Father's holdekeeper so as it were a Mother to ten Children a Mistress over six Servants none to do any thing without my command or consent being as it were my Father's right hand from whom I had this Authority it did not only stop my sorrow but caused an exceeding juyful pride or proud joy to seize upon my heart seeing my self aâ— it were advanced being respected amongst the chiefest of the Parish who were my Mother a companions I representing her person when I was amongst them then began the cares of the Worlâ— and the deceivableness of vanities to seize upon my heart and made me forget my former order promises and intentions and thus I spent almost seven years combred about many thing but quite neglecting that one thing which iâ— needful About this time it pleased God to take my Father from me upon a sudden I asked my heart What was the cause of my Father's death It made answer thus Because thou hast sinned against God thou hast not only omitted much good but thou hast coâ—…itted much evil thou hast spent thy time idly and loosely and for thy sake all thy Brothers and Sisters are now made Fatherless and Motherless Thâ—… consideration made such a deep impression upon thy spirit that I refused all coâ—…fort for half a year crying out continually My sins my sins woe is me my sins being demanded by divers godly friends and reverend Divines what those sins were which so much troubled me I told them sins of omission sins of omission they would perswade me that I was young and that I had not years enough over my head to be guilty of so many sâ—…s by omission that needed so much sorrow I told them that I was old enough to offend God and to provoke him to anger indeed I could not give so ready account of my sins of evil committed and of good omitted but though they never took notice of my sins yet my heart was witness against me Thus I wearied all my Friends with my excessive sorrow who knew not what to do for me more than they had done With one consent they sent me up to London perswading me that the Word of God was more plentifully Preached there which made me willing to come But missing of my Brother to whom I was sent to be provided for and resolving to wait upon some Gentlewoman until I could with conveniency return down again God by his providence brought me to the Wife of Dr. Page Minister of Debtford from whom I received great comfort but in a short time God took him from us all whose death was greatly lamented I found much favour and love from all that knew me and most especially from Mris. Page who for three years and an half would not suffer me to be away from her one day At the end of which time I was married to her eldest Son then living we had not been long married and my Husband received his Portion but we took a house in Westminster intending to take some honest course for a livelihood but there God knows we fell acquainted with some company which did not only cause much time to be spent in idleness but almost all our means One man especially who gave his mind to drinking and other vices more than any good he I say was never well contented without my Husband's company Seeing imminent danger to hang over our heads by reason of this course of life I greatly desired my Husband to refrain that man's company or at least not to suffer him to come so often home to our house This I begged upon my knees with tears but could not prevail then did the Devil set his foot into my heart and perswade me that by the committing of one sin I should prevent many and so stirred me up to murther him to which suggestion I cowardly yielded and sought all opportunities to perform this wicked act Here I denied my Master Christ In the highest of this hatred in my sleep I thought I was in a very large Chamber sitting behind a Table covered with a green Carpet upon which lay all manner of Instruments which proclaim death suddenly the man came into the Chamber whom so soon as I espyed to be alone catching up a weapon in my hand I resolved there to commit the horrid act of murther upon his body but God who watcheth over his whether they sleep or walte and worketh by means and without means which way he pleaseth at that time put an end to all my revengeful thoughts and caused me to hear a voice in my Ear saying Vengeance is mine to which voice I answered aloud And thou wilt repay O Lord Then waking hearing my self speak I was in very good charity with him and left my wrong to God but reflecting upon mine own heart there I found not only these but a whole nest of most Diabolical and wicked intentions which my God was pleased by his preventing graces to smother in their birth for I no sooner had concluded that I would fulfil mine own hearts lust although I suffcred all the punishments due for such and such like sins wherein I ran away from my Captain yet for all this he had a favour towards me and sent an Herauld after me to bring me back again But then began a fresh Batteâ— for my God coming as it ware to see what use I had made of the Talent that he had given me he found it not only wrapt up in a napkin but exceedingly abused and searching my heart what found he there but a sink of sin a Cage of unclean Birds and Den of Theeves a place for Dragons for the Scritchowl and for the Satyre these had taken full possession there was no room for my God they kept him out and what did they there but made it like a troubled Sea First telling me my sins were greater than could be forgiven Dost thou not know said they that thy thought-sins are sufficient to damn thee although thou hast never committed any actually doth not the Scripture say plainly if a Man lust after a Woman he hath committed Adultery which commandment being broken brings death I then took a view of all the ten Commandments written in the Moral Law to see which of them I had broken and which I had kept I found them all broken and at the end of every one was written Death And not only those but those sweet commands of my Saviour Jesus Christ wherein he bids us watch and pray for your enemies seed the hungry cloath the naked love one another all which I had likewise broken which made me to see nothing to remain for me but death and damnation â—argued then with my self on this wise I have read and I have heard that Almighty God which by his power made Heaven and Earth and all therein had sent his Son to dye for sinners and that there was hopes through his death that I should get pardon I had no sooner cast mine eye upon my
