June 17 1686. Dear Sir THis Letter should have reached you before this time and had done so but for some intervening Occurrences I was surprized with the report of your Deceased Consort of whose so speedy Removal hence there was to you and me when last together so little Intimation or Presage But Flesh is Grass though Souls be precious and invaluable and God knows what he does and why he is no ways obliged to let us know what is in the Womb of his Providence till the Birth be produced we live to die and die that we may better know what it is to live and then best know what it is to be when gone to God I hope you know how to comport with Providence and to be silent and submissive and satisfied in the great Arbiter of all things Infinite Wisdom hath contrived Dispensations into the exactest Order and he who worketh all things after the Counsel of his own Will called her home at the right time Did you and I see the beautiful Systems of providential Dispensations we should both sind and yield that longer had been too long for her that is gone to live and sooner had been too soon to die What occurs in 2 Cor. 7. 29 31. equally concerns both you and me though as yet under different Dispensations You must be as if you had not lost a Wife and I as if I had no Wife Time is short and Life and relative Comforts are transient and fluid Things therefore your Sorrows must be moderate for your Loss and my Joys must be as if they were not seeing we and ours are to follow and part and pass away in our Courses All the Occurrences of our little Time even boldly challenge from us the Spirit and Posture of preparedness to resign our All to God Methinks we are dying whilst we live parting while and when we seem to meet and Providence rings Changes all the while that we are passing to our Graves No one 's too good to die too needful to us to be taken from us or too much endeared or tied to us to be divorced from us But O! what wonderful Things has Christianity laid in to attemper us to the Divine Will to compose us under and to better us by even the sharpest Dispensations that can betide us here There are Ties not to be loosed Relations that know not what it is to die Treasures not to be impaired Regions above so well inhabited so richly stored so wisely ordered so freely promised so well insured to us and such care taken about our fitness for them and seasonable and effectual translation thither under all accents of Solemnity and Triumph as that we greatly shame and wrong Religion and our selves if we prove sullen oâ— despondent When God takes from us our dearest Relations here below all are satisfied or should be so but all look not through and beyond the Grave one glance of Things beyond the Vail though stollen or got by Faith will easily counsel a Christian that under his greatest Pressures and Sequestrations here 't is through himself and his great Fault if his Joys do not surmount and swallow up his Griefs But Worthy Cousin I much forget my self I hope for charitable Constructions of these bold Essays Sympathy and Gratitude and a Concern for you make me transgress the Bounds of Modesty Had but my Head and Heart the Happiness of being botter furnished my Pen might then afford you more profitable and delightful Entertainment but though I am neither Eloquent nor Witty yet Dear Sir believe me to be heartily Yours in Christ's Bonds M. S. A Copy of a Letter from my Brother H. June 5 1686. Dear Brother I Am truly afflicted with your Assliction do beg God would make up that great Breaâ—h by clearing up your Union with himself which is indissolvable Your comfortable Consort is laid up from the Evils we may be reserved for and is freed from Sin the Lord stay your Heart and bring you into a true Subjection to his Will I have long desired to see you together but hitherto have been letted and am now so that I cannot perform what is in my Heart to have done Therefore do hope you will excuse me who am Dear Brother Your sympathizing affectionate Brother I. H. My Wife gives her affectionate Service to you A Copy of a Letter from Madam L. Ever Honoured Sir I Cannot possibly write my trouble for the Death of your Dear Lady and my most intirely Beloved Friend it 's a cutting Stroak indeed yet must be quietly born coming from the Hand that always acts wisely and graciously for holy Purposes and Ends. Certainly the great God afflicts not for his own Pleasure but our Advantage either to expel Sin destructive to the Soul or encrease Graces the Life Health and Prosperity of a Soul And Dear Sir I question not your endeavour to know the Errand and to pursue the Ends of this sudden and sad Dispensation the Lord sanctify it to us all that as we have certainly lost one way we may gain Benefit another way and learn to place our Happiness in him that will never leave nor forsake his there true