A tender salutation of perfect love unto the elect of God the royal seed, the saints of the most high, who have believed the testimony of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and walks in the light that hath enlightened every man that comes into the world.
         Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
      
       
         
           1661
        
      
       Approx. 25 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         Text Creation Partnership,
         Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :
         2004-05 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).
         A30546
         Wing B6031
         ESTC R37521
         16965317
         ocm 16965317
         105533
         
           
            This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of
             Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal
            . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
          
        
      
       
         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A30546)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 105533)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1610:40)
      
       
         
           
             A tender salutation of perfect love unto the elect of God the royal seed, the saints of the most high, who have believed the testimony of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and walks in the light that hath enlightened every man that comes into the world.
             Burrough, Edward, 1634-1662.
          
           16 p.
           
             Printed for the author,
             London :
             1661.
          
           
             Attributed to Burrough by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints.
             Signed at end: E.B. [i.e. Edward Burrough]
             Dedication signed: Ellis Hookes.
             Reproduction of original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.
         Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors.
      
       
         EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.
         EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).
         The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.
         Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.
         Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.
         Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.
         The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.
         Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).
         
          Keying and markup guidelines are available at the
           Text Creation Partnership web site
          .
        
      
       
         
         
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Society of Friends -- Pastoral letters and charges.
        
      
    
     
        2004-01 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2004-01 Aptara
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2004-02 Mona Logarbo
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2004-02 Mona Logarbo
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2004-04 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
         
         
           A
           Tender
           Salutation
           OF
           Perfect
           Love
           UNTO
           THE
           ELECT
           OF
           GOD
           ,
           The
           Royal
           Seed
           ,
           the
           Saints
           of
           the
           Most
           High
           ,
           who
           have
           believed
           the
           Testimony
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           walks
           in
           the
           Light
           that
           hath
           enlightened
           every
           man
           that
           comes
           into
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           for
           the
           Author
           ,
           1661.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           FRIENDS
           ,
        
         
           THis
           following
           Epistle
           being
           committed
           to
           me
           ,
           I
           have
           found
           it
           convenient
           to
           disperse
           it
           on
           this
           wise
           to
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           for
           whose
           service
           chiefly
           it
           hath
           been
           written
           as
           I
           perceive
           ;
           and
           this
           being
           a
           time
           ,
           wherein
           each
           Friend
           in
           God
           ought
           to
           serve
           another
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           a
           strength
           and
           encouragement
           one
           towards
           another
           in
           the
           Wayes
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           therefore
           according
           to
           my
           duty
           ,
           wherein
           I
           stand
           bound
           to
           the
           lord
           and
           his
           Servants
           ,
           I
           have
           diligently
           endeavoured
           your
           benefit
           and
           edification
           in
           sending
           this
           unto
           you
           ,
           who
           accounts
           it
           my
           greatest
           honour
           to
           serve
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           Servants
           .
        
         
           
             Ellis
             Hookes
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           To
           the
           Beloved
           Church
           of
           God
           that
           have
           believed
           and
           received
           the
           Testimony
           of
           our
           Lord
           Iesus
           Christ
           ;
           The
           true
           Light
           that
           Lighteth
           every
           man
           that
           cometh
           into
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           IN
           the
           Name
           and
           Power
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           blessed
           for
           ever
           ,
           that
           tender
           Salutations
           of
           my
           immortal
           Life
           is
           daily
           abounding
           towards
           ,
           you
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           true
           Flock
           of
           the
           Fathers
           Love
           and
           Care
           ,
           who
           hath
           begotten
           you
           to
           himself
           by
           his
           Word
           that
           lives
           for
           ever
           in
           us
           and
           with
           us
           ,
           that
           ye
           should
           be
           a
           People
           Chosen
           and
           Elected
           of
           him
           unto
           eternal
           blessings
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           a
           Praise
           and
           an
           Honour
           to
           him
           throughout
           the
           World
           ,
           by
           and
           through
           the
           virtue
           of
           his
           Life
           and
           Power
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           fruits
           of
           his
           Spirit
           brought
           forth
           by
           you
           all
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           only
           Children
           of
           that
           birth
           which
           is
           only
           the
           Lords
           .
        
