the spirit and love of God, that his Spirit and love may be uppermost in you all, to unite all your hearts together. And that you may all show forth that you are the children of which the heavenly wisdom is justified, which is pure, (mark, pure,) peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated; which is above the wisdom that is below, which is neither pure, peaceable, nor easy to be entreated, &c.

And in all matters of business, or difference, or controversies, treat one another in such things kindly and gently, and be not fierce, or heady and high minded; for that spirit will bring men and women to be lovers of themselves, and to be despisers of others, and of that which is good; which leads nature out of its course, and so looses natural affections, and at last comes to be without natural affections; which spirit we see most of Christendom is led by. For, if they were in natural affections they would not destroy their fellow creatures about religion; but being without natural affections, they have not affections to their fellow creatures; to wit, man and woman, that were made in God's image. The law and the prophets commanded:" Love your neighbour as yourselves;" and Christ

commands, to "do unto all men, as ye would have men do unto you;" and to "love your enemies, and to pray for them, and to forgive one another, as Christ has forgiven you."

And now, dear friends, whereas there have been formerly some discourses by some in your meeting, of marrying within a year after the decease of the wife or of the husband; my desire is, in those things, friends may show forth both chastity, and virtue, and temperance. For formerly hasty marriages were reckoned amongst the infamous things, as for a man or a woman to marry within the year of the death of the wife or husband. And therefore, for virtue and chastity's sake, and the Truth and good example's sake, that which is honest, lovely, and of good report, keep and walk in, and follow. For our heavenly light ought to "shine so before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven." And therefore all in the church of Christ ought to live in the Spirit and power of Christ, in which they do judge the world and all the fallen angels.

So in this heavenly power, the virtue, purity, chastity, flows and shines over all; and they that do possess, possess as though they did not; and they that marry, as though they married not. They are all resigned in the power of Christ, that gives dominion over the world, which brings all into one mind, and to be of one heart and soul, and to one judgment; and are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that show forth the praise of Christ, who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light; and, as living stones, are built up a spiritual household, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

And so, my dear friends, my desire is that in Jesus Christ ye may all live and walk, who is the "Seed of the woman, that bruises the serpent's head;" which is the head of all wickedness and strife. And in this Seed, Christ, all have rest and peace, who is the

First and the Last, over all, blessed for ever. Amen. In Him is my love to you all, as though I named you. Read this in your Quarterly Meeting at York.

G. F.

NUMBER

CCCLXXXIV.

To the Six Weeks Meeting in Barbadoes.

Kingston, the 7th of the 9th Mouth, 1683.

Dear Friends

In Christ, in whom we have peace, purity, holiness and righteousness, you must be kept holy and righteous to the glory of God; and righteousness, and holiness, and purity, must wear and outlive all that is contrary to it; and patience, and meekness, and humility, and kindness, and sobriety, must wear out passion, envy, strife, and wrath, high-mindedness, and loftiness, and wilfulness; and therefore consider, the holy men and women of God must not strive, but be gentle to all; and in that alone keep their dominion. For truly, friends, love gathereth into love, and edifies the body of Christ; and let nothing be done with strife, but in love, to the glory of God, in the name of Christ, and in his power; so that you all may see and feel Christ among you, ordering you all to his glory, with his wisdom, which is pure, peaceable, and easy to be entreated; so that none may be burdened nor oppressed in your meetings, but that the

life and Seed may reign in you all; and so the Lord may have the glory of all, and ye may all have comfort in Him your Head.

And do not strive much with unruly talkers, but keep your peace in the Spirit and power of Christ, that will overcome and wear out all that is contrary to it. So that all may keep their own habitation in Christ Jesus, who is over all, the First and Last; and in his power and Spirit live and walk, that so you all may be trees with fruit, and wells with water, and have bread in your own tabernacles, and your own lamps trimmed and burning; and that there may be no strife among you, but dwell in love; for he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God; so God, who is love, is to be your salvation. And condescend to the meek, and to every appearance of the Lord God, and make every one's condition in the Truth your own; in that you will deny yourselves, and become all to all in the Truth; so that none may be hurt in the Truth, nor made to stumble, nor the blind caused to wander, but be directed into the right way; and all, as the tender plants, may grow together, as the Lord's planting, and He watering them, and giving