turpia nullâ spe invitabitur 8. For that the enemies are very empty dry and withered whiles we are geâ—en sappy and growing blessed be our God as Psal 104.16 The trees of the Lord are full of sapp for we find our Spirits full our hearts full and hopes full and our faith full in a sense for this cause of our Lord Jesus full of comfort of life and of courage and of peace thorough believing which come amain upon us whiles our enemies are like the Hypocrites Isa 33. surprised with fearfullnesse yea Mager-mysabib is written about them as Mâ—stery is upon them Rev. 17.5 a sure signe to us and a token for good 9. In that on both sides the main body seems to be marching up because the forlorne hope is already so hotly ingaged with downright blowes as on our side with the truth and testimony they or their side with down-right point blank blasphemy and persecution so that not onely the heads Rev. 13.1 but the whole body of the Beast Rev. 17.3 is full of blasphemy and both sides are fallen on so that the next news I am like to hear after this forlorn is a fight and fight of the main bodies on both sidâ—â— or the â—ife of the holy Camp the holy City trod on these 42. months Rev. 11.2 and the pitching of Maher-shalabhashbaz's great Tent Esa 8.1 For the 3. great things which I wait to see and hear are the great Tent and Trumpet Esa 27.13 Deut. 23.10 the great Bone-fire and flame Rev. 19 20. and 17.16 and the great Sun or light of seaven dayes with seaven eyes and by the seaven spirits Esa 30.26 ch 60.19 Rev. 21.23 10. In that our new Covenant propriety in God our Father continues unto us sure and well ordered in all things in all conditions in Prisons Exiles Plunderings Reproaches Dungeons Wants Death and judgements in seperable c. still we can say our God though a consuming Fire Heb. 12.29 though Eli Eli Lamasabachthani yet Eli Eli that is we cannot fall the subjects of Gods wrath though of mans no not when the Violls come to be poured out for none are the in execution of them but who are above them but all and those onely that are under them shall fall as the subjects of his wrath or the third Wo which is at hand now this is no little comfort to us to whom God is Love yea all Love and all together Love in our Prisons But Lastly in that Sion is in travell of a male-child which makes the paines the greater and the more difficult for a man-child must be borne Isa 9.6 the Sonne of God and heir of althings in heaven and earth Heb. 12. yea the Sonne of Abraham and heir of the Promise and Covenant yea the Sonne of David or heir of the Kingdomes and Crownes of the world the Sonne of Mary and heir of all mankind yea the Sonne of Sion and only heir of the Generation-Work that of this male-child is Sion now in travell with according to Isa 26.17 18 Like as a woman with child that draweth near the time of her delivery is in pain and crâ—eth out in her pangs so are we in thy sight O Lord We have been with child we have been in pain but it is a male-Spirit not a female low Fourth Monarchy-Spirit but a most noble high couragious invincible heaven-borne Spirit that must be brought forth by all these pains persecutions and travells for in the primitive times when the woman was in her travell of this male-Child the Dragon Government did so persecute her that he stood ready to devoure him as soon as he was borne or brought forth into the world and this man-child of Government Christ in the ministration of the Fifth Kingdome Isa 9.6 7. was then caught up unto God and to his throne Rev. 12.5 6.4.2 3.5.6 13. and the Woman or Spiritual Church who after long travell and pain brought forth this blessed truth of the Reign of Christ on earth or the Fifth Kingdome who was forced into the Wildernesse for the 1260. dayes so that now at the end of the 42. moneths or 1260. dayes is the Woman to come out of the Wildernesse and this malechild of Government to come down from God again and to rule all Nations with his rod of iron it is true that he was travelled with in the Heathen Emperours dayes with great perils and pains as appears by the Apologies of Justin Martyr to Antoninus Pius which I read at Winfor and afterwards of Tertullian and some others but he was not born untill the Christian Emperours dayes especially when Jovinian Valentinian c. were Emperours who themselves were Fanters and Professors of the Reign of Christ and are chronicled for Millenaries c. as I have proved in Prison b. Treat but almost as soon as he was thus born he was caught up to God to be forth comming again at the end of the 1260. dayes and therefore Rev. 12.5 She brought forth a man child as mellei poimainein who was about to rule all Nations with a rod of iron not who did it as some say it of Constantine but he was borne ready as if he should rule all but the Lord took him up till the period of the Beasts dominion or the 1260. dayes suffering were over which declares evidently that this male-Spirit will up again speedily for the Reign of Christ with his rod of iron sword and Lawes over all Nations and the overcomming Saints Rev. 2.26 27. or those that have victory over the Bâ—est c. Rev. 15.2 3. shall take the Kingdomes for ever Dan 7.18.22 and thus the man-child must come down from heaven from the throne and from god only in that the God of heaven alone shall set up this kingdome which shall never be destroyed but break all others in pieces Dan. 2.44 and in that ver 45. the Stone is cut out with out hands onely fitted and brought forth from Mount Sion by the Spirit of the Lord the Mount out of which it falls Dan. 2.45 being Sion and the Mount into which it becomes being Moriah Dan. 2.35 or the two Mountains of Brasse mentoned Zach. 6.1 Now the Spirit of the Lord and of the Lamb who hath the seaven Spirits sent forth into all the earth Rev. 5.6.4.5 brings it down unto us so that the man-child must thus come down from God and his throne who was till this time taken up to God and his throne but as I have had a little share I blesse the Lord for his grace in these fresh travells pains of Sion to bring forth this man-child Isa 66.7 Jer. 30.6 7. Isa 51. So have I been abundantly in my bonds taught of the Lord the truth of these thingâ— which I have not time nor utterance for at present nay so good hath my God been to me in this Pathmos School that I think I could almost say it without the least Ostentation and only to the glory of Gods rich grace unto mee
