and unprofitable and righteousness cannot be attained by them no nor by any of yours said she the best of you must acknowledge you have sinned and are sinners and that in your best righteousness therefore by the deeds of the law can no flesh be justifyed in the sight of God but now the righteousness of God is manifested without the law c. she earnestly pressed that that though they had not all sinned as she whose sins was manifest yet so unclean was their best works that if God should enter into judgement with them they could not stand nor escape the wrath of God it was said that was true according to the old covenant But now we are considering our selves under another covenant As intimating that according to the covenant given us in Christ men might be accepted and stand just before God in their own works not considering that God hath made him that knew no sin to be sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him but still in him she glorifyed nor would be beaten off from it nor moved to rejoyce in any thing else nor to seek after any other thing to rejoyce in but stood fixed like him God forbid that I should glory in any thing save in the cross of Christ by whom the world is crucyfied unto me and I unto it This I observed in her reasoning with divers that though somtimes she would to commend that grace in Christ tell them how it had taught her and had and did work upon her such humiliation willingness to take shame c. And to satisfie them did tell some that she had confessed her sins and declared her wayes so farre aâ— she knew them to her faithful friends and they had prayed for her and God heard them yet when she was urged to try the truth of her faith and repentance that way and from the truth of such things to gather or make to her self a ground and foundation for her faith and â—ope she would not plead them at all but relinquisht them as empty weak and unprofitable to that purpose and would glory in nothing as the ground of her faith and hope but the cross of Christ the grace in him to man ward who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification that only through faith in it had healed and put strength in her soul and did strengthen her to plead for her hope of eternal life to good purpose against all that would have moved her from it I perceived also the too usual way that men walk in with sinners to urge repentance confession and sorrow for sin and that it iâ— such as doth not bring forth any such fruit in truth it worketh not the righteousness of God it is even such as in which they are teachers of the law nd know not what they say nor whereof they affirm urging Gospel precepts and duties on the terms of the covenant of works the man that doth them shall live in them and cursed is every one that comes short that is first telling them it is their duty to repent to believe c. without testifying to them any certain ground of repentance and faith in what Christ hath done and is become for them as true for them in Christ whether they belâ—ive of no yea before they dare assure them of any truth in the Gospel declarations for and towards them and then to provoke to it tell them if once they can find such a frme and that their graces are true according to such signes as they give they may thence conclude God loves them and Christ dyed for them c. In this they understand not what they say nor where of they affirme for as without opening a door of repentance in the redemption wrought and obtained from the curse of the law and preparation of forgiveness of sins in Christ through his blood and preaching it in his name there could have been no repentance towards God nor could it have been equally required and so had been nor mans duty having onâ—â— sinned and being sinners they must have been utterly and for ever shut out from God and from his mercy so neither is there any arme or power of God put forth to work repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ but in the testyfying or preaching the cross of Christ or in that which is equivalent the discoveries of Gods goodness and propitiousnesse to sinners that is in and through our Saviour so that as the Apostle saith Herein is not love that we have loved God but that he hath loved us first sent his Son the propriâ—iation for our sins so may I say herein is not repentance unto life that men first repent and beleive before they know weather God hath had love of pitty and compassion towards them in Christ wheather Christ have by the grace of God tasted death for them or no and then ground their knowledge and assurance of that upon the truth of their repentance and graces What I observed bâ—â— bring to my mind a former passage that I shall now relate I went to visit a woman condâ—mned to death for killing her husband and met with one in the Prison coming from her that told me she feared iâ— was in vain for two godly Ministers had been with her and taken great pains and could not bring her to any plain confession nor perceive any such true contrition as mightgive them any hope concerning her and they had given over yet I desired I might see her and was permitted the woman being very 〈◊〉 on her bed spake frowardly to her that led me in what said she have you brouâ—ht me in another torm nâ—or to which I replyed that I came not to judge or torment or trouble her nor to ask or require any thing of her but to tell her good news the best for her that ever she heard and it was certain and true upon whichshe lift up her head and asked what it was I told her that Jesus Christ came into the world to save her from her sins even her by name for he came into the world to save lawless and disobedient sinners ungodly and prophane sinners even such as were Murtherers of Fathers of Mothers Man-slayers Whore mongers Adulterers c. Yea even Blasphemers of the name of Christ and Persecutors of the Church of God and such as were disobediently and rebelliously against light coming to them such such he came to save from their sins she said that was good news indeed but could I indeed shew it her in the word of the Lord that expresly for such Iesus Christ came into the world to save them I told her yea it was plain and fully there testyfied and did shew it her in that 1 Tim. 1.8.9.15 comparing the verses and that with other Scriptures I shall not enlarge this discourse to shew how I did evidence and shew it by that and other Scriptures and apply