midst of my dishress to bring to my mind these words The Spirit saith come and the Bride saith come and every one that will come drink of the water of life freely I said of my self I cannot come But I prayed Lord draw me and I shall run after thee And this word was cast into my Soul by the Lord My grace is sufficient for thee only do thou believe And God hath now wrought faith in me and by the testimony of his Spirit hath sealed his love in Christ to me working in my heart so to love him that I have cast my self wholly upon him H. C. XXXI Experiences of T. R. Mariner AT the Age of two and twenty being in the Streights I was taken by the merciless Turks but the power of the Lord delivered me out of captivity by a miraculous way unexpected The Lord giving me grace to call on him gave me a gracious answer That he would never leave me nor forsake me In the War with France on the Coast of Guinea I was taken by a French Man of War and was greatly afflicted for want of food and raiment and other hardships which they laid on me to have turned to their Catholick Religion yet the Lord still promised me that he would give me a deliverance out of their merciless hands who made good his promise to me in a short time blessed be his holy name After this I went a Voyage to Brasile and our Ship being laden we did intend for Portugal but they detained us a whole year so that our Ship was all eaten with worms and we were fain to keep pumping for nine months but the longer the worse for in our passage homeward we could not tell which death to chuse either to starve or to be drowned for our Victuals was so small that for one year and more we had no bread in our Ship but eat the roots of Trees made into a substance like Oatmeal and for Beef one ounce for a man a day which stunk so that none could have eat it but men in our case for Drink we were glad of a pint of water a day during the time of our passage which was seventeen weeks but in this passage we saw the wonderful works of God for he sent us for three weeks in seasonable times fish called Dolphins sometimes two or three in a day And as we grew within three hundred Leagues of the Coast of Portugal and our Provision near spent only three or four days left and all our men sick and weak and almost starved it pleased God of his great mercy to send us a Ship of Flushing a Man of War who proved to us as Joseph to the children of Israel for they brought us Victuals which saved our lives and after they had taken our Ship they were fain to put on board forty men to keep her from sinking for it pleased God that the next day after we had a violent Storm and a great Sea broke upon her so that we thought she would never have recovered her self again for our goods did shut all to one side and so she was sain to go untill she came to Flushing but we poor creatures were in great peril and danger of our Lives and yet the Lord comforted me by his Promise That he would bring me to shore and would deliver my life from death and my eyes from tears and he hath done graciously with me above my deserts and inabled me above my strength and delivered me above my hope therefore will I praise him without measure and magnifie his name without end Three years after this being on the Coast of Ireland it pleased the Lord to raise a violent Storm and in the morning by the dawning of the day we were so near the Shore that to mans judgment there was nothing but death approaching for we knew no place of that Land by reason of the Fogg and Rain that we had all the day and knew not where to go but as the Lord who is the Pilot of Pilots did carry us untill four a clock at Night which in December is dark and then we came to a great high head-land and a little without that lay a great sand so that we could not go any other way but betwixt them being then past all hopes of life we forced her through the Sea so that it brake over our heads insomuch that we could not tell whether we were in the Sea or the Bark but by our feet and hands for we could not see for the violence of the water only he that was at the Helm And yet in the space of a quarter of an hour we were in a safe place newly taken out of the jaws of death So that I of all men have great cause to be always rendring thanks to my God for his continual and most sweet favours unto me sinful wretched and empty man void of all spiritual goodness Furthermore I being after this in a Ship of 300 Tuns lying on the Coast of Virginia wind-bound the space of seven weeks it pleased God to visit our people with the Pestilential Feaver and the Callenture which is a violent Feaver or Madness at first and we had in our Ship two hundred thirty sive Souls at that time and it was the will and pleasure of God that we had a hundred of them sink at one time so that we had but few to look to the sick and were in great want of Provisions yet we knew not whether to go but it pleased God