appears amongst men in sinplicity bringing forth the Fruits of the Spirit Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gal. 5.20.25.22 23 24. Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance Mercy and good Will to mankind And so persevering in the Way of the Lord thy Experience will increase in the knowledge of the Foot-steps of the Flock of Christ Jesus Cant. 1.8 seeing first how thou wast turned from Darkness unto the marvelous Light of God's Holy-Day Acts 26.18 with which thy Heart was searched and sin became exceeding sinful and unexpressibly burdensom And then thy Soul cryed out in distress unto the Lord God for Deliverance Psal 12.5 who hath heard the Cry of the poor in spirit and sighing of the needy and made bare his delivering Arm and in due time gave Remission of sin and a blotting out of Transgression Acts 3.19 And then Times of Refreshment came from the Presence of the Lord and from the Glory of his divine Power that hath wrought effectually for the cutting off from the Wild Olive and brought thee out of the Broad Way and planted thee into the heavenly Vine of Life that is the Way and made thee a Branch of the heavenly Vine daily receiving heavenly Sap and divine Virtue from this heavenly holy Root and then lets thee see thy daily spiritual incumbant Duty which is to abide in the Vine Christ Jesus Joh. 15.4 5. For as the Natural Branch cannot bring forth Fruit except it abide in the natural Vine no more can any bring forth Fruit to God acceptable except they abide in the heavenly Vine Christ Jesus So Neighbours and Country-men thus coming out of the Broad Way of Sin and Iniquity Mathew 7. and walking in the Narrow Way of Righteousness and Holiness following the Lamb of God Christ Jesus in the Regeneration ye are fitted for his glorious Kingdom and they are indeed blessed that are come to that state who can in truth say For them to live is Christ and to dye gain Phil. 1 2. Surely these have put off the sins of the flesh the old Man with his Deeds and have put on the New Man who is created after God in Righteousness and Holiness Ephes 4.24 For our Life here is very uncertain and momentary so that when we lie down in the Evening we are uncertain of rising in the Morning and when we rise in the Morning we are uncertain we shall live until the Evening so as the Servants of God said Our Life is like Water spilt on the Ground that cannot be gathered up again it is like unto a Weavers shuttle quickly displayed and cut off Job 7.6 and like the trace of a Bird through the Air. Well therefore since our Life is so uncertain and Death so certain dear Country-men and Neighbours in the tender Bowels of Christ Jesus I beseech you for your own poor Soul's sake whilst you have time a very little time so to number your days and remember your latter End Psal 90.12 as to apply your hearts to that heavenly Wisdom which teacheth and instructeth to walk in the Narrow Way of Self-Denyal which leads to Life Eternal that when the Messenger of Death comes the King of Terrors to all Evil Doers it may meet with you walking in the Way of Life that endures forever Job 18.14 Joh. 14.6 which will be the Comfort Joy and Satisfaction of all Men and Women that have prized their precious time that God Almighty hath given them in the Riches of his Infinite Love to obtain the heavenly Translation out of the Kingdom of Darkness Col. 1.13 into the Kingdom of his dear Son Christ Jesus and thereby is fitted for that Huor Psal 146.4 5 6. that when nothing but DEATH is expected every Moment thy Breath in thy Nostrils withdrawing and thy dear Relations Friends and Acquaintance are about thy Death-Bed Mourning and Lamenting thou canst comfort them with telling thy spiritual Experience that thou art passed from Death unto Life spiritually Joh. 5.24 and that thou art assured when this Earthly Tabernacle is dissolved thou hast an House from Heaven made without hands eternal in the Heavens 2 Cor. 5.1 2 3 4. an Eternal Immortal Mansion of Joy and Ever-blessedness that having fought the good Fight 2 Tim. 4.7 1 Pet. 18 19. thou hast overcome Sin Death Hell and the Grave through him that hath loved and redeemed thee with his precious Blood Christ Jesus the King of Eternal Glory and the Seal of God's Favour is upon thy Soul and the Joy of his Salvation on thy spirit Heb. 11.25 And callest thy Neighbours that are ignorant of this precious Work Oh Neighbours do not content your selves with the Pleasures of Sin which are but for a season Oh! a little season indeed and lose your own souls and be shut out of the Paradise of God Oh! but redeem your time spend no more of it in sin and Iniquity in vain and foolish Discourses but prize every hour Matthew 7. 