The Life and Death of Vavasor Powell, Passages
Some remarkable Paſſages in the Life and Miniſtry of this worthy Servant of Chriſt, communicated by ſome faithful obſerving Chriſtians and his antient intimate acquaintance.
MR. Vavaſor Powel was born of honeſt and honourable Parentage, his Father Mr. Richard Powel of a very antient Family in VVales, living in the Burough of Knocklas in Radnorſhire, where his Anceſtors had lived for ſome 100. years before him: His Mother of the Vavaſors a Family of great antiq…ity that came out of Yorkſhire into VVales, and ſo by both allyed to moſt of the beſt Families in North-VVales, though his beſt pedegree and higheſt diſcent was that which he derived from the moſt honourable Family of Abraham. For the unworthieſt perſons many times p etend to the hi…heſt worldly diſcents, the newborn being only the beſt born.
He was brought up a S…holler & taken by his Unkle Mr. Eraſmus Powel to be Curate at Clun, where he alſo kept Schooll in which time it pleaſed God in the mideſt of his vanity and enmity to Chriſt and his People, to call and convert him (eſpecially by the miniſt y of that eminent Servant of Chriſt, Mr. Walter Cradock) which was attended with deep humility in ſigh… …nd ſence of ſin, and a loſt eſtate by nature, and led b… a Spirit or Bondage, through legal Terrors to clear manifeſtations of the love of Chriſt in Go pel Life and L…b…ty, encountering with manifold temptations within and without, not only by Satans aſſaults in the mind, but by his viſible appearances ſometimes in one ſhape, ſometimes in another, to terrifie and afright him, eſpecialy in Prayer and in his drawing nigh unto the Lord, but by Faith he ſtill got the victory over him.
He in a little time profited above many, and being very zealous and full of Love to Chriſt, did beſtir himſelf exceedingly in preaching the Goſpel, labouring therein more abundantly then any we have known giving himſelf wholly to the work both in publick & private, God alſo accompanying him with his bleſſing and preſence in great ſucceſs, the generallity of the Country being then as Feilds, white unto the Harveſt, flock ardently to his Miniſtry, and many by his Preaching were turned to the Lord, ſo that Radnorſhire that before was a dark Country, came to have much light and in a ſhort ſpace many eminent Profeſſors begotten in it, at which Satan begun to rage exceedingly and ſtirred up ſome of his Inſtruments to perſecute the truth, laying wait for his life and liberty, ſome by a judicial way, ſome by violence till they drove him out of the Country, from whence he went to London where in the time of the War he continued ſometime, he was called to Dartford in Kent where he was very ſuccesfull in his Miniſtry to the gathering of a Church, afterwards times growing more peaceable, he was called into Wales again, where he renewed his former labours, preaching the Word in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, ſo that by him Chriſt made manifeſt the ſavor of his knowledge and grace in every place throughout the Country, inſomuch that there was but few (if any) of the Churches, Chappels, Town halls in Wales wherein he did not preach Chriſt, Yea very often upon Mountains, and very frequent in Fairs, and Markets, it was admirable to conſider how induſtrious he was by his often preaching in two or three places a day, and ſeldome two dayes in a week throughout the year out of the Pulpit, nay he would ſometimes ride a hundred miles in a week, and Prrach in every place where he might have admiſſion both day and night, if he paſſed through any Fair, or Market, or near any great concourſe of People (ſo great was his love to Souls) he would take the oppertunity in his Journey to preach Chriſt, yea his whole life was a continual preaching, giving ſeaſonable inſtruction to every body he met with being fruitful and exemplary in Word, Doctrine, Converſation, Spirit, it was his cuſtome where ever he came to leave ſome ſpiritual inſtructions and gracious favour behind him.
He was indued with ſuch courage of mind & furniſhed with ſuch ability of body, that he went through his work with great delight, many admiting how he was able to hold out, he was an able Miniſter of the new Teſtament, and always in readineſs upon all occaſions to fulfil his Miniſtry, and like the good Houſholder brought forth of his Treaſury, things new and old, being very indefatigable in his work, ſpeaking and praying ſometimes, 3. 4. nay 6, and 7. hours together; he was very faithful in delivering the word of truth, and in explaining it to the meaneſt capacity. and ſtill endeavoured to ſuit his diſcourſe to the occaſion and condition of the Hearers he neither regarded nor feared the frowns, or favours of great men, but faithfully and couragiouſly would warn, and reprove them to their Faces, he was very affectionate in drawing and inviting Sinners to Chriſt, and as ſharply would here prove the prophane the rebllious Hyppocrites and Backſliders, and moſt compaſſionately ſympathize with the weak, afflicted and tempted, he was very excellent in the illuſtrating of his doctrine by familiar Compariſons, Parables and Similitudes which uſed to be very profitable to the hearers, tending greatly to imprint the truth in their minds, and which was ſo much the way taken by our Saviour that it is ſaid without a Parable he ſpake not, he had a ready wit well read in Hiſtory and Geography, a good natural Phyloſopher and skilled in Phyſick, which greatly furthered his invention, but above all very powerful in prayer, much indued with the Spirit and an Eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, which was ſo admirably imprinted in his memory, that he was as a Concordance where ever he came, ſo that a Scripture could hardly be named to him, but he could tell you the Chapter and Verſe, he had ſuch an admirable memory that if he heard two or three Sermons together, he could repeate them verbatim, though towards his latter end by his long impriſonment, being kept from the exerciſe of his Gifts his memory was impaired.
He was very exact in keeping punctual to his appointed times of Preaching, having divers Lectures both Weekly, Fornightly, Monthly and two Months, and Quarterly beſides, extraordinary appointments both in England and Wales, from which no ill weather Froſt nor Snow, nor ordinary difficulties could hinder.
One time as he was going to Preach his Horſe fell lame, and could not well reach the place appointed on Foot, he being in a great ſtraight bethought himſelf of the way that one David ap Hugh took in like caſe and addreſſed to it, viz. alighted off his Horſe and went to Prayer and begged ſtrength of God both for himſelf, and Horſe to perform his Journey which accordingly was made good to him, for mounting his Horſe he found his lam… neſs was departed.
One time he was to Preach at Lempſter in Herefordſhire, upon a firſt day of the week, having the day before preached by the way, and as he was coming late at night, he had a very greivous fall off his Horſe, which bruiſed him much that he could not come further that night, and queſtioned whether he ſhould be able to ſtir the next day yet Prayer being made he was inabled to reach the place early in the morning, and to preach thrice that day.
Another time he was to preach at a place called Cery, to perform which he was conſtrained to ride night and day, until at laſt his Horſe tired, ſo that he was forced to leave him by the way, and perform the reſt of his Journey a Foot.
It was his uſual cuſtome in riding to places to Preach, if he overtook any aged People going on foot towards the meeting, to ſet them on his Horſe, and to walk himſelf by their ſides, which he would do for miles together.
Many have been the difficulties, and hardſhips he under went in his itenerant preaching, ſometimes forced to lye in the poor Welch houſes upon the Mountains where he could find little accommodation for either Horſe or Man, and yet could as cheerfully ſpend the night in examining and inſtructing the poor People, as if he had, had the beſt entertainment in the world, for it was his meat and drink to do his Maſters work, in gaining and edifying of Souls, and it was his cuſtome to reward the poor People, as much for their courſe Bread and Cheeſe, and hard Lodging, as if he had been in the choiſeſt Inn.
