Popery Anatomized, Preface
THE PREFACE TO THE LOVERS OF THE REformed Religion in Britain and Ireland.
DEARLY BELOVED IN THE LORD,
The name and memory of that Apoſtolick and ſingularly godly and faithful ſervant of JESUS CHRIST M. John Welſch (who now is attending his Maſters work in the Upper-Houſe without wearying, night and day) is ſo precious in the Church of CHRIST, that the reviſing & republiſhing of any of his works (who praiſe him in the gate) will, I hope, be very acceptable to all the learned and godly, eſpecially this ſubſequent Treatiſe, wherein many of the greateſt and weightieſt points of Controverſie betwixt us and Papiſts, are learnedly and ſolidly debated, and the truth of our Doctrine evidently demonſtrated; and the error, ſuperſtition, and idolatry of the Church of Rome excellently anatomized and ſolidly refuted; eſpecially in ſuch a time as this, when Popery ſo much every where prevaileth, and the Pope and his Agents are moſt active and diligent, uſing all-means to get their deadly wound cured, ſending over to theſe Nations dayly ſwarms of Prieſts and Jeſuits, with books, beads, medals, and the like Romiſh traſh, thereby to ſeduce the poor people, who are in great hazard, partly through their ignorance of the Controverſies betwixt us and Papiſts, partly through the lamentable decay of zeal againſt Antichriſt, and love to the truth; partly through the ſad diviſions and diſtractions that are among our ſelves, whereby the poor people are ſorely brangled and tempted to Scepteiiſm, and is made uſe of by Prieſts and Jeſuits, as a ſtrong motive to perſwade them to Popery, although there be far greater diviſions among Papiſts, then among us, as I have elſewhere demonſtrated.
We ſhal not detain you long in the entry, but only ſpeak a little of the Author, and of this Treatiſe, and the cauſes that moved the reviving and republiſhing thereof at this time.
The now triumphing and glorified Author needeth none of our commendation, he being among the ſpirits of juſt men before the throne, and his memory being deſervedly very precious in the Church of Chriſt: But becauſe the lives of godly men are uſeful for imitation, we ſhal give a ſhort deſcription of his life. He was deſcended of an ancient and reſpective family, being a ſon of an ancient houſe of the name of Welſch in Nithſdale. He was born a little after that bleſſed work of Reformation began in Scotland: and being trained up at Schools, he profited very much, ſo that he was excellently accompliſhed in all kind of literature, and eminent for piety and zeal for the Kingdom of Chriſt: And being called to the Miniſtery of the Goſpel about the year 1588. at the town of Kirkubright, he was moſt diligent and laborious in preaching, catechiſing, viſiting the ſick, and diſputing and convincing of Papiſts, which that Countrey abounded with. And his labors were ſingularly bleſſed of God; for many were brought by his Miniſtery, to ſee the error, ſuperſtition and idolatry of Popery, and to embrace the truth: and many were really converted to God, and others were edified and built up, confirmed, comforted, and ſtrenthened; ſo that he, as a ſhining and burning light, did inlighten that whole Countrey, who at that time was in many places deſtitut of Paſtors. After he had remained there ſeveral years, the General Aſſembly thought fit to tranſport him to Air, as a Town of greater note, and more populous, where he was moſt aſſiduous and diligent in the work of the Miniſtery: for he preached not only twiſe on the Lords day, but alſo twiſe on every day of the week, from nine to ten in the morning, and from four to five at night, where the Lord wonderfully bleſſed his labors; for both in Air, and in the Countrey about, many were converted by him: ſome of whom were as eminent and lively Chriſtians, as readily have been known of latter times. After he had continued in the work of the Miniſtery ſeveral years at Air, he was commiſſioned by the Presbytery, with ſome other of his brethren, to keep the Aſſembly indicted at Aberdene, anno 1605. for which he, with M. John Forbes, M. Andrew Duncan, M. John Sharp, M. Robert Dury, and M. Alexander Strachan, were arraigned, impriſoned, and at length baniſhed, anno 1606. whereupon he went to France, and in a very ſhort time learned the French tongue, and acquired ſuch a facility therein, as was thought ſtrange by theſe who knew it. He was called to the Miniſtery in S. John d' Angely, a Proteſtant town in France, where his Miniſtery was much bleſſed with ſucceſs. But the Civil Warrs ariſing while he was there, that City was beſieged on the Proteſtant intereſt. M. Welſch did much encourage the people, and told them that their adverſaries ſhould not prevail. But in proceſs of time, the town was ſore ſtraitned, and ready to be taken, the enemy having raiſed a battery, and by a cloſe approach, had made a great breach in the wall. M. Welſch hearing thereof (leſt the people ſhould be diſcouraged and faint) went himſelf with the Canonier up the walls, and deſired he ſhould charge ſuch a piece of Canon, and ſhoot, for GOD ſhould direct that ſhot, and cauſe it to proſper; which accordingly did, to the aſtoniſhment of on-lookers, diſmount that battery: and the Lord ſo ordered things after, that the King did parley on favorable terms with the City, and did only himſelf with his Court come in, without doing any violence.
