Words in Season, Passages – Title page 2

Words in Season · Passages – Title page 2

p. 175The gracious Author of the fore-going Treatiſes, after full Three years Suffering under very hard circumſtances, enduring many inhumanities from mercileſs Goalers in Exceſter-Goal, was continued Priſoner under Military Guards in the Iſle of Plymouth, where a violent Sickneſs in a few dayes ſeized upon him; in which a Friend admitted to a conſtant Converſe, judged theſe following Paſſages worthy his Obſervation, which may fitly be here inſerted, as a Diſcovery of the Grace granted in his various Changes, and Abiding with him, until by the Will of God, having finiſhed his Work, he fell aſleep.

A Friend giving him ſome Emulſion to drink, he drank and ſaid, All paſſages are clear, between Stomach and Belly, Head and Heart, and that and Heaven, bleſſed be God.

A Friend then asking him if he had any thing to ſay to them in the Family with him, in caſe the Lord ſhould call him from them? He replied, I deſire the bleſſing of the God of Heaven may be upon you, and a full Reward from him be miniſtred to you for all the labour of Love you have ſhewed to me for the Lords p. 176ſake; and I beſeech you continue ſtedfaſt in the Faith and Teſtimony to Christ and his Concerns, who is as worthy as ever, notwithſtanding all the reproach cast on him and them; and I deſire earneſtly you will take heed of being offended at Him, his Word, Works, or Wayes, but be careful to be found in his paths, as ever you hope to have help, to ſtand before him with peace and comfort at his appearing.

He further ſaid, Christ had a poor Remnant yet left, that he was perſwaded ſhould be helped to ſtand, and no more to be afraid of the worst that men can do, than he, through Grace, was now afraid of what Death could do to him. And ſaid, Though I may be rolled into my dust, yet there is a promiſed approaching Glory, that God will moſt certainly bring forth out of all theſe great deeps, with which we are now encompaſt, though (ſaies he) it may be you alſo may not live to ſee it, but to die in the Faith of it will be enough; and the Lord grant you may not ſtagger, and that no cloud may be upon your Teſtimony to God, nor (unleſs clouds be good for you) upon your Interest in him.

And as to the Church at Plymouth, he ſaid, He had oft, ſince his Sickneſs, on his bed, begg'd of God, that the Lord the God of the ſpirits of all fleſh, would ſet a man over that Church, a man whom he ſhould chuſe, to go in and out before them, to feed them, that ſo the Lords poor flock be not utterly ſcattered by thoſe that carry or keep them Captive. Numb. 27. he referred to.

And further ſaid to a Friend then preſent, I deſire you, if God by his Providence or otherwiſe, ſhall hereafter ſpeak any ſuch thing to you, though but in a whiſper, you would not deſpiſe or neglect it, but look on it as the Call of God to you, and obey it accordingly.

p. 177To which that Friend replyed, My weakneſs is ſufficiently known to you, my ſelf, and others, for ſuch a weighty ſervice, making me dread the thoughts of ſuch an undertaking as at preſent furniſht; yet I hope I ſhall carefully mind, what the Lord may ſpeak to me in future, as alſo what hint you have now given about it, to do therein as God ſhall direct.

After this diſcourſe ended, he further ſaid, He had been a poor ſtaggering vain creature, and ſince the time he came to this place, and the Lord gave a little recovery, he had not ſo improved it as became him; he earneſtly wiſht he could write a little, that he might leave a witneſs againſt it. Saying alſo, Ah! I have many things in Short-hand, that none can read but my ſelf, by which means they will be loſt.

Then added, I have a poor Siſter, an honest affectionate ſoul, who I deſire you will do what you can to comfort, ſupport and ſtrengthen, according to that counſel, 1 Theſſ. 5.14. Now we exhort you Brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, ſupport the weak, be patient towards all men. And deſired we would ſometimes ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to her. And further ſaid, as to the Church in Plymouth, wherein he had laboured, he deſigned to ſerve the Lord in it, and to gather ſouls to Chriſt; and had now the witneſs of a good Conſcience in that matter, that he had not wilfully omitted, or dealt negligently in that Work in the main of it, as opportunity preſented; and blest the Lord, that ſince his Impriſonment, he had heard of ſix or ſeven of that Church, that had gone triumphing to Heaven before him.

p. 178Then ſpeaking of Chriſtians Sufferings, he minded that word, 1 Pet. 4.16. Yet if any man ſuffer as a Chriſtian, &c. He minded what a bleſſed thing it was to ſuffer as a Chriſtian, viz. To begin, hold on, hold out, and at laſt come off as a Chriſtian; It was a great Word and Work, and ſpeaking of his pains he had on his outward-man, yet bleſſed God, There was no ſorrow added, nor no ſting in them, that was ſtuck in the ſides of Chriſt, bleſſed be his Name.

A Friend asking how he did? Never better in my life (ſaid he) bleſſed be God.

One asked him whether he would have any Cordial? He ſaid, Yes, may it be an inſtrument on Gods behalf to recover a little ſtrength before I go hence, and be ſeen no more, to ſpeak yet a word for God, elſe tel me of no more Cordials, for I drink full draughts. One giving him a little, he drank and ſaid, I am made to drink of the best ſpiced Wine, the Wine of the Pomegranate; his Love is better than Wine; I am drinking of a Vineyard, not a drop of red Wine bleſſed be God: the Day I think is come, I ſhall be led to the Fountain of Living Water, and ſhall hunger nor thirſt no more; And added, The Wine that is red might have been my Portion, even fire and brimſtone, and an horrible tempeſt, might have been the portion of my Cup.

Oh! if Jacob's heart revived to ſee the Chariots to carry him to Joſeph in Egypt, How ſhould my Soul revive in me to ſee my God's Chariots of Salvation to carry me to ſee him, not in Egypt, nor Earthly but Heavenly Canaan; Then he fetch'd a ſigh, ſaying, I ſigh, but am not ſad.

p. 179Then applying himſelf to ſpeak to Friends about him, he ſaid, And to you that are troubled, rest with me there is prepared for you ſhortly.

One telling him, he ſpent himſelf; he ſaid, He would gladly ſpend and be ſpent for Chriſt, yet would not make undue haſte to Heaven till his Beloved pleaſed, yet I would bid my Friends Farewel, remembring Elijah threw his Mantle on Eliſha at parting; and though I cannot yet ſay whether it be finally farewel: Paul bid the Romans farewel often, but I can bid you heartily farewel, bleſſedly farewel. Then added, I have one word for Sion, I have been oft refreſht in thoughts of old Jacob, as I mentioned but now, how he revived, and ſaid, Joſeph is yet alive, I will go down and ſee him before I die: But yet before he comes out of Canaan he is at a ſtand, and God must be ſought to know his mind, Gen. 46.4. God aſſures him, he would go with him into Egypt, and would ſurely bring him up thence, and yet Jacob muſt die there; I have thought how can this word be true? and have been anſwered, it was true to Jacob collectively, though not perſonally conſidered, his ſeed, and with them him alſo, dead or alive, muſt be brought up with them in the time appointed; and though Jacob's life indeed is took off in ſomewhat an unexpected time and way, yet his Faith is kept up ſo as he gives charge in that matter, ere he dies, that his bones ſhould be carried up with them, and ſo gives teſtimony to the Truth of God in that caſe, and the like doth Joſeph.

Oh Friend! God hath brought us down unto Egypt, it may be where we would not have gone; he hath indeed let us go in the beginning of our way where we would, and we then went under full gales like to them, Exod. 15.14. to 18. ſaying, We ſhall come up out of p. 180Egypt, it may be pitching it too perſonally as to us, for whether we in our perſons ſhall be brought from Baſhan and the depths of the Sea, may yet be a queſtion; but if we be indeed the ſeed of Jacob, that ſeek him and his face, we ſhall then most certainly be brought up dead, or alive, out of Egypt: let's endeavour to keep up Faith in that.

There is a Cauſe God hath ſtretched out his hand to own amongst us, though men may be divided about it what it is; ſome ſay it conſiſts in Stating and Aſſerting our Rights againſt Oppreſſours; but I take it to be ſuch a Teſtimony to Chriſt's Kingdom, that few will eſpouſe but ſuch as love the Lord Jeſus in ſincerity. Though as to out-works, they muſt be owned as works of wonder, but the inward-part is the main thing, even to bring forth Judgement and Truth into Power and Practice, ſo as all the upright in heart ſhall follow it; this, even this ſhall be ſo brought out and lifted up over the heads of all oppoſitions and oppreſſors; but God hath much of this kind yet to bring forth in the hearts of his own Children: But, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

One asked him, Will you have ſome refreſhing? I have refreſhing (ſaies he) the world knows not of, and Strangers cannot intermeddle with.

