An epistle to friedns [sic] by Thomas Ellwood.
         Ellwood, Thomas, 1639-1713.
      
       
         
           1681
        
      
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             An epistle to friedns [sic] by Thomas Ellwood.
             Ellwood, Thomas, 1639-1713.
          
           11 p.
           
             s.n.],
             [London :
             1686.
          
           
             Caption title.
             Place of publication suggested by NUC pre-1956 imprints.
             Dated at end: The 24th of the 2d month 1686.
             Reproduction of original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Society of Friends -- Pastoral letters and charges.
        
      
    
     
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           AN
           EPISTLE
           TO
           FRIEDNS
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Thomas
             Ellwood
          
           .
        
         
           DEar
           Friends
           ,
           unto
           whom
           the
           gathering
           Arm
           of
           the
           Lord
           hath
           reached
           ,
           and
           who
           have
           known
           ,
           in
           your
           Several
           measures
           ,
           a
           being
           gathered
           thereby
           into
           the
           heavenly
           Life
           ,
           and
           are
           Witnesses
           of
           the
           preserving
           Power
           ,
           by
           which
           ye
           have
           been
           kept
           faithful
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           
             regardful
             of
             his
             Honour
          
           ;
           Unto
           you
           ,
           in
           an
           especial
           manner
           ,
           is
           the
           Salutation
           of
           my
           true
           and
           tender
           Love
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           for
           you
           ,
           as
           for
           my self
           ,
           are
           the
           Breathings
           and
           fervent
           desires
           of
           my
           Soul
           offered
           up
           ,
           in
           the
           one
           Spirit
           ,
           unto
           him
           ,
           who
           is
           your
           God
           and
           mine
           ;
           that
           both
           you
           and
           I
           may
           forever
           be
           kept
           in
           the
           fresh
           sense
           of
           his
           tender
           mercies
           ,
           and
           great
           loving
           kindness
           unto
           us
           ,
           that
           therein
           our
           Souls
           may
           cleave
           firmly
           unto
           him
           ,
           and
           never
           depart
           from
           him
           .
           For
           Friends
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           trying
           day
           ,
           a
           day
           of
           great
           difficulty
           and
           danger
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Enemy
           is
           at
           work
           ,
           and
           very
           busie
           ,
           setting
           his
           Snares
           on
           every
           side
           ;
           and
           spreading
           Temptations
           on
           every
           hand
           :
           And
           some
           ,
           alas
           !
           have
           entred
           there
           into
           ,
           and
           are
           caught
           and
           held
           therein
           ,
           for
           whom
           my
           Soul
           in
           secret
           mourns
           .
        
         
         
           And
           truly
           Friends
           ,
           a
           great
           weight
           hath
           been
           upon
           my
           Spirit
           for
           many
           days
           ,
           and
           my
           mind
           hath
           been
           deeply
           exercised
           ,
           in
           the
           sense
           I
           have
           of
           the
           Enemy's
           prevailing
           ,
           by
           one
           bait
           or
           other
           ,
           to
           unsettle
           the
           minds
           of
           some
           ,
           whom
           the
           Arm
           of
           the
           Lord
           had
           reached
           unto
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           measure
           gathered
           to
           a
           resting
           place
           :
           But
           not
           abiding
           in
           that
           pure
           Light
           ,
           by
           which
           they
           were
           at
           first
           visited
           ,
           and
           to
           which
           they
           were
           at
           first
           turned
           ,
           the
           Vnderstanding
           hath
           been
           Vailed
           again
           ,
           the
           Eye
           which
           was
           once
           in
           some
           measure
           Opened
           ,
           hath
           the
           God
           of
           the
           World
           insensibly
           Blinded
           again
           ,
           and
           Darkness
           is
           again
           come
           over
           ,
           to
           that
           degree
           ,
           that
           they
           can
           now
           contentedly
           take
           up
           again
           what
           in
           the
           day
           of
           their
           Convincement
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           time
           of
           their
           true
           Tenderness
           ,
           they
           cast
           off
           as
           a
           burden
           too
           heavy
           to
           be
           born
           .
           Oh
           ,
           my
           Friends
           ,
           this
           hath
           been
           
             the
             Enemy's
             work
          
           ;
           Therefore
           it
           greatly
           behooves
           all
           to
           watch
           against
           him
           :
           for
           it
           hath
           been
           
             for
             want
             of
             watchfulness
          
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           got
           entrance
           into
           any
           .
           For
           when
           the
           mind
           hath
           been
           from
           off
           the
           true
           Watch
           ,
           in
           a
           secure
           and
           careless
           State
           ,
           then
           hath
           he
           secretly
           wrought
           ,
           and
           presented
           his
           
             fair
             baits
          
           ,
           his
           allurements
           and
           enticements
           by
           pleasure
           or
           profit
           ,
           to
           catch
           the
           
             unwary
             mind
          
           .
           And
           hence
           it
           hath
           come
           to
           pass
           that
           some
           ,
           who
           have
           come
           out
           fairly
           ,
           and
           begun
           well
           ,
           and
           have
           seemed
           in
           good
           earnest
           to
           have
           set
           their
           hand
           's
           to
           God's
           Plow
           ,
           have
           looked
           back
           ,
           and
           been
           weary
           of
           the
           Yoke
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           have
           either
           
             lusted
             after
             the
             Flesh-pots
          
           of
           Egypt
           again
           ,
           
             or
             turned
             aside
          
           into
           some
           
             By
             path
          
           or
           crooked
           way
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           and
           thereby
           have
           fallen
           short
           of
           the
           promised
           good
           Land.
           
        
         
           But
           you
           ,
           my
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           in
           whom
           the
           Word
           of
           Life
           abides
           ,
           and
           who
           abide
           in
           the
           vertue
           and
           favour
           thereof
           ,
           ye
           know
           the
           Wiles
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           the
           Power
           which
           subdues
           him
           ,
           and
           the
           Rock
           in
           which
           the
           Preservation
           and
           safety
           is
           .
           So
           that
           I
           write
           not
           these
           things
           unto
           you
           ,
           because
           ye
           know
           them
           not
           :
           But
           the
           end
           of
           my
           thus
           writing
           is
           ,
           to
           
             stir
             up
             the
             pure
             mind
          
           in
           all
           ,
           upon
           whom
           the
           Name
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           called
           ,
           that
           we
           all
           may
           be
           provoked
           to
           Watchfulness
           against
           the
           workings
           of
           the
           wicked
           one
           .
           Therefore
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           bea●
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           the
           word
           of
           Exhortation
           ,
           though
           from
           one
           that
           is
           little
           and
           low
           (
           and
           through
           mercy
           Sensible
           of
           it
           )
           and
           who
           hath
           not
           been
           accustomed
           to
           appear
           after
           this
           manner
           :
           For
           
             The
             Wind
          
           ,
           ye
           know
           ,
           
             bloweth
             where
             it
             listeth
          
           .
        
