To friends in England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, New-England, Barbado's, or any where else where the Lord God shall order this to come, in the tender spirit of life and love, greeting
         Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
      
       
         
           1666
        
      
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             To friends in England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, New-England, Barbado's, or any where else where the Lord God shall order this to come, in the tender spirit of life and love, greeting
             Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
          
           12 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [S.l. :
             1666]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Signed: Isaac Penington (p. 11).
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Christian life.
           Salvation.
        
      
    
     
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           To
           Friends
           in
           England
           ,
           Ireland
           ,
           Scotland
           ,
           Holland
           ,
           New-England
           ,
           Barbado's
           ,
           or
           any
           where
           else
           where
           the
           Lord
           God
           shall
           order
           this
           to
           come
           in
           the
           tender
           Spirit
           of
           Life
           and
           Love
           ,
           greeting
           .
        
         
           
             O
             Friends
             ,
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           pure
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           fresh
           Breath
           of
           his
           living
           Spirit
           ,
           is
           it
           now
           on
           my
           heart
           to
           write
           unto
           you
           ,
           in
           fear
           ,
           in
           tenderness
           ,
           in
           meltings
           and
           true
           sence
           of
           Spirit
           ;
           and
           the
           Lord
           God
           so
           guide
           my
           heart
           and
           words
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           may
           reach
           the
           witness
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           all
           that
           shall
           read
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           felt
           by
           that
           to
           be
           purely
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           not
           at
           all
           of
           the
           birth
           ,
           will
           ,
           or
           wisdom
           of
           the
           flesh
           .
        
         
           I
           remember
           ,
           I
           remember
           ,
           O
           Friends
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           in
           my
           heart
           to
           put
           you
           in
           remembrance
           of
           the
           cloudy
           ,
           dismal
           and
           dark
           day
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Shepherd
           of
           Israel
           〈◊〉
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           what
           condition
           we
           were
           in
           ,
           when
           he
           caused
           the
           Light
           of
           Life
           to
           shine
           upon
           our
           Tabernacles
           ,
           and
           to
           spring
           up
           in
           us
           .
           O
           the
           desolation
           ,
           the
           desolation
           that
           our
           Souls
           were
           in
           ,
           in
           that
           day
           !
           O
           the
           wandrings
           up
           and
           down
           ,
           the
           seekings
           ,
           huntings
           ,
           mournings
           ,
           bitter
           complaints
           ,
           and
           deep
           distresses
           for
           want
           of
           our
           God
           ,
           and
           for
           want
           of
           the
           guidance
           of
           his
           good
           Spirit
           !
           Who
           can
           utter
           now
           what
           was
           then
           felt
           of
           the
           thickness
           of
           darkness
           ,
           of
           the
           misery
           ,
           the
           loss
           ,
           the
           dreadful
           captivity
           that
           poor
           Souls
           
           were
           entangled
           and
           wraped
           up
           in
           ?
           O
           how
           acceptable
           was
           the
           Visitation
           of
           God
           then
           !
           how
           deep
           was
           the
           sence
           of
           his
           tender
           Mercy
           in
           visiting
           !
           how
           glad
           was
           the
           Soul
           then
           of
           the
           living
           Path
           revealed
           !
           how
           unfainedly
           did
           it
           cleave
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           embrace
           the
           measure
           of
           his
           Life
           revealed
           inwardly
           to
           the
           mind
           !
           how
           did
           it
           fear
           !
           how
           did
           it
           wait
           !
           how
           did
           it
           watch
           against
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           cry
           to
           the
           Father
           for
           his
           help
           !
           how
           beautiful
           were
           the
           Feet
           ,
           and
           how
           pleasant
           the
           visitations
           of
           them
           ,
           who
           brought
           the
           tydings
           of
           this
           Life
           and
           Peace
           !
           What
           love
           ,
           what
           unity
           ,
           what
           embracing
           one
           another
           in
           this
           life
           ,
           was
           then
           witnessed
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           one
           another
           !
           and
           where
           this
           lives
           and
           grows
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           O
           how
           precious
           is
           that
           Vessel
           !
           but
           where
           the
           Life
           in
           any
           is
           departed
           from
           ,
           where
           another
           thing
           (
           of
           another
           nature
           )
           hath
           entered
           and
           been
           entertained
           by
           any
           ,
           there
           it
           is
           not
           so
           ;
           but
           there
           the
           love
           is
           grown
           cold
           ,
           the
           mind
           changed
           ,
           the
           goodness
           of
           the
           Lord
           forgotten
           ,
           and
           the
           poor
           Soul
           again
           entangled
           in
           that
           which
           formerly
           it
           felt
           some
           release
           and
           deliverance
           from
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           that
           the
           Enemy
           would
           endeavour
           to
           entangle
           the
           minds
           of
           the
           Redeemed
           ,
           and
           to
           draw
           them
           back
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           his
           pure
           measure
           of
           Life
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           towards
           Perdition
           again
           ,
           that
           is
           not
           to
           be
           questioned
           ,
           it
           being
           his
           Nature
           and
           Property
           so
           to
           do
           ;
           and
           that
           he
           would
           use
           ,
           not
           only
           his
           strength
           ,
           but
           also
           all
           his
           subtilty
           &
           deceiveableness
           to
           affect
           this
           (
           his
           aim
           being
           at
           the
           Church
           and
           Redeemed
           of
           God
           ,
           more
           then
           at
           the
           World
           )
           appearing
           as
           an
           Angel
           of
           Light
           ,
           in
           motions
           like
           Light
           ,
           in
           wayes
           like
           Life
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           to
           be
           doubted
           neither
           ;
           for
           how
           else
           could
           he
           gain
           upon
           that
           ,
           whose
           eye
           is
           towards
           ,
           and
           whose
           aim
           is
           after
           the
           Lord
           ?
           But
           this
           is
           the
           great
           thing
           for
           my
           heart
           ,
           and
           the
           hearts
           of
           Friends
           ,
           to
           be
           exercised
           in
           ,
           to
           wait
           on
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           his
           true
           Light
           ,
           clearly
           to
           discern
           how
           far
           