His Siſter deſired, he would take reſt, He anſwered, Christ's Diſciples ſaid of Lazarus, Joh. 11. If he ſleep, he ſhall do well, ſpeaking it of natural ſleep; but to ſleep in Jeſus, as thoſe that God will bring again with him, is much better. Adding, It was a ſweet reſolve of Hezekiah's broken words, Iſa. 38. when he had ſpoken hard words of God, not becoming a man of his acquaintance with divine diſpenſations, when he ſayes, What ſhall I ſay? he hath ſpoken, and himſelf p. 181hath done it; I ſhall go ſoftly all my years in the bitterneſs of my ſoul, verſ. 15. Yet recollects himſelf, verſ. 16. O Lord, by theſe things men live; and in all theſe things is the life of my ſpirit, ſo wilt thou recover me, and make me to live. So I have a word or hint ſometimes as if the Lord would ſay, Eat a little, and drink a little; as if he might have ſome little further work for me; but then old pains, and not old clearneſs again at other ſeaſons, making me ſee and ſay, Oh! how hard a thing is it to keep an even hand with God, in his various diſpenſations. So fooliſh was I and ignorant, as that good man once ſaid, Pſal. 37. Sometimes as a man, then as a Beast, &c. but 'tis good for me to draw near unto God, and to ſay though he kill me, yet I will trust in him.

But it pleaſed the Lord though by very undiſcernable degrees, after keeping his Chamber three quarters of a year, to give him a Recovery for ſome ſeaſon; after which being ſeized with Sickneſs, which continued to the finiſhing of his dayes; the following, being but few of many worthy occaſional ſayings of his, were by the ſame Friend carefully treaſured up.

Being asked by a Friend, Is all well within? He anſwered, All's well there, bleſſed be God my God, the high rock of my ſalvation; my ſoul hath truſted in him, and ſhall not be aſhamed.

His Siſter diſcovering ſomething of impatience at the ſtroak upon him, threatning his diſſolution; he earneſtly reproved her, ſaying, Oh! be more a Woman, be more a Chriſtian; Is this what you told me yeſterday?

p. 182Being then asked by a Friend, Have you ought to ſay to us, before you leave us? He replied, O love the Lord all ye his Saints! when and whereſoever he calls to follow, go after him; yea, though he kill you, yet love him ſtill, truſt him ſtill. One ſaying to him, Yea, worthy is the Lamb to receive Glory, Honour, Obedience, and Service from all his Saints: He replied, He is worthy indeed, for he hath redeemed me by his blood, bleſſed be God he is my God, he is my God; And then ſaid, The Lord hath ſtrangely raiſed me, and called me to put on a very high Profeſſion, and carried me more ſtrangely through it to this hour; though it may ſeem to be but a poor thing in its ſelf conſidered, yet the Lord hath had a care of ſuch a poor worm, and hath not left me ſhamefully to forſake him nor hath hitherto forſaken me; and bleſſed be my God that hath brought me into bonds for his Names ſake in this day; this honour have not all his Saints, though they be a People near unto him; but Oh! the crowning Mercy is this, that I can behold my Father's face with joy; and can ſay in ſome meaſure, I have finiſhed the work thou gaveſt me to do, and now, holy Father, I come to thee.

I have heretofore given ſome account of my ſelf to you, & as you may remember as to thoſe remarkable Paſſages of my Life, both as a Chriſtian, a Miniſter, a Sufferer; This laſt I am now come to put a Seal to as they have been Sufferings for Christ's Cauſe an… Kingdom, as God hath given him to be Head over al things to the Church, which is his Body, and indeed … he hath appointed me, ſufferings for his Names ſake, ſo I muſt ſay, to his praiſe, he hath ſo far reſtraine… mens wrath, as he hath made Enemies to be at peac… with me, and friendly to me; this I would comment p. 183to you my dear Friends, as an Argument for ever to truſt in God.

There is alſo, ſome thing I have been under from his own hand, that hath been with great pain upon me, as you have been Witneſſes; and my ſorrows here have been oft-times greater than my groanings, and this laſt hath been well nigh overſetting at ſome ſeaſons, inſomuch as I thought it was impoſſible to have born the torments laid on my poor fleſh; but now I ſee nothing is too hard for God, ſometimes to lay on his own Children, or for his Power to bear them up under.

His Siſter tells him, You ſpend your ſelf in ſpeaking: He anſwers, Let me ſpeak that I may be refreſhed. It is refreſhing to me to ſpeak of what God hath made ſweet to me. Then he calls for a little Julip to drink; a Friend ſayes to him, It will be hut a little while, and you will thirſt no more. He replyes, Ah bleſſed are they that eat Bread in the Kingdom of our Lord, and drink Wines there, he will lead them by Rivers and Fountains of Living waters, where they ſhall thirſt no more, and he will wipe away all tears from their eyes.

His Siſter deſired to know how he was ſatisfied as to his coming hither, ſhe having been the occaſion as ſhe judged of his coming from Exon to Plymouth, and conſequently of his coming hither; He anſwered, Very well ſatisfied, all have been ſteps of divine ordering; I would not have come from Exon, might I have had my own will; I would not have ſtayed in Plymouth, after I had Preached once, but God would have me ſtay; I would not have come to this place, after my time of ſuffering was out in the Town-Hall at Plymouth, if I might have had my own will; but God would bring me hither, and bleſſed be the Lord p. 184that let me not have my own will, bleſſed be God that brought me here, and bleſt me here, with deſirable Company and Mercies, concerning which we have had occaſions and ſeaſons to ſpeak well of God together; yea, ſince I have been brought here, and ſick here, yet the ſteps of God have been in great wiſdom with me, and the bottom of them all paved with Love, in the main of his goings in theſe dark and heavy ſtroakes; I ſay, in the main of them they have been attended with peace to my ſoul; I have had Old Wine, or New, afforded ſtill; ſometimes he hath ſaid the Old is better, and hath made ancient experiences of his Love, ſweet to me, yet not alwayes alike clear; ſometimes he hath ſeen good to cut ſhort within and without, and this laſt tryal, to deal plainly, came on in ſomewhat a cloud, at its entrance I was ſomewhat ſtupid, thinking no more in it than ordinary; but I was at laſt awakened by the Lord to think that this might be a long and cloſe tryal, and though he let me ſee the Anchor dropt within the Vail, yet had I not that freſhneſs of Evidence, till within a few dayes laſt paſt, when he called up my Spirit to a cloſe ſearch, in a Night or two, though I ſaid but little of it, but he graciouſly iſſued that matter in a token for good, that whether I live or die, I hope I ſhall wear to his praiſe, while I have my being; ſo that thus 'tis with me now, Chriſt is lovely to me in all the afflictions I have met with, in all I have ſeen and ſuffered: wherefore rejoyce with me, O my Friends, let us rejoyce and bleſs the Name of the Lord together that hath dealt well with me; and do not I beſeech you diſgrace the throne of his Glory, becauſe of me or this fleſhly ſtate that muſt be taken from you. Murmur not I pray ye, that yet you ſee not Saviours come up upon Mount Zion. The reſerve of Spirit is with him, and p. 185the Lord hath many Children to bring in, beſides thoſe that are brought, that ſhall be brought in by vertue of freſh Anointing, ſo as they ſhall be known to be Children of his that he hath bleſt: And as I deſire you would not weep for me, ſo not inordinately for your ſelves neither; adhere to Chriſt, and fear none of thoſe things ye ſhall ſuffer. I have no deep inſight into deep Mysteries; but this I Believe God is a-riſing to do ſome great thing in the World for Sion's ſake, and though it be hard for us to loſe our Chariots and Horſemen, ſome by Apoſtacy, ſome by Death, ſome by Scattering, yet when the Gathering time ſhall be, it will be no grief, nor ſorrow of heart to behold the way of Gods working in all theſe things, when we ſhall ſay he hath done all things well.

There are many ſigns upon us, that prognoſtick great things near at the doors, though I dare not ſay I know much diſtinctly as to Times, Means, and Methods, only be aſſured not one jot or title of all God hath ſpoke ſhall fail, though our interpretations of them may fail.

