The Missing Cross to Purity

A COLLECTION

OF

MANY SELECT EPISTLES TO FRIENDS,

OF

THAT ANCIENT, EMINENT, AND FAITHFUL MINISTER


OF JESUS CHRIST,

George Fox

Volume 2

265.

All you that are believers in the light of Christ, which manifests darkness,
you are kept by the power of God unto the day of salvation.
So, though your salvation is not yet completed,
yet you have your keeper, the power of God,
which neither slumbers nor sleeps, and it will keep you unto that day.
For those virgins, in the parable, they had their keeper,
by which they were preserved in their virginity,
which they were never accused of losing;
for it is said, that "the cry was at midnight;"
that is, the mid-time of darkness;
for darkness is called night, and the voice of the bridegroom was at midnight, "Arise."
Now they that had no oil in their lamps did not enter with the bridegroom,
but they that had oil did.
Now that which keeps is the power of God,
and it preserves pure unto him in the virginity,
from that which would defile the virgin mind, and the virgin soul and spirit.
For it is all from the same man of sin that defiles the mind, and the spirit,
that leads them out to defile their bodies, and corrupt them;
therefore all are to mind their keeper, the power of God,
which was before the devil, the man of sin, was;
by which power of God they have oil in their lamps,
through which their lamps may be always burning in their temple,
and such come to be the temple of God;
for they that defile the temple, defile their souls and bodies,
they let in the defiler and destroyer, and so their lamps go out,
and they go from God and his power, the keeper, and such God will destroy.
And so many as are kept by the power of the Lord unto the day of salvation,
though the day of salvation is not yet completed,
yet in the day of salvation the people of God are a willing people,
even in this day of his power.
And so they are to abide with their keeper, which is the power of God ;
for while they be in the night, and not in the day of salvation, nor day of power,
though they may be in the wilderness of temptations and trouble,
yet may feel the power, the keeper, to lead through all these things,
out of Egypt, through the Red Sea,
through the wilderness, through Jordan, the river of Judgment, and over the Canaanites;
and therefore everyone's faith is to stand in the power of God,
and believe in the power of God, that will bring to the day of God's power,
and to the day of his salvation.
For the outward Jew did not enter, because of unbelief;
and so this great foul man of sin has defiled all mankind outwardly and inwardly.
And therefore all to have their faith to stand in the power of God, their keeper;
for the defilement is in the night, by the power of darkness, and through it.
Therefore let your faith stand in the power of God, your keeper,
which will keep body, and soul, and spirit clean and blameless to the day of redemption, and day of salvation;
and by the power of God such will have a dominion over the foul man of sin, the devil;
for it is he in people that leads and tempts to outward defilement of their body,
and so to lose their virginity;
and it is he that draws their minds from God and Christ, and from God's ways,
and his worship, and his truth, and his spirit, and his grace,
and his faith that he works in people.
Therefore if your faith stands in the power of God,
all by it is preserved in this, body, soul, and spirit, in purity
and a hidden mind, soul, and spirit, secret to the Lord, who is a spirit;
and they are preserved by his power, their keeper.
For, as is the saying of some of the world, that are the most modest,
that they will keep their outward virginity to the day of their death, or of their marriage,
but such as before that have no esteem of their bodies, no more than unruly beasts,
give up their bodies to uncleanness, and themselves to work wickedness,
and so forsake their keeper, the power of God,
which should keep both inwardly and outwardly.
And so all the inward virgin minds, and souls, and spirits, that are hidden to the Lord,
they will die before they will lose their inward virginity,
but will keep it to the marriage of the lamb, as the wise virgins did;
by which power they are preserved over the man of sin,
whom Christ their husband bruises the head of, and destroys him and his works.
For Christ was before the man of sin was, (the devil, or his works either),
who was glorified with the Father before the world began;
and therefore all such virgins as are come to Christ, and are married to him,
Christ your husband, he will deal with the foul man of sin, and bruise his head,
and break his power and strength to pieces,
and will take him and cast him into everlasting fire.
And therefore keep your faith in the power of God,
which will bring you to the marriage of the lamb;
by which power of God, which was before the devil was,
you have oil in your lamps, that your lamps may burn always;
by which power of God you may come to the day of God's power,
and all to be a willing people, to serve God, and walk in truth, and to obey him;
and so by the same power of God, which is your keeper,
you may come to the day of salvation;
you may have the song of salvation, and joy of salvation,
and comfort of salvation, and the possession of salvation, and be heirs of the same.
And so here you have your keeper, to wit, the power of God.
And Peter's words answer to this,
"You have a light which you do well to take heed unto,
that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arises in you hearts;"
signifying it is sufficient, which you must take heed to,
it will lead you to the day dawning,
the light that shines in the dark place of your hearts, in the dark place of your minds.
Now you do well to take heed to this light,
for it leads you to the day star, and day dawning.
"Out of Egypt have I called my son," said the Lord; and Israel was called God's son,
who was called out of the house of darkness and bondage;
they had light in Goshen, when the children of Egypt were in darkness, and could not see one another.
For now the children of light have light, and can see one another;
the children of Egypt, Sodom, and Babylon cannot see one another.
And so, they do well that take heed to the light,
but they do ill that do not take heed to the light,
for they walk in darkness, and know not where they go,
and stumble at noon day, the highest time of light;
for this light leads to the day dawning,
and day star arising in their hearts, which is a sure word of prophecy.
A prophet is a seer, and so with the light he will see, that which manifests is light;
by it you shall see the day dawning, and the day star arising,
and when that arises, the sons of God sing together, because of the joyful day;
and the saints sing, who have long been in the brambly, briary wilderness,
and in the house of bondage, of darkness and trouble, and of sorrow and misery.
Therefore, there is joy when the day star appears and the day dawn;
there is great cause of joy for all the sons of God, when the day star appears,
and for them to sing together;
for long nights of trouble and travel have they been in.
"The path of the just is a shining light,'" the path of the unjust is darkness.
So there are but two paths.
Now the unjust cannot abide to hear talk of the light,
but call it natural, and created and made, or conscience,
they do not know what to call it, whose darkness cannot comprehend the light,
though it shines in the darkness;
and so, the path of the just being "a shining light,
which shines more and more unto the perfect day;"
signifying that the day is come, that the just has his path, and his path is a shining light;
and so increases, shines more and more unto the perfect day."
Now the unjust being in darkness, they hate the light and love darkness rather than light;
and they hate the just man's path, the light, because their deeds are evil;
for the light will reprove them.
So the just man's path is sufficient, a shining light: for it shines more and more,
it increases, it is sufficient, and brings to the perfect day.
Now the unjust, whose path is darkness, say, "It is not sufficient,"
but such cannot abide the light, cannot abide the just man's path, nor the just either,
but hate both, and speak against him and his path,
with his darkness, that cannot comprehend the light, though light shines in his darkness;
and therefore if he cannot comprehend the light with his darkness,
(how can he comprehend the prophets', and apostles', and Christ's words?)
but calls light darkness, and darkness light,
and calls it natural, or created, or made, or conscience;
and so this comes to be fulfilled on them, as John said,
who with their darkness could not comprehend the light,
yet they would be talking of the saints' words, law and prophets, with their darkness,
which could not comprehend the light.
They would call light, darkness, said Christ,
"If that light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness?"
You neither know the scriptures nor the power of God.
How should they know the scriptures or the power of God either,
whose darkness does not comprehend the light?
A dark man, is a blind man. A blind man has not true judgment.
Therefore how should they call it otherwise, but a natural light, a created or made light?
So the Pharisees believed that Christ was to come, and preached him to come;
as the Protestants and Papists preach him, that he is come and to come;
and can tell by scripture where he was crucified,
as the Jews could tell by scripture where he was to be born.
But they were all against Christ, the light.
When he came, they said, "Christ had a devil."
The Pharisees said of him, who was light, that he was the prince of devils;
who was the light, and the truth, and the life; and that he was the carpenter's son.
So without the light they could not see him, nor his works, with their darkness;
neither can they now,
neither can they know the scriptures nor the power of God,
whose darkness cannot comprehend the light.
And John was a man sent from God,
the greatest prophet born of a woman,
who came for a witness, to bear witness of the true light,
which lights every man that comes into the world, that all through him might believe;
and it is said, in Christ was light; and this light was the life of men.
And so the life that is in Christ, is the light of men.
So this is a heavenly light, a divine light, a spiritual light, a saving light;
which is the life of Christ, which is the light of men;
though the professors in Christ's time, and these times, Papists and Protestants,
with their darkness, cannot comprehend the light, so not the life;
so no true preachers of Christ without the light and life.
John said, he was not the light, but was sent to bear witness of the, light.
That he was not worthy to unloose the latchet of Christ's shoes.
And yet John, who had seen Christ, the lamb of God,
who takes away the sins of the world,
pointed his disciples to him, and showed them Christ;
and they forsook him and went to Christ.
For John came for a witness, to bear witness of Him who was the true light;
and that he that was to come after him, was preferred before him, for he was before him.
Yet when John was cast into prison, he questioned whether Christ was he,
or whether he should look for another; and sends to Christ.
And Christ answers his messengers, and said unto them,
the blind receive their sight, and the poor receive the gospel, etc.
And as for these Papists, and Protestants, and Jews,
they question whether Christ, the light that lights every man that comes into the world,
whether he is the spiritual, divine, saving, and heavenly light.
And further, mark Christ's own words. John 12, 4-6.
"He said, he is the light of the world, that teaches you how to" believe;
to wit, all his disciples, as Christ has taught them, who said, believe in the light.
Now, believing in the light, you believe in that which does make all things;
for that which makes manifest is the light; and therefore to believe in the light,
is to believe in that which that which makes manifest Christ to be their way,
their teacher, priest, mediator, interceder, savior, and redeemer.
And he that believes in the light, believes in that which makes manifest all false ways,
and false religions, and false worship, and false teachers, and antichrists.
For they that believe in the light, it manifests all true ways, and true religions.
And so, they are no true believers, neither Protestants, nor Papists,
who only believe Christ has come, from scripture,
as the Jews believed Christ was to come, from scripture.
But, I say, they are no true believers,
but as they also believe in the light as Christ the heavenly man does teach.
For the Jews, may teach their people to believe from the scripture,
the Papists and Protestants may teach their children to believe from the same;
but, not believing in the light, they are no true believers, as Christ has taught;
for Christ, who is the savior, he teaches people how to believe,
and said, believe in the light.
Which is plain, that they are no true believers that do not believe in the light,
neither Jews, nor those that have got the name of christians;
for believing in the light, they become children of the light.
And so it is plain, they are no children of light but who believe in the light,
nor children of the day.
For children of darkness may profess scriptures,
the devil may bring scriptures,
and Protestant, and Turk, and Papist, and Jew may bring scriptures,
with a dark spirit, and hold them in the unrighteousness;
but there is no true believer in God, nor in Christ Jesus, but who believes in the light,
which the scripture testifies of;
showing there is no salvation, redemption, justification, sanctification,
but to them who believe in the light, that manifests all things,
nor seeing Christ, who died, and is risen for them.
And therefore the heavenly man, the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ,
teaches how to believe, and said, "believe in the light, while you have it;"
and this light will manifest him to be their way, their truth, and life;
which light comes from him who enlightens every man that comes into the world,
that all through the light might believe.
And so they that believe not in the light, as Christ has taught, are no true ministers,
nor true messengers, nor true disciples, nor true christians,
nor true preachers of Christ Jesus, who believe not, as he has taught them;
but they that lay away Christ's teaching,
and teach one another to deny the way that Christ has taught to believe in,
are keepers of people in darkness, out of the light,
and call it natural, created, and made, and conscience,
and so with their darkness and blindness give the light such names,
who with their darkness cannot comprehend it;
for he that believes in the light,
it lets him see the scriptures, the prophets, Christ and the apostles' words,
and by it they do distinguish the true prophets' words from the false,
the holy men's words from the unholy,
the sanctified from them that are not sanctified,
Christ's words from antichrist's,
the true apostles' words from the false.
So Christ the light teaches his people to believe in that which manifests all things;
and they that believe in the light have the witness in themselves of Christ,
in whom they do believe, they have the witness in themselves,
that he is their redeemer, and savior, and their way, their truth, and their life;
for with the light they see him,
they believing in the light that makes manifest;
and after they believe in the light, become children of the1ight;
they witness themselves, that they are sealed,
for their belief in the light stands in Christ the light,
who has bought and purchased them;
and after that the are sealed by the spirit of promise,
having God's mark or stamp set upon them, they can set to their seal,
that God is true in all his promises, in all his prophets concerning Christ Jesus;
who taught them to believe in the light.
With the light they see, and come to know the "three that bear record in heaven",
and the "three that bear record on earth, the spirit the water, and the blood."
First, the spirit that bears witness in the earth, which mortifies them,
which circumcises them, which leads them into all truth;
in which spirit is their fellowship, and a bond peace,
that keeps down that which troubles them;
by which spirit the believers are baptized into one body;
brought out of the many bodies;
and so by the spirit they are brought to the one head, which is Christ Jesus,
(though there are many heads in the world),
by which spirit they are sanctified,
by which spirit they are instructed,
by which spirit they worship God,
by which spirit they are covered, by which spirit they pray,
and by which spirit they sing praises to God who is a spirit,
by which spirit they have an understanding, the spirit of wisdom and knowledge,
which is to know God and Jesus Christ whom he bath sent, which is life eternal.
Secondly, They come to know the water which is a witness in the earth;
by which they are washed,
their minds, their souls, their spirits, and in their bodies, with this pure water.
And this is a witness in the earth with the light;
they that believe in it, it manifests these two witnesses in the earth,
and with the light they see the pope's counterfeit holy water,
which he has set up since the apostles' days,
who with the light bear witness against it, not to be God's witness, nor God's setting up.
And so the children of the light, that believe in the light,
their bodies, their souls, their spirits, and their minds are washed clean
in this pure, clean, holy water; that comes from above, from the pure holy God,
which is one of these witnesses in the earth.
The third witness is his blood, with which the hearts of people are sprinkled,
and their consciences are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus.
As Moses sprinkled the outside of the posts, etc. with the blood of bulls and goats;
which blood of bulls and goats, Christ's blood ends,
which sprinkles the heart and conscience of people.
So this blood of Jesus Christ, the heavenly man,
is felt in the hearts and consciences of people;
by which blood they are sanctified,
they are cleansed from all their dead works,
to serve the living God, and to serve their dead works no longer.
So by this blood they are cleansed from all sin.
They that walk in the light, and believe in the light,
they are children of the light, and children of the day;
and the blood of Jesus Christ, the son of God, cleanses them from all sin;
and their garments are made white in the blood of the Lamb;
by which they come to testify of Jesus;
they overcome the beast, the whore, the false church.
And so every true believer, believes as Christ has taught them, to believe in the light,
that so they may become children of the light.
They have these three witnesses that bear witness in the earth,
to bear witness in themselves;
and they can set to their seal, that God is true in all his works,
in prophets and apostles, and his son;
and they shall come to know, and do come to know,
the three that bear record in heaven,
and the three that bear record in the earth.