         
           Friends
           ,
           call
           to
           mind
           the
           former
           times
           ,
           and
           remember
           the
           days
           that
           are
           past
           and
           gone
           ,
           when
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Lord
           first
           dawned
           unto
           you
           ,
           and
           his
           Power
           seised
           upon
           you
           .
           Ye
           know
           how
           weighty
           and
           retired
           the
           
           Spirits
           of
           Friends
           then
           were
           ,
           how
           Grave
           and
           Solid
           their
           Deportment
           and
           Carriage
           ;
           how
           few
           and
           savoury
           their
           words
           ,
           tending
           to
           edify
           the
           hearers
           ;
           now
           great
           a
           fear
           and
           backwardness
           was
           in
           them
           ,
           to
           enter
           into
           familiarity
           with
           the
           World's
           People
           .
           O
           Friends
           ,
           That
           was
           a
           good
           day
           ,
           and
           that
           was
           a
           safe
           state
           ;
           for
           fear
           begets
           Watchfulness
           &
           watchfulness
           is
           a
           means
           to
           prevent
           Danger
           .
           Therefore
           all
           Friends
           ,
           keep
           in
           the
           holy
           fear
           ,
           &
           therein
           watch
           against
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           that
           he
           entangle
           you
           not
           ,
           and
           hurt
           your
           Spirits
           ,
           by
           a
           
             too
             near
             Familiarity
          
           and
           intimate
           Conversing
           with
           the
           People
           of
           the
           World
           ;
           for
           therein
           ,
           I
           assure
           you
           ,
           lies
           a
           snare
           .
           For
           though
           it
           be
           both
           lawful
           and
           necessary
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           cases
           also
           useful
           and
           serviceable
           to
           the
           Truth
           to
           Converse
           with
           them
           that
           are
           without
           :
           Yet
           if
           any
           Friend
           should
           adventure
           in
           a
           frank
           and
           free
           mind
           ,
           
             beyond
             the
             limits
             of
             the
             pure
             fear
             ,
          
           to
           entertain
           Familiarity
           with
           the
           World's
           People
           ,
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           World
           in
           them
           will
           
             seek
             an
             Entrance
          
           ,
           and
           ,
           if
           not
           diligently
           watched
           against
           ,
           will
           also
           
             get
             an
             Entrance
          
           ;
           and
           bring
           a
           hurt
           and
           a
           loss
           upon
           him
           or
           them
           into
           whom
           it
           so
           gets
           .
           For
           being
           once
           entred
           ,
           it
           will
           insensibly
           work
           ,
           and
           dispose
           the
           mind
           into
           which
           it
           is
           got
           ,
           to
           a
           Condescention
           to
           ,
           and
           Compliance
           with
           the
           People
           of
           the
           World
           it
           conver●es
           with
           ,
           first
           in
           one
           thing
           ,
           then
           in
           another
           ,
           in
           Words
           ,
           in
           Behaviour
           ,
           &c.
           (
           little
           things
           in
           appearance
           ,
           but
           great
           in
           consequence
           )
           till
           at
           length
           an
           Indifferency
           gets
           up
           in
           the
           mind
           ,
           and
           the
           Testimony
           of
           Truth
           by
           Deg●●es
           is
           let
           fall
           .
           But
           while
           the
           pure
           fear
           is
           kept
           to
           ,
           and
           dwelt
           in
           ,
           the
           Watch
           is
           always
           set
           ,
           the
           Spirit
           is
           retired
           and
           weighty
           ,
           and
           an
           holy
           Awfulness
           rests
           upon
           the
           mind
           ,
           which
           renders
           such
           Converse
           both
           safe
           to
           the
           Friends
           ,
           and
           more
           serviceable
           to
           them
           they
           converse
           withal
           .
        
         
           And
           Friends
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           your
           conversing
           with
           the
           World's
           People
           ,
           but
           in
           all
           your
           Conversation
           and
           Course
           of
           life
           ,
           Watch
           against
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           for
           it
           lies
           near
           to
           tempt
           ,
           and
           to
           draw
           out
           the
           mind
           ,
           and
           to
           lead
           back
           into
           the
           World
           again
           .
           You
           know
           ,
           Friends
           ,
           that
           at
           the
           first
           ,
           when
           the
           visiting
           arm
           of
           the
           Love
           reached
           to
           us
           ,
           he
           led
           us
           out
           of
           the
           World's
           
             Ways
             ,
             Manners
             ,
             Customs
          
           and
           Fashions
           ,
           and
           a
           close
           Testimony
           ,
           both
           in
           word
           and
           practice
           ,
           was
           born
           against
           them
           .
           But
           how
           hath
           this
           Testimony
           been
           kept
           up
           ,
           and
           kept
           to
           by
           all
           ,
           that
           have
           since
           made
           profession
           of
           the
           Truth
           .
           Ah
           ,
           how
           hath
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           
             for
             want
             of
             Watchfulness
          
           ,
           stole
           in
           upon
           too
           too
           many
           ,
           and
           led
           out
           their
           minds
           ,
           from
           that
           which
           did
           at
           first
           convince
           them
           ,
           into
           a
           
             Liberty
             beyond
             the
             Cross
          
           of
           Christ
           Jesus
           ;
           And
           in
           that
           liberty
           they
           have
           run
           into
           the
           Worlds
           Fashions
           ,
           which
           the
           Worldly
           Spirit
           continually
           invents
           to
           feed
           
           the
           vain
           and
           airy
           minds
           withal
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           not
           come
           to
           Gravity
           and
           solidity
           .
        