Upon the LORDS day thereafter, ſome of the godly in that place, fearing M. Welſch his hazard, did ſeriouſly deal with him, that he would forbear to go forth and preach, the Court being there: But he would by no means be hindered, ſhowing them he would adventure to preach the Word to his people, and truſt the Lord with what concerned himſelf: Therefore he went forth and preached, having a very great Auditory, both of friends, and others, who came upon the fame of ſuch a man. But in time of Sermon, a great man of the Court, with ſome of the Kings own guard, was ſent to bring him forthwith before the King: and whilſt he was entering the Church, which had ſome difficulty, by reaſon of the multitude, M. Welſch did turn himſelf toward that entry, and deſired the people to give way to one of the great Peers of France that was coming in. But after whilſt he was coming near the Pulpit to execute his Commiſſion, he did with great authority ſpeak to him before all the people; and in the Name of his Maſter JESUS CHRIST, charged him, that he would not diſturb the worſhip of GOD. Wherewith he was ſo affrighted, that he fell a ſhaking, yea was forced to crutch down, and make no further trouble. Sermon being ended, M. Welſch with much ſubmiſſion, went to the King, who was then greatly incenſed, and with a threatning countenance, asked, What he was? And how he durſt preach Hereſie ſo near his perſon, and with ſuch contumacy carry himſelf? To which with due reverence, bowing himſelf, he did anſwer: I am, Sir, the ſervant and Miniſter of JESUS CHRIST, whoſe truth I preached this day: which if your Majesty rightly knew, ye would have judged it your duty to have come your ſelf and heard. And for my doctrine, I did this day preach theſe three truths to your people. Firſt, that man is fallen, and by nature in a loſt condition; yea, by his own power and abilities, is not able to help himſelf from that eſtat. Secondly, that there is no ſalvation, or deliverance from wrath, by our own merits; but by JESUS CHRIST, and his merit alone. Thirdly, I did alſo preach this day, the juſt liberties of the Kingdom of France, that your Majeſty oweth obedience to Chriſt only, who is the Head of the Church: and that the Pope, as he is an enemy to Chriſt and his truth, ſo alſo to the Kings of the earth, whom he keepeth under ſlavery to his uſurped power. Whereat the King for a time keeping ſilence, with great aſtoniſhment turned to ſome about him, and ſaid, Surely, this is a man of GOD. Yea, after did commune with him, and with great reſpect diſmiſſed him. The next year, the differences betwixt the King and Proteſtants growing greater, the City was again beſieged. M. Welſch intreated the Citizens to make peace with the King; for God had a controverſie with them, for their unthankfulneſs, and not walking anſwerably to the Goſpel, therefore he was not with them as formerly, but had given them up to their enemies: and if they ſtood out, their City ſhould be taken. But the City not hearkening to him, was taken, and in part ſacked. At which time the King paſſed a ſolemn order, that none ſhould in the leaſt wrong M. Welſch, nor any thing that belonged to him, under higheſt pains: and ſaid to him, as Nebuzaradan to Jeremiah, All the land is before thee, whither it ſeemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go. But M. Welſch being grown exceedingly infirm in his body, and the Phyſicians adviſing that only his native air could help him, choiſed to go over to England, whereupon the King granted him a ſafe-conduct. So he came over to London, where he remained a certain ſpace; but not being permitted to return to Scotland, his ſickneſs encreaſed, and he died. During the time of his ſickneſs, he was ſo filled and overcome with the ſenſible enjoyment of GOD, that he was ſometimes over-heard in prayer, to have theſe words, LORD, hold thy hand, it is enough; thy ſervant it a clay veſſel, and can hold no more.
He was a man, for piety, converſe, and communion with GOD, moſt ſingular and rare. M. Rutherfurd in his Epiſtle prefixed to his Survey of Antinomianiſm, ſhoweth that from the witneſſes of his life, he had this account, that of every twenty-four hours, he gave uſually eight to prayer, if other neceſſary and urgent duties did not hinder; Yea, he ſpent many dayes and nights which he ſet apart, in faſting and prayer, for the condition of the Church, and the ſufferings of the Reformed Churches abroad. He uſed even in the coldeſt winter nights, to riſe for prayer (as the Author of the fulfilling of the Scripture teſtifieth) and oft times his wife hath riſen to ſeek after him, where he hath been found lying on the ground, weeping, and wreſtling with the LORD; yea, ſome times would have been much of the night alone, in the Church of Air, on that account. One time eſpecially, his wife finding him overcharged with grief, he told her, he had that to preſs him which ſhe had not, the ſouls of three thouſand people to anſwer for, whilſt he knew not how it was with many of them. And at another time whilſt ſhe found him alone, his ſpirit almoſt overcharged with anguiſh and grief, upon her ſerious enquiry, ſaid, That the times which were to come on Scotland were heavy and ſad, though ſhe ſhould not ſee them, and this for the contempt of the Goſpel.
