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A40137 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. Fox, George, 1624-1691.; Whitehead, George, 1636?-1723. 1698 (1698) Wing F1764; ESTC R15883 725,753 580

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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
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
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
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
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
in the Presence of the Living God of a feigned Humility and a feigned Love Feigned Love and Humility which is out of the Light and then that to use as a Customary Salutation or a Formal Gesture which is all for Condemnation and to be kept out being out of the Covenant So see that all your Actings be in and from the Light here ye will be kept clean and pure and will come to be sealed in the Everlasting Covenant of God with the Light which comes from Christ And again I charge you all in the Prefence of the Living God not to suffer your Minds to go out to Contend with them Contentions out of Truth who be not of the Truth in that which is out of the Truth both which are to be condemned with the Truth For the same Mind will boast and get up which is out of the Truth and reaches at things in the Comprehension though it lives not in it but is excluded out of the Truth and shall not enter but is for Condemnation And so to you all this is the Counsel of the Lord God of Power and of Peace that in Peace ye may be preserved to wait for the Spirit of Grace and of Wisdom and of Vnderstanding And Friends all every where Meet together waiting upon the Lord that your Minds may be guided by the Spirit of God up to God And know the Life of God in one another which all whose Minds are abroad are Strangers to and to the Covenant of Promise for the Covenant and Promise of Life is with and to the Seed The Covenant and Promise of Life And there is no Sin Iniquity or Transgression in the Covenant for that is all Judged being out of the Covenant of God And therefore all wait that ye all may come to witness the Covenant of Life made with your Souls and to find the Witness the Seal of the Spirit that ye are Sealed to God with Sin and Transgression finish'd and that ye may all witness Sin and Transgression finished and blotted out by Christ Jesus the New Covenant of God and ye may all come to know the Lord and to love the Light which Christ hath given you to teach you then ye will witness the Covenant yea Ten Thousands will witness the Covenant Christ Jesus For as the Lord said I will give him for a Covenant of Light to the Gentiles to open the blind eyes And so this Light doth open the Eyes of the blind All ye that were blind as the Gentiles or the Jews ye know that with the Light your Eyes are opened and ye do see the New Covenant the Unchangable Priest the Unchangable Covenant So in that which changeth not dwell that that which is changable and wavering may be Judged and Condemned with that which changeth not And though the Ministration of Condemnation was and is glorious in its time The Ministration of the Spirit yet the Ministration of the Spirit exceedeth in Glory which changeth not and there is no Condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus the New Covenant who walk in the Spirit But who are in that which changeth running into the Changable Ways and Works without and are in that Nature which hates the Light all such are for Condemnation by the Light which is Eternal and never changeth And all the beggarly Lusts Traditions and Rudiments of Men which are acted in that Nature contrary to the Light are for Condemnation by the Light So dwelling all in the Light which is Vnchangable ye come to Judge all the Changable Ways and Worships Changable Worships that are Variable and Changable by that which comes from God which changeth not and with his Light which he hath given all those things are Judged So dwelling in the Judgment ye will be filled full of Mercy for first Judgment and then Mercy is to spread over all that the Just may rule over all And Friends I charge you all in the Presence of the Living God let no Evil Communication Evil Communication nor evil Words proceed out of your Mouths And if ye find the Root in you not taken away that would act such things dwell in the Light which lets you see the Evil Communications and with the Light give Judgment upon it in the particular and first Judge it there for that is it which corrupts the Good Manners And there areno good Manners but all is corrupted whilst there is Evil Communication and all that Profession is Abomination to the Lord whilst that stands So put away all filthy Communication out of your Mouths and all Wrath Vnrighteousness and Vngodliness with the Light ye will see it all and walking in the Light and loving it ye may Judge all that with the Light and with it come to know the good Manners and pure Communication And walking in this Light it will keep out all Evil Communication from amongst you for the corrupt Manners are there and procced form that and all the Profession which is performed in that Nature whilst the Evil Communication is standing is Abomination and for Condemnation For all the Evil Manners corrupt and all their Profession is corrupt and for the Fire So all walk in the Light with which ye are enlightned for it will teach you all the good Manners and pure Communication Good Manners and condemn all corrupt Manners and corrupt Communication and so to have the Heart and Mind cleansed from all such things And all walking in the Light ye have the Besom labour to sweep the Land from all such corrupt Manners and vain Communication and with the Light all that comes to be Judged down So the Light is the Judge and the Condemnation and in the Light walk and ye will shine And My Dear Brethren in the Covenant of Life keep to Yea and Nay and call the days First day Second day Third day Fourth day Yea and Nay Fifth day Sixth day and Seventh day as they were given forth First day Second day c. and called by God in the Beginning The Endless Riches ye are made partakers of and the Endless Inheritance ye are come to have a share of Heirs with Christ of the Kingdom that never fadeth away and ye that suffer with Christ shall reign with Christ And to you all Friends who are not come up to the Covenant and cannot witness that ye are come into it and sealed by the Spirit follow no Image-makers but the Life guiding you which is Eternal that will hew down all Imaginations and Likenesses and Images and Image-makers Image-makers that the Glorious God the Father of Life may be exalted the Ground of all Truth And Friends none to speak abroad but as ye are moved of God with the Spirit of the Lord and to that be obedient as faithful Servants that ye may enter into the Joy of your Lord. And Friends I warn and charge you all that there be no keeping of Old things
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
is not a Word in all the Scripture to hold up the Practice of Sprinkling Infants nor the Word Sacrament Sprinkling Infants c. nor to hold up an Hour-glass to preach by for an Hour's time in a place but the vain Mind doth hold up many things which Christ doth not command Earth maketh Masters amongst Earthly Men but let him that ruleth The Earth maketh Masters rule in Love for the Earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof And he that laboureth let him labour as to the Lord in love So let Love be the Head in all things and then the Lord is exalted then there is no Eye-service but Singleness of Heart then all that is done is done as as to the Lord. So be faithful in all things and keep from the World 's vain Customs Do not wear Apparel Apparel to gratifie the proud Mind neither Eat nor Drink to make your selves wanton for it was created for the Health and not for the Lust to be as Servants to us and we Servants to God to use all those things to his Glory To whom be Praises Honour and Glory for ever-more who hath created all things to his Glory and so to be used and spent Do not make Profession to be seen outwardly for Christ was Condemned by the World and the formal Professors and all his Followers are as Wonders to the World Therefore marvel not if the World hate you but rejoice Look not back but keep forward knowing that the World is Enmity with God Ye that know the Light love one another and dwell in it and know one another in it G. F. FRIENDS Make not Flesh your Arm by Carnal Reasonings Epist 59. Consultations and Disputings in that part An Exhortation to Friends not to make Flesh their Arm. which is above the Innocent Life for that needs none to plead its Cause but God its Father who will give you sufficient Strength and Wisdom at the same Hour the other shall and will fall before the Enemies of the Lord. G. F. To Friends to keep in the Fear of the Lord. FRiends Epist 60. Every particular mind that which is pure of God in you to guide you up to God and to keep you in the Fear of the Lord that ye may receive Refreshment from God alone in your selves and grow up in the Inward Man nourished and strengthned by that which is Immortal And delight in that which shews you the Deceit of your Hearts and Judges that which is contrary to God and be Obedient to that which is pure The Lord God a daily Help so ye will see the Lord God present with you a daily Help his Hand always ordering of you and as a Shepherd always keeping the Dogs from his Lambs whom he feeds in Green Pastures and waters with his Heavenly Dew of Mercy who makes them all fruitful The Cry of Want and Poverty shall be no more heard in the Land of the Living but Joy Gladness and Plenty The wearied Soul that hath lain in the Pit and in the Mire and lived in the Clouds of Temptation God is our King and cried out for want of the Lord shall cry plentious Redemption and say God is our King who fills Heaven and Earth and the Voice of our King is heard in our Land So Fare-ye-well in the Lord And the Lord God Almighty keep you and preserve you in his mighty Power G. F. FRiends Epist 61. dwell all in the Immortal Seed of God which is Heir of the Promise of God and doth inherit the same so every one of you know the Promise of God your Portion and the Power of God your Portion and the Kingdom of God that is everlasting without End and the Power of an endless Life being Heirs of that come to inherit it knowing it your Portion that ye may possess it and increase in the same Kingdom and Power and endless Life Here ye lay up Treasure in Heaven Lay up Treasure in Heaven where the Thief Moth nor Rust comes not And know the Seed of God in which is the Election that never altereth nor changeth which Seed never changeth neither doth it submit to that which doth change but standeth stedfast and distinct from all the Changables Which Seed endeth all Types Figures and Shadows and variable things and Typical things that do change which Seed doth not change which is Christ which keeps above all the Inventions Rudiments Traditions vain Talkers and Bablers that be in the World and standeth when they will be all gone and have an End In which Seed is Power Wisdom and Life Eternal that remains for ever and ever which hath the Dominion in the Life and Power The Vnchangable Wisdom of God and unchangable Wisdom of God which is pure and gentle from above and preserving above all the Destroying which keeps up the heads of the living to Life in that live Which Seed of God breaks the Head of them that go out of the Truth to wit the Serpent's And here Life goes over all in Renown and Dominion and the Top-stone comes to be over all laid So live in Life and the Love and the Power of God which was before Man and Woman fell in that Power ye are kept over all outward things that have been set up and are set up in the Fall which causeth Pride and Contention and Strife which if lived in keeps out of the Power in which is the Saints Everlasting Fellowship that stands and remains and is Everlasting for ever and ever In which Power the living Seed lives and the living Babes are preserved in which Power they have their Food from the God of Life which is living which nourishes the Immortal Babes up to the Immortal God with the Immortal Food through which they come to be the living Stones that build up the spiritual Houshold The Church is in God who are the Church in God who are brought out of the State where Adam and Eve with his Sons and Daughters is drove from God up to God again by Christ the Power of God who is the Way to God where the Church is in God that is the Pillar and Ground of Truth So all in that live which brings you up to God out of the State of Adam and Eve and his Sons and Daughters in the Fall In that Power as I said before ye will have an everlasting Fellowship with God and one with another which Power of God was before the Fall was In that Power ye will know one another and see one another in which ye shall ever be together in which ye shall see and know your Election before the World began So Fare-well G. F. ALL Friends be Low and in the Life of God dwell Epist 62. to keep you Low Ye are the Salt of the Earth to make it savoury unto God Ye are the Light of the World The Light Justifies walking therein Therefore walk in the Light of Christ
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
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
mind the pure Spirit of God in thee to guide thee up unto God to thunder down all Deceit within and without So Farewell God Almighty keep you all G. F. DEar Brethren In the mighty Power of God go on Epist 114. to which Power of the God of Heaven and Earth To E. B. and F. H. all the Powers of the Earth must bow that to that of God in all Consciences ye may be made manifest that that in them which is of God may witness The mighty Power of God that ye are sent of God Dwell in the Life of God that to the Spirits in Prison ye may minister and to it be made manifest that ye are no Deceivers but Saviours and such as are sent to lead from all Deceivers The Spirits in Prison and them to testifie against So in the mighty Power of God go on Preaching the Gospel to every Creature and Discipling them in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit In the Name of Christ Preach the mighty Day of the Lord to all the Consciences of them who have lain long in Darkness and under its Chain where the Light shined but the Darkness could not comprehend it So in the Power of the Lord God go on and thresh that which hath been fed with the Harlot's Spirit and the Harlot famish The Harlot's Spirit which hath and doth Prison the Just I Charge you in the Presence of the Living God dwell in his Power that with his Power ye may be carried along to minister to all the Spirits Imprisoned by the Deceit As the Life of God doth arise it will lead you up to God the Father of Life in this your Fruits shall never wither But go on to plant a Vineyard The Vineyard and to Plow that ye may eat the Fruit thereof and to plant in Hope and to thresh in Hope that ye may be made Partakers of your Hope And to thresh out the Corn that the Wind may scatter the Chaff that the Corn may be gathered into the Barn So in the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ preach the Everlasting Gospel that by his Power the Sick may be healed the Leprous cleansed the Dead raised the Blind Eyes opened and the Devils cast out In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ go on that that of God in all Consciences may witness that ye are sent of God and are of God and so according to that speak to bring up all unto the Head Christ and into the Life which gave forth the Scriptures for there 's the Unity and out of it is the Confusion G. F. To Friends Concerning the Word of Life FRiends and Brethren Epist 115. the Eternal Word from which ye have both spoken and ministred to others is the Word of Life the Word of Peace The Word of Reconciliation the Word of Reconciliation which makes of Twain one New Man and if ye do abide there there is no Division but Vnity in the Life which was before Death was and before Division was Therefore that which is divided is of the Kingdom that cannot stand and is for Condemnation by the Life and Word of Reconciliation That which speaks the Evil Language I do deny for that which speaks so doth not see throughly Therefore in the Light wait where the Vnity is where the Peace is where the Oneness with the Father and the Son is where there is no Rent nor Division but all one in Christ Jesus the Everlasting Fountain of Life and Covenant of Peace The Son of Man cometh not to be ministred unto but to minister Where the Life and Fulness dwells it hides and covers from that to which the Curse is that so it may minister forth to the Seed's Seed SOVND sound the Trumpet abroad ye Valiant Soldiers of Christ in his Kingdom Anti-Christs in Arms. of which is no End All the Anti-Christs in the Kingdoms of fallen Men are up in Arms against Christ G. F. Concerning Judging in Meetings FRiends Epist 116. Do not Judge one another in Meetings ye that do minister in the Meetings for your so doing hath hurt the People both within and without Meetings quiet and your selves under their Judgment ye have brought And your Judging one another in the Meetings hath emboldned others to Quarrel and Judge you also in the Meetings And this hath been all out of Order and the Church-Order also Now if ye have any thing to say to any stay till the Meeting be done and then speak to them in private between your selves and do not lay open one anothers Weakness Not to lay open Weakness for that is Weakness and not Wisdom to do so For your Judging one another in Meetings hath almost destroyed some Friends and distracted them And this is for want of Love that beareth all things and therefore let it be amended No more but my Love FRIENDS If any amongst you have Movings to do any Service for the Lord Do Service for the Lord. when they have done it let them return again with speed to their Habitation and there serve the Lord in their Generation that no Slothfulness may be amongst you But all keep in Diligence that no Occasion may be given to any to speak evil of the Truth but that ye may answer that of God in all So give no Offence Give no Offence for Wo is to those by whom Offences do come Yet Quench not the Spirit G. F. MY Dear Friends Keep your Meetings and ye will feel the Seed to arise though never a Word be spoken amongst you Epist 117. And be Faithful that ye may Answer that of God in every one Neglect not your Talent And do not neglect your Talent but in the Life and Power of God live which ye have received And my Dear Friends dwell in the Life and Power and Love of God and one towards another FRIENDS Dwell in the Measure of the Spirit of God and to it take heed that in it ye may grow The Love that is Eternal for the true and lasting Love proceeds from God who is Eternal And abiding in the Measure of Life ye will have Peace and Love that never changeth if from the Measure you turn Iniquity gets up and so the Love waxeth Cold and in that lodge the evil Thoughts Jealousies evil Will and Murmurings Wait in the Light which is of God that ye may all witness the Son of God and witness that which shall never wither so ye will see and feel God near G. F. LEt no Friends go begond their own Measure given them of God Epist 118. nor rejoyce in another Man's Line made ready to their Hands Another Man's Line lest that get up and would be Justified which is to be Condemned And that which will Boast and be Justified in the Sight of Men is out of the Kingdom excluded Therefore in the Measure of Life wait and with it be led to have
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 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
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
