Concerning God's seeking out his Israel likewise concerning the principle of lief [i.e. life] whereby he seekth them and the way of their closing with his spirit therein : as also concerning the two covenants under one whereof he pleaseth to exercise and prepare them for the life and inheritance which he hath treasured up for them in the other : with a postscript relating some things necessary for lost man to be acquainted with in his travels from his lost estate / by Isaac Penington.

To such in Godmanchester and thereabouts, who bear the reproachful name of Quakers, whose religion began in the power, and who still abide and walk on in the power wait∣ing to be perfected in the full manifestation and appearance thereof.

Dear friends in Gods pure Eternal truth,

IT was my lot once to be among you in a meeting, together with I.C. where I had a word unto you from the Lord, while I. C. was de∣clareing. But being exceedingly bowed down in spirit, and afraid to interrupt the service in him (whom I looked upon as far more a∣bundantly grown up in the life, and fitter to Minister from the life) I waited till the life in him should stop. But then those words which had often sprung in me before, sprung not again; and I durst not then speak them from a bare remembrance of them, not finding the spirit of the Lord then giving them me to speak. So I went away with a burthen on my own soul, and also with a sense of some lose to you of some part of the good, which the Lord in∣tended you. Since that time, I have often remembred the thing with grief, crying to the Lord that, that which hath so often stopped the life in me, and my service in the life, might in his good time be removed; and that the day might come, wherein the man might never more be or appear, as of himself, or as a determiner concern∣ing the things which flow from the life, but that the life might have its free course and current through me, in its own pure streamings, to the delighting of my own heart in the Lord, and the refreshing of others. And indeed this day I exceedingly long for, that no∣thing of self might be left to be brought forth, and that all which is of the life might spring up and flourish, both in me and every where.

Now one morning, as my heart was breathing towards the Lord, not having a thought either of you or this thing, the very same words (which were given me in that meeting) sprang up again li∣vingly in me, with a pointing to write them down, with what ••he Lord should please to give in further, and send them to you, toge∣ther

with a Paper which was a little before written cencerning the two Covenants. And when I had almost finished what was then given me to write, I was further directed to annex to the first pa∣per, another concerning the principle. How the Lord shall please to improve them to your advantage or to the advantage of any others, I have to him, it being the earnest desire of my heart, that his work may prosper in his hand, and that the light and power which issueth forth from him for the salvation of souls may be effectual thereunto; and that nothing of love, of mercy, of goodness, of life, of Salvation, of his searching and healing vertue may be held back by him, which the state or condition of any of his sheep or lambs (whether lost or gathered) calleth for: that his Israel may become the glory of the earth and all Nations may be refreshed with beholding the beauty and tasting the sweetness of life and righteousness, which shall assuredly flow forth from his sanctuary. And surely the time is not far off (whatever the eye of sence may judge, and however things may appear to mans understanding) wherein Israel shall be no more compelled to worship in the Temples of mens building and dedicating but shall in the beauty of holiness for the day is come (yea the blessed day is come) wherein the Lord God of life will build up his Sion, and appear there in his glory Amen, hallelujah.