         
           Well
           dearly
           Beloved
           ,
           my
           heart
           at
           this
           time
           is
           filled
           in
           the
           Fathers
           Love
           ,
           with
           the
           dear
           Remembrance
           of
           you
           whom
           the
           Lord
           hath
           gathered
           with
           his
           Arm
           of
           power
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           Spirit
           do
           I
           desire
           the
           encrease
           of
           all
           mercies
           ,
           and
           peace
           ,
           and
           blessings
           unto
           you
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           be
           rich
           and
           strong
           ,
           and
           wise
           and
           mighty
           through
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           receiving
           daily
           of
           his
           grace
           ,
           may
           ever
           be
           preserved
           ,
           constant
           and
           faithful
           in
           the
           heavenly
           calling
           unto
           the
           end
           ;
           And
           forasmuch
           as
           the
           Lord
           hath
           began
           his
           glorious
           work
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           you
           ,
           and
           gathered
           you
           out
           of
           the
           darknesse
           ,
           and
           ignorance
           ,
           and
           unbelief
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           
           where
           sometime
           your
           converse
           hath
           been
           ,
           while
           ye
           knew
           not
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           raised
           you
           up
           into
           the
           Light
           ,
           and
           Power
           and
           Wisdome
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           having
           largely
           tasted
           of
           the
           same
           in
           the
           experience
           of
           his
           leadings
           through
           diverse
           Operations
           and
           Manifestations
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           so
           that
           many
           of
           you
           have
           attained
           to
           a
           good
           measure
           to
           peace
           and
           rest
           with
           the
           Lord
           in
           your
           inward
           man
           ;
           Dearly
           Beloved
           ,
           seeing
           it
           is
           thus
           ,
           these
           things
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Father
           in
           me
           traveleth
           to
           bring
           forth
           unto
           you
           ,
           for
           the
           end
           to
           comfort
           you
           ,
           and
           to
           confirm
           you
           ,
           and
           to
           edifie
           you
           in
           the
           saving
           Truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           of
           peace
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Consider
           what
           your
           former
           estate
           hath
           been
           ,
           an
           estate
           scattered
           like
           sheep
           without
           a
           Shepherd
           ,
           some
           of
           you
           dispersed
           into
           one
           false
           kind
           of
           Profession
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           some
           into
           another
           ,
           walking
           in
           such
           wayes
           as
           the
           Lord
           led
           you
           not
           in
           ,
           but
           ye
           were
           driven
           from
           God
           into
           the
           paths
           of
           Death
           and
           Darknesse
           ,
           and
           were
           led
           by
           blind
           Watch-men
           in
           the
           Hypocrisie
           and
           false
           pretences
           towards
           God
           ,
           honouring
           him
           with
           the
           lips
           while
           the
           heart
           was
           far
           away
           ;
           this
           was
           the
           condition
           of
           some
           of
           you
           ,
           and
           others
           of
           you
           were
           wallowing
           in
           the
           open
           prophanenesse
           of
           the
           sinful
           World
           ,
           and
           such
           was
           your
           estate
           wherein
           you
           were
           all
           strangers
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           were
           without
           him
           in
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           served
           the
           Spirit
           which
           leads
           Captive
           to
           Destruction
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           way
           you
           were
           strayed
           even
           in
           the
           separation
           from
           Gods
           ,
           being
           in
           the
           state
           of
           enmity
           against
           him
           ,
           till
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           the
           good
           Shepherd
           of
           
             Israel
          
           found
           you
           out
           in
           the
           estate
           of
           darknesse
           ,
           and
           brought
           you
           home
           from
           your
           strayed
           condition
           ,
           
           even
           unto
           the
           sence
           and
           feeling
           of
           his
           power
           and
           spirit
           in
           you
           ,
           which
           called
           you
           out
           of
           the
           wayes
           of
           sin
           and
           death
           ,
           and
           also
           changed
           you
           and
           regenerated
           you
           into
           the
           Inheritance
           of
           a
           better
           Kingdome
           and
           glory
           then
           that
           which
           is
           of
           this
           World
           ,
           and
           ye
           now
           know
           Christ
           Jesus
           to
           be
           your
           Shepherd
           ,
           his
           Spirit
           to
           teach
           you
           ,
           his
           Wisdome
           and
           Righteousnesse
           and
           Sanctification
           to
           dwell
           in
           you
           ,
           being
           partakers
           of
           the
           same
           through
           the
           eternal
           light
           which
           once
           shined
           in
           darknesse
           ,
           and
           the
           darknesse
           could
           not
           comprehend
           it
           ,
           but
           now
           it
           is
           risen
           in
           much
           glory
           and
           power
           ,
           and
           death
           and
           darknesse
           is
           swallowed
           up
           of
           life
           and
           light
           ,
           and
           the
           fruits
           thereof
           subdued
           ;
           these
           things
           are
           true
           and
           faithful
           unto
           many
           ,
           let
           all
           such
           rejoyce
           and
           be
           glad
           in
           the
           Lord
           who
           have
           thus
           seen
           his
           day
           ,
           and
           tasted
           of
           his
           power
           ,
           and
           are
           witnesses
           that
           the
           Kingdome
           is
           come
           which
           never
           fades
           away
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Consider
           what
           the
           tender
           dealings
           of
           God
           towards
           you
           ,
           and
           his
           gentle
           leadings
           have
           been
           since
           he
           hath
           called
           you
           out
           of
           your
           former
           strayed
           estate
           ;
           hath
           not
           his
           light
           shined
           upon
           your
           Tabernacle
           with
           much
           clearnesse
           ,
           perswading
           your
           hearts
           fully
           of
           his
           way
           and
           truth
           ?
           hath
           not
           your
           hearts
           often
           been
           refreshed
           ,
           and
           your
           souls
           truly
           comforted
           by
           the
           refreshing
           presence
           of
           the
           Lord
           ?
           Hath
           not
           the
           way
           of
           life
           been
           made
           so
           clear
           unto
           you
           ,
           and
           the
           way
           of
           your
           peace
           so
           perfectly
           discovered
           ,
           that
           no
           occasion
           hath
           been
           left
           of
           unbelief
           or
           stumbling
           unto
           the
           upright
           in
           heart
           ?
           Surely
           the
           Lord
           hath
           not
           been
           wanting
           to
           you
           in
           any
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           but
           he
           hath
           so
           reached
           home
           by
           his
           Word
           and
           Spirit
           to
           your
           