George Fox

266.

And all you believers in the heavenly light, as Christ has taught,
you seek that which is lost and driven away;
but the false prophets, false ministers, and teachers,
they did not seek that which was lost, and driven away from God;.
they put no difference between the precious and the vile,
but mash all together, like the priests and prophets of our times.
Therefore, seek that which, was lost and driven away.
Some may be driven away by the storms,
some may be driven away by the great winds of the wicked, and storms of the ungodly;
some may be driven away by tempests and foul weather,
and some may be lost in the foul weather, and lost in the sea of the world;
for it is this wicked one that raises all this foul weather and these storms.
Therefore seek that which is lost, you that believe in the light, by which you see,
then you are distinguished from the false prophets and teachers,
and by the light you put a difference between the precious and the vile;
for Jacob was found in a desert land,
and you see all the prophets, how they sought that which was lost, and the apostles,
and how Christ encouraged to seek that which was lost.
And when the lost sheep was found, what joy there was,
more than of the ninety and nine.
And who are they that make the land desolate,
but the rough Esaus, and wild Ishmaels, and Cores?
And who makes the world as a wilderness but the devil?
And who brings the whole world to lie in wickedness, but the devil, that wicked one?
And if you should not find that which is lost and driven away,
at the first, nor second, nor third time of seeking,
if you should not find him that is lost, go again,
that you may have your joy, and rejoice others;
for Christ in the parable said,
"the prodigal son, was lost, yes, was dead, and is alive again;"
when he had been feeding among swine, and upon husks, and could never fill his belly.
When any such come back again, they will tell you how hungry they were,
they could never fill their bellies among the husks, while they went astray,
and tell you long declarations of the citizen that they were joined to:
and therefore when the lost is found, and brought back again to the Father's house,
where there is bread enough, there is joy,
and the heavenly instruments of music,
and the heavenly feast of the heavenly fat things,
and the heavenly robes of righteousness are enjoyed.
And so all be diligent, you believers in the light, as Christ has taught you;
look up and down, in the light you will see where the lost sheep are,
and such as have been driven away, you will spy them out,
out of the woods, or brambles, or pits, where there is no water,
where they are ready to be famished,
where they are tied with thorns and briars;
and so with the light you will see,
and put a difference between the precious and the vile.
For "whatsoever makes manifest is light;" for by that you see, and you will see with it,
how the false prophets, and ministers, and teachers drive people away;
they drive them away from God, and his way,
from Christ, and the covenant of light.
How angry they are with them that believe in it!
With clubs, how have they beaten many, and wounded many, and imprisoned many,
because they would not be driven by them into the devil's pit-fold, or prison!
But you must never stop seeking,
for the light shines over all, which believe in,
and walk in the path of the just, which is as a shining light;
for it has been the work of all the false teachers and ministers
to drive away from God, and his truth, and light,
and those have been the devil's servants, and the wages he gives them is death.
This has been the way of all true ministers,
"to seek that which was lost, and that which was driven away,"
as you may see Christ and the apostles, and all the true prophets did,
and to bring them to feed in the pastures of life,
and gently to lead them, whose wages is life;
and he gives them their heavenly penny of life eternal.

George Fox

267. - To ministering Friends.

