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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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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
and undefiled Life all Live Page 305 275. All Friends every where in the living Spirit and living Power c. Ibid. 276. Dear Friends live in Peace and Love Page 308 277. My Dear Friends when you were formerly in a Profession Ibid. 278. And Friends see that all Apprentices that are bound amongst you c. Page 310 1670. 279. The Substance of a General Epistle Page 311 280. All Dear Friends every where who have no helper but the Lord Page 315 281. Dear Friends the Truth of God mind Ibid. 282. Friends in the Seed that bruises the Serpent's Head c. Page 316 283. To Friends at Bristol in time of Suffering Page 317 1671. 284. Dear Friends and Brethren see that all live in the peaceable Truth Ibid. 285. Dear Friends this is the Counsel of the Lord to you all Page 319 286. Friends when you are met together in the Name of Jesus Ibid. 287. Friends consider you that have known the Mercies of the Lord Page 320 1672. 288. To Friends in Carolina Page 321 289. Dear Friends every where be faithful to God Page 322 290. Dear Friends live in Love for that is of God Ibid. 291. To all the Womens Meetings that are Believers in the Truth Page 323 292. To Friends in New-England virginia and Barbadoes Page 324 293. To Friends in Barbadoes Page 326 1673. 294. Friends the Truth is above all c. Page 327 295. Friends at the first Convincement there is not so much danger Ibid. 296. Friends all keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God Page 328 297. Dear Friends keep in the Power of the Lord Ibid. 298. Dear Friends to whom is my Love in that which changes not Page 329 299. To Friends at Jamaica Ibid. 300. Dear Friends let your Faith stand in the Power of God Page 330 301. To all the Womens Meetings Page 333 302. To all Friends that live in the Truth Page 334 303. Dear Friends all be faithful c. Page 335 304. To Friends in Virginia Ibid. 305. My Dear Friends live in the Seed c. Page 336 1674. 306. To Friends in Holland Page 337 307. My dear Friends who feel the Precious Truth Page 338 308. My dear Friends in England and all parts of the World Page 340 309. Friends seek the Peace of all Men Page 342 310. Friends in every thing give thanks Page 343 311. For the Men and Womens Meetings in Barbadoes Ibid. 312. All Friends that are in the Power of God Page 344 313. Friends all that are sensible of the Power of God c. Page 346 1675. 314. To all my dear Friends Elect and Precious in America Page 352 315. To Friends in Barbadoes Page 353 316. Dear Friends all that feel the Life and Power and Spirit of the Living God Page 354 317. To all the Elect and Chosen of God in Christ Jesus before the Foundation of the World Page 357 318. All Dear Friends and Brethren keep up your Testimony c. Page 361 319. To Friends in Nevis and the Caribby Islands Page 363 1676. 320. An Incouragement to all the faithful Womens Meetings c. Page 368. 321. To all the Men and Women's Meetings that are gathered in the Name of Jesus Page 389 332. To Friends in Cumberland Page 394 333. To Friends in Barbadoes Page 395 334. To Friends in the Isle of Man Page 397 335. To Friends in Virginia and Maryland Page 398 336. To Friends at Dantzick Ibid. 337. To Friends in Holland Page 399 338. To Friends in Maryland and Virginia Page 400 339. All my dear Friends and Brethren c. Page 401 340. To Friends in New-Jersey in America Ibid. 341. My Friends all you that know God and Christ your Teacher Page 402 342. My dear Friends and Brethren that Faith which is the Gospel of God c. Page 403 343. Friends in the Power and Image and Truth c. Page 405 1677. 344. An Epistle to be read in the Men and Womens Meetings c. Page 409 345. My dear Friends to whom is my Love in the Everlasting Seed Page 411 346. To Friends at Sussex Page 412 347. Concerning the Subjection of the Spirits of the Apostles one to another c. Page 413 348. Dear Friends to whom is my Love in the heavenly Seed Page 414 1678. 349. To Friends in the County of Oxford Page 416 350. To the Yearly Meeting in Yorkshire Ibid. 351. Friends know what the Lord doth require of you c. Page 417 352. An Epistle to Friends to keep in the Power of God c. Page 418 353. My dear Friends whose Faces are set towards Zion Page 420 354. And dear Friends my Love to you all in the Seed of Life Page 423 1679. 355. To Friends in America concerning their Negroes and Indians Page 426 356. Dear Friends every where that have received the Truth as it is in Jesus Page 428 357. Dear Friends all live in the Life of the true Christians Page 430 358. Dear Friends with my Love to you all in the holy peaceable Truth Page 431 359. An Epistle to be read among Friends Ibid. 360. To all the Men and Womens Meetings every where Page 434 361. An Epistle to Friends for them to read Page 439 And now my dear Friends concerning true Liberty Page 443 1680. 362. And now Friends you who are called into the Glorious Liberty Page 450 363. Dear Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ Ibid. 364. To Friends in America Page 453 365. To Friends in Yorkshire Page 454 366. A Letter to the Captives who meet together to worship God in Algier Page 455 1681. 367. To Friends in Burlington West-Jersey Page 456 368. To suffering Friends at Horsham in Sussex Page 458 369. To the Flock of Christ Jesus every where Page 459 370. To suffering Friends at Leicester Page 460 371. To Friends in Carolina Page 462 372. An Epistle concerning the Government of Christ Page 463 1682. 373. To Friends in Jamaica Page 470 374. To Friends in Holland Page 471 375. To Friends in Barbadoes Ibid. 376. To Friends in New-Jersey and Pensilvania Page 473 377. To Friends that are Prisoners in York Page 474 378. To all the Elect of God chosen and faithful c. Page 476 379. An Epistle to all Planters c. in foreign Plantations America Page 477 380. To all Christians to keep to Yea Yea and Nay Nay c. Page 478 381. A Way to prevent the Indignation and Judgments of God Page 480 382. An Epistle to the Houshold of Faith Page 482 1683. 380. To the Quarterly Meeting at York Page 486 384. To the Six Weeks Meeting in Barbadoes Page 488 385. To suffering Friends in Prison at Bristol Page 489 386. To Friends in Charles-Town in Carolina Page 490 387. To the Monthly and Quarterly Meeting in England c. Page 491 388. To Friends that are Captives at Algier Ibid. 389. To the Houshold of Faith which is the Church of Christ Page 493 390. An Epistle to all
Lord to you And live in the Seed The Ministry of the Life and Spirit and there ye will feel the Ministry of the Life and Spirit in your own particulars in which ye may be serviceable to others that are without and amongst your selves And let the Heathen know that the Plagues and Curses and Wrath and Wo is unto them that live out of the Truth for Wrath Wo to the Heathen Envy and Strife is out of the Truth and the Vengeance of God is due to them that do not Obey it where is the burning flaming Fire And let them know that the Glory of the Lord is risen AND walk in the Power of the Lord and in his Wisdom that in Places where ye do come ye may season them and be all of a good Savour in the Hearts of all and to the Lord a Blessing in your Generation G. F. FRiends Meet together waiting upon the Lord Epist 88. that nothing but the Life may among you reign and that in Life Life to reign Love and Wisdom ye may grow up And in the Measure of the Grace of God all wait to guide your Minds up to God And all Friends Meetings in Order kept I do lay it upon you for to see that in Order all your Meetings be kept So the Lord God Almighty keep you all to his Glory in his Wisdom to himself Amen To be read among all Friends at their Meetings G. F. For Plimouth FRiends keep your Meetings that in the Truth ye may reign Epist 89. and in the Power spread it abroad And keep in the Truth that Be Valiant for the Truth on Earth ye may see and feel the Lord's Presence amongst you and for it be Valiant upon the Earth and know one another in the Power of it So the Lord God Almighty preserve you in his Power to his Glory Amen G. F. FRiends All ye Epist 90. whose Minds are turned with the Light towards Jesus Christ from whence it comes in it wait Something of the Work of the Light manifest that with it ye may all see Jesus and all that Condemned which is Contrary to it that so by that ye may be kept from all Extremes Passions Passions and Hastiness Agonies and Hastiness Presumption and Desperation For dwelling in the Light which doth never change this keeps your Minds out of all those things before-mentioned which lead Nature out of its true Course The true Course of Nature and with the Light all that is seen and condemned which is contrary to it And that which doth Condemn keeps you in Peace and Order and leads to the Door of Mercy and Nature into its right Course and into the Vertue of that Word by which the Creatures were made and with it to use them all to his Gloy Which Light is the Condemnation of the Carnal Wisdom and Knowledge of the wicked World and the Condemnation of the Disobedient and the Condemnation of them whose Deeds are Evill who hate the Light Which brings to witness the Word to be as a Fire to burn up that which is to be condemned and to the purging of the Floor and burning the Chaff with unquenchable Fire and to the Gathering of the Wheat into the Garner Therefore in this Light dwell and wait True Words from which the true Words did proceed that with it all those Words may be opened again and all they condemned with the Light which have the Words and act contrary to it such must go empty away And to you this is the Word of the Lord Have Salt in your selves That ye may come to have Savour and Salt in your selves For dwelling in the Light ye will be manifest to the Light in their Consciences though they hate it who have the Words declared from the Light such go empty away from God who is Light And all they who abide in the Light of the Lord see all such to be out of the true Course of Nature who act contrary to the Light which defiles the Flesh and they are such who were of old ordained to Condemnation with the Light G. F. A General Epistle for Friends Concerning the Priests ALL Friends Epist 91. in the Spirit of the Living God wait upon God to learn of The Blasphemy known and who they are and with the Light they are seen and discovered and to be taught by him For now doth the Beast open his Mouth in Blasphemy speaking great swelling Words And now is the Cage of Vnclean Birds and the Vnclean Spirits which are gone forth into the Earth seen And now are the Locusts see and the Caterpillars known And now are the Seven Thunders uttering their Voices And now are the Hail-stones falling and the Vials of the Wrath of God pouring out upon the Beast and the false Prophet And now are the whited Walls seen Whited Walls and the painted Sepulchres who garnish the Sepulcres of the Righteous and build the Tombs of the Prophets full of dead Mens Bones Ravening Wolves Now are the Inwardly-ravening Wolves seen which have gotten the Sheeps-Cloathing And now are the false Prophets seen which through Covetousness make Merchandize of the People Briars and Thorns And now are the Thistles and Briars and Thorns where the Figs do not grow seen And now are they seen which make Merchandize of the Words of the Prophets Christ and the Apostles and through Pretence make long Prayers who devour Widows Houses And now are such known who lead silly Women Captive who are always learning and never able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth some Thirty Forty some Sixty Years And now are such known and seen Beating in the Synagogues and mainfest with the Light that Christ spake of that should beat his Followers in the Synagogues and hale them before Magistrates for his Names sake yea if they kill'd them should think they did God good Service And now are such Teachers seen and known that sport themselves in the Day-time and walk after their own Ungodly Lusts And now such are seen that go in Cain's Way Cain's Way who would murder and do murder in their Hearts who are in Envy who are the Vagabonds and the Fugitives who have not an Habitation in God who is Love And now are such seen and known that go in Balaam's Way that love the Wages of Unrighteousness Balaam's Way Gifts and Rewards And now are such seen and known that bear Rule by their Means and the pople love to have it so holding up the horrible and filthy thing committed in the Land as in Jeremy Jerem. 5. And now are such Shepherds seen and known Isaiah 56. as seek for their Gain from their Quarters Now are such seen and known Hirelings as seek for the Fleece and the Wooll and make a Prey upon the people and such as re Hirelings which the Lord sent Ezekiel and Micah to cry against Ezek.
