THE VVidow VVhiterows HUMBLE THANKSGIVING FOR THE KINGS SAFE RETURN With an Account of John Hall's Vision upon the first day of the Eleventh Month 1692 3. And also a Letter to a Friend concerning John Hall's Message with a Letter from Jamaica concerning the Earthquake that happen'd there a Warning to the Inhabitants of the Earth to fear GOD and give Glory to Him for the hour of His Judgments are come Say unto the KING and to the QVEEN humble your Selves sit down Jeremiah 13.18 The People of Neniveh believed GOD and proclaimed a Fast and put on Sackcloth from the greatest of them to the least of them For word came unto the King of Nineveh and he rose from his Throne and he laid his Robe from him and covered him with Sackcloth and sate in Ashes Jonah 3.5 6. Licensed D. P. April 18. London Printed by D. Edwards in Nevel 's Alley in Fetter-lane for J. B. 1694 THE Widow Whiterows HUMBLE THANKSGIVING FOR THE KING'S Safe RETURN ONCE more I am highly honoured with Mercy and Truth to return Thanks to the Most High for the Kings safe Return Oh what shall I say to the LORD for all his Mercies and boundless Favours for I am as one astonish'd at his Goodness How wonderful are his Works and his Ways past finding out therefore who shall not admire Thee Thou King of Righteousness who hath all Power in Heaven and Earth in thy Hands to bind the Kings of the Earth in Chains and their Nobles with fetters of Iron who rulest in the Heavens and makes bare the Arm of thy Glorious Power in the Earth to dash the Nations asunder and break in pieces the Potsherds of the Earth as a Potter's Vessel Oh Great LORD glorious in Power fearful in Praises doing wonders Thou LORD Jehovah art come and thy Power goes before Thee that shall rend the Rocks and cleave the Mountains in sunder The Everlasting GOD is come to throw down Mountains and Hills and to exalt the low Valleys he 'll awaken the Earth by his thundring Power and the sleepy Inhabitant thereof by his loud sounding Judgments For this know Oh King There 's neither Strength nor Policy shall stand Against what GOD's a bringing on this Land The Youth shall howl the Aged shall weep sore Yet there 's glad tidings for the Meek and Poor The Poor in Spirit I mean Matth. 5.3 who are Heirs of the Kingdom of Glory whom GOD will hide in the hollow of his Hand whilst his fierce Indignation passes over the Rebellious wherefore Oh that my Counsel might be acceptable to the King and that his ways might so please the LORD as that his days may be prolonged in this Land which the LORD for a time hath given him to do the will of GOD in all things with all his Might and with all his Strength that these heavy Judgments which the LORD hath pronounced may not be executed in the King's days For thus said the LORD to me in my deep humiliation before him viz. My Controversie is not with Man or Woman farther than they are found in the Transgression take away the Transgression and where 's my Controversie Is it so O Righteous LORD that thy Controversie is not with Man or VVoman farther than they are found in the transgression of thy Righteous Law and pure Commandments Oh then for thy Mercy sake and the advancement of thy Glorious Power and the praise of thy ever Blessed Name in these Nations and throughout all the Earth turn the King and Queens Hearts with all their Powers and Strengths to Thee as the Riveâ—s of VVaters are turned that with a powerful force of Thy Love and ardent Affection to thy Glory they may joyn unanimously together in Heart and Soul to humble themselves in the dust before Thee the Almighty GOD repenting with Niniveh's Repentance Jonah 3.7 8. For no less Repentance will put a stop to the hot and fiery Indignation of the LORD which is kindled against this Land but to turn every one from his Evil Way and from the wickedness that is in their hands therefore Oh noble Prince anâ— Princess for the LORD's sake who is the King of Eternal Glory the GOD of the Spirits of all Flesh the Everlasting Counsellor the Prince 〈◊〉 Peace the GOD that made the Heavens and Earth the Sea and all thaâ— therein is who hath delivered the King from all his Enemies and gavâ— him his Life for a Prey and for the LORD JESUS CHRIST's sake his Sufâ— fering Life and Bloody Passion who was nail'd to the Cross and gave uâ— his Life there for all Mankind and rose again for the Salvation and Redemption of the Faithful I pray again and again for His sake whâ— hath been with the King in six troubles and in the seventh by his outâ— stretch'd Arm hath deliver'd him Oh for His sake come down from your Thrones and humble your selves in the dust by Fastings and Prayers and deep Humiliation crying mightily to GOD the Father of all your Mercies that He would be with you in Counsel and direct your way in truth before Him to do His most acceptable will in all things that in his infinite compassions for his great and terrible name sake shew you what to do and which way to take for the