Contentment and Felicity is to be found and no where else I am yet as you left me but every Hour in expectation of a time of Trial. I beg your Prayers for Submission Faith and Courage to go through that Work that my Heavenly Father shall put me to may I but have his Presence and Assistance and then I can pass sweetly through the Shades of Death I am wonderfully satisfied in the comfortable Death of my Dear Friend and shall prize whatever dropt from her Mouth c. Well since it has pleased the Lord to remove from me a Dear Wife and Bosom-Friend and Companion the desire of my Soul is to consider the Errand of such a Dispensation to hear the Voice of this Rod and know who hath appointed it It may be this Stroke may be upon these or some of these Grounds 1. It may be I was too fond of that Creature-comfort the Lord took from me for though by my wicked Deportments such Fondness could not always be observed yet I had an entire love for her and could seldom bear any absence from her 2. It may be I did not improve such a Mercy as I ought whilst I had it did not enough give God the Glory of a Mercy he had given me so much Comfort in 3. It may be I have been too insensible of the Miseries of Sin and therefore the Lord has brought this Misery upon me that being afflicted my self I might better know and learn how to comfort others in their Straits and sympathize with them in their Afflictions 4. Lesser Troubles as that the last Summer and others have not it may be done that Work upon me God intended them for and therefore the Lord sees cause to add this great Affliction of stripping me of the best Creature-Comfort I ever enjoyed 5. My
Ollercarr We travell'd from one place to another not staying long in any till we came into Leicester-shire And the Lord preserved me in all my Wandrings blessed be his most holy Name and gave me much Favour in the eyes of those I visited and had with all most hearty Welcome and free Entertainment Many remarkable Passages and great Providences I experienc'd as I came from Place to Place mention'd particularly in my Diary and therefore less needful here only this Upon the 18th of July 1685 I find my Experience noted in the said Diary That notwithstanding my Enemies Threatnings and my Fears my Dear God had wonderfully preserv'd me so that through Mercy no Evil has hitherto befaln me O that I could take Encouragement from my Father's Goodness to live more the Life of Faith and to depend more upon God! upon that God that has brought me out of many Troubles and kept me from many Dangers he has delivered does deliver can deliver and I trust will yet deliver me O that in the mean time present afflictive Dispensations may be to his Glory to my Soul's Advantage and my Relations Benefit Upon the 5th of July I came to Mr. S. where for better safety I went by the name of there I had most friendly Entertainment found him exceeding good chearful Company himself as those also who were several of that Neighbourhood that came to see me Here I had very comfortable and Soul-refreshing Society and Safety while I staid And upon the 21st of July 1685 upon the advice of very worthy and good Friends such as Mr. S. Brother S. c. besides my own Inclinations to surrender my self to the D. of N. I came away in the Evening from Mr. S. and therefore could reach no further than Duffeild that Night We got not thither till 11 a Clock and therefore concluded it best to stay at a little Ale-house at the hither End of the Town that Godfrey Batty knew though I did not And here I observ'd a great Providence the Watch-men of that Town just stood at the Door where we lighted being I have cause to believe at that time in an especial manner directed to look strictly for me as I understand all the Watch-men for many Miles round about my House were directed to do These Watch-men demanded my Name but Godfrey very prudently by telling them his prevented their further Inquiry there we lighted and the Watch-men presently came in who I entertain'd with Ale and Tobacco and left Godfrey with them whilst I in my Clothes and Boots went to lie down upon a Bed in the next Room being both Sleepy and Weary but now being under a slavish Fear and a disquieted Mind lest I should be taken before I had surrendred for which the good Lord forgive me though I did get 3 or 4 hours Rest yet not one wink of Sleep In the Morning early the Constable came who knocking at the Window where I lay I verily thought I had been surprized but it appeared it was only to see whether the Watch-men duly observed their Office the Landlord ask'd Godfrey my Name which he refused then to tell him but promised he would the next time he saw him which as the Lord ordered it did satisfy though he told him he could stop and secure me if he would By 6 a Clock on Wednesday Morning I got to my House at Ollercarr and