character of the Beast viz. 666. and several Queries in all the points I herein handle and Cases to be resolv'd which I may say some scores of Saints sent or brought unto me whereby I saw an evident call to give an account of those Cases and Resolves in this Treatise which others have experienced and put their Probatum est for the publike benefit of other Patients But if these Physical ingredients work well they must be content to be sick of the world and of all sublunary affairs as they are and to be redeem'd fully from the earth for the service of the Lamb who would be well A good Conscience and a good Cause are like two bladders under the arm-holes which keep the poor heart from sinking and the head above water do what men or devils can as we in prison can tell by experience while Rich-men poormen in the midst of their Honours or ill-gotten Greatness will finde at last for all their Arts Equivocations and Policie to put off their Consciences with That they have but stuffed a pitcher in stead of a pillow with feathers to lie down upon And indeed a Court-conscience as things are now is worse then a common Goal as the Apostates of the times will finde at the General Assizes for thither the Lord chief Justice of all the world sends his Malefactors he makes his Warrants to have them bound with the cords of their own sins and ere long O lamentable they shall lie in Little-Ease without Bayl or Mainprise deprived of the present Light and laid as it were upon the Rack in examination for their Apostacie Perjury Hypocrisie Persecution Self-seeking c. till all their Villainy come out O it will be a terrible time to them and this I look for to light upon them whom the Law must and will judge Now because many poor souls whose consciences like candle-snuffs in the socket flame up now and then and then leave them in the dark again so that although by such a light a man may see his book yet he cannot see how to read it or he may know where it is but not what it is so he may see his pen and ink but not see how to write with it so a woman may see her needle and work but cannot thred her needle or see to work by such a light So I say are some mens consciences sometimes in a little light and then in the dark again they can see the commands but not their duty they can see Religion but not the work of the generation they can hear of the downfal of Babylon and of the Beast's whole Government but not bear it at home or act in the ruine of it in the general they can close with the Truth and present Testimony but are not able to come to particulars Such as these among others have brought me their Cases of conscience to whom I must minister my light in the ensuing Treatise having a sufficient Call whatever it should cost me in my place as a Minister of the Gospel to answer All Cases of conscience that I may be made manifest as the Apostle says in the consciences of all 2 Cor. 11.5 My Lord and Master received all that came unto him so did the Apostle of the Gentiles and all the faithful Ministers all along yea if the answer to such Cases or Queries were ever so high against the Powers or Laws of Men then uppermost as Luther did in that grand Case of Conscience sent him by the people of God at Miltenberg when they were forbidden by the Powers upon pain of death to appear publikely about matters of Faith But so far for the fifth Cause or Call 6. The Doubts which are occasion'd by contradiction of Doctrine in our absence 6. The frequent News brought us of that unsteadiness darkness and indeed malignity and contradiction of doctrine which is delivered at London tending to perplex unsettle grieve and stagger many precious souls whose eyes and hearts are upon the present Truths Work and Testimony with us in Prison for the Kingdom of Christ viz. the little Stone or striking part of that Kingdom in the first place sometimes asserting there is no such Kingdom sometimes that the Stone began to strike at or before the Incarnation of Christ sometimes that the Witnesses were slain long since in the Martyrs that were burnt beheaded or the like sometimes that they are not yet slain affirming the Place to be in other Dominions in Germany or France Savoy or Rome or some other Popish Dominion and not in England and making the two Witnesses to be two persons or else the suffering Saints together who are the remnant of the Womans seed and not the Magistracie and Ministery of the Witness some pretending the time of the slaying and the end of the 42 m. to be afar off and wishing the Prisoners were not under a Delusion in looking for Christ and his Kingdom and coming too soon sometimes telling them that the mark of the Beast is not yet taken and that none of the Vials are yet poured out and the like Whereby abundance of precious hearts have told me they are so confounded that they know not what to say and can see no light in their Doctrine which makes them take so long journeys to the Prison for information and would more and oftener could they have admittance for that some of our brethren in stead of snuffing the Candle put it quite out and so leave our wonted hearers in the dark especially since the death of Mr. Tillinghast that Lanthorn of light that choice Saint who dying in the Testimony became a Martyr to the Truth and Cause we are in prison for as if he had died on the Scaffold during whose life in so short a space so much Light was ministred as was marvelous in London he being of a more winning humble sweet attracting and meek temper which was very needful for that season according to the Italian Proverb Hard without Soft the Building is naught for there must be soft Mortar well tread an humble spirit well mortified to hard stone or brick well laid or as well as a zealous resolute spirit well grounded i. e. upon sound knowledge to make up the Bulding that must stand But I say since the gathering in of that ripe and rare first-fruit or setting of that Morning-star that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for he was full of light yea that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for he was a light whiles it was yet dark they are left in the more dark for the present but it being a Morning-Matutine darkness it does argue to me the Sun is next to arise or the enunciation of such light and beams at first as shall enlighten the whole Land Rev. 18.1 But now because we are bid Isai 35.3 4. to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees and to say to them that are of a fearful heart Be strong fear not c. and because the
