MY hearts desire and prayer to God for you all is that as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord so you may walk in him rooted and built up in him and stablished in the faith as you have been taught abounding therein with thanksgiving for otherwise Satan will get an advantage against you and prevail upon you so as to put you to shame and me also in the sight of this present evil old world Oh! how will it tend to the glory of our God and Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ for you to remain unmoveable and unshaken in the midst of all the present temptations both on the right hand and on the left considering that the subtil old Serpent hath doubtless a most mischievous designe against you as you are the Temple and Habitation of the living God Oh! how shall we rejoyce together when we meet to bless and to praise the Lord for preserving us unto his heavenly kingdom notwithstanding the strong endeavours of all adversaries to keep us asunder to scatter us and so to rejoyce and glory in our desolation But our God will come and will not keep silence yea he will come with vengeance and make a most wonderful discovery of that notorious falsehood and hypocrisie of that prodigious perfidiousness whereof this adulterous generation is so deeply guilty before the Lord and his people In the interim possess your souls with patience watch and pray lest you also enter into temptation lest you also being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness Remember it is Jehoâ—ah your righteousness who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy Great are my hopes many are my fears concerning you and especially concerning those among you who shall think within themselves when they hear this You are more fearful or he is more fearful then he needs to be we shall do well enough let such an one think if any such there be that such thoughts nourished and cherished in his heart are certain symptomes of an uncertain Spirit and of a treacherous heart Oh consider consider what relicks of unbelief what remainders of lusts what members of the old man are yet unmortified in the best of us Who made us to differ from the World Oh lean lean upon your Beloved that hath made a difference between you and those poor creatures that are yet in their blood yet in their sins Are you not believers are you not Disciples of the Lord are you not Saints by calling have not you every one seen the Lord have not you as others beheld as in a glass with a face unveiled the glory of the Lord then Brethren why are we not transformed from glory to glory why are our hearts narrow cold heavy why are our Spirits carnal earthly and staggering why do not our souls mount aloft Great is my boldness in writing as it used to be in speaking to you I have a great interest in you and among you I have a great part a large share in the good or evil that befals you your comforts are my comforts also your discomforts are my discomforts also Oh that I might warm your hearts at this distance by the power of God! setting these expressions of love and truth strongly and effectually upon all your hearts How doth the inward pulse of your hidden man beat what secret workings walkings and communications in the inmost holy place Do you can you set your feet upon the necks of your wost enemies the cursed corruptions of your nature Verily Christians if you do not grow into intimate acquaintance with the Almighty if you attain not to holy familiar communion with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ you will be of little use in the publick service of the Lambe against the Dragon the Beast and the false Prophet Beg with ardent supplication to live and to be kept under the glorious ministration of the Spirit Do not so minde the work within doors as to neglect the work abroad Do not give up your strength and the might of your Spirits for the carrying on the publick work of Christ abroad to the disadvantage of the concernments of your souls but as I have formerly advised you touching the graces and the gifts of the Spirit so I perswade as to this matter carry on the great affairs within and without In conjunction and in proportion But remember as I have told you often Therefore doth the Lord dispatch the business of your salvation and particular happiness giving you a full assurance of eternal life that so his people having their own inheritance secured to them for ever they may be capable of serving the Lord Jesus in their generation upon the most noble account Now my Beloved I shall conclude with a few words unto you as you are assembled together in the Name of the Lord ponder your paths study the duty of your relations Consider what families you live in and what eyes are upon you let the believing Husband endeavour to gain the unbelieving wife and the believing wife the unbelieving husband by a holy wise loving dutiful conversation both in word and deed let parents and children that fear the Lord carry themselves as becometh the Gospel so masters and servants that was the great care of the Apostles in the primitive Churches Study the Epistles that were sent to all the Congregations You have lately testified your love to me beyond my expectation accept of this and such-like tokens of my love to you Oh that I might finde you when my God brings me among you a people mightily improved in holiness and purity in brotherly kindeness and love in self-denial and heavenly mindedness in zeal and spiritual magnanimity in every grace in every gift walking in the most excellent waies of truth and peace that God in all things might be glorified by us through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever Amen This Epistle and Salutation is sent in much affection unto you From my prison-house this 4 of the 1 Moneth 1654. From your faithful shepherd through grace still in bonds for Christ Christoph Feake POSTSCRIPT My fellow-prisoner and my yoke-fellow salute you and we earnestly desire a continual mention in prayers and supplications before the Lord withal desiring that the Lord may be magnified in the Congregation for all the loving kindnesses and tender mercies wherewith he hath crowned us since we were made the prisoners of Jesus My dearly Beloved BEhold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! If the Lord Jesus will confess us to be such before his Father and the holy Angels yea and before the faces of our proudest adversaries What ground of joy unspeakable and full of glory will be hereby administred unto us even in the midst of all those reproaches and slanderous reports that the men of the world who minde
