Selected quad for the lemma: mercy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
mercy_n	look_v	lord_n	soul_n	5,124	5	5.4191	4	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A48398	The life and death of Mr. Vavasor Powell, that faithful minister and confessor of Jesus Christ wherein his eminient conversion, laborious successful ministry, excellent conversation, confession of faith, worthy sayings, choice experiences, various sufferings, and other remarkable passages in his life and at his death are faithfully recorded for publick benefit : with some elogies and epitaphs by his friends.	Bagshaw, Edward, 1629-1671.; Powell, Vavasor, 1617-1670.	1671 (1671)	Wing L2003; Wing B418_CANCELLED	114,187	204

every condition 2. That we have done that which deserves the worst condition 3. That we should mind more the glory of God and our duty in our condition and not strive to make our outward state in a natural w●y sweet which God intends to sweeten otherwise Next day I sound my heart in a hard and streight condition and frame most part of this day and not disposed to the duty intended as it ought and in the Evening of this day I was moved to passion but avoiding occasion● y●ng to the Lord I was delivered and from Prov. 13.3 I learned two Lessons First to keep my mouth and to be well advised I also found a g●eat desire to grow in plainness and sincerity of heart This day by discourse I came to understand some Scriptures especially Iohn 3.14 and the 11.10 as is observed an written down in both those margen●s clearer then eve● b● o e also I obse●ved where the word Soul Nephesh is taken for ● dead body Numbers the 9.6 the 6. Chap 6. al●o two other necessary and seasonable Lesso●s from Prov. 14.8.15 viz. To understand the way and to look well to my goings also this Evening I had my heart a little more then ordinary softened and enlarged in Prayer This day I experienced but little good or gain gotten to my Soul and found my Heart but in a flat frame yet I was affected a little with the consideration of the great honour given by the Elders and others to Iesus Christ Rev. 5.13 and I perceived more desire after true sincerity of heart and observed a good providence of God This day I observed a remarkable passage in a great mans suffering death that he vowed and wished that if ever he did game again he might be hanged and hanged he was a warning to look to our wishes then I marked those two words Prov. 15.4 That perversness in the Tongue is or makes a breach in the Spirit I was smitten in my Conscience for an evil thought and convinced for my unconstancy in good and want of more sence of my own and others sins and slackness in some services but I had comfort from the 1. Thess 5.24 That Gods faithfulness ingages him to perfect his work in his People and to preserve them to the end This day being the Lords day I learned amongst many other Lessons from Ezek. 20. 1. That when Gods People do come to ordinances yet they should expect good only from God the People sate before Ezekiel but inquired of God verse 1. 2. That when People abuse their Gifts God will pollute them therein and thereby verse 26. 3. That those that go on in sin cannot expect to find God when they call upon him 4. That God may sometimes return the captivity of his People before they repent verse 42 43 I was convinced that it is my duty 1. To study my duty more 2. To strive to do my duty better this whole day I was troubled with the Head-ach and pain in my Stomach but I found the Lord enabling me with much patience moving my heart to praise him that affliction is not far greater Calm joy and ease came this morning from the presence of the Lord after trouble and pain with a resolution to prize time and mercy and to walk better and more diligently before the Lord who directeth the steps Prov. 16.9 and he that keepeth his way preserveth his Soul which Scriptures I observed this Morning this Evening I had some communion with the Lord in Prayer I was lead to look upon that duty 1. Tim. 2.2.13 Of praying for all men and from what I heard of another to praise God for his goodness to me This Morning I observed a special providence by the coming of a Freind to visit me and observed further from Prov. 17.5 Howbeit Gods affliction is compared to a fining Pot or Furnace to try and purge the Heart also what a sad thing t is to have good oppertunities and prizes put into our hands but to want improving hearts or to have corruption hinder good verse 16 20. I found no especial enlargment nor communion with the Lord this day but rather a provocation to pride yet of that good word in Tim. 1.3 chap. 2.6 met with me This day being willing to wait upon God I found him good to me in softening and inlarging and drawing out my Heart in Prayer and I had some comfort from those words Psal 9.9 The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in times of trouble and verse the 18. the