Beloved, and much esteemed for the sake of that love, which is raised in thy heart to the eternal Truth of God; the increase of which I earnestly desire; that thou mayst be more than conqueror, through the powerful workings of that divine love in thy soul, which casteth out all false fear, and overcometh the world. In this eternal love, it is, that I love thee, and would be loved of thee: blessed are they, that hold their fellowship in it. It is pure, harmless, patient, fervent, and constant: in fine, it cometh from God, and leadeth all that receive it to God. Indeed, it is God; and they that live in love, live in God. If we keep and abide in him that hath visited us, we shall always feel this love as a fountain; and wonderful are the effects of it. O it can lay down its life for its friend! It will break through all difficulty, and hath power to conquer death and the grave. This transcendeth the friendship of the world, and the vain-glorious honour of the courts of this world. This kindness is inviolable: our purest faith worketh by this love. O the tenderness of that soul, in which this love liveth and hath place! the humility and compassion, that always keep it company!
And who can lively enough describe the lovely image it giveth, the attracting and engaging conversation it hath ? But it is discerned, and greatly valued by the children of love, who are born of it,--which all the children of light are. What shall I say? It is the great command, and it keepeth all the commands; love, pure and undefiled, fulfilleth the law and gospel too: they that feel any of this love shed abroad in their hearts.
With this love, it is, that God hath loved us; and by the power of this love, Christ Jesus hath died for us. Yea, it is this love that quickeneth us to Jesus, that inflameth our souls with pure and ardent love to him, and zeal for him: yea, it is this holy love, that engages us to forsake father and mother, sister and brother husband, wife, and children, house and land, liberty and life for the sake of Jesus; that leaveth the dead to bury the dead, and followeth Jesus in the narrow way of regeneration; that can trust him in the winds and in the earthquakes, in the fire and in the waters, yea, when the floods come in, even unto the soul, this despondeth not, neither murmureth.
And as it cannot despair, so it never presumeth; yea, it can triumphantly say, What shall be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus? Shall principalities or powers, things present or things to come, shall life or death ? O no, neither time nor mortality!
My dear Friend, let this noble plant of paradise grow in thy heart. Wait upon the Lord, that he would water it, and shine upon it, and make an hedge about it; that thy whole heart may be replenished with the heavenly increase and fruits of it. O! that thou mayst grow in thy inner man,--in wisdom, strength, and a pure understanding; in favour with God, and with all people that are in the same nature and image: for the world only loveth its own.
I hoped not to have been so quick upon my last long letter; but God's pure love, that hath redeemed me from the earth, and the earthly nature and spirit, moved fervently upon my spirit to visit thee, once more, before I leave this land. I deferred it to this extremity; and being not clear to go hence, I send thee my Christian salutation, in this pure love, that many waters cannot quench, distance cannot make it forget, nor can time wear it out. My soul reverently boweth before the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that it would please him to preserve thee. Fear him, and thou needest not fear; for the angel of the Lord encampeth about those that trust in his name. The angel of his eternal presence guard thee, that none of the enemies of thy soul's peace may ever prevail against thee! Perseverance and victory be thy portion in this world, and a crown of endless glory be thy reward in that which is to come. Amen!
Since my last (being the next day after the date thereof) we had a meeting with Galenus Abrahams, and his company: the success thou mayst perhaps see suddenly in print; and therefore I shall defer the narrative:--only, in general,--our dear Lord, our staff and strength, was with us, and Truth reigned over all.
That night we went to Leyden, where we visited some retired persons. Thence, next day, to the Hague, where also we had a little meeting. O the lust and pride of that place! Thou camest into my mind, as I walked in the streets; and I said in myself, well, she hath chosen the better part. O be faithful, and the Lord will give thee an eternal recompense!
Thence we came to Rotterdam, where the Lord hath given us several heavenly opportunities in private and public. We are now come to the Briel, and wait our passage. The Lord Jesus be with you that stay, and with us that go, that in Him we may live and abide forever!
Salute me to my French friend; bid her be constant. I wish thy servants' felicity; but thine as mine
own: God Almighty overshadow thee, hide thee under his pavilion, be thy shield, rock, and
sanctuary forever. Farewell, farewell!
Thy Friend, and the Lord's servant,
W. Penn
Briel, 20th, (30th) 8th month, 1677
1. 1.. Penn, Travels, 155-158.