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
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
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
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
will bring down every high thing and he alone will be exalted in the Earth When great voices shall say THE KINGDOMES OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME OUR LORDS AND HIS CHRISTS AND HE SHALL REIGNE TO THE AGES OF AGES Rev. 11. 13-15 Even so Come Lord Jesus Amen The joy hereof frequently refresheth with the refreshings of God London †Postscript Moonths according to Holy Scriptures begin at New Moons Phasis or first appearing time Num. 10. 10 Num. 28. 11. Greek Psal. 81. 3. Heb. cal'd Moonths from Moons Thus in this yeare 1648. the first Moonth Nisan Ester 3.7 begins March 14. vulgar 2 d Moonth Ziu 1 King 6. 1. begins April 13 th 3 d Moonth Sivan Ester 8. 2. began May 12. c. The rest with their significations c. being published in the Scripture-Almanack the Relator thinking to make use of with the Vulgar Kalendar in the ensuing Relation was led as yet to forbear it till thereby people be furthered to understand the Scripture Language therein least he might seem to many Readers a Barbarian 1 Cor. 14. 9. 11. 2 d Moonth Ziu 2 d day Vulg. April 27. Revised AEthanim 3. Vulg. Septemb. 21. 1647. Your fellow-servant and Brother having holding the witnes of Iesus HENRIE JESSE aliàs HENRIE JACIE MAy 24. 1647. M ris SARAH WIGHT being then still very weak in body and keeping bed since April 6. said thus to the Relator I would others might heare how graciously the Lord hath dealt with me the chiefest of sinners that none might DESPAIR and murmure as I have done Though I murmured as they in the Wildernes as much as those that sell yet he hath brought me into the land of Canaan and hath brought Legion to her right mind and set her at his feet I was strongly perswaded that what I did eat or drink it was as the unworthy eating the Sacrament I stil did cat and drink my own damnation every thing I did or saw was terror to me So it remained and might have remain'd for ever had not his loving kindnes prevented me and drawn me to himselfe O that all creatures reasonable and unreasonable might praise the Name of the Lord ‑ And I would others might heare of this that none might PRESUME For if they knew the terrors that I have felt the terrors of Hell for sinning against light against God and against a Parent for murmuring lying revolting judging I had committed that impardonable sin if they knew what it is to have God hide his face and be as an enemy they would not presume To the Christian Reader GRACE and PEACE MAny of these precious Pearles these hidden Mysteries of the Treasury of the glorious Gospel being gathered and stored up together by the Relator as they were brought to light day by day before the 27 th of April last Divers Christian friends that had been partakers thereof judged it unmeet they should be hid and hoarded up for a few to enjoy in private much desiring they might be published both for better supply to themselves and to many others whom the Lord might please to support refresh and enrich thereby When no more was gathered then what might be contained in two sheets or three The Earthly Vessell of conveyance being then most likely to return to earth within a few dayes Hence was the more cause of willingnesse to yeild to this desire and to prefix the Letter foregoing for the better confirmation hereof writ April 27. 1647. After that day shee remaining as weak as before and unable to eat at all for eleven weeks together or to drink but onely once in two or three or once in foure or five dayes and still drinking lesse and lesse then that before Pag. 55 56. and her drink being onely faire water till April 19. and sometimes small beer afterwards never strong beer Thus was this put to the Presse and in the mean while one day after another was occasion of enlarging it by Conferences c. and of her still drawing neerer death in outward appearance till Iune 11. And before Iune 11. and Iune 25. 1647. which were the dayes of the Lords wonderfull raising up her body by Faith as is shewed pag. 135. a good part thereof was printed Yet seeing the more goodnesse the Lord magnified towards her the chiefest of sinners the more his love therein melts and abaseth her as Pag. 119. 125. 134. the LORD so abase her still Its hoped the LORD will keep her soule in that humble frame whereby the publishing hereof which may be for great refreshing to many sad troubled disconsolate soules and to others who through God may reap abundant fruit hereby may be no hurt to her nor any cause at all of repenting to the Relator or others but of rejoycing and thankesgiving to many which is the longing desire and humble request of Him that longeth to be made more conformable to the death of Christ London scrip stil. 4. Mon. 23. day Vulg. Iuly 16. 