suppressing and total destruction of this boundless flood of Ungodliness that overflows these Nations And dearest Prince and Princess I humbly beg and beseech you for the LORD and his Glory sake and for your own Lives and Liberty sake be not negligent in this great VVork prostrating your selves night and day before the Throne of his Grace crying mightily to him for his assisting Power Heavenly VVisdom and Holy Zeal which his Valiants had of Old Phinehas Numbers 25 7 8 11. Jehoshaphat Hezakiah and Josias these were clad with Zeal as with a Garment these were the Valiants of Israel that knew how to handle weapons of VVar being girt with the Sword of the Spirit and Helmet of Salvation Phinehas was honourable who by his holy Zeal stop'd the Plague from the Children of Israel then said the LORD unto Moses Phinehas the Son of Eleazar hath turned mine Anger away from the Children of Israel while he was zealous for my sake among them therefore I have not consumed the Children of Israel in my Jclousie wherefore say unto him Behold I give unto him my Covenant of Peace and he shall have it and his Seed after him for Ever because he was zealous for his God and hath made him an attonement for the Children of Israel Oh what an influence had this upon the LORD and how this act of Holy Zeal pleas'd his Divine Majesty here we may see the difference between a holy Zeal for GOD and his Glory and a blind Zeal that hath any Interest in it to Self-honour either in Name or Fame or any other thing of this perishing VVorld The first hath power to prevail with GOD to stop the Judgment the latter suffers it to go
on to their own destruction But wo and alass where are these holy Zeaâ—ots now in our age that lies prostrating themselves before the LORD â—ight and day And though they see the Sword of the LORD drawn over these Nations as David and the Elders of Israel 1 Chron. 21.16 17. which were cloathed in Sackcloth falling upon their Faces crying out most bitterly before the LORD with rended hearts saying Is it not I â—hat have sinned and have committed Evil in thy Sight Is it not I That have loved Covetousness which is Idolatry Is it not I that have gone a whoring from thee after my Lusts and Pleasures my Silver and Gold Pride and Profits of a perishing World so long till I have provoked the Eyes of thy Glory to say as thou didst to Israel of old For â—hree Transgressions and for four I will not pass by the Iniquities thereof And now Oh LORD GOD let thy hand be upon me and my Fathers House to bring me to a true and unfeigned Repentance offering unto Thee Body Soul and Spirit a Sacrifice of Righteousness to love and serve Thee all the days of my appointed time until my Change com And thus in judging and condemning your selves and bearing the Indignation of the LORD the Altar is set up in the Threshing-Floor of Orman the Jebusite where true Penitents sacrifice their Lusts vile Affections and their own wills ways and works this is the Valley of Jehosha â—hat where Mohab shall be threshed to pieces Isa 5.10 as Straw is thrashed in Madmenah therefore saith GOD Let the Heathen be awakened and â—ome up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat for there will I sit to Judge all the Heaâ—hen round about Therefore Oh Multitude Multitude come into the Valley of Threshing for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of Threshing here will God plead with all Flesh here will he Judge between the Precious and the Vile and when you have born the indignation of the LORD for Sin and Iniquity so long till Judgment turns to Victory then will he arise and plead your Cause The word Jehoshaphat signifies Pleading or Judgment and that which is call'd the valley of Jehoshaphat was before called the valley of Berachah 2 Chron. 20.26 which signifies Blessing or Thanksgiving and from hence proceeds the true and acceptable Praise from the valley of Judgment where GOD destroys the Iniquity and so it comes to pass that whatsoever is done in the History must be done again in the Mystery therefore whosoever will have Life and Salvation must come into the Valley of Judgment â—udge your selves hate and abhor your selves believe your selves from the bottom of your Souls to be the vilest and unworthiest of all the Creatures of GOD in respect to your disobedience and rebellion against Him and his Holy Laws and this must be your Work in the best state you have yet attained to yea if you were come to such a Statâ— as Paul was come to when he said 1 Cor. 4.4 Though I know noâ— thing by my self yet herein am I not justified but he that justifies me is thâ— LORD Therefore how much more ought it to be the daily and hourlâ— work of those that call themselves Christians of this Generation whâ— are so loaded with Sin that the Spirit of God both within and withouâ— them is oppressed as a Cart is oppressed under the Sheaves but lest any should think I mean a bare Historical Judging or Pharasaical crying