature which doubts and would consume it on their Lusts Ask in Faith So ask in Faith that gives the Victory over the wavering doubting Nature And whatsoever ye ask believing it will be given unto you it is Christ's Promise John 14.13 14. For Christ saith Whatsoever ye ask in my Name that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son If ye shall ask any thidg in my Name I will do it If ye love me keep my Commandments So every one's Prayers are assured unto them and their Requests effectual in their Obedience and loving Christ and keeping his Commandments G. F. To Friends to know one another in the Light ALL Friends every where Meet together Epist 149. and in the Measure of God's Spirit wait that with it all your Minds may be guided up to God to receive Wisdom from God To Friends in the North. The first and second Adam that ye may all come to know how ye may walk up to him in his Wisdom that it may be justified of you and ye in it preserved up to God and he glorified And Friends Meet together and know one another in that which is Eternal which was before the World was For knowing one another only in the Letter and Flesh A Natural Knowledge differs you little from the Beasts of the Field for what they know they know naturally But all knowing one another in the Light which was before the World was this differs you from the Beasts of the Field and from the World's Knowledge and brings you to know one another in the Elect Seed which was before the World was And if ye turn from this Light ye grow strange and so neglecting Meetings ye grow cold and your Minds run into the Earth and grow weary and slothful and careless and heavy Neglect of Meetings and sottish and dull and dead Ye may speak then of things which were opened once from the Light though now ye be turned from it but with the Light in which is the Unity is all that condemned In which Light is the Fellowship with the Son from whence the Light comes which keeps in the Liveliness which keeps from Slothfulness and all those things before mentioned which are contrary to the Light which who turns from turns into Therefore in the Light wait and walk that ye may have Fellowship one with another I charge you all in the Presence of the Living God None boast that none boast your selves above your Measure of Light if ye do ye will be buffeted For such run into Presumption and so into Reproof Which Reproof that Spirit will not take patiently but gets up into Presumption which is to be condemned with the Light in which is the Vnity which keeps from Desperation and Presumption They which go from the Light the Enemy comes into them and the Envy and the Manslayer gets up within The Man-slayer and slays the Man and no such one hath Eternal Life abiding in him for he is turned from the Light which comes from Christ Jesus the Life All who do in the Light dwell which comes from Christ come to receive the Eternal Life The Love of God And here the Love of God is shed abroad in the heart and dwelling in Love ye dwell in God and from the Life the Eternal Love doth flow which Life comes from the Father of Life whose Love doth not change And so with the Light ye dwelling in it which leads to the Life ye will come to witness the Faith unfained and the Humility unfained and the Faith Faith which works by Love which purifies the Heart waiting in the Light which comes from Christ Jesus this is received from him For with the Light Man sees himself which Light comes from Christ who is the Author and Finisher of his Faith which Faith gives him the Victory over that which he sees to be contrary to the Light and to the Word And this is the One Faith and here the first Adam and the second Adam are known and seen Let this be read amongst Friends every where G. F. FRiends all every where In the Life and Power of God live and dwell and spread the Truth abroad Epist 150. Quench not the Spirit but live in Love and Vnity one with another To Friends to live in Love and Vnity together in the Power of God that with the Wisdom of God ye may all be ordered to God's Glory And live all in Patience one with another and in the Truth that ye may feel and see to the Beginning before the World and its Foundation was in the Faith which gives the Victory that nothing may reign but the Life and Power amongst you And live all as the Family of God in Love in Life in Truth in Power having your House established a-top of all the Mountains and Hills that ye may answer that of God in every Man and the Word of the Lord ye may witness to go forth among you and be among you So in this the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keep you The Son of God's Power And in the Son of God's Power live for all Power in Heaven and Earth is given to him who is to subdue all the Powers of Darkness and to make the Kingdoms of the World his Kingdom And none go beyond the Measure of the Spirit of God nor quench it for where it is quenched it cannot try things So if any have any thing upon them to speak in the Life of God stand up Speak in the Life and speak it if it be but Two or Three Words and sit down again and keep in the Life that ye may answer that of God in every Man upon the Earth To you this is the Word of the Lord God G. F. FRiends Epist 151. There was a Time when the Apostles preached Christ that died at Jerusalem Concerning several Ministrations of Paul's preaching Christ and they witnessed him forth and brought for Proof the Prophets Testimonies which prophesied of him And they that preached Christ's Sufferings at Jerusalem shewed the Fulfilling of the Prophet's and the Law and all that was written of him And after the Apostles preached Christ the Substance the End of the Types and Figures amongst them that had the Prophets Words Christ died at Jerusalem and the Law and the outward Temple and they shewed them out of the Prophets Words and out of the Law that that was the Christ that died at Jerusalem and suffered without the Gate
And then there was a Time that the Apostles preached Christ in them to them that did believe and had received him Know ye not that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates And Christ in you the Hope of Glory Christ in you the Hope of Glory And If Christ be in you the Body is dead And They that are Christ's have crucified the Affections and Lusts and all things are become new But this was spoken to them that believed who were the Saints to them Christ in them was preached the Substance of what the Prophets prophesied of and to believe in him who was risen the Resurrection Repentance and Faith But to the World the Apostles preached Repentance and to believe in Jesus Christ and taught Faith towards God But to them who were Redeemed out of the World in and to whom the Son of God was made manifest who were brought to God the Judge of all and to the Church in God and to the innumerable Company of Angels and to the Spirits of Just Men who were made perfect in him through Faith towards God preaching Repentance and the Doctrine of Baptism was needless Baptism in whom it was fulfilled to and in such as were brought to God He that can receive this may for to it there is no private Meaning There is a Time of preaching Faith towards God and there is a Time to be brought to God But such as are here deny the first Priesthood and witness the second with the Eternal Spirit of God who witness him without Father or Mother a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedech G. F. THis is the Word of the Lord God to you all Epist 152. In all Openings and Speakings let not the Man be lifted up for that will not be the Servant but the Master which is to be thrown down with that To Friends in their Openings from whence the Openings come Therefore that keep down which would be lifted up in the sight of the World Not to be lifted up for that doth often fall in the sight of the World but that being lifted up which answereth that of God in every Man this is of the Son of God who is exalted above the World and was before it was made and created And Every one dwell in the Seed and Life of God and in that know one another And Meet together and keep your Meetings that ye may see the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of you G. F. To Friends beyond Sea that have Blacks and Indian Slaves DEar Friends Epist 153. I was moved to write these things to you in all those Plantations God that made the World and all things therein and giveth Life and Breath to all and they all have their Life and Moving and their Being in him he is the God of the Spirits of all Flesh and is no Respecter of Persons but Whosoever feareth him God is no Respector of Persons and worketh Righteousness is accepted of him And he hath made all Nations of one Blood to dwell upon the Face of the Earth and his Eyes are over all the Works of his Hands and seeth every thing that is done under the whole Heavens and the Earth is the Lord's and the Fulness thereof And he causeth the Rain to fall upon the Just and upon the Vnjust and also he causeth the Sun to shine upon the Just and the Vnjust and he commands to love all Men for Christ loved all so that he died for Sinners And this is God's Love to the World Christ died for Sinners in giving his Son into the World that whosoever believeth in him should not perish And he doth Enlighten every Man that cometh into the World that they might believe in the Son And the Gospel is preached to every creature under Heaven which is the Power that giveth Liberty and Freedom and is Glad Tidings to every Captivated Creature under the whole Heavens And the Word of God is in the Heart and Mouth to obey and do it and not for them to ascend or descend for it and this is the Word of Faith which was and is preached For Christ is given for a Covenant to the People and a Light to the Gentiles A Light to the Gentiles and to enlighten them who is the Glory of Israel and God's Salvation to the Ends of the Earth And so ye are to have the Mind of Christ and to be Merciful as your Heavenly Father is Merciful G. F. OH Friends keep out of that State Epist 154. which is out of and below the Chast Nature for all Vnchastness by the Power of the Lord The Chast Nature and his Truth and Light is to be judged Therefore live in the Truth and in the Light of God that keeps you all Chast for in that is the Vnity and out of that is the War For from the Lusts are the Wars and Strife Oh keep over that Nature that Purity may flow and Righteousness spread and Truth flourish and Love and Peace abound in and amongst all the Family of God! Keep down the Vnchast keep down the Adulterous Eye The Adulterous Eye and keep down the Lust of the Flesh which is not of the Father but of the World and Lust is against the Spiritual Fellowship and Spiritual Union and Spiritual Dominion for that would be as a Lord to Lord above the Spirit which the Spirit of God is Lord over and Judges it Keep down the Lustful Heart and Eye for that leads from God and joins with the Adulterate in any thing or with any thing that is Evil keep Truth and a pure Conscience and there ye have an unspotted Life in which ye may see over the spotted Life where no Chastity nor Purity is Therefore live in that which keeps you Chast Follow the Lamb. then ye follow Christ the Lamb for there is the holy Joy and Peace and Comfort and Unity known in the Life and Fellowship with the God of Life For what is the Cause of all the Lusting Spirits to Envy and of the Wisdom that is Sensual Earthly and Devilish but a Living and a Going out from the Truth and the Life Which Truth and Life is the Mark of the high Calling of God in Christ where the Peace is And so the Spirit of this World lusts to Envy it lusts to Strife it lusts to Contention it lusts against the Spirit of God the Lusts of the Eye and the Pride of Life and the Lusts of the Flesh cloathed with Flesh covered with Flesh not with the Spirit such are unchast and follow the Lust not the Lamb and so live in that which the War proceeds from and in Strife and Contention And therefore Mark that Spirit with the Eternal Power of God Evil Thoughts for it Judges with evil Thoughts being in the Earth and thinks all to be like it self being in the Bad and in the Lust and in the Adultery it judges all to be
the Power of the Lord and rise up in it and in Faith remain through which Power ye come to be preserved and united to the God of Life and Truth Words and Carriage And take heed of any Words or Carriage that do not tend to Edification and Building up in the Love and Life Therefore ye that have tasted of the Power of God and of his good Word and of his Light wait for Wisdom and in it walk that ye may be preserved in Vnity in the Light and Life and in Fellowship with God and one with another that to the Lord God ye may be a Good Savour and to him a Blessing in your Generation strengthening one another in the Faith in the Grace in the Word by which all things were made and created The Word of Patience And keeping the Word of Patience herein ye will see the Lord keeping you from all the Temptations which come to try them that dwell upon the Earth by which Word of God ye may all be preserved in the sweet and holy Life in which there is Unity in the Word which was before Enmity which Word doth fulfil the Words Therefore in that live that ye may all feel Life abundantly through the Light and Power that comes from the Word which was in the Beginning through which Immortal Word your Immortal Souls may be brought up to the Immortal God where is Joy Peace and Comfort So Strife and Contentions above all things live in that which stops Strife Contentions and Janglings and live in that by which ye come to Serve one another in Love even in the Love of God which thinks no evil nor envies not neither is it easily provoked Therefore live in that which is not easily provoked and thinks no evil which fulfils the Law which is Love out of a pure heart Prejudice And let not Prejudice boil in any of your hearts but let it be cast out by the Power of God in which is the Vnity and the Everlasting Kingdom that ye may all witness your being made Heirs of the same Kingdom of Peace and to be Inheritors of it sitting down in the same knowing your own Portion and increasing in the heavenly Riches And this is above all Strife that 's below and the Man of it which is born of the Egyptian Woman which genders to Bondage Therefore know the Seed the Second Man The Egyptian Woman the Heir of the Promise over all set and the Blessing and Presence of the Lord which was before Strife was Therefore know the Seed of Life and Peace to reign in you all which possesses the Kingdom where there is no End The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all to teach season and establish you which brings your Salvation G. F. DEar Friends All dwell in the Everlasting Seed of God Epist 159. Christ Jesus in whom ye have Health and Strength Life and Dominion and Power over all Weaknesses Weaknesses and Infirmities And keep your Minds in the Strength of the Almighty and not in Weakness nor in the Infirmities but in the Lord's Power which was before Weakness and Infirmities were and then in that Power ye will find Life and Refreshment from the God of Strength And so in the Power of God that is over all keep your Minds in the Life and Peace of God and in the Assurance of him and his Love and so in that dwell and live in the Dominion of God in his Love and Life and Strength And be of good Faith Be of good Faith and of a valiant Mind for God's Truth upon the Earth in the Power Life Truth and Seed in which ye have Dominion Peace Wisdom and the Blessing of God upon you and in you and in that dwell and know that blessed Seed your Crown and Life No more but my Love For the Comfort of the People of God and their Incouragement to be Faithful and to put their Trust in him who performeth all his Promises THE People that know their God they prosper and prevail and they that do understand shall Instruct many And though they may fall and go into Captivity and be spoiled now yet when they shall so fall Captivity they shall be helped and when they are helped many shall cleave unto them And some of Understanding may fall for to try and purge them and to make them white till the Time be out For there is a Time appointed to Liberty for the faithful Sufferers A Time of Liberty that come from and through the great Tribulations and Michael shall stand up for the Children of thy People and every one shall be delivered that shall be found written in the Lambs Book of Life G. F. ALL my Dear Friends Folly and Wickedness will have an End Epist 160. but the Word of the Lord will have no End but endureth for ever So feed upon the Milk of the Word ye Babes To Friends in Bristol that ye may live by that which comes from it which doth endure G. F. OH Friends Epist 161. Do not Dye from the Good through the Wantonness of flesbly Lusts neither be choked with the Cares of this Life nor fear the Shearers neither let the Heat scorch your green Blade but dwell under the Shadow of the Almighty who will shade you from the Heat and Cold. Neither be cumbred nor surfeited with the Riches of this World nor bound nor straitned with them Riches nor married to them but be free and loose from them and be married to the Lord. The Sufferings in all Ages of the Righteous and Just were because they could not join to the Nations vain Worships evil Customs Rudiments Traditions and carnal Inventions but joined to the Lord and not to them The Sufferings of the Righteous and therefore they suffered and kept single to the Lord God in following him and his Truth and living in it the Amen the Crown Life Vertue and Righteousness that floweth over all in which the Righteous have Peace G. F. FRiends Epist 162. Keep your Meetings in the Power of God and in his Wisdom by which all things were made and in the Love of God Meetings for Business that by that by may order all to his Glory And when Friends have finished their Bufiness sit down and continue a while quietly and Wait upon the Lord to feel him And go not beyond the Power The Power but keep in the Power by which God Almighty may be felt among you For the Power will bruise the Head of the Serpent and all false and contrary Heads this blessed Seed as he is the Head of the Church so he is also the Head of every Member of his Body And so by the Power of the Lord ye come to love Truth and love Jesus Christ and love Holiness and by the Power ye come to love God and praise him and bless him and magnifie him who lives for
Spirit plungeth down by Baptism and putteth under and bringeth into the One Body and putteth that under which causeth many Heads and answereth to that which is Transgressed against For all must come to the One Baptism with the Spirit into the One Body And all my Dear Friends be faithful and quench not the Spirit but be Obedient to the Truth and spread it abroad The Witness of God in all which must go over all the World to Profossors Jews Christians and Heathen to the answering the Witness of God in them all that they may come to the Truth which answers the Witness in them to be made free by it And Friends In the Wisdom of God dwell which preserveth in Vnity in the Spirit and Power If any thing be spoken in a Meeting which ye cannot bear speak to them concerned betwixt them and you Meetings quiet after the Meeting is ended for if any of the World be there it may give Occasion to them to reproach Truth For Wisdom preserveth in the Peace and maketh Peace and preserveth out of the Contrary and overcomes with the Wisdom and Love and answereth the Witness with the Life and so hath Unity and that hath the Kingdom G. F ALL Friends Ye must come into a Tomperance above all the World And all Friends Ye must come into a Patience above all the World And all Friends Ye must come into a Moderation above all the World And all Friends Ye must come into a Wisdom above all the World And all Friends Ye must come into a Knowledge above all the World And all Friends Ye must come into an Vnderstanding above all the World And all Friends Ye must come into a Sobriety and Gravity and a seasoned State above all the World G. F. MY Dear Friends In the Love Epist 180. and Life and Power of the Lord God dwell in the Power Life and Seed which hath no End To Friends to take beed of getting into the Form without the Power in which ye all may have Vnity And be Faithful and Diligent in the things that are good and keep your Meetings and Meet together in the Power of the Lord which cannot be broken in which is an Everlasting Vnity And live in Peace and Vnity one with another and all keep in the Power of the Lord God and take heed of getting into a Form without the Power any of you for that will bring Deadness and Coldness and Weariness and Faintings and what will it not bring in that Nature therefore keep in the Power of the Lord which will keep all the Contrary down and out and preserve you in Peace and Life Love and Vnity fresh and fruitful and diligent in the Wisdom of the Lord God with which and in which ye may be kept and preserved to his Glory and be a good Savour to him and in the Hearts of all People That to the Lord ye may be a Blessing in your Generation and a peculiar People in Tenderness and full of that Faith which overcomes the World and all things in it through which ye may come all up into the Vnity of the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace AND all Friends Live in the Power of the Lord God and keep down the Wise Part which will judge Truth to be Simple The Wise Part. and come to despise it and cry up their own Words of Wisdom in its place G. F. FRiends Epist 181. Live in the unchangable Power of God which will keep you in Righteousness and Truth and Love and Vnity and Dominion over all the unclean Spirits The Supreme Power and rough Ways and Mountains within and without that the Power of the Lord God may be Supreme amongst you and that ye may in the Wisdom of the Lord be preserved And none abuse it but all patiently in the Power of the Lord wait that in it ye may be all kept Low in Love and Vnity with God and one with another that in the Seed ye may be kept which is Heir of the Power Earthly things And all be diligent in your Places serving the Lord and that your Spirits may not be pluck'd down with Earthly things nor limited by them but that in the Power of the Lord God ye may act over them the Handy-Works of God out of the Intanglements and Thraldom of them and out of the vain Inventions of Men but keep in the Power of the Lord God over them in which Power is the Mystery of the Fellowship and the Dominion and let every one's Eye behold it and mind it For that is it which will keep you out of the Changable things and present your Minds Souls and Spirits to the Lord and there the Seed comes up which is Heir of the Power and of the Wisdom which is pure from above where the City if known that lets no Uncleanness in and the Salt is known that savours all things Therefore feel it in the Heart which is more than in the Head or Tongue which many may strive for but do not obtain the Power nor the Kingdom Therefore all be Wise the Wisdom of God The beginning of Wisdom and let every one's Eye be unto that Wisdom which the departing from Sin and Evil is the Beginning of that with it ye may be ordered and do whatsoever ye have to do with it and by it In that ye will feel his Presence and Blessing that ye may know the Seed Immortal to have the Dominion in you that there ye may come to know Christ to reign And your Growth in the Seed is in the Silence The Growth in Silence where ye may all find a Feeding of the Bread of Life And all Friends keep in the Wisdom of the Lord that is pure and holy from above by which Wisdom ye may be preserved and kept holy and pure above that which is below and out of that which is below the wise part wherein is the Strife that being kept down by the Power of the Lord the Seed comes up which is Heir of the Power And there Innocency and Simplicity and Nakedness of Heart and Spirit is lived in and Life is fed upon G. F. And so if any Friends have Friends or Relations beyond Sea send them Books or Papers Books and be diligent to spread the Truth and send Latin Books or French Books or other Books to Leghorn France Poland Italy Norway Low-Countries c. MY Dear Hearts Epist 182. Do your Business faithfully and fear not the Amazement of Men To Friends beyond the Sear ye Sons and Daughters of Abraham Trample upon all Deceit and keep over all that in the Dominion of God's Power Fear not Man above the World answering that of God in all and spare not any Deceit Be ye faithful and ye will find and feel the Word Cut down Deceit which is sharper than any two-edged Sword to cut down Deceit and ye will feel the Blessing of
the Lord God with you And if the World's Works lie like a Wilderness care not for it and matter it not but do the Work of the Lord faithfully and ye will feel it prosper answering that of God in every one And so God Almighty preserve you in his Power G. F. FRiends Epist 183. Dwell in Patience and in the Power Life and Wisdom of God and in Peace and Love and Unity one with another And be subject in the Power and Life and Wisdom of God to God and to one another that in it ye may be as a pleasant Field to the Lord God As Libies and Flowers and as the Lillies and the Flowers and the Buds feeling the pleasant Showers and the Streams of Life from the Living God flowing upon you and coming into you whereby the Presence and Blessing of the Lord God Almighty amongst you all may be felt And in that the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you that to him ye may be a good Savour And live in Peace And the God of all Peace keep you that nothing may reign and rule amongst you but the Life and Power and Seed and Wisdom of God that in him ye may be preserved by which all things were made and created That ye may be all ordered to his Glory and be a good Savour in the Hearts of all People in which ye do refresh others and are refreshed So dwell in the Fear of the Lord which brings a Dread and Terror upon all his Enemies Esau's Mount that are in Esau's Mount but your Peace comes from the Mountain of God And let your Joy and Peace be in the Lord. G. F. OH my Dear Friends and Brethren every where The Power of the Lord God that is over all live in Epist 184. that in that ye may feel Vnity and Fellowship that in the Power of the Lord God ye may all come to be Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life through which ye may inherit Eternity and so to feel Life Eternal abiding in you Now The Man-slayer and Persecutor the Man-slayer hath not Eternal Life abiding in him that is he that envies his Brother so all the Persecutors that envy their Brethren have not Eternal Life abiding in them Under this all the Persecutors about their Church and vain Religion false Worship Faith and Ministry are Therefore all of you feel this Eternal Life abiding in you for he that hath the Son of God hath Life Eternal and so in this Eternal Life ye have Fellowship with God and his Son and with one another and in this the Law of Life that is in Jesus Christ The Law of Life passeth Sentence on the Law of Sin and Death in every Man and Woman and brings it to the Execution Through which Law of Life Righteousness flows and runs down and also Justice and Truth and by this Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Mark in Christ Jesus ye come to know the Lamb's Throne and the Throne of Iniquity thrown down and all blasphemous Mouths stopped and the Chambers of Imagery thrown down and the Houshold of God raised up and the Fruit less Trees thrown down and the Plant of God raised up The Plant of God which is of his own Planting the Tree of Righteousness whose Fruit is unto Holiness whose End is Everlasting Life So mark here 's the Fruit of this Tree and the End of this Tree and by this Spirit ye do distinguish Names and Plantings and Pluckings up and God's Building ye will distinguish from Man's Building and Man's Plucking down and man's Gathering together Ye that are gathered together in the Name of Jesus can distinguish Mens Gathering and their Scattering Oh! The Knowledge of Truth Therefore be Valiant for the Truth which ye are come to the Knowledge of and worship God in that Truth which the Devils is our of and abode not in this makes you free from the Devil and his Works that are out of the Truth Here in this Worship in the Truth and in the Spirit the living God who is a Spirit the God of all Truth he hath his Glory and his Honour from his Spirit in every Heart And so keep in the Spirit and Truth and the Power of the Everlasting God who is from Everlasting to Everlasting that ye may know him Lord of the Earth and of the Heaven and of the Heaven of Heavens ruling and reigning whose Eye is over all his Works that ye may glorifie him in his Power and Spirit and serve him in the New Life which will keep you over all Mens Fables and Devices Fables and Devices Whimsies and Imaginations out of all Janglings and vain Dispates of Men of corrupt Minds And so all to live in that which is the same to day as was yesterday Christ Jesus the Power of God and the Seed of Life and Word that was in the Beginning so no new thing but that which was and is to all Eternity Let your Fellowship be in that and your Vnity and Communion be in that for by the Spiritual Eye the Eternal Vnity with the Eternal God is seen So The Voice of God soakes the Earth and the Heavens Hear his Voice every where that speaks from Heaven whose Voice shakes the Earth and not the Earth only but Heaven also The Heaven signifies Joy so all the false Joys the lifted-up Joys or exalted Joy and Joy in vain Glory and Joy in the world or any outward thing or Creature or Men or Women his Voice that speaks from Heaven shakes the Earth and the Heavens and this must be shaken and removed both the Heaven and the Earth before that doth appear that can never be shaken the Noble Royal Seed Elect and Precious which was before the World began being Heirs of him come to inherit him in him ye shall know that which cannot be shaken and there is the true JOy the standing Joy in that which is from Everlasting to Everlasting who is the Beginning and Ending here is not any lifted up nor cast down So I say Hear his Voice and hearden not your Hearts for through not hearing his Voice ye harden your Hearts then ye provoke God to Wrath and sore Displeasure Let him have your Ear that speaks from Heaven that ye may come to observe his Counsel Teachings Instructions and Directions For all the Prophets the holy Men of God and the Apostles were Attentive and Obedient to this heavenly Voice who witnessed to the Truth who had a Witness in Heaven also and such declared forth the glorious Truth which they had from the Instruction of the Almighty As ye may read throughout the Scriptures what glorious Expressions and weighty Truths they declared whose Ears were Attentive to him that spake from Heaven and how they declared against them that stopped their Ears and closed their Eyes and hardened their Hearts For such whose Ears are not Attentive to the heavenly Voice are Earthly so
if the Earthly and Sin and Evil have the Ear it will fill it with that which is bad and harden the Heart and choke the good Therefore the Lord must have the Ear who is the Ruler of Heaven and Earth And as your Ears are attentive to the Lords's Voice that is from Heaven Iniquity's Mouth is stopped in you Iniquity's Mouth stopped the Throne of Iniquity is thrown down in you that is the wicked Spirit and Power wherein Iniquity sits and the Chamber of Imagery is thrown down in you where Man's Thoughts and Imaginations are But as the Ear is Attentive to the Voice of him that speaks from Heaven ye will come to the Throne of the Lamb who hath the Victory and the Dominion that all may live in the Everlasting Power of God that goes over all Deceit which was before Deceit and Darkness was A Growth in the Power And always feel a Growing in the Power of the Lord God that is Universal and Everlasting that ye may be all Heirs of the Power of the Endless Life and come to inherit it and possess it and sit down in the Possession of the same that every one's Lot may fall in the Land of the Living where the Lord hath his Glory and his Honour for ever and ever Oh the Glory of the Lord spreads it self over all and here as ye abide ye have the Savour and can taste your Meat in the Power of the Lord God feeding upon every Word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God having your Ear open and attentive to his Voice in this ye grow up in the Life that is Eternal G. F. ALL Friends Epist 185. be Obedient to the Power of God which is the higher Power To Friends to know the Authority of the Seed and is above that which abode not in the Truth So ye that know the Power of God be obedient to it for ye have Authority from the Power of God which comprehends all the Powers of Darkness to answer the Witness of God in every one and to trample upon all the Power of Darkness and its Authority For ye that feel the Power that comprehends the World and all the Powers of Darkness keep in the Authority in the Power of God Mind not Words without the Power Mind not Words without the Power nor the pleasing of the Reason and Carnal Knowledge Wisdom and Understanding of Fancies and Thoughts of Men but dwell in the Authority the Power of God ye that know it That over all ye may reign in the Seed who fulfilled the Law and the Prophets who spake with Authority and speaks with Authority now more than the Scribes and Pharisees the Writers of the Law and of the Prophets and the Speakers of them who were Transgressors against the Life that gave forth the Words which were written And so the Authority of the Scriber and Pharisees who wrot Moses and the Prophets is as the Authority of the professing Christians who profess Christ and the Apostles Writings but are without the Life and from the Seed of God these are one with them who put Christ to Death and knew not the Authority of the Seed G. F. FRiends Epist 186. which have known and tasted of the Power of the Mighty God of Heaven and Earth and of his Light and Life be faithful in the Power Light Life and Truth To Friends in Barbadoes to wait to witness the Immanuel to the spreading of the Truth abroad with which ye may answer the Truth in the inward parts in every one And dwell in that which hind and chains and gives to see over the World that Life Wisdom and Power may reign among you that he turned to the Life and believe in it which come to receive the Light of Life Christ the Power of God Be saithful and spread the Truth abroad and walk in the Wisdom of God answering that of God in every one and write speak and send Books abroad into the Countries and Islands and Nations or main Land as ye are moved that the Sound of the Trumpet of the Lord's Host may be heard in the Nations and Islands Be valiant for the Truth And be faithful and valiant for the Truth of God upon the Earth that is the Truth that the Devil is out of and abode not in in that dwell and live in Vnity and Peace one with another So the God of Love Life and Power and Wisdom be with you And ye that are turned to the Light and gathered into it Meet together and keep your Meetings Keep your Meeting that ye may feel and see the Life of God among you and know that in one another for that keeps down and lays low all that which is out of the Kingdom So know the Power of God and keep your Peace therein that ye may all grow up in the Increase of God mark in the Increase of God and feel his Presence among you For where two or three are gathered together in my Name saith Christ that is in the Power I am there in the midst of them In this Meeting in this Gathering Christ is felt in the midst Who feels the Power of Christ feels Christ for he is the Power of God and the Immanuel with them but who go from God in the Transgression are in the first Adam where Death reigns and Darkness and this is the State that is Reprobated But who are turned to the Light Christ Jesus to the Immanuel they know the Interpretation thereof God with us who redeems out of Transgression and out of Death Immanuel God with us Darkness and Sin who being witnessed the State of fallen Man that was drove from God and the State of being brought to God again is witnessed by Jesus Christ the Covenant of Light In which Covenant which is Eight the Lord God Almighty preserve you all Ye may Write how things are with you in the Island G. F. This is to go among Friends MY Dear Frends Epist 187. Dwell in the Love of God together for that edifies you all Love edifies and by that ye are built up and who go from that puck down with Enmity and Discord and Wrangling and Quarreling and Disputing and are puffed up with high-lweling Words and are large in their Worldly Wisdom and Earthly Knowledge in a Shew to tread upon the simple and are of the great Comprehension Therefore keep over the Spirit for that will not stand to the End although it would be Lord it is scorched when the Heat of Persecution comes Disputes and Janglings And therefore stand Faithful For that which runs into Janglings and Disputes and Contentions and Questionings is the Disobedient That was the Devil's work in the Beginning which brought Eve out of her Habitation and that is the Work of his Servants in the Fall to bring the Innocent out of their Habitation to question reason and jangle with them to bring them out of their
all Friends live in the Power of God which ye first received the Power which was before the Fall was in that is the Fellowship and leads to both Order Comliness and Decency For all the Sects about Meats Drinks and Days are gotten up among the Sons and Daughters of Adam that are gone from the Power of God and his Image Righteousness and True Holiness which were before Coverings were And others who are fallen from that into such outward things there they are jangling about them And therefore keep over all such things in the Power of God which was before outward things were in that have ye perfect Fellowship and Vnity for there is your Profit For they that have a Fellowship in keeping on their Hats and observing of Meats those outward things lead them from the Power and so to no Profit but into Strife and Jangling and vain Disputes Therefore the Power of God all keep in The Power of God was before Strife was and in that is the perfect and standing Fellowship when all other Fellowships shall have an end which were set up since Adam's Fall And so Farewell My Love is to you all in the Everlasting Seed of God The Church of the Romans fell away by running into outward things The Church of the Romans from the Power and Life also the Corinthians Galatians and others of them and also the Seven Churches of Asia by running into outward things and what the outward things were they ran into ye may read And how the Apostle reproved them and what all are gone into since they lost the Power of God and the Vnity in the Spirit And therefore all Dear Friends keep in the Power of God over all outward things which was before they were and in that Power is the standing Vnity G. F. The Line of Righteousness and Justice stretched forth over all Merchants c. And an Exhortation unto all Friends and People whatsoever who are Merchants Tradesmen Husband-men or Sea-men who deal in Merchandize trade in Buying and Selling by Sea or Land or deal in Husbandry That ye all do that which is Just Equal and Righteous in the sight of God and Man one to another and to all Men And that ye use Just Weights and Just Measures and speak and do that which is True Just and Right in all things That so your Conversations Lives Practices and Tongues may preach to all People and answer the Good Just and Righteous Principles of God in them all In which ye may be serviceable unto God and to the Creation in your Generation and a blessing both to God and Man ALL Friends every where Epist 210. Live in the Seed of God which is the Righteousness at self and inherits the Wisdom and is the Wisdom it self The Wisdom of God with which Wisdom ye may order rule and govern all things which are under your Hands which God hath given you to his Glory Govern and order with his Wisdom all the Creatures that ye have under you and all Exchangings Merchandizing Husbandry Do what ye do in the Wisdom of God and with it which is pure from above and gentle and easie to be entreated With this Wisdom which is not earthly sensual nor devilish you do good unto all and hurt no one nor your selves for it is pure and preserves pure So this is the Word of the Lord God to you all Keep all in the Power of God over all the unrighteous World which Power of God was before it was In which Power of God ye will be preserved in Justice in Truth in equal Ballance and Weights and Measures in the Truth The Equal Ballance Uprightness and Honesty to all People So all here in this are serviceable to God in their Generation and to the Creation and to God are a Blessing Do rightly that is the Word of the Lord God to you all whether ye be Tradesmen of what Calling or Profession or Sort soever or Husbandmen Do rightly justly truly holily equally to all People in all things and that is according to that of God in every Man and the Witness of God and the Wisdom of God and the Life of God in your selves and there ye are serviceable in your Generation labouring in the thing that is good which doth not spoil nor destroy nor waste the Creation upon the Lusts And all Merchants whatsoever Sea men and Traffickers by Sea or Land This is the Word of the Lord God to you all Do justly speak truly to all People whatsoever A Terror to the Vnjusts Then are ye a Dread and a Terror to the Unjust Wrong no Man over-reach no Man if it may be never so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 your Advantage but be plain righteous and holy in this are ye serviceable to your own Nation and others by your Change and Excharging of things and Merchandize and to the Lord God ye come to be a blessing in the Creation and Generation Live in the Life of Truth and let the Truth speak in all things and Righteousness and let Justice be acted and Holiness in all things without any Guile Fraud or Deceit so that is well-pleasing to God and Men and according to that of God in every one And this sheweth forth the Fruits of Believers that are passed from Death to Life from Death which came by Sin the Original of which is the Devil So being come from Death to Life which goes over him over him I say who is the Author of all Unrighteousness Now in the Truth and Righteousness ye will all have Peace Favour and the Blessing of the Lord in all things And that keepeth out the covetous Mind and covetous Desires The Covetous Mind the Power and Life of God that goes over the Power of Death which brought the Sin That which keepeth over this hath the Blessing and Encrease of the heavenly Riches and that shall not want the Creatures nor any good thing from them the Lord will not withhold So be careful to do good in all things to all People whatsoever In the Fear of God serve him and be diligent and not stubborn in any thing but plyable in the Power of God that keeps you over all the Powers of Unrighteousness acting so in that that ye may be a good Savour in all Nations Islands and Places where ye come in the Hearts of all People doing truly and plainly uprightly faithfully justly and honestly according to the Light of Christ Jesus in every Man that ye may witness to all Then will your Words Lives and Conversations preach and manifest that ye serve God in the New Life and that ye have put off the old Man and his Deeds which are unrighteous and that ye have put on the New Man which is renewed after God in Righteousness and Holiness according to his Image Loath Deceit and all Vnrighteousness Hard-heartedness Wronging Cozening Cheating or Vnjust Dealing but live and reign in the Righteous Life and Power of God Vnjust
Dealing and Wisdom that presseth all the other down and to answer the good and just Principle in all People and that will win People to deal with you Doing Truth to all without respect to Persons to High or Low whatsoever Young or Old Rich or Poor And so here you Lives and Words will preach where-ever ye come All Husbandmen and Dealers about Husbandry whatsoever Cattle or Ground Do rightly to you all this is the Word of the Lord God Do rightly holily justly honestly plainly and truly to all Men and People whomsoever ye have to deal withal wrong not any in any case though it be never so much to your advantage Deny your selves and live in the Cross of Christ the Power of God for that destroys Injustice and without Holiness none can ever see the Lord and out of Righteousness there is no true Peace Therefore all of what Sort soever or what Calling soever Do justly whether ye be Masters or Servants Fathers or Mothers Sons or Daughters to one another and to all Do that which is Just and Righteous uprightly and holily in that you will hve Peace and see God So in all Husbandry Speak Truth act Truth doing justly and uprightly in all your Actions Speak Truth in all your Practices in all your Words in all your Dealings Buyings Sellings Changings and Commerce with People Let Truth be the Head and practise it And in all your Words let Truth be spoken This brings Righteousness forth and Deceit to the Judgment-bar Wrong no Man nor covet nor cheat nor oppress nor defraud any Man in any case but keep your Dominion in the Truth in Righteousness Holiness and Equity in the Power and Light and Wisdom of Christ In this ye answer the Light of Christ in every one and are a blessing to the Lord God and to your Generation ye are serviceable and come to walk in the New Life in which the Righteous Holy God is served In which Righteousness ye have Peace and in which Holiness ye see God For the Kingdom of God stands in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost So speak the Truth whether Merchants or Tradesmen and all sorts of People whatsoever in all your Occasions and in all your Tradings Dealings and Doings The swift Witness speak the Truth act in the Truth and walk in the Truth and this brings Righteousness forth For it answereth the Witness of God in every one which lets every one see all the Deeds and Actions they have done amiss and Words which they have spoken amiss So the Witness of God Within them ariseth a swift Witness against them for their Words which they have spoken amiss and for their Actions which they have done amiss and brings them to the Judgment-Bar and to Condemnation Here Righteousness goes forth and here the sweet Savour to the Lord God begins to ascend and Truth and Equity ariseth both to be acted and spoken So all Friends of what Calling soever that dwell in the Power of God The Just Principle in all and feel the Power of God and the Light of Christ Jesus Dwell in that act in that that ye may answer that of God in every one upon on the Earth with your Actions and by your Conversations and by your Words being right just and true This goes over the unjust untrue unholy and unrighteous in the whole World and reacheth to the good and true Principle of God in all People which tells them when they do not do equally justly righteously and holily So that is the Word of God to you all Friends of what Calling soever ye be Live in the Power of Truth and Wisdom of God to answer that just Principle of God in all People upon the Earth and so ye answering of it thereby ye come to be as a City set upon a Hill which is above that Mountain that is in the whole World that lies above the Just Principle of God in every one there which the Power of God goes over So let your Lives preach let your Light shine that your Works may be seen that your Father may be glorified that your Fruits may be unto Holiness and that your End may be Everlasting Life Dwell in the Power of the Lord God and Light and Life with which ye may feel and see before the Unrighteousness was in this ye will know the Everlasting Righteousness brought forth which answered the Righteous Principle of God in every one to which they must come down to lead them and guide them to teach them to speak and act Truth justly righteously and holily And that hath the Dominion which doth justly holily and righteously speak act and think and this hath the praise of God and they who do so come to answer that which God requires To love Mercy do justly and to walk humbly with God And this is more than all the Talkers of Justice Righteousness and Holiness Talkers of Justice whose Life denies what their Tongues profess and talk of By that God and Christ is dishonoured So these are no good Example neither serviceable in their Generation nor Creation nor any but they who live in the Power of God and in his Wisdom in which they have the Righteousness Peace Truth Holiness Justice and Equity These are comely and savoury both God and Man And all of what Trade or Calling soever Keep out of Debts Owe to no Man any thing but Love Go not beyond your Estates Keep out of Debts lest ye bring your selves to Trouble and Cumber and a Snare keep low and down in all things ye act For a Man that would be great and goes beyond his Estate lifts himself up runs into Debt and lives highly of other Mens Means he is a waster of other Mens and a destroyer He is not serviceable to the Creation but a destroyer of the Creation and Creatures and cumbereth himself and troubleth others and is lifted up who would appear to be some Body but being from the Honest the Just and Good falls into the Shame Therefore dwell every one of you under your own Vine that know Redemption from the Earth and seek not to be Great but in that and dwell in the Truth Justice Righteousness and Holiness and there is the Blessing enlarged And no one of what Calling soever run into Debt Vsury and Exaction for many People have been wronged thereby they that have taken of them who by it have appeared great and lived above what they were and so would seem to be Therefore be true and honest holy and righteous every one in that which ye have Owe nothing but Love Owe to none any thing but Love and in that ye will feel the Blessing and come to be serviceable in the Creation serving one another in Love and not in Oppression and Taxation And that keeps all down in the Power Wisdom and Life of God and bends all minds to strive for one anothers good and to help one another in