THE NEW Non-conformist Who having obtained help of GOD doth persist unto this very day WITNESSING Both to Small and GREAT Some of those Glorious Things WHICH The Apostles the Prophets Moses did say should come to pass OR The VOICE of A Careful Shepherd Crying From his Watch-tower at W.C. Unto his Little Flock at W.L. With a loud Voice Matth. 10.17 Matth. 7.15 Philip. 3.2 Tit. 1.12 BEWARE of Men Beware of Dogs Beware of Wolves and of other evil Beasts Joh. 10.11 12 13. The GOOD SHEPHERD giveth his life for the sheep But He that is an HIRELING and not the Shepherd whose own the sheep are not seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and fleeth and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep The Hireling fleeth because he is an Hireling and careth not for the sheep Printed at London for Livewel Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley 1654. A PREFACE To every Honest and Intelligent READER IT seemed good unto the Apostles and Elders Act. 15.23 〈◊〉 and Brethren at Jerusalem when they wrote to the brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia to recommend their beloved Barnabas and Paul with this short choice Character They are men which have hazarded their lives for the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tradiderunt animas Bez. exposuerunt And verily they must not love the Lord Jesus at that ordinary rate which even the Bishops and the Deacons of the Churches generally content themselves withal at this day who do intend to adventure their lives in his Cause and for his Name against the present refined policies and practices of the Whorish Woman and her lovers the Kings of the earth with their Retinue It is a sad Symptome Mat. 24.12 when the love of many grows colder and colder at that point of time when the Lord expects as well he may if you knew all Christian friends it should grow hotter and hotter till it amounts to that degree and perfection of operation which is mentioned Rev. 11.5 If any One will hurt them who stand before the Lord of the whole earth fire proceedeth of out their mouth and devoureth their enemies and if ANY ONE will hurt them he must in this maner be killed I humbly conceive the Word of JEHOVAH is not in any of his servants hearts as A BURNING FIRE but they are also at the same time enflamed with love and zeal this multiplication of heat as I may so say causeth them like Ieremiah to be weary of forbearing Jer. 20.9 so that they cannot stay and contain themselves within those bounds of Mediocrity and Moderation which used to be cried up by the luke-warm generation of Preachers and Professors in all ages hitherto But the Scriptures must be fulfilled and therefore it 's not to be admired that there should be such an universal Apostacy and that those who had a Name to live Rev. 3.1 are now dead Wonder not I say Oh Little Remnant that there are so many fallen asleep but rather ponder the true reason why there are any kept awake For that most excellent old Doctrine which our Lord taught his Disciples in the daies of his flesh and accordingly after his ascension was very much practised hath been of late if you observe it almost utterly out of date I mean the Doctrine of self-denial and of forsaking all Relations Mat. 16.24 Luke 9.23 Liberty Goods good Name yea life it self for his sake and the Gospels How little is it preached now how much less is it practised But the reason is ready and upon record These are the last days and the Spirit speaketh plainly 2 Tim. 3.1 c. and without a Parable That in those days men shall be lovers of their own selves cevetous boasters proud blasphemers c. lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God yet having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof Observe whether very many in stead of denying themselves as Christ hath taught do not deny the power of godliness 2 Pet. 2.1 and the Lord that bought them as the world and lust perswade But hearken dear hearts and be cheerful yea be ye very joyful in believing that the Spirit of life and power from God shall ere it be long enter into a choice company Rev. 11. Ezek. 37.10 and they shall stand upon their feet and fear shall fall upon all those who see them for I know and am perswaded that there is at this present time a remnant according to the election of grace reserved by God to himself Rom. 11.4 5. notwithstanding the present Apostacy who have not bowed the knee either to the Beast or to his Image I wait to see this reserved remnant call'd out of their several holes and caves where they are hid from the world and from one another and so brought together even as so many dry bones bone to his bone c. to make a standing Army for the King of Saints in the time appointed of the Father Mine heart Judg. 5.9 a Deborah's was is towards the Governours of Israel that offer themselves willingly among the people bless ye the Lord. Oh! keep your garments clean and close about you and you shall walk with Christ in white for such are worthy How do I rejoyce in Spirit that I can in Spirit go thorow the grates of my Prison and pass thorow all the guards which are set to shut and keep me up from the society of the Saints and converse sweetly in a mystery with those beloved Brethren of mine whose faces I never saw in the flesh Methinks I hear A mystical Conference betwixt the prisoner and his Brethren who are one spirit with him in the present truth and work of God in the world Dan. 8.13 with Daniel one Saint speaking and another Saint saying unto that certain Saint which spake How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice and the transgression of desolation to give both the Sanctuary the Host to be troden under foot Then methinks I hear a sweet voice from another Believer saying The Sanctuary shall be cleansed it shall be cleansed Amen say I from my watch-Tower the Lords Sanctuary hath need of cleansing Quest But where are the Instruments say others and who shall be imployed in this glorious work we thought the Son of David had had such Worthies come from New-England from Holland at the beginning of the late great revolution as would not onely have helped to maintain their own their Brethrens attainments but would also have advanced valiantly like undaunted Leaders of the Lords voluntiers 2 Tim. 2.3 upon the old carnal Church and its Clergie and as becomes good Souldiers of Jesus Christ would have endured any hardness rather then have given place by retreat or subjection though but for an hour Gal. 2.5 that so the truth of the Gospel of the Kingdom might have prevailed in the
World We had these honorable thoughts of them but alas where are they and what is become of these reputed Champions for the Lamb against the Beast are not most of them even revolted and gone 2 Tim. 2.4 are they not entangled in the affairs of this life yea are not some of them busie in building again the Things they have destroyed Answ Be not doubtful of minde Oh little Flock live not in careful suspence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 12.30 carried like Meteors betwixt Heaven and Earth The zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall perform this great Thing whereof we speak and if need be Jehovah will create a Spirit of judgement and a Spirit of burning for the accomplishing that honourable Enterprize for his Son which the hearts of the choicest Saints are so much upon Again It 's probable 1 Cor. 1.27 God will take some foolish Thing or other some weak some despised Thing to perfect his praise in the midst of all his enemies For oftentimes of old the Instruments have been too Many sometimes too Mighty sometimes too Wise for God to use Wherefore let us remember It 's thy part and mine to believe that notwithstanding the Retrograde motions both of persons and Things as we suppose yet certainly the Main Designe is carried on with an High hand but in paths so secret that the most sharp-sighted Politicians in the Kingdom of the Beast cannot well tell how and where to obviate or countermine And which is the most confounding Consideration of all the rest such is the nature of this great