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
God is sufficient in all Temptations to lead out of them and to keep over them G. F. FRiends Wait in the Light Epist 108. that with the Light every one of you may come to see Christ to be your Wisdom and your Righteousness and so come to see the Body his Church About 1656. of which he is the Head and in the Measure of Life waiting on the Father of Life ye may come to reign in the Life All that are here kept are in pure Joy and Love And in the Light wait Harlots and Idolaters seen that ye may see the Harlots and Idolaters c. which are to be fed with Judgment Spare not that which is for the Sword and for the Fire let all Fleshly-mindedness be troden under your Feet And standing in the Power ye will see the Seed slaying the Fat and chaining and binding the Vnruly The Fat and Vnruly and succouring all the Lambs and Babes This is the Word of the Lord to you G. F. FRiends Keep to Patience this is the Counsel of the Lord to you Epist 109. Do not Judge one another behind one anothers backs Concerning Judging nor speak Evil one of another for that is that which soweth the Enmity among Brethren Nor do not Judge one another before the World for that is that which is in the Extremes Passion and Hastiness and there ye do let in the World's Spirit to rejoyce over you and that is out of the Patience and Love and Wisdom and Fear of God and his Truth And every one dwell in the Seed and Life of God and in that know one another and Meeting together in that ye may see the Lord Jesus in the midst of you And Friends The Aggravating Part. go not into the Aggravating Part to strive with it lest ye do hurt to your Souls and run into the same Nature for Patience must get the Victory and answers to that of God in every one which will bring every one from the contrary So let your Moderation and Temperance and Patience be known to all for that which joins to the Aggravating Part sets up the Aggravating Part and breeds Confusion and reaches not to the Witness of God in every one And Friends keep out of the Worldly-Wise Part The Wise Part. for that will never let People joyn and unite together in Truth which enters into the Earth and the Apprehensions of Words but let Innocency be the Garment and Truth and Simplicity the Covering Then in the Innocency ye will have Vnity where there is no evil Thought but Love that thinks no Evil. Therefore Cover one anothers Nakedness let all things be done in Love and that will Edifie And let the Weight and Preciousness of Truth be in your Eye and esteemed above all things by you For here is my Grief when I hear any thing amongst Friends that hinders their Vnity and makes a Breach whereby the Wrong gets Ground who should live in the Seed which breaks the Bond of Iniquity Breaches and makes up all Breaches in which Seed shine answering the Witness of God in every one which bruises the Earthly Part under that brings forth Briars and Thorns and spreads over the World and all the contrary Therefore all ye which have known the Power of the Lord God and have tasted of the Seed of God Live in that in which ye come to have Vnity that that Part may be kept down And the Wrong Eye that looks out at one anothers Weaknesses that must be kept under even that where the Heat and the Burnings and the Enmity is the Seed of God a-top of all that must be set Cover Nakedness in which is the Vnity Therefore if there be any Nakedness in any or among any cover that and come all to the Seed of God in your own selves for in that is the Vertue to heal yea all Nations Slaughterings Wounds and Cuttings are the other Weapons in the other Part which is out of the Seed of God whose End is Peace in which is the Vnity which is the Top-stone over all the Enmity and a-top of it is laid and bruiseth it all down I am a Lover of your Souls Eternal Good Peace and Vnity in the Kingdom that stands in the Power which hath no End G. F. To the Prisoners at Exon. FRiends Epist 110. Mind that which keepeth you all Meek and Low to be guided with it Keep Meek and Low And all consider that which keepeth you in the Way of Peace that none of you may be pudling in your own carnal Wisdom which is to be confounded which is shut out of the Kingdom of God All wait to have Dominion over that that ye may know Peace and Unity and the Love of God that doth not change And do not strive one with another lest ye do hurt one another for it is not the hasty Spirit that doth get the Victory but the Lamb who must reign over the World and was before it was And the Mind which is forward The forward Mind Judge Judge and dwell in the peaceable Way and that ye may be Patterns in your Imprisonments to them which be out of the Image of the Son of God To the Prisoners in Exon Written whilst J. N. was there with many more in Prison G. F. A Warning from the Lord for Plainness of Speech to be used To go among Friends FRiends of God and Brethren Epist 111. This is a Warning to you all from the Lord God and Jesus Christ that all that ye speak it may be in Plainness of Speech Plainness of Speech according to that of God in all Consciences and that it may proceed from that of God in you the Light of Christ that all your Words be Words of Life to the Life and Death to the Death where it reigns above the Light And that all Words which are spoken be in Plainness of Speech that the Light of Christ in all Consciences which he hath enlightned every one withal may witness your Words to be the Words of Life So that dwelling in the Light to that of God ye may be made manifest in all Consciences which shall be their Condemnation that hate it Ye that dwell in the Light and walk in the Light use Plainness of Speech and plain Words single Words in the single Life pure Words from the pure Life seasoned Words seasoned with Grace which teacheth to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts They who live in Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts turn from the Grace of God into Wantonness who are light and vain whose Words are unsavoury not seasoned with Grace whose Words edifie not upon whom God will render Vengeance in Flames of Fire who shall be separated from his Presence and his Angels Therefore Friends in Plainness of Speech all dwell for dwelling in the Light it will bring you to Plainness and few Words to live in the Life The Life of the Scriptures which
Power over your own Wills which are Mortal and Changable that the Way of Righteousness may be found Man's Will where your Wills are shut out which causes the Hastiness and the Strife to run into Words without the Life Words without Life where Judgment and Condemnation doth overtake you Wherefore delight in Judgment which leads to the Door of Mercy G. F. FRiends Wait in the Life which will keep you above Words Epist 119. and keep your Minds up to God the Father of Life and Condemn and Judge all them which would have Words more than the Life Grow in the Life God Almighty be with you in the Measure of Life that in it ye may grow and with it your Minds may be kept up to him the Father of Life And that all Strife may be kept down with the Life and all Light Spirits judged down with that which comprehends the World Light Spirits and judgeth it So God Almighty be with you all and keep you in his mighty Power up to himself and condemn all that which is contrary to him and his Light To be read at Meetings G. F. MY Dear Friends Dwell in the Everlasting Seed of God Epist 120. in which ye all will feel Life Eternal that never hath an End and in that Meet and keep your Meetings And dwell together in the Love and Life of God with which ye may all be filled through which Love ye may cover the Multitude of Sins Love covers and Answer the Life of God in all in which ye may feel the Blessings of the Almighty God covering you as with a Garment And so Possession of Life live in the Possession of the Life in which ye all will have Vnity and Fellowship with God and one with another DEAR Friends Exhort all your Families at Times and Seasons whether they be Servants or Children that they may be Informed in the Truth For when ye were Professors many of you did Exhort and Instruct them in the Form Exhort your Families when that ye had not the Power And therefore now being brought into the Truth ye should be more diligent to Exhort Admonish and Instruct them G. F. To Friends To take Care of such who suffer for owning the Truth FRiends Epist 121. In the Wisdom and Power of God dwell by which all things must be ordered to his Glory in which ye may do all things to his Glory and that with the Wisdom of God ye may order and preserve the Creation and every thing that is Good And if any Servants be convinced Servants Convinced and turned from their Places for Truth 's sake Friends to be tender to them that they be not lost but that they may be preserved Soldiers Children Wives And if any Soldiers be put out of the Army for Truth 's sake that they may be nourished and cherished or any Children be turned from their Parents or believing Wives from their unbelieving Husbands that they may be admonished to walk wisely towards them Prisoners And that all Prisoners that have but little of their own there may be Care taken for them and for the Lame and Sick And that if any Friends be Oppressed any manner of way others may take Care to help them And that all may be as one Family building up one another and helping one another And if any desire Meetings any way for Truth 's Service Friends not to look out but to dwell in the Life and Power of God and therein to answer it AND all Friends every where in the Power and Life and Seed of God keep your Meetings that over all the Top-Stone may be laid and ye all in the Wisdom and Patience may be preserved Wisdom and Patience and as a sweeet Savour may be kept to God and in the Hearts of all People And every one be Obedient to the Life and Power of the Lord God Obedient and that will keep you from being as a Wilderness but be Faithful and still till the Winds cease and the Storm be over G. F. FRiends Epist 122. To that which is Pure I speak in which is Vnity where no defiled thing shall enter Silence all Flesh who strive about Words in which is no Profit who would draw you out of your Conditions and others out of their Conditions Therefore be Low and mind that which is Low Mastery and Pride to draw you out of Contention And strive not for Mastery and do not exercise Lordship over one another but mind that which is Pure which keeps you in the Fear of the Lord God For if your Minds go from that which is Pure which leads to God your Nakedness will appear to the World and then ye go in your own Wills and Strength and there is the Seat for Mastery and Pride out of the Will of God and that is out of the Unity out of the Oneness out of the Way and instead of building ye destroy and instead of edifying ye draw back into the World Therefore all be Low and wait upon the Lord and be swift to Hear slow to Speak and slow to Wrath be Low and wait upon God to receive the living Food from God to nourish you in Time with that which was before Time that God in all things may be glorified So the Lord God Almighty direct you and bring down all fleshly Wills that the Pure may be raised up So meet together and wait upon God if there be not a Word I charge you Beware of Contention for there ye get above that of God in the Conscience and so go out of the Fear of the Lord. G. F. Men in the Fall are in the Wars and Strife but Truth restores and brings into Peace DEar Friends My Love is to you all in the Everlasting Seed of God Epist 123. that never changes nor falls Concerning Christ that never fell and Adam in the Fall nor gives it self to that which doth change which is not of this World but is over it and was before the World was in which is the Stedfastness and Staiedness and Life Eternal Which reigns over all the Airy Spirit and that which doth change and remains and is as the Winter-fruit and stands The Seed the Winter-fruit when all the untimely Figs are gone Mark And Seed is not as the Corn that grows upon the House-top that withers for the Leaves that this Seed brings forth never fade nor fall The Leaves heal the Nations for the Leaves thereof heal the Nations which are wounded The Second Adam goes over Adam in the Fall and his quarrelling Sons and Daughters who War one with another with their carnal Weapons who remain in their carnal Worships carnal Fellowships carnal Teachings But who are in the Noble and Royal Seed are all in Peace and in Love and in Life and in Vnity and are in the Spiritual Worship and Spiritual Fellowship and Spiritual Teaching being in the
