1683-1685.—A salutation of love to Friends, designed to stir up
the pure mind—an epistle to Friends commending them to
Christ, the rock and sure foundation—an epistle of counsel
to Friends—George Fox taken from a meeting and examined by a
magistrate, but soon released—writes an epistle to the
faithful to beware of a seducing spirit—after the Yearly
Meeting sails for Holland, and lands at the Briel—attends
the Yearly Meeting at Amsterdam—writes to Galenus Abrahams,
a Mennonist or Baptist, who, seven years before, bid him
“keep his eyes off him.” for he said “they pierced him,” but
now he was become very loving and tender, as well as his
family—George Fox returns to England—writes to the Duke of
Holstein an able defence of women’s preaching—writes an
epistle of counsel to Friends—advises with, and assists them
in, drawing up an account of sufferings, which is printed
and spread amongst Parliament-men—writes a caution to
Friends, to keep out of the world’s spirit &c.—and a warning
against pride and excess in apparel.
Some time after the Yearly Meeting I went down to
KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES to visit Friends there; and while I was there
it came upon me to write the following epistle to Friends in
general, as a salutation of love, and to stir up the pure mind in
them:—
“DEAR FRIENDS AND BRETHREN,
“Who are turned from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan to God, who are believers in the light, which is the life in
Christ, and are become children of the light and of the day;—who
are grafted into Christ, the second Adam, the Lord from heaven,
and are gathered in the name of Jesus, in whom ye have salvation,
and not in any other name under the whole heaven. For Christ Jesus
saith, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there
am I in the midst of them,’ Matt. xviii. 20. So you being gathered
in the name of Jesus, he is in the midst of you, a Saviour, a
Mediator, a Prophet, a Shepherd, a Bishop, a Leader, a Counsellor,
the Captain of your salvation, who bruises the serpent’s head, and
destroys the devil and his works. Therefore, brethren in Christ
Jesus, exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day, lest
any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For you
are made partakers of Christ, if ye hold fast the beginning of
your confidence stedfast to the end, Heb. iii. 14. Therefore hear
Christ’s voice, for he is in the midst of you a teacher.
“Take heed, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief
in departing from the living God, as there is in too many in this
day of provocation and temptation. While it is to-day hear his
voice, and let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and
to good works. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith
without wavering (for he is faithful that hath promised and hath
called you), not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is; (mark) as the manner of some is, that
did and do forsake the assembling of themselves together: but
exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day of
light appearing. For if we sin wilfully, after we have received
the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for
sins; but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation, which shall devour the adversaries, Heb. x.
“And therefore it is good not to forsake the assembling of
ourselves together, but exhort one another daily; for Christ is in
the midst of his people a teacher, and a prophet, who saith,
‘Learn of me; the way, the truth, and the life.’ We being many,
are one body in Christ, gathered in his name, and everyone members
one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace
that is given us, whether they be prophecy, let us prophesy
according to the proportion of faith; and let those that minister,
wait on their ministry; those that be teachers, on their teaching;
and him that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do
it with simplicity; and he that ruleth, with diligence; and he
that showeth mercy, is to do it with cheerfulness. Abhor that
which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned
one towards another, with brotherly love, in honour preferring one
another. Rejoice in hope; be patient in tribulations; be not
overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good; and, if it be
possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men,
Rom. xii. This is and was the practice of the church of Christ.
And now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the
Holy Ghost. I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that
ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and are
able also to admonish one another, Rom. xv. 13, 14. Here the
church of Christ, in which He was in the midst a teacher and the
head of the church, were and are able through him to admonish one
another. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which ye are
also called into one body, to wit, of Christ. Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another, &c., Col. iii. Whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do
all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and
the Father by him: and above all things put on charity, which is
the bond of perfectness.
“The apostle said to Timothy, ‘Be not thou ashamed of the
testimony of our Lord, nor of me, his prisoner; but be thou
partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power
of God, who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling; not
according to our works, but according to his own purpose and
grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,’
2 Tim. i. 8, 9. It concerns every one not to be ashamed of the
testimony of our Lord, who hath called them by his grace; and not
to be ashamed of any of Christ’s prisoners, and afflicted ones for
Christ’s and his gospel’s sake, who abolishes death, and brings
life and immortality to light through his gospel: you that believe
in the light, know it.
“Peter saith, in his general epistle to the church of Christ, ‘As
every man’ (mark, every man) ‘hath received the gift, so minister
the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of
God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God, not of
men; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which
God gives, not of the ability of men’s arts and sciences, that God
in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ,’ &c. For
these gifts and grace come from Jesus into the hearts of the
members of his church, whom he is in the midst of. And if any man
suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify
God, &c. Every true Christian hath the presence of Christ, who
hath all power in heaven and in earth given him, to support him
with his power, light, and life. Christ saith to his believers,
‘Beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and
they will scourge you in the synagogues, and you shall be brought
before governors and kings for my name’s sake, for a testimony
against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take
no thought how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given you
in the same hour what ye shall speak: for it is not you that
speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you. And ye
shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth
to the end, shall be saved. The disciple is not above his Master,
nor the servant above his lord; it is enough for the disciple that
he be as his Master, and the servant as his lord: for if they have
called the master of the house Beelzebub, what will they do to his
servant? Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to
kill the soul, &c. A sparrow shall not fall to the ground without
your heavenly Father, &c. The hairs of your head are all numbered;
ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall
confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father
who is in heaven; but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will
I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. And whosoever shall
be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be
ashamed,’ &c., Matt. x. And again Christ saith, ‘Whosoever shall
be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful
generation, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he
comes in the glory of his Father with his holy angels,’ Mark viii.
38.
“And Christ saith to his disciples, ‘He that receiveth you
receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent
me: he that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall
receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man
in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man’s
reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little
ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I
say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.’ Matt. x.
40-42. Here ye may see how Christ encourages his disciples, and
them that receive them. And John saith, ‘Among the chief rulers of
the Jews many believed in Christ; but because of the Pharisees,
they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the
synagogue,’ John xii. 42. Too many such believers there are
now-a-days, who dare not confess Christ, lest they should lose the
favour of men. But Christ encouraged the faithful disciples, and
told them they would put them out of their synagogues; yea, that
the time should come, that whosoever killed them would think they
did God service: And ‘these things,’ said he, ‘will they do unto
you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these
things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may
remember that I told you of them,’ Jo hn xvi. 2-4. Here we may see
what Christ told his disciples should come to pass to them. And
Saul before he was converted, compelled the Christians to
blaspheme, and make havoc of the church of Christ, Acts viii. and
chap. xxii. and xxvi. And did not the beast in the Revelations
compel both small and great to worship him and his image? And did
not all worship it, but they who had their names written in the
Lamb’s book of life? Did not Nebuchadnezzar set up an image sixty
cubits high, and six cubits broad? And did not he cause a herald
to cry aloud ‘It is commanded that all people, nations, and
languages fall down, and worship the golden image that
Nebuchadnezzar hath set up; and whoso falleth not down, and
worshippeth, shall the same hour be cast into the midst of the
fiery furnace?’ And were not Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, cast
into the furnace? Dan. iii. But God delivered them.
“Therefore it is good to be faithful to God and his worship in
Spirit and in truth. The Jews agreed that if any man should
confess Christ, he should be put out of their synagogue, John ix.
22. So it was for Christ’s sake they were excommunicated out of
their synagogues. But as it is written, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a
stumbling-stone, and a rock of offence; and whoso believes on him,
shall not be ashamed.’ So Christ is a stumbling-block and a rock
of offence to all the unbelievers in the light, which is the life
in Christ, whether they be Jews, Christians, or Gentiles. The Jews
believed Christ was to come, from the Scriptures; and the
Christians believe he is come by the Scriptures; but do not
believe in the light, as Christ commands, and so do not become
children of the light. Therefore ye that are believers in the
light, and are become children of light, walk in Christ, your way,
life, and salvation.”
G.F.
Kingston, the 5th Month, 1683.