Habitation They will say They must not Meet together such as are gathered in the Name of Christ Jesus that never fell who is above Adam that sell And thus the Devil would lay all wast and make the World like a Wilderness and break down the Bounds of the righteous Gardens and Plantations and would break them down into his Wilderness and lay them barren and wast And so when they are gone fromt he Truth themselves the Devil is got into them and would keep them from Meetings Meetings to draw others into the same who are gathered into the Name of Jesnes and are come to sit down in the heavenly Plate in Christ Jesus and are found with the Flock that lie down at Noon-day And so that fallen Spirit would bring the Saints to for sake their Assemblies and wouldmake them like a Wilderness if he cannot he will throw Dirt upon them and back-bite them and prejudice them and slander them and speak Evil of them and strive to sow discord amongst them and preach up some outward things amongst them to bring them into an outward Fellowship from the Immotal Power and Gospel-Fellowship and fill them with Earthly Wisdom and Knowledge Carnal Policy and Vnderstanding and carnal Policy with Quirks Tricks Turnings and Windings to over-word and ensnare the simple and to bring them into Questioning And so this Spirit is to destroy ruin and lay wast and to rob and beguile and would destroy if it were in its Power the Saints Fellowship and Worship and if it were possible to deceive the Elect. For sometimes it will come in the shew of Worship and fained Humility and other times with Esau's Tears but all the strength of it is set to lead the Innocent out of his Habitation and to destroy and devour him And so being adulterated from the true Spirit the true Light and the Fellowship in it Secret Evills it runs into all the secret Evils inward Adultery and outward Adultery Vncleanness and Fornication and being in the Evil Darkness and Vncleanness judges all like unto it self with its evil Thoughts and casts out its Flood of Evil-Speaking and Wickedness upon the righteous and just the Saints of the Most-High whose Garments are clean and pure And so this Spirit will cry down the Saints Fellowship in Spirit and Worship in Spirit and Truth and their Fellowship in the Power which was before their Forms were or the Devil either and when it cannot get them down and break their Fellowship to forsake their Assembling together which is contrary to the Apostles Doctrine and the Churches in the Primitive Times before the Apostasy and when they see they can neither break their Fellowship nor Worship Forms of Worship then they say Away with your Forms and cry down Forms to such as be in the Power of Godliness and that Spirit 's Work that doth so is to bring into such Forms in Time which are out of the Spirit and Truth and Power of God in which the Saints have Fellowship and Refreshment in which God is worshipped in that which is above and was before Time And that contrary Spirit its Work is to bring into the many Invented Forms in the Fall and sometimes runs out of all right Form into Confusion and out of all Orde of Life in which the Saints of the Most-high that walk in the Spirit are in the Fellowship and Power of Life having the Order of Life amongst them Keep your Habitation And therefore all Friends Keep your Habitation every where in the Truth of God and let your Lights be shining and your Lamps burning and have Oil in your Lamps and Salt in your selves to savour withal that ye may grow up into Christ Jesus by whom all things were made that wer made that through him ye may know all things And so Live in him that destroys the Enmity and in him sit in Christ Jesus in whom ye have Vnity Life Peace and Salvation The Honour was given to him that never changed nor never fell True Honour who is Christ Jesus and ye in him are partakers of this Honour and they that change and fall do not know this Honour but are a Dishonour to him G. F. FRiends live in the Seed of God that destroys the Devil Epist 188. who is the Author and Cause of Wars and Strife and brining of Men and People into the Earth where the War Strife and Pride is The Author of Wars here the outward Sword-men have not learned yet to beat their Swords and Spears into Plough-shares and Pruning-hooks Yet ye that are in that Seed see that ye Accuse no Man falsly that hath the Sword of Justice The Sword of Justice which is to keep the Peace and is a Terror to the Evil-doers and to keep down the Transgressors and for the praise of them that do well this is owned in its place But he that killeth with the Sword must perish with the Sword So there was a Time the Jews were to fight with outward Weapons with Sword and Spear Outward Weapons but there is a Time when Nations shall not learn War any more but shall come to that which shall take away the Occasion of Wars which was in the beginning before Wars were And Friends take heed of blending your selves with the outward Powers of the Earth ALL Friends dwell in the Life and Power and Seed of God 2. To Friends to dwell in the seed in which is their Safery in which ye may be kept in the Son of God's Kingdom and preserved in his Dominion out of all changable things in that God's Blessing will be with you In the Seed of God is the stayed State and in that is the Life and Peace with God and the Offering that satisfieth God and that perfecteth for ever them that are sanctified The stayed State And the Seed bruises and destroys the Serpent's head who is the Prince of the Air the Prince of Darkness the Tempter and the Troubler in which Seed is Peace and Life enjoyed and by the Wisdom of it to be ordered to God's Glory And there the Reign of Christ is known who is come to reign and to rule G. F. To Friends in New-England and Virginia MY Dear Friends Robert Hodson William Robinson Marmaduke Stevenson Peter Pearson William Brend William Leara and the rest of Friends in New-England and Virginia Epist 189. Concerning Judging Be faithful to the Lord in the Truth of the Lord God 8. Month 15. nd in his Power and Wisdom be valiant for it upon the Earth and spread it abroad and confound Deceit And dwell in the Power of God and stand in it which comprehends the whole World that through it ye may answer the Witness of God in every one and be a Dread to Nations And go on in Peace and Love and Vnity one with another and keep in the Wisdom of the Lord God that ye may be answerable to the
to God who have been faithful in their outward Treasure or Mammon one to another So let every one's Conversation be without Covetousness let not that be once named among Saints Covetousness And Do to all Men as ye would have them do to you that is the Law and the Prophets if not ye are judged by them both For the Kingdom stands in Righteousness mark stands in it and in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost mark in it FOR Holiness becomes the House of God Postscript Whosoever acts Unholily it is that doth dishonour his House and doth not become it Whosoever acts Unfaithfully in this Outward Treasure or Mammon The House of God or in the true Treasure to God is not justified in the Sight of God nor Man for they are justified by Faith through Faithfulness both to God and Man For whosoever doth Righteousness is of God and he that doth not Righteousness is not of God For God loveth the Righteous and delighteth in them but not in them that do Vnrighteousness For in the Righteousness they have Peace but out of Righteousness People have Trouble So all God's People his Children his Saints must be Holy as he is Holy and therefore do that which is holy and just in all your Lives and Conversations And whatsoever ye do let it be done to the Praise and Glory of God mark that Have God's Praise and Glory in your Eye in all your Speakings and Doings then ye will be preserved to his Glory and then ye will honour him and them that honour him he will honour and beautifie The fine Linnen and cloath with the fine Linnen the Righteousness of Christ that Men may not see your Nakedness For God will have a holy People to serve him in Holiness a true People to serve him in Truth and in his Spirit and in his new and living Way above all the dead Ways that are come by Sin and Unrighteousness and Transgression of his Spirit and Power and Command So all ye that know his Power and Spirit live in it that ye may glorifie God in all your Lives and Conversations and Words that ye may answer that of God in all that ye may glorifie God in your Bodies Souls and Spirits which are his who hath made them and gives them to you for that End To whom be Glory and Honour for ever who created all for his Glory and for his Honour So the Lord God Almighty keep and preserve you faithful in all things to his Glory and Honour for ever He that walketh in his Integrity is Just and blessed shall be his Children after him Prov. 20.7 Vnjust Weights and Vnjust Measures both these are an Abomination to the Lord Verse 10. G. F. DEar Friends Epist 201. In the Stilness and Silence of the Power of the Almighty dwell which never varies alters nor changes but preserveth over and out of 3. Month 3. and above all the Changable Worships Religions Ministers Churches Teachings Principalities and Powers with the Power of God Stilness and Silence which keepeth over all this to the Kingdom of Christ that is Everlasting in which there is no Changing who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords all Power in Heaven and Earth is given unto him of whose Light Life Power and Wisdom Grace and Riches have ye received which comes from him that doth not Change So in that live that doth not Change the Vnchangable Life the Vnchangable Mind the Vnchangable Spirit and Wisdom and the Vnchangable Worship and Church of which Christ is the Vnchangable Head who remains the same yesterday to day and for ever in that ye will feel the Blessing and Presence of the Lord God of Life amongst you The unchangable Church and Worship as ye all abide in the unchangable Kingdom Dominion Power and Life who are Heirs of it according to your Measures who have received the Light and received the Life and Grace and the Power of a Kingdom and a World that hath no end So wait all in it that ye may be Possessors and Inheritors of the Kingdom and of the Life and Power which hath no end and of the Promises that are Yea and Amen and let nothing that is of the World alter you but keep ye in that which keepeth you in the Everlasting Kingdom of God The 3d of the 3d Month 1661. G. F. An Answer to a Letter sent to G. F. concerning the Voluntary Contribution to the King FRiend To the Thing thou Queriest of me concerning this Matter Epist 202. my Answer is Seeing that the King and his Friends desire it not as a Tax or an Assesment but a Free Gift of the People A Free Gift which cannot be said is an Oppression therefore it is left to all Friends to do as they are Free And what the World doth Friends are not to look at who will set up a thing and dislike it but Friends are to mind the Vniversal Power of the Lord God that they may do that freely in their own Power which they do better than by Compulsion Tax or Assess for if all things were done so it were the best in the Free State Bounty and Love which would more break the Hearts of People than by Force of Assesment and Tax So things are left to the Wisdom and Vniversal Spirit of the Lord God The Vniversal Spirit which goes over the Heads of all in the Fall that with the Living Power and Wisdom of God ye may overcome them and so do as ye are Free G. F. WHat Friends Do ye reign as Kings Epist 203. Can they pluck never a one of you out of the Father's Hand Are ye put forth The Father's Hand Do ye witness that Scripture fulfilled put forth to follow the King of Kings the Shepherd who gives Life abundantly In that let your Joy be still and your Comfort remain in which ye will feel the Endless Kingdom and Dominion In that the Lord be with you who is your Strength Comfort and Fulness for Evermore World without End And 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 and know it and in it be Content Dwell in the Power of Truth and be not Negligent in that but Diligent serving the Lord every one in your Measures that to the Lord God every one of you may be a Blessing Be Diligent and a sweet Savour unto him in your Creation and Generation feeling and knowing the Lord's Power every one in your selves yea the Power of an Endless Life and of a Kingdom that hath no End and of a Dominion that is over all Dominions And in the Power of the Lord God Everlasting ye may feel the Seed of God in every particular of you raised up which doth inherit the same that ye may sit down in your own Possession of Everlasting Life And in that Meet together waiting
upon the Lord and in it keep your Meetings where ye may feel the Chief Shepherd leading you into Pastures of Life And so Meetings the Blessing of the Lord be with you G. F. To all Friends Prisoners DEar Friends and Brethren Epist 204. The Seed of God feel all in your selves which is the Heir of the Power of God that ye may sit down in the Possession of the same 3d Month 22. inheriting the Power and the Promise and the Gospel The seed of God In which Power of God is the Fellowship being Heirs of the same and Members of that Fellowship which never hath an End which brings Life and Immortality to Light which Power of God was before that was which darkneth Life and Immortality from People Walk in the Truth So walk in the Truth then ye walk with the God of all Truth and walk in the Righteousness and then ye walk with the Righteous God in all Peace Walk in Holiness and then ye walk in that in which ye see God which they that do not see him not Therefore walk in the Power of God which goes over the Power of Darkness which was before it was which Power of God is the Gospel in which is the Mystery of the Fellowship a Mystery I say to all the Fellowships that are out of the Power of God Therefore the Seed of God know The Top-Stone laid which is the Top-Stone that it may be over all laid in you which bruiseth the Serpent's Head which is the fulfilling of the Prophets and Prphecies which Seed brings to the Beginning where are the Pastures of Life So in that Meet in the Seed in that wait in the Power of God in which ye have Life in that keep your Meetings which brings to feel that which was before the Power of Darkness was The Wisdom of God And wait to inherit the Wisdom of God that with that ye may be all ordered to God's Glory in his Life in which ye may feel Vnity with himself and one with another and his Presence and Blessings among you in the Power and Seed of God which was before Enmity was in which is the Vnity and the Holy Will and Dominion Which Power of God brings from all the barren Mountains where is Death to the Begtinning where is Life My Love is to all Friends in the Everlasting Seed of God that hath the Promise of Life and doth inherit the same in which is the Fellowship with God and one with another London the 22d of the 3d Month 1661. G. F. ALL Friends Epist 205. Live in God's Dominion and Power and Life which was Storms and Tempests before Storms and Tempests were in which ye may feel Life and Dominion Power and Victory the Lord's Power being lived in which was before Tempests were in which ye will have the Victory A Summer Religion There is a Summer-Religion which appears when the Sun shineth upon them and in the Summer-time all the venemous Creatures creep out of their Holes Corners and Dens and the Flies Wasps and Snakes but when the Winter is come and the Storms and Tempests come then the Summer-Religion is gone then the Venemous Viperous Creatures Religion and Works are gone The standing Religion But the Religion that is in the Power of God standeth which was before the Devil was and all his Works and Children And so that is the standing Religion that is in the Power of God which was before the Power of Darkness was And Friends ye that know the Light of Jesus Christ and have tasted of his Power by which ye come to be gathered into the Name of Jesus do not forsake the Assembling of your selves together but provoke one another and exhort one another to Love The Love of God and to Good Works and let not Powers nor Principalities nor Prisons Thrones nor Dominions spoiling your Goods Mockings Scoffings nor Reproachings and Pluckers off your Hair and Smiters separate you from the Love of God that ye have in Christ Jesus who conquered Death and the Devil the Power of it the Adversary the Wicked One the Enmity Christ is the Life the Light the Love of God to Mankind now ye coming to be gathered into him who destroys the Devil and his Works the Life that destroys Death and the Light Truth destroye Error which destroys Darkness and the Truth that destroys Error and all Falshood and the Power of God that destroys the Power of the Devil and being gathered into Christ and into his Name Meetings keep your Meetings in the Power of God and in his Light and Life whose Gathering is above all other Gatherings in the Earth and Christ's Name is above all other Names on the Earth And feel the Seed of God over all that set which makes to suffer which was before it was and will remain when it is gone From a Lover of your Souls and your Everlasting Good G. F. IN the Power of God that is Everlasting Epist 206. and doth remain in this your Day of Trial in it stand of which ye are Partakers and are come to be Heirs of the same and in it is your Peace and Kingdom A Day of Trial. And though ye have not a Foot of Ground to stand upon yet ye have the Power of God to skip and to leap in standing in that which is your Life that is Everlasting Who by the Power of God are gathered up to the Beginning to the Endless Life who have your Meetings in it that neither Death nor the Power of it can separate you from nor out of the Power of God for it was before Death or the Power of it was in that are your Living Meetings Meetings and Joynings and Building up the Spiritual Houshold of living Stones gathered by and through the Power of God In which Power of God is the Houshold of Faith which Faith gives them the Victory in which Power of God ye being are gathered over Jews Gentiles and the Apostate-Christians Meetings and Gatherings who are in Enmity and Confusion and out of the Power of God that put the Wheat for the Tares and so persecute the Elect which Election was before the World began of which ye are made Partakers Stand fast therefore in your Confidence in that which is without End in that in which the Endless Life is seen in the Power of God and Light which rules over Powers Thrones Principalities and Dominions The Power of God goes over them and ye living in it nothing can separate you from the Love of God which ye have in Christ the Seed which was before the World began glorified with the Father who hath all Kings and Kingdoms in his hand which is his Power in that let your Faith stand With which Immortal Power ye may all be cloathed which covers you and preserves you over the Mortal And Prisons Fetters Dungeons and Sufferings Prisons Fetters c. the
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
