To the suffering Friends at Dantzic.n7625 ¶1
With my love to you in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is your Saviour and Prophet, that God has raised up for you, to hear in all things ; your Shepherd, that has laid down his life for you, whose voice ye must hear, who will feed you in his living pastures of life ; who is your Priest, that offered himself for you, who sanctifies you, that He might present you to God : so He is become your Highpriest, who is made higher than the heavens ; a higher Priest than the priesthood of Aaron, and all the priesthoods upon the earth, that are made by men below ; " for He is a High-priest, made higher than the heavens." — Heb. vii. And so He is the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of your souls, to oversee you that you do not go astray from God, who is your Sanctuary, in whom you are preserved from the destroyer ; who destroys the devil, the great destroyer, and his works, and bruises his head, and breaks his power. He, namely, Christ, is your Saviour ; in Him you have rest and peace, salvation and life eternal.n7625 ¶2
Now, dear friends, we do hear and understand, that the magistrates have cast you into prison again in Dantzic ; and that they have proffered you your liberty, upon condition that you would go away, or forsake your common meeting-place, or divide yourselves into several little meetings. Truly, Friends, we have had many of these proffers made to us within this twenty or thirty years, but we never durst make such bargains or covenants, to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as we used to do : but did leave our suffering cause wholly to the Lord Christ Jesus, in whose name we were gathered, who has all power in heaven and earth given unto Him : and the Lord at last did and hath tendered the hearts of many of our prosecutors, both in England and other places ; and therefore it is good to be faithful in the Spirit and power of the Lord J esus Christ ; who is God all-sufficient to support and supply you all in whatever you do, and strengthen you in all conditions. For if that should get a little advantage upon you, and get you into weakness, it would not rest so, but get more upon you. And therefore it is good to stand fast in the liberty in Christ Jesus, the Second Adam, the Lord from heaven, who hath made you free out of the snares, and bondage, and limitations of the wills of the sons of old Adam.n7625 ¶3
And whereas some of the magistrates have alleged, that Christ departed out of the coasts of the Gadarenes upon their request, after he had cast the devils out of the possessed men, and they had entered into their swine, and run into the sea: — this argument is of no weight, for you to go out of their coasts or city, who are settled citizens, and have wives and families ; for Christ went up and down from place to place and preached ; as He said : The Son of Man hath not where to lay his head, though the subtle foxes had holes, and the high-flown fowls had their nests. And would they take it kindly themselves, if the King of Poland, their protector, who is of a contrary profession, should use the same argument to them, and say : u Be gone, or else do not meet at your great public places of worship, but meet in small companies, or else depart out of these coasts, as Christ did out of the coasts of the Gadarenes ; and, if you do not, then you are disobedient to Christ's example : as they do apply it upon you !" And so, let them weigh the matter and their argument, with the just law of God, to do unto you, as they would be done unto themselves,n7625 ¶4
And now, dear friends, I desire, however, that you walk wisely, gently, lovingly, meekly, and soberly, to all the magistrates, and all people, that they may have no just occasion in any thing against you : for the good must overcome the bad, as the apostle says : Overcome evil with good, and dwell in that love that can bear all things, and endure all things. And nothing can separate you from this love which you have in God through Jesus Christ : in this love build up and edify one another, that by it you may answer the good in all people, and spread his Truth abroad, and be valiant for that upon earth. So in his holy peaceable Truth, and his Seed Christ Jesus, in which all nations are blest, God Almighty preserve and keep you to his glory. Amen.n7625 ¶5
And now, dear friends, you that have stood such hard and cruel sufferings so long, for the Lord's name and Truth, and could not be overcome by cruelty, take heed now lest you be overcome by fair words and flattery ; for in that there is a greater danger.n7625 ¶6
NO. CCCXCVIII.n7625 ¶7
An Ejjisfle to all the prisoners and sufferers for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and his worship.n7625 ¶8
" The Word of God is not bound."— 2 Tim. ii. 9.n7625 ¶9
London, '3rd of the Tenth Month, 1684.n7625 ¶10
In the seed of life that is over all, whom the Lord doth support, and hath supported by his eternal arm and power, to stand for his glory ; be valiant for his truth and his name upon the earth, who is God, All-sufficient and Almighty, over all, to support you all, and to supply you with all things needful. Xow3 dear friends, it is not onlv siven you to believe in the name of Christ, but also to suffer for his name's sake ; so you see and know, it is a gift given you to believe, a gift to suffer for Christ's sake and his righteousness ; but however, as Christ saith, 4t Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves;" for Christ's believers are as sheep or lambs among wolves ; he hath declared that they shall be brought before councils, and before rulers, for his name's sake ; but Christ bids his disciples " take no thought how or what you shall speak ^ for it shall he given you in that same hour what ye shall specie ; for it is not you that speal\ hut the SjJirit of your Father which speaketh in you and this Spirit of then7625 ¶11
