should despaire because I have found mercy b 1 Tim. 13-16 I am not able to expresse how sweet that word is Behold O daughter of Ierusalem thy King Hab smiling at that word thy King cometh meek meek cometh meek riding on an Asse * Mat. 21.5 even on a Colt the foal of an Asse †Job 11.12 not on a horse ready trim'd He comes to a wild Asses colt to one unaccustomed to the yoke as Ephraim was | Jer. 31. 19 20. Yet Ephraim was a deare son a pleasant childe They cast their cloths on the Asse He cast his skirt over me not a skanty skirt a skirt that covered all my filthinesse My beloved is mine and I am my beloveds As an Appletree is among the Trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons d Cant. 2. 3. What a pleasant thing is an Appletree among the Trees of the wood There 's both Protection and Provision there 's Protection from the beat under his shadow and his fruit was sweet to me there 's Provision Christ is protection a shelter a shelter from the storme e Isa. 4.6 Christ keeps his Church himselfe Men put others in their Garrisons but Christ keeps his Church his own self f Psal. 121. 4 5. I that was a far off far off from peace am made nigh by the bloud of the Crosse g Eph. 2. 13. Her brother spake aloud to her to take somewhat to refresh her body Shee then heard him and answered I cannot I have what I did desire I have a crucified Christ I am so full of the Creator that I now can take in none of the Creature I am fild with heavenly Manna h Joh. 6. 33-35 I am sore from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot But let the Lord doe what be will with me let him take me to his eternall rest I am content or leave me in this vaile of misery I am content i Phil. 4. 11. Thou art a free agent Thou workest when thou wilt and where thou wilt Shee said moreover Let the Lord doe with mee what he will if he throws me into hell I le be contented because I have deserv'd it k Ezr. 9. 13. But his mercy will save mee in the day of wrath l 1 Thes. 1. 10. Eph. 2. 3. 5. There 's no sin separates the soule from Christ but the sin of Vnbeliefe m Joh. 5. 40. And this is all the Faith I look after beleeving a full Christ to a nothing Creature a full Christ to a nothing Creature n Joh. 7. 37. Nothing makes a difference between me and the Devill but free Grace free Grace o Eph. 2. 1-8 He hath not forgot to be gracious he hath not forgot to be mercifull though I often said he had He hath not forgotten to be gracious though I said he had p Isa. 49. 14 15. Shee prayed for her beloved Ioseph her brother to this effect Blessed be Joseph of the Lord. The good will of him that dwelt in the bush be on the head of Joseph and on the top of the head of him that was separated from his Brethren q Deut. 33.16 Shee asked for the same persons that shee had named before and said They have sought the Lord for mee desire them to praise and magnifie the Lord with me When these came shee had ceased speaking and then shee lay still without speaking or drinking till the 19 th day having not eaten any thing at all since the 27 th of March nor drunke any thing at all but two or three of her little cups of fair water and that onely at once in two or three days as is beforesaid April 19. Shee put her finger to her mouth desiring water And one cup was given her then shee began thus God is a refuge and a shield from the stormes and tempests He hath avenged me on my adversary meaning the Devill that thought to be avenged on me and I thought he would but the Lord hath avenged me on him Shall the unrighteous Iudge doe justly meaning in avenging the widow on her adversary and shall not the righteous Iudge do justly Yea a thousand times more r Luk. 18. 6 7. Happy happy happy is the people that have the God of Jacob for their Excellency and whose strength is in the Lord s Psal. 144 15. Behold the Lord will come with a strong band He shall feed the flock like a Shepherd He shall carry his Lambs in his arme t Isa. 40. 11 12. I have born thee from the belly which have carried thee from the womb even to thy old age I am he and even to hoary haires will I carry thee u Isa. 46. 3 4. I le wait on him that hides himselfe from the house of Jacob w Isa. 8. 17. He hides himselfe from the House of Jacob yet they were his people Thou art worth the waiting for if one should wait from the day of their birth to the very day of their death even one glimpse of thee is worth all He that walks in darknesse and seeth no light let him trust on the Name of the Lord and stay himselfe upon his God his God though he be in darkness stay on his God Isa. 50 10. Bodily sustenance being offered to her shee not having eaten any thing at all during twenty-four dayes last past nor drunk any thing at all but fair water and but very little of that Shee thus answered Doe you think I doe not eat How doe you think I live Being asked what shee did eat Shee said No eye of man sees it but the eye of God None could tast the sweetnesse of the Manna by looking on it none but they that eat of it or of the Honey out of the Rock The redeemed of the Lord are a Royall Priesthood a chosen Generation He hath made us Kings and Priests unto God 1 Pet. 2. 9. Rev. 1.6 More precious then Gold Gold of Ophir The Lord hath avenged me on mine enemy that roared over mee night and day to have devoured me but he hath delivered mee They that know thy Name will trust in thee because thou Lord never failest them that seek thee Psal. 9. 10. Before shee called meaning her selfe he answered whilst shee was asking he heard and delivered me from all my feares Shee asked againe will not M r Iessey and M r Simpson come to praise and magnifie the Lord with mee they have prayed for me Then were her eares opened that since April 6. had been deafe except onely at that time that shee longed to heare that her Mother had pardon'd her and that shee might see and hear her Brother For then shee being asked whether shee desired to live shee heard and said I am contented with what the Lord will though I would rather dye Being told M r Iesse and M r Simpson desired shee might live Doe they said shee I must
had not eaten any thing at all for twenty-foure dayes or more and drunk nothing in all this time since April 6. but onely faire water neither that but two or three little cups together once in two or three dayes He desired her if shee could to eat to preserve life for when the Lord saith Thou shalt not kill he implies the Affirmative Thou shalt use all good meanes to preserve life Jam. 2.11 And though he and all those present were so affected even to admiration in hearing a child so speak yet he wished her to forbear speaking too much because it spent her shee being so very weak Shee said In rest and returning shall I be saved in quietnes and confidence shall be my strength m Isa. 30. 15. I have Manna to eat of he feeds me with hidden Manna n Rev. 2.17 It was pleasant to the eye o Num. 11. 11. but they felt no sweetnesse by looking on it but by tasting of it When shee ended speech shee desired he would praise the Lord with her which he performed accordingly those beforesaid being present ☞ Another time when one gave her a Poesie shee looking on it and smelling its sweetnes commended the workmanship of God in the severall flowers saying to this effect The flowers are all fragrant and some more fragrant then others they have different colours and different smels and all come out of the earth So are the Saints they all are in Christ and in him they all are sweet and savoury but are of different strength and judgement The strong should beare with the weak and not despise them April 25. being the Lords day when many Christians were come to see her amongst others M r M ris Liggon the Relator M ris Iones M ris Aires M ris Gr. Philips and others In like humble manner her tender eyes being covered and lying still as shee had kept her bed being very weak since April 6. with a low voice as speaking to her selfe shee said How sweet is it to my thoughts that an infinite God should be a Rock and a Refuge to a finite Creature a sure Rock and hiding place from all stormes tempests whatsoever Ps. 46. 1. When the man was wounded by theeves and lay by the way the Priest and the Levite passed by they passed by and helped not The creature comfort failes and then the good Samaritan helps a Luk. 10 35. Christ saves whom none els will or can and when there 's nothing in the Creature to move him The wounded man did not first desire the Samaritans help The deeper the wound is the more honour to him that cures him He set him on his own Beast leaves him not to himselfe to goe where he will but brought him in and gave two pence for him I beleeve that holds out Faith and Love b Gal. 5.6 None cared for him refuge fail'd then Christ helps and take care for him c Ps 27.10 One speaking to her of her former condition how far shee was then from hope ever to obtaine mercy shee said If all the world should be saved then it may be I should be one but els no hopes for me That Peter Mary Magdalen David Manasses were saved it was nothing to me no if Judas should be saved yet should not I. All their sin and Pauls in Persecuting and the Theefe on the Crosse and Judas and all I could read of or heare of if all their sins were all put together in one yet all were not so bad as I. Yet I obtained mercy that thought my time of mercy was past that I was damn'd already through unbeliefe I said many a time There 's no hope in thy end and I thought I saw it I may say It was good for me to be afflicted I prize his mercies the more Psal. 119. 69. All terrors could not humble me but the sight of his mercy did I could never be kindly humbled till then It was not mine own fitting or mine own humbling but Christs fitting and Christs humbling when he looks upon such a one that humbles He comes with his power on the soule and causeth the soule to beleeve Eph. 1. 19. My tongue was not able to tell the misery I was in before continually and now my tongue is not able to tell what love and mercy hath been shewed to me I can never enough expresse his Name I would faine have been dissolved to be with him d Phil. 1. 23. It was a hard thing for me to be content to live here still but its easie for him to teach to be willing to live or dye and he hath taught mee c Phil. 4. 