Epistle 384

Dear friends,--In Christ in whom we have peace, purity, holiness, and righteousness, you must be kept holy and righteous to the glory of God, and righteousness, and holiness, and purity, must wear and outlive all that is contrary to it; and patience, and meekness, and humility, and kindness, and sobriety, must wear out passion, envy, strife, and wrath, high mindedness, and loftiness, and wilfulness. And therefore consider, the holy men and women of God must not strive, but be gentle to all; and in that alone keep their dominion: for truly, friends, love gathereth into love, and edifies the body of Christ [Eph 4:16/12]. And let nothing be done with strife [Phil 2:3], but in love, to the glory of God [1 Cor 10:31], in the name of Christ, and in his power; so that you may all see and feel Christ among you, ordering you all to his glory with his wisdom, which is pure, peaceable, and easy to be entreated [Jas 3:17]; so that none may be burdened nor oppressed in your meetings, but that the life and seed may reign in you all; and so the Lord may have the glory of all, and ye may all have comfort in him your head. And do not much strive with unruly talkers [Tit 1:10], but keep your peace in the spirit and power of Christ, that will overcome and wear out all that is contrary to it. So that all may keep their own habitation [Jude 1:6] in Christ Jesus, who is over all, the first and last [Rev 22:13]; <232> and in his power and spirit live and walk, so that you all may be trees with fruits [Jude 1:12], and wells with water [2 Pet 2:17], and have bread in your own tabernacles [Exo 29:32], and your own lamps trimmed and burning [Mat 25:1-10], and that there may be no strife among you, but dwell in love; for he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God [1 Jn 4:16]; so, God who is love, is to be your salvation. And condescend to the meek [Rom 12:16], and to every appearance of the Lord God, and make every one's condition in the truth your own; in that you will deny yourselves, and become all to all in the truth, so that none may be hurt in the truth, nor made to stumble [Rom 14:13], nor the blind caused to wander [Deut 27:18], but be directed into the right way, and all as the tender plants may grow together, as the Lord's planting [Isa 61:3], and he watering them, and giving the increase [1 Cor 3:7] and growth to his glory; so that the Lord may have the praise and glory of all his works. Amen.

And be careful in all your meetings, that they may be kept peaceable in the wisdom of God, that is pure and peaceable, and easy to be entreated [Jas 3:17]; so that 'wisdom may be justified of her children [Mat 11:19].' That there be no harshness or fierceness, but meekness and mildness, and gracious language, which will edify and season the hearers, and be of a good savour. And this will honour the seed Christ, from whence grace and truth cometh [John 1:17], and will be to your comfort, and show forth whose children you are; for, as Christ said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, they are children of God [Mat 5:9].' And therefore all do this work, that you may have this blessing. And so, with my love to you all, that are convinced of God's truth, as though I named you all; and all to dwell in love; then you all do dwell in God, as I said before; and so the Lord God Almighty preserve you all in Christ your sanctuary. Amen.

G. F.