Father is sufficient to trust to, for it shall answer all, if they have ears to hear, and will eomfort his people, his lambs and sheep. And Christ further said, speaking to his disciples, Si Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake ; but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved and he that heareth you, (to wit, Christ's sheep) heareth me, saith Christ ; and he that despiseth you despiseth me (namely Christ) ; and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me, to wit, the Father. — Mat. x ; Luke x. And the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord ; for Christ the lord and the master of the sheep was despised ; so it is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord ; for if they call the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household ? But the very hairs of your head are all numbered : Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows, and not one of them shall fall to the ground without your heavenlv Father. See here Christ encourages his lambs and his sheep, therefore stand in his will. And now [be content,] if it be the will of the Lord to try you, his lambs and sheep, by spoiling of your outward goods, as he did his servant Job, and others of his servants and children, in the days of the apostles, who " took joyfully the spoiling of their goods and Moses by faith " chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin which are but for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt ; for he had an eye to the recompense of reward ;v as in Heb. ix.n7625 ¶12
And consider how Noah, Lot, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by faith served the Lord, and went through sufferings and trials ; and Jeremiah and the rest of the prophets, through faith, went through great sufferings and imprisonments ; and Daniel, and the three chil dren, passed through great sufferings and trials by faith ; so faith was their victory, which was the gift of God, which Christ is the author and finisher of ; and you read in the days of the apostles, what sufferings and imprisonments they were carried through by faith ; and since the apostles' days, how all the martyrs were carried through great sufferings and imprisonments by their faith, which was their victory ; in which faith they pleased God, and had victory over the devil ; in which faith they were all in unity.n7625 ¶13
Now, dear friends and brethren, if it doth please the Lord to try you who are the believers in the Light, and the children of the light and [of] the day of Christ ; I say again, if it please the Lord, and it be his will, to try youin stinking prisons and dungeons, bridewells, and houses of correction, and suffer you to be put in such places, who are his sheep and lambs, plants and branches ; I say the Lord can sanctify all such places for his people, his children, his sons and daughters, and make all pleasant to them ; for his sheep and people cannot go anywhere from the Lord — for the Lord and his presence is with them, and the Angel of his presence saves them ; and therefore such jails and dungeons, bridewells, and houses of correction, which are for evil-doers, if then7625 ¶14
Lord do try or suffer his people to be put in such places, yet his people are all in the hand and under the wings of Christ, and he can sanctify all such places to them ; and you, in that state, are to pray for the enemies that put you there ; and if they curse and hate you, you are to bless them, and to do good to them ; and you are to pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you, and love your enemies, that you may be children of your Father which is in heaven ; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and causeth his rain to fall on the just and on the unjust. And the apostle saith to the believers, " Try all things ; hold fast that which is good. So you, holding fast that which is good, with that you can try all things, whether they be good or bad ; " and be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.n7625 ¶15
99 This is the command. So it is the good that must overcome the evil ; and what have the children of Grod to overcome the evil with, but the good ? Therefore, then, all must hold fast that which is good ; but when any do go from the good in themselves, they are not likely with it to overcome the evil, nor to try all things ; for by the good evil is overcome, and with it you can try all things, whether they are good or bad. Of a good man, David saith, " He hath dispersed, He hath given to the poor ; his righteousness endureth for ever ; his horn shall be exalted with honour. They that choose the things that please the Lord and keep his covenant, " even them will I give a name in my house and within my walls, a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters, saith the Lord, and I will give them an everlasting name which shall not be cut off.v — Isaiah lvi.n7625 ¶16
So you may see how the Lord doth encourage his people to walk in the truth, in faithfulness to him ; for the Lord hath loved his people with an everlasting love ; therefore with lovingkindness hath he and doth he draw them unto himself ; to serve and worship him. — Jer. xxxi. And Christ saith, he that believeth on Him hath everlasting life ; mark, hath it. And again, (as in John) Christ saith, " He that drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give shall be in him as a well of water, springing up to eternal life. So every one, mind this well in you, who have drunk of the water Christ hath given you.n7625 ¶17
And the apostle saith, God will punish them that disobey his gospel " with an everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." — 2 T/ms. i. 9. Here you may see everlasting destruction to the wicked, that disobey the Gospel ; and everlasting life to them that believe and obey the gospel of Christ. Now, they that disobey the gospel of Christ refuse their own comfort and joy of life and salvation ; which gospel is the power of God which is preached to every creature under heaven to believe and obey ; therefore, happy are you who have received and obeyed that, which brings life and immortality to light in you ; so that you see over the enemy which darkened you, and are now become heirs of this comfortable and joyful gospel of life and everlasting salvation, in which everlasting gospel you have an everlasting glorious fellowship ; and in this everlasting Gospel, you can praise the everlasting God, that reigns over all from everlasting to everlasting. And all that are of the seed and faith of David can say as David said, " Blessed be God from everlasting to everlasting ; and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord." And further they can say, " That the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon all them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children." — Psalm ciii. 17. For the Lord God he changeth not, he is the same that he was ; who inhabits eternity, and dwells in the humble heart ; and therefore you humble ones, fear and serve and worship him. And keep under the wing of Christ and in him your sanctuary and Saviour, who destroys the destroyer, and is over all, the first and the last. Amen. G. F.n7625 ¶18
