Words in Season, Letters

Words in Season · Letters

p. 221A Book that he approved (being the work of an other) containing Inſtructions for Children, he ſent ſeveral of them to ſome of his Acquaintance, accompanied with this Letter to their Parents.

Ʋnto my dearly beloved Brethren, Siſters, and Friends, whom the Lord hath intruſted with the overſight of Families, Children, and Servants; abundance of the Spirit of Glory, and of God is deſired. — Endeared in the Lord!

UNder the ſtrong obligations of bounden duty, which my Father hath been pleaſed to lay upon me of ſerving the Intereſt of your Souls, and theirs whom God hath given you, to my uttermoſt; it hath been not the leaſt part of my ſtudy in this School of Inſtruction, unto which he hath ſent me, how I might at this diſtance moſt effectually attend, and be found therein, as one …hat muſt give an account, not only of the Law of my Relations, but alſo of theſe fruits thereof on your p. 222hands, which have extended and abounded to me-ward in un-interrupted tender love▪ and ſympathy, as well in this my chain, …s in the many years of my weak ende…vours to ſerve Chriſt among you in liberty; in requital whereunto, as I can do little at moſt, ſo am I often inwardly checked and rebuked for my ſinful ſhortneſs toward you, both in general and particular, from ſoul to ſoul; and very lately it hath been with more than ordinary weight on me to exerciſe pitty and compaſſionate thoughtfulneſs on thoſe Families of yours, both Children and Servants, many of which the Lord hath multiplied like a Flock, whoſe particular affections (as far as they have been capable to expreſs them) I have been at a loſs how to recompence or improve to their advantage; but having been adviſing with ſome of my Companions here, as well as laying the matter before him, who is able to give ſeed to the ſower, and multiply with bleſſing the ſeed ſown; I have herewithal attempted to make an Eſſay for enterance with them, in preſenting to them this upright plain Addreſs, prepared to my hand by ſome one of the Lord's Priſoners, full of bowels toward ſuch young ſubjects, conſiſting of ſuch proper matter, and brought forth in ſuch a condeſcending Spirit and Language, as I truſt by the bleſſing of the Lord will find good acceptance and ſucceſs among ſuch ſouls. — My preſent Writing therefore with it, is not ſo much to crave its acceptance in good part by them, for of that I have much aſſurance; bu… to lay hold of this opportunity, to deſire your faithful following the deſign of it, by ſtirring up your ſelves, and zealouſly and unweariedly doing your endeavour with all your wiſdom, intereſt and might, behaving your ſelves among them as Men and Women p. 223of knowledge, that your account of their ſouls (as mine account of yours) may be given up with joy and not with grief: Here am I, and the Children and Servants which thou haſt graciouſly given me; unto which faithfulneſs of yours, (beſides many other weighty Arguments that might be urged) the very remembrance of the dayes being ſo very evil, may afford you (as it hath me) many forcible motives.

1. Theſe are dayes wherein you know not how ſuddenly you may be hurried, pluck'd, and ſeparated from them, not only by death, which climbeth up at the windows in moſt Families this ſickly ſeaſon; but by the violenee of the Sons of Men, through the wiſe ordering of God, who are permitted to make and execute Laws which have direct threatnings, and a preſent tendency that way, toward ſuch as you, who ſtand in a profeſſion of Chriſt's, which teſtifieth that their works are evil. This rage hath already invaded and uncovered ſome Families among you, and multitudes in other places; and all ſuch as will live godly in Chriſt Jeſus, muſt expect the like, not as if ſome ſtrange thing hapned to them, and therefore ſhould be in daily preparation to make and leave their own; ſuch as are inſtructed and have learned to truſt in God, and to own and improve a Relation for themſelves in him, according to their capacity, which may make an abundant ſupply to this lack or loſs of your company and ſociety, which will turn to their great bleſſing, and help to your confident and comfortable ſurrendring them up to the Lord in a way of fol…owing him, whitherſoever he goeth, and may call …r diſpoſe of you.

p. 2242. Theſe are times in which a more than ordinary diſadvantage and danger is deſigned to ſpoyl and deſtroy both Infants and Youth; not only in reſpect of their Schooling, which muſt be carried on by ſuch Tutors, and under ſuch Rules, as tend to tempt and ſubject them to ſuck-in the Principles of that Apoſtaſie and miſery that the former years have been delivered from; or elſe can hardly make any procedure in Learning requiſite to accompliſh them. But principally are they exceeding liable to danger and deſtruction (if the Lord wonderfully prevent not) by means of their unavoidable company and converſe with other youths of their growth and degree, the which generally is become everywhere ſo wanton, wicked, debauched, through the looſeneſs of the times, and the countenance that all filthineſs finds, where it ought to be puniſhed and reſtrained, that unleſs your Children and Servants be, through a bleſſing on your Prayers and Endeavours, in-laid with good Principles in awakened Conſcience, followed with conſtant Inſtruction, and an exemplary Converſation, with a wiſe, moderated, ſteady diſcipline, it will be a marvellous thing if th…y be not utterly ſpoiled, become a ſcourge and torment to you, and at length repent that ever they ſaw you, and periſh in the gain-ſayings of this wicked and adulterous generation.

3. The dayes that have paſſed over you, hav… been dayes of the Lord's wonderful Salvations, and the ſtretching forth of his Arm in theſe Nations to d… marvellous things toward the getting himſelf a glorious Name. The putting away the remembrance o… which from under Heaven, and razing out of all th… marks and monuments thereof, is the manifeſt deſign p. 225of the wicked men of this generation. — The memory whereof, as it alwayes ought to be dear to you, who have been bleſſed in thoſe Salvations, and have ſung his praiſe; So ſhould it be your great care to preſerve the ſame, by teaching and inſtructing thoſe committed to your charge therein, and that not only in the Hiſtory and Letter of them (the very memory whereof will be famous in the ages to come) but eſpecially in the inward Principles, Springs, and Spirit of them, as well as the iſſues whereunto they were by the Lord intended, that yours may be able to tell the generations to come, and the people uncreated may praiſe the Lord. Which things your off-ſpring will only be capable to underſtand, and ſutably to comply with the Lords motions and deſigns therein, when they ſhall be ſpiritually inſtructed in, and experimentally acquainted with the way and operations of the Lord on the Spirits of his People, to which your utmoſt diligence is indiſpenſibly required, as ever you would glorifie God in your generation.

4. Moreover, you generally profeſs your ſelves to be ſuch as expect glorious dayes to ſucceed the deep tryals that are (or are coming on) upon the heritage of the Lord; and do you not wiſh ſo well to your own, as to do what in you lies, that they ſhould have a ſhare in that Salvation which your ſelves have profeſſed, longed, prayed, laboured, ſuffered for? And how think you, will they be capable of bearing that glory (or ſuppoſe there be yet a reſerve of tryals for them that are to uſher it in) which will be very full of power, and purity, unleſs they be indeed brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, inſtructed in Chriſt, as the Truth is in him; p. 226and from a fellowſhip in his Spirit, brought within the compaſs of the rich and glorious Promiſes, which ſhall manifeſt and convey the bleſſed things unto the Ages to come, that inſtead of the Fathers may be the Children.

5. Add hereunto, that the force and violence of this evil time is ſuch as doth drive you frequently, and may yet be expected to drive you more from your ſtated ſeaſons on the firſt dayes of the Week, and other times, of following the Lord in thoſe ſolemn publick Appointments and Inſtitutions of the Goſpel, unto your Family retirements, at leaſt a great part of your time in thoſe dayes, the which affords you more enlarged opportunities than you had formerly, to teach and inſtruct your own houſhoulds, great and ſmall, according to their capacity, in the things of the Kingdom; to the which you are concerned to give all heed, diligence, and indeavour; not in any neglect of opportunities in the Aſſemblies of the Saints, while they do continue, or may be had; but when there is an interval, the ſolemn exerciſes in the Church being ended, or when through force and fury they ſhall (if the Lord ſhall permit them to) be ſo utterly broken, as you ſhould be reduced again to that ancient way of the Saints, being governed as in Abrahams and the Patriarchs time in Family-Worſhip. You are, I ſay, ſo much the more concerned to ſet your ſelves vigorouſly to this work of endeavouring, that your houſes may become as ſo many Churches of Chriſt in reſpect of that Inſtruction, reading the Scriptures, Praying, gracious Conference, Diſcipline, exemplary Walking in all holy Converſation and Godlineſs, which ought to be profeſſed and maintained in beauty, ſet in majeſty among them, and in this p. 227ſenſe to be ſetting your houſes in order, for you know not how ſoon theſe very ſtaves of beauty and bands may be violently invaded, diſturbed, and broken by the ſame ſpirit of hatred, which now offers force to your more ſolemn Aſſemblings: While therefore you have this price in your hand, this undiſturbed opportunity, you ſhould be doing this good.

I hope I need not largely follow theſe with other Arguments, which might be drawn out at length from the ineſtimable value of their immortal ſouls, the redemption whereof is precious, which now are committed to your care and over-ſight, and will be ſtrictly required at your hands, in the day of Accompts that draweth nigh; and that the rather, for that now is their making or marring time, which effects you may expect will, and frequently do follow, according as you either are found in the due and diligent diſcharge of your duty among them, or are negligent and remiſs therein. Little it is conſidered and laid to heart, how much of the intereſt of your preſent peace, and the comfort of your lives is laid up in your wiſe, conſtant, gracious endeavour of this kind, and the Lord's bleſſing thereupon. Whereas, on the contrary, it were well if the common reproach upon the Name of the Lord were altogether groundleſs; and that it were not too evidently to be ſeen in many Families of Profeſſors, that their Children and Servants are as rude, untaught, incorrigible, wanton, wicked, unruly as any others, as if the only care upon thoſe entruſted with the Headſhip of Families, were (and that hardly performed as it ought to be) to have them brought forth, and brought up to Adam (or to Earth rather) to learn their Books, Complements, Manners, and Trades; but to underſtand p. 228themſelves, to learn Chriſt, to know the Lord God of their Fathers, to be inſtructed in the Holy Scriptures from their youth up, to know themſelves miſerable without a Saviour, and to be led as by the hand unto him. Oh! how rare are theſe attainments, and that becauſe endeavours are ſo ſlack in order thereunto; I pray you examine your ſelves, your prayers, your practices, your converſations, where are the bowels of Chriſt towards your own! Do you travel in birth again for them till he be formed in them? Should it not be much more your care to ſee them Saints, than to ſee them men and women? Alas! if you Families (who would bear the World in hand, that there is ſome excellent thing among you more than others) be not taught the fear of the Lord, where do you think a Seed ſhould be reared up to ſerve him, that in the ſtead of the Fathers ſhould be the Children accounted with God for a generation? Among worldly men it may not be expected, whoſe Children are ordinarily the off-ſpring of their luſt, the painted Idols of the rich and pinching burdens of the Poor, and their Servants the meer drudges to promote the Intereſt of their eaſe, gain and covetouſneſs, few enquiring or caring what becomes of their immortal precious ſouls; The manifeſt ruines upon whom (unleſs the Lord work extraordinarily upon them) ſhould provoke us to pitty them and be the more jealous over our own concernments herein, in order hereunto ſuffer this further word of Exhortation.

Make it (I beſeech you) your main buſineſs to ſet before them the pattern of a ſtanding, even, ſerious, holy converſation. F…milies do uſually receive faſter p. 229and deeper the impreſſion of the ſimilitude of their diſpoſitions and behaviour, who have the over-ſight, and government of them, than of their meer precepts and exhortations. The Majeſty and Authority which God hath entruſted and inveſted you with among them, is only held up in its enamouring beauty and convincing power, while you improve it much in the fear of God, neither debaſing it on the one hand by a vain, fond, frothy lightneſs in your ſpirits and carriage toward or before them, or exerciſing it by a proud, furious, imperious, domineering over them on the other hand. Much ſpiritual wiſdom lyes in your tempering and mixing a ſweet affable behaviour without vanity, with a grave reproving demeanour without fierceneſs, and this not in an affected appearance, but in truth; nor only at uncertain fits and flaſhes, but in a conſtant fixed frame, within doors, and without. Conſider alſo you have in their ſight taken up an high and holy Profeſſion of the Cauſe and Inſtitutions of Chriſt, and thoſe about you are likely to be ſomeway intereſted in the ſufferings you are threatned to ſuſtain, for your adhering faithfully thereunto, in reſpect whereof it will be their happineſs, that you hold faſt (in their eye and as their example) theſe truths in a pure Conſcience, to which you have begun to witneſs, not only for the Truths ſake themſelves, which deſerve that you ſhould deliver them to the next generation, unmixed and unbetrayed by you; but for your own dear Relations ſake alſo, before whom it would be ſad, ſhould you lay ſuch a ſtumbling-block in the beginning of their way, as doth beſpeak (ſo loud as you can proclaim it) that there is no ſuch thing as Truth, worth your adhering to in a day of tryal, and conſequently p. 230worth their enquiring after, imbracing or engaging themſelves in, in times of ſuch perſecution. I hope better things of you, and ſuch as accompany Salvation, though thus I write, truſting that you either do, or will do the things which I deſire (or rather the Lord requires) of you; to whom I leave you, and reſt,

Yours, many wayes obliged, to love and ſerve you for Chriſt's ſake.