He met many times with very hard meaſure from wicked Drunkards, and debauched Perſons by often lying in wait for his Life, and by many Baffitings and Stripes which he received from them, and he was ve y much prejudiced by Blows upon his Head, yet freely did he uſe to forgive his moſt miſcheivous and malicious Enemies and Perſecutors, never proſecuting any of them, though he had great advantage againſt them, and many freinds that would have righted him and puniſhed them, but patiently did he bear in his body the marks of the Lord Jeſus, and moſt Chriſtianly did he undergo all the unjuſt reproaches he met with from wicked men, rendring bleſſings for curſings love for harted, he uſed to ſay he would not take a great deal by the year for the reproaches he met with, all for Chriſt which he could not be without.
He was exceeding hoſpitable, the Feaſts that he uſed to make was not for the rich, but the poor and aged, whom he often invited and ſupplyed with Clothes, Shoos, Stockings, and all other neceſſary accommodations.
He was very free in the entertainment of Strangers, and all Saints, his houſe being common for them, and great reſort was to him from moſt parts of Wales, and many from England, and was ſo free harted that he would uſe to ſay he had room for twelve in his Beds, a hundred in his Barns, and a thouſand in his heart, and ſo liberal that he would wrong himſelf to do good to others, he was very merciful to all poor People, and when in the greateſt haſt he would not let the poor cry in vain, and ſeverally would he with his Alms impart ſome good inſtructions to their Souls.
He was very loving and courteous to all his Neighbours, and much beloved by them.
He was very zealous againſt falſe doctrine and Errors corrupt and anti-Chriſtian dece vers.
He did ſpend and was ſpent in his Maſters ſervice, laying out himſelf, and what he had for him, not ſerving him for filthy lucre but of a ready mind, finding his wages in his work, and therefore having freely received he freely gave, little outward advantage accrued to him by his miniſtry, from the Churches in Wales, he received nothing but neighbourly and brotherly kindneſs, which he was as ready to requite, and much more willing to give then receive, and as freely did he contribute the neceſſities of others as any, the Parliament ordered him 100 l. per annum, out of a ſine cura whereof he received about 60 l. for ſeven or eight years, many conſiderable gifts he refuſed, and never did he get any thing by the Act for the propagation of the Goſpel in Wales, as was ſlandrouſly laid to his charge, for which his vindication in print to this day unanſwered, may ſtop the mouth of Envy it ſelf.
And he made it appear in the Conſciences of all that knew him that wealth, and worldly advantages was not the penny he entred the Vineyard for, but the gaining of Souls, his temporal Eſtate as well known was more before the War, then at the time of his impriſonment and death, being indeed a deſpiſer of the world, and which was no more his temptation, then it was Luthers, he was of a noble generous free Spirit, and as ſome term it much a Gentleman in all his deportment.
He was very humble and plain in his carriage prefering others before himſelf, though far inferiour in Gifts and Grace to him, and a moſt ready ſervant to do good to all both for Soul and Body.
He was very juſt in all his dealings and would rather receive wrong, then offer injury to any, and kept ſtill a great jealouſy over himſelf leaſt he ſhould do any thing unbecoming the Goſpel.
He was very pittiful to all in diſtreſs whether Saints or ſinners, and eſpecially in the caſe of ſin, which he would deeply lay to heart, and weep bitterly in conſideration of the weightineſs of ſin upon there Souls, and greatly would he lament the ſcandalous offences in Profeſſors, which tended ſo much to the diſhonou… of God, greif of the Saints, and ha…dening of ſinners, and indangering their own Souls.
He was very active in doing good, and little time ſpent by him in idleneſs, after great and tedious Journeys and pains in Preaching, he would be as freſh to attend any work for God, as if there had been no ſuch thing, it was his conſtant practice to be ſpeaking of good to all he converſed with, and to convert worldly diſcourſe into ſpiritual things, and when he apprehended any to diſcourſe of the things of God in a common light Spirit, he would endeavour to work them up to more ſeriouſneſs and ſpirituallity.
Where ever he was, at home or abroad, he would be ſtill furthering of good things, and improve all oppertunities with whom ſo ever he converſed were it in his Journey; or upon the Road to inſtil ſomething for the good and benefit of their Souls, wherein as a follower of his Maſter, he was a lively pattern to the Saints, and wherein God bleſſed him exceedingly.
He was to receive exhortation admonition and reproof, (being under all his excellencies & great worth a man ſubject to paſſion & infirmity) which he would imbrace with all humble ſubmiſſion and acknowledge thankfulneſs, and his Conſcience was ſo tender that he would of himſelf both privately and publickly expreſs his fears and jealouſie of himſelf, and would deſire others to tell him his faults which he might not ſo well diſcern in himſelf.
He was a faithful and diligent obſerver of the out goings of God upon his Soul, whereof he kept a dayly account and record, taking notice both of the actings of grace, and the ſtirrings of corruption, and the aſſaults of ſin and Satan, or World made upon him.
It was his dayly practice to draw forth ſome inſtruction, and advantage from every object, and every thing that accrued, viz. from Scriptures ordinances, Gods dealings with him in every reſpect from conferrences with Saints, or Sinners, from any providence or accident whether proſperous or adverſe from Creatures Heaven, Earth, Seaſons, from the graces, and vertues as well as failings and infirmities of Saints and Profeſſors.
A great obſerver of D…eams, and what God might ſpeak to himſelf or others by them, for warning inſtruction, or reproof.
He was very heavenly, his Heart ſo ſet with diligence and intentneſs upon the things of God, that when he was alone, and none to diſcourſe with, he would many times be ſinging of Hymns in his houſe and elſewhere, and often in his Bed aſſoon as he awaked in the morning, being excellent at extempory Hymns, which have been to the refreſhing of many, who have declared to have injoyed as much of God in joyning with him therein, as in any other ordinance.
And his Soul did follow ſo hard after God, that he hath been heard to pray very audibly and fervently in his ſleep, and yet knew it not vvhen he avvaked.
He vvas of an undanted courage for God, no fear of ſuffering could turn him back in the vvork of the Lord, he had ſuch a fervent zeal for Chriſt, and the Truth, and ſuch enmity to, and hatred againſt, that he regarded not the greatneſs of men, in adminiſtring reproof to them, vvhat danger ſo ever might accur to him thereby, he uſed to ſay he feared the corruption of his Heart more then any ſufferings he met vvith from men.
He vvith much compaſſion, and feeling affection uſed to ſympathize vvith the vveak, and tempted; making their condition his ovvn, but vvould magnifie his office vvith great zeal, by improving the authority Chriſt had given him to curb the inſolent, ſtubborn, and rebellious.
He vvas one of a vvorthy publick Spirit zealous in, and furthering of all things that might tend to promote the good of his Neighbour and Nation, but eſpecially the Saints, and Sion, in advancing the Name, Intereſt, Kingdome, and Soveraignty of Jeſus Chriſt, and ſeting himſelf withal his might againſt Babilon that common publick Enemy of mankind.
He was very tender of the Conſciences of others, though differing in judgement from him, and where he diſcerned ſincerity, and truth of Grace, expreſſed much endeared affection to them as Brethren, being a dear Lover and Promoter of love to Saints as Saints, without relation to perticular perſwaſion, or private opinion.
He was exceeding ſucceſsful in the work of the miniſtry, which was ſealed to him by the converſion of many Souls confirmation, conſolation and edification, of more both in England and Wales.
