Conversation and of able gifts for the work of the Ministry and hath approved himself faithful therein which we whose Names are under-written do Testify some of our own knowledge others from Credible and Sufficient information And therefore he being now called and desired to exercise his Gifts in his own Countrey of Wales he also having the Language thereof we conceive him fit for that Work and worthy of encouragement therein In Witness whereof we here subscribed our Names Sep. 11. 1646. Charles Herte Prolocutor Henry Scudder VVilliam Greenhill Franc. VVoodcock VVilliam Strong Joseph Caryl VVilliam Carter Thomas VVilson Jer. Burroughs Philip Nye Stephen Marshall Jer. VVhitaker Arther Salwey Peter Sterry Henry Prince Christopher Love Tho. Froysell Robert Bettes I may say through Gods grace and that experimeâ—tally that God was pleased to own me a poor nâ—thing creature in the work of his Gospel in Wales boâ—â— to call gather and edifie I hope many souls there yet not I but the grace of God in me and with me and among many other experiences of Gods goodness these following are some About the year 1647. the Island of Anglesey in North Wales being then un-reduced the Parliament Forces went to reduce it and their chief Officers sent for me to Preach unto that brigade of Souldiers and as I marched with them unto the place either the night immediately before or the night before that it was revealed unto me in my sleep that I should be wounded and two of my friends cut and the very fingers were pointed out which accordingly came to pass yet when I was in extream danger between several enemies who fell upon me receiving that and some other wounds there being no likelyhood to escape I heard a voyce as I apprehended speaking audibly to me I have chosen thee to preach rhe Gospel to which I answered O Lord then bring me off and immediately God guided my Horse though he was very wild and not well commanded to go backward out of the Barricado that I had entred at and so I was indeed miraculously preserved although a good man a Captain who came to relieve me was killed close to me and as far as I could perceive the same Bullet that was shot at me took him in the neck and killed him Many other remarkable circumstances there are in this deliverance which I here omit Several other times also I have been delivered from perils by water by Thieves by Enemies purposely lying in wait for me who yet had no power to hurt me the Lord converted some and graciously prevented and terrified others from their purpose But I must not forget the favour of the Lord in answering prayer of which the most remarkable instances are these One time coming from Preaching I lost my way and being out till it was far in the night in a Wood or Forrest among Lakes Bryars and Thorns I went up and down while I was quite weary but by looking up to the Lord I was presently directed into my way The like experience I had another time when another Preacher and my self had lost our way in a very dark night and had tired our selves in searching to and froâ— to no purpose at last calling to mind how God had formerly heard in that case when I sought unto him we called upon the Lord who immediately pointed out our way and it seemed as clear to us as if it had been day light One Mistress Watkins of the Parish of Lanniggn in the County of Brecknock a gracious Gentlewoman having kept her chamber and bed as was reported for two years and not gone from home for the space of four years hearing that I was come into those parts sent for me to come and visit her she having it seems some faith that if I prayed for her she should be healed that the next morning she went between two and three miles on foot to hear me preach Another time one Elizabeth Morris of new Radnor a Religious Maid having the Falling sickness or Convulsion Fits which took her many times in one day one night being at Family-Duty in a Brothers house in Town whilst I was speaking she fell into one of her Fits but Prayer being made for her she recovered before the prayer was ended and for many years had no more fits and I think hath not been troubled at all since Another time viz. Oliver Protect days there was mighty wet Harvest which continued several weeks insomuch that much Hay and Corn was spoiled but divers Christians that were dissatisfied with that Government having met several days to seek advice about it came at last to draw up a Paper or Testimony against it And the day being come when we intended to subscribe it After spending some time further to seek the Lord it being a great rain so that it did beat in through the glass windows into the room where we met one that was close to the window being to conclude the duty earnestly begged of God that if he did approve of the work we were about and would have us to proceed therein he would be pleased to grant us a sign of fair weather presently and before Prayer was ended the Lord shut up the windows of Heaven and the Sun did shine gloriously and some if not all of us did observe that for divers weeks together afterwards we had exceeding fair weather and so had two mercies given us at once The Paper thus subscribed was called a Word for God or a Testimony on truths behalf from several Churches and divers hundreds of Christians in Wales and some few adjacent against wickedness in high places with a brief Letter to the Lord Gen. Cromwell and both presented to his hands and afterward published in Print These few things of many which I have observed in my self concerning the Lords gracious and wonderful dealing with me I have set down not as boasting or seeking praise to my self but to keep a memorial of the Lords benefits and to stir up others into whose hands these few notes may come to have confidence in the power and goodness of God who is the Saviour of all men but especially of them that believe in him A CONFESSION OF FAITH Drawn up by Mr. VAVASOUR POWELL Concerning the Holy Scriptures THE Holy Scriptures containing the Old and New Testament or the writings oâ— the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles commonly called the Bible are the Written word of God which besides the plain Testimony of Scripture in many places thus witnessing of it self doth most fully and convincingly appear by considering that what in Matthew is called the command Mat. 15.6 That in Mark is stiled The word of God Mark 7.13 and the like may be observed in comparing Deut. 30.11 14. with Rom. 10.8 where the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Apostle useth and is translated the Word is never taken for Christ but very often for the Command on Threatning or Promise of God in which sense it is called the
whether we will follow after him It s strange and very bad sign to see Saints look more upon the sins of the wicked to ripen them for misery then after self humiliation and holiness to ripen and fit themselves for mercy He that cannot pitty the sinner and hate sin doth not reprove out of love to Christ nor from a gratious spirit He that loves not a Reprover and prizes not his reproof neither profits thereby is more his sins then his Souls friend If God hath kept thee from falling still fear watch pray and live by Faith on Christ No power can keep him in Bonds whom truth and innocency acquits Due end in being in the world is not to be to our selves Though the People of God may be killed yet they can neither be hurt nor overcome Christians though disagreeing in Opinion should agree in Affection and differing in Controversie should agree in Charity It is a very sad thing neither to be careful to do well nor repent of doing ill The Portion that Christ gives us is not near so bitter as his Cordial is sweet The fear of death is ingrafted in the common nature of all men but Faith works it out by Christians Nothing will be terrible where the love of God is apprehended and nothing greivous where love to Christ is exercised Learn to prefer Christ before self and suffering above sinning Look for suffering as for Exaltation for it is an honour to be accounted worthy and a double honour to be enabled and carried through safety A Beleiver should learn 1. To know God in Christ 2. Himself