THis Morning being the 4 of the 2 Mo. in the year 1682. even by break of day, The sence of my Mercies, and thy Sorrows and Exercises, O Woman cloathed with the Sun, came so powerfully within me, [Page 2]that they kindled a Desire to salute thee, and thy tender Children on this wise, before I put off this my Earthly Tabernacle which in course of nature cannot be long.

But as I write, an inward kind of shame and dejectedness arises from the thought of my former unkindness to thee, and would as it were cloud the Light, and stop my Spirit, from this manifestation of my Love. Not that I ever openly persecuted thee in railing Words or violent Actions; No I may rather say, I was, as many now are, among the Number of thy more subtil and dangerous opposers, who under pretence of Gospel Or­dinances, Christs Commands, and Scripture Examples, do the more hurt, and grieve thy Spirit more than a profane Enemy. I verily thought in my young Zeal for God thirty years ago, that I might have done some things against thee: for I feared then, thy chief and Principal Members, were De­ceivers, I could not relish their Doctrine of beating swords into Plow shares, and Pikes into pruning Hooks, in that day. But I ob­tained mercy, because I disputed and argued Ignorantly against thee, being covered with that vail, which is this day over the Hearts of many in reading the Writings of Christ [Page 3]and his Apostles, as it was over the Hearts of many of old in reading Moses and the Pro­phets.

But the Lord thy God, glory to his name, hath rent much of the vail, and in mercy given mea sence of another kind of war-fare and other Weapons, which would the Beast-like Nature, and carnal Spirit incu­rably. Now I feel thy Wisdom, and my own Weakness, thy Wisdom, or rather the Wis­dom given thee from aboye is first pure, and can by no means defend or contend for any unjust or unholy thing, for profit, Honour, or affections sake. It is also peacable, loving and kind, even to its Enemies: not rendring Evil, for Evil; but Blessing for railings. O little flock! Thou art easy to be entreated. Some of thy own professed Friends know it to be true. How tender have I seen thee, in admonishing, intreating and reproving, when an airy, conceited, unruly Spirit, has entred them. O thou beloved of the Lord! Thou art beautiful within: And thy order is com­ly, wrought by the heavenly Wisdom, and not of Fragments and shreads of mans Inven­tion.

How do thy envious and subtile Adversa­ries fret and chafe to see thee travelling in good order, even as an Army with Ban­ners: Yea, there is a fear seizeth them to see thee walk wisely, 1 Sam. 18.15. Hence arise so many endeavours so many devises to disorder thy Camp, and so to weaken thy Hands in thy Spiritual Warfare. Sometimes profane high Spirits assault and carry away thy outward Substance, abuse thy Friends and Imprison them often unto Death. But when this roaring Lyon sees he cannot hurt thee, then he craftily transforms himself in­to an Angel of Light. And here I feel my Heart and Life concern'd for thy young and tender Babes, whose years in this World, as well as in Truth, have been but few. These are in greater danger than those of full Age, who by reason of use, have their sences ex­ercised to discern both good and evil, Heb. 5.14. These are soonest allured with fine Words, especially when spoken by such as call themselves the Christian Friends, and can be as bold as Hannaniah, Jer. 28.3. say­ing, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, when he saies no such matter, and under pretence of breaking the Yoke of Babilon, in a heat endeavour to break off the Yoke of Christ thy Husband.

Dear young Sons and Daughters of New Jerusalem, now coming down from God out of Heaven, having no need of Sun or Moon, for the Lord God is the Light there­of; keep to this Light and it will keep you within the walls of this holy City. I know there is a deceitful voice abroad, calling you out, while it bids you look within, promi­sing Liberty, it self being a Servant of cor­ruption; crying out against you Elder Bre­thren and Sisters sometimes as Babel Builders, it self being in my understanding but a Painted Virgin Daughter of Babilon, Isa. 47.1. And sometimes as Apostates, while it self is intro­ducing an Apostacy from the first Principles of Truth, seeking to limit the holy one of Israel under colour of keeping to that which first convinced you. It may not be unservi­cable to tell you my own experiences of Gods Love in this very particular. I had fell into the Snare, if the Lord had not stay'd me. Let high Spirits esteem it a reproach to acknow­ledge any weakness; There is great peace in doing it, Psal. 32.3. (Provided it be not done for any fear or favour of Man) but in a true sence of mercy in the deliverance.