He was inſtrumental to the gathering of Churches, to the healing and compoſing of many differences and breaches, wherein he travelled much by Meſſengers Letters, Conferrences and Journeys far and near.
It was his uſual courſe in order to preſerve and maintain life and love amongſt the Churches, he moſt neerly converſed with, to put them upon the debating and reſolving of ſeveral queſtions from time to time, he handed to them which proved exceeding profitable to the increaſe of knowledge, and to the ends propoſed.
He was much in viſiting from houſe to houſe, taking a particular account both of inward and outward man, inquiring after their family, walks, duties, and deportments, and in an eſpecial manner did he with diligence attend the ſick, adminiſtring all things neceſſary for Body and Soul, Exhorting, Comforting and Praying with and for them.
He was exceeding zealous to keep the Communion clean and pure, by keeping a diligent Watch, puting forth early warning and reproof againſt the firſt appearances of envy, and ſcandal, and a faithful rejecting the hardened and impenitent Sinners, in which Caſes he uſed to be mighty powerful in the adminiſtring of that ordinance of excommunication ſhewing the terribleneſs thereof ſo that many hearts would tremble greatly thereat, and yet be found alſo therein with great tenderneſs, and heart meltings to the offenders themſelves.
As he was Maſter of a Family, he was wonderful careful to do the things that was juſt and equal, and principally he did deſign to promote the power of godlideſs amongſt his Servants, he uſed to tell them that they ſhould at any time leave work to pray or read, and when he ſound them at any times in the Feilds reading or confering about the things of God, he would bid them go on and continue in it, and oh how few are they that prefer and promote the good of Souls, before their own worldly profit & advantage, but are rather ſo oppreſſing their Se…vants, that they can hardly have any time day or night to give God what he requ res.
He uſed in his Family ſometimes to repeat Sermons, and inquiring what they remembred thereof, ſometimes what they had read that day in the Scriptures, and what they had obſerved in their reading, what providence they had taken notice of, and what inſtruction from them, ſometimes propounding uſeful queſtions to them to reſolve, ſometimes read and expounded a Chapter and informed himſelf how they underſtood it, and what they remembred from it, ſometimes ſing an Hymn, and pray conſtantly, which duties he performed twice a day, if no more when at home, and uſually would alter both his method and his hours, deſigning to bring them up to the life, and not ſo much to live in the form of duties.
Thoſe Servants that he ſaw careleſs of their Souls, or ſleep in duties not remembring what they heard, he would charge warn and rep…ove them moſt ſtrictly, and threaten to turn them out of his doors, if they did not reform.
When his occaſion led him abroad to preach which was very often, he left with them ſtrict charge to perform the Family duties amongſt themſelves.
As he was a houſekeeper had all things provided decently and in good order, his Husbandry and all his affairs well contrived and managed with great diſcretion.
This following account ſo well agreeing with the former, and given in by his dear Wife Mr. Kathetherine Powel is thought meet here to be inſerted.
He was exceeding tender to all perſons, to their inward and outward man, bountiful in heart and hand to any he ſaw need, or deſire good from him, a fifth part of all his income, either of the little he had of his own or otherwiſe (by providence came to him) he dedicated to the Lords ſervice and gave it to any in want, much of it would he give to poor carnal perſons, ſaying we ſhould not only be kind to one another, for God is kind to the unthankful and unholy, and that Chriſtians ſhould do good for the honour of the Goſpel, ſtriving by this as well as otherways to make the poor World in Love with (or at lea… have nothing to ſay againſt) the good ways of God not the Profeſſors of it,
Tho…gh he ſuffered much, and of various kinds, yet never retaind anger, or diſguſt to the inſtruments, but could weep in ſecret for them, that their ſins might be blotted out.
No… ever did I know by any ſurprizing tryal, unfitted for Prayer, or any ſervice for God.
A man of great ſincerity and plainneſs, either ſpake his heart in what he ſpake, or elſe ſpake not at all, nor omited ſpeaking what he thought was his duty for fear of diſpleaſing any, and yet a moſt winning, obliging carriage to all perſons, a man very obſervant how his Soul proſpered, to which end he writ every night what he had gained or loſt therein that day, either in the Scriptures, Prayer, Chriſtian converſe, or other duties he was exerciſed in.
A man of great Faith in all things, God has promiſed to his People, relating to inward or outward man, and as to his own particular, when there was at any time ſhortneſs in either, he went with much humble holy boldneſs (through Faith in the Blood of Jeſus) to tell God what he wanted who did give, eminent returns of that kind.
A man of great humility eſteeming inferiour Chriſtians before himſelf, and willing others ſhould do ſo too.
A man much in Prayer he ſet aſide one part of the day alone, to ſeek God for Sion, not mixing other requeſts at that time, and conſtant in Family duty, morning and night at leaſt, and with his Wiſe before he went to Bed (notwithſtanding which) immediately before he compoſed himſelf to reſt, took leave by committing again by a few words in Prayer to the Lord, and ſo in the morning when he awoke renewed Communion afreſh with God, ſometimes, firſt by Prayer, ſometimes (when his heart overflowed with ſpiritual joy) in Songs or Hymns of Praiſes, and that with a very broken and melting Frame.
A man very conſcientious and exemplary in all relative duties, and very punctual to his word, if he promiſed any thing it was as binding to him as the moſt legal obligation, he was naturally of a haſty ſpirit which if at any time brake out, he would in a ſhort ſpace recover himſelf, and come out of it return to as ſweet and amiable a frame of ſpirit as could be deſired, and candidly acknowledge his paſſion and mourn over it.
He was a very ſtrict and conſcientious Obſerver of the Sabbath day, viz. The firſt day of the week the Chriſtian Sabbath, not doing or ſpeaking of that day what he ſaw lawful upon other dayes, attending the duties thereof from Evening to Evening, and as to the change of the day and the duties required in ſanctifying thereof, he hath with great judgement aſſerted from the Scriptures too large to be here inſerted.
To theſe foregoing Teſtimonies, tending to preſerve the ſavour and precious memory, of this eminent Servant of Chriſt, as well as vindicate him (from thoſe reproaches that for zeal to his Maſters ſervice he was loaded with, and that not only from bad men but through Emulation prejudice or miſtakes even from good men alſo) it is thought meet to add alſo the following Teſtimonial by ſome of his antient acquaintance and perſons of known worth and integrity.
As for his birth we took notice that Gentlemen of the beſt Rank in the County of Salop, Radnor, Mountgomery, &c. ſaluted him as their Kinſman, and for his Education (though from his Childhood brought up a Schollar) we meaſured it not by every dutty Way he hath travelled, or fowl Dunghill he hath …oden on, but by the endowments of his mind as a man, a Chriſtian, a Preacher, His dexterous faculties both natural and acquired, his Scripture, Learning and Gifts of utterance, adorning thoſe ſeveral capacities. If that ſaying be true Bonus Textuarius, eſt bonus Theologus, we may atteſt him to have been none of the meaneſt, we cheifly p…ized his nurture and proficiency under Chriſt: But laſtly we look upon his work as a Flower above all in his Garden, for Beauty, Savour, and medicinal vertue, he was an indifatigable Labourer in the Harveſt, Peaching almoſt every day in one Pariſh or other (and twice or thrice a day often.