If any ask how it ſtood with me, as to theſe things at this ſeaſon, tell them, If I die, I die in as full Aſſurance that God will give reviving to his poor deſpiſed Cauſe and Intereſt, as I do believe the Reſurrection of this Body, and that I know both the one and the other are founded on ſuch a Word as ſhall ſtand as Mountains of Braſs. And adviſe them alſo, to take heed how they wait on mens Indulgence, ſo much talked of, but let their Faith ſtand in the Wiſdom, Power, and Faithfulneſs of God, and their Prayers be directed more that way, endeavouring to make Religion their buſineſs; yet if any ſhall lean to ſuch a deceitful Bow, be not you diſmayed or diſcouraged at it, but hold p. 186on your way, that ſhall be ſtrength to you.

And now, Oh now, could I ſend Epiſtles to all the Churches; in theſe things I would, but that work I think is over; be ye therefore as the Epiſtle of that, to them. And now my dear Brother and Siſters, I deſire to bleſs God for you, and for your great tenderneſs to me; but herein, as to particulars, my mouth is ſtopt. I hope you will continue love to my poor Siſter, you ſee what a poor Creature ſhe is, yet I hope one that will find Mercy in the day of Chriſt. And dear Siſter A. L. remember me to all Saints in Plymouth, and tell them, I have no greater joy than to hear that they are of thoſe Children that are walking in the Truth, as to hear of any of them walking looſe to Chriſt, and looſe to the Profeſſion of him, is my Souls grief. Oh! tell them, that as ever they hope to ſee my face with joy at the great Day, that what they have ſeen and heard from me a poor worm that hath been according to the mind of the Lord, they would do, and the God of Peace ſhall be with them. And now Friends, as a**Sir H.V. good man once ſaid, ſo I ſay (as to what you may have further to ſay to me or ask of me) While the Oyl runs bring your Veſſels. His Siſter asked what he had to ſay to her Family? He anſwers, They had been a kind poor Family, the Lord make them his Family; and, dear Siſter, look over a weak Husband and Family, and difficulties that may occur as to them and you. You and I have been Witneſſes to the Faithfulneſs of Chriſt, how he hath provided for us in former dayes; and I challenge you, if you can, to ſay to the contrary, he hath not failed us thus far. Then he ſaid, I am weak and faint. A Friend by, ſaid to him, The Lord the Creator to the ends of the Earth fainteth p. 187not, but gives power to the faint, and to thoſe that have no might, renews ſtrength. He anſwers, Yes, he doth ſo, and will alſo roul away the reproach of his People in due time, for the mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it; Oh this part, this part of the reproaches of Chriſt, this now almoſt eight years reproach, What Glory is there in it, to thoſe that are helpt to bear up under it.

Then ſpeaking to his Siſter A. ſaid, Dear Siſter, Bear up, bear up, bleſſed be God for ſtrength to you thus far, bear up ſtill I beſeech you, accept all in good part, and paſs by all weakneſſes; you and your Husband had Relations each of you, dear to you both; and alſo I truſt to Chriſt, I deſire not complementally, but really to be remembred to them all, and deſire they may be all gathered up to Chriſt to meet him at his appearing.

And I deſire for you all that you may be ſtrengthned to all the pleaſure of God, that is yet to come to paſs concerning you, and that you may come out of theſe great Tribulations as Sheep from the waſhing; and though you may ſee me poſſibly go away from you, in the fiery tryal, yet it may be you may be admitted to that Mercy of being bid come out and ſhew your ſelves; yet that is but little, conſidering the ſnares that may yet attend ſuch a ſtate: But Oh! how much clearer is my way to come out thus, than by men.

Then ſpeaking to the Maid, he ſaid, I deſire God may have the praiſe of what he hath wrought in, and for you, and wherever you are caſt, I deſire you may walk as a chaſte Virgin.

And to the Nurſe he ſaid, I know not how you may think your ſelf concerned in ſuch diſcourſe as this, ſince theſe may ſeem ſtrange things to you, yet give me leave to ſay, they are ſome of the true ſayings of God, how p. 188ſtrange ſoever they may ſeem; yea, they are alſo needful things for you to be acquainted with; Oh preſs after them with all earneſtneſs.

Then a Friend preſent, ſpeaking after this manner, Ah! Brother, What is the meaning of theſe Diſpenſations of the Lord, in ſnatching away his choiceſt Saints from amongſt us, and leaving the pooreſt and weakeſt to be Concerned for him in ſuch a day, making them ready in ſorrow and ſadneſs of heart to ſay, By whom ſhall Jacob ariſe, ſince he is ſo ſmall? To which he replied, How ſmall ſoever Jacob was, yet Jacob's God was not ſmall; He is a great King, and a God above all Godds; and as was minded but now, he gives Power to the faint, and our ſtrength is in the Name of the Lord that made Heaven and Earth, who doth and will do much by Babes; wherefore ſay not, I am a Babe, a Child, &c. but rather ſay, Here am I, ſend me, that God who was Jacob's God, who fed and led him all his life long, he hath been and is the God of the Seed of Jacob to this day, that hath led us thus far alſo, through a vaſt howling Wilderneſs, and ſuſtained us, and not ſuffered us to deny his Name: Oh this God is our God, let him be our guide even unto death. The Fathers that were before us, alas, what were they, and the Prophets, do they live for ever? no they were weak as we, and died as muſt we; but when the Lord had work for them to do, he gave Anointing for it, and then they could ſay they were full of Might and Power by the Spirit of the Lord to ſhew Iſrael their tranſgreſſion, and the Houſe of Jacob their ſin. So we, through Chriſt, can do all things, he ſtrengthning us. Look then to the Lord that gave the former rain, and will give the latter alſo in its ſeaſon, according to his Power. And my dear Brother, Be not diſcouraged, p. 189your work ſeems cutting ſhort alſo day by day by many things, though what you may live to ſee or ſuffer; I know not, neither do I know how meet it may be to mind you of a motion I made to you about two years ſince on the like occaſion about remembring the poor Flock I have travelled and laboured amongst, if God caſt your lot in theſe parts; but hoping you will mind what may be your Duty in this matter, I ſhall ſay no more, but the Will of the Lord be done; be of good courage, and God ſhall ſtrengthen your hearts.

His Siſter was troubled ſeeing him ſo weak, which occaſioned him to ſay, Oh! be aſhamed, Siſter, of ſuch a demeanor, cannot you let a poor Believer go to Heaven? Oh! did you but ſtand on the threſhold and ſee what preparations God hath made for ſuch a poor worm as I am, you would never be afraid of Death more. Oh! honour Chriſt much, I think he is coming near to honour me, though I know not yet that my Sentence is come out from him; yet I ſpeak not as if I had hankering thoughts to ſtay. Oh! when ſhall I ſee the day? We ſhall ſing at parting, and not mourn as now; bleſſed be God for ever, that he hath not let the Righteous to be aſhamed, nor Wicked men to triumph over them for my ſake. Ah! did they know what God hath pardoned in me, they might be apt to triumph more than now they can.

If there ſeems any importunity from any Friends for any thing to be mentioned of me, when I am gone, ſpeak moderately of me I beſeech you; but if any thing hath been ſeen in me worth learning, let it be offered with much humility; or rather I think let my Works praiſe me in the Gate, but I limit not.

p. 190His Siſter asked, Will you drink? Yea Siſter (ſaith he) Have you any of the beſt ſpiced Wine? He then grew faint, and could ſpeak no more at that time.

Afterwards, being asked how he did? He ſaid, All his bones were as it were out of joynt. And added, God hath reſerved this Proof of my Miniſtry (viz.) in much painfulneſs until theſe few years laſt paſt, having been little acquainted with Sickneſs before. He then asked If it were day? A Friend anſwered, The night was far ſpent, the day was at hand, even a morning without clouds, to which you ſeem haſtening. To which he replied, Yes, as a very clear ſhining after rain. Being asked a while after, How he did? He (with his eyes lifted up) anſwered, Nevertheleſs I am ſtill with him, he holds my ſoul in life, will guide me by his Counſel, and afterward receive me up to Glory.

A Friend that dwelt upon the place, coming to him, and ſpeaking Religiouſly, He replied, There was much talk of Religion in the World, but few had attained to acquaintance with the powerful inward part of it; and then minded that much of the power of Religion indeed was comprehended in that word, Phil. 1.21. For me to live is Chriſt; not only to live on, or to Chriſt, but to live Chriſt, in all we ſpeak or act is a high work: Lord, let my ſoul (ſaith he) into the ſight and joy of it, yet more and more. The ſame perſon enquiring of him, How it was with him in this hour? He ſaid, Bleſſed be God, he hath waſhed away my ſins, and ſpoke peace to my ſoul, and thereby obliged me to follow him while I live, and much more to go to him when I die. Then ſaid, O Father, ſhall I not now go hence, but return into a world of ſo many ſnares and dangers again. And further tells the p. 191Perſon aforeſaid, That he was very ſenſible of great reſpects received from her and her Relation; And ſaid, For a full recompence to you all, I deſire when ever you come to ſuch an hour as I am now approaching to, you may meet with the ſame Comforts that through Grace I now find.