which is the Power of God which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light and hath and doth abolish Death I say be Shod in the Power and then your Feet will not slip nor slide and ye will not fall and ye will stand stedfast being shod with the Everlasting Gospel in the Preparation of it And standing in the Power ye stand over the Workers of Iniquity and all Vnrighteousness in the World and slippery Ways standing in the Power which was before Death Darkness and the Power of Darkness and Death was which hath darkened Life and Immortality from People so that they could not walk and get forward on their Way to the Lord. But in the Power of God the Gospel being in it and with it shod your Feet standing in the Power ye over Death Darkness and the Power of it may stand walk go and leap which was before it was there is Faithfulness and Stedfastness and there ye may walk without Doubt And keep the Word of Patience and take unto you the Word of God and who are born of it of the Immortal Seed nourished by the Milk of the same up to Eternal Life know things as they were in the beginning they feed upon that which Lives and not upon that which is in the World and in the Fall which is below the Word and below the Power and below the Truth and out of it who know the Shepherd and his Crook The Shepherd which plucks you out he shews you the Pastures of Life in which ye must feed Every one that knows the Power and Light and by it is guided and turned to him feels and knows this And so ye that have the Word of Patience ye have the Hammer ye have that which was in the beginning ye have that which lives and abides and endures for ever Ye know what the Hammer is to and ye know the Word is a Fire and what the Fire is to So ye that have the Word have the Fire which burns up all that which doth not abide and doth not endure and doth not live for ever as the Word doth which is the Word of Wisdom So ye that have the Word have the Wisdom which was in the beginning before that which is below was So ye that have the Word have the Sword yea sharper than a Sword with two Edges which will cut down all that which hath gotten up since the beginning which hath transgressed the Just Spirit and burn up that which hath gotten up since the beginning in the Transgression And this is the Word that makes clean and reconciles to God and is the Word of Reconciliation The Word of Patience And this is the Word of Patience to keep you and ye will be kept in the Hour of Temptation that comes upon them that dwell upon the Earth For the Word of God was before the Tempter was and goes over him and destroys him in that live in his Life that is Fternal which doth abide So in that the Lord Jesus Christ preserve you For in that Patience is exercised in that Word which comprehends all that which hath gotten up since the beginning for with that ye may be tried But the Word is over alol in that live which hammers burns cuts down and reconciles against whom the Tempter and Temptation cannot come nigh to prevail it breaks his Head Neither meddle not nor mix your selves with the Powers of the World nor things below but live in the Power of God which is peaceable And forasmuch as we are scandalized Plots and Plotters as Plotters we in the Power of God do comprehend the Power of Darkness which Power was before the Powers of Darkness were which destroys Darkness and the Power of it And we cannot Plot it is impossible we should standing in that which destroys Darkness and the Devil the Power of it who is the Author of Plots and the Enmity in Peoples Minds bondaging and bringing the Creature into thraldom which we in the Power of God would have all Persons from under it and would have no Man's Person in the whole World hurt but in the Power of God would have all Men saved and seek all Mens Peace And so in that which manifests all Plots and the Author of them the Devil and that which judges him and destroys him and them are we in and are made Partakers of him who redeems and saves and heals and sets free who is the Power of God So all you who are Partakers of the Power of God that have been turned to the Light and received the Power of God Christ Jesus that hath given you Power to become the Sons of God in which Light and Power of God The Saints Liberty by which ye were turned to him ye come up into the Liberty the Liberty of the Sonship into the Power of God that doth redeem and save and destroy that which leads from God which doth defile and destroys it and gives Dominion That is the Power of God in which the Saints have Liberty where the Sons of God sing together and praise glorifie and honour their Father to whom be Glory Praise and Honour for Evermore Who in him triumpheth in Glory and can say Emanuel is born and a Son is given So all in the Life and Power of God's Seed and Wisdom which is Everlasting dwell and know the Seed of God in every one of you in your own particulars Male and Female which Seed is the Heir of the Promise the Heir of the Wisdom and Heir of the World that hath no End of an Endless Life and the Heir of the Kingdom that is Everlasting and the Heir of the Blessing where there is no Curse And every one an Heir of the Power of the Blessings of the Kingdom come to inherit The Election come to possess your own Inheritance and then sit down in your own Possession in which ye may know every one your Election in the Seed which was before the World began and so be Possessors and Inheritors of Life and Substance The Substance is the Seed the Top-Stone on top of the Law on top of the Prophets on top of the Types Figures Shadows Parables and ends them all and on top of all Heathens Inventions though it hath been a Mystery hid from Ages See now the Seed the Seed of the Lamb and his Marriage is known and the Lamb reigns where there is no Curse but the Blessing The Curse is out of his Dominion who destroys the Author of the Curse Wrath Plagues and Woe that hath the Blessing the Seed Christ Jesus AND all Friends Improve your Talents that to you all it may be said Well done good and faithful Servants for they who do not The Talents their Talents are taken a way from them who have been Slothful Complainers and Idle Let your Lamps be burning have Oil in your own Lamps and Salt in your selves then ye are the Wise Virgins that enters in with the
earthly Spirits and their dark earthly Spirit and the Power of God was before they were and will remain when that they are gone and it reigns over them all And that is the Word of the Lord God to you all And for my part I had as leive see a Priest to stand up in a Meeting as one of these dark earthly Spirits with their Hats on their Heads when that Friends pray for they cannot deceive Friends For I have been more burthened with their dark subtle and Sophistical Spirit than with the Priests which had no more shew of Reverence to God in that than to a Horse whose outward seeming Righteousness hath deceived many but the Power of God which destroyeth the Deceiver undeceiveth and bringteth People to that which did first Convince them And they that kept on their Hats when Friends prayed after a while some of them ran to the Priests to be married and some to hear them in the Steeple-Houses then this dark earthly Spirit could bow and put off its Hat to its own the dark Spirit which kept on the Hat in the Assemblies of the Righteous in Opposition against the Spirit and Power of God A Fainedness of Love And so this Spirit hath led People into a Fainedness of Love and Liberty which the Power and Spirit of God cannot own but judge and stand over and reign over if they keep their Habitations in the Power and Life and Truth of God which reigneth If they that are and have been in this dark earthly Spirit had but had a regard to the Power of God and his Truth they would have been Tender Offence given and afraid of giving any Occasion of Offence both to them that are within and to them that are without to draw out their Minds to look at that which their earthly Spirit has promoted and so to lay Stumbling-blocks and set up an Idol and an Image to look at which draws Peoples Eyes from the Witness of God in themselves But the Power of God is gone over it and will break it down And so this Belial's Spirit which would be without Yoke cries to such as in Love exhort them and judge it Ye Lord over us And so this earthly dark Spirit which is gotten above the Witness of God in themselves which is not sensible of the moving Spirit and Power of God it sets up its own earthly Form which the Power of God never set up An earthly Spirit but judges And this earthly Spirit judges all that are gathered together in the Power and that are constrained by the Power and Love of God in a familiar way to take one another by the Hand through the dearness and nearness of the Love of God and the pure clean and holy Life and also are moved by the Power of the Lord God to put off their Hats in Prayer This dark Sophistical earthly Spirit thus hath judged these Practices of the People of God afore-mentioned to be but a Form which are done in the Power of God it being out of the Power it self and the Fellowship and Vnity of it And because they that are in it are gone from that which first convinced them into outward things and into their Form in the earthly Spirit it judges those that will not follow them that have lost the Power of God And thus many of them are darkned with a cankered rusty Spirit which will corrupt them and hath destroyed many And this is that Hardness of Heart that has brought the Plague of Hardness of Heart through which there has been Strangeness and not Vnity nor Familiarness nor Nighness in the Truth for how should it when they are gone from that which firt Convinced them To that all must come before they have Fellowship and true Vnity in the Power and Truth of God which if that had been minded it would have led to follow Whatsoever things are Comely whatsoever things are Decent whatsoever things are of good Report and such things as make for Peace But this Spirit has followed the contrary and therefore the Power of the Lord God and the Life and Truth is against it and over it is gone and reigns And ye with your earthly Spirit and earthly Form have given Occasion to the World to say That the People of God called Quakers are divided some with their Hats on and some with them off and so they are opposite one to the other And these are the Fruits of the earthly Spirit which would bring Darkness and Earth over all but the Power of God is over this dark and earthly Spirit and the World and them that are in it and looketh upon them and the World as one against the Truth and the Power of God And the People of God called Quakers The Vnity of the People of God are One and not divided in the Power of God and his Truth and in God's Power and Spirit they are in Vnity in the Truth and Power of an endless Life This I was moved of the Lord God to write G. F. To Friends that Labour in the Ministry that their Lives may Preach DEar Friends and Brethren amongst whom the Vine is manifest Epist 215. and who are by Faith grafting into it The Vine made manifest through and in which ye may bear Fruit to glorifie God be Wise in all things and Harmless that your Lives Conversations and Innocency may preach and reach to the Hearts of all your Opposers and Persecutors And be Faithful and Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth and Tender to one another in all Convenient outward things for that is the least Love And dwell in that which redeems you from the Earth the Power of God in which ye may know the Kingdom which is Everlasting and come to be Hairs of that that ye may sit down in your own Possession knowing the Seed of God which was before the Seed of the Serpent was knowing the Birth born of the Spirit The Birth of the Spirit which was before the Birth born of the Flesh was And so live in the Truth by which ye may see over that which stains corrupts cankers loads and burdens the Creation by which Power of God and Truth ye may answer the Spirit of God in all which the Wicked grieve vex and quench by their ungodly Lusts and filthy Conversation and unsavoury Words Fear not Sufferings which bring to wear the Crown Fear not him that can kill the Body only Through Sufferings the Crown but can't hurt the Soul for that that is Immortal goes over him Fear God and fear not him hat can spoil the Goods for the Earth is the Lord's and the Fulness of it But mind God's Power and let your Patience be Perfect and all your Words seasoned with Grace that they may edifie by which ye may season the Earth your Hearts being establish'd in the same over all the unsavory Words and Talkers and live in the Truth above them And
Likeness may be defaced which is gotten up in the Hearts of Men and People since the beginning in Transgression So bring them to the Great Sacrifice the Lord Jesus Christ The Great Sacrifice the Seed of the Woman who Offered up himself for the Sin of the World the Top-stone which is over all laid who is Restoring by his Power who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth who is Restoring all things into the place as they were in the beginning and Reconciling in one by his Power things in Heaven and things in Earth destroying that which made the Separation and broak Vnity which is the Enmity in Peoples Minds which the Light that doth enlighten every one that cometh into the World destroys through which all People come to have Peace with God and Fellowship who do believe in it So spread the Truth abroad and be Valiant for it upon the Earth Improve your Talent and be the wise Virgins with Oil in your Lamps The Talent and wise Virgins that ye may enter in with the Bridegroom Have Salt in your selves that ye may savour all things and keep your Consciences clean and pure unto God and all Men. Live in the Cross of Christ and rejoyce in it which is the Power of God and goes over all that which lives out from God and which is in the Transgression and its Fruits to which it is Death to this Cross the Power of God all must bend and bow And in the Power of God is the Fellowship of the Cross The Cross which keeps over all the Fellowships in the World and crucifies to them And so ye who are Heirs of the Power of a World that hath no end and a Kingdom that is Everlasting sit down in your Inheritances of the Power of the Kingdom of the Blessing of the Promise that are Heirs of the same that ye may increase in the Everlasting in the Blessing and heavenly Riches And though the Oppressors of the Earth will not let you have a Foot of Ground yet ye have the Power of God to stand in and so ye that are Heirs of that Oppressors and Christ Jesus whose the Earth is and all things therein and are in the Power of God separated from the Power of Darkness the Devil and are come into that which was before he was ye have nothing to lose for all yours is the Lora's For they that are separated by Sin and Transgression into the Earth drove there they strick fast and have much to lose whose Hearts are surfeited with the Earth and to that Glewed and all their Fellowship is out of the Cross of Christ the Power of God and are within the Power of Darkness and its Dominion over whom it hath the Supremacy which the Power of God goes over in which is the Son's Liberty and the Saints Fellowship that Lives for ever thorow which they have Eternal Life Let this be Copied over and sent abroad to the Isls unto New-England and Virginia G. F. ALL may Dear Friends and Brethren Epist 217. who of the mighty Power of God have tasted in which it hath brought you to the Measure of the Life of Truth Concerning Judging and to feel after God in it unto which ye are turned as a Way that is Living and has no End which is Christ Jesus who is the Way of Peace and destroys the Devil the Author of Strife All ye that are turned unto this living Way by the Power of the mighty God of Heaven and Earth Live in Peace one with another and Unity and do not Judge one another for that eats and wears out the Good and begets the Enmity and hinders growth in Truth Keep that down and live in Love and Peace that edifies And all every where unto you this is the Word of the Lord God Live in the Power of the mighty God of Heaven and Earth that goes over the unrighteous World The Power of the mighty God in which is the Strife and the Devil and his Works which Power of God was before they were in that ye will feel Vnity which was before Strife So dwell in that in which ye may have a Kingdom that hath no End and the Dominion that is above all Dominions upon the Earth In which Power of God ye may enlarge your Borders and spread Truth abroad both to Jews Christians and Heathens having the Power of God that goes over them all and was before they were With that Power of God ye will answer the Witness of God in all and bring them to that that with that they may have a part in the Kingdom of God and a share with you of the same in which ye will have Peace Life Joy Dominion and Prosperity And so it will be your Life to do good and to beget into Life up to God and in that Power that doth so Do good ye will not labour in vain But above all things take heed of Judging one another for in that ye may destroy one another and leave one another behind and drive one another back into the World and eat out the good of one another and so hinder Vnity hinder Growth in the Life and the Power of God in which ye should have Peace and Joy in one another and Love which edifies and overcomes and gets the Victory So go on in the Truth answering it in every one in the inward parts and in the Power of God which comprehends Deceit The standing Fellowship which was before it was in that is your Life and in that the Kingdom is felt that never hath an End and the Dominion over all Dominions in that stands your Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost which is the the Spirit of God that plungeth down that which made the Separation from God in that will be your Fellowship which will stand and remain when all the Fellowships of the Earth are gone In which Fellowship in the spirit ye will have Fellowship with God the Father of Spirits and all the Scripture given forth from the same Spirit and with all the Saints that gave them forth and with their Spirits through which Spirit of God ye will be brought and come to the Spirits of Just Men which are made perfect and to God the Judge of all In which as I said before ye will have an Everlasting Fellowship in which Spirit ye will have an Vnderstanding in which Spirit ye will come to worship God the Father of Spirits and in the Truth which the Devil and his Works are out of and all the Will-worshippers So in that ye will know the Royal Dominion and Royal Fellowship in which Spirit ye will have the Spirit of Wisdom in which ye will know how to pray to God who is a Spirit and to praise and glorifie the Everlasting God who lives for ever and ever Amen! And in that ye will come to know and see to the Beginning before the World began and that which
quencheth and grieveth and vexeth the Spirit of God and that prayeth and that preacheth and that praiseth and yet grieveth and vexeth and quencheth the Spirit of God such God the Father of Spirits accepts not that judges rend to pieces and tear one another about Inventions Now ye being led by the Spirit of God up to God the Father of Spirits in which ye have the Fellowship out of all that you will be kept and in that Spirit of God the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keep you and in that meet and dwell Meetings in which your Meetings may be preserved over all that which is in the World that are out of the Spirit of God who are in Confusion contending about the Words Therefore ye in the Spirit of God answer that of God in them all So in that dwell and live and let no man take your Crown Send Copies of this to all Friends that are convinced in New-England Barbadoes and all the Islands thereways G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren Let Patience possess your Souls Epist 218. and in the Seed of God dwell that over all the Top-Stone may be laid and set And the Kingdom of Peace dwell in which hath no End To Friends in Ireland in which ye will feel the Supreme Head And in the Power of the Lord keep your Meetings which was before the Waves were or Winds either So in that look over all and keep in the Faith by which ye will have Access to God over that which separates from God in that ye will have Vnity and will not fear the Amazements which are in the Sea Fear not Amazements because of the Winds and Storms and Blusterings who know the Election which was before the World began And live in Peace and Vnity in that and send over how things are among you I am in the North at Swarthmoor And Dear Friends and Brethren be not troubled but dwell in the Seed of God whichgoeth over all this and remains and stands when all this Blustering is ended and gone Therefore look at the Lord above all and his Arm For God had a Rid in secret to fetch down these Persecutors A Rod ia secret which have long reigned in their Wickedness until they were neither fit for God nor Man hardly So again God hath a Rod in Reserve to bring down these Spirits which have been a Rod. Therefore all dwell in the Power and Spirit of God which which ye will comprehend all that which is to change with that which doth not change and hath no End in that live and ye will have an Everlasting Unity And to you this is the Word of the Lord God G. F. ALL my Dear Friends Epist 219. Dwell in the Life and Love and Power and Wisdom of God and in Unity one with another and the Peace and Wisdom of God fill all your Hearts that nothing may Rule in you but Life which stands in the Lord God G. F. FRiends Epist 220. Truth is that which is Pure and is that which the Serpent is out of for there is no Serpent in the Truth and it admits of no Impurity And so there is no Serpent in the Way of Truth to bite and hurt any for the Way being the Truth is the same as it was in the Beginning though many things have risen against it Yet it remains the same Pure Truth and Holy Way So if any one have gone from it they are for Condemnation and their Works And when any thing is once condemned and judged let it not be raised up again but keep it in the Grave and raise not up the Dead out of the Grave any more they living in the Life and Light which doth Condemn and Judge it And all live in the Love of God which gives Dominion over all and Unites and Edifies all that abide in it If among Friends Reports to be stopp'd any Reports or Surmises be about any or any Back-bitings or Whisperings all such things must be stopp'd and search'd out for thus saith the Lord Thou shalt not raise a false Report among my People And that some of the faithful Friends of every Meeting whose Sincerity is for the Glory of God his Honour and his Holy Name into which they are all called may be chosen to search out such things and follow it till they find out the Author or Authors of it that it may not lie upon any nor in any but that all may be cleared and taken out of every Mind and all the Reports stopp'd and the things that are for Judgment let them be Judged and Condemned And furthermore That Friends take notice of all such Friends as go to Sea Sea-men Merchants Masters of Ships and Passengers abroad and at home that profess the Truth That if they have any ways dis-honoured the Lord God and brought an evil Report either in their Trading Lives or Conversations upon the Truth and the good Land Directions towards Seafering Persons and dishonoured the Lord God and his Name Truth and People that they may search into the bottom of it that so if they have done any thing worthy of Condemnation and Judgment it may be past upon them without any Respect of Persons And if the Report be false let their Innocency be manifest and the Reporter reproved And so that all that profess Truth may walk in the Truth and the Light of the Lord who are Children of Light who have their Name after the Living God And all to be circumspect diligent and careful in all these things that in no wise God may be dishonoured but in all things your Lives and Words may Preach that profess the Truth And all them that have gone from England and dishonoured God beyond Sea to write over Sea to search out and know the Ground of the Matter that all Obstructins that have hindred the Glory of God and the spreading of his Truth may be taken away that the Lord's Name may not be dishonoured nor his Way and Truth evil spoken of And so all Reports being searched into in all the Plantations concerning Friends there that if any one hath done any thing to dishonour Truth beyond Sea let them come to Judgment and Condmnation and give forth Papers of the same that the Papers may be sent abroad to take off the Reproach from the Innocent and so answer the Witness of God in them through their Repentance And if they will not write their own Condemnations then Friends must write and deny them and take it out of the Mouths of the World And all Friends that have dishonoured God and his Truth and People and Friends have been to Admonish them in a Gospel-Way and they still go on in their Wickedness and not Repent Friends may draw up a Paper at their Meeting when they are clear of them against them and their disorderly Walking and unruly Spirits and Loosness in general Words not mentioning the particulars except they be
which is Eternal Now the Professors may see that the Hireling is fled and flies because he was an Hireling whose Religion was for the Summer whilst the Sun shin'd but in a Storm a Tempest a Mist or the Sun Clouded their Religion they flee from his Flight is in the Winter So the day manifests all things Our Religion is in the Power of God before Winter-Storms and Tempests were Mists Fogs or Clouds in the Light which shines over them all is our Religion that does not change in which there is Fruit born in the Winter by which Power of God all their Religions are seen which must have an end and will have an end which People runs into But in the Power of God and his Righteousness and Holiness which was before the Fall was live which power of God never alters not changes in which is both Life and Peace which remains for ever in that dwell and live and be Faithful and Valiant on Earth your Hearts stablished with Grace and your Words seasoned with the same keeping your selves in the Love of God and in the Life in which is Peace through which ye may be all a Comfort one to another living in the Life in which is the Everlasting Fellowship And so in that the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all Let this be read in all your Meetings in Barbadoes New-England Nevis and sent to Jamaica Virginia and Maryland to Friends there and to all the parts in the World where there is Friends A general Epistle to them all from Colchester in England G. F. The 10th Day of the 11th Month 1662. A General Epistle to be read in all the Christian Meetings in the World Blessed is he that readeth and blessed is he that heareth and understandeth and the eyes that see Read this over and you may read that which you have not read and see that which you have not seen MY Dear Friends all every where in the Seed dwell which is Christ the top-Stone over all Epist 222. feel it laid in which is Life Eternal which is over Death and before Death was and the Devil the Power of it every one sitting under their own Vine which is Christ the Life by whom the World was made that in that ye may all bear Fruit to God and all walking in the Name of the Lord which is the Power then you will walk in safety For blessed are all you that rise in the Power of God and lie down in the same Power your Beds are pare holy and undefiled who lie down in the Power of God before Unholiness was And so you that are gathered in the Name of Jesus who have bowed to the Name of Jesus whose Name is called The Power of God and the Word Light Life and Truth and for bowing to his Name for his Name sake have ye suffered all along by many Powers Christ a strong T wer his Name is a strong Tower So who have bowed to the Name and gathered in the Name of the Lord ye are in the strong Tower in which is safety and Peace for being gathered in the Name of Christ Jesus whose Name is above every Name for all things that was made was made by Christ above all other Names and Gatherings are you gathered who are gathered in the Name of Jesus Christ by whom all things were made and created and being gathered in the Name of Jesus Christ by which Salvation is brought by the Name of Christ and not by any other Name under Heaven but by the Name of Jesus Christ is Salvation brought by whom all things was made So ye being gathered in this Name by which Salvation is given here ye come to be Heirs of Salvation and then to Inherit Savation which is Christ and by this you come to fathom all other Names under the whole Heaven and to see them that there is no Salvation in them and so likewise all other Gatherings in all other Names no Salvation in them therefore cry People There is no assurance of Salvation upon the Earth who are gathered in other Names but not in the Name of Christ by which Salvation is brought and given by the Name of Christ by whom all things were made and this is the standing Gathering in the Name in the strong Tower where is the safety where is the Salvation given and brought Rejoyce ye all that are brought into this Gathering and have bowed to the Name of Jesus Now to bow at the Name of Jesus who is called the Power of God is to bow to the Power of God all things in Heaven and things in Earth must bow to the Name of Jesus before they be Reconciled to God Bow to the Name of Jesus for all things in Heaven and things in Earth are Reconciled by him in One So they must bow to the Name of Jesus as they have bowed to the Evil through which they are at difference one among another and not at Unity but bowing to the Name of Jesus brings to Reconciliation for all things in Heaven and things in Earth must bow at the Name of Jesus must bow at the Power of God before they be Reconciled in One. So bow at the Name of Jesus 2dly You must bow at the Cross of Christ which is the Power of God which since the Apostles days the Apostate Christians have lost and therefore they bow to a Cross a Stick a Stone a piece of Iron a piece of Wood Now bowing to the Cross of Christ which is the Power of God that strikes over the Nature of fallen Man for who bends and submits and yields and bows to the Power of God within feels it to rise over and strike over and work over the carnal Part and that Part that turns into ungodliness and all that is bad and is a cross to it So bow to the Power of God If all Christendom had done this they had had a Fellowship in this Cross of Christ which is a Mystery but a Cross Stick a Cross piece of Wood or Iron or Stone Crosses of Wood Iron and Stone this is not a Mystery but the Power of God that crosseth down the earthly carnal ungodly Part in Man and Woman and works over it and strikes over it and goes over it and crosseth it There is the Mystery of the Cross of Christ the Power of God in which is the Fellowship which Power of God keeps the Mind over all outward things in the Everlasting Power of God above them for the Power of God was before Unrighteousness and Uncleanness and the Idolatrous Part in Man was which Power of God is a cross to it and in that is the true Glorying in the Cross of Christ by which ye all are Crucified to the World and Dead to the World and the World is Dead to you Dead to the World through the Power of the Cross and the World is dead from the Power of the Cross in which Power is the Fellowship of
which the Devil is out of and the Dragon's Worship and the Beast's Worship and the Will-Worship are out of who worship in the Truth and in the Spirit are over all these Worships For Truth is before they all were and the Spirit and will stand when they are all gone 5thly To pray in the Spirit this was publick the publick Prayer set up among the Christians the Temple was the publick Place of Prayer among the Jews but to pray in the Spirit which is the Publick Prayer set up by the Apostles Every Man every Woman then must come to the Spirit of God in their own selves for it will give them Vnderstanding and Knowledge and give them Instruction it will help their Infirmities it will let them see their wants So in that must every Son and Daughter of Adam pray in the Spirit to God who is a Spirit And this is Publick the Spirit of God in every Man and Woman to pray with unto God who is a Spirit then in this Spirit have they Fellowship and Vnity and a Bond of Peace and this moderates all People and mortifies circumciseth and baptizeth Now who grieves and quenches and vexes and rebels against the Spirit of God within in which they should pray they are like the Jews Bablers and go into the particular Forms and go from the Publick which is V niversal whereby all Men and Women must pray to God who is a Spirit in the Spirit and keep out of the particular One hath one Set-Form another another that is particular as I said before but the praying in the Spirit is general by which every Man and Woman might see their Necessities and Wants and turn to God who is a Spirit for his help For Christ the quickning Spirit and the Spirit of the Lord within is that which brings People to life up their Eyes to the Lord in Spirit and Truth and to watch and pray by which they know Temptations and the Spirit giveth them Vnderstanding and Wisdom and Power to withstand them 6thly Singing in the Spirit is Publick every Man and every Woman in the whole World Sing in the Spirit they must not grieve it nor vex it if they sing in it and this is Publick But they that go from the Spirit of God within they go into the particular singing inventing this thing and that thing and then one will do it and another will not do it and so there is no true Felloship because it is not done in the Spirit and there is no true Fellowship in their Worshipping nor in their Praying because it is not done in the Spirit for the true Fellowship in Singing in Praying in Worshipping of God is in the Spirit of God which the Devil is out of for in that is the Bond of Peace 7thly The Teachers of the World told us who call'd themselves Ministers of Christ That they had receved a Gift from Christ who did ascend on high and led Captivity captive and this Gift was for the work of the Ministry and for the perfecting of the Saints and how that they were to bring People to the Knowledge of the Son of God from whence they had received this Gift and to the Unity of the Faith which Faith gives the Victory and brings to have access to God and also to a perfect Man's State and to the Measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ And thus People followed them and were glad that they would bring them to a perfect Man's State that is to the State of Adam and Eve before they fell for they were perfect then and when we had followed them some twenty some thirty some more some less Years then they told us again that they hoped we would not look for Perfection while we are upon the Earth on this side the Grace for we must carry a Body of Sin about us and they hoped we would not look for Perfection and would not hold the Erronious Doctrine of Perfection and yet told us as before That they would bring us to a perfect Man's State Perfection and so we looked they would have fulfilled their Words for we have given our Money and have spent out Labour in following after them and hoped they would have fulfilled their Words and brought us to the Knowledge of the Son God and so to he Vnity of the Faith and to a perfect Man's state to our Father Adam's and Eve's state before they fell and now they have gotten our Money they hope we will not look for Perfection here Oh Deceivers We will never set foot more after them who will neither fulfil their Words nor give us our Money back again for we gave our Money that they should bring us to the Knowledge of the Son of God and to the Vnity of the Faith and bring us to a perfect Man's state and to a Measure of the Stature of the Fulness of Christ And now the Scriptures that speak of Sin and Imperfection they bring to prove that we should not be Perfect against their own Promises and Words and all the Scriptures that speak of Perfection or overcoming they tell us there must be a meaning put to them And thus they deceived us instead of bringing us to the Measure of the Stature of Christ who never fell the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven who said they would bring us to his Stature and now they cannot bring us to the Measure of the Stature of the Righteousness and Holiness of our Father Adam and Mother Eve that they were in before they fell for they had no Body of Sin before they fell nor Spot nor Wrinkle nor Blemish So the Deceivers hath got our Money and now calls that an Error which they said they would bring us unto a perfect man's state and so will not fulfil their Words nor give us our Money back again neither Thereforenow mark which of these Theree States the Shepherds and Teachers and Leaders kept their Flock in and do keep them in Whether is it in the State of Adam and Eve in the Fall where the Body of Death the Curse Wrath and Woe is Imperfection Spots Wrinkles and Blemishes and tell them they must be there for term of Life Or whether or no can they keep them in the blessed and good State of Righteousness and Holiness as Adam and Eve was in before they fell Or whether or no can they keep them in the Measure of the Stature of Christ who never fell Now consider which of these Three States do they Shepherds pretend to keep their Flocks in that deny Perfection and say their Sheep must carry a Body of Death on their Backs while on Earth for as the Tree falls it lies and htere is no Repentance in the Grave Whether it be not in Adam and Eve in the Fall with his Sons and Daughters Or in that State before they fell which was a good State in Righteousness and Holiness Or whether it be in Christ that never fell
when the false Hope of the Hypocrite sinks therein which are the Waters and it goes over them and in it they are swallowed up The Vnity in the Spirit is the Bond of the Prince of Princes Peace and the Fellowship in the Gospel and the Liberty in it is a perfect one above the imperfect where is Bondage G. F. FRiends Stand still and see be still and hear sit at Jesus Feet Epist 230. and chuse the better thing to do the Work of God A Greneral Epistle to Friends is to believe in his Son Jesus Christ the Light and your Hope and Faith is to stand in God and in his Son walk by that Faith which he is the Author of and walk in the Light and walk in the Spirit As every one hath received Christ so walk in him and so serve God in the Spirit and worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth for God is not worshipped out of the Spirit and Truth The Babes Milk is from the Word and their Bread is from above and there is no true Religion but what is pure from above and the stay'd patient People abide in their own House but the Whore is gadding abroad and there is no true Church but where Christ exercises his Offices in and amongst them and they are asking their Husband at home and he is their Head and the true Marriage to Christ the Heavenly Man is witnessed by such as are Flesh of his Flesh and Bone of his Bone none comes to be Children of the Light but such as believe in the Light no Sons of God but by receiving Christ and by being led by his Spirit no coming into all Truth but by being led by the Spirit of Truth no running the true Race in the straight way to get to the Glorious Crown but with Patience no Purifying but by coming to Christ the Hope of Glory the Purifier and no overcoming but by Believing in Christ the Light and he that doth so is Born of God And there is no true Witness within but the Light the Life and Spirit of Christ the true Record no true Faith but that which Christ is the Author of which giveth Victory no true Anchor to the Immortal Soul but by Christ the Hope of Glory So by Hope you are saved no true Liberty but in Christ and in his Law of the Spirit of Life and in his Gospel no true Knowledge of God but by his Light and Spirit in the Heart no Salvation but by the Name of Jesus no true Praying but in the Spirit no true Singing but in the Spirit Wherein true Rest Peace Joy c. stand and are injoyed no true Fast but that which breaks the Bond of Iniquity no true Fellowship but in the pure Faith Light Spirit and Gospel of God and Christ no true Foundation but Christ to build upon no true Way but Christ no true Seed but what Christ hath sown in the Heart no true Rest but in Christ no true Peace but in Christ no true Service to God and Christ but in the Newness of Life no knowing the things of God but by the Spirit of God no knowing the Son nor the Father but by the Revelation of the Holy Spirit no knowing the Scriptures but by the same Holy Ghost that moved the Holy Men to give them forth no calling Jesus Lord but by the Holy Ghost by which he was Conceived no Grafting into Christ but by Believing in the Light which is called the Light in Men and the Life in him no true Wisdom but from above and no true receiving it but in the Fear of the Lord and no true Understanding of Spiritual Things but what Christ gives no Divine Reason but in the Faith that Christ is the Author of which giveth Victory over that which is unreasonably and separates from God and no true Love to God but what he sheddeth abroad in the Heart and to know a Fellowship with Christ in his Death and Sufferings is above the Fellowship of Bread and Wine which will have an end but the Fellowship in the Gospel and Holy Spirit hath no end G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 231. be faithful to the Lord God every one in the Truth and Power of God and his Righteousness that it may flow over all and walk and live in it that to the Lord God you may be a good Savour and a Blessing in your Generation Look over all Sufferings and that which makes you to Suffer Dwell in the Rock which is above all Storms and Tempests for now is the Trial of your Faith now is the Trial of your Meetings who are gathered in the Name of Jesus by them that are gathered in the name of Adam in the Fall Time of Trial. now is the Trial of your Worship which is in the Spirit and Truth by such as Worship out of the Spirit and Truth And now is the Trial of your Fellowship in the Gospel the Power of God by such whose Fellowship lies in outward things now is the Trial of your Church which is in God by those that have their Church in the Fall unsanctified and now is the Trial of your Faith and your Gospel-Fellowship in it which is a Mystery and Christ the second Adam is a Mystery to fallen Adam and Truth is a Mystery to all them that are out of it and the Light is a Mystery to all the Builders and Stumblers at it and haters of it and Godliness is a Mystery to all the Ungodly Therefore may you Praise the Lord and Bless his Name who hath reveaied these Mysteries to you in the Day of Trial by which you may withstand the Day of Darkness and the Hour of it For those that have Oil in their Lamps enter in with the Bridegroom who have heard his Voice at midnight And so happy and blessed are all you that have laid up in store against this Day and the time that is now come whose Bread fails not nor Water and have found the Land-mark of your Everlasting Portion and Inheritance in the Kingdom where nothing that defiles can enter And therefore be valiant for the Truth upon the Earth and fear no Amazement but fear the Lord who upholds all things by his Word and Power in whom is all your fresh Springs of Life Live and walk in the second Adam the Lord from Heaven and all keep out of Adam in the Fall that is Earthly that you may sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus that never fell God's care over his Heritage who is your Life who is your Peace and Salvavation who redeems you from the Earth that you may reign upon the Earth who makes you Kings and Priests to God and blessed be the Lord for ever who reigns and lives and rules amongst his Flocks and Assemblies Gardens Plants Vineyards Babes Children Sons and Daughters Servants and Prophets watering them with the Water of Life giving the increase of Life to them Glory
all have Life in him live And so Farewell that you may have the Blessings of the Lord come upon you And Dear Friends keep your Hands Tongues Feet Bodies and Hearts clean and open out of all Polutions and Vncleanness for blessed are all you whose Feet are guided in the Way of Peace which is in the Way of Righteousness through which the Immortal Life is lived in And light Words and Jesting all avoid and Fables and foolish Talk but live in the Power of the Lord that 's over all through which you follow Godliness and Holiness without which none shall see the Lord God And blessed be God the Father who hath set Christ over all who is the First and the Last the Beginning and the End God's faithful and true Witness the Amen in him have you the Book opened and in him you see all things unsealed in him manifest in you who is your Life who was with the Father before the World began the Amen For in this Night of Apostacy from the Spirit and Power that the Apostles were in hath all things been Sealed up and no Man could open but now is the Lamb come again that opens the Sealed Book And all Friends keep out of all the vain Fashions of the World and over that unchast Spirit that invents new Fashions daily both in Apparel and Diet. Therefore keep Chast in the Power of God over them all that your Lives and Conversations may Judge them in such things who devour those things upon their Lusts which God hath given to the service of Man G. F. The Second EPISTLE FRiends this is the Day of the Trial of your Faith Epist 233. and therefore be faithful for the Faith is it by which you have Victory and Access to God by Faith all the Fiery Darts of Satan are quenched and by Faith the Mountains are subdued and removed and in this Faith all your Sacrifices are accepted of God and that gives you Victory and Access to God and in this Faith you please God and that gives you Victory over that which displeased him and in this Faith you have all Vnity which is the Faith of God's Elect the One Faith which keeps you in the Oneness and all the Sacrificers and Worshippers and Religions that is not in this Faith they are not One their Sacrifices nor Offerings God hath no respect to but it is like Cain's that went from the Presence of God and Persecuted about his Religion who built a City in the Land of Nod which signifies Wandering to and fro and unsettled and tossings to and fro up and down And this is the City that all that Persecute about Religion lives in the Land of Nod tossings wanderings to and fro let them be of what Profession or Religion soever Heathen Jew or Christian if they be Persecutors about Religion with carnal Weapons they are in Cain's Land of Nod wandering out of the Faith of Abel of the Elect in which Faith God accepts the Sacrifice and these be in the Land of the Living but the Cain's Land of Nod where the envious Ones are Persecuting others about Religion in that Land God has no respect to none of their Sacrifices nor Religions The outward Jew had outward Weapons to hold up their outward Services for which they had a Command from God but the Heathens had no Command from God to hold up their Inventions and Christ Jesus came to end the Jews Law and Commandents that held up their outward Services together with their outward Weapons and all outward things And he who is the Substance reigns for all the Types and Figures and Shadows was given to Man after Man fell which Christ that comes to redeem Man out of the Fall to the State that he was in before he fell ends them all and in him there is no Shadow So he sets up a Spiritual Mininstry and Spiritual Worship and a Spiritual Fellowship and a Church that 's without spot or wrinkle and a Religion that 's pure from above and this Religion is ruled with Spiritual Weapons And now Friends here you may discern what is set up by Christ and his Spirit and what is set up by Man For Christ who ended the Jews Law and Commandments who preached and taught his Disciples who was to go into all Nations to Preach the Gospel to gather People unto him and to Establish Churches he gave forth no Command nor Order that them that would not hear them nor receive them his Law his Commandment his Doctrine that they should be Persecuted Imprisoned or Banished though he suffered and was Blasphemed and Persecuted and his Apostles for publishing forth the Truth and he rebuked them that would have had Mens Lives destroyed and said that He came to save Mens Lives And the Apostles and the the true Church in the Primitive Times before the Apostacy that were in the Spirit of Christ Jesus walked in the Doctrine of Christ and his Commands and did not Persecute any about Religion nor Imprison among themselves nor others about Religion tho' they had Ordinances and Commands amongst them for the utmost and if they did reject the Churches Counsel they was to be left as Heathen which was the utmost Penalty And so here you may see the Spirit of Christ did not Persecute any for not observing that which it gave forth and set up which it received from God Now here 's a distinction betwixt the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of fallen Men for that which Man 's fallen Spirit sets up which he hath invented and if others will not fall down to it and worship it they Persecute them This is the Practice of the Heathen and the Jews that transgressed the Law of God and followed their Inventions who persecuted the Prophets and killed the just One. And this is the Practice of the Spirit of all the Apostatized Christians from the Primitive Spirit which was among the Christians which was the Spirit of Christ So that Spirit that does set up Ordinances Commandments Ways Religions Worships and Persecute others because they will not observe them this is the Spirit of the World that lusts to Envy and not the Spirit of Christ And also those are the Works of Men which they Persecute about and not the Works of Christ which neither he nor his Apostles persecuted about And so here 's a clear distinction to you that you may know what leads to the Spirit of Christ and what lusts to the Spirit of Envy for the Spirit of Christ does not Persecute any that does not receive that which he sets up but the Spirit of the World doth persecute them that will not receive that which it sets up And in this you may try both Fruits and Spirits as the Rod of Moses devoured up all the Magicians Serpents of the Lying Signs and Wonders so shall the Rod of Christ who has all the Power in Heaven and Earth given unto him who will rule all Nations with his Rod
which types out the Life that is to say Christ who redeems up out of the Fall which Man was in before he fell and up into the State of Christ which shall never fall unto himself And in this Man seeth the Blessed State how all things were Good and Bless'd and how all the Works of God are perfect and he himself God's Work who set him in Dominion before he fell as he was in the Power Image and Righteousness of God And so Christ who brings Man out of the Fall whom all the Types Figures and Shadows and typical things figured forth all which he ends and is the Substance of all variable and changable things in whom all the true Christians have Life and live in his Life Now the Janglings of the Jews against the Christians was about their outward things in the First Covenant Law and First Priesthood that held up thess things in opposition to the Christians which God had commanded not seeing him whom the true Christians witnessed who restored them out of all the changeable things up into the State Man was in before he fell and before those Types Figures and changeable things were which since the Days of the Apostles and also in their Days things were getting up which the Apostles judged and setting up also by such whom the Apostles judged and denied and set forth Orders and Comliness among the Saints and preached up the Substance Christ in whom there is no Shadow Changing nor Variableness And that the Heat of some Spirits got up so high about their outward things that when they were not owned nor received their Sacrifices and their Will-Worships and their feigned Humility and their observing of Days and Times and for bidding Marriages setting up their Doctrines and Traditions which was not to be touched tasted nor standled they went enviously into Cain's ay and Balaam's and got great Men on their sides and admired their Persons because of their Advantage Such went from the Voice of God which brought them out of Egypt as Core did And all the envious Spirits rose against them that were in the Power of God in all Ages because they could not observe their outward things which they had set up to be observed which they that were in the universal Power of God which was before the Fall was could never do for their Freedom stands in that therefore is Cain wrathful against his Brother who is the Wanderer and Vagabond from God's Voice Way Life and Acceptation So ye may read all the State in the Fall from God's Power where the forcing and compelling to outward things hath been which hath kept People out of the Power and from coming up to the Beginning again and from the universal Fellowship in which Fall and Apostacy have they broken to pieces into many Sects Heads Heaps Names and Peoples Therefore ye all dearly beloved Friends that know the universal Power of God that goes over all the Apostacy and the Fall where the Curse and Wrath and Wo is to the Beginning you know the Redemption out of this State into the Beginning where all things are blest to you that live in Love and Life in which ye have the Everlasting Peace with God And so keep in the universal Eye and the Power of God which keeps you over all to the Beginning which is the pure Eye for the impure Eye is in the Fall out of God's Power for all the setting up outward things in the Apostacy and in the Fall doth but keep People from home and from going home that is to the State which Man was in before he fell up into that State home again which when come thither he is come both out of the Fall and also out of the Apostacy Now they that do so to wit set up outward things gathers People to themselves not unto God nor home again to their first Habitation for they who set up outward things lost their first Habitation to keep People in the Fall Adam and Eve lost their Habitation Cain lost his Habitation not doing well Balaam from his Prophecy and his Habitation not doing well And all they that went from the Apostles in Cain Core's and Balam's Way lost their Habitations and so came under a Chain of Darkness As likewise all they that are inwardly Ravened from the Spirit of God who are gone into outward things since the Apostles Days in the Apostacy have lost their Habitation and set up outward things to keep others out of their Habitations and then if they do not observe them they are wrathful against them like Cain And Core went from his Habitation from the Power that brought him out of Egypt and so such come under the Chain of Darkness who lose their Habitations and they that lost their Habitations lose their first Love Therefore to you all this is the Word of the Lord God who have tasted of his Power and believed in his Light and enjoyed his Light by which ye see his Seed keep your Habitations then ye keep your first Love then ye keep Vnity and Fellowship then ye keep Dominion And let Cain Balaam Core and all the Apostates and the Devils out of Truth and the Sons of Adam in the Fall Roar and Rage never so much ye in your Habitations and in your Houses coming up to the Beginning ye are safe and at peace In which ye feel the Power and Life and Seed of God that never alters nor changes in which ye have the Blessing and Promise of God and know the State where the curse is to them that goes from their Habitation and so lose their First Love In which ye in your Habitations and first Love abiding the Power of God and his Seed the Top-Stone is over all set And in the Wisdom of God ye come to answer that of God in every one and so come into Dominion and the Habitation in which ye hear the Voice of God and see the blessed State where all things are Bless'd as I said before before the Apostacy that Man was drove from God in which ye feel Life and Power and the Seed which remains when all that which is in the Fall and Apostacy is gone in which ye know the Kingdom of the Son of God that lasts for ever in which ye know the Worship of God in Spirit and Truth which the Devil is out of and the Fellowship of the Gospel which was before the Devil was and the Fellowship of the Cross which crucifies from the State of Adam and Eve with their Sons and Daughters in the Fall and in that be glad and rejoyce in which ye have Settlement and Stablishment and come to the Church in God Therefore ye in the universal Seed of God and Power of God which fathoms all things that never ends nor changeth in that all dwell and live that the Seed ye may feel over all set and the Top-Stone over all laid which is the First and the Last G. F. DEar Friends Keep your
Spirit the Living God who is a Spirit the God of all Truth he hath his Glory and Honour from the Spirit of the Lord in every Heart And so keep in the Spirit and Truth and Power of the Everlasting God who is from Everlasting to Everlasting that you may know him Lord of the Earth and of the Heaven and of the Heaven of Heavens Ruling and Reigning whose Eye is over all his Works that you may glorifie him in his Power and Spirit and serve him in the New Life which will keep you over all Mens Fables and Devices Whimsies and Imaginations out of all Janglings and vain Disputes of Men of corrupt Minds And so it is good for you all to live in him which is the same to day as he was yesterday Christ Jesus the Power of God and the Seed of Life and Word which was in the Beginning So no new thing but that which was and is to all Eternity Let your Fellowship be in that and your Vnity and Communion be in that for this is seen by the Eternal Eye the Eternal Vnity and the Eternal God So hear his Voice every one of you that speaks from Heaven whose Voice shakes the Earth and not the Earth only but the Heavens also The Heavn imports Joys So all the false Joys the lifted-up Joys or exalted Joys and Joys in vain glory and Joys in the world or any outward thing or creature and Men or Women His Voice that speaks from Heaven shakes the Earth and the Heavens and this must be shaken and removed both the Heavens and the Earth before that doth appear that can never be shaken the Noble Royal Seed Elect and Precious before the World began being Heirs of Him come to Inherit Him In Him you shall know that which cannot be shaken and there is the true Joy in that which is from Everlasting to Everlasting who is the Beginning and Ending Here is not any either lifted up or fallen down to dispair So I say hear his Voice harden not your Hearts for not hearing the Voice you harden your Hearts and then you provoke God to Wrath and sore Displeasure Let Him have your Ear that speaks from Heaven that you may come to observe his Counsel Teaching Instruction and Direction for all the Prophets and holy Men of God and the Apostles were attentive and obedient to this Heavenly Voice who Witnessed to the Truth who had a Witness in Heaven also And such declared forth the Glorious Truth which they had from the Instructions of the Almighty as you may read throughout the Scriptures what glorious Expressions and weighty Truths they declared whose Ears were attentive to Him that spoke from Heaven and how also they declared against them that stopped their Ears and closed their Eyes and hard ned their Hearts Their Ears not being attentive to the Heavenly Voice but to the Earthly and so if the Earthly and the Sin and Evil have the Ear it will fill it with that which is bad and harden the Heart and choak the Good therefore the Lord must have the Ear who is the Ruler of Heaven and Earth And as your Ears are attentive to the Lord's Voice that speaks from Heaven Iniquity's Mouth is stopped in you the Throne of Iniquity is thrown down in you that is the Wicked Spirit and Power where Iniquity fits and the Chambers of Imagery are thrown down in you where all Thoughts and Imaginations are As the Ear is attentive to the Voice of Him that speaketh from Heaven you will come to the Throne of the Lamb who hath the Power who hath the Victory and the Dominion that all may live there in the Everlasting Power of God that goes over all Deceit which was before Deceit and Darkness was and always feel a growing in the Power of the Lord God that is Universal and Everlasting that you may all be Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life and come to Inherit it and possess it and sit down in the Possession of the same that every one's Lot may fall in the Land of the Living where the Lord hath his Glory and his Honour for ever and ever O the Glory Glory of the Lord that spreads it over all And here you have his Savour and can taste your Meat in the Power of the Lord God feeding upon every Word that proceeds out of the Mouth of God having every one's Ear attentive to his Voice In this you grow up in the Life that is Eternal G. F. OH Dear Friends Epist 246. Mind every one your Habitation in the Power of the Lord God that first Convinced you and keep your Possession in it in the sense of God's Love and Mercy to your Souls for your Vnity and Fellowship lies in the spotless Power Truth and Life of the Everlasting God of Life and Power and herein to you the Springs of Life will be opened through which you may be daily Refreshed up to the God of Life Oh be tender of the spotless Truth and Life through which you may come to answer it in all Friends that they may have Vnity with you in the same Life and Power through which you may be a good Savour to God and a Blessing to him in your Generations serving the Lord God in the Newness of Life as a Chast Spouse and Bride to him in Body Soul and Spirit having an Esteem of your Bodies which are for the Lord and to be his Temple not for Adultery or Fornication nor Idolatry Oh therefore mind and keep in the holy Life and feel the Moving and Counselling Power and Spirit of the Almighty in you directing you into the Ways of Truth and Righteousness Peace and Holiness without which none shall see God Live in the Peaceable Life and love it eye that which makes for Peace for God is the Author of Peace and not of Confusion So live all in the precious Truth of God feeling it in its Operation through which Vnity and the Peaceable Life may be preserved amongst you in Righteousness and Peace for Wars and Strifes and Troubles and Fightings comes by Unrighteous Actions which is below Truth and Righteousness for Truth leads into the modest decent and comely Life which is Honourable and Esteemable to God and in the Hearts of all his People So live in the Truth and the Power of it that you may all come to be Heirs of the Power of an Endless Life and to Inherit and Possess the Endless Life the Power of a World that hath no end And so keep your Eyes to your Possessions and to the Life that hath no end and herein you will encrease in the Truth in the Righteousness and Holiness and the Power and Virtue of the Holy Life and so sit down in your Possessions that you may all serve the Lord in a pure Mind Soul and Spirit and none to defile your Bodies but have esteem of them as Vessels of Honour and Vessels fitted to receive the Treasures of the Lord. London
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
Hire and the Prophets prophesied falsly And for reproving them for their Superstition and Idolatry they struck him and put him in the Stocks and Prison and persecuted him in the Dungeon till his Persecutors were carried into Captivity And by the Word Jeremiah saw the number of Seventy Years of his Persecutors being in Babylon's Captivity Elijah by this Word was made a Prophet and by the Word reproved Ahab and Jezebel for their Idolatry and Worshipping of Images For which Word 's sake they persecuted him and the rest of the Prophets and was not he fed of the Ravens by the River And did they not seek to take away his Life And did not he think all the Lord's Prophets had been killed and he left alone yet did not the Lord say to him He had reserved Seven Thousand that had not bowed the Knee to Baal And Elisha the Plow-man by this Word was made a Prophet and forsook his Plough and by the Word reproved the Idolatry in his Age of Priests and People And by this Word was Ezekiel made a Prophet by which Word he reproved the Shepherds of Israel that made a Prey upon the People and Taught them for the Fleece And by the Word he saw that God would bring the People from under them that they should be made a Prey upon no longer and would gather them from their Mouths and set one Shepherd over them even Christ who is witnessed and by the Word he reproved the false Prophets that taught for handfuls of Barley and pieces of Bread and daubed with Vntempered Morter and sewed Pillows under the Arm-holes And by the Word he saw the Patern of the Temple and the return of the Jews And by this Word Daniel was made a Prophet and saw Christ and his Kingdom and how the Saints should take his Kingdom And by the Word he saw such that should rise up against the People of God And by the Word he numbred the Years of Christ to his time Four Hundred Ninety Nine Years and of his Death and how he should end the Sacrifices and how that Christ should bring up Everlasting Righteousness and put an end to Sin and end their Prophets and seal up their Visions And by the Word was Micah made a Prophet by which he cried against the Priests that preached for Hire and the Prophets that prophesied for Money and the Judges that judged for Rewards and such as preached Peace to the People that put in their Mouths like the Priests in these times and when they did not they prepared War against them and chop'd their Flesh and broke their Bones But Micah saw by the Word that the Sun was gone down upon such Prophets and Priests and they should have no Vision nor Answer from God Therefore such are against Revelations and Visions on them the Sun is fet and gone down upon and the Night comes upon them And by the Word was Amos the Herdsman made a Prophet who was a gatherer of Fruits and likewise all the rest of the Prophets who spoke forth Divine Things and reproved the Superstition and Idolatry in their time and day And by the Word did the Prophets speak forth Divine Things which Word brought them into the Divine Nature and Mind which Word hammered and cut down that which corrupted their Natures And this was the Word that made so many Fisher-men Preachers of the Gospel which is the Power of God And this was the Word which made Matthew the Toll-gatherer Luke the Physitian and Paul the Tent-maker Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel and Power of God And this was the Word which made Peter to see Joel's Prophesie how that God would pour out of his Spirit upon all Flesh and Sons and Daughters should Prophesie and young Men should see Visions and old Men dream Dreams and the pouring forth of the Spirit upon Servants and Hand-maids that every one should have something to speak to the Glory of God And now Priests and proud Prelates and Bishops and Popes though you have made a Trade of the Saints Words and the Apostles and Prophets Words and gotten a great deal of Money by them which were Fisher-men and Shepherds Words from the Word Yet nevertheless if a company of Shepherds Herdsmen Fisher-men Tent makers and Toll-gatherers should come amongst you to Preach you would say Away with these Mechannick Fellows they have not served Seven Years Apprentiship at the Coledges which were set up to make Ministers therefore they are not to set up because they have not served their Apprentiship What say the Shepherds Herdsmen Fisher-men Tent-makers Physitians and Toll-gatherers Do you make a Trade of our Friends Words who were of our Occupation that never served Apprentiships in Colledges before they spake forth the Words you make a Trade of What will you make a Trade of our Friends Words who were of our Occupation Away with you to Work and away with your Colledges for our Brother Paul the Tent-maker said He that will not Work must not Eat For would you own Christ if he had come in your Day who was called A Carpenter's Son You Popes with your Triple Crowns and you Lord Bishops with your Coaches and pampered Horses and gorgeous Apparel with your Black Coats and White Coats and Silk Girdles Are you like to entertain him who was called A Carpenter's Son Or to cast him and his Mother into the Manger in your Stables This was the Word by which John the Evangelist saw Christ who doth Enlighten every Man that cometh into the World and saw how he became Flesh and came to his own and that his own did not receive him but to as many as received Christ the Light that to them he gave Power to become the Sons of God which all they that are Ministers of the Letter made by their Seven Years learning in their Colleges and not by the Word hating the Light cannot know And by this Word the Minister of the Word preaches Christ's Word Life Death and Resurrection And therefore as John saith in his Epistle That which our Eyes have seen our Hands have handled and our Ears have heard of the Word of Life do we preach unto you that which was from the Beginning In the Beginning was the Word Scriptures the Words of God and Christ tho' since the Beginning were the Words and Letters for the Scriptures of Truth are the Words of God and the Words of Christ and he that adds to these Words faith John in the Revelations God shall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book c. So the Word was in the Beginning and Christ's Name is called The Word of God but Christ is neither called Scriptures nor Writings for Scriptures signifie Writings So In the Beginning was the Word since the Beginning were all false Ways false Churches false Teachers and in the Word ye comprehend them all The Priests say That Hebrew Greek and Latin are the Original and the many Languages began
from the Jews Synagogue and Temple and likewise the Gentiles into the Name of Jesus whose Name is above every Name and there is no Salvation by any other Name under the whole Heaven but by the Name of Jesus into which the true Gathering is where all know their Salvation And so who are gathered into the Name of Jesus are gathered into his Power and Authority For you know when a Tax or Assesment is gathered in the Name of the Head or Heads of a Nation it comes with Power and Authority and you obey it either actively or passively And so who are gathered in the Name of Jesus they are gathered in the Power of the Second Adam whose Power and Authority is above the Power of the First Adam's Sons and Daughters by which Power and in whose Names their People are gathered but Christ whose Name is above every Name there is no Salvation by any other under Heaven but by the Name of Jesus and they that are gathered in this Name of Jesus by his Power in which they know their Salvation they do see that there is no Salvation by any other Name under the whole Heaven nor Gathering by which they gather they bid Farewel to all other Names and Gatherings under Heaven as knowing there is no Salvation but in the Name of Jesus and this fulfils Jacob's Prophesie who said The Lawgiver shall not depart from between Judah 's Feet until Shilo come and the Gathering of all Nations shall be unto him So then it 's clear if the Gathering of all Nations be unto Christ they must forsake all that into which they were gathered before And therefore that makes all the Heads of the National Ways to be angry that holds them up and with such The Lamb makes War in Righteousness going on Conquering and to Conquer that he may Rule whose right it is that he might subdue all things to himself in whose Name all things are to be done and to whom all People are to be gathered whom God hath given for Salvation to the ends of the Earth And likwise this doth fulfil Moses prophesie who said Like unto me will God raise up a Prophet whom in all things the People shall hear who is the Salvation to the ends of the Earth to whom the Gathering of all Nations must be and they who are gathered in his Name do and must hear him in all things by whom all things were made and created who was glorified with the Father before the World began A Warning to all to keep out of the vain Fashions of the World which lead them below the Serious Life and not to Fashion themselves according to the World FRiends Keep out of the vain Fashions of the World Epist 250. let not your Eyes and Minds and Spirits run after every Fashion in Apparel of the Nations for that will lead you from the Solid Life into unity with that Spirit that leads to follow the Fashions of the Nations after every Fashion of Apparel that gets up But mind that which is sober and modest and keep to your plain Fashions that therein you may judge the World whose Minds and Eyes are in What they shall put on and what they shall eat And Friends that see the World so often alter their Fashions if you follow them and run into them in that ye cannot judge the World but the World will rather judge you Therefore keep all in the Modesty and Plainness and Fervency and Sincerity and be Circumspect for they that follow those things that the World's Spirit invents daily cannot be Solid and many Fashions might be instanced both of Hats Caps and Cloaths of Men and Women that daily are invented which they that run into them are near unto the World's Spirit and their Eyes are gazing after them when they should be upon the Lord from whom they should receive Judgment Therefore all keep down that Spirit of the World that runs into so many Fashions to please the Lust of the Eye the Lust of the Flesh and the Pride of Life And Fashion not your selves according to your former Lust of Ignorance and let the time past be sufficient in which you have lived according to the Lusts of Men and the Course of the World that the rest of your time you may live to the Will of God taking no thought what ye shall Eat what ye shall Drink or what ye shall put on that therein your Lives may judge the Heathen and that you may be as the Lillies For nothing you brought into the World neither any thing shall you take out And therefore while the Eye is gazing after every new Fashion and the Mind and Desire is thirsting to get it when it has it it lifts up the Mind and so brings under the Judgment of them that be in the sober Life and of the World also and to be like them Therefore take heed of the World's Fashions lest ye be moulded up into their Spirit and that will bring you to slight Truth and lift up the wrong Eye and wrong Mind and wrong Spirit and hurt and blind the pure Eye and pure Mind and quench the Holy Spirit and through such foolish Toys and Fashions and fading things you may lose your Conditions Therefore take heed of the World's Vanity and trust not in uncertain Riches neither covet the Riches of this World but Seek the Kingdom of God and the Righteousness thereof and all other things will follow and let your Minds be above the costly and vain Fashions of Attire but mind the hidden Man of the Heart which is a meek and a quiet Spirit which is of great Price with the Lord And keep to Justice and Truth in all your Dealings and Tradings at a Word and to the form of sound Words in the Power of the Lord and in Equity in Yea and Nay in all your Dealings that your Lives and Conversations may be in Heaven and above the Earth that they may preach to all that you have to deal withal so that you may be as a City set on a Hill that cannot be hid and as Lights of the World answering the equal Principle in all that God in all things may be glorified So that you may pass your time here with Fear as Pilgrims and Strangers and Sojourners having an Eye over all things that are uncertain as Cities Houses Lands Goods and as things below possess them as if ye did not and they that Marry as if they did not yet as having a City whose Maker and Builder is God and a Possession of an Inheritance that will never fade away in which you have Riches that will abide with you Eternally G. F. MY Dear Friends in the Truth and Seed of God Epist 251. in which is Purity and Life let that flow from the Head to the Feet that Righteousness and Judgment may run down our Streets as a stream For now Friends are become a People gathered in the holy Name of Jesus Therefore
Enmity or Adversary was And all such as cry Away with your Laws we will have none of your Laws To such as come to the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus which makes free from the Law of Sin and Death and puts down that Authority which Life was before Death and Sin was and remains when it is gone and in the Life in Christ Jesus is the Saints Fellowship and Vnity and Bond of Peace All such as cry against Laws so much are the Sons of Belial and would be without the Yoke of the Law of the Son of God Such always were the stirrers up of Mischief and Schism from the Body and they took Liberty to say any thing as ye may read in the Book of Kings in the Days of Jezebel and in the Days of Stephen and yet these that cry so much against Laws yet they live themselve in the Law of Sin and Death which they obey when they do Evil who are without the Understanding of the Righteous Law which the Righteous live in and sees Therefore such must be exhorted and reproved if they go under the Name of Quakers and are not in the Life That Justice Judgment and Righteousness may flow as a River and as a Stream and drive away all the Filth from among us that nothing but the Power of God and the Life of Truth may amongst us rule that the Living God which hath blessed you with his heavenly Riches and Mercies and largely manifested them among you may be in all things honoured magnified and exalted To whom all belongs God over all blessed for ever So that every one may adorn the Truth and the Gospel and mind the Lord's Business above their own And every one be tender of the Glory of God and be careful that in no ways his Name and Truth be dishonoured So let this be read in all your Men and Womens Meetings who are to take notice of all such things So no more but my Love in the Vniversal Seed of God which never sinned which is First and Last the Top and Corner-Stone G. F. For Friends in the Ministry scattered abroad in Virginia Maryland New-England Barbadoes and other Plantatations beyond the Sea TO all you that minister abroad in those Parts Epist 252. this is the Word of the Lord to you all Live in Lowliness of Mind and Meekness of Spirit and Pureness of Heart and be Examples in your Lives and Chaste in your Conversations in Holiness of Mind that you may be a good Savour amongst the People where you come Let all ungracious light unseasoned Expressions be kept out of your Minds and Mouths which edifies not the New Life and keep single unto God and single-hearted to Man and plain in all things and low For it is the Word of the Lord and the Light of God that Prophesieth and Revealeth the Dispensation of the Gospel of Christ unto People Be ye faithful in it Epist 252. and walk answerable to it and to that holy Gift or Manifestation of Prophesie And let none be lifted up with it for Life brings low and down as you are kept in the Holiness of it and the Wisdom of God through which you answer that of God in all This doth not hinder the effect of that which you have to minister but the Life is opened to receive it in walking and answering that which you have to minister tho' the contrary part may rise up against you Be at Vnity amongst your selves that you may not make Sects nor Schisms or stumble the Weak For you know that cursed Spirit that made Rents and got into the Affections and uppermost Part of People hath buried the Witness of God in many and made open Rents which may break also into other Ages against Truth and them that live in it which in time will wither and fade away as Grass upon the House top and their Arrows will turn into their own Bowels that are shot against the Righteous both of the Professor and Prophane And so be Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth abhorring all Vncleanness and Vnrighteousness flying all youthful Ways and fond Affections below being kept above them shewing the new Life to them that be in the Old and a New Conversation to them that be in the Vain and Gentleness to all the Perverse and Straightness to all the Crooked and Plainness to all the Rough and Lowliness to all the Mountains of Ungodliness and Unrighteousness for the Lamb must have the Victory And so you may be one another's Crown Joy and Rejoycing in the Lord and not one another's Sorrow and Grief And so that all may be brought to the Witness of God which first convinced them who have run out and to the Life to answer it through which you may come to have Vnity with God and with them in the Eternal and Everlasting Life And some of you should take some of the eminent true good and upright Friends and go and discourse with some of the Heathen Kings desiring them to gather their Council and People together that you may declare God's Everlasting Truth and his Everlasting Way of Life and Salvation to them knowing that Christ is the Promise of God to them a Covenant of Light to the Gentiles which is the Heathen who is also the New Covenant to the Jews for you have been amongst the old rotten-hearted Professors and seen the Power of the Lord come over them So now turn to the Gentiles to whom Christ is given for a Covenant of Light and of Salvation to the Ends of the Earth So that the Light must be preached and sounded throughout all the Heathen Kings and Princes Countries and therefore as you feel and are moved about Six or more Persons living in those Parts near unto them to go with you as I said and desire the King to gather his Council and Subjects together that they may hear that which hath been promised to them God's Everlasting Covenant of Light and Life and Salvation to the Ends of the Earth And so be faithful in his Power which was before the Devil was who hath darkned People and set them one against another You having on the Armour of Light which was before the Power of Darkness and which must stand against them and having on the Breast-Plate of Righteousness that you may stand against all Vnrighteousness and the Shield of Faith the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God which was before the World was through which you may savour and discern in Wisdom and in Vnderstanding you may judge and feel by the Word of Reconciliation committed to God's Servants his Sons and his Daughters which Word of Faith is now preached even the same which was amongst the Apostles which all must obey and do which reconciles to God and to just Mens Spirits and to one another So no more but my Love to you all in the Everlasting Seed of God that
never changeth For the Word is the same now as it was in the Beginning in Ages past manifested over all which many Thousands have received Glory and Blessing to the Lord God for ever So be Faithful that you may be one another's Crown and rejoycing in the Lord going together in the Love and Fear of the Lord. For Friends in Maryland were a pretty People And Friends you have had large Experience of that Spirit that run into the Hat that it was not of God which scatters to the World and begot none to God which is to be bruised by the Seed of God Christ Jesus which gathers to God London the 1st of the 7th Month 1667. G. F. To Friends in Holland DEar Friends In the Everlasting Power of the Lord God Epist 253. I salute all the Faithful and Vpright among whom the Lord hath Joy and Delight in which Everlasting Power of God have you your Vnity Fellowship and Dominion And so Friends all Sufferings of Friends of what sort soever for Conscience sake to Christ in Holland in Germany in Zealand in Gilderland in the Palatinate in Freezland Sweedland Switzerland and Hambrough send an Account for what they have suffered and by whom together with the Examples that are fallen upon the Persecutors with their Mittimusses and Examinations send all these to London to Friends there that if any Ambassadors or Agents out of any of those Places come to London Friends may make Application to them for there are some Friends who are ordered for the same Purpose to take knowledge of such things And likewise if any Friends have come over into those Parts of the World and have not walked answerable to the Gospel of Truth but have walked scandalously and disorderly whether they have been such who have come over to Minister or Sea-men and Factors or Merchants or Masters of Ships whereby the Lord God hath been dishonoured and his Holy Name blasphemed by which his People are called And also all such who have not been Faithful in their Callings between Man and Man but have been deceitful in their Callings and have been Exactors and have not been true to their Word by such Doings they cause the Holy Name of the Lord God and his Righteous Truth to be evil spoken of That a List of all such may be gathered up and sent over to London to such who are to receive them and that if they condemn those things and have given forth a Paper of Condemnation against them if so that we may have a Copy of it also to take away the Reproach of their Transgressions from Frinds And let the Faithful Friends amongst you meet together to consider and take Care about these things G. F. FRiends Epist 254. let your Affections be set on things that are above for if they be on things below then your Minds Bodies Souls and Spirits will be brought into Bondage and in that the Evil will get into you and burden you which ought to be kept down by the Seed of Life And learn the true Humility of Christ the Second Adam And so all they that watch for the Soul must have the Immortal Eye for the Soul is Immortal And therefore all Eyes must be kept above that which is Mortal and out of it up to the Immortal God whose Dwelling is in the Light And so mind the Gospel which is Immortal and the Government of him that never sinned nor fell and to know the increase of it daily which hath no end For the Lord is establishing his Church in Righteousness and Truth whose Church is without spot wrinkle and blemish or any such thing and his People are a holy Generation and they are to stand up for Holiness in which Holiness they will see God among them And let every one see that they do keep their own Vineyard clean Dear Friends mind the Gospel which is the Power of God that was hefore the Devil and old Adam was in this Power is the Comely Order and out of this Power is all the Vncomely Orders And so know the Government of Christ and the Increase thereof which hath no end And this Governour and Government was before the Devil and old Adam was and will stand when all that is gone G. F. DEar Friends Epist 255. all who from the Beginning have been convinced of God's Truth and are turned to the World or gone into Drunkenness Swearing Pleasure and Loosness or to the old Mass-house or have fold the Truth for a Wife or Husband and gone to the Priests covertly to be Married contrary to the Truth they have professed These all must be Admonished to come to the Light that did first Convince them and give forth a Paper of Condemnation and send it to the Priests and to those Places where they have dishonoured God his Truth and People And so to clear the Truth that none may make a Jest of their Transgressions and by walking out of the Truth cause the Blind to wander so that the House may be swept And ye being an holy Generation may stand up for Holiness in your Generation as the Wicked World stands up for Vnholiness Surrey the 10th of the 7th Month 1668. G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 256. Live in the Wisdom of God which is gentle and pure from above and easie to be intreated all bear one anothers Burdens and so fulfil the Law of Christ And if any weakness should appear in any in your Meetings not for any to lay it open and tell it abroad that 's not Wisdom that doth so for Love covereth a multitude of Sins and Love preserves and edifies the Body and he that dwells in Love dwells in God for God is Love and Love is not easily provoked and therefore keep the Law of Love to keep down that which is so provoked for that which is easily provoked hath Words which are for Condemnation Therefore let the Law of Love be amongst you which is not easily provoked and this Law of Love being amongst you it will keep down that which is so provoked and its Words and so the Body edifies it self in Love G. F. DEar Friends be faithful in the Service of God Epist 257. and mind the Lord's Business and be diligent so will the Power of the Lord be brought over all those that have gain-say'd it And all ye that are faithful go to visit them that have been Convinced from House to House that if it be possible ye may not leave a Hoof in Egypt And so every one go seek the lost Sheep and bring him home on your backs to the Fold and there will be more joy of that one Sheep than the Ninety and nine in the Fold And Friends all take heed of Sleeping in Meetings and Sottishness and Dulness for it is an unsavoury thing to see one sit Nodding in a Meeting and so to lose the Sense of the Lord And it 's a Shame and a Sadness both and it grieveth the
Church as the Apostle instanceth in Ephesians And therefore they were not to be unequally yoked Believers with Vnbelievers The Law of God did forbid it they were not to give their Sons and Daughters to the Heathen or marry with them for it grieved the Lord in the Old World and brought Destruction upon those bad Marriages When the Sons of God saw the Daughters of Men were fair and they took them Wives of all which they chose who corrupted the Earth and filled it with Violence Yet the Holy Men of God their Marriages were never judged of God in the Old World Neither Seth's Lamech's nor Mahalaleel nor Methusalah nor Noah nor Abraham Isaac nor Jacob and so none before the Law nor none in the Law nor in the time of the Gospel their Marriages were not judged by the Lord who walked in the Power and Spirit of the Lord and knew God's Joyning who brings the Man and Woman together but such as mingled with the Heathen and Vnbelievers and followed strange Flesh they went from the Spirit the lost the Sonship through such the Earth was corrupted and filled with Violence and such could not know God's Joyning who went from the Spirit and from the Law and Gospel and such are mingled among Heathens and Vnbelievers and follow strange Flesh and corrupts their own who go from the Spirit by which they have been sanctified and led into the Sonship And such as Marry with Vnbelievers and Heathen they go contrary to the Law of God and grieves him and their Righteous Parents So Marriage is God's Holy Ordinance and Christ that comes to restore all things again into their place he saith Whom God joyns together let no Man put asunder And brings it to the beginning again how God made them Male and Female So in the Restauration inther Image of God and Sanctification they are brought to the joyning one Male with one Famale again not for one Man to have many Women at once God did not make many for him but in the Fall from the Righteousness of God and his Image there they run together like Beasts a Man and many Women There Men joyn and put asunder but in the beginning it was not so saith Christ the Heavenly Men the Second Adam for God made them Male and Female and whom he joyns together let no Man put asunder And so God joyns with his Spirit and Power for he is a Spirit and this is a heavenly and spiritual Joyning and them that God joyns they do not follow strange Flesh but the Spirit of God and such a Marriage is sanctified by the Spirit and by the Lord and such knows his Heavenly Ordinance And this is the Marriage Christ owns and sets up and encourages who is the Covenant and the Quickning Spirit And so God who is a Spirit joyns with his Spirit Power and Light this joying is in the Covenant of God all such Marriages are honourable in all things for their Bed is nt defiled but where the Bed is defiled that Marriage is not Honourable And all that forbid Marriage are in the Doctrines of Devils and they that are in the Doctrine of Devils are out of Truth who destroys the Creation and destroys some one way and some another that are under his Power and Command from Truth but they that obey the Truth and obey Christ and obeys God they are over him and his Doctrine and the defiled Bed and strange Flesh and the Spirit gives them an Vnderstanding to know God and his joyning by his Spirit who is blessed for ever Now if any should say That Adam took his Wife alone and so run into the Works of Darkness and go together in the Dark contrary to the Righteous Seed and Holy Generation Such are judged by the Holy Seed and by them in the Holy Life and Law of God and with the Light of Christ Jesus condemned And as for Adam taking his Wife alone that was before there was any Witnesses But there was a Form of Words betwixt them before they went together or he knew her as followeth viz. And when the Lord God brought the Woman to Adam Adam said to the Lord This is Bone of my Bone and Flesh of my Flesh she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man and they shall be one Flesh But this Form of Words of Adam's and his doing is nothing to them that are Workers of Darkness and run together in the Dark For after the Earth was peopled you may read how the Generations of the Righteous did take one another in the Assemblies of the Righteous and it was Recorded before Witnesses So all such as Marry by the Priests or Marry by the World that are Vnbelievers do go from God's Power and Spirit and his joyning and do break the Law of God in their Marriages who forbad to joyn with Vnbelievers And therefore with the Light of Christ Jesus are such judged and condemned and must come through Condemnation and Judgment For the right joyning in Marriage is the Work of the Lord only Right joyning in Marriage is the Work of the Lord and not the Priests or Magistrates for it is God's Ordinance and not Man's And therefore Friends cannot consent that they should joyn them together For we Marry none it 's the Lord's Work and we are but Witnesses But yet if a Friend through tenderness have a desire that the Magistrate should know it after the Marriage is performed in a publick Meeting of Friends and others according to the holy Order and Practice of Friends in Truth throughout the World and according to the manner of the Holy Men and Women of God of old he may go and carry a Copy of the Certificate to the Magistrate Friends are left to their Freedom herein But for Priests or Magistrates to Marry or joyn any in that Relation it 's not according to the Scripture and our Testimony and Practice hath been always against it It was God's Work before the Fall and it is God's Work only in the Restauration Let not any go disorderly together in Marriage contrary to the Practice of the Holy Men of God who declared it in the Assemblies of the Righteous Twelve or more faithful Friends Relations to be present at Friends Marriage when they took one another all things being clear and they both being free from any other in respect to Marriage And when any take one another in Marriage let there not be less than a dozen Friends and Relations present according to your former Order having first acquainted the Men's Meeting and that they have Clearness and Unity with them and then it may be Recorded in a Book And if any walk contrary to the order of Truth herein let some be appointed to speak to them and give notice thereof to the next Meeting And all that are Widdows who have Children and do intend to Marry All Widdows to set out a proportionable part for her first Husbands Children before
Burying Places and that thereby a Testimony may stand against the Superstitious Idolizing of those places called holy Ground For Abraham bought a place to bury his Dead in and would not Bury them amongst the Egyptians and Canaanites And Jacob was brought out of Egypt and Joseph and they were buryed in their Grand-Father and Father's Burying-places And so Friends get decent Burying-places for your Dead and let them be decently and well fenced that you may shew a good Example to the World in all things And Dear Friends do all that you do in Peace and Love Do all in Peace and Love and in the Fear of God condescending one unto another in the Simplicity and Innocency of Life and Truth and in the Wisdom of God that that may be every ones Crown that nothing may be done in Strife to occasion Words for you are called to Peace and Holiness in which the Kingdom stands and to serve one another in Love And my Love is to all Friends in the Everlasting Seed of God in which is Life Purity Cleanness and Righteousness that shines over all And all Friends do that which ye do in the Power of God And in the Power of God and then you are the Lord's Free-men in Love and not Captives For all which is done out of the Power of God is in the Captivity So wait all in the Power of the Lord and in the Light in which you will feel Life and Peace and the Lord's Blessing So in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keep you over all that which is contrary and give you Victory and Dominion And in Peace and Love live in the Spirit and Power of God in which is the Vnity and the Fellowship in the Bond of Peace that Truth and Life may reign amongst you that in all things you may adorn and grace the Truth that never hath an end And the Lord God Almighty preserve you in his Seed His Prayer for the same Life and Wisdom and give you Discerning Victory and Dominion over all that which is contrary that you may feel Christ's Reign and Authority in which you may all act in his Power and Authority So in that God Almighty preserve you And draw up an Account of all that have died in Prison Of Prisoners in every County for Truth 's Testimony and lay them before the Magistrates and so to keep Friends clear from the Blood of all Men. And preserve a Lift of their Sufferings together with the Number that have died in Prison that their Blood may come upon them that have thirsted after it And Sufferings and that their Testimony may not be lost who have sealed it with their Blood but that it may be preserved And so keep a Record of them in your Quarterly Meeting Books So that the Memorial of the Innocent Sufferers for the Truth and the Name of Jesus may not be lost nor forgotten that his Name and Power that hath supported them may be exalted that hath carried them over Death and their Persecutors and the spoiling of their Goods So in the heavenly Seed Christ Jesus that reigns who is the Living Rock and Foundation and stands sure for all his Elect to build upon stand above all the Rocks and Foundations that are below and will have an end and in him the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keep you all Amen And all my Dear Friends every where Speaking in Steeple-houses who have been moved of the Lord God to speak in Steeple-Houses to the Priests or in Markets to the People or in Courts or Fairs or Assizes or Towns let an Account thereof be drawn up together in one Book with the substance of their Words that they spake in the Power of God This would be a Book that may stand to Generations that they may see their faithful Testimony and what Strength God did ordain out of the the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings And Friends that have been moved to go to the Professors Meetings that their Testimony there may not be lost together with all the Examples that have fallen upon the Persecutors And such Testimonies of Friends as are deceased Of Deceased Friends Testimonies let them be Recorded that so the Testimony of the Lord through his Servants may not be lost that he raised up in his People for the same they were carried on thro' great Tribulations and Sufferings and many laid down their Lives and had their Goods spoiled and they persecuted to Death to keep up their Testimony which the Lord moved them to speak by his Spirit to future Generations So that those Words that they were moved to speak forth by the Power may not be lost that the Power and Spirit of the Lord may be exalted So that an account may be taken of that which hath been spoken and done by the Motions of the Spirit of God from the first as above-mentioned And so be Diligent and those that can write help them that cannot This may be easily done And all they that be Publick Ministers if unknown that pass up and down the Countries What Ministers to have Certificates and to other Nations for them to have a Certificate from their Meeting where such Persons are known and all their Practices are looked into that will prevent any bad Spirits that may scandalize honest Men. For they that do minister to others must have a double Diligence in Vertue and Chastity and Patience and Carefulness and Watchfulness more than their Hearers lest they Judge them For Christ the heavenly Man is our Example and the Apostle saith Follow us as we do follow Christ For who esteems the beggarly Lusts before Vertue is not worthy of it and who preferreth his Ungodliness and his Unholiness and his Earthliness before that which is Heavenly is not worthy of the Heavenly nor of Godliness nor Righteousness c. And Dear Friends be Faithful you that know the Light the Truth and the Power of God and his Life in the Wisdom of God be Faithful by which Wisdom all things was made and created In Wisdom and by which Wisdom all things that are created must be ordered again to the Glory of the Creator And you that are come to know the Truth and the Power of it all come to know the Order of Life so that all things may be kept in that sweet Order and Government to the Glory of God and the Refreshment of all Order and a sweet Savour to God and in the Hearts of all People that through the Wisdom of God ye may adorn the Truth in all things for the preserving of Love Peace and Vnity amongst all And live in the peaceable Truth and keep in the heavenly Order of the Gospel and in the Government of the heavenly Man And Government of Christ the Increase of which there is no end and walk in the pure and underfiled Religion that keeps you from the spots of the
