you may say, your wives are as fruitful vines by the sides of your house, and your children like olive plants round about your table; thus shall they be blessed that fear the Lord; that you may say, your sons are plants of God, growing up in their youth; and that your daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace; and that your garners are full, and afford all manner of store, so that there is no complaining in your streets and happy is that people whose God is the Lord.

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And now, my friends, if there happen any difference among friends, either with friends or the world, let it be put to reference, if it cannot be ended between themselves. And all that are concerned to end any difference, let them have but one car to one party, and let them reserve the other ear to hear the other party; so that they may judge impartially of matters, without affection or favour, or respect of persons: for you may see how the Jews in the old Covenant did judge of things among themselves, as long as they kept the law of God, and did not go to other nations, or to the heathen for them, to judge of their matters; and therefore the apostle

reproves the Corinthians for that fault, for going to law one with another before unbe lievers; and told them that "the saints should judge the world, yea, angels;" and then how much more might they judge of things appertaining to this life! and therefore the apostle exhorted, "If then ye have judgment of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge that are least esteemed in the church." 1 Cor. vi. 4.

NUMBER

CCCLXI I.

Concerning true Liberty.

My dear Friends,

1679.

The true liberty is in the Gospel, the power of God, which the devil and his instruments, with his false liberty, cannot get info.

The bondage, captivity, and thraldom, false freedom and false liberty, was and is in old Adam, in transgression; and the true liberty is that which Christ the pure and holy One makes free in ; and this is a pure, holy liberty,

which Christ makes, and sets his people free in; in which they are all to stand fast over all the false liberties and freedoms, which are bondage.

For the Jews, in the days of Christ, boasted of their liberty and freedom, though they were in bondage both inwardly and outwardly; they boasted that they were of Abraham their father; but Christ told them "the devil was their Father; and his lusts ye will do."

And also in the days of the apostles, many of the false Christians boasted of their liberty; but they who were overcome by them were brought into bondage.

The true liberty and freedom is in the grace which brings salvation, and not destruction; and which teaches to live godly, soberly, and righteously; to deny the world, and not to cleave to it, and follow it.

This grace establishes the heart, and seasons the words; the fruits of its liberty and freedom will manifest itself.

And the fruits of this pure Spirit are pure love, righteousness, godliness, patience, temperance, and humility; by which Spirit all are made to drink into one spirit; so that all are the living wells, that have their living water from God and Christ, their true and living Fountain; and in which Spirit they have a holy and spiritual. fellowship, in this baptizing, mortifying, circumcising Spirit, yea, one with another, and with the Son and the Father also, through which the love of God warms every one's heart: but when the "love of many waxes cold," as Christ saith, then they go from this grace, light, truth, power, and Spirit, and the anointing, and the "Word of God in their own hearts;" then such turn to be betrayers, and not saviours upon mount Zion. And against such, God's swift judgment turns, and suddenly falls, though they may cry for a time, liberty, freedom, and peace, peace; but a day of trouble will overtake them ere they are aware.

And therefore, all ye friends of Christ Jesus, stand fast in that "liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free," by his light, grace, truth, Spirit, faith, and everlasting Gospel, the everlasting power of God, which is ant

everlasting freedom and liberty above all bondage, and false fallen liberties and freedoms.

And now, ye babes of Christ, if the world do hate you, it hated Christ your Lord and Master also; if they do mock, and reproach, and defame, and buffet you, they did so to your Lord and Master also; who was and is the green tree, that gives nourishment to all his branches, his followers.

If the world do persecute you, and take away your goods or clothes, was not your Lord and Master so served? did not they cast lots for his garments? was not He haled from the priests to Herod, and before Pontius Pilate, and spit upon? and if they hate thee, and spit upon thee, He was hated and spit upon for thee. Did He not go to prison for thee? And was He not mocked and scourged for thee? Did not He bow to the cross and grave for thee, He "who had no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth ?" And did He not bear thy sins in his own body upon the tree? and was He not scourged for thee, "by whose stripes we are healed?" did not He suffer the contradiction of sinners? who died