THE great Courage and Zeal of our worthy FRIENDS, who first received the Truth in this latter Age of the World, hath been often brought to my View. Many were the Hardships which for Christ's Sake they underwent, Matth. 5.11, 12. yet in all they rejoyced, look­ing [Page 20]upon it as a Blessing from God, that they were thought worthy to suffer for him; count­ing the Loss of all things but as Dross and Dung, Phil. 3.8. that they might win Christ. Thus with their All, they purchased the Truth; Math. 13.44, 45, 46. and having gained it were tender of it; watching over themselves and one another in Love, so that no Evil might get up among them, to hin­der the Growth of that pure Seed which God had sown in their Hearts.

And here, Math. 13.23. as the good Ground brought they forth plentifully of those Things which the great Lord of the Vineyard was well pleased with, who blessed his Work in their Hands, and gave them Do­minion over their Enemies, adding daily to their Number, such as should be saved. Acts 2.47.

[Page 21] Here it may be observed, what blessed Effects Faithful­ness to God doth produce; by it the Heart comes to be purged from all Deceit and Filthiness, and the Soul beautified with Righteousness; and then from within, Matth: 12, 35. out of the good Trea­sure of the Heart, are good Things brought forth: But the contrary where the Heart is not made good; for the Evil Man out of his Evil Treasure, brings forth Evil Things (to wit) Pride, Covetousness, Ma­lice, Envy, Deceit, and all Things that are bad: And to my Grief, I have seen too much of these appear amongst many, who are shrouding themselves under the Profession of Truth. But wo! unto you, ye false-hearted ones; for the Face of the Lord is against you, because of these Things; and the Time is [Page 22]coming, wherein you shall be made to know, a Profession will not do, altho' it be of the Truth it self.

Therefore in the Fear of God, I warn you all, whether Young or Old, to return in Time, before it be too late; for the Lord will not always strive with you, Genesis 6.3. altho' he is merci­ful and long-suffering to- you-wards, and hath often visited you both immediately and in­strumentally, laying open your Conditions before you; but Oh! how have you rejected him, and had those in Derision, who in Love to your Souls, have in the Fear of God some­times reproved you, for your light and frothy Behaviour, which is out of Truth, and is prejudicial to your Souls ever­lasting Well-being: And other times, for your running into the [Page 23]vain Fashions and pernicious Ways of the World; and not­withstanding the Evil of these Things hath been laid before you, from time to time, yet some are saying, they see no Evil in them, or that they should be let alone to see it in themselves: Others are crying, such or such things they are but small Matters; and thus the Devil is endeavouring to uphold his Kingdom in you; that if possible he might throw down that by you, which through the Mighty of God hath been built in his faithful Children, whom he hath cal­led to his Work and qualified for his Service, who as good Soldiers are making War in Righteousness against all Un­righteousness, 2 Cor. 19.4. and the Wea­pons of their Warfare are not carnal, but spiritual, and [Page 24]mighty through God to the pulling down the strong Holds of Sin and Satan, that so Reformation may go forward in the Nation.

But ye Libertines are against this Work; for you are en­deavouring, to weaken the Hands of those who are con­cerned therein; and thus do ye make the Hearts of those sad, whom the Lord hath not made sad; but the Mighty God will call you to Account for these Things, Luke 12.49. and appoint you your Portion amongst the Unbelievers, if ye repent not: Therefore seek the Lord whilst he is near, Isai. 55.6. lest the Kingdom be rent from you; and then what will all the World avail you? ye shall then cry and mourn; but there will be none to pity you; for he whom you have slighted will slight you again, [Page 25] Prov. 1.26. and even laugh at your Cala­mity and mock when your Fear cometh; thus will the mighty God who is just Ezekiel. 18.25. and equal in all his Ways, deal with the rebellious Children, who take Counsel but not of Isai. 30.1. him, and that cover with a Covering but not of his Spirit.

I therefore warn you in the Love of God to take care in time, and withdraw yourselves from the Evil Counseller, for his End is to destroy you, and to deprive you of eternal Hap­piness. Therefore be ye awa­ken'd, and incline your Minds unto the Lord, who is the Shepherd and Bishop of Souls, that out of all things which are hurtful he may gather you, Heb. 6.7.8. that so no longer you may re­main, as the Ground which drin­keth in the Rain that cometh upon it, and brings forth Bri­ers [Page 26]and Thorns, and so is nigh to Cursing: But the Desire of my Soul is, that you may thro' hearkning to the Word of Power, Isaiah 35.6, 7. chap. 44.3. chap. 58. [...]1. witness your Barrenness to be turned into Fruitfulness, and your dry Ground into Springs of Water, that Glory to his Name you may bring: For saith our Saviour, John 15.8. Herein is my Father glorified, in that you bear much Fruit; yet it must be that of his own Spi­rit, 1 Cor. 12.7. the Manifestation whereof is given to every Man to pro­fit withal; therefore sink ye down in your Measures, and yield Obedience to the Living Manifestation of the Son of God, then will you know a Profiting aright, in the Way of the Lord, and here you will witness the strong Man Luke 11.21 22. to be bound and cast out of his Possession; then will all Jarr­ings [Page 27]and Janglings come to an End, and instead of shy Looks, and evil Surmisings one against another, there will be a Meet­ing of each other in that Love which is without Dissimulati­on: And thereby it will be known that ye are the Disciples John 13.35. of Christ, for by this, said our Lord, shall all Men know that ye are my Disciples, if you have Love one to another: But where this undefiled Love is wanting, there also will the Mark of a true Disciple be wanting; and if that be want­ing, it will not be any ones Say-so which will render him, or her, to be such; but accord­ing to our Fruits shall we be Matth. 7; 16. ch. 12.33. judged: Therefore let all con­sider what Fruits they are bringing forth; for he, or she, Gal. 5.20, 21. which brings forth Strife, or appears in a peevish envious Spi­rit [Page 28]against the Brethren, James 3.14, 15, 16. are thereby judged to be of the cor­rupt Tree; for no such sower Grapes are seen upon those Bran­ches which abide in the Holy Vine, and draw their Life from the Divine Root Christ Jesus: For they are of a peaceable Spirit, seek not Revenge, are not proud nor covetous, but of an humble Mind, 1 Pet 3.3, 4. and so are adorned with that holy and inward Adorning that the A­postle spoke of, and which too many are Strangers to, who yet are making Profession with us.