Bridegroom The Word of God cannot be bound which makes Rich which lives for Ever in which is the Life So do not quench the Spirit nor add to the Prophecy nor diminish that keeps you from the Plagues and to see your Names written in the Lamb's Book of Life There stands your Joy Everlasting through which ye see the White-Stone through which Light Power and Seed ye do overcome that which is gone forth from God So ye dwelling in the Son of God ye shall go no more forth but shall inherit all things So Farewell KEEP in the Power of the Lord God that goes over all the World Flight in the Winter that none of your Flight may be in the Winter And beware lest any of your Flight be on the Sabbath-Day which the signification of it is Rest but all in the Power of the Living God abide in which ye may feel Life Peace and Rest and an abiding Place a secret Chamber to turn into till the Indignation and Wrath of the Lord be past which is to come over all Transgressors And if the Judgment begin at the House of God first and the Righteous passeth the straight way to Salvation where will the Hypocrites and the Sinners appear Over whom the overflowing Scourge must come and pass Therefore in the Life Power and Love of God all dwell And the Apostle saith Forsake not the assembling of your selves as the manner of some is but edifie one another in the Light and the Life as the Day doth appear And to say That People must not Meet together to worship God they may as well say Ye must not be Christians For Persecutors were always blind Persecutors and they stopped their Ears to the Spirit of God in themselves formerly so were in the blind Zeal and turned against them who were in the true Zeal in the Spirit of God Let this be carefully Copied over and sent amongst Friends G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 207. Look above all Sufferings that are outward at the Seed of God which was before that was which makes to suffer Suffernings for Tithes and the Seed of God Christ Jesus will stand when that which makes to suffer is gone And so in the Seed of God live and lie down in the same which is Christ the Life the Way to God the Father of Life The Tithes of the Jews and the Tithes of the Apostate-Christians must all be born Testimony aginst by them that be redeemed from the Earth and reigns above it in his Life and Power and Wisdom And so be of good Faith and never heed but make War in Righteousness with the Beast Dragon Whore and her Folowers for by the Lord many Walls and Troops have ye gone thorow and leaped over and the Lord hath given you Dominion over that which warred against you and by the Power of the Lord ye have Overcome and in the Power of the lord ye will Overcome all and in it will stand when all the contrary is gone And know your Portion and sit down in the Possession of it So every one of you to be in your Possessions and Inheritances and with the Shield of Faith and helmet of Salvation The Shrill of Faith and the Brest-Plate of Righteousness and the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God which was before Deceit was which will hammer and break and cut down all that which is contrary And being shod with the Preparation of the Gospel which is the Power of God which was before the Fall was In that Stand in the Power of God which was before the Devil weas and will remain when he is gone G. F. ALL ye Prisoners of the Lord for his Truth sake Epist 208. and for keeping the Testimony of Jesus Christ against all the Inventions Traditions Rudiments Will-Worships fained Humilities and Self-Righteousnesses that are in the Fall and are out of God's Power and Righteousness who have no Weapons but Carnal like themselves your Patience must overcome all the rough Spirits in the World and your Love must bear all things For Patience obtains the Crown which is Immortal which runs the Race So it is the Lamb must have the Victory over all the unclean airy Spirits and over him that is out of the Truth So be Meek and Low then ye follow the Example of Christ Patience obtains the Crown and come to bear the Image of the Just who suffered by the Vjust and put on his Righteousness who suffered by the Vnrighteous whose Back was struck Hair was pluck'd off and Face was spit upon and yet cried Father forgive them Here he kept his Dominion though a Sufferer who had the Victory which the Followers of the Lamb do in Measure attain to So put on Courage put on Patience Let your Loyalty be known for your King that hath conquered the Devil Death and Hell in walking in Righteousness Peace and Truth feeling the Power of God preaching and reaching the Witness of God in every one when Words are not uttered And let your Faith be in the Power that goes through all things and over all things and every one hearken to it So the Power of the mighty God then ye will know and his Arm how it works and the Hand how it carries you The Power and Arm of God which will bring you out of Tribulation and Thraldom and Spiritual Egypt into Peace And this is the Power of God in which live and dwell in which ye will feel him which was before Enmity was And be at Peace one with another then ye will live in the Prince of Princes Peace and in his Kingdom Dominion and Life in which is Vnity which was before Enmity was and which destroys it And so in the Power of the Lord God ye are made strong which goes over the Power of Arkness and was before all that was which is out of the Power of God And all People that are gone from the Witness of God in their own particulars they are all weak and feeble and staggering All Mens and Womens Strength is in the Power of God which goes over the Power of Darkness So feel all this in you to carry you through all and over all and in it preach and Work for God and let your Ear be lent to it and hearken to it in one another and by it feel the Seed raised up in one another which is Heir of the Power that ye may know each your Portion For all People that are gone from the Witness of God in their own particulars that are erred from it and hate the Light they are full of Darkness Sin and Iniquity and are far from Inspiration and Revelation Inspiration and Revelation while their Minds are erred from the Spirit of God in themselves that is hid from them So when their Minds are turned with the Light and Spirit of God towards God then with it they shall know something of Revelation and Inspiration as they are
turned by that of God from the Evil and emptied of that then there will be some Room in them for fomething of God to be revealed and inspired into them And there in that they will have Prophecy seeing things to come being turned from the Evil that hath darkened them and separated them from God in which they will see the Covenant through which they will come to have Peace with God And all Friends your Sufferings ye may gently send to them Sufferings which make you to suffer whether it be Sheriffs Deputy-Lieutenants or Justices and let them see Christ's Mind nor the Aposthes were not to Imprison any nor did they Imprison any whereby ye may clear your Innocency to the Consciences and the Witnesses of God in all Men. G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 209 In the Power of God and his Immortal Seed dwell in which ye all will have Life Eternal and inherit the Substance and Dominion To Friends in and about Nortolk and Lyn c. and a Kingdom of Life which never fadeth nor shall have an end And so dwell all in the Power of the Lord God in which ye may all feel and know your Strength renewed in that which is Immortal and be of one Mind in the Power of God and live in Love and Peace knowing the Kingdom of the same which stands in the Power of God which was before the Power of Satan And your Fellowship being in the same Power of God The Fellowship in the Power your Fellowship is in that which is Everlasting and that never hath an End And the Church-Fellowship is in God and the Worship is in the Spirit and in the Truth which Truth was before the Vntruth was and stands when all the Vntruth is gone in the World In this live and dwell in which ye will all have Vnity and Fellowship in which ye will feel Life Eternal amongst you In that Meet and keep your Meetings and wait together upon the Lord Meet in the Name who are gathered together in the Name of Jesus whose Name is above every Name So is his Gathering above all other Gatherings which Gathering stands when all other Gatherings are ended And not in any other Name under Heaven is Salvation brought but in the Name of Jesus in which Name are yur Gatherings in which Name ye all know your Salvation and shall all know it as ye abide all in the Power of God that keeps unto the Day of Salvation And so be Faithful unto the Lord God minding the Seed and feeling it and knowing of it in your selves which destroys the Devil the Destroyer and the Oppressor Murderer and Liar the Father of all Vnrighteousness and Vngodliness and all that is bad which the Seed destroys which Seed is Christ Therefore know that reign and the Top-stone over all laid in which ye will all feel Life Heirs of the Power and have Life Eternal coming to be heirs of the Power of God knowing every one that to be your Portion and Heirs of the Gospel and Inheriting it Then ye possess Fellowshp the Gospel Felloship which is Everlasting which is the power of God And so Farewell And the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keep you So my Love in the the Everlasting Seed of God is to you all From Mendlesham this 11th Day of the 1st Month. G. F. FRiends Epist 210. Trust not in Man nor in the Arm of Flesh neither put Confidence in them but in the Lord. Judge your selves and keep down the Boaster Keep down the Beaster and that which would be high under Judgment keep that down by the Power of God in your selves lest the Lord God bring upon you something without you to bring you down who do not keep that down in your selves And therefore keep all that down with the Power of the Lord God in your selves and then ye will have Dominion over it all in the Power of the Lord God And live all in the Power of God which was before the Fall in which ye will have Fellowship over all the Fellowships in the Fall The Fellowship in the Power and above all outward things that have an End which Fellowship soeth over all that which is in the Strife For in the Power of God your Fellowship there hath no End which was before the Fall and Strife was in which is peace which Fellowship will remain when all that which is in the Fall is gone and in which is the perfect Vnity which keeps over all such Spirits which run into outward things from which arise Quarrels and Strife and Imperfections And therefore keep in the Power of the Lord God that is Everlasting in which is the Fellowship that hath no End in that live and dwell And feel the Seed of God over all that whlch makes to suffer and it will remain when all that is gone in that ye will feel Life over Death and Light over Darkness And so in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you and keekp you in the Dominon This Day I came into the Isle of Ely where I hear nothing Isle of Ely but things are peaceable and Friends Minds kept over all the Bustlings in the World and take little notice thereof but minds the Power of God which was before the Fall was in which Fall are Bustlings And so to the Lord God be faithful G. F. FRiends All ye that have known the Way of Truth and tafted of the Power of the same and now turn back into the World's Fashions and Customs ye stop them that are coming out of the World The World's Fashions and Customs ye make them to stumble at the Truth ye make them to question the say of the lord which is out of the Way of the World and its Ways and ye grieve the Righteous and sadden the Hearts of the Upright and Simple ye had better ye had never known the Way of Light Life and Power ye are the Cause of many keeping in Darkness you are the Cause of the Boasting of the Wicked and make the sicked to take you for an Example and their Object against Truth and them that live in it to plead against its Ways Ye had better never have been born your Days will be Sad Trouble and Vengeance will be your Garment and Cloathing in that State and a hard thing it will be for any of you to Repent for you will find a more subtle thing in you Repentance than was before you knew the Way fo Truth who have neglected hearing the Voice of God through which your Hearts are hardened Ye are the Cause of many Husbands and many Wives to boast themselves against the Truth and Servants and Children thereof for in some Families ther are Servants Convinced and Children Convinced and in others there are Husband Convinced and not Wife and Wife and not Husband and Servants and not Master and Children and not Parents So ye that turn from Truth ye
are the Object for them that are not Convinced to turn against them that are Convinced Wo and Misery is for you Wo and Misery Ye had better never have been born nor known the Way of Truth whose latter End is worse than the Beginning when the Way of Peace is hid from your Eyes and a place of Repent ance ye cannot find tho' ye wash your Alter with Tears being in the stained Life where all the Tattlers Tale-carriers Vnclean Persons Envious Tale-carriers Murmurers and Complainers be in and are out of the Life and Power and Wisdom of God which hath the Royal Dominion and Possession of the Royal Seed Theresore Turn turn all that are not hardened and past feeling and hear the Voice that the Way of Peace and Repentance and the Way of Life and Salvation ve may know and live in and upon all your disorderly Carriages Walkings Words and Actions ye may come to receive Judgment and through that ye may receive Power to live a New Life in which God is served in the Truth and not the Devil who is out of the Truth for in the Truth is the holy Vnity and hte pure Dominion and the everlasting Life promised and received and the Royal Seed which the Elect hath wherein they have the Bread of Life G. F. To a Friend under an Exercise of Spirit KEEP Low in the Power Epist 212. and thy Eye in the Seed that destroyeth the Devil and his Works and bruiseth his Head and live up in the Seed which was before the Devil was that in that thou maist have Life and Peace in that which was before Death was And in the Seed Christ thou wilt have Dominion over all thy Enemies and see before they were And that which letteth thee to see thy Hardness Darkness Thoughts and Temptations and the Tempter and thy Confusion Deadness and thy Wants is the Light and Power and Spirit of God in thee which the Bad Spirit perswadeth thee to look out at The Temper And then thou murmurest and complainest and art discontent and not quiet and then the Enemy and Death covers thee and through that the Mind comes to be unestablished And therefore keep to the Good Spirit in thee which doth manifest Sin and the Devil and thy Mind being staid by that it will inform thee And keep thy Mind in the Seed in that is thy Lfie and look at the Good and not at the Bad but over it For it is not a Sin to be tempted and that which the Accuser layeth to thee and thy Mind being against it and not yielding to it it will never be laid to thy Charge And that thou wilt see as thou-with the Power of the Lord dost over-come And God give thee Dominion in the Life and Power and Truth in which is the Blessing and Peace and the Lord God Almighty bless thee in that Doubt not faint not question not for Eve was deceived by the Serpent the Questioner therefore keep over him in the Power of God and in that is the Reigning And take not Belief from the Serpent nor take Meat from him but keep thy Fast from that which is in the Fall for that bringeth from the Lord to feed upon the Accuser and the Tempter's Food Keep thy Fast that feeds unbelief And therefore keep thy Fast to the Lord and feed upon that which comes down from above in which there is Life and that strengtheneth that Faith which hath the Victory And therefore keep good Faith in him that was before the Devil was Christ the First and Last and in him sit down who is the Amen And when thou hast been troubled and resisted the Tempter hath not the Angel of the Lord after ministred to thee to the strengthening of thee G. F. Dear Friends Epist 213. In the Life and Power of God dwell by which ye were raised and by which ye are nourished and refreshed it is the sure Foundation The sure Foundation which shall never be raced out for it is laid of God and no Man can lay another And ye that feel the Life and Power of God in your selves ye feel Christ the Salvation Righteousness and Wisdom of God and so ye by the Power and Wisdom of God are kept and preserved in Sincerity and Integrity to God and thereby come to be established upon the Rock which the Gates of Hell cannot prevail against nor all the Fiery Darts of the Wicked touch And in the Power of God ye being gathered and established ye stand and live in that which scatters the Clouds and keeps your Eye clear to the Lord God by which Power ye see him in measure with a good Vnderstanding A good Vnderstanding through all the evil Powers and Spiritis which work in the Darkness against him and by the Power of God are preserved out of them and set above them where ye reign as Kings in the Immortal Seed of God by which the Serpent's Head is broken and his Seed destroyed For the true Freedom is in the Son The true Freedom who suffered and died and is risen again in Life and hath brought Life and Immortality to Light again in which Life and Light ye are the Children of the Most-high God and Heirs of the Everlasting Kingdom of God where ye have a sure Portion in the Joy and Peace and Blessing of God in which sit ye down and keep your Habitation And the God of Life and Peace and endless Love be with you all and cloath you with the Garment of Everlasting Praise that in all things ye may give him the Glory who lives for ever more G. F. FRiends the Power of the Lord God is over all them Epist 214. that keep on their Hats in Prayer and they do not keep on their Hats in Prayer neither by the Motion nor the Power of God nor by the Spirit of God Against such Apostates as kept on their Hats in Prayer but by an earthly dark Spirit against it and them that are in the Power of God This was the first Ground of it both in Jo. Perrot and his Company when he run out and J. N. when he run out Opposition the first Ground and this first was done in Opposition to them that were in the Truth and in the Power of God but the Power of God will crush to pieces that fained dark earthly Spirit and to the Earth and Pit itmust go with all its fained and false Pretences and the Power of the Lord God and his Truth reigns over it all The first that got up into this Posture of keeping on their Hats in Prayer against Friends were the Ranters Ranters The next was J. N. but he quickly by the Power of the Lrod saw it and judged it John Perrot and the next was Jo. Perrot whose End was according to his Work and so will those that continue in it For the Power of God is over them Dark
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
notoriously known And Friends to do this with speed Cancerning the disorderly and to bring it to the Meetings and if any one be known to be an open Offender that then there may be an open Testimony against him in the particular shewing how that we have no Vnity nor Fellowship with such Workers of Darkness and how that they cast out themselves from amongst us being gone from the Life and Power of God in which our Fellowship is And that Copies of theh Paper may be read in Meetings and the Copies of the Papers to be sent to the Men's Meetings in the Countries where they live G. F. MY Dear Friends all every where the Power of the Lord God Epist 221. that first Convinced you and his Light and Truth all wait and walk in and keep your first Habitations in the Power of the Lord God and in his Light and Life and Spirit by which all your Minds may be stay'd and kept up to the Lord God in the unchangable Light Life Power and Spirit And so ye living in the unchangable Life and Light ye see Christ that does not change but ends all Changable things Types Figures and Shadows and destroys the Author of all evil Inventions and Traditions among all the Sons and Daughters of Adam in the Fall and so live all up in the Royal Seed in which ye have Life which Life was before Death walking in the Light which was before Darkness and in the Power of God which was before the Power of Darkness was which Power of God will keep you out of all feigned Spirits creeping in a pretence of Love and Innocency to draw your Minds out from the Power of God and your first Habitations into some outward things which will draw the Mind outward from the Power and so from your Habitation of Peace through which trouble will enter as it hath done upon some which now do see how they have gone from their Habitation Therefore in the Power of the Lord God which is Everlasting in which is the Fellowship Live which Power of God is perfect in which is the perfect Fellowship which was before Imperfection was In which Power of God is the Joy and Life and ye keeping in your Habitations of the Light Life and Power of God the Gospel by which you all see and discern your own Conditions with the Spirit of discerning laying hands on no Man suddenly Spirit of discerning but proving and trying all things seeing your own Conditions by the Power of the Lord and his Light by which ye may have the Spirit of discerning waiting and walking in the Truth that ye may adorn it walking in the Truth which was before Vntruth was And whatsoever is comely decent and of good report follow and walk in which is to the answering that of God in every one for living in the Power of the Lord God through which ye have every one a Habitation in God by the Power of God ye will come over Enmity and see before it was for its Habitation is in the Earth and some outward things but the Power of the Lord God and the Truth he is out of who is the Author of Enmity and being gone out of Truth seeks to bring others out of their Habitations the Power of God Therefore live in the Power of the Lord God and keep your Habitations in the Light and Spirit in your own particulars that by it all your Minds may be subjected to God in which you may all live in Peace Love and Vnity and the Royal Spirit and Seed of Unity and Dignity which keeps over the Spirit of Strife and was before it for the Strife among the Sons and Daughters of Adam in their Fall from Righteousness and Holiness and the Image of God is about these outward things Therefore mind the Power of God and the Righteousness and Holiness and your renewings into it which was before the Fall was and follow that which makes for Peace in the Truth and in the Life and Power of God which Peace will stand in the same dwelling in Love and Unity by which ye may all honour the Truth which will keep you over all the fallen Spirits that are striving and are busie about that which is in the Fall manifesting that they be fallen from the Power of God and gone from their first Habitation in which Power of God is the Peace in which the Kingdom stands Therefore all mind that and to be Heirs of that Kingdom that stands in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost And so feel the Seed of God over all that set that makes to suffer which was before that was and will stand and remain when that which makes to suffer is gone in which you may all feel the Life which was in the Father before the World began and feel Christ to reign amongst you who is the Prince of Peace and Life and this will keep you from being tossed and carried about with strange Doctrines for the Seed Christ was before they all were and will remain when they are all gone in a pretence of new discoveries and outward things to bring Peoples Minds from their Habitations of Life and Truth which comprehends all things and see all things Therefore mind the Spirit of Truth and the unfeigned Love and Faith that works by it over all the Feignedness that by the Shield of Faith the Sword of the Spirit that may be cut down that none may be deceived by that but keep the Vnity of the Faith that gives you the victory and access to God and the Unity of the spirit the Bond of Peace and the Fellowship of the Gospel which is the Power of God which Power of God was before the Power of Satan was in that Live and Meet and Walk in the Name of the Lord which is a strong Tower whose Name is the Power and in the Tower is the Safety over Wickedness and before it was siting under your own Vine and abiding in it then ye abide in Christ by whom the World was made who is the Light Life and Truth and the Power of God and as ye abide there ye bear Fruit to the Glory of God and through him ye come every one to have a Habitation in God who brings out of the Fall where the Curse is to the State that Man was in before he fell in whom the Saints sit down in whom are the Pastures of Life and riches Eternal Everlasting and the Blessing of the Lord that with that ye may be cloathed And so Farewell My Love to all Friends in the Everlasting Seed of God that never changes which was before Changings were and stands when all Changings are gone that ye may know Christ to reign amongst you the Prince of Life and the Prince of Peace and the Counseller hearing the Voice of the Light the Life the Power of God and Truth 's Voice which goes before you who will give you Life abundantly even that