While he was in France, a Frier travelling through the Countrey came to his houſe, and M. Welſch being very hoſpital, permitted him to ſtay all night. The Friers bed being not far from M. Welſch his chamber, heard a noyſe, with many deep ſighs and groans all night, which he ſuppoſed to have been an evil ſpirit, and therefore aroſe early in the morning, and would needs be gone: a Scots Gentle-man being in the houſe, and ſeeing the Frier troubled, enquired what the matter meant that he would be gone ſo ſoon? He anſwered, he would not ſtay in a Huguenots houſe any longer, for they had converſe with evil ſpirits. The Gentle-man underſtanding the matter, told him, that it was M. Welſch, whoſe ordinary it was to pray all night, and deſired him to ſtay the next night, and he ſhould ſee the truth thereof: which accordingly he did, and was ſo much aſtoniſhed at M. Welſch his piety, that he forſook Popery, and embraced the Reformed Religion.
As he converſed with GOD, and dwelt in the Mount by prayer and wreſtling with GOD, night and day (for he uſed to ſay, He wondered how a Chriſtian could ly in bed all night without riſing to ſpend ſome of the night in prayer and praiſe) ſo he was admitted to very intimat nearneſs with him: and to ſpeak with reverence, put upon his ſecrets, ſo that he had very many things revealed to him, both concerning the Church and Kingdom of Scotland, and concerning particular places and perſons; ſeveral inſtances thereof are recorded.
I. In his letter to my Lady Fleeming, he fore-telleth the judgement coming on Scotland: for he thus ſpeaketh: Alace, for the Kingdom of Scotland: my testimony doth not differ from that of many before this time, who ſaid, that the judgement of Scotland ſhould be blood. This Kingdom ſhal be drowned in blood: A forbiſhed and gliſtering ſword is dight, and already drawn out of the ſheath, which ſhal not return until it be made drunk with the blood of the men within this Land. Firſt, the heavy inteſtin ſword, and then the fury of a ſtranger. O doleful Scotland! well were he that were removed far from thee, that his eyes might not ſee, …r his ears hear all the evils that are to come upon thee. Neither the ſtrong man by his ſtrength, nor the rich man by his riches, nor the Noble by his blood, ſhal be delivered from the judgement. There is a great ſacrifice to be made in Bozra, in thee, O Scotland! of the blood of all ſorts in the Land. Ephraim ſhal conſume Manaſſe, and Manaſſe Ephraim. Brother against brother, and every man in the judgement of the LORD, ſhal be armed to thruſt his ſword in the ſide of his neighbor, and all for the contempt of the moſt glorious Goſpel, and that blood which was offered to thee, O Scotland! in ſo plentiful a manner, that the like thereof hath not been offered to any Nation; therefore thy judgement ſhal be the greater. The fulfilling whereof (at leaſt in part) hath ſince been very ſenſible, and is known by many alive, who had that letter long before the late troubles did begin.
II. On a certain night being under an extraordinary preſſure of ſpirit to go and powr forth his heart to GOD, he left his wife in bed, and going out to a garden, ſpent moſt of the night in that exerciſe; but his wife weary, at laſt went to ſeek for him: but miſſing him in his ordinary place, went into other gardens, by ſuch paſſages as ſhe knew; at laſt ſhe heard a voyce, and drawing near to it, could but hear him ſpeak a few words, but with great force and fervency, mixed and accompanied with floods of tears, which were theſe, O GOD, wilt thou not give me Scotland? O GOD, wilt thou not give me Scotland. She being weary and afraid to interrupt him, went home, and heard not the cloſe. At laſt he came home, and reentering to his bed, his wife began to reprove his unmercifulneſs to his own body, then asked him, what was he ſaying? for ſhe told ſhe heard him. Well, ſaid he, ye had better have been in your bed; but ſince ye heard, I tell you, I have endured a great fight for Scotland this night, and hardly could I get a remnant reſerved, yet he will be gracious.
III. After this he aroſe another night, but went not out of doors: but in a chamber he travelled and groaned ſo, as his wife impatient did riſe ſeveral times calling him to bed: but he waited his time. And when he came, ſhe began a modeſt expoſtulation with him for tarrying. Hold thy peace (ſaid he) it will be well with us; but I ſhal never preach another preaching in Air. And having fallen aſleep, before he awaked, the meſſenger was come, who by command carryed him priſoner to the Caſtle of Edinburgh.
