happinâ—â—â— of a good m n above the wicked that the Lord stands at the right hand of the one and the Devil at the right haâ—d of the other Psal 109.31 compareâ— with the 6. verse This day I was learning that a Christian should endeavour to peâ—â—orm all his duties 1. more intâ—rely or with his whole Heart Psal 111.1 119. 2. 2. More delightfully Psal 119.16.53 47 70. Rom. 7.22 3. With more judgement and discretion Psal 112 5. 4. With perseverance Col. 4.2 This morning I was overcome with passion and frowardness which made me enquire into the reason of that and other Corruptions I was observing this that it is a mercy to have the Soul come to its place again after sin but far better not to go out of its place at all this Night I had a very sore and strong Temptation but was through the grace of God supported and strengthened from the consideration of Christ that was tempted who considers those that are tempted also from his Prayer Iohn 17.11 and from those two promises Isa 59.19 James 4.7 I fled to the Lord by Prayer and he delivered me and I trust he also will deliver me Being the Lords day I had my Heart in a reasonable good frame in the morning in Prayer I was observing that God exalteth himself even then when he humbleth himself to look on men Psal 113.6 marg I found my Heart much raised and enlarged in Prayer for Gods work and People had faith therein I observed from Isa 38.17 For Peace I had great Bitterness c. I learned that a Christians condition is murable and therefore he should be contented with his condition what ever it be and whether comfortable or miserable he should look that God may soon alter it and he should not desire to go out of one state into another till he hath gotten good by being in the former 2. That Gods love is not only seen in the removing affliction from us but in afflicting of us also 3. That Gods People should learn to gain assurance and experience by affliction This Evening I was much refreshed in reading Bains upon the Ephes especially one chap. the 1.13 and the 4.30 Concerning the sealing of the Spirit This day I observed the duty and resolution of a sincere Christian viz. to walk before the Lord. Psal 116.9 Gen. 24.40 I was also thinking how necessary it is for a right Christian that desires to walk holily to observe carefully the inward workings of the Spirit of God as also the secret wayes and methods of sin I was convinced also how uneffectual it is for a Christian to promise or resolve any thing in his own strength I learned from David that he oft mentions serving and seeking God with his whole Heart which dutieâ— I love and would learn more experimentally and practically according to Psal 112.2.10.34.69 This day I was enlarged and somewhat softened in the duty of Prayer several times and convinced what an evil it is in Gods sight 1. To be long under affliction unhumbled and uncleansed Jer. 44.10 Jos 22.17 and especially to sin wittingly and to add sin to sin I was considering of four duties to repent for sin to redeem time to get fuller assurance and to prepare for Christ I was also affected with some news that concerned the People of God This day I was observing that though a true Christian may have a sound Heart and Faith in the word of the Lord yet he may be as a Bottle in the smoak dry and withered yea and fainting and failâ—ing for the Lord and his salvation Psal 119.80 81 82 83. I learned this also that disappointment â—n ones expectation causeth dejection and trouble This day having had a long and serious discourse with a knowing Gentleman I observed somewhat more then even I had done before concerning the Image of God and the new man mentioned in Ephes â— 24. Col. 3.10 I had consideration also that Child of God may easily see to the end of or beyond all that the men of the world can do to him I had some inlargedness and softness of Heart in Prayer also I observed several things from 1. Thess 2. I observed the following Lessons 1. That by gaining understanding from and delight in the Statutes and Precepts of the Lord a Christian comes to hate every falce and wicked way Psal 119.97.104 2. To seek to get a Heart inclined alwayes to perform Gods Statutes verse 112. 3. That when a Soul hath an intention to keep Gods Commandements he will abstain from the company of evil doers verse 115. I had great trouble and sorrow in my Heart in the Evening from a Letter I had from a Brother tuâ—ned Quaker but my Heart was much drawn forth to to pray for him This day being Lords day in the morning I had my Heart drawn forth again to pray earnestly for that Brother and had my Spirit several times somewhat revived this day and among several other things which I observed 1. That a Child of God be altered much in the frame of his Spirit from better to worse as Baruch also Ionah c. 2. That a time of common calamity it will be a mercy for a religious man to have his life as Baruch was p omised to have Jer. 45.5 3. I observing how God may punish a good man in the same kind that he sins as Asa with pain in his Feet aâ— he had put the Prophet in the Stocks before 2. Chron. 16.10 12 compared 4. Oh what an evil it is in a Christian to sin David was told that he despised the Lord and his Commandement 2 Samuel 12.8.10 5. From Ezek. 10.11 that the Wheels that is either they Angels Saints or the providences of God they followed the head and turned not as they went so should we follow Christ 6. It is observeable that God takes notice of all that is in the minds of men Ezek. 11.5 as well as all the words in their Tongues as the frame of mens Spirits so they think of God for if they be holy and faithful they conceive so of God This day also I found the evil of my Heart to be in one frame when it should be in another as to rejoyce when it should mourn I lost oppertunities this day to serve the Lord by discourses with several sorts of persons especially some that pretend to the Virgin life who mightily sleight Iesus of Nazareth and the Scriptures which made me strongly oppose them and do with them as the Apostle commands 2. Iohn 10. that promise also was sweet unto me Psal 121.3 He will not suffer thy Feet to be moved This day in the Morning and at Noon I had my Heart drawn out and softned more then ordinary in Prayer yet I found my Heart suddenly moved to anger this was in divers sences a day of great kindnes from the Lord I was observing from Hos 12. 1. That fear care and trembling are especial means to keep the
I had my Heart several times in a good frame of Prayer Fifthly I learned f om Psal 149.2.4 How it is mutually between God and his People they joy in him and he take pleasure in them I also was thinking of the grounds of Saints doubts about their salvation viz. Ignorance in the Covenant of grace want of observing their Hearts of keeping up Holiness Slothfulness and favouring some secret sin and not profiting by ordinances I was noting that the wicked are not ashamed to profess that they endeavour hurt to the righteous without a cause Prov. 1.11 and that the godly should gâ—ow more bold by how much the more their afflictions increase 1. Thess 2.2 I had my heart this day so tned in Pâ—â—yer I was this day convinced of the negligence in that duty of desiring to see the Faces of the Saints as Paul did 1. Thess 3.11 I received a special Letter this day from our dear Brother I. B. which suited much with my condition and judgement I learned a word from one that I could not expect such words viz. I did not heretofore prize neither great things that were temporal of spiritual but now I prize the least things of either sort from 2. Cor. 7. chap. 4 5 6. I observed 1. That in the greatest trouble Gods People may have the greatest comforts 2. That their comfort is originally from God 3. That God may send in these comforts at such times and in such a manner as they expect not this Evening my Soul was a little refreshed by divers promises and softned in Prayer Being the Lords day I observed from Prov. 3.16 In all thy wayes acknowledge him that godliness is an eying of God owning of God imitating of God and respecting of God in all our wayes and upon the consideration of these two following questions I had many thoughts some of which were refreshing and satisfying to me from the first question how we may know that we have received real good benefit by our afflictions Secondly How we may know when God doth afflict in Love and Faithfulness Psal 119.75.71 also divers other meditations from Rev. 12.10 They overcame by the word of their testimony and by the Blood of the Lamb c. and concerning the spiritual Race which a Christian is to run I had some enlargedness and tenderness of heart God according to his usual way and dealing with me foreseeing what I could not to wit more approaching affliction did this day administer an Antidote even comfort by Letters from the hands of several special Freinds also those words keep sound wisdome keep my saying in the midest of thine heart and keep thy heart with all diligence were I adjudged words worthy of observation hearing this Evening of a gratious Brother and Preacher sickness my heart was moved earnestly to pray for him I observed in the Morning a special exhortaion out of Prov. 5.1 My Son attend unto my wisdome and bow thine Ear unto my understanding also verse the 23. that sin is a great folly so chap. 18.13 Judg. 19.23 This day I received a sad Letter from a Brother T. E. that is turned Quaker which added much â—o my affliction the good Lord shew him the E â—or of his way and humble and reclaim him this day I was sensible of my aptness to be angry and was put seriously to enquire into the voice and will of God by these additional afflictions and I find a need of the continuance of them and my heart brought into a more submissive frame to bear and suffer his Rod. This day I bless the Lord was a good day to my Soul I had enlargedness and much freeness with some measure of softness and earnestness in Prayer especially for the Saints of God and perticularly for my own country Christians I had also a strong resolution to watch my self more carefully and do my duty more diligently then formerly out of Prov 7. I observed several helps or means to prevent and preserve the Soul from sin viz. 1. A laying up the Commandements in the Heart 2. A looking on them or eying of them 3. Getting endeared affection to Christ 4. By taking heed of the occasions thereof This day was but a flat drowsie day to my Soul nor great good gained but sin and grace not discernably active and affections unwarmed and unquickened yet convinced of lost time and comforted a little from 1 Thess 4. With thoughts of Christs coming I was this morning instructed