1647. to dye to himselfe and to live to God and to walk in and be led by the Spirit H. J. A Postscript to the Reader For better satisfying some that would know many particulars distinctly or els they will not beleeve what wonders are here mentioned Here is added touching this hand-maids Parents Her Father was M r Thomas Wight pag. 5. son to M r Wight of Daintree and Brother to M r Nat. Wight Preacher in Tewksbury Her Mother M ris Mary Wight above seven yeeres agoe was also in deep terror and distraction of Spirit then living neer London-stone till the Lords good time of refreshing came The Maid that tended on her hereafter mentioned known to M r Cradock of Wales is well known to many of his London acquaintance Her name is Hannah Guy daughter to M r Eli-Iabu Guy late of Ireland of Trayleigh in Munster Province whose Father went thither to avoyd the Ceremonies here urged The Testimony of these two the Mother and this Maid of her drinking so little not eating at all for so long from March 27. till Iune 11. pag. 55. c. both these being of approved faithfulnesse may be sufficient 2 Cor. 13. 1. Of the expressions from pag. 35. to the end of the Book the Relator was with them an eare-witnes generally A great part of nine leaves was taken by him from the Relation of them or one of them being writ as they spake Verbatim viz. from pag. 16. to pag. 35. Some of the Repetitions therein especially of two Names being taken with the rest so passed to the Presse with the rest which now the Relator likes not wishing they had been forborne Thou art entreated therefore to excuse it and what other failings are or appeare to be Remembring In many things wee all * Greek slip Jam. 3. 2. Gal. 6. 1 2. Amongst others that have been with this Handmaid were these of esteeme amongst many that feare the Lord in London viz. M r Prime of Cambridge now Minister
but I understood not what I read till now that I had the Teaching of the Spirit He is worth the waiting for him There is a blessing pronounced to such Blessed are all that wait for him I did not wait patiently for him I was weary and could wait no longer But he is not weary He faileth not He lets the Creature goe his way for a time for his own good to humble him more and shew his mercy the more He hath him in a chaine and the enemy in a chaine So he hath the soule to dispose of it My times are in thy hands that he might magnifie mercy indeed and free love indeed No soule ever was as I have been I am sure of it If all the sins of all sinners that I read of or heard talk of were in one it were all short of me And yet t is his goodnesse that such a one as I should obtaine mercy I wish all may take heed of * The like expressions were by H.T. another in London in sicknesse Iuly 1. 1646. censuring the vilest creatures that are seeing the Lord hath done thus for me the vildest Creature but pitty them with teares of bloud One asked her how long it was since her hearing was restored to her She answered A few days agoe I asked if M r Simson and M r Jesse would come to praise the Lord with me and I found it was restored at that instant Part of a former Conference between her and another young Gentlewoman M ris A. whilst both were in despaire They met in Lawrence Pountney to hear the Lecture before it began M ris Sarah saw one walk about and about in a sad habit and went to her and asked her how shee did shee answered In as sad a condition as ever was any M ris Sarah None is in a Condition like to mine So they sate together and after that they went together and spake further of their sad conditions each counting their own state the worse Another day M ris A. said The Lord knows that knows all things that I would rather then all the world that I were in your condition M ris Sarah W. answ But if you knew how desperate my condition is you would be afraid to change place with me for you know not my sad sorrows None in the world can compare with mine Except you would desire to be in hell you would not desire to be in my condition M ris A. I must be damn'd M ris S. I am damn'd already from all eternitie to all eternitie it s not to doe but t is done already M ris A. I was a great professor but I was but an hypocrite and an hypocrites hope shall perish M ris S. I have bin an hypocrite a revolter a backslider M ris A. I know it shall be well with you M ris S. As well as it was with Judas who repented and hang'd himselfe which I must do before I shall be free from these torments At their parting for a farewell M ris A. said I think I shall perish ere I see you againe Yet the Lord spared her and shee came to her againe and they were somewhat gladded to see each other againe that could be sensible each of the others condition To sadded soules some joy it is to have companions Shee had another Conference April 24. 