Christ the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World pointed his Disciples to him and shewed them Christ and they forsook him and went to Christ For John came for a Witness to bear Witness of him who was the true Light and that He that was to come after him was preferred before him for he was before him Yet when John was cast into Prison he questioned whether Christ was he or whether he should look for another and sends to Christ And Christ answers his Messengers and saith unto them the Blind receive their Sight Christ the Messiah and not another and the Poor receive the Gospel c. And as for these Papists and Protestants and Jews they question whether Christ the Light that lighteth every Man that cometh into the World be the Spiritual Divine Saving and Heavenly Light And further mark Christ's own Words John 12.46 He saith He is the Light of the World that teacheth you how to believe to wit All his Disciples as Christ hath taught them who saith Believe in the Light Now believing in the Light you believe in that which doth make manifest all things for that which doth make manifest is the Light The Light maketh manifest all things and therefore to beleive in the Light is to believe in that which doth make manifest Christ to be their Way their Teacher Priest and Mediator Interceeder Saviour and Redeemer And he that believeth in the Light he believes in that whcih makes manifest all false Ways and false Religions and false Worship and false Teachers and Antichrists For they that believe in the Light it manifests all true Ways and true Religions And so they are no true Believers True Believers believe in Christ as both outwardly and inwardly manifest neither Protestant nor Papists who only believe Christ is come from Scripture as the Jews believed Christ was to come from Scripture But I say they are no true Believers but as they also believe in the Light as Christ the Heavenly Man doth teach For the Jews they may teach their People to believe from the Scripture the Papists and Protestants may teach their Children to believe from the same but not believing in the Light they are no true Believers as Christ hath taught for Christ who is the Saviour he teacheth People how to believe and saith Believe in the Light Which is plain that they are no true Believers that do not believe in the Light neither Jews nor those that have got the name of Christians for Believing in the Light they become Children of the Light And so it is plain they are no Children of Light but who Believe in the Light nor Children of the Day For Children of Darkness may profess Scriptures the Devil may bring Scripture and Protestant and Turk and Papist and Jew may bring Scripture with a dark Spirit and hold them in the Unrighteousness but there is no true Believer in God nor in Christ Jesus but who Believes in the Light which the Scripture testifies of shewing there is no Salvation Redemption Justification Sanctification but to them who Believes in the Light that manifesteth all things nor seeing Christ who died and is risen for them And therefore the heavenly Man the second Adam the Lord Jesus Christ teacheth how to believe and saith Believe in the Light The second Adam the Lord Jesus teacheth how to believe while you have it and this Light will manifest him to be their Way their Truth and Life which Light comes from him who enlightneth every Man that cometh into the World that all through the Light might believe And so they that believe not in the Light as Christ hath taught are no true Ministers nor no true Messengers nor true Disciples nor no true Christians nor true Preachers of Christ Jesus who believeth not as he hath taught them but they that lay away Christ's teaching and teach one another to deny the Way that Christ hath taught to Believe in are keepers of People in Darkness out of the Light and call it Natural created and made and conscience and so with their Darkness and Blindness give the Light such names who with their Darkness cannot comprehend it for he that believes in the Light The Light distinguisheth Truth from Error it lets him see the Scriptures the Prophets Christ and the Apostles words and by it they do distinguish the true Prophets words from the false the holy Mens words from the unholy the sanctified from them that are not sanctified Christ's words from Anti-christ's the true Apostles words from the false So Christ the Light teacheth his People to believe in that which manifests all things and they that believe in the Light hath the Witness in themselves of Christ in whom they do believe they have the Witness in themselves that he is their Redeemer and Saviour and their Way their Truth and their Life for with the Light they see him they believing in the Light that doth make manifest and after they believe in the Light become Children of the Light they witness themselves that they are sealed for their Belief in the Light stands in Christ the Light who hath bought and purchased them and after that they are sealed by the Spirit of Promise having God's Mark or Stamp set upon them they can set to their Seal That God is true in all his Promises in all his Prophets concerning Christ Jesus who taught them to believe in the Light With the Light they see and come to know the three that bear Record in Heaven and the three that bear Record on Earth Three that bear Record on Earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood first the Spirit that beareth witness in the Earth which mortifies them which circumcises them which leads them into all Truth in which Spirit is their Fellowship and a Bond of Peace that keeps down that which troubles them by which Spirit the Believers are Baptized into one Body brought out of the many Bodies and so by the Spirit they are brought to the one Head The Spirit which is Christ Jesus tho' there are many Heads in the World by which Spirit they are sanctified by which Spirit they are instructed by which Spirit they worship God by which Spirit they are covered by which Spirit they pray and by which Spirit they sing praises to God who is a Spirit by which Spirit they have an understanding the Spirit of Wisdom and Knowledge which is to know God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent which is Life Eternal 2dly They come to know the Water The Water which is a Witness in the Earth by which Water they are washed their Minds their Souls their Spirits and in their Bodies with this pure Water and this is a Witness in the Earth with the Light they that Believe in it it manifesteth these two Witnesses in the Earth and with the Light they see the Pope's counterfeit Holy Water which he hath set up since
will not have of your Bread of Life and Water of Life let them fast Of the Bread of Life that will neither receive nor give for the Bread of Life and Water of Life is not only given to feed your selves but by it you may feed others and refresh others therefore have Bread in your Houses and Water in your own Well and Fruit of your one Tree and Salt in your selves to Savour withal that you may try all things and have Oil in your own Lamps that they may burn in your own Temple and Odour and Frankincense that it may burn continually upon your own Altar that it may ascend as a sweet Savour Holy and Pure up to God who is Holy and Pure Be not removed off your Ground wherein you may grow and increase And so quench not the Spirit despise not Prophecy hate not the Light but improve your Talent hide it not but improve it mind the Kingdom within and the heavenly Penny and the Spirit of God which is given to Instruct you and walk according to the Rule of the Spirit of God that he hath given to you to profit withal and mind the Truth in the Inward Parts so that you may be adorned and arrayed with a meek and a quiet Spirit For the Light that shines in your Hearts will give you the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ How the Knowledge of God is attained that you may know the Heavenly Treasure in your Earthly Vessels and the Day-Star to arise the Day to dawn in your own Hearts that you may become Temples of Christ He to dwell with you and walk with you and sup with you and the Blood of Christ to sprinkle your Hearts from dead Works and your Consciences also that you may serve the Living God So know the true Faith to purifie your Hearts Christ the Author of true Faith which Christ is the Author and Finisher of and the true Hope to purifie you And so be true Believers in the Light as Christ Commands and become Children of the Light for he that believes hath the Witness in himself And know the true Word in your Hearts and Mouths which is the Word of Faith the Apostle preach'd which distinguishes your good Thoughts from bad and your good Words from bad which Word is in your Hearts to obey and do Which is as a Hammer to hammer down Sin and Evil and as a Sword to cut it down and as a Fire to burn it up So that by that Word you may be sanctified The Word Sanctifieth c. by that Word you may have Salvation by that Word you may be reconciled to God by which all things are upheld by his Word and Power by this Word you may be born again of the Immortal Seed that lives and abides for ever And so from this Word you may have your Milk for this is the ingrafted Word that is able to save the Soul and raise the Soul that is Immortal up unto the Immortal God And by this Word you will see over all the Deceivers of your Souls which Word was before they were And by this Word you will understand the Scriptures of Truth that cannot be broken And by this Word you will come to Judge all those that are got into the Imaginations concerning the Scriptures and that set them up in the room of God and Christ in their dark Imaginations who in their Darkness cannot comprehend the Light And by this Word you will have Riches out of this Word is Poverty And by this Word you will come to know Life and Salvation for in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and Christ's Name is called The Word of God and the Scriptures are the Words which are to be fulfilled So all be diligent in the Truth that you may be fruitful in the Word of God that it may have its Passage through you all G. F. Concerning those that go out of Vnity and deny Forms THose that are gone from the Light Epist 271. from the Spirit and Power of God and so from the Vnity by the Light and by the Spirit True Vnity in the Light and Spirit and by the Power are judged and the Power and Light and Spirit is over them and they being gone into their own Wills and into a perverse Spirit then they say they will not be subject to Mens Will nor to the Will of Man and that Spirit leads them out of the Bonds of Humanity when they are thus gone from the Light and the Power and Spirit of God they go out of all true Forms into Confusion and Emptiness without Form then they say they will not be subject to Forms and cry down all Forms with their Darkness and a perverse Spirit and so mash all together For there is a Form of Godliness Of the Form of Godliness and there is a Form of Sound Words many have a Form All Creatures have a Form the Earth hath a Form and all Things were brought into a Form by the Power of God for the Earth was once without Form and was void and empty and confused So they that be gone out of the Covenant of God and Life and out of the Power of God are gone into a confused Condition without Form a State which is out of the Bond of Civil Men and Women And so such are confused without the right Form for the Form that God hath made viz. The Form of the Earth the Form of the Creatures the Form of Men and Women the Form of Sound Words the Form of Godliness nor the Form of Sound Doctrine was never denied by the Men and Women of God Those testified against who deny the Power and quench the Spirit But such as got the Form only and denied the Power of Godliness those were denied for they deny the Power and do not only so but quench the Spirit and grieve and vex it and hate the Light by which Light they are condemned G. F. To Friends in Ireland KEep to the equal Measure and just Weight in all things Epist 272. both inwardly and outwardly that you may answer Equity answer Truth in the Oppressed and the Spirit and Grace and Light in all People To do Justice and Equity in all things And so being kept in Righteousness and Equity and Truth and Holiness that preserves you over the Inequality Injustice and the false Measure and Weight and Ballance in all Things both inward and outward And this keeps your Eye open keeps you in a Feeling Sense keeps you in Vnderstanding and true Wisdom and true Knowledge what you are to answer to all Men in Righteousness and Truth and Equity both inward and outward And this is to all you that have purchased or bought any Irish Land so that Justice and Righteousness and the true Measure and true Weight and even Ballance may be among you to answer that which is True and
one anothers good preferring one another in the Truth And so let the true Brotherly Love continue and Kindness Affableness and Courteousness and whatsoever is Decent Comely and of a good Report in the Eyes of God and the Hearts of all good Men that to follow after and so that in your Men and Womens Meetings nothing may be seen of the old Leaven of the old Malice nor of the old Man nor hid Deeds nor his old Image nor his old Bottle may not be drank of nor his sowre Grapes eaten of for if you do it will set your Teeth on edge one against another But mind the Royal Seed Christ Jesus that makes all things new that new and Living Way a new Man after God and his Image So Children of the New Covenant having the new Leaven that leavens up onto the Love of God which edifies the Body of which Christ is Head and new Bettles full of new Wine from Christ the Vine the new Wine which makes all your Hearts glad to God and Christ and one in another To serve God with a new Heart So here is the new Heart the new Spirit the new Life in which the Living God is sered And therefore this is the Word of the Lord God to you all Let this new Way new Covenant new Man new Leaven new Wine new Life shew forth its Fruits in the new Life from the new Man So that the Fruits of the Old may not appear and that the Bond of Peace in the Vnity of the Spirit may be kept amongst you So keep in this Vnity of the Spirit which is the Bond of Peace and none to break their Peace and go into the ill Behaviour for that is out of the Spirit of God and Christ which is meek gentle c. So that the Lord God of your Lives may be Glorified in you all and above all who is over all God blessed for ever and ever London the 15th of the 3d Mouth G. F. ALL Friends that are in the Power of God Epist 312. and in his Spirit through which Spirit you pray unto God and ask in the Name of Christ Jesus which all true Prayers are to be in and the true Singing and Rejoycing is to be in the Spirit All true Worship performed in the Sptrit and the true Preaching and Ministry is to be in the Spirit for the Saints were made able Ministers of the Spirit and not of the letter Now when a Minister in the Spirit of the living God does minister Spiritual and Heavenly Things and they that receives them receives them with joy in the Assembly now he that is a Minister of the Spirit and ministers Spiritual Things and if they that receive them receive them in Sincerity with Joy and Gladness and Rejoice in the receiving of them whilst the other is ministring of them he that is a Minister of the Spirit does not judge such but Rejoyces in them that does receive them and praises God for the same And so likewise they that do Sing in the Spirit does reach to the Spirit in others whereby they have a sense that it proceedeth from the Spirit for at the Hearing of the Speech the true Minister there is Joy to all that seek and thirst after Righteousness for the preaching the Gospel is the Glad-Tidings the Joyful News and is a comfort both to Soul Body and Spirit to all that receive it in Integrily and Sincerity and they cannot but Rejoice at the Cound of the Power where it is received and they that preaches in this cannot judge such as Rejoices in the Spirit and Power and in their Souls praises God when they hear the Sound of it Oh the Everlasting Gospel the Everlasting Power of God which is Liberty where this is heard the Sound of it which is the Liberty to the Spirit to the Soul to the Creature if a Creature should praise God in his Soul in his Spirit in the very hearing of the Sound of this glorious Gospel or make a Joyful Melody the Minister of the Spirit which preaches the Glorious Gospel cannot judge such for that and say it is a confused Noise for that is the Minister of the Letter that so judges who may gather up parcels of the Letter and make a Song of that or Preachment of that to which the Gospel-Ministry of the Spirit