in Lawrence Pountney lately of Black Fryers M r Cradock Minister in Nicholas lane M r Barker Minister at Garlick-hill M r Brag from about Bristol M r Isaac Knight late of Holland Captain Harrison The Lady Mayerne and M ris Iane Done her sister Lady Hartop with M ris Fant her sister now M ris Stock and M r Ric-Wollaston M ris Rolls wife to Judge Rolls M ris Mary Leeb Hanna Trapnel Dinah the Blackmore and those that are named pag. 8. 9 10. and many others The Reason of naming many is there rendred viz. that some more incredulous might the sooner beleeve and reap benefit and not reject the mysteries of God against themselves to their hurt Luk. 7.30 Which may plead excuse for naming them Ioh. 4. 39. For the saying of the Woman many of the Samaritans beleeved on Iesus Joh. 12. 11. Joh. 11. 45. By reason of Lazarus being so raised up many beleeved on Iesus Act. 9. 42. By making knows his raising up of Dorcas many beleeved on the Lord. If some yet say How is it possible that one so young and never understanding to purpose till now should be able so to speak T is answered This is the Lords work and it is marvellous in our eyes who out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hath ordained strength perfected praise Mat. 21. 16. And hath promised to his to powre out of his Spirit in the last dayes upon them and upon their children their sons and daughters Act. 2. 17. 33. 38 39. Our Lord Jesus promised to his Disciples that his Holy Spirit should bring to their remembrance what he had said to them Joh. 14. 26. This good Spirit brought to her remembrance now when it was most usefull what shee had read and heard formerly and opened her heart to understand them and opened her mouth to utter them in an humble melting manner as he had opened to her even when her bodily eyes and ears were held which since April 19. are both of them opened H. I. M r Saltmarsh his Letter For my dear and honored Friend and Cosen M H. JACIE Dear Cosen I Salute you in the Lord. I did much rejoyce in those breathings of the Spirit of God which I found in your little Book OF THE RICHES OF GRACE ADVANCED c. Surely the Lord is teaching his people and fulfilling his promises They shall be all taught of God Joh. 6. 45. And thus his New Covenant with his people shall be more and more revealed and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Isa. 2.11 When I meet with such precious manifestations of the Lord me thinkes I taste those waters of life those rivers of living water which shall show out of the bellies of those who beleeve in Christ Joh. 7. 38. There is not a streame of this water but it proceeds from the Throne of Grace Rev. 22. 1. Zach. 14.8,9 though it flow in the vallies in the poore low and humble Christians I finde in this Spirituall Treatise of yours two things very experiment all the one is her Legall and the other her more Gospel condition In the first shee is in bondage in blackness and darkness and tempest in much distresse and shadow of death her life drawing nigh unto hell and afflicted with all his waues Psal. 88.3.7 In her Gospel state I find God shewing wonders to the dead making the dead to rise and praise him shewing his loving kindnesse in the grave and his faithfulness in destruction and making known his glory in the dark and his righteousnesse in the land of forgetfulnesse Psal. 88.10 11 12. And truely the voice of joy and gladnesse is in the tabernacles of the righteous Psal. 118. 15. I finde that when God reveales himselfe in Christ in his grace and love the Spirit of the Christian is sweetly raised and cheered and the love of the Lord is as wine even as the spiced wine I make no question but the Lord will fill this soule with more discoveries then this of the Riches of grace this truth being that first discovery of God in love Dear Cosen you do well thus to watch the appearances of God in his and to publish them to the Saints I am yours in the Lord JOHN SALTMARSH The CONTENTS or TABLE of the Book Of this Hand-maid her education Parents and dwelling pag. 4 5 6. Her Deep afflictions 1. In Spirit pag. 6. to 15. 10. 42 43. 59 60. 67. 70. 78. 109. 112. 127. 2. In body pag. 7. end 22. 31. end 55. 78. 115. 128. Her soules deliverance pag. 15. 35. 40. 54. 59. 67. 86. 89. Her sight and hearing given at greatest need pag. 24 25. 29. 34. 43 end The Lord refreshing her unable to eat or drink for many dayes pag. 15. 18. 20 21. 55. 57. 91. 116. 131. Her brother hoped for it pag. 5. and saw pag. 30. The Lords power excellent by this earthly vessell being in trances opening his Gospel-treasure pag. 15. to 33. 54.86 Whilst shee was blind and deafe 34. Which after her hearing was restored shee remembred not at all Of like expressions after it pag. 35. to 43. 51. c. CONFERENCES with some troubled about SIN with a Maid with M ris A. 44 45. to 48. with one 61. to 64. with another 65. another 72. with another 76. another 81. with another 99 another 105. with another 122. Other Conferences about her eating 57 58 about her condition now 85. future 89. About Ordinances 87. 118. About Differences among Saints 88. 39. Powring out the Spirit 90. New Covenant all free 91. The Law 92. 94. 115 Duties 93. 118. Endeavours 64. 94. Of Generall Redemption Free-will Falling away 95 96 97. Punishment for sin 98. Why weak after comfort 115. 128. Of enduring Christs reproach 117. Content with Christ alone 117. 22. Not loving God not before 117. Not proud by visiters 119. Of the Trinity 120. Justification and Sanctification by Christ 121. Items against receiving or telling false reports 125. Praises in Zion 119. Against stubbornnes or murmuring 24 30. Against lying and wronging Conscience pag. 7. 153-155 To be trained up in holy Scriptures pag. 6 3â— 42. 59 60. Against unmercifulnes 103 104. The Lord raiseth her body being neerest death 132. by Faith 135. to arise and eat 138. walk 141. A Thankesgiving day Order 144. Summe and USES of all 151. Cautions about OATHS 155. A TABLE of many of the choise places of holy SCRIPTURE that in this Book are cited opened illustrated or applyed Where * is here added the Translation is neerer the Hebrew or Greek Page GEn. 22. 14. Iehovah jireh God will see 156. d ve 18. Gen. 26 4. All Nations-blessed 97 a 124. q Gen. 41.14 Iosephs garments changed 101. t Exod. 19. 4. Bare you on Eagles wings 149. a Ex. 34.6 Gracious mercifull long-suffering 53.105 e Levit. 16.21 Scape-Goat bears sin to Wildernes 67. k Num. 11.11 Manna-colour as Bdellium 38. o Num. 21. 9. Looking to brazen Serpent heal'd 81. m Deut. 29. 29.
