been very hurtful 6. That the Lord did move the hearts of the Brethren to come so willingly and express so much affection to me 7. That God moved my heart and strengthned me to come home that night which proved advantagious 8. That when the disease was at the highest and sorest the Lord was pleased in that state to keep the eye of my mind directly upon himself 9. That when I was much troubled about my Will and was afraid the Lord would have taken me away before I had finished it God heard my weak sensless crying unto him and gave me much satisfaction when it was done The Lord did not let loose any of my spiritual enemies sin or Satan upon me The Lord supported me with his former fatherly dealings and the succors comforts and experiences he had afforded in the like afflictions The Lord kept my spirit indifferent and unbyassed towards life or death not desiring the one more then the other but willing that God should choose for me The Lord shewed me things neerer thâ—n I saw them beâ—ore and smaller things as duties sins c. seemed greater to me then they had done I was helped by the Lord to beaâ— the affliction with that patience that I was so far from thinking it too heavy that I wondred it was so light I found a quicker discerning and a better taste to try words then before and to know who spoke and what was spoken discreetly seasonably and effectually That I had more sence of other sick and suffering Saints then I had before especially the poor and the rather because I considered how they wanted the accommodations I had As I had no extraordinary discoveries of the Lord so I had several small and mediate expressions of his tenderness and kindness I had clearer knowledge and greater conviction of some sins particularly 1. Self which I found to cleave to me ever to the end 2. Of Frowardness which I saw to be an abhoring to the Lord and it troubled me much to hear it in my Family 3. Wordliness especially in having to do with worldly men 4. Slothfulness in private duties 5. Want of more care to refâ—rm my Family 6. Using too many words about earthly things with my Wife 7. Using too much fleshly wisdom in my preaching and too much time wiâ—h too many words in my Sermons and too many complements to Saints offering Sacrifice or doing service unto the Lord when God would have me be receiving mercy from him this God shewed me once when being weak I went to perform duly I had comfort from the Lord. 1. From several Scriptures as Rom. 14 8. Philip. 1.21 Iob 33.26 Psal 71.3 Esaiah 1.25 Ezek. 21.44 Prov. 1â— the last verse Iohn 16.14 Ioh. 17. Prov. 7. to 21. 2. Gracious Answers of Prayer and feeding upon promises 3. From the Visits and Prayers of the Saints 4. That when I vvas to dispose of the estate the Loâ—d had given me I did find I vvas more thoughtful hovv to do it to Gods gloâ—y then I vvas to get it Some few of the Hymns found within his Papers A Hymn on the Sabboth day THe rest of rests to me is Christ in whom I do rejoyce His day a Sabboth is to me T is not mine but his choice He rose and rested on that day to shew his work was done His blest example is my Rule his Candle is my Sun This is the Queen of dayes to me For t is my Kings birth day He was begotten from the dead that I might live for aye Not live in lust to do my will but live to please my Lo d To preach his word and sit at board 'mong â—aâ—â—ts of one accord To pray and preach to sing and praise to meditate and talk From day dawning unto dark night should be our work and walk Another on the same The Sabboth is a day of rest from Service Work and Sin When God had ended all his work the Sabboth did begin God set apart the seventh day and did it sanctifie Adam in innocence was bound that holy kept should be Then to the Iews God gave command this day for to observe And sorely punish wicked men that from the Law did swerve But when the time that Iewish rites were to be done away Christ did set up instead of it another call'd by day This was prefigur'd in the Law and foretold frequently This Christ and his Disciples kept strictly and ardently This mindâ— us that the work is done which Christ ingag'd to do Christs resurrection was thereon which makes us keep it too Some without ground would sleight this day counting alike all dayes Yet I with Saints will keep the same to celebrate Gods praise Upon my going forth to Preach To be my Shephards underling his Sheep to seek and save It joyes me more then any thing no work else do I crave To free a Soul from Death and Hell more then my life I prize Converting Preachers make me one shall shine for they are wise O let me Lord have skill to bring thy lost and scattering Sheep Into thy School and Fould also to teach and feed and keep My Lambs and little Ones are like to perish and be lost Oh seek and save them Lord thy self thou knowest how much they cost Thy precious Blood was shed for them that they might ever have Enjoyment of thy precious self this had no more they crave Upon the occasion of preaching upon a Mountain How fair and eek how beautiful are those Messengers Feet That preach glad tidings on the Hills their voice must needs be sweet Sweet is thy holy Trumpets sound that calls and summons all To lissen to and list themselves under the General God gave his Law at first on smoaky Mount Sinai God oft times did appear to his in such a place and way Alters were built by Saints to worship the true God The Temple on a Mountain was built where God made his abode Christ did resort to Hills to Watch to Preach to Pray Châ—ist was transfigured on a Mount clad in divine array On a Hill he tryed was and that he overcame When from a Hill he did descend he had the greatest fame Christ wrought great Miracles on a barren Hill Christ did ascend from off a mount the Scriptures to fulfil Upon a Mount in Galile Christ gave commissions To his Apostles for to preach unto all Nations From off a Mountain high John saw that glorious sight The new Jerusalem Christs brâ—de cloathed in white and bright The Mountains minds us of Gods faithful promises Gods Wisdom Might and Providence on Hills appear all these The prosecuted Saints did hide themselves in Hills Their th' Idolators worshipped God after their crooked wills Christ Kingdome and his Church his Mount of holiness Shall break and quell all Mountains and all Hills of wickedness Gods Mounâ—ains shall bring peace the Hills shall leap and sing On Mount Olive Christ will stand to judge the world as King The barren Wilderness
