a very fit and proper term for them So Samuel told Saul the King That Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft and Stubbornness is as Iniquity and Idolatry 1 Sam. 15. 23. and this is Rebellion against God the very Sin of those called our Kings and Rulers at this day And because these have also rejected the Word of the Lord I pray God to fulfil the other part of the Sentence upon them the Lord will reject and cast off the same Persons from being Kings or Rulers over us for they that would have others do according to their Laws Commands and Orders themselves should also do according to the Laws Precepts and Commandments of the most High God Here it is to be observed that though God had rejected Saul from that day forward in which Samuel speak thus yet he afterwards continued King over all Israel until he was slain in the Battel against the Philistines In like manner Those at this day may as yet remain upon the outward Throâ—e though they are disallowed of God and it is his Mind and Purpose that they should not be setled and established here All this forementioned is no Enthusiaâ—â—ic or strange Conceit which may be tauntingly said to be proper for the Notions of Bethleâ—em Hospital But it brings out the very nature of Sin that it may appear exceeding sinful according as it is also expressed in the Books and Sermons of Sober and Understanding Divines And hereby may be somewhat perceived of the Justice of God in inflicting an exceeding and Eternal Punishment for what is called light and transitory Offences But to return to our Subject and intended Matter I did in that Letter superscribed to the E. of N. Chief Secretary of State but within directed to the present King William put him in mind and also desire him that I might be brought down before him to speak or read many more words unto him And if he was fearful or apprehensive least I should do them any hurt then let him order my Hands to be bound and my Feet to be put into Fetters But as the Lord liveth who gave to him and my self Life and Being I would not so much as injure his outward Skin the Hairs of his Head neither would I touch the Skirt of his Clothing For Truth breaks no Bones it doth only trouble in order to the saving of the Soul I suppose that this my Proposal and Desire was either not made known unto him or he would not consent unto it knowing that if I did speak words into his Ears I should torment him before his time For as the Devil said so unto Christ who was the Word of God so at this Day the Word of God hath the same and like effect upon the Hearts of the Disobedient which are possessed with the Spirit of the Evil One for this makes them Disobedient and Wicked for the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than a two edged Sword pâ—ercing even to the dividing a sunder of Soul and Spirit and is a discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart So that it will vex and torture the Man or else actually bring him to Repentance It hath constantly this Effect where it is truly and powerfully Preached as that is seldom in these days for it doth work an holy Violence upon Men and Women as to cause them to give up their ill gotten Goods Many also of them which used curious Arts brought their Books together and burnt them before all Men. So mightily greâ—â— the Word of God and prevailed Acts 19. 19 20. So as to them which use sinful evil and indirect Arts in other things where the Word of God is throughly made known unto such and Prevails over their Consciences it doth make them forsake all those sinful and wrong ways and means And it works them into such a Condition that they come trembling to know what they must do to be saved In like Manner where a common Person gets Riches and not by Right the Spirit saith expresly He shall leave them in the midst of his days and at his End shall be a Fool Jer. 17. 11. That is in the midst of Possession and Enjoyment He shall have no true comfort of them and at last he shall lose Heaven Now there is no Folly to be compared to the losing of Heaven though it be for some hundreds or thousands of Pounds which then are Slipped away from him again where a great Person whom the corrupt World doth Respect and hath in Admiration because of Advantage but God will not excuse him who comes to great Revenues without Right seems to be a reaching out the Hand and taking and grasping of it by Violence when they should not do it but yet they do it Because it is in the power of their hand Micah 2. 1. I had a more lively Representation of this in my Mind than I can now express it forth in words when I heard that the * Who is so because He is in Administration of the Regal Authority King had seized the Seven Bishops Revenues So they oppress or defraud a Man and his House even a Man and his Heritage Micah 2. 2. And where is it done by a colour of Law and Authority this indeed doth deceive the Ignorant when wise and knowing Men do more abominate and loath it much more will the All-wise God hate and proceed against it for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him Actions are weighed 1 Sam. 2. 