the Auditors Office and of the Exchequers Office Son to old M r Wight of Daintry Her earthly dwelling is now with her faithful Mother M ris Mary Wight widdow in Lawrence Pountney Lane by Caning-street in LONDON Whose Father was M r Edward Purcel Esquire of Ansloo neer Shrewsbury and whose former Husband was M r Edward Vaughan Esquire the Kings Receiver and Surveyer for Northampton-shire and for Rutland-shire by whom shee had her Sonne M r Ionathan Vaughan now of Alsoules in Oxford Who not long since writ thence a Consolatory Letter to this his sorrowfull Sister SARAH therein saying thus Doest thou despaire because thy Temper is a Lyon for his strength Behold the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah Christ the mighty God who can and will deliver thee out of his paw A fountain laid open for sin and for uncleannesse I verily beleeve that although for the present you lie among the pots of no use yet thy God will make thee a Vessell of Honour an instrument fit for thy Masters use whereby he will square sinners to his own glory c. Thin in his Letter is now fulfilled and fulfilling Shee that was born of flesh and bloud borne in sinne and that was by Nature a childe of wrath is now borne from above borne of God having given to her Faith and Love and hath Jesus Christ to her a Mat. 12. 50. Rom. 8. 17. Brother and God to her b 1 Joh. 3. 2. Father and her c Psal. 90. 1. dwelling place He d 1 Jo. 4.12.16 dwelling in her and shee in him Let him and her that glorieth not glory in the flesh but in the Lord e 1 Co. 1.29.31 Jer. 9. 23. alone II. Touching her Education In the time of her Mothers deep afflictions of Spirit and sore Temptations shee was well trained up in the Scriptures by her godly faithfull Grand-mother M ris Wight of Daintree And when the Lords time of Love was that he vouchsafed to manifest his Grace in Christ to her Mothers soule then the Lord brought her home to her shee being then about nine yeares old Shee gave her selfe much to read and study the Scriptures Which though shee then understood not aright yet the Lord by his Holy Spirit brought to her remembrance and opened to her since her restoring what formerly shee had read for great comfort and soul-refreshing to her selfe and to many others as hereafter followeth Which is a great encouragement to all that feare God to train up ther children in the holy Scriptures as 2 Tim. 3. 15. Chap. 1.5 Prov. 22. 6. Deut. 6. 6 7. Gen. 18. 19. III. Touching her afflictions From her childhood she was of a tender heart and oft afflicted in Spirit Her Temptations were not so great till shee was about twelve yeares old since which they have continued with more violence till April 6. 1647. it being about foure yeares Shee is not sixteen yeares old as her Mother saith till September following The beginning of her more violent Temptations was thus Her superiour bid her doe a small thing judging it meet and lawfull Shee did it doubtingly fearing it was unlawfull and as shee did it a great Trembling in her hands and body fell upon her being condemned in her selfe About a moneth after returning home having been abroad she had lost her hood and knew shee had lost it Her Mother asked her for her hood Shee suddenly answered My Grand-mother hath it Her heart condemned her instantly and trembled againe exceedingly And these were the first chiefe occasions of her deep despaire And upon this shee had cast into her Conscience that shee was both a thiefe and a lyar and was terrified ever since that shee was shut out of Heaven and must be damn'd damn'd damn'd In the last four yeares shee was oft in such extremities shee could beleeve nothing but Hell and Wrath to be her Portion and other times that there was no heaven nor no hell but in our Conscience and that shee was damn'd already being an unbeleever and therefore if shee could but dispatch this life of hers there was an end of her sorrows A subtle deceit of the old Serpent Hence shee oft attempted wickedly to destroy her selfe as by drowning strangling stabbing seeking to beat out her eyes and braines wretchedly bruising and wounding her selfe The chiefe cause of such weaknesse since Many particulars whereof follow in her own Relations But the Lord who is her life and loved her then in her bloud he wonderfully prevented her destruction many wayes Sometimes by one or other at that instant sometimes staying her in the acting when no creature was by Sometimes by bringing to her minde some choice Scripture as this No weapon form'd against thee shall prosper Isa. 54.17 or this None shall take them out of my hand or out of my Fathers hand Ioh. 10.28 29. This stop'd her sinfull act but the comfort stayed not Many precious Ministers came to comfort her In London these M r Thomas Goodwin M r Barker M r Lockyar M r Palmer lately their Minister in Lawrence Pountney M r Sprigge M r Iohn Simpson and others And these came to her in or neer Shrewsbury M r Hildersham of Felton M r Paget Father of D r Paget now of London M r Wright of Wellington M r Smith M r Fisher M r Blake M r Morgan Floyd M r Moston All these and many moe godly Ministers and precious Christians being acquainted with her sad condition endeavoured to comfort her and shee gladly would have received comfort but it was then hid from her Some glimpse shee had especially by meanes of her kinsman M r Iohn Browne of Shrewbury a faithfull and loving man and by one whom he brought with him viz. M r Daniel Floyd but it was soon ecclipsed againe and shee remained in grievous horror day and night concluding shee was a Cast-away a Reprobate walking daily in the midst of fire and brimstone as one in Hell already Till the Lord who had loved her with an everlasting love and in loving kindnesse prevented her ruine at last restored comforts to her and to those that had prayed and mourned for her Isa. 57. 18. And since that her much prayed-and hoped-for deliverance amongst many that have visited her were these Ministers M r Palmer M r Sprigge and M r Simpson beforesaid M r Peters M r Charnock of London M r Atherley of the Charterhouse with his wife M r Hide of Wighton in Yorkshire and the Relator Also the Lady Willoughby of Parham the Lady Renula and the Lady Clotworthy her sister the Lady Vermuiden with her daughters M ris Sarah and M ris Katharine Sir Ric Philips and his Lady daugh to D r Oxenbridge Sir Rich Saltonstall with his Lady Capt. Price with his wife D r Coxe D r Debote D r Worsley D r Paget Physicians Also M ris Fines wife to my Lord Says eldest Sonne and M ris Harrison wife to the Chamberlain of London Col. Langhams wife
The exceeding Riches of GRACE ADVANCED By the Spirit of Grace in an Empty Nothing Creature viz. M ris SARAH WIGHT Lately hopeles and restles her soule dwelling far from Peace or hopes thereof Now hopefull and joyfull in the LORD that hath caused LIGHT to shine out of DARKNES that in and by this Earthen Vessel holds forth his Own eternall Love and the Glorious Grace of Iesus Christ to the CHIEFEST of SINNERS Who desired that others might hear and know what the LORD had done for her soul that was so terrified day and night and might neither PRESUME nor DESPAIR and murmure against God as shee hath done Published for the Refreshing of poor souls by an Eye and Ear-witnes of a good part thereof HENRY JESSE a servant of IESUS CHRIST The second Edition corrected and Proofs added LONDON Printed by Matthew Simmons for Henry Overton and Hannah Allen and are to be sold at their Shops in Popes-head Alley 1647. TO HIS CHRISTIAN FRIENDS Beloved in the LORD in London Cambridge Yorkshire Suffolk Essex and elswhere The Exceeding Riches of Grace be advanced My Beloved MY Spirit rejoyceth in the Lord who hath put such an opportunitie as this into my hand of Publishing to you and to others and hereby of Advancing The Exceeding Riches of the Grace of God in such a Pattern thereof as here followeth The Daughter of a gracious Matrone of mine acquaintance in the Parish where I weekly Preach in London who was in as hopeles and desperate a condition in her selfe as ever was any Now often admiring and uttering to others especially to afflicted despairing mournfull soules that resort now to her the unsearchable Treasures of Grace to the ungodly and chiefest of lost undone sinners The main Causes urging me to Publish it to you and the Contents thereof are in the Books beginning The severall Vses are in the End You know that the works of Iehovah are great honorable wonderfull and glorious and are greatly to be magnified sought out of all them that have pleasure therein He makes them to be remembered Ps. 111. 2 3 4. Especially his works of * Psal. 145. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tender-Mercies which are over and * Psal. 145. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon all his works How desireable is it to one and to the friends of one that is in great extremity of misery bodily or spirituall to hear of another that was just in the same condition that now is cured How much longed for is a safe Harbour to a weather-beaten Ship tossed with Tempests Isa. 54. 11. How refreshful is rest and ease to a tempted hurried wearied soule Iob 7 2-4 How joyfull and beautifull is the a Rom. 10. 15. glad tydings of the Gospel of Peace of riches of Grace of the perfect b 2 Cor. 5. 21. righteousnesse of Christ for the c 1 Tim. 1 13-15 chiefe of sinners d Eph. 2.15.16.3 enemies murmurers ungodly ones to souls wearied out in looking on themselves and their sins and desperate wickednesse of their own hearts and that gladly would mend all and patch up a righteousnesse in themselves or partly there Rom. 10.3 that would first finde a thorough change in them such a dying of sin and holy walking before they think they may beleeve that Christ dyed for such as they Rom. 5. 7 8. 10. or justifies such ungodly f Rom. 4.5 ones How mighty through g 2 Cor. 10. 