Innocency Though Under a Cloud Cleared, Author to the reader
To all that in Truth fear the Lord, and are faithful Followers of the Lamb; or any other that ſhall reade what I have in this time of my Impriſonment writ.
BEloved, it is below a Natural Noble Spirit, much more below Grace, to ſtumble or ſtartle at that which muſt be, and what is daily looked for; And leſt my weakneſs in that matter may uphold others in that way and work, I ſhall forbear to enumerate my unheard-of Sufferings and Cenſures, and how much my heart, though innocent, was brought down by it, leſt it may be an occaſion of ſome weak ones ſtumbling at the Truth. It is the duty of all and every one of Gods People, eſpecially in this day, to be a bearer of burdens, but not a layer on of burdens upon others, and in this to do it in uprightneſs without deceit. There is much deceit attends the Truth, that if Souls that walk in the profeſſion of the Truth, be not careful to watch, they may (as many do) imbrace that for Truth, that is but an imitation and likeneſs, and not the Truth it ſelf.
That ſouls may have a little help in this work, could not but lend my ſmall mite of Experience and write down in this day of my Reſtraint, what Experience I have had of the Deceits that attend God's dear Appointments, through mens miſtakes; and alſo the Deceits that attend Prayer, and Sorrow for Sin, or at leaſt ſo pretended; and the Deceit in Love; and that grand Deceit that attends Souls in Duty, calling the heat and warmneſs, and elivations they gain from thence, Experiences and Refreſhments from Preſence.
Theſe, and many more, hath my ſoul met with in my day; which for the help of others I have (as I ſaid before) aſſerted in this day of my Reſtraint: Though, my beloved Friends, if any ſuch reade this, I muſt tell you, that I am ſenſible, although this time of my Impriſonment be a ſeaſon fit for this ſervice upon my account, yet by reaſon of that Cloud that's caſt upon me out of pretended ends to bring honour to God; And how much dirt, is not onelyonly by them caſt in my face, but in the face of all that ſhew tenderneſs and love to me; ſo that it's a bad ſeaſon: for ſure I cannot expect but that even what I have here writ, ſhall meet with many repulſes, and little acceptance; therefore I wiſh it might have come from ſome other hands than mine, being willing to ſuffer any thing, ſo the Truth may be at liberty, and not ſuffer for my ſake. But yet ſure, ſome ſons of Truth will imbrace the Truth for the Truths ſake, to them I principally recommend this.
And I have ſet down ſome of thoſe dear refreſhing Upholds, I have enjoyed from God ſince I came into this Priſon; that others may through the knowledge of Priſon-mercies, learn, not to fear a Priſon. O my Friends, a Priſon is not to be feared, if we ſuffer not as evil-doers, and do but enjoy God there; for Gods Preſence makes a Priſon a Palace. None knows the worth, power and riches of Preſence, till it be enjoyed; and when enjoyed, the leſs of creature-comforts attend it, and the more of ſufferings and croſſes accompany it, the more glorious and ſweet it is.
Now, my dear Friends, I beg of you, in reading what by me is here writ, To let your eyes be off from the dirt, which is (though unjuſtly) caſt upon me, when you reade any of Gods Love and Beauty; and let not the Clouds that lie on me, hinder you from ſearching and imbracing what is here aſſerted, in faithfulneſs and love for your ſervice, That you may by others miſtakes, learn to ſtand faſt, and to keep cloſe to God, to Chriſt, and to his Truth; following of the Lamb in this latter day, with that Love, Faith and Patience, that the Day, and Work of the Day calls for. That you may be ſo, I commend you, and my own ſoul, to God, and the Word of his Grace, and remain,
Yours in that Love of which Chriſt is the Life. P. H.