as Acts 21.36 and John 19.15 Away with him away with him Ah said I So did the Souldiers deal with my Lord Jesus and the servant is not greater than his Lord. But O thou Hypocrite doest thou professe the Word or read it and yet contrary to the word of God Law or Reason biâ—st thy men to abuse mee thus without any cause the Lord will judge the for thy Hypocrisie and contempt doth not the Word say to Souldiers do violence to no man Luke 3.14 c. but this renewed their rage and roughnesse and then this Serjeant King as if he had been at Cuffs for his life fell on a fresh with his fists doubled his blows about my head neck and shoulders so unreasonably that some of their Creatures cryed to him hold your hand stay your hands hold your hands but I said Ah! Lord my God look thou downe but do you strike on Sirs strike strike strike for my Lord Jesus Christ takes these blows for his sake well at my hands though I am sure not at yours O it is sweet to be buffeted for Christ c. But as they had often done before they mocked at Jesus pish Christ saies the Captain Haddyway what talk you of Christ O said I that you would talke of him and walk in him more too yea and yet I will talk of him who is my most sweet Jesus and this is Christianity thus to suffer for him But they some hawling some thumping and some beating had gotten mee up a wrong pair of stairs and when they knew that they never staid to let mee come down nor offer'd it but some at my back thrusting some at each side and S. King at my hands pull'd me out at length with the Corporall all at once pulled mee down at one pluck the stairs as if they had rent mine arm from my shoulders but falling upon other Souldiers by the gracious providence of my most dear Father I was preserved my poor wife beeing by and the maid schreching and crying and then they hawled mee almost spent out of breath the other pair of stairs and at the doore of the room wherein they with such cruelty carri'd me where I now am They renewd their violence with such redoubl'd strength atrocity that several of them laying hold on mee some at my back some on shoulders and some at sides cast mee headlong who not knowing their design could not prevent it with such an united force fiercenesse fury and wrath as if they meant no longer to dally but dash mee in pieces so that the least they could have conceived thereon was to have broken my bones or put them out of joint imitating those Savage Spirits filled with wrath which carried my most blessed Saviour to the brow of the hill Luke 4.28 29. That they might cast him down headlong but the same God that delivered him delivered also me a poore wretch not worthy to be named much lesse honoured thus and that by a very marvellous appearance for in the fall my head and face were preserved from the battery of the ground by lighting upon the armes and shoulders of the maid and one of my children the blow of which threw both them also to the ground but my face was so-preserved though my body bruised with the fall which fall I perceived rejoyced the bloody spectators at their hearts and if otherwise it was I think that I was not quiet killed with the fall as Tully saies Quia totum telum in corpore non recepisset to whom I turned with these words passing thorough tears unto them Well Sirs now you have done thus O that I could entreat you but to search into the Scriptures and see if you finde any warrant there for this practise if you do then the Lord give you the blessing of it but it not then the most righteous God convince you of it or judge you for it and this was all I said to them knowing they were heardened and at these few wordes and tears they fell a scoffing and there left mee where I now am at the writing of this with very great consolation and joy thorough believing for as much as these verbera were ubera full duggs for my soule to suck out of And 1. Methinks I now may say I begin to be the Minister of Christ who is indeed a Theologus Crucis and the Servant of Christ Jesus and companion with Christ in the world as Ignatins when he came to the Wilde Beasts to be devoured his bones broken his blood sucked and his whole body crushed with them Now saies he now I begin to be a Christian It is nothing to be accounted and go for currant Christians as all are almost in England with ease pleasure delights estates and worldly enjoyments so to become Ministers of Christ with out the Crosse or Tryalls but for all that they will not stand for such before the Lord who fall not in with the Crosse of Christ in the Generation-suffering for the witnesse of Jesus your dainty mincing Professors who are afraid of sufferings at this day shall be shut out in that day when the Bridegroom comes for Christianus is Crucianus and Lucianus saith Luther Obj. But we live not under such Persecutors as the former Saints did who were headed hanged burned fleaed braten broken on racks tossed on Bulls horns rent and torne of Wild-Beasts broyled on Gridyrons starved stoned c. Answ 1. No! if you did I do wonder where we should finde a Christian then or them that would come running to the tortures as those Martyrs wearying the Tyrants with their faith courage and constancy to their teeth as they did when indeed ye are afraid of and faint at a little plundering prisonment banishment soft beatings and easy deaths for the Testimony of our dear Jesus who now suffers 2. Yet we have such persecutors of Christ and his cause at this day as would not spare us were we as high as resolute and of as noble a spirit for Christ as the former Martyrs who had not learned the State-policy of Professors now adays to spare themselves and comply a little and not to run themselves into sufferings for so they call it but they rather can to them accounting it their glory challenged and provoked in a manner the Tyrants Now it is not so much because our present Nimrods and Oppressors are better than the former Tyrants as because we poore low Spirited Christians and white liverd milgsops are worser and indeed a shame to the Saints and Martyrs of former dayes that we suffer so little for Christ our Lord Ah a las we love indulge ease and pamper the flesh more than the former Saints ever did or durst 3. To answer this objection with Mr. Burroughs out of Salvian I must say to them then the lesse they have to show of passive obedience the more they are to show of active plus ei fides devotio nostra debet quia minora a
one bed and if nothing else would move them my Wives present illness and sickness should importune a littâ—e a little compassion of them if they were men but they would not hear in they went tore al the things off the bed and carried away to the very bolster and pillow where they now lye in the aforesaid Lieutenants chamber And I was answered that in no prisons were Fellons or Murtherers allowed a bed to lye on ranking us with them yea they had taken away the very sheets My poor Wife was this while ready to faint very il and falling into her fits again through frights which for present vvere prevented by meanes my fellow prisoner also using a I endeavours to comfort her but afterwards she fel il again as she used to be before this last cruelty renewing her sickness so as al her flesh would fal a trembling her whole body be as in an agony but especially her head which doth swel and the humors settle in her face c. so that for want of the meanes here and because they seem resolved to give no rest as we think until they have murthered her or been her death she must now be forced to leave me in their clutches and if the Lord make her able to get to London for the preservation of her life which the Lord in mercy grant me Amen! But I shal abruptly break off here by reason my poor weak Wife is now leaving me and creeping out of this Castle-Goal yet Rehoboth where is room for me and my soul is left at a fresh spring O blessed be my God! but I must confess it is grievous to the flesh to be left in the hands of such as have threatned and seem to thirst for my blood