way of Judgment for the sin of a people 1 Samuel 8.16.19 Hosea 13.11 2 Chronnic 34.28 3. Though the worst Rulers do not Reign without the pre-science and permission of God yet such Governours as rule contrary to the revealed will of God and to the true end of Government do rule without Gods approbation and are accounted by him as noâ— Rulers Hosea 11.4 Ezek. 34.5.10.21 Jer. 5.1 And some of them are said in Scripture to have their power with and to exercise it for the Beast and therefore are called the horns of the Dragon and of the Beast Daniel 7.20.24 Revel 13.1 Chap. 17. â—3 16 4. As it is unlawful for Rulers to command any thing that God hath forbidden and to compell men to obey the same or to forbid any thing that God commands so it is lawful for the servants of God to disobey such commands Dan. 3 18. chap. 6.10 11. Acts 4.19 20. chap. 5.29 Concerning Antichrist Though there were many Antichrists in the Apostles time 1 John 2.18 yet there was one in a more special manner to come after those days who is called the Antichrist 1 Iohn 2.22 the man of sin 2 Thes 2.3 the Beast the false Prophet and the Destroyer Rev. 13. c. 9.11 2. This Antichrist is one that sits in the Temple of God assuming and exercising power above those that are called Gods above Magistrates 2 Thes 2. who beareth the woman or the Harlot the City Rome which was built upon seaven hills Rev. 17.3.9.18 who under pretence of being for Christ doth indeed fight against him and destroy his true Worship Rev. 13.7.11 who deceive the world by his miracles and lying wonders Rev 13.13 14. 2 Thes 2.9 whose reign was to begin at the fall of the Roman Empire 2 Thes 1.6 7. where together with him True Kings were to arise out of that state and is to give their power to him Rev. 17.12 13. All which since it is exactly faithfully and litterally agree to the Pope of Rome we may say concerning him Is this the Antichrist that is to come or may we look for another Concerning the conversion and calling of the Jewes Though the Partition Wall between Jewes and Gentiles was broken down by the Death of Christ Eph. 2.14.15 and now all true Believers both Jewes and Gentiles are brought into our Fold and special Fellowship John 10.16 chap. 11.51 52. Eph 2.16 17 18. Yet is the generality a body of that Relation the Jews for their unbelief hardness of heart rejecting of Christ and disobeying the Gospel were rejected and scattered so for the sake of their Fathers Abraham Isaac Jacob David and for the fulfilling of the promises made to them The Jews shall yet before the end of the world be generally converted and reconciled to God Rom. 11.25 26. to the 31. 2. Their conversion will be both a strange and a suddain thing and therefore is often called and compared unto the Resurrection from the dead and to a Nation born in a day Ezek. 37. Isa 66.8 9. 3. This glorious and great work of their conversion will be wrought in an extraordinary way as their deliverance out of Egypt was Mic. 7.15 Is 11.16 and seems to be by the appearing of the Son of Man or of the sign of the Son of Man in the clouds of Heaven Zceh 12.10 with Rev. 1.7 Mat. 24.30 31. 4. When the Jews are thus called many others will lay hold upon them and joyn with them because of the miracles and the appearance of God among them Zach. 8.21 22 23. 5. They shall return out of all lands where they are now scattered into their own Countrey as they did out of Egypt and Babylon Isa 11. chap. 2.7.12 13. they shall re-build the City Jerusalem Jer. 30.18 verse 31 38 39 40. and shall dwell there and their posterities therein and in the Land of Judah Zach. 2.12 chap. 8.7 8. chap. 12.6 and they shall partake in an eminent manner of the spirit and of his graces Ezekiel 39.24 Zach. 12.10 and be abundantly blessed with all co-eternal blessings The first and chiefest power upon earth will be exercised by and among them To the astonishment and destruction of their enemies Micah 4.8 chap. 7.16 Acts 7.1.6 A Short Appendix to this Confession of Faith or Signs of a True Believer 1. HE is one that hath had clear convictions of sin especially his master sin and unbelief also of the want and worth of Christ and of punishment for sin as the due desert of sin John 16.8 2. He is unbottomed and broaken off from himself he hath no confidence in himself his birth education parts performances and best works are impure in his own sight Phil 3. 3. Isay 64 6. 3. He is hardly brought to believe he hardly believes that he doth believe and hardly casts away his confidence when he doth once truly believe 4. He prayeth to God most against his dearest and master sin and praiseth God most when he hath poâ—er against it 5. He never repents for any sin forsaken or gooâ— he hath done or Affliction he hath suffered to Christ 6. In reading of Scripture he observes what help on his holiness and teacheth self-denial as well as whâ—â— increaseth knowledge 7. He cares not what he hath whether he goeth what he suffers with Christ and withouâ— Sin 8 He is one that resolves to follow Christ through every condition yet much suspects and fears he shalâ— not be able to hold out 9. He seeks and prizes holyness to serve God here as much or more then happiness hereafter 10. Above all care he bends himself to keep from his Master Sin 2 Sam 23.24 11. He neglects not his duty though he knows ther 's great danger in doing it Dan. 6.10 12. He is one that is careful to lay in and to get true grace in his heart as well as in his profession like the wise Scribe Matthew 13. and wise virgins Mat. 25. 13. He cleaves to the Lord and follows him in the worst of times when others forsake him not crying Hosannah to day and Crucifie him to morrow 14. He takes patiently and thankfully the harshest words and the hardest dealings from God 1 Sam. 3. 18. 2 Kings 20.9.19 Job 1.14 15. He is much affected with and afflicted for the sufferings of the godly and sins of the wicked as David Jerom Lot Paul 16. He is one that when recovered out of his back-sliding remembers his former good condition with praises more to God and hatred more to sin Hos â— 7 14 2 3. 17. He seeks and esteems sincerity more then any garnishing gifts and prizeth plain and poor Saints that are honest and upright more then those that hath parts and wealth if less sincere 18. He devoteth himself more to Gods fear and desireth grace for grace sake Neh. 1.11 19. His chief delight is amongst the Saints especially those that excell in vertue 20. He is one that upon the least apprehension of Gods withdrawing from
