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Jude declares against; such cannot eat and drink to the praise and glory of God, &c.

So you see what care, both in the Old and New Testaments, the faithful parents had to teach their children the way of the Lord; and the Lord hath a confidence in all them that fear Him, and are of the faith and seed of Abraham, that they will not only admonish their children and household, but "command their children and household after them, to keep the way of the Lord," &c. Gen. xviii. and to keep out of the wicked ways of the world. The apostle saith, "They which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." And so are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus; and if you be "Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Gal. iii. And so the children of God are counted for the seed, which the good Seed, Christ, saith, are "the children of the kingdom."

And the apostle spake to the Romans, that they should "walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham." Again the apostle saith to the Corinthians, concerning Titus: "Walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the

same steps?" And in the First Epistle of Peter: "Christ hath suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps, who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." So these were holy steps; and they are a religious, holy people, that walk in the steps of faithful Abraham, and of Christ and the apostles, and these have the pure religion, and do "visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and keep themselves unspotted from the world;" and these are they that are circumcised with the Spirit, and baptized with the Holy Ghost, and serve God night and day, and worship Him in spirit and truth; and these are the religious families, which are of the holy, divine, pure, and precious faith, which Christ is the Author and Finisher of, which faith purifies their hearts, and is their victory, by which they have access to God, in which they please Him, and which is called the gift of God; and they that are of this faith, the same are the children of Abraham, and are blessed with faithful Abraham; and Abraham was called "the friend of God;" and so all his children are friends of God, and are not friends of the devil, the wicked and unrighteous one; but him and his

works they forsake; and they are friends of righteousness and holiness, &c.

And such the blessing of God rests upon, who walk in the Seed, Christ, that bruises the serpent's head, in which are all nations blest; and out of the mouth of the Seed's seed, shall not God's Word depart; but the Word of God doth not abide in them who make a profession of the Scriptures, but live not in the power and spirit of the Holy Ghost, that gave forth the Scriptures; such are like the Jews, John v. and such think to have life in the Scriptures, but they will not come unto Christ that they may have life; for none come to Christ, but by believing in the light, which is the life in Him the Word.

Now, dear friends and brethren in Christ Jesus, if you keep in the seed and faith of Abraham, in it you will command your children and families to walk in the way of the Lord; for in it you have authority, that they may keep the pure, holy, and righteous way of the Lord after you, when you are gone; that they may succeed you in the faith

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and seed, and way of the Lord, and in the blessing of God, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did. Amen.

NUMBER

CCCLXXXIII.

G. F.

To the Quarterly Meeting at York.

1683.

Dear friends and brethren in the Lord Jesus Christ, your Life and Salvation, your Rock and Foundation, Rest and Sanctuary, in all storms, trials, and sufferings; my desire is, that you may all strive for that which makes for peace: for "blessed are the peacemakers," they are called the "children of God." And therefore, whatsoever things are honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, if there be any virtue and praise, think on these things to practise them. So that in the power of the Lord, that is over the devil and his power, all may be kept chaste, pure, and holy, to the glory of God; and all that are in the true faith and knowledge may show it forth in virtue, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and true charity or

love, which beareth all things: for they that dwell in love, dwell in God; that is their habitation. And let all things be done in love, in the name and power of Jesus Christ. And all to strive in the Spirit of the Lord God, and his Truth, to be of one mind and judgment; so that you may all be baptized with one spirit into one body, and so all drink into one spirit. And keep the unity and fellowship in the Holy Spirit of God, which is the bond of peace amongst all God's children, that are led by his Holy Spirit, whose communion and fellowship is in the Holy Ghost, by which ye are led into all Truth.

Now, dear friends, let there be no strife in any of your meetings, nor vain janglings nor disputings; but let all that tends to strife be ended out of your meetings, that they may be kept peaceable; so that you may be at peace among yourselves, and the God of peace and love may fill all your hearts with that love which edifies his church. And condescend one to another in the fear of the Lord, to that which is honest, just, virtuous, and of good report. And where any weakness has been in any thing, let it be covered and buried in

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