Brethren in the Lord my Joy and my Crown INdeed and in truth The high and glorious mysteries of the New Testament and the most sweet ministrations thereof are little understood by any of the Saints in this day Therefore we are so exceeding low in our Spirits in our Experiences in our Affections and Resolutions for our dear Lord Jesus But in the appointed season the return of our King from a far Country will amaze all those that would not have him to reign over them This salutation now is sent unto you to signifie to you that you are in my heart through rich grace to live and to die with you in this most noble and most honourable Cause of the Lord Jesus Christ both yours and mine Blessed be the Father of our Lord Jesus that ever he revealed his Son in such a poor silly inconsiderable worm as I am Oh the riches of his grace to intrust me with the preaching of the glorious Gospel of the blessed God I would not exchange mine imployment so sweet so comfortable for all the riches glory authority and pompous excellencies which the fourth kingdom can tempt the sons of the earth withal God is gloriously gracious in these dispensations of sufferings What a sweet night have I had Why should the Lord condescend to refresh the Spirit of a poor sinful very sinful creature in so transcendent a manner Be of good cheer wait on the Lord believe more pray more praise more do more love more abound in every good work more and more The God of Peace of Grace of Truth shall be with you Undoubtedly as I lately told you the Spirit of the Lord is rising he cannot be kept down by the Princes Powers Souldiers Politicians of the Earth Oh what confusions in Counsels What concussions in Kingdomes and Common-wealths what contestations among the professors in this City are at hand Great is Gospel-truth and shall and must prevail How can we forbear triumphing in the expectations of the downfal of mystical Babylon If the Lord crucifie us unto the world and the world unto us as I know he will and pour out his Spirit richly What may we not attempt for the interest of our dear Lord Remember The Lord is our Judge the Lord is our Law-giver in the Hebrew Statute-maker the Lord is our King He will save us Your eminent growth in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is that rich blessing which living and dying I bequeath unto you and request for you A rise and shine O ye precious sons and daughters of Sion in the midst of this dark world as the stars in the firmament each of you in the families neighbourhood and companies where the Lord hath or shall dispose of you Believe it my dear hearts the Lord is coming keep close together love as brethren above all be exceeding careful to maintain on your part holy heavenly spiritual intimate communion with the Father with the Lord Jesus and with the Saints of the most High the fruits whereof will be joy in the Holy Ghost unspeakeable and most full of glory Amer and Amen Hallelujah Letter the first from White-Hal written while I was waiting on the Councel before I was called in Yours in the most sweet fellowship of the Gospel and at liberty whilst in bonds for they are easie ones hitherto CHRISTOPHER FEAKE POSTSCRIPT My Fellow-prisoner for Christ Mr. Powel saluteth the Congregation with dear affection For the well-beloved CHURCH of Christ meeting in Colemanstreet Swan-Ally My very dear hearts â—he sons and daughters of despised Sion THe most spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ be your portion yea the Lord Jesus himself with all his fulness and glory be still the lot of your inheritance and when the streams are at any time cut off the Lord shew you the Fountain which is Himself God blessed for ever Although my heavenly Father hath given me a Writ of ease for the present yet I am with you in Spirit and signifie to you my love in the Lord my time is not yet come it may be it must be the fruit of your fervent prayers I am cleerly convinced from a power invisible and invincible that this imprisonment is not unto death But for the glory of God that the Son of God might be glorified thereby See John 11.4 I allude to that saying of Christ concerning Lazarus his sickness saith Christ This sickness is not unto death and yet afterward Jesus said plainly vers 14. Lazarus is dead did Christ speak untruth before when he said This sickness is not unto death No in no wise So although this imprisonment should be unto death which blessed be my Lord my God my Father I do nothing fear in the vulgar sence yet in a spiritual sence it is not but for the glory of God yea undoubtedly if I should be gathered to my Fathers by the Souldiers the Priests means in an unusual way I rejoyce in Spirit in the apprehensions of faith which the Lord vouchsafeth to me that out of my blood shall spring forth such a notable Spirit as will be the utter ruine of that cursed whore with all the powers on earth new and old that take her part paint her face and do her work Wherefore rouze up my dearest hearts in the might of your God and go on in the Name of your Captain-General and by your secret inward inâ—isible weapons wound this base upstart â—rivate interest under the fifth rib But in the midst of all your hâ—â—y â—eal for the service of your dear Lord forget noâ— I charge you and every of you before him that quickneth all things and witnessed a good confession before Pontâ—us Pilate that you do principally constantly zealously minde the inward work the intimate communion which the Saints use to have with the Father and the Son as being their present paradise on this side heaven Oh for the Lords sake every one of you Parents Children Masters Servants Young men Old Disciples Weak Strong Rich Poor Married Unmarried Oh! I say Be holy be humble be spiritual live in love walk in sweet peace Blessed be God I have such satisfaction of you generally that you are a holy people wholly separate to God and if there should be any close hypocrite among you pray the maske and vizard off that it may he known who hath not loved the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity but their own lusts secretly traded in A godly jealousie over you causeth me thus in true Gospel-affection to write unto you watching over you at this distance with thoughtfulness and carefulness in some small measure night and day that I might present you to Christ and He to his Father as beautiful and glorious a part of his spiritual kingdom as any other in this generation Oh! that it might be so Oh! that it might be so The Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit especially in your holy Assemblies Brethren all of you pray
