To the Church of God in Lancashire

Friends,--Every one in particular, who are of God, and not of the world, walk out of the world's vain customs [Jer 10:3], ordinances, and commands; and stand a witness against them all, in the testimony of Jesus, and witness him the substance of all, waiting in the light of God, and walking in it, then will ye have unity one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse you from all sin [1 Jn 1:7]; for through it and by it we do overcome; which blood of the new covenant is but one. There shall ye witness the lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world [John 1:29]. Oh! wait all in that which is pure, to be fed alone of God with the eternal, living food!

Go not out among the swine, who feed upon the outside, the husk [Luke 15:16], among the merchants of Babylon [Rev 18:10f,23], and so forsake the living bread; but as ye have received Christ Jesus, in him walk [Col 2:6], that ye may all honour the Lord Jesus Christ, and adorn his gospel. And be famous in his light, and bold in his strength, which will carry you above the world, and above all the deceits of it. Oh! in love watch over one another for good, and for the better, and not for the worse [Jer 44:27]! And dwell in that which is pure of God in you, lest your thoughts get forth; and then evil thoughts get up, and surmising one against another, which ariseth out of the veiled mind, which darkens the pure discerning.

But as ye dwell in that which is of God, it guides you up out of the elementary life, and out of the mortal into the immortal, (which is hid from all the fleshly ones,) where is peace and joy eternal to all that can witness the new birth. Babes in Christ [1 Cor 3:1], born again of the immortal seed [1 Pet 1:23], in it wait, my life is with you in perfect unity; bow down to nothing but the Lord God. Satan would have had Christ to have bowed down, but he would not [Mat 4:9f]; the same seed now, the same birth born in you now, which is the same to-day, yesterday, and for ever [Heb 13:8]. The tempter will come to you; and if ye look forth, and hearken to his words, and let them in, then ye bow down under him, and worship him.

But I say unto you, and charge you in the presence of the Lord, mind the pure seed of God in you, and the mighty power of God will cherish you up <24> to the Lord God above all temptations, not to bow down to any thing; but feeding upon the immortal food, ye will feel yourselves supported, and carried over him by your Father and your God, who is over all, blessed for ever! Who is the virtue of all creatures, the wisdom of all things; all holy praises be unto the holy, glorious Lord God for ever!

G. F.