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
of Iron Christ's Rod shall and will devour all the Serpents and Lying Wonders of the Spiritual Egypt and Sodom yea and all the Serpents that be in all Nations for all Nations are to be ruled by it And Moses Song was sung when his Rod had devoured the Serpents and the outward Egyptians in the Sea So the Lamb's Song shall be known as all the Spiritual Egyptians Serpents are devoured by Christ's Rod and the Spiritual Egyptians being overthrown in the Sea the Jews in Spirit shall rejoyce and sing the Song of the Lamb. The Abomination made Desolation that 's spoken of by Daniel the Prophet which should come in after the daily Sacrifice was taken way and should continue One Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety Days this Abomination that hath made Desolate from the Truth Light Life and the Power of God true Religion and true Worship and true Church and Fellowship So the Beast that John saw and speaks of which must continue Forty Two Months and the Whore the false Church upon the Beast which Beast should be Worshipped Forty Two Months the time of his continuing and the Whore should sit in her Scarlet the false Church upon the Beast The true Church this time has been in the Wilderness a Thousand Two Hundred and Threescore Days which is now come out again and the Man-Child is come down from Heaven to Rule all with his Rod of Iron and the Lamb and the Saints shall have the Victory who make War in Righteousness and are going on Conquering and to Conquer And so you followers of the Lamb be faithful and valiant for the Truth upon the Earth and heed not your Native Soil but mind the Birth that 's born and brought forth from the Womb of Eternity that separates you from your Mother's Womb by which you believe in God and fear not Man what he can do unto you neither look at the Hills for Salvation for the Lord can make the Rocks a standing Pool and the Mountains Streams And therefore dwell in the Power of God which was before the Fall of Man was whose fallen Spirit persecutes those who are come to taste of the Power of Christ's Resurrection and Life and in this Power of God you will not be weary nor faint which was before the fallen Spirit was that doth assault you and in this Power you will have stability content comfort joy and peace and keep over that Spirit let it not have power over you that may receive the Truth in a Notion and may be a little Civilized by it that is ready to joyn with every gain-saying Core and is ready to wander after every strange thing that 's new and so will follow strange Flesh who are uncleansed by the Power of Truth and unestablished in it and such often hath their Religion to seek that lives in Questionings and Disputings in carnal Reasons out of the Power of God in which is the Fellowship the one thing which is Christ the Substance in which all Stability is felt which has little room in such Hearts G. F. ALL you Prisoners of the Lord for his Truths sake Epist 234. and for keeping the Testimony of Jesus Christ against all the evil Inventions Traditions Rudiments Will-Worships feigned Humilities and Self-Righteousness of them that be in the Fall who are out of God's Power and Righteousness who have no Weapons but Carnal like themselves Carnal Your Patience must overcome all these rough and hasty Spirits in the World and your Love must bear all things for Patience obtains the Crown which is Immortal which runs the Race So it is the Lamb must have the Victory over all the unclean airy Spirits and over him that is out of the Truth So be Meek and Low then you follow the Example of Christ and come to bear the Image of the Just who suffered by the Vnjast and put on his Righteousness who suffered by the Vnrighteous whose Back was struck and his Hair was pluck'd off and Face was spit upon and yet cried Father forgive them Here he kept his Dominion a Sufferer who had the Victory which the Followers of the Lamb do in Measure attain unto So put on Conrage put on Patience Let your Loyalty be known for your King that hath conquered the Devil Death and Hell in walking in Righteousness Peace and Truth feeling the Power of God teaching every one of you when that Words are not uttered And let your Faith be in the Power that goes through all things and over all things and every one hearken to it So the Power of the mighty God know the Arm and how it works and the Hand how it carries you which brings out of Tribulation and Thraldom and Spiritual Egypt into Peace And this is the Power of God in which you will feel to before Enmity was and be at Peace one with another then you live in the Prince of Peace his Kingdom and Dominion and Life in which is Vnity which was before Enmity was which destroys it And so in the Power of the Lord God you are made strong which goes over the Power of Darkness and was before it was which is out of the Power of God And all People that are from the Witness of God in their own particulars they are all weak and seeble and stagger All Men and Womens Strength is in the Power of God that goes over the Power of Darkness So feel all this to go through all and over all Preaching and working in you and let the Ear be lent to it and hearken to it in one another And by it feel the Seed raised up in one another which is Heir of the Power that you may know each your Portion For all People that be from the Witness of God in their own particulars that be erred from it and hate the Light they are full of Darkness Sin and Iniquity Inspiration and Revelation while their Minds are erred from the Spirit of God in themselves is hid from them So when their Minds are turned with the Light and Spirit of God towards God then with it they shall know something of Revelation and Inspiration as they are turned with that of God from the Evil and emptied of that then there will be some room in them for something of God to be revealed and inspired into them And therefore in that they will have Prophesies and seeing things to come being turned from the Evil that hath darkened them and separated them from God in which they will see the Covenant through which they will come to have Peace with God G. F. FRiends Epist 235. You who now come to suffer by a Land-Flood keep on the Rock for there is Safety though a Storm be in the Sea and the Flood be great and the Winds great and the Way rough and crooked the Seed Christ can make all plain And so think not the Winter and Cold Weather nor the Night long for the Lillies do grow and the Gardens do give a good
Creaturcs and in their Shame and in their Inventions or in their Strength Wisdom or Riches But glorying in the Cross of Christ the Power of God the glorying is in that which doth Crucifie from the State of Adam and Eve and all their Sons and Daughters in the Fall and from this State all the Apostate-Christians are since the Apostles Days And in this Power of God is Everlasting Glorying which is a Cross to all that live as I said before in the Apostacy and in the Fall but not a Cross to them that be Redeemed and Crucified for their glorying stands in it which is over all the gloryings in the Fall and all Creatures So in the Power of the Lord God meet wait live and dwell and have fellowship for in the Power Christ lives Therefore now you that are come to know the Gospel preached again which was amongst the Apostles in this Power of God you will feel before the Fall of Adam and Eve where all things were good and blest in the Beginning before the Fall which after the Fall the Curse came which buought the Woe and Misery So you that feel the Redemption out of the Fall you know the State of the Blessing before the Fall how all things were good and blessed Come into the same Power that brings you up before the Fall and brings you to be gathered in the Name of Jesus which is above every Name and be gathered into the Name of Jesus by which Salvation is brought for there is no other Name under Heaven given by which Salvation is brought but by the Name of Jesus So ye being gathered in the Name which is above every Name and also in the Name by which Salvation is brought and by no other Name in that wait and meet and keep together so ye will feel the Blessing of the Lord in you and amongst you So Farewell And consider how the Servants of the Lord and his Royal People and Prophets feared not Flames feared not Dens of Lions or Dragons heeded not Prisonments Bonds Banishments Whips nor Scourgings nor spoiling of their Goods and their Tortures nor feared not their being sawed asunder nor their Socks their Clubs and Staves nor Persecution but chose rather to suffer Reproach with the People of God then to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a season And how that Reproaches Slanders vilifying Words they regarded not but trampled upon such and said The Sufferings were not to be valued with the Excellency and Riches of Grace which they were made Partakers of And the Cry was What shall separate us from the Love of God which we have in Christ Jesus Shall Death shall Famine or Sword or Persecution or Cold or Nakedness or Things present or Things to come or Heighth or Depth or Angels or Men or Principalities or Powers separate us from the Love of God c. For by the Powers were all the National Worships held up as they are at this Day and the false Prophets the Teachers and the Powers joyned together then against them that were in the Faith by which Faith they overcame and said There was not any thing that was able to separate them from the Love of God which they had in Christ Jesus Mark Christ the Seed who destroys the Devil and his Works in which Seed Christ ye come over the Devil the Author of all Prisoning Persecuting Darkness Vngodliness Vnrighteousness Vnholiness Christ who doth subdue all things to himself whose Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom and Dominion an Everlasting Dominion over all Dominions And in this Kingdom and Dominion have ye all Peace where no unrighteous thing enters And so in this ye come to be a free People in Life and Power and Dominion And there is no new thing under the Sun for the Wicked cries Light is Darkness yet as of old Time and calls Good Evil and Evil Good and Truth Error and cries up the false Teachers and Prophets for the true and false Church and Worship and the feigned Humility for the true and the blind Zeal for the good and true Zeal now as in former Days And so it is the old Enemy of Mankind and his Works which the Seed destroys who reigns Glory for ever to the Highest G. F. FRiends Epist 240. All outward Things Figures Types Shadows and Inventions have been set up since Adam fell which Inventions Christ destroys and the Types Figures and Shadows of him he fulfils and brings Man up out of the Fall to the State Ire was in before he fell and so in the Power of God into Peace Love and Vnity and into the Everlasting Fellowship Cain differed from Abel in matter of Worship Abraham from his Country-men and Nation Likewise in matter of Worship Moses and the Children of Israel differed from the Egyptians and Canaanites and other Nations in matter of Worship Yet after the Children of Israel were brought out of Egypt by the Power of God how soon after did they set up a Calf an Outward thing Therefore in the Power of God keep over all things and in his Wisdom And how soon Chora Dathan and Abyram began to offer a strange Sacrifice after they were brought out of Egypt by the Power of God and went from the Power of God in which they should have offered therefore in the Power of God keep And how soon the Children of Israel when they multiplied and grew numerous offered out of the Life of the Law and the Power of God then their Sacrifices were like unto the cutting off a Dogs Neck and blessing Idols therefore keep in the Life and Power of God And ye may see Daniel's Religion and Worship differed from Nebuchadnezzar's the Emperor of Babylon and likewise differed from the Chaldeans and Persians as yours comes to differ now from all the Apostates gone from the Apostles and Christ's Life and Doctrine and there is the Mystery of Babylon as the Jews differed from outward Babylon therefore keep in the Power of God that keeps you to the Beginning And also ye may see what differences there was among the Churches in the Primitive Times about Meats Drinks Days and Times but the Apostle tells them the Kingdom of God stands not in such things but in Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost and they were not to Judge one another about such things for Meats was for the Belly and the Belly for Meats but God would destroy both them and it and shewed them that it was below Christians to jangle about such things And also what jangling was there in the Church in the Primitive Times about Circumcision which the Apostle brings them off and tells them That Circumcision nor Vncircumcision availeth nothing but a new Creature Therefore mind that New Creature and the Faith that works by Love And how also there was Janglings about Baptism and the Supper and about Men some for Paul and some for Apollo c. But the Apostle directed them all to know Christ the Seed in
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
which you may be sensible of his Mercies in which Love you living in the pure Humility you learn of Christ Jesus For Presumption is learned of Adam in the Fall of the Serpent that brought him into the Fall where all the Defilement is and the Prophaneness Being in the Whoredom from God where all manner of Whoredom and Uncleanness is and Deceit and Falshood the Lyar and all Sin and Unrighteousness and Transgression And this is comprehended all to be in the Fall with the Serpent that brought them into the Fall whose Head Christ comes to bruise that is to break his Power and Srtength and to destroy him and his Works And Christ is Pure the Holy One that doth this the Righteous One the Holy One and in him live the Second Adam that never fell then shall you come to know a State that will never fall in that which is First and Last for Christ that sanctifies he is Pure who sanctifies the Impure he who never fell sanctifieth and washeth them that are in the Fall he who never transgressed redeems out of Transgresson he who never sinned redeems out of Sin and makes an end of it and he who never trespassed comes to forgive Trespasses and blot them out And every one that comes to witness this Forgiveness by him who have been the Trespassers against God they cannot but forgive Men their Trespasses against them as they come into the Kingdom of Glory and Life where the Lord hath his Glory O the Glory of the Lord which lasteth for ever And Glory Glory be to him for ever whose Everlasting Glory and life and Power shines over all and spreads it self and puts forth it self over all O Friends let Righteousness flow amongst you all Truth and Equity Vprightness and Holiness which becomes the House of God and live in the holy Order of the Life Spirit and Power of the Everlasting God Keep in the Faith that works by Love that purifieth your Hearts the Mystery of which is held in a pure Conscience which Faith brings you to have access to God and gives you Victory over that which separates from God This is that by which you subdue Mountains and quench the fiery Darts of Satan and overcome him withal and in this you have all pure Vnity and you edifie and build up in the Holy Faith the Gift of God and this is that which is to be contendd for which is the same that was once delivered to the Saints O live in the pure Hope which purifies you as he is Pure which Hope is Christ who was before the Hypocrites Hope was who both him and his Hope are impure and so feel Christ your Hope which anchors your Immortal Souls that staies it in all Waves Storms and Tempests and is sure and safe in all Weathers Christ who is the same to day as he was yesterday so no new thing For he is the Rock of Ages who was before Ages who is the Corner-Stone and also the First and Last who will crush and bruise to pieces all giddy wandering and unstablished Spirits and confound them who are cunning and hunt before the Lord for the Lord should go before them he should be the Guide For they that hunt before him will not have the Lord to be their Guide who is the same to day as he was yesterday and so for ever For Adam and Eve did not abide in their Possession not Cain nor Core nor Balaam see what came upon them and what was their end And likewise the Jews did not abide in the Possession of the Law of God which was Just and Holy And also the Apostatized Christians have gone from Christ and did not abide in him who is the same yesterday to day and for ever therefore they are gone into so many Ways and seek after so many new Ways and run into so many Fables as though Christ who is obeyed one day should not be obeyed next day And this is disobedient Cain wandering in the Land of Nod smiting at Abel who obeys Him who is the same to day as he was yesterday and so for evr yea a Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World who reigns over that Nature that hath slain him and will reign till he hath put all under his Feet And therefore Friends in Christ live and in him walk hear obey and follow him who is the same to day as be was yesterday and so for ever And so you that are the true Believs who ar past from Death and Sin that brought it and the Devil the Author of it are come to the Life of Christ Jesus who as I said before is the same to day as he was yesterday if your Belief stands in him that is the First and Last the same to day yesterday and for ever And this is the Believer that is born of God the Immortal Birth and this Birth is he that overcomes the World that doth not Sin that keeps himself because he is born of God and the Seed of God remains in him and hereby the Children of God and the true Believers are manifest from the false Believers and Children of the Devil He that doth Righteousness is of God he that doth not Righteousness is not of God Therefore you that feel the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus to have put down the Law of Sin and Death in you that Authority of putting it down Be ye ordered by the Law of the Spirit of Life that is in Christ Jesus which makes you free from the Law of Sin and Death So in this Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus have you Fellowship Order Rule and Government in the Law of Life and in the Law of Peace that gives Victory which Christ Jesus is the Author of who renews you up into the Righteousness and Holiness in the Image of God out of the Vnrighteousness and Vnholiness and the Image of Stan. Here the Lord hath the Glory and Christ your Holy Redeemer and Saviour is confest to the Glory of God So wait that you may all sit down in Christ who is the First and the Last and the Image of God and Wisdom of God that by his Wisdom which is Pure Righteous and Holy you may come to order all things to God's Glory Adam fell from the State God placed him in and in the Fall Adam's Sons and Daughters turn from Way to Way of their own But for Man and Woman to come out of all National corrupt Ways Religions Churches Worships Fellowships and Teachers to the State that Adam and Eve was in before they fell and no farther that 's State where he may fall again But to come to Christ who was before the World began who is First and Last Beginning and Ending such abiding in him shall know a State that will never fall For Adam's State before he fell was above all the earthly and worldly-wise and knowing and their dark Understandings and perverse Ways which their perverse Spirit
