a Soul or Spirit in man that lives though the body dyes and also give you a hint of some of the Priviledges that the Soul enjoys after its separation from the body and then make some improvement Now in the first place I shall let you have some Scriptures to prove that there is a separation betwixt Soul and Body according to the Doctrine and shew some Reasons for it the Scriptures to prove it are these Gen. 35.18 18. Job 34.14 15. to them apply Psal 22.26 Ezek. 12.7 Act. 7.59 60. Luke 16.21 and so much for Scriptures the Reasons follow The first Reason Is from God's Appointment The second Reason From the the very nature of Soul and Body the one Spirit the other Flesh and Dust As it is unnatural for a Spirit naturally to dye so it is as unnatural for dust and flesh for ever to live without being changed from a Natural to a Spiritual as in 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. If it be objected That by this Adam must have dyed if he had not sinned Answer It is a Question that the best cannot answer for there is more ground to believe that if he had not sinned yet his fleshly body must have had a time to have changed because it was dust and so natural and not of the nature of Eternity and to that end do not only mind the Natural Reason but this Scriptural Ground Whatever was a fruit of Sin Christ by his Death freed Saints from but Christ frees no soul from a Natural Death Ergo A Natural Death is not a bare and only fruit of sin if it were every Saint through believing in Christ would be freed from it but none are Ergo c. But this is a dispute amongst the greatest of the Learned and I shall enter no further into it Secondly I shall let you know in what sence the Scripture represents the Soul 1. Sometimes it is taken for the whole man as Gen. 17.14 c. Lev. 5.2 3. and chap. 7.19 2dly It is taken only for fleshly and natural blood and so the common life of man Gen. 46.26 3dly It 's taken for the affection of the soul as first for Love as 1 Sam. 18.1 Secondly for Grief and Sorrow Jer. 13.17 4thly It is taken figuratively for the Stomach Prov. 27.7 5thly It is taken for the breath of a man Jam. 2.26 6thly It is taken for the natural life distinct from the body and also from the soul or spirit of a man 7thly It is taken for that Soul or Spirit which was breathed by God into Adam by which he became a living Soul this is that that never dies And that there is such a Spirit or Soul that never dies I shall give you the Reasons and Scriptures to prove That there is something in a man that is part of man that lives and never dies and that I shall prove from these Scriptures and Reasons following and then shall give a brief Answer to the Scriptures and Reasons of such as are of a contrary mind The first Reason is grounded on Gen. 35.10 we reason thus Had there been nothing to have lived and gone to God it could not have been a departure but a cessation but it is said Her Soul departed and she dyed that is to say her body dyed But had her soul dyed there had been nothing to depart from the body The second Reason is from 1 Kings 17.21 22. And he stretched himself upon the Child three times and cryed unto the Lord and said O Lord my God I pray thee let this Child's soul come in to him again v. 22. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah and the soul of the Child came in to him again and he revived Had the Child's soul been dead the Prophet would not have prayed that it might return to the body but that it might live again But God heard him and returned the soul of the Child and then the body revived Had the soul been dead both must have revived but the one returns the other revives so they were not both in one capacity The third Reason is from Eccles 3.21 Who knoweth the spirit of a man that goeth upward and the spirit the of beast that goeth downward to the Earth The Reason lies clear did the soul of a man dye when the body dies it dyed as a beast but here is a distinction so that there is a difference And where lies it the Text tells you That dust goes to dust but the Spirit to God that gave it so that it is clear that there is a part of a man that departs and lives when the body dyes The fourth Reason is from Mat. 10.28 And fear not them that kill the body but are not able to kill the soul but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell A good ground to prove this for Christ said Fear not them that can kill the body but are not able to kill the soul Now if the soul dyed with the body then he that killed one must of necessity kill the other but Christ saith plainly they may kill the body but not the soul So there is a Soul or part of man that lives though the body dyes The fifth Reason is from Act. 7.59 And they Stoned Stephen calling upon God and saying Lord Jesus receive my Spirit If there had been nothing in Stephen but what was to dye his Prayer had been needless but when his body was to dye he prayes that God would receive his spirit so there was a spirit or soul to depart and be received though the body dyed The sixth Reason is from 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day From whence we reason thus If all in man that is one with man dyed when the body dyes then when the body had on it any part of death or decay all in the body that is its own must be so too but here you see there is something that increases and gets up when the body decreases and goes down The seventh Reason is from 2 Cor. 5.6 8. Therefore we are always confident knowing that whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord and in v. 8. We are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. In which words you may see that there is some part of man which when the body dyes is absent from the body and at that present is present with the Lord now if all in man that is of man did dye with the body then there was nothing to be present with God but you may here see it is and it was that which the Apostle groaned for The Eighth Reason is from Heb. 12.9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverance shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father
of Spirits and live and Mat. 22.31 32. But as touching the Resurrection of the dead have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God saying I Am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob God is not the God of the dead but of the living Now mind the words There you see a great difference between the Father of Spirits and the father of bodies or flesh Now if the Spirit or Soul in this sense were as the body then the fathers of the body or flesh were also Fathers of the Soul or Spirit besides you may see two distinct properties father of the fleshly part and Father of the Spirit or Soul the same is seen in this also Mat. 22.31 32. Now take a few Natural Reasons Reason 1. Without this there can be no Resurrection for though God works by his mighty Power in that yet the Mean is thus The Spirit of the body is that which revives and quickens the body as in all seeds so in this 't is the very Reason the Apostle useth in 1 Cor. 15.38 Now that seed that is cast into the ground if the seed so dyes as that its life and spirit dies it never comes up nor nothing of it but though the body dyes and rots yet if the vertue and life abides it springs up again and receives its own body so here though the power by which 't is done is the Power of God Reas 2. That which at no time in its being desires or stands in need of rest or cessation from motion doth not in its being admit of alteration or cessation as to being but the Soul or Spirit that we minde at no time stands in need of rest or cessation from motion Ergo c. Object The mind cannot alwayes be attentive on one thing but requires alteration Answ Though it doth yet it is not from motion but from one object to another as sometimes from Religion to exercise it self in Physick and from that sometime to Musick and so from one to another to be imployed in something but it never desires or stands in need of a cessation from motion so that though the body sleeps