1 Pet. 1.8 walking in the Narrow Way that ye may enter in at the strait Gate into the Kingdom of Joy and Immortal Glory where the Redeemed enjoy endless Blessings of Peace and unspeakable Consolations in the beholding the Amiable Coelestial Beauty of him who sits at the Immortal Table of divine â—ove saying Eat O Friends and drink O Friends Cant. 5. of the Bread of Life and let your souls be satisfied with the fatness of the House of God Oh! Here in this Kingdom is an end of all pains Sorrows Burdens Tears Rev. 2.10 Mat. 5.11 12. Conflicts Cruelties of Wicked Men an end of Inhuman Ungodly Imprisonments and here the Redeemed of the Lord are out of the reach of all cruel Hard-hearted men yea here the Weary are at Rest in an Immortal Sabbath beholding him who is a Fountain of Gardens Cant. 4 15. and Well of living Waters and divine streams And here the New Song is sung before the Throne of God in the springing up of endless encreasing Joy and divine Refreshments Rev. 7.12 in which ariseth Blessings and Glory Wisdom Thanksgivings Honour Power and Might be unto our God foreyer and evermore Amen Friends Neighbours and Country-men who may have any doubt which are true Prophets Ministers or Teachers of Christ Jesus and which are false Prophets Ministers and Teachers of Antichrist since there have been both through many Ages of the World unto all such I make this friendly reasonable and Christian Proposition namely to do like the noble Bereans who were desirous of Truth search the Scriptures from Genesis the first to Revelations the last and mark in what Way they walked and what Fruits they brought forth that were true Prophts Ministers or Teachers both under the Law and Prophets and on the other hand what Way they walked in and what Fruits they brought forth that manifestly were declared to be the false Prophets Ministers and Teachers by the true Prophets
Christ Jesus and his Apostles so may ye safely conclude those that walk in the way of the true and brings forth the Fruits of the true Ministers of Christ Jesus to be now true and those false now that walk in the Way and Footsteps of the false Prophets and Ministers of Antichrist So search the Scriptures in the spirit of Truth that leads into all Truth and receive Christ Jesus's Precept Mat. 17.12 14. about the streight Gate and narrow Way of which I have in his Love treated before and in vers 15. following he saith Beware of false Prophets c. v. 16. Ye shall know them by their Fruits c. True Ministers Christ sent them forth to prench the Kingdom of God saying The Harvest truly is great but the Labourers are few pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest that he would send forth Labourers into his Harvest go your wayes behold I send you forth as Lambs among Wolves carry neither Purse nor Scrip nor Shoes and into whatsoever house ye enter first say Peace be to this house and if the son of peace be there your peace shall rest upon it if not it shall return to you again Luke 9.2 3. ch 10.2 3 4. The Elders which are among you I exhort to feed the flock of God which is among you not by constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready mind neither as being Lords over Gods Heritage but being Ensamples to the stock 1 Pet. 5.2 3. Read Mat. 10.7.14 Luke 3.4 5. ch 10.10 11. Acts 2.17 18. ch 20.33 34. Rom. 12.7 8. to 17. 1 Cor. 2.13 14. ch 4.9 10 11 12. ch 9.18 19. 2 Cor. 3.4 6. Col. 1.25 1 Thes 2.9 2 Thes 3.8 1 Tim. 6.10 11. 2 Iim 2.24 ch 4.2 1 Pet. 4.10 11. Jer. 7.25 False Ministers Thus saith the Lord concerning the Prophets that make my People err that bite with their Teeth and cry Peace and he that putteth not into their Mouths they even prepare War against him the heads thereof judge for Reward and the Priests thereof teach for Hire and the Prophets thereof divine for Money Mica 3.5 Wo be to the Shepherds of Israel that feed themselves should not the shepherds feed the flock Ye eat the fat and ye clothe you with the Wool ye kill them that are fed but ye feed not the flock c. Ezek. 34.2 3 4 5. Also read Psal 94.3 4. Isa 46.10 11. Jer. 2.8 chap. 5.25 to 31. ch 14.13 14 15. ch 23.11 13 14 15 16 21 25 26 30 31 32 33 34. ch 27.16 ch 29.8 ch 32.32 ch 37.19 Ezek. 13.2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 16 17. ch 34.2 3 4 5 6 7 8 c. Zeph. 3.4 Mat. 6.5 ch 7.15 16. ch 23.7 8 13 14. Mark 12.38 39 40. ch 13.22 Luke 6.26 John 10.12 13 2 Pet. 2.1 2 3 4. ch 2.3.4 1 John 4.1 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. ch 4.12 Jude ver 11 16. POSTSCRIPT A Memorial of the Tender Mercies of the Lord unto Bristol's Inhabitants with an Invitation to and Lamentation over them OH Bristol Bristol a City savoured of the Lord and tenderly dealt with by him how good hath the Merciful Compassionate God been unto thy Inhabitants and to the Countries round about thee It s now many years since ye were exercised with the Sword and Pestilence