upon the professor, that is at ease in the outward courts of profession (that were given to the Gentiles to tread down, and which were left out in the measuring the evangelical temple of God) therefore is he so nettled, vexed, and in enmity, saying, "You deny the scriptures; you renounce Christ; you set up your own works, and your light is insufficient," with such-like. O but the wise man loves reproof, and the way thereof is life to his upright soul: but this thou must expect from the carnal, fleshly, and historical christian of the outward courts and suburbs of religion, who is an enemy to the spiritual seed, that sees to the end of all meats, drinks, washings, figures, and bodily exercises: but as thy mind is kept stayed upon the light, thou wilt have a good understanding given to thee, and a right discerning, whereby to comprehend and confound all that .which may let or stop, whether it be within, or whether it be without for this know, that the very same PRINCIPLE that gives LIGHT, administers strength, knowledge, life, raiment, and all that shall or can be needed in the spiritual journey to the eternal rest: so, dear friend, unto that I recommend thee, beseeching thee to dwell in it, for by it are all things, that are either reproveable or justifiable, made manifest, and whatsoever can be known of God (whom to know effectual is life eternal) is manifested within. And, O the peace! O the joy! O the heavenly refreshment that they witness, that know a passing, (not from one form to another) but from death and darkness, unto life and light, and are in the spiritual travel from Egypt's land, through the state of condemnation for sin, (which is MOSES in spirit) unto justification, through life eternal, which is the gift of God by JESUS CHRIST. The Lord God eternal preserve thee, and keep thee stayed in thy mind, out of all wanderings, doubtings, or murmurings, in holy faith, resignation and patience, till thou witnessest his kingdom to be come, and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven; that so thou mayst be a spiritual candle in thy place, giving light in the life of righteousness, to the eclipsing of all the dim appearances of the former righteousness, that is among the carnal and historical christians there-away (who talk of Christ in swelling words of vanity, but leave the cross behind) which they are to be convinced of, and condemned for, by the holy paraclete, as well as for the grossest of their iniquity, both being an abomination to the Lord. And if thou dost freely give up, counting nothing dear, to answer the Lord's heavenly visitation of love and light unto thee, by living in the cross to the sin, righteousness and judg ment that are of this world, and testifying to the spiritual'

invisible way of salvation, as in the light thou hast received, and yet mayest receive, experimental knowledge, glory, immortality, and eternal life will be thy inheritance, when time shall be no more: only this I would leave in caution with thee, think not that thou hast attained all that in the holy vision of light may be presented to thee, but rather in the light wait to feel the heavenly power to arise, that is able to bring into the actual enjoyment of those states; and when thou comest thus experimentally to know the work of God wrought in thyself, thou canst with boldness speak, as one knowing whereof thou affirmest, having tasted and handled of the word of life, whether as an hammer, fire, sword, a washer and reconciler.

'So the Lord God of his remnant and children of light, yet more and more enlighten, confirm and preserve thee, in and by his eternal power, to the end; for they, and they only, come to be saved. I am, in the fellowship of the light, and way of the cross of Christ,

'Thy endeared friend,

W. P.'

"My love is to thy wife, and salute me kindly to those that were at meeting when I was at Embden.'

POSTSCRIPT.

Such as can be baptized with that baptism, and drink of that cup which JESUS was baptized with, and drank deeply of, such, and such alone, shall sit at his righthand in the high and heavenly place: which is a hard saying to all the national and carnal professors, but the children of light receive it with thankfulness, and sanctify God in their hearts.'

At this time sundry opposers, some of whom being dissenters themselves, had enough to do in time of persecution, by a cautious privacy, which they called 'Christian Prudence,' to secure their own heads from the storm the Quakers weathered, began, under the sunshine of the king's indulgence, to peep out, and, by gainsaying the truth, to make its defence necessary: so that our author, who never turned his back in the day of battle, had plenty of controversial exercise for his pen, the remainder of this year, and the two next ensuing; about which time likewise he wrote several remarkable letters, some of which are here inserted; viz.

To Justice Fleming, a Justice of Quorum, and Deputy Lieutenant in Westmoreland.

'The obligation thy civility laid upon the person that is now my wife, when in the north, anno 1664, is, with her

being so, become mine. Not to acknowledge, though I could never retaliate it, were a rudeness I have not usually been guilty of; for however differing 1 am from other men Circa Sacra, and that world, which, respecting men, may be said to begin when this ends, I know no religion that destroys courtesy, civility, and kindness; which, rightly understood, are great indications of true men, if not of good christians. Certainly there is such a thing as civil uniformity, where a religious one may be unobtainable; and methinks there can be nothing more irrational, than to sacrifice the serenity of the one, to an adventurous (if not impossible) procurement of the other. Let men be MEN before CHRISTIANS, and not repute that the best way of making them the last, which inevitably destroys the very constitution of the first. Natural affection, quiet living, honest commerce, and an exemplary life, so strongly plead for toleration of opinion, that where opinion aims not at the destruction of government, it is high pity, and not a little injustice, to molest those that are so qualified. It is not my purpose to dispute for liberty of conscience, but recommend it. Several discourses are extant, which, with me, seem irrefutable. I hope the unsuccessfulness of such severity as hath been acted, will be an unanswerable argument with them to leave it, with whom other reasons would not prevail; though I cannot think, but a person of those parts several have represented thee to have, would have been satisfied with less cost of controversy: for, indeed, there can be nothing more irrational, than to fancy that external penalties should work right conviction, or information upon the conscience in the understanding of any. Sure I am, it is beneath the true religion to do so, as well as unbecoming one that has been observed to use that ill argument against others.