When I first heard Some among us, of no mean gifts as I thought, and for whom I had [Page 6]more than common affection, cry out against Impositions, Innovations, and formalities I confess it made a great impression upon me, having an old fixed Zeal in me against all Persecution for Conscience sake. So the Testi­monies against Forms, (Persecution generally springing from dead Forms) was so taking and pleasant, that I did not in the least mi­strust, any such Snake as Anarchy lay hid un­der these flowers of Truth, wherefore in true affection to a true Christian Liberty I writ to some Friends, among whom I observed some things, that I mistrusted had a tendency to Imposition, and I worded it high with them to prevent all Appearances of that Evil. And though I can truly say this was the utmost of my Intention, yet some began to fear I was running into Separation and Confusion. But I was in peace mistrusting Nothing, till I felt a wrong Spirit catching at it, and about to make a further use of it, yea and applying in Print (unknown to me) some things a­gainst Friends, which I had writ against Po­pery, then I began to doubt some wrong thing was at work in me also, and that I was not well informed.

And then I began more narrowly to mind and observe the Spirits on both sides, and in [Page 7]the Light and Measure of Gods Wisdom given to me, to search to the Root of the Matter (laying aside personal charges and discharges) and was satisfied. So the Lord will by degrees enlighten and satisfie all whose hearts in Simplicity are singly bent to honour him, and will keep them from wandering either to the right hand or the left. The left hand Tryalls viz. Persecutions of open Enemies, to bring you back to weak disanull'd Forms and Elements, I do not much fear. The right hand Snares take most. These are laid by such as pretend to be in the right way, for God, for Christ, for Scripture, yea for the Doctrin of our Day, The Light within. And here the Enemy of your Peace and Ʋnity has crept in, under a specious pretence against Forms, Orders and Impositions to divide and lay wast, by opposing good Order and Govern­ment. But dear Friends, know there was ne­ver any gathering of People though into the Power of Godliness, but they had also a form or Order, though many have had the form without the Power. It's true, the form to the Power may be valued but as the shell to the Kernell: Yet we know the shell is servicable in its place, and therefore not to be neglected or spoiled. The leaves of the tree of life have a service, though not so much as the fruit.

Stand fast therefore in the living Power and form of Godliness which you are already convinced of. And if any thing as yet be hid from you, the Lord in due time will reveal it, if you keep Faithful, quiet, meek, and tender under your own. Do nothing in bare Imitation, I know it will hardly stand a Tryal for a little profit, much less a Fiery Tryal. Wait to feel a real service for God in what you do. There is no insignificant needless things in the house of God; though some things may seem to be so at the first Veiw to many as they did to me.

Hence arises the great cry against Innovati­ons, that is, making new orders, forms, and changes. But though the design in this Cry is to reproach Truth: Yet Wisdom ever was and will be justified of her Children. They know that the Spirit of the Lord may now as well as formerly make Circumstances of Order and Government, suitable to the pre­sent Occasions and Services of Truth. And Submision to these things, cannot properly be called Submisions to men (there lies the Com­mon mistake) but to the Spirit of the Lord in them. And this is Christs Spiritual Govern­ment or Government by his Spirit over the Spi­rits of his People. Here is no ruling by out­ward [Page 9] force and violence, but by an inward power and Authority which the Lord gives to some according to his own Will, as it is written, some to be Apostles, some Prophets, some Teachers, some helps and Governments, (Helpers in Governing) and all for edifying the Body of Christ, Eph. 4.12. 1 Cor. 12. Were this Government well understood, all would be contented in their Places the Lord hath set them, in all whisperings and evil sur­misings would cease. There would be an universal bearing one anothers Burdens, and so fulfilling the Law of Christ.

Little Children it arises in me to remind you of what is written 1 John. 2.19. That such as go from us, are not off us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us. I can never believe such have a right Spirit renewed within them, that prefer not Jerusalem above their chief Joy Psal. 137.6. If they had had but any true sence of the publique Scandals of open Enemies of the private mournings and heart­breaking Sorrows of their dear tender Friends, of the stumbling Block in the way of Friends, sober inquiring People, all which certainly follows and fallsheavv upon Seperation, they durst never have acted and Printed what I [Page 10]have read. Away with all Pretenders to Truth, that are not tender of its Honor.