         
           Thence
           it
           hath
           come
           to
           pass
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           scarce
           a
           
             New
             Fashion
          
           comes
           up
           ,
           or
           a
           
             Fantastick
             Cut
          
           invented
           ,
           but
           some
           or
           other
           ,
           that
           professes
           Truth
           ,
           is
           ready
           ,
           with
           the
           foremost
           ,
           to
           run
           into
           it
           .
           Ah
           Friends
           ,
           the
           World
           sees
           this
           and
           smiles
           ,
           and
           
             points
             the
             Finger
          
           at
           it
           .
           And
           this
           is
           both
           a
           hurt
           to
           the
           particular
           ,
           and
           a
           Reproach
           to
           the
           general
           .
           Therefore
           ,
           O
           let
           the
           Lot
           be
           cast
           ,
           let
           search
           be
           made
           by
           every
           one
           ,
           and
           let
           every
           one
           examine
           himself
           ,
           that
           this
           Achan
           ,
           with
           his
           
             Babylonish
             Garment
          
           ,
           may
           be
           found
           out
           and
           cast
           out
           :
           for
           indeed
           he
           is
           a
           
             Troubler
             of
             Israel
          
           .
           And
           all
           Friends
           ,
           who
           upon
           true
           search
           shall
           find
           your selves
           concerned
           in
           this
           particular
           ,
           I
           warn
           and
           exhort
           you
           all
           ,
           Return
           to
           that
           which
           at
           first
           convinced
           you
           ;
           to
           that
           keep
           close
           ,
           in
           that
           abide
           ,
           that
           therein
           ye
           may
           know
           ,
           as
           at
           the
           first
           (
           not
           only
           a
           Bridle
           to
           the
           Tongue
           ,
           but
           )
           a
           Curb
           to
           the
           roving
           mind
           ,
           a
           Restraint
           to
           the
           wandering
           desire
           .
           For
           assuredly
           ,
           Friends
           ,
           if
           Truth
           be
           kept
           to
           ,
           none
           will
           need
           to
           learn
           of
           the
           World
           what
           to
           wear
           ,
           what
           to
           put
           on
           ,
           or
           how
           to
           shape
           and
           Fashion
           their
           Garments
           :
           but
           Truth
           will
           teach
           all
           how
           best
           to
           answer
           
             the
             end
             of
             Clothing
          
           ,
           both
           for
           
             useful
             service
          
           and
           
             modest
             decency
          
           .
           And
           the
           Cross
           of
           Christ
           will
           be
           a
           Yoke
           to
           the
           unruly
           will
           ,
           and
           a
           Restraint
           upon
           the
           wanton
           mind
           ;
           and
           will
           crucifie
           that
           nature
           that
           delights
           in
           Finery
           and
           in
           Bravery
           of
           Apparel
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           true
           adorning
           doth
           not
           stand
           ,
           but
           in
           
             the
             hidden
             man
             of
             the
             heart
             ,
             in
             that
             which
             is
             not
             corruptible
             ,
          
           even
           
             a
             meek
             and
             quiet
             Spirit
          
           ,
           1
           Pet.
           3
           ,
           4.
           
           And
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           hath
           appeared
           to
           all
           ,
           and
           which
           hath
           brought
           Salvation
           to
           many
           ,
           will
           not
           only
           teach
           
             to
             deny
             ungodliness
             and
             worldly
             Lusts
             ,
             and
             to
             live
             soberly
             ,
             righteously
             and
             godly
             in
             this
             present
             World
             ,
          
           Titus
           2.11
           ,
           12.
           but
           will
           also
           lead
           them
           that
           obey
           it
           out
           of
           all
           Excess
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           all
           Superfluities
           and
           worldly
           vanities
           ,
           and
           will
           teach
           them
           to
           order
           their
           Conversation
           aright
           .
           Therefore
           to
           this
           heavenly
           Grace
           be
           every
           mind
           turned
           ,
           and
           therein
           staid
           ,
           that
           thereby
           all
           who
           profess
           the
           Truth
           may
           be
           kept
           within
           the
           holy
           Limits
           of
           it
           ;
           that
           in
           the
           whole
           Conversation
           and
           Course
           of
           life
           ,
           in
           Eating
           ,
           in
           Drinking
           ,
           in
           putting
           on
           Apparel
           ,
           and
           in
           whatsoever
           else
           we
           do
           ,
           or
           take
           in
           hand
           ,
           all
           may
           be
           done
           to
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           10.31
           .
           that
           our
           Moderation
           in
           all
           things
           may
           appear
           unto
           all
           men
           .
        
         
           And
           let
           not
           any
           deceive
           and
           hurt
           themselves
           with
           a
           false
           Plea
           ,
           saying
           ,
           
             I
             will
             be
             left
             to
             my
             liberty
             ;
             I
             have
             Freedom
             to
             do
             ,
             go
             ,
             or
             wear
             so
             and
             so
          
           ;
           And
           
             Religion
             stands
             not
             in
             Clothes
          
           ,
           &c.
           
           For
           that
           liberty
           which
           the
           
           worldly
           Spirit
           leads
           into
           ,
           is
           not
           indeed
           true
           liberty
           ,
           but
           is
           a
           
             false
             and
             feigned
             liberty
          
           ,
           which
           leads
           into
           
             true
             and
             real
             Bondage
          
           .
           And
           though
           Religion
           stands
           not
           simply
           in
           Clothes
           ;
           yet
           true
           Religion
           stands
           in
           that
           which
           
             sets
             a
             bound
             and
             limit
             to
             the
             mind
          
           with
           respect
           to
           Clothes
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           to
           other
           things
           .
           So
           that
           where
           there
           is
           a
           running
           out
           into
           Excess
           and
           vanity
           in
           Apparel
           ,
           that
           is
           a
           certain
           indication
           and
           token
           that
           
             the
             mind
             is
             got
             loose
          
           ,
           and
           hath
           
             cast
             off
             the
             Yoke
          
           ,
           and
           is
           broke
           away
           from
           its
           due
           Subjection
           to
           that
           divine
           Power
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           true
           Religion
           stands
           .
        
         
           Great
           hath
           been
           the
           hurt
           which
           the
           Enemy
           hath
           done
           in
           this
           day
           ,
           by
           leading
           into
           
             a
             false
             Freedom
          
           ,
           and
           crying
           up
           a
           
             wrong
             Liberty
          
           :
           for
           under
           this
           Pretence
           have
           crept
           in
           
             great
             Disorders
          
           ,
           some
           running
           out
           one
           way
           ,
           and
           some
           another
           ;
           some
           mixing
           in
           Marriages
           with
           the
           World's
           People
           ,
           and
           some
           going
           to
           the
           Priest
           to
           be
           married
           .
           And
           many
           loose
           and
           unclean
           Spirits
           have
           shrowded
           themselves
           under
           this
           plausible
           Pretence
           of
           
             being
             left
             to
             their
             liberty
          
           ,
           unto
           whom
           Truth
           's
           Order
           is
           irksom
           and
           uneasie
           ;
           and
           they
           kick
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           call
           it
           Imposition
           because
           
             it
             checks
             their
             licentious
             Liberty
          