For the Sake of these I am concerned, that the Gift of God may be stirred up, and have its Liberty in them in whom it hath been long sti­fled Amos 2.13. and opprest as a Cart with Sheaves: Many go bowed down in Spirit because of the [Page 29]Scandal, which through the Carlessness of these hath been brought upon the Truth (which is altogether pure and without Blemish in itself) who are crucifying the Lord afresh Heb. 6.6. unto themselves in his spiritual Appearance, and put him as to open Shame; causing many to blaspheme his worthy Name.

Oh! ye careless and unfaith­full Stewards, do ye not con­sider, that one Day you must give an Account of your Stew­ardship; 1 Pet. 4.18. and if the Righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the Ungodly and the Sinner ap­pear? who have rejected the Counsel and Will of God, and fol­lowed their own Hearts Lusts, through which ye have been drawn from the Father's House, and now are spending your Portions as among Harlots; but the Lord grant, saith my Soul, [Page 30]if it may stand good with the Pleasure of his Divine Will, that as the Prodigal came to Luke 15. himself, and saw from whence he was fallen, and in Humility resolved to return, so you, in like Manner, may come to a Sense and Sight of your Con­ditions and humble your selves before him. Then shall you feel of the Father's Love, and he will rejoyce over you in your Return to him; Luke 15.7. For there is more Joy over one Sinner who repents, then over ninety and nine just Persons which need no Repentance. Oh! how is the Love and Favour of God herein set forth for the Encouragement of all to draw nigh to him, who are in any Measure made sensible of their lost Estate and undone Condi­tion, if not pardoned by the Lord; and assuredly, he taketh [Page 31]not Pleasure in the Destruction of any: For, as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no Plea­sure Ezekiel 33.11. in the Death of the Wick­ed, but that the Wicked turn from his Way and live: And happy will all you be, who come to true Repentance, in the Day of your Visitation, and with Willingness go down into spiritual Jordan, 2 Kings 52 14. that so you may be purged from the Le­prosie of Sin, Peter 21 2. and as new-born Babes may come again to desire the sincere Milk of the Word, that ye may grow up thereby in­to a Life of Righteousness, and be filled with a Holy Zeal for God: 2 Cor. 13.8. Then you can do no­thing against the Truth, but for the Truth; and will join Hands with those who are sincerely concern'd to keep up the Ancient Testimony of God's eternal Truth; for [Page 32]the sake whereof many of our ancient Brethren were great Sufferers, and bore the Burden in the Heat of the Day. But blessed are they, for their Re­ward is sure; and having tur­ned many to Righteousness, Dan. 12.3. they shall shine as Stars in the Firmament of Glory for ever and ever. But unhappy are all you who have suffered your Minds to wander from the Lord, and have let in Hardness of Heart, and are now like the deaf Adder that stoppeth her Psal. 58.4.6. Ear, which will not hearken to the Voice of the Charmers, charming never so wisely; yet are assembling your selves amongst God's People, and be­cause you have got the Lamp, would be esteem'd as wise Virgins: But I testify unto you in the Name of the Lord, ye are in the Way of the foolish [Page 33]Virgins, Matth. 25.1. and in danger of being shut out of the Bridegroom's Chamber; should this be your Case, altho' you may then come to the Door and knock, crying, Lord open unto us, & may have to say, we have eaten & drank in thy presence, Luke [...]31 25. 26. and thou hast taught in our Streets; he from within will answer you, saying, depart from me ye Workers of Iniquity, for I know ye not: so as the Goats shall ye be separated from the Sheep, and turn'd to the left Hand, into everlasting Sorrow, and shall see the Difference be­tween those who have served God and such as have not. Therefore I beseech you in the Bowed-downness of my Spirit, to take these Things into serious and weighty Considera­tion; and whilst the Day of your Visitation lasts, cry migh­tily [Page 34]unto God, that he may take away your stony Hearts, Ezek. 11.19. and give unto you Hearts of Flesh; that Tenderness may be seen upon you, and a right Spirit renewed within you; that so, ye no longer may be found doing Despite to the Spi­rit of Grace, Heb. 10.29. which hath ap­peared unto you, to teach you your Duty towards God, and how you ought to live in this World. Titus 2.11. For faith the Apostle, the Grace of God that bring­eth Salvation, hath appeared to all Men, teaching us that de­nying Ungodliness and worldly Lust, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present World. You there­fore, who neglect its Appear­ance, are slighting your own Salvation, which the Living God hath freely offered unto you; Deut.; 30.15. and so are chusing Death [Page 35]rather than Life, and for a Mess of this World, are, Esau-like, Gen. 25.33. selling your Birth-rights: but there was a Time, in which he sought the same with Heb. 12.16, 17. Tears and could not find it; and such a Time will certainly overtake you, if you continue in this State, and will by no Means be prevailed on to seek the Lord, whilst he is yet wil­ling to be found of you. But be ye prevailed on, and rowsed up out of this your careless Frame of Spirit, Phil. 2.12. and now be­gin and work out your Salva­tion with Fear and Trembling before the Lord, and so make your Calling and Election sure with him, John 11.9. doing your Days­work in the Day-time, for the Night will come, in which no Man can work: Eccl. 11.3. For as the Tree falls, so it lies, whether to the North or South; and as [Page 36]Death leaves, Judgment finds; there is no Repentance in the Grave; therefore prize your Time and dwell no longer at Ease in your Minds, for ye are far behind-hand in your Days­work; altho' some of you have been called as in the Morning of your Days; therefore the greater will your Condemnati­on be, and upon you is the Wo pronounced against them Amo. 6.1. in Old Time, who were at Ease in Sion, pleasing your selves with your own Self-Con­ceits; but are not grieved for the Afflictions of Joseph: Am. 6.6. But a Day is coming, wherein the Mighty God, will mighti­ly disturb your Couches and Beds of Ease whereon ye are Am. 6.4. stretching yourselves; and the Wine of your Sweetness, shall be turned into the Gall of Bit­terness; and your delightsome [Page 37]Land into a waste howling Psal. 107.33. Wilderness. Thus will the Lord revenge himself on the careless and slothful Ones, who have no regard to Truth; but are turning their Backs on it, because they cannot have an undue Liberty therein; no, not so much as in the smallest Mat­ters; but there must be a Co­ming to Judgment, which is every way unpleasant, to you who love to gratify a vain Mind; and therefore, the Way seems too streight for you that