To a Friend in a time of Great uncertainties, as to publick Tranſactions A ſpiritual underſtanding of the times, and what Iſrael ought to do, be granted largely to you. —

Holy and Beloved!

I Think yours of the 9^th and 16^th inſtant, are both of date later than my laſt to you; by which you may eaſily perceive my aptneſs to tire in proſecuting divine advantages: At preſent I was willing to have followed you cloſer, but that my frequent little Journeys have of late prevented me. How faithful is that Word! and verified to a thouſand generations, Whoſo is wiſe, and ſhall obſerve theſe things, even they ſhall underſtand the loving kindneſs of the Lord. — And that — none of the wicked ſhall underſtand, but the wiſe ſhall underſtand. If ever there was a time to have the eye of Saints kept very intent upon the Lord to trace out his footſteps, it ſeems, now to be ſuch a p. 231time, when his Pavilion is darkneſs and fire enfolding it ſelf, to be then divinely enabled to read not ony particular loving kindneſs ſealed up to the obſerver in ſpecial, but to ſee the Salvation of Iſrael carried on in a ſtrait path, and that he that buildeth Sion worketh ſtill by line and plummet, is a grace beſtowed not in common in the Houſe of God; but is methinks one of the ſpecial love-tokens by which he will ſhew among all his Diſciples, who is the Beloved One that leans on his boſom, and that have the favour to ride in the Chariot, the midſt whereof is paved with Love for the Daughters of Jeruſalem. — I may take up a juſt mournful Lamentation of my own ſhort-ſightedneſs, and incapacity (I had almoſt ſaid impoſſibility) to diſcern with any diſtinction of apprehenſion, the Temple of God open in Heaven, and in it the Ark of the Teſtament, while there proceedeth out of the Throne, and by means of the Cenſor caſt into the Earth, ſuch lightnings, and thundrings, and voices, and earth-quakes, and great hail. Only I durſt not ſay ſhort of this, the Lord giveth me now and than a glimps of the King in his Glory, and the Land that is very far off. And, ah then! how good is a Piſgah-ſight of Canaan? It's even as the Chariots that Joſeph ſent, that revived fainting Jacob; what life and ſignification it manifeſts to lie hid in ſuch a word as this, — Yet God is good to Iſrael. — Yet ſurely I know that it ſhall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him? With what a different power is a ſoul acted then in ſuch a requeſt, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, from what it is when only in an uſual formal way it breatheth it out? Such transfigurations may well conſtrain an outcry, It's good to be here, though many times one knowes not what he ſayes, — But alas! why ſpeak I, p. 232think I, long I ſo much for ſuch ſights and taſtes which indeed, though precious, yet are tranſient? mean while not valuing as I ſhould that ſubſtantial feeding and living upon Sions laſting foundations, ſuch as remain unſhaken, though he bring us into the place of Dragons, and cover us with the ſhadow of death, though there be no fruit in the Vine, and the labour of the Olive ceaſe, yet then to live above hope under hope, &c. have the Lord's joy remain in us, and our joy be full.

Methinks all the Lord's footſteps point to us, that, as our proper leſſon, To be ſecuring all that which concerneth us upon ſuch Foundations as cannot be ſhaken, when Heaven and Earth is moved, Foundations are deſtroyed, the Earth and all its Inhabitants diſſolved, before the Lord, when he cometh; for he cometh to judge the Earth with Righteouſneſs, and his People with Equity.

Yours, in ſpecial Relation, and Affection.

To two of his Acquaintance Impriſoned. Direct leadings to living Fountains of Water, and wiping all tears from your eyes, is deſired.

Much Beloved!

I Salute you both in the ſame bowels, and with the ſame reſpect; although I have not much that I know of to communicate, that can add any thing to either of you, truſting (and in a meaſure taſting) that you are as on Eagles wings, carried beyond p. 233what my poor, dark, confuſed heart or hand can contribute to you in the force and fellowſhip of that bleſſed Word, 1 Pet. 4.13, 14. And, as I truſt you in a good meaſure, are, & ſo I am, by Grace, helped with many others in every Prayer of ours, to deſire you further may be advantaged with thoſe walks with God in the perfect liberty of Grace and Peace, that may make up abundantly your bleſſedneſs, not only in equality with, but in a way of ſurpaſſing and tranſcendency to their preſent priviledge, that have as yet opportunity allowed them to walk up and down about their Father's buſineſs. It is not a little or low ground of Conſolation for you; and I pray that the power of it may ſtill remain with you, which one was mentioning, that you are as really in the Cauſe and Buſineſs of the King, though you can do nothing but make Prayers for him, and bewail the diſhonour done to his Majeſty, as if you were in Field or Council for him. It is to one of you a ſtate not unuſual, I hope its to neither of you ſtrange or unexpected; it cannot be but a little while at the longeſt run ere that Word will be made good on you in a moſt bleſſed ſenſe, Eccleſ. 4.14. and ere that be, I am by Grace perſwaded, that (as you ſhare in many more Prayers and direct perſonal remembrances than formerly, ſo alſo) that experience of Pauls will redound to your real Conſolation, Phil. 1.12, 13, 14. as verified, and is in part upon you. The dreadful and unexpected iſſue to which all things in appearance are reverting, beyond what we were willing to ſuppoſe the former Apoſtacy ſhould, or indeed could extend unto, nay, beyond the hop…s of thoſe poor worms that are everywhere wallowing in the vomit of their own dru…nneſs, and belch out blaſphemy; I p. 234truſt will have with many, as I hope the conſideration of it hath begun to have with me its effects, to lead the Lord's people into a deeper ſearch after, and greater ſenſe of the Idols of Jealouſie that have provoked to this exceeding Jealouſie, in which the Lord ſeemeth not pleaſed to ſpare the giving his own Name, together with the memorial of all his Wonderful Works to be reproached, and as a by-word to the vileſt of men, and no one left that can ſay, Reſtore. Surely, though the perſonal iniquities be great and manifold that have been found in the skirts of the Lord's People, under their Profeſſion that they are Saints; yet do I believe there lies more combined, united, provoking guilt upon them unpurged, unrepented of, vindicated and pleaded for, conſidered as they are Sioniſts, and in their publick Relations. Ah! theſe other man's ſins are ſuch eating evils to ſuch as are in a ſort related to them, and yet in a ſeeming tolerable and excuſable ſenſe free from them, as for which, I am perſwaded not only the Land mourneth, but even Sion languiſheth, and her Children faint in the ſtreets, and yet few conſider where is the malignity of the diſeaſe, or declare the cauſes of baniſhment. True it is, ſome that I think honourably of, have profeſt the diſcovery, and a means for recovery of it; but truly I think with ſuch an hard and uneven hand have been the application, that I fear, though their good-will may be accepted of the Lord, yet in the iſſue they will prove Phyſitians not of that value, as may be expected from their Profeſſion in that reſpect. I am alſo in ſome hopes that the Lord is more effectually weaning his little Children from every Idol; to which, one after another, they are ſo apt to apply themſelves, though guilt and unholineſs p. 235be in the bottom of it, how many a pitiful piece hath the Lord made manifeſt to be as Coniah, Jer. 22.28. a diſpiſed broken Idol, a veſſel wherein is no pleaſure; and yet ſuch hath been the carnality of many, that they have been concluding, as they of this Coniah, Lam. 4.20. — When I have remembred all along that holy eſcape that the Lord helped you unto, when many other good men were entangled, and came not off, till their bones were broken; I have been made to rejoyce in that love and favour to you, that hath preſerved, and I hope reſerved you in a waiting Spirit, till he ſhould bring you forth among the ſons that ſhall comfort Jeruſalem, when ſhe ſees their wayes and doings concerning all the evil that hath been brought upon her, Ezek. 14.22, 23. a paſſage that I read this morning, which it may be I underſtood not, that deſired Prayers might be made to the Lord in that behalf, encreaſed with holy jealouſie my cry, leſt any influence of that Word, Iſa. 51.14. (which God forbid) ſhould light upon any of the dear Children of God, that are this day in bonds. I truſt the grace of Jeſus Chriſt will keep, guide, bleſs, and ſanctifie you both, and all that are as you, and when ever he lifts up your heads, it will be to ſee his reſerve of Wonders, that ſhall glorifie his Holy Name. — I am cut ſhort of enlargeing, unleſs my opportunity of Conveyance were a little better known to me, for a moſt plentious ſupply of this defect, I ſhall return again to my travel in your behalf, that the Shepherd and Stone of Iſrael may undertake for you to keep you in perfect peace. Now to him, that after you have ſuffered a while, is of all power to keep you from falling, and to preſent p. 236you faultleſs before the preſence of his Glory with exceeding joy, to the only wiſe God our Saviour, be Glory and Majeſty, Dominion and Power, now and ever. Amen.

7^th 3^d month, 60.

Upon the death of ſome whom he honoured, to two of his Acquaintance then fellow-Priſoners. The Lord ſend you help from his Sanctuary, and ſtrengthen you out of Sion.

Greatly Beloved!

I Salute you both, as is meet in the Lord. Theſe two laſt Posts I have not written any Letter to you, partly for that I have been out of Town ſome little journies, but principally having been much under the ſurprize that thoſe were, Job 2. ult. The voice indeed is loud, and as if ſeven Thunders had at once uttered their voices; the terribleneſs of it makes many ſhrink as Eliah into his den. When! Oh when ſhall we hear the ſtill ſoft Voice, and as men of underſtanding ſee his Name! We may well cry out, he hath ſhewn us hard things, and given us to drink the Wine of aſtoniſhment; which falls the heavier, in that ſuch who have obtained favour, to lay neareſt to heart the concernments of Sion, and to be therein aided with greateſt boldneſs and ſweeteſt intimacy near to the heart of Chriſt, and have had their Affections enflamed moſt with what they have p. 237ſought, and ſeemed to themſelves, and others, to have been of thoſe boſom intimates that know all that their Friend doth, and have hereupon ſpoken openly and without clouds, or reſervations, their confidence of things, that have appeared in the iſſue to be miſtakes; how ſome of them bear it, I do not well know; but ſure I am, the hand is very ſorely turned upon the little ones that believe in Chriſt, great is their aſtoniſhment, like that, Iſa. 51.17. to the end. I have often thought of them, Acts 21.4. Who ſaid to Paul, by the Spirit, that he ſhould not go up to Jeruſalem. How like the language of our ſpirits (heightned by fervent affection, and attended with providential bringing to remembrance of ſutable Scriptures; and all this on a ſoul enjoying clear acceſs to the Lord) is, to the voice of the ſpirit in truth as he fulfils that Promiſe, He ſhall take of mine and ſhew it unto you, and ſhall ſhew you things to come. And if it may pleaſe the Father, after he hath graciouſly allayed the ſtormineſs of theſe perplexing waves, that at preſent doubtleſs diſcompoſe for any thing, to lead his holy ones into a more perfect diſcerning of things which in this kind do differ, and in mean time inſtruct to think more ſoberly of themſelves, and judge more tenderly of others; I ſhall yet hope this ſharp diſpenſation may bring out meat and ſweetneſs that we thought not of. — As for the poor Martyrs themſelves, when I review what was of late ſaid of their particular perſwaſions, and how (when their departure was hid from them) they enjoyed ſuch un-interrupted joyful communion with the Lord, I cannot but admire the wiſdom and goodneſs of the Father, that took that courſe with them, to anoint them for their burial (but alas! they had no burial!) But p. 238much more grace to admiration appears to me in it, that when their perſwaſions and expectations from the Lord in that point, gave way to his determinations, yet that at that very time the Tempter ſhould be bound up, who doubtleſs deſired to have them, that he might have winnowed them as Wheat, and would have made a great market of the leaſt diſcouragement upon them over the whole Antichriſtian World. Oh! how unſearchable are his wayes, and his works paſt finding out! The deadly Treacle that you ſpeak of, will doubtleſs ſwiftly become a Cup of trembling to this wretched generation, and entayl the guilt of all down along from Abel, &c. A very ſtrange efficacy that it hath to cry and to prevail at length, though it tarry long firſt. That Abels was not anſwered and expiated in the Flood that deſtroyed the World of the ungodly; nor that of Zacharias (if it was his who ſaid, The Lord look upon it, and require it, 2 Chron. 24.22.) But they both muſt cry againſt that generation that put to death the Lord of Life, and neither of theſe cryes expire at the ruines of them and their devaſtation to this day, but ſhall be found as freſh in out-cry againſt that great City where alſo our Lord is crucified, Rev. 18.24.