4 God may it be to support poor soules that are perswaded they are reprobates h Lam. 3 8-17-22.40 that are assured of it upon certain grounds as they judge and that they are damn'd i Io. 3.17.22 and in Hell already that never any in their case was or can be saved k 1 Cor. 6 9-11 that the sins of Manasses of David of Peter of Paul of Mary Magdalen yea and of Cain Iudas and Pilate are all lesse then their sins blasphemies and if all they might be saved yet themselves should surely be damn'd for such to hear of one that but lately was in the very same condition now sounding forth and wondring at the Exceeding Riches of Grace to her the chiefest of sinners Psal. 35.10 to hear her selfe telling such despairing soules You cannot be more desperate or more certain of hell and wrath then I lately was and comforting them by the same consolations wherewith her own soul is now comforted in the Lord. 2 Cor. 1.4 This all this you have here held forth in this Pattern of Gods patience and abundant goodness towards this his unworthy Handmaid whose low base estate he hath regarded He causing LIGHT to shine out of DARKNES 2 Cor. 4.6 The writing transcribing and often perusing hereof hath been and is sweet and precious to me I must confesse I with your reading it may be so and much more to your soules As you reade Consider Admire the LORD in his surpassing Grace to ungodly ones Mic. 7.18 Do not so commend the party that is but an Earthen vessel born in sin a Psal. 51.5 as you b Eph. 2 1-3 are but still all along exalt and commend the LORD who alone is to be exalted Isa. 2.11 1 Cor. 1.29 30 31. Who puts his treasure into an Earthen vessel of purpose that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of flesh 2 Cor. 4. 7. Be the more vile in your own eyes when you see God is pacified towards you for all that you have done Ezek. 16. 63. And from beleeving his love to your soules in love study what you should render to him in Christs Name Psal. 116.12 Col. 3.17 Praise the Lord for leaving such Patterns of his Riches of Grace as that of M ris Drake Revived and that of Gods gracious thoughts towards great sinners by D r Homes in a late Book so called so especially this And Pray for her if the Lord shall restore her body which as yet is weak to eat at all or to drink but very little of faire water or small Beere and that onely at once in two or three or foure dayes and by her daily spending that small strength shee hath by often uttering forth the treasures of Grace and by oft speaking to comfort despairing soules seven or moe whereof have resorted to her that shee may walke humbly rendring againe in her measure according to the benefit done unto her Since the former was fitted for the Presse shee then not being likely to live unlesse the Lord should work a Miracle He raised her wonderfully by faith in his Sonne without any meanes when shee could use none and that by two degrees First to EATE and to ARISE Iun. 11. 1647. Then on Midsummer day to WALK as both follow neer the end of the Book Pag. 133. to 143. And Pray for despairing soules here now being many of them and for the more exalting of Jesus Christ in the powring out of his Spirit upon his sonnes and daughters
that beleeve by stretching out his hand to heale soules and bodies and that Signes and wonders may be done in his Name As the Disciples prayed Act. 4. 29. as he hath promised Iob. 7. 38 39. Mark 16. 17. Act. 2. 38. That the Earth which now is so full of smoake and a Isa. 60.2 3-19 20. darknesse may be fil'd b Isa. 11. 9. Habak 2. 14. with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the Sea That envy c Isa. 11. 13 14. may depart d Isa. 60. 12. 14. Rev. 3. 9. all enemies being subdued and wars e Isa. 2. 3 4. Mic. 4. 2 3. Psal. 46. 8 9. ceasing edifying-love f Eph. 4. 13. 16. 1 Cor. 8. 1. 1 Tim. 1. 4. may so abound among all Saints that all may g Iob. 13. 34 35 Mal. 3. 16 17 18. know who are Christs Disciples by the love they have one towards another The God of Heaven letting up his kingdome that fifth Monarchy that shall stand for ever Dan. 2 35-44 The assured hopes of which joyfull a Isa. 35. 1-10 Isa. 12. 1 2 3. with Isa. 11. 9. 10. Isa. 21 23. Isa. 25. 1-6 7 8 9. Isa. 26. 1 2 3. time in the midst of present b Luk. 21. 9. 25-28 Abac. 3. 17 18. Mat. 24. 29-32 feares c Mic. 7. 6 8 9. 18. 19. Rom. 8. 17 18. 21 oppositions dissentings of brethren d Zeph. 3. 9. Isa. 11. 9. 14. e Luk. 12. 45. Mat. 24. 49. Mat. 18. 30 31 32. some beating their fellow servants and thoughts f Luk. 12. 53. with vers 36.45 Mic. 7.1.6 with 8. 10-17-20 Luk. 21. 16-28 Mat. 4. 1. 6. of persecutions g Isa. 24. 1 4-14 16 20-22 23. Isa. 25. 1-9 Psal. 46. 8 9. 11 1 2. desolations that houre of Temptation h Rev. 3. 10. Isa. 26. 19. Pc 12. 1. Rev. 11. 7. 13. that shortly cometh upon all the world have greatly rejoyced and exceedingly gladded as still they doe the heart of Your endeared Brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdome and patience of Iesus Christ HENRIE JESSE aliàs HENRIE JACIE TO HIS RESCPECTED FRIEND AND CHRISTIAN SISTER M ris MARIE WIGHT widdow in Lawrence Pountney in London HOnoured Sister I salute you in our Lord Iesus To this Relation following touching your beloued Daughter the most whereof your selfe and a good part whereof your Sonne by a speciall Prouidence of God bringing him from Oxford hither at that time of love haue been both Eye and Ear-witnesses as you haue the neerest interest of any so it cannot but be acceptable to you to retain such a Monument of the Exceeding Riches of GODS GRACE manifested to her and uttered by her that untill April 6. for foure yeares together had been so deeply afflicted in Spirit tossed with Tempest and not comforted Whereby both your selfe and all your Christian friends in London Daintrie in and about Shrewsbury and elsewhere that haue known your Sisters sad condition and haue prayed and mourned for her now that God hath restored comforts to her and to her mourners Isa. 57 18. they may the more be stird up to praise and magnifie the Name of the God of Pardone the God that heareth Prayer And if the Lord please to moove in the reading hereof it may administer some door of hope to some other poore soules that are in as sad a condition in as wofull and dolefull a plight as your Daughter lately was in and had so continued especially since shee was about eleven or twelve yeares of age till now of late that shee is towards sixteen as you more fully know I doe acknowledge the LORDS goodnesse and blesse his holy Name for his gracious dispensation towards me that by means of Mris Sarah Jones then of Lambeth he brought me to sympathize with you when about ten or eleven yeeres agoe your soule was as it had been for some yeares together in sad despair and that soon after he refreshed me with the refreshings that he gave in to your soule And that hereby the most wise God made such way for acquainting me so fully also first with your beloved Daughter Sarah her sorrowfull and then with her so joyfull estate and that gave me so many opportunities of being frequently with her that I also with your selfe might be a witnesse of both and might be an instrument of Publishing to the world THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE EXALTED towards her and by her to many sad despairing soules and to others So as I hope the Lord will make it instrumentall for the great refreshing of many poor sinfull sorrowfull weary soules that thus may be partakers of the same When some shall heare that when your Daughter was struck both Deafe and Blind and so could neither heare the Word nor read it that then should be the time of love And when they shall read such unfoldings of Gospel Mysteries by a childe newly comforted before shee could heare any Creature speak to her pag. 16. such descantings on severall choice Scriptures discovering the Gospels pith and marrow that was folded up therein so amplifying them by illustrations and making such application some will be ready to reject all as incredible some will gaze on you or say Blessed is the womb that bare such a childe insteed of exalting God alone Then have you need to remember what answer Jesus Christ gave to such an expression Luk. 11. 27 28. and what he said Rejoyce not in this but rather rejoyce that your Name is written in Heaven When some shall reade how her eyes and eares were opened first for a time when was greatest need and shut againe for a season and how when in humane reason shee was unlike to live two dayes more that then and not till then the Lord should raise her up by Faith to EÀTE and ARISE and then to WALK pag. 133-138-141 they will wonder And some will come or send to you to your son and to your daughter to enquire about it as some came to Hezekijah to enquire of that wonder that was occasioned by him 2 Chron. 32. 24-31 The lifting up of his heart thereupon and his not rendring according to the benefit done unto him which you heard sweetly opened and applied on the day of Thankesgiving for your daughters restoring pag. 144. and his humbling himselfe for that lifting up of his heart are all writ for our instruction and benefit as also Herods taking Glory to himselfe Act. 12.22 23. and Christs warning against this Joh. 5.44 All this shewing what we are subject unto and what cause there is to look up to Jesus Christ our strength our all in all that he would not leave us to our selves but make us like himselfe humble Phil. 2 3-9 and like his Apostles that rent their garments when they were admired and led such out to the alone exalting of the God of Heaven himselfe in his Son Act. 14. 14. Act. 3. 12 13. Who shortly