needy shall not alwayes be forgotten yet this Evening I was set upon by temtation which in part prevailed and in part was resisted In the Morning fowl and and sinful thoughts came into my heart but God made them bitter and burdensome to me and now little sins begin like Flies to be more troublesome to me yet I much su●pect my self if the Lo●d left me to my self never so little and short a time I had some joy and strength from Prov. 20.21 Wait on the Lord and he shall save thee This day my heart was somewhat melted and warmed in duty and I found power to resist temptation I had also my heart in a reasonable good measure brought to consider why the Lo d afflicts me and adds afflictions and was throughly resolv●d in two things that I would do what I could to pacificy God and to please him and to beleive in his free grace through Christ let him do what he will with me I was observing three comforts to the righteous from Prov. 21.18.28.31 This day was a good day both inwardly and outwardly especially outwardly I had some thoughts of Gods judgement to fear them and to endeavour to shun them and to intreat the Lord not to let me share with the wicked in their punishments much less their sins I observed from Prov 22.14 that it is a sign of hatred to be left to sin an excellent promise in verse 23. also twelve Lessons Paul teaches 1. Tim. 4. This day being the Lords day I had some e●joyment of the Lords presence as I observed and among other things I observed fi●st f●om Ezek. 39 26. That the first thing that th● Lo●d d●th in the Redemption o● his People is to b ing them to remember thei● sins and to repent for them ●nd so having cleansed and saved them from their iniquties Jer. 33.8 Ezek. 36 29. he wo ks th●n ●●eir temporal and outward deliverance 2. F●om the f●st verse that when the Lord hath given his ●pi●●● to 〈◊〉 People he never forsakes them more 3. From Psal 80.5 17. I had considerations of the great suff●rings of the Church of God of old and the ground of their comfort which is Christ 4. From Rev. 12. was much refreshed to consider that the Church when she went to the Wilderness yet that was by Wings that God gave her and likewise in the Wilderness there was a place prepared by God for her and there

whether we will follow after him It s strange and very bad sign to see Saints look more upon the sins of the wicked to ripen them for misery then after self humiliation and holiness to ripen and fit themselves for mercy He that cannot pitty the sinner and hate sin doth not reprove out of love to Christ nor from a gratious spirit He that loves not a Reprover and prizes not his reproof neither profits thereby is more his sins then his Souls friend If God hath kept thee from falling still fear watch pray and live by Faith on Christ No power can keep him in Bonds whom truth and innocency acquits Due end in being in the world is not to be to our selves Though the People of God may be killed yet they can neither be hurt nor overcome Christians though disagreeing in Opinion should agree in Affection and differing in Controversie should agree in Charity It is a very sad thing neither to be careful to do well nor repent of doing ill The Portion that Christ gives us is not near so bitter as his Cordial is sweet The fear of death is ingrafted in the common nature of all men but Faith works it out by Christians Nothing will be terrible where the love of God is apprehended and nothing greivous where love to Christ is exercised Learn to prefer Christ before self and suffering above sinning Look for suffering as for Exaltation for it is an honour to be accounted worthy and a double honour to be enabled and carried through safety A Beleiver should learn 1. To know God in Christ 2. Himself in Christ 3. Christ in him 4. Himself he was without Christ 1. wicked and wretched 2. unwilling and weak in good The Life of a true Beleiver is 1. In the Lord. 1. Thes 1.2 1. Iohn 2.27 2. On the Lord. Rom. 1.17 Gal. 2.20 3. By and from the Lord. Iohn 6.57 4. To the Lord. Rom. 14.8 Luke 20.38 Gal. 2.19 5. With the Lord. 2. Cor. 13.4 1. Thes 5.10 Rom. 6.8 The Care of a true Christian 1. To wait on God Isa 8.17 25.9 2. To walk with God Gen. 5.22.24 6.9.24.40 3. To work all his works in and for God Io. 3.21 Rom. 6.10 1. Cor. 10.31 4. To bring his will to submit to the will of God in everything Mark 26.42 Heb. 10.7 A Christian should take heed least he be giving way to his Heart to steal out now and then to sin and get some sweet Bits thereof between duties There will be a reviveing of old sins if there be not effectual repentance for them and a care by Faith through all Duties and Ordinances to get new strength against them and constant watch kept over them When God makes the World to hot for his People to hold they will let it go A Christian comes not to know the weakness of his Grace till the Spirit ceases to work in and by it nor the power of his Corruption