other yea if it be against the Errors of the times which are up and down in every Corner as certainly it is because so contrary to Antichrists doctrine whose Bishope Priests and Clergy could never endure to hear it without spitting at it knowing they must all down yea their gain as Demetrius said if Christ and his Kingdom once get up as undoubtedly it will â—pace Further you this Work which is â—o full of glory and the leading Card to Romes destruction the worlds conversion Jews Turks and â—â—agans much more our neighbour Nations France Spain and others yea this Nation may be as the rising of the Sun to the world the Son of rigteousnesse Mal. 1. 1. who must arise in every place and inherit all Nations let us give him first ours and from hence let him shine gloriously in the gifts and graces of his Spirit yea make the whole â—and an University for the Saints and every Publick place a place to take degrees pray they can already and Preach they would as well might they practise one as well as the other Let the Fountains run freely and from these living ones let the in-dwellings of God flow forth to water dry yea to water empty places which you judge not considerable for the present till Universities be recruited yea filled with the holy Ghost and learning but one of twenty takes not right this way can two universities fill the world at that rate thousands are too little for our own Land what can now and then one doe to supply every barren place and a great one spoil many yea to preach to every Creature Amongst which if but one perish through your withholding labourers that would freely work in the Lords Vineyard you are guilty but if millions perish how and what then Blood will be required here here and the Lord convince you We are not against you all this while nor will we ever be Give us what we do desire for the good of all men yea give us that and we will be your servants upon all occasions be ye sick be ye absent be ye where you will we will preach for you never whilst we live against you in any kind whatsoever For the Lords sake trust and try us once or twice we have the faith of Christians and that we pawn again give us but your help and a little countenance and you shall have all we have heart hand and purse And now we pray again Good Ministers good Fathers for the Lords sake do not slight gifts and graces and the Breathing of the Spirit nor break our hearts with long delay we long to be omnifying Christ magnifying Christ yea to be pouring out his blood to the world yea we would turn him inside out yea we would make the most of Christ and all of Christ all his works in us and all his works without us all his gifts all his graces all his Ordinances as far as we may we would fain be handling ye the love of Christ and the lovelinesse of Christ the sweetnesse of his Person the joyes of his Spirit and greatnesse of his Merit for the worst of sinners that we would be talling yea and our own experiences what of him we know what of him we see feel and enjoy here besides what we hope for 1 Pet. 1. 9. another day when he and we his Members shall meet and appear altogether to give the world one confounding shew we shall never appear till then but then we shall beloved now are we the Sonnes of God but it doth not yet appear what we sha be but when Christ who is our life shal appear we shall appear Col. 3. 4. John 3. 2. with him in glory would we might beg leave to tell the world this and warn them as Noah did we would then save them as Lot was yea we would smite men and save men like Paul and Zacheus strip men and cloath them by the righteousnesse of Christ yea we would perswade men from the wayes of sin by telling them the terrour of the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 11. yea we would fetch men the worst of men from the high waies and hedges and compell them into Christ Luk. 14. 23. Yea dead ones from the grave of sin and make them live again Eph. 2. 1. Yea and as we would raise them up so we would fetch them down from the pinnacle and top of all earthly glories to glory in a crucified Christ like Paul Gal. 6. 14. All this we would do and all this we could do by the grace of God if the Ministers would but let the godly Ministers for the Lords sake stand a little by yea stand away straight or else we will preach you down and pray you down write you down and pull you down headlong by faith and Gods assistance Men Brethren and Fathers hear ye this day what the Spirit saith unto the Churches and harden not your hearts Rev. 2. 7. Heb. 3. 8. Yea if you have an ear hear what Christ saith to the Churches yea to you and your Churches which are neither hot not cold but let us come amongst them or else he and we will spew you all out together Rev. 3. 15 16. Some cry out let us do it straight we have scarce patience for a day but the Spirit waiteth long grieve not yea quench not the Spirit 1 Thes 5. 19 20. Mark that Scripture Oh ye Ministers of England London White-Hall and thereabouts but will none hear and see who is with us like the little Cloud with Elisha 1 Kin. 18. 44. Our chariots are as strong as yours yea more and more numberlesse look if ye can by Faith you may see the day for us and the many thousands with us Cannot you see Scripture and Prophesies just a fulfilling Is the world blinde hear ye the striking of the clocks if you be indeed awaked and aware of the dayes coming on the Lords Day yea the Spirits day wherein he will be a swift witnesse against every thing that opposeth yea he will be a fire and burn up all hay stubble and the buildings of men 1 Cor. 3. 11 12. Your sitting and your standing if it be not for him as well as from him yea if you be against the Spirits coming forth this winde shall blow you hither and thither like the chaff yea your very name away from the earth and presence of his people Watchmen watchmen are you all asleep Hear the Travellers of Sion Jer. 50. 5. call and ask you what it is a clock yea they tell you what it is and how the night is far spent and the day just at hand Yea the Lords day a day of rest to his people but disquiet to the inhabitants of the earth Jer. 50. 30. Yea to them who are at ease in Sion Amos 6. 1 7. Isa 32. 9 and never minde her travails Take heed ye Kings Priests and Prophets improperly so called yea and all ye Rulers of the earth especially ye whom we
Jonathans was with David froward things are sometimes in our mouths yet our hearts can never be divorc'd nor our affections let go you out of our thoughts no no my Lord far be that ingratitude from us who long since have learned better things and as far be it from you to forget us who were once as deer to you almost as Israel was to Paul for whom he even wisht himself accurst jeapordi'd his life a thousand times hunger cold and perils sure the latter you have done more than ever any did that for us a murmuring people against you and your God whose protection with you the Israel of God under your command was your guard rearguard yea your strength victory in all your mighty battels in every nation Oh that we should do so oh that we should be so unworthy so illy to requit so good a God so good a servant it is our sin let never yours be to revenge or yet be angry with a froward people it was Moses sin you know his punishment far be that from you may you see the deliverance of Sion fully wrought and they as in the land of promise all the priveledges of the Gospel yea this may you see in your dayes and say in the end thereof Let me now thy servant depart in peace so mine eyes have seen thy salvation the salvation of Sion and her deliverance fully wrought and oh that your soul with such expressions may leave this world at once this flattering world whose highest glories joyes and pleasures leaves but sadnesse in the soul of man yea they fill that immortall Jewell with nothing else but shame guilt and sorrow but may your Sun never set in such clouds but like a rain-bow in a hopefull day This is our Prayer and now comes our Petition not for our lives nor our liberties commonly so called but our Christian Priviledge yet not granted to us no nor scarce thought on neither My Lord excuse us we cannot but with hearts grief so speak it care is taken for many things we doubt not the poor the fatherlesse the right of the needy the debts Lawes and Liberties of the Nation as far as this juncture of time will give leave yea further the Gospel and the Preaching of the Gospel by godly sound and able men with the discountenance of all vice and unsoundnesse And yet my Lord is this all far be it from you to think so we look we long we hope for more yea for more than all this and never shall be silent till you or your God and ours hear We look we long for liberty in our selves whilst men have it in their thoughts to crush us for owning Christ too much and yet it is too little yea this is the thing we tend the throne of grace for now whilst we petition you and the godly in your Councel for Liberty in our selves for the word is as