           we
           have
           been
           assaulted
           by
           this
           Enemy
           ;
           and
           how
           far
           the
           Lord
           hath
           preserved
           us
           from
           his
           assaults
           ,
           or
           suffered
           him
           to
           prevail
           upon
           us
           ;
           for
           he
           hath
           prevailed
           in
           former
           Ages
           ,
           under
           the
           ministration
           of
           the
           Law
           in
           the
           Prophets
           dayes
           ,
           and
           under
           the
           ministration
           of
           the
           Gospel
           in
           the
           Apostles
           dayes
           ;
           yea
           ,
           and
           I
           must
           needs
           say
           ,
           he
           hath
           also
           prevailed
           in
           our
           dayes
           ,
           on
           all
           that
           have
           not
           watched
           in
           the
           pure
           Fear
           ,
           and
           been
           preserved
           by
           the
           pure
           Power
           of
           the
           Lord.
           Now
           doth
           it
           not
           concern
           every
           one
           to
           look
           up
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           to
           guide
           his
           heart
           in
           searching
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           truly
           understand
           his
           state
           ?
           that
           ,
           if
           he
           can
           witness
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           Power
           ,
           he
           may
           sing
           praise
           to
           the
           Power
           ;
           but
           if
           he
           hath
           been
           betrayed
           and
           come
           to
           a
           loss
           ,
           he
           may
           seek
           after
           the
           Power
           of
           Life
           again
           ,
           and
           wait
           for
           deliverance
           and
           restoring
           by
           it
           .
           For
           with
           the
           Lord
           God
           is
           Mercy
           and
           Bowels
           ,
           and
           he
           seeketh
           after
           and
           saveth
           the
           Lost
           ,
           not
           once
           onely
           ,
           but
           again
           and
           again
           ;
           onely
           here
           is
           the
           great
           danger
           of
           Souls
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           ignorant
           of
           their
           Captivity
           ,
           and
           judge
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           are
           guided
           by
           that
           ,
           which
           should
           be
           judged
           down
           and
           destroyed
           in
           them
           ;
           When
           Darkness
           is
           the
           light
           and
           leader
           in
           the
           Mind
           ,
           O
           whither
           doth
           that
           Soul
           travel
           !
           how
           doth
           it
           judge
           ,
           think
           ,
           act
           !
           how
           sure
           doth
           the
           Enemy
           hold
           it
           in
           his
           Bonds
           and
           Chains
           !
           how
           easily
           doth
           he
           prejudice
           it
           against
           that
           ,
           which
           is
           of
           God
           and
           for
           its
           good
           ;
           and
           incline
           it
           to
           think
           favourably
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           only
           appeareth
           to
           be
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           is
           not
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           its
           hurt
           .
        
         
           Now
           Friends
           ,
           there
           were
           three
           things
           on
           my
           heart
           this
           morning
           ,
           which
           sprang
           up
           in
           true
           sence
           and
           demonstration
           of
           God's
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           subtil
           engines
           ,
           which
           the
           Enemy
           hath
           endeavoured
           to
           make
           use
           of
           to
           hurt
           our
           Souls
           ;
           which
           any
           that
           have
           been
           entangled
           in
           ,
           have
           received
           hurt
           by
           ,
           and
           those
           that
           have
           escaped
           ,
           have
           cause
           to
           bless
           
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Preserver
           of
           ISRAEL
           .
        
         
           The
           first
           is
           this
           ,
           By
           getting
           in
           Persons
           prejudices
           against
           those
           whom
           the
           Lord
           hath
           chosen
           ,
           and
           pleaseth
           to
           make
           use
           of
           in
           Ministring
           to
           his
           People
           .
           Precious
           is
           the
           Ministry
           that
           is
           in
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           for
           the
           building
           up
           in
           Life
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           for
           begetting
           .
           How
           doth
           the
           Enemy
           strive
           to
           prejudice
           the
           World
           against
           them
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           no
           begetting
           to
           God
           from
           amongst
           them
           ?
           And
           how
           doth
           he
           also
           endeavour
           to
           raise
           prejudices
           among
           the
           Begotten
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           interrupt
           ,
           and
           (
           if
           possibly
           )
           stop
           their
           building
           up
           ?
        