to raise a great Storm so that a great Sea brake into our main Sail and we had two foot water between Decks and our poor sick people cryed out they were drowned but within an hour after by the mercy of God we had fair weather and fair wind and within three or four days God set us safe on Land to our great joy and comfort that before were almost past hopes so that he caused us to say with the Prophet David It was good for me that I was afflicted And yet have another choice mercy to make known of what God hath done for me for he hath now called me out of the world but not out of the Land of the living he hath also opened my eyes and made clear my understanding with Mary to chuse the better part and whatsoever the World or Satan can cast upon me it shall all turn to my good for I know that my Redeemer liveth and him my Soul desires to bless and praise which I trust I shall do till my change cometh as God shall inable me and the Lord strengthen my faith XXXII Experiences of T. G. IT hath pleased the Lord God of his own free mercy and love in Jesus Christ to prevent and keep me ever since I was born from many thousand dangers and yet I like an unruly Creature have kicked at his Fatherly protection and run into many gross and vile sins The first gross one was many kinds of unlawful gaming
Heaven upon Earth OR Good News FOR Repenting Sinners Being an account of the Remarkable Experiences and Evidences For eternal Life of many Eminent Christians in several Declarations made by them upon Solemn Occasions Displaying the exceeding Riches of the Free Grace and Love of God in supporting them under violent Temptations and at length filling their Souls with Divine Consolations Approved of as very necessary for comforting poor doubting Believers By William Dyer Min. of the Gospel Come and hear all ye that fear God and I will declare what he hath done for my Soul Psalm 66.17 LONDON Printed for Thomas and Nath. Crouch Jun. at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside 1697. TO THE READER I Am very sensible that Discourses of Conversion in this Age are much slighted and derided by some kind of men that make high pretences to Learning and Knowledge who tell us that this talk of Conversion is sitter for Pagans and Infidels to hear than Christians and Protestants But as some people speak against Learning that have none themselves so such Persons may be thought to inveigh against Conversion and the Spirit of God because they never experienced the effects of either of them in themselves For certainly I. It is not the taking on us the Profession of Christianity that can save our Souls or make us happy forever If to cease to be Jews or Pagans and to put on the Christian Profession were sufficient then the Christians of Sardis and Laodicea who had a name to live would never have been condemned by our blessed Lord and threatned to be spewed out Rev. 3.1,16 Are there not many that name the name of Jesus Christ that yet depart not from Iniquity and profess they know God but in works deny him and will God receive these for True Converts because they are turned to the Christian Religion II. It is not being Baptized into the Christian Faith nor being Washed in the Laver of Regeneration that can denominate a Man a real and sincere Christian Many take the Press Money and wear the Livery of Christ that yet never stand to their Colours nor follow their Leader Ananias and Saphira and Simon Magus were baptized as well as the rest How fondly then do many men mistake deceiving and being deceived dreaming that the effectual Grace of God is necessarily joyned to the outward administration of Baptism and that being Converted and Regenerated already when Baptized they need no more But if this were so then all that were baptized in their Infancy must necessarily be saved because the promise of Pardon and Salvation is made to Conversion and Regeneration and we need look no further to see our Names written in Heaven but to search the Register and see whether we were baptized and the Certificate of our Baptism will be the fairest evidence for Heaven and we need only to cry God mercy and be absolved by the Minister at our Death and we 〈◊〉 inherit the Kingdom of God But let me tell you from the living God that whatever benefits you receive by baptism yet if when you come to years you be unholy unclean malicious covetous a scoffer or the like you cannot be saved except you be renewed again by repentance and a through and powerful change of your heart and life III. It is not Moral Righteousness that will evidence us to be Christians we must exceed the Scribes and Pharisees And though the blessed Apostle Paul before his Conversion says that he was touching the Righteousness of the Law blameless Phil. 3. So that none could charge him with the least immorality and though the self justifying Pharisee could say I am no Extortioner Adulterer Unjust c. Luke 18.11 yet this was not sufficient Thou must have something more than all this to shew or else God will not justifie thee I condemn not Morality but we are not to rest there Piety includes Morality as Christianity doth Humanity and Grace includes Reason but we must not divide the two Tables IV. External Conformity to the Rules of Piety is not enough to make us true Christians Many have a Form of Godliness without the Power they may pray long fast often hear gladly and be very forward in the service of God though costly and expensive and yet be strangers to Christianity and the divine Life It will not be enough for them to plead at the great Day of Account that th◠kept their Church said their Prayers received the Sacrament constantly gave Alms or the like For there is no outward