The Exceeding Riches of Grace, To the reader – Table of contents
To the Christian Reader, GRACE and PEACE.
MAny of these precious Pearles, these hidden Mysteries of the Treasury of the glorious Gospel being gathered and stored up together by the Relator, as they were brought to light day by day, before the 27th of April last: Divers Christian friends, that had been partakers thereof, judged it unmeet they should be hid and hoarded up for a few to enjoy in private: much desiring they might be published, both for better supply to themselves, and to many others whom the Lord might please to support, refresh, and enrich thereby: When no more was gathered then what might be contained in two sheets or three.
The Earthly Vessell of conveyance being then most likely to return to earth, within a few dayes. Hence was the more cause of willingnesse to yeild to this desire; and to prefix the Letter foregoing (for the better confirmation hereof) writ April 27. 1647. After that day shee remaining as weak as before, and unable to eat at all for eleven weeks together; or to drink, but onelyonly once in two or three, or once in foure or five dayes: and still drinking lesse and lesse, then that before: (Pag. 55, 56.) and her drink being onelyonly faire water, till April 19. and sometimes small beer afterwards (never strong beer.) Thus was this put to the Presse, and in the mean while, one day after another was occasion of enlarging it, by Conferences, &c. and of her still drawing neerer death, in outward appearance, till Iune 11. And before Iune 11. and Iune 25. 1647. (which were the dayes of the Lords wonderfull raising up her body by Faith, as is shewed pag. 135.-) a good part thereof was printed. Yet seeing the more goodnesse the Lord magnified towards her, the chiefest of sinners; the more his love therein melts and abaseth her; (as Pag. 119. 125. 134. the LORD so abase her still:) Its hoped the LORD will keep her soule in that humble frame: whereby the publishing hereof, which may be for great refreshing to many sad, troubled, disconsolate soules, and to others, who through God may reap abundant fruit hereby; may be no hurt to her; nor any cause at all of repenting, to the Relator, or others; but of rejoycing and thankesgiving to many: which is the longing desire, and humble request of Him that longeth to be made more conformable to the death of Christ: London, scrip. stil. 4. Mon. 23. day. Vulg. Iuly 16. 1647.to dye to himselfe, and to live to God; and to walk in, and be led by the Spirit.
H. J.
A Postscript to the Reader.
For better satisfying some, that would know many particulars distinctly, or els they will not beleeve what wonders are here mentioned: Here is added, touching this hand-maids Parents: Her Father was Mr Thomas Wight, (pag. 5.) son to Mr Wight of Daintree; and Brother to Mr Nat. Wight, Preacher in Tewksbury: Her Mother, Mris Mary Wight, above seven yeeres agoe was also in deep terror and distraction of Spirit, (then living neer London-stone:) till the Lords good time of refreshing came. The Maid that tended on her, (hereafter mentioned,) known to Mr Cradock of Wales, is well known to many of his London acquaintance: Her name is, Hannah Guy, daughter to Mr Eli-Iabu Guy, late of Ireland of Trayleigh in Munster Province: (whose Father went thither, to avoyd the Ceremonies here urged.) The Testimony of these two, the Mother and this Maid, of her drinking so little, & not eating at all, for so long, (from March 27. till Iune 11. pag. 55. &c.) both these being of approved faithfulnesse, may be sufficient. (2 Cor. 13. 1.) Of the expressions from pag. 35. to the end of the Book, the Relator was with them, an eare-witnes generally. [A great part of nine leaves, was taken by him from the Relation of them, or one of them, being writ as they spake, Verbatim; (viz. from pag. 16. to pag. 35.) Some of the Repetitions therein, especially of two Names, being taken with the rest; so passed to the Presse with the rest: which now the Relator likes not, wishing they had been forborne. Thou art entreated therefore to excuse it: and what other failings are, or appeare to be. Remembring, In many things wee all *Greek.slip, Jam. 3. 2. Gal. 6. 1, 2.]
Amongst others that have been with this Handmaid, were these, of esteeme amongst many that feare the Lord in London; viz. Mr Prime of Cambridge, now Minister in Lawrence Pountney, (lately of Black Fryers;) Mr Cradock Minister in Nicholas lane, Mr Barker Minister at Garlick-hill, Mr Brag from about Bristol, Mr Isaac Knight late of Holland, Captain Harrison: The Lady Mayerne; and Mris Iane Done her sister; Lady Hartop, with Mris Fant her sister, (now Mris Stock) and Mr Ric-Wollaston: Mris Rolls, wife to Judge Rolls, Mris Mary Leeb, Hanna Trapnel, Dinah the Blackmore; and those that are named pag. 8. 9, 10. and many others. The Reason of naming many, is there rendred, viz. that some more incredulous, might the sooner beleeve, and reap benefit, and not reject the mysteries of God, against themselves, to their hurt. (Luk. 7.30.) Which may plead excuse for naming them. Ioh. 4. 39. For the saying of the Woman, many of the Samaritans beleeved on Iesus. Joh. 12. 11. Joh. 11. 45. By reason of Lazarus being so raised up, many beleeved on Iesus. Act. 9. 42. By making knows his raising up of Dorcas, many beleeved on the Lord.