         
           The
           second
           is
           this
           ,
           To
           draw
           men
           from
           eying
           and
           subjecting
           to
           the
           present
           dispensation
           ,
           by
           an
           earnest
           looking
           after
           and
           waiting
           for
           another
           ,
           or
           further
           .
           The
           security
           and
           blessing
           of
           the
           Soul
           lies
           in
           the
           present
           dispensation
           ,
           in
           bowing
           to
           God
           there
           ,
           in
           being
           diligent
           under
           the
           exercises
           of
           his
           Spirit
           therein
           .
           Now
           that
           which
           draws
           the
           mind
           another
           way
           ,
           from
           the
           present
           exercise
           ,
           from
           belief
           in
           the
           present
           gift
           ,
           under
           a
           specious
           pretence
           of
           waiting
           for
           somewhat
           more
           glorious
           to
           appear
           ,
           betrayes
           and
           deceives
           ,
           in
           thus
           turning
           the
           mind
           out
           of
           the
           Path
           which
           God
           holds
           forth
           and
           guides
           into
           ,
           towards
           expectation
           of
           a
           Path
           as
           yet
           to
           be
           revealed
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           is
           this
           ,
           Under
           a
           pretence
           of
           sticking
           to
           the
           enlightning
           &
           guidance
           of
           ones
           own
           measure
           ,
           to
           set
           up
           a
           sense
           and
           judgement
           in
           the
           mind
           ,
           both
           concerning
           persons
           ,
           practices
           ,
           and
           things
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           truly
           of
           the
           measure
           ,
           but
           secretly
           instilled
           into
           and
           raised
           up
           in
           the
           mind
           ,
           contrary
           to
           the
           pure
           measure
           of
           Life
           .
           All
           these
           have
           I
           not
           onely
           seen
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           but
           been
           forely
           assaulted
           with
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           have
           not
           prevailed
           upon
           me
           ,
           even
           to
           destruction
           ,
           is
           the
           tender
           mercy
           and
           kindness
           of
           the
           Lord
           unto
           me
           ;
           and
           in
           that
           tenderness
           and
           love
           ,
           for
           the
           preservation
           
           of
           others
           do
           I
           write
           these
           things
           :
           And
           indeed
           ,
           I
           have
           somewhat
           in
           my
           heart
           to
           say
           singly
           and
           nakedly
           concerning
           each
           of
           these
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           guide
           and
           bless
           to
           the
           conditions
           of
           those
           who
           stand
           in
           need
           thereof
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Concerning
           those
           prejudices
           which
           the
           Enemy
           is
           apt
           to
           lay
           before
           the
           minds
           of
           Friends
           concerning
           those
           whom
           the
           Lord
           hath
           chosen
           to
           minister
           to
           them
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           I
           shall
           say
           this
           :
           Look
           over
           the
           former
           dispensations
           of
           God
           ;
           There
           were
           false
           Prophets
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           false
           Apostles
           and
           Ministers
           in
           the
           time
           of
           that
           dispensation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           who
           did
           strive
           and
           labour
           hard
           to
           disturb
           ,
           undermine
           and
           overturn
           the
           Building
           and
           Work
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Spirits
           of
           his
           People
           then
           ;
           but
           did
           God
           suffer
           the
           True
           Prophets
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           or
           his
           True
           Apostles
           to
           fall
           and
           lose
           their
           Ministry
           ?
           And
           is
           not
           this
           present
           dispensation
           pure
           and
           living
           ,
           and
           able
           to
           preserve
           both
           the
           Instructers
           and
           Instructed
           in
           the
           Lord
           ?
           It
           is
           natural
           to
           the
           Enemy
           to
           suggest
           such
           a
           thing
           ;
           but
           let
           all
           that
           fear
           the
           Lord
           and
           love
           his
           Truth
           ,
           take
           heed
           how
           they
           entertain
           such
           a
           suggestion
           .
           Besides
           ,
           he
           that
           hath
           felt
           the
           pure
           Power
           in
           his
           heart
           ,
           and
           waited
           to
           be
           carried
           through
           the
           work
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           hath
           been
           carried
           through
           and
           brought
           into
           the
           dominion
           ,
           and
           set
           as
           a
           Pillar
           in
           the
           Temple
           of
           the
           Lord
           ;
           it
           is
           not
           easie
           (
           if
           possible
           )
           for
           him
           to
           fall
           ,
           the
           Lord
           having
           undertaken
           for
           him
           ,
           that
           he
           shall
           
             go
             no
             more
             forth
          
           ,
           as
           Rev.
           3.
           12.
           
           But
           let
           me
           say
           this
           to
           thee
           ,
           O
           Soul
           ,
           who
           ever
           hast
           entertained
           this
           prejudice
           ,
           Thou
           ,
           through
           prejudices
           and
           suggestions
           judgest
           them
           fallen
           ;
           but
           do
           not
           they
           ,
           in
           the
           true
           Eternal
           Light
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Life
           ,
           see
           thee
           fallen
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           if
           thou
           couldst
           but
           retire
           to
           the
           pure
           measure
           that
           at
           first
           quickened
           thee
           ,
           mightest
           not
           thou
           feel
           thy
           own
           fall
           ?
        