from wisdomes words Prov. 8.8 All the words of my mouth are in righteousness and there is nothing froward in them that I should take more heed for the time to come of a froward Month and Tongue this day also I hope I can humbly say it I injoyed the Lord both in Meditation and Prayer and being sensible of the want of skil in beleiving and more diligence in sanctification and thereupon I am resolved through grace and hope to be enabled to take more heed to my ways and as the Lord also presented that Scripture to me Thess 5.15 But ever follow that which is good This day I had a check in my Spirit for lightness of heart and besides an outward special Providence I observed I learned from the sin I saw and heard of in others to loath or at least desired to loath it in my self I also observed from Prov. 9.18 That one main Reason why People do not leave sin is because they do not know or consider the punishment of sin also what a commendable thing it is for Christians to be patient and beleiving in all Persecution and Tribulations Thess 2.1 chap. 4. This day being the Lords day through Gods grace I had my heart much softened and enlarged to call upon God especially one time I observed also that that want of the love to the truth and love to unrighteousness are the causes of men falling from the faith 2. Thess 2.10.12 also anoâ—her excellent Lesson from that word 2. Thess 3 1â— where he speaks of busie Bodies which signifies properly to be too intent about the work we should not be This dâ—â— I had my heart set somewhat upon the consideration hâ— t vâ— p â—â—â—s Pâ—ov 11.2 12 13. The â—ust â—hall be delâ—veâ—ed and the just shall be saved on of troubâ—e 〈◊〉 dâ— I was noâ—eing a great difference between having the light and the love of the truth this day I received an Answer from a Christian Freind of a Bâ—others business of concernment which signified his love and care and increased my affection to him I was somewhat affected also with the sweet Counsel of Christ to the Church of Sardis I had my Soul in some good frame especially in Prayer and comfort from the consideration of the promises in Psal 1.3 That the good man shall bear Fruit and that his Fruit shall not wither and Isa 49.25 and Jer. 33.20 From the stability of the Covenant I likewise considered 1. That there is that in Christ which answers
good of Souls before their own worldly profit advantage but are rather so oppressing their Seâ—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 repâ—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 leaâ—â— have nothing to say against the good ways of God not the Professors of it Thoâ—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 Noâ— 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 â—â—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 pâ—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
every condition 2. That we have done that which deserves the worst condition 3. That we should mind more the glory of God and our duty in our condition and not strive to make our outward state in a natural wâ—y sweet which God intends to sweeten otherwise Next day I sound my heart in a hard and streight condition and frame most part of this day and not disposed to the duty intended as it ought and in the Evening of this day I was moved to passion but avoiding occasionâ— yâ—ng to the Lord I was delivered and from Prov. 13.3 I learned two Lessons First to keep my mouth and to be well advised I also found a gâ—eat desire to grow in plainness and sincerity of heart This day by discourse I came to understand some Scriptures especially Iohn 3.14 and the 11.10 as is observed an written down in both those margenâ—s clearer then eveâ— bâ— o e also I obseâ—ved where the word Soul Nephesh is taken for â— dead body Numbers the 9.6 the 6. Chap 6. alâ—o two other necessary and seasonable Lessoâ—s from Prov. 14.8.15 viz. To understand the way and to look well to my goings also this Evening I had my heart a little more then ordinary softened and enlarged in Prayer This day I experienced but little good or gain gotten to my Soul and found my Heart but in a flat frame yet I was affected a little with the consideration of the great honour given by the Elders and others to Iesus Christ Rev. 5.13 and I perceived more desire after true sincerity of heart and observed a good providence of God This day I observed a remarkable passage in a great mans suffering death that he vowed and wished that if ever he did game again he might be hanged and hanged he was a warning to look to our wishes then I marked those two words Prov. 15.4 That perversness in the Tongue is or makes a breach in the Spirit I was smitten in my Conscience for an evil thought and convinced for my unconstancy in good and want of more sence of my own and others sins and slackness in some services but I had comfort from the 1. Thess 5.24 That Gods faithfulness ingages him to perfect his work in his People and to preserve them to the end This day being the Lords day I learned amongst many other Lessons from Ezek. 20. 1. That when Gods People do come to ordinances yet they should expect good only from God the People sate before Ezekiel but inquired of God verse 1. 2. That when People abuse their Gifts God will pollute them therein and thereby verse 26. 3. That those that go on in sin cannot expect to find God when they call upon him 4. That God may sometimes return the captivity of his People before they repent verse 42 43 I was convinced that it is my duty 1. To study my duty more 2. To strive to do my duty better this whole day I was troubled with the Head-ach and pain in my Stomach but I found the Lord enabling me with much patience moving my heart to praise him that affliction is not far greater Calm joy and ease came this morning from the presence of the Lord after trouble and pain with a resolution to prize time and mercy and to walk better and more diligently before the Lord who directeth the steps Prov. 16.9 and he that keepeth his way preserveth his Soul which Scriptures I observed this Morning this Evening I had some communion with the Lord in Prayer I was lead to look upon that duty 1. Tim. 2.2.13 Of praying for all men and from what I heard of another to praise God for his goodness to me This Morning I observed a special providence by the coming of a Freind to visit me and observed further from Prov. 17.5 Howbeit Gods affliction is compared to a fining Pot or Furnace to try and purge the Heart also what a sad thing t is to have good oppertunities and prizes put into our hands but to want improving hearts or to have corruption hinder good verse 16 20. I found no especial enlargment nor communion with the Lord this day but rather a provocation to pride yet of that good word in Tim. 1.3 chap. 2.6 met with me This day being willing to wait upon God I found him good to me in softening and inlarging and drawing out my Heart in Prayer and I had some comfort from those words Psal 9.9 The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in times of trouble and verse the 18. the needy shall not alwayes be forgotten yet this Evening I was set upon by temtation which in part prevailed and in part was resisted In the Morning fowl and and sinful thoughts came into my heart but God made them bitter and burdensome to me and now little sins begin like Flies to be more troublesome to me yet I much suâ—pect my self if the Loâ—d left me to my self never so little and short a time I had some joy and strength from Prov. 20.21 Wait on the Lord and he shall save thee This day my heart was somewhat melted and warmed in duty and I found power to resist temptation I had also my heart in a reasonable good measure brought to consider why the Lo d afflicts me and adds afflictions and was throughly resolvâ—d in two things that I would do what I could to pacificy God and to please him and to beleive in his free grace through Christ let him do what he will with me I was observing three comforts to the righteous from Prov. 21.18.28.31 This day was a good day both inwardly and outwardly especially outwardly I had some thoughts of Gods judgement to fear them and to endeavour to shun them and to intreat the Lord not to let me share with the wicked in their punishments much less their sins I observed from Prov 22.14 that it is a sign of hatred to be left to sin an excellent promise in verse 23. also twelve Lessons Paul teaches 1. Tim. 4. This day being the Lords day I had some eâ—joyment of the Lords presence as I observed and among other things I observed fiâ—st fâ—om Ezek. 39 26. That the first thing that thâ— Loâ—d dâ—th in the Redemption oâ— his People is to b ing them to remember theiâ— sins and to repent for them â—nd so having cleansed and saved them from their iniquties Jer. 33.8 Ezek. 36 29. he wo ks thâ—n â—â—eir temporal and outward deliverance 2. Fâ—om the fâ—st verse that when the Lord hath given his â—piâ—â—â— to 〈◊〉 People he never forsakes them more 3. From Psal 80.5 17. I had considerations of the great suffâ—rings of the Church of God of old and the ground of their comfort which is Christ 4. From Rev. 12. was much refreshed to consider that the Church when she went to the Wilderness yet that was by Wings that God gave her and likewise in the Wilderness there was a place prepared by God for her and there