Vpright and Watchful that wait upon the Lord to see such things and for the Priests People and others that come into your Meetings and see you that come together to Worship God and to meet together to wait upon him and to have Fellowship in his Spirit for you to sit Nodding it is a shame and an unseemly thing Therefore be Careful and Watchful and let it be mended and mind the Light and Power of Christ Jesus in you and that will condemn all such things and lead you out of and above such things and make you watchful one over another for your Good Let this be read in all your Meetings G. F. DEar Friends in the Truth of God that changeth not Epist 258. is my Love to you in that which is unfeigned and everlasting in the same Power and the same Seed of Life as ever was and was at the first going forth among you And so Friends the Lord in his everlasting and mighty Power hath moved some to go over in those parts to Declare his Word of Life and Everlasting Gospel And some have not walked afterwards as becometh the Gospel both them that have declared it and them who have received it whereby there hath been a stop to the progress of the Truth and Power of God that it hath not had its full Course and by that burdens have been brought upon the Just and Innocent and the Mouths of the World instead of stopping them they have opened them to speak evil of the Truth and Way of God And so Friends this is the thing in short and plainness all that have come over into your Plantations and Islands either to Minister or Plant or as Passengers to see the Country or Sea-men Masters of Ships Factors or Merchants that have dishonoured the Lord God and his Truth and have opened the Mouths of the World to Blaspheme God and to speak Evil of his Way and Holy Truth that the Righteous live in Such I say before mentioned that have gotten into Drunkeness or Loosness in Words and Life and have not been faithful in their Dealings or have shewed any immodest Carriages or are gotten up into those things which the Power of God did not set up in the beginning which faithful Friends have continued in and have gone into Sects and Jangles which is out of the Power of God which Friends are in who keep their Habitations in Christ Jesus in whom there is Peace And all such likewise who are gone into Uncleanness and such who pretend to preach the Gospel and are sate down in the Earth like Demas and have forsaken the Gift of God and sit down in the Earth and esteemed the Earth before it and so set up their own Business and slighted the Lord's And such who are gotten into the rotten Principles of the Ranters who wear their Hats when Friends pray who out of the Wisdom of God would manifest to the World a Separation and to shew that they are not of the Spirit Power and Mind as Friends were in at the first As also all such that raise false Reports which are forbidden by the Lord among his People These things are to be searched out to the bottom that Righteousness and Truth may flow and have its passage through all Hearts and all may come to the Habitation which they had at the first and all that is contrary may come to Judgment and Condemnation For the House must be swept and cleansed of all the things above-mentioned that hath gotten into any that all may come up into the Sanctified Life for the Ancient of Days is come and the Judgment is set and they that have kept their Habitations witness this And therefore Friends this is my Advice to you I would have you to gather up a List of all these things aforementioned in all your Istands and Plantations let them be searched throughly that what is for Judgment and Condemnation may be brought to it and that you may send an Account to Friends at London of such that come from thence that have been since Scandalous in their Conversations So that every one may come to that which did at first Convince them and to condemn their contrary Actions And that Papers may be sent to the World who have known their Transgressions to clear Truth and Friends and to fetch it out of their Mouths that so they may not feed upon any ones Transgressions that the Miscarriages of some may not be charged on the Body of Friends G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 259. be faithful in the Truth which the Devil is out of in which Truth you have Dominion over him And live in the Power of God which was before the Devil was in which Power of God which is the Gospel is your Fellowship And live in the Light which was before Darkness was and the Power of it in which Light is also your Everlasting Fellowship and in this you will know God's dwelling which is in the Light And dwell in the Life which was before Death was and the Devil the Power of it and in this Life you will have Dominion over Death and the Power of it And so you do well that take heed to the Light and walk in it and they that do Evil do not take heed to the Light And so walk in the Light as Children of the Light and in that ye will have Fellowship one with another and with the Son and the Father And so mind the Ingrafted Word which is able to save your Souls and that will keep your Eyes and Minds over all that which is not able to save and keep your Feet on the top of that And so be of that good Faith which gives you victory and access to God in which you do all please God and have Unity one with another And so mind the Seed Christ which is over all that which makes to Suffer and was before that was and will stand when that is gone that makes to suffer in that Seed live and know it your Crown and Life and in that you will be one anothers Crown and Joy in the Lord God blessed for ever And so keep your Meetings in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ that never fell and the Seed Christ reigns in whom you have Life that was with the Father before the World began G. F. DEar Friends If the Truth make you free then are ye free indeed Epist 260. So then there are none made Free-men but by Truth and all that are Free-men they are made free by the Truth they are God's Free-men they are Free-Citizens they are Free-Holders of an Everlasting Inheritance and free of an Everlasting Kingdom and they are Free-Heirs of Salvation and they are free of the heavenly City Jerusalem which is from above and they are free of the Power of an Endless Life which was before Death was So they are not Captives they are not Bond-men they are not Servants nor Slaves But
be executed For you know after a Thief or a Murderer is Condemned and Judged and have Sentence past upon him yet he is not executed that Day the Execution comes afterwards And therefore after Condemnation or Judgment is past upon any inward Evil or any outward Action of Evil let Execution be speedily done with the Living Hammer and the Living Sword and the Living Stone that the Living Fire may burn it up and consume it No Man after he hath beaten his Child hateth him ever afterwards but loveth him if he repent and amends so doth the Eternal Father and if the Child be fallen down into the Dirt he doth not go and tumble him more into the Dirt or into the Ditch and there let him lie in the Dirt and Ditch but takes him out and washes him and so doth the heavenly Father which leads his Children by his Hand and dandles them upon his Knee And so all that be called Fathers in the Truth or Mothers their Tenderness should be the same to all little Children in the Truth that can hardly go without leading that sometimes may fall into the Dirt and Ditch and ship aside and then be troubled and cry To such there should be Tenderness shewn and to wash them and help them and Love to such should be manifest for there is difference betwixt a stubborn rebellious and wilful Child and one that is Penitent for those must have great Chastisements that knows the will of their Father and doth it not they must have greater Stripes and sorer Stripes they must look for be sure to expect it than the other For Christ is manifest in the Flesh to condemn Sin in the Flesh all that witness Christ in them Male and Female I say Christ manifest in their Flesh he doth condemn the Sin that is in their Flesh yea and makes an end of Sin and finishes the Transgression and brings in Everlasting Righteousness into them But first he condemns the Sin that is in their Flesh the Unrighteousness in their Flesh and Ungodliness in their Flesh the Lyar the Swearer that is in their Flesh the Adulterer the Fornicator the Idolater and all Sin whatsoever it is he condemns in the Flesh So Christ is manifest in the Flesh to condemn the Sin that is in the Flesh that every one that witnesses Christ condemning Sin in the Flesh that they through Christ that condemns Sin in the Flesh might become God's Righteousness so they become anothers But the Sin being uncondemned in the Flesh they are of the Serpent of the Unrighteous One of the Ungodly One who adulterated from Truth they are his But the Sin being condemned in the Flesh Christ is manifest in the Flesh so that they become Christ's they are God's and are in Christ who destroys the Devil and his Works that are out of Truth And these know the New Life which God is served in and these know the New Earth wherein dwells Righteousness and these knows the Old Earth wherein dwells Vnrighteousness And these can bring forth things New and Old For they that are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God they that are led by the Spirit of the Devil are the Children of the Devil and his Works they do the Works of their Father as they that are led by the Spirit of God his Works they do the Works of their Father and all they that quench the Spirit of God and vexes the Spirit of God and grieves the Spirit of God and hate the Light of Christ and walks despitefully against the Spirit of Grace and turns it into wantonness and disobeys the Word of God in their Hearts and Mouths Sure you all may see such are not the Sons of God and do not the Works of God though they may profess the Scriptures from the beginning of Genesis to the end of the Revelations Neither doth that Birth know the Scriptures for they are known by the Spirit of God the Holy Ghost which led the holy Men of God to speak them forth by the same Spirit are they known again And Christ who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin he is known by the Holy Ghost again which led the holy Men of God to give forth Scriptures which now leads into all Truth And all them now who despise Revelations Inspirations Prophecies Gifts and Talents they despise the Spirit of God and his Gifts Such are neither Ministers of God or Christ nor his Sons but are the Sons of him that is out of the true Spirit that is of God in the Darkness Babel and Confusion who think they can do great matters with their Languages and with them make a Trade of the Scriptures who cannot endure any People should come to the Spirit that gave them forth for none can walk in the Spirit that quenches it and vexes and grieves it And none comes into the Church Fellowship that grieves and vexes and quenches the Spirit of God For the Fellowship is in the Spirit that is the Bond of Peace and none is led into all Truth but by the same Holy Ghost that was in the holy Men of God that gave forth the Scriptures of Truth And all that are led by this Spirit of Truth are led from the Spirit of the Devil that is out of Truth And all that are led by the Spirit that is out of Truth are the First-Birth of the Flesh and of that Murderer which will persecute him that is born of the Holy Spirit of God which leads into all Truth Which they that are led by the Spirit that is out of Truth are out of both the Father and Son And they that are led by the Spirit of Truth are the Sons of God and here are both in the Father and in the Son and in the Truth which abides for ever And here the Heir the Son inherits his Possession his Inheritance in the Kingdom that never hath an end The true Hope the true Cross the true Faith the true Worship the true Religion the true Way true Image and true Fellowship have been lost since the Apostles-Days amongst those called Christians which are out of the Life And they that have lost the Cross of Christ which is the Power of God in which is the true Fellowship they have set up a wooden or a stone Cross c. so false Crosses false Christians They that have lost the true Hope which purifies as He is Pure they have set up a Purgatory to cleanse them when they are dead And others cry up a Body of Sin and Death on this side of the Grave with their Hypocrites Hope and they have lost the true Ministry and set up a false One to preach up Imperfection And People were imperfect in old Adam before Christ came for the Law made nothing Perfect but the true Minister Christ in you the hope of Glory doth make Perfect both in the Apostles Days and now Christ in you the hope of Glory said the Apostle
through which Christ gives you Rain having purchased the Field wherein the Pearl lies and now is the Spring time that the Lilly and the Rose begins to flourish and the Power of the Lord God who is over all And keep your Testimony for your Religion that you have received from God and for your Worship in the Spirit and in the Truth that Christ Jesus hath set up and for your Gospel-Fellowship which is in the Power of God before the Devil was And see that all live in Peace and in the Love of God for Love edifieth the Body for he who is the Head of it is the beloved of God who is from Everlasting to Everlasting And see that every ones Affections be set on things above To set our Affections upon things above and not upon things below that be Earthly for now is the time to contend for the Faith that gives Victory which was once delivered to the Saints in which you have Vnity And so the God of Power preserve you all and keep you in his blessed Seed to wit Christ Jesus that none of you may be without a Minister without a Priest or without a Prophet or without a Shepherd or without a Bishop but let every one receive him in his Offices Then you all have One who will exercise his Offices in you all whom God hath given for a Leader and a Covenant yea an Everlasting Leader who was the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles and is to us this Day And so be Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth in the Seed Christ Jesus that through him who Destroys Death you may have a Crown of Life and through him you may be one another's Crown and Joy in the Lord yea I say through Christ who was glorified with the Father before the World began I am just now upon leaving this Island where I have had very great and blessed Service though I underwent very great Weights and Burthens and Sufferings and Travels But all is well and the blessed Seed and Power is over all to whom be Glory for evermore Amen Amen G. F. DEar Friends This is the Counsel of the Lord to you all who are brought into the Eternal Truth of God Epist 285. whose Minds are guided out of the Earth up to God and have received their Wisdom from God which Wisdom order all the Creatures To receive Wisdom from God that with it you may come to know how to order in the Creation with the Wisdom by which all was made This I charge you and warn you all in the Presence of the Living God That you suffer no Creature to perish for want of the Creatures and that none be lost through Sloathfulness Laziness and Filthiness and let not these things be which are for Condemnation with the Light that leads to the Wisdom To Order the Creation with which the Creation must be ordered And Friends let there be no Sloathfulness among you but all keep in Diligence and Liveliness For he that is Sloathful he is an evil Example and such must be judged with the Light that they may come to know the Servants Place and be Diligent And such as have gone up and down begging which you have received in amongst you with the Light which hath convinced them And to Inccurage Industry see that they be kept in Diligence and not wander but be kept in Obedience to the Light to receive their Wisdom from God how to Labour in the Creation and see that they have things decent and necessary and that their Nakedness may be covered that no Reproach nor Shame may come upon the Truth from such as are without but that with the Light all such may be denied who act contrary to it and in the Light which condemns the evil 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 Vnity And all being kept diligent walking in the Light there will be no Sloathfulness For that is judged with the Light And Condemn that which is Evil. which is one with that in his Conscience which condemns him for Evil. This to go among Friends every where G. F. FRiends When you are met together Epist 286. in the Name of Jesus your Saviour let your Minds be over all to him and out of all things that changeth and perisheth and dieth of it self and will corrupt Our Mind to be over all things which perisheth and is visible up to him that is invisible the Lord God and his Son Jesus Christ that you may see him and feel him among you and in your Meetings in his Life and Light and Power and Spirit and that you may know that God is and that he is the Rewarder of all them that diligently seek him and to know that God is present And that which giveth the knowledge of him is the Light that shineth in the Heart in the Face of Jesus Christ and so see him in all your Troubles and Afflictions and that God is present God is present beholding our most secret Thoughts beholding all your Actions done in your Bodies and your Consenting to your Evil Thoughts Lusts or Motions the Thoughts what you will speak or act or Motions which you have not acted outwardly but if you do consent to do them in your Mind or Heart the Lord seeth them there to be done though they be not done outwardly to the sight of Men and so to God you must give an account of things done in your Bodies and of things done out of the Body for God both heareth and seeth what is done in the Body and what is said and done without the Body and therefore turn from the Evil that leadeth to destruction and judge it and your selves for cleaving to it and turn to the Lord and know him who is mighty to save and to reward all them that diligently seek him who is Almighty in his Power to save and deliver and to help in time of need So know him that was from Everlasting to Everlasting And here thou knowest God in his Power Light Kingdom of God stands in Righteousness and Life and Righteousness which his Kingdom stands in in that Righteousness and Power and Holy Ghost and Peace that never will have an End and is over all Kingdoms that will have an End and are unclean and any unclean and imperfect thing may enter into them and in them is Troubles Tumults and Sin and not Peace but Sorrow But into the Kingdom of God no imperfect thing entereth nor Sin nor any unclean thing For the Kingdom of God standeth in Righteousneass and Everlasting Peace and in Joy in the Holy Ghost G. F. FRiends Epist 287. Consider you that have known the Mercies of the Lord God To remember the Mercies of the Lord. and of Jesus Christ Look back and see how them that had known much of