yet even then there is some moving and motion that is kept on foot which tells us there is an unwearied part in man that is of a nature different from the dying part of man Reas 3. Whatsoever is in man not comprehended by man is above and so far beyond man that it is not of that nature that is dying Now this Spirit or Soul of a man that lives in the Mind and is truly the mind of a man is not nor cannot be comprehended by man but the mind of a man reacheth to Heaven when he is upon the Earth and to the uttermost part of the World when the body is but in one part And the minde of man though it may apprehend yet it cannot comprehend it self Now this mind or spirit of the mind is that part that never dies Paul calls this Rom. 7.25 his Mind and Rom. 1.9 he calls that his Spirit which in chap. 7. v. 25. he calls his mind this is that which is in a man and lives when the body dyes Rea. 4. When the body sleeps it is in asence as dead yet at that time there is something in man that is capable of receiving Instruction as in Job 33.15 16. In a Dream in the Visions of the night when deep sleep falleth upon men in slumberings upon the bed then he openeth the ears of men and sealeth their Instruction Now mind did all sleep or cease from motion or a living capacity alike then when one ceases sleeps or dyes all would dye too but you see from thence that there is some part capable of Instruction Ergo. Quest If any should enquire and say Is not this Soul or Spirit something that came from God and is really part of God and so goes to God again Answ No Though it came from God yet it is no part of God If you cast your eye on those words of Christ Mat. 10. 28. you will have an answer 1. Were it God it could not be capable to be cast by God into Hell c. Answ 2. If that in man which is immortal were part of God it needed not to be sanctified but not only the body but the soul and also the spirit stands in need of being sanctified and kept blameless see 1 Thess 5.23 Let me adde one thing more and that is this I mean as to the immortality of the Soul Answ 3. There is nothing in the world that is of a dying nature doth or can satisfy the soul or spirit of a man Now every thing naturally is satisfied with its like Now were the soul of man or all in man of one nature dying contents would satisfie it but it cannot Ergo. I would have you but a little mind the sad consequences that must and doth attend the owning and holding the Soul to be mortal and dye with the body 1st If the Soul be mortal Then as its Nature is so is its Property or Quality and Ability in its movings and natural motions and so it cannot move towards Immortality but quite contrary Now though we do hold That man hath not power savingly to act God-ward and Heaven-ward but by the help of Grace yet we know there is principles in every man to act God-ward and to seek after Immortality even in very Heathens Now were there not somthing of that nature there would be no such enquiries nor movings neither would nay could God judge the Heathens Rom. 2.14 15. by a Law that is in their natures were not this so 2dly As we said before The Resurrection is denied upon the ground before expressed 3dly It naturally tends to make men Epicures see Isa 22.12 4ly It takes off the great expectation of Saints in their longing and groaning for their departure as Paul did 2 Cor. 5.6 8 for what need they groan for a departure if nothing at the departure were to be enjoyed 5ly It denies God to be the Father of Spirits a Prerogative proper to God distinct from men Heb. 12. 6ly It denies that dear and near Affinity and Communion of Spirits which is the Joy of Saints the Rejoycing of Angels Heb. 12.22 23 24. In the next place we would shew you in part what are the Priviledges souls enjoy after they are departed Mind a few of the Priviledges that Saints enjoy when departed from the body 1. They are present with God 2 Cor. 5.8 We are confident I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2. We are by it freed from our House or sad rotten Tabernacle 3. We shall be freed from our Groanings 2 Cor. 5.2 4. For in this we groan earnestly desiring to be cloathed upon with our House which is from Heaven For we that are in this Tabernacle do groan being burthened not for that we would
life in Duties doth not intail to the good of Promises but we are to draw the life of Duties from our Interest in the good of Promises Psal 116.1 Gal. 2.19 Thirdly The want of performance of the Condition through want and weakness is not nor cannot be a just ground to take away or weakâ— our Comforts and Confidence See 2 Sam. 23.5 Psal 89.33 34. Psal 106.45 Isa 43.22 25. c. Isa 54. apply 7 8 9 verses and Ezek. 16.61 c. Fourthly In a word There is no mutations in us that do or can make an alteration in it but what it was it is unalterable in Christ our Lord and King 2 Cor. 1.20 Heb. 8.6 with chap. 6.17 18. c. I shall say no more as to that But shall speak in answer to your desire a word or two what that Peace is that we have by Christ and this Covenant of Grace whether it be a bare Grace or a State Now as to the Peace that Christ purchased for Saints whether it be a bare particular Grace or a State I shall let you know my sence and for that end mind how the word Peace in a Scriptural sence is to be taken Peace in Scripture is taken many wayes As 1. Sometimes it is to be taken naturally as when mens natural constitution is to be Quiet Patient and Peaceable so was Moses accounted a Patient man or a man of Peace 2. It is taken diabolically or devilish As first when men make a League or Covenant with the Devil Hell and Death or Sin as those Isa 28.15 secondly As when men are stupified in sin and so unsensible as Nabal was 3. It s taken spiritually and that these ways first relatively that is when the frame of a Christians heart or behaviour is quiet and peaceable as Rom. 14.19 1 Cor. 7.15 Heb. 12.14 2dly It s taken vertually that is all that Peace which Saints enjoy and receive by and through believing in Christ called Peace of Conscience as in Rom. 5.1 chap. 8.6 c. 3dly It is taken essentially and that peace is not a bare Grace of Peace but it is a state of Peace though it be hard to define yet we shall speak a little of it and give you a description of it sutable to what we find it in Scripture and that is as followth It is a state of Favour and Grace purchased by Christ according to an Agreement and Covenant made between God and Him into which Christ doth instate all his in which state they have a perfect acceptance and are compleat in the sight of God and there they have a friendly Amity and sweet Harmony and full Agreement not only with God and Heaven but also with the Earth and all things therein For the proof of this mind 1. It is not a bare act of Grace but a state of Grace and Favour which shall by and by be proved by Scriptures and grounds from thence 2. That it is procured or purchased by Christ see Dan. 9.24 Zech. 9.11 c. 3. That there was an Agreement or Covenant between God and Christ see Psal 89.3 and 28.34 35. Mal. 2.5 4. That in this state Saints are compleat and perfect in the sight of God see Phil. 5.27 Col. 2.10 John 17.23 24. 5. This peace doth not only relate to God and Heaven but the Earth all things therin as you may see Job 5.23 Hos 2.8 Now that it is a state for the proof of that mind these Considerations wherein you will see that whatsoever was or is proper to a state is to be found there As 1. There is a Governour or Prince of it Isa 9.6 7. 