The Life and Death of Thomas Tregosse, Section 3
SECT. III. The Account of Mr. Tregoſſe's Service and Sufferings, with the Providences of God that appeared for him.
ON April 30. 1665. it being the Lords day, Mr. Tregoſse, whilſt in Prayer, was much diſtracted about his intended Preaching in publick; whereunto he ſeemed to be drawn by a very ſtrange, though manifeſt courſe of Providence, which he ſtrongly reſiſted, till he was forced to yield. He had been that week wondring what the Lord would do with him; He could not ſtudy as formerly, but was induced to read a practical diſcourſe of Self-denyal: The Lord furniſhed his contemplations with many paſſages about ſuffering; And the Creatures duty to be, and live in the will of his Creator, and at his diſpoſement. In the end of his reading, caſting his eye on his Bible, the firſt thing he met with, was that, Matt. 9.36. When he ſaw the multitude, he had compaſſion on them, becauſe they fainted, and were ſcatter-abroad, as ſheep having no ſhepherd. At the view of which Text, he inwardly trembled; and the Lord ſeemed immediately to intimate, that he ſhould put on like bowels. But hereupon he queſtioned within himſelf, where he ſhould finde ſuch an opportunity of publick Preaching? Mabe. (a Daughter-church to Milar, which hath Preaching onelyonly every other Lords-day) was preſented to his thoughts. After many Diſputes, being loth to yield to the will of God, he concluded to ſend thither, to know whether any Miniſter would be there the Lords-day following: anſwer was returned, that there would be none. But doubting ſtill, whether he might look on this as a Call, he caſt his eye on his Bible, and fixed on that expreſſion. Luke 11.33. No man, when he hath lighted a Candle, putteth it in a ſecret place, or under a buſhel, but on a candleſtick, that they who come in may ſee the light. This anſwered all his objections, allayed all his carnal fears, and confirmed him in his reſolution of Preaching in publick the next Lords-day. When the Sabbath came, he went on, and found the People willing, and all things ſuiting with the opportunity: neither found he any diſturbance, but was much aſſiſted in all duties to the end.
The rumor of this days work was ſpread abroad, and came to the ears of Mr. Thomas Robinſon, a Juſtice of the Peace. The next Lords-day, May 7. being rainy in the morning, Mr. Tregoſse preached in his own houſe, on Luke 21.19. In your patience poſſeſs ye your Souls: without any expectation of diſturbance that day, by reaſon of the weather. But after the Sermon was ended, Mr. Robinſon came to the dore, and after entrance, took the names of thoſe who were preſent; requiring Mr. Tregoſse to give ſurety for the good behaviour, or to render himſelf to the Conſtable upon his order, the Monday ſevennight enſuing; Mr. Tregoſse refuſed to do the firſt, but promiſed the latter. After Mr. Robinſon's departure, they met again in the afternoon without any diſturbance. The next Lords-day he preached again at Mabe without interruption. But when the Exerciſes were finiſht, he was ſerved with a Warrant to appear before Mr. Robinſon at Helleſtone, on the Tueſday following. At his appearance he vindicated his preaching with much boldneſs: But after all, was ſent to Lanceſton-Goal, there to remain for three Months; to which he ſubmitted, not only patiently, but joyfully. In his way to the Goal, he embraced all occaſions for the comforting thoſe chriſtian friends he met with. And whilſt he continued in Priſon, his Spirit was very free and enlarged under many gracious influences and refreſhments. His time there was ſpent in reading the Word, Holy Meditations, Faſting, Prayer, Holy conference with, and preaching to thoſe who were his fellow Priſoners, and Viſitors. Few came to viſit him, but did, or might gain by converſation with him. The time of his Impriſonment being expired, July 29. he came out of Priſon; and after his return home, took the firſt convenient opportunity to keep a day of Thankſgiving, for the many experiences of Gods goodneſs towards him, and his, during his confinement.
He had not been at home above four days, before Mr. Robinſon gave out, that he would ſpeedily ſend him back again to the place from whence he came: in order whereto, on Friday or Saturday after, he providing … ride to Market, there (as it is reported) to procure another Juſtice to joyn with him in a Warrant for a ſecond Conviction of Mr. Tregoſse for a Conventieler, and to proſecute ſome others; whilſt he was at a Tenement of his, his own Bull (which was never known to hurt any before,) followed him in a Field, with much fury, and gave him deadly wounds, whereof he ſhortly dyed.