cōpisseth him about with lyes yet they were not destroyed for his bowels were turnd for Ephraim Hos. 11.8 Maid If I eat I am terrified for it S. If I did eat I was terrified for it Sometimes I durst not drink in a whole week together because I judged it was a Cup of Devils h 1 Cor. 10. 21. and I drank to Devils if I drank and if I did eat I thought I did eat my own damnation Maid I would fain be out of this life that I might have an end S. Would you be sooner in Hell Is not that worse Maid I would be sitting alone and musing and not work because I have no hope Quest. When you work not have you no thoughts Maid Yes thoughts of sin and of misery S. Then t is better for you to be imployed in busines i Rom. 12. 11. Forels the enemy hath more advantage And specially because God bids you labour the thing that is good k Eph. 4.28 Maid I shall never be comforted I am cast out S. Because thou sayest my paine is perpetuall my wound is incurable l Jer. 30. 15-17 and are called an Out-cast therefore the Lord will cure thee The Lord gathereth the out-casts of Israel Maid Once that promise was sweet to mee The mountains shall depart and the hills shall be removed but my kindnes shall not depart from thee nor shall the Covenant of my peace be removed saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee m Isa. 54.10 Then God was sweet to me and his people sweet I could have laid my hand under their feet But now mercy is departed and all is nothing S. Hath God said It shall not depart and will you say it shall depart Mountains of sin and corruption shall depart but he will not depart The Father draws the soule to his Son the Son receives it the Blessed Spirit unites it and makes of two one He knits the knot in the middle and ties these two ends together Christ and the soule which knot of love none can untie n 1 Joh. 5. 7. Maid God might say What could I have done more for thee then I have done o Isa. 5.4 and yet I have thus revolted from him S. Israel not onely revolted but deeply revolted Yet he saith Returne and he turns them He gathereth not onely Israel in generall but the Out-casts of Israel the skirts and rags of them I le tell you what your state is You are as a man that 's taken from his house where was some light and is put in Ludgate and put in a dungeon where he hath no light If one comes from the King with a pardon and to call such a one to the Kings Palace where the light is greater and more glorious then that he had before how will he then admire it And will not you admire it if the great King shall doe thus with you that are now in a dark dungeon If he work who shall let him his pleasure is to raise up one from a dungeon of darknes and to bring such to his marvailous light q 1 Pet. 2.9 From a dunghill from sin and corruption and the Devill to sit with Princes r Psal. 113.7,8 to give them a kingdome Fear not little flock s Luk. 12.32 it s your Fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdome Maid If I were of that flock I might have hope S. Other sheep I have that are not of this fold them will I bring to the Sheepsold and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold and one Shepheard t Joh. 10. 16. Maid The Lord strove with mee and I resisted S. If the Lord passe over all this your soule and body will melt you will be overcome with this goodnesse of his to be his for ever It s the Son that must make you free and then you shall be free indeed u Joh. 8.36 Maid But I have fin'd against such great light and what will my end be S. What think you of Peter that so denied Christ Was not be on the mountaine with Christ and saw his glory w Mar. 9. 2. did not he see light yet how sin'd he against it when be both denied Christ and forsware him x Chap. 14. 71. And yet what love shewd Christ to him after all this Tell my Disciples and tell Peter that I am risen y Chap. 16. 7. 9. I was much troubled with the Parable of the foolish Virgins It was terrible to me But yet see what was there At midnight there was a great cry Behold the Bridegroome cometh go forth to meet him z Mat. 25. 6. So when it is the darkest time with you you are cald to goe forth to meet him Maid I think as I go in the streets something will fall on my head and will kill me S. When I went in the streets I thought the Earth would open and swallow me up You cannot reckon up the thing but I was troubled with it Maid I desire I might be a warning to all to beware by my example of sinning against light as I have done brought all this misery on me S. It may be this is it the Lord aimes at in his hiding himself from you that you may be for a warning yet he may return to you again a 1 Tim. 1 13-16 Maid If I had hearkened then my peace should have been as a river and my righteousness should goe before me S. Be you ashamed and confounded that you have so neglected him and if he will shew his love to you notwithstanding all this how will you admire him Maid Ay as much as any I should have as much cause to admire him as ever had any A. Therefore he will be gracious that he may be exalted b Isa. 30. 18. Maid If I could weep day and night I should find more ease but I cannot S. What if you could yet the Law and all your doings are weak a Rom. 8. 3. but you have not what you would in your self that you may not rest short of Christ. You would not else so desire the riches of Grace to such a one Are you not weary and sorrowfull Maid I am S. He will satiate the weary soul and he will replenish the sorrowfull soul. b Jer. 31. 25. The maid having further heard by this Gentlewoman how sad her condition had been and that yet the Lord had been so gracious to her she said Mine was not sadder then yours hath been but only that I had sin'd against greater light How long were you in that sad condition S. Four years and above since I was little more then eleven years old But the last half yeere and above before the Lord delivered me I was full of terror night and day and at last I had no rest at all being violently tempted against my life Maid Then I may have some hope that the Lord may deliver me
because I have not been above two moneths so violently troubled May 31. Being Munday came to her the Lady Willoughbie of Parham with D r Coxe Physician and M rs Cox M r and M rs Adderley of the Charter-house c. Having heard of her great comforts Dr. Cox put severall Questions to her Which with her Answers were to this effect 1. D r Cox Some say of your Comfort that it is but a Delusion some say it is not Q. How do you know t is no Delusion S. Ans. You cannot know what my comforts are except you knew what my terrors were But I beleeve the Lord did not keep me in them and carry me through them and deliver me from them not foon one but from all my fears and give mee comfort to delude me with his comfort For nothing could satisfie in those Terrors but Christ therefore it is apparent that it is Christ because nothing else could do it to free me from one of my terrors much lesse to free me from all Could any thing keep me from such great temptations but the power of God then shee told of some of her Temptations Q. How know you it was the power of God Ans. Because it was the bare arme of God that brought salvation to me Isa. 59.16 nothing else could and nothing els did it I went about seeking rest and could sind none till he gave me rest Q. How know you this working in you is the Spirit of God A. Where the Spirit of God is there is libertie he d 1 Cor. 3 17. sets the soul at liberty that was in bondage for I was in bondage The other is a Spirit of Error this is the Spirit of Truth the other is the Spirit of darknes this is the Spirit of light This is the Spirit of Truth and not of Error because he leads the soul into all Truth e Ioh. 1 13. and he set me at liberty that I am no under the Law but under Grace f Rom. 6.14 2. Q. How or in what sense are you not under the Law S. Ans. Because the Spirit of life in Christ Iesus hath made me free from the law of sin and of death For what the Law could not doe being weak c. Rom. 8. 2. 3. It was weak to pardon my sinne and to carry it into the land of forgetfulnes therefore God sending his Son condemns sin and saves the sinner even me the chiefest of sinners 3. Q. Whether have you SIN in you A. Yes a thorn in the flesh as Paul had to humble me but not to condemne me 2 Cor. 12. 7. Q. Whether doe you think that others judge of your condition now that it is but in hypocrisie A. They that saw or knew me in my Terrors when I could not be ruled might well know that nothing but the Peace of God which passeth all understanding could so rule me which was as Ephraim an untamed heifer Phil. 4.7 Ier. 31.18 she spake this very low 4. Q. Why do you speak no louder are you weaker with your joyes then you were with your Terrors Ans. I had more cause in my Terrors when I abus'd my body but I never felt it till now I beat my head oft against the wall and took my flesh in my teeth and the more and ofter I did it the lesse I felt it And when I had an opportunity against my life and did not take it then I beat my self for it most of all because it took not effect Or if I spake any thing that was offensive to any with me or did that I should not when it was brought to mind afterward then I abused my body for it most of all And that I did so then is the cause why I lie here now For now that he hath brought me to my self now I feel it He did not onely bring my soul to hell and brought it back again but my body to the grave that he might raise it up again if he see it good 1 Sam. 2.6,7 5. Qu. Why do you not eat Why do they now get things for you that you may rise again Ans. I do eat But its meat to eat that the world knows not off but those that taste of it His words were a Jer. 15. 