though in the way I met with and saw several People who I believe most if not all knew me yet through the Lord's Restraints none to hurt me By 9 a Clock that Morning after I had stay'd about 2 Hours with my Dear Wife whom I had not seen of long before and was her self under some Trouble and having Warrants out against her as was said was a little before forc'd to keep from home I went to Mr. T. at Wallen-wells who being abroad came not Home till 8 a Clock that Night I acquainted him with my Design of surrendring my self to the Duke of Newcastle and desired his Company with me I perceived him timorous and something shy he told me he would not do it till he had obtained first the Duke's leave to that purpose upon which by a Letter on purpose he acquaints the Duke with my desire to surrender my self to him To which the Duke made this Return on Thursday Morning he gave him many Complements and Thanks for his Letter but told him that as for Mr. Disney he might secure him and expected that he came along with him Upon this startling Answer I began to think I had taken a wrong Method in this Surrender and did expect nothing less from the Duke's Letter than being sent to Nottingham Goal That Day about 4 a Clock we went to Welbeck when I feared to find him the more severe upon me because of the Corporation-men of Nottingham who I understood dined with him that Day But here I again experienced the Goodness of the Lord who had so wonderfully moderated his Spirit that I found him very calm and kind I acquainted him that I understanding he had sent his Warrant out against me some time since I was now come to wait upon him to know his Pleasure He replied he never sent out any Warrant against me nor had he any thing to charge me with only a great Rumour there was of a Character-Paper directed to me which the Aldermen of Nottingham had sent to King and Council that therefore it was convenient I should be forth-coming till he had acquainted the King and the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire with my Surrender and did not doubt but in a Week's time he should receive Orders for my Liberty In the mean time he wish'd me to make choice of any Friend in the County to be withal I named my Uncle Lee which he readily approved of sent his Servant and Letter with me And thither we came on Friday Morning about 10 a Clock there I had kind Reception and friendly Entertainment as also my Wife and 2 Servants with me Here again the Devil set his Agents a-work to raise slanderous and lying Reports of me by some it was reported that the Aldermen of Nottingham were drawing up a Paper against me to send to London others that I was run away privately from my Uncle Lee some that I was a Prisoner at Newark others reported me hanged in the West at the same time the Lady Lisle was executed others said that John Oliver of Lincoln was just going to London to swear Treason against me and some others but I might easily prevent and stop him by laying an Action I had upon him and so imprison him But this Counsel I utterly disliked and bless God none of these things did much move me A Passage in my Diary giving this Reason for it I can heartily trust the Lord who has all along been my Helper I can with Comfort enough set a single God against all mine Enemies Whilst I was at my Uncle Lee's which was between
Sister from Glory would you or any of us have a Heart to invite her from so blissful a State Does not the Spirit of God by several Passages of Scripture seem to say to us as Judas said in another case What needs all this waste Tears are a good Ingredient for Prayer and Repentance let 's not be too prodigal of them in other cases Humanity does allow of some Sorrow but Divinity forbids much Dear Mother refuse not to be comforted receive the Comforts and refuse no longer the Creatures God affords you for the refreshing and supporting Nature Let David I pray be your Pattern in this case he pray'd for his Child while living he fasted he wept For says he who can tell whether God will be gracious to me and the Child may live this I doubt not but you did But when the Will of God was signified in the Death of his Child 2 Sam. 12. 