IN the living truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, doth the bowels of my unsained love, salute thee in the unseparable life, doth my dearest love reach unto thee in the unchangeable life of holi­ness, where we cannot forget each other; dear heart my life is often powred out before the Lord in consideration of thee my dear love, the Lord thy God who hath seperated the from thy Mothers womb, and hath in measure brought thee to be of the womb of eternity; where thou mayest feel the invisible sence of Gods eternal love towards thee and thy Dear Children, and he cannot forget his own that is without question. Canst thou forget the Children of thy Womb? its possible thou may, but the Lord cannot forget his Children whom he hath called to for­sake all and follow him; his dayly blessings cannot but attend such every day that comes over their heads. Dear love, My life is with thee in the Lords presence, but my Body is at Aberdeen at this present with the. My good Friends, where I feel their care is over me, and my companion that walks with me, Oh pray that we may walk worthy, or else all is in vain! O we have need to be watchful against that old nature that would be ready to leaven into the old lump again! and reckon that Gods Truth may be holden there; but it is not so, our God is of purer eyes then to behold iniquity, it is the old man must be put off, and Christ Jesus the new man must be put on which followeth after Righteousness. And this is that alone that seasons our hearts with grace, and preserves our minds in his fear and in his true love we are kept; which loves one another and thinks no evil but bears one another in love, exhorts one another in love, and ga­thers into unity one with another, that the Devil cannot get any power to hurt or scatter us from God nor one from another, and in this are we known to be of God, if we love one another: that [Page 33]so God who for Christs sake hath shewed his love unto you, may be glorified and honoured by you. And thus much at present I feel to write unto you, even the Lord Love that is large unto us, that our dayly prayers may be to be kept in it to his glory and praise for ever; my dear Wife, thou knowst my love is dear unto Friends, thou must let it be so remembred unto all our Meeting; Dear Wife, I say little of my return as yet, but the Lords will be done, that is my whole desire; for I am many miles from the end of my Journey, whether I hope I shall attain unto in Gods time: I am not hasty but rather desires to be of use or service amongst Friends as I go. For this first day I hope to be at Allan, at a meeting where many hath of late as they say have a desire to hear, it is about twelve miles beyond Aberdeen; on the third day after a meeting of Friends at another place, and then on my journey as God makes way and, in the mean time think it not long, but solace thy self in the singleness of heart with the Lord, who will ever be as an Husband unto thee, and to my Children as a Father; and inperfect sense of the same, and in dear love with thee and all men living upon Earth. I take leave with thee, and rest and remain thine in the Lord while I am

I Can write some encouraging lines unto thee, whereby I hope to the Lord that sent me away from thee, that by his powerful assistance I may see thee again ere it be long; for the Lord hath pleased to set me as free from the North end of Scotland to come home again to thee and my Children, as he did set me free from you to God, and did visit his seed in that remote part of the Earth, and the Isles thereabout: where his witness lies slain in ma­ny, though not wholly dead in others though in great bondage; but the Lords power is the same there as it was with us at the be­ginning; and he is able to raise up even those that are dead, and bring to life those that are staggering: and release his own out of [Page 34]Captivity though it may seem to be through many straits, and difficulties, his arm is not shortned, and it must be stretched forth to his own praise. Dear Wife, it is fourteen years since a Friend was here amongst this people, and as I said unto thee, it was the very day and time for me to go, as thou knowst I said unto thee before I left thee. I could not deferr the time any longer, for this was the very year and time, and I was the man that was to go; and so dear Wife having accomplished my end in the name of God, I can return in great peace, for at this present I feel no other; for my end in all things is Gods Glory and my Souls Peace, as thou knows right well, I have never sought my self in those things, and so as I saw afore hand hath much come to pass, for my part­ner as I said to thee when I spoke through Faith was such a one as feared not the face of any man that did appear against God, and we have sound of all sorts, but the Lords blessed truth was set over all heads, and all Priests and people: we need not much to re­late that now. And I have been pretty well preserved in Health on­ly a little in the Isle of Stromy I was aguish a little, but I kept over it as well as I could, and mended again in three or four dayes. I have thought often, O that I had but one word how thou were and my Children! but I see not how that can be, and therefore I can wish in pationce, hoping all is well. Dear Wife, I have written to thee since I came from home six times before this, whether thou have received them or not; the last was from A­berdeen six weeks before this, but I can say little of writing more before I come, though it may be a month or more yet, or I can get home if all be well: but as to that I leave it to the Lord, thou mayst be glad that the Lord hath preserved us amongst the unto­ward Generation, and set us safe again amongst them that be­lieve.

I hear that dear G. F. is come again into England, my heart is glad of the happy return; let my dear love be minded to all Friends in General of all meetings round about as thou lights with any of them, thou must not expect my coming hastily or I cannot travel hard, but I am very well both as to bo­dy and mind, if any write to London let me be minded to our Friends that went to London, so with my love that never chang­eth I rest

To the Judges of the Assise at Lancaster.