2. It is that in which Saints shall be found of God at the last as in 2 Pet. 3.14 which will not barely admit of peace for us in another nor yet of peace in us but it is a state in which Saints are found at last of God 3. All things that do accompany a state as a state do accompany this as thus 1st There is in it a Govenment Isa 6.7 2dly There are Laws or Rules or Rulings or Leadings Isa 55.12 3ly Declarations or Proclamations go forth from it Isa 52.7 Rom. 10.15 4thly Ambassadors or Messengers belonging to it Isa 33.7 4. If you lay aside all these Particulars and only mind this Reason It must of of necessity be a state because it must be something that is the contrary of what sin by Adam brought souls into Now that was not a bare curse but a cursed state of darkness and death and that sin did bring souls into such a state you may clearly see in Ephes 2.1 23. applyed with the 5 and 6. verses and ver 11 12 13 14 19. the case is clear for the Scripture is clear in the proof of this If so then God's Grace by Christ must of necessity bring souls through believing into a state that is contrary to that state then this peace must needs be a state 5. Consideration If you mind all Prophecies and Promises throughout the holy Scripture you will see this to be a truth We might if I had time make very choice improvements of this truth First Were Saints truly informed of this Truth and did really believe it their comforts would be more sure and firm than now they are Now poor souls so look upon it that what peace is to day is many times gone to morrow and looks upon it sometimes lost by sins and miscarriages and gained again by Repentance and exact Performance and never looks upon this to be a state a standing state the sence of which is to recover souls that are fallen and to spirit souls that grow cold and dead even the sence and consideration that though they fall this state stands and stands with its doors of Grace opened and with its Ambassadors woing and beseeching sad sinners to come in and fallen souls to return into that rich unalterable State purchased by Christ and stands upon the unchangable Foundation of God's Free-Grace and the full and perfect Purchase of Christ our Lord and Prince of Peace Oh! that my soul and the souls of all them that fear God could alwayes believe this Truth this soul-satisfying-Truth this sinner-converting-Truth this fallen-souls-recovering-Truth this Grace-raising Truth This God and Christ-exalting Truth Oh my dear Friends let us study to walk worthy of this unchangable state And there is nothing will so much enable us to walk like it as the true knowledge and beleef of it O believe thou art kept by it as in Phil. 4.7 And when thou fallest look on this standing State believingly thou wilt find it like the Brazen Serpent to heal and restore thy soul To this God and Prince of Peace I leave thee and in that state I love thee and hopes through Grace for ever to live with thee Amen Amen NOw for the satisfaction of some few Friends I shall in the next place set down some of the Scriptures that I can well remember that in my
INNOCENCY Though under a Cloud CLEARED By P. H. a poor Prisoner when almost sunk under pretended Friends Censures in the day of his Sufferings And also A Discovery of the Comforts that attends Innocency in a Prison As also Twenty four Usefull Particulars left by him for his Children and Friends and being left in a Friends hand for his Relations I could not but make them publick judging it will be no loss to the Author and great gain to the Reader and justly give offence to none Prov. 18.17 He that is first in his own Cause seemeth just but his Neighbour cometh and searcheth him Isa 66.5 The Brethren that hated you that cast you out for my Name sake said Let the Lord be glorified but he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed Isa 33.3 At the noise of the Tumult the People fled at the lifting up of thy self the Nations were scattered London Printed in the Year 1664. To the Reader IN all Ages Duties of Love to the Zion of God from them that have been able and faithful hath and will be truly imbraced by every Son and Daughter of God as useful profitable and necessary And I having the perusal of many of the Author's Papers finding this little Piece amongst them judged it worthy a conveyance into the world finding in it such glorious breakings-forth of Divine and Heavenly-Light I do not in the least question its acceptance of every truly gracious Heart who loveth Truth for Truth 's sake And Reader thou art here presented with the living Experiences of a poor Prisoner for Christ who at this day lies under very hard and sad Sufferings one who hath in former years been very useful in his Generation in the Work of God and also hath been an Instrument to bring in and to bring up many Spiritual Children to God And thou mayest see by this little Piece that his heart and soul is yet alive to the Work of his God That notwithstanding his Sufferings from the Common Enemies on the one hand and Pretended Friends on the other by their foul filthy and lying Reproaches and false Censures which God I am confident will in his due time 〈◊〉 away and then shall those false Accusers blush for shame True it is the Author might have 〈◊〉 more useful had it not been to the spirit of Envy which is riseâ— up against him in pretended Friends and open Enemies without any just occasion given on his part The dear Lord pardon them in their irregular proceedings with him and others I do verily believe to see the day wherein God will make him as useful to Saints as ever in Goâ—â— work I mean the Work of the Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ then shall his Innocency be as the Sun at Noon and this Candle shall again be lighted to the amazement of his Adversaries and they will blush that have shâ—â— at the Innocent without acâ—use In the mean time let not â—he ill favour of dirty spirits hinder thee from imbraceing this clean piece of Truth held forth to thee The Phrases are clear the Matter sutable as to the day wherein we live that though I were silent the Book it self would speak enough for its acceptance Now all my desire is that it may be of use to thy souls health and prosperity of the inward-man And that it may be so by Heaven's blessing give me leave to give a few words of advice 1. Do not take that with the left hand of prejudice that is offered to thee with the right hand of true sincerity and singleness of heart Endeavour therefore to put a candid and fair construction as in charity thou are bound on his endeavour who hath nothing more in his eye than God's glory and the good of souls 2. Beg the leading of God's dear Spirit which alone searcheth and discovereth the things of God to the Children of men 1 Cor. 2.10 and so on Oh it 's this Spirit that can unriddle the Divine Mysteries of the Gospel Never think to reade this Piece in the worlds wisdom for if thou dost it will contribute very little to thy satisfaction but rather occasion thee to stumble at the things written 1 Cor. 1.18 and so on to ver 26. See 1 Cor. 2.14 3. Be not offended at the short and brief passages through some particulars treated of in it 4. Consider all the Scriptures and Arguments to prove any one point I say weigh them altogether and not apart one from the other for if there be but two or three Texts or Arguments amongst five or ten to prove the truth of any one point that are substantial and to the purpose it is sufficient though the rest are not so strong or of equal strength 5. Take heed of a heart rising in pride for it is the humble ones the Lord stands engaged by promise to teach Psa 25.9 Jam. 4.6 6. And lastly Beg Heavens blessing in thy reading of it and then I question not but it will be of much benefit to thee Thus having premised these few things I shall forbear to trouble thee any further only begging the Father of Mercies and God of all Consolation to make this following Piece effectuall to the enriching thy soul in the Divine Mysteries of God and a bringing thy heart to a real imbracing of these blessed Truths of God unfolded in it and to the accomplishment of all the good ends for the which it is intended shall be the constant prayer of him who begs the Exaltation of God's Glory and Saints Happiness above all things R. E. To the READER THis ensuing Treatise being by the Author left in a Friends hand at his Removal and it coming to the view of some that it hath been useful to they thought it worthy to be put in print for a more publick benefit being perswaded it will prove so to them that can without prejudice read and consider of it 'T is true there have been so many Censures cast upon him by them that profess to fear God that it may make many who search no further but believe Reports coming out of such mouths that they think dare not lie to believe all is as they say it is but he that knoweth all things will one day justifie him before Men Angels and Devils And his Innocency would appear in some things already did persons believe the sad sufferings he is still in though censured to be there but under a cover to betray some in those parts but prove not what they say or have said and yet they have from one time to another promised to do it by which means his Name hath been murdered the Name of Christ wounded and many a poor heart grieved that knows and hath found it so though others cannot or will not yet see it but it hath been no small comfort unto him and some that love him for what they know is of Christ in him to consider that the most precious People of God of old
