encline to an Imitation of what 's bad and sinful But now to be born of Christian Parents yea such who are of the stricter sort surely this can be no less than distinguishing Mercy If it be a Mercy to Children to be train'd up in the Nurture and Fear of the Lord to be taught to be Religious by the Example of such Parents If a Mercy to Children to be in Covenant with God to have a Stock of Prayers laid up in Heaven for them to have wholesom Counsel serious Instructions pious Reproofs refreshing Comforts and necessary Corrections If these things be Mercies as surely none will deny certainly then the Children of religious Parents have cause all their Days to bless God for such a Mercy Here 's now the advantage of Religious Education when a Parent or Governor's Conduct of Children committed to their Care is moderated betwixt the Extreams of an unwarrantable Indulgence and cruel Rigor when Parents so deport themselves in their good Conduct and Government that Children may both love and honour their Presence when they are not too fond lest Children should not fear them nor too stern lest they should fear them too much Well! good Parents I bless God for As to my Brother Daniel in his younger Years he and I being both Abroad and at great Distance each from the other I had not the advantage of making particular Remarks He had his Learning and Education in part at the Lady Hussy's with Mr. Birkitts and after that with Mr. Ferguson both of them Non-conforming Ministers He marry'd pretty young Katherine one of the Daughters of Henry Fynes of Kirkstead Esq a Coheir by whom he had several Children four of them yet living and hopeful She proved a most tender loving Wife a dear Parent and a gracious Christian for many Years before she was summoned from Earth to Heaven which was on May the 16th 1690. A farther account of her some Letters in this Book contain I the said Gervase Disney being but a weak Child while young by reason of the Rickets I had in a high degree was as tenderly regarded and brought up much Care was taken of me especially by my Mother than whom I believe there can't be any more loving kind and tender-hearted breathing I could not by reason of my Weakness go till about eight years Old but long before that I fear could run swiftly enough in the Ways of Sin and Vanity In these Years I cannot say that I had the least sense of the Corruption of my Nature and the Evil of Sin upon my Heart Several Years I was carried in the Arms of one Anne Carlton a Servant in our Family who constantly attended me Bent enough I was to play and therefore for some Years had a constant way of Hitching about upon a Cushion the better to follow and join with my Brothers and Sisters in their Sports when by reason of the Rickets my Legs would not carry me The first Tidings of my Walking alone was welcome Tidings to my Father and Mother and brought by my Uncle Lee then a Tabler at our House at Lincoln for the Benefit of Free-School-Learning It seems he and the other Children were engaged in some kind of Sports that I had an Eagerness to pursue when finding I could not follow fast enough by Hitching did strangely and suddenly adventure a trial of Skill after them upon my Legs holding by Tables and Stools as I went along But O what a Miracle of Mercy am I to the Glory of God be it spoken who am now arriving the 48th Year of my Age having for most of these Years been healthful and strong and little acquainted with Sickness when as for several Years when a Child I was so weak that few thought I could live many Months O that I should out-live Seven of my Brothers and Sisters so many Years who were all of them so much stronger and most of them so much younger than my self But God's Ways and Thoughts are not as ours Surely as some times yea often I have thought God has something extraordinary for me to do tho the meanest and unworthiest of all his Servants only this I have learn'd through Grace to say heartily and chearfully Speak Lord for thy Servant desires to hear send me Lord upon any Errand and set me about any Work whether doing or suffering and I thy Servant desires faithfully to attend it If I may have but thy Presence with me and thy Supports and Comforts to refresh me in my way I shall be content I being in Childhood so long weak was not sent to School till about 12 or 13 years Old and then to the Free-School at Lincoln but did not altogether lose my time before for my honoured and good Aunt Thorneton who was with my Mother mostly from her Marrying with my Father did instruct me in my English Learning Indeed to most if not all of us she was both Nurse and Instructer my Mother having Children thickly and nursing us all herself was rendred less capable and therefore my dear Aunt 's Service was much more grateful and acceptable I went not to School of several Years and when I did made but little Proficiency having an aversness to-Learning or rather to Study the burdensom part of it my Inclination and Fancy working rather to other Things as Writing Herauldry Musick c. and these Exercises I used not only as Diversion but spent all the Time I could ever be Master of in them My Father therefore perceiving me to decline Learning gave me my choice of any Trade I inclined most to a Herauld-Painter having by frequent Practice arrived at tolerable Perfection in that Art But that Employ being judged to be too burdensom to an Apprentice I inclin'd to be bound to a Bookseller the advantage of many Authors and a good Library being to me the main Inducement But that Mr. Robinson told my Father was a declining Trade At last it was concluded with the Approbation of all concerned for me that I must be bound for 