JUdge or Judges I desire them or you to read this little Note, and then consider the poor mans state, that suffers for the Lord God eternal, and his holy Truth, as it is in Jesus, and dare not disobey his Comands manifestest in his heart, that he may do them wheresoever he be, and obey his sayings, who saith, Swear not at all, but let your yea be yea, and your nay nay, whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil, and the same Christ commands to do the truth, and to speak the truth from my heart wheresoever I be, in all places and at all times, in the which I desire that I may be kept faithful to the end, that I may live in peace with my eternal God of Heaven and of Earth, and follow peace with all men, that be upon the face of the whole Earth, for the Lord God hath called me to peace, and out of wars and strife; Although in the year 1648. I was in wars for the King, and did remain with faithfulness unto the end, till we were not a Party able to stand any longer, and took leave of my Captain, who did bid me shift for my self, which was but sorrowful to me, and that night was I taken Prisoner, and stript to the [Page 40]Shirt from my back, and that Night had like to been starved to death, and afterwards sed in Prison with a penny a day, and shamefully used in Prison, and had not left to my back, that any would have given me a peny for, and much more then this did I suffer for the Kings service, which I might have escaped all them, if I would have taken up Arms with the other Party then; and have betrayed my friend, which thing my heart stood against, and truly friends I must relate much concerning my sufferings, with a heavy heart, because of so little regard that was taken of me, and my poor coming home, nor never gave me a penny pay to this day, neverheless I freely wish that you and all men knew the reality and truth of my heart to the King and all his true Subjects much more might I write but would not be tedious in writing very much; I am a poor man and hath a small Family whose mentenance depends only on my labours, by which I did mentain them well, but now I cannot because I am here in Pri­son for my Conscience sake, because I cannot swear but stands in obedi­ance to Christs Commands, my Allegiance to the King stands in Faith­fullness and truth, which I hope I shall reman into the end, so I desire that I might have free liberty to live at home and Labour for my Family.

One to the Justices and Magistrates.

FRiends, Friends that be in Authority a few words from a Pri­soner of yours, Christ saith Swear not all, this is Christs Com­mand, Swear not at all, and they that loves me keeps my say­ings, saith Christ (marke) and be not offended at any of his Servants which keeps his saying, and cannot swear at all, but lets their comuni­cation be yea, yea, nay, nay, for what as is more cometh of evil as saith Christ, Matt. 5. Truely friends my heart is turned towards God with many more of my brethern in this the day of our God, and we cannot Swear at all for we have learned obediance unto his Do­ctrin and therefore we are willing to keep his sayings, whatever we suffer by man for friends consider I shall put my case with the rest of my brethrens who be of the same Faith, to your own selves to judge: Christ he saith Swear not at all, & you say you must Swear, so whether it be better to obey God or man Judge ye, likewise the Apostle James saith to his brethren above all things my breathren Swear not at all least you sall into Condemnation Jam. 5, but you say Swear [Page 41]or else you shall go to Prison, consider this friends and Judge Chari­tably, whether is to be obeyed now if sufferings must be, we these to suffer for Christ sayings rather then for much sayings, for if we do not Swear we must fall into Prison, and if we do Swear we are sure to fall into Condemnation (marke that), but it is better for us to obey God then man man so we cannot Swear at all whatever we suffer, I hope we shall not break our peace with God for pleasing men, for we know the Lords care is over them that fear him and he will visit for these things; So take heed how you cause us to suffer, for not swearing counting it a breach of your Law, for us to keep Christ own sayings, that is offended in any of you to see us wear our own hats on our heads, and to here us speak Gods truth plainly from our hearts, without swearing, was ever any of Gods people offended at these things, or caused any to suffer for not swearing, consider friends and take heed how you oppress tender Consciences and cast into Prison them that cannot Swear for Conscience sake, and lets Swearers have their Liberty; for I am one willing to suffer for not swearing rather then to deny Christ, because I love and obey the Lord Jesus Christ which saith Swear not at all.

One to Justice Fleming of Rydale.