fire in our bones the Spirit having long since kindled it we cannot longer now be silent but do claime for this as our undoubted Priviledge Namely the exercise of our Gifts in the open Congregations yea this is so much our duty and a Priviledge that we cannot without guilt sin and shame keep one moment longer silent no no it is too long since we have wrong'd our selves our choycest selves this way and grieved the Spirit to purpose yea we have wrong'd thousands as our selves had our candle been as on a hill which is as underneath a bushell how many souls might we ere this day have enlightned some of which unhappily are in hell complaining of their unhappinesse and our unfaithfulnesse My Lord this is the case and it is plain and clear we are guilty we are guilty in the presence of the LORD yea we confesse before heaven earth men and Angels and all the hoste of both we are guilty and what shall we now do but with ropes about our necks guilt shame and sorrow in our souls now about our work and oh that the the time is so far past and we not aware but the night comes on wherein no man can work for God Christ self or others yet that we may at last be doing to purpose yea for all men My Lord we cry for help and cry we will untill deliverance come by you or else some other way Israel was heard we doubt not but we shall be the like our cause is far better we groan not for outward burdens though some do and that justly too but for the glorious liberty of the Sons of God yea to be set into that by you O my Lord Crumwel now under God our Protector if you shall say the time is not yet come and defer us one moment longer God will lay you by and certainly out of the hearts of his deerest ones and raise up deliverance some other way for the time of Sions deliverance is come will come let men and divels say nay yea the set time is come and the watchmen are on her walls there they see it and the Spirit of Prophesie is in their mouths and they will not keep silent longer you are to guard them that is your Title work and Honour the subjection of Nations without the affections of Gods people is a small thing your greatnesse glory and honour is nothing if while you sit at the stern you guide not the ship for the most to Gods glory the good of his people and souls of all men how much will this tend to both yea to the Nations of which we may with sadnesse say millions perish for want of knowledge thousands have words in their mouths abilities with sincerity in their hearts why should they want incouragement or rather protection by a law for that same purpose for that is all they do desire a small thing for you my Lord to deny to them Let them be tryed and tryed again and again for sincerity soundnesse holinesse and ability in some measure the latter will come on apace when we have this Liberty Protection and Commission to speak in all the schooles of the Prophets and Churches of Christ the national ones In all which we promise by the grace of God whose we are to do nothing against the truth but for it waving all disputes and contentions whatsoever nothing in disdain to our Fathers in Christ but in love to our brethren and sisters especially the little ones yea for their sakes plead we thus and the strangers that knowes not God but you will say they are taught already true my Lord and better then we can do it yet we will not rob them nor unteach them but add a word of our experience in convenient seasons sometimes sooner sometimes later This was practised by your Army to the good of thousands in their marches up and down yea the greatest my Lord you know it well enough the publick exercises are as the bellowes of the Almighty on â—â—s people carried on in the
Spirit their hearts being warmed with the breath thereof might not they then add a word or two of their experience O how sweet would that be from the sence of Gods love so to do one hour before or after would fit us for or fasten those things which now too soon we loose thus might we prophesie how sweet and lovely would the Assemblies of the people be yea how primitive like then would all our deerest brethren return again never more to separate from us but would be as lamps and pillars in our Assemblies And why may not these Jewels and their Lustre shine as well there as where few resort O my Lord bring them forth that have lyen among the pots they will be as doves whose feathers are covered with yellow gold yea let the world see the gifts and graces of the sonnes of Sion more precious than choice silver say unto them upon whom the glory of the Lord is risen arise and shine for their feet are beautifull and their God will be admired yea then will Satan and his Kingdom fall like lightening before the Spirit of the Lord men will not disdain the Saints nor perish for want of knowledge as now they doe whilst they think they have as much as any not knowing what the Saints through grace doe then will the boules of the Temple be usefull indeed other men have laid them by but bring them you out that every one may drink from their experience the waters of life receive the bread of life for that is that we promise now to break and nothing of self further be it from us ever to broach schism faction treason or rebellion yea any thing more than one thing our Lord Jesus Christ his loves and loveliness yea nothing but faith Christ his righteousnesse healing and practicall points we promise to preach nothing else but these things and the humility of Christ for our example nor will we ever slight those stars that â—ed us first to him no no they that travelled with us and pointed out the Lamb of God before us shall never be forgotten if they will be quiet they are our Fathers and woâ—thâ—â—wel of double honor yea we will ever â—ow to tâ—em as Joseph did to Jacob. And now my Lord our old Friend and good Friend will you hear will you help us your â—â—llow members once again in this â—iâ—k of time why should others have the honour from you try and try us by whom you please yea set up such as may do it and the God of heaven set up you in the hearts of his My Lord we fear not the touch many will be â—â—t though most are not so in any measure leâ— them be unbyassed not all of the Cleargy and try us while they will they will find men enough we desire not to run before so sent by you or they nor then out of our calling to the charge of the Nation but here and there as Providence leads to witnesse for the Truth most in our Parishes where our walking is known O my Lord this were Christian liberty indeed this were to be freed from Antichrist to purpose Men talk as if after all we should go back again far be that from the Israel of God and as far be it from you to withhold your hand from this work of his give us this Jewell long lost make up this breach and give us liberty as in the dayes of old and then we will lift up our heads yea voices and sing together yea we will never more complain but sing the songs of Sion and her deliverance fully come and under God and Christ you shall have the glory yea the glory of all we are or have in this particular Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands so have you but Solomon built the Temple and so have you when these tryed stones are laid in every place yea you have then done more for Christ the Saints the World the Souls of men than all the Christian Kings and Princes that ever was none has had a heart nor none has had a hand for this nor none are in memory of Saints to purpose but you shall be for ever yea let our tongues cleave to the roofe of our mouthes if we forget your labour of love in this particular yea though we or some of us have railed at you yea prayed to blast you in your late Proceedings yet will we â—â—g you in our bosomes and say you are more righteous than thousands To wind up all you know our mindes consult not with â—â—esh and blood nor byassed men The Lord Jesus and his Spirit hold you close to the rule keep you waking night by night on your bed to weigh our Petition and if it be right hear us as ever he should hear you in your heart-sick-dying hour when you and this world must part O my Lord hear us we are his though all of his are not with us yet thousands are and why and how can be against us the Word and Spirit is for us yea God himself My sons and my daughters shall Prophesie be not you against us nâ—d none but you can hinder yea against him who hath been your salvation all along yea and them too which at your command have shed blood and lost blood life limbes and relations yea and all upon this account more than any Israel never fought with Amalek on so low account as pay nor we with our neighbours for vineyards shadows and titles no no let it never be said in Gath nor published in the streets of Askalum here or in other countries we destroyed towns cities fired houses spilt the blood of millions and sent souls to heâ—on so low account one valley ful of sculs and bones are more worth than these besides former vowes would be minded and in this the main is paid death would be minded and for this you may take comfort judgment would be minded and for this you may expect a Crown if for any work under heaven O my Lord to have a Crown from Christ with this saying Weldone and Welcome when Kings and Captains shall run to the rocks hills and mountains This is considerable may such considerations ever well in great ment hearts and flatterers far from all your Councels for if you should miscarry good had it been if you had never been or any thing but what you are The Name of Christ the honour of God the expectation of the Saints the eyes of all the nations round about are more on you than any man on earth the Lord God Almighty and the Prayers of his People lead you and your Councel in all wayes of well-doing LEt us now treat a little with the people of the Nation I mean common Protestants that do confesse Christ and that is all and me thinks we hear most of them rail laugh and jear others judging and condemning us for proud fooles and hypocrites and such as if â—et alone will spoil the