And though it's hard to diſcern, yet great is the pravalency of thoſe cryes of Saints that night and day follow the Lord herein, though he not only tarry long, but even ſeem to be angry with the Prayers of his People; that word hath ſweetly ſtayed me in this hour of temptation, Thou telleſt my wandrings, put my tears in thy bottle, are they not written in a Book by thee! If their wanderings, ſtaggerings, be tenderly numbered, and their tears bottled, and their grouns booked, and all this by thee! a Book of remembrance p. 239before the Lord! We need not be ſo ſollicitous what becomes of them, though they are above out of our ſight, doubtleſs, when it comes to much Incenſe in the Angels hand, the Cenſor will be caſt into the Earth, Rev. 8.3, 4, 5.

Reſts, Yours in tears. 24. 8. month, 60.

Unto one who had acquainted him with the departing of ſome from their holy Profeſſions. The early viſits of the bright and morning Star, be a light in your dark place, till the day dawn, and the ſhadows flee away.

Beloved in and of the Lord!

SInce my laſt, I have received yours, wherein you were pleaſed to remember, and ſend ſuch a rich Token to your poor Friend, whom you are pleaſed to deſcribe by that merry title of your Father; who bleſſeth God for grace and ſupport miniſtred, by tracking the footſteps of the Father of Spirits in thoſe paths of peace and pleaſantneſs, wherein he pleaſeth to lead you, and others of his ſuffering ones, ſo contrary to the methods and expectation of men, whoſe breath are in their noſtrils, p. 240Job. 22.29. Pſal. 41.8, 12, 13. unto which I account it no diverſion that he is pleaſed (as your last intimates) to keep you in an humble ſenſe of the ſhortneſs of ſelf-ſufficiency, for bearing you up againſt the hour of temptation; the very fear whereof hath already caſt down ſo many ſtars from their excellency, on whom this inſcription is manifeſtly engraven, as a caution to us, though a by-word to ſcorners, Lo this is the man that made not God his confidence. Over whom as I have little ground to glory, 1 Cor. 10.12. Rom. 11.18, 20. ſo neither is there juſt occaſion to be greatly offended, Iſa. 2.22. 2 Tim. 4.16, 17, 18. Joh. 6.66, 67. chap. 16.13, 32. Although I find it ſomewhat difficult to draw the memorial of their ſlips into a gracious perpetual remembrance, without ſome mixtures either of wrath or doubting. I confeſs it makes me many times tremble to think of the relation wherein the Lord hath placed me in his Houſe, wherein you and others look on me, and expect much from me (as yours intimates) who am ſo unſutable to a door-keeper there, leſt while much weight depends on ſuch a worm, that Word be fully and juſtly verified, Iſa. 22.25. and ſo of being reared up a Monument for a living end, as was his Pillar, 2 Sam. 18.18. I prove but an heap of Infamy, verſ. 17. But over againſt theſe faintings, when they have ran in as a flood, I have hitherto found the Spirit of the Lord lifting up a Standard, and diſplaying a Banner in his Fear, by which a ſeaſonable reſcue hath been offered in a time of need. And that by keeping me upon, and now and than ſucceeding me in ſome meaſure in this Three-fold work, which I doubt not but you have arrived to a good degree and great boldneſs in the Faith of;

p. 241Firſt, That I do not ſatisfie my ſelf in any ordinary and ſlight Evidences of an Intereſt in eternal Love, but preſs toward that full Aſſurance of Faith founded on the New-Covenant, and univerſally influential on the New-Creature. I ſpeak not as if I had attained much, but this is with me by the Grace of Christ, my ſoul is ſo much the more engaged to preſs after the riches of full aſſurance of underſtanding a fellowſhip in the mystery of God the Father, and of Christ, as I ſee the dayes are evil, the glimmerings whereof in that degree the Father ſees good to intruſt me withal, have been an unſpeakable ſtay to me againſt the fears of what man can do unto me; and through your Prayers, and the help of the Spirit of Jeſus, I hope will continue ſo to be unto the end; the powers whereof both to peace againſt the fears of this day (Rom. 8.31. to the end) and to purging againſt the filth of it, (2 Tim. 2.19. 1 Joh. 3.3.) I need not inſiſt to ſhew you, who your ſelves are taught it of God, Job. 36.22.—

2dly. Another main work which I find of great neceſſity and advantage, is, the ſetting up in my ſoul the dominion of the Croſs of Chriſt, in a daily mortification (through ſpiritual aid and arguments) of the affections and luſts of the Fleſh, to every thing that may, or must ſuffer loſs in the expected fiery tryal, whether it be either corruptible things, as Silver and Gold (any under-Christ enjoyments) or corrupted, corrupting things, as is all the filthineſs both of the Fleſh and of the Spirit. The entanglements of one or other of theſe is the ſnare which ſo eaſily beſets moſt of thoſe who in this day are contriving how much Truth they may poſſibly ſell, or at leaſt expel for peace, who ſeldome treat upon theſe terms, but Satan makes his market on them, we are not ignorant of his devices; To be therefore mortified p. 242by time to th…ſe things, is a very great part of our beſt Intereſt, not only that (in this ſenſe) our ſins go aforehand to judgement, that we may not be judged in them, and for them with the World, when the Lord comes out of his place, to puniſh the inhabitants of the Earth, and ariſeth terribly to ſhake it; but alſo that our pleaſant pictures, coſtly coverings, and all our detectable things may be ſo crucified to us, and we to them in the love of them, that it may be no hard thing when the Lord calls for them to glorifie him, to ſay to them, Get ye hence, What profit is there in my Blood? If the Lord (his Name, Cauſe, Teſtimony) hath need of it, what is that between us and him?

3dly. I alſo am brought into an experimental obſervation how much of moment is the ſpirit of a ſound mind, to have real, ſubſtantial, and digeſted principles, and to be in union with them concerning that Cauſe, for which we are at the point to be throughly tryed, Whether that part of it that concerneth Worſhip, or otherwiſe, to have our Faith in ſuch a day as this to be only founded in the wiſdom of man (our own or others) ſhort of the power of God, to build another man's foundation, or boaſt in another man's line, of things made ready to our hand, at a time when every man's work muſt be tryed, and every man must bear his own burden, and give ſuch an accompt as this is of himſelf to God; though the ſtructure ſeem never ſo ſtately, and to be founded on the higheſt reſolution, yet will that doom and out-cry ſooner or latter attend it, as did his Ax, 2 Kings 6. And indeed (as you obſerve) backſlidings at this time of day are very rarely and hardly repaired (though I truſt ſome will) ere the door be ſhut, Mat. 25.8, 9, 10. — To have therefore our rejoycings in our ſelves, and not in another, Prov. 5.17. p. 243Gal. 6.4. is our great Intereſt; That it may be your ſweet portion, is the prayer of him (who being unexpectedly interrupted) having nothing of moment to impart as tydings,

Reſts, Yours, as ever.

To a Friend, long kept cloſe Priſoner, under hard Circumſtances, and greater threatnings. Everlaſting joy upon your head, while ſorrow and ſighing flee away.

Beloved, and honoured by and for the Lord!

THis morning, having obtained that mercy from the Lord, of reading a Character of your heart drawn by your own hand, wherewithal I and others were not a little refreſhed, and a ſafe hand preſenting for the conveyance of this to you, which I hope may reach you, I thought my ſelf providentially called and concerned to give you a teſtimony of my joy in the Grace of Chriſt, which is engaged hitherto to uphold you with everlaſting arms, that nei…her the ſtrength nor length of your Suffering is ſuch to you, as is accompted otherwiſe by you than …ight, and but for a moment, being laid on the ballance p. 244with the Glory that is ready to be revealed in us. In this way of reckoning, while our eye is kept on inviſible and eternal weights of Glory, realizing and impropriating them, Crowns of thorns are more eaſie and leſs diſhonourable than at a diſtance they ſeem to be, or than we ſenſe and apprehend them, while we are reaſoning after the fleſh.—Weights indeed they have and are, and ſuch as make the oppreſſed many times to groan earneſtly, none for the preſent being joyous but grievous, and are tenderly thought upon by him, who in all their afflictions is afflicted, the Angel of whoſe preſence alſo is with them; but we know the End of the Lord, and his Reſt ſhall be glorious, when his indignation ceaſeth in their deſtruction; but he reſts in his Love, and there alſo ſhall make the weary to reſt. — I judge my ſelf ſome-way rebuked from above, and untaught what and how to pray as I ought, if in any prayer of mine I forget the Sons of your noble Order, and eſpecially in ſeeking what you deſire; namely, that you through the greatneſs of Faith may enter into reſt, and at this time of day, while he hath taken buſineſs out of your hand, he may the more abundantly acquaint and refreſh you with that diſmiſſion to reſt, as may ſecure you until the indignation be over-paſt. You know his priviledge, who (Jer. 36.5.) though he was ſhut up, that he could not walk abroad about his Lord's buſineſs, was nevertheleſs hid there by the Lord; when the Courtiers did purpoſe to take him, (verſ. 26.) But if in the Father's Counſel it appear beſt, that out of theſe Store-houſes he bring more of his precious boxes of Oyntment to be poured out upon the preſent Funerals of the Cauſe he is concerned in, I make no queſtion p. 245but the ſavour thereof will commend it ſelf to all the Virgins in this and other generations, and they ſhall have Robes and Reſt, till they ſtand again in their lot at the end of dayes; and who believing and loving Jeſus Chriſt in Truth, would not put off his filthy garments, in expectation of ſuch change of raiment?

As for my part, my Father graciouſly indulgeth me, and the Lambs here, giving us an undeſerved Covert (of which no reaſon can be given) even where Satan's ſeat is, while other flocks are diſperſed and ſcattered. Neer about us, by my laſt I acquainted, that ſome from our neighbouring parts, are ſent to that place of ancient experience, where they have a ſtock of prayers and preſence to begin upon: they begin on ſtraw, as learning to endure hardneſs as good Souldiers; the Lord make that word good to them, which often hath been in that place ſweet to me, Exod. 23.25. and at length, Eccleſ. 4.14. I expect daily the ſame lot, in the Lord's with-holding his hand from which, I fear nothing more than a Spirit apt to do as Agag, 1 Sam. 15.32. putting off the evil day, the leaſt Sun-ſhine brought forth a manifeſtation, that notwithſtanding the ruine of his Nation, and danger of himſelf, he was not mortified to the delicacy of his life; nor had eſcaped (though he thought he had waved) the bitterneſs of his death.

I need your Prayers and precious Exhortations, tending to prevent ſlumber, that I be not taken at unawares. The Lord keep freſh and manifeſt before your eyes and mine, the Captain of our Salvation, not only as a leading pattern, but as a life-giving Principle, on which having our minds ſtayed, p. 246we may ſtill be truſting in him, as kept in peace upon peace there, with true reſpects to all your Family,

Reſts, Yours, in the love of Jeſus. 26^th 4^th month, 62.

His judgement about continuing, or, forbearing Aſſemblies to Worſhip the Lord. Strength and Beauty, as is in the Sanctuary.

Beloved in the Lord!

I Thought it beſt, while it is yet day, and opportunity offers, that we attempt to make improvement ſo, as may mutually tend to the ſtrengthning each others Faith and Love in Chriſt Jeſus, with ſuch intimations of occurrences as may direct to ſutable ſympathy and ſupplication, as the Intereſt of the Lord may require in its preſent circumſtances, at their hands, who have learned to approve themſelves as true Sioniſts. This place affords little, ſave the continued ſeries of divine goodneſs holding our ſouls in life, and not ſuffering our p. 247feet to be moved, where he with-holds not the tokens of his Fatherly care and proviſion to ſupply all our wants both outwardly and within, to ſhew that he is good, our Rock▪ and no unrighteouſneſs is with him.

