THE Last WORDS AND TESTIMONIES Of and for William Allen. Late of Cowen in Essex a faithfull Servant of the Lord who finishing his Testimony departed this Life the 21. of the 11th Month 1679. LONDON Printed and sold by Benjamin Clark in George yard Lombard-street 1680. The last Testimony and living Words of our dear Friend and Servant of the Lord William Allen who departed this Life the 21. of the 11th Month 1679. THe Earth is filled with the glory of the Lord Praises Praises unto my God who Reigns over all who hath Redeemed my Soul from the Grave and my Life from the horrible Pit who hath plucked my Feet out of the mire and Clay Glory Glory be unto thy great Name Oh my good God! As for my part I have fought the good Fight and have kept the Faith and a large share of the Glory of my God is sealed unto my Soul it s but an earnest of it that I have here of that Crown of Life and Glory which my Father hath in store for me It hath pleased the Lord to exercise me as he did my Father Job for the tryal of my Faith and Patience I have troden his Steps these twelve Months A full reward thou hast given me of Life and Glory Oh my good God! how good art thou to me I have received abundance of good at thy hand and shall I not receive a little evil Blessed be thy name for thy goodness my Cup overflows I cannot utter it And so continued at times oft expressing the glory of the Lord and the Immortality that rested upon him and charged friends to be faithful and that the dread of God might always be upon their hearts that they might answer his Love in yeilding Obedience to his requirings and then though they might meet with Exercises for the tryal of their Faith yet the Lord would be with them if they abode faithful to the end And the same Crown of life they should enjoy which he had an assurance of Therefore said he Watch and keep your Garments and Oyl in your Vessels that ye may be ready to enter with the Bride-groom But as for those that shall continue in Hypocrisie and Disobedience shun the Cross of Jesus and neglect to work while it is day the night will come upon such and that at unawares when neither the Father nor the Son works and the foolish Virgins state they will be found in and though they may desire Oyl of the Wise they will have none to spare â—ut the door will be shut upon such and the Sentence will be time shall be no more then woe and misery will be their Portion for â—ver He divided the word aright to his two Daughters and giving them good Counsel and Exhortation said there was a blessing for â—hem for their Fathers sake if they should bow â—o Truth and abide faithful therein He longed he said to hast away but was â—illing to drink the Cup at his Fathers hand â—nd wait his pleasure More was spoken by him as friends came 〈◊〉 to see him and as his strength would perâ—it which was not taken in writing Then his â—peech growing very low he could not well â—e heard and seemed for some hours to lie as â—he was departing at last he said to a friend was almost gon but I cannot go yet there is â—me secret counsel of God in it which cauâ—d friends to believe that he had yet a farther â—estimony to bear to some which was so for â—â—er some little time more friends coming in he was beyond outward likelyhood enabled to declare much to them and exhorted to faithfulness and said I am glad to see my friends about me I go to my God and your God my Father and your Father my bosome is full of Love to all my Fathers Children And then said now Lord Jesus how acceptable is it to leave all the World and be gathered up to thee And so commiting his Spirit to the Lord soon fell asleep and is entred into Rest and Immortal Glory The Testimony of Martha Allen concerning her deceased Husband William Allen. I Have parted with a man of God a Minister of Jesus Christ an ancient in Israel who hath fought the good Fight and kept the Faith and is entred into his rest He would often lament for those that set down in an easful State and would often say that a terrible day would overtake those that are careless and at ease in Sion that slumbers away their time who are in the Holes and Caves and Dens of the Earth And in the time of his health that he was able to go forth and visit friends he would oft say to me God hath made me aâ— Huntsman I must visit many of them there as â—n their Holes and Caves I must be clear of â—heir bloud And would oft speak of the â—ore travel and pangs that he had for some which made his Soul oft sorrowful as unto death So in that truth light and life that dwelt in him am I given up to follow the Lord to the end of my days till my change comes who am a Companion to all that fears the Lord. Martha Allen. This is the Testimony that lives in my heart â—oncerning my dear and well beloved friend William Allen who died the 21st day of the 11th Month 1679. Who in his life time was a man of an upright heart and walked in the integrity of the Gospel of Christ of which he received a dispensation in the early days of his convincement about the year 1654. And the Power of the Lord made a speedy change â—n him and stirr'd up a Zeal in his Soul against â—he false ways and worships superstitions and prophaneness of those times Which Zeal for God produced living Testimonies from him in divers Towns and places where he