is the Savour of Death unto Death and of Life unto Life And concerning Praying in the Spirit which Spirit make Intercession to God with Sighs and Groans that cannot be uttered Of Prayer in the Spirit Now where this Spirit is prayed in which all true Prayer is to be in it makes Intercessino through the Vails through the Clouds and thick Darkness by the Invisible Powere to the Invisible God and this prayer being made in an Assembly to the Throne of Grace and there the Assembly in their Spirits joyns in this Spirit and does make Intercession and does enter through the Vails Clouds and thick Darkness to the Throne of Grace and if some of these should praise God in a Joyful Sound with their Souls and Sprit can he that prays in the Spirit and makes Intercession therein judge them that Groans in the Spirit and feels the Intercession to the Throne of Grace No he cannot for he feels a Unity in the Spirit and set case that some do Groan and Sight when another is Praying in the Spirit that makes the Intercession easie in the Invisible Spirit to the Invisible God and Throne of his Grace which the Spirit of God operating in the Assembly makes some to Sigh and Groan being sensible of their wants and the Power has awakened such therefore can any judge such that prays in the Power and Spirit that has awakened them Nay but hears them and is glad where it stirs and so having the Mind of the Lord and makes Intercession to him by his Spirit who hears the Sighs of the Needy and Groans of the Oppressed he cannot judge such and therefore they that do judge such Sighers Prayers and such who make a joyful Melody from the Word dwelling in their Hearts they who judge such are not in the Spirit that makes Intercession and that which is contrary is to be reproved and admonished in private by them that are in the Spirit of God lest they pluck up the Wheat and Tares together and make a Confusion in the Church for God is not the Author of Confusion God the Author of Peace c. but of Peace and good Order But that Spirit which is High and Lofty and can form a Praise by words and Pray in his own Spirit will judge such Sighing Groaning Praising and Singing as before but that exalted Spirit is to be cut down with the Sword of the Spirit For if any should Sigh or Groan or Rejoyce or make a joyful Sound whe another is Praying in the Spirit of God and Ministring in the Spirit Spiritual Things this the Spirit of Error cannot bear
to your Order as I said before of the Gospel the Power of God For the Jew outward was to offer the first Fruits of the Earth according to the Order of Aaron but according to the Order of the Gospel you both Men and Women are to offer the first Fruits of the Spirit to God who is a Spirit over all blessed for ever And shew how the Lord has blest you in your Spiritual Fruits and how you have been Captives in Spiritual Egypt and how you were redeemed Much more I might Write concerning these things but they are hard to be uttered or to be born for there has so much Strife and Foolishness entred into the Minds of People and a want of the stilness and quietness in the pure Spirit of God in which things are revealed that hath been vailed in which things are opened that hath been hid and uncovered that hath been covered But wait all in the Dilligence in the holy Life by which the holy things are seen and received in which the holy Vnity and Fellowship is So no more but my Love G. F. To all my dear Friends Elect and Precious in America STand fast in the Faith which Christ Jesus is the Author of Epist 314. by his heavenly Ensign To stand fast in the Faith in your heavenly Armor and your Feet shod with the Preparation of the Heavenly Gospel of Peace and your Heads preserved with the Helmet of Salvation and your Hearts fenced with the Breast-plate of Righteousness and so stand feeling and seeing God's Banner of Love over your Heads manifesting that you are the good Ground that God's Seed hath taken Root downward in and springs upward in and brings forth Fruits in some Sixty and some Hundred fold in this Life to the Praise and Glory of God always beholding the Sun of Righteousness that never sets ruling the supernatural Day of which you are Children and the Persecutors Sun the heat of it which rises and sets again cannot scorch your Blade which it may do that Seed that grows on the Stony Ground And therefore be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth and fear him And be Valiant for God's Truth that can break their Fetters their Goals and their Bonds in sunder and can make your Fleece to grow again after the Wolves have torn the Wooll from your Backs for the Rod of the Wicked shall not be always upon the Backs of the Righteous And therefore mind Christ who is the first and last who bruises the Head of him who is the Head of all Persecutors to wit the Devil And consider how all the Faithful in all Ages suffered from Righteous Abel to Just Lot and the Children of Isreal by Pharaoh and the true Prophets by the false and Christ and the Apostles by the vagabond Professing Jews out of the Possession and what rejoycing it was to them to suffer for the Lord Jesus and how it was given unto them not only to Believe but also to Suffer so it was the Gift of God to them not only to Believe but to Suffer and to bear them up in their Sufferings And consider how all the Martyrs and Saints have suffered since the Apostles days by the Heathens and false Christians and so there is no new thing under the Sun And therefore keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus And keep your Meetings in the Name of Jesus whose Name is above every Name in whose Name you have Salvation and be valiant for God's Truth upon the Earth and sound his Name abroad and keep in the Truth and give no just Occasion to the Adversary for the Lamb must have the Victory and keep in the Lords Power that is over all and in his peaceable Truth in which you will seek the Good and Eternal Welfare and Salvation of all People And the Prophet Isaiah speaking of Christ says In all their Afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence saved them so all Friends feel the Lord in all your Afflictions And the Apostle saith We our selves glory in you to wit in the Churches of God for your Patience and Faith in all your Persecutions and and Tribulations that you indure So here you may see the Saints are one anothers Joy in the Lord who doth uphold them in all their Persecutions Tribulations and Sufferings and therefore look over the Devil that is out of Truth that makes to suffer to Christ who bruises his Head and in Christ who is First and Last in him have you Rest Life and Peace And you see by Faith Examples of Faith Moses chose rather to suffer Afflictions with the People of God than to enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a Season So by Faith he esteemed the Reproaches of Christ greater Riches than the Treasures in Egypt And by Faith Moses forsook Egypt not fearing the Wrath of the King for he indured as seeing him who is invisible and so by Faith God's People now forsake Spiritual Egypt And by Faith the Mouths of the Lions were stopp'd and by Faith they indured Tortures not accepting Deliverance that they might obtain a better Resurrection and by Faith they underwent all the cruel Mockings Scornings Bonds and Imprisonments and by Faith they underwent Stoning and Sawing asunder and were tempted and slain with the Sword and they wandered about in Sheep skins and Goats-skins being destitute afflicted and tormented of whom the World was not worthy c. Now all these lived in the one Faith by which they saw him who was invisible which is the Faith of God's Elect now which Christ Jesus is the Author and Finisher of which Faith upholds his People now as it did them against the Persecutors in Days and Ages past And hold fast the Hope which anchors the Soul which is sure and stedfast that you may float above the Word's Sea for your Anchor holds sure and stedfast in the bottom let the Winds Storms and raging Waves rise never so high And your Star is fix'd by which you may steer to the Eternal Land of Rest and Kingdom of God So no more but my Love to you all Swarthmore in Lancashire the 12th of the 12th Month 1675. G. F. To Friends in Barbadoes DEar Friends To whom is my Love in the Holy Truth Epist 315. my desire is that you may all be valiant for it against all Deceit that the Camp of God may be kept clean Faithful in their Testimenies and all may be faithful in your Testimonies of Light and Life against all those things which have come up in this Night of Apostacy from the Light Life and Power of God So look at the Lord and his Eternal Power which hath brought you out of the Night of Apostacy to his Eternal Praise and his Power hath preserved you to this Day The Lord with his glorious Power was with us in all our Assemblies at this Yearly Meeting he hath the Dominion and over all evil Spirits gave Dominion to his
same Mind be in you as was in Christ Jesus for the Apostle said That they had the Mind of Christ and the Lamb overcame and had the Victory and his sanctified Ones that following him are partakers thereof Glory to his Name for ever Amen The 18th of the 5th Month 1677. G. F. To Friends at Sussex MY Dear Friends Epist 346. To whom is my Love and to the rest of Friends that a-ways And my desire is that you may all Suffer as Lambs of Christ for when he was reviled he reviled not again and he gave his back and cheek to the Strikers and Smiters and his hair to be pluck'd off and was as a Lamb led dumb before his Shearers and he opened not his Mouth though he was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and so left his Fellowers and Believers an Example that they should follow him like Innocent Lambs for the Lamb and the Saints have the Victory over all the Tearers and Strikers and Pluckers Let Patience have its perfect Work and Devourers and Persecutors and so let Patience have its perfect Work in you and among you in which you run the Race and do obtain the Crown of Eternal Life And do not strive but keep down that Spirit that would strive with Love which differeth you from all other Sufferers that have not Love which envieth not neither is provoked but beareth all things and indureth all things and will wear out all Evil Doers And so be Faithful and of the good Faith that hath the Victory and in it suffer joyfully as the Saints did and leave the Gain-sayers to the Lord God who will Reward and Re-pay them And keep in the Seed that will out-last all and bruise the Head of the Serpent And so the Lord God preserve you all both in Life Word and Conversation to his Glory and that all your Words may be Gracious Amen The 8th of the 5th Month 1677. G. F. Concerning Subjection of the Spirits of the Apostles one to another in the Vnity of the Spirit of Christ THE Apostles heard at Jerusalem Epist 347 that the Samaritans had received the Word of God and they sent unto them Peter and John Acts 8.14 Now Peter and John did not in opposition say Peter and Paul We will stay till we have a Motion But as the Spirts of the Prophets were subject to the Prophets so the Spirits of the Apostles were subject to the Apostles And when tidings came to the Church at Jerusalem That the Grecians had believed they sent forth Barnabas to them Barnabas and when he came he Exhorted them and when Barnabas had found Paul he brought him to Antioch and there the Disciples were first called Christians and the Church sent the Collection by the hands of Paul and Barnabas unto the Elders Acts 11.22 23 30. and 9.27 Paul and Barnabas Paul and Barnabas took with them John whose Sirname was Mark and Mark did not Gain-say and tell them I must wait for a Motion Acts 12.25 It pleased the Apostles and Elders with the Church to send chosen Men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas and Judas Surnamed Barsabas and Silas chief Men among the Brethren Barsabas and Silas and writ Letters by them unto the Gentiles Acts 15.22 saying For asmuch as we have heard that certain that went out from us have troubled you with words subverting your Souls saying Ye must be Circumcised and keep the Law unto whom we gave no such Commandment It seemed good unto us being assembled with one accord to send chosen Men unto you Men that have hazarded their Lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ Paul said unto Barnabas Let us go again unto every City The Care of the Apostles to visit those again to whom they bad preacht the Gospel where we have preached the Word of the Lord and see how they do and Barnabas determined to take Mark with them and Paul chose Silas being recommended by the Brethren unto the Grace of God and they went through Syria and Cilicia and as they went through the Cities they delivered them the Decrees for to keep that were ordained of the Apostles and Elders which were at Jerusalem and so were the Churches confirmed and established in the Faith and increased in number daily Acts 16.4 The Brethren exhorted the Disciples to receive Apollos Acts 18.27 Apollos And Paul sent unto the Ephesians and called the Elders of the Church and exhorted them Acts 20.17 Paul commends Phebe Phebe a Servant of the Church which is at Cencrea and bid them receive her in the Lord and assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of Rom. 16. Now if Timothy come so that ye receive him without fear let no Man despise him but conduct him forth in Peace that he might come unto me for I look for him with the Brethren Paul said to the Corinthians Did I make a gain of you by any whom I sent unto you 2 Cor. 12.17 Or did Titus make a gain of you Tychicus a beloved Brother and faithful Minister of the Lord shall make known unto you all things Titus and Tychicus whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose that you might know our affairs and comfort your hearts Eph. 6.21 22. Paul sent to the Colossians Onesimus with Tychicus to make known all things unto them that was done with him Col. 4.9 And when they had read his Epistle Onesimus they were to cause it to read at Laodicea and Paul charged the Thessalonians by the Lord that they did read his Epistle amongst all the holy Brethren 1 Thess 5.27 And Paul saith Take Mark bring him with thee for he is profitable to me for the Ministry and Tychicus I have s●at to Ephesus Artemas and Zenas the Lawyer 2 Tim. 4.11.12 Paul said to Titus Chap. 3.12 When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus unto thee be thou diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis and bring Zenas the Lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently that nothing be wanting unto them Paul saith to Philemon Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee knowing that thou will also do more than I say Philemon 21 22. John saith 2 Epist Look to your selves that we lose not these things that we have wrote but that we may receive a full reward I wrote unto the Churches but Diotrephas who loveth to have the preheminence amongst them received us not Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doth prating against us with malicious words 2. and 3. Epistle of John The woful End of such as separate themselves having not the Spirit And in Jude Such as goes in Balaam Cain and Corah's way wandering Stars raging Waves of the Sea Wells without Water Clouds without Rain Trees without Fruit twice dead and pluck'd up by the Roots their Mouths speak great Swelling Words to whom is reserved the Blackness of Darkness for ever These are