since which how many Favours hast thou received and enjoyed in an abundant manner from the hand of a tender merciful God! Thou hast been in thy Buildings much enlarged and thy Inhabitants much in creased Corn Wine and Oyl with Riches and abundance of the good Creatures even all things necessary hath the Lord God Almighty given thy Inhabitants And in the season he stretched out his hand over the Metropolitan of this Nation and with the dreadful Stroke of the Pistilence took away Multitudes even many Thousands he shaked his Hand only over thee taking away a few of thy Inhabitants as a fatherly Threatning and then giving thy Inhabitants and many places in this Land an opportunity and season of wonderful Kindness and great Mercy to fear and dread his Great Glorious and Terrible Name and wonderful Power and by that terrible Judgment provoke thy Inhabitants with the Thousands of this Land every one to repent and turn from the Evil of his Doings and remove the stumbling Block of their Iniquities c. And not only these Mercies and Favours hath the Lord extended to thy Inhabitants O City of Bristol which surely ye cannot but confess unto but he hath shewn thy Inhabitants a Mercy exceeding all these namely he hath visited you Dwellers in that City with the Morning of his holy Day springing from on High and by his Coelestial Light hath shined in the Hearts of many to give an Understanding of their states in the Separation and Alienation from God and to beget tender Breathings and Soul Pantings after the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Saviour and Redeemer of Mankind for without the Knowledge of God and Christ Jesus whom he hath sent Eternal Life cannot be obtained And this Day of unexpressible tender Visitation from God Almighty reached unto many of thy Inhabitants and awakened them inwardly to seek after the Knowledge of Salvation and to walk in the narrow Way and experience the Work of God before mentioned in this little Treatise c. Oh! Prov. 1.20 21 22 23. how hath Wisdom uttered her Voice in the streets She cryeth in the chief places of Concourse in the opening of the Gates in the City she uttereth her words saying How long ye simple Ones will ye love simplicity and ye Scorners delight in scorning and Fools hate Knowledge Turn ye at my Reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit unto you I will make known my Words unto you Indeed the Lord God of Life and Glory hath through his Son Christ Jesus called unto and stretched out his divine Hand of Love and Arm of Salvation unto you and thus the Lord in unexpressible loving Kindness hath dealt with thee O Bristol sparing thy Inhabitants and lengthening out the Day of his Love stretching out his Hand and Arm all the day long and crying to you as he did by his Prophet to Israel Why will ye dye O House of Israel Ah! the Tenderness of a Long-suffering God! How hath he waited on you that his Long-suffering might lead to Repentance and your Turning Repenting and Forsaking your sin and Iniquities that have grieved his good spirit might have prevailed with the Lord to spare you Oh! what shall I say of the deep Love and wonderful Kindness of the Lord and his long waiting on you but in the sense and Admiration thereof say VVho is like to the Lord excellent in Majesty Almighty in Power Glorious in Strength and VVonderful in VVisdom and Mercy Well might the servant of the Lord cry out and say Prov. 1.24 25 26. Oh! the Height Length Breadth and Depth of the Love of God in Christ Jesus to the Sons and Daughters of
A Tender Visitation IN THE Love of God UNTO All People every where Particularly unto the Inhabitants of Wiltshire Gloucestershire and Bristol And to my Neighbours in and about Tetherton Calloways and the adjacent Towns and Villages By Charles Marshall 〈◊〉 21.8 And unto this People thou shalt say Thus saith the Lord behold I set before you the Way of Life and the Way of Death Prov. 6.23 For the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and the Reproofs of Instruction are the Way of Life Prov. 4.13 Take fast hold of Instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy Life Cor. 5.10 11. For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his Body according to that he hath done whether it be good or bad knowing therefore the Terrors of the Lord we perswade men c. Rom. 2.9 10. Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul of man that doth Evil of the Jew first and also the Gentile but Glory Honour and Peace to every man that worketh good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile for there is no respect of Persons with God London Printed and Sold by Andrew Sowle 1684. A Tender Visitation c. Friends Neighbours Country-men AMongst whom I have had my Conversation in times past in the sear of the Lord God of Heaven and Earth and now being a Sufferer in this Prison for Jesus Christ's sake I am constrained in his tender Love to visit you by these Lines stirring you up to a tender and serious Examination and Consideration What Way on are walking in seeing there is but Two Ways as Christ Jesus saith Mat. 7.13 14. Enter ye in at the strait Gate for wide is the Gate and broad is the Way that leadeth to Destruction and many there be that go in thereat because streight is the Gate and narrow is the Way that leadeth unto Life and few there be that find it Now commune with your own Hearts and be truly still in your Minds and say unto your own Souls Job 22.15 What Way are we walking in For Christ Jesus here takes no notice of the many Ways and Professions of Religion both among Jews and Gentiles Isa 45.17 but plainly concludes all People walking in one of these Wayes namely the wide Gate and broad Way or the streight Gate and narrow Way It s true Prov. 14.12 there are now many Wayes and Professions of Religion in this Age of the World but now as then they are all concluded under these two Rom. 8.6 Prov. 72.7 Matt. 3.8 John 15.2 The Way of Life and the Way of Sin and Death And as these Two Wayes are contrary one to another so are the Fruits different that are brought forth by Men and Women walking in these Wayes All that are walking in the broad Way are bringing sorth the Fruits of the broad Way which are Wrath Matt. 15.18 19 20. Gal. 5.19 20 21. Murder evil Thoughts Adulteries Thefts false Witnesses Blasphemies which the Apostle also summing up together saith are these Adulteries Fornications Vncleanness Lasciviousness Idolatry Witchcraft Hatred Variance Emulation Wrath Strife Sedition Heresies Envyings Murders Drunkenness Revelling * Mark Neighbours Revelling and such like and saith that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 John 15.2 Now these are the Fruits of the broad Way and of those walking therein And this Way is called Broad because here men may walk in their Sins and Iniquities Prov. 4.15 16. in the Pleasures and Vanities of their Minds and the Gate is wide to receive all that spend their precious Times both Morning and Evening of their Day Psal 86 11. and not in the Fear Awe and Dread of the holy God And here the Multitude as aforesaid walk in this Way Prov. 15.9 10. for the Enemy of Mankind the Devil cares not what men may profess in words of God Christ the Kingdom of Heaven Religion and Worship while they continue walking in the Broad Way which leads to his Kingdom of Darkness Prov. 4.19 Matt. 15.7 8 9. Hence it was that the great God by his Servants the Prophets and Apostles testified against their Worships and Performances and that of several things which were once commanded And why ye may see it was they had forsaken the Right Way of the Lord and were performing their Worship in the same Nature Psal 146.9 Spirit and Way they were sinning in against God their Hearts were corrupt and Consciences defiled And he complains by Isaiah chap. 65.2 I have spread out my Hands all the day unto a Rebellious and Gain-saying People which walk in a Way that was not good after their own Hearts Prov. 12.16 This Way that was not good was the Broad Way in which they were as now many are walking in notwithstanding all their out-side profession of Religion and as saith the Lord by his Prophet Isaiah chap. 1. v. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17. To what purpose is the mâ—ltitude of your Sacrifices unto me saith the Lord I am full of Burnt-offerings of Rams and the fat of fed Beasts and I delight not in the blood of Bullocks or of Lambs or of the Hee-Goats When ye come to appear before me who hath required this at our hand to tread my Courts Bring no more vain Oblations Incense is an Abomination to me the New Moons and Sabbaths the calling of Assemblies I cannot away with it is INIQVITY even the solmn Meeting your New Moons and your Appointed Feasts my Soul hateth they are a trouble unto me I am weary to bear them And when ye spread forth your hands I will hide mine Eyes from you yea when ye make many Prayers I will not hear your hands are full of Blood Wash ye make ye clean put away the Evil of your Doings from before mine Eyes cease to do Evil learn to do well seek Judgment relieve the Oppressed plead for the Widdow c. So you may see Acts 17.23 24 25 26 27. Isa 55.7 that no Performances of Worship or Service were any longer acceptable in the sight of God than they were performed by Men and Women walking in the Way of the Lord denying themselves and cleaving to the good Spirit of God which the Lord said by his Prophet he gave to instruct and guide them but they saith the Lord rebelled against it Gen. 3.17.18.24 Isa 43.27 28. Gen. 4.7 8. This is the broad Way Adam and Eve through Degeneration went into when they disobey'd God and transgressed his Righteous Law and Commandment This is the Broad Way that Cain walked in when he slew his innocent Brother Abel This is the Way that the Old World walked in Gen. 6.5 6 7. Gen. 6.3 when they had through disobedience turned aside so as that the Lord said My spirit shall not always strive with man and it repented the Lord that he had made