1. Chriſt and Moſes excellency, or Zion or Sina's glory treating of the two Covenants.
2. A Dialogue between Chriſt and a Publican Chriſt and a doubting Chriſtian.
3. Chriſt exalted by the Father, God the Father glorified and mans Redemption finiſhed.
4. The Bird in the Cage.
5. Common Prayer no Divine ſervice.
6. Sufferers Chatichiſme.
7. A Scriptural Chatichiſm.
8. Sinful and ſinleſs ſwearing.
A Scripture Concordance.
He hath written ſeveral Books none of which impeaded one Sermon.
His acceptance was more then ordinary above many of his fellow Labourers in the Goſpel, as appeared by the numerous concourſe of Auditors to his frequent Lectures, who were as unwearied in hearing as he in ſpeaking, his ſucceſs alſo was anſwerable, who ſaw not his Labours proſperous? Who can blaſt that which the Lord bleſſeth, or dares villify what the King delighted to honour, he was no fruitleſs Itinerant but fully approved himſelf a Workman, that needed not to have been aſhamed to be imployed by the head of the Church of Chriſt, to convert, comfort, edifie many Souls to reprove, rebuke, exho…t all.
Welcom'd whereever he came, whether by the morally civil or the truly Religious, the quickneſs of his imagination, ſtrength of his memory, fulneſs of his conceptions, variety of his diſcourſes, and readineſs of utterance, challenging more then ordinary reſpect from the former, and the exemplarineſs of his piety, the tenderneſs of his affections, the forvvardneſs of his zeal, the holineſs of his doctrine, and eminency of all his Graces, endearing him to the latter, only the ſuperſtitious hated him, but he never prophecyed good concerning them but Evil.
We confeſs to you that vve our ſelves have had as deep prejudice againſt him, as any could have, but have been taught by experience this better Character of him.
He vvas a man in vvhoſe bodily temperature, the nobler Elements of Fire and Air have had the predominancy, as the ruſhing mighty Wind, and the Cloven tongued Fire have in his mental temperature, which carried him above Earthly intereſt, tovvards his Celeſtial Center, he had a Body of Steel made as of purpoſe for his never reſting indifatigable Spirit, which by his extraordinary motion and agitation, might have worn out many ordinary Caſes, his Labours vvere his Recreations, and there vvas no time more burdenſome than while he vvas from under his burden, he had a Heart feared none but him that is to be feared for his mercy; that loved none but Chriſt and thoſe that carried ſome price of his Beauty, and yet hated none but thoſe that hated love it ſelf, and in them too, rather their divliſh vizer then their perſons, for he would often melt in private mourning for thoſe that had the moſt inflamed hearts, againſt Chriſt and his People, his Head was not only a Fountain of Tears, becauſe men keep not Gods Law, but alſo a Conduit of divine inſtruction teaching them how to keep it. His Tongue was as the Pen of a ready Writer, which was toucht with a Coal from the Altar, that it knows no difference between rich and poor, mean and honourable. His Ears were ſometimes open to thoſe that came, but with the Colours of Chriſt about them, but neither they nor his Purſe that to the poor and needy, that would not only doſe out his Silver to them, but what he had in the name of the Lord to diſtribute to their precious Souls, his Hands were lift up againſt none but ſuch as appeared to him to be Iorams or Ahaziahs, nor ſtretched out to draw in any but good Iohanadabs into the Chariot of Aminadab. He was a Latimer for his plain dealing, a Luther for his zeal, and we may boldly ſpeak it a Paul for his diligence It was the Mantle of the great Prophet, that was his Rayment, the Power and Spirit of him, that was greater then Elias reſted on him, by which he was made inſtrumental in the doing of wonders, even the reviving of many a Shumanites Son, many a dead Soul, there are many Servants of God in Wales, that can ſay of him, as Paul does of himſelf, that though they had many Teachers, yet they had not man, Fathers in Chriſt.
He was for many years a dayly miner at the works of Chriſt, and we are confident that there is not this day in England a Labourer of his time, that can ſhew more …ight Silver O…e of his own raiſing then he, go out of the Welch Mines. witneſs his gathered Congregations in Mount Gomery, Radnor and Cardigan ſhire abounding with hopeful viſible Converts, to whoſe Miniſtry moſt in thoſe aſſemblies have acknowledged themſelves to own their bleſſed changes, who would be ready to atteſt the ſame unto the World by annexing hereto a Liſt of their Names were it thought neceſſary, beſides what ſucceſs the Lord gave him formerly in London. Kent and other places, where their remains many living Monuments of his powerful undeceiving Miniſtry, many its true were filled with envy towards him, yet being above diſcouragement, whilſt he was permitted was ſtill ſtriving to follow his Maſter as near as he might, going about doing good continually, and to heal every Soul-diſeaſe amongſt the People, ſtill labouring and endeavouring to cauſe the ſleepy to awake, the Deaf to hear, the Blind to ſee, the Lame to walk, many of ſuch good works did he do, and for which of thoſe was he ſtoned eſteemed, as Dung and off-ſcouring, and accounted as one of whom the World was not worthy. H. P. A. M. E. H. L. P. I. N. E. V. T. L. E. A. I. G. I. Q. C. L.
A faithful Narrative of his ſufferings and impriſonment.
Manifold were the Perils, Buffitings, Seiſures, and Impriſonments he underwent in his attending and pleading Chriſts Cauſe and Goſpel, inſomuch that it may truely be ſaid of him, as the Apoſtle ſpake of himſelf, 2. Cor. 6.4. &c. That in all things he approved himſelf a Miniſter of God, in much patience in affliction, in neceſſities, in diſtreſſes: In Stripes, in Impriſonments, in Tumults, in Labours, in Watchings, in Faſtings: By honour and diſhonour, by evil report and good report, as a Deceiver yet true, and 2. Cor. 9. In journeyings oft in perils of Waters, in perils of Robbers, in perils by his own Country-men, in perils in the City, in perils among falſe Rulers, in wearineſs and painfulneſs, in watchings oft, in hunger and thirſt, &c.
Firſt of the Perils and Buffitings that befel him.
Many were the Aſſaults, Buffitings and Lyings in wait for Life, that attended him in his Miniſtry whereof you have the following inſtances.
Once he was ſorely beaten by two of his Kinſmen at Knocklas in Radnor-ſhire, for reproving of them for ſin, inſomuch that his Head and other parts did ſwell and grow black, being ſtruck by one of them with a Crab-tree Cudgel, and with a ſtrong Arm, and yet to admiration as he himſelf expreſſeth it, that he felt it no more then if a Child had ſtruck him with a Bullruſh.
Another time he was ſorely beaten in Marion-ſhire.
Another time a Butcher at Vainvatre lay in wait in a narrow paſſage, to take away his life, and did aſſault him, but God ſtrangly delivered him.
At another time four men entred into an Oath to kill him but God ſtrangly preſerved him, and at the deſigned meeting where they intended the miſcheif, one of them was convinced.
At another time one came to a Meeting where he preached, at Newtown, with a full purpoſe to kill him, but was that time convinced and converted by the Word, and confeſſed and begged pardon for his wickedneſs.
Another time a man of Welch Pool entred into an Oath to kill him, and deſigned to attempt it at Guilſfeild, where he preached, where he was alſo at the ſame inſtant converted by the power of the Word.
Another time a woman came with a Knife to kill him, as he was preaching in a Market place at Machinleth, but was prevented.
At another time at Dollgelli in Marionſhire, as he was preaching he was aſſaulted by a rude rabble, who with Stones, Swords, Staves and Pol-Axes, attempted him and many of his company but he vvas ſtrangly delivered, though in their hands.