Before I left Kingston, something further opened in me, which I was
moved to write, and send amongst Friends; as follows:—
“DEAR FRIENDS,
“My love is to all in the holy Seed, that reigns over all. And my
desire is, that every one, both male and female, may feel the Seed
Christ in you, which is heir of the promise of life eternal, that
ye may all grow up in Christ Jesus your head, and be built upon
Him, the rock and foundation that God hath laid, which stands sure
over all rocks and foundations in the world;—that ye may eat and
drink of this spiritual rock, the spiritual water and food; so
that ye may truly and inwardly say, that your rock and foundation,
your bread and water of life, is from heaven, and your bread and
water is sure; and that ye know his voice that feeds you, and
leads you into the pastures of life, which are always fresh and
green. In this, your affections are set on things that are above,
seeking that which comes down from above, where Christ sits at the
right hand of God, making intercession for you; who is your
Mediator, making peace between God and you; who is your heavenly
Bishop to oversee you, that ye keep in his light, life, and power,
and do not go astray from his heavenly fold and pasture, that He
your Shepherd may feed you therein; who is your Prophet, to open
to you the fulfilling of the promises and prophecies, himself
being the substance; that ye may live in him, and he in you, yea,
and reign in your hearts, there to exercise his offices, his
prophetical, priestly, and kingly office, who is heavenly and
spiritual;—that ye may know the three that bear witness in the
earth, the Spirit, the Water, and the Blood, which is the life of
Christ, which cleanseth from all sin; the Water that washes and
refreshes you; and the Spirit that baptizes and circumcises you,
and leads you into all truth; that ye may come all to drink into
one Spirit, and keep the unity of the Spirit, which is the bond of
the heavenly peace. So being led by the Spirit of God, ye are his
sons and daughters, and by his Spirit will come to know the three
that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy
Ghost. These are the three witnesses that are in heaven, that bear
record of all things; for he is God in heaven, and God in the
earth.
“Therefore I desire, that ye may all feel his love shed in your
hearts, and in it live (above the love of the world, which is
enmity), and in that you will keep in the excellent way. For love
edifies the body of Christ, builds his church up, and keeps out of
the enmity, for it is above it, and brings and keeps all in true
humanity, and in the true divinity; to be courteous, kind, and
tender, one towards another, and to show forth the nature of
Christ, and true Christianity in all your lives and conversations;
that the blessings of the Lord may rest upon you, as ye all live
in the seed of the gospel, the seed of the kingdom of God, in
which all nations are blessed. In that ye will all have a care of
God’s glory. There is the hill or mountain, where the light shines
to the answering the witness of God in all; and the salt that is a
good savour to the witness of God in the hearts of all; and that
savour being kept in, the salt doth not come under the feet of
men.
“So my love to you all in Christ Jesus, whom God hath given to be
a sanctuary for all his people, who is from above and not of this
world, in whom you have life, peace and salvation. In Him, God
Almighty keep and preserve you all to his glory. Amen. As you live
in the peaceable truth of God, it keeps you under, and within, his
protection; but they that make a profession of the Scriptures of
truth, and yet live out of the truth, in the spirit of strife,
unquietness, and discontent, in a contriving, plotting, ravenous,
destroying spirit, which is of the devil, and not of God, that
spirit is judged out of the truth, and to be of him, in whom there
is no truth, whose portion is in the lake, and in the fire that
burns.”
G.F.
Kingston, the 27th of the 5th Month, 1683.
Having visited Friends at and about Kingston, I returned to LONDON;
for it being a suffering time with Friends there, I had not freedom
to be long from the city. I went to the meeting at THE PEEL, which
but a little before the justices and constables had broken up, and
had carried themselves very roughly; but that day it was in the
house and quiet; and a glorious meeting it was, blessed be the Lord.
On the First-day following I went to the meeting at GRACECHURCH
STREET. When I came there, I found three constables in the
meeting-house, who kept Friends out; so we met in the court. After I
had been some time there, I stood up and spoke to the people, and
continued speaking some time. Then one of the constables came, and
took hold of my hand, and said, “I must come down.” I desired him to
be patient, and went on speaking to the people; but after a little
time, he pulled me down, and had me into the meeting-house. I asked
them if they were not weary of this work. One of them said, “indeed
they were.” They let me go into the widow Foster’s house, which
joined to the meeting house, where I stayed, being hot. When the
meeting was ended, for one prayed after I was taken away, the
constables asked some Friends, “which of them would pass their words
that I should appear, if they should be questioned about me”; but
Friends telling them, they need not require that, for I was a man
well known in the city, to be one that would neither fly, nor
shrink; they went away, and I heard no further of it.
The same week I was at the meeting at the SAVOY, which used to be
kept out and disturbed; but that day it was within doors and
peaceable; and a precious time it was. The First-day after, it was
upon me to go to the meeting at WESTMINSTER, where there used to be
great disturbances; but there also the meeting was within doors,
that day, and very large. The Lord’s power was over all, and kept
all quiet and still; for though many loose spirits were there, yet
they were bound down by the power and Spirit of the Lord, that they
could not get up to make disturbance.
About this time I was moved to write the following epistle:—
“FRIENDS AND BRETHREN,
“Who have received the peaceable truth, let the fruits of its
peaceableness and of your quiet spirit appear in all your
meetings, and in all your words and actions; for he that inhabits
eternity dwells with a humble heart, he gives grace to the humble,
and resisteth the proud. Heaven is his throne and the earth ye
walk upon is his footstool; happy are ye that see and know him
that is invisible. And now, Friends, let all things be done in
your meetings, and otherwise, in love, without strife or
vainglory. For love fulfils the law, love overcomes, and edifies
the body of Christ. There is neither self nor envy in love,
neither is it puffed up; but abides and bears all things. See that
this love of God have the sway in you all and over you all.
“Christ saith, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be
comforted. Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness;
for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful; for they shall
obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see
God. Blessed are the peace-makers; for they shall be called the
children of God. Blessed are they that are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed
are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall
say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice
and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so
persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’
“Now Friends, here is a great deal in these words; and all must be
in these states and conditions, if they have these blessings. The
children of God are peace-makers, and strive to make peace in the
truth; and to live in peace with all men, if it be possible. So
live in peace and good-will to all men; which good-will is both
for their sanctification and salvation. And, Friends, consider,
the wisdom of God, which is from above, is pure, peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality and without hypocrisy. Dear Friends, let this
pure, peaceable, gentle wisdom, that is from above, that is easy
to be entreated, and is full of mercy and good fruits, be
exercised and practised in all the true churches of Christ, so
that wisdom may be justified of her children. For the works of the
flesh, or fleshly spirit, are hatred, variance, wrath, strife,
envyings, drunkenness, revellings, adultery, fornication,
lasciviousness, uncleanness, &c., and they which do such things
shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruits of the Spirit
of God are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance, &c. So, dear Friends and brethren,
strive to exceed one another, and all people upon the earth, in
humility, meekness, gentleness, temperance, love, patience,
pureness, and in mercy; then ye will show forth the fruits of the
Spirit of God, and of his heavenly wisdom that is from above. In
this, wisdom will be justified of her children; ye will be the
salt of the earth, the light of the world set on a hill, that
cannot be hid; and your moderation will appear to all men.
Be ye just and righteous, faithful and true in all your words,
dealings, and conversations, so that ye may answer the truth in
all people; for Christ saith, his Father is glorified by such as
bring forth fruits, when men do see their good works; for he that
doeth righteousness, is accepted with God. And he that dwells in
love, dwells in God; for love is his habitation. Let that be the
habitation of every one that hath received the truth; for if it be
not, such do not dwell in God, let them profess what they will.
Therefore my desire is, that all you who have received Christ, the
Seed, which bruises the serpent’s head, may walk in Him, your
sanctuary, life, and salvation, your rest and peace. Amen.”
G.F.
London, the 14th of the 6th Month, 1683.
I continued yet at LONDON, labouring in the work and service of the
Lord both in and out of meetings; sometimes visiting Friends in
prison for the testimony of Jesus, encouraging them in their
sufferings, and exhorting them to stand faithful and steadfast in
the testimony, which the Lord had committed to them to bear;
sometimes also visiting those that were sick and weak in body, or
troubled in mind, helping to bear up their spirits from sinking
under their infirmities. Sometimes our meetings were quiet and
peaceable; sometimes they were disturbed and broken up by the
officers.
One First-day it was upon me to go to the meeting at the SAVOY,
which was large; for many professors and sober people were there.