         
           To
           the
           second
           ,
           Of
           drawing
           out
           the
           mind
           to
           look
           after
           
           another
           or
           further
           dispensation
           ,
           I
           have
           this
           to
           say
           :
           Consider
           what
           this
           dispensation
           is
           ;
           Is
           it
           not
           of
           the
           Seed
           it self
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           of
           the
           Light
           ,
           Life
           and
           Power
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           manifested
           in
           the
           Seed
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Soul
           through
           the
           Seed
           ?
           Is
           not
           the
           sence
           quick
           ,
           and
           the
           love
           pure
           ,
           where
           this
           is
           felt
           ?
           What
           wouldst
           thou
           have
           ,
           poor
           Soul
           ?
           O
           that
           thou
           feltest
           the
           virtue
           and
           power
           of
           this
           ,
           surely
           thou
           wouldst
           then
           find
           ,
           that
           thou
           mightest
           sit
           down
           here
           in
           the
           Peace
           ,
           Purity
           ,
           Power
           ,
           Dominion
           and
           Perfection
           of
           Life
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           all
           in
           the
           Seed
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           revealed
           to
           thee
           ,
           and
           become
           thine
           ,
           as
           thou
           art
           gathered
           into
           the
           Seed
           ,
           and
           the
           Seed
           opened
           in
           thee
           .
           Besides
           ,
           are
           there
           not
           many
           that
           have
           witnessed
           ,
           and
           that
           can
           witness
           from
           God
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           the
           dispensation
           which
           is
           to
           go
           through
           the
           whole
           earth
           ?
           and
           shall
           it
           be
           laid
           aside
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           its
           work
           ?
           
             If
             there
             had
             been
             a
             Law
             given
             ,
             which
             could
             have
             given
             Life
             ,
          
           (
           said
           the
           Apostle
           )
           
             Righteousness
             should
             have
             been
             by
             the
             Law.
          
           God
           doth
           not
           change
           .
           When
           he
           hath
           brought
           forth
           that
           which
           will
           do
           the
           thing
           ,
           why
           should
           he
           change
           it
           ?
           Now
           of
           the
           ability
           of
           this
           ,
           there
           are
           many
           witnesses
           ;
           Yea
           it
           hath
           brought
           forth
           Life
           and
           Righteousness
           in
           those
           that
           have
           been
           subject
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           was
           once
           owned
           as
           the
           desire
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           and
           became
           a
           covering
           to
           our
           eyes
           that
           we
           could
           look
           no
           further
           ;
           our
           hearts
           in
           the
           sense
           and
           life
           of
           Truth
           ,
           being
           satisfied
           that
           this
           was
           the
           very
           thing
           we
           had
           long
           mourned
           after
           ,
           and
           waited
           for
           .
           O
           that
           which
           begets
           another
           sense
           in
           any
           of
           us
           ,
           (
           under
           what
           pretence
           or
           appearance
           soever
           )
           let
           it
           be
           the
           abomination
           of
           our
           Souls
           ,
           that
           we
           hearken
           not
           ,
           nor
           give
           the
           least
           entertainment
           to
           it
           ,
           lest
           by
           it
           we
           be
           betrayed
           of
           our
           portion
           in
           the
           blessed
           Treasure
           and
           Inheritance
           .
        
         
           To
           the
           third
           I
           say
           ;
           It
           is
           a
           standing
           Truth
           ,
           the
           Standard
           we
           were
           invited
           to
           ,
           and
           to
           which
           we
           are
           to
           keep
           for
           ever
           ,
           
