An Epistle To Friends In Ireland, In 1661

My dear love in the Lord God Almighty is upon you all, which never changest, but endures forevermore; which love as it is living in, preserves and keeps to the Lord God and His commandments, laws and statutes; which love is the fulfilling of the whole law of God, and answers to all commands, in thought, word, and action. And this keeps clean, low, and innocent, and moulds us into its own frame and temper, and so brings to be a new lump, leavened in the bowels of everlasting love, which reacheth unto all, and extends unto all, even unto enemies. Oh! blessed and happy are all they that are come into this sweet being of universal love, which would have all to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. Tis is the image and nature of the blessed God, that holds forth His tender hand, and everlasting love, unto all people, nations, languages, kindreds and tongues, who is no respecter of persons, but every nation that fears God, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him, whose call is to every one that thirsteth, come, and whosoever is athirst,, let him come and drink of the water of life freely. Oh! the infinite love and bowels of everlasting life and fulness that dwells in His blessed bosom, righteousness and peace is the habitation of His throne. Oh! my dear lambs, let the issues of life be kept open, that issueth into your souls, from this blessed fountain, that you may feel it always open unto you, and you open unto it, that you may always feel it fresh and new, flowing into your souls. So will you feel the word of the Lord God sweeter unto you than the honey, or honey-comb; and so will you come truly to know, that man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth from the Lord God; here stands the life of men, and so to do the will of the Lord God, will be meat and drink unto you, and will be more delightfully than your ordinary food; and then will not sufferings, trials and hardships be strange unto you; knowing that the Captain of your salvation, who is gone before you, is made perfect through sufferings; who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications; with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him, because He feared; though He was a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered, and so must all that follow His steps; the servants are not greater than their Lord; and blessed and happy are all they that learn this lesson in the power of God, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake; for they who suffer for Him, shall also reign over their enemies with Him; and in His power will they subdue and conquer at the last, for the Lamb and His followers shall have the victory.

And so, my dearly beloved, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and be faithful, and bold, and true to your Maker, and he will be a husband unto you, and set your feet upon the rock most sure, that if the storms beat, and the tempests blow, yet you will not be shaken, for He that keepeth you is greater than all,and none is able to pluck you out of His hand. Into whose arm and power I commit you, everlastingly to dwell and abide with the Lord God, with whom all things are possible. The God of love, whose mercies fail not, preserve and keep you all, and nurse you up in His own bosom, to His own praise and glory, that you may be a people saved by the Lord.

From your dear friends and sister,

M. Fell