you cannot walk therein; and yet you would be looked on, as such, who do walk in the Truth: And one is saying, I have been convinced so long; and another, I go no where but to Friends Meetings; and others from Birth and Educa­tion, lay claim to Truth, and it would be ill taken, if it should [Page 38]be said, they are not of our So­ciety; altho' the Latitude and undue Liberty they are fre­quently taking, too much de­clares it; and thus are manifest­ing a Desire of being Heirs of two Kingdoms, which will not be granted; Luke 16.13. for a Man cannot serve two Masters, as said our blessed Lord; for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else, he will hold to the one, and despise the other. We cannot serve God and Mammon. Consider then, I beseech you, to whom ye are yielding your selves; for to whom ye yield your selves Ser­vants to obey, his Servants ye are; whether of Sin unto Death, or of Obedience unto Righteousness; and whosoever committeth Sin, John 8.34. is the Servant of Sin, said our Saviour, and if Servants of Sin, Rom. 16.20. free from Righ­teousness, [Page 39]saith the Apostle Paul: And whilst Sin remains and is delighted in, vain are all Pre­tensions to Religion. And ac­cording to what the Apostle Peter saith, 2 Pet. 2.20, 21. if after having es­caped the Pollutions of the World through the Know­ledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again in­tangled therein, and overcome, the latter End is worse with them than the Beginning: For it had been better for them not to have known the Way of Righ­teousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the Holy Commandment deliver'd unto them. Oh! here, you that own your selves to have been reached unto by Christ, and convinced of his Eternal Truth, may clearly see, that without a steady Adhering to the Truth, your being convin­ced [Page 40]can be of no Advantage, but a Disadvantage it will be to you in rejecting so merciful a Visitation, by which you are drawing down God's Displea­sure upon you: For as said the Apostle Paul, Rom. 1.18. the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness & Unrighteous­ness of Men, who hold the Truth in Unrighteousness; and unto the Wicked God saith, Psal. 50.16, 17, 18, 19. what hast thou to do to declare my Statutes, or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy Mouth? seeing thou hatest In­struction, and castest my Words behind thee: When thou sawest a Thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been Partaker with Adul­terers: Thou gavest thy Mouth to Evil, and thy Tongue fra­meth Deceit: Thou sittest and speakest against thy Brother: [Page 41]Thou slanderest thine own Mother's Son. And may it not with Sorrow be said, this is become too much the Case of many in our Time, that are of the Stock and Offspring of pious and godly Men and Women: But, Ezek. 18.4. as the Son was not to suf­fer for the Father's Offences, so on the other Hand, if the Son refuse to obey God, his Father's Happiness will not be intail'd upon him; for, said the Lord to the Prophet, all Souls are mine, as the Soul of the Father, so also the Soul of the Son is mine; the Soul that sinneth it shall die; and surely it will fall heavy on such young People as have had, or that now have the Opportunity to observe the pious and godly Example of tender Parents, and yet take no Regard either to their Examples or Precepts, [Page 42]but let loose the Reins of their Minds to many Corruptions; and yet some of these would, nevertheless, have it thought, that they are of the same Prin­ciples with their Parents: But alas! you are but like the foo­lish Virgins before mentioned, that hold a Lamp without Oil, and so at last deceive yourselves; wherefore take Warning in Time, least the Alarm be sounded, when you think not of it: Gal. 6.7, 8. For surely, such as Men sow, such shall they reap, and if they sow to the Flesh they shall reap Corruption; but if to the Spirit, then Life everlasting; and to be carnally minded is Death; Rom. 8.6. but to be spiritually minded is Life and Peace. Therefore in the Love of God, I call unto you, to forsake the corrupt Ways of the World, and close in with the [Page 43]Spirit of Christ; that so you may know the Deeds of the Flesh mortified: For, said the Apostle, Rom. 8.13. if ye through the Spi­rit, do mortify the Deeds of the Body ye shall live; and would you not live eternally with God? Yes surely, Num. 23.10. all are willing to die the Death of the Righte­ous, and to share with them in heavenly Mansions of Glory; but this cannot be, but as you come to dwell under the Cross of Christ, and give that to the Fire that is for the Fire, and to the Sword that which is for the Sword; so that all may be slain in you which is not of God; then you will not only have to tell of being convin­ced; but experience That which converts the Soul to God. And here also may you who are the Offspring of the faithful Children and Ser­vants [Page 44]of God, come to inherit the Crown of immortal Life with your Parents, who may be gone before and are now reaping an endless Reward for their Obedience to Christ; Heb. 11.6. for the Lord is a rich Rewarder of all them who faithfully serve him. Wherefore, be ye prevail­ed with to hearken to his Call. Oh! mind his tender Invitation; let it not be any longer made in vain to any of you; but break off from the Folly and Corruption of the World, and come and humble your selves, like the Prodigal of old, so shall you meet with a merciful Reception; For the heavenly Father's Bowels of Mercy rowl towards you; Matt. 23.37. and as he spread forth the Wing of tender Love to Jerusalem, so is he opening it to you, even you, who are of the Stock and [Page 45]Offspring of his People: But take Care you do not weary him out, for if so, then shall you feel that instead of sweet Visits of Love and Mercy, he will turn his Hand in Judg­ment upon you, and tho' you may cry to him he will not answer your Desires; because, when he, the Holy One, called to you, ye would not answer, but turned the deaf Ear unto him, like Jerusalem: But Oh! what a dreadful Day brought she upon her self thereby! may the Consideration thereof take Place with you, who are in the same rebellious Nature; that so, whilst there is yet a little Space between you and Destruction, you may sue for Peace with the Lord, who is full of Compassi­on to his Creatures. Yet he said, my Spirit shall not always strive Gen. 6.3. with Man, for that he also is [Page 46]Flesh: and therefore, as it was said, Heb. 3.7, 15. to Day if you will hear my Voice, harden not your Hearts, Hos. 14.4. but turn to the Lord and he will heal your Back­slidings; and as ye are wil­ling to put away the Evil of your Doings from before the Isa. 1.18. Lord, then may you come and he will reason with you, and if your Sins be as Scarlet, they shall be as white as Snow; though they be red like Crim­son, they shall be as Wool.