The Lord opened many precious, weighty things in me to the people,
which I declared amongst them, and “directed them to the Spirit of
God in themselves, which the Lord had given them a measure of; that
all by the Spirit might understand the Scriptures, which were given
forth from the Spirit of God; and that by the Spirit of God, they
might know God, and Christ whom God hath sent; whom to know is
eternal life; and that by the Spirit, they might all come into
Christ, and know Him to be their sanctuary, who destroys the devil,
the destroyer, and his works, and bruises the serpent’s head. For
Christ was a sanctuary to them, to whom he was a Saviour, whom he
saved from the destroyer. And Christ did baptize them with the Holy
Ghost and with fire, and did thoroughly purge his floor, and burn up
their chaff with unquenchable fire; this is, sin and corruption,
which is got into man by transgression; but Christ gathereth his
wheat into his garner. So all that are baptized with Christ’s
baptism, their wheat is in God’s garner; and no spoiler can get into
God’s garner to meddle with the wheat there, though they may be
permitted to meddle with the outward goods,” &c.
As I was speaking in the power of the Lord, and the people were
greatly affected therewith, suddenly the constables, with the rude
people, came in like a sea. One of the constables said to me, “Come
down;” and he laid hands on me. I asked him, “Art thou a Christian?
We are Christians.” He had hold of my hand, and was very fierce to
pluck me down; but I stood still, and spoke a few words to the
people; desiring of the Lord that the blessings of God might rest
upon them all. The constable still called upon me to come down, and
at length plucked me down, and bid another man with a staff take me,
and carry me to prison. That man led me to another officer’s house,
who was more civil; and after a while they brought in four Friends
more, whom they had taken. I was very weary and in a great
perspiration; and several Friends hearing where I was, came to me in
the constable’s house; but I bid them all go their ways, lest the
constables and informers should stop them.
After a while the constables led us almost a mile to a justice, who
was a fierce, passionate man; who, after he had asked me my name,
and his clerk had taken it in writing, upon the constable’s
informing him that “I preached in the meeting,” said in an angry
manner, “Do not you know, that it is contrary to the king’s laws to
preach in such conventicles, contrary to the Liturgy of the Church
of England?” There was present one —— Shad (a wicked informer, who
was said to have broken jail at Coventry, and to have been burned in
the hand at London,) who hearing the justice speak so to me, stepped
up to him, and told him, “that he had convicted them on the Act of
the 22nd of King Charles the Second.” “What! you convict them?” said
the justice; “Yes,” said Shad, “I have convicted them, and you must
convict them too upon that Act.” With that the justice was angry
with him, and said, “You teach me! what are you? I’ll convict them
of a riot.” The informer hearing that, and seeing the justice angry,
went away in a fret; so he was disappointed of his purpose. I
thought he would have sworn somebody against me, whereupon I said,
“Let no man swear against me, for it is my principle ‘not to swear;’
and therefore I would not have any man swear against me.” The
justice thereupon asked me, “If I did not preach in the meeting;” I
told him, “I confessed what God and Christ had done for my soul, and
praised God; and I thought I might have done that in the streets,
and in all places, viz., praise God and confess Christ Jesus; and
this I was not ashamed to confess. Neither was this contrary to the
Liturgy of the Church of England.” The justice said, “the laws were
against such meetings as were contrary to the Liturgy of the Church
of England.” I said, “I knew no such laws against our meetings; but
if he meant that Act that was made against such as met to plot,
contrive, and raise insurrections against the king, we were no such
people, but abhorred all such actions; and bore true love and
good-will to the king, and to all men upon the earth.” The justice
then asked me, “if I had been in orders;” I told him, “No.”
Then he took his law-books and searched for laws against us; bidding
his clerk take the names of the rest in the mean time: but when he
could find no other law against us, the clerk swore the constable
against us. Some of the Friends bid the constable “take heed what he
swore, lest he were perjured; for he took them in the entry, and not
in the meeting.” Yet the constable, being an ill man, swore “that
they were in the meeting.” However, the justice said, “seeing there
was but one witness, he would discharge the rest; but he would send
me to Newgate, and I might preach there.” I asked him, “If it stood
with his conscience to send me to Newgate for praising God, and for
confessing Christ Jesus?” He cried, “Conscience! conscience!” but I
felt my words touched his conscience. He bid the constable take me
away, and he would make a mittimus to send me to prison when he had
dined. I told him, “I desired his peace, and the good of his family,
and that they might be kept in the fear of the Lord;” so I passed
away. And as we went the constable took some Friends’ word, that I
should come to his house the next morning by eight. Accordingly I
went with those Friends; and then the constable told us, that he
went to the justice for the mittimus after he had dined, and he bid
him come again after the evening service; which he did; and then the
justice told him he might let me go. “So,” said the constable, “you
are discharged.” I blamed the constable for turning informer, and
swearing against us; and he said he would do so no more. Next day
the justice meeting with Gilbert Latey, asked him, “if he would pay
twenty pounds for George Fox’s fine.” He said, “No.” “Then,” said
the justice, “I am disappointed; for being but a lodger I cannot
come by his fine, and he having been brought before me, and being of
ability himself, I cannot lay his fine on any other.”
After I was discharged, I went into the city. The same week the
sessions coming on, where many Friends were concerned, some as
prisoners, and some on trials of appeal upon the conventicle act, I
went to a Friend’s house not far off, that I might be in readiness
to assist them with counsel, or otherwise, as occasion should offer;
and I found service in it. But as my spirit was concerned on behalf
of Friends, with respect to their outward sufferings by the
persecutors without; so an exercise also came weightily upon me at
this time, in the sense I had of the mischievous working of that
adulterated spirit, which, being gone out from the heavenly unity,
and having drawn out some that professed truth into enmity and
opposition against Friends, endeavoured to trouble the church of
Christ with their janglings and contention. And as a further
discovery of the working of that seducing spirit, and a warning to
all Friends to beware of it, I was moved to write the following
epistle:—
“_To all the elect faithful, called, and chosen of God,
the flock and heritage of God, who have been acquainted with
the dealings of the Lord, and have kept your habitations in
his life, power, and truth, being built upon the holy,
heavenly rock and foundation, Christ Jesus, who was the
foundation of the prophets and apostles; which foundation
stands sure._
“Many foundations have been laid since the apostles’ days, by such
as have gone from Christ, the true and sure Foundation; but their
foundations have proved rotten, and come to nought; and they
themselves have come to loss. Many, since the day of Christ and
the truth hath appeared in this nation, have had some openings and
sights, and come among us for a time; and then gone out from us
again; these have been the comers and goers, like those in the
apostles’ days. Such had an outward profession of the truth, and
have gone from the true foundation, Christ Jesus, and so from the
heavenly society and unity of the saints in light. Then they set
up foundations of their own; and having a form of godliness, but
out of the power thereof, out of the order thereof, such have
turned to janglings and vain disputings. This sort of spirit you
have been acquainted with, who have kept your habitations in
Christ Jesus, the First and the Last.
“And you are not insensible of the scurrilous and filthy books of
lies and defamations, which have been spread abroad in this
nation, and beyond the seas, against the faithful. It is very well
that the Lord hath suffered them to publish their own shame in
print, that truth’s enemies may be discovered; that their fruits
and spirits have appeared and manifested themselves both in print
and otherwise. And I do believe, that the Lord will yet suffer
this spirit so to publish its fruits, its shame and nakedness, to
professor and profane, and to all sober, moderate, and innocent
people, that its shame and nakedness shall more fully appear.
Though for a time it hath been hid and covered with the fig-leaves
of an outward profession, and sometimes with fawning and
flattering words, as at other times, it hath discovered itself by
rough, lying, and defaming words; yet the Lord God will blast all
such vain talkers, that do not walk in the order of life, truth,
and the gospel.
“Therefore, ye that are faithful, stand fast in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made you free in his government. It is upon
his shoulders; he bears it up; of the increase of it, and of its
peace, there is no end. For all quarellers against his order and
government are not in him, nor in his heavenly, spiritual
government and peace. Therefore, ye faithful ones, who have stood
the trial through many persecutions, imprisonments, spoilings of
goods; you know that there is a crown of glory laid up for you.