           Hearts
           and
           Consciences
           with
           such
           full
           convictions
           and
           perswasions
           in
           the
           wayes
           of
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           no
           sincere
           heart
           can
           doubt
           or
           waver
           concerning
           the
           things
           pertaining
           to
           his
           Souls
           peace
           and
           comfort
           ;
           for
           so
           large
           and
           evident
           hath
           Gods
           Testimony
           been
           unto
           you
           ,
           ever
           since
           he
           first
           called
           you
           by
           his
           Grace
           ,
           that
           no
           man
           having
           sense
           and
           experience
           thereof
           ,
           but
           must
           bear
           witness
           that
           the
           Lord
           hath
           been
           good
           ,
           long-suffering
           ,
           full
           of
           Mercy
           and
           Righteousness
           towards
           all
           that
           fear
           him
           ;
           I
           am
           perswaded
           ye
           know
           these
           things
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           tast
           and
           virtue
           of
           the
           Lords
           Mercies
           and
           Power
           remains
           stedfast
           in
           your
           remembrance
           and
           enjoyment
           ,
           even
           his
           Mercies
           and
           loving
           Kindness
           that
           have
           been
           made
           manifest
           to
           you
           since
           ye
           have
           known
           the
           Lord
           ,
           who
           hath
           led
           you
           by
           the
           hand
           as
           a
           Father
           doth
           his
           Children
           ,
           and
           carried
           you
           in
           his
           Arms
           of
           Preservation
           ,
           and
           born
           you
           on
           his
           shoulders
           in
           all
           your
           afflictions
           ,
           insomuch
           that
           through
           his
           Power
           and
           Wisdom
           onely
           ,
           we
           are
           yet
           alive
           ,
           and
           the
           Adversary
           hath
           not
           prevailed
           against
           us
           ,
           though
           his
           attempts
           hath
           often
           been
           great
           to
           destroy
           us
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Consider
           what
           is
           now
           your
           present
           state
           and
           standing
           ?
           How
           is
           it
           with
           your
           inward
           man
           ?
           In
           what
           life
           and
           strength
           and
           dominion
           is
           he
           ?
           Is
           he
           strong
           over
           all
           the
           corruptible
           ,
           or
           is
           he
           weak
           under
           corruption
           ?
           Is
           he
           in
           the
           growth
           of
           a
           perfect
           man
           ,
           of
           the
           stature
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ?
           Is
           he
           so
           begotten
           and
           born
           in
           you
           ,
           that
           life
           hath
           swallowed
           up
           death
           ?
           Hath
           he
           victory
           over
           the
           grave
           ,
           and
           doth
           he
           reign
           in
           you
           ,
           even
           the
           new
           man
           ,
           the
           spiritual
           man
           ,
           the
           immortal
           man
           ,
           Christ
           in
           you
           ,
           is
           he
           come
           in
           power
           and
           dominion
           to
           dwell
           with
           
           you
           ?
           Dearly
           Beloved
           ,
           mind
           each
           Particular
           in
           what
           state
           you
           are
           ,
           and
           what
           is
           your
           present
           standing
           to
           God-wards
           ?
           Have
           ye
           had
           faith
           in
           God
           ,
           and
           love
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           boldness
           for
           God
           ,
           and
           are
           ye
           firmly
           continued
           therein
           ,
           or
           is
           any
           such
           weakened
           and
           decreased
           in
           these
           things
           ?
           Is
           your
           love
           grown
           cold
           ,
           and
           your
           zeal
           lost
           ,
           and
           your
           confidence
           decayed
           ?
           if
           it
           be
           thus
           with
           any
           ,
           their
           present
           state
           is
           not
           aright
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           but
           they
           must
           repent
           &
           return
           to
           their
           first
           love
           ,
           and
           return
           again
           to
           the
           witness
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           within
           them
           that
           their
           strength
           may
           be
           renewed
           ,
           for
           they
           onely
           that
           dwell
           with
           the
           Lord
           in
           faithfulness
           and
           abides
           in
           Covenant
           with
           him
           must
           see
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           be
           fed
           daily
           with
           the
           Bread
           that
           comes
           down
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           refreshed
           with
           the
           Fountain
           of
           endless
           Mercies
           ;
           if
           so
           be
           ye
           be
           perfect
           with
           the
           lord
           after
           your
           inward
           man
           ,
           strong
           and
           lively
           and
           zealous
           ,
           faithful
           and
           constant
           ,
           having
           a
           clean
           heart
           and
           a
           pure
           conscience
           ,
           guiltless
           and
           underfiled
           before
           God
           ,
           this
           is
           to
           be
           perfect
           with
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           if
           ye
           are
           thus
           ,
           blessed
           are
           you
           ;
           if
           ye
           be
           encreased
           daily
           in
           the
           Love
           and
           Life
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           if
           your
           inward
           man
           grow
           in
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Power
           and
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Creator
           ,
           if
           ye
           receive
           the
           assurance
           of
           Eternal
           Life
           in
           your selves
           ;
           If
           this
           be
           your
           present
           state
           ,
           Oh
           happy
           people
           ,
           who
           is
           like
           unto
           you
           ,
           because
           ye
           are
           saved
           of
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           What
           is
           the
           present
           work
           of
           God
           in
           your
           own
           hearts
           ?
           Ye
           must
           alwayes
           feel
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           abiding
           in
           you
           ,
           even
           the
           Word
           in
           the
           heart
           ;
           hear
           that
           Word
           and
           do
           it
           always
           ,
           and
           your
           souls
           shall
           live
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ;
           that
           Word
           beats
           
