selves wanton, lest you be lifted up, and regard not the poor, and look loftily and disdainfully upon your fellow creatures that be in misery, lest the time come that you come into torment with the rich man, when they are comforted in Abraham's bosom.

For you hear what Christ said in his parable, and what Abraham saith: Abraham tells the rich man that is tormented in hell, that there is a great gulf fixed between the rich man in hell, and Lazarus and Abraham: so that they who would pass from Abraham to the rich man in hell cannot, neither can they from hell pass unto Abraham, that would come from thence.'

So this doth manifest, that when the wicked die they go to hell; so there is no purgatory, nor middle place, as some imagine: and they in hell cannot pass to Abraham, nor Abraham to them, so there is no prayers that will get them out of hell fire.

And therefore, consider ye this, that fare sumptuously every day, and are clothed in your purple and fine linen, and regard not the poor, lest the day of your visitation do pass over your heads, and you do continue in your wickedness and die in your sins; for the wicked must be turned into hell, and all that forget God.

For this rich man in hell cried unto Abraham to have mercy upon him, and for him to send poor Lazarus that he might dip the tip of his finger in water to cool his tongue; for he was tormented in the flame in hell fire.

Now Abraham could shew him no mercy, that was in hell fire, nor Lazarus, they could not comfort this rich man with as much water as they could take up on the tip of their finger; so there was no comfort to be shewed to him.

And though Abraham called him son, this was a parable to the Jews, who professed themselves children of Abraham, and did not do the works of Abraham.

So this parable may stand to them that profess themselves christians, and do not the works of christianity.

And when they be in hell, what good will all their riches, and their sumptuous fare, and their fine linen and purple do them? when they live without mercy and compassion in their lifetime, and without the fear of God, and go to hell fire, and be in torment when they die.

And therefore, for them to see the poor despised beggar Lazarus in happiness in Abraham's bosom, and a great gulf fixed between them in hell, and the poor that be in Abraham's bosom, that Abraham and the beggar cannot pass to them in hell, neither can they pass to them in heaven.

And therefore, what doth all your pleasures and sumptuous fare and apparel avail you, whose dogs have more compassion upon the poor than you in your lifetime.

Abraham tells you the reason, how that there is a great gulf fixed between you and them, as aforesaid: and therefore remember this in your lifetime, and be warned, and repent, and while you have time prize it: this is the day of your visitation, who live in pleasures and fulness, and wantonness, despising the poor, and persecuting the just and innocent; and comforting yourselves with your pleasures, and things of this world: and nourishing your hearts, as in a day of slaughter, and living wantonly upon the earth.

And live neither according to the law of Moses, nor the prophets; nor according to the gospel of Christ Jesus, though they all tell you what misery will be your end, yet you will not hear them, nor obey them.

And therefore, if you will not hear neither the gospel, the law, nor the prophets, then hear what the rich man in hell saith to you in his torment, as in Luke xvi.

For neither Abraham nor Lazarus could help him, nor comfort him, nor shew him any mercy, who had shewed no mercy in his lifetime.

So you may see plainly by Christ's own words, here is no purgatory or middle place; but when the wicked die they go to hell, and the just are carried into Abraham's bosom with the angels.

And when this rich man could get no hope of any comfort in hell from Abraham and Lazarus, he was so tormented, that he desired Abraham that he would send to his father's house; for he had five brethren, that they might testify unto them, lest they should come into that place of torment, to wit, hell.

And Abraham told the rich man in hell, that they had Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.

So now you have Christ to hear, and his apostles, and if you do not hear Christ's voice that speaks from heaven, and follow him who is the way to God, the truth and the life.

Then consider and see if your way be not the rich man's to hell, to his place of torment: but is it not your principle to say, that there is no hearing Christ's voice whilst you are alive here upon the earth?

Oh! therefore be warned, and be serious, and consider your latter end, and now you have time prize it, lest you say, you had time, when it is past.

For if you do not prize your time whilst you are upon the earth, Christ tells you, you must go to hell: nay, though you call Christ Lord, and say you have preached in the streets, yet if you be found workers of iniquity; though you may have preached Christ's death and resurrection, and prophesied in his name, yet, if ye be found workers of iniquity, Christ will say unto you, 'depart from me, I know ye not; go ye cursed into everlasting punishment, prepared for the devil and his angels.'

And though you may say as many prayers, as the babbling pharisees

did three times a day, and call Christ Lord, and do not the things which he commands, he tells you, 'ye shall not enter into the kingdom of God.' For Christ tells you, it is those that do the will of his Father, which is in heaven, that enter into the kingdom of God.'

And therefore, do not vex, nor quench, nor grieve the spirit of God, which is given unto you, to instruct you to shun the ways of sin and evil, and pleasures, which lead to hell.

And do not hate the light which Christ hath enlightened you withal, that shines in your dark hearts, which would give you the knowledge of your lost state, and of your sins, and of Christ that saves you from your sins.