7 Years to my Cousin Mr. Martin Oglethorp a Silk-man and Merchant in Lombard-street London And there I was placed about the Year 1661 and about the 18th or 19th Year of my Age. There alas my Carriage and Deportment was such that I have cause to bewail my Folly being not so diligent and careful in my Service as I ought to have been in answer to a good Education the Lord had blessed me with These particular Sins I remember I was too frequently guilty of viz. wasting my Master's Time by employing too much in my own Service and that generally to my Disadvantage neglect of Duties Equivocation studiously contrived for the covering concealing and hiding other Faults which then I remember the Devil and my own naughty Heart perswaded me was not Lying yet since through Grace I have learnt to know was no better being intended and contrived for the deceiving of others And thus I have most wickedly
stand At th' Bar of Prisoners holding up his Hand Methinks I see and doleful Sight it is Judas betraying Jesus with a Kiss I hear them mock and jear the glorious King Instead of Scepter they a Reed him bring They spit on 's Face and 's blessed Head adorns With nothing but a pricking Crown of Thorns The Souldiers wag their Heads and on him rail'd And forc'd him bear the Cross to which he 's nail'd They pierc'd his Sides with Spears and at him wink And gave him Vinegar and Gall to drink I see the Virgins following with their Cries With Countenances sad and bleared Eyes I see my Lord look towards them and say Weep not for me but for your selves I pray I hear them quickly making this Reply How can we chuse but weep when thou must die Our Hearts are full and must have some Relief They either now must burst or melt with Grief O wicked Tyrants cursed bloody Jews Knew you but who it is that you thus use You would weep too and could no longer grudg To shed some Tears for him who now you judg Meditations in Verse upon John 6. 36. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out GOod News indeed from Christ I hear That all the Father has given Vnto my Blessed Lord shall come And never miss of Heaven Then come O Soul and coming know Thou hast no cause to doubt For he that cannot lie hath said He will not cast thee out Object 1. Ah says the Soul I 'm cloy'd with Sin Can such an one as I Take any saving step to Christ No surely I must die By Adam's Fall I lost my Strength Ability and Power And how can I move after Christ Who'm sinning every Hour Answer Well yet take Courage thou mayst come The Master calls Arise They that but come he never will Cast off in any wise Object 2. Tell me says Soul but how I may Know when I come aright Resolve me this and then through Grace I 'le come with all my Might Answer Well Sinner see thy self then lost And wretchedly undone Till Heart and Mind be both inclin'd To rest on Christ alone Does now thy Heart work after Christ Is Sin thy burthen Soul Then come away for now thou mayst Vpon thy Saviour roul Object 3. Ah says the Sinner though I find A willingness to come To Jesus Christ as being lost Yet all my Work 's not done My End I fear cannot be good Self in this choice I cherish I take a Christ to give me Life As knowing else I perish Answer Well Sinner yet though this be all Thy present End and Aim In taking Christ thou welcome art For he has said the same The Argument that Christ does use Encouragement to give To Sinners to come in to him Is that they turn and live Yea he upbraids the Jews though they Were now with him at Strife Ye will not come to me says he That I may give you Life Come then for Life though that be all At present in thine Eye Thou dost believe that Christ can save And therefore to him fly Object 4. Ah! but I find says one poor Soul My Pace to Christ so slow That I can hardly sometimes tell Whether I come or no. Answer Well we 'll admit that this poor Soul Be verily thy Case Yet canst thou say Lord draw me on And I shall mend my Pace Thy Frame in Duties thou find'st sad Thy Pulse beats very slow Yet if but beating after Christ Take Courage Soul and go Come on to Christ bewail thy Sloth If he but see thee weeping For those faint Steps thou tak'st to him He 'll welcome thee though creeping Object 5. Ah! says another coming Soul Here 's this does sorely out I come so late to Mercy 's Gate I fear the Door is shut Answer Well coming Sinner come away Though thou but come at last To Christ thou' rt welcome if thou dost Come now more quick and fast He that came in at th' eleventh Hour Though idle all the Day Being sent to work with other Men At Night had equal pay The Thief that hung upon the Cross Did late for Mercy cry Shew Mercy Lord to me a Wretch And that before I die Welcome says Christ I 've heard thy Prayer And happy thou shalt be I 'm going up to Paradise And thou shalt be with me He stood it out to th' very last Yet Mercy did obtain O then delaying Souls to Christ You cannot come in vain Object 6. Well says another I am fall'n Since I began to come To Jesus Christ and therefore fear For such there is no room Answer Why truly Falls poor Soul are sad They wound the Conscience sore And cause the Enemies of God Reproachfully to roar Yet know O Soul thou arguest wrong For want of Scripture-Light Thus to conclude because of Falls Thy coming was not right If David and King Solomon And Peter that bright Star Had argued thus against themselves They'd mist the Matter far Thou' rt coming unto God poor Soul And may expect it well The Devil will do what he can To trip thee down to Hell The World the Flesh the Devil all Will now against thee roar Then wonder not at single Falls But that thou gets no more The Child i' th Gospel you shall find To Christ no sooner coming But th' Devil threw him down and tore For to prevent his running The Lord upholdeth his that fall So much he does them prize That though by sinful slips they fall Through Grace he 'll makethem rise Well falling Sinner haste to Christ Thou never needs to doubt But he that helps thee up when down Will never cast thee out Object 7. But I am dead the Sinner says What Comfort can you give Answer The Dead shall hear my Voice says God And they that hear shall live Object 8. But I 'm a Captive bound in Chains And fettered by Sin Answer Yet this Word Shall come unto Christ Will quickly fetch thee in Object 9. I 'm blind and cannot see my way Through th' Darkness of my Mind And how can such come unto Christ The way he cannot find Answer Thy Blindness Soul cannot obstruct If thou thy Blindness see I 'le lead says God in Paths untrod To bring such Souls to me I will make Darkness Light to them And crooked Things most streight And this benighted Souls shall find If they upon me wait Object 10. Ah but my Case is still far worse I have not sinn'd alone But others by Example I The way to Sin have shown They that turn many Souls I find To Righteousness shall shine As Stars above for ever more But this Case is not mine Answer Well here 's yet Comfort in those Days Says he that cannot lie Iniquity shall sought for be But none shall it espy Object 11. Well but methinks I hear a Soul Bemoaning thus and cry It 's Faith I
came to see my need of Christ and to be satisfied that a single Christ would be of more worth than ten thousand Worlds and these were the Texts of Scripture that did much revive me viz. That Christ Jesus came into the World to save Sinners and that the Gospel-Tenders of him was to such And that the Covenant-Terms of Salvation were attainable thrô assisting Grace Isai 1. 18. Come now let 's reason together saith the Lord Though your Sins be as Scarlet they shall be white as Snow and though they be red as Crimson they shall be as Wool O what Encouragement is here thought I for me a Sinner who though but young in Years was yet old in Sin And another encouraging Scripture I often thought on was Prov. 28. 13. He that confesses and forsakes his Sin shall find Mercy And Isai 55. 7. Let the Wicked for sake his Way and the unrighteous Man his Thoughts and let him turn unto the Lord and he will have Mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon I then to encourage my return to God and the forsaking of my Sins thought of the great Sinners that had obtain'd Mercy such as Manasseh Mary Magdalen and some of the very Jews that had been guilty of the Blood of Christ and had murdered the Son of God yet through Repentance and Faith in Christ many of them were pardoned and saved nay Paul that eminent Pattern of God's free Grace to great Sinners and David and others of God's Dear Children that had foully faln was Encouragement to me a Prodigal now to arise and go to my Father Now I began to set upon a Course of Duties which when I found I was pretty strict in the performance of I begun too much to rest upon them Now I was for believing but hardly knew how to believe that Christ died for Sinners so as to throw my self and rest wholly upon him and to think my Tears and Prayers and other Duties will do me no good in point of Justification When I had served in my Apprenticeship about four Years my eldest Brother Cornelius being dead some short time before it pleasing the Lord to visit the City with the Plague which began in the Street in which I lived upon which my Father prevailed with my Master to give me leave to retire into the Country to him during that Visitation Accordingly I came down in the Year 1665 to my Father's House then at Swinder by And then began other Sins to appear in me as the product or Remainders of Corruption in my Nature I have great cause to bewail and lament that proud Garb I came from London in having I do believe expended as much for one Sute of Clothes as would have clothed compleatly 40 poor Servants of Jesus Christ For which Equipage I contracted much Debt in London which my Father after paid I had then so proud an Humour that I thought this Dress thô excessively Gaudy was but suitable to my Rank thô alas much beyond it This Vanity I can hardly think of without Blushing Yet now living an idle Life and being dreadfully puft up with Pride tho alas alas I had nothing in the World to be proud of but rather to be humbled for I presently was under Temptation to think that I must now carry it out and live at the Rate of my Father's Eldest Son and not as Mr. Oglethorp's Apprentice and Servant Now it was that tho indeed I durst not much associate with wicked Companions that were Strangers tho Neighbours to me yet I did it too much with those that were Relations and thought that Relation would justify that practice not considering the Snares of it I there made too many sinful Slips went often to Norton and Norwell where I met with such Company as had not Free-Grace sustained me had certainly ruined me both as to my Principles and Practices There it was I fell to the Practice of good Fellowship most undeservedly so called and then have been perswaded to think that time well spent could sometimes most wickedly triumph in my Ability to bear strong Drink not considering the sad Woe in Scripture denounced against such At that time I learn'd to drink and game and smoak Tobacco and trifle c. and spent by Perswasion of others tho my bad Heart was most to blame not only Days but Nights in those kind of Excesses And here I cannot but observe how unwilling the Devil was to lose me who so lately had been his Prey and led captive by him at his pleasure But yet