till Satan works therein by his temptation A Christians Flesh should keep from the Shew and his Conscience from the guilt of sin Where sin is not killed it will kill Sin hath no Mother but a mans Heart nor Father but Satan Sin draws the Soul into it either by power or policy by force or by fraud Christians should not give offence carelesly nor take offence causelesly Fear thy Freinds more then thy Foes thy sins more then thy sufferings and liberty more then bondage Some Christians have four Thorns that greive them a Thorn of affliction from God a Thorn of persecution from men and 〈◊〉 Thorn of Temptation from Satan and of corruption in themselves Self loathing destroys self Love much and the more we loath our selves the better we love others When a Christian comes to be as weary of his sins as of his sufferings God will certainly put them to an end One of the cheifest works of the Soul is self exmination and yet a Christian will find himself most backward thereto and soonest weary therein The more a Soul is exercised in spiritual meditation the less with carnal Temptation The more frequent and powerful in private Prayer the more free from and the more potent against corruptions Seasonable and unexpected mercies are very sweet and acceptable It is a common principle in nature that no man can or should judge his Enemy or be judged in his own Cause Slothfulness is the Cradle of sin which the Devil Rocks Christ will be soon sencible of those Saints sufferings that are sencible of their own sins There is no power in the Creatures to do either good or hurt but as God disposeth them for it is God that puts their Sword into their hand Ezek 30.24 Take heed of reproving or upbraiding another in self passion or to provoke his Passion The Lord now shakes his visible Church as a Tree is shaken that the rotten Fruit may fall off Careless hearing makes carnal Hearts and carnal Hearts makes cursed lives He that will be much in self denial must be much in self tryal If we could be contented to be altogether without Christ or with part of Christ we need not suffer persecution When and where wickedness is most then and there the godly should strive to be most godly If Gods People could be diligent at their own work and leave God at his work they need not fear success As the Stars the higher they are the swifter their motion so Christians the more spiritual the more active in the service of God Nothing comes amiss to a godly man but sin What a Preacer does as well as what he speaks is doctrine to the People The cheif end of all Scriptures is to know God and to worship him rightly being known Christians should take heed least God should sue them upon an Action of Waste for wasting time and mispending mercies c. Sence of misery must pr●ceed sence of mercy At the day of death but especially at the day of Judgement a Saint will wish he had sinned less served God better and suffered for him more He is a strong Christian that seeks Gods glory more then his own salvation but no Christian that seeks neither Sin undiscovered or unconsidered becomes sin unrepented There are many that serve themselves of Christ but few that serves Christ for his own sake Gods People have the love of God shewed to and set before them shed in them and sealed to them Let not a Christian leave off his running till he comes to the end of his Race but like the Moon though she be eclipsed yet forsakes not her Orb not discontinues her course at all Be sure to praise God when thou receivest power against Sin and Temptation and you shall be sure to find God ready to give you power another time when you want it Be still imployed in doing good and you shall not be much tempted or troubled with Evil. Some Christians have more trouble from and for Temptation and sin in one day then they have

that I resolve some things I have not power to do This day I learned in the morning three things 1. His coming into the World 2. His walking before and living in this world rightly 3. His departure out of this world also this day in the Evening the Lord shewed me kindness in some degree and I had the consideration of the state to others upon my heart yet I was convinced that I wanted more softness of Heart Though this day was somewhat painful to my body yet I had some refreshing thereon to my Soul for 1. I observed out of Heb. 12.16 Encouragement to suffer also inquiries into Beleive●s building upon the true Foundation from Math. 7.24 withal many comforts from Christs carriage between his Resurrection and Ascention from this day to the 29. I observed not much save that my heart was in an ordinary Frame not much elivated in good nor cast down with evil God moved my heart to praise him for his mercy the night before and indeed it was worthy of praise and I found a very great encouragement in my spirit to the Lord for it this day I received divers Letters from my Freinds in the Country which were very refreshing and the Lord came very seasonable into my Soul through many expressions in Psal 91. It pleased the Lord this day to draw forth and to inlarge my heart much in Prayer with many tears and from the 1. Kings and Ier. 50.20 To comfort me much in respect of the p●●●●n of sin also to consider four Lessons 1. To be think my self more of the sins I had committed 2. To confess th●m more sensibly 3. To turn from them more effectually 4. To look upon it as a work of Christ a it was to the Preists under the Law to cleanse the Sanctuary either the Churches of God of the hearts o● his People 2. Chron. 