by visible representations and outwardly real apparitions At this time and long after he also shewed me my sins in their number and nature to be such and so many as that there was no pardon for them and therefore tempted me oft and divers wayes to destroy myself Sometimes by casting my self into a River to drown my self whither he brought me and whilst I reasoned the case with him this was frequently his motive to me the fewer sins I committed in this world and the shorter time I lived in it the less would be my torment He often tempted me also to destroy my self with a knife so that I was often necessitated to fling it out of my hand when I was at meat alone in my Chamber to rise from my meat for fear so that I durst not for some time carry a Knife with me But when the Lord did relieve sometimes by one means and sometimes by another I was strengthned with this resolution that God should do what he would with me for I would never do as Judas did destroy myself When Satan saw that he was disappointed in that temptation then he told me that I was a Reprobate and let me profess what I would my Damnation was sure and my hypocrisie and sinnes under profession would be worse than any other sinnes and therefore it were better of the two to lay down my profession and the duties thereof to that temptation the Lord helped me to answer him thus That whilst I lived in scandalous sins he never thus tempted me and I was resolved if I knew God would Damn me yet to have as few sins as I could to answer for hereafter When these temptations failed then he began to raise up Persecution against me as one day going through the Town where I was born from Kingston to Lanvaire-waterdine I met with two Gentlemen Kinsmen of mine in their drunkenness who called ' upon me to come to them and without any the least provoking word or carriage they fell both upon me and one of them with a Crab-tree Cudgel wounded me sore and their pretence was I had reproved them for sinne but God raised me up and gave me a heart freely to forgive them Another time four men laid wait in a secret place as I went upon a Lords day in a morning to the Ordinance with several weapons being all of them as was confesseed by one of them afterwards under a vow to kill me but God by his providence prevented them in sending two Strangers unexpected to help who riding before discovered them wherupon they fled yet vented their malice upon some other Christians whom they wounded But one of them that day came to a Meeting and in hearing of me was so convinced of his sinne that he was seen and heard publickly to repent for what he had done and never after was known to persecute any Another time a very wicked man entered into an Oath that when ever he met with me he would kill me he waited his opportunity dwelling near me several times to do it and one Lords day he went to the place where I preached with a full intention either at my going or returning home to execute his purpose but being at the Sermon and hearing Christ so freely offered to sinners the word did so affect him that he wept saying within himself what a villain am I to intend evil against such a man And the next day in the morning very early he came to the house where I lodged desiring to speak with me in private and with tears confessed this to me and desired me to pardon him and pray for him and ever after was very friendly to me Another time being in Brecknock-shire at an honest mans house I preached to several that were then together my Text was in Ezek. 34.16 from which I observed That though the little Flock of Christ be despised and dispersed yet they shall be gathered prised and preserved As I was handling this Doctrine about twelve or sixteen lusty rude Roysters broke into the house and did several times attempt to offer violence to my self and to the rest of the Brethren with me but it pleased God to restrain them at length by the procurement of Mr. Hugh Floyd the High Sheriff for the year I was bound over to the Sessions and an indictment preferr'd against me wherein I was accused first for drawing away the Kings Subjects Secondly for speaking against the Book of Common-Prayer Thirdly for Sacrilege Which last accusation was grounded upon the drawing down of a Meeting-house door by me and the Church-Wardens that the people which came in a great croud might hear with the better convenience but the Lord did so own his own Cause and me the unworthiest of his Servants that I was then delivered also Yet finding the persecution so hot against me that I could not be permitted to serve the Lord there I did by the advice of my Brethren leave my Native Countrey of Wales and by the guidance and providence of God was carried and conducted safely to London where I arrived in August Anno 1642. Another time as I was preaching upon the side of a Hill being denyed leave in a publick place a company of Roysters came with swords slaves and fowling-pieces and after some opposition one of them cryed down with him down with him but the Lord stirred up some of the people to preserve me and prevent them Another time a wicked Butcher who had long threatned me laying wait as it seems for me he one night stood in a narrow passage through which I was to come with a great Clubb but his blow falling short of me by the protection of God I escaped his hands During my abode in London where I continued Preaching for above two years I had great experience of Gods goodness in providing for me and in succeeding my Ministry to the spiritual good and conversion of many but the greatest of all my mercies since my conversion are as follows concerning the time and manner of my obtaining assurance After I had been about four years in constant doubts and great fears as to my eternal condition being often times tempted by Satan to destroy my self and Preaching also to others shaking and terrifying Doctrines particularly out of Luke 11.21 Take heed lesâ— the Light that be in thee be Darkness At that time for a Months space or above I was verey sad melancholy and much troubled neglecting to eat drink or sleep and this was occasioned principly through the apprehension I had of that distance which I saw to be between Christ and my soul which was set home upon my heart with much power from these words Cant. 2.9 Behold he stands behind our Wall he looked through the window upon me For I looked upon a Wall to be between Christ and my soul then me thought he came nearer and looked through the window upon me whilst I was in this estate refusing to be comforted the all-wise God
laid his hand of sickness upon me by which I was brought even to the gates of death and in the sight both of Physicians and Friends and in my own expectation I was a dying man yet much more sensible of the danger I apprehended my soul to be in than of my bodily weakness sweating with the horror of it and diligently examining my self by the best signs I could either find at that time oâ— had found before which I had writ down with the grounds of my fear in a little Diary which Book I then desired to see but having lent it to a Christian Friend that was far distant could not so that being satisfied 〈◊〉 lay even at the next door to despair waiting for noâ—hing less than to be suddainly cast into Hell Whilst I was in this Agony the Lord God of all grace who brought back from the depth of the Sea did about noon present to me that Scripture Jo. 3.36 He that believeth 〈◊〉 the Son hath everlasting Life Which words were then revealed to me and opened thus First that there was nothing necessary to Salvation but onely believing in Christ Secondly that to such as did believe in Christ there was a certaintie of Salvation My understanding being cleared in these two particulars I was then to seek and to learn whether I did believe or not and to know that I examined my self what signs of true Faith I had and how I could prove that I did believe and finding no certain evidence being also convinced that I had before many years gone in that way to no purpose I continued still in an hopeless state but upon a suddain and unexpectedly a mighty power no less than that spirit which raised up Christ Jesus from the dead and which declared him to be the Sonne of God did enable me to believe and witnessed effectually in me that I did believe Which divine impression I look upon to be all one with that sealing spoken of in Eph. 1.13 And the witnessing of the Spirit of God with our Spirits Rom. 8.16 and thereupon I had perfect peace my heart not at all condemning me But according to 1 John 3.21 I had a confidence towards God and not only so but my heart likewise was filled wtih admiration and great joy according to that saying Whom having not seen ye love in whom though now you see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 After this manifestation and wonderful operation of God which I could never express either by word or writing so clearly and distinctly as then I apprehended and felt it in my soul The Lord added the mercie of natural life and health and so I experience the fulness of those two Scriptures Heaviness in thâ— heart of man maketh it stoop but a good word maketh it glad Prov. 12.25 And a sound heart is life tâ— the flesh Prov. 14.32 And being restored both to my health and the exercise of my Ministry I waâ— taught by the Lord to preach in another manner than before Namely to lay Christ as the foundation and to Preach chiefly and mainly and qualification and duties in a secondary and subservant way Yet from hence also did Satan take occasion to thrust at me and throw me into the other extream even unto that which is truly and properly called Antinomianisme to destroy and utterly deny the use of the Law but the Lord did timely and graciosly prevent my fall in this also and to fulfil unto me that Scripture He that fears the Lord shall come out of all viz. out of all extreams as the foregoing words do shew Eccles 7.18 To omit many other remarkable providences of God towards me for the space of two years that I was in London as also his goodness to me for some space that I was in the Army I was at length called to Dartford in Kent where indeed Gods favours of several kinds for the space of two years and an half were very many as to own such a nothing Creature and enable me to bring home in that Town and thereabouts I hope to Gods glory I may speak it many souls to Christ where also I gathered a Congregation among whom I had very sweet and comfortable Society After some time of my abode there it pleased the Lord to visit that Town with the Plague where about thirty Houses were shut up at once and the dead bodies were carried by my Chamber wall and window yet it pleased God to preserve me and my Family wonderfully from the Disease although I continued in the Town and preached constantly three times a week and some that had the Sickness upon them came publickly to hear After which the Lord stayed the Plague and delivered me from that affliction also Yet not long after this it pleased the Lord to visit me with a very dangerous Feaver and Ague insomuch as I was in the eyes of all my Friends and in the judgement of Physicians also hopeless as to Life yet God gave me Faith to be healed by that means prescribed James 5. And I sent unto some Godly Preachers in London desiring them to come unto me and perform that duty of anointing me with Oyl And whilst I was waiting for and expecting their answer and questioning whether they would have Faith and freedome to practice the same the Lord brought that Scripture to my remembrance and fixed it upon me Rom. 3.3 Shall unbelief make the Faith of God of none effect or shall they as it was then applyed to me make void the Faith that God hath given me or hinder me of being healed wherupon I was confirmed that it should not but I did believe that God would recover me and accordingly after a suddain and strange trance which I fell into and continued in for about six hours wherin I did sweat abundantly yet discerned not at all during that time how it was with me or what was done for me my sickness presently abated and I recovered Having spent above two years at Dartford and being now upon my return home into Wales I was willing to take along with me a Certificate or Testimonial from the Synod which sate then and had the tryal of all Publick Preachers To this purpose I applyed my self to some of them to whom Mr. Stephen Marshal was one they questioned me about Ordination and told me that unless I would be Ordained they could not approve to which I answered I was willing to be tryed as a Christian and as a Scholar but had some doubts about Ordination as that particularly whether the Eldership mentioned 1 Tim. 4.12 were to be understood of one or more Congregations in which I was not yet satisfied and then addressing my self particularly to Mr. Marshal and reasoning the case with him they at last gave me this following Certificate THese are to Certify those whom it may concern that the bearer hereof Mr. Vavasor Powell is a man of a Religious and blameless