But what is the Substance (if any of you should inquire) of all these Ont-cries and Com­plaints? In short, men are exalted and wo­men are exalted. In true Love I desire every such Complainers to search narrowly in­to himself to see if there be nothing in him that thinks it self not high enough esteemed, and therefore pecks at others. Surely no Professor of our blessed self denying Principle dare like Herostrotus, fire a Temple to get a Name. Yet formerly I as little thought such as threw down Lordly power, would have made themselves Lords, as some now will be men of War, who in derision call others G. F's men of War. But how are men and wo­men exalted? By meeting apart: By having General Meetings, to look to the well ordering of things among particular Meetings; What hurt can be in all this. As to the first, con­sider which Women are most exalted, and as it were eclipse the Head-ship of the man; Whether those that desire to sit, and are tak­en in to sit in equal power and freedom to speak and act, Pro and Con, among the men in all Businesses; Or those Women, who meet by themselves, ordering all matters a­mong [Page 11]themselves, suitable and proper for them, according to the Wisdom of God giv­en to them, and all in Submision to and with the consent and unity of the mens Meetings. Methinks this very Consideration is enough to satisfie any rational impartial Man. And as to the General Meeting, What Evil has it done? Nay have not Friends generally had great both Spiritual and Temporal Advantages thereby Pure Reason and Scripture teach, that the more Counsel, the greater safety; even as the more Lights gathered together make the greater Light. I know no visible thing not liable to corruption; but methinks they that disliked this order, at first should and would if they had been of a right Spirit have kept their place, and proposed another more servicable to Truth, and less liable to be taint­ed, and then no doubt others would have felt unity with them: But it plainly argues a Contentious Spirit to find fault with what it cannot mend.

I know the matters pretended to be in Con­troversy, relating to Order, are but as mint and Cummin if compared to the great and weighty Concerns of Truth, which ought especially to be done, yet the other not to be left undone.

In Math. 23.23. Judgment, Mercy and Faith are recorded for the weighty things of the law, Now put these to tryal. How can he say he is for Judgment that dispises the Judgment of his Brethren assembled in the Power and Wisdom of God to give it? How is he for mercy, that for a thing indifferent (according to his own Opinion) will Sacri­fice Truth it self, and expose all its Friends to the rage of an Ignorant violent Enemy? What Faith is that which would live in a latitude to temporize with all; to have more names than the Fathers written upon its Fore-head? Pure Nature will not suffer any Vine to bring forth the Fruit or Leaf of a Bramble. O the great abuse this day of that precious Privi­ledge, Liberty of Conscience! How many of an evil Conscience, will talk fluently for its Liberty? How many strain it for advantage as if they would have it signifie, to be of any Religion, and therefore are fierce against any visible Gesture or Form, that may distin­guish them from others, crying out, Imposi­tion, Formality, Ceremony, Human Inventi­ons, mans Orders, &c.

In tender Love I desire some would but Consider, how short they fall of the Judg­ment and Reason of men of more inferiour [Page 13]Principles, than what they pretend to. Hear what the Author of A seasonable Discourse against Popery, saies, Printed by H. Broom, page 35. What conversation can there be with these men (speaking of the Jusuits) who are under no obligations of Society, no Character of notice or distinction, who at the same time are Priests and Hectors, Casuists and Artificers, Presbyters, Ana-baptists, Quakers, (and why not Episcopalians too) Theists, Atheists, and amidst all these very good Catholicks. Let any sober man, saies he, judge what kind of Reli­gion this is in it self, and how fit to be encouraged and submitted to.—

Thus dear young Friends, you may see how this kind of liberty is condemned by rational men, as unfit for Society among them, much more among you. Lord God of purity, Peace and Heavenly Order pre­serve you, that we may all strive together, and not assunder for the Faith and sound form of the Gospel, Phil. 1.27.

