and night to the utmost allowing his body no more then extreme necessity required that so he might follow all advantages for the advance of his Masters service The Bill preferred against him at Exeter necessitated him to attend the two following Assizes where he was at last freed by Proclamation but mean while his return into those parts was of no small advantage for the propagation of the Gospel Some of those persons who discovered their malice against Mr. Tregosse for preaching at Torrington were shortly taken away by unnatural deaths not without signal marks of Gods displeasure against them as it appears by his following Letter Sept. 16. 1670. Not long before his death he was strangely he knew not how taken up in conversing with the state of departed Saints martyred for the Testimony of Jesus as he himself acquaints you in his following Letter to his friend Octob. 7th 1670. Which indeed was a prophetick intimation of the nearness of his Dissolution and entrance on that life which he was immediately more fully to partake of Which brings to my remembrance an old observation which I had from a great * Padre Paul Histor Trent Master of Wisdom That it is natural for men near their grave from some intrinsick cause unknown to themselves to be distasted with humane affairs c. What this wise man observed of men in general I think is most true of many holy Christians who a little before their dissolution are frequently called off and seperated from humane affairs to a fiducial converse with coming Glories and the Life of just men made perfect which was the frame of Mr. Tregosse's Spirit not long before his death though he himself was not apprehensive that his change was so near SECT IV. Mr Tregosse's last Tryals and dying Speech to his Friends AFter Mr. Tregoss came to reside at Penryn he hired a House for a Meeting on the Lords day in the Parish of Mabe where he exercised without interruption from Midsomer 1669 to the 10th of May 1670. After which day there were two debauch'd persons turned Informers hoping thereby to get fuel for their lusts who having obtained a Warrant required the Officers to attend them every Lords-day and made oath against Mr. Tregosse and others for a breach of the Statute then in force against Conventicles This sacred away most of his Hearers especially those who had any considerable Estates Though there were divers Fines laid on him which amounted to 220 l. yet the Lord so ordered things as nothing he had was seized upon This Meeting being thus broken he resolved to drive the nail that would go and to preach the oftner unto a Statute number herein his labours were so many and great as if his body were of Steel he could not hold out long He preached five times every Lords-day and in the evening made repetition of some part He also continued the Tuesday and Thursday duties besides other Exercises He was often advised by his friends to favour himself and moderate his pains but the great zeal he had for the keeping on and advancing the work of God did stop his ears against all dissusives of this kind Having at last worn out himself and exhausted his Spirits he fell into a griping of the Bowels occasioned by a Flatus hypochondriacus as his Physician affirmed which brought him so weak as his friends suspected him to be past recovery and he himself expressed a longing desire to be dissolved But the Lord was pleased to reprieve him a little longer and put him once more upon his feet though he took not the air As soon as he perceived a small recruit of strength he began to fall upon his work again this continued but a very short time till a Fever seized on him and in a few days did set and end to all his Labours and troubles His his deportment during both his sicknesses was like his life very sweet and heavenly Upon the 18th of January observing the hour of his dissolution at hand he took his farewell of his friends in a long speech whereof you have a part as followeth I though I should have had some more turns with my Lord in his Gallery but he hoth turned his back and is gone and calls me to come after him Indeed though I had some distemper of Body yet I did not think death was so nigh till putting my hand on my brow I felt the tokens thereof Think think not therefore 't is a foolish phantasie that moves me to speak for I know it to be right reason And seeing the Lord hath left with me a few mouthfuls of breath Let me who am your faithful Pastor at the taking my farewell of you drop a few words among you before he calls away this breath of mine and say breath no more through that body but lay it in the dust O my friends my friends you know that I have often warned you of an evil day and now I must once more tell you that there is a dead day a dark day coming O! what will this poor people do O my Friends did we think that after so many Fasting and Humiliation days after so many Thanksgiving days after so many Sacrament days we should see such a day as this O but it may be you will ask me this question Do you really believe that you shall dye Indeed friends there is nothing but Omnipotence can bear me up And if you ask me what I think of my self Truly friends I can say that I have walked among you by the pure copy of the Holy Scriptures and Life of Christ and through the Grace of God in Christ Jesus I shall be presented spotless to the Father Indeed when I was young I had my youthful vanities but in the year 1664 upon a New-years day the Lord was pleased to meet with me and then even then did he set all my sins in order before me And theose very sins which were small to me before were by the Spirit of the Lord in that Rod made as bitter as death it self My sleight childhood-sins my slender youthful sins were to me very hainous and abominable Wherefore my friends I charge you to make a conscience of those sins yea of the least of them which I have warned you of Some may think me passionate and some may think me severe and uncharitable but now I repent that I had not dealt more plainly with you However in the truth of the Lord according to mine ability I have walked among you and I hope you will not think it tedious if I drop a few words upon my grave before I dy Then the Physician steeping to him with an intent to desire him to leave off speaking lest he should spend his spirits too much M. Tregosse said Give me leave to speak for I am upon the borders of eternity and I think you all look upon me as a dying man therefore may suffer me to speak as much as I can Then he