11. 13. I was so desperate I cared not what became of me oft was I at very brink of death and hell even at the very gates and they were open for me and then Christ shut them and fetch'd me out as Daniel that was in the Lyons den but it was his mercy that stop'd the mouth of the roaring Lyon and delivered me Dan. 6. The hundreth and seventh Psalme O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodnes and declare the wonders that he doth for the children of men I would that Psalm were often read over The goodnesse of God is unsearchable How great is the excellency of his Majesty that yet he would look upon such a one as I I was full of Terror the week before I kept my bed I rested not day nor night I thought no death was bad enough for me If all kinds of death were put together in one it was too good for me I walked continually as in fire and brimstone for rebelling and murmuring against God and against a Parent When he hides his face who is able to beare it and when he gives quietnes who then can trouble Iob 34.29 I can testifie the truth of both these He hath spoke the word to me Thy sins are forgiven thee I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake Isa. 43. 25. Iesus Christ is unchangeable therefore I was not consumed Wee may say with admiration What is man that thou art so mindfull of him or the son of man that thou so regardest him thou madest him lower then Angels a Ps. 8. is meant of Christ as Heb. 2.6 to 18 vers proves Iesus Christ took our nature to take part of our sufferings and that we should follow him in sufferings not think strange Wee have not a High Priest that cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities b Heb. 2.17 18. Heb. 4.15 but he was made like to us that he might sympathize with us Blesse the Lord O my soule Which forgiveth all thine iniquitie and healeth all thine infirmity In my misery my flesh and my bones pined and consumed away and I was neer to death the Lords chearing the heart doth good like a medicine I now recover strength I read the Scriptures from a childe
The exceeding Riches of GRACE ADVANCED By the Spirit of Grace in an Empty Nothing Creature viz. M ris SARAH WIGHT Lately hopeles and restles her soule dwelling far from Peace or hopes thereof Now hopefull and joyfull in the LORD that hath caused LIGHT to shine out of DARKNES that in and by this Earthen Vessel holds forth his Own eternall Love and the Glorious Grace of Iesus Christ to the CHIEFEST of SINNERS Who desired that others might hear and know what the LORD had done for her soul that was so terrified day and night and might neither PRESUME nor DESPAIR and murmure against God as shee hath done Published for the Refreshing of poor souls by an Eye and Ear-witnes of a good part thereof HENRY JESSE a servant of IESUS CHRIST The second Edition corrected and Proofs added LONDON Printed by Matthew Simmons for Henry Overton and Hannah Allen and are to be sold at their Shops in Popes-head Alley 1647. TO HIS CHRISTIAN FRIENDS Beloved in the LORD in London Cambridge Yorkshire Suffolk Essex and elswhere The Exceeding Riches of Grace be advanced My Beloved MY Spirit rejoyceth in the Lord who hath put such an opportunitie as this into my hand of Publishing to you and to others and hereby of Advancing The Exceeding Riches of the Grace of God in such a Pattern thereof as here followeth The Daughter of a gracious Matrone of mine acquaintance in the Parish where I weekly Preach in London who was in as hopeles and desperate a condition in her selfe as ever was any Now often admiring and uttering to others especially to afflicted despairing mournfull soules that resort now to her the unsearchable Treasures of Grace to the ungodly and chiefest of lost undone sinners The main Causes urging me to Publish it to you and the Contents thereof are in the Books beginning The severall Vses are in the End You know that the works of Iehovah are great honorable wonderfull and glorious and are greatly to be magnified sought out of all them that have pleasure therein He makes them to be remembered Ps. 111. 2 3 4. Especially his works of * Psal. 145. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tender-Mercies which are over and * Psal. 145. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon all his works How desireable is it to one and to the friends of one that is in great extremity of misery bodily or spirituall to hear of another that was just in the same condition that now is cured How much longed for is a safe Harbour to a weather-beaten Ship tossed with Tempests Isa. 54. 11. How refreshful is rest and ease to a tempted hurried wearied soule Iob 7 2-4 How joyfull and beautifull is the a Rom. 10. 15. glad tydings of the Gospel of Peace of riches of Grace of the perfect b 2 Cor. 5. 21. righteousnesse of Christ for the c 1 Tim. 1 13-15 chiefe of sinners d Eph. 2.15.16.3 enemies murmurers ungodly ones to souls wearied out in looking on themselves and their sins and desperate wickednesse of their own hearts and that gladly would mend all and patch up a righteousnesse in themselves or partly there Rom. 10.3 that would first finde a thorough change in them such a dying of sin and holy walking before they think they may beleeve that Christ dyed for such as they Rom. 5. 7 8. 10. or justifies such ungodly f Rom. 4.5 ones How mighty through g 2 Cor. 10. 4 God may it be to support poor soules that are perswaded they are reprobates h Lam. 3 8-17-22.40 that are assured of it upon certain grounds as they judge and that they are damn'd i Io. 3.17.22 and in Hell already that never any in their case was or can be saved k 1 Cor. 6 9-11 that the sins of Manasses of David of Peter of Paul of Mary Magdalen yea and of Cain Iudas and Pilate are all lesse then their sins blasphemies and if all they might be saved yet themselves should surely be damn'd for such to hear of one that but lately was in the very same condition now sounding forth and wondring at the Exceeding Riches of Grace to her the chiefest of sinners Psal. 35.10 to hear her selfe telling such despairing soules You cannot be more desperate or more certain of hell and wrath then I lately was and comforting them by the same consolations wherewith her own soul is now comforted in the Lord. 2 Cor. 1.4 This all this you have here held forth in this Pattern of Gods patience and abundant goodness towards this his unworthy Handmaid whose low base estate he hath regarded He causing LIGHT to shine out of DARKNES 2 Cor. 4.6 The writing transcribing and often perusing hereof hath been and is sweet and precious to me I must confesse I with your reading it may be so and much more to your soules As you reade Consider Admire the LORD in his surpassing Grace to ungodly ones Mic. 7.18 Do not so commend the party that is but an Earthen vessel born in sin a Psal. 51.5 as you b Eph. 2 1-3 are but still all along exalt and commend the LORD who alone is to be exalted Isa. 2.11 1 Cor. 1.29 30 31. Who puts his treasure into an Earthen vessel of purpose that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of flesh 2 Cor. 4. 7. Be the more vile in your own eyes when you see God is pacified towards you for all that you have done Ezek. 16. 63. And from beleeving his love to your soules in love study what you should render to him in Christs Name Psal. 116.12 Col. 3.17 Praise the Lord for leaving such Patterns of his Riches of Grace as that of M ris Drake Revived and that of Gods gracious thoughts towards great sinners by D r Homes in a late Book so called so especially this And Pray for her if the Lord shall restore her body which as yet is weak to eat at all or to drink but very little of faire water or small Beere and that onely at once in two or three or foure dayes and by her daily spending that small strength shee hath by often uttering forth the treasures of Grace and by oft speaking to comfort despairing soules seven or moe whereof have resorted to her that shee may walke humbly rendring againe in her measure according to the benefit done unto her Since the former was fitted for the Presse shee then not being likely to live unlesse the Lord should work a Miracle He raised her wonderfully by faith in his Sonne without any meanes when shee could use none and that by two degrees First to EATE and to ARISE Iun. 11. 1647. Then on Midsummer day to WALK as both follow neer the end of the Book Pag. 133. to 143. And Pray for despairing soules here now being many of them and for the more exalting of Jesus Christ in the powring out of his Spirit upon his sonnes and daughters
in Lawrence Pountney lately of Black Fryers M r Cradock Minister in Nicholas lane M r Barker Minister at Garlick-hill M r Brag from about Bristol M r Isaac Knight late of Holland Captain Harrison The Lady Mayerne and M ris Iane Done her sister Lady Hartop with M ris Fant her sister now M ris Stock and M r Ric-Wollaston M ris Rolls wife to Judge Rolls M ris Mary Leeb Hanna Trapnel Dinah the Blackmore and those that are named pag. 8. 9 10. and many others The Reason of naming many is there rendred viz. that some more incredulous might the sooner beleeve and reap benefit and not reject the mysteries of God against themselves to their hurt Luk. 7.30 Which may plead excuse for naming them Ioh. 4. 39. For the saying of the Woman many of the Samaritans beleeved on Iesus Joh. 12. 11. Joh. 11. 45. By reason of Lazarus being so raised up many beleeved on Iesus Act. 9. 42. By making knows his raising up of Dorcas many beleeved on the Lord. If some yet say How is it possible that one so young and never understanding to purpose till now should be able so to speak T is answered This is the Lords work and it is marvellous in our eyes who out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hath ordained strength perfected praise Mat. 21. 16. And hath promised to his to powre out of his Spirit in the last dayes upon them and upon their children their sons and daughters Act. 2. 17. 33. 38 39. Our Lord Jesus promised to his Disciples that his Holy Spirit should bring to their remembrance what he had said to them Joh. 14. 