You that suffer with Christ, shall reign with him in his kingdom
of glory; ye that die with Christ, shall live with him in eternal
life, in the world that hath no end, who have gone through the
sufferings without, and within, by false brethren, by comers and
goers, that have caused the way of truth to be evil spoken of, and
have been the persecutors of the faithful with their tongues; and
by printing and publishing their lying, defaming books against the
faithful, these have stirred up the magistrates and priests who
were willing to get any occasion to speak evil of the right way,
and precious truth of Christ, by which his people are made free;
it would have been better for such had they never been born. But
God hath brought them to light, and their fruits and ravenous
spirits are seen, savoured, and known; who are become Judases, and
sons of perdition, to betray Christ now within (where he is made
manifest) to the priests, magistrates, and profane, as Judas
betrayed Christ without to the priests and Pilate; though some of
the magistrates and sober people see their envy and folly, and
that they have more malice than matter against the faithful. But
the Lord will consume this Judas, or son of perdition. The Lord
will consume him with the Spirit of his mouth, and destroy him
with the brightness of his coming. So let all the faithful look
unto the Lord. And let the wicked son of perdition know, though he
may be got as high as Judas without (who was partaker of the
ministry with the apostles,) ‘the Lord will consume him with the
Spirit of his mouth, and destroy him with the brightness of his
coming.’ That is his portion. The brightness of the Lord will
destroy him, and the Spirit of his mouth will consume him. And
when he is destroyed and consumed, there will not be a son of
perdition to betray Christ in his people, and his people that live
and walk in Christ, who hath all power in heaven (mark, in heaven)
and in earth given to him; and with his holy and glorious power he
limits and orders; so that nothing shall be done against his
people, but what is suffered for their trial and their good,
neither by apostates, persecutors with the tongue, Judases, sons
of perdition to betray, or the outward powers to imprison, or
spoil goods; all these are limited by Christ’s power, who hath all
power in heaven and in earth given to him. Every one’s faith is to
stand in him and his power, and rejoice in his power, and see the
increase of his righteous, holy, heavenly, spiritual, peaceable
government, in which the glorious, holy order of life is lived and
walked in, by all his sons and daughters. In his Spirit is the
holy unity and bond of peace; though ye be absent in body one from
another, yet all joying and rejoicing, being present in his
Spirit, and beholding in the same Spirit your spiritual order,
unity, and fellowship, and the steadfastness of your faith in
Christ Jesus, who is steadfast for ever, the First and the Last,
whose presence is among his people, and who is their head. Here is
heavenly Sion known, and heavenly Jerusalem, and the innumerable
company of angels (which are spirits) and the spirits of the just
men made perfect. Here is the general assembly, and a general,
heavenly, holy, and spiritual joy and rejoicing, lauding and
praising the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb, that lives for
evermore. Amen.”
G. F.
London, the 14th of the 8th Month, 1683.
“Read this in your assemblies amongst the faithful.”
I tarried a little in LONDON, visiting Friends and meetings, and
labouring in the work of the Lord there. And being on a First-day at
the Bull-and-Mouth, where the meeting had long been kept out, it was
that day in the house peaceable and large; the people were so
affected with the truth, and refreshed with the powerful presence of
the Lord, that when it was ended they were loth to go away.
After some time, having several things upon me to write, I went to
KINGSTON, that I might be free from interruptions. When I came
there, I understood the officers had been very rude at the meeting,
abusing Friends, and had driven them out of the meeting-place, and
very abusive they continued to be for some time. Whilst I was there
I wrote a little book (printed soon after,) entitled, “The Saints’
heavenly and spiritual worship, unity, and communion, &c., wherein
is set forth what the true gospel worship is, and in what the true
unity and communion of the saints stands; with a discovery of those
that were gone from this holy unity and communion, and were turned
against the saints, that abode therein.”
When I had finished the services for which I went thither, and had
visited the Friends, I returned to LONDON, and visited most of the
meetings in and about the city. Afterwards I went to visit a Friend
in ESSEX; and returning by DALSTON, made some stay at the widow
Stot’s, where I wrote an epistle to Friends, declaring the word of
the Lord to them, which may be read amongst my other printed books.
I came from Dalston to LONDON, and next day was sent for in haste to
my son Rous’s at KINGSTON, whose daughter, Margaret, lay very sick,
and had a desire to see me. I tarried now at Kingston about a week,
and then returned to LONDON; where I continued for the most part of
the winter and the spring following, until the general meeting in
1684, save that I went once as far as Enfield, to visit Friends
thereabouts. In this time I ceased not to labour in the work of the
Lord, being frequent at meetings, and visiting Friends that were
prisoners, or that were sick; and in writing books for the spreading
of truth, and opening the understandings of the people to receive
it.[58]
The Yearly Meeting was in the 3rd month. A blessed weighty one it
was, wherein Friends were sweetly refreshed together; for the Lord
was with us, and opened his heavenly treasures amongst us. And
though it was a time of great difficulty and danger, by reason of
informers and persecuting magistrates, yet the Lord was a defence
and place of safety to his people.
Now had I drawings in Spirit to go into Holland, to visit the Seed
of God there. And as soon as the Yearly Meeting was over I prepared
for my journey. There went with me from London Alexander Parker,
George Watts, and Nathaniel Brassey, who also had drawings into that
country. We took coach the 31st of the 3rd month, 1684, and got to
COLCHESTER that night. Next day being First-day, we went to the
meeting there; and though there was no notice given of my coming,
yet our being there was presently spread over the town, and in
several places in the country at seven and ten miles distance; so
that abundance of Friends came in double-horsed, which made the
meeting very large. I had a concern and travail in my mind, lest
this great gathering should have stirred up the town, and been more
than the magistrates could well bear; but it was very quiet and
peaceable, and a glorious meeting we had, to the settling and
stablishing of Friends both in town and country; for the Lord’s
power was over all; blessed be his name for ever! Truly the Lord’s
power and presence was beyond words; for I was but weak to go into a
meeting, and my face (by reason of a cold I had taken) was sore; but
God manifested his strength in us and with us, and all was well: the
Lord have the glory for evermore for his supporting power. After the
meeting, I think above a hundred Friends of the town and country
came to see me at John Furly’s, and very glad we were to see one
another, and greatly refreshed together, being filled with the love
and riches of the Lord; blessed be his name for ever!
We tarried at Colchester two days more; which we spent in visiting
Friends, both at their meetings for business and at their houses.
Then early in the morning of Fourth-day we took coach for Harwich,
where we met William Bingley, and Samuel Waldenfield, who went over
with us. About eight at night we went on board the packet, Richard
Gray master; but by reason of contrary winds it was one in the
morning before we sailed. We had a very good passage; and about five
in the afternoon next day we landed at the BRIEL in HOLLAND, where
we stayed that night. Early next morning we went to ROTTERDAM, where
we abode some days.
The day after we came to Rotterdam, one Wilbert Frouzen, a
burgomaster, and kinsman of Aarent Sunneman’s, hearing I was there,
invited me to his country house, having a desire to speak with me
about some business, relating to Aarent Sunneman’s daughters. I took
George Watts with me, and a brother of Aarent Sunneman’s had us
thither. The burgomaster received us very kindly, and was very glad
to see me; and entering into discourse about his kinsman’s
daughters, I found he was apprehensive that, their father being
dead, and having left them considerable portions, they might be
stolen and married to their disadvantage. Wherefore I told him,
“that it was our principle and practice, that none should marry
amongst us unless they had a certificate of the consent of their
relations or guardians; for it was our Christian care to watch over
and look after all young people that came among us; especially those
whose natural relations were dead. And as for his kinsman’s
daughters, we should take care that nothing should be offered to
them but what should be agreeable to truth and righteousness, and
that they might be preserved in the fear of God, according to their
father’s mind.” This seemed to give him great satisfaction. While I
was with him there came many great people to me, and “I exhorted
them all to keep in the fear of God, and to mind his good Spirit in
them, to keep their minds to the Lord.” After I had stayed two or
three hours, and had conversed with him on several things, I took my
leave of him, and he very kindly sent me to Rotterdam in his
chariot.
Next day being First-day, we were at the meeting at Rotterdam, which
was pretty large, and declared to them by an interpreter. The day
following Alderman Gaul came to speak with me, with whom we had much
discourse about religious matters; he seemed to be well satisfied,
and was very tender. Several other persons of account had intended
to come to speak with me that day, but being hindered by
extraordinary business (as I understood), they came not.
We went next day to AMSTERDAM, where we had a large and very
precious meeting. In the afternoon I was at another meeting with
Friends there, about business.
There is a Yearly Meeting at Amsterdam for the Friends of Holland
and Germany, &c., which begun now on the 8th of the 4th month, and
ended on the 12th. Here we had a fine opportunity of seeing Friends
from many parts, and of being refreshed together in the love of God.
After this meeting, before those that came out of the several
provinces were gone, we had a meeting with some particular Friends,
about the places and countries into which we who came out of England
in the work of the ministry were to travel; and to enquire who among
them were suitable persons to go along with us for interpreters.