travelled against those things which were evil which sometimes occasioned him to come under hard sufferings bonds and imprisonments In all which he behaved himself as a Faithful and Couragious Souldier of Christ Jesus and a good example to his fellow sufferers Preaching the Gospel of peace both in life and doctrine stopt the mouths of many gainsayers And had a sweet and comfortable effect upon many who were reached in their Consciences by his Testimony and Ministry and by his innocent Conversation so that they embraced the Truth he Preached and suffered for and became Heirs of the Salvation of God to their everlasting comfort and the furtherance of the Gospel I have known him about 24 years In all which time his Conversation in the Churches of Christ where he was led to labour and travel was amiable and lovely and his Testimony received with good acceptation among the faithful He was a man of a severe carriage to such as made a profession of Truth and walked not with a streight foot in the Gospel but very tender over all such as were young and under exercises about their inward condition and did sometimes speak very effectual to
their conditions to the easing their afflicted Spiriâ— as divers have testified and can testifie He was a good example in this Countâ— where he lived encouraging friends both bâ— exhortation and diligence in observing thâ— good order of truth to keep things cleaâ— and to keep the Gospel void of offence 〈◊〉 much as in him lay and after he fell into 〈◊〉 way of trade in the World his care was 〈◊〉 keep his word and that men might be paid iâ— due time according to their expectations 〈◊〉 which thing it would be well if all the profeâ—sors of truth would follow his examplâ— He was a man that never exalted himseâ—â— above his Brethren but carried a good respect to them and to their counsel and judgment according as God had given judgmenâ— and wisdom to his Children neither did hâ— exercise himself in things too high for him but dwelt in a contented Habitation in thâ— measure and dispensation of the Grace anâ— Gospel committed to him serving the Lord Jesus and his Church and people therein with out weariness to the end of his days noâ— eying his own Interest thereby but in simplicity of heart ministred to every ones condition according to the leadings of the gift oâ— God that was in him In fine His Life and Conversation made â—n lovely and his End was honourable and 〈◊〉 is crowned with Immortality and eternal â—fe and hath left the World in a good age â—ving attained to about 63 years and hath â—t an example of Innocency and Sincerity to â—em that are left behind and blessed will all â—ey be that in Faithfulness follow the same â—d fulfill their Race as he hath done they all also partake of the same Crown of Imâ—ortality and eternal Life Steven Crisp Great hath been the loving-kindness of the â—ue God who after a long night of darkness â—at hath been over the Nations yet he hath â—t left himself without a Witness which in â—ery Age and Generation strove with the â—ns and Daughters of men and bore witness â—to him and gave men to see what it was â—at he required of them and in this Age as 〈◊〉 other Generations he hath raised up Witâ—sses and Ministers who has born testimony 〈◊〉 the Coming of Christ and of his being â—ade manifest in Spirit in the hearts of Men â—d Women among whom was this faithful â—ervant and Minister William Allen who is gone to his Rest prepared for him having â—nished his course in a good time in the feeâ—ing of the Power and Majesty of the Lorâ— of which I am a Witness with him I beiâ— with him a few days before his departurâ— when I saw him in great weakness of Bodâ— yet bearing a sweet and heavenly Image aâ— his spirit livingly breathing to God whiâ—â— brought the day of my tender years in whiâ— I first saw him into my remembrance whâ— first the Lord shined upon me and gave me sight of the good Land this man of God bâ—ing the first publick Minister of the Gospel 〈◊〉 Jesus that ever I saw whose appearance wâ— beautifull and lovely and God's Image wâ— upon him and he bore the Image of the heâ—venly his words were weighty and graâ— Sentences who looking upon me and peâ—ceiving my weak condition he breathed uâ— to God for my growth and preservation 〈◊〉 the Truth which blessed be the Lord Goâ— heard his Prayers and answered the desire 〈◊〉 his Petition for indeed I was as a Branâ— pluckt out of the fire This was the Love 〈◊〉 the long-suffering God who waited to 〈◊〉 gracious to the workmanship of his hanâ— Oh Lord keep me in the remembrance of thâ— â—y for ever that thy Name may be honoured 〈◊〉 me for surely thy Love is great and thy â—ercy endureth for ever to thy seed that â—eaths after thee and cannot be satisfied â—ithout the enjoyment of thee praises to thy â—ame for ever â—orwich the 3d. 1. Mo. 1679 80. John Fediman The Lord having visited a Remnant in our â—ge and Generation with the knowledge of â—s everlasting Truth by causing his Day to â—wn from on high did raise up several faithâ—â—ll Ministers as Instruments in his hand for â—e carrying on of his Work and redeeming â—s people from the Kindreds Tongues and â—nguages and from the many by-ways â—ere they were scattered upon the barren â—ountains to bring them to the one Shepâ—â—rd and one Sheepfold