proceeded I am going to my great God to my dear Father to my best Friend to him in whom I have believed His face I hope to see in his bosom I hope to lye down this day Oh! what unspeakable glory is it to see the glory of mine everlasting God O my Friends I must tell you the truth though sometimes there have been upon my phantasie strange black clouds which made me to speak somewhat inconsistent and were suddenly blown off again yet little doth any one know the reviving in-comes I had then even then from my God And the last Lords day at night the Lord gave me sweet turns with himself Oh! it was a pleasant night with me I was up with God and God was down with me Oh! it was to me as the going up to Paradice Oh! how sweet was it to me And now my friends I must tell you that through many tribulations you must enter into the Kingdom of God Some of you have told me your thoughts concerning me that I have walked in all good Conscience towards God and Mâ—â— Oh friends whatsoever things ye have seen in me that were honest whatsoever things were just whatsoever things were pure whatsoever things were lovely whatsoever things were of good report pursue those things Rely not upon the world for the world will leave you could and helpless And now friends I must go to see the Lord and this Body of mine must be laid in the dust and never arise more till the Resurrection-day And must many of you go from this place and come naked before the face of God though I hope better of some of you Oh friends if there be any hope if there be any love if there be any consolation in you think on these things You know I have When I came to this town some may think my design in coming was to fill an empty bagg and to get a livelihood amongst this people but God is my witness I had not this in my eye I sought not yours but you And now friends flesh and bloud will say It is hard to part with dear friends to part with a dear Wife to part with dear Children But as the Lord hath given them to me so I now leave them with the Lord. And I call you to witness that I leave this dear Wife of mine with the Lord and my dear Children with the Lord to be protected by him to be maintained by him to be kept blameless to the day of his appearance Though Men may prove unkind to them as I suppose they will yet I know the Lord will not I must into Eternity the Prophets cannot live for ever neither can they Prophesie for ever I have been but a young branch and you see the Lord is cutting me down this morning O blessed Lord God shall there not be a meeting in Paradice shall not thy servant see thee and love thee ond be embraced by thee O Lord give a good evidence to thy servant that he may know that he belongeth to thee Lord thou hast given him the working of an holy faith and of an heart-purifying spirit And are not these tokens of thy free grace and of thine eternal love in Christ Jesâ—s And now Lord God thy servant must away and be about other work thy servant must away to holy Angels and to the spirits of just men made perfect He must away to serve his Lord in the upper Chambers He must away Lord and never look on these earthy things more And now O friends one thing I tell you I shall come again with my Lord in most excellent Glory and you then must come before him But I fear I fear that some of you will be found then to be in a very low and poor and miserable condition Well I commend you to the love and grace of God the Eternal Father in Jesus Christ And I pray you to get your hearts full of love to God and of the grace of God and full of the holy Ghost And now think on these things that I have delivered to you in the name of the Lord. I must go and deliver up my accounts to God And on that I might deliver them up freely that I may be able to say I have run my race I have finished my course I have fought the good fight I have kept the faith and what remains but that I receive the Crown that the Lord Jesus the righteous Judge hath prepared for me And now I commit my self to the Lord and my Wife and Children to the Lord I commit my spirit to thee O Father of spirits I commit my soul to thee O dearest Lord Keep these that do believe on thee These words he spake with a more audible and plain voice than he was wont to do in his ordinary Preaching And about an hour and half after he had ended his speech he departed this life Jan. 18. An. 1670. SECT V. Mr. Tregosse's Character HAving given some story of Mr. Tregosse's Life and Death it may be not a little Useful to give some Character of his Person Spirit and Conversation Mr. Tregosse was of a middle stature his Hair black his Face palish not perfectly round His Natural capacity nor long His Spirit was Masculine Generous and Great agreeable to the condition of his Ancestors There was a sparkling Vivacity apparent in most of his intense Actions His natural humour was not moross but affable yet was he not without a tincture of darke melancholy which yet his grace improved to a great measure of seriousness He had also some sparks of choller which being spirited by warm affections for God brake forth into a pure flame of Divine zeal His natural Judgment seemed deep and solid his will firm and fixed his memory tenacious