Aug. 20. being the Lords-day, Mr. Tregoſse w…t again and preached at Mabe Church, without any diſturbance; as alſo that day fortnight, ſpending the interval with much activity in his Maſters ſervice, elſewhere. He had many diſſuaſives from chriſtian friends againſt publick preaching; but all arguments urged, could not ſatisfy his Conſcience. He was again ſent to Lanceſton-goal for publick Preaching; whither, Sept. 18. he went with comfortable perſuaſions, that God would be with, and care for him and his Family; which was fully made good. This ſecond Impriſonment conduced much, through the Lords benediction, to the good of many Souls: For the report of his bonds being ſpread far, divers came to viſit him, to whom he imparted Spiritual gifts; and there were ſome Oneſimus's, whom he begat through the Goſpel, in his bonds. During this impriſonment, he took ſeveral opportunities of viſiting the Priſoners, labouring to convince them of their ſinful ſtate, &c. Alſo whilſt under this confinement, he enjoyed many Divine Suavities, and ſpiritual refreſhments in Duties; with many gracions returns of Prayer; and ſome prophetick intimations of future Providences; As, Octob. 2. he praying for opportunities of ſervice, &c. After the Duty was ended, he firmly believed he ſhould be releaſed of this reſtraint, and be no more impriſoned in that place; which proved true, notwithſtanding ſeveral attempts to the contrary. October 7. being much enlarged in praying for patience, and ſubmiſſion to the will of God; he grew very confident, that ſhortly God would farther try him. So Octob. 23. God ſeemed ſundry ways to intimate to him, that ſome great affliction was near, but that he ſhould be delivered from it; all of which proved true, as it will be ſhewn. Again, Octob. 27. being earneſt in Prayer for the Nation, he was ſtrongly induced to believe, that ſome great judgement was not far off. About which time, there was oft caſt into his thought that Scripture, Iſa 21.16. Thus ſaith the Lord unto me, within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar ſhall fall. He oft mentioned to ſome of his intimate friends, the ſtrong Impreſſion this Scripture made on his thoughts; much wondring what it ſhould mean; but a little before the year expired, the Conflagration of London happened, which fully interpreted his former Impreſſion.
Decem. 14. he was delivered out of Priſon; and upon his return home, he kept a day of Thankſgiving, and ſhortly after he did ſet apart every Tueſday as a Fa…ing or Thankſgiving day; which he kept either in private, or with his Family, or with others more pub…ickly. Jan. 8th. being the Lords day, he went to Mabe, where he preached both parts of the day without interruption: which was attended with this remarkable Providence, that whilſt he was there, the Conſtable, with an Officer from Pendennis Caſtle, came to his houſe, but miſſed of him.
Jan. 12. he began a journey towards the Eaſt of Cornwal, and from thence into Devon: The Lords day, and the Wedneſday after his houſe was ſearched. In this journey he went forth on the South of Cornwal, and returned on the North; exerciſing in all places where he came, and receiving great encouragements, as to the fruits of his labours. At his return Febr. 4th. going to preach at Mabe, the Conſtable ſerved him with a Warrant, to carry him under the Cuſtody of the Mareſchal, as a dangerous and ſeditious perſon: which indeed he was ſo far from being guilty of, that he never ſo much as medled in his preaching, or private Conferences, with the preſent Diſcipline or Liturgy of the Church; much leſs with matters of State: Nay, he perſwaded others to be obedient to the higher powers: and in his daily exerciſes he did put up many fervent petitions for the King. Being under the cuſtody of the Mareſchal at Bodmin, this impriſonment brought him to the acquaintance of ſeveral perſons, who reaped much benefit by his Miniſtry. The Mareſchal was civil to him; yet he met with more difficulties then in his former confinement; but the Lord honoured him with the converſion of ſeveral ſouls. He continued in this priſon till about the midſt of September 1667. Being at a certain time earneſt in Prayer for enlargement, a Scripture was preſented to his thoughts which made ſo deep impreſſion on him, as that he was filled with a great confidence, that if he were delivered, it would be by order from the Kings Majeſty. Not long after, whilſt he was under various afflictions, touching his Family, the Mareſchal received a ſpecial order from the Kings Majeſty for his enlargement.