seeing I am out at the King's the Lord Christ's charges and not at mine own 1 Cor. 9.7 For who goeth to warfare at his own charges Praefat. in 3 Serm. 4 Tom. Hieron p. 408. I have been a little tedious which I confess with Erasmus is my fault as well as others multi mei similes hoc morbo laborant ut cum scribere nesciant tamen a scribendo temperare non possint and this is a disease then they are apt to fall into that think they shall never write more to write much as once for all especially since this TREATISE will be so large and the matter of it so lively and important and seeing the opposition of our Persecutors and of those that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are Cromwell fied have necessitated so much for an INTRODUCTION Now in the name of JEHOVAH-TSADEK our JEHOVAH-JIREH who will be seen in the Mount am I ready to present and publish these Apocaliptick Accounts Documents and Prophesies to all the True yet few NATHANIELS of our Times that wait with a high Faith and holy Patience in all wel-doing and wel-suffering for the approaching Day of Christ and his Kingdom work especially to the spiritually enlightned Churches and Saints those of them that are left and kept faithfull Pastors and others of the same hope with us separate from Babylon whole Babylon as well Civill Military as Ecclesiastick and so growing up together into ONE a one Body a Temple-state or the Tabernacle open'd in heaven where the Viols or Vengeance of the Lord of the Lamb of the Martyrs of his Saints and of his Temple must Issue out shortly and upon whom the Day of the Lord is come I see from Mount Pisgah it is begun yea already begun as 1 Pet. 4.17 by purging sifting trying separating discovering quickning afflicting and refining I say to those DEAR ONES or Jewels of the Lord and the Lamb with all the Love Life and Light which I received from above with the abnegation of all that I am from below and so with the grace and humility of both I most heartily offer a few yeers pains search and teachings from the Holy one unto them and lay my judgement at their feet in these weighty matters of Christ if I may but get them published in all the blessed properties principles and prophecies of the Kingdom to be revealed on earth in these last daies for which we now contend and trust shall unto the END with Triumph and Rejoycing Even so Amen Rouz up O Remnant setch a shout O Saints O Churches sing For such a Light is breaking out Will make your ears to ring O Glorious Ray ah Blessed Day Which the Anointing sheweth For thus the Saint in Covenant Shall have the Present Truth From a Friend to a Friend THe BOOKS mentioned by the Author of those publique Prophecies out of Daniel Revelation Prophets and Apostles of old and New Test the fifth Kingdom prepared in Pathmos or in Prison and Exile Teavels among â—is sweetest visits and visions of God and in the still voice are very strangely it seems miscarried without Time and Providence do recover them and so discover him or them that had a hand in hindring or stifling of them Only the Introductory part to the first Treatise or Prison-born Morning-beams are preserved and gotten together as the occasion of his falling upon so large a Systeme so some part of his suffâ—rings at Lambeth untill Winsor which therefore we have added unto his Heart-appeale having been hardly kept and collected that the view of present persecution mâ—y be the more clear and this History the more complent though to my knowledge many things are omitted passages left out fleeced and sheered round as they lifted that had them to do before we could bring it to this passe in publique besides much more which in time may be added if need be as some of us hear of severall reasonings between him and O. P. him and Souldiers him and Ministers him and many Adversaries upon the matters of our faith in the things of Christ this his betrayed cause and Kingdom-work besides what sufferings have been added since these Papers came from him to this CHAINE But in the mean time it may appear by this what the servants of the Lord do pass through at this Day by these powers of the Beast such fore trials remarkable passages and experiences of Persecution as may make them that have said it is no Persecution now very Mutes for very shame and their eares tingle to hear of such a height of tyranny profaneness and impiety among them as may awaken our Friends and favourers of Sion to their Work and Watch and as may revive once more amongst us the blessed memory of the yet bleeding MARTYRS and the Cloud of Witnesses whose examples are before as in this Cause that we also may be made FAITHFUL unto death therein His cup of Affliction hath been deep for this Day and Nation but yet sweet and if so be the report of ONES suffering do sound so what would the WHOLE do of all the suffering ones this day in England for the good Cause a good Christ a good Conscience but another a new Book of Martyrs a fair Garden full of purple Roses and pure Lillies which the Beloved is gone down to gather Cant. 6.2 But the Cain-like cruelty keeps off the report at present till the blood of Abel be heard out of the earth I mean them of whom the World is not worthy that have witnessed with such boldness to the Kingdom Work Cause and Principles of Righteousness Now upon these Papers at last produced and extraordinarily preserved out of the Catch-pole Clutches can we now be thankeful to our heavenly Lord and Father for them and for that some are yet kept constant and faithful through Christ in sufferings for to you it is given saies the Apostle every one in his place as he is called to contest against this the last Beast Rev. 13. Some tried some tempted some plundered some prisoned some barbarously used and set upon by the enemy some hurt and some maimed and many immur'd and injur'd yet others ready to succeed them and to bring up what is behind the Lord assisting supporting and sweetning all unto them Yea methinks the most High saies to each one of those Sufferers Well done thou good and faithful Servant and as Mat. 24.46 Blessed is the Servant who when his Lord cometh he shall find so doing for now I have proved thee I have tried thee I have fifted and shifted thee now I know that thou lovest me and fearest God! Wherefore I have sworn by my self that in blessing I will blesse thee and in multiplying I will multiply thee c. And mine oaths are not like Mens It may be these sufferings may work upon some that hear them they have on some that saw them yea even amongst the Souldiers for we hear that one of them formerly busie is now wounded and touched in
by lying dissembling evading and breaking all obligations for as in Gen. 4.8 thus hath Cain killd Abell with pretences of love thus hath the Devill disposed the Serpents tongue to tempt which the Women or weaker vessells and more effeminate carnall spirits do listen unto at this day and by entertaining discourse are suddenly ensnared beginning as Eve first to doubt of Gods truth and promise the first sin of man and then to mince mix and extenuate in their mindes the threatening Commandment of God whiles they seem outwardly to observe it and plead it as Eve did and then to hear Satan by carnall policy propounding worldly advantages that they shall be as Gods and so inducing them to Apostacy through disobedience unthankfulnesse pride ambition covetousnesse and unbelief which brings forth persecution and contempt of Gods truth yea a wanton lust and an usurpation of what God hath reserved to himself All these are summing sins of which with many others this Age the present Generation in England is guilty yea highly guilty if not damnably guilty before God Angells and men 2. But secondly besides this it is a Summing Witnesse and Testimony now up in England too or the finishing Testament of the Kingdome Rev. 11.7 Matth. 