ever as the true inheriter of his everlasting Kingdome unto the which thou wast undoubtedly predestinate and ordained by the Lords infallible purpose and decree before the foundation of the World was laid And that is most true that I have said I call the whole Trinity the Almighty and Eternal Majesty of God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost to my Record at this present whom I humbly beseech to confirm and stablish in thee the true and lively feeling of the same Amen Selah Now with a merry heart and a joyfull spirit something mixed with lawful tears I take my farewel of you mine own dear Brother in the Lord who send us shortly a merry meeting in his Kingdome that we may both sing praises together unto him with his holy Angels and blessed Spirits for ever and ever Farewel thou blessed of the Lord farewel in Christ depart unto thy rest in the Lord and pray for me for Gods sake As I had made an end of this simple Letter I heard some comfort both of good Mr. Philpots Servant and yours but alas I do scarcely believe them Well I will hope in God and pray all night that God would send me some comfort to morrow and if the Lord give you sparing to morrow let me hear four words of comfort from you for Gods sake The Blessing of God be with you now and for ever Amen Yours for ever in the Lord Jesus John Careles living in Hope against Hope John Careles his Letter to his Wife AS by the great mercy of God at the time of his good will and providence appointed my dearly beloved Wife you and I were joyned together in the holy and Christian state of godly Matrimony as well to our great joy and comfort in Christ as also to the increase of his blessed Church and faithfull Congregation by having lawfull Children in and by the same with the which God of his mercy hath blessed us praised be his Name therefore Even so now by his mercifull will and Divine Ordinance the time is come so farre as I can perceive wherein he will for his glory and our eternall comfort dissolve the same and separate us asunder again for a time Wherefore I thought it good yea and my bounden duty by this simple Letter to provoke stir and admonish you to behave your self in all your doings sayings and thoughts most thankefully unto our good God for the same And therefore my dear Wife as you have heartily rejoyced in the Lord and oftentimes given God thanks for his goodness in bringing us together in his holy Ordinance Even so now I desire you when this time of our separation shall come to rejoyce with me in the Lord and to give him most hearty thanks that he hath to his glory and our endless commodity separated us again for a little time and hath mercifully taken me unto himself forth of this miserable world into his Celestiall Kingdome Here is a true mark of a faithful Christian forsaking wife children for Christs sake believing and hoping also assuredly that God of his goodness for his Son Christs sake will shortly bring you and your dear children thither to me that we may most joyfully together sing Praises unto his glorious Name for ever And yet once again I desire you for the love of God and as ever you loved me to rejoyce with me and to give God continuall thanks for doing his most mercifull will upon me I hear say that you do oftentimes use to repeat this godly saying The Lords will be fulfilled True obedience of a faithful woman Doubtless it rejoyceth my poor heart to hear that report of you and for the Lords sake use that godly prayer continually and teach your Children and Family to say the same day and night and not onely say it with your tongues but also with your heart and minde and joyfully to submit your will to Gods will in very deed knowing and believing assuredly that nothing shall come to you or any of yours otherwise then it shall be his Almighty and Fatherly good will and pleasure and for your eternall comfort and commodity Which thing to be most true and certain Christ testifieth in his holy Gospel saying Are not two little Sparrows sold for a farthing Matth. 10. and yet not one of them shall perish without the will of your heavenly Father And he concludeth saying Fear not ye therefore for ye are better then many Sparrows As though he should have said If God have such a respect and care for a poor Sparrow which is not worth one farthing that it shall not be taken in the Lime-twig Net or Pit-fall unsill it be his good will and pleasure you may be well assured that not one of you whom he so dearly loveth that he hath given his onely dear Son for yâ—u shall perish or depart forth of this miserable life without his Almighty good will and pleasure Therefore dear Wife put your trust and confidence wholly and onely in him and ever pray that his will be fulfilled and not yours except it be agreeing to his will the which I pray God it may ever be Amen And as for worldly things take you no care Good counsel given to his wife but be you well assured the Lord your dear God and Father will not see you nor yours lack if you continue in his love and childly fear and keep a clear Conscience from all kind of Idolatry â—uperstition and Wickedness as my trust is that you will do although it be with the loss and danger of this temporal life And good Margaret Fear not them that can but kill the body and yet can they not do that untill God give them leave but fear to dâ—splease him that can kill both body and Soul and cast them into hell fire Let not the remembrance of your Children keep you from God The Lord himself will be a Father and a Mother Care of children to be cast upon Lord. better then ever you or I could have been unto them He himself will do all things necessary for them yea as much as rock the Cradle if need be He hath given his holy Angels charge over them therefore commit them unto him But if you may live with a clear Conscience for else I would not have you to live and see the bringing up of your Children your self look that you nurture them in the fear of God and keep them farre from Idolatry Superstition The mothers duty in bringing up her children and all other kinde of Wickedness and for Gods sake help them to some Learning if it be possible that they may increase in virtue and godâ—y knowledge which shall be a better Dowry to marry them withall then any worldly substance and when they be come to age provide them such Husbands as fear God and love his holy Word I charge you take heed that you match them with no Papists and if you live and marry again
