sufferings are brought upon you, and with the values demanded, and the values distrained, and by whom. Also it was agreed, that the Yearly Meeting for Sufferings should continue as the Lord makes way for it; and that Friends in every county do desire a faithful Friend or two of their county, who understand the state of suffering Friends, and of the meetings in their counties, to attend that service the next year; by whom you are desired to send an account of how much money was collected in your respective counties for the work aforesaid, and to whom it was remitted. And so we commend you all to the Lord, and to the word of his power, which is able to support you in all conditions. Signed in behalf of the said Meeting, by RICHARD RICHARDSON. EPISTLE X-1687. Dear and tender salutation in our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our life, and in whom we have fellowship, to all our true Friends and brethren every where. Having great cause to bless and praise Almighty God for his continued goodness and renewed favours unto us (a deep and weighty sense whereof lives upon our spirits, and hath been upon this meeting, to the opening and tendering the hearts of many in renewed love and thanksgiving to the God of our mercies and brotherly kindness and tender affection one towards another, and towards all the whole family and heritage of our God, who are truly made partakers of his goodness in the land of the living ;) finding ourselves greatly engaged to return sincere and hearty thanksgiving to the Lord for the present enjoyment of peace and liberty openly to worship and serve him, and mutually to edify one another in the congregations of his people; we pray God, that by the operation of the same spirit of love and life, all Friends may be like-minded with us to improve so great and eminent a mercy, with tender, humble and thankful hearts; and that by the assistance of his grace they may walk worthy of the same, to his glory, and the renown of his name, who is worthy for ever and ever. Dear and tenderly beloved Friends and brethren, We hereby give you to understand, that at this our meeting we have received and read many good epistles and letters from our Friends and brethren of divers meetings and countries on this side and beyond the seas, giving us an account of the pros perity of truth, and the Lord's work, and Friends' love and unity therein, and of their peaceable meetings and increase; as from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Holland, Nevis, Barbadoes, Maryland, Rhode-Island, West and East Jersey, and Pennsylvania; and were truly comforted to understand thereby the concord, unity, and godly care and zeal for the name of our Lord that lives and is continued amongst his people in the parts and places aforesaid. Also we thought meet hereby to acquaint you, that all our Friends (except Roger Udy) that were late. captives at Algiers, are redeemed and set at liberty, to their great relief, and comfort of them and their relations and distressed families; wherein Friends' care has greatly tended to the strength and establishment of the sufferers in the truth, engaging their hearts to return thanks to God, and tender acknowledgments to Friends, for their love and care concerning them. But as concerning the Friends who are captives at Mequinez (taken by the Sally-men) although a great concern and care hath been and is upon Friends here about them, and great endeavours used for their redemption, yet no way is found open at present for the accomplishment thereof: only Friends here have found out means to convey some relief to them in their necessities; which they are careful of. The number of the captive Friends in Mequinez is now ten: that is to say, Joseph Wasey, John Bealing, and Joseph Harbin ; who being taken and carried captives thither, found two English captives there, who were convinced of truth in their captivity, before the said three Friends came thither. And five more English captives are convinced since; and they live in great love and unity one with another. The said two Friends have wrote over to Friends here a large, tender, and sensible letter, testifying their fellowship and unity with Friends, and acknowledging their love and charity to them in their bonds and necessities. We understand that the people they suffer under are more barbarous than the Turks in Algiers. From whose great oppression and cruel hands we pray God in mercy deliver them, if it be his blessed will. Also we let you know, that the Friends appointed to inspect the accounts relating to the late charitable relief sent up by Friends since the last year, do find all things well placed to the account, by the Friends therewith intrusted; and that the debt contracted the last year, in the cases of suffering Friends, is discharged; and there remains a sufficient supply at present for further service, if need requires: and the remainder of what was E charitably contributed for the relief of captives, doth remain in readiness for that purpose, so soon as it pleases God to make way for it. Also we let you know, that the Friends of this city, intrusted by this meeting this year for the work and service aforesaid, are George Barr, John Hall, William Parker, John Edridge, Benjamin Antrobus, and Thomas Barker. And seeing God hath been graciously pleased to incline the heart of the king to extend favour and kindness towards Friends and others, for their liberties from prison and spoil, and to grant and declare LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE for the free exercise of religion; it was, at the desire of many country Friends, and on serious consideration, concluded by this meeting, that a paper of christian and thankful acknowledgment should be prepared to be presented to the king, according as our Friends and brethren of the city of London had already done. Which accordingly was prepared and thrice read over deliberately to the meeting whereunto the meeting unanimously agreed, being generally satisfied therewith: and some Friends of the country were desired to attend the king; who accordingly were willing to present the same. And dear Friends; We do further in the love of God and hist blessed truth, and testimony of Christ Jesus, recommend it to your tender and christian care, that Friends in the several counties do sincerely keep to their ancient and christian