distance as well as man yea on the other side I am full I am rich I abound the Lord is with me most graciously most gloriously Friends if you knew what it is to lose all or to be willing to lose all for Christ in the light and power of the Spirit of Christ you would be more couragious forward and zealous in this noble Cause in danger to be starved but it shall not miscarry by the policy and private interest of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the Truth and of the Spirit Brethren I must break off I am as much imployed as when I was in London for the most part and am put to it to write my Letters to you while company is in my chamber and so swiftly write what the Lord dictates without study for I want opportunity and the messenger now staies Therefore remember what I have taught you publickly and privately from house to house it is for the substance of it such Doctrine as I dare through Grace and the assistance thereof seal with my blood I can boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear what man can do unto me be ye strong quit your selves like men fear not the power pride lusts threatnings of man walk as becometh the Saints let brotherly love continue be not ashamed of my bonds nor of my keeper Expect glorious revolutions to make way for the desire of all Nations Blessed are they even all those that wait for him and love his appearing My heart is inlarged surely prayer is made for me I finde so much incoms from heaven The Lord be your exceeding great reward who wrestle for me Salute every Saint especially those who are most full of the Spirit and most useful for Christ and his people Eternal grace and glory be every ones portion henceforth and for ever Amen The 18 of the 12 Moneth 1653. From my strong Tower and place of sure defence Your faithful Shepherd although absent and in bonds Christopher Feake My dearly beloved Brethen in the Lord ACcording to that talent which I have received from the Lord I desire to be found fruitful and faithful to the Lord Jesus and his people for it would be a most sad thing for my Master to finde his servants either idle or ill-employed And seeing dear Brethren that ye look for such things as the Apostle Peter doth speak of in 2 Epist 3 chap. Be diligent that ye also may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless Questionless when he comes that shall come he will finde but little faith on the earth and if he finde it so you and I may readily conjecture how all other graces will be wanting insomuch that the righteous will scarcely be saved and the wise Virgins will do no more then enter in I fear there will not be an entrance administred unto them abundantly into that everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ because but even then they will be slumbering and sleeping and so cannot have their sences exercised and in a meet posture to keep him company as those who have watched with the Bridegroom and come along with him You see I am careful to stir up your pure mindes by way of remembrance at this distance it is altogether from love and for your edifying It may be some of you may be willing I should receive advertisements of your best things of your faith and hope and love and humility c. but not of your weaknesses of any omissions or neglects of any whisperings or evil surmisings or such-like unseemliness but let such remember that the whole Scripture being given by divine inspiration it is not onely profitable for doctrine but for reproof and for correction and instruction in righteousness Therefore if any of you finde any discontents or swellings in your own Spirits which you indeavour to hide but yet they are clearly discerned by experienced Saints for one word is enough to the wise let such an one know and remember that it is not a Gospel-frame of heart the Corinthians indeed were puffed up for one against another but the Apostle reckons it a great uncomliness in that body of Christ I write not these things to shame you but as those who are dear to me I admonish you lest Satan should get an advantage of you and so occasion your adversaries and his instruments to blaspheme the people and waies of God Oh! Brethren make it each of you for the Lord Jesus Christs sake your business that your love your holiness your meekness moderation or evenness of Spirit be known unto one another and unto all men that you may rejoyce exceedingly and I may rejoyce exceedingly when we shall meet together again not onâ—ly in this world but in that which is to come when all the faithful shepherds with their flocks shall be gathered together before the great Shepherd of the sheep and receive from him a crown of glory that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for us who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation Finally Oh ye dwellers upon mount Sion take heed to your steps to your goings out and your comings in let your words be seasoned with salt which may minister grace to the hearers and not grief The bridling of the tongue is an heavenly art and faculty we count him a perfect man who is very skilful this way Be swift to hear and slow to speak and be sure to remember That our adversary the devil goes up and down like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour like as the Lord said of Behemoth He trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth so this crooked and piercing serpent hopes to swallow up whole Churches into the gulph of his belly which is this present evil world Oh therefore let your eyes be in your forehead to foresee the dangers of the present juncture of time The Lord fill your souls with Himself and Son and Spirit that there may be no room nor place in your hearts for any sublunary interest whatsoever The time is short the path is untroden snares are multiplied the service is hot the victory is impossible to flesh and blood but easie to faith Wherefore my beloved in the Lord be ye stedfast and unmoveable alwaies abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord in whom I salute every Saint in Christ Jesus throughout the whole Congregation both those that were in Christ before me and those whom the Lord hath revealed himself to of later yeers the weak and the strong the rich and the poor great and small who are beloved of Christ to him be glory and dominion in this and in the world to come Amen From my pleasant prison-house this 24 of the 12 Moneth 1653. Your careful shepherd in bonds for the testimony of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christopher Feake Dearly beloved in the Lord HOw
far and to what degrees my Letters have been acceptable unto you the Lords people and a part of the lot of his inheritance is best known to him whose eyes are in the midst of the golden Candlesticks as a flame of fire and whose prerogative it is to search the hearts and try the reins of the children of men But blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory who hath put me in the Ministery of the new Testament that he hath vouchsafed to his poor unworthy servant This grace of bearing testimony to his coming and his kingdom and hath superadded and heaped up incouragement upon incouragement so as that I shall not be left nor forsaken in this honourable Cause of his Son Jesus Christ and of his Gospel And I do further praise his glorious Name by this Epistle in this Congregation of his Saints for that he hath given me a room in his own bosome and in his holy place even in the holy of holies the place where his Honour dwelleth and where his glory shineth as also hath let me into the hearts and prayers of many of his choicest people who have received a good measure of that holy and divine unction whereby gradually they may come to know all things although I am also sensible of that dissatisfaction concerning me and my Cause which is upon the Spirits of divers godly people But do not we know that they are generally such as are contented to sit down on this side Jordan with the two Tribes and a half and their attainments and enjoyments are no higher then they were seven yeers since if so high neither do they desire they should be but my soul pities them I see those that were first are in danger of being the last and the last are in probability of being first And blessed are they who are not offended in Christ and at the Gospel of the kingdom As for you Brethren beloved and longed for great is my care for you great is my rejoycing over you I can say Through grace the Lord hath given me to have a natural â—â—re of your state and of your affairs and what I have written hitherto I have written with much seriousness of Spirit as in the sight of God and in sincerity as knowing that I am what I am through free mercy for your edifying Information is for your edifying exhortation is for your edifying reproof is for edifying if there be no matter for reproof to work upon if it finde nothing in you or any of you bless the Lord who hath kept you and that joy in uprightness and innocencie will be for your edifying If there be any among you conscious to any unworthy walking before the Lord his people and the world as who is not I am sure I am guilty of unworthy walking and miscarriages every day then let every such one lay his or her hand upon their heart and humble themselves secretly before the Lord and look to their steps Our God is a jealous God and a consuming fire and he searcheth Jerusalem with candles and espies and knows all your thoughts all your works and waies and words and walks Look to your hearts and spirits and affections and dispositions and ends and principles with all diligence Believe it Christ will make work among you if all be not found at the bottom my office and ministery which I have received in the Lord will bear me out in being instant in season out of season in representing what I judge to be the minde of Christ unto you from the oracles of God they being profitable for doctrine and for reproof correction and instruction in righteousness happy are the people who have the Lord Jehovah so neer unto them in all matters for their God as he is even unto you though I am nothing and desire to be accounted so so that Christ may be all in all so that you may make up the fulness of him that filleth all in all As for that fruit of righteousness and love which you have lately shewed forth in the presence of the Lord Jesus and his elect Angels for and in consideration of my sufferings formerly at Newgate-market and at the present and of all those necessary expences incident thereunto I do here testifie to the glory of the Lord and declaration of your readiness of minde that it was administred in seaâ—on and so hath not onely made a supply of that which should have been administred by others and was not but also is abundant by many thanksgivings unto God and as he that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly so he that soweth bountifully shall reap bountifully for as you abound in this grace and other graces towards others so God is able to make all grace abound towards you Therefore my Beloved as ye have alwaies obeyed not as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling yet let not the hope assurance of salvation eat up and devour your holy fear and trembling frame of spirit before the Lord but like the true inward circumcision worship God in spirit rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh Further I exhort you and urge you as from the Lord in whose name I write to do all things without murmurings and disputings let all your things be done in brotherly love let all passages be managed with meekness of spirit that concern a private interest but with holy zeal that concern the publick interest of our Lord and Law-giver and to this end the Lord give you all from the greatest to the least a spirit of wisdom to try things that differ and particularly to distinguish betwixt the glory of Christ and the honor of men that you may approve accordingly of that alwaies in all conferences which is most excellent for I tell you or rather the Lord That his glory must not now be given to another and they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes must have also a constant disposition to leave all to lose all at an hours warning for his sake the Gospels With many other words I could write unto you for my heart is inlarged but I must break off and commend you to the grace of that God who brought again from the dead that great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the everlasting Covenant and to the word of the Gospel which is able to build you up further and to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified through faith in Christ Jesus to whom with the holy Spirit be glory for ever Brethren pray for me and mine when you pray for your own souls The 1 of the 1 Moneth 1653. Yours in bonds for yours and the service of all the Saints CHRISTOPHER FEAKE POSTSCRIPT Brother Simpson salutes the Church in the Lord and desires continuation of prayers thanking you all for your kinde remembrance Dearly beloved Brethren