If now any of you should desire to know what I understand by that liberty of Consci­ence, which many, and I among them, have so zealously contended and deeply suffer­ed for. Know in brief, That it is a Liberty for every man to try all things, as the Apo­stle exhorteh; yet not to be alwayes trying, and never satisfied; but when he has tryed [Page 14]all, then to hold fast that which in his Con­science he finds best, without being compel­led by any outward force or punishment to joyn or worship with any others. And so likewise, that every body, Society, or Con­gregation of People have the same freedom of their several religious worships and exer­cises without persecuting one another; all living in obedience to the Civil Laws, that is such as tend to the welfare of outward Con­cerns. And this is the true just liberty; and not a liberty for Members of the same Body or Society to differ from each other, in things which destroy their Character and Government among them. But seeing I am speak­ing of liberty let me mind you of two things more. First of a plea I often meet with, that there are good men and bad of all Religi­ons. And so by consequence secretly insi­nuating they are all alike: But I hope you easily perceive the Serpents Poli [...]y in argu­ing thus for all Religions, that it is to make Peoples Consciences pliable to any Religion that may come uppermost, or rather indeed to be of no Religion, that so they may shun all sufferings upon Religious Accounts.

Secondly, of a Spirit which thinks to justify its liberty by quoting your ancient Friends, as Paul did the Athenian Poets for their Au­thors. Acts 17.28.

But as the case is different, so I trust the effect will be; for Paul quoted the Poets for a right end and prevailed with some: But these, how can they expect to turn you to that which the Author they quote yet living testifies is not the sence of his words, nor the intent of his mind to have you turned unto. To put a wrong Interpretation upon any mans writings, is a very bad sort of Imposition.

Hold fast the profession of your Faith and form of sound words, 2 Tim. 1.13. which you have received in the faith and Love of Christ Jesus; from which some turn away: Of whom are Phygellus's that is, such as shun the eye or oversight of their Brethren, and Hermogenes's, that is, such as are born of humane Wisdom, 2 Tim. 1.15. Mark what a weighty signification is in these very names, left upon Record for the Churches.

And as for the deceased Friends some in­stance, one of them viz. Isaac Pennington I had often conference with. I have some­times objected his own sayings, yea and read [...]hem over face to face in great affection to vindicate such a Liberty which I then verily [...]hought might consist with Good order. But I must do him right, I never heard him [Page 16]consent or give any Countenance, but rather a kind of Indignation would arise against my sence of his words, which was the same as some now put upon them. But their actions now make it manifest, they drive at another end then I intended. And I verely believe he felt my Innocency, as some others have done even in my opposing them: for he did not cease coming to me when oppor­tunity served, and when we met, and talk­ed of these differences, his labour still was, that I would lay aside that Wisdom and Reasoning which run me upon those exposi­tions.

I well remember the very place, where once as we were walking and discoursing a­bout Dissenters, I fell to pleading for a mo­deration and compliance with them upon this consideration, that I looked upon them, and the others to be all as Schollars in Christs School; only some werein a higher and others in a lower Class or form. But this Com­parison he could not relish, his very Coun­tenance changed at it; and to this purpose he answered, That the difference was far otherwise, and that there was a Spirit quite contrary to Truth subtily working under their pretences; but a tenderness and bowels [Page 17]of love and compasion was in him towards the innocent among them.

And I say the Truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness (Glory to thy name O Lord) that I have great heavi­ness and inward sorrow for my loving Friends stil under the like mistake as I was, who yet see not the tendency of the dividing Spirits fine devices. And when I consider what sweet comfort and Spiritual Refreshment we have had together in the service of the Lord; O that life (not death Psal. 55.15.) may seize upon them, saith my soul: that they may walk in the footsteps of Christs little flock, and feed their Kids by his shep­hards tents! For why should ye be (O dear Friends) as those that are vailed, turning aside from the flocks of his Companions? Let all thy Children (O God of Peace and love) dayly more and more witness, how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity: And how fitly its compared to the precious Ointment upon Aarons head, that ran down to the very skirts of his Gar­ment, viz. to every member of the body: And to the dew of Hermon, that descended to all the mountains of Sion, viz the Meet­ings of Christ, for there the Lord command­ed [Page 18](and doth command) the blessing, even Life for ever, Psal. 133.

