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ended at the Yearly Meeting, by some friends not of the meeting where the difference exists: so that all things, by the truth and power of God, may be kept in peace and love, all dwelling in the wisdom of God that is from above, which is pure, and peaceable, and gentle, and easy to be entreated. And so for you once in a year to meet together in the Lord's power, and to wait upon Him in his Spirit and Truth one day, and then another day you may have a Yearly men and women's Meeting in the Lord's power; in which you may feel his presence and blessing flow among you: as for place and time, I shall leave it to your best convenience. And the Lord direct you, that you may do all things, whatever you do, to his glory. You know that in other countries, or provinces, they have either Half-yearly Meetings, or Yearly Meetings, except it be in Jamaica, which several times hath been in my mind; for where they are settled, a great service is found in them; and the Lord hath owned them, and honoured them with his presence; and that keeps all in a sense of a care of his glory, and a care of one another, that they may be kept and preserved in God's eternal Truth, in meekness, gentleness, and tender

ness, and in love, that edifies the body of Christ. And so that all you, in godliness, holiness, and righteousness, may spend your days to the glory of God; that your conversations may be in heaven, and not below in the earth, among the wicked; that the Lord God, and his Son Christ Jesus, may be glorified in you all, who is over all, blessed for ever. Amen.

And friends, it would be very well, if you brought forward your case of not swearing, and taking oaths, your liberty in which hath been lost through that spirit which was unfaithful. Now the same governor is gone over again, in whose time (when he was there formerly) that act was obtained, at the Assembly, in which your yea and nay was taken instead of an oath and swearing. Therefore see if you can prevail with this Governor and his assembly, to have the same act renewed again, and to clear yourselves from that spirit which was the cause the act was repealed.

So, with my love in the Lord Jesus Christ to you all, my desires are, that you may all be preserved in God's power, to his glory; and that you may grow in the Truth, and

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spread it abroad, and that with it your hearts may be united together. And that ye may be good examples in the Truth, and in righteousness and holiness, and show forth Christianity in the possession of it, above the outside professors.

NUMBER

CCCLXXIV.

G. F.

To Friends in Holland.

London, 17th of 11th Month, 1682.

Friends and brethren in the holy Seed of life, that reigneth over all; in it walk, and in the power, and Spirit, and truth of God, that you all may be as a city set upon a hill, that cannot be hid; and the salt of the earth, and light of the world, to answer the light of Christ in all; and be a good savour in them that are saved, and in them that perish. Live in love, that beareth all things, and doth edify the body of Christ, and grow up in Him, your Head and Life; and be kind, and courteous, and tender in affection to one another, and walk as becometh the Gospel of Christ, the power of God.

And, dear friends, in this Yearly Meeting the Lord's power was over all; and the Lord's living refreshing presence was among us in all our meetings. And your Epistle from your Yearly Meeting in Holland was read, to the refreshing of friends; and one from the Half-year's Meeting in Ireland; and a Testimony from Scotland, that friends are in love and unity there, and that the Truth prospereth and spreadeth; and by letters from America, we find that friends are pretty well there; and at Algiers, in the Turk's country, friends that are captives, about twenty, have set up a meeting; and a friend that is a captive, declareth the Truth there among them; and their masters do let them meet, and it may be of great service there. The Lord's power is over all. In it be valiant for God's Truth upon the earth, and spread it abroad; that you may all, in humility, exalt the Lord, and that the presence of God, and his Son, may be among you all; and so the blessing of the Lord be with you all. Amen.

G. F.

NUMBER CCCLXXVI.

To Friends in New-Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Dear Friends,

1682.

With my dear love lo you all, in God's holy peaceable Truth; my desire is that you may be all kept careful of God's glory. Now in the settling of plantations and provinces, and especially in woody countries, as yours are, you may have many trials and troubles; but if you keep in the wisdom of God, it will keep you gentle, kind, and easy to be intreated one of another, and will preserve you out of heals, or extremes, or passions; and let all friends that come over, be with speed settled in their plantations, that they may not lie and waste the time of themselves and their servants, and spend that which should help to settle them in their plantations. And therefore you that are concerned in ordering those things, have a care that no reproach come upon yourselves and your countries; but that there may be such care taken in all things, that there may be no complaints come into England against you.

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