dominion for evermore. To whose divine protection we heartily recommend and commit you; and remain, your Friends and brethren.

Signed on behalf of the said Meeting, by

BENJAMIN BEALING.

EPISTLE XXXII-1709.

Dear and truly beloved Friends and Brethren,

In the tender love of Christ Jesus our Lord, this meeting salutes you. The continuance of the great love and tender mercies of the Lord our God to us, as his peculiar people, calls for faithfulness, true humility, and thankful hearts on our parts to him, with sincere love, and fervent charity among ourselves; in which we pray God his people may be preserved and prosper, to his eternal glory and praise.

In this our solemn assembly the Lord has not been wanting to favour us with his blessed presence and counsel, tending to the increase of love, and christian society among us, who are thereby concerned for his name and truth, that the same may be exalted and prosper in his whole heritage, and in all the earth; and in true love the following accounts and advices are recommended to you.

Dear Friends,

It was matter of great comfort to us, to have so many sensible accounts as we have had of the prosperity of the blessed truth, and work of the Lord; and, generally, of the love, unity, and peace in the church of Christ, both by epistles from remote and foreign parts (as, not only from Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, but also from divers parts in America; as particularly, Jamaica, Rhode-Island, Long-Island, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the Jerseys,) and also by the many weighty accounts given by Friends from their respective counties, and from Holland and Germany. The account of Friends sufferings brought in since the last Yearly Meeting, amounts to 4440 1. and upwards; chiefly upon the account of tithes, and partly for church-rates, so called.

There are twenty-three prisoners discharged since last Yearly Meeting, most of them by the Queen's late act of grace; and there are about sixteen still remaining prisoners; divers of which, we expect, will be shortly released, by virtue of the aforesaid act.

And it is desired, that as soon as any more Friends shall be discharged in any county, care be taken speedily to send up their names to the Meeting for Sufferings in London.

And dear Friends; we hereby let you know, that the last general collection, made seven years ago, has been some time since wholly expended in the service of truth, for which it was made. And therefore we hold it very necessary now to recommend unto you, that a general and free contribution be made in the several meetings of our Friends in every county, to be employed in the service of truth: and that what shall be thereupon collected, be sent up, with as much convenient speed as may be, to our Friends John Wilcox, Jos. Toovey, Thomas Bond, Peter Bowen, William Chamberlain, and Richard Crafton, or some of them.

We hope we need not put you in mind, that truth leads all, who faithfully follow it, to do right and justice to all, and not to defraud or wrong any, in any way of commerce, trade, trust, or dealing; much less to put any abuse on the government, by endeavours to diminish any of the customs, excise, or any other publick civil dues. Yet if any, going under our profession, should happen to be so far tempted, through covetousness, and the love of unrighteous gain, as to be drawn into any such evil, we desire you will deal with such persons, to make them sensible of such corrupt and pernicious practices; that our holy profession may not be blemished thereby, nor any offence given, or injury done, by being concerned in prohibited goods, or wrecks unrighteously taken away from the just owners.

And dear Friends, brethren and sisters in Christ, who are heads of families, and especially such who are elders in the church of Christ, be all diligent and careful to watch over the young generation; that sobriety, plainness and virtue, may be encouraged and promoted, and exemplarily recommended by you to them; that the liberty too many of our youth take in following the fashions and customs of the world, which tend to the dishonour and reproach of the testimony of the blessed truth, may be discouraged, and such as are found in the same dealt with, in the fear, wisdom, and love of God, that they may be won and brought into humility and subjection to the Lord and his truth.

And let the aged remember, and the youth know, that when apparent signs of the plague of leprosy appeared on the walls in the houses of Israel, it was the care of the priest under the law, to have the houses cleansed, and the lepers also. And surely Christ's priesthood should not fall short of their care to endeavour to stop and remove the manifest tokens of the leprosy of the great sin of pride, and all superfluity of naughtiness. And therefore let all concerned be earnestly stirred up to sincere obedience to ths light of Christ, our great high priest; that he may cleanse the hearts and houses of that growing plague, which tends to the ruin of families and posterity.

And further, that nothing may be wanting in Friends' care towards their children, let all be concerned to see that they do not only watch over them for good, but that they also rule over them in the fear of the Lord; and none, in the fondness of affection, lose the authority wherein the Lord has set them for their childrens' preservation. And let all be examples to them, in wisdom, moderation, and plainness, in language and habit; and not examples only, but also to restrain them from any thing that might be their hurt, either inwardly or outwardly; neither providing for them costly and gaudy attire, unbecoming godliness, nor letting them have money to gratify themselves therein.

