Epistle 27

To all my dear Friends and brethren every where. He that hath the son of God, hath life; all that have not the son of God, have not life [1 Jn 5:12]. The son of God is he which makes free from all sin, and is come to destroy the works of the devil [1Jn 3:8], and to make us conformable to his image [Rom 8:29], and the image of the devil to deface and destroy, and the image of God to renew us up in [Col 3:10]; and so to bring us to walk in righteousness. Praises be unto the glorious God for ever, who has sent his son into the world, to take away the sins of the world. The lamb of God [John 1:29], the son of God, is but one in all his males and females, sons and daughters, and they all are one in Christ [Gal 3:28] and Christ one in them all.

And all Friends, walk worthy of your calling [2 Th 1:11] in all holiness, for holiness becomes the saints [Psa 93:5, Eph 5:3]; <35> without holiness no man shall see the Lord [Heb 12:14]. And every one improve your talents [Mat 25:14-30], labouring in the vineyard [Mat 20:1], dressing the Lord's vineyard, that ye may be found the faithful servants, who are as good servants, and walking all in love to God, and one to another. And know one another in the spirit which is immortal; for all other knowledge in the flesh veils the pure [2 Cor 3:13-16], and hinders your discerning.

There will arise tares out of that ground, whence that love springs.[Mat 13:26] Therefore dwell all in the pure spirit of God, and walking therein, it will teach you every one in particular, to know God the Father of spirits [Heb 12:9], and all to stand naked and bare, and uncovered before the living Lord God. For wo is to every one, that is covered, but not with the spirit of the Lord; and who are covered, and not with his spirit, will not stand in his counsel [Isa 30:1]. But all ye who are uncovered, walking in the spirit of the Lord God, it will keep you all in his counsel to stand uncovered before the Lord, bare and naked, to receive instruction and counsel from him. So God Almighty be with you all!

The dew of heaven [Gen 27:28] is falling upon you to water the tender plants; and the blessing of God be amongst you, which showers down amongst you [Ezek 34:26]! The heavenly joy fill your hearts, and comfort you in the inward man in all tribulations. The glorious light is shining, the immortal is bringing forth out of death, the prisoners have hope of their pardon [Isa 42:7? Zech 9:11f?], the debt being paid, and they freely purchased by Christ's blood [Acts 20:28], and he into the prison houses is come, that the prisoners begin to sing [Acts 16:25?] in hope of their eternal freedom, for joy of heart leaping, and the dumb tongue shall sing praises [Isa 35:6]. And the arrows of the Almighty [Job 6:4] are shooting against the wicked.

Therefore be bold and valiant for the truth [Jer 9:3], triumph over all the deceivers, and trample upon their deceits.

G. F