went in the nature of Cain, sacrificers, and yet were destroyers of the righteous; and some went in the nature (or spirit) of Jannes and Jambres, that withstood Moses; and others in the nature of Judas to betray; and others in the nature of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, to gainsay and resist the Truth; and others in the nature of Jezebel.

And this spirit and nature troubled the church in the old Testament, and troubled the church in the new Testament, and are troubling the church of Christ in this Gospel day, that is come and coming out of the apostasy. But God's trumpet, Spirit, and power, was and is always sounded against it; that all people may beware of this evil spirit and nature, and keep in the Seed Christ Jesus, that bruises the head of it; in whom ye have love, rest, salvation, quietness, and peace. Hallelujah.

And all dwell in love, then you dwell in God, who is love; which love edifies the body of Christ, and builds you up in Him who is your sanctuary, in whom the true believers live, and have peace, who clothes them with salvation, and with his righte

ousness, the fine linen of the sanctified

ones.

So all walk worthy of the mercies of God, and his blessings from above and from below, to the glory and praise of God.

"And they that dwell not in love and charity, are like the sounding brass, and tinkling cimbals;" as you may read, 1 Cor. xiii. 1, 8.

G. F.

NUMBER CCCXCI.

To the Meeting of Friends in Truth, that are Captives in Algiers.

London, the A4th of the 3rd Month, 1684.

Now dear Friends,

The Lord has drawn you by his Spirit to his Son Christ Jesus, in whose Name ye are gathered; in whose name ye have salvation, and not in any other Name under the whole heaven: so that now you know Christ your Saviour, who destroys the destroyer, the devil, and his works; and it is He that brings forth everlasting righteousness, that makes

an end of sin, and finishes transgression. So that now, you may live and walk in the everlasting righteousness of Christ Jesus, who is your Priest, who is made higher than the heavens: Heb. vii. and who is your Prophet, that God has raised up, and not man, "whom ye must hear in all things." Acts iii. 22. and vii. 37. You were as lost sheep gone astray; "but are now returned to the chief Priest and Bishop of your souls;" namely, Christ Jesus. 1 Pet. ii. 25. And Christ saith, "He is the true Shepherd, that hath laid down his life for his sheep; and his sheep know his voice, and follow Him." He is the Holy and Just One, and no guile was found in his mouth. And Christ says: "No man comes to the Father but by Me." So He is the new and living way; and God has given Him for a Leader and Counsellor, to counsel his people; who is the holy and living Rock and Foundation, which is above all the rocks and foundations below: for He the Rock and Foundation is from above, whom all the children of the light, that believe in his light, which is the life in Him, and are grafted into Him, do build upon. And so the Lord God Almighty with his eternal power support you all, in all your afflictions and

sufferings, trials and temptations; that you may be built and settled upon this Rock and Foundation, that cannot be shaken.

And now, dear friends, my desires are, and the desires of friends here, that you may all walk soberly, honestly, modestly, and civilly, and lovingly, and gently, and tenderly, to all your patroons, and to all people: and that ye may walk righteously, justly, and holily, in all your words, dealings, and doings; that his Name which you do profess now, may be honoured, and you may reach by your righteous godly lives, and conversations, the good in all your patroons, and in all others; so that you may show forth the fruits of the Spirit, and the fruits of Christianity; and that you are the possessors of Christ Jesus your Mediator, who has made peace betwixt you and your God. And as you have received Christ, so walk in Him, and know Him to rule in your hearts by faith. For herein, as Christ said, is my Father glorified, that you bring forth much heavenly fruit, and that your spiritual and heavenly light may shine before men, "that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

And now, friends, we understand that some that have come lately among you, have been under great sufferings and abuses by their patroons, because they cannot honour them with that honour as other slaves do, or as they have done before. Now, if you wait in patience upon the Lord in his Truth (for you are to buy the Truth and not to sell it; and truth is that which is stronger than all) the Lord in his time (though He may try you) can mollify that nature in them, as He hath done in other places, where He hath tried his people with such things. And when they have seen that it is for conscience' sake towards God, and that they worship the Most High God, who is an Eternal, Incomprehensible Spirit, who is God in heaven and God in the earth, and dwells by his Spirit in his humble people, they have been overcome.

And now, friends, consider they are blessed that suffer for Christ's sake; and it is not only given you to believe, but to suffer for his Name. "And they that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution." But the apostle says of the true Christians : "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distresses, or