the sight of God despise it not it s for every poor sinful wretch in the world prepared in Christ given with him to be put on in coming into his house and so unto him For he that knew no sin was made to be sin for us that we might be made the vighteousness of God in him and to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the â—ngodly his faith is counted for righteousness and to him God imputeth righteousness without works I hope you will excuse my weakness I had almost forgot what I was saying the man wâ— speechless and so the judgement following was according to truth as we are sure it is in all the revelations of his wrath present and eternal against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness Go take the unprofitable servant bind him hand and foot and cast him into utter darknesâ— where there shall be weeping wayling and gnashing of teeâ—h Go ye cursed into ever lasting fiâ—â— prepared for the Devil and his Angels depart from me alâ— ye workers of iniquity Oâ— most dreadful sentence most dreadful sentence and yet this the certain doom and judgement of all those that are incensed against him yea of all that are not found in him whether they have sinned grosly as I have done or no or whatever righteousness according to the law or other garments they be found in not being found in this they cannot be accepted with God and so not stand in that day nor escape that dreadful sentence it shall come upon all that â—anctifie themselves that purifie themselves behind one tree c. That feed not on the flesh of Christ that was given for the liâ—e of the world but eat swines flesh c. Oh this that I now suffer is nothing to that dreadful sentence which yet is the portion of all the ungodly that dye in their sins and it is his infinite grace not my deserving that I did not fall under it for ever all less that to me is infinite mercy but that also he should by these means graciously recal me to that resting place from which I had wandered and heal my backslidings love me freely own and call me by a new name in Heaven sprinkle my heart and conscience with that blood that speaks better things then that of Abel more powerfully for mercy and forgiveness and healing then that for vengeance which he hath done and doth abundantly I may truly say whence is this to me Behold what manner of love is this And this hath made me willing to accept of the punishment of my iniquity since my shame was discovered and heart brought down she oft said she never had any temptations since she was apprehended and in Prison such the mercy of God which she acknowledged in it to escape or use any means to get from under it either by making away her self or life privately as many had charged her with such enterprizes but there was sufficient evidence to the contrary or by getting out in which she much and often in the Prison magnifyed the mercy of God to her yea she admired at his mercy in thus judging her And that by this means she that had so procured these things in her self and blemished the name of God should so soon be delivered from all her trangressions and from the reproach of the foolish and from that mercy encouraged her friends to hope that though they must remain to bear the reproach of it longer then she yet not to be discouraged he that had found out a way to deliver her such as in which Righteousness and Mercy both was magnifyed would deliver them and his name and magnifie it by that which to outward appearance might seem to blemish iâ— he knows how to bring good out of evil to make grace abound where sin hath abounded but shall we therefore sin that grace may abound God forbid but when he hath magnifyed his grace in such forgiveness and healâ—ng such sinners and therein commended his righteousness and glorifyed his name oh sure said she she loved much to whom much was forgiven she often protested her great peace and joy of spiâ—it in the veiw of what she was hasting too and that all sorrow and shame would presently be at an end to her and God would wipe away all tears for his sons sake the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the wâ—rld and yet said that she was filled with shame and blushing for her own iniquity there called to remembrance but withal with great rejoycing in the Lord and in him only by means of whom her sin should be no more remembred and therefore did relinquish all confidence in the flesh in any works of her own according to the law or in any arguments or gracious frames of brokenness sorrow for sin meetings desires after his name which though she doubted not of his gracious acceptance of them pardoning the iniquities and mixtures in them through the mediator that lives to present them and take away those iniquities and mixtures and so make them accepted in himself yet did she not know or allow them at all in the ground of her hope and rejoyâ—ing in God nor needed them having enough in the flesh of Christ that was given for the life of the world to nourish her to eternal life nor in particular words of scripture brought to her mind and applyed by her to such her needs and conditions as she thought they answered too and though from such things she had conceived hopes of longer life here partly by reason of her desire of it for her childrens sake and cheifly as she thought that she might live to walk more close with God and with his people and glorifie his name as she had brought dishonour to it And those hopes were disappointed yet that did not move her at all from her hope and rejoycing in the hope of eternal life because that was begotten â—â—d she strengthned and quickned to it through the resurrection of Christ that foundation stands sure and hath this seal for confirming the goodness and sureness of it The Lord knoweth owneth approveth them that are his namely that are built and abide on this foundation yea though they have wandred from Mount to Hill forgot their resting place yet turn again hither and have their hearts and minds stayed here and though from all her sparks that she had bin kindling and composing her self withall she must lye down yet she had the name of the Lord to trust in and her God to stay upon and he was wonderfully a present help to her in the time of trouble and did through his name and the excellent knowledge of himself so sprinkle her heart and conscience and deliver her from blood guiltiness that her tongue did sing aloud of his righteousness did open her lips shut by her own iniquities and her mouth did shew forth his praise she appointed the 25 Psalm and sung with