Friends,

All you that believe in the light, as Christ has commanded,
that are become children of the light, and of the day,
and of the promise, and do minister therein,
do not judge one another in public meetings, you that do minister,
as you have received the grace, and have the word of the Lord God committed to you,
that minister abroad, or go abroad in cities, towns, countries, or nations,
do not judge one another, nor reflect one upon another in public meetings;
for that hurts the hearers, and you do more hurt than you do good,
and that makes confusion.
If you have any thing to say, have patience,
let that gift be exercised, and speak to one another by yourselves alone;
for that was the way before anything was spoken against any of the church,
and that will show the spirit of order and government,
and the spirit of love, and of patience and humility.
And keep down passion, and that part in yourselves that cannot bear all things, nor endure all things,
whereby the love comes up that will endure all things,
and bear all things, which edifies the body, and by which the body is edified;
for "the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets."
This shows the true spirit, for that which cannot bear all things, many times, is forward in judging,
that cannot bear all things, nor endure all things, and so goes out of the true love and edification;
which breeds confusion and distraction, and destroys more than ever it will beget to God.
And also goes out of the church order, "first speak to him alone;" for by that he may win his brother.
Speaking publicly makes strife, some owning and some disowning,
and that spirit must be shut out by the true spirit, that keeps order, and unity, and fellowship,
and the true love which edifies the body.
And so all who feel the power stirring in them to minister,
when they have done, let them live in the power, and in the truth, and in the grace,
that keeps in the seasoned words, and that keeps in a stabilized and seasoned life:
and so all may minister as they have received the grace;
so every one is a steward of the grace of God, if he do not turn the grace of God into wantonness;
and so to minister in that love, land grace, and power, that keeps all things in subjection and order,
and in unity in the life and in the power, and light, by which you may see that of God in everyman,
and answer to that which God has shown to people:
for the true laborers in the vineyard do answer that of God,
the true ministers bring people to that which is to instruct them, the spirit of God,
and so are ministers of the spirit, and minister of the grace;
they answer the spirit, and the grace, and truth in all,
in which all that do minister have unity,
and through which they have fellowship with God and Christ.

George Fox

268. - Not to be over thoughtful of the things of this world.

Friends,

Did not God provide for man and woman before he made them?
Did he not make all things in six days?
And the sixth day he made man in the image of God, in righteousness and holiness.
And therefore Christ, who is the son of God,
who comes to restore man up again into the image of God,
and leads man up into his image in righteousness and holiness,
as he was in Before he fell: does he not reprove such as take thought,
and told them of their little faith,
and that they could not add one cubit to the stature that God had made;
and it was the practice of the heathens and of the Gentiles to take thought?
So it is clear, before God made man, he took care for him;
but after man was fallen from the image of God, and his righteousness,
he took care and toiled,
though he cannot add one cubit to his stature in the Lord's work.
For you may sow your seed in the ground or garden,
you may have much cattle, and other things,
but yet there is no increase but by the Lord,
neither of your seed, nor of your cattle;
for is not the earth the Lord's and the fullness therein.
Mark! and does he not give the increase,
who upholds all things by his word and power,
who is the Creator of all, and provided for man before he made him,
and set him in dominion over all the works of his hands;
which dominion man lost?
Man lost righteousness and holiness, in his disobeying the command of God,
which Christ comes to restore man to,
and sets man above all again, as he was in the beginning,
and up to his own state beyond Adam before he fell, to him that never fell.
And so all that believe in the light, as Christ commanded,
in the light they see they cannot add one cubit to the stature,
and so they come to grow in the faith, in Christ and in God.
And so herein has the Lord the praise of his works;
and all things praise him, who has created them all to his honor,
and to his glory, and to his praise;
and man to glorify him in righteousness and holiness,
in the image of God and of Christ Jesus,
above all other creatures in the covenant of God,
in the covenant of light and life in Christ Jesus,
him by whom the world was made;
by him they praise and please God,
and in their pleasing God, they honor God and Christ.

George Fox

269. - Concerning the single language.

An Friends that do believe in the light,
as Christ has commanded you, and are become children of light,
keep to the proper speech;
that is, thee and you to a singular, and you to many;
as you may see throughout the scriptures, it was the language of God and Christ,
his prophets and apostles, and all good men;
though it is the practice of the first birth, and of the flesh, to say you,
when they should say thou.
Therefore take you heed of flattery to please men,
and of letting the world's spirit over you.
Though they have learned in their grammar and accidence, and other teaching books,
the plural and singular language,
yet they speak plural when they should speak singular, to one.

George Fox

270.

All that are gathered in the name of Jesus,
and are made alive by him and quickened by him, come to the flock of Christ;
and know where they feed at noonday,
they are gathered into the name of Jesus Christ, whose name is above every name;
and know that there is no salvation under the whole heaven, but in the name of Jesus,
in the testimony that they have of Jesus, which is the spirit,
by which they see Jesus, and see his pastures of life,
see his springs of life, and his rivers of life, and his bread of life;
and see the footsteps of the flock, the testimony of Jesus, the spirit,
by which they see him and his flock;
and they see the barren mountains they have been upon and come off from.
And therefore all you that be gathered into the name of Jesus,
and walk in the path of the just, where the footsteps of the flock are,
quench not the spirit in any,
and if any will not have of your bread of life, and water of life,
let them fast, that will neither receive, nor give;
for the bread of life and water of life, are not only given to feed yourselves,
but by them you may feed others, and refresh others:
therefore have bread in your houses, and water in your own well,
and fruit of your own tree, and salt in yourselves, to savor withal,
that you may try all things;
and have oil in your own lamps, that they may burn in your own temple;
and odor and frankincense, that it may burn continually upon your own altar,
that it may ascend as a sweet savor, holy and pure, up to God who is holy and pure.
Be not removed off your ground, wherein you may grow and increase.
And so quench not the spirit, despise not prophecy, hate not the light,
but improve your talent; hide it not, but improve it.
Mind the kingdom within, and the heavenly penny,
and the spirit of God, which is given to instruct you;
and walk according to the rule of the spirit of God,
that he has given to you to profit withal;
and mind the truth in the inward parts;
so that you may be adorned and arrayed with a meek and a quiet spirit.
For the light that shines in your hearts will give you the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ,
that you may know the heavenly treasure in your earthly vessels,
and the day star to arise, the day to dawn in your own hearts,
that you may become temples of Christ ;
he to dwell with you, and walk with you, and sup with you;
and the blood of Christ to sprinkle your hearts from dead works,
and your consciences also, that you may serve the living God.
So know the true faith to purify your hearts,
which Christ is the author and finisher of;
and the true hope, to purify you.
And so, be true believers in the light, as Christ commands,
and become children of the light;
for he that believes; has the witness in himself.
And know the true word in your hearts and mouths;
which is the word of faith the apostle preached,
which distinguishes your good thoughts from bad, and your good words from bad;
which word is in your hearts to obey and do.
Which is as a hammer to hammer down sin and evil,
and as a sword to cut it down, and as a fire to burn it up.
So that by that word you may be sanctified,
by that word you may have salvation,
by that word you may be reconciled to God;
by which all things are upheld, by his word and power;
by this word you may be born again of the immortal seed, that lives and abides forever.
And so from this word you may have your milk;
for this is the in grafted word, that is able to save the soul, and raise the soul,
that is immortal up unto the immortal God.
And by this word you will see over all the deceivers of your souls;
which word was before they were.
And by this word you will understand the scriptures of truth, that cannot be broken.
And by this word you will come to judge all those
that are got into the imaginations concerning the' scriptures,
and that set them up in the room of God and Christ,
in their dark imaginations, who in their darkness cannot comprehend the light.
And by this word you will have riches; out of this word is poverty.
And by this word you will come to know life and salvation;
for in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God;
and Christ's name is called the word of God;
and the scriptures are the words which are to be fulfilled.
So all be diligent in the truth,
that you may be fruitful in the word of God,
that it may have its passage through you all.

George Fox

271.-Concerning those that go out of unity and deny forms.

Those that are gone from the light,
from the spirit and power of God, and so from the unity,
by the light, and by the spirit, and by the power are judged;
and the power, and light, and spirit are over them.
And they being gone into their own wills, and into a perverse spirit,
then they say, they will not be subject to men's will, nor to the will of man;
and that spirit leads them out of the bonds of humanity.
When they are thus gone from the light, and the power and spirit of God,
they go out of all true forms, into confusion and emptiness, without form;
then they say, they will not be subject to forms,
and cry down all forms with their darkness and a perverse spirit, and so mash all together.
For there is a form of godliness, and there is a form of sound words; many have a form.
All creatures have a form, the earth has a form,
and all things were brought into a form by the power of God;
for the earth was once without form, and was void and empty and confused.
So they that be gone out of the covenant of God and life,
and out of the power of God, are gone into a confused condition without form,
a state which is out of the bond of civil men and women.
And so such are confused without the right form;
for the form that God has made, the form of the earth,
the form of the creatures, the form of men and women,
the form of sound words, the form of godliness,
nor the form of sound doctrine,
was never denied by the men and women of God.
But such as got the form only, and denied the power of godliness,
those were denied, for they deny the power;
and do not only so, but quench the spirit,
and grieve and vex it, and hate the light;
by which light they are condemned.

George Fox

272. - To Friends in Ireland.