day I injoyed much consolation both from the Scripture specially Psal 37.24.35.39 Though he fall meaning the good man he shall not utterly be cast down nor condemn him when he is judged but the salvation of the Righteous is from the Lord he is their strength in the time of trouble and the Lord shall help them and deliver them he shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in him also by conference that day with several persons yet in the Evening I had strong assaults from Satan from which the Lord did in part deliver me but yet much trouble from my own Evil heart the four following lessons I was desirous to learn this Evening 1. To get my Soul more setled in the assurance and apprehension of salvation 2. More sensible of my own and other mens sins and my own and other mens sufferings 3. More humbled for my unprofitableness in my imprisonment 4. More willing to dye and more mindful of death This day I received and unexpected mercy and was prevented from a temptation which made my heart rejoyce and preventing grace especially that which prevented from sin have been frequently cause of rejoycing to me This day I had little change in the frame of my Spirit either to good or Evil but some sence I had of my own weakness yet I had some comfort from those words Psal 40.17 but I am poor and needy yet the Lord thinketh on me and Psal 42.8 Yet the Lord will command his loving kindness and his Song shall be with me and my Prayer unto the God of my life This day I had a good and comfortable day to my Soul especially in Prayer Four things I saw cause to be humbled for First that I had not more sence of the sins and sufferings of Gods People or of my own Secondly That the Works Glory Wayes Ordinances People of the Lord are in such Contempt Thirdly that there is no more Stability Zeal and Courage in the Saints for good and against Evil. Fourthly That there continues still such darkness upon and divisions amongst Christians I had it much in my Heart to desire two things from the Lord viz. First Power against my sin Secondly Preparation for sufferings This day I was much troubled for hearing one sweare several Oaths and not reproving him for the same and convinced also from Psal 50.7 Hear O Israel and I will testifie against thee I am God even thy God that God had many things against me in particular and I was convinced providencially of one cause of my sufferings Being a day to seek the Lord in private Prayer I had my Heart somewhat softned and yet I was troubled it continued so hard and I learned from the 2. Cro. 6.37 That I should in this my suffering bethink my self both what I was and what I had done that I should pray more earnestly and turn more throughly and perfectly unto the Lord and that Evening I could and did pray most heartily for my Enemies and Persecutors This day being the Lords day I had several times refreshings from the Lord in Prayer and in speaking his word and that word in Iob. 10.14 Was set with weight upon my Heart If I sin thou markest me and wilt not acquit me from my iniquity I learned thence what a dangerous thing it is to sin under affliction and the dangers did appear much by that place in Lev. 26.36 And upon them that are left alive of you meaning those that were unaffliction verse the 26. I will send a faintness in their Hearts c. The same day I had a consideration of the great evil of sinning against the Lord after assurance This day I observed these words Psal 59.3 For loe they lye in wait Davids Enemies for my Soul the mighty are gathered against me not for my transgression nor for my sin O Lord I could truely and with comfort say that mine Enemies did persecute me but not for my sin or transgression which is a comfort to me this day also by a special providence God brought a dear Friend who praying wit me my Heart was much affected and melted This day in the morning my Heart was very free to pray for my Persecutors and Enemies as freely and really is I was to seek and receive pardon for my own sins I had power also to apply those words to my self Psal 62.2 He is onely my Rock and my Salvation he is my defence I shall not greatly by moved and in verse 6. I shall not be moved God did bring this Scripture as an Antidote for that Evening there came several persons one after another to tell me that I and several others were to be tryed at the Sessions and I observed that my Heart was very little moved thereat but could willingly refer my self to the Lord and be quiet in and contented with his will though never so contrary to my own carnal and natural will This Evening in discourseing with a poor Christian antient woman I found by the tenderness of Heart the had for sin and her zeal for God that she was in a far better temper of Spirit then I was in which helped on my Humility somewhat this Evening also I had some power to resist Temptation and to check Corruption I had my Heart enlargned and softned in Prayer and through Gods goodness was much freed from Temptations yet had some bodily distemper but I judged it very little and light in comparison of what it might be I experienced the Lords coming in and especially in Prayer I observed that Scripture Psal 68.28 Thy God hath commanded thy strength strengthen O God that which thou hast wrought for us yet this Evening I was moved to passion This day spent so most part in writing Letters for Christian Freinds at some of which my Heart was moved having a great desire that they might continue in the Faith and stand fast in the Lord. This day I was affected with some ill news I heard and my heart was moved with pitty towards some in affliction I had some comfort from Psal 69. verse 36.29 Those whom thou hast wounded he persecuted and afflicted are those whom God hath wounded and though poor and sorrowful yet his salvation will set them up on high but especially from verse the 32. Their Hearts shall live that seek God and this day in observing the Characters which a godly Preacher gives in his Book of those that have their sins pardoned that they are those that seek pardon wait in the use of means till they obtain it they do freely pardon others and they do love God for his pardoning goodness all which in a measure through free grace I found in me also Psal 71.20 Thou wilt bring me up again c. was very refreshing to me This day being the Lords day I had several considerations of the Sabboth as it was a sign between God and his People Exod. 31.13.17 Ezek. 20.12.17 A sign of his favour