great joy and composure and after earnestly praying to God for the people and that he would graciously receive her soul which she freely and cheerfully committed to him she yeilded her body to the Executioner to whom she said alas poor man come do thy office shall I go higher or lower which caused some that stood by to change their minds for they had said a while before that she lengthned out her discourse to spin out time because she was loath to come at it but now observing this free proffer of her self to the Executioner without any hastening her they on the other hand admired to see her so willing to dye when the rope was fitted to her neck she again protested her great peace and joy in the view of the blessedness she was going to and it was thought by many the body scarce retained the soul or life after it was turned off for she was not seen to struggle nor scarce if at all move in any part as they said that was neer blessed be God for his mercy in giving such a proof of the truth and faithfulness of that saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners Her Speech SInners come hither you to me I call That you may warned be by this my fall Which for your sakes the just Lord ordered To appear so publickly admonished That you thereby might be and so prevent Your suffering such like or worse punishment For such like punishments or worse will be Thiâ—â— lot that won't henceforth be warnâ—d by me Had I been warn'd before by others I Had not come hither in this wise to dye But since his mercies I therein dâ—d slight And turned not to him so as I might In justice he permitted such a fall Mercy to shâ—w to me and to you all Take heed of sins deceits the wayès thereto Take heed how you do venture on to go For Sin more sub ile then a Serpent is Happy the souls that its inchantments mâ—ss I thought my self once strong enough to stand Against its charms and that I had command So of my self that I from it could keep Me safe but since alas for grief to weep It â—ft hath bronght me so it will do you If you by me will not he warned now The vitious courses which I see possest The minds of many I did once detest I loathed to think to wrong the marriage bed Or walk in such bad wayes as thereto led But oh alas while some smooth company Pretendiâ—g love and friendship cheerfuly I entertain'd and sorted with no harm Thinking in them their fair pretence did charme My foolish heart into so plâ—asing sleep That under shows of love lust gan to â—reep Slily into my breast to laugh and play And jest and sport with them while I gave way Such was sins first in windings and the wayes That sinners used heapes of woes to raise Upon my person while some snares did lay To catch me and their mates did me betray Who being nought themselves did seek that I Might be so too as if my company In badness would their badness mittigate Or their litentiousness extenuate And I alas too ready was to close With sins and their sweet charms till I did loose Of vertue all the savour then I feltâ— The pangs of hell within me but I dealt Deceitfuly and hid my sins and grew From worse to worse which now I saâ—ly rue Woe worth such false acquaintance whâ— pretences Of love and friendship gave to my offences The spring rise oh then be warn'd by me And shun all foolish wanton company All merry junkettings and gossipings For much iniquity from such things springs Who walkes with wise men wisdome shall attain But a companion unto persons vaine For such vile sinners who their faults confess And heartily therein do seek redress Had I not mercy now therein obâ—ain'd Oh how my soul had stain'd been my heart pain'd With fears of after woe sinners behold Take heed of sin never therewith be bold For it will-misery to you procure Either while here or that that will indure Eternally be warned then by my fall Let me Rose Warne a warning be to all And yet an instance of such mercy toâ— As may perswade you whatsoere you do Not to despair of mercy but submit To bear Gods chastisement and turning yet To hope and seek for pardon of him who His only son sent that he might undoe The devils works of sin and death for all Who gave his life and unto all doth call To look to him and saved be since this A faithful saying worth acceptance is That he into the world did come that he Might Saviour of the cheifest sinners be And such hath saved yea since God dâ—th swear That of the truth of what he saith no fear Might us possesse that he hath no deâ— light In death of wicked men but that the right They rather turne to and their sins forsake That of life in his love they may partake To sin is bad but to despair is worse For that 's the certain way to death and curse Who sins not shanâ— be tempted to despair Therefore of sin and its deceits beware But having sinn'd repent for God will give Mercy to those that turne and they shall live Through Jesus Christ our Lord so farewell all And see ye warned bee by this my fall Qui ante non cavet post â—olâ—bit Who so doth not of sin beware before His doleful state shall afterward deplore Et qui ante dolet post gaudebit Who penitently here their sins bewaile Hereafter shall have joys that nere shall faile Upon R. W. She that was lost we hope is found Shee that was dead doth live again She that in lust and sin was drown'd We hope with Christ doth now remain Oh pretious blood that washt her so Free grace that did her so redress That by the ladder she might go To endless and eternal bliss Lord send us to that fountain too And throughly wash our souls therein Without which all that we can do Cannot deliver us from sin And keep us from such sins and shame As blurd and shortn'd here her daies That we may glorifie thy name And go to heaven by better wayes Rofe Warne EPIGRAM Rose Warne thy name was oh that thou hadst been Rose Warned thou such mischeifs hadst not seen But being not Rose Warned by thy fall Thou art Rose Warne a warning unto all SHe left by her speech and demeanour a very great admiration of it and affectedness with it in the auditory which was very great and numerous from the Town and Country though the fewer from the Country because it was not the market day who generally so far as they heard her at least returned with abundance of compunction and seriousness upon their spirits glorifying God for and in her diverse saying they never saw any executed that dyed in that manner and with that cheerfulness and hope in God and with such