Not long after in the ſame Tovvn being indited and acquit at the publick Aſſizes for a Riot, upon the the former buſineſs a vvicked Fidler vvas hired to kill him, vvho vvith a Weapon under his Coat attempted it tvvice vvhileſt he ſtood at the Bar, but vvas prevented.
Another time going to preach in Mallwyd Kirk yard, ſeveral rude People aſſaulted him and his Freinds vvhere he vvas ſorely beaten and bruiſed on his head.
A Souldier ſhot a Brace of Bullets at him looking out of his Priſon Windovv in Mountgumery but God preſerved him.
Upon the taking of Angleſey he vvas in the midſt of the Enemy, and particularly aſſaulted by one that knevv him, Wounded in the Head, Hand and Grine, but God brought him off as before.
Four times he vvas delivered out of the hands of Robbers, and ſeveral ſtrange preſervations vvere, vouchſafed him from perils by Water both in England and Wales, and vvonderfully protected in ſeven dangerous falls from his Horſe in his journyings upon the Lords ſervice.
Of his ſeveral impriſonments.
1. The firſt of that kind he met vvith, vvas in Brecknock-ſhire, about the year 40. vvhere he being Preaching in a Houſe; vvas about 10. a Clock at Night, ſeated vvith 50. or 60. of his Hearers, by fifteen or ſixteen levvd Fellovvs, pretending a Warrant from one Juſtice Williams, vvho took them forthvvith avvay in the Night tovvards Belt the ſaid Juſtices houſe, but in the vvay meeting vvith a Kirk and an Alehouſe (too common yoke Fellovvs in Wales) they vvould have haid them into the Alehouſe, vvhichwhich they refuſed and choſe the Kirk rather, vvhere about Midnight he vvent to Prayer, ſung a Pſalm, and taught from Mat. 10.28. Fear not him that can kill the Body, &c. and it vvas obſerved that one of the cheifeſt and vildeſt of the troublers did weep ſorely, the next Morning he vvas brought to the Juſtices houſe, vvho not being at home at their firſt coming in, he betook himſelf to his Bible, and preached there again, vvhereat the Juſtice vvhen he came in vvas much inraged to find him at ſuch vvork in his houſe, but tvvo of his Daughters vvho ſeemed to reliſh the Word, begd him not to do any thing againſt him and his Companions, but ſuch vvas his rage that he preſently committed them to the Conſtables hands, vvho vvas ſo favourable as to permit them freely to enjoy religious exerciſe and vvorſhip, vvhichwhich they did at the ſaid Tovvn of Belt, and the Neighbourhood generally attended both that Night and the next Morning, the next day the Juſtice ſent for them again, to examine them further having got tvvo or three more Juſtices and ſix or ſeven Preiſts vvith him, vvhere after much conference and many threatnings diſcuſts them at that time.
2. Another time Preaching at Launger in Radnorſhire, in the Feild the publick place not being able to contain the Company, Mr. Hugh Lloyd the high Sheriff came with a Band of men and took him down out of the Chair wherein he Preached, and after examination committed him, and charged ſeveral Conſtables fifteen or ſixteen being preſent to execute his Mitimus vvho all but one refuſed the ſame, who took him into his cuſtody, and undertook to convey him to Priſon, and as he went with him his houſe being in the way the Conſtable permitted him to lodge at home that Night, who was ſo convinced whilſt he was at Family duty, that he declared he could not go a ſtep further with him, though it ſhould coſt him his life, being perſwaded he was one of the Servants of Chriſt, and ſo took leave and left him in his own houſe, though becauſe of the cruelty of the Juſtice durſt not return home but went for ſometime out of the Country, yet to prevent damage to the man, but eſpecially ſcandal to the Goſpel, bound himſelf with two ſufficient Sureties to appear the next Aſſizes in Radnorſhire, where appeared accordingly and their three Bills of Indictment preferred againſt him, from which upon the Traverſe the Judges and Jury befreinding him, he was acquit and the Judges afterwards inviting him to Dinner and deſiring him to give Thanks, one of them ſaid it was the beſt Grace he ever heard in his Life, giving him great countenance which proved much to the furtherance of the Goſpel in thoſe parts, to the great offence of the high Sheriff, who afterwards upon the coming on of the War perſecuted him out of the Country.
He being in London about the time that General Cromwell took upon him his ſupream Power (ſo impartial was he, and ſo great a Lover of Juſtice that what ever had been, the endeated intimacy and freindſhip betwixt him and the General, yet) did he that day he was Proclaimed (which was the 19. Decem. 1653.) Witneſs againſt that Action to thoſe perſons that were appointed to Proclaim him.
And on the ſaid day being the ſecond day of the Week did he with others Preach at Black fryars, where he alſo bore a publick Teſtimony againſt it. Upon the fourth day of the ſame Week, he and another were taken into cuſtody by ſeveral Meſſengers from the Council, and carried Priſoners to White-hall, many freinds came thither to accompany them to obſerve the iſſue, during the time they attended in the outward Rooms Mr Powel took occaſion to Preach to the People from a portion of Scripture, and in the midſt of his diſcourſe was ſent for in…o the Council and committed Priſoner for words ſpoken in Black fryars, he continued in the cuſtody of the Meſſengers, till the laſt day of the ſame Week, being the 24. of December and then was diſcharged. On the next day in the afternoon at the publick Meeting-houſe in Newgate-market called Chriſt Church, he Preached from thoſe words Acts 5.25. Then came one and told them ſaying behold the men whom yee put in Priſon, are ſtanding in the Temple and teaching the People.
He joyned (as you have heard) with ſeveral Chriſtians in Wales, in that Letter and publick Teſtimony that was ſent to Oliver Cromwel againſt his Uſurpation which he he underſtanding before it came up, cauſed a Party of Horſe to be ſent for him, and to be b…ought to his Major General at Worceſter, they took him at Aberbecham in Mountgumery ſhire.
From a day of Faſting and Prayer, and detained him ſometime a Priſoner upon that account.
Upon the ſecond Month called April 28, 1660. Early in the Morning, Mr. Powel dreamed that a company of Souldiers were coming to take him Priſoner; which he no ſooner awaked & had told his Wife, but he heard at ſome diſtance either a Carbine or a Piſtol diſcarged; which made him prſently conclude, that his Dreams was true, and was then immediately to be fulfilled: Whereupon though he had opportunity enough to make an eſcape, yet he choſe to ſtay, and to prepare himſelf for a Priſon: Therefore as ſoon as the Souldiers came into the houſe, he preſented himſelf unto them, and told them he underſtood their deſign, and was as willing to go along with them, as they were to require him; and ſo by them was carried to Priſon, which according to their Warrant was to the next Seſſions, Salop being 17 miles off where he was committed (with ſeveral others) to the cuſtody of a Marſhal; From thence he was conducted to Salop, where he continued Priſoner about Nine Weeks, and then by an Order of the King and Council, was releaſed with the reſt of his B ethren.
Mr. Powel being thus ſet at liberty thought it was his duty to improve that mercy, by continuing to Preach as he had done formerly; but one Sir M. P. at that time the High Sheriff of the County of Mountgomery, ſent to prohibit his meeting, and upon Mr. Powels refuſal to neglect the oppertunity of ſerving God among his People, the High Sheriff wrote a Letter to Secretary Morice, wherein he accuſed Mr. Powel of Sedition, Rebellion and Treaſon, and the like Crimes, which, though untruly Suggeſted, yet at that time eaſily beleived, and he doubted not but to procure power to impriſon one, who was repreſented ſo dangerous, but before any return came, ſo willing are ſome men to be doing, Mr. Sheriff directed a Warrant to take Mr. Powel and make him Priſoner, which was accordingly done, where he was continued ſeveral Moneths, all o…dinary wayes of releif by Law, allowed in ſuch Caſes, being wholly obſtructed.