see Nay I should have said You shall feel he will turn to you You know that Moses when he went into the Mount to talk with God he entred into a dark Cloud and Elias had his face covered when God passed by Both these dear friends of God heard God but they saw him not but you would be preferred before them See now my dear heart how covetous you are Ah be thankful be thankful But God be praised that your covetousness is Moses covetousness Well with him you shall be satisfied But when Forsooth when he shall appear Here is not the time of seeing Psal 16. but as it were in a glass Isaac was deceived because he was not content with hearing onely Therefore to make an end of these many words wherewith I fear me I do but trouble you from better exercises inasmuch as you are indeed the childe of God elect in Christ before the beginning of all times inasmuch as you are given to the custody of Christ as one of Gods most precious jewels inasmuch as Christ is faithful and hitherto hath all power so that you shall never perish no one hair of your head shall not be lost I beseech you Learn here to put away doubting all tender hearts that seek after Christ I pray you I desire you I crave at youâ— hands with all my very heart I ask of you with hand pen tongue and minde in Christ through Christ for Christ for his Name Blood Mercies Power and Truths sake my most entirely beloved Sister that you admit no doubting of Gods finall Mercies towards you howsoever you feel your self but complain to God and crave of him as of your tender and dear Father all things and in that time which shall be most opportune you shall finde and feel far above that your heart or the heart of any creature can conceive to your eternal joy Amen Amen Amen The good Spirit of God alwayes keep us as his dear children he comfort you as I desire to be comforted my dearly beloved for evermore Amen This 8. of August by him that in the Lord desireth to you as well and as much felicity as to his own heart John Bradford A worthy Answer of a constant Martyr called Guy de Brez Anno Dom. 1566. GVy de BreZ a minister of the Gospel being committed Prisoner into the Castle of Tournay was visited by many Ladies and Gentlewomen only out of a desire to see him in regard he was a man so highly esteemed Some at the first view scoffed others railed on him but others were moved to take pitty and compassion on him Amongst the rest the Countess of Ren accompanied with certain Gentlewomen coming into the Prison and at her first entrance beholding the Iron chain to which was fastned Mr. Guy said she I wonder how you can either eat drink or sleep in quiet for wer I in your case the very terrour thereof would goe nigh to kill me O Madam said he the good cause for which I suffer and that inward peace of Conscience with which God hath endued mee makes me eat and drink with greater contentment then my enemies can which seek my life yea so far off is it that my bonds or chain do any way terrifie me or break off my sleep that on the contrary I glory and take delight therein esteeming them at a higher rate then chains and rings of Gold or any other Jewels of price whatsoever for they yield me much more profit Yea when I hear the ratling of my chains me thinks I hear as it were some sweet instrument of musick sounding in mine ears not that such an effect comes meerly from my chains but in regard I am bound therewith for maintaining the truth of the Gospel The same Martyr in a letter to his wife acquaints her with Gods graciâ—us dealing with him in all his assaults SPeaking of his apprehension he shews how carnal reason began to play its part against the Providence of God for saith he these thoughts came thronging into my head what meant we to go so many in company together as we did had it not been for such and such we had never been discovered or taken Under such like cogitations I lay for a while saith he even in a manner overwhelmed till by the assistance of Gods holy Spirit my minde was raised up to meditate on Gods Providence After which my heart began to feel wonderful rest and contentment saying thus in my self O my God the day and hour of my birth was before ordained by thee ever since thou hast preserved and kept me in great perils and dangers and hitherto delivered me out of them all And if now the hour be come wherein I must pass out of this life into thy kingdome thy holy will be done I cannot escape out of tâ—y hands yea though I could yet Lord thou knowest I would not seeing all my felicity depends upon conforming my Will unto thine From these considerations I received no small consolation and therefore dear wife rejoyce with mee I pray you and bless our good God for these his mercies towards me for he doâ—h nothing but that which is equal and right You have been privy to and acquainted with all the travels crosses and persecutions which have befallen me yea and have your self been partaker with me therein when you accompanied me in my voyages during the time of my exile and now after all these you see my welbeloved in the Lord how he holdeth forth to mee his hand of Providence to drive me home to himself into his blessed Kingdome I now lead you the way and when his will is you shall follow me thither Our separation shall not be for ever it will not be long ere we be gathered under one head Jesus Christ This World is not the place of our rest no Heaven is our home this is but the place of our banishment Let us therefore aspire after our true Country namely Heaven and long to be received into the mansions of our heavenly Father where we shall see our Head and Brother our Husband and Saviour Jesus Christ with the noble triumphant assemblies of the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and so many millions of Martyrs to whom I hope shortly to be gathered having finished the course of that administration which I have received of the Lord Jesus Wherefore dear wife be you comforted in the meditation of these things Take into consideration the honour the Lord doth you in giving you a Husband who is not only called to be a Minister of Christs Gospel but also so highly advanced of God as to be accounted worthy to partake of the Crown of Martyrdome It is an honour which the Angels in Heaven are not capable of Angels not capable of Mâ—rtyrdome I now rejoyce in my sufferings my heart leapeth within me in my Afflictions I finde nothing wanting unto mee I am filled with the abundant riches of my God yea so farre am I comforted therewith that I have sufficient store not only for my self but to impart thereof also to as many as I have opportunity to speak unto which bounty and favour I beseech my eternal Lord God to continue unto me his poor Prisoner yea Gods goodness to his afflicted children is oft above and beyond their expectation I am perswaded that he will perform it unto the end For by good expeience I feel that be never forsakes them that trust in him I could never have imagined that God would have been so gracious as he hath been to me his poor creature I now taste of the fidelity and bounty of Christ my Saviour I am here taught to practise what I have preached unto others Yea let me not be ashamed to confess that when I heretofore preached I spake but as a Parrat in