A Brother coming from far, a day or two after, to viſit him; being brought in ſuddenly upon him, ſeemed a little diſpleaſed, ſaying, His Spirit was not now able to bear any ſudden thing without overſetting.

That Brother asking him how he did? He anſwered, Never better in my life. But adds, Think it not to be paſſion or words of diſtraction, for though I am very weak in body, yet God is very near to me.

He alſo then ſaid to a Friend ſitting by, on the occaſion of turning in his bed by reaſon of wearineſs, Ah! this is not our reſt, it is polluted; but there remains a reſt to the People of the Lord, and his reſt ſhall be glorious.

After this he had a day or two that ſeemed to be hopeful to his Recovery, in which ſeaſon little was ſaid to him, or by him; being deſirous to let his ſpirits reſt from exerciſe in order thereunto, if ſo were the Will of the Lord.

But his Pains returning, and a Friend asking how he did? He anſwered, It had been a night of exerciſe to him, inward and outward. To which it was anſwered, That exerciſes were appointed by the Lord both for body and ſpirit; but how are you ſuſtained under them: To which he anſwered, I am graciouſly born up ſtill, and kept in peace under all.

p. 192Being asked if he had yet any hint how the Lord might do with him, as to this diſpenſation he was now under, as to life or death? He replied, He had nothing in that matter he could call divine teaching, but by laying all circumſtances within his view, in the preſent caſe together, he thought he muſt go hence, at which poor fleſh was ready to ſhrink and murmur. It was anſwered, That muſt and would do ſo, while in its preſent being, it naturally ſeeking ſelf-preſervation, and avoyding and ſhrinking at that which threatens its deſtruction, and it muſt needs be irkſom to it, to be following God in wayes it knows not, whence they come, or whither they lead, but yet notwithſtanding it muſt be brought down; for a corn of Wheat caſt into the ground, is not quickned except it die; and ſo in this caſe precedent to the quickning that is to be brought out, on the proper ſubjects of it: Death in one reſpect or other, muſt be brought on upon all fleſhly glory and excellency, even in its perfection. Whereunto he replied, Yes, it muſt ſo, for unleſs it die, it remains alone, and cannot be brought out in its glorious ſtate, of the manifeſtation of the ſons of God, but by cracking the ſhell of this earthly tabernacle, and ſo coming out to it.

A Friend coming to have felt his Pulſe; He ſaid, I have not askt your obſervations in my caſe, it may be thought poſſibly it might adde ſome impreſſions of hopes or fears, if I ſhould know what it is. The Friend replied, His Obſervations in ſuch caſes vere not very material to acquaint him with; but ſaith the Friend, What are your own Obſervations in the caſe? He anſwered, His Hope was on high, yet Fleſh he found hankering in his Muſings at ſome ſeaſons, ſuggeſting there was much deſirable work to do, ſome of one ſort, p. 193ſome of another; at this and the other place making him ready to deſire to ſtay, and loth to be gone: but when looking up and conſidering the ſtate of things, then he is made to ſay to his ſoul, Oh! haſte away to thy Mountain. And, Oh! that I had wings as a Dove, then would I flee away and be at reſt; I would not live alwayes, and am ready to ſay ſometimes as he, Take me away, for thou knoweſt my dayes that they are vanity. But Oh! I am much more cumbred on the other hand with crying, How long, Lord! And ſometimes am ready to wiſh an end, which way ever it be, by recovery or death.

To which it was told him, That argued him a man. Yes, (ſaid he) a poor man.

It was told him again, All our Poverty, Weakneſs, and Unworthineſs, in the day approaching, ſhall but make matter for a ſong the more, to the praiſe of rich Grace, and Mercy, in the Lord's remembring us in our low eſtate, becauſe his Mercy endureth for ever.

On the ſame day, in the afternoon, a Friend asking him how he did? He anſwered, Coveting to overcome: referring to a word, had been ſpoken that day in the Family, from Rev. 2.26. of which one had given him ſome account. It was replied to him, That was a good work, and good in it, to be eying him that had overcome, by whom only we can be helpt to overcome. He replied, Yes, to be able to ſay, I have fought a good fight, I have kept the Faith, is a great word and work.

And further ſaid, He had had his reflections, and he thought ſome injections alſo, that day of his neglects of ſervice for the Lord, that he might better have improved in times paſt, though in the main, the Teſtimony p. 194I have born to Chriſt, in my day, is a quieting, comforting Conſideration, through the blood of Chriſt, though not the bottoming Conſideration, on which my peace is built, yet 'tis of great uſe, in a ſecondary ſort, at ſuch a ſeaſon; and I mention it to you, that you may do much, ſuffer much, ſhrink not, nor neglect no work for God; it will be no grief of heart to any that have ſpent, and been ſpent, for God, his Name and Intereſt for dayes to come.

Being ver… ill, and, in the apprehenſions of thoſe about him, like to leave them, he was asked, Had he any further word to them, or any of the Lord's People, before he left them. To which he anſwered, I have ſpoken to you and them already the whole Counſel of God, according to what I have received, and was under no temptation, to keep back any thing through fraud; I cannot now ſpeak much, and if I could, unleſs the great Remembrancer ſet home with Power and Efficacy, what is ſpoken upon our minds and ſpirits, it will ſignifie but little; and to add many words, would be but a vanity: but for you, and them, and all Saints, I pray that you may abide with God, and never be aſhamed or tempted with fear or cowardize, or unbecoming complyances with baſe Earthly Worldly Intereſts to let go your holdfaſt on any Truth you have profeſſed, as Truth is in Jeſus.

I have delivered to that poor Church I appertain unto, the Doctrine of a Free Goſpel of Grace, wherein a foundation is laid in the blood of Jeſus, of Peace with God through him, and they alſo, have wit… hands lift up to the moſt High, profeſſedly accepted … that Grace tendred to them; and I being, I think, about to leave Earth, and to go to my Father, and give … account of my Stewardſhip therein; I do go in f… p. 195aſſurance that it is the true Grace of God wherein they ſtand; and I do lay it before them, with the utmoſt ability ſuch a poor worm as I can do, that they be not by Doctrine, Word, nor Spirit, ſoon ſhaken from their ſtedfaſtneſs, hither or thither, for life or ſalvation, but as they have been taught.

He farther ſaid, I alſo have been engaged in a witneſs to the Royal Soveraignty of Chriſt in his Inſtitutions, againſt the Inventions of men oppoſed thereunto; which Teſtimony hath been born up againſt blindneſs and ignorance, in a poor dark world that lies in ignorance and wickedneſs; and their Teſtimony in fellowſhip with this of mine, hath flouriſht in former dayes, under thoſe more promiſing propitious Proſpects we were then encompeſt and encouraged with, it had then by them and others, Hoſanna's aſcribed to it; but ſince God hath ſeen good to try this Teſtimony, and Spirits of ſuch as profeſs it with a day of adverſity, that many looked not for and they have hereby been tempted baſely and unworthily to throw away the Shield, as if it never had been anointed; the thoughts whereof hath many times almoſt broken my heart in pieces: But let all ſuch know, I go away in this firm perſwaſion, as to the things we have together profeſſed as aforeſaid, that they are the true ſayings of God, and that ſuch as in this hour of temptation have deſerted their Profeſſion of …hem, God will meet with all ſuch if he love them, to …waken and recover them from ſuch paths and poſtures …f back-ſliding, or elſe to make them know, to their …hame, and confuſion of face, that they have dealt diſ…onourably with Chriſt and his Concerns, and danger…uſly with their own ſouls; which I deſire they may …nd Mercy to repent unfeignedly of, before it be too …ate.

p. 196I have been alſo concerned in a Teſtimony with divers Churches, as to a work God hath had on the wheel among us in our dayes, very myſterious in many parts of it; there have alſo many tryals been upon it, and to try it, and to make up ſuch a tryal, as all things conſidered, hath not been known in many generations. It hath alſo a Dark-ſide and a Vail that God keeps upon it, by reaſon of which many are offended at it; but if I have not been left to miſtake God and Goſpel, it hath alſo a Beautiful-ſide that this world is not worthy of, and a time alſo appointed when its beauty ſhall be brought forth as the Light, and ſhine as the Sun at noon-day; though it ſeems yet to me, that times may paſs over it, that may make ſome of thoſe few ſtagger alſo; but this remains ſure upon the whole, that though it be the day of Jacob's trouble, and it's very great, ſo that none is like it, yet he ſhall be delivered out of it: wherefore let not your hearts, nor any other upright ones, be diſmayed at what remains; for though I cannot tell what comes next, nor have attained to that diſtinctneſs of knowledge (as were to be wiſht and waited for) as to times and ſeaſons, which God the Father hath very ſignally yet hid in his own hand; Yet I am very much perſwaded, this Generation ſhall not paſs away till the Lord appear to give ſignal Evidence of the Great Work he hath had, and yet hath upon the wheel, and alſo of his care of all that are concerned in it. Oh! Love the Lord all ye his Saints, the Lord preſerveth the Faithful, and plentifully rewards the proud doers.

