6th of the 5th Month, 1679
Dear Friend,
Thou may think strange that after so long a silence, I should now apply myself to answer thy last
(which came to my hands at a time when I was under great bodily weakness) for which I will not
trouble thee with any further apology than to assure thee that no want of respect or regard to thee
but an unwillingness to work in mine own will, and a fear in so doing rather to hurt than help thee
hath hindered me until now, had I given way to my own inclinations and to the course of that love
which without flattery I can say I have for thee so as to have expressed but the hundred part of
that concern which frequently possessed me upon thy account. I have over-charged thee with my
letters, but knowing it is not the will of man that bringeth about the work of God, I choosed
rather to be silent than forward, but being through a singular occasion come to this country and
not having access to make thee a visit I found a true liberty, from the Lord in my spirit thus to
salute thee, for herein I have peace before God, that I never sought to gather thee nor others to
myself but to the Lord, I pretend to be no sect master and disgust all such, my labour is only as an
ambassador to Instruct all to be reconciled to God, and I desire no more than to be manifest in the
consciences of those to whom I come that I am such, by the answer of that of God there.
Thy sincere and truly affectionate Friend,
R. Barclay
1. 1.. Ibid., pages 65-66.