           .
           Therefore
           all
           ,
           who
           joyn
           with
           their
           Plea
           ,
           examine
           and
           try
           what
           Liberty
           it
           is
           ye
           claim
           and
           stand
           for
           :
           for
           the
           true
           Liberty
           is
           not
           inconsistent
           with
           the
           Cross
           of
           Christ
           ,
           nor
           repugnant
           to
           his
           Yoke
           ;
           but
           agrees
           with
           it
           ,
           and
           is
           obtained
           through
           it
           ,
           and
           maintained
           by
           it
           .
           And
           none
           whom
           the
           Son
           hath
           made
           free
           indeed
           ,
           will
           ,
           or
           can
           plead
           ,
           or
           make
           use
           of
           that
           Liberty
           in
           Opposition
           to
           any
           Means
           ,
           which
           the
           God
           of
           Order
           hath
           appointed
           ,
           or
           set
           up
           in
           his
           Church
           for
           the
           keeping
           out
           Confusion
           ,
           disorder
           and
           Loosness
           .
           And
           hereby
           all
           may
           take
           a
           right
           Measure
           ,
           and
           may
           certainly
           know
           
             what
             kind
             of
             Liberty
          
           that
           is
           ,
           which
           some
           have
           so
           hotly
           contended
           for
           in
           Opposition
           to
           that
           necessary
           and
           commendable
           Order
           ,
           which
           God
           hath
           led
           his
           People
           into
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           in
           his
           Agents
           ,
           labours
           so
           hard
           to
           lead
           ,
           or
           drive
           them
           out
           of
           .
           For
           the
           Enemy
           well
           knows
           ,
           that
           the
           tendency
           and
           service
           thereof
           is
           to
           detect
           and
           discover
           his
           secret
           workings
           ,
           and
           to
           
             bring
             his
             Deeds
             to
             Light
          
           and
           Judgment
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           strives
           with
           might
           and
           main
           to
           overturn
           it
           ,
           crying
           out
           through
           his
           Instruments
           ,
           
             Away
             with
             your
             Order
             ,
             Let
             every
             one
             be
             left
             to
             his
             Liberty
             .
          
           By
           which
           seemingly
           fair
           and
           specious
           Plea
           ,
           not
           only
           the
           loose
           ,
           disorderly
           ,
           factious
           Spirits
           have
           been
           let
           up
           ,
           and
           encouraged
           to
           greater
           boldness
           and
           licentiousness
           :
           but
           some
           simple
           and
           well
           meaning
           Friends
           also
           ,
           not
           seeing
           
             the
             design
             of
             Satan
          
           herein
           ,
           have
           been
           misled
           thereby
           ,
           and
           made
           use
           of
           by
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           the
           more
           subtle
           of
           his
           Instruments
           ,
           to
           oppose
           the
           good
           Order
           of
           Truth
           .
           
           Thus
           hath
           the
           Enemy
           wrought
           ,
           and
           sought
           to
           lay
           waste
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Lord.
           But
           the
           Lord
           (
           magnified
           be
           his
           holy
           Name
           )
           hath
           not
           been
           wanting
           to
           his
           People
           ,
           that
           in
           sincerity
           of
           Heart
           have
           diligently
           waited
           on
           him
           ,
           and
           trusted
           in
           him
           ;
           for
           he
           hath
           all
           along
           raised
           up
           some
           ,
           whose
           Eye
           he
           hath
           opened
           to
           see
           the
           Design
           and
           working
           of
           the
           Evil
           One
           ;
           and
           whose
           Spirits
           he
           hath
           engaged
           to
           stand
           up
           in
           a
           faithful
           Testimony
           against
           him
           ,
           
             contending
             for
             the
             way
             of
             Truth
             .
          
           Which
           when
           they
           in
           whom
           the
           Enemy
           wrought
           ,
           perceived
           ,
           and
           found
           they
           could
           not
           run
           over
           the
           heads
           of
           Friends
           ,
           and
           carry
           things
           on
           as
           themselves
           pleased
           ,
           they
           set
           themselves
           ,
           
             in
             a
             heady
             willful
             Spirit
          
           ,
           to
           raise
           Disturbances
           in
           Meetings
           for
           business
           ,
           by
           encouraging
           and
           abetting
           such
           
             heady
             ,
             loose
             ,
             contentious
          
           and
           disorderly
           persons
           as
           would
           joyn
           with
           them
           ;
           thus
           hardning
           themselves
           ,
           and
           provoking
           the
           Lord
           to
           give
           them
           up
           to
           blindness
           and
           
             hardness
             of
             Heart
          
           ,
           till
           at
           length
           the
           Enemy
           prevailed
           so
           far
           upon
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           work
           them
           ,
           by
           degrees
           ,
           from
           Discontent
           to
           Prejudice
           ,
           then
           to
           Enmity
           ,
           and
           so
           at
           length
           ,
           in
           divers
           places
           ,
           to
           an
           open
           defection
           ,
           Apostacy
           and
           Separation
           .
        
         
           Now
           although
           I
           know
           ,
           my
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           that
           ye
           who
           have
           
             kept
             your
             Habitation
          
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           whose
           
             Eye
             is
             single
          
           therein
           ,
           have
           a
           clear
           sight
           and
           understanding
           that
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           hath
           thus
           wrought
           and
           
             fought
             against
             the
             Truth
          
           ,
           is
           not
           ,
           nor
           can
           be
           ,
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           is
           of
           the
           Wicked
           One
           ;
           And
           although
           the
           Fruits
           it
           hath
           brought
           forth
           ,
           through
           the
           Agents
           and
           Instruments
           in
           and
           by
           which
           it
           hath
           wrought
           ,
           viz.
           making
           Disturbances
           in
           Meetings
           ,
           to
           the
           Breaking
           the
           Churches
           Peace
           ,
           Causing
           Divisions
           amongst
           Friends
           ,
           Publishing
           to
           the
           World
           most
           
             wicked
             ,
             Malicious
             ,
             railing
          
           and
           scandalous
           Books
           ,
           against
           Friends
           (
           an
           effect
           of
           the
           greatest
           Enmity
           )
           shutting
           and
           keeping
           Friends
           out
           of
           their
           common
           Meeting-houses
           ,
           in
           which
           they
           have
           a
           just
           Right
           and
           Property
           ,
           and
           not
           suffering
           them
           to
           meet
           therein
           (
           which
           is
           a
           part
           of
           the
           Persecution
           inflicted
           on
           Friends
           by
           the
           World
           )
           and
           at
           length
           ,
           also
           setting
           up
           separate
           Meetings
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           the
           Meetings
           of
           God's
           People
           ;
           Although
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           these
           Fruits
           are
           sufficient
           of
           themselves
           to
           discover
           and
           manifest
           ,
           to
           an
           Vnclouded
           mind
           ,
           what
           Spirit
           that
           is
           ,
           and
           must
           needs
           be
           ,
           that
           hath
           brought
           them
           forth
           :
           Yet
           inasmuch
           as
           some
           ,
           partly
           through
           
             weakness
             of
             Iudgment
          
           ,
           and
           partly
           through
           
             personal
             Affection
          
           to
           some
           of
           those
           leading
           Separatists
           ,
           are
           yet
           in
           danger
           to
           be
           betrayed
           by
           their
           
             fair
             words
          
           and
           
             fained
             speeches
             ,
             wherewith
             they
             ly
             in
             wait
             to
             deceive
             ,
          