AN EMBASSAGE FROM THE KINGS of the EAST TO HIS HIGHNES THE Lord Protector Of England Scotland and Ireland Printed in the year 1654. MY LORD THe soul of man the glories of the world are never sitting face to face nor side by side much lesse rest they as in one bed but are ever looking like the East and West one from another and although in this posture they seem to be coupled it is but by the thred of life which every little distemper years age or causualty snaps asunder tumbling both as in one moment wider from each other than is the Sun and shadow nor are these the soul of man the glories of the world standing still or resting in this present posture back to back but like to penny birds upon a painted board are alwayes dopping down the head and picking one another sure I am the soul thrice noble and immortal may pick and peck for in this flattering-world honours glories joyes and pleasures in a greedy way but these pleasures dig down fast and soon this glory yea God I was about to say the soul of man or breath of his yea they dig down that as low as hell and in a moments time all your dayes my Lord are no more nor are they that compared with eternity if the heavens be but as the wearing of a garment out what is then the life of man but as the putting on or off yea the glance of it much less are all his wants fears hopes joyes and glories O my soul flee away from all these things be at rest yea at work if there be time and opportunity in thy hand to do for God self souls or nations Why should eternity drop upon thee or thou roul into it before thou art aware Do what thou wilt dye and get thee hence to thine own place come no more here men are plotting God prevents the mourners go about the street but the Spirit to him that gave it Go Welldone Wellcome Yours my LORD WILL. BLAKE To the whole Israel of GOD greeting CHurches Saints and Christians a true lover of you all in all forms scarce known or worthy so to be Dedicates this little Book or labour of love to you and your acceptance yea prosecution of which be who will first and most in they are the glory of the world Kings Shepherds Star and Angel leading men to Christ or rather showing where they have laid by him and his truth all which may be done as followeth if you prosecute this businesse to the life not losing one day and how many brave designs have failed for want of that O let it never be said every man mindeth his own things and none the things of Christ you professe much many of you do so but who layes by all a little while for him yea who makes it his whole and sole businesse to advance his Name Fame Kingdom and glory in the world he is not so far gone but he will come again Asts 1. 11. yea as a thief in the night Rev. 16. 15. and his reward is with him Watch for the good man of the house Mar. 13. 35. and know if he did know of the thiefs coming he would certainly prepare and not sleep like the foolish Virgins do not you as do those who are of the night Eph. 2. 2. you are of the day walk as the children of the light and redeem the time because the dayes are evill blessed is he that keeps his garments undefiled and is not found beating of his fellows but walking with his lamp burning like a beacon but who almost does so or mindes that Christ to any purpose who wills longs loves yea crowns us with his own glory the glory of the Father and sets us in his throne Rev. 3. 21. his work we are at and recommend it unto you but if it stick let it lye in the day of account upon his account that shall slight it saying I am not concerned I am not at leisure and I am not well satisfied how when and what it is you would be at well you may shuffel cut and put it off to one another as much as you please but it wil be hardly answered one day and it may begrieve you when t is too late that the best of you all have done no more for him in your present generation do not sit piping or lamenting Mat. 11. 17. things may do well enough for all this what need we care who rules so Christ reigns and his Saints which are best at Prayer and Preaching if we have liberty to purpose for the latter let us be content in the Name of God else never whilst we breath yea without this let our tongues rot and cleave unto our mouths rather then be silent but mannage well that it is enough for Peter Paul Iames Iack or Iohn and the poor Saints so to do our turn will be next and our day is a coming 1 Iohn 3. 2. Iud. 14. what would Ionas Iob Iacob and the rest of good men do but for one Christ whom who almost mindes knowes loves or likes he is so poor mean low far off slow and long of coming to do any thing for one or the other but when he comes it is to purpose his reward will be with him Rev. 22. 12. In the mean time we leave his work with you Churches scattered Saints and others the Spirit bid us do it Yours and every one of yours in the neerest bonds W. B. And the last beast was like a flying Eagle Rev. 4. 7. Such a Spirit should be now in all the Saints this being the last age of the world Let all write with this Quill other Pens are out of date in this knowing age An Embassage from the Kings of the East To His Highnesse the LORD PROTECTOR of England Scotland and Ireland MY LORD PROTECTOR in the Name of God Almighty we the poor unworthy servants of your Lord and Master do with one consent in love zeal and humility Petition you and your Honourable Councel for our Magna Charta purchased by the blood of Christ made over in his Word and witnessed by his Spirit to be our true and undoubted right more than the blood of our veines but the great enemy of Mankinde the Devil and his tail the Pope and the popish Cleargy have robbed us this many years not of health wealth or lives but our Charter our deerest Charter our Christian Liberty purchased as beforesaid but yet withheld O my Lord this is our case and a sad one it is that we redeemed by Christ must thus be bound by men had we never known our Liberty we would not now complain nor this day mourn for it but now our harps are on the Willowes nor can we sing the songs of Sion nor her deliverance fully come whilst we are still in this captivity and freed from all almost besides but may you live to set your hand to them whose hearts are yet with you as
Church in time wise men would weep to see mad men laugh and as much laugh to hear fools rail for their Ministers and they know not what well curse rail jear and do what you will we are still the same yea such as do truly pity and pray for you though you cannot for your selves nor will not so well as you may the Lord Jesus do both for you and open your eyes to see and loath what you love and love what you lâ—ath especially the people of God some of which you would send for if you were to die with speed fetch them fetch them let them come pray well now you have them do not rail that is divilish nor judge them that is presumption or leave your Churches if they should come there to exercise their Gifts they time and your present meanes of grace will too soon be gone if they speak of their experiences they have learned something if they speak of Christ the love and lovelines of Christ Eph. 2. 4. Cant. 5. 16. then it seems they know him and that it life eternall John If they speak of sin the sinfulnesse of that then it seems they loath it if they speak of you and the way to heaven they would save you from the wayes to hell which we are sure you are in if you loath them for their love to God Christ his Word and your souls one of which is more worth than a thousand worlds and although it be your own proper work and the Ministers to minde that yet are we in conscience bound not to suffer sin upon your heads who would not help an ox out of the pit Mat. 12. 11. if like to perish Much more a soul they that this way set theiâ— helping hands can never be your enemies God forbid that these lamps should be so counted though they be not torches lesser lights may be useful so may the gifts graces of the Saints the Spirit speaketh where it listeth John 3. 