IV. When he was priſoner in the Caſtle of Edinburgh, for holding the Aſſembly of Aberdene. The Lord Ochiltrie being at that time Captain of the Caſtle, cauſed M. Welſch to ſup with him one night in the Caſtle (being related to him, for M. Welſch mother in law, M. Knoxs wife was his ſiſter) where were alſo ſeveral other Gentle-men, and among them a Popiſh youth ſate toward the lower end of the table. M. Welſch being by the Captain ſet at the upper end, entertained the company with grave and edifying diſcourſe, which all delighted to hear, ſave the young Papiſt, who with laughter and deriſion labored to ſilence him, which was little regarded by M. Welſch. But after ſupper while the gueſts ſate a little, this youth ſtood up at the lower end of the table, and while M. Welſch proceeded from grave to gracious entertainment of them at table, the youth came to that hight of inſolency, as with the finger to point at him, and with the face to make flouting grimaces, whereby he grieved the holy man, ſo as on a ſudden he was forced to a ſilence.
The whole company who heard him with delight, were ſilent with him. Within a little, M. Welſch, as moved by the Spirit of GOD, broke forth into theſe words: Gentle-men, the Spirit of GOD is provoked againſt us, and I ſhal intreat you not to be afraid to ſee what GOD ſhal do among you before you riſe from the table; for he will ſmite ſome one of you with death before you go home. All were ſilently aſtoniſhed, waiting to ſee the iſſue with fear: and while every man feared himſelf, except the inſolent youth, he fell down dead ſuddenly at the foot of the table, to ſhow the power of GODS jealouſie againſt the mockers of his Spirit, and the offers of his grace.
V. One day while M. Welſch looked out at his chamber window in the Caſtle, he hapned to ſee the Captain, and called unto him ſaying, God ſave you, my Lord. The Captain acknowledging his neglect, and asking for M. Welſch welfare, deſired to know how he might ſerve him. In nothing (ſaid M. Welſch) if you be well, except you would carry my petition to his Majeſty, intreating for liberty to preach the Goſpel. I willingly will (ſaid the Captain) therefore ſend it to me. Nay, ſaid M. Welſch, I am your kinſman; I love you ſo well, as to warn you not to take it in charge, except you reſolve to deal truly in delivering it, and getting me an anſwer. I ſhal bear the blame, ſaid the Captain, if I do it not. I beſeech you, my Lord, ſaid the other, under-take it not, except you mind to do it; for the hazard is great. Well, Ochiltry takes it, but not coming in an opportune ſeaſon (for he came when the King was paſſionatly moved on another occaſion) he thought not fit then to give it: and as at that time he deferred, ſo thereafter he neglected, and at laſt quite forgot to deliver it at all. For which his heart ſmiting him, he durſt hardly be ſeen of M. Welſch for three moneths. Yet conſcience forgetting as well as he, he came to the ſame place where M. Welſch at firſt called him: and now M. Welſch asked how he did, and what was become of his petition? The Captain ſurpriſed, anſwered, I delivered it to his Majeſty, but he was in a paſſion, and it ſeems it hath fallen by, for I have not gotten an anſwer. Nay, my Lord, ſaid M. Welſch, you ſhould not lie to God and to me; I know you delivered it not: I am ſory, My Lord, for your lot. I warned you not to be falſe to God; and now I tell you, God ſhal take your eſtat and honors in Scotland, and ſhal give them to your neighbor, and this in your own time. This troubled the Lord Ochiltrie, and came truly to paſs: for he being the eldeſt ſon of the good Lord Ochiltrie, a Reformer, was forced in his own time to quite all, and give both eſtat and honors to James the ſon of Captain James the ſecond brother, who was the laſt of that houſe.
VI. While he was Miniſter at Air, the plague was ſore in the Countrey, but no infection was in the Town: but it came to paſs that two men coming with packs of cloth to the Town from a neighboring place, where there was yet no ſuſpicion thereof. The ſentry on the Bridge held them out, notwithſtanding they had a paſs while the Magiſtrat came; who though he could not diſprove their paſs, yet would not permit them to enter the Town, till he ſent for M. Welſch. So the Bailly bids them disburden their beaſts, till he conſidered what was to be done. A little after, M. Welſch coming, the Bailly ſaith to him, Sir, here are men come from ſuch a place, we have heard of no plague there; beſides they have a paſs from known men: What ſhal we do? M. Welſch made no anſwer, but uncovering his head, ſtood in the midſt of the company that followed him, and having his eyes directed to heaven (yet ſpeaking nothing) near half a quarter of an hour; at laſt ſaid, Bailly, cauſe theſe men put on their packs again, and be gone: for if GOD be in heaven, the plague of GOD is in theſe packs. Theſe men returned, and opened their packs at Cumnock, and it was obſerved that ſuch contagion was therein, that all the people of that Village died; there was not a man left to bury the dead.
