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the increase and growth to his glory; so that the Lord may have the praise and glory of all

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Dear Friends of the Monthly Meeting of Charlestown, in Ashly Cooper River, in Carolina,

however,

I received your letter, dated the sixth day of the eighth month, 1683, wherein you give an account of your meeting and of the country, and of your liberty in that province; which I am glad to hear of, though your meeting is but small; stand all faithful in truth and righteousness, that your fruits may be unto holiness; and your end will be everlasting life. And be you patterns of virtue, modesty, chastity, and sobriety, showing forth the fruits and life of Christianity in your lives and conversations, that they may preach righteousness, truth, and holiness to all people in that dark wilderness; that you may answer the Truth

both in them that are called Christians, and in the Indians.

And my desire is, that you may prize your liberty, both natural and spiritual, and the favour that the Lord hath given you, that your yea is taken instead of an oath; and that you do serve both in assemblies, juries, and other offices, without swearing, according to the doctrine of Christ; which is a great thing worth prizing. And take heed of abusing that liberty, or losing the savour of the heavenly salt, which seasons your lives and conversations in truth, holiness, and righteousness. For you know, when the salt hath lost its savour, it is good for nothing but to be trodden under the foot of men. For we here are under great persecution, betwixt thirteen and fourteen hundred in prison; an account of which hath lately been delivered to the king; besides the great spoil and havock which is made of friends' goods, by informers; and besides the great spoil upon the two thirds of our estates, and upon the twenty pound a month acts, and for not going to the steeple-house; and besides many are imprisoned and premunired for not swearing allegiance, both men, women, widows and

maids; and many are fined and cast into prison as rioters, for meeting to worship God. And we are kept out of our meetings in streets and highways, in many places of the land, and beaten and abused. And therefore prize the liberty, both natural and spiritual, that you enjoy. And many are cast into prison because they cannot pay the priests' tithes; and also many are cast into prison by the bishops' writs, de excommunicato capiendo. So that at present we are under great sufferings, persecutions, and imprisonments: but the Lord's power is over all, and that supports his people.

But in Ireland, Scotland, Holland, Germany, and Dantzick, we hear that friends are in peace and quietness; and therefore you that have great liberty, both natural and spiritual, be valiant for God's truth upon the earth, and spread it abroad, both among them that are called Christians and Indians; turning them from darkness to light, to Christ Jesus the Saviour, whom God hath set up for an ensign among the gentiles or heathen, and to be his salvation unto the ends of the earth. So seek the good of all, and the profit of all, and the salvation and the glory of God above all; and the exalting of his Name and Truth in

your day and generation; and live in love, and in the Truth, and the love of it; and "overcome evil with good;" and "hold fast that which is good ;" then you can try all things.

And so with my love to you all in the holy Seed of life, Christ Jesus, that reigns over all, who is your sanctuary, in whom you have all life, and peace, and salvation; in Him the Lord God Almighty preserve and keep you all, holy, pure, and clean, to his glory. Amen.

NUMBER

CCCLXXXVII.

G. F.

To the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in
England, &c.

the 9th of the 4th Month, 1683.

Friends,

Be all faithful in your testimony against tithes, and all those things that have come up in the night of apostasy from the light, life, and power of God and Christ, and against all looseness whatsoever, that the heavenly camp of God may be kept clean and pure. And

all friends, look at the Lord above all your sufferings, and trust in Him, who by his eternal power has preserved you to this day. The Lord, in his glorious power, was with us in all our assemblies, at this yearly meeting; He over all hath the dominion, and over all evil spirits gave dominion to his people, Glory to his Name for ever. Amen.

And therefore let your eye be to the Gospel, the power of God, which has brought life and immortality to light in you, which is farther than the law to be looked at.

G. F.

NUMBER

CCCLXXXVIII.

To Friends that are Captives at Algiers.

Gousey, in Essex, 10th of 2nd Month, 1683.

Dear friends who are captives in Algiers, whom the Lord hath enlightened with his "day spring from on high," and visited you with his tender mercies in your slavery and captivity, that you may know his will, and do it in his light, grace, truth, and Spirit,

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