And do not walk despitefully against the spirit of grace, nor turn it into wantonness; which grace of God that brings salvation, hath appeared unto all men, to teach them, and to bring them salvation.

I say, to teach you to live soberly, and godly, and to deny all unrighteousness, and ungodliness, which leads to hell.

And if you do hate the light, and quench his spirit, and walk despitefully against the spirit of grace, and turn it into wantonness, God and Christ will be clear of you, when you are condemned to hell fire, and in it roar.

For, what could God do more for you, who sent his Son to die for you, and sent his grace, which hath appeared to all men to teach them, and bring their and your salvation; and poured out of his spirit upon all flesh; and his Son hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world; and he bids them believe in the light, that they may become children of the light.'

And sent his apostles and disciples into all nations, to preach the gospel unto every creature freely, as they had received it freely; and yet you do hate his light, and quench his spirit, and resist it, and turn his grace into wantonness, and not obey his gospel but persecute his free messengers of it, and so do not the thing which God and Christ commands; but live in pleasure and wantonness, and despise the poor, and persecute the just; how can you expect any other end, but this rich man's in hell?

And acknowledge that God and Christ were just and merciful all your lifetime to you, before he gave you up to your heart's lusts, which you walked after, who resisted his grace and spirit, and his servants and messengers, that admonished you, within and without.

Now if any should imagine, that by giving means unto priests, that they can pray your souls out of purgatory, or middle place, Abraham and Christ tell you no such thing; but tell you, you cannot come to Abraham, nor Abraham unto you, when you are dead, and in hell.

And therefore, be warned in your lifetime, for there is no repentance

in the grave, it must be in your lifetime, and before you go to the grave: for, as the tree falls so it lies,' therefore, consider this while you be alive.

The 7th month, 1676.

G. F.

A TESTIMONY

For all Masters of Ships, and Seamen to read over; and to see whether you be in the true faith that the true Christians and Holy Men of God were in, and if you be not, then turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of the Holy, Divine, and Precious Faith; and then by this

faith your hearts may be purified, and with your hearts you may believe,

and with your mouths ye may make confession unto Salvation. Rom. x. And Christ saith,' every one that is of the truth, heareth his voice,' John xviii. 37. And now every one that is not of the truth heareth not his voice, and say, there is no hearing of it nowadays.

And here you may see how Christ called Fishermen and Seamen to be his

disciples, as followeth; and how Christ commanded the winds, and they obeyed him; and how that the Lord God holds the winds in his fist, and raises a storm, and makes a calm, so that all are to serve and fear him. "Quench not the Spirit, despise not Prophesying; prove all things, hold fast that which is good.' 1 Thes. xix. 20, 21.

Those who quench the Spirit, and despise Prophesying are not like to prove all things, nor hold fast that which is good.-By G. F.

• AFTER that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye, and believe the gospel.' Mark i. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, 'repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

'And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea, (for they were fishers.)

And Jesus said unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,' and they straightway left their nets and followed him.

'And Jesus going on from thence, he saw two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.'

And immediately they left the ship and their father, and followed Jesus.' Matt. iv. 17, to 22. Mark i. 15, to 20.

Now here all ye seamen and fishermen, and all people may see, these four disciples of Christ their call, and what trades they were of, fishermen, and seamen; these and such were more like to follow Jesus then, and now, than the high priests that had the tythes, and such as have great benefices.

But Christ is the same to-day, as he was yesterday, and so forever; for it was not many, mighty and rich, but the poor that received the gospel.

And when Jesus was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him, and behold! there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with waves; but Jesus was asleep.'

6

'And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying Lord save us, we perish.' Mark, in the time of a storm these fishermen came to Christ, and so should all seamen do now. And he said to them, why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? then he arose and rebuked the winds, and the sea, and there was a great calm.'

'But the men marvelled, saying, what manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him.'

Now all ye seamen and fishermen, let your eyes be to Christ, and your faith in him that hath all power in heaven and in earth given to him, and he can still the storms, and tempests, and waves of the sea, and make it calm.

And so Christ it is that saves you from perishing outwardly, and eternally, as you may see, Matt. viii. 23, to 27. and Mark iv. 36, to 41. and Luke viii. 22, 23, 24, 25.

For both the winds and the sea do obey Christ, by whom they were made; therefore, fear God, and let your faith stand in him, who is the author and finisher of it.

And Jesus began to teach by the sea side, and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and there sat in the sea, (to wit, in the ship,) and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land,' as you may see, Matt. xiii. Mark iv. 1. and he taught them many things by parables,' &c.

Now would not many say, that it was not a consecrated place to teach the word of God in; but I must tell you, Christ consecrates and makes all things and places holy.

Now Peter, who was a fisherman, Christ said unto him, and the rest of his company of fishermen, that he would make them fishers of men, and bid them follow him, which they did.

And you may see in Acts ii. how Peter the fisherman, by one sermon that he preached, converted three thousand souls, as you may see from the 14th verse to the 41st, the beginning and end of his sermon.

And now all ye seamen and fishermen, consider this call of Christ,