after these Relapses for ever magnified be distinguishing Love the Lord graciously gave me a Check and after some Reproofs and Advice from Parents and serious Friends I again begun to consider my Ways Conscience was startled and begun to do the Office of a faithful Monitor And this Scripture was often in my Thoughts and sounded terribly in mine Ears He that being often reproved and hardeneth his Heart shall suddenly be destroyed and that without Remedy Much precious Time I did waste and trifle away in those Days in sinful Delights and Pleasures the want of which I now sadly experience Several Gentlewomen one after another I courted being invited thereto by one Friend or other and too many of my Addresses of that Nature were too extravagant inconsiderate and sinful which the Lord has humbled me much for since From Swinderby I went to Barkston with my Father and his Family who went to settle there for the sake of Mr. Trott the Minister of that Town and a worthy good Man whilst there I went sometimes to Grantham to hear some Non-Conformist Ministers as there was opportunity for their Preaching which was but seldom much Soul-advantage I received then through the Lord's Blessing upon Mr. Sharp's Ministry who was then a Non-Conformist of very great Note After this my Father buying a House at Lincoln we removed to it and thither the Lord in his Providence sent holy humble and worthy Mr. Abdy to be Pastor of that Congregation for which he had Liberty by the King's Proclamation and Licence of Indulgence Here I delighted greatly to attend upon those Ordinances through God's Blessing upon which and an intimate Correspondence I held with him I received much benefit Then began I in good earnest to set my Face Heaven-ward and to mind the great Work the Lord sent me into and continued me in the World about Now began I not only to observe my private Retirements for Prayer but to pray in my Father's Family tho too hypocritically in those my first Attempts I have cause enough to believe However having cast a Look Heaven-wards Hell was presently in an Uproar the Devil storms at it my old Companions begin to upbraid me for it which yet the Lord gave me Grace to bear with Patience as knowing that I had much better bear and endure the Frowns of wicked Men for being Religious than the everlasting Frowns of the great God for not
inclin'd to expect or depend upon much of the World nor ever lay under the temptation of desiring any Friend's Death for my worldly Advance My Father 's most perswasive Letter for my living with him I answered largely the 22d of February 16â—5 After I had considered and debated the Thing deliberately advis'd with Friends sought God by Prayer and weigh'd Reasons for it and against it which was of late Years my constant Method for the deciding any difficult Case and answered him in the Negative for the Reasons under-written if he would please to approve of them which he did Reasons against leaving Nottingham such as these 1. We came to Nottingham with the concurring Consent of all our Friends now by removing further from them we must I see necessarily disoblige some 2. After my seeking God for Direction in the Matter and keeping a Day to that purpose at Roadenooke we found our Inclinations more to this place than any though Lincoln was before most in our Thoughts in compliance with Friends there 3. Here our main ends in coming have been answered viz. the enjoying the Gospel and the Society of good quickning Christians in this respect I thought few Towns priviledged like Nottingham 4. Here God has used me as an Instrument though the weakest of good to some and I know not what further Service he may have for me here in this Place 5. Here we have the Love of all sober Christians and Favour beyond Expectation from different-minded Magistrates 6. Here God has providentially disposed and committed to me the Education of Children yea the Children of Religious Parents And I think I cannot so faithfully discharge that Trust nor answer the end of him I honoured now with God if whilst I may I have them not under my Eye especially whilst so young 7. Both my Wife and my Self are very much averse to Tabling for many Reasons 8. Another Reason that I thought material at that time was this I can by no means away with a Country-Life I having here the advantage of improving my self and doing good to others I cannot expect in a Country-Retirement 9. I have some Years unexpired in my Lease of this House I am in 10. I have taken several Tablers These Reasons fully satisfied my Father Disney and Mother and I had their Leave to continue at Nottingham and here the Lord blessed me wonderfully though now and then I was under the rebukes of Providence yet was stisfied all was in love to my Soul and to the advantage of my Inner-Man Several Troubles I met with upon account of my Nonconformity though I did believe and did accordingly practise that it was my Duty to go as far as I could with a safe Conscience in obeying the Authority I liv'd under And was perswaded in my own Breast That I could never take Comfort in those Sufferings I brought upon my self by not doing what Authority enjoin'd and I might lawfully comply with without Sin About April 1682 when the Spirit of Persecution grew hot in Nottingham and much of the Malice of the Magistrates seem'd to be levelled against me I thought I had a Call and was thereupon resolved with the Concurrence of God to remove and that as sometimes we thought to London grounding my Opinion of the Lawfulness of it upon some Reasons but especially upon that Text of Scripture If they persecute yon in one City flee to another For about half a year I sought Counsel