The Travels of True Godliness, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
Shewing how True Godlineſs, in his Travels, chanc'd to fall into a certain Iſland, where he met with a great number of cruel Enemies, who conſpired together to take away his Life, and the Life of his Servants; but their Grand Plot failing, they contrived many Sham-plots, to caſt the whole Intreague upon his own Friends and Servants; together with True Godlineſs's ſad and grievous Lamentation.
TRue Godlineſs having Travelled (as you have heard) up and down in the World for many years, and suffered divers hardſhips and grand Affronts and abuſes, at laſt came, by the gracious Providence of God, into a ſmall Iſle; neither did he Travel alone, but like a High-born Pirnce, though in a ſtate of Exile; he had ſome Servants to attend and wait upon him, who loved their Maſter as their own Souls, yea, and above their natural lives; their Names were Heavenly, New-man, Innocency, Humility, Sincerity, Temperance, Sobriety, Faithful, New-obedience, Hope-well, True-love, Bleſſed, Experience, Excellent Knowledg, Chriſtian Courage, Vehement Deſire, Godly Zeal, with many more. Now, after he had been for ſome conſiderable time in the ſaid Iſland, and had through his ſweet and Heavenly and peaceable carriage, got himſelf many Friends and Favourites, having lived many years in good credit and eſteem amongſt them, and no body thought or dreamt he had been in the leaſt danger. But in proceſs of time, on a ſudden, there being a little before arrived in the ſame Iſle, a great number of out-landiſh-men, called by ſome Mahometans; but their right name, it ſeems was Babylonians, being Natives of a great City that bears that Name.
* Now divers ſtrange ridiculous Orders of men they had amongſt them,Divers Orders of men amongſt the Papiſts. and all cruel enemies to True Godlineſs. But one Order of them proved more ſubtile and implacable than the reſt, called Loyalatites, being as 'tis ſaid, the Spurious Off-ſpring of one Ignatius, who were men of ſuch baſe Spirits, that they were content to become meer Pimps and Panders to a great Whore, endeavouring alwaies to allure Kings, Princes, and mighty men to commit Fornication with her; and if they could not effect that, then they perſwade Subjects to caſt off their Allegiance to their Spiritual and Temporal Soveraign, and to own the Uſurpt Power and Juriſdiction of their Maſter the King of Babylon. Now theſe men remembring what a great enemy True Godlineſs had been to them in the ſame Iſle in former times, and how he had forc'd them to pack up their Trumpery and be gone; nay, and not only ſo, but alſo found that he had got a great number of the Inhabitants of the ſaid Iſle, to ſide with him againſt their beloved Miſtriſs and great Goddeſs …ana, which they feared might ſtand in the way of her mounting the Saddle once again, they maliciouſly and traiterouſly made a develliſh Conſpiracy to deſtroy True Godlineſs, and all thoſe who favoured him, and to ſet up falſe and counterfeit Godlineſs in his ſtead; and indeed ſo far they had proceeded in this helliſh deſign, that by the help of ſome deluded ſouls, they had brought over to their party, had not the all wiſe God (who alwayes took care of his precious Darling Godlineſs) by his moſt eminent and o…er-ruling Providence, defeated the Conſpiracy and diſcovered the Conſpirators. Godlineſs with his Servants, and all his poor Friends would doubtleſs have had the greateſt blow that he had met with for many Ages before; but they being betrayed by one who ſeem'd to adhere to their Party, who was privy to their horrible, bloody and deteſtable intention, having (unknown to them) a kindneſs for True Godlineſs, and his diſpiſed Friends and Servants; whereupon the whole Iſland was inraged againſt theſe cruel Babylonians, and called a Counſel together to ſearch into the bottom of their Helliſh deſign; and ſo it happened that divers great Lords who had been poyſoned with their bloody and deteſtable principles were found in the Conſpiracy, and were Attainted for High Treaſon, for though their great deſign was to deſtroy True Godlineſs, yet they, as it ſeemed, conſulted alſo to deſtroy the Prince of the Country, and all who were true Favourites of Godlineſs. And in the concluſion, one of the Lords in the Conſpiracy had his Head cut off, and divers of (the Loyalatites, or) Ignatius's Off-ſpring, were drawn hang'd and quartered. Now one would have thought this eminent hand of God's Vengeance againſt them, might have deterred them for ever attempting the ruine and utter overthrow of True Godlineſs any more; but they having an implacable hatred againſt him, becauſe they know he is an utter enemy to all Treaſons, Idolatries, Superſtitions, Murthers, Fornications, Witch-crafts, and all other horrible Crimes, and curſed Abominations of their unchaſt, defiled and bloody Miſtreſs, in a clandeſtine way endeavoured to bring True Godlineſs, and many of his Friends and Favourites into Contempt, and thereby ſet all the Inhabitants of the Iſle againſt him; which Deſigns of theirs was managed divers manner of waies, and (though ſome of their Stratagems were happily diſcovered, yet ſome others of them too far prevailed amongſt the generality of People, who God knows Naturally are adverſe to him, having (as you have heard) grievous Enmity in their Hearts againſt him.
