and did sing fince I came hither and my Grounds why I did insert it p. 133-138 22. A little brief Account of my Imprisonments with the sorrows and censures that do attend me in these Sufferings p. 138-140 23. Some Account of my Imprisonment in the Tower and of my being brought before the King and the business relating to his Fathers Will left with me p. 140-142 24. The Grounds of my Willingness to go beyond Sea if I might p. 143-147 25. A Letter from a Friend and my Answer p. 148-151 ERRATA Reader IN regard of the Authors condition distance from the Press some Faults have escaped the greatest whereof is the Title over the heads of the pages viz. INNOCENCY though under a Cloud cleared which relates onely to some parts of the Book the proper Titles for each matter being through the misunderstanding of some who put it to the Press omitted The rest of the Faults are more obvious which thou art desired to correct as followeth Page 15. line 16. reade no ground P. 28. l. 18. for fear 1. tear P. 34. l. 17. f. worth r. watch P. 42. l. 28. f. passionate r. patient P. 50. l. 1. r. In a word P. 86. l. 7. f. 10. r. 18. P. 101. l. 28. f. Phil. r. Ephes P. 111. l. 7. f. Proviso r. Prophecy P. 136. l. 16. f. And r. May. Ebenezer Ebenezer The Lord Jehovah is my strength Christ alone is the Foundation of all my Consolation in this day of my trouble and sad rebuke IT was the eleventh day after my Imprisonment before I attained this Book And I rejoyce I have it that the daily Supports I have from God's Promises and his Presence may be by me recorded that if I live I may look over them and remember Prison-Mercies as others who faithfully love the Lord and wait for his Appearance may see and bless God and not fear 〈◊〉 Prison but trust God upon his Word for 〈◊〉 is faithful and to be trusted The first day and night that I came in I was in a maze 〈◊〉 well knowing where I was and â—â—king within I found my heart like Ephraim Jer. 31.18 but I had not long moaned my self but God appeared 〈◊〉 in the 20. verse of that chapter and 〈◊〉 next day after I had for some time sought â—â—d and searched my own heart and â—nd as to Men I was innocent and did judge God would not have called me here but he had some work for me to do For Affliction cometh not out of the dust Job 5.6 At last God moving the people of the house to lend me a Bible the first Scripture I cast mine eye upon just as I opened the Bible was Jer. 18.12 to the latter part of the 18th vers at which the Lord did exceedingly appear to refresh my Soul especially for what I saw in the 12 13 14 17. and 18th verse 't is too long to insert it only upon the 12th verse I set it down in my Concordance O let all that fear the Lord bless him for his Scripture much more for its life which God keeps and lets down to whom and when he pleases Parts may draw and observe good teachings from them to serve othersâ— but not its own Soul unless God give in that Light Life and Spirit that first penned them What Parts can draw may serve Profession but not a Prison and the sights of Death But O when God unlocks the Scriptures and says to the Soul Behold what 's herâ— there 's Life there 's Love there 's a feast all good things And now see the difference between being brought by common gifts 〈◊〉 the Truth and the promised Spirit leading us into Truth as our Lord promised Joâ—â— 15.26 chap. 16.13 And I must say a witness to this that God's way to accompliâ—â— this is by causing the Soul to stand in God's Fear and out of its own wisdom and as to its own state in it self to shrink down into its own emptiness hating all listings up but that by the Son of God in the pure single Wisdom Love and Grace of the Father O had not this Foundation been laid I must have been left being a man of sorrows surrounded on every side and every window is shut but this of the Lord's Love O blessed 〈◊〉 his Name O all you Saints that love and fear the Lord bless him and seek no Foundation but what God hath laid But more of this hereafter The next Scripture by which God did appear to refresh my heart was in John 18.11 't is the words of Christ in answer to Peter who in his mistaken Love tenders Christ's Person more than God's Pleasure and in answer to that Christ lets him know that is Fathers Pleasure was by him higher priâ—ed than his own preservation and saith The Cup which my Father giveth me shall I not â—â—ink it He doth not say the Cup my Father lays upon me but that the Father