The Jaylor in whoſe hands Mr. Powel was kept, was one that formerly told this ſtory concerning himſelf; How being one night in his Bed, there appeared to him about Eleven of the Clock at Night a bright ſhining light, and in the light a ſpeckled Bird, which bad him read Mat. 3.2. Early in the morning he got up, and having no Bible of his own, he went to borrow one of his Neighbours, and found theſe words, Repent, for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand; Upon which he entreated Mr. Powel, before he was a Priſoner, to Preach, and to take this Text for his Subject; And then he was ſo affected, as at the Sermon he was obſerved to weep, and confeſſed afterwads to ſome, that he was almoſt wrought upon; But a little time wore out that Impreſſion, for at Mr. Powels coming to Priſon, he was ſo much altered from any thing of good, that he not only very uncivilly uſed his Convincer, but very often ſought to trapan and enſnare his Priſoner.
After ſome Moneths ſtay, the Seſſions came, and after much importunity Mr. Powel was called, and inſtead of being releaſed, or having any juſt cauſe rendred why he ſhould ſtill be continued in Priſon, the Oaths of Supreamacy and Allegiance were tendred to him, and though he urged, that it was neceſſary he ſhould firſt be cleared of that which was already charged upon him, before he entred upon any new Matter, eſpecially ſince thoſe Oaths were deſigned againſt the Papiſts, who he ſaw were ſpared, and of him, as to any inclinableneſs unto Popery, they had no ſuſpicion; Yet neither in this could he be heard, but upon his refuſal of thoſe Oaths, ſo arbitrary and unneceſſarily tendred, he was again committed unto Priſon, the Judge refuſing to take any Bail for him, till the next Seſſions.
But he had not long continued here, when upon a falſe information returned againſt him, one of the Meſſengers of the Council (Mr. Wick…m) was ſent down with a Warrant to bring him before the King and the Council; whether he was brought within few dayes following; and whileſt he was waiting at the Council door, a Cavilier Captain one of his own County came to Mr. Powel, and upbraided him, adviſing him to run away, for that would be his beſt courſe: To whom he replied, before all the other Company, that God had made him to ſtand when he and his Companions the Cavaliers had run away; To which no anſwer was made, neither by that Captain, nor by any of the Company; But after 6. or 7. hours waiting, one of the Clerks of the Council, came with a Warrant in his hands, which he delivered to the Meſſenger, to carry Mr. Powel Priſoner to the Fleet, where he was detained almoſt two years, wanting but ſix Weeks, and for above 12. Moneths of that time, in ſo cloſe a Confinement that he was not ſuffered to go out of his Chamber Door, which, together with the offenſive ſmell of a Dunghil, which was juſt before his Window, did ſo much impair his Health, that he never after perfectly recovered it.
Whileſt Mr. Powel was thus a Priſoner in the Fleet, his Enemies could not ſatisfie themſelves by exerciſing cruelty upon his Body, but they alſo endeavoured to take away his good name and credit, by ſpreading a Report that he was in Priſon there for a great part of the Revenew of the Tythes of Wales. From which Aſperſion though many worthy Perſons had formerly cleared him, by a Book Printed in the Year 1653. called Examen & Purgament Vavaſeris; Yet noe knowing how far ſuch a Report might influnece to the reproach of the Goſpel, Mr. Powel did then write a breif Narrative concenting the proceedings of the Commiſſioners in Wales againſt the ejected Clergy, and therein, as knowing his own intigrity, he did defy all his Enemies to prove the leaſt Title of that Slander; To which Vindication no reply was ever put, nor indeed can be made: ſince all that knew Mr. Powel, muſt affirm this of him, that very few in this Self ſeeking Age were more of the Primitive temper, in ſeeking the Souls, rather then the Goods of others; which, though preſſed upon him with much importunity, he hath often refuſed; And ſo far was he from deſiring unjuſtly to enrich himſelf, that he did voluntarily quit the oppertunity of juſtly doing it.
Having now ſpent almoſt two years in the Fleet, there came a ſudden order for the ſending away of him and Collonel Rich, which without giving them ſo much as two hours time to provide themſelves, was executed upon them, upon the laſt day of September 1663. and in the Duke of Yorks Pleaſure Boat, whereof Captain Lambert was Commander, they were both conveyed to South-Sea Caſtle, by Portſmouth where Mr. Powel continued about five years not being reſtored till the removal of the Chancellour Hide did open a Door for him, (as for many other Priſoners) to ſue for his Habeas Carpus and ſo at length he obtained his liberty.
Mr. Powel after his releaſe out of South Sea Caſtle had ſcarce his liberty ten Moneths, when paſſing from Briſtol through ſome Parts of Monmouth-ſhire, he having in that County ſeveral opportunities in divers places to preach the Goſpel: People of all ſorts as well Profane, as Profeſſors ſhewing much willingneſs to embrace the ſame, he judging it his duty being called by the Lord, and deſired by the People, paſſed out of Monmouth ſhire into a place called Mertur lying in the mountian parts of Glamorgan-ſhire, where he found in the Church-yard of the ſaid Pariſh a great Congregation of People waiting to hear the Word of God: to whom after Prayer, the ſaid Vavaſor ſpake from the 17. Ier. verſe, 7, 8. From which Scripture, he ſhewed firſt who was a bleſſed man, and ſecondly wherein his bleſſedneſs did conſiſt.
But whilſt he was endeavouring to do the Lords work, the Parſon of Merthur one George Iones a man notoriouſly known in the Country, for many horid vices, (as Whoredome, Drunkeneſs, Cheating and putting away his Wife) poſted away in the time of Sermon to Cardiff which was about 12 or 14 miles off, and it being at the end of the Quarter-Seſſions there: he found but two of the Deputy Lieutenants tenants in the Town fudling after thier uſual manner,Dr. B. to whom the ſaid Iones made complaint, and falſe information, nay if one of thoſe Deputy Lieutenants may be credited, he took a falſe Oath, to wit, that the ſaid Vavaſor, and the Congregation to which he preached were met near 2 miles from that place, and many of them armed both which were falſe.