OH Justice Fleming that ever this report should be sounded in our Ears, that within thy Libertys such spoyling should be amongst thy Nighbours, we never had the like in our Parish, nor never expected that our own Justice should have made such work, as set men of spoyling true mens goods; who them­selves dare not spoyle nor do any hurt to any man upon the face of of the whole Earth, because of their Conscience towards the God of Heaven, which is appeared in these latter days, and is come and hath taken up his aboad with them and keeps them unto himself, out of all spoyling again when they are spoyled of their Cloaths & of Horses and their goods which they had honestly gotten by their hard labour and industry and hath learned to live peaceably amongst their Neighbours, and a godly life in Christ Jesus who saith learn of me; but not to spoyle true mens goods, who for Conscience sake cannot Swear nor break of their, godly Meetings which God hath set up and not man; therefore consider and call in the spoylers from [Page 42]spoyling of true men thy Neighbours, who have none in the Earth to plead their cause but gives themselves up to God, and all they have to suffer for his sake, having received the earnest of the Spirit, and the assurance of etern I life from which they never intend to fly, for all that ever mortal man can do unto them in this case, for it is in matter of holy worship to our God which all the spoylers in the world is out of, and all ungodly men an truths gainsayers which be in these latter days and though many Fools and Bablers that is applauded in these latter days for their fooliry and their fordness Jaging and wag­ing in the streats like fools in a play, the Lord hates such who fears not him that hath made them, but walks in wickedness making a mock at sin, and sporting themselves against the Lord and them that fear his name; of which sort I am one and am not ashamed to con­fess his name among men though it be to my great loss, and hinder­ance in this world, as all my neighbours can tell and my wife and little children knows the want of me, as thine may do of thee in time for ought I know, which I do not desire more then I desire my own should want me, but if thou knew what it were I believe thou would not be so hard hearted and my friend Willam Grave is lying at the point of Death and this day one Prioner is lying dead and its a won­der and a mercy of God I am not so to, and many more of us you have casten into Prison, and not one of you that comes to visit us, but we may rather think you wish us all dead, as thy brother Willam did babling below a man and much more a Captain, and thy Cozen Will. Kirby reported the night you had done that wicked act of casting us all into Prison, that you had, had an honourable Bench, and that thou was such a man as was not in many parts (and your whole ser­vice had almost been taken up about the Quakers) and you had hall'd the Fox and stayed his Hambrough Quaker from traveling, or the like words to that purpose, which is below a man or man-hood to vant of Casting men into Prison, it irkes my heart that ever men should be so Foolish, as to do as you have done with us, in sending us as thou sent us, and its thought caused the death of two and the sick­ness of others, it make the Country cry out shame, shame, and in­deed it vexes me that my Country man should loose his honor in be­ing so, hard against poor Quakers as many calls us and had gained it so in other things, as I have heard thy name honoured among men where I have been both for carrage and understanding so Justice Flem­ing consider and let men of tender Consciences have their liberty as others doth in other places, and be not so hard of the Lords people Even who are engaiged to meet together fearing the Lord, as saith [Page 43]the Scriptures they that seared the Lord met often together and spake often one unto another, and the Lord harkered and heard, it and a book of rememberance was written for them that feared the Lord, and thought upon his name, as we are Witnesses of is those days, (though we be hated of men not knowing the Scriptures) and as we have believed Christ and the Scriptures so do we keep his commands, who saith he that loves me keeps my sayings, who saith Swear not at all, and in obediance to this very thing we stand, who suffers here in Lancaster Castle because we cannot Swear nor break the Commands of Christ; which if we should it were a shame to us, and below our honour and Scollarship which we have learned in Christ that never Swear, and so taught his Disciple who sufferred for his Doctrin in their days, as we do more in our days, with much Joy of heart that we are counted worthy to suffer for his sake and bear our Testimony to all the world, that God is true and every man a lyer who doth not truth, and so remaines in his sins which truth sets free from, and so we trample upon those things which is below; if we bear our Testo­mony unto death, as some of our friends and brethren have already done in these nasty holes and stinking Prisons, where men may easily get their death; I could gladly find to be with thee that we might reason together upon the things of which so greatly doth concern our everlasting peace and honour in the Lord, which is far above all the honour in this world in my Eye, it is above the hat and knee, which men may throw in the mire and where lyes it then; but that honour which is from above is placed in the heart, and is there to re­maine for ever; and if it were about other things as matters con­cerning the Kings service I could relate unto thee my sufferings to be great, as to me, and none of you took care for me then: I might then do as I could for you; and I have sufferred since in Clivers days for that service, and I was in Prison for my Conscience sake at Carlile and that unjustly too, what is it I am born to do to suffer still and that unjustly too both then for the King, and now by his friends and ne­ver had as much as a penny pay to this day, cannot that I believe was was Casten and gathered in their days for me, as Edward Benson of Hyclose & John Midlefel of Langdale knew them: but the times turn­ed so their minds turned, and kept what they had for ought I know, and little regarded my Imprisonment and poor coming home which made me think it of my self, being so poor; and knew not how to mend it when others mockt at me and I might have gotten away as they did which shewed their Lovalty to the King to be but small, when mine was made manifest, so I think it were little enough if I [Page 44]had my pay now to help mee in Prison, and I hope pity will now in thy heart towards towards my Wife and little Children, that they may not want or else what Charity lives with thee, so its for my Re­ligion that I suffer here, which I love to reason for with Ministers or Magistrates or any men that fears God of Heaven, and loves the Serip­tures which is useful to desid. Controversies about Religion, and this is the thing that is settled in my heart, and my desire is that I may labour in the fear of the Lord and not be chargable to any man, and live a Godly life, and lay open wickedness and deceipt to the view of the whole world, as the eternal God move it in my heart, unto whom I stand in obediance, and dare not swear at all; Thy friend and Neighbour Willam Wilson and a lover of thy souls and everlasting peace, and if I could Swear I should take that Oath as soon as any that you set much by.

Lancaster Castle the 9th of the 12th Month, 1663.

A Letter to Edward Stanley of Dalegarth in Eshdale.

EDward Stanley I desire the read this paper over to the end with patience if thou canst.

E. S. thy ungodly deeds shews thee forth to be an ill example amongst thy Neighbours, and they that fears not God learns at thee, and loves thy evil deed, and thy ungodly ways is a strength to to those that fears not God, but with thy self would not have God nor good men to live among you, but strives with strength and cruelty to shut the Contry of them, that fears the Lord and worships his most holy name, which ungodly men and cursed Swearers is not fit to name, the Lord remembers all thy doings that thou hast done a­gainst his people that fears his name and he will not forgit thy cruel doings that thou did unto John Gunson his wife and little Children and James Stanton and his Innocent life in which he lives unto God and darest not be offenced in Christ for all the world, if thy weight had been ten times greater then that thou hast already laid on him, he hath so truly learned Christ; Oh the Lowing of John Gunsons Beasts when he caused their Ears to be cut off, shall rise up in Judg­ment against thee, and the harmless Sheep thou took from James Stan­ton, shall plead his innocent cause and condemn the to thy face, and every Fleece of Wool thou took from him, shall cry out against thee, and all their goods thou so evilly got shall do thee nor thine no good, [Page 45]and they shall live and praise the Lord, when thou shall fear and shame to hear of thy ungodly deeds, the very name of God shall fear thy Soul, and good men thou shall shun, and Hills and Mountains shall thee fly; O whether wilt thou run, we are not a­fraid to Worship God, his Truth will bear us out, it is no other thing we suffer for, and therefore we are stout, and doth not fear the loss of all that ever we possess, the Lord will plead our harmless cause, and will deliver us;