At another time, being asked, Would he have any thing to Plymouth? He ſaid, No: for ſaving the Intereſt of the Lord in Plymouth, the Town was now as little to him, as this little Iſland where he was.

p. 197Being asked how he did? He ſaid, I am a poor ſick weak creature ſtill; Adding, That the Tempter had been very buſie this Night with him, ſuggeſting that it's much to him that he ſhould be a Creeple; but the Lord (he ſaid) had put the Tempter to ſhame, and given him to know, that though he was at preſent weak, yet in the Lord Jehovah he had ſtill everlaſting ſtrength.

At another ſeaſon, a Friend asking, What, doth your hard work continue ſtill? He ſaid, Yes, I am labouring as it were in the fire, which were not to be endured, but in hopes of the Crown.

At another time, being asked how he did? He ſaid, Still in the Warfare, but on the Conquerors ſide. To which his Friend replied, Bleſſed be the Lord, that hath choſen you to be a Souldier, and helpt you thus far as a good Souldier of his, to endure hardſhips. He replied, Yea, we account them happy which endure

One comes to him, and ſaith, Poor Neighbour! What of the Night? He ſaid, The Lord had made it a Night of ſore affliction to him; And ſaid, He was now poor and needy indeed; yet (ſaith he) my God thinks on me.

To which his Friend replied, Yea, he hath alſo greatly magnified Mercy to you in this your ſickneſs, by ſtrengthning your Faith, and lengthning out your Patience, under ſuch long ſore viſitations as theſe have been; and I truſt is ſignally teaching you Obedience by the things you ſuffer. At which he ſighed, And ſaid, Ah! that word, learning Obedience by the things we ſuffer, is a great word, and hath much in it, when God rightly opens it, and he doth teach Obedience, much indeed by ſuch things beyond what p. 198we think of, our thoughts and wayes being far ſhort of his in ſuch things.

Another Friend that had been with him about the beginning of his Sickneſs, coming now to ſee him again; He ſaid to him, I remember I told you formerly, I had no cloud on my peace, and joy in the Lord, ſince this Sickneſs; but have ſeen cauſe ſince to change my voice in that matter, the Lord having, ſince that, brought me under tryals and cloudings ſometimes, though bleſſed be God, they have been day, not night-clouds, through which God hath ſhined; and I cannot ſo much deſire for my ſelf or others, that we might alwayes be without clouds, as that our Holineſs might might be promoted, and carried on by them, then all will be well.

A Friend asking how he did? He ſaid, I have been this Night full of diſorders. It was anſwered, The whole Earth was ſo, and we, while dwelling on it, are like to participate in ſomewhat of the ſame kind, in one ſenſe or other; all theſe diſorders are but making way for that bleſſed orderly ſtate of things, by which he will manifeſt himſelf indeed, to be the God of Order, and not of Confuſion, not only in the Aſſemblies of the Saints, but throughout the whole Earth.

The ſame day, being asked by one, How doth this valiant Souldier of Chriſt? He ſhook his head at it, and ſaid, A pitiful Souldier. It was replied, One great part of a Souldier was to endure hardſhips, and this part God had helpt him to do, at a bleſſed becoming rate, thus far; which was matter of thankſgiving to the Lord on his behalf, and gave ground alſo to hope he would in like manner be helpt to the end.

p. 199Then thoſe about him, looking at one of his hands (now bereaved of ſtrength) He ſaid, Come, What ſee you? What tydings? Doth it rot? Let it do ſo, it muſt do ſo, yet ſhall mortallity he ſwallowed up of life, and this now poor periſhing Carkaſs ſhall be brought up again, into a more glorious ſtate, by the mighty power of God, by which he is able to ſubdue all things to himſelf. It was then told him, We have no tydings more than ordinary, only had little hopes as to men, and means, as concerning his caſe, whatever the Lord might pleaſe to do.

It was then asked him, What tydings he had in himſelf, as to his caſe? He ſaid, Nothing at any certainty; But ſaid, He heard Friends in the Room whiſpering oft, as if they ſaw or diſcerned ſome great change that were not fit for him to know. But I bleſs the Lord (ſaid he) I begin to be more mortified to all this ſtate of things here below, though Fleſh and Blood hath ſometimes its hopes and fears in exerciſe about them, but when God knocks off their Wheels, I ſee and then can ſay, by theſe things men live. Yea, ſaid a Friend, they live indeed at a rate they could not live, were it not for ſuch dyings daily to all other kinds of living, and thereby bringing out to that way of Life, as to which way of Life, it's ſaid, it cannot be brought out but by dying, it elſe remains alone. To which he ſaid, Fleſh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor Corruption Incorruption; yet Fleſh is unwilling to hear of this.

To which it was told him, No marvel that Fleſh and Blood did boggle in ſuch caſes, when 'tis called to go in a way it knows not, and a knife at the throat, ready to kill all the way; 'tis therefore reckoned a great leſſon to be learnt by all Chriſtians, p. 200not to truſt in themſelves, but the Living God; and is taught beſt by ſentences of death paſt upon all they are apt to truſt in, of a fleſhly carnal kind, 2 Cor. 1.9.

Again, that day, a Friend asking how he did? He replyed, Heavy, heavy. It was told him, Earth would be ſo. Yea, ſaith he, and the Sand weighty, but the New Heavens, and New Earth will not be ſo; their make will be of a more tranſcendent nature, by reaſon of the Spirit of Holineſs and Righteouſneſs that ſhall dwell in them.

It was anſwered, Yes, In thoſe dayes the Righteous ſhall flouriſh. Whereunto he quickly replied, That the Righteous had their day, a day that might be properly called theirs, in which they ſhould in ſome ſort flouriſh; But (ſaid he) it's ſaid, in his day, entitling it to Chriſt principally, the Righteous ſhall flouriſh, Chriſt ſhall have a day for it in the world.

Being asked, What think you, ſhall you be returned to us again, or not? He ſaid, Truly he knew not what to think in that matter; and when all thoughts about it were made, it was hardly worth a ſerious conſideration, in regard of their uncertainty, and the little of Chriſtian concernment in ſuch kind of knowledge; for though ſometimes it were very grateful to Fleſh and Blood, to be able to ſay, hereby ſhall it be known I am a man of God, by my coming to ſuch a place, or doing ſuch a thing, at ſuch a ſeaſon; yet when Paul went bound in Spirit to Jeruſalem, under fulleſt gales that ever he went, he muſt not know what muſt betide him there, Acts 20.22. nor whether God would be glorified in him by life or death.

p. 201A Clyſter being miniſtred that day, which wrought not; it was asked, How he did? He ſaid, Haſtening home now apace. What makes you think ſo, ſayes the Friend? Why (ſaies he) the Lord hath uſually made it his way with me, when he works me up to ſettled perſwaſions of things, they have uſually come to paſs accordingly; now having had Clyſters, and ſuch means adminiſtred, that have wrought with my poor body, long, even to admiration; but now it ceaſes to do ſo, and all paſſages ſeem ſtopt for evacuation of the humors lodged in my body; I conclude, he intends to take me away. It was told him, It was but one Clyſter had ſo miſcarried with him, another might operate; and that ſuch a concluſion could not well be drawn from no better premiſes than that. Then he added, God hath been many wayes bringing me to an acquieſcence in his Will as to ſuch an iſſue; he ſeems to be putting, and hath likewiſe been for this week or more, taking you off from glorying in the fleſh, of ſuch a poor creature any longer, by bringing this poor body under ſuch ſtraightning circumſtances, as may make you all willing to part with me, rather than to be continued under ſuch ſore pains to me, as well as trouble to you, that ſo you might let me go; and he having dealt thus with me, and alſo ſpoke, and continueth to ſpeak peace to my ſoul, I am upon the whole perſwaded, I ſhall leave you; and am helped to ſay in that matter, The Will of the Lord be done.