8. Hear that where ever it be Would a soul in hell say If I were on earth I would not hear the Saints or should a man for heaven say I wil go no further such such are going too ô Friend if you be going to hell or they be going to heaven hear consider before it be too late time wil never come again nor they nor you from the dead to hear one another now you have Moses the Prophets Luk. â—6 31. so are they whom ye despise if they preach to you the same trutâ—s by the same Spirit the Lord make you wise after wit will do no good nor repentance neither one day you may say O that we had the Saints again their prayers light and Counsels when it is too late A certain man where some of these lay prisoners in the late warres thought of them as some of you now do but he being sick to death cryed night and day fetch the Saints again fetch the Saints again but they were gone long before be the Sun-set or near it you are they dead or dying what will good Sun good death or good Saint stay a little longer Any thing avail No no the night comes and none can work John 9. 3. they for you nor you for your selves Let them preach let them speak let them pray while they may if they be against your sins they are for your souls if they be against your customes the old or the new it is for a better may not time before and after Ministers have done be better spent then it is especially the Lords day and the after part of it but you are afraid your Religion will go down take heed that that be not a form rather than a truth many have the form of godlinesse but deny the power 2 Tim. 3. 5. But the bulk of men deny both in England Lord what should be the cause have our Pastors made us so nusling us up in ignorance My people perish for want of knowledge sayeth the Lord Prov. 29. 28. Hos 4 6. And sayeth Christ If the blinde lead the blinde wo be to both Luk. 6. 39. or have you opposed truth and would not see the light because of your deeds John 3 19. Searching light is a saving light if well improved have your Ministers so preached as certainly many have take heed that you refuse not him that speaks from heaven Heb. 12. 25. by their mouths yea and take heed of winking at what you see or may see in guifted Christians they can tell you from experience in their own language the mercies of a God Eph. 3. 18. the heighth depth breadth and length yea to you the worst of sinners if you will accept it but I obtained mercy 1 Tim. 1. 13. Yea they can tell you of his Loves the length and strength of that in some measure which is better than life so sayeth David Psal 63. 3. This love and mercy God sends to sinners sometimes by poor weak plain and unworthy men without Latine Phrases therefore thousands do refuse it yea Christ the Bread the Tree Rev. 2. 7. the Well of life Psal 36. 9. is the like with all his Loves loveliness and vertues Luk 6. 19 upon the same account O Christ who almost knowes thee Who almost owns thee the chiefest of ten thousand Cant. 5. 10. which art all in all in life death and eternity Col. 3. 11. Well this King Priest and Prophet can the Saints tell the world of yea by the Spirit in the Word they can open as it were his side and heart give them out his blood to set their souls free from sin death hell and eternall burnings yea they can give a taste of the life and joyes to come 1 Pet. 2. 3. one drop thereof is more worth than the treasures of the world if well considered yea they can breath upon you the holy Ghost my meaning is they by the Spirit in them breathing from them conveyes the words of life to poor sinners many times thousands can seal to this no fires ever kindled one another like this hoâ—y fire the Spirit of love the Dove in Noahs Ark Gen. 8. 8. rest it where it will it ever brings an embleme of peace from the God of peace O that men should refuse this love this Dove this peace an embleme of peace speckled with the blood of Christ because it breatheth not where the world listeth but it self Joh. 3. 8. Well be ye not offended I go not to throw down men nor Ministers no the Lord Jesus keep up them that are good and watch for your souls as they that must give account for in the day of judgement Heb. 13. 17. and throw down all yea all besides and what I say for Ministers who are your Seerâ— Isa 13. 10. Prophets Watchmen Jer. 6. 19. Shepherds Jer. 23. 4. which have the main care of your souls commited Acts 20. 28. to them by Christ when as he sends them to you and not a lesser benefice
the same I say for gifted Brethren Saints by calling and Profession the Lord increase their number gift them and give them more favour in your eyes not for their sakes but your own these are neither Watchmen nor Shepherds extraordinary in an outward call yet ar they all inwardly so if gifted bound by God reason and nature to do you all the good they can yea they must preach to you by life and doctrine as Noah and Lot to the old world 2 Pet. 2. 5. yea they are bound to pray for you by night and day 1 Tim. 2. 1. and as they are bound by God and Nature to do this for you so are you by Scripture-bonds and common ingenuity to love their persons and minde their Counsels and wholesome admonitions and wo to he that shall storm against it or Pharisie-like grieve at this kind of doctrine Well take heed ye resist not the holy Ghost Acts 7. 51. nor fight against the mind of God from ignorance of his word much more like Shimei to rail and curse good David 2 Sam. 16. 7. I mean good men for nothing but pointing out the lamb of God in John the Baptists absence John 1. 35. or presence either if it be he they point at as certainly they do look for the objects sake that takes away the sins of the world and that by your looking on him the true brasen Serpent which every man should labour to set-up John 3. 14. A Warning-Message or a Parley with the Ministers OF all good men on earth your godly Ministers are the best that are really so and self denying men the most good they do they are to us as the rivers to the valleys they make us by Gods blessing fruitful in good wayes and works yea they make us through perswasion of the Spirit loath the world and love God yea all of God and all of good they bring down God to us and us to God by Preaching they charm us with the loves of Christ and wooes us by the Spirit to make a match with him who is the chiefest of ten thousand and altogether lovely Cant. 5. 10. They raise us from the death of sin Eph. 2. 1. and yet we die again yea dayly to the world Gal. 6. 13. They lift us up they lay us low yea at the gates of hell by showing us our sins and by a word of faith they raise us again by lifting up the brasen Serpent John 3 yea when we are like the Sallamander in the flames of afflictions they make us sing like the Nightingale by showing the good of them Rom. 8. 28. the loves of God Rev. â— 19. yea with the Spirits assistance they can do any thing for us or with us but without that they can do nothing so that it is God alone that doth all Phil. 2. 13. and yet what he usually doth is by them 1 Cor. 3. 6 instrumenâ—ally he wins saves and comforts souls yea the most lost and afflicted ones and so they are the best of men in one sence and do the most good whilst others harden they soften others lead to the pit and destrâ—ction yea some Ministers be witch men with a form in stead of the substance and that a poor empty one too how many have nothing else but old empty nothing stufe from their Pastors yea scarce moral things Law nor Gospel never heard divided nor can many hundreds distinctly preach either the new birth the new Creator the gifts of God the graces of the Spirit how to comfort or cast down they know no more then the plowman doth the Planets such kind of men we loath not their persons but their sin in taking to themselves this high and holy calling the proper Names of it Christs Ambassadors they are and they know not how to treat about the souls of men and heavenly things who are reconciled and who not never making any distinction in praying or preaching to any purpose these Priests never offerd one sacrifice all their dayes for themselves nor those poor souls upon whom they live and feed their family on yea feed bare if a horse be ridden with a hag he will never thrive some say if a man or a Parrish be the like as too many be in England with such a kind of Priest they and their souls can never thrive no it is impossible those set up will surely look to this before they put down us that are gifted can the fish live without water the beast without food or the souls of men without something and where nothing is nothing can be had empty Preaching praying with a little Popery and Latine pleases poor country men for present but dambs them in the end yea and some in the City too else they would never run to Marybone and Paddington and up and down to many places more in the City where the old saints meet for a lick of Antichrist yea the very tail of him but let us leave these snuffes and old Priests time may put them out for all their present hopes and a little treat with our Fathers the godly Ministers and for them we are not sick unlesse it be for more and yet amongst them fair dealing is not used they would not be intrencht upon as they themselves do upon us and our Liberties yea our fathers do so yet you cry out we have too much we cry out we have too little and not without cause especially now when it is in your thoughts to take what we have from us what means the jerks this way in most of your Sermons if it be not so well rob us if you please get what you can in the mean time know we are for Christian Liberty the exercise of our gifts in the same places before or after you for we say they that have hands must work and they that have gifts must the like again so to do is a great advantage to our souls and others and we are bound to do good to all men in an outward way much more to the souls of one another Gal. 6. 