Conversation and of able gifts for the work of the Ministry and hath approved himself faithful therein which we whose Names are under-written do Testify some of our own knowledge others from Credible and Sufficient information And therefore he being now called and desired to exercise his Gifts in his own Countrey of Wales he also having the Language thereof we conceive him fit for that Work and worthy of encouragement therein In Witness whereof we here subscribed our Names Sep. 11. 1646. Charles Herte Prolocutor Henry Scudder VVilliam Greenhill Franc. VVoodcock VVilliam Strong Joseph Caryl VVilliam Carter Thomas VVilson Jer. Burroughs Philip Nye Stephen Marshall Jer. VVhitaker Arther Salwey Peter Sterry Henry Prince Christopher Love Tho. Froysell Robert Bettes I may say through Gods grace and that experimeâ—tally that God was pleased to own me a poor nâ—thing creature in the work of his Gospel in Wales boâ—â— to call gather and edifie I hope many souls there yet not I but the grace of God in me and with me and among many other experiences of Gods goodness these following are some About the year 1647. the Island of Anglesey in North Wales being then un-reduced the Parliament Forces went to reduce it and their chief Officers sent for me to Preach unto that brigade of Souldiers and as I marched with them unto the place either the night immediately before or the night before that it was revealed unto me in my sleep that I should be wounded and two of my friends cut and the very fingers were pointed out which accordingly came to pass yet when I was in extream danger between several enemies who fell upon me receiving that and some other wounds there being no likelyhood to escape I heard a voyce as I apprehended speaking audibly to me I have chosen thee to preach rhe Gospel to which I answered O Lord then bring me off and immediately God guided my Horse though he was very wild and not well commanded to go backward out of the Barricado that I had entred at and so I was indeed miraculously preserved although a good man a Captain who came to relieve me was killed close to me and as far as I could perceive the same Bullet that was shot at me took him in the neck and killed him Many other remarkable circumstances there are in this deliverance which I here omit Several other times also I have been delivered from perils by water by Thieves by Enemies purposely lying in wait for me who yet had no power to hurt me the Lord converted some and graciously prevented and terrified others from their purpose But I must not forget the favour of the Lord in answering prayer of which the most remarkable instances are these One time coming from Preaching I lost my way and being out till it was far in the night in a Wood or Forrest among Lakes Bryars and Thorns I went up and down while I was quite weary but by looking up to the Lord I was presently directed into my way The like experience I had another time when another Preacher and my self had lost our way in a very dark night and had tired our selves in searching to and froâ— to no purpose at last calling to mind how God had formerly heard in that case when I sought unto him we called upon the Lord who immediately pointed out our way and it seemed as clear to us as if it had been day light One Mistress Watkins of the Parish of Lanniggn in the County of Brecknock a gracious Gentlewoman having kept her chamber and bed as was reported for two years and not gone from home for the space of four years hearing that I was come into those parts sent for me to come and visit her she having it seems some faith that if I prayed for her she should be healed that the next morning she went between two and three miles on foot to hear me preach Another time one Elizabeth Morris of new Radnor a Religious Maid having the Falling sickness or Convulsion Fits which took her many times in one day one night being at Family-Duty in a Brothers house in Town whilst I was speaking she fell into one of her Fits but Prayer being made for her she recovered before the prayer was ended and for many years had no more fits and I think hath not been troubled at all since Another time viz. Oliver Protect days there was mighty wet Harvest which continued several weeks insomuch that much Hay and Corn was spoiled but divers Christians that were dissatisfied with that Government having met several days to seek advice about it came at last to draw up a Paper or Testimony against it And the day being come when we intended to subscribe it After spending some time further to seek the Lord it being a great rain so that it did beat in through the glass windows into the room where we met one that was close to the window being to conclude the duty earnestly begged of God that if he did approve of the work we were about and would have us to proceed therein he would be pleased to grant us a sign of fair weather presently and before Prayer was ended the Lord shut up the windows of Heaven and the Sun did shine gloriously and some if not all of us did observe that for divers weeks together afterwards we had exceeding fair weather and so had two mercies given us at once The Paper thus subscribed was called a Word for God or a Testimony on truths behalf from several Churches and divers hundreds of Christians in Wales and some few adjacent against wickedness in high places with a brief Letter to the Lord Gen. Cromwell and both presented to his hands and afterward published in Print These few things of many which I have observed in my self concerning the Lords gracious and wonderful dealing with me I have set down not as boasting or seeking praise to my self but to keep a memorial of the Lords benefits and to stir up others into whose hands these few notes may come to have confidence in the power and goodness of God who is the Saviour of all men but especially of them that believe in him A CONFESSION OF FAITH Drawn up by Mr. VAVASOUR POWELL Concerning the Holy Scriptures THE Holy Scriptures containing the Old and New Testament or the writings oâ— the Prophets Evangelists and Apostles commonly called the Bible are the Written word of God which besides the plain Testimony of Scripture in many places thus witnessing of it self doth most fully and convincingly appear by considering that what in Matthew is called the command Mat. 15.6 That in Mark is stiled The word of God Mark 7.13 and the like may be observed in comparing Deut. 30.11 14. with Rom. 10.8 where the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Apostle useth and is translated the Word is never taken for Christ but very often for the Command on Threatning or Promise of God in which sense it is called the
that by Faith only without Works before God Rom. 3.23 25. Rom. 4.1 5. Yet that Faith which justifies cannot be alone but is accompanied with good Works which justifies Believers before Men and manifests their Faith to be a True and living Faith Iames 2.17 18. as the Fruits of Trees do shew the nature of them but are no causes of their Root Life or Growth Justification is wholly of Gods Grace through the Redemption Righteousness and Blood of Jesus Christ Rom. 3.24 25. whereby those who truly believe in him have all their sins forgiven which will never be imputed nor remembred against them any more Romans 3.22 26. Hebr. 10.14.17 True Faith also by which the soul looks on Christ takes hold on him receives him becomes one with him and whereby Christ dwells in the Hearts of Believers is the gift of God Iohn 6.44 65. Eph. 2.8 3.17 Concerning the Spirit of Adoption and Regeneration 1. All those that truly believe God gives unto them Power or rather as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies Right or Priviledge to become his children Iohn 1.12 and they receive the Spirit of Adoption by which they are led and enabled to come with confidence and boldness unto God and to call him Father through Iesus Christ Rom. 8.14.15 Gal. 4.5 6. The spirit it self also dwells and abides in them as the chiefest evidence of their being the children of God Iohn 14.16 17. Rom. 8.16 1 John 4.13 2. Regeneration Sanctification and Repentance which are the same in effect is a renewing of the Heart and a subduing and cleansing of the Power and Filth of sin with a quickning of the soul to live like Christ these are absolutely necessary to salvation John 3.3 5. Rom. 6 c. Yet these also as well as Faith are the gifts and works of God which he giveth through and for the sake of his Son and works by his Spirit in those whom he intends to save Ezek. 36.26 27 28. Acts 11.18 c. 3. No man much less all men hath by nature or before his conversion either the Spiritual light or true Faith or Christ or his Spirit in them or a will or love to that which is spiritually good or power to come to Christ or to be subject to his Law and Will but by nature and before conversion the best are blind unbelieving without Christ and without the Spirit unwilling wilful weak and wicked John 3.5 6. Rom. 5.6 8.7 Eph. 2.1 2 c. Yet sinning against the Light and Law of Nature and not worshipping God according to what is revealed of him by the works of Creation they are left inexcusable Rom. 1.20 21. Concerning Redemption from the Curse of the Law All true Believers are really and actually redeemed from the Curse and power or Dominion of the Law and are under Grace or the Blessings Promises and Privileges of the Covenant of Grace both Temporal and Eternal Rom. 6.14 7 4 6. Gal 3.13 On the contrary all Unbelievers and wicked persons are and remain under the Law and Covenant of works Gal. 5.4 Concerning the two Covenants From the beginning of the world there have been two Covenants in being viz. The Covenant of Grace and the Covenant of works called the Law and the Gospel and all and every person in the world have been and are under one of them the first requiring the Obedience of works the other the Obedience of Faith and these are the conditions of the two Covenants Rom. 10.4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. Heb. 8.7 8. c. 10.15 16 c. 22. Concerning Perseverance in Grace Those that do truly believe and are once in and under the New Covenant and in the true grace of God as the Apostle speaks Rom. 5.2 cannot absolutely fall and utterly perish for they are passed from death to life John 5.24 they are in Christ and God the Fathers hand John 10.28 29. they have the Spirit abiding in them unto eternal life 1 John 3.24 they sit together in heavâ—â—ly places in Christ Eph. 2.5 6. and he makes intercession for them John 17.20 and the Decree Oath and Promises of God are sure to all the seed Rom. 4.16 that they shall not depart from God Jer. 32.40 1 Iohn 3.9 and that he will never leave nor forsake them Heb. 13-5 6. and that he or every one that believeth shall be saved Mark 16.16 and shall not come into condemnation for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 Concerning assurance of Salvation i. Believers are to be exhorted to make their calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 and this they may certainly attain unto for God hath promised it Christ hath prayed for it and many of the Saints have attained unto it 1 John 2.3 5. 