clear up the sincerity and inward value and excellency of those Virtues or Graces of Christ which are his own and his admirable workmanship in their Souls These pass up and down among men as meer delusions from the Devil and hypocrisie in the professors of them And now it is the interest of the Lord's honour and the vindication of the operation of the Spirit that these be put upon some tryal that may search their very root and bottom discover their foundation to the neck When God speaks of his Workmanship and Image in Job Satan undertakes if he could hâ—ve the stripping him of all his outward accommodations touch all he hath and he would curse him to his face That attempt failing he is confident that if he might have the torturing of him the touching and tearing his bones and his flesh he would curse him to his face and if he durst assert his confidence of his success in such an enterprize to the face of God may we think much of his confident imposing his suggestions on the projects and conclusions of his children He did attempt the green Tree and it s no marvel if he do the Dry. Now while he would bear God if possible and doth bear the World in hand so confidently that he hath instruments of Cruelty that would whip and kick the new-creature in any man to nothing and herein make God a Liar as in the former and an Imposture as in this the Lord delivers the dearly beloved of his Soul into the enemies hand though with sufficient restrictions Take him Torturer try him to the bottom and when all comes to all when he is tryed he shall come forth as Gold Job 23.10 And though till his word of deliverance came to his Josephs the word of the Lord tryes them while their feet are hurt with fetters and they be laid in irons Psal 105.18 19. They pass through fire and water yet he brings them into a wealthy place Psal 66.10 11 12. Men and Devils shall know that the Faith Love Zeal Patience Courage Holiness c. wherewith he hath endowed them have that of Truth Virtue and Worth in them as doth undeniably constitute them more excellent than their neighbours and that an excellent Spirit is found in them so as none of these tortures numbred up Rom. 8.35 to the end is able to separate betwixt them and their love to God and uprightness with and before him 3. Sometimes the Lord doth by these Tortures take occasion to heighten the honour of his own Power Arm and Influence which are day by day administered to bear up his children when it is manifest they have no external props to stay them up but are out of weakness made strong This brings out a more evident acknowledgement That the power of Christ rests upon them 2 Cor. 12.9 God is in them of a truth 1 Cor. 14.25 It s true as long as times and providences hold to keep off pains from the body chains from the legs stripes from the back famine from the belly other props and principles may be presumed to bear one up but when there is no fruit in the Vine no flock in the Field no herd in the Stall none shut up nor left yet then to rejoyce in the Lord to glory in tribulation to accompt it all joy to fall into divers of them and they great ones this is convincing that such are kept and kept up by the mighty Power of God underneath such must needs be everlasting arms What convictions came upon the two great Monarchs by the great support the three Worthies and Daniel ch 3. and ch 6. had from the Lord to yield their bodies to torment The former because they would not joyn with false worship the other because he would not cease practising the true they gave glory to the God of heaven and upon all occasions confess that an excellent Spirit was found in them 4. Sometimes the Lord brings about this end by it he hereby brings forth a more plain and naked discovery of the wickedness that is in the world through lust Many times men come in upon Dominions and the exercise of Power and Authority with most plausible insinuations protestations and declarations of their design and temper as if no other than the disposition of Lambs were in them whereon they raise a name and repute of benefactors Luke 22.25 or merciful Lords and reckon it no small part of their interest and business to raise and maintain in the spirits of people the supposition of some indelible marks of the nature and majesty of a Deity is stamped upon them and sutably to get a reverence of them as most sacred when many times to open and undeceive the minds of poor souls held in such blind devotion the Lord lets them alone and exposes the bodies of his dearest ones to their cruelty that no man may glory in men above what is written but that coming to a plain discovery of men and things in their own evidence as Psal 36.2 the sons of men as well as the children of God may breath after the Lords arising to rule the earth and become the Governor among the Nations Thus we see for high ends and unto glorious advantage some are tortured The Second Enquiry put is Why but some men would be gratified and if God be so honoured why not all tortured A few Reasons may be considered here also 1. There are but some tortured because God is pleased to accompt but some worthy to bear and wear the glory of being thus used for his Name-sake There are some of whom the Lord saith They shall walk with me in white for they are worthy Who are counted worthy to walk in white Why they who are come out of great tribulations and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb Rev. 7.14 Though there be some points of honour of which it may be said this honour have all the Saints Psal 149.9 yet it holds not true in this that we speak of they who had the first stripes for the Name of Christ rejoyced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name Acts 5.41 They have marks of distinguishing favour who bear in their body the marks of the Lord Jesus Gal. 6.17 Alwayes carrying about in their body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life of Jesus may so much the more be magnified and manifested in their mortal flesh 2 Cor. 4.10 11. 2. All are not tortured because the Lord sees all of his Servants have not power to bear such tryals as all men have not faith so all good men have not the like strong faith though they may have the like precious Faith Their Faith may carry them to Heaven who yet may not have that degree and strength of Faith to carry them through Tortures to heaven not that they who have most have any thing to boast of above others as being better than they the differance
had not trod with our feet in dayes past Yet hitherto hath his bountiful Provision and tender Care over us exalted it self in a distinguishing manner and many times to our admiration so as hitherto our Bread hath not failed but hath been given to us in due season and our Waters have been sure so that knowing how little we are yet fitted to bear as a Father pittieth his Children in their low estate he hath not proved us with hunger or with straights nor called us up to approve our selves his Witnesses in necessities in distresses c. but our lot hath rather been to partake of the fat and sweet and soft insomuch as if he put that Question to us to be resolved according to that express literal sense of it When I sent you forth on the Services and Sufferings that attend your Testimony and you knew not whither you went Lacked you anything We must answer Nothing Lord but in that respect have in hand or we trust in some degree of sweet satisfaction we have all and abound and are full by the favour of him who giveth us all things richly to enjoy and is we would humbly hope teaching us in whatsoever state we are therewith to be content So that at many of the strange preventions of loving-kindness even in things of this sort we are often made with admiration to cry out What is this to us Lord Is this after the manner of men O God! Is this a Prison If we should have sought a Prison in a Prison these six or seven years Have we yet found it Whatever others in the same fellowship of bonds with us have found we must say for our parts That as we have escaped the Sword and we hope the Polutions of the Adversary so we have found great Grace in the Wilderness for his People his Chosen The which we mention not only that we may praise the Lord together while ye observe that we receive not nor accept not so thankfully your Present in respect of need through that unspeakable gift and care of his who hath hitherto continued the Bread of the day in its day but that herewithal we might take hold of an apt occasion to take you by the hand and lead you with a little the more encouragement up and down in those wayes of the Lord wherein we must sing Great hath been the goodness of our God even in the experiences that we have passed practically through in the Doctrine and Profession whereof we had been trained up in our years of plenty and prosperity so that we must say The Land that we have been sent to spy out even in the straitest passages of it as far as our Father assigned us to follow him in is a very good Land and if we rebel not against the Lord but abide with him those very circumstances that at a distance seem like sons of Anak and walls reaching up to Heaven apt to eat up the Inhabitants are well able to be overcome and will be found Bread for us while we stand and feed in the strength of the Lord and in the majesty of the Name of the Lord our God so that these Serpents at a distance from which we are apt to flee are found to believing but a rod and that a rod of God too when taken in the hand And could we come forth to you in Truth and Evidence as wise and right improvers of the sensible experiments we have actually found tasted seen and handled hitherto of this sort and that the savour of these excellent things had not been diminished in these souls of ours through too much an in observent careless earthly disposition bringing us down from our advantages of excellency we might speak more loudly to you than now we can Oh! taste and see that the Lord is good blessed are they that put their trust in him The Lions among whom we dwell do want and suffer hunger but they that fear the Lord lack nothing that is good In the midst of their sufficiency they are in straits while in the straits designed to wear out the people of the Saints of the most high there is a provision made of sufficiency be ye therefore strong and very strong and very couragious and God shall strengthen your hearts And now for a thankful acknowledgement though it may not be interpreted as any requital of your holy liberality What shall we farther say than that we do as we are able bring the matter in our requests and thanksgivings unto him who is able to make all Grace abound toward you All-sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness which causeth in us thanksgivings unto God And this we beg on your behalf not as if we desired a gift or that it should be so again done to us knowing that there are many watery faces everywhere requiring Bread to be cast upon them as under far greater necessity than our selves But as hâ—ving perswasion and some small experience what a great recompence it is in such case to have the mouth and hand opened from the hearts being enlarged with those expatiating Graces and Vertues of the Spirit of the New Testament that constitute a true largeness of heart like the Sand on the Sea-shore and to encrease that greatness that is proportionate to the large discoveries of believing doing suffering-Grace and Preparations for expected Glory In order to it we desire for you all and intreat you to press and pursue after 1 Greater advances toward newness of heart the old heart will be as old bottles and an old garment that will not comport with the new Wine which is yet in the Cluster and a blessing in it though men attempt to destroy it And this is not only a newness of state but a newness also of frame by means whereof the inner-man may pass under experimental renewings day by day even the renewings in the Spirit of your minds by which the Truths Wayes and Works of the Lord the King may have an intimate access and abundant enterance into your own souls and you into them in their vertue dominion and power 2 Greater approaches in a way of heavenliness and nearness to the Lord at distance from the spirit of this evil World where the World is set in the heart the God of this World will be quickly filling it narrowing and enclosing it for earthly service and this not only in men of Earth who have their portion in this life but also in those that are by the Blood of Christ delivered from the gross pollutions of this prâ—sent evil World