NO. CCCXCIX.n7625 ¶19
Concerning the pure and undefiled Beligion.n7625 ¶20
The tth of the Second Month, 1685.n7625 ¶21
You who profess the light, faith, grace and Spirit of Christ, and the pure undefiled religion before God the Father, are to keep yourselves 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 to deny them ; and the Spirit of Truth, if you be led by it, teacheth you to mortify and subdue them.n7625 ¶22
And now, friends, here is the pure and undefiled religion which the Apostle in the primitive times did own, and which, now, we do own. 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, will keep you unspotted from the world : and that which keeps you from the spots of the world, will keep you from the body of death and sins of the world.n7625 ¶23
And now, friends, you that profess this pure and undefiled religion before God the Father, take heed of greediness, and earthly-mindedness, and covetousness, which the apostle called idolatry ; for it is a great spot and blot of the world that lieth in wickedness. And take heed of over-reaching, or using any deceitfulness or fraud in your trade or commerce : for over-reaching, and using deceit, or any unjust thing, will blot you and spot you, and they are contrary to the pure and undefiled religion. And take heed of unrighteousness, ungodliness, unholiness, profaneness, looseness, filthiness, naughtiness, and evil words, which corrupt good manners. These things will blot you and spot you, and are contrary to the pure undefiled religion before God the Father ; and they are blotted and spotted with the actions of the world that lieth in wickedness, and their religion is vain.n7625 ¶24
All such as follow the lust of the eye, the pride of life, and the lust of the flesh, which are not of the Father, but of the god of this world, that abode not in the Truth, such are spotted with the spots of the world, and are proud, vain, lofty, scornful, high ; and are void of the pure, undefiled religion before God the Father. And take heed of malice, hatred, envy, wrath, rage, and fury ; they are the spots of the world, and are contrary to the spirit of meekness, gentleness, kindness, tenderness, sobriety, love, and mercifulness, which are the fruits of the pure Spirit of God, which leadeth to the pure undefiled religion before God the Father, which is " to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep unspotted from the world;'1 this pure undefiled religion keepeth in the purity of life and conversation ; and this is above all, and keeps from all the vain religions in the world ; and this is the religion that was set up above sixteen hundred years ago, in the church of Christ ; and happy had all Christendom been, if they had kept to this pure undefiled religion to this day ; then they would not have made so many religions as they have done ; but to this pure undefiled religion they must come again, if ever they come to the true religion ; for none can make a better, than the pure undefiled religion, which was set up in the church, in the apostles^ days, above sixteen hundred years ago ; unto which all that profess Christianity should be conformable.n7625 ¶25
So here is one God, the Creator of all, and one Lord Jesus Christ, by wThom all things were made and created, who is the one Mediator betwixt God and man ; even the man Christ Jesus. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you are called to one hope of your calling, and one God and Father of all, who is above you all, and in you all, and through you all ; and there is one faith, which Christ J esus is the Author and Finisher of ; and there is one baptism, and by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, bond or free ; and must all drink into this one Spirit of Christ, and so keep the unity of the Spirit, which is the bond of peace ; for the apostle saith : " If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Rom. viii. 9. And Christ saith, in his prayer to his Father, " That they may be all one," meaning the true Christians, " as Thou Father art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us ; that they may be one, even as we are one ; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one." — John xvii. 21 — 23. Here you may see God and Christ are one in them (so he prayeth that his people may be one) in whom they have rest, life, peace, and salvation with God, through Jesus Christ. Amen.n7625 ¶26
u Let your conversation (or practice) be without covet-n7625 ¶27
" Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospeln7625 ¶28
NO. CCCCI.n7625 ¶29
Bednal-Green, Uth of Fourth Month, 1685,n7625 ¶30
In the Lord J esus Christ, who is your holy, heavenly Rock and Foundation of God, that standeth sure, who was the Foundation and Rock of his Church, in the apostles'* days, and is now. You may see how Christ sent John to encourage his church ; and saith in Rev. iii. 8, " 1 know thy works : behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it ; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my Name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie ; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that 1 have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."n7625 ¶31
Now you may see what comfort the sons and daughters of God have, that keep the word of patience ; what a door is opened to them of the blessings, mercies, and riches of God, which no man can shut. And they which said they were J ews, and were not, or such as make outward profession of the words of Truth, and form of godliness, and are not in the Truth, of such the Lord saith : "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue ofn7625 ¶32
