Dear friends,—To whom is my love in the seed of life, that bruises the head of the seed of death [Gen 3:15]; and through him you have all life eternal; who is the foundation of the prophets, and the apostles [Eph 2:20], and all God's people, in all ages, their rock to build upon, that will stand the waves of the sea, and all storms and foul weather [Mat 7:24f]; who is the horn of your salvation, to push down all that stands in your way to God; and to push down him that has led man and woman from God: so, that you may all sing of your rock, and the horn of your salvation [2 Sam 22:3, Psa 18:2], as the holy ones did in ages past; and Christ, who is your foundation [1 Cor 3:11], the lamb of God [John 1:29], who hath been slain from the foundation of the world [Rev 13:8], but now he has <129> overcome the world [John 16:33], and is risen, and ascended far above all principalities, powers, thrones, and dominions [Eph 4:10/Col 1:16]; and is razing down to the ground the world's foundation [Psa 137:7?], from which foundation he has been slain, and is setting up himself, the living and everlasting foundation, for all his to build upon. And therefore, because the world and its foundation, Christ is razing down, they are offended and angry, and the heathen rage and take counsel against the anointed [Psa 2:1f]. But it is to no purpose, for he will shake the foundation of all false religions, ways, worships, churches, and teachers, and will make the pillars of them to totter, and they must be at their wit's end [Psa 107:27], before they see another foundation. For God shook down the four monarchies, the great empires of the world [Dan 2:31-45], and scattered them abroad with his wind, as the chaff of the summer floor [Dan 2:35], all those great persecutors. And the little stone that is cut out of the mountain without hands [Dan 2:45], that no earthly man has the glory of, is becoming a great mountain, and will fill the whole earth [Dan 2:35], (glory to God for ever!) and it will dash down all men's glory and pride, let them soar as high as Nebuchadnezzar, and shelter as many under them as he did, in their sects, that he may make them to know, that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men [Dan 4:17], and that his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom [Dan 4:3]. And therefore, all Friends, that know the light, which is the life in Christ, be faithful in the truth, and spread it abroad, answering the light of Christ in every one; for Christ bid his disciples go preach the gospel unto all nations [Mark 16:15/Rev 14:6]: and since that was done, are many gathered into the fellowship and order of it. But since, the world has worshipped the beast [Rev 13:4], and given their glory and honour to him, instead of God and Christ; which beast is out of truth, and had his power from the dragon [Rev 13:2], and the whore, and all nations have drunk of her cup, and she has rode upon the beast [Rev 17:2-5]; and now the everlasting gospel must be preached again to all nations, tongues, and people [Rev 14:6], that dwell upon the earth. So all nations have been darkened from life and immortality; and now the gospel, which is the power of God [Rom 1:16], brings life and immortality to light again [2 Tim 1:10], that they may come to see over him that has darkened them, and before he was; and such come into the city of the heavenly Jerusalem [Heb 12:22], and drink of the waters of life freely [Rev 21:6]. And therefore, all live and walk in the light, in which you have fellowship and unity [1 Jn 1:1], and be at peace among yourselves, and in love, which edifies [1 Cor 7:31], and bears all things [1 Cor 13:7]; for this is that which passes knowledge [Eph 3:19], and keeps in the humility of Christ Jesus. So, my desires are, that you may all spread and grow in the vine [John 15:4f], for the Lord hath a great people to come out in those parts [Isa 13:3-5? Joel 2:1f?], which I saw in 1651. And therefore labour in God's power, that you may increase your heavenly treasure, and enter into the joy of the Lord [Mat 25:14-30]. And so, with my love to <130> all in the truth, that walk and live in it, that by it they may be made God's freemen [1 Cor 7:22]. G. F.