Epistle 235

Friends,--You who now come to suffer by a land flood, keep on the rock [Mat 7:24f], for there is safety, though a storm be in the sea, and the flood be great, and the winds great, and the way rough and crooked, the seed Christ can make all plain [Isa 40:4]. And so think not the winter and cold weather, nor the night, long; for the lilies do grow, and the gardens do give a good smell [Hos 14:5f]; and there is a difference between the carnal mind and a spiritual [Rom 8:6f], and the meetings of Adam in the fall, and them that be gathered into Christ the resurrection, and the life [John 11:25], and power, and spirit.

And the sun shines, and the light is clear, and not dim, that you may see your way, and life, though there is a storm and tempest in the sea. And so mind the summer, and singing of birds; and not the winter and night, in which evil beasts do yell. And so blessed and happy are you that have the oil in your lamps, and have risen at the voice of the bridegroom [Mat 25:1-10], and have laid up in store against this day that is come; which, now all the rich in profession, who thought they had something, are come to poverty, your old opposers.

And the rock remaineth. And therefore all, and every one, from the highest to the lowest, let none take your crown [Rev 3:11], but be faithful, for the Lord's ears are open to the cries of his oppressed and afflicted ones [Psa 34:15f]; he heareth the groans and cries, day and night, of them. And the Lord's eye is open, and he sees all the actions of men, and times and seasons are in his hands [Acts 1:7], who is King of kings and Lord of lords [Rev 19:16]; the strong and all sufficient, omnipotent God, Elshdy [Gen 35:11], who destroyeth the destroyer, and ruineth him that would destroy and ruin all; who by his seed destroyeth him and his works [Heb 2:14, 1 Jn 3:8].

And so in the seed sit down, in whom ye have life and peace; and he remaineth, and changeth not [Heb 13:8], who now reigneth and is over all; and in him live, that hath been slain from the foundation of the world [Rev 13:8], and prisoned and pressed as a cart with sheaves [Amos 2:13], and yet gave his back and cheeks to the smiter, and his hairs to the pluckers of them off [Isa 50:6]. And <258> so in him, the second Adam [1 Cor 15:45], you will not be weary, nor faint [Isa 40:31], nor think the time long of your sufferings.

For all the weariness and faintings are in Adam in the fall. And so your church being in God [1 Th 1:1], and your worship in the spirit, and power, and truth [John 4:24], which the devil is out of [John 8:44]; and your fellowship in the gospel the power of God [Rom 1:16], which was before the devil was, keep your fellowship in the power of God, and look above all outward sufferings, and dwell in that which is above all, and will stand when all other is gone. And so dwell in the love of God, and in the unity of the spirit [Eph 4:3], one with another. And in that the Lord God Almighty preserve you all; yea, over all that which is contrary to his power, to his glory, for ever. Amen.

G. F.