29.16 This day did God tenderly afflict me in my head yet wonderfully whilst I was at Prayer removed it I perceived it in the midle of Pr●yer departing from me I heard also from Christians in the Country which much refreshed me I observed two comfortable words from Ier. 50.33.34 51.53 For the Church of God and methought according to that Scripture Psal 102.14 I had some pleasure in the Stones and did favour the dust of Z●on and from Hos 8. I observed son Lessons 1. To take heed of leaving to take heed to the Lo d especially in an evil time 2. Of short repentance 3. Of being a Vessel of no delight in Goes sight 4. Of being giving up to sin Being the Lords day I think I may say it was a sweet day to my Soul in ●ivers ●espects This day was good to the outward man but I sound a carnal rickling of self conceitedness in some thing I had done and was doing and I was convinced that my time stole away insensible I observed that the Character of bad profession are out of Hos 10. are 1. To bring forth Fruit unto themselves 2. To have a divided Heart 3. To be worse by affliction 4. To have the evil of evil verse 14. This day I would ever remember because of my great folly in my great frowardness towards my Wife and another my Conscience reproved me for it and I was convinced from Prov. 14.17.29 What evil I did thereby Being a day of Prayer I found my heart by Gods goodness much enlarged sorrowing much for the faults of the former day I learned from Exek 10. Three duties 1. To know the time 2. To redeem it and 3. To consider how soon it may be at an end Being the day my Wife went to W. I found an inclina●ion in me to ●owardness but God restrained it and I found that Evening a continued sence and sorrow of and for my former evil I learned from Eccles 11. 1. That a man should hasten to do what good he can because of the evil that is coming upon the Earth 2. Put away evil from my Flesh This day and night following I was much troubled with temptations out of Eccles 12. I observed many things that should move to mind their mortality and that there is a time when the days will be so evil that they will not be desired also in the 9. 10. it is said twice that the Preacher sought out 1. Matter 2. Words This day I had power to repulse temptation also a consideration that the blessed and righteous man 1. Doth not go in sin presumptuosly 2. Nor continue in sin carelesly nor 3. Give way to sin con●ivingly I also considered that God in affliction doth no more to a Child of his then the Angel did to Peter Acts the 5. Smite him to awake him out of Sleep Being the Lords day I was refreshed in the morning with the presence and spirit of God in Prayer and from the consideration of the wisdome watchfulness and inweariedness of Satan in deceiving and tempting I should learn to be watch ul and careful in keeping from the same The following Week my Book being from me I did not write my observations only I remember that upon the s●atch day I had comforts both by power I had against temptations and from a Letter I had which came from several Freinds in Wales Also the last day of the week I found my heart much intent upon preaching and with tears I did both study my Sermon and pray for a blessing thereon yet had not liberty to preach it Also the following week wherein I was in wards I had not my Book only I remember 1. That I was well contented with my condition 2. Very cheerful and comfortable 3. Had a greater mind to do good 4. Free from temptation 5. Resolved to let the Lord himself bring me out in his time and way 6. When I came out was stird up to praise the Lord yet was not without temptations afterwards Some Lessons that I hope I have learned or gained more experience in since my imprisonment 1. To be more sober and serious in my carriage and to shun and loath more jesting jearing and foolish laughter vain speaking and unbeseeming behaviour 2. To prize secresie or being in secret for private Meditation Self-examination and Prayer more then before 3. I have gained more power against passion and anger besides some other corruptions and more moderation in discoursing with men of differing judgements 4. A very great and earnest desire that there may be a general Union between the Saints of God at least a forbearance towards one and other wherein they cannot agree 5. And especially a Heart really to pray for and to pardon my worst and greatest Persecutors 6. To justifie God willingly and fully in all that he hath done and to acknowledge that it is not without cause nor so much as mine iniquityes have deserved God dealing with me under the Covenant of Grace and as a Father 7. To look more at the good and gain I have received from the Lord in and by sufferings then