Hypocrites and Sinners may fear but they that fear the Lord and wait upon him shall be as Mount Sion that cannot be removed for the Lord's Power is over all by which he keeps his People to the day of Salvation And therefore all you that have this Keeper Let the Lord be your Keeper the Power of the Lord through Faith unto the Day of Life and Salvation need none of the slumbering Keepers or Watchers for the Lord was the Keeper of Israel who neither slumbered nor slept till Israel forsook the Lord and then they set up slumbering and sleepy Watchers and Keepers like the Apostate Christians who have forsaken the Power of God to keep them and then they are soon forsaken And therefore Friends you that do know the Power of God in which the Kingdom of God stands you know your Keeper through the Faith which Jesus Christ is the Author of which stands in his Power and not in Words and so your Faith standing in his Power it will keep you out of the Words of Mens Wisdom and above them And the golden Lamp in your Tabernacle all are to have to burn with the heavenly Oil Heavenly Oil. which you have from Christ your High Priest being returned to him the great Shepherd and Bishop of your Souls who will bring you his Sheep into his safe Fold who gives unto his Sheep eternal Life and his Sheep shall not perish neither shall any pluck them out of his Hand Though Men may pluck Hypocrites and Apostates one from another Feel the Hand that preserved you but Christ saith No Man is able to pluck his Sheep out of his Fathers hand And therefore all feel the Hand that hath brought you out of Spiritual Egypt where Christ hath been crucified to Christ in his new Covenant of Light and Life as the Jews were brought out of Egypt in the Old Covenant which Christ hath abolished and makes all things new so that all may be grounded on him who was the Foundation of all the holy Prophets and Apostles and of all the holy Men of God to this day And therefore consider who it is that abides in the Tabernacle of God and dwells in his Holy Hill it is the Faithful and the Vpright which Holy Hill is a safe place for all the Upright As the Lord said In the last days the Mountain of the Lord's House should be established on the top of the Mountains and should be exalted above the Hills and all Nations should flow unto this established Honse And here the Lord does teach his People that comes up to the Mountain of the House of the God of Jacob So all Mountains Houses Hills and Teaching will be shaken but the Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established in the last Days as the Prophet said which is the Days of Christ Is not this the Stone that became a great Mountain and fills the whole Earth which smote and broke to pieces the Iron Clay Brass Silver and Gold Image or Monarchs which were as Mountains And this Stone which becomes a great Mountain The Stone that became a great Mountain sets up a Kingdom which shall never have an end Is not this the Kingdom of Christ which Christ saith Except a Man be born again he can neither see the Kingdom of God nor enter into it And therefore Friends all you that do know his Kingdom that stands in Power in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost over the Power of the Evil and all the unclean Ghosts which keeps them in their first Birth and leads them into all Evil as the Holy Ghost leads them into all Truth And so dear Friends and Brethren know this Rock this Stone this Foundation the House of God that is established upon the Lord's Mountain above all other Houses Hills Mountains and Teachings in the World where God doth teach his People and establish them upon Christ Jesus the living Rock and Foundation and living Way And so though there may be troubles without and troubles within yet if you wait upon the Lord he will renew your strength And the Children of God they are set for Signs and Wonders for as it is said Lo the Children that thou hast given me they are for Signs and Wonders And therefore Friends keep your Habitation in Christ Jesus Keep to Christ out of vain jangling in whom you have Peace for all the rude Talkers and vain Disputers and Janglers which cankers and rusts goes out of the peaceable Truth and that which is torn and dies of it self must not be fed upon but the Life must be fed upon which gives you Life Eternal And the Lord did not build his Zion and outward Jerusalem with Blood in the Old Covenant for they that did build their Zion and Jerusalem with Blood made their Zion a Field and their Jerusalem an Heap so if this Practice was forbidden in the Old Covenant much more in the New Zion not buil with Blood who think to build Zion and Jerusalem with Blood and Iniquity for such has not been Zion's Children nor Jerusalem's that is from above who shed Mens Blood concerning Religion Church and Worship for Christ rebuked such that would have had Mens lives destroyed and told them They knew not what Spirit they were of so they that do not know what Spirit they are of they are not like to build up God's Zion and Jerusalem For Christ said He came to save Mens Lives and not to destroy them for the World 's God was the destroyer of Mens lives but Christ came to destroy Him and his Works and to save Mens Lives and Souls also And so dear Friends let the Love of God which is shed abroad in your Hearts cast out all Fear And keep in the Name of Jesus in which you are gathered which is above every Name under the whole Heaven in whom you have Life and Salvation and his Presence among you whose Name is a Strong Tower and Christ is a Rock to hide your selves in and his Spirit to cover you which is a Covering sufficient enough for you and Wo will be to that Spirit which is covered but not with his Spirit they may fly to the Rocks and Mountains to cover and hide them No help in Egypt which will not be sufficient for the Rocks will rend and the Mountains will be removed such may run down into Spiritual Egypt for strength where Christ was crucified like the Jews in the Old Covenant that ran into outward Egypt from his Spirit but all was in vain And therefore trust in the Lord who has preserved you by his Glorious Light and Power to this day that you may be settled upon the Seed Christ Jesus which is over all that within and without that is contrary to it and bruiseth the Head of the Serpent that hath been between you and God So that in Christ the Seed you have Peace with the Lord God Life and Dominion and Election and
his Epistles And therefore how Careful were the true Apostles of the Saints in their Watching over them For John said If ye walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we Fellowship one with another And that ye also may have Fellowship with us for truly our Fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ And these things write we unto you that your Joy may be full For many may talk of the Light and preach the Light Those that walk in the Light are accepted but to walk in the Light that is it which grafts into Christ Jesus and brings to live in him which talking of him doth not And as the Apostle said As every one hath received Christ Jesus so walk in him And the Sayers of the Word and not the Doers deceived their own Souls So there may be many Sayers of the Word deceivers of their own Souls and others and Preachers of Christ Jesus But the Doers of the Word and the Walkers in Christ Jesus are they that are accepted of the Lord. And again as the Apostle saith The Word of Faith was nigh them in their Hearts and Mouths to obey it and do it and that was the Word of Faith which they preached And the Light shined in their Hearts to give them the knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Christ Jesus And the anointing which you have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any Man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you all things that is true and is no Lye and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him And these things I have written unto you saith the Apostle concerning them that seduce you So here may all the inward Christians in the Grace Light Truth Power and Spirit of Christ Jesus see what the Apostles exhorted the Saints unto that they might be preserved in their Day and so by the sme now from them that deceived their own Souls and othes And so by this Light The Anointing the Saiats Guide this Word the Anointing Grace Truth power and Spirit of Jesus Christ in the Heart Mind and Soul must all the Saints be guided now by which they may come to be inward Christians and have a Habitation in Christ Jesus and so built upon Him the Living Rock and Roundation as the Saints were in the Apostles Days and so to have Salt in your selves and the Leaven in your own Meal and the Pearl in your own Field and yuor Lamps lighted in your own Tabernacles and nourished with the heavenly Oil. So that you may put a Difference betwixt the Clean and the Unclean and what you are to touch and whaat you are not And that no Man or Woman may look below Heaven for their Bread tonourish their Souls and inward Man and below God and Christ for their Springs which by continuing in the Light which is the Life in Christ the Word by which all things were made and created they shall have a Spring from him the Fountain springing up in them to Eternal Life so they shall have both the upper and nether Springs to nourish the Plant that God hath planted And such as came out of Egypt with Moses and after rebelled against the Lord and Moses and the Law and the Prophets were a greater Grief to Moses and the Prophets than the Heathen And likewise Apostates both under the Law and the Gospel the greatest Exercises to the Servants of God those that came to be Christians called and had got the Form of Godliness came to be a greater Grief to the Apostles than the World for their Work was to seek to destroy that which the Apostle had begotten and them that they had turned to Christ And therefore well might the Apostle exhort the Saints to turn away from such that had the Form of Godliness and denied the Power and therefore he told the Saints The Kingdom of Heaven stands not in Words but in Power and therefore they were to know one another in the Spirit and Power and that is the Internal Knowledge And their Fellowship was to be in the Holy Ghost and their Unity in the Spirit which was the Bond of Peace and their Fellowship was to be inthe Gospel which was the Power of God So an Everlasting Fellowship in the Everlasting Power of God that will out-last the Power of Darkness for it was before it was And also their Vnity was to be in the precious Divine Faith which Christ was the Author and Finisher of the Mystery of which was held in a pure Conscience and their Worship was in the Spirit of God and in Truth So you may see what a Heavenly Unity and Fellowship and a Worship Christ and the Apostles set up And the Saints in the Light Grace Truth Spirit and the Power of God the Gospel lived in it and walked in it So with the Light Grace Truth Power Spirit and Word of Life in the Heart all hold Christ the Head who is the Head of all thigs by whom all things were made who is the Treasure of the heavenly saving Wisdom and Knowledge who is called the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven And therefore all are to have their Knowledge and their Wisdom from him the Treasure by the Light Grace Truth Power and Spivit that comes from him it leads you to him your Treasure of heavenly Wisdom and Knowledge by which Knowledge you know God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent which is Life Eternal to know And now my Dear Friends concerning True Liberty THE True liberty is in the Gospel the Power of God which the Devil and his Instruments with his false Liberty cannot get into And in this Gospel is the Saints Fellowship which the Devil with all his false Fellowships cannot get into nor find it True Liberty in the Faith of Christ for it is a Mystery Likewise true Liberty is in the Faith which Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of which gives Victory over that which separated Man and Woman from God and by which they have access to God again And in this holy pure divine precious Faith that is held in the pure Conscience which pure Conscience hath its pure holy divine precious Liberty in this holy divine precious Faith which works by Love and not as the dead Faith doth which works by Enmity which is the Fruit of this holy pure divine Faith and in it is the divine pure holy and precious Liberty and Freedom So here is the divine holy pure and precious Liberty in this Faith which works by Love that is the Victory over that which brought Man and Woman into Bondage and Slavery and false Liberty Faith is the Saints victory So this living Faith is the Victory over all dead Faiths and false Freedoms and Liberties which holy divine pure and precious Faith 's the Saints were and are to contend for which Christ the Holy One is the