26. This good Spirit brought to her remembrance now when it was most usefull what shee had read and heard formerly and opened her heart to understand them and opened her mouth to utter them in an humble melting manner as he had opened to her even when her bodily eyes and ears were held which since April 19. are both of them opened H. I. M r Saltmarsh his Letter For my dear and honored Friend and Cosen M H. JACIE Dear Cosen I Salute you in the Lord. I did much rejoyce in those breathings of the Spirit of God which I found in your little Book OF THE RICHES OF GRACE ADVANCED c. Surely the Lord is teaching his people and fulfilling his promises They shall be all taught of God Joh. 6. 45. And thus his New Covenant with his people shall be more and more revealed and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Isa. 2.11 When I meet with such precious manifestations of the Lord me thinkes I taste those waters of life those rivers of living water which shall show out of the bellies of those who beleeve in Christ Joh. 7. 38. There is not a streame of this water but it proceeds from the Throne of Grace Rev. 22. 1. Zach. 14.8,9 though it flow in the vallies in the poore low and humble Christians I finde in this Spirituall Treatise of yours two things very experiment all the one is her Legall and the other her more Gospel condition In the first shee is in bondage in blackness and darkness and tempest in much distresse and shadow of death her life drawing nigh unto hell and afflicted with all his waues Psal. 88.3.7 In her Gospel state I find God shewing wonders to the dead making the dead to rise and praise him shewing his loving kindnesse in the grave and his faithfulness in destruction and making known his glory in the dark and his righteousnesse in the land of forgetfulnesse Psal. 88.10 11 12. And truely the voice of joy and gladnesse is in the tabernacles of the righteous Psal. 118. 15. I finde that when God reveales himselfe in Christ in his grace and love the Spirit of the Christian is sweetly raised and cheered and the love of the Lord is as wine even as the spiced wine I make no question but the Lord will fill this soule with more discoveries then this of the Riches of grace this truth being that first discovery of God in love Dear Cosen you do well thus to watch the appearances of God in his and to publish them to the Saints I am yours in the Lord JOHN SALTMARSH The CONTENTS or TABLE of the Book Of this Hand-maid her education Parents and dwelling pag. 4 5 6. Her Deep afflictions 1. In Spirit pag. 6. to 15. 10. 42 43. 59 60. 67. 70. 78. 109. 112. 127. 2. In body pag. 7. end 22. 31. end 55. 78. 115. 128. Her soules deliverance pag. 15. 35. 40. 54. 59. 67. 86. 89. Her sight and hearing given at greatest need pag. 24 25. 29. 34. 43 end The Lord refreshing her unable to eat or drink for many dayes pag. 15. 18. 20 21. 55. 57. 91. 116. 131. Her brother hoped for it pag. 5. and saw pag. 30. The Lords power excellent by this earthly vessell being in trances opening his Gospel-treasure pag. 15. to 33. 54.86 Whilst shee was blind and deafe 34. Which after her hearing was restored shee remembred not at all Of like expressions after it pag. 35. to 43. 51. c. CONFERENCES with some troubled about SIN with a Maid with M ris A. 44 45. to 48. with one 61. to 64. with another 65. another 72. with another 76. another 81. with another 99 another 105. with another 122. Other Conferences about her eating 57 58 about her condition now 85. future 89. About Ordinances 87. 118. About Differences among Saints 88. 39. Powring out the Spirit 90. New Covenant all free 91. The Law 92. 94. 115 Duties 93. 118. Endeavours 64. 94. Of Generall Redemption Free-will Falling away 95 96 97. Punishment for sin 98. Why weak after comfort 115. 128. Of enduring Christs reproach 117. Content with Christ alone 117. 22. Not loving God not before 117. Not proud by visiters 119. Of the Trinity 120. Justification and Sanctification by Christ 121. Items against receiving or telling false reports 125. Praises in Zion 119. Against stubbornnes or murmuring 24 30. Against lying and wronging Conscience pag. 7. 153-155 To be trained up in holy Scriptures pag. 6 3â— 42. 59 60. Against unmercifulnes 103 104. The Lord raiseth her body being neerest death 132. by Faith 135. to arise and eat 138. walk 141. A Thankesgiving day Order 144. Summe and USES of all 151. Cautions about OATHS 155. A TABLE of many of the choise places of holy SCRIPTURE that in this Book are cited opened illustrated or applyed Where * is here added the Translation is neerer the Hebrew or Greek Page GEn. 22. 14. Iehovah jireh God will see 156. d ve 18. Gen. 26 4. All Nations-blessed 97 a 124. q Gen. 41.14 Iosephs garments changed 101. t Exod. 19. 4. Bare you on Eagles wings 149. a Ex. 34.6 Gracious mercifull long-suffering 53.105 e Levit. 16.21 Scape-Goat bears sin to Wildernes 67. k Num. 11.11 Manna-colour as Bdellium 38. o Num. 21. 9. Looking to brazen Serpent heal'd 81. m Deut. 29. 29.
day of her so trembling being Tuesday April 6. When the maid beforesaid came to her she found her weeping most bitterly wringing her hands grievously saying I am a Reprobate a Castaway I never had a good thought in all my life I have been under sinne ever since I can remember when I was but a childe c. This heavinesse was greatest this night was darkest of all when the day the joyfull time of her deliverance was neer at hand And like as at the beginning of her grievous despairing about foure yeares before upon those two sinnes beforesaid a great trembling fell upon her at the beginning of her deep despaire and trouble so now at the ending thereof the like trembling fell upon her such as shee never had at any other time And now thus trembling exceedingly and weeping and wringing her hands shee said to this effect My earthly Tabernacle is broken all to pieces and what will the Lord doe with me If I should hang on Gibbets if I should be cut in pieces if I should dye the cruellest death that ever any did I have deserv'd it I would still justifie God aye if he cast me to hell Thus it was with patient Iob He humbled himselfe and justified the Lord when his restoring was at hand Her hands and her feet were clunched so as shee could not stand Shee was tempted and sore urged to blaspheme God and dye And when shee was ready to speak her tongue was smitten Afterward shee being laid down shee said to her Mother I le lye still and hear what God will say to me He will speak Peace Peace If God will speak a word of Peace at the last moment I should be contented Then shee desired them that none might trouble her but that shee might lie in peace And shee lay still as in a sleep or as in a trance rather from that tuesday night April 6. till the last day of that week cald Saturday at night except when shee cald for a little water to drink and drunk two or three cups of water No other sustenance shee took all that time And this was the time of love when The Exceeding Riches of Grace was advanced April 10. 1647. that Saturday at night about midnight or after midnight shee began to expresse the first expressions of comforts of such soule-satisfying comforts that ever shee so manifested though her soule enjoyd them from that Tuesday night before as since her Trances ceas'd shee hath declared Even now when all mans help faild and when all meanes before used could not doe it and when now shee was made uncapable that way to receive it being now struck both blind and deafe her eyes being fast closed up wrapt up together A. Saul who is called Paul when the Lord converted him was three dayes without sight and neither did eat nor drinke Act. 9. 9. And thus shee began My soule thirsts for the water of life and I shall have it My soule thirsts for the water of life and I shall have it foure times in ardency of spirit uttering those words then adding a little water good people a little water So shee drank two or three of her little cups of water Then shee sate up and with a most sweet and heavenly countenance and with much brokennesse of heart in an humble melting manner Teares sometimes trickling downe shee spake with a low voice as followeth Ah that Iesus Christ should come from the bosome of his Father and take the nature of man upon him and come in such a low estate and lie in a Manger a Luk. 2. 7. There 's three sorts of people in the world a higher sort and a middle sort and a lower sort Christ came to the lowest soule he lay in a Manger a contemptible place Doe you not see an excellency in him b Phil. 3. 8. Do you not see an excellency in him I tell you there 's more excellency in him in his lowest state his meanest state then in the world aye then in a thousand worlds Who came he to dye for for sinners aye for the greatest sinners the chiefest sinners the chiefest sinners c 1 Tim. 1. 13-15 Luk. 18. 14. A dying Christ for a denying Peter a dying Christ for a denying Peter a dying Christ for a denying Peter Peter denied him and yet he dyed for him d Mat. 26. 72. Luk. 22. 31 32. Goe tell Peter Goe tell Peter e Mark 16. 7. Ah Peter And then shee paused a while as admiring it and proceeded thus For a Peter for a Mary Magdalen for a Theefe on the Crosse that none should despaire a crucified Christ for a crucified Theefe a crucified Christ for a crucified Theefe A persecuting Saul becomes a beloved Paul for the chiefest sinners the chiefest sinners Not the proud Pharisie but the poore Publican f Joh. 5. 40. No sin separates from Christ but the sin of Vnbeliefe And this is the Faith beleeving a full Christ to a nothing Creature a full Christ to a nothing Creatures a full Christ to a nothing Creature g Joh. 1. 16. 2 Cor. 12. 31. To me the chiefest of sinners yet I obtained mercy * Shee meant being then in unbeliefe through unbeliefe Christ came not to finde faith but to give faith Christ came in to me when I was in my unbeliefe Then shee said pausing There 's a fountaine open for Judah and for Jerusalem for sin and for uncleannesse A fountain open for Judah and for Jerusalem for sin and for uncleannesse h Zach. 13. 1. A fountaine not streames but a fountain open an open fountaine if a doore stand shelving you cannot come in but you must thrust to come in but if it stand wide open then there 's freedome for you to goe freedome for you to goe It s open * The house of David is of Iudah Mat. 1.1,2.6 for Judah Judah that play'd the Harlot yet God saith to Judah Returne though thou hast play'd the Harlot with many lovers returne for I am married to thee i Jer. 3. 1. 14. For Judah and for Jerusalem and what was Jerusalem her skirts were fu'l of bloud her streets were full of bloud k Jer. 2.34 2 King 21.16 Yet the fountain is open for Judah and for Jerusalem For sin and for uncleannesse for all sin for the greatest sinne the chiefest sinne and sinners Who is this fountaine Iesus Christ he is this fountain * Joh. 7.37 Rev. 1. 5. a filling fountaine and never dry l Luk. 1. 53. a filling fountaine and never dry a filling fountaine and never dry Who is a God like to thee pardoning sin m Mic. 7. 18. all sin sin past present and to come n Heb. 10. 10-14 not onely pardoning sin but passing by the transgression of his heritage Passing by daily sins and frailites he retains not his anger for ever He is slow to wrath bist he delights in mercy He is slow to nothing