We recommend it as an incumbent duty on Friends, to cause them to be frequent in reading the holy scriptures, and in observing to them the examples of such children as in scripture are recorded to have early learned the fear of the Lord, and hearkened to his counsel; instructing them in the fear and dread of the Lord, planting impressions upon their spirits of reverence towards God, from whom they have their daily support; shewing them they ought not to offend him, but love, serve and honour him, in whose hands all blessings are. And as their hearts are seasoned with truth, and made good, good fruits, agreeable to truth, will appear, to the honour of God, and the comfort of their tender parents; who ought to watch over them, that they be not careless of going to meetings, where the Lord's power hath often broke in upon children, and given them early tokens of his future favour. For hereby he hath brought many to know the God of their fathers; and the hearts of many have been inclined sincerely to desire that he might be their God also, and their guide all the days of their lives. And it hath been comfortable to many to wait upon the Lord with them in their private families, to feel the divine power break in upon them, that they may know the Lord for themselves; and knowing him, serve him.

And where Friends want ability in the world, their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings are desired to assist them; that the children of the poor may have due help of education, instruction, and necessary learning. And that children (both of rich and poor) may be early provided with industrious employments, that they may not grow up in idleness, looseness, and vice; but that, being thus seasoned with truth, sanctified of God, and taught our holy self-denying way, they may appear a reputation to our holy profession, the comfort of their honest parents, instrumental to the glory of God, and the good of the generation coming on. Dear Friends and Brethren,

We hope you are not insensible, that it is only divine wisdom from above, that truly qualifies faithful elders for helps in govern

ment, and good order in the church of Christ, our glorious Lord and excellent pattern; who has given us of his spirit, and left us an example of love, humility, and meekness. Wherefore in his light and spirit of wisdom it is safe, and becomes us all, daily to wait, to feel his power; that all things may be managed and done therein, even in the name, spirit and power of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that he may be all in all, in all his members, both men and women: and in his name, power, and authority, all to stand witnesses for him, against all iniquity, pride, and covetousness, which is idolatry; and against sowing discord, divisions, strife, and contention, which cometh by pride; let it be shut out of the Lord's camp for ever, and that spirit that lusteth after it. Yet be tender to every tender plant in the Lord's heritage, and let not "the bruised reed be broken;" but let mercy and compassion flow through you, in the bowels of Christ Jesus, to all that are truly and tenderly affected towards him, for their encouragement, growth and prosperity in the blessed truth.

To avoid repeating too many things heretofore recommended, Friends are hereby desired to put in practice the former advices relating to truth's testimony, in the several branches thereof; and particularly that advice of the Yearly Meeting epistle in the year 1693.

"Oh! Sion, let thy king reign and prosper; that peace may be "within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces; and shine "forth in the beauty of holiness, in thy beautiful garments, where"with thy heavenly king arrays thee, aud will adorn all thy faith"ful children."

We tenderly conclude in the words of the holy apostle; peace be to the brethren, and love, with faith from God the Fa "ther, and the Lord Jesus Christ."

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Signed by order of the Yearly Meeting, by

BENJAMIN BEALING.

EPISTLE XXXIII-1710.

Beloved Friends and Brethren,

We tenderly salute you in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ; heartily desiring the increase of sincere love, union, and concord among you, and in all the churches of Christ; that the true comfort thereof may be continued with you all; so that the God of love and peace may be with you unto the end.

In this our great solemnity, humbly attending upon the Lord, he hath favoured us with his living presence and ancient power; to the opening many hearts and understandings, the more to prepare them to serve him and his church in true love: wherein the following particulars are recommended to you; and the more briefly, as being a sensible intelligent people, obliged faithfully to serve the Lord our God, and his people, in your day and age,

By Friends who came from the several Quarterly Meetings in England and Wales, and from Scotland and Ireland, and by epistles from our brethren of Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, and the Jerseys, Maryland, West-River, Virginia, North-Carolina, and Flushing upon Long-Island, we have good accounts of truth's prosperity, and Friends' fellowship one with another therein.

The sufferings that our Friends in England and Wales at present remain under, are chiefly for our ancient testimony against tithes, and partly those called church-rates. And according to the accounts brought in from Friends of the several counties, there hath been taken from Friends above the value of five thousand pounds. There are about twelve at present prisoners, notwithstanding thirteen have been discharged since the last account, mostly by the Queen's act of grace.

Our christian testimony and caution has been so often already given against the ANTICHRISTIAN YOKE, whereby many suffer, that we do not think it necessary to be always repeating the same; for we hope we write unto a living and sensible people, to whom the Lord hath given an understanding heart, endued with christian care to keep to truth's testimony in all respects, in behalf of Christ, his everlasting priesthood, kingdom and government. And that this meeting's former counsel in this respect be not omitted, we refer to the advice given in the year 1706.

We doubt not but Antichrist's kingdom must come down. And the more faithful Friends are, keeping in the unity of the spirit and bond of peace, the more they will see the gospel (the power and kingdom of Christ) prevailing; and he will plead their cause against the persecuting spirit of Antichrist and Babylon.

Considering the great suffering that hath been brought upon truth and faithful Friends, by divers, professing truth amongst us, breaking their words, promises, and obligations, to the great injury of others, by not paying their just debts in due time; and the sad consequences thereof, and reproaches brought thereby, notwithstanding our great care, and many warnings given for prevention thereof; which being too many to recite here, we refer you to the advice formerly given by our ancient Friend and

Epistle of caution to traders.