1647. since shee was comforted with another Maid being in deep despair that had heard of her former despair and her late comforts The words were to this effect Maid I am darkened in understanding and I am tempted to beleeve there is no God nor no Creation from God M ris Sarah W. ans So was it with mee I was so tempted The very Creation shews there is a God a Rom. 1. 19 20. and yet I could not beleeve it Maid said Some kept a fast for me yesterday and I remain as I was still and therefore I am the more terrified that no prayers shal be heard for me M ris Sarah W. So was it with me I was so terrified when there was no answer of prayers for me when in my dayes were kept for me But I was rather worse then better For I knew no prayers should be heard for a damned Creature I concluded I was rejected But the Lords time is the best time to give an answer b Psal. 88. 9. 16. Maid I have resisted the Spirit The Lord hath spoken mercy to me but I have resisted it M ris Sarah W. The day of Sealing was not come then you could not resist that work when he comes with power c Psal. 110. 3. els you would make God weaker then you God would bring you this way about and hides himselfe when you have grieved the Spirit that you may seek him the more earnestly and that he may give you the surer comforts and to make himselfe a glorious Name as in Isa. 63. 10 11. They rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit therefore he fought against them as an enemy Then he remembred the dayes of old when he led them by the right hand of Moses dividing the water before them to make himselfe an everlasting Name That led them through the deep So through the deepest troubles till the Spirit of the Lord causeth them to rest to make himselfe a glorious Name Though you have rebeld and vex'd his holy Spirit what could you doe more yet saith he I have carried thee all the dayes of old I le be your guide even to death Maid It s not possible that such a one as I should find mercy I look every moment to be swallowed up M ris Sarah W. But Gods thoughts are not your thoughts nor Gods wayes your wayes d Isa. 55. 8. In the Wildernesse Israel murmured yet the Rock followed them not they the Rock but went from the Rock yet the Rock followed them and that Rock is Christ e 1 Cor. 10. 4. So this Rock will follow you in this your Wildernesse Maid It s not possible I finde such a wicked heart that if it were not for feare of wrath or punishment I should fall into all wickednesse M ris Sarah W. Now you shew you beleeve there is a God You are not worse then Peter that so denied and forswore him against his Conscience f Mar. 14. 71. or then Mary Magdalen that had seven Devils was full of the Devill g Chap. 16. 9. The Theefe on the Crosse Persecuting Paul that persecuted Christ and my selfe was so injurious and blasphemous The chiefe of sinners yet these found mercy And what can you be more You can be but a sinner and the chiefe of sinners He dyed for such He is therefore cald Jesus because he shall save his people from their sinnes What people those that were not a people these he cals and these he saves Maid I am no better for going to the means and am ready to neglect all M ris Sarah W. I was so terrified I was not able
so wept that my face was wet when I awoke I apprehended my self violently hurried down a very steep hill and being therewith terrified it was darted into me presently that it was the Hill where the swine that were possessed with Legion ran down violently into the Sea that was at bottome of that steep place And as I was thus hurrying down the same I saw as I apprehended Horses red and white and black and of some other colour were running down before me And being thus carried downe a great way and through the depth of it and darkness that was I could see no bottom of it being overcome thereby I cryed out to God Lord help I perish I perish I am not able I am not able to go down it And wept A voice presently answered me I am able to carry thee upon Eagles wings a Ex. 19.4 And instantly one like the appearance of a man but the Glory of him was so great I cannot express it he came and took me in his armes and carried me down to the bottom of the hill And then he said to me concerning the the appearance of the b As good Angles are sent to and fro Zach. 1. 8.10 So bad ones go to and fro in the earth Iob. 1. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 8. Horses that were hurried down before me These are all thy spirittual enemies and I have trampled them under my feet Rom. 16. 