Contrivance which you through mercy are privie to that if there be at any time a Discovery made of its mighty Eruptions as now and then there is yet the Souldiers weapons with the Counsellors and States-mens wits in conjunction dare not suddenly grapple with it but if they at any juncture of time are found so hardy as to make this bold adventure it 's with utmost hazard of being ground to powder As for me a reproached Outcast an exile Captive it is upon my heart to desire Two Things of you my brethren and companions in tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ Pour out prayer and then lift up prayer for the prisoner Eph. 6.18 Jude 20. verse Oh! let there be a Continuation of prayers and requests on my behalf in the Spirit I say in the holy Spirit for certainly the Lord hath heard your supplications for me as I shall I hope demonstrate in due season Oh pray and pray again ye close followers of the Lamb That if this Close prisoner be delivered up again to the Councils for Christs Name sake Mat. 10.17 and his Kingdoms sake he may be made Mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 and eloquent with that eloquence and elocution onely which the Spirit of Christ was wont to administer to the suffering Saints in all ages And That I may be of a very high and of a mighty spirit for our dear Lord Jesus yea of a lofty and a daring spirit according to the glorious Ministration of the New Testament and not otherwise in the least which yet will never be unless He be dearer to me then my life whom my soul loves and unless I am kept under the constraining power of divine love 2 Cor. 5.14 Oh Brethren this Divine love will make bitter Things sweet and turn a strait Prison into a stately Palace Do I say Will do these things yea it hath performed greater works then I can possibly after much meditation compass to express Wherefore I intreat you to remember my bonds my strait bonds as you do and I am perswaded your brotherly love herein will turn to good account for each of you also when with diligent observation you ponder what improvements you have made in the industrious prosecutions of so good a trade And let men beware how they impute it to proud presumption in me thus to hope Luke 21.28 to look up and to lift up my head with such boldness in this Cause even before the faces of the Highest and most Majestical Potentates in the World if call'd before them for hath not my God asked me many times Wilt thou in such a Cause as this though most perfidiously forsaken by very many be afraid of a man that shall die and of the son of man that shall be made as grass Did not Stephen Acts 7. that renowned Deacon of the Church of Christ carry it sweetly and yet stoutly for his Lord when he was brought before the High Priest and the Council His Highness did not affright him in the least Stephen was protected and incouraged by One who was infinitely higher then He and all the Lords of the Council before I had tasted of Stephen's Cordial I often wondred how he did dare to speak at so high a rate before and unto the High-Priest as you read Act. 7.51 52. Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do alwayes resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did so do ye Which of the Prophets have not your fathers persecuted and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murtherers c. Again was not Luther in the presence of Charles the fifth and the many illustrious Princes of Germany inabâ—ed by the most High to bear up with invincible courage so that they could not prevail to terrifie or affright him from his Faith and Doctrine which he had taught the people from the holy Oracles and then it 's easie to conjecture how improbable it was that all the Monks and Friers all the Prelates and Parish Priests should afterward be able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spâ—ke Oh! how sweet hath that word been made to my soul 1 Iohn 4 Ye are of God little children and have overcome Them because Greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world Offer up praise for the prisoner I beseech you also let there be mâ—intained a constant conjunction in praising the Name of our God and Father Leâ— us agree to meet every day many times in the day for the performing this Celestial this Angelical service O! Psal 34.3 magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his Name together in the Spirit 〈◊〉 and though our outward man be not capable during my restraint of local fellowship in this spiritual â—acrifice of praise yet it will refresh me much to recount the mercies which are our proper portion and inheritance in distinction from the world 1. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ as That he hath chosen us in him and that bâ—foâ—e the foundation of the world c. That he hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself c. That he
far and to what degrees my Letters have been acceptable unto you the Lords people and a part of the lot of his inheritance is best known to him whose eyes are in the midst of the golden Candlesticks as a flame of fire and whose prerogative it is to search the hearts and try the reins of the children of men But blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory who hath put me in the Ministery of the new Testament that he hath vouchsafed to his poor unworthy servant This grace of bearing testimony to his coming and his kingdom and hath superadded and heaped up incouragement upon incouragement so as that I shall not be left nor forsaken in this honourable Cause of his Son Jesus Christ and of his Gospel And I do further praise his glorious Name by this Epistle in this Congregation of his Saints for that he hath given me a room in his own bosome and in his holy place even in the holy of holies the place where his Honour dwelleth and where his glory shineth as also hath let me into the hearts and prayers of many of his choicest people who have received a good measure of that holy and divine unction whereby gradually they may come to know all things although I am also sensible of that dissatisfaction concerning me and my Cause which is upon the Spirits of divers godly people But do not we know that they are generally such as are contented to sit down on this side Jordan with the two Tribes and a half and their attainments and enjoyments are no higher then they were seven yeers since if so high neither do they desire they should be but my soul pities them I see those that were first are in danger of being the last and the last are in probability of being first And blessed are they who are not offended in Christ and at the Gospel of the kingdom As for you Brethren beloved and longed for great is my care for you great is my rejoycing over you I can say Through grace the Lord hath given me to have a natural â—â—re of your state and of your affairs and what I have written hitherto I have written with much seriousness of Spirit as in the sight of God and in sincerity as knowing that I am what I am through free mercy for your edifying Information is for your edifying exhortation is for your edifying reproof is for edifying if there be no matter for reproof to work upon if it finde nothing in you or any of you bless the Lord who hath kept you and that joy in uprightness and innocencie will be for your edifying If there be any among you conscious to any unworthy