We had rumours of being this week brought before the Deputy Lieutenant, but that came to nothing: Fear and fury fills many mens hands with work of their own occaſioning; ſo doth he make their own tongue to fall upon themſelves, the Righteous ſhall ſee it and flee away; and all men ſhall ſee and conſider the work of God, for they ſhall wiſely conſider his doing.

They at our Iſland I hear are well and chearful, but free acceſs to them is denyed, nothing elſe can be expected as times and jealouſies are; yet Heaven is open ſtill. David could form a ſong in the Cave when his Faith reached to this aſſurance, He ſhall ſend from Heaven and ſave me. Earth was block'd up, but Heaven was open ſtill. And as long as Heaven holds, he had no ground to miſtruſt a want of the Promiſes accompliſhment to the uttermoſt. Many thoughts of heart have exerciſed us as well in groans at the throne, as in other ſad conferences among our ſelves at the reaſonings and reſolves of your ſtrong men, who by drawing away the ſhoulder from the yoke, and their hand from the Plough, wherein they ſeemed ſo well skilled and bleſſed formerly, have given way to the ceaſing of their work in a time when their Faith and Love to Christ is brought to its tryal; and that any poor ſouls ſhould interpoſe with their lives in their hands, to bear up the Name of Christ, and to preſerve a nail in his Houſe; in their abſence it ſerves to ſignifie, that there is ſomething of reality in that Promiſe, The laſt ſhall be firſt, and the firſt laſt. And touching your Queſtion, What ground a Church hath, in times of Perſecution, to p. 248appear publickly? If by publickly be meant only ſo far knownly as wherein (with the beſt prudence and caution uſed as their caſe ſtands) they may moſt effectually anſwer the ends of mutual edification, and hold up the Glory of Christ in the practiſe of his Inſtitutions; It's ſo far from being a Queſtion, What grounds they have to meet, as we know not what grounds can well be held up to the contrary, by any who pretend to ſo much profeſſion, as that any part of the Inſtituted Will of God is worth the ſuffering for, or that Chriſt is worth the following in Goſpel-Precepts, when the Obedience of Saints therein is to be tryed as by fire. If you be pleaſed to ſingle out any Reaſons that can pretend to ſatisfi… Conſcience, guided by the mind of God in Scripture, they may have an examination.

Reſts, Yours, many wayes oblieged. 20^th 7^th month, 62▪

p. 249To the ſame Friend, and ſomething further on the ſame Subject.

My very Dear!

THe Sea-Monſters they draw forth their breſt, and give ſuck to their young ones, Ah! what ſhall the Lord's People who have received anointing to Preach the bleſſed Goſpel, become cruel as the Oſtriches of the Wilderneſs, that the young Children (yea, and old Diſciples too) ask Bread and none giveth it unto them; nay, are willing to ſeek their Bread with the peril of their lives, becauſe of the Sword of the Wilderneſs; And ſhall ſuch men as we who have known the Terrors of the Lord, and felt the Love of Chriſt conſtraining us, that pretend to know the worth of an immortal ſoul, the joy for one ſinner that repenteth, that have had a diſpenſation of the Goſpel committed to us, and yet no neceſſity lying upon ſuch, no wo to ſuch if they Preach not the Goſpel, no compaſſion at leaſt, no more compaſſion to the multitudes that are ſcattered as ſheep that have no ſhepherd: Alas! where is the fellowſhip of that Spirit which of old enabled the publiſhers of this Goſpel, after they were ſhamefully intreated, to wax bold in their God, to Preach the Goſpel of their God with much contention, 1 Theſ. 2.2. approving p. 250themſelves the Miniſters of Chriſt in Impriſonments, in Tumults, in Stripes, in Neceſſities, in Diſtreſſes. Where is the Lord God of Eliah! Where is he that put his Spirit upon them who firſt truſted in Chriſt? I have been often refreſhed with a ſaying of holy Burroughs, in his Epiſtle to the Reader of his Heart-Diviſions; alledging a ſaying of Luthers; I deſire to be a faithful Miniſter of Chriſt and his Church, if I cannot be a Prudent one, the ſtanding in the gap is more dangerous and troubleſom than getting behind the hedge, there you may be more ſecure, and under the wind; but it's beſt to be there where God looks for a man, &c. thus he. — Indeed in this day, if ever the Lord looks who they be that will ſtand in the gap, that will anſwer that Character, My life is continually in my hand, yet do I not forget thy Precepts: They who reſcued the Field of Lentiles, and the Field of Barley (which were part of the Lord's Land, how inconſiderable ſoever it might ſeem in its ſelf) when the generalty of Iſrael deſerted them, were at laſt reckoned among the firſt rank of David's Worthies, 2 Sam. 23.11. 1 Chron. 11.13. though perhaps while it was in doing they might be reckoned raſh, heady, hair-brain'd men; they who cannot paſs as well through evil as through good report in the Goſpel of God, can ſurely go but a little way in it; he that left at Pamphilia, and would go no further in the work (becauſe perhaps 'twas too hot and heavy) was not thought by Paul fit for the ſame imployment another time, whatever his Kinſman Barnabas might think of him. I could wiſh ſome of theſe things might be by the Lord let in, and ſet home upon the ſpirits of ſuch, who not only Retire themſelve…, but ſound a Retreat alſo to p. 251others, who might otherwiſe be ſweetly and advantagiouſly engaged to fight this good fight of Faith; War this good Warfare, endure this hardneſs as good Souldiers of Jeſus Chriſt. I am called off from purſuing this matter. All here are well; not elſe at preſent,

Reſts, Yours, many wayes. 18^th 8^th month, 62.

To a Friend releaſed out of Priſon. Wiſdom and underſtanding exceeding much, and largeneſs of heart like the Sand of the Sea.

Precious and Beloved!

I Have my longings to know how it fareth with your Soul, now you are under the advantage of gathering up at liberty the diffuſed Light and Anointing that is dropt with ſuch variety in the Body of Chriſt, eſpecially in your City, whither, I obſerve it is the aim of moſt of the choice Perſons up and down, who either are driven, or diſengaged from neceſſary attendance in their Countrey ſtations, to make haſte, promiſing themſelves greater liberty and enjoyment there, than ordinarily here can be expected. In reſpect whereof I have been ſometimes conceiting that it is a p. 252place, and puts into a capacity for Believers to make the most rare Extracts, and pick out the choiceſt Notions and Aſſiſtances of any where in the World; which thoughts are eaſily attended with ſuch temptations, Oh! that I had the wings of a Dove, I would flee far away from this ſtormy wind and tempeſt, I would ſee that goodly Mountain and Libanon. But then I am as often checked with this reproof, He that encreaſeth knowledge, encreaſeth ſorrow; theſe creaturely engagements may render a man the more prudent and rational; it's many to one if they make him more ſerious, ſpiritual, evangelical. It may be eaſie to get the mind fraughted with noiſe, news, notions; but to get the heart eſtabliſhed with grace, drawn into a more ſubſtantial and experimental communion with Jeſus Chriſt, according to the tenor of the New-Covenant, and in the Grace and Truth thereof; this is not ſo eaſie to be found and maintained, without extraordinary watch and diligence. Theſe words of Wiſdom, may be more heard in quiet, and to better purpoſe and improvement, than in the out-cry of him that ruleth among Fools. Soul-ſearching, Heart-preparing, Sin-mortifying work, may have more advantage from the retirement of a naſty Priſon, then (unleſs abundance of Grace be miniſtred) from being left to walk in a large place, eſpecially if with a large principle of Liberty to touch withal, but being laid in Goſpel-bonds under the Inſtituted charge of none. In theſe reſpects (my much valued in the Lord!) I have not only had ſome tryals of my own ſoul, while I have been repreſenting things to my ſelf in ſuch a figure; and alſo ſeen the woful iſſues thereof on ſome others who have fallen under my ſhort-ſighted obſervation; but have withal had many a thought of you, ſince you have been p. 253(in an outward reſpect) as a Hinde let looſe; I will not ſay I have had hints of any tamperings with you, but only, that it is marvellous if you have not, which doth and will ſo much the more magnifie Grace in your being preſerved in Christ Jeſus, ſtedfaſt in the Faith, fervent in the Spirit, lively and active in the wayes of God, growing up more into Chriſt which is our Head, and being more publickly diffuſed by a largeneſs of Spirit in all the members. This, all this I hope, pray, and ſhall to my utmoſt endeavour, may be found remaining and encreaſing in you, according to the form of ſound words, the pattern of them who firſt truſted in Chriſt, worthy of all the Grace you have received, and Teſtimony you have born hitherto in doing and ſuffering, and worthy of the bleſſed hope, of the Reſurrection of the Lord's Cauſe, and the approaching of his promiſed Glory. In a fellowſhip in this earneſt expectation and endeavour, you have the prayers of all our little Family, but eſpecially and particularly of,

26^th 6^th month, 63. Your wonted, and conſtant Soul-Friend.

p. 254Unto an ancient Acquaintance taken at a Meeting, and caſt into Priſon. Entrance and abiding with joy, and rejoycing into the King's Palace.

My never dearer than now Friend!

I Salute you in this new ſtate, into which you are caſt by the wiſe hand of my good Father, in fellowſhip with my ſelf and other dear Companions, and as you have obtained this Grace, that you ſuffer not an evil-doer, (though as an evil-doer) unto bonds, that the Word of God may not be bound, nor Goſpel-gatherings unto Chriſt, confined within, and accommodated to ſtate models, anſwerable to the luſts of wicked men. So, I pray you may not miſs of thoſe full free uninterrupted ſtreams of Strength, Satisfaction, and Conſolation, which have been the promiſed and experienced portion of the higheſt Saints that have appeared for God. My ſoul hath had fellowſhip in that thanksgiving touching you, Dan. 3.28. Bleſſed be that God who hath ſent his Angel, and hath kept his Servants that hath truſted in him, that they have changed the King's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not ſerve nor worſhip any God except their own God. And I pray that you may p. 255never want the experiment of thoſe conſtant ſupports and ſweetnings that I know a poor worm hath enjoyed in this condition; yet it's not your bonds I deſire, but your bleſſedneſs exalted over the heads of them; eſpecially I deſire on your behalf, that your ſoul may be furniſhed with that ſatisfactory clearneſs in the Cauſe, and jealouſie of the terms of Deliverance that invite you forth; that in patience you may poſſeſs your ſoul, with conſtancy enjoy the ſweetneſs of it, from its fitneſs for converſe with God, and with courage and reſolution refel thoſe Hen-pickings which I preſume is your portion by ſome prudent Cowards, wherewith your City aboundeth, and your large acquaintance hath made you known unto. I truſt the great things, of the Name, Intereſt, Glory, and Goſpel-truths of Jeſus Chriſt, owned by your act, and ſealed to in their excellency by your bonds, will out-weigh the ſelf-ſaving arguments of air, health, trade, liberty, which are things (and greater things than theſe) that muſt be hated upon this competition. That prudent Propoſal of, Maſter, ſave thy ſelf; had more of the Devil in it than (I think) Peter was aware, when it was brought in to retard Chriſt's opportunity of glorifying his Father, and ſaving his People in a way of ſuffering. You well know the excellent proof of the Faith of thoſe Travellers of old, was, they conquered the opportunity they had of returning to their Comforts and Relations, their Kindred and Countrey from whence they came. Truly, there is before you, and in your hand an opportunity of glorifying God in a way of ſuffering, and it puts me in mind of a paſſage of a good man, treating of the gale of opportunity, thus expreſſeth himſelf to the caſe in hand; A man may have an opportunity to ſuffer for Chriſt, which if he neglect, he may never have p. 256the like again: To ſuffer for Chriſt is honourable; God will not put this honour upon every one, he puts this honour upon his Veſſels of honour, he gives Grace to a man, and caſts him into a veſſel of Silver or Gold, and then throws them into the fire to melt, & ſuffer for his Name. The Mettal of that Chriſtian muſt be Silver or Gold that can ſuffer for Chriſt: a veſſel of Wood, throw it into the fire, its Hoops will fly off, it will break aſunder and never hold out. The three Children that were caſt into the fiery furnace, what glorious mould and metal were they made of? Had they not taken that opportunity to ſuffer for God, they might never meet with ſuch a one again. (1) What a ſpreading Fame and Glory of God did their ſufferings ſcatter over all the World, Dan. 3.28, 29. God's Glory ſhines out of their ſufferings; enemies acknowledge none like Iſrael's God. (2) They honour themſelves; 1. They no ſooner in the fire, but they meet with Jeſus there, verſ. 24, 25. according to Iſa. 43.2. 2. It was an honour to them that God ſhould work ſuch a noble miracle for them, as to ſtop the mouth of the fire, that it could not burn them. (3) Their Suffering was the Churches honour and advantage; it won great reſpect and honour to the Jewiſh Church and Religion (4) Did not their Suffering, and God's owning them, ſtrengthen the weak Faith of their diſtreſſed Brethren, the poor Jewes? — Your Sufferings may be the Converſion of others: How willing would you be to Preach a Sermon, if you were ſure it would be the Converſion of ſome ſoul? thy Suffering for Chriſt may be the beſt Sermon that ever thou preachedſt in thy life, and may win more upon ſouls; as we ſay, The beſt Living, is the beſt Preaching; ſo I ſay, To p. 257ſuffer well is the beſt preaching, &c. (5) It will encreaſe your future glory, 2 Cor. 4.17.