3. And when they are weighed in the Baâ—lance of the Sanctuary and considered out of the Book of the Lord and also from the Nature and last end of things with that abundant Reasoning which arises and flows from these several Topicks All this will make it plain and evidently appear to the Heart of Man that Better is a little with Righteousness than great Revenues without Right So that the Man will choose it accordingly for by so doing He will be more Happy now and hereafter After the very same manner you may conceive of that which is called Government or Authority without Right it is not properly Government but Vsurpation when another takes that upon him which doth not belong or appertain to him and then He doth lift up himself above the Congregation of the Lord Numbers 16. 3. above his Brethren and Fellow-Creatures And so even a Lawful Governour may Vsurp when He takes too much upon him v. 7. for both these kinds of Vsurpation we learn from this two-fold Saying of Korah and his Rebellious Accomplices had that bâ—â—n true which they falsly object unto Moses So again this is not Authority for this supposeâ— what is Lawful but if it is not thâ—â— it may â—e more properly stiled Power or Publick Force which is kept up by the Administration and Exercise thereof and it Grows stronger and stronger where it doth Oppress and Crush and it be sure to prevail But if it be once contradicted with true
The Mystery of Iniquity somewhat laid open In a Letter to the Present Governour wherein is also contained an History and Recital and Proposal of Sundry Things to be made known and remembred and to be done accordingly In that Letter which I carried to thine House at Kensington on November 3. 1691. which was there burnt as near as I can remember the words contained therein was to this following Effect viz. THAT I having published my Book Entituled Things Plain and Weighâ—â— c. There was an observable Marginal Note in Page 12. That God would remove the Government off from thy Shoulders and yet not hurt thy Person It was my Duty to make this known unto you as soon as ever this was printed and published which was before thy last Expedition into Flanders But I neglected to do it then for fear thou shouldest Imprison me which now thou hast done Yet I was again troubled at this my neglect least thou going into the Wars it should happen otherwise with thee than I had there written and so the things which belong to thy Peace had been passed away and gone from thee for all Eternity Which was very likely to have come to pass when thou satest under a Tree and soon after thou wast arose from thence a cannon bullet did strike the very place whereon thou satest if the publick Gazette be true that relates it after this manner Herein thou lovest thine Enemies and hatest thy Friends for thou hast declared this day in Imprisoning me who do really and unfeignedly desire thy Temporal Preservation and * See my printed Letter directed to thee at the Hague that thou mayest live out all those days which God hath appointed to the Life of Man upon Earth and therefore I would admonish thee to cease from and not venture thy self nor send others into these dangerous Wars for I do perceive according to the Mind that then and now thou art in if according to the Dictates and Insinuations of thy Foolish Flatterers and Admirers Thou hadst descended into Battel and perished there they would cry it up for Brave and Honorable and the Thoughts of this vain Glory and Praise doth please thee well and spur thee on though if it had so happened thy mind would have been changed for all Eternity for thy Soul would still remember and remain full of Indignation and Wrath. Tribulation and Anguish for what thou soughtest to be commended here on this Earth But now I do well come and congratulate thy â—â—e coming here again into England And I do Pray and Hope that it will be exactly so done with thee according to that Word which God shewed unto me upon one of your appointed publick days of Fasting and Humiliation which I did then observe not for the Reasons mentioned in thy Proclamation for it but for the Sins and Hypocrisie of this People and that I might seek and Pray for their Good This same Word which then sprung up in my Heart and remained within me for several Months the Lord pardon my sinful Fear and Distrust in hiding within my Heart and concealing this Truth 〈◊〉 4â— 10. so long for this ought not so to have been I did at length write it down and publish it to the Great Congregation for so it would be if now all were gathered together who have read or heard of this Word And I came on November ◠〈◊〉 put to thy dwelling place at Kensington for to signifie and make known this with many other things unto thee But instead of thy receiving and observing the Law and Word of God thy Servants did burn that Book wherein it was written and they did Imprison me for some little time in a place where they keep Coals This was somewhat like 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 in the days of Old But what came upon him for so doing Therefore 〈◊〉 saith the Lord of Jehoâ—â—â—â— King of Judah He shall have none to sit upon the Throne of David and his dead Body 〈◊〉 be cast out in the day to the heat and in the night â—o tâ—â— Froâ—â— And I will punish 〈◊〉 and his Seed and his Servants for their Iniquity And I will bring upon them and upon the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and upon the Men of Judah all the Evil that I pronounced against them but they hearkened not Jer. 36. 