through lust but yet much concerned in the business cares and intricating-affairs of its many things which though lawful in themselves to be diligently prosecuted yet as lying under the influence and advantages of the Prince of it having a notable tendency to bring souls down from their excellency and to eat out insensibly the liveliness and sweetness of our spirits longer and further than the Victory that overcomes it in the vertue of the Cross of Christ by which we are crucified to it and it to us be kept up on fresh exercise 3 Right waitings for and waitings on the Spirit of Promise who is of power to quicken dry bones raise dead Witnesses and do great things in and for us which shall not be resisted nor need not be assisted with might and power though for a time the work about it may be made to cease with force and power We shall say no more at present but with the representation of our oblieged respects to every one of you as if known by Name leaving you in the blessed arms of our Beloved we remain 22th of the 9th mon. 67. Your Brethren waiting for the Consolation of Israel POST-SCRIPT IF any inquire what might occasion so much severity as to detain the Author so many years and until death a Prisoner It may suffice to insert here for the Readers satisfaction That in the state of his case left under his hand setting forth the illegality and unrighteousness of proceedings against him He concludes it thus If it should be suggested Perhaps he is a Ring-leader This true Character of the Person may alleviate jealousies of that kind He was born at Plymouth of mean yet honest Parentage is not by Kindred or any Alliance related to any Person or Family of any Note at all was not bred up to Learning at any University or sent any where to Travel for Education or Experience but contrariwise brought up and kept diligently by his Parents to Work in the poor yet honest Trade of a FVLLER never lived out of that Town a Month together all his life except in a Journey some Weeks on occasion about sixteen years since to London besides what he under-went by constraint in Prison Never in the former Wars was enlisted in any Troop or Company under Pay and in the Trained-Bands of the Town where he served never was accounted worthy of Promotion to so much as a Corporal nor in the Corporation whereof he was a Member ever advanced so high as a Constable never bettered his Estate one farthing by all the propitious advantages that might have given him opportunity for so doing nor is conscious to himself of the least desire of adding to what he hath by any present or future advantages that any favourable overtures of the times may tempt him with never was advanced to or improved in any Place or Office of Trust or Profit Civil Military or Ecclesiastical save only for some few weeks unknown to him and against his will he was Mustered a Chaplain to the Fort but quickly got himself discharged of that again Never was concerned in nor truly charged with any Plot Mutiny or Tumult giving the least disturbance or occasion of Fear or Jealousie This one thing then only can remain to give colour to such proceedings That about eighteen years since he being convinced of his Duty to the Lord by evidence of Scriptural Light joyned himself in an holy Covenant to walk in all the Ordinances of the Lord blameless to the best of his Light and Power in fellowship with a poor and despised People FINIS
is only in bestowing mercies which are distributed variously even as the Spirit will 1 Cor. 12.11 yet still a proportion of tryal is measured out sutable to their strength 1 Cor. 10.13 for he knows our frames and in measure doth debate with us and as the day is so our strength shall be Deut. 33.25 and even as there are children young men and Fathers in Christ 1 John 2.13 so have these their tryals as they can and that they may be able to bear them 3. All are not tortured because all are not called to be tortured the Lord hath other imployments for some that shall as sufficiently prove their faithfulness and improve their strength as if they had been tortured Some of the Saints may as really honour God in a Meeting as others of them may on a Gibbet every member hath not the same office Rom. 12.4 1 Cor. 12. throughout not the same imployment shall not by the same manner of doing or dying glorifie God John 21.19 God seeks for a man to stand in the gap and make up the hedge Ezek. 22.30 Every man is not looked for in that place of danger it 's good to be where God looks for a man 4. All are not tortured because the Lord will be magnified in distributing the tryals of the body of Christ otherwayes than he did the tryals of their Head its true the tortures that were laid on him were to meet on him alone he was to tread the Wine-press alone and of all the people there was none to help him they that thought they could drink the Cup he was to drink or be baptized with his Baptisme did not understand themselves He looked and there was none to help he wondered there was none to uphold therefore his own Arm brought him help c. But now in the fellowship and similitude of Christs sufferings assigned to the body although there be a compleatness of suffering appointed to the whole of which the Apostle speaks Col. 1.24 and though there be a common spirit of fellowship and simpathy of bearing one anothers burdens through which they are all baptized into one body yet is there distribution made of them into the various parts each member having that assigned him which infinite wisdom sees proper for him so that none may boast against others as if he had no need of them though Paul had laboured and suffered more than all yet he had not suffered all and could not say to the weakest I have no need of thee 5. Lastly All are not tortured because the Lord will roll away the reproach and remove the usual stumbling-block which Satan raiseth up to the turning the weak out of the way of the Lord namely That the enquiring after and profession of Jesus Christ doth indispensibly necessitate and bind over unto all manner of hardships such can never be in reasonable expectation of good day more but must bid adieu to all creature comforts and espouse the quite contrary extremities its true A dying to a denying nay a hating of all our lower comforts is required to be learned in the beginning of their way who will be his Disciples But whether they shall be actually put upon that tryal and really deprived of them is left to be disposed of in the brest and good pleasure of him who knows what part of the wrath of men and suffering of Saints will praise him and the remainder he will restrain the absolute conclusion therefore of stumbling Sinners and discouraging Saints as if their bread would fail and as a Lion he would break all their bones are hence to be expelled as having no just ground to be insisted on as real obstructions to our following the Lord. Tempted Souls are apt to get their spirit quite worn out with a fearful expectation of the most fiery tryals when as it may be the Lord hath appointed no such thing at all for them and in their following on in this way they have met with little or nothing of what they feared A few Practical Inferences here shall close up the Point Vse 1. Is it so that God hath appointed but some to be Tortured not all it then yields some stay against those surprizing amazements that are apt especially in such dayes as these to seize upon the spirits of people who are looking toward Zion with their faces thither-ward most good people are looking upon Penal Laws and Statutes made and making against them if they hold on in such a profession as they have made hitherto of Christ Jesus all must be banished all must be sold as slaves all must be impoverished imprisoned or the like Why then saith a poor creature what shal I do I can never lie in a nasty prison being used to a soft bed fresh air good diet Saith another I shall never endure another clymate to have lash and labour that have been bred up in a Land and State of fulness I can never live if I am forced to such hunger and poverty as the Laws do threaten me Why Soul do not reason thus thou knowest not what supplies of strength the Lord may furnish thee withal if he call thee to such a condition Out of weakness many have been made strong But besides thou shouldst not fret thy self with such an expectation thou knowest not that any part of this shall be thy portion Yes yes will such object I am sure if any man in the town or countrey it will be me such and such have particular enmities to me c. Why yet thou knowest not but the Lord may preserve thee in his way from such rage of men and strife of tongues thou mayst be of them whom God reserves Baruch cryed out Wo is me now for the Lord hath added grief to my sorrow c. Jer. 45.3 perhaps of the heavy and dangerous service he was called upon to go where Jeremiah could not ch 36.5 6. he feared ruine and tortures inevitably yet God had wayes to hide him v. 26. and to give and secure him his life for a prey ch 45.5 Moses had many dreadful objections and discouragements against going upon that thankless difficult hazardous message God sent him on Exod. 3.10 What am I vers 11. they will say what is his Name vers 13. They will not believe me nor hearken to my voice ch 4.1 I am not eloquent of a slow speech and of a slow tongue vers 10. Send by whom thou shouldest send v. 13. All springing from fear of the issues of the undertaking and of the miscarriage in it which when it came to be put in practice there was not one of the feared things occurred in his path though some other tryals did Unbelieving fear of these dreadful consequences of following God is very fruitful in forming Lions in the way as if there were no avoiding of them or no restraint designed by that Arm which setteth bounds to the Sea Hitherto shalt thou go and no further there shall thy proud waves be
stayed He bringeth the counsel of the Heathen to nought and maketh the devices of the people of none effect Psal 33.10 11. It s not unusual that they fall into their own net whilst we escape Psal 141.10 Use 2. If it be but some that are Tortured and they stand distinguished by the absolute sovereignty and gracious disposal of the Lord who appoints their call anointing and season as it pleaseth him on whose will also the with-drawment of influences hereunto doth depend Then it may caution you and me to take care how we judge of men that are assisted or not assisted in point of enduring tortures It s not the smallest infirmity of this day there is a present over-valuing and under-valuing men and parties according as there appears or dis-appears an ability to endure the tortures that attend the tryal of their profession The persons of some are had in admiration because of advantage above what is written and the persons of others so dispised as if God were not able to make them stand that is a needful counsel in a case not very different Rom. 11.18 Boast not against the branches for if thou boastest thou bearest not the root but the root thee and the teaching therein hath been oftentimes enforced on me by that determination of our Lord which is admitted frequently to take place at this day Many that were last shall be first and the first last And it falls frequently under observation That men as well as things do very speedily and often countermarch and shift places Many tall Cedars who did run well suffer many things gave great ground of perswasion that they would have gone thorough have notwithstanding at one point or other faultred deserted their station and as Sampson grown weak as another man when perhaps on the same ground a poor weak believer over-looked and dispised by most hath obtained grace and strength from on high to make good that post and to walk from strength to strength in the Name of the Lord his God So that all glorying or being puffed up for one against another is excluded here Let not him boast that putteth on his Armour Use 3. Must some be tortured must all be tryed is not the day of the expectation of greater things than these yet over Then let us learn to prepare our Faith and Patience get on our Armour and gird it on take heed how you be drawn into a sleep of security from the present interval of Calm and Rest which the Lord is pleased hitherto to continue to you in a very wonderful manner Some are if not tortured yet sorely tryed and tempted while you have your mercies and opportunities so peaceable about you you should be reckoning this is a space allowed you to gather courage not to contract rust by rest but laying up a store against the evil