The Poor mans name is Nicholas Tyson, I belive thou hast nothing against him but for his worship to God, and God is without respect of persons, for whosoever feareth him and works righteousness, is accepted of him, and he will remember all those things that is done against those harmless people, and will clear their cause, and their oppressors shall not go free; for they are written where they can never be blotted out by the power and cunning sleights of men; and it grieves many good mens hearts, that ever such unreasonable men should bear the name of Christians, that work such wicked works for ungodly gain, and use the Kings name for a cover: wick­edly didst thou work, and evil will be the end of it, if thou look not to it in time, the Lords decree is gone out against injustice and un­godly deeds that's done against his People, that he hath promised to preserve, and deliver out of all their troubles, though they suffer for the tryal of their Faith, therefore Repent for thou must come to Judgment and an account must thou give, and how canst thou ap­pear before the Lord in those things, that makes thee shame before [Page 46]men, the world crys out of thee and saith it will never be forgotten, it deserves to be posted up in the Markets and Steplehouses, when seven years is come and gone, the Lord abhors thy doings, it stinks in his Nostrils, but the poor innocent sufferers is a sweet smell in his sight, this is in love to thy Soul, that thou mayst remember thy evil deeds done and past, that thou mayst learn Repentance in due time, before it be too late, for the Lord wills not the death of a Sinner, but rather that he would turn from his wickedness and live; Thy friend and lover of thy Soul, Willam Wilson.

Written in the 9th Month 1664. with my own hand.

A Letter to John Ambrose Priest of Gaissiner in the County of West­moreland.

JO. Ambrose wilt thou remember thy Prisoner, that thou hast in Prison for the Lords cause, and not for any due debt I owe thee, for if thou wert a Minister of Christ thou would ask me none, and as thou art not a Minister of Christ I owe thee none, therefore let me forth of Prison, that I may go at liberty and do my service, as its required at my hand, or else let it fall on thy own neck, and then it will be to heavy for the to bear, yea, and all that will take thy part. This I write unto thee, that I may let thee know that thou hast the Lords Servant in thy hand, (and will not let me go,) for not paying thee Wages that doth me no service nor work, but the first work thou doth to me is sending me to Prison, a work we never read of in all the Scriptures, that all the men of God that ever we read on did cast men into Prison for their Bellys, but if thou wilt not let me out do as thou will, and let the Lord do as he will, for I am well content; but I must remember thee of the evil work which thou has done, in casting me into Prison from my Wife and Childred, but the Lord will Plead my cause and set me at liberty; when thou and all unrighteousness shall be made fast for ever, therefore remember what I have told thee, and do good while thou may, for thy time will spend and thy Repentance prove too late, let me not lye here while thou is feeding and feasting thy self, but remember the Wid­dow and Fatherless, as it were Fatherless Children thou hast made by casting me into Prison from them, and will not let them have their right the Lord allows them, this must stand upon thy head thou unrighteous man, if thou wilt not let me go as the Lord [Page 47]requires it of thee, for he hath more for me to do then thou knows on, therefore say not but thou art warned from the Lord before thy evil day come upon thee, which will overtake thee as a Theif in the Night, and come upon thee as an armed man, when there is none to deliver thee; so send thy Letter to fetch me forth if thou will, if thou wilt not, do even as thou will, So I leave thee,

JO. Amborse I am here in Prison upon thy account for about six pence or seven pence by the year, which I should never have refused to pay to thee if I were convinced that thou were one of Christs Ministers, but as I am perswaded that thou art not, I rather choose to suffer for the non payment of it, then to pay it contrary to that of God in mine own Conscience; thou had better have taken a Cow or a Horse form my Wife and Childred, then have cast me in­to Prison from them, the Lord will hear their cry of Oppression, more for want of me, then for the want of either Cow or Horse, and I would wish thee for the good of thy own Soul to let me out again, that I may work for my Living, and it will be more honour to thee a­mong men, and less condemnation before the Lord, if thou have any respect either to old or young, Wife or Children, hear their cry for want of me their Father, which if thou will not, I doubt not but the Lord will hear their cry, and deliver when thou canst not resist, and in the undaunted Spirit of God I can rest and wait with much pa­tience, who am thy friend and lover, though I have a little tasted of thy Envy, yet I desire the welfare of thy Soul, if possible the Lord may grant it.

Here follows two short Letters to John Kirby, in the behalf of two friends imprisoned by him for Tyths.

