Epistle 252

To all you that minister abroad in those parts, this is the word of the Lord to you all: live in lowliness of mind, and meekness of spirit, and pureness of heart, and be examples in your lives, and chaste in your conversations [1 Tim 4:12], in holiness of mind, that you may be a good savour amongst the people where you come. Let all ungracious, light, unseasoned expressions, be kept out of your minds and mouths, which edify not the new life; and keep single unto God, and single-hearted to man, and plain in all things, and low.

For it is the word of the Lord, and the light of God, that prophesieth and revealeth the dispensation of the gospel [1 Cor 9:17] of Christ unto people. Be ye faithful in it, and walk answerable to it, and to that holy gift or manifestation of prophecy. And let none be lifted up with it, for life brings low, and down, as you are kept in the holiness of it, and the wisdom of God [1 Cor 1:24]; through which you answer that of God in all [Col 4:6/Rom 1:19]. This doth not hinder the effect of that which you have to minister; but the life is opened to receive it, in walking and <305> answering that which you have to minister; though the contrary part may rise up against you.

Be at unity amongst yourselves, that you may not make sects nor schisms, nor stumble the weak. For you know that cursed spirit that made rents and got into the affections and uppermost part of people, hath buried the witness of God [1 Jn 5:9] in many, and made open rents, (which may break also into other ages against truth, and them that live in it,) which in time will wither and fade away, as grass upon the house top [Psa 129:6], and their arrows will turn into their own bowels, that are shot against the righteous, both of the professor and profane.

And so be valiant for the truth upon the earth [Jer 3:9], abhorring all uncleanness and unrighteousness, flying all youthful ways and fond affections below, being kept above them, showing the new life to them that be in the old, and a new conversation to them that be in the vain, and gentleness to all the perverse, and straightness to all the crooked, and plainness to all the rough, and lowliness to all the mountains of ungodliness and unrighteousness [Isa 40:4]; for the Lamb must have the victory [Rev 17:14].

And so you may be one another's crown, joy and rejoicing in the Lord [1 Th 2:19]: and not one another's sorrow and grief. . . . So, now turn to the Gentiles, to whom Christ is given for a covenant of light, and of salvation, to the ends of the earth [Isa 42:6/49:6]. So that the light must be preached and sounded throughout all the heathen kings and princes' countries; and therefore, as you feel and are moved, about six or more persons, living in those parts near unto them, to go with you, as I said, and desire the king to gather his council and subjects together, that they may hear that which hath been promised to them, God's everlasting covenant of light, and life, and salvation, to the ends of the earth.

And so, be faithful in his power, which was before the devil was; who hath darkened people, and set them one against another. You having on the armour of light [Rom 13:12], which was before the power of darkness, (and which must stand against them,)[Eph 6:12] and having on the breast-plate of righteousness [Eph 6:14], that you may stand against all unrighteousness, and the shield of faith [Eph 6:16], the helmet of salvation, and the sword <306> of the spirit, which is the word of God [Eph 6:17], which was before the world was [John 1:1]; through which you may savour and discern in wisdom, and in understanding you may judge, and feel by the word of reconciliation committed to God's servants [2 Cor 5:19], his sons, and his daughters; which word of faith is now preached [Rom 10:8], even the same which was amongst the apostles; which all must obey and do; which reconciles to God, and to just men's spirits [Heb 12:23], and to one another. . . .

G. F.