service but an Hypocrite may perform it even to the giving all his goods to the poor and his body to be burned 1 Cor. 13.3 V. A Seeming Conformity to the will of God occasioned either by the restraint of humane Laws Education Afflictions or the like can never give us assurance of eternal happiness 'T is too common and easy to mistake Education for the Grace of God but if this were true who was a better man than Jehoash who while his Vncle lived was very forward in Gods service and calls upon him to repair the house of the Lord 2 Kings 12.2,7 yet there was nothing but good Education all this while for when his good Tutor was taken out of the way he appears to have been only chained up and presently falls to Idolatry so in case of humane Laws and Afflictions though men may seem very conformable while they are restrained by them yet that being removed many throw of all and commit iniquity with groodiness Having briefly declared what true Christianity is not I shall in short discover what it is Conversion or true Religion consists in the thro' change both of the heart and life by the Spirit of God through the merits and Intercession of Jesus Christ Where this is in truth it goes throughout all the powers principles and practices of a man His mind is changed and the scales of his natural ignorance fall off so that God and his glory weigh down all carnal and worldly Interests and he is turned from darkness to light He that thought formerly there was little hurt in sin now comes to see it to be the chief of evils Heretofore he saw no form nor comeliness in his holy Redeemer that he should desire him but now he finds him to be the hid Treasure and the Pearl of price for which he is willing to part with all to purchase it Now God is all to him and he values his favour and the light of his countenance above all the good that he formerly inquired after and set his heart upon Let the world now present her self in all the glory of her Kingdoms yet his Soul will prefer a naked a crucified a persecuted Christ before her and he will cry out The Lord is my portion saith my soul Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none upon Earth that I desire besides thee God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever He had rather be
especially I was given much to impatiency for which my Husband had often reproved me But still I went on in my sin being not sensible of my sad condition therein until I came into England After which this Sermon of Mr. T. did much humble me and wrought upon my heart a very great sense of my sins And I was afraid that I had committed the sin of Blasphemy against God as Job said his children perhaps had done some way or other because I had sometimes cursed some body or something that had angred me and in passion rapt out sometimes at Oath many nights I watered my bed with my tears about it and went to Mr. VVest a Minister near Liverpoole and other godly people who used such means as God led them forth to for my comfort but I was still afflicted in my Soul about the space of three weeks and then I found much comfort being perswaded by good counsel to trust in God which I did and was heartily sorry for my sins And then my Husband was troubled in mind himself and the Lord made me an instrument to comfort him as well as I could But about five months after he had abundance of joy and comfort and expected death saying that he was perswaded he should be killed and so presently after he was setled in his mind it fell sadly out For the Enemy took Liverpool and killed my Husband and a child both before my face and stript and wounded me and a child of five years old and it was thought I could not live And this was a strong tryal and I was much tempted my senses me thought were going from me and my heart I thought would have rent in pieces yet I prayed and the Lord heard me I thought it was too much for me to bear But I remembred my Saviours words He that will not forsake Father or Mother or Sister or Brother or Husband or Child for Christ is not worthy of him and I desire to give glory to his name I consider that I must part with all for Christ I strove hard against my own weakness and my heart said that God was just in all his dealings with me I thought when I had considered of it that I did but suffer as an evil doer my self but our cause was Gods and our Enemies Popish Rebels Paul was ready not only to suffer but to dye at Jerusalem for the name of Christ so I took it patiently giving glory to God and believing that God who â—us come so near me would not forsake me I was assured with much joy that the Lord would bring me to himself and in this confidence did rejoyce with my wounded Child and a little Daughter in a Barn where we were put having got a piece of an old Bible and then and since I have found much settledness in my faith from several Promises of the Lord revealed in his holy Word some of which follow John 15.7 If ye abide in me and my words abide in you ye shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you I trust in God never to depart from his word and therefore hope to find comfort in the end and do find comfort in the way in that Christ abideth with me Matth. 5.6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled Though the Lord hath thus emptyed me of some worldly comforts yet he hath given me an hungring and thirsting Soul after himself and therefore I laid hold of this promise of blessedness as made so me Matth. 