in Christ 3. Christ in him 4. Himself he was without Christ 1. wicked and wretched 2. unwilling and weak in good The Life of a true Beleiver is 1. In the Lord. 1. Thes 1.2 1. Iohn 2.27 2. On the Lord. Rom. 1.17 Gal. 2.20 3. By and from the Lord. Iohn 6.57 4. To the Lord. Rom. 14.8 Luke 20.38 Gal. 2.19 5. With the Lord. 2. Cor. 13.4 1. Thes 5.10 Rom. 6.8 The Care of a true Christian 1. To wait on God Isa 8.17 25.9 2. To walk with God Gen. 5.22.24 6.9.24.40 3. To work all his works in and for God Io. 3.21 Rom. 6.10 1. Cor. 10.31 4. To bring his will to submit to the will of God in everything Mark 26.42 Heb. 10.7 A Christian should take heed least he be giving way to his Heart to steal out now and then to sin and get some sweet Bits thereof between duties There will be a reviveing of old sins if there be not effectual repentance for them and a care by Faith through all Duties and Ordinances to get new strength against them and constant watch kept over them When God makes the World to hot for his People to hold they will let it go A Christian comes not to know the weakness of his Grace till the Spirit ceases to work in and by it nor the power of his Corruption till Satan works therein by his temptation A Christians Flesh should keep from the Shew and his Conscience from the guilt of sin Where sin is not killed it will kill Sin hath no Mother but a mans Heart nor Father but Satan Sin draws the Soul into it either by power or policy by force or by fraud Christians should not give offence carelesly nor take offence causelesly Fear thy Freinds more then thy Foes thy sins more then thy sufferings and liberty more then bondage Some Christians have four Thorns that greive them a Thorn of affliction from God a Thorn of persecution from men and 〈◊〉 Thorn of Temptation from Satan and of corruption in themselves Self loathing destroys self Love much and the more we loath our selves the better we love others When a Christian comes to be as weary of his sins as of his sufferings God will certainly put them to an end One of the cheifest works of the Soul is self exmination and yet a Christian will find himself most backward thereto and soonest weary therein The more a Soul is exercised in spiritual meditation the less with carnal Temptation The more frequent and powerful in private Prayer the more free from and the more potent against corruptions Seasonable and unexpected mercies are very sweet and acceptable It is a common principle in nature that no man can or should judge his Enemy or be judged in his own Cause Slothfulness is the Cradle of sin which the Devil Rocks Christ will be soon sencible of those Saints sufferings that are sencible of their own sins There is no power in the Creatures to do either good or hurt but as God disposeth them for it is God that puts their Sword into their hand Ezek 30.24 Take heed of reproving or upbraiding another in self passion or to provoke his Passion The Lord now shakes his visible Church as a Tree is shaken that the rotten Fruit may fall off Careless hearing makes carnal Hearts and carnal Hearts makes cursed lives He that will be much in self denial must be much in self tryal If we could be contented to be altogether without Christ or with part of Christ we need not suffer persecution When and where wickedness is most then and there the godly should strive to be most godly If Gods People could be diligent at their own work and leave God at his work they need not fear success As the Stars the higher they are the swifter their motion so Christians the more spiritual the more active in the service of God Nothing comes amiss to a godly man but sin What a Preacer does as well as what he speaks is doctrine to the People The cheif end of all Scriptures is to know God and to worship him rightly being known Christians should take heed least God should sue them upon an Action of Waste for wasting time and mispending mercies c. Sence of misery must prâ—ceed sence of mercy At the day of death but especially at the day of Judgement a Saint will wish he had sinned less served God better and suffered for him more He is a strong Christian that seeks Gods glory more then his own salvation but no Christian that seeks neither Sin undiscovered or unconsidered becomes sin unrepented There are many that serve themselves of Christ but few that serves Christ for his own sake Gods People have the love of God shewed to and set before them shed in them and sealed to them Let not a Christian leave off his running till he comes to the end of his Race but like the Moon though she be eclipsed yet forsakes not her Orb not discontinues her course at all Be sure to praise God when thou receivest power against Sin and Temptation and you shall be sure to find God ready to give you power another time when you want it Be still imployed in doing good and you shall not be much tempted or troubled with Evil. Some Christians have more trouble from and for Temptation and sin in one day then they have
she was nursed her whole time This day I observed from Lev. 26. Gods way of dealing outwardly with his People either in mercy or affliction according to their obedience or disobedience but though they have sined and brought punishment upon themselves yet upon their confession of sin humbling of their hearts and accepting of their punishment God remits their sins and removes the punishment this day God in his providence ordered that I should hurt and bruise my Leg which might have been much worse I humbly praise God for it and hope to profit by it This day my heart was very much enlarged softened and quickened in Prayer twice but especially once and raised through the power of God exceedingly to be willing to suffer I learnt 1. To beware of sleight and short repentance a thing I often consider off 2. To fear secret self conceitedness after the well performing of a duty 3. To take heed of the corrupting Flies of vain thoughts and idle words 4. From Pâ—ov 24.1 Not to desire the company of evil men 5. To see consider look and receive instruction from the Evil of others 6. That such as do the will of God but not with a good end shall be punished Hos 1.4 This day I was troubled with vain and wandering thoughts in solemn duties yet was made sensible of them and in some measure resisted them effectually I Learned from Prov. 25.22 how to perform my duty towards my Enemies and from chap. 26. 26. the danger of keeping secret sins that God will discover them before the Congregation God favoured me this day with kindness from and affected me somewhat with the relation and reading of Gods wonderful and strange works at which I desire to stand in admiration and to fear and tremble also to be affected with the sufferings of other Saints that differ from me I observed also from Prov. 26.23 How a wicked Hea t may be covered and undisceâ—ned as a Potshe d covered with dross also from chap 27.12 the Character and care of a prudent man viz. to foresee the evil and hide himself and from 2. Tim. 1. to learn to partake of sufferings and not to be ashamed of sufferers This day though I rose earlyer then ordinary yet through the multiplicity and continuance of company I made not such good impâ—ovement thereof I cannot say I profited much or gained or learned any thing unless it w re from P ov 27.12 That a prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself also from 2. Tim. 2.11.12 I â—â—se ved great encouragement to suffer for Christ because we shall live and raign with him also to labour to be pure fit Vessels for the Lord to follow aâ—ter Righteousness Faith Peace Charity c. I was convinced this day of four things I was too negligent in viz. Studying the Scriptures sending to the Christians especially those to whom I relate finishing somewhat I intended and begun and improving my Talent in this place more to the benefit of other poor Souls I had my heart softened and in some measure enlarged this day in Prayer and truely affected with some Christians that came to see me I had some comfortable considerations from three promises Prov. 28.10 20 26. The upright shall have good things in possession who so walketh â—prightly shall be saved and who so walketh wisely shall be delivered I had also comfortable from Hos 3 4.5 Compared together and was put to consideâ— those in 2. Tim. 3.2 c. This morning though too slothful I had some bâ—eathings of the Spirit of the Lord and kindled affections in Pâ—ayer those words in Prov. 29.25 were some comfort and support to me the fear of man bringeth a sâ—aâ—e but who so putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe among other considerations I had this day 1. I considered that it was the needfulâ—st thing in a dangerous time to get assurance of Gods favour and salvation and to make hast to repent and return to the Lord. 2. To consider our spiritual warfare and to qâ—iâ— our selves like Christians in striving for victory over our â—piritual Enemies I had comfort from that blessed pâ—omise Ier. the 33.7 8. Thâ—s dâ—y I had no great benefit to my Soul only from Hos 4 8.10 12. I observed 1. That to have the heart set on iniquity 2. To leave off taking need to the Lord. 3. To lose the heart or have it indisposed to good 4. To go from under God 5. To be left â—o â—â—n oâ— igno ant of the mind of the Loâ—d are most sad things alâ—o from the 2. Tim. 4. 