the woman should bruise the serpents head.' And this promise of God is fulfilled, 'A virgin should have a child, and they should call his name Emmanuel, God with us, again.' For man and woman was driven from God out of paradise, and the serpent became their head, and god of the world; but Christ is come according to the promise of God and his prophets, who was born of a virgin; and therefore saith Mary, 'My spirit doth rejoice in God my saviour: my soul doth magnify the Lord, for he hath regard to the low estate of his handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.' Now, here comes the reproach to be taken off from women, which were first in transgression, who are not suffered to speak in the church; but here Mary did speak, and believe that which was spoken to her: and also the reproach and transgression taken off men, that believe in the seed Christ Jesus, who bruises the head of the serpent, that has brought man and woman into his image, and his works; but Christ destroys both him and his works, and renews man and woman up into the image of God, as they were in before they fell, and into the power, to have dominion, to work in his garden, to subdue the earth, &c. So that all are now to labour in the garden of God, that are in the power and image of God, being brought into it by Christ Jesus, that bruises the serpent's head, that has been head in them all. So that Christ Jesus may be head in all men and women, and every man and woman may act from him their holy head, their life, and salvation, and keep his heavenly peace in his church, and every living member (believing in the light, which is the life in Christ) may be grafted into him the fountain of life, and receive from him the water of life, that they may feel the living springs, and the rivers springing up in them to eternal life: these are living stones, the spiritual household, of which Christ is both head, rock, and foundation.

And Christ is called the green tree, which green tree never withers, into whom they are grafted by belief in the light, which is the life in him, from whom they all receive their heavenly living nourishment, through which every graft is nourished; then it comes to bud and bring forth fruit to the praise of the eternal God. Now every one of these living believers are members of the living church in God, which Christ is the head of, and every member in the church hath an office; and so every member is serviceable in the body in his office, in the light, which is over darkness, and was before it was; and in the life which is over death, and was before it was; and in the power of God, which was before the power of the serpent was. And so they are in this light, life, and power to execute their offices: I say, in this divine light, life, power, and spirit of God for God's glory, in truth, purity, virtue, holiness, and righteousness, they are to stand up for the honour of his

son, and receive him, who hath all power in heaven and earth given to him; and all that receive him, he gives them power to become the sons and daughters of God; then in his power all are to act and walk, and to serve God in their generation, and in it to serve him in the new creation, in righteousness and holiness, and to stand up in his power for his glory, in his power, righteousness, and holiness, that Christ brings into them, and renews them in, and so into the restoration; that they may labour in the church and garden of God in his power, to his everlasting praise and glory. Amen.

And all Friends, stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and in the liberty in the faith, which Christ is the author and finisher of; which faith purifies the heart, and gives victory, in which you have access to God, the mystery of which is held in a pure conscience; in which faith it hath its true liberty. And keep in the liberty of the everlasting glorious gospel of peace, which is not of man, nor by man, but from heaven; which gospel bringeth (and hath brought) life and immortality to light, and will preserve you in life and immortality, over him that hath darkened you; and in this gospel you have everlasting liberty and peace, and in the truth, which maketh you free from him that is out of the truth. This free state all are to keep in; and also in the pure holy spirit of God and Christ, that doth mortify all that is to be mortified and crucified; and doth baptize you into one body. In this holy spirit you are to walk, which leadeth you into all truth, in which is your unity and fellowship; and giveth liberty from that which hath grieved it, and quenched, and vexed it. And so in the liberty, and fellowship, and unity of the holy, pure, and peaceable spirit, you are all to dwell and walk, which is the bond of the Prince of princes' peace, which the world cannot take away. G. F. London, the 13th of the 9th month, 1677.

CCCXLV.

My dear friends,-To whom is my love in the everlasting seed, that reigns over all, and will overcome all your persecutors, and the devil, that is the cause thereof, who fighteth against the light, (which is the life in Christ,) as they did against him in the flesh, above sixteen hundred years ago.

And now, my friends, suffer as lambs in the time of your sufferings; let all your wills be subjected with the patience that hath the victory; and run the race, and obtain the crown of life; and be willing to go to suffer for Christ's sake; for the apostle said, 'It is not only given you to believe, but also to suffer for his name sake, in whom you have salvation;' for 'they that suffer for righteousness' sake are blessed, and theirs

is the kingdom of God;' and by faith the holy men of God had victory, as you may see at large in Heb. xi. So nothing is overcome by any man's will, but by faith that giveth access to God, in which they do please God. And I do believe that all your sufferings will be for good, for your establishing upon the holy rock of life, which was the rock of all the sufferers, the prophets, and the apostles, who is the anointed saviour, to the answering that of God in all people; for the Lord hath a great work and seed in that place. So live in the spirit, that mortifieth all, and circumciseth all, and baptizeth all; so that with the spirit you may sow to the spirit, and of the spirit reap life everlasting.

And my desire is, that you may all be kept alive to God, and live in the living unity of the spirit, which is the bond of the heavenly peace, that passeth the knowledge of the world; which peace brings such joys which transcend all your sufferings, and will carry you above them. And so in love to God, and in love to your persecutors, you can pray for them who persecute you; and this suffering is above all the sufferings in the world, which are without love and charity, who maketh one another to suffer, when they get the upper hand. But such are not the sufferers for the true Lord Jesus, who suffered; though he was above all, yet he made none to suffer; and when he was reviled, he reviled not again, but said, 'Father, forgive them;' and committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. So let the same mind be in you as was in Christ Jesus; for the apostle said, that they had the mind of Christ, and the Lamb overcame, and had the victory; and this his sanctified ones, that follow him, are partakers of. Glory to his name for ever. Amen. G. F.