3â— 31. Now what thy Servants O thou that art called King William do by thy Command or Approbation God interprets iâ— to be thine own Act. And here the former words are visibly true of thee thou shalt have none that is Issue of thy Body to sit upon the Throne of thy Father in Law As the Lord liveth and as sure as now thou livest thy day shall come to dye And though thy dead Body should be interred in the Royal Chappel at Wâ—stmâ—â—ster â—â—bâ—y among the Ancient Kings of this Nation yet things may so alter and turn that it may be taken up again and be removed or exposed to Shame But most ceâ—â—â—iâ—ly it shall rise up at the last day and then it may be tâ—rown into devouring Fire and everlasting Burnings and it may become subject unto Gnashing of Teeth which is ten thousand times worse than to be cast out in the day to the Heat and in the night to the Frost According to the Proverb 〈◊〉 must be verâ—â—ad to be worse thâ—n a Turk But I tell thee Truly and Plaâ—nly that the Turks shall rise up in Judgment against thee and condemn thee for they out of Reverence to thâ— Great God of Heaven and Earth will take up any Paper wherein but so much as the Name of God is written and lay it up very carefully and they will not put it to any common or undecent use So far are they from tearing it or throwing it upon the Ground or bâ—rning it for the Sâ—n or Provocation there seeâ—s to be of â—he same nature as that is oâ— seâ— purpose to cut deface or burn the King's Picture which is esteemed as a great Aâ—â—ront unto him In like manner to do so unto his Truth which though clothed and expressed in a dead Letter it doth bear the Image and Superscription of him that is Invisible is a most hainous Offâ—nce such as words cannot well express the utmost Aggravation thereof God will answer that Man or Woman in a like Punishment for the same Word which goes â—orth from him will be a consuming Fire to devour its Adversaries He shall speak and it shall be done accordingly He shall give forth the Sentence by virtue whereof they shall go to Hell So that the same manner as a Man sinned by the same he shall be punished God will punish thee and thy Servants He will bring them out by their Names and by their Persons whosoever they be for this their Iniquity and he will bring upon you and upon the Inhabitants of England all the Evils which He pronounced against Ye but ye hearkened not It is so in the Mind and Purpose of God
before it is made known upon Earth and so it remains notwithstanding they should forget or lose the knowledge thereof And it shall be done with thy â—elâ— and People and the Officers under thee according to the real Significations and true Meaning of those words which God hath published by me his Servant And though ye have burnt that Book yet I have by me more Copies of the same Book one whereof for thy own reading and pâ—â—usal thou mayest have whensoever thou wilt And besides what is there printed God doth keep the same in my Memory and I am ready to write again according to the same words which I wrote down there and now ye have given occasion to add many like words As pâ—rtiâ—ularly I did shew some of them the last Month in a letter to the Earl of Nottingham which I suppose either came not to his hands or he despised or concealed it So that if I would Honour thee in the sight of â—â—y People and only signifie the same in a written Copy this will not answer the End for I would have it made known unto thee So that I am forced to publish even some more trivial Matters which do not deserve to be made publick But I am willing that several Copies should go out if perhaps one may come unto thee or to thy hearing thereof And also when it is printed thou canst more easily read it than my hand-writing which is bad and difficult But then further it is agreeable to the Method and Will of God that what Sin or Evil his Creature doth secretly He will both reprove and punish before all â—â—râ—el and before the Sâ—â— 2 Sam. 12. 12. Nothing is secret but that it should be made manifest and nothing is hidden but that it should come abroad So that even for secret private and hidden Sins open Reproof is proper that others may fear and take heed of the like things But much more for the things thou dost openly the same may in like manner be reproved from the Word of the All seeing God notwithstanding He now keeps silence and set in order before you I am certain that things of a thousand times less Moment are printed and published If I could not get Admission to deliver my Books in Person unto thy self and thy Wiâ—e as I was before shewed that I should not then the Lord directed me to leave them however some way or other for that would turn for a Witness against you Which also ye are sensible and apprehensible of And therefore perhaps that was one reason why ye did act this kind of Revenge and Spite against me as to send me rather unto a wâ—rse place than that of Dragons to be covered with the shadow of Death but this is among the Ravings of Dâ—â—racted Persons which hath some Representation of Hell and the Howlings of Damned Spirits But ye did not know oâ— at least not throughly consider that this will make it turn for a yet greater Witness and Testimony against your selves So that to excuse the Sin hereof ye will one day wish that the Lord would impute Mâ—â—ness to you for as the Wise Man saith The Heart of the Sonâ— of Mâ—n â—◠〈◊〉 of evil and Maâ—ness iâ— in their Heart while they â—â—ve and after that they go to the 〈◊〉 Eccles 9. 