1. To Watch 〈◊〉 all â—hiâ—g 2. Endure 3. To be doing our pâ—esâ—nâ— duty 4. Looking for our cha ge and dâ—â— nâ—â—ng oâ— God to be kept â—â—om evil were mâ—â—â—asoâ—â—â—e preâ—â—nt Lâ—ssons I â—ound some softnâ—sâ— â—â—nâ—eâ—ity of heart thiâ— daâ— and h d tâ—re speâ—â—â—â—â—d 〈◊〉 in things in my hea t to deâ—iâ—e â—â—om Coâ—â— 1. 〈◊〉 A th ough repentâ—nce 〈◊〉 recoveâ—y 〈◊〉 of foâ—mer sins 2. To be perâ—â—ctly pâ—â—served â—o the â—â—â—e to come from evil 3. To be 〈◊〉 or my dissolution or sufferings I received much kindness from the Lord this day the words in Hos 5.15 Till they acknowledge their iniquity or be guilty I considered and thought I câ—â—e short thereof yet those words Prov. 28.13 He that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall find mercy This day I injoyed some measure of the Spirit in softening and drawing out of my heart in Prayer and somewhat in beleiving and tenderness towards others and those words Eccles 3 18. Of Gods manifesting unto men that they are but Beasts I desired to apply and to take heed of being guilty of any of those sins mentioned Hos 4. 1. Of setting the heart upon any iniquity verse the 8. 2. Of leaving to take heed to the Lord. 3. Of losing the heart or growing heartless in good 4. Of going from under God also from Titus the 1.14 not to give heed to the Commandments of men This was a day wherein God abounded in kindness towards me yet I was convinced that I was not guilty enough or sensible enough of mine iniquities as God requires Hos 5.15 and from Titus 2. I learned that a true Christian especially a Minister of the Gospel should be 1. Sound in doctrine 2. Sound in Faith and sound in Speech And concernining beleiving I had three things 1. To study more the grounds of Faith and the reasons inducing thereto 2. Not to give way to any thing against beleiving 3. To maintain Faith by holiness This day God was pleased to enlarge my heart in good and to weaken corruption making me sensible also of the present evils both of sin and suffering I learned from Titus 3.8.9 That Râ—generation Justification and Adoption are of Gods Love Pitty Mercy and meer Grace also to be ready to diligent in and profited by every good work and to be angry with my self for sinful things and deny my self in lawful things oh my trouble
professed he had rather be a Martyr then a Monarch so should every Christian It is a special favour and great promotion to suffer Satan accuseth God to Men and Men to God but Christ excuses and answers all his accusations against his People Christians should do as the Shechemites did when their City their own Souls in strength was beaten down fly to their Tower even Christ The true knowledge of Christ brings consolation and the right profession and practice of him persecution When a man is imprisoned and shut up from Men he is the more shut up with God Account it not restraint as long as thy Heart can go out towards God and his People and Wayes in affection and prayer Retiredness and close imprisonment drives a man to hold closer Communion with God and to a stricter search of himself Take heed that preparatory meditation to Prayer doth not prevent Prayer it self or put you besides Prayer One of the radical sins spoken of 1 Iohn 2.16 Is every mans master sin I often found my heart in dayes of Humiliation more affected and melted by the Prayer of weaker then stronger Christians I would be glad to be out of the World when I have no service to do for God in it He that would live for himself onely or cheifly in the World is not worthy to live a day in it If I may have liberty to serve Christ I would have the glory to suffer for Christ Secret Prayer is either a familiar speaking to God or with God or a pouring out of the Heart before God through his Son our Saviour by his spirit Sometimes Ejaculations or short and sudden Pantings and breathings out of desires to God may be more acceptable to him and prevailing with him then long Prayers There may be great difference between the temper of a Christian one time and another yea in the exercising of his Gifts in Praying Preaching c. True Godliness and Hipocrisie are best discerned in turnings and changes either when they change their conditions by Marriages or are exalted to Offices or when new opinions begin to grow Due sin may cause thee more sorrow then all thy sufferings It is happy to dye in the Lord and honourable to dye for the Lord. Sins do dye and fall off from Christians as the Leaves fall from Trees in Autumn by degrees Christians are now as Abraham was driven out of Egypt and come where they were before or into their first State therefore they should offer to the Lord as he did Gen. 13.3.4 God is now spoiling us of what would otherwise have spoiled us Churches gathered in prosperity will hardly stand or continue together in adversity A Child of God may know the weight of sin by Christs sufferings for if that strong Heart of Steel did bend under the weight of our sins what shall poor weak men do which is but a Reed or Rush As our good works and performances should have an operation upon our Souls and Hearts to strengthen Faith so should our weaknesses and sins to work repentance It is a great condescention in God to afflict or lay his hand upon man and in that sence the Apostle exhorts Beleivers not to dispise or think little of the chastning of the Lord. Heb. 12.3 A Beleiver is to shut the Eye of Reason if he will clearly see with the Eye of Faith The promise is a Christian perspective and his Faith the Eye with which he looks through it upon Christ and God the Father in him A Prison or persecution is to a Christian as some scaring thing that one sees in the Night at a distance but when he comes near it and to know it he is not at all afraid of it Seek to find out your own Errors before another find them out and to write your own Errata's VVhen the Lord is trying his People they should be trying themselves Christians should not desire deliverance before the time appointed for that is as if a VVoman should desire to have her Child born before the full and due time Christians are apt to feel and fear punishment more then sin which is the cause of it Gods People must expect in the VVorld the entertainment of Strangers Sins in Saints are like Weeds weeded out of a Garden or Field which lye in the Alleys or Veins but never grow there again A Hypocrite is like a white Stone in the Water amongst other Stones and of that same nature with other Stones there hard heavy cold and inflexable and differs only in colour A true Christian is like a Flint-stone which though it falls into Water yet it keeps and retains Fire in it still so doth he retain his Grace notwithstanding his corruption Labour to act those graces cheifly that are most contrary to your master sins and cheif corruptions The Lord hath Saints enough to devide into three bodies some to suffer for him some to destroy Babilon and some to be for Seed-Corn to sow again in the Earth Learn by lighter Crosses to look and prepare for heavier In two