gives â—â—e All suffering Cups to Christ or his â—embers are Kindnesses they are God's â—ifts Phil. 1.29 they are not to be rejected â—â—t prized and esteemed David in the 118th â—sal takes the Cup blessing God But some will say that was not the Cup of Suffering but of Salvation and 't is true but it was through the Cup of Christ's Sufferings But all the Cups of Suffering to the Saints in the Primitive Times behold how chearfully they imbraced them Acts 5. with Heb. 11. and Rom. 5.1 2 c. Therefore Christ doth not tell Peter I must be forced to take it or drink it but saith Shall I not 〈◊〉 he doth not in propounding this inquire if he should or should not but it is to shew his resolution that he should do it and would do it judging it a higher honour and duty to imbrace God's Pleasure than to seek and imbrace self-preservation contrary to God's Pleasure That made those in Heb. 11.35 not accepting deliverance that was on terms wherein God's Pleasure and Honour should be crossed In this case it waâ— Christ's and it ought to be the generous spirit of all the Sons of Zion to slight nay loath nay hate their own lives when it thus comes in competition with the will of God's now to do God's Will in many wayes Hypocrites in Imitating-Grace may delight fully do it Isa 2.58 Mat. 13.20 21. But the chiefest Testimony of true Grace is to live in the Will of God so that if a Cup of Crosses comes the very sight and sencâ— that the Fathers hand presents it and that his heart is in it so that his Purpose and Pleasure is to be accomplished by it no sooner say is this seen but the heart is silently satisfied and cries out not only like old Eli â—t's the Lord let him do it but as Christ in the Text It is my Fathers Cup and his Gift I am contentably willing to imbrace it O the very sight and sence of this Truth â—â—om this place in John 18.11 God made so refreshing that the
everlasting Life Now that the Comfort of these words may be discovered I shall first observe this general Truth from these words God So loved The word So is so unexpressible so admirable so matchless so that Observe Doct. The Love of God in giving Christ is a rich admirable and unexpressible Love For the opening of this mind 1. Scriptures to prove it 2. We shall by way of illustration lay down many things to make good this Truth As for Scriptures mind these Rom. 5.8 But God commendeth his Love towards us in that while we were yet Sinners Christ dyed for us Ephes 2.4 But God who is rich in Mercy for his great Love wherewith he hath loved us even when we were dead in sins c. chap. 3.19 And to know the Love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the Fulness of God In 1 John 3.1 Behold what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the Sons of God! chap. 4.9 10. In this was manifested the Love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him verse 10. Herein is Love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be a Propitiation for our Sins See John 17.23 I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one and that the World may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them as thou hast loved me And you may see what is said of Christs Love in that sence Gal. 2.20 I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me and the Life which I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me Joh. 13.14 Greater Love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his Friend Now for Illustration mind 1. Consider in what relation Christ stood with God when God gave Christ 2. Consider to what God gave him 3. How God gave him 4. For whom God gave him 5. God's Ends in that work Lastly The Improvements 1. In what relation Christ stood with God there was the bond of nature in the highest degree for he was his Son Psal 2.7 I will declare the Decree the Lord hath said unto me Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee Heb. 5.5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an High Priest but Him that said unto him Thou art my Son this day have I begotten thee 2. There was the tye of singularity and peculiarity his Son nay his only Son as in this 3d of John had God had another Son in that sence though the giving up had been 〈◊〉 high token of Love yet not so much as in â—his sence his only Son 3. As there was such an high Affinity in Nature so there was an unexpressable heighth 〈◊〉 Unity of Affection See upon God's â—â—de in Mat. 3.17 And loe a Voice