day that question should be still with us in a way of endeavouring its resolution Seeing we look for these things what manner of People should we be standing on our guard expecting to be drawn forth and ready to comply with that Call Who will rise up for me against the evil-doers who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity Psal 49.16 in a faithful humble Lamb-like readiness to follow Jesus Christ and witness for him though it be in tortures temptations or wherever he goeth But to proceed to some farther Observations in the words Others were tortured c. It is implyed to make up the sense at every sentence by Faith they were so although it be not so expresly named By Faith they were tortured by Faith they accepted not deliverance by Faith they looked for a better Resurrection all the famous doings and fearful undoings recorded in this Chapter are to the honour of Faith This expression therefore that comes first to hand By Faith some were tortured may be considered two wayes 1. It hath a great truth in it if we thus understand it by Faith that is by means of their Faith upon this occasion and for this reason they were tortured even their Faith This was the quarrel the Devil and World had with them viz. They were men of Faith Or else 2. The expression may be thus understood By Faith they were tortured that is they were supported in and carried through their Tortures living or dying by their Faith This was the victory that overcame the world in all these tortures even their Faith I take this latter to be most immediately aimed at in this place and sutably is my eye to prosecute it Though I take the former not to be excluded or at least we may draw some useful considerations from that sense By Faith that is upon occasion of their Faith they were quarrelled with singled out and tortured by Satan and his instruments Great Faith exposed them to great sufferings And so it is now and may afford us this Observation Doct. 3. That a lively Faith possessed and professed is that which will enrage and engage the worlds highest violence and cruelty on him that hath it I intend a very brief dispatch of this not being so immediately perhaps intended in the words and that by considering Faith as contracting and incurring this rage in a two-fold sense or respect 1. Consider we this Faith unfeigned as it is possessed or respecting its inward root and principle as it dwelleth in the hidden-man of the heart in that which is incorruptible against this and as such doth the Prince of Darkness mainly bend his batteries It s true he brings his torments to bear upon the limbs and members of the Body the sensitive part but nothing is more evident than that his design lies farther as appears by this That if by the frights or feeling of these tortures he can but get in pollution and defilement upon the soul of a poor Saint if he can but corrupt that from the simplicity or debauch that of the virginity it hath with Christ then is the offence of the Cross ceased the torments are all called off the work is done He is mad to see any soul delivered from his dominion and translated into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God and there lives by this Faith on comforts that he cannot intermedle withal derives strength and influence which he cannot obstruct is acted in a life and on principles and reasonings which have a fixed and unalterable antipathy to his former courses nay have vertue and success to make resistance to Satan oftentimes to put him to flight 1 Pet. 5.9 Jam. 4.7 And this is the Victory that so frequently overcomes not only the World 1 Joh. 5.4 but the Prince of the World 1 Joh. 4.4 Now there is little reason that we should wonder to see Satan rage and in a rage to bring his instruments of greatest cruelty to bear upon a soul that lives by Faith above him and in such an advantagious way of conquest over him as the Gates of Hell cannot prevail to do him real
better than their proffered Deliverance The main Point that I shall propound to be handled from the words is this Doct. 5. That it is no less the excellency of Faith to reject the tempting Tenders than to sustain the cruel Tortures of a trying Day The supposition is of a person put upon this Dilemma he is brought into a condition of torturing be it actually so to his feeling or only vertually in the threats or Laws that represent them at hand or to his fears In this condition he hath two offers two tenders made to him First the tender of the Torturer and he offers Deliverance full and compleat deliverance Secondly the tender of the Comforter and he offers the Resurrection And now the man is put to it Will you comply with the design of the Torturer and you shall have Deliverance Or will you adhere to the design of the Comforter and you shall have perhaps not any ease mitigation but rather an increase of pain But at length a lot in the end of the dayes in the Resurrection Look to your choice let your choice be the off-spring of a well-deliberated and digested judgment upon the case Now here lies the excellency of believing in fixing the soul upon principles of the highest reason to cleave to this the Resurrection is better When sense comes in with its judgment life is sweet Skin for skin and all a man hath he will give for his life The body is more worth than food and the life than raiment Death is a King of terrors Banishment is terrible tortures intollerable hunger insufferable Spare thy self this evil shall not overtake thee What saith Friends Wife Children Oh! do not disgrace your self do not destroy us men will praise thee when thou dost well for thy self But what saith Faith Ah will a carnal heart say I hate him for he never speaks good to me but evil Well but what will it say Why there is a glorious Resurrection that will repair all tortured bodies tottered limbs massacred members will all be done up better in the Resurrection And in mean time these light afflictions are but for a moment and not worthy to be compared with that glory which is ready to be revealed in us Scorn the torturer slight the tender reject the offer at man's hand it is and hath a lye in the right hand fall into the hands of the Lord commit the keeping of thy soul to him in well-doing as into the hands of a faithful Creator be assured he is able to keep that which is committed to him against that day This is an hard saying flesh cannot bear it but faith can and doth Now that we may not miscarry or offend on the right hand nor on the left in this narrow point I suppose it may be requisite to draw the matter thus into Consideration Deliverance from tortures and consequently from any other or lesser tryals may be considered Three wayes 1. In a simple and abstract Notion in its self unclothed of other circumstances and dependencies and then we shall see what acceptance Faith will give to it when tendered 2. We are to consider Deliverance as in the torturers hand and design as an Engine or Instrument to carry on the same end which he attempted to extort by torments namely to bereave the man of his Testimony 3. We may consider Deliverance as it stands compared with and opposed to the better Resurrection these Two standing in competition in their tender Now in each of these respects there are several considerable Truths to be taken notice of especially in such times of attempts to debauch all manner of wayes 1. For first of all If we consider Deliverance apart from the projects and designs of men who are tempting and attempting by it to bring about their ends upon a poor tortured Child of God I say take it in a single and abstract notion apart from such entanglements and the matter admits of a very vast difference in the judgment and to the acceptation of Faith For if the case can be clearly and truly so stated Faith can and must accept deliverance with all thankfulness with honour to God and with great advantage to the soul concerned in it And therefore as we pass along I would willingly speak a little distinctly to this case that some stop and prevention may be put to the prejudice that may otherwise arise upon a rigid insisting on this Doctrine as if the tendency of Faith in times of tryal were inevitably to run all upon the Rocks without any respect had to the preserving our selves or any thing concerning us or committed to us of our external mercies Being therefore the contrary is to be supposed and is implyed all along under the main Truth asserted in the Text I will fairly lay down this Supposition ☞ That Deliverance as Deliverance may be considered is a Mercy not to be refused but accepted by Believers Deliverance from tortures from tryals if you would think of it very abstractly and in its meer simple nature Deliverance from harm and evil may be reckoned among a Christians middle things I mean such things as in their own nature are neither good nor evil but do receive the impression denomination of good or evil sutable to their relation improvement or design to which they are bent and levelled accordingly as they are either used or abused And therefore it is that the Spirit of the Lord Eccles 9. beginning declares that there is neither love nor hatred by all that of this kind is under the Sun But in this sense it falls not immediately under our present discourse A little farther therefore Deliverance to a Christian represents it self so as he can clearly and comfortably eye it in God's hand and as something conveyed to him by the goodness of a good God And when deliverance can be thus beheld not only as coming in a common effective providence but by the approbation allowance and good will of the Father then such deliverance is entertained with the best acceptation of Faith he compasseth God about with songs of deliverance To this Point a little may be spoken There are several respects in which no man is so capable to accept Deliverance such Deliverance as a Believer 1. None as he can tell what to make of Deliverance 2. None as he knows how to improve Deliverance 3. None as he can accompt with God for it at the last Day 1. First of all When Deliverance comes in in such a way as he may accept of it none is able to make so much of it put such a value upon it as he every thing on this side Hell is Mercy It 's of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed Faith advanceth the value of every received good according to the love that sent it the price it cost the grace that brings it it sayes as Jacob I am less than the least of all thy mercies Gen. 32.10 What am I that thou hast brought me
waited for they made this their business to raise a good report and preserve a sweet savour upon the Promises which yet brought not forth as they expected they should but yet this they got by it the Promises left a good report on them Their Names by means thereof were as precious Oyntment Eccles 7.1 for that their conversation were as precious Oyntment to the Name of God Christ shews his acceptance of such by making known to such the most early discoveries of his further breaking forth of Glory beyond any other So it was in the case of the Text they that were at this early costly provision of Imbalm had the first Knowledg Evidence and Joy of the Resurrection of Christ from the dead and must be the first messengers of the blessed Tydings thereof John 20.1 14. to 18. Luke 24.10 Mark 16.9 10. They had not the first manifestation of it who were men of the greatest parts imployment or esteem Nothing is more obvious to frequent experience then the preventing Grace of Christ at least in keeping the spirits of such sweet quick lively and if any fore-tastes of approaching Glory be going such overcommers shall have the morning-star Rev. 2.28 Christ's acceptance is frequently signified this way They who do what they can to raise a sweet savour on the concerns of Christ shall be rendred the most useful blessed and a blessing of any others in their generations The blessings of the souls and bodies of them that were ready to perish shall come upon such Job 29.13 They shall be as dew frow the Lord and as the showers upon the grass that tarrieth not for man nor waiteth for the sons of men Micah 5.7 Their love to Christ laying out its self for him thus is likened to the Oyntment on the head of Aaron and the dew of Hermon and Sion for there the Lord commanded the blessing Psal 133. The Families Neighbours Fellow-members of such shall rise and call such blessed Prov. 31.28 Ezek. 34.26 The distinguishing mark of acceptation is reserved by Christ till the day of recompence which hastneth greatly in the which not the value of a cup of cold water