20. And then he carried me in his armes up to the top of the hill and then and not till then he told me the reason why he carried me first down to the bottom of the hill saying I could have carried thee at first to the top and not to the bottome but thus I did that thou maist prize the mercy the more in delivering thee from the lowermost hell and that thou maist prize Heaven the more And he further said I have gone before thee and have made crooked places straight before thee and have broken in pieces the gates of brasse and have cut in sunder the barrs of iron I have done it for thee He that carried me and spake thus to me was so glorious that its beyond what I can expresse Vpon this I awoke my cheeks being wet with weeping And considering and musing about this immediately this was brought to mind Wherein have I made thee accepted Is it not in my beloved Son in whom my soul delighteth Mat. 3.17 Eph. 1.6 The Glory of this was so great she could not tell how to set it forth and then was it brought to minde that it is called in the Scripture Riches of Glory Ephes. 1. 18. Riches of his Glory Eph. 3. 16. Glory of his Grace Eph. 1.6 Riches of his Grace Eph. 1. 7. Exceeding riches of his grace Ephes. 2.7 In the morning the caused Hannah Guy the Maid that attended on her to turn to the places and to read them The Relation hereof was taken as is before-said the 7 th of Iuly 1647. being the day of her going from London into the Countrey to High-gate to be the more retired that here was daily tyred or wearied out by many especially afflicted ones in spirit that daily resorted to her An honoured friend that would not be named affording her the courtesie of the Coach for her better conveyance The LORD having thus far carried on his owne glorious work in an Earthen Vessel and brought things to such a sweet period wee may Conclude with joy in the Lord having heard herein of his so notable and marvellous a work of one he hath brought from the jawes of hell to the joyes of Heaven from such Terrors so occasioned to such perfecting of praise out of the mouth of a Babe enabling such an one now so to improve and make use of the holy Scriptures to despairing souls and otherwaies Raising up not onely her soul but her body also so wonderfully by FAITH in his Son And now Is this nothing to you O ye that pass by you that read or that stand or sit by Is there nothing that the Lord hereby speaks to your heart Mic. 6. 9. The LORDS voice cryeth to the Citie and the Man of wisdom shall see thy Name hear ye the Rod and who hath appointed it Hath the Rod a voice Doth the rod of affliction speak to thee Dost thou hear what it saith And doth this Work of Gods wisdom and mercy speak nothing to thy soul If thou wouldst desire to make the best use thereof but seest thou art not such a man or woman of Wisdom as to see and hear so fully as thou desirest what it may speak to thee What honey may drop to thee out of this Rock And therefore thou desirest to be helped herein What benefit may come to us from this consideration Ans. Much every manner of way if the Lord will please by his Spirit to put an edge to it and to set it home to our hearts with a strong hand 1 Vse Seing the Works of God declare his Glory and are for our edifying as truly and as well as any other Ordinance as Psal. 19. 1. Psal. 8. 3 4. Psal. 145. 5 6 7 10. I say not as much as the word Psal. 138. 2. but as truly and so as well as it Psal. 19.1 7 8. Rom. 1.16.20 Act. 14.17 Act. 17. 26 24.27 Act. 8.4 5 6 7. Act. 10.35.42 1. That therefore the Lords speciall works the workings of his Holy Spirit being honorable and majesticall are to be sought out as most precious things of all that have pleasure or delight in them Psal. 111.2 3. Seing he hath done them to be remembred Why then is there a slacknesse in any of us who professe we delight in God and love him to search out such speciall works as these when we hear some hint of them Thus robbing God of that honour and our selves of that good that might have accrued thereby and shewing our selves like the brutish man Psal. 92. 5 6. Psal. 28. 4 5. Isa. 26.11 2. Vse That we think not strange if we hear of some in deep despair and judge not hardly of such as speak great things against themselves but rather judge what a burden is the least sin if it be felt as t is indeed This is the fruit of sin such may bee neerer the enjoyment of mercy then sinners in Zion that are at ease and then carelesse Daughters Isa. 32.9.11 Isa. 33.7 Psal. 73.3 4.14 15. 3. Vse To be a Caution and as a Warning-Piece both to all Superiours and Inferiours 1. To all Superiours whether Husbands Parents Masters or any Officers in State or Church to beware of urging any by any means to doe speake subscribe or an any thing against their Conscience or with a doubting Conscience though themselves are perswaded of the lawfulnesse of the thing as it was with her superior but yet as you have heard pag. 7. this was one of the first chief occasions of this so terrible a condition to this lately afflicted