Cases t is hard to Act Faith 1. When there is nothing sensible or visible to second and support it or 2. when there is very much to fil the outward senses It is a very common and ordinary thing for most or all Professors to be in one or two extreams either to over value or under value Instruments Creatures and Ordinances The more Saints do beleive and suffer the more they may expect of the spirit Iohn 7.8 1 Pet. 4.14 Be more thoughtful and careful how to use what you have to Gods glory then to gain more The Lord freely gives and justly takes away The exercising of Graces do naturally destroy sin and the more you abound in Acts of Grace the more you increase the habit Heb. 6.26 The Law causeth sickness of Soul but the Gospel healeth the same When Saints perceive their sins growing weak they should then prosecute them most A Saint is to put forth his Faith in Prayer and afterwards follow his Prayer with Faith In the midest of earthly business the Soul should redeem some special time for secret and private duties It is the will of Christ that Saints should rejoyce more in what Christ hath done for them then in what they have done or can do for him Learn to observe what God gives without asking and what he gives in answer to Prayer for the one begets Thankfulness the other more Prayer Christ kept the Law legally Beleivers kept it Evangelically he perfectly they purposingly and endeavouringly A Beleivers assurance and cheifest joy doth not arise from his sanctification because that is imperfect here in degrees but from his justification Rom. 5.2 1 Pet. 1.8 Look upon Christ first without you then search for him within you God makes us feel him or his hand that he may hear us strokes makes Crys and Whipings mornful complaints to him God troubles us that we may turn to him and leaves us a while for to see
are 1. To be hardened by the deceitfulness and guilt of sin 2. To have my goodness inconstant and uncontinuing as the morning Cloud or Dew 3. Because I cannot attain to that I urge and press upon others 4. To find such little effect of the sufferings of Christ and of his Spirit in me and of the Resolutions I make and Duties I perform Seek three things 1. To secure thy Soul 2. A sound Heart 3. A sin-sick Soul or a Soul sick of sin Take heed of presumptuous sin which is in Heb. 10. 1. A willing sinning 2. Knowingly 3. Despising of the Iâ—w 4. Sleighting of Christ 5. Doing despight to the Spirit 6. Falling into the hands of the living God without Christ and Sanctification Some of the last Lessons I am endeavoring to learn 1. TO keep Faith and to keep down Flesh 2. To be bound as if I were free and married as if I were unmarried 3. To dye before I come to dye viz. Expect and long for it 4. To attend every Duty better and to depend on them less 5. To realize and experience Spiritual things more 6. To make eternal things nearer by Faith 7. To have all things I see hear and read to leave a deeper impression upon me especially the sufferings of the godly and the sins of the wicked 8. To get more Communion with God in my services and sufferings 9. To have my Heart to mind more what God intends and doth in the Nations then what men do 10. To account of Gods least things more and of my own greatest and best things less 11. To make improvement of all former sins and sufferings 12. To learn to feed upon Gods brown Bread which is affliction better then formerly upon his white Bread his Gospel Ordinances 13. Not to think doing or suffering work hard 14. To get my self quite raised and recovered by vertue from Christ conveyed by the Spirit through the Covenant of Grace 15. To cease from all childish things 16. To do the work and bear the Testimony of my day in the day 17. to have a fixed or constant spirit for the word in Heaven is the same Psal 51.1 10. in the mar in God and in beleiving and doing good 18. To see that condition I am in to be best for me Some of my last Experiences 1. To see one sin after another more clearly 2. To see that I am very weak and shoâ—t in that grace wherein I thought I most excelled 3. That the sin that had most strength in me through the assisting power of Christ is grown and growing much more weaker 4. That I am more and more encouraged and helped to beleive by the strength of Christ and that as sin hath formerly weakned Faith so now Faith weakens sin 5. The sin and danger of neglecting ones body in making it unserviceable to the Lord. 6. That when a Christian begins to grow carnal can less the Lord leaves him to him self for sometime and either to be assaulted troubled with some Temptation or to be overcome with some Corruption 7. That before God raiseth up a Christian to a more spiritual estate or causeth him to suffer God Many times lets him know himself by leaving him to some corruption or temptation 8. That when and from whom I feared temptations at that time and from such the Lord did ma y loâ—fly deliver me evâ—n from the thoughts of Evil. 9. That very day and a few hours before my g eat sickness in Sept 9. 1664. I was strongly assaulted with Temptation and God in very mercy and wonderful seasonably did then lay sickness upon me 11. That a true Christian that is troubled with his Corruption doth rejoyce greatly when God doth by any means prevent and preserve from them 12. Exceeding suitably did God one day apply the three following Scriptures Esa 54.14 Ezek. 34.21 1. Pet. 3.14.16.19 13. That to shun one kind of Evil I found my self very ready to fall into another 14. That affliction when it was new fresh and first laid upon me it made and left more impression then afterwards As a further discovery of Gods gracious actings in the Heart of this holy man you have this following taste of his Spirit in this Collection taken out of his Dyary or Iornal it being his custome to keep a dayly Observation and Record of every every remarkable Providence occurring to him and of the frame of his Heart in his spiritual getings and losings every day which for the most part were written in Characters yet some being at large you have a few of them hereafter inserted which by Gods blessing may rend to the Edification and comfort as well as Example of many His Book is entituled Some Memento's and Experiences of Gods gracious dealings with Vavasor Powel Deut. 8.2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God leads thee c. Psal 143.5 I remember the dayes of old c. Can. 1.4 We will remember thy love Psal 34.3 My Soul shall make her boast of the Lord c. Collections out of his Dyary THis day I observed as many dayes before that I have commonly Consolation and Affliction in the same day If I have comfort from the Lord that day by Communion or communication or otherwise in the morning I am sure to have some trouble that Night and if trouble in the Morning I am sure to have some refreshing that Night but there is scarce one day wherein I have not some breathings from God and to God and as sure buffetings from Satan This day was a very comfortable day to me in the morning I was refreshed by those words 31. Ps 15. My times are in thy hands c. by comparing that with Ier. 20.12 I had much comfort in the society of Gods People and several times in Prayer that day and power against evil thoughts yet that Evening I was assaulted strongly with sinful thoughts but in my flying to God in prayer against them they fled from me This day being the Lords day I had some communion with the Lord in private Prayer and a greater sence of the sufferings of his People upon my Heart and it came into my Heart to aske earnestly of God that I might love him better then my Life and better then my Lusts remembring that Scripture in the 2 Tim. 3.2.5 That Self-love and loving of pleasure more then God will be the two cheif Characters of Hyppocrites and Appostates in the latter dayes In the Evening I was again assaulted with Evil thoughts which necessitated me to fly to the Lord in Prayer and thence I learned this Lesson that sometimes the very sin of a Christian drives him to his Duty and Service sometimes by way of prevention either to the Scriptures for some word of promise or command against sin or to Prayer and sometimes after a Soul hath sinned it sees a necessity speedily and earnestly to confess it repent for it resolve and watch against it This