regard of that which I have now better learned by proof and experience Prisons prove Gods School-houses to the faithful I have profited more in the Schoolhouse of this prison then ever I did in all my life before for I have the Holy Ghost who is my constant instrâ—cter and Schoolmaster teaching me how to handle my weapons in this fight of afflictions Satan on the other side who is the sworn enemy of all Gods Elect compasseth me about on every side as a roaring Lyon thinking to devour me But he who hath said Fear not John 16.33 I have overcome the World puts as it were new courage into me and then I see the Lord bruising Satan under my feet Rom. 16.20 feeling the power of God perfected in my weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 and that the Lord causeth me one while to feel my infirmity and weakness It is profitable for the godly so câ—iâ—es to feel their infirmities that so I may take knowledge how I am but a poor earthen vessel even weakness it self to humble me that God may have all the glory and then by and by he fortifies and comforts me I may truly say incredibly above all I could ask or think For I would not change my condition with theirs who persecute me I take my rest eat and drink with more hearts case then they I am indeed lodged in the strongest and vilest Prison they have dark and obscure which for the darkness thereof is called Brunaâ—â— Brunain a Prison of the Valencians where I have no ayre to breathe at but a little stinking hole where they lay all their rubbish and where the drunkards commonly vent their Urine I am laden with Irons both on my hands and feet By reason wherof he complains he wrote with â—uch difficulty and therefore could not write as otherwise he would have done which are a continual torment unto me the irons eating through the flesh even to the bare bones The Provost-Marshal comes to view my Fetters twice or thrice 〈◊〉 day fearing lest I should make an escape for preventing whereof he hath placed three Guards of Fourty men before the Prison door c. And thus having given to his Wife his Advice how to behave her self during her Widowhood and how to train up her Children with his loving Salutations remembred to her self and other his special Friends he closeth up his Letter FINIS
him before by Mr. Philpot 10 Mr. Bradfords Letter to Careles 14 Careles his Letter to Mr. Bradford 15 His Letter to his Wife 18 His Letter to several faithful Brethren in Newgate Condemned for the Testimony of Gods Everlasting Truth 21 His Letter to Mr. Green Mr. Whittel and certain other Prisoners in Newgate Condemned and ready to be burnt for the Testimony of the Lord Jesus 26 His Letter to W. Tyms Prisoner in Newgate 29 His Letter to his dear Sister Mrs. Cotton 33 His Letter to his dear Brother T. V. 34 His Letter to his dear and faithful Brother Augustine Bernher 38 His Letter to his dear Brother Henry Aalington Prisoner in the Lollardâ— Tower 42 His Letter to his dear and faithful Brother T V. 47 His Letter of Thanks to a faithful Friend of his by whom he had received much Comfort in his inward Troubles 51 His Letter to a certain godly faithful Sister by the Name of E. K. 52 His Letter to Mrs Agnes Glascock 55 His brief Admonition to Mrs Agnes Glascock written in a book of hers when she came to the Prison to visit him 57 His Letter to Mrs. A. G. to comfort her in her Repentance after she had been at Mass fruitful for all them to reade which are faln and are to be raised up again 58 His Letter to A. B. a frithful Minister of the Lord containing certain fruitful Precepts of Matrimony 61 His Letter to Elizabeth Wife of the said A. B. containing likewise certain godly Precepts of Matrimony pertaining to her duty 64 A Letter of Mr John Bradfords which he wrote to a faithful Woman in her heaviness and trouble most comfortable for all those to read that are afflicted and broken hearted for their sins 68 A worthy Answer of a constant Martyr called Guy de Brez Anno Dom. 1566. 75 The same Martyr in a Letter to his Wife acquaints her with Gods Gracious dealing with him in all his Assaults Ibid. THE EFFECT OF JOHN CARELES EXAMINATION before Doctor Martin briefly declared FIrst The Effect of John Careles examination Doctor Martin calling John Careles to him in his Chamber demanded what was his Name To whom when the other had answered that his name was John Careles then began Doct. Martin to descant at his pleasure upon that name saying That it would appear by his conditions by that time he had done with him that he would be a true Careless man indeed And so after other by-talk there spent about much needless matter then he asked him where he was born Careles Forsooth saith he at Coventry Martin At Coventry what so far man How cam'st thou hither who sent thee to the Kings Bench to Prison Careles I was brought thither by a Writ I trow How John Careles was brouht to the Kings Bench what he was I cannot tell I think Mr. Marshall can tell you Marsh In good faith I cannot tell what the matter is but indeed my Lord Chief Justice sent him from the Barr. Mart. Well Careles I would wish thou should'st play the wise mans part Thou art an handsom man and it is pitty but that thou shouldst do well and save that which God hath bought Careles I thank your good Mastership most heartily And I put you out of doubt that I am most sure and certain of my salvation by Jesus Christ so that my soul is safe already whatsoever pains my body suffer here for a little time Mart. Yea Marry you say truth for thou art so Predestinate to life that thou canst not perish in whatsoever Opinion thou doest dye Careles That GOD hath Predestinate me to Eternal life in Jesus Christ I am most certain John Careles examined upon Predestination and even so am I sure that his Holy Spirit wherewith I am sealed will so preserve me from all Heresies and evill Opinions that I shall dy in none at all Mart. Go to let me hear your Faith in Predestination for that shall be written also Carel. Your Mastership shall pardon me herein For you said your self ere-while that you had no Commission to examine my Conscience I will trouble my self with answering no moe matters then I needs must untill I come before them that shall have more authority further to examine me Mart. Dr. Martin declareth his Commission I tell thee then I have Commission yea and Commandement from the Council to examine thee for they delivered me thy Articles Carel. Yea I think indeed that your Mastership is appointed to examine me of my Articles which you have there in writing and I have told you the truth I do confess them to be mine own fact deed but you do now examine me of Predestination whereof my Articles speaketh nothing at all Mart. I tell thee yet again â—hat I must also examine thee of such things as be in controversie between thee and thy fellows in the Kings Bench whereof