           even
           the
           measure
           of
           Life
           in
           our
           own
           Vessels
           :
           This
           will
           justifie
           us
           in
           our
           subjection
           to
           whatever
           it
           reveals
           ;
           and
           its
           justification
           will
           stand
           ,
           whatsoever
           any
           man
           else
           shall
           say
           to
           the
           contrary
           .
           But
           this
           is
           at
           unity
           in
           it self
           ,
           and
           never
           opposeth
           the
           motion
           or
           appearance
           of
           Life
           in
           another
           .
           Now
           this
           is
           certain
           ,
           the
           Enemy
           will
           appear
           as
           neer
           life
           and
           its
           motion
           ,
           as
           he
           can
           ;
           and
           if
           I
           receive
           his
           appearance
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           subject
           to
           the
           measure
           of
           life
           in
           me
           ,
           but
           to
           him
           under
           his
           deceitful
           appearance
           .
           Therefore
           if
           that
           ,
           which
           appears
           like
           Life
           in
           thee
           ,
           contradict
           a
           practice
           or
           appearance
           of
           Life
           in
           others
           ,
           (
           who
           were
           in
           the
           Truth
           before
           thee
           ,
           and
           are
           in
           the
           growth
           thereof
           far
           beyond
           thee
           )
           oughtest
           thou
           not
           to
           be
           sober
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           to
           wait
           in
           fear
           ,
           lest
           thou
           shouldest
           be
           deceived
           ,
           lest
           thou
           shouldest
           exalt
           Self
           and
           the
           Enemy
           in
           thee
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           Truth
           ;
           yea
           lest
           thy
           heart
           should
           grow
           hard
           ,
           and
           thy
           neck
           stiff
           against
           those
           who
           are
           over
           thee
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           so
           thou
           lose
           the
           benefit
           of
           their
           watching
           over
           thee
           and
           counsel
           to
           thee
           ,
           and
           of
           Gods
           preservation
           ?
           For
           out
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           in
           the
           deceitful
           appearance
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           preservation
           ,
           nor
           true
           Light
           ,
           nor
           justification
           of
           Life
           ,
           but
           self
           conceit
           fleshly
           confidence
           ,
           and
           the
           justification
           of
           a
           mans
           own
           spirit
           ;
           and
           his
           wisdom
           then
           gets
           up
           ,
           and
           exalts
           it self
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           the
           right
           thing
           .
           The
           Lord
           gave
           the
           measure
           of
           Life
           to
           thee
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           also
           hath
           given
           Fathers
           ,
           Guides
           ,
           Instructers
           ,
           Watchmen
           ,
           in
           his
           Israel
           .
           These
           have
           a
           service
           from
           the
           Lord
           towards
           thee
           ,
           who
           knoweth
           that
           thy
           Soul
           hath
           need
           of
           that
           service
           ;
           now
           if
           the
           Enemy
           can
           prejudice
           thee
           against
           ,
           and
           withdraw
           thee
           from
           the
           use
           of
           what
           thou
           needest
           ,
           art
           thou
           not
           in
           danger
           of
           falling
           and
           miscarriage
           ?
           Dost
           not
           thou
           set
           up
           the
           measure
           of
           Life
           in
           thee
           (
           if
           not
           another
           thing
           )
           beyond
           its
           place
           ,
           state
           and
           growth
           ?
           And
           can
           any
           thing
           grow
           and
           thrive
           out
           of
           the
           Order
           and
           Wisdom
           
           of
           God
           ?
           Nay
           ,
           nay
           ,
           the
           very
           measure
           of
           life
           it self
           will
           this
           way
           come
           to
           wither
           and
           die
           in
           thee
           ,
           and
           another
           thing
           live
           in
           its
           place
           ,
           and
           the
           Sword
           of
           the
           Lord
           will
           be
           drawn
           against
           thee
           ,
           and
           thou
           wilt
           be
           cut
           off
           from
           the
           Body
           ,
           and
           also
           from
           him
           who
           is
           the
           quickner
           and
           preserver
           of
           the
           Body
           .
           Therefore
           my
           Friends
           ,
           as
           the
           Enemy
           watcheth
           to
           deceive
           and
           destroy
           ,
           so
           the
           Lord
           keep
           our
           Souls
           in
           the
           true
           Watch
           and
           looking
           up
           to
           him
           ,
           who
           (
           to
           those
           that
           fear
           him
           )
           discovereth
           the
           deceit
           ,
           and
           preserveth
           from
           the
           snare
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           witnessed
           concerning
           the
           measure
           of
           Life
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           and
           the
           way
           of
           its
           acting
           and
           operation
           ,
           that
           it
           alwayes
           acts
           in
           its
           place
           ,
           even
           in
           due
           subjection
           to
           the
           Father
           of
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           Life
           in
           others
           according
           to
           its
           growth
           :
           for
           there
           is
           no
           rent
           nor
           division
           in
           the
           living
           Body
           ,
           no
           setting
           up
           one
           measure
           of
           Life
           against
           another
           measure
           ,
           or
           one
           motion
           of
           Life
           against
           another
           motion
           ,
           or
           one
           practice
           against
           another
           ,
           but
           all
           there
           is
           in
           the
           unity
           ,
           in
           the
           love
           ,
           in
           the
           tenderness
           ,
           in
           the
           sence
           ,
           in
           the
           peace
           ,
           in
           the
           dominion
           ,
           in
           the
           subjection
           ;
           and
           that
           which
           differeth
           or
           dissenteth
           from
           the
           Life
           ,
           interrupting
           the
           Union
           and
           Uniformity
           in
           the
           Life
           ,
           is
           not
           of
           the
           Life
           ;
           which
           when
           it
           is
           every-where
           cast
           out
           ,
           Life
           to
           Life
           will
           answer
           every-where
           ;
           which
           day
           my
           Soul
           breatheth
           and
           waiteth
           for
           ,
           even
           the
           day
           wherein
           Life
           alone
           shall
           live
           and
           reign
           in
           every
           Vessel
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           devices
           and
           snares
           of
           the
           Enemy
           not
           be
           able
           to
           enter
           upon
           ,
           or
           catch
           any
           of
           God's
           little
           simple-hearted
           ones
           ;
           but
           still
           by
           the
           power
           of
           Life
           rising
           in
           clearness
           against
           them
           ,
           be
           thrown
           back
           upon
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           to
           his
           torment
           and
           disadvantage
           .
        