When this was concluded on, William Bingley[59] and Samuel
Waldenfield[60] took shipping for Friesland, with Jacob Claus, their
interpreter.
Alexander Parker and George Watts remained with me. We tarried a few
days longer at Amsterdam, where I had further service. Before I left
I went to visit one, Galenus Abrahams, a teacher of chief note among
the Mennonites, or Baptists. I had been with him when I was in
Holland about seven years before; and William Penn and George Keith
had disputes with him. He was then very high and shy, so that he
would not let me touch him, nor look upon him (by his good will),
but bid me “keep my eyes off him, for,” he said, “they pierced him.”
But now he was very loving and tender, and confessed in some measure
to truth; his wife also and daughter were tender and kind, and we
parted from them very lovingly.
Feeling our spirits drawn towards Friesland, Alexander Parker,
George Watts, and I, having John Claus of Amsterdam with us for our
interpreter, took shipping, and having sailed nine or ten leagues,
we left the ship, and travelled through Friesland, sometimes by
boat, sometimes by waggon, visiting Friends and tender people in the
towns and villages where we came; having one or two meetings in a
day. After we had been at LEUWARDEN, we passed by FRANEKER to
HARLINGEN in West Friesland, which was the furthest place we went to
that way. And having been six days from Amsterdam, and had very good
service in that time, visiting Friends and publishing truth amongst
the people, we took ship at Harlingen for Amsterdam on the 26th of
4th month, and arrived there that night. The First-day following we
were at the meeting at AMSTERDAM, which was very large and precious.
Many of the people were there, their teachers, and some great
persons also. They seemed very attentive, and a good opportunity we
all had, one after another, to declare the word of the Lord and open
the way of truth amongst them, John Claus interpreting for us. I
tarried next day at Amsterdam; but George Watts went to a burial at
Haarlem, attended by many hundreds of people, amongst whom he had a
good opportunity, and came back at night to us.
The day following we went by boat to OSAN-OVERTON in WATERLAND, and
thence, in another small boat, about a league over a small river,
where we passed over and by a hundred bridges, and so went to
LANDSMEER to a Friend’s house whose name was Timon Peters; where we
had a very good meeting. We returned to AMSTERDAM that night, and
were at the meeting there next day. Many were at this meeting
besides Friends, and among the rest, the great Baptist teacher,
Galenus, who was very attentive to the testimony of the truth, and
when it was over, came and got me by the hand very lovingly.
We went next day by boat to ALKMAAR, about eight leagues
from Amsterdam, passing through SARDAM, the great town of
ship-carpenters, and several other towns in the way. At Alkmaar,
which is a pretty city, we stayed, and had a meeting next day at
William Williams’s. There were besides Friends many very sober
people at this meeting, who were very attentive to the testimonies
of truth, that were borne both by Alexander Parker, George Watts,
and myself, John Claus being our interpreter. This was on a sixth
day, and on the seventh we returned to AMSTERDAM, being willing to
be at the meeting at Amsterdam on First-day, because it was likely
to be the last we should have there. Accordingly we were at it, and
a very large and open meeting it was. Many great persons were at it,
some earls, we were told, with their attendants, out of Germany, who
were very grave and sober, and the everlasting gospel was preached
unto them.
After this we took leave of the Friends of Amsterdam; and next
morning departed thence to HAARLEM, where we had a meeting at a
Friend’s house, whose name is Abraham Frondenberg. Great numbers of
people were at this meeting, and of great service it was. After it a
watchmaker of Amsterdam, who, with his wife, attended it, desired to
speak with me concerning religion. I had much discourse with him,
and both he and his wife were very low and tender, received with
gladness what I spoke to them, and seemed well satisfied when they
went away.
We went next day to ROTTERDAM, where we tarried two meetings; and on
the 16th of the 5th month went to the BRIEL, to take ship for
England. About four in the afternoon we went on board the packet,
William Sherman master, and set sail from the Briel. But when we had
gone over the Maese about a league, we cast anchor at a place called
the PITT, because it is near to the sands, where we stayed till
about four next morning; when, having a pretty fair wind, and the
tide with us, we weighed anchor, and by four next day were within
five leagues of Harwich, over against Aldborough Castle; but the
wind falling short, and the tide being weak, it was one in the
afternoon before we came so near to HARWICH that boats could come to
receive the passengers and goods. There were on board about forty
passengers in all; English, Scotch, Dutch, French, Spanish, Flemish,
and some Jews.
I spent a day with Friends at Harwich, while Alexander Parker and
George Watts went by water to visit Friends at Ipswich, and returned
at night. Next morning early we all took coach for Colchester, and
were at the meeting there, which was large and peaceable; after it,
we travelled to WITHAM, and lodged there that night. Next day,
William Mead meeting us on the way at HARE STREET, I went with him
to his house, the other Friends going on for London.
Here, being weak with travel and continual exercise, I spent some
time to rest myself, and recover my health; visiting in the mean
time the Friends in that part of the country, as I was able to get
abroad.[61] When I was a little recovered, I went to ENFIELD,
visiting Friends there and thereabouts; and so to DALSTON to see the
widow Stot; and thence to LONDON, some Friends being come over from
New Jersey in America, about business, which I was desired to be
present at.
It was the latter end of the summer when I came to LONDON, where I
stayed the winter following; saving that once or twice, my wife
being in town with me, I went with her to her son Rous’s at
Kingston. And though my body was very weak; yet I was in continual
service, either in public meetings, when I was able to bear them, or
in particular business amongst Friends, and visiting those that were
sufferers for truth, either by imprisonment or loss of goods.
Many things also in this time I wrote, some for the press, and some
for particular service; as letters to the King of Denmark and Duke
of Holstein, on behalf of Friends that were sufferers in their
dominions; of the latter, the following is a copy:—
“_For the Duke of Holstein, whom I entreat, in the love of God, to
read over this, which is sent in love to him_.
“I understand that formerly, by some evil-minded persons, it was
reported to thee, when Elizabeth Hendricks came to Frederickstadt
to visit the people called Quakers, that it was a scandal to the
Christian religion, that a woman should be suffered to preach in a
public assembly religiously gathered together, &c. Upon which thou
gave forth an order to the rulers of Frederickstadt, ‘to make the
said people leave that place forthwith, or to send them away.’ But
the said rulers being Arminians, and they, or their fathers,
having come to live there, as a persecuted people in Holland, not
much above threescore years ago, made answer to the duke, ‘they
were not willing to persecute others for conscience’ sake, who had
looked upon persecution on that account in their own case as
antichristian,’ &c. But after that, the people of God, in scorn
called Quakers, wrote unto thee, O duke, from Frederickstadt; and
since that time they have had their liberty, and their meetings
peaceable, to serve and worship God almost these twenty years at
Frederickstadt, and thereabouts, freely without any molestation;
which liberty they have acknowledged as a great favour and
kindness from thee.
“And now, O duke, thou professing Christianity from the great
and mighty name of Christ Jesus, who is King of kings and Lord
of lords, and the Holy Scriptures of truth of the Old and New
Testament, do not you use many women’s words in your service and
worship out of the Old and New Testament? The apostle saith,
‘Let your women keep silence in the churches;’ and that, ‘he did
not permit a woman to speak, but to be under obedience; and if
she will learn anything, to ask her husband at home; for it is a
shame for a woman to speak in the church.’ And 1 Tim. ii. 11,
12. ‘Women are to learn in silence and not suffered to teach,
nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.’ 1
Cor. xiv. 34. Now, here the duke may see, what sort of women
were to be in silence and in subjection, whom the law commands
to be silent, and not to usurp authority over the man, nor to
speak in the church; these were unruly women. In the same
chapter he commands women ‘not to plait or broider their hair,
nor to wear gold, pearls, or costly array.’ These things were
forbidden by the apostle; and such women as wear such things,
are to learn in silence and to be subject, and not to usurp
authority over the men; for it is a shame for such to speak in
the church. But do not such women as these, that wear gold and
silver, and pearls and gaudy apparel, or costly array, and plait
and broider their hair, speak in your church, when your priest
sets them to sing psalms? Do they not speak when they sing
psalms? Consider this, O duke! Yet you say, ‘your women must
keep silence in the church, and must not speak in the church;’
but when they sing psalms in your churches, are they then
silent? Though the apostle forbids such women before-mentioned
to speak in the church, yet in another place the apostle
encourages the good or holy women to be teachers of good things,
as in Tit. ii. 3, 4. The apostle said, ‘I entreat thee, true
yoke-fellow, help those women which laboured with me in the
gospel, and with other my fellow-labourers, whose names are
written in the book of life.’ Here he owns these holy women, and
encourages them, which laboured with him in the gospel, and did
not forbid them; Phil. iv. 2, 3. He likewise commends Phœbe
unto the church of the Romans, calls her ‘a servant unto the
church of Cenchrea,’ sends his epistle by her to the Romans from
Corinth, and desires the church at Rome ‘to receive her in the
Lord as becometh saints:’ and to ‘assist her in whatsoever
business she had need of; for she had been a succourer of many
and of himself also.’ And he said, ‘Greet Priscilla and Aquila,
my helpers in Christ Jesus, who have for my life laid down their
own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the
churches of the Gentiles.’ Now here the duke may see these were
good, holy women, whom the apostle did not forbid speaking, Rom.
xvi. 1-4, but commended them. And Priscilla and Aquila
instructed and expounded unto Apollos the way of God more
perfectly, Acts xviii. 26. So here Priscilla was an instructor
as well as Aquila; which holy women the apostle doth not forbid.
