Hell Opened, Title page – Dedication
HELL OPEN'D, OR, The Infernal Sin of Murther Puniſhed.
BEING A True Relation of the Poyſoning of a whole Family in Plymouth, whereof Two died in a ſhort time.
For which horrid Fact, the Malefactors were Condemned before the Lord Chief Juſtice North at Exceter, the laſt Lent Aſſizes. The one to be Burnt, the other to be Hanged.
WITH An Account of the ſeveral Diſcourſes, and Religious means uſed by divers godly Miniſters to bring them to Repentance.
Publiſhed for a warning to both Young and Old, to flie Iniquity, and exerciſe themſelves in the practice of Godlineſs.
By J. Q. Miniſter of the Goſpel.
LONDON, Printed for Francis Eglesfield, at the Sign of the Marygold in St. Pauls Church-Yard, 1676.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the ſnares of death.
Prov. 14.27.
A Man that doth violence to the Blood of any Perſon, ſhall flee to the Pit, let no Man ſtay him.
Prov. 28.17.
The Lord is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is ſnared in the work of his own hands.
Pſal. 9.16.
foreign, without (the Gates of Heaven) are the Dogs, and the POYSONERS.
Rev. 22.15.
And they became a Sign.
Numb. 26.10.
And Iſrael ſhall hear, and fear, and do no more ſuch wickedneſs.
Deut. 13.11.
To the Right Worſhipful John Dell Major, and to the Worſhipful William Weeks, William Jennings, and John Martyn, Juſtices of the Peace, together with their Brethren the Magiſtrates of the Town of Plymouth. And to my very Honored Friend, John Harris of Manniton Eſquire.
Sirs,
I Have real ſomewhere of an Hermite, who being guided by an Angel unto two Cities, ſaw the Gates of the firſt cloſe ſhut, and a Devil having the Keys thereof at his Girdle in a deep ſleep, and ſnorting, From thence he is led unto the other, (which was fair and ſpacious,) and finds the Gates wide open, innumerable Devils crouding and thronging in, multitudes climbing over the walls, and whole ſwarms of them in the Churches, Streets, Houſes, Shops, walks, and all other Avenues and places of concourſe, exceedingly employed, buſying and beſtirring themſelves to the utmoſt for the ruine of it, and her Inhabitants. At which wondring beyond meaſure, the Angel told him, yonder City is the worſt of the Two, ingulpht in all wickedneſs and irreligion, ſo that Beelzebub hath no fear of looſing it, and therefore there is but one Devil to guard it, and his work ſo little, that he ſleeps. But as for this wherein now we are, here are many Souls fearing and ſerving God, Religion is profeſſed, and Religious Worſhip countenanced and incouraged, and the Holy Angels of God are watching over theſe precious Saints and their Habitations to preſerve them. This hath cauſed Hell to break looſe, and to endeavor by all means, and arts imaginable their ruine, and its deſtruction.
Sirs, I think this be no unfitting Emblem of our Plymouth, wherein I truſt there are multitudes of Gods dear Servants, as well as Sinners: But I fear me, multitude of Devils alſo, that walk in Temples and Congregations, in Streets and Houſes, in Chambers and Cloſets, in Ships and Shops, upon Keys and Exchange. The over abounding of Sin among us, and of late of that hainous and crying ſin of Blood and Murther, (for which Two of the prime Actors (and God knows whether there be any other) have ſuffered condign puniſhment,) is too ſad and clear an inſtance hereof. When Hannibal was at the Gates of Rome, it was more than time for the Conſuls and Senate to look about them. Woe! Woe! Unto the Inhabitants of the Earth, ſaith an Angel from Heaven, Becauſe the Devil is come down among you, having great wrath, for his time is ſhort. He doth not appear in a viſible ſhape at noon day, but walks (as his younger Son the Jeſuite) in all ſorts of Maſques and diſguiſes, in every habit and faſhion, and among Perſons of every Trade, Calling, Quality, and Condition.
Now, Sirs, God having conſtituted you the Angel-Guardians of our Plymouth, and made you Gods unto it, there is all reaſon you ſhould be awake, and do your utmoſt to prevent the Stratagems and attempts of Hell againſt it. I know no other way or means that you have, than by an exemplary Holineſs in your lives, than by walking with God in your reſpective Families and Callings, than by a couragious, zealous, activity for God and Godlineſs, and a vigorous ſuppreſſion, and impartial puniſhing of all Vice and Impiety. Would you but continue your great reſpects and incouragements to your Reverend and Learned Miniſters, and joyn both Swords together, Temporal and Spiritual, I am confident the deſigns of Hell againſt you would be broken, fruſtrated, and rendered ineffectual.
Honored Sirs, My hearts deſire and Prayer for you is, that you may do worthily in your Ephrata, and Famouſly in your Bethlehem, that you may glorifie God in your Station, and that God may reflect rays and beams of Glory upon you, For ſuch as Honor him, God will Honor them, but they that deſpiſe him ſhall be lightly eſteemed, 1 Sam. 2.30.
Sirs, if you will ſuppreſs all prophaneneſs, and by your Authority put out the Fire of uncleanneſs, if you will ſtop the Mouth, and Gag the Tongue of the Swearer, that the Roaring of Oaths and Curſes be not heard in our Streets, if you will promote true practical Piety, and perſevere as you have begun in the conſcientious diſcharge of your Magiſtratical Duty, the God of bleſſings will bleſs your perſons and Families, and Plymouth ſhall never be a Sodom but Zion, ſhall ever be a, Jeruſalem for Goſpel-priviledges, a Pillar and Ground of Truth, rich and flouriſhing as Tyre for Trade and Traffick, and as formerly, ſo in after-times a Zoar for Divine ſafety and wonderful preſervations.
That endeared affection I have for the Town of my Nativity, where I firſt drew my breath, and where I had my School-Education, moveth me to ſpeak and write ſo freely. And your true goodneſs cannot but make a candid interpretation thereof.
May Plymouth, her Magistrates and Government ever live before God! May this Famous Town be called Hephzibah and Beulah, the Delight of God, and Married unto God! Let her be called the Righteous, the Holy City! And may this be her name unto Poſterity, Jehovah Shamma, The Lord is there. So prayeth, Right Honored Sirs.
From my Study in Plymouth, April 7. 1676. Your moſt humble and unfeigned Sevant in our Lord Jeſus, John Quicke.