handmaid for divers yeeres and was no small occasion of trouble to the said superior afterwards 2. Branch The like Caution it may be also to all Inferiours to wives to children to servants flock and subjects against fearing man that shall dye more then the living God and obeying man rather then God by doing speaking or acting of any thing to please men that the word or conscience shew to be displeasing to God Lest for your so doing your terrors and punishment may be as great or greater then those of this hand-maid for the like offence Yea lest God tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver you Psal. 50.22 and lest both you and your Commander repent when it is too late I heard of a Maid in Suffolk whose Parents feared she should grow too pure and precise and on a Lords day evening the Mother bid her do some work which she judging unlawfull or at least doubting of entreated to be spared in it but her Father threatning to beat her she did it and the next morning she kept her bed and so did shee many weeks together upon it being terrified in Conscience for her preferring man before God being unfit for work it repented her Parents and her self too too late I never could hear that she got any comfort Also a young Gentleman being a scholar of whose deep despairing of ever being saved and of his strong perswasion that he should be damned Master Case Master Whitakers Master Chr. Love and the Relator with many other Preachers and Christians had notice and sad observation His Father a Gentleman in the Countrey brought him up to London to procure some to speak to him and to pray for him having him present with them This Christian duty was solemnly performed by those before-named and by others in several solemn daies of Fasting and Prayer The beginning and chief first moving cause of those so sad perswasions was because of the Oaths and Subscriptions imposed by the Governours in the Vniversity which he submitted to with the multitude that stuck not at them though he had his Conscience warning him yet thus doubtingly or against his Conscience he yeilded to the Ordinances of his Superiours But his thus doing brought great sorrow on his own soul and on his Parents and friends that sympathized with him Amongst others the Relator could more sympathize herein then many others in regard himselfe had been much afflicted in Spirit for his Vniversity Oaths and Subscriptions and yet had found though his sin abounded therein it being done with a staggering or worse with a relucting Conscience yet the n Rom. 5. 20. Grace of God had the more abounded and been magnified towards him in manifesting that he had forgiven so soul and hainous sins After all meanes used with this young Gentleman many severall daies he returned home more wounded and terrified because so many had taken so much pains with him and he was no whit better and therefore far the worse in his account as he shew'd after his returne home in many sad Letters in black lines to the Relator and because he could write no other language but the language of hell as he said he therefore would cease to weary him with it And so he ceased writing And although since that time the Lord hath given him hopes of his love in pardoning his sins and transgressions yet these sad examples and many moe of like nature that might be produced may suffice for a Warning to Heads and Governours in Vniversities and Corporations and to all Magistrates Officers Masters Husbands and Parents all Superiours whatsoever to beware of laying on heavie burdens by o Seeing OATHS should be given and taken onely in such cases and in such ritae and forme as is warranted by the word of God viz. in truth righteousness and judgement Ier. 4 2. Revel 10. 5 6 Oaths Subscriptions or Commands on any persons whose Consciences when they are distressed they are never able to relieve or release from Hellish continual fears and torments Psal. 50. 22. Matth. 27.3 4. To be an end ef all strife Hebrewes 6. 16. Because of Oaths so frequent not warranted this land mourneth Ier. 23. 10 Oh that Reformamation were herein as in all things else And for all Persons to keep the heart and Conscience above a Prov. 4.23 Hebrew Luk. 12.4 5 Act. 5.29 Luk. 14.26 27. 2 Tim. 4 12 13. Heb. 10.26 27. all keeping Fearing God above all Fiftly Learn hence to fly Censuring the most vile and desperate of all sinners Say not they and Reprobates though they are damn'd already in their own perswasion as this Party was So was M ris Honywood M ris Drake c. and yet obtained mercie Sixtly Be not weary therefore of using all good means for help to such as are hopeless and desparate as these parties were The Lord may come in the last hour He is not weary nor b Isa. 40.28 faint in seeking your good daily However your c 1 Cor. 15. 