walking before the Lord his people and the world as who is not I am sure I am guilty of unworthy walking and miscarriages every day then let every such one lay his or her hand upon their heart and humble themselves secretly before the Lord and look to their steps Our God is a jealous God and a consuming fire and he searcheth Jerusalem with candles and espies and knows all your thoughts all your works and waies and words and walks Look to your hearts and spirits and affections and dispositions and ends and principles with all diligence Believe it Christ will make work among you if all be not found at the bottom my office and ministery which I have received in the Lord will bear me out in being instant in season out of season in representing what I judge to be the minde of Christ unto you from the oracles of God they being profitable for doctrine and for reproof correction and instruction in righteousness happy are the people who have the Lord Jehovah so neer unto them in all matters for their God as he is even unto you though I am nothing and desire to be accounted so so that Christ may be all in all so that you may make up the fulness of him that filleth all in all As for that fruit of righteousness and love which you have lately shewed forth in the presence of the Lord Jesus and his elect Angels for and in consideration of my sufferings formerly at Newgate-market and at the present and of all those necessary expences incident thereunto I do here testifie to the glory of the Lord and declaration of your readiness of minde that it was administred in seaâ—on and so hath not onely made a supply of that which should have been administred by others and was not but also is abundant by many thanksgivings unto God and as he that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly so he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully for as you abound in this grace and other graces towards others so God is able to make all grace abound towards you Therefore my Beloved as ye have alwaies obeyed not as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling yet let not the hope assurance of salvation eat up and devour your holy fear and trembling frame of spirit before the Lord but like the true inward circumcision worship God in spirit rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Further I exhort you and urge you as from the Lord in whose name I write to do all things without murmurings and disputings let all your things be done in brotherly love let all passages be managed with meekness of spirit that concern a private interest but with holy zeal that concern the publick interest of our Lord and Law-giver and to this end the Lord give you all from the greatest to the least a spirit of wisdom to try things that differ and particularly to distinguish betwixt the glory of Christ and the honor of men that you may approve accordingly of that alwaies in all conferences which is most excellent for I tell you or rather the Lord That his glory must not now be given to another and they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes must have also a constant disposition to leave all to lose all at an hours warning for his sake the Gospels With many other words I could write unto you for my heart is inlarged but I must break off and commend you to the grace of that God who brought again from the dead that great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the everlasting Covenant and to the word of the Gospel which is able to build you up further and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified through faith in Christ Jesus to whom with the holy Spirit be glory for ever Brethren pray for me and mine when you pray for your own souls The 1 of the 1 Moneth 1653. Yours in bonds for yours and the service of all the Saints CHRISTOPHER FEAKE POSTSCRIPT Brother Simpson salutes the Church in the Lord and desires continuation of prayers thanking you all for your kinde remembrance Dearly beloved Brethren
faithful remembrancer at the glorious Throne of Grace CHRISTOPH FEAKE Dear Brethren Beloved in the Lord FOr whose best good and greatest happiness I would be content to endure through the strength of Christ whatever the Lord should be pleased to permit man to do unto me It may be the Lord is but beginning to accustome me to the yoake having hotter service yet behinde for me to be engaged in I confess I suffer trouble as an evil doer even unto bonds 2 Tim. 2.9 but my comfort is as was Paul's the word of God is not bound and Oh that I could speak the Apostles following words in his Spirit therefore I endure all things for the Elects sake that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory As for my self I have no cause to complain but rather to magnifie the wisdom power and goodness of my God who in the riches of his Grace hath in some measure inabled me and counted me faithful putting me into the Ministery who naturally and from mine own inclination am very apt to slothfulness and negligence to dulness and luke-warmness insomuch that I wonder to consider how the Spirit of Christ hath from time to time over-powered my natural temper causing me with much effectualness of Grace to be in some degree laborious in his harvest-field the remembrance whereof is among other particulars a most sweet refreshment to my soul in this my banishment from his House and Temple for a time what his intent is in ordering me such a portion for the present will in time appear But in the mean season my care and sollicitousness for the Church is abundantly above the care of my self I am not sollicitous for mine own concernments being fully satisfied in the light of God that it is unspeakably for my good to be thus dealt withal by these men The great thoughtfulness of my heart is for you all who have in good earnest given your selves up to the Lord that you might in this curious juncture of time have your conversation as it becometh the Gospel And a true report of your holy loving stedfast walking with the Lord and one with another will be my great joy and rejoycing before the Lord Jesus both now and at his appearing Wherefore if it were the good will of God to give you all fresh and further discoveries of his minde how you ought to walk and to please him â—hile I am thus by force kept from among you what blessed occasions should I have to break forth here in blessing and praising the Lord abundantly in this behalf I desire exceedingly to rejoyce in the beholding your Order and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ for I much fear lest by some means the Tempter should tempt you or some of you and so my labour be so far in vain as the temptation doth prevail And some of you may remember I forewarned you of this hour of temptation long before which I told you would try the strongest Christians so reputed but now plainly see if Ancient Professors among you be not very circumspect you may see that Scripture further fulfilled every day â—he first shall be last and the last shall be first Now by way of faithful advice in reference to Order and orderly walking I take it for a truth granted as which cannot with any colour be denied That those Saints who are come out of Babylon and brought to Sion and are become a peculiar people to the Lord and a particular body or corporation to Christ I say they ought to continue together