15.28 where Christ saith Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest It this I have been and still am much comforted in the greatest afflictions that God hath laid upon me in whom alone is true rest And as further testimonieâ— of my love to God and evidences of my faith I have these comfortable inferences which speak much peace to my Soul 1. My love to God and Christ is more than to all things in the World 2. I find a great difference in my affections to God and to the World and the things thereof so that my Children which of all worldly things are most hear and dear to me yet if God should take them from me I could freely give them 3. I find the Spirit striving against the flesh so that when I heard Dr. Holmes speaking of that still voice which a Believer hears aâ— it were from the Spirit it did so inlarge my heart that for joy and great comfort it made me weep through the influence of the Spirit sensibly then upon my heart and so at other times also I find much comfort in the Spirit of God which is my greatest joy 4. I do rejoyce mightily in the Ordinances and apply what I hear to my self as well as I can and when I hear any thing against any evil that I can apply to my self the Lord draws forth my heart frequently to pray to God that I may do nothing that may displease him And I thank my God I find a full willingness in desire and affection to submit to every truth of Jesus Christ 5. When I hear comforts spoken of that concern me I am so joyful that it fills my heart and sometimes fetches tears from mine eyes as particularly when Master M. said That afflictions were a testimony of Gods love to his people as Lazarus was forely afflicted and dearly beloved 6. Since I heard Mr. B. and others as also suitable to my condition several things laid open by Mr. W. in some cases of Conscience I have been much affected to settle my self so by the power of Christ that I may find peace in my conscience in all things before I dye and have made it my chief business and have found comfort in the meetings of godly people 7. I bless the name of the Lord my affections are loving to the people of God and I know I love them dearly and my heart riseth to hear them spoken against I had rather bear reproaches my self than than see any one of them wronged or suffer 8. I desire as to live with God in glory in Heaven so to lead my life to his glory here on Earth in grace according to the rule of his holy Word and the examples of the Saints therein expressed and I could heartily wish were it possible that I might never sin more And I have I bless God a clear discerning through the power of the Spirit of Grace that the Gospel is the Word of truth to Salvation 9. When I come before the Lord I see nothing but emptiness in my self and therefore trust in the fulness of Christ in whose power and Spirit I find much comfort and desire always that I may come prepared with that wedding garment that may never be taken away from me for of my self I can do nothing but through Christ if he abide in me and I in him I shall do all things M.
prize above all things in the world 5. I desire to serve the Lord in all things and am troubled when any thing obstructs those desires 6. I hope for salvation and true blessedness from Jesus Christ my Redeemer and from him alone â— P. XXXVI Experiences of D. C. I Have had great Conflicts of Soul for my sins and against sin and have shed many tears by night and by day I have been much troubled at the consideration of such things as have been at any time a clog to hinder me from enjoying spiritual Communion with God which I have desired It is the greatest grief I have ever had that I have offended so good a God and indeed my sins have been a very great trouble to me and especially in that God hath given me a measure of knowledge and I have not walked up to it to live according to the light I have received But I have found comfort in God's Promises Christ saith All that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out John chap. 6. verse 37. Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you and will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty The Lord will receive us if we repent and believe and Christ calls Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Matth. 11.28 And as a testimony of my Regeneration I have these Experiences whereby to give account of the hope that is in me 1. That all my desires are chiefly to seek God in Christ 2. I find much comfort in duties to joyn in Ordinances and to partake of the things of God 3. I find my heart really at peace with all the World 4. I believe that the Lord God is at peace with me and will save me for ever through Jesus Christ D. C. Experiences of Mris. Katherine Clark HAving met with the Experiences of this Religious and worthy Gentlewoman in the account of her Life published by her pious Husband Mr. Samual Clark formerly Minister of St. Bennet Fink London which were found written in her own hand after her death and they being so very pertinent to the others aforementioned I thought it might be very useful to insert them without any alteration in her own words When I was but young my Father being at Prayer in his Family I many times found such sweetness and was so affected therewith that I could not but wish that my heart might be oftner in such a frame but Childhood and the Vanities thereof soon cooled these heavenly spariâ—s but my Father who was a Minister caused we to write Sermons and to repeat the same As also to learn Mr. Perkins Catechism which I oft repeated to my self when I was alone and therein I especially took notice of those places wherein he had set down the signs and marks of a strong and weak Faith being convinced in my Conscience that without Faith I could not be saved and that every Faith would not serve turn to bring me to Heaven Hereupon I fell to examination of my self and though I could not find the marks