16. found and I did eat them His words are the joy and rejoycing of my heart his words of mercy and love and joy in the holy Ghost which sill an empty soul indeed as I was which is meat indeed both to soul and body at the present Qu. Whether do you not refuse the creatures our of temptation An. No for I would eat if I could my stomach was then sild with terror that I could not eat now with joy If I could I would take the Creatures but for the present I cannot But if he see it best for his glory and my good I wait for a power from him for this as well as for the rest that he hath done for me for I know that all power is in his hand and all my times are in his hand therfore I desire to wait on him Q. Whether could you endure to be mock'd and skoff'd and jeered at in the world if some should say This is she that was mad or that counterfeited could you endure it Ans. It s no more then my Lord and Master was before me They said he was mad and had a Devil and the Souldiers mock'd him Let me undergo the uttermost I do but follow his a 1 Pet. 2. 22. steps And if I will be one of Christs I must do so b Luke 14. 26. He suffered it but for such a one as I though he was the Son of God yet he made himself of no reputation c Phil. 2. 7,8 And what was it for but to die for me the the chiefest of sinners that I might live to have life from him that I might live to him d 2 Cor 5. 14 15. 7. Q. Whether could you be content with Christ alone now and take no comfort in any thing in the world but be satisfied with him alone Ans. Yes very well for he is a satisfying Christ for having him I have enough I have all things Therefore I desire not to look after pleasures in the world for I have enough in him e Phil. 4.11 12. For he is full of satisfaction and I have tasted of that fulness Grace for Gr..ce. f Io. 1.16 8. Q. Whether do you love God now more then ever you did before Ans. I know not that ever I lov'd him at all before For I had no love at all g Tit. 3.3 neither to the Creator nor to the creature for all were enemies All the sight of God I had then was that he was an enemy I saw no excellency nor beauty h Isa. 53.2 nor comliness in him to be desired at all It must be one that hath attained to great love that can love a deformed creature God is
glory and grace 150. Ephes. 2. 1-5-12 dead in sins-far off 112. a 105. h Ver. 10. Wee are his workmanship 103. a Ver. 14. Christ is our peace 72. c Ephes. 3.16 Strong with might in inner man 142 Ephes. 3. 21. Glory to the age of ages 159. Ephes. 4.2.8 Labour for that which is good 109. k Ephes. 5. 14. Arise-Christ shall give thee light 74. k Ephes. 5.18 Be not drunk-but filled with-Spirit 50. Ephes. 6. 10. 12. Wrestle in Christs power Phil. 2.7,8 Christ made himselfe of no reputa 117. c Phil. 2.13 Works will and deed in pleasure 64. r 122. e Phil. 3. 8. Excellency of Iesus Christ. 16. b Phil. 4.7 Peace of God-rules the heart 115. Ver. 11. I have learned to be content 117. e 41. e 2 Thes 1. 10. To be admired in his Saints 103. b 1 Tim. 1 13-15 Save chiefest of sinners 18. c 79.103 c 1 Tim. 4. 10. Saveth all men specially 97. 2 Tim. 1.9 Grace before world was 97. 2 Tim. 2.13 He cannot deny himselfe 123. Titus 2.11 Grace teacheth to deny ungodlines 94. d Titus 3. 3. Living in malice hatefull 117. Heb. 2.6 Opens Ps. 8.15.6 to be of Christ. 42. a Ver. 14. Christ took our nature 121. i Heb. 6. 18. That flie to Christ for refuge 100. q Heb. 8 1-10 New covenant opened 123. n Heb. 10. 14. He hath perfected for ever 18. n Heb. 11.6 Beleeve that God is-then come 95. g Heb. 12.2 Christ the Author and finisher of 79. e Heb. 12.7 Whom he loves he chastens 99. l Heb. 13.8 Christ yesterday to day and 48. r 163. o James 2. 11. Doe not kill opened 38. 1 Pet. 1.25 Word by Gospel preached opened 131. y 1 Pet. 2. 9. Turne from darknesse to light 111. q 1 Pet. 5. 8. Satan goes about 35. b 149. 2 Pet. 1. 19. Till the day-star arise in the heart 53. c 2 Pet. 3. 1. Stirre up-by remembrance 94. b 1 Joh. 3. 2. Wee shall see him as he is 63. n 1 Joh. 4.16.19 He loved first so we love him 118. k 1 Joh. 5. 6. 8. By water and bloud 53. h 122. q Ver. 7. Three heare witnesse in Heaven 120. l 1 Joh. 5.10 Vnbeleever makes God a lyar 20. e 126. k Rev. 2. 17. Eate of hidden Manna 39. n Rev. 3. 19. Whom I love I chasten 98. l 99. l Rev. 4. 8. Holy three or nine times repeated 20. o Rev. 21. 23. 25. Lambe is lasting light 35. a c. THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF GRACE ADVANCED THE Relator hereof being one who desires to feare the Name of the LORD having been an eye and ear-witnesse both of the sad sufferings and longed-for deliverance of this handmaid M ris SARAH WIGHT and upon his enquiring at the first and best hand having many of her precious Evangelicall expressions as the first fruits thereof viz. from pag. 16 to 35 testified to him by such as are well approved off for godlinesse and faithfulnesse who were also eye and ear-witnesses with himselfe of the rest here recorded And he observing and noting down presently from time to time since this happy change such * Glad-tidings uttered of the Righteousnesse of God of his Faithfulnesse and Salvation of his * benigne Kindnesse and Truth he could not but Publish it to the World for the exalting of this glorious Name of of God and for the refreshing of poor hungry empty sinfull burden'd drooping desparing soules that judge none to be so base and hopelesse as themselves and for the building up of others in their holy faith he would not might not durst not keep it to himselfe alone and so conceale it hide it or withhold it from others as he would not for all the world have the Lord withhold or hide or * close up his bowels of mercies from his own soule as the Psalmist argueth * Psal. 40. 9 10 11. Hebrew For the better satisfying of some that would hardly give credit to the wonderfull things herein related It was judged meet there should be laid down 1. First somewhat touching this Handmaid her parentage and dwelling place 2. Touching her Education pag. 5. 3. Touching her Afflictions in Spirit especially since shee wronged her Conscience at her being about twelve yeares old till April 6. 1647. shee being in September following 16. yeares old And of godly Ministers and others that knew her soule in adversity and sought to comfort her and of such as have seen her and spake with her since the LORD hath comforted her Pag. 6.8 9. 4. Touching the Lords delivering her April 6. 1647. when no creature could help shee being then struck deafe blind and lame and terrified beyond measure this extremity was the Lords opportunity pag. 14 15. Then 1. of her so continuing deafe and blind from April 6 till April 19. many dayes together except part of April 15. wherein shee had satisfaction to her troubled Spirit that her Mother had pardon'd her murmurings against her And part of April 17 to see and heare her Brother as Pag. 25. 29. 2. Of her being acted both then and often after to admire utter forth and magnifie the exceeding Riches of Gods Grace to sinners to her the chiefe of sinners Her speeches of Grace which follow were all in her Bed being in the time of her bodies great weaknesse caused partly through her former deep sense of Gods wrath consuming and pining away And by seeking to beat out her eyes and Braines and since this happie change her stomack being exceeding weak not eating at all till June 11 and drinking so little as is noted her voice thus being very low and oft whispering it could be heard by none but that were very neer her uttered in an humble melting manner stop'd sometimes with tears of sighs her eyes being alwayes covered because of that weaknesse and by spending her selfe in speaking to distressed soules and to others 3. Of her Conferences then and since with many despairing soules whose Names and dwelling places are so born by the Relator in tender respect to themselves and their friends least some not experienced in Temptations might the more reproach them or the Name of God for what these uttered in distresse or through Temptation But their Expressions and the Answers to them are recorded as neer as could be being then writ down for help to themselves hereafter and to others in like condition if the Lord will Hoping this will not offend them 2. Conferences with others about the Church-Ordinances the Spirits powring forth about the New Covenant the Law Works Mans Endeavours Punishment for sinne Redemption c. 4. Of the Lords power in sustaining her above 75 dayes by a little water taken once in three or four or five dayes and very little besides And then raising her by FAITH All these are here set down though the latter are set downe occasionally and not all in this same order I. TOuching her Earthly Parentage This M ris Sarah Wight was daughter to M r Thomas Wight sometimes of