in prayer supplication with one accord so they did Act. 1.14 and it is said Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples see Act. 2.42 And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers they that believed were together vers 44. and the Apostle Heb. 10.25 not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as ye see the day approaching These things are nâ—t proved to you but you are put in minde of this foundation-Truth in reference to discipline and worship for those things are to be transacted in the assemblings of the Saints as being for the glory of God and the edifuing of the Body But the thing wherein I would be helpful at this point of time is to propound waies for the practising of this rule of continuing and walking together 1. First Let the Elders and Brethren agree with one accord that the whole Church be gathered together in the naâ—e of Christ to consider after earnest prayer to that purpose how they may be kept together for this Hour of temptation will endanger the scaâ—tering of many Against that day which is appointed I shall prepare somewhat for direction 2. Let those that are unacquainted with their duty judging it to be their liberty without further waiting to provide for their spiritual feeding elsewhere let them I say know that if all should be of their minde what would become of the Churches of Christ Let them not have more respect to their particular private benefit though spiritual then to the glory work and business of Christ at least let them attend upon the Lord with the Church to obtain their desire with consent of the whole body and brotherly love requires this and let them give in their Arâ—uments distinctly that they may be weighed by Scripture It is the opinion indeed and practice of some if the Officer be absent to wander hither and thither and so fall into suares ere they are aware and there have been woful instances of this 3. Let not any debate proceed so far as to hinder edifying and engender strife but let there be care taken to prevent strife as men are careful to prevent the breaking in of waters The Lord hath blessed my endeavours this way hitherto and I have much comfort herein at this day 4. In debating any thing or case that is stated according to Scripture let the Brethren speak first that so if there be any light among them it may be noted and this will be looked upon as the enjoyment of that liberty that Christ hath given But if any man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God and briefly and distinctly to the point 5. Covet the best gifts those Brethren in whom most of the power and glory of the Spirit of Christ doth appear who are mighty in the Scriptures who are most lively spiritual and warming are to be desired and called upon and if there were none to speak to you from the word yet it were worth while to come together to pray in the Holy Ghost which is one blessed means for the quickning of our dull and sluggish hearts 6. If there be a desire to joyne with any of the Churches in the Ordinance of the Lords-supper consider with whom and when c. let there be mutual consent in brotherly love Oh! that the Spirit might lead you into all truth My great desire is That you may so walk as to glorifie the Lord abundantly This 3 day of the 12 Moneth 1653. Yours to love you to serve you to suffer for you CHRISTOPHER FEAKE
hath made us accepted in the Beloved That we have redemption through the Beloved and this in his blood which redemption is the forgiveness of sins c. That he hath abounded in the riches of his grace towards us and this in all wisdom and prudence That he hath made known to us the mystery of his will That in Christ we have obtained an inheritance c. and such an inheritance That after we believed we were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise 2. But beside those blessings and other glorious priviledges which I partake of with all Saints the Lord hath enriched me with many precious Jewels in this present condition which I desire may be so used by me as to adorn the Gospel and to improve those new talents which are vouchsafed to me in this House of Bondage from day to day The mercy of contentation in this close imprisonment Phil. 4.11 I value at a very high rate before the Lord in mine acknowledgements of his loving kindness toward me The liberty and cheerfulness of my Spirit though the flesh be weak I am able to say with great joy Heb. 13.5 through rich grace That the Lord hath not left me nor forsaken me but hath given me Liberty in Bonds and Inlargement in Prison I can tell you in the power of an holy Triumph Although the Souldiers have attach'd my body and keep my outside in chains though they have barricado'd the way whereby the Saints were wont at first to come to visit me for the mutual comfort both of them and me yet blessed be my God and Father my spirit is out of their reach and the new and living way into the Holiest is kept open Heb. 10.20 and by the blood of Jesus I have boldness to enter into that within the veil Heb. 6.19 I cannot express the comfort of the visitations of the Father and the Son who according to Christ's engagement Ioh. 14.23 Do graciously gloriously come unto me and make their abode with me who am less then the least of all these mercies What shall I say I have a longing desire but it is not an inordinate lust after outward liberty to come and declare what God hath done for my soul and to teach and preach Jesus Christ publickly and from house to house Acts 5. last Let us therefore in the Name of the Lord joyne our forces and strive together in prayer that when I come I may come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel Rom. 15.29 32. That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God and may with you be refreshed even with you who through love in the Spirit have endeavoured to let loose and break in sunder those bonds wherewith I have been tied so many months And I am perswaded for I will not dissemble that this shutting and tying me up will render me by the power of God with me more fierce more fell and furious against the Kingdom of the Beast then I was before but it 's probable The Lord by his Spirit hath taught my hands to war and my fingers to fight the battels of the Lamb more skilfully then I did before I bless the Lord also and let his people say Amen Rom. 12.2 that I am still a Non-conformist to the world and the world-like-Church but am through the grace of God made more conformable to the image of his Son Rom. 8.29 and when Christ who is my life shall appear I also together with others shall appear with him in glory Colos 3.4 It often comes into my minde how David complains Reproach hath broken mine heart Indeed Psal 69.20 to be stigmatiz'd and set as upon a Theatre for a spectacle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal. 6.