IT is none of the leaſt part of our Priſon-Threnodies, in the preſent Tragedie which the bloody BEAST (by a new Guize) hath acted again upon the Stage of Great Britanny, The general Introduction, by Lamentation. the trampling under foot the preſent Truth and Teſtimony of Jeſus, (in this laſt Scene of the holy Citie's ſuffering, as I may ſay, for the fourty two months) ſo, as that ſcarce one Interpreter of a thouſand durſt entertain or own it ſimply; which at beſt hath but a Paſport from Many, and ſo is whip'd away from one to another, from poſt to pillar, till it come to the place where it was born; but there it hath a being (bleſſed be Jehovah:) elſe it is hardly handled, according to the Court-Law; for a Vagrant, with Warrants like to Pope Engenius's hoc eſſe verum ſi ipſe velit, ſed non aliter. This or that is true, if he (his Holineſs, or Highneſs) will have it ſo; but not otherwiſe. Who then can finde the faith or conrage to expoſe his life (or at leaſt, his liberty and eſtate) to ſo prodigal 2 Hazard? as he muſt do, who will fetch it from under the Beaſt's foot, and feel the acrimony or cruelty of his ſharp clunch, claw, or horn, piercing him to the very heart. O this is as hard a task (in a ſenſe) as to reſcue the Lamb from the claw of the Lion, or paw of the Bear. Therefore, Iſa. 59.4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 There is none that paſſeth his word for righteouſneſs; nor is there any judgement for the Truth: O ſad! 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 what, not one? Well may our Priſons ſound and reſound with exaggerated Nightgroans; for the Court and Country increaſe in lying and tranſgreſſing, and falling backwards; perpetrating iniquity at ſo high a rate, as will ſuddenly fill up their meaſure: this I ſee evidently from my Iron bars; as v. 13, 14, 15, 16. and yet None intercede for the Truth, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not one will run after it, follow it, meet it, or to the face of All own it: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 O what a Lamentation is this! If one doth, like Wiſdom's child, a little juſtifie it; yet where is he that doth (according to the Hebrew) intercedere intercedens? for, he that doth ſo (as it is in the text) expoſes himſelf to be ſpoiled, plundered, impriſoned, & made a prey to the ravenous Beast, that eats bones and all, Zeph. 3.2. Yea, although he 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that departs from the evil of the Times, is ſure to ſuffer ſo; yet, for all that, it is a Wonder to me, how we can hold in, to ſee what officious ſervants Charles Stuart, this Court, or any carnal Intereſt, have to run and ride on their Errands, to venture and engage life, liberty, limbs, eſtates, and all, for them and their Interest; but the Lord Jeſus (ah! alas! as if he were the worſt Maſter of all) can finde few faithful that will venture half ſo far for him and his ſuffering Cauſe at this day; eſpecially perpending the point of Time, the progreſs of the Teſtimony, the approach of the Period of the Beast's dominion in this ſtreet, of the fourty two months, and of the riſe of the Witneſſes, with the little Stone, or the remnant of the Womans ſeed, who muſt ſtrike the Image-Government of England all to pieces; the terrible Earthquake which ſhall rend them up by the very roots. Alſo, when I advert the advantages of the Saints in this ſtreet above any other (of all the great City, or Beaſts dominion) the forwardneſs of the Work here, the height of the Controverſie already between the Lamb and the Beaſt, (precious blood of Saints having ſeal'd thereto) and the Vials ſo lately pour'd out upon the King, Lords, Prelates, and corrupt Powers of this Seat; alſo, our late zeal againſt Common-prayer, Croſſes, Painted Windows, Rails, Surplices, corrupt Miniſters, Magiſtrates, and the like; O! my ſoul even bleeds within me, to behold the preſent apoſtacie of Spirit, Principles, and Perſons, not onely among Mercenary Profeſſors, but the Little Remnant; whoſe Coldneſs, Cowardlineſs, and Careleſneſs is (almoſt) incredible, at this time of Day too: and were it not to fulfil the Word of God, Rev. 11. (that this preſent Death and Darkneſs is upon us for theſe three yeers and an half) I ſhould be ſo aſtoniſhed at it, as not to know what to make of it.

But when I am venting my burthen with theſe like words or paſſions, Lord! where is the Spirit of old! yea, the Spirit, and faith, and courage, that we our ſelves had, ſome ten, twelve, or fourteen years ago, among the good old Puritans? yea, the ſpirit of Engliſh-men, and rational men among us? O! what a Change is this! What ſheepiſhneſs, what ſleepineſs! what deadneſs, what darkneſs! what timorouſneſs, and what tameneſs is now ſeized upon us? The Light ariſing in Darkneſs, doth put an end to ſuch Reaſonings and Syllogizings; giving reſt to my Spirit till the time of the end, which is at hand.

Now if ever there were a time to hear the Grave-groans of the living and the dead; of thoſe who are in Priſon graves, and of thoſe whoſe skulls and bones we left behinde us in the Field, and of thoſe under the Altar, who cry, How long, O Lord holy and true? Rev. 6.10. yea, the ſhrill heaven, heart, and earth-tearing Call of Saints paſt, preſent, and to come, (from the days of Abel to this day) to maintain their Cauſe, to revenge their Blood, (and the Lamb's) and to be ƲP AND DOING for the Lord Jeſus the King of Saints (to purpoſe;) it is NOW within a year or two, as we ſhall ſhew you.

WO to them that are at eaſe! Amos 6.1. yea, to the very women that are Careleſs! Iſa. 32.9, 10, 11, 12. for they ſhall lament! and if ye will be All ſilent, the very Graves ſhall open, the Dead ſhall live, the dry bones ſhall live, the ſtones of the ſtreet ſhall ſpeak, and the beam of the timber utter it; the Witneſſes will ariſe, and the earthquake come to take vengeance againſt this Apoſtate generation of ſowre Profeſſors.

But, ſay ſome, (ſeeing the Priſons are ſo deeply ſenſible, and bear ſo heavie a burthen for us) how falls it, that before now your exonerating groans and ſighs got not a free paſſage abroad in the Nation?

To which I muſt anſwer, That for above a years Impriſonment (now) partly more at large, Why the Priſons are ſo ſilent. and partly cloſe, I have lien under preſſure of Spirit (as if my heart would break within me) at times, to ſee ſo ſervile and degenerate a Spirit (as yet) among the Saints; yet with patience purpoſing to wait, and poſſeſs my ſoul, as unwilling to write what few (if any) we able to bear, (though moſt honourable Truth:) I kept in as long as I could; not knowing but there might have been (before this) a kindly recurrence (among ſome) of thoſe retrograde motions which ſo tremendous and fearful a Wrath as I eaſily foreſee follows the heels of: (Melius eſt recurrere, quam male currere.) Beſides, ſo great is the ſervile ſpirit and fear which poſſeſſes the hearts of men againſt this glorious Cauſe and Controverſie of Chriſt, (for which we are impriſoned, plundered, exiled, or perſecuted) that what we write to eaſe our hearts and conſciences (with the greateſt ſobriety and ſimplicity) we cannot carry thorow the Preſs, or get Printed, upon any terms (almoſt) in the language, life, and ſavour of the preſent Anointing from the holy One, which is upon us, and teaches us All things. That new-found Engine of the Beast (the Ordinance of Treaſon for words and imaginations) hath put them into ſo pannick and fooliſh a fear, that above an hundred ſheets preparing for the Preſs (to enlighten the Deluded and Abuſed people of this Nation, as to us and our Cauſe, or rather, Christ's; while they give out we ſuffer not for Conſcience) have been either betrayed by Iſcariot-kiſſes, plundered from me, or ſtifled before they were born; and all this, leſt the people ſhould have light into the ſufferings of our Conſciences, or conſcience of our Sufferings, viz. the truth of the fifth Kingdom; or receive a right Information of the Apostacies Hypocriſie, Perjury Cheating, Perſecution▪ and unheard-of Baſeneſs of ſuch as are gotten into Power; having a form of godlineſs, denying the power thereof (from whom we are to withdraw▪ 2 Tim. 3.5.) and notwithſtanding we and they declared this Tyranny in the Biſhops: the words are; To lock up the Printing-Preſſes againſt whom they pleaſe, was in the Biſhops time complained of, Vid. Guilford-Declar. p. 10. as one of the great Oppreſſions. Yet this is revived upon us; which is the reaſon the good people of the Nation are ſo deceived and prejudiced about us and our Principles, whiles we are not ſuffered to publiſh the truth, and our enemies falſe Reports of us paſs cum privilegio, all over the Countries.