3.14 c. 2. Though there are many signs and evidences of the truth of grace laid down in the Scripture and such as Believers may find in themselves as Love to God and to his people respect to all Gods Commands and hatred to sorrow for and power against all in-bred corruption c. Yet the chiefest and most undoubted evidence is the spirit it self 1 Iohn 3.24 4.13 and the Witness and Sealing of it Rom. 8.15 Eph. 1.13 which Believers have most commonly after they believe and not at their first believing Gal. 3.14 and there may be a true Faith mingled with much Doubting Mat. 14.31 and many of the children of light may walk in darkness and be ignorant of their state Isa 50.10 Yet such bruised Reeds God will not break nor quench such smoaking Flax i. e. such weak and Doubting Christians or their Faith till he bring forth Judgment into victory or help them to overcome Mat. 12.20 21. 3. It is possible also that such believers as have attained unto a full Assurance may afterwards either through the hiding of Gods countenance for Tryal of them or by falling into some great sin or by some sore and violent temptation or through their Remissness in Religious Duties or the like have their Assurance darkned shaken and weakned and thereby their Souls may be much troubled and discomforted Psal 30.7 Cant 2.1 2. 5.2 3 c. yet in their darkest and most doubting condition they cleave unto the Lord remember his former dealings acknowledge these doubts to be their Infirmities and they find and feel some workings of the Spirit and Grace within them and still continue in Prayer and other Ordinances waiting upon the Lord till he return unto them revive them restore the joy of his Salvation and settle them in their old Estates as he hath promised For this read Psal 22. 51. 77. throughout Lam. 3. Isa 8.17 50.10 c. Concerning Growth and Perseverance in Grace 1. Those that have true Grace whether little or much they should labour to grow therein and to add one Grace to another going from strength to strength perfecting holiness in the fear of God and still
pressing after the things that are before endeavouring to be holy Merciful and Perfect as God is and to walk as Christ walked 2 Pet. 1.8 3.18 Phil. 3.11 14.2 Cor. 7.1 1 John 2.6 c. 2. Though there is to be a pressing after perfection as also an attaining unto it in some sense as Perfection of Justification and of the Truth of Sanctification and likewise comparatively some attain to more Grace than others who are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Perfect by the Apostle 1 Cor. 2.6 Phil. 3.15 Heb. 5.14 yet the best of Gods people whilest they are on earth have sin in them working in their Members and they offend in many things knowing also and doing but in part as the Apostles themselves acknowledged Paul Romans 7. James Jam. 3.2 Iohn 1 John 1. and they that say they have no sin but are perfect or without sin they will be found perverse as Iob saith c. 9. and they deceive themselves and the Truth is not in them 1 Iohn 1.8 10. 3. As there is a growing in Grace so there is a persevering and continuing and holding on and out in the Will Way and profession of Christ unto the end without turning to the right hand or to the left and without back-sliding or halting between Opinions or being formal and luke-warm in Religion But striving against sin and seeking to overcome through many sufferings and to run our spiritual Race till we finish our course for to such doth Christ promise the Crown of Life and in his grace and strength alone we must overcome and therefore must always depend upon and humbly implore his help who is the Finisher as well as the Author of our Faith that we may be able to withstand all evils and to stand compleat in the will of God being not high minded but fearing nor doubtful-minded but believing Matthew 24.13 Revel 2.10 3.11 15 16. Heb. 12.1 4. Phil. 4.13 Collos 4.12 Rom. 11.20 Luke 12.29 32. Concerning Good Works 1. They that do believe and are Gods workmanship created thereunto are to be careful to maintain good Works which tend to the praise and glory of God and the good and profit of men and are also as was intimated before evidences of a true and lively faith in God and of our love both to God and Men Mat. 5.16 Eph. 2.10 Tit. 3.8 14. Iam. 2.17 18 22. Iohn 14.21 1 Iohn 3. â—7 Gal. 5.6 2. Those works only are to be accounted good works which are commanded by God and agreeable to his Word and not such as are devised and esteemed by men only to be so and to offer unto God any thing in his service which he requires not is abominable to him and Unprofitable and Sinful to them that do it 1 Kin. 11.7 Ier. 32.35 Mic. 6.6 7 8. Mat. 15 9. Col. 2.20 24. Tit. 1.14 Concerning Baptisme 1. Outward Baptism or Water-Baptism is a solemn significant dipping into or washing with water the Body in or into the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost only Mat. 28.19 It signifies the Death Burial and Resâ—r ection of Christ also the spiritual cleansing and washing of Justification and Regeneration or Sanctification together with the Baptism or powriâ—g forth of the gifts of the Holy Spirit Rom. 6.3 4 5. Col. 2.12 Heb 10.22 2. Though Baptism be not absolutely necessary to salvation yet being commanded by Christ it is the duty of all professing and visible Believers and penitent persons Men and Women to be Baptized once and that upon the first Believing and Conversion and before they enter into a particular visible Church or partake of the Lords Supper Acts 2.41 42. Yet it is not Baptism but an Interest in Christ that gives any a Right to either Neither is it the proper work of Baptism to conferr or work grace but to seal confirm and encrease it 1 Pet. 3.21 much less are all those that are Baptized true believers and saved John 3 3 5. Acts 8.13 23 3. But in this of baptism as in many other cases difference in perswasion and practise may well consist with Brotherly love and Christian communion see Phil 3.15 Rom. 14 c. Concerning Churches and Church-Assemblies 1. It is a Gospel-Ordinance for Saints to gather themselves together into Christian societies or particular Churches that they may the better perform such duties as they owe unto the Lord and to one another and it is the duty of all believers if possibly and conveniently they can to joyn themselves unto some such Church and being joyned to continue members thereof unless some necessary and good reason occasion the contrary and then to depart with consent of the Church of which they are members Cant. 1.7.8 Acts 2.47 9.26 27 28 c. 2. The particular visible Churches under the Gospel did not consist of whole Nations Countries or Cities nor of the generality and Multitudes of either but of such Companies many or few in them that did receive and profess the Doctrine of the Gospel were converted and called to be Saints separated from the world both its sins and services and united and given up to the Lord and to one another to live according to the will of God in all things Acts 5.12 13 14. 17.4 19.8 9. 1 Cor. 1.2 c. 3. Such particular Churches had and still have distinct power each within it self of admitting and ejecting members of choosing their own Officers and of ordeâ—ing all other matters relating to the Church and none of them nor their Officers were charged with the errors and evils of others unless they were among themselves guilty of the same neither have any of them or their Officers any power over any other Congregation or Members yet as those particular Churches are parts of the Universal Church or body of Christ which is his fulness so they are all to be helpful to one another and to walk by one and the same Rule Acts 6 5. 14 23. 1 Cor. 5.12 Rev. 2. 3. Phil. 3 15 16 c. Concerning Church-Officers As Christ hath given extraordinary and ordinary Officers as Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry and for the edifying of his body or Church in general and this without any limitation of Time Eph. 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 12.28 29 so for the feeding teaching ruling and ministring to the poor and sick of the Church the Lord hath appointed Elders or Bishops which in Scripture language are all one Asts 20.17 28. Phil. 1.1 Tit. 1.5 6 7. and Deacons and Deaconesses or Widows Rom. 16.1 1 Tim. 5.9 10. with other Helps who are to be chosen by the Churches themselves and ordained as formerly they were either by Apostles or some appointed by them as Evangelists or by some Teachers in those particular Churches 1 Tim. 4.14 2 Tim 2.2 Tit. 1.5 1 Tim. 5.21 22 c. Concerning the Lords Supper The Lord Christ also instituted and