happinâ—â—â— of a good m n above the wicked that the Lord stands at the right hand of the one and the Devil at the right haâ—d of the other Psal 109.31 compareâ— with the 6. verse This day I was learning that a Christian should endeavour to peâ—â—orm all his duties 1. more intâ—rely or with his whole Heart Psal 111.1 119. 2. 2. More delightfully Psal 119.16.53 47 70. Rom. 7.22 3. With more judgement and discretion Psal 112 5. 4. With perseverance Col. 4.2 This morning I was overcome with passion and frowardness which made me enquire into the reason of that and other Corruptions I was observing this that it is a mercy to have the Soul come to its place again after sin but far better not to go out of its place at all this Night I had a very sore and strong Temptation but was through the grace of God supported and strengthened from the consideration of Christ that was tempted who considers those that are tempted also from his Prayer Iohn 17.11 and from those two promises Isa 59.19 James 4.7 I fled to the Lord by Prayer and he delivered me and I trust he also will deliver me Being the Lords day I had my Heart in a reasonable good frame in the morning in Prayer I was observing that God exalteth himself even then when he humbleth himself to look on men Psal 113.6 marg I found my Heart much raised and enlarged in Prayer for Gods work and People had faith therein I observed from Isa 38.17 For Peace I had great Bitterness c. I learned that a Christians condition is murable and therefore he should be contented with his condition what ever it be and whether comfortable or miserable he should look that God may soon alter it and he should not desire to go out of one state into another till he hath gotten good by being in the former 2. That Gods love is not only seen in the removing affliction from us but in afflicting of us also 3. That Gods People should learn to gain assurance and experience by affliction This Evening I was much refreshed in reading Bains upon the Ephes especially one chap. the 1.13 and the 4.30 Concerning the sealing of the Spirit This day I observed the duty and resolution of a sincere Christian viz. to walk before the Lord. Psal 116.9 Gen. 24.40 I was also thinking how necessary it is for a right Christian that desires to walk holily to observe carefully the inward workings of the Spirit of God as also the secret wayes and methods of sin I was convinced also how uneffectual it is for a Christian to promise or resolve any thing in his own strength I learned from David that he oft mentions serving and seeking God with his whole Heart which dutieâ— I love and would learn more experimentally and practically according to Psal 112.2.10.34.69 This day I was enlarged and somewhat softened in the duty of Prayer several times and convinced what an evil it is in Gods sight 1. To be long under affliction unhumbled and uncleansed Jer. 44.10 Jos 22.17 and especially to sin wittingly and to add sin to sin I was considering of four duties to repent for sin to redeem time to get fuller assurance and to prepare for Christ I was also affected with some news that concerned the People of God This day I was observing that though a true Christian may have a sound Heart and Faith in the word of the Lord yet he may be as a Bottle in the smoak dry and withered yea and fainting and failâ—ing for the Lord and his salvation Psal 119.80 81 82 83. I learned this also that disappointment â—n ones expectation causeth dejection and trouble This day having had a long and serious discourse with a knowing Gentleman I observed somewhat more then even I had done before concerning the Image of God and the new man mentioned in Ephes â— 24. Col. 3.10 I had consideration also that Child of God may easily see to the end of or beyond all that the men of the world can do to him I had some inlargedness and softness of Heart in Prayer also I observed several things from 1. Thess 2. I observed the following Lessons 1. That by gaining understanding from and delight in the Statutes and Precepts of the Lord a Christian comes to hate every falce and wicked way Psal 119.97.104 2. To seek to get a Heart inclined alwayes to perform Gods Statutes verse 112. 3. That when a Soul hath an intention to keep Gods Commandements he will abstain from the company of evil doers verse 115. I had great trouble and sorrow in my Heart in the Evening from a Letter I had from a Brother tuâ—ned Quaker but my Heart was much drawn forth to to pray for him This day being Lords day in the morning I had my Heart drawn forth again to pray earnestly for that Brother and had my Spirit several times somewhat revived this day and among several other things which I observed 1. That a Child of God be altered much in the frame of his Spirit from better to worse as Baruch also Ionah c. 2. That a time of common calamity it will be a mercy for a religious man to have his life as Baruch was p omised to have Jer. 45.5 3. I observing how God may punish a good man in the same kind that he sins as Asa with pain in his Feet aâ— he had put the Prophet in the Stocks before 2. Chron. 16.10 12 compared 4. Oh what an evil it is in a Christian to sin David was told that he despised the Lord and his Commandement 2 Samuel 12.8.10 5. From Ezek. 10.11 that the Wheels that is either they Angels Saints or the providences of God they followed the head and turned not as they went so should we follow Christ 6. It is observeable that God takes notice of all that is in the minds of men Ezek. 11.5 as well as all the words in their Tongues as the frame of mens Spirits so they think of God for if they be holy and faithful they conceive so of God This day also I found the evil of my Heart to be in one frame when it should be in another as to rejoyce when it should mourn I lost oppertunities this day to serve the Lord by discourses with several sorts of persons especially some that pretend to the Virgin life who mightily sleight Iesus of Nazareth and the Scriptures which made me strongly oppose them and do with them as the Apostle commands 2. Iohn 10. that promise also was sweet unto me Psal 121.3 He will not suffer thy Feet to be moved This day in the Morning and at Noon I had my Heart drawn out and softned more then ordinary in Prayer yet I found my Heart suddenly moved to anger this was in divers sences a day of great kindnes from the Lord I was observing from Hos 12. 1. That fear care and trembling are especial means to keep the
godly from sin 2. That sin doth set the Soul of a good frame 3. That when once the Soul goeth out of a good frame it is hardly recovered 4 That when God is about to deliver his People from sufferings he begins to deliver them from sin I had expeâ—ience of this that it is far better to go to P ayer often then be too tedious and to consider of some especial pâ—rtiâ—ular thing to pray for and be importunate by promises arguments for them also I observed from Psal 12â— 6. That weeping it one duty of Christianâ— in the time of their Captivity and haâ— those that weep they shall surâ—ly find a time of â—ejoâ—cing Lâ—ke â—â— 6.21 J hn 6 20 This day I had my Heart much softned enlarged and warmed in Prayer especially one time but in the Evening had conviction of my slothfulness also of my great indiscretion in discoursing about spiritual things I observed from Psal 129.1 2. Many times have they afflicted me from my youth yet they have not prevailed that Gods People may be delivered under and out of affliction I was troubled this day at my ignorance both in natural and spiritual things and had th ough the Lords special favour to me a sweet fit of sorrow and repentance for my sins with two special suitable Scriptures he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities Psal 130.8 and Hos 3.1 Go yet love a woman beloved of her Freind yet an adulteress according to the love of the Lord oh what kind of love is this for God to love an Adulteress and what comfort to a poor Backslider for to such these words are cheifly spoken Through the constant coming and continuing of Freinds I had little time for secret duties which together with the saying of a grave Gentleman that this 40 years he had not neglected to read every day two or three Chapters in the Bible what ever his business were convinced of my neglects in the service of God this day I met with a new affliction which too little affected me This day the Lord was pleased to set my thoughts on several Lessons which Christians should be learning in this day as 1. To be humbled under the mighty hand of God 1. Pet. 5.5 2. To keep themselves undefiled 1. Tim. 5.22 1. John 5.22 3. Not to fear any Creatures Isa 41. Mat. 10.28.31 Rev. 2.10 4. To lay to Heart the sins of the wicked and the sins and sufferings of the godly 5. To keep up their Watch. 