compassion where none can have none And by him all that beleive are justifyed from all things from which they could not be justifyed by the law of Moses even for such sins as that afforded not a typical justification from but condemned the sinner to death under the mouth of two or three witnesses yet by him all that believe through this Name in which repentance and remission of sins is preached to them are justified from all things even from all things from which they could not be justified by that law yea this perfection of the righteousness of God and plentuousness of redemption even the forgiveness of sins in and through it is witnessed in the law and Prophets for to him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosoever beleiveth in him whosoever whatsoever they be or have been yet now beleiving in him that justifyeth the ungodly should namely through the same name of him through which they beleive receive the forgiveness of their sins it s to him not to or of us that the Prophets gave this testimony therefore 〈◊〉 his work and office as through his name his power which the Father by means of his death to blot them out in honour so through the opening of his Name in which they trust to make them partakers of it in their mind and conscience by his knowledge or still in and unto such things and so by or through the knowledg of himself shall my righteous servant justify many Here truly me thought she prevented with her understanding and with great refreshing and delight desired further to hear off express her understanding of this matter how through his name he gives the remission of sins and quickens to and nourisheth a lively hope by the resurrection of Christ from the dead and did her self very aptly oppose that name of the Lord to the fire of mens own kindling c. And with gladness still more clearly to see wherein she had exceeded did acknowledge her folly and take shame to her self for her eadiness to caâ—ch at any thing to kindle a fire to her self and compass her self about with sparks for a vain hope of this life when she had such a worthy name to trust in and the grace in Christ was sufficient for her to her to encourage defend and strengthen her in her expectation of the mercy of God unto eternal life so in whatever might most conduce to that which now she was well assured this should or else should not have come upon her but while she was thus with pleasure rejoycing in the name of the Lord and in the discovery of the vanity of other confidences and sparks of her own kindling and with gladness relinquishing them shem et with some tryal of her faith by means of some coming in happily some of them not having well learned the truth as it is in Jesus and so not enough acquainted with such rejoyceing in the Lord and in his name only or not acquainted with her former exercise in the time of her afliction who urged the necessity of seeking some certain evidence and assurance of the forgiveness of her sins and thereunto pressed to a particular confession c To whom she replyed that grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men in its appearance powerfully moves to repentance oh saies she they were her sayings oft and with an appearance of deep sence as having felt and proved the truth of what she said that melts and breaks the heart it turns all the inwards of a man as it were within him that not only teaches that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world but when through forgetfulnesse and departing from it we have sinned and sinned grievously yet it admonisheth and moveth to repentance and when the heart is turned again to that oh what sorrow and melting it works in the sight of such infinite grace to be so abused and shame with encouragement to hope that yet God should wait to be gracious to such she oft repeated and asserted that it did so work even to all such things in truth as they pressed too only upon the account of duty and as a work of the Law and for knowledge of the truth of her faith and repentance without declaring any certain ground that might be as a foundation for it and move to it and work it and told them it had so taught her though she had sinned against it and though she was a vile wretched sinner yet this grace of God was exceeding abundant to her with faith and love which was in Christ Jesus and she could not but desire oh that all other sinners knew this grace of God and the gift by grace For it is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners of whom said she I am the cheif I am the cheif Howbeit he hath mercy on me for a pattern to others this grace is sufficient for me I have found it sâ—icient oh it is sufficient for you all oh that all knew it when some told her of what evidences some in her condition had sought and found of the truth of their repentance and graces and thence and from other like means got assurance of the forgiveness of their sins she replyed she knew no other sign or witness but the sign of the Prophet Jonah even him whom God had given for a witness to the people nor needed she any other for to him give all the Prophets witness that through his name whosever believeth in him shall receive the forgiveness of sins his name through faith in it had healed and made her strong when others urged she must take heed of resting in a false faith she again replyed 't is a faithful saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners no false faith 't is the true grace of God that bringâ— salvation to all men and she could not but wish for them that they all knew it when again they replyed upon her that it was not others concernment but her own that was now to be minded by her and that there was something necessary to be found in her faith and repentance more then in all cases was necessary to evidence the truth of it she pleaded that there was but one Faith she knew but one and that she knew nothing she had to do but now to believe on him that justifyeth the ungodly that imputes righteousness without works and that it is to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifyeth the ungodly that ceaseth from his own works to believe c when to this reply was made true this was one thing needful to be found in her repentance a ceasing from her own works that is said they from her evil works but this not all necessary in her case she again replyed nay from all my own works for the best of them are dead