Keep to the equal measure and just weight in all things, both inwardly and outwardly,
that you may answer equity, answer truth in the oppressed,
and the spirit, and grace, and light in all people.
And so, being kept in righteousness, and equity, and truth, and holiness,
that preserves you over the inequality, injustice,
and the false measure, and weight, and balance in all things, both inward and outward.
And this keeps your eye open, keeps you in a feeling sense,
keeps you in understanding, and true wisdom, and true knowledge,
what you are to answer to all men in righteousness, and truth, and equity, both inward and outward.
And this is to all you that have purchased or bought any Irish land,
so that justice and righteousness, and the true measure, and true weight, and even balance, may be among you,
to answer that which is true, and just, and even, and equal;
that you may answer that which is equal, and just, and true in yourselves, and in every man and woman;
that you may be preserved in the sense and favor of God,
and so may answer the good and righteous principle in all,
by which they may he brought to truth,
the equal principle, and just measure, and true weight and balance;
by which they may know the just and true God in all his works and out-goings.

George Fox

273.-Not to trust in uncertain riches.

All Friends,

Be you as strangers to all things visible and created,
but be acquainted with the Creator, your maker, the Lord God Almighty;
for outward things are not durable riches, nor durable substance,
nor durable habitations, nor durable possessions,
for they have wings and will flyaway;
and so therefore be as pilgrims and strangers to the world,
and all worldly, created and visible things,
and witness redemption from the earth,
that you may reign upon the earth, as kings and priests to God,
that you may know a habitation in God,
and the riches of his grace and life, that is everlasting,
and a substance that fades not away, the riches which have not wings,
and the riches that are not deceitful, that are durable and true.
For men trusting in outward riches, and outward things,
they will deceive and fail them, and have wings and flee away from them.
And so man in that state is deceived, and riches are deceitful to him.
Therefore, as I said before, be as strangers and pilgrims to the world,
and all things therein, possess, as though you did not possess them,
and what you enjoy, as though you did not;
be above all such things,
and loose to them in the invisible life and power, which is over all things;
for the birth that is born again of the immortal seed by the word of God,
that lives and abides, and endures forever, and is above all things;
for all things are upheld by his word and power.
And so be acquainted with the heavenly and certain riches, the durable substance,
and the everlasting possession and inheritance of life,
through which you may be acquainted with your maker and creator,
the Lord God Almighty.

George Fox

274.

My dear friends,

In the pure and undefiled life all live, in the holy seed that changes not,
that will wear out all in the transgression, and was before transgression was,
(and this seed was never a transgressor),
and it will be when transgression is gone,
and is over that spirit which is in transgression,
and is a burdensome stone to the transgressor,
and him that is out of truth,
and it will outlast all.
And so in that live, in which you may reign in the life and truth,
and in its time it will break all their bonds.
For that spirit that does transgress, does persecute in the particular the just,
and persecution makes the just to suffer in the general;
and so, they that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution
by them that persecute those that are godly;
t is no wonder for them to persecute the godly in Christ the heavenly man:
so the just suffers, within and without, by the unjust.
And so be valiant for the Lord's truth upon the earth,
and dwell in love, and in humility, and meekness, and patience, and righteousness,
in which the love of the Lord is manifested.
So no more but my love.

George Fox

275.

All Friends everywhere,
in the living spirit, and living power, and in the heavenly light dwell,
and quench not the motions of it in yourselves, nor the movings of it in others;
though many have run out, and gone beyond their measures,
yet many more have quenched the measure of the spirit of God,
and after became dead and dull, and questioned through a false fear;
and so there has been hurt both ways.
And therefore be obedient to the power of the Lord,
and his spirit, and his spiritual weapons;
war with that Philistine that would stop up your wells and springs.
Jacob's well was in the mountain, (read that within), he was the second birth.
And the belief in the power keeps the spring open.
And none to despise prophecy, neither to quench the spirit;
so that all may be kept open to the spring, that everyone's cup may run over.
For you may all prophesy one by one,
and the spirit of the prophets is subject to the prophets.
"Would all the Lord's people were prophets,"
said Moses in his time, when some found fault;
but the last time is the Christian's time, who enjoys the substance, Christ Jesus;
and his church is called a royal priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices;
and his church are his believers in his light.
And so in the light everyone should have something to offer;
and to offer an offering in righteousness to the living God, else they are not priests;
and such as quench the spirit cannot offer, but become dull.
"I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh, in the last time," said the Lord,
which is the true christian's time,
God's sons and daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and old men shall dream dreams;
"and on my servants and handmaids I will pour out of my spirit in those days,
and they shall prophesy."
Now friends, if this be fulfilled, servants, handmaids, sons, daughters, old men,
young men, everyone to feel the spirit of God,
by which you may see the things of God, and declare them to his praise;
for with the heart man does believe,
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation;
first, he has it in his heart, before it comes out of his mouth;
and this is beyond that brain-beaten-heady stuff,
which man has long studied, about the saints' words,
which the holy men of God spoke forth as they were moved by the holy ghost:
so the holy ghost moved them, before they came forth and spoke them.
And therefore, as I said before, do not resist the holy ghost,
for they that did so, grew stiff-necked, and their hearts were uncircumcised;
but feel this holy ghost, this spirit of truth, that leads you into all truth.
So with the holy ghost, and with the light and power of God,
do you build upon Christ the foundation, and life;
and by the same heavenly light, and power, and spirit, do you labor in the vineyard,
and do you minister and speak forth the things of God,
and do you dig for your pearls;
therefore bring them forth, and let them be seen how they glisten, the glistening pearls.
And all come into the vineyard of God to labor,
in the light which was before darkness was,
and with the life which was before death and his power was;
and in the truth and power of God, which the devil is out of,
that every one of you may have your penny,
that precious penny, and heavenly treasure from God Almighty, the great Lord,
who is the orderer, and disposer, and governor, and ruler in the vineyard, among his servants,
who pays them their wages, and gives them their heavenly penny of life.
Mark, it is the laborers in the life, truth, and power of God,
that labors in God's vineyard, that have their heavenly penny, that everlasting treasure.
So see that you have it;
if you be in the labor of life, you will have it.
Friends, you see how men and women can speak enough for the world,
for merchandise, for husbandry, the ploughman for his plough;
but when they should come to speak for God,
they quench the spirit, being sayers only, and do not obey God's will.
But come, let us see what the wise merchants can say;
have they found the pearl and field, and purchased the field,
which yields those glorious glistering pearls?
Let us see what can you say for God, and that heavenly merchandise.
What can the ploughman say for God with his spiritual plough?
Is the fallow ground ploughed up?
Has he abundance of the heavenly seed of life?
So what can the heavenly husbandman say, has he abundance of spiritual fruit in store?
What can the thresher say, has he gotten the wheat out of the sheaf,
the heavenly wheat, with his heavenly flail?
and let us see, what can the spiritual ploughman, husbandman and thresher say for God?
And how they have labored in the vineyard, that they may have their penny,
some are breakers of clods in the vineyard, some are weeders,
some are cutting off the brambles and bushes, and fitting the ground,
and cutting up the roots with the heavenly axe for the seed,
some are harrowing in, some are gathering and laying up the riches;
so you may see, here are merchants, ploughmen, harrowers,
weeders, reapers, threshers in God's vineyard,
yet none are to find fault one with another,
but every one laboring in their places, praising the Lord,
looking to him for their wages, their heavenly penny of life from the Lord of life.
So none are to quench the spirit, nor to despise prophecy, for fear that you limit the Holy One;
and everyone is to minister as he has received the grace, which has appeared to all men, which brings salvation;
So that the Lord's grace, his light, and truth, and spirit and power may have the passage,
and the rule in all men, and women, that by it he may have the glory,
and from it in all, who is blessed forever and forever.
The Lord has said, "From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,
my name shall be great among the Gentiles."
Now mark, friends, this is a large space, wherein God's name shall be great;
and the Lord further said, "In every place, incense shall be offered unto my name,
and a pure offering; for my name shall be great among the heathen," said the Lord of hosts!
Now mark friends, this heavenly incense and pure offering, is a spiritual offering,
which is to be offered by the spirit to God, who is a spirit;
then here none quench the spirit of God in their own hearts,
and all such come under the title of the royal priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices;
which royal priesthood has a priest that lives forever, Christ Jesus.
And, friends, do not quench the spirit, nor abuse the power;
when it moves and stirs in you, be obedient,
but do not go beyond, nor do not add to it, nor take from it;
for if you do you are reproved, either for going beyond, or taking from it.
And when any have spoken forth the things of the Lord by his power and spirit,
let them keep in the power and spirit, and that keeps them in the humility,
that when they have spoken forth the things of God,
they are neither higher nor lower, but still kept in the power, before and after;
and being obedient to the spirit and power of God, it keeps them from deadness, and alive to God,
and keeps them in a sense, that they do not go beyond, and run out, as some (you know) have done;
and all that has come for want of living in the power of God, and in his spirit,
which keeps all things in subjection and in order;
and in the true fear of the Lord, always to feel the presence of the Lord with you.
Come, fishermen, what have you caught with your nets?
What can you say for God?
Your brethren, Peter and John, fishermen, could say much for God.
Read in the Acts and you may see it;
I would not have you degenerate from their spirit.
Shepherds and herdsmen, where are you?
What can you say now for God, whose abiding is much in the fields?
David, Jacob, and Amos, your fellow shepherds and herdsmen, (do not you see?) they could say much for God;
I would have you to be like them, and not to degenerate from their spirit.
Come, tradesmen, tentmakers, physicians, and custom-men, what can you say for God?
Do not you read that your fellow tradesmen in ages past could say much for God?
Do not degenerate from their spirit.
Do not you remember the accusations of the wise and learned Grecians,
when the apostles preached Christ among them, that they were called poor tradesmen and fishermen?
Therefore be faithful.
The preachers of Jesus Christ now are the same to the wise of the world as then.