But this Thing of coming to Judgment, is what many who are Lovers of Pleasure more than God, care not to hear so much of: Isa. 30.10. But would have (as of old) the Seers to see not; and say to the Prophets, Prophesie not unto us right Things, speak unto us smooth Things, pro­phesie Deceits: But alas! were it to be so, what Benefit [Page 47]could that be to loose and care­less Ones to be dawbed with un­tempered Mortar? For both the Dawber and the Dawbed were to suffer together; as we find in the Prophet Ezekiel, the Lord would accomplish his Wrath upon the Wall, Eze. 13.15. and upon them that have daubed it with untemper'd Mortar; and will say unto you, the Wall is no more, neither they that dau­bed it. Thus we may take notice how the Hand of God turned in Judgment upon both Prophets and People who were corrupt. And do any think, that there is a greater Liberty under the Dispensation of the Gospel allowed to Men, than there was under the Law: Oh! surely nay, for God is of purer Eyes than to behold Evil with Al­lowance: For our dear Lord said, John. 16.7. he would send the Com­forter, [Page 48]the Spirit of Truth to his Disciples; and when he is come, he will reprove the World of Sin; and are you not reproved? 2 Pet. 1.19. is not that sure Word of Prophesy declaring to you, what your End must be if you deny Christ before Men? Oh! will he not deny you be­fore his Father?

But it may be some will say, how do we deny him, since we profess Faith in him and own and believe he is the Sa­viour of the World? it may be answered, that notwith­standing you may thus believe, yet by Works you deny him; and so are making void your Faith which becomes dead thro' Disobedience, how lively soever it may have once been. Whilst you remain'd under true Subjection to the Will of God, you felt your Faith in Christ [Page 49]to increase; for his divine Vir­tue fill'd your Souls, the Sweet­ness whereof was such as marr'd the Glory of this World; and there was nothing in so much Esteem with you as the pure Enjoyment of that Life, which our Lord and Sa­viour gives to all them, who truly believe in and obey him.

And, he did not only come and give us Life, but that we also might know the Abound­ings and daily Increase thereof; which, praised be the Name of Almighty God, a Remnant do witness; and can truly say, there is nothing they so much desire as the Continuation of his divine Favour unto them; and in order thereunto, are carefully watching over them­selves, that they may not be mistaken, or led into Corrup­tion; and are diligently coming [Page 50]to the Light, John. 3.21. to examine every Thought, Word and Action; that so their Deeds may be made manifest, John. 15.5. that they are wrought in God. Oh! these are the Living Branches, that abide in the holy Vine, and are daily sup­ply'd with Life and Virtue from that never-failing Root, which enableth them, Day by Day, to bring forth such Fruits, as renders them truly acceptable to God; which those, that abide not in him, cannot do.