JO. Kirby I can do no less then let thee know that we remember these two friends of ours, which thou ungodlyly hast cast into Prison for non payment of Tyths, and not only we the friends of the Lord, but even the Lord himself doth remember them, with many more of his dear Children, who suffers for the same Holy Testi­mony, for whose sakes the Lord of Glory will plead with their [Page 48]Adversarys by Fire and Sword, the Lord hath spoken it by me, and that thou is one of them that the Lord will plead with for the sakes of his Servants George Benson and Richard VValker, their wives and little Children who is dayly mourning for the loss of their natural fathers, whom the Lord of life and Glory is as Subject to hear as they are to mourn, and hast said; Ah, ah, I will ease me of mine Adversarys I will be avenged of mine oppressors, I will be known that I am the Lord notwithstanding my Enemies who promise themselves ease and peace when they have done the Devils work by casting into Prison, as it is said the Devil shall cast some of you into Prison, but the Lord remembers these things and will not forget his Servants whom he hath chosen to place his name among, who stands faithful unto him them will he deliver one way or other, we need not look how the Lord knows what way makes most for his Glory, as I remember the death of Oliver Atherton that sweet Martyr for the Lord in bearing the same Testimony who the same night before he dyed, sang praises to the Lord in a most heavenly manner as many Witnesses can testifie, because he suffered this lingering Marterdom for the Lord of Glory who ended the tenth, and redeemed him out of the ninth, as it is written in the declaration of his death that was set upon his Corps, as he was carryed home to his family to be buryed, as the Countess of Darby could witness who was his great Aversary and Prosecuter into Prison, who dyed her self about six weeks after and then all the rest were released as by the providence of the Lord whom they suffered for: And then they who we made as Wid­dows and fatherless, for a time were eased of their sufferings, as these who are now as poor Widows & fatherless Children may die in due Season (as the Lord sees good) whom thou hast made through thy Jewish custom of taking tenths, though in that day it was lawful for the Jews yet I never read in Scriptures that they sued at Law for them as thou doest, nor received them for that end as thou doest, nor made Widdows nor fatherless Children as thou dost nor lay'd men in Prison for them as thou doth; nor when one Law would not serve went to another as thou hast done, nor never gave Goalers strict charge over them as some of you have done, but the Lord will re­venge for these things, to whom we leave it for I will repay it saith the Lord and this was I moved to write by the God of my life unto thee or whom it may concern in the behalf of my brethren and their wives and little Children, who cannot do as much for themselves, that thou may consider their cases, who suffers for the Lord and dare not pay Tyths for pleasing man, and thereby offend God, who hath [Page 49]brought them to make a good Confession of his name before men, and is not ashamed of their Christian duty to God, who hath redeem­ed them out of the ninths, and left them Witnesses against the tenths for his names sake, Glory to the Lord for ever.

A short Letter to the Priests and their hearers.

FRiends Christ Jesus who said he is the way of truth and the life, John 1. saith also, he is Light of the world and whosoever believes in him shall not abide in darkeness but shall have the Light of life, John 8.12. So truely friends this is the Light of Christ Jesus which sheweth you sin, and what is evil in you, and this is that which is not of the world neither can the world receive it; for the whole world lyeth in wickedness, but this of God to which we speak doth never consent unto wickedness, but reproveth all man­ner of evil whatsoever, and sheweth you that you should not wrong one another but do to all men as ye would they should do to you, friends this is the way of truth, and to speak the truth one to another, this will stand in the Light, which is the truth, and truly if you love God you will love the Light, for God is Light, and of Purer Eyes then to behold iniquity, and a measure of the Spirit is given to every one of you by manifestation, to profit withall so every one search honestly your own hearts, and see how you have profited with it, for truly an acount must you give of your deeds done (in) your bodies whether they be good or evil; now all evil is manifest to be of the Devil as lying, swearing, theft, drunkenness, desembling, deceiving, with the rest of all ungodly actions, therefore repent and forsake your sins and return from the evil of your do­ings, for the Lord wills not the death of a sinner, but rather that you would return from your wickedness and live to serve him alone in that which is holy and just and good, for to live in sin, and lusts of uncleaness, is death and destruction, and dear people strive to enter in at the staite gate which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it, but wide is the way and broad is the gate that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that find it; so I dearly exhort you all to read your conditions honestly and see how you stand justified in the Light, of the Son of God, and your time all to prize and turn to the Light, while you have the Light reproving you for sin in Secret when as no mortal Eye doth behold, and by believing and obeying it: it will lead you out of darkness and this [Page 50]is the true Teacher and near unto every one of you all and cannot be removed into a corner but is present with us and you at all times, and in all places, and sees the very thoughts and intents of the heart, and no other way is to the Father but by the Son who is the true Light that lighteth every man that comes into the world and this is in love to all your Souls, let him that readeth understand, and you that teacheth others, whether you are taught your selves of him, who is the true teacher Christ Jesus. Secondly, and whether they that are taught of him, are taught to settle themselves at one certain place for so much a year, as can agreed betwixt partys. Thirdly, whether they that be so are not of that sort that Esaiah saith, seeks their gain from their Quarter, and the hireling that Christ saith flyeth. Fourthly, whether they be not of that sort that stands praying in the Sinagogue, hath upermost places in the Assemblys, and is called of men Master. Fifthly, whether they have not mens Persons in admi­ration because of advantage, and reverenceth, honour one of anothor and calleth men Masters. Sixly, whether these be not of the same gene­ration that Jermiah saith, steal the words from their neightbour. and saith, the Lord saith, when the Lord hath not spoken to them Sevenly, whether these be not in the way of Canan, envy and Balaum seeing after gifts and rewards.

Letter from Scotland to friends about Kendal in Westmoreland.