from Heaâ—â—en saying This is my beloved Son in whom 〈◊〉 am well pleased and chap. 12.18 Behold â—y Servant whom I have chosen my Beloved in whom my soul is well pleased I will put my Spiâ—it upon him and he shall shew Judgement to the Gentiles and chap. 17.5 While he yet speak â—ehold a bright Cloud overshadowed them and â—ehold a Voice out of the Cloud which said This 〈◊〉 my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased â—ear ye him and in Mark 1.11 And there â—ame a Voice from Heaven saying Thou art my â—eloved Son in whom I am well pleased and in 2 Pet. 1.17 For he received from God the Father Honour and Glory when there came such a Voice to him from the excellent Glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased So you may see in Christ what a high unexpressable Love he had to his Father his Fathers Will was his Will and to answer his Fathers Pleasure was so great a pleasure to him that Life and all must go as little enough to speak out his Love Now consider all this and you will see that the one might have restrained God and have tyed up his hands from giving up his Son and Christ might have pleaded on the other side Why me Father why me that am thy only Son c. but God looks over all in this act 4. There were bonds of Honour both on one Throne in one Glory It might seem in the eye of carnal reason to be below God thus to abase Christ and that in relation to a point of Honour O what Love must there be to over-look this 5. He stood related to God as the chief est and eminentest object of his Delight Prov. 8.30 Then I was by him as one brough up with him and I was dayly his Delight rejoycing alwayes before him Isa 42.1 Behol my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him and He shall bring forth Judgment to the Gentiles O now reason from all and you will not be able to express this Love of God in giving the Lord Jesus Christ as he did O admirable Love Secondly Consider to what God gave him 1. To Death Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross O could not he have given him to suffering and not to death O what Love must that be that did and could cause God thus to overlook as it were the Love and care of Christ's Life and thus to give him to death 2. The Death of the Cross Phil. 2.8 And being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross and Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the Curse of the Law being made a Curse for us as it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree the most contemptible Death that could be a cursed Death a shameful dishonourable Death O see what blessed Love was here shewed in this cursed and shameful Death 3. Not only to death and the death of the Cross but to all the Aggravations that could possibly accompany either As thus 1. He suffered as a Sinner in the highest sence 1 Cor. 15.3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received How that Christ dyed for our Sins according to the Scriptures and in the 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him Sins make suffering unsufferable else it is but a chastisment if sin be not in it but if it be then it is a punishment yet even so must our dear Christ suffer as a fruit of the Fathers Love 2d Aggravation was the exercise of God's Rage Fury and Wrath in the Law against Sin this O this in the highest of
possess us a Deludge in which thousands of souls are lulled asleep and are kept from heart-work thinking all is right within because they are judged and do judge themselves to be right without and that it is so see Mat. 8.11 12. chap. 12.43 44. Mat. 13.20 21. Luke 13.25 26 27. Isa 58.1 2. Because in some of my Queries I mentioned the Sin of Covetousness which is a Sin that is as secret as dangerous I shall briefly here set down the Characters of a covetous-minded man either in rich men or poor men In answer to which first Mind what Covetousness is in the Eye of the Scripture it is an inordinate desire of Gain or Increase Now the Characters must be drawn either from the nature of Covetousness or from a frame of heart not contented with its state for Contentation is set by the holy Ghost in a direct opposition to Covetousness Heb. 13.5 Now in minding what hath been said of Covetousness the Characters of such a mind will the better appear First When they do by unjust and unrighteous Wayes labour to increase their Estates Hab. 2.9 10 11 Micah 2.2 Jer. 6.13 chap. 8.10 chap 22.17 Secondly