World We had these honorable thoughts of them but alas where are they and what is become of these reputed Champions for the Lamb against the Beast are not most of them even revolted and gone 2 Tim. 2.4 are they not entangled in the affairs of this life yea are not some of them busie in building again the Things they have destroyed Answ Be not doubtful of minde Oh little Flock live not in careful suspence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 12.30 carried like Meteors betwixt Heaven and Earth The zeal of the Lord of Hosts shall perform this great Thing whereof we speak and if need be Jehovah will create a Spirit of judgement and a Spirit of burning for the accomplishing that honourable Enterprize for his Son which the hearts of the choicest Saints are so much upon Again It 's probable 1 Cor. 1.27 God will take some foolish Thing or other some weak some despised Thing to perfect his praise in the midst of all his enemies For oftentimes of old the Instruments have been too Many sometimes too Mighty sometimes too Wise for God to use Wherefore let us remember It 's thy part and mine to believe that notwithstanding the Retrograde motions both of persons and Things as we suppose yet certainly the Main Designe is carried on with an High hand but in paths so secret that the most sharp-sighted Politicians in the Kingdom of the Beast cannot well tell how and where to obviate or countermine And which is the most confounding Consideration of all the rest such is the nature of this great Contrivance which you through mercy are privie to that if there be at any time a Discovery made of its mighty Eruptions as now and then there is yet the Souldiers weapons with the Counsellors and States-mens wits in conjunction dare not suddenly grapple with it but if they at any juncture of time are found so hardy as to make this bold adventure it 's with utmost hazard of being ground to powder As for me a reproached Outcast an exile Captive it is upon my heart to desire Two Things of you my brethren and companions in tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ Pour out prayer and then lift up prayer for the prisoner Eph. 6.18 Jude 20. verse Oh! let there be a Continuation of prayers and requests on my behalf in the Spirit I say in the holy Spirit for certainly the Lord hath heard your supplications for me as I shall I hope demonstrate in due season Oh pray and pray again ye close followers of the Lamb That if this Close prisoner be delivered up again to the Councils for Christs Name sake Mat. 10.17 and his Kingdoms sake he may be made Mighty in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 and eloquent with that eloquence and elocution onely which the Spirit of Christ was wont to administer to the suffering Saints in all ages And That I may be of a very high and of a mighty spirit for our dear Lord Jesus yea of a lofty and a daring spirit according to the glorious Ministration of the New Testament and not otherwise in the least which yet will never be unless He be dearer to me then my life whom my soul loves and unless I am kept under the constraining power of divine love 2 Cor. 5.14 Oh Brethren this Divine love will make bitter Things sweet and turn a strait Prison into a stately Palace Do I say Will do these things yea it hath performed greater works then I can possibly after much meditation compass to express Wherefore I intreat you to remember my bonds my strait bonds as you do and I am perswaded your brotherly love herein will turn to good account for each of you also when with diligent observation you ponder what improvements you have made in the industrious prosecutions of so good a trade And let men beware how they impute it to proud presumption in me thus to hope Luke 21.28 to look up and to lift up my head with such boldness in this Cause even before the faces of the Highest and most Majestical Potentates in the World if call'd before them for hath not my God asked me many times Wilt thou in such a Cause as this though most perfidiously forsaken by very many be afraid of a man that shall die and of the son of man that shall be made as grass Did not Stephen Acts 7. that renowned Deacon of the Church of Christ carry it sweetly and yet stoutly for his Lord when he was brought before the High Priest and the Council His Highness did not affright him in the least Stephen was protected and incouraged by One who was infinitely higher then He and all the Lords of the Council before I had tasted of Stephen's Cordial I often wondred how he did dare to speak at so high a rate before and unto the High-Priest as you read Act. 7.51 52. Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears ye do alwayes resist the holy Ghost as your fathers did so do ye Which of the Prophets have not your fathers persecuted and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murtherers c. Again was not Luther in the presence of Charles the fifth and the many illustrious Princes of Germany inabâ—ed by the most High to bear up with invincible courage so that they could not prevail to terrifie or affright him from his Faith and Doctrine which he had taught the people from the holy Oracles and then it 's easie to conjecture how improbable it was that all the Monks and Friers all the Prelates and Parish Priests should afterward be able to resist the Wisdom and the Spirit by which he spâ—ke Oh! how sweet hath that word been made to my soul 1 Iohn 4 Ye are of God little children and have overcome Them because Greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world Offer up praise for the prisoner I beseech you also let there be mâ—intained a constant conjunction in praising the Name of our God and Father Leâ— us agree to meet every day many times in the day for the performing this Celestial this Angelical service O! Psal 34.3 magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his Name together in the Spirit 〈◊〉 and though our outward man be not capable during my restraint of local fellowship in this spiritual â—acrifice of praise yet it will refresh me much to recount the mercies which are our proper portion and inheritance in distinction from the world 1. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ as That he hath chosen us in him and that bâ—foâ—e the foundation of the world c. That he hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself c. That he