           I
           feel
           a
           concern
           remain
           upon
           my
           Spirit
           ,
           in
           the
           love
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           warn
           all
           such
           ,
           that
           they
           joyn
           not
           with
           ,
           nor
           give
           Countenance
           unto
           that
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           hath
           thus
           wrought
           against
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           
           against
           his
           People
           .
           For
           Friends
           ,
           In
           the
           holy
           fear
           of
           the
           living
           God
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Openings
           of
           the
           Spring
           ,
           of
           his
           pure
           life
           in
           my
           Soul
           ,
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           certain
           knowledge
           and
           clear
           demonstration
           which
           I
           have
           received
           from
           him
           therein
           .
           I
           testifie
           and
           declare
           unto
           you
           ,
           that
           this
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           in
           this
           day
           hath
           
             run
             out
          
           ,
           and
           hath
           drawn
           out
           some
           ,
           into
           Opposition
           against
           the
           way
           and
           work
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           into
           Division
           and
           Separation
           from
           the
           People
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           holy
           Assemblies
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           gathered
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           powerful
           presence
           hath
           owned
           ,
           and
           daily
           
             doth
             own
          
           ;
           this
           Spirit
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           is
           the
           same
           with
           that
           which
           hath
           formerly
           wrought
           ,
           
             in
             other
             appearances
          
           ,
           against
           the
           Truth
           in
           our
           time
           ,
           and
           is
           the
           same
           with
           that
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           wrought
           against
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           holy
           Apostles
           .
           This
           
             Mistery
             of
             Iniquity
          
           then
           wrought
           ,
           and
           caused
           many
           to
           
             turn
             aside
          
           ;
           and
           to
           leave
           the
           right
           way
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           to
           
             forsake
             the
             Assemblies
             of
             Gods
             People
             ,
          
           Heb.
           10.25
           .
           yea
           ,
           and
           to
           
             run
             into
             Separation
          
           too
           ,
           Jude
           19.
           
           Upon
           whom
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           hath
           set
           this
           Brand
           ,
           That
           they
           were
           
             Sensual
             ,
             having
             not
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           And
           many
           close
           and
           sharp
           Testimonies
           did
           the
           Lord
           give
           forth
           through
           his
           Servants
           in
           that
           day
           against
           this
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           against
           those
           that
           were
           joyned
           to
           it
           and
           acted
           by
           it
           ,
           as
           may
           be
           seen
           in
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           .
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           Friends
           ,
           this
           Spirit
           that
           hath
           led
           some
           now
           to
           set
           up
           their
           
             Separate
             Meetings
          
           ,
           is
           the
           same
           that
           led
           Ieroboam
           the
           Son
           of
           Nebat
           to
           set
           up
           his
           
             Separate
             Altar
          
           at
           Be●hel
           ,
           of
           which
           you
           may
           read
           ,
           1
           Kings
           12
           ,
           &
           13
           ,
           Chapters
           .
           He
           was
           afraid
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           people
           should
           continue
           to
           
             go
             up
             to
             the
             House
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             to
             do
             Sacrifice
             there
             ,
          
           as
           they
           had
           been
           accustomed
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           Lord
           had
           required
           ,
           they
           would
           then
           forsake
           him
           ,
           and
           return
           to
           the
           Lord
           again
           .
           And
           this
           Spirit
           now
           is
           afraid
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           whom
           he
           hath
           seduced
           ,
           and
           drawn
           aside
           ,
           should
           still
           frequent
           the
           Assemblies
           of
           God's
           People
           ,
           and
           continue
           to
           meet
           with
           Friends
           as
           before
           ,
           that
           heavenly
           Power
           which
           is
           
             eminently
             manifest
          
           in
           the
           Meetings
           of
           God's
           People
           ,
           might
           at
           one
           time
           or
           other
           reach
           unto
           them
           ,
           
             touch
             their
          
           Hearts
           ,
           
             open
             the
             right
             Eye
          
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           give
           them
           to
           see
           the
           Mischief
           and
           Misery
           he
           is
           leading
           them
           into
           .
           And
           therefore
           to
           prevent
           this
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           his
           Captives
           close
           unto
           him
           ,
           he
           hath
           contrived
           to
           set
           up
           separate
           Meeetings
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           the
           Meetings
           of
           God's
           appointment
           ,
           as
           Ieroboam
           set
           up
           his
           separate
           Altar
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           the
           Altar
           which
           God
           had
           commanded
           to
           be
           set
           up
           ▪
           and
           to
           keep
           the
           People
           from
           going
           thereto
           .
           And
           so
           subtill●
           did
           this
           Spirit
           work
           then
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           now
           ,
           that
           Ieroboam
           contrived
           to
           have
           his
           false
           Worship
           bear
           some
           resemblance
           to
           the
           true
           ,
           that
           he
           might
           
           he
           more
           easily
           beguil
           the
           people
           :
           For
           he
           
             ordained
             a
             Feast
             ,
             like
             unto
             the
             Feast
             that
             was
             in
          
           Judah
           ,
           1
           Kings
           12.32
           .
           but
           it
           was
           
             in
             the
             Month
             which
             he
             had
             devised
             of
             his
             own
             heart
             ,
          
           vers
           .
           33.
           
           Mark
           that
           ;
           
             there
             is
             a
             Blot
             upon
             it
             :
          
           how
           fair
           or
           specious
           soever
           the
           Worship
           he
           set
           up
           appeared
           or
           seemed
           to
           be
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           but
           
             the
             device
             of
             his
             own
             heart
          
           ;
           it
           was
           neither
           appointed
           by
           God
           ,
           nor
           accepted
           of
           God.
           For
           you
           may
           read
           in
           the
           13th
           Chapter
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           sent
           a
           Prophet
           ,
           a
           Man
           of
           God
           ,
           out
           of
           Iudah
           to
           
             Bethel
             ;
             And
             he
             cried
             against
             the
             Altar
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           and
           prophesied
           the
           Destruction
           thereof
           by
           Iosiah
           ,
           which
           was
           afterwards
           outwardly
           fulfilled
           ,
           as
           you
           may
           read
           ,
           2
           Kings
           23
           15
           ,
           &c.
           
           Now
           Iosiah
           signifies
           ,
           
             The
             fire
          
           ,
           or
           
             burning
             of
             the
             Lord.
          