were led in that path as Job how deep did he drink of that cup and that by them that pretended most high for God and seemed most zealous against sin And Paul David and others nay our blessed Lord Jesus that pure and spotless Lamb that did nothing but good how was he reviled reproached scorned and almost every action though it was never so much for their good was turned by them as a charge against him and it was not only by the rude mutitude but they that professed to walk closest to God's Will and were in his outward Institutions So it 's no wonder that such in this day deal so with his Servants that desire to follow him according to his Will as blessed be God this poor man doth though it 's like he may not in all things walk up to mens customs that in this day is very much a rule of peoples consciences but according to the just Law of God to whom he can with Job and David appeal for Justification it 's He that searcheth all hearts and knoweth all actions and nothing can be hid from his eyes by all the covers that imitations performances and applause of men can make and put on any to make them appear holy nor yet clouded by all the Censures that can be cast on the sincere but will judge righteously and render to every one according to their deeds but it s no strange thing that these last dayes bring forth such deceitful dealings by them called Brethren for it was foretold by the blessed Scripture that must be fulfilled every jot and tittle of it And being it is so we ought not to be too confident of the truth of a Reports because the Reporter may have fame among some men but let us search and see whether it be so or no and not condemn any man before we hear his cause for that is so far below a Christ-like Spirit that the Romans Law doth not admit of such a thing therefore let all that look on themselves to be Saints that may come to reade this little Piece be warned to take care that they hear the Accused as well as the Accuser and weigh things man equal ballance before they pass sentence lest by rash judging they come under reproof by the justness of the Romans Law And in reading let not thy eye be upon that dirt which is though unjustly cast upon him if so thou art like to reap but little benefit by it for God doth use to answer persons according to the Idols and Imaginations of their hearts but if thy soul be willing to imbrace Truth for the sake of the Father of Truth without respect or disrespect to any mans person I question not but what is here presented to thee by a poor suffering censured Prisoner may be found by thee worth the treasuring up in the Cabinet of thy Experiences and in a day of straits it may prove of great advantage to thee as blessed be God I can say it hath done to my soul and that not only in point of comfort but in finding out many deceits that attend poor souls in this world and in the may they may think leads only to Heaven and it will be enough for those souls that through all the deceits censures and sufferings that attend them in this life that do but arrive at that Haven of Rest where is nothing but a living in unity to all Eternity which will make amends for all their sorrows though never so great But were the Author of this Book as he is rendred I think it should be the work of those that revile him were they what they profess to be rather to pity and pray for him and endeavour his Restoration than to do as they do and have done by him for the punishment due to what they charge on him will be so great that any truly gracious heart can do no other but pity one that is like to undergo it and not envy any happiness that he hath in this world nor do what they can to deprive him of it as some have done by him but I shall say no more to that nor no longer detain thee from what followeth but leave thee to the guidance of the Spirit of Truth and if thou and I do but so walk that we may be justified by God t is no great matter what men judge of us which is and shall be the desire of thy Friend that loves all but desireth to delight in none but for their likeness to Christ Jesus Thine in Him H. F. To the AUTHOR and READER REnowned be they Name worthy of Praise And may it last the longest length of dayes And Praises to the Lord who only gives That Grace whereby thy soul in fuffering lives By which true Grace thy Spirit higher climes Than all Aspersions falsifying crimes Nor can they take that Honour from thy head If Christians truly understand and reade Who reads will find thy heart is not departed From Grace if weighing th' Truth herein asserted Which Demonstrations from thy suffering soul To all Accusers gives a grand Controul Come forth Aspersion Truth doth give a Challenge Thou canst not hold in such a weighty ballance It 's to no purpose let Revilings cease Who seeks his shame will make their own increase Nothing drops from his mouth and contemplation But what 's by ev'ry soul worth acceptation His words are sav'ry speaking prudently His nature's kind full of humility Worthy of prizing All his works are tending To good His actions alwayes well ascending Who can but own his Offering and Oblation Touching his Work done in his Generation To whom be given for his industrous pains All Preservation where true Grace remains With Grace to undergo his Firy Tryals To see the end of pouring forth the Viols And also of all Powers that are infernal And that exalt'd which only is Eternal I take my leave God's Blessing thee attend From him who cannot cease to be thy Friend R. J. To all that in Truth fear the Lord and are faithful Followers of the Lamb or any other that shall reade what I have in this time of my Imprisonment writ BEloved it is below a Natural Noble Spirit much more below Grace to stumble or startle at that which must be and what is daily looked for And lest my weakness in that matter may uphold others in that way and work I shall forbear to enumerate my unheard-of Sufferings and Censures and how much my heart though innocent was brought down by it lest it may be an occasion of some weak ones stumbling at the Truth It is the duty of all and every one of Gods People especially in this day to be a bearer of burdens but not a layer on of burdens upon others and in this to do it in uprightness without deceit There is much deceit attends the Truth that if Souls that walk in the profession of the Truth be not careful to watch they may as many do imbrace that