         
           And
           O
           dear
           Lambs
           ,
           consider
           how
           easie
           it
           is
           for
           you
           to
           mistake
           ,
           err
           ,
           &
           wander
           from
           the
           Truth
           ;
           and
           do
           not
           refuse
           the
           care
           ,
           watchfulness
           and
           tender
           counsel
           of
           those
           who
           
           were
           instrumental
           to
           beget
           you
           to
           ,
           and
           are
           yet
           over
           you
           in
           the
           Lord.
           Alas
           ,
           how
           easie
           is
           it
           for
           the
           Enemy
           to
           deceive
           your
           simplicity
           ,
           and
           get
           between
           you
           and
           your
           Life
           ;
           and
           then
           ye
           are
           liable
           to
           miss-see
           and
           miss-act
           in
           all
           ye
           do
           ,
           and
           to
           follow
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           your
           right
           guide
           ;
           and
           to
           fight
           against
           ,
           and
           resist
           him
           who
           is
           your
           true
           Leader
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           your
           Enemy
           .
           The
           Life
           in
           you
           is
           to
           be
           your
           Guide
           and
           Leader
           ,
           as
           it
           groweth
           up
           and
           receiveth
           ability
           ,
           strength
           and
           dominion
           from
           the
           Lord
           ;
           but
           the
           Heir
           is
           to
           be
           under
           Tutors
           and
           Governour
           ,
           till
           the
           time
           appointed
           of
           the
           Father
           .
           And
           the
           Seed
           is
           meek
           ,
           humble
           ,
           tender
           ,
           lowly
           ,
           sensible
           of
           its
           own
           state
           and
           weakness
           ,
           and
           subject
           to
           the
           exaltation
           ,
           dominion
           and
           pure
           authority
           of
           Life
           in
           others
           where
           the
           Lord
           hath
           so
           exalted
           it
           .
           That
           which
           is
           otherwise
           in
           you
           (
           which
           is
           high
           ,
           exalted
           ,
           conceited
           of
           it self
           ,
           and
           not
           subject
           to
           every
           degree
           of
           Life
           in
           others
           ,
           according
           to
           its
           state
           )
           is
           another
           thing
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           of
           the
           true
           kind
           ,
           but
           onely
           under
           a
           guize
           appears
           to
           you
           as
           the
           true
           ;
           and
           as
           it
           gets
           entrance
           ,
           corrupts
           your
           hearts
           from
           the
           true
           ,
           &
           destils
           its
           poyson
           into
           your
           Spirits
           ,
           which
           ye
           believing
           ,
           entertaining
           and
           feeding
           upon
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           the
           true
           ,
           grow
           up
           in
           his
           poysonful
           nature
           (
           losing
           the
           pure
           nature
           and
           fellowship
           of
           the
           Body
           )
           and
           are
           travelling
           whither
           ye
           are
           not
           aware
           ,
           being
           gone
           from
           that
           which
           at
           first
           gathered
           ,
           into
           that
           which
           through
           subtilty
           hath
           deceived
           ,
           appearing
           to
           you
           as
           if
           it
           was
           still
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           that
           ye
           still
           keep
           to
           it
           ,
           but
           others
           are
           departed
           ;
           whereas
           the
           thing
           is
           clean
           contrary
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           those
           who
           keep
           to
           the
           Annointing
           ,
           and
           see
           with
           his
           eye
           .
           Therefore
           ,
           O
           dear
           Lambs
           and
           Babes
           ,
           what
           need
           have
           we
           to
           wait
           ,
           in
           tender
           sence
           ,
           for
           the
           Lord's
           preservation
           of
           us
           in
           that
           Nature
           ,
           Spirit
           and
           Life
           ,
           whereof
           we
           were
           begotten
           ,
           and
           wherein
           we
           were
           taught
           ,
           that
           there
           we
           may
           still
           learn
           and
           keep
           to
           the
           true
           teaching
           ,
           in
           the
           innocency
           and
           simplicity
           of
           love
           ,
           and
           not
           hearken
           to
           the
           wisdom
           and
           reasonings
           of
           another
           spirit
           ,
           who
           lieth
           at
           watch
           to
           catch
           the
           mind
           with
           his
           wiles
           ,
           and
           draw
           from
           the
           true
           thing
           .
           Mark
           how
           we
           learned
           at
           first
           ;
           Was
           it
           not
           in
           a
           Nature
           ,
           by
           a
           secret
           instinct
           and
           inclination
           of
           our
           minds
           towards
           the
           Life
           ,
           and
           the
           Path
           ,
           Wayes
           and
           Practises
           thereof
           ,
           whereinto
           the
           Body
           (
           which
           before
           had
           been
           gathered
           )
           was
           led
           and
           walked
           before
           us
           ?
           The
           same
           Life
           ,
           when
           it
           maketh
           us
           part
           of
           the
           flock
           ,
           bringeth
           us
           into
           the
           