of a strong yet through God's Mercy I found the marks of a true tho' but wâ—… Faith which was some comfort and support to me And that God which began this good work in me was pleased to quicken and sâ—… me up to a diligent use of such means as himself hd ordained and appointed for the encrease thereof as hearing the Word Preaching private Duties c. But when I was about seventeen years old my Parents sent me to wait upon a young Gentlewoman in Northamptonshire the only Daughter of Sir W. W. At which time being sent so far from my near and dear Relations and meeting with some other discouragements in the Family thro' want of the Means of Grace which I formerly enjoyed I grew very melancholy I began also to have great workings of Conscience in me and Satan the deadly Enemy to the health and welfare of our Souls who like a roaring Lion walks about continually seeking whom he may devour took this advantage thro' my ignorance of his Devices to raise up fears doubts and terrours of Conscience in me by reason of my manifold sins and for walking so unworthy of God's Mercies whilst I did enjoy them and for being so unfruitful under the Means of Grace and so unable to obey God and keep his Commandments And by reason hereof I had no peace nor rest to my Soul night nor day but was perswaded that all the threatnings contained in the Book of God against wicked and ungodly men did belong to me and were my portion as being one of them against whom they were denounced Insomuch as when I took up the Bible to read therein it was accompanied with much fear and trembling yet being convinced that it was my duty frequently to read God's Word I durst not omit or neglect it Thus I continued a great while bearing the burden of grievous Temptations and inward afflictions of Conscience yet durst I not open the wound nor reveal my condition to any as thinking and judging my case to be like no bodies else But God who is rich in mercy and Jesus Christ who bought his people at so dear a rate would not suffer any of his to be lost and therefore he was graciously pleased to preserve strengthen and uphold me by his own power from sinking into Hell through despair and from running out of my Wits Thus by reason of my continual grief and anguish of heart night and day I was so weakened and changed within the compass of six months that when I came home my dear Parents scarce knew me For some years after her return she for the most part continued in her Fathers Family where by a diligent and consciencious use of the the Means both publick and private she did thrive and grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as she increased in days and years Till she was married to Mr. Samuel Clark to whom in all capacities she was an excellent Wife After her death in a little Book in her Cabinet she gave the former account of her Conversion to God and added many more of her Experiences to this effect I here set down Gods gracious dealings with me not for my own praise but for the Glory of God and to stir up my heart unto true thankfulness for such unvaluable mercies And I have had many experiences of Gods gracious dealing with me at several times under afflictions 1. When Personal afflictions have lain upon me in respect of bodily sickness or Spiritual Distempers 2. In family afflictions when God hath taken away my childaen 3. When I have been under fears that God would take away my deaâ— husband by some dangerous sickness which he
hurry or perturbation of mind or body arising from the fear of death or dread of Hell only but from an ingenious love to God and an uniform regard to virtue suitable to that solemn Declaration of his I would not commit the least sin to gain a kingdom And he had all possible symptoms of a lasting perseverance in this admirable Christian Resolution if God had restored him to health To which may be added his comfortable persuasions of God's accepting him to his mercy saying three or four days before his death I shall dye but Oh what unspeakable Glories do I see what joys beyond thought or expression am I sensible of I am assured of God's mercy to me through Jesus Christ Oh how I long to dye and to be with my Saviour The time of his sickness and repentance was just nine weeks in all which space he was so much master of his reason and had so clear an understanding except about thirty hours in which he was delirious that he never dictated or spoke more composed in his life And therefore if any shall continue to say his Piety was the effect of madness or vapours the assertion is as silly as it is wicked And that the force of this great penitence may not be evaded by evil men who are resolved to harden their hearts against all convictions by saying it was done in a corner the truth hereof is very well known to all sorts of persons who in considerable numbers visited and attended him and particularly by those eminent Phisitians who were conversant with him in the whole course of his tedious sickness and who if any were competent judges whether he were 〈◊〉 a phrensie or distracted who all declared that he had not the least Symptoms of it but was as seasâ—…ble as at any time in his life and health And if any shall be still unsatisfied herein in this hard hearted generation it matters not let them at their cost be Unbelievers still so long as this excellent penitent en joys the comfort of his repentance fince from all these admirable signs we have great reason to believe comfortably that his repentance was real and his end happy and we may accordingly imitaâ—… he neighbours and Cosens of Elizabeth Luke 1.52 〈…〉 when they heard how the Lord had sheweâ—… great mercy upon her came and rejoyced with hen 〈…〉 in we shall joyn with the whole Court of Heavâ—…y since our Blessed Saviour has told us Luke 15.7 〈◊〉 say unto you that joy shalt he in heaven 〈…〉 that repenteth more then over ninety and 〈…〉 that need no repentance He dyed without 〈…〉 or groan at Woodstock Park in Oxfordshire July 26. 