The Priſonopprobries, abuſes and injurries, eſpecially at Lambeth. 2. The marvelous Trials which I have encountered with in the fleſh (ſince Impriſonment) have much impeded my appearing in Publick until now: and albeit I have forborn hitherto, making publike complaint of the worſe then Romane tyranny upon us, for the exerciſing of our faith and patience, that in all well-doing we might ſuffer with joy, and that our conſolation in Chriſt might abound, and that Jehovah whom we ſerve (to whom vengeance and truth belongeth) might take the matter into his hands onely: Yet becauſe of the loud Obloquies, lend Lyes, Invectives, and ungodly reports which paſs without examination, from one to another, upon me, on purpoſe to reflect upon this bleſſed Cauſe and faith we contend for; and for that ſome have greedily made ſuch uſe of thoſe looſe Tales, and do conclude upon it, that Silence argues Guilt, and gives advantage to all ſorts (good and bad) to accumulate their moſt amarulent and uncharitable cenſures; ſome precious friends have prevailed with me (for the Truths ſake) the Lord knows, without the leaſt deſire to juſtifie my ſelf (for I leave that to my Lord and Maſter) or delight to rake into the rank and ſordid excrements of mens mouthes, or pleaſure in their unhandſom nakedneſs; (for I take little delight to inculcate their lapſes or inciviliti • s to us in this Cauſe;) and can be better content (my conſcience bears me witneſs) to ſit down in ſilence, then to take ſo much as notice of the foaming and frothy agitations of ſome pragmatick and unquiet heads theſe Times. But the Truth, Cauſe, and perſecuted Saints, do expect ſome Account at my hands (it ſeems) of the particular harſh uſage I and my family met with under this Power in Lambeth-Houſe (and ſince) where I was for above five and thirty weeks, and then ſent to Windſor-Castle, the 31 of 1 mon. 1655. with two Meſſengers, who deliver'd me up Priſoner here a little after Noon.

I was fetch'd out of my bed the 27 day of 4 mon. in 1654 early in the morning; and at night (after all day waiting) I was ſent to Lambeth-priſon, being very ill and diſtemper'd with a Fever; yet for all that, at 11 in the night, did a Meſſenger rap at the gates, call'd another of the Meſſengers who was going into his bed, made him put on his clothes again to aſſiſt him; and ſo they came both with Harding the under-Goaler, to carry me at that time of night I knew not whither, (nor would they tell me:) but being very ill on the bed, and my wife alſo unready, I told them I was not Able; prayed them to let me alone for that one night; told them, The righteous man was merciful to a Beaſt; and were a Beaſt of theirs (horſe or Cow) ſo ill, or little able to ſtir, they would be more merciful: with many other Arguments, I and my wife alſo deſired them to forbear that night: but they ſaid they had Orders from Sergeant Dendy to remove me preſently, and I muſt not ſtay: one of them ſpeaking very high, and threatning. The iſſue was; They made me riſe, and my wife to make her ſelf ready: and I (ſcarce able to go, my head being light with the fierceneſs of the Fever) was forced, that time of night, to one Lead-beater's houſe (a Meſſenger) into a little, lowe, dark room, where was very little air, (which I much needed, and for which I rather wiſhed to be in the other Priſon.) The next day at night, new Orders came, to carry me to Lambeth again; where I continued, till Sergeant Dendy procured my Removal. Of which place I ſhall chuſe principally (for the preſent) to give a ſhort hint, or abſtruſe Account, (leaving the whole Hiſtory for a fitter ſeaſon) that the obſtreperous falſe reports may be obviated, our Sufferings (a little) known and ſympathized, his poor ſevants prayed for, their faith and patience owned, their God be glorified, and his enemies found Lyers, Worſe then Heathen Tyranny to us. and aſhamed for their worſe then Heathen tyranny to us: which appears in theſe Particulars.

1. By the Law of the Heathens (the Romanes) none were to ſuffer before the Law had judged and condemned them; Uncondemned, and without Law. nor before their Accuſers were brought face to face, or the Accuſed heard to ſpeak for themſelves in the matters laid to their charge: Acts 22.25. Is it lawful for you to ſcourge a man that is a Romane, and Ʋncondemned? Then they ſaid, v. 26. TAKE HEED. Acts 25.16. Feſtus confeſſed, It is not the manner of the Romanes to deliver up any man, (either to impriſonment, death, mulct, or puniſhment) before that he which is Accuſed, hath his Accuſers brought face to face, and he have licenſe to anſwer for himſelf concerning the crime laid againſt him. This is a Rule of Reaſon; This is contrary to all or moſt of their Declarations, where they call this Tyranny in the King and Biſhops; and incongruous with the Laws of God, of Nature, and of Nations. contrary whereunto, our Perſecutors now practiſe, having put us into Priſon thus year after year, yea, with worſe uſage, and more cloſe, then the worſt Malefactors, Cavaliers, Plotters, Ranters, Blaſphemers or Offenders they put amongſt us: For all the while I was by order from Sergeant Dendy kept out from the air of the Common Hall, the wicked crew of Cavaliers, Plotters, Ranters, Roarers; drinking, curſing, ſwearing, ſinging▪ fidling, gaming, and blaſpheming, day and night, had the benefit of it: yea, for above thirty weeks, they would not ſuffer me to ſtir out of the gate for air; but the worſt of all other Priſoners had their liberty with their Keepers every day: and when order was to let but three at a time come to ſee me, yea, not to ſuffer man, woman, or childe to come at me; nor one of my family to ſtir out for neceſſaries for me; the worſt of men beſides had All that would, come to ſee them, yea the moſt looſe ſort of people that could be, to ſit up, healthing, hooping, ranting and revelling with them at the higheſt rate, in a moſt hideous manner, about mine ears. Theſe had abundance of liberty to ſin, for whom the Law was made, as the Apoſtle ſays. 1 Tim. 1.9, 10. when we could not have liberty to pray together, or to have any holy Aſſembly but at the Priſon-grates, when I put my head out at the Iron bars to my dear brethren and ſiſters in Chriſt, who flood in the ſtreet. And all this, without any Law condemning, any Crime charged formally upon us, any Accuſer brought before us, any Witneſs againſt us, any Trial of us, or Licenſe given us to anſwer in any open Court: onely the ſixth of the laſt month▪ the laſt year, I was carried to White-hall into a Chamber, (where what was objected was denyed to be any Charge againſt me) and ſo remanded to priſon again, but by no other Law then Luſt and Will, (the Beaſt's Law, Sic volo, ſic jubeo, ſic pro ratione voluntas;) TAKE HIM JAYLOR being all the Trial, Law, and Sentence: All at once, All in Will, with a worſe then Papal or Prelatick Arbitrarineſs; without ſignifying for what Offence, or by what Law; (which the Popiſh and Prelatical Perſecutors always did:) herein falling ſhort of the Romane righteouſneſs, mercy, and ingenuity; and betraying, or robbing us of our Rights and Liberties we fought for. But, the Lord knows, (let them report what they will, to put a good colour upon this Practice of theirs, and to render us odious, who are almoſt buried alive in Priſon-graves, and not ſuffer'd to ſpeak for our ſelves) we know no other cauſe but our very Conſciences, in the matters and Principles of faith, in the Teſtimony of Truth, for Chriſt, againſt his Enemies: and yet they dare be ſo wicked as to ſay about, We ſuffer not for Conſcience; and there be none that ſuffer for Conſcience, for Chriſt, or for preaching the Gospel in England at this day. But O! that the Truth might have a fair hearing!

2. Our Goalers worſ to us, then the Heathens. A Hiſtory of ſome few paſſages for an inſtunce. 2. Under the Dragon-Power of Rome, the very Goalers (who are uſually the worſt of men) were more civil, courteous and urbane, then ours are to us: for Paul's Goaler let who would come to viſit him, Acts 24.23. Acts 28.16. yea, their Acts 16.33. and made much of them: but our Goalers do adde ſtripes, aggravate our crimes (pretended) augment our afflictions, accumulate (into mountains) lyes, ſlanders, vilifying ſpeeches and reproaches upon us; invent and inform what they can (with any colour) againſt us, (dayly going to Whitehal for that purpoſe;) and every way more cruel to us, then to the worſt Priſoners they had: At Lambeth we found it ſo, from the upper to the under, from the Maſter to the Man-goaler; whiles others found very fair quarter, and civil Courtſhip, who fed them with round Sums; which we could not buy at ſo dear a rate, and therefore (beſides other reaſons) were forced to courſer fare. For after a few weeks, word was brought to my wife, that I muſt pay in fees ſomewhat more then 6 l. a week; which I was not able to do, (having no eſtate in the world, and what I had being all taken away from me;) and this for the rooms to Serg. Dendy. About a weeks ſpace after this, one of Serg. Dendy's men (old Meazy) came up (at candlelight) into my Priſon-chamber, in the name of Serg. Dendy, ſaying he came from him, to demand the money which was due to him for his fees and the chambers for ſo many weeks; ſaying I was to pay but 10 s. a day fees for my ſelf; for although though it was 20 s. a day, yet the Parliament put down 10 s. a day of it: and for that Serg. Dendy would uſe me courteouſly, he would have but 14 s. a week rent for the room where we kept a fire, (for my family, while they were with me:) and for the little inward lodging-room, (where was no chimney) where I lay, I ſhould know that when I went out. I told him I was not able to pay ſo much; nor did I judge it reaſonable, being in priſon upon will, and nothing brought to my charge; and therefore thoſe that impriſoned me, muſt pay him: yet this I would do willingly; if Serg. Dendy will chuſe one honeſt man, I will chuſe another; and what they think meet for me to pay, as God ſhall enable me I will: ſaying withal, I would know the loweſt which I muſt pay. He ſaid, 4 l. 4 s. a week was the loweſt: at which I told him I was not able to do it, nor did my brother Feak at Windſor pay ſo much; but, as I heard, but ſo much in a quarter, as is demanded of me in a week: and that it was worſe then tyranny, to take away all I had to live on; turn my wife and children (poor ſucking babes) out of doors, (when the Lord allows a Snail a ſhell, yet my poor wife and babes had not a ſhell to live in, but my priſon:) yea, and to hinder thoſe that would, to miniſter to our wants, and to demand 4 l. 4 s. a week too, was wonderfull unjuſt. But the old man being teachy hereat, flew from me with theſe menaces; You muſt and ſhall pay it, before you go out from hence.