10. we must not receive the grace of God in vain 2 Cor. 6. 1. which we do as to others when we do not improve our gifts and graces again according to what is given will be required of every man Luk. 19. 16 23. Mat. 15. 15 16. 2 Pet. 1. 8. Let every man as he hath received the gift administer the same one to another as good disposers of the manifold graces of God 1 Pet. 4. 10. Weigh these Scriptures well and see if we be to be reproved for what we claim as our Priviledge and duty again consider whether by the Word the people of God are any where reproved for exercising of their gifts or were they ever checkt for it before Antichrist crept into the world the Word holds out that if we have any speciall gifts or parts we must exercise them as may be most for the use of the Church and the Spirit of God it
selfish which that there may be danger of we admonish or else give our thoughts may be from the minde of the Lord in this thing also That then our Christian friends and neighbours the Godly of the Parish yea one or two of these bodies may for the honour of Christ the Vindication of the Gospel yea and for the good and humbling of the guifted Christian brother with a great great deal of humility grave and godly exhortation call in and take back his Commission with a dehortation to exercise any more for the present yet after a full manifestation of his godly sorrow not for a week moneth scarce three or four let it be returned and when ever it is with a great deal of grave exhortation yea and prayer among your selves yea ordain none nor Ticket none without that nor let never none claim to or look upon himself as an absolute Minister but as a kind of assistant much lesse to meddle with many things quite out of their sphere as baptizing burying ministring the Sacrament or any such kind of works for these are without dispute the proper office of the Minister who hath the charge of the place and not of these who help onely of good will exercising not every day so constantly as the Minister better misse three Lords dayes than not hit one my meaning is not good and sound matter and now I think how they were served that went to cast out Divels Acts 19. 15 16. upon whom the evill-evill-Spirits fell and cryed out against wounding tearing and sending them away naked and ashamed so say we haply a Ranter vain or ungodly man may attempt to imitate or do in vain glory but let all such take heed the beadel people or Church-wardens do not fall upon them nothing will preserve a man from mischief but sincerity in such a case therefore let all take heed what they attempt from the example of these vagabond Jews and how they do disturb any congregation or come with teares vain wanton notions or delusions of the devil to disturb our holy worship and in case such a man do come mark the sting or poyson of the adder and mildely give a hint of that the Justice will take course if he come too often but for once he may passe as he is but no more by no meanes But as I said but now Scribes Pharisees and Hypocrites will storm and grieve exceedingly notwithstanding all these cautions and cry down for pride Schism faction new doctrine and I know not what yea a legion of lyes they will raise against it but this is one yea a thumper to cry out so unlesse it be in this sence they mean it hath been lying by a long time we do confesse yea and up by Antichrist but be it new or old it must be sold and broached every day an old suit or fashion long laid by is a new when put on again an old Antichristian Errour is the like when it is new broached but we are sure this Gospel-truth spurn'd at by the Ministers whilst they send a Post to Scotland for you know what and what it cost is no new thing but an old thing and that must not be despised nor the old customes of the Saints in the Primitive times too Take a bundle of Texts and weigh them at your leasure we are in haste too Acts 8. 4. 8. Acts 18. 28. Acts 17. 11. Acts 11. 19 20 21. Heb. 3. 13. Heb. 10. 24 25. Jud. 20. 1 Thess 5. 11. 14 19 20. 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. 2 Pet. 1. 20. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 9. James 5. 19. 20. Mal. 3. 16. Isaiah 2. 3. Joel 2. 28. 1 Cor. 14. 34. Col. 3. 16. 1 Cor. 2. 14 15 16. Phil. 1. 16. 17. Num. 11. 26. Mar. 9. 38 39. Surely some of these are to the purpose and never a one in the Biblâ— lookes with a full and broad face against us But to come to the old matter Well are you for the work or are you not You bondmen to the Ministers five to Mr. such a one and ten to Mr. such a one yea and it may be twice as many to another Oh ye captive daughters of Sion Isa 52. 2. Yea Sinah I had almost said the children of the bond-woman Gal. 4. 22 25. But the Lord make you free whose freemen you are if you be Believers have you never read that Text If the Son make you free you are free indeed John 8. 36. We know he hath yea we cry aloud Come out of her my people all kinde of Antichristian bondage and how fast are you in yea tyed by the leg to one Pew or one Pulpit daring scarce for your life misse one Sermon in a whole year of one mans Preaching when a hundred may be five are as good within a mile round here in the City but still you ly groaning under such a one and such a ones Cushion as it were where he beates the Law yea breakes your heart or at least puzles and fills your soul with doubts yea almost quite off from believing that your sins are pardoned which were pardoned long ago For the Lords sake do not sigh and cry if I have not all grace I have none all faith yea to remove mountains especially that of Repentance which they branch out fourty waies sometimes thirty of them in impossibilities hast thou a loathing of sin love and liking to Christ Faith in and on Christ to act and fetch comfort from Christ it is enough yea hast thou nothing of all this Believe thy sins pardoned and they are pardoned yea believe it to be so really and they are as sure as the Lord lives fetch strength from that wash thy face dip thy head back and belly in the blood of Christ the Fountain set open for Judah and Jerusalem to wash in Zech. 14. 1. Yea dabble day and night thy soul there especially in your hot dayes of temptations and accusations yea in such dayes lay alwayes by your thoughts in the Fountain dipping and diving of your souls like the little dive dapper in the mean time put on thy beautifull garments Isa 42. 1. and come away and do not cry I am for Paul and I am for Apolos I am for Cephas 1 Cor. 3. 22. I am for Christ for so do many say dividing him but will you be for us and our old work you that say you are for Christ we are in his way and for his work and resolved upon it by the grace of God you are for Christ in one we for Christ in every man Yea to make him known to every man like Philip we would call Nathaniell John 1. 45. Run and tell yea Preach we was about to say with the woman of Samaria and with the Angel shew where men have laid by Christ and Religion too in these times yea where and when again he is risen in the souls of his and with Stephen witnesse these things almost with our blood I do not see Stephen now I