DEAR friends in and about Kendal these may signifie to you all who is desirous to heare of me that I am well blessed be the Lord for the same, and my heart affcted with the deaar love of God unto you my true friends, with whom I have fellowship in the heavenly Union and Comfortable Spirit of our e­ternal God, who is present with us at all times and places, who cannot be seperated from his own, from his own life in his people, who hath chosen him for their way, and for their life, & cannot live without him who is life, the Lord of hosts is his name; he is my life & my daily food, my Soul satisfier, & the refresher of my bowels and inward part, where the world knows me not, and therefore they Judge me like unto themselves: But my friends with you whom God hath called and chosen, to place his name among is my blessed fellowship and com­munion in the Light of his heavenly Son Christ Jesus who hath made [Page 51]choice of us without respect of Persons; O my dear [...] may all be continued in faithfulness and rightness of heart, unto him in fear, to walk while we have one day to spend; my friends feal Gods to love you as at the first, and yours to him as at the begining and so shall the truth never become as an old thing nor you in the least mea­sure dye to it, my dear friends its far from me to stand up to teach or instruct any of you but as the Lord hath freely made me pertaker and sharer with you of his devine heavenly love, I cannot but in the remembrance of the same return you an answer of the continuance of his love to my Soul, that you thereby may be remembred of the same, that we may feel one another in the everlasting love that can never decay, nor never be forgetten by them that loves God and the blessed and pure appearance of his Son Christ Jesus the Light of the world, my friends since I parted with you I have been in the furthest part of all Scotland, as to the Maineland, and have had good service there for the Lord, for people, was very willing to heare the truth and enclined in words very much, but you know the old agents that was ever ready to stir up help and Instruments against the true Light the now shines (to wit the Priests) of this generation but all will fail them, its God must be Gloryfied, the Priests worship will come to an end, they have had worship enough, its God must now be worshiped, he will not give his Glory to another, and likewise in the Isle of Stormie where a dore was open for us, and our Testimony received with much gladness, and we kindly entertained for a little space while we had freedom; and so returned and leaves the work to God; and we were also in the Isles of Ortners in the Town of Kirk­way where there is a very like people in the Lords time but Bishops and Priests have Lordly power over poor people, and keeps them much in Bondage, but they have a very great sight into the ways of all sorts of professions, and the true Light discovers them all: And so my dear friends who have made full proof of the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ in you own hearts: you it is that can give a Testi­mony of the same for while man be not come into full obediance of the Light, he never knows the true ground nor benefit of the same, and so with my dear love to you all as if I named you all I take leave and rests your friend in the Lord according to my measure.

FRiends I could well have found to have written to you ear this but being so far distant, I could not see how it could be safely conveyed, neither was I very free till I saw something of my return, which is now prety large for we are at this present, come within about fourteen or fifteen miles of Aberdeen, and so as God permits after visiting friends in my way I hope to the Lord to see you with comfort ere long; be sure to let my wife and friends of Haukshead Meeting here from you, or else send them these lines on a Second day with my love to them all.

YOU that usurp Authority over poor people, and bears rule by your means, the day of the Lord hasten upon you which will strip you naked and bare, and reward you according to your works, and then where will your Authority be you Rulers and Magistrates who Rules not according to the just Law of God, but according to your own wills, the Lord will justly recompence his wrath and vengence upon your unrighteousness, you corupt mem­bers and fruitless trees which plead for sin and imperfection, and here you uphold the Devils Kingdom who raigns in sin, and here you are found Enemies to God and his righteousness, and I am a witness for the living God, against you all who acts contrary to the just Law of God, and bears Testimony to his name, who is the Author and finisher of my faith, and perfects his own work and clenseth from all sin by his blood, all that walk in the Light, as he is in the Light; but you who walk in darkness hath not this hope neither that faith which purifies the heart, but are going on in the broad way, professing God and Christ with your mouth, Prosecutes the life and power, as did the same generation in all ages past; halling, beating, scoffing, scorning, and shuting into Prison them that did confess his name, and declared against all deceipt operly, against all sin and evil as they were moved, but the Lord will be avenged for these things therefore hast to Repentance and amend your lives, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.

ALL people that desires to serve the living God in newness of life must of necessity turn your minds into the Light of his Son Christ Jesus, in your own hearts, for that is he that gives the true knowledge of God whom to know is life eternal, and this is he whom God hath sent into the world to be a Light to lighten all people, that through him they might believe and be sa­ved for he is the Saviour of his people from their sins, so people what­soever makes manifest sin is Light and whatsoever is reprovable is re­prov'd with the light, for the light proves the world of sin, of righteous­ness, and of judgment, and this is he that sets up true Judgment in the heart and gives, thee to descern between the good and the evil, and lets the see the thoughts of thy heart in which thou dost behold thy State how thou stands approved unto God, and this is near thee & will never deceive thee, and as thou finds thy obediance unto God, and walk­ing in the Light of his Son, which never consents to the evil of thy doings, so shalt thou find Gods power and Spirit beating witness, with thy Spirit, that thou art a Son of God guided by the Spirit of God, and cannot fulfil the lusts of the Flesh and this must every one come to witness, whoever comes to witness the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Saviour, who is the Saviour of his people from their sins, for while man and woman lives in their sin they are dead while they leive, and all dutys, performances and prayers, to and professions of God and Christ is no more then if they cut off a dogs neck or offered up Swins blood, for the works of man are a vaine thing, while he knows not the works of the Devil destroyed in him: that he may know God to work all his works in him, and through him, to his own praise and Glory for ever: and the heart of man, can never be up­right unto God, while in the old nature with old Adam in the fall which brought death upon all men; and in that state man cannot stand up for the Lord as a living witness against sin, and wickedness, and all unrighteousness of men, because he remains in death: for all his duties and performances in that nature, is without God and without Christ, in the world, and man in the Flesh cannot please God so people as I have said, you that loves and desires to serve the true and living God must come to the Light of his Son in your hearts, and be willing to be taught of him, who tells you plainly you should not lye, nor swear an oath, nor do to any but as you your selves would be done by, and heare you may know a learning of Christ, the good [Page]Teacher and Bishop of your Souls, and this is in love to you all who desires singly after God, for none else can receive it.