Now, True Godlineſs perceiving how the Inhabitants of the ſaid Iſland were Corrupted, partly by theſe Babylonians, and partly by other evil Impoſtors and Seducers, whoſe Errors greatly prevailed; and how generally People of all ſorts were drawn away by the ſubtilty of Appollyon, and the Pollution and Treachery of their own Hearts to all manner of Vice and Ungodlineſs; he being by this means brought into great Contempt, began to be very ſad, conſidering what a brave Iſle for Grace and Holineſs it had formerly been; nay, and that which added to his Trouble, was thoſe great Diviſions and Animoſities that were amongſt thoſe who Profeſſed themſelves to be his chiefeſt Friends, together with the conſideration of the great Evils and Enormities of their Lives, for it was come to ſuch a paſs, that it was hard to diſcern the Profeſſor (as they were called) from the Profane, Pride, Covetouſneſs, want of love and zeal to him, abounding wonderfully amongſt the generalty of them; ſo that he evidently ſaw that he was grievouſly ſlighted, diſowned, and neglected almoſt by all ſorts whatſoever; and that the favour and countenance which moſt people ſhewed him, was but from the teeth outwards, and that they not heartily and cordially love and delight in him: Moreover, he perceived alſo, that there was a grand Conſpiracy carrying on by Apollyon and his Emiſſaries in many Countryes where he had been formerly countenanced; and that the Babylonians were in great hopes to get counterfeit Godlineſs ſet up in his ſtead, began to make a grievous lamentation after this manner.
Godlineſs's Lamentation.
HOW ſhall I expreſs my grief or utter my complaint? O, the ſorrow that ſeizes on my Soul! I that am the noble Off-ſpring of the univerſal Monarch of the whole World, the true Favourite of Heaven, the true intereſt of all Nations, Kingdoms and Common-wealths; a fit companion for Princes, and all the noble ones of the Earth; the only benefactor of all Mortals, that continually ſeeks the good and eternal felicity of their Souls, who ſtrives to deliver them from Wrath and Judgment, and to ſtop the deſtroying Angel from executing vengeance: Should this day be thus ſlighted, villified, cenſured, and ſtigmatized, and have all manner of curſed and deteſtable evils and abominations laid to my charge. Fo…
Firſt, I am charged with Hereſie, an horrible crime indeed, but 'tis no other than I was of old times accuſed with. But what is the Hereſie? What my Doctrine is, is ſhewed in the firſt chapter of this Book, to which I refer the reader; but I may ſay with St. Paul; *Acts 24.14.After that way which they call Hereſie, ſo I teach men to worſhip the God of their Fathers, and not to believe any thing but what is written in the Old and New Testament. Counterfeit Godlineſs, 'tis true may be juſtly charged upon this account, whoſe errors are capital, as hath been evinced again and again, by many worthy Proteſtants.