but to wrath but he is swift to mercy His wrath is but a little in a little wrath and what 's that but with everlasting kindnesse will he shew mercy o Isa. 54. 8. His mercy and his kindnesse is for ever for ever Christ was first crucified before he was glorified p Luk. 24. 26. Rom. 8. 17. Before yot receive a Christ glorified you must receive a Christ crucified Thus the Lord opened her mouth to speak much of it in the words of the holy Scriptures April 10 or 11. and so also April 13 and 15 and 17. April 19 20. 25. c. as hereafter followeth though shee remain'd deafe and blind til April 19 from April 6 except part of April 15. and 17. the Wonder followeth ☞ nor could shee see to read by reason of the weaknesse of her eyes til about the midst of May nor wel then til Iune 11. ☞ But as our Lord Jesus promised to his Disciples that his Spirit should teach them all things and should bring to their remembrance what he had said unto them Joh. 14. 26. So now he thus far graciously perform'd it to her Shee neither cited Chapter nor Verse now nor usually afterward Her own words being writ down by the Relator first he then added in a Parenthesis such places of Scripture as were suitable to them for better satisfaction to many the letter a 1 Joh. 3.8 b Heb. 2. 14. c Rev. 22.20 c. with the proofs are suitable to her own words preceding where the like letter is Those her gracious expressions beforesaid and moe to the like effect shee uttered after midnight April 10 or 11. and then ceased and lay downe and continued silent from April 10. till the 13 th being Tuesday at night following neither speaking nor eating nor drinking any thing in the meane while When her Mother had moved her to take somewhat laying her hand upon hers for shee heard not what was said to her shee spake as one troubled at it and said Why doe you hinder my Communion with God And remained troubled sighing about it for some time after which caused a forbearing to urge her therein Tuesday-night April 13. first having started suddenly shee said The Devill fights with me as he did with Michael and his Angels * Rev. 12.7.14 Doe you not see him Doe you not see him and shee struck with the back of her hand from her and thus proceeded But the Angel shall prevaile the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah hath overcome him The Accuser of the Brethren is cast out The Accuser of the Brethren is cast out The Accuser of the Brethren is cast out * Rev. 12.7.14 Iesus Christ came to destroy the works of the Devill a 1 Joh. 3. 8. He took our nature upon him that he might be partaker of our sufferings b Heb. 2. 14. Then shee added Come Lord Iesus Come Lord Iesus c Rev. 22.20 But why say I Come He is come he is come he is come He hath dispossessed the strong man d Luk. 11.22 and hath taken possession of my soule and will e Joh. 14. 16. 23. dwell with me for ever for ever for ever How neer are the Saints to Christ They are his Iewels f Mal. 3. 17. Nay they are his signet on his right hand Nay they are his seale on his heart g Cant. 8. 6. they lye in his bosome When you take a thing out of a mans bosome you cannot take it but you must touch the man clapping her hand on her breast That that I admire most is that Christ took our nature he took our nature Men and Angels admire it aye and Devils too if they can When the Lord doth any great thing he puts his I to it I even I am he h Isa. 43. 25. I 'le make a New Covenant i Jer. 31. 31-34 I 'le write my Law in their heart I 'le pardon your sinnes I 'le doe them away as a thick cloud k Isa. 44. 22. I change not therefore are you not consumed †Mal. 3.6 Ah what a foolish creature am I I could not endure to heare one speak of the Devill and I was as bad as he l 1 Joh. 5. 10. in distrusting of God that dyed for me Oh that the world knew Iesus Christ m Joh. 4. 10. Sure they would not distrust him they would not despight him they would not persecute him Christ taught Simon how to beare the Crosse he bare it first himself I was found of them that sought me not and to the Nation that looked not after me I said Behold me Behold me n Isa. 65. 1. Then speaking somewhat louder shee said o As 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Holy holy is repeated 9 times in the Greek of Plantins Edition which is coūsed the best Love him Love him c. These words shee repeated nine or ten times in ardency of affection o Rev. 4.8 Prov. 8. 17. 21. Then shee desired a little water to drink shee never having loved strong drinke nor wine nor strong water since shee was borne of late small beer or water was her usuall drink but now since Saturday the 27 th of March 1647. when shee took a little broth till this day of the writing of part hereof being May 19. These 53. dayes together shee hath taken no outward sustenance at all but onely two or three or foure cups of fair water at a time and once of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a little broth and casting it up again unable to keep it and taking this also onely once in two days or in three dayes or more between the times of her taking thereof never taking it two dayes together And yet shee looks better now then shee did seven or eight weeks agoe Desiring water shee said Give me a little water good people Christ hath given you water freely Then shee drank her little white cup full once and againe and said I pray you give me some more Iesus Christ when he turned water into wine be turned not cups full or glasses full but sirkins sull a Joh. 2. 6. If you giue a cup of cold water as to a Disciple you shall not loose your reward b Mat. 10.42 Then shee drank two cups more and proceeded thus in the same tender-hearted manner As I live saith the Lord I will not the death of a sinner He hath sworn it he hath sworn it that he delights not in the death of a sinner c Ezec. 33. 11. He hath said I le never leave thee no I le never forsake thee no *d Heb. 13.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus shee added the Emphasis No that is more in the Greek then in our Translation though shee be no Grecian and then added What am I a poor empty disconsolate sinfull vaine contemptible worme a poor wretched empty unthankfull sinfull vile contemptible worme to tread upon Yet hath Iesus Christ
the more low in her own eyes and having the more melted and humbled her soul by the greatnes of his goodnes towards such an one which frame the Lord continue to the end The Occasion of the meeting was declared Many of the most materiall of the former passages of the Lords speciall providence being related in a way to exalt the LORD alone and not a worthlesse Creature Praises were then rendred to the Name of the Lord which is exculted * Neh. 9. 5. above all blessing and Praise In speciall with respect to this mercy to soule and body and to the Glorious Attributes of God manifested herein Some Instructions were also given for some direction and furtherance herein both to the Party her selfe and to her Mother and to all present Amongst others some from 2 Chron. 32. 25. But Hezekiah rendred not againe according to the benefit done unto him for his heart was lifted up therefore there was wrath upon him Whence was observed 1. That the mercies of God require rendrings unto God rendring the glory thereof to him 2. That the measure of rendring back that the Lord looks should be endeavoured is according to the benefit done to them 3. That all neglect of thanks or rendring againe springs from pride or the lifting up of the heart that 's the root 4. That the Lords choice servants are very subject the fearefull sinnes of pride and unthankefulnesse 5. That the wrath of God is against pride and unthankefulnes The Lord takes it heavily when his people walk proudly or unthankfully The first was then insisted upon which being opened confirmed and applied and Praises further rendred with prayer suitable there was then a time of bodily refreshing in a cheerfull manner after the middle of the day eating and drinking of what was sweet and pleasant a Neh. 8. 10. that it might not be as a day of Fasting b Joel 2.12 14. This was but short and moderate that it might be no hinderance but rather a furtherance to the main work then intended Having eaten and blessed the Lord further Instructions were given from the words of our Lord Jesus to his owne Disciples in Luke 10.20 In this rejoyce not that the Spirits are made subject to you but rather rejoyce that your Names are written in Heaven Where is held out to us 1. That evil Spirits have been made subject to Christ Disciples and so they shall be c Mar. 16. 17. d 1 Cor. 6. 3. 2. That the Prime cause of rejoycing is that one knows his Name is written in Heaven He is known there what he is he is of esteem there hee hath interest there and happinesse there 3. That even the Disciples of Iesus Christ are prone to be carnall or fleshly in rejoycing and not so spirituall as is meet Praises with prayer again and again being rendred in the Name of Jesus Christ and those for whom nothing is prepared beeing remembred Neh. 8. 