out LORD have Mercy upon us miserable Sinners Here you may cry out long and loud as Jezebels Prophets did and never be heard or answered no no I mean a going down into the valley of Judgment the valley of Jehoshaphat where God himself will sit to Judge the Heathen that knows not him nor his Righteous Judgments and yet are crying out LORD have Mercy upon them miserable Sinners who never knew this River of Jordanâ— 2 Kings 5.14 or Judgment to cleanse them of their Leprosie their going down into the deep where they behold his Wonders this valley of Tears where Luke 10.39 Mary sate to hear the precious words that came from his gracious Lips which are not to be heard but by leaving all the hurryings and turmoiling Incumbrances of a perishing World to sit attentively at his Feet seeking loving admiring nothing but Him no not its own life but for his sake that it may serve him therewith and this was the pleasure and treasure of all the regenerated Christians that were born again both under the Law and Gospel and this way in which they attain'd this Resurrection and holy life was through Judgmentâ— I will saith David sing of Mercy and Judgment to thee Oh my Strength will I sing Blessed are they that keep Judgment and do Righteousness at all times I will praise thee with an upright heart When I have learned thy Righteous Judgment my Flesh trembleth for fear of Thee and I am afraid of Thy Judgments The Fear of the LORD is clean saith he and endures for everâ— The Judgments of the LORD are Truth and Righteous altogether more to be desired than Gold yea than much fine Gold sweeter than the Honey and the Honey-Comb Moreover by them is thy Servant warned or made Circumspect and in keeping of them there is great Reward And in the Law Exod. 28.13 the Vrim and the Thummim which signifies light and perfection or Knowledge and Holiness GOD commanded iâ— to be put into the Breast-plate of Judgment which was to be upon Aaron's Heart continually when he went in before the LORD And now Christ our Pattern and High-Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisadeck fulfilled that Heavenly Institution in his Earthly Body who bore the Judgment of GOD upon his Heart in his suffering life which he hath in his merciful loving Kindness as it were left us a legaâ—y or Portion to be like unto him in all things to fill up that which is â—ehind of his Sufferings in our Flesh for it is not only given us to beâ—ieve but to suffer for his sake but I would not have you mistaken I do not confine all true Christians to those external Sufferings of Christ as Mockings Scourgings and nailing to the Cross for it may be some may not be called to suffer on that wise but the Sufferings I now treat of are the Internal sufferings of the Soul which the Apostle Paul spake of when he said I bear in my Body the Dyings of the LORD JESVS and said our Blessed Saviour If ye suffer with me ye shall Reign with me mark that with Him That is a Heart-breaking Suffering an inward Suffering to be grieved in the very bottom of your Souls if you do the â—east thing that grieves the Spirit of GOD in you keeping so intent to your Watch that you may see the Tempter before he comes and then your Weapons are to be the Sword of GODs Spirit your Prayers and Supplications with strong Cries even as a Woman in â—raâ—ail to the
Trust to serve him and his Creation Will you say we hoarded iâ— up by us or will you say We gave it our Children for their Porâ—â—tions to live in Pride and Luxury Then will the LORD of the Creation say You â—ennogades durst you presume to run a Whoring afteâ— your Idols spending your precious time in hunting after the treasurâ— of my Earth though to the hazzarding my utter displeasure Because you went not in my Counsel nor waited in my Fear to know my Mind and Will in your gettings and when you should cease from the incumbrance of the World that when you had got sufficient for Food and Raiment you should therewithal have been contented For I have said I will never leave nor forsake them that walks in my Fear But if I had blessed you with over-plus then to have waited upon me forâ— Counsel how to order the rest to serve me in my Members making plentiful Provision not only for them of your own Judgment but for all sorts that the Widow Fatherless and Strangers may have no want that they may be the fitter to serve me their Creator in all Humility and Holy Reverence But I may say to you as the Apostle said You bastardly Generation of Christians who are Strangers to his Sowship How comes it that you must enjoy all the good things of God's Creation Did the wise Disposer of all things give you the precious things of his Creation for to spend them upon your Lusts Was it so in the Beginning O no. Yet GOD saw in the Beginning what would ensue 〈◊〉 Man that was without the Knowledge of GOD was left to himself he would be like the Beast that perisheth therefore the wise Creator in his Eternal Wisdom made