Predestination is a part as thy fellow N. hath confessed and thy self dost not deny it Carel. I do not deny it But he that first told you that matter might have found himself much better occupied Mart. Why Dr. Martin would not examine him of the Sacrament Why what if he had not told me thinkest thou I would not have known it yes or else thou shouldst have withstood my Commission For I tell thee truth I may now examine thee of the blessed Sacrament or any other thing that I list but that I would shew thee favour and not be too hasty with thee at the first Marsh Yea indeed Careles Master Doctor hath Commission to examine you or any other of your fellowâ— Mart. Yea marry have I I tell the truth of it Careles Then let your Scribe set his pen to the paper and you shall have it roundly even as the truth is I believe that Almighty GOD our most dear loving Father of his great mercy and goodness did Elect in Christ Mart. Tush What need all that long circumstance write I believe that God Elected and make no more ado Careles No not so Mr. Doctor it is an high Mystery and ought reverently to be spoken of And if my words may not be written as I do utter them I will not speak at all Mart. Go to go to wriâ—e what he will 〈◊〉 is more businesâ— then needeth Careles I believe that Almâ—ghty God our most dear loving Father Careles Opinioâ— of Gods Election of his great mercy and infinite goodness through Iesus Christ did elect and appoint in him before the foundation of the Earth was laid a Church or Congregation which he doth continually guide and govern by his Grace and holy Spirit so that not one of them shall ever finally perish When this was written Mr. Doctor took it in his hand and read it saying Mart. Why who will deny this D. Martin avowetâ— Careles judgment of Gods Election Careles If your Mastership do allow it and other learned men when they shall see it I have
my hearts desire Mart. And do you hold none otherwise then is there written Careles No verily nor never did Mart. Write that he saith otherwise he holdeth not So that was written It was told me also that thou dost affirm that Christ did not dye effectually for all men Careles Whatsoever hath been told you it is not much material unto me Let the tellers of such tales come before my fâ—ce and I trust to make them answer For indeed I do bâ—lieve that Christ did effectually dye for all those that do effectually repent and believe and for none other So that was written also Mart. Now sir what is Trewes faith of Predestination he believeth that all men be Predestinate and that none shall be Damned doth he not Careles No forsooth that he doth not Mart. How then Careles Truely I think he doth believe as your Mastership and the rest of the Clergy do believe of Predestination A wrong faith of Predestination believing to be elected in respect of Good works that we be Elected in respect of our good works and so long elected as we do them and no longer Mart. Write that he saith his fellow Trew believeth of Predestination as the Papists do believe Careles Ah Mr. Doctor did I so term you seeing that this my Confession shall come before the Council I pray you place my terms as reverently as I spake them Mart. Well well Write that Trew is of the same Faith as the Catholicks be Careles I did not so call you neither 〈◊〉 wonder what you mean Marsh You said thâ— Clergy â—â—d 〈…〉 Careles Careles Yes forsooth did I So then it was written of the Clergy Mart. Now Sir What say you more Careles Forsooth I have no further to say in this matter Mart. Dr. Martin pretendeth favour to Careles Well Careles I pray thee prove thy self a wise man and do not cast away thy self wilfully Careles Now the Lord he knoweth good Mr. Doctor I would full gladly live so that I might do the same with a safe Conscience And your Mastership shall right well perceive that I will be no wilful man but in all things that I stand upon I shall have a sure ground Mart. Now the Lord knoweth good Careles that I would gladly make some means to preserve thy life but thou speakest so much of the Lord the Lord wilt thou be content to go with my Lord Fitzwater into Ireland methinks thou art a goodly tall fellow to do the Queen service there How sayest thou Careles Verily Mr. Doctor whether I be in Ireland France or Spain or any place else I am ready to do her Grace the best service I can with Body Goods and Life so long as it doth last Mart. That is honestly said I promise thee every man will not say so How say you Mr. Marshall this man is meet for all manner of Service Indeed thou art worthy Careles to have the more favour Careles Indeed Sir I hope to be meet and ready unto all things that pertaineth unto a true Christian Subject to do And if her Grace or her Officers under her do require me to any thing contrary unto Christs Religion I am ready also to do my service in Smithfield for not observing it as my bedfellow and other Brethren have done praised be God for them Mart. By my troth thou art a pleasant fellow as ever I talked with of all the Protestants except it were Tomson I am sorry that I must depart with thee so soon but I have such business now that I can tarry with thee no longer Well yet thou canst not deny but you are at jarre amongst your selves in the Kings Bâ—nâ—h and it is so throughout all your Congregation for you will not be a Church Careles No Mr. Doctor that is noâ— so More variety in the Popes Church then is amongst the Protestants There is a thousand times more variety in Opinions among your Doctors which you call of the Catholick Chu ch â—ea and that in the Sacrament for the which there is so much bloodshed now adayes I mean of your latter Doctors and new Writers as for the old they agree wholly with us Mart. No Careles thâ—t is not so there thou art deceived Careles Verily it is so Mr. Doctor I am not deceived therein any thing at all as it hath been and is evidently proved by such as God â—ath indued with great Learning Then he turned to the Marshal and whispered with him a while Mart. Turning unto me again said Farewel Careles Dr. Martin taketh his leave gently of Careles for I can tarry no longer with thee now my businâ—ss is suck Careles God be with you good Mr. Doctor The Lord give your Mastership health of Body and Soul Martin God have mercy good Careles and God keep thee from all Errours and give thee grace to do as well as I would wâ—sh my self Careles I thank your good Mastership I pray God I may do always that is acceptable in his sight Whereunto they all said Amen And so I departed with a glad heart God onely have the whole praise Amen It appeareth by Examination of the foresaid John Careles that he endured Prisoner the space of two whole years having wife and Children In the which his captivity first being in Coventry Goal he was there in such credit with his Keeper that upon his word he was let out to