Upon this information, or depoſition, Thoſe two Deputy Lieutenants Mr. E. T. (in O C. time Lord Thomas) and Dr. B. an Officer in the Biſhops Court, g anted their Order to Major I. C. Major of the Militia of the ſaid County, to deſire and require him to take too his aſſiſtance military Officers and others, and to apprehend, attach and being the ſaid V. P. to his Majeſties Goal at Cardiff: and the Keeper of the ſaid Goal, and his Deputy, and Deputies are required to receive and detain the ſaid V. in ſafe and cloſe cuſtody, until ſuch time he ſhould be delivered by due courſe of Law. But ſhewing no particular ground at all in the ſaid Order or Commitment but Letters received from the Earl of Carbury, Lord Lieutenant of North and South Wales: which Letter Dr. B. himſelf confeſſed afterwards, were written by him and bore date in the year 1665 and made no mention (as others the D puty Lieutenants confeſs) of V. P. name: and if they had, yet the ſaid V. was at that time, and ſeveral years before a Priſoner, and in Nov. 1667. ☞ was ſet at liberty by order from the King, and his Council, to which order the Deputy Lieutenants (viz. the Earl of Carbury's) own hand is at. Let any unbiaſſed judicious Perſon (nay the worſt Enemy) be Judge of that illegallity and irrationality of this action of which it ſeems by what follows, thoſe two Deputy Lieutenants who committed the Priſoner, were themſelves ſuſpicous, (eſpecially the Dr. and therefore a more general meeting of the Dep. L. was appointed at Cowbridge the 17. Octob. whither the Priſoner was (by order from the Dr. and another of the Dep. L. commanded to come: where were preſent ſix of the Deputy Lieutenants, and in the Room the Major C. aforementioned with ſome other Gentlemen. The Priſoner being cald in, Dr. B. queſtioned him, who it ſeems was appointed to manage the Examination and conferrence with the Priſoner, which take as followeth, as near as can be remembred in their very words: at leaſt here is the ſum of it impartially ſet down.
Dr. B.
Mr. Powel what buſineſs had you in this Country.
Mr P.
Sir that had been proper to have been asked me before you had committed me, but however I am not unwilling to give you an account thereof: Having ſeveral occaſions to go to Bath and Briſtol, (and particularly an intent to drink of a Well that is good a) gainst a Distemper, I am troubled with, viz. the Stone- I came into Monmouth-ſhire, and ſo through ſome parts of this County, intending to travel towards my own Habitation, and Sir I think I may as well travel through the Country as another Traveller, being no Vagabond nor other ſuſpicious Perſon.
B.
But were not you in Newport, and in other places in Monmouth ſhire preaching.
P.
Sir I perceive you are a Doctor of the civil Law, and there is a Maxime in that Law, Nemo renetur Seipſum accuſare, no man is bound to accuſe himſe f, but Sir I am neither aſhamed nor afraid to own what I did, for it was but what I am commanded to do by my Lord, and Master Chriſt, to wit to preach his Goſpel.
B.
What authority have you to preach?
P.
Sir I have ſufficient authority.
B.
From whom.
P.
From God and Men.
B.
Are you in Orders.
P.
Sir if by Orders you mean to be ordained, and appointed to be a Minister, I am.
B.
From whom had you your ordinantion.
P.
I have told you already from God and Men, and Sir you are none of my Biſhop to catechiſe and examine me, and therefore ask me ſuch Queſtions as are ad…em, and which belongs to you to ask, and me to anſwer, and Sir ſince you do not, I deſire to know by what Law you proceed againſt me, ſo as to impriſon and detain me without any proofe againſt me, or examination of me firſt.
B.
Sir you have broken the Law by preaching without orders, and you came with ſome 100 yea a 1000. Horſemen with you into Newport, and the Mayor of Newport came hither to complain againſt you.
P.
Its true I came to Newport and Preached there, but Sir that is not in your County, nor under your Cognizance, yet I ſhall ſatisfie you that that Report you heard was falſe, for there came with me about four or five Horſmen: and if I preached it was not without the Mayors privity and conſent, as ſeveral credible Gentlemen will atteſt if need be.
B.
But you had a Conventicle at Merthur, where were abundance of People, they ſay a thouſand at leaſt, and ſome of them armd.
P.
Sir we had a Chriſtian meeting at Merthur, but no Conventicle: For Sir a Conventicle is ſo named from convenire in malum, and your Law ſaith it is a Meeting together under pretence of Religious worſhip and ſervice, to plot or deſign evil againſt the King and his Government. But our Meeting was no ſuch meeting, for we did not pretend to worſhip God, but did it really, viz. pray; preach and hear Gods word, and it appears ab effe…tu that there was no ſuch intention in our meeting, for after the exerciſe we all departed peaceably to or towards our ſeveral Habitations, and whereas you ſay ſome were armed, your information is not true, for there was not any that I ſaw, and I beleive none had any more then walking Staves or riding Rods in their hands.
B.
But yet this was a Transgreſſion of the Law?
P.
I am ſure it is no Transgreſſion of the Law or command of Chriſt who commands his Goſpel to be preached to every Creature: neither Sir do I know, this to be any transgreſſion of the Law of the Land: if it be, it is and hath been for many Moneths tollerated generally throughout the Nation and I my ſelf hath enioyed my liberty both in London, and other Countries without moleſtation: Notwithſtanding I have been where Perſons a…e as knowing and zealous for the Laws as you are or can be, and I ſuppoſed I might as well have done the like in this County, eſpecialy hearing of the moderation of the Gentlemen of theſe parts.
B.
What we do, we do in reference to the Laws, we are ſworn and bound to keep them.
P.
Sir if you do things with reference to the laws, you muſt be impartial therein, and obſerve the rules of the Law, together with the true intent of it, which is not to puniſh the good but the evil, and you would do well to put the Laws in Execution againſt Drunkards, Swearers, Sabboth breakers, Whoremongers, Papiſts, and other Offenders and Malefactors.
B.
The Dr. being touch'd with his own guilt herein, he turns to the reſt of the Gentlemen, and ſaith, Do you hear how he charges us with neglect of executing the Laws, &c.
P.
Sir I do not charge you, but I ſay you would do well to put the Laws in execution againſt ſuch tranſgreſſors as I have mentioned.
B.
Do we not do it, and now the Dr. began to be angry.
P.
Sir your own Conſciences and the Countrey know what you do therein, but ſir I deſire again to know what law do you charge the breach of it on me, and by which you impriſon me.
B.
Then the Dr. called to his man to teach him a Satchel or Bag that had ſome writings in it, which he drew out, and took firſt the Act made againſt Conventicles by the preſent Parliament, and gave it Mr. Powel, and ask'd him whether he had ſeen it.
B.
Yes ſaid Powel I have ſeen and conſidered it.
B.
Well what ſay you to it?
P.
Firſt I anſwer as I did before, that our Meeting was no Conventicle nor a private but a publick Meeting. Secondly, That it is the opinion of divers learned Lawyers, that that Act is now out of date as ſeems by the laſt proviſo therein and I was upon that Act before a learned Lawyer, and Iuſtice of Peace, who underſtood it in that ſence, and diſcharged me. But, Thirdly, Its apparent you have not proceeded with me according to that Act, for you have apprehended me in my lodging a day after, and not in the exerciſe. Again your Order and Commitment was not as you were Iuſtices of the Peace but Deputy Leiutenants, and ſo your Officer Major Carn, when I deſired to ſee his Authority, he laid his hand upon his Sword and ſaid that was his Authority. Again ſir, be pleaſed with the reſt of you Gentlemen, to conſider that my Commitment is not grounded upon that Act, but upon the Lord Lieutenants Letters written ſeveral years before, when I was in Priſon elſewhere, and yet in November laſt, by Order from the King and his Council (to which Order the Lord Lieutenants hand is) I was ſet at liberty.
B.
But we did not know that.
P.
Then ſir I make it known unto you now.
B.
But were you ſet at liberty in November laſt?
P.
Yes ſir that I was.
B.
But had you no hand in the Plot in the No th.
P.
No ſir nor head neither, nor did I hear of it till a while after it was diſcovered.
B.
I am ſure you were then charged with it.
P.