among whom was â—r deceased Friend William Allen who was â—lled forth near the beginning of the day â—d endued with a living and powerfull Miniâ—â—y whereby many by him were turned from â—rkness to light and from Sathan's power to â—e power of God some of whom remains â—is day as the seal of his Ministry which though it was not adorned with the words 〈◊〉 man's wisdom yet it was reaching and coâ—vincingly effectual unto many who weâ— made sensible of the Life that dwelt in hiâ— and by which he sounded a certain Alarm 〈◊〉 those he travelled amongst being mostly iâ— Norfolk Suffolk Essex and Cambridgeshirâ— and Parts adjacent and was read and undeâ—stood by the breathing travelling Babes tâ— whom he ministred suitably giving Milk tâ— them and Meat to those of riper age hâ— being skilfull in dividing the Word aright so that by him the mourners were comforteâ— and the feeble strengthned and encouraged tâ— persevere on in their most holy Faith but hiâ— testimony was as a sword to the rebelliouâ— and disobedient and would oft declare thaâ— the Message committed to him was not onlâ— to proclaim liberty to the captives and glaâ— tidings to the meek but the day of vengeancâ— of our God to all that obeyed not the Gospel that being convinced of the truth satâ— down in a whole-hearted state and knowinâ— God did not like to retain him in their knowledge and therefore would oft cry In aâ— much as the day hastens wherein the Lord would take vengeance on such in flames oâ— fire Come away come away haste flee for our lives come out of Babylon stick not 〈◊〉 her skirts partake not with her of her sins â—st you partake of her plagues but come up â—ome up to the holy Hill that you may beâ—old what the Lord is doing in his Sanctuary â—ho is creating Jerusalem a praise and her â—eople a rejoycing the day being now come â—at was prophesied of that she should be inâ—â—bited without walls the Lord himself beâ—â—g a wall of fire round about her and her â—ory in the midst of her Therefore let the â—habitants of the Rock now sing and shout â—oud for joy for Sion's Light is come and â—â—e Glory of the Lord is risen upon her and 〈◊〉 now become as an overflowing Stream And it was not only given to him to beâ—â—eve but also to suffer for the Testimony comâ—itted to him being in perils and prisons oft â—s at Colchester Castle being taken at Weathersâ—eld as he was going to a meeting near that â—own and committed by Dudly Templar â—alled Justice Anno 1658. as also at Camâ—ridge-Castle Ely and Lyn while he
was at â—â—e Castle at Colchester he having after some â—me some liberty granted him was made â—erviceable there sounding forth the everlasting Gospel so that divers were awakenâ— and gained to the Truth amongst others 〈◊〉 was made instrumental to me and hath beâ— as a Father to me for these divers years seeâ—ing and travelling for â—y preservation in tâ—â— way of life so that we were near and dear 〈◊〉 one another and oft have I been refresheâ— with many more through that stream 〈◊〉 Life that ran through him in the Assemblies 〈◊〉 the Lord's people so that I can truly say 〈◊〉 was pleasant to me to sit and hear the sound 〈◊〉 Life through him his care being as he wouâ— oft by way of counsel say to others to waâ— that God might give the breath that wâ— might be as Trumpets in his hand for theâ— only it gave a certain sound his heart wâ—â— upright to God and his care was over thâ— Flock of God where his lot was cast whoâ—â— glory he sought above all and hath his râ—ward with him in Glory for ever though hâ— met with exercises as to the outward man incident to mankind while in this Tabernaclâ— of clay especially within a year and haâ— before his decease being much afflicted witâ— bodily Weakness and Sickness but would oâ— say he was content in the Will of his Fatheâ— and to drink the Cup at his hand In whicâ— â—ime he shewed forth the Meekness and Patiâ—nce of him that dwelt in him and a large share â—e had of his Father Job's exercises as he â—ould himself say But the Lord in due time â—eeing it was enough and that he had born a â—rge share of the heat of the day spending â—nd being spent for the Gospel put a period â—o his days Who was filled with the glory of â—he Lord to the last so that he said he could â—out for joy but that he wanted strength of â—ody which he said was but an earnest of â—hat he should more fully enjoy when this â—arthly Tabernacle was dissolved Who now 〈◊〉 entred into his rest and shines as a Star in the â—irmament and his memory is blessed who â—et lives and with whose Spirit we feel uniâ—y and Fellowship though the earthly Taberâ—acle is returned to its center which unity â—sts and endures through ages and generations â—here the Spirits of just men made perfect are â—elt that are gon before us and that life which â—welt in them remains with us which is our â—oy Comfort and Encouragement to perseâ—ere on in the way of life and to us is a cerâ—ain Testimony that though the Lord is pleaâ—ed to remove his Servants and Prophets from 〈◊〉 he will not leave nor forsake us but will still lead his people as a Flock to the fresh Pastures of life there to lie down where none can make afraid wherein the blessed sence of the overcomings of his love the holy high praises is offered up unto him who is worthy of it for all