6. Not to neglect Saints fellowship Heb. 10.29 7. To get fuller assurance through our repentance c. 8. from Daniel 3.16 17. I observed that 1. Great sudden and â—navoidable tryal may come upon the Saints 2. That true Saints will be more feareful of the least sin then the greatest suffering 3. That Faith in God a disregard of the World and a devine resolution will carry Christians through sufferings I had my Heart drawn out in Prayer This day I took notice of three or four remarkable Providences I was also convinced of too much natural and self-resolution also of my cowardlyness to reprove sin in great Persons I considered what an evil and sin it is for one to attribute to himself more then is due and considering how God may make one condition best for one one time which is not best at another time I had some refreshing in Prayer this day This day in the morning there was a providence which I met with which is like to prove in the end very remarkable but whether my acting and appearing therein was from the Lord I must leave the issue to manifest it only from thence I was observing 1. That Truth and Sincerity right ends asking Counsel of God and advising with the People of God First Is great satisfaction to a Christian in what he doth Secondly Yet when a mans judgement and Conscience is not fully in a mans business he loseth much comfort in what he doth Lhis day in the morning I had trouble in my Spirit for what I did doubtfully the day before and shed many tears for my dear Brethren that turned Quakers especially Thomas Ell I had also comfort from that Scripture Psal 138.7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble c. In the Evening I had consideration and sight of several things amiss in me and had my Heart affected in asking for the same This morning I was troubled for a vile thought and in the Evening troubled at my impatience yet had sweet and comfortable refreshing from Dan. 11.35 and a Heart to pray sensibly and affectionately for Gods People and my hope raised for them f om Psal 125.3 For the Rod of the wicked shall not alwayes rest c. This day being the Lords day I had comfort from that Scripture Prov. 24.16 For a just man falleth seven times and riseth up again and likewise from Iames 5 15. and Iohn 1.5 8. especially from that place Gen. 3.21 Where God is said to make Clothes to Adam and Eve and not only so but to Cloath them or put them on from Dan. 3.17 18. I observed that real Saints do fear the least sin more then the g eatest sufferings because sin is a worse evil then suffering 2. Because therein they do imitate Ch ist suffering 3. Because the evil of suffering consists with the special will and pleasure of God but so doth not sin 4. Because they know that if they sin they shall suffer 5. Because they know if they chuse sufferings they shall be either saved from it or carried through it 6. Because they are under the promise if they suffer but under the Threats and Judgements of God if they sin This day being a day of writing to some Freinds I found my affection quickened more especially towards one Brother that did abide loving and faithful and for some others that had turned aside I observed this from Eves words Gen. 4.1 That one may receive a mercy from the Lord which may not be used for the Lord. Psalm 139.10 I did observed two great comforts in case of banishment even there that is the uttermost parts of the Earth 1. Shall thy hand â—end me 2. Thy right hand shall hold me up so from Psal 145.14 The Lord upholdeth all that fall and raiseth up all those that be bowed down this day was a reasonable good day to me This day had better intentions then performances yet I was convinced how short I came of doing the good I might do in a day place condition I am in and how I come short oâ— that which Paul mentions of himself 1. Thess 2.2 We were bold in our God c. I was sensible that I had â—on much of the boldness I had and especially in reproving sin This was a very good day in many respects first I had divers pretious Freinds to visit me Secondly a good Lâ—ter expressing the state of my Freinds in the Country Thirdly another special and unexpected Providence Fourthly
I had my Heart several times in a good frame of Prayer Fifthly I learned f om Psal 149.2.4 How it is mutually between God and his People they joy in him and he take pleasure in them I also was thinking of the grounds of Saints doubts about their salvation viz. Ignorance in the Covenant of grace want of observing their Hearts of keeping up Holiness Slothfulness and favouring some secret sin and not profiting by ordinances I was noting that the wicked are not ashamed to profess that they endeavour hurt to the righteous without a cause Prov. 1.11 and that the godly should gâ—ow more bold by how much the more their afflictions increase 1. Thess 2.2 I had my heart this day so tned in Pâ—â—yer I was this day convinced of the negligence in that duty of desiring to see the Faces of the Saints as Paul did 1. Thess 3.11 I received a special Letter this day from our dear Brother I. B. which suited much with my condition and judgement I learned a word from one that I could not expect such words viz. I did not heretofore prize neither great things that were temporal of spiritual but now I prize the least things of either sort from 2. Cor. 7. chap. 4 5 6. I observed 1. That in the greatest trouble Gods People may have the greatest comforts 2. That their comfort is originally from God 3. That God may send in these comforts at such times and in such a manner as they expect not this Evening my Soul was a little refreshed by divers promises and softned in Prayer Being the Lords day I observed from Prov. 3.16 In all thy wayes acknowledge him that godliness is an eying of God owning of God imitating of God and respecting of God in all our wayes and upon the consideration of these two following questions I had many thoughts some of which were refreshing and satisfying to me from the first question how we may know that we have received real good benefit by our afflictions Secondly How we may know when God doth afflict in Love and Faithfulness Psal 119.75.71 also divers other meditations from Rev. 12.10 They overcame by the word of their testimony and by the Blood of the Lamb c. and concerning the spiritual Race which a Christian is to run I had some enlargedness and tenderness of heart God according to his usual way and dealing with me foreseeing what I could not to wit more approaching affliction did this day administer an Antidote even comfort by Letters from the hands of several special Freinds also those words keep sound wisdome keep my saying in the midest of thine heart and keep thy heart with all diligence were I adjudged words worthy of observation hearing this Evening of a gratious Brother and Preacher sickness my heart was moved earnestly to pray for him I observed in the Morning a special exhortaion out of Prov. 5.1 My Son attend unto my wisdome and bow thine Ear unto my understanding also verse the 23. that sin is a great folly so chap. 18.13 Judg. 19.23 This day I received a sad Letter from a Brother T. E. that is turned Quaker which added much â—o my affliction the good Lord shew him the E â—or of his way and humble and reclaim him this day I was sensible of my aptness to be angry and was put seriously to enquire into the voice and will of God by these additional afflictions and I find a need of the continuance of them and my heart brought into a more submissive frame