Exhortation and admonition of the Friends and Brethren of London chiefly, to all maid-servants (who make profession of the pure ever-lasting gospel of peace and salvation) as are, or may be servants in the families of Friends or others, in and about this city.

AN EXHORTATION and ADMONITION OF THE Friends and Brethren OF LONDON CHIEFLY, To all MAID-SERVANTS (who make Profession of the Pure Ever∣lasting Gospel of Peace and Salvation) as are, or may be Servants in the Families of Friends or Others, in and about this CITY.

FRIENDS,

WE are come to the Morning of that Day which shall never have an End; and the Bright and Morning Star is Risen in our Hearts, which shall never Set again; the True Everlasting Light now Shineth; the Grace which bringeth Salvation is now Appeared; and the Kindness and Love of God is shed abroad in our Hearts, and we are made Partakers of it, whereby we are Constrained to Love Him again, and to Walk Worthy of all his Mercies, and to Watch over one another for Good; that all things may be done to the Praise and Glory of him, who is God Blessed forever and ever.

And whereas it hath Pleased God, after a Long Night of Apo∣stacy, to Cause his Everlasting Gospel to be Preached again, and to spread the Knowledge thereof, and that now many are the Professors of it; There is a Desire in us, and a Care upon us, That all that Profess it, might Live the Life it requires, in all Holiness of Conversation, as becometh the Church of God; and that nothing be done, that may be of Evil Report to them that are without.

So Friends, You that are Maid-Servants, and make Profession of the Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ; We desire you to receive the Word of Exhortation, which we have in our Hearts for you, as followeth.

Be Faithful in your Services and Places wherein you are cal∣led: And be not Eye-Servants; but perform all things relating to you, as in the Sight of the Lord (whose Eye is over you) with∣out Murmuring or Discontent: And shew forth a Meek and Quiet Spirit, Ready and Obedient to those that have the Rule over you in all that is Good; whether you dwell with those that are Partakers of the same Faith with you, or with those that are Strangers to it: For we assuredly know, That if you abide in that which giveth you a Feeling and Enioyment of the Love of God, and thereby are made Partakers of the Vertue of his Truth in your Hearts, whether you dwell with Friends or Others, as Servants, you will be Engag'd by it, to use your Utmost Dili∣gence, and to be Careful and Circumspect in all things you take in hand; that you may Adorn the Holy Truth you profess: And Excel those that are Ignorant of it; and so be good Patterns and Ensamples, and a Good Savour, and Preachers of Righteousness in your Places to all that behold you: So will the Blessing and Presence of the Lord be felt in your Hearts, and make your Services Easie, and Minister a Reward of your Faithfulness into your Bosoms.

And further, Friends; Our Exhortation is, That you Abide in your places, and not Move from Place to Place upon Sleight Occasions; nor to count it Burthensom, and Inconsistent with Christian-Liberty, to be Servants; and so let in a Desire after Ease, and Liberty to the Flesh; and then incline to leave your Places, wherein is your Service for God, his Truth and People: and then take Rooms or Chambers for your selves to dwell in at your Own Hands; from whence many Inconveniencies and Evils have ensued, to our Grief and Trouble: Besides, It is not of a Good Report to them that are without, That Maid-Servants, contra∣ry to the Truth, should leave their Services, and take Rooms to live by themselves.

Therefore our Exhortation is, That as you tender the Precious Truth, and Us the Friends of it; Let none of you, for the time to come, (that have not served Apprentiships to some Trade) Leave, or Depart from your Services, to Dwell by your selves, un∣der any Pretence whatsoever; untill you have first obtained the Consent and Approbation of the Monethly Meeting of Friends of that part where you dwell (who will be tender towards those as are or may he Aged, or otherwise uncapable of going to Service) that things may be done in the Unity of the One Everlasting Truth, in which our Fellowship stands, where we cannot lay hea∣vy Burdens upon one another, nor Grieve one another. But every one, in their Places, serving one another in that Bond of Love which cannot be broken, which brings all Relations into their Right Order; as, Masters and Mistresses to their Servants (not Turning them away Hastily, but Patiently Instructing them) and Servants to their Masters and Mistresses; Parents to their Children, and Children to their Parents; the Elder and Strong to the Younger and Weak, and the Younger and Weak to the Stronger and Elder. And as this Bond of Love and Heavenly Wis∣dom is Felt and Enjoyed by you all, it makes you Tender, and Easie to be Entreated to that which is Good.

So, hoping We need not multiply more Words, to perswade in this Matter, but that you will Obey and Fulfil this our Exhortation and Admonition; which is according to Sound Doctrine; We commend you to the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, which hath Appeared in your Hearts, and is Ready and Sufficient to En∣able you to every Good Word and Work: In which Grace we remain.

Your Friends, Brethren and Sisters of the Men and Women's Meetings in London,

this Eleaventh of the Ninth Moneth, 1672.