           down
           whatsoever
           tempts
           and
           draws
           from
           God
           which
           would
           defile
           you
           ,
           and
           load
           you
           Consciences
           ,
           and
           vex
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           for
           if
           any
           obey
           the
           Temptations
           ,
           they
           become
           darkned
           ,
           unbelief
           enters
           ,
           and
           the
           fruites
           of
           it
           grows
           ,
           and
           then
           there
           is
           a
           falling
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           a
           departing
           from
           his
           way
           of
           Salvation
           ;
           therefore
           mind
           the
           Power
           and
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           in
           you
           ,
           and
           be
           constant
           and
           faithful
           therein
           ,
           that
           you
           may
           be
           preserved
           unto
           the
           finishing
           of
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           you
           ,
           that
           at
           last
           ye
           may
           sit
           down
           in
           the
           Heavenly
           places
           in
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           in
           places
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Comfort
           ,
           and
           Assurance
           for
           ever
           ,
           where
           the
           Lord
           is
           enjoyed
           all
           in
           all
           ,
           which
           you
           must
           wait
           for
           to
           be
           accomplished
           in
           you
           according
           to
           the
           Promise
           ,
           and
           you
           must
           witness
           the
           Work
           of
           Christ
           in
           you
           ,
           he
           must
           work
           in
           you
           by
           his
           Spirit
           Regeneration
           ,
           Reconciliation
           ;
           Sanctification
           ,
           Justification
           ,
           and
           all
           good
           things
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           not
           sufficient
           to
           profess
           that
           Christ
           in
           his
           Person
           hath
           wrought
           the
           works
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           every
           one
           in
           particular
           must
           witness
           at
           this
           day
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           in
           his
           own
           heart
           ,
           even
           the
           Work
           of
           Reconciliation
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           that
           ye
           may
           in
           each
           mans
           particular
           receive
           the
           Knowledge
           and
           Experience
           of
           the
           Lords
           Work
           ,
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           and
           Life
           ,
           and
           Salvation
           ,
           and
           Redemption
           in
           particular
           ;
           for
           though
           never
           so
           large
           Testimonies
           in
           general
           should
           be
           given
           to
           you
           ,
           or
           received
           by
           you
           concerning
           Christ
           Jesus
           and
           his
           Salvation
           ,
           yet
           the
           particular
           feeling
           of
           the
           Love
           and
           Power
           of
           God
           in
           your
           own
           hearts
           must
           you
           stand
           by
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           Tryal
           ,
           for
           that
           alone
           can
           uphold
           in
           the
           day
           of
           Troubles
           ,
           even
           
           the
           Testimony
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           unto
           Salvation
           ,
           felt
           in
           each
           particular
           heart
           .
        
         
           And
           seeing
           the
           Lord
           hath
           brought
           you
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           his
           truth
           ,
           so
           in
           conversion
           and
           rageneration
           ,
           that
           many
           can
           say
           〈…〉
           the
           Way
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           so
           made
           manifest
           ,
           that
           we
           look
           not
           for
           another
           ,
           nor
           are
           doubtful
           of
           the
           Way
           of
           Eternal
           Life
           ;
           therefore
           be
           established
           stedfast
           and
           constant
           in
           that
           way
           ,
           not
           easily
           moved
           nor
           tossed
           too
           and
           fro
           with
           men
           ,
           nor
           new
           Doctrines
           ,
           nor
           changeable
           things
           ,
           but
           approve
           your
           hearts
           in
           uprightness
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           by
           being
           faithful
           to
           the
           end
           ,
           faithful
           I
           say
           to
           be
           and
           do
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           measure
           of
           Light
           and
           Grace
           and
           Knowledge
           that
           God
           hath
           already
           committed
           to
           you
           ,
           that
           ye
           may
           not
           offend
           against
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           may
           glorifie
           the
           Lord
           in
           your
           Souls
           and
           Spirits
           ,
           being
           joyned
           in
           your
           hearts
           ,
           and
           married
           to
           the
           Living
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           Lord
           becomes
           Your
           Husband
           according
           to
           the
           Promise
           ;
           but
           if
           any
           be
           of
           a
           changeable
           Spirit
           ,
           such
           will
           receive
           Temptations
           ,
           and
           go
           out
           of
           the
           Covenant
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           abuse
           the
           gift
           of
           God
           ,
           if
           their
           heart
           be
           not
           meek
           ,
           and
           lowly
           ,
           and
           humble
           ,
           and
           perfect
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ,
           though
           there
           may
           be
           a
           tast
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           yet
           there
           can
           be
           no
           assureance
           of
           it
           if
           the
           heart
           be
           not
           aright
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           faithful
           and
           constant
           in
           his
           Truth
           ;
           and
           therefore
           all
           must
           wait
           to
           receive
           the
           assurance
           of
           Eternal
           Life
           in
           themselves
           ,
           even
           such
           an
           assurance
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           Peace
           ,
           and
           Joy
           ,
           and
           Comfort
           ,
           that
           there
           can
           be
           no
           departing
           away
           ,
           being
           established
           in
           the
           Heir-ship
           never
           to
           loose
           the
           Crown
           ,
           Heirs
           of
           the
           power
           of
           God
           ,
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           ,
           of
           his
           Righteousnesse
           ,
           Inheriters
           and
           Possessors
           of
           the
           Eternal
           Life
           ,
           that
           ye
           may
           dwell
           in
           the
           house
           for
           ever
           ,
           not
           onely
           as
           Servants
           ,
           