for Truth that is but an imitation and likeness and not the Truth it self That souls may have a little help in this work could not but lend my small mite of Experience and write down in this day of my Restraint what Experience I have had of the Deceits that attend God's dear Appointments through mens mistakes and also the Deceits that attend Prayer and Sorrow for Sin or at least so pretended and the Deceit in Love and that grand Deceit that attends Souls in Duty calling the heat and warmness and elivations they gain from thence Experiences and Refreshments from Presence These and many more hath my soul met with in my day which for the help of others I have as I said before asserted in this day of my Restraint Though my beloved Friends if any such reade this I must tell you that I am sensible although this time of my Imprisonment be a season fit for this service upon my account yet by reason of that Cloud that 's cast upon me out of pretended ends to bring honour to God And how much dirt is not onely by them cast in my face but in the face of all that shew tenderness and love to me so that it 's a bad season for sure I cannot expect but that even what I have here writ shall meet with many repulses and little acceptance therefore I wish it might have come from some other hands than mine being willing to suffer any thing so the Truth may be at liberty and not suffer for my sake But yet sure some sons of Truth will imbrace the Truth for the Truths sake to them I principally recommend this And I have set down some of those dear refreshing Upholds I have enjoyed from God since I came into this Prison that others may through the knowledge of Prison-mercies learn not to fear a Prison O my Friends a Prison is not to be feared if we suffer not as evil-doers and do but enjoy God there for Gods Presence makes a Prison a Palace None knows the worth power and riches of Presence till it be enjoyed and when enjoyed the less of creature-comforts attend it and the more of sufferings and crosses accompany it the more glorious and sweet it is Now my dear Friends I beg of you in reading what by me is here writ To let your eyes be off from the dirt which is though unjustly cast upon me when you reade any of Gods Love and Beauty and let not the Clouds that lie on me hinder you from searching and imbracing what is here asserted in faithfulness and love for your service That you may by others mistakes learn to stand fast and to keep close to God to Christ and to his Truth following of the Lamb in this latter day with that Love Faith and Patience that the Day and Work of the Day calls for That you may be so I commend you and my own soul to God and the Word of his Grace and remain Yours in that Love of which Christ is the Life P. H. A TABLE of the Particulars that in this Book I have spoken to 1. THe first is to shew the Condition I was in when I first came into Prison and how God did meet me and support me and from what Scriptures God did hand out Comfort to me when I came in first and the particular Censures that were cast upon me Page 1. to 12 2. The second general head is the gain and advantages Saints reap by Sufferings which was by the Lord shewed me from Matth. 16.25 laid down in nine particulars Page 9 to 12 3. Grounds why Saints have no cause to fear Suffering for Christ and his Cause pag. 14-16 4. When men are said to suffer and yet not truly suffering as Saints And when and who are true Sufferers with the Grounds for Saints to suffer rather than to save themselves by accusing others p. 17-20 5. The movings of my going beyond Sea and the cause of my Return inserting the sad Scandals that were cast upon me with my Answers to them p. 21 22 6. Is eight Queries relating to the primitive Appointments of our Lord whether they are now as then to be enjoyed p. 23-27 7. Is five Queries as to the spirits and principles of men in this day whether they are fit to meet God in his dear Appointments yea or no and the sad evil improvements some made of these Queries and my Grounds why I did propound them p. 27-29 8. The Character of a Covetous-minded Rich-man in five particulars with the Description of a covetous mind in poor men in four particulars p. 31-33 9. Several useful Observations for all that fear God and in particular to my Children both as to the nature of Prayer and resisting Sin and the deceit of false-love and the properties of true Love and who they are that are to be loved and what Love is p. 34-46 10. Directions for my Children how to love and who to trust and with what Prudence they should behave themselves in the world p. 49 50 11. What deceit there is in Mourners or in Mourning though it may seem to be for Sin with the true properties of a true Mourner p. 50 51 12. A Discovery of false Joy and Peace and listings up from heat of Duties and Eloquence c. and not from Presence p. 52-55 13. The true signs of a souls enjoying the promised Spirit and they are ten in number p. 55 56 14. How a soul may know when God withdraws whether it be only the Dissertion that is proper to Saints or finally forsaking p. 57 58 15. A Discovery of the sad Deceits that attend Conversion what they are and who they are that are deceived and that in seven Soul-destroying Deceits are laid down p. 58-60 16. Some Deceits that attend men and women in their external Walking or Worship p. 60 61 17. Is an Answer to a Christian Friends Letter as to four things 1. The heads of what I did deliver from John 3.16 About God's Love in giving Christ 2. Was to prove the Soul immortal 3. Whether the Peace that was purchased by Christ be a particular Grace or a state 4. Is the difference between the two Covenants viz. the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace p. 62-104 18. Is fifty one Texts of Scripture that I formerly spoke from with the Doctrine that was observed and my Grounds why I did insert such a Breviate of them in this Book p. 105-116 19. Is to shew a way to prove there is a God without making use of the blessed Scriptures in Answer to some Atheists p. 117 125 20. Is an Answer to another Letter in Answer to three Questions 1. How to answer the Roman Catholicks in point of Transubstantiation 2. How to prove to the Jews and that unanswerably that Christ is come And 3. how many wayes the word Gospel is taken and what is in truth the Gospel p. 126-132 21. I have inserted one of the Hymns I made
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
Primitive Purity and Order after her be-wildered state If so as it doth appear by the words then 't is to be queried First Whether the visible Glory Purity and Order of the Church was not obscure and lay hid for some season before If so When and what that season was or is Query 5. was from Rev. 11.2 This action of God's to measure any place or state imports one of these two things either a destroying as in 2 Sam. 8.2 Hab. 3.6 or it imports a renewing or restoring as in Jer. 31. 39. Ezek. 40.3 4 5. chap. 43.10 Now my first Query is Whether the Temple or Temple-Worship be here under measuring in order to destroy or to restore Then I query further Whether or no when the Temple or Temple-Work is under measureing in either sence it be then in a capacity to be injoyed or practised yea or no Query 6. was Whether the bare restoring of the Knowledge with Conviction on the Judgment of Men of the Truth of the Gosple-Order or Ordinances be sufficient to authorize any to be Administrators or imbrace the Administrations without the same Power and Spirit that at first did attend them and fit souls for them yea or no Query 7. was Whether the restoring or injoying so many or so much of the Primitive Order or Ordinances that Men as Men may do with natural parts or imitating-grace and not the Order or Ordinances that had their immediate dependance upon Gods Power Spirit and Presence be that promised restoring of Zions Primitive Purity which Saints pray for and wait for nay that which so many glorious Promises point at yea or no Query 8. is If the Ordinances that Saints now injoy in the Order they injoy them be the same Orders or Ordinances and Institutions that were in the Primitive times Then what is that Primitive Restoring of Zions Power and Purity we dayly wait and pray for The other were Queries upon the Spirits and Principles by which some imbrace God's Appointments in this day 1. Query Is from the Consideration that God's Work in this latter day is an overturning Work as in Ezek. 21.27 by which great mutations must be made in and among men and things as the only way to usher in that that there is intended then my Query is VVhether such Principles and Spirits which gives men liberty to change with the times and turn with turns to save themselves and interest be a Principle or Spirit or frame