3. So the more Wâ—se and discerning of them would be glad if the Lord would reckon their former Sin and Evil as Madness so that they might either escâ—pe or have their Punishment mitigated after Death But the All wise and All knowing is not as Man that He should be deceived He will minister true Judgment unto the People in Uprightness And He will â—â—pute this Act of yours not as Madness but as Malice Yea to be Rebellion as the Sin of Witcâ—craft and such Stubbornness which is as Iniquity and Idolatry because ye have rejected the Word of the Lord 2 Sam. 15 23 He will adjudge it to be an higher degree of Rebellion and a worse sort of Stubbornness than that here spoken of In that ye were not only contented to reject his Word but ye did Imprison his Servant who came in the Message and Ministration thereof But here ye may be apt to say Why then thou shouldest have carried away thy Books again when thou wert bâ—d so to do and then perhaps this Conâ—inement had not happened unto thee But I did not dare neglect what the Lord commanded me leaâ— I should have been Disobedient to the Voice of God within me And accordingly then I spâ—ke in as silent and friendly manner as one Man talketh to another that I might deliver my Books in Person but they would not admit me nor suffer me to leave them any where in the House but they turned me out of Dâ—â—rs And as I was going out I did not cry nor lifâ— up nor cause my Voice to be heard in the Hoâ—se nor did I shew the least sign of Madness 〈◊〉 Eâ—â—râ—vagancy in my Deportment but only as I was juâ—t gone without the Doors I drop'd them upon the Ground in a silent and peaceable manner there to remain And this was all my troubling of the Court according to their Phrase for they call it so though I did not speak one word of what was contained in my Books But here somewhat may be observed of the Work and Moving of God for like as when the Lord looked unto the Host of the Egyptians through 〈◊〉 Pillar of Fire and of the Cloud He troubled the Host of â—he Egyptians Exod. 14. 24. And as is signified by what is written 1 Sam 16. 5. Tâ—e Elders of the Town trembled at his coming and said Coâ—est thou Peaceable So at the coâ—ing of Christ â—â—o was the Word and the Word â—as God John 1. 1 into the World 〈◊〉 Herod â—he King 〈◊〉 these things he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him Mâ—tâ— â— 3 In like manner each Manifestation or Rumor or Report of the true Woâ—d oâ— God doth cause a Motion or Trouble in 〈◊〉 Hearts of the Inhabitants of the Earth though they do only apprehend or guess somewhat but they do not know distinctly what it is So that let not People think as if any strange or new thing happened That Richard 〈◊〉 coming with the Word of God and his Righteousness the outward Testimony whereof being Written and Printed was the very same by Interpretation and his Reâ—l Intâ—â—tion as if he spoke out every Sentence Word and Syllable into their Ears but he did not open his Lips as to utter any thing audibly contained in it Yet by doing so far only he did trouble whom ye call King William and Queen Maâ—â— and all their Oâ—â—icers and Servants with them But I do hereby tell them fâ—rther That this Troubling is a short and little Earnest of a worse thing that shall befall them and â—â—at worse 〈…〉 Likeas the Fiâ—e at Kensington-House was a Sign or Warning of â—hat should come upon his or their own Heaâ—s for
as the Lord sâ—â—th 〈…〉 Mal. 3. 5. So in this Life God does not usually Pâ—â—ish but 〈◊〉 sheâ—â— a Token â—â—â—t he will pâ—â—ish or rather he doth only bâ—gâ—n tâ— puâ—â—sh And so in whatever Affliction he doth lay upon Mâ—nd Body or Eâ—ate or if it be Sudden Temporal Death the orâ—â—er â—eems to be Correction or Chastisement which is inâ—erior or less than Punishment And as for Temporal Death 〈…〉 And so the Wrath of God which did and doth yet hover over Whitehall and Kensington 〈◊〉 Tâ—â—s word was shewed to me in my Heart even before that Fire also happened at 〈◊〉 in the beginning of this Year was lately a little kindled and did break forth upon the latter place into devouring Fire The former part of this Expâ—eâ—sion I should have proclaimed out aloud when I was at Kensington-House but I neglected so to do for fear the Lord Pardon thy Servant in this thing but I did proclaim this word on the eighth of 〈◊〉 which was two days before the Fire happened there And then I did through the 〈◊〉 of the Prison I was in utter it with a loud audible distinct Voice to the intent whereof I did think at the very time that it might be of greater Effect and Confirmation and that it migâ—t be more ratiâ—â—ed and recorded before God And it was then answered in a still Voice to my Heart that it would be so accordingly for a Law is of greater Force and Energy when it is proclaimed and so the word is more established by is being spoken out This Fire did not hurt the Person of the two chief Inhabitants of that House nor I suppose singe the Hem of their Garment for probably they did arise up and get away from it which is the common and ordinary way to do in such danger But did it not terriâ—ie and affect their Minds for the present time Behold in all