For, John. 15.4.10. said Christ, the Branch cannot bear Fruit of itself, ex­cept it abide in the Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me; and if (said he) ye keep my Commandments, ye shall abide in my Love; but such as are yielding to Pride, Drunkenness, Covetous­ness, Whispering, Backbit­ing, &c. are not keeping his [Page 51]Commandments, and so are depriving themselves of his Love. And what greater In­jury can any one do himself, than to deprive himself of the Love and Favour of God? Sure nothing can exceed it. Therefore, saith every faithful and upright One to the Lord, whatever low or worldly En­joyments thou feest meet to deprive me of, Oh! let me not be deprived of the inward Influences of the Virtues of thy divine Love: For what is this World, or all the Glory and Friendship thereof? it's as nothing to the true Followers of Jesus Christ, whose Love and Delight is placed in the Lord. And as the Mind is stayed on him, Isa. 26.3. he will keep such in per­fect Peace, and make his abode with them. And whilst he in his great Wisdom and Power, [Page 52]doth measurably reside, and take up his Abode in us, our Hearts are filled with pure Zeal, such as is consistent with true Knowledge; in which, those who enjoy it are led in all Things agreeable to the Will of God: And what they do tends to his Glory: Being care­full to discharge themselves of what they know is their Duty, and great is, and will be, the Peace that rests upon the Souls of such, notwithstanding the many hard Reflections which may be cast upon them, by such whose loose and libertine Behaviour they have reproved and testified against; which with some, is Provocation e­nough, to abuse and bespatter, if possible, such of the Lord's faithful Servants, who cannot wink, or connive at Wicked­ness, let it appear in whom it [Page 53]will, whether Rich or Poor; but must bear a faithful Tes­timony against it.

For altho' those who walk in the Light, 1 John. 1.6. have true Fellow­ship one with another, yet they cannot have Fellowship 2 Cor. 6.14. 15. with such as walk in Darkness, though they may be making an outward Profession of the Truth with us, and pretend to believe in the Light, as many in this easy Summer's Day seem to do. To be called a Quaker is not now attended with so much Difficulty as it wont to be; People may now go to Meeting without the Hazard of being sent to Prison, and from the Prison to the Whipping-Post; which was the Lot of many of our antient Friends, some of whom did not only suffer many cruel Beatings, but even Death itself; and all for [Page 54]their Love and Obedience to Christ, whose Sayings they were fully bent to keep, and to do. And so approved them­selves to be of the Number of those, whom our Lord likened unto a Wise-Man who built Matt. 7.24. his House upon a Rock; and altho' the Rain descended, the Floods came, and the Winds blew, and beat upon that House, it fell not: For it was founded upon a Rock. And praised be the Name of the Lord, there are yet a Remnant, whose Feet are fixed on the Holy-Rock, where they stand for the Cause of God, and are truly concerned, that the Camp of spiritual Israel may be kept clean: Josh. 7.1. and that no Achan may lodge within it. Therefore they are often making Search, and hunt out every corrupt Thing; in order that Unrigh­teousness [Page 55]may not lodge, or be secretly encouraged among us the Lord's People; know­ing that there can be little room to expect the Church of Christ should flourish, where any thing is countenanced that is not consistent with the Purity of the Gospel; and therefore, the faithful Followers of the Lamb, are, as formerly, for having every thing kept under and destroyed, which is not of God, that so Truth may still be known to flourish in all who profess it. And that there may be no just Cause given for People to say, the Quakers are not so strict as they used to be; but come nearer to them, and can act as they do. For altho' this may be too true with res­pect to some Particulars, yet it is not in the general; for the same godly Care which rested [Page 56]upon the Hearts of the Faithful formerly, yet lives and remains upon many to this Day: And they are as zealously concerned to bear a Testimony against the vain and corrupt Ways of the World, now, as much as ever: For the Faithful know the Truth is the same it ever was; and that it allows of no Liberty to commit Unrighte­ousness.

And yet, notwithstanding all the Labour and Christian Care of the Faithful, there is (we must allow) too much room for such a Saying, respecting some in Profession with us, who can shape themselves ac­cording to the Company they are with; when among the Sober and truly Religious, they appear demure, and seem very careful to use the plain Lan­guage; but let them but turn [Page 57]their Backs, as it were, and the Quaker shall in a Moment be all thrown off; and being in Company with those who can give Compliments one to ano­ther, they are as ready with them as any of those who were never restricted from, but in­structed and trained up in the Use of them.

But for you who are of the Stock of Friends, to be found in such sort of Behaviour, is ridiculous; and those you are thus imitating, though they may seem pleased with these Appearances in you, yet behind your Backs make a Ridicule and Sport of it, and bestow the Title of Bastard Quakers upon you; for they know it is not consistent with the Qua­kers Principles to be found in such sort of Behaviour; and could the Parents of some who [Page 58]now practice such Things, have complyed with pulling off the Hat, and with the usual Ceremonies, they had not suf­fered so much Cruelty as they did, because for Conscience­sake they could not do it: For the Lord had convinced them of his holy Truth, through which they saw the Emptiness and Vanity of such kind of Compliments, both in Male and Female: And that it was not the Spirit of Christ which led into them; but that they sprung from a proud ambitious Mind in the Crea­ture, which seeks to be adored and set up. Jam. 4.6. But God resisteth the Proud, 1 Pet. 5.5. and will punish the World for their Evil, Isa. 13.11. and the Wicked for their Iniquity, and cause the Arrogancy of the Proud to cease, and will lay low the Haughtiness of the Terrible.

