A collection of many select and Christian epistles, letters and testimonies written on sundry occasions, by that ancient, eminent, faithful friend and minister of Christ Jesus, George Fox ; the second volume.

TO all Friends that live in the Truth, and by it are become God's Free-men and Women, and by the Truth and Power of God, are brought out of the Worlds vain Fashions and Customs, in their Feast∣ings, and Revelings, and Banquetings, and Wakes, and other vain Feastings, where they spoil the Creatures, and dishonour the Lord God more those Times and Days, which they call Holy Days, and Feast Days, than any other Times and Days; and therefore you that are brought out of such things, and do see the Vanity and Folly of them; and likewise you that are brought out of all the extravagant Feastings of Compannies in Corporations, and of making of Feasts, when the Masters of Companies are Chose, and Cunstables, and Head-Burroughs, you see their Vanity, and their Folly and Madness, in their destroying of the Creatures, to the Reproach of Christianity, and the Dishonour of God, and the Blaspheming of his Name; and many times through the abusing of themselves by excess, are more like Beasts than Men, in these things and doings; and therefore as you do see the Folly and Vanity of all such Doings, in their voluptuous and vain Feastings, and can∣not observe their evil Customs, then that vain Spirit is in a great Rage and Fury, because you have, and do, break off Fellowship with them in all this their vain Customs. And therefore you that are re∣deemed from these things by Christ, and from the Feasting of the Rich, and all other their Vanities, and voluptuous Dishonouring of God therein; I say to you, mind and practise Christ's words, as you may read in Lake 13.14. Christ saith, When thou makest a Dinner, call not thy Friends, nor thy Brethren, neither Kinfolks, nor thy Rich Neighbours, lest they also bid thee again, and a Recompence be made

thee; but when thou doest make a Feast, call the Poor, the Maimed, the Lame and the Blind, and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompence thee again, but thou shalt be recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just. So here you may see how Christ ordereth thee to make a Feast or a Dinner, and to whom, contrary to the World; and tho' it be a cross to them, yet it is to be obeyed, and observed, and practised; for it is the heavenly Man's Doctrine, and Command, and Will, and he that doth it shall know his Doctrine; and this will judge the World in their vain Feasts, Dinners and Suppers, which they make for the Rich, for which they have selfe Reward; but Christ's command being obey∣ed, denieth self, and hath the Lord's Recompence; and all that call him Lord, should do as the Lord commandeth; and they that are his Dis∣ciples, and do love him, will keep his Commands; for saith Christ, If you love them that love you, what thank have you? For Sinners also loves those that love them: And if you do good to them that do good to you, what thank have you? For Sinners also do even the same: So give and it shall be given unto you. Good Measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over into your Bosoms; and the Lord is kind to the un∣thankful, and therefore, be ye Merciful as your heavenly Father is Mer∣ciful, Luke 6. And therefore as you have forsaken all the World's vain Feastings, and Dinners and Suppers (if so) give the Blind, the Lame, the Maimed, the Widow, the Fatherless, and the Poor, a Feast or a Dinner, and obey Christ, the heavenly Man's Doctrine, tho' it do cross old earthly Adam's Will and Practices; and though he be angry, never heed him, but obey the Lord.

G. F.

Notes

• Epist. 302.