An Office for Prisoners for Crimes, Title page – To the reader 2
AN OFFICE FOR PRISONERS FOR Crimes, Together with Another for PRISONERS FOR Debt.
CONTAINING both Proper Directions, and Proper Prayers and Devotions.
For Each of their Needs and Circumstances.
By John Kettlewell, late a Presbyter of the CHURCH of England.
LONDON, Printed by A. and J. Churchill, at the Black Swan in Pater-Noster-Row, 1697.
AN Advertisement TO THE READER.
IT is thought necessary to assure the Publick, that the following Treatise is a genuine Piece of that reverend Author, whose name it bears; 'twas left finisht under his own hand, and may serve as a fresh proof of that true Christian Zeal which inflamed his Mind, and extended his Concern, to the necessities of those miserable Wretches, who are confined to Prisons for CRIMES and Debt.
Such afflicting Circumstances, naturally incline Men to Consideration, the want whereof is for the most part the true cause of all their Misfortunes; but since it is as impossible to make that undone, that is once done, as it is to call back Time; the only remedy that is left for the returning Sinner, is to make all those Reparations to God and Man, which his particular case will admit off: Now to this Purpose he is here furnisht with variety of Directions both how to begin and compleat his Repentance, and with variety of Devotions to implore the assistance of that Grace, which is so necessary in order to his recovery.
There has been so little writ upon this important Subject, that I perswade my Self the Publication of it; will be very grateful to all good Men, who rejoyce at any means that are used to rescue captives from the Slavery of Satan: Besides the accurate Management of the Argument, will recommend it to the Approbation of the most judicious.
Composures of Devotion, when perfect in their kind, I think may very well be ranked among some of the difficult performances in Divinity; since they require not only propriety and decency of Expression, but a mature Judgment; spiritualized Affections; and a most comprehensive knowledge of all Christian Duties, to render them Compleat; that while the mind is stor'd with rules to make a sound Judgment, the will may be determined to the choice of what is just, and all the faculties wing'd to the swiftest prosecution of it.
How far this Devout Office answers that Character, must be left to the world to Judge, but the talent our Pious and Learned Author had that way is so well known, that I need say no more to satisfie the Reader, than to assure him this is of a piece with what he has already published in that kind.
God grant that it may Attain that End which he Aimed at in this and all his other Writings, which was the Service of his Blessed Master, and the Salvation of those Souls which were redeemed by his most precious Bloud; that they may both perceive and know those things which they ought to do, and may have Grace and Power faithfully to fulfil the same, AMEN.
8th March, 1696/7. Blackheath. Nelson.
TO THE READER.
Reader,
THE Case of Poor Prisoners, both for Crimes, and also for Debt, is very lamentable, and uncomfortable, with Relation to their Bodies; but more with Relation to their most Precious Souls. And I think it a Good Piece of Charity to Direct them, how in their most Dangerous Circumstances they may, however, set their Souls Safe, and also Provide for their Bodily Straights; making them as easy and advantageous to them, yea, and I add really as safe too, as their Case admits to make them.
But when such Helps are provided for them, these miserable Persons are neither like to inquire after them, nor be at any Charge to buy them for themselves. And therefore another Sort of Charity will still be wanting to their Releif, and that is, the Charity of some Pious Persons to Distribute such Helps among Prisoners, and put them into their hands. And when Compassionate and Charitable Persons, do not Visit Prisons themselves, methinks such of them as are of Ability, should not think much to send such Visitants and Companions as these among them.
I have Prepared this little Piece to be sent Abroad, both to Furnish them with Particular Directions, and also with Particular Prayers, for their several Needs and hard Circumstances. And I hope God will from Time to Time stir … of some or other of … and Charitable Servants in Several Counties, to send some of these Pieces (or others which they like better) to be Distributed some Due Time before the Assizes in their Neighbouring Prisons. By Gods Blessing they may Help to Save many Souls by this Means; at least they will greatly Benefit, and Recommend their own to his Mercy, who sets not so much by any Charity, as by that of Converting Sinners, from the Error of their ways.