unto eternal life and for whatever in his wisdome might most conduce to that end but whether the saveing or destroying this present life might most conduce to that end or might most tend to his praise that was a secret reserved in his own breast and not so revealed that we might know till we fee it in the issue and then our faith strenthens to believe that best and most tending to that end which he doth He only knows how in what manner and by what means to deliver the godly in and out of temptation and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished And â—s infinite merâ— that such sinners and back sliders may yet in turning to him tâ—at smiteth them and approâ—ching to him by Jesus Christ through that new and living way opened by his blood be reputed as godly accepted as true worshippers and be washed in the blood of the Lamb and have their names changed in Heaven and be counted much to partake of the inheritance with the Saints in light behold what manner of love is this that we such sinners that have justly deserved to be called by other names here should have our sins forgiven in Heaven and be called by a new name there Even sons of God heires with Christ of the inhereritance of ilfe let this at all times satisfie and that he also knoweth how to deliver even to deliver us from all our transgressions and out of all our temptations whether by life or death leave that to him and make not hast to kindle sparks or to appoint him his way which way he must shew us that mercy he hath given us encouragement by his blood to hope for unto eternal life This or what else was said of this nature she replyed that indeed is enough to satisfie and did quiet her heart and this life she valued not in comparison of it but she might tell me of something that gave her some encouragement to hope for this life also but she thought I would not approve it nor was she without fears of her own mistake in the application of it and it was this that scripture was much brought to her mind and did follow her I shall not dye but â—ive and declare the works of the Lord. Psal 118.17 I told her that was primely spoken of Christ as the whole Psalm as applyed by our Saviour and the Apostles shew and of him 1. As personally considered and yet he dyed once but could not be holden of death nor hindered by it from declaring the works of the Lord he it is that liveth and was dead and behold he is alive for evermore Nor did he dye in death or fail of his undertaking and work but therein and thereby declared the workes of the Lord the Father glorified his Name in his sufferings and glorified it again in raising him and giving him glory c. 2. As mystically considered in his body the Church who though chastened sore yet are not so given over to death but that a seed of them is preserved to call upon him and declare all his wonderful works and his word that he hath put in his mouth and in the mouth of his seed which shall not depart and in a subordinate and secondary fence it might be spoken of David yet he did dye and was buried and his Sepulchure saith the Apostle is with us to this day But he was not cut off untimely but preserved to the service to which he was called and fit in his generation and to finish his course with joy He was yet a little longer spared to declare the works of the Lord. And I would not question but this scripture might be brought to her mind by the spirit of the Lord to comfort and encourage her soul with this that he that was chastened sore and dyed yet was not given over to death but was raised and ever liveth to make intercession for her and to declare the works of the Lord that she made her self very much uncapable of declaring to Gods praise and to declare his works in her and in delivering from blood guiltiness that she also might declare there while that she had breath here and this gives ground of encouragement that she should not dye in dying but in such wise live because he lives as that the works of the Lord might further be declared in and by her and he know how to magnifie his name in and by her death as well as by her life nor did this give any ground to hope for this life When I went another time to see her she told me she expected I would have writ something for her to read and consider for her helpfulnesse in the understanding that Scripture aforesaid that she might understand where her mistake was I answered I did not think it had so much impression on her spirit I mean her mistaken application of it and truly I did not the less but the more fear her death by the hand of Justice in that she was so ready to catch at any thing and to compass herself with sparks as even to apply that to her self which was spoken of the Son of God to gather hopes of this present life from and not more bowed to accept of the punishment of her iniquity in any thing God should order as to this life for the hopes sake set before her and spoke something further to the opening it again then I must let it go and I thank God it doth not much trouble me to part with it for nothing of my hope as to eternal life goes with it that which hath quickned me to that nourisheth that is the resurrection of Christ from the dead who was delivered for my offences the Name of the Lord as declared in him that name of God and truth in Jesus hath made me free given me boldness and confidence by the faith of him to such purpose she spake but I confess said she I had a desire if God see it good that this life might be spared partly for my dear childrens sake and cheifly I think that I might live to know more of that worthy name that I might honour it as I have given occasion of great blemish and reproach to it but God knows my unfitness my heart is deceitful oh let it suffice me if his name may be magnified whether by my life or death After the Sessions was appointed and she had notice of it I went to see her and she told me how on the first news of it her strength departed from her a suddain astonishment and trembling befel her and she thought of appearing before so many in such a case was terrible to her but she soon recovered some strength to hope in the mercy of God that had turned her heart and feet to his teâ—monies and to that rock of which she had been unmindful that he would stand by her and perfect what concerned her so as might be best for