I had other things on my thoughts, but am interrupted by the unavoidable acceſs of ſtrangers, and noiſe; I may next ſay a little more, I am troubled to break off thus, but you know the heart, the opportunity, the interruption of a Priſoner, eſpecially where there there is a full and rude Priſon. The Lord help you, that by a patient continuing in well-doing, you may commit your ſoul, body, eſtate, liberty, into the hands of God, as of a faithful Creator, knowing whom you have believed, and that he is able to keep that which you have committed to him againſt that day; only the good thing (that bleſſed Teſtimony to Truth as it is in Jeſus) committed by him unto you, keep through the holy Spirit that dwelleth in you. Sell not for a ſuppoſed opportunity (to buy and ſell and get gain) your real opportunity to exalt Jeſus Chriſt in ſuffering for his Names ſake; moſt who make haſte this way out of bonds, do uſually reckon, they will be more prudent next, than to ſuffer for a circumſtance; and commonly God ſhews himſelf more jealous of his Glory, than to imploy them again in ſo honourable a work. Ʋnleſs, as one of the Martyrs in Queen Maries time, who recanted his Profeſſion, becauſe (ſaid he) I cannot burn for Chriſt: but ſhortly after his Houſe was burnt (as I remember) and he muſt burn without Chriſt. Tho Lord ſtrengthen you with might in your ſoul. Amen.

Yours, &c. 30^th of the 5^th mon. 64.

p. 258Upon a Letter ſent to him for Conveyance, from a Church of Chriſt in London, to one of their Fellowſhip, in Priſon, near him. That you may ſtand perfect and compleat in all the Will of God, deſired.

My inward Friend!

THe receipt of yours to me, expoſing to my view for advantage, as well as committing to my hand for Conveyance, that lively inſtance of the care of a whole Congregation towards one of their Members, was not more welcome to me, than the matter offered therein to obſervation was rebuking and convincing of my ſinful ſhortneſs towards divers, unto whom I ſtand deeply engaged, as well as dearly related, in Goſpel-bonds. I hope it hath had, and will farther be ſucceeded with this iſſue, to awaken me to a farther obſervation and apprehenſion of that great debt that I owe on Chriſt's behalf to divers ſouls, whoſe faces for a long time I have not ſeen in the fleſh, from which my diſtance, in reſpect of place, doth not diſcharge me in point of duty, and be of directive uſefulneſs to guide my way, and inform how I ought to behave my ſelf among the ſcattered members of the Church of the Living God, which is (where it is as p. 259it ſhould be) the Pillar and Ground of Truth; on which, as on a Pillar, that ſhould go out no more, ſhould ſtand engraven, to be ſeen and read of all men, the publick Edicts of our King, with all his Statutes and Judgments, eſpecially in a time when they are ſpoken againſt, and would be razed out; nay, razed to the very foundation thereof, by the ſons of Edom, that border of wickedneſs, the people againſt whom God hath indignation for ever. The conſideration whereof doth not only require that they be living ſtones, who are competent for ſuch ends, having living tables in their hearts, for the inſcriptions of the Spirit of the Living God, and that the beauty of this Ornament be ſet in Majeſty, but doth frequently commend to me that obſervation which your laſt ere this (ſome time ſince) was hinting to me of the need we have, who deſign ſuch ſervices, to wait for power by the Spirit from on high, to be his Witneſſes, and to expect according to his Promiſe, That ſhowers of the latter rain ſhall come down to furniſh a people to bear his glory in the adminiſtrations of his Houſe, anſwering the Inſtitutions of the New Teſtament; although I am no way taken with that dilatory inference, wherein ſome ſeem to ſtick, as if upon the obſervation that Bryars and Thorns are come upon God's Houſes in the joyous City, and are likely to abide there till the Spirit be poured out from on high; therefore it were beſt, and our Intereſt, till the manifeſt taking place of that promiſed diſpenſation, not to put our hands to ſuch Acts and Ordinances, the beautious Majeſty of which muſt needs be acknowledged to be very much wrapt up and concerned in the hoped iſſues of ſuch a Glory ſtepping in. There being bleſſed ends to be by us p. 260promoted in our preſent ſtate, by our dutiful obedience to every Inſtitution of our King; and through infinite Grace and Mercy, are there ſuch Gifts and Graces of the Spirit to be found on ſome, as may yield help to ſober, humble enquirers, to get over ſuch ſtumbling-blocks, and contribute toward their preparing in Body and Spirit, as an adorned Bride to meet the Bridegroom, who loves to find his keeping all his Commandements unrebukable, and without ſpot to his appearing. In which attire, I earneſtly deſire your whole man, Body, and Soul, and Spirit, may be found miniſtring a practical convincing Argument, by your ſtanding compleatly perfect in the whole Will of God, that there is (as there indeed is) a hidden excellency in fellowſhip with Jeſus Chriſt in thoſe wayes and appointments of his upon their ſouls, who in Faith and Faithfulneſs are yielded up to him therein, which hath admirable Vertue in it, though at preſent not attended with thoſe mighty Signs and Wonders by Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the which were rather for the ſakes of them who believed not, than for ſuch as through Faith are directed to judge of, and cloſe with ſuch things anſwerable to their tendency by good pleaſure to lead into the Myſtery of God, and of the Father, and of Chriſt. The Reaſon and Efficacy whereof lies not in any juſt proportion betwixt the thing commanded and the Myſtery propoſed to enjoyment, no more than there did between waſhing in Jordan, and Naamans clenſing, (the cauſe of the ſcornful ſtorming of his proud ſpirit) but in the meer ſoveraignty of divine good pleaſure, who gives us a word of Faith to guide and prove our obedience, and engage our humble expectation of his own preſence, who is Lord of Influences, to conduct p. 261the Heirs of Promiſe into thoſe ſecrets of his Pavilion by doors, at the threſhold of which the Children of this Worlds wiſdom ſtumble, either by ſenſual Formality, ſticking in the letter of things; or by aiery Speculations, rejecting the weakneſs and fooliſhneſs of Chriſt in his Inſtitutions; but Wiſdom is juſtified of her Children. All here are well, love, honour and ſalute you.

Yours, in Soul-ſervice.

To a Friend, who, after ſome Retirement, was returning to purſue his Calling in Affairs of this World. The Lord be your ſhade, on your Right-Hand.

My very dear Brother!

I Perceive you are applying your ſelf to ſomething men call, Buſineſs in the World; and I have comfortable hopes, that you have ſtudied ere this hour that leſſon, Finally Brethren, the time is ſhort, it remaineth, &c. — For the faſhion of this World paſſeth away. Oh my dear Brother! my ſoul is afflicted to obſerve the over-greedy Engagement of many (whom I love and honour for their former eminency) plunging themſelves into buſineſs, and there even drowning themſelves in ruine and perdition; loſing the ſavour of p. 262their ſpirits, the intimacy of their Communion with Chriſt in the Spirit, and ſo grow dry, careleſs, prudent, fearful, omiſſive, what not? till there is hardly left ſo much as the uniform appearance of a ſoul, that hath been the ſeat of ſuch glorious diſcoveries and enjoyments as men have readily ſpoke of formerly. It may well be asked of many now, as the Apoſtle, Where is the Bleſſedneſs ye ſpoke of? — Men diſcourſe of their primitive applications of Truth, and to it ſpeak much and frequently of bleſſedneſs in the things of the Goſpel; it was bleſſed Praying, and bleſſed Hearing, and bleſſed Meeting, and bleſſed Meditating; becauſe in all theſe they ſought after, and partook of bleſſedneſs! But where is that now? There is ſomewhat of Praying, and Preaching, &c. but where is the bleſſedneſs of all theſe? Is it not very much departed, and what may be the cauſe? is it not much from hence? Men are gone deep into the ſpirit of the World, and are grown carnal, of the Earth earthy, and ſavouring of the Earth, and thereby loſing their Love, Zeal, Faithfulneſs, Inſenſibly, but very dangerouſly. I hope better things of you, and that you both do and will watch your own Spirit, and ſtir up others to take great heed to their ſpirits, that they deal not treacherouſly.

Yours▪ 7^th 3^d month, 64.

p. 263To an ancient Friend, giving his Apprehenſions concerning the multitude of Profeſſors; with ſome of his Experiences both in Bonds and Sickneſs.

Kind and very much reſpected!