the World could meet outwardly together and are not in the Power and Spirit the Apostles were in they are in a Separation But God Almighty is bringing his People by his Son Christ Jesus and by the same Power the Apostles were in out of this Separation and Apostacy from the Apostles Spirit that began in the Apostles days into the same Spirit that the Church and the Apostles were in in the Primitive Times and though they be absent in the Body or Flesh yet they are present in the Spirit seeing and beholding in the Spirit the Spiritual Order and the Stedfastness of their divine Faith which Christ the Second Adam the Spiritual Man hath been the Author and Finisher of And therefore let no Man beguile you by enticing Words from this Spiritual Order Fellowship and Vnity And again the Apostle saith For I verily as absent in the Body but present in the Spirit have judged already as though I was present concerning him that hath so done this deed So here was a Spiritual Sight and a Spiritual Judgment yea a Judgment though absent in the Body by a Spiritual Sight of such as walk not in the Spirit but walk out of the Order of it 1 Cor. 5.3 And this is to the Spiritual-minded who can judge of these things for as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God and the Lord now by his Spirit is separating his Sons and Daughters from the Apostacy and Sin which hath separated from the Spirit that the Apostles were in that they may behold one another with joy and comfort with the Spirit in the Spiritual Order Fellowship and Vnity though they be absent in the Body and in the Flesh yet they are present in the Spirit and know one another in the Spirit of God And also All one in Christ the Apostle saith As many as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ There is neither Jew nor Greek Bond nor Free and here is neither Male nor Female but ye are all one in Christ Jesus So though these be absent in the Body one from another Jews Greeks Bond or Free Males or Females yet they are all one in Christ Jesus the spiritual and heavenly Man and with the Spirit joying and beholding one anothers Spiritual Order so the Joying Vnity and Fellowship stands in the Spirit of God and not in the outward Fleshly Bodily Presence and Carnal and Natural Sight And therefore keep your Spiritual Order To keep in the spiritual Order joying in the Spirit beholding your Spiritual Order and Stedfastness of your Faith in Christ Jesus and in this you will be all stedfast Men and stedfast Women and not tossed up and down with every windy Doctrine and the cunning Crafts and Slights of Men but stedfast Men and stedfast Women in the Faith of Christ as Trees of Righteousness the Planting of the Lord whose Fruit is unto Holiness and whose end is Everlasting Life and such have Fruit on their own Trees and Water in their own Wells and are not shaken with Winds Storms nor Tempests that may rise up within or without but are stedfast and unmoveable built upon the Rock and Foundation of Life Christ Jesus so that as every one hath received the Gift even so minister one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God And this is the Grace of God wherein ye stand that will teach you to live Godly Righteously and Soberly and brings Salvation so not only to talk Godly but to live Godly keeping your selves in the Love of God and building up your selves in the most Holy Faith which you have from Christ Jesus which makes you stedfast and unmoveable from him who is the Author and Finisher of it and with the Spirit of God in which you spiritually behold your substantial and stedfast Spiritual Order over all outward and carnal Orders and will out-last them all with which Spirit you all see your work and service for the Eternal Immortal God of Truth to whom be all Glory Honour Thanks and Praises in the Church of Jesus Christ throughout all Ages World without end Amen From your Friend and Brother in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Worplesdom the 22d of the 5th Month 1680. G. F. To Friends in America DEar Friends My Love to you all in the holy peaceable Truth Epist 364. and my Desires are that whatsoever ye do may be done in the Name of Jesus to the Glory of God the Father and all be subject one to another in the Fear of the Lord God so that ye may all come to dwell in the Love of God which edifies the Body of Christ who is the heavenly Man and let all Strifes and Divisions and Backbitings All Strifes Divisions c. to cease or Whisperings or Prejudices cease and be buried and so whatsoever is amiss or hath been amiss let it be put down by the Truth and Spirit of God that it may be uppermost which is a strong Bond to Vnite your Hearts and Minds and Souls together and to the Lord and be kind and courteous one towards another all studying to be quiet and to excel one another in Vertue and Purity and Holiness and Righteousness and Godliness in all your Words and Lives and Conversations so that you may all walk as become Saints and Christians every one esteeming and preferring one another above your selves in the Truth in Meekness and Lowliness of Mind and Humility for he that Inhabits Eternity dwells with an humble Heart Not to quench the Spirit And therefore do not quench the least Motion of God's good Spirit in your selves nor in any other but let Truth and Goodness be cherished in all and let all Harshness and Bitterness and Revilings be kept down by the Truth that it may have its passage through you all and in it you may bear one anothers Weakness and Infirmities and so fulfil the Law of Christ keeping down Revenge Hastiness or Passion as knowing Vengance is the Lord's and he will repay it on every one that does wrong without respect of Persons For Friends you there should be as Lights or as a City that cannot be hid Lights I say to to give Light in all People and also to be as the Salt of the Earth to be a good Savour and savoury to all People for he or she that is an ill savour hath lost the Salts savour and is good for nothing and is trodden under the Foot of Men and therefore take heed of loosing the Salts savour either in Word or Conversation for if you do you will come under the Foot of Men they will trample upon you therefore be Careful Fervent Circumspect and Faithful in the Truth and let your Moderation Temperance and Sobriety appear to all Men shewing forth the Work of the Lord and your Honesty and Justness in all your Words and Dealings between Man and Man and that you may owe nothing to any Man
which keeps in the Way of the Lord and commands their Children and Houshold to do the same they have the Blessings from Heaven above and the Blessings below yea the Blessings of the Eternal Inheritance and of the Kingdom of God and that was their chief Inheritance That all the Faithful Seed of Abraham sought to possess their Houshold and their Children in who did command their Children and Houshold to keep the Way of God that they might inherit the Blessing David saith Blessed is the Man that walketh not in the counsel of the Vngodly nor standeth in the way of Sinners nor sitteth in the seat of the Scornful But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth meditate Day and Night Now here is the condition of them that do enjoy the Blessing they must keep from the Counsel of the Ungodly and the Way of Sinners and the Seat of the Scornful Now here you may see David's Instruction how People might inherit the Blessing Levit. 10. That you may put a difference betwixt the holy and unholy and between the clean and unclean and that you may teach your Children all the Statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses And it was so in the Old Testament that they might learn the Statutes there Surely much more they are to learn the Commands of Christ in his New Testament And in Deut. 4.9 10. To Teach our Children the Fear of the Lord. They were to Teach their Sons and their Sons Sons and again they were to Teach their Children that they might learn to fear God all the days that they lived upon the Earth c. This they were to teach their Children and again in Deut. 11. It was the Command of God that they were to Teach their Children the Commandments of God and they were to speak of them when they sat in their House and when they walk'd by the Way when they lay down and when they rose up and in Deut. 30. Moses told them that The Word was nigh them in their Mouths and in their Hearts that they might do it And David said Come you Children hearken to me and I will teach you the fear of the Lord. O fear the Lord you Saints there is no want to them that fear him Psal 34.9 11. Ye that fear the Lord trust in the Lord he is their Help and their Shield Psal 115.11 And you may see all along in the Old Testament they that feared the Lord were commanded to teach and instruct their Children the Way of the Lord that they might walk in it and inherit the Blessing which was a better Portion than outward Riches which will pass away for they make themselves Wings and fly away Solomon saith Train up a Child in the may he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Foolishness is bound up in the Heart of a Child but the Rod of Correction shall drive it far from him Prov. 22.15 He that spareth the Rod hateth his Son but he that loveth him chastiseth him betimes By Mercy and Truth iniquity is purged out and by the Fear of the Lord they depart from evil Prov. 13.24 and 16.6 And the Apostle's Command is For Children to obey their Parents in the Lord for this is right Eph. 6.1 and Col. 1.3 20. It is well pleasing to the Lord Children to obey their Parents Children to obey their Parents and the Bishops or Elders were to Rule well their own Houses and to have their Children in subjection with all gravity and likewise the Deacons were to rule their own Children and their own Houses well Tim. 1.3 And likewise you may see the good Report of the Widows bringing up Children which followed every good work c. And in Titus such as were Elders or Overseers their Children were to be Faithful Elders to govern their Families well not accused of Riot or Vnruly and the aged Women were to be of good Behaviour as becometh Holiness c. and Teachers of good things and that they Teach the younger Women to be Sober c. And That the Word of God be not blasphemed And Titus was to exhort young Men to be Sober-minded For the Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared unto all Men teaching us that denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present World that being justified by his Grace we should be made Heirs according to the Hope of Eternal Life And Peter saith As Obedient Children not fashioning your selves according to your former Lusts in your Ignorance but as he who hath called you is Holy Be Holy in all manner of Conversation so be you Holy in all manner of Conversation and be not like them feeding themselves without fear which are the Clouds without Rain and Wells without Water and Trees without Fruit whom Jude declares against such cannot eat and drink to the Praise and Glory of God c. So you see what care both in the Old and New Testament the faithful Parents had to teach their Children the Way of the Lord and the Lord hath a Confidence in all them that fear him and are of the Faith and Seed of Abraham that they will not only admonish their Children and Houshold but Command their Children and Houshold after them to keep the Way of the Lord c. Gen. 18. And to keep out of the wicked Ways of the World The Apostle saith They which be of Faith are blessed with faithful Abraham And so are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus and if you be Christ's then are you Abraham 's Seed and Heirs according to the Promise Gal. 3. And so the Children of God are counted for the Seed which the good Seed Christ saith are the Children of the Kingdom And the Apostle spake to the Romans that they should Walk in the steps of the Faith of Abraham Again the Apostle saith to the Corinthians concerning Titus Walked we not in the same Spirit walked we not in the same steps And in the first Epistle of Peter Christ hath suffered for us leaving us an Example Christ hath suffered for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his steps who did not sin neither was guile found in his mouth So these were holy steps and are a Religious Holy People that walk in the steps of faithful Abraham and of Christ and the Apostles and these have the pure Religion and do visit the Fatherless and Widows in their Affliction and keep themselves unspotted from the World and these are they that are Circumcised with the Spirit and Baptised with the Holy Ghost and serve God Night and Day and worship him in Spirit and Truth and these are the Religious Families which are of the holy divine pure and precious Faith which Christ is the Author and Finisher of which Faith purifieth their Hearts and is their Victory by which
and therefore all must come to this Grace of God in their Hearts which brings their Salvation if they have Salvation and come to the Throne of Grace and this is the Covenant of Grace in which is the Election and God who made all pours out of his Spirit upon all Men and Women in the World in the Days of his New Covenant yea upon Whites and Blacks Moors and Turks and Indians Christians Jews and Gentiles that all with the Spirit of God might know God and the things of God and serve and worship him in his Spirit and Truth that he hath given them but they that do resist the Truth and quench and vex and grieve and rebel against the Spirit that God hath given them such are not like to serve and worship God in his Spirit and Truth but he that endures to the end in God's Grace Spirit Light and Truth shall be saved and the Gospel of Salvation is preached to every Creature under Heaven which Gospel is the Power of God and the Gospel of Peace and so it is glad Tidings to every Creature under Heaven and to all Nations to the Turks Jews Indians Moors Christians and Gentiles if they receive and obey the Gospel of Salvation it is glad Tidings to them all Now this is the Day of God's gathering And therefore all must come to the Light Grace Truth Power and Spirit of God in their own Particulars which they have from God and Christ that by it they might be built upon Christ their heavenly Rock and Foundation who is their Way to God who bruises the Serpent's Head and through Death destroyed Death and the Devil the Power of Death and so destroys Death and so destroys the Devil and his Works for Sin brought Death and now Christ who destroys Death that Sin brought and makes an end of Sin is the Sanctuary for all his Believers in all Storms and Tempests Trials and Troubles and Sufferings to rest upon in whom they have Peace yea Life and Salvation Now there is a common Saying among the Turks to the Christians Your Crucified God meaning Christ Now this is their mistake tho' God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself it was not the Eternal God that died It was Christ as he was Man who suffered in the Flesh upon the Cross and not God that was crucified and was crucified that was in Christ for Christ said when he was about to suffer My God my God why hast thou forsaken me So Christ suffered in the Flesh and died and was crucified as he was Man not as he was God the Word which was in the Beginning but as he was Man who bore the Sins and Iniquities of all Mankind and was an Offering for the Sins of the whole World who through Death tasted Death for every Man all being in Death in Adam so that they might have Life through Christ the Second Adam So I say again that Christ did not die as he was God but as Man He was crucified and buried and rose again the third Day and