that you shall shortly reach Immortality but never Eternity Make Christ your all and you will be sure to lay down your self all Consider that when you are not assaulted with Temptaions Satan is damming and pounding and and he will suddenly draw up his Sluce and let loose upon you Satan doth not like God warn before he strike Christ work is Wages his Service perfect freedom The Love of the Master the sweetness of the Service and the greatness of the reward are sufficient incouragements to serve Christ A Christians security and safety is in doing his duty and he should study his duty more then his safety He that loves not Christ more then his Lust or his Life is like to lose Christ and his Life but he that loves Christ more then his Life shall be sure to save and keep both Strive greatly to have and to exercise a good Conscience towards God and Men and commit by Soul Life and Cause to the Lord and to exâ—â—ct the worst of Men and the best of Christ Christ is â—â—â—o the Soul as the Loadstone to the â—on drawing it to it self or the Cristial to the other â—tones putting Beauty and Lustre on them A Christian beholds Christ in the deepest Afflictiâ—n as well as in the most spiritual Ordinance Corruptions are like Worms in the Maw or Stoâ—ach which will eat through the Soul unless scatâ—red killed and purged out The only way some times for a Christian to avoid the force of Temptation is Souldier Like to fall down on his face when he sees the Cannon or Musket fired against him Make haste to do thy work Christian and God will make haste to give thee thy Wages Thou must dye once whether thou suffer or no and thou canst dye but once if thou suffer The sins of Saints are new sufferings to Jesus Christ and the sufferings of Saints are the Wounds of Christ Reading the Scriptures helps Meditation Meditation Prayer and Prayer every good work Men may come too late to God when the Door is shut but God never comes too late to Men. Let the Child be contented to take the Breast the Mother will give it and then it shall have both so be contented with what Christ gives you and you shall want nothing To see the want of Grace is much the worth of Grace more T is hard to get Grace hard to get assurance of Grace hard to use it and not abuse it T is very hard to behold our own Gift without Pride and the Gifts of others if they excel ours without Envy Do not commend thy Freind nor discommend thy Foe too much least thou be judged to be partial He commands most and best that commads in Love Humility and Self-denyingly He hath not learned to rule that hath not learningâ—ed to obey An even through Paced Self-fearing Heart melt-Christian is always best The world is a great nothing deluding the bad disturbing and distracting the good Satan works more upon men by sleight then by might avoid his cunning and thou wilt avoid his cruelty Hypocrites Hearts are like stinking Ponds wherein Frogs live and Fish dye Lusts feed and Grace if it were there starves The Devil is like the Turkycock or Crocodile if you turn upon him he will fly from you but you fly from him he will pursue you It is better sometimes to sleight the Devil then to fight him Thoughts of our own death will tend much to deaden sin God hath set the Tongue between the Brains and Heart that it may advice with both and within two Guards to keep it in and yet it is unruly Prayer is a good preparative to suffering when Christ had prayed he went out to meet Judas Ioh. 18.4 Ruffling opinion sowing and Church railing Persons and Professors have commonly more Self then Grace It is the duty of a Christian to suppress and search himself when he doth not know Evil by himself Christ and Sin are most magnified in the Eyes of Believers in their afflictions but in a different manner and to a different end and then Christ is most desired and Sin most dispised A Christian should earnestly desire that his sin might sit in a white Cloud and that he might go out of the World as a Perfume and not as a Snuff The holy Law of God teaches a Man to see his own Deformity and requires from him a Conformity Sin is like a sleepy Lion in the Soul which Temptation soon awakens Christ puts most of his Oyle in broken Vessels in broken Hearts there is most Grace and best kept The less a man strives for himself the more will Christ strive for him Oh my Soul look for death hourly long for it greatly prepare for it carefully meet and welcome it joyfully for it is Christs part to direct his Spouse the Soul to him and thy Freind that comes to set thee at liberty from thy sins discharge thee from thy Pâ—ison dismiss thee from thy Debts and bring thee at once to enjoy all thy desires Oh Lord as a sign that I shall be able to dye for thee let me find my Corruption dying in me by power from thee He that will not take Example shall make an Example Afflictions are Christs Love Tokens Jer. 12.7 Heb. 12.6 Rev. 3.9 and Christians are never more tendred then when most afflicted as Ephraim Jer. 31.20 A Christians Soul should be like the Dial going according to the Sun or following Christ Small sins yeilded too make way for greater and one sin for another He that converts a Sinner covers a world or multitude of sins and gains more then a World to wit a Soul Saints should labour to Lord it over their Corruptions as their Corruptions did formerly Lord it over them God hath given a Man a little Mouth and a narrow Throat that Man may not exced in eating To take pains about unnecessary and unprofitable things is laboriously to mispend time Zeal without Knowledge to guide it is like mettle in a blind Horse which stumbles and overthrows the Rider Young Christians commonly want a Curb and old Christians a Spur. Be not ambitions of Love and thou shalt not be so soon an object of Envy It is good to curb natural and acquired Gifts but to give the Reins to Grace and let alwayes Grace lead rule and master Gifts A Heart unconverted is contended with nothing but what is helping it unto Hell and it hath never enough of that very sin and the Heart converted is never satisfied but with what helps it towards Heaven and yet thinks he hath never enough thereof viz. Christ and Grace Welcome thou thy Landlord Christ into thy Cottage now and he will welcome thee into thy Palace hereafter Get Christ and Christian to bind thy Conscience to the peace and thy Affections and Flesh to the good behaviour Spend all thy Grace against thy Lust but none for it Thy hardest duty in Christianity is to deny self and to destroy sin As the Martyr
whether we will follow after him It s strange and very bad sign to see Saints look more upon the sins of the wicked to ripen them for misery then after self humiliation and holiness to ripen and fit themselves for mercy He that cannot pitty the sinner and hate sin doth not reprove out of love to Christ nor from a gratious spirit He that loves not a Reprover and prizes not his reproof neither profits thereby is more his sins then his Souls friend If God hath kept thee from falling still fear watch pray and live by Faith on Christ No power can keep him in Bonds whom truth and innocency acquits Due end in being in the world is not to be to our selves Though the People of God may be killed yet they can neither be hurt nor overcome Christians though disagreeing in Opinion should agree in Affection and differing in Controversie should agree in Charity It is a very sad thing neither to be careful to do well nor repent of doing ill The Portion that Christ gives us is not near so bitter as his Cordial is sweet The fear of death is ingrafted in the common nature of all men but Faith works it out by Christians Nothing will be terrible where the love of God is apprehended and nothing greivous where love to Christ is exercised Learn to prefer Christ before self and suffering above sinning Look for suffering as for Exaltation for it is an honour to be accounted worthy and a double honour to be enabled and carried through safety A Beleiver should learn 1. To know God in Christ 2. Himself in Christ 3. Christ in him 4. Himself he was without Christ 1. wicked and wretched 2. unwilling and weak in good The Life of a true Beleiver is 1. In the Lord. 1. Thes 1.2 1. Iohn 2.27 2. On the Lord. Rom. 1.17 Gal. 2.20 3. By and from the Lord. Iohn 6.57 4. To the Lord. Rom. 14.8 Luke 20.38 Gal. 2.19 5. With the Lord. 2. Cor. 13.4 1. Thes 5.10 Rom. 6.8 The Care of a true Christian 1. To wait on God Isa 8.17 25.9 2. To walk with God Gen. 5.22.24 6.9.24.40 3. To work all his works in and for God Io. 3.21 Rom. 6.10 1. Cor. 10.31 4. To bring his will to submit to the will of God in everything Mark 26.42 Heb. 10.7 A Christian should take heed least he be giving way to his Heart to steal out now and then to sin and get some sweet Bits thereof between duties There will be a reviveing of old sins if there be not effectual repentance for them and a care by Faith through all Duties and Ordinances to get new strength against them and constant watch kept over them When God makes the World to hot for his People to hold they will let it go A Christian comes not to know the weakness of his Grace till the Spirit ceases to work in and by it nor the power of his Corruption till Satan works therein by his temptation A Christians Flesh should keep from the Shew and his Conscience from the guilt of sin Where sin is not killed it will kill Sin hath no Mother but a mans Heart nor Father but Satan Sin draws the Soul into it either by power or policy by force or by fraud Christians should not give offence carelesly nor take offence causelesly Fear thy Freinds more then thy Foes thy sins more then thy sufferings and liberty more then bondage Some Christians have four Thorns that greive them a Thorn of affliction from God a Thorn of persecution from men and 〈◊〉 Thorn of Temptation from Satan and of corruption in themselves Self loathing destroys self Love much and the more we loath our selves the better we love others When a Christian comes to be as weary of his sins as of his sufferings God will certainly put them to an end One of the cheifest works of the Soul is self exmination and yet a Christian will find himself most backward thereto and soonest weary therein The more a Soul is exercised in spiritual meditation the less with carnal Temptation The more frequent and powerful in private Prayer the more free from and the more potent against corruptions Seasonable and unexpected mercies are very sweet and acceptable It is a common principle in nature that no man can or should judge his Enemy or be judged in his own Cause Slothfulness is the Cradle of sin which the Devil Rocks Christ will be soon sencible of those Saints sufferings that are sencible of their own sins There is no power in the Creatures to do either good or hurt but as God disposeth them for it is God that puts their Sword into their hand Ezek 30.24 Take heed of reproving or upbraiding another in self passion or to provoke his Passion The Lord now shakes his visible Church as a Tree is shaken that the rotten Fruit may fall off Careless hearing makes carnal Hearts and carnal Hearts makes cursed lives He that will be much in self denial must be much in self tryal If we could be contented to be altogether without Christ or with part of Christ we need not suffer persecution When and where wickedness is most then and there the godly should strive to be most godly If Gods People could be diligent at their own work and leave God at his work they need not fear success As the Stars the higher they are the swifter their motion so Christians the more spiritual the more active in the service of God Nothing comes amiss to a godly man but sin What a Preacer does as well as what he speaks is doctrine to the People The cheif end of all Scriptures is to know God and to worship him rightly being known Christians should take heed least God should sue them upon an Action of Waste for wasting time and mispending mercies c. Sence of misery must prâ—ceed sence of mercy At the day of death but especially at the day of Judgement a Saint will wish he had sinned less served God better and suffered for him more He is a strong Christian that seeks Gods glory more then his own salvation but no Christian that seeks neither Sin undiscovered or unconsidered becomes sin unrepented There are many that serve themselves of Christ but few that serves Christ for his own sake Gods People have the love of God shewed to and set before them shed in them and sealed to them Let not a Christian leave off his running till he comes to the end of his Race but like the Moon though she be eclipsed yet forsakes not her Orb not discontinues her course at all Be sure to praise God when thou receivest power against Sin and Temptation and you shall be sure to find God ready to give you power another time when you want it Be still imployed in doing good and you shall not be much tempted or troubled with Evil. Some Christians have more trouble from and for Temptation and sin in one day then they have
for suffering many months Poverty is the gift God as well as Riches When Saints perceive their sins growing weak they should prosecute them most A wicked man may give good Counsel from God to a good man and he not taking it may be destroyed Pharoh Necho to Iosiah It may be said of many a man that he is honourable and yet a Leaper 2. Kings 5.1 There is no evil in sin but there is some what in the name of Christ that speaks the contrary as sin is darkness so Christ is light c. A Beleiver is to shut the Eye of Reason if he will clearly see with the Eye of Faith The great Principles and Misteries of Divinity 〈◊〉 are to abide in God to live on God to walk with God and to live to God There are three sorts of Gospel Sacrifices 1. Thanksgiving Psal 51.17.19 Amos 4.5 Heb. 13.15 Hos 4.2 2. Liberality to the Poor Mich. 6.8 1 Cor. 16.1.2 2. Cor. 18.19 Heb. 13.16 3. Our selves Rom. 12.1 Sanctifying Thoughts 1. The Thoughts of God free and constant love to me 2. The thoughts of what Christ hath done for me 3. The thoughts of what I have been and done against God 4. The thoughts of what God and Christ are to me and I to them 5. The thoughts of Christs Excellency and some Saints Eminency 6. The thoughts of Death and Judgement 7. The thoughts of what I shall be and shall have hereafter A Christian should be much taken and rejoyce at 1. The least Revelation of Truth 2. The least Communion with God 3. The least additional measure of holiness 4. The least success God gives him in his work T is observed that the first word spoken by Christ in his ministerial office is an assertion to or of the authority of Scripture Mat. 4.4 God is not only the holy one of Israel but the holy one in Israel Ezek. 39.7 By Prayer God doth converse with me by Preaching he doth teach me by Meditation he doth fill me by Saints society he doth warn me by singing Hymnes he doth ravish me by his Supper he doth feed me By his Love he doth endear me to him by his Son embolden me By his Spirit unite me to him By his promises stay me with him Publick Disputations are seldome rightly managed being too often attended either with firceness and frowardness too much insulting over an Adversary if any advantage be gained or be left to oneâ— self in some thing or other to be worsted and shamed Or if some good hath been not to be so ready to give God the glory as in other things A suffering Christian should see that Innocency be the beginning and Patience the end thereof Six necessary Questions that every Christian shoulâ— ask his own Heart 1. Whether I am a Saint or a Hyppocrite a wise or foolish Virgin 2. What are the truest and strongest grounds I have of my Saintship 3. Whether if I be a true Christian is my Spirit Legal or Evangelical 4. With which of the Saints mentioned in Scripture can I most compare my self 5. What are the Reasons in respect of my self why I continue without full assurance 6. What is my master sin and what power hath it in my Soul or I over it God carries on the work of Grace in Believers 1. According to their natural parts and natural constitutions 2. According to the means they are under whether Legal or Evangelical Preaching 3. According to the things he hath to do by them or calls them to suffer 4. According to the shortness or length of time they have to live 5. According as they have been before the Conversion greater or lesser Sinners Recreations the Object and Subject being right must be 1. Not on Lords-days Fast-days c. 2. Not in the Night for it is given for rest 3. When we stand in need of it 4. Seldom 5. Not over-long 6. Not over costly 7. Suitable to mens conditions 8. To a good end In Duties we should 1. Look for to meet and enjoy God 2. Expect to hear and receive from God 3. Return somewhat to God As a Watch must be dayly wound up by him that carries it otherwise it is useless So the Soul must be spiritually wound up by Christ else it will be unuseful and unserviceable Christ hath more to do to bring us to be reconciled to God then to bring God to be reconciled to us Reasons 1. Because God is willing Men unwilâ—ing 2. Because God is satisfied and contented with Christs merits so are not Men. Soul freedome 1. To be freed from doubts of its eternal condition 2. Of scrupulous opinions 3. Of the power of Corruption 4. Of stinging Conviction of the Law 5. Of the fiery fierce temptations of Satan 6. From the fear of death Saints do commonly sleight and undervalue what ever suits not with their own Judgements James 1.8 A double minded man that is a man whose mind hangs between a double Object Christ and the World A Saint that hath been sick and near death and is recovered and returns into the World again is like a poor peeld Sheep that is brought out of the high Hill and Storm and almost to the Fold and then chased again to the storm Or a weary Traveller that is near his home that must needs return a great part of his way to fetch what he did neglect Or a man that hath been long at Sea and is in sight of shore but forced to Sea again Or an Apprentice that when he expects to be set at liberty must serve another Apprentiship Or Iosephs Brethren who returning home was forced back again into Egypt Things that seem small to Christians at a distance when God brings them to the Soul they seem great as persons or things at a distance as sin duty c. Two great Evils follow hardness of Heart Rom. 2.5 Impenitency and Wrath. When may sin be said to be a mans own 1. When he commits them out of his own as Satan doth Iohn 8.44 1 Iohn 38.9 2. When he hates it not but loves it yea more then any good Psal 52.3 3. When he nourisheth it Iam. 5.5 They pick the sweetest bits to nourish the hearts 4. When a man provides for it Rom. 13.14 5. When men live in sin 1. Tit. 5.6 6. When it is their Element meat Prov. 1.7 Sleep v. 16. Apparel Psal 73. Chain Prov. 10.23 Men carry their lives as men carry pretious water in a brittle Glass 2 Sam. 14.14 or a Candle in a paper Lanthorn A Saints second part of Sin is sorrow A true Saint hath his high places to walk upon Heb. 3. Last As 1. God himself his being 2. Christ as Mediatour his Light Strength c. 3. The Spirit as his Air. 4. The word as his Staff 5. Mount Zion as his delightful place 6. Gods decrees as his Record 7. Experiences as his helps 8. Hopes of Salvation as his encouragement The Evils I have feared and experienced in my self
been very hurtful 6. That the Lord did move the hearts of the Brethren to come so willingly and express so much affection to me 7. That God moved my heart and strengthned me to come home that night which proved advantagious 8. That when the disease was at the highest and sorest the Lord was pleased in that state to keep the eye of my mind directly upon himself 9. That when I was much troubled about my Will and was afraid the Lord would have taken me away before I had finished it God heard my weak sensless crying unto him and gave me much satisfaction when it was done The Lord did not let loose any of my spiritual enemies sin or Satan upon me The Lord supported me with his former fatherly dealings and the succors comforts and experiences he had afforded in the like afflictions The Lord kept my spirit indifferent and unbyassed towards life or death not desiring the one more then the other but willing that God should choose for me The Lord shewed me things neerer thâ—n I saw them beâ—ore and smaller things as duties sins c. seemed greater to me then they had done I was helped by the Lord to beaâ— the affliction with that patience that I was so far from thinking it too heavy that I wondred it was so light I found a quicker discerning and a better taste to try words then before and to know who spoke and what was spoken discreetly seasonably and effectually That I had more sence of other sick and suffering Saints then I had before especially the poor and the rather because I considered how they wanted the accommodations I had As I had no extraordinary discoveries of the Lord so I had several small and mediate expressions of his tenderness and kindness I had clearer knowledge and greater conviction of some sins particularly 1. Self which I found to cleave to me ever to the end 2. Of Frowardness which I saw to be an abhoring to the Lord and it troubled me much to hear it in my Family 3. Wordliness especially in having to do with worldly men 4. Slothfulness in private duties 5. Want of more care to refâ—rm my Family 6. Using too many words about earthly things with my Wife 7. Using too much fleshly wisdom in my preaching and too much time wiâ—h too many words in my Sermons and too many complements to Saints offering Sacrifice or doing service unto the Lord when God would have me be receiving mercy from him this God shewed me once when being weak I went to perform duly I had comfort from the Lord. 1. From several Scriptures as Rom. 14 8. Philip. 1.21 Iob 33.26 Psal 71.3 Esaiah 1.25 Ezek. 21.44 Prov. 1â— the last verse Iohn 16.14 Ioh. 17. Prov. 7. to 21. 