hath made us accepted in the Beloved That we have redemption through the Beloved and this in his blood which redemption is the forgiveness of sins c. That he hath abounded in the riches of his grace towards us and this in all wisdom and prudence That he hath made known to us the mystery of his will That in Christ we have obtained an inheritance c. and such an inheritance That after we believed we were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise 2. But beside those blessings and other glorious priviledges which I partake of with all Saints the Lord hath enriched me with many precious Jewels in this present condition which I desire may be so used by me as to adorn the Gospel and to improve those new talents which are vouchsafed to me in this House of Bondage from day to day The mercy of contentation in this close imprisonment Phil. 4.11 I value at a very high rate before the Lord in mine acknowledgements of his loving kindness toward me The liberty and cheerfulness of my Spirit though the flesh be weak I am able to say with great joy Heb. 13.5 through rich grace That the Lord hath not left me nor forsaken me but hath given me Liberty in Bonds and Inlargement in Prison I can tell you in the power of an holy Triumph Although the Souldiers have attach'd my body and keep my outside in chains though they have barricado'd the way whereby the Saints were wont at first to come to visit me for the mutual comfort both of them and me yet blessed be my God and Father my spirit is out of their reach and the new and living way into the Holiest is kept open Heb. 10.20 and by the blood of Jesus I have boldness to enter into that within the veil Heb. 6.19 I cannot express the comfort of the visitations of the Father and the Son who according to Christ's engagement Ioh. 14.23 Do graciously gloriously come unto me and make their abode with me who am less then the least of all these mercies What shall I say I have a longing desire but it is not an inordinate lust after outward liberty to come and declare what God hath done for my soul and to teach and preach Jesus Christ publickly and from house to house Acts 5. last Let us therefore in the Name of the Lord joyne our forces and strive together in prayer that when I come I may come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel Rom. 15.29 32. That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God and may with you be refreshed even with you who through love in the Spirit have endeavoured to let loose and break in sunder those bonds wherewith I have been tied so many months And I am perswaded for I will not dissemble that this shutting and tying me up will render me by the power of God with me more fierce more fell and furious against the Kingdom of the Beast then I was before but it 's probable The Lord by his Spirit hath taught my hands to war and my fingers to fight the battels of the Lamb more skilfully then I did before I bless the Lord also and let his people say Amen Rom. 12.2 that I am still a Non-conformist to the world and the world-like-Church but am through the grace of God made more conformable to the image of his Son Rom. 8.29 and when Christ who is my life shall appear I also together with others shall appear with him in glory Colos 3.4 It often comes into my minde how David complains Reproach hath broken mine heart Indeed Psal 69.20 to be stigmatiz'd and set as upon a Theatre for a spectacle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gal. 6.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 4.9 and set as upon a Theatre for a spectacle and to be gazed at is a very unwelcome condition to the nature of man but herein I am conformed to my Head also Heb. 6.6 It was reported during my first close imprisonment that I had forsaken Christ the Head and was under the ministration of evil Angles That I had a spirit of delusion c. Sometimes by some men I am a fool by others that I am a madman since my close confinement here I am against Magistracy as Magistracy poor fellow I cannot define what faith is But blessed for ever blessed be the Name of the Lord I can say in Paul's spirit None of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto my self so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministery which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God By the ensuing Letters to that little Flock which I am over in the Lord my spirit and my designe may be discerned they are the Index of my very heart When Epistles are the true and genuine issue of the soul as these are of mine there is no difficulty in making an estimate of the Author of them especially when there 's no opportunity for the polishing and artificial adorning of them as in the writing of these there neither was nor well could be The first was written from neer the Council-chamber-door in the midst of company and in hast because I expected every moment to be fetcht in and I was willing to salute the Church from my bonds they being to meet in the afternoon of that day The next and all the others were according to the constant frame of my spirit at other times no artifice no premeditation or study I had no thought of this kinde of publication of them Soundness in the faith the power of godliness and the promoting of the present truth and work of Christ are those things which have lain next my heart for many yeers and if I speak or write to the Saints those things will certainly flow forth for that saying of Christ is truth Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh and so the pen writeth if he be an honest-minded-man that guides it I should not have thus far appeared but for the manifestation of the truth and what error soever any one espies in those Letters I am ready to retract and correct upon any the least advertisement with light from the Oracles of God 2 Tim. 3.16 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Scripture being divinely inspired is profitable for correction that the man of God may be perfect perfected to every good work I have great need of patience that after I have done and suffered the will of God I may inherit the promise Moreover to conclude I must not cast away my confidence for that also hath great recompence of reward We poor oppressed prisoners are fools for Christ's sake but ye are wise in Christ we are weak but ye are strong ye are honorable but we are despised This word I write to the dissatisfied Saints who are so apt to censure