hath been given on this sweetning design but shall have its eminent reward Upon that enquiry of the poor Disciples Mat. 19.27 Behold we have forsaken All and have followed thee what shall we have therefore It was a great All a few Fishing-Nets and Boats and the like poor things Yea but it was their All they had done and were undone as far as they could for Christ and what remaineth to them Truly they having followed Christ in the Regeneration or as Luke 22.28 continued with him in his Temptations he appoints to them a Kingdom as the Father appointed him They must eat and drink with him in his Kingdom sitting on Thrones and judging the Tribes of Israel and every one that hath forsaken Brothers or Houses or Fathers c. shall receive an hundred fold c. From the words a few things more tending to a closer Application of the whole shall serve for a close Vse 1. This might be improved by way of Information thus If Christ do put such a real high value upon all attempts that are levelled toward this design to preserve a sweet savour on his concerns when they are by the world exposed to stinking Then 1. May we gather how the heart of Christ stands aspecting such as do what they can to render him and the things of his Name and Glory odious by laying contempt and reproach upon it what in them lyeth surely it will be a bad day for such when he shall plead with them and vindicate the quarrel of his abused Name and Interest If they that honour him shall be thus honoured then they who despise him shall be lightly esteemed 1 Sam. 2.20 It 's worth consideration what requitals in kind Chtist hath in store for such indignities done to him what funerals he hath reserved for such enemies See Isa 14.9 11 18 19 20. Hell from beneath is moved at thy coming Thy pompe is brought down to the grave and the noise of thy viols the worm is spread under thee and the worms cover thee They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee c. All the Kings of the Nations all of them lie in glory every one in their own house but thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch as the rayment of those that are slain thrust thorow with a sword As a carkass troden under foot thou shalt not be joyned with them in burial because thou hast destroyed thy Land and slain thy people the seed of evil-doers shall never be renowned An Instance like unto this of the Lord's severity to such as have provoked him and abused his Glory we have Jer. 16.4 They shall die of a grievous death they shall not be lamented neither shall they be buried but they shall be as dung upon the face of the Earth These are some of the Lord's wayes that he can take and many times doth with such as are not tender of his Glory Consiâ—er this ye that forget God c. The funerals of Jezâ—bel that dreadful enemy to the Lord's Prophets and People may be a warning to such Persecuters 2dly It also lets us understand with what little savour he doâ—h and will regard those who have been pretenders to him in the dayes of Prosperity but in Adversity and under the passions and reproaches that â—ttend the Gospel they hide their faces as it were from him nay are ready to deal with him as the Pharisâ—es are condemned for doing Mat. 23.29 to the end Who built the Tombs of the Prophets and garnisht the Sepulchres of the Righteous and yet espouse and walk in the very spirit of thos that slew them see their doom and downfal in the same place 3dly It also shews how little thank-worthy they will be in the day of Christ and how much 't is to their loss of their comfort now and will be of their reward then who think every thing too much that they either actually lay out or put in hazard for the Name-sake of Christ. If a good wish indeed will do it or the blessing mentioned James 2.15 16. would be accepted that possibly might be spared but as for any thing that is costly or dangerous that cannot be adventured It 's an hard saying who can bear it Of such will not Christ say They that are ashamed of me and my Word before this evil and adulterous generation of them shall the Son of man be ashamed when he appears in his Glory and in the Glory of his Father and of all his Holy Angels Use 2. But I rather proceed to offer a few things that may tend to direct and ingage in this matter And here first some Cautions to prevent mistakes and miscarriages in the Preparation and Application of this Imbalm and then a few Directions and I shall conclude Caution 1. Take heed that you
his praise while I have my being so that thus 't is with me now Christ is lovely to me in all the afflictions I have met with in all I have seen and suffered wherefore rejoyce with me O my Friends let us rejoyce and bless the Name of the Lord together that hath dealt well with me and do not I beseech you disgrace the throne of his Glory because of me or this fleshly state that must be taken from you Murmur not I pray ye that yet you see not Saviours come up upon Mount Zion The reserve of Spirit is with him and the Lord hath many Children to bring in besides those that are brought that shall be brought in by vertue of fresh Anointing so as they shall be known to be Children of his that he hath blest And as I desire you would not weep for me so not inordinately for your selves neither adhere to Christ and fear none of those things ye shall suffer I have no deep insight into deep Mysteries but this I Believe God is a-rising to do some great thing in the World for Sion's sake and though it be hard for us to lose our Chariots and Horsemen some by Apostacy some by Death some by Scattering yet when the Gathering time shall be it will be no grief nor sorrow of heart to behold the way of Gods working in all these things when we shall say he hath done all things well There are many signs upon us that prognostick great things near at the doors though I dare not say I know much distinctly as to Times Means and Methods only be assured not one jot or title of all God hath spoke shall fail though our interpretations of them may fail If any ask how it stood with me as to these things at this season tell them If I die I die in as full Assurance that God will give reviving to his poor despised Cause and Interest as I do believe the Resurrection of this Body and that I know both the one and the other are founded on such a Word as shall stand as Mountains of Brass And advise them also to take heed how they wait on mens Indulgence so much talked of but let their Faith stand in the Wisdom Power and Faithfulness of God and their Prayers be directed more that way endeavouring to make Religion their business yet if any shall lean to such a deceitful Bow be not you dismayed or discouraged at it but hold on your way that shall be strength to you And now Oh now could I send Epistles to all the Churches in these things I would but that work I think is over be ye therefore as the Epistle of that to them And now my dear Brother and Sisters I desire to bless God for you and for your great tenderness to me but herein as to particulars my mouth is stopt I hope you will continue love to my poor Sister you see what a poor Creature she is yet I hope one that will find Mercy in the day of Christ And dear Sister A. L. remember me to all Saints in Plymouth and tell them I have no greater joy than to hear that they are of those Children that are walking in the Truth as to hear of any of them walking loose to Christ and loose to the Profession of him is my Souls grief Oh! tell them that as ever they hope to see my face with joy at the great Day that what they have seen and heard from me a poor worm that hath been according to the mind of the Lord they would do and the God of Peace shall be with them And now Friends as a * Sir H.V. good man once said so I say as to what you may have further to say to me or ask of me While the Oyl runs bring your Vessels His Sister asked what he had to say to her Family He answers They had been a kind poor Family the Lord make them his Family and dear Sister look over a weak Husband and Family and difficulties that may occur as to them and you You and I have been Witnesses to the Faithfulness of Christ how he hath provided for us in former dayes and I challenge you if you can to say to the contrary he hath not failed us thus far Then he said I am weak and faint A Friend by said to him The Lord the Creator to the ends of the Earth fainteth not but gives power to the faint and to those that have no might renews strength He answers Yes he doth so and will also roul away the reproach of his People in due time for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Oh this part this part of the reproaches of Christ this now almost eight years reproach What Glory is there in it to those that are helpt to bear up under it Then speaking to his Sister A. said Dear Sister Bear up bear up blessed be God for strength to you thus far bear up still I beseech you accept all in good part and pass by all weaknesses you and your Husband had Relations each of you dear to you both and also I trust to Christ I desire not complementally but really to be remembred to them all and desire they may be all gathered up to Christ to meet him at his appearing And I desire for you all that you may be strengthned to all the pleasure of God that is yet to come to pass concerning you and that you may come out of these great Tribulations as Sheep from the washing and though you may see me possibly go away from you in the fiery tryal yet it may be you may be admitted to that Mercy of being bid come out and shew your selves yet that is but little considering the snares that may yet attend such a state But Oh! how much clearer is my way to come out thus than by men Then speaking to the Maid he said I desire God may have the praise of what he hath wrought in and for you and wherever you are cast I desire you may walk as a chaste Virgin And to the Nurse he said I know not how you may think your self concerned in such discourse as this since these may seem strange things to you yet give me leave to say they are some of the true sayings of God how strange soever they may seem yea they are also needful things for you to be acquainted with Oh press after them with all earnestness Then a Friend present speaking after this manner Ah! Brother What is the meaning of these Dispensations of the Lord in snatching away his choicest Saints from amongst us and leaving the poorest and weakest to be Concerned for him in such a day making them ready in sorrow and sadness of heart to say By whom shall Jacob arise since he is so small To which he replied How small soever Jacob was yet Jacob's God was not small He is a great King and a God above all Godds and as was minded but now he
that which threatens its destruction and it must needs be irksom to it to be following God in wayes it knows not whence they come or whither they lead but yet notwithstanding it must be brought down for a corn of Wheat cast into the ground is not quickned except it die and so in this case precedent to the quickning that is to be brought out on the proper subjects of it Death in one respect or other must be brought on upon all fleshly glory and excellency even in its perfection Whereunto he replied Yes it must so for unless it die it remains alone and cannot be brought out in its glorious state of the manifestation of the sons of God but by cracking the shell of this earthly tabernacle and so coming out to it A Friend coming to have felt his Pulse He said I have not askt your observations in my case it may be thought possibly it might adde some impressions of hopes or fears if I should know what it is The Friend replied His Observations in such cases vere not very material to acquaint him with but saith the Friend What are your own Observations in the case He answered His Hope was on high yet Flesh he found hankering in his Musings at some seasons suggesting there was much desirable work to do some of one sort some of another at this and the other place making him ready to desire to stay and loth to be gone but when looking up and considering the state of things then he is made to say to his soul Oh! haste away to thy Mountain And Oh! that I had wings as a Dove then would I flee away and be at rest I would not live alwayes and am ready to say sometimes as he Take me away for thou knowest my dayes that they are vanity But Oh! I am much more cumbred on the other hand with crying How long Lord And sometimes am ready to wish an end which way ever it be by recovery or death To which it was told him That argued him a man Yes said he a poor man It was told him again All our