of heart that is a fruit of God's Latter-day-Promises or such a Principle or Spirit that is fit to meet God in his Appointments or follow him in Latter-day-VVork yea or nay 2. Query Is from the words of Paul in 2 Tim. 3.5 where the Apostle tells us of the evil Properties of Men in the latter dayes and as to Professors he says they imbrace the Form but they deny the Power from such turn away my Query is If Men in the imbracing God's Ordinances or Appointments do only separate from the worlds and publik gross wayes yet live in their old nature and answer their constitutions in Covetousness Anger and Pride c. and there abide without growing into a New Life as to change of natural constitution and custom crying up the Temple of God or the VVayes of God and there they differ from others but else no difference Quest Is not this an imbracing the Form without Power and so opposive if not an actual denying the Power If not Where among men in this latter day is there any that do so seeing the Form imbraced is a Form of Godliness and the Power wanting is the Power of that Godliness 3. Query Whether that Spirit or Principle in Men that cannot bear or abide to be questioned or tryed but if it be it will be so far from lying down in patience as that it will rather fear men and their names who so try or question whether this I say is or can be the property of the Spirit that 's promised to be given forth in the latter day seeing in all the Prophets in their prophesying of the Ppoperties of that Spirit set it forth to be a quiet Spirit c. as you may see in Isa 11.6 7 8 9. chap. 65.25 c 4. Query Whether that Principle or Spirit which doth and can only know and own Grace in men and women as they are one with them in the external Profession and Form and as they come up to them there in heighth length and breadth so far they can and do own men or women to be Saints or gratious but out of that though never so eminent they cannot give them their hand or heart in the Fellowship Love and delightful owning as Grace in all calls for Whether or no I say is this the Proprety of true Grace or that Spirit that 's promised to be given down to men in the latter day and especially seeing that the Spirit of God and Christ is like God and Christ knows his own Grace wheresoever it be and so did the Spirit in the Saints in the Primitive Times and did then not know nor own men after external appearances but according to internal Graces even as Christ 2 Cor. 5.16 17. and Christ himself so knows and owns men Heb. 2.11 Query 5. was from the consideration that where Grace and the Spirit is either of old promised or prophesied of or injoyed as in the Primitive Time or to be injoyed in the latter day wheresoever it is spoken of it 's declared as the true Property of the Spirit to carry on moral Duties as well and as much as instituted Appointments or Worship as you may see in these Scriptures Micah 6.8 Mat 22.37 38. Jam. 1.26 27. If so What shall we judge of such who are forward to profess and practise instituted Worship beyond others and yet as to Morality as to Justice and Righteousness not only as to God but between man and man are more backward than others and in seven years progress in the one yet not one of alteration in the other Is there I say ground to believe they have the promised Spirit fit to imbrace Gospel-Appointments yea or no These Queries may by some be lookt upon weak and simple and not convenient to be here inserted to such I answer I do it upon this account They being Queries that I did in tenderness at some time propound to be satisfied in them I did not affirm this or that from them but some were pleased to run up and down and from thence affirm That I did deny Churches and God's Appointments and it coming out of the mouths of Professors it goes as alwayes it doth for truth and this was the ground of that Report though God knowes I never prized Scripture and God's Appointments more nor so much in all my life only as I said before It is not Service but a Sin to carry on Kingdom-Work Without before God carries it on Within and so imbrace the Form before the Spirit or Power
heat and lifting up must be from presence and yet sometimes this heat joy and liftings up may only arise from the unity of Light and Life for do but mind how Peace doth arise from a bare union of Light and Life if the Liâ—â—â— be but one with the Light and doth not crâ—â—â— it that soul must needs have peace thouâ—â— the Light may be but a deceivable Light 〈◊〉 if the Life cross it not Peace is maintained and many times such souls in such condiâ—â—ons do conclude that their joy and peace from Presence Therefore it doth concus to know the Truth or Deceit of such Jâ—â—â— Peace Confidence and liftings up you 〈◊〉 see the Truth and also the Deceits in what follows As 1. When the increase of Confidence and Comfort doth not crucifie or mortifie sin but leaves the soul or gives the soul as little power against sin as when it first found it unless it be restraint of sin not mortification 2. When the joy and comfort they in joy â—â—â—y it doth not increase more care in their â—atch but the heart growes higher and looâ—er to that work both which you will see by â—â—e difference Christ makes between the â—eart the Devil is cast out of and that the â—evil went out of Mat. 12.43 44 45. 3. When their peace and comfort by it â—â—n and doth allow of private sins and both â—â—â—n subsist and stand together and if at any â—â—e there be any trouble for such sins a litâ—â—â— sorrow with some performance of duties 〈◊〉 lick it whole will end it without fresh â—â—plication of Jesus Christ when as anoâ—â—er heart cannot after so sinning have any â—ace but from a true manifestation of God's â—â—ve in him Psal 51.8 9. Job 34.29 4. When the sence of propriety in God â—â—kes them high and confident in mercies in â—â—es of prosperity but in crosses or time of â—ress their confidence comfort strength â—â—es Prov. 24.10 5. When the soul only takes comfort from or rejoyces in that part of Gods Word which speaks out comfort but not in that which crosses corruption and requires duty Now a true Joy Comfort and Confidence arising from a true sence and sight of propriety in God makes the soul to love and delight in each and all God's Words as well one as the other See Psal 119.57 70 72 77 97. Apply 114. with 127 128 167. 6. If it be true such a soul is made ablâ— by it to distinguish between the comfortâ— that flow from Presence and that which flowâ— from other things though it have an angelical stamp upon it Do but see and apply Exod. 33.23 with 13 14 15. and chap. 34.9 And so David 7. All false Joy and Comfort begins at wrong end as thus all that Joy and Comfort ariseth from sence and 't is sence onlâ— that gives light But true Joy and Comforâ— ariseth from sight and that sight begeâ—sence So Moses Exod. 33.15 16. So Dâ—vid Psal 116.10 and 43.5 That Chriâ—â— intends John 10.4 5. A stranger they will 〈◊〉 hear 8. False Comforts and Joy will triumâ— over unseen sufferings but when seen aâ—â— felt it fails and falls But true Joy Coâ—fort and Confidence from fight of Presencâ— is most weighty and serious and chearfuâ— when suffering for God is seen and felt Sâ—â— David and the three Children and Daniel â—nd Paul and those in Acts 5. ult Rom. 5.1 〈◊〉 c. Now because some have with their false â—iftings up great gifts and parts and so not â—o easiely discovered I will add a few more to â—o these 9. Though they may be imployed in hearâ—ng or declaring such and such Truths yet do not in themselves savour what is said or what they say or declare See John 6.60 10. What ever such have that looks like â—ife yet it lasteth not long but is in a decliâ—ing posture like Ephraim Hos 7.8 9. and Mat. 13.20 21. 