and faithful his Affections tender and active And the whole capacity of his soul fit for great exploits But the most Illustrious and bright part of his Character regardeth his gracious capacity and dispositions His universal Holiness His personal holiness was remarkable even unto great visibility And I think few in this age have for so short standing made a larger proficience in the School and service of Christ After Jan. 1664. from whence he dated his conversion he banisht from his heart and life many vanities he had been formerly adicted unto Neither did he gain his godliness at so cheap a rate as most professors do No his heart was first deeply wounded for sin and thence delivered from it He was for some while under many extremities from a Spirit of Bondage and these made way for a Spirit of Adoption He was soundly convinced of his spiritual death by sin and that opened to him a door of life by Christ And the entire change of his heart much appeared in the change of his life and last end Neither had some particular graces only a place in him but a combination and complexion of many amiable graces seemingly opposite seemed visible in him
that Town depending much upon the Pilchard trade Mr. Tregosse advised them to joyn in a day of Prayer and Humiliation which being performed the next day appeared a great shole of Fish whereof a considerable quantity of them were taken The other accident which deserves a particular remarque was this the next Summer the Fisher-men taking a great number of Pilchards on a Saturday all that night was spent in saving of them and the Seamen were very intent in drying their Nets the Lords day This Mr. Tregrosse rebuked them for withal giving them to understand that they provoked the Lord deservedly to withdraw his blessings from them which happened accordingly For from that time to the end of the Fishing season they had not another opportunity of imploying their Nets He removed hence Octob. 1659. to the Vicarage of Milar and Mabe where he continued his constant course of study and preaching till he was silenced by the Act of Uniformity Aug. 24. 1662. Being prohibited the publick place of preaching he ceased not to preach in his own Family twice every Lords day Which being known in the neighbourhood divers who had tasted of his Ministry in publick could not but desire to partake thereof in private This being divulg'd notice was given thereof to the Lord Lieutenant who upon his refusal to take the Oath appointed for the Militia committed him to the custody of the Mareschal where he continued obout three Months space not ceasing to preach to his fellow prisoners besides others who came to hear him but at last he was released by order from the Deputy Lieutenants SECT II. Mr. Tregosse's Conversion and several Accidents that attended the same SEptember 1663. Mr. Tregosse removed his habitation to the Baron of Kigilliack in the Parish of Badock near Penryn where he kept up his Lords days meetings many flocking to him About the begining of October 1664. he and his Wife lying awake in their bed they felt a great Earth-quake which made the room to tremble and quake under them as they aphrehended and that which gave them the greater cause of admiration was that no one else felt the same But this was but a Prognostick and symbolick Image of that dreadful Tremblement or Earth-quake which not long after Mr. Tregosse felt in his Conscience For on the first of January following it being the Lords-day the Lord led him to preach on that Text Luke 12.47 And that Servant which knew his Lords will and prepared not himself neither did according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes On which he shewed what a dangerous sin it is to sin against knowledge The duties of the day being finished his old sins were livelily presented to him especially one among the rest Hereupon he betook himself to his Duties but drove on very heavily yet the Lord by an omnipotent pull drew him on In one one Duty among the rest he was assaulted with that Scripture Heb 12.17 For ye know how that afterward when he would have inherited the blessing he was rejected For he found no place for repentance though he sought it carefully with tears He frequently assayed to shake off the chains and cords of the Spirit grieving that he was bound up from the world his performance of duties was not without much deadness and unbelief But the Lord bound him fast to his work forcing him to follow on in a way of seeking Sometimes he feared God would leave him to run into his former courses yea that he should not persevere to the end of one day But the Lord magnifyed his power and grace above and beyond his fears Sometimes in reading the Lord would set home threatning then comforting Scriptures to keep him equally ballanced between hopes that he might not sink and fears that he might nor presume He was detained for about 5 weeks space under much bondage and afflictive terrours with little or no discoveries of Gods gracious disposition till about the beginning of February being under a resolution to reveal some sins which burdened his Conscience he met with a passage in an English Divine touching the greatness and freeness of Christs love and purchase which the Lord setting home he was a little quieted and refreshed by The next day being the Lords-day he had a sweet heart-melting consideration of his sins together with a lively contemplation of Christ pierced to whom he directed an eye of Faith And now he who thought it an hard matter to shed one tear drops many the Spirit of the Lord also bringing to his heart that promise I will pardon their iniquity and remember their sin no more and that of Christ to Thomas Jo. 20.27 Reach hither thy finger and behold mine hands and reach hither thine hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but believing and