If some yet say; How is it possible, that one so young, and never understanding to purpose till now, should be able so to speak? Tis answered; This is the Lords work, and it is marvellous in our eyes: who out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, hath ordained strength, & perfected praise, Mat. 21. 16. And hath promised to his, to powre out of his Spirit in the last dayes, upon them, and upon their children, their sons and daughters, Act. 2. 17. 33. 38, 39. Our Lord Jesus promised to his Disciples, that his Holy Spirit should bring to their remembrance, what he had said to them, Joh. 14. 26. This good Spirit brought to her remembrance now, when it was most usefull, what shee had read and heard formerly, and opened her heart to understand them: and opened her mouth to utter them in an humble, melting manner; as he had opened to her; even when her bodily eyes and ears were held; which since April 19. are both of them opened.
H. I.
Mr Saltmarsh his Letter. For my dear and honored Friend and Cosen, M H. JACIE.
Dear Cosen;
I Salute you in the Lord. I did much rejoyce in those breathings of the Spirit of God which I found in your little Book OF THE RICHES OF GRACE ADVANCED, &c. Surely, the Lord is teaching his people, and fulfilling his promises; They shall be all taught of God: (Joh. 6. 45.) And thus his New Covenant with his people shall be more and more revealed, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day, (Isa. 2.11.) When I meet with such precious manifestations of the Lord, me thinkes I taste those waters of life, those rivers of living water which shall show out of the bellies of those, who beleeve in Christ, (Joh. 7. 38.) There is not a streame of this water, but it proceeds from the Throne of Grace, (Rev. 22. 1. Zach. 14.8,9.) though it flow in the vallies, in the poore, low, and humble Christians.
I finde in this Spirituall Treatise of yours, two things very experiment all; the one is her Legall, and the other her more Gospel condition: In the first, shee is in bondage, in blackness, and darkness, and tempest; in much distresse, and shadow of death, her life drawing nigh unto hell: and afflicted with all his waues, (Psal. 88.3.7.) In her Gospel state, I find God shewing wonders to the dead, making the dead to rise and praise him; shewing his loving kindnesse in the grave, and his faithfulness in destruction: and making known his glory in the dark, and his righteousnesse in the land of forgetfulnesse, (Psal. 88.10, 11, 12.) And truely the voice of joy and gladnesse is in the tabernacles of the righteous, (Psal. 118. 15.) I finde that when God reveales himselfe in Christ, in his grace and love, the Spirit of the Christian is sweetly raised, and cheered, and the love of the Lord is as wine, even as the spiced wine. I make no question, but the Lord will fill this soule with more discoveries, then this of the Riches of grace; this truth being that first discovery of God in love.
Dear Cosen, you do well thus to watch the appearances of God in his, and to publish them to the Saints.
I am yours in the Lord, JOHN SALTMARSH.
The CONTENTS or TABLE of the Book.
Of this Hand-maid, her education, Parents, and dwelling, pag. 4, 5, 6.
Her Deep afflictions;
1. In Spirit, pag. 6. to 15. 10. 42, 43. 59, 60. 67. 70. 78. 109. 112. 127.
2. In body, pag. 7. end. 22. 31. end. 55. 78. 115. 128.
Her soules deliverance, pag. 15. 35. 40. 54. 59. 67. 86. 89.
Her sight and hearing given at greatest need, pag. 24, 25. 29. 34. 43, end.
The Lord refreshing her, unable to eat or drink for many dayes, pag. 15. 18. 20, 21. 55. 57. 91. 116. 131. (Her brother hoped for it. pag. 5. and saw. pag. 30.)
The Lords power excellent, by this earthly vessell, (being in trances,) opening his Gospel-treasure, pag. 15. to 33. (54.86.) Whilst shee was blind and deafe, 34. [Which, after her hearing was restored, shee remembred not at all.] Of like expressions after it, pag. 35. to 43. 51. &c.
CONFERENCES with some troubled about SIN, with a Maid, with Mris A. 44, 45. to 48. with one, 61. to 64. with another, 65. another, 72. with another, 76. another, 81. with another, 99 another, 105. with another, 122.
Other Conferences about her eating, 57, 58 about her condition now, 85. future, 89. About Ordinances, 87. 118. About Differences among Saints, 88. 39. Powring out the Spirit, 90. New Covenant, all free, 91. The Law, 92. 94. 115 Duties, 93. 118. Endeavours, 64. 94. Of Generall Redemption, Free-will, Falling away, 95, 96, 97.
Punishment for sin, 98. Why weak, after comfort, 115. 128. Of enduring Christs reproach 117. Content with Christ alone, 117. 22. Not loving God, not before, 117. Not proud by visiters, 119. Of the Trinity, 120. Justification and Sanctification by Christ, 121. Items against receiving or telling false reports, 125. (Praises in Zion, 119.) Against stubbornnes, or murmuring 24, 30. Against lying, and wronging Conscience pag. 7. 153-155.
To be trained up in holy Scriptures, pag. 6.3… 42. 59, 60. Against unmercifulnes, 103, 104.
The Lord raiseth her body being neerest death 132. by Faith, 135. to arise and eat, 138. walk, 141.
A Thankesgiving day: Order, 144.
Summe, and USES of all, 151.
Cautions about OATHS, 155.