           same
           footsteps
           ;
           and
           there
           we
           walk
           with
           them
           ,
           in
           the
           unity
           of
           the
           same
           Life
           ,
           and
           sence
           of
           the
           same
           Leader
           ;
           but
           if
           the
           Enemy
           can
           at
           any
           time
           draw
           us
           from
           this
           sence
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           belief
           and
           practices
           or
           practice
           ,
           which
           we
           received
           in
           this
           sence
           ,
           (
           even
           out
           of
           the
           limits
           of
           this
           nature
           and
           its
           naturalness
           )
           how
           easie
           is
           it
           for
           him
           to
           perswade
           us
           to
           question
           right
           things
           in
           our
           minds
           and
           understandings
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           were
           wrong
           ,
           (
           darkening
           our
           eye
           ,
           and
           causing
           us
           to
           overlook
           and
           forget
           the
           leading
           and
           motion
           ,
           which
           we
           had
           in
           the
           true
           sence
           and
           nature
           ,
           from
           the
           Annoiting
           it self
           )
           and
           so
           confidently
           to
           think
           and
           conclude
           ,
           that
           we
           took
           up
           such
           or
           such
           a
           practice
           by
           imitation
           ,
           and
           have
           held
           it
           up
           in
           form
           ?
           whereas
           the
           Lord
           (
           who
           forgetteth
           not
           what
           and
           how
           he
           hath
           wrought
           in
           us
           )
           knoweth
           that
           we
           took
           it
           up
           in
           the
           sence
           and
           leading
           of
           his
           Truth
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           tempted
           from
           that
           in
           the
           reasoning
           subtilty
           ,
           which
           we
           formerly
           practised
           in
           the
           true
           innocent
           simplicity
           .
           And
           thus
           getting
           into
           us
           a
           belief
           and
           entertainment
           of
           his
           snare
           ,
           he
           draws
           us
           from
           that
           which
           at
           first
           led
           us
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           practices
           we
           were
           at
           first
           led
           into
           ,
           to
           hearken
           to
           him
           and
           follow
           him
           ,
           who
           instructeth
           us
           in
           a
           way
           we
           were
           not
           instructed
           in
           before
           while
           the
           Lord
           instructed
           us
           ;
           and
           so
           destroyeth
           his
           Nature
           ,
           and
           the
           Work
           of
           his
           Spirit
           in
           us
           ,
           dividing
           us
           both
           from
           the
           Head
           and
           living
           Body
           ;
           and
           so
           our
           standing
           ,
           growth
           ,
           sence
           and
           judgement
           is
           altered
           ,
           and
           we
           are
           neither
           to
           the
           Lord
           what
           we
           were
           before
           ,
           nor
           is
           he
           to
           us
           what
           he
           was
           before
           ;
           for
           he
           hates
           that
           Spirit
           in
           all
           its
           appearances
           ,
           and
           cannot
           have
           unity
           with
           the
           Souls
           that
           are
           entangled
           by
           it
           .
           Therefore
           ,
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           as
           we
           prize
           our
           gathering
           to
           and
           abiding
           with
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           Joy
           and
           Presence
           at
           present
           ,
           and
           the
           Crown
           and
           Inheritance
           of
           Life
           with
           him
           for
           ever
           ;
           so
           let
           us
           fear
           ,
           so
           let
           us
           watch
           ,
           so
           let
           us
           cry
           unto
           him
           ,
           to
           be
           preserved
           by
           him
           ,
           which
           gathered
           us
           ,
           in
           that
           into
           which
           he
           gathered
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           any
           means
           betrayed
           (
           through
           subtilty
           of
           the
           Enemy
           )
           into
           another
           thing
           ,
           where
           the
           life
           of
           the
           Body
           (
           and
           union
           with
           the
           Body
           )
           cannot
           possibly
           be
           witnessed
           ,
           nor
           the
           true
           justification
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           but
           only
           an
           appearing
           justification
           of
           a
           man
           's
           own
           spirit
           ,
           which
           must
           afterwards
           come
           under
           condemnation
           .
           Ye
           ,
           who
           are
           in
           the
           living
           and
           true
           sence
           ,
           will
           feel
           my
           love
           ,
           tenderness
           and
           faithfulness
           in
           what
           I
           write
           ;
           and
           ye
           who
           are
           not
           ,
           the
           Lord
           God
           of
           
           Bowels
           pitty
           ,
           and
           recover
           out
           of
           the
           snare
           and
           wrong
           judgement
           ,
           that
           ye
           may
           feel
           it
           ;
           and
           feeling
           that
           which
           is
           true
           ,
           may
           be
           joyned
           to
           it
           ,
           drinking
           of
           its
           virtue
           and
           preservation
           ,
           and
           live
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           earnest
           desire
           of
           my
           Soul
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           who
           am
        
         
           
             From
             Alisb
             .
             Prison
             ,
             
               the
               14th
               .
               of
               the
               5th
               .
               month
               ,
               1666.
               
            
          
           
             Your
             Brother
             and
             Companion
             ,
             in
             the
             tribulations
             and
             mercies
             which
             attend
             the
             Living
             .
             Isaac
             Penington
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           POSTSCRIPT
           .
        