in giving it to them and of his being in Covenant with them and they with him if they carefully observed it and therefore it is called the Covenant Exod. 31.17 As Circumsion a sign of the Covenant is called a Covenant Gen. 17.7 My heart was moved to pray earnestly against sin and those words in Psal 72.12 13 14. were pretious to me he shall deliver the needy when he cryeth the poor also and him that hath no helper This day I learned from Psal 74.16 The day is thine and the night it thine that the State of affliction as wâ—ll as a State of posperity is of the Lord and necessary and to continue but for a time Then from Psal 76.10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee and the remainder of wrath thou wilt restrain I learned not to be troubled at mens fury for God would have glory thereby and God will restrain it when he will this day I perceived three things much wanting in me First Love enough to Christ to make me willing to suffer Secondly Repentance enough for Sin Thirdly Care enough in Gods service This day I had some inlargement in Prayer I learned also 1. That Prayer is a special remedy or means to prevent the Soul from sin 2. That ordinary spiritual Judgments as hardness of Heart c. go before outward Judgements 3. That it is a very sad sign as well as a great sin to refuse the Lord and his Counsel God complains Psal 81.11 That they would not hearken to his Counsels and that they would none of him I had some sence but trouble for want of more of the sufferings of Gods People in S and I was encouraged from the following Observations and considerations First That the man is blest whose strength is in the Lord Psal 8.4 5. Secondly That when God will return to his People and bring them back from their captivity he will forgive their iniquities cover their sins and take away all his wrath Psal 85.1 2 3. Thirdly That salvation is nigh to the People of God verse 9.4 That he will set his People in the way of his steps verse 13. This day supposed to be the longest in the year I judge it my duty to be strict in observing what glory to God or good to my Soul such a long day would produce 1. In the morning as the night before I had my Heart drawn out to pray earnestly against temptations especially one and I observed presently the temptation set upon me but the Lord delivered me from it and removed it from me for which my Heart was affected moved and raised to praise the Lord. 2. I learned that affliction draws out the Heart of the godly much in Prayer and Supplication Psal 8.11.13 3. I learned that it is not enough for a Christian to do good but he should carefully endeavour to do the cheifest and most seasonable good 4. By visiting some of the poorest Prisoners I observed this that sometimes in doing good a man may be in danger of receiving evil or a good disposition may bring a man lyable to temptation in the morning I had encouragement from Psal 91.9.10 Because thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge and there shall no evil befat thee I had much refreshing also in the communion of divers Christians I learned also from Revelations the 2.26.27 compared with the 12. Chap. 11. That he that suffereth for Christ overcometh ferendo vincere spero at the noise of the great thunder this night I was moved to consider the greatness of Iehovah whose voice was so loud I was troubled in the morning with many bad thoughts yet had some trouble for them but out of Psal 102.4.10.24 I observed three things 1. That the heart may be withered 2. That after God hath lifted up a Saint he may cast him down again 3. That Davids argument to move God not to cut him off in the midest of his dayes was because Gods years were throughout all Generations Being the Lords day I found my Heart in as good a frame as I had any day both in respect of tenderness and enlargedness in Prayer and likewise learned somewhat from divers Scriptures especially from 2. Pet. 3. From the consideration of what God had promised to do and the patience and long suffering of Christ and what the Saints did look for what manner of persons Christians ought to be viz. 1. Holy in all manner of Conversation and godliness 2. Looking and expecting the coming of Christ 3. Diligent in geting assurance and being found acceptable 4. Accounting that the patience of God intended from their good 5. Watchful and careful least they be drawn aside into Error 6. Lastly growing in Grace and in the knowledge of Christ I was observing from Psal 105.8 How God remembered his Covenant with his People yea and for them Psal 106.47 also his mercy Psal 98.3 And though they either forget or neglect either the one or the other yet what abundant comfort is this to Beleivers This day was a very good day to me in respect of several favours received from the Lord for which I desire to be earnestly thankful I learned to consider how far a man may go with a meer ascent to truth without experiencing the power of the same working in us I was also earnest with the Lord that in case he did not put an end to my sufferings he would put an end to my sin This was a day better resolved on then observed Oh how oft and in how many wayes are men disappointed in their purposes which shews all good to be in the hand of God and man to be a poor changeable weak Creature yet from Psal 107. I was noting how ready God is to hear the Cry of his People for four times in that Psal He is said to hear their Cry in trouble and to deliver them out of their distress verse the 6.13.19.28 and yet it is as observable how backward men aâ—e to return praises to God and therefore in the Psalms it is also said four times Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness veâ—se 8.15.21.31 Though this Evening I had some inward refreshing yet this Night I had sore Temptations of several sorts This day my Temptations continued strong yet with a resolution in the strength of Christ to resist beware of them and in consideration oâ— the words nevertheless notwithstanding and yet which I find frequent in the Scriptures used and applied to Gods People both after their sinning and under their suff ing I had some comâ—ort as Psal 106.8 44. 1 Kings 2. chap. 12. Psal 40.17 42.8 This d y frâ—m several Scriptures as Psal 119. 4. Acts 6.4 1 Cor. 7.3 compared togethâ—r I was convinced it was a special duty in which I was too nâ—gligent to give ones self to Pâ—ayer I also observed that neglecting the season so serviâ—e or duty pâ—oves sometimes a perfect oâ—ission of that dâ—â—y I also was observing â—he great