and to speak evil of the things they know not but yet I write not these last words to shame you but because I in my very soul desire you may not stumble and fall and shew your shame and break your bones Therefore again I warn you not to believe reports When I am brought before Councils of State or Courts of Justice and there be found any evil in me why I should be thus dealt with even worse then blasphemers and felons and other malefactors are dealt with in Prison and that in several respects then it will be time enough for you to censure and judge and condemn but to this day after seven moneths imprisonment I have not been brought to the place of hearing neither accusets not witnesses have passed upon me My heart doth not condemn me nor the Lord who is greater then my heart and knoweth all thinâ—s I have boldness before him and should I fear what man can do unto me Therefore judge nothing before time until the Lord come who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsel of all mens hearts and his judgement will be according to truth Amen Come Lord Iesus come quickly From my watch-Tower in this house of bondage called Windsor Castle this 28 of the 6 Moneth 1654. Your servant for Christ's sake willing to do or to suffer according to the will of God Christopher Feake To all that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints who have fellowship with the Father and his son Jesus Christ and with one another Precious Souls HAving tasted in some measure the sweetness of communion with God and also of fellowship one with another we cannot but commend the same to all Saints as a thing worthy to be desired coveted embraced and promoted by them to the utmost in their generation And when other ways of Communion one with another are denied them then this of writing with Ink and Paper each to other hath been ever found of singular use and comfort to them and been practised by the Saints in all ages even from the Apostles times down to these of ours wherein we now live whereby they do still encourage comfort counsel exhort stir up quicken and provoke one another to love and to good works and to a holy humble heavenly sincere upright and unblameable conversation in the midst of a crooked perverse corrupt deceitful and adulterous generation And we amongst others having sound no small refreshment by these Letters which were occasionally written unto us by our dear Pastor when he was through the malice and instigation of Satan the old uccusor of the brethren rent and torn from his Congregation and from his other dear relations we know not for what cause unless it were for his faithfulness cordialness and constancie to the Lord Jesus and his Saints and unto their Cause and Interest or for bearing his testimony against the sins and evils of Apostates Backsliders and Treacherous dealers that so ignobly deserted their Colours and are revolted and gone or for witnessing to the Truths of the kingdom and coming of the Lord Jesus the king of Saints and the king of Nations to rule and to raign in righteousness and in judgement in the earth according as he hath spoken thereof by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began we have often earnestly desired for our own farther comfort and edifying and for the like benefit and refreshing to other Saints that these his Letters to us with many others which he hath written might be made publike to the end that as the Lord hath and doth comfort us in all our tribulations so we might hereby be a means under him of comforting others with the same comfortâ— wherewith we our selves are comforted of God and that those who have the gift of discerning of spirits in any measure may judge whether these things that are written being no other in effect then such as from time to time have been spoken and preached to us by this faithful though despised servant of Christ be the breathings of the holy Spirit of God or the inspirations and suggestions of the devil and of evil angels as unreasonable men have calumniated and aspersed him Say we not well that thou art a Samaritane and hast a devil said they of Christ Now if they call the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his houshold Yet saith Christ Be not deceived God is not mocked the Blasphemy and the words spoken against the holy Spirit they shall never be forgiven unto men neither in this world nor in that which is to come However saith he to his disciples Beware of men for they will deliver you up to the Councils and ye shall be brought before governours and kings for my sake FOR A TESTIMONY AGAINST THEM But when they shall deliver you up take no thought how or what ye shall speak for it shall be given you in the same hour what ye shall speak For IT IS NOT YE THAT SPEAK but THE SPIRIT OF YOUR FATHER WHICH SPEAKETH IN YOU Matth. 10.20 c. It is the Spirit of your Father saith Chrisst which speaketh in you For the blessed return of which Spirit of the Father from on high and for the glorious effusion of it upon all flesh let the sons and daughters and servants and handmaids of the Lord to whom it is promised ever pray and they shall finde every day more and more that it will break forth mightily to the confounding of that spirit of the World that is risen up in opposition and contradiction to it for this spirit must fall but the Spirit of Christ must arise and the Priests and Souldiers can no more suppress it or keep it under then they could the body of Jesus from its resurrection In the mean time let it suffice unto us that Christ knows the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not Christians and are not for Christ and are not for the Ministers of Christ and are not for the Spirit of Christ and are not but are the Synagogue of Satan Rev. 2.9 and are of their father the devil and the lusts of their father they will do who was a murderer from the beginning and ABODE NOT IN THE TRUTH who is also a lyer and the father of lyes Joh. 8.44 Signed by appointment and in behalf of divers others of the Congregation who have subscribed the Original copie Thomas Allen. John Luxford Robert Davie Stephen Rookeby POSTSCRIPT Reader TAke notice that the two last Letters to the Church are placed out of order because they could not be obtained in due time and therefore are to be read as the two first Letters from Windsor though printed last A short WORD To the faithful REMNANT who are of one SPIRIT in the present Truth and Cause of Christ I Alwayes since I understood the nature of the controversie betwixt Antichrist and