Poverty Weakness and Unworthiness in the day approaching shall but make matter for a song the more to the praise of rich Grace and Mercy in the Lord 's remembring us in our low estate because his Mercy endureth for ever On the same day in the afternoon a Friend asking him how he did He answered Coveting to overcome referring to a word had been spoken that day in the Family from Rev. 2.26 of which one had given him some account It was replied to him That was a good work and good in it to be eying him that had overcome by whom only we can be helpt to overcome He replied Yes to be able to say I have fought a good fight I have kept the Faith is a great word and work And further said He had had his reflections and he thought some injections also that day of his neglects of service for the Lord that he might better have improved in times past though in the main the Testimony I have born to Christ in my day is a quieting comforting Consideration through the blood of Christ though not the bottoming Consideration on which my peace is built yet 't is of great use in a secondary sort at such a season and I mention it to you that you may do much suffer much shrink not nor neglect no work for God it will be no grief of heart to any that have spent and been spent for God his Name and Interest for dayes to come Being verâ— ill and in the apprehensions of those about him like to leave them he was asked Had he any further word to them or any of the Lord's People before he left them To which he answered I have spoken to you and them already the whole Counsel of God according to what I have received and was under no temptation to keep back any thing through fraud I cannot now speak much and if I could unless the great Remembrancer set home with Power and Efficacy what is spoken upon our minds and spirits it will signifie but little and to add many words would be but a vanity but for you and them and all Saints I pray that you may abide with God and never be ashamed or tempted with fear or cowardize or unbecoming complyances with base Earthly Worldly Interests to let go your holdfast on any Truth you have professed as Truth is in Jesus I have delivered to that poor Church I appertain unto the Doctrine of a Free Gospel of Grace wherein a foundation is laid in the blood of Jesus of Peace with God through him and they also have witâ— hands lift up to the most High professedly accepted 〈◊〉 that Grace tendred to them and I being I think about to leave Earth and to go to my Father and give 〈◊〉 account of my Stewardship therein I do go in fâ—â— assurance that it is the true Grace of God wherein they stand and I do lay it before them with the utmost ability such a poor worm as I can do that they be not by Doctrine Word nor Spirit soon shaken from their stedfastness hither or thither for life or salvation but as they have been taught He farther said I also have been engaged in a witness to the Royal Soveraignty of Christ in his Institutions against the Inventions of men opposed thereunto which Testimony hath been born up against blindness and ignorance in a poor dark world that lies in ignorance and wickedness and their Testimony in fellowship with this of mine hath flourisht in former dayes under those more promising propitious Prospects we were then encompest and encouraged with it had then by them and others Hosanna's ascribed to it but since God hath seen good to try this Testimony and Spirits of such as profess it with a day of adversity that many looked not for and they have hereby been tempted basely and unworthily to throw away the Shield as if it never had been anointed the thoughts whereof hath many times almost broken my heart in pieces But let all such know I go away in this firm perswasion as to the things we have together professed as aforesaid that they are the true sayings of God and that such as in this hour of temptation have deserted their Profession of â—hem God will meet with all such if he love them to â—waken and recover them from such paths and postures â—f back-sliding or else to make them know to their â—hame and confusion of face that they have dealt disâ—onourably with Christ and his Concerns and dangerâ—usly with their own souls which I desire they may â—nd Mercy to repent unfeignedly of before it be too â—ate I have been also concerned in a Testimony with divers Churches as to a work God hath had on the wheel among us in our dayes very mysterious in many parts of it there have also many tryals been upon it and to try it and to
make up such a tryal as all things considered hath not been known in many generations It hath also a Dark-side and a Vail that God keeps upon it by reason of which many are offended at it but if I have not been left to mistake God and Gospel it hath also a Beautiful-side that this world is not worthy of and a time also appointed when its beauty shall be brought forth as the Light and shine as the Sun at noon-day though it seems yet to me that times may pass over it that may make some of those few stagger also but this remains sure upon the whole that though it be the day of Jacob's trouble and it 's very great so that none is like it yet he shall be delivered out of it wherefore let not your hearts nor any other upright ones be dismayed at what remains for though I cannot tell what comes next nor have attained to that distinctness of knowledge as were to be wisht and waited for as to times and seasons which God the Father hath very signally yet hid in his own hand Yet I am very much perswaded this Generation shall not pass away till the Lord appear to give signal Evidence of the Great Work he hath had and yet hath upon the wheel and also of his care of all that are concerned in it Oh! Love the Lord all ye his Saints the Lord preserveth the Faithful and plentifully rewards the proud doers At another time being asked Would he have any thing to Plymouth He said No for saving the Interest of the Lord in Plymouth the Town was now as little to him as this little Island where he was Being asked how he did He said I am a poor sick weak creature still Adding That the Tempter had been very busie this Night with him suggesting that it 's much to him that he should be a Creeple but the Lord he said had put the Tempter to shame and given him to know that though he was at present weak yet in the Lord Jehovah he had still everlasting strength At another season a Friend asking What doth your hard work continue still He said Yes I am labouring as it were in the fire which were not to be endured but in hopes of the Crown At another time being asked how he did He said Still in the Warfare but on the Conquerors side To which his Friend replied Blessed be the Lord that hath chosen you to be a Souldier and helpt you thus far as a good Souldier of his to endure hardships He replied Yea we account them happy which endure One comes to him and saith Poor Neighbour What of the Night He said The Lord had made it a Night of sore affliction to him And said He was now poor and needy indeed yet saith he my God thinks on me To which his Friend replied Yea he hath also greatly magnified Mercy to you in this your sickness by strengthning your Faith and lengthning out your Patience under such long sore visitations as these have been and I trust is signally teaching you Obedience by the things you suffer At which he sighed And said Ah! that word learning Obedience by the things we suffer is a great word and hath much in it when God rightly opens it and he doth teach Obedience much indeed by such things beyond what we think of our thoughts and wayes being far short of his in such things Another Friend that had been with him about the beginning of his Sickness coming now to see him again He said to him I remember I told you formerly I had no cloud on my peace and joy in the Lord since this Sickness but have seen cause since to change my voice in that matter the Lord having since that brought me under tryals and cloudings sometimes though blessed be God they have been day not night-clouds through which God hath shined and I cannot so much desire for my self or others that we might alwayes be without clouds as that our Holiness might might be promoted and carried on by them then all will be well A Friend asking how he did He said I have been this Night full of disorders It was answered The whole Earth was so and we while dwelling on it are like to participate in somewhat of the same kind in one sense or other all these disorders are but making way for that blessed orderly state of things by which he will manifest himself indeed to be the God of Order and not of Confusion not only in the Assemblies of the Saints but throughout the whole Earth The same day being asked by one How doth this valiant Souldier of Christ He shook his head at it and said A pitiful Souldier It was replied One great part of a Souldier was to endure hardships and this part God had helpt him to do at a blessed becoming rate thus far which was matter of thanksgiving to the Lord on his behalf and gave ground also to hope he would in like manner be helpt to the end Then those about him looking at one of his hands now bereaved of strength He said Come What see you What tydings Doth it rot Let it do so it must do so yet shall mortallity he swallowed up of life and this now poor perishing Carkass shall be brought up again into a more glorious state by the mighty power of God by which he is able to subdue all things to himself It was then told him We have no tydings more than ordinary only had little hopes as to men and means as concerning his case whatever the Lord might please to do It was then asked him What tydings he had in himself as to his case He said Nothing at any certainty But said He heard Friends in the Room whispering oft as if they saw or discerned some great change that were not fit for him to know But I bless the Lord said he I begin to be more mortified to all this state of things here below though Flesh and Blood hath sometimes its hopes and fears in exercise about them but when God knocks off their Wheels I see and then can say by these things men live Yea said a Friend they live indeed at a rate they could not live were it not for such dyings daily to all other kinds of living and thereby bringing out to that way of Life as to which way of Life it 's said it cannot be brought out but by dying it else remains alone To which he said Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God nor Corruption Incorruption yet Flesh is unwilling to hear of this To which it was told him No marvel that Flesh and Blood did boggle in such cases when 't is called to go in a way it knows not and a knife at the throat ready to kill all the way 't is therefore reckoned a great lesson to be learnt by all Christians not to trust in themselves but the Living God and is taught best by sentences of death past upon