a Law for a limit to his unbridled â—ust by several Precepts and Injunctions in the Law where he expressâ—y tied them by several distinct Precepts to very large Contributions and Communications of their Estates mounting in all it may be to more than a sixth part of their Yearly Incomes And was there such â—are taken then by that which was imperfect How much more now â—ught there to be by them that are come to the Law of Christ that fulfils all Righteousness which saith Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as â—hy self for Christ is the end of the Law in Him the Law is fulâ—illed likewise those that are come to Christ and put Him on who â—re regenerated and born again they are become new old things are â—ast away and all things are become new the old Covetous Earthly Spirit is taken away and a noble generous free Spirit in the room â—ike their LORD and Master who gives liberally and upbraids â—one but feeds and cloaths his Enemies richly and bountifully and who are Christians indeed are like him as witness when his Spirit was poured out from on high how they sold their Possessions and distriâ—uted to every one as they had need but the Covetous died the Death as Saphira and his Wife Acts 5.2 who dealt deceitfully with GOD and his People in keeping back the Lord 's due when he required it Consider this you that forgets God lest he tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver you But you Worldlings of all sorts you have had a long time to consider these things from one Generation to another and though you have heard and seen your Brother Worldlings taken away before your Eyes suddenly without Repentance yet this will not stop you from your eagerly grasping up together with the Expence of your most precious Time which is worth a VVorld upon a dying Bed when Conscience is awakened and instead of giving up your Strength and Might to wait upon the LORD with all diligence crying mightily to Him for His Power and Strength to cresist all the Temptations of Sinful Flesh you give up your Strength Might and Care to grasp and heap up Riches as if all your happiness wholly consisted in the abundance of the things you enjoy in this Life so that here you deny Christ his Doctrine and Practice who said No Man can serve two Masters Ye cannot serve said he GOD and Riches therefore I say untoyou Be not careful for your Life what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink nor yet for your Body what ye shall put on and then send you to the Fowls of Heaven and the Flowers of the Field to learn of them your Duty to him Oh! ye Worldlings of all sorts How far short are you of being obedient to these Heavenly Precepts and the fulfilling this precious Doctrine You Wealth-mongers who hurry you selves almost out of your Wits to get Money the love of which is the Root of all Evil laying Bag to Bag till it comes to Hundreds and Thousands But how much have you laid by to serve the Lord and your Fellow-Creatures Necessity it may be five ten twenty Shillings and in this you would be counted Liberal and by some poor Creatures that are in great Necessity you are so but in the Eyes of the Lord you are counted Vile and Churlish But Oh! ye Hard-hearted Professors and Cruel of all sorts that suffers your Fellow-Creatures that are made of the same Flesh Blood and Bones that you are made of some to Starve and others to want Food and Raiment and you have your Hundreds and Thousands But what is the Reason of these things Why the same Reason may be given that was to the Israel of old This People hath an unfaithful and rebellious Heart they are departed and gone for they say not in their Hearts Let us now fear the Lord our God that gives Rain both early and late in due Season he that reserveth to us the appointed Weeks of the Harvest Yet saith God your Iniquities have turned away these things and your Sins hath with-held good things from you For amongst my People are found wicked Persons that lay wait as he that setteth Snares they have made a Pit to catch Men as a Cage is full of Birds so are their Houses full of Deceit Thereby they are become Great and waxen Rich they are waxen fat and shining they do overpass the Deeds of the Wicked they execute no Judgment no not the Judgment of the Widow and Fatherless yet they prosper though they Execute no Judgment for the Poor Shall I not visit for these things saith the Lord or shall not my Soul be avenged on such a Nation as this Oh London London how often hath this Scripture been brought to me for thee and for thy Inhabitance Oh! Land Jerem. chap. 5. Shall not my Soul be avenged on such a Nation as this And upon the like occasion in another place saith he Ye I will feed this People with Wormwood and give them the Waters of Gaul to drink Jerem. 9.15 And did he not avenge his righteous Cause upon Sicily and Jamaica and did he not give them Waters of Gaul to drink when he did destroyed them and their Pride Lusts Cruelty