[Page 59] Wherefore consider in Time, you who are of the Stock and Offspring of the meek Follow­ers of holy Jesus, and break off from all such vain Imitations, which corrupt your Minds, and tend only to please and gratify proud Flesh which is to be mor­tified; for it's of the Kingdom of Antichrist, and must be brought down: And the Day is come, and coming more and more, which the Prophet spoke of, Mal. 4.1. which shall burn as an Oven, and all the Proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall be Stubble; and the Day that co­meth shall burn them up, faith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither Root nor Branch. And praised be the great Name of God, a Remnant are brought in a great and good Degree inwardly and spiritual­to experience, that as the Fire [Page 60]in the Oven burns inwardly to the consuming of all that's Fewel to it, so doth the Word of God secretly and inwardly burn, to the consuming and ta­king away of both the Root and Branch of Unrighteousness out of the Hearts of them who are subject to it; and all that are in good earnest to have a Place a­mong the Sanctified and Re­deemed of God, desire this holy Word and Fire of the Lord may not cease burning in them, until all be consumed which is not of Christ. And so may be ever more in Substance than in Shew, and to become firmly fixed in the divine Root, and so settled upon the Founda­tion of God, that neither things present nor to come, may ever be able to shatter or move them from the holy Way of the Lord, And doubtless [Page 61]those who truly Witness such a pure inward Heart-work wrought in them, by the Power of God; are those that can answer to what the Prophet Isaiah mentioned, Isa. 33.14. 15. when he cries out, Who amongst us shall dwell with the devouring Fire? who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting Burnings? He then proceeds and gives Ac­count who it is that should be able; it's he that walketh righ­teously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the Gain of Oppressions, that shaketh his Hand from holding of Bribes, that stoppeth the Ear from hearing of Blood, and shutteth his Eyes from seeing Evil.

Oh! here the Loose, the Libertine, the cruel and vain unrighteous Men, may see themselves unable to stand a­gainst the mighty Force of the [Page 62]Fire of God's Word, should it break forth without Mixture of Mercy upon them, by Reason of their having rejected the Visitation of the Love and Fa­vour of God, and are so averse to his Call, that instead of Listning thereunto, they are stopping their Ears, and even shut their Eyes when any Thing from Jesus Christ is tenderly offered them for their future Good. But let the Enemy whisper to them of something that is agreeable to their vain Appetite, Oh! how quick the Libertine Person can hear, and with great Pleasure open his Eyes and look upon Folly and Corruption, and receive Iniquity with Greediness: But whoever thou art, that thus yield up thyself to the Govern­ment of Satan, and pleads for it, saying, There is nothing but [Page 63]sweet and delicious Meats, alas! though it may to thy corrupt Mind and depraved Senses, ap­pear sweet in the Mouth, it will be bitter in the Belly; there is such a Sting will follow upon all thy sinful Pleasures, which will never cease from afflicting thee, and as a Corrosive will gnaw upon thy Soul, and fill thee with continual Pain, and if the Day of God's Mercy shall be near expired, where then art thou?

Oh! thou poor Soul, who­ever thou art, whether high or low, rich or poor, that art dis­obedient to Christ, and got from under the Holy Cross, thou art now rejoycing in that which will procure a bitter Cup for thee, if not timely repented of: Where­fore all you corrupt and libertine Ones, stand still and listen to that small but living Voice of [Page 64]Truth in your Hearts; for it is when the Mind is retired into a degree of Stillness, that a proper Distinction can be made, be­tween the Voice of Satan, & the Voice of God. And such hath been, and still is, the Piercing­ness of God's Word in the Soul, that how stout soever any have been, and though they may have thought nothing should ever bring them to confess they had done any thing contrary to the Truth, or worthy of Blame, and so may have braved it out, until Stillness was comman­ded, and the Voice of the holy Judge heard, and the true and just Witness having liberty to arise, will so justly accuse such, as that all their Stoutness will be broke down, and instead of saying they are not be blame, there will be a Suing for Peace, and craving [Page 65]Pardon for the many Offences committed against the Rules and Orders of the Government of Christ, which had been set up in the Heart.

And such is the Goodness and Mercy of him, the great and holy One, that upon hum­ble Submission to him, such truly penitent Ones have met with Forgiveness, and through the Operation of his holy Power in them, have been set free from their many Corrup­tions and Defilements, and have then been led to admire the great Mercy and Goodness of God to them, in that he was mercifully pleased to bring them to a true Sense of Con­viction; and did not in his Dis­pleasure cut them off.