11. It 's more troubled at negatives than â—or want of affirmatives that is to say it 's â—roubled sometimes at things that are contraâ—y to life but seldom or never troubled for â—he want of life like the Pharises Luke 4. â— 39 40. So much to this particular In the next place I would lay down some â—rue signes or discoveries whether or no we â—ave the true promised Spirit the Scripture â—peaks of and they are as followeth 1. That heart that is truly inriched with â—he Spirit of God is very chearfully carried â—ut to comply and close with God in all its â—â—ence and sufferings as Job Job 1.31 â—hap 40.5 43.5 So David 2. That heart by it is made capable to distinguish and know God or Christ's Call from all false calls or discoveries though in a night-season See Cant. 5.3 4. 3. To such a heart Presence is alwayes pretious but most pretious when it gives most power against sin Psal 40.1 2 c. 4. It enjoys nothing in its own account livingly and lovingly but when it enjoys Presence clearly Psal 73.25 26. 5. It fears no dammage nor danger when sin is from it and Presence is with it Psal 23.4 27.1 and 112.7 6. It makes the heart to make sweet applications of God's Love in and from the bitterest lashes and out of darkness applications of Light See Micah 7.8 see David 1 Sam. 30.6 2 Sam. 15.24 25. 7. It 's that which leads the Soul not only to but into the Spirit and Life of all Truth John 16.23 imitating-light life and grace only leads to but not into any truth 8. It never gives the soul a fresh view of Christ but it gives the soul a renewed participation of what is communicable by Christ John 16.13 14. 2 Cor. 3. ult 9. It never brings the soul sensible comforts but it livingly sets the soul at liberty not only to live and to love God but it transforms the heart into the Glory of what it injoys or beholds 2 Cor. 3.17 18. 10. That heart that is truly inriched with it it cannot live without it and if without it it is as a body without a soul and mind this that when that lies hid all comforts on this side God cannot make it live till it returns Job 34.29 There is many more but I do but hint at them and that by which God hath in measure satisfied my sould with If any shall object and say that they have felt these or most of these but they are so often eclipsed that they fear it cannot be right and they are often fearful that they had only a sight and taste of it and that God hath finally forsaken the soul I shall only let you know what hath been a comfort to my soul and is a testimony that it 's only Gods hiding his face and not a final forsaking Mind these things 1. If the soul be finally forsaken that soul is willing to be forsaken and not troubled at it but rather rejoyces in it 2. If finally forsaken there is an evil spirit presently possesses it as in Saul 3.
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
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
5thly Wheresoever I did or do live it hath been and is my desire to be doing any service or office of love for any and to be bound up from that is death to my very natural disposition But as the case stands with me under this sort of suffering by professing friends whatever I do is converted to evil improvements as witness since I came into this place though I had no allowance yet by the solicitation of a Kinsman â—n Order was procured for my walking sometimes iâ— the Tower with my Keeper I being sickly Prâ—sently these People gave it forth that I had Liberty to do what go where I would so affirmed it as an evidence that my being here was but a cover and yet having this liberty I could 〈◊〉 but improve it to do any service of love for 〈◊〉 of the Prisoners that were in want or sick and that not to my pain but loss as is well knower although not weâ—abâ—â— to bear it yet did takâ— great delight in it when they that did and dâ— carry on this Reproach against me saw it they daily sent in Messages and Messengers to those Prisoners To take care of me and to have nothing to do with me as they told me themselves And so though I see some in want of that Help which I can afford and do delight in the doing of it the Lord knows yet I must forbear doing of it or else in doing I must have my ears filled with such sad sinful Reproaches the sence of which â—ends not only to break my heart but bind up my bands from doing that which is life for me to do 〈◊〉 I am not only made sensible of these 〈◊〉 dangers but senbsile of this present day that 〈◊〉 the time the Scriptures of Truth have to 〈…〉 at Brethren shall betray Brethren a◠〈…〉 â—â—port and we will report Jeâ—◠〈◊〉 〈…〉 Division now is not so much in Pâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 â—ut it 's as much and more in Spirit and 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ple that to unite must be alone the Work 〈◊〉 Almighty God and that in an admirable 〈◊〉 But before this uniting there must and 〈◊〉 be a great of dividing and breaking And beâ—â—â—â— the promised Gathering there will be a greater Scattering in answer to what the Promises and Prophecies in the Scripture hold forth but I shall not enter into that lest I become a new object of somes Reproach but the sence of what I see makes me sensible that it is beyound the art and power of man to turn this stream and should it be by them turned out of one channel into another the Currant will be the same till the promised Power brings the matter into a new Model Till which I heartily wish That all the Sons of Sion would sit still and lie at rest in the Will of God And for my own part I am made so uncapable by these sad Reproaches to help forward the Work of Union that I am made a Cover for the dividing Spirit and to see the present Distractions and the unavoidable Ruine my soul is not able to bear it I had rather if my Father see it good to be enriched with a Jeremiah's frame of spirit to weep alone and to be as a Pelican in the Wilderness mourning away my dayes but in this as in all things I am at the Lords dispose And let him order them to dispose of me as they please So thy pleasure be done O Lord into whose hands I commit my Life and recommend all my Relations and those endeared Friends that faithfully fear thee Amen Amen P. H. A Letter from a Friend Dear Friend I Have heard of your Sufferings and Censures and have by the hand of some Faithful Friends seen something of your Vindication the truth of which I believed before I saw it Only in faithfulness I cannot but tell you that besides what is publickly reported there is something else that is some trouble to some that dearly love you and that is your appearance to withdraw your Affections from some of your Old Friends and your too much love to others which I pray you let me for my satisfaction before I go into the Country have an answer to and not only for my own satisfaction but also to enable me to satisfie any where I come I shall and do daily pray for and sympathize with you as a man of Sorrows for so you are But hoping you will not be troubled at my request I remain Sir yours in the Faith and Patience of Jesus E. D. March the 10. 1663. The Answer My Choice Friend YOurs I received and do rejoyce to see so much of Christian â—eâ—derness towards me and to the Name of Christ it is more than thousands have done that readily believe and readily report but never came to inform or to reform And as to what you say I have heard the same but if you will as candidly hear and consider as you have candidly writ I think you will be satisfied Now that I have forsaken my Old Friends it is in a measure true and I must needs forsake them that will not come near me nor suffer me to come near them and have been and are the chief Instruments in wounding my name and Christ's Name through me and will neither come near me nor suffer others to come but will cast dirt in their faces and must go with it abroad if they shew me any countenance or do me any service this is publickly known and by some felt Now consider and put your self in my condition to forsake where and with whom I am forsaken is no just crime the Righteous God will so judge and my tears for that will witness my Innocency before him to 〈…〉 leave my Cause And as for my too much love or too great to some which is so sadly censure 〈◊〉 answer and that in faithfulness before the Loâ—â— There were so few that did or still do either faithfully love me and