A Letter sent to Justice Willam Kirby from Lancaster Gaol, 1663.

WIllam Kirby the whole cause of my being imprisoned is laid upon thee, for thy Cozen Fleming said it was be­cause he was informed that I was as a traveller, which I heard thee say with my own Eares and made answer in the open Sessions, and if this be the cause as I am informed, its shamful that I should be imprisoned for travelling the Lords business, six or seven veirs since which was when I saw thee in Hambrough, it would but be a shame to thee that I should publish this abroad concerning thee, that I should be cast into Prison for this which was past six or seven years since being change of government, since and an act of Indulgence, since an Act of Grace, if it had been a Transgression in those days, thou ought not to punish me for it now, I believe no Laws in the Land will bear thee out to do it, for I believe your act is for them that de­parts from their house or habitation and meets together to the terri­sying of the Kings Subjects which I should be loath to do, being the Kings friend as was manifested in the year forty eight, both by my continuance with the longest in his service, here and suffering impri­sonment and the loss of all that I had and more, as I can make it appear by my neighbours after I got home, and there was none of the Kings friends that then took any care of me, then I might have been starved for them then, as I am Prisoner by them now; and I have as good reason to have this in my mind now by which I had like to have lost my life, and lost all I had for obediance to the King: as thou to have my travel for the Lord into Hambrough in thy mind, where my brother and I was used like dogs, sometimes by the dogs nature in many of our English men, which we found therein, pride and haughtyness which the Lord will abase and bring to nought when we shall be exalted for our abediance unto God, and testifying of his e­ternal truth which shall never dye, and of which we shall never be ashamed when ungodly sinners and wicked men shall be consounded [Page]and brought to naught, therefore consider if envy have rested in thy mind to do we a mischief ever since that time, it is a wicked deed of thee, and thou had need to amend it and shortly to; least the Lord should cut thee off before the time & then it would be too late to re­member this my friend; And I brought a good messuage into the City of Hambrought and that unto you that did understand my Language but you did receive our messuage but badly, and entreated the Lords Servants with many dangers, as we dayly found among you in the streets, and in your English Church, as my body found by your unrea­sonable blows, and thrusting by you English men, the like was never received among the Dutch by us, but our God delivered us then as he will do now to our great comfort, and our eternal Peace, in that we were found faithful in his work, & did never shrink to any one of you, whom we found out of the way of God, in wildness, wickedness, light­ness and vanity, lustfulness, pleasure and pride of life, which things we boldly bare our Testimonys against in the Faith, Fear and Power of the Eternal God of Heaven and Earth, which did preserve us; and will preserve us, as we in his Faith abide, for whose Faith and Testimony I suffer in Prison now in Lancaster Castle, without any just cause or breach of any Law, that should have exposed me so imprisonment, but only thy Imformation to Justice Fleming of my traveling, as it is to me related, therefore the cause of my writing is, that thou may take care and oversight of my Wife and Children, which thou hast caused to be left desolate, by staying me in Prison from them, and when Justice Fleming was willing that I should have a little Liberty from the Goaler, and would joyn with the in any thing thou did, as his Brother Roger wrote unto thee, then thou did write that the Goaler might let me have some liberty, but it most be upon his own account, for thou would not meddle in the thing which rather caused my streightning then otherways; and also Thomas Watters of Bootle, whose time might ill be taken up in lying here, his Wife being near down lying, and having little help about her, a lit­tle liberty at this time might do him much good, so consider and let not the ery of innocent Children fall upon thy head, least thou come to be dealt with as thou deal'st with us, in keeping us them from help­ing of them in their time of need, and we fear thou will be but a bad friend to them in need, therefore let one line or two be under thy hand to the Goaler (if thou would have us do good to our Familys) as some others have done before thee, and then it may be well accepted of, so to that of God I leave thee, which never wrought evil nor ne­ver will work evil, thy Friend and a Traveller for the Lord and his [Page 56]Truth, Will. Wilson a sufferer also for the same, its not this slip out of thy mind; but it was even a shame thou should send so many of thy hoest Neighbours to Prison, like Vagabonds from Constable to Con­stable, as not caring for us, but sent us away to Prison, where I be­lieve it caused the death of two of us, and the third was very near the point of death, if he yet recover, and thou would not come to see us, till thou came to work wickedness against us, as many hun­dreds can witness for us, by Fining of some, and partially singling me out, and put the Oath to me, which hath not sworn this many years, nor never shall I fully believe in my heart, neither for nor a­gainst any man, for I have learned Christ and am a Christian, and can­not swear at all, though thou hast wickedly separated me from my Wife and Children, which I maintained well with my labour, and kept them from charge; so now see thou to that, and inquire of them how they can live without me and my maintainance, and let thy Warrant be as strong for the relieving of them, in manner as I did, as it was for carrying me to Prison, and in giving the Gaoler charge over me in the Sessions for not swearing, and so break Christs commends, which thing is a shame to thee, when it will be a honour unto me, likewise a poor man of Bootle for coming over to Swarth­more Meeting, thou proffered him the Oath, and caused him to stay in Prison from his Wife and Children, which is an ungodly deed of thee and the rest that did it: So consider this, and either let us go to live at home, or take care for our Wives and Children, seeing thou hast power to cast us into Prison, surely thou hast power to look to our Charge we have lest behind us, and think not that it is far to look to Bootle, for there is need for the man I know,