24.14 which comprehends the summe of all the Prophets and Prophesies from Moses to this day Acts 3.24 Luke 24.27 about the Kingdome of Christ especially of Isaiah Ezekiell Zachariah Daniell the Revelation c. all seem to scope in and aim at this Witnesse for which we are imprisoned with one concentricity harmony and consent both for time and purpose and now we are to expect that dispensation of the fullnesse of times wherein all thing both in heaven and earth shall be gathered in one even in Christ Ephes 1.10 So that as for the sinnes so for the Witnesse now up against them was never such a time Age or Nation as this is 3. It is also a summing up of the suffereings and persecutions of the Saints and Free-born Children by the Nimrods of the world the Rear-persecution that is for the Rear-witnesse is now upon us and he will make an utter end affliction shall not rise up the second time Nahum 1 9. we are entring the haven of the 42. Months voiage yea reaping the harvest of all the bloud faith tears prayers lives losses and liberties of the million of Martyrs from the dayes of Abell to this day Math 23. for Rev. 18.24 in her was found the bloud of Prophets of Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth So that to avenge their bloud and Deaths to answer their cryes groans and prayers out of their graves dungeons rackings flames stocks rivers caves fields urns and most exquisite torments of all sorts the Fifth Monarchy Saints are now concerned in to bring up the rear well wisely couragiously constantly and victoriously after Christ their Captain and the primitive Martyrs in the Van for it was said to them Rev. 6.11 That they should rest for a little season untill their fellow servants also should be fulfilled or untill we who were to bring up the rear that is in the Gospell of the Kingdome for a witnesse were fulfilled therefore as the eyes of the whole Creation Angells and men so especially of the Martyrs and Saints Abell Abraham Isaac and Jacob the Jews and Gentilts of all Tribes and Nations Prophets and Apostles are upon us at this day in this Cause and Testimony for the Kingdome to see how we behave our selves herein which they all bore witness unto believed in longed after waited for in their measures and generations as the sum-totall of all their sufferings that the Saints should reign on earth which as I have at large proved in my 2. Treat and Travells since my Bonds these two years viz. Prison born and Banish-born Morning beams if they be not both stifled to be the faith hope and joy of the primitive Martyrs for some hundreds of years after Christ so of late as we finde in The Plow mans Complaint in King Edward the thirds dayes and since in that precious Martyr Mr. Bradfords Letters at large that they had their expectations full of this Kingdome thus in his Letter to Queen Mary and her Councill he saies It behoveth them in Authority to know they are not Kings but plain Tyrants that rule not for God and all those Potentates with their Principalities and Dominions cannot long prosper but perish indeed if they and their Kingdomes be not ruled by the Scepter of God that is with his Word the people also perishing with Princes where the Word of Prophesie is wanting much more is suppress'd as is now in England Wherefore he exâ—â—orts them to be no longer Slaves Hangmen to Anti-christ to let Barabas lose hang up Christ saying the Doctrine they then suffered for stood invincibly above all power being not our Doctrine but the Doctrine of the ever living God and of his Christ whom the Father hath ordained King to have Dominion from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the world so will he Reign that he will shake the whole earth with his iron Brazen power according to that which the Prophets do write of the Magnificence of his Kingdome c. Was not this Fifth Monarchy-language then among the Martyrs and did not these meddle as much as we do with the worldly Powers and declare their downfall with the uprising of Christs Kingdome on earth Yes verily and thus saith Mr. Bradford in many other Letters as to Doctor Hill to Mrs. Hall and to his Wife wherein he saith That God the Father hath vouch safed to choose us amongst many to witnesse and testifie that Christ his Sonne is King and that his Word is true Christ our Saviour will have us bear record that he is no Vsurper nor Deceiver but Gods Ambassador Prophet and Messias so that of all dignities on earth this is the greatest thus to witnesse as wee now do Thus then the bloud of all the Martyrs Prophets Apostles and Saints are with us in the Witnesse of this day which is the summe of all that Christ alone may be lifted up and exaltd King and the onely absolute single Person in all over all and above all 4. It is a summing time too in this Nation with respect to their present Government for all the Characters of Anti-christ 2 Thess 2. of the second Beast Rev. 13.11 12. and of the little Horn Dan 7.8 21.22.25.26 and of the Myery-Clay-Government where the Stone first strikes the Image Dan. 2.43 is upon it yea as the fourth Beast Dan. 7.7 was diverse from all the others before is as being a compound of all and so to summe up all the other Rev. 13.2 being partly a Leopard partly a Beare partly a Lion and so far of the three fore-going Monsters and the rest of himself and the Dragon So this present Limb of the Beast this Bastard of Ashdod differs or is diverse
further of his Nimrodian tyranny and trading in this Dominion since the late Apostacy That which I have seen and felt of his fury at Lambeth for sa many months among Monsters rather than men so greedy of my blood I omit here as being mentioned in my Preface to Prison-born but that men if they will may see what an unreasonable beastlike Monster this is that rends tears and devours us so I have added this History of some passages since Lambeth which I have suffered for the sake of my deare Master Jesus Christ in this his Cause all which put together will clear it I think to any capacity reason honesty or modest of man that it is a persecution and no other which we groan under in these Coals and Exiles having no other law sentence judgement or execution but the barbarous Sword over us or Thief-law For as Tacitus said non utendum est imperio ubi legibus uti possit such power is not to be used where good laws have any great force And that men may see how dangerous yea deadly this Relapse is it spares the evill and malignant humours to fall upon the Vitals Fifth-kingdommen and animals upright Common-wealths-men in this Nation as the Papists that would imprison for eating an Egg qui autem totam dominicam diem vacat temulentiae scortis al ae audit bellut homo as Erasmus said whiles he is a brave fellow amongst them that will spend the Lords-dayes in drinking and drabbing whoring and roguing and at this day we see it especially in Carisbrook that if a man draw but near on the Lords dayes or listen to hear us pray c. he is presently sent for dealt with and threatned if not driven out of the Castle and charge given that not any one do show a kind look or word to me upon pain of casting out But they may sit the Lords dayes with the doores I would not say Whores open for all to see them in the Ale-house drinkings swilling drabbing and smoaking tobacco as they do excessively yet none dare reprove them for it Mr. S. the Chaplain being turned out for reproving chiefly I hear and my self beaten buffitted and abused for an accasional reproving of blasphemie Blessed be my God who hath given me a back and breast to bear it Yea who sees not that men of very vain and corrupt conversations flagitious and infamous for notorious sins and crimes are taken into favour