Feb. 1668. coming to Penryn to preach his Monday-Lecture, he fell ſick of a Fever, which held him all that week. On the Lords day morning, the ſenſe of his own weakneſs did ſomewhat affect him; becauſe the people, who attended on his Miniſtry, had none to ſupply his place: Whereupon, he had that Scripture impreſſed on his thoughts, Eſa 40.31. They that wait on the Lord ſhall renew their ſtrength, &c. This wrought ſo much upon him, that he reſolved to ariſe: All about him were very preſſing to divert his reſolution, knowing how exceeding weak he was; but they could not prevail: He having got on his cloaths, caſt himſelf on the Lords work. As he went on, ſtrength was gradually given in, ſo that he preached thrice that day, chooſing that Text before cited. Iſai. 40.31. for his ſubject; and, to the great admiration of himſelf and his auditory, was well at night; neither did he feel any reliques of his diſtemper afterward.
In the beginning of the year 1669, the number of the Auditors was ſo much augmented, as that the rooms they uſually met in, would not contain them; which occaſioned the removal of the Meeting into a large Barn; until being ſummoned by the Proprietor of that Barn to quit his hired Houſe, he took up his habitation in the Town of Penryn. Before his remove, a Mittimus came from the Seffions, grounded upon as information of the Biſhop, to ſend him to the Goal at Lanceſton, for publick preaching: The Conſtables coming to ſerve the Warrant, one of them, more furious then his fellow, whilſt he reaſon'd with Mr. Tregoſſe, with the Mittimus in his hand, ſunk down in the place, for the preſent, as it were dead; but being, by the diligent endeavours of thoſe who were preſent, brought to himſelf again, he departed without executing the Warrant. That which makes this the more remarkable, is, that this Conſtable was a ſtrong man, and never fainted in all his life before. And though they c…me again ſome days after, to execute their Warrant, yet had they not power to carry him to Priſon; For which, as it was ſaid, the other Conſtable was fined the next Seſſions.
At Lammas Aſſize, 1669. Mr Tregoſſe having ſome affairs which called him to …anceſton, he was invited to viſit ſome part of the North-weſt of Devon; whence, for preaching at a private houſe in the Pariſon of great Torrington, he was ſent to Exeter Goal, with ſeveral others of that Town, and Bideford; who being all Bailed, had for that time no other trouble, then to traverſe a Bill for Riot preferred againſt them. In his return from Exon, he ſpent ſome few dayes at Crediton, where he contracted an intimate friendſhip with a perſon, who was providentially caſt there at the ſame time; to whom he unboſomed many of the choiceſt accidents of his life, and ſecrets of his heart: And albeit they never ſaw each other afterward, yet this friendſhip was preſerved inviolable, and improved by Paper-converſation, till death made a diſ-union, or rather a preſent ſuſpenſion. This trouble which befell Mr. Tregoſſe in Devon, was the occaſion of much good to many ſouls in thoſe parts: for it opened a door to many hundreds in Devon, who reſorted to him in his Travels: and ſo became partakers of his Miniſterial gifts; which were very effectual through the concurrence of Divine Grace. This made him lay out himſelf day and night to the utmoſt, allowing his body no more then extreme neceſſity required, that ſo he might follow all advantages for the advance of his Maſters ſervice. The Bill preferred againſt him at Exeter, neceſſitated him to attend the two following Aſſizes; where he was at laſt freed by Proclamation; but mean while, his return into thoſe parts was of no ſmall advantage for the propagation of the Goſpel. Some of thoſe perſons who diſcovered their malice againſt Mr. Tregoſſe, for preaching at Torrington, were ſhortly taken away by unnatural deaths, not without ſignal marks of Gods diſpleaſure againſt them, as it appears by his following Letter, Sept. 16. 1670.
Not long before his death, he was ſtrangely, he knew not how, taken up in converſing with the ſtate of departed Saints, martyred for the Teſtimony of Jeſus; as he himſelf acquaints you, in his following Letter to his friend, Octob. 7th 1670. Which indeed was a prophetick intimation of the nearneſs of his Diſſolution, and entrance on that life which he was immediately more fully to partake of. Which brings to my remembrance an old obſervation which I had from a great*Padre Paul. Hiſtor. Trent. Maſter of Wiſdom, That it is natural for men near their grave from ſome intrinſick cauſe, unknown to themſelves, to be diſtaſted with humane affairs, &c. What this wiſe man obſerved of men in general, I think is moſt true of many holy Chriſtians, who a little before their diſſolution are frequently called off, and ſeperated from humane affairs, to a fiducial converſe with coming Glories, and the Life of juſt men made perfect; which was the frame of Mr. Tregoſſe's Spirit, not long before his death; though he himſelf was not apprehenſive that his change was ſo near.