ceased speaking and then remained without speaking or drinking without sight or hearing these being again taken from her from that 15. til the 17 th of April On the same 15. day shee asked if her Brother or the maid would goe to M r Simpson to desire him to come to her When he came shee had done speaking and seemed to be in a trance and would not speak again till her time came On the same 15 th day before shee ceased shee further said I thought I was the bad theef but now I see I am as the good theef I was really crucified with Christ a Gal. 2.20 though I was not in the appearance of any bodily eye but as I was in the loyns of Adam when he sinned b Rom. 5.12 Heb. 7.9 16. I was the nailes in his hands and in his feet and the speare in his side c Isa. 53. 5. The maid desired her to eat something shee answered I cannot I am full Again shee said How old am I Her Mother saith she shall be sixteen yeer old in September next 1647. Shee went on in her speech thus Thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen so long I have been a filthy sinner Now I have been foure dayes in the grave with Lazarus d Joh. 11.39 shee having been four yeers in deep despaire and now I am risen e Col. 3. 1. to live with Iesus Christ for ever in glory He led Captivitie Captive and received gifts for men even for the Rebellions f Psal. 68. 18. He came to the poore Publican that could but speak one word not to the proud Pharisee that us'd many words g Luk. 18. 13. Iesus Christ said The Cup that my heavenly Father gives me to drink shall I not drink it h Joh. 18. 11. He drank the dregs the very dregs and he had no sin and shall the Saints think much to sip of the Cup when he drank of it before us The yoke of Christ is easie and his burden is light but the yoke of sin is heavy and wrath is heavy i Mat. 11. 28. The yoke of Christ is easie because Christ helps them to hear it himselfe and that makes it easie The Saints shew'd have no sufferings if it were not for their good k Rom. 8. 28. 31. els they should have no sufferings at all Christ comes leaping over the mountaines and skipping over the hils There 's nothing in the soule but mountains of sin and hils m Luk. 3. 5. of corruption he doth not come running nor walking but leaping and skipping to a poor n Hos. 2. 14. bewildred soule not to a garden ready trim'd he trims it for himselfe to abide in for ever for ever If wee confesse our sinnes hee 's faithfull and just to forgive us o 1 Joh. 1. 9. One confession and two things to that Faithfull and just Hee 'l give water of life to them that thirst p Rev. 22. 17. Not onely water but water of life He hides himselfe that wee may seek the more earnestly after him q Hos. 5. last and that he may reveale himselfe more fully I that was an enemy am made an heire with Christ to live in glory for ever for ever Christ is my Brother my elder Brother r Mar. 3. 35. How sweet are the Teachings of the Spirit to my soule Sweeter then the Teachings of men and Angels They may speak much to the eare and that 's well but they could not say to my soule Thy sinnes are pardon'd and Christ Iesus loves thee These and moe heavenly expressions shee uttered in a humble gracious manner that same 15 th day The relating of them thus brokenly cannot so affect the heart as to have heard her selfe so tender-heartedly speak them For this half hour or more of her now speaking the Lord restored her hearing wherein shee both saw and heard her Mother as two days following shee saw and heard her Brother also whom shee longed to see and heare and was satisfied And having thus spoken what shee desired then to say she ceased and rested And then both her sight and her hearing were againe taken from her Shee abiding as asleep but it seems slept little but in that resting time much enjoying communion with Jesus Christ her souls rest So was shee silent from that morning April 15. till the morning of the 17 th day The night following April 16. shee was very sick labouring for breath as if shee would have dyed April 17. being the last day in the week in the morning shee asked for water A little being given her to drinke shee said Give mee it freely Christ hath given me Faith freely and love freely and joy in himselfe And having drunk again shee proceeded thus Wee love him because he loved us first a 1 Joh. 4. 19. Wee rejoyce in him because he rejoyced in us first Wee desire him because he desired us first I could not beleeve that I should be saved but now if men and Devils stood there before my eyes and should tell me I should not be saved I would not beleeve them I see him that 's invisible and look on him whom I have pierced and I mourne over him Doe not you love him if you see him as I see him you would admire him A sight of him would satisfie Nations A sparkle of him is more glorious then the world b Phil. 3. 8. Mat. 17. 2. This day shee asked againe for M r Simpson for M r Iessey Shee answered her selfe thus I cannot heare and why doe I aske a Question After this shee remembring her Mother had told her that her Brother was come shee spake of her Ioseph for so shee called him and now shee was desirous to see him And said Mine eyes have seen my heavenly Ioseph and why shall I not see my earthly Ioseph The Lord hath opened my spirituall eyes and why should I not beleeve that he will open my bodily eyes And shee called for water to wash her eyes and having washed her eyes her brother being present by her shee saw him and took him by the hand and puld him and told him of the greatnesse of the love of Christ saying Why came he from the bosome of the Father but to die for sinners the chiefe of sinners and that makes the Grace great Shee then told him what condition shee had been in thus in a sweet humble manner I was at the very brink of Hell and Iesus Christ puld me out And how can I but love him He came for the disobedient and unholy and unthankfull and for murmurers as I have been a Mat. 9. 13. If any one see and feel what I have seen and felt they would take heed of murmuring against God and a Parent You never murmured so much against God and against my Mother as I have done Ah ah ah sighing and weeping as shee spake But I speake the rather said shee that none
Ordinances in hearing the word as formerly you did A. God will dispose me to that that shall be for his glory and my good But I look on Ordinances as tokens of Gods love to his people and representations of Christ that should neither be idolized nor slighted but they should be us'd and God lov'd above them To M r. Sp. shee said As the spouse in the Canticles sets out her beloved by similitudes of him so are Ordinances similitudes of him by which he sets out himselfe to us for our good If Iesus Christ himselfe should preach to the soule every day and give not out of himselfe the Ordinance would be empty to it But he comes in to his people in Ordinances and there he fils the empty soule with good things Lady Whether doe you not desire to live to declare the great mercy that God hath express'd to you A. I desire nothing but his will which doth order all things to his own glory and his Creatures good Lady whether have you thoughts of the Church of God and of the condition it is in in the parts that you know A. I wish with Paul if it were possible that all Israel might be sau'd M ris Bri. Doe you not wish that all differences were compos'd and made up among the Saints Answ. Yes Lady What meanes doe you thinke would be most effectuall to compose them A. The beholding a reconciled God seen by all God was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfe There is need of such a dayes-man as Christ to reconcile the world to God Suitable to what Mr. St. Marshall gathered from Isa. 57. 19. I create the fruit of the lips peace peace viz. 1. That the peace and the healing of Gods people is Gods own worke a worke of his creating power 2. Though it be so yet the speciall way whereby he effects it is the preaching of the Gospell of peace Her face being covered as daily It us'd to be since April 6 one spake of the great weaknes of her eyes Ans. Christ hath done a great miracle upon me he hath made the blind to see and the deafe to heare and the damb to speake he hath done it upon many and he hath done all upon one poore wretch Formerly her selfe was slow of speech that now hath such freedome speaking as with a new tongue M r Sp. Doe you think to have it alwayes day with you Ans. I know there may be clouds that the soule cannot so apprehend the light of Gods countenance at David said Restore to me the joy of thy salvation a Ps. 51. 12. and why hidest thou thy face from me But Christ the Sun of righteousnesse will arise againe b Mat. 42. He will break through all these things My times and my refreshings are in Gods hands c Ps. 31 15. to refresh the weary soule which he will doe freely M r Sp. I would be glad to heare which way the Lord came in to refresh you Ans. It was revealed to me that Christ was crucified for me even for me the chiefest of sinners I never had a glimpse of Christ before and then I admired him I saw it plainly My greatest sin was unbeliefe and I saw I was in unbeliefe and that the wrath of God abode upon me I was damned already And not for any thing in me but when unworthinesse was in me for his own worthinesse even for his own Names sake that he forgave all my sinnes His Name is Mercifull Gracious long suffering c Exo. 34 67 M r Sp. What counsell would you give to one in that condition of darknes A. To wait on God that hids himselfe Isa 8. 17. My temptations were the saddest of any to beleeve there was no God nor Heaven nor Hell but what I felt my soul remain'd in terror continually M r Sp. You knew the Scripturs before that comfort you now wherein then is your comfort What 's the difference A. The Letter did but kill it could not comfort but God hath refreshed me in his love God was the same to me in his love formerly that he is now But in his fulnes of time he manifested that which was before I doe not beleeve that he hated me before and loved me after but all my affliction was in his love and very faithfulnes The glory of God doth as much appeare in supporting a soule under terror as in delivering it out of terror It s said in Isai. 24. 16. Glorifie God in the fires Though the soule sees it not then yet when the Lord brings it out then he sees that God did glorifie himselfe in the afffliction Question What doe you think of the POWRINGS out of his spirit in the last dayes S. Ans. Then and since being put together The Name of Christ is powred forth by the spirit on his people and will be still and thereby we love him when he hath shewed that love to us and drawne us Question wee have some drops of his spirit now but are the powrings out now Act. 2.17.31 38. S. Ans. There are many that love him now and why doe they love him its not said because of some Drops but because thy name is Oyntment powred out Therefore it is that any soule loves him Cant. 1. 3. Quest. But doe you not think there will be a time when God will powre out more of his Spirit upon his sonnes and daughters then now is usuall S. Ans. Though his love is powred out into the hearts of his people by the spirit now or els we could not love him yet this is personall to a few but I doe verily beleeve it will be more generall to many and in a greater measure This is but a tast now of what shall be M r. Spr. Doe you take no food S. Ans. Yes I feed on Iesus Christ he is my daily food he feeds me with himselfe and hee is full of satisfaction Ioh. 6. 35. 51. 55. M. Spr. But I speake of bodily food Doe you think it s no temptation on you to forbeare bodily food S. Ans. No. I would eate if I could but I connot If I try it makes me worse His word is my meat and delight In my trouble I oft could not eat he fed me with bitternes and worme wood I sed on terror that was my meat and now the Lord makes answerable to it his feeding me now with promises this marrow and fatnes a Psal. 63. 5. he refresheth me continually with his love which is better then b Cant. 1. 2. wine May 21. One asked her Doe you sleep A. These three nights I slept not till three of the clocke but I lye still I stir not but am content and that 's better Quest. How is that better S. Ans. Content is better then abundance is it not And Christ is never idle he is alwayes doing somewhat in the soule One speaking of hopes of her life S. Ans. To be willing to live is the hardest lesson to