her and tend most to his praise I endeavoured then and in my several visits before the Sessions to open and apply that gracious instruction encouragement and warning in Isa 50.10.11 Both shewing who is the Lords servant there spoken off whose voice is to be obeyed in all things and why called Gods servant what his voice is and why called the voice of the Lords servant and how to be obeyed in all things in all it saith or testifieth instructeth reproveth requireth and how therein God is truly feared and worshipped by us and likewise that such true fearers and worshippers of God may sometime walk in darkness and have no light and in what fence that is to be understood and lastly that when so yet they are not left wholly comfortless or as Orphans but bave the name of the Lord to trust in their God to stay upon to lean and depend on and wait for though they know not what to pray for as they ought in such cases not knowing what manner of deliverance may be best for them and tend most to his praise nor see any way of escape looking on the right hand or on the left or which way deliverance should come yet he that knows how to deliver doth also make intercession with God according to his will and hath the tongue of the learned and so knows how to speak a word in due season to him that is weary and is made perfect and infinitely fitted to all his work and office through sufferings this the rest this the refreshing But when we will be in such dayes of darkness kindling a fire and compassing our selves about with sparks we must expect this at the hands of the Lord to lye down in sorrow from them She much rejoyced in the word of the Lord which as she found she did eat and it was to her the joy and rejoycing of her heart yet was she not without some unsettlement and confusion or discomposure upon her spirit between fears and hopes as to this life being encouraged by many to hope for the saving of it and seek't to pervert the hope and perswasion given her in the mercy of God through Christ to an expectation and looking for it in saving her from this judgement and on the other hand by all the instruction and encouragement she met withal from the Name of the Lord and his grace in Christ led to rest and rejoyce in that which gave her hope in Death and therein willingly to resign and give up the hopes and desires of this life and to leave the matter to him quietly as accounting the hope of eternal life which God had given her in Christs infinite mercy and enough to sati-fie The Sessions being past and she condemned to death being found Guilty by the Jury upon little or no certain evidence of her guilt of the fact of which they found her guilty yet without any frowardness or prejudice I could perceive against the instruments she did acquaint herself with the Lord in it and accepted it as from his hand as a righteous and gracious punishment of her iniquity and was much more setled and composed in her spirits than before and so more fit to hear and receive the encouragements and instructions of his name as I found at my first visit of her immediately on her return from the Sessions when she had received her sentence When first I applyed my self to some reminding and further opening of the name of the Lord and particularly of that great instruction and encouragement in it that through and by the means of his death by which peace and atonement is made for sin and he impowered to forgive sins on earth he hath power to save from wrath to redeem from all iniquity to restore and bring back from all their wandrings to God to receive and make accepted on their turning to him in his gracious drawings even such as have sold themselves for their iniquities and for their transgressions are put away from sucâ— nighness fellowship mercy and good things as otherwise they might have enjoyed here and to this purpose be is Annoynted and consecrated for evermore having on his Ascention on high received gifts in the man not only for men as they are sinners in themselves and from their first natural root but from the rebellions also though rebellion be as the sin of witchcraft in which men make a new and personal compliance and confederacy with Satan as if the compliance made with him in their first natural root were not enough and sell themselves for their iniquities as if their being carnal and sold to their hand under sin through the disobedience of one were not sufficient they sin after the similitude of Adams transgression yet though they have so done to him belongs mercy forgive ness even for towards them see Dar 9.8.9 with Isa 50.1.3 There is help in him for such as have destroyed themselves Hos 13.9 'T is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners even such sinners as are lawless and disobedient sinners that will not be reformed or reclaimed by the law of grace but prophanely go on hideing and holding fast and allowing themselves in their sins and are murtherers of Fathers murtherers of Mothers Man-slayers Whore-mongers Adulters Abusers of themselves with mankind and if there be any thing contrary to sound Doctrine they are lawless and disobedient in going on in the trade and way of their own iniquities till the laws of God and men say hold on them yet such Christ came into the world to save and not for such only but for blasphemers of the Name of Christ and Persecutors of the Châ—rch of God which are mentioned by the Apostle there as his sins and greater then the former as to matter of fect and as in the sight of God yet such Christ Jesus Came into the world to save not to save them in their sins but from them And God hath exalted him a Prince ' and a Saviour for to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to such He is the propitiation now with God for sins of that nature that might have been prevented and might have been kept from by the Grace of God and that not only for those to whom he hath given an understanding to know him that is true and that are in him but also for the world for them who yet lye under the power of the wicked one that judgement may not be speedily executed but a door of mercy and life may be held open while yet he is by any means calling them that in turning their sins which yet are detain'd in heaven against them while they continue in them may be bloted out c through this man therefore is preached to you the forgiveness of your sins for he came because of that truth to forgive such sins as men cannot righteouslly forgive as in that Jer 3.1 c And can have