But becauſe the carriage of this buſineſs was ſo cruel, mercileſs, and unchriſtian, Serg. Dendy was aſhamed to own it to good men; ſtoutly and often affirming, that neither he, (nor any for him) did ever demand it of me, or threaten me about it. But with how little modeſty or grace, and that you may ſee what wide mouthes ravenous fiſhes have; it follows under the hands of ſome preſent in the Priſon-chamber when the old man came for the money; two of them being Church-members.)

Notwithſtanding with ſo ſtrange a face they denied this, and ſaid I was no Minister of Jeſus Christ if I affirmed it; and they would publiſh in News-books againſt me, and the like; I can ſhew it under Sergeant Dendy's own hand, by ſeveral Orders and Letters, that the not paying thoſe fees and ſums of money, was one thing that made him ſo harſh to me above others. For, ſoon after, the old man went to White-hall, and told his tale againſt me, (in his own mood and figure) and then followed the enſuing Letter from Serg. Dendy to me.

I confeſs I was much grieved at this Letter, for that I knew not whither to ſend my poor Children from me, two of them being about a year old, and very weak, and my poor Family being thruſt out of All; only that Scripture refreſh'd me, The Foxes have holes, and the Birds of the Air have neſts, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. Beſides, the lines were fraught with falſe reports (I perceived) of my Wife and me, and pitiful uncharitable cenſures and ſuppoſitions; as, that I ſought to come thither, and to abuſe the well-minded; whereas I knew not of my returning to Lambeth till Harding came with a new Order, nor did I any otherwiſe deſire it, but for air in the time of my burning-feaver. I confeſs I did deſire more air, and ſo my Wife ſaid ſhe had better give 5 li. than be ſo choaked up in a little hole for want of air (as Lead-beaters was) but for any other purpoſe, the Judge of hearts beſt knows, and will one day declare for me. But then came in conſolation from Matt. 5. Bleſſed are ye, when they ſpeak all manner of evil of you. Beſides the ſeveral u • truths in the Letter, as that I ſaid Bro. Feak paid nothing; and that of 6 l.a week charge, and of having no allowance from the State, all which I knew to the contrary; ſo that I thought it beſt to ſpread it before the Lord, and wait with patience, and with the whole armour of God, the breſt-place of righteouſneſs, and the ſhield of Faith, Eph. 6. to ſtand and withſtand in this evil day, v. 13, 14, 15, 16. And ſo I did, without any noiſe, as the Sheep that is bit by the fierce teeth of the Dog, weeps inwardly moſt, and whines not like a Hog. But ere long, he ſends a moſt ſevere Order to the Under-Goaler, to take away the Beds from under us, yea, to execute his Orders that night that one of my Children lay giving up the Ghoſt; but becauſe the Child was gaſping, he could not finde the heart to execute it; and the Child dying that night, he then ſaid he would not have done it for 100 l. though his Maſter command him ſo ſtrctkly to obſerve his Orders. But for all this, and the death of one Child, and the weakneſs, or drawing-on of another, their immanity (without pity) was proſecuted upon me, ſo, that had not the Lord ſupported me, I might have ſunk under it: and to ſhew it ſufficiently, the Under-Goaler brings me theſe two enſuing Warrants together.

The truth is, The Goalers Children were ill of the Swine-Pox, whereby we and other Priſoners were in danger; but bleſſed be the Lord, not one of ours; and the Child we ſent away one night, for fear he ſhould catch it in the houſe, the next day we had him home again to the Priſon (for we had not, nor have we any other earthly home but a Priſon now, ſo that my family was forced to be with me, which was according to the Law of God and Nature) the Child being in good health, nor was there the leaſt ground to ſuſpect ſuch a Diſeaſe in my Family: but had it been ſo, the ſending of him away did not tend to indanger the Priſoners, but to keep them from it; nor needed he to ſay any longer, for that at no time were any in danger by any of my Family, (for the Diſeaſe was in the Goalers Family, who it may be might report it in mine, on purpoſe to bring all the vexation they could upon me, by incenſing their Maſter againſt me.)

And indeed, the warning which he called civil, to ſend my Children from me, (and the Lord knows, I knew not whither) I could not ſee civil or Chriſtian; and therefore reſted rather contented to have the Bedding pull'd from under me, and to lie in pads of Straw with my poor Children, than to be ſo mercileſs and unfatherly to them as he Commanded. Beſides, there were very few Priſoners then in the houſe, and abundance of rooms ſtood empty for want of Gueſts, they not having the third part of the Priſoners (I hear) are there now: nor had we any more Chamber-room than one Priſoner, who was in before us, (a Plotter.) With this he delivered me another at the ſame time, which follows.

Thoſe two together ſounded very harſh to my very heart, at that ſeaſon too, whiles another ſweet Childe was ſo neer the grave too, very weak, (and died within three or four days after.) I confeſs the trials were very great: had not the new-Covenant-Comforts come with them, and made them full of the Fathers-love to me, and of the new-Teſtament-blood in me, I might have fainted: but for that I perceived this was a matter of Money, and nothing elſe would ſtay the Surges and Sources of this raging SEA, I ſent my Wife (after Candle-light) to White-hall with five pounds, which I was glad I could get together for him, not being able to ſend him more then: who carried it; but at that time they thought it not fit to receive it, but to accoaſt her with courſe Courtſhip and Dialect, and ſo to ſend her home to Priſon again, telling her that we domineer'd in his houſe, and took upon us to appoint Lodgings for his Priſoners, &c. How ſuch ſtories as theſe could be coined or invented, I wondred; when for three, four, or ſix weeks together, I ſtir'd not out of my Room, or ſpake with one Priſoner or Goaler, perceiving how they were ſet together againſt me, (the Priſoners for reproving their ſins (at ſo high a rate day and night) when I had liberty to Preach and Pray:) ſeeing I was in Priſon with ſo wicked a blaſpheming, curſing, ranting Crew, hominibus perfrictae Frontis, with men of ſo much impudence, and immodeſty; with raving Beaſts, with very Bruits, I judg'd it beſt not only to keep out of their company, but out of their very ſight as much as might be, inſomuch that they could not tell (I am perſwaded, but on the Lord's dayes, or when I Preached or Prayed in Family, or the like) whether I was in the Priſon or no, (but by hear-ſay:) yet it ſeems, the night before this laſt Warrant he ſent me, Mr. Chapman and Mr. Spittlehouſe were brought in Priſoners, who ſupp'd with me in my Priſon-chamber; that night at the Table in diſcourſe, they ſaid they lay both in one Bed: I ſaid, I thought (if they would) they might have each of them a Chamber one within the other, for that all the other Priſoners had ſo (that I ſaw) and for that there were but few Priſoners in the houſe (not half full) ſo that there were Rooms and Beds a many to ſpare: So I paſs'd it over, not imagining any trouble could ariſe upon this ordinary diſcourſe at Supper; my Wife adding thus to Mr. Chapman, You had beſt to have a Bed by your ſelf, for your Wife may come to ſee you. But the Goalers-Boy (liſtening, as ſome one or other frequently did for ſtories at my Chamber-door) carried down (as unhappy boys uſe to do) what he could make of it to his Father, who carried it, or ſent it next morning betimes to White-hall, which occaſioned the aforeſaid words, as I conceive; and becauſe he was ſo high againſt me, threatning my removal, and (as his Warrant intimates) reſtleſs and unquiet till he had done ſomewhat or other againſt me (and all that he can ſpeak to his Maſters at White-hall, being ſure to be taken for granted) till which he could not be quiet, as he ſaies, ſeeming ſo much offended too, for that his Orders were not executed (as before) to tear away the Bed when the child was dying, and now alſo when the other weak Child was dying; which wanted Romane ingenuity and reaſon: after I had made my complaints known to my Heavenly Father, I put Pen to Paper, and wrote him theſe enſuing lines.

I confeſs I wrote brokenly (my minde being ſo diſtracted) but not ſo, as might miniſter any juſt occaſion to uſe me and my poor Family as they did afterward, inſulting over us, and adding afflictions to our bonds daily: but we leave that to the Lord, the righteous Judge. Many Tales the Under-Goaler and Keepers carried, they would deny again, and ſometimes ſay as if their Maſter made them, (being themſelves aſham'd to own them.) And when any untruths were found and proved to their faces, their only evaſion was this, That they had Orders to bring to White-hall whatever they heard any ſay of me, and they were not to regard whether it were true or falſe; but ſaith Harding, I muſt tell what I hear to Meſey; and ſaith old Meſey, If Harding tells me thus, I muſt tell it (whether it be true or no) to the Sergeant, and I am here for the ſame purpoſe. So that he ſometimes went twice or thrice a day to White-hall to carry Tales, which were received forthwith: whereby Truth (ſo anticipated▪) could have no entrance nor entertainment, nor would Serg. Dendy ſo much as put them to the proof, or ſee me, ſpeak • o me, or come at me, when he came to ſee the Priſoners, of Complement the Cavaleers.