this was promoted by reading the history of Christs Passion Yet was he not without some doubtings still yea at times all these his encouragements signifyed no more than nothing After this he was carryed on in Duties with more enlargement and affectionate workings especially at times And from this time he dated his conversion For albeit his conversion for some considerable time before was irreproachable and his labours in the work of the Ministry indefatigable yea and his Zeal for Non conformity remarkable yet he judged the whole of his foregoing life zeal and labour in the Ministry to be no other then a continued series of Formality and hypocrisie And because some of his friends who knew his former conversation well could not but conceive that he had sincere Grace before this great turn A friend of his discoursing with him on this point he peremptorily affirmed That he assuredly knew that he had nothing of sincerity before this great work and withall he bewailed the Church of England in that generally men were made Ministers before they were made Christians Yea he was not without great fears that many who in humane estimation now pass for able and good Ministers will one day be found to be according to Divine estimation not so much as good or sincere Christians These fears we may presume he grounded on his own experience of himself besides other common observations who had the vogue of being a faithful Minister before he was a faithful Christian And that which yet adds further weight is this that though he was before this time a constant and faithful Preacher yet he could not say the Lord had given him any Covenant as the fruit of his Ministry though he received many Seals thereof afterward Some short while after these great which he strongly concluded were the first sincere turnings of his Soul to God being brought very low in his Body and Spirits he conjectured his death was near Then was that Scripture cast in Psal 118. I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord. And being again under a return of strong perswasions and fear that he should die looking into his Bible
there was presented to his eye that Text Psal 53.5 There were they in great fear where no fear was which dispelled that perswasion and not long after by the use of means with the blessing of God thereon he gain'd strength in order to his future service Some short time after this on a Saturday being very weak in body and under despair of recovery he went up to his chamber as well as his feeble legs would carry him and fell down on his knees to Prayer whilst he was on his knees on a sudden as it seem'd agreat measure of strength was given in to him even to his astonishment Whereupon he attempted to arise and walk which he did two or three turns about his chamber very strongly Then calling for his Wise she soon perceived his pale cheeks clothed with their wonted colour ond complexion and now he that not many moments before thought himself at the brink of the grave was enabled to perform the duties of the evening and next Lords-day with much vigour and strength Since these signal marks of Divine savour and assistance afforded both to his Soul and body he with some other Christians observed a monthly Fast to afflict themselves before the Lord for their own their Family and National sins After these his first turns to God he found a more then ordinary assistance in his studies and work the Lord casting in abundant matter and affecting him therewith SECT III. The Account of Mr. Tregosse's Service and Sufferings with the Providences of God that appeared for him ON April 30. 1665. it being the Lords day Mr. Tregosse whilst in Prayer was much distracted about his intended Preaching in publick whereunto he seemed to be drawn by a very strange though manifest course of Providence which he strongly resisted till he was forced to yield He had been that week wondring what the Lord would do with him He could not study as formerly but was induced to read a practical discourse of Self-denyal The Lord furnished his contemplations with many passages about suffering And the Creatures duty to be and live in the will of his Creator and at his disposement In the end of his reading casting his eye on his Bible the first thing he met with was that Matt. 9.36 When he saw the multitude he had compassion on them because they fainted and were scatter-abroad as sheep having no shepherd At the view of which Text he inwardly trembled and the Lord seemed immediately to intimate that he should put on like bowels But hereupon he questioned within himself where he should finde such an opportunity of publick Preaching Mabe a Daughter-church to Milar which hath Preaching onely every other Lords-day was presented to his thoughts After many Disputes being loth to yield to the will of God he concluded to send thither to know whether any Minister would be there the Lords-day following answer was returned that there would be none But doubting still whether he might look on this as a Call he cast his eye on his Bible and fixed on that expression Luke 11.33 No man when he hath lighted a Candle putteth it in a secret place or under a bushel but on a candlestick that they who come in may see the light This answered all his objections allayed all his carnal fears and confirmed him in his resolution of Preaching in publick the next Lords-day When the Sabbath came he went on and found the People willing and all things suiting with the opportunity neither found he any disturbance but was much assisted in all duties to the end The rumor of this days work was spread abroad and came to the ears of Mr. Thomas Robinson a Justice of the Peace The next Lords-day May 7. being rainy in the morning Mr. Tregosse preached in his own house on Luke 21.19 In your patience possess ye your Souls without any expectation of disturbance