Man on Earth and it grieved him at his Heart This is the Broad Way in which Israel walked when they had forsaken the Lord the Fountain of their living Mercies Jer. 17.13 and provoked him to Anger both in the Wilderness and through several Generations as you may read in the Prophets whom the Lord sent to testifie against them 1 Cor. 10.22 Psal 119.104 Mat. 27.46 This is the Broad Way the Scribes and Pharisees were walking in notwithstanding all their great Professions of Religion who killed the Lord of Life and Glory Christ Jesus This Broad Way is that which the apostatizing Christians walked and are walking which Jude pronounced Wo against Jude 11. because they walked in the Way of Cain It was a going out of the Narrow Way of Obedience and walking in the Broad Way of Disobedience that brought the Judgments Plagues and Calamities Lamen 2. Miseries Exhaustings and Depopulations of Nations and Kingdoms from Adam's day to this day 'T was going out of the Narrow Way of Obedience into the Broad Way of Disobedience Gen. 3.17 18. Gen. 4.11 12 Gen. 6.5 6 7. Exod. 32.3 4 5 6. Isa 34.1 2 3 4 5 6. that brought Misery on Adam the Curse on Cain Destruction by a Flood on the Old World Judgment on the Children of Israel in the Wilderness and sore Plagues and Calamities through several Generations as you may read even all along in the Prophets and then what befell Jerusalem and that People and since through the Ages and Generations to this day Now having in short said something of the Broad Way and Wide Gate and of the Walkers therein I am to write something of the Narrow Way and Streight Gate which Christ Jesus saith John 14.6 Jer. 6.16 few find This is the Way called in Scripture the Antient Way of Holiness and is called Narrow and the Gate Streight because no double-minded Man can walk therein James 1.8 Prov. 10.29 For all mankind that come to walk in this way must leave their Iniquities behind for there is no coming out of the Broad into the Narrow Jer. 10 2â— but by putting off as the Apostle saith the Old Man with his Deeds and this is effected by adhearing Ephes 4.22 joyning and obeying the Grace that came by Christ Jesus Tit. 2.11 12. which the Apostle saith bringeth Salvation teacheth to deny Vngodliness and worldly Lusts and not only so but leads into a living Godly Righteously and Soberly in this present World This makes manifest the Broad Way gives a sense of the Destruction it leads to Isa 30.20 21. and leads out of it into the Narrow Way And albeit this Way is narrow and the Gate streight to mankind in the Fall and Alienation from God walking in the Broad Way laden with Sins Jer. 22.36 as before-mentioned yet as Men and Women come out of the broad Way and from delighting in Unrighteousness and come to delight in following the Lamb of God Mat. 19.28 Christ Jesus by his Spirit who leads the Obedient on in the blessed work of Regeneration Isa 42.16 he will see that the Way of the Lord is a pleasant Way and the Just man's Path a shining Light Prov. 4.18 that shineth more and more to the perfect Day and so shall drink of the Brook of Comfort and Consolation by the way and say with Solomon Ch. 12.28 In the Way of Righteousness is Life and in the Path-Way thereof there is no Death Mark Life to the Soul Ch. 13.15 is Death to Sin here the Ransomed by the precious Blood of Christ Jesus return to Sion with everlasting Joy upon their Heads But now all that come to walk in the streight Way Heb. 10.20 and enter in at the streight Gate Luke 9.23 24 25. must take up the Cross of Christ Jesus daily and deny themselves and in the strength received by the heavenly Grace of God resist and withstand all the Temptations of the Devil who Tempts most to that Sin and Iniquity he knows Man is most prone to but when he comes to Tempt Prov. 2.7 8. and thy mind exercised in the Light of Christ Jesus 1 Pet. 2.9 thou seest his Temptations and thy Soul's Desires and breathing Supplications ascend to the Lord God of Strength for the lifting up of his spiritual Standard in thy Soul against the Temptations and power of the Enemy in every evil Thought and Inclination 1 Cor. 10.13 in which the Enemy worketh first And therefore in Matt. 15. ver 18. thou mayst read Christ Jesus put Evil Thoughts first before Wrath Murther and Adultry James 1.15 c. for there is a time of Sin 's Conceiving in the inward parts before bringing forth and finishing which the Apostle observing