           but
           as
           Sons
           ;
           not
           onely
           as
           such
           that
           have
           tasted
           of
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           as
           such
           as
           are
           born
           Heirs
           thereof
           ,
           and
           must
           inherit
           the
           same
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           now
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           if
           this
           were
           my
           last
           unto
           You
           ,
           more
           then
           this
           the
           Lord
           hath
           not
           to
           say
           by
           me
           ;
           and
           last
           of
           all
           in
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           I
           charge
           all
           the
           Saints
           to
           he
           faithful
           to
           the
           Principles
           and
           Doctrines
           which
           Ye
           have
           heard
           and
           received
           ,
           and
           been
           taught
           of
           Christ
           through
           his
           Gospel
           .
           Oh
           be
           not
           inconstant
           of
           unfaithful
           in
           those
           Principles
           and
           Doctrines
           which
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           hath
           perswaded
           your
           Consciences
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           ;
           for
           if
           any
           are
           unfaithful
           ,
           they
           deny
           the
           Lord
           of
           Life
           before
           men
           ,
           and
           must
           be
           denyed
           of
           him
           before
           the
           Father
           ;
           therefore
           let
           us
           put
           on
           strength
           and
           courage
           to
           be
           faithful
           and
           constant
           in
           life
           or
           death
           ,
           to
           follow
           the
           Lamb
           wheresoever
           he
           goes
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           must
           suffer
           for
           our
           profession
           and
           practice
           of
           those
           truths
           which
           God
           hath
           perswaded
           our
           Consciences
           of
           the
           verity
           of
           ,
           we
           shall
           never
           be
           ashamed
           nor
           confounded
           before
           the
           Adversary
           ,
           though
           we
           gain
           Tribulations
           ,
           Persecutions
           ,
           yea
           death
           it self
           for
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           Truth
           ,
           yet
           we
           shall
           obtain
           the
           Crown
           of
           Glory
           which
           never
           fades
           away
           :
           and
           verily
           all
           the
           Sufferings
           and
           Afflictions
           of
           this
           present
           time
           ,
           are
           not
           worthy
           to
           be
           compared
           to
           that
           weight
           of
           Peace
           and
           Comfort
           ,
           which
           is
           and
           shall
           be
           revealed
           amongst
           us
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           concerning
           our
           Obedience
           to
           Government
           ,
           ever
           since
           we
           were
           a
           people
           ,
           Ye
           know
           what
           our
           Principle
           and
           Practise
           in
           that
           case
           hath
           been
           ,
           even
           to
           obey
           all
           men
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           either
           by
           doing
           or
           suffering
           ,
           it
           at
           any
           time
           ye
           are
           required
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           by
           any
           in
           Authority
           which
           is
           not
           agreeing
           ,
           but
           contrary
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           example
           of
           the
           
           Saints
           ,
           and
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           in
           your
           own
           consciences
           ,
           then
           ye
           are
           to
           suffer
           whatsoever
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           death
           it self
           rather
           then
           to
           obey
           and
           submit
           to
           the
           doing
           of
           that
           which
           is
           contrary
           to
           a
           good
           conscience
           ,
           this
           hath
           ever
           been
           our
           Principle
           and
           Practise
           since
           we
           were
           a
           People
           ,
           agreeing
           with
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           holy
           Prophets
           ,
           Apostles
           and
           Martyrs
           in
           all
           ages
           ,
           who
           rather
           did
           suffer
           grievous
           oppressions
           and
           persecutions
           ,
           then
           to
           obey
           any
           command
           of
           men
           in
           power
           ,
           by
           doing
           any
           thing
           contrary
           to
           the
           testimony
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           in
           their
           own
           particulars
           ;
           let
           us
           all
           be
           like-minded
           this
           day
           ,
           not
           to
           do
           ,
           nor
           bend
           ,
           nor
           be
           in
           any
           wise
           contrary
           to
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           that
           dwels
           in
           us
           ,
           but
           rather
           suffer
           whatsoever
           may
           be
           imposed
           then
           to
           sin
           against
           that
           Light
           and
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           which
           he
           hath
           given
           us
           ,
           but
           let
           us
           keep
           a
           clean
           heart
           and
           a
           pure
           conscience
           to
           God-wards
           ,
           and
           therein
           we
           shall
           triumph
           over
           all
           in
           our
           inward
           Man
           ,
           though
           our
           outward
           man
           be
           afflicted
           ,
           and
           in
           this
           we
           shall
           have
           peace
           and
           comfort
           in
           God
           over
           all
           our
           Adversaries
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           concerning
           your
           meetings
           ,
           the
           Lord
           hath
           given
           you
           the
           testimony
           of
           his
           Spirit
           in
           you
           for
           the
           verity
           and
           righteousness
           thereof
           ,
           though
           ye
           should
           suffer
           persecution
           for
           the
           same
           ,
           yet
           ye
           have
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           testifying
           in
           your
           hearts
           that
           this
           Way
           and
           Practise
           of
           meeting
           together
           (
           as
           our
           practise
           hath
           been
           )
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           he
           Justifies
           us
           in
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           suciffient
           of
           assurance
           by
           the
           holy
           Spirit
           to
           stand
           faithful
           in
           that
           practise
           of
           assembling
           together
           to
           worship
           God.
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           we
           have
           the
           testimony
           of
           Scriptures
           and
           exple
           of
           Saints
           in
           the
           Apostles
           daies
           ,
           to
           prove
           this
           practice
           of
           Meeting
           together
           ;
           The
           first
           Christians
           they
           