that day by reason of the weather But after the Sermon was ended Mr. Robinson came to the dore and after entrance took the names of those who were present requiring Mr. Tregosse to give surety for the good behaviour or to render himself to the Constable upon his order the Monday sevennight ensuing Mr. Tregosse refused to do the first but promised the latter After Mr. Robinson's departure they met again in the afternoon without any disturbance The next Lords-day he preached again at Mabe without interruption But when the Exercises were finisht he was served with a Warrant to appear before Mr. Robinson at Hellestone on the Tuesday following At his appearance he vindicated his preaching with much boldness But after all was sent to Lanceston-Goal there to remain for three Months to which he submitted not only patiently but joyfully In his way to the Goal he embraced all occasions for the comforting those christian friends he met with And whilst he continued in Prison his Spirit was very free and enlarged under many gracious influences and refreshments His time there was spent in reading the Word Holy Meditations Fasting Prayer Holy conference with and preaching to those who were his fellow Prisoners and Visitors Few came to visit him but did or might gain by conversation with him The time of his Imprisonment being expired July 29. he came out of Prison and after his return home took the first convenient opportunity to keep a day of Thanksgiving for the many experiences of Gods goodness towards him and his during his confinement He had not been at home above four days before Mr. Robinson gave out that he would speedily send him back again to the place from whence he came in order whereto on Friday or Saturday after he providing 〈◊〉 ride to Market there as it is reported to procure another Justice to joyn with him in a Warrant for a second Conviction of Mr. Tregosse for a Conventieler and to prosecute some others whilst he was at a Tenement of his his own Bull which was never known to hurt any before followed him in a Field with much fury and gave him deadly wounds whereof he shortly dyed Aug. 20. being the Lords-day Mr. Tregosse wâ—â—t again and preached at Mabe Church without any disturbance as also that day fortnight spending the interval with much activity in his Masters service elsewhere He had many dissuasives from christian friends against publick preaching but all arguments urged could not satisfy his Conscience He was again sent to Lanceston-goal for publick Preaching whither Sept. 18. he went with comfortable persuasions that God would be with and care for him and his Family which was fully made good This second Imprisonment conduced much through the Lords benediction to the good of many Souls For the report of his bonds being spread far divers came to visit him to whom he imparted Spiritual gifts and there were some Onesimus's whom he begat through the Gospel in his bonds During this imprisonment he took several opportunities of visiting the Prisoners labouring to convince them of their sinful state c. Also
whilst under this confinement he enjoyed many Divine Suavities and spiritual refreshments in Duties with many gracions returns of Prayer and some prophetick intimations of future Providences As Octob. 2. he praying for opportunities of service c. After the Duty was ended he firmly believed he should be released of this restraint and be no more imprisoned in that place which proved true notwithstanding several attempts to the contrary October 7. being much enlarged in praying for patience and submission to the will of God he grew very confident that shortly God would farther try him So Octob. 23. God seemed sundry ways to intimate to him that some great affliction was near but that he should be delivered from it all of which proved true as it will be shewn Again Octob. 27. being earnest in Prayer for the Nation he was strongly induced to believe that some great judgement was not far off About which time there was oft cast into his thought that Scripture Isa 21.16 Thus saith the Lord unto me within a year according to the years of an hireling and all the glory of Kedar shall fall He oft mentioned to some of his intimate friends the strong Impression this Scripture made on his thoughts much wondring what it should mean but a little before the year expired the Conflagration of London happened which fully interpreted his former Impression Decem. 14. he was delivered out of Prison and upon his return home he kept a day of Thanksgiving and shortly after he did set apart every Tuesday as a Faâ—â—ing or Thanksgiving day which he kept either in private or with his Family or with others more pubâ—ickly Jan. 8th being the Lords day he went to Mabe where he preached both parts of the day without interruption which was attended with this remarkable Providence that whilst he was there the Constable with an Officer from Pendennis Castle came to his house but missed of him Jan. 12. he began a journey towards the East of Cornwal and from thence into Devon The Lords day and the Wednesday after his house was searched In this journey he went forth on the South of Cornwal and returned on the North exercising in all places where he came and receiving great encouragements as to the fruits of his labours At his return Febr. 4th going to preach at Mabe the Constable served him with a Warrant to carry him under the Custody of the Mareschal as a dangerous and seditious person which indeed he was so far from being guilty of that he never so much as medled in his preaching or private Conferences with the present Discipline or Liturgy of the Church much less with matters of State Nay he perswaded others to be obedient to the higher powers and in his daily exercises he did put up many fervent petitions for the King Being under the custody of the Mareschal at Bodmin