play in the Pageant about the City with other his Companions And that done keeping touch with his Keeper he returned again into Prison at his hour appointed And after that being brought up to London he was endued with such patience and constant fortitude John Careles dved in Prison and wâ—s buried in the fields that he longed for nothing more earnestly thâ—n to come to that promotion to dye in the fire for the profession of his Faith and yet it so pleased the Lord to prevent him with death that he came not to it but dyed in the Prison and after was buried in the fields in a dunghill In the mean time while he was in Prison in the Kings Bench it chanced he was in great heaviness and perturbation of minde and Conscience whereupon he wrote to M. Philpot being then in the Colehouse Upon occasion hereof M. Philpot sent an Epistle Consolatory unto him as followeth A Letter of Mr. Philpot to John Careles profitable to be read of all them which mourn in Repentance for their Sins THe God of all comfort and the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ send unto thee my dear Brother Careles the inward consolation of his holy Spirit in all the malicious assaults and troublous temptations of our common Adversary the Devil Amen That GOD giveth you so contrite an heart for your sins I cannot but rejoyce to behold the lively mark of the children of God whose property is to think â—ore lowly and vilely of themselves then of any other and oftentimes do set their sins before them that they
strait present care Commend me to all our Brethren and desire them to pray for me that I may overcome my temptations for the Dâ—vil rageth against me I am put in the Stocks in a place alone because I would not answer to such Articles as they would charge me withall in a corner at the Bishops appointment and because I did not come to Mass when the Bishop sent for me I w ll lye all the dayes of my life in the Stocks by Gods grace rather then I will consent to the wicked generation Praise God and be joyfull that it hath pleased him to make us worthy to suffer somewhat for his Names sake The Devil must rage for ten dayes Commend me to Mr. F. and thank him for his Law-books but Law neither Equity will take any place among these blood thirsty I would for your sake their unjust dealing were noted unto the Parliament-housâ— if it might avail God shorten these evil dayes I have answered the Bishop meetly plain already and I said to him If he will call me in open Judgemen I will answer him as plainly as he will require otherwise I have refused because I fear me they will condemn me in hugger-mugger The peace of God be with you my dear Brother I can write no more for lack of light and that I have written I cannot reade my self and God knoweth s is written farre uneasily I pray God you may pick out some understanding of my minde towards you Written in a Colehouse of daâ—kness out of a Pair of painfull Stocks by Thine own in Christ John Philpot. A Letter of John Careles answering to the loving Epistle or Letter sent to him before by Mr. Philpot. A faithfull friend is a strong defence whoso findeth such an one findeth a treasure A faithfull friend hath no peer the weight of gold and silver is not to be compared to the goodness of his Faith A faithfull friend is a Medicine of life and they that fear the Lord shall finde him Ecclesiast 6. A lettâ—r of John Careles to Mr. Philpot. THe Father of Mercy and God of all Consolation comfort you with his Eternal Spirit my most dear and faithful loving Friend good Mr. Philpot as you have comforted me by the mighty operation of the same The everlasting God be praised therefore for ever Amen Ah my dear heart and most loving Brother if I should do nothing else day and night so long as the dayes of Heaven do endure but kneel on my knees and reade Psalms I can never be able to render unto God condign thanks for his mercy fatherly kindness and most lovâ—ng compassion extended unto me most vile sinful wicked and unworthy wretch Oh that the Lord would open my mouth and give me a thankful heart that from the bottom of the same might flow his continual praise Oh that my sinful flesh which is the cause of my sorrow were clean separated from me that I might sing Psalms of Thanksgiving unto the Lords Name for ever that with good Samuels Mother I might continually record this noble Verse following the which by good experience I have found most true praised be my good God therefore 1. Sam. 2. John Careles raised up by the Lord out of great heaviness The Lord saith that good woman killeth and maketh alive he bringeth down to hell and fetcheth up again Praised be that Lord for ever yea and praised be his Name for that he hath given me true experience and lively feeling of the same Blessed be the Lord God whose mercy endureth for ever which hath not dealt with me according to my deep deserts nor destroyed me in his displeasure when I had justly deserved it Oh what reward shall I give again unto the Lord for all the great benefits that he hath done for my Soul I will gladly receive the Cup of Salvation at his hand and will worship his Name with Prayer and with Praise Ah my dear heart yea most dear unto me in the Lord think not this sudden change in me to be some fickle Phantasie of my foolish head as indeed some other would surely suspect it to be for doubtless it is the marvellous doing of the Lord most merciful unto me his unworthy Creature God for his great mercies sake give me grace to be more thankful unto him then I heretofore have been and keep me that I never fall forth of his favour again And now my dear Brother and most blessed Mâ—ssenger of the Lord whose beautiful feet have brought much glad tidings unto my Soul what shall I do or say unto you in the least part to recompence the fatherly affection and godly care that you continually keep for me Oh that God would give me the Spirit of fervent Prayer that I might yet that way supply some little part of my duty toward you Ah my true loving Friend how soon did you lay aside all other business to make a sweet Plaister for my wounded Conscience yea and that out of a painful Pair of Stocks which place must needs be uneasie to write in But God hath brought you into a strait place that you might set my Soul at liberty Out of your pinching and painful Seat you have plentifully poured upon me your precious Nard the sweet savour whereof hath greatly refreshed my tyred Soul The Lord likewise refresh you both Body and Soul by pouring the oyle of his gracious Spirit into your sweet heart Ah good Jeremy hath Pashur put thee in the Stocks why Jer. 20. now thou hast the right reward of a Prophet Thy glory never began to appear till now I doubt not but shortly Jer. 26. in stead of Ahikam the the Son of Shaphan Jesus the Son of the living God will come and deliver thee forth of the hands of all thine Enemies and will also make good against them and their Antichristian Synagogue all the words that thou hast spoken in his Name The Lord hath made thee this day a strong defenced Tower an iron Pillar Jer. 1. and a brazen Wall against the whole Rabble of Antichrist and though they fight against thee never so fiercely yet shall they not overcome thee for the Lord himself is with thee to help and deliver thee Jer. 15. and he will rid thee out of the hands of the wicked and will deliver thee out of the hands of the Tyrants And in that you are not busie in casting Pearls before Swine Matth. 