Dear friends, be ye followers of that wThich is good ; and if ye suffer for righteousness*1 sake, happy are ye: for it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, and not for evil-doing ; because " Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps ; who, when He was reviled, reviled not again ; when He suffered, He threatened not, but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. If ye suffer for righteousness1 sake, happy are ye ; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled, having a good conscience ; that whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ : and if ye are reproached for the name of Christ Jesus, happy are ye ; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you ; on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.n7625 ¶33
And the apostle saith to the Philippians : " I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him ; that I may know Him and the powTer of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings ; being made conformable unto his death."n7625 ¶34
And blessed are they who suffer for righteousness'' sake, and in whose hearts there is no enmity. And blessed are they that dwell in the love of God, that can bear all things, and are in the wisdom of God, which is pure and peaceable. For troubles, afflictions, sufferings, imprisonments, spoiling of goods, and many perils, do attend God's people, by the world that lieth in wickedness ; and therefore it is good for all God's people to keep in Christ their sanctuary, in whom they have eternal rest and peace.n7625 ¶35
And God's people are exercised now, as in days past, with trials and perils by false brethren, as the Church of Christ was in the apostles' day ; such as wTent from the Church, in the way of Cain, Corah, and Balaam, as the apostle saith, " Fierce despisers, false accusers of those that are good and you may read in 2 Pet. ii. throughout, of such as forsook the right way, and of many following their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of Truth wras evil spoken of." And so it is now, as it was in the apostles' days. And the apostle saith to the church : " You have heard say that antichrist shall come ; even now are there many antichrists : they went out from us, but they were not of us ; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us ; but they went out from us, that they might be manifest they wTere not all of us."— 1 John ii. 18, 19. Christ did forewarn his disciples of these antichrists and false prophets, that they should be inwardly ravening wolves, and by the fruits of their trees they should be known to be of the nature of the wolf, and not of the lamb. Such as these went from the church (in the apostles' days) into the world ; and such as these are gone from the Church of Christ now, into the spirit of the world : their evil spirits are tried ; as in 1 John iv.n7625 ¶36
And the sufferings and perils by false brethren, have been more grief many times to the church of Christ than open persecution ; for they cause the way of Truth to be evil spoken of; that turn from the way of righteousness, like the dog to the vomit, or the sow to the mire.n7625 ¶37
Now when God had raised up this Prophet, Christ J esus, you see many of the Jews would not receive Him, nor believe Him, and many would hardly hear Him, though they were called brethren, but they mocked Him, and persecuted Him, and blasphemed Him ; and the chief priest gave money to Judas, one of his disciples, to betray Him. And what became of all the Jews, and of Judas, that betrayed and persecuted Christ and the prophets ! And what became of all those false apostles and antichrists, that went in Cain, Corah, Balaam, and Jezebel's way I And will not all of the same spirit in our age, that have gone and are going in the same way, or path, have the same end I yea, their latter end will be worse than their beginning. But in Christ, the Lamb of God, the saints have their rest and peace, and can sing Hallelujah. G. F.n7625 ¶38
NO. CCCCIII.n7625 ¶39
London, 10th of Fourth Month, 1685.n7625 ¶40
Dear Friends in Holland, Friezland, Hamburgh, Frederickstadt, Dantzic, Palatinate, and all other places there-aways, where God's Truth and ensign is set up, peace, grace, and truth be multiplied among you, from God the Father, and the Lord J esus Christ, the Fountain of all life, peace, grace, and heavenly wisdom and understanding ; and the God of all power and peace, through our Lord J esus Christ, fill you with it, and his heavenly riches ; that you may all walk worthy of his heavenly calling, in all holiness, righteousness, and godliness, &c., in life and conversation ; and that, by the word of life and patience, you may answer the Truth in all, both high and low ; so that you may be of good savour to God in the hearts of all people.n7625 ¶41
For you know there is no other way to God than by Christ Jesus ; and you know, that God has raised up Christ to be a Prophet in his New Testament, to be heard in all things : and you know, He opens, and none can shut, and He shuts and none can open : and you know, that Christ is the Bishop of your souls, to oversee, that you do not go astray from God : and you know, that Christ is the true Shepherd, and has laid down his life for his sheep ; and they know his voice, and they follow Him, and He gives them life eternal : and also you know, that Christ is your High-priest, made higher than the heavens, by the power of an endless life ; and by Him you are made a spiritual priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrificesn7625 ¶42
At our Yearly Meeting, the presence of the eternal God was amongst us, and his glory, which shines over all ; and all was quiet and peaceable ; and it was the Lord's doing, blessed be his name for ever.n7625 ¶43
And your epistle was read in the Yearly Meeting, and Friends in the Lord's power read it, and had unity with your spirits, and are sensible of your spiritual care in the Lord's eternal power, concerning Truth's affairs in those parts : in which God Almighty preserve you, and increase you, both in his wrisdom, knowledge, and understanding ; that you may spread his blessed Truth abroad, and answrer it in all people.n7625 ¶44
NO. CCCCIV.n7625 ¶45
To Friends in Pennsylvania.n7625 ¶46
Bednal-Green, 10th of Ninth Month, 1685.n7625 ¶47