saith When it is finished it brings forth Death for the Wages of Sin is Death but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ c. Now the holy Light and saving Grace of God gives the sight John 1. and makes a discovery of Sin in its first arising even when the power of the Enemy worketh to Tempt and Allure man and draw him aside but now while it is only in the Temptation James 1.14 James 1.12.13 and man in the Spirit of his mind not joyned to the Temptation it is not charged as Sin but when man gives up and closeth with the Temptation so as to obey it then is Sin finished and brings forth Death Rom. 6.16 For his Servants ye are saith the Apostle whom ye obey whether it is of sin unto Death or of Righteousness unto Life Now read here a little Neighbours and Country-men How far reacheth your Experience in this Narrow Way where Men and Women with their sins cannot walk for this is the Holy Way and Divine Path Psal 16.11 Prov. 4.18 that man finds in his coming out of sin and departing from all Iniquity But some will be ready to say If we should hearken to this Counsel and obey the Grace of God thou art directing to Tit. 2.11 12. which brings Salvation which the Apostle says Teacheth to deny all Vngodliness and worldly Lusts and not only so but it brings to live Soberly Godlily and Righteously in this present evil World and so teacheth to forsake the Devil and all his Works tho Pomps and Vanities of this evil World and all the sinful Lusts of the Flesh Ephes 14.22 which many have promised in their Baptism so called and so have our whole Conversation changed and become other men not walking in the way most of our Country-Town or Village walks in we fear we should become a By-Word and Scorn of our Neighbours and Acquaintance nay Psal 27.10 11 12. we doubt our Kindred and near Relations would forsake us and we should become as strangers unto them and lose their Respect and it may be lose our Imploy and Trade and endanger a disappointment on our selves
of the expectation we had from some Relations and should we go to Markets and Fairs Psal 24.11 and use but few and savoury Words in our Dealing as the fear of the Lord teacheth and refuse to drink to Excess Psal 5.8.12 beyond what Nature requires for its nourishment and refreshment and not be vainly Merry as in times past we were Prov. 2.15.20 Prov. 4.19 should be a Derision and a By-Word and scorned by such who have been our Companions in those things in times past And this might be very hard to bear not only to us but also some nearest Relations To which I Answer If any should meet with such Exercises as these for turning from Sin and Evil Ps 139.24 and ceasing to walk in the Broad Way which many walk in as aforesaid there is no cause to be discouraged Ps 119.104 for those saith the Scripture that depart from Iniquity make themselves a Prey Psal 69.12 And the Servants of the Lord were the song of the Drunkard And the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 4.1 2 3 4 5. Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of Riot speaking Evil of you who shall give an Account to him that is ready to judge the Quick and Dead Psal 58.11 So look over all the Reproaches you meet with for Righteousness sake Prov. 2.12 13. Psal 71.7 Psal 71.8 Mark 8.34 Luke 9.23 Rom. 8.18 For ye may remember how Christ Jesus the Lord was Reproached for following whom ye may be reproached But after ye are exercised in the Narrow Way taking up the Cross of Christ Jesus despising the shame you will feel that Soul-satisfaction inward Peace and divine Consolation that will administer that heavenly Content that will out-ballance all Exercises and Tryals of this Nature so that you will have often cause to magnifie the Lord Psal 71.15 16. and to say He is good and abounding in his Love and Tender Mercies over the workmanship of his own Hand who hath visited our Souls when we were posting on in the Broad Way of Destruction Rom. 3.16 17. and had only a Profession by the hearing of the Ear of God Christ and his Kingdom Scriptures Religion and once a Week confessing We were miserable Sinners erring and straying from the right Way of the Lord but knew not the True Repentance Acts 3.19 which is alwayes accompanied with a true forsaking Sin and Iniquity But the God of the Hebrews hath met with us Acts 17.30 31. Joh. 1.