Oh! faith my Soul, that all such that are now pursuing the Corruptions of their own [Page 66]Minds, might be thus seized and taken hold of, and timely brought to see the Want of a Physician; left it should be said to them, Depart from me, I offered my Help, but ye re­fused; I told you what the Consequence would be if ye went on in the Way wherein ye were; but you would have none of my Counsel, looking upon yourselves whole, and wanting no Physician. Oh! here, a Day of Distress will come like an armed Man upon those who will not be won upon, or in any ways hearken to the Voice of the Lord. Ah! methinks, there are many who must assent to this Truth, and say it is not for want of being called unto, that we are found pursuing a vicious Life; for that the Lord hath often called immediately by his Spi­rit, [Page 67]and also by his Ministers and other his faithful Servants; but Alas! may not such say, we have disregarded both; though we have at times been a little touched with the heavenly Influences of the di­vine Mercy of God, yet, it was to us but as the Seed which fell on the High-Way Ground; for the Enemy's In­ticements were so prevalent in us, that those tender Visitations and inward Touches of the Love and Favour of God, we were soon deprived of; and so fell from the Appearance of Grace, into Wantonness again, by which our Hearts are be­come hardened. This is un­doubtedly true, for by frequent neglecting the Visitations of the Holy One, Men may at last be so left to themselves, as to be locked up in such a State of Death and [Page 86]often concerned for; that as ye have entered into the Way and Path of Life, you may be pre­served therein, and feel your growth to be in Christ the Li­ving Vine; John 15. and where that is witnessed, the good Fruits are not wanting: For whoever grows in Christ, grows in all Holiness of Life; for what is received from him, is of a holy, pure and divine Nature; purging to the puri­fying of the Consciences of Heb. 9.14. them that believe. And ma­keth of such who once were Sinners to become Saints. And they who were once Blind have by believing in him re­ceived Sight, and given to look into the Mystery of the Kingdom of God, in which his Glory is beheld, the least Glimpse whereof tends to mar all the Glory of Satan's [Page 69]been preserved and upheld, to the Praises and Glory of God; and by him made as the Salt of the Earth; for being filled with the Life and Vertue of Christ, and standing singly de­voted to the Service of God, such have been, and divers yet are, made eminently service­able in his Hand, to reach to the divine Witness in others; who through the Operation of the holy Measure of Life, have been brought to believe in Christ, and to become sub­ject to the Government of his Spirit, and so have had Right to call him Lord and Master, by Reason they are subject to his Commands, and in all things seek to honour him, and living under a pure Sense of the Mer­cy of God to them, in that whilst they were Transgressors, and even Enemies to his Rule [Page 70]and Government, he was plea­sed to stretch forth his Hand of Love and Mercy, and make bare the Arm of his Salvation, whereby they now feel them­selves set in a good Degree of Liberty from their old Master, whose Aim and Design was to have kept them in Bondage, and so to have cut them off from Happiness, or having any Place in the Kingdom of God's Glory.

Oh! let me now say to all you who have thus seen what the Lord can do for them that believe in him, hath not he brought you out of Egypt spi­ritually? And altho' you may sometimes have apprehended that the Enemy was pursuing you, and the Sea before you, which brought you under doubtful Apprehensions, and filled you with a Fear of be­ing [Page 71]carried back into the old miserable State again; yet ha­ving in the midst of this, hum­bly besought the Lord, he hath arisen and made way for you through the various Difficultys which attended you in the Course of your Pilgrimage and Progress Sion-wards. So that there is no Room, or Reason, for any to sink under Discou­ragements; Isa. 49.15. there may be a pos­sibility of a Woman's forget­ting her sucking Child, yet it cannot be, that the Lord should neglect such as are faithfully o­beying his Divine Will.

Therefore, be not faint-hear­ted, or let in Unbelief, or think that because some whom you looked upon to be much before you in a spiritual Growth in the blessed Truth, have yet been o­vercome by the Enemy: But let me say to such, who are thus be-Look [Page 72]not out this Way; for here it is, that the subtle Adversary is endeavouring to undermine your Faith, and so by degrees will deprive you of what should be your Support, and take from you that holy Shield Eph. 6.16. which is the Quencher of the fiery Darts of the Enemy.

Oh! this has been the Way which the Serpent hath beguil­ed some Innocent Ones, and brought such a thick Vail of Darkness over them, & bereav'd them of the Light and Life of Christ, that some of these have not stuck to say there is no­thing in Religion, it is but a meer Bubble: And so have given way to the Gratifying themselves in whatsoever their corrupt Minds led them unto: Such are fallen under some­thing of the like Condition, with which the Apostle had just [Page 73]Reason to upbraid the Galati­ans, where he says, Oh! foo­lish Galatians, who hath be­witched you, that ye should not obey the Truth; Gal. 3.1, 2, 3. before whose Eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth cruci­fied amongst you; this, said he, would I only learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the Works of the Law, or by the hearing of Faith? are you so folish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made per­fect by the Flesh?

Here we may see, how ne­cessary it is to keep a con­stant Watch upon our Minds, for notwithstanding a State of Convincement may be come to, and some degree of the Ope­ration of God's Spirit experi­enced in the Soul, yet such a State may be soon lost, through looking out too much at the [Page 74]Failures of others. Had the Apostles been so feebly af­fected towards their great Lord and Master, they might have all fell; for what a Shooking thing it must have appeared to be, there being but Twelve of them, and that one of them should betray his Lord, into the Hands of Mur­derers. But we do not find it had any such ill Effect upon the other Eleven, as anyways to lessen their faithful regard to Jesus Christ, their holy Lord. Oh! then why should any whom the Lord hath merci­fully favoured, with a true Sense and Feeling of his inward and spiritual Appearance, be­come offended, so as to disbe­lieve the Truth, because of the Failures of some who once may have been zealous Pro­fessors thereof? and so to think [Page 75]it a sufficient Reason to decline having any further Regard to that holy and pure Principle manifested in your Hearts, and not only so, but become filled with Prejudice against the whole Society, and are led into a malicious uncharitable Spirit, to judge all for the Un­faithfulness of some. And as this may have happened to some, whereby their Faith is overthrown, let all such, as now are ready at times to look out this Way, take Warning in time, and instead of looking at that which is attended with so much Prejudice, rather seek and diligently labour to get your Minds girded with the Girdle of Truth; and consider, that altho' one should fall to the right Hand, and another to the Left, yet God's Way is perfect, even and good; and [Page 76]he that hath a single Eye to it, shall be blessed with the Re­newings of the Love of God, upon his Soul; and he, or she, who holds out to the End, will be saved. It was the un­faithful Servants slighting and Matt. 25.27. neglecting the Talent the Lord had mercifully favoured him with, which was the Cause of his being condemned.