testimony against that old and great oppression of TITHES; for which many faithful Friends and servants of Christ have deeply suffered (some till death in goals) and several still suffer: whereby it appears, that the priests, as they were the first, so they are like to be the last persecutors for conscience sake. And also we request it of you, carefully to collect and make return of all Friends' sufferings for tithes (as well as other sufferings) whether by imprisonments, or by taking away goods (as corn, cattle, or other goods) either by or without law both which are sufferings, and ought to be so accounted of, and entered upon record in behalf of all faithful Friends, who therein stand clear in their testimony for truth. And dear Friends; As our Friends and brethren, who were intrusted to attend the service of this Yearly Meeting out of their several respective counties and cities, have given us very plain and lively accounts of the progress and prosperity of truth and the work of the Lord, and of the great love and unity among Friends, and the great openness of heart among many people in divers parts to receive the blessed truth (which we are truly comforted to hear of, and so well to understand ;) so it is desired 1 that Friends in their respective counties, continue their care in regard to our next Yearly Meeting (intended, if the Lord will, to be kept as usually) that such faithful Friends (one or two of a county) be desired to attend it, as are most capable and fit for the service thereof. So commending you all to the God of all our mercies, for your preservation, instruction, and comfort, and for the increase of love and unity among you, heartily desiring that all Friends may walk wisely and inoffensively in their lives and conversations, in the peaceable spirit and life of our Lord Jesus Christ, towards the civil government, and towards all men; and truly and thankfully to prize and improve this present great additional mercy and favour of the liberty we enjoy, with all other his tender mercies and favours we partake of, to his honour, and the benefit and comfort one of another. Signed on the behalf of our said meeting, by RICHARD RICHARDSON. EPISTLE XI-1688. Dearly beloved Friends and Brethren, We salute you in the dear and tender love of God, rejoicing in the communion and holy fellowship of the Spirit of life, by which we are quickened together in Christ Jesus, that we may walk together in him acceptably to God the Father; to whom be glory and praise, throughout all the churches of Christ every where, world without end. Amen. Dear Friends, We give you to understand, that according to the wonted kindness of our tender and merciful God, we have had a very li ving and refreshing assembling together, and the glory of the divine power and presence of God hath shined upon us from day to day, to our great consolation; and a sweet harmony, love and concord hath appeared amongst us; and many living testimonies were brought forth, through the springings of life in many, both in respect to the ancient universal doctrine of the light and grace of God, and also in particulars, relating to the holy and harmless conversation of those who have believed, exhorting all to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ, that the profession thereof may shine forth more and more, and the beauty of holiness may be seen upon you, and upon your families. 1. And in the first place we do earnestly desire you all, in your several Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, to stir up and exhor Friends to diligence in their meetings on the week-days, as well as on the First-day; and to wait upon the Lord for his divine wisdom and strength, to guide them and preserve them out of evil; knowing assuredly that the diligent waiters upon the Lord shall be filled with good things; though the careless and lukewarm remain in weakness, and are often overcome by the enemy. 2. And also that Friends every where be put in mind to keep under the leadings and guidance of the spirit of truth in their outward habits, and fashions thereof; not suffering the spirit of the world to get over them, in a lust to be like unto them in things useless and superfluous; lest it prevail upon them (by giving a little way to it) till it leads them from the simplicity and plainness that become the gospel; and so from one vain liberty to another, till they come to lose the blessed liberty that is in Christ, into which they were in measure redeemed, and fall back into the bondage of the world's spirit, and grow up into the liberty of the flesh, with the lust and concupiscence thereof, and so lose both their name and place in the truth, as too many have done. 3. And for the prevention of these things, we do intreat and desire all you our dear Friends, brethren, and sisters, that are parents and governors of families, that ye diligently lay to heart your work and calling in your generation for the Lord, and the charge committed to you; not only in becoming good examples unto the younger sort, but also to use your power in your own families, in the educating your children and servants in modesty, sobriety, and in the fear of God, curbing the extravagant humour in the young ones, when it doth appear, and not to indulge it, and allow of it. For you are set in your families as judges for God, and it is you that must give an account of the power committed to you. And when you see a libertine wanton spirit appear in your children or servants, that lusteth after the vain customs and fashions of the world, either in dressings, habits, or outward adornings, and craves your assistance and allowance, without which it cannot get forward, while they are under your government; O then look to yourselves, and discharge your trust for God, and for the good of their souls, exhorting in meekness, and commanding in wisdom; that so you may minister and reach to the witness, and help them over their temptations, in the authority of God's power. And when they feel themselves helped and delivered, their souls will bless God for you, and you will reap the comfort of your labour. 4. And dear Friends, as it hath pleased God to bring forth a day of liberty and freedom to serve him, in which he hath stopt the mouths of the devourers, in a great measure, for his name's sake; therefore let every one have a care so to use this liberty, |