58. labour of love is accepted of the Lord. Seventhly Limit not the Holy One of Israel any outward means whatsoever seeing he gave the Party Faith and glorious joy in himself when she was struck deaf and blind that till that deafness was as one in hell already But rather believe the Proverb Jehovah ijreh Iehovah will be seen in the Mount d Gen. 22. 14. Eightly Exalt the Lord the Creator e Isa. 2. 11. Psal 8.1.2 Act. 3. 12. alone and not the Creature Say not What a one is shee But What a f Mic. â— 18 God is he in all reading and speaking of her or to her For the Lord is jealous of his glory and will not g Isa. 42.8 give it to an image of him Ninthly Behold here what 's the most effectuall means of humbling the heart and melting it and of furthering faith and love and what 's the greatest support and comfort in the greatest troubles and burdens about sin namely the discovery of the abundant h Eph. 2.4 Rom. 4.5 Grace of God in justifying the ungodly in giving his own Son to reconcile i Ro. 5. 6. 10 Isa. 53.5 enemies and the love k Eph. 3.19 Eph. 5.25 Ezek. 16.6 â—2 of Christ whilst we were in our sins and had nothing in us that is lovely that yet he so loved us as that he gave himself for us Tenthly and lastly Let all such as read or heare these wonderfull dealings of the Lord herein Consider how it is with their own soules First If the Lord hath sealed thee by his Spirit to the day of Redemption in the Spirit magnifie God and feed on him and on his Sons love daily in the Gospel promises and priviledges And the more thou hast received be the more humble l 1 Cor. 4.7 and thankfull to God and serviceable to him in m Is. 116.12 the Power of his Son and the more pittifull and tender to others n Tit. 3.2 â— considering thy self o Gal. 6.1 Secondly If thou hast no experience of such kinde of speakings of the Spirit to thee or of such maner or measure of Faith as here is mentioned both of which the Relator wanting waits for 1. Do not decry or cry down what thou knowest not a. Envy not others 3. Be not dejected because more is given to others then to thee But blesse the Lord in his various dispensations that best knoweth what kinde and measure is meetest for all Mat. 25.15 Eph. 4.7 16.4 Pray for more pourings out of his Spirit upon his sons and daughters as he hath promised to do in the last dayes Act. 2. 17. 33.38 39 John 7.38 39. Thirdly If thou art of a sorrowfull spirit by reason of sin fearing because it is so and so with thee that there never was an effectuall work upon thy heart finding such a power of sinne and corruption such dulnes coldnes hardnes of heart lazines filthines pride self-ishnes or the like basenesse Doth not thou so much backward in toiling to make out the former worke and still questioning about it and how bad thou hast been and art since as forward at that abundant GRACE herein magnified and ADVANCED to them that yet are a far off without God ungodly enemies to him to unfitted unprepared ones to the CHIEFEST OF SINNERS Fourthly If thou hast desires after full enjoyment of Jesus Christ and some hopes that he is thine but no assurance of it Blesse the Lord and be thankful to him that hath done so much for thee that did more desire sin and vanity But rest not in such desires but seek and presse hard for assurance And lastly If thou hast long sought and waited for assurance that Christ is thine and yet hast not attain'd it 1. Beware of murmuring and quarrelling against God and by this Example seeing how grieve to her son her murmuring hath been 2. Despair not because she obtain'd mercy that was so deep in that sin 3. Wait humbly and patiently on the Lord that hides himself that thou maist still seek and the more prize his mercy when at last he shal manifest it to thy soule For therefore will the LORD wait that hee may be gracious to you and therefore will hee bee exalted that hee may have mercy upon you For the LORD is a God of judgement BLESSED are all they that wait for him Isa. 30.18 A power to wait is also from him that bids you wait and promiseth that they that murmured shall learn doctrine Isa. 29.24 And to put his law in our heart Heb. 8.10 Namely to enable us to what hee commands us THE GOD OF ALL GRACE perfect the good work he hath begun in thee Phil. 1.6 To him be all glory by Christ Jesus * Greek to the age of ages Eph. 3.21 AMEN From July 7. till the end of Septemb. 1647. she remained at High-gate hoping then to returne to LONDON having eaten no bread nor flesh at all since March last and but very little of any other sustenance through the weaknesse of her stomach and yet looks as well as formerly At the writing hereof in this second Edition September 27 1647. H. J. FINIS