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. who beheld us as Bond-Slaves in spiritual Egypt and he hath visited our Souls with his heavenly Morning of Light by which we have seen our sinful Ways and Life in Iniquity and vain Worships which was so far from being performed in the Spirit that we were some of that number in our Parish that despised the Spirit Luke 10.16 and mocked them that worship in it which is the Antient Worship Christ Jesus set up above sixteen hundred years ago as ye may read Jefus said unto the Woman John 4.23 24. The hour cometh and now is the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him for God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth So we see now that all Worship not performed thus in the Spirit and Truth hath no Acceptance with the holy righteous and equal God of tender Mercies and Compassions through whose favour we contemn and despise all the Reproaches for his Name-sake Heb. 11.26 1 Pet. 4.14 rather chusing to suffer Reproaches with a People truly fearing God and eschewing Evil than live in the Pleasures of Sin which is but for a season 2 Thes 1.6 7 8 9. Luke 16.23 24 25 28. and then ends in Torment Pains Miseries and Astonishment beyond all expressions of Words c. Now where any poor travelling Souls are thus exercised in coming out of the Broad Way into the Narrow Way of Life Eternal and inwardly waiting on the Lord receiving the Instruction of his Heavenly Gift Prov. 10.17 such will see and understand more and more of the Heavenly streight Gate and narrow Way and it will be daily more and more easie and delightful to the Obedient so that such will Experience what Christ Jesus saith Take my Yoke on you and learn of me Mat. 11.29 30. for I am meek and lowly in Heart and ye shall find Rest unto your souls for my Yoke is easie and Burthen light The Yoke and Burthen of Christ Jesus is indeed easie when the Mind is subjected unto the saving Grace of God which teacheth as I mentioned before what to deny Ephes 2.5 6 7 8. Psal 119.265 and how to walk so as thou mayst have an answer of Peace in pleasing God the Fountain of all our Mercies and then when any mock or scoff thou wilt remember thou wast walking once in Ishmael's way of Scoffing as they are and thou wilt pity them and thy Soul will be concerned for thy Neighbours Relations and Acquaintance crying to the Lord that as he has visited thy Soul through his Grace that brings Salvation and shewed thee Kindness so he would do for thy Neighbours And this leads into the Christian Nature and Spirit not to render Evil for Evil 1 Pet. 3.9 Anger for Anger Scoffing and Reproathing for the same but Good for Evil Love for Hatred praying for them as Christ Jesus did Father forgive them they know not what they do So following this meek Lamb of God the Saviour of Mankind thou wilt have an encreased sight of the difference between a Christian in Name and a Christian in Nature A Christian in Name is such that have only an outside Profession of Christianity God Christ the Scriptures and Religion drawing near to the Lord with the Lips Isa 29.13 Mark 7.6 and honouring him with the Mouth whilst the Heart is going after Sin and Vanity and is far from Righteousness c. A Christian in Name and Profession of Christianity only is a Talker of the narrow Way and streight Gate but is a Walker in the broad Way having a Name to live Rom. 11.28 29. but is dead in Sins and Trespasses But a True Christian in the divine Nature is Circumcised inward and is a Jew inward one that is born again without which Christ Jesus saith there cannot be an entring into the Kingdom of Heaven Joh. 3.5 so is really changed in Nature Joh. 15.11 and cut off from the wild Olive and planted into the true Vine the Divine Nature from whence Fruits of Christianity are brought forth here the Circumcision is not that of the Flesh John 5.4 but that of the Spirit A Christian in the Divine Nature is one that hath followed the Lamb in the Regeneration and so hath put off the evil corrupt Nature and now
men of the extending of which Love you the Inhabitants of that City have been large Partakers c. But now O Inhabitants of that great City how have ye answered the Lord for all his tender Mercies and undeclarable loving Kindness Hive you so hearkened to the Voice of Wisdom as to break off your sins by true Repentance Have you heard her cry and turned to the Lord Have you loved Judgment Mercy Truth and Righteousness Are ye of that Number that shall obtain Mercy because ye are Merciful In a word Have ye answered the Requirings of Almighty God and prized the Day of your Visitation and all the Mercies multiplied unto you honouring the great Creator of Heaven and Earth in bringing forth the Fruits of the Spirit Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meeknoss Temperance c. But O Bristol Bristol have you not evilly requited the Lord Have ye not slighted the tender Day of his Loving-kindness Are not your Sins of a deep Die and your Iniquities of a Crying Nature like unto the Sins of Sodom and Gomorrah great and grievious And are you not bringing forth Fruits altogether contrary to those of the Spirit before mentioned which are these Adultery Fornication Vncleanness Gal. 5.19 20 21. Lasciviousness Idolatry Witch-craft Hatred Variance