in my state and straits faithfully tender or sympathize with me that where I did or do find it I am even overcome with it and t is with me towards them as it was with David's love to Jonathan for sure it was Jonathans sympathizing love which begat that endearedness between them and made them as one soul so it was and is with me 'T is true at first in my sad and unheard-of Sufferings and Censures I looked about me and saw as David did Psal 142.4 and then I was too ready to embrace love and shew love to some whose Principles I could not own when I came to see them but til then I fear I shewed too much love because they appeared to pitty me in my sad trials but God knows I was soon made sensible of that and if I sinned it was there and it hath cost me many tears For I desire to own none but such who live truly in the Life of that Love which lives in Jesus But as for that little Remnant whose soul did and still doth truly sympathize with me and with Tears and Prayers wait at God's Throne for me and for their love to me are Hated and Reproached for my sake I have not nor do not repent of my loving them and had I ten times more than I have it should freely go to reward them for their service and sufferings for me after my Relations were provided for and all is too little my Life cannot answer their love And I know God will not reprove it for as for their Innocency God knows and I know in their love to my soul and body This is a true account of my condition and Affections in this matter So desiring God may keep me and you and all that fear Him faithful owning God's Judging more than mans Censuring walking so that we my render up our Account with joy I Remain Sir Yours in the Truth Tribulation and Travel of Christ Jesus P. H. FINIS
well in all states and straits beleive what God saith and consider and reason with thy soul thus Do I want this or that well did God give me his Son the greater and will he withhold the lesser No no. Now mind some Particulars As 1. We may from this be certain of God's Satisfaction by Christ for all Sin for sure God would never have done this had or could there have been a Dis-satisfaction to have over-ballanced his Satisfaction Mind these Scriptures Mat. 13.11 c. Ephes 5.27 O see Heb. 10.10 12 14 17 verses and you will see this made clear 2. To assure us of the certainty of poor Souls Salvation Rom. 5.10 it is there fully asserted from this foundation 3. To assure us That there is no Enemy left unconquered for had any thing been too strong for God this work could not have been accomplished but nothing could nor was too strong for God neither Sin as Rom. 7. nor Law nor Death nor World nor Devil and if so look upon and encounter with all these as conquered before you encounter 4. It 's to assure us That the Foundation of Salvation is more sure than to stand upon such a weak changeable foundation as our duties or goodness is It 's done only and singly by God and the Foundation is as sure as he is 't is alone his rich Love and unchangeable Grace in Christ See the Text c. 5. 'T is to assure us and that with all clearness That God's Love to the worst of Sinners is as great as to Jesus Christ Seeing all this God gave up Christ to was to accomplish not his but their good see John 17.23 24 26.1 Tim. 13.14 O what Comfort is here to a poor soul consider what dear what rich what delightful Love was there and is there in God for Christ and what will this Love carry God to do for Christ do but mind it and then consider that that Love the same Love with all its Riches with all its Strength with all its movings is in the heart of God for me O soul lye down and admire this Love 6. To assure us That as God's Love was not caused by us nor moved or brought forth from any cause in us so it cannot be changed or destroyed by us certainly if Sins foreseen would not nor could not keep God from giving Christ sure when they are brought forth they cannot turn God and Christ from loving of us 7. To assure us in way of Comfort That the whole and full and sole work of suffering for Sin and satisfying of Justice for Sin is done by Christ so that what sorrows and sufferings do attend Saints there is no such end produced by it as to satisfie unsatisfied Justice but all that befals Saints are Fruits of Love to put away Sin Isa 26.9 and to give down more Grace Rom. 5 c. 8. It is furthermore to assure us and that of Certainty from all that hath been said That there is a willingness in God not only to save but to receive poor Sinners into his Grace and Favour or else he would never have given so much to accomplish it all his Cost and Labour declares this which you will fully see if you go over all that hath bee said And further to convince a poor sad sighing Soul of this Truth consider 1st Upon what terms God tenders his Love in Christ see Prov. 9.4 Isa 55.1 Joh. 7.34 Rev. 22.17 c. all is Free 2dly See how God doth beseech intreat and woo souls to entertain and accept this Love in Christ Isa 65.2 Cor. 9.10 Mat. 23. â—7 3dly Consider how long God waits upon poor souls for their receiving and entertaining of this Love though he meets with many Repulses Isa 65.2 Cor. 5.5 Jer. 15.6 4thly Consider how much God bemoans the creature that neglects to imbrace this Tender Jer. 2.14 Mat. 23.37 5thly Consider that after souls have slighted God's Grace and turned their back upon his Tenders and abused his Long-suffering and Forbearance yet if at last they return how joyfully doth he entertain them and not upbraid them See Jer. 31.20 Luke 15.20 Jam. 1.5 Further If thou wouldst see God's willingness to meet with thy desire and willingness minde these Considerations First Consider God is so willing that he woos us to be willing as I said before 2dly No soul is willing so soon but God's willingness was before him and his willingness is a fruit of God's 3dly No soul was ever willing and God or Christ unwilling Joh. 6.37 If anâ—â—â—â— come unto Christ he will in no wise cast hiâ—â—ut 4thly God is willing when we are not willing 5thly Consider That when God's willingness hath begun to beget in a soâ—â—â— willingness if the souls willingness makes him go God runs and if it makes the soul only say I will God saith I do Psal 32.5 O know soul that it is not possible for a soul to be really willing to be saved and God not to save it Did we know what is in God by what is done by God especially in giving of his Son we should believe more and fear and sin less There were many more Particulars that I observed from this Text but I have not time now to relate them only these I thought good in this my time of Confinement to write over in answer to your desire And I wish God may afford you as much comfort from them as he hath to me Amen Amen In Phil. 1. 23d vers with its dependance on the 22d vers and relation to the 24th v. The words are these ver 23. For I am in a strait betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better I shall not stand to open the words but take from them in general three Observations As thus Doct. 1. The true sence of the great Priviledges Saints enjoy by Christ when separated from the body of flesh with the consideration of the duties they owe to Christ in the flesh puts the heart in its desires to a great stand Doct. 2. In point of Priviledges it 's best for Saints to depart and be with Christ or to be with Christ is a Saints best being Doct. 3. That heart who doth truly affect its duty to Christ is willing to abide in it though by it he may for a season be deprived of part of his Priviledge And first of the first and in it mind First I shall shew you the certainty of the Souls separation from the body and that it dyes not with the body as some say but when it 's separated it doth enjoy Priviledges with the Lord Jesus Christ as is implyed in this word After I have done that I shall let you know in what sence the Soul is taken and also give you the Scriptures and Reasons that some have to prove the Soul to be mortal with a brief Answer to that And then we shall give you sufficient Scriptures and Reasons that there is