the Apostles Days who with the Light beareth witness against it not to be God's witness nor God's setting up And so the Children of the Light that believe in the Light their Bodies their Souls their Spirits and their Minds are washed clean in this pure clean holy Water that comes from above from the pure holy God which is one of these Witnesses in the Earth And the Blood The third Witness is his Blood with which the Hearts of People are sprinkled and their Consciences are sprinkled with the Blood of Jesus As Moses sprinkled the outside of the Posts c. with the Blood of Bulls and Goats which Blood of Bulls and Goats Christ's Blood ends which sprinkles the Heart and Conscience of People So this Blood of Jesus Christ the heavenly Man is felt in the Hearts and Consciences of People by which Blood they are sanctified they are cleansed from all their Dead Works to serve the Living God and to serve their Dead Works no longer So by this Blood they are cleansed from all Sin They that walk in the Light and believe in the Light they are Children of the Light and Children of the Day and the Blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God Blood of Christ cleanseth from all Sin cleanseth them from all Sin and their Garments are made white in the Blood of the Lamb by which they come to testifie of Jesus they overcome the Beast the Whore the false Church And so every true Believer believes as Christ hath taught them to Believe in the Light that so they may become Children of the Light The true Believer hath the Witness in himself They have these three Witnesses that bear witness in the Earth to bear witness in themselves and they can set to their Seal That God is true in all his Works in Prophets and Apostles and his Son and they shall come to know and do come to know the Three that bear Record in Heaven and the Three that bear Record in the Earth G. F. AND all ye Believers in the heavenly Light as Christ hath taught Epist 266. you seek that which is lost and driven away but the false Prophets false Ministers and Teachers they did not seek that which was lost True Ministers seek that which is lost and driven away from God they put no difference between the precious and the vile but mash all together like the Priests and Prophets of our times therefore seek that which was lost and driven away some may be driven away by the Storms some may be driven away by the great Winds of the Wicked and Storms of the Ungodly some may be driven away by Tempests and foul Weather and some may be lost in the foul Weather and lost in the Sea of the World for it is this wicked One that raiseth all these foul Weather and Storms therefore seek that which is lost ye that believe in the Light by which you see then you are distinguish'd from the false Prophets and Teachers and by the Light you put a difference between the precious and the vile for Jacob was found in a desart Land and you see all the Prophets how they sought that which was lost and the Apostles and how Christ encouraged to seek that which was lost and when the lost Sheep was found what Joy there was more than of the Ninety and Nine an who were they that make the Land desolate but the rough Esau's and wild Ishmael's and Core's and who makes the World as a Wilderness but the Devil and who brings the whole World to lie in Wickedness but the Devil that wicked One and if you should not find that which is lost and driven away at the first nor second To continue in seeking nor third time of seeking if you sould not find him that is lost go again that you may have your joy and rejoyce others for Christ in the Parable saith The Prodigal Son was lost yea was dead and is alive again when he had been feeding among Swine and upon Husks and could never fill his Belly When any such come back again they will tell you how hungry they were they could never fill their Bellies among the Husks while they went astray and tell you long Declarations of the Citizen that he was joined to And therefore when the lost is found and brought back again to the Father's House where there is Bread enough Joy for the lost Sheep is found there is Joy and the heavenly Instruments of Musick and the heavenly Feast of the heavenly Fat Things and the heavenly Robes of Righteousness are injoyed And so all be diligent ye Believers in the Light as Christ hath taught you look up and down in the Light you will see where the lost Sheep are and such as have been driven away you will spie them out out of the Woods or Brambles or Pits where there is no Water where they are ready to be Famish'd where they are tied with Thorns and Briars and so with the Light you will see and put a difference between the precious and the vile for whatsoever makes manifest is Light For by that you see and you will see with it how the false Prophets and Ministers and Teachers drive People away they drive them away from God and his Way from Christ and the Covenant of Light How angry they are with them that believe in it With their Clubs how have they beaten many and wounded many and imprisoned many because they would not be driven by them into the Devil's Pit-fold or Prison but do you never give over seeking for the Light shines over all which believe in and walk in the Path of the Just which is as a shining Light for it hath been the work of all the false Teachers and Ministers to drive away from God and his Truth and Light and those have been the Devil's Servants and the Wages he gives them is Death This hath been the Way of all true Ministers to seek that which was lost and that which was driven away as you may see Christ and the Apostles and all the true Prophets did and to bring them to feed in the Pastures of Life and gently to lead them whose Wages is Life and he gives them their heavenly Penny of Life Eternal G. F. To Ministring Friends FRiends Epist 267. All ye that Believe in the Light as Christ hath commanded that are become Children of the Light and of the Day and of the Promise Not to Judge one another and do minister therein do not judge one another in publick Meetings you that do Minister as you have received the Grace and have the Word of the Lord God committed to you that Minister abroad or go abroad in Cities Towns Countries or Nations do not judge one another nor reflect one upon another in publick Meetings for that hurts the Hearers and you do more hurt than you do good and that makes Confusion for if you have any
Just and Even and Equal that you may answer that which is Equal and Just and True in your selves and in every Man and Woman that you may be preserved in the Sence and Favour of God and so may answer the good and righteous Principle in all by which they may be brought to Truth the equal Principle and just Measure and true Weight and Ballance by which they may know the just and true God in all his Works and Out-goings G. F. Not to trust in uncertain Riches ALL Friends Epist 273. Be ye as Strangers to all Things visible and created but be acquainted with the Creator your Maker the Lord God Almighty Outward things not durable for outward Things are not durable Riches nor durable Substance nor durable Habitations nor durable Possessions for they have Wings and will fly away and so therefore be as Pilgrims and Strangers to the World and all worldly created and visible things and witness Redemption from the Earth that you may reign upon the Earth as Kings and Priests to God The Righteous are as Kings and Priests to God that you may know a Habitation in God and the Riches of his Grace and Life that is everlasting and a Substance that fadeth not away the Riches which hath not wings and the Riches that is not deceitful that is durable and true For Men trusting in outward Riches and outward Things they will deceive and fail them and have Wings and flees away from them And so Man in that State is deceived and Riches are deceitful to him Therefore as I said before be as Strangers and Pilgrims to the World and all things therein possess as though you did not possess them and what you injoy as though you did not be above all such things and loose to them in the Invisible Life and Power which is over all things for the Birth that is born again of the Immortal Seed by the Word of God that lives and abides and endures for ever and is above all things for all things are upheld by his Word and Power And so be acquainted with the heavenly and certain Riches the durable Substance and the everlasting Possession and Inheritance of Life through which you may be acquainted with your Maker and Creator the Lord God Almighty G. F. MY Dear Friends in the pure and undefiled Life Epist 274. All live in the Holy Seed that changes not that will wear out all in the Transgression and was before Transgresion was and this Seed was never a Transgressor and it will be when Transgression is gone and is over that Spirit which is in Transgression and is a burdensome Stone to the Transgressor and him that is out of Truth and it will out-last all and so in that live in which ye may reign in the Life and Truth and in its time it will break all their Bonds For that Spirit that doth transgress doth Persecute in the particular the Just and Persecution makes the Just to suffer in the general and so they that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution by them that Persecute those that are Godly it is no wonder for them to persecute the Godly in Christ the heavenly Man so the Just Suffereth within and without by the Vnjust And so be Valiant for the Lord's Truth upon the Earth and dwell in Love and in Humility and Meekness and Patience and Righteousness in which the Love of the Lord is manifested So no more but my Love G. F. ALL Friends every where in the living Spirit and living Power Epist 275. and in the heavenly Light dwell and quench not the Motions of of it in your selves nor the Movings of it in others Not to quench the Motions of the Spirit though many has run out and gone beyond their Measures yet many more has quench'd the Measure of the Spirit of God and after became dead and dull and questioned through a false Fear and so there hath been hurt doth ways And therefore be obedient to the Power of the Lord and his Spirit and his Spiritual Weapons War with that Philistian that would stop up your Wells and Springs Jacob's Well was in the Mountain read that within he was the second Birth And the Belief in the Power keeps the Spring open and none to despise Prophecy neither to quench the Spirit so that all may be kept open to the Spring that every one's Cup may run over For you may all Prophesie one by one All may Prophecy one by one and the Spirit of the Prophets is subject to the Prophets Would all the Lord's People were Prophets said Moses in his time when some found fault but the last time is the Christians time which injoys the Substance Christ Jesus and his Church is called a Royal Priesthood offering up Spiritual Sacrifices and his Church are his Believers in the Light And so in the Light every one should have something to Offer and to Offer an Offering in Righteousness to the living God else they are not Priests and such as quenches the Spirit cannot Offer In the time of God's pouring out of his Spirit upon all Flesh but becomes dull I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh in the last time saith the Lord which is the true Christians time God's Sons and Daughters shall prophesie and your young Men shall see Visions and old Men shall dream Dreams and on my Servants and Hand-maids I will pour out of my Spirit in those Days and they shall Prophesie Now Friends if this be fulfilled Servants Handmaids Sons Daughters old Men young Men every one to feel the Spirit of God by which you may see the things of God and declare them to his Praise for with the Heart Man doth believe and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation first he has it in his Heart before it comes out of his Mouth and this is beyond that Brain-beaten-heady stuff which Man has long studied about the Saints words which the holy Men of God spake forth as they were moved by the Holy Ghost So the Holy Ghost moved them before they came forth and spake them And therefore as I said before do not resist the Holy Ghost for they that did so grew stiff-necked and their Hearts were uncircumcised but feel this Holy Ghost this Spirit of Truth that leads you into all Truth So with the Holy Ghost and with the Light Build upon Christ the true Foundation and Power of God do you build upon Christ the Foundation and Life and by the same heavenly Light and Power and Spirit do you Labour in the Vineyard and do you minister and speak forth the things of God and do you digg for your Pearls therefore bring them forth and let them be seen how they glister the glistering Pearls And all come into the Vineyard of God to labour in the Light which was before Darkness was and with the Life which was before Death and his Power
Spirit you may be led into all Truth up to God and Christ from him who is out of the Truth Amen saith my Soul G. F. DEar Friends every where Epist 289. be faithful to God who hath been faithful and true to you therefore be you true to God and faithful Witnesses to him To be faithful Witnesses of Christ in time of Persecution and to Christ Jesus that now ye may all have Riches and Treasure laid up in store against a time of want storms and tempests that you amy stand for if you do not stand now you are as bad as such Professors who stood only when the Sun shined and crept out when it was fine and fair Weather but when a Storm or Tempest came then they ran creeping into their Holes and Corners and sculked into by-corners and fled by bace-doors who were ashamed or their Religion and what they Professed but when the Sun did shine then they showed their Enmity to the Righteous And therefore be you of the Faith of Dvid and of his Spirit who said I was Young and now am old I never saw the Righteous for saken nor his Seed begging Bread and the Lord to encourage his People saith In all their Af-flicions he was Afflicted and the Angel of his Presence saved them and Christ tells you It 's he that Suffers and is Persecuted when his Children are persecuted And so it 's for the Lord's sake that the JusT suffer by the Unjust and you read how such as suffer the spoiling of their Goods and Scoffing and Mocking yet they were not to forsake the Assembling themselves together as the manner of some was for they that suffer with Christ shall reign with him for the Lord may try you who hath blessed you with outward things whether your minds do stand with him or in the outward things G. F. DEar Friends Epist 290. Live in Love for that is of God and doth edifie the Body of Christ and keep in the Truth of God which the Devil is out of To live in Love and Peace with God and one with another and walk in Righteousness and then you will walk in Peace with God and one with another and walk in Holiness for that becomes the House of God and in Holiness you will see the Holy God among you And so that you may keep the Vnity in the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace and dwell in Love one with another for all Eyes in upon you and some watches for Evil but do you answer the Good in all in your Words and Lives This is the Counsel of the Lord God to you all and that you may be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World and as a City set on a Hill that cannot be hid so that all that do profess Christ and God may shew forth Christ and Godliness in Life and Word G. F. To all the Womens Meetings that are Belivers in the Truth FRiends Keep your Womens Meetings in the Power of God EpisT 291. which the Devil in out of and take your Possession of that which your are Heirs of and keep the Gospel-Order Man and Woman helps meet in the Image of God For Man and Woman were helps meet in the Image of God and in Righteousness and Holiness in the Dominion before they fell but after the Fall in the Transgression the Man was to rule over his Wife but in the Restauration by Christ into the Image of God and his Righteousness and Holiness again in that they are helps meet Man and Woman as they were in before the Fall Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him Lord. Abraham did also obey the Voice of his Wife Sarah in casting out the Bond-Woman and her Son Dorcas a Woman was a Disciple So there was a Woman Disciple as well as Men Disciples and mind the Women that accompanied her And Wo-men are to take up the Cross daily and follow Christ daily as well as the Men and so to be taught of him their Prophet and fed of him their Shepherd and councelled of him their Councellor and sanctified by him who offered up himself once for all And there were Elder Women in the Truth as well as Elder Men in the Truth and these Women are to be teachers of good thins so they have an Office as well as the Men for they have a Stewardship and must give an Account of their Stewardship to the Lord as well as the Men. Deborah was a Judge Examples of amny good Women Miriam and Huldah were Prophetesses old Annah was a Prophetess and a Preacher of Christ to all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem Mary Magdalen and the other Mary were the first Preachers of Christ's Resurrection to the Disciples and the Disciples could not believe their Message and Testimony that they had from Jesus as some now adays cannot but they received the Command and being sent preach'd it So is every Woman and Man to do that sees him risen and have the Command and Message Daughters shall Prophesie as well as Sons So they are to be obedient that has the Spirit poured upon them Women are to Prophesie and Prophesie is not to be quenched Them that has the Testimony of Jesus are commanded to keep it whether Men or Women Priscilla and Aquilla were both Exhorters and Expounders or Instructers to Apollos So in the Church there were Women Instructers and Prophetesses and Daughters Prophetesses in the Church for Philip had four Virgins that were Prophetesses and there were Women Disciples in the Church and Women Elders in the Church as well as Men. So Women are to keep in the FGovernment of Christ and to be Obeyers of Christ and Women are to keep the ComelyOrder of the Gospel as well as Men and to see that all that have received Christ Jesus that they walk in Christ Jesus and to see that all that has received the Gospel do walk in the Gospel the Power of God which they are Heirs of for this is a Day for all to keep their Possession in the Gospel-Order who be Heirs with Christ of the increase of whose Government there is no end So the Foundation of our Womens Meetings is Christ to all them that be Heirs of him and of his Government And the ground of our Order of the Womens Meetings is the Gospel the Power of God which was before the Devil was and all that be Heirs of the Gospel which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in them which shines over him that hath darkned them and was before he was I say they are Heirs of the Comely Order of the Gospel and therefore I say take your Possessions of it and walk as becomes the Gospel and keep the Comely Order of it and in it keep your Meetings And here is the Ground and Foundation of our Womens Meetings Now Mothers of Families that has the ordering of Children Maids and Servants may do a great deal of Good
is Holy and Righteous and to live in Peace who hath promised he will give Christ Jesus for a Covenant of Light and Peace to you who are called Gentiles and venant of Light by which you shall come to have Peace with the Lord God the King of the whole Earth This is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in whose Hand is the Breath of all Mankind This is the God of the Spirits of all Falsh who hath made all Nations of Mankind of one Blood to dwell upon the Face of the Earth And God having divided the Sons and Daughters of Adam and scattered them up and down the Face of the Earth being in the Transgression and Sin led away with the God of the World the wicked One the Devil that abode not in the Truth who causes People to destroy one another and murder one another about Earthly things This is the Prince of Darkness that rules in all the Hearts of the Children of Disobedience disobedient to that which is Righteous in them which discovers the unrighteous Actions and Words drom the Righteous And Christ the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven saves Men from Sin Christ the Second Adam the Saviour of Men. who is Prince of Peace and of Life and the Covenant of God who brings Men to have Peace with God and one with another who destroys the Devil the Author of Strife This is Christ the Second Adam which brings the Sons and Daughters of Adam into Reconciliation with God again and destroys Sin and finishes it and makes Reconciliation for Sin and Iniquity G. F. To Friends in Barbadoes DEar Friends Epist 293. To whom is my Love in the Lord Jesus Christ by whom were all things made and by whom all things do consist and who filleth all things and doth uphold all by his Word and Power Christ the Head of his Church c. who is the First and Last the Holy Head of his Holy Church and the Door into the Holy Way for his Holy People to walk in and the setter up of a Holy Worship in the Holy Spirit and Truth to worship the Holy God in and the setter up of a Holy Religion to keep from the Spots of the World which Religion is pure in his Sight And this never came out of the Brain-beaten Stuff of Man nor of his Chamber of Imagery but for his People to walk in that they might sing forth his Praises in Righteousness And therefore all Friends in your Men and Womens-Meetings be faithful and see how you do grow in the Truth and Power of Godliness and are circumcised and witness your Renewings into the heavenly Image of him that created you and that you all may be fruitful in the Knowledge and Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Orderer of all things and wear his Livery and fine Linnen the Righteousness of Christ and hold forth his Ensign and his Standard and all to be filled with his Grace and Love and peaceable Truth and be over all outward Earthly things so that none be Carnally but Spiritually minded And walk as becomes the glorious Order of the Gospel having the Water of Life in your Cisterns and the Bread of Life in your Tabernacles and Fruits on your Trees to the Praise of God Amen And all your Family Meetings do not neglect among your Whites and Negroes but do your Diligence and Duty to God and them To keep Family Meetings which you will not neglect if you keep in the Faith of Abraham and of the blessed Seed which inheriteth the Crown And be at Peace among your selves that each one shew that you are in Christ the Prince of Peace and that doth shew that you are the Disciples of Christ and Learners and Followers of him So possess him who is Life Eternal Aman. And your Love and Kindness toward us the Lord redouble it of his Mercy into your Bosoms We are all pretty well We have had great Travail by Land and Sea and Rivers and Bays and Creeks in New-England Jersey Delaware Maryland Virginia Carolina where we have had great Service among Friends and Governors and others and Men and Womens-Meetings and with the Indians and their Kings and Emperoar O blessed be the Lord God Almighty who is over all and over all giveth Dominion And Glory be to his Great Name for ever Amen And his Truth is of a good Savour in the Hearts of People and spreads So no more but my Love Read this in your Men and Womens-Meetings G. F. Maryland the 24th of the 12th Month. 1672. FRiends The Truth is above all will stand over all them that hate it who labour in vain against it Epist 294. and will bring their old House on their own Heads to their great Trouble Truth above all and in the Winter and cold Weather when that their HoUse is down and their Religion is frozen and their Rivers are dried up and their Husks are gone and the Swine begin to cry about the Plantations and the Vermin runneth up and down amongst their old Rubbish and their Sparks and Candles are gone out and Hail and Storms lighteth upon the Head of the Wicked then Wo will be to God and Magog and to all the Wicked who have no Covering In Christ you have Peace in the World you have Trouble No Peace with God can be enjoyed but in the Covenant of Light which it Trouble Amen G. F. FRiends at the first Convincement there is not so much danger Epist 295. for the Spirit of God keeps in the Fear of the Lord and under Judgment Our Knowledge must be in the Spirit then after getting Acquaintance or Knowledge and a Familiarity and a Liberty but not in the Holy Spirit there is great danger and therefore your Knowledge and Familiarity must be in the invisible Spirit for the Flesh Fadeth and withereth as the Grass So that Knowledge and Familiarity is as Grass that withers but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever And the right knowledge of one another is this To know one another in that Word which was in the beginning before Man fell For Man liveth not by Bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the Mouth of God This is the fresh and heavenly Food from above and above all the Husks that the Swineherd feedeth his Swine with in the unrepented State G. F. FRiends All keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God that hath gathered you Epist 296. and none to quenth the Spirit nor despise Prophesying Quench not the Spirit c. and so keep up your Testimony in publick and private Let not the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings be stopp'd nor the Seed in Males or Females but all be valian for the Truth upon the Earth Concerning your Womens-Meetings encourage all the Women of Families that are convinced and minds Vertue and loves the Truth and walks in it that they may come up into God's
Gospel the Power of God which was before the Devil was So that you may feel the Presence of the Lord with you And-that all Friends may be invited to the Meetings and that you may be good Examples and Patterns unto all in the Island in righteous Dealing and Doings in Weights and in Measures And keep to the sound Language and the Honour that you have received from above so that your Lives and Conversations may preach in Vertue Righteousness and Holiness that God may be glorified through you and among you all that you may be Patterns in Holiness and in Truth as you expect the Blessing of God in with and among you And owe nothing to any Man but Love And so feek first the Kingdom of God and keep in it then all outward things will flow to you so as there will be no want of them if you enjoy God who upholds all with his Word and Power and gives the increase of all And see that there may be no ill Example among you and no such ill Report may be heard of you in Old England And when you have got up your First Days and Weekly Meetings and Men and Womens Meetings in the Power of God which will preserve you in Truth and Righteousness see that nothing be lacking among you then send over how things are with you how Truth speads and prospers from your Men and Womens Meetings to the Men and Momens Meetings in Old England So no more but my Love G. F. DEar Friends Epist 300. Let your Faith stand in the Power of God for that is your Keeper unto the Day of Salvation so every one that hath not yet obtained it come to that Day for the Kingdom stands in Power and not in Words Therefore as I said before let you Faith stand in the Power of God in which the Kingdome stands Kingdom of Peace and Joy which stands in Righteousness and Holiness and in the Holy Ghost where no unclean things enters neither can it For the Power of the Lord God keeps you fresh keeps you open and keeps you alive and keeps you in a sense of the things of his Kingdom the Treasures the Pearls and Riches and Jewels thereof and this Power will keep you all in Peace and in Vnity and Quietness and Condescention and Love and Kindness one to another and in the Power of the Lord and in his Spirit you will be enabled to give the Lord his Glory and continual Praise and continual Thanks which is due unto him from you all it will ascend to him who is worthy of all blessed for evermore And so none quench the Spirit nor the Motions of it in you lest Isaac's Well be stopp'd up by the uncircumcised Philistine that must go down into the Pit who hath lived aloft for as Christ comes to take the Peace from the Earth which Men are in as all Sects and Ways that have Peace in their Ways Religions and Worships and Traditions of their Fore-Fathers as in the Days of his Flesh when he came amongst the Pharisees Sadduces Herodians Scribes and other Sects among them and likewise all others that now have a Peace in the Earth and that are settled in it they must know that Peace taken away before they are redeemed out of the Earth and so as he taketh away that Peace such as come to learn of him and to be his Disciples and Followers his Peace he gives unto them who is the King of Peace the Prince of Peace and of Life and which is such a Peace that the World cannot take away from them And this you and all Friends every where have sufficiently known who have been and are the Learners of Christ Jesus both Men and Women that in all your Persecutions Mockings Imprisonings spoiling of Gods they could never take your Peace away which you had from this Prince of Peace Is not this true and the Scripture fulfilled in you Therefore let him have the Praises and the Glory out of all your Hearts and keep this Peace in the Vnity of the Spirit the Bond of Peace you are bound to keep it with the Spirit this Prince of Princes Peace you are all bound to keep it by the Law of Life the Law of the Spirit for Christ is the same now to day as yesterday and so for ever the same as in the Apostles Days who said Think you that I came to send Peace on Earth I tell you Nay but rather Debate For the Father shall be against the Son and the Son against the Father And the Mother against her Daughter and the Daughter against her Mother And the Daughter in Law against the Mother in Law c. Luke 12.53 And he that loveth Father or Mother more than me is not worthy of me said Christ Jesus Or he that loveth Son or Daughter more than me is not worthy of me And he that taketh not up his Cross and follows not me is not worthy of me He that will save his Life shall lose it and he that is willing to lose his Life for my sake shall save it And speaking to his Disciples said He that receiveth you receiveth me and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me Matth. 10. These things Friends have been seen and have been fulfilled and must be fulfilled for Christ is the same to day as yesterday and so for ever For have not you seen Son against the Father and Father against the Son and Mother against the Daughter and Daughter against the Mother c. And this hath been through retaining Christ who sets at Variance and so not at Peace for he doth not bring a Peace to that Nature they lived in in Old Adam And so we may see when People are convinced what Variance it maketh in a Family This hath been seen and fulfilled when a Husband is convinced or a Wife is convinced or Son or Daughter in a Family is convinced And this must be fulfilled and interprets its self in the fulfilling for he brings a Sword and War and not Peace to tha Nature they lived in and had in Old Adam before they received the Prince of Peace and te Sword of the Spirit from him to war against the other Peace which they had and so the Peace of all Religions must be broken before they come to the true Religion from above and the Peace of all Worships must be broken before they come to the worship in the Spirit and Truth the Davil is out of and the Peace of all Ways must be broken that Men and People are in before they come into the Way of Christ Jesus and the Peace of all Churches must be broken before they come to the Church which is in God and the Peace of all Fellowships must be broken before they come into the Fellowship of the Spirit and Vnity therein which is the Bond of Peace and the Peace of all Earthly Teachers must be broken who are made of Men by natural Tongues before
they come to the Heavenly Teacher and the Tongue of the learned indeed and the Peace of all Earthly Bishops and Shepherds must be broken before they come unto Christ the Bishop of the Soul and heavenly Overseer and heavenly Shepherd who feeds with his heavenly Food and so the heavenly Priest made higher than the Heavens who is holy harmless separate from Sinners breaks the Peace of the Earthly Priests and of all them that are made lower than the Heavens mischieful that are not separate from Sinners nor from Sin but hold up Sinners and prop them up and plead for Sin tearm of Life this Prince of Peace made higher than the Heavens breaks all their Peace as he did above Sixteen Hundred Years since for he is the same now as then and his Power and Spirit will make them rage still and they that confess him before Men they will rage at them still and therefore as I said keep in Christ's Power in which the Kingdom stands and not in words that you may see the fulfilling of the Scriptures and stand still in the Power which will keep you all to the Day of Salvation that are not come to it And so the Lord preserve you in his Fear and give you Wisdom from above that you may be preserved in the Vnity of the Spirit which as I said before is the Bond of Peace which is your Duty to keep the Peace of the Prince of Princes And all you that have received the Power of Christ in your Hearts have you not seen what Wars and what Rumours and Nation against Nation as it was in the two Births in the Womb that came forth two Nations two Births Nation against Nation and much may be seen what Wars outwardly there has been and bringings down before the appearance and receiving the Lord and so here he being received here 's People against People and Nation against Nation and Earthquakes and Shakings within and without They that receive the Lord's Power must feel this and know this and see the fulfilling of it and not look out for his Kingdom without like a company of Pharisees lo here lo there but as Christ the Power of God is known within as Christ said The Kingdom of Heaven is within and as they come to feel it there they shall know the Shakings and Earthquakes and Wars and Rumours and that part that partains to Nations that must be shaken before they come to be of the holy Nation which is against the other and this is to be known and seen felt and fulfilled with the Power of Christ Jesus and by his Spirit as they that live in it may take a prospect of these wonderful things and workings of the Lord God and his Power in this Age. Therefore be still in the Power of God which is your Keeper as I said before for it 's your Keeper in the Night before you come to the Day and it keeps you to the Day of Salvation for the Virgins Lamps did burn in the Night and it was their Light and they that were wise that got Oil in their Lamps entred for the Voice of the Bridegroom was at Midnight and bid them atise And so as outward Midnight is a great while off the Day-Star's arising yet here is a Lamp burning Therefore every one see that you get Oil in your Lamps that you may not go forth that you may arise at the hearing of the heavenly Voice of the Bridegroom and enter with him though Satan's Messengers have told you there is no hearing his Voice now-a-days Sad Messengers they are and have been they see who have received the true Message of the Messiah in his Power through which they see over them and see their own Foundation Christ Jesus who was the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Let this be read in your Mens and Womens Meetings and Copies kept in their Books Worcester Prison the 2d of the 7th Month 1673 G. F. To all the Womens Meetings DEar Friends This is the Day for all to take your Possessions Epist 301. that knows the Gospel the Power of God which brings Life and Immortality to Light in them I say this is the Day for all to take their Possessions of this Gospel-Order which was the Apostles Doctrine to the Church in the Primitive Times that they should keep the Comely Order of the Gospel The words are general to Men and Women and now you being Heirs of the Gospel as was said before that hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in you by which you see over the Devil that has darkned you and before he was in whom is all Disorder Therefore keep this Comely Order of the Gospel the Power of God the Everlasting Order and Gospel it will out last all other Orders in old Adam in which Order of the Gospel you have Joy you have Peace and Comfort So every one take your Possessions of this holy everlasting joyful and peaceable Gospel and Order for the Peace is in the Power of God so it is called the Gospel of Peace that keeps all in the Peace which you have from the Prince of Peace that the World cannot take away from you and likewise that you may be Heirs and Possessors of Christ and of his Government which is pure holy righteous and heavenly of the Increase of this heavenly Man's Government there is no end but there will be an end of old Adam's and the Devil 's which began in time and will end in time but there will be no end of his that was set up from Everlasting to Everlasting So all be Possessors of this heavenly Government and of this heavenly glorious and comely Order And whereas it hath been said by them which are without you must come to hear the Gospel preach'd the answer is and will be from the Possessors of the Gospel I am an Heir of the Gospel and do â—â—her it it for it is my Portion and do know it and possess it and need not thee to tell me of it and of my Portion And whereas it hath been said by them without You must come and hear Christ preach'd The answer is from the Possessors of him I have examined my self and proved my self and have found Christ Jesus in me and he rules in my Heart by Faith and I am in him and he is in me And behold ye that is as much as to say take notice all things is become new And whereas the saying has been by them that are without Why do not you come to hear the Word preach'd The answer is and will be from the Possessors of him The Word is nigh me in my my Heart and Mouth to obey it and do it and need not say to any who shall ascend to bring it down from above or who shall descend to bring it up from the Grave for I am come to the Righteousness of Faith's speaking mark Faith's speaking that saith on this wise The Word is nigh thee in thy
Heart and Mouth to obey it and do it by which Word I am born again of the Immortal Seed which lives and abides and endures for ever by which Word I have Milk to give freely to Babes and Sucklings So the Possessors have Breasts and the Possessors Breasts are not dry Glory to the Lord for ever So no more but Love and God Almighty preserve you in his Wisdom that is pure and gentle from above by which you may be all ordered and order all that you have under your Hands to his Glory And keep in the Unity of the Holy Spirit which is the Bond of Peace of the Prince of Princes Peace which is every one of your Duty to keep this heavenly Peace of the Prince of Princes which none can take away from you for you are bound with the Spirit to keep it so that your Praise may be in the Gospel that you may admonish and exhort all that does profess the Truth of the Gospel that they may walk in the Truth and as becomes the Gospel and that every one that does profess Christ Jesus and has received him may walk in him in the new and living Way out of the old Way G. F. TO all Friends that live in the Truth Epist 302. and by it are become God's Free-men and Women and by the Truth and Power of God are brought out of the Worlds vain Fashions and Customs in their Feastings and Revelings and Banquetings and Wakes and other vain Feastings where they spoil the Creatures and dishonour the Lord God more those Times and Days which they call Holy Days and Feast Days than any other Times and Days and therefore you that are brought out of such things and do see the Vanity and Folly of them and likewise you that are brought out of all the extravagant Feastings of Compannies in Corporations and of making of Feasts when the Masters of Companies are Chose and Cunstables and Head-Burroughs you see their Vanity and their Folly and Madness in their destroying of the Creatures to the Reproach of Christianity and the Dishonour of God and the Blaspheming of his Name and many times through the abusing of themselves by excess are more like Beasts than Men in these things and doings and therefore as you do see the Folly and Vanity of all such Doings in their voluptuous and vain Feastings and cannot observe their evil Customs then that vain Spirit is in a great Rage and Fury because you have and do break off Fellowship with them in all this their vain Customs And therefore you that are redeemed from these things by Christ and from the Feasting of the Rich and all other their Vanities and voluptuous Dishonouring of God therein I say to you mind and practise Christ's words as you may read in Lake 13.14 Christ saith When thou makest a Dinner call not thy Friends nor thy Brethren neither Kinfolks nor thy Rich Neighbours lest they also bid thee again and a Recompence be made thee but when thou doest make a Feast call the Poor the Maimed the Lame and the Blind and thou shalt be blessed for they cannot recompence thee again but thou shalt be recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just So here you may see how Christ ordereth thee to make a Feast or a Dinner and to whom contrary to the World and tho' it be a cross to them yet it is to be obeyed and observed and practised for it is the heavenly Man's Doctrine and Command and Will and he that doth it shall know his Doctrine and this will judge the World in their vain Feasts Dinners and Suppers which they make for the Rich for which they have selfe Reward but Christ's command being obeyed denieth self and hath the Lord's Recompence and all that call him Lord should do as the Lord commandeth and they that are his Disciples and do love him will keep his Commands for saith Christ If you love them that love you what thank have you For Sinners also loves those that love them And if you do good to them that do good to you what thank have you For Sinners also do even the same So give and it shall be given unto you Good Measure pressed down shaken together and running over into your Bosoms and the Lord is kind to the unthankful and therefore be ye Merciful as your heavenly Father is Merciful Luke 6. And therefore as you have forsaken all the World 's vain Feastings and Dinners and Suppers if so give the Blind the Lame the Maimed the Widow the Fatherless and the Poor a Feast or a Dinner and obey Christ the heavenly Man's Doctrine tho' it do cross old earthly Adam's Will and Practices and though he be angry never heed him but obey the Lord. G. F. DEar Friends Epist 303. all be Faithful in the Eternal Power of God that is over all I say keep in this Power of God that you may answer that of God in all and not that which is contrary for the Kingdom standeth in Power and in Righteousness and Joy in the Holy Ghost So that which doth not live in the Power and Righteousness and Joy in the Holy Ghost cometh not into the Kingdom So this Kingdom and Power and Righteousness and Holy Ghost in which is the Joy is over all and this Kingdom standeth not in Word but in Power So know one another in the Power and in the Spirit of God who is a Spirit know and confess Christ in his Death and Sufferings and in his Resurrection So no more but my Love in him Worcester Prison the 21st of the â—th Month 1673. G. F. To Friends in Virginia DEar Friends to whom is my Love Epist 304. I am glad to hear of the Increase of Truth amongst you and the Lord prosper his Work and increase People in his Knowledge who will fulfil his Promise That the Knowledge of the Lord shall cover the Earth as the Waters covers the Sea in the New Covenant though in the Old Covenant the Word was to Jacob and the Statutes to Israel the like was not to other Nations but the New Covenant is to all Nations Jews and Gentiles For I will give him for a Covenant of Light to the Gentiles and he shall be my Salvation to the ends of the Earth therefore he saith Look unto me all ye ends of the Earth and be ye saved And there is no Salvation by any other Name under Heaven but by the Name of Jesus which signifies a Saviour And in his Name keep your Mens and Womens and all your other Meetings that you may feel Him in the midst of you exercising his Offices as he is a Prophet which God has raised up to open to you and as he is a Shepherd who has laid down his Life for you to feed you so hear his Voice and as he is a Councellor and a Commander follow Him and his Counsel and as he is a Bishop to oversee you with his heavenly Power and Spirit
