as the name of God may be honoured by it; and not an occasion taken by any, because of the present freedom, to launch forth into trading and worldly business beyond what they can manage honourably, and with reputation, among the sons of men, and so that they may keep their word with all men, and that their yea may prove yea indeed, and their nay may be nay indeed; for whatever is otherwise cometh of the evil one. And such who make themselves guilty by thus dishonouring God, and the holy profession of his name and truth, such are for judgment by the truth; and the judgment of truth ought to be set over them; that the truth, and those that abide and walk in it, may be clear of their iniquities. 5. And dear Friends, as concerning those who through letting in the enemy of their souls; have lost their part of this our hea venly unity, and sought to break the sweet harmony of the church and churches of Christ in some few places (but which is impossible) we let you know the power of the Lord in righteous judgment is come over their evil works, and they cannot proceed. But divers, who were for a time beguiled and darkened by them, have received mercy from God, and light to see whither they were going; and are returned to the shepherd's fold, to the comfort of their souls, and the praise of God. And concerning them that remain still under the influence of that evil separating spirit in any measure, (being betrayed at unawares) we desire they may be gained upon in a christian tenderness of spirit, and that bowels of compassion may be exercised towards them, for their recovery (if possible) out of the snare, into which, by the high swelling words of others, they are fallen; that so ye may, as the apostle saith, put a difference; saving some by fear, plucking them as brands out of the fire. And where any real simplicity or true tenderness doth remain, it will answer your tenderness, and be won upon by it, and turn from the wandering stars that have misled them, and from the wells that have not the water of life in them, (to nourish and refresh their souls, and feed upon) and trees without fruit. 6. Farther we give you to understand, that several good epistles from divers parts of the world were read amongst us; as from Holland, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Barbadoes, Virginia, Maryland, Jamaica, Long-Island, Rhode-Island, and from sundry parts of this nation, signifying the prosperity of truth, and the increase of Friends, and their great concord and unity in the blessed truth, to our great comfort and joy in the Lord. 7. And that the Friends appointed to inspect the accounts did report to us, that they found the accounts well and fairly kept, and the balance thereof not much different from what it was last year; so that there was no need of any farther collection this year. And that the Friends that are captives in Mequinez cannot yet be gotten at liberty, though much industry hath been used about it; but Friends are still in hopes to procure their liberty in some time; of which you may hear farther when it is effected. 8. And we give you to know, that the six Friends of this city, that are intrusted for this year with the accounts, are John Etridge, Benjamin Antrobus, Thomas Barker, Thomas Cox, Thomas Hudson, and John West. 9. And it is the desire of Friends generally, that you all be careful in your Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, in collecting the sufferings of Friends by priests and impropriators for their testimony against tithes; and what goods are taken away from them upon that account, with the value thereof; as also about repairs of steeple-houses, or about not swearing, and all other sufferings on truth's account; and let them be carefully recorded and witnessed, and copies sent up to London, from your Quarterly Meetings to your correspondents; that the sufferings of Friends for their testimonies may not be lost. 10. It was agreed by Friends with one consent, that this meeting be continued the next year, at the usual time, as the Lord shall please to make way for it; and that in order thereunto, two sound faithful Friends in every county, may be desired to come up, that know the state of Friends, and their sufferings, in their respective counties; to whom we leave it to give a farther account of this meeting, and of the glorious presence of the Lord manifested with us here. 11. Finally, dear Friends, we tenderly, in the love of our God, recommend you all to the word of his grace and wisdom, to govern and order you in peace, patience, union and concord, and to shun all occasion of discord and contention that is out of truth; that all your affairs may be managed in true love, in the peaceable spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ. And we tenderly desire and advise, that all Friends every where keep peaceable and quiet in their spirits, and inoffensive in their conversations and discourses, that none let in, entertain, or mix with that jealous evil-surmising spirit, that is at work in some sorts of ungrateful prejudiced persons, who will not see the present providence of God, and mercy we enjoy under the king and his government; eyeing their own interests more than the public good, or peace of the church of Christ. God Almighty preserve you, and be with you and us all in Christ Jesus. Amen. Signed in behalf of our said meeting, by EPISTLE XII-1689. Dear Friends and Brethren, We salute you in the Lord, whose presence is continued, and blessings renewed unto us, and signally manifest with our assemblies. Blessed be his name forever. The sense of love and unity amongst Friends, and the prosperity of truth in many counties in this nation, and divers remote parts, according as we have had certain accounts, is a great comfort to us in the Lord. And we understand that there is such an openness, in divers counties in this nation, amongst people to receive truth, that some Friends do much desire some faithful labourers among them, as the Lord shall make way. In some counties Friends have provided several new meeting-places; wherein their love to the name of the Lord, and the spreading of his truth, is manifest, and truly commendable. And dear Friends; We desire your testimony against tithes may be kept up in the peaceable Spirit of Christ, as becomes true christians: rather suffering patiently the spoiling of your goods, than any-ways to strive or struggle with the spoilers to retain them by force; but singly commit your cause to the Lord, who will plead it, and judge righteously. And Friends; We desire you would keep an exact account of this and all other your sufferings for truth; and also of your deliverances; to be ready as there shall be occasion to call for them. Several epistles were read from divers counties in England and Wales, and foreign parts beyond seas, to the comfort and satisfaction of Friends here. By an epistle from Friends at Amsterdam, an account was given of a new storm of persecution risen at Dantzick, where so great sufferings have been heretofore. Upon which the meeting agreed to order some relief for them. The present condition of Friends in Ireland being under some consideration; and several Friends from thence being present, having given a brief account thereof in part; the meeting left the further care concerning them to the Meeting for Sufferings here, for the relief of any Friends from thence that may be in distress. And, if they shall see further cause, to recommend their conditions to Friends in the respective counties in England, &c. for a further christian relief, as there shall appear necessity. The Friends appointed to inspect the accounts did report to us, that they found the accounts well kept; and that there was no need of a further contribution this year. And that our Friends who are captives at Mequinez do remain as before; only some are come down to Sally, and have liberty to go about the town, under security for their true imprisonment. Great endeavours have been used for their redemption, but it is not yet effected. And we give you notice, that the six Friends of the city, that are intrusted this year with the accounts, are Thomas Cox, Thomas Hudson, John West, Laurence Fullove, Walter Miers, and Walter Benthal. A concern coming upon Friends of the meeting, concerning several persons, both men and women, who go rambling idly up and down the countries, under pretence of preaching truth, who are out of the unity of Friends in their own country, whose conversations and examples are not savoury, as becomes the truth; Friends in the several counties should beware of such, and give no encouragement nor countenance to them; but warn them to retutn, and settle in their places and honest employments, and seek unity with their own meetings. And dear Friends; The prosperity of truth, the increase of love, unity, and peace, amongst all Friends in their respective meetings, and in general, is greatly desired by us. And that every one watch against and shut out all occasions of offences, contentions, and divisions; and in the name of the Lord stop and judge down all whisperings, talebearing, backbiting, and evil-speaking, tending thereunto. And be kind and tender-hearted one to another and earnestly labour and press for universal love, union, and peace in all the churches of Christ. And walk wisely and circumspectly towards all men, in the peaceable Spirit of Christ. Jesus; giving no offence nor occasions to those in outward government, nor way to any controversies, heats, or distractions of this world, about the kingdoms thereof. But pray for the good of all, and submit all to that divine Power and Wisdom which rules over the kingdoms of men. That, as the Lord's hidden ones, that are always quiet in the land, and as those prudent ones and wise in heart, who know when and where to keep silent, you may all approve your hearts to God; keeping out of all airy discourses and words, that may any-ways become snares, or hurtful to truth or Friends; as being sensible that any personal occasion of reproach causes a reflection upon the body. : And Friends; Let every one be watchful against an earthly spirit getting up in any for that will choak the good seed, and bring forth a slighting or neglecting your testimony in your Firstday and Week-day Meetings; and bring a decay of your strength and zeal for God and his truth; and bring a weakness upon you; by reason whereof such will not be able to stand in an hour of temp FROM FRIENDS IN LONDON. 37 tation. And dear Friends; For the Lord's sake, exercise your christian care in the education of your children in the fear of God, and plainness and simplicity of truth, both in language and habits. It was agreed by Friends, with one consent, that this meeting be continued the next year, at the usual time, as the Lord shall please to make way for it. And that in order thereunto, two sound faithful Friends in every county may be desired to come up, that know the state of Friends and their sufferings in their respective counties. And to such as are now here we leave it to give a further account of this meeting, and of the good service and effects thereof. Blessed be the Lord forever. And the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Signed in behalf, and by order, of the Meeting aforesaid. BENJAMIN BEALING. EPISTLE XIII-1690. Dear and faithful Friends and Brethren, We dearly salute you all in the Lord, with very dear and brotherly love, beyond words. We have still cause greatly to praise and magnify the pure holy name of the Lord our God, for his continued goodness, power, and presence with us until this day, as much as ever since we were a people, to the greatly tendering and enlarging the hearts of many. Blessed be the Lord our God forever. We are also greatly comforted at this our solemn and weighty assembly, to have so many lively accounts of the love and unity, peace and quietness, among Friends, and of the prosperity of truth, and increase of meetings in divers parts, and an openness and good desires of many people after the blessed truth; and in the good order and care in the respective meetings of Friends concerned in truth's affairs in Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, &c.; and that the spirit of division and separation is much weakened, and decreased. In all which we must acknowledge the great power and work of our God in the prosperity thereof, and his great love and care over his heritage. Magnified be his bles sed name and power forever. The tender sense and christian care of this our Yearly Meeting we are engaged faithfully to communicate to you, in these follow ing particulars: F |