THe poſture of the Lord's own People, even of ſuch, who in dayes paſt, with greateſt intimacy, and endearment, went to the Houſe of God in company, hath of late years under theſe ſtupendous diſpenſations preſented it ſelf to me much after the ſimilitude of a great Fleet of Ships outward-bound, who ſet out of their Port beautifully equipped, laden, trimmed, in conſortſhip, and under a very proſperous promiſing gale, all ſpreading their very Top-gallant, ſayls to ſhew their celerity and make the beſt of their way: A very beautiful and pleaſant proſpect to an eye delighted in ſuch expeditions. But having ſtood but a little way in this courſe out of ſight of the Countrey from whence they ſet forth, a dark night and diſmal ſtorm overtaking them, they are diſperſed all Sea-over; a great number being mindful of the Port whence they came, think they have a fair opportunity, and plauſible excuſe to return again, and draw up with deſign to adventure ſuch ſtorms no more. Others, and they not a few, being confident and conceited of their own underſtanding, p. 264do ſhape their courſe to and fro as the wind ſhifteth, are caſt upon Rocks and Shoals, to the making ſhipwrack of Faith and a good Conſcience. Many others fearing that courſe, think yet by caſting their Wheat and Tackling into the Sea, they ſhall ſomewhat lighten their Ship, and be the better able to weather it out, and ſo dropping Anchors at the wrong end, wiſh for day. Few, very few prefering the Intereſt of the great Owner and Fraughter beyond their own Lives, determine to ſtem the ſtorm, and preſs toward the Port unto which they are bound, in the face of all difficulties; and of theſe few, Alas, How rare is it, that two keep in company with intents to ſtrengthen and help each other as they can! I need not make the Application particularly to ſpiritual things, the day we live in gives ſad evidence of the Truth of all theſe Inſtances; and now the caſe being thus, how deſireable ſhould it be to ſuch, who in diſpoſition, deſire, and endeavour, are preſſing forward to meet with good Neighbours, who may keep company, and yield (if need be) advice, ſupply, or aſſiſtance, till we all come to drop Anchor within the Vale, whither the Forerunner is for us entered. If in this providential coming-up with one another, it might be of any encouragement or advantage to you, I could at large acquaint you, That by the Grace of God, I am what I am; who have great occaſion to exalt wonderful loving kindneſs, that hath helped hitherto ſo, as after five year impriſonment, in more than five Priſons; and in this laſt year above nine months ſickneſs, with divers tryals of Faith and Patience, I have never yet ſeen the leaſt reaſon (& I praiſe Chriſt my Lord) never been under an hours temptation, to relinquiſh, p. 265or repent of my Teſtimony in Word or Deed to any one perſecuted Truth of Chriſt, for which I ſuffer; and though my preſent lot be in a place where the ſalt ſharp Air is manifeſtly ruinous to my health, expoſing me (more than ever I was in my life) to daily diſtempers, and under a Sentence of Primunire, and in a readineſs▪ on all occaſions, for threatned Tranſportation, beſides other threatning and ſtraitning circumſtances; yet under all, is Chriſt as precious to my ſoul as ever, and ſo is his Cauſe, Work, and Inſtitutions, and faithful Children, and every way as worthy of my All, as I profeſſed him to be in the greateſt fulneſs or plenty of all things; neither durſt I for my life balk the leaſt Truth of Jeſus, which is to be witneſſed unto, for the obtaining any health, liberty, or other accommodations whatever; nor can I expreſs the conſtant ſatisfaction, and ſometimes conſolation that my ſoul is made to enjoy in following God, eſpecially when in my greateſt ſickneſs, about this time twelve month, and at other ſeaſons, when I have been ready to ſtep into Eternity; Thoughts and Pen cannot ſet forth the Peace paſſing underſtanding, wherewith my ſoul was poſſeſſed, in reſpect of the preſent Truths of Jeſus Chriſt, and his heart love to me therein, which do to this day abide in their excellency, and obligation, engaging my ſoul to love and praiſe the Lord for his unſpeakable gifts of Grace to me herein, who have as fearful, cowardly, unbelieving, ſlothful, ſelf-ſaving, a poor heart, as I think any poor Chriſtian alive is peſtred withal. In the mention therefore of this, or any part of it, I would not be underſtood to intend the propoſing my ſelf to any high Thoughts that ſhould be had of me, as if I were better than others, or had p. 266attained to any praiſe-worthy, or exemplary degree of ſtedfaſtneſt herein; for I have much more to ſay in way of ſelf-judging, humbling, and loathing before the Lord; but my deſign in this liberty of ſpeech, is to engage you to a like freedom, and to give you in part a Character how you may repreſent me to your ſelf in your addreſſes before the Lord; but principally, that hereupon I may take occaſion as from experience, the more confidently and earneſtly to beg you, That you would be much in the ſearching and trying your heart and wayes, examining to the bottom (if that work have layen neglected, as in too many it doth) how it ſtands between the Lord and you in point of union, and relation toward each other. The diſpenſations that are over us, are come to lay the Ax to the root of every Tree; if the root be found to be rottenneſs, the bloſſoms (of an external Profeſſion) will go up like the duſt. Nothing ſhort of true Intereſt in Jeſus Chriſt, laid in real Regeneration, and the renewing of the holy Spirit, will hold out to the end of this tryal to any purpoſe; forms of Godlineſs will expoſe to man's wrath, and where there wants the Power of it, it will expoſe to Gods wrath, whoſe fire is in Sion, and his furnace in Jeruſalem. Nor will it ſuffice that Intereſt in it ſelf, in Chriſt, be ſafe, barely conſidered, unleſs alſo Influences from him be obtained, and Communion with him be improved, unto a daily reſignation to him, and walking in the beauties of Holineſs before him. Any ſinful ſhortneſs, neglect, abatements, loſſes, of this kind are very perilous in ſuch a time as this, it's one to a thouſand, that is under decayes of this kind, and proceeds in a path of it without early ſenſe and repentance; but that word is verified, p. 267Men gather them, they eaſily ſink down into an earthly, carnal, ſowre, diſcontented, fearful, heartleſs poſture of ſpirit, and then are unable to make reſiſtance to any temptation, whether to ſin, or ſinking. They therefore have of all others the advantage, who by the conſtraints of Faith, and Love, abide cloſe, ſerious, ſpiritual, faithful, conſcientious with, and towards the Lord, not ſlothful in buſineſs, fervent in Spirit, ſerving the Lord, rejoycing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing inſtant in Prayer. That you may be found in this attire, waiting for the coming of our King, is the ſincere deſire for you of him, who would be glad to hear from you, and to ſerve your ſoul in any thing within the compaſs of,

Yours, in true reſpects, A. C.

p. 268To a Friend, adviſing to look well to his ſteps, in ſome quick turns of Providence. An Hiding-place in the Cleft of the Rock, till the Indignation be over-paſt.—Deſired for you.

Honoured and Beloved!

WHat a bleſſing, beyond compare, is it to be as thoſe living things, mentioned, Rev. 4.8. Full of Eyes within, and before, and behind, (v. 6.) Indeed ſo ſhort are the turns that the Lord takes, ſo myſterious are his works, his way in the clouds, and paths in the de…p waters, that we muſt needs ſay as he, Job 26.14. Lo theſe are part of his wayes, but how little a Portion is heard of him? the Thunder of his Power who can underſtand? When I either look back and ſee what hath the Lord wrought! Or forward, and think what great things ſeem to hover over us in Promiſes. The former things are come to paſs, and new things he doth declare; truly, I have many tremblings in my ſelf, Alas! Who ſhall live when God doth this? On what a ſingle foot have I need ſtand, both in point of Hope and Holineſs, that I may preſerve a ſtation undefiled, and not be aſhamed before him, at his coming. I was never more fearing my p. 269ſelf, and others, than in this half-work, that ſeems to be in a capacity of being done before us: the bottom is ſuch, as neither Saints nor Sinners methinks durſt adventure much upon; yet many go on in the ſimplicity of their hearts, to try if perhaps they may do the leaſt ſervice to help the deſired work forward to its juſt iſſues. I am apt to think you ſee enough of Lamentation in the diviſions of Reuben, that make ſuch ſearchings of heart; the ſame Cloud (as I was ſaying laſt) extends hither, and the Effects are the ſame I ſuppoſe here and there. They that have gone hand in hand in their mourning hitherto, ſeem neceſſitated to part, and yet neither ſing nor weep mutually at parting, but a ſpirit ſeems to ſunder them that is not likely to carry them far without miſcarriage. But it's no wonder to ſee a ſinful Nation, a People laden with iniquity, fuller of paſſions than of compaſſions, divided and loſe one another in a ſeaſon, when it ſeems neither day nor night; and about a work, that is ſo fitted to ſet out th… manifold wiſdom of God, as if the Maker of Heaven and Earth had reſerved his work, his ſtrange work; his act, his ſtrange act, till laſt; and left this inſcription on every footſtep he takes, Yet he will ſhew him greater works than theſe, that ye may marvel, Joh. 5.20. They of all, have the crowning mercy, who are thought worthy to have that Righteous man's portion, to be called to the foot of God, Iſa. 41.2. Deut. 33.3. A very holy Evangelical large Spirit, is only fitted to comply with what our God is doing. Bleſſed are all they that wait on him. —

Theſe Parts afford no Intelligence, only Evil-men and Seducers wax worſe and worſe; mens hearts are failing for fear, and for looking for the things that are coming on upon the Earth, while the Powers of Heaven, p. 270and the Pillars of the Earth are ſhaking. I find few ſeriouſly enquiring in any other than a ſuperficial Spirit. What muſt the Righteous do? Our very Character ſeems to be, a People void of counſel. I am,

Yours, in ſpiritual affection knit to you, waiting to obtain relation to you in all the will of our King. A. C.

To a Friend, with Arguments for Patient waiting. The Lord be your ſhade upon your Right-Hand.

My Dear!

I Have ſometimes had Inſtruction, and conceived engagement from that word, 2 Kings 3.16, 17 to dig pits till the rain fill the pools; Ye ſhall not ſe… wind, neither ſhall ye ſee rain, yet the valley ſhall b… filled with water, that ye may drink, &c. The latte… dayes work hath Promiſes prepared, and proportioned to a deſign of magnifying the Naked Arm o… God, in the ſpoyling the Glory, ſealing up the hand and hiding pride of every man. And this advantag… have we beyond our Predeceſſors, that the Lord hath made eminent, evident advances upon this Work i… p. 271our view and remembrance; having given us, as in a little Map, a lively deſcription and teſtimony of what he both can and will do for his Names ſake, and he having been at work in a way of Wonders, nay, proceeding to do very terrible things; ſtill he expecteth we ſhould be following him, in a Faith and expectation of great things, Joel 2.21. That was a very good advice, Job 5.8, &c. I would ſeek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cauſe; which doth great things, and unſearchable, marvellous things without number, who giveth rain upon the Earth, and ſendeth waters upon the Fields, to ſet up on high thoſe that be low, that thoſe which mourn may …e exalted to ſafety. — (verſ. 16.) So that the poor hath Hope, and Iniquity ſtoppeth her mouth. This is a day wherein the Lord's great Conteſts, ſeem to be drawing towards a determination and period, all Intereſts and Preparations ſeem haſtning their march …oward the Valley of Deciſion. Thither bring down …hy Mighty ones, O God! Ah! how ſhould we be wakening up our ſelves, and others, to look about us, that we be not found naked, unclothed, unwarn…d, unarmed, and the day over-take us, as it may …nd will do others, at unawares! How may we ſee …n every quarter, Idolatrous and Prophane perſons, …trengthning and ſtretching one another to the utmoſt …xtent of Abomimation; and ſhould not this yield …n enforcing Argument to quicken us up for Chriſt, …o look and lay about us, to engage as many as is …oſſible to be on the Lord's ſide, lively, valiant, vi…ilant, with the Arm and Armour of God on the …ight hand and on the left; as thoſe who are in an …xpectation of following the Lamb on the Mount …ion, under thoſe Virgin qualifications, as beſpeaks p. 272them Called, Choſen, and Faithful: And that to this end, we admit not impreſſions to be made on our Spirits to the abatements either of our Light or Life in following on to know the Lord, from either our fear at the ſwellings of Jordan without, or offence, vexation; or inordinate grief and diſpondency at the diſcords and inconſiſtencies of the Saints within: I muſt confeſs this Priſon hath produced a freſh tryal of Spirit to me, of late, beyond what hitherto I have ordinarily obſerved, and experienced it, to ſee the abounding encreaſing filthineſs of this prophane Family, the Governors and Governed in it, being ſet upon the impudence of Abomination, not only ſlighting and hating Reproof, but daring us and Heaven with their Oaths, Curſes, Singing, Roaring, Rageing, &c. inſomuch as were not the goodneſs of God, and of his Cauſe, a relieving ſupport, the place would become a Priſon indeed; but this I take to be bu… as a little Scheme of a great World of Wickedneſs▪ How great is that Grace, that gives ground to ſay▪ We know we are of God, while the poor World lie… thus in wickedneſs! Ah poor England! Oh tha… my head were waters! —

Yours, &c.

p. 273To a Friend, encouraging to ſtedfaſtneſs. Light ariſing out of obſcurity and darkneſs.

My honoured Friend!

THe principal intendment of this, is to let you know, that through Grace I am preſerved alive, in the midſt of many cooling and killing diſpenſations of Providence, yet hath not the length nor ſtrength of the preſſures been hitherto admitted to draw my Soul into any diſlike of the hand that layes them on, or of the Cauſe for which (at mens hand) I endure this hard uſage; but the more I am led either to behold the true principles of this Cauſe, or the gracious engagements and endearments of the heart of Chriſt in and to it, and to thoſe who in a ſpirit of Faith and faithfulneſs adhere to it, and are the Confeſſors of it, or to call over the gracious experiences that my ſelf and fellow-ſufferers in other places have had and teſtified, the dearer hath it, and every part and point of it been, made unto me, and the more confidently am I ſatisfied, that the Lord will appear to the ſhame of thoſe, Prophane, or Profeſſors, who are either the open enemies, or ſecret betrayers of it, and weakners of the Friends and Favourites thereof: And truly, I wiſh your ſoul may ſtand at due diſtance from any defilements and mixtures of this kind, which are apt to ſteal in inſenſibly upon ſpirits, influenced either with the Fear or Love of p. 274Creatures, in this ſtaggering and back-ſliding hour of temptation, wherein men's politick and prudential contrivances to preſerve themſelves from danger, hath abundantly weakned and waſted the Courage, if not the Conſcience of Teſtifying Duty. It's of no ſmall advantage (I find by bleſſed experience) to be giving daily diligence, in obſervation, how nearly and firmly the great Concerns of the Lord's Glory in his Works and Wayes, are related to the Lord Jeſus, in his raiſed and exalted capacity, and how directly the weight of them all, reſts upon his ſhoulders who is mighty to bear; and with what infinite wiſdom, and according to what an exact platform of eternal counſel, all theſe ſeeming Meanders and Laborynths of exteriour tranſactions, are managed, according to the integrity of his heart, and the skilfulneſs of his hand, who is wonderful in counſel, and excellent in working. In the Faith and Hope of this, the Soul of a Beleever hath gracious invitations and engagement to return to its reſt, knowing that in quietneſs and confidence is its ſtrength, and are as the ſecrets of a Preſence-Chamber for it, till theſe calamities be over-paſt; and though it look on, but cannot interpret ſigns in Heaven, and on the Earth perplexity, diſtreſs of Nations, the Sea and Waves roaring, through approaching woe to the Inhabiters of the Earth and of the Sea; yet it can acquieſce in the infallible knowledge of that Interpreter, one among a thouſand, who is concerned in all theſe things engaged by Covenant, and reſolved in abſolute Will, to bring about, in the beſt time and way, the Ends of his Glory, and its bleſſedneſs, in a moſt ſweet harmony and conjunction.

p. 275This ſaying to the righteous, It ſhall go well with them; and commanding their fluctuating tempeſtuous ſouls into a calm, is yet very far from inducing them to that carnal ſecurity and idleneſs, wherein tyred Profeſſors are apt to wrap and bleſs themſelves, concluding, we muſt leave publick things to Providence, and retire into a cloſſet-converſe with our ſelves and the Lord, things good in themſelves, but uſually abuſed into the generating of a private, ſelviſh, narrow frame of Spirit, unfit to ſerve God in our generation, by Converting Sinners, Edifying Saints, or ſaving themſelves from an untoward and adulterous generation, by a faithful teſtimony. That the contrary hereunto may be your bleſſed lot, namely, largneſs of Heart like the Sand on the Sea-ſhore, accompanied with cleanneſs of hand, and a Spirit clenſed by the Blood, and ſet free by the Spirit of the Goſpel, is the earneſt deſire for you, of him, who is

Yours, aſſuredly.