So, tender hearted Friends, feel the sin­cerity of my Life in this Salutation, Despise not my Spiritual youth, its fresh with unfeign­ed love (praises to the Lord) and I trust will ever be so, for a Spiritual Unity, with­out which Truth will not grow. My earthly Tabernacle declines apace, and ha­stens to its center, but my love to Gods heavenly Building (blessed be his Name) by his power is enlarged; and my Spirit rejoyc­eth in feeling a Remnant zealous for it, and unanimous in promoting it through all oppo­sitions.

I have seen the fruit of Discord among other Gatherings, and what hurt the Spirit of Di­otrephes has done among them: keep upon your watch, little flock, hold up your hearts and stand in the unity of the heavenly life and Amaleck can never prevail. No Weapon formed against you shall prosper; And every thing that would be exalted over you, shall fall: But you that are willing and obedient, even you who in Gods holy Order, are equally willing to obey or to rule, to rule or to obey as he pleaseth to dispose of you, [Page 19]shall eat the good things of his heavenly Land.

So with this I shall conclude desiring you dear young Friends to beware of running too fast; its a great and common temptation in youth. A strong Confidence may spring from the heat of your affection and may press you on to many things, yea even to publique Testimony, beyond your true Mea­fure of Life. I have known and felt this to be true, and have deeply suffered for it. Peter him­self Fell under such a like Confidence, and was convinced, that it was a wrong zeal which made him say, Though all should be offend­ed, yet would not he, Math 26.33. But he would say so no more, when Christ tried him with a question directly to that purpose, John. 21.15.

But I can tell you by experience how you may know when any motion is beyond your Measure. You will certainly feel (as when your bodyes are strain'd beyond their natural strength) a weakness and flatness, or as it were, a damp, fear or fainting will fall upon your Spirits afterwards; especially if by any Friend opposed: But the true Birth and life brings with it, an inward Evidence [Page 20]of peace and acceptance with the Lord, and feeling the inward Recompence of reward (not expecting any thing from Man) is bold in speaking or acting what it certainly knows to be just and true; and having so done, is bold and valiant under all opposition against it.

So the God of love, keep you all faithful to your Measure, and diligent in your place; all performing your Duties to each other in true humility and tenderness according to Scripture: So shall the Mountain of the Lords house be established over of all Mountains, (all Gatherings) and all Nations shall flow unto it, Isay. 2.2.

To thy Name, blessed powerful God of Glory, who hast redeemed us from the Iron furnace, from the Law of sin and Death, who art now purifying and gathering to thy self a peculiar People to sit together in heaven­ly places in Christ Jesus, be all the pure thanksgivings and holy praises returned for all thy mercies and savours for Evermore.

One thing more arises, let not this come into the hands of such whom you feel sinn­ing wilfully after they have received the [Page 21]knowledge of Truth, who, like Sanballet and Tobias, not only scoff at Gods Building, but also do their utmost to hinder it. These will turn again and rent both this and you. But of some in tenderness scrupling have compassion, making a difference. And if this should happen to come to the Eyes of any of my old Friends and Brethren under former Dispensations (for whom I can tru­ly and heartily say I have as much, yea ra­ther more love then ever) who perhaps may look somewhat discontentedly upon it, as a fruit of Apostacy from what we formerly believed were Gods Ordinances and Appoint­ments; let me desire them to consider how they will answer an Episcopal man if he charge them with Apostacy from their Church, which they verily believe is establish­ed upon as plain Scripture proof, as they be­lieve theirs is. And let them further con­sider, whether they themselves are of the same Judgment in all things as they were trained up in.

I have often feared, That the very thoughts of being upbraided with Wavering, Changing, Instability or the like, is a strong Snare to hold many in Bondage under weak and unprofitable forms and Elements. I [Page 22]wish it have no influence upon Some now standing in opposition to better Things.

I grant, that to be tossed too and fro (as many were in former quick National Turns from Popery to Protestancy and back again to Popery) is shamefully childish: But to press forward, and come to clearer mani­festations of Christ the Light, as the Lord brings them forth by his Power in every age, is every mans Duty: And if therein he walk faithfully according to his Measure, patient­ly bearing his cross, he shall receive the Crown of eternal Life. Finally, Brethren, whatso­ever Things are True, whatsoever things are Donest, whatsoever things are Iust, whatso­ever things are Pure, whatsoever things are Lovly, whatsoever things are of Good Re­port; if there be any Vertue, if there be any Praise, think on these things.