The ſame day, a Friend asking him, How he did? He ſaid, I am labouring, that whether preſent or abſent, I may be accepted of the Lord. His Friend anſwered, It became him to be ſo, labouring, eying him, whoſe Soul hath travelled and laboured, that ſuch poor ones as we, might be accepted, and p. 202through whom God hath graciouſly witneſſed his acceptance of you, and alſo of your witneſs-bearing unto him, in this your preſent ſuffering ſtate (not only from men, but his own hand likewiſe) as I am fully perſwaded. Then he groaned, and ſaid, Alas, this poor, weak, weary body.

To which his Friend replied, It was made poor, in order to enriching; and ſeemed to be uncloathed, in order to be cloathed upon with his houſe from Heaven. There he fetch'd a deep ſigh, and ſaid, Ah! if in this life only I had hope in Chriſt, I were of all men moſt miſerable. To which it was anſwered, Bleſſed be God, for that well-grounded hope in Chriſt for a better life, even that hope that is as an Anchor, ſure and ſtedfaſt, caſt within the Vail, where our Fore-runner is for us entred. Yea, (ſaid he) that better hope, by which we draw nigh unto God. And bid him be of good chear; Reſt would be more ſweet to him, when he entered into it, by all the toyle he met with in the way.

Then he groaned, and ſaid, He was groaning after Liberty. Yea, ſaith his Friend, a Liberty that tarrieth not for man, nor waits for the ſons of men. No, (ſayes he) it is as a dew from the Lord, 'tis a glorious liberty.

On the ſame day, attempting to repoſe, A Friend ſeeing him very ill, ſaid, Oh! my dear Brother, Muſt we part? He ſaid, Yes, he thought ſo, though it may be but for a little time, to meet again with more advantage.

But ſaid the Friend, Alas, how dark are the Providences ſtill, taking away the beſt, and leaving the pooreſt and needieſt, for the day and duties of it. To whom he anſwered, Lay not much ſtreſs upon p. 203that, the work is not yours but Gods, he will provide, only will vary his methods as pleaſes him; look therefore to him, and thoſe that are with you, Heb. 12.22.

He then asked a Friends advice, about ſome Phyſical adminiſtrations, whereto was replied, Oh! my dear Brother, you know my weakneſs to adviſe in any caſe, and much more in theſe I ſo little underſtand; that ſhould you practiſe any thing as my advice, in competition with others, and miſcarry in …t, I ſhould not be able to ſtand under it, though I have this witneſs with me, that the beſt advice I have, I would gladly give; and were it better, I would more readily give it in any caſe; but my weakneſs every way is not unknown to you. He replied, It might not be meet for us to ſpeak of each other, what might otherwiſe be ſaid, having both our fears each way, leſt we ſhould ſpeak more than is meet; but he hoped we had both our witneſs in that matter, ſince our coming together, and that we have carried it to each other in uprightneſs of Spirit and truth of Affection, for which we had both occaſion to bleſs the Lord for favour therein afforded; and for advice deſired in the caſe propounded, he ſhould not further put any ſuch burden upon him.

To another Friend about him, He ſaid, Alas, what care is there generally and particularly among perſons to conform to the faſhions of the world; But, Oh! let our eyes be upon Jeſus in oppoſition thereunto, and in that path of the Lord, the God of Love and Peace ſhall be with us. Then breaking out into holy Admonitions on that word, 1 Cor. 2.9. of the great…eſs which Eye had not ſeen, Ear heard, nor had en…ered into the Heart of man to conceive. And ſaid, p. 204Oh! as you love your ſouls, preſs, preſs on, and after it with all your might, and keep cloſe to the Lord and his paths in purſuit of it, though theſe wayes be every where ſpoken againſt.

Upon a Firſt-Day of the Week, in the morning, he began to ſpeak to all in the Family with him, one after another, as follows.

Ah! Siſter A. the Lord gave you a heart to own, and profeſs him, his Name, and Wayes early, when they were wayes every where ſpoken againſt, and ſince you have held up and out the Profeſſion thereof, in a flouriſhing day, and now are concerned, in, and with the ſame, in this hour of temptation, which I beſeech you be not affrighted, nor offended at: You know how it fared with our Lord and Maſter, whom the Religiou… as well as the Prophane world perſecuted, and expelled their Coaſts; the Servant is not above his Maſter It is true, you have had the Name of a Gentlewoman, and of being deſcended of great Parantage, and raiſed to great things in a worldly account; but keep theſe al… under-foot, as you ought, and let that be the ſong ſtill, Worthy is the Lamb to receive Power and Riches, Wiſdom and Strength, Honour and Glory, and Bleſſing. Oh! give up all to him, as Auranah of old, as a King to a King, ſo let the Offering be given up cheerfully, and reſignedly intirely to him.

I bleſs God, I have learned ſomething of this in converſing with you, of your readineſs and freeneſs heretofore, and now to lay out for the Lord; and though … now go the way of all fleſh, yet you know in all your hearts, and in all your ſouls, that we have none of u… cauſe to be ſorry, or repent for what we have laid ou… for the Lord. And you for your part have heretofore entertained Saints, yea, it may be Angels unawars p. 205the Lord reward you for it; and the God, under whoſe wings you are come to truſt, be your great reward; but Oh! take heed, your Good be not evil ſpoken of, and that your Table become not a trap, nor what was provided for good, turn to your hurt. I deſire the Lord Jeſus may teach you to look carefully about you, that you loſe not the things you have wrought, but receive a full reward. I remember it's ſaid of Abel, who though dead, he yet ſpeaketh; and have thought that word in a bad ſenſe, looking at me, and many others, who, while living, have been but dead Speakers; but I am now haſtning to another kind of death, where after Worms have conſumed this fleſh and bones, yet I may be brought forth as a living ſpeaking Witneſs in theſe words of mine, against ſuch as ſlight the inſtruction of them. Then ſaid, I bleſs the Lord for ever, that he hath kept me from Hell & horror, to hope of Salvation, eternal Salvation by Jeſus Chriſt, and that I ſhall be helpt, in my poor meaſure, to ſhew forth his praiſe in this Generation, as well as to every one that is to come.

Oh Friends! you are like yet to have opportunities amongst living Saints that ſpeak livingly and audibly. Oh! take heed, take heed this preſent diſpenſation, that you yet are, and I have been truſted with; be not as the Lord's Trumpet, ſounding an Alarum against you, on the behalf of the Lord of Hosts, whoſe words have not been received by you.

Then ſpeaks of England, and ſayes, Oh! poor England, ſinful England, who ſtoneſt the Prophets, and choice men that are ſent unto thee, but wouldeſt not hear in this thy day, the things that appertain unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes. Thou haſt had an Iron Sinew and brow of Braſs, and p. 206wouldst not be gathered to the great Shepherd and Biſhop of Souls. Ah England! England! What would many Kings, and Princes, and Righteous men have given to have enjoyed, one of thoſe bleſſed dayes of the Son of God, which thou haſt ſinned away, and rendred thy ſelf unworthy of? Oh! how art thou become a place of Perſecution, treading and trampling down, God, his Name, and Concerns, as much as in thee lyes!

But, Oh! there is yet a Remnant according to the Election of Grace, whom the Lord hath yet ſeen good to winnow till he hath driven each grain of Corn from other; yet be of good chear, you that are wholly a right Seed, abide with God, and know aſſuredly you are more precious in his ſight than Gold of Ophir; and lay this Cordial by it, that the World is not worthy of you, yet judges you unworthy of it; but there is a day coming, even the day of Jezerel, the ſeed of God ſhall have a day for it, in which the Righteous ſhall flouriſh, and abundance of Peace, as long as the Moon endures. That word hath been ſweet to me many times, Pſal. 72.19. And let the whole Earth be filled with his Glory, Amen, and Amen. The Prayers of David, the Son of Jeſſe, are ended. Oh! methinks here is an ending of Prayer indeed, Compriſing the whole Glory of the great David in this ſhort requeſt, that is the compleat end of all Prayer, calling worthily for Amen, and Amen, to cloſe it up.

Then ſpeaks to all in the Room, ſaying, I charge you all in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, and as you will ever anſwer it at that great day, that you make Religion your buſineſs, and that you make not Godlineſs a ſlight thing, nor walking with God a ſmall matter, as p. 207ever you hope to ſtand with boldneſs before God in the judgement.