yea hoised up into high-places and at least allowed to have their liberty Whiles such as unfainedly fear the Lord and dare not willingly commit any sin but make a most tender conscience of all their wayes are very wickedly and irrationally imprisoned exiled hardly handled and almost hindred to breath in the ayre Now I do declare it as before the most righteous and holy judge of heaven and earth should any one ask me why I have been that is as some say upon the civill account so long in prison hard bonds and banishment year after year which long imprisonment the Martyrs accounted worse then death I must acknowledge an absolute ignorance in my own Conscience before God Angels and Men let some Time servers say what they please for themselves without this be it that I cannot in Conscience turn with the Dog to the Vomit and in plain English lye dissemble for swear and play the Traitor to Christ the Hypocrite to God and the Knave with men as others have done but thanks be to God for it for this is a Cordial to us that wheras by a just Law others are or ought to be imprison'd for iniquity we are imprison'd banish'd against all law but the arbitrary lawless sword because we cannot we will not we dare not though we die for 't fall in with iniquity But so be it O Lord thou Lord of Righteousness for as one saâ—es has epulas semper desideravi I will not deny but my infirmities been very many which I think I could weep over the feet of any that shall reprove me for them and indeed my temptations here in close bonds in banishment would be more were it not in an inclosed garden to me in Christ being as a man dead and out of mind but what I have done worthy of imprisonment and banishment them excepted I know not This I can say from my soule that I think as I preached so I sought nothing but Christ and his Kingdome and as to the World I have formerly said it with Sohinus to D. Casimire that I am boâ—n rather for labours than for honours and so I told O. C. in my Epist of Ch. Discipline before these times p. 10. I do professe it from my heart the greatest temptations I fear are falling into honour place preferment esteem or estate to much for me being best when poorest highest when lowest most when least and when I have nothing as possessing all things 2 Cor. 6.10 Yea if as Jerome saies that Woman is proved chaste that hath liberty and opportunities to sin and yet will not I may say it without oftentation as Heb. 11.15 16. that we might have had our opportunities to have returned to them had we not sought a far better Country and I think I may say too somewhat like Thomas Aquin. when preferment was offered him Chrysostomi in Matthaeum Commentarium mallem For I would say I had rather have one chapter I could name in the Revelation then the greatest relation I could name to any crown in Christendome so that these things I thank the Lord I think I am above in him who hath said as Jo. 16.33 Be of good cheer I have overcome the world But it may be my reproving the rank sins of these rude times have provoked the rough hands of Esau upon me and Nimrod to hunt me but if so it is no new suffering for such a Cause if we ask the Prophets and Apostles as wâ—ll as our Saviour and such have the two Witnesses been in all ages Zuinglius preached against the sins of the times and the mercenary pensions of them that served the Princes of the earth in my judgment more clearly then Luther and so did Bucer very freely but the last were never so hardly handled as we are for it besides Corolestadius went further for he reproved the very constitutions of their Government and the very colour which Luther had to oppose him was about Civill Laws saying he would have all Magistrates to rule by the Judicials of Moses as these men say of us vide Speech to Parl. Sept. 4 16. p. 16. so that it is no new Doctrine though they so menstrously misreport of us and our principles Canutus King of England in those thick times of Popery did confesse to all his Lords about him no mortal worthy the name of a King save he to whose back heaven earth and Sea by his laws eternall are obedient Hen. Huntington and shall we in these dayes after such solemn engagements for a Theocracy as I
that the great Promise of the Spirit must bring forth such effects and such Dreams and Visions in these later days Joelâ— 28. and so the Lord taught his Saints of old 2. The incessant expectation of the people of God 2. To second that servant of the Lord the very next day and since many days in a week have men of much wisdom grace holiness and integrity come unto me to tell me that it is the expectation of the choicest Saints in Lond. and some in the Country also the remnant of the VVoman to hear some news of the Prison-vision or voice which we have been under at Lambeth and VVindsor wondering at our so long silence yea that they have kept Praying by whole Days and whole Nights for that purpose being very high to hear from us and to have our light breaking abroad from Prison-bars for publike benefit that they who are ready to give proof of their faith in the Lamb with us in the very same Battalia and Testimony against the Beast might be provoked by us in the present VVork VVatch and VVarfare And therefore they waited with wide desires and fixed eyes upon me for somewhat to be published a fresh quickning word according to the fresh comforting Anointing that is upon me in Prison praying earnestly that their almost hourly and more then ordinary expectations may not prove barren or abortive Amen! say I Psal 9.18 For the expectation of the poor and persecuted ones shall not always perish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it may be frustrate for a time 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but the expectation of the wicked will perish for ever Prov. 10.20 11.7 23. Isai 20.5 Zech. 1.5 At the time of the End which is now are many to run to and fro that knowledge may be increased Dan. 12.4 And such as wait for the vision shall finde it when it shall speak and not lye though it tarry its appointed time Hab. 2.2 3. So the knowledge of wisdom will be sweet to thy soul and when thou hast found it thine expectation cannot be cut off Prov. 24.13 14. This is another degree of my Call viz. the eager desires expectations and invitations of good People to publish this which like the winde puts the Ship upon motion but it is the Compass guides it And as Cicero did expect abundance of knowledge from his son because of his continual converse with Cratippus in his School so it seems the Saints at our hands who are in Prison expect Pathmos-discoveries the fruits of fresh full frequent close continual early and evening and most spiritual and alone converse with Jesus Christ in this his Free-School where our Father hath put us for a few yeers to learn hard Lessons to flesh and blood out of the Lamb's book and blessed be our most dear and gracious God it is the best School within these Iron bars that ever we were at in our lives though we be kept strictly to it Schola crucis is Schola lucis for the Lord is not a barren desert or land of darkness Jer. 2. unto us which I believe every one in Prison for this blessed though betrayed Cause with us can and will testifie una viva voce ere long But 3. The flying reports which pass and repâ—ss at pleasure upon our