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 know their Duty in it and their Service in the Power and Wisdom of God for now the Practick Part is called for People must not be alwayes talking and hearing but they must come into Obedience to the Great Power of the Great God of Heaven and Earth And so that none may stand out of the Vineyard idle and out of Service None to be idle in the Vineyard and out their Duty for such will talk and talle and judge with evil Thoughts of what they in the Vineyard say and do And therefore the Power of God must call all into their Duty into their Service into their Places into Vertue and Righteousness and into the Wisdom of God For all that be out of their Duty in their Service though they have the knowledge of it yet are not so serviceable in the Creation nor in their Generation for the Power of God must go over and is over all such by which Power all must be acted in which true Obedience is known And therefore train up your young Women to know their Duty in this thing the Elder women train up the Tounger Women c. that they may be in their Services and Places which they 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 or stop its flowing but through it you all are to be watered as a Garden of Plants by which they are nourished and so all be faithful and diligent in the Lord's Business and make all the sober Women professing Truth in the Country about you acquainted with this thing and when you have them together at the Monthly Meeting read this among them So no more but my Love G. F. DEar Friends Epist 297. Keep in the Power of the Lord for if you do lose that To keep in the Power of the Lord. you lose the Kingdom which stands in Power and Peace and Righteousness and Joy in the Holy Ghost for out of the Kingdom is Strife and no Peace and therefore keep in the Power and Life and Love which you did first receive that you all may be Heirs of the Kingdom and fit under your Teacher the Grace of God which will bring your Salvation that you may witness that you have a Teacher from God that doth bring your Salvation which Salvation is your Walls and Bulwarks that he may be glorified and ye may have your Comfort in your Salvation And keep your Mens and Womens Meetings both being Heirs of Life and of the Gospel-Order and of Christ and his Government though you may have some Opposers but this is a Day of possessing of Christ and his Government and of the Gospel-Order and therefore do not lose your Authority Men nor Women in the Gospel nor in Christ though some may slight it For the Foundation of our Mens and Womens-Meetings is Christ Jesus who bruiseth the Serpent's Head who is the Head of all false Orders and Foundations and the Gospel which is the Power of God which bringeth Life and Immortality to Light shines over him that did darken you which Power of God he is out of And therefore all in the Power and Spirit encourage both Men and Women in their Duty in the Order of the Gospel of Christ in whom you have Dominion and in him who changeth not My Love is to you all G. F. DEar Friends to whom is my Love in that which changeth not Epist 298. the Royal Seed that bruiseth the Serpent's Head in whom you have Life and Peace in that live and walk that you may bear Fruit to the Glory of God and answer that of God in every one And live in the Peace that passeth Knowledge and Understanding and in this troublesome time of Wars and Strife mind the Power or God and his Kingdom that standeth in Righteousness and Joy in the Holy Ghost that is over all and never will have an end and that will keep you over all these times of Trouble fresh in the Life and Power My Troubles have been great in the Service of the Lord and the Convincement of People is great in America and the Islands in those parts Blessed be the Lord God over all for ever Amen whose Power and Life and Truth is over all and he in his Power gave Dominion over all by Sea and by Land And People and Friends are well setled beyond the Sea and Meetings are precious beyond words So in haste my Love to all Friends in all those parts as tho' I named them and live in Love for that doth edifie you Bristol the 1st of the 6th Month 1673. G. F. To Friends at Jamaica FRiends We do hear that some professing Truth amongst you Epist 299. do not keep to your Meetings so diligently as they ought to do nor yet meet but few of you together on the First Days And the reason is That upon the First Days some of you write and make up your Accompts so as you cannot have time to go to and frequent the Meetings Truly Friends this is an ill Savour to come over here into England and shews that you mind your own Business more than the Lord's and the things of this Life more than the things that appertain to the Life that is without End which should be sought for first if you desire to be bless'd and to presper And if you do not you will grow loose and wither and not have the Blessing of God with you you cannot expect it And therefore you that go under the Name of the Friends of God and of Truth keep diligently your Meetings on the First Day together that the Lord's Power may stir among you for if you do not keep your Meetings upon the First Day of each Week you are worse than the World that meet in their Steeple-Houses or Places of Worship who prefer your own Business before the Lords The Lord I say will not in so doing prosper you in it And therefore I say once more in the Name of Christ Jesus keep your Meetings who are gathered in it And let there be Meetings on the Week Days and also Mens Meetings to see that nothing be lacking among you once in a Fornight and likewise a Womens Meeting though there be but a few For you that have seen the Order of Truth in England and other Places how can you go out of the Practice of it without growing wild and withering That so Men and Women in their distinct Places may be Helps meet in Government in the Seed of Life and in the Widom of God by which all things was made and in the
causeth People to err but there is but one Spirit of Truth which leadeth into all Truth and this is the one Spirit that led the Prophets and Apostles to give forth the Scriptures and all the Instructers that are out of it causeth People to err from the Spirit that the Prophets and Apostles were in and so are in Confusion And there is one Leader One Leader Jesus Christ Christ Jesus that God hath given and all that are not led by him are led into the Ditch the corrupting place and they tell them there is no Perfection here and all the Learned in Babel's confused Tongues who have the Letter of the Scriptures yet following their own Spirits seeth not and the Divination of their own Brains and using their Tongues such buildeth up Babylon again who are not in the Spirit the Prophets and Apostles were in and know not the Tongue of the Learned nor the Scriptures of Christ and the Prophets and the Apostles but they are as a sealed up Book to them and therefore they are Raging and Contending about the meanings of them teaching their People by their Example to do the same G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 307. who feels the precious Truth of God by which you are made God's Freemen and Women and have bought the Truth To be fruitful in good Works do not sell it for Dross or Dung but be valiant for the Truth upon the Earth you who have received God's Seed into the good Ground that in this Life some bring forth Fifty Sixty and a Hundred fold of Fruit from God's Seed to his Glory and that have received the Anointing Oil in your Lamps from the Holy One that they may burn and shine both Night and Day in your Tabernacles through which you may be lighted into the Bridegroom's Chamber and the Power of God has always been your Keeper and will be unto the Day of Salvation which Power of God is over all yea over the Power of the Devil the Waster and Destroyer who makes the World like a Wilderness and fills it with Vnrighteousness Death Darkness and Cruelty Therefore let your Faith stand in the Power of God which the Kingdom stands in which is a Cross to the World's Power that causes Persecution which Power of God is the Gospel which was before the Devil was that brought Death and Darkness into you this Power of God brings Life and Immortality to Light in you by which Power you see over him that has darkned you and before he was And you that are Heirs of this Gospel keep the holy and heavenly Order of it by which Power of God you come to digg and has found the Pearl in your own Field of great Price by which Power of God you come to sell all and to purchase the Field then you have Riches enough And have Salt in your selves that you may savour withal and that your Salt lose not its savour through which you may be kept from under the Feet of Men though they that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution and it is not only given you to believe in Christ but to suffer for his Name whose Name is above every Name and there is no Salvation by no other Name under Heaven but by the Name of Jesus The Name of Jesus a strong Tower whose Name is a strong Tower and the Righteous flee unto it and are safe by whose Name and Power that is over all you have been upheld through all your Tribulations Sufferings Imprisonments spoiling of Goods And Christ Jesus and his Power is the same to day as he was yesterday and so for ever And therefore as I said before let your Faith stand in his Power for Christ's Kingdom stands not in Word but in Power and in Righteousness and in Joy in the Holy Ghost whose Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom and the Riches in it is Everlasting Blessed are all they that are Heirs and Possessors of this their Minds and Hearts are kept over all fading things and the Riches that has Wings that the Spoiler may spoil And therefore Consider all the Faithful before you The excellency of the knowledg of Christ how they Accounted all but as loss dross and dung to the excellency of the Knowledge that they had in Christ Jesus and Consider likewise the Faith of the Martyrs the Faith of the Apostles and Primitive Christians that kept the Faith and Testimony of Jesus their Patience was seen And likewise Consider all the Prophets of God to Enoch how their Faithfulness is made manifest and all the rest how they were tried by Persecutors by Prisons and by spoiling of their Earthly Goods and Riches but never of the Heavenly Goods and Riches for there the Thief and Spoiler could not come And therefore mind that Noble Seed that never bowed to Sin and Iniquity nor the Devil but bruises his Head and destroys him and his Works that ye may all be Flesh of his Flesh and Bone of his Bone who is your heavenly Food and Bread that comes down from Heaven through whom you may eat and live by him as he lives by the Father and so by eating this heavenly Bread that comes down from Heaven you may have Everlasting Life The Lord may try you by Persecution or spoiling your outward Goods which he has given you by permitting the Spoilers and Persecutors come to try you that you may come forth like Gold seven times tried in the Fire the Perfection of trial for many are the Troubles of the Righteous but the Lord will deliver out of them all and happy are they that are tried Above all Earthly Riches that they may come forth more purer than Gold And let none sell their Birth-right for a Mess of Pottage and a Piece of Bread Esau-like And let let none have their Eyes wander after their carrying away the Fleece nor look back at Sodom's Judgments for the Earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof and he can make the Fleece grow again And therefore consider the Riches of Job and the Poverty of Job and how his Friends despised him in his Poverty and how they were reproved and God encreased his Prosperity and lenghthened his Tranquility And as Daniel's Windows were open towards outward Jerusalem in the time of the Informers when he pray'd to his God as he did before in the time when they were not And therefore should not all your Windows and Doors be open towards heavenly Jerusalem your Mother that God may come in and help you against the false Mother and her Children And therefore keep your Meetings in the time of Sufferings as you did before and preach the Word in season and out of season the Word I say that commands the Clouds and Storms and was before they were And therefore blessed are those Eyes that sees the Sun of Righteousness that never sets the Sun of Righteousness that changes not for the Prophet speaks of a Sun and
so that his Name may be glorified and he honoured in your bringing forth much heavenly Spiritual Fruit from the heavenly Seed that Christ the heavenly Seeds-Man hath sown in your Hearts that so an Hundred fold of Holiness Righteousness Godliness Vertue and Piety from this heavenly Seed you may bring forth and increase in this Life-time and in the World to come reap Life Everlasting And give no occasion to your Adversaries neither in your Lives nor Words but that you may all serve God in the New Life shewing forth that you are new Men and that you are renewed in the Image of God and that you are born again of the Immortal heavenly Seed by the eternal Everlasting Word that lives and abides and endures for ever And that you do feed upon the heavenly Milk and Bread from above and that your Conversation is in Heaven and that you are cloathed with the fine heavenly Linnen which is the Righteousness of Saints which is Christ's the Heavenly and Spiritual Man's Livery by which his Servants are known by his Badge of Righteousness and distinguished from all the Servants of Old Adam Egypt Sodom and Babylon with their Badge of Vnrighteousness And so be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth And be valiant for the Truth c. and spread it abroad preach Christ and his Kingdom his Light his Grace his Truth to Men that all should walk in it and his dreadful Day upon all the Talkers of God Christ his Prophets and Apostles Words that do not walk in the same Power Spirit and Life Grace and Truth as they walked in I say Preach this to the Magistrates and amongst the Heathen-men and shew your seles to be quickned by Christ who have been dead in Sins and Trespasses but that you are now made alive by him and so shew forth his Light Life and Truth and that you are awakened to Righteousness and therefore shew it forth to them that are asleep in the Vnrighteousness So that the Lord's Glory and righteous Power Truth Light and Life may flow over all to his Glory over all for ever Amen And much I could write to you concerning these things but I have not been very well but blessEd be the Lord God his Everlasting Seed is over all which reigns from Everlasting to Everlasting and my Life is in it And therefore stand and live in the Lord's Name and Power which is against all manner of Vnrighteousness and in the Light which is against Darkness and all the Works thereof and in the Life which is against Death and over Death and all the Actors of it and in the Truth that is over all Evil and against all the Doers thereof within and without And so that in the Light Life Power and Truth of God and in his Holy Spirit you may live in Fellowship and in the Vnity of the Spirit which is your Bond of Peace yea even of the Prince of Princes Peace which the World cannot take away from you Swarthmore the 5th of the 9th Month. G. F. An Encouragement to all the Faithful Womens-Meetings in the WORLD who assemble together in the Fear of God for the Service of the Truth Wherein they may see how the Holy Men encouraged the Holy Women both in the Time of the Law and in the Time of the Gospel though Selfish and Vnholy Men may seek to Discourage them But go on in the Name and Power of Christ and Prosper FRiends Epist 320. You may read in the old World how one FAmily after another till Noah's time served the Lord God And then from Noah Abraham Isaac and Jacob and their Wives and after Moses and Aaron had brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt and that they were come to be a great People Moses said I would all the Lord's People were Prophets Numb 11.29 And when a young Man said unto Moses Eldad and Medad do Prophesie in the Camp Moses desired that all the Lord's People were Prophets and he would have had Moses to forbid them But Moses ansered and said unto him again Would to God all the Lord's People were Prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them So Moses here who was Captain Governour and Judge over Israel was far from restraining any from Prophesying in the Camp but reproved his Envy that would have had him forbid them and did moreover encourage them by saying I would to God all the Lord's People were Prophets And surely all the Lord's People are made up of both Men and Women And the Lord having given his Law to the Children of Israel which was Holy Just and Good the Lord said I have poured out my Spirit upon the House of Israel So that by this Spirit they might understand his Law which was Spiritual Ezek. 39.29 Now in the time of the Law there were the Assemblies of the Women for all the Women that were wise of Hearth did work with their Hands about those holy Things which God had commanded And all the Women those Hearts stirred them up in Wisdom Assemblies of the Women under the Law these Women wrought about those holy Things that belonged to the Tabernacle and Sanctuary as you may see in Exod. 35. And likewise the Assemblies of the Women in the 38th Chap. and of the Womens assEmbling at the Door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation and in the Margent it 's said They assembled by Troops Now here you may see That the Women were in the Work and Service of God as well as the Men and they had their Assemblies For God had poured out of his Spirit upon the House of Israel to give them an Understanding both Men and Women to do that and make those things which God had commanded which were called holy things which were but Figares and Shadows of the Substance Christ Jesus the Holy One. Now Moses and Aaron and the Seventy Elders did not say to those Assemblies of the Women We can do our Work our selves and you are more fitter to be at home to wash the Dishes or such-like Expressions but they did encourage them in Work and Sevice of God in those things which God had commanded them in the time of the Law For God having pured his Spirit upon the House of Israel God give his Spirit to the House of Israel under the Law to give them an Understading to do those things which God had commanded them by which Spirit their Hearts were stirred up to do God's Work both Males and Females And in the time of the Law the Women were to offer up Sacrifices and Offerings as well as the Men upon God's Altar as you may see Hannah when she brought Samuel and offered him up to the Lord she brought him to the House of the Lord in Shiloh and when she brought him she took up with her three Bullocks besides Flower and Wine So see how she paid her Vows to the Lord and offered up her Sacrifices upon God's
the Lord to deal with them For that which they get by spoiling you they will never be the richer for and when they have done spoiling the Lord can spoil them and theirs And all the Goods they take from Friends for serving God will torment them at last and be a greater Plague to them more than keeping on your Hats and saying Thou to them was And you have had Experience how the other Powers spoiled your Goods The Spoil of the Righteous not durable Riches to their Persecutors but were they either the richer or the fatter Nay the more thery did eat destroy and devour the more they look like Pharaoh's lean Cattel And did not the Christians of old suffer joyfully the spoiling of their Goods by Professors and Prophane So they that are born of the Flesh will persecute them that are born of the Spirit and they that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution and blessed are they that do suffer Persecution for Christ and his Righteousness sake And so never fear the loss of the Fleece for God can make it grow again as he did poor Job's And it is the way of the Enemy and Adversary to set upon the young convinced to think by that means to make them to yield For have you not read it was the way how that the Enemies of Israel of old fell upon the weak and feeble of their Camp and the hindermost of the Flock but they had their Reward at the End And so wait upon the Lord and he will support you though he may try you a while as he doth all his Saints that the Trial of your Faith may come forth more pure than Gold And so never fear Man nor what they are permitted to do unto you but the Lord Though the hungry Lions may lack yet they that wait upon the Lord shall not want any good thing for his Promise is he will never leave them nor forsake them And so the Lord God Almighty give you Power and Courage to stand against all the Wiles of the Enemy and to be Valiant for his Truth upon the Earth And so with my Love in the Everlasting Seed Christ Jesus who is over him that makes to suffer and will be when he is gone Marshgrange the 6th of the 4th Month. 