this imprisonment brought him to the acquaintance of several persons who reaped much benefit by his Ministry The Mareschal was civil to him yet he met with more difficulties then in his former confinement but the Lord honoured him with the conversion of several souls He continued in this prison till about the midst of September 1667. Being at a certain time earnest in Prayer for enlargement a Scripture was presented to his thoughts which made so deep impression on him as that he was filled with a great confidence that if he were delivered it would be by order from the Kings Majesty Not long after whilst he was under various afflictions touching his Family the Mareschal received a special order from the Kings Majesty for his enlargement Feb. 1668. coming to Penryn to preach his Monday-Lecture he fell sick of a Fever which held him all that week On the Lords day morning the sense of his own weakness did somewhat affect him because the people who attended on his Ministry had none to supply his place Whereupon he had that Scripture impressed on his thoughts Esa 40.31 They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength c. This wrought so much upon him that he resolved to arise All about him were very pressing to divert his resolution knowing how exceeding weak he was but they could not prevail He having got on his cloaths cast himself on the Lords work As he went on strength was gradually given in so that he preached thrice that day choosing that Text before cited Isai 40.31 for his subject and to the great admiration of himself and his auditory was well at night neither did he feel any reliques of his distemper afterward In the beginning of the year 1669 the number of the Auditors was so much augmented as that the rooms they usually met in would not contain them which occasioned the removal of the Meeting into a large Barn until being summoned by the Proprietor of that Barn to quit his hired House he took up his habitation in the Town of Penryn Before his remove a Mittimus came from the Seffions grounded upon as information of the Bishop to send him to the Goal at Lanceston for publick preaching The Constables coming to serve the Warrant one of them more furious then his fellow whilst he reason'd with Mr. Tregosse with the Mittimus in his hand sunk down in the place for the present as it were dead but being by the diligent endeavours of those who were present brought to himself again he departed without executing the Warrant That which makes this the more remarkable is that this Constable was a strong man and never fainted in all his life before And though they câ—me again some days after to execute their Warrant yet had they not power to carry him to Prison For which as it was said the other Constable was fined the next Sessions At Lammas Assize 1669. Mr Tregosse having some affairs which called him to â—anceston he was invited to visit some part of the North-west of Devon whence for preaching at a private house in the Parison of great Torrington he was sent to Exeter Goal with several others of that Town and Bideford who being all Bailed had for that time no other trouble then to traverse a Bill for Riot preferred against them In his return from Exon he spent some few dayes at Crediton where he contracted an intimate friendship with a person who was providentially cast there at the same time to whom he unbosomed many of the choicest accidents of his life and secrets of his heart And albeit they never saw each other afterward yet this friendship was preserved inviolable and improved by Paper-conversation till death made a dis-union or rather a present suspension This trouble which befell Mr. Tregosse in Devon was the occasion of much good to many souls in those parts for it opened a door to many hundreds in Devon who resorted to him in his Travels and so became partakers of his Ministerial gifts which were very effectual through the concurrence of Divine Grace This made him lay out himself day
which the Lord made very successful He esteemed it no small burden to be cast on any society where his time was spent in unprofitable discourse and when he was cast on such his ordinary practice was to put a stop to such unedifying conference by spiritual divertisement or turning it to some holy discourse When he intended to visit any Christian Family his method was first to call his Wife and Mother that they might joyn with him in prayer for a blessing on his intended undertakement and being greatly sensible of the advantages that are acquired by personal Conference he gave those of his hearers whom he judged most judicious divers directions for the right management thereof on all occasions He had a great Tenderness and regard towards such as were sick When he understood of their sickness His Visitation of the Sick he waited not till he was invited neither did he rudely intrude where he might not be welcome but first employed a Friend to shew his willingness and then where he might be received he failed not to visit them and to adminster such spiritual advice as he conceiv'd most proper for the state of their Souls And to those who wanted a competent supply of conveniences he imparted not only of his spiritual but also temporal Gifts according to what God had blessed him with He failed not to pray with them before his departure nor to spare any labour or trouble in the difcharge of this Christian Office As for other more extensive parts of his Ministerial Gifts His Ministerial Gifts and Labours and Labours they were also very remarkable His Preaching was solid and practical he had a great Pathos and vehemence in setting home Truths on Conscience His Sermons were full of plainnss and yet clothed with a sacred Majesty His words were familiar and yet very efficacious He dwelt much on awakening Truths such as might pierce and sting the Consciences