I am glad to hear of the good Yearly Meeting at Rhode-Island, and that the Lord's power and presence was there among vou : and it would be very well to visit the generation of the righteous, and to see how their seed and vines do grow in their heavenly vineyards and plantations, and what heavenly riches they have laid up in store in God's kingdom ; and to see how the wheat is gathered into God's garner ; and that all keep in the worship that Christ set up in his Spirit and Truth ; and that all walk in the new and living way, over all the dead ways in the world ; and that all walk in the pure, undefiled religion, that keeps from the spots of the world ; and to see that all are guided in the pure and gentle wisdom that is easy to be entreated, and in the love of God that can bear all things ; by which all peevish, short, and brittle spirits may be kept down ; so that all may have their good cono versation in Christ Jesus, all striving for unity in the Spirit, and the holy faith, that giveth and keepeth victory over the enemy ; and so that all may have a care of their minds running into the earth and carnal things ; " for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace and let all take heed of neglecting the gift of God, but stir up the pure mind one in another ; and the Lord, with his eternal arm and power, preserve you diligent in his heavenly work and service in his vineyard, that it may not grow over with briars, thorns, and thistles, to choke the tender plants.n7625 ¶48
And so my desires are, that you may live and walk in Christ Jesus, and that you may answer the Truth in all the professors, and the heathen ; and prize your liberty, both natural and spiritual, while you have it ; and labour in the Truth, while it is day. Bemember me to all Friends, as though I named them ; and as for the state of Friends here, we are under great sufferings, and spoiling of goods, and imprisonments ; and they have of late increased in spoiling of our goods ; but God is all-sufficient, who doth support us ; glory to his Name for ever. So, with my love in Christ Jesus, to you all, in whom you have all eternal rest and peace with God. Amen.n7625 ¶49
NO. CCCCV.n7625 ¶50
To Friends of the Ministry in Pennsylvania and New- Jersey.n7625 ¶51
Dear Friends, Enfield, 30th of Fifth Month, 1685,n7625 ¶52
With my love to you all, and all other Friends. I was glad to hear from you ; but you gave me no account of the increase of Truth amongst you, nor what meetings you have had amongst the Indian kings and their people abroad in the countries, and of your visiting Friends in New-England, Virginia, and Carolina, nor of your travels and labours in the Gospel ; though you have, in all those countries, liberty to serve and worship God, and preach the Truth. And I understand many have a desire to live in it, especially in Carolina ; and you who travel now to visit Friends in those provinces, it is thought strange that you do not visit them ; [those people who were seeking the Truth. Therefore I desire that you may all improve your gifts and talents, and not hide them in a napkin, lest they be taken from you ; and not put your candle under a bushel, lest it go out ; and not be like the foolish virgins, which kept their name of virgins, but neglected having 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.n7625 ¶53
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 hindrance one unto another, if you [confine your visits to Friends, and] do not travel in the life of the universal Truth, that would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the Truth : andn7625 ¶54
if you would have them come to the knowledge of the 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, I desire that all Friends in the ministry may see this in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey.n7625 ¶55
My love to you all in the holy Seed of life that reigns over all, Amen. G. F.n7625 ¶56
To Friends in Wales.n7625 ¶57
London, the 10th of the Seventh Month, 1685,n7625 ¶58
In the Lord J esus Christ, 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.n7625 ¶59
Your epistle, dated the 2nd of the Second Month, 1685, by order of your Yearly Meeting, signed on behalf of that meeting, was received and publicly 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, and peaceable Truth, And now 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 sheep's clothing, 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.n7625 ¶60
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 a holy life and conversation.n7625 ¶61
And likewise all the magistrates and officers that are in power, that you may answer the just principle in them all, 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.n7625 ¶62
Our Yearly Meeting was peaceable, and the Lord's glorious presence was among us, whose glory shines over all, God blessed and praised for ever. Amen.n7625 ¶63
Now, all dear friends, you know your teacher and leader, Christ J esus, and you know him your high-priest, that is made higher 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 you know that Christ is the true shepherd, and has laid down his life for his sheep, and is to be heard and followed ; and 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.n7625 ¶64
NO. CCCCVII,n7625 ¶66
To Friends in Dantzio.n7625 ¶67
Bednal-Green, \lth of Ninth Month, 1685,n7625 ¶68
I am glad to hear of your welfare in the Lord : and ray desires are, 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, will keep you out and over all dead ways that are in the world ; and in the worship of God in his Holy Spirit and pure Truth, which Christ Jesus set up above all the worships in the 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.n7625 ¶69
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 easy to be entreated. 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, virtue, pureness, godliness, and holiness ; without which none shall see the Lord.n7625 ¶70
And now, friends, consider the Lord's great mercy and kindness towards you, who hath brought you through ^great sufferings, 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.n7625 ¶71
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.n7625 ¶72
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 showed some favour towards us. Gr. F.n7625 ¶73
NO. CCCCX.n7625 ¶74