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 4.9 and set as upon a Theatre for a spectacle and to be gazed at is a very unwelcome condition to the nature of man but herein I am conformed to my Head also Heb. 6.6 It was reported during my first close imprisonment that I had forsaken Christ the Head and was under the ministration of evil Angles That I had a spirit of delusion c. Sometimes by some men I am a fool by others that I am a madman since my close confinement here I am against Magistracy as Magistracy poor fellow I cannot define what faith is But blessed for ever blessed be the Name of the Lord I can say in Paul's spirit None of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto my self so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministery which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God By the ensuing Letters to that little Flock which I am over in the Lord my spirit and my designe may be discerned they are the Index of my very heart When Epistles are the true and genuine issue of the soul as these are of mine there is no difficulty in making an estimate of the Author of them especially when there 's no opportunity for the polishing and artificial adorning of them as in the writing of these there neither was nor well could be The first was written from neer the Council-chamber-door in the midst of company and in hast because I expected every moment to be fetcht in and I was willing to salute the Church from my bonds they being to meet in the afternoon of that day The next and all the others were according to the constant frame of my spirit at other times no artifice no premeditation or study I had no thought of this kinde of publication of them Soundness in the faith the power of godliness and the promoting of the present truth and work of Christ are those things which have lain next my heart for many yeers and if I speak or write to the Saints those things will certainly flow forth for that saying of Christ is truth Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and so the pen writeth if he be an honest-minded-man that guides it I should not have thus far appeared but for the manifestation of the truth and what error soever any one espies in those Letters I am ready to retract and correct upon any the least advertisement with light from the Oracles of God 2 Tim. 3.16 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Scripture being divinely inspired is profitable for correction that the man of God may be perfect perfected to every good work I have great need of patience that after I have done and suffered the will of God I may inherit the promise Moreover to conclude I must not cast away my confidence for that also hath great recompence of reward We poor oppressed prisoners are fools for Christ's sake but ye are wise in Christ we are weak but ye are strong ye are honorable but we are despised This word I write to the dissatisfied Saints who are so apt to censure
speak in the Spirit pray in the holy Spirit rule in the Spirit come together in the Spirit continue together in the Spirit conclude in the Spirit all your meetings reserve the Brethren that are fullest of the holy Spirit for the last in exercises that you may go home with a sweet relish of the presence of Christ with warmed refreshed hearts with an appetite to come again the next opportunity because you found Jehovah so graciously present the last time Oh! when Brethren dearly beloved and longed for shall I see your faces again in the great Congregation In the Lords best time in the time appointed of the Father my Father your Father to Him with the Lord Jesus and the holy Spirit be glory for ever Amen Salute every Saint in Christ Jesus The Lord the eternal God be with you and keep you every one in his bosome for ever Amen The 8 of the 12 Moneth 1653. Yours in the Lord to serve and love you unfeignedly Christopher Feake For the Saints and faithful Brethren in CHRIST meeting in Warwick-lane LONDON My dear Brethren in Christ THe prosperity of whose souls I ardently desire more and more Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for all those spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ wherewith he hath and doth bless us the unworthiest of his sons and daughters Let me now write a few words unto you by way of exhortation to press forward toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus for I perceive that in the neglect of this duty Satan takes great advantage to keep up his tottering and sinking kingdom at this day If the Angels of all the Churches had been zealous in the prosecuting of those things of which they made a fair shew in the flesh and in face or appearance Undoubtedly the several Congregations had been the glory of the Nation in the midst of it as God was willing to be their glory in the midst of the Nation then had not the faces of the most intelligent and spiritual Saints waxed pale with grief to behold the apostacy of the most eminent leaders then had not the forceries and witchcrafts of this present world beguiled them ere they were aware then had not Satan filled their hearts and the hearts of so many of the Brethren to deal treacherously with the Lord Jesus and this glorious Cause which is in great danger to be deserted utterly as a thing of no value But they are the last times and therefore it is the less wonder to see men to be lovers of their own selves covetous boasters proud truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures hunting feasting musick worldly pompe and pastime more then lovers of God having a form of godliness and denying the power of it from such those who are contrary minded must and will turn away namely such Christians as being full of the Spirit 1. Are not lovers of their own selves but of the Lord Jesus and of all the Saints 2. Not covetous but liberal laying aside as God hath prospered them honouring the Lord with their substance and with the first-fruits of all their increase doing good rich in good works ready to distribute willing to communicate 3. Not arrogant boasters but lowly and meek self-denying resigning up all to the wise disposal of their Father 4. Not promise-breakers or covenant-breakers but faithful not changing a good resolution or word though it be to their hurt 5. Not traitors to the Saints to Christs Interest to Gods Glory but zealous promoters of common justice of righteous laws 6. Not heady or rash wilful violent advancers of their own forms but praying waiting deliberating 7. Not lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God but lovers of God of Christ of the Saints of the Common-wealth and publick-good more then of all the pleasures delights honours powers and glory which the world can by any means administer to her admirers Oh take heed of mingling with backsliders and revolters you will gain nothing by acquaintance with them or dependence on them be contented with such things as you have if it be possible yea if you have but food and raiment be not sollicitous do not make a busling for places and preferments as do others lest you be brought into the temptations of serving proud imperious mens lusts and humours The word of command from our Captain-general by this his unworthy leader of one of his Companies is To your close order to your close guard and the watch-word is The Lord is coming watch and pray the Lord is coming watch and pray Give the word fellow-Souldiers throughout the Lords Host which is armed with invisible invincible spiritual weapons it will become in due time terrible as an Army with Banners Amen Finally my Brethren the time being short Oh! beg of the Lord that you may go forward towards Gospel-perfection that you may be full of spiritual knowledge experiences and acquaintance with God even the Father and with the Lord Jesus Christ Now let the word of Christ dwell richly in you As for faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ and love to all the Saints if your souls flourish and prosper therein all will flourish then you will press onward you will be zealous not luke-warm you will admonish one another watch over each the other advise help one the other you will glorifie the Lord adorn the Gospel shine like lights in the dark world and put formal worldly hypocritical professors and Church-members to shame at the coming of Jesus Christ Salute every Saint especially those who are most helpful exemplary and diligent to promote the communion of Saints If there be any that will not obey the Law of Christ upon admonition in love note that man or woman by letter that I my help to heal them at this distance for I am with you in Spirit The Lord even the Lord that fanctifies and saves you be your portion for ever The 11 of the 12 Moneth 1653. Yours in the Lord with all I am Christoph Feake My Beloved in the Lord I Do again salute you as those to whom the Father of glory hath appeared in the face of Jesus Christ and to whom the holy Spirit hath already come as the Comforter to satiate the soul of the hungry and thirsty ones more or less My soul is still waiting upon the Lord for your good as knowing that all your fresh springs are in him as mine are otherwise we should soon lie down in sorrow But blessed for ever be the glorious Name of our Jehovah who in the superabundant riches of his grace hath made most precious provision in the Lord Jesus Christ for us and for all the Saints Verily Brethren the consideration of the willingness and large heartedness of our heavenly Father is enough to overwhelme our poor weak Spirits our frail hearts are not in any wise able to
distance as well as man yea on the other side I am full I am rich I abound the Lord is with me most graciously most gloriously Friends if you knew what it is to lose all or to be willing to lose all for Christ in the light and power of the Spirit of Christ you would be more couragious forward and zealous in this noble Cause in danger to be starved but it shall not miscarry by the policy and private interest of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the Truth and of the Spirit Brethren I must break off I am as much imployed as when I was in London for the most part and am put to it to write my Letters to you while company is in my chamber and so swiftly write what the Lord dictates without study for I want opportunity and the messenger now staies Therefore remember what I have taught you publickly and privately from house to house it is for the substance of it such Doctrine as I dare through Grace and the assistance thereof seal with my blood I can boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear what man can do unto me be ye strong quit your selves like men fear not the power pride lusts threatnings of man walk as becometh the Saints let brotherly love continue be not ashamed of my bonds nor of my keeper Expect glorious revolutions to make way for the desire of all Nations Blessed are they even all those that wait for him and love his appearing My heart is inlarged surely prayer is made for me I finde so much incoms from heaven The Lord be your exceeding great reward who wrestle for me Salute every Saint especially those who are most full of the Spirit and most useful for Christ and his people Eternal grace and glory be every ones portion henceforth and for ever Amen The 18 of the 12 Moneth 1653. From my strong Tower and place of sure defence Your faithful Shepherd although absent and in bonds Christopher Feake My dearly beloved Brethen in the Lord ACcording to that talent which I have received from the Lord I desire to be found fruitful and faithful to the Lord Jesus and his people for it would be a most sad thing for my Master to finde his servants either idle or ill-employed And seeing dear Brethren that ye look for such things as the Apostle Peter doth speak of in 2 Epist 3 chap. Be diligent that ye also may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless Questionless when he comes that shall come he will finde but little faith on the earth and if he finde it so you and I may readily conjecture how all other graces will be wanting insomuch that the righteous will scarcely be saved and the wise Virgins will do no more then enter in I fear there will not be an entrance administred unto them abundantly into that everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ because but even then they will be slumbering and sleeping and so cannot have their sences exercised and in a meet posture to keep him company as those who have watched with the Bridegroom and come along with him You see I am careful to stir up your pure mindes by way of remembrance at this distance it is altogether from love and for your edifying It may be some of you may be willing I should receive advertisements of your best things of your faith and hope and love and humility c. but not of your weaknesses of any omissions or neglects of any whisperings or evil surmisings or such-like unseemliness but let such remember that the whole Scripture being given by divine inspiration it is not onely profitable for doctrine but for reproof and for correction and instruction in righteousness Therefore if any of you finde any discontents or swellings in your own Spirits which you indeavour to hide but yet they are clearly discerned by experienced Saints for one word is enough to the wise let such an one know and remember that it is not a Gospel-frame of heart the Corinthians indeed were puffed up for one against another but the Apostle reckons it a great uncomliness in that body of Christ I write not these things to shame you but as those who are dear to me I admonish you lest Satan should get an advantage of you and so occasion your adversaries and his instruments to blaspheme the people and waies of God Oh! Brethren make it each of you for the Lord Jesus Christs sake your business that your love your holiness your meekness moderation or evenness of Spirit be known unto one another and unto all men that you may rejoyce exceedingly and I may rejoyce exceedingly when we shall meet together again not onâ—ly in this world but in that which is to come when all the faithful shepherds with their flocks shall be gathered together before the great Shepherd of the sheep and receive from him a crown of glory that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for us who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation Finally Oh ye dwellers upon mount Sion take heed to your steps to your goings out and your comings in let your words be seasoned with salt which may minister grace to the hearers and not grief The bridling of the tongue is an heavenly art and faculty we count him a perfect man who is very skilful this way Be swift to hear and slow to speak and be sure to remember That our adversary the devil goes up and down like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour like as the Lord said of Behemoth He trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth so this crooked and piercing serpent hopes to swallow up whole Churches into the gulph of his belly which is this present evil world Oh therefore let your eyes be in your forehead to foresee the dangers of the present juncture of time The Lord fill your souls with Himself and Son and Spirit that there may be no room nor place in your hearts for any sublunary interest whatsoever The time is short the path is untroden snares are multiplied the service is hot the victory is impossible to flesh and blood but easie to faith Wherefore my beloved in the Lord be ye stedfast and unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord in whom I salute every Saint in Christ Jesus throughout the whole Congregation both those that were in Christ before me and those whom the Lord hath revealed himself to of later yeers the weak and the strong the rich and the poor great and small who are beloved of Christ to him be glory and dominion in this and in the world to come Amen From my pleasant prison-house this 24 of the 12 Moneth 1653. Your careful shepherd in bonds for the testimony of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christopher Feake Dearly beloved in the Lord HOw