Theſe Parts yield little, only freſh gazing on a new Blazing-Star in the Eaſt; and divers talks of the beautiful Star in the Weſt; few think of the Star of Jacob, that bright Morning-Star: they who overcome ſhall have him as a certain fore-runner and prognoſtick of a Morning without Clouds; they must be up early, who look to be viſited with the comfortable beams of it. Even ſo, Amen.

1ſt. of the 2d. month, 65.

p. 276Another to the like effect. Supplies of every good thing from the Shepherd and Stone of Iſrael.

Dear Heart!

IT is in my deſire for you, that you may obtain the favour of a marked Mourner, ſecuring you from approaching Plagues, and reſerving you for expected Salvation among the Palm-bearing throng, who only are competent to learn the new ſong, as one of the One hundred forty four thouſand, that are redeemed from the Earth. And though you are fed with the Bread of Affliction, and Waters of Adverſity (and that alſo by meaſure and ſtealth) yet you may not want the ſatisfactory ſight and hearing of a Teacher, that may guide you into all Truth, as it is in Jeſus, keeping you upright in this ſtaggering day, when ſo many reel to the right hand, and to the left. I confeſs, ſometimes I have hopeful expectations of ſeeing ſome ſuch effect as this o… all theſe ſlidings, ſome of them of underſtanding ſ…all fall to try them, and to purge and make them white, even to the time of the end; but yet, It is a fearful thing thus to fall into the hands of the Living God. My lye that promotes his Glory, makes me no whit leſs a ſinner; or my doing evil, that good may come thereby. I think I was hinting to you laſt time, the Caution the Lord hath miniſtred to me, by Prov. 25.26. A righteous man p. 277falling down before the wicked, is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt ſpring, detrimental and infectious to all that have any thing to do with him. The accompt that you give of the Wall of the Daughter of Sion, much-like his, Neh. 2.13. which was once ſuch an inviting proſpect, Pſal. 48.12, 13. would engage to that Out-cry, Lam. 2.18, 19. but that there is hope in her end, That her Children ſhall return, though now they are not; her dead men ſhall live together, this dead body ſhall ariſe. A review therefore of her from the munition of Rocks, ſutable to that Landſchip, Iſa. 33.20, &c. is becoming the Children of the King; but eſpecially hath it been of uſe to me, to feed upon that diſcovery, made of the temper of his heart, who is principally intereſted and concerned in all theſe mutations, He ſhall not fail, nor be diſcouraged, till he have ſet Judgment in the Earth, Iſa. 42.4. The youths ſhall faint and grow weary, and young-men utterly fail; they who ſtand upon their youthful vigour and greenneſs, may and ſhall give way; but he who hath ſuch engagements with him, and for him, as verſ. 5, 6. he waits without wearineſs, and expects without impatience, till his enemies be made his footſtool. A fellowſhip through faith in in his Spirit, will furniſh to a ſimilitude in his patience, to a being armed with the ſame mind that was in him.

Reſts, Yours, dearly.

p. 278To a Friend upon the death of a Zealous, Faithful, and therefore Perſecuted Servant of the Lord. Where is the Lord God of Elijah?

My true Friend!

IT comes to my lot, to take you now by the hand, though you may juſtly and earneſtly challenge and expect it from a righter and more inſtructed heart and hand, who being under deep preſſures, and conſidering there is a time to be ſilent (eſpecially when put to ſhame) as well as a time to ſpeak, is not eaſily drawn forth to any thing of this nature, till he can recover a little ſtrength, waited for, to comfort others with the ſame comforts wherewith himſelf hath been (when he hath been) comforted himſelf of the Lord; dreading eſpecially under ſuch a diſpenſation to utter any thing raſhly; knows that to ſpeak his troubles, will add little to the allaying of yours; and that, as Vinegar upon Nitre, will be the ſinging ſongs to an heavy heart, his own or others; wiſheth therefore his preſent ſilence may have no worſe interpretation, than the ſeven dayes ſilence of Job's Friends, who anſwered him not a word when they ſaw his anguiſh was exceeding great, and their own was not very ſmall. The Intereſt of words (meerly p. 279ſuch) can be of little ſignification, while the things themſelves ſpoken of, are manifeſtly abſent. Perhaps we have ſpoken enough, if not too much for our part, now God is come to ſpeak his part, which requires much quiet attention, the rather for that though it be very loud, yet very mysterious, and deep, as are many of the Oracles of God; thoſe eſpecially wherein he deſigns to manifeſt himſelf to his, and not to the World. I could for my own part alſo lay hold on the like exemption, and ſilent retirement, as moſt befitting my preſent ſtate and frame, altogether entangled and perplexed, and preſuming that you have at hand to help not only the preſence of the great promiſed Comforter, who can ſupply all your wants, but alſo the ſecondary ſupplement of many worthy Ones, who have received the Anointing, and thereby the Tongue of the Learned, to speak words in ſeaſon: From you we have hitherto received the accounts given of the gradual ſt…ps of him, who worketh all things according to the counſel of his own Will; in the ſeveral gradations wherein we have not been wanting, as enabled, to pour out our hearts before him who was able to help, and are now enquiring why he hath appeared as being angry with the Prayers of his People, covering himſelf with a Cloud that they could not get through. If any diſtinct anſwer be given, you may expect to hear of it. In mean time that, Iſa. 57.1. is before us, as verified, not only in the looſe generation of Profeſſors, who ſeem greatly hardened and eſtranged from the Intereſt of their chiefest mercies; but to true, even among thoſe who ſeem to be moſt tenderly touched with affectionate ſenſe of preſent privations, and preſſures of all kinds; right laying to heart, and due conſiderations of ſuch ſtupendous works of God, both in their preſent weight p. 278duplicate page p. 279duplicate page p. 280and future warning, is very rare, and require extraordinary teaching and conduct, that neither on one hand we deſpiſe, or on the other faint, when thus chaſtiſed by him. Your cry for help hence, must be returned with the ſame importunity, ye alſo helping by Prayer to God for us, who though at ſome perſonal diſtance, are yet in ſome ſort of Sympathy preſſed (if not above meaſure, and beyond ſtrength) yet to the utmoſt degrees of what is hitherto received; yet wiſdom and ſtrength are with him with whom we have to do, who hath graciouſly put himſelf under promiſe, that as the day is, the ſtrength ſhall be. The Lord prepare us for learning, harping, ſinging the new ſong, which is the peculiar melody of them redeemed from the Earth, which admits of no interruption from Thundrings, Earthquakes, Tempeſts, Voices; though they proceed out of the Throne, and are ſubſervient to the Ends of it.

Yours, heartily▪ 4^th of the 4^th mon. 67.

p. 281Another on the ſame occaſion. Garments of Gladneſs, for the Spirit of Heavineſs.

My dear Siſter!

WHile there is a Spirit in Heaven, influencing ſpiritual Believers upon Earth in their frail capacities, that Word will have its verity among them, though abſent from one another in the body (how great ſoever their diſtance, and how dark ſoever their circumſtances may be) yet are they preſent in the Spirit, joyning not only in rejoycing, while order and ſtedfaſtneſs in the Faith are manifeſt, but alſo in affliction and mourning where knowledge is imparted (or though but ſuppoſed) of the hand of the Lord touching and bruiſing, eſpecially in the moſt tender part, and on ſpiritual occaſions, ſuch hath been the fellowſhip of the Spirit (through Grace I truſt) in my ſoul with you under the very heavy rebuke of the Almighty, wherewith you have been exerciſed, eſpecially of late dayes, on divers accounts, both perſonal, domeſtick, in the Church of Chriſt, where you walk in the whole Sion of God; and as in the Nation it ſelf, having a right and relation to its welfare, or deſolations, as I alſo am fully ſatisfied you have had with me, in divers proofs that have been put upon my Faith and Patience as far as they have p. 282come to your cognizance; and I hope the ſame Grace will not only teach us to be tender, but mutually helpful each to other toward the underſtanding and complyance more fully with our Father's mind in theſe ſtupendous diſpenſations, ſo as his ends upon us may be actually furthered in the promotion of the power and beauties of Holineſs. Unto which iſſues, though godly ſorrow working Repentance never to be repented of, hath a very direct tendency, and humbling our ſelves greatly under the mighty hand of God, is the ſtraiteſt ſtep towards the beſt exaltation in due time: Yet when I read the preſent temper (and its tendency) of my own heart, and alſo obſerve in yours, and others late lines upon this heartbreaking occaſion, to what exceſs of ſadneſs, fear, diſcouragement, and even diſpondency, we are apt to yield the Tempter advantage to triumph over us, and hardly recover our ſelves to a jealous thought, that there is any conſiderable danger in the exceſs on that hand, but that it is a kind of vertue to refuſe to be comforted; I ſay, in ſuch obſervations my heart hath bin ſmitten with reproof, and ſomewhat awakned to ſtand upon its watch againſt incurſions on that quarter, leſt Satan ſhould get an advantage on us, who ſhould not be ignorant of his enterprizes. It's true, we have loſt a Prince and great man in Iſrael this day, But who was his Father? 1 Sam. 10.12. was it not the Father of Spirits, with whom the reſidue of the Spirit is, and who can at his pleaſure ſet a man over the Congregation; Know we not where is the Lord God of Elijah, is he not in Heaven, and can do whatever he pleaſeth? Is not his Spirit in Promiſe? Are not all the Promiſes of Chriſt Yea and Amen? Doth not the time of the Promiſe draw nigh of that grand p. 283effuſion of the Spirit of Elijah, that ſhall raiſe the Witneſſes, revive the Works, lift up the Standard, break the Yoke? have not ſome ſprinklings of the Spirit been found up and down in our dayes, and ſhould it not be owned as a token for good, and turned to us for a Teſtimony, that the Harveſt is not far off? Are not theſe diſcouraging complainings of ours, much of the ſame kind, and go upon the ſame miſtakes, and may righteouſly iſſue in the ſame diſmiſſions to us from further ſervice, as it was with Elijah in his fainting fit, after he had acted in ſo full a gale of the Spirit juſt before, that now he complains, They have killed the Prophets, &c. and I, even I am left alone, and my life is ſought alſo; What am I better than my Fathers? We know the Anſwer of God to him, which I truſt is true at this day, There is yet a remnant according to the Election of Grace, and Seed that ſhall ſerve him, and ſhall be accounted with him for a Generation. The Fathers, where are they? and do the Prophets, the Worthies live for ever? Why cry we out of loſs? God hath not lost them, God took them, they all live to God, they are ever with the Lord. We have not loſt them, unleſs they that ſleep in Chriſt are periſhed; we ſhall go to them ſhortly, though they ſhall not return to us; We ſhall ſit down with Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob; they have not loſt themſelves, they are found in Chriſt: to die is gain; to be with Chriſt is far better; Death is theirs, becauſe they are Chriſts. The work of God hath not loſt them, if we take it in its moſt capacious comprehenſive acceptation. God hath a Will to be done not in Earth, but alſo in Heaven; they are not diſmiſſed from the King's buſineſs, who are called from p. 284the Camp to the Court, advanced from being Souldiers, to be Privy Counſellors. God hath a great Family in Heaven, and Earth, and many Veſſels; ſome above in honour, ſome below in diſhonour. If God have fully purged any, who can grudge them to be tranſlated as Veſſels unto honour, ſanctified and meet for the Maſter's immediate uſe, &c. Beſides, look on the Work as it is below, it muſt be granted, That if it muſt alwayes proceed according to one meaſure or manner, by a line that we have made ready to our Lord's hand; then will the Work be deficient, and ſuffer loſs, when thoſe that we lay ſtreſs upon are taken away, and others cannot be found preſently to clap into their places; but if the Work be the Lord's, and receiveth various appearances and repreſentations, according to the counſel of his own Will, and yet in all go ſtrait forward; then humbling acts paſſing on it, changing its beautiful appearance, laying it ſometimes low, in a low place, making the fatneſs of its fleſh lean and thin, are not to be accounted loſs, or at a dead ſtand, by ſuch poor worms as we, that can judge of ſuch things only by appearance.