1676. G. F. To Friends in Barbadoes MY Dear Friends in the heavenly Relation and Zion's Children Epist 333 amongst whom the Stone that the Builders rejected is elect and precious and in him Christ you are Elect Christ the Head of God's Church who is the Head of the Corner of God's Building And therefore in the Name of Jesus keep your Meetings in whom you all have Salvation and not by any other Name under Heaven and though the Lord may try you where your Minds are and in what by the outward Powers yet be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth and if some of you be cast into Prison and your Goods be spoiled the Seed is upon the Head of him that maketh to suffer and will remain when he is gone And the Lord God who giveth the increase of all both Invisible and Visible can make the Fleece to grow again And therefore let your Faith be in the Power and Word of Life And the Authority of your Men and Womens Meetings is the Power of God and all the Heirs of the Gospel are Heirs of Christ the heavenly Man and of his Government the increase of which there is no end And so all walk in Christ So walk in Christ who bruiseth the Serpent's Head that hath gotten between you and God so as you all are in him then nothing can get between you and the Lord God and so in the glorious Order of the Gospel the Power of God dwell which is over the Devil and the World and before he and it was and the Power of God will be when he and it is gone This is the everlafting Gospel which bringeth Life and Immortality to Light and that you all may see over him that hath darkned you to him who was before he was and the Power of God will be when he is gone And therefore walk in the glorious blessed peaceable and comfortable Order of the everlasting Gospel for the Gospel the Power of God is the Gospel of Peace and the Truth is Peaceable The Devil the Destroyer and Adversary abode not in the Peaceable Truth and the Kingdom of God stands in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost and the Vnity of the Spirit is a Bond of Peace yea the Bond of the heavenly Man the Prince of Princes Peace that Bond must be kept by all Zion's Children the Heirs of Life And all seek the Peace and Good one of another To seek Peace and dwell is Love and dwell in the Love of God thet does edifie the Body of Christ and bears all things and endures all things and build up one another in the most holy Faith which you have from Christ the holy One for Holiness becomes the House of God And therefore all mind that which becomes his House and now is the time for every one to put on the Armour of God and to take his Weapons and Arms that you may stand by God's Ensign in the Truth against him that is out of Truth keeping on your Helmet of Salvation as a token of your Victory and your Breast-Plate of Righteousness which preserves both Mind Heart and Soul and your Loins girded with Truth Keep on the Armor of Righteousness that you may be Valiant for it and your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel the Power of God that your Feet may stand fast over all slippery Places in the Power of God the Gospel that is sure and everlasting Here is your Armor and your Weapon is the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God the Word of Life and Salvation and Wisdom and Reconciliation that is as a Sword and a Hammer to cut down and hammer down that which hath made a separation betwixt you and God and is as Fire to burn it up And the Shield of Faith that is your Shield by which you have victory and access to God by which Faith all the Just lives and are saved and contend for it which is declared to the Saints by Christ who is the Author and Finisher of it And by this Faith you come to Christ the Author and as many as receive him walk in him that you may be always fresh and green in him who bruises the Head of the Serpent that hath made People lean and barren and hath made so many barren Mountains which Christ is gathering and calling his People from that they might walk in the Light of the Lord and come to the Mountain of the House of the Lord that is established above all the Mountains where God teaches all his the Way of Life Truth and Salvation And the Mountain of the House of the Lord is always green with fresh
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
Salvation who Redeems out of the Curse and Fear of Men or that makes the Arm of Flesh his strength and not the Arm of God and therefore the Arm of the Lord being your Strength Christ your Rock and Salvation then you need not fear what Man can do unto you for all God's Children are dear and tender to him whom he hath begotten again by the Word of God to be Heirs of his Kingdom he feeds them with Life Eternal and the Milk of his Word which Word lives and abides and endures for ever and is always full and plentious of Milk to nurse and nourish all God's Children unto Eternal Life and to inherit his Kingdom and the World which is Everlasting which Christ is the Ruler of the heavenly and spiritual Man and therefore they that are in him must be New Creatures for all the Old Creatures are in old Adam And therefore my Desires are that you may all be settled in Christ Jesus who was dead and is alive again and lives for evermore a Prophet Counsellor Priest Bishop and Shepherd a Circumciser and Baptiser a living Rock and Foundation for evermore the Beginning and Ending the First and Last the Amen sit down in him and he in you in whom you have Peace with God Amen Swarthmore the 6th of the 12th Month 1678. G. F. MY Dear Friends Epist 353. Whose Faces are set towards Zion from this Dung-hill World of Vanity and Vexation of Spirit the Glory Comfort and Pleasures of which pass away they that have more or less of it and that enter into it enter into Trouble and when they are in it it is a great Trouble to come out of it and to be a Fool for Christ's sake Be a fool for Christ's sake who is not of this World but of the World that hath no end And therefore you must believe in the Light Grace and Truth that cometh from him in the Inward Parts or Heart which directeth your Minds to Christ from whence this comes and to unite to him that is Heavenly who saith Seek the Kingdom of God first and the Righteousness of his Kingdom then all outward things will be added to them that have found the Kingdom of God that stands in Righteousness over Unrighteousness and it stands in the Power of God over the Power of the Devil and was before he was and it standeth in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost over all the Unclean Ghosts or Unholy Spirits and the good Seed are the Children of this Kingdom which is Everlasting And take heed of your Wills and give not way to them but give way to the Power and Spirit of God which crucifieth it Submit your Wills to God and keeps it under the Cross of Christ so that your Inward Man may be renewed and the Old Adam put off so that the Day Light of Jesus Christ may be seen which Abraham rejoyced to see and so do they that be of the Faith of Abraham which Faith is the Gift of God that see the Son of Righteousness shine in their Hearts to nourish that which God hath there planted who watereth it with the living Water of the Word his living Plant And here is Water in your own Wells that you may drink out of your own Wells or Cisterns and to have Grapas off their own Vines from which they may have the new Wine in their new Bottles to glad and chear their Hearts with the Wine from the heavenly Branch of the heavenly Vine of which the Lord is the Husband-Man and this must every one of God's People feel What is the matter that all the World is of so many Ways since the Apostles days Because they are out of Christ the Way Out of Christ the one Way the new and living Way which is over all the dead Ways which was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years ago And why have they so many Religions Because that they are out of the pure and undefiled Religion before God which was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years ago which Religion keeps from the spots of the World and then this Religion must be above the World that keepeth from the spots of it and they that are gone from this Religion into them of their own making and tell People They must not be Perfect here and must carry a Body of Death with them to the Grave and others say That they must have a Purgatory when they are Dead this Doctrine is contrary to the Apostles who said Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus that They were cleansed by the Blood of Jesus and washed by the Water of the Word and this Blood and Water God's People must feel the effects of within to wash and cleanse their Hearts Souls Minds and Consciences Their Hearts and Consciences being sprinkled as the Apostle saith with the Blood of Jesus from their dead Works to serve the Living God For many may talk of the Blood of Jesus without them in their dead Works not serving the Living God their Hearts and Consciences being not sprinkled with the Blood of Jesus and they must feel it within as well as without And if they have Life they eat his Flesh and drink his Blood if they do live by him that is Heavenly and Spiritual the second Adam the Lord from Heaven For they have drank long enough into old Adam's unclean Spirit which is the cause that there are so many Bodies that they do vex and quench the good Spirit and resist the Holy Ghost which should Baptize them all into one Body that is to plunge down all Sin and Evil that is got up by Transgression and burn that up which is Chaff or Corruption and so to drink into one Spirit as the Apostles and Churches did in the Primitive Times and so to have the same Fellowship and Vnity in the holy spirit of Christ as they had to wit in Christ Jesus who was and is the holy Head of his Church his Elect in him And Jerusalem that is above is the Mother of all such and such do worship God as Christ taught above Sixteen Hundred Years ago in Spirit and in Truth So all must come to the Spirit and the Truth in their Hearts and Souls if they do know the God of Truth who is a Spirit and must worship him in Spirit and in the Truth into which holy Spirit and Truth the unclean Spirit and him that is out of Truth cannot come So all Will-worshippers and the Dragon and Beast and False Worshippers are out of this Holy spirit and Truth in which the Pure and Holy God is worshipped and as all that did eat of the Passover in the Old Covenant were to be Circumcised in the Flesh so are all in the New Covenant to be Circumcised with the Spirit by putting off the Body of the Sins of the Flesh that came upon Man by Transgression if they will feed on Christ their Heavenly Sacrifice All feed on Christ your beavenly Sacrifice
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
Now a People following and doing that which is not Just is the Cause they do not live and inherit the Land Deut. 16.18 19 20. Ex. 23.6 And therefore do that which is Just that you may inherit Christ and your spiritual Land Thou shalt not oppress a stranger seeing you were strangers nor vex the Widows and Fatherless And the Lord saith You shall be holy Men unto me Again the Lord says Thou shalt not raise a false Report c. Put not thy Hand with the wicked to an unrighteous Witness Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil neither shalt thou speak in a Cause to decline after many to wrest Judgment Exod. 23.1 2. Again To Respect no Man in Judgment the Lord saith Ye shall not do unrighteousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the Person of the Poor nor honour the Person of the Mighty But in righteousness thou shalt judge thy neighbour Levit. 19.15 And Deut. 1.16 17. and Josh 7.24 I charged your Judges says Moses saying Hear the Causes between your Brethren judge righteously between every Man and his Brother and the stranger that is with him So let all the Strangers that are with you have righteous Judgment as well as those among your selves And again he saith Ye shall not respect Persons in judgment but ye shall hear the small as well as the great You shall not be afraid of the face of Man for the judgment as God's So long as ye judge Righteously And therefore now Friends my desire is That you all may be kept in the Power and Spirit of God and Christ in Humility and in that you will have a sense of all things that whatever you act it may be done in the Spirit and Power of Jesus Christ to the Praise of God the Father who is over all from Everlasting to Everlasting who beholds and sees all your Words and Actions that you may behold and see with his Spirit His and his Sons Divine Majesty among you Amen Read this in your Assembly and in your Meetings G. F. To suffering Friends at Horsham in Sussex DEar Friends Epist 368. Who suffer for your Testimony and to all the rest in your County I am glad to hear of your Faithfulness and of your standing for the Church which Christ is the Head of Two or three gathered in Christ's Name is a Church which is in God and are become his living Members and therefore wheresoever ye are in Prison or out of Prison where two or three are gathered in his Name there is a Church and Christ the Living Head in the midst of them a Prophet to open to his Church the things of his Kingdom and a Bishop to Oversee his Living Members that they be preserved in his Light Grace Truth Spirit and Gospel and he is a Shepherd to feed them with heavenly Food who gives Life Eternal to his Sheep which he hath purchased with his own Blood and a Priest who has offered up himself a Sacrifice for the Sins of the whole World who cleanses and washes and purifies his Church his People a High Priest made higher than the Heavens Heb. 7. And no Priest made below the Heavens will become Christ's Church and therefore feel and see Christ exercising his Prophetical Priestly and Kingly Offices and his ruling in your Hearts And all that will know the right Way or High-Way or Path to the Church in God 2 Thess 1. must walk in the Light which is the Life in Christ and that will guide them to Christ the Way to God the Head of the Church the Rock and Foundation of God that stands sure And now Dear Friends my Desires are that you may all live in the Love of God and in the Vnity of his Spirit which is the Bond of Peace in which you will be all Kind and Courteous one to another and so the God of all Peace and Power support you and strengthen you and uphold you throughout all your Trials and Sufferings that he may be glorified in you all who is over all from Everlasting to Everlasting blessed for ever from whom ye have Blessing and Life London the 20th of the 12th Month 1681. G. F. To the Flock of Christ Jesus every where to be read in their Assemblies GRace Epist 369. Mercy and Peace be multiplied among you all from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Fountain of all And God who hath called you by his Grace and gathered you to be a People by his Power and Spirit to his Son Christ Jesus your holy heavenly spiritual Head Life Rock and Foundation Now that you may all walk in Christ Jesus and abide in him your Vine and in him you will all bring forth heavenly Fruit to the Praise and Glory of God Christ saith In me ye have Peace in the World ye have Trouble In Christ we have Peace and therefore keep out of the Spirit of the World let not the Spirit of the World come into you for if ye do ye go into Trouble both inwardly and outwardly But if ye keep in Christ who is not of the World you keep in your heavenly Place and Region For He that hath the Son of God he hath Life and therefore keep in the Life in Christ and he that hath not the Son of God is in old Adam in Death without Life And Without me says Christ ye can do nothing without his Grace Without Christ we can do nothing his Light his Truth his Gospel his Power his Spirit his Faith ye can do nothing and If Christ be not in you ye are Reprobates and if he be in you and you in him you are in the Election and in the Seed in which all Nations are blest And therefore my Friends and Brethren both Males and Females keep and walk in the Seed in which all Nations are blest which bruises the Head of the Serpent and destroys the Devil and his Works which brought Misery and the Curse upon all Nations So that in this holy Seed you all may be the Children of the Kingdom of God that stands in Righteousness and Power and Joy in the Holy Ghost I say in the Righteousness of Christ which was before Unrighteousness was and in the Power of God which was before the Power of Satan and Dragon was and in the Peace of God that passes all the Vnderstanding of the World and was before the God of the World was and in the Holy Ghost which was before the unclean Ghost got into Man and Woman And so that you may all come to walk in the New Covenant of Light which was before the Prince of Darkness was and Life that is over Death 1601 and was before Death was Here in this you will have your heavenly Religion to walk in which will keep you out of all the World 's unruly Ways and Actions and ungracious Words and Languages that all your Words be seasoned with the Grace of
Captain of Salvation And Christ's Government in the Hearts of his People is by his Grace and Truth Christ governs by his Light c. in the Hearts of Men. that comes from Christ Jesus by whom all things were made who doth enlighten every Man that cometh into the World which Light is the Life in Him he saith Believe in the Light that you may become the Children of the Light and such have the Light of Life and by it comes under Christ's Government and Peace and his Order in his Light and Life Now they that hate his Light they hate the Life in Christ the heavenly Man and such will hate Christ by whom all things were made and created and hate his Order and his Justice and Judgment and his Light and Life And such are not like to come into his established Government and Kingdom so Christ who is the Governor the Counsellor the Orderer He orders and governs with his Light his Life in the Hearts of all the Believers in the Light and all the Believers in the Light have the Witness in themselves of Christ their Ruler Counsellor Orderer heavenly Governor and of his Judgment Justice and Peace and that of the encrease of his Government there is no End Now they that hate the Light which is the Life in Christ the Second Adam They that hate the Light refuse Christ to Rule over them the Lord from Heaven they are them that would not have Christ rule over them nor in them therefore it condemns them and what is the matter that all Men and Women do not see but are blind and are not in Vnity Is it not because they hate the Light the Life in the Second Adam and will not come to the Light nor wald in the Light And then is not the Light their Condemnation who are in transgressing Old Adam And how are they like to see or believe or have Faith in Christ that hated his Light and will not come to it which is the Life in the Second Adam And therefore all that hates his Light which is the Life in him are not like to see nor receive Faith from him that will not believe in his Light nor come to it but hate it and such will hate both the Divine Faith and the Author of it And therefore all that do hate the Light which is the Life in Christ which he enlightens them withal they hate his Order they hate his Government his Rule yea Christ the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven And all such haters of Christ his Light Life Order Government and Counsel are in a false Liberty though they may profess Christ or his Government in Words yet not believing in the Light and walking in the Light the Life of Christ they have no true Fellowship one with another but are in Confusion and have no true Fellowship with the Believers in the Light the Life in Christ nor with the Son and the Father for how should they For until they come to believe in the Light the Life in the Second Adam they cannot see their own States they are in a blind State for none sees nor enters into the Kingdom of God till they are Boru again and those that are Born again are the Believers in the Light the Life in Christ and so Bocome Children of the Light grafted into Christ and such do know and see the true Liberty in Christ Jesus the Second Adam All such do see and know that all false Liberty is out of the Light the Life in the Second Adam in Old Adan in the Transgression And Christ that doth enlighten every Man that cometh into the World which is the Life in him such comes to Christ Christ enlighteneth every Man and are grafted into him the Head and so holds Christ their Head by whom all things were made and created who is over all from Everlasting to Everlasting the First and the Last the Beginning and the Ending These are they that see his Order his Government and his Rule in their Hearts and receives his Law of Spirit and Life and live and walk in it which makes them free from the Law of Sin and Death These see Christ to be the Author and Finisher of their holy divine precious Faith And their Faith stands in Christ who is the Author of it who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him Christ hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth And the Mystery of this Faith they hold in a pure Conscience and do know the Law of this Faith and the Law of Love that God hath shed in their Hearts through Jesus Christ And so in this Light Faith and Life that they have from Jesus the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven they come all to be of one Faith of one Light and one Life and so of one Mind Heart and Judgment in this New Covenant of Light and Life so in it they are under the Government and Counsel and Order of Jesus that he establishes in his Everlasting Covenant of Light and Life in their Hearts The Law came by Moses and all the Jews were to be under the Law in the Old Covenant and this Law served till Christ the Seed came in his New Covenant He is come and now Grace and Truth is come by Jesus Christ the great Governor And now this Grace and this Truth is come form Him into the Hearts of all his Believers And with and in this Grace and Truth Christ rules in the Hearts of them that receives his Grace and Truth and with this Grace and Truth and in it every Believer and Saint receiveth Christ their Governor and his Order and his Counsel and heavenly Judgment and Justice from the heavenly Man in his established Government The Grace of God bringeth Salvation which he establishes with his Grace and Truth Now this Grace of God which brings Salvation which hath appeared unto all Men which does manifest that all Men have a Day of Grace and Favour Now this must needs be the special Grace of God which brings Salvation which hath appeared unto all Men. Now then not receiving this Grace and Favour of God but turning from this Grace into Wantonness and walking despitefully against the Spirit of Grace therein they are hardened and blind and turns that into Wantonness and walks despitefully against it which should teach them and bring their Salvation And therefore such comes to be blind and hardened against the Grace and Favour of God that truns it into Wantonness as I said before and walks despitefully against the Spirit of Grace and Truth and such turns against God and Christ from whence Grace and Truth comes and turns from and against his People that are established in the Grace of God that brings their Salvation Tho' such may profess God and Christ in Words only and his Grace and Truth their Profession will come to nothing except they receive his Grace and Truth into their Hearts They that