and unprofitable and righteousness cannot be attained by them no nor by any of yours said she the best of you must acknowledge you have sinned and are sinners and that in your best righteousness therefore by the deeds of the law can no flesh be justifyed in the sight of God but now the righteousness of God is manifested without the law c. she earnestly pressed that that though they had not all sinned as she whose sins was manifest yet so unclean was their best works that if God should enter into judgement with them they could not stand nor escape the wrath of God it was said that was true according to the old covenant But now we are considering our selves under another covenant As intimating that according to the covenant given us in Christ men might be accepted and stand just before God in their own works not considering that God hath made him that knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him but still in him she glorifyed nor would be beaten off from it nor moved to rejoyce in any thing else nor to seek after any other thing to rejoyce in but stood fixed like him God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the cross of Christ by whom the world is crucyfied unto me and I unto it This I observed in her reasoning with divers that though somtimes she would to commend that grace in Christ tell them how it had taught her and had and did work upon her such humiliation willingness to take shame c. And to satisfie them did tell some that she had confessed her sins and declared her wayes so farre aâ— she knew them to her faithful friends and they had prayed for her and God heard them yet when she was urged to try the truth of her faith and repentance that way and from the truth of such things to gather or make to her self a ground and foundation for her faith and â—ope she would not plead them at all but relinquisht them as empty weak and unprofitable to that purpose and would glory in nothing as the ground of her faith and hope but the cross of Christ the grace in him to man ward who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification that only through faith in it had healed and put strength in her soul and did strengthen her to plead for her hope of eternal life to good purpose against all that would have moved her from it I perceived also the too usual way that men walk in with sinners to urge repentance confession and sorrow for sin and that it iâ— such as doth not bring forth any such fruit in truth it worketh not the righteousness of God it is even such as in which they are teachers of the law nd know not what they say nor whereof they affirm urging Gospel precepts and duties on the terms of the covenant of works the man that doth them shall live in them and cursed is every one that comes short that is first telling them it is their duty to repent to believe c. without testifying to them any certain ground of repentance and faith in what Christ hath done and is become for them as true for them in Christ whether they belâ—ive of no yea before they dare assure them of any truth in the Gospel declarations for and towards them and then to provoke to it tell them if once they can find such a frme and that their graces are true according to such signes as they give they may thence conclude God loves them and Christ dyed for them c. In this they understand not what they say nor where of they affirme for as without opening a door of repentance in the redemption wrought and obtained from the curse of the law and preparation of forgiveness of sins in Christ through his blood and preaching it in his name there could have been no repentance towards God nor could it have been equally required and so had been nor mans duty having onâ—â— sinned and being sinners they must have been utterly and for ever shut out from God and from his mercy so neither is there any arme or power of God put forth to work repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ but in the testyfying or preaching the cross of Christ or in that which is equivalent the discoveries of Gods goodness and propitiousnesse to sinners that is in and through our Saviour so that as the Apostle saith Herein is not love that we have loved God but that he hath loved us first sent his Son the propriâ—iation for our sins so may I say herein is not repentance unto life that men first repent and beleive before they know weather God hath had love of pitty and compassion towards them in Christ wheather Christ have by the grace of God tasted death for them or no and then ground their knowledge and assurance of that upon the truth of their repentance and graces What I observed bâ—â— bring to my mind a former passage that I shall now relate I went to visit a woman condâ—mned to death for killing her husband and met with one in the Prison coming from her that told me she feared iâ— was in vain for two godly Ministers had been with her and taken great pains and could not bring her to any plain confession nor perceive any such true contrition as mightgive them any hope concerning her and they had given over yet I desired I might see her and was permitted the woman being very 〈◊〉 on her bed spake frowardly to her that led me in what said she have you brouâ—ht me in another torm nâ—or to which I replyed that I came not to judge or torment or trouble her nor to ask or require any thing of her but to tell her good news the best for her that ever she heard and it was certain and true upon whichshe lift up her head and asked what it was I told her that Jesus Christ came into the world to save her from her sins even her by name for he came into the world to save lawless and disobedient sinners ungodly and prophane sinners even such as were Murtherers of Fathers of Mothers Man-slayers Whore mongers Adulterers c. Yea even Blasphemers of the name of Christ and Persecutors of the Church of God and such as were disobediently and rebelliously against light coming to them such such he came to save from their sins she said that was good news indeed but could I indeed shew it her in the word of the Lord that expresly for such Iesus Christ came into the world to save them I told her yea it was plain and fully there testyfied and did shew it her in that 1 Tim. 1.8.9.15 comparing the verses and that with other Scriptures I shall not enlarge this discourse to shew how I did evidence and shew it by that and other Scriptures and apply