bear up under that weight of glory which breaks in upon us when the most High condescends to visit any of our souls from the throne of his glory Oh! how are we even filled with wonderment at those enjoyments and attainments especially when we remember what we were in time past enemies in our mindes by wicked works full of unrighteousness or self-righteousness very vain foolish disobedient serving divers base lusts and pleasures Now for such wretches and vile base creatures as we were to be so graciously dealt withal to be admitted into the presence of the great Jehovah to partake of exceeding great precious promises of the divine nature of the holy Spirit to be sealed with it to the day of redemption and a thousand such priviledges what maner of love is this Oh! all ye Saints break forth in secret and open admirations wonder at these things as at the most rare and excellent objects that are in all the world What what are the pleasures and honours and pomp and powers of the children of men to that joy and peace which is in believing to those ravishing delights that are in the presence of the Lord and at his right hand for evermore Assuredly if the holy Spirit were fallen upon any of us in that spiritual glory that is expected we should indeed shine like lights in the world and hold forth the word of life most affectionately and effectually to the Saints and to the sinful sons of men we should be a blessing each of us in every place where we come Parents would adorn the Gospel Children would adorn the Gospel Pastors People would be Ornaments to the way of Christ and the want of that Spirit and the non-resting thereof upon us is the ground of all that unevenness in our walking of our unfruitfulness and barrenness in the Lords Orchard of our unusefulness in our generation As for my present condition I tell you again and I tell you rejoycing The Lord is good exceeding good I am filled with his company I am satisfied as with marrow and fatness I must praise him with joyful lips when I meditate in the night watches my meditations are very sweet It is best for me to be with God with his people and I shall be much with the Lord that I may again once more be with his hidden ones and his holy ones that rejoyce in his Highness I am departed for a season that I may return for a great space of time goodness and mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my life and I would gladly be a pillar in the house of my God and would go no more out And let me tell you I earnestly and I desire your help also beg and intreat that the Lord Jesus that the name of the city of my God which is the new Jerusalem which cometh down out of heaven from my God and Christs new name may be written upon me I am looking out for my right to enter into that City which shall be called The Lord is There Brethren beloved of the Lord how is it with you and the daughters of Sion are you like the chariots of Aminadab a living lively people a zealous active people Tell me at this local distance how is it with you do you fear the Lord above many do you thrive and prosper as the primitive Saints used to prosper that were Saints indeed do you wrestle for me in good earnest for I trust this imprisonment shall turn to a good account through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ to that dear Saviour of yours and mine be excellent glory for ever His glorious grace be with every faithful heart Amen From my Quarters at Windsor-Castle this 15 of the 12 Moneth 1653. Your Shepherd in bonds Christoph Feake My dear friends and companions in the fellowship of the Gospel SEeing the good pleasure of the Lords goodness and the work of Faith is fulfilling in me the Lords unworthy prisoner the time appointed of the Father is not yet come I do not finde my spirit willing to accept of deliverance before the one and the other be fulfilled with power that the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in me and I in him according to the grace of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ Oh dear hearts it is given to me a poor silly worm despised of the people through the wonderful free grace of my God Not onely to believe which is no small token of the favour of God in Christ but also to suffer for his sake which seems to be an addition of his favour to those that have first believed Oh! who knows what it is to be sealed with the holy Spirit of promise but those that have a spiritual feeling of the mighty power thereof how good is it to draw nigh to God! I have often spoken of it and felt it but now it is glorious indeed to keep company with the Lord himself in his own holy place even the Holy of Holies My hearts desire for you all and every one is That you might be filled with all wisdom and spiritual understanding and by degrees come to all riches of full assurance of understanding to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God even the Father and of Christ for verily that is such a condition as makes a heaven on this side heaven Oh! the excellent glory sweetness and fulness of that estate but never I am perswaded did any of the Saints enjoy themselves and their God so richly and abundantly as the sincere Martyrs and sufferers for the Name of Christ and the Gospel because none have occasion so much as they all the world hate them and their persecutors especially therefore if the Lord also hid himself from them poor wretches they would be of all men most miserable Therefore further Christ is bound by the duty of his Office to look after Them to stand by Them to cherish and to nourish Them to countenance and incourage Them to fill them with his own fulness when the world hath emptied them and scorned them and imprisoned them and buffeted them and put them into the forms of traitors of hereticks of seditious ones c. If the Lord should not reveal his love yea if he should not crown them with loving kindness and tender mercies then That Temptation would rationally prevail It is in vain to serve God it is better to serve the lusts of men and our own It will urge further What profit is it that we have kept his Ordinances Is it not better to observe the Ordinances of the Kings of the earth of the Princes of the States and Protectors of the earth then otherwise and do as the most do as those do who are lovers of pleasures more then lovers of God But blessed be the Lord Jehovah my rock for ever I have no ground to be dissatisfied with my condition in this respect as if the Lord did keep at a