this is to be discerned the Riches of his Goodness and forbearance and long-suffering and they are to know that the Goodness of God should lead them to Repentance But theâ— according to the Doctrine of Dâ— John Tiâ—â—â—son in case of Injuries or Wrong to the outward Estate of another there can be no Râ—pentance without Restitution for in order to Repentance it is necessary to undo the Fault as much as it can be and if it were to do again we would not do it This he spake not of himself as now he is but it was before his late Apoâ—â—acy or falling away when he was only a Preacher of Gods Word he did rightly deliver this from the very Nature oâ— true Repentance as any one may assuredly know that it is so who understands what 〈◊〉 signifies whicâ— is the proper and right word in the Greek Language â—oâ— it And notwithstanding what the abovementioned Person may now flurt or speak outwardly with fair words deceiving the Hearts of the Simple or whatever strong Deluâ—â—ons he may â—iâ—gle amongâ—â— those who are Partâ—cipes Criminis who would fain believe a Lye Facâ—â—â—â—â—â—dimus qâ—od voâ—umus yet he cannot now gainsay the same least he should by speaking contrary to the Spirit of his own mind and so in the Prophets Phrase bely the Lord if it may be supposed that there doth any thing of God now remain in him I do not love to Quote Authors because it is Parrot like to repeat anothers words and we should apprehend Truth as Distinct from Men But yet it was not altogether improper to citâ— him by Name that the Poor Wretch for so he is noâ—withstanding he is inclosed in his own Fat and hath great Revenues without Right may tremble and fear least he be condemned out of his own words and he may be hereby pâ—t in mind to come to that thorough work of Repentance to the Acknowledgment which implies outward Confession and Declaration of the Truth And seeing that the two Princes have chosen him to be their Instructer and Teacher I shall here lay before them some other of his words to the following Purport I do not deliver that abovementioned nor yet this 〈◊〉 because I have not now â—â—s bound Book of Printed Sermons by me out of which both these Sentences are taken at this â—â—â—e but there I have read so and it is near to the following Sense and Meaning viz. That People under the Judgments of God are like Lead melded with Fire 〈◊〉 after they are gâ—ne and 〈◊〉 other is removed they â—o like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 returâ— again to their â—ormer Hardness In like manner whatever secret Thoughts Fears or Apprehensions did arise in the Heart of the two Princes just as they had 〈◊〉 Knowledge thereof â—or at that very time they diâ— see their own House Burning when perhaps their Heart was melted like Wax in the 〈◊〉 of their Bowels if herein they would give Glory unto Goâ— by 〈◊〉 oâ—â— and telling opâ—â—ly their Courtiers and Clergy who might tell others the same 〈…〉 had at that very time But if tâ—ey â—râ— Sallâ—n 〈◊〉 will not discovâ—◠〈◊〉 of them leaâ— by some of their thoughts then their Sâ—â— should 〈◊〉 what appear and â—hey should hereby confess then own 〈◊〉 Hear ye give Ear be not Proud â—or 〈◊〉 Lord hath spoken thus iâ— his Word and he doth now command and require ye to give Glory unto the Lord God of Israeâ— and make Confession unto 〈◊〉 tell us 〈…〉 ye did think aâ— that very time Hide it not from us give Glory unto the Lord your God before he cause Darkness and before your Feet stumble upon the dark Mountains if ye will not this is Disobedience and God shall nevertheless bring out and rehearse those innermost Thoughts that they shall be made known whither ye now for a very little while choose or whither ye do refuse But now it is some while since over ye have almost forgotten it or ye do cease to be affected therewith and ye are now again shut up and closed like the Lead or Wax afore spoken of When this Judgment was just flaming before your Eyes then ye could learn and understand Righteousness but now the Fire is quenched ye will not practice and do it But after your Hardness and Impenitent Heart ye Treasure up unto your selves Wrath against the day of Wrath and Revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God who will render unto every Man according to his Deeds Unto them that are Contentious and do not obey the Truth but obey Unrighteousness as that is exactly your case and of those who side with ye Indignation and Wrath Tribulation and Anguish upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil. What ye call my Troubling of you it is only to prevent all that for it is not I but the Word and Truth which appears forth through me and your being troubled thereat doth arise from the Multitude of thine Iniquity and the Great Hatred for Sin when it is committed doth leave Guilt behind Now when the Sin comes to be Reproved and manifested then also the