in medling more then they needed or in not affording me what mercy and priviledge by the law of the land I might have had in my sad case the Lord forgive them and graciously set home convincement upon their hearts of their evil and wrong I forgive them I blesse God I have not the least prejudice against any I take it out of his hand that is righteous and infinitely merciful in punishing me with less then Hell fire for ever and be you all warned in time to flee from sin as from the Devil for it will lead you captive to the Devil flee to Christ for help and strength against it for sin brings shame it must be owned and acknowledged and Gods Judgement submitted too the sooner and the more voluntary the better for Whore-mongers and Adulterers God will judge Oh that such as have sinned as I have done would make hast to confess their sins and take shame turn at his reproofs in time that you may escape the damnation of Hell that is infinitely worse then this Therefore to day while it is called to day the Holy Ghost saith harden not your hearts if ye would hear his gracious voice harden not your hearts against the reproofs of his instruction to day even to day off that this spectacle may be a warning to you all and that God would set home to your hearts these broken words of a dying woman oh that they may be laid to heart now in time Take heed especially all ye that name the name of Christ depart from iniquity flee it as from a Serpent void evil lascivious wanton company chamring wantoness provoke lust lead into further snares I had thought I had been strong enough to withstand dally not with him take heed of dallying with the temptation it will get dominion at last it bites like a Serpent make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof for he that soweth to his flesh shall of it reap corruption and God will more severely judge them on whom his name is called that all may know he cannot endure iniquity he will least of all eudure it in them that come nigh him he will magnify his name and will be sanctifyed of all that come near him Take heed all of you that none of you harden your harts against him and his voice by his pretious people because of me but hear and attend to the Gospel know them that call on the name of the Lord in truth God is in and with them of a truth though I have sinned against God and them and therefore am thus corrected with the rods of men and they are permitted to use extremity upon me I have sinned the Lord is righteous let others take heed of despising the grace of God or hardning their hearts against it and against the way of truth because of what I have done for even that Grace of God bringing salvation to all men is the true grace of God and doth truly teach and powerfully work It doth in its appearing to us teach that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world it did teach me but I wanted a Ioseph like spirit to have reasoned from all the Grace appearing in Christ how then shall I commit so great wickedness and sin against God oh that I had harkned but I rebelled and hardned my heart therefore he was fain to bring down my heart withall this labour and in all love to my soul and to warn and admonish others not to harden their hearts be not mockers or despisers least your bands be made strong do not for lying vanities for sake your own mercies for there is eternal mercies life redemption in Christ prepared for you whether you beleive it or beleive it not it is prepared in him for every one of you given with him that you might know and beleive and 〈◊〉 made pertaker of it in and with him â—he King the God of glory hath made a marriage for his Son the marriage is made the feast prepared and ready for you all the servants are sent to the bidden guests and they make excuses some their Farmes Oxen Wives and such things for lying vanities for sake their own mercies and some complement themselves out they say I have sinned and am so vile a sinner so unclean and so polluted I am not fit I must first wash my self or make my self clean or be washed by my tears or works of the law before I may come to him to eat of his bread and drink of the wine that he hath mingled take heed of this let none complement themselves out here câ—me as ye are 'T is a faithful saying worthy of all acceptation that Iesus Christ came into the world to save sinners sinners as sinners he came to save but not to save them in their sins but to save from them to redeem us from all iniquity and unless he save and wash us we cannot be clean he knew what we were before he called us and he called and gave himself for us that he might wash us and unless he wash us we can have no part with him come therefore in his calls and drawings come as thou art he will in no wise cast thee away how sinful and vile soever but he will wash thee with the washing of water by his word for consider how great things he hath done for thee while thou wast dead in sins and trespasses and altogether filthy and polluted in thy blood and while such he calls thee and such were some of those that are now made accepted in the beloved even such as I have been Whoremongers Adulterers c. But they were washed in their coming to him washed in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the spirit of our God they did not wash themselves first or were washed by any other means before they came oh come therefore to the waters he that hath no money come ye and do not complement your selves out well but the bidden guests refused and the King was forced to look for guests where he could he sent out to the high wayes and hedges and that once and again to call draw into the house that the house might be filled and when many were come in the King looking among those come into the house finds one without a wedding garment and said to him friend he calls him friend for Christ had been a real friend to him But how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment loe he was speechless he had not that to say for excuse that there was none prepared for him or he had no way on means offered to come at it he was speechless nothing to say for himself There is certainly a wedding garment provided for you all in and by Christ t is made ready loe all things are ready and with him tendred a perfect righteousness to cover you and make you acceptable in