to bear and suffer his Rod. This day I bless the Lord was a good day to my Soul I had enlargedness and much freeness with some measure of softness and earnestness in Prayer especially for the Saints of God and perticularly for my own country Christians I had also a strong resolution to watch my self more carefully and do my duty more diligently then formerly out of Prov 7. I observed several helps or means to prevent and preserve the Soul from sin viz. 1. A laying up the Commandements in the Heart 2. A looking on them or eying of them 3. Getting endeared affection to Christ 4. By taking heed of the occasions thereof This day was but a flat drowsie day to my Soul nor great good gained but sin and grace not discernably active and affections unwarmed and unquickened yet convinced of lost time and comforted a little from 1 Thess 4. With thoughts of Christs coming I was this morning instructed from wisdomes words Prov. 8.8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness and there is nothing froward in them that I should take more heed for the time to come of a froward Month and Tongue this day also I hope I can humbly say it I injoyed the Lord both in Meditation and Prayer and being sensible of the want of skil in beleiving and more diligence in sanctification and thereupon I am resolved through grace and hope to be enabled to take more heed to my ways and as the Lord also presented that Scripture to me Thess 5.15 But ever follow that which is good This day I had a check in my Spirit for lightness of heart and besides an outward special Providence I observed I learned from the sin I saw and heard of in others to loath or at least desired to loath it in my self I also observed from Prov. 9.18 That one main Reason why People do not leave sin is because they do not know or consider the punishment of sin also what a commendable thing it is for Christians to be patient and beleiving in all Persecution and Tribulations Thess 2.1 chap. 4. This day being the Lords day through Gods grace I had my heart much softened and enlarged to call upon God especially one time I observed also that that want of the love to the truth and love to unrighteousness are the causes of men falling from the faith 2. Thess 2.10.12 also anoâ—her excellent Lesson from that word 2. Thess 3 1â— where he speaks of busie Bodies which signifies properly to be too intent about the work we should not be This dâ—â— I had my heart set somewhat upon the consideration hâ— t vâ— p â—â—â—s Pâ—ov 11.2 12 13. The â—ust â—hall be delâ—veâ—ed and the just shall be saved on of troubâ—e 〈◊〉 dâ— I was noâ—eing a great difference between having the light and the love of the truth this day I received an Answer from a Christian Freind of a Bâ—others business of concernment which signified his love and care and increased my affection to him I was somewhat affected also with the sweet Counsel of Christ to the Church of Sardis I had my Soul in some good frame especially in Prayer and comfort from the consideration of the promises in Psal 1.3 That the good man shall bear Fruit and that his Fruit shall not wither and Isa 49.25 and Jer. 33.20 From the stability of the Covenant I likewise considered 1. That there is that in Christ which answers
that I resolve some things I have not power to do This day I learned in the morning three things 1. His coming into the World 2. His walking before and living in this world rightly 3. His departure out of this world also this day in the Evening the Lord shewed me kindness in some degree and I had the consideration of the state to others upon my heart yet I was convinced that I wanted more softness of Heart Though this day was somewhat painful to my body yet I had some refreshing thereon to my Soul for 1. I observed out of Heb. 12.16 Encouragement to suffer also inquiries into Beleiveâ—s building upon the true Foundation from Math. 7.24 withal many comforts from Christs carriage between his Resurrection and Ascention from this day to the 29. I observed not much save that my heart was in an ordinary Frame not much elivated in good nor cast down with evil God moved my heart to praise him for his mercy the night before and indeed it was worthy of praise and I found a very great encouragement in my spirit to the Lord for it this day I received divers Letters from my Freinds in the Country which were very refreshing and the Lord came very seasonable into my Soul through many expressions in Psal 91. It pleased the Lord this day to draw forth and to inlarge my heart much in Prayer with many tears and from the 1. Kings and Ier. 50.20 To comfort me much in respect of the pâ—â—â—â—n of sin also to consider four Lessons 1. To be think my self more of the sins I had committed 2. To confess thâ—m more sensibly 3. To turn from them more effectually 4. To look upon it as a work of Christ a it was to the Preists under the Law to cleanse the Sanctuary either the Churches of God of the hearts oâ— his People 2. Chron. 29.16 This day did God tenderly afflict me in my head yet wonderfully whilst I was at Prayer removed it I perceived it in the midle of Prâ—yer departing from me I heard also from Christians in the Country which much refreshed me I observed two comfortable words from Ier. 50.33.34 51.53 For the Church of God and methought according to that Scripture Psal 102.14 I had some pleasure in the Stones and did favour the dust of Zâ—on and from Hos 8. I observed son Lessons 1. To take heed of leaving to take heed to the Lo d especially in an evil time 2. Of short repentance 3. Of being a Vessel of no delight in Goes sight 4. Of being giving up to sin Being the Lords day I think I may say it was a sweet day to my Soul in â—ivers â—espects This day was good to the outward man but I sound a carnal rickling of self conceitedness in some thing I had done and was doing and I was convinced that my time stole away insensible I observed that the Character of bad profession are out of Hos 10. are 1. To bring forth Fruit unto themselves 2. To have a divided Heart 3. To be worse by affliction 4. To have the evil of evil verse 14. This day I would ever remember because of my great folly in my great frowardness towards my Wife and another my Conscience reproved me for it and I was convinced from Prov. 14.17.29 What evil I did thereby Being a day of Prayer I found my heart by Gods goodness much enlarged sorrowing much for the faults of the former day I learned from Exek 10. Three duties 1. To know the time 2. To redeem it and 3. To consider how soon it may be at an end Being the day my Wife went to W. I found an inclinaâ—ion in me to â—owardness but God restrained it and I found that Evening a continued sence and sorrow of and for my former evil I learned from Eccles 11. 1. That a man should hasten to do what good he can because of the evil that is coming upon the Earth 2. Put away evil from my Flesh This day and night following I was much troubled with temptations out of Eccles 12. I observed many things that should move to mind their mortality and that there is a time when the days will be so evil that they will not be desired also in the 9. 