think of it had much more call then some whom we plead for onely more of God and zeal for God to encourage to the work and I hope we shal have some to begin in every parrish Church if in case the Magistrate give not leave this were a work of honour and worthy to be chronicled amongst the Miracles of the Saints if such a one should a little suffer yea would we could but hear of one or two suffering in such a kind of way what never a bold man in all the Churches now in London that dare come to ours Margarets Pauls White-Hall Covent-Garden or Clements there you may be all wellcome and preach a little Sermon before the Minister comes in the Name of God break the ice some body make a gap in the hedg of Antichrist we will widen it and follow in apace Where is the Bell-weather of the Saints I mean the brave able bold and gifted Christian that can go on in his matter roundly answer all objections bravely look scoffers in the face boldly yea go on with his matter if in case the people stare stand up on the top of the Pewes whisper one to another never minding these things yea in case the Church Wardens which are seldome good cry Pray Sir be quiet and make no disturbance Sir we speak for Christ and will till the Clerk or Minister come if one sheep go first fourty straight will follow but by all means let us first of all draw our Petition if it be but three lines yea and let our hands be to it by all meanes and not one man but every mans name be down but not one more than really godly and blamelesse in their conversations yea let all such in London and all such in England yea in Wales where they say they are good at the work already and have very good successe in one or two places the people flock in amain their Welch blood malignity and ignorance out yea let all subscribe two three or four parrishes may where the Saints be scarce else every one a Petition by themselves yea and as near as may be give notice one Church one country to another so to do yea and come in Person as many as conveniently can it will do my Lord Protector good to see some of his poor old friends and his Souldiers Landlords once again some of which he hath prayed with and for What if a day or two three or a week be lost upon so good an accompt My Lord will bear your charges down with his gracious answer the great Councel hath prepared it already if you will but come Why do you stand staying for a hand or two when you have thousands known to be good godly quiet humble and self-denying Christians some wil come the next day but stay not you for any We have stayed too long they that will not joyn now may hereafter let every man do as the Lord shall perswade him Gal. 1. 10. and let us do so too This was alwayes the rule and saying of one of our best friends In the name of God let us see what he saith now he is still the same man and for the same things we hope though in more power Oh but you will say the people are not yet perswaded No nor never will to any thing for their good Must not we compell men into Christ Luk. 14. 23. Ob. God must perswade them by his word and Spirit Ans This is the meanes commanded to be used and that that hath been frequently blessed and let that satisfie all good men that will be satisfied Acts 11. 21. 1 Cor. 14. 31 Jud. 20 21 22 23. Yea the last ten yeares experience which you say hath filled the world with errors and although many errours were before concealed it was but as the weeds are in the night which are as much then as in the day onely men cannot so well see them as when the light arises but God forbid the the Sun should not shine for fear of these weeds growing or discovering The way to weed the world is not to put out the Lights or Light of the world Math. 5. 14 The Devil errours ignorance and wickednesse may as well hide under a short cote a rigid Presbyterian strickt and strait Last forme as in a Bishops Goun What think ye of Scotland where we be all can Religion for the Kirk and Pearson and in gend faith we will pay the Sectaries Army and the Devil Crumwel the horn of the beast we say of the Lamb Rev. 5. 6. and we are sure he was so to us and we hope ever will be What Stand against the Kirk of God Preach themselves and speak against their Ministers aut aut for shame haang these heretick dogs false lowns and blasphemers yea the curse of God and the holy Kirk light on them all I say What do you think of these poor simple ignorant and bewitched people which never wanted legall Preachers but alas is their harvest like ours or is there not too too much want of our gifted Saints amongst them the Lord convince all opposers upon this consideration and the experience from among our selves for although more errours may be now then ten or twelve yeares ago yet we are sure they are not considerable to the numberlesse number of knowers that are more now than ever in England yea in any place of the world and we hope ye fear egransdamnes a thousand for one hundred and I pray consider that But we conclude with this Prayer The Lord grant our knowledge lay none of us the more low in hell and on the other hand lead some that see and will not towards the sin against the holy Ghost which of all men in the world clear knowers strict Professors and rigid men are aptest to fall into we have told you already who alwayes resisted the holy Ghost and murdered the Lord of life and glory O if ever a Prophet perish in England it will be by Jerusalem meanes the knowing legal godly men Luk. 13. 33 34 35. An Exhortation to the gifted Saints to manage well this Liberty or some Gospel Rules for new Preachers ANd now holy brethren partakers of the heavenly calling joys gifts and graces of the holy Spirit which few or none of the Princes of this world which come to nought do or have known for many hundred years 1 Cor. 2. 6. yet not hid from some of the Princes of this world now in our dayes the glory of the Nation and to you we would be free for we are all so being the Lords bond men and servants yea to some of you in great Authority we cannot but commend it if we could we would certainly command it but do for the present on the knees of our affections humbly intreat you to condescâ—nd to this mean high and low work the work of a few Fishers at the first God himself in Person after though at first of all by many great men Kings
contribute what he hath and yet I know my brethren you have just nothing of your own but a little self-pride and self-covetousnesse earthlinesse and lust anger pride malice emptinesse and fulnesse in your own conceit yea this is all the best of you all have Are not ye stufft with these things hatred and rebuke yea your very hearts as David speakes in another sense and would be seen of men as Christ tells elsewhere being very hypocrites pray preach dispute and Prophesie for nothing else in the world but to get the world because it is a step and stirrup for preferment to be seen of men so to do and glory to the flesh to be counted somebody and a brave Preacher yea almost a Pastor at least a Member and an Officer in the Church of Christ called such a mans Church an ungodly divelish word Who hath a Church but Christ What hath every selfish Saint a Church purchased by his own blood got and brought from the body I know not how No it may be never of it but got into it at a back door or brought in head and shoulders or for company which is best still in the best things But this is stark nought to call any Church of Christ or little peece of his body by the name of this or that or t'other man but be ye what ye will Pastor Preacher Church or no Church Minde what you are in your selves though in Christ we all know you are righteous Col. 2. 10. Yea you especially that are gifted Saints indeed for our eye is still on you and onely you for carrying on this work of Reformation in the world and setting up of Christ in the Popes Chair as it were and if ever he had a pill or a pull this will be one to purpose yea me thinks we see the Rope just about his neck himself hanged up and choaked and the Spirit breathing yea the witnesses which have lyen dead and slain as it were many hundred years or Prophesying in sackcloath at the best are now alive again do not you hear and see them speak pray Preach and Prophesie and their beds green Cant. 1. 16. Fruitfull in their Work successefull in their warre against sin Satan Turk Pope divel divels mates and all the powers of hell Munks Punks Priests Fryars whorish and false worshippers these rogues rovers drovers robbers of the soul of men backs and bellies too Pigmongers whoormongers Applemongers Egg Corn Pease or Baconmongers loving all and better bitts too greedy doggs and Priests that can never bark pray nor preach but are snapping honest men in all hours and companies often on the Ale bench Puffe and tipling elsewhere but the witnesses are up on their leggs again for the King of glory as in the dayes of old And have at away runs the rabble the Kings of the Eall drive these locusts to the West the Divels to their dens and Imps to their dams and Errors to their homes yea all to the Divell most to the Pope many to the Mass-Priest t'other Priest too and his tail lustfull lazy idle simple ignorant wanton loose and vain-glorlous Christians Shakers Quakers and ungodly Ranters some such there be All these and your journey Jobbers hard red faced Clerks Sawers Psalm-men Wardens Pares neither good drunken Readers Sleepers Runners or Baptizers that have alwayes Crosse and Common prayer yea and Godfathers in their Pockets too these are all the long tail of the Priest where these errors like a bag full of catterpillars hang as on an old bush the rising of these Kings Tub-Preachers so call'd fires frights yea burnes bag bush yea the divels nest and all And this is your work mark how Pauls fals the scaffold to the Body all to the ground It is our work and it doth us good to the heart to see how the old idle whoore tumbles yet hang her she will make a brave Hospital and a good piece of Reformation it would be to give her to the Saints for such a kind of use you that are free fit and long for this work yea to be setting up this new Trade as some fools think yea too many good godly choice and precious Saints but take a serious observation though a weak application follow the Jews Temple rent Mat. 27. 