George Fox

276.

Dear friends,

Live in peace, and love, and patience with one another, for that does edify the body,
and strife does not, but eats out the good;
for the body does edify itself in love;
in which there is nourishment, and virtue, and life from the head;
so in that meet and build up one another.
Dear hearts be faithful,
and live in the life, and power, and seed of God,
and in love and peace one with another.
And so the God of peace in it preserve you.
Peace be among you, and live in that which keeps peace;
for the peace-makers are blessed.
And all strive for that which makes for peace;
and they that are lowest, and so stay, receive the most from God.

George Fox

277.

My dear friends,

When you were formerly in a profession,
you took your servants, your apprentices,
your children along with you to your places of worship.
And now, that you are come to truth,
and are convinced that the same is the truth of God,
through which you come to have a portion and inheritance of life and salvation,
and of a kingdom and world which has no end,
and into a possession of that which formerly you did profess in words.
Now, therefore, friends, you that are come to this possession,
and go into the assemblies of the people of God,
that are gathered into his name, (where salvation is),
and in no other name under heaven, but in the name of Jesus Christ.
Is it not more reputable for you to take your servants, apprentices, children,
and maidens along with you to the meetings, to be partakers of the eternal truth,
that they may have a possession with you of the same that you do possess?
For, if you should leave them behind, and be careless of them,
they are many of them apt to run into liberty, and to looseness,
and to plays, and to tippling-houses, and so into loose company.
Such liberty has been a great hurt to youth,
and the truth has been much dishonored thereby.
And such do not only lose the wisdom of God,
and the true understanding given to them by his son,
but the reason of men, in these practices.
And then after you may come to find fault with your servants, children, etc.
and for a small matter put some of them away,
when the fault is in yourselves that you did not take them along with you to the meetings,
and govern them in the wisdom of God, and true understanding and knowledge;
which is to know the true God, and his son Jesus Christ,
whom he has sent; whom to know is life eternal.
By which liberty such do not keep authority over them;
for you should bring them to the meetings with you, to wait upon the Lord.
For truly my life has been often burdened through the want of restraining them of that liberty they run into;
wherein you should be more prudent, wise, and careful,
and should keep more in your dominion and authority in the life, power, and seed,
in which you have the true wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
Therefore, consider of these things in all your families,
and remember the time of your former professions,
wherein you exercised the reason of men,
as to bring your servants to an outward profession.
Now you being come to a possession of life,
take heed for fear that you lose the right reason, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.
Therefore rouse up yourselves,
that you may exercise the right wisdom and understanding in that which lives forever,
and is and will remain when all the contrary is gone;
into which all must be brought;
that in that you may be good patterns and examples in all your families,
and bring them forth with you to your meetings,
that they may find the substance of that which you did formerly profess in words.
And now you enjoying the substance, be more careful, be more diligent and circumspect,
that God may be glorified throughout all your families,
and his name may be called upon, and honored, and exalted,
who is God over all, blessed forever.
And, friends, some among you breed up your children not as when you were in a profession only,
in such a rude, heady way, that when they grow up, they do not matter to you, or care for you;
so they are not a blessing and a comfort to you;
but in many things they are worse than many of the world's, more loose, stubborn, and disobedient;
which truth teaches no such things,
but brings more into humility, and meekness, and gentleness, and tenderness;
so that when they come to be set to apprenticeship,
many times they run quite out into the world.
And therefore, by the power, and life, and wisdom of God,
these things you must take notice of,
that all such may be brought into,
and kept in subjection by the power of God,
that God may be honored and glorified,
through the breaking of the stubborn will in them, and subjecting them to truth;
and let them all know their places,
and not to give way to that which may get over you;
so then you will not know how to rule them at last,
but bring a grief, and sorrow, and trouble upon you, as too many examples may be seen.
Therefore, while they are young, restrain them from such things,
and every one in the life, and power, and seed of truth, keep your authority,
and lose not the true wisdom and understanding given you by Christ;
nor the true knowledge, nor true reason, which gives to distinguish good from bad;
but in all things keep your authority,
which is given to you of God, and your places in it;
for they that fear and worship the Lord, shall have a place with him.
And in the power, and life, and wisdom of God,
you will breed up and govern your sons and daughters, servants and prentices,
and cause them to keep in their places,
and in the power of God answer the good in them all.
For an outward father or mother, over their families, apprentices, and maidens,
are to keep all things that are outward, civil, and subject,
in their places, with reason and true wisdom;
and such as come to be fathers in truth, are to train them up in the truth,
and to exercise that wisdom, and that knowledge and understanding, which is beyond the outward.
Therefore in it they should train them up in the truth, through which all should be free;
not in the eye service of men, but serving the Lord in righteousness and diligence, in their services:
that they may be partakers of the heavenly life,
and come to be heirs of salvation, and children of the promise,
and sons and daughters of Zion, to whom Christ is elect and precious,
and through him their conversations may be brought up into heavenly things,
and their minds and affections to be set on things above.
So friends, all these things consider of in the life which was before death was,
in the truth which the devil is out of, in the wisdom of God, which is pure from above,
and in the righteousness, which was before unrighteousness was,
that God may be glorified throughout all your families, who is blessed forever.

George Fox

278.

And friends,

See that all apprentices that are bound among you may serve out their times faithfully,
according to covenant, that all may know their places;
for youth, if they be let loose, are like wild asses, and wild heifers;
and such many times bring a great dishonor to God, by running into looseness;
which are more fit to be under rule and order, than to rule;
and through a foolish pity of some,
they let up a great deal of airiness and wildness in them:
all which should be kept under, by the power of God,
wherein the honor of the Lord may be preserved;
and so, that liberty may not be given to youth in those cases;
for the true liberty is in Christ Jesus,
which gives authority over that which will dishonor God;
for many such things have spoiled several,
in letting unbridled youth at liberty, in taking the reins to themselves,
and brought trouble upon their parents, masters, and mistresses,
and great dishonor upon God.
Let care be taken, that truth suffer not about such things,
and that none buyout their time without the consent of their parents or guardians;
or, in the want of them, to advise with the Monthly Meetings.
For do you not see what hurt has been done in such cases?
Wherefore keep all such under the yoke;
and hinder and stop wickedness and looseness that would break forth.
So in all such things you should exercise the pure wisdom of God,
the pure reason, knowledge, and understanding;
and in the authority of it keep,
that none under a profession of truth be let into looseness;
whereas youth should be kept under a bridle and restraint,
and be nurtured and trained up in the fear and wisdom of God,
that the power of God and God's truth may have its passage through all, and over all;
and all lightness, frothiness, wildness, and looseness, may be kept down.
So that the good maybe kept up in all,
to honor and to glorify the Lord God Almighty,
who is blessed forevermore, who reigns among us.

George Fox

279.- The substance of a General Epistle.