great joy and composure and after earnestly praying to God for the people and that he would graciously receive her soul which she freely and cheerfully committed to him she yeilded her body to the Executioner to whom she said alas poor man come do thy office shall I go higher or lower which caused some that stood by to change their minds for they had said a while before that she lengthned out her discourse to spin out time because she was loath to come at it but now observing this free proffer of her self to the Executioner without any hastening her they on the other hand admired to see her so willing to dye when the rope was fitted to her neck she again protested her great peace and joy in the view of the blessedness she was going to and it was thought by many the body scarce retained the soul or life after it was turned off for she was not seen to struggle nor scarce if at all move in any part as they said that was neer blessed be God for his mercy in giving such a proof of the truth and faithfulness of that saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners Her Speech SInners come hither you to me I call That you may warned be by this my fall Which for your sakes the just Lord ordered To appear so publickly admonished That you thereby might be and so prevent Your suffering such like or worse punishment For such like punishments or worse will be Thiâ—â— lot that won't henceforth be warnâ—d by me Had I been warn'd before by others I Had not come hither in this wise to dye But since his mercies I therein dâ—d slight And turned not to him so as I might In justice he permitted such a fall Mercy to shâ—w to me and to you all Take heed of sins deceits the wayès thereto Take heed how you do venture on to go For Sin more sub ile then a Serpent is Happy the souls that its inchantments mâ—ss I thought my self once strong enough to stand Against its charms and that I had command So of my self that I from it could keep Me safe but since alas for grief to weep It â—ft hath bronght me so it will do you If you by me will not he warned now The vitious courses which I see possest The minds of many I did once detest I loathed to think to wrong the marriage bed Or walk in such bad wayes as thereto led But oh alas while some smooth company Pretendiâ—g love and friendship cheerfuly I entertain'd and sorted with no harm Thinking in them their fair pretence did charme My foolish heart into so plâ—asing sleep That under shows of love lust gan to â—reep Slily into my breast to laugh and play And jest and sport with them while I gave way Such was sins first in windings and the wayes That sinners used heapes of woes to raise Upon my person while some snares did lay To catch me and their mates did me betray Who being nought themselves did seek that I Might be so too as if my company In badness would their badness mittigate Or their litentiousness extenuate And I alas too ready was to close With sins and their sweet charms till I did loose Of vertue all the savour then I feltâ— The pangs of hell within me but I dealt Deceitfuly and hid my sins and grew From worse to worse which now I saâ—ly rue Woe worth such false acquaintance whâ— pretences Of love and friendship gave to my offences The spring rise oh then be warn'd by me And shun all foolish wanton company All merry junkettings and gossipings For much iniquity from such things springs Who walkes with wise men wisdome shall attain But a companion unto persons vaine For such vile sinners who their faults confess And heartily therein do seek redress Had I not mercy now therein obâ—ain'd Oh how my soul had stain'd been my heart pain'd With fears of after woe sinners behold Take heed of sin never therewith be bold For it will-misery to you procure Either while here or that that will indure Eternally be warned then by my fall Let me Rose Warne a warning be to all And yet an instance of such mercy toâ— As may perswade you whatsoere you do Not to despair of mercy but submit To bear Gods chastisement and turning yet To hope and seek for pardon of him who His only son sent that he might undoe The devils works of sin and death for all Who gave his life and unto all doth call To look to him and saved be since this A faithful saying worth acceptance is That he into the world did come that he Might Saviour of the cheifest sinners be And such hath saved yea since God dâ—th swear That of the truth of what he saith no fear Might us possesse that he hath no deâ— light In death of wicked men but that the right They rather turne to and their sins forsake That of life in his love they may partake To sin is bad but to despair is worse For that 's the certain way to death and curse Who sins not shanâ— be tempted to despair Therefore of sin and its deceits beware But having sinn'd repent for God will give Mercy to those that turne and they shall live Through Jesus Christ our Lord so farewell all And see ye warned bee by this my fall Qui ante non cavet post â—olâ—bit Who so doth not of sin beware before His doleful state shall afterward deplore Et qui ante dolet post gaudebit Who penitently here their sins bewaile Hereafter shall have joys that nere shall faile Upon R. W. She that was lost we hope is found Shee that was dead doth live again She that in lust and sin was drown'd We hope with Christ doth now remain Oh pretious blood that washt her so Free grace that did her so redress That by the ladder she might go To endless and eternal bliss Lord send us to that fountain too And throughly wash our souls therein Without which all that we can do Cannot deliver us from sin And keep us from such sins and shame As blurd and shortn'd here her daies That we may glorifie thy name And go to heaven by better wayes Rofe Warne EPIGRAM Rose Warne thy name was oh that thou hadst been Rose Warned thou such mischeifs hadst not seen But being not Rose Warned by thy fall Thou art Rose Warne a warning unto all SHe left by her speech and demeanour a very great admiration of it and affectedness with it in the auditory which was very great and numerous from the Town and Country though the fewer from the Country because it was not the market day who generally so far as they heard her at least returned with abundance of compunction and seriousness upon their spirits glorifying God for and in her diverse saying they never saw any executed that dyed in that manner and with that cheerfulness and hope in God and with such