and mildly desired Mr. Powel to withdraw and they would consider of it P. Sir sayth he I will but first I crave leave to speak a few words which I humbly leave to your consideration I am though your Countreyman yet a stranger haveing been not above twice before in your County and at this time but one day only and that in tran●i●n I have been taken in my lodging and committed Prisoner without any just ground that hath been yet objected There is neither Sedition Treason nor any other crime laid to my charge the ground specified in my commitment I have already shewed to be a mistake which I have rectifyed All that is pretended against me is that I preached a Sermon in Merthur in this County to a poor willing people against which Sermon there is no exception made and seeing it is so I desire you to consider and seriously to weigh whether you do well to imprison me upon such account especially since there is such a general tolleration at least connivance of such things now throughout the Nation and I my self have found it in divers other places and having heard of the moderation of you Gentlemen of this County I was emboldned so much the more to preach the word of the Lord hoping to have furtherance and no hindrance from you therein I bless God I am not ashamed of what I have done nor afraid of men having looked so many men and Death in the Face so oft and therefore the will of the Lord be done concerning me though I would desire you to consider the words of Christ with the same Judgement ye judge ye shall be judged and be sure as the Apostle saith That he that sheweth judgement without mercy shall find judgement without mercy B. If you think we wrong you you may remove your self by a Habeas Corpus P. Doctor when you have done your worst as you do I must do my best but I wish the Lord may forgive you the inury you do me and others Gentlemen if I have said any thing amiss or provoking being to speak to things suddenly I would desire that that may be no cause of any other proceedings then you intended but look into the true Cause of my sufferings and so he went out The Deputy Lieutenants had some hot discourse before Dinner about it and it was supposed the most part of them were inclining to release the Prisoner but as it seems some false Report was sent out of Monmouth-shire against him concerning some words that the Prisoner should speak a Sermon in that County which being afterwards enquired into was found false and Dr. B. himself said if that Apostate that raised the Report were in his County he would bind him to his good behaviour Yet thot with the earnest instigation of Dr. B. prevailed so far as that when the Prisoner was called again before Sun-set or a little before most of the Gentlemen were moved against the Prisoner some judged because the Dr. misrepresented a Pass●age of the Prisoner mentioned before spoken only to the Dr. viz That when he had done his worst he told them the Prisoner bid them all do their worst which he neither said nor intended it But others supposed that Wine had prevailed so far over some of them as too o● t it doth as to make them now speak for the first and fastest yea at once who had not a word in the Morning to say And thus in a great confusion the Prisoner with threatening words and strict charge given to the Taylor by some he was again remanded and recommited and in his going forth he told them Gentlemen what you have done I submit willingly to being no more troubled at it then at this Hair and so drew one of his Hairs and my Prayer shall be for you that you may find more mercy from ●od then I have found from you But that God that I serve is able to save me This meeting being ended they put the Prisoner under a new Commitment which was drawn before by the Doctor or his Clerk as some saw it in the next Room in a Statute Book Hereupon the Deputie Lieutenants it seems writ a Letter to the Lord Lieutenant Ca●bury to signify what they had done and they received an Answer from him to render them thanks to detain the Prisoner till further order Thereupon in one day viz. 30 th of Octob there were two new Commitments again upon the Prisoner One subscribed by two of the Deputie Lieutenants commanding the Prisoner to be kept in safe custody till furorders from the Deputy Lieutenants of this County who subscribed the Warrant of his ●ommitment at ●owbridge The other Commitment by five to keep him in safe custody till they did receive further orders from their Lord Lieutenant to both these Commitments Dr. B. hand is set both bearing the same date as was said before viz. October 30. 