his Mercies and Blessings daily enjoyed increased and multiplyed upon us who hath been our preserver and upholder to this very day and is our stay and strength in the deepest exercises Blessed are they who keep to him they never are forsaken To him be the Glory and Praise for ever John Furly Junior The Testimony of Ann Furly the Elder concerning our deceased Friend William Allen. HE was a man whom God made instrumental to my being convinced of the blessed Truth and in whom the Power of God much dwelt his Ministry was a living Ministry he lived in that which he declared of he did not only exhort to faithfulness but he was always found in it himself he was Valiant upon Earth for Gods blessed truth and as the Lord required it of him he thought not his life dear but did hazzard it many a time in particular here at Colchester where he exposed himself to the rage of the cruel Troopers to the apparent hazzard of his life in the time of their sore beating and abusing friends when assembled together he then openly declaring the truth amonst us but the secret arm of the Lord preserved him and his people that day that was no hurt done for which the Lord was praised for his great deliverance for it was his Wonderful hand only that effected it And now after all his labours the Lord hath given him a good reward and received him up to glory as he will do every one who abides faithful to what he makes manifest Ann Furly the Elder The Testimony of Martha King concerning our dear Friend William Allen. THis dear worthy of the Lord and Valiant in Israel who engaged in the Lambs Warfare till he overcame he was made aâ— Pillar in the house of God and as a Trumpet that gave a certain sound Sounding forth an alarme from Gods holy Mountain whereby many were awakened to righteousness and their Spirits quickened and a remnant are the seal of his Ministry at this day to whom he was an instrument in the hand of the Lord for the turning their minds from darkness to light and from Sathans Power to the Power of God My Spirit is bowed before the Lord and the cry of my Soul is that all who were so turned by him may for ever walk worthy of the Lords goodness and answer his â—arge love to our Souls so shall we answer the â—abour and travels of this our dear deceased â—riend that they be not bestowed upon us in vain who breathed for the prosperity of Sion that all whose faces were turned Sion-wards night not look back nor linger in the Suburbs of Babylon those that did so he would oft declare should be left behind and Amalek should prevail over them Much might be written concerning the blesâ—ed life and power which dwelt in this our dear â—riend wherein he obtained a good increase â—hrough his faithfulness to the Lord the streaning forth thereof was very sweetly refreshing â—nd consolating to those whose hearts were truâ—y bowed to God Now this remains that we follow his steps â—n all faithfulness holiness and Godly fear and pure obedience to the Lord watching to his Power having a single eye to him the living fountain from whence all our refreshings come that we may have bread in our own Houses and water in our own Cisterns and witness a growth and increase in the increases of God so shall we also finish our course with joy and lay down our heads in rest and peace with the Lord as he hath done Martha King OUr dear friend William Allen is gone and Immortal is his Crown and he is at rest in his Fathers bosom In his sickness he would say that he was filled with the joy of the Lord and with the presence of his Father Our loss is great for I can truly say that he was an Instrumennt in the hand of God to do good to my Soul and to many more and the living presence of the Lord was with him for our Souls have been refreshed with his living Ministry many a time and although his body is removed from us yet we injoy him in that I which is Immortal as we abide faithful Susanna Potter Colchester in Essex 11th 1. Mo. 1679 80. Dear Friends There is something in my heart to wriâ—â— concerning our dear Friend William Alleâ— whom the Lord hath taken out of the Bodâ— but his Life still lives with the upright in heart he was a man that did truly fear the Lord and sought his Glory alone he turned manâ— from darkness to light and from Sathan power to the power of God and there arâ— many living Witnesses thereof The Lord was good to him night and day beyonâ— what words can declare and although hâ— felt Exercises as to the outward man to abound yet his consolation in the heavenly power much more abounded for the Lord fill'd him with the flagons of his Love and new Wine of the Kingdom that he was straitned in the earthly Tabernacle being so filled with the living presence of the Lord â—â—at he would say he wanted room Let me â—o Much might be spoken as to that living â—ower that wrought in him and his faithâ—â—lness thereunto and many of his living â—xpressions doth remain with me as conâ—erning Friends keeping low in the middle â—ath of judgement where the Redemption â—f Sion comes to be witnessed But not â—nto us not unto us but unto the heavenly â—ower Spirit and Life that wrought effeâ—tually in him and preserved him to the â—nd of his days be all praise power domiâ—ion and thanks given for ever and evermore Amen saith my Soul Elizabeth Fryet FINIS