7. nor in giving the holy things unto Dogs you are much to be commended in my simple judgement The circumspect behaviour of Mr. Philpot. And sure I am that your circumspect and modest behaviour hitherto hath been as much to Gods glory and to the shame and confusion of your enemies as any man's doings that are gone before you John Careles his advice to him Wherefore mine advice and most earnest desire is with all other of your loving Friends that you still keep that order with those
Careles through Christ the Beloved Say therefore with David Praise the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me praise his holy Name for he hath forgiven thee all thy sins as truely he hath And hereof I desire to be a Witness God make me worthy to hear from you the like true Message for my self Mine own dearly Beloved you have great cause to thank God most heartily that hath given you such Repentance and Faith The Lord increase the same in you and me a most miserable wretch whose heart is harder then the Adamant stone or else I could not thus long have stayed from writing unto you If I live and may I purpose and promise you to make amends Pray for me my most dear Brother I heartily beseech you and forgive me my long silence God our Father be with us for ever Amen Yours in the Lord John Bradford John Careles his Letter to Mr. Bradford THe Peace of God in Jesus Christ A sweet Letter of John Careles to Mr. Bradford a little before his Martyrdome the Eternal Comfort of his sweet Spirit which hath surely sealed you unto Eternal Salvation be with you and strengthen you in your joyful journey towards the Celestial Jerusalem my dear Friend and most faithful Brother Mr. Bradford to the setting forth of Gods glory and to your eternal joy in Christ Amen Ever since that good Mr. Philpot shewed me your last Letter my dear heart in the Lord I have continued in great heaviness and perplexity He mourneth for the loss and lâ—ck of Mr. Bradforâ— in the Church not for any hurt or discommodity that I can perceive coming towards you unto whom doubtless Death is made life and great felicity but for the great loss that Gods Church here in England shall sustain by the taking away of so godly worthy and necessary an instrument as the Lord hath made you to be Oh that my life and a thousand such wretched lives moe might go for yours Oh why doth God suffer me and such other Catterpillers to live that can do nothing but consume the Alms of the Church and take away you so worthy a Workman and Labourer in the Lords Vineyard But woe be to our sins and great unthanfulness which is the greatest cause of the taking away of such worthy instruments of God as should set forth his Glory and instruct his People If we had been thankful unto God for the good Ministers of his Word we had not been so soon deprived both of it and them The Lord forgive our great ingratitude and sins and give us true Repentance and Faith and hold his hand of Mercy over us for his dear Son Christs sake Take not away all thy tâ—ue Preachers forth of this Realm O Lord but leave us a Seed lest Englâ—nd be made like unto Sodom and Gomorrah when thy true Loâ—â— be gone But what go I about to mingle your mirth with my mourning and your just joy with my deserved sorrow If I loved you indeed as I have pretended I should surely rejoyce with you most heartily and praise God on your bâ—half from the very bottom of my heart He rejoyceth for the honour of Mr. Bradfords Martyrdome I should praise God day and night for your excellent Election in and through his great Mercy and should give him most humble thanks for your Vocation by his Gospel and your true Knowledge in the same I should earnestly praise him for your sweet justification whereof you are most certain by Gods Gâ—ace and Spirit and should instantly pray unto him for your Glorification which shall shortly ensue I should rejoyce and be glad to see you dignified by the Crown of Martyrdome and to be appointed to that honour to testifie his Truth and to Seal it with your Blood I should highly extoll the Lord who hath given you a glorious vâ—ctory over all your enemies visible and inv si le and hath given you Grace and Strength to finish the Tower that you have begun to build Finally if I loved you I should most heartily rejoice and be glad to see you delivered from this body of sin and vile person of the Flesh and brought into that heavenly Tabernacle where you shall be safely kept and never offend him more This and much more should I do if I had a good heart towards God or you his dear childe But alas I am an hypocrite and do seek nothing but mine own commodity I would have Gods everlasting Providence give place to my peevish will and purpose although it were to the hindrance of his glory and your sweet commodity God forgive me my horrible ingratitude sins and offences against him and good Brother do you forgive me my great negligence and unthankfulness towards you and henceforth I promise you I will put my will to Gods will and pray that the same may be fulfilled in you so long as you be on this earth and when you are taken hence I will most heartily praise the Lord for you so long as I have my being in this world Ah my dear heart now I must take my leave of you and as I think John Careles taketh his leave of M. Bradford my Vltimum Vale in this life but in the life to come I am right well assured we shall merrily meet together and that shortly I trust And in taking of my leave of you my dear heart in the Lord I shall desire you faithfully to remember all the sweet messages that the Lord our good God and most dear loving Father hath sent you by me his most unworthy Servant which as they are most true so shall they be most truly accomplished upon you eternally and for the more assurance and certificate thereof to your godly Conscience he hath commanded me to repeat the same unto you again in his own Name and Word Therefore now give ear and faithful credence Hearken Testimony of Gods Spirit O ye Heavens and thou earth give ear and bear me witness at the great Day that I do here faithfully and truely the Lords mâ—ssâ—ge unto his dear Servant John Careles doth Gods message to M. Bradford his singularly beloved and elâ—ct Childe â—â—â—n Bradford John Bradford thou man so specially beloved of God I pronounce and testifie unto thee in the Word and Name of the Lord Jehovah that all thy sins whatsoever they be be they never so many so grievous or so great be fully and freely pâ—â—doned released and forgiven thee by the mercy of God in Jesus Christ thine onely Lord and sweet Saviour in whom thou dost undoubtedly believe Power and practise of the keyes of the Gospel Christ hath cleansed thee with his Blood and clothed thee with his Righteousness and hath made â—hee in the sight of God his Father without spot or wrinckle so that when the fiâ—e doth his appointed office thou shalt be received as a sweet burnt Sacrifice into Heaven where thou shalt joyfully remain in Gods presence for