Assertions and this is made known and stands its Ground then it is foiled several whereof make a â—all and it grows weaker and weaker and successive Acts hereof will so â—â—und iâ— by the Words of Gods Truth and Rigâ—teousnâ—ss that it shall noâ— bâ— able to rise but fall undâ—â— our feet Psal 18. 38. But where this Power and Force doth keep the upper hand anâ— things are so done whereof no better Reason can well be given but only because they actually are and can so be done this may be â—itly resembled to a company of Râ—bbeâ—s or armed Men. And so where we read of aâ— Army going into another's Country to gather Contributions it is it Truth a great Robbeâ— and a multitude of Men that do Stâ—â—l which is against the express Command of God but so far doth Transgression prevail anâ— reign over the Face of the whole Earth that the Relation thereof is made publick and it seems allowable of good Report and honorable Atchievement who can take away what they will from weak and desenceless Creatures This the first do by Force and Compulsion which they must yield unto least further they be made Captives Slaves or Prisoners and so be girt or killed Now because this State and kind of Acting is not loved or approved by the Reason of Mankind therefore to impose upon and delude 〈◊〉 there are chosen out the more knowing Men who are acted by Reward for this is somewhat more than Hire and these do lay aside the Habiliments of War and Force and they do Apâ— things in a way of Law and Judiciary Proceeding Here again like Ambitious Absalom in Matters that are Gâ—od and Right in a private Cause between Man and Man wherein the Publick for so they call themselves by reason of their Multitude is nothing interested or concerned they will indeed do true Justice for hereby they do the more cover and get Reputation for their unjust and unlawful Deeds and so they gloss and smooth the thing over by some plâ—â—sible Saying or Expressions which though they are not true yet they are Veri 〈…〉 a they have a likeness to Truth and so like bitter Gilded Pills are swallowed down whole for Truth by the Ignorant and Credulous Multitude whose Nature is greedily and hastily to catch in and receive the thing The Multitude hath been â—itly termed Bellua Multorum Capitum and it is of that kind of Beasts which doth neither chew the Cud nor divide the Hoof for they neither consider throughly the Nature of things nor do they put a difference between Good and Evil Truth and Falshood Right and Wrong And so it here comes to pass that the Simple believeth every Word when a Man of understanding searcheth out the Matter And â—â— he be a Good Man also he doth conceive the more Zeal and Indignation against it as the more Sin and Evil is wrapped up interwoven and cunningly conceals therein As much as God doth exceed the Goodness Knowledge and Wisdom of the Creature which is more than the whole Ocean to a single drop of Water so he hath a proportionable Displeasure against Secrâ—â— Sins and Iniquities Which as he doth now set in the light of his Countenanâ—â— Psal 90. 8. So in his appointed time He will manifest the Counsels of the Heart and bring oâ—â— the hidden â—â—â—ngs of Dishonesty and the most close Acts of Hypocrisie and then they shall have Punishment accordingly But this Punishment is not presently executed for who hath ever felt it And who doth understand what it is Yet there are Terrors and Remorses of Conscience and a fearful Expectation of worse things to come all which are in deed sensible We do believe that which is revealed aâ—â— when a Conviction which implies a knowledge of these things and an Assent of the Mind that it is so is wrought then the Word of God hath its due Effect Who knoweth the Power of thine 〈◊〉 even according to thy Fear so is thy Wrath Psalm 90. 11. People do harden and shut themselves â—p against the Sense thereof but when it shall once enter within them when the Powers of the World to 〈◊〉 shall break into their Minds which the Devil hinders as much as he can all this will make them afraid and enforce them to do any thing to be reconciled with an Angry and Displeased God And so because that Wrath which â—overs over the dwâ—lling â—â—â—ce of â—â—e Unrighteous yea over the very Hâ—â—d 〈…〉 Psalm 63. 11. is not altogether so viâ—ibâ—e as a 〈◊〉 Swâ—â—d or 〈◊〉 â—ow pâ—inted at them which also do no hurt at present until it is laid on or discharged and so is God prepared for Punishment which he can as easily inflict as we can 〈◊〉 Moth for he takes away their Breath and they die and then his Sentence is executed upon the Evil Doers And therefore it may be observed throughout the whole Scripture the Punishment of God is spoken of in the future He will or shall punish nevertheless because his Wrath is not seen it is not so sensible even to the Children and Vessels of Wrath Still it is real and intelligible that is to be understood as they shall know and feel upon a dying Bed when all the Methods of hardening do fail then it is sensible and perceived from within Then Conscience doth accuse of Sin and foreshew of 〈◊〉 ment to come Now it would do the same in the midst of Health and Life as upon a Death-bed but heretofore Stupeâ—actions Delusions and Hindrances were sought after which fail at the last time and also they approach nearer unto God so that they dare not quench his Spirit as in times past Then they would not receive God and the Truth of his Word into their Knowledge but what they did apprehend of God was in a general and confused way and what they did know concerning his word that was a wresting of the Scriptures to their own Destruction Or rather like the Jews and Rulers of old Acts 13. 