1668. Vpon the 8th day of November 1668. Sir John A. Kt. and Dr. W.B. Esq came to the Angel in C. and sent for Mr. Vavasor Powel to come to them which he did accordingly Dr. B. VVE have received an Order from the Council to tender you the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy Mr. P. Gentlemen if that be your business I pray you let me return to my Prison again for I am committed already and I think it is neither regular nor usual to tender them to a Prisoner you should either before my commitment especially before presentment or indictment against me have done it or upon examination or have convicted and indicted me first and then tendred them and so the Prisoner went towards the door intending to return to the Prison B. Thereupon Dr. B. went between him and the door and said nay stay Sir you shall not be gone and so called for some of the under Officers or Deputies P. Sir though I might have continued in my Prison and not have come hither and may yet choose whetheir I stay or no yet as I was willing to shew that respect to you in coming so to express my readiness to answer any thing that may be objected against me I do not mean to depart without leave B. Come Mr. Powel Will you take the Oaths for we have an Order from some of the Council and my Lord Keeper to tender them to you P. Sir I desire to see your Order Sir J. A. Let him see it B. No he shall not see it P. Sir you may chuse but if you have such an Order it would be civility in you and some satisfaction to me to let me see it B. We might have tendred the Oaths to you at the last meeting P. For it had been more proper for you to have done it before you had committed me then either which was after my first commitment several days then or now But Dr. you have at first dealt very illegally by committing me without cause or colour of cause and so run your self into a Praemunire

happin●●● of a good m n above the wicked that the Lord stands at the right hand of the one and the Devil at the right ha●d of the other Psal 109.31 compare● with the 6. verse This day I was learning that a Christian should endeavour to pe●●orm all his duties 1. more int●rely or with his whole Heart Psal 111.1 119. 2. 2. More delightfully Psal 119.16.53 47 70. Rom. 7.22 3. With more judgement and discretion Psal 112 5. 4. With perseverance Col. 4.2 This morning I was overcome with passion and frowardness which made me enquire into the reason of that and other Corruptions I was observing this that it is a mercy to have the Soul come to its place again after sin but far better not to go out of its place at all this Night I had a very sore and strong Temptation but was through the grace of God supported and strengthened from the consideration of Christ that was tempted who considers those that are tempted also from his Prayer Iohn 17.11 and from those two promises Isa 59.19 James 4.7 I fled to the Lord by Prayer and he delivered me and I trust he also will deliver me Being the Lords day I had my Heart in a reasonable good frame in the morning in Prayer I was observing that God exalteth himself even then when he humbleth himself to look on men Psal 113.6 marg I found my Heart much raised and enlarged in Prayer for Gods work and People had faith therein I observed from Isa 38.17 For Peace I had great Bitterness c. I learned that a Christians condition is murable and therefore he should be contented with his condition what ever it be and whether comfortable or miserable he should look that God may soon alter it and he should not desire to go out of one state into another till he hath gotten good by being in the former 2. That Gods love is not only seen in the removing affliction from us but in afflicting of us also 3. That Gods People should learn to gain assurance and experience by affliction This Evening I was much refreshed in reading Bains upon the Ephes especially one chap. the 1.13 and the 4.30 Concerning the sealing of the Spirit This day I observed the duty and resolution of a sincere Christian viz. to walk before the Lord. Psal 116.9 Gen. 24.40 I was also thinking how necessary it is for a right Christian that desires to walk holily to observe carefully the inward workings of the Spirit of God as also the secret wayes and methods of sin I was convinced also how uneffectual it is for a Christian to promise or resolve any thing in his own strength I learned from David that he oft mentions serving and seeking God with his whole Heart which dutie● I love and would learn more experimentally and practically according to Psal 112.2.10.34.69 This day I was enlarged and somewhat softened in the duty of Prayer several times and convinced what an evil it is in Gods sight 1. To be long under affliction unhumbled and uncleansed Jer. 44.10 Jos 22.17 and especially to sin wittingly and to add sin to sin