as greedily as the Dogg for the sheeps but yet by Gods grace they shal leap above ground for it and not get it by gaping that I think Psal 37.32 33 34. The wicked WATCHETH the Righteeous and seeketh to slay him But the Lord wil not leave him in his hand WAITON THE LORD and keep his WAY and he shal exalt thee to inherit the Land this is a sure Word and in season here where I hope to wait and wait in hope that wil never make me ashamed notwithstanding the violence done to my flesh the afflictions of my body and relations and the danger of death in this Dungeon-like-hole which I hope in Christ we dare sometimes look ful-face upon and meet though many times I must needs say with Bishop Ridley Martyr I think I could creep into a mouse-hole and that is when through these late out-ragious exercises I have fits of sudden fear and am so subject to frightings But O pray pray pray for us incessantly with Faith Al ye that shal hear these tidings that he may alwaies stand by us who stood by Paul against the beasts of Ephesus and before Nero not knowing which way our most dear Deliverer wil come whether by life or death to free us from fierce and unreasonable creatures though for my own part I rather expect the latter in this place ere long desiring to be found faithful unto Death in this most glorious Cause of Christ Jesus my Lord King and Master nor do I think if I dye that you wil hear the perioding passages of their Tyranny or this Tragedy upon my body or that I shal write more to get it out my papers lying hid under-ground where I fear they wil rot but the Lord wil raise up the truth from the dead I do know assuredly By these things you may learn thus much more 1 That the persecution is at principles of truth let them say what they wil for they sal upon us for Christ the Words and Spirits and Saints sake we see nor can they so much as pretend a danger to their Castle as they had formerly done by a few feeble Women to stand in the High-way and not so much as in the out-works of the Castle but meer malice to the word of truth 2. That they would not end with out persons or lives if they had them but what they do unto us they would fain be doing to al the Saints and Churches who wait or call for the Kingdome of Christ and so they have said that they could have our Arms up to the elboes in their bloudâ— as appears by their fowl falling upon the Messengers of the Churches with blows without any occasion glving them but standing stil and hearing me so that therein they also fel upon them that sent them so also upon their dragging the poor lame MAID about the yard 3. That this hindring the Word with sword-violence is a high robbery to poor Souls in a scripture-sence yea and to God whom they openly scoff and mock at to hear him named Mal 3.8 Joh. 10.8 and God wil deal with them accordingly yea were Dr. Taylor now alive and going to be burnt for this cause he would burst out with his words in Fox vol p 179. against these Brtites and much more in these dayes of Apostacy ah horsen Theeves whoresen Theeves rob God of his honour rob God of his honour for as Mat 23.13 Wo to them for they neither go in themselves nor suffer them that are entring but blessed be the Lord for that promise in Isai 18.7 The PRESENT shal be brought to the Lord of a people scattered and PEELED with ch 42.22 This is the people robbed and spoiled they are all of them suared in holes and hid in prison-houses 4. This swordsilencing of the Ministers of Christ is a far more cruel and cutting way of silencing then the Bishops High-Commission-Courts or the Star-chamber Amos 5.13 Theresore is it the prudent shal keep silence in that time for it is an evil time not that the Lord approves the practise but reproves their prudence 5. The Sword-preaching or such preaching as the Sword only allows is the worlds the Devils and Antichrists 1 Joh 4.5 and such a way of converting as the Turks use and the Saracens and so the Spaniards have it in the Indies under pain of confiscation of Lands liberties life c. to acknowledg God and the Spanish King of whom the Indians had never heard So is the Sword-preaching in these dayes in this Isle as Bul confessed to keep them in subjection that is in slavery to his Lord Protector whom they never saw but to preach up the Lord Protector of Heaven and Earth or the Lord Jesus Christ our King this is crushed by the Sword for sedition and dangerous Doctrine so that ELIAH is persecuted Micaiah mured up in close prison and kept with bread and water of affliction whiles al the States Priests or Kings Clergy who say Go up and prosper yea 400 false Prophets feed every day at Jezabels Table but yet we are upon Charmel-Mount and our enemies shal know that we are not here a fishing for Gudgeons Much more I have to say of their tyranny and cruelty and in many
teeth of the proudest Tyrants on earth that we are above them and their rage do their worst because greater is he that is in us then HE that is in the world 1 Joh 4.4 and in our prison is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Power of the Witnesses a coming upon us through the strength of Christ to do marvelous things yea as Hag 2.7 8. According to the WORD that I have COVENATTED with you So my SPIRIT remaineth among you FEAR YE NOT for thus saith JEHOVAH yet a little while and I wil shake c. I will make the earth to tremble before you Joel 2.10 yea this pittiful pâ—dlie filthy mieryclay-Government that is gotten up in Great Brittany which is the first that must be struck through by the Stone Dan 2. Wherefore O my Friends we must and wil rejoyce yet more abundantly in this so blessed sweet temporate New-Testament Zone which we are under in prisons and Exiles for all the fierceness of this last Beast who hath made the torrid Zone of his tyranny inhabitable and insupportable and in truth if I know my heart in this matter I would say for one like Jerome of Prague when the flames were kindling behind him saith he with courage to the Executioner Come come Kindle me the fire before my face for if I had been afraid I had never come hither nor are we such lively members of Christs body if we cannot when called to it sweat a bloody sweat â—â—fr his sake Wherefore as the Dutch Martyr said Christo submittemus sexcenta si nobis essent Colla c. had we six hundred heads for one they should all off for Christ in this most blessed cause for Quas non oportet mortes praeeligere c What Deaths had we not better choose yea what Hels not endure then to decline one step so blessed so certain and so glorious a Cause as this is for which we are in bonds Wherefore O my most honorably beloved hearts the spirit of life rest upon you and of the two Witnesses to make you as stable and as able as Mount Sion Psal 125.1 yea as those Mountains of Brass from whence the Chariots of King Jesuâ— come they are a coming Zach 6.1 so that all the Devils of Hell may not be able to remove you then one inch of ground but that those who have gone before us from the dayes of Abel to this day and vvho have led up the VAN with valour with all the Elect Angels our fellow-servants in this Cause may exceedingly rejoyce to see our Faith and Faithfulness vigor constancy and courage in carrying up this finishing Rev 11 7. this Rear-testimony Mat 24.14 Rev 