trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and then, like a company of senseless men, without understanding, fall a fighting one with another about their trespasses and debts, and never mind what they prayed; as though they never looked for forgiveness, and to receive the things which they had prayed for.

They pray, Forgive us, Lord, as we forgive them; and fall a persecuting and imprisoning one another, and taking their brethren and fellow-servants by the throat about religion, and will not forgive; but say their prayers, as the pharisees of old did the Scriptures, and obeyed them not. And this hath been their work, since the Apostles' days. The Apostles and Christ did not bid that any should kill about their words, but that they should love enemies.

They know not what spirit they are of, that persecute, and would have men's lives destroyed about their church, worship, and religion; for Christ said, He came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them. They would destroy by a law as the disciples would have done by prayer, to command fire to

come down from heaven to destroy them that would not receive Christ: which sort Christ rebuked, and told them, that they did not know what spirit they were of. And now, if they did not know what spirit they were of, do these, who have persecuted about the church and religion, since the Apostles' days, who would compel men's bodies, goods, lives, souls, and estates into their hands by a law, or else make them suffer? These that would destroy men's lives are not the ministers of Christ, the Saviour.

G. F.

NUMBER

CLXXV.

To Friends to serve one another in love, in outward things.

My dear Friends,

1659.

In the order and wisdom of life order all things to God's glory, and dwell in the love of God together, all serving one another in love, and in the life of the Truth; and ye that give to the poor, lend to the Lord, and He will give you again with advantage. And so, be

fruitful in every good work, and be subject

one another in the fear of the Lord, and do that which ye do, in love and peace; and in that keep in the authority and power of God, in kindness. And keep down, and be master over all passion, and the hasty and cross spirits, and silence that which is sudden; and let love have the pre-eminence in all and over all. And provoke one another to love and to good works, and be diligent in all your places; that ye may be a good savour in the hearts of all, and that the Truth may flow over all. And encourage one another to seek out the poor, and sick, and fatherless, and widow, and imprisoned, and make up their necessities and wants; then there will be nothing lacking. And keep in discerning, that ye may not be ensnared, nor made a prey upon; but that in the power and wisdom of God ye may be kept over all such, and to feel through all states and conditions. That the Lord God may be honoured in and by you all, and ye all may be preserved in his power and life to his glory. For your bestowing of outward things to such as stand in need, is the least love, and things of little value, in comparison to the things that are above and immortal. And so, keep over all

in that in which ye have the blessing poured upon you from the Lord God, to clothe and

cover you.

G. F.

NUMBER CLXXX I.

P.S. If any Friends have friends or relations beyond sea, send them books or papers, and be diligent to spread the Truth; and send Latin books, or French books, or other books to Leghorn, France, Poland, Italy, Norway, Low Countries, &c.

Friends,

NUMBER CLXXXVI.

1659.

Which have known and tasted of the power of the mighty God of heaven and earth, and of his light and life, be faithful in the power, light, life, and truth, to the spreading of the Truth abroad; with which ye may answer the truth in the inward parts in every one. And dwell in that which binds and chains, and gives to see over the world; that life, wisdom, and power may reign among you,

Be faithful, and spread the Truth abroad, and walk in the wisdom of God; answering that of God in every one: and write, speak, and send books abroad into the countries, and islands, and nations, or main land, as ye are moved; that the sound of the trumpet of the Lord's host may be heard in the nations and islands. So, the God of love, life, and power, and wisdom be with you! And ye that are turned to the Light, and gathered into it, meet together, and keep your meetings, that ye may feel and see the life of God among you, and know that in one another; for that keeps down and lays low all that which is out of the kingdom. They who are turned to the Light, Christ Jesus, to the Immannel, they know the interpretation thereof, God with us; who redeems out of transgression, and out of death, darkness, and sin.

G. F.

NUMBER CLXXXVII.

My dear Friends,

1659.

Dwell in the love of God together, for that edifies you all, and by that ye are built up;