           met
           together
           in
           this
           manner
           and
           way
           as
           we
           do
           now
           ,
           they
           met
           in
           private
           houses
           ,
           and
           from
           house
           to
           house
           separate
           and
           apart
           from
           the
           Publique
           Synagogues
           and
           all
           other
           Sects
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           clear
           that
           we
           have
           the
           example
           of
           Saints
           and
           Scriptures
           proof
           for
           this
           our
           practise
           of
           meeting
           together
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           We
           have
           our
           own
           experience
           for
           this
           diverse
           years
           ,
           how
           that
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           hath
           moved
           our
           hearts
           to
           assemble
           together
           ,
           and
           the
           presence
           and
           power
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           hath
           been
           amongst
           us
           ,
           and
           we
           have
           tasted
           of
           the
           goodnesse
           and
           love
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           being
           so
           met
           together
           ,
           how
           often
           hath
           the
           Lord
           met
           with
           us
           and
           his
           countenance
           shined
           upon
           us
           ,
           and
           our
           souls
           have
           been
           refreshed
           ,
           strengthned
           and
           comforted
           in
           this
           practise
           of
           meeting
           together
           ;
           these
           things
           are
           true
           ,
           and
           may
           confirm
           us
           in
           this
           practise
           of
           meeting
           together
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           faithful
           to
           the
           end
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           We
           have
           the
           full
           perswasions
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           God
           lively
           and
           fervent
           in
           our
           hearts
           at
           this
           moment
           ,
           that
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           neglect
           the
           Assembling
           of
           our selves
           together
           ,
           but
           that
           God
           requires
           it
           of
           us
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           his
           will
           that
           his
           people
           meet
           together
           to
           worship
           him
           in
           Spirit
           and
           Truth
           ,
           separate
           from
           all
           the
           world
           even
           in
           one
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Name
           and
           Power
           of
           Jesus
           I
           hope
           ye
           are
           all
           like-minded
           herein
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           spirit
           of
           Christ
           perswades
           your
           Consciences
           in
           the
           Truth
           of
           that
           practise
           ,
           therefore
           be
           faithful
           unto
           God
           herein
           ,
           and
           sin
           not
           against
           the
           testimony
           of
           Scriptures
           and
           example
           of
           the
           first
           Christians
           ,
           nor
           against
           your
           own
           experience
           ,
           nor
           against
           the
           admonitions
           of
           the
           Servants
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           who
           are
           the
           first
           fruits
           unto
           God
           since
           the
           Apostacy
           ,
           and
           have
           again
           and
           again
           in
           the
           Name
           and
           Spirit
           of
           
           Christ
           exhorted
           you
           to
           meet
           together
           ;
           wherefore
           be
           faithful
           to
           perform
           your
           duty
           of
           God
           in
           that
           particular
           whatsoever
           sufferings
           should
           be
           infflicted
           upon
           you
           by
           the
           men
           of
           this
           world
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           concerning
           refusing
           to
           take
           any
           Oath
           ,
           ye
           know
           it
           hath
           been
           our
           Principle
           and
           Practise
           so
           to
           do
           since
           the
           Lord
           hath
           given
           us
           knowledge
           of
           his
           wayes
           ,
           and
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           that
           dwels
           in
           us
           ,
           perswadeth
           our
           hearts
           to
           deny
           all
           swearing
           ,
           both
           as
           it
           was
           practised
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           command
           of
           God
           ,
           &
           in
           the
           types
           &
           figures
           ,
           &
           as
           it
           is
           practised
           among
           the
           Christians
           since
           the
           Apostles
           daies
           ,
           which
           is
           as
           now
           practised
           ,
           Idolatry
           and
           Superstition
           ;
           And
           I
           say
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           doth
           confirm
           our
           hearts
           in
           this
           truth
           ,
           even
           to
           deny
           all
           swearing
           ,
           and
           also
           we
           have
           the
           expresse
           command
           of
           Christ
           and
           of
           the
           Apostle
           