THE EFFICACY Of the true BALME BEING A true Relation of Mrs. Rose Warnes carriage Confession of her Sins and profession of her hope in the mercy of God so far as it was known to an Eye and Ear witness of much of it after she was apprehended and to the time of her death to which she was adjudged April 1667. At Lin Regis in the County of Norfolke upon strong presumption of her murther of her infant and suffered April 14. With some means used for her help in her imprisonment As also an inperfect yet pretty full Relation of what she spake to the People at her execution Published by John Horn of Lin Regis with his Epistle and some verses on her Printed for T. Passenger at the three Bibles on London Bridge 166â— Reader HAving lately put to the Press a discourse upon the Parable of the Prodigal cheifly the two last verses of it and therein treats much of the merciful compassion of God toward sinners and readyness to receive the cheif of them upon their return to him yea to give by Jesus Christ repentance and remission I have thought it very agreable with that discourse to make publick also this ensuing Relation of God's gracions dealing with a woman in our town of Lin a woman of good parentage and that sometime lived in good fashion but through decay and poverty partly fell into temptation and so into sin â—ter she had some understanding of the truth and goodness of God and had made thereof somtime some profession and surely as sins against knowledg and after mercy extended are very provoking of God's displeasure so it was a token of his displeasure against her so sinning to permit her after many convincements warnings and reproofs given her and still sinned against by her to fall into so gross sin as to pull upon her open shame and punishment in the veiw of men falling with child adulterously and being delivered in secret she caused it to be cast forth which God in severity against her so hainious sinning yet in mercy to her soul would have come to light and there by her brought to shame and suffering during the time of whose imprisonment he yet magnifyed his grace and mercy toward her in giving her repentance and filling her with good lively hope of her salvation as ensuing this Relation will inform thee being the summe of diverse passages and observations noted by a relation to her by Marriage viz. Thomas Moor junior since that alass deceased and now with God and for the use of Friends written by him who as he was indued with great understanding and wisdome in the knowledge of the holy Scriptures and of the grace of God and therethrough made a very skilful able and expert spiritual Physitian to poor sinful and aflicted souls so was it her mercy to have much converse with him and helpfulnesse from him in the time of her imprisonment whose endeavours for her as his abundant charity through the grace of God led him to undertake them so through the blessing of God were a very good means of her repentance and of the comforts encouragements that her soul met with she was it seems much exercised about the Parable of the Prodigal and I was much exercised about what I have thereupon published by occasion of her with whom I also conversed in the time of her restraint though she speaking to me but once about it I knew not that she was so much exercised in it till I had neer finished what I thereon writ but when I understood it it made me the willinger to publish it And the publishing of that moved me also to publish this being an instance of mercy so agreable to it I had noted something my self about her and of her speech at her suffering but finding those passages of my Friends and Brothers more large and full then mine own mine own also as to the main of them being inserted into the Treatise or discourse before mentioned as to what might be without mention of her name her speech being also here remembred and set down much fuller then my memory retained thereof or was related by me I chose rather to publish this of heâ— then any thing of my own this also being full of very useful observations profitable to be known which â—udged great pity should be wrapt up in a napkin and be only in the hands of some fewer Persons I have only aded some brief answers to some things objected by some against her with a few homely verses and now it is publick do thou read and make good use of it and the Lord give his blessing with it Thine to serve thee in the Gospel of Christ J. H. Books sold by Tho. Passenger at the three Bibles on London Bridgeâ— MArkhaw's Master pâ—ice in 4 to newly Printed corrected and amended Dod on the commandements Doc-litls spiritual Antedote Pichard on sanctification The wife Virgin The penitent prodigal by John Horn somtimes Minister of Lin Alhallowes Halls sussurium cum Dâ—oâ— or his Divine Soliloquies Pilgrims port Pathway to health Mariners compass rectified Academy of complements the first and best sort far surpassing any other book of that nature Book of Palmistry Book of Knowledge Valentine and Orson large History of Palmering of England Destruction of Troy in three parts History of Paladine of England History of Amadis d'Gaule 5th part Scarborough spaw The jovial Garland The loyal Garland FINIS The Efficacy of the true Balm or Medicine for Restoring and healing the Soul A true Relation of Mistriss Rose Warnes Carriage Confessian of her sins and Profession of hope in the mercy of God so far as it was known to an eye and ear witness of much of it after she was apprehended and to the time of her death with souâ—e mention by the way of the means used for her help AFter the Justices had been with her and taken her examination I went with my wife to see her and found some women with her and her self full of sorrow and shame I told her whatever she had done and however grievously she had sinned against the Lord and against her own soul and against his name and people of which though I knew nothing particularly of what procured this shame and sorrow to her nor desired at this time any perticular confession from her yet I doubted not but there was somewhat of shameful iniquity and long stubbornness in hiding it that procured this shame and sharp correction And that which made made me so judge was the infinite mercy of God and his slowness to anger who is not easily provoked to such severity and sharpness in rebukes yet whatever it was I desired she should not adde this to all to say there is no hope But know there was yet forgiveness and mercy with him that he might be feared and hoped in by her for still this saying remains faithful and true that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners even