10. and Conclusion being made the Assembly in convenient time was dismissed many being greatly refreshed in the Lord who had thus exalted his great and glorious Name in causing LIGHT thus to shine out of DARKNES restoring her soul from so deep despair and thus wonderfully raising up her body that had been long to the eye of reason ready to see corruption And as her Brother M r Ionathan Vaughan before her sowls enlargement had writ from Oxford confidently that Iesus Christ would deliver her as is touched before in pag. 5. So he having been brought to London by a good providence just at that time to see it done as pag. 25. and 29. when he was returned to Oxford before the end of April 1647. He writ thence That he made no doubt but the Lord would restore her body also to its perfect health though then it drew not to death His words were these Most dear Mother I am constrained to confess with thankfulnesse that it was an Almighty Providence indulgent to me which brought me home to you in a most seasonable and acceptable time in which have both heard and seen the goings forth of the Love towards my choice and precious Sister to be in love mercy and peace The strong man is dispossessed by stronger Christ the hope of Glory now reigning in her I make no doubt but the Great Physician the good Samaritan who hath poured out into her wounded Conscience his wine and oyle will restore her body to its perfect health whereby shee may be able in the land of the living to declare the Riches of the free Grace and love of God to poor sinners I came safe to Oxford I praise God c. Iune 30 being the Monethly Fast-day she went to Great Alhallows London it being neer Lawrence Pountney and heard Mr Io. Simpson there hee having known her soul in adversity was desired to have helped there in the Day of Praises but was hindered by his Preaching that day elsewhere M r. Prime the Minister of Lawrence Pountney had an impediment that hindered him also where he was desired After the Fast-days Sermons were ended her heart was drawn out to goe to two women that were in deepe despaire for refreshing them by the comforts she had received being greatly affected with their sad conditions And the day following being Iuly 1. she so went to another woman in like condition one of the former women and this having been with her severall times of late since her soul was comforted By speaking much to them and by going so farre about a mile to and fro this day and about as farre the day before shee was much wearied and spont so that her body was in some weaknesse for some dayes after And this was the more encreased by the resortings to her daily of many in London who would draw out expressions from her to her further spending of her small strength Hence that shee might bee the more retired and recover strength for further service among the little ones that are afflicted c. her tender Mother hath procured for her a place in the Countrey neer a friend there a few miles distant from London The LORD hath given her to enjoy much of himself in the City as much may he give hath he given her in the Countrey We cannot leave her better then in these enjoyments which are a Christians ALL IN ALL. Before that her retire into the Conntrey the night before Iuly 4. which was the First day of the week called the Lords day it being but three dayes before her removall into the Countrey shee had a Dream or Vision which left so deep an impression on her Spirit that after she arose she wrote it down and related it to her Mother and to the Maid by whom the Relator hearing of it asked her about it and desired to see the writing The substance of it was this On Saturday-night last I was in a Dream in great terror and so quaked that the bed did shake under me I
Secrets belong to God 61. e Judg. 14. 23. If he would destroy us would be 124. 1 Sam. 2. 6. He kils and makes alive-to grave 62. d 2 King 21. 16. Streets full of bloud yet saved 17. k 2 Chro. 20. 15. Feare not-battell is not yours 107. n Ch. 32.25 But Hezekiah rendred not according 144. Neh. 8. 10. Eat send portions at thankesgiving 145. Job 3. 3. Jer. 20. 20. Of cursing the birth 12 Job 34.29 If he give quietnes who-trouble 41. c 69. r v. 31. It s meet to say to God that which I see not 64. Ps. 8. 5. †Man lower then Angels that is †Christ 42. a Ps. 9.10 They that know thy Name will trust 37. i Ps. 28.4 Ps. 92.5,6 Regard not the works of 152 Psal. 34. 4. Saved me from all my feares 35. 114. Ps. 36.6 He saves man and beast so saves all men 97 * Ps. 40 9-11 Close not up thy bowels of mercies 2. Ps. 41. 1,2 Blessed that considereth the poor 104. d Ps. 46. 1. God is a Refuge a present help 61. a Ps. 65. 1. Praise waits for God in Zion Why so 119. n Ps. 68.18 Christ received gifts for the Rebellious 66. g Ps. 77. 2. My soule refused to be comforted 104. g Vers. 8. 10. Hide thee for ever t is my infirmity 80. Ps. 72 11-17 All Kings-All Nations shall serve 98. Ps. 73. 1. Yet God is good to Israel pure in heart 68. q * Ps. 85.8 They shall not returne to folly 80. Ps. 87. 7. All my springs are in Christ. 49. Ps. 91. 16. With long life will I satisfie him 133. Ps. 107. 5. O that men would praise the Lord 42. Ps. 110. 3. Willing in the day of thy power 62. i 63. m. Ps. 113.7,8 Raiseth from dunghill-sets with 111. g Ps. 130.1 Out of the depths of misery have I cald 63. f V. 4. Mercy with thee that thou maist be feared 79. d Psal. 138. 2. Word above all thy Name 152. Psal. 144. 15. Happy is the people whose God is 23. m Ps. 147.2 He gathereth the Outcasts 84.104 h. 110. Prov. 18.17 First in his own cause seems just 125. f Pro. 21.13 He that stops his eare at the poors 104. d Pro. 22.6 Train up a child in the way he should go 6. V. 1. A good Name is rather-then great riches 127. Cant. 1.3 By ointment powred forth virgins love 90. V. 5. I am black Cant. 4.7 All fair-no spot in 123. l Cant. 2.3 As an Appletree so is my beloved how 31. d Cant. 2.4,5 He had me into his wine-cellar 57. o V. 8. He comes leaping over mountains skipping 100. l V. 10.11 Arise Winter is past Summer is come 142. Cant. 8.6 Make as a signet-as a seal on the heart 20. g Isa. 8. 17. Wait on him that hides 32,33 w. 71.124 Isa. 14. 1. The Lord had mercy on sinfull Iacob 68. Ver. 3. Hard bondage thou wast made to serve 68. m Isa. 24. 16. Glorifie God in the fires 89. Isa. 26.11 Thy hand is lifted up they will not see 152. Isa. 29. last They that murmured shall learne 159. Isa. 30. 18. The Lord waits to be gracious 95. a 112. b Isa. 32. 9. 11. Wo to careles daughter-at ease 152. Isa. 40.11 Christ carries his Lambs in his bosom 33. c Ver. 28. Iehovah faints not neither is weary 156. o Isa. 41. 10. Feare not I will help thee 77. x Isa. 42. 8. My glory I will not give to an image 156 g Isa. 43. 13. I work who shall let it 62. h. 76. u 124. a V. 25. Wearied yet-I I blotting out 20. h 42. 89.109 d Isa. 44.3 I powre water on dry ground 124. c V. 22. I blot out thy transgressions as a thick cloud 20. k Isa. 46.3 4. To hoary hairs will I carry thee 33. u Isa. 49.8 In an acceptable time have I beard thee 70. u Isa. 49.14 Zion said the Lord hath forsaken me 32. p Isa. 50.10 Walk in darknes-trust in the Name 33.74 l Isa. 53.2 We saw no form nor comlines in Christ. 117. h Isa. 54.8 In a little wrath-but-everlast kindnes 180. V. 10. Mountains shall remove-but not my love 110. m Isa. 55.8 My thoughts are not your thoughts 46 d 78. b Isa. 57. 19. I create-peace to him that 's far off 88. Isa. 59. 16. His own arm laid hold on Salva 75. p 114. c Isa. 63.10 They rebelled vexed his spirit yet sav'd 46. Isa. 64. 6. Our righteousness is as filthy rags 101. t Isa. 65. 1. I am found of them than sought me 64. g 70. JER 2 2-6 Israel was holines-the Lord brought 124. Jer. 2.13 My people forsake fountaine of living 83. f V. 34. Her skirt is full bloud yet mercy 17,18 k Jer. 3 1-14 Played the Harlot-turne I am 17 18. V. 12. 22. Turn I will beale your back slidings 75. r Jer. 4.2 Sweare-in truth in judgement in rig 155 Jer. 5. 11 12. Iudah belyed the Lord said it is not 81. Jer. 8.22 Is there no balm in Gilead Healing 66. Jer. 30. 15. 18. My wound is incurable-yet 84. 110. V. 16. Thy words were found and I did eat them 116. Jer. 17.9 Heart deceitful-desperate-yet cured 63. e 66. d Je. 23.6 Christ is righteousnesse to sinners 81. g Jer. 23. 10. Because of Oaths the Land mourns 156. V. 29. Is not my word-a fire and like a Hammer 83. a Jer. 31.18 Vntamed heifer 38. l 52. b 85. a 109. c 115. V. 25. He will satiate the weary soul replenish 113. l Jer. 31 31-34 I make a new Covenant He put 20. b 92. Jer. 32. 17. Nothing is too hard for God 82. Ver. 39. I will give them one heart-to fear me 83. V. 40. Feare-And they shall not depart from me 105. * Jer. 46.28 Vnpunished r unvisited so* Amos 3.3 98. Jer. 51.5 Israel is not forsaken-of his 83. c 105 g 109. k Ezek. 16.6 In thy bloud I said live 91.123 m V. 8. This was the time of love 61. Ezek. 16. 10. 14. I cloathed thee with Christs gar 101. Ezek. 18.31 32. Turne yee-why will yee dye 52. a Ezek. 33.11 As I live I have no plea. 10.73 c. 96 97. Ezek. 36.25 26. I will give you a new heart 76. 123. o Dan. 2.34 35. Stone Christs kingdome set up 98. Dan. 9.3.20 He set himselfe to prayer then answ 95. b Dan. 10.19 Be strong yea be strong with power 142. Hosea 1. 1-2 Not a people-children 102 o. 105. i Hosea 2.7.14.19 Lost in wildernes comf 80. kl 107. q Hosea 11.3 I taught Ephraim to go he knew not 66. f Hosea 11.8 11,12 Grievous sins yet saved 85. b 109. Hosea 13.9 Thou hast destroyed thy self yet saved 97. Hosea 14.20 Say unto God heale back slidings 64. Ver. 3. With thee fatherlesse sind mercy 107. q Ver. 4. I will heale back slidings 63. y Micah 7.18 Who is like to thee pard 18. m 83.156 f Habak 2.3 Vision will speake though it tarrie 69. t Zeph. 3.12 An afflicted and poor people