51. at the slaying Christ in that was the true worship and true worshippers of God but the worship and worshippers were little lesse then a den of thieves and robbers yea they murdered the Lord of life and glory Acts 7. 52. God teares their worship yea the worshippers in pieces rejecting both by this simile rending the whole Temple in twain yea did he ever since smile on that sinfull selfish people against the appearances of Christ in his own Person and Disciples whom he ever did and doth still love as himself but these zealots in their darknesse doth by the servant as before with the Master one is a Belzebub yea so saith the Scribes Pharisees and Doctors most Temple-men but before this inhumane murther of our Lord Jesus the people cryed Hosanna Hosanna John 12. 13. though after Crucifie Crucifie Mark 15. 13. 14. The Priest leads the people to their sin God rejecteth both they reject the Stone Mat. 21. 42. the Stone rejects the builders Rom. 11. 15. Yea the sacrifice of them all but the Temple then was rent Mind their sin throughly for which this Judgment comes the Person of Christ they loathed the Spirit of Christ is as really now in the members of Christ 2 Cor. 13. 5. As God was in the humane nature of Christ when they hang'd him on a tree this Spirit they cannot come at but how many this day nail this Spirit and the appearances of it yea the very arms and legs of it they crown these appearances with reproaches yea thornes some think they are making such a cap now others see them spit continually in every Sermon I could almost name some that cry for the spear noted ones C. A and others what hath this love and speckled Dove done against these men which good work is it they would now stone him for is it for enlightning the world or filling their hearts with joy which others did with sorrow for convincing men too much of the deeds of darknesse John 16. 8. or distinguishing of the works of holinesse wills and inventions of men all which this Spirit doth must and was to do yea to fill the world with Prophets but take heed ye despise not these little ones Mat. 18. 6. yea erring ones for so they are in the esteem of most men Touch not the anointed of the Lord he hath rebuked Kings for their sakes nor do these Prophets any harm Psal 105. 15. If ever you do know God and men forewarnes you of medling with these or his little Churches which you are too apt to spit at and speak hardly of but the work of God is carried on by these little trees scattered Saints and Churches yea God and his
't is no matter for so much let us have a little life in what we have and therefore put nothing in your Bibles but here and there a word according to our first directions Most men will laugh if thou speakest fine words and knowest not whence they are derived much lesse prate not of the Original some things are hard to be understood enough is wrest not the Scripture a Pet. 3. 16. Speak what thou knowest and know what thou speakest Preach by thy life Mat. 5. 16. In every ten shillings that thou getest lay by one for the poor Prov. 19. 11. I would to the Lord the Tythes were theirs that have most need the poor Saints the Church land to the poor sinners something would do well twelvepence every Lords day would do good and Tradesmen must lay by for the Saints and one for another every Lords day more or lesse what do ye talk of sixpence 1 Cor. 16. 1. Yet a mite is acceptable Mercy is as good as sacrifice I will have that and not t'other saith the Lord Hos 6. 6. Many Saints or worldlings as they may be called will have one and are much in that little little nothing scarce in t'other If a man be worth fifty pound yea a crown clear and will do no good in some cases he shall never feed my soul that will not feed my body too in a great distresse James 2 17. John James Peter Paul would loath such a Preacher yea lover of the world Rom. 12. 13. By no meanes preach for or against a point that is disputeful Rom. 14. 1. especially about Baptizing 1 Cor. 1. 13 14 15 16. mind this Scripture ye great disputers for it seldome misse the Publick although you do not pray Preach or expound and do that most it is much one and the same thing What matter whether thou ever goest up to the Pulpit Yet speak near it and not at the other end of the Church If ten be in the Church or Chappel one may begin with Prayer and another brother may expound one or halfe a Chapter but for Christ his sake have a care what ye say you know many thrust themselves too forward ye many times the most unfit and unable learn first then teach but be not ever learning you might have been good Preachers by this saith Paul Hâ—b 5. 12. Observe that well all ye that oppose When the Minister and people are all come then go no further in Prayer or rather in expounding Never stay for Psalmmen or Readers they may all go plough play or sing Te Deum and yet we are for both in the Publick places but why should any but a godly man do either we think St. Paul had no such Clarks and readers as too many have yea we think there must be almost as great a call for either as for Preaching yet the worst may touch the Ark here though they fill the pot and pipe all the week besides but not a godly grave and sober Christian by no meanes able to preach pray and expound sweetly by the Spirit would some of you would prove these mens Callings before you disprove ours which reason God and nature seems to allow Doth the rose send forth its sweetnesse the vine and olive too their fatnesse and are we to make the most good of every good thing but the gifts of Gods Spirit must ly still or hid as in a napkin and yet the Bee carries all her honey to the hive but we must carry nothing to the Church of Christ though we labour for it as the Ministers do yea fetch it from the same flowers and promises so that it is just the same thing we bring and by the same Spirit but we are cloathed in gray yea in fools cotes many times and made the scorn of the world for bringing honey to the hive Surely God doth nothing in vain yea every thing for the most advantage he gives the rain not for the earths sake alone but for man and beast gifts and parts seems to us to be given for some such publick end else why are we bid in a generall way so earnestly to covet for it 1 Cor. 14 1. Meditation is as good as Preaching for a mans self yet covet to prophesie to your Family sayeth the Minister one neighbour or two then say we it is as lawfull if a hundred comes and more publick too then theirs if there he but ninety nine the People not the Pulpit makes it publick But let us go on with our rules and keep some arguments behinde parts and Ministers will turn all yea the Moon some say to green Chease yea and this Sun to darknesse too if men will believe all that some of them say but observe well their end that shall bitterly write or preach against this truth yea see if these men dy the common death of other Saints which is to be most fruitfull in their old age like Davids tree Psal 1. 3. Isa 27. 6. But we fear these men will be like the figtree the broken bough or fallen leaf underneath the tree or high way side yea if they do not weather God hath not spoken by us have not we observed Be silent O earth God is risen out of his holy place Zach. 2. 13. And the blast of the terrible One shall light upon them Isa 25. 4. Well but if any be free to stay longer than the Minister hath done then exercise again when the rest are all gone out Acts 13. 15. If it be possible let three or four gifted Christians keep a meeting up in every publick place as now they do in a Parler which is too private Mat. 10. 27. to begin and end just at an hour and alwayes give a little bread or something to the poor of the Parish 1 Cor. 16. 2. One rich Saint may do that for the honour of all and never hurt himself this may toll in poor men and beggers unto Christ whose souls are as precious as the Kings of Nations and more to be pitied too for their poverty and ignorance yet both more worth then a thousand worlds Mat. 16. 26. Get the Minister as often as may be to be with you not to speak by no meanes they will eat up time too much Minde this gathered Saints and Churches most of your Pastors are very guilty this way and I pray God there be not a popes toe in this also why should one have almost all the time Let them keep and see it best managed how their flock and people thrive and what light and life is amongst them this will guid and help them all in Preaching knit and tye hearts and hearts together More might be added as the sending of your gifted Saints ten twenty thirty miles for a moneth more or lesse Phit 2. 19 25. If he be free and well able to defraud his charge else the friends of Christ must do it for him the rich contributing double and treble who can spend means better