A while after this Letter (which I heard nothing of) old Meſey came again for Money, who had 5 l. of us (being all that we could then get him) which bought our quiet for a few dayes; but then finding us unable to lay down the whole price for it (as other Priſoners perhaps did) we loſt the Manſion: And beſides, we bought our Proviſion, and had our Drink at the beſt hand from abroad, which made our Goalers (upper and under) more enemies to us than before, (it ſeems:) for the gain which Harding had, and which, it is ſaid, he paies out of every Barrel of Beer to his Maſter, is great from Priſoners, putting off what is bad at the higheſt and unreaſonable rates; ſo that now nothing but evaporating wrath, Curſing, and Swearing to be reveng'd, we heard of; ſetting all the wicked Priſoners upon us, who put their wits upon the tenter-hooks to that purpoſe, inventing and coyning new wayes, and words, ſaying they hoped to ſee me dance in a Rope, and ſwing in a Halter; calling us Hypocrites, Lyers, Deceivers, yea, Rogues and Queans, and Devils, and what not? (as Luther ſaid, ad Spal. Prorſus Satan eſt Lutherus, dum modo Chriſtus vivit & regnat, Amen. So ſay I, Amen! So be it. So Chriſt doth but reign▪) Affronting me to my face (if I went but down Stairs; which made me ſeldom ſtir down for air, not above once or twice in a Quarter of a Year.) Their words were wounds, Prov. 18.8. and 26.22. I ſhall forbear to particularize their Names, till I have a Call to it; but will uſe the Pſalmiſts words, as ſuitable to me, with much aſſurance in the ſame God, Pſal. 56.3, 5, 6. What time I am affraid, I will truſt in God, I will praiſe his word, I will not fear what fleſh can do unto me; Every day they wreſt my words, All their thoughts are againſt me for evil. They gather themſelves together, they hide themſelves, they mark my ſteps when they wait for my ſoul. Shall they eſcape by iniquity, O God? No! Iſa. 29.20, 21. When Paul was in danger of his life, his Goaler (the Captain) came and reſcued him from the Jews, and after looſed him from his bonds, Acts 21.31, 32, 33. and 22.30. but theſe are ſo far from pity, ingenuity, or Chriſtianity, that their frequent dialect is bitter, bloody, malicious, and menacing, (as if they long'd to have our blood) ſwearing to run me through if I offered to ſtir; putting Cavaliers, Ranters, and Blaſphemers upon it, to plot againſt me for my life, to gather up Articles againſt me from what they over-heard, or invented, from my praying and preaching, or ſinging of Hymnes, writing all down they could make for their purpoſe; and then ſending them to Serg. Dendy, or to White-hall to Mr. Thurloe, againſt me. The firſt Informer they got up againſt me, was one Abdy, a high Ranter, and Blaſphemer, and Atheiſt, who was ſtab'd to death that day that he was promiſed and expected his reward at White-hall, for his good ſervice againſt me; and his were ſome of the Articles they read againſt me at White-hall, This Man did frequently Conſult with the Devil, calling him his God; and (as I heard) in the Chamber below me, Conjur'd him up in perſonal ſhape. When he heard me at prayer in my family, he would come to the door, ſhreeking, yelling, and ſcreaming with a moſt hideous noiſe, thump at the door, open it, and come in among us, ſinging, roaring, ſmoaking Tobacco, curſing, ſwearing, blaſpheming, blowing horns, and the like, on purpoſe to diſturb us. When we ſung Hymnes, he would ſing filthy blaſphemous ribaldry, in bawdy languages, and at every end of his ſentence ſome deſperate Oath. Three days before he was ſtab'd, and after he had ſent in his forged Articles (which he gather'd againſt me, to take away my life) he made a moſt blaſphemous Song: this Song he and ſome more (of the ſame ſort) came to my door, ſinging it together in the tune of a Pſalm or Hymn; ſcoffing, laughing, ſwearing, and blaſpheming moſt hideouſly between whiles. Beſides him, ſome other of the priſoners were put upon this practice; and a little before I was called to VVhite-hall laſt, old Meaſy came (he ſaid) from Sergeant Dendy, to bid them get all their Papers they had ready: who ſaid they would; and immediately went together one day after another, until they had gather'd up Articles into two or three ſheets (as I hear) againſt me, (bragging what they would do) and ſo ſent them to Serg. Dendy, and he appointed his man to carry them to Mr. Thurloe. They were grown ſo high then, as to come into my chamber upon me, and invade me, my wife and family there, with violent and moſt virulent invectives, ſtabbing words and threats; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 inſomuch as they being deſperate, our lives (we thought) were in danger by them. They frequently ſent the Keepers with ſcurrilous meſſages, and caſt or ſent in notorious Libels; and ſtill invented ſomewhat or other; being ſtirr'd up or countenanced in all theſe (and a thouſand other affronts and abuſes) by the Goalers. So that, I ſay, we receiv'd not Romane civility, or ſo much as ſober Heathen • ſage from them; and were by many degrees more brutiſhly & barbarouſly treated, then the verieſt miſcreant Cavaliers, Ranters or Blaſphemers they had. For they had the liberty of any room in the houſe, of any of their friends (though ever ſo rude) to ſee them; yea, the Cavaliers at this day courted by Serg. Dendy and his wife, offering to ſend Down-bedding, if they lie too hard; giving them liberty to go abroad when they will, by day or by night; yea, to go to Taverns when they lift; yea, to take the Key, and let who they will in, and who they will out; and to keep my friends out (as if they were the Goalers) ſcoffing and mocking them by the name of holy ſiſters and holy brethren; and what not? Whiles we were (the Lord knows) contented to have lyen in ſtraw, would they have let us have been quiet; but they would not; which made us more ſufferers then men think for: but the Day will diſcover.

And thus far for the ſecond Particular, which I might have amplified in many other Orders, Letters, Meſſages, which I have by me; and who will may ſee them in the Original, and then judge of our Goalers what they think of them. 3. The Priſon-company with us, worſe then in the Heathens • ays.

3. They ſurpaſs the Romane tyranny, yea of Nero too in this, That Paul was Priſoner in his own hired houſe two whole yeers, Acts 28.30. and he was ſuffered to dwell by himſelf, verſ. 16. onely a Souldier kept him. So in Queen Maries days, Rogers, Martyr, priſoner in his own houſe a long time. But we are torn out of our houſes, like beaſts out of holes, and brought as I was into ſuch a company and crew (at Lambeth) with them that were brought in there, that for drinking, ſwearing, reveling, fidling, ſinging, roaring and blaſpheming, day and night▪ I never heard the like among the worſt Cavaliers, or wickedeſt of men; making the Priſon to me a very Pourtraicture of Hell, and Horrour, and Hideous Blaſpheming among the Damned ones, (as I may have a ſeaſon to acquaint the world with ere long: for now I do but hint and inſtance in things for proof.) The 26 of 10 m. a Bawd came for G. (as the Keepers wife confeſs'd) one of the greateſt Informers againſt me, and brought him a Drink; fetch'd him out to a VVhore; who came not in again till one or two in the night; and then was a great falling out about it, raging and raving: the occaſion of it the Keepers wife ſaid was, He had been with his whore. They were ſo wicked, that beſides all their moſt hideous mocking and contemning the Ordinances of Chriſt, and foreſaid living in ſin day and night, they would aſſault my family, get the Key, and ſollicite them to the Taverns if they could; take the children, threaten them, and force them to ſwear, curſe, and call vile names; and watch after candle-light, when the ſervant went but down ſtayers, lay violent hands upon her, three or four at once, pull her into a Chamber; one call for Sack to ſtop her mouth, another holding her between his legs, and ſo offering to abuſe her: with abundance of ſuch baſe villanies renewed; and we had no remedy againſt it. Yet theſe were the Informers againſt, and Accuſers of me, who were ſo much countenanced, and received ſuch extraordinary Courtſhip from all the Goalers, &c. Though I expect to ſuffer the ſharper for telling this little of the truth; yet Jehovah is on my ſide, Pſal. 118.6. of whom ſhall I be afraid? Pſal. 27.1, 2. Jehovah is my light, and the ſtrength of my life. Ideo negare non volo, ne peream; & ideo mentiri non volo, ne pellem: 4. To hinder friends viſiting and miniſtring to us, worſe then the Heathens. as one of the Martyrs ſaid.