Neither did the apostle forbid Philip’s four daughters, which
were virgins, to prophesy. Women might pray and prophesy in the
church, 1 Cor. xi. 5.
“The apostles showed to the Jews the fulfilling of Joel’s
prophecy; that in the last days God would pour of his Spirit upon
all flesh, and their sons and daughters, servants and handmaids,
should prophesy with the Spirit of God. So the apostle encourages
daughters and handmaids to prophesy as well as sons; and if they
do prophesy, they must speak to the church or people, Joel ii. 28;
Acts ii. 17, 18. Did not Miriam the prophetess sing unto the Lord,
and all the women with her, when the Lord had delivered the
children of Israel from Pharaoh? Did not she praise the Lord, and
prophesy in the congregation of the children of Israel? and was
not this in the church? Exod. xv. 21. Moses and Aaron did not
forbid her prophesying or speaking; but Moses said, ‘would God all
the Lord’s people were prophets!’ and the Lord’s people are women
as well as men. Deborah was a judge and a prophetess; and do not
you make use of Deborah’s and Miriam’s words in your service and
worship? See (Judg. v. 1-31) Deborah’s large speech or song. Barak
did not forbid her, nor any of the Jewish priests. Did not she
make this speech or song in the congregation or church of Israel?
In the book of Ruth there are good speeches of those good women,
which were not forbidden. Hannah prayed in the temple before Eli,
and the Lord answered her prayer. See what a speech Hannah makes,
and a praising of God, before Eli the high-priest, who did not
forbid her, 1 Sam. ii. 1-10. Josiah the king sent his priest with
several others, to ask counsel of Huldah the prophetess, who dwelt
at Jerusalem in the college, 2 Kings, xxii. 14; 2 Chron. xxxiv.
22. So here the king and his priests did not despise the counsel
of this prophetess; and she prophesied to the congregation of
Israel, as may be seen in these chapters.
“And in Luke i. 41-55, see what a godly speech Elizabeth made to
Mary, and what a large godly speech Mary made also. Mary said,
‘that the Lord did regard the low estate of his handmaid,’ &c. And
do you not make use in your worship and service of Mary’s and
Elizabeth’s words from Luke i. 41-55, in your churches, and yet
forbid women’s speaking in your churches? Yet all sorts of women
speak in your churches, when they sing, and say Amen. In Luke ii.
there was Anna the prophetess, a widow of about fourscore and four
years; who departed not from the temple, but served God with
fasting and prayer night and day. Did not she confess Christ Jesus
in the temple, and give thanks to the Lord, and ‘speak of Christ
to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem?’ Luke ii. 36-38.
So such holy women were not forbidden to speak in the church,
neither in the law nor gospel. Was it not Mary Magdalene and other
women that first preached Christ’s resurrection to the apostles?
The woman indeed (namely, Eve) was first in transgression; and so
they were women that first preached the resurrection of Christ
Jesus; for Christ said to Mary, &c. ‘Go to my brethren, and say
unto them, I ascend unto my Father and to your Father, and to my
God and to your God,’ John xx. 17. And Luke xxiv. 10, it was Mary
Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other
women that were with them, who told the apostles, ‘that Christ was
risen from the dead, and their words and these women’s words, were
as idle tales to the apostles, and they believed them not,’ ibid.
ver. 11. And ver. 22, ‘Certain women also of our company made us
astonished,’ they said: so here it may be seen, that the women’s
preaching the resurrection of Christ did astonish the apostles.
Christ sent these women to preach his resurrection; so it is no
shame for such women to preach Christ Jesus; neither are they to
be silent when Christ sends them. The apostle says, ‘Every tongue
shall confess to God,’ Rom. xiv. 11; and ‘Every tongue shall
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father,’ Phil. ii. 11. So here it is clear, that women must
confess Christ as well as men, if every tongue must confess. And
the apostle saith, ‘There is neither male nor female; for ye are
all one in Christ Jesus,’ Gal. iii. 28.
“And whereas it is said, ‘Women must ask their husbands at home,’
&c., the duke knows very well virgins have no husbands, nor
widows; for Anna the prophetess was a widow; and if Christ be the
husband, men must ask counsel of him at home as well as women,
before they teach. And set the case, that a Turk’s wife should be
a Christian, or a Papist’s wife should be a Lutheran, or a
Calvinist, must they ask and learn of their husbands at home,
before they confess Christ Jesus in the congregation of the Lord?
Their counsel will be to them to turn Turks or Papists.
“I entreat the duke to consider these things. I entreat him to
mind God’s grace and truth in his heart that is come by Jesus;
that by his Spirit of grace and truth he may come to serve and
worship God in his spirit and truth; so that he may serve the
living eternal God that made him, in his generation, and have his
peace in Christ, that the world cannot take away. And I do desire
his good, peace, and prosperity in this world, and his eternal
comfort and happiness in the world that is everlasting. Amen.”
G.F.
London, 26th of the 8th Month, 1684.
Besides the foregoing, I wrote also epistles to Friends; of one of
which the following is a copy:—
“Friends and Brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom you have
all life, peace, and salvation; walk in Him, who is your heavenly
Rock and Foundation, that stands sure, who hath all power in
heaven and earth given unto him. So his power is over all. Let
your faith stand in his power, which is over all from everlasting
to everlasting, over the devil and his power; that in the holy,
heavenly wisdom of God, ye may be preserved and kept to God’s
glory, out of all snares and temptations; so that God’s wisdom may
be justified of all his children in this day of his power, and
they all may be faithful, serving and worshipping God in his
Spirit and truth, and valiant for it upon the earth.
“For, as the apostle saith, ‘They that believe are entered into
their rest, and have ceased from their own works, as God did from
his.’ Now this rest is an eternal rest in Christ, the eternal Son
of God, in whom every true believer hath everlasting life in
Christ Jesus, their rest and everlasting day. For Christ the Rest
bruiseth the serpent’s head, and through death destroyeth death,
and the devil, the power of death, and his works. He is the
Eternal Rest, that giveth eternal life to his sheep. Christ
fulfilleth the prophets, and all the figures, shadows, and
ceremonies, as in the Old Testament; and all the promises are yea
and amen in Christ, who was the Eternal Rest to all true believers
in the apostles’ days, and ever since, and is so now. Christ is
the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, who is
ascended above all principalities, powers, thrones, and dominions,
that he might fill all things. For ‘by Jesus Christ all things
were made and created, whether they be things in heaven, or things
in the earth;’ and he is the Eternal Rest. They that believe are
entered into Christ, their Eternal Rest, in whom they have eternal
life and peace with God. Wherefore I say again, in Him who is your
Rest, live and abide; for in Him ye are happy, and his blessings
will rest upon you. God Almighty keep and preserve you all, his
true believers, in Christ your Rest and Peace this day. Amen.”
G.F.
London, the 18th of the 12th Month, 1684-5.
About a month after I got a little out of London, visiting Friends,
at SOUTH STREET, FORD GREEN, and ENFIELD, where I had meetings.
Afterwards I went to WALTHAM ABBEY, and was at the meeting there on
a First-day, which was very large and peaceable. Then returning
through ENFIELD and EDMONTON SIDE, I came back to LONDON in the 3rd
Month, to advise with and assist Friends, in laying their sufferings
before the Parliament then sitting. We drew up a short account
thereof, which we caused to be printed and spread among the
Parliament-men.