of God in the thing having always a desire to be where God would have me But having all this while by my self and Friends us'd all the means I could to provide a convenient Habitation I met with constant Disappointments as to those Houses which lay most convenient for the Management of my Affairs which were Shipley Codgrave and Brameote and as for London I was perswaded it was too remote from my Business and too far distant from Friends On October the 19th 1682 Winter being far come on and Ways bad I took up a Resolution with the advice of Friends to settle at my own House in Nottingham that I had bought upon the High-Pavement These were the Reasons that prevailed with me 1. Most of those whom I consulted with were of opinion where-ever I went I should be liable to Sufferings if I kept from sinful Compliances and might be as safe in Nottingham as elsewhere 2. God did at that time wonderfully incline my Self and Wife to make a trial of that House 3. It was at that time providentially at liberty the Tenant I had being gone and the House upon my hands And here though blessed be God from my Marriage I did not neglect Family-Duties I set upon a more strict conscionable and methodical Discharge of all the Duties of Religion both Publick Family and Private than before and did strive against the Sins of my Constitution which I found were Pride of Heart and Passion c. Many Troubles I met with and was often disturbed yet it was not throÌ„ Mercy for sinning against God but serving him Much Money it cost me to take off Fines and Excommunications Some Ministers were taken being Lodgers at those times at my House as Mr. Barrett and Mr. Shelverdine Upon Mr. Shelverdine's Taking I find this Memorandum in my Diary viz. The first Day I begun the course of having Ministers to help me in my Sabbath-day-work Mr. Shelverdine being that Day the Person my Sister Wigley who liv'd then by us desired might take the first turn and begin the Work He was taken by an Officer at the Lady Berresford's who had desired some help from him and was committed to Prison where he lay some Weeks but was as soon as might be with Mr. Barrett who was afterwards taken at my House released out of Prison by the said Lady Berresford's Kindness who paid down 40 l. for that purpose they having both suffered in her Service And now methinks I have cause to fear my Sins had a hand in stripping me of such a Mercy and O that my heavenly Father would shew me wherefore he thus contends with me It looks in my Apprehension as if the Lord judg'd me and my Family unworthy of such a Blessing as the Gospel is The Lord pardon those Sins that thus provok'd him and give me to understand so dark a Dispensation but in all my Sufferings I still experienced much of the Goodness of God in moderating often the Spirits of Men towards me in raising me up Friends and in restraining some that had very ill Will though without cause against me Well now I soon found Nottingham too hot longer to hold me and my Thoughts went much upon removing but wither I could not tell though a speedy Removal was necessary I being under the Sentence of Excommunication and feared a Writ would be soon taken out And besides I found that there was no way to take off that Sentence which I feared most upon the account of Orphans and others business lodged in my Hands
surmount Who then is like the Lord our God Who though of highest worth Humbles himself for to behold Both Things in Heav'n and Earth The Poor from Dust he raises High And from the Dunghil brings The Needy prest with Misery To sit enthron'd with Kings The Barren he does cause to bear Such Joyful Mothers shall In their own Houses Children rear Praise ye the Lord for all An Hymn upon Prov. 28. 13. He that covereth his Sins shall not prosper c. And upon the Doctrine raised by Mr. C. March 27 86. THE Sinner thinks by hiding Sin It shall not come to Light Because Man sees not be concludes It is not in God's sight But Folly great will soon appear In Sinners thus misled For he by cov'ring Sin pulls down Heaven's Wrath upon his Head Though he that hides Sin never shall Have quiet in his Mind He that confesseth and forsakes The same shall Mercy find An Hymn upon Matth. 16. 26. For what is a Man profited c. WHAT Can it profit any Man Though all the World he gain And by his sinful carking Cares What Heart can wish obtain If after all his Soul be lost What is 't he would not give To ransom his miscarry'ng Soul That it might ever live An Hymn upon Mr. N's Text Octob. 89 Prov. 30. 7 8 9. Two things have I required of thee c. TWO Things O Lord especially I beg thou 'lt please to give Deny me not before I die But grant 'em whilst I live Remove far from me Vanities Make Heart and Life both sound Let not deceitful Shifts and Lies Be with thy Servant found Lord give me neither Poverty Nor Wealth in too great store I beg what may convenient be And do desire no more Not Riches Lord lest too great share Make Pride become my Bane Nor Poverty lest I should steal And take thy Name in vain An Hymn upon Mr. M's Text May 29 1690. and Doctrine 1 Joh. 3. 9. Whosoever is born of God c. HE doth not sin that 's born of God His Seed in him remains He cannot sin as others do The Grace of God restrains He does not sin insensibly As carnal Men are prone But quickly feels its smart and pain And under it does groan Thorow Corruption which remains And best of Saints have got They are in Sin too apt to slip But constantly sin not He does not sin presumptuously Nor wilfully submit He does not overtake the Sin But is o're'tane by it And when through Frailty he does fall He quickly does arise He dare not rest and wallow in His Sin in any wise Lord give me Grace for to avoid The Pit the Sinner's in Keep back thy Servant from known Guile And from presumptuous Sin An Hymn upon Mr. D's Text Luk. 13. 