one anothers good preferring one another in the Truth And so let the true Brotherly Love continue and Kindness Affableness and Courteousness and whatsoever is Decent Comely and of a good Report in the Eyes of God and the Hearts of all good Men that to follow after and so that in your Men and Womens Meetings nothing may be seen of the old Leaven of the old Malice nor of the old Man nor hid Deeds nor his old Image nor his old Bottle may not be drank of nor his sowre Grapes eaten of for if you do it will set your Teeth on edge one against another But mind the Royal Seed Christ Jesus that makes all things new that new and Living Way a new Man after God and his Image So Children of the New Covenant having the new Leaven that leavens up onto the Love of God which edifies the Body of which Christ is Head and new Bettles full of new Wine from Christ the Vine the new Wine which makes all your Hearts glad to God and Christ and one in another To serve God with a new Heart So here is the new Heart the new Spirit the new Life in which the Living God is sered And therefore this is the Word of the Lord God to you all Let this new Way new Covenant new Man new Leaven new Wine new Life shew forth its Fruits in the new Life from the new Man So that the Fruits of the Old may not appear and that the Bond of Peace in the Vnity of the Spirit may be kept amongst you So keep in this Vnity of the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace and none to break their Peace and go into the ill Behaviour for that is out of the Spirit of God and Christ which is meek gentle c. So that the Lord God of your Lives may be Glorified in you all and above all who is over all God blessed for ever and ever London the 15th of the 3d Mouth G. F. ALL Friends that are in the Power of God Epist 312. and in his Spirit through which Spirit you pray unto God and ask in the Name of Christ Jesus which all true Prayers are to be in and the true Singing and Rejoycing is to be in the Spirit All true Worship performed in the Sptrit and the true Preaching and Ministry is to be in the Spirit for the Saints were made able Ministers of the Spirit and not of the letter Now when a Minister in the Spirit of the living God does minister Spiritual and Heavenly Things and they that receives them receives them with joy in the Assembly now he that is a Minister of the Spirit and ministers Spiritual Things and if they that receive them receive them in Sincerity with Joy and Gladness and Rejoice in the receiving of them whilst the other is ministring of them he that is a Minister of the Spirit does not judge such but Rejoyces in them that does receive them and praises God for the same And so likewise they that do Sing in the Spirit does reach to the Spirit in others whereby they have a sense that it proceedeth from the Spirit for at the Hearing of the Speech the true Minister there is Joy to all that seek and thirst after Righteousness for the preaching the Gospel is the Glad-Tidings the Joyful News and is a comfort both to Soul Body and Spirit to all that receive it in Integrily and Sincerity and they cannot but Rejoice at the Cound of the Power where it is received and they that preaches in this cannot judge such as Rejoices in the Spirit and Power and in their Souls praises God when they hear the Sound of it Oh the Everlasting Gospel the Everlasting Power of God which is Liberty where this is heard the Sound of it which is the Liberty to the Spirit to the Soul to the Creature if a Creature should praise God in his Soul in his Spirit in the very hearing of the Sound of this glorious Gospel or make a Joyful Melody the Minister of the Spirit which preaches the Glorious Gospel cannot judge such for that and say it is a confused Noise for that is the Minister of the Letter that so judges who may gather up parcels of the Letter and make a Song of that or Preachment of that to which the Gospel-Ministry of the Spirit is the Savour of Death unto Death and of Life unto Life And concerning Praying in the Spirit which Spirit make Intercession to God with Sighs and Groans that cannot be uttered Of Prayer in the Spirit Now where this Spirit is prayed in which all true Prayer is to be in it makes Intercessino through the Vails through the Clouds and thick Darkness by the Invisible Powere to the Invisible God and this prayer being made in an Assembly to the Throne of Grace and there the Assembly in their Spirits joyns in this Spirit and does make Intercession and does enter through the Vails Clouds and thick Darkness to the Throne of Grace and if some of these should praise God in a Joyful Sound with their Souls and Sprit can he that prays in the Spirit and makes Intercession therein judge them that Groans in the Spirit and feels the Intercession to the Throne of Grace No he cannot for he feels a Unity in the Spirit and set case that some do Groan and Sight when another is Praying in the Spirit that makes the Intercession easie in the Invisible Spirit to the Invisible God and Throne of his Grace which the Spirit of God operating in the Assembly makes some to Sigh and Groan being sensible of their wants and the Power has awakened such therefore can any judge such that prays in the Power and Spirit that has awakened them Nay but hears them and is glad where it stirs and so having the Mind of the Lord and makes Intercession to him by his Spirit who hears the Sighs of the Needy and Groans of the Oppressed he cannot judge such and therefore they that do judge such Sighers Prayers and such who make a joyful Melody from the Word dwelling in their Hearts they who judge such are not in the Spirit that makes Intercession and that which is contrary is to be reproved and admonished in private by them that are in the Spirit of God lest they pluck up the Wheat and Tares together and make a Confusion in the Church for God is not the Author of Confusion God the Author of Peace c. but of Peace and good Order But that Spirit which is High and Lofty and can form a Praise by words and Pray in his own Spirit will judge such Sighing Groaning Praising and Singing as before but that exalted Spirit is to be cut down with the Sword of the Spirit For if any should Sigh or Groan or Rejoyce or make a joyful Sound whe another is Praying in the Spirit of God and Ministring in the Spirit Spiritual Things this the Spirit of Error cannot bear
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
did not despise Communication with a Woman And she instructed the Priest and the King's Scribe which came to her So neither King nor Priest did despise this Propheress's Teaching and Instruction but obeyed it as you may see what a large Sermon she preached to them in 2 Kings 22. from 14 to the end And you may see Abigail that honourable Woman's Wisdom Abigail's Conduct and advice to David how she saved her FAmily and her House from DesTruction Yet she did not go to ask her Husband old churlish Nabal at home but she who was innocent and wise took it upon her self and you may see what a brave Sermon she preached to David who heard her patiently and she tole David how that he was bound up in the bundle of Life with the Lord God And David blessEd the Lord God that she come to him and said The Lord God of Israel had sent her that day to meet him and said Blessed be thy Advice and blessed be thou which hast kept me this day from shedding Blood as you may read in 1 Sam. 25th And was not this a Noble and Honourable Act of his Woman which prevented so much Evil and Blood-shed which her Husband had like to have brought upon them So David did not despise the Counsel of this honourable Woman who was wiser than her Husband Nabal And now must not the Virgins in the time of the Gospel trim their Lamps and get Oil into their own Lamps by labouring in the Grace Light and Power of Christ and keep their Lamps trimmed and always burning In the time of the Law it was Aaron the Priest's Office but in the time of the Gospel all the Virgin Minds must trim their Lamps that their Lamps may burn the clearer and to see that they have Oil in their Lamps from the heavenly Olive-Tree Christ Jesus And therefore they that would not have the Virgins and Women to be diligent serving the Lord in his heavenly Business and Service their Lamps are going out and they are become Fools and would have others like themselves And the Lord sent Elijah in the time of the Famine Widom of Zaphath's Faith and said unto him Behold I have commanded a Widow Woman to sustain thee and he arose and went to Zarephath and when he came to the Gate of the City the Widow-Woman was gathering Sticks to make a Fire to bake her a Cake who had but one handful of Meal and a little Oil in a Cruce and yet in Faith she made the Man of God a Cake though she had no more than his that she and her Son might eat and then die but her Meal wasted not nor her Cruce of Oil according to the Word of the Lord and so the Lord blessed his Woman as you may see in 1 Kings 17. And in the 2d of Kings and the 4th there you may see the Faith of the Widow-Woman and how largely she spoke unto the Prophet Elisha and how the Lord encreased her stock of Oil through her Belief and Faithfulness And Elisha passed unto Shunnim And the Shunamite Woman's Hospitality to the Prophet where there was a great Woman and she constrained him to eat Bread and so it was as oft as he passed by that he truned in thither to eat Bread and she said unto her Husband Behold now I perceive that this is a Holy Man of God which passes by us continually let us make him a little Chamber I pray thee on the Wall and let us set for him there a Bed and a Table and a Stool and a CandlesTick and it shall be that when he comes to us that he shall turn in thither Now to this good Action of this holy Woman was her Husband subject and how she was blest afterwards for her Faithfulness and receiving of the Man of God Now the Prophet of the Lord did not despise this Woman's speaking in the time of the Law Neither did Solomon despise the Prophesie his Mother taught him Prov. 31. And David said The Lord gave the Word and great was the Company of those that published it psalm 68.11 And the King's Daughter was among the honourable Women So there were the honourable Woman that feared and served the Lord God in the time of the Law and before the Law But now there should be much more in the time of the Gospel Women should be more Servicealle in the Church in the time of the Gospel than they were under the Law which is preached to every Creature which Gospel-Light has enlightned every Man that cometh into the World and in the time of the Covenant of Grace which hath appeared unto all Men to teach them and bring their Salvation And so in the time of the Gospel Light and Grace the honourable Women should be meet helps and Fellow-labourers together in the Work and Service of the Lord as Man and Woman was before they fell and as they were in the time of the Law For that honourable Deborah which was a valiant Mother in Israel Deborah a valiant Mother in Israel was a Judge and a Prophetess Judges 5. And Jephtha's Daughter was not she a vertuous young Woman and see what a Sermon she preached to her Father and said to him Jeptha's Daughter vertuous Let me go up to the Mountains to bewail my Virginity and he said unto her Go and she went and her Companions Fellow-Virgins and she said unto her Father As thou hast opened thy Mouth unto the Lord so do unto me according to what hath proceeded out of thy Mouth forasmuch as the Lord hath taken Vengeance for thee of thy Enemies And the Daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the Daughter of Jeptha Judges 11. So here they had a Yearly Meeting upon this Occasion But the Assemblies of the Women about the Works and Services the Lord commanded was beyond this And Manoah Sampson's Mother Manoah had more Faith than her Huaband unto whom the Angel of the Lord appeared and declared unto her great things which she declared unto her Husband but her Husband did not reprove her and when her was in fear that they should die then his Wife encouraged him saying If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have rceived a Brunt-Offering and heave shewed us all these things And here you may see the steadfastness of this Woman's Faith beyond her Husband 's as in Judges 13. And the Woman of Tekoah see what a Sermon she preached to King David 2 Sam. 14. And you may see what a large Sermon the Woman of the City of Abel preached unto Joab the General she told him The wise Woman of the City Abel she was one of htme that were peaceable and faithful in Israel and thou seekest to destroy a City and a Mother of Israel why wilt thou swallow up th Inheritance of the Lord So she convinced him and preserved the City And so these and such Women are recorded to Posterity for their
Wisdom and their Vertue and Zeal and their Faith as you may see in the 2d of Samuel and the 20th And what think you of Esther read her Book Faster a Nursing Mother and by her Interecssion saved the Nation of the Jews and see the Behaviour of this vertuous honourable Woman who by her Wisdom Faith and Vertue preserved her People Israel she was a Nursing-Mother to them as you may read in the Book of Esther who kept a Fast with her Maidens to the Lord and also desired Mordecai to keep a Fast in Shushan Esther 4.16 Now Awarning to Careless Women all you careless Women that are out of God's Service and think ye have no need to be in the Service and Work of the Lord hear the Word of the Lord what Isaiah says to such Arise up ye Women that are at ease hear my Voice ye careless Danghters give ear to my Speech Many days and years shall ye be troubled ye careless Women for the Vintage shall fall and the Gathering shall noit come Nor you cannot expect it in your Ease and Carelesness that neglect God's Voice and Speech and are not Diligent your heavenly Vintage will fall and of it ye will have little gathering Tremble ye Women that are at ease be troubled ye careless Ones strip ye make ye bare gird Sackcloth upon your Loins c. Isaiah 32. Therefore put off that careless Garment and shake off Sloath and put on diligence in the Service of God Now the Jews had their Assemblies of Mourning-women and therefore the Prophet calls for the Mourning-women and let them bewail says he when the Jews went into Transgression And this was because the Men and Women were not Diligent in his Service in the Power and Spirit of God which he had poured upon them And Jeremiah says Hear the Word of the Lord O ye Women and let your Ears receive the Word of his Mouth and teach your Daughters wailing and every one their Neighbours Lamentation Jer. 9.20 So here the Prophet exhorts the Women to hear the Word of God first and then to teach and exhort their Daughters and Neighbours yea Wailing and Lamentation And were they not and are they not to teach their Families and their Neighbours from the Word of the Lord both in the time of the Law and the Gospel to prevent Wailign and Lamentation And see in Ezekiel how he exhorted and what the Lord says there I will cause Leadness to cease out of the Land that all Women may be taught not to do after their Lewdness And then as they are obedient to this Teaching they will shun the Judgments that came upon the Jews which were compared to Women as in Ezek. 23. And the Assemblies of the Women did continue amongst the Jews till they went into Captivity And when Saul and David had made a great slaughter upon the Philistines A General Asembly of Women the Women came out of all the Cities of Israel mark out of all the Cities of Israel and surely this was a great Assembly of Women singing and dancing c. with Joy and with Instruments of Musick and the Women answered one another as they played and sung Praises unto God And Saul the King was not angry with the Women but at David because they ascribed so much Honour to him for they were Partakers of the Salvation of the Lord and of the Deliverance as well as the Men 1 Sam. 18.6 And so they are Partakers in the Gospel of the Deliverance over the Devil the grand Enemy of Mankind and are exhorted to praise the Lord and to make Melody in their Hearts to the Lord for their Salvation and Deliverance by Christ in the time of the Gospel as well as the Men 1 Sam. 18. And in 2 Chron. 25. there Jeremiah lamented for Josiah and all the Singing Men and Singing-Women spoke of Josiah in their Lamentation So here was not only Singing-Men but Singing-Women which did not only Sing but Lament for this good Man Josiah And in the days of Ezra after the Jews returned from their Captivity to their Land there were Two Hundred Singing-Men and Singign-Women uEzra 2. And in Neh. 7. Women assistants to the Men in the Worship of God under the Law where the Priest stood up with Vrim and Thummim that is Light and Perfection they had Two Hundred and Forty Five Singing-Men and Singing-Women So these were incouraged by the Priests according to David and Solomon's Order and these were besides the Assemblies of the Women about Works and Services in the Holy Things for these sung Praises to God And in Zeph. 3. he saith Sing ye Daughters of Zion shout and rejoyce with all thy Heart ye Daughters of Jerusalem the Lord hath taken away thy Judgment c. the Lord is in the midst of thee thou shalt see Evil no more And in Zach. 2. he encourageth them to Sing and Rejoyce Oh Daughter of Zion for lo I come and I will dwell in the migst of thee saith the Lord. So here is great cause for the Daghter of Zion to rejoyce and who shall stop her Mouth And in Luke 1. you may see how the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Mary the Mother of Jesus and what he said to her and what a Noble Veruous Mind was in her and she said unto the Angel Behold the Handmaid of the Lord be it unto me according to thy Word so her Belief was beyond Zachariah's the Priest And when Mary came unto Elizabeth what a Meeting and Salu. Mary the Mother of our Lord and her Cousin Elizabeth's Meeting c. tation wat there and how she was filled with the Holy Ghost and the Babe leaped in her Womb and she praised the Lord God and called her the Mother of her Lord. Read from the 40th to the 57th verse and see how she extols the Lord and magnifies Christ Jesus for here was a Heavenly Meeting of these two which is chronicled to Ages So you may see her Belief was above Zachariah's the Priest So Mary and Elizabeth were notable Preachers of Christ Jesus And you may see in Luk. 2.7 how Mary wrapped Christ in Swadling-Cloaths and how tender she was of the Heavenly Birth conceived by the Holy Ghost And so must all true and tender Christians that receive him in the Spirit and how she kept all the Sayings that were spoken of Christ and pondered them in her Heart ver 19. And so should every true Christian And there was Anna a Prophetess Annah spoke of Christ in the Temple which was Eighty Four Years old who departed not from the Temple but served God with Fasting and Prayer Night and Day and she gave thanks unto the Lord and spoke of Christ unto all that looked for Redemption in Israel she spoke of Christ Here was a notable old Woman of Eighty Four Years of Age a Preacher and Declarer of Christ And you do not read that ever any despised her or said it
Pattern of Vertue and of Fruitfulness and Faithfulness and Valour and Practice in the Lord's Work and such their Children will rise up and call her blessed Many Daughters have done Vertuously says he but this Woman excelleth them that is the Nurse of them And now Friends many of other Examples in the Scriptures might be shewed to encourage Womens Meetings in the Service of God and Christ both concerning their Faithful Testimony for the Lord and Christ and their Encouragement by the Faithful in the Old and New Testament how that they had their Assemblies and their Meetings and now they being Heirs of Life and of Grace and of the Gospel of Christ which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light you may see over him that has darkned you and before he was Therefore this Gospel the Power of God which is the Everlasting Orderer is to keep you in Life and in Immortality that you may be meet helps in the Power and Image of God to the Men as Man and Woman was in before they fell So to administer of the Heavenly and Temporal Refreshments to such as want it and to stand up for your Liberty in the Light and Life and Grace and Glorious Gospel being Heirs of Life and Grace and of the Gospel of Salvation and of Christ Jesus as well as the Men. So that all Males and Females are one in Christ Jesus who is the First and Last and over all from Everlasting to Everlasting your Everlasting Joy Peace and Happiness And if there was no Scripture for our Men and Womens Meetings Christ is sufficient who Restores Man and Woman up into the Image of God to be helps meet in the Righteousness and Holiness as they were in before they fell So He is our Rock and Foundation to Build upon Wisdom she hath sent forth her Maidens she cryeth upon the high places of the City Who so is simple let him turn in hither as for him that wanteth Vnderstanding she saith to him come eat of my Bread and drink of my Wine which I have mingled forsake the Foolish and live and grow in the Way of Vnderstanding Here you may see the Wisdom of God sends forth Maidens * True Ministers who are Chast to Christ though the Wisdom of the World will not receive them that makes Ministers by their Wisdom and such as will not receive Wisdom will not receive her Maidens Prov. 9.1 2 3. The Lord faith I will pour out upon David and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of Grace and of Supplication and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced and mourn c. In that Day there shall be great Mourning the House of David apart and their Wives apart the House of Nathan apart and their Wives apart the House of Levi apart and their Wives apart the Family of Shimei apart and their Wives apart all the Families that remain every Family apart and their Wives apart Zach. 12.10 And this would be Madness to all them that are not in that Spirit but here every one hath the Sense of Christ whom they have pierced in the Spirit which is poured upon them but the Hard-hearted are not sensible Marshgrainge the 16th of the 9th Month 1676. G. F. To all the Men and Womens Meetings that are gathered in the Name of Jesus Several Scripture Testimonies to the Saints Practices Wherein all may see the Practice of the holy Men and Women of God in their Services in the Church of Christ and what good Works and Practices and Services they exhorted unto as followeth as you may see both in the Old and New Testament which is the Duty of all True Christians to follow WHO gave himself for us Epist 321. that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good works Titus 2.14 The Woman wrought a good work upon Christ as he saith Mat. 26.10 Paul saith to the Church of the Collossians Being fruitful in every good work and encreasing in the knowledge of God Col. 1.10 And that you may be established in every good word and work Incouragement to good Works 2 Thess 2.17 She to wit a Widow well reported for her good Works 1 Tim. 5.6 10. That the Church which believe in God might be careful to maintain good works these things are good and profitable to Men Tit. 3.8 And let ours also to wit the Church of Christ learn to maintain good works for necessary uses that they may not be unfruitful This says Paul to Titus and to the Church Tit. 3.14 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works Heb. 10.24 That they do good that they be rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate for God giveth us all things to enjoy 1 Tim. 6.17 18. But to do good and to communicate forget not for with such Sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.16 As God hath distributed to every Man Distributious for the Plor and as the Lord hath called every one so let him walk and so ordain I in all Churches 1 Cor. 7.17 And Paul exhorts the Church of the Romans to their distributing to the necessity of the Saints and of being given to Hospitality Rom. 12.13 And to make Contribution for the poor Saints that were at Jerusalem which the Apostle Paul mentions to the Romans Chap. 15.26 Only that we should remember the Poor the same which I also was forward to do said the Apostle to the Church at Galatia Gal. 2.10 If any Man minister let him do it as of the ability which God hath given him that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praises and dominion for ever and ever Amen 1 Pet. 4.11 And let us not be weary in well-doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not as we have therefore opportunity let us do good unto all Men especially to the Houshold of Faith Gal. 6.9 10. And whatsoever you do in word or deed do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus and whatsoever ye do do it heartily as unto the Lord knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the Reward of the Inheritance for ye do serve the Lord Christ Col. 3.17 23 24. Therefore to him that knoweth how to do good and doth it not it is to him Sin James 4.17 He that hath pity on the Poor Compassion to the Poor lendeth unto the Lord and that which he hath given will he pay him again Prov. 19.17 And you may see such as were careful to hearken unto the Voice of the Lord God and to obey and keep his Commandments for the Lord thy God will bless thee as he hath promised Thou shalt lend unto many Nations and thou shalt not borrow c. Deut. 15.5 6. For the Lord shall open unto thee his good Treasure the Heaven to give thee Rain unto thy Land in his season and to bless all the works
Lord is good to all and his tender Mercies are over all his works Psalm 145.8 9. The Righteous considereth the Cause of the Poor but the wicked regardeth not to know it to wit the Cause of the Poor what Condition they are in And consider the Poor Prov. 29.7 And if thy Brother be waxen poor and fallen in decay with thee then shalt thou relieve him yea though he be a Stranger or a Sojourner that he may live with thee Lev. 25.35 The Poor is hated even of his Neighbour but the Rich hath many Friends but he that is merciful to the Poor happy is he Prov. 14. 20 21. He that oppresseth the Poor reproaches his Maker but he that honoureth him to wit his Maker hath Mercy on the Poor Prov. 14.31 Whoso mocks the Poor reproaches his Maker Prov. 17.5 Whoso stops his Ears at the Cry of the Poor he also shall cry himself but shall not be heard Prov. 21.13 The Lord maketh Poor and maketh Rich he bringeth low and lifteth up I Sam. 2.7 Therefore I command thee thou shalt open thy Hand wide unto thy Brother to thy Poor and to thy Needy in the Land saith the Lord Deut. 15.11 The Poor useth Entreaties but the Rich answereth roughly Prov. 18.23 Here you may see what Care the Lord lays upon his People to look after the Poor Widows and Fatherless both in the time of the Law and in the time of the Gospel and how that they should obey him in his Commands the Lord God who created all and gives the encrease of all and gives Man and Woman good things both Temporal and Spiritual to do good withal So the Lord is to be obeyed and his Truth is to be practised and the pure Religion that in undefiled before God and the Father is above all Religions in the World And this Religion is To visit the Widows and Fatherless in their Affliction Of the pure unspotted Religion and to keep himself unspotted from the World mark unspotted from the World And this Religion is above the Papists that must have a Purgatory to wash off their Spots of the World and above those Potestants that plead they must have a Body of Death and Sin to the Grave with which they are spotted like Leopards And these are the Religions of the World and are not the pure and undefiled Religion before God and the Father and their Fatherless and Widows in their Afflictions are not visited as they ought to be And therefore you who are come to be of this Pure Religion that is undefiled before God and the Father and do visit the Widows and Fatherless in their Afflictions and do keep your selves unspotted from the World you are of the Religion that was not set up by Man but by Christ and his Apostles above Sixteen Hundred Years since by which you see over all the Religions set up since and see therefore that you practise it And Job said If I did despise the Cause of my Man-Servant Not to despise the Cause of the Poor or of my Maid-Servant when they contended with me what then shall I do when God shall arise and when he visiteth what shall I answer him See the Care of this patient Man Is not this for all the true Christians to practise Job 31. ver 13 14 15. And saith Job Did not he that made me in the Womb make him and did not one fashion us in the Womb Verse 15. And if I have with-held the Poor from their Desire or have caused the Eyes of the Widow to fail or have eaten my Morsel my self alone and the Fatherless have not eaten thereof for from my youth he was brought up with me as with a Father and I have guided her to wit the Widow from my Mother's Womb If I have seen any perish for want of Clothing or any poor without Covering if his Loins have not blessed me But to relieve the oppressed and the stranger and if he were not warmed with the Fleece of my Sheep if I have lift up my Hand against the Fatherless when I saw my Help in the Gate then let mine Arm fall from my Shoulder-blade and mine Arm be broken from the Bone The Stranger did not lodge in the Street but I opened my Doors for the Traveller Job 31. Did not I weep for him that was in Trouble was not my Soul grieved for the Poor Now here ye may all see the Actions and Practice of this Man by his practising the pure Religion So it is not a Talk but a walking in it as you may see in Job 30 31 Chapters And blessd is he that considereth the Poor the Lord will deliver him in time of Trouble Psalm 41.1 Now all you that profess God and Christ see how you walk in the Steps of these good Men and Women and not only to talk as they did but do and practise as they did for it is not every one that saith Lord Lord enters the Kingdom but be that doth what he commands And Christ saith Ye call me Lord and Master and ye say well for so I am and if I then your Lord and Master have washed your Feet Of Self-denial ye also ought to wash one another's Feet For I have given you an Example that ye should do as I have done unto you And if ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them John 13.17 And Christ saith Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of my Father which is in Heaven Matth. 7.21 So all People may see by Christ's own Words that their Saying and Speaking of God and Christ and his Prophets and Apostles signifies nothing except they Do his Will that is Practise it and be obedient to what be commands and requires G. F. To Friends in Cumberland DEar Friends Epist 332. Who are gathered in the Name of Jesus by whom all things were made and created who upholds all things by his Word and Power To be faithful in Sufferings and gives the increase of all things the Earth is his and the fulness thereof And therefore let your Minds and Hearts be with the Lord and your Care cast upon him And though the Lord is pleased now to try you and to exercise you in Sufferings and permits your Persecutors to spoil your Goods or cast you into Prison to try whether your Minds be in him or in the outward things he gives you Yet let not visible things separate you from the Love of God in Christ Jesus nor no Persecutions amaze you nor separate your Minds from the Love of God For all things shall work together for Good to them that love God for the Love of God bears all things and suffer all things and they that spoil the Goods of the Innocent and cast them into Prison for serving and worshipping of God the Lord fees it and beholds it and so leave them to
Seed of God and feedeth upon the Milk of this everlasting Word which liveth and abideth and endureth for ever and was in the beginning by which Word you have Wisdom and Salvation by which Wisdom all God's Children are justified The Lord God in his Immortal Power preserve you out of all Evil and out of the Earth and over your Enemies within and without in his everlasting Seed Christ that is over all to his Glory for ever Amen G. F. To Friends at Dantzick DEar Friends Epist 336. in the Love of God and the Lord Jesus Christ look above all your outward Sufferings and him that is out of Truth that makes you to suffer and let nothing separate you from the Love of God which you have in Christ Jesus by whom all things were made Not to be moved from the true Foundation Christ Jesus I say let not the Birth of the Flesh with all his carnal Weapons Goals and Prisons Threats or Reproaches move you nor separate you from the Love of God nor from your Foundation the Rock of Ages Christ Jesus But feel the Well of Life springing up in you to nourish the Plant that God has planted in you of his Renown that that may grow up within his Hedge his Power which will keep out the Devil and all the Venomous Beasts from entring into God's Garden or Kingdom And therefore let your Faith stand in the Lord's Power which is your Hedge and Defence and which is your Keeper and will keep you safe that you need not be afraid of your Enemy your Adversary for the Lord's Power is over his Head and you within his Power then nothing can get betwixt you and God and in the Power of the Lord is the City set upon his Hill where the Light shines and the heavenly Salt is and the Lamps burning and Trumpets sounding forth the Praise of God of the Eternal Joy in his Eternal Word of Life that lives and abides and indures for ever And so to the Praise and Glory of God you may bring forth fresh and green Fruit being grafted into the green Tree that never withers Oh be valiant for God's Glory and his Truth upon the Earth To be valiant for the Truth and spread it abroad and spread it abroad answering that of God in every Man and Womans Conscience knowing him that hath brought Everlasting Peace into the Earth So that the Songs of Salvation may be in your Mouths for it is said With the Heart Man believes and with the Mouth Confession is made to Salvation So every true Believer will confess to Christ his Salvation their Way Light and Life out of Death and Darkness their Prophet to open to them their Shepherd to feed them and their Bishop to oversee them their Captain and Commander to command and to lead them their Counsellor for to counsel them and their Priest who hath offered himself for them and also sanctifies them and offers them up to God To whom be all Praise and Golory for ever Amen I writ something to the Magistrates which is in Print in England which if you have it not to give them you may send into Holland and let it be translated into your Language and given to them and spread it up and down in your Country And as for Truth in this Part of the World and in America Truth prospers it prospers and spreads and goes on and by it many Men and Women are made God's Free Men and Women being redeemed from him that is out of Truth that they may serve God in the New Life in Christ Jesus out of the Old Life in Adam in the Fall and so come to live in the heavenly Vnity Wisdom Love and Dominion So in that Love that bears all things and keeps your Hearts Minds and Souls up to God which comes from God through which you come to love God and Christ and one another in that live and dwell Swarthmore the 17th of the 3d Month 1676. G. F. To Friends in Holland DEar Friends To whom is my Love in the Seed of Life Epist 337. that bruises the Head of the Seed of Death and through him you have all Life Eternal who is the Foundation of the Prophets and the Apostles and all God's People in all Ages their Rock to build upon that will stand the Waves of the Sea and all Storms and foul Weather who is the Horn of your Salvation to push down all that stands in your way to God and to push down him that has led Man and Woman from God So that you may all sing of your Rock and the Horn of your Salvation as the Holy Ones did in Ages past and Christ who is your Foundation the Lamb of God who hath been slain from the Foundation of the World Christ overcame the World and is ascended far above all things but now he has overcome the World and is risen and ascended far above all Principalities Powers Thrones and Dominions and is razing down to the Ground the World's Foundation from which Foundation he has been slain and is setting up himself the Living and Everlasting Foundation for all his to build upon and therefore because the World and its Foundation Christ is razing down they are are offended and angry and the Heathen Rage and take Counsel against the anointed but it 's to no purpose for he will shake the Foundation of all false Religions Ways Worships Churches and Teachers and will make the Pillars of them to totter and they must be at their wits end before they see another Foundation for God shook down the Four Monarchies the great Empires of the World and scattered them abroad with his Wind as the Chaff of the Summer Floor all those great Persecutors and the little Stone that 's cut out of the Mountain without Hands The Stone out of the Mountain without Hands c. that no earthly Man has the glory of is becoming a great Mountain and will fill the whole Earth Glory to God for ever and it will dash down all Mens Glory and Pride let them soar as high as Nebuchadnezzar and shelter as many under them as he did in their Sects that he may make them to know that the most High rules in the Kingdom of Men and that his Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom And therefore all Friends that know the Light which is the Life in Christ be faithful in the Truth and spread it abroad answering the Light of Christ in every one for Christ bid his Disciples go preach the Gospel unto all Nations And since that was done are many gathered into the Fellowship and Order of it but since the World has worshipped the Beast and given their Glory and Honour to him instead of God and Christ which Beast is out of Truth and had his Power from the Dragon and the Whore which all Nations has drunk of her Cup and she has rid upon the Beast and now the Everlasting Gospel must
be preached again to all Nations Tongues and People that dwell upon the Earth So all Nations hath been darkned from Life and Immortality and now the Gospel which is the Power of God brings Life and Immortality to light again that they may come to see over him that has darkned them and before he was and such comes into the City of the heavenly Jerusalem and drinks of the Waters of Life freely And therefore all live and walk in the Light in which you have Fellowship and Vnity To live in Vnity Peace and Love which edifies and be at Peace among your selves and in Love which edifies and bears all things for this is that which passes Knowledge and keeps in the Humility of Christ Jesus So my desires are That you may all spread and grow in the Vine for the Lord hath a great People to come out in those Parts which I saw in 1651. And therefore Labour in God's Power that you may increase your heavenly Treasure and enter into the Joy of the Lord. And so with my Love to all in the Truth that walk and live in it that by it they may be made God's Free-men Swarthmore the 2d of the 7th 1676. G. F. To Friends in Maryland and Virginia MY Dear Friends Epist 338. be Valiant for the Truth and the Power of it in the Spirit and Faith of Jesus and let no one take your Crown for the Saints overcame by the Blood of the Lamb and the Testimony of Jesus and so fear not the Wrath of Man but fear the Lord and keep your Men and Womens Meetings in the Name of Jesus in whose Name you have Salvation Life and Peace so that all may be in the Vine bringing forth heavenly Fruit to the Glory of God and so feel his Banner of Love over you and you sitting under the Shadow of the Almighty and look over that which maketh to suffer to that which was before it was and know your Faith to stand in the Seed that bruiseth the Head of it which Seed Christ is your Rock and Foundation who will raze down the Foundation of the World of Wickedness from which Foundation the Lamb hath been slain but he is risen and hath overcome the World and hath the Victory Glory to the Lord God and the Lamb for ever Amen And in him you have the Victory and do overcome and they that do overcome From which Foundation in Christ we have the Victory shall eat of the hidden Manna and shall go no more forth into the barren World of Wickedness but feed in the fruitful Land of the Living and their Feet shall be set in a sure Place and beautiful are the Feet of those that publish Peace and glad Tiding and that says in Truth and Righteousness to Zion Thy God reigneth Who is a consuming Fire to the Wicked and the Joy of the Lord if strength to the Righteous So serve the Lord in the Newness of Life for the Lord is dishonoured in the Old Life of Wickedness and keep the Vnity of the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace which no Man can take away So with my Love to you all in the Everlasting Seed that changeth not G. F. ALL my Dear Friends and Brethren every where Epist 339. in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ your Lord and Saviour Life and Peace To live and walk in Christ live and walk in the Lamb which hath the Victory and so in the Humility of Christ which you have learned of him and in Patience with which you run the Race and obtain the Crown of Immortal Life and in the Love of God all dwell which will warm all your Hearts and knit and unite you together and build you up a Holy Temple for the Lord And his Love will keep and carry you above all things to the Glory of God And this Love will enable you to bear all things what-ever wicked Men can do unto you or what the Lord may try you withal So let your Faith be in the invisible God and his Son who is able to succour you and save you to the uttermost who is over all King Immortal Invisible the only wise God blessed for ever Amen So God Almighty establish you all upon this Holy Rock and Foundation Christ Jesus who is the same to day as yesterday and so for ever who was all the Holy Men and Womens Foundation who is the First and the Last the Beginning and Ending the Saints Mediator and Peace-Maker between them and God Their Joy and Rejoycing is in him their Everlasting Joy the Amen blessed for ever So with my Love in the Lord Jesus Christ unto you all in whom I have laboured and among you Swarthmore the 19th of the 12th Month 1676. G. F. To Friends in New Jersey in America MY Dear Friends in New Jersey and you that go to New Jersey Epist 340. My desire is that you may all be kept in the Fear of God and that you may have the Lord in your Eye in all your Undertakings For many Eyes of other Governments or Colonies will be upon you yea the Indians to see how you order your Lives and Conversations And therefore let your Lives and Words and Conversations be as becomes the Gospel that you may adorn the Truth and honour the Lord in all your Undertakings Let that only be in your Eye Honour God in all Vndertakings and then you will have the Lord's Blessing and increase both in Basket and Field and Store House and at your lyings down you will feel him and at your goings forth and comings in So that you may answer the Light and the Truth in all People both by your godly Lives and Conversations Serving the Lord and being valiant for his Truth with a joyful Heart upon the Earth and the Glorious Name in whom you have Salvation And keep up your Meetings for Worship and your Men and Womens Meetings for the Affairs of Truth both Monthly and Quarterly And after you are settled you may join together and build a Meeting-House And do not strive about outward things but dwell in the Love of God for that will unite you together and make you kind and gentle one towards another and to seek one anothers Good and Welfare and to be helpful one to another and see that nothing be lacking among you then all will be well And let Temperance and Patience Temperance Patience and Brotherly Love be exercised and Kindness and Brotherly Love be exercised among you so that you may abound in Vertue and the true Humility living in Peace shewing forth the Nature of Christianity that you may all live as a Family and the Church of God holding Christ your heavenly Head and he exercising his Offices among you and in you and hold him the Head by his Light Power and Spirit and that will keep your Minds over the Earthly Spirit up to God for the Earth and the Sea and all things
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
have the Life and the Truth which Death and Darkness cannot get into which is out of the Truth tho' they may talk of the Words of the Truth but keep in the pure Religion that was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years ago and this pure Religion which is undesiled before God will keep you from the Spots of the World and above all the spotted and dirty Religions that are not pure but are defiled before and in the sight of God And in this Religion in your Mens and Womens Meetings that are in the Gospel of Christ and in the Order of it you will see that nothing is lacking being ordered by the holy pure peaceable and gentle Wisdom of God from above and so keep in the Worship of God in the New Covenant in the Spirit and in the Truth which the Devil that foul Spirit who is out of the Truth cannot get into nor his Company And so in the Seed of Life which bruiseth the Head of the Serpent all dwell and sit down who is the Amen the First and Last in whom you have Peace with God and then nothing can get between you and the Lord God G. F. To the Yearly Meeting in Yorkshire MY Friends Epist 350. In the Service and in the Work of the Lord Jesus Christ the Second Adam in his Power Light and Truth live over Death and Darkness and him that is out of the Truth So all in the Seed that bruises the Serpent's Head stand up for God's Glory and Honour All to walk as becomes the Gospel in which Seed you are all one Male and Female and in which Seed you all have Peace and Vnity that is Everlasting And in this heavenly Seed see that all walk as becometh the glorious Gospel of Christ Jesus which hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel by which you do see over him that hath darkened you And this Gospel the Power of God will keep you in Life and in Immortality in which you may all see your Work and Service for the Lord God in Holiness and in Righteousness and in Godliness that the Lord God may be glorified in you all and among you all who is over all blessed for ever Amen And Friends see that all your Children and Families be trained up in the New Covenant of Grace and in Life and Peace and circumcised and baptized with the Spirit That Families be seasoned with Truth that they may all eat of the Spiritual Food and drink into one Spirit in the New Covenant and to feed upon the Substance as the Jews did on the Shadows in the Old which faded away And the Power of God the Gospel is the Authority of your Mens and Womens Meetings and every Heir of the Gospel is to Labour in their Inheritance and Possession in the Restoration into the Image of God in Righteousness and Holiness being made by Christ that never fell helps meet in the Restoration as they were before the Fall who is the First and Last the Foundation and Rock of Ages in him sit down in Life and Peace and Rest the Amen that nothing may get between you and the Lord God and see that nothing be lacking among you then all is well So with my Love in the Lord Jesus Christ London the 3d of the 4th Month 1678. G. F. FRiends Know what the Lord doth require of you Epist 351. and all have a Sense of that in your selves that he doth require which is to do Justly and to love Mercy and to walk humbly with God Now the Lord who is Merciful and Just Holy and Righteous Pure and Perfect he doth require The Lord requireth but in propoation to what he giveth That Man and Woman should do Justly and Righteously and live Godlily and Holily by the Holy Light and Spirit and Truth and Grace that the Lord hath given every Man and Woman to profit withal And so to answer the Holy Pure Righteous Just God of Truth in all their Lives and Words and Conversations and so to glorifie him upon the Earth And the more the Lord gives the more he requireth and the less that he giveth the less he requireth But the Lord requireth of every Man and Woman as he giveth who will judge the World in Righteousness by the Man Christ Jesus according to the Gospel the Power of God that is preached to every Creature under Heaven that is according to the invisible Power manifesting that there is something of the invisible Power of God in every Man and Woman So here the Lord Jesus Christ doth not Judge according to the hearing of the Ear and to the seeing of the Eye for with Righteousness shall he Judge you according to the Light which is the Life in the Word Christ with which he doth enlighten every Man that cometh into the World to the Salvation of them that believe in it and the Condemnation of them that do hate it and that will not receive the Gospel nor the Grace which bringeth Salvation which hath appeared to all Men but walk despitefully against the Spirit of Grace and iurn it unto Wantonness So according to his Grace and Light and Gospel will the righteous God Judge the World in Righteousness by Christ the Heavenly and Spiritual Man who hath died for the Sins of the World though they deny him that bought them and tasted Death for every Man Such deserve his Judgment Send this abroad among Friends to be read in their Meetings Swarthmore the 11th Month 1678. G. F. An Epistle to Friends to keep in the Power of God in their Peaceable Habitations over all the Troubles of the World ALL my Dear Friends and Brethren Epist 352. who are gathered by the Light Grace and Truth and Power and Spirit of Jesus Christ to him the Head over all by whom were all things created the First-born of every Creature and the First-begotten from the dead know him and the Power of his Resurrection that you all may be Partakers of it and of Life Everlasting and may sit together in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus who is over all the First and Last and in him you have Peace who is not of this World for in this World there is trouble and the World did and doth hate Christ The World hated Christ before it hated them yea and his Light Grace Truth Power and Spirit and therefore it is no marvel if the World do hate Christ's Members that do follow him in his Light Grace Truth Power and Spirit and so with it receive him into them their Life and Salvation and so he that hath the Son of God hath Life who is the Fountain that filleth all that wait upon him with his heavenly Blessings and Riches of Life from Christ the Rock and Foundation that cannot be shaken though the Rocks and Foundations of the World may be shaken and cloven in pieces and the Pillars of the Earth may reel and stagger and all