4. The Romane power (under the Dragon-Government) did give liberty to all Paul's friends to viſit him, and miniſter to him, Acts 24.23. that he ſhould forbid none of his acquaintance to miniſter or come unto him. But our friends and acquaintance are forbid, as to their coming: ſometimes they ordered not man, woman nor childe to come at me, and ordered no ſervant ſhould be with me: and yet then the Goalers were ſo cruel to me, that they refuſed to dreſs us any meat (for money) in our need, (which they did do for others) So that my care was then (expecting my wife to be put from me alſo, which was aſſayed by ſome) to learn to make Colefires, dreſs meat, and make my bed my ſelf, &c. at other times they ordered three at once might come to ſee me; and at other times, onely ſuch as the Goaler in his diſcretion did judge ſober, and grave, or good enough; and at other times ſix: and ſo is it now, as Arbitrary power is in the mood. Sometimes they were made to wait, in wind, cold, and ſtorm, many hours at the door without, and then ſent away at laſt, and not let in, though they had no order againſt it. Somtimes they will make them wait long, and then let them in, upon good pay for Key-greaſing (as they call it:) and then ſometimes ſaluted with ſcoffs and mocks of holy ſiſter, or the like flouts; and with many other abuſes. The 18 of the laſt 12 m. they let in a godly maid (after long waiting to ſee me) who went into the Kitchin, (the way up to my chamber;) but there they fell upon her, and beat her about the head and body moſt ſadly, whiles others looked on, laughed at it, and made them ſport with it; and then turn'd her (ſo abus'd) out of doors again (without ſeeing me:) this was on the Lords day. Another they reſolv'd to let in, on purpoſe to pump him; (ſeveral of the Cavaliers with the Goaler having agreed it, as we heard:) but the man hearing of it, prevented them, and never durſt come to ſee me (there) after that. A multitude of ſuch things I might mention, to ſhew how our friends coming to us was and is hindered. 2. As to their miniſtring to us, they do uſe very ſtrange and incredible lyes, reports, and means, for all that I can ſee, to ſtarve us, and keep others from miniſtring to us: for they have taken away All, and yet exact heave Fees, and ſay they ask none; and report high mountains of Lyes, either to make us odious, that none might regard us, (going up and down many of them for that purpoſe) or elſe (if a friend but come and dine with us) reporting we fare ſo bravely, and better then their Lord Protector; and that all the Churches in England had gather'd for us; and that the Ch. of Hull had ſent me 30 l. at Lambeth: with abundance more of ſuch abominable untruths, on purpoſe to poſſeſs our friends with theſe reports, and to binde up their hands from miniſtring unto us, who have (may they be believed) ſo little need: and had they been believ • , the Lord knows we might have been ſtarv'd, in Reaſon. Serg. Dendy was very diligent to vent ſuch Reports to ſuch friends as have told me of it again with grief, when they ſaw them ſo untrue. Sometimes too they ſay we are kept high in priſon, and it makes us proud; and that for this reaſon, we will keep in: and at other times, That their Lord Protector gives us a large Table, and liberal Allowance: the truth (or rather, untruth) of theſe Reports, is ſoon known; neither doth their Lo. P's charity reach to us ſo far, as to allow us bread and water; (for all that he hath taken away all livelihood from us and our little ones:) which is far more cruelty then King, Prelates, Papiſts or Heathens did ſhew; for they gave an allowance to very Traytors, &c. beſides what friends miniſtred to them. Yea, Bonner, as bloody a Beaſt as he was, ſent proviſion to Mr. Philpot and others into his Cole-houſe. But we know whom we ſerve; and he that hath the fulneſs of earth in his hands, provides for us: therefore as Paul ſays, Phil. 4.11, 12. Not that I ſpeak in reſpect of want: for I have learned, in whatſoever ſtate I am, to be therewith content: I have learned to be full, and to be hungry; to abound, and to ſuffer need; and can do all things through Chriſt that ſtrengthens me. Yea, when bread fails, faith feeds hard. Pſal. 37.3. Paſcere fide, as Junius reads it: for faith fetch'd Daniel his dinner into the Den, out of Habakkuk's belly too, (if the Story be true) whiles the Lions lacked: and ſo faith fetches in food and rayment, and outward things for us, (ſore againſt our enemies and Perſecutors minds, it ſeems) Pſal. 23.5. Pſal. 34.10. by opening the hearts and the hands of ſome poor Saints to ſave it out of their own bowels for us, (though there be but few, and thoſe all poor, that dare or do own us at ſuch a diſtance.) Dat bene, dat multum, qui dat cum munere vultum. Chriſt will take it well at his hands, who hath a heart for Chriſt in a Cup of cold water to his Diſciples: But I ſpeak, for the diſcovery of that unreaſonable Spirit which is in our perſecutors, who report every mite and morſel of bread a mountain, upon a deſigne to ſtay the hands of the Saints from miniſtring unto us; and ſo to tire, and ſtarve us into an Apoſtacy (an yielding) and from our Principles, with them: But, fides famem non formidat: for, as one ſaies, If theſe perſecuters and purſevants, tyrants and Goalers will take away my Meat, I truſt God will take away my Stomack; and ſo 'tis all one ſtill. For this I am ſure of, That we ſhall be ſatisfied when our Enemies ſhall want, and be aſhamed, Prov. 13.25. Iſa. 65.13. Amen! Saies Faith, who fetches this in alſo! But thus far for the Fourth Particular, which proves their inveterate malice and hatred to the cauſe, and to us.

5. To hinder Preaching and Praying to poor Souls, is beyond the Tyranny of the Heathens. 5. They fall ſhort of Heathen civility in the Allowance the Romans gave (yea, Nero, as notorious a Tyrant as he was) to Paul, Act. 28.31. Preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, no man forbidding him; yea, and this at Rome, under Nero's noſe: yea, the Martyrs in Queen Maries dayes, in the Compter, and in the Biſhop's Coal-houſe behind his Kitchin, they Preached, Prayed, and Sang together, none forbidding them. But we are forbidden to Preach in Priſon, and our Friends forbidden to come to us, to hear us; yea, Serg. Dendy ſent a Letter at large (which I have by me) to forbid it: yea, the Church-Society I walk with, are not ſuffered to come at me, to Pray or Exerciſe with me. And after they had an expreſs Order to turn me out from the air and uſe of the Common hall in Lambeth, becauſe I Preached and Prayed there; They ſaid alſo, they had Order to keep Priſoner any man that ſhould dare to pray with me in my Chamber: The ſame day, when Jonathan Taylor of Warwick-Church was with me, and Prayed, they gave warning thereof. And after that, they took ſtrict notice of any that look'd like a gifted-brother, that they ſuſpected would Pray or Preach in my Chamber, &c. would not let him, of Any, have acceſs ſo much as to ſee me, unleſs he would engage to come down preſently again, (not to Pray, or the like, with me in my Chamber:) ſo preciſe were they againſt preaching and praying. Here alſo at Windſor we have like experience, having been beaten, abuſed, and clap'd up cloſe for it, as we ſhall ſhew ere long. This is doubtleſs ſo high a crime among Chriſtians too, that Nero ſhall finde more mercy at the day of judgement; and it ſhall be eaſier for him, then for theſe men, in this matter. But O! it is no little comfort, that we can ſuffer this (and a thouſand times more, we hope, by the grace of God) with great joy, for his ſake, who hath made us worthy, Acts 5.51. Unto you (ſays the Apoſtle, Phil. 1.) is given, not onely to Believe, but to Suffer; which all Saints cannot do. And as it is Acts 28.20. It is for the Hope of Iſrael, that I am bound with this chain; as I ſhall ſhew in this Treatiſe. Et ſignum eſt mihi majoris Gloriae, ut omnes impii (ferè) me deteſtantur.

I might mention other Particulars, wherein our Perſecutors and Goalers are worſe to us then Heathens or Romanes, (under the Dragon-Government) or Papiſts and Prelates under the Beast's Government; as, in that they were allowed to diſpute the Truth with the Word of God; which we are not: and the like. But by this you ſee it a true aſſertion, That we are under a worſe then Romane tyranny; of the greateſt aggravation, By our brethren too, and for our Conſciences too, and at ſuch a time too, and after ſuch vaſt ſtreams and treaſures of our blood, eſtates, faith, tears, and prayers too, to purchaſe our undoubted priviledges and immunities, (in another manner of liberty) too; and to us too, who have all along fought in the field, raiſed men, ſpent our eſtates, and ventur'd our lives, and for the very Truths, and upon the ſame Principles we now ſuffer in, too: all this is the Aggravation of the Threnody.

Much might we ſay of Paul's Plea of Free-born, Act. 23.28. and as we are the Conquerors, and never yet the Conquered (though cheated and deceived) Side: and much according to the Laws of the Nation, whereof the General was a Member that made them, which are duely Enrolled, Proclaimed in due order, Acted upon, Executed, and Unrepealed; to which have been many Solemn Engagements, Oaths, Declarations and Wars: and much more I might ſay, but that the Sword (as it is) hath neither eyes nor ears; and therefore can neither pity us as Engliſh-men, nor as Christians. The Souldiers counſel was, Acts 27.42. (and is it not?) to kill the Priſoners. But ſtay! brother Red-coat, we Except against thee: for we will have no Butcher for a Jury-man.

The main Cauſes which moved Serg. Dendy to be ſo long a Suitor (as I hear) to the Council for my removal to Windſor (according to his ſeveral threatnings by Letters, Meſſages, and Word of mouth at White-hall, that day I was before them) was the Complaint the Priſoners made, being afraid to take that freedom & exceſs in ſin, night and day, as they would do, whiles I was there; and then the Gains which he loſt by my being there, both in Fees and otherwiſe; as Acts 16.19. When they ſaw that the hope of their gains was gone, they brought Paul and Silas, and drew them to the market-place to the rulers; and the rulers caſt them into priſon; verſ. 23, 24. yea, they were thruſt into the Inner priſon: but there they ſang Praiſes, and ſo do we our Antelucanos Hymnos; and ſo we will, till the Foundations of this Earthly Government rend: Amen! Hallelujah.