17.14 according to the Spirit of the Fifth Kingdom against the BEAST like the children of the captivity now to be returned like the children of the promise and of the Free-woman Gal 4. yea like the children of the Kingdom Mat. 13. that good seed that must sow the whole earth and the children of the Resurrection Luke 20. which are to have their lot in the next world upon the Earth and to reign with Christ a thousand years as I have proved at large in prison-born morning beams Lib 3. and 4. For Jehovah onely is the Lord Patron of al our preferments and whiles we are in the prison as I said we are not fishing for Gudgeons for We pre-possess several sweet tenures both free and copy-hold which we cannot part with no more then Nabaoth could with his Vineyard though we loose our lives for it and to conclude I woul'd leave tâ— is one word with you that the same Lord of Hosts and Captain of the Hoasts of Israel that went before them in the Van is now with us in the Rear where the enemy hath fallen on for that is now the Captains place so that we may confidently and undoubtedly expect as much of his prowess power wonderful appearances and presence with us in this Reare as ever any of the Saints or Martyrs among Jews or Christians found in the Van or in former dayes when the enemies fel upon them for this is clear in Isai 52.12 For ye shal not go out with hast nor go by flight for JEHOVAH wil go before you yea the God of Israel wil be your RERE-WARD Isai 58.8 Thy righteousness shal go before thee the glory of the Lord shall be thy RERE WARD then shalt thou cal and the Lord shal answer thou shalt cry and he shal say HERE I AM if you take away from the midst of thee the yoak c. I am prevented in my Word to the little Remnant I mean the Lambs faithful followers of the Womans seed that keep the Commandements of God and testimony of Jesus but in my Banish-born-Treatise lib last I write at large to them and of their Work if it ever come to light though I confess my Bucer-like hand which writes but bad may be some let or at least delay therein yet at present I am to bid them BEWARE and PREPARE beware of running before Orders come from Jehovah of Armies and prepare for them when they come yea to make all their Arrows ready against Babylon for the time to visit her is now come the set time to thresh her the Harvest is come Jer 50.51 Rev 4. and to favour Sion Psal 102.15 16. yea the set time is come and it is easie to see the SIGNS of Times come upon us yea the signes compleat them this little born this last B this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the learned read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 this last limb of the Beasts Government and the man that maketh up his number six thousand six hundred six as we have proved in Prison Morn He is now come O up and be ready then like Roaring Lions against the end of the time times divident with your Ahud Chereb not Pe Chereb two mouthed swords like Christs men of War Pe Chareb or sword with one mouth only as hath been but Joel 2.2.7 9 11. to run climb the wal like mighty men and JEHOVAH shal utter his voice before you his Dread shal be upon your enemies who have insulted over you but shal fal before you Josh 2.9 Rev 11.11 yea they shal tremble and fear and wax feeble as Women Jer 51.30 Nahum 3.13 and become bread for your swords to eat as in Jeremy Acheleh Cherbechem Ne biechem because their defence is departed from them Numb 14.9 nor are the most godly amongst them that have Apostatized these times any more to be reckoned amongst the Lambs number then Dan and Ephraim because of their Apostacy Judg 17 18. were reckoned among the sealed ones of the 144000 Rev 7 5 6 7 8. Wherefore up O my dear â—arts who are of that number that stand before the Throne Rev 7.9 or with the Lamb in Mount Sion Rev 14.1 up and be ready with your Ahod weapon awake arise O English Shearjashub for out of JUDAH Christ with us Gentiles of Lea comes
forth the CORNER out of HIM the Nail out of HIM the Battle-bow and they shal be as mighty men which tread down their enemies as mire in the streets in the battle and they shal fight because the Kord is with them Zach 10.5 Wherefore I be sure ye begin-your Muster or to mount your horses Zach 1.8 upon a Mount Sion ground or in a New-Covenant principle that is purely for or rather with Christ and his Kingdom and for no earthly Persons things or Interests of Men whatsoever such a War was never yet in the four Monarchieâ—s And 2. Be sure that you be fully seperate from the Beasts dominion in all things and in every ministration as wel civil and Military as Ecclesiastick for the BLESSING shal be upon the head of him that is SEPERATED from his brethren Deut 33.16 and it is an Ordinance yea obedience to an indispensable command Rev 18.4 Jer 50.28 The voice of them that FLEE and ESCAPE out of the Land of Babylon to DECLAE IN SYON the vengeance of the Lord our God the vengeance of his Temple for such only are to come out of the Tabernacle of the Testimony and to pour out the Viols in pure linnen and not at all in defiled Garments Rev 15. But furthermore 3. Be sure you loose not the least opportunity or nick of time put into your hands to do the Work when the END comes And 4. Be sure you set not upon it with your own spirits nor pour out in it your own wrath or revenge but Gods only and upon such subjects too as the VVord reveals Yea 5 Lastly Be sure that you in your actings executings and sufferings be upon no other bottom being or foundation but the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 3.11 whereon if you overcome you are sure to walk with him in VVhite Rev 3.4 Rev 7.9 14. amongst his WORTHIES yea and be as pillars in the Temple Rev 3.12 Rulers over the Nations Rev 2.26 27. and Heirs of the New Jerusalem glory the tree of Life the new name and the Throne Rev 2 7 17 and 3.12 21. Therefore up O ye Saints to take the Kingdom Dan. 7 â—8 and to possess it for ever for the GENTILES Christiani qui gentiliter vivunt have posses'd the outward Court this 42 moneths but We singers have the inner Court Ezek 40.44 and 't is now time to arise yea high time to deliver thy self O Syon Isai 52.1 2. and shake off thy dust to lay wast the land of Nimrod with the Sword Mica 5.6 7. And the Remnant of Jacob the VVorm shal be in the midst of many people as a DEW from the Lord as the showers upon the grass that TARRIETH not for MAN yea among the GENTILES as a Lion who if he go through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces and none can deliver Numb 23.24 the Holy City is the holy Camp in the outward Court of the Tabernacle that is to arise with the Two VVitnesses and root the Beast that trod it under foot Therefore for the Lords sake Sirs be valiant like Davids worthies yea King Sclomons men Cant 3 7 8. Who all hold swords being expert in VVar. It is said of Sadeel that with Gener a Citizen he fought so furiously for the then cause of God that he himself put a thousand Spaniards to flight and shal we fear Non de vita sed de scuto solliciti estoti regard not your lives for the work of Christ when called to it It is said that Sceva at the siege of Dyrrachium so long alone resisted Pompeys Army that he had two hundred twenty darts sticking in his shield