An Epistle to them that are learned in Ch ut.n7625 ¶75
The Lord saith, " In this mountain shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things,'' &c. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. And he will swallow up death in victory, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off alln7625 ¶76
Is not this mountain, Christ, who filleth the whole earth ( Daniel ii. 35 — 45), where the feast of fat things is ? And doth not Christ, through death, destroy death and the devil, the power of death, and so take away the vail and covering that is spread over all nations, that they may be covered with the Spirit which he pours upon all flesh \ And the apostle says, Moses put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished for their minds were blinded : for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament ; which vail is done away in Christ ; and when they shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be done way. — 2 Cor. iii. 7, 18, 16.n7625 ¶77
So here you may see the vail that was spread over all the hearts of people, is done away by Christ ; and all they that are turned to the Lord, with open face, behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord, and are changed into the same image as from glory to glory, even by the Spirit of the Lord. And the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne, shall feed his people and dwell amongst them, who hath made their clothes white in the blood of the Lamb : and this is the day of Christ, whom God gives for a covenant of the people to establish the earth. Sing 0 heavens, and rejoice 0 earth, and break forth into singing 0 mountains ; for God hath comforted his people, and hath had mercy upon his afflicted. And Christ saith to the prisoners, go forth ; unto them that are in darkness, show yourselves ; and they shall feed in pastures ; for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, and by the springs of water shall he guide them. — Isaiah xlix. For God gave Christ for a covenant to the people, for a light to the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners out of prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison houses. — Isaiah xlii. 2, 6, 7 ; It&b* vii.n7625 ¶78
So we that do witness this, do praise the Lord God through Jesus Christ. Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people. — Mev. xxi. 3. This is the day of the new covenant, which people enjoy in Christ Jesus.n7625 ¶79
The Lord saith, I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death : 0 death I will be thy plagues ; 0 grave I will be thy destruction. — Rosea xiii. 14.n7625 ¶80
And the apostle saith, 0 death, where is thy sting I O grave, where is thy victory ? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law ; but thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through J esus Christ our Lord. — 1 Cor. xv. 55 — 57. So, here you may see the grave had its victory, and death hath its sting, which is sin. And the strength of sin is the law : but Christ gives us the victory, who makes an end of sin — the sting of death, as in Daniel ix. 44. And He through death destroys death and the power of death, and is the end of the law for righteousness' sake, to every one that believes ; and so they are dead to the law by the body of Christ. — Romans vii. 5.n7625 ¶81
And Christ saith unto the Jews, Verily, verily, he that hears my words, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, (mark, everlasting life) ; and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life. Then they have passed from the sting of death, which is sin; and as John saith, we know that we are passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren ; for he that loveth not his brother, abideth in death. — John v. 24 ; 1 John iii. 14. So, if they were passed from death to life, then they wrere passed from death, and his sting, which is sin, through Jesus Christ who destroys death, and makes an end of sin.n7625 ¶82
And again Christ saith to the Jews, Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. — John v. 25. So that they passed from the death that came by Adam unto everlasting life in Christ Jesus. And so they thanked God, through Jesus Christ, who gave them the victory over death and sin, death's sting: so as it is written, " Death is swallowed up in victory." For Christ, as I said before, makes an end of sin, that is the sting of death, and through death destroys death, and the devil, the power of death. So thanks be to God, through and by Christ Jesus, we have the victory unto everlasting life, over the grave, death, and its sting.n7625 ¶83
And the apostle saith, " Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." And Christ saith, " Except a man be born of the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God," neither can he " enter the kingdom of God." — 1 Cor. xv. 50, and John iii. 3, 5.n7625 ¶84
And Christ saith, " He that heareth my word and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life.*" — John v. 21. And he that believeth not, is condemned already. And he that believeth on the Son of God shall not perish, but have eternal life. And again, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. — John iii. 15, 16, 18.n7625 ¶85
Now this death which Adam fell into, was a spiritual death ; for by one man's disobedience or offence, namely, Adam's, judgment came upon all men to condemnation. So all men are under this judgment and condemnation on Adam in the Fall. Even so, by the righteousness of one, namely, Christ, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. — Romans v. 18, 19.n7625 ¶86
So they that do not believe in Christ, the light, as he commands : John xii. 36 ; they abide in spiritual death and darkness, and under the judgment and condemnation of Adam in the fall, in the perishing state : but he that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life, and passeth from death unto life, and shall not perish in darkness, and is not condemned, but comes out of condemnation, &c. But he that believeth not the Son of God is condemned, and shall not see life, and the wrath of God abideth on him. Such abide in the perishing state, in death and darkness, in Adam in the fall, under judgment and condemnation. But they that believe inn7625 ¶87