1680. Postscript AN account of the duty and usefulness of communicating Experiences is already given I shall only add that if any should take offence at the publishing of these Experiences and judge it unmeet especially because ill men may make a bad use of them I desire such to consider that wicked Persons will take all opportunities to scandalize Religion though no occasion be given and they will likewise abuse the best of things to evil purposes Yet the Prophet David says Come and hear all ye that fear the Lord and I will declare what he hath done for my Soul Restore unto me the joy of my salvaton then will I teach transgressors thy ways amd sinners shall be converted unto thee Ps 51. So that this declaring of Experiences is one means which we may expect the Lord will make successful to the Conversion of sinners And indeed the Book of Psalms is presented to the eyes of all men both good and bad and doth consist for the most part of Experiences And Paul declareth the manner of his conversion to those that persecuted him and the Apostle Peter bids us be ready alwayes to give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear There are several other uses and advantages from declaring Experiences which are mentioned in the beginning to which the Reader is referred I shall conclude all with repeating my earnest desires that this small tract may be of some profit to the souls of men and then my design in publishing it will be answered W. D. A Catalogue of Books Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultrey near Cheapside History 1. ENgland's Monarchs Or A Relation of the most remarkable Traosactions from Julius Caesar adorned with Poems and the Picture of every Monarch from K. Will the Conqueror to this time With a List of the Nobility and the number of the Lords and Commons in both Houses of Parliament and other usesul particulars Price one shilling 2. THe History of the House of Orange Or a Relation of the Magnanimons Archievements of his Majesties Renowned Predecessors like wise of his own Heroick Actions till the Late Wonderful Revolution Together with the History of K. William and Q. Mary Being an Account of the most remarkable passages to this time Price one shilling 3. THe History of the two late Kings Charles II. and James II. and of the most observable passages during their Reigns and the secret French and Popish Intrigues in those Times Pr. 1s 4. THe History of Oliver Cromwel being an Impartial Account of all the Battels Seiges Military Archievements wherein he was ingaged in England Scotland and Ireland and likewise of his Civil Administrations till his Death Relating matters of Fact without Reflection or Observation pr. 1s 5. THe Wars in England Scotland and Ireland containing an Account of all the Battels Sieges and other remarkable Transactions from the beginning of the Reign of K. Charles the Firil 1625. to 1660. The Tryal of K. Charles I at large and his last Speech with Pictures of several Accidents Pr. 1. shilling 6. HIstorical Remarks and Observations of the Antient and present state of London Westminster shewing the Foundations Walls Gates Bridges Churches Rivers Wards Halls Hospitals Schools Inns of Courts Charters and privileges thereof with the most remarkable Accidents as to Wars Fires Plagues c. for above 900 years past Pr. 1s 7. ADmirable Curiosities Rarities and Wonders in England Scotland and Ireland or an account of many remarkable persons and places and of the Battels Sieges Earthquakes Tempests Thunders Fires Murders other Occurences for many hundred years past with the Natural and Artificial Rarities in every County and several Sculptures Pr. 1s 8. THE History of the Kingdom of Scotland Containing an Account of all the Wars Battels other remarkable Transactions Revolutions and State Intrigues in that Nation during the Reigns of 72. Kings and Queens to the 7th year of King William III. Intermixt with variety of strange Accidents Prodigious Appearances and other considerable Events And a List of the present Nobility of that Kingdom Illustrated with Pictures Pr. 1s 9. THE History of the Kingdom of Ireland being an Account of all the Batles Seiges other memorable Passages during the
late Wars there till the entire Reduction thereof by the victorious Arms of K. Will. III. To which is presixed a relation of the Ancient Inhabitants the first Conquest of that Nation by K. Henry II. The horrid Robellion in 1641. the Popish and Arbitrary designs in the last Reigns Pr. 1s 10. THE History of the Principality of Wales in three parts Containing 1. A brief account of the antient Kings and Princes of Britain and Wales till the final extinguishing of the Royal British Line 2. Remarks upon the Lives of all the Princes of Wales of the Royal Families of England from K. Edward I. to this time particularly of Edward the black Prince of Wales who with 30000 English deseated an Army of 100000 French at Crossy and at Poictiers with 10000. beat 80000. and took John the French King Prisoner Also of Henry of Monmouth afterward H. Henry V. who with 13000 routed 90000 French whose Son Henry VI. was Crowned K. of France at Paris 3. Remarkable Observations on the most memorable Persons and Places in Wales and of divers considerable Passages for many hundred years past VVith the birth and strange actions of Merlin the famous Welsh Prophet p. 1s 11. THe Unfortunate Court Favourites of England