but the mind going forth into the creatures, or into any visible things from the Lord, this bringeth death. Now when the mind is got into the flesh and into death, then the accuser gets within, and the law of sin and death that gets into the flesh, and then the life suffers under the law of sin and death; and then there is straightness and failings. For then the good is shut up, and then the self-righteousness is set a top, and then man doth work in the outward law, and he cannot justify himself by the law, but is condemned by the light; for he cannot get out of that state, but by abiding in the light, and resting in the mercy of God and believing in him, from whom all mercy_doth flow; for there is peace in resting in the Lord Jesus. This is the narrow way that leads to him, the life, but few will abide in it; therefore keep in the innocency, and be obedient to the faith in him; and take heed of conforming to the world, and of reasoning with flesh and blood, for that bringeth disobedience; and then imaginations and questionings do arise, to draw from obedience to the truth of Christ. But the obedience of faith destroyeth imaginations, and questionings, and all the temptations in the flesh, and buffetings, and lookings forth, and fetching up things that are past; but not keeping in the life and light, and not crossing the corrupt will by the power of God, the evil nature grows up in man, and then burdens will come, and man will be stained with that nature. But Esau's mountain shall be laid waste and become a wilderness, where the dragons lie: but jacob, the second-birth, shall be fruitful, and shall arise. For Esau is hated, and must not be Lord: but Jacob, the second birth, which is perfect and plain, shall be Lord, for he is beloved of God.' G. F.

I wrote another paper also, much about the same time, and sent it forth amongst the convinced people, as followeth :

'The Lord is King over all the earth! Therefore all people, praise and glorify your King in the true obedience, in the uprightness and in the beauty of holiness. O consider, in the true obedience the Lord is known, and an understanding from him is received. Mark and consider in silence, in the lowliness of mind, and thou wilt hear the Lord speak unto thee in thy mind: his voice is sweet and pleasant; his sheep hear his voice, and they will not hearken to another: and when they hear his voice, they rejoice and are obedient, they also sing for joy. Oh, their

hearts are filled with everlasting triumph! They sing, and praise the eternal God in Sion: their joy shall never man take from them. Glory to the Lord God for evermore!'

But many, that had been convinced of the truth, turned aside, because of the persecution that arose whereupon I wrote a few lines for the comfort and encouragement of the faithful, thus:

'Come ye blessed of the Lord and rejoice together! keep in unity and oneness of spirit; triumph above the world! be joyful in the Lord, reigning above the world, and above all things that draw from the Lord, that in clearness, righteousness, pureness, and joy, you may be preserved to the Lord. O hear, O hearken to the call of the Lord, and come out of the world, and keep out of it for evermore! And come, sing together, ye righteous ones, the song of the Lord, the song of the Lamb; which none can learn, but they, who are redeemed from the earth and from the world.'

Now while I was in the house of correction my relations came to see me; and being troubled for my imprisonment, they went to the justices that cast me into prison, and desired to have me home with them, offering to be bound in one hundred pounds, and others of Derby in fifty pounds a piece with them, that I should come no more thither to declare against the priests. So I was had up before the justices; and because I would not consent, that they, or any should be bound for me (for I was innocent from any ill behaviour, and had spoken the word of life and truth unto them,) justice Bennet rose up in a rage; and as I was kneeling down to pray to the Lord to forgive him, he ran upon me, and struck me with both his hands, crying, Away with him, gaoler; take him away, gaoler.' Whereupon I was had back again to prison, and there kept, until the time of my commitment for six months was expired. But I had now the liberty of walking a mile by myself, which I made use of, as I felt freedom and sometimes I went into the market, and streets, and warned the people to repent of their wickedness; and so returned to prison again. And there being persons of several sorts of religion in the prison, I sometimes went and visited them in their meetings on the first-days.

After I had been before the justices, and they had required sureties for my good behaviour (which I could not consent should be given, to blemish my innocency), it

came upon me to write to the justices again; which I did as followeth :

'Friends,

'See what it is in you that doth imprison; and see, who is head in you; and see, if something do not accuse you? Consider, you must be brought to judgment. Think upon Lazarus and Dives; the one fared sumptuously every day, the other a beggar; and now you have time, prize it, while you have it. Would you have me to be bound to my good behaviour? I am bound to my good behaviour; and do cry for good behaviour of all people, to turn from the vanities, pleasures and oppression, and from the deceits. of this world, and there will come a time that you shall know it. Therefore take heed of pleasures, and deceits, and pride, and look not at man, but at the Lord for look unto me, all ye ends of the earth, and be ve saved, saith the Lord.'