ascended and is at the Right Hand of God this he did by the Power of God as he was Man So the Turks are mistaken to say or to think that the Eternal God could be crucified or dye Dear Friends I thought needful to write a Letter to you concerning this their mistake which you may be wise in making use of To exalt God's Name in their Captivity and my desires are that you may be preserved and exalt God's Name in your Places of Captivity and in your Lives Words and Conversations answering God's Witness in the Turks Jews Moors and your Patroons And keep low and walk wisely that you may be a good Savour in the Hearts of all there-aways and then the Blessings of the Lord and his Presence will rest upon you and be in you I think you have more Liberty to meet there than we have here for they keep us out of our Meetings and cast us into Prison and spoil our Goods And therefore prize your Liberty in your Meetings and do not abuse it and the Lord preserve you all in his Grace Fear and Wisdom that you may grow up in Christ the Head and walk in him to the Glory of God Amen Read this openly in your Meetings and I have sent you here some Books that you may read them and give them to the Turks or English as you may see fit which Books are to the Turks one concerning Good Conversation and another concerning the Temple and another concerning Abraham instructing his Family and one to all Kings and Princes and another concerning Revelation and Inspiration with some others to read among your selves And Friends it would be very well for you if you could get the Turks and Moors Language that you might be the more inabled to direct them to the Grace and Spirit of God in them which they have from God in their Hearts and then geting their Language you would be able to write and translate any Papers to them which may be serviceable to instruct them and for the spreading of the Truth among the Turks and Moors So with my Love to you Gousey in Essex the 10th of the 2d Month 1683. G. F. To all the Houshold of Faith which is the Church of Christ who is the Author and Finisher of Faith who are to do good unto all but especially to them of the same Faith THE Apostle saith to the Church of Christ Epist 3●3 I wrote unto you an Epistle not to keep company with Fornicators yet not altogether with the Fornicators of this World nor with the Covetous Extortioners Not to keep Company with Scandalous Persons Idolaters c. For then ye must needs go out of the World 1 Cor. 5. But now I have written unto you Not to keep Company if any Man that is called a Brother be a Fornicator or Covetous or an Idolater or a Railer or a Drunkard or an Extortioner c. with such an one no not to eat Therefore you see all such are to be avoided as knowing neither Fornicators Adulterers Effeminate and Abusers of themselves with Mankind nor Thieves nor Covetous nor Drunkards nor Revilers nor Extortioners shall inherit the Kingdom of God So ye may see all such Workers you are not to keep Company with nor so much as to eat with them though they have gone under the Notion of Brothers and Sisters So the Camp of God must be kept clean of such for the Feast must be kept with unleavened Bread of Sincerity and Truth So the old Leaven must be purged out For a little Leaven leavens the whole Lump And therefore ye must be a new Lump as ye are leavened by it For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us Therefore as is said before let us keep the Feast with Sincerity and Truth And the Apostle saith Not to be unequally yoked Be ye not unequally yoked together with Vnbelievers For what Fellowship
Saints Feet if she have relieved the Afflicted if she have dilgently followed every good Work c. These are the qualified Widows that are to be taken into the Number So here was a great Practice and a diligence in Piety for this Woman to do before she was receivinto the Number of the Faithful But says the Apostle The Younger Refuse for when they begin to wax Wanton against Christ c. they cast off their first Faith and withal they learn to be Idle so they forsake to learn and shew Piety and to live in that and so do not learn to be diligent and wander about from House to House and not only Idle but Tattlers and busie-Bodies speaking things they ought not and therefore such things were and are to be reproved such as these were not to be received and taken into the Number of the Faithful but to be refused And again the Apostle saith I will therefore that ye Younger Woman Marry bear Children guide the House give no occasion to the Adversary to speak reproachfully And the Apostle says To relieve our own Relations and to charge the Church with them If any Man or Woman that believeth have Widows let them relieve them and let not the Church be charged that it may relieve those that are Widows indeed So here you may see the Care Piety and Duty if either Man or Woman that Believes have Widows they are to relieve them and not let the Church of Christ be charged with them So let Men and Women learn to shew Piety to Widows to Nephews and to Parents And the Apostle saith to Timothy I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels that thou observe these things without preferring one before another do nothing by partiality lay hands suddenly on no Man So here you may see the Apostle's Care in the Church of Christ who would have all to be exercised in Truth and Piety and be diligent in their Service that Truth requireth of them And then again the Apostle speaks of such as are Lovers of themselves Covetous Proud Boasters disobedient to Parents Unthankful Unholy without natural Affections to wit to Husband or Wife Children Parents or others and likewise Truce-breakers which break their Covenant or Promises in their Marriages with God and with Man and so likewise break their Truce and Covenant with Men in Outward Things and also such as are false Accusers Incontinent Fierce Despisers of them that are Good such are not like to be subject to the good Spirit of God in themselves and Traitors Heady High-minded Lovers of Pleasures more than Lovers of God having the form of Godliness but deny the Power thereof from such turn away says the Apostle now if they were to turn away from them they were not to be heeded though they had the Form of Godliness and of Christianity if they were to turn away from them they were not to receive them into the Camp for such are as Lepers are to be turned away from And therefore the Camp of God must be kept clean And Christ hath given Authority to his Church to admonish and exhort and to reprove and rebuke all such things with his Authority Now Friends concerning putting on of Apparrel The Apostle in the Spirit and Power of Christ had a Care in the Church of God that they should adorn themselves as becomes the Gospel The Gospel Adorning with chaste Lives and Conversations and with the hidden Man of the Heart in that which is not corruptible even the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit which is in the sight of God of a great Price This is that which arrays and beautifies God's Church and not the outward adorning and plaiting the Hair and every new Fashion that comes up into the World 1. Pet. 3. And also the Apostle writes to Timothy and gives him that Exhortation to the Church That Women adorn themselves with modest Apparrel mark Modest with shamefacedness and sobriety mark Sobriety not with broidered Hair or Gold or Pearls For that was the Practice of the Jew outward and is to this Day or costly Array But with that which becomes Women professing Godliness with good Works So this is the Adorning that all that profess Godliness must be arrayed withal 1 Tim. 2.9 So that all may be in that good Behaviour as becomes Godliness and Holiness And likewise Chaste and Discreet Teachers of good things that the Word of God may not be blasphemed which they profess as in Tit. 2. And it 's desired That all Friends that have Children To train up Children and Servants in the pure Religion Families and Servants may train them up in the pure and unspotted Religion and in the nurture and fear of God and that frequently they read the Holy Scriptures which is much better than to be gadding abroad And exhort and admonish them that every Family apart may serve and worship the Lord as well as in Publick And that when they go to Meetings they may take their Servants and Families with them that they may not go wandring up and down in the Fields or to Ale-Houses as many have done to the dishonour of God and to the dishonour of their Masters and Mistresses Families and to their own Ruine and Destruction And therefore for Christ's sake and his pure Religion let there be Care taken to prevent all these things For such an one as cannot rule well his own House having his Children in subjection with all gravity how can he take Care of the Church of God 1 Tim. 3. And now Friends concerning Marriages Concerning Marriages of which very many things have been written it 's desired that all may be careful in that thing of running hastily together And consider it first that first as it is God's Joining so it is his Ordinance and it is honourable in all and the Bed undefiled And again such Men as draw out young Womens Affections and run from one to another and leave them and run to others And such Women as draw out Mens Affections and then leave them and draw out other Mens Affections These Practises bring many young Women and many young Men into Trouble and are sharply to be reproved For this Work is not of God's Joining but out of his Covenant Some of which have gone so far as to Promises Espousals and Contracts and then left them and gone to others This is to be Judged and Reproved For as we make no Contract for Marriages we break none And likewise such young People that trim up themselves in gay Apparrel and make a great shew and hang most on their Backs that appear what they are not in Substance The ill Consequence of Pride and Vanity which Women have sometimes deceived young Men and Men deceived Women and drawn out their Affections and Minds by outward shew and deceived one another and brought one another into Trouble Such are out of the Fear of God and a
Hunters gathering who gathered up People together to build Babel and confounded them Gen. 10.11 And Isaiah said All they Children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the Peace of thy Children and in Righteousness shall they be established Behold they shall surely gather together but not by me saith the Lord And whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake No Weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper No Weapon form'd against God's Heritage shall prosper and every Tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn This is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord and their Righteousness is of me saith the Lord Isai 54. And Christ Jesus saith Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them And the Apostle said to the Jews speaking of Christ That there is no Salvation in any other For there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.12 but by Christ Jesus So here is the Saints true Gathering in the Name of Christ Jesus the Second Adam and none is able to pluck them out of his hand John 10. For Christ the Seed of the Woman bruises the Serpent's Head and Christ through Death destroys Death and the Devil the Power of Death and so doth reconcile all things both in Heaven and in the Earth into one The Devil abode not in the Truth and so he became a Devil The Devil not abiding in the Truth became an Enemy a Destroyer and a Serpent and Enemy and a Satan and Adversary to the Truth and to Righteousness and Holiness and to Man and Woman that God made in his Image in Righteousness and Holiness so he became an Enemy and Adversary and Destroyer who is out of the Truth and abode not in it in whom there is no Truth and so is called the Old Serpent and Satan and Devil Tempter and false Accuser and Christ through Death destroys Death and the Devil the Power of Death And when the Jews went from the Truth they became Enemies and Adversaries to it and Destroyers of the Righteous and the Just yea they were Adversaries and Accusers and Enemies to the Prophets and Christ Jesus and Apostles and Christ called the Jews Vipers and Serpents and said to them that made a Profession of the Scriptures of the Old Testament but were gone from the Truth of them that they were of their Father the Devil and his Works and Lusts they would do And here the Jews that went out of the Truth did not they become as Serpents Enemies Satans Adversaries and Judas's Betrayers and of the Devil Destroyers of the Just And when they which are called Christians became haters of the Light and Walkers despitefully against the Spirit of Grace Despisers of the Word in their Hearts and erred from the Truth and the true Faith and professed the Form of Godliness but denied the Power thereof and so denied the Spirit ot true Christianity These became as Serpents Enemies Satan Adversaries to true Christianity and of the Devil that seek to destroy it and Judas's Betrayers of it and of the Righteous and the Just where-ever it appeared to the unjust And this hath been the Work of that Spirit that did not abide in the Truth in all Ages to be as Enemies Adversaries and Judas's Betrayers who seek to deftroy the Truth but Christ the Truth doth destroy that destroying Spirit who is the Saviour And Christ said to the Jews and to the Scribes and Pharisees which were the greatest outward Professors and appliers of the Prophets and Promises of the Old Testament to themselves upon the Earth and yet the greatest Persecutors of the holy Men and Women and the Lord's Prophets upon the Earth I say that Christ said to them O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets Christ lamented over Jerusalem and stonest them which are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered they Children together even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings and ye would not Behold your Houses are left unto you desolate c. Matth. 23.37 38. Jersalem was the chiefest Place of Worship and the chiefest City among the Jews and the greatest Place of Persecution and yet the Lord Jesus Christ wept over this City and would have gathered these persecuting Professors who were without possessing of the Life of what they did profess but they would not come to him that they might have Life And these persecuting Jews Scribes and Pharisees Christ said unto them Te compass Sea and Land to make one Proselyte and when he is made he is two-fold mord the Child of Hell Matth. 23. Here you may see these Scribes Pharisees and Jews the great Professors and Temple-Worshippers without Life what they gathered into and what Disciples they made in their compassing Sea and Land they made them like themselves and the Devil and Satan and the Serpent who abode not in the Truth and seek to draw all out of the Truth and to make them as Serpents and Satan Adversaries and of the Devil Destroyers and so he rules in the Hearts of the Disobedient and blindeth the Eyes of the Heathen or Infidels and the apostatised Christians from the Spirit of Christ and the Life of Christianity they do seek to draw all from the Truth and Spirit of Christ and the Life of Christianity into Death Enmity and into Persecution and Destroying like the Devil Jews and Judas both in one Spirit according to their Measures that they have from the Devil but all that live and walk inthe Truth and the Spirit of Jesus labour to bring and draw and gather all into the Truth and to Christ their Saviour who destroyeth the Destroyer G. F. Concerning the pure and undefiled Religion that was set up above Sixteen Hundred Years ago Which all that do own God and Christ are to walk in DEar Friends Epist 399. You who profess the Light Faith Grace and Spirit of Christ and the pure undefiled Religion before God the Father To keep from the Spots of the World are to keep your selves unspotted from the World and to bridle your Tongues from evil Words which corrupt good Manners the Light of Christ Jesus letteth you see the Spots of the World and the Grace of God will teach you tho deny them and the Spirit of Truth if you be led by it teacheth you to mortifie and subdue them And now Friends Here is the pure and undefiled Religion which the Apostles in the Primitive Times did own and which now we do own This is pure Religion and is undefiled before God the Father and to keep unspotted from the World First This Religion is Pure Secondly It is undefiled before God the Father And that which is pure and undefiled before God the Father if you live in it and obey it it will keep you unspotted from the World and so from the Spots of the