of secure sinners and yet to such as needed Consolation he was another Barnabas full of sweetness He had much of Divine assistance as well in the composing as in the hearing of Sermons He oft said that usually his Sermons were given him on his knees His practice was when he had pitcht on a Text to apply himself to Prayer and whilst he was on that duty he oft had the Heads of his Discourse give in unto him As for his enlargements he was never barren having a memory to treasure up all that he read and an Elocution apt to deliver what he had treasured up on all occasions Those who knew him much admired how he could preach so oft and yet so well He was likewise endued with a large gift of prayer which he alwayes expressed in Scriptural language wherein he seemed to have much communion with God In brief he was one of Divine Lights and Heats for God His zeal in promoting the ways of God A Summaris of his Character was flaming and ardent He was affable in his Speech serious and grave in his Carriage invincible in his courage Charitable to such as differed from in persuasions so long as he saw their design was to promote Godliness temperate in the use of the Creature Frugal in the husbanding of his time spending his spare hours in walking meditating Praying or conversing with Christians about Soul-affairs And indeed he was of so holy a disposition and heavenly temper as that all good Men who knew him reverenced him To conclude his greatest ambition seemed this to act and suffer somewhat more then ordinary for God that so he might by a singular exemplary conversation silence the reproaches of ungodly men and give check to the Pride Formality Vanity and Carnality of too many Professors in these wanton days which he sadly bewailed as sad prognosticks of great Desolations Only he hoped there were some and the Lord would raise up more young Converts who should be furnished with Spirits and conversations for the enlargement of Christs Kingdom But more of his Spirit Fears and hopes will appear in and by his following Letters Penryn Octob. 5. 1669. My Dear and Respected Brother I May tell you sad stories of my heart O! how unbelieving fearful and faint found I it on those short views I took of it But that God on whom my scandalous heart hath raised so many false stories heretofore and then gave my fears the lie and yet continue I untoucht and undisturbed to this hour I do cast my self on the disposing hand of God to live or die in my liberty according to his pleasure When I go forth not expecting to see my Family again and my frequent escapes fill me with pleasing admirations of love that through Grace I return triumphing in his goodness How long this liberty may be indulged I know not but I know he will be a good God when he seizeth our freedom in the Gospel and it will be the Rod of a Father and may tend to our increase settlement I have had one very strange raising from the Grave since I saw you the circumstances whereof compelled me and others to own a very visible finger of God But a Narrative of this would be too tedious I desire you would be importunate with God that I might eye the approaching Glory and the return of that great Shepheard and might feed in hope singly aiming at the Lords blessed Interest being contented with my own greatest decreases might that be increased and enlarged Gods waterings and blessigs must give life and fruit to all our poor and defective labourings O! Beg that these may be eminently with me poor England I think is near heavy strokes for her barrenness sensuality and enmity against the power of holiness the Lord grant this may not come as a snare on you and me but that we may be sober and watchful unto Prayer The gracious Lord who dwelt in the bush be with you to teach strengthen and warn you that in his hand you may be serviceable and glorious In him I am and ever shall be Your unfeigned friend yet unworthy servant T. T. Penryn Jan. 12. 1669. My Dear Brother I Should rejoyce to hear how God is dealing with your inward man and what measures of success you are crowned with in your labours of the Gospel and interest of the Son of God in the world We may justly guess â—hâ—t God will do with us in the Land by his breathings with his truths I desire with much earnestness to know seeing you have so many advantages beyond us in these poor corners how the Spirits of Professors stand qualifyed so far as a conjecture may be made by the visible tenure of their carriages I generally find a very secure earthly laizy frame hath seized those among whom I occasionally fall abroad I hope better things with you and that a more engaging rellish and taste of God Glory is fallen on their hearts and a more refined pure lip seconded by more humble self-denying converses before the
this nothing to what must ensue I have been long waiting for this and do considently believe this not the dearest testimony that must be given to Gospel-truths and Duties A national overwhelming cluster of severe judgments I am sore afraid is at the door sharper then what formerly for some scores of years we have felt though I hope there will be a larger measure of God to sanctifie them for the reforming of his own and converting the Rebels then ever we yet experienced This I confess is some stay to me under what I am enforced to believe I have often begged if the Lord sees I am like to prove a dishonour to his Interest he would first shut me up in the dust Dear Brother Pray for me that I may do my work according to my convictions humbly and with success and that after my teachings of others and small sufferings I may not be a stranger to the Light Love and Life by which the Saints are quickned and so at last a Castaway The Lord make you useful and keep up your courage and grant you a deliverance from rude and unreasonable men which with desires of the like cequests from you on my behalf will be now all From your most affectionate and engaged Brother in the Faith T. T. Penryn September 16. 