The 12th of the 5th month, 1677.

CCCXLVI.-To Friends at Sussex.

My dear friends,-To whom is my love, and to the rest of Friends that aways. And my desire is, that you may all suffer as lambs of Christ; 'for when he was reviled, he reviled not again; and he gave his back and cheek to the strikers and smiters, and his hair to be plucked off, and was as a lamb led dumb before his shearers, and he opened not his mouth;' though he was the King of kings, and Lord of lords and so left his followers and believers an example, that they should follow him, like innocent lambs; for the Lamb and the saints have the victory over all the tearers, and strikers, and pluckers, and devourers, and persecutors. And so let patience have its perfect work in you and among you, in which you run the race, and do obtain the crown of eternal life. And do not strive, but keep down that spirit that would strive, with love, which differeth you from all other sufferers that

have not love, which envieth not, neither is provoked, but beareth all things, and endureth all things, and will wear out all evil doers. And so be faithful, and of the good faith that hath the victory, and in it suffer joyfully, as the saints did, and leave the gainsayers to the Lord God, who will reward and repay them. And keep in the seed that will out-last all, and bruise the head of the serpent. And so the Lord God preserve you all both in life, word, and conversation to his glory; and that all your words may be gracious. Amen. G. F. The 8th of the 5th month, 1677.

CCCXLVII.-Concerning subjection of the spirits of the apostles one to another, in the unity of the spirit of Christ.

The apostles heard at Jerusalem, that the Samaritans had received the word of God, and they sent unto them Peter and John. Acts viii. 14. Now Peter and John did not, in opposition, say, we will stay till we have a motion. But as the spirits of the prophets were subject to the prophets, so the spirits of the apostles were subject to the apostles. And when tidings came to the church at Jerusalem, that the Grecians had believed, they sent forth Barnabas to them, and when he came, he exhorted them; and when Barnabas had found Paul, he brought him to Antioch, (and there the disciples were first called christians,) and the the church sent the collection by the hands of Paul and Barnabas unto the elders. Acts xi. 22, 23. 30. and ix. 27. Paul and Barnabas took with them John, whose surname was Mark; and Mark did not gainsay, and tell them, I must wait for a motion. Acts xii. 25. It pleased the apostles and elders, with the church, to send chosen men to Antioch, with Paul, and Barnabas, and Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren, and wrote letters by them unto the Gentiles. Acts xv. 22. saying, 'Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain that went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, ye must be circumcised and keep the law; unto whom we gave no such commandment. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you; men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.' Paul said unto Barnabas, let us go again unto every city, where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do; and Barnabas determined to take Mark with them; and Paul chose Silas, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God; and they went through Syria and Cilicia; and as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem; and so were the churches confirmed and established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts xvi. 4. The brethren

exhorted the disciples to receive Apollos. Acts xviii. 27. And Paul sent unto the Ephesians, and called the elders of the church, and exhorted them. Acts xx. 17. Paul commends' Phebe, a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea,' and bid them receive her in the Lord, and assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of. Rom. xvi. Now if Timothy come, so that ye receive him without fear, let no man despise him, but conduct him forth in peace, that he might come unto me, for I look for him with the brethren. Paul said to the Corinthians, 'Did I make a gain of you by any whom I sent unto you? 2 Cor. xii. 17. Or did Titus make a gain of you? Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister of the Lord, shall make known unto you all things; whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that you might know our affairs, and comfort your hearts.' Eph. vi. 21, 22. Paul sent to the Colossians, Onesimus with Tychicus, to make known all things unto them that were done with him. Col. iv. 9. And when they had read his epistle, they were to cause it to be read at Laodicea; and Paul charged the Thessalonians by the Lord, that they did read his epistle amongst all the holy brethren. 1 Thess. v. 27. And Paul saith, ‘Take Mark, bring him with thee, for he is profitable to me for the ministry; and Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.' 2 Tim. iv. 11, 12. Paul said to Titus, chap. iii. 12. When I shall send Artemas or Tychicus unto thee, be thou diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis, and bring Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.' Paul saith to Philemon, Having confidence in thy obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.' Philemon 21, 22. John saith, 2 Epist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not these things that we have wrote, but that we may receive a full reward. I wrote unto the churches, but Diotrephas, who loveth to have the preeminence amongst them, received us not. Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doth, prating against us with malicious words,' 2. and 3. epistle of John. And in Jude, such as go in Balaam, Cain and Corah's way, wandering stars, raging waves of the sea, wells without water, clouds without rain, trees without fruit, twice dead and plucked up by the roots, their mouths speak great swelling words, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. These are they

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that separate themselves, such as have not the spirit. But, beloved, build up yourselves in the most holy faith, praying in the holy ghost; and keep yourselves in the love of God.' Jude. 'Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances as I delivered them unto you; and the rest will I set in order when I come.' 1.Cor. ii. 11. 34. Paul in his second epistle to the Thessalonians, chap. iii. iv. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do, and will do the things which we command you. Now we command VOL. VIII.

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