Oil in their Lamps Such were not diligent in the Work of God nor in the Concerns of the Lord nor in their own Particulars And therefore my desires are That you may all be diligent serving the Lord and minding his Glory and the Prosperity of his Truth this little time you have to live and be not like Adam in the Earth but use this World as though you did not use it for they that covet after this World fall into divers Snares and hurtful Lusts And therefore consider that you are but Sojourners here that you may pass your time in the Fear of God and you being many and having many of the Friends of the Ministry going over into those Parts you may be a hinderance one unto another if you do not travel in the Life of the Vniversal Truth taht would have all Men to be saved and come to the Knowledge of the Truth And if you would have them come to the Knowledge of Truth let them know it and where it is to be found So I desire that you be valiant for it upon the Earth that you may give a good account unto God at the last with Joy So I desire that all Friends in the Ministry may see this in Pensilvania and New-Jersey And so with my Love to you all in the Holy Seed of Life that reigns over all Amen Enfield the 30th of the 5th Month 1685. G. F. To Friends in Wales DEar Friends and Brethren In the Lord Jesus Christ Epist 406. whom he hath gathered by his glorious Hand and Power to himself who is the Rock of Ages and the Foundation of many Generations that cannot be shaken in which you have all Life Peace Rest Salvation and Eternal Happiness Your Epistle dated the Second of the Second Month 1685 by Order of your Yearly Meeting signed in behalf of that Meeting was received and publickly read in our Yearly Meeting and well accepted of in Love and Unity with the Spirit that gave it forth And Friends are very glad to hear feel and see your Fellowship and Unity in the Lord's blessed Truth and your Communion in the Holy Ghost and your Care in the Concerns of the holy pure peaceable Truth And how that you are and have been preserved over those unruly Spirits that have been as Trees without Fruit and Wells without Water inwardly ravening Wolves that have got the Form of Godliness and the Sheeps Cloathing but are out of the Spirit and Power and Life of the Sheep of Christ And over such Spirits we praise God that he hath given you Dominion And our desire is That you may all live and walk in Christ and sit down in him in his Grace and Truth and that you may answer the Truth of God in all People with the Word of Life and also answer the Good in all with a Godly and an Holy Life and Conversation And likewise all the Magistrates and Officers that are in Power you may answer the just Principle in them all To answer the just Principle in all Men. and live in the Spirit of Supplication and pray for all that you may lead a righteous and a godly Life under them all So that God over all and through you all and by you all may have the Glory the Thanks and the Praise To whom all is due God blessed for ever Our Yearly Meeting was peaceable and the Lord 's glorious Presence was amongst us whose Glory shines over all God blessed and praised for ever Amen Nowe all Dear Friends You know your Teacher and Leader Christ Jesus and you know him your High-Priest that 's made highter than the Heavens by the Power of an Endless Life by whom you are made a Royal Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifices to God by Jesus Christ And you know there is no other way to God but by Jesus Christ and you know that God hath raised him up a Prophet in the New Testament who is to be heard in all things who opens and no Man can shut and shuts and no Man can open And ye know that Christ is the Bishop of your Souls to Oversee you that you do not go astray from God And ye know that Christ is the true Shepherd and has laid down his Life for his Sheep and is to be heard and followed who gives unto his Sheep Life Eternal And so abide in him who is your Life Eternal and Everlasting in whom you have Peace with the Everlasting God Amen London the 10th day of the 7th Month 1685. G. F. To Friends in Dantzick DEar Friends Epist 407. I am glad to hear of your Welfare in the Lord And my desires are To be valiant for Truth That in the Eternal Power of God you may be valiant for his holy pure Truth upon the Earth and his holy Religion that keeps from the Spots of the World and the new and living Way Christ Jesus that will keep you out and over all dead Ways that are in the World and the Worship of God in his holy Spirit and pure Truth which Christ Jesus set up above all the Worships in thd World And all Men and Women must come to the Spirit of God in their Hearts if they serve and worship God that made them And my Desires are That you may live in Peace and Love one with another and in the pure gentle Wisdom of God that is easie to be intreated And let your Faith stand in the Power of God and feel that in your Hearts which will keep you until the Day of Salvation And let all your Conversations be according to the glorious Gospel of Life and Salvation so that you may come to answer the Truth in all People and in your Words and Actions you may preach Truth Righteousness Vertue Pureness Godliness and Holiness without which none shall see the Lord. And now Friends consider the Lord's great Mercy and Kindness towards you who hath brought you through great Sufferings To praeise Gode Mercies Tribulations and Persecutions and that you have your Meetings peaceable it is a great Mercy of the Lord to you for you to prize and be faithful So with my Love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ that reigns over all in whom you have Eternal Rest and Peace Amen And as for the Affairs of Truth here we are under great Persecutions Imprisonments and spoiling of Goods but the Lord does support his People above them all And of late the chief Magistrates have shewed some Favour towards us Bednal-Green the 11th of the 9th Moutb 1685. G. F. To Friends in Pensilvania East and West-Jersey THE Lord God who created Man and Woman in his Image Epist 408. and after his Likeness in Righteousness and Holiness he blessed them and said unto them Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the Earth and subdue it and have dominion over the Fish of the Sea and over the Fowl of the Air and over all Cattle and over all the Earth and over
175. To Friends to serve one another in Love Page 136 176. Friends that Minister c. Ibid. 177. All Friends every where who are dead to all Carnal Weapons Page 137 178. To Friends in Barbadoes Virginia New-England and all the Islands about Page 138 180. My dear Friends in the Love and Life c. Page 139 181. Friends live in the unchangeable Power of God Ibid. 182. My dear Hearts do your Business faithfully Page 140 183. Friends dwell in Patience c. Ibid. 184. Oh my dear Friends and Brethren Page 141 185. All Friends be obedient to the Power of God Page 142 186. Friends which have known and tasted of the Power of the Mighty God Page 143 187. This to go among Friends Page 144 188. Friends live in the Seed of God Page 145 189. To Friends in New-England and Virginia Page 146 190. Oh Friends have an esteem of Truth and God's Glory Page 147 1660. 191. All Friends every where that are Convinced with Truth Page 148 192. Friends in the fear of the Lord God live Page 150 193. Dear William thou hast c. Page 151 194. Dear Friends who have found the better Part Ibid. 195. Friends all that are moved of the Lord c. Page 152 196. Dear Friends in Jamaica and elsewhere Page 153 197. Dear Friends in the Power of the Lord dwell Ibid. 198. Dear Friends keep over all that which tends to Strife Page 154 1661. 199. Friends the Matter concerning not putting off the Hat in Prayer Ibid. 200. The Line of Righteousness and Justice stretched forth over all Merchants c. Page 156 201. Dear Friends in the Stilness and Silence of the Power of the Almighty dwell Page 162 202. An Answer to a letter sent to G. F. Page 163 203. What Friends do ye Reign as Kings c. Ibid. 204. To all Friends Prisoners Page 164 205. All Friends live in God's Dominion Ibid. 206. In the Power of God that is Everlasting Page 165 207. Dear Friends look over all Sufferings Page 170 208. All ye Prisoners of the Lord for his Truth Ibid. 209. My Dear Friends in the Power of God c. Page 172 210. Friends trust not in Man c. Ibid. 211. Friends all ye that know the way of Truth Page 173 212. To a Friend under an exercise of Spirit Page 174 213. Dear Friends in the Life and Power of God dwell Ibid. 214. Friends the Power of the Lord God is over all Page 175 1662. 215. To Friends to Labour in the Ministry that their Lives may Preach Page 177 216. To Friends in New-England and the Islands beyond Sea Page 178 217. All my Dear Friends and Brethren c. Page 180 218. Dear Friends and Brethren let Patience possess your Souls Page 181 219. All my Dear Friends dwell in the Life Page 182 220. Friends Truth is that which is pure Ibid. 221. All my Dear Friends every where the Power of the Lord God c. Page 183 222. A General Epistle to be read in all the Christian Meetings c. Page 186 223. All Dear Friends and Brethren stand fast in the Power of the Lord God Page 196 224. Dear Friends whom Death Bonds nor the Outward Creature can separate Page 197 225. Friends keep in the Power of the Lord Ibid. 1663. 226. My Dear Friends in the Everlasting Seed c. Page 198 227. Sing and Rejoyce ye Children of the Day Page 199 228. Dear Friends who have tasted of that which is precious Ibid. 229. Friends let not your knowledge be after the Flesh Page 200 230. Friends stand still and see be still and hear Page 201 1664. 231. My Dear Friends be faithful to the Lord God Page 202 Two General Epistles to be read c. 232. 1. All Friends every where who are gathered in the name of Jesus Page 203 233. 2. Friends this is the day of the tryal of your Faith Page 209 234. All you Prisoners of the Lord c. Page 211 235. Friends you who now come to suffer by a Land-Flood keep on the Rock Page 212 236. All my Dear Friends in the Everlasting Power c. Page 213 237. My Dear Friends and Brethren the Lord is with you all c. Page 214 238. My dear Friends and Brethren all every where keep your Habitations Ibid. 239. A General Epistle to all Friends Ibid. 240. Friends all Outward Things Figures Types Shadows and Inventions c. Page 220 241. Dear Friends keep your Meetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Page 225 1665. 242. The Saints Weapons are Spiritual Page 226 1666. 243. All my Dear Friends this is your day to stand Ibid. 244. To Friends in Barbadoes Virginia Maryland New-England c. Ibid. 245. An Epistle to be read in all the Assemblies of the Righteous Page 228 246. Oh Dear Friends mind every one your Habitation c. Page 234 247. Dear Friends dwell in the gentle Wisdom of the Lord God Page 235 248. Friends keep your Meetings in the Power of the Lord God Ibid. 1667. 249. A General Epistle to Friends and to all People c. Page 236 1st Concerning the Worship of God and the Jew Outward c. Page 242. 2d Concerning who drink the New Wine and who drink the Old Page 246 3d Concerning Gathering in the Name of Jesus Page 248 250. A Warning to all to keep out of the Vain Fashions of the World Page 249 251. My Dear Friends in the Truth and Seed of God c. Page 251 252. For Friends in the Ministry scattered abroad in Virginia c. Page 253 253. To Friends in Holland Page 255 1668. 254. Friends let your affections be set on things which are above Page 256 255. Dear Friends all who from the beginning have been Convinced Ibid. 256. My Dear Friends live in the Wisdom of God Ibid. 257. Dear Friends be faithful in the service of God Page 257 258. Dear Friends in the Truth of God Ibid. 259. Dear Friends be faithful in the Truth which the Devil is out of Page 258 260. Dear Friends if the Truth make you free then are you free indeed Page 259 261. Friends to call Men Masters or Gracious Lord c. Page 266 262. All Friends and People this is to be condemned c. Page 267 263. An Exhortation to keep in the Ancient Principles of Truth Page 274 1669. 264. An Additional Extract from other of G. F's Epistles Page 276 265. All you that are believers in the Light which manifesteth Darkness Page 293 266. And all you believers in the heavenly Light c. Page 299 267. To Ministring Friends Page 300 268. Not to be over-thoughtfull of the things of this World Page 301 269. Concerning the single Language Page 302 270. For all that be gathered in the Name of Jesus Ibid. 271. Concerning those who go out of Unity and deny Forms Page 303 272. To Friends in Ireland Page 304 273. Not to trust in uncertain Riches Ibid. 274. My Dear Friends in the pure