24 25 26. Strive to enter in at the strait Gate c. STRIVE now to hit the narrow way And enter the strait Gate For not a few shall sadly rue Their striving when too late When once the Lord has shut the Door And those without begin To knock and cry in Misery Lord open let us in The Lord shall answer them and say Thus trembling at his Bar I never knew any of you I know not whence you are Then shall poor wretched Sinners urge And many of 'em say Lord have we not done this and that For thee in our Day 'T was in thy Presence we poor we Have ate and drank and sought We had thy Word O Blessed Lord And in our Streets thou 'st taught We 've prophesied in thy Name And mighty Works have done The Devils they did us obey We cast 'em out they run When as the Lord shall thus reply Go Sinners take your Lot In you I see Iniquity Depart I know you not VERSES upon the King of France's Persecution the Faithful Account being published in Prose turned into Verse by G. D. Decemb. 86. IN humane Monster what will nothing do But seize Estates and ruine Churches too Will nothing serve the turn but tear and rend And break in pieces Hearts that dare not bend Excuse me then if now I can't forbear To tell the World the Stories that I hear That some who stand amazed may perchance Humble this proud and bloody King of France Dragoons are called in to seize the Treasure And quarter upon Protestants at pleasure Guards they are plac'd at Gates with naked Swords With frightful Aspects domineering Words Watchmen stand lurking for to make a Prey Of all that would escape and get away This was the constant cry of Troopers Kill Destroy those damned Hereticks at will Be Catholicks ye Sots and now return Vnto our Faith or you'st do worse than burn How many weeping Eyes and Hearts do bleed To see their Friends as dying yet not dead Die they desire but those Rogues in grain Tell them they shall not die but live in Pain Estates they seized rifled Houses then Invented Torments new for those good Men. Babes from the Mothers Breasts these Tyrants tore Such Cruelties they acted o're and o're They enter Neighbours Houses at their Pleasure Take thence their Jewels Plate and other Treasure They left the owners nothing they thought worth The taking from them and their carrying forth Provision that they found they seiz'd with Joy And what they could not eat they did destroy They being fill'd the rest must go to 'th Swine They swore the Owners should be forc'd to Dine On harder Fare Nay to compleat their Grief They made it Penal for to give Relief To any one of those The hungry Bellies and the naked Backs From Doors of richer Men were forc'd to pack No Wickedness was scrupled that might tend The Projects of these Monsters to befriend Good Men were sighing forth their dol'rous Cries Whilst others Mouths were fill'd with Blasphemies Inhumanly they Protestants did vex Without regarding either Age or Sex Who would not yield that Popish Jugling Fools Should have the conduct of their precious Souls Who would not give up Reason and from thence Submit to Men that had not common Sense They soon did mark them out for to presage They were to be the Objects of their Rage They hung up Men or Women that they took Vpon a Gally-bauk or Chimney-hook Some by the Hair o' th Head some by their Feet And thus they served all they did think meet Smoak'd them with Wisps of Straw whilst hanging there Till they that Torment could no longer bear They took them down and if they would not then Quickly recant they 'd hang them up again Through Fiery Streams they caused them to wade In which consuming Torments many staid Till almost roasted this was their Intent New Torments for those Creatures to invent Many they hal'd with Ropes and let them down Into the deepest Pits in all the Town From whence they might not come till they could see By Hand and Seal they Catholicks would be Bound them as Criminals are ty'd alas And thus with pinion'd Fetters they must
wherein is Rending and Tearing Work with more of himself and the Influences of his Blessed Spirit O Brother it's one of the bravest Sights in the World to see a Christian in the Exercise of Grace sutable to the Dispensation to see him acting Faith Patience Humility Submission Resignation and Divine Joy in a time of pressing Affliction This will recommend Religion to the World and convince the Men of it there 's more in it than meer Talk Heartily glad we should be if you would come for a while to London to divert your self here among good Men I hope it might be for your Advantage and do conclude it highly necessary for you a while to leave Kirkstead we all send our hearty Remembrances to you and yours the Lord fit us all for our great and last Change and in the midst of our private Losses let us remember the Affliction of Sion So prays Your sympathizing Brother and Servant G. Disney POEMS The Damneds Doom or some Meditations in Verse upon the last great Sentence at the Day of Judgment made by me Jan. 1685 upon Mr. Dunton's Paraphrase of Mat. 25. 41. Depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Dunton's Heavenly Past-time pag. 96. HEark heark the Trumpet sounds the Court is met Christ as Chief Justice on the Bench is set Adorn'd with glorious Robes and rich Attire Not now abas'd on Earth advanced higher Guarded by Saints and Angels such as they Must all attend the Service of this Day He who when Prisoner here was forc'd to stand And at a Mortal's Bar hold up his Hand Was mock'd at spit upon reproach'd and bled Must now be Judg alone of Quick and Dead Thô here debased yet now Heaven rings With Hallelujahs to this King of Kings Jesus Call forth the Prisoners then they must appear To answer for themselves thô Crimes are clear Hear what they 'l say thô all they say alas Can never â—inder th' Sentence that must pass Sinners appear come forth your Graves arise You all are summon'd to the grand Assize You called are into the great Court-Royal And may not stay you must attend your Trial Make way for wretched Prisoners there make room They 'r going to receive their final Doom But now methinks I see those trembling Souls Gazing about to find some hiding Holes Calling to Rocks to hide them but in vain For such late Calls and Cries can nought obtain Their Hearts were hardned in a Day of Grace When God did sweetly call and give them space For to repent and now those rocky Stones Has no regard at all unto their Groans The Mountains will not fall to hide them from The Wrath of him that sitteth on the Throne O what a Sight I see the wretched State Of Fools bewailing Folly when too late From Hell and Graves they come but must not stay They are to pass Accounts and so away Now Soul and Body meets and must remain By Righteous Sentence in eternal Paâ—â— They Partners were in Sin whilst here below And must together groan in endless Wâ— The Graves do open and the Prisoners rise And now methinks I hear the dolâ—ful Cries Of those poor Sinners who on Earth took Pains To make their Souls as black and full of Stains As any could be grudging always when They were out-stripâ— in Sin by any Men Methinks I hear their Pleas and see them quaking And all the little Shifts they would be making And all because they would appear at th' Bar Of God a little better than they are The griping Vsurer now looks about To find some better Hands than his Hands 〈◊〉 Which he do's well remember heretofore Did often by Extortion wrong the Poor The Wanton dare not own his wanton Eye I must says he have better or I die Mine oft unâ—hastly upon Women gaz'd And for laseivious Looks I stand amaz'd The Lawyer would reject his gâ—lded Tongue By which be Thousands in the World did wrong He knows that he being fee'd or brib'd ne're stood To make a good Cause bad a bad Cause good The Gallant dare not own his strutting Feet Which often â—rudg'd thrâ— thick and thin to meet A dirty Whore or hectoring drunken Friend To help him vainly precious Time to spend My Feet were swift in running to do Evil I must have other Feet or go to th' Devil The Politician dares not own his Head Another he would fain have in its Stead What that contriv'd he always was pursuing And finds his wicked Brain was his undoing Some they would part with Fingers and would have E'ne any Fingers out of any 's Grave So they may miss their own which was too beâ—â— To sign Decrees against the Innocent Thieves they would part with Hands and Liars Tongues The Instruments of many grievous Wrongs Long-winded Sinners they would part with Lungs The Hypocrite too has a mind to part With his to change it for a better Heart Ill-minded Sinners now would change their Mind For any others of a better Kind And others other things would swap if then They might hereby but pass for better Men Kings would disown their Crowns and Grandure too And now appear in Rags if that woâ—ld do But O! prodigious Madness herein's shown Eâ—r every one must keep what was his own And wicked Men must see their monstrouâ— Folly Who would not whilst on Earth be strict and holy Well! are the Prisoners come then let them hear They must my Wrath and Fury ever bear Sentence Depart 〈◊〉 sed Wretches ne're return Into a Fire that must always burn Prepared for the Devil and a Crew Of wicked Wretches just like such as you Prisoner Ah dreadful Word Depart and that from thee Must needs be th' upshot of all Misery Lord let me stay but here the Sinner â—ries My clamorous Conscience and my blubbring Eyes May Tormoâ—â— be enough dear God abate Some pity shew me for my â—retch'd Estate Is such I cannot bear let Sentence be A little bated by a Sight of thee Judg. Nay Sinner â—noâ— my Presence heretofore Thou did'st noâ— like thô offer'd o're and o're Thou would not entertain me in thy Heart And now my Sentence Sinner â—â— Depart An offered Christ and Pardon thou didst slight And what can follow on 't but dismal Night Prisoner And must I now depart and undergo This dreadful heaâ—y Doom yet let me know That thoâ—â—ilâ— bless me Lord and then I caâ— Refresh my Soul with this where â—'re I am I 'm loth to go but if I must I crave That I before may Heaven's Blessing have Jesus Sinner be gone nay more I must thee tell My Curse shall go along with thee to Hell My Blessing thou despis'd for many Years And canst not have it now thô sought with Tears Thou must for ever fry and flame and rot Depart then Sinner for I know thee not Prisoner And must I be accurs'd and never see Thy blessed Face again then Lord let me Find out for an