When they do by any action declare their love to or longing after that which in anothers Deut. 5.21 Jos 7.21 Thirdly When the wants of poor Saints are seen by them or made known to them yet they are not free to communicate to their wants sutable to what God hath blessed them with Prov. 21.26 sutable to that in 2 Cor. 9.5 compared with 1 John 3.17 with Rom. 13. last part of the 9th verse Fourthly When they toyl and labour after Riches as by it they are made to lose their life favour in their language and service of God turning their Christian savour into sadness and losing their former forwardwardness and life in God's wayes by posting after the things of this life 1 Tim. 6.10 2 Tim. 4.10 contrary to Psal 119.36 Fifthly When the love of the world doth not only hold men in but take men off from the Service of God 2 Pet. 2. the last part of the 14th verse joyned with the 15th sutable to Isa 57. apply the 9th and the 10th verse with the 17th verse Ezek. 33.31 These five are to try Rich and Poor but especially the Rich And the Characters of a covetous mind in poor men follow First When they are not chearfully contented with what they have but would have what they have not Heb. 13.5 with a restless mind rising and reasoning against Providence 2. When they appear complaining or repining at their own Poverty by comparing their Poverty with others Riches This is well as the first is contrary to content and so therein Covetousness 3. When they are not free and willing to go on in any way or work for God unless they are by the rich so supplyed that they may be wholly freed from bodily labour Acts 20.33 34. sutable to such in 1 Thes 4.11 2 Th. 3.10 11 12. Now this relates to some but not to all 4. Mind what hath been said from â—oth and you will mind that strait-heartedâ—ess in a Rich man is Covetousness and Discontent in a Poor man at or with his Estate is no less for that which is contraâ—y to Contentation is Covetousness by the Lord so decided Heb. 13.5 c. Disquieted or troublesome or disconâ—ented demands of Poor men to be supplyed â—y the Rich is as sure a Character of Coveâ—â—usness as Strait-handedness in a Rich man â—e supply the wants of the Poor and both are 〈◊〉 be judged Covetousness O how much doth this Sin reign in the â—earts and lives of men and women that pretend much for God and are cryers down of others sins and persons for sinning and at the same time harbour this sin that is no less than Idolatry in their own brest Few or none but will say that it is a sin to own an Idolater in fellowship and that all true Believers are bound to withdraw from them and though Covetousness be the same yet how are poor souls satisfied or at least silent But I shall leave this and say no more to it Some Observations useful for all that fear God but in particular left for my Children VVHen ever a heart hath a sensible injoyment of God and his Love in Christ especially as a return of Prayers mind these things First Expect a fresh assault of Satan with high attempts to draw the soul aside either to looseness under that love or some other evil improvements When Christ was in the Wilderness and was inriched with high Inrichments of God he was presently set on by Satan Mat. 4.1 3 5 8. And as soon as Hezekiah Isa 38.5 was delivered and inriched with God's Love was presently set on to be tempted Isa 39.1 So let all that fear the Lord at all seasons but in an especial manner then double their worth Secondly Sin and Satan never gets into us and is imbraced but as Sin comes God goes and so Sin gets strength and the Soul gathers weakness If so Thirdly That Soul that doth not so much as resist Sin in its first attempts he may be confident he will be overcome O then take this from a soul that hath had experience Keep the watch most over thy heart thy eyes and words Fourthly It is easie to sin God out of sight but not so easie to pray him in If so O stand fast in God's Fear and when most injoyed let him be most prized and Sin most feared Fifthly Sin least seen is the most futile and hardest conquered Then watch and mourn most for that which is least seen Heart-Sin as to men seemeth least but as to God hated most Sixthly No soul seeketh for Pardon suitably unless he is as much and as eagerly desirous of Power against Sin as Pardon Seventhly Sins of Constitution are most to be feared Heb. 12.1 But when Sins of Constitution get into custome then Sin hath got both its wings only a mighty