So have I been with many other things that are falſe: but Gentlemen I deſire you to take notice how groundleſs that report was, by this inſtance. I was committed Priſoner in the year 1660. and continued ſo ever ſince till November 1667. in ſeveral Priſons, whereof the five laſt years in South ſea Caſtle near Portſmouth, and in the year that the Plot was, I was ſo ſick that I kept my bed moſt part of it, much liker to dye then to live, as the Governour and other Gentlemen there can teſtify.
B.
Then the Dr. gave Mr. Powel a Letter the King wrote to the Arch Biſhop containing direction how and what Doctrine Preachers, ſhould preach, forbidding to meddle with the doctrine of reprobation, Controverſies, matters of Government, &c. and asked Mr. Powel whether he ſaw that.
P.
No ſir I do not remember I ſaw it.
B.
Then gave it to Mr. Powel to read, who after he had read it, returnd it and ſaid,
P.
Sir this Letter doth not concern me but ſuch Miniſters as are ſetled in Pariſhes, which the Biſhops are to ſee they do accordingly, but I am none of them, yet there is ſomething in the Letter which makes for me, becauſe I do in my preaching preach the Goſpel and againſt ſin, and do not meddle with controverſies as that letter directs.
B.
But here's another Letter upon that written by my Lord Chancellor.
P.
What Lord Chancellor do you mean, Chancellor Hide.
B.
Yes.
P.
Sir I ſhall not ſhew that reſpect as to receive, much leſs to read the letter of one that would have betrayd his King and Countrey, and I wonder how you dare now mention his name, thereupon ſome of the other Deputy Lieutenants ſmild and covered their faces.
B.
What ſay you of the Canons of the Church, the 20th. Canon forbids men to Preach without O ders.
P.
Sir what have I to do with your Canons, which are not ſtabliſhed by Law: you know ſir, that it is the opinion of many learned Gentlemen of the long Robe as well as others, that your not only Canons are without force, but that your Epiſcopal Courts have no power to impoſe Oaths upon perſons.
B
But there are others of a contrary opinion.
P.
Then ſir let that matter reſt, till it be determined by wiſer men then we are.
B.
But what ſay you of the Doctrine of the Church of England, contained in the 39. Articles.
P.
For the Articles that concern the Doctrine of the Church (mark I ſay the Articles that concern the Doctrine thereof, I ſay not the Diſcipline) I hold them to be generally ſound and conſonant to Gods word: and I am more for them then moſt of your Praelatical and Parochial Miniſters who are Arminians in their principles and Preachings: which Doctrine is contrary to the Doctrine contained in the Articles of the Church of England.
B.
When were you at the publick worſhip.
P.
What publick worſhip do you mean ſir? The publick worſhip of God?
B.
The publick worſhip of the Church?
P.
What ſir, do you make a difference between the publick worſhip of God, and the publick worſhip of the Church. If by publick worſhip, you mean Prayer, Preaching, reading the Scriptures, ſinging of Pſalms, &c. It is my practice to be as often as I can at that worſhip. Here again the Dr. was at a ſtand, and replyd not: but ſome other few paſſages paſt between them, which the Relator remembers not. Then the cheifeſt of the Deputy Lieutenants, S. E. M. very civilly and mildly deſired Mr. Powel to withdraw, and they would conſider of it.
P.
Sir ſayth he I will, but firſt I crave leave to ſpeak a few words, which I humbly leave to your conſideration, I am (though your Countreyman, yet) a ſtranger, haveing been not above twice before in your County, and at this time but one day only, and that in tran…i…n. I have been taken in my lodging, and committed Priſoner without any juſt ground that hath been yet objected: There is neither Sedition Treaſon nor any other crime laid to my charge, the ground ſpecified in my commitment I have already ſhewed to be a miſtake which I have rectifyed. All that is pretended againſt me, is that I preached a Sermon in Merthur in this County to a poor willing people, againſt which Sermon there is no exception made: and ſeeing it is ſo, I deſire you to conſider, and ſeriouſly to weigh whether you do well to impriſon me upon ſuch account eſpecially, ſince there is ſuch a general tolleration (at leaſt connivance) of ſuch things now throughout the Nation: and I my ſelf have found it in divers other places, and having heard of the moderation of you Gentlemen of this County. I was emboldned ſo much the more to preach the word of the Lord, hoping to have furtherance, and no hindrance from you therein. I bleſs God I am not aſhamed of what I have done, nor afraid of men, having looked ſo many men, and Death in the Face ſo oft, and therefore the will of the Lord be done concerning me: though I would deſire you to conſider the words of Chriſt, with the ſame Judgement ye judge, ye ſhall be judged, and be ſure as the Apostle ſaith That he that ſheweth judgement without mercy, ſhall find judgement without mercy.
B.
If you think we wrong you you may remove your ſelf by a Habeas Corpus.
P.
Doctor when you have done your worſt (as you do) I muſt do my beſt: but I wiſh the Lord may forgive you, the inury you do me and others. Gentlemen if I have ſaid any thing amiſs or provoking, being to ſpeak to things ſuddenly, I would deſire that that may be no cauſe of any other proceedings, then you intended, but look into the true Cauſe of my ſufferings, and ſo he went out.
The Deputy Lieutenants had ſome hot diſcourſe before Dinner about it, and it was ſuppoſed the moſt part of them were inclining to releaſe the Priſoner, but as it ſeems ſome falſe Report was ſent out of Monmouth-ſhire, againſt him, concerning ſome words, that the Priſoner ſhould ſpeak a Sermon in that County, which being afterwards enquired into, was found falſe, and Dr. B. himſelf. ſaid if that Apostate that raiſed the Report were in his County he would bind him to his good behaviour. Yet thot with the earnest instigation of Dr. B. prevailed ſo far as that when the Priſoner was called again before Sun-ſet or a little before: moſt of the Gentlemen were moved againſt the Priſoner, ſome judged becauſe the Dr. miſrepreſented a Paſſ…age of the Priſoner mentioned before & ſpoken only to the Dr. viz That when he had done his worſt, he told them the Priſoner bid them all do their worſt, which he; neither ſaid nor intended it. But others ſuppoſed, that Wine had prevailed ſo far over ſome of them (as too o… t it doth) as to make them now ſpeak for the firſt, and faſteſt, yea at once who had not a word in the Morning to ſay. And thus in a great confuſion the Priſoner with threatening words and ſtrict charge given to the Taylor by ſome, he was again remanded and recommited: and in his going forth he told them Gentlemen what you have done I ſubmit willingly to, being no more troubled at it then at this Hair, and ſo drew one of his Hairs. and my Prayer ſhall be for you that you may find more mercy from …od, then I have found from you. But that God that I ſerve is able to ſave me,
This meeting being ended they put the Priſoner under a new Commitment, which was drawn before by the Doctor or his Clerk as ſome ſaw it in the next Room in a Statute Book.
Hereupon the Deputie Lieutenants it ſeems writ a Letter to the Lord Lieutenant Ca…bury to ſignify what they had done and they received an Anſwer from him to render them thanks, & to detain the Priſoner till further order. Thereupon in one day viz. 30th. of Octob there were two new Commitments again upon the Priſoner. One ſubſcribed by two of the Deputie Lieutenants commanding the Priſoner to be kept in ſafe cuſtody till furorders from the Deputy Lieutenants of this County, who ſubſcribed the Warrant of his …ommitment at …owbridge. The other Commitment by five to keep him in ſafe custody till they did receive further orders from their Lord Lieutenant to both theſe Commitments Dr. B. hand is ſet, both bearing the ſame date, as was ſaid before viz. October 30. 1668.