All Friends everywhere,
who are friend of Christ the heavenly man, by whom the world was made,
and are become friends of God through Christ Jesus,
who are quickened by Jesus, and made alive by him,
who were dead in old Adam, and are now made alive by the second Adam,
and have drunk his blood, through which you have life,
and by which you come from among the congregations of the dead,
who only talk of his blood and his flesh.
And now being gathered in the name of Jesus, who has made you alive,
in the name of him whose blood you have drunk,
yes, even of the heavenly man's, which is his life;
and so are come out of your native countries, religions, and worships,
and left the old stuff behind,
who are gotten atop of the old house,
and will not go down again to fetch out any of the old stuff.
I say, you that are gathered in the name of Jesus, the heavenly man,
out of the old Adam,
and are made alive by the heavenly man,
keep your meetings in the name of Jesus.
Then it is he that is persecuted, if you be persecuted;
and he that suffers;
for in all your afflictions and sufferings he is with you,
who are made alive by him, and have drunk his blood,
and so are come to be faithful witnesses of Christ Jesus,
as all that are made alive by him are, and have drunk his blood;
for they that have not drunk his blood, and are not made alive by him,
are no true witnesses of Christ Jesus.
And therefore you that the Lord has gathered, and sought and searched out,
who have been scattered in this cloudy dark day, (since the apostles' days of light),
and have been made a prey upon by the hireling shepherds,
and have been left to the wolves by the fleeing of the hirelings,
whom you thought had been true men,
and now the Lord bath sought and searched, and found,
and gathered you from their mouths,
to whose mouths you have been a prey;
and the Lord is known to feed you atop of the mountains with his heavenly bread,
and he has set one shepherd, over you, (the heavenly man), who lives forever,
who is the shepherd over all the living, that are made alive by him;
and so the Lord has the glory of seeking and of gathering you out of the wildernesses,
pits, graves, and ditches of old Adam and the serpent,
and from his brambles and briars;
and so Christ, by whom the world was made,
is the rest of the living that he has made alive, and is their shepherd,
to feed them with life, and with the springs of life,
and is the bishop of their souls, that does oversee them,
that they do not go out of the pastures of life,
and from the springs of life, nor from the fold of life.
It is a glorious pasture to be fed atop of all the mountains,
in the life, in the pastures of life, by the living shepherd,
and to be overseen by the living bishop, and to be sanctified,
and to be presented to God by the living priest,
and to be counseled by the living counselor to an everlasting inheritance,
and to a kingdom, and to a world, that has no end,
by an everlasting priest that sanctifies and offers you to God without spot or wrinkle,
a perfect offering,
who sprinkles your consciences and hearts with his blood,
that you may serve the living God and not the dead works among the dead.
And now you having an everlasting preacher, whom God has anointed to preach,
and an everlasting minister, that ministers grace and life, and salvation, and truth to you;
an everlasting prophet that God has raised up, who is to be heard;
all the living hear him, but the dead talk but of his fame.
So none can silence or stop the mouth of them whom he opens,
or take away your shepherd, your bishop your minister,
your preacher, your prophet, your counselor.
And therefore let him have your ears, hearken to him, let him be set up in your hearts,
who was set up from everlasting to everlasting by the Father,
whom all the righteous witness, Christ Jesus, who is your possession,
being heirs with him, by whom all the living are made alive;
and so in him live by whom the world was made,
who was glorified with the Father before the world began.
So in Christ the heavenly man, you have rest,
but in old Adam (the transgressor) you have no rest;
there is the wilderness, Sodom, Egypt, Babylon, and confusion.
For God blessed Abraham in his obeying of his commands,
when he went from his native country, and relations; yes, and made him a prince.
So they that are redeemed out of kindreds and tongues, Christ makes as princes,
to overcome the prince of darkness.
And Abraham was to walk before God, who was perfect, and he was to be perfect;
so must all who are of the faith of Abraham.
Abraham saw Christ's day, and did rejoice;
but thousands now come to enjoy the day that Abraham saw.
The outward Jews did eat of the manna in the wilderness, and disobeyed and perished;
but they that eat of the flesh of Christ, and drink his blood, have life everlasting;
and this gives an eternal life, by which they come to an eternal possession,
and to the land of the living, as the outward Jews came to possess the land of Canaan.
And so you that are heirs of Christ, the heavenly man, and are come to possess him,
(whom he has made alive), stand fast, now is your time to stand;
stand in the life, which was before death, or the king of it was;
stand in the light, which was before darkness, or the prince of it was;
and stand in the power of God, which was before the devil was;
and sit down in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
who was set up from everlasting to everlasting.
And therefore keep your faith in the Lord;
for he is the same who has given you dominion, through faith,
over the mountains of opposition, by which they have been subdued,
and by which the fiery darts have been quenched.
And has not this been fulfilled, 'in all their afflictions he was afflicted;
and that the angel of his presence should be with them in their trials and sufferings.'
So the Lord has a tender care of his sheep, his people,
that the angel of his presence should be with them in all their trials.
And therefore let your minds be out of all outward things, and visible;
and fear not the fleece, for it will grow again;
and if the Lord should try you now, with the spoil of outward things,
after he has blessed you with them,
to see whether your minds be with them, or with him;
therefore now stand, having on the whole armor of God, and his righteousness,
and your feet shod with the power of God, which was before the devil was;
this will keep you from slipping;
and having on the armor of light, to stand against darkness;
and the breast-plate of righteousness,
which is armor proof against the devil and his fiery darts;
and keep the shield of faith, and sword of the spirit, the word of God,
and the helmet of salvation,
that preserves the head in all battles with the devil and his instruments.
And thus with your heavenly armor and arms stand,
and keep your possession of life,
who are brought out of spiritual Egypt, Sodom, and Babylon,
having one to go before you, the captain of your salvation, (Christ Jesus),
who was before Moses and Joshua were.
And see how the children of God all along in the scriptures had victory through faith;
Daniel by faith, the three children by faith, Abraham by faith,
Joshua by faith, and Caleb by faith;
and the other spies, which had no faith,
and the elders among the outward Jews and the people, how they fell through unbelief!
But by grace through faith the just were saved,
by faith they had victory, and by faith they pleased God;
and therefore keep in the faith,
and you will have the water life and the bread of life, from above.
And stand still in the faith, for the just live by faith;
and they that had not faith to believe, they perished.
And Christ has taught all how to believe,
who has enlightened everyone that comes into the world,
he said, 'Believe in the light;' which was a blessed doctrine of the heavenly man;
for you believing in the light, you believe in that which makes manifest all things,
all fruits, all creatures, all religions, and worship;
for the light was before they all were, and will be when they are all gone.
Therefore, believe in the light, said the heavenly man, who teaches what to believe in;
for whatsoever is made manifest, is made manifest by the light.
So to believe in the light, that makes manifest all things that are reprovable,
therein you will become children of the light,
and children of the day, and sons of God, and daughters of God,
and sons of Zion, and daughters of Zion, the heavenly Zion, the heavenly joy.
And so herein you come to be of the royal family, above an the families of the earth,
above all the households of the earth, a household of God, the workmanship of God,
the planting of God, the building of God, the household of faith;
which are titles higher than all the titles among men in the world, in the creation;
sons and daughters, and servants and handmaids,
every man to enjoy something in the household.
Everyone to have an inheritance (of their own) of life,
that they may offer to God of their heavenly substance,
who are called a royal priesthood;
that is, a kingly priesthood over the devil, and over Adam,
in possession of a spiritual kingdom, and of a world that has no end,
and of a heavenly durable substance and riches which are spiritual;
and so to offer up spiritual sacrifices to God, who is a spirit

So now the time of trying is;
therefore all to stand, and see if there be any thing able to separate you from Christ;
who is from everlasting to everlasting, who is first and last,
who makes an end of sin, and finishes transgression,
and destroys the devil and his works, and is the top and cornerstone,
the possession of all the righteous,
the rest and sabbath of all the righteous, that have drunk his blood,
whom he has made alive.
So in Christ you shall bear no burden,
for he destroys that which oppresses both man and beast;
and in Christ you shall not go out to gather your meat, who is your Sabbath and rest;
but in old Adam there is no rest;
in the second Adam the heavenly man, there is the rest;
and in him, to wit, Christ the heavenly man, you need not go out to gather your meat.

For he is the bread of life, that comes down from above,
in him stand, and sit down in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
who was with the Father before the world began, who is your way to God;
which way was set up above sixteen hundred years since,
before all these got up among the Papists and Protestants,
who is the new and living way to all who are made alive by him, and drink his blood.
The dead make dead ways for the dead to walk in;
but mind you Christ's worship, which was set up above sixteen hundred years since,
by himself, in the spirit and truth,
whereby everyone comes to the truth, the spirit God in his own heart;
in which truth and spirit he worships the God of truth, (who is a spirit), and feels him always present.
Now to worship God in the truth, is that which the devil and old Adam is out of;
and this is the perfect and standing worship;
and people that have lost this worship, that Christ set up,
they have set up so many false worships among Protestants and Papists,
and compelling one another to them, since they have lost the peaceable truth,
in which the God of peace is worshipped.

And therefore now all prize the standing truth,
and walk as becomes the gospel, the power of God,
which was before the devil was, which destroys the devil and his works.
And so stand fast in the liberty where with Christ has made you free;
yes, free from the devil and old Adam;
for the freedom is in him, in Christ,
and not in the devil who is out of the truth, nor in old Adam.
Yea, Christ is able to deliver out of the six troubles,
and the seventh trouble, the perfection of trouble; he who is the perfection itself,
so he is the deliverer and mediator, and the intercessor,
that makes peace between you and God.
So in Christ, (who is the deliverer), is the peace and the rest, yes, an everlasting rest;
he was set up overall troubles, and persecutions, and persecutors,
who was before they were,
glorified with the Father before the world began,
and he will be when they are all gone,
as I said before, all that have drunk his blood, and are made alive by him, have life;
yes, a possession that will never have an end;
but they that are dead in old Adam, are against Christ, who is the life,
till he make them alive by believing in the light;
and then they become the congregation of the living.
And these are they that are gathered together by the Lord;
and they that are not gathered together by the Lord,
but by men, to themselves, they come to be scattered.
Now the congregation of the living, have drunk the blood of Jesus,
that are alive by him, and so are gathered together by him, the heavenly man,
and he is in the midst of them, to preserve them, and exercise his offices among them,
as a shepherd, and a bishop, and a prophet, etc.

And these are the living members, who have a living head, Christ Jesus;
and that saying comes to be fulfilled,
"your dead men shall live together, with my dead body shall they arise;"
so come to live with Christ Jesus.
And they are the congregation of the dead,
that believe not in the light, nor drink the blood of Jesus,
but death and destruction talk of him and of God, and his prophets' and apostles' words;
and they come to set their house upon the sand, and so are the fools;
and then a storm arises upon the sea, and their house is presently in the sea again,
and there they are drowned;
the house sits so near the sea, that in a little storm they are drowned,
they are so near the world.
But the wise men set their house upon the rock, and the rock is Christ, the life,
who was before the world was, and will stand over all;
and they that are built upon it, (Christ the rock)
the storms and tempests cannot move their rock, nor their house.
So here is the wisdom of the wise,
who build their house upon him by whom all things were created,
who is the rock of ages.
So in all storms they keep to their house,
and they meet in him, and are gathered in him,
and he is their head and counselor, to order them;
and in him they all please God;
and in Christ Jesus are one another's crown and life;
and so through him they have all a crown of life,
who was with the Father before the world began.
So in him sit down, over all the windy doctrines, that toss the chaff abroad in the world.
I say, in Christ sit down, in him who was before the world was,
for out of him is all weariness, but in him you have rest.