Though for theſe Reaſons, and for others more publike, as for Preaching, Praying, &c. Lambeth became inhabitable (to me) under the Torrid Zone of theſe Perſecutors and Goalers anger; yet I can tell them, (if I may boast in the Lord) with greater comfort & confidence then they can look Chriſt, his Saints, or Cauſe (which they have betrayed) in the face, or look for favour from the Righteous Judge, That I live in the moſt Temperate Zone of heaven, do what they can for their hearts, and with a better Conſcience (which is my continual feaſt) can look out at theſe Iron bars, and ſing whiles the thorn is at my brest to keep me wakeful, then they can at their Belcona's or ratling Coaches, or ruffle in their gold and gaudineſs, dyed in the blood of the Saints, or gotten by Hypocriſie and cozening. It is a true ſaying of Aug. de bon. perſ. cap. 6. Tutiores autem ſumus ſi Totum Deo damus; non autem nos illi ex parte & nobis ex parte committimus: We are beſt and ſafeſt, when we give God All, and not ſeek to ſhare or part ſtakes with God; much leſs like the Apoſtates of theſe Times, who are ſo far from giving God All, and they be Nothing but what God will have them, that they Themſelves will be All, (in Civils, Military, and Eccleſiaſticks) and God (or Chriſt) ſhall be Nothing but what they will have them: Therefore no wonder they are alarm'd with continual fears, whiles we (poor Worms!) in priſon need none of their courts of Guard, but can ſleep ſweetly and ſecurely (in the warm boſome of Eternal Love) though Mad-men, Drunkards, and Devils are about us day and night; for with no little ſap, ſolace, and ſweetneſs have I ſuck'd in Luther's ſaying, (which is mine now:) Ipſe viderit ubi anima mea ſit manſura, qui pro ea ſit ſollicitus fuit, ut vitam pro ea poſuerit: and therefore it is (by his grace) I will look thee in the face, Thou proudest Tyrant! thou canſt but batter the veſſel! thou canſt but hurt the bark; but, my life is hid with Chriſt (O ſweet word! they cannot finde it! it is out of their reach; for it is hid with Chriſt) in God. Amen! Lord, and keep it there! that I faint not. Thus far for the ſecond Reaſon ariſing from my ſufferings.

3. Another Reaſon why I appeared not publikely from priſon before, was impreparation, having been in the valley for the viſion many days and months, before I could come to this, in many travels, trials, and pangs of Spirit upon me, before it could be brought ſo neer the birth as now it is, waiting for a ſafe and ſeaſonable deliverance. This made me ſit up (mourning) in the night-ſeaſon, (and laid me low in the fleſh for many a week together) with little joy of this life (as we ſay) though with no little joy of cheary faith, and ſweetneſs in divine life (and being;) waiting for the Anointing to bring forth this little, being loth it ſhould prove abortive, though but an Embryo of what (I hope) will be born in due ſeaſon. But ſome labour with more difficulty, pains, and dangers, to bring forth a little birth (by reaſon of impediments) then others do in the greateſt: and indeed, becauſe of the Times, a fixed and clear judgement is ſo incumbent, that I could not content my ſelf with the ſpeculation of the preſent Truths, Prophecies, and Viſions which begin to break out of Daniel and the Revelation with ſuch dazling and amazing light; but I muſt be ſure of a ſound Practical judgement too, and principle in the heart, which puts into one balance (with Chriſt and his Controverſie) God and his Commands, and into the other (with the Beast and his preſent Controverſie) the Sins and Apoſtacies of the Times, and of this Street; and upon poyſing on all Sides, and ſetting all it can coſt me, before me, chuſes my duty to God and Chriſt againſt the ſins and abominations of the Times or the Powers, which occaſions the hard Travel. And I muſt confeſs, I did deliberate with too much fleſh and blood at firſt; contenting my ſelf more with the heavenly Priſon and preſence of Waiting then of Writing, of Praying then of Publiſhing any thing to the world; that ſo I might run the leſs hazard to life, liberty, fame, or eſtate, &c. But I was ſoon rouzed up out of this Contentation, and kinde of Contemplation, (whether I will or no) by a loud Call to me for what is already born of God in me, about the Work of this Age, yea, of the 45. enſuing yeers (after this) wherein the Lamb's followers and ſufferers under the Banner of Christ, are to know their Places, maintain their Watches, keep their Motions, continue their Marches, renew their Charges, till they rout Babylon, and deſtroy the Beasts Dominion root and branch; yea, until they do Wonders in this old world. For the years of Wonders (Dan. 12.6.) are now entering, upon the deſcenſion of the Spirit of life from God. And in order I am to ſound the enſuing Trumpet to the Two Witneſſes and remnant of the womans ſeed▪ for it is no time to dally: the danger is great, the day is come, and we are engaged (there is no going off) live or die, ſtand or fall, fight or flight is at hand: and Num. 10.5, 6, 8. When ye blow an alarm, then the camp ſhall go forward. VVhen the Congregation is to be gather'd together, ye ſhall blow, but not an alarm: and this ſhall be an indelible ordinance to you in your generation, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . So that after a long and humble attendance at the Throne for my preſent work, The Order of the Author's Call to this Treatiſe. I am put upon this, (whatever I muſt do or endure for it, ſo Jeſus be but magnified, my ſpirit is pitched) having ſo manifeſt and manifold a Call to it in order, thus. 1. A ſpecial Meſſage from the LORD, brought by a choice ſervant of Chriſt and his Church.

1. A Meſſage brought me the 10 of this month by our S. H.T. who had a weeks cloſe communion and conference with the Lord in heavenly Viſits and Viſions, ſinging, praying, contemplating, communicating, and receiving, amongſt other things, a Meſſage to deliver me in the Priſon, which I had to this effect: That the Lamb's book ſhould be unſealed, and the Viſions opened to me; bidding me be of good chear, for I ſhould ſhortly know my own work, and what Iſrael ought to do. This, I confeſs, was a word in ſeaſon to me, and as ſutable (at that juncture) as if an Angel had come with it out of heaven on purpoſe; which much raiſed and revived my ſpirit, as Solomon ſays, Prov. 13.17. A faithful (or, as in Heb. a true) Meſſenger is health, in the Abſtract: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I found it, when the viſions of mine head troubled me, and made me ſick: it is medicina, as ſome read it, Prov. 25.13. Beſides, upon the firſt of the third m. laſt, after a very ſolemn Faſt all day, (with my con-Captive) to know our work, and what we ſhould do; the ſucceeding night, in my ſleep, I thought I lay under the ſhadow of a great Mulberry-tree, which hung full of great ripe mulberries: I lying with my face upward, and mouth open, ſaw many of the boughs crowded together; which I thought (by impreſſion upon my heart (in my bodily ſleep) to be the Lord on the top, treading them down together; whereby, as the boughs, ſo the (brave large) berries ſtruck one againſt another, and brake one into another, and ran all (that were ſo broken) by one ſtream, into my mouth and belly, whereby I thought I was abundantly refreſhed: and when I awaked, I was ſo indeed, full of joy, and could not hold, but told my wife of it preſently, and afterwards my friends. But before noone the ſame day, I received a Letter from the foreſaid perſon, with theſe lines: Truly, brother, I have ſeen you frequently in the divine boſome, and have ſung abundantly Hallelujah for the Cordials which I ſaw poured down your throat, which made you (I apprehended) like a Champion, and like a triumphing Conquerour! Go on! thou Champion: for he hath ſaid he will ſtand by thee, who ſtood by Paul at his firſt anſwer, when none ſtood by him, &c. Some may muſe at my admittance of theſe things; but I do aſſure them, it is neither to boaſt of them, (for what haſt thou, O man, to boaſt of, but what thou haſt received?) nor to build upon them, which is very dangerous; but it is to obſerve the concurrence and good effects of ſuch paſſages: for though I am as far from taking notice of, or having dependance upon Dreams or Viſions, as any man alive; yet I muſt not omit the night-teachings of the Spirit, nor ſuch Dreams or Viſions which bring forth bleſſed effects upon the ſpirits of men, or are ratifications of the truth and minde of God; for that the great Promiſe of the Spirit muſt bring forth ſuch effects, and ſuch Dreams and Viſions in theſe later days, Joel • . 28. and ſo the Lord taught his Saints of old.