           And
           in
           the
           holy
           dread
           of
           the
           living
           eternal
           God
           I
           declare
           ,
           
             The
             fire
             of
             the
             Lord
             is
             kindled
             ,
             and
             kindling
             against
             this
             accursed
             separating
             Spirit
             ,
             and
             against
             its
             work
             ,
             and
             against
             all
             that
             joyn
             with
             it
             therein
             .
          
           Therefore
           all
           fear
           before
           the
           mighty
           God
           ,
           and
           stand
           still
           and
           consider
           your
           wayes
           :
           and
           let
           none
           resist
           or
           reject
           the
           warning
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           lest
           such
           be
           
             hardened
             to
             destruction
          
           .
           For
           Ieroboam
           ,
           you
           may
           read
           ,
           stood
           by
           his
           separate
           Altar
           ,
           vers
           .
           1.
           
           And
           when
           he
           
             heard
             the
             saying
             of
             the
             man
             of
             God
             ,
             which
             he
             cryed
             against
             the
             Altar
             in
          
           Bethel
           ,
           
             he
             put
             forth
             his
             hand
             ,
             saying
             ,
             Lay
             hold
             on
             him
             .
          
           But
           
             his
             hand
             which
             he
             put
             forth
             against
             him
             ,
             dryed
             up
             ,
             so
             that
             he
             could
             not
             pull
             it
             in
             again
             to
             him
             ,
          
           ver
           .
           4.
           
           O
           Friends
           consider
           ,
           How
           hath
           driness
           and
           withering
           come
           upon
           many
           a
           great
           and
           
             stout
             One
          
           in
           this
           day
           ,
           who
           have
           
             lifted
             up
             themselves
          
           against
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           have
           sought
           ,
           
             by
             the
             devices
             of
             their
             own
             Hearts
             ,
          
           to
           establish
           themselves
           
             in
             their
             own
             way
          
           ,
           against
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lord
           ;
           so
           that
           the
           hand
           they
           have
           put
           forth
           
             in
             that
             work
          
           ,
           they
           could
           not
           pull
           in
           again
           .
           Now
           mind
           I
           pray
           you
           Friends
           ,
           and
           observe
           the
           way
           of
           the
           working
           of
           this
           Spirit
           in
           that
           day
           .
           Here
           was
           the
           Enmity
           ,
           the
           rough
           nature
           of
           Cain
           and
           Esau
           ,
           the
           
             Spirit
             of
             Persecution
          
           ,
           got
           up
           first
           in
           
             Ieroboam
             ,
             to
             dismay
          
           the
           man
           of
           God
           :
           
             Lay
             hold
             of
             him
          
           ,
           says
           he
           .
           But
           when
           he
           saw
           that
           would
           not
           do
           ;
           then
           the
           Subtle
           Serpent
           ,
           the
           Crafty
           Fox
           ,
           the
           Fair
           Speeches
           ,
           the
           Smooth
           Words
           ,
           the
           Seeming
           Friendship
           and
           Shew
           of
           kindness
           to
           Betray
           him
           .
           
             Come
             home
             with
             me
          
           ,
           says
           he
           to
           the
           man
           of
           God
           ,
           
             and
             refresh
             thy self
             ,
             and
             I
             will
             give
             thee
             a
             Reward
             ,
          
           ver
           .
           7.
           
           O
           Friends
           ,
           stand
           in
           the
           Fear
           and
           Counsel
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Dominion
           of
           his
           Power
           ,
           over
           this
           wicked
           Spirit
           in
           all
           its
           Twistings
           and
           Twinings
           .
           Let
           neither
           the
           Frowns
           nor
           the
           Fawnings
           ,
           the
           Threats
           nor
           the
           Flatteries
           ,
           the
           hard
           Speeches
           nor
           the
           Oyly
           Words
           ,
           the
           Pharisaical
           Friendship
           ,
           the
           dissembling
           Love
           ,
           the
           
             seeming
             Kindness
          
           ,
           the
           
             familiar
             Carriage
          
           ,
           the
           
             free
             Entertainment
          
           ,
           the
           
             fine
             Bit
          
           ,
           the
           
             Offer
             of
             Advantages
          
           ,
           &c.
           have
           any
           Influence
           upon
           you
           ,
           to
           draw
           you
           ,
           in
           the
           least
           measure
           ,
           
           to
           joyn
           or
           touch
           with
           God's
           Enemy
           ,
           with
           him
           that
           sets
           up
           a
           separate
           Altar
           ,
           a
           
             Separate
             Meeting
          
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           ,
           and
           to
           draw
           or
           keep
           from
           the
           right
           way
           of
           the
           Lord
           ;
           mind
           well
           the
           Answer
           ,
           which
           the
           man
           of
           God
           gave
           to
           Ierobam's
           tempting
           invitation
           .
           If
           (
           said
           he
           )
           
             thou
             wilt
             give
             me
             half
             thine
             house
             ,
             I
             will
             not
             go
             in
             with
             thee
             ,
             neither
             will
             I
             eat
             Bread
             nor
             drink
             Water
             in
             this
             place
             ,
          
           ver
           .
           8.
           
           (
           This
           was
           where
           the
           
             Separate
             Altar
          
           was
           set
           up
           )
           And
           he
           gives
           a
           forcible
           Reason
           for
           it
           ;
           
             For
             so
             was
             it
             charged
             me
             by
             the
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           ver
           .
           9.
           
           Here
           now
           you
           see
           both
           the
           Charge
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           the
           
             good
             Resolution
          
           of
           the
           Man
           of
           God
           :
           I
           will
           not
           go
           in
           with
           thee
           who
           hast
           
             revolted
             from
             God
          
           ;
           neither
           will
           I
           ,
           eat
           or
           drink
           in
           this
           place
           ,
           where
           an
           
             Ensign
             of
             Separation
          
           and
           Opposition
           to
           the
           way
           of
           God
           is
           set
           up
           .
           Consider
           this
           well
           I
           warn
           you
           All
           ,
           in
           whom
           there
           is
           yet
           any
           
             true
             Breathings
          
           after
           the
           living
           God
           ,
           who
           retain
           any
           Tenderness
           ,
           and
           in
           whom
           there
           is
           any
           Simplicity
           left
           ;
           Consider
           this
           well
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           when
           thy
           pretended
           Friend
           or
           Friends
           ,
           in
           a
           great
           deal
           of
           Seeming
           love
           and
           kindness
           ,
           shall
           invite
           thee
           to
           partake
           with
           them
           at
           their
           Separate
           Altar
           ,
           to
           sit
           down
           with
           them
           in
           their
           Separate
           Meeting
           .
           