Living and the Leaves thereof heal the Nations And this Tree stands in the midst of God's Garden who saith In the midst of thy Church will I sing Praise The Eyes of People are upen it which are living Stones a spiritual Houshold of Faith Elect and Precious the Church of the living God written in Heaven so Holiness becomes the House of the Lord. And therefore the Lord doth require more from Friends than all other People because he hath given more to them and so all People do expect more from Friends than all other People in answering that of God in them all in truth and in Righteousness Holiness and Godliness for ye are the Lights of the World and the Salt of the Earth to season it So all must glorifie the Lord God in their Lives and Conversations with their Bodies Spirits and Souls which are Christ's who has bought them and cleansed them with his Blood and the pure Water of his Word who makes them sanctified Vessels of his Mercy for his Glory therefore none must dishonour the Lord. And therefore my Desires are that you may all be valiant for the Truth upon the Earth and keep up all your Men and Womens Meetings in the Lord's Power the Gospel which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light and it will preserve you in Life and Immortality over hom that hath darkned you and in this all will see their Works and Services for the Lord God and his Son Christ Jesus in that which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light in which Gospel is an Everlasting Perfect Fellowship and Order which will stand when all others are gone all the Saints that do enjoy this cannot but Praise the Lord and sing Praises to him for ever and ever Amen The Apostle saith If any Man be in Christ he is a new Creature old things are passed away behold all things are become new 2 Cor. 5.17 So they that are in Christ are new Creatures and they that are in old Adam are old Creatures and are in their old Things old Ways old Worships Old things done away and old Religions and have the old Garments and the old Bottles that hold the old Wine and cannot endure the new and have the old rusty moth-eaten Treasure And they that are in Christ the heavenly and spiritnal Second Adam who maketh all things new are new Creatures and spiritual Men and are heavenly-minded and are new Bottles that hold the new Wine and the new heavenly Treasure and have the new Cloathing the fine Linnen the Righteousness of Christ and are in the New and Living Way over all the dead Ways and they are in the New Worship which Christ set up above Sixteen hundred Years ago which is in the Spirit and in the Truth in which Holy Spirit and Holy Truth the Holy God is worshipped And this was new to both Jews and Gentiles and is new to all the Apostate Christians who are not in the Holy Spirit and Truth that the Apostles were in And this new Creature in Christ hath a new Religion which is pure and undefiled The new Creature bath the pure Religion and keepeth from the spots of the World And this Religion is new to the Jews and Gentiles and all the apostatized Christians that plead for a Body of Death and Sin to the Grave and a Purgatory when they are dead And they that be in Christ are new Creatures and they have a new Head who is the Head of all things the First born of every Creature and the Frist-begotten from the dead who is alive and liveth for evermore who bruiseth the Serpent's Head who hath made things old but Christ maketh all things new and they tht be in him are new Creatures and they that be out of Christ are the old Creatures in Old Adam and these old Creatures are doting about their old things and their old Bottles old Wine old Garments and are doting about their old Ways old Religions and old worships and persecuting one another with their old Carnal Weapons these old Creatures which dote about their old Worships Religions and Ways so that one old Creature falleth out with another old Creature so that these old doting Creatures in Old Adam out of Christ the Second Adam do wrestle with Flesh and Blood about their old Ways Religions and Worships And these old doting Creatures which be out of Christ the Saviour do destroy one another about their old Ways Worships Religions and Churches And these old Creatures that be out of Christ the Head are monstrous Bodies without a Head till that they have made one and then the old Creatures set it upon their Body which Head as they do think doth pardon their Sins and when this their Head is fallen off their Body then they do make another and set it on their old Creature 's Body But they that are in Christ are new Creatures And Christ is their Redeemer c. and Christ is their Head who is their Redeemer Sanctisier and Saviour who is alive and liveth for evermore and walk in Christ the Second Adam who is Heavenly and spiritual And the old Creatures out of Christ their Walk is in old Adam who are Natural and Carnal and so are their Weapons and Armour that they defend their old Ways Church Religion and worship with they are Carnal and not Spiritual by which they kill one another and the old Creatures do study or dote which way they may destroy or imprison persecute or banish spoil or torture the Righteous or new Creatures in Christ And they that be in Christ are new Creatures their Weapons and Armour are Spiritual and they do not wrestle with Flesh and Blood but Spiritual Wickedness and Rulers of Darkness in high Places and bring down Imaginations and high Thoughts as Christ whom those new Creatures are in teacheth them who saith that He came not to destroy Mens lives but to save them and rebuked such as would have had Mens Lives destroyed and told them that they did not know what Spirit they were of So it is clear that the old Creatures that be out of Christ which destroy Mens Lives about their old Ways Churches Religions and their old Worships do not know what Spirit they are of and although they do not know what Spirit they are of whether it be a good spirit or a bad one yet People must conform to that Way Religion Worship and Church that this old Creature that is out of Christ hath set up or else he will persecute them or destroy their Lives They that do Persecute for Rcligion are ignorant what Spirit they are of though Christ saith They do not know what Spirit they are of And is not this hard to conform to that which the old Creatures have made and set up which do not know their own Spirits nor what Spirit they bd of And therefore were not those Doctrines Ordinances Traditions and Rudiments of the World the old Creatures who
his Epistles And therefore how Careful were the true Apostles of the Saints in their Watching over them For John said If ye walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we Fellowship one with another And that ye also may have Fellowship with us for truly our Fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ And these things write we unto you that your Joy may be full For many may talk of the Light and preach the Light Those that walk in the Light are accepted but to walk in the Light that is it which grafts into Christ Jesus and brings to live in him which talking of him doth not And as the Apostle said As every one hath received Christ Jesus so walk in him And the Sayers of the Word and not the Doers deceived their own Souls So there may be many Sayers of the Word deceivers of their own Souls and others and Preachers of Christ Jesus But the Doers of the Word and the Walkers in Christ Jesus are they that are accepted of the Lord. And again as the Apostle saith The Word of Faith was nigh them in their Hearts and Mouths to obey it and do it and that was the Word of Faith which they preached And the Light shined in their Hearts to give them the knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Christ Jesus And the anointing which you have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any Man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you all things that is true and is no Lye and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him And these things I have written unto you saith the Apostle concerning them that seduce you So here may all the inward Christians in the Grace Light Truth Power and Spirit of Christ Jesus see what the Apostles exhorted the Saints unto that they might be preserved in their Day and so by the sme now from them that deceived their own Souls and othes And so by this Light The Anointing the Saiats Guide this Word the Anointing Grace Truth power and Spirit of Jesus Christ in the Heart Mind and Soul must all the Saints be guided now by which they may come to be inward Christians and have a Habitation in Christ Jesus and so built upon Him the Living Rock and Roundation as the Saints were in the Apostles Days and so to have Salt in your selves and the Leaven in your own Meal and the Pearl in your own Field and yuor Lamps lighted in your own Tabernacles and nourished with the heavenly Oil. So that you may put a Difference betwixt the Clean and the Unclean and what you are to touch and whaat you are not And that no Man or Woman may look below Heaven for their Bread tonourish their Souls and inward Man and below God and Christ for their Springs which by continuing in the Light which is the Life in Christ the Word by which all things were made and created they shall have a Spring from him the Fountain springing up in them to Eternal Life so they shall have both the upper and nether Springs to nourish the Plant that God hath planted And such as came out of Egypt with Moses and after rebelled against the Lord and Moses and the Law and the Prophets were a greater Grief to Moses and the Prophets than the Heathen And likewise Apostates both under the Law and the Gospel the greatest Exercises to the Servants of God those that came to be Christians called and had got the Form of Godliness came to be a greater Grief to the Apostles than the World for their Work was to seek to destroy that which the Apostle had begotten and them that they had turned to Christ And therefore well might the Apostle exhort the Saints to turn away from such that had the Form of Godliness and denied the Power and therefore he told the Saints The Kingdom of Heaven stands not in Words but in Power and therefore they were to know one another in the Spirit and Power and that is the Internal Knowledge And their Fellowship was to be in the Holy Ghost and their Unity in the Spirit which was the Bond of Peace and their Fellowship was to be inthe Gospel which was the Power of God So an Everlasting Fellowship in the Everlasting Power of God that will out-last the Power of Darkness for it was before it was And also their Vnity was to be in the precious Divine Faith which Christ was the Author and Finisher of the Mystery of which was held in a pure Conscience and their Worship was in the Spirit of God and in Truth So you may see what a Heavenly Unity and Fellowship and a Worship Christ and the Apostles set up And the Saints in the Light Grace Truth Spirit and the Power of God the Gospel lived in it and walked in it So with the Light Grace Truth Power Spirit and Word of Life in the Heart all hold Christ the Head who is the Head of all thigs by whom all things were made who is the Treasure of the heavenly saving Wisdom and Knowledge who is called the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven And therefore all are to have their Knowledge and their Wisdom from him the Treasure by the Light Grace Truth Power and Spivit that comes from him it leads you to him your Treasure of heavenly Wisdom and Knowledge by which Knowledge you know God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent which is Life Eternal to know And now my Dear Friends concerning True Liberty THE True liberty is in the Gospel the Power of God which the Devil and his Instruments with his false Liberty cannot get into And in this Gospel is the Saints Fellowship which the Devil with all his false Fellowships cannot get into nor find it True Liberty in the Faith of Christ for it is a Mystery Likewise true Liberty is in the Faith which Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of which gives Victory over that which separated Man and Woman from God and by which they have access to God again And in this holy pure divine precious Faith that is held in the pure Conscience which pure Conscience hath its pure holy divine precious Liberty in this holy divine precious Faith which works by Love and not as the dead Faith doth which works by Enmity which is the Fruit of this holy pure divine Faith and in it is the divine pure holy and precious Liberty and Freedom So here is the divine holy pure and precious Liberty in this Faith which works by Love that is the Victory over that which brought Man and Woman into Bondage and Slavery and false Liberty Faith is the Saints victory So this living Faith is the Victory over all dead Faiths and false Freedoms and Liberties which holy divine pure and precious Faith 's the Saints were and are to contend for which Christ the Holy One is the
and by ti keep in the Order of the Law of Life whcih they have in Christ Jesus Such as folow the God of the World bate the Order of Truth And they that follow the World's God that are out of Truth and disobey their Creator the God of Truth and the Lord Jesus Christ I say all such obey and follow him in whom there is no Truth and such cannot endure to hear talk of the Order of Truth and of the Gospel or the Law or Order of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus which all they that do obey the Voice of the Lord and Christ Jesus in his Light Grace and Truth and Gospel the Power of God and his Holy Spirit and Faith and Word of Life within come into Unity and Fellowship one with another and with the Son and with the Father and in this they know the Order of Christ and God to be a God of Order and delights in his Heavenly and Eternal Order of Light Life Power and Spirit of God that is over Death and Darkness and the World's God who is a God of Disorder in whom there is no true Order but Confusion and into this holy Order of the Everlasting Light and Life he cannot come Glory to the Lord God and his Son Christ Jesus who is over all from evelasting to Everlasting and is the Rock and Foundation and Habitation of his People blessed for ever and evermore Amen G. F. POSTSCRIPT Here you may see by these following Scriptures how the Apostles loved the Good and holy Order of Christ in his Gospel Some Scripture Collections concerning good Order in the Church and Light and Life and Truth but as Job said The Land of Darknese is without any Order And Babylon signifies Confusion which is the false Church and is called a Woman and a City of Confusion who iw against the Order of the true Church and gets the Titles of the true Chruch that is called a City and a Woman which brings forth the Man-Child Christ Jesus and of the increase of his Government and peace there shall be no end who sits upon the Throne of David and upon his dom to order it to establish it with Judgment and with Justice henceforth and for ever So here you may see Christ doth in his Kingdom and them that have him have his Order Isa 9.7 And David saith Although mine House be not so with God yet he hath made with me an Everlasting Covenant ordered in all thins and sure for this is all my Salvation and all my Desire c. 2 Sam. 23.5 Again David saith Order my steps by thy Word and let not Iniquity have Dominion over me Psalm 119.133 Which is the Duty of every Christian to have their Steps ordered by the Word of God that lives and abides and endures for ever which Word is a Word of Order And David saith The Steps of a good Man are ordered by the lord and he delights in his Way I have been young and now am old yet I have not seen the Righteous forsaken nor his Seed begging Bread He is ever merciful and lendeth and his Seed is blessed Psalm 37. Here you may see how the Lord delights in him and them that walk in the Steps the Lord orders them with his Word And him that orders his Conversation aright shall see the Salvation of God Psalm 50.23 And this Order must be in the Light which is the Life in Christ the Saviour And the Apostle Paul after he had spoken many things to the Corinthians he said Therest will I set in Order when I come 1 Cor. 11.34 And he saith concerning the Collections for the Saints in 1 Cor. 16.1 As I have given Order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye to wit the Corinthians So they were to practise the same Order which were the Believers in Christ which the Apstle in the Power of Christ had given to them For the Apostle had the Wisdom of God which he had ordained before the World began unto the Glory of his People then and now also 1 Cor. 2. And the Order that the Apostle did give to the Churches of the Galatians and the Corinthians was That upon the First Day of the Week every one of them lay by him in store as God had prospered him c. 1 Cor. 16.2 And in Acts 14. When they had ordained Elders in every Church and had prayed they commended them to the Lord on whom they had believed confirming the Souls of the Disciples Elders Ordained c. and exhorting them to continue in the Faith and that they must through much Tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God And as Paul and others with him went through the Cities Decrees to be kept they delivered them the Decrees for to keep that were ordaine of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem and so were the Churches established in the Faith and increased in Number daily Acts 16. And the Occasion of these Decrees was because some Men that went from Judea taught the Brethren saying Except ye be circamcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved Acts 15. And these Decrees were to stop such Preachers For the Apostles and Elders said Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with ords subverting your Souls saying Ye must be circumcised and keep the Law to whom we gave no such Commandment Now it is clear the Apostles and Elders gave these Teachers no such Commandment to preach such Doctrine to Trouble the Chruches And the Apostle Paul after he had spent some time t Caesaria and Antioch he went over all the Country of Asia and Phrygia in Order strengthening all the Disciples Acts 18. So you may see how they were a Comfort one to another And the Apostle writes to Titus Titus in Creete Chap. 1. For this Cause I have left thee in Creete that thou shouldst set in Order the thins that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I have appointed thee So here Titus in the Sapirit of God did observe that which Paul in the Power of Christ did exhort him to But such as are against the Order and Pracxtice in the Light and Gospel cannot order their Speeches by teason of SDarkness And the Apostle saith Col. 2.5 Though I be absent in the Flesh yet am I with you in the Spirit joying and beholding your Order and steadfastness of your Faith in Christ As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk ye in him Here the Apostle rejoyced in the Order that kept them in the Faith and Steadfastness in Christ Jesus Therefore the Apostle saith Every Man in his own Order Christ the First Fruits c. For in Adam all died even so in Christ shall all be made alive And they that are alive in Christ Jesus are in his Order of Life and Light and in his Gospel the Power of God And the Apostle
saith 1 Cor. 14. 40. Let all things be done Decently and in Order And the Heavens and the Earth and all things therein All things ordered by the Lord. are governed and ordered by the Lord in his Power and Wisdom and all God's Holy Angels are governed and ordered by God and all God's Children and People are governed and ordered by God and Christ in his Light and Spirit and Grace and Truth and Power Gospel and Word of Life And the Lord hath set apart him and them that are Godly for himself Psalm 4. And God hath ordained his Arrows against the Persecutors Psalm 7.13 And it ought to be the Practice of all the true Christians now that are in the same Power and Spirit as the Apostles were in to let all thins be done Decently and in Order in the New Covenant of Ligth Life and Grace to the Glory of the Great God who is over all and orders all things to his Glory Amen G. F. AND now 1680 Friends you who are called into this glorious Liberty of the Sons of God Epist 362. stand fast in it And as the Apostle saith Brethren ye have been called unto Liberty Of ture Liberty only use it not for an Occasion to the Flesh but in Love serve one another Gal. 5.13 As free not using your Liberty for a Cloak of Maliciousness but as the Servants of God 1 Pet. 2. For there were some who while they promised themselves Liberty they themselves were Servants of Corruption Such were like the Dog and the Sow biting and renting and vomiting and wallowing in the Mire and as bad as the Synagogue of the Libertines that turned against Stephen 2 Pet. 2. and Acts 6.9 And therefore the Apostle was careful of the Churches Liberty in Christ when he said But take heed lest this libet of yours become a Stumbing-block to them that are Weak c. 1 Cor. 8. For the Apostle was so careful and tender that he would no have his true Liberty judged of another man's Conscience c. as you may see more at large in 1 Cor. 10. And the Apostle said Falss Brethren came unawares privily to spy out their Liberty which they had in Christ Jesus that they might bring them into Bondage to whom we gave place by Subjection no not for an Hour that the Truth of the Gospel might continue with you to wit the Galatians Gal. 2.4 And therefore he exhorts them to stand fast in that Liberty wherewhith Christ Jesus hath made them free To stand fast in the Liberty of Christ c. which is the Duty of all true Christians now for to stand fast in that heavenly glorious Liberty which Christ the heavenly and spiritual Man the Second Adam makes them free in and in this they will have Salt in t hemselves to discern between the true Liberty and Freedom and the false and know how to use their holy and spirtual Liberty and Freedom in Christ Jesus to the Praise and Glory of God So Friends the Lord God Almighty preserve you all in the heavenly Order of Christ Jesus in his holy Seed Life Pfower and Spirit that all may live and walk in it to the Praise and Glory and Honour of God and Christ Amen The 3d of the 9th Month 1679. G.F. DEar Friends and Brethren Epist 3â—3 in the Lord Jesus Christ and blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual Blessings in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus and hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World And now that all may walk in him in Love who hath seen the great Deliverances of the Lord and hath been acquainted with his great Mercies that endure for ever Deliverance after Deliverance multitude of Deliverances out of great Trials and Temptations and hath seen how the Lord hath brought to Confusion the Enemies of his Truth both within and without from the Beginning and therefore in the Lord's Spirit and Power all that live in it that know the Lord are incouraged to trust in him God hath raised you up together and quickned you who were dead in Adam and made you to sit together in heavenly Places in Christ Jesus that you might shew forth the Riches of his Grace and Glory and his Kindness towards you through Jesus Christ By one Spirit are we baptised into one Body For by one Spirit we are all baptised into one Body wherther we be Jews or Gentiles Bond or Free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit And therefore endeavour all to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace and live and walk in the Spirit And the Fruits of this Spirit of God is Love Joy and Meekness c. And by this one Spirit you have access to the Father of Spirits and this one Spirit which baptises you into one Body both Male and Female knows your Service to God For the Spirit of God divides severally to every one of you as he wills your Offices and Places yet all in Vnity in the Spirit with which you are baptised into one Body and drink into one Spirit And the Apostle Paul who writ from Rome to the Collosians told them That they were compleat in Christ Jesus and said Though I be absent in the Flesh yet am I with you in the Spirit joying and beholding your Order and the steadfastness of your Faith in Christ And now the Lord hath gathered his People by his Power into the same Spirit that the Apostles and Churches were in in the Primitive Times And though they be absent in the Body or Flesh Men in one Room and the Women in another yea as far as the East is from the West or the North is from the South The Spirit present every where yet they are present in the Spirit rejoycing and beholding with the Spirit the Spiritual Order that the Churches and Apostles were in and the stedfastness of their precious holy and divine Faith which Christ the Second Adam is the Author and Finisher of and this is no Separation but they are the Houshold of this holy divine and precious Faith and live and walk in this holy Faith and Spirit of God by which they are baptized into one holy Body of which Christ Jesus the holy and spiritual Man is the Head And this I say again is no Separation thought they be absent in the Body or Flesh yet they are present in the Spirit and with the Spirit behold the Spiritual Order And this is not an imposed outward Form Order or Prescription as some Ignorantly think But they that do say and prescribe that Men and Women must meet all together outwardly in a Bodily Presence in one Room or else it is a Separation I say it is an outward Form an outward Order and Imposition and Prescription and fiercely Press it that know not the Spiritual Order yea I say if all Men and Women in
Captivity that led you Captive into his Prison of Death Darkness and Corruption If Christ I say has led you out of that Prison and Captivity into the glorious Liberty of the Sons of God stand fast in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free and be not entangled with any Yoke of Bondange to bring you out of that heavenly spiritual Liberty For in this you are free notwithstanding the Prisons and Captivity of Men and they are but small matters to it And therefore trust in the Arm of the Lord's Power who can lay the Mountains low and remove the Hills out of their Places and make his Lambs to skip over all And therefore mind the Lord and his Power Good effects may come out of Afflictions that is over all that that makes you to suffer Now your Sorrows and Afflictions may bring many to call upon the Name of the Lord when he has brought you low for God is Merciful and Gracious to the Righteous and his Mercies endure for ever And tho' Hunger and Thirst and Cold many times you are in and many Distresses yet the Lord is able to support you And now that you may mind the Lord in your Poverty and prize his Mercies and consider how that did not enough prize his Mercies and Liberty and Plenty And ye may read 107th Psalm throughout there ye may see how the Lord brought down such as contemned his Counsel and rebelled against his Words Well what can you tell but that this may be the Day of the Lord with you in your Captivity to bring down your Hearts and Spirits that with the Spirit of the Lord you may turn to him who is a God at Hand and that you may call upon the Lord in Truth and Righteousness that all your Sufferings Afflictions and Captivity may be sanctified to you So that you may say All things shall work together for good to them that love God And so with Job you may bless God who giveth and taketh away and that you may glorifie God in whatsoever Condition you may be that no Trouble may move you and that you may rejoyce in Afflictions Persecutions and Tribulations in the Lord through his Spirit that doth uphold you And as you do walk in the Light Grace Spirit and Gospel you may turn others to it That you may have Vnity with them in it and that they may come out of the spiritual Prison of Death Darkness and Corruption and Captivity into the Liberty of the Sons of God in Christ Jesus Amen So with my Love to you all in the Holy Seed Christ Jesus that Reigns over all from Everlasting to Everlasting The Lord preserve you all tender Vines in him Amen London the 17th of the 1st Month 1682. G. F. To Friends in Burlington West-Jersey DEar Friends Epist 367. The Lord by his mighty Hand and Power having brought you to that Place and now you are setled there my desire is That your Lives and Conversations may preach Righteousness and Holiness for without Holiness none shall see God And going into Unholiness that 's the Cause that none sees God and the Cause why there is not Peace among a Nation or People is because they do not live and walk in Righteousness but walk and follow the unrighteous Spirit which is out of the Truth And again Christ says Blessed are the pure in Heart for they shall see God For it is the defiled and impure Hearts that do not see God And therefore keep in the pure Spirit of God that does mortifie all Impurity and Unholiness which doth blind People from the Sight of the pure God And now my Friends Friends to be Circumspect The Eyes of other Nations will be upon you and now you professing Truth beyond them all but if that you don't exceed them in Truth in Righteousness in Holiness Justice and Equity and in the Wisdom of God that 's Pure Peaceable c. by which you may answer the Good in your Government and all Governments about you likewise which is my desire that you may that they may not see any Nakedness among you if you do not you will bring both the Judgment of God upon you and the Judgment of Truth that you and we profess For you know how that Friends in England and other Places have admonish'd the Governors and Rulers to do that which is Just and Right and therefore now you are come into Place Rulers must be Just have a Care that you do that which is Just and Right lest you come under the same Reproof by others And therefore have an Eye to the Lord in all your Actions For David saith 2 Sam. 23.3 The God of Israel said the Rock of Israel spake to me He that ruleth over Men must be just ruling in the fear of God and he shall be as the light of the morning that doth so when the Sun riseth even as a morning without Clouds as the tender Grass springing out of the Earth by clear shining after Rain Here you may see it must not be unjust Men and Men that do not fear God that must be Rulers for they do not receive his Wisdom to rule withal and such will be as Clouds without Water as in Jude and then they are not like to refresh the tender Grass but hurt it And Solomon saith As the roaring Lion and the ranging Bear Majestrates a Terror to evil doers c. so is a wicked Ruler over the poor People And therefore with the Spirit of God keep down the wicked Spirit in you and then you will keep down the roaring Lion and the ranging Bear with the Spirit of Meekness and Patience and Wisdom and Vnderstanding Prov 28.15 And the Apostle says Rulers are not a terror to good Works but to the evil Therefore both Rulers and ruled must be out of the evil Works And the Rulers cannot be a Terror to evil Works if they live in them themselves Therefore all ought to live in the Power of God which brings them out of the Evil to do that which is Good and then they will be an Honour to God and a Praise one to another both Ruler and Ruled Now the Lord said unto Moses Judges and Officers shalt thou make in all thy Gates so they was not to be made in Corners which the Lord giveth thee in all the Tribes and they shall judge the People with just Judgment Mark just Judgment Thou shalt not wrest judgment Not to wrest Judgment c. thou shalt not respect Persons thou shalt take no Gift For the Gift blindeth the Eyes of the wise and perverteth the Words of the righteous Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of the Poor in any Case Keep the far from a false matter The innocent and righteous slay thou not for I will not justifie the wicked That which is altogether just shalt thou follow that thou maist live and inherit the Land which the Lord thy God hath given thee
he may be glorified in and amongyou Amen So Fare ye well in the Lord. G. F. London the 18th of the 12th Month 1681. To Friends in Carolina DEar Friends Epist 371. with my Love to all the Faithful and Tender Friends in Christ the Holy Seed that bruises the Head of the Serpent the cause of Enmity in which Seed no Enmity is Christ bruises the Head of the Serpent nor can come for in this Seed is all Nations blessed which destroys the evil Seed that brought the Curse and his cursed Works and Workers So let this Seed Christ rule in all your Hearts who was promised and prophesied of to come who is come and reigns in whom is Wisdom Salvation Life and Glory over all the First and Last this Seed doth live and reign over all that doth change and will have an end Now in this holy Seed you injoy the Blessings and your Election in it which was before the World began Now in this holy Seed is the Treasure of Wisdom and Knowlede and as you all live and walk in this Seed you will have Wisdom and Knowledge that is heavenly from this Treasure with which Wisdom and Knowledge you will have Vnderstanding that all your Conversations may be ordered by it aright and to preach Righteousness and Holiness and Godliness so that you may glorifie God in your Lives and Conversations and all your Words may be gracious and seasoned with Grace and whatever Promises you may make to any Man you may consider before that you may perform them that so your Words may preach Righteousness and Truth so that you may be the Lights of the World and the Salt of the Earth that by your Light shining you may answer the Light in all Men and by the Grace and by the Salt you may savour that which is unsavoury and so by your good Works and keeping to the Salt and to the Light shining you may be Instrumental to open the Eyes of others to know your Father which is in Heaven that they may glorifie him And my Desire is To keep low week c. that all Friends may keep low and meek and humble that he that doth Inhahit Eternity may dwell with you and that you may take upon you Christ's Yoke that you may draw with his heavenly Plow that with it the Earth may be turned up that hath oppressed and grieved the tender Seed and God's Holy Spirit so that God's Plantations may be minded above the out ward that his Lillies and Vines may grow and bring forth Fruit to his Praise who giveth the Increase And now Dear Friends Keep in the Love of God which doth edifie the Body of Christ that will bear all things And be gentle and courteous and kind one to another in the fear of Lord for there is no danger in keeping low for the danger is to such that are high and lofty and puff'd up Such will swell and though they may have good Words and a form of Godliness yet such that do so swell will break out into bitter Fruits Strife and Contention and such go out from the Power of God and his Spirit and so out of the Camp of God and then out of the Vnity of the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace and therefore all must keep in the holy Spirit of God if they will keep in Fellowship with the Saints in Light and so keep the Bond of Peace For they that go from the Spirit of God in themselves though they have the whole Form of Godliness they break the Bond of Peace and such runs into vain Disputes Strife and Contention But there is no such Custom in the Church of Christ which keeps the Vnity in the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace And now Dear Friends in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Spirit keep all your Meetings for Worship and your Meetings for Business that you may see that all that professes the Light of Christ and his Truth and hath received it that they do wald according to Truth and as becomes the Gospel that the Name of God may not be blasphemed amongst you And if that you of Ashly Cooper River and that ways and Albermarle River and that ways Advice for a Yearly Meeting had once a Year or once in a half Year a Meeting together it might do very well some where in the middle of the Country as you shall see meet as they have in Maryland and Road Island And if you had sometimes some Meetings with the Indian Kings and their People to preach the Gospel of Peace of Life and of Salvation to them for the Gospel is to be preached to every Creature and Christ hath tasted Death for every Man and died for their Sins that they might come out of Death and Sin and live to Christ that died for them who hath enlightened them with the Light which is the Life in himself and God pours out of this Spirit upon all Flesh that is upon all Men and Women And the Grace and Favour of God appears unto all Men so that all may believe in his Light and walk in his Holy Spirit and receive his Grace which will teach them to live Godly c. and bring them Salvation so that you may come to see the Light of Christ's Glorious Gospel set up in those Parts And God hath promised he will lift up an Ensign unto the Nations And again There shall be a Root of Jesse Christ God's Ensign to the Nations which shall stand for an Ensign to the People to it the Gentiles shall seek And again he saith For the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea So I desire that That part of the Earth may be filled with the Knowledge of the Lord. And now dear and tender Friends my tender desire is That you may in no wise abuse neither by your Words nor by your Lives nor Conversations the Liberty which God or the Rulers have given you but in all things you may have an Eye to God's Glory that he may be glorified by you all who is worthy of all who is the Lord of all both in Heaven and Earth blessed for ever G. F. An Epistle concerning the Government of Christ and his Peace of whose Kingdom there shall be no End COncerning the Government of Christ and his Peace Epist 372. the encrease of which there shall be no End upon the Throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it with Judgment and Justice from henceforth and for ever The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this Now Christ Jesus thd Second Adam the Lord from Heaven it is He who Rules and Reigns and Governs in the Hearts of his Saints who are the Believers in his Light the Life in him who is their Governor and Counsellor who died for their Sins and is risen for their Justification and is the
the Srwer when he sat in a Ship Behold saith Christ a Sower went out to sow his Seed and as he sowed some fell by the High-way side and it was trodden down and the Fowles of the Air devoured it and some fell upon the Rocks or Stony Places where they had not much Earth and as soon as it was sprung up it withered away So he that receiveth the Seed into rocky and stony Places the same is he that receiveth the Word with joy yet hath he not root in himself but endureth for a while or for a while believeth and in Temptations falleth away for when Tribulations or Persecutions arise because of the Word by and by he is offended and upon too many such have we seen this Parable fulfilled in Times of Persecutions and Tribulations and Sufferings the Heat of Persecution when it is up they are scorch'd and withered away and so come to nothing And some fell among Thorns and the Thorns sprung up and choaked it and they also that received Seed among the Thorns are they that hear the Word and when they have heard go forth and are choak'd with the Cares of this World and Deceitfulness of Riches and Pleasures of this Life and become Vnfruitful and bring no Fruit to Perfection And this is seen to be the Condition of too many But the other fell into good Ground and brought forth Fruit some Thirty some Sixty and some an Hundred fold So they that received the Seed into the good Ground are they which in an honest and good Heart have heard the Word and understand it and keep it and bring forth Fruti with Patience some an Hundred fold some Sixty some Thirty as was said before these are the honest and good Hearts upon whom Christ the Son of Righteousness shines that nourishes his good Seed whol brings forth Fruit unto Perfection who lives over the deceitful Riches and Cares of the World and the Pleasures of this Life that pass away who are not offended nor moved at Tribulations and Persecutions but patiently do endure them such do bring forth Fruit unto Perfection yea an Hundred Sixty Thirty fold in Christ Jesus who bruises the Head of the Serpent that makes Men and Womens Hearts like the High-way thorny rocky and stony Ground for Men and Women whose Hearts are like unto the High-ways stony rocky and thorny Ground the Seed hath fallen into these Grounds as before and from these Grounds all can talk of the Seed and of the Word but bring forth no Fruit unto Perfection And therefore let all consider what Ground you are and what Fruit you bring forth and when ye hear the Word of the Kingdom that ye understand it which none can without the Light and Spirit of Christ and walk in it but he that shall endure to the end in the Light in the Grace Truth and Spirit and in Christ from whom you do receive these shall be saved For the Apostle saith The just Man lives by Faith The just lives by Faith And this is not by any Faith which Men make but by the Faith which Christ Jesus is both the Author and Finisher of in your Hearts and Consciences and in this Faith ye have access to God and do please him But If any Man draw back to wit in not living by this Faith doth not the Lord say my Soul shall have no pleasure in him But we are not of them who draw back unto Perdition that is a sad drawing back but of them that believe to the saving of our Souls From Kingston upon Thames the 2d of the 9th Month 1682. G. F. An Epistle to all Planters and such who are Transporting themselves into Foreign Plantations in America c. MY Friends that are gone and are going over to Plant Epist 379. and make outward Plantations in America Keep your own Plantations in your Hearts with the Spirit and Power of God that your own Vines and Lillies be not hurt And in all places where you do outwardly live and settle invite all the Indians and their Kings To invite the Iddian Kings to Friends Meetings and have Meetings with them or they with you so that you may make inward Plantaions with the Light and Power of God the Gospel and the Grace and Truth and Spirit of Christ and with it you may answer the Light and Truth and Spirit of God in the Indians their Kings and People and so by it you may make Heavenly Plantations in their Hearts for the Lord and so beget them to God that they may serve and worship him and spread his Truth abroad And so that you all may be kept warm in God's Love Power and Zeal for the Honour of his Name That his Name may be great among the Heathen or Gentiles and ye may see over or be Overseers with the Holy Ghost which was before the unclean Ghost got into Man and Woman So with this Holy Ghost you may see and over-see that the unclean Ghost and his Works may be kept out of the Camp of God So that his Camp may be Holy and all the Holy may come into it and He who is Holy may walk in the midft of you his Camp and be glorified in and among you all who is over all and worthy of all Glory from Everlasting to Everlasting blessed and praised for evermore From the rising of the Sun even to the going down of the same my Name shall be great among the Gentiles And in every place Incense shall be offered unto my Name and a pare Offering for my Name shall be great among the Heathen saith the Lord of Hosts Mal. 1.11 The Lord reigneth let the Earth rejoyce let the Multitudes of the Isles be glad let every thing that hath Breath praise the Lord for the Lord taketh pleasure in his People He will beautifie the meek with Salvation Plal. 97 and 98. and Plal. 149 150. London the 22d of the 9 the Month 1682. G. F. To all christians to keep to Yea Yea and Nay Nay and to fulfil their Words and Promises ALL my Dearly Beloved Friends and Brethren every where The Lord God Almighty Epist 382 with his holy Power and Spirit hath gathered and kept and preserved you to this Day a People to himself And now dear Friends and Brethren in all your Words in all your Business and Employments Have a care of breaking your Words and Promises to and People but that you may before you make and Promises to any Man or Woman consider before-hand that you may be able to perform and fulfil both you Words and Promises to all People that you make your Promises or give your Word unto And that you Yea be Yea That our Yea be Yea. and Nay Nay in all things which Christ hath set up instead of an Oath yea above an Oath and Swearing in his New Covenant and Testament And the Apostle James holds forth the same Doctrine And this Yea Yea and Nay Nay was set
which keeps in the Way of the Lord and commands their Children and Houshold to do the same they have the Blessings from Heaven above and the Blessings below yea the Blessings of the Eternal Inheritance and of the Kingdom of God and that was their chief Inheritance That all the Faithful Seed of Abraham sought to possess their Houshold and their Children in who did command their Children and Houshold to keep the Way of God that they might inherit the Blessing David saith Blessed is the Man that walketh not in the counsel of the Vngodly nor standeth in the way of Sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the Scornful But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth meditate Day and Night Now here is the condition of them that do enjoy the Blessing they must keep from the Counsel of the Ungodly and the Way of Sinners and the Seat of the Scornful Now here you may see David's Instruction how People might inherit the Blessing Levit. 10. That you may put a difference betwixt the holy and unholy and between the clean and unclean and that you may teach your Children all the Statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses And it was so in the Old Testament that they might learn the Statutes there Surely much more they are to learn the Commands of Christ in his New Testament And in Deut. 4.9 10. To Teach our Children the Fear of the Lord. They were to Teach their Sons and their Sons Sons and again they were to Teach their Children that they might learn to fear God all the days that they lived upon the Earth c. This they were to teach their Children and again in Deut. 11. It was the Command of God that they were to Teach their Children the Commandments of God and they were to speak of them when they sat in their House and when they walk'd by the Way when they lay down and when they rose up and in Deut. 30. Moses told them that The Word was nigh them in their Mouths and in their Hearts that they might do it And David said Come you Children hearken to me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. O fear the Lord you Saints there is no want to them that fear him Psal 34.9 11. Ye that fear the Lord trust in the Lord he is their Help and their Shield Psal 115.11 And you may see all along in the Old Testament they that feared the Lord were commanded to teach and instruct their Children the Way of the Lord that they might walk in it and inherit the Blessing which was a better Portion than outward Riches which will pass away for they make themselves Wings and fly away Solomon saith Train up a Child in the may he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Foolishness is bound up in the Heart of a Child but the Rod of Correction shall drive it far from him Prov. 22.15 He that spareth the Rod hateth his Son but he that loveth him chastiseth him betimes By Mercy and Truth iniquity is purged out and by the Fear of the Lord they depart from evil Prov. 13.24 and 16.6 And the Apostle's Command is For Children to obey their Parents in the Lord for this is right Eph. 6.1 and Col. 1.3 20. It is well pleasing to the Lord Children to obey their Parents Children to obey their Parents and the Bishops or Elders were to Rule well their own Houses and to have their Children in subjection with all gravity and likewise the Deacons were to rule their own Children and their own Houses well Tim. 1.3 And likewise you may see the good Report of the Widows bringing up Children which followed every good work c. And in Titus such as were Elders or Overseers their Children were to be Faithful Elders to govern their Families well not accused of Riot or Vnruly and the aged Women were to be of good Behaviour as becometh Holiness c. and Teachers of good things and that they Teach the younger Women to be Sober c. And That the Word of God be not blasphemed And Titus was to exhort young Men to be Sober-minded For the Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared unto all Men teaching us that denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present World that being justified by his Grace we should be made Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life And Peter saith As Obedient Children not fashioning your selves according to your former Lusts in your Ignorance but as he who hath called you is Holy Be Holy in all manner of Conversation so be you Holy in all manner of Conversation and be not like them feeding themselves without fear which are the Clouds without Rain and Wells without Water and Trees without Fruit whom Jude declares against such cannot eat and drink to the Praise and Glory of God c. So you see what care both in the Old and New Testament the faithful Parents had to teach their Children the Way of the Lord and the Lord hath a Confidence in all them that fear him and are of the Faith and Seed of Abraham that they will not only admonish their Children and Houshold but Command their Children and Houshold after them to keep the Way of the Lord c. Gen. 18. And to keep out of the wicked Ways of the World The Apostle saith They which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham And so are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus and if you be Christ's then are you Abraham 's Seed and Heirs according to the Promise Gal. 3. And so the Children of God are counted for the Seed which the good Seed Christ saith are the Children of the Kingdom And the Apostle spake to the Romans that they should Walk in the steps of the Faith of Abraham Again the Apostle saith to the Corinthians concerning Titus Walked we not in the same Spirit walked we not in the same steps And in the first Epistle of Peter Christ hath suffered for us leaving us an Example Christ hath suffered for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps who did not sin neither was guile found in his mouth So these were holy steps and are a Religious Holy People that walk in the steps of faithful Abraham and of Christ and the Apostles and these have the pure Religion and do visit the Fatherless and Widows in their Affliction and keep themselves unspotted from the World and these are they that are Circumcised with the Spirit and Baptised with the Holy Ghost and serve God Night and Day and worship him in Spirit and Truth and these are the Religious Families which are of the holy divine pure and precious Faith which Christ is the Author and Finisher of which Faith purifieth their Hearts and is their Victory by which