I was considering of four duties to repent for sin to redeem time to get fuller assurance and to prepare for Christ I was also affected with some news that concerned the People of God This day I was observing that though a true Christian may have a sound Heart and Faith in the word of the Lord yet he may be as a Bottle in the smoak dry and withered yea and fainting and fail●ing for the Lord and his salvation Psal 119.80 81 82 83. I learned this also that disappointment ●n ones expectation causeth dejection and trouble This day having had a long and serious discourse with a knowing Gentleman I observed somewhat more then even I had done before concerning the Image of God and the new man mentioned in Ephes ● 24. Col. 3.10 I had consideration also that Child of God may easily see to the end of or beyond all that the men of the world can do to him I had some inlargedness and softness of Heart in Prayer also I observed several things from 1. Thess 2. I observed the following Lessons 1. That by gaining understanding from and delight in the Statutes and Precepts of the Lord a Christian comes to hate every falce and wicked way Psal 119.97.104 2. To seek to get a Heart inclined alwayes to perform Gods Statutes verse 112. 3. That when a Soul hath an intention to keep Gods Commandements he will abstain from the company of evil doers verse 115. I had great trouble and sorrow in my Heart in the Evening from a Letter I had from a Brother tu●ned Quaker but my Heart was much drawn forth to to pray for him This day being Lords day in the morning I had my Heart drawn forth again to pray earnestly for that Brother and had my Spirit several times somewhat revived this day and among several other things which I observed 1. That a Child of God be altered much in the frame of his Spirit from better to worse as Baruch also Ionah c. 2. That a time of common calamity it will be a mercy for a religious man to have his life as Baruch was p omised to have Jer. 45.5 3. I observing how God may punish a good man in the same kind that he sins as Asa with pain in his Feet a● he had put the Prophet in the Stocks before 2. Chron. 16.10 12 compared 4. Oh what an evil it is in a Christian to sin David was told that he despised the Lord and his Commandement 2 Samuel 12.8.10 5. From Ezek. 10.11 that the Wheels that is either they Angels Saints or the providences of God they followed the head and turned not as they went so should we follow Christ 6. It is observeable that God takes notice of all that is in the minds of men Ezek. 11.5 as well as all the words in their Tongues as the frame of mens Spirits so they think of God for if they be holy and faithful they conceive so of God This day also I found the evil of my Heart to be in one frame when it should be in another as to rejoyce when it should mourn I lost oppertunities this day to serve the Lord by discourses with several sorts of persons especially some that pretend to the Virgin life who mightily sleight Iesus of Nazareth and the Scriptures which made me strongly oppose them and do with them as the Apostle commands 2. Iohn 10. that promise also was sweet unto me Psal 121.3 He will not suffer thy Feet to be moved This day in the Morning and at Noon I had my Heart drawn out and softned more then ordinary in Prayer yet I found my Heart suddenly moved to anger this was in divers sences a day of great kindnes from the Lord I was observing from Hos 12. 1. That fear care and trembling are especial means to keep the

at the time or nature of sufferings 8 To know remember confess and bewaile many sins which I was long ago guilty of 9. To search and find out many weaknesses which I was guilty of in Preaching perticularly levity setting forth Self and natural pa●ts too much 10. To understan● divers Scriptures clearer and better I hope then I did before 11. To withdraw my eyes ear and heart from tempting objects Being the Lords day I was in the morning refreshed p ivately and in the afternoon the Lord was pleased to meet with my condition unexpectedly in two things also I observed the special care of the Church to please Christ and her fear to displease him mentioned three times Cant. 2.7 and 3.5 8.4 This day from Isa 1. God poynted out two things to me 1 To cease from sin cease to do evil verse 16. 