happinâ—â—â— of a good m n above the wicked that the Lord stands at the right hand of the one and the Devil at the right haâ—d of the other Psal 109.31 compareâ— with the 6. verse This day I was learning that a Christian should endeavour to peâ—â—orm all his duties 1. more intâ—rely or with his whole Heart Psal 111.1 119. 2. 2. More delightfully Psal 119.16.53 47 70. Rom. 7.22 3. With more judgement and discretion Psal 112 5. 4. With perseverance Col. 4.2 This morning I was overcome with passion and frowardness which made me enquire into the reason of that and other Corruptions I was observing this that it is a mercy to have the Soul come to its place again after sin but far better not to go out of its place at all this Night I had a very sore and strong Temptation but was through the grace of God supported and strengthened from the consideration of Christ that was tempted who considers those that are tempted also from his Prayer Iohn 17.11 and from those two promises Isa 59.19 James 4.7 I fled to the Lord by Prayer and he delivered me and I trust he also will deliver me Being the Lords day I had my Heart in a reasonable good frame in the morning in Prayer I was observing that God exalteth himself even then when he humbleth himself to look on men Psal 113.6 marg I found my Heart much raised and enlarged in Prayer for Gods work and People had faith therein I observed from Isa 38.17 For Peace I had great Bitterness c. I learned that a Christians condition is murable and therefore he should be contented with his condition what ever it be and whether comfortable or miserable he should look that God may soon alter it and he should not desire to go out of one state into another till he hath gotten good by being in the former 2. That Gods love is not only seen in the removing affliction from us but in afflicting of us also 3. That Gods People should learn to gain assurance and experience by affliction This Evening I was much refreshed in reading Bains upon the Ephes especially one chap. the 1.13 and the 4.30 Concerning the sealing of the Spirit This day I observed the duty and resolution of a sincere Christian viz. to walk before the Lord. Psal 116.9 Gen. 24.40 I was also thinking how necessary it is for a right Christian that desires to walk holily to observe carefully the inward workings of the Spirit of God as also the secret wayes and methods of sin I was convinced also how uneffectual it is for a Christian to promise or resolve any thing in his own strength I learned from David that he oft mentions serving and seeking God with his whole Heart which dutieâ— I love and would learn more experimentally and practically according to Psal 112.2.10.34.69 This day I was enlarged and somewhat softened in the duty of Prayer several times and convinced what an evil it is in Gods sight 1. To be long under affliction unhumbled and uncleansed Jer. 44.10 Jos 22.17 and especially to sin wittingly and to add sin to sin I was considering of four duties to repent for sin to redeem time to get fuller assurance and to prepare for Christ I was also affected with some news that concerned the People of God This day I was observing that though a true Christian may have a sound Heart and Faith in the word of the Lord yet he may be as a Bottle in the smoak dry and withered yea and fainting and failâ—ing for the Lord and his salvation Psal 119.80 81 82 83. I learned this also that disappointment â—n ones expectation causeth dejection and trouble This day having had a long and serious discourse with a knowing Gentleman I observed somewhat more then even I had done before concerning the Image of God and the new man mentioned in Ephes â— 24. Col. 3.10 I had consideration also that Child of God may easily see to the end of or beyond all that the men of the world can do to him I had some inlargedness and softness of Heart in Prayer also I observed several things from 1. Thess 2. I observed the following Lessons 1. That by gaining understanding from and delight in the Statutes and Precepts of the Lord a Christian comes to hate every falce and wicked way Psal 119.97.104 2. To seek to get a Heart inclined alwayes to perform Gods Statutes verse 112. 3. That when a Soul hath an intention to keep Gods Commandements he will abstain from the company of evil doers verse 115. I had great trouble and sorrow in my Heart in the Evening from a Letter I had from a Brother tuâ—ned Quaker but my Heart was much drawn forth to to pray for him This day being Lords day in the morning I had my Heart drawn forth again to pray earnestly for that Brother and had my Spirit several times somewhat revived this day and among several other things which I observed 1. That a Child of God be altered much in the frame of his Spirit from better to worse as Baruch also Ionah c. 2. That a time of common calamity it will be a mercy for a religious man to have his life as Baruch was p omised to have Jer. 45.5 3. I observing how God may punish a good man in the same kind that he sins as Asa with pain in his Feet aâ— he had put the Prophet in the Stocks before 2. Chron. 16.10 12 compared 4. Oh what an evil it is in a Christian to sin David was told that he despised the Lord and his Commandement 2 Samuel 12.8.10 5. From Ezek. 10.11 that the Wheels that is either they Angels Saints or the providences of God they followed the head and turned not as they went so should we follow Christ 6. It is observeable that God takes notice of all that is in the minds of men Ezek. 11.5 as well as all the words in their Tongues as the frame of mens Spirits so they think of God for if they be holy and faithful they conceive so of God This day also I found the evil of my Heart to be in one frame when it should be in another as to rejoyce when it should mourn I lost oppertunities this day to serve the Lord by discourses with several sorts of persons especially some that pretend to the Virgin life who mightily sleight Iesus of Nazareth and the Scriptures which made me strongly oppose them and do with them as the Apostle commands 2. Iohn 10. that promise also was sweet unto me Psal 121.3 He will not suffer thy Feet to be moved This day in the Morning and at Noon I had my Heart drawn out and softned more then ordinary in Prayer yet I found my Heart suddenly moved to anger this was in divers sences a day of great kindnes from the Lord I was observing from Hos 12. 1. That fear care and trembling are especial means to keep the