Principles and Practices 3. The variety of Reports and of unsatiable Reporters which have run about City and Country continually to render us and this most admirable Cause and Truth of Christ's kingdom worthy of the worst contempt that people can put upon us whiles we by a forced silence are buried alive in these Iron graves and not suffer'd to answer for our selves or the Truth so that the tongues of some men hang so much upon the hinges of the Times that like flying doors without lock or key they open or shut with the least blast of winde which blowes from the Court yea their very Preachers to make us Monsters in the eyes of the poor deluded People report strange things of us as they use to do of dogs first spread abroad they are mad and then hang them Thus are we reported and the inhumane Tyranny upon us is in the Pulpits reported to be no Persecution but an act of Justice and so have the Persecutors Powers and Priests said all along this 42 m. that the Martyrs were evil doers factious seditious Traytors as at this day the Duke of Savoy declares the poor Waldenses and Albigenses So that the bloodiest bruits that ever were would say so much for themselves that what they did was Justice But how any of the present Friars Chaplains or Parsons can prove our sufferings so or dare utter it with such boldness for Orthodox Doctrine to their poor deluded people had they not the spirit of the Beast and forehead of the Whore newly painted I profess I should have wonder'd or how the people can be willing to hear so high Pulpit-lyes at their Priest's mouth By Ministers in Pulpits and out is as much to be admir'd were they not such pitiful Slaves in soul body For can there be an act of Justice without a Trial or Trial without Crime or Crime without a Law or the like yet without all or any of these we lie in prisons year after year onely for Preaching the Truth as their own Consciences can and do tell them and all the world knows and no formal Charge against us to this day So that the Prelates and Papists who had a Law of the Land c. had more colour of Justice then these men Besides if to suffer out of pure love to the Lord Jesus in a good Cause with a good conscience and by as good a Call as men can have to preach and pray the Gospel of the Kingdom or Reigne of Christ and the downfal of the Beast's dominion yea particularly that Civil as well as Ecclesiastical Sanction of the 4 Mon. in this Nation now if to suffer for a Fundamental Principle of Faith by the meer lust will and rage of man contrary to the Word of God and Laws of the Land and if to suffer with the most evident testimony of our Consciences with us and of our Christ and of the presence of Jehovah owning us every day and with a conflux and fulness of joy in the holy Ghost flowing from the Covenant of grace New Testament promises and Principles c. and if our Cause is so clear and just before God and men that we can dare and do challenge our Adversarie the proudest of them all to bring it and us to any open lawful Trial c. if any or all and more then all these things be an argument of a good Suffering or a Persecution that is upon us and not any act of Justice as the lying spirit in the mouthes of the false Prophets reports then we are under a Persecution And I wonder with what face men can pretend to be Ministers of the Gospel that go up and down
were near the which he did and Six yea Six were forced to ly in my room for want of room all that night and some 4. or 5. the next day and night when we came to Porch-mouth so ill were we accommodated in lodging the Troopers not providing any room for me The next day being the fifth day of the Eighth Moneth 1655. we were in the morning call'd away with the tide to transport out of our native Country into Exile which was some trial to the flesh not knowing their further designe therein but whiles I was committing it unto my heavenly Father I was call'd away and the friends that were with us so we went to the water side and upon the Sea-shore I put my B. F. in minde of our Lord and Master's practise upon the Sea-shoâ—e Mar. 4.1 Mat. 13.1 to the people and of Paul's practice at such times to preach whereupon he agreed and began speaking untill the tide came up very near us than I assayed to exhort the people which were gathered about and did affectonaâ—ly hear out of Acts 28.20 showing what the hope of Israel was for which we were thus bound and banished but the Cornet forbad me and interrupted me often with the tides rising upon us and the peoples increasing so I was broken off abruptly in the midst of the Application at which the people shewed abundance of affection by tears abundance prayers and earnest cries to the Lord for us some laying hold on my hands some on my garments and so we parted with this lesson left unto them that for Christ and his Kingdome only for this their and our hope was were thus banish'd and barbarously handled how much soever our enemies did falsly report of us in all places the people looking after us upon the shore a long time and so we were carried away to Ride tossing but a little on the Seas and there horsed away and conveyed to Sandham-fort a mile before we came at it the Ensign who was the keeper being at Brading and knowing who we were rode galloping and over took us but gave no respect at all he kept on before us prisoners very full and fell it seems against us at a venture speaking such bitter enraged words as made us wonder the Goal being as black as the Goaler and as threatening an Earth-hole without shelter tree or house about it upon the Sea and boggs it look'd already as if it were the end of the world unto us in so much as the very Troopers were troubled and wept some of them to see it a little description of the place I gave in my Post-scirpt of the Prison born Treat so I shall forbear here but when we came to it we were carried into the Fort or rather Dungeon lately made out of the Earth so bad as the worst prisoner or Cavaleer that ever they had they never cast into it though M. Bull speaks of one C. Kern put there nor was ever any prisoner as the Ensign himselfe said it often put there before and for many nights 6. nights together after our weary journey they made us ly in our cloaths notwithstanding they had bedding locked up in a room allowing us neither beds nor straw thus turning us into the Hole like Beasts but little regarding to provide for us this continued untill the noise thereof about the Island stired up some honest people in Newprrt to send us beds which was a great refreshment unto us blessed be the Lord yet we was sweetly affected all that time with the sense of Primitive Saints sufferings and such as lay in Dungeons and Yrons for righteousnesse-sake in Caves and Dens Heb. 11.38 yea of Nebemiah his Brethren and his Servants ch 4.22.23 that lay in their cloaths so long and I considered withall how we were by faith prayer and patience laying fiege to Babylon which would require hard duty So that our Deâ—â— God made these trialls a delight unto us and indeed as Vincentius the Martyr said of his sufferings I have alwayes desired these Dainties For other things also we were sorely put to it the Bâ—ead we could get for money which was not easie was very bad of bad savour of worse tast but good enough for poore prisoners nay not bad