you may spread his blessed Truth abroad and answer it in all people. Amen. G. F. NUMBER CCCCIV. To Friends in Pennsylvania. Bednal-Green, 10th of 9th Month, 1685. Dear Friends, I am glad to hear of the good Yearly Meeting at Rhode-Island, and that the Lord's power and presence was there among you: and it would be very well to visit the genera tion of the righteous, and to see how their seed and vines do grow in their heavenly. vineyards and plantations, and what heavenly riches they have laid up in store in God's kingdom; and to see how the wheat is gathered into God's garner; and that all keep in the worship that Christ set up in his Spirit and Truth; and that all walk in the new and living way, over all the dead ways in the world; and that all walk in the pure, undefiled religion, that keeps from the spots of the world; and to see that all are guided in the pure and gentle wisdom that is easy to be intreated, and in the love of God that can bear all things; by which all peevish, short, and brittle spirits may be kept down ; so that all may have their good conversation in Christ Jesus, all striving for unity in the Spirit, and the holy faith, that giveth and keepeth victory over the enemy; and so that all may have a care of their minds running into the earth and carnal things; "for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace;" and let all take heed of neglecting the gift of God, but stir up the pure mind one in another; and the Lord, with his eternal arm and power, preserve you diligent in his heavenly work and service in his vineyard, that it may not grow over with briars, thorns, and thistles, to choke the tender plants. And so my desires are, that you may live and walk in Christ Jesus, and that you may answer the truth in all the professors, and the heathen; and prize your liberty, both natural and spiritual, while you have it; and labour in the truth, while it is day. Remember me to all friends, as though I named them; and as for the state of friends here, we are under great sufferings, and spoiling of goods, and imprisonments; and they have of late increased in spoiling of our goods; but God is all-sufficient, who doth support us: glory to his Name for ever. So, with my love in Christ Jesus, to you all, in whom you have all eternal rest and peace with God. Amen. G. F. With my love to you all, and all other friends, I was glad to hear from you; but you gave me no account of the increase of Truth amongst you, nor what meetings you have had amongst the Indian kings and their people abroad in the countries, and of your visiting friends in New-England, Virginia, and Carolina, nor of your travels and labours in the Gospel; though you have, in all those countries, liberty to serve and. worship God, and preach the Truth. And I understand many have a desire to live in it, especially in Carolina; and you who travel now to visit friends in those provinces, it is thought strange that you do not visit them; [those people who were seeking the Truth.] Therefore I desire that you may all improve your gifts and talents, and not hide them in a napkin, lest they be taken from you; and not put your candle under a bushel, lest it go out; and not be like the foolish virgins, which kept their name of virgins, but neglected having oil in their lamps: such were not diligent in the work of God, nor in the concerns of the Lord, nor in their own particulars. And therefore my desires are, that you may all be diligent, serving the Lord and minding his glory, and the prosperity of his Truth, this little time you have to live; and be not, like Adam, in the earth, but use this world as though you did not use it; for they that covet after this world, fall into divers snares and hurtful lusts: and therefore consider, that you are but sojourners here, that you may pass your time in the fear of God; and you being many, and having many of the friends of the ministry, going over into those parts, you may be a hindrance one unto another, if you [confine your visits to : friends, and] do not travel in the life of the universal Truth, that would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the Truth and if you would have them come to the knowledge of Truth, let them know it, and where it is to be found. So I desire that you be valiant for it upon the earth, that you may give a good account unto God at the last with joy. I desire that all friends in the ministry may see this in Pennsylvania and New-Jersey. My love to you all in the holy Seed of life, that reigns over all. Amen. G. F. NUMBER CCCCVII. To Friends in Dantzick. Bednal-Green, 11th of 9th Month, 1685. Dear Friends, I am glad to hear of your welfare in the Lord and my desires are, that in the eternal power of God you may be valiant for his holy, pure Truth upon the earth, and his |