Emulations Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies Envying Murder Drunkenness Revelling as the Apostle saith they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God Read and consider whether many of you thy Inhabitants are not guilty of several of these grievous Sins summed up by the Apostle Is not Violence in your hands as it was in Nineveh Are not you cruelly Persecuting and Imprisoning those whose Cryes ascend to Heaven and are entred into the Ears of the most high Lord God of Sabbaths Are not vain Lifeless Professions and Prophaness multiplied in thee Oh! consider these things and be invited in the Bowels of Christ Jesus to break off all these Sins by Repentance and turn to the Lord God with all your Hearts and Repent as the Inhabitants of Nineveh did who cried mightily to the Lord and said Yea let them turn every man from the Evil of his way and from the Violence that is in their Hands who can tell if the Lord will turn away from his fierce Anger that we perish not but if ye shall still go on and persist in your Iniquities Prov. 1.24 25 26. and resist the Counsel of God against your selves then hear the Voice of that Wisdom that invited and invites Because I have called and ye have refused I have stretched out my Hand and no man regarded but ye have set at naught all my Counsel and would none of my Reproof I will also laugh at your Calamities I will mock when your Fear cometh as Desolation your Destruction as a Whirl-wind when Distress and Anguish cometh on you then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me for that they hated Knowledge and did chuse the Fear of the Lord they would none of my Counsel therefore shall they eat of the Fruit of their own Way and â—e filled with their own Deâ—iâ—es c. Ah poor Bristol what Lamentation shall I take up over thee First in the Consideration of the unexpressible Love Mercy Tender Dealings and Long-suffering of a tender Father secondly of thy Inhabitants grievous Sins Ingratitude and great Provocation which is a very unsuitable return to the Lord for all his tender Mercies And thirdly of thy deplorable estate on several considerations but mourn over thee in the Compassion of the Spirit of Christ Jesus who when he was come near Jerusalem he beheld the City and wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy Day the things which belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes c. My Soul is concerned for you deeply in the sence of the Lord 's being angry with you because you have and do continue to sin against great Mercies yea adding Sin unto Sin Oh! be prevailed with to go on no further in the Broad Way of Destruction before demonstrated lest you provoke the Lord more and more and he pour forth his Fury like Fire Oh! Inhabitants of Bristol Awake Awake high and Low Rich and Poor Male and Female Bond and Free consider your states in this Evening of many of thy Inhabitants Day Ps 2.11.12 before it be too late Return return and serve the Lord with Fear and Trembling kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish from the Way when his Wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they that put their Trust in him Oh! that the Dread of the Most-High God might seize on your Spirits to give you that sence the Inhabitants of the City of Nineveh had John 3.5 6 7 8 9 10. and what Mercy and Kindness of the Lord followed the turning every man from the Evil of his Way and from the Violence that was in their Hand might be thy Inhabitants lot how should my Soul rejoyce and Spirit be right glad and bow before the Lord God of the whole Earth in Humility with Thanksgivings c. But if you will harden your Hearts and stiffen your Necks and will not hear my Soul shall mourn in the sight of your Distress that will overtake as Travail on a Woman wherein your Faces will gather Paleness your Hearts be filled with Anguish Fleet-Prison the 9th Moneth 1683. C. M. AH thou holy Most-high God of Mercy and tender Compassion look down with an Eye of Pity on the Inhabitants of the Earth and send forth thy Light and Truth more and more to guide the People out of the Broad Way of Destruction into thy narrow Way of Life which leads to thy Holy Mountain where there is no burting nor destroying O! that through the glorious out-stretched Arm of thy Salvation Sin may be finished and Iniquity brought to an end that the Righteousness of Christ Jesus the dear Son of thy Love may cover the Earth as the Waters cover the Sea Ah! for thy Name 's sake hear the Cry of the Poor and Sighing of the Needy and stretch forth thy Arm and deliver thy oppressed out of their Distresses that thy Creation O Lord may be eased and thy great Name and the Noble Acts of thy Almighty Arm and divine Power may be renowned gloriously through all Lands Amen Amen THE END