         
           DEar
           Friends
           ,
           Brethren
           ,
           Lambs
           and
           Plants
           of
           the
           most
           High
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           my
           heart
           to
           add
           one
           thing
           ,
           which
           I
           have
           been
           deeply
           exercised
           about
           ,
           and
           have
           received
           help
           from
           the
           Lord
           in
           ,
           wherein
           I
           am
           truly
           willing
           (
           in
           faithfulness
           and
           tenderness
           )
           to
           be
           helpful
           to
           any
           of
           you
           that
           stand
           in
           need
           thereof
           ,
           as
           the
           Lord
           shall
           give
           me
           ability
           and
           opportunity
           ;
           It
           is
           this
           ,
           Among
           other
           things
           ,
           wherewith
           the
           Enemy
           endeavoureth
           to
           reproach
           those
           whom
           the
           Lord
           hath
           sent
           forth
           amongst
           us
           ,
           he
           maketh
           use
           of
           this
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           wanted
           Bowels
           and
           Tenderness
           .
           Now
           Friends
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           consider
           it
           ,
           that
           the
           Enemy
           may
           not
           thus
           enter
           you
           ;
           Did
           not
           the
           Lord
           consider
           of
           his
           work
           ,
           and
           whom
           he
           sent
           forth
           in
           this
           his
           service
           and
           labour
           of
           Love
           ?
           Doth
           he
           not
           know
           the
           need
           of
           bowels
           and
           tenderness
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           would
           be
           not
           especially
           furnish
           them
           therewith
           ?
           Yea
           ,
           have
           they
           not
           bowels
           from
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Lord
           ?
           and
           doth
           not
           the
           eye
           that
           is
           open
           see
           ,
           and
           acknowledge
           their
           bowels
           ,
           and
           bless
           the
           Lord
           for
           them
           ?
           I
           have
           lately
           been
           often
           warmed
           in
           the
           true
           sence
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           have
           felt
           ,
           that
           therein
           I
           have
           not
           blessed
           his
           Name
           in
           vain
           ;
           but
           the
           thing
           is
           so
           in
           the
           sence
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           so
           acknowledged
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           that
           which
           erreth
           not
           :
           Onely
           as
           true
           judgement
           and
           severity
           
           hath
           its
           proper
           place
           in
           the
           Lord
           as
           well
           as
           his
           Mercy
           ;
           〈◊〉
           made
           use
           of
           by
           him
           towards
           his
           people
           ,
           as
           all
           by
           experience
           know
           ,
           so
           must
           it
           be
           in
           them
           also
           who
           bear
           his
           Image
           ,
           who
           must
           know
           ,
           in
           his
           Wisdom
           and
           Authority
           ,
           whom
           to
           smite
           with
           his
           Rod
           and
           sharp
           Reproofs
           ,
           and
           when
           ,
           and
           whom
           to
           cherish
           in
           the
           tenderness
           and
           meltings
           of
           Love.
           And
           this
           is
           also
           love
           and
           tenderness
           (
           and
           hath
           sweet
           and
           precious
           vertue
           and
           usefulness
           in
           it
           ,
           both
           for
           the
           recovery
           and
           restoring
           of
           those
           whose
           condition
           calls
           for
           the
           sharp
           stroke
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           rest
           )
           though
           it
           doth
           not
           so
           appear
           to
           that
           ,
           which
           by
           no
           means
           can
           endure
           the
           judgement
           ,
           but
           would
           have
           the
           tenderness
           and
           mercy
           which
           belongs
           not
           to
           it
           ;
           for
           the
           mercy
           is
           to
           the
           broken
           ,
           to
           the
           humble
           ,
           to
           the
           meek
           ,
           to
           the
           afflicted
           and
           bo●●●down
           ones
           under
           the
           sence
           of
           judgement
           ;
           not
           to
           the
           stiff
           and
           stubborn
           against
           the
           righteous
           judgements
           and
           testimonies
           of
           the
           Lord.
           And
           my
           Friends
           consider
           ,
           Could
           the
           Lord
           carry
           on
           his
           glorious
           Work
           ,
           in
           the
           hearts
           of
           his
           Children
           ,
           without
           his
           judgements
           ?
           Or
           can
           they
           ,
           who
           are
           sent
           by
           him
           ,
           possibly
           carry
           on
           his
           work
           among
           his
           people
           ,
           without
           making
           use
           of
           〈◊〉
           pruining-knife
           ,
           to
           cut
           off
           that
           which
           sprouted
           out
           unnaturally
           and
           unseasonably
           ,
           which
           (
           if
           it
           be
           let
           alone
           )
           will
           draw
           away
           the
           sap
           from
           that
           which
           should
           be
           fed
           and
           nourished
           with
           it
           .
           Dear
           Friends
           ,
           the
           Lord
           give
           you
           a
           true
           sence
           ,
           that
           in
           his
           Light
           ,
           Life
           ,
           Wisdom
           and
           Presence
           ye
           may
           justifie
           what
           is
           of
           him
           ,
           discerning
           between
           things
           that
           differ
           ,
           and
           not
           call
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           evil
           (
           as
           the
           tenderness
           which
           is
           out
           of
           him
           is
           )
           good
           ,
           nor
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           good
           (
           as
           the
           judgment
           and
           severity
           which
           is
           of
           him
           is
           )
           evil
           ,
           but
           may
           rightly
           distinguish
           between
           the
           nature
           of
           things
           ,
           knowing
           every
           thing
           that
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           owning
           it
           in
           its
           place
           .
        
         
           
             Alisb
             .
             Prison
             
               the
               29th
               .
               of
               the
               6th
               .
               month
               ,
               1666.
               
            
          
        
         
           THE
           END
           .