Eye and Ear witness and the God that hath hitherto kept us alive to this day cause all those clouds to flee away and bring out your soul yet more fully not only to find pitty from him to escape the snares that others are catcht in to their hurt but grant also that you may come forth as one of those Palm-bearers cloathed in white Rev. 7.9 as having gotten the victory over all Enemies and made to sing with grace in your heart as they vers 10. Salvation to our God which sits upon the Throne and to the Lamb. And the love extended by you to me unworthy and in me to my Lord and Captain of my Salvation Oh! that streams of Salvation may come forth if it be his blessed will from him to you so also make you a blessed pattern of Piety Purity and Stability for him whom I desire to serve in the Gospel His Sister asked Will you have some Cordial He said Oh! when shall I drink of that good new Wine in my Father's Kingdom In a morning his Friend asked him What of the Night He said It hath been a long Night But saith his Friend The Morning comes Yea said he as a snare on it comes stealing upon the world but the Children of the Day and of the Light that have on the Armour of Light shall have no cause to fear He Exhorted a good Woman that watched with him with all earnestness to close walking with the Lord. His Sister said to him I hope Brother as your Tribulations abound your Consolations abound He said It was a hard question Consolations being very inward deep things She then asked how he felt his Heart He replied I feel the fleshly parts declining apace but I trust the spiritual renewing But saying further to his Sister Come are you wiling to part with me yet She answered Yes in some measure she hoped she was considering his pains on the one hand and the glory that should follow Then said he Be careful I charge you to walk close with God in your generation and take heed of departing from his wayes but walk as becomes a Christian that would be found to his praise After this through extremity of pains the exercise of his Understanding was at seasons interrupted but very sensible and spiritual in his Intervals One asked him How it was with him He said Vnder great rebukes from the Land by reason of sin Saying I have been a wretched sinner have perverted my way and my walks with God have been short and formal But Oh! that it may go well with Israel in the latter dayes though I be as reprobate silver because the Lord hath rejected me It was told him If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous who is the Propitiation for our sins Yea saith he through Faith in his Blood he is so and thither doth my soul flee He was also cautioned to take heed of casting away any his Confidence that hath great recompence of reward and of making a judgement of things in an hour of temptation and tribulation contrary to another judgement made and confirmed by the Lord again and again to him heretofore minding him how the Tempter waited such seasons to disturbe him and drive him from the strength he had laid up for him in Grace that is in Christ Jesus when Grace in us may be but at a low ebb Yea replyed he I would leave this Exhortation with you that when God bruises breaks treads down a poor soul and it lyes before him as ashamed and confounded and not able to open its mouth Oh! then to look up to the Lord for then will the Tempter be busie at such seasons for we are not ignorant of his devises but if God give another day and more strength I hope to speak more convincingly of these things The next day being asked How it was with him Whether all were clear within He said It was very tempestuous round about but yet the Lord is instructing and answering such a poor worm from the secret place of thunder And afterward sayes It will be better and there is hope in the end for all this And then broke out with admiration saying He is ever mindful of his Covenant Holy and Reverent is his Name he is a God near to those that fear him in the needful season Sometimes after one saying to him I hope you can yet say God is good and a strong hold in the day of trouble and knows them that trust in him Yes I can say so blessed be my God but not alike at all times can I say so but I remember the counsel and advise yesterday to wait on the Lord and keep his way and my place appointed me by God which I desire to do all the dayes of my appointed time till my change come though flesh and blood suggest this is hard work and would make haste out of it In the morning following being asked How is it now He said God had been at work closely with his Spirit in the three dayes past before this though this was left him for support That the foundation of God remains sure to all his sealed ones but sayes he I have been ready to say Why should I speak of sealed ones being such a one as might for mine iniquities be sealed up to a day of Wrath and be kept in chains of Darkness to the great day I have been so foolish to think my attainments were such as if I were got to the top and needed little more but the Lord hath laid Judgement to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet and hath not only thrown down the high raised Structure but razed the very foundations of all fleshly glory and excellency and the Lord hath delivered his glory into Captivity and his strength into the Enemies hand yet hath not left me without hope I trust good hope in mercy that all notwithstanding shall issue well in the end But Oh! the reproach that I have brought on the Name of God! might that be done away by all I feel and suffer inward and outward I shall rejoyce In the After-noon the same day it was said to him I have observed by some hints from you That you have in these few dayes past had some exercises on your Spirit I would be glad to know whence and what they were and the way of God with you in them He replyed He had indeed some such exercise occasioned by close searches made in his soul about the clear and certain right and title it had to a substantial well-founded Interest in Christ which though sayes he I have mentioned heretofore to you and others what it was and how it was the Lord had begot and carried on in me and thought it had been above questions yet had I some doubts and fears renewed of a very ancient date about if not above thirty years ago with many miscarriages since to promote the same matter and this
coming in a time of such weakness and when by the working of my Spleen which sent up dark and disturbing vapours clouding my imagination and made sore work within but the Lord made me see much of my own fleshly gloryings as also others in me and in my flesh which God would take down in this day of tryal when every ones work must he tryed of what sort it is even by fire and truly I was made to see to my shame much hypocrisie and formality in my converse with the Lord in one respect or other and that the Practical part of Religion I had yet arrived to little acquaintance with to what I had in dayes past but this brought me in the issue to see that I was what I was that was good only by grace and no room for flesh to glory but was brought through grace to experience this Truth that when I am weak then am I strong and that however it be yet the Lord forgetteth not his poor nor despiseth not his prisoners this is a brief account of the Way God led me in in this matter and hath so issued it that I trust through grace I shall yet come to lay down my weary head and heart in the peace of Gods speaking that will keep and carry me to the end His Friend told him here somewhat of the danger of attempting such great works under such disadvantages as these seasons and circumstances he had in these dayes past been under for such works as these minding to him That every season was not a fit season for judgement especially to be calling in question things so long and often under more clear light and leadings confirmed formerly and however that be a great Truth that every day will yet more demonstrate that we are but yet Children in Christianity far short of that manly state of things to which the present dispensation of God both publick and personal have a proper and true tendency towards which more excellent way 't is our duty to be pressing yet so to be pressing towards it as to remember both how we have heard and received and hold fast the beginning of our confidences firm unto the end that so the Tempter get not advantage against us as he doth or may do against persons ignorant of his devices But he being still weak either to speak or hear more was not said but that he his Friend was glad to see the Lord had issued the matter so well to the Preventing the Tempters design and giving his poor Servants to see how great that mercy is of all the Saints and their concerns being in Gods hand when the strength of our own hands heads and hearts fails so frequently as they do yet he remains the same for ever and in such seasons secretly succours and supports and at last brings out into a wealthy place to his own praise and encouragement of the poor and needy to trust in him at all times In the morning supposing him drawing near his end a Friend was called to him who finding him discomposed again in his head and convulsive motions renewed with shortness of breath yet soon after asking how he did He said He was a wonder unto many by reason of the rebukes of God upon him but the Lord was and he hoped would be his strong refuge to the end His Friend told him He had made know himself to him as a strong hold in this day of trouble hitherto else he had sunk under his afflictions but to â—e kept up and carried on under such great long exâ—rcises justifying God still and blessing him in giâ—ing as well as taking spake much of divine support â—iven in Yea sayes he I would not only justifie but 〈◊〉 have great reason to glorifie God as the God of my â—alvation It was answered His present posture of submission and subjection to him as the Father of Spirits was a notable way of glorifying God in the fire and giving praise to him in the Isle of the Sea And after a little pause He added He had now but a few steps more to go which he desired the Lord would also so order as he might not be left to sin against him and blessed the Lord that he had given him and yet maintained such good hope through Grace in him that he was not and hoped he should not fear to follow him through the valley of the shadow of death to which he now seemed hastning A Friend coming to him and asking him How doth this honest Watch-man Honest Watch-man saith he hath much in it to be a Watchman indeed looking out for the morn as the Watchman of Ephraim that was with his God when other watchmen are as the Prophet is said to be Hosea 9.8 A snare of a Fowler in all their wayes and hatred in the house of their God as is too evident of the Watchmen of our day by reason of deep defilements found amongst them wherefore the day of the Watchman cometh yea maketh haste now shall be their perplexity and thâ— dayes of their visitations are come the dayes of recompences are come Israel shall know it for the Lord dispensations are now very swift Being asked How he had done to Night Hâ— said I laid me down to sleep and waked again 〈◊〉 the Lord sustained me and hath not made this night night of terror by affrightning dreams and imagâ— nations as sometimes but I seem to be going on as weary traveller his way Sometimes after being asked How he did Hâ— said A poor weak creature It was answered But trust in the Lord you have strength Yea said he blessed be God everlasting strength and they that indeed trust in him shall be as Mount Zion that cannot be moved but abideth for ever for as the Mountains are round about Jerusalem so is the Lord about his People for ever A Friend telling him There was an acquaintance of his come to see him who was going to Preach amongst the poor Saints abroad He wished him prosperity in that good work saying He never found cause to repent of any of his working dayes for Christ in his life-time At the same time one coming from far to visit him and telling him He had dear Remembrances from many Friends of his who in a way of supplication with humble submission were looking to the Lord the God of all Consolation concerning him and his case He replyed He is indeed the God of all Consolation of strong Consolations which were sealed up to his soul And then added I am very much affected with this surprising visit of yours And soon after said to â—he same Friend He had in the two Nights past been graciously led and let into the understanding of that Word Psal 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold â—he upright the end of that man is peace So as he â—as never let into it in like manner before A Friend saying How doth my Brother He â—eplyed I cannot say of you as he of old