your self which thing I would wish you to do if need require or else not good Wife take heed how you bestow your self that you and my poor Children be not compelled to wickedness But if you sh ll be able well to live Gods true Widow I would counsel you so to live still for the more quietness of your self and your poor Children Take heed Margaret and play the wise womans part you have warning by other if you will take an example And thus I commit you and my sweet Children unto Gods most mercifull defence The Blessing of God be with you and God send us a merry meeting together in Heaven Farewell in Christ farewell mine own dear hearts all Pray pray To my most dear and fâ—ithful Brethren in Newgate Condemned to dye for the Testimony of Gods everlasting Truth THe everlasting pâ—ace of G d in Jesus Christ the continual joy strength and comfort of his most pâ—re holy and mighty Spirit with the encrease of Faith and lâ—vely feeling of his Eternal Mercy be with you my most dear and faithful lov ng B other Tyms and with all the rest of my dear hearts in the Lord your faithful Fellow-souldiers and most constant Companions in Bonds yea of men condemned most cruelly for the sincere Testimony of Gods everlasting Truth to the full finishing of that good work which he hath so graciously begun in you all that the same may be to his glory the commodity of his poor afflicted Church and to your everlasting comfort in him Amen Ah my most sweet and loving Bâ—ethren and dearest hearts in the Lord what shall I say or how shall I write unto you in the least point or part to utter the great joy that my poor heart hath received in God through the most godly example of your Christâ—an Constancy and sincere Confession of Christs Verity truely my tongue cannot declare Example of true love and charity among the Martyrs nor my pen express the abundance of spiritual mirth and gladness that my minde and inward man hath felt ever since I heard of your hearty boldness and modest behaviour before that bloody Butcher in the time of all your crafty Examinations especially at your cruel Condemnation in their cursed Consistory place Blâ—ssed be God the Father of all mercy and praised be his Name for that he hath so graciously performed upon you his dear darlings his most sweet and comfortable promises in not only giving you the continual ayd strength and comfort of his holy and mighty Spirit to the faithful confession of his Christ for whose cause O most happy men ye are condemned to dye but also in giving you such a mouth and wisdome as all your wicked Enemies were not able to resist The Enemies not able to withstand the w sedome of God in his Saints but compelled to bid them hold their peace but were fain to cry Peace peace and not suffer you to speak As truly as God liveth my dear Brethren this is not only unto you a most evident probation that God is on our side and a sure certainty of your everlasting Salvation in him but also to your cruel Adversaries or rather Gods cursed Enemies a plain demonstration of their just eternal woe and damnation which they shall be full sure shortly to feel when ye shall full sweetly possess the place of felicity and pleasure prepared for you from the beginning Therefore my dearly beloved cease not so long as ye be in this life to praise the Lord with a lusty courage for that of his great mercy and infinite goodness he hath vouched you worthy this great dignity to suffer for his sake not onely the loss of goods Wife and Children long imprisonment and cruel oppression c. but also the very deprivation of this mortal life with the dissolution of your bodies in the fire The which in the greatest promotion that God can bring you or any other unto in this vale of misery yea so great an honour as the highest Angel in Heaven is not permitted to have and yet hath the Lord for his dear Son Christs sake reputed you worthy of the same yea and that before me and many other which have both long looked and longed for the same John Careles longeth to dye a Martyr in the Gospels cause Ah my most dear Brother Tyms whose time resteth altogether in the hands of the Lord in a full happy time camest thou into this troublesome world but in a much more blessed houâ— shalt thou depart forth of the same so that the sweet saying of Solomon or rather of the Holy-ghost shall be full well verified upon thee yea and all thy faithful fellows Better is the day of death saith he then the day of birth Eccles 7. This saying cannot be verified upon every man but upon thee my dear Brother and such as thou art whose death is most precious before God and full dear shall your blood be in his sight Blessed be God for thee my dear Brother Tyms and blessed be God again that ever I knew thee for in a most happy time I came first into thy company Pray for me dear Brother pray for me that God will once vouch me worthy of that great dignity whereunto he hath now brought you Ah my loving Brother Drake whose Soul draweth now nigh unto God of whom you have received the same full glad may you be that ever God gave you a life to leave for his sake full well will he restore it to you again in a thousand fold more glorious wise Praise God good Brother as you have great cause and pray for me I beseech you which am so much unworthy so great are my sins of that great dignity whereunto the Lord hath called you and the rest of your godly Brethren whom I beseech you to comfort in the Lord as you can full well praised be God for his gifts which you have heartily applied to the setting forth of his glory and the commodity of his poor afflicted Church Which thing shall surely redound to your everlasting joy and comfort as you shall most effectually feel or ever it be long though the wicked of the World judge far otherwise Ah mine own Hearts and most dearly beloved Brethren Cavell Ambrose and both the Spurges Blessed be the Lord on your behalf and praised be his Name which hath given you such a glorious victory Full valiant have you shewed your selves in the Lords fight and full faithfully in your painful service Faint not but go on forward as you have most godly begun for great shall your reward be at the end of this your travel Ah my good faithful Brethren all what shall I say or what shall I write unto you but even the same that good Elizabeth did say to her godly kinswoman Mary the blessed Mother of Christ Luke 1. Happy art thou quoth that good woman which hast believed for all things which the Lord hath spoken to thee shall be