10. it is said twice that the Preacher sought out 1. Matter 2. Words This day I had power to repulse temptation also a consideration that the blessed and righteous man 1. Doth not go in sin presumptuosly 2. Nor continue in sin carelesly nor 3. Give way to sin conâ—ivingly I also considered that God in affliction doth no more to a Child of his then the Angel did to Peter Acts the 5. Smite him to awake him out of Sleep Being the Lords day I was refreshed in the morning with the presence and spirit of God in Prayer and from the consideration of the wisdome watchfulness and inweariedness of Satan in deceiving and tempting I should learn to be watch ul and careful in keeping from the same The following Week my Book being from me I did not write my observations only I remember that upon the sâ—atch day I had comforts both by power I had against temptations and from a Letter I had which came from several Freinds in Wales Also the last day of the week I found my heart much intent upon preaching and with tears I did both study my Sermon and pray for a blessing thereon yet had not liberty to preach it Also the following week wherein I was in wards I had not my Book only I remember 1. That I was well contented with my condition 2. Very cheerful and comfortable 3. Had a greater mind to do good 4. Free from temptation 5. Resolved to let the Lord himself bring me out in his time and way 6. When I came out was stird up to praise the Lord yet was not without temptations afterwards Some Lessons that I hope I have learned or gained more experience in since my imprisonment 1. To be more sober and serious in my carriage and to shun and loath more jesting jearing and foolish laughter vain speaking and unbeseeming behaviour 2. To prize secresie or being in secret for private Meditation Self-examination and Prayer more then before 3. I have gained more power against passion and anger besides some other corruptions and more moderation in discoursing with men of differing judgements 4. A very great and earnest desire that there may be a general Union between the Saints of God at least a forbearance towards one and other wherein they cannot agree 5. And especially a Heart really to pray for and to pardon my worst and greatest Persecutors 6. To justifie God willingly and fully in all that he hath done and to acknowledge that it is not without cause nor so much as mine iniquityes have deserved God dealing with me under the Covenant of Grace and as a Father 7. To look more at the good and gain I have received from the Lord in and by sufferings then
good of Souls before their own worldly profit advantage but are rather so oppressing their Seâ—vants that they can hardly have any time day or night to give God what he requ res He used in his Family sometimes to repeat Sermons and inquiring what they remembred thereof sometimes what they had read that day in the Scriptures and what they had observed in their reading what providence they had taken notice of and what instruction from them sometimes propounding useful questions to them to resolve sometimes read and expounded a Chapter and informed himself how they understood it and what they remembred from it sometimes sing an Hymn and pray constantly which duties he performed twice a day if no more when at home and usually would alter both his method and his hours designing to bring them up to the life and not so much to live in the form of duties Those Servants that he saw careless of their Souls or sleep in duties not remembring what they heard he would charge warn and repâ—ove them most strictly and threaten to turn them out of his doors if they did not reform When his occasion led him abroad to preach which was very often he left with them strict charge to perform the Family duties amongst themselves As he was a housekeeper had all things provided decently and in good order his Husbandry and all his affairs well contrived and managed with great discretion This following account so well agreeing with the former and given in by his dear Wife Mr. Kathetherine Powel is thought meet here to be inserted He was exceeding tender to all persons to their inward and outward man bountiful in heart and hand to any he saw need or desire good from him a fifth part of all his income either of the little he had of his own or otherwise by providence came to him he dedicated to the Lords service and gave it to any in want much of it would he give to poor carnal persons saying we should not only be kind to one another for God is kind to the unthankful and unholy and that Christians should do good for the honour of the Gospel striving by this as well as otherways to make the poor World in Love with or at leaâ—â— have nothing to say against the good ways of God not the Professors of it Thoâ—gh he suffered much and of various kinds yet never retaind anger or disgust to the instruments but could weep in secret for them that their sins might be blotted out Noâ— ever did I know by any surprizing tryal unfitted for Prayer or any service for God A man of great sincerity and plainness either spake his heart in what he spake or else spake not at all nor omited speaking what he thought was his duty for fear of displeasing any and yet a most winning obliging carriage to all persons a man very observant how his Soul prospered to which end he writ every night what he had gained or lost therein that day either in the Scriptures Prayer Christian converse or other duties he was exercised in A man of great Faith in all things God has promised to his People relating to inward or outward man and as to his own particular when there was at any time shortness in either he went with much humble holy boldness through Faith in the Blood of Jesus to tell God what he wanted who did give eminent returns of that kind A man of great humility esteeming inferiour Christians before himself and willing others should do so too A man much in Prayer he set aside one part of the day alone to seek God for Sion not mixing other requests at that time and constant in Family duty morning and night at least and with his Wise before he went to Bed notwithstanding which immediately before he composed himself to rest took leave by committing again by a few words in Prayer to the Lord and so in the morning when he awoke renewed Communion afresh with God sometimes first by Prayer sometimes when his heart overflowed with spiritual joy in Songs or Hymns of Praises and that with a very broken and melting Frame A man very conscientious and exemplary in all relative duties and very punctual to his word if he promised any thing it was as binding to him as the most legal obligation he was naturally of a hasty spirit which if at any time brake out he would in a short space recover himself and come out of it return to as sweet and amiable a frame of spirit as could be desired and candidly acknowledge his passion and mourn over it He was a very strict and conscientious Observer of the Sabbath day viz. The first day of the week the Christian Sabbath not doing or speaking of that day what he saw lawful upon other dayes attending the duties thereof from Evening to Evening and as to the change of the day and the duties required in sanctifying thereof he hath with great judgement asserted from the Scriptures too large to be here inserted To these foregoing Testimonies tending to preserve the savour and precious memory of this eminent Servant of Christ as well as vindicate him from those reproaches that for zeal to his Masters service he was loaded with and that not only from bad men but through Emulation prejudice or mistakes even from good men also it is thought meet to add also the following Testimonial by some of his antient acquaintance and persons of known worth and integrity As for his birth we took notice that Gentlemen of the best Rank in the County of Salop Radnor Mountgomery c. saluted him as their Kinsman and for his Education though from his Childhood brought up a Schollar we measured it not by every dutty Way he hath travelled or fowl Dunghill he hath â—â—oden on but by the endowments of his mind as a man a Christian a Preacher His dexterous faculties both natural and acquired his Scripture Learning and Gifts of utterance adorning those several capacities If that saying be true Bonus Textuarius est bonus Theologus we may attest him to have been none of the meanest we cheifly pâ—ized his nurture and proficiency under Christ But lastly we look upon his work as a Flower above all in his Garden for Beauty Savour and medicinal vertue he was an indifatigable Labourer in the Harvest Peaching almost every day in one Parish or other and twice or thrice a day often 1. Christ and Moses excellency or Zion or Sina's glory treating of the two Covenants 2. A Dialogue between Christ and a Publican Christ and a doubting Christian 3. Christ exalted by the Father God the Father glorified and mans Redemption finished 4. The Bird in the Cage 5. Common Prayer no Divine service 6. Sufferers Chatichisme 7. A Scriptural Chatichism 8. Sinful and sinless swearing A Scripture Concordance He hath written several Books none of which impeaded one Sermon His acceptance was more then ordinary above many of his fellow Labourers in the Gospel