             Iames
          
           forbiding
           all
           swearing
           by
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           and
           all
           other
           Oaths
           ,
           which
           bears
           witnesse
           to
           the
           truth
           of
           our
           refusing
           to
           swear
           at
           this
           day
           ;
           likewise
           we
           have
           the
           Testimony
           of
           many
           holy
           Martyrs
           and
           Prophets
           since
           the
           Apostles
           daies
           ,
           who
           denied
           to
           swear
           on
           any
           wise
           ,
           who
           suffered
           for
           such
           their
           Testimony
           .
           All
           which
           evidences
           may
           justly
           confirm
           the
           hearts
           of
           Gods
           people
           at
           this
           day
           faithfully
           to
           hold
           out
           their
           Testimonie
           of
           refusing
           to
           swear
           at
           all
           ,
           seeing
           we
           have
           a
           cloud
           of
           witnesses
           that
           testifie
           with
           us
           ,
           the
           expresse
           command
           and
           Christ
           and
           the
           Apostle
           ;
           the
           Testimonie
           of
           diverse
           holie
           men
           in
           diverse
           ages
           ,
           who
           suffered
           for
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           the
           present
           perswasions
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           in
           our
           own
           hearts
           ;
           All
           which
           are
           sufficient
           to
           give
           courage
           and
           boldness
           under
           all
           sufferings
           and
           afflictions
           that
           we
           may
           meet
           withall
           ,
           for
           refusing
           to
           swear
           .
        
         
         
           Well
           Friends
           ,
           be
           faithful
           to
           God
           in
           these
           and
           all
           other
           things
           which
           God
           hath
           given
           you
           light
           and
           knowledge
           in
           ,
           and
           I
           do
           warn
           all
           to
           keep
           a
           clear
           conscience
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           sin
           against
           the
           light
           and
           knowledge
           ,
           that
           God
           hath
           given
           you
           ,
           either
           by
           denying
           to
           professe
           and
           practise
           that
           truth
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           perswaded
           your
           hearts
           of
           ,
           or
           by
           conforming
           to
           any
           thing
           which
           ye
           know
           is
           not
           of
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           the
           way
           of
           eternal
           peace
           with
           God
           ;
           but
           if
           any
           shall
           through
           the
           temptations
           of
           the
           adversarie
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           love
           and
           fear
           of
           this
           world
           deny
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           renounce
           good
           conscience
           and
           be
           unfaithful
           ,
           such
           must
           bear
           the
           burthen
           of
           the
           Lords
           anger
           because
           of
           their
           back-slidings
           and
           revoltings
           from
           the
           waies
           of
           God.
           True
           it
           is
           ,
           this
           is
           a
           day
           of
           great
           trial
           ,
           yet
           the
           Lord
           is
           strong
           and
           gives
           strength
           unto
           all
           his
           people
           that
           wait
           upon
           him
           .
        
         
           And
           let
           us
           be
           mindful
           what
           our
           controversie
           is
           ,
           and
           with
           whom
           ,
           this
           day
           our
           controversie
           is
           for
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           truth
           ,
           to
           do
           faithfully
           and
           suffer
           patiently
           whatsoever
           the
           will
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           unto
           us
           ,
           &
           not
           to
           renounce
           and
           deny
           the
           exercise
           of
           our
           pure
           consciences
           in
           those
           things
           that
           God
           hath
           perswaded
           our
           hearts
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           ;
           For
           if
           any
           this
           day
           should
           be
           unfaithful
           ,
           either
           by
           doing
           what
           they
           should
           not
           ,
           or
           leaving
           undone
           what
           they
           know
           they
           should
           do
           ;
           If
           any
           deny
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           truth
           ,
           and
           conform
           to
           the
           false
           waies
           &
           worships
           of
           men
           ,
           such
           loses
           the
           controversie
           ,
           and
           gives
           the
           cause
           of
           God
           into
           the
           hand
           of
           your
           enemies
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           fearful
           abomination
           ,
           and
           the
           controversie
           is
           with
           that
           spirit
           which
           opposeth
           us
           in
           these
           things
           which
           we
           know
           are
           of
           the
           Lord.
           It
           is
           with
           the
           spirit
           that
           we
           must
           contend
           ,
           contend
           I
           say
           by
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           
           in
           long-suffering
           and
           patience
           and
           good
           will
           towards
           all
           men
           ,
           and
           not
           with
           the
           weapons
           of
           this
           World
           in
           envie
           to
           any
           ,
           even
           with
           that
           spirit
           which
           doth
           oppose
           our
           meeting
           together
           to
           worship
           God
           ,
           and
           would
           impose
           Oaths
           &
           things
           upon
           us
           contrary
           to
           our
           Consciences
           ;
           And
           these
           things
           are
           the
           main
           matters
           of
           controversie
           this
           day
           ,
           which
           the
           spirit
           of
           Christ
           in
           us
           must
           oppose
           ,
           being
           imposed
           on
           us
           by
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           world
           .
           So
           all
           Friends
           are
           to
           mind
           to
           be
           faithful
           to
           the
           spirit
           of
           Christ
           and
           its
           perswasions
           ,
           and
           against
           that
           spirit
           which
           is
           not
           of
           him
           ;
           for
           the
           opposition
           is
           between
           the
           two
           spirits
           ,
           and
           none
           must
           say
           the
           things
           required
           to
           be
           forborn
           or
           to
           be
           done
           are
           but
           small
           matters
           in
           themselves
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           done
           or
           not
           done
           without
           offence
           ,
           this
           king
           of
           reasoning
           may
           be
           dangerous
           ,
           and
           may
           easily
           divert
           from
           the
           obedience
           of
           Christ
           ;
           for
           we
           are
           not
           to
           look
           so
           much
           at
           the
           things
           in
           themselves
           which
           are
           required
           to
           be
           done
           or
           to
           be
           forborn
           ,
           as
           at
           the
           spirit
           which
           doth
           impose
           upon
           us
           in
           such
           cases
           against
           pure
           conscience
           ,
           if
           the
           spirit
           be
           not
           of
           God
           we
           must
           not
           obey
           it
           in
           the
           least
           things
           ;
           for
           this
           is
           indeed
           the
           matter
           of
           conscience
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           particular
           things
           or
           actions
           ,
           as
           the
           spirit
           that
           is
           not
           of
           God
           ,
           where
           it
           requires
           things
           against
           good
           conscience
           ,
           for
           whatsoever
           that
           spirit
           requireth
           ,
           be
           it
           little
           or
           much
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           action
           ,
           it
           must
           not
           be
           obeyed
           and
           that
           for
           conscience
           sake
           ,
           for
           this
           is
           a
           good
           conscience
           that
           cannot
           do
           nor
           conform
           to
           any
           thing
           which
           the
           spirit
           that
           is
           not
           of
           God
           enjoyneth
           ,
           though
           therefore
           suffering
           be
           inflicted
           on
           the
           outward
           man.
           And
           last
           of
           all
           ,
           I
           do
           advise
           and
           exhort
           that
           ye
           have
           love
           and
           unity
           in
           the
           spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           and
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           that
           oneness
           of
           heart
           and
           soul
           and
           spirit
           may
           