Christ, the light, do come out of darkness, and pass from death to life ; and come from under judgment and condemnation, into favour with God, and into eternal and everlasting life in Christ Jesus, and so have victory over death, darkness, and sin, its sting, and the perishing state, and the grave of Adam, in the fall from life eternal ; and so are blessed, having part in the first resurrection in Christ Jesus: on such the second death shall have no power, for they are in Christ J esus, the resurrection, and eternal everlasting life, and their names are written in the Lamb's book of life, who destroys death and hell and the devil, the power of death. — Rev. xx. 10, 14, 15. And casts the devil, death and hell, into the lake of fire, that burns with brimstone ; which is the second death.n7625 ¶88
And as the apostle saith, " The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." " Death is swallowed up in victory." For by man, namely Adam, came death ; and by man, namely Christ, came the resurrection of the dead ; for as in Adam all died, even so in Christ, shall all be made alive.n7625 ¶89
So as by one man, Adam* sin and death came over all ; so by the man Christ, life cometh over all. And by nature we are born of Adam ; and in Christ we are made the children of God by grace in Christ, and quickened and made alive, and restored to life everlasting by him. And Christ, who puts all things under his feet, he subdues death under Him ; who through death, destroys death, the last enemy, and the devil, the power of death ; and so makes an end of sin, the sting of death, and brings in everlasting righteousness.n7625 ¶90
soon7625 ¶91
NO. CCCCXII.n7625 ¶92
To Friends in West Jersey and Pennsylvania.n7625 ¶93
Edmonton, 27th of the Eleventh Month, 1687.n7625 ¶94
I am glad to hear that the concerns of Truth are so well as they are with you, and that you have set up your Half-year's Meetings, which may be of great service.n7625 ¶95
And all that are faithful in your country, being kept in the Lord's eternal power, in it keep up all your men and women's meetings, that the power of the Lord God may spread over all, and by it all deceit and looseness may be kept under ; and this will ease all the magistrates, and tLeir courts, of all evil and looseness, by having it stopped and killed in the birth, before it comes in to action ; and see in your meetings, that Friends give no occasion [of offence] to the Indians.n7625 ¶96
And if sometimes vou should have some meetings with the Indian kings and their councils, to let them know the principles of Truth ; so that they may know the way of salvation, and the nature of true Christianity, and how that Christ hath died for them, who " tasted death for every man (and so the gospel of salvation must be preached to every creature under heaven) ; and how that Christ hath enlightened them, who enlightens all that come into the world. And God hath poured out his Spirit upon all flesh ; and so the Indians must receive God's Spirit ; for " the grace of God which brings salvation hath appeared to all men.5' And so let them know, that they have a day of salvation, grace, and favour of God offered unto them ; if they will receive it, it will be their blessing.n7625 ¶97
And so, now, you that are settled in those parts, who have had a testimony from the Lord, to bear to people of the Truth, you should spread abroad God's eternal Truth ; and have meetings, as I said before, with the Indian kings and people ; so that all the earth may come to look unto the Lord for salvation. For if ye should settle down in the earth, and have plenty, and be full, and at ease for a time, and not keep in the power, and service, and Spirit of God, you would quickly come to lose your condition, as some did in Rhode-Island, when settled down in the earth, after a while, and then turned to jangling about it, and some ran out one way, and some another.n7625 ¶98
And therefore I desire that the Lord may grant, that you may be all kept and preserved by his holy power, on his holy mountain, that ye may be of the holy camp of God ; that with his power, light, Spirit, grace, and a ruth, all that is contrary may be kept out from among you ; so that the Lord God Almighty, and his Son, may walk in the midst of you, and may delight to do you good. So with my love to all faithful friends.n7625 ¶99
My desire is, that you all may keep in the power and Spirit of the Lord, in the heavenly unity, that you may all shine forth to his glory and praise, to whom all belongs, God over all, blessed for ever. Amen.n7625 ¶100
NO. CCCCX1V.n7625 ¶101
Gooses, in Essex, the ISth of the Twelfth Month, 1(338.n7625 ¶102
All my dear friends and brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, who by his eternal arm and power, hath supported, upheld and preserved you stedfast to himself; so that neither reproaches, imprisonments, nor spoiling of your goods, to the almost ruining you outwardly; and besides long and tedious imprisoning of you and many to death : and yet all these persecutors could not make you turn from Christ, your life, priest, bishop, and shepherd, and through him you have been made more than conquerors : and so live and walk in him, who is the same to-day, yesterday, and for ever, who doth overcome and will have the victory, in whom you have life and salvation and peace with God.n7625 ¶103
So no more, but my love. GL F.n7625 ¶104
NO. CCCCXVII.n7625 ¶105
London, 27th of Third Month, 1689,n7625 ¶106
Dear Friends and Brethren in Christ Jesus, whom the Lord, by his eternal arm and power hath preserved to this day ; all walk in the power and Spirit of God, which is over all, in love and unity : for love never fails, but keeps the mind above all outward things, or strife about outward things ; and it is that which overcomes evil, and casts out all false fears, and it is of God, and unites all the hearts of his people together, in the heavenly joy, concord and unity. And the God of love preserve you all, and settle and establish you in Christ Jesus, your life and salvation, in whom you all have peace with God. And so, walk in Him, that you may be ordered in his peaceable heavenly wisdom to the glory of God, and the comfort one of another. G. F.n7625 ¶107
NO. CCCCXVII! .n7625 ¶108
To the Six Weeks' Meeting in London.n7625 ¶109