27. Because they know not God nor the Vâ—â—ce of his Word read every Sabbath and Week-day They have by sinning against God fulfilled his Word to their own Condemnation But if his Wrath did once enter within the vail of their Heart which Vaâ—l is made up of Sin and Ignorance then is that also fulfilled By thy Wrath we are troubled Ps â—0 7. even at the Manifestation and Revelation thereof so that they would not be at Rest and Quiet until they did cease from that Unrighteousness to which this Wrath is annexed And what Knowledge thereof God hath been pleased to shew unto me his Servant if I had been or might yet be suffered to speak and declare it audibly distinctly and deliberately before and unto him it would turn the Governour to the Faith and Belief thereof which would work so far that he would actually and indeed come to Repentance and Restitution By the Words of Gods Truth I should actually perswade him to give up
besides the Mischief and Hart they will do there is such a Buzzing of these two-footed Worms they keep such a Humming and noise with their Words with their several Sayings which is but a Contradiction of Sinners that it is all but a confused Imagination or deceitful Falshood without one Sentence of clear Reason or manifest certain Truth Sin doth spread like a Leaprosie and it doth corrupt the Understanding after it hath prevailed over the Will But when the Will hath committed the Sin then Conscience doth begin to accuse thereof and there do arise so many Fears that the Sinner is become like one walking upon brittle Ice who is afraid at every step so he Trembles and knows not what to do for Fâ—â—r is the betraying of those Succors which Reason offers It making the Poor Man even to suspect and also to refrain from that which indeed would shew him the only Good True and Right way for his Safety and Preservation As for that Great Multitude wherein Man is apt to place so great Confidence and to rely so much on indeed it is somewhat where Force is to be confronted unto Force though many times in Battel the greater Number do not get the Victory But what signifies his Multitude where not so much as one Man shall lift up his Hand against him I do here from the Word of God forbid all People under the Peril of Damnation which will be to all those who obey not the Gospel never to lift up a hand much less to bear Arms or raise Tumults against the Present Governour though he hath now taken upon him to Rule this Nation before the time it did appertain to him for no other Contention or Strife ought to be amongst the Creatures of God and in a Christian Country but in Words only see 2 Sam. 19. 43. for that should govern the World and sway and determine the Actions of Men which is most agreeable to the Word of God and the very Truth of Things But then the Present Possessor hath the most to talk for him even eleven Parts in twelve of the People of this Nation What signifies that for five Men who speak words with Knowledge and Understanding will avail more than ten thousand of the Ignorant Multitude for these like the gaggling oâ— Geese or chirping of Birds speak what they have received one from another and what themselves do not throughly understand or they speak forth Falsehood or Folly which hath an outward shew of Wisdom and Truth but in reality it is neither or they get their Livelihood or some Addition to it by saying after such a manner and so they are Blassed and Corrupt As likewise they do so speak and do if they have any Place of Honor or Credit whereby they have the more Respect from their Fellow-Creatures and are called of Men Worshipful or they speak after such a manner because they hear the most do so or to be freed from that Oppression and Persecution whereby a Man is made an Offender for a word for indeed it is more for the Ease and Safety of the Flesh to go in the way of the Multitude and to do and to walk according to the coursâ— of this VVorld but only This is not the Right way to Heaven But I would ask the King that now is in Possession whose Heart is lifted up with that vast Multitude which is for him and he is apt to fancy Security unto himself in them whereas he is floated up with Imaginations only if he doth repose in them a real and certain Safety can any of them severally or all put together Preserve his Breath from going forth or hold in one Moment longer after the appointed time his Spirit from flying out into that place where no Respect is had to what is so highly valued and esteemed here Let them pretend what they will to venture their 〈◊〉 and Fortunes for him to sight up to the Ankles and Ears in Blood and Wounds yet None of thâ—m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 means Redeem his Broâ—â—â—r 〈◊〉 give to God a 〈◊〉 for him for the Redemption of their Soul is Precious and it 〈◊〉 for ever Psalm 4â— 7 8. The Reasons why People sight for others are these following Either because hereby they get their Livelihood or out of a Mistaken Apprehenâ—ion of Duty or Honour or they are 〈◊〉 and constrained so to do But when all these are taken away and the pretended Caâ—se Right or Titâ—â— is found to be wrong then also the Fighting People do slide from him and each Man desires to be excused If the Reader does think this to be a bare Supposition of mine own yet he may also perceive there is some Truth intermingled with it but I am certain that is nothing but the Truth which I am now going to alledge and infer Put the case that the ungodly and deceitful Mâ—n for such he is who will not obey the Law of God but he doth cover his unlawful Deeds with the Cloak of Hypocrisie should not stand in the Judgment Psalm 1. 