George Fox

280.

All dear Friends everywhere,
who have no helper but the Lord, who is your strength and your life,
let your cries and prayers be to him,
from whom all your help and strength comes;
who with his eternal power, has kept up your heads above all waves and storms.
Let none go out of their habitations in the stormy time of the night,
whose habitation is in the Lord;
let everyone keep his habitation,
and stand in his lot, the seed, Christ Jesus, to the end of the day.
There is the lot of your inheritance,
and in this seed you will see the bright and morning star appear,
which will expel the night of darkness that has been in your hearts;
by which morning star you will come to the everlasting day, which was before night was.
So every one feel this bright morning star in your hearts, there to expel the darkness.

George Fox

281.

Dear friends, the truth of God mind, and his pure holy power,
which the Lord has made you partakers of, by his good spirit.
Oh! let not his spirit be grieved by you.
Let that be mortified that would get up to grieve or quench the spirit,
for that will corrupt your reason, understanding, and knowledge;
and that which gives you to know God and Christ, that is life eternal.
And all have a care that you do not abuse the power,
nor crucify to yourselves the seed afresh,
but let that be crucified by the seed; in which seed you have life eternal.
And therefore prize the truth above all things.
Now you have liberty to spread it abroad;
for you are called to righteousness and holiness,
without which none shall see God.
Therefore mind your high calling in God,
out of old Adam, into Christ Jesus, the second Adam;
and keep your meetings in the name of Jesus,
and feel him in the midst of you, who is your life and salvation;
and that all occasions and stumbling blocks may be taken away,
so that the precious truth may be minded by you all,
wherein all are to live in unity, and walk in peace, with the God of peace,
and one with another; that all your springs may be kept open,
and all your fountains may run with living water;
and all your candles may burn,
and everyone may have bread on his own 'table in his temple,
and his rod budding there,' that he may be known to be a priest of the royal priesthood.
So that all may have salt in yourselves, that you may be good for something;
for if you be not the good salt, you cannot make the earth savory.
Therefore all keep in the sense of truth, and be digging for the pearl in your own field,
and to find the silver in your own house, that was lost,
and the leaven in your own hearts;
that where it works, and is joined to, will leaven into its own nature.
So in all your meetings, be faithful in the power and life,
that you may be watered by the spring of life, that you may grow.
And so whatever strife, or whatever runs out,
or whatever occasion of offence has been, let the seed of God rise,
and put all that down in all;
that all you, in the everlasting seed, the second Adam, may have your peace,
familiarity, and kindness, and affableness, and courteousness,
and gentleness, and love, one with and towards another;
for the power of the Lord God is over all, and his everlasting seed, Christ Jesus,
reigns over all, in whom is eternal fellowship, peace, and unity, and not in old Adam;
for old Adam's sons and daughters may get the words of Christ, and of the prophets,
and apostles, but are out of their life, as their practice speaks.
And therefore it is the life that differs, and the new way differs from the old,
and the religion that is above, from that which is below;
and the worship Christ set up above sixteen hundred years ago (written in 1670),
from all them that are made since, among the nominal christians;
and the fellowship of God in the spirit and gospel,
differs from all the fellowships that have been made since the apostles' days;
and the liberty in Christ, in the gospel, in the spirit,
is far above the liberty of old Adam in the flesh, in the sin, the wages of which is death;
here no false liberty can be in the spirit,
and in the power of the gospel, and in Christ Jesus;
nor any false freedom in the truth, for all false freedom is out of the truth;
and therefore keep over all those false liberties and false freedoms,
(in old Adam and his spirit, and dark power, and corrupt seed),,
in the seed of life, and spirit and power of God, that is holy and pure, without spot.
So no more, but my love in the holy seed, that is over all.

George Fox

To be read in all Friends Meetings. And send copies to this to Maryland, Virginia, Barbados, New England, etc.

282.

Friends,

In the seed that bruises the serpent's head,
and destroys the devil and his works,
live; and in the light. which is the life,
in the word, by which all things were made;
which light, and life, and word, does hammer, and cut down,
and condemn, and judge, all evil words and works, and the spirit of them,
that is out of the light, life, seed, and word of reconciliation.
In this, I have unity with you,
and in this all true believers are reconciled to God, and one to another,
and in it is the heavenly wisdom, in which is the holy and spiritual fellowship reserved,
over that short, brittle, defaming, and inconstant spirit,
which must be kept down with the spirit of God that does not change,
which has been crucified by the wicked;
but the seed of life does slay the enmity,
and in life and power reigns over it.
Glory to the Lord God forever. Amen.

George Fox

283.- To Friends at Bristol in time of suffering.

Dear friends,

Now is the time for you to stand; therefore put on the whole armor of God,
from the crown of the head unto the soles of your feet,
that you may stand in the possession of life:
and you that have been public men, and formerly did travel abroad,
mind to keep up your testimony, both in the city and in the countries,
that you may encourage Friends to keep up their meetings as usual there;
so that none faint in the time of trial;
but that all may be encouraged, both small and great, to stand faithful to the Lord God,
and his power, and truth; that their heads may not sink in the storms,
but may be kept up above the waves.
So, go into your meeting places, as at other times;
and keep up your public testimony and visit Friends thereabouts,
now in this time of storm;
for there is your crown, in the universal power and spirit of God.
So let your minds, and souls, and hearts, be kept above all outward and visible things.
Few travel now the countries: it may be well to visit them, for fear that any should faint.
Stir up one another in that which is good, and to faithfulness in the truth, this day.
And let your minds be kept above all visible things;
for God took care for man in the beginning, and set him above the works of his hands:
and therefore mind the heavenly treasure, that will never fade away;
and dwell in the seed, in which you may know your election.
It is hard for me to give forth in writing what is before me,
because of my bodily weakness;
but I was desirous in some measure to ease my mind,
desiring that you may stand fast, and faithful to truth.
Of my travels and weakness it is like you have heard, and of my affliction,
both by them that are without, and also by them that are within,
which are hard to be uttered and spoken.
My love is to all faithful Friends.

George Fox

The 2d of the 11th month, 1670.

284

Dear friends and brethren,

See that all live in the peaceable and blessed truth, into which no enmity can come;
for the blessed seed, Christ Jesus, takes away the curse;
of the increase of whose government there is no end;
who rules in righteousness among the righteous forever.
And see that this righteousness, (in which you all have peace),
run down and flow as a stream among you,
who are begotten again into a lively hope,
and born again by the immortal seed of the word of God,
which lives and abides forever.
And you who have received Christ, have received power to become the sons of God,
and to believe in the light, in obedience to Christ's command;
by which you become children of the light, and children of the day.
Therefore this I say unto you,
let no man abuse this power, that is everlasting ;
and keep the gospel order,
which was before any impurity was, and will be when it is gone.
So that in all your men and women's meetings, see that virtue flow,
and see that all your words be gracious,
and see that love flows, which bears all things,
that kindness, tenderness, and gentleness may be among you,
and that the fruits of the good spirit may abound;
for nothing that is unclean must enter into God's kingdom,
which stands in righteousness, and in holiness,
and in the power of God, and in the joy of the holy ghost;
for all joy that is out of the holy ghost, will have an end.
And see in all your men and women's meetings, that God be no ways dishonored,
nor the pure and blessed name of Christ (in which you are gathered) be blasphemed;
but in all things that God may be glorified, exalted, and honored;
for you have the light, to see all evil, and the power to withstand it,
and to see that nothing be lacking,
then all will he well among you, in all your men and women's meetings.
And see that nothing be lacking, neither within nor without,
for God is rich in both, and abundance of his riches you have received.
And so this is a warning and a charge to you all, in the presence of the living God,
that you keep up the testimony of Jesus, (jump to another presence)
against all that which is contrary to Jesus the heavenly man,
that your fruits may appear to his glory,
and your works to his praise;
and that you may have water in your own cisterns,
and know those clouds through which Christ gives you rain,
having purchased the field wherein the pearl lies.
And now is the spring time that the lily and the rose begin to flourish,
and the vine is putting forth, and the apple tree to bring forth her fruit,
by the power of the Lord God, who is over all.
And keep your testimony for your religion, that you have received from God,
and for your worship in the spirit and in the truth, that Christ Jesus has set up;
and for your gospel fellowship, which is in the power of God before the devil was;
and see that all live in peace and in the love of God,
for love edifies the body;
for he who is the head of it, is the beloved of God,
who is from everlasting to everlasting.
And see that every one's affections be set on things above,
and not upon things below, that be earthly;
for now is the time to contend for the faith, that gives victory,
which was once delivered to the saints, in which you have unity.
And so the God of power preserve you all, and keep you in his blessed seed,
to wit, Christ Jesus, that none of you may be without a minister,
without a priest, or without a prophet, or without a shepherd, or without a bishop,
but let everyone receive him in his offices;
then you all have one who will exercise his offices in you all,
whom God has given for a leader and a covenant; yes, an everlasting leader,
who was the foundation of the prophets and apostles, and is to us this day.
And so be valiant for the truth upon the earth, in the seed Christ Jesus,
that through him who destroys death, you may have a crown of life;
and through him you may be one another's crown and joy in the Lord;
yes, I say, through Christ, who was glorified with the Father before the world began.

