And all ye believers in the heavenly light [John 12:36], as Christ hath taught, you seek that which is lost and driven away [Ezek 34:16]; but the false prophets, false ministers, and teachers [2 Pet 2:1], they did not seek that which was lost, and driven away from God; they put no difference between the precious and the vile [Jer 15:19], but mash all together, like the priests and prophets of our times. . .. <12> . . . Therefore seek that which is lost, ye that believe in the light, by which you see, then you are distinguished from the false prophets and teachers [2 Pet 2:1], and by the light you put a difference between the precious and the vile; for Jacob was found in a desert land [Deut 32:9f], and you see all the prophets, how they sought that which was lost, and the apostles, and how Christ encouraged to seek that which was lost. And when the lost sheep was found, what joy there was, more than of the ninety and nine [Mat 18:12f]. And who are they that make the land desolate, but the rough Esaus, and wild Ishmaels [Gen 16:12], and Cores? And who makes the world as a wilderness [Isa 14:17] but the devil? and who brings the whole world to lie in wickedness [1 Jn 5:19], but the devil, that wicked one? And if you should not find that which is lost and driven away, at the first, nor second, nor third time of seeking, if you should not find him that is lost, go again, that you may have your joy, and rejoice others; for Christ in the parable saith, ‘the prodigal son was lost, yea, was dead, and is alive again [Luke 15:24];’ when he had been feeding among swine, and upon husks, and could never fill his belly [Luke 15:16]. When any such come back again, they will tell you how hungry they were, they could never fill their bellies among the husks, while they went astray, and tell you long declarations of the citizen that they were joined to [Luke 15:15]: and therefore when the lost is found, and brought back again to the Father's house, where there is bread enough, there is joy, and the heavenly instruments of music, and the heavenly feast of the heavenly fat things [Isa 25:6], and the heavenly robes of righteousness [Isa 61:10] are enjoyed. And so all be diligent, ye believers in the light, as Christ hath taught you; look up and down, in the light you will see where the lost sheep are, and such as have been driven away, you will spy them out, out of the woods, or brambles, or pits, where there is no water [Zech 9:11], where they are ready to be famished, where they are tied with thorns and briars; and so with the light you will see, and put a difference between the precious and the vile. For ‘whatsoever makes manifest is light [Eph 5:13];’ for by that you see, and you will see with it, how the false prophets, and ministers, and teachers drive people away; they drive them away from God, and his way, from Christ, and the covenant of light [Isa 42:6]. How angry they are with them that believe in it! With their clubs, how have they beaten many, and wounded many, and imprisoned many, because they would not be driven by them into the devil's pit-fold, or prison! But do you never give over seeking, for the light shines over all, which believe in, and walk in the path of the just, which is as a shining light [Prov 4:18]; for it hath been the work of all <13> the false teachers and ministers to drive away from God, and his truth, and light, and those have been the devil's servants, and the wages he gives them is death [Rom 6:23]. This hath been the way of all true ministers, ‘to seek that which was lost, and that which was driven away [Ezek 34:16];’ as you may see Christ and the apostles, and all the true prophets did, and to bring them to feed in the pastures of life, and gently to lead them, whose wages is life; and he gives them their heavenly penny [Mat 20:9] of life eternal. G. F.