Now, friends, concerning putting on of apparel. The apostle in the spirit and power of Christ had a care in the church of God, that they should adorn themselves as becomes the Gospel, with chaste lives and conversations, and with "the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit; which is in the sight of God of great price." This is that which arrays and beautifies God's church; and not the outward adorning and plaiting the hair, and every new fashion that comes up into the world. 1 Pet. iii. And also the apostle writes to Timothy, and gives him that exhortation to the church: "That women adorn themselves with modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" (for that was the practice of the Jew outward, and is to this day ;) but with that which becomes women professing godliness, with good works. So this is the adorning that all that profess godliness must be arrayed withal. 1 Tim. ii. 9. So that all may be in that good behaviour, as becomes godliness and holiness; and likewise chaste and discreet teachers of good things; that the

word of God may not be blasphemed, which they profess; as in Titus, ii.

And it is desired, that all friends that have children, families, and servants, may train them up in the pure and unspotted religion, and in the nurture and fear of God; and that frequently they read the Holy Scriptures, which is much better than to be gadding abroad. And exhort and admonish them, that every family apart may serve and worship the Lord, as well as in public. And that when they go to meetings, they may take their servants and families with them, that they may not go wandering up and down in the fields, or to ale-houses, as many have done, to the dishonour of God, and to the dishonour of their masters and mistresses' families, and to their own ruin and destruction. And therefore, for Christ's sake and his pure religion, let there be care taken, to prevent all these things. For such an one as cannot rule well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity, how can he take care of the church of God. 1 Tim. iii.

Now, dear friends, consider old Eli's case, who did admonish his children; but because

he did not restrain them from the follies and the evils they run into, therefore the Lord brought his judgments upon him, that he lost his children's lives, and his priesthood, and his own life. And do you think that this was not written for an example, that others should be warned, hear, and fear? And was not the Gospel and the law given forth to restrain people from sin and evil, and such things as dishonour God?

G. F.

NUMBER CCCX C.

An Epistle to all Friends every where.

Dolston, 13th of 10th Month, 1683.

Christ said to his disciples, that the false prophets and the antichrists should come to them, to try them: they had the sheep's clothing, and outward profession of Christianity, but were inwardly ravening wolves to devour them. And the apostle John speaks of such as "went out from us." It seems they were among them, "but," saith he, "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 the true church, that they might be manifest that they were not of it. And these were the antichrists and false prophets, that Christ said should come; which John and the apostles saw were come, and exhorted the church to beware of, and to keep to the unction which they had from the Holy One. And this unction and anointing, as it abides within the saints, the true church, and they in it, it will teach them all things, and is Truth; and by it they shall continue in the Son and the Father, and so in the holy Seed, Rock, and Foundation, that cannot be shaken.

And the apostle saith: "There was to be a falling away first, before the man of sin was revealed; the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself," &c. And then the apostle saw the mystery of iniquity already working; and his "coming is after the working of Satan, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And such go into strong delusions, that they should believe a lie," and not the truth. And here you may see there is a falling away, before the son of per

dition, or Judas, be revealed; and they that fall away, receive not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved, but believe lies that they shall be damned. And the Lord will consume him with the Spirit of his mouth, and will destroy him with the brightness of his coming, the wicked one, and son of perdition, that is against the righteous, and is the opposer and betrayer of them.

Therefore all the church of Christ are to stand steadfast, and be established in Him, in every good word and work, who are from the beginning chosen for salvation through Jesus Christ, through the sanctification of the Spirit, and the belief of the Truth, and are called by the Gospel, the power of God, to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom the glorious rest and peace is.

And you may see how the church of Christ was troubled by such as went out from them, and fell away from Truth, and inwardly ravened; some went like unto the swine into the mire; and some like the dogs to the vomit; and some like wolves that inwardly ravened, and yet kept the sheep's clothing. Some