they have access to God True Faith purifieth the Heart in which they please him in that Truth which Christ is the Author and Finisher of which is called the Gift of God and they that are of this Faith the same are the Children of Abraham and are blessed with faithful Abraham and Abraham was called the Friend of God and so are all his Children that are of his Seed and Faith they are not Friends of the Devil the wicked and unrighteous One but him and his Works they forsake who are Friends of God they are Friends of Righteousness and Holiness c. And such the Blessings of God rest upon them that are of the Seed and walk in the Seed Christ that bruises the Serpent's Head and in that Seed are all Nations blest and out of the Mouth of the Seed's seed shall not God's Word depart but it shall abide in the Mouth of the Seed's seed this living Word of God but the Word of God doth not abide in them who make a Profession of the Scriptures but live not in the Power and Spirit of the Holy Ghost that gave forth the Scriptures such are like the Jews John 5. and such think to have Life in the Scriptures but they will not come unto Christ that they may have Life for none come to Christ but by believing in the Light which is the Life in him the Word Now dear Friends and Brethren in Christ Jesus if you keep in the Seed and Faith of Abraham in it you will command your Children and Families to walk in the Way of the Lord for in it you have Authority that they may keep the pure holy and righteous Way of the Lord after you when you are gone that they may succeed you in the Faith and Seed and Way of the Lord and in the Blessing of God as Abraham Isaac and Jacob did Amen G. F. To the Quarterly Meeting at York DEar Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ Epist 383. your Life and Salvation your Rock and Foundation Rest and Sanctuary in all Storms Trials and Sufferings Now dear Friends my desire is that you may all strive for that which makes for Peace For Blessed are the Peace makers they are called the Children of God And therefore whatsoever things are Honest Just Pure Lovely and of good Report if there be any Vertue and Praise think on these things to Practice them So that in the Power of the Lord that is over the Devil and his Power all may be kept Chaste In the Power of God all to keep Chast c. Pure and Holy to the Glory of God and all that are in the true Faith and Knowledge may shew it forth in Vertue Temperance Patience Godliness Brotherly Kindness and true Charity or Love which beareth all things For they that dwell in Love dwell in God that is their Habitation And let all things be done in Love in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ And all to strive in the Spirit of the Lord God and his Truth to be of one Mind and Judgment so that you may all be baptised with one Spirit into one Body and so all to drink into one Spirit And keep the Unity and Fellowship in the Holy Spirit of God which is the Bond of Peace amongst all God's Children that are led by his Holy Spirit whose Communion and Fellowship is in the Holy Ghost by which ye are led into all Truth Now Dear Friends Let there be no Strife in all your Meetings nor vain Janglings nor Disputings but let all that tends to Strife be ended out of your Meetings that they may be kept Peaceable so that you may be at Peace among your selves and the God of Peace and Love may fill all your Hearts which Love edifies his Church To condescend one to another in the Fear of the Lord. And condescend one to another in the Fear of the Lord to that which is Honest Just Vertuous and of good Report And where any Weakness has been in any thing let it be covered and buried in the Spirit and Love of God that his Spirit and Love may be uppermost in you all to unite all your Hearts together And that you may all shew forth that you are the Children which the heavenly Wisdom is justified of which is Pure mark Pure Peaceable Gentle and easie to be intreated which is above the Wisdom that is below that 's neither Pure Peaceable nor easie to be intreated c. And in all matters of Business or Difference or Controversies treat one another in such things kindly and gently and be not fierce or heady and high minded for that Spirit will bring Men and Women to be Lovers of themselves and to be Despisers of others and that which is good which leads Nature out of its Course and so looses Natural Affections and at last comes to be without Natural Affections which Spirit we see most of Christendom is led by For if they were in natural Affections they would not destroy their fellow Creatures about Religion but being without natural Affections they have not Affections to their fellow Creatures to wit Man and Woman which were made in God's Image The Law and the Prophets Commanded to Love their Neighbour as themselves To love our Neighbour as our selves and Christ Commands to do unto all Men as they would have Men do unto them And the Gospel Commands to Love one another by which they are known to be Christ's Disciples and to Love their Enemies and to pray for them and to forgive one another as Christ has forgiven them So that those whose Conversation is according to the Gospel of Peace do establsh the Law and the Prophets who know the Divine Nature and are made Partakers of it are not without natural Affections but have Affections to it to cherish and preserve it And this the Word of Wisdom teaches by which all things were made and created good and blessed by which all things are upheld by which all things are sanctified to God's People that God created by his Word and made them good and blessed them By which Word and Wisdom all things are sanctified to God's People as before and are used and ordered by his Word of Wisdom to his Glory and Praise And now Dear Friends whereas there have been formerly some Discourses by some in your Meeting of Marrying within a Year after the decease of the Wife or of the Husband my desire is in those things Friends may shew forth both Chastity and Vertue and Temperance For formerly hasty Marriages was reckoned amongst the infamous Persons Marriage within the Year not of good Report as for a Man or a Woman to Marry within the Year of the Death of the Wife or Husband And therefore for Vertue and Chastity's sake and the Truth and good Examples sake that which is Honest Lovely and of good Report keep and walk in and follow For we ought in the Power of Christ
and therefore all must come to this Grace of God in their Hearts which brings their Salvation if they have Salvation and come to the Throne of Grace and this is the Covenant of Grace in which is the Election and God who made all pours out of his Spirit upon all Men and Women in the World in the Days of his New Covenant yea upon Whites and Blacks Moors and Turks and Indians Christians Jews and Gentiles that all with the Spirit of God might know God and the things of God and serve and worship him in his Spirit and Truth that he hath given them but they that do resist the Truth and quench and vex and grieve and rebel against the Spirit that God hath given them such are not like to serve and worship God in his Spirit and Truth but he that endures to the end in God's Grace Spirit Light and Truth shall be saved and the Gospel of Salvation is preached to every Creature under Heaven which Gospel is the Power of God and the Gospel of Peace and so it is glad Tidings to every Creature under Heaven and to all Nations to the Turks Jews Indians Moors Christians and Gentiles if they receive and obey the Gospel of Salvation it is glad Tidings to them all Now this is the Day of God's gathering And therefore all must come to the Light Grace Truth Power and Spirit of God in their own Particulars which they have from God and Christ that by it they might be built upon Christ their heavenly Rock and Foundation who is their Way to God who bruises the Serpent's Head and through Death destroyed Death and the Devil the Power of Death and so destroys Death and so destroys the Devil and his Works for Sin brought Death and now Christ who destroys Death that Sin brought and makes an end of Sin is the Sanctuary for all his Believers in all Storms and Tempests Trials and Troubles and Sufferings to rest upon in whom they have Peace yea Life and Salvation Now there is a common Saying among the Turks to the Christians Your Crucified God meaning Christ Now this is their mistake tho' God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself it was not the Eternal God that died It was Christ as he was Man who suffered in the Flesh upon the Cross and not God that was crucified and was crucified that was in Christ for Christ said when he was about to suffer My God my God why hast thou forsaken me So Christ suffered in the Flesh and died and was crucified as he was Man not as he was God the Word which was in the Beginning but as he was Man who bore the Sins and Iniquities of all Mankind and was an Offering for the Sins of the whole World who through Death tasted Death for every Man all being in Death in Adam so that they might have Life through Christ the Second Adam So I say again that Christ did not die as he was God but as Man He was crucified and buried and rose again the third Day and ascended and is at the Right Hand of God this he did by the Power of God as he was Man So the Turks are mistaken to say or to think that the Eternal God could be crucified or dye Dear Friends I thought needful to write a Letter to you concerning this their mistake which you may be wise in making use of To exalt God's Name in their Captivity and my desires are that you may be preserved and exalt God's Name in your Places of Captivity and in your Lives Words and Conversations answering God's Witness in the Turks Jews Moors and your Patroons And keep low and walk wisely that you may be a good Savour in the Hearts of all there-aways and then the Blessings of the Lord and his Presence will rest upon you and be in you I think you have more Liberty to meet there than we have here for they keep us out of our Meetings and cast us into Prison and spoil our Goods And therefore prize your Liberty in your Meetings and do not abuse it and the Lord preserve you all in his Grace Fear and Wisdom that you may grow up in Christ the Head and walk in him to the Glory of God Amen Read this openly in your Meetings and I have sent you here some Books that you may read them and give them to the Turks or English as you may see fit which Books are to the Turks one concerning Good Conversation and another concerning the Temple and another concerning Abraham instructing his Family and one to all Kings and Princes and another concerning Revelation and Inspiration with some others to read among your selves And Friends it would be very well for you if you could get the Turks and Moors Language that you might be the more inabled to direct them to the Grace and Spirit of God in them which they have from God in their Hearts and then geting their Language you would be able to write and translate any Papers to them which may be serviceable to instruct them and for the spreading of the Truth among the Turks and Moors So with my Love to you Gousey in Essex the 10th of the 2d Month 1683. G. F. To all the Houshold of Faith which is the Church of Christ who is the Author and Finisher of Faith who are to do good unto all but especially to them of the same Faith THE Apostle saith to the Church of Christ Epist 3â—3 I wrote unto you an Epistle not to keep company with Fornicators yet not altogether with the Fornicators of this World nor with the Covetous Extortioners Not to keep Company with Scandalous Persons Idolaters c. For then ye must needs go out of the World 1 Cor. 5. But now I have written unto you Not to keep Company if any Man that is called a Brother be a Fornicator or Covetous or an Idolater or a Railer or a Drunkard or an Extortioner c. with such an one no not to eat Therefore you see all such are to be avoided as knowing neither Fornicators Adulterers Effeminate and Abusers of themselves with Mankind nor Thieves nor Covetous nor Drunkards nor Revilers nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God So ye may see all such Workers you are not to keep Company with nor so much as to eat with them though they have gone under the Notion of Brothers and Sisters So the Camp of God must be kept clean of such for the Feast must be kept with unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth So the old Leaven must be purged out For a little Leaven leavens the whole Lump And therefore ye must be a new Lump as ye are leavened by it For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us Therefore as is said before let us keep the Feast with Sincerity and Truth And the Apostle saith Not to be unequally yoked Be ye not unequally yoked together with Vnbelievers For what Fellowship
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
Vanity and have never so many flattering fair Words and good Speeches and trimmed and decked with the Sheeps cloathing yet they are in the Wolfs Nature and Whored from the Lamb and his Nature and so from the Seed Christ in whom all the Children of the Kingdom and the Elect are to walk that are of his Heavenly and Spiritual Generation and grow up in him as Trees of Righteousness whose Fruits are unto Holiness and whose End will be Everlasting Life And the End of that Spirit and Fruits before mentioned that are out of Christ and his peaceable Truth will be Destruction in the Lake of Fire And that is the Word of the Lord to you all therefore be warned what you join to and what you lay hands on suddenly For I remember before we were called Quakers as I was sitting in an House in Nottinghamshire about the Year 1648 the Word of the Lord came to me and said Some of those that should come to be convinced with the Light and Spirit of God and should come so far as Cain to hear God's Voice and as far as Balaam to hear God's Voice and to have some Openings and to come so far as Corah Dathan and Abiram these should be the Deceivers and the Troublers of the Church of Christ and seek to destroy the Faithful and to betray them Who formerly had some Experience to talk of but did not live in the Truth Which I and many others have seen come to pass and fulfilled For Christ said to his Disciples False Prophets and Anti-Christs That the false Prophets and the Anti-Christs which were inwardly the ravened Wolves which the Apostles and Believers should beware of should come to them to try them they had the Sheeps-cloathing and Outward Profession of Christianity but were Inwardly ravening Wolves to devour them Now these were Inwardly ravening from something And the Apostle John speaks of such as went out from us It seems they were one among them But saith he they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out from the true Church that they might be manifest that they were not of it And these were the Anti-christs and false Prophets that Christ said should come which John and the Apostles saw were come and exhorted the Church to beware of and to keep to the Vnction which they had from the Holy One. And this Vnction and Anointing as it abides within the Saints the true Church and they in it it will teach them all things and is Truth and by it they shall continue in the Son and the Father and so in the Holy Seed Rock and Foundation that cannot be shaken And the Apostle saith There was to be a falling away first before the Man of Sin was revealed the Son of Perdition who opposeth and exalteth himself c. And when the Apostle saw the Mystery of Iniquity already working and his coming is after the working of Satan with all Deceiveableness of Unrighteousness in them that perish because they receive not the Love of the Truth that they might be saved And such go into strong Delusions that they should believe a Lye and not the Truth And here you may see there is a falling away before the Son of Perdition or Judas be revealed and they that fall away receive not the Love of the Truth that they might be saved but believe Lyes that they shall be damned And the Lord will consume him with the Spirit of his Mouth and will destroy him with the Brightness of his coming the wicked One and Son of Perdition that is against the Righteous and is the Opposer and Betrayer of them Therefore all the Church of Christ are to stand stedfast To stand stedfast in Christ and be establish'd in Him in every good Word and Work who are from the beginning chosen for Salvation through Jesus Christ through the Sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the Truth and are called by the Gospel the Power of God to the obtaining of the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ in whom the glorious Rest and Peace is And you may see how the Church of Christ was troubled by such as went out from them and fell away from Truth and Inwardly ravened some went like unto the Swine into the Mire and some like the Doggs to the Vomit and some like Wolves that Inwardly ravened and yet kept the Sheeps-cloathing Some went in the Nature of Cain Sacrificers and yet were Destroyers of the Righteous and some went in the Nature or Spirit of Jannes and Jambres that withstood Moses and others in the Nature of Judas to Betray and others in the Nature of Corah Dathan and Abiram to Gain-say and Resist the Truth and others in the Nature of Jezabel And this Spirit and Nature troubled the Church in the Old Testament Troublers of the Church and troubled the Church in the New Testament and are troubling the Church of Christ in this Gospel-Day that is come and coming out of the Apostacy But God's Trumpet Spirit and Power was and is always sounded against it that all People may beware of this Evil Spirit and Nature and keep in the Seed Christ Jesus that bruises the Head of it in whom you have Love Rest Salvation Quietness and Peace Hallelujah And all dwell in Love then you dwell in God who is Love All dwell in God who is Love let that be all your Habitations which Love edifies the Body of Christ and builds you up in him and all strive to excel one another in Vertue in Patience Courteousness Kindness Tenderness Meekness and Humility in Temperance Modesty and Chastity and whatsoever things are Decent and Comely and of good Report Honest and Lovely that follow For these are the good Fruits of the Spirit of God and his Heavenly Seed which Fruits are acceptable to God and will make you all lovely and comely to him and unto one another in his Heavenly Seed in which as I said before you are blest and all Nations are blest which Seed Christ is your Sanctuary who destroys the Devil the Destroyer and so is over him and was before he was in whom the true Believers live and have Peace who Cloaths them with Salvation and with his Righteousness the sanctified One's fine Linnen So all walk worthy of the Mercies of God and his Blessings from Above and from Below to the Glory and Praise of God And they that dwell not in Love and Charity are like the sounding Brass and tinkling Cimbals as you may read 1 Cor. 13.1 8. This you may read amongst the Children of the Light and of the Day Dolston the 13th of the 10th Month 1683. G. F. To the Meeting of Friends in Truth that are Captives in Algiers NOw Epist 391. Dear Friends The Lord having drawn you by his Spirit to his Son Christ Jesus in whose Name ye come to be Gathered in whose Name ye have
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
Christ Epist 401. who is your holy heavenly Rock and Foundation of God that standeth sure who was the Foundation and the Rock of his Church Christ the Foundation of God that standeth sure in the Apostles days and is now You may see how Christ sent John tho Encourage his Church and saith in Rev. 3.8 I know thy Works Behold I have set before thee an open Door and no Man can shut it For thou hast a little strength and hast kept my Word and hast not denied my Name Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews and are not but do lye behold I will make them to come and worship before they feet and to know that I have loved thee Because thou hast kept the Word of my Patience I also will keep thee from the hour of Temptation which shall come upon all the World to try them that dwell upon the face of the Earth Now you may see what Comfort the Sons and Daughters of God have that keep the Word of Patience what a Door is opened to them of the Blessings Mercies and Riches of God which no Man can shut from them And they which said they were Jews and were not or such as make outward Profession of the Words of Truth and Form of Godliness and are not in the Truth such the Lord saith Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan c. So here you may see the Lord would have his Children his Church to take notice what he will make of them that do not possess the Truth namely The Synagogue of Satan he will bow them down and make them to know He loveth his faithful People And all such as went out from the Church of Christ Those who go from the Church maifest themselves in the Apostles days which were not of them and Corah Dathan and Abiram that went out from the Jews c. and all they that separated themselves in the Apostles days from the Church of Chrift and all they that separated themselves now c. and are gone out from the Church of Christ have maniseft they were not of them They that went out from the Church of Chrust in the Apostles days and separated themselves from them and all they that go from the Church of Christ now and separate themselves from them they have erred from the Word of Patience and have not kept that but such are gone into Temptations of the World and are become as the Synagogue of Satan and like Raging Waves of the Sea Satan's Fruits and Works they do manifest so that by their Fruits it is known of what Synagogue they are and have and do sufficiently discover it in all Ages how that Patience is worn out and weareth out and that they have not kept the Word of Patience and none such are like to preach the Word of God and the Word of Life and the Word of Patience and the Word of Wisdom that liveth and abideth and endureth for ever that keep not the Word of Patience for how can such keep the Word of Patience or the Word of Life or the Word of Wisdom when they separate themselves and go out from the Church of shrist and are not of it For had they been of it they would have continued with the Church of Christ in the Word of Life Wisdom and Patience But now they do manifest themselves to be out of the gentle Wisdom of God The Fruits of hem who ere not led by the Wisdom of God and out of the Word of Patience in a Rash Hasty Furious Envious Malicious Hateful Lying Defaming Slandering Gain-saying and Envious Spirit of Cain Corah and Ham and the Fruits of this Spirit is manifest sufficiently now as in other Ages to them that live in the Word of Life Wisdom and Patience by which Word all God's Children are born again of the Immortal Seed and feeds upon the Milk of the Word by which Word all things were made and created by which Word all God's People are reconciled to God which Word liveth and abideth and endureth for ever Now as there isa growth and adding to Faith and Vertue and Knowledge and Temperance and Godliness and Patience and Brotherly Kindness and Charity as God's Children are led by the Spirit of God in which they have Unity and it is the Bond of their Peace So as there is an erring from the Spirit of God there is a degenerating from Vertue Kindness and true Knowledge and Godliness and Temperance and Patience and Brotherly Kindness and Charity this we have seen both now in this Age as in the Days of the Apostles and this degenerating Spirlt whose Patience is worn out they may get all the good Words in the Scriptures Words of the Spirit Words of Truth Words of Faith and the Promises and apply them to their Impatient Spirits but they will lose the Comfort of them But the Word of Life the Word of Wisdom the Word of Patience will never be worn out but liveth and abideth and endureth for ever Dear Friends f we suffer for Righteousness appy are we Be ye Followers of that which is good and if ye suffer for Righteousness sake happy are ye For it 's better if the Will of God be so that ye suffer for well-doing and not for evil-doing because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps Who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth Righteously If ye suffer for Righteousness sake happy are ye and be not afraid of their Terror neither be troubled having a good Conseience that whereas they speak Evil of you as of Evil-doers they may be ashamed that falsly accuse your good conversation in Christ And if ye are Reproached for the Name of Christ Jesus happy are ye for the Spirit of Glory and of God resteth upon you on their part he is Evil spoken of but on your part he is Glorified But let none of you suffer as a Murderer or a Thief or as a Busie-body in other Mens matters But if any Man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him Glorifie God upon this behalf that he suffereth as a Christian not as a Murderer Thief Evil-doer or a Busie-body in other Mens matters for that is not a Suffering for Christ who hath suffered for you and they that will reign with him must suffer with him The God of all Grace who hath called us into his Eternal Glory by Jesus Christ after that ye have suffered a while make ye perfect stablish strengthen and settle you this is through the Sufferings for Christ Jesus the Captain of our Salvation who was made perfect through Sufferings and is able to succour all his Followers in their Temptations and Sufferings And the Apostle saith to the Church of Christ the Philipians I count all things but loss for the
Christ the Son to abide for ever for a Testimony of these things which were to be spoken after namely the Substance Christ but Christ as a Son is over his House whose we are namely that are the Sons and Children of God as in Heb. 3.5 6. So here is a distinction betwixt the Servant's House Moses and the Son's House Christ Jesus And Christ said While ye have the Light believe in the Light that ye may become Children of the Light as in John 12.36 So the way to become the Children of the Light is to believe in the Light And the Apostle saith to the Ephesians Chap. 5.8 Ye were sometimes Darkness but now are ye Light in the Lord walk as Children of the Light And again the Apostle writeth to the Thessalonians Ye are all Children of the Light and Children of the Day we are not of the Night nor of Darkness 1 Thess 5.5 These were the Believers in the Light that were become Children of the Light and Day of Christ And Christ said unto such Ye are the Light of the World and a City set on a Hill To be Blameless and without Rebuke that cannot be hid and such are to be blameless and harmless the Sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse Generation among whom ye shine as Lights in the World Philip. 2.15 For as the Prophet saith in Isa 54.13 and Christ saith in John 6.45 All thy Children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the Peace of thy Children in Righteousness shall they be established And the Apostle saith As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God The Spirit it self beareth Witness with our Spirits that we are the Children of God and if Children then Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Christ If so he that we suffer with him that we may be also glorified together namely with Christ Rom. 8.14 16 17. Here you may see the Sons of God are Heirs of God and Joint Heirs with Christ such can declare of his Generation for they which are Children of the Flesh these are not the Children of God nor cannot in Truth declare of Christ's Generation but the Children of the Promise are counted for the Seed as in Rom. 9.8 For Christ saith to Nicodemus Except a Man be born again of Water and the Spirit he cannot see the Kingdom of God nor enter into it That which is born of the Flesh is Flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit John 3.3 5 6. For he that is born of the Spirit is persecuted by him that is born of the Flesh and Jerusalem that is above is the Mother of all them that are born of the Spirit and so are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus as in Gal. 3.26 and 4.26 So as the Apostle saith to the Church of Ephesians Chap. 3.6 That the Gentiles should be Fellow Heirs of the same Body and Partakers of his Promise in Christ by the Gosspel who were built together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2.22 And God hath chosen the poor of this World rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him as in James 2.5 Christ said Chirst soweth good Seed in the Heart He that soweth the Seed is the Son of Man the Field is the World the good Seed are the Children of the Kingdom but the Tares are the Children of the wicked One the Enemy that soweth them is the Devil Matth. 13.37 38 39. Here Christ maketh a distinction betwixt the two Seeds and the two Sowers and the good Seed are the Children of the Kingdom of God but the bad Seed must be cast into the Fire which are the Children of the wicked One. And Christ said in Luke 8.11 The Seed is the Word of God And Peter saith Being born again not of Corruptible Seed but of Incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth and indureth for ever such feed upon the Milk of the Word and grow thereby I Pet. 1.23 and 2.2 And John saith Whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remaineth in him and he cannot Sin because he is born of God in this the Children of God are manifest from the Children of the Devil and in this the true Birth is manifest and this Seed and Birth knows the Kingdom of Christ and declares of his Generation who is built upon him the heavenly Rock and Foundation for Jesus Christ our Saviour abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality to Light through his Glorious Everlasting Gospel the Power of God 2 Tim. 1.10 And the Apostle saith The Law served till Christ came The Law served and it was added because of Transgression till the Seed should come namely Christ Gal. 3.19 And now Christ the Seeds-Man is come who is the end of the Law for Righteousness sake to every one that believes and they that Believe are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus And the Lord said to Abraham In thy Seed shall all the Kindreds or all the Families of the Earth be blessed Acts 3.25 Gen. 12.3 Acts 7.6 And this is the Seed that sojourned in a strange Land and they that did evilly intreat this Seed and bring it into Bondage God did judge And the Promises of God is sure to all the Seed as in Rom. 4.16 And the Children of the Promise are counted for the Seed for these are the Children of the Kingdom as in Rom. 9.8 And the Dragon was wroth with the Woman and went to make War with her Seed which kept the Command of God and had and have the Testimony of Jesus Rev. 12.17 Now here you may see it is against the Seed which keeps the Command of God and Testimony of Jesus the Dragon maketh War but Christ the Seed of the Woman bruises the Serpent's Head For the Lord saith I will pour out my Spirit upon thy Seed and my Blessing upon thy Off-spring Isa 44.3 All who are in the Seed know God's Spirit and Blessings And the Lord said My Words which I have put in thy Mouth shall not depart out of thy nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed nor out of the Mouth of thy Seeds Seed Now is not this the Seed in which all Nations are blessed in whose Mouch God's Word remains As in Isaiah 59.21 And are not these the Children of the Seed which are the Children of the kingdom of God And the Lord said concerning Christ Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thine Inheritance and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Thou shalt break them with a Rod of Iron thou shalt dash them to pieces like a Potters Vessel Psal 2.8.9 And the great Image of Gold Silver Brass Iron and Clay spoken of in Daniel which was broken to pieces by Christ the Stone and became like
Oil in their Lamps Such were not diligent in the Work of God nor in the Concerns of the Lord nor in their own Particulars And therefore my desires are That you may all be diligent serving the Lord and minding his Glory and the Prosperity of his Truth this little time you have to live and be not like Adam in the Earth but use this World as though you did not use it for they that covet after this World fall into divers Snares and hurtful Lusts And therefore consider that you are but Sojourners here that you may pass your time in the Fear of God and you being many and having many of the Friends of the Ministry going over into those Parts you may be a hinderance one unto another if you do not travel in the Life of the Vniversal Truth taht would have all Men to be saved and come to the Knowledge of the Truth And if you would have them come to the Knowledge of Truth let them know it and where it is to be found So I desire that you be valiant for it upon the Earth that you may give a good account unto God at the last with Joy So I desire that all Friends in the Ministry may see this in Pensilvania and New-Jersey And so with my Love to you all in the Holy Seed of Life that reigns over all Amen Enfield the 30th of the 5th Month 1685. G. F. To Friends in Wales DEar Friends and Brethren In the Lord Jesus Christ Epist 406. whom he hath gathered by his glorious Hand and Power to himself who is the Rock of Ages and the Foundation of many Generations that cannot be shaken in which you have all Life Peace Rest Salvation and Eternal Happiness Your Epistle dated the Second of the Second Month 1685 by Order of your Yearly Meeting signed in behalf of that Meeting was received and publickly read in our Yearly Meeting and well accepted of in Love and Unity with the Spirit that gave it forth And Friends are very glad to hear feel and see your Fellowship and Unity in the Lord's blessed Truth and your Communion in the Holy Ghost and your Care in the Concerns of the holy pure peaceable Truth And how that you are and have been preserved over those unruly Spirits that have been as Trees without Fruit and Wells without Water inwardly ravening Wolves that have got the Form of Godliness and the Sheeps Cloathing but are out of the Spirit and Power and Life of the Sheep of Christ And over such Spirits we praise God that he hath given you Dominion And our desire is That you may all live and walk in Christ and sit down in him in his Grace and Truth and that you may answer the Truth of God in all People with the Word of Life and also answer the Good in all with a Godly and an Holy Life and Conversation And likewise all the Magistrates and Officers that are in Power you may answer the just Principle in them all To answer the just Principle in all Men. and live in the Spirit of Supplication and pray for all that you may lead a righteous and a godly Life under them all So that God over all and through you all and by you all may have the Glory the Thanks and the Praise To whom all is due God blessed for ever Our Yearly Meeting was peaceable and the Lord 's glorious Presence was amongst us whose Glory shines over all God blessed and praised for ever Amen Nowe all Dear Friends You know your Teacher and Leader Christ Jesus and you know him your High-Priest that 's made highter than the Heavens by the Power of an Endless Life by whom you are made a Royal Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices to God by Jesus Christ And you know there is no other way to God but by Jesus Christ and you know that God hath raised him up a Prophet in the New Testament who is to be heard in all things who opens and no Man can shut and shuts and no Man can open And ye know that Christ is the Bishop of your Souls to Oversee you that you do not go astray from God And ye know that Christ is the true Shepherd and has laid down his Life for his Sheep and is to be heard and followed who gives unto his Sheep Life Eternal And so abide in him who is your Life Eternal and Everlasting in whom you have Peace with the Everlasting God Amen London the 10th day of the 7th Month 1685. G. F. To Friends in Dantzick DEar Friends Epist 407. I am glad to hear of your Welfare in the Lord And my desires are To be valiant for Truth That in the Eternal Power of God you may be valiant for his holy pure Truth upon the Earth and his holy Religion that keeps from the Spots of the World and the new and living Way Christ Jesus that will keep you out and over all dead Ways that are in the World and the Worship of God in his holy Spirit and pure Truth which Christ Jesus set up above all the Worships in thd World And all Men and Women must come to the Spirit of God in their Hearts if they serve and worship God that made them And my Desires are That you may live in Peace and Love one with another and in the pure gentle Wisdom of God that is easie to be intreated And let your Faith stand in the Power of God and feel that in your Hearts which will keep you until the Day of Salvation And let all your Conversations be according to the glorious Gospel of Life and Salvation so that you may come to answer the Truth in all People and in your Words and Actions you may preach Truth Righteousness Vertue Pureness Godliness and Holiness without which none shall see the Lord. And now Friends consider the Lord's great Mercy and Kindness towards you who hath brought you through great Sufferings To praeise Gode Mercies Tribulations and Persecutions and that you have your Meetings peaceable it is a great Mercy of the Lord to you for you to prize and be faithful So with my Love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ that reigns over all in whom you have Eternal Rest and Peace Amen And as for the Affairs of Truth here we are under great Persecutions Imprisonments and spoiling of Goods but the Lord does support his People above them all And of late the chief Magistrates have shewed some Favour towards us Bednal-Green the 11th of the 9th Moutb 1685. G. F. To Friends in Pensilvania East and West-Jersey THE Lord God who created Man and Woman in his Image Epist 408. and after his Likeness in Righteousness and Holiness he blessed them and said unto them Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the Earth and subdue it and have dominion over the Fish of the Sea and over the Fowl of the Air and over all Cattle and over all the Earth and over
is no Death nor Night and the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the Light of this New and Heavenly Jerusalem For the Glory of God doth enlighten it and the Lamb is the Light thereof and the Lord God and the Lamb are the Temple of this New and Heavenly Jerusalem that is from above and the Lord creates this Heavenly Jerusalem So this Heavenly and New Jerusalem is not made by the Workmanship of Mens Hands nor of Wood and Stone neither are People cast in Prison for not mending or repairing a Temple there for there is no outward Temple in the Heavenly Jerusalem for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it And the New Creatures that are in Christ Jesus and dwell in Love they dwell in God Such are in the Temple in Heavenly Jerusalem and are in Joy and in Fellowship with the Father and the Son blessed for ever Amen And Christ said to the Jews The Bread of God is he that cometh down from Heaven and giveth Life to the World No Persecution in New Jerusalem signifying that the World is Dead in Adam and wanteth Eternal Everlasting Life and they that eat not the Flesh of Christ and drink not his Blood have no Life in them For Adam and Eve by eating of the Fruit which God forbid them brought Death and all died in him but they that eat the Flesh of Christ the Bread from Heaven and drink his Blood have Eternal Life and shall live for ever and they do live by Christ and they do dwell in Christ and he doth dwell in them So you may see Adam and Eve by their eating of that which God forbad brought them into Spiritual Death and by eating the Flesh and drinking the Blood of Christ as he commands brings Men into a Spiritual Life that is Eternal And the Lord saith Ezek. 37. concerning the whole House of Israel which were the dry scattered Bones That he would open their Graves Of the Restoration of the House of Israel and bring them out of their Graves and yet these dry Bones which were the whole House of Israel that were in their Graves could speak who were the scattered Bones and say Behold our Bones are dry and our Hope is lost we are cut off for our parts So it seems that the whole House of Israel scattered Bones who were in their Graves could speak these words Then they were alive outwardly and their Breath was in their Nostrils but they were gone from the Breath of the Almighty that gives Life and Understanding Therefore the Lord poured his Spirit upon them and caused Breath to come upon them that they might live to God and so that they might all have one Shepherd namely Christ and come into his Everlasting Covenant and Christ their Sanctuary and then God's Tabernacle would be with them and then the Lord will be their God and they shall be his People G. F. To the Yearly Meeting in Yorkshire DEar Friends Epist 411. who are the Sons and Daughters of God who have his Law written in your Hearts by which you know God and Jesus Christ which is Eternal Life to know and you that have put on Christ Jesus are the New Creatures and are in him Clothed with Christ the Son of Righteousness To be Clothed with Christ who is the Light of the World and you that believe in the Light have the Light of Life and are Clothed with the Son of God that doth not change and are the true and living Members of the Church of Christ Jesus that is in God and have the Moon that is changeable under your Feet So all changable Religions Worships Ways Churches and Teachers which are like the Changeable Moon and the Changeable World with its Changeable Fashions the true Church of Christ that are Clothed with Christ the Son that doth not change hath all these Changeable Things like the Moon that changes under her Feet for the Son of God never changes for all things were made by him who is the First and Last the Beginning and Ending So as every one hath received Christ Jesus the Son of Righteousness walk in him to the Praise and Glory of God Amen London the 31st of the 3d Month 1686. G. F. To Friends in West-Jersey and Pensilvania DEar Friends Epist 412. I am glad to hear that the Truth 's Concerns is so well as it is with you and that you have set up your Half Years Meeting there which may be of great Service Half Years Meeting in America For indeed all the faithful Men and Women in the Power of the Lord do keep their Meetings that they may take care of God's Glory and to see that all are diligent that profess the Truth to walk in it and all the Loose and such as despise Dignities and the Power of God and true Christianity should be Admonish'd and Exhorted and not to have a Name of Truth without the Nature of it And so that all may walk in the Truth and by it come into a holy Life and Conversation by that they may answer that which is good both in the People among you and in the Indians For through want of Order in the Power of God and his Light Life and Truth there has been so many runnings out some one way and some another way And therefore all that are Faithful in your Country being kept in the Lord 's Eternal Power To keep our Meetings in the Lord's Power in it keep up all your Men and Womens Meetings that the Power of the Lord God may sparead over all and by it all Deceit and Loosness may be kept under and this will ease all the Magistrates and their Courts of all Evil and Loosness by having it stop'd and kill'd in the Birth before it comes into Action and to see in your Meetings that Friends may give no Occasion to the Indians And if sometimes you should have some Meetings with the Indian Kings and their Councils to let them know the Principles of Truth To inform the Indians of the Way of Salvation so that they may know the Way of Salvation and the Nature of true Christianity and how that Christ hath died for them who tasted Death for every Man And so the Gospel of Salvation must be Preached to every Creature under Heaven and how that Christ hath enlightned them who enlightens all that come into the World And God hath poured out his Spirit upon all Flesh and so the Indians must receive God's Spirit for the Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared to all Men And so let them know that they have a Day of Salvation Grace and Favour of God offered unto them if they will receive it it will be their Blessing And so now you that are settled in those Parts which have had a Testimony from the Lord to bear to People of the Truth you should spread abroad God's Eternal Truth and have
Meetings as I said before with the Indian Kings and Peopie so that all the Earth may come to look unto the Lord for Salvation For if ye should seetle down in the Earth and have plenty and be full Not to set our Hearts on the Earth and at ease for a time and not keep in the Power and Service and Spirit of God you would quickly come to lose your Condition as some did in Road-Island when settled down in the Earth after a while and then turned to Jangling about it and some ran out one way and some another And therefore I desire that the Lord may grant that you may be all kept and preserved by his holy Power on his holy Mountain that ye may be of the holy Camp of God that with his Power Light Spirit Grace and Truth all that is contrary may be kept out from among you so that the Lord God Almighty and his Son may walk in the midst of you and may delight to do you good So with my Love to all faithful Friends My Desire is that you all may keep in the Power and Spirit of the Lord in the heavenly Unity that you may all shine forth to his Glory and Praise to whom all belongs God over all blessed for over Amen Edmunton the 27th of the 11th Month 1687. G. F. DEar Friends Epist 413. my Desire is that all Friends may prize the Mercies of the Lord and live in Humility in his Power that is over all To prize God's Mercies that you may answer God's Witness in all People in his Spirit and Truth in a Righteous Godly Life and Conversation and let not Liberty lift them up nor Sufferings cast them down but live in the Seed of Life that no Man can make higher nor lower for that is the Heir of God's Everlasting Kingdom So in this Seed which is your Sanctuary God Almighty keep you in whom you have Life and Wisdom that it may be justified of all her Children and they exercised in it in this Day of Christ Amen G. F. ALL my dear Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ who by his Eternal Arm and Power Epist 414. hath supported upheld and preserved you stedfast to himself so that neither Reproaches Imprisonments nor spoiling of your Goods to the almost Ruining you outwardly and besides long and tedious Imprisoning of you and many to Death Persecutors could not drive the Faithful From Christ And yet all these Persecutors could not make you turn from Christ your Life Priest Bishop and Shepherd and through him you have been made more than Conquerers And so live and walk in him who is the same to day yesterday and for ever who doth overcome and will have the Victory in whom you have Life and Salvation and Peace with God So no more but my Love Goosey in Essex the 18th of the 12th Month. 1688. G. F. DEar Friends Epist 415. my Love is to all Friends in the Truth in the Eternal Life and my Desires is that in the Everlasting Life you and I may live To live in Christ even in the Lord Jesus Christ that is over all from Everlasting to Everlasting Amen G. F. To the Quarterly Men and Womens Meetings in London All Friends Strive to keep in Unity in the holy Spirit of Christ which is the Bond of the heavenly Peace Epist 416. and that you Elders may be Examples in the heavenly Wisdom To keep in the Vnity of the Spirit and Word of Life and of Power and Patience to all the younger that hardly know the right Hand from the left so that they may be trained up both by the Word and Law in their Hearts and good Example from their Elders in Grace Truth Virtue Modesty and Sobriety as becoming Men and Women professing and possessing Godliness being adorned with a meek and a quiet Spirit which is with the Lord of a great Price and keep that Eye blind and that Spirit under that would go into the Fashions of the World for that will blind and burden and will not bear sound Doctrine and therefore that must be kept down with the Spirit of God by which all may have Power over their own Spirits and they that have not are like unto a City whose Walls are broken down that any thing that is evil or had may come in And therefore the Power and Spirit of God is as the Wall that preserveth Therefore be Wise for when Lust is conceived it brings forth Sin and Sin when it is finished it brings forth Death Now here you may see what brings forth Sin and Death in Man and Woman which by the Spirit of God is to be mortified The Spirit of God mortifies Sin and by it their Affections to be changed and set on things above where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God so that you may come to fit in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus which is a holy pure and safe Sitting in which all may keep that heavenly Feast of Christ our Passover not with the old Leaven of Malice and Wickedness but with the heavenly unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth for Christ our Passover hath been sacrificed for us and therefore he is the heavenly Bread which the Feast of him our Passover must be kept withal by the clean and circumcised in Spirit in the New Testament and Covenant For the Jews in the Old Testament and Covenant they were to be clean and circumcised outwardly before they eat of the outward Sacrifices which Sacrifice and Circumcision Christ our Sacrifice hath ended and therefore keep to him our Circumcisor and the Feast of our Passover and let all the old Leaven of Malice and Wickedness be purged out that you may become a new Lump in Christ Jesus Amen Goosey the 29th of the 10th Month 1689. G. F. DEar Friends and Brethren in Christ Jesus Epist 417. whom the Lord by his Eternal Arm and Power hath preserved to this Day all walk in the Power and Spirit of God that is over all in Love and Unity For Love overcomes and builds up and unites all the Members of Christ to him the Head for Love keeps out of all Strife Love keeps out of all Strife and is of God and Love and Charity never fails but keeps the Mind above all outward Things or strife about outward Thins and is that which overcomes Evil and casts out all false Fears and it is of God and unites all the Hearts of his People together in the heavenly Joy Concord and Unity And the God of Love preserve you all and settle and establish you in Christ Jesus your Life and Salvation in whom you have all Peace with God And so walk in him that you may be ordered in his peaceable heavenly Wisdom to the Glory of God and the Comfort one of another Amen London the 27th of the 3d Month 1689. G. F. To the Six Weeks Meeting in London 1690 THe
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.