LOVE it self i Io. 4.16 yet he is pleased to look on such a deformed creature as I none more then I. Therefore he shews t is great love indeed that he loved me withall Therefore I love him with the same love that he loved me k 1â— first I was a childe of wrath dead in trespasses and sins a stranger from the Covenant of promise without God without hope far off from God indeed I was an enemy to God Yet he was pleased to reconcile enemies therefore its free love to love such a one to quicken such a one to bring such a one neer that was so far off It was love indeed that made me love him It was this that made me to see a beauty and excellency in him which made me love him above ten thousand worlds if all the glory of them were in one and given to me I see more to besired in him in the least glimpse of him then in them all Therefore I look on him above them all When I saw him as an enemy to mee I could not love him But now I see him a reconciled God in Iesus Christ to such an enemy as I even I the chiefest of sinners Which constraines me to love him 2 Cor. 5. 14. 9. Q. Whether do you PRAY Ans. I do pray but t is that the Lord would give submission to his will As long as I am in the body I have cause to pray I cannot forget to pray for troubled soules that come hither to me But for my selfe my chiefest work is now to PRAISE the Lord for what he hath done to my soul. For Praises wait for God in Zion And for what waits it but for Zions deliverance from her hand bondage Zion was a Wildernesse desolate forsaken forgotten of God for the present in her owne apprehension And when God is pleased in fulnes of time to manifest himself and to shew his love to Zion freely and to marry her to himself such a one as I was and to establish Zion on a sure foundation that is upon himself that though the mountains and hills depart yet his loving kindnesse shall not depart then PRAISES wait for God in Zion for Zion then hath answer of her prayers Ps. 65 .1 10. Q. Whether finde you a tickling of pride or hypocrisie when so many people and some great ones come to see you Do you not ask who were the Great people when they are gone and take pride in it A like Question and her Answer to it was before Another time when a Noble Lady sate on the bed by her and she was not moved at it one whispered to her that this was a great Lady She answered Its no more to me then if it were such a one naming a meaner woman troubled in Spirit that oft came to her And now to this Question she answered No it s far from me For if I were in a Wildernesse where none came to me I should take as much glory there as in such abundance comming to me in this place n Ioh. 5.44 For the Saints of God will give thanks for me in general though they know me not in particular And unless it were some that I knew before I know not any that come and I look not upon them unlesse it be on some troubled people that come for I enquire after these but I enquire after none els 11. Q. How know you those that come hither that they are truly troubled for sin For many will make as though they were so but are not Ans. None knows the secrets of God but himselfe And those to whom he reveals his secrets to by their own experience they may guess at it who is and who is not a 1 Cor. 2.16 One that is indeed burthen'd for sin it s not an easy burden for them to ly under they would be out in it if they could These are weary of their sin and anything else can content them but a glimps of the love of God in the face of Iesus Christ b Rom. 7.24.25 So far I guess then to be really troubled for sin 12. Q. How put you a difference in the Trinity between the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Ans. These three do all agree in one and they differ not in working a New Creation in the soul. They are three in manifesting their workings For None can come to the Son except the Father who gave them to him draw them There 's the Fathers worke is give and draw them c Ioh. 6. 44. For these the Son lays down his life and receives them All that thou hast given me shall come unto me d 37. I have kept them and lost none It s the work of the Spirit to unite the soul and Christ together to make of twain one c 1 Cor. â— 17. Thus their three works are manifested to the soule Yet these three agree f 1 Iohn 5.7 Complut Plant. in one Iune 3. The Relator asked her further about this Mystery of Three in one S. Ans. The Father Son and Spirit are in Vnion These three agree in one and so ther 's no disagreeing or differences therein But there are various dispensations to the creatures capacity so there are three First the Father that in his love sent the Son g Ioh. 3 16. Rom. 5. 8.10 to reconcile sinners to himself Secondly the Son the Word h Ioh. 1.1 who was sent that took our Nature to redeem us from all iniquity and to bring us to the Father i 14. Heb. 2 14. Thirdly the holy Spirit who was sent by the Father in Christs name k Ioh. 14. 16. 26. to manifest this love of the Father and of the Son to the Creature which the Creature could not know but by the Spirit of God l 1. Cor. 2.9.10 Tit. 3.5 Ioh 3. 3. 5. who quickens them that were dead in sin m Rom. 8.10.11 and he teacheth and leads the soul into all truth n Ioh. 16.13 15. 13. Q. May 31. was Whether is any thing revealed to you how it shall go with the Church of God Ans. I know and verily beleeve it shall go o Isa. 3.10 well with those that fear the Lord. Q. How mean you in spirituall or in outward things Ans. Specially in spirituall I mean and so far as it is for their good in outward things God will dispose of them 14. Q. She having said that her sanctification as well as her justification did proceed from Christ M r Adderley asked her how the proved it Ans. I beleeve that out of the side of Christ did issue both blood and water p Ioh. 19.34 Blood to take away the guilt of my sin and water to wash away the filth of my sin q 1 Ioh. 5.6 8. So that from my Lord Iesus Christ doth issue both my justification and my sanctification He r 1 Cor. 1.30 is made to me Wisdom Righteousnes
they beleeved not and what great need they have of Christ and till then they never rightly beleeve I have found it hath been so with me No sin is like the sin of unbeliefe The enemy is the Grand enemy of the soul that sin is the Grand sin of the soul. Though it be the great sin of all and the damning sin That yet Iesus Christ should not onely bid such a one beleeve but give it to beleeve it is to be admired 2. Quest. Whether many are not worse by hearing the Gospel of Grace in Christ to the ungodly and chiefest of sinners S. Ans. Many are worse and many are better The y 1 Pet. 1. 25. Word by the Gospel is to be preached to the world of sinners that is the Word which became flesh z Joh. 1. 14. That Christ came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many a Mar. 10 45. He is not to be ministred unto by workes of our righteousnesse or our preparing our selves first for him or any worthinesse in our selves but to minister that is to supply our wants first the Spirit and therewith righteousnesse peace and joy which make an empty soule full indeed and to give his life not so sell it to them that haue money but to give it to them that have none his life no lesse price a ransome for us bondslaves that were in bondage to Satan sin and corruption for many for a numberles number that none can number so they are indeed if all be gathered together though but a few in comparison of the rest for many are called but few are chosen b Mar. 20. 16. It s there for many here for few Many are called by the word to Beleeve and to Repent all where the Gospel comes but few are called out of their sinfull state Iune 10.47 It being now above 75. dayes since she did eat at all and full 65. dayes since shee did sip or drink two dayes together her drink being onely fair water for about twenty dayes and since that some small beer and both these onely at once still in two three or four dayes of late in four or five dayes once and then no more till about so long after shee having never been able to stirre out of bed since April 6. being 65. dayes through her great weaknesse especially in her head by her so beating it against walls in her Terror and now shee being very weak unlikely to live unlesse shee took somewhat except he who so miraculously had upheld her so long should hold out the same great power and goodnes still unto her shee not having taken so much as a sip of any thing at all for four or five dayes last nor so much as moistened her mouth or lips in all that time and had enjoyed very little rest for a week together or more The Relator perceiving it now as from time to time formerly spake to her about eating or drinking somewhat S. Ans. I am not hungry nor thirsty Rela I have sometime neglected my body till I saw I must not wrong the Temple of the Holy Ghost c 1 Cor. 3. 