enough in a sense if we went ad Carceres as ad Epulas et Nuptias as the Martyr used to do with great joy And the Water we drank was of a very filthy ditch with out we catch'd some rain now and then brackish black and very unwhosome if not venemous much more I might say but I shall forbear seeing this is nothing to what the Holy Seed whom we succeed of the Woman have suffered and been glad to drink their own water in former ages though this is almost incredible at this time of day in this nation and from such men too as the present Ophitae for so I may call the Persecutors in this matter that serve the Serpent Rev. 12.14 seem and pretend to be during this Siege sore triall of faith upon us we fed much upon the Martyrs meat drink when they were without meat drink or sustinance for nature since the yet higher sufferings in this Castle where I now am I have heartily fallen upon John's fare methinks of ' Locusts wilde hony as men esteem it for ut tanquam medicamenta sic alimenta sumpturus sum that of R. Samuel Minister martyr in Q. Maries daies coming much to minde kept in Clole-prison chained standing on tipto so with out meat and drink for many daies that he would have often drunk his own Water but his body was dried up and he could not make one drop and I would thus as much as may be extenuate in my own mind our sufferings as nothing for my Lord and Masters sake and as much as our enemies do or can yet I must say this hath been the more triall to the flesh yet the more subtilly men have carried it and the lesse noise it hath made Now to obviate this report of our hard usage which brake a broad about the Ears of the Court they cunningly caused an Order to be printed which was cryed about London streets and the report thereof spread about the Nation to stop the other report of their inhumane Tyranny and bad usage of us that we were remov'd to a private house for better accommodation the contents are as followeth of the two Orders Fryday the 28. of September 1655. At the Council at White-hall ORDERED By his Highnesse the Lord Protector and the Council that Mr. Feake Mr. Rogers now prisoners in Windsor-Castle be forâ—h with remov'd to Sandham Castle under the command of Cap. Boreman in the Isle of Wight there to be secur'd in safe Custody till further Orders to which purpose warrants are to be iessued and it is referred to Com. Gen. Whaley to take order for appointing a Guard to convey them accordingly Upon this Order and other Warrants
every one submit himself 2. In that my most gracious over-ruling Father hath made the enemy to imprison and persecute me not onely is the same way and spirit but in the very same places where the Martyrs of old were imprisoned and persecuted which did refresh me indeed as at Lambeth that old Butchers shop and shambles of the Saints where so many even Wickliff himself and all along since have suffered their rings whereto they were chained remaining in the walls to this day which did affect me much to see And after that at Winsor where the eminent Martyrs Cranmer Ridley and Latimer were put in their way to Oxford in bloudy Queen Maries dayes 3. In that I am also instructed how to want as well as to abound and so in all conditions as the Apostle saith to be therewith content Phil. 4.11 1 Tim. 6.8 having passed through prisons reproaches tumults beatings bufferings often throwings headlong banishment spitting upon yea spoyling of my goods which hath been much one Letter hath signified to me the losse of an hundred pounds at one time and in plundrings often and in perills of life sicknesse Feavours storms cold snow tempests without bed without bread in sore travells and severall other tryalls yet all this which is the life of all for my most dear Christ against Cromwell and the whole Earth blessed be Jehovah therefore I wait but for Whitehall or the Pretorium-hall 4. In that the enemy though he hath sought it greedily yet to this day hath not found any just cause or colour for my imprisonment and exile nor so much as signified why in their Orders of commitment which is my great comfort and advantage for as Paul said in his fourth defence Acts 25.7 8. and they utter many and grievous complaints which they cannot prove for neither against the Law of Christians nor against the Temple nor against the faith have I offended at all So Acts 24.12 13. neither found they me in the Temple disputing with any man neither raising up the people neither in the Synagogue nor in the City 5. In that the Persecution upon me hath been above many others so sweet though sharpe a primitive-like diogmos or chasing Persecution from one place to another not letting me rest in our own Countrey nor in Exile but hunting me about like a Partridge from place to place with Nimrâ—dian Tyranny like them of whom the Worlâ— was not worthy although I am not worthy of the happy number or race Heb. 11.38 who confessed v. 13 14. they were strangers and pilgrims on earth declaring plainly that they sought a far beâ—â—â—r Countrey 6. For that this their spreading and hurrying Persecution did so primitive-like sow and advantage the Gospell of the Kingdome in all places where I was carried round about this Island the report of this Doctrine running and inclining the poor people to enquiry reading and search and so was the Gospell at first spread and sowâ—n in all Asiae Cyprus Cappadocia Macedonia and indeed over all Nations by such a chasing Persecution which I praise the Lord for that it fell out to be my lot in this Island to sow this seed Paul plants Apollo waters but the Lord must give the encrease And indeed I dare not deny but our God hath given a very great encrease hereby insomuch as the very women who have enquired into the very truth as at Newport do professe openly this is the way of God that we are imprisoned for and that they will part with all they have in this heavenly Cause and Quarrell between the Prisoners and the Powers which is very much considering in what exceeding slavery people in this Island are kept by the sword So that as the Gentleman in Scotland told the Bishop Bettoun upon the burning of that Martyr Mr. Patrick Hamilton My Lord if you burn any more of them you will ruine your selves if you burn them let them be burnt in hollow Cellars for the smoak of Mr. Patrick Hamilton hath infected as many as it blew upon it may be is the policy that our Persecutors have taken to imprison plunder and banish and make no noise no mention in news-Books of it least it should be known yea to coop us up so closse Prisoners in Banishment and Cellar us up from all noise of their cruelty to us least it may be our breathing or as Bull saies seducing which is the old note of Persecutors and Goalers over the imprisoned Martyrs But as we know Beggars by their chanting so do we Bull and his Masters by their language with the same spirit lying traducing and opprobriously abusing as those base Monsters both Heathenish and Popish Goalers and Tyrants did that were their Predecessors but for all these Atopos absurd men 2 Thess 3.1 2. Shall the Word of the Lord have free course and be glorified Amen Hallelujah 7. In that the Lord hath in this School instructed me to Preach in tumults and uproars as the Apostle saith 2 Cor. 6.4 5 6. in all things to approve my self the Minister of my God In much patience