VII. While he was in priſon, John Stewart an eminent Chriſtian wo lived at Air, being come to viſit him, found him in a more then ordinary way troubled, and ſad; and upon his enquiry thereanent, he ſaith, John, ye ſhould not be here, go home to Air, for the plague of GOD is broken up in that place, and cauſe Hew Kennedy, Proveſt of that Town (who was alſo a very ſingular Chriſtian) convean the people to the ſtreets, and pray together, and the Lord ſhal hear Hew Kennedy, and remove the ſtroke. This at firſt did ſomething aſtoniſh the ſaid John, and put him to queſtion its truth, having ſo lately come out of that place; but at his return found it ſo, and accordingly in every thing it fell out as the man of GOD had ſhewed. Theſe inſtances are recorded in the fulfilling of the Scriptures, to which I add one no leſs true then the reſt, it is this.
VIII. While M. VVelſch was Miniſter at Air, there was much profanation of the LORDS Day committed, by reaſon of great confluence of people (at a Gentle-mans houſe about eight miles diſtance from Air) to the football, and other games and paſtimes, whereupon M. VVelſch did ſeveral times write to the Gentle-man, deſiring him to ſuppreſs the profanation of the LORDS Day at his houſe; but he not loving to be called a Puritan, ſlighted it: wherefore M. VVelſch came on a day to his gate, and called for the Gentle-man, who coming to him, he told him that he had a meſſage from GOD to him, to ſhow him, that becauſe he ſlighted the adviſe given him from the LORD, and would not reſtrain the profanation of the LORDS Day committed in his bounds, therefore the LORD would caſt him out of his houſe and eſtat, and none of his poſterity ſhould ever enjoy it. Which came to paſs; for although the Gentle-man was in a very good external condition at that time, yet from that day forward all things croſſed him, while at length he was neceſſitat to ſell his eſtat: and while he was giving the buyer poſſeſſion thereof, he told before his wife and children, with tears, that he had found M. VVelſch a true Prophet. This was related by the Gentle-mans own ſon, a godly and reverent Miniſter, who was preſent when his father told it with tears.
He longed much to be in heaven, and to be rid of a body of death, as witneſſeth among others, theſe expreſſions in that fore-cited letter: My deſire to remain here is not great, knowing that ſo long as I am in this houſe of clay, I am abſent from the LORD: and if it were diſſolved, I look for a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. In this I groan, deſiring to be clothed upon with my houſe which is in heaven: If ſo be that being clothed, I ſhal not be found naked. For I that am within this tabernacle, do oft times groan, and ſigh within my ſelf, being oft times burdened; not that I would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be ſwallowed up of life. I long to eat the fruit of that tree which is planted in the midst of the Paradiſe of GOD; and to drink of the pure river clear as crystal that runs through the ſtreets of that new Jeruſalem. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he ſhal ſtand at the laſt day on the earth: and that after my skin worms destroy my body, yet in my fleſh ſhal I ſee GOD; whom I ſhal ſee for my ſelf, and not another for me. And mine eyes ſhal behold him, though my reins be conſumed within me. I long to be refreſhed with the ſouls of them that are under the altar, who were ſlain for the Word of GOD, and the teſtimony they held: And to have theſe long white robes given me, that I may walk in white with theſe glorious Saints, who have waſhed their garments, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Why ſhould I think it a ſtrange thing to be removed from this place to that wherein is my hope, my joy, my crown, my eldeſt brother, my Head, my Father, my Comforter, and all the glorified Saints; and where the ſong of Moſes and the Lamb is ſung joyfully. Where we ſhal not be compelled to ſit by the rivers of Babylon, nor to hing up our harps on willow trees; but ſhal take them, and ſing the new Halelujah, Bleſſing, honor, glory and power to him that ſitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever. What is under this old vault of the heavens, and in this old worn earth, which is under the bondage of corruption, groaning and travelling in pain; and as it were, ſtill ſhooting out the head, looking, waiting and longing for the redemption of the ſons of GOD? VVhat is there, I ſay, that ſhould make me remain here? I expect that new heaven, and that new earth, where righteouſneſs dwelleth, wherein I ſhal reſt for evermore. I look to get entry at the new Jeruſalem: at one of theſe twelve gates, whereupon are written the names of the twelve Tribes of the children of Iſrael. I know CHRIST JESUS hath prepared rowm for me: why may I not then with boldneſs in his blood, ſtep in unto that glory, where my Head and LORD hath gone before me. JESUS CHRIST is the door and the Porter, who then ſhal hold me out? VVill he let them periſh for whom he hath