Some little time after I wrote to them again, thus:

• Friends,

'Would you have me to be bound to my good behaviour from drunkenness, or swearing, or fighting, or adultery, and the like? The Lord hath redeemed me from all these things, and the love of God hath brought me to loath all wantonness, blessed be his name. They who are drunkards, and fighters, and swearers, have their liberty without bonds; and you lay your law upon me, whom neither you, nor any other can justly accuse of these things; praised be the Lord! I can look at no man for my liberty, but at the Lord alone, who hath all men's hearts in his hand."

And after some time, not finding my spirit clear of them, I wrote to them again, as followeth :

"Friends,

'Had you known who sent me to you, ye would have received me for the Lord sent me to you, to warn you of the woes that are coming upon you, and to bid you look at the Lord, and not at man. But when I told you my experience, what the Lord had done for me, then your hearts were hardened, and you sent me to prison, where you have kept me many weeks. If the love of God had broke your hearts, then would ye see what ye have done; ye would not have imprisoned me, had not my Father suffered you, and by his power I shall be loosed; for he

openeth and shutteth; to him be all glory! In what have I misbehaved myself, that any should be bound for me? All men's words will do me no good, nor their bonds neither, to keep my heart, if I have not a guide within, to keep me in the upright life to God. But I believe in the Lord, that through his strength and power I shall be preserved from ungodliness and worldly lusts. The Scripture saith, receive strangers, but you imprison such. As you are in authority, take heed of oppression and oaths, and injustice and gifts, or rewards, for God doth loath all such. But love mercy, and true judgment and justice, for that the Lord delights in. I do not write with hatred to you; but to keep my conscience clear: take heed, how you spend your time.'

I was moved also to write again to the priests of Derby, which I did after this manner:

'Friends,

"You do profess to be the ministers of Jesus Christ in words, but you shew forth by your fruits what your ministry is. Every tree doth shew forth its fruit: the ministry of Jesus Christ is in mercy and love, to unloose them that be bound, and to bring out of bondage, and to let them that are captivated, go free. Now friends, where is your example (if the scriptures be your rule) to imprison for religion? Have you any command for it from Christ? If that were in you which you do profess, you would walk in their steps, who spake forth those words, the scriptures, which you do profess. But he is not a Jew who is one outward, whose praise is of men; but he is a Jew who is one inward, whose praise is of God. But if you do build upon the prophets and apostles in words, and pervert their life, remember the woes which Jesus Christ spake against such. They that spake the prophets' words, but denied Christ, they professed a Christ to come; but had they known him, they would not have crucified him. The saints, whom the love of God did change, were brought thereby to walk in love and mercy; for he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God. But where envy, pride, and hatred doth rule, the nature of the world doth rule, and not the nature of Jesus Christ. I write with no hatred to you; but that you may weigh yourselves, and see how you pass on your time.'

Thus having cleared my conscience to the priests, it was

not long before a concern came upon me again, to write again to the justices, which I did as followeth :

'I am moved to warn you to take heed of giving way to your own wills. Love the cross, and satisfy not your own minds in the flesh; but prize your time while you have it, and walk up to that you know, in obedience to God; and then you shall not be condemned for that you know not; but for that you do know, and do not obey. Consider betimes, and weigh yourselves, and see where you are, and whom you serve. For if ye blaspheme God, and take his name in vain; if ye swear and lie; if ye give way to envy, hatred, covetousness and greediness, pleasures and wantonness, or any other vices, be assured then that ye do serve the devil. But if ye fear the Lord, and serve him, ye will loathe all these things. He that loveth God, will not blaspheme his name: but where there is opposing of God, and serving the devil, that profession is sad and miserable. O prize your time, and do not love that which God doth forbid; lying, wrath, malice, envy, hatred, greediness, covetousness, oppression, gluttony, drunkenness, whoredom, and all unrighteousness God doth forbid. So consider, and be not deceived; "Evil communication corrupts good manners." Be not deceived, God will not be mocked with vain words; the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness. Therefore obey that which doth convince you of all evil, and telleth you that you should do no evil: it will lead to repentance, and keep you in the fear of the Lord. O look at the mercies of God, and prize them, and do not turn them into wantonness. O eye the Lord, and not earthly things!'

Besides this, I wrote the following to colonel Barton, who was both a justice and a preacher, as was hinted before.

Friend,

'Do not cloak and cover thyself; there is a God, who knoweth thy heart, and will uncover thee; he seeth thy way. "Wo be to him that covereth, and not with my spirit," saith the Lord. Dost thou do contrary to the law, and then put it from thee? Mercy and true judgment thou neglectest; look what was spoken against such. My Saviour said to such, "I was sick and in prison, and ye visited me not; I was hungry, and ye fed me not; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in." And when they said, "When saw we thee in prison, and did not come to thee,' &c. he replied, "Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of these