she was nursed her whole time This day I observed from Lev. 26. Gods way of dealing outwardly with his People either in mercy or affliction according to their obedience or disobedience but though they have sined and brought punishment upon themselves yet upon their confession of sin humbling of their hearts and accepting of their punishment God remits their sins and removes the punishment this day God in his providence ordered that I should hurt and bruise my Leg which might have been much worse I humbly praise God for it and hope to profit by it This day my heart was very much enlarged softened and quickened in Prayer twice but especially once and raised through the power of God exceedingly to be willing to suffer I learnt 1. To beware of sleight and short repentance a thing I often consider off 2. To fear secret self conceitedness after the well performing of a duty 3. To take heed of the corrupting Flies of vain thoughts and idle words 4. From Pâ—ov 24.1 Not to desire the company of evil men 5. To see consider look and receive instruction from the Evil of others 6. That such as do the will of God but not with a good end shall be punished Hos 1.4 This day I was troubled with vain and wandering thoughts in solemn duties yet was made sensible of them and in some measure resisted them effectually I Learned from Prov. 25.22 how to perform my duty towards my Enemies and from chap. 26. 26. the danger of keeping secret sins that God will discover them before the Congregation God favoured me this day with kindness from and affected me somewhat with the relation and reading of Gods wonderful and strange works at which I desire to stand in admiration and to fear and tremble also to be affected with the sufferings of other Saints that differ from me I observed also from Prov. 26.23 How a wicked Hea t may be covered and undisceâ—ned as a Potshe d covered with dross also from chap 27.12 the Character and care of a prudent man viz. to foresee the evil and hide himself and from 2. Tim. 1. to learn to partake of sufferings and not to be ashamed of sufferers This day though I rose earlyer then ordinary yet through the multiplicity and continuance of company I made not such good impâ—ovement thereof I cannot say I profited much or gained or learned any thing unless it w re from P ov 27.12 That a prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself also from 2. Tim. 2.11.12 I â—â—se ved great encouragement to suffer for Christ because we shall live and raign with him also to labour to be pure fit Vessels for the Lord to follow aâ—ter Righteousness Faith Peace Charity c. I was convinced this day of four things I was too negligent in viz. Studying the Scriptures sending to the Christians especially those to whom I relate finishing somewhat I intended and begun and improving my Talent in this place more to the benefit of other poor Souls I had my heart softened and in some measure enlarged this day in Prayer and truely affected with some Christians that came to see me I had some comfortable considerations from three promises Prov. 28.10 20 26. The upright shall have good things in possession who so walketh â—prightly shall be saved and who so walketh wisely shall be delivered I had also comfortable from Hos 3 4.5 Compared together and was put to consideâ— those in 2. Tim. 3.2 c. This morning though too slothful I had some bâ—eathings of the Spirit of the Lord and kindled affections in Pâ—ayer those words in Prov. 29.25 were some comfort and support to me the fear of man bringeth a sâ—aâ—e but who so putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe among other considerations I had this day 1. I considered that it was the needfulâ—st thing in a dangerous time to get assurance of Gods favour and salvation and to make hast to repent and return to the Lord. 2. To consider our spiritual warfare and to qâ—iâ— our selves like Christians in striving for victory over our â—piritual Enemies I had comfort from that blessed pâ—omise Ier. the 33.7 8. Thâ—s dâ—y I had no great benefit to my Soul only from Hos 4 8.10 12. I observed 1. That to have the heart set on iniquity 2. To leave off taking need to the Lord. 3. To lose the heart or have it indisposed to good 4. To go from under God 5. To be left â—o â—â—n oâ— igno ant of the mind of the Loâ—d are most sad things alâ—o from the 2. Tim. 4. 1. To Watch 〈◊〉 all â—hiâ—g 2. Endure 3. To be doing our pâ—esâ—nâ— duty 4. Looking for our cha ge and dâ—â— nâ—â—ng oâ— God to be kept â—â—om evil were mâ—â—â—asoâ—â—â—e preâ—â—nt Lâ—ssons I â—ound some softnâ—sâ— â—â—nâ—eâ—ity of heart thiâ— daâ— and h d tâ—re speâ—â—â—â—â—d 〈◊〉 in things in my hea t to deâ—iâ—e â—â—om Coâ—â— 1. 〈◊〉 A th ough repentâ—nce 〈◊〉 recoveâ—y 〈◊〉 of foâ—mer sins 2. To be perâ—â—ctly pâ—â—served â—o the â—â—â—e to come from evil 3. To be 〈◊〉 or my dissolution or sufferings I received much kindness from the Lord this day the words in Hos 5.15 Till they acknowledge their iniquity or be guilty I considered and thought I câ—â—e short thereof yet those words Prov. 28.13 He that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall find mercy This day I injoyed some measure of the Spirit in softening and drawing out of my heart in Prayer and somewhat in beleiving and tenderness towards others and those words Eccles 3 18. Of Gods manifesting unto men that they are but Beasts I desired to apply and to take heed of being guilty of any of those sins mentioned Hos 4. 1. Of setting the heart upon any iniquity verse the 8. 2. Of leaving to take heed to the Lord. 3. Of losing the heart or growing heartless in good 4. Of going from under God also from Titus the 1.14 not to give heed to the Commandments of men This was a day wherein God abounded in kindness towards me yet I was convinced that I was not guilty enough or sensible enough of mine iniquities as God requires Hos 5.15 and from Titus 2. I learned that a true Christian especially a Minister of the Gospel should be 1. Sound in doctrine 2. Sound in Faith and sound in Speech And concernining beleiving I had three things 1. To study more the grounds of Faith and the reasons inducing thereto 2. Not to give way to any thing against beleiving 3. To maintain Faith by holiness This day God was pleased to enlarge my heart in good and to weaken corruption making me sensible also of the present evils both of sin and suffering I learned from Titus 3.8.9 That Râ—generation Justification and Adoption are of Gods Love Pitty Mercy and meer Grace also to be ready to diligent in and profited by every good work and to be angry with my self for sinful things and deny my self in lawful things oh my trouble