and lost one of his eyes and yet gave not over til Caesar came into his Rescue is it possible my Brethren that this could be for the carnal interest of a man in a fourth Kingdom spirit and shal not as noble a spirit and as high a love be found in a Fifth Kingdom man for the most excellent cause anâ— King that ever was on earth viz Jesus Christ and him onely Blessed Lord when wilt thou raise us up with thy spirit of life or how long shal all lye dead O what cowards are we now to run into holes and corners for fear of sufferings surely Lord Jesus had al thy Disciples dealt thus with thee in their Generations there would have been but few Martyrs or followers of the Lamb O I blush for shame when I behold them that are gone before with these that now follow IGNATIVS said he had rather be a Martir then a Monarch but now men had rather be Monsters then Martirs when the Dragon Emperors gave Orders to put al to death that would confess themselves christians they came in of themselves by whole flocks confessing themselves christians and defying the Heathens as in Arrius Antoninus's dayes they ran in voluntarily to dye and to be tormented as did Romanus Gerdius Menas and a many others in Dioclesians dayes but ah where be they that run in flocks to White Hal now saying we are Fift Monarchy men or for the Kingdom of Christ and wil live and dye with our brethren together see 1 John 3.16 Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us and we ought to LAY DOWN our lives sor the BRETHREN But ah how iniquity abounds and the love of many waxeth cold as Gui de Brez Martir in Flanders so Mr Burroughs tels us of the Woman we heard of before who ran for Martirdom with the Saints for fear she should loose it and do we sit stil for fear of sufferings which were such Jocularia ludicra as Vincentius called them to the Saints in primitive times Rejoyce and leap for joy as the word is to suffer for Christ or be found doing for him when he comes Now I beseech the Lord awaken you if you be of that race and rouze you up and set you all awork as upon life and death with all speed to overceme the beast and his followers with as lively a spirit as high a zeal and readiness to dye in the service of Christ and this his most comprehensive Cause at this day as they were in theirs through the are greatest strife and so to overcome with the Word of the Testimonie and blood of the Lamb not loving your lives Rev 12.11 Bate me nothing of my sufferings saies Gordius to the Tormentors for it is to my loss then Majora certamina majora sequuntur praemia VVherefore because I must break off with these few words to you as to OVERCOMMERS for so I trust you are or wil be in CHRIST Jesus and close Followers of he Lamb I shal leave you with that blessed man Mr Hollands Legacy bequeathed to his Friends at his death against Popery Commendo vos dilectioni Dei odio Papatus c. So against this Apostate-Generation I commend you my Brethren to the dearest lovo of God and to the deadtiest hatred of these Hipocrites and Apostates AMEN for Heb 10
hand Now if ever there were a time to hear the Grave-groans of the living and the dead of those who are in Prison graves and of those whose skulls and bones we left behinde us in the Field and of those under the Altar who cry How long O Lord holy and true Rev. 6.10 yea the shrill heaven heart and earth-tearing Call of Saints past present and to come from the days of Abel to this day to maintain their Cause to revenge their Blood and the Lamb's and to be VP AND DOING for the Lord Jesus the King of Saints to purpose it is NOW within a year or two as we shall shew you WO to them that are at ease Amos 6.1 yea to the very women that are Careless Isa 32.9 10 11 12. for they shall lament and if ye will be All silent the very Graves shall open the Dead shall live the dry bones shall live the stones of the street shall speak and the beam of the timber utter it the Witnesses will arise and the earthquake come to take vengeance against this Apostate generation of sowre Professors But say some seeing the Prisons are so deeply sensible and bear so heavie a burthen for us how falls it that before now your exonerating groans and sighs got not a free passage abroad in the Nation To which I must answer That for above a years Imprisonment now partly more at large Why the Prisons are so silent and partly close I have lien under pressure of Spirit as if my heart would break within me at times to see so servile and degenerate a Spirit as yet among the Saints yet with patience purposing to wait and possess my soul as unwilling to write what few if any we able to bear though most honourable Truth I kept in as long as I could not knowing but there might have been before this a kindly recurrence among some of those retrograde motions which so tremendous and fearful a Wrath as I easily foresee follows the heels of Melius est recurrere quam male currere Besides so great is the servile spirit and fear which possesses the hearts of men against this glorious Cause and Controversie of Christ for which we are imprisoned plundered exiled or persecuted that what we write to ease our hearts and consciences with the greatest sobriety and simplicity we cannot carry thorow the Press or get Printed upon any terms almost in the language life and savour of the present Anointing from the holy One which is upon us and teaches us All things That new-found Engine of the Beast the Ordinance of Treason for words and imaginations hath put them into so pannick and foolish a fear that above an hundred sheets preparing for the Press to enlighten the Deluded and Abused people of this Nation as to us and our Cause or rather Christ's while they give out we suffer not for Conscience have been either betrayed by Iscariot-kisses plundered from me or stifled before they were born and all this lest the people should have light into the sufferings of our Consciences or conscience of our Sufferings viz. the truth of the fifth Kingdom or receive a right Information of the Apostacies Hypocrisie Perjury Cheating Persecution and unheard-of Baseness of such as are gotten into Power having a form of godliness denying the power thereof from whom we are to withdraw 2 Tim. 3.5 and notwithstanding we and they declared this Tyranny in the Bishops the words are To lock up the Printing-Presses against whom they please was in the Bishops time complained of Vid. Guilford-Declar p. 10. as one of the great Oppressions Yet this is revived upon us which is the reason the good people of the Nation are so deceived and prejudiced about us and our Principles whiles we are not suffered to publish the truth and our enemies false Reports of us pass cum privilegio all over the Countries 2 The Prisonopprobries abuses and injurries especially at Lambeth 2. The marvelous Trials which I have encountered with in the flesh since Imprisonment have much impeded my appearing in Publick until now and albeit I have forborn hitherto making publike complaint of the worse then Romane tyranny upon us for the exercising of our faith and patience that in all well-doing we might suffer with joy and that our consolation in Christ might abound and that Jehovah whom we serve to whom vengeance and truth belongeth might take the matter into his hands