2. The inceſſant expectation of the people of God. 2. To ſecond that ſervant of the Lord, the very next day, (and ſince, many days in a week) have men of much wiſdom, grace, holineſs, and integrity, come unto me, to tell me that it is the expectation of the choiceſt Saints in Lond. (and ſome in the Country alſo) the remnant of the VVoman, to hear ſome news of the Priſon-viſion or voice which we have been under at Lambeth and VVindſor, (wondering at our ſo long ſilence:) yea, that they have kept Praying by whole Days and whole Nights for that purpoſe; being very high to hear from us, and to have our light breaking abroad from Priſonbars for publike benefit; that they who are ready to give proof of their faith in the Lamb (with us) in the very ſame Battalia and Teſtimony againſt the Beaſt, might be provoked by us in the preſent VVork, VVatch, and VVarfare: And therefore they waited with wide deſires, and fixed eyes upon me, for ſomewhat to be publiſhed, a freſh quickning word, according to the freſh comforting Anointing that is upon me in Priſon; praying earneſtly, that their (almoſt) hourly, and more then ordinary expectations may not prove barren or abortive. Amen! ſay I, Pſal. 9.18. For the expectation of the poor (and perſecuted ones) ſhall not (always) periſh: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 it may be fruſtrate for a time; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ; but the expectation of the wicked will periſh for ever, Prov. 10.20. & 11.7, 23. Iſai. 20.5. Zech. 1.5. At the time of the End (which is now) are many to run to and fro, that knowledge may be increaſed, Dan. 12.4. And ſuch as wait for the viſion, ſhall finde it, when it ſhall ſpeak, and not lye, (though it tarry its appointed time) Hab. 2.2, 3. So the knowledge of wiſdom will be ſweet to thy ſoul; and when thou haſt found it, thine expectation cannot be cut off, Prov. 24.13, 14. This is another degree of my Call, viz. the eager deſires, expectations, and invitations of good People to publiſh this, which like the winde puts the Ship upon motion; but it is the Compaſs guides it. And as Cicero did expect abundance of knowledge from his ſon, becauſe of his continual converſe with Cratippus in his School: ſo, it ſeems, the Saints at our hands (who are in Priſon) expect Pathmos-diſcoveries, the fruits of freſh, full, frequent, cloſe, continual, early and evening, and moſt ſpiritual and alone converſe with Jeſus Chriſt in this his Free-School, where our Father hath put us for a few yeers, to learn hard Leſſons (to fleſh and blood) out of the Lamb's book: and bleſſed be our moſt dear and gracious God, it is the beſt School (within theſe Iron bars) that ever we were at in our lives, though we be kept ſtrictly to it: (Schola crucis is Schola lucis:) for the Lord is not a barren deſert, or land of darkneſs (Jer. 2.) unto us: which I believe every one in Priſon for this bleſſed (though betrayed) Cauſe (with us) can and will teſtifie, una & viva voce, ere long. But,

3. The flying reports which paſs and rep • ſs at pleaſure upon our Principles and Practices. 3. The variety of Reports, and of unſatiable Reporters, which have run about City and Country, continually to render us and this moſt admirable Cauſe and Truth of Christ's kingdom, worthy of the worſt contempt that people can put upon us, (whiles we by a forced ſilence are buried alive in theſe Iron graves, and not ſuffer'd to anſwer for our ſelves or the Truth) ſo that the tongues of ſome men hang ſo much upon the hinges of the Times, that, like flying doors, without lock or key they open or ſhut with the leaſt blast of winde which blowes from the Court; yea, their very Preachers, to make us Monſters in the eyes of the poor deluded People, report ſtrange things of us; as they uſe to do of dogs, firſt ſpread abroad they are mad, and then hang them: Thus are we reported; and the inhumane Tyranny upon us, is (in the Pulpits) reported to be no Perſecution, but an act of Justice; and ſo have the Perſecutors; Powers and Prieſts ſaid, all along this 42 m. that the Martyrs were evil doers, factious, ſeditious Traytors; as at this day, the Duke of Savoy declares the poor Waldenſes and Albigenſes: So that the bloodieſt bruits that ever were, would ſay ſo much for themſelves, that what they did was Juſtice. But how any of the preſent Friars, Chaplains, or Parſons, can prove our ſufferings ſo, or dare utter it with ſuch boldneſs for Orthodox Doctrine, to their poor deluded people, (had they not the ſpirit of the Beast, and forehead of the Whore newly painted) I profeſs I ſhould have wonder'd; or how the people can be willing to hear ſo high Pulpit-lyes at their Prieſt's mouth, By Miniſters in Pulpits and out. is as much to be admir'd, were they not ſuch pitiful Slaves (in ſoul & body.) For, can there be an act of Juſtice without a Trial? or Trial without Crime? or Crime without a Law? or the like? yet without all or any of theſe, we lie in priſons year after year, onely for Preaching the Truth (as their own Conſciences can and do tell them, and all the world knows) and no formal Charge againſt us to this day: So that the Prelates and Papiſts, who had a Law of the Land, &c. had more colour of Juſtice then theſe men. Beſides, if to ſuffer out of pure love to the Lord Jeſus in a good Cauſe, with a good conſcience, and by as good a Call (as men can have to preach and pray, the Goſpel of the Kingdom, or Reigne of Chriſt, and the downfal of the Beaſt's dominion; yea particularly, that Civil as well as Eccleſiaſtical Sanction of the 4 Mon. in this Nation now) if to ſuffer for a Fundamental Principle of Faith, by the meer luſt, will, and rage of man, contrary to the Word of God, and Laws of the Land: and if to ſuffer with the moſt evident teſtimony of our Conſciences with us, and of our Chriſt; and of the preſence of Jehovah owning us every day, and with a conflux and fulneſs of joy in the holy Ghoſt flowing from the Covenant of grace, New Teſtament-promiſes and Principles, &c. and if our Cauſe is ſo clear and juſt, before God and men, that we can dare and do challenge our Adverſarie (the proudeſt of them all) to bring it and us to any open (lawful) Trial, &c. if any or all (and more then all) theſe things be an argument of a good Suffering, or a Perſecution that is upon us, and not any act of Juſtice (as the lying ſpirit in the mouthes of the falſe Prophets, reports) then we are under a Perſecution. And I wonder with what face men can pretend to be Miniſters of the Goſpel, that go up and down with ſuch uncharitable cenſures, untruths, and evil reports, (of their poor impriſoned brethren, inſulting over them in their calamities (with calumnies) now they know they cannot ſpeak for themſelves) vapouting abroad they will undertake to prove, They (meaning us in Priſon for this Cauſe) ſuffer not for the Goſpel, nor for any Truth of the Goſpel; and doing what they can to make falſe report of our Principles and Practices: which obliges me the more to the publication of this Treatiſe.

And by falſe brethren.Beſides them, and the fore-mentioned at Court, there be others too, ſet awork by Satan, viz. falſe Brethren of the Churches we walk with, eſpecially two, withdrawn from for ſcandal and ſin; whoſe uneven walking, and imperious ſpirit (formerly) did beat in the body like an uneven Pulſe, which was growing up to a very high diſtemper and danger, but that the Phyſician of the Church gave it a Purge, and prevented: yet theſe two (whoſe names I am loth to make too publike; for who knows but they may repent, and be other men? which would be great rejoycing to me) have moſt unchriſtianly reported (if not invented) ſuch things as my very ſoul abhors; which is publikely ſpread as far as Lewes in Suſſex; yea, the Paſtor of the Church told me, for all that he knew, as far as Edinburgh in Scotland. And this makes me mention it • he more particularly, becauſe no Author can be found for • t, and the Cauſe of Chriſt is ſo much concerned in it; which makes the Devil ſo buſie at this day, by divers inſtruments (after the foreſaid two) to report me to have plaid at Cards in Lambeth-priſon (a very vile Slander) the laſt Chriſtimaſs, (as they call it:) the Cavalier-Priſoners, and the reſt of the Ranting crew in that Priſon, did play, drink and game, day and night, all the time; but for my part, I neither ſaw nor touch'd a pair of Cards all the time, nor, to my knowledge, any one of my family: and to take off all ſcruple, I have had a kinde of antipathy to Cards ever ſince my ſuffering with the Puritans (ſo called) by the Prelates, (when I was yet but a childe, being then led to it by their example, when I knew no other reaſon) and cannot endure to ſee a Pair of Cards: and if I ſee but any (anywhere) that I can lay hands of, I burn them: yet, as Metullus was anſwered in the Senate, when he railed againſt Tacitus, It is eaſie to abuſe him who is not ſuffer'd to anſwer. But I will not fill my pages with ſuch unprofitable lines; onely this, to take off all ſtumbling-blocks from good people, (who elſe might be prejudic'd againſt me) before they read the following book: and as I meet with any other materiall paſſages or reports (as I come at them in order) I ſhall endeavour, for thy ſake, Reader, to clear the way for thee; knowing there be many, who, Shemaiah-like, would put us in fear, as Neh. 6.13, 14. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , yea, into a fright, leſt we ſhould go forward, (that is the very reaſon) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . But though we be but poor! vile worms! and meet with as many diſcouragements on the right hand and on the left, as I think ſuch poor men can meet with, conſidering the corruptions of our own hearts, and thereupon the Tryals which attend us many times, as well as the Troubles which are added to us, and our bonds, by the unhandſome mouth-purgings and reports of friends and foes, good and bad, enemies and falſe brethren, yea, ſuch as pretend high with us too in this moſt excellent Cauſe for (and in) which we ſuffer with abundance of divine ſupport, bleſſed be the Lord: therefore we hope through his grace we may ſay, We will ſooner have our tongues cleave to the roof of our mouthes, our eyes ſhrink and ſink into our heads with waiting, yea, and our bodies rot in the Dungeons, then relinquiſh this glorious Controverſie now up for the Lamb againſt the Beast, (for which we are in priſon) or yeeld an inch of ground to our Enemies in theſe matters. Others there be, who report highly of our Perſecutors on purpoſe, as ſome did of Tobiah's good deſerts, Nehem. 6.19. on purpoſe, I ſay, to diſcourage the brethren, and that they might have Matter for an evil report (ſays the text) of us; which I hop • they ſhall never have (as they would) as long as blood is in our veins, and as long as Jehovah ſupports, Chriſt intercedes, and Saints pray for us. Therefore let all theſe Fame-bearers, good and bad, remember how Nehemiah prayed againſt ſuch brethren, as well as ſuch enemies: Nehem. 6.14. and ſee Num. 14.37. Even thoſe brethren that did bring up an evil report upon the land, died (every one) by the plague before the Lord: and ſo will theſe, without timely repentance: nor can they enter into the thouſand yeers Canaan. But thus far for the third ſtep to this Treatiſe by Call.