           be
           amongst
           us
           ,
           being
           bound
           up
           in
           the
           holy
           Covenant
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           even
           willing
           to
           do
           or
           suffer
           one
           for
           another
           ,
           and
           in
           this
           spirit
           of
           unity
           the
           Lord
           will
           blesse
           us
           ,
           and
           make
           us
           strong
           and
           able
           to
           go
           thorow
           joyfully
           all
           our
           afflictions
           ;
           but
           if
           any
           strife
           or
           division
           be
           in
           the
           bodie
           ,
           it
           weakens
           the
           whole
           ,
           if
           one
           member
           vex
           another
           through
           discord
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           of
           the
           Father
           but
           contrary
           to
           him
           ,
           this
           is
           not
           for
           the
           safetie
           of
           the
           body
           ▪
           but
           bruises
           it
           and
           woundeth
           it
           ,
           and
           may
           more
           afflict
           the
           soul
           of
           the
           righteous
           then
           all
           outward
           enemies
           ,
           and
           strife
           and
           contention
           arising
           out
           of
           our
           own
           bowels
           ,
           may
           sooner
           work
           an
           overthrow
           then
           all
           the
           oppositions
           that
           can
           come
           from
           men
           .
           Oh
           therefore
           as
           a
           Brother
           to
           some
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           Father
           to
           many
           ,
           and
           as
           a
           Servant
           to
           all
           ,
           let
           me
           entreat
           and
           beseech
           that
           ye
           follow
           those
           things
           which
           makes
           for
           peace
           ,
           that
           ye
           love
           one
           another
           as
           Christ
           has
           loved
           you
           ,
           and
           that
           ye
           be
           like
           minded
           in
           all
           things
           ,
           even
           one
           as
           the
           Father
           and
           the
           Son
           are
           one
           ,
           and
           so
           shall
           the
           blessings
           of
           the
           Lord
           never
           depart
           from
           you
           ;
           For
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           the
           Lord
           hath
           never
           been
           wanting
           unto
           us
           ,
           but
           alwaies
           near
           at
           hand
           to
           fill
           us
           with
           his
           riches
           and
           treasure
           ;
           and
           are
           not
           we
           Vessels
           of
           honour
           ,
           is
           not
           his
           Name
           in
           our
           fore-heads
           ,
           are
           not
           we
           the
           flock
           of
           his
           fold
           ?
           Therefore
           let
           us
           honour
           him
           by
           the
           works
           of
           truth
           ,
           of
           love
           ,
           of
           mercy
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           works
           of
           righteousnesse
           ,
           let
           us
           bring
           forth
           fruits
           unto
           the
           Father
           ,
           thereby
           proving
           that
           we
           are
           true
           branches
           in
           Christ
           the
           Vine
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           give
           up
           to
           suffer
           all
           things
           patiently
           for
           the
           testimony
           of
           his
           Truth
           written
           in
           our
           hearts
           ;
           if
           we
           live
           let
           it
           be
           to
           him
           only
           ,
           and
           if
           we
           die
           l●t
           it
           be
           for
           him
           ,
           having
           the
           seal
           of
           his
           good
           Spirit
           in
           us
           ,
           that
           whether
           we
           live
           or
           die
           ,
           we
           are
           the
           Lords
           .
        
         
           
             E.
             B.