Epistle 83

Dear friends in the eternal truth of God, whose minds by the light of Jesus Christ are turned towards God, meet often together in the fear of the Lord, and to the light take heed, that with it all your minds may be kept up to God, from whence it comes. And in all your meetings wait low in his fear, that ye may come to know the life and power of truth one in another. And all ye whom the Lord hath made overseers over his church in your several places, be faithful to the Lord, and watch over the flock of Christ with all diligence [Acts 20:28]; ye which are strong watch over the weak [Rom 15:1?], and stir up that which is pure one in another; see that all your meetings be kept in order. Be faithful unto the Lord where he hath set you, and ye shall not lose your reward [Mark 9:41]. Servants, be faithful unto your masters, not with eye service, serving them as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, as unto the Lord [Col 3:22]; that ye may come to undo the heavy burdens [Isa 58:6]; being faithful in your places, where the Lord hath set you, there is your right service. And take heed of <95> forward minds, and of running out before your guide, for that leads out into looseness; and such plead for liberty, and run out in their wills, and bring dishonour to the Lord [Rom 2:23]; and the unbridled will gets at liberty, and an exalted spirit gets up, and pride, and haughtiness, and high words. And such are they who add to the burden, and do not take it off [Mat 23:4-6]. Therefore all wait low in the fear of the Lord, and be not hasty nor rash, but see the way be made clear; and as the Lord doth move you, so do, and return with speed, (when ye have done,) to the place where ye were abiding, and be faithful there; that the truth of God be not evil spoken of [2 Pet 2:2] through you, as they speak of vagabonds and wanderers, that it may not be so among you. For such are vagabonds and wanderers, who run before their guide. And masters rule over your servants in love, with all diligence and meekness, knowing that ye have one master in heaven [Eph 6:9, Col 4:1]. And friends, in all places, where any go abroad as they pass by examine them, whither they are going, and what about? And if they cannot give a good account, exhort them to return back, and abide faithful in their places until they see their way made clear. So farewell in the Lord. The eternal God of power and wisdom direct and guide you to his eternal praise, that his name may be honoured and glorified in you and through you all! Be diligent every one in your places, where the Lord hath set you, for the work of the Lord is great; and God Almighty keep you to be faithful labourers in his work.

From one who is a lover of your souls, and whose care is over the church of God, that it may be kept in order, and that all, that are guided by his spirit, may be led into all good order.

G. F.