Wherefore, whosoever thou art, that hast been favoured with the least Appearance of the Light of Christ in thy Soul, be thou faithful to it; it is given thee to lead thee out of Darkness, and will, as thou follows the pure Leadings there­of, bring thee where thou mayst have free Access to Christ, and through Faith draw of his di­vine Virtue to thy Soul, in which thy Strength in him will be so increased, and thy Un­derstanding [Page 77]brightned, that in­stead of stumbling at the Mis­steps of others, thou will see it highly necessary to take heed to thy own Standing; and be­ing truly subject to the Order and Government of the Spirit of Christ, instead of turning thy Back on the Truth, thou wilt then stand up for it, and in the Authority of God's Power call to those who are backsliding, and whether they will hear, or not, thou shalt find great Peace and Comfort in the true Discharge of thy Conscience towards thy Bro­ther, whom thou sawest go­ing astray from the Lord.

But instead of this Christian Labour with those thou may­est see forsaking the Way of Truth, if thou shouldst suffer the Adversary to get in upon thy Mind, and fill thy Heart [Page 78]with Prejudice against the ho­nest and faithful Followers of Christ, here thou wilt come to sustain an irreparable Loss, by being turned back into the Wilderness again, where, by reason of Unbelief thou must be left to perish, as many of the Israelites did, Num. 14.26. 27. who were Murmurers against God and slighted his Servant Moses.

Wherefore, Oh! Soul, who­ever thou art, and who may­est read these Lines, if under the like Besetment as above ex­pressed, my Heart is deeply affected for thee, and my sin­cere Breathings to God are for thy Preservation. The Lord hath extended of his Goodness to thee in causing his Day of Light and Salvation to dawn upon thy Soul, and thou hast clearly seen in some good Degree, what is agreeable to the Will [Page 79]and Mind of God, so that there is no room to plead and say, thou didst not know what his Will was. Consider therefore what Christ said concerning Luk. 12.47, 48. that Servant, who knew his Lord's Will and did it not; he was to be beaten with many Stripes. But he that knew it not, & committed things wor­thy of Stripes, was to be bea­ten with few Stripes. For unto whomsoever much is gi­ven, Act. 17.30. of him shall much be re­quired. In the times of Igno­rance it's said God winked, but from those to whom he hath given of his good Spirit he is requiring Obedience, and a strict Conformity to his revealed Will; and such who fall short therein, may expect to meet with the like Repulse as those before-mentioned, who came to the Door and [Page 80]knocked, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; but he answer'd & said unto them, Luk. 13.25. I know ye not, whence you are; depart from me all ye Workers of Iniquity.

And here it may be conside­red, that it was their being found in Unrighteousness which caused the Door to be shut a­gainst them; and altho' such may have to say, we have eaten and drank in thy Presence, and thou hast taught in our Streets, yet all this could make no Way for an Entrance, since they had disobeyed the Teachings of Christ, and were cloathed with Unrighteousness. And we read that no impure, or unholy Thing must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Wherefore, Oh! all ye care­less Ones, who now are making Profession of the pure Truth, but live a Life very contrary [Page 81]thereunto, and so are in Danger of being shut out from the Mansions of Eternal Glory, (should you be cut off in your Transgressions) whilst the Lord is pleased to call unto you in his Love, turn not the deaf Ear unto him, but listen to his Voice; that so ye may be quick­ned and made alive thereby, and be raised up out of the State of spiritual Lethargy wherein you are so stupified, that it is not easy to make you sensible the Way wherein you are going is the Way that leads down to Death and Destruction. But if ye once come to be quickned, and made alive anew; and have a touch of the Divine Eye-salve from Christ, then shall ye be­hold that God is full of Com­passion, in that he cut you not off in your Iniquity, but was pleased to lengthen out the [Page 82]Day of his tender Mercy to you; and as there is a Turning from your Backslidings, then, as was said to Israel, I will not (said the Lord) cause mine Jer. 3.12. Anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep Anger forever.

And now, dear Reader, if thou art one who hast been a Backsli­der, here is Encouragement for thee to come and humble thy self, and freely to acknowledge before the Lord thy Transgres­sion and Disobedience to him; and as thou comes in an awful Fear, & makes thy Addresses in Humility of Spirit, the Lord in Mercy will look down upon thee, and heal thy Backslidings. And that thou mayest be thus happily recover'd out of an Estate of Unrighteousness, and brought to a true and solid Settlement in the unchangeable Truth of God, [Page 83]is the Desire of one that seeks and prayeth to God for thine, and the Redemption of all Trans­gressors out of Sin, through the Faith of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.