Power of God can conquer it O fear the Sin of Constitution as Death and Custome as Hell for if they once joyn they will cause the soul to fly out of sight of Presence and sight of Experience and all ability to return If so mind When a soul is there to go back it cannot to go forward is death and Hell so then all it can do under its loss is to shrink down into its empty nothing state and lye low in it self with its eye singly on Free-Grace in Christ Eighthly No heart thus truly lying low but is lifted up when up stand in fear sin no more Observations as to Duty 1. Lye low and pray till God come in but pray most when he is come in for the soul prays best when he injoys God most Call while he is near Isa 55.6 Psal 21.13 Cant. 1.4 2. A Soul doth not gain but lose by keeping from Duty for the want of the Life of Duty Observe 'T is good
leave off loving nay it will rather endure hard dealings and conquer them with Love than leave off loving Did not Christ do so with the Spouse Cant. 5. And what hard usage did God receive from his People as you may see in Jer. 2d and 3d. chapters yet God follows them with Love O what hard usage did Paul receive for and in the way of his Love from them he loved and yet he loved still a sweet lesson for Saints in this day to learn O that God would give me and all his People power seriously to try our Love by these Rules Love is laid down in Scripture as one of the chiefest signs of our Son-ship O therefore we had need be careful we are not mistaken especially in this day wherein there is so much imitation of Love and yet not Love the Lord help us to try that we may be found in the Truth and the Love of the Truth and true Love may be found in us O if ever the lesson that Christ preached to his Disciples in the 14.15.16 chapters of John and that John preached in 1 Joh. 2 3 4 5 chapters as to this great Duty of Love there was never a season that called for that service like this and never was the dear Appointments and Service of God less honoured with this Saint-honouring Grace of Love than now in this day the Devil knows it is the sinewes and nerves that keeps Saints one and he also knows the way to destroy the People of God is to devide the People of God They are very blind that in looking back cannot see â—hat so long as the People of God kept in â—nity they were kept in prosperity and when â—hey devided they soon fell O that God â—ould give his People hearts to know from â—hence they are fallen and to do their first works and to remember their former Virgin-Love which formerly appeared to bear blossoms till the sad frost of a revolting spirit caused it to be nipt with cold blasts of God's Northern winds O would any souls recover Love labour to be acquainted more with the God of Love and live more under the sence of the want of Love and covet to be first in that work and where you see a want of Love love them into Love And the God of all Love Peace and Grace live with you Amen Amen I have done with speaking of true God like Love I might speak something of natural Love and also the Love of Friends of Relations or Neighbours upon a natural account but of that I shall forbear only Brief Word or two to my Children which mind as followeth VVHen and wheresoever you find shews of Love take a longer time 〈◊〉 try it than to trust it Meet with no friendâ—â— Love but answer it with Love and where 〈◊〉 intend to continue in Friendship and â—ove stay not from loving till you are beloâ—ed but love that you may be loved know that â—ove that your Love begets will not only â—â—st longest but will end most honourably 2. Take heed of a pleasant smooth lanâ—age where there is an evil life 3. Trust none that speaks fair to you if â—â—u find them prone to speak evil of others 4. Look well behind men and before men â—ore you intrust any secret in men or woâ—en 5. If you would gain and receive a friendâ—â— esteem of all walk humbly towards every â—in for the best way to be honoured as a â—â—â—ster is to be to all like a Servant to the â—â—ants but not to the carnal wills of men 6. If you would retain friendship among 〈◊〉 what ever you hear speak evil of none 7. To retain Friendship long take heed 〈◊〉 leave not your interest loose among any In word my dear Children if you wisely and friendly profitably live in the world as to the world mind this rule So live among men that you may overseâ— all men learn something from every man but confide in no man and yet so