The wheel of divine Actings went alwayes ſtreight forward, Ezek. 1.9, 12. and returned not when they went; whither the Spirit was to go they went; and yet that work that goes alwayes ſtreigh… forward, hath not alwayes liftings up above the Earth, nay, many times ſtandeth ſtill, verſ. 21. Yet God is not ſlack concerning his Promiſes, nor Retrograde concerning his Work. Gideon may have too many, but God had never too few to do his work by; there is no reſtraint to the Lord to ſave by many, or by no might. Well, when Moſes my Servant is dead, p. 285Joſh. 1.2. and that at the ſtraits of proud ſwelling Jordan, what ſhall poor Joſhua (a Servant, a ſlighted inferiour) do? Why, he muſt be ſtrong and of a good courage, verſ. 6. Only be ſtrong, and very couragious, verſ. 7. have not I commanded thee to be ſtrong and of a good courage, be not afraid nor diſmay'd, verſ. 18. So Deut. 31.6, 7, 8. ſuch ſweeping diſpenſations that fall upon the choiceſt men of Iſrael, are apt to invade the courage of the Remnant that is left, againſt which as Grace makes ſpecial proviſion to lay in matters for ſupport, it concerns us faithfully to draw it out: Be of good courage, and God ſhall ſtrengthen your hearts, all ye that truſt in the Lord.

Reſts, Yours, affectionately, for Chriſts ſake.

p. 286To a Friend, upon the Releaſe of ſome, who had been divers years Impriſoned.

Dear Friend!

I Am glad if thoſe Friends come ſafe on ſhore; if there be nothing of a Witneſs to be look'd at in ſuch a lot, it's good to get to Land with all ſpeed: but if there be any thing of our being ſet, for the defence (or Apology) of the Goſpel, Phil. 1.17. though but in the ſmalleſt point of it, it may be very hazardous ſhifting places, Acts 27.31. 1 Sam. 22.23. 1 Cor. 9.15, 16. If God look for a man in the gap, though but to defend a piece of Barley, 1 Chron. 11.13, 14. or though but of Lentiles, 2 Sam. 23.11, 12. If it be any part of the Heritage of Iſrael; it will not be eaſie anſwering that queſtion, when found in a way of eſcaping, What doſt thou here Eliah? It needs great care and caution to come out of Egypt well leavened, when the moſt are making haſte, that they may not die in the pit. When will that Roman greatneſs be out-ſhone by Chriſtian Nobility of Spirit? Acts 16.37.

Yours. 30^th of the 9^th mon. 67.

p. 287Upon occaſion of a Token of ſmall value in Proviſions, ſent to him, and his fellow Priſoners. Unto our Brethren and Friends in the bonds and bowels of the Goſpel, whoſe hearts have made them willing, under the bounteous Influences of the God of Iſrael, to comfort the hearts of the unworthy Priſoners of the Lord in Plymouth Iſland, by a Côſtly Preſent, and to every one that hath contributed or helped therein, to a tender groan, or the value of a cup of cold water, be a large recompence of Reward given in Grace, and aſcertained in Glory, by him who is not unfaithful to forget ſuch labour of Love ſhewed to his Name.

Beloved and eſteemed, as is meet in the Lord!

ALthough we are hitherto detained from the perſonal and particular knowledge of you by Name, wh… counſels and care have been concerned in this p. 288liberal expreſſion of your Sympathy, with a few poor undeſerving creatures; in which matter we could be glad to receive diſtinct information, as far as ſuch a deſire might be thought modeſt in us to ask, and be expedient for you to grant, to the end that our Supplications for you, and Applications to you, might be more direct and particular. Yet ere that come to hand, and lest Matth. 6.3. may have influenced, (though we think the reaſon of it binds not in this caſe) We thought it lay on us, not to forbear the preſent acknowledgment, ſuch as it is, (at leaſt as a fore-runner to what we ſhould be willing to offer more particularly) that hereby you might be informed, that through the Lords Providence, the whole of it came ſafe to hand, and by his Grace, we hope the heavenly voice in it hath (and through your Prayers) will yet have a more effectual acceſs to our hearts, to lay us under thoſe obligations, to a faithful, chearful, unwearied truſting in him, and waiting on him at all times, which we are ſatisfactorily perſwaded was the deſign of your deviſing thoſe liberal things for us. Under which engagements we reckon our ſelves bound at leaſt to give you ſome account of our ſelves in the preſent reſpect, That if it may be our rejoycing each in other, may be rendred more reciprocal, we comforted together with you by the mutual Faith and Love both of you and us. And firſt of all, we wiſh you knew that under the varieties and viciſitudes of exerciſes wherewith our Heavenly Father hath ſeen good to prove and try us for ſome years together, leading us in ſome paths, and under ſome diſappointments in our Creature-concerns and accommodations, that we thought not of, and had not trod with our feet in dayes paſt; Yet hitherto hath his bountiful Proviſion and tender Care over us exalted p. 289it ſelf in a diſtinguiſhing manner, and many times to our admiration, ſo as hitherto our Bread hath not failed, but hath been given to us in due ſeaſon, and our Waters have been ſure; ſo that knowing how little we are yet fitted to bear, as a Father pittieth his Children in their low eſtate, he hath not proved us with hunger or with ſtraights, nor called us up to approve our ſelves his Witneſſes in neceſſities, in diſtreſſes, &c. but our lot hath rather been to partake of the fat, and ſweet, and ſoft, inſomuch as if he put that Queſtion to us, to be reſolved according to that expreſs literal ſenſe of it; When I ſent you forth on the Services and Sufferings that attend your Teſtimony, and you knew not whither you went; Lacked you anything? We must anſwer, Nothing, Lord, but in that reſpect have in hand, or we truſt in ſome degree of ſweet ſatisfaction, we have all, and abound, and are full, by the favour of him who giveth us all things richly to enjoy, and is (we would humbly hope) teaching us in whatſoever ſtate we are, therewith to be content. So that at many of the ſtrange preventions of loving-kindneſs▪ even in things of this ſort, we are often made with admiration to cry out, What is this to us, Lord! Is this after the manner of men, O God! Is this a Priſon! If we ſhould have ſought a Priſon in a Priſon theſe ſix or ſeven years, Have we yet found it! Whatever others in the ſame fellowſhip of bonds with us have found, we must ſay, for our parts, That as we have eſcaped the Sword, and we hope the Polutions of the Adverſary, ſo we have found great Grace in the Wilderneſs for his People, his Choſen.— The which we mention, not only that we may praiſe the Lord together, while ye obſerve that we receive not, nor accept not ſo thankfully your Preſent in reſpect of need, through that unſpeakable p. 290gift and care of his who hath hitherto continued the Bread of the day in its day; but that herewithal we might take hold of an apt occaſion to take you by the hand, and lead you with a little the more encouragement up and down in thoſe wayes of the Lord, wherein we muſt ſing, Great hath been the goodneſs of our God, even in the experiences that we have paſſed practically through, in the Doctrine and Profeſſion whereof we had been trained up, in our years of plenty and proſperity; ſo that we muſt ſay, The Land that we have been ſent to ſpy out, even in the ſtraiteſt paſſages of it, as far as our Father aſſigned us to follow him in, is a very good Land; and if we rebel not againſt the Lord, but abide with him, thoſe very circumſtances that at a diſtance ſeem like ſons of Anak, and walls reaching up to Heaven, apt to eat up the Inhabitants, are well able to be overcome, and will be found Bread for us, while we ſtand and feed in the ſtrength of the Lord, and in the majeſty of the Name of the Lord our God; ſo that theſe Serpents at a diſtance, from which we are apt to flee, are found to believing, but a rod (and that a rod of God too) when taken in the hand. And could we come forth to you in Truth and Evidence, as wiſe and right improvers of the ſenſible experiments we have actually found, taſted, ſeen, and handled hitherto of this ſort; and that the ſavour of theſe excellent things had not been diminiſhed in theſe ſouls of ours, through too much an in obſervent, careleſs, earthly diſpoſition▪ bringing us down from our advantages of excellency; we might ſpeak more loudly to you than now we can▪ Oh! taſte and ſee that the Lord is good, bleſſed are they that put their truſt in him! The Lions (among whom we dwell) do want and ſuffer hunger; but they that fear the Lord, lack nothing that is good. In the midſt of p. 291their ſufficiency they are in ſtraits, while in the ſtraits (deſigned to wear out the people of the Saints of the moſt high) there is a proviſion made of ſufficiency; be ye therefore ſtrong, and very ſtrong, and very couragious, and God ſhall ſtrengthen your hearts.

And now for a thankful acknowledgement, though it may not be interpreted as any requital of your holy liberality, What ſhall we farther ſay? than that we do (as we are able) bring the matter in our requeſts and thanksgivings unto him, who is able to make all Grace abound toward you, All-ſufficiency in all things may abound to every good work, being enriched in every thing to all bountifulneſs, which cauſeth in us thanksgivings unto God. And this we beg on your behalf, not as if we deſired a gift, or that it ſhould be ſo again done to us, knowing that there are many watery faces everywhere requiring Bread to be caſt upon them, as under far greater neceſſity than our ſelves: But as h… ving perſwaſion (and ſome ſmall experience) what a great recompence it is in ſuch caſe to have the mouth and hand opened, from the hearts being enlarged with thoſe expatiating Graces and Vertues of the Spirit of the New Teſtament, that conſtitute a true largeneſs of heart like the Sand on the Sea-ſhore, and to encreaſe that greatneſs, that is proportionate to the large diſcoveries of believing, doing, ſuffering-Grace, and Preparations for expected Glory. In order to it, we deſire for you all, and intreat you to preſs and purſue after, (1) Greater advances toward newneſs of heart; the old heart will be as old bottles, and an old garment, that will not comport with the new Wine which is yet in the Cluſter, and a bleſſing in it, though men attempt to deſtroy it. And this is not only a newneſs of ſtate, but a newneſs alſo of frame, by means whereof the inner-man p. 292may paſs under experimental renewings day by day, even the renewings in the Spirit of your minds, by which the Truths, Wayes, and Works of the Lord, the King, may have an intimate acceſs and abundant enterance into your own ſouls, and you into them, in their vertue, dominion, and power. (2) Greater approaches in a way of heavenlineſs and nearneſs to the Lord, at diſtance from the ſpirit of this evil World; where the World is ſet in the heart, the God of this World will be quickly filling it, narrowing and encloſing it for earthly ſervice; and this not only in men of Earth, who have their portion in this life, but alſo in thoſe that are by the Blood of Chriſt delivered from the groſs pollutions of this pr… ſent evil World, through luſt; but yet much concerned in the buſineſs, cares, and intricating-affairs of its many things, which though lawful in themſelves to be diligently proſecuted, yet as lying under the influence and advantages of the Prince of it, having a notable tendency to bring ſouls down from their excellency, and to eat out inſenſibly the livelineſs and ſweetneſs of our ſpirits, longer and further than the Victory that overcomes it, in the vertue of the Croſs of Chriſt, by which we are crucified to it, and it to us, be kept up on freſh exerciſe. (3) Right waitings for, and waitings on the Spirit of Promiſe, who is of power to quicken dry bones, raiſe dead Witneſſes, and do great things in and for us, which ſhall not be reſiſted, nor need not be aſſiſted with might and power; though for a time the work about it may be made to ceaſe with force▪ and power. We ſhall ſay no more at preſent, but with the repreſentation of our oblieged reſpects to every one of you, as if known by Name, leaving you in the bleſſed arms of our Beloved, we remain

22^th of the 9^th mon. 67. Your Brethren, waiting for the Conſolation of Iſrael.