             Thou
             canst
             not
             be
             a
             Man
             of
             God
             ,
          
           and
           
             go
             in
             with
             them
          
           ,
           or
           Eat
           or
           
             Drink
             in
             that
             place
          
           :
           Thou
           canst
           not
           sit
           down
           there
           ,
           to
           wait
           for
           the
           
             Bread
             of
             Life
          
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Water
             of
             Life
          
           ,
           to
           be
           given
           thee
           there
           :
           No
           ,
           
             The
             Word
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           if
           thou
           give
           heed
           unto
           it
           ,
           
             will
             Charge
             thee
             otherwise
          
           :
           Therefore
           to
           that
           pure
           living
           Word
           let
           every
           mind
           be
           turned
           ,
           and
           thereto
           kept
           ,
           in
           a
           diligent
           waiting
           to
           receive
           Wisdom
           ,
           Strength
           and
           Power
           from
           the
           Lord
           therein
           ,
           that
           none
           may
           be
           betrayed
           by
           the
           Subtilty
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           with
           whatsoever
           
             fair
             pretence
          
           He
           may
           come
           .
           For
           remember
           how
           the
           Man
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           was
           enticed
           by
           another
           to
           eat
           and
           drink
           outwardly
           at
           Bethel
           ,
           the
           place
           where
           the
           Separate
           Altar
           was
           set
           up
           ,
           
             lost
             his
             outward
             life
             therefore
          
           ,
           vers
           .
           18.
           and
           24.
           
           And
           if
           thou
           shalt
           presume
           to
           
             go
             in
          
           ,
           to
           Eat
           or
           to
           Drink
           Spiritually
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           to
           joyn
           in
           Worship
           with
           the
           Sons
           of
           Nebat
           at
           this
           day
           ,
           in
           
             the
             separate
             Meetings
          
           ,
           that
           any
           of
           them
           have
           set
           up
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           the
           Assemblies
           of
           God's
           People
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Blessed
           Way
           and
           Work
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           how
           know'st
           thou
           but
           thou
           mayst
           
             for
             ever
             lose
             thy
             Spiritual
             life
             ,
          
           and
           
             never
             know
             a
             day
             of
             Quickening
             more
             ?
          
        
         
           Therefore
           all
           Friends
           ,
           watch
           against
           every
           Temptation
           thereunto
           ,
           
             as
             you
             love
             your
             lives
          
           ,
           as
           you
           regard
           the
           good
           and
           eternal
           welfare
           of
           your
           Souls
           ;
           and
           let
           not
           the
           Name
           ,
           nor
           person
           of
           any
           Man
           have
           Power
           over
           you
           ,
           to
           
             draw
             you
             aside
          
           ,
           neither
           let
           Numbers
           sway
           with
           you
           ,
           in
           which
           ,
           I
           know
           ,
           these
           Adersaries
           of
           Truth
           do
           not
           a
           little
           boast
           (
           though
           ,
           blessed
           be
           God
           ,
           with
           little
           reason
           )
           but
           remember
           that
           Ieroboam
           of
           old
           had
           Ten
           Tribes
           out
           of
           Twelve
           to
           cry
           up
           his
           separate
           Altar
           ;
           Notwithstanding
           
           which
           ,
           he
           is
           branded
           to
           Posterity
           in
           the
           holy
           Record
           ,
           with
           this
           Brand
           ;
           Jeroboam
           
             the
             Son
             of
          
           Nebat
           ,
           WHO
           MADE
           ISRAEL
           TO
           SIN
           ,
           2
           Kin.
           14.24
           .
           Therefore
           let
           not
           any
           
             follow
             a
             Multitude
             to
             do
             Evil
             ,
          
           Exod.
           23.2
           .
           but
           all
           
             follow
             that
             which
             is
             good
             ,
             both
             among
             your selves
             ,
             and
             to
             all
             Men
             ,
          
           1
           Thes.
           5.15
           .
           For
           Friends
           ,
           you
           know
           whither
           the
           broad
           way
           leads
           ,
           and
           what
           it
           is
           the
           wide
           Gate
           opens
           into
           ,
           which
           the
           MANY
           ,
           go
           in
           at
           :
           But
           keep
           ye
           to
           the
           strait
           Gate
           ,
           and
           walk
           ye
           on
           in
           the
           NARROW
           way
           ;
           sor
           in
           it
           is
           safety
           ,
           and
           at
           the
           end
           of
           it
           everlasting
           happiness
           .
        
         
           But
           Friends
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           straitness
           of
           this
           Gate
           ,
           and
           the
           Narrowness
           of
           this
           way
           ,
           some
           that
           have
           attemped
           to
           walk
           in
           it
           ,
           are
           grown
           weary
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           have
           sought
           out
           
             another
             way
          
           ,
           a
           way
           which
           (
           Ieroboam
           like
           )
           they
           have
           
             devised
             of
             their
             own
             Heart
          
           ;
           wherein
           they
           may
           have
           more
           room
           ,
           more
           scope
           ▪
           more
           Company
           ,
           Ease
           in
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           Liberty
           to
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           all
           
             without
             controul
          
           .
           And
           this
           I
           am
           satisfied
           ,
           hath
           not
           been
           the
           least
           motive
           to
           the
           Separation
           in
           this
           day
           (
           as
           it
           was
           the
           greatest
           in
           days
           past
           )
           though
           some
           that
           have
           been
           drawn
           into
           it
           ,
           may
           not
           perhaps
           ,
           see
           the
           Ground
           upon
           which
           it
           was
           undertaken
           .
           But
           the
           Lord
           hath
           
             opened
             an
             Eye
          
           in
           many
           ,
           which
           sees
           the
           Rise
           and
           
             Ground
             ,
             Entrance
          
           and
           End
           of
           this
           libertine
           Spirit
           and
           its
           work
           .
           And
           this
           Eye
           will
           the
           Lord
           daily
           open
           more
           and
           more
           in
           all
           ,
           that
           diligently
           and
           in
           sincerity
           wait
           upon
           him
           .
           Therefore
           All
           Friends
           every
           where
           ,
           who
           have
           not
           yet
           a
           clear
           sight
           ,
           and
           a
           thorow
           Understanding
           of
           the
           Nature
           and
           