as to suffer no man to lose but rather to gain by you In the next place I shall speak a wordt the nature of Sorrow or Mourning seeing there are so many promises annexed to truâ—â— Mourners And in this mind two things 1. What Deceits attend Mourning thaâ— we may not be deceived 2. The Properties of true Mourning 1. Deceit is when we take the sudden motion of a natural tender affection for the exercises of true conviction or a heart trusâ— affected from Grace for some nature is such that upon the least sudden motion of any sorrow or sometimes from sudden joy they cannot but mourn and if this come at a season of praying or preaching without care it may be and I fear is taken as a fruit of Grace 2. When a soul mourns more for peace than for the want of presence So did Saâ—â— and Judas c. 3. There is a hidden occult quality 〈◊〉 some natures that they cannot but in a wâ—â—â— of sympathy weep and mourn when they seâ—â—â— another mourn it may be those that they see mourn may mourn from true conviction and then in a way of sympathy they cannot but mourn too and so being among true Mourners they and others may conclude it true 4. Deceit is when any ones mourning is produced from a sad reflection of guilt 〈◊〉 crossing Light more than for their dealing â—nkindly with God and his Love Quest What are the truest Signs of a true â—ourner Answ These 1. True Mourning in real â—ourners brings or draws up the soul into a â—ore single closing in with God or it raiseth 〈◊〉 the heart to a more special expectation â—â—â—d choice compliance with God see and â—ind well Isa 38. last part of the 16 verse 2. Such prize deliverance from sin much â—â—re then freedom from sorrow Isa 38.17 â—â—al 40.1 2. 3. They are a people that are as seriously â—â—ected with their unsuitable frames of heart their mourning as for the matter they â—â—urn for 4. Answers from God in their mourning â—â—ess their answer brings Power as well as â—â—don it will not satisfie Psal 51. 〈◊〉 A true Mourner mourns most kindly 〈◊〉 freely when he injoys God in sealing up â—â—â—on must fully Luke 7.38 and 47.48 〈◊〉 Such a heart mourns for that most that is seen least I mean more for heart-sins unseen than for sins without that are seen See Job 42.3 6. see David Psal 19.12 and 51.5 6 7. and Isa 6.5 7. The property of such a soul is The nearer it draws to God the more the work of mourning and shame doth increase See Jer. 3. and last verse and see Job 42.2 3 6. Besides these Deceits there are yet some Deceits that are harder to be discerned and that is in point of joy and boldness and appearance of life in duties For know There are many that from eloquence duty and some concurrents of natures abiâ—â—â—ty joyning with imitating sorrow or joy do so heat and warm and lift up the soul that it concludes that joy
Scepter own Must to themselves now dye For He alone that 's on the Throne Mat. 16.24 25. Gives Life and Liberty Now I true Liberty doe know Isa 61.1 To Christ I 'le praises sing 2 Cor. 3.17 For he through Death will bring me No more to sigh and sin Rev. 2.7 17 I wish this news abroad may spread home Isa 25.8 That all my foes may see Rev. 7.17 21.4 And Saints with understanding read And know my Liberty What if false Witness should arise Jer. 6.13 And labour to betray My Innocency by their lyes Mat. 24.9 and 10.21 My life to take away Yet Christ's Cause I will witness to Luke 21.16 Tho for the same I dye Act. 20.24 21.13 I shall not fear what man can do Against my Liberty For now my soul hath sweet support Psal 27.1 Through Christ my Rock Tower Micah 7.8 In whom's my peace joy and comfort With fresh supplies each hour Hab. 3.19 His Love is now my whole delight Psa 138.7 His Presence stands me by Isa 43.2 I have him alwayes in my sight O here 's my Liberty God is my Witness and my Guide Psal 23.1.2 3 4 5. My conscience to keep clear I know the Lord is on my side Therefore I need not fear Jsal 118.6 Through Christ I am now freed from Jer. 10.11 And Hypocrites cruelty Rom. 8.1 38 So soon as God receives my breath death Act. 7.59 My Soul gains Liberty Patience with Balm my sores supplys Psal 37.3 4 5 7. I live above controul In Prison though my body lies Job 34.29 They can't inslave my Soul My free converse with Christ is sweet Cant. 5.13 Which brings in choice supply Psa 104.34 That they which now my body keep Joh. 14.17 Knows no such Liberty God did for me this place appoint Gen. 45.7 8 Before they brought me here And doth my soul with Grace anoint Mica 7.8 9 That cheerefully I bear Hab. 3.18 And now his Will and Pleasure 's mine Act. 21.13 He doth my soul make free Psa 11.2 6 7 8. To live above though they combine To take my Liberty I know my sufferings will have end Job 23.10 Till then I 'le them endure Hab. 3.2 A Saviour he to me wil send Heb. 10.37 My Freedome to procure Isa 19.20 And though ther 's some that it withstand Psa 91.14 He 'll make them know and see Isa 43.4 That he alone by his own Hand Dan. 3.17 Will gain my Liberty But some Sanballats still do plot Nehem. 