The Yearly Meeting coming on, I was much concerned for the Friends
that came up to it out of the country, lest they should meet with
any trouble or disturbance in their passages up or down; and the
rather, because about that time a great bustle arose in the nation
on the Duke of Monmouth’s landing in the West. But the Lord,
according to his wonted goodness, was graciously pleased to preserve
Friends in safety, gave us a blessed opportunity to meet together in
peace and quietness, and accompanied our meeting with his living,
refreshing presence; blessed for ever be his holy name!
Now, considering the hurries that were in the nation, it came upon
me, at the close of this meeting, to write a few lines to Friends,
“to caution all to keep out of the spirit of the world, in which the
trouble is, and to dwell in the peaceable truth;” as follows:—
“DEAR FRIENDS AND BRETHREN,
“Whom the Lord hath called and chosen in Christ Jesus, your Life
and Salvation, in whom ye have all rest and peace with God; the
Lord God by his mighty power, which is over all, hath preserved
and supported you to this day, to be a peculiar, holy people to
himself, so that by his eternal Spirit and power ye might be all
kept out of the world; for in the world is trouble. And now, in
this great day of the Lord God Almighty, he is shaking the heavens
and the earth of outward professions, their elements are in a
heat, their sun and their moon are darkened, the stars falling,
and the mountains and hills shaking and tottering, as it was among
the Jews in the day of Christ’s appearing. Therefore, dear Friends
and brethren, dwell in the Seed, Christ Jesus, the Rock and
Foundation, that cannot be shaken; that ye may see with the light
and Spirit of Christ, that ye are as fixed stars in the firmament
of God’s power; and in this his power and light, you will see over
all the wandering stars, the clouds without water, and trees
without fruit. That which may be shaken, will be shaken; as will
all they that are wandered from the firmament of God’s power.
“Dear Friends and brethren, you that are redeemed from the death
and fall of Adam, by Christ the second Adam, in Him ye have life,
rest, and peace; for Christ saith, ‘In me ye shall have peace; but
in the world trouble.’ And the apostle saith, ‘They that believe
are entered into their Rest,’ namely, Christ, who hath overcome
the world, who bruiseth the serpent’s head, destroys the devil and
his works, and fulfils the types, figures, and shadows of the Old
Testament and the prophets; in whom the promises are yea and amen;
who is the first and the last, the beginning and the ending—the
Eternal Rest. So keep and walk in Christ, your Rest, every one
that have received him.
“And now, dear Friends and brethren, whatever bustlings and
trouble, tumults and outrages, quarrels and strife, arise in the
world, keep out of them all; concern not yourselves with them: but
keep in the Lord’s power and peaceable truth, that is over all
such things; in which power ye seek the peace and good of all men.
Live in the love which God hath shed abroad in your hearts through
Christ Jesus; in which nothing is able to separate you from God
and Christ, neither outward sufferings, persecutions, nor any
outward thing, that is below and without; nor to hinder or break
your heavenly fellowship in the light, gospel, and Spirit of
Christ; nor your holy communion in the Holy Ghost, that proceeds
from the Father and the Son, and which leads you into all truth.
In this Holy Ghost, in which is your holy communion, that proceeds
from the Father and the Son, you have fellowship with the Father
and the Son, and one with another. This is it which links and
joins Christ’s church or body together, to Him the heavenly and
spiritual head, and in unity in his Spirit, which is the bond of
peace, to all his church and living members, in whom they have
eternal rest and peace in Christ, and with God everlasting, who is
to be blessed and praised for ever. Amen.
“Dear Friends, forsake not the assembling of yourselves together,
who are gathered in the name of Jesus, who is your prophet, whom
God hath raised up in the New Testament, to be heard in all
things; who opens to you, and no man can shut; and shuts, and no
man can open; who is your Priest, made higher than the heavens by
the power of an endless life, by whom you are made a royal
priesthood, to offer up to God spiritual sacrifice; who is the
Bishop of your souls, to oversee you, that ye do not go astray
from God; who is the good Shepherd, that hath laid down his life
for his sheep; and they hear his voice, and follow him, and he
gives them eternal life.
“And now, dear Friends and brethren, abide in Christ, the vine,
that ye may bring forth fruit to the glory of God. And as every
one hath received Christ, walk in Him, who is not of the world,
that lies in wickedness; so that ye may be preserved out of the
vain fashions and customs of the world, which satisfy the lust of
the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, which are
not of the Father, but of the world that passes away. Whoever
joins to that which is not of the Father, or encourages it, draws
the mind from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore
let Christ rule in your hearts, that your minds, souls, and
spirits may be kept out of the vanities of the world, in their
words, ways, and actions, that ye may be a peculiar people,
zealous of good works, serving the Lord through Jesus Christ, to
the praise and glory of God; that by the Word of his grace your
words may be gracious, and in your lives and conversations ye may
show forth righteousness, holiness, and godliness; that so God
Almighty may be glorified in you all, and through you all, who is
above all, blessed and praised for ever. Amen.”
G. F.
London, the 11th of the 4th Month, 1685.
Several other letters also I wrote at this time to Friends in divers
foreign countries, from whom I had received letters about the
affairs of truth. Which when I had despatched, the Yearly Meeting
being over, and country Friends for the most part being gone, I got
a little way out of town; being much spent with the heat of the
weather, throngs in meetings, and continual business. I went at
first to SOUTH STREET, where I abode some days. And among other
services I had there, a great sense entered me of the growth and
increase of pride, vanity, and excess in apparel; and that not only
amongst the people of the world, but too much also amongst some that
came among us, and seemed to make profession of the truth. In the
sense I had of the evil thereof, it came upon me to give forth the
following, as a reproof and check thereunto:—[62]
“The apostle Peter saith (in 1 Pet. iii.) of the women’s adorning;
‘Let it not be (mark, let it not be; this is a positive
prohibition) that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of
wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the
hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even
the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of
God of great price; for after this manner in the old time the holy
women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves.’
“Here ye may see what is the ornament of the holy women, which was
in the sight of God of great price, and which the holy women, who
trusted in God, adorned themselves with. But the unholy women,
that trust not in God, their ornament is not a meek and a quiet
spirit; they adorn themselves with plaiting the hair, putting on
of apparel, and wearing of gold; which is forbidden by the apostle
in his general epistle to the church of Christ, the true
Christians.
“And the apostle saith (1 Tim. ii. 9, 10), ‘In like manner also,
that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness
and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or
costly array, but (which becometh women professing godliness) with
good works.’
“Here ye may see what the women were not to adorn themselves with,
who professed godliness; they were not to adorn themselves with
broidered hair, nor gold, nor pearls, nor costly array; for this
was not looked upon to be modest apparel for holy women, that
professed godliness and good works. But this adorning or apparel
is for the immodest, unshamefaced, unsober women, that profess not
godliness, neither follow those good works that God commands.
Therefore it doth not become men and women who profess true
Christianity and godliness to be adorned with gold, or chains, or
pearls, or costly array; or with broidered hair; for these things
are for the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride
of life, which are not of the Father. All holy men and women are
to mind that which is more precious than gold; who are ‘redeemed
not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb
without blemish and without spot. Therefore as obedient children
to God, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts
in your ignorance; but as he which hath called you is holy, so be
ye holy in all manner of conversation,’ 1 Pet. i. 14, 15.
“Christ saith, ‘The life is more than meat, and the body is more
than raiment,’ Luke xii. 23.
“I read of a “wise moral philosopher, who, meeting a woman with
her neck and breast bare, laid his hand upon her, and said,
‘Woman, wilt thou sell this flesh?’ and she replying, No; ‘Then
pray,’ said he, ‘shut up thy shop;’” (meaning her bare breasts and
neck). So they were looked upon as harlots, that went with their
necks, breasts, and backs bare, and not modest people, even among
the moral heathens. Therefore they that profess the knowledge of
true Christianity, should be ashamed of such things. You may see a
book written by the very Papists, and another by Richard Baxter
the Presbyterian, against bare breasts and bare backs. They that
were but in an outward profession, declared against such things;
therefore they who are in the possession of truth and true
Christianity, should be ashamed of such things. Read, I pray you,
the third of Isaiah, and there see how that holy prophet was
grieved with the foolish women’s vain attire, and how he was sent
by the Lord to reprove them. Envious, persecuting Jezebel’s
attired head and bravery, like a painted harlot out of the truth,
did not keep her from the judgments of God, when the Lord stirred
up Jehu against her. Doth not pride go before a fall, and a
haughty mind before destruction? God resisteth the proud, and
giveth grace to the humble. Solomon saith, ‘The Lord will destroy
the house of the proud,’ Prov. xv. 25. ‘For the day of the Lord
shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, &c., and he shall
be brought low,’ Isa. ii. 12, and Mal. iv. Therefore take heed of
calling the proud happy; for ‘the Lord will scatter the proud in
the imaginations of their own hearts, and exalt them of low
degree.’ And you may read in the Revelations (chap. xvii. 4, and
xviii. 16), of the false church, how she was outwardly decked, but
full of abomination, and came to a downfall at last. Therefore it
is good for all that profess the truth, to use this world as not
abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away; but the
Word of the Lord endureth for ever. ‘The Lord taketh pleasure in
his people, he will beautify the meek with salvation,’ Psa. cxlix.