be neer in himselfe and is not this to be admir'd He first finds the soule and then the Spouse saith Shee had found him whom her soule loveth He destroys selfe righteous selfe and all selfe that he alone might have the glory He leaves nothing for the Creature to boast in It s his Wisedome that he alone might have the Glory Turne thou me and I shall be turned Heale me and I shall be healed Convert me and I shall be converted So many soule hath found by experience One told her It s said a Ezek. 18. 31 32. Turne yee why will yee dye O house of Israel Shee answered It s Christ that comes with a power in the Word and turnes them And the Church knew her own unsufficiency to returne and therefore shee saith Turne me and I shall be turned b Jer. 31. 18. Behold he comes leaping over the mountaines and skipping over the hills He makes rough places plaine and raiseth up valleyes c Luk. 3. 3. It s easie for him to pardon mountainous sins multitudes of sins as one sin He came to me and pardon'd me though my sins were as the stars in Heaven for multitude He hath delivered me from the hard bondage wherein I was made to serve He appear'd to me in the dark and thick Cloud a thick Cloud indeed One beam of the Sun of righteousnesse dispeld it in a moment What a sinfull creature was I I never read of any that was in so desperate a condition as I And he hath delivered me from all my feares not from one or two but from all my feares Therefore I desire high and low rich and poore to magnifie the Lord and to praise his Name in my behalfe that he hath looked on the low and base estate of his handmaid His works praise him his Saints blesse him Ps. 145. 10. Especially the work of the New Creation in the soule I could beleeve nothing before but that there was no Hell but in this life I had no rest no rest in hearing nor reading and then he made me rest on himselfe d Mat. 11.28 And though I was weary and faint He was neither weary nor faint His wrath is but for a moment but of his goodnes and mercy there is no end He layes the foundation and he builds up It s I the Lord doe all He bare me and carried me and did at last deliver me This Rock followed me though I was not aware of him The Sun of righteousnesse arose with healing under his wings and the day-star arose in my heart e 2 Pet. 1. 19. It was a dark heart till he arose and then he made it light Christ suffered for me He needed not to suffer and be tempted but to succour such as mee that was tempted f Heb. 2. 18. I never had rest till I saw my selfe crucified with Christ g Gal. 2.20 and that my sins pierced him and there came out of his side a fountaine of bloud for the guilt of sin and not onely so but a fountaine of water to wash away the filth of sin to wash away all my filth There 's enough in him not onely to justifie but also to sanctifie h Joh. 5. 6. The life that I now live is by the faith of the Son of God who hath loved me and given himselfe for me though before I was an unbeleever and unholy and unthankfull and a murmurer and every way sinfull yet now hath he lov'd me and washed me And it not be to be prized and admir'd of all his Saints And his Name to be had in everlasting remembrance He proclaim'd his Name to be Mercifull and Gracious abundant in Goodnes and in Truth and that to sinners to the chiefe of sinners May 4. 1647. The same day at evening when some came to see her M r Iessey and M ris Palmer wife of the late Minister there in Lawrence Pountney who with M r Palmer had known her soule in affliction One telling her M ris Palmer was glad to heare of Gods goodnesse to her M ris Sarah said I desire that M r Palmer and you and all Gods people may praise and magnifie the Lord for his goodnes in looking down on the i* Lu. 1.48 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so Mat. 23.12 base estate of his handmaid M ris Palmer said After what manner did your comforts come in to you M ris Sarah My earthly tongue cannot expresse what I felt it s beyond expression I was in such extremitie that either deliverance must come or I must perish I was able so bold no longer Then I fell into a Trance This was April 6. at night I lay in visions And in that time the Spirit of God was powr'd in upon mee And then Iesus Christ was presented to me as crucified for my sins I saw it and my selfe crucified with him and when I saw a glimpse of his love then I mourned bitterly for my sins and never truely sorrowed for sin till then I never mourn'd for sin as sin before But then I mourn'd bitterly k Zach. 12.10 And now praise the Lord with me and let us magnifie his Name together M ris Palmer Are you nod desirous to enjoy your inheritance M ris Sarah Yes But Christ hath taught mee by what I enjoy to submit to his will My terrors so long were nothing to one moment of mercies All the miseries I endured though they were very great were nothing to one glimpse of his mercy M ris Palmer How are your thoughts acted what are they acted upon M ris Sarah A living active Christ in a dead passive creature makes it act to God l Gal. 2. 20. For a farewell shee said Rejoyce in the Lord with me Mention was made before that from the 27 th of March to the 21. of April in those 24. dayes shee had not eaten at all and her drink had been onely two or three or four little cups of fair water once in two or three or in four dayes together Some having spoken of this others have counted it a forgery or pretence By such injections the Enemy would obscure and darken the Works of the Great God of Heaven But many Godly Ministers and Gracious Saints that know M ris Wight and the Maid and this Daughter of Abraham have ground to judge they truely feare the Lord and that they dare not lye but abhorre lying Now the Relator by conference with them hath it from their own mouths that from the time of her ceasing to be in Trances and to be deaf and blind which was April 19. to the day of the writing of this part of the Relation being May 5. shee hath not taken so much sustenance as shee did take in that time from March 27. to April 19. And from May 5. till Iune 11. being the longest day in the yeare lesse then that from April 19. The power of God appearing therein wonderfully to the beholders in upholding
What will thou have me to doe It was answered as that to Paul Act. 22. 10. Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee what thou shalt do So it was given her to understand that shee must arise from that sinfull condition and goe out of her selfe to Christ and he would tell her what shee must doe And as he said to Paul Act. 26. 16. Rise and stand upon thy feet For I have appeared to thee for this purpose to be a Minister and a witnes both of the things thou hast seen and in which I will appeare unto thee So God had bid her Arise and he had raised her soul from the lowest hell and now he perswaded her that he will raise up her body also that she might be a Witnesse of the Grace of God to minister to others what he had administred unto her And that as Paul should be a witnes both of the sufferings of Christ for him and of his own sufferings for the Name of Christ So shee should be a witnes of both in like manner and set to her seale that God is true in whatsoever he hath spoken and cannot deny himselfe And as Paul when he was to live and to suffer many things He said None of these things move me neither count I my life deare unto my selfe so that I may finish my course with joy and the Ministery Act. 20. 24. So she must not count her life dear to her self no not her being with Christ which is far better then this life being confident that shee should finish her course with joy and now shee must testifie and minister that Grace of God that shee had received unto others Other places of ministring to others were brought into her besides that of Paul Another was of Peters wives Mother Mark 1. 30. Anon they tell Iesus of her and he came and took her by the hand and lift her up and immediately the feaver left her and shee ministred unto them Not to Christ onely but to others And so must shee As Christ himselfe came not to be ministred unto but to minister Mark 10. 45. A Third place was Luk. 5. 20. 25. where Christ said to the man that was sick of the Palsey Man thy sins are forgiven thee There he first cured the soule and then the body saying Arise and take up thy Couch And he arose and went and glorified God declaring to others what God had done for him And so must shee Besides those three or foure places of ministring to others there were six places more brought to her of such as Iesus Christ raised up by his power and they were set on with power on her soule One was Luk. 7. 14. Christ said to the Widows son Young man I say to thee Arise and he that was dead sate up and began to speak Yet shee desired if shee might have a place to her more particular Then was given in that in Luk 8. end where Christ said Maid arise And after that a third place Mark 10. 49. It was said to the blind man by Christs Disciples Be of good comfort rise He calleth thee He called that won'd make him whole every whit This was suitable to her whose eyes were so weak and dim A fourth place Act. 9. 34. Peter said to AEneas Iesus Christ maketh thee whole and he arose immediately A fift place was Act. 3.6 In the * So Name is put for power there Act. 4.7.10 Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth arise and walk and he arose immediately and leaped and praised God So thou in the * So Name is put for power there Act. 4.7.10 power and efficacy of the power of Iesus Christ of Nazareth arise and walk Iesus Christ maketh thee whole Then had shee Faith given her and Power instantly that shee could arise but her Mother being asleep in the bed with her shee forbare till her Mother did awake in the morning Yet there came one place more more full more particular and more familiar Mark 5. end Talitha cumi Damsell I say to thee Arise and straightway shee arose and walked And he commanded that somewhat should be given her to eate Here was her Eating Arising Walking And a full perswasion was given her therewith that so it should be with her selfe Thus shee lay fully confirm'd therein not sleeping that night at all but enjoying sweet communion with God till the morning And Iune 11. when her Mother awoke and was arising shee spake to her with teares in her eyes being grieved that through that foresaid pensivenes shee had not spoken a word to her Mother and thereby might offend her entreating her pardon which was sooner granted then asked Then shee declared what sweet refreshings the Lord had given in that night with power to her soule in behalfe of her bodies restoring and named the severall places beforesaid the Chapter and verse as they were given in to