Exemplified in some Remarks upon the Lives Actions and Fatal Fall of divers Great Men who have been Favourites to several English Kings and Queens Namely I. Peirce Gaveston Favourite to K. Ed. 2. II III. Hugh Spencer the Father and Son both Favourited to K. Ed. 2. IV. Rog. Mortimer Favourite to Q. Isabel Mother to K. Ed. 3. with their private Amours c. V. H. Stafford Favourite to Crook-backt Richard with that King 's secret Intrigues for usurping the Crown and murdering his Nephews Likewise the Character of Jaâ—… Shore by Sir Tho. More who saw her VI. Cardinal Woolsey VII Tho. L. Cromwell both Favourites to K. Henry 8. VIII E. of Essex Favourite to Q. Elizabeth IX D. of â—…ks Favourite to K. James I. and K. Charles I. X. E. of Sâ—…fford Favourite to K. Charles I. With all their Pictures Price one shilling 12 The English Empire in America or a prospect of his Majesties Dominions in the West-indies namely New-found-land New-England New-York New-Jersey Pensylvania Mary-land Virginia Carolina Bermudas Berbuda Anguila Monserrat Dominica St. Vincent Autego Mevis or Nevis Sr. Christophers Barbadoes and Jamaica With an account of their Discovery Situation and Product The Religion and Manners of the Indians c. VVith Pictures of the strange Fruits Birds Beasts Fishes Insects Serpents and Monsters found in those parts of the World pr. 1s 13 A View of the English Acquisitions in Guinea the East-Indies With an Account of the Religion Government Wars strange Customs Beasts Serpents Monsters and other Observables in those Countries A description of the Isle of St. Helena and the Bay of Souldania intermixt with pleasant Relations pr. 1s 14. THe English Heroe Or Sir Francis Drak Revived Being a full Account of the dangerous voyages admirable Adventures notable Discoveries and Magnanimous Atchievements of that Valiant and Renowned Commander As I. His Voyage in 1572. to Nombre de Dios in the West-Indies where they saw a Pile of Bars of Silver near 70 foot long 10 foot broad and 12 foot high II. His incompassing the whole World in 1577. which he performed in two years and ten months gaining a vast quantity of Gold and Silver III. His Voyage into America in 1585. and taking the Towns of St. Jago St. Domingo Carthagena and St. Augustine IV. His last Voyage into those Countries in 1595. with his Death and Burial with Pictures pr. 1s 15. TWo Journeys to Jerusalem Containing first An account of the Travels of two English Pilgrims some years since and what Accidents befel them in their Journey to Jerusalem Grand Cairo Alexandria c. II. The Travels of 14 Englishmen in 1669. With the Antiquities Monuments and Memorable Places mentioned in Scripture To which are prefixed Memorable Remarks on the Antient and modern State of the Jewish Nation As 1. A Description of the Holy Land its Situation Fertility c. 2 The several Captivities of the Jews 3. Probable Conjectures what is become of the Ten Tribes carried Captive by the Assyrians with divers pertinent Relations pursuant thereto 4. The State of the Jews since their extermination with the present condition of Palestine 5. Of the Septuagint or Seventy Jewish Interpreters of the Law of Moses Together with a Relation of the great Council of the Jews in Hungary in 1650. to examine the Scriptures concerning Christ Written By S. B. an Eye-witness Beautified with Pictures pr. 1s 16. Extraordinary Adventures of several Famous Men With the strange Events and signal mutaâ—ihns and changes in the Fortunes of divers Illustrious places and persons in all Ages being an account of a multitude of stupendous Revolutions accidents and observable matters in divers States and Provinces throughout the World With Pictures Pr. 1s 17. The History of the Nine worthies of the World Three whereof were Gentiles 1. Hector Son of Priamus K. of Troy 2. Alexander the great King of Macedon 3. Julius Caesar first Emp of Rome Three Jews 4. Joshua C. General of Israel 5. David K. of Israel 6. Judas Maccabeus a valiant Jewish commander against the Antiochus 3. Three Christians 7. Arthur K. of Britain 8. Charles the Great K. of France Emp. of Germany 9. Godfrey of Bullen K. of Jerusalem Being an account of their Lives and Victories With Poems and the Picture of each Worthy Pr. 1s 18. Female Excellency or the Ladies Glory Illustrated in the Lives of nine Famous Women who have been renowned in several Ages of the World As 1. Deborah the Prophetess 2. The valiant Judith 3. Q. Esther 4. The virtuous Susinna 5. The Chast Lucretia 6. Boadicia Q. of Britain in the Reign of Nero containing an account of the Original Inhabitants of Brittain The History of Dâ—…aus and of his fifty Daughters who murdered their Husbands in one Night Of the valour of Voadicia under whose conduct the Brittains slew 70 thousand Romans with other remarkable particulars 7. Mariamne Wife of K. Herod 8. Clotilda Q. of France 9. Andegona Princess of Spain Adorned with Poems and Pictures Pr. 1s 19. VVonderful Prodigies of judgment mercy discovered in above 300 memorable Histories containing 1. Dreadful judgments upon Atheists Blasphemers Perjured Villans 2. The miserable end of many Magicians c. 3. Remarkable predictions presages of approaching Death how the event has been answerable 4. Fearful judgments upon bloody Tyrants murderers c. 5. Admirable Deliverances from imminent dangers and deplorable distresses at Sea and Land Lastly Divine goodness to penitents with the dying thoughts of several famous Men. Pr. 1s 20 UNparallell'd Varieties of the matchless Actions and Passions of Mankind displayed in near 400. notable Instances and Examples discovering the transcendent Effects 1. Of Love Friendship and Gratitude 2. Of Magnanimity Courage and