fulfilled So I say to you my dear hearts in the Lord happy are ye all yea thrice happy shall ye be for evermore because ye have stedfastly believed the most sweet Promises which God the Father hath made unto you with his own mouth in that he hath promised you which are the faithful seed of the believing Abraham that ye shall be blessed ever world without end The Promises of God your sweet Father as ye do believe so do ye bear record that God is true The testimony whereof ye have worthily born to the world and shortly will full surely Seal the same with your Blood yea even to morrow I do understand He encourageth Gods Martyrs unto their death Oh constant Christians Oh valiant Souldiers of the high Captain Jesus Christ who for your sake hath conquered the Devil Death Sin and Hell and hath given you full victory over them for evermore Oh worthy Witnesses and most glorious Martyrs whose invincible Faith hath overcome that proud sturdy bragging Prince of the World and all his wicked Army over whom ye shall shortly triumph for evermore Ah my sweet hearts the everlasting treasures are full surely laid up for you in Heaven The immercessible and most glorious Crown of Victory is already made and prepared for you to be shortly clapt upon all your happy heads The holy Angels of your heavenly Father are already appointed to conduct your sweet Souls into Abrahams bosome All the heavenly Host rejoyceth already for that they shall shortly receive you with joy and felicity into their blessed Fellowship Selah Rejoyce with double joy and be glad my dear Brethren for doubtless ye have more cause then can be expressed But alas I that for my sins am left behinde may lye and lament with the holy Prophet Psal 119. saying Woe is me that the dayes of my joyfull rest are prolonged Ah cursed Satan which hath caused me so sore to offend my most dear loving Father whereby my exile and banishment is so much prolonged Oh Christ my Advocate pacifie thy Fathers wrath which I have justly deserved that he may take me home to him in his sweet mercy Oh that I might now come home unto thee with my blessed Brethren Well thy will O Lord be effectually fulfilled for it is onely good and turneth all things to the best for such as thou in thy mercies hast chosen And now farewell my dear Hearts most happy in the Lord I trust in my good God yet shortly to see you in the Celestial City whereof undoubtedly the Lord hath already made you free Citizens Though ye be yet with us for a little time your very home is in Heaven where your treasure doth remain with your sweet Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ whose calling you have heard with the ears of your hearts and therefore you shall never come into judgement but pass from death to life Your sins shall never be remembred be they never so many so grievous or so great for your Saviour hath cast them all into the bottom of the Sea he hath removed them from you as far as the East is from the West Psal 103. and his mercy hath much more prevailed over you then is distance between Heaven and Earth and hath given you for an everlasting possession of the same all his Holyness Righteousness and Justification Triumph of Martyrs yea and the Holy Ghost into your hearts wherewith ye are surely sealed unto the day of Redemption to certifie you of your eternal Election and that ye are his true Adopted Sons whereby ye may boldly cry unto God Abba dear Father for evermore so that now no creature in Heaven Earth nor Hell shall be able to accuse you before the throne of the Heavenly King Satan is now cast out from you he himself is judged and hath no part in you he will once more bite you by the heel and then he hath done Gen. 3. for at that time you shall squeeze his head through your own good Christ and so have you final victory for evermore In joyful triumph whereof ye shall sweetly ascend into the place of eternal rest whether your eldest Brother Christ is gone before you to take possâ—ssion for you and to prepare your place under the holy Altar with Cranmer Latimer Ridley Rogers Hooper Saunders Farrar Taylor Bradford Philpot with many other who will be full glad of your coming to see six more of their appointed number that their blood may so much the sooner be revenged on them that dwell on the Earth Thus I make an end committing you all to Gods most merciful defence whose quarrel ye have defended whose cause ye have promoted whose glory ye have set forth and whose name ye have constantly confessed Farewel for a while my dear hearts in the Lord I will make as much hast after you as I may All our dear Brethren salute you They Pray for you and praise God for you continually Blessed be the dead that dye in the Lord for they rest from their Labours saith the Holy Ghost Apoc. 11. and their works follow them Your own John Careles a most unprofitable Servant of the Lord. Pray pray pray To Mr. Green Mr. Whittel and certain other Prisoners in Newgate Condemned and ready to be burnt for the Testimony of the Lord Jesus Another Letter of John Careles wherein he doth animate Green Whittel and the rest of that company unto their Martyrdome THe everlasting peace in Jesus Christ the continual comfort of his most pure and holy Spirit be with you my most dear and faithful Brethren and Sisters of Newgate the Lords appointed Sheep unto the slaughter to the good performance of the great and notable work of the Lord which he hath so graciously begun in you all that the same may redound to the setting forth of his Glory and to the commodity of his Church and to your own everlasting comfort in him So be it Ah my dear hearts and most faithful Brethren and sisters in the Lord what high lauds and praise yea what humble and continual thanks am I bound to give to God our Father for you and on your most happy behalf who so mightily hath magnified himself in you thus far forth in giving you his holy and mighty Spirit to the constant confessing of Christs verity even to the cruel Condemnation and I doubt not but he will do the same to the death Oh happy and blessed are you that ever you were born that the Lord will vouch you worthy of this great dignity to dye for his sake Doubtless it is the greatest honour that God can give you in this life Yea Apoc. 11. if they be so blessed of God that dye in the Lord as the Holy Ghost saith they be To dye in the Lord and for the Lord. how much more blessed and happy then are you that dye not onely in the Lord but also for the Lord Oh that it were the good will of