2. Gracious Answers of Prayer and feeding upon promises 3. From the Visits and Prayers of the Saints 4. That when I vvas to dispose of the estate the Loâ—d had given me I did find I vvas more thoughtful hovv to do it to Gods gloâ—y then I vvas to get it Some few of the Hymns found within his Papers A Hymn on the Sabboth day THe rest of rests to me is Christ in whom I do rejoyce His day a Sabboth is to me T is not mine but his choice He rose and rested on that day to shew his work was done His blest example is my Rule his Candle is my Sun This is the Queen of dayes to me For t is my Kings birth day He was begotten from the dead that I might live for aye Not live in lust to do my will but live to please my Lo d To preach his word and sit at board 'mong â—aâ—â—ts of one accord To pray and preach to sing and praise to meditate and talk From day dawning unto dark night should be our work and walk Another on the same The Sabboth is a day of rest from Service Work and Sin When God had ended all his work the Sabboth did begin God set apart the seventh day and did it sanctifie Adam in innocence was bound that holy kept should be Then to the Iews God gave command this day for to observe And sorely punish wicked men that from the Law did swerve But when the time that Iewish rites were to be done away Christ did set up instead of it another call'd by day This was prefigur'd in the Law and foretold frequently This Christ and his Disciples kept strictly and ardently This mindâ— us that the work is done which Christ ingag'd to do Christs resurrection was thereon which makes us keep it too Some without ground would sleight this day counting alike all dayes Yet I with Saints will keep the same to celebrate Gods praise Upon my going forth to Preach To be my Shephards underling his Sheep to seek and save It joyes me more then any thing no work else do I crave To free a Soul from Death and Hell more then my life I prize Converting Preachers make me one shall shine for they are wise O let me Lord have skill to bring thy lost and scattering Sheep Into thy School and Fould also to teach and feed and keep My Lambs and little Ones are like to perish and be lost Oh seek and save them Lord thy self thou knowest how much they cost Thy precious Blood was shed for them that they might ever have Enjoyment of thy precious self this had no more they crave Upon the occasion of preaching upon a Mountain How fair and eek how beautiful are those Messengers Feet That preach glad tidings on the Hills their voice must needs be sweet Sweet is thy holy Trumpets sound that calls and summons all To lissen to and list themselves under the General God gave his Law at first on smoaky Mount Sinai God oft times did appear to his in such a place and way Alters were built by Saints to worship the true God The Temple on a Mountain was built where God made his abode Christ did resort to Hills to Watch to Preach to Pray Châ—ist was transfigured on a Mount clad in divine array On a Hill he tryed was and that he overcame When from a Hill he did descend he had the greatest fame Christ wrought great Miracles on a barren Hill Christ did ascend from off a mount the Scriptures to fulfil Upon a Mount in Galile Christ gave commissions To his Apostles for to preach unto all Nations From off a Mountain high John saw that glorious sight The new Jerusalem Christs brâ—de cloathed in white and bright The Mountains minds us of Gods faithful promises Gods Wisdom Might and Providence on Hills appear all these The prosecuted Saints did hide themselves in Hills Their th' Idolators worshipped God after their crooked wills Christ Kingdome and his Church his Mount of holiness Shall break and quell all Mountains and all Hills of wickedness Gods Mounâ—ains shall bring peace the Hills shall leap and sing On Mount Olive Christ will stand to judge the world as King The barren Wilderness
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 adâ—â—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. It s 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 effeâ—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
in giving it to them and of his being in Covenant with them and they with him if they carefully observed it and therefore it is called the Covenant Exod. 31.17 As Circumsion a sign of the Covenant is called a Covenant Gen. 17.7 My heart was moved to pray earnestly against sin and those words in Psal 72.12 13 14. were pretious to me he shall deliver the needy when he cryeth the poor also and him that hath no helper This day I learned from Psal 74.16 The day is thine and the night it thine that the State of affliction as wâ—ll as a State of posperity is of the Lord and necessary and to continue but for a time Then from Psal 76.10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee and the remainder of wrath thou wilt restrain I learned not to be troubled at mens fury for God would have glory thereby and God will restrain it when he will this day I perceived three things much wanting in me First Love enough to Christ to make me willing to suffer Secondly Repentance enough for Sin Thirdly Care enough in Gods service This day I had some inlargement in Prayer I learned also 1. That Prayer is a special remedy or means to prevent the Soul from sin 2. That ordinary spiritual Judgments as hardness of Heart c. go before outward Judgements 3. That it is a very sad sign as well as a great sin to refuse the Lord and his Counsel God complains Psal 81.11 That they would not hearken to his Counsels and that they would none of him I had some sence but trouble for want of more of the sufferings of Gods People in S and I was encouraged from the following Observations and considerations First That the man is blest whose strength is in the Lord Psal 8.4 5. Secondly That when God will return to his People and bring them back from their captivity he will forgive their iniquities cover their sins and take away all his wrath Psal 85.1 2 3. Thirdly That salvation is nigh to the People of God verse 9.4 That he will set his People in the way of his steps verse 13. This day supposed to be the longest in the year I judge it my duty to be strict in observing what glory to God or good to my Soul such a long day would produce 1. In the morning as the night before I had my Heart drawn out to pray earnestly against temptations especially one and I observed presently the temptation set upon me but the Lord delivered me from it and removed it from me for which my Heart was affected moved and raised to praise the Lord. 2. I learned that affliction draws out the Heart of the godly much in Prayer and Supplication Psal 8.11.13 3. I learned that it is not enough for a Christian to do good but he should carefully endeavour to do the cheifest and most seasonable good 4. By visiting some of the poorest Prisoners I observed this that sometimes in doing good a man may be in danger of receiving evil or a good disposition may bring a man lyable to temptation in the morning I had encouragement from Psal 91.9.10 Because thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge and there shall no evil befat thee I had much refreshing also in the communion of divers Christians I learned also from Revelations the 2.26.27 compared with the 12. Chap. 11. That he that suffereth for Christ overcometh ferendo vincere spero at the noise of the great thunder this night I was moved to consider the greatness of Iehovah whose voice was so loud I was troubled in the morning with many bad thoughts yet had some trouble for them but out of Psal 102.4.10.24 I observed three things 1. That the heart may be withered 2. That after God hath lifted up a Saint he may cast him down again 3. That Davids argument to move God not to cut him off in the midest of his dayes was because Gods years were throughout all Generations Being the Lords day I found my Heart in as good a frame as I had any day both in respect of tenderness and enlargedness in Prayer and likewise learned somewhat from divers Scriptures especially from 2. Pet. 3. From the consideration of what God had promised to do and the patience and long suffering of Christ and what the Saints did look for what manner of persons Christians ought to be viz. 1. Holy in all manner of Conversation and godliness 2. Looking and expecting the coming of Christ 3. Diligent in geting assurance and being found acceptable 4. Accounting that the patience of God intended from their good 5. Watchful and careful least they be drawn aside into Error 6. Lastly growing in Grace and in the knowledge of Christ I was observing from Psal 105.8 How God remembered his Covenant with his People yea and for them Psal 106.47 also his mercy Psal 98.3 And though they either forget or neglect either the one or the other yet what abundant comfort is this to Beleivers This day was a very good day to me in respect of several favours received from the Lord for which I desire to be earnestly thankful I learned to consider how far a man may go with a meer ascent to truth without experiencing the power of the same working in us I was also earnest with the Lord that in case he did not put an end to my sufferings he would put an end to my sin This was a day better resolved on then observed Oh how oft and in how many wayes are men disappointed in their purposes which shews all good to be in the hand of God and man to be a poor changeable weak Creature yet from Psal 107. I was noting how ready God is to hear the Cry of his People for four times in that Psal He is said to hear their Cry in trouble and to deliver them out of their distress verse the 6.13.19.28 and yet it is as observable how backward men aâ—e to return praises to God and therefore in the Psalms it is also said four times Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness veâ—se 8.15.21.31 Though this Evening I had some inward refreshing yet this Night I had sore Temptations of several sorts This day my Temptations continued strong yet with a resolution in the strength of Christ to resist beware of them and in consideration oâ— the words nevertheless notwithstanding and yet which I find frequent in the Scriptures used and applied to Gods People both after their sinning and under their suff ing I had some comâ—ort as Psal 106.8 44. 1 Kings 2. chap. 12. Psal 40.17 42.8 This d y frâ—m several Scriptures as Psal 119. 4. Acts 6.4 1 Cor. 7.3 compared togethâ—r I was convinced it was a special duty in which I was too nâ—gligent to give ones self to Pâ—ayer I also observed that neglecting the season so serviâ—e or duty pâ—oves sometimes a perfect oâ—ission of that dâ—â—y I also was observing â—he great