Secondly, I am accuſed to be a common Diſturber, a meer Make-bate, ſetting one man againſt another, the Father againſt the Son, and the Son againſt the Father; the Mother-in-law againſt the Daughter-in-law, and the Daughter-in-law againſt the Mother-in-law; dividing Cities, Towns, and Villages, ſetting Neighbour againſt Neighbour. O, how doth this wound my heart! Was ever any dealt with as I am? Shall ſuch things as theſe be fathered upon me? I do this day proteſt and declare before God and all the World, I am abuſed and unjuſtly charged, for I am for Peace, Unity, and Concord, and alwayes do teach it; I abhor Strife and Contention, and every evil work, and have endeavoured to bring all men to live in love one with another; but if it fall out at any time where I am received, that the Father is ſet againſt the Son, and the Son againſt the Father, or one Neighbour, againſt another, 'tis not I that am the cauſe of it, but that curſed enemy Pride, Ʋnbelief and Senſuality, that is in the hearts of the adverſe party, they having eſpouſed the intereſt of Apollyon, my grand Enemy; and alas, it will be ſo, unleſs I could connive at, or bear with thoſe curſed evils which are in the hearts of men. But can it be ſuppoſed, that Virtue ſhould wink at, or ſide with filthy Vice, or True Godlineſs allow of, and indulge men in Ungodlineſs, or Truth joyn or cloſe in with Error? Alas, ſhould I do this I ſhould loſe my very being, and be no more what I am; for as 'tis impoſſible for Light to have fellowſhip with Darkneſs, or Chriſt to have concord with Belial, ſo 'tis for me to allow of or bear with any of the evil enormities of the children of men; ſhould my Children do it, they would at that very inſtant ceaſe to be my Children; therefore let all the World bear me witneſs this day, that I clear my ſelf of thoſe foul crimes and calumnies that I am charged with. And further, to vindicate my ſelf, I call in my old friend Saint James, pray hear what he hath to ſay about the horrible charge brought againſt me. St. James, pray ſpeak to this great caſe, from whence come that Strife, Wars and Contention that is in the World? Am I the cauſe of it?
James, From whence come wars and fighting among men? Come they not hence, even of their luſts that war in their members?Jam. 4.1. Jam. 3.14, 15. Ye luſt and have not, ye kill and deſire to have, and cannot obtain, &c. If you have bitter envyings and ſtrife in your hearts, glory not, lie not againſt the truth; (mark that) this wiſdom deſcendeth not from above, but is earthly, ſenſual, devilliſh. O bleſſed St. James, thou haſt cleared me, for I True Godlineſs am the Truth, whoſoever receives me, receives the Truth, the Doctrine of Truth, and the Truth of Grace. But pray, St. James go on, Where envying and ſtrife is, there is confuſion and every evil work. But the wiſdom that is from above, is firſt pure, then peaceable, gentle, eaſie to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without wrangling, and without hypocriſie. It is enough I alwayes teach men and women, who embrace me, to be holy, peaceable, gentle, and eaſie to be entreated, full of mercy, to hate hypocriſie, and all the deeds of the fleſh. Therefore take notice, if any who are called by my name, or profeſs love to me, are unholy, quarrelſome, given to ſtrife, debate and contention, falling out with their Neighbours▪ making cauſeleſs diſturbance in the Town, Place, or Houſe where they dwell, I do this day diſown them; and indeed I fear 'tis they who have in part expoſed me to reproach and contempt in theſe evil dayes.
I am accuſed alſo with Sedition and Faction, and for being the chief ring-leader of Sects, &c. But I may well ſay, with my old friend, St. Paul (who was accuſed by Tertullus in like ſort) being called a peſtelent Fellow, and a mover of Sedition, &c. Acts 24.5. I am clear from this evil Charge, neither can they prove this Accuſation against me, I have been travelling up and down in moſt parts of the earth for almoſt ſix thousand years, and 'tis ſtrange, were I really guilty, that none ſhould come forth and prove it againſt me. Therefore know ye, that the Doctrine, I True Godlineſs, the Off-ſpring of Jehovah, the darling of Heaven, do, and ever did teach upon this account, is this, viz. That Husbands ought to love their Wives, Wives to obey their Husbands, Children to honour their Parents, and Parents to carry it wiſely towards their Children, and to bring them up in the fear and nurture of the Lord. Servants to obey their Maſters, and Maſters to carry it well towards their Servants; and Neighbours to live in love one with another, and Subjects to obey their Prince. Did I not ever teach this Doctrine, viz. That all Men ought to be ſubject to Principalities, to obey Magiſtrates, and to be ready to every good work, Tit. 3.1. And if Chriſtians at any time are by their Superiors required to do ſuch things, that they conceive are contrary to the Word and Will of God, then I bid them patiently to ſuffer, and not to reſiſt, but to learn of my bleſſed Maſter, who when he was reviled, reviled not again, and when he ſuffered, he threatned not. But palpable 'tis, if men are bound to ſubmit to their Superiors in all things, in Divine matters whatſoever, then the Apoſtles were faulty, who in ſpiritual things cry'd out, Whether it be right in the ſight of God, Acts 4.19.to hearken to you rather than God, judg ye. Beſides, this would cauſe Perſecution for ever to ceaſe, and charge all the Martyrs in every Age of the World, not only with diſobedience, but alſo with folly; and then alſo it would follow, whatſoever Religion in any Nation, the chief Magiſtrate thereof does ſet up, muſt be ſubjected to, which ſure no wiſe man will ſay ought to be done; therefore I am for rendring to Caeſar the things which are Caeſars, and unto God the things that are Gods, Mark 12.17.