4. All that know the truth as it is in Jesus, are to be beautified
and clothed with this salvation, which salvation is a strong wall
or a bulwark against that spirit, that would lead you further into
the fall from God, into those things which the fallen man and
woman delight in, and beautify or adorn themselves with.
Therefore, all that profess the truth, be circumspect, sincere,
and fervent, following the Lord Jesus Christ, who is not of this
world; in whom ye have life and peace with God.”
G. F.
South-street, the 24th of the 4th Month, 1685.
-----
Footnote 58:
Frequent mention being made by George Fox of his being engaged
with his pen on behalf of the truth, it may be well to apprize the
reader that these volumes contain only a very small portion of his
writings. Many others of his works were collected and printed in
1706, forming a large volume, entitled, _Gospel Truth
Demonstrated, in a collection of Doctrinal Books, given forth by
that faithful minister of Jesus Christ, George Fox, &c._ This
collection consists of above 1000 folio pages, comprising about
160 pieces, the dates from 1653-1689.
In addition to treatises in explanation or defence of the
principles and doctrines taught by George Fox, this volume
contains many others of a more extended character. There are three
addressed to the Jews; and papers in behalf of the doctrine of the
gospel, and against persecution, to be delivered to the following
rulers:—The Great Turk, the magistrates of Malta, the Emperor of
Austria, the Kings of France and Spain, the Pope, and the Emperor
of China. And in 1688, Sultan Mahomet IV. having sent a defiance
to the Emperor Leopold in his Christian character, threatening to
ruin him, _and pursue his crucified God_, George Fox wrote a Reply
to this public document; warning the Turk to fear the great God
that made him and all things, and showing him out of their Koran,
that the founder of their religion wrote more respectfully of
Christ: whom he then proceeds to set forth to the notice of the
Sultan by citations from the Scriptures.
In the books and treatises forming the above collection, the
doctrine of our blessed Lord, and those matters essential to
salvation and true Christianity, are plainly asserted and fully
demonstrated according to the Scriptures. For although he gave
preference to the Holy Spirit (as all true spiritual Christians
do), yet his true love to, and sincere esteem of, the Holy
Scriptures (as being given by Divine inspiration), is clearly
manifest; 1st, In his frequent advice to Friends to keep to
Scripture language, terms, words, and doctrines, as taught by the
Holy Ghost, in matters of faith, religion, controversy, and
conversation; and not to be imposed upon and drawn into
unscriptural terms, invented by men in their human wisdom. 2nd, In
his great industry in searching the Scriptures, and frequently
quoting, reciting, aptly applying and opening the same in his
writings, as appears in the above-named work. He truly testified,
both in his ministry and writings, of Christ Jesus, his power, and
coming, in the flesh and in the spirit. He was both for the sacred
history and mystery of Christ revealed according to the Scripture
testimonies of him, respecting his sufferings without, the work of
his power within, and his kingdom and glory; and, under his
guidance, he faithfully warred against the spirit of Antichrist
and persecution—against the false church—the corruptions of the
world, its deceit and hypocrisy, under all professions.
Footnote 59:
William Bingley became a minister among Friends while residing in
Yorkshire, and visited Ireland in 1675 and in 1682. He settled in
London as a stuff merchant when in the meridian of life; and in
1684 accompanied Samuel Waldenfield on an apostolic journey in
Holland and the Netherlands. He was one of the Friends who
preached at the funeral of George Fox, in 1690-91; and he appears
to have paid religious visits to different parts of Great Britain
at various periods. He died in London in 1714, aged 64 years.
Footnote 60:
Samuel Waldenfield, born at Edmondsbury, in Suffolk, in 1652, was
religiously inclined in his youth, and a hearer of the
Independents. But becoming convinced of the principles of truth,
as held by Friends, about the year 1670, he came forth a powerful
preacher of the word of life; and, with the Lord’s blessing on his
labours, many were convinced of the truth, and turned from
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, and were
as the seals of his ministry. In 1684 he married, and settled in
London, continuing faithful and diligent in the work he was called
unto; and suffered for his testimony by imprisonment, &c. His
travels on gospel service, to the year 1700 were near 40,000
miles, which were also, subsequently, very considerable. Samuel
Waldenfield is spoken of as being very considerate of the poor,
humble, and merciful, and as an elder worthy of double honour. He
was a bright ornament to our religion in his conversation, gaining
great reputation to truth and Friends among rich and poor. He was
ill about two months before his decease, during which time he
uttered many expressions worthy of being noted. He died in great
peace in 1715.—See _Piety Promoted_, vol. ii., pp. 248-252.
Footnote 61:
After returning from his last visit to Holland, George Fox did not
travel far from London, his usual residence during the latter part
of his life. His health had been gradually declining for some
years, in consequence of his many and grievous imprisonments, and
the great fatigue of body and mind, occasioned by his long travels
for the promotion of the cause of truth, and by his incessant
labours in “defence of the gospel” against the clamour and
opposition of apostate brethren, and the unfounded imputations of
others, decidedly hostile to the truth as it is in Jesus. His
solicitude, however, to promote the welfare of the Society, and
procure relief to his Friends under suffering, both at home and
abroad, remained undiminished. In the course of his declining
state, he wrote many epistles to his friends, some of sympathy and
consolation, to encourage and strengthen them in their deep
sufferings; others of counsel, exhortation, and reproof, “stirring
up the pure mind by way of remembrance,” and labouring to build
them up in the most holy faith; and, on all occasions, seeking not
his own honour, but the honour of God only, and the edification of
his church and people.
Footnote 62:
Those Christians whose experience enters most deeply into the
spiritual nature of the gospel dispensation, will find that it
leads them into simplicity as regards their outward appearance.
The practice in the primitive church, as regards “outward
adorning,” is thus spoken of by Coleman, in his _Antiquities of
the Christian Church_:—
“Nothing may appear more purely a matter of indifference than the
fashion and colour of dress; and yet, in the circumstances of the
primitive Christians, articles of that nature did acquire such an
importance that they gradually fell into a style of clothing
peculiar to themselves. Not that they affected any singularities
in their personal appearance, for their habiliments were made and
worn in the ordinary fashion of the time and place: and
Christians, whether found in the high, the middle, or the lower
ranks, were accustomed to equip themselves in a manner suited to
the decencies of the state or profession to which they belonged;
but, looking to the moral influence of dress, and desirous of
avoiding everything that might minister to vanity, or lead the
wearer to forget, in attending to the outward man, the ornament of
a ‘meek and quiet spirit,’ they studiously rejected all finery as
unbecoming the humility of their character, and confined
themselves to a suit of apparel, remarkable not so much for the
plainness of the material as for the absence of all superfluous
ornament. Everything gaudy or sumptuous, that partook of the
costly stuffs or the crimson dyes that suited the luxurious taste
of the times, was discountenanced by the spiritually-minded
followers of Christ. The same simplicity reigned throughout their
domestic establishments; and even those of their number who were
persons of rank and opulence, chose to content themselves with
such things as were recommended by their utility rather than their
elegance, and calculated to answer the purposes of necessity and
comfort, rather than to gratify ‘the lust of the eye, and the
pride of life.’ And however refined or exquisite the taste, which,
through education and the habits of society, any of them had
acquired, they learned to subject it to the higher principle of
denying themselves to everything that tended too much to captivate
the senses, and increase their love to a world, the fashion
whereof, they thought, was soon to pass away.”
The remarks of John Wesley on simplicity in dress are excellent,
but too long to be quoted here. He says that “following the
fashions of the world is directly at war with the spirit of the
gospel.” See _Select Miscellanies_, vol. v., p. 288, for Wesley’s
views on this subject; also of T. à Kempis, and others.