Then he ſaid, God indeed hath took ſtrength from theſe Arms of mine. I ſpeak it not as if I murmured at it, or by way of diſcouragement, as if he could not, if it pleaſe him, raiſe dead bones, and of ſtones make Children to Abraham, deſires that they would lift up his arms, which they did, and then he layes this ſolemne Charge upon them, and deſires, they would by lifting and holding up his hands, be witneſs to it, as his Charge to all of them, That they make it their great buſineſs, the remaining part of their dayes to walk, to the praiſe and glory of the Lord Jeſus, in all the paths of his pleaſure.

His Siſter being troubled to ſee how he ſpent himſelf in ſpeaking; He ſaid to her, Come Siſter, is this becoming to cry over a dead Dog, when by dying he may glorifie God the more. And added, I am here yet among the Living, though with many marks of death upon me; yet nothing with infallible certainty with me, that I ſhall die at this time; but, Oh! look up from me to the Lord, that ſo, that whether I live or die, your Intereſt may be ſure in the Lord Jeſus; and now the Lord watch between me and every one of you, when we ſhall be apart one from the other.

Then ſpeaking to his Brother A. ſaid, My dear Brother, the God of Jacob, the reſtorer of the dry ſcattered bones of Iſrael, ſhine forth from between the Cherubims of Glory on thy dear ſoul, diſperſing and diſpelling all Clouds, Foggs, and Feares, under which thou haſt been long ſerving God, with many tears and temptations many a day, of which I have been Eye and Ear witneſs; and the God that hath hitherto kept us alive to this day, cauſe all thoſe clouds to flee away, p. 208and bring out your ſoul yet more fully, not only to find pitty from him to eſcape the ſnares that others are catcht in, to their hurt; but grant alſo, that you may come forth as one of thoſe Palm-bearers, cloathed in white, Rev. 7.9. as having gotten the victory over all Enemies, and made to ſing with grace in your heart, as they, verſ. 10. Salvation to our God which ſits upon the Throne, and to the Lamb. And the love extended by you to me unworthy, and in me to my Lord and Captain of my Salvation: Oh! that ſtreams of Salvation may come forth, if it be his bleſſed will, from him to you; ſo alſo make you a bleſſed pattern of Piety, Purity, and Stability for him, whom I deſire to ſerve in the Goſpel.

His Siſter asked, Will you have ſome Cordial? He ſaid, Oh! when ſhall I drink of that good new Wine in my Father's Kingdom?

In a morning, his Friend asked him, What of the Night? He ſaid, It hath been a long Night. But ſaith his Friend, The Morning comes; Yea (ſaid he) as a ſnare on it, comes ſtealing upon the world; but the Children of the Day, and of the Light, that have on the Armour of Light, ſhall have no cauſe to fear.

He Exhorted a good Woman, that watched with him, with all earneſtneſs, to cloſe walking with the Lord.

His Siſter ſaid to him, I hope Brother, as your Tribulations abound, your Conſolations abound He ſaid, It was a hard queſtion, Conſolations being very inward deep things.

She then asked how he felt his Heart? He replied, I feel the fleſhly parts declining apace, but I truſt the ſpiritual renewing.

p. 209But ſaying further to his Siſter, Come, are you wiling to part with me yet? She anſwered, Yes, in ſome meaſure, ſhe hoped ſhe was, conſidering his pains on the one hand, and the glory that ſhould follow. Then ſaid he, Be careful, I charge you, to walk cloſe with God in your generation; and take heed of departing from his wayes, but walk as becomes a Chriſtian, that would be found to his praiſe.

After this, through extremity of pains, the exerciſe of his Underſtanding was at ſeaſons interrupted; but very ſenſible and ſpiritual in his Intervals.

One asked him, How it was with him? He ſaid, Ʋnder great rebukes from the Land, by reaſon of ſin; Saying, I have been a wretched ſinner, have perverted my way, and my walks with God have been ſhort, and formal; But, Oh! that it may go well with Iſrael in the latter dayes, though I be as reprobate ſilver, becauſe the Lord hath rejected me.

It was told him, If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt, the Righteous, who is the Propitiation for our ſins: Yea, ſaith he, through Faith in his Blood; he is ſo, and thither doth my ſoul flee.

He was alſo cautioned, to take heed of caſting away any his Confidence, that hath great recompence of reward, and of making a judgement of things, in an hour of temptation and tribulation, contrary to another judgement made and confirmed by the Lord again and again to him heretofore, minding him, how the Tempter waited ſuch ſeaſons to diſturbe him, and drive him from the ſtrength he had laid up for him in Grace, that is in Chriſt Jeſus, when Grace in us may be but at a low ebb. Yea, (replyed he) I p. 210would leave this Exhortation with you, that when God bruiſes, breaks, treads down a poor ſoul, and it lyes before him as aſhamed and confounded, and not able to open its mouth; Oh! then to look up to the Lord, for then will the Tempter be buſie at ſuch ſeaſons; for we are not ignorant of his deviſes; but if God give another day, and more ſtrength, I hope to ſpeak more convincingly of theſe things.

The next day being asked, How it was with him? Whether all were clear within? He ſaid, It was very tempeſtuous round about; but yet the Lord is inſtructing and anſwering ſuch a poor worm from the ſecret place of thunder; And afterward ſayes, It will be better, and there is hope in the end for all this. And then broke out with admiration, ſaying, He is ever mindful of his Covenant, Holy and Reverent is his Name, he is a God near to thoſe that fear him in the needful ſeaſon.

Sometimes after, one ſaying to him, I hope you can yet ſay God is good, and a ſtrong hold in the day of trouble, and knows them that truſt in him: Yes, I can ſay ſo, bleſſed be my God; but not alike at all times can I ſay ſo; but I remember the counſel and adviſe yeſterday, to wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and my place, appointed me by God, which I deſire to do all the dayes of my appointed time, till my change come, though fleſh and blood ſuggeſt, this is hard work, and would make haſte out of it.

In the morning following, being asked, How is it now? He ſaid, God had been at work cloſely with his Spirit, in the three dayes paſt before this, though this was left him for ſupport, That the foundation of God remains ſure to all his ſealed ones; but (ſayes he) I have been ready to ſay, Why ſhould I ſpeak of ſealed p. 211ones, being ſuch a one, as might for mine iniquities be ſealed up to a day of Wrath, and be kept in chains of Darkneſs to the great day. I have been ſo fooliſh, to think my attainments were ſuch, as if I were got to the top, and needed little more: but the Lord hath laid Judgement to the Line, and Righteouſneſs to the Plummet, and hath not only thrown down the high raiſed Structure, but razed the very foundations of all fleſhly glory and excellency; and the Lord hath delivered his glory into Captivity, and his ſtrength into the Enemies hand, yet hath not left me without hope, I truſt, good hope in mercy, that all notwithſtanding ſhall iſſue well in the end.

But, Oh! the reproach that I have brought on the Name of God! might that be done away by all I feel and ſuffer inward and outward, I ſhall rejoyce.

In the After-noon, the ſame day, it was ſaid to him, I have obſerved by ſome hints from you, That you have in theſe few dayes paſt, had ſome exerciſes on your Spirit, I would be glad to know whence and what they were, and the way of God with you in them. He replyed, He had indeed ſome ſuch exerciſe, occaſioned by cloſe ſearches made in his ſoul, about the clear and certain right and title it had to a ſubſtantial well-founded Intereſt in Chriſt, which though (ſayes he) I have mentioned heretofore to you, and others, what it was, and how it was, the Lord had begot and carried on in me; and thought it had been above queſtions, yet had I ſome doubts and fears renewed of a very ancient date, about, if not above thirty years ago, with many miſcarriages ſince to promote the ſame matter; and this coming in a time of ſuch weakneſs, and when by the working of my Spleen, which ſent up dark and diſturbing vapours, clouding p. 212my imagination, and made ſore work within; but the Lord made me ſee much of my own fleſhly gloryings, as alſo others in me, and in my fleſh, which God would take down in this day of tryal, when every ones work muſt he tryed of what ſort it is, even by fire; and truly I was made to ſee to my ſhame, much hypocriſie and formality in my converſe with the Lord in one reſpect or other, and that the Practical part of Religion I had yet arrived to little acquaintance with, to what I had in dayes paſt; but this brought me in the iſſue, to ſee, that I was, what I was, that was good, only by grace, and no room for fleſh to glory, but was brought through grace to experience this Truth, that when I am weak, then am I ſtrong; and that however it be, yet the Lord forgetteth not his poor, nor deſpiſeth not his priſoners; this is a brief account of the Way God led me in, in this matter, and hath ſo iſſued it, that I truſt through grace, I ſhall yet come to lay down my weary head and heart in the peace of Gods speaking, that will keep and carry me to the end.