died? VVill he let that poor ſheep be plucked out of his hand, for whom he hath laid down his life? VVho ſhal condemn the man whom GOD hath justified? VVho ſhal lay any thing to the charge of the man for whom CHRIST hath died, or rather riſen again? I know I have grievouſly tranſgreſſed; but where ſin aboundeth; grace ſuperaboundeth. I know my ſins are red as ſcarlet and crimſon, yet the red blood of CHRIST my LORD, can make me as white as ſnow, as wool. VVhom have I in heaven but him? Or whom deſire I in earth beſide him? O thou the fairest among the children of men, the light of the Gentils, the glory of the Jews, the life of the dead, the joy of Angels and Saints. My ſoul panteth to be with thee. I will put my ſpirit into thy hands, and thou wilt n… put it out of thy preſence. I will come unto thee; for thou caſts none away that comes unto thee. O thou the only delight of mankind! Thou camest to ſeek and ſave that which is loſt. Thou ſeeking me, haſt found me: and now being found by thee, I hope, O LORD, thou wilt not let me periſh. I deſire to be with thee, and do long for the fruition of thy bleſſed preſence, and joy of thy countenance. Thou the only good Shepherd, art full of grace and truth: therefore I trust thou wilt not thruſt me out of the door of thy preſence and grace. The Law was given by Moſes, but grace and truth by thee. VVho ſhal ſeparat me from thy love? Shal tribulation or diſtreſs, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword? Nay: in all theſe things I am more then a conqueror, through thy Majeſty that hath loved me. For I am perſwaded, that neither death nor life, Principalities nor Powers, nor hight nor depth, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor any other creature, is able to ſeparat me from the love of thy Majeſty, w ich is in CHRIST JESUS my LORD. I refuſe not to die with thee, that I may live with thee. I refuſe not to ſuffer with thee, that I may rejoyce with thee. Shal not all things be pleaſant to me, which may be my last ſtep, by which or upon which, I may come unto thee. When ſhal I be ſatiat with thy face? When ſhal I be drunk with thy pleaſures? Come, LORD JESUS, and tarry not. The Spirit ſaith, Come: the Bride ſaith, Come. Even ſo, LORD JESUS, come quickly, and tarry not. Why ſhould the multitude of mine iniquities, or the greatneſs of them affright me? Why ſhould I faint in this mine adverſity to be with thee? The greater ſinner I have been, the greater glory will thy grace be to me unto all eternity. Oh! unſpeakable joy! endleſs, infinit and bottomleſs compaſſion! O Ocean of never-fading pleaſure! O love of loves! O the hight and depth, and breadth, and length of that love of thine that paſſeth knowledge! O uncreated Love! Beginning without beginning, and ending without end! Thou art my glory, my joy, and my gain, and my crown. Thou haſt ſet me under thy ſhadow with great delight, and thy fruit is ſweet unto my taſte. Thou haſt brought me into thy banqueting-houſe, and placed me in thine orchard. Stay me with thy flagons, and comfort me with thine apples: for I am ſick, and my ſoul is wounded with thy love. Behold, thou art fair, my Love: Behold, thou art fair, thou haſt doves eyes. Behold, thou art fair, my Love; yea pleaſant alſo: our bed is green. The beams of our houſe are Cedars, and our raſters are of firr. How fair and how pleaſant art thou! O Love for delights! my heart is raviſhed with thee. O when ſhal I ſee thy face? How long will thou delay to be to me as a Roe, or a young Hart, leaping upon the mountains, and skipping upon the hills. As a bundle of myrrh be thou to me, and ly all night between my breaſts. Becauſe of the ſavor of thy good oyntments, thy name is as oyntment powred out; therefore deſire I to go out of the deſert, and through to the place where thou ſitteſt at thy repoſe, and where thou makes thy flocks to rest at noon. When ſhal I be filled with thy love? Certainly, if a man knew how precious it were, he would count all things droſs and dung to gain it. I would long for that ſcaffold, or that ax, or that cord, that might be to me that laſt ſtep of this my weariſom journey to go to thee my LORD. Thou who knowſt the meaning of the ſpirit, give anſwer to the ſpeaking, ſighing, and groaning of the ſpirit. Thou who haſt inflamed my heart to ſpeak to thee in this ſilent, yet love-language of ardent and fervent deſires, ſpeak again unto my heart, and anſwer my deſirs, which thou haſt made me ſpeak to thee. O Death! where is thy ſting? O grave! where is thy victory? The ſting of Death is ſin, and the ſtrength of ſin is the Law: but thanks be to GOD that giveth me the victory through JESUS CHRIST. What can be troubleſome to me, ſince my LORD looks upon me with ſo amiable a countenance? And how greatly do I long for theſe embracements of my LORD? O that he would kiſs me with the kiſſes of his mouth: for his love is better then wine. O that my ſoul were the throne wherein he might dwel eternally. O that my heart were the Temple wherein he might be magnified, and dwel for ever, &c.