You took our Brother by the heel in the womb but hope we shall â—â—ke one another by the hand in Heaven and that both 〈◊〉 you intending the Friend that came to visit him â—ill live love as Brethren or words to this purpose 〈◊〉 near as could be gathered for now speech failed Then speaking of the pressures that were upon him he was advised to look to the Lord who in depths of Wisdom administred them managing all Circumstances about them as also to eye Christ the Captain of our Salvation who endured sore travel yea bruising from his Father also as knowing he ought to suffer such things and so to enter into glory and the Spirit spake of the Sufferings of Christ and the Glory that should follow He replyed Oh! that Glory that Glory on the other side Calling for drink and the Maid bringing it him he desired a Friend present might give it who coming to him said You appear now as one that is shortly to drink new Wine in the Kingdom of the Father He answered Though many have greater marks of Faith than I have yet I am assured I shall be received into fellowship with the Father Son Spirit and all Saints And looking earnestly on the Friend said If it please God to renew strength he should give good evidence that he loved that Friend dearly and all Saints A little after the same Friend acquainted him of two dear Friends of his in London that desired particularly to be remembred to him and were much exercised in fellowship with his present tryal He being very weak replyed I can say little but I pray God they may be strengthned with all might and power in the inward man to hold out to the end according to his glorious power Being asked by another How he did He said My heart begins to fail I now feel But after said Blessed be God for Christ's Grace and eternal Glory Soon after he broke out into fervent earnest Prayer 1st Deeply lamenting Israel's dealing falsely with Goâ— in his Covenant 2dly Speaks forth with great clearness his faith that God would make the decision between real and pretended Saints and that God would abide with those that abode with him greatly encouraging such as found grace to stand in this hour of temptation Concluded committing himself Soul and Body to the Lord for keeping and carrying to the end At another time in like manner in great zeal and fervency implored the Lord to make the decision between the true Seed of Israel and pretenders who had dealt falsely with the Lord under shew of much love Then beggs If God had any thing for him to speak he would communicate and enable to it and that if Abraham's work were done that he would say to him with that clearness and evidence as he might understand it Thou hast fought a good fight hast kept the Faith henceforth is laid up for thee a Crown which God the Judge of all shall give thee A while after and but three hours before his dissolution a Friend perceiving him under great pressures spake softly to him They looked unto the Lord and were lightned A right look will bring down relief under all difficulties Yea replyed he with strength and earnestness And their faces were not ashamed Thence forward he spoke not but in a few hours after it being the 5th day of the first Month 1668. yielded up his Spirit falling asleep without pang or considerable groan FINIS Copies and Extracts OF LETTERS Written on several occasions BY That Deceased Servant of CHRIST The Author of the fore-going Discourses Printed in the Year 1668. A Book that he approved being the work of an other containing Instructions for Children he sent several of them to some of his Acquaintance accompanied with this Letter to their Parents Vnto my dearly beloved Brethren Sisters and Friends whom the Lord hath intrusted with the oversight of Families Children and Servants abundance of the Spirit of Glory and of God is desired Endeared in the Lord UNder the strong obligations of bounden duty which my Father hath been pleased to lay upon me of serving the Interest of your Souls and theirs whom God hath given you to my uttermost it hath been not the least part of my study in this School of Instruction unto which he hath sent me how I might at this distance most effectually attend and be found therein as one â—hat must give an account not only of the Law of my Relations but also of these fruits thereof on your hands which have extended and abounded to me-ward in un-interrupted tender love and sympathy as well in this my chain â—s in the many years of my weak endeâ—vours to serve Christ among you in liberty in requital whereunto as I can do little at most so am I often inwardly checked and rebuked for my sinful shortness toward you both in general and particular from soul to soul and very lately it hath been with more than ordinary weight on me to exercise pitty and compassionate thoughtfulness on those Families of yours both Children and Servants many of which the Lord hath multiplied like a Flock whose particular affections as far as they have been capable to express them I have been at a loss how to recompence or improve to their advantage but having been advising with some of my Companions here as well as laying the matter before him who is able to give seed to the sower and multiply with blessing the seed sown I have herewithal attempted to make an Essay for enterance with them in presenting to them this upright plain Address prepared to my hand by some one of the Lord's Prisoners full of bowels toward such young subjects consisting of such proper matter and brought forth in such a condescending Spirit and Language as I trust by the blessing of the Lord will find good acceptance and success among such souls My present Writing therefore with it is not so much to crave its acceptance in good part by them for of that I have much assurance buâ— to lay hold of this opportunity to desire your faithful following the design of it by stirring up your selves and zealously and unweariedly doing your endeavour with all your wisdom interest and might behaving your selves among them as Men and Women of knowledge that your account of their souls as mine account of yours may be given up with joy and not with grief Here am I and the Children and Servants which thou hast graciously given me unto which faithfulness of yours besides many other weighty Arguments that might be urged the very remembrance of the dayes being so very evil may afford you as it hath me many forcible motives 1. These are dayes wherein you know not how suddenly you may be hurried pluck'd and separated from them not only by death which climbeth up at the windows in most Families this sickly season but by the violenee of the Sons of Men through the wise ordering of God who are permitted to make
and execute Laws which have direct threatnings and a present tendency that way toward such as you who stand in a profession of Christ's which testifieth that their works are evil This rage hath already invaded and uncovered some Families among you and multitudes in other places and all such as will live godly in Christ Jesus must expect the like not as if some strange thing hapned to them and therefore should be in daily preparation to make and leave their own such as are instructed and have learned to trust in God and to own and improve a Relation for themselves in him according to their capacity which may make an abundant supply to this lack or loss of your company and society which will turn to their great blessing and help to your confident and comfortable surrendring them up to the Lord in a way of folâ—owing him whithersoever he goeth and may call â—r dispose of you 2. These are times in which a more than ordinary disadvantage and danger is designed to spoyl and destroy both Infants and Youth not only in respect of their Schooling which must be carried on by such Tutors and under such Rules as tend to tempt and subject them to suck-in the Principles of that Apostasie and misery that the former years have been delivered from or else can hardly make any procedure in Learning requisite to accomplish them But principally are they exceeding liable to danger and destruction if the Lord wonderfully prevent not by means of their unavoidable company and converse with other youths of their growth and degree the which generally is become everywhere so wanton wicked debauched through the looseness of the times and the countenance that all filthiness finds where it ought to be punished and restrained that unless your Children and Servants be through a blessing on your Prayers and Endeavours in-laid with good Principles in awakened Conscience followed with constant Instruction and an exemplary Conversation with a wise moderated steady discipline it will be a marvellous thing if thâ—y be not utterly spoiled become a scourge and torment to you and at length repent that ever they saw you and perish in the gain-sayings of this wicked and adulterous generation 3. The dayes that have passed over you havâ— been dayes of the Lord 's wonderful Salvations and the stretching forth of his Arm in these Nations to dâ— marvellous things toward the getting himself a glorious Name The putting away the remembrance oâ— which from under Heaven and razing out of all thâ— marks and monuments thereof is the manifest design of the wicked men of this generation The memory whereof as it alwayes ought to be dear to you who have been blessed in those Salvations and have sung his praise So should it be your great care to preserve the same by teaching and instructing those committed to your charge therein and that not only in the History and Letter of them the very memory whereof will be famous in the ages to come but especially in the inward Principles Springs and Spirit of them as well as the issues whereunto they were by the Lord intended that yours may be able to tell the generations to come and the people uncreated may praise the Lord. Which things your off-spring will only be capable to understand and sutably to comply with the Lords motions and designs therein when they shall be spiritually instructed in and experimentally acquainted with the way and operations of the Lord on the Spirits of his People to which your utmost diligence is indispensibly required as ever you would glorifie God in your generation 4. Moreover you generally profess your selves to be such as expect glorious dayes to succeed the deep tryals that are or are coming on upon the heritage of the Lord and do you not wish so well to your own as to do what in you lies that they should have a share in that Salvation which your selves have professed longed prayed laboured suffered for And how think you will they be capable of bearing that glory or suppose there be yet a reserve of tryals for them that are to usher it in which will be very full of power and purity unless they be indeed brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord instructed in Christ as the Truth is in him and from a fellowship in his Spirit brought within the compass of the rich and glorious Promises which shall manifest and convey the blessed things unto the Ages to come that instead of the Fathers may be the Children 5. Add hereunto that the force and violence of this evil time is such as doth drive you frequently and may yet be expected to drive you more from your stated seasons on the first dayes of the Week and other times of following the Lord in those solemn publick Appointments and Institutions of the Gospel unto your Family retirements at least a great part of your time in those dayes the which affords you more enlarged opportunities than you had formerly to teach and instruct your own houshoulds great and small according to their capacity in the things of the Kingdom to the which you are concerned to give all heed diligence and indeavour not in any neglect of opportunities in the Assemblies of the Saints while they do continue or may be had but when there is an interval the solemn exercises in the Church being ended or when through force and fury they shall if the Lord shall permit them to be so utterly broken as you should be reduced again to that ancient way of the Saints being governed as in Abrahams and the Patriarchs time in Family-Worship You are I say so much the more concerned to set your selves vigorously to this work of endeavouring that your houses may become as so many Churches of Christ in respect of that Instruction reading the Scriptures Praying gracious Conference Discipline exemplary Walking in all holy Conversation and Godliness which ought to be professed and maintained in beauty set in majesty among them and in this sense to be setting your houses in order for you know not how soon these very staves of beauty and bands may be violently invaded disturbed and broken by the same spirit of hatred which now offers force to your more solemn Assemblings While therefore you have this price in your hand this undisturbed opportunity you should be doing this good I hope I need not largely follow these with other Arguments which might be drawn out at length from the inestimable value of their immortal souls the redemption whereof is precious which now are committed to your care and over-sight and will be strictly required at your hands in the day of Accompts that draweth nigh and that the rather for that now is their making or marring time which effects you may expect will and frequently do follow according as you either are found in the due and diligent discharge of your duty among them or are negligent and remiss therein Little it is considered and laid