Kingston-apon-Thames, 5th of Third Month, 1690, Let all your meetings be preserved by the wisdom of God in the unity of the Spirit, the bond of peace, and in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, that, being ordered by the pure, gentle, heavenly, peaceable wisdom, easy to be entreated, they may be holy and virtuous examples to all other meetings, both in city and country. Let all be careful to speak shortly and pertinently to matters, in a Christian spirit, and dispatch business quickly, and keep out of long debates and heats ; and with the Spirit of God keep that down, which is doating about questions and strife of words, that tend to parties and contention. In the church of God there is no such custom to be allowed. And let not more than one speak at a time ; nor any in a fierce way ; for that is not to be allowed in any society, either natural or spiritual ; but, as the apostle saith, " be swift to hear, and slow to speak ; and let it be in the grace which seasons all words. " And if there be any differences, that cannot be quickly ended in the meeting, let the Six weeks' Meeting order some Friends to hear the matter out of the meeting, without respect of persons, and bring in the report to the same meeting the same day, if possible, and the meeting may give judgment ; that no business be delayed from time to time. And so my love to you all in the Seed of Life, Christ Jesus, in whom ye have all peace and wisdom, from Him who is the treasure of knowledge and wisdom. Amen.n7625 ¶110
NO. CCCCXIX.n7625 ¶111
London, Uh of Fourth Month, 1690.n7625 ¶112
Something was upon me to write unto you, respecting some among Friends, who marry, and provide great dinners ; that instead thereof, they may be put in mind, at such times, to give something to the poor that are widows and fatherless, and such like, to make them a feast, or to refresh them : and this, I look upon, would be a very good savour, to feast the poor that cannot feast you again ; and would be a good practice and example, and would be a means to keep the mind to the Lord, and in remembrance of the poor ; for " they that give to the poor, lend to the Lord, and the Lord will repay them.'" And I do really believe, whatever they give, less or more, according to their ability, cheerfully, they will not have the less at the year's end ; for the Lord loves a cheerful giver. I knowT this practice hath been used by some twenty years ago ; not only to give the poor a little victuals, which you cannot eat yourselves, but to give them a little money, that the Lord hath blessed you with ; and give it to some of the women's meetings for to distribute to the poor : so you will have the blessings of the Lord, and the blessings of the poor ; and so be of a free noble spirit, above all the churlish misers and niggards, and narrow spirits,n7625 ¶113
These things I do recommend to you (though it may look a little strange) to weigh and consider the thing ; it will be of a good report, and manifest a self-denial and openness of heart, and of the general love of God.n7625 ¶114
NO. CCCCXX.n7625 ¶115
To Captive Friends at Marqueness*n7625 ¶116
London, 25th of Eighth Month, 1690,n7625 ¶117
With my love to you all in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom you have life and salvation, and rest and peace with God : and the Lord God Almighty, with his eternal arm and power, uphold and preserve you in Christ, in * On the Coast of Barbarv.n7625 ¶118
whom you have rest and peace, though in the world troubles; and though you be in captivity, from your wives and children, and relations and friends, yet the Lord is present with you by his Spirit of grace, light, and truth. And so feel Him at all times, and stand in his will ; do not murmur nor complain, but stand still in the faith and power of God, that you may see your salvation : for by faith the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt by his power ; and by faith Enoch and Noah were preserved, and Abraham, Isaac, and J acob ; and by faith the prophets were delivered out of many perils ; and Daniel out of the lion's mouth. And you may see how the righteous were delivered by faith, in Hebrews xi.n7625 ¶119
And it would be very well, if you that be captives and friends, could have meetings as they had at Algiers, to the comforting and refreshing of one another. And you may speak to your patroons of your meeting together to worship God, that created heaven and earth, and made all mankind, and gives you breath, life, and spirit, to serve and worship Him.n7625 ¶120
And my desires are to the Lord, that you in his truth and power may answer the Truth in all, both king and prince, and Turks and Moors, that you may be a good savour among them all, in them all ; manifesting that ye are the salt of the earth, and the light of the world, and a city set on a hill, that cannot be hid ; so that they may see your good wTorks, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.n7625 ¶121
And what do you know, but that the Lord hath set you there to preach in life, and word, and good conversation? Therefore, while you are there, mind your service for God, who hath all things in his hand, and a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his providence. And Christ is the mountain that filleth the whole earth; and so you will feel Him there.n7625 ¶122
And therefore keep in the word of power, and in the word of patience, and the word of wisdom, that will give you dominion over all. Amen.n7625 ¶123
P. S.- — You may petition the Emperor, or King, and your patroons, whose captives you are, that you may have one day in the week to meet together to worship and serve the great God that made you, in spirit and truth, For you worship no representation, image, or likeness, neither in heaven nor in the earth, but the great God, who is Lord over all, both in heaven and earth; and is manifest by his Spirit in his people ; from you, poor captives, who desire their good here, and their eternal happiness hereafter.n7625 ¶124
And you may draw up a paper to this effect, and get it translated into their language, and send it to the Emperor and his Council, and your patroons ; and set your hands to it with all speed, after the receipt of this.n7625 ¶125
Richard Barrett, Jun., Printer, 13, Mark Lane, London,n7625 ¶126