onely Yet because of the loud Obloquies lend Lyes Invectives and ungodly reports which pass without examination from one to another upon me on purpose to reflect upon this blessed Cause and faith we contend for and for that some have greedily made such use of those loose Tales and do conclude upon it that Silence argues Guilt and gives advantage to all sorts good and bad to accumulate their most amarulent and uncharitable censures some precious friends have prevailed with me for the Truths sake the Lord knows without the least desire to justifie my self for I leave that to my Lord and Master or delight to rake into the rank and sordid excrements of mens mouthes or pleasure in their unhandsom nakedness for I take little delight to inculcate their lapses or incivilitiâ—s to us in this Cause and can be better content my conscience bears me witness to sit down in silence then to take so much as notice of the foaming and frothy agitations of some pragmatick and unquiet heads these Times But the Truth Cause and persecuted Saints do expect some Account at my hands it seems of the particular harsh usage I and my family met with under this Power in Lambeth-House and since where I was for above five and thirty weeks and then sent to Windsor-Castle the 31 of 1 mon. 1655. with two Messengers who deliver'd me up Prisoner here a little after Noon I was fetch'd out of my bed the 27 day of 4 mon. in 1654 early in the morning and at night after all day waiting I was sent to Lambeth-prison being very ill and distemper'd with a Fever yet for all that at 11 in the night did a Messenger rap at the gates call'd another of the Messengers who was going into his bed made him put on his clothes again to assist him and so they came both with Harding the under-Goaler to carry me at that time of night I knew not whither nor would they tell me but being very ill on the bed and my wife also unready I told them I was not Able prayed them to let me alone for that one night told them The righteous man was merciful to a Beast and were a Beast of theirs horse or Cow so ill or little able to stir they would be more merciful with many other Arguments I and my wife also desired them to forbear that night but they said they had Orders from Sergeant Dendy to remove me presently and I must not stay one of them speaking very high and threatning The issue was They
seeing I am out at the King's the Lord Christ's charges and not at mine own 1 Cor. 9.7 For who goeth to warfare at his own charges Praefat. in 3 Serm. 4 Tom. Hieron p. 408. I have been a little tedious which I confess with Erasmus is my fault as well as others multi mei similes hoc morbo laborant ut cum scribere nesciant tamen a scribendo temperare non possint and this is a disease then they are apt to fall into that think they shall never write more to write much as once for all especially since this TREATISE will be so large and the matter of it so lively and important and seeing the opposition of our Persecutors and of those that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are Cromwell fied have necessitated so much for an INTRODUCTION Now in the name of JEHOVAH-TSADEK our JEHOVAH-JIREH who will be seen in the Mount am I ready to present and publish these Apocaliptick Accounts Documents and Prophesies to all the True yet few NATHANIELS of our Times that wait with a high Faith and holy Patience in all wel-doing and wel-suffering for the approaching Day of Christ and his Kingdom work especially to the spiritually enlightned Churches and Saints those of them that are left and kept faithfull Pastors and others of the same hope with us separate from Babylon whole Babylon as well Civill Military as Ecclesiastick and so growing up together into ONE a one Body a Temple-state or the Tabernacle open'd in heaven where the Viols or Vengeance of the Lord of the Lamb of the Martyrs of his Saints and of his Temple must Issue out shortly and upon whom the Day of the Lord is come I see from Mount Pisgah it is begun yea already begun as 1 Pet. 4.17 by purging sifting trying separating discovering quickning afflicting and refining I say to those DEAR ONES or Jewels of the Lord and the Lamb with all the Love Life and Light which I received from above with the abnegation of all that I am from below and so with the grace and humility of both I most heartily offer a few yeers pains search and teachings from the Holy one unto them and lay my judgement at their feet in these weighty matters of Christ if I may but get them published in all the blessed properties principles and prophecies of the Kingdom to be revealed on earth in these last daies for which we now contend and trust shall unto the END with Triumph and Rejoycing Even so Amen Rouz up O Remnant setch a shout O Saints O Churches sing For such a Light is breaking out Will make your ears to ring O Glorious Ray ah Blessed Day Which the Anointing sheweth For thus the Saint in Covenant Shall have the Present Truth From a Friend to a Friend THe BOOKS mentioned by the Author of those publique Prophecies out of Daniel Revelation Prophets and Apostles of old and New Test the fifth Kingdom prepared in Pathmos or in Prison and Exile Teavels among â—is sweetest visits and visions of God and in the still voice are very strangely it seems miscarried without Time and Providence do recover them and so discover him or them that had a hand in hindring or stifling of them Only the Introductory part to the first Treatise or Prison-born Morning-beams are preserved and gotten together as the occasion of his falling upon so large a Systeme so some part of his suffâ—rings at Lambeth untill Winsor which therefore we have added unto his Heart-appeale having been hardly kept and collected that the view of present persecution mâ—y be the more clear and this History the more complent though to my knowledge many things are omitted passages left out fleeced and sheered round as they lifted that had them to do before we could bring it to this passe in publique besides much more which in time may be added if need be as some of us hear of severall reasonings between him and O. P. him and Souldiers him and Ministers him and many Adversaries upon the matters of our faith in the things of Christ this his betrayed cause and Kingdom-work besides what sufferings have been added since these Papers came from him to this CHAINE But in the mean time it may appear by this what the servants of the Lord do pass through at this Day by these powers of the Beast such fore trials remarkable passages and experiences of Persecution as may make them that have said it is no Persecution now very Mutes for very shame and their eares tingle to hear of such a height of tyranny profaneness and impiety among them as may awaken our Friends and favourers of Sion to their Work and Watch and as may revive once more amongst us the blessed memory of the yet bleeding MARTYRS and the Cloud of Witnesses whose examples are before as in this Cause that we also may be made FAITHFUL unto death therein His cup of Affliction hath been deep for this Day and Nation but yet sweet and if so be the report of ONES suffering do sound so what would the WHOLE do of all the suffering ones this day in England for the good Cause a good Christ a good