His Friend told him here, ſomewhat of the danger of attempting ſuch great works, under ſuch diſadvantages as theſe ſeaſons and circumſtances he had in theſe dayes paſt been under, for ſuch works as theſe, minding to him, That every ſeaſon was not a fit ſeaſon, for judgement eſpecially, to be calling in queſtion, things ſo long and often under more clear light, and leadings, confirmed formerly; and however that be a great Truth, that every day will yet more demonſtrate, that we are but yet Children in Chriſtianity, far ſhort of that manly ſtate of things to which the preſent diſpenſation of God, both publick and perſonal, have a proper and true tendency, towards which more excellent way, 'tis our duty to be preſſing, p. 213yet ſo to be preſſing towards it, as to remember both how we have heard, and received, and hold faſt the beginning of our confidences, firm unto the end, that ſo the Tempter get not advantage againſt us, as he doth, or may do againſt perſons ignorant of his devices: But he, being ſtill weak, either to ſpeak or hear, more was not ſaid, but that he, his Friend, was glad to ſee the Lord had iſſued the matter ſo well, to the Preventing the Tempters deſign, and giving his poor Servants to ſee, how great that mercy is of all the Saints and their concerns, being in Gods hand; when the ſtrength of our own hands, heads, and hearts fails ſo frequently as they do, yet he remains the ſame for ever, and in ſuch ſeaſons, ſecretly ſuccours, and ſupports, and at laſt brings out into a wealthy place, to his own praiſe, and encouragement of the poor and needy, to truſt in him at all times.

In the morning, ſuppoſing him drawing near his end, a Friend was called to him, who finding him diſcompoſed again in his head, and convulſive motions renewed, with ſhortneſs of breath; yet ſoon after, asking how he did? He ſaid, He was a wonder unto many by reaſon of the rebukes of God upon him, but the Lord was, and he hoped would be his ſtrong refuge to the end.

His Friend told him, He had made know himſelf to him as a ſtrong hold in this day of trouble hitherto, elſe he had ſunk under his afflictions; but to …e kept up and carried on under ſuch great long ex…rciſes, juſtifying God ſtill, and bleſſing him, in gi…ing as well as taking, ſpake much of divine ſupport …iven in. Yea (ſayes he) I would not only juſtifie, but … have great reaſon to glorifie God, as the God of my …alvation.

p. 214It was anſwered, His preſent poſture of ſubmiſſion and ſubjection to him as the Father of Spirits, was a notable way of glorifying God in the fire, and giving praiſe to him in the Iſle of the Sea. And after a little pauſe, He added, He had now but a few ſteps more to go, which he deſired the Lord would alſo ſo order, as he might not be left to ſin againſt him; and bleſſed the Lord, that he had given him, and yet maintained ſuch good hope, through Grace in him, that he was not, and hoped he ſhould not fear to follow him, through the valley of the ſhadow of death, to which he now ſeemed haſtning.

A Friend coming to him, and asking him, How doth this honeſt Watch-man? Honeſt Watch-man (ſaith he) hath much in it, to be a Watchman indeed, looking out for the morn, as the Watchman of Ephraim, that was with his God, when other watchmen are as the Prophet is ſaid to be, Hoſea 9.8. A ſnare of a Fowler in all their wayes, and hatred in the houſe of their God, as is too evident of the Watchmen of our day, by reaſon of deep defilements found amongſt them; wherefore the day of the Watchman cometh, yea maketh haſte, now ſhall be their perplexity, and th… dayes of their viſitations are come, the dayes of recompences are come, Iſrael ſhall know it; for the Lord diſpenſations are now very ſwift.

Being asked, How he had done to Night? H… ſaid, I laid me down to ſleep, and waked again; … the Lord ſuſtained me, and hath not made this night night of terror, by affrightning dreams and imag… nations, as ſometimes; but I ſeem to be going on as weary traveller his way.

Sometimes after, being asked, How he did? H… ſaid, A poor weak creature. It was anſwered, But p. 215truſt in the Lord you have ſtrength. Yea (ſaid he) bleſſed be God, everlaſting ſtrength, and they that indeed truſt in him ſhall be as Mount Zion that cannot be moved, but abideth for ever; for as the Mountains are round about Jeruſalem, ſo is the Lord about his People for ever.

A Friend telling him, There was an acquaintance of his come to ſee him, who was going to Preach amongſt the poor Saints abroad; He wiſhed him proſperity in that good work; ſaying, He never found cauſe to repent of any of his working dayes for Chriſt, in his life-time.

At the ſame time, one coming from far to viſit him, and telling him, He had dear Remembrances from many Friends of his, who in a way of ſupplication, with humble ſubmiſſion, were looking to the Lord, the God of all Conſolation, concerning him, and his caſe. He replyed, He is indeed the God of all Conſolation, of ſtrong Conſolations, which were ſealed up to his ſoul.

And then added, I am very much affected with this ſurpriſing viſit of yours: And ſoon after ſaid to …he ſame Friend, He had in the two Nights paſt, been graciouſly led, and let into the underſtanding of that Word, Pſal. 37.37. Mark the perfect man, and behold …he upright, the end of that man is peace; So as he …as never let into it in like manner before.

A Friend ſaying, How doth my Brother? He …eplyed, I cannot ſay of you, as he of old, You took our Brother by the heel in the womb, but hope we ſhall …ke one another by the hand in Heaven, and that both … you (intending the Friend that came to viſit him) …ill live & love as Brethren, or words to this purpoſe, … near as could be gathered; for now ſpeech failed.

p. 216Then ſpeaking of the preſſures that were upon him, he was adviſed, to look to the Lord, who in depths of Wiſdom adminiſtred them, managing all Circumſtances about them, as alſo to eye Chriſt, the Captain of our Salvation, who endured ſore travel, yea, bruiſing from his Father alſo, as knowing he ought to ſuffer ſuch things, and ſo to enter into glory; and the Spirit ſpake of the Sufferings of Chriſt, and the Glory that ſhould follow. He replyed, Oh! that Glory, that Glory on the other ſide.

Calling for drink, and the Maid bringing it him, he deſired a Friend preſent might give it, who coming to him, ſaid, You appear now, as one that is ſhortly to drink new Wine in the Kingdom of the Father. He anſwered, Though many have greater marks of Faith than I have, yet I am aſſured I ſhall be received into fellowſhip with the Father, Son, Spirit, and all Saints. And looking earneſtly on the Friend, ſaid, If it pleaſe God to renew ſtrength, he ſhould give good evidence, that he loved that Friend dearly, and all Saints.

A little after, the ſame Friend acquainted him of two dear Friends of his in London, that deſired particularly to be remembred to him; and were much exerciſed in fellowſhip with his preſent tryal. He being very weak, replyed, I can ſay little; but I pray God they may be ſtrengthned with all might and power in the inward man, to hold out to the end, according to his glorious power.

Being asked by another, How he did? He ſaid, My heart begins to fail, I now feel. But after ſaid, Bleſſed be God for Chriſt's Grace and eternal Glory.

Soon after he broke out into fervent earneſt Prayer, 1ſt. Deeply lamenting Iſrael's dealing falſely with Go… p. 217in his Covenant. 2dly. Speaks forth with great clearneſs his faith, that God would make the deciſion between real and pretended Saints; and that God would abide with thoſe that abode with him, greatly encouraging ſuch as found grace to ſtand in this hour of temptation; Concluded, committing himſelf, Soul and Body, to the Lord for keeping and carrying to the end.

At another time, in like manner, in great zeal and fervency, implored the Lord to make the deciſion between the true Seed of Iſrael, and pretenders, who had dealt falſely with the Lord, under ſhew of much love.

Then beggs, If God had any thing for him to ſpeak, he would communicate and enable to it; and that if Abraham's work were done, that he would ſay to him, with that clearneſs and evidence, as he might underſtand it, Thou haſt fought a good fight, haſt kept the Faith, henceforth is laid up for thee a Crown which God the Judge of all ſhall give thee.

A while after, and but three hours before his diſſolution, a Friend perceiving him under great preſſures, ſpake ſoftly to him, They looked unto the Lord and were lightned. A right look will bring down relief under all difficulties. Yea, replyed he, with ſtrength and earneſtneſs, And their faces were not aſhamed. Thence forward he ſpoke not; but in a few hours after (it being the 5th day of the firſt Month, 1668.) yielded up his Spirit, falling aſleep without pang, or conſiderable groan.

FINIS.

Copies and Extracts OF LETTERS Written on ſeveral occaſions BY That Deceaſed Servant of CHRIST, The Author of the fore-going Diſcourſes.

Printed in the Year, 1668.