and let ever some of these true travellers of and for Sion be travelling to one place or another Preaching to and enquiring after Saints and their walkings all along the rode alighting still to visite every sick and afflicted one This will be as a Messenger of a thousand did a brother so come to a Saint sick or dying he would be received as an Angel of God as Paul speaks in another case what a Messenger from the Saints ten twenty or thirty miles to visite me like Sion whom no man regarded Jer. 30. 17. For my poverty or weaknesse surely the Lord alone sent him as Joseph said to his brethren but never take this journy without the State gifted Brethren Saints and as many Christians hands as may conveniently be got of the neighbourhood yea the Ministers if it can be got and half a dozen of honest men going to him may do much if he be a good one else take it not by no means and let this with a godly Justice be by the States order to impower you to command the keyes in any place Church or Chapel now in England in case the Ministers or Church-wardens be malignantly opposite and upon their and the Constables perill let it be if any should be wronged going so forth And this is the main work of all we would be at and not so much preach where there is little need unlesse it be to improve our time and talents yea never where there is an able Minister but a little before he comes and after and yet we would have a care of tyring men too much a six a clock Lector may do well in any mans Church in the Summer mornings John 8. 1 and 2. Psal 63. 2. and perswade the Minister to come or send his servants rather he himself may be busie in his study and let all consider if want be within three or four miles off London some Chappels quite shut up others none but Masse Priests Common-prayer men that can preach and pray no more than a cat to any purpose to supply them what want then must needs be twenty miles round well you see your work we your willingnesse for the work The Lord be with one all and every one of you in your journeys yea the mighty God of Jacob Gen. 19. 24. Make you strong against all oppositions from men or divels yea the beast of Ephesus which Paul fought so often with 1 Cor. 15. 32. harmlesse and wise as serpents in the managing of your gifts and Liberty Mat. 10. 16. successefull as the primitive Saints Acts 2. 46. 47. through the zeal of Paul who became all to all men to gain some 1 Cor. 9. 22. caught and begot many by gile 2 Cor. 12. 16. beged and beseeched them to Christ by the mercy of God Rom. 12. 2. to whose mercies loves armes joyes and blessings gracious presence and assistance we commit you by prayer and let all be sent forth so and let them follow you yea every one of you which are willing to spend and be spent for Christ 2 Cor. 12. 15 which none almost minds besides Phil. 2. 21. O Christ how few owns thee in this Nation called by thy Nam How few lives to thee that profess much sweet Jesus our deerest dear keep them that do from all enemies as in an Ammunition of rocks Isa 3â— 10. Let bread be given to them their work and water never fail Amen Amen Lord Jesus Christ IF any unsatisfied man or men without pride self or passion would seriously read squier Shepherds little book Called the peoples Priviledge and Duty guarded against the Pulpit and Preachers increachment never answer to any purpose but as one Lawyer doth a lost cause who must say something to please his simple cliant who hath fed and feed him all along yea a little balling pleases some when mony and cause is both lost and it may be still some will shoot against the light of the Spirit but take heed of looking too much against this truth or those Arrows which self pride parts or malice may shute upwards at it but read squier Shepherd once or twice soberly over you that are willing to be satisfied in these truths which doth and shall prevail and now though the sea rores Psal 46. 3 4. and makes a noise yet will we be glade there is a river the streams thereof shall refresh the City and Citizens of our God that are now dwelling on mount Sion and not Sinai in Arabia the wildernesse of strife and bondage Gal. 4. 24 25 26. And now if the drift of this be erroneous for a wanton Spirit or against our Lord Jesus whip us at the cart or hang us up in chains till we and our names rot and this is our Petition also to you the high and great Councel of these Nations yea good my Lord do one or the the other for us it is the onely way to get our hearts to purpose why should you loose the choicest thing under heaven next to the heart of God and we the main fruit of all our travell blood and treasure O my Lord the night comes when none can work John 9 4. Remember that ye sleepie virgins of Sion Awake awake for our deliverance O Arm of the Lord Isa 51. 9 10. and let all the Churches now in London yea in England hear what the Spirit sayes to them Rev. 2. 29. in this day of their visitation W. B. A Hint of some Texts we fain would be at Col. 3. 11. HE is all and in you all Christ is all in all in and to himself and in the eye of the Father and working of the Spirit he is all and in all to his Saints the last and present help and hope of siâ—ners he is the light life and gâ—ory of the world the image of the Father the Son Rock Well Water Spring Morning Star light life and comfort of the Saints all in all to them in his Names and Titles sweet Jesus Lord Jesus anointed Christ God-Man Man-God Immanuel with and â—n us Titles King of for and in the Saints to keep save help and deliver all Believers from sin death hell flames men divels dangers grave sting curse and curses Law fears bondage and captivity yea a Priest to pray day and night he interceeds continually when we do and cannot at the Throne of grace if we live die or sin he is still our intercessoâ— a Prophet to us when we pray preach study minde think or meditate that is sweet heaven comes down soul goes up world laid by we dye live and contemplate our God but Christ is all in all in health sicknesse wealth plenty want poverty all cases of all kindes whatsoever yea in life and death Christ is all and he that hath him shall not cannot dye nor lye long in the grave John 11. 26. and it is dead whilst he lives and shall live when he dyes with to and before the throne of God and the Lamb singing glory praise honour and salvation Palmleaves white Robes throng of Angels Rev. 7. 9. Wicked men dying so curse gnaw cry houl tear damn roar with in and among brimstone pitch rosin worm conscience satire scrich owle divels fighting flying teeth gnashing damned souls crying altogether frying for refusing Christ who is all in all little pleasure profit stories vaâ—n glories crownes Kingdomes names fames capps knees bowings melancholly musick joyes toyes moments pleasure earthly treasures sweet meat soure saâ—eâ— What is all to he and and what is he to nothing t'other nothing gets nothing loses all for nothing Oh Christ be my portion what will all avail me when I come to dye or a little thatch he whose goods wife children are all burnt by a fire their welfare thee lesse if thy soul misearry for want of this All. This and these Texts we fain would be at Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world John 1. 29. If ye be risen with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God Col. 1. 3 4. And when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we also appear with him in glory Jud. 20 buy of me gold tryed in the fire that thou mayest be rich Rev. 3 18. Build up â—re another in your most holy faith what shall it profite a man to gain the world and loose his own soul Mat. 16. 26. I sleep but my heart wakes Cant. 5 2. Bear you one anothers burdens and so fulfill the Law of Christ Gal. 6. 2. Vnlesse a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God John 3. 3. The night comes when none can work John 9. 3. Speak not evill of dignities Jud. 8. Wo be to you when all men speak well of you Luk. 6. 26. Every man seeks his own things but none the things of Christ Phil. 2. 21. Thy loving kindnesse is better then life therefore my lips shall praise thee Psal 63. 3. God is love and they that dwell in God dwell in love 1 John 4 16 I have fought the good slght I have finished my course henceforth is laid up for me a crown of glory 2 Tim. 4. 7. If any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10. 38. Yet when ye have done all say ye are unprofitable servants Luk. 17. 10. I am come into my garden my sister my spouse Amen even so come Lord Jesus Can. 5. 1. Rev. 22. 20. Thâ—se Texts and no other by the grace of God would we Preach and study but if cursed be the man that doth the destroying work of God negligently Jer. 48. 10. much more he that hinders this wilfully but we are ready not onely to be bound but to dye for Christ at Jerusalem yea welcome all for him Acts 21 13. FINIS