But theſe things are not the whole cauſe of my Lamentation, but there are many other reaſons.
Alas, I am not only abuſed and laid under reproach and infamy by my open enemies, but alſo baſely ſlighted by many of thoſe who pretend love and reſpect to me; moſt indeed, now a dayes, do but complement me, they ſpeak me fair to my face, but their hearts are not with me: Was there ever more Godlineſs profeſſed and leſs practiſed, and more without doors and leſs within? Did ever Pride, Covetouſneſs, Vain-glory, Self-love, Slaviſh-fear, Carnality, and Luke warmneſs, attend any People who called themſelves Chriſtians, Saints, and Members of Chriſt, as in theſe days? There are ſome who profeſs love to me, that I am aſhamed of, they do me more wrong than the open profane. I may cry alas, and call long enough upon many in theſe dayes; nay, beg as it were, upon my bare knees to be entertained by them, and all in vain, for they will not mind me, nor take me in; I meet indeed with nothing but feigned promiſes from the moſt of people: I will open to you, Sir, I intend to let you in, I am reſolved to embrace you hereafter, &c. And thus I am put off and ſlighted from day to day. O, How long have I waited at the doors of ſome of theſe deceived Souls, even till they are grown old, and all to no purpoſe, for I have ſeen death often ſeize and carry them away before I could get into their houſes, that ſo I might ſave them from Hell (where now 'tis to be feared they are) O, with what unkind dealings do I meet withal! Is it not ſad, that Vice and Ʋngodlineſs ſhould be by many ſo countenanced, and I hated, reſiſted, and contemned in every place, almoſt by every body; for Riches contemns me, Poverty diſlikes me, Youth derides me, Old Age will not know me, Legaliſt miſcalls me, and Formality playes the hypocrite with me, and the Babylonians ſeek to take away my life; I have a multitude of enemies, and but a few friends.
But in the midſt of my Lamentation the thoughts of those glorious promiſes of God concerning what he hath said of me in the latter dayes, does revive my heart; for though I have few to plead my cauſe, or to clear my innocency, and am like to be run down by Apollyon and his ſpurious Off-ſpring, Lust and Ʋngodlineſs, yet I ſee my day is a coming when ſin ſhall be aſhamed and iniquity ſtop her mouth, Pſal. 107.42. When the Holy of the Lord ſhall be eſteemed honourable, and it ſhall be a reproach to be wicked. Though I am now ſlighted I ſhall then be prized; Jehovah will make my Glory to ſhine forth In the midſt of all Nations, and my Children ſhall flouriſh in every place; and in that day none ſhall dare to open their ungodly mouths againſt me, nor ſhall I need to travel up and down to ſeek for entertainment. For the knowledg of the Glory of the Lord ſhall cover the Earth, as the Waters do the Sea. In that day there ſhall be upon the Bells of the Horſes Holineſs unto the Lord; and the Pots in the Lords Houſe ſhall be like the Bowls before the Altar. Yea, every Pot in Jeruſalem and Judah ſhall be Holineſs unto the Lord of Hoſt, and all they that Sacrifice ſhall come and take of them and ſeeth therein; and in that day there ſhall be no more a Canaanite in the Houſe of the Lord of Hoſts. Zach. 14.20.21. Nay, and this alſo adds to my joy in the midſt of my ſorrow, this longed-for-day is near, and haſtens greatly; 'tis but a little while, and there will be a great alteration in the World, the Angel who enlightens the Earth with his Glory, will ſuddenly cry, Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen, Rev. 18.13, 2.