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
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
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
I say unto you the Hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the Voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live John 5.25 Christ saying The Hour cometh and now is that the Dead should hear his Voice So that they past from the Death that came by Adam into Everlasting Life in Christ Jesus See Ephes 2.1 2. And so they thanked God through Jesus Christ who gave them the Victory over Death and Sin Death's Sting so as it is written Death is swallowed up in Victory For Christ as I said before makes an End of Sin that is the Sting of Death and through Death destroys Death and the Devil the Power of Death So thanks be to God through and by Christ Jesus we have the Victory unto Everlasting Life over the Grave Death and its Sting And the Apostle saith Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither doth Corruption inherit Incorruption And Christ saith Except a Man be born of the Spirit he cannot see the Kingdom of God neither can he enter into the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15.50 John 3.3 5. And Christ saith He that heareth my Word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting Life and shall not come into Condemnation but is past from Death to Life John 5.24 And he that believeth not is condemned already And he that believeth on the Son of God shall not perish but have eternal Life And again God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have everlasting Life John 3.15 16 18. Now this Death which Adam fell into was a spiritual Death for by one Man's Disobedience or Offence namely Adam Judgment came upon all Men to Condemnation So all Men are under this Judgment and Condemnation in Adam in the Fall Even so by the Righteousness of one namely Christ the free Gift came upon all Men unto Justification of Life Rom. 5.18 19. So they that do not believe in Christ They who believe not in Christ abide in Death c. the Light as he Commands John 12.36 they abide in spiritual Death and Darkness and under the Judgment and Condemnation in Adam in the Fall in the perishing state But he that believeth on the Son of God hath Everlasting Life and passeth from Death to Life and shall not perish in Darkness and is not condemned but comes out of Condemnation c. But he that believeth not in the Son of God is condemned and shall not see Life and the Wrath of God abideth on him Such abide in the perishing state in the Death and Darkness in Adam in the Fall under Judgment and Condemnation But they that believe in Christ the Light do come out of Darkness and passes from Death to Life and come from under Judgment and Condemnation that came upon all Men by the Offence of one Man Adam and come from under the Wrath of God and from under Judgment and Condemnation into Favour with God and into Eternal and Everlasting Life in Christ Jesus and so have Victory over Death Darkness and Sin its Sting and the perishing State and the Grave of Adam in the Fall from Life Eternal and so are blessed that have part in the first Resurrection in Christ Jesus On such the second Death shall have no Power for they are in Christ Jesus the Resurrection and Eternal Everlasting Life and their Names are written in the Book of Life who destroys Death and Hell and the Devil the Power of Death Revel 20.10 14 15. And casts the Devil Death and Hell into the Lake of Fire that burns with Brimstone which is the second Death And The last Enemy that shall b destroyed is Death as the Apostle saith The last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death But as it is written in Hos 13.14 Death is swallowed up into Victory For by Man namely Adam came Death and by Man namely Christ came also the Resurrection of the dead For as in Adam all died even so in Christ shall all be made alive So as by the one Man Adam Sin and Death came over all and by the Man Christ Life cometh over all And by Nature we are born of Adam and in Christ we are made the Children of God by Grace in Christ and quickened and made alive and restored to Life Everlasting by him And Christ who puts all things under his Feet he subdues Death under him who through Death destroys Death the last Enemy and the Devil the Power of Death and so makes an End of Sin the Sting of Death and brings in Everlasting Righteousness And in the way of Righteousness is Life and in the Path-way there is no Death The Law of the wise is a Fountain of Life to depart from the Snares of Death Prov. 12.28 13.14 The Lord saith Behold I create new Heavens and a new Earth and the former shall not be remembred nor come into mind But be you glad and rejoyce for ever in that which I create For behold I create Jerusalem a Rejoycing and her People a Joy And I will Rejoyce in Jerusalem and Joy in my People and the Voice of Weeping shall be no more heard in her nor the Voice of Crying Isa 65.17 18. And Peter saith in his General Epistle to the Church We according to his promise look for new Heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness 2 Pet. 3.13 And John saith I saw a new Heaven and a new Earth Of New Heavens and the New Earth for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away and there was no more a Sea And I John saw the holy City new Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven prepared as a Bride adorned for her Husband And I heard a great Voice out of Heaven saying Behold the Tabernacle of God is with Men and he will dwell with them and they shall be his People and God shall be with them and be their God and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death mark no more Death in new Jerusalem neither Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any more Pain For the former things are passed away And he that sate upon the Throne said Behold I make all things new And he said unto me Write for these things are true and faithful And he said unto me It is done I am Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End I will give unto him that is athirst of the Fountain of the Water of Life freely he that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son Rev. 21.1 to the 8th Jerusalem which is below is in Bondage with her Children but Jerusalem which is above is free which is the Mother of us all which believe in the Light in Christ And in this New and Heavenly Jerusalem there
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
believes hath the Witness in himself Mark and take Notice And so ye being in the Light every one in particular feed upon the Bread of Life The Bread of Life which comes from above which nourisheth up to Eternal Life wherein as every one grows up here every one gives Glory to the Father and to the Son and knows the Light which is the Way the Truth and the Life Every one of you that are to it turned ye are in the One Way Truth Light and Life feeding upon the One Bread which comes from above which whosoever doth eat of lives for ever and shall never dye Let this be read among all Friends every where in this Nation and elsewhere that to the Light are turned and in it are kept that in the Vnity they may all be kept And in it God Almighty preserve and keep you that ye may feel his Promises which is to the Seed and know the Seed to which the Blessing is and know the Flesh of Christ that ye may be Flesh of his Flesh And Friends Live at Peace among your selves waiting upon the Lord and the Lord God of Life and Peace be with you Let no Friends be discouraged but walk in the Truth and the Love of it and to it bend G. F. ALL Friends About 1658 I do Warn and Charge you in the Presence of the Living God in his Wisdom and Life keep that no Ill Savour be nor get up amongst you Epist 156. For ye are the Salt of the Earth to season and to make savoury to God To Friends to keep in that which is Savoury but if the Salt have lost its Savour it is henceforth good for nothing Therefore I do Warn you all Mind that which doth keep your Peace whereby ye all may grow in Love and know Christ in you all in whom is Peace Ye are the Light of the World to answer the Light in every one that with the Light they may see your good Works and by seeing them Good Works they may glorifie your Father which is in Heaven for all Deceit is Judged and Condemned by it And every one keep in the Measure of the Life of God and see that there be no Strife nor Presumption among you but all serve one another in Love and let that of God guide every one of you Serve in Love in which ye may have Vnity one with another and with God And in his Life wait to receive Power to bind and chain all down which is contrary to Truth And so in the Life and Power of God the Lord God Almighty preserve you to his Glory Amen THE Light is precious to him that believes in it and walks according to its Leading So while ye have the Light walk in the Light and live in the Light Christ the Truth The Light the Truth that ye may through Obedience to it be the Children of the Light and of the Day For the Light and the Truth is and was before Darkness and Deceit were G. F. FRiends By the Wisdom of God were all things made Epist 157. and by the Wisdom of God must all things be ordered again to God's Glory The Wisdom of God to order Transgression and Sin brings Death and Destruction but the Wisdom hid from the Eyes that be therein by which Wisdom all things were made and created was before Sin Death and Destruction were And so that is it which the Creatures and Creation of God must be ordered by that Wisdom which made them and doth not change which is hid from Death and Destruction and from that which is in the Transgression of Life and must not rule So Friends every where be Tender to those that have forsaken any thing for Truth Parents Masters And if that their Parents have put them out from them or their Masters put them away for Truth 's sake and them that are put out of their places for Truth 's sake such in the Truth receive and cherish that they may be kept in the Service of the Creation to God's Glory answering that of God in all For every one is to abide in their places and there to be faithful except they be put out or put away and be buffeted for no Fault and take it patiently that 's Thanks-worthy And do good unto all especially to them that are of the House-hold of Faith The House-hold of Faith and be as the Church of God guided in the Wisdom of the Most-High who causeth his Rain to fall upon the Just and upon the Vnjust And so be ye Merciful as your Heavenly Father is Merciful And know the Seed of God that is Heir of the Promise in every one of you and the Wisdom by which all things must be ordered to his Glory who upholds all things by his Word of Power By which Word of Wisdom all things were created and must be ordered again to the Glory of the Creator in which Man will be kept Clean unto God and honour God with his Substance and glorifie God in his Spirit Whereby every one's Conversation will come to be ordered aright and ye come to sit down in the heavenly Places in Christ Jesus The High Calling and to know the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus who calls out of Darkness into the Light out of Death into Life For he that calls is Holy and calls into Holiness without which none shall see the Lord. AND all Friends be faithful in the Seed and Life of the Lord God that is it which abideth in the Love of God for ever where every one hath his Bread which comes down from above That is the Birth which abideth in the House of the Lord God for ever The Birth which abideth and shall go no more forth which is greater than he that is in the World And in the Seed and Life keep your Meetings with God and one with another So in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you all to his Glory G. F. FRiends and Brethren every where Epist 158. Dwell in that which makes for Peace and Love for Blessed are the Peace-makers for theirs is the Kingdom To Friends to dwell in Peace and Love that stands in Righteousness Joy and Peace in the Holy Ghost and in Power Therefore seek the Peace in which is the Well-fare and Good of every one And take heed of Strife and Contention for that eats out the Good and dos not Edifie nor make for Peace for 't is Love that Edifies the Body Therefore keep in the Seed and know that which was afore Enmity was in which there 's both Peace and Life And all be careful to Watch over one another for one anothers Good and be Patient and keep low and down in the Power of the Lord God that there ye may come to enjoy the Kingdom of Peace and sit down with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the same For Blessed are all ye that lie down in
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
Royal Seed and Heirs of the Promise what are they to you who are Married to the Lamb who was Slain from the Foundation of the World against whom they warred and banded themselves and took Counsel together against the Lord and his Anointed who breaks their Bonds asunder whom neither Death Grave nor all the Powers of the World were able to hold nor contain but over all he rose the Seed and reigns till he hath made all his Enemies his Footstoole Honour and Praise be to the Lord the living God that lives for ever So all ye which are gathered in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ whose Name is called that Power of God the Word which was in the beginning over the Powers of Darkness before it was and compelling Worships Ministry Maintenance and Churches were this Gathering Meeting in the Name this Meeting in the Name the Power the unrighteous World cannot separate you from it for it is over it and was before it was In that Power have ye the Kingdom and Dominion in the Power reigning over all that which hath been out of the Power And ye that partake of the Power have Power with God in that we need not bid you keep your Meetings for ye are met and gathered into the Fold of Christ Jesus and are put forth by him and are brought from under that that leads from God by the Power of God In this Gathering by the Power into the Name of Christ which is the Power with the Power he is felt in the midst who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and Prince of Life and Peace and Prophet to open by his Power and Light in you all and a Priest for ever that lives to offer up the Spiritual Sacrifice and Praise to God and he being among you felt and in you all ye will have every one of you in your own particular Joy Peace Comfort Consolation Assurance Confidence and Satisfaction when all Gatherings Meetings Heaven and Earth Types and Figures and Shadows and Prophets and the Prophecies are ended And Swearing before the Law and in the Law and all invented Oaths since the Law and amongst the Heathen when these are gone past away and fulfilled the Election and the Seed and the Gathering in the Name of Jesus Christ the Lord of Life remains and stands and his Throne and Dominion in which there is no Curse but a Blessing So happy are ye who are partakers of this heirs of this Blessing and heirs of the Promise and of the Life and of the World that hath no End who have your Confidence and Assurance in him So all ye that have felt the Light and have been turned to it The Light in that Light ye feel the Covenant with God who is Light which brings to be acquainted with the Life of God and gives the Knowledge of Christ your Saviour and Redeemer which is the Salvation to the Ends of the Earth By which Light and Covenant ye are turned from Darkness and the Power of Satan that separated you from God who was the Enemy through whom ye had not Peace with God But now being turned from him into the Light and Power in this Covenant of Light and Power ye have Peace with God that destroys the Enmity and are come to receive it and so Heirs of the Kingdom that is Everlasting Be at Peace one with another and in Love and Tenderness and in the Wisdom of God order and preserve and nourish and cherish all things to his glory in which ye will feel his blessing and treasure and riches and Julness in you with you and amongst you So put on the Armour of Light that with it ye may be able to defend and see and walk and stand against all the Arrows and Darts that are in the unrighteous World The Armour of Light and before they were as Children of the Light and Children of the Day where the Darkness is past Put on your Breast-plate of Righteousness to save and preserve your Hearts and Minds and to keep you from all that which would defile and surfeit it or cause you to be weary or think the War or Time long For the Power is Everlasting and the Righteousness is Everlasting that destroys the Works of the Devil and him both whereby the Seed of God comes to be set on the head of it all The Shield of Faith Glory and Praise be to him for ever Put on therefore the Shield of Faith by which Faith your Shield ye have the Victory For Faith is a Mystery held in a pure Conscience by which ye have Access to God in which Faith ye please God in which Faith ye have Vnity which gives you the Victory over that which separates from God the Enmity In that Faith be Joyful which is the Faith of God's Elect that brings them over the World and to that which was before the Foundation of it And this is the Faith the Just lives by by which he is saved and justified by which he lives and conquers anmd hath the Victory over the Vnjust Glory to the Highest PVT on the Helmet of Salvation and take the Sword of the Spirit the Word of God your Helmet being on The Helmet of Salvation nothing can destroy nor hurt your Salvation Christ Jesus being your Helmet and your Head who destroys the Devil and his Works the Sword of the Spirit that mortifies that crucifies baptizes cuts off plunges under all Corruptions that have gotten up since the Transgression then in the Spirit ye will worship God and have Fellowship and Spiritual Weapons and come to be Spiritual Men and not as the Carnal World that rules and wrestles with Carnal Weapons and with Flesh and Blood The Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands will dash and break into pieces all the Cutters with Hands and Carnal-weaponed Men about Religion Church and Worship and his Kingdom is an Everlasting Kingdom and his Dominion hath no End This Stone is that which laid Nebuchadnezzar's head low and brought him to eat Grass like a Beast who knew not the Kingdom of the Most-high ruling in Men. So ye that know this Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands ye all know the Kingdom of the Most-high God ruling in you and his Dominion which s Everlasting and come to be his Temple For there was but One Temple in the whole World commanded of God One Temple as a Figure of Christ who would dwell in Man in Male and Female who should be the Temples of God in whom should be his Name and Power Blessings Honour and Glory and Praises be given to the Lord God for evermore by all them who witness this So all Dear Lambs and Babes and Brethren Happy and blessed are ye who the Seed do know which is Heir of the Blessings and the Power and Life and the Kingdom and the World that is Everlasting and without End Be shod all with the Gospel The Gospel
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