A Letter to William Wilson Priest of Windermer in the County of Westmoreland.

IN the weighty consideration of the service God hath laid on his Servants to make his name known in the Earth, throughout the whole world, and to declare his love and kindness unto the Sons and Daughters of men who are in the fallen State and doth not know the work of God in the new Creation Regeneration and Restoration whereby man is restored up to God again, out of the fallen State in [Page 53]which all men have had a place, and being from God in the fall, and without God in sin and iniquity which hath made the great sepera­tion, and being at a distant from the living God.

Therefore with pitty unto thy Soul Willam Wilson, who is now placed in VVindermer to Preach unto people there do I speak, and also desire thee to beware and take heed what thou dost against the Lord and his people, whom he hath raised up by his Power and they must bear Testimony to his Holy Name, which is but little known, and much less regarded by a prophane people, whose Lives and Conversations is not conversant with the great God of Heaven and Earth, as they ought to be, neither hath their being with him as they should therefore was a necessity upon us to declare his blessed Truth unto Gods witness in man, that they might come to heare and understand the things that belong to their everlasting peace, to their mortal Souls, and this is all (and ever was all) the end we have or ever had, in meeting; So were the place of your worship, that we whom God hath revealed his Son in, may not smother him, neither strangle him the womb, but must let his mouth be open, who hath right to speak, who speaks from Heaven, whose voice we have heard, and shape wee have seen, and cannot but declare his love to all men on the face of the whole Earth, that they may have, and see, and understand, and not be Ignorant of the things of God, but have the knowledge of him whom to know is life, and this is the Substance in short of what hath lain upon us this many years, even unto the Souls of people, that we may be clear of their blood, and our God in his Judging whether they will hear or forbear, this is our messuage and Service, we ow to our God, and duty unto his people, as all people are his by Creation, and of right his Son should Raign in them; So we leave the work unto the Lord, who can work and none can hinder who hath the hearts of people in his disposing, and can turn them as he pleases and this is he whom we own, and in whose name we trust, whatever we suffer for the same, we are freely given up as into the hands of a faithful Creator, who is God over all blessed of ever and for evermore; So now I say unto thee, VVillam Wilson who is called of men Master and born up by an out­ward power without, and hath them to back and uphold thee, and is yet dark and ignorant of the power of God within, which is the higher power, even God to dwell in us, and walk in us according to his promise of old, which is made good to us in our age, and we must confess Christ before men, who is Gods righteousness and Gods great power and Salvation unto lost man, and as I said before, he must [Page 56]not be smothered in the Womb, but must have his liberty to speak in his people.

And if thou take this ill, out and call it a provocation or distur­bance, and so do evil and intreat his people evil, for their work and Service, the Lord will reward the there after. Therefore this is the pitty was in my heart at the moving to write this unto thee, that as thou art provoked to wrath and fury, as was plainly seen in thee, who would not let God Messengers declare their messuage, and de­liver unto people what God had to say by them, who may be might never have had the like upon them there again, but caused them abusively to be halled out of our peaceable Meeting; So I say take heed believes that thou do not provoke the Lord our God to Anger and sore displeasure against thee, even for so doing, for the Lord will take notice of those things, and reward every man according to his works be they good or be they evil, therefore I say let things alone and do not provoke the Lord to Anger, by thy casting them to suffer, but rather seek to turn away his wrath, while it is kindled but a little, and this is part of what arose in my mind unto thee, to aquaint thee with, and inform thee of, and advise thee to, whether thou wilt hear or forbear, it is in pitty to thy Soul, and for the preventing of further trouble thereof, which will not be easi­ly taken away if thou persist herein, and do evil to those people; So say not afterwards that thou was not warned, for in plain words from the mouth of thy friend, thou art warned, as well as the people, by one whose life is given up unto God in my measure, to serve the living God in my day, nor doubting nor fearing what man can do unto me, for my heavenly Testimony that God hath given me to bear in this blessed day of his love, which is offered unto all mankind upon the face of the whole Earth, so the wo and trouble will be unto them that seeks to stop the Current of his love from runing freely, as from Vessel to Vessel, that as we have freely received, we may freely give, so this is all at present as a gentle warning in love unto thee, to prevent the danger that may come by doing of evil to thy Neighbours, which thou ought to love, as thy self, or else thou art guilty of the breach of Gods Commandment, and doth the things thou ought not to do therefore I say again, be warned who is a lover of thy Immortal Soul, whose name is known unto the world to be.