4. The Challenge of ſome of the Court-champions. 4. Another degree of the Call, is the proud, flaunting, and Goliath-like Challenge made us by ſome of the Court-cathers and boaſters: one of the late Clerical Commiſſioners hath twice preſs'd it upon me (in the priſon) to print ſomewhat; ſaying, he would warrant I ſhould have free liberty to do it (without offence) and without danger, print what I would; withal, that I ſhould have an Anſwer: which (with a kinde of boaſting and inſulting) being urg'd ſo hard upon me, for the Truths ſake, was of notable inducement to point my Pen; for I hope to finde a little Stone fit for the purpoſe: which monſtrous high Challenge is (methinks) much like that of Gaal in his Champion-fits of Fury and Folly, Judg. 9. who dared Abimelech when he was abſent, ſaying, (Sultan-like) Who is he? Increaſe thine army, and come out. But by and by, ſeeing his Army in earneſt coming (without increaſe) his Plumes fell, and he was terrified and amated at the very ſhadows of them: and then Zebul mocked him, ſaying, (as't were, How now man! where is thy courage?) verſ. 38. Wherewith thou ſaidſt, Who is Abimelech? where is thy mouth? Is not this the people thou ſo deſpiſeſt? Go out, I pray, and meet them, and fight with them: which when he did, (as he could do no otherwiſe, for ſhame) he was deſtroyed and ſmote before them. And ſo ſome ſay to us, Come, if you dare! print! publiſh what ye can! &c. but, Altitudo non eſt valida: Soft words, and hard Arguments, go fartheſt.

5. The many Caſes of Conſcience ſent me, alluding to this Subject. 5. I found beſides all ſaid before) Caſes of Conſcience come thick upon me, and ſent apace unto me for Reſolves in the work of the Day, about the Witneſſes; the time, the ſtreet, the riſe; the order, and effects of their riſing; alſo, about the Vials, and about the Beaſts dominion; the firſt and ſecond Beaſt, with their characters; and about the number of the Beaſt's name, and who is the man that makes up the laſt character of the Beaſt, viz. 666. and ſeveral Queries in all the points I herein handle: and Caſes to be reſolv'd, which I may ſay ſome ſcores of Saints ſent or brought unto me; whereby I ſaw an evident call to give an account of thoſe Caſes and Reſolves in this Treatiſe, which others have experienced, and put their Probatum eſt, for the publike benefit of other Patients. But if theſe Phyſical ingredients work well, they muſt be content to be ſick (of the world, and of all ſublunary affairs, as they are; and to be redeem'd fully from the earth, for the ſervice of the Lamb) who would be well. A good Conſcience, and a good Cauſe, are like two bladders under the arm-holes, which keep the poor heart from ſinking, and the head above water, do what men or devils can, as we in priſon can tell by experience, while Rich-men (poormen!) in the midſt of their Honours, or ill-gotten Greatneſs, will finde at laſt, for all their Arts, Equivocations, and Policie, to put off their Conſciences with, That they have but ſtuffed a pitcher in ſtead of a pillow, with feathers to lie down upon. And indeed, a Court-conſcience (as things are now) is worſe then a common Goal, as the Apoſtates of the times will finde at the General Aſſizes; for thither the Lord chief Juſtice of all the world ſends his Malefactors; he makes his Warrants, to have them bound with the cords of their own ſins; and ere long (O lamentable!) they ſhall lie in Little-Eaſe, without Bayl or Mainpriſe, deprived of the preſent Light, and laid as it were upon the Rack (in examination) for their Apoſtacie, Perjury, Hypocriſie, Perſecution, Self-ſeeking, &c. till all their Villainy come out: O it will be a terrible time to them! and this I look for, to light upon them whom the Law muſt and will judge.

Now becauſe many poor ſouls, whoſe conſciences, like candle-ſnuffs in the ſocket, flame up now and then, and then leave them in the dark again; ſo that although by ſuch a light, a man may ſee his book, yet he cannot ſee how to read it; or he may know where it is, but not what it is; ſo he may ſee his pen and ink, but not ſee how to write with it; ſo a woman may ſee her needle and work, but cannot thred her needle, or ſee to work by ſuch a light: So, I ſay, are ſome mens conſciences, ſometimes in a little light, and then in the dark again; they can ſee the commands, but not their duty; they can ſee Religion, but not the work of the generation; they can hear of the downfal of Babylon, and of the Beaſt's whole Government, but not bear it at home, or act in the ruine of it: in the general, they can cloſe with the Truth and preſent Teſtimony, but are not able to come to particulars. Such as theſe (among others) have brought me their Caſes of conſcience; to whom I muſt miniſter my light, in the enſuing Treatiſe; having a ſufficient Call (whatever it ſhould coſt me) in my place, as a Miniſter of the Goſpel, to anſwer All Caſes of conſcience, that I may be made manifeſt (as the Apoſtle ſays) in the conſciences of all.2 Cor. 11.5. My Lord and Maſter received all that came unto him; ſo did the Apoſtle of the Gentiles, and all the faithful Miniſters all along: yea, if the anſwer to ſuch Caſes or Queries were ever ſo high againſt the Powers or Laws of Men (then uppermoſt:) as Luther did in that grand Caſe of Conſcience ſent him by the people of God at Miltenberg, when they were forbidden by the Powers upon pain of death to appear publikely about matters of Faith. But ſo far for the fifth Cauſe or Call.

6. The Doubts which are occaſion'd by contradiction of Doctrine in our abſence. 6. The frequent News brought us, of that unſteadineſs, darkneſs, and indeed, malignity and contradiction of doctrine which is delivered at London, tending to perplex, unſettle, grieve and ſtagger many precious ſouls, whoſe eyes and hearts are upon the preſent Truths, Work and Teſtimony (with us in Priſon) for the Kingdom of Chriſt, viz. the little Stone, or ſtriking part of that Kingdom in the firſt place: ſometimes aſſerting there is no ſuch Kingdom; ſometimes, that the Stone began to ſtrike, at or before the Incarnation of Chriſt; ſometimes, that the Witneſſes were ſlain long ſince, in the Martyrs that were burnt, beheaded, or the like; ſometimes, that they are not yet ſlain, affirming the Place to be in other Dominions, in Germany or France, Savoy or Rome, or ſome other Popiſh Dominion, and not in England; and making the two Witneſſes to be two perſons, or elſe the ſuffering Saints together, (who are the remnant of the Womans ſeed) and not the Magiſtracie and Miniſtery of the Witneſs; ſome pretending the time of the ſlaying, and the end of the 42 m. to be afar off, and wiſhing the Priſoners were not under a Deluſion, in looking for Chriſt, and his Kingdom and coming, too ſoon: ſometimes telling them, that the mark of the Beaſt is not yet taken, and that none of the Vials are yet poured out; and the like. Whereby abundance of precious hearts have told me they are ſo confounded, that they know not what to ſay; and can ſee no light in their Doctrine; which makes them take ſo long journeys to the Priſon for information, (and would more and oftener, could they have admittance) for that ſome of our brethren, in ſtead of ſnuffing the Candle, put it quite out, and ſo leave our (wonted) hearers in the dark, eſpecially ſince the death of Mr. Tillinghaſt, that Lanthorn of light, that choice Saint, (who dying in the Teſtimony, became a Martyr to the Truth and Cauſe we are in priſon for, as if he had died on the Scaffold;) during whoſe life (in ſo ſhort a ſpace) ſo much Light was miniſtred, as was marvelous in London; he being of a more winning, humble, ſweet, attracting and meek temper; which was very needful for that ſeaſon; according to the Italian Proverb: Hard without Soft, the Building is naught: for, there muſt be ſoft Mortar, well tread (an humble ſpirit well mortified) to hard ſtone or brick well laid, (or as well as a zealous reſolute ſpirit well grounded, i. e. upon ſound knowledge) to make up the Bulding that muſt ſtand. But, I ſay, ſince the gathering in of that ripe (and rare) firſt-fruit, or ſetting of that Morning-ſtar, (that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for he was full of light: yea, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for he was a light whiles it was yet dark) they are left in the more dark for the preſent: but it being a Morning-Matutine darkneſs, it does argue to me, the Sun is next to ariſe, or the enunciation of ſuch light, (and beams at firſt) as ſhall enlighten the whole Land, Rev. 18.1. But now becauſe we are bid (Iſai. 35.3, 4.) to ſtrengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees; and to ſay to them that are of a fearful heart, Be ſtrong, fear not, &c. and becauſe the End of a Goſpel-miniſter is (according to the diſpenſation of the Spirit) to eſtabliſh the Saints and Churches in the preſent Truth and Work, (or, to build them up) 2 Pet. 1.12, 13