.6 But the scene is changed, and from the severity of magistrates, we are fallen under the implacable hate and persecution of some co-dissenters. It is for our credit they quarrel with us, especially that they begin truth then best advocates her innocence unto men's consciences, when it is most questioned: she loses nothing by being tried, but the wolf's-skin, which the wolf in sheep's cloathing is wont to cast upon her; and I no-ways doubt of that success in our undertaking for her defence. An Independent and an Anabaptist, both preachers, have lately bedirted us in three discourses they have published against us, it is said, with no small applause; but then it is to be understood, with our enemies, or such as know us not: for them we have charity; therefore have we writ; for truly neither is the truth hurt

in herself nor are we brought into the least doubt of our holy faith by them. Our unhappiness is, we are not understood, and envy takes great care we should not: I have sent with this our answers: be pleased to accept and peruse them; I hope I need not say, impartially, to a man of so much wisdom and prudence. I leave the consequence with Almighty God, to whom we must all render our account for the deeds done in this mortal body, whether they be good or evil. Excuse my freedom, and accept my acknowledgment of former favour, and be assured it shall ever meet with a grateful return from

Thy sincere friend, however unknown, Rickmersworth, 1673.

W. P.'

To all suffering Friends in Holland, or Germany, particularly in Frederickstadt, and in or near Dantzick. 'Rickmersworth, 1st of the 7th Month, 1673.

'My dear Friends,

'IN God's everlasting truth, and that heavenly power, strength and dominion that stands therein, doth my soul very dearly salute you all, who have tasted of the invisible and heavenly life, that is made known unto that residue of the woman's seed, who have been begotten into the living way of light and righteousness: oh! pleasant are the outgoings of the Lord to and in his children, whose minds are truly staid upon him, and are freely resigned up into his allwise disposal; such shall abound in the joy of God's salvation, even in sufferings, persecutions, tribulations, yea, deaths, and every peril that may attend your most holy faith. Therefore, hold up your heads, and be ye comforted, O little flock, your Shepherd will not fly, though the wolf come: know your shepherd, and dwell with him; and he will bring you into sweet and green pastures, in the midst of your enemies. Consult not with flesh and blood, to know what may be the cause of your trials, how you may shun them, or which way you may keep mammon and a good conscience too; but eye the Lord, without whose providence a sparrow falls not to the ground. No new or strange thing can happen unto you: dwell in the faith that works by love, and that will cast out all fear, that begets any staggering from your holy testimony: remember that many eyes are upon you, and as you acquit yourselves in this exercise that may quickly be suffered to come upon you, so will God's truth be well or ill spoken of; for people will measure your most holy way by You. The way they see not, you they will behold: what know ye, but the Lord is now preparing and brightening of you for farther service, both where you live, and in other places? Oh! in the

light of JESUS, "the just man's path," live and walk, that: to the end you may endure; so shall you glorify God, answer their labours who have travailed among you, and obtain unto yourselves eternal salvation. So, dear hearts, be still, quiet, and given up in life and death, God's great work is going on: he always comes upon the WORLD in a STORM, and sometimes to his CHILDREN, that they may be the more weaned from the world; that people may be the more stirred up to mind them, and that truth may be more effectually manifested through their self-denial, patience, and resolution. Stand then, be valiant, and keep your minds to the invisible life, that in the light is felt; and then, I am persuaded, "neither principalities, nor powers, nor life, nor death, nor any other thing, shall ever be able to separate you from the love of God," that hath been, and daily is, revealed to you in Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God, and Light of the world.

The God of all peace keep your minds and spirits in perfect peace, amidst the greatest troubles and disquiets from without, that you may finish your testimonies, with us, to his eternal praise that hath called us, who is over every name worthy, even God blessed for ever. Amen,

Amen.

"Your fellow-feeling brother in the unchangeable truth, 'W. P.'

POSTSCRIPT.

'Truth greatly prevails in these islands, and grows daily famous over the heads of its peevish opposers: and my . friends, that have heard lately of you, travail and sympathize with you: you are not alone, and he that is in you is greater than he that is in the world. Farewell.'

To the little flock and family of GoD, the people whom he hath called and gathered to the knowledge and belief of his everlasting way to life and salvation (of God beloved, but of men traduced, and spoken evil of); as also such as have of late any desires begotten in them after his eternal truth, now residing in the United Provinces ;

Right understanding, sound faith, and perfect obedience, with all spiritual blessings, be increased amongst you, according to your several necessities! 'Dear and well-beloved friends,

'My true and tender love in God, our life, who by the power that raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, hath quickened us unto an hope of eternal felicity, when days, and years, and times shall be no more, do I at this