in afflictions in necessities in distresses in stripes in imprisonments in tumults in labours in watchings in fastings by purenesse by knowledge by long-suffering by the holy Ghost by love unfained by the Word of truth by the power of God by the Armour of Righteousnesse on the right hand and on the left by honour and dishonour by evill report and good report as a deceiver and yet true as unknown and yet well known as dying and yet behold we live as chastened and not killed as sorrowfull yet alwayes rejoycdng as poor yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things O blessâ—d be that bondlesse love and grace of God unto me herein yea I tell you he hath been teaching me a strange way of Preaching as if I were a pouring ouâ— of my bloud with my words at once to seal the truth and in expectation of leaving my life with my Light of the dashing my brains about my Exhortations O this this is me thinks to bear about in my body the dying of our Lord Jesus indeed who did preach thus and so did the Apostles and thus am I become dead to the Laws yea to my own life by the life of Jesus and body of Christ I think I can say sometimes most sweetly Tossanus in Anâ—olia had such a time of it too among the Barbarous Souldiers for he preached every Sermon not looking to come out alive and in a Barn too where the Church met Ah Lord let me thy poor worm be such a Preacher all my dayes to speak in every Sermon as my last words to poor Souls yea as if I were sealing them on a Scaffold with my bloud Amen so be it Amen He had that honest saying of Seneca it seems often over Vir bonus quod honesâ—è se facturum putaverit faciet etiamsi periculosum sit ab honesto nullâ re deterribitur ad
that diom non pâ—rdidi I have not loft a day in the Prison nor hardly a day wherein I had health or was not hurried about without an improvement of my search into these blessed and big-bellied mysteries by writing treasuring up and preparing for the publique as Ap. said Nulla dies sine lined for since my imprisonment I have prepared I think above 300. sheets upon severall subjects to be printed however it be that I am so betrayed or that they stick in the birth and the trutheâ— ly buried yet the Lord knowes to whom I am thankfull that I have not been idle in the prison seeing Crux pendentis is such a Cathedra docentis to my soul I have sent to the presse upon Daniell Apocalips and the Prophets concerning the Kingdome of the man-child and upon the Vialls the two Witnesses the two Beasts the time the worke and the truth of the Generation the 1000. years the supputation of times the personall Reign the first Resurrection and the day of Judgement with an obvious prospect into the 45. years that are next coming but how they miscarry I know not only this I know that my judgement is with my Lord and my work with my God Isa 49.4 5. who will reckon with them that keep back the truth from being published when Babylon comes up in remembrance before him and though this Crosse of Christ be to them that perish foolishnesse yet unto us which are saved it is the power of God 1 Cor. 1.17 18. and here it is that I have had the clearest freest fullest sweetest universalest spirituallest and profitable teachings that ever I had or thought that this poore earthen vessell of mine could have ever received Hallelujah Before I leave of I must acquaint you with a few more of my general observations from the chief of this Rock and so I conclude this Introduction 1. Generall Observation There hath alwayes been in the world since the fall of man two distinct seeds and enmity set between them viz. The seed of the Serpent and the seed of Woman Gen. 3.17 called in the Old Testament the bond-woman free-woman So the house of Saul of David the one rejected the other received and established in the Covenant Heb. 8.9 and so in the New-Testament the flâ—sh and spirit Sinai and Sion the Dragon and the Woman and the Serpent the Remnant Rev. 12 the Beast and the Lamb ch 17. the first were alwaies the persecuting and the last the persecuted whereby we know we are on the right and blessed side under sufferings and persecution for the Witnesse of Jesus and work of the day but our enemies are on the cursed and Persecutors side and because they continued not in my Covenant I regarded them not saith the Lord Heb. 8.9 2. Gen. Obs That the Governments of the world have been of the Serpent and not of the Woman to this day and that all along from Nimrod hitherto they have been in Oppression Tyranny Persecution c. the fruit of Adams fall and of Sin but that Government which we look for in the world which will judge Nimrod and the Mount of Esau Obed. 21. is a part of our Redemption and a fruit which growes onely in the Covenant of grace Dan. 7.22 without which our Redemption cannot be compleated Rev. 5.9 10. So that it is part of our Redemption by the bloud of Christ which we contend for in the fall of the fourth Monarchy and suffer for so long and so sore an imprisonment and banishment for whatever our enemies say this we are iure of that this present Government of great Brittany is Nimrodian and not to be doubted by discerning men to be a fruit of Sin and of a fearfull Apostacy and as Purchas in 's Pilgrim ch 10. tells us out of Philo how Nimrod was such a hunter of men by compelling men with a bruitish force as beasts are compelled by meer force to fall in with him his way worship and Element whereby Babell was built what force can be more bruitish or compulsive for the interest of Babilon than the long Sword without the Laws of God Reason Nation or Nature as it is this day in England 3. Gen. Obs There is a sure and a summing time to period the Nimrodian Dominions of the world and all the Dominions of the Beast so red and dyed deep with the bloud of the blessed Witnesses and Saints when they shaâ—l endure no longer to persecute oppresse or afflict the Saints but the Saints be set free from all oppression tyranny and injustice and this is granted by all men therefore I come to the Fourth 4. Gen. Obs That all the Creation visible and invisible in heaven and earth do groan with us after this blessed time of Restitution of all things or of full Redemption actually into the Liberty of the Sons of God Rom 8.21 22. from this yoak of bondage and corruption except onely such vermin as rise out of corruption and are self-created according to that Rule Ex corruptione generatio fit which must be destroy'd amongst which is this present Governmt now up in England 5. Gen. Obser That this Age and Generation wherein we live or are entring yea this very Nation of great Brittain is a summing Age and Generation and Nation wherein begins the totall of all before as is evident 1. For crying sins like the sins of Sodom Gen. 18.20 Isa 3.9 and 13.19 all the summing sins of any Age in the world if not of every Age this is guilty of and most summarily in England is the muttering in the Wildernesse and provocation of the Lord their turning back to Aegypt so of the Apostacy of the ten Tribes their breaking Covenant and Engagement after they had engaged to be the Lords and after so many appearances of God too yea their Idolatrous worship after the manner of the Nations to be destroyed their slighting of the pure waies Laws worship of God yea their Cain-like building Gen. 4 17. and their violence and persecution too as before the destruction of the old world so of the resting and relying upon their own strength as the strength of Aegypt so also of the Hypocricy and yet Formality of the Jewes Scribes and Pharises Priests and Rulers that Crucified Christ by the hands of the Souldiers and of their Pharoah-like height and hardnesse of heart after many signes and tokens and so of the serpent-like policy specious pretences reason of State and subtilties in them which are to period the 42. Months or Beasts Dominion Rev. 12.14 And indeed as the Devill did not use a Lyon-like force at first in Paradise to over-come Eve with which had then been bootlesse saith Purchase ch 5. but a serpentine-sleight of insinuation as the meetest for his present projects it is so now knowing he hath to deal with a Generation that professe to be the Lords own people plain force and fury had not so prevailed for him as subtilty art and sophistry