5. But iâ— he should be condemned there and receive the Sentence Depart ye Cursed into Everlasting Misery Is there now one Man among all his Loving Subjects who were so extraordinarily Zealous for King William that will step out and offer unto God to exchange his Soul for him that his Soul should be in thâ— others stead to undergo all that easeless endless and remediless Torment for him Speak now all ye Princes Goverâ—â—rs Captains Judges Treasâ—â—rs Counsellors Justices of Peaâ—â— Constables Bishops Pâ—â—â—sts Chaplains Officers and Servants and all ye Friends to the Present Government who now are so called and would be so thought which of we all will do this for him Let him stand forth and answer I suppose here that every Man will hold his Peace or if any should speak out hastily and boldly will he yet be as good as his word or would he have God take him at his word I trow there is not any to be found who will serve King William thus far Or if there should yet God will not accept it None of them can by any means 〈◊〉 his Brother nor give to God â—â— Ransom fâ—â— him And that it â—s possible for a King to be Damnâ—d is as sure as Scripture is true For Tophet is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared Isa 30. 33. and so you may read Rev. 6. 15. what is written concerning the Kings of the Earth and the Great Mâ—â— and the Rich Mâ—n and the Mighty Men. By the like Words of Truth if it would not be too tedious I could answer that Objection of Shame Disgrace or Contempt which as yet do hinder the Governour from coming to Repentance and Restitution only by bringing out the true Nature of things That the Shame is rather in continuing therein than in ceasing to do Evil and it is Brutish to refuse it but it is most Reasonable to learn to do well and here it is also
according to the true Proverb Better late than never It is better to be liable unto a small and short Shame at present if it should be so than to go on in thy own way and Devices till thy Body drops into the Dust out of which thou shalt awake and rise up to everlasting Shâ—â—e and â—â—â—tempt one of these two thou must and shalt endure But I do again testifie That it is better to be sensible of a little Trouble and Vexation of Mind now which will also at this present time bring forth * Concerning which see my Bâ—â—k of Happiness P. 166. Peace and Contentment of Soul than to groan under the Worm which shall never die Whatever other Thoughts do arise in thy Mind there be sure to let Knowledge and Reason have its perfect Work as to conceive and apprehend the thing throughly and wholly and then thou shalt find an Answer which will be Satisfactory even to thine Immortal and Restless Spirit This will give Quietness and Assurance for ever Do but make known the Thoughts that trouble and terrifie thee and God may either by me or some other of his Servants shew thee a way or lay Worâ—â— before thee how thou mayest be Comforted Delivered and Saved both Temporally and Eternally Wherefore O thou that are called KING let my Counsel which I give not of my self but the Word and law of God saith and commands the same be acceptable 〈◊〉 thee and break off thy Sins by Righteousness and thine Iniquities by making Restitution to thy Poor Father-in-Law In the publick 〈◊〉 about four or five Months ago there was an Example of one who did Resign up the Government As this shews that it is possible so let what is aforesaid make thee Inclinable yea and actually do the like unto him whose Right â—t is if it may be a lengthening of thy Tranquility Dan. 4. 27. or according to the Marginal Reading an Healing of thine Error I do assure thee in the Name of God and from the Truth of his Revealed Word That if thou wilt indeed obey and go according to all the Commandments and Directions thereof that it will most certainly be a lengthening of thy Tranquility and an Healing of thine Error But then thou must hearken unto and â—omply with the same Word speaking on this wise Turn you Turn you and then Iniquity shall not be your Ruine Obey and thy Soul shall live Do well and thou shalt Fare well There is no Man which I know of who doth more earnestly and unâ—â—ignedly desire the Good and Salvation of Mankind than my self for only towards the Accomplishing of thâ—s Great End I have written and suffered so much But if they do still from time to time 〈◊〉 and are Stubborn if they do continually provoke God and transgress his Law as thâ—â— manner oâ—â—â—me is to do it the more the nearer they come to appear before him then indeed my Compassion doth begin to wear off for then it is coming towards that The Righteous shall rejoyce when he seeth 〈◊〉 Vengeance Psal 58. 10. for I know and assuredly believe and do thereby give warning that God who is Holy and True will Judge all the Inhabitants of the Earth And He will punish the world for their Evil and the wicked for their Iniquity To God only wise be Glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen All the aforementioned Words were written by me Richard Stafford Prisoner in Bethlehem Hospital and finished on Decem. 11 1691. but Printed on January 7. 1692. FINIS