highest Round of all This Jacob's Ladder brings Is Glorificat'on and advance To God the King of Kings Christ's laying down his Life for Man And God's accepting it His saving any doom'd to die Who now in Heaven sit What can this be but special Grace Renounce we then all Merit And give we Praise to God always To Father Son and Spirit The Alphabet in Verse by G. D. for Copies August 29 1687. A. AFflictive Crosses may be well endur'd By pious Souls who have a Christ secur'd B. Boast not of time hereafter don't delay To get prepared for a dying Day C. Content's the Sweet of all where 's greatest Store If that be had with little what needs more D. Delight in good shun Vice redeem your time Serve God whilst you are young and in your prime E. Espouse the Cause of Christ and stand your ground Beware you be not an Apostate found F. Faint Wishes Heavenward can never shew A Love to Christ O Soul that 's fixt and true G. Give all that ask you something if you can But double Kindness to a poor good Man H. High Breeding sweet Deportment lovely Face Will ne're avail that Soul that 's void of Grace I. Intemperance in what we drink or eat Will prove the sowrest Sauce to sweetest Meat K. Kind Carriage wins on all hereby you may Reclaim a wandring Sinner gone astray L. Let Worldlings take the World do you with Paul Account a Single Christ as more than all M. Modest Behaviour with a Temper kind Does really express a gallant Mind N. Nothing we here possess will lasting prove The only solid Joys are those above O. Observe and learn what 's good in all you see But let the real Saint your Pattern be P. Pleasures that sinful are not long do last The Sting remains when all the Pleasure 's past Q. Quit now your selves like Christians stand your ground The Faithful unto Death are only crown'd R. Repining under Crosses we endure Will never lighten those but more procure S. Such who with Esau do their Birth-rights sell Will too late see the Folly on 't in Hell T. Time swiftly steals away and being gone Can never be recall'd by any one U. Vnruly Passions when they have their swing Instead of giving Ease more Sorrow bring W. Whatever haps be Patient and you 'd see It is thô bad in 't self yet good for thee X. Xerxes with Sorrow views his mighty Host As knowing they would soon be dead and lost Y. Young ones serve God whilst young you 'l make thereby Your Death-Bed very easy when you die Z. Zeal in a good Cause this must needs befriend But luke-warm Tempers have a doleful end A Hymn by G. D. on John 14. 27. the Text Mr. Perriot preach'd on August 87. Peace I leave with you my Peace I give unto you not as the World giveth give I unto you Let not your Heart be troubled neither let it be afraid IN love to you Disciples dear Whom I'm about to leave A Legacy of Peace I give My Peace I you bequeath Not as the World gives give I you It 's inward Peace I say The which the World can neither give Nor ever take away Let not your Heart be troubled then My Peace shall be your aid Set this against your Troubles here You need not be afraid An Hymn upon Mr. S's Text Doctrine and Reasons Coloss 3. 1. If ye be risen with Christ c. Octob. 19 1689. LET Earthly Men seek Earthly things And glut themselves like Swine Vpon the empty Husks below Of Riches Corn and Wine But Lord for me being taught of thee It 's better I must have The Things Above I chiefly love And those O Lord I crave Such Treasures they will lasting prove Can only satisfy When Earthly Things soon take their Wings Will wither fade and die These may be had and kept when got Which Worldlings cannot say For what they heap together here May soon be snatch'd away We have thy leave nay thy Command To fix our Heart and Love Not upon Trifles here Below But upon Things Above Those are the best worth seeking for Deserve our greatest pains Will here procure the sweetest Peace Hereafter lasting Gains Seeking aright we shall not miss Of finding but obtain And having found we need not fear Our losing them again Lord being risen then with Christ Help us to seek and love With all our Hearts our Soul and Strength The Things which are Above Another upon the same Text and two more Verses adjoining And 1 Cor. 15. 20 21 22. CHRIST now is risen from the Dead His Bands could him not keep And is to be acknowledged First-Fruits of them that sleep For as by one Man Death did reign In Adam all did die By Christ the Resurrection came And Immortality If risen then with Christ you be Seek ye the Things Above And do not though entic'd thereto The Worldlings Portion love For ye are dead to Worldliness With Christ your Saviour-dear Your Life is hid and you shall shine When once he doth appear An Hymn upon Mr. S's Text Isa 55. 7. Let the Wicked forsake his way c. O Let the Wicked leave his Lusts The way that Sinners take And let the Man unrighteous Vnrighteous Thoughts forsake Let him return unto the Lord And he will Mercy shew To God who will abundantly His pard'ning Grace renew Meditations upon Mr. S's Text Joh. 2. 6. He that saith he abideth in him c. HE that on Scripture-grounds can say In Christ he doth abide He also ought himself to walk As did this Blessed Guide For Scriptures they were given forth That to us they might â—e A Rule whereby our Sate to try And our Conditionsee Then true Religion iâ— its Power That Man has â—rely mist Who thinks in bâ—â— Profession It only does câ—nsist That crying out Lord Lord at last Will save his Soul from Hell Without the doing of God's Will And labouring to do well Then 't is not painted Guile will do Nor Shows that do appear But Truth in Heart and inward part Will render one sincere The true Believer then is safe And may on Scripture-ground Most certainly on Christ rely In Christ he being found Behold the Man in Christ therefore New Creature he is made All Things in such an one is new And old Things are decay'd Let Times be ne râ—so black and dark Let Things go aâ— they will The Man in Christ is truly safe And may take Comfort still Meditations on the 6th Doctrine about Justification 'T IS Faith in Christ that sastifies The Sinner in God's sign Labour to shew and let Men knoâ— By Works our Faith is right Lord grant we may who speak and say We know the Lord most High Endeavour by Religious Lives Our Words to justify Doct. 7. Of Conformity to the Example of Christ ALL those who this Profession make Obliged are hereby To walk as Christ did whilst on Earth In all Sobriety To follow his Example