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 Friends in Charles-Town in Carolina.

DEar Friends, of the Monthly Meeting of Charles-Town, in Ashley Cooper River in Carolina, I received your Letter, dated the Sixth Day of the Eighth Month, 1683. Wherein you give an Ac∣count 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; but, however, stand all faithful in Truth and Righteous∣ness, that your Fruits may be unto Holiness; and your End will be Everlasting Life: And that you may be Patterns of Vertue, Modesty, Chastity and Sobriety, shewing forth the Fruits and Life of Christia∣nity in your Lives and Conversations, that they may preach Righte∣ousness, Truth and Holiness to all People in that dark Wilderness, that you may answer the Truth both in them that are called Christi∣ans, and in the Indians. And my desire is, that you may prise 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's good for nothing but to be trodden under the Foot of Men. For we here are under great Per∣secution, betwixt Thirteen and Fourteen Hundred in Prison; an Ac∣count 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 up∣on the Twenty Pound a Month Acts, and for not going to the Steeple-House; and besides many are imprisoned and premunired for not Swearing Alegiance, both Men, Women, Widows and Maids; and ma∣ny are fined and cast into Prison, as Rioters, for Meeting to worship God. And we are kept out of our Meetings in Streets and High-ways in many Places of the Land, and beaten and abused: And therefore prise 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 Excom∣municato 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 (as aforesaid) 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, 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.

London, the 23d of the 12th Month, 1683.

G. F.

Notes

• Epist. 386.
• To be Patterns of Vertue, &c.
• About 1400 Friends in Pri∣son in 1683.
• To spread Truth abroad.