If there were no more but theſe heavenly breathings of ſoul, they do ſpeak forth what earneſt deſires and groanings this holy Man had for the full enjoyments of GOD, and what full aſſurance of faith he enjoyed.
As he was extraordinary in prayer, ſo he was marvellouſly diligent in the reſt of his Maſters Work: For (as I was aſſured by an old reverend and godly Miniſter, who knew the truth thereof) he preached twiſe every week day, from nine to ten in the morning, and from four to five at night, beſide his work on the LORDS Day, and catechiſing and viſiting of families, and of the ſick.
In his preaching he had a deep impreſſion of the great and dreadful Majeſty of GOD upon his ſpirit, that made him ſpeak with great boldneſs and authority. The learned and godly M. Boyd of Trochrig relateth, in his Commentary upon the Epheſians chap 6. verſ. 19.20. praelect. 91. pag. 1101. how that M. Welſch being called to preach before the Univerſity of Saumur, one of the moſt learned Auditories in France, although he was a ſtranger, and was to preach in a ſtrange tongue, and to ſtrangers, yet did preach with ſuch boldneſs and authority, as if he had been before the meaneſt Congregation: whereat Trochrig being aſtoniſhed, could not but (on his acquaintance with him) queſtion him thereanent, whence he had ſuch confidence, and was ſo little moved whilſt he preached before ſtrangers, ſo grave and judicious an Auditory, and in a ſtrange tongue? To whom (Ex intimo animi ſenſu reſpondit, vultu velut ad condolentiam & compaſſionem, non ad contemptum vel dedignationem compoſito. Vah! Ego ne hominum quorumvis faciem aut curem aut metuam; qui memini & reputo apud me, me coram S. Sancta & glorioſà illa majeſtate conſistere, cujus verbum in ipſius conſpectu ſervis & creaturis ejus annuncio? Crede mihi quum ea me ſubit cogitatio, vultus hominum quorumcunque curare aut magni facere non poſſum, etiamſi vellem vel maxime.) he anſwered in a humble way, as one humbled, and not lifted up: O do I either care for or fear the face of any man, who remembers and conſiders that I am ſtanding before that holy and glorious Majeſty, whoſe word I preach in his ſight to his ſervants and creatures? Believe me, when the impreſſion of that is upon my ſpirit, I cannot (although I most willingly would) care for, or eſteem the countenance of men.
He was moſt zealous and tender of all the truths of GOD, and ſtudied to the utmoſt of his power, to advance the Kingdom and intereſt of CHRIST; not eſteeming his life dear to him for the cauſe of CHRIST; yea, accounting it his greateſt honor to ſuffer for him and his truth; witneſs theſe words of his in the fore-cited letter. VVho am I that he ſhould firſt have called me, and then conſtitut me a Miniſter of glad tydings of the Goſpell of ſalvation theſe ſixteen years already, and now laſt of all to be a ſufferer for his cauſe and Kingdom? &c.
He ſhined moſt brightly as a ſtar of the firſt magnitude in Kirkubright and Air the ſpace of ſixteen years, and in France about twelve or thirteen years; how long he lived after he came to England, I cannot learn: but I ſuppoſe it was not very long: For the ſad caſe of the Churches of France, Bohemia and Germany, brake his heart. His wife was a very eminently godly woman, the daughter of John Knox, our famous Reformer. He had two ſons that came to maturity, one whereof was a Doctor of Phyſick, the other, to wit, M. Joſias, was a very faithful and eminent Miniſter of the Goſpel.
There are ſeveral of his Sermons in manuſcripts in the hands of many: It is a great loſs that theſe candles ſhould be hid under buſhels, and not ſet on candleſticks.
As concerning this Treatiſe, it is both learned, ſolid, clear, and eaſie to be underſtood by very ordinary capacities: and the greateſt and weightieſt points of Controverſie are handled therein (as concerning the Church, the Maſs, Antichriſt, Justification by Faith, the merit of works, the Judge of Controverſies, and ſeveral other very weighty points of Controverſie) ſo learnedly, ſolidly, and convincingly, that now for the ſpace of ſeventy years, none ever did attempt to make a reply thereto.