1670. My Dear Brother AT this Assize at Exon I was called to my Trial but no persecutor appearing to give evidence against me my jury acquitted me and a Verdict of not guilty was returned George Smith the Deputy major of Torrington when the Conventicle was surprized and the grand Enemy in this affair was at Lent Assize attending but the Trial being put off by this Assize God disabled him for such a journey he having received in a drunken voyage a fall from his Horse by which his shoulder-bone is dislocated and he rendred unable to dress or undress himself and so like to abide to the day of his death His Wife also that violent Woman died of a Timpany a fearful spectacle to all beholders she departed hence the night of that Lords day in which I exercised at Torrington in my journeying now to my home I suppose you heard of the bad end of another Persecutor there one Denys Smith Brother in Law who so much rejoyced when our meeting was broken up affirming the surprizal of the Conventicle did him more good and more rejoyced him then all his losses did sadden him his Wife also bitterly belch'd forth these words concerning me hang the Rogue hang him at the Sign-post or next Tree and never send him to Exon This poor wretch did hang himself in his own Study and thereby his Estate is forfeited to the Town Many much take notice how signally Gods hand hath been against them since that Meeting There are a very precious handful at Chinely Southmoulton and adjacent parts who gladly receive the word their ready submission to the truth in my former journey engaged my heart to visit them again and hope our seeing each other hath not been in vain Your memory is dear to sundry of them and your scatterings there I wish they might again see you A fruitful heavenly lip to improve truths imparted by corresponding pressing conferences is much wanting among us I pray beg it for me and your other Brethren now labouring My complaint will not Crucifie my unbelief pride and deadness pray labour for me with God with whom I leave you and am Your much obliged Brother in the Lord. T. T. Penryn October 7. 1670. My Dear Brother I am a Sympathizer with you in dear Mr. R's loss of so choice a mate but suppose his so exemplary living on God will do much to quiet him in the loss of the best injoyment not everlasting and the ground of hope she is safely hous'd from the storms we feel and fear will I believe and do more sweetly reconcile him to this ungrateful and flesh-disgusting stroke As for what God speaks to you in this providence I think its plain viz. That you more effectually daily dye to what is not God and Spirit and that you enure your Soul to more deep and fixed thoughts of your own dissolution I hear many very precious ones have been lately at London through a malignant distemper in the Bowels called â—ome the Lord more fully warn them who survive and us also of those black and tempting days which probably are near us My thoughts have been much of late setled I know not how on a conversing with the state of departed Saints Martyr'd for the testimony of Jesus I have observed in special two passages in Mr. Foxes Acts c. The one of Mr. Rogers the Protomartyr in Marys Reign who in his Prison had this passage to the Printer of Mr. Foxes book then in bonds with him Thou said he shalt live to see the alteration of this Religion and the Gospel freely preached again and therefore have me commended to my Brethren as well in Exile as others and bid them be circumspect in displacing the Papists and putting good Ministers into Churches or else their end will be worse then ours The Printer accordingly lived but what remains for us who have shamefully slighted his counsel time will evidence The other is from Mr. Holland who thus bespeaks Bonner after his sentence This I dare be bold in God to speak which by his Spirit I 〈◊〉 moved to say that God will shorten our hand of cruelty that for a time you shall not molest his Church and this shall you in short time well perceive my Brethren to be most true for after this day in this place there shall not be any by him put to the tryal of Fire and Faggot After which there was not one burned in Smithfield I principally consider that expression That for a time they should not molest his Church The Lord prepare me for a suffering day and if fair weather succeeds we shall be more watchful in its improvement As for our condition 't is full of threats and trouble Warrants are granted for the levying of 220 l. on me yet God hath kept them off but I am expecting daily to be stripp'd of all Our meeting place is taken from us through their threatnings on our Landlord we now meet at my house and once each Lords-day above the number but very few are free to attend unless with four I am also threatned to be persecuted on the corporation Law so that I am constantly expecting an imprisonment but I shall endeavour to turn into the strong hold as a Prisoner of hope I should very gladly understand more particularly how it is with you in this troublesome and sickly time however the Lord clear up your interest and grant you an open door if called hence into his presence with exceeding joy I shall commit you to God beseeching him to guid and use you and to preserve you blameless to his Kingdom I am yours most unfeignedly T. T. FINIS ERRATA P. 4. l. 1. r. others p. 6. l. 27. dele of them p. 7. l. 25. r. about p. 10. l. 24. for conversion r. conversation p. 11. l. 24 for convenant r. convert p. 12. l. 25. for ond r. and. p. 26. l. 21. for hoth r. hath p. 30. l. 3. dele you know I have p. 36. l. 20. r. related p. 42. l. 15. after in add understanding p. 43. l. 6. for refuse r. refuge p. 47. l. 28. after him r. in p. 52. l. 15. for some r. same