Variety of Subjects Preached at the Quakers Meetings in London by Mr. W. Penn Mr. G. Whitehead Mr. S. Waldenfield and Mr. B. Coole taken in Short-hand as it was delivered by them and now Faithfully transcribed and published for the Information of those who by reason of Ignorance may have received a Prejudice against them By a Lover of that People price 1 s. 6 d. England's Present Interest-considered with Honour to the Prince and Safety to the People In Answer to this own Question What is most Fit Easie and Safe at this Juncture of Affairs to be done for Quieting of Differences Allaying the Heat of Contrary Interests and making them Subservient to the Interest of the Government and Consistent with the Prosperity of the Kingdom Submitted to the Consideration of our Superiours By W. Penn. The Fourth Edition price bound 1 s. A Defence of a Paper entituled Gospel-Truths against the Exceptions of the Bishop of Cork's Testimony against the Quakers By W. Penn. price bound 1 s. 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The Arreignment of Popery being a Collection taken out of the Chronicles and other Books of the State of the Church in the Primitive Times I. The State of the Papist how long it was before the Universal POPE and MASS was set up and the bringing in their Rudiments Traditions Beads Images Purgatories Tythes and Inquisitions II. A Relation of the Cruelties they acted after the Pope got up being worse than the Turk and Heathen New Rome proving like Old III. What the People of England worshipped before they were Christians IV. To which is added The Blood of the Martyrs is the Seed of the Church With several other things very profitable for all that fear God to Read Try and give Judgment by the Spirit of Truth against the Worship of the Beast and Whore price 1 s. 6 s. Instructions for Right Spelling and plain Directions for Reading and Writing True English With several delightful things very Useful and Necessary both for Young and Old to Read and Learn price bound 6 d. A New Book for Children to Learn in With many wholsome Meditations for them to consider With Directions for true Spelling and the Ground of true Reading and Writing of true English price 3 d. An Invitation from the Spirit of Christ to all that are a Thirst to come and Drink of the Waters of Life freely which proceed from the Fountain of Eternal Life Shewing how all may come that are willing to Drink thereof to their full Satisfaction whereby they may attain unto perfect Health and Salvation of their Souls for ever in the Lord Jesus Christ And also shewing what it is that hindereth People from being truly a Thirst after the VVaters of Life and from coming to Drink thereof c. By Henry Mollineux price bound 1 s. The Spiritual Guide which disintangles the Soul and brings it by the Inward Way to the getting of perfect Contemplation and the Rich Treasure of Internal Peace Written by Dr. Michael de Molinos Priest Translated from the Italian Copy price bound 9 d. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or the Doctrine of Baptisms Reduced from its Ancient and Modern Corruptions and Restored to its Primitive Soundness and Integrity according to the VVord of Truth the Substance of Faith and the Nature of Christ's Kingdom By William Dell Minister of the Gospel and Master of Gonvil and Caius Colledge in Cambrige price Stich'd 4 d. Christ's Spirit a Christians Strength Or a plain Discovery of the Mighty and Invisible Power that all Believers receive through the Gift of the Spirit First held forth on two Sermons on Acts 1.8 and after Published for the Instruction and Use of them that are Spiritual Anno. 1649. By William Dell Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ price Stitch'd 6 d. Primitive Christianity continued in the Faith and Practice of the People called Quakers Being in Answer to a Pamphlet Entituled Primitive Heresie c. and which may serve as an Appendix to a Book Entituled An Antidote against the Venom of the Snake in the Grass by George Whitehead Joseph Wyeth price Stitch'd 6 d. The Friendly Enquirer's Doubts and Objections answered Concerning the Light within the Word of God the Church of Christ Gospel Ministers Ordinances in General and in Particular Water Baptism and the Lord's Supper together with a brief Testimony against Oaths and Tithes First Intended and Written for the Satisfaction of some particular Aquaintance and now Published for more General Service By James Jackson price bound 6 d. The Tryal of Spirits both in Teachers and Hearers Wherein is held forth the clear Discovery and certain Downfal of the Carnal and Anti christian Clergy of these Nations Testified from the Word of God to the Vniversity Congregations in Cambrige By William Dell Minister of the Gospel and Master of Gonvil and Caius Colledge in Cambrige Whereunto is added a plain and necessary Confutation of divers Gross Errors delivered by Mr. Sydrach Sympson in a Sermon preached to the same Congregation at the Commencement Anno MDCLIII Wherein among other things is declared that the Vniversities according to their present Statutes and Practices are not as he affirmed answerable to the Schools of the Prophets in the time of the Law but rather to the Idolatrous High Places And that Humane Learning is not a Preparation appointed by Christ either for the Right Vnderstanding or Right Teaching the Gospel With a brief Testimony against Divinity-Degrees in the Vniversities As also Luther's Testimony at large upon the whole Matter And lastly the Right Reformation of Learning Schools and Vniversities according to the state of the Gospel and the Light that shines therein All necessary for the Instruction and Direction of the Faithful in these last times price bound 1 s. 6 d.
Peace and Love be with you that to the Lord of Life ye may all be a sweet Savour and in the Wisdom of the Lord ye may all be kept watching one over another in that which is Pure and waiting for the Appearing of that which is Good G. F. FRiends know the Life and Power of God in your selves Epist 68. and one in another and to that Power be Obedient Know the Life and Power to Thresh down all Deceit within and without you in Wisdom and in that dwell which Comprehends the World and know the Rest which is for the People of God which he that believeth hath entred into So know the Life that stands in God and all know the Power of God for that Power shall never be shaken nor change but will shake down all that must be shaken and will change So in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you which giveth you to see where there is no Changing nor Shadow G. F. To Friends at Malton ALL my Dear Friends at Malton mind that which is Pure in you Epist 69. that ye may grow up in the Power out of the Form And take heed of Deceit and of Jarring one with another take heed of Strife and Confusion in your Minds But mind the pure Life of God in you according to your Measures to guide you up to God out of the Flesh and all the Ways and Works of it within and without which that which is Pure and Holy calls all unto So all walk in the Wisdom of God which is given into the pure Heart that none of your Nakedness may appear and Men see your shame but all wait in the Spirit upon God the Father of Spirits to be Cloathed with his Righteousness Be Cloathed with Righteousness So God Almighty keep you and bless you the Blessing of the Lord be with you and among you I am with you Present in Spirit joying and beholding your Faith towards God which ye have in Jesus Christ though Absent in Body AND all Friends Quench not the Spirit of God in you but live in the Authority of the Son of God and his Power whereby ye may be kept on Top of the World G. F. FRiends Epist 70. I do Judge all that in all which is contrary to the Life and Power of God even the Ground and Root of all Jars and Strife which is not of God Jars and Strife Judged but is out of the Life of God I Judge its Beginning and its Ending Judged it is by the Light And I do Judge with the Spirit of Truth all Foolishness Hastiness and Strife which is not of God And all Friends Wait in the Measure of the Spirit of God to guide you up to God and keep you all in Peace and Vnity Heed nothing P. S. but the Life and Power of the Lord God for all that is out of it is and will be Confounded G. F. To Friends to live in the Power of God in Christ that never fell DEar Friends Epist 71. all be Faithful in the Everlasting Seed in which ye have both Life and Power Dominion and Wisdom and Cloathing with that which is Immortal and the Blessing of the Lord and Peace in the Seed Christ that never fell nor changed nor will change in whom ye have Peace in whom ye have Blessings who takes away the Curse The Peace is in Christ For the Peace is in the Second Adam that never fell Christ Jesus and the Blessings and the Righteousness is in him but the Troubles and the Curse and the Unrighteousness and Misery is in Adam in the Fall and all deceitful Teachings Ways and Worships And so sit not down in Adam in the Fall but in Christ Jesus that never fell then in him ye will all have Life that was with the Father before the World began He ends all the Types Figures and Shadows first Covenant and Priefthood and Ways in the Fall in old Adam Christ that never fell who is the Way who is the Substance in him I say sit down and then ye will be all found in the endless Life For Adam lost his Habitation and Eve and the Apostate-Christians from the Righteousness from the Law and from the Power of God Therefore ye that are come to Christ Jesus the Substance the End of the Prophets in whom ye have Life as I said before which was with the Father before the World began in him live Serve one another in Love and love one another and serve one another in Love and in the Fear and Wisdom of God that is above Adam and Eve's Sons and Daughters Sensual Devilish Wisdom in the Fall And so keep your Meetings in the Name of Christ Jesus that never fell then ye will see over all the Meetings of Adam and Eve's Sons and Daughters in the Fall their Confused Meetings and Gatherings who are out of the Habitation of Righteousness and Holiness and so out of Peace So in the Life Christ live in whom ye have Peace keeping your Habitation in him that none be as the untimely Figs nor as the Corn upon the House top that is soon withered and gone But that ye may live in the Seed the Substance Christ the Life in whom ye have Riches that never fade away feeding upon the Tree of Life whose Leaves heal the Nations So live in Vnity one with another in the Life Christ Jesus that the Seed may be all your Crowns And so Fare-well My Love to all Friends in the Seed of God Christ Jesus who was with the Father before the World began G. F. AND Friends In the Measure of Life which the Father of Life hath given you Wait with it to be guided that ye all may profit in the Life and Spirit that the Fruits of it may appear To profit in the Life to the Glory of the Father of Life G. F. To Friends in the North. FRriends see that all Friends professing Truth there-aways Epist 72. in Order be kept that no Confasion no Pride Pride and Lust Judged Filthiness nor Vncleanness be amongst you but with the Light let all that be Judged down and Condemned and cast out that all in that which is pure may patiently wait to inherit the Substance And in that dwell which doth bring out of the Shadows Types Traditions Vngodliness Vnrighteousness Pride Filthiness Lust and Vncleanness So the mighty Power of the Lord God be with you all and keep you And all Friends dwell in the Life which from God comes the Father of Life that with it ye may see God and all may be nourished and fed with the living Food which comes from the Living God Ye Babes of God dewell in the Wisdom of God in Grace that ye may grow up in the Wisdom and the Grace of God So the mighty Power of the Lord be with you all and keep you in Obedience to the Light out of the Evil of the World which Light doth
at Babel which Nimrod the Hunter before the Lord began to Build after God had destroyed the Old World with Water then would he go Build a Tower which should reach to Heaven then God came down and confounded them into many Languages So he hunted before the Lord but the Lord followed him and confounded him in all his Work as he will all the Builders that run before him And all the Priests that have gotten the many Languages which began at Babel they tell simple ignorant People that they have the Original and are the Orthodox Men and get into a different Habit from them and say The Quakers are a simple People and despise the Learned Orthodox Men who have the Original Give Ear O People If these Languages which came up at the confounding of Babel are the Priests Original that makes them Orthodox and Divine then Pilate that crucified Christ was as good an Orthodox Divine as they for when he crucified Christ he writ a Paper in Hebrew Greek and Latin and set a-top of him he was as ignorant of Scripture and of Orthodox and Divine Matters as you and you as he And the Apostle saith That Tongues must cease 1 Cor. 1â— 8 then that which makes Orthodox Men and Divines as you say must cease according to the Apostles Doctrine and so then Tongues neither are the Original nor make Orthodox nor Divine and John that gave forth the Revelations saith That the Whore and Beast set upon Tongues c. and the Everlasting Gospel must be preached again to all Kindreds and Tongues which was before Babel was where was the first beginning of Tongues Now it is clear that the Gospel must be preached to all Nations and Tongues and that Tongues are not the Original neither do they make Divines or Orthodox Men but it is clear that it is the Word which was in the Beginning which makes a Divine yea Trades-Men which are base and contemptible in the Eyes of the Proud and them that have gotten Babel's Tongues who are confounded by the Ministers of the Word which was in the Beginning before Babel was for all the Earth was of one Language and Speech before Babel And you that call your selves Orthodox Men made by Tongues and say That is your Original who are so blind and cannot see that there was an Original before Babel was for did not Enoch the Prophet the seventh from Adam who prophesied in the Old World before it was destroyed and long before Babel was speak concerning the coming of Christ in Ten Thousand of his Saints as in Jude And Lamech prophesied in the Old World concerning Noah and Adam and others might be instanced who were before your Tongues which you call your Original were And so we say that the Word of God is the Original which doth fulfil the Scriptures and the Word is it which makes a Divine which is called a Hammer but it is a Living Hammer and is called a Sword and Fire but it is a Living Sword and a Living Fire to hammer and cut down and burn up that which separated and kept Man from God by which Word Man is reconciled again to God which is called The Word of Reconciliation by this Word are Men and Women sanctified and made clean and this is the Word that makes both Men and Women Divine and brings them into the Divine Nature which hammers and cuts down that which corrupted their Nature and by this Word are they brought into a Divine Wisdom Understanding Knowledge Spirit and Power And this is the Word that lives and abides and endures for ever by which the Saints are born again of the Immortal Seed and Word of God who feed upon the Milk of the Word up into a Divine Life Wisdom and Understanding and Divine Nature and by this Word they do see all Flesh to be as Grass and as the Flower of the Field that fadeth and the Word of God that lives and abides and endures for ever is Christ whose Name is called The Word of God And so keep the Word of Patience which is over all the Impatient Spirits and then you will know that the Word of Life the Word of Patience and Word of Wisdom is Everlasting and abides and endures for ever which all they that are in the Letter out of the Life and Word have neither Patience to themselves nor others for the Word of Patience and the Word of Life which is to be kept in all Tribulations was before Death and impatient Spirits were Concerning the Worship of God and the Jew Outward and the Jews Inward Offering with their Garments 1. THere was a Worship at Jerusalem 2. There was a Worship at the Mountain where Jacob's Well was Jacob went down into Egypt with his Family and he died in Egypt and his Sons carried him out of Egypt and Buried him in the Land of Canaan in his Grand-father Abraham's Burying-place and after several Hundred Years the Children of Israel came out of Egypt into the Land of Canaan and there they built Jerusalem and the Temple and there was but one Temple in the whole World commanded of God and that was at Jerusalem And before in the days of Jacob there was a Worship set up at the Mountain near unto Samaria where Jacob digged a Well Therefore when the Woman of Samaria came out to fetch Water at Jacob's Well the Woman reasoned with Christ about Worship and she said Our Fathers worshipped at this Mountain but others at Jerusalem and Christ answered her again The time cometh that neither at Jerusalem nor at this Mountain shall God be worshipped There he denies the continuance of these two publick Places of Worship and when he had done that he sets up another Worship for he said God was a Spirit and they that worshipped him must worship him in the Spirit and in the Truth for the Hour cometh and now is that such God seeks to worship him And this Worship he set up and preached up above Sixteen hundred Years since which Worship he set up many Hundred Years before Mass-Book Common-Prayer-Book Directory or Church-Faith was And this was the publick Worship that Christ set up in the Spirit and in the Truth For God is a Spirit and such he sought to Worship him that worshipped him in Spirit and Truth So all are to mind the Worship that God seeks and not the Worship that Men seek And Christ said That the Temple should be thrown down and the City of Jerusalem and the Jews scattered over all Nations And the Apostle saith He is not a Jew that is one outward but he is a Jew that is one inward in the Spirit and not of the Letter for that killeth but the Spirit makes alive What cries the World do you deny Temple-worship Nay we say every Man and Woman must come into the Temple if he Worship God in the Spirit and Truth And is not the Spirit within and the Truth in the inward parts For Do not
Springs and Fruitful and all that lives under God's Teaching knows it So serve God in the Spirit and in the newness of Life which is over the old that the Lord God's Presence may be felt amongst you and his Son a Prophet to open to you and a Priest to sanctifie you a Bishop to oversee you and a Shepherd to feed you the Rock of your Age and Ages the Foundation of your Generation and many Generations and who are in him who was elected before the Foundation of the World they build upon him who is the First and the Last the Beginning and Ending in him you have all Life and Salvation who is the Amen And my desire is To Incourage the Faithful Women in the Service of God that you may in the Power of God encourage all the Faithful Women in your Island in the Work and Service of God and now you have Six Mens Meetings if you had as many Womens Meetings it would include all the faithful Women in all the Corners of your Island and some of your ancient faithful Women to go from Meeting to Meeting till they are settled in the Power of God and that will keep all alive in the Lord's working Power and living Life And all that are not Faithful let them be admonished to Faithfulness that so they may come into the Light and Life and Service of God and Christ for all the Wise-hearted and Faithful Women in the time of the Law were to work about the Tabernacle of God and the Holy Things And they were called the Assemblies of the Women And all the Women in the time of the Law was to offer Sacrifices upon God's Altar as well as the Men. And now in the time of the Gospel which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light God doth pour out of his Spirit upon all Flesh and therefore live in the Gospel and its Order and all true Christians Men and Women doth offer their Spiritual Sacrifices to God who is a Spirit And therefore my Friends be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth dwell in Love that will bear all things and let there be an Order entered in your Books To avoid provoking Words that there be no provoking Words spoken in your Meetings but if any have any thing to say let them speak to them in love privately And when ye have settled your Six Womens Meetings then you may have a Six Weeks or a Monthly as well as a Quarterly Meeting as you may see meet And so that all your Wells of Life may be kept open and every one have a fresh Spring springing up in you so that in every one of you the living Water of Life may flow so that ye all may be refreshed with the Fountain of Life and feel Christ a Bishop to oversee and a Counsellor to counsel and a King to rule in your Hearts and a Prophet to open and a Shepherd to feed you with his heavenly Food And so see that nothing be lacking among you To follow whatsoever is of good Report both inward and outward and whatsoever is decent comely modest vertuous righteous and of good report follow after and be stedfast upon Christ the Rock and Foundation And whatever you do let it be done in the Name of Jesus that is in his Power and mind the Gospel of Peace and its Ordr which hath brought Life and Immortality to Light that you may be preserved in Life and in Immortality by the Immortal Power And all to be Children of the Wisdom that is from above which is pure and peaceable and easie to be entreated keeping the Vnity in God's Holy Spirit in which is the Bond of the Prince of Princes Peace in whom you have all Peace Life and Salvation I received your Letter from your Quarterly Meeting and I am glad taht you are in the Lord's Work and Service And my desire is That ye all may stand up for the Glory and Honour of the Lord God and that his Blessings may abound among you And so if you do Write to New-England and Jamaica where I hear they have precious Men and Womens Meetings it might do well to encourage one another in the Work and Service of God So that the Women may all be helps meet to the Men in the Restoration in the Image of God as Man and Woman was in before they fell So with my Love in the Seed of Life to all Friends in the Island Swarthmore in Lancashire the 25th of the 8th Month 1676. G. F. To Friends in the Isle of Man MY Dear Friends be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth Epist 334. and and live in the Light and Power and Spirit of God that you answer that of God in all by which their Minds may be turned to God And keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus To keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus in whom you have Salvation whose Name is above every Name under the whole Heaven that the Lord's Glory you may see to shine in and about your Tabernacles and his Presence among you to teach and order you and be you obedient to it So with my Love to you all in the Everlasting Seed that bruiseth the Head of the Serpent which Seed liveth and reigneth over all from Everlasting to Everlasting in his Glory in whom the Saints do sit down in their Peace and Rest and Joy for evermore Amen Swarthmore the 5th Month 1676. G. F. To Friends in Virginia and Maryland MY Dear Friends Epist 335. all dwell in the Love of God and in his Power and Truth that the Presence of the Lord God you all may injoy who is the Life of you all and the length of your Days who hath the Breath of all Mankind and the Spirits of all Flesh in his Hand and in him you do all live and move and have your being who is your Rock and Salvation and Fountain of Life and of all your Mercies and of your Water of Life And therefore serve and honour and fear and worship him in his Spirit and Truth and that you all may abide in the holy heavenly and spiritual Vine and in him bring forth heavenly and spiritual Fruits to the Glory of God who sent his Son to be a Leader Christ the Leader and Way to God and the Way to God who draweth all Men up to himself where he is ascended to sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus out of all Sin and Transgression by which Man was droven from God that made him barren and unfruitful And therefore be ye separated from the World to the Lord by the Word which was in the Beginning which divideth the Precious from the Vile that by that Word ye may be reconciled to God which Word reconcileth all things in Heaven and in the Earth in one which Word hammereth down that which made twain and so by the glorious Everlasting Word of Life you are born again of the Immortal
but Love that every one of you may be adorned with a meek and quiet Spirit which is with the Lord of great Price and every one of you to be indued with Wisdom from on High which is pure and peaceable gentle and easie to be intreated and full of Mercy and good Works let the Fruits of this appear among you all and then you will all be gentle and easily entreated one of another And keep in the Vnity of the Spirit which is the Bond of the heavenly Peace and then none quenches it and all walking as becomes the Glorious Joyful Peaceable Gospel of Christ which is the Power of God which was before the Devil and his Power was and is over him in this Gospel you all know Life and Immortality brought to Light that you all see your Everlasting Glorious Fellowship in the Everlasting Gospel of Peace in this Gospel the Power of God that was before Enmity was and will remain when it is gone And therefore all you who know this Glorious Gospel of Peace live and walk in it keeping your Glorious Heavenly Comfortable Fellowship in this Glorious Gospel of Peace in which Enmity cannot come as before and in this Everlasting Gospel the Everlasting God who is over all from Everlasting to Everlasting will have the Praise Glory and Thanks who is worthy of all for ever and evermore London the 7th of the 12th Month 1680. G. F. To Friends in Yorkshire DEar Friends Epist 365. In the Lord's Power and Holy Spirit feel his Presence amongst you who hath drawn you with his Spirit to his Son and you that have received him he gives you Power to become his Sons and Daughters and so from the Son of God the second Adam you have Power to meet whose Power is above Adam's Power and his Sons and Daughters in the Fall And now my Friends If you do want Wisdom and Knowledge to order you in the Affairs and Service of God Christ the Treasure of Wisdom c. Christ is the Treasure of your Wisdom and Knowledge and so receive them from his Treasury which is above This heavenly saving Wisdom and Knowledge from whence you have your Grace and Truth Light and Life and the Gospel the heavenly Spirit yea heavenly Food and heavenly Bread and Water of Life from above and the unleavened Bread and sweet Milk of the Word and Water of Life to keep the Feast of the heavenly Man's Passover which is not to be found in any of old Adam's Sons and Daughters Store-houses in the Fall but his old mouldy leavened sowre Bread which makes his Sons and Daughters Hearts to burn one against another and Cloaths them with his old Rags which will not cover their Nakedness which they have stitch'd together which must be all cast off and trodden under Foot by the Spirit and Power of Christ which Power turns you to Christ who Cloaths all his Sons and Daughters with his heavenly Fine Linnen which will never wax old And therefore let all your Lamps be trimmed and Candles lighted that all of you may see your Work and Service for God and Christ in this his Day So that you may have the Blessings from above from him as the holy Men and Women of God had in the days of old so that there may be nothing lacking neither Spiritual nor Temporal And so let all things be done in Peace and Love in the Name and Power of Jesus amongst you and all condescend to one another in Meekness Patience and Quietness in the Fear of the Lord being all ordered with the Wisdom of God which is from above which is pure peaceable gentle and easie to be intreated that all your Hearts Minds and Souls may be knit together in the Love of Christ and that you may be all of one Mind and Spirit in him and whatever you do let it be done in the Name and Power of Jesus to the Glory of God the Father that created all and takes care for all Blessed for ever Amen London the 6th of the 4th Month 1680. G. F. A Letter to the Captives who met together to Worship God in Algier DEar Friends I understand by a Letter from a Friend Epist 366. a Captive amongst you dated the 20th of the 10th Month 1681 That you have a Meeting there in Algier of about Twenty I am glad to hear you meet and it is very well that you have so much Liberty from your Patroons and my desire is That the Lord may preserve you all that do meet in the Name of Jesus that in your Lives and Conversations and Words To preach Righteousness in Life and Conversation you may preach Righteousness and Holiness and Godliness and the Life of Truth so that you may answer the Spirit of God both in the Turks and Moors and the rest of the Captives that God's City may be set upon the holy Hill there which cannot be hid but that all may see it with the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightned every Man that cometh into the World And that Christ's Ensign may be set up in those Parts that with his Light in all Men they may all see it and flock to it and Christ the Ensign furnisheth all that come to him with heavenly Armour and Spiritual Weapons Now Christ enlightens every Man that cometh into the World that every one may believe in the Light and may become a Child of the Light and have Eternal Life and be saved and so the Gospel of Salvation the Power of God is to be preached to every Creature under Heaven And he that believes is saved and hath the Salvation for Christ by the Grace of God hath tasted Death for every Man And the Grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared to all Men And therefore all Men if they will have Salvation it must be by believing receiving and walking in the Grace of God which brings it And the Lord pours out of his Spirit upon all Flesh and therefore all Men and Women must come to this Holy Spirit of God by which the Spirit of Enmity may be slain and crucified in them that in this Holy Spirit of God they may all be in Love and Vnity and with the Spirit of God they may all come to know the Eternal Immortal God and serve and worship him in his Holy Spirit of Truth which he hath poured upon them And in this all will honour God and glorifie him through Jesus Christ in his New Covenant of Light and Grace And so my Dear Friends be faithful and valiant for God's Truth upon Earth and do not deny the Name of Jesus To be valiant for the Truth in whom you have Salvation whose Name is above every Name under the whole Heaven that ye may all be with his Light built upon him your Rock and Foundation that stands sure And now my Dear Friends tho' you remain as Captives yet if ye be Christ's and God's Free-men who leads the Devil into
not bound 2. Tim. 2.9 Dear Friends in the Seed of Life that is over all Epist 398. whom the Lord doth support and hath supported by his Eternal Arm and Power to stand for his Glory be valiant for his Truth and his Name upon the Earth who is God All-sufficient and Almighty over all to support you all and to supply you with all things needful Now dear Friends it is not only given you to believe in the Name of Christ but also to suffer for his Name sake so you see and know To suffer for Christ is the Gift of God as well as Faith 't is a Gift given you to believe and a Gift to suffer for Christ's sake and his Righteousness but however as Christ saith Be ye wise as Serpents and harmless as Doves for Christ's Believers are as Sheep or Lambs among Wolves he hath declared that they shall be brought before Counsels and before Rulers for his Name sake But Christ bids his Disciples Take no Thought what they shall speak for it shall be given you in that same Hour what ye shall speak for it is not you that speak but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you and this Spirit of the Father is sufficient to trust to for it shall answer all if they have Ears to hear and comfort his People his Lambs and Sheep And Christ further said speaking to his Disciples Ye shall be hated of all Men for my Name sake but he that endureth to the end the same shall be saved and he that heareth you to wit Christ's Sheep heareth me saith Christ and he that despiseth you despiseth me namely Christ and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me to wit the Father Matth. 10. Luke 10. And the Disciple is not above his Master nor the Servant above his Lord for Christ the Lord and Master of the Sheep was despised so it is enough for the Desciple that he be as his Master The Desciple is not above his Master and the Servant as his Lord for if they call the Master of the House namely Christ Belzebub how much more shall they call them of his Houshold But the very Hairs of your Head are all numbered Fear ye not therefore ye are of more value than many Sparrows and not one of them shall fall to the Ground without the heavenly Father See here Christ encourages his Lambs and Sheep therefore stand in his Will And if the Lord suffer you who are his Lambs and Sheep and are as Doves and Chickens that Christ hath gathered under his Wings and none are able to pluck you out of his Hands his Power who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him and now if it be the Will of the Lord to try you his Lambs and Sheep by spoiling of your outward Goods as he did his Servant Job and others of his Servants and Children in the days of the Apostles who took joyfully the spoiling of their Goods and Moses by Faith chose rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God than to injoy the Pleasures of Sin which are but for a season esteeming the Reproaches of Christ greater Riches than all the Treasures of Egypt for he had an Eye to the Recompence of Reward as in Heb. 11. And therefore consider how Noah Lot Abraham Isaac and Jacob by Faith served the Lord and went through Sufferings and Trials and Jeremiah and the rest of the Prophets through Faith went through great Sufferings and Imprisonments and Daniel and the Three Children passed through great Sufferings and Trials by Faith so Faith was their Victory which was the Gife of God which Christ is the Author and Finisher of and you read in the Days of the Apostles what Sufferings and Imprisonments they were carried through by Faith and since the Apostles Days how all the Martyrs were carried through great Sufferings and Imprisonments by their Faith which was their Victory in which Faith they pleased God and had Victory over the Devil and in which Faith they were all in Unity Now dear Friends and Brethren if it doth please the Lord to try you who are the Believers in the Light and Children of the Light and the Day of Christ I say again if it please the Lord and it be his Will to try you in stinking Prisons and Dungeons Bride-wells Houses of Correction and suffer you to be put in such places who are his Sheep and Lambs The Lord can Sanctifie all our Sufferings to us and make them pleasant Plants and Branches I say the Lord can sanctifie all such places for his People his Children his Sons and Daughters and make all pleasant to them For his Sheep and People cannot go any where from the Lord for the Lord and his Presence is with them and the Angel of his Presence faves them and therefore such Goals and Dungeons bridewells Houses of Correction which are for evil Doers if the Lord do try or suffer his People to be put in such places yet his People are all in the Hand and under the Wings of Christ and he can sanctifie all such places to them and you in that State are to pray for the Enemies that put you there and if they curse and hate you you are to bless them and to do good unto them and you are to pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you and love your Enemies that you may be Children of your Father which is in Heaven for he maketh the Sun to shine on the Evil and on the Good and causeth his Rain to fall on the Just and on the Vnjust And the Apostle saith to the Believers Try all things hold fast that which is good so you holding fast that which is good with that you cna try all things whether they be good or bad and be not overcome with Evil but overcome Evil with Good To over come Evil with Good This is the Command So it is the Good that must overcome the Evil and what hath the Children of God to overcome the Evil withal but the Good Therefore then all must hold fast that which is Good if that with the Good they overcome the Evil and can try all things but when any do go from the Good in themselves then they are not like with it to ovecome the Evil nor with it try all things without holding fast that which is Good for without it you cannot try all things nor overcome the Evil except you hold fast that which is Good which was before the Dad was or Evil either for by the Good Evil is overcome and with it you can try all things whether they are Good or Bad and a good Man David saith He hath dispersed he hath given to the poor his Righteousness endureth for ever his Horn shall be exalted with honur They that chuse the things that please the Lord and keep his Covenant even them will I give a Name in my House and within my Walls