2 I will take away all thy ●in ver 25. I also apprehended that the P●ophesy in that 2 chap. is not yet fulfilled compare verse 4.19 21. together and those words in verse the 9 forgive them not c. This day I had a strong conviction of the sin of resisting or neglecting the motions of the spirit and upon a temptation to give way to sinful thinking I found power to side with and imbrace the spirits motions rather then the other I had a Letter from C. R. P. that refreshed me I was observing that when the Lord doth intend to secure a person preserve it he doth sanctifi● purge it that from Isa 4.4.5 ye or when he doth intend to make use of a man 2 Tim. 2.20.21 two other Scriptures I hope were l●●d to my heart 2 Kings 10.9 But J●h● took no heed to walk in the Law of the God of ●s●●el withal h●s heart but espe ially to take heed of sin of trespassing in affliction more against the Lord 2 ●n on ●8 22. two sins I was likewise convinced of ●m●pend ng time and doing nothing extrao dinary for God and having a very streight dry h●●●row● d God his cause people and wayes This d●y ●●ing p●●t of it spent in prayer I found my heart so ●e ●hat affected though often mo●e my soul was v●●y desi●o●s ●o have power over my affections 〈◊〉 I observed from Isa the 5 5. That when God do●h take a●●● me cy he doth the same time give men up ●o judgement b●t in th● 13 verse of that Chap. there S n ●xcellen● promise that when the Lord is exalted the lambs shall feed af er their manner that S● in ●●e Phil. 1.29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ was I get to me i. e. by grace from 〈◊〉 his ●●ke to beleive and s●ffer or on his behal i. e. fo● taking part with Christ ye suffer I was assaulted to the morning with temptations yet after some di●tu●bance had some freedome from them y●● observed a seasonable word from Isa 6.6.7 That as soon as h● Angel had taken the live coal from the Alta● and touched and laid it upon the Prophets mouth declared that his iniquityes were taken aw●y and his sin purged so God can easily and speedil●●●move ●●n from any other Saint This ●●●●ning having some p ovacation I found my ●el●●e●dy p esen ly to be mo●d it 〈…〉 against him that accused ●e 〈…〉 towards my self also too much inclination to self justification suitable also in my course of reading was that Scripture Isa 7.12 where Ahaz thinking at least seemingly to avoid tempting God by asking a signe run into another sin viz. disobedience and Rebellion against God This day I had some full refreshings from the Lord and a fuller sence of things upon my heart then ordinary This was a day of light affliction upon my body of pain in my back which I supposed might have inc●eased and heightned to a heavier distemper but ●he Lo●d removed it by his b●essing upon small means I was d●awn out in my spi it to p●aise God for it ●as also to observe how the profits did take notice how the hand of the Lord was stretched out still Isa 9 12.17 ●0 4 whence I would learn to obs●ve the hand of God in affliction also I took notice of two sore evils in the people under affliction 1. Not to return unto the Lord 2. not to seek him in affliction yet two special promises chap. 10.20.21 That they should stay upon the Lord and return to the mighty God Thi●●ay being the Lords day I had some real breathings of the spirit of the Lord in prayer as I conceived also freedome from temptation and a heart to praise God ●or it in some degree I was taken up with several thoughts which often amuze me 1. Of the word Patience of God 2. of his special love to me rather then others 3. of his infinite wisdome and power in the resurrection of man I had many observations as from Isa 11.3 that Christ a spirit of quick understanding or scent or smell as t is in the margent in the fear of the Lord such a spirit would I have I was also strong●y perswaded that that Chapter was not yet fulfilled also sweet was that word to me Chap. 12.1 Though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest me This morning I was troubled with sinful thoughts and truly there are the sins that trouble me most but I found a hea●t to pray against them earnestly But God brought a most sweet word in a sweet manner to me viz. Ier. 13.19 Thou shalt call me thy father and shall not turn from me also another word in Chap. 5.10 Go up upon her walls but make not a full end ●lso from Isa 14.3 The Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow and from thy fear and from thy hard bondage and in the 30. verse the needy shall lye down in safety Some experiences recorded by him in a sickness he had the 3. of the 3 month 1658. Isay 28.9 The writing of Hezekiah King of Ind. when he had been sick and recoverd of his sickness 1. VVHen the Lord was pleased to visite me upon the suddain so sharply that I thought li e was flying and death seasing upon me God shewed me that all the world and creatures therein were all helpless 2. Looking up to God with a weak faith and in few words the Lo d was pleased to give some ease and releif by mitigating the pain 3. Afterwards when I came towards my designed place God ordered that some professors should meet with me who shewed mercy both in bringing me into a house and giving notice to brethren 4. That when I came to the house in extreamity of pain the Lord did give me some suddain and sweet sleep for 3 houres or more 5. That both upon the way when I was scarce able to stand and in the house when I was thirsty the Lord did enable me to deny my self that I neither sate down on the grass nor drank both which would have