the world doth rule in man, oh! the deaf ears and blind eyes, and the understandings, that are all shut up amongst them, with which they judge! But they who love the Lord Jesus Christ, do not mind the world's judgment, nor are troubled at it. When ye think ye are past all crosses, when the trial doth come, ye will find a cross to that will which doth meddle with the things of God presumptuously. Rejoice not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, which crucifieth all fleshly boastings: if that will be fed, then carelessness cometh up, and they fall into flatness from the Spirit, and are mindless of the Lord God: such are soon up and down. The serpent tempted Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit, and she took and gave to her husband, and so they fell under the serpent's power and the creature's, out of the power of God, which would have kept them in dominion, and so, Adam and Eve, and the Serpent, all went out of Truth. And Eve eating of the tree of knowledge, she had knowledge and wisdom after the fall, but not in the dominion, in the power of God: but the Seed Christ, which was in the beginning, bruiseth this serpent's head, and He is the Wisdom of God. G. F. NUMBER I V. All Friends, 1651. Mind that which is pure in you to guide you to God, out of Babylon, out of confusion, where all the world is; there is the seat of the beast, there are the false prophets and deceivers, as well within as without. But, dear friends, mind the Light of God in your consciences, which will show you all deceit. God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. All jarrings, all schisms, all rents, are out of the Spirit, for God hath tempered the body together, that there should be no schism in the body, but all worship Him with one consent. And as the power and life of Truth is made manifest, watch in the discerning one over another. And beware of discouraging any in the work of God. The labourers are few, that are faithful for God. Take heed of hurting the gift, which God hath given to profit withal, whereby ye have received life through death, and a measure of peace by the destruction of evil. Pray, that peace may be multiplied, and the ministration of life, to the raising of the dead, that the Seed of the Woman may bruise the Serpent's head, discover all deceit, and rend all vails and coverings, that the pure may come to life, which deceit hath trampled upon.. And all take heed to your spirits; that which is hasty, discerns not the good Seed. Take heed of being corrupted by flatteries; they that know their God, shall be strong. But take heed of labouring to turn the just aside for a thing of naught, but know the precious from the vile, the clean from the unclean. And therefore all mind your gift, mind your measure; mind your calling and your work. Some speak to the conscience; some plough and break the clods; some weed out, and some sow; some wait, that fowls devour not the seed. But wait all for the gathering of the simple-hearted ones; for they that turn many to righteousness, shall shine for ever. Friends, NUMBER V r. G. F. 1652. No one is justified, in breaking the commands of Christ; no one is justified, whilst living in iniquity; and no, one is justified in professing. only Christ's words, and the prophets and the apostles' words, and living out of their lives. And no one is justified, living in the first birth and nature, and false faith and hope, which do not purify, as God is pure. No man is justified, not believing in the Light, as Christ commands, but with the Light is condemned; for the Light is the condemnation of all them that walk contrary to it: therefore the power of God mind. No man is justified, acting contrary to that Spirit which doth convince them. NUMBER VIIL Dear Friends, G. F. 1652. Those that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution. God is righteous, God is pure, holy, and just; God is clean. He that is godly and holy, suffereth by the ungodly and unrighteous, and unclean, and unjust, and filthy and so the just suffereth by the unjust; and he that is born of the flesh, persecutes him that is born of the Spirit. : G. F. NUMBER X. To Friends, to stand still in trouble, and see the Friends, strength of the Lord. 1652. Whatever ye are addicted to, the tempter will come in that thing; and when he can trouble you, then he gets advantage over you, and then ye are gone. Stand still in that which is pure, after ye see yourselves; and then mercy comes in. After thou seest thy thoughts, and the temptations, do not think, but submit; and then power comes. Stand still in that which shows and discovers; and then doth strength immediately come. And stand still in the Light, and submit to it, and the other will be hushed and gone; and then content comes. And when temptations and troubles appear, sink down in that which is pure, and all will be hushed, and fly away. Your strength is to stand still, after ye see yourselves; whatsoever ye see yourselves addicted to, temptations, corruption, uncleanness, &c. then ye think ye shall never overcome. And earthly reason will tell you, what ye shall lose; hearken not to that, but stand still in the Light, that shows them to you, and then strength comes from the Lord, and help contrary to your expecta |