6.5 8 12. My Body to keep here Ye Judas-like say they let not But rather would me clear Isa 24.16 But God will one day make them know 1 Joh. 3.12 And they shall not deny That they like Cain have alone Haeted my Liberty Till then I shall with sweet content Job 14.14 Attend on God and say Psa 27.14 That tho their evil bows are bent Psal 62.5 6 7. 21. 8 9 10 11. God doth the Scepter sway And he will turn them upside down And my soul satisfy 2 Tim. 4.8 And he 'l give me th' Eternal Crown Jam. 1.12 In perfect Liberty Rev. 2.10 Amen Amen Come my Lord and Life come quickly saith the groaning soul of P. H. I did intend to have inserted my Reasons that I gave for not taking the Covenant And the Reasons I gave against the Armies signing the Address to make O. C. Protector because as I said before they were such things which some spirits did very much reproach me for But I do not upon second thoughts think it fit to insert here lest by it I throw dirt in the face of some who did out of uprightness of heart in the point of the Covenant follow God in hopes of the Accomplishment of the Latter-Day-Reformation And though the Covenant was a step too low tâ— follow God in the breaking forth of that greaâ— Light and Power by which God will usher-iâ— the Accomplishment of those Prophecies and Promises that relate to Latter-Day-Work yeâ— surely there were many who in uprightness oâ— heart did aim at God and his Interest in that Work seeing no better or larger at that time 'T is good to love all God's Lambs and not tâ— throw dirt at any of them though we should judge them lame Lambs yet if Lambs theâ—â— are to be beloved Now as to the other that is to say my Reasons against the Signing of the Address they were publickly known and so were the dealingâ— of some with me for that matter But lest I should be thought to cast dirt in the face of such thaâ— have dealt so with me I shall forbear I shalâ— rather cross my own heart and follow my Lord in blessing when cursed and in being silent under censures 'T is an evil day but yet that which the Scriptures of Truth have told us of that such things must be not only betwixt Saints and Sinners but between professed Brethren And it is good for all that love and long for the coming oâ— our Lord not only to pray for it but be willinâ— to face and imbrace such sorrows censures and sufferings that attend Latter-day-Work seeing its that which must be and it 's that though iâ— crosseth which ushereth-in the prayed-for and â—onged-for Crown To which Grace and Crown of Glory I leave my self and all who in faithfulness wait for the coming of our Lord. Amen Amen Come Lord Jesus come quickly In the close of this that I have writ it will be convenient to give some account of my Imprisonment now in the Tower and the rather in that one cause of somes censuring me as was and â—s pretended relates to my former Liberty and my present Imprisonment For before I was imprisoned that was as some said the ground of their Jealousy In that so many were imprisoned and yet I that was so notoriously known should be at liberty Though it was well known I was a Prisoner in the Marshal-Generals house I got out only upon 1000 l. bond to appear when sent for What charges I was at and what hardships I underwent I shal forbear to assert but my long Liberty was by some judged a ground of their Jealousie of me And now when I was taken out of my bed the twentieth day of August 1663 and carried before the Secretary Sir Henry Bennet who would â—dmit me to speak but little for my self but sent me to this place And when I told him I must starve if he sent me thither having no means to keep me he did assure me that the King did allow Maintenance for all each Prisoner though to this day which is twenty five weeks I have not had one bit of bread or drop of drink allowed me And had it not been for the goodness of God and some few Friends I