her that night so as they never had been given in to her in all her life before desiring the Maid that tended her to turne to the Scriptures one by one which shee did and read them to the last Shee declaring what power came with the words into her the last place being Damsell I say to thee Arise and he commanded that somewhat should be given to her to eate So now shee desired they would give her somewhat to EAT It being demanded what Shee would they should give her some broiled fish Which was a strange expression to them from her that had not eat a crumme of bread or other meat in 76. dayes nor so much as wet her lips for the last four or five dayes But shee speaking with such power and evidence they beleeved Fish was got and broild and brought to her and shee with joy in the Lord did eat of it heartily before them And said Shee did eat it because Iesus Christ had sweetened it before Therefore she said shee found as much savour and satisfaction and delight in it as if shee had all the dainties and delights in the world in one So was this unto her Having eaten and been refreshed and blessed the Lord not finding the least distemper or inconvenience at all thereby Then shee called for her cloaths who had not been able to arise no nor to hold up her head any while in the bed since the sixt of Aprill to this 11 th of Iune being 66. days Her cloaths being given her shee put them on and arose and stood on her feet and sate down in the Chamber joyfull in the Lord receiving no hurt thereby When shee cald for the Fish as shee said shee had this apprehension cast into her Thou hast fasted long thou shalt fast no longer it was but to make my power known to the sons of men what I have done and what I can doe 2 Cor. 12.9 Thus the Lord gave a prolonging of her life by Faith in the Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth Thus by faith shee did Eat
and Arise and beleeved she should Walk also The two former shee did that instant Iune 11. The third was reserv'd to try her and others till the Lord should see fittest About the same time of Iune beforesaid the Relator heard of one H. T. that then had great enjoyments of God and could not take in a crumme or sip of the creatures for full six dayes together yet being in bodily health It being beleeved by many good people the Relator desired to speak with the party who is of approved godlines and did and was certified thereby of the truth thereof viz. from Iun. 9. the end till the beginning of Iun. 16. 1647. And that both in that time and before the Lord had given in severall discoveries of things to come Some particulars whereof were then related viz. Iun. 19. It seemed strange to him Yet he durst not then reject it being related in a tender modest manner exalting God therein Since this he hath recalled 1. That it s no where said in Scripture that Prophecy or Miracles or Knowledge are ceased 2. That M r Fox in the Book of Martyrs cites many Miracles wrought and Prophecies uttered both in the first hundred of yeeres after the Apostles and in the second third fourth fifth and so on to his time The like do Eusebius Socrates and other Ecclesiasticall approved Authors unto their times M r Fox cites Prophecies of late times revealed to Iohn Hus to Martin Luther yea and to himselfe Besides other experiences he hath known of 3. He hath weighed severall Scriptures that seem to hold out such things as Iob. 16. 8. 13. I will send the Comforter and he shall convince of sin of righteousnesse c. And he will shew you things to come and Act. 11. 28. Act. 21. 11. 9. Agabus and Philips daughters prophecied Act. 2. 13. 16 17. 33. 38 39. with Iob. 7.38 1 Cor. 12.8 10. 28. 31. 1 Cor. 14.1 c. Hence he feared to judge or speak ill of what he knew not and had no experience of in himselfe But rather judged he should try the Spirits whether they are of God because false Prophets are in the world 1 Joh. 4. 1. Rev. 2. 2. And should admire the Lord in his grace to worthles wormes and should pray for the accomplishment of the aforesaid Scriptures as the Disciples prayed thus Now Lord behold their threatnings and grant to thy servants that with all boldnes they may speak thy word the meanes thereof followeth by stretching forth thy hand to heal and that signes and wonders may be done by the Name or power of thy holy childe Iesus Act. 4. 29 30. Luk. 17. 5 6. To return M ris Sarah Wight arose from bed and sate up daily from Iune 11. till the 25. being Midsommer quarter day Yet shee remained weak Her Mother and her selfe before Iun. 25 desired that such as had sought the Lord for her might solemnly Praise the Lord with her for so answering prayer for her soule and body It was concluded to be Iun. 26. When behold the Lord gives in the third mercy before beleeved and hoped for the very day foregoing it that their mouths might be the more fild with the High Praises of God for this addition viz. that by Faith shee was strengthened as before to eat and to Arise so now to WALK And thus it was as her selfe related it the same day viz. Iun. 25. 1647. The night before it shee was very ill till about two in the morning Then was it hinted into her spirit that formerly the Lord had promised to her that shee should Arise and Walk and eat And as he had performed two of them in causing her to ARISE and to EAT so now he was to fulfill the Other in causing her to WALK Then severall Scriptures were brought in to her with life and power amongst others these Act. 3. 6. Peter said to the Criple In the Name of Iesus Christ of Nazareth arise and walk and immediately he received strength and stood and walked and praised God Another was Iob. 5. 8. Iesus said to the man at the Pool Rise and walk and immediately the man was made whole and walked Another was Dan. 10. 17-19 When Daniel was weak one from God touched him and said O man greatly beloved feare not Peace be unto thee Be strong yea be strong He was weak in Spirit and in body and here it is twice said Be strong and now he was strengthened in body as well as in spirit and he said Let my Lord speak for thou hast strengthened me Another place was Cantic 2. 10 11. Rise up my love my faire one and come away For the winter is past With this Paraphrase The winter of afflictions and temptations is past and the summer of joy and consolation is come and the Sunne of righteousnesse is risen which makes it a summer indeed The last place hinted in was Ephes. 3. 16. That he would grant according to the riches of his Glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man This said shee in relating it in the morning was spoke to me and I did beleeve it was so absolutely And as Daniel was strengthened immediately So was I strengthened immediately and was vile and would be more vile in mine own eyes that the Lord alone may be exalted Thus shee told her Mother and another Christian friend and said shee had received strength Having declared this with joy in the Lord in the morning Iun. 25 being Midsummer day 1647. then shee her selfe opened her head and scombed it which shee durst not suffer to be done the day before no nor for about twenty-four weeks before because it was so exceeding weak and ill through her so beating it in her former terror that shee feared it would not hold well together if it were opened and of late shee had not bodily strength to do it till that morning And now having dressed it shee neither fainted nor got cold thereby but desiring her Mother with the Maid to call on the Lord who is worthy to be praised shee got up immediately and stood on her feet and WALKED Praising the Lord. Shee not having walked nor had so much bodily strength in fourscore dayes before namely not since that sixt of Aprill beforesaid Thus the Lord the more fitted her for rendring Praise to his Name the day following And hereby he gave in to her friends greater encouragement and the more occasion of High Praises to our God Iun. 26. the day appointed thereto being come there met together M r Barker Minister in Garlick hill London and the Relator M r Sprig M r Brag and M r Isaac Knight lately of Holland with many other Christian friends to magnifie the Lord with them It was a sweet and joyfull day to many there assembled Much of God was seen therein The Party walked down from an upper to a middle-roome the place prepared for the dutie shee being veiled the Lord having made her
time The Name of God is to be Preached and Proclaim'd that he is gracious to graceles ones and mercifull to miserable ones and long-suffering and abundant in goodnesse and truth e Exod. 34. 6. to them that have abundance of sin and he would that repentance and remission of sins should be published in his Name f Luk. 24. 47. When he gives you a glimpse of his love you are apt to bely the Lord as Judah did and to say it is not he unlesse it comes with a full perswasion to you yet this hindred not the Lords coming in and healing them Though not a person but the Land was fild with sin against the Holy One of Israel yet Israel hath not been forsaken g Jer. 51. 5. He said I am forsaken and not onely forsaken but forgotten Zion said so and Israel said so yet he is not forsaken For a farewell she said Go and Beleeve the Lord Jesus makes you whole and so Go in peace beleeving its Christ must make you whole and none els May 28. A maid in deep despair came to her The Relator being present writ then also After other expressions the Maid said as followeth Maid It hath been sad with me since it was said to me Repentance is hid from thine eyes and wo unto them when they depart from the living God S. Ans. The Lord saith I le put my feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from me h Je. 32.40 Maid But I have departed from him therefore I am none of his people S. There saith he where it was said i Hos. 1. 12. They are not my people there it shall be said they are the children of God Maid I am without God an enemy to him S. Well let it be so you are without God in the world a stranger an enemy yet such hath he reconciled by the death of his Son k Ephes. 2. 