We need not detain you longer in ſhowing reaſons that moved us to republiſh this Treatiſe at this time: for the great increaſe of Popery, and ignorance of the people of this Countrey, is reaſon ſufficient for publiſhing Treatiſes of this kind; eſpecially ſuch an one as this, which is preferable to other Treatiſes of this nature, on ſeveral accounts. Firſt, it handles both convincingly, clearly, and yet briefly, the moſt weighty points of Controverſie betwixt us and Papiſts; whereas other Treatiſes generally, either handle only ſome one or two heads, or elſe they are ſo voluminous, that common people neither can have money to buy, or time to read them. 2. The Author ſpent much time in praying for a bleſſing on this work, and therefore we may expect a bleſſing on it. 3. The whole Treatiſe ſavors of much piety and zeal, eſpecially the Epiſtle to the Reader: where is laid out to our ſerious conſideration, GODS goodneſs to us on the one hand, and our unanſwerableneſs to him on the other, with the Authors fears, leſt the Goſpel be removed from us, if we do not repent, and reform. The conſideration whereof will undoubtedly have great influence on a gracious ſoul, to ſtir him up to mourn and lament for the ſins of the Land, and deal ſeriouſly for the LORDS abiding with us. I know not any thing more uſeful (through GODS bleſſing) for ſtirring us up and awaking us out of our ſecurity, in this ſecure and ſtupid generation, then the ſerious conſideration of the things held out in that Epiſtle. Was our provocations ſo great ſeventy years ago, that the godly and learned Author expected nothing but the removeal of our candleſtick, except we did repent? And what can be expected now, but the powring forth of wrath to the utmoſt on us, except ſpeedy and ſerious repentance prevent it, ſeeing GOD out of his infinit long-ſuffering and patience, hath continued the Goſpel with us to this day, and we have multiplied our provocations above the iniquities of our Fathers, as if they had been ſmal things? We have exceedingly ſurmounted them, notwithſtanding that our light hath been greater, and our mercies mo then theirs were. O if the conſideration of theſe things would lead us to repentance!
That the reading of this Treatiſe might be leſs tedious, and you may more eaſily take it up, I have divided the ſame in Sections, annexing a title to each Section. And becauſe the Section concerning the Maſs, did agree to be placed after the Section concerning Tranſubſtantiation, we have tranſpoſed it, and placed it there. I intended to have annexed thereto, An anſwer to H. T. his Manual of Controverſies, printed anno 1671. and ſent into the Countrey for ſeducing of poor ſouls: but becauſe it would have cauſed the Book to ſwel to a Volume. I forbare, intending (if the LORD will) to publiſh it ſhortly: and in the mean time I have annexed, A Diſcovery of the bloody and treaſonable principles and practiſes of Papiſts; that all may ſee that not only Papiſts are Hereticks and Idolaters; but alſo bloody Traitors and incendiaries, unworthy to live in any Chriſtian Kingdom or Commonwealth.
As it was the deſign of the bleſſed Author in writing and publiſhing this Treatiſe at firſt, to confirm the weak, eſtabliſh the wavering, convince and ſtop the mouth of gain-ſayers, and to diſcover and lay open the errors, idolatries and abominations of that Whoor of Rome, that the poor people may be made to flee from Babylon, leſt being partakers of her ſins, they be made alſo partakers of her plagues, which are no leſs then to have their portion in that Lake that burneth with fire and brimſtone, which is the ſecond death. So it is our deſign in republiſhing the ſame: For what man is he that doth believe that Popery is the moſt abominable Idolatry imaginable; to wit, to worſhip the handy-work of the Baker, and wood and ſtone, &c. and conſiders what ſevere threatnings he hath denounced againſt Idolatry; namely, That they ſhal be ſhut out of that New Jeruſalem, Rev. 22.15. and ſhal drink of the wine of the wrath of GOD, and ſhal be tormented day and night before the holy Angels, and before the Lamb; and the ſmoke of their torment ſhal aſcend for evermore, and they ſhal have no reſt, Rev. 14.9. And that he is a jealous GOD, viſiting, not only this iniquity of Idolatry upon themſelves, but likewiſe upon their children to the third and fourth generation; and is not much troubled to hear and ſee ſo many ſouls ſeduced and led aſide thereto, and doth not judge it of his concernment to lay out himſelf to the utmoſt, for diſcovering the ſnare & pit that is laid for entraping and ruining eternally of poor ſouls? Therefore we hope as our endeavors ſhal be peace to us, ſo we hope it ſhal be acceptable to all the lovers of truth.
That this prayerful Treatiſe of that great wreſtler with GOD, may be bleſſed, for convincing of gain-ſayers, informing, eſtabliſhing and confirming the LORDS people in the truth, and for ſtirring up, and awaking zeal, love and repentance in the godly, ſhal be the earneſt prayer of
Your ſervant for CHRISTS ſake, MATT. CRAFORD.