17. and then I durst not but eat though I had no mind to it because t is an ordinary means of preserving life and health S. Ans. I cannot do it I do not abstain out of wilfulnesse for I would if I could nor have I any command or temptation in my spirit against it as if I should not but it is because I cannot When I have tried I am the worse by it I cannot digest it and the smell of it hurts me The Relator durst not then further urge her and being ready to depart Shee entreated his visiting some of the despairing soules that had been with her and to pray for them and for her selfe that shee might quietly submit to the will of God to live or dye for she found not such contentednesse to live as she desired but rather longing to be dissolved to be with Christ which was best of al for her Phil. 1. 23. So lie left her more drooping weak and pensive then at any time shee now to the eye of man drawing neer to death as he apprehended and was much affected with it spake of it to some ☞ But yet remembring some expressions of Faith that she had uttered before touching the raising up of her body as well as her soule pag. 33. 35. he had hopes the Lord would yet raise up her body to the praise of his Name and the refreshing of others that are despairing disconsolate soules And now behold and see the LORDS doing for it is marvailous and worthy to be remembred That day and untill about ten of the Clock at night all that week before-going especially on since Tuesday beforesaid she had these words following her and still as it were spoken to her again again viz. With long life will I satisfie him Ps. 91. 16. At first she took it to be meant of Eternall life in glory and rejoyced in it But when it was opened to her to be also of long life here Shee thought that would not satisfie her and therefore she would not regard it being so desirous to be absent from the body and to be present with Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 5.8 a little glimpse of him that shee felt was so sweet shee so desired the full fruition of him that shee was not so contented to live as was meet and as now having a sight of it shee desired prayer for her that shee might be and that she might quietly lie down at the feet of God to do with her as he would that shee might not be so weary of the condition the Lord allotted to her About ten at night this came in as if it had been whispered to her soule from God Thou hast not wearied me with thy sacrifices but thou hast wearied me with thy sins Yet I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine owne Names sake a Isa. 43.22.25 and will remember them no more for ever no not for ever Thou art mine my b Cant. 7. 10. desire is towards thee I will c Hos. 14. 4. heal thy backslidings I love thee freely I forgive all thy sins for my Names sake as though they had never been committed Come and see how I have loved thee How I have ever loved thee Behold and admire this love of mine Fathom this sea of my love if thee canst which drownes the multitude of thy sins and see how I have ever loved thee from eternity with an endlesse boundlesse and everlasting d Jer. 31 3 love the number of thy sins and multitude of thy transgressions against me shall never be able to seperate the e Ro. 8 35-39 union that I have made between thee me This manifestation exceedingly melted her heart and the more abased her soule before him And shee said Lord
ruling power of Satan and utter darknes to his everlasting light k Act. 16.18 to turn a Prodigall to himself even me that was a bad or rather worse yet he hath turned me It was his work to turn me therefore he deserves the praise of his own work To cloath Legion in his right mind l Mat. 5.15 set him at his feet yea in his bosom It was his love indeed to such a one as I. This I say that Christ may have the Praise of his own work and none els because he does it alone This was what shee said at that time to those from Westminster and many mo being there is the room and her voice through her weaknes being very low whether some heard her speak but put of the words beforesaid or some that her speech was related unto God knoweth but some did distract from and wrested her Expressions and then raised an ill report If the receiver be as bad as the Thiefe one had need bee wary lest hee receive prohibited goods Some other false reports some have made and others have spread already but this may be an Item to all to take heed what they hear and of whom and to warn all that are professed Christians not to come short of Aristide a professed Heathen who us'd to lend but one eare to a party present that inform'd him against one absent and to lay his hand on his other ear signifying to the reporter that hee would reserve one ear for the party absent and not judge the case till he heard the other also Shall not Aristides and heathen Foestus rise in judgement against many in our generation and condemne them When we see how Foestus also would not passe judgement against Paul being absent though he had information against him not by one or two but by many and those also being of his own * Act. 26. 5 6 7. 22. sect and Religion in the main and of special note and strictnes among them yet being desired by them he refused it saying It is not the manner of of the Romanes to deliver any man to n A good name is better then great riches Pro. 22. 1. Pro. 25. 18. Therefore it is worse to rob or wrong one in this then in the other dy so to judge him before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face and have licence to answer for himselfe concerning the crims laid against him m Act. 25 15 16. Iune 3. 1647. She told the Relator how the Lord prevented her ruine about Feb. last viz. That one night she watched till her Mother was asleep and then stole out softly from her taking the key of the buttery doore which shee opened went in and locked it to her taking the key with her so to make surer her dispatch without lett and there being a window to the House-tiles she crept out to do like Iudas so cast her self down to dissolve her selfe and in the dark she saw there a fire and Satan as a roaring Lyon in it yet still being perswades through his delusion there was no other hell but that she felt in her conscience she went within a quarter of a yard of the edge being ready to leap down when none should see or hear her and nor was no creature to hinder then was this spoken to her distinctly Thou shalt not fall down and burst asunder as Judas did and so dishonour God that make thee Vpon this the sight vanished as if it never has been and she fell not down being thus kept from it and sate down by the chimney there and after a while beat her head against it till it sweld abundantly and the more she dashed it then and at other times the lesse she felt it Her tender Mother awaking missed her and sought about and cause one to breake open that buttery door and cry out and there found her Daughter who has not power then to leape downe from her but when her Mother would have her come in at the windovv she tumbled down her head falling on the bricks which with other such hurts before and after she oft so beating her head was one occasion of her head and eyes so great weaknesse of late After that desparate attempt she had secretly got a knife and hidde it to dispatch her selfe withall and then was she glad and not so troubled so that her Mother hoped shee was now better And on a Munday morning shee desired of her Mother to heare the Lecture at night by M r Carter at Fish-street-hill and first entreated shee might goe see a neighbour which her Mother granted hoping she now might trust her to goe That neighbour not being within it was cast in her mind to go to Lambeth-Marsh which shee had also purposed in the morning there to dispatch her selfe and therefore had shee taken the knife with her Over the bridge shee thus went and quickly came to Lambeth-Marsh There shee went towards the Trees and saw them dry without leaves or fruit and thought so was her soule as they She sate down by a ditch and studied whether she should drown her selfe in Thanies or there and concluded there because there it was more private that none might hinder her Then shee thought as shee had often thought on the like sad occasion shee must like Iudas first repent then * Mat. 27. undo her selfe as if that would serve Whilst shee was about this two that seem'd to be Ministers saw her sitting there alone came to her and asked her how shee did for now they saw her weeping and why shee sate there Shee had no power to conceale it but said I am not well I am as sad a Creature as any on earth I see my condemnation and nothing els I cannot be well till I have taken away my life Min. Whither were you going S. Ans. I had thoughts of hearing M r Carter in Fish-street-Hill Min. This is not a place for such a one to sit in and by Gods help we will bring you thither So thither they brought her But as shee went It was put in her minde to goe thence that night to the Dog-house shee had heared of in Moorfields there to offer her selfe to the Dogs to eate her up that her Mother might never heare of her more But at the Sermon her Mother seeking her espied her and shee againe hid her selfe beyond others but her Mother againe found her and had her home This was but about a Moneth before April 6. beforesaid of her deliverance Iune 8. being Tuesday the Lecture-day there where M r Ed Richardson of Yorkshire the Relators friend was desired to preach upon occasion of two Passages in his Sermon two Questions were put to her Her answers were suitable to his resolutions Qu. 1. Whether persons that rightly beleeve in Christ doe not first feel their great need of him S. Ans. The Gospel is the Ministery of the Spirit He convinceth of sin because