22 23. Now he is dead says he wherefore should I fast can I bring him back again I shall go to him but he shall not return to me O that you could do likewise The Child being dead he wipes his Eyes falls to his Refreshments and submits to God Let not the want of one Mercy we all priz'd deprive us of the Comfort of the many Mercies we do enjoy 12. If we consider who we have lost methinks our Sorrow should be abated One who gave most excellent Demonstrations of a good Heart and a good Condition one I trust ripe for God and fitter for Heaven than Earth one panting for Glory long before she died and had set all in order for Eternity before she was sick she long'd to be dissolv'd that she might be with Christ Methinks I still hear her Ah says she how long O Lord how long when wilt thou come And to By-standers says she I 'm jealous you are conspiring to keep me longer out of Heaven And ah what a Sight did I see in my dear Sister when upon the very wing for Heaven and just ready to take her flight Ah! the heavenly Language she uttered while she did speak which was almost to the last and then when she could not speak the Movings of her Lips the Pantings of her Heart the Liftings of her Eyes and indeed every Motion of her Body spoke her to have strong Workings of Heart after God and to be upon the very Confines of Glory What cause of Mourning now it's our Loss but her Gain She had before a good Husband but now O now the Match between Christ and her Soul is compleated Me-thoughts she held my Father Disney's Hand so fast to the last as if she long'd to take him with her yet by degrees let go as if she had said God has more work for you here and I can freely let my Hold go of best Creature-Comforts as longing to be in my heavenly Father's Embraces I doubt not but to her to live was Christ and to die Gain therefore well might she leave that to be preach'd on at her Funeral and as her last Legacy to surviving Friends Weep not for me but weep for your selves and for your Children The greatest Reason for such Weeping present times seem to prognostick My dear Mother labour for a Christian Carriage under such a Cross God's Rod has a Voice as well as his Word and it 's our great Concernment to hear it and him that has appointed it Let us say Righteous O Lord art thou and in very Faithfulness thou hast afflicted us Let 's not entertain hard Thoughts of God but with Aaron hold our Peace for God has done it Dear Mother you know well that spiritual Comforts are the best Comforts Is not Christ better than ten Daughters than ten Sisters than ten Children Is not his Loving-Kindness better than Life Is there not more in a God than ever was or can be in a Creature We have no reason to sorrow as those without hope She whom we dearly lov'd is gone to her dearly Beloved she 's reaping the Fruits and Benefits of her Labours in the Lord and is blessed For blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord c. Like another Mary she chose the better Part which will never be taken from her She is it 's true taken away in the flower of her Age and when we most expected Satisfaction in such a Relation but God knew it the best time to gather such a Flower Mr. Baxter well observes Such have run long enough who have reach'd the Prize have sail'd long enough who are safely harbour'd and liv'd long enough who are ready to die We have more cause to rejoice that once we did enjoy such a Wife such a Child such a Sister such a Niece such a Friend to give up at God's Call than now to murmur that she is so suddenly remov'd she is I doubt not happy God has preferr'd her to Mansions of Glory before us let us prepare to follow God has call'd home another of your Children but you are not Childless O take heed by Repining Carriage of provoking God to farther Strokes but if God should write you Childless you are not yet bereft of Comfort while the God of all Comfort is yours If God will not let any part of your Happiness lie in Children then let it wholly lie in himself The Love and Delight we plac'd in such a Friend may now be placed to greater Advantage upon Jesus Christ That the Stream of our Affection to him may be so much the stronger as there are fewer Channels for it to divide into is the earnest Prayyer of Your Obedient Son G. D. A Letter to Sister W. upon her Husband's Death Dear Sister MY Wife being indispos'd by a Cold cannot write but you may be assured we are both hearty Sympathizers with you in your sad and solitary Condition The Breach the Lord has been pleas'd to make upon you indeed is great and such as none can express but those that experience it but God having made it who alone can make it up I hope you will endeavour to be satisfied and not to mourn as one without Hope If the Lord will not have any part of your Happiness to lie in a Husband then let it wholly and intirely lie in himself labour to bring your Heart and Mind to a sweet Submission to the Pleasure of your Father And though a Bosom-Friend be not yet God is who is the same yesterday to day and for ever Relations may and must die but God lives who is stiled The Father of the Fatherless and a Husband to the Widow I question not but you can suck much Sweetness from the many gracious Promises made for the Encouragement of such as you The poor Interest I have at the Throne of Grace was improv'd for him and shall be for you That 's best for us that God does and this being God's Doing you must kiss his Rod in Silence and give Glory to the Hand that rules it c. A Letter