and mildly desired Mr. Powel to withdraw and they would consider of it P. Sir sayth he I will but first I crave leave to speak a few words which I humbly leave to your consideration I am though your Countreyman yet a stranger haveing been not above twice before in your County and at this time but one day only and that in tranâ—iâ—n I have been taken in my lodging and committed Prisoner without any just ground that hath been yet objected There is neither Sedition Treason nor any other crime laid to my charge the ground specified in my commitment I have already shewed to be a mistake which I have rectifyed All that is pretended against me is that I preached a Sermon in Merthur in this County to a poor willing people against which Sermon there is no exception made and seeing it is so I desire you to consider and seriously to weigh whether you do well to imprison me upon such account especially since there is such a general tolleration at least connivance of such things now throughout the Nation and I my self have found it in divers other places and having heard of the moderation of you Gentlemen of this County I was emboldned so much the more to preach the word of the Lord hoping to have furtherance and no hindrance from you therein I bless God I am not ashamed of what I have done nor afraid of men having looked so many men and Death in the Face so oft and therefore the will of the Lord be done concerning me though I would desire you to consider the words of Christ with the same Judgement ye judge ye shall be judged and be sure as the Apostle saith That he that sheweth judgement without mercy shall find judgement without mercy B. If you think we wrong you you may remove your self by a Habeas Corpus P. Doctor when you have done your worst as you do I must do my best but I wish the Lord may forgive you the inury you do me and others Gentlemen if I have said any thing amiss or provoking being to speak to things suddenly I would desire that that may be no cause of any other proceedings then you intended but look into the true Cause of my sufferings and so he went out The Deputy Lieutenants had some hot discourse before Dinner about it and it was supposed the most part of them were inclining to release the Prisoner but as it seems some false Report was sent out of Monmouth-shire against him concerning some words that the Prisoner should speak a Sermon in that County which being afterwards enquired into was found false and Dr. B. himself said if that Apostate that raised the Report were in his County he would bind him to his good behaviour Yet thot with the earnest instigation of Dr. B. prevailed so far as that when the Prisoner was called again before Sun-set or a little before most of the Gentlemen were moved against the Prisoner some judged because the Dr. misrepresented a Passâ—age of the Prisoner mentioned before spoken only to the Dr. viz That when he had done his worst he told them the Prisoner bid them all do their worst which he neither said nor intended it But others supposed that Wine had prevailed so far over some of them as too oâ— t it doth as to make them now speak for the first and fastest yea at once who had not a word in the Morning to say And thus in a great confusion the Prisoner with threatening words and strict charge given to the Taylor by some he was again remanded and recommited and in his going forth he told them Gentlemen what you have done I submit willingly to being no more troubled at it then at this Hair and so drew one of his Hairs and my Prayer shall be for you that you may find more mercy from â—od then I have found from you But that God that I serve is able to save me This meeting being ended they put the Prisoner under a new Commitment which was drawn before by the Doctor or his Clerk as some saw it in the next Room in a Statute Book Hereupon the Deputie Lieutenants it seems writ a Letter to the Lord Lieutenant Caâ—bury to signify what they had done and they received an Answer from him to render them thanks to detain the Prisoner till further order Thereupon in one day viz. 30 th of Octob there were two new Commitments again upon the Prisoner One subscribed by two of the Deputie Lieutenants commanding the Prisoner to be kept in safe custody till furorders from the Deputy Lieutenants of this County who subscribed the Warrant of his â—ommitment at â—owbridge The other Commitment by five to keep him in safe custody till they did receive further orders from their Lord Lieutenant to both these Commitments Dr. B. hand is set both bearing the same date as was said before viz. October 30. 1668. Vpon the 8th day of November 1668. Sir John A. Kt. and Dr. W.B. Esq came to the Angel in C. and sent for Mr. Vavasor Powel to come to them which he did accordingly Dr. B. VVE have received an Order from the Council to tender you the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy Mr. P. Gentlemen if that be your business I pray you let me return to my Prison again for I am committed already and I think it is neither regular nor usual to tender them to a Prisoner you should either before my commitment especially before presentment or indictment against me have done it or upon examination or have convicted and indicted me first and then tendred them and so the Prisoner went towards the door intending to return to the Prison B. Thereupon Dr. B. went between him and the door and said nay stay Sir you shall not be gone and so called for some of the under Officers or Deputies P. Sir though I might have continued in my Prison and not have come hither and may yet choose whetheir I stay or no yet as I was willing to shew that respect to you in coming so to express my readiness to answer any thing that may be objected against me I do not mean to depart without leave B. Come Mr. Powel Will you take the Oaths for we have an Order from some of the Council and my Lord Keeper to tender them to you P. Sir I desire to see your Order Sir J. A. Let him see it B. No he shall not see it P. Sir you may chuse but if you have such an Order it would be civility in you and some satisfaction to me to let me see it B. We might have tendred the Oaths to you at the last meeting P. For it had been more proper for you to have done it before you had committed me then either which was after my first commitment several days then or now But Dr. you have at first dealt very illegally by committing me without cause or colour of cause and so run your self into a Praemunire