to keep you in perfect peace Now to him that after you have suffered a while is of all power to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his Glory with exceeding joy to the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen 7th 3d month 60. Upon the death of some whom he honoured to two of his Acquaintance then fellow-Prisoners The Lord send you help from his Sanctuary and strengthen you out of Sion Greatly Beloved I Salute you both as is meet in the Lord. These two last Posts I have not written any Letter to you partly for that I have been out of Town some little journies but principally having been much under the surprize that those were Job 2. ult The voice indeed is loud and as if seven Thunders had at once uttered their voices the terribleness of it makes many shrink as Eliah into his den When Oh when shall we hear the still soft Voice and as men of understanding see his Name We may well cry out he hath shewn us hard things and given us to drink the Wine of astonishment which falls the heavier in that such who have obtained favour to lay nearest to heart the concernments of Sion and to be therein aided with greatest boldness and sweetest intimacy near to the heart of Christ and have had their Affections enflamed most with what they have sought and seemed to themselves and others to have been of those bosom intimates that know all that their Friend doth and have hereupon spoken openly and without clouds or reservations their confidence of things that have appeared in the issue to be mistakes how some of them bear it I do not well know but sure I am the hand is very sorely turned upon the little ones that believe in Christ great is their astonishment like that Isa 51.17 to the end I have often thought of them Acts 21.4 Who said to Paul by the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem How like the language of our spirits heightned by fervent affection and attended with providential bringing to remembrance of sutable Scriptures and all this on a soul enjoying clear access to the Lord is to the voice of the spirit in truth as he fulfils that Promise He shall take of mine and shew it unto you and shall shew you things to come And if it may please the Father after he hath graciously allayed the storminess of these perplexing waves that at present doubtless discompose for any thing to lead his holy ones into a more perfect discerning of things which in this kind do differ and in mean time instruct to think more soberly of themselves and judge more tenderly of others I shall yet hope this sharp dispensation may bring out meat and sweetness that we thought not of As for the poor Martyrs themselves when I review what was of late said of their particular perswasions and how when their departure was hid from them they enjoyed such un-interrupted joyful communion with the Lord I cannot but admire the wisdom and goodness of the Father that took that course with them to anoint them for their burial but alas they had no burial But much more grace to admiration appears to me in it that when their perswasions and expectations from the Lord in that point gave way to his determinations yet that at that very time the Tempter should be bound up who doubtless desired to have them that he might have winnowed them as Wheat and would have made a great market of the least discouragement upon them over the whole Antichristian World Oh! how unsearchable are his wayes and his works past finding out The deadly Treacle that you speak of will doubtless swiftly become a Cup of trembling to this wretched generation and entayl the guilt of all down along from Abel c. A very strange efficacy that it hath to cry and to prevail at length though it tarry long first That Abels was not answered and expiated in the Flood that destroyed the World of the ungodly nor that of Zacharias if it was his who said The Lord look upon it and require it 2 Chron. 24.22 But they both must cry against that generation that put to death the Lord of Life and neither of these cryes expire at the ruines of them and their devastation to this day but shall be found as fresh in out-cry against that great City where also our Lord is crucified Rev. 18.24 And though it 's hard to discern yet great is the pravalency of those cryes of Saints that night and day follow the Lord herein though he not only tarry long but even seem to be angry with the Prayers of his People that word hath sweetly stayed me in this hour of temptation Thou tellest my wandrings put my tears in thy bottle are they not written in a Book by thee If their wanderings staggerings be tenderly numbered and their tears bottled and their grouns booked and all this by thee a Book of remembrance before the Lord We need not be so sollicitous what becomes of them though they are above out of our sight doubtless when it comes to much Incense in the Angels hand the Censor will be cast into the Earth Rev. 8.3 4 5. Rests Yours in tears 24. 8. month 60. Unto one who had acquainted him with the departing of some from their holy Professions The early visits of the bright and morning Star be a light in your dark place till the day dawn and the shadows flee away Beloved in and of the Lord SInce my last I have received yours wherein you were pleased to remember and send such a rich Token to your poor Friend whom you are pleased to describe by that merry title of your Father who blesseth God for grace and support ministred by tracking the footsteps of the Father of Spirits in those paths of peace and pleasantness wherein he pleaseth to lead you and others of his suffering ones so contrary to the methods and expectation of men whose breath are in their nostrils Job 22.29 Psal 41.8 12 13. unto which I account it no diversion that he is pleased as your last intimates to keep you in an humble sense of the shortness of self-sufficiency for bearing you up against the hour of temptation the very fear whereof hath already cast down so many stars from their excellency on whom this inscription is manifestly engraven as a caution to us though a by-word to scorners Lo this is the man that made not God his confidence Over whom as I have little ground to glory 1 Cor. 10.12 Rom. 11.18 20. so neither is there just occasion to be greatly offended Isa 2.22 2 Tim. 4.16 17 18. Joh. 6.66 67. chap. 16.13 32. Although I find it somewhat difficult to draw the memorial of their slips into a gracious perpetual remembrance without some mixtures either of wrath or doubting I confess it makes me many times tremble to think
mixtures of this kind which are apt to steal in insensibly upon spirits influenced either with the Fear or Love of Creatures in this staggering and back-sliding hour of temptation wherein men's politick and prudential contrivances to preserve themselves from danger hath abundantly weakned and wasted the Courage if not the Conscience of Testifying Duty It 's of no small advantage I find by blessed experience to be giving daily diligence in observation how nearly and firmly the great Concerns of the Lord's Glory in his Works and Wayes are related to the Lord Jesus in his raised and exalted capacity and how directly the weight of them all rests upon his shoulders who is mighty to bear and with what infinite wisdom and according to what an exact platform of eternal counsel all these seeming Meanders and Laborynths of exteriour transactions are managed according to the integrity of his heart and the skilfulness of his hand who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working In the Faith and Hope of this the Soul of a Beleever hath gracious invitations and engagement to return to its rest knowing that in quietness and confidence is its strength and are as the secrets of a Presence-Chamber for it till these calamities be over-past and though it look on but cannot interpret signs in Heaven and on the Earth perplexity distress of Nations the Sea and Waves roaring through approaching woe to the Inhabiters of the Earth and of the Sea yet it can acquiesce in the infallible knowledge of that Interpreter one among a thousand who is concerned in all these things engaged by Covenant and resolved in absolute Will to bring about in the best time and way the Ends of his Glory and its blessedness in a most sweet harmony and conjunction This saying to the righteous It shall go well with them and commanding their fluctuating tempestuous souls into a calm is yet very far from inducing them to that carnal security and idleness wherein tyred Professors are apt to wrap and bless themselves concluding we must leave publick things to Providence and retire into a closset-converse with our selves and the Lord things good in themselves but usually abused into the generating of a private selvish narrow frame of Spirit unfit to serve God in our generation by Converting Sinners Edifying Saints or saving themselves from an untoward and adulterous generation by a faithful testimony That the contrary hereunto may be your blessed lot namely largness of Heart like the Sand on the Sea-shore accompanied with cleanness of hand and a Spirit clensed by the Blood and set free by the Spirit of the Gospel is the earnest desire for you of him who is Yours assuredly These Parts yield little only fresh gazing on a new Blazing-Star in the East and divers talks of the beautiful Star in the West few think of the Star of Jacob that bright Morning-Star they who overcome shall have him as a certain fore-runner and prognostick of a Morning without Clouds they must be up early who look to be visited with the comfortable beams of it Even so Amen 1st of the 2d month 65. Another to the like effect Supplies of every good thing from the Shepherd and Stone of Israel Dear Heart IT is in my desire for you that you may obtain the favour of a marked Mourner securing you from approaching Plagues and reserving you for expected Salvation among the Palm-bearing throng who only are competent to learn the new song as one of the One hundred forty four thousand that are redeemed from the Earth And though you are fed with the Bread of Affliction and Waters of Adversity and that also by measure and stealth yet you may not want the satisfactory sight and hearing of a Teacher that may guide you into all Truth as it is in Jesus keeping you upright in this staggering day when so many reel to the right hand and to the left I confess sometimes I have hopeful expectations of seeing some such effect as this oâ— all these slidings some of them of understanding sâ—all fall to try them and to purge and make them white even to the time of the end but yet It is a fearful thing thus to fall into the hands of the Living God My lye that promotes his Glory makes me no whit less a sinner or my doing evil that good may come thereby I think I was hinting to you last time the Caution the Lord hath ministred to me by Prov. 25.26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring detrimental and infectious to all that have any thing to do with him The accompt that you give of the Wall of the Daughter of Sion much-like his Neh. 2.13 which was once such an inviting prospect Psal 48.12 13. would engage to that Out-cry Lam. 2.18 19. but that there is hope in her end That her Children shall return though now they are not her dead men shall live together this dead body shall arise A review therefore of her from the munition of Rocks sutable to that Landschip Isa 33.20 c. is becoming the Children of the King but especially hath it been of use to me to feed upon that discovery made of the temper of his heart who is principally interested and concerned in all these mutations He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set Judgment in the Earth Isa 42.4 The youths shall faint and grow weary and young-men utterly fail they who stand upon their youthful vigour and greenness may and shall give way but he who hath such engagements with him and for him as vers 5 6. he waits without weariness and expects without impatience till his enemies be made his footstool A fellowship through faith in in his Spirit will furnish to a similitude in his patience to a being armed with the same mind that was in him Rests Yours dearly To a Friend upon the death of a Zealous Faithful and therefore Persecuted Servant of the Lord. Where is the Lord God of Elijah My true Friend IT comes to my lot to take you now by the hand though you may justly and earnestly challenge and expect it from a righter and more instructed heart and hand who being under deep pressures and considering there is a time to be silent especially when put to shame as well as a time to speak is not easily drawn forth to any thing of this nature till he can recover a little strength waited for to comfort others with the same comforts wherewith himself hath been when he hath been comforted himself of the Lord dreading especially under such a dispensation to utter any thing rashly knows that to speak his troubles will add little to the allaying of yours and that as Vinegar upon Nitre will be the singing songs to an heavy heart his own or others wisheth therefore his present silence may have no worse interpretation than the seven dayes silence of Job's Friends who answered him not a word