Conscience but another a new Book of Martyrs a fair Garden full of purple Roses and pure Lillies which the Beloved is gone down to gather Cant. 6.2 But the Cain-like cruelty keeps off the report at present till the blood of Abel be heard out of the earth I mean them of whom the World is not worthy that have witnessed with such boldness to the Kingdom Work Cause and Principles of Righteousness Now upon these Papers at last produced and extraordinarily preserved out of the Catch-pole Clutches can we now be thankeful to our heavenly Lord and Father for them and for that some are yet kept constant and faithful through Christ in sufferings for to you it is given saies the Apostle every one in his place as he is called to contest against this the last Beast Rev. 13. Some tried some tempted some plundered some prisoned some barbarously used and set upon by the enemy some hurt and some maimed and many immur'd and injur'd yet others ready to succeed them and to bring up what is behind the Lord assisting supporting and sweetning all unto them Yea methinks the most High saies to each one of those Sufferers Well done thou good and faithful Servant and as Mat. 24.46 Blessed is the Servant who when his Lord cometh he shall find so doing for now I have proved thee I have tried thee I have fifted and shifted thee now I know that thou lovest me and fearest God! Wherefore I have sworn by my self that in blessing I will blesse thee and in multiplying I will multiply thee c. And mine oaths are not like Mens It may be these sufferings may work upon some that hear them they have on some that saw them yea even amongst the Souldiers for we hear that one of them formerly busie is now wounded and touched in
and their sake Ephes 3.1 2. and 4.1 Col. 1.24 Phil. 1.7 That I am bound with this double chaine or double Honour of imprisonment and banishment from year to year it being in their cause and not in my own and for the kingdome of the Lord Jesus purely that we are thus persecuted and not for any carnal interest of men yea because we dare not in conscience had we a milian of lives to loose for one strike in with a carnall kingdome or cursed thing of man it being for the faith and truth of the gospel of the kingdome preached for a Witnesse Mat. 24.14 and of the little book yea for the hope of all the Israel of God whether Christians or Iews who wait for the Messiah and his kingdome that I am bound thus beaten banished and so barbarously handled being one of the weakest and unworthiest Vessels of those gracious ones of the Lord my dear con-captives and co-exiles that are thus used for the kingdome of Christs sake I cannot I dare not I ought not to bury all with me in this iron-grave or exile but for the publick use for the truths sake yea for the prosperity to come I would publish a a little more for a Prologue to this piece of that persecution which is upon us and so contract all into a few conclusions or experimented observations and then fall upon the maine matter of the banished-mans Vision in this Isle out of the little Book Rev. 10.10 and from the Voice of the seven thunders the Lord assisting me But as Ignatius said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the more pain the more gain They brought me into the wide jaw of Winsor Castle the 31. day of the first Moneth 1655. delivering my body up to that Den of Leopards according to this order from their angry Masters procured by Serj. Denby whom the Draggon hath given a power unto for a time and times and a divident but he acts like a Serpent full subtilly Rev. 12.14 These are to will and require you to receive into your custody from the hands of Edward Denby Esq Serj. at arms attending the Councel or his Deputy the body of Mr. Joh. Rogers and him safely to keep prisoner in Winsor Castle untill you shall receive further order from the Councel hereof you are not to faile and for so doing this shall be your sufficient warrant Given at Whitehall this 30th day of March 1655. To the Governour of Winsor Castle or his Deputy Signed in the name and by the order of the Councel Hen. Lawrence President Thus Serj. Denby by his great sedulity and industry to execute his and the other Goalers anticedanean threats and malice upon monstrous reports of my preaching out at the prison grates got this Order by sollicitation and to screw up his power to the highest peg of severity he sent strick orders to his under goaler that neither man woman nor childe should come at me nor any one of my Family stir out so much as for food mony or any other necessaries whatsoever insomuch much as my friends who came to visit me were forced to stand in the street with souldiers at their heels to hear what we said whiles I spake out at the Yron bars unto them and in the night when no one of my friends or acquaintance might hear a word thereof he sent a Messenger very late to bid me be ready by six in the morning for I must be carried on the other side the Water this being the first notice I had of their secret designe nor would he tell me whether to whom or for what nor as then show me any order for it nor would he suffer any one of my friends to know of it which was the greater tryall at the instant I being unprovided with necessaries if they should carry me away or put me to any journy but to my great astonishment I heard some calling under my prison-winddows almost all night and by day-break very much whom we thought our enemies till the morning discovered them to be our friends who by a speciall hand of providence was raised out of their beds and had heard a rumour that I was to be carried away that morning by day-break so they came to see for it seems as close as they carried it unto us a man and an enemy who heard of it that night at White-hall by one who told the other of it with very great privacy could not keep it in but when he came to the three Crane-wharf in London he told a good woman or her daughter of it for news what he had over-heard at White-hall not knowing that friend had any relation to me if she knew me who indeed as my heavenly Father ordered it was a Sister of our Church Society so that she could not reft but went to some others of the Church and thus in the night one called up another at a venture and by the blessed hand of the Lord severall of my Freinds came to hear of it and waited at the prison gates where I was to come out with many tears and prayers and supplyes of my wants but the Ruffians struck shoved and pushed them away what they could and hurried me from them and so carried me to Winsor Castle That day word was given before to the Governour of the Castle and by Orders the Souldiers were set on both sides with their Arms and Matches light to receive the prisoner comming but when they saw me come in some of the Officers told me they were ready to sink down in the place where they stood they expecting some Cavaleer or lewd person rather and not me as they said to be so dealt with some of them knowing me both in this Nation and in Ireland and looking upon one another with amazement saw it an apparent persecution as they said upon good men for their consciences and the Cause of Christ After a longer attendance I was put into a little room which had one little window and which did so excessively smoake that the winde and the stink of a house of filth made it worse than a prison if in that cold season we would keep a fire the very coales thereof being blown into the room about but I ran to the door to ease my eys a little and to take some ayre thinking to have walked a little in the yard but it was denyed me the Centinels standing at my doore to keep me in yet afterwards for very shame and perhaps pitty I had more liberty and the centinels were taken off which continued till the 6th of the third moneth ensuing But a word or two to the Order you may observe as in this so in the former and all the rest of their Orders concerning me that ever I could see the Coppies of which are by me there is not a tittle of any CAUSE mentioned why they have so persecuted imprisoned and since banished me nor have they any colour but what they would I think blush for