12. all the want is you cannot see it so Maid I am far off from him S. He gives peace peace to them that are far off Maid I had a great deal of light and I departed from it S. So did Judah they departed from the living God and went to dead Idol Gods yet he would marry them Maid I have done so S. So did they before you and yet he married them Maid But I have rejected him S. You can doe nothing els but reject him but your greatest rejecting is to reject * Thus leading her to the root sin that looked at branches more so did shee often a promise from God when he holds one out to you then you say it is not to me Thus I find as you doe in rejecting promises and that was my greatest sin Maid Your sin was not like mine S. No sin was like mine as I judged Mine was against such light that I judged I had sin'd against the Holy Ghost Maid That word terrifies me that was said to me Repentance is hid from thine eyes S. That word when I read it I was ready to teare it out of my book There were three other Scriptures that were terrible to me He that beleeves not is condemned already l John 3. 18. was one Another was He that beleeveth not the Son the wrath of God abides on him m v. 36. A third was He that made them will not have mercy on them n Is. 27. 11. no mercy none at all But above all this Repentance o Hos. 13. 14. is hid from mine eyes Maid Was it so with you and then said The Discoveries of Christ and promises are more terrible to me then the curses of the Law S. Sometimes it was so with me salvation was turnd into condemnation to me promises that were never so sweet were terrible to me Maid When he would have healed me I resisted and would not S. Who hath resisted his will Here is Gods mercy to you that by his Spirit he hath convinced you of sin when you might have gone without any sight of it Maid I have not the light of it S. You see you are in darkenesse Christ came to be light to them that are in darkness p Lu. 1.79 Christ would not unbottome you of your selfe but to bottome you on himselfe q Hos. 2.7.14 Hos. 14.3 Maid He that overcometh to him will he give to sit on his Throne r Re. 3.21 and to eat of the hidden Manna s Re. 2.17 One may goe farre and not overcome He that endures to the end shall be saved t Mat. 24.13 but I fear I shal not S. He saith u 2 chr 20.15 feare not nor be dismayed for the battel is not yours but the Lords you lye down in your shame but he is your strength your al in al. Maid Better never to have known the Truth and holy Command then having known it to depart w 2 Pet. 2. 21. as I have departed S. All the Scriptures you bring are to bring you off from your sandy foundation you would build on something you would finde in your selfe and feed on husks your prodigals portion x Lu. 15.16 Christ is unbottoming you of your own righteousnesse y Phil. 3.7 and of all evill to make known himself his righteousnes to you and to set you on that Rock that is higher then you Maid Not one glimmering light of him have I. S. Ans. Had you these eight yeers enjoyed such light and comforts as you would have had you would have rested in them But God would not have you rest short of himselfe z Isa. 55. 1 2 3. 8. Maid I have sin'd against all the meanes and light he hath given me S. You will the more prize his mercy and the more love him when you shall see his love to you notwithstanding all this a Mic. 7. 18. 1 Tim. 1. 13-17 Maid Iudas after his sin he repented I have not so much as he had S. He had a naturall Repentance you wait for Repentance from Christ b Act. 5. 31. who is sent to give Repentance to them that have no Repentance Maid I have sin'd with Iudas But he saith Returne And I have not returned S. Doth he expect they should returne in their own strength No. But he turns them and they are turned c Je. 31.18 Judah was given over to reproach and to treachery and whoredome and to all manner of sin Their sinnes were such as could not be numbred They would none of God but were weary of him d Isa. 43.24 yet he would not forsake them e Jer. 51.5 but would have mercy on them and would love them freely and would forgive them and blot out their sins for his own sake f 25. that they might not boast of their own righteousnes g 1 Co. 1.29 but glory in the Lord onely Maid I go on in sin and what hope for such S. Ephraim feeds on wind and the house of Israel
cōpisseth him about with lyes yet they were not destroyed for his bowels were turnd for Ephraim Hos. 11.8 Maid If I eat I am terrified for it S. If I did eat I was terrified for it Sometimes I durst not drink in a whole week together because I judged it was a Cup of Devils h 1 Cor. 10. 21. and I drank to Devils if I drank and if I did eat I thought I did eat my own damnation Maid I would fain be out of this life that I might have an end S. Would you be sooner in Hell Is not that worse Maid I would be sitting alone and musing and not work because I have no hope Quest. When you work not have you no thoughts Maid Yes thoughts of sin and of misery S. Then t is better for you to be imployed in busines i Rom. 12. 11. Forels the enemy hath more advantage And specially because God bids you labour the thing that is good k Eph. 4.28 Maid I shall never be comforted I am cast out S. Because thou sayest my paine is perpetuall my wound is incurable l Jer. 30. 15-17 and are called an Out-cast therefore the Lord will cure thee The Lord gathereth the out-casts of Israel Maid Once that promise was sweet to mee The mountains shall depart and the hills shall be removed but my kindnes shall not depart from thee nor shall the Covenant of my peace be removed saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee m Isa. 54.10 Then God was sweet to me and his people sweet I could have laid my hand under their feet But now mercy is departed and all is nothing S. Hath God said It shall not depart and will you say it shall depart Mountains of sin and corruption shall depart but he will not depart The Father draws the soule to his Son the Son receives it the Blessed Spirit unites it and makes of two one He knits the knot in the middle and ties these two ends together Christ and the soule which knot of love none can untie n 1 Joh. 5. 7. Maid God might say What could I have done more for thee then I have done o Isa. 5.4 and yet I have thus revolted from him S. Israel not onely revolted but deeply revolted Yet he saith Returne and he turns them He gathereth not onely Israel in generall but the Out-casts of Israel the skirts and rags of them I le tell you what your state is You are as a man that 's taken from his house where was some light and is put in Ludgate and put in a dungeon where he hath no light If one comes from the King with a pardon and to call such a one to the Kings Palace where the light is greater and more glorious then that he had before how will he then admire it And will not you admire it if the great King shall doe thus with you that are now in a dark dungeon If he work who shall let him his pleasure is to raise up one from a dungeon of darknes and to bring such to his marvailous light q 1 Pet. 2.9 From a dunghill from sin and corruption and the Devill to sit with Princes r Psal. 113.7,8 to give them a kingdome Fear not little flock s Luk. 12.32 it s your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdome Maid If I were of that flock I might have hope S. Other sheep I have that are not of this fold them will I bring to the Sheepsold and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold and one Shepheard t Joh. 10. 16. Maid The Lord strove with mee and I resisted S. If the Lord passe over all this your soule and body will melt you will be overcome with this goodnesse of his to be his for ever It s the Son that must make you free and then you shall be free indeed u Joh. 8.36 Maid But I have fin'd against such great light and what will my end be S. What think you of Peter that so denied Christ Was not be on the mountaine with Christ and saw his glory w Mar. 9. 2. did not he see light yet how sin'd he against it when be both denied Christ and forsware him x Chap. 14. 71. And yet what love shewd Christ to him after all this Tell my Disciples and tell Peter that I am risen y Chap. 16. 7. 9. I was much troubled with the Parable of the foolish Virgins It was terrible to me But yet see what was there At midnight there was a great cry Behold the Bridegroome cometh go forth to meet him z Mat. 25. 6. So when it is the darkest time with you you are cald to goe forth to meet him Maid I think as I go in the streets something will fall on my head and will kill me S. When I went in the streets I thought the Earth would open and swallow me up You cannot reckon up the thing but I was troubled with it Maid I desire I might be a warning to all to beware by my example of sinning against light as I have done brought all this misery on me S. It may be this is it the Lord aimes at in his hiding himself from you that you may be for a warning yet he may return to you again a 1 Tim. 1 13-16 Maid If I had hearkened then my peace should have been as a river and my righteousness should goe before me S. Be you ashamed and confounded that you have so neglected him and if he will shew his love to you notwithstanding all this how will you admire him Maid Ay as much as any I should have as much cause to admire him as ever had any A. Therefore he will be gracious that he may be exalted b Isa. 30. 18. Maid If I could weep day and night I should find more ease but I cannot S. What if you could yet the Law and all your doings are weak a Rom. 8. 3. but you have not what you would in your self that you may not rest short of Christ. You would not else so desire the riches of Grace to such a one Are you not weary and sorrowfull Maid I am S. He will satiate the weary soul and he will replenish the sorrowfull soul. b Jer. 31. 25. The maid having further heard by this Gentlewoman how sad her condition had been and that yet the Lord had been so gracious to her she said Mine was not sadder then yours hath been but only that I had sin'd against greater light How long were you in that sad condition S. Four years and above since I was little more then eleven years old But the last half yeere and above before the Lord delivered me I was full of terror night and day and at last I had no rest at all being violently tempted against my life Maid Then I may have some hope that the Lord may deliver me