forth the CORNER out of HIM the Nail out of HIM the Battle-bow and they shal be as mighty men which tread down their enemies as mire in the streets in the battle and they shal fight because the Kord is with them Zach 10.5 Wherefore I be sure ye begin-your Muster or to mount your horses Zach 1.8 upon a Mount Sion ground or in a New-Covenant principle that is purely for or rather with Christ and his Kingdom and for no earthly Persons things or Interests of Men whatsoever such a War was never yet in the four Monarchieâ—s And 2. Be sure that you be fully seperate from the Beasts dominion in all things and in every ministration as wel civil and Military as Ecclesiastick for the BLESSING shal be upon the head of him that is SEPERATED from his brethren Deut 33.16 and it is an Ordinance yea obedience to an indispensable command Rev 18.4 Jer 50.28 The voice of them that FLEE and ESCAPE out of the Land of Babylon to DECLAE IN SYON the vengeance of the Lord our God the vengeance of his Temple for such only are to come out of the Tabernacle of the Testimony and to pour out the Viols in pure linnen and not at all in defiled Garments Rev 15. But furthermore 3. Be sure you loose not the least opportunity or nick of time put into your hands to do the Work when the END comes And 4. Be sure you set not upon it with your own spirits nor pour out in it your own wrath or revenge but Gods only and upon such subjects too as the VVord reveals Yea 5 Lastly Be sure that you in your actings executings and sufferings be upon no other bottom being or foundation but the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 3.11 whereon if you overcome you are sure to walk with him in VVhite Rev 3.4 Rev 7.9 14. amongst his WORTHIES yea and be as pillars in the Temple Rev 3.12 Rulers over the Nations Rev 2.26 27. and Heirs of the New Jerusalem glory the tree of Life the new name and the Throne Rev 2 7 17 and 3.12 21. Therefore up O ye Saints to take the Kingdom Dan. 7 â—8 and to possess it for ever for the GENTILES Christiani qui gentiliter vivunt have posses'd the outward Court this 42 moneths but We singers have the inner Court Ezek 40.44 and 't is now time to arise yea high time to deliver thy self O Syon Isai 52.1 2. and shake off thy dust to lay wast the land of Nimrod with the Sword Mica 5.6 7. And the Remnant of Jacob the VVorm shal be in the midst of many people as a DEW from the Lord as the showers upon the grass that TARRIETH not for MAN yea among the GENTILES as a Lion who if he go through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces and none can deliver Numb 23.24 the Holy City is the holy Camp in the outward Court of the Tabernacle that is to arise with the Two VVitnesses and root the Beast that trod it under foot Therefore for the Lords sake Sirs be valiant like Davids worthies yea King Sclomons men Cant 3 7 8. Who all hold swords being expert in VVar. It is said of Sadeel that with Gener a Citizen he fought so furiously for the then cause of God that he himself put a thousand Spaniards to flight and shal we fear Non de vita sed de scuto solliciti estoti regard not your lives for the work of Christ when called to it It is said that Sceva at the siege of Dyrrachium so long alone resisted Pompeys Army that he had two hundred twenty darts sticking in his shield and lost one of his eyes and yet gave not over til Caesar came into his Rescue is it possible my Brethren that this could be for the carnal interest of a man in a fourth Kingdom spirit and shal not as noble a spirit and as high a love be found in a Fifth Kingdom man for the most excellent cause anâ— King that ever was on earth viz Jesus Christ and him onely Blessed Lord when wilt thou raise us up with thy spirit of life or how long shal all lye dead O what cowards are we now to run into holes and corners for fear of sufferings surely Lord Jesus had al thy Disciples dealt thus with thee in their Generations there would have been but few Martyrs or followers of the Lamb O I blush for shame when I behold them that are gone before with these that now follow IGNATIVS said he had rather be a Martir then a Monarch but now men had rather be Monsters then Martirs when the Dragon Emperors gave Orders to put al to death that would confess themselves christians they came in of themselves by whole flocks confessing themselves christians and defying the Heathens as in Arrius Antoninus's dayes they ran in voluntarily to dye and to be tormented as did Romanus Gerdius Menas and a many others in Dioclesians dayes but ah where be they that run in flocks to White Hal now saying we are Fift Monarchy men or for the Kingdom of Christ and wil live and dye with our brethren together see 1 John 3.16 Hereby perceive we the love of God because he laid down his life for us and we ought to LAY DOWN our lives sor the BRETHREN But ah how iniquity abounds and the love of many waxeth cold as Gui de Brez Martir in Flanders so Mr Burroughs tels us of the Woman we heard of before who ran for Martirdom with the Saints for fear she should loose it and do we sit stil for fear of sufferings which were such Jocularia ludicra as Vincentius called them to the Saints in primitive times Rejoyce and leap for joy as the word is to suffer for Christ or be found doing for him when he comes Now I beseech the Lord awaken you if you be of that race and rouze you up and set you all awork as upon life and death with all speed to overceme the beast and his followers with as lively a spirit as high a zeal and readiness to dye in the service of Christ and this his most comprehensive Cause at this day as they were in theirs through the are greatest strife and so to overcome with the Word of the Testimonie and blood of the Lamb not loving your lives Rev 12.11 Bate me nothing of my sufferings saies Gordius to the Tormentors for it is to my loss then Majora certamina majora sequuntur praemia VVherefore because I must break off with these few words to you as to OVERCOMMERS for so I trust you are or wil be in CHRIST Jesus and close Followers of he Lamb I shal leave you with that blessed man Mr Hollands Legacy bequeathed to his Friends at his death against Popery Commendo vos dilectioni Dei odio Papatus c. So against this Apostate-Generation I commend you my Brethren to the dearest lovo of God and to the deadtiest hatred of these Hipocrites and Apostates AMEN for Heb 10