turpia nullâ spe invitabitur 8. For that the enemies are very empty dry and withered whiles we are geâ—en sappy and growing blessed be our God as Psal 104.16 The trees of the Lord are full of sapp for we find our Spirits full our hearts full and hopes full and our faith full in a sense for this cause of our Lord Jesus full of comfort of life and of courage and of peace thorough believing which come amain upon us whiles our enemies are like the Hypocrites Isa 33. surprised with fearfullnesse yea Mager-mysabib is written about them as Mâ—stery is upon them Rev. 17.5 a sure signe to us and a token for good 9. In that on both sides the main body seems to be marching up because the forlorne hope is already so hotly ingaged with downright blowes as on our side with the truth and testimony they or their side with down-right point blank blasphemy and persecution so that not onely the heads Rev. 13.1 but the whole body of the Beast Rev. 17.3 is full of blasphemy and both sides are fallen on so that the next news I am like to hear after this forlorn is a fight and fight of the main bodies on both sidâ—â— or the â—ife of the holy Camp the holy City trod on these 42. months Rev. 11.2 and the pitching of Maher-shalabhashbaz's great Tent Esa 8.1 For the 3. great things which I wait to see and hear are the great Tent and Trumpet Esa 27.13 Deut. 23.10 the great Bone-fire and flame Rev. 19 20. and 17.16 and the great Sun or light of seaven dayes with seaven eyes and by the seaven spirits Esa 30.26 ch 60.19 Rev. 21.23 10. In that our new Covenant propriety in God our Father continues unto us sure and well ordered in all things in all conditions in Prisons Exiles Plunderings Reproaches Dungeons Wants Death and judgements in seperable c. still we can say our God though a consuming Fire Heb. 12.29 though Eli Eli Lamasabachthani yet Eli Eli that is we cannot fall the subjects of Gods wrath though of mans no not when the Violls come to be poured out for none are the in execution of them but who are above them but all and those onely that are under them shall fall as the subjects of his wrath or the third Wo which is at hand now this is no little comfort to us to whom God is Love yea all Love and all together Love in our Prisons But Lastly in that Sion is in travell of a male-child which makes the paines the greater and the more difficult for a man-child must be borne Isa 9.6 the Sonne of God and heir of althings in heaven and earth Heb. 12. yea the Sonne of Abraham and heir of the Promise and Covenant yea the Sonne of David or heir of the Kingdomes and Crownes of the world the Sonne of Mary and heir of all mankind yea the Sonne of Sion and only heir of the Generation-Work that of this male-child is Sion now in travell with according to Isa 26.17 18 Like as a woman with child that draweth near the time of her delivery is in pain and crâ—eth out in her pangs so are we in thy sight O Lord We have been with child we have been in pain but it is a male-Spirit not a female low Fourth Monarchy-Spirit but a most noble high couragious invincible heaven-borne Spirit that must be brought forth by all these pains persecutions and travells for in the primitive times when the woman was in her travell of this male-Child the Dragon Government did so persecute her that he stood ready to devoure him as soon as he was borne or brought forth into the world and this man-child of Government Christ in the ministration of the Fifth Kingdome Isa 9.6 7. was then caught up unto God and to his throne Rev. 12.5 6.4.2 3.5.6 13. and the Woman or Spiritual Church who after long travell and pain brought forth this blessed truth of the Reign of Christ on earth or the Fifth Kingdome who was forced into the Wildernesse for the 1260. dayes so that now at the end of the 42. moneths or 1260. dayes is the Woman to come out of the Wildernesse and this malechild of Government to come down from God again and to rule all Nations with his rod of iron it is true that he was travelled with in the Heathen Emperours dayes with great perils and pains as appears by the Apologies of Justin Martyr to Antoninus Pius which I read at Winfor and afterwards of Tertullian and some others but he was not born untill the Christian Emperours dayes especially when Jovinian Valentinian c. were Emperours who themselves were Fanters and Professors of the Reign of Christ and are chronicled for Millenaries c. as I have proved in Prison b. Treat but almost as soon as he was thus born he was caught up to God to be forth comming again at the end of the 1260. dayes and therefore Rev. 12.5 She brought forth a man child as mellei poimainein who was about to rule all Nations with a rod of iron not who did it as some say it of Constantine but he was borne ready as if he should rule all but the Lord took him up till the period of the Beasts dominion or the 1260. dayes suffering were over which declares evidently that this male-Spirit will up again speedily for the Reign of Christ with his rod of iron sword and Lawes over all Nations and the overcomming Saints Rev. 2.26 27. or those that have victory over the Bâ—est c. Rev. 15.2 3. shall take the Kingdomes for ever Dan 7.18.22 and thus the man-child must come down from heaven from the throne and from god only in that the God of heaven alone shall set up this kingdome which shall never be destroyed but break all others in pieces Dan. 2.44 and in that ver 45. the Stone is cut out with out hands onely fitted and brought forth from Mount Sion by the Spirit of the Lord the Mount out of which it falls Dan. 2.45 being Sion and the Mount into which it becomes being Moriah Dan. 2.35 or the two Mountains of Brasse mentoned Zach. 6.1 Now the Spirit of the Lord and of the Lamb who hath the seaven Spirits sent forth into all the earth Rev. 5.6.4.5 brings it down unto us so that the man-child must thus come down from God and his throne who was till this time taken up to God and his throne but as I have had a little share I blesse the Lord for his grace in these fresh travells pains of Sion to bring forth this man-child Isa 66.7 Jer. 30.6 7. Isa 51. So have I been abundantly in my bonds taught of the Lord the truth of these thingâ— which I have not time nor utterance for at present nay so good hath my God been to me in this Pathmos School that I think I could almost say it without the least Ostentation and only to the glory of Gods rich grace unto mee