             Work
             ,
             Design
          
           and
           Drift
           of
           this
           Dividing
           Spirit
           ,
           Wait
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           in
           Simplicity
           of
           Heart
           and
           Lowliness
           of
           mind
           ,
           upon
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           keep
           to
           the
           measure
           of
           the
           Grace
           you
           have
           received
           ,
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           suffer
           not
           your
           minds
           to
           be
           swayed
           or
           byass●d
           by
           any
           
             personal
             Kindness
             ,
             natural
             Affection
             ,
             Relation
             ,
             Kindred
             ,
          
           or
           Acquaintance
           ;
           but
           stand
           Single
           and
           open
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           not
           joyning
           to
           or
           any
           way
           countenancing
           that
           which
           the
           Testimony
           of
           Truth
           ,
           in
           the
           arisings
           of
           the
           Heavenly
           Life
           ,
           and
           breakings
           forth
           of
           the
           divine
           Power
           through
           any
           ,
           goes
           forth
           against
           .
           So
           will
           your
           present
           standing
           be
           safe
           ,
           and
           you
           be
           preserved
           out
           of
           the
           snares
           of
           this
           insinuating
           and
           treacherous
           Spirit
           ;
           And
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           his
           appointed
           time
           ,
           as
           ye
           abide
           with
           him
           ,
           will
           
             open
             your
             understandings
          
           further
           ,
           and
           give
           you
           a
           
             clearer
             Sight
          
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           at
           present
           you
           do
           not
           fully
           see
           ,
           and
           thereby
           bring
           you
           to
           that
           Certainty
           and
           assurance
           ,
           which
           (
           blessed
           be
           his
           Name
           )
           he
           hath
           brought
           many
           unto
        
         
           And
           you
           ,
           my
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           whose
           Spirits
           the
           Lord
           hath
           
             stirred
             up
          
           ,
           and
           whose
           Hearts
           he
           hath
           engaged
           ,
           in
           an
           holy
           Zeal
           ,
           to
           
             stand
             up
          
           for
           his
           Blessed
           Name
           and
           Truth
           ,
           and
           to
           bear
           a
           faithful
           Testimony
           against
           this
           wicked
           
           rendring
           Spirit
           ;
           
             Go
             on
          
           in
           the
           strength
           and
           power
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           the
           might
           of
           the
           God
           of
           Iacob
           :
           for
           you
           are
           assuredly
           on
           the
           Lord's
           side
           ;
           and
           the
           Lord
           Iehovah
           ,
           the
           strength
           of
           Israel
           ,
           is
           on
           your
           side
           .
           Therefore
           Friends
           ,
           be
           encouraged
           in
           the
           Lord
           to
           stand
           
             stedfast
             in
             your
             Testimony
          
           ,
           not
           giving
           way
           to
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           no
           not
           for
           a
           moment
           .
           And
           take
           heed
           ,
           I
           beseech
           you
           in
           the
           Love
           of
           God
           ,
           how
           ye
           enter
           into
           any
           Treaty
           of
           Peace
           ,
           or
           Terms
           of
           Agreement
           with
           this
           
             ungodly
             treacherous
          
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           is
           out
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           draws
           out
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           
             and
             fights
             against
             the
             Truth
          
           ,
           For
           
             there
             is
             no
             Peace
             unto
             it
             ,
          
           saith
           my
           God.
           And
           they
           who
           have
           
             joyned
             themselves
          
           unto
           it
           ,
           and
           have
           
             Wickedly
             given
             themselves
          
           up
           to
           be
           acted
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           to
           act
           for
           it
           ,
           must
           pass
           through
           the
           
             River
             of
             Iudgment
          
           ,
           if
           ever
           they
           be
           Redeemed
           from
           under
           its
           power
           .
           Friends
           ,
           
             Condemnation
             must
             first
             be
             felt
             and
             owned
             ,
             before
             Reconciliation
             can
             be
             known
          
           ;
           and
           the
           fire
           of
           the
           Lord
           must
           pass
           upon
           the
           Transgressor
           ,
           to
           consume
           the
           works
           of
           darkness
           ,
           the
           Ungodly
           Deeds
           ,
           the
           Envious
           Reviling
           Speeches
           ,
           the
           wicked
           malicious
           slanderous
           Books
           and
           Pamphlets
           ,
           &c.
           and
           to
           
             burn
             up
             the
             Ground
          
           from
           whence
           they
           Sprang
           .
           For
           a
           
             Flaming
             Sword
          
           hath
           the
           Lord
           God
           set
           in
           his
           Eden
           ,
           which
           turneth
           
             every
             way
          
           ,
           and
           none
           that
           are
           gone
           out
           can
           ever
           come
           in
           again
           ,
           but
           they
           must
           pass
           under
           the
           
             flaming
             Edg
          
           thereof
           .
           Therefore
           my
           dear
           Friends
           ,
           
             stand
             your
             ground
          
           in
           the
           authority
           of
           the
           heavenly
           life
           ,
           and
           
             tamper
             not
          
           with
           God's
           Enemies
           :
           Remember
           the
           word
           of
           the
           Lord
           to
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           
             Let
             them
             return
             unto
             thee
             ,
             but
             return
             not
             thou
             unto
             them
             ,
          
           Jer.
           15.19
           .
           And
           then
           what
           follows
           ?
           
             I
             will
             make
             thee
             unto
             this
             People
             a
             fenced
             Brasen
             Wall
             ,
          
           and
           
             they
             shall
             fight
             against
             thee
             ,
             but
             they
             shall
             not
             prevail
             against
             thee
             :
             for
             I
             am
             with
             thee
             to
             save
             thee
             ,
             and
             to
             deliver
             thee
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Lord
           ,
           ver
           .
           20.
           
           So
           the
           God
           of
           Life
           
             fill
             your
             Hearts
          
           daily
           more
           and
           more
           with
           a
           
             Phineas
             Zeal
          
           for
           the
           honour
           of
           his
           Name
           ,
           and
           furnish
           you
           abundantly
           with
           Wisdom
           and
           Counsel
           ,
           with
           Boldness
           and
           Courage
           ,
           with
           Strength
           and
           Power
           ,
           to
           encounter
           and
           overcome
           the
           Enemy
           ;
           And
           make
           every
           one
           more
           watchful
           against
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           to
           withstand
           it
           in
           all
           its
           
             allurements
             to
             vanity
          
           ,
           of
           whatsoever
           kind
           ,
           that
           whatsoever
           would
           defile
           the
           Camp
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           may
           be
           purged
           out
           ,
           and
           kept
           out
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           may
           more
           and
           more
           delight
           in
           his
           People
           ,
           and
           shower
           down
           his
           Blessings
           upon
           them
           ;
           which
           is
           the
           fervent
           desire
           of
           ,
        
         
           
             
               Your
               Faithful
               Friend
               ,
               in
               the
               Love
               and
               Service
               of
               the
               Vnchangeable
               Truth
               ,
            
             Thomas
             Ellwood
             .
          
           
             
               The
               24th
               .
               
                 of
                 the
              
               2
               
                 d.
                 Month.
              
               1686.