I am just now upon leaving this island, where I have had very great and blessed service;
though I underwent very great weights, and burdens, and sufferings, and travels:
but all is well, and the blessed seed and power is over all;
to whom be glory forevermore. Amen, amen.

George Fox

285.

Dear friends,

This is the counsel of the Lord to you all,
who are brought into the eternal truth of God,
whose minds are guided out of the earth up to God,
and have received their wisdom from God;
which wisdom orders all the creatures;
that with it you may come to know how to order in the creation,
with the wisdom by which all was made.
This I charge you, and warn you all, in the presence of the living God,
that you suffer no creature to perish for want of the creations' sustenance, (jump to another presence)
and that none be lost through slothfulness, laziness, and filthiness;
and let not these things be, which are for condemnation with the light
that leads to the wisdom, with which the creation must be ordered.
And friends, let there be no slothfulness among you;
but all keep in diligence and liveliness.
For he that is slothful, is an evil example;
and such must be judged with the light,
that they may come to know the servant's place, and be diligent.
And those who have gone up and down begging,
whom you have received in among you, with the light which has convinced them,
see that they be kept in diligence, and not wander,
but be kept in obedience to the light,
to receive their wisdom from God, how to labor in the creation;
and see that they have things decent and necessary,
and that their nakedness may be covered,
that no reproach nor shame may come upon the truth from such who are without;
but that with the light all such may be denied who act contrary to it;
and in the light which condemns the evil world you may walk,
and receive the light of the son of God,
(which the world stumbles at, which is their condemnation),
and in which the saints have unity.
And all being kept diligent, walking in the light, there will be no slothfulness.
For that is judged with the light, which is one with that in his conscience,
which condemns him for evil.

George Fox

This to go among Friends everywhere.

286.

Friends,

When you are met together in the name of Jesus your savior,
let your minds be over all to him,
and out of all things that change, and perish,
and die of itself, and will corrupt, and are visible,
up to him that is invisible, the Lord God, and his son Jesus Christ,
that you may see him and feel him among you, and in your meetings,
in his life, and light, and power, and spirit;
and that you may know that God is,
and that he is the rewarder of all them that diligently seek him;
and to know that God is present.
And that which gives the knowledge of him, is the light that shines in the heart,
in the face of Jesus Christ, and so see him in all your troubles and afflictions;
and that God is present, beholding all your actions done in your bodies,
and your consenting to your evil thoughts, lusts, or motions;
the thoughts, what you will speak or act;
or motions which you have not acted outwardly;
but if you do consent to do them in your mind or heart,
the Lord sees them there to be done,
though they be not done outwardly to the sight of men;
and so to God you must give an account of things done in your bodies,
and of things done out of the body;
for God both hears, and sees what is done in the body,
and what is said and done without the body;
and therefore turn from the evil that leads to destruction,
and judge it, and yourselves for cleaving to it;
and turn to the Lord, and know him who is mighty to save,
and to reward all them that diligently seek him,
who is Almighty in his power to save and deliver, and to help in time of need.
So know him that was from everlasting to everlasting.
And here you know God in his power, light, and life, and righteousness, which his kingdom stands in,
in that righteousness, and power, and holy ghost, and peace, that never will have an end;
and is over all kingdoms that will have an end, and are unclean;
and any unclean and imperfect thing may enter into them;
and in them are troubles, tumults, and sin, and not peace, but sorrow.
But into the kingdom of God no imperfect thing enters, nor sin, nor any unclean thing.
For the kingdom of God stands in righteousness,
and everlasting peace, and in joy in the holy ghost.

George Fox

287.

Friends,

Consider, you that have known the mercies of the Lord God, and of Jesus Christ.
Look back, and see how they that had known much of God,
how soon they forgot him, as in the days of the old world;
and in the days of Moses, and in the days of the Judges, how they soon forgot God,
that had done great things for them,
and forsook God, and his way, and religion, and worship,
and followed such gods as men had made.
And in the days of the prophets, how the people forsook the Lord God;
and in the days of Christ and his apostles, how they were mostly gone astray from God;
though they kept an outward profession of their words,
yet denied Christ in his light, and life, and power;
who was the end of the law and the prophets.
And they that did receive Christ Jesus, and believed in him,
in a few ages after the apostles,
how most of Christendom ran from the life into death,
and ran from the light into darkness;
and into error, from the holy spirit, and into Babylon, which is confusion;
and from the worship in the spirit, and in the truth, that Christ set up,
and followed after the worship of the beast and the dragon;
and went from the true church after the whore;
and from Christ, the way to God, after the ways that men had made;
and from the religion that is pure from above, after the religions that men have made.
And so, now the gospel is preached again,
and the living way (Christ) to the living God,
and his religion and his worship are set up and received of many,
and they come to the true worship, which is in God.
And all be faithful, and take heed of running back again, where you were before,
for fear that you and your children perish, as others have done,
that forsook the Lord God of mercies.
And therefore train up your children in the fear of God,
and in the way of Christ, and in his worship and religion,
that they may observe and keep in it, when you are gone.

And walk in the spirit and truth, in which God is worshipped,
and keep in the order of the gospel, in the power of God,
which was before the devil was;
which power of God will keep you pure to God,
that nothing may get between you and the Lord God.
And be obedient to the law, that God bath written in your hearts, and put in your minds,
that you may be the children of the new covenant;
and that you may be the royal priesthood, offering up to God the spiritual sacrifices.
And sitting under your teacher, the grace of God, which brings salvation,
and season your words, and establish your hearts.
And this grace saves, and is sufficient, said God Almighty.
And you need no man to teach you,
but as the same anointing does teach you to know all things;
which anointing abides in you.
And hearken all what the righteousness of faith said, speaking on this wise,
'The word is near thee, even in your heart and in your mouth, to obey it and do it.'
That you need not say, who shall ascend to bring Christ from above,
Or descend to bring Christ from the grave,
for that is the word of faith which we preach.

George Fox

288 To Friends in Carolina.

Dear friends,

To whom is my love in the blessed seed, which bruises the head of the serpent,
and is over all, and changes not, which is the first and last,
in whom you have life and peace with the God of peace.
So you few that are that ways, keep your meetings and meet together in the name of Jesus,
whose name is above every name, and gathering is above every gathering;
and there is no salvation in any other name, but by the name of Jesus;
and you gathering in his name, where salvation is,
he is your prophet, your shepherd, your bishop, your priest,
in the midst of you, to open to you, and to sanctify you,
and to feed you with life, and to quicken you with life;
wait in his power and light, that you may be children of the light,
by believing in the light, which is the life in Christ;
that you may be grafted into him, the true root,
and built upon him, the true foundation,
who was the foundation of the holy prophets and apostles, and of all the holy martyrs,
and is the foundation of all his holy people now;
and is the rock of ages, yes, of the ages of the prophets,
and of the ages of his apostles, and of the ages of his people now, and martyrs,
who kept them above the raging of the seas, and does now;
which rock the wise men build upon,
the rock that stands against all the storms and tempestuous weather.
And therefore be valiant for God's truth upon the earth, and his good spirit;
and live in it, by which you may profit in the things of God,
through which you may answer the witness of God in all,
and the spirit which they grieve and quench,
which they are erred from,
through which he may be served, and his truth spread abroad.
So everyone in your measures of the spirit of God and Christ,
be faithful, that in it you may increase,
and answer the Lord in a good life and conversation, for all his mercies.
And as every one has received the Lord Jesus Christ, so walk in him,
that you may serve the Lord in a new life,
and worship him in the spirit and truth,
which the devil is out of;
and by this truth you may be made free,
by which you may be espoused and married to Christ Jesus,
for the marriage of the Lamb is come and coming.
And therefore, if you want wisdom, keep in the truth,
that you may go to the treasure of life and of salvation,
that you may be heirs of the same, and of life, and possessors of it.
Yes, I say, heirs of life, and inherit that,
and that will be more to you, than if all the world was your portion;
and the riches you lay up there, will stand by,
and be with you when time is gone, and shall be no more.
For the truth is the truth, and changes not,
in which live, and it will be your peace and joy everlasting.
And in the seed, Christ Jesus,
(who bruises the serpent's head, who was before the devil was,
glorified with the Father before the world began;
and was from everlasting to everlasting, the first and last, the top and corner-stone),
in him live, that you may inherit life everlasting;
and dwell in the love of God in Christ Jesus,
that will edify and build one another up;
and therein walk in all holiness of life and conversation,
for that becomes God's house;
and dwell, and live, and walk in the peaceable truth, that keeps you in peace,
and in the holy fellowship of the spirit, the bond of peace;
by which spirit you may be led into all truth,
up to God and Christ, from him who is out of the truth.
Amen says my soul.

George Fox

289.

Dear friends everywhere,

Be faithful to God, who has been faithful and true to you;
therefore be you true to God, and faithful witnesses to him, and to Christ Jesus;
that now