such lawless and disobedient sinners And God hath exalted him a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance and forgiveness of sins even to rebellious and backsliding sinners And he was now using those means to save and redeem her from her iniquities because milder ones would not effect his end And therefore not to be angry or frown against him for judging thus for which we make it our work to hide our sin he is ingaged in love and faithfulness to us to make it his work to discover and make us take shame and if we would timely judge our selves we should not be judged with such sharpness and when we have provoked him to use sharpness still he judgeth us in this world that he may not condeâ—n us with the world Therefore now at last Humble your self under the mighty hand of God and to day if yet you wilt hear his voyce harden not your heart for still it s to day which he is sparing you and hath not cut you off in your iniquity and is still by any means calling you that you may escape the damnation of hell Therefore now let us take shame and judge our selves Truly I must take shame to my self for my unfaithfulness to you that I have not been more watchful nor more laid to heart what I have observed and heard I have observed that you have been of latter times very seldom in the Company of your faithful friends and negligent when you have been with them of minding and giving earnest heed to that which might and would have kept you from this I thought it might be occasioned through the troubles and cares of of this world coming on you by your necessity and straâ— and having your children like to be cast on you and desolate and therefore sought to help it by seeking to make your life more comfortable by engaging for you to put you into a way for your help and the help and relief of your children with bread I heard also of your being oft in evil vain and wanton company and having fellowship with them in such vanity fiâ—thyness and foolish talking as is not convenient But partly hoped it was not so because it was hid from me and though not without some fears of some truths in such reports yet was ready to excuse it as an issue of the temptation of the fear of want and hoping of getting some advantage or relief by such friendship which though very evil yet I was the less severe in judgeing because of your poor condition and thought rather first to seek to take away the occasion by such means as aforesaid But did now see cause to blame my self and therefore could the more pitty her and earnestly professed that she and we all might now take notice that God would by no means allow or suffer it in those that make mention of his name and keep company with those that call upon him in truth To have fellowship with others in their unfruitful works of darkness And in their merry meetings and revellings in which also it is a shame to speak of those things that are done of them in secret but would more severely correct it in them then in others that know not God I desired her to acknowledge to Gods glory whether she had not been more a frequenter of such private meetings that are indeed unlawful lawful wicked and lascivious then a companâ—on of those that truly fear him Amongst whâ—m I told her I had very â—eldome seen her of late times Upon this she freely confessed that she had been so formerly until iniquity had got dominion over her But since that she feared her being with childe and was also made sensible of the pitty and kindness of her friends who knew not what she had done she was filled with shame fear and horrour and had not frequented such evil company But earnestly begged of the Lord to forgive and hide her sin and cover her shame and not make her a reproach to the foolish which also she was perswaded he would have done for her had the at last obeyed his voice speaking to her when alone and by his servants when she was sometime in their company Admonishing and moving powerfully no longer to hide her sin but to declare her ways to some faithful friends that might pitty and pray for her and seek her help and healing And she many times was resolved to do it and yet could not when she had opportunity they that she thought she could most freely have opened her self too not first finding her out nor being jealous of any such thing she knew not how to break the Ice but still full of shame and guilt came seldom among them and when she did met with such powerful reproofs as made her afraid and ashamed of them as if they had known all that was in her heart and seen all her ways which reproofs of instruction had she submitted too and been willing to take shame with her faithful friends she knew she should have met with help and healing and might have prevented this that was now come upon her but she refused to take shame and now the Lord had shewed himself above her in the thing in which she dealt stubbornly and proudly and now he had made her willing to accept of this shame as a just and gracious punishment of her iniquity she now saw that all this was needful to bring down her heart And yet could not but hope in his mercy that by his thus judging her in this world he would save and redeem her from her iniquities and deliver her soul from going down into the pit of destruction Afterward my wife and I being with her alone she declared something of her ways of iniquity and deeds of darkness more particularly but as I feared and told her with too much extenuating hiding and excusing and so much she confessed the next time I was with her Alass said she I have yet sought to hide my sin and to excuse it and put off as much as I could of the blame and shame of it from my self even in my confessions of it to you But God hath found me out and made you an instrument of showing me the dark corners of my heart I think you know me better then I do my self I confess you have discovered the root of all this evil and of mine iniquities getting such dominion over me The Idolatrous esteem I had of having a self sufficiency in my own hand of those things God was rending from us this love of money made me unwilling to submit to Gods chastisements of that nature and laid me open to such temptations as being yeilded too promised help in the things my soul lusted after and though still God crossed me in all yet my purpose being not broken but my heart inclined to its covetousness I went on frowardly and stubbornly after the way of mine own heart c. I believe and am verily perswaded she then