and ever since your work hath been to seek to set things aright but all the while you do wrong me and the truth the Lord forgive you B. If I have wronged you I have an estate to answer question me for it P. Though that I might do so yet I bless God I am a Christian and my principle as well as my practise is rather to forgive wrongs then otherwise leaving and committing my cause to God who will plead it but Dâ—ctor you are so transported with zeal against those people called Phanaticks that you forget Law and Reason B. Wherein P. You forget Law when you commit a man before any examination either of him or against him And it is against reason to commit a man to Prison by vertue of Letters from the Lord Lieutenant which were dated four or five years ago when I was elsewhere a Prisoner and discharged within the year by an Order from the King and his Council to which Order the Lord Lieutenant own hand is B. The Letters were not of so long a date for they were dated in the year 1665. P. Mark that Gentlemen said Powel to them that stood by he himself confessed those Letters were written in the year 1665. which is at least two years ago and my order doth plainly shew bearing date Dec. 1667 that I was set at liberty long after the date of those Letters B. Well will you take the Oaths yea or no for we must return your answer P. I pray you let me know whether my liberty doth depend upon the taking or refusing of them Sir John A. and the Town Clark would perswade Mr. P. to take the Oaths and then he should know P. If I may not know that I may as well forbear declaring whither I will take them or no since I am a Prisoner already B. But you must give a positive answer whether you will or will not take them therefore let us know what your answer is P. Since you do press me so much to give my answer my answer then is this That I have taken them already and I conceive I am not bound by the Law to take them again that is my answer Then Sir John A. made some sign to the Doctor to shew Mr. Powel the Oaths in the Statute Book and so the Doctor sought them but could not readily find them then the Town Clerk went to help him and one of them said the Oath of Allegiance was in decimo sexto Jacobi the other Doctor said it was in another place but neither of them knew where P. Gentlemen Are you so unacquainted with the Law the Oath of Allegiance which you looke for is in Tertio Jacobi and there you find the occasion of it which was the Gunpowder Treason and that Oath was never intended so much against Protestants though Non conformists as against Popish Recusants and yet which of them have it imposed upon them or are imprisoned for want of taking it B. Well will you take them here they are and we tender them to you P. I have answered you already and need give you no other Yet I will say more That if you can prove that you have power to tender both the Oaths to me and that I am in either of those capacities that the Statutes primo or quinto Eliz. mentions I will take them but I know you cannot A. and B. Well will you put that answer under your hand and so tender Mr. P. paper P. I am free to put it under my hand but you may if you please return my answer if you must return any at all But Sir John A. and the Doctor could not agree in that particular how Mr. P. should do it B. But we have power to give that Oath to you P. Sir if you have I say again I will take it therefore peruse that Statute so Sir Iohn A. looked into the Statute and spake somewhat to the Doctor privately which seems by the Drs. answer to him was that they could not For the Drs. answer was but we can B. But why are not you bound as well as others P. Because that the Statute directs the Oath to be taken by Officers Ecclesiastical and Civil and such as were to receive publick profits and other persons mentioned both in that and the other Statute of the Fifth of Elizabeth and though I may be looked upon as an Ecclesiastical person yet it appertains to the Bishop to give it me B. Are you a Minister Ordained P. I have heretofore told you I was B But by whom P. Did not I tell you by God and Men. B. I you mean the man Christ P. If I did so my meaning is right but I mean by such men as he hath appointed B. Come come your Conscience tells you that you care for a Bishop no more then another man P. That 's true enough I care for him and you alike yet of the two I respect you more being a Civil Magistrate B. But will you take them answer yea or no and veral other words the Doctor urged Mr. Powel again P. If you must have yet a more positive answer since you will neither let me see the order requiring me to take them nor shew me that the Law which ought to be your rule doth impose them upon me though I do not absolutely and peremptorily refuse them yet I will not take them now B. Here Dr. B. interrupted Mr. P. in his speech and cry'd out to some present to bear witness that he said he would not take them thereupon one in the room said I do bear witness P. Sir said he to the Dr. you deal very dis-ingeniously to catch at advantages when none are given and to abstract and separate my words and Sir said he to the other man you are also very uncivil to bear witness before you hear me out and so Mr. Powel turn'd him to Sir John A. and said I desire you would both hear and observe what I say and intended to say but that I was interrupted That since I have taken the Oaths already and that I shall not know upon what terms I am to take them again and the Law requires it not from me I will not take them at this time but will take further time to consider thereof B. Thereupon the Dr. went down stairs and so Mr. Powel departed and as he was going with the Deputy Keeper the Doctor bid the Keeper keep him safe c. Mr. Powel turning to the Doctor I would have you know that neither my principles nor cause put any necessity upon me to make an escape but I hope I shall be able to stand when you fall meaning in the great judgement when and where the wicked shall not stand Psal 1.6 and so went to his prison again A Brief and true Relation of a third Convention of Mr. Vavasor Powell and the transactions between some of the Justices of the Peace of the County of Glamorgan and him at the Town hall in