the Lord Jesus in the light of his own Spirit found it a blessed imployment to be inquiring and hearkning where the signe of Gods presence was and upon which of the Congregations or assemblies I could finde the most glorious demonstrations of the power of godliness and where the Lord was pitching his Tents and revealing himself to his Beloved Ones This is also my work at this day to contemplate and consider what posture the Saints are now in and to watch that I may know where the glory of the Lord is revealed and where or from whence it will break forth at the approaching revolution In time past before the New Model was in being or extant in the world it was in the scattered Saints yet gathered together in several meetings kept in the City Army and Countries to finde out a right way from Babylon to Sion You remember what distress the Lords people were in at that time when that Tyrant had the North and West at his devotion when Essex his Army was beaten and degenerate when we were betrayed and forsaken by the old Souldiers of Fortune when the King and his Princes were victorious and rampant after the sacking of Leicester And when the new Model was despised in almost all mens eyes It was commonly called in reproach and scorn both by the King 's and Essex his souldiers The New Model save a small remnant of praying and believing Saints where was the presence of God then who could declare before whom the pillar of fire did shew it self as the token of Jehovah's presence It must not be forgotten but remembred with renewed thankfulness even at this day That it did break forth and manifest it self most gloriously from Nazeby-field even every day more and more Then the Lord began to use the new Army as One of the weak foolish despised Things of the world Then the Council of War used to aske counsel of God and God was with them wonderfully to direct them to bless them with victorious success abundantly Then the Head-quarters were famous and amiable even as the Tabernacles of the Lord of Hosts Then the Spirit of Glory and of God rested upon them and marched before them everywhere yea it was as a wall of fire round about them and the glory in the midst of them Zech. 2.5 And so it continued from year to yeer to the astonishment of the wicked and to the triumphant rejoycing of the righteous At length after some dangerous Temptations were overcome as the Armies trinkling and tampering with and for the King Queen and their Issue which afterward in their straits they bewailed in Windsor Castle the presence and Spirit of the Lord ingaged them also to execute judgement and justice upon the grand murtherer and persecutor of the Saints not to mention other strange and great enterprizes so as that the whore of Babylon and the Kings of the earth had cause to be exceedingly afraid Ireland was reduced also with a high hand especially at the beginning and the Lord was gloriously present still with the General and his Army onely some intelligent self-denying souls did discern plainly that divers Officers began betimes even too too early to minde the prey even before the work was done and it cost many of them very dear Let us remember also the expedition into Scotland and the high Appeal made by our Presbyterian-Brethren and the Army with their friends nights and dayes were spent in earnest prayer on both sides the Lord appeared in terrible Majesty at Dunbar About that time the Cause of Christ the Interest of Christ the work of God the downfal of Babylon and such-like language sounded from the Head-Quarters from the great Officers of the Army My soul was ravished to see and observe the spirit of prayer at White-Hall in those dayes among many of the chief Commanders as if they had loved none but Christ as if they cared for none but Christ and his Interest as if they would never have endured any King but the Lord Jesus or any Laws but his or any Ministers but his We who through grace were plain-hearted thought there were not such another people upon the face of the earth for love to Christ to the glory of Christ that he might be magnified and exalted as were the conducting and commanding part of the Army But Oh! Oh my Bowels my Bowels The gradual declension and defection since Worcester with what words shall I bewail it how have all the things of Christ been neglected how hath that most noble and glorious Cause of the Lord Jesus been forsaken by those who ought by manifold obligations to have promoted it to the utmost there was a price put into their hands and power was in their hands Oh this spirit of Baruch to seek great things for our selves when Jehovah saith Seek them not Behold that which is built God will pull down and that which is planted He will pluck up The Lord Jesus is making great hast to break in pieces all these Kingdoms both new and old and yet men are busie in seeking their own things and not the things of Jesus Christ I cannot but speak I must open my heart to some who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity my lise is not dear to me in this Cause If the Powers of the world and Rulers of the people have a minde to take away my Life as they have done my Liberty behold here it is in a readiness If the Lord give the word I am willing through grace not onely to be bound but to die for the Name of the Lord Jesus and for the Gospel of the Kingdom I am free to give directions to my worst enemies were they may make inquiry after all my wayes from my childhood to this day and if they finde I have committed any thing worthy of death or of bonds let them take their advantage but to keep me a Prisoner seven or eight moneths and not bring me to the place of hearing that I may know what my crime is and who are my accusers and the witnesses this is not fair dealing I am loth to aggravate things but the manner of the Romans was more according to justice expressed in Acts 25. Brethren I desire to keep in memory the Cause of our dear Lord so do you and know them who are of this Spirit through the Nation provoke one the other to wrestle with God to cry unto our Father If his children cry unto him he will not he cannot long forbear he will return and have compassion on the Remnant of his Heritage for mercy pleaseth him The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all your Spirits in the glorious ministration of Grace Mercy and Peace continually Amen From my house of bondage this 31 of the 6 month 1654. Yours for the Lord's sake to do or to suffer on your behalf Christopher Feake FINIS For the well-beloved CHURCH of Christ meeting in Colemanstreet Swan Alley My dearly beloved
and to prove you and to see what is in each of you and what the workings of your Spirits are and to let you know by experience that the wisdom of God in appointing guides and leaders to your use and edifying is that which cannot but be acceptable to the sober serious and stedfast Saints As for mine own condition I desire to deal plainly with you Blessed be my God and my gracious Father my lot is falsen to me in a pleasant place and I have a goodly heritage as for personal contentment it is very great I am doing my Fathers work and will I am suffering for the Gospel of the Kingdom I am learning to be more conformable to Christ my Head in learning obedience by the things that I suffer It is absolutely the best estate for the present that my heavenly Father can put me into The words of Manoah's wife to him are sweet unto me If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have received a burnt-offering and a meat-offering at our hands neither would he have shewed us all these things nor would as at this time have told us such things as these so I say If the Lord were not pleased with our sufferings in this Cause if this service for Christ-were not acceptable but unacceptable unto him he would never have revealed himself so graciously and so gloriously unto us as he hath done he would never have filled us with so sweet peace and joy in believing but our hearts would have condemned us if he had left us so that through rich mercy I am not careful what men think of us what their opinions are how they carry â—hemselves in speaking evil of things they know not It is sufficient and abundantly sufficient to us that our comforts abound and increase they diminish not I tell you Brethren the very confidence that God hath put into us by his Word and Spirit hath great recompence of reward There are two things that do I am perswaded work for our good 1. The malice of our enemies that scorn us and backbite us and judge us busie-bodies and evil doers and disturbers of the peace c. saith the Lord to us Your enemies speak falsly and the more they curse the more I bless and will bless Verily this is sweeter then honey And then secondly There are a company of faithful souls who in the light of God do understand the present Cause of Christ and that we are sufferers upon that acount and so they wrestle and will not let the Lord go unless he bless us poor prisoners with special and sutable blessings Verily I bless the Lord night and day in remembrance of the prayers of the Saints who understand the times next unto my blessing his name for the glorious intercession of our faithful and merciful High-Priest Finally Brethren farewel live in love follow those things that make for peace and whereby one may edifie another do not grieve one anothers Spirits by any uncomly expressions in words or behaviour Grieve not the Spirit of Christ but study the happiness of the whole body and glorifie the Lord by an holy sweet meek and gentle profitable conversation I salute you every one once more in our dear Redeemer Imitate those who walk most like Jesus Christ and we shall meet again with joy and our joy shall no man take from us Amen From my Prison-lodging the last day of the 3 week of the 1 moneth -- 54. Yours next unto my being Christs desirous of your best good Christoph Feake Dear Brethren THe superabounding satisfaction wherewith the Lord hath condescended to inrich a poor empty creature calls aloud upon me to magnifie his Goodness toward me If I should tell you a feigned story of That which I have not seen nor felt nor experienced in my self the Lord would finde me out and make me an example to those that should come after of his severity and strict dealing with me but in very deed I do plainly perceive that the Lord hath purposed to shew me more of his glory Indeed a great part of my care will be concerning You to whom I am as neerly related in the fellowship and service of the Gospel as ever notwitstanding this distance and therefore shall not cease praying for you as I have begun that you may every one adorn the glorious Gospel of the blessed God and walk worthy of the Lord who hath called you unto his Kingdom and Glory And I would that you should understand Brethren and believe that the things which have befallen me have come to pass rather for the furtherance of the Gospel then otherwise and I hope some if not many of the Brethren in the Lord Jesus will grow confident by my bonds and will be much more bold to speak the word without fear considering especially that the Lord hath made a most sweet addition to my former joy and comfort in the Holy Spirit so that I may say boldly The Lord is my Helper I will not fear what man can do unto me I know I shall ere long come again and continue with you all for your furtherance and the joy of your faith that your rejoycing in Christ Jesus may be more abundant for me by my coming to you again Dear Brethren Innocency and Independency make the highest and the mightiest Spirits and let the Princes the Priests the Captains who are so busie in bolstring up the cursed whore of Babylon know it for a Truth that the Lords Hidden Holy Ones will in the might of the Spirit of Jehovah shout down the walls of the Babylonish Jericho though they are as high as Heaven they shall come tumbling down Amen Hallelujah Oh! that I might be one of the teeth of that sharp threshing instrument which the worm Jacob shall ere long be transformed into and so help to thresh the High and Mighty Mountains of the Earth and to beat them small and to make the Hills as chaff I do very much hope when I come again I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel more then ever Wherefore I beseech you to be at peace among your selves to admonish the disorderly in abundance of tenderness in love to comfort the feeble-minded to support the weak to visit the fatherless and widows that are widows indeed I thought to have spoken with some concerning whom it was needful to look into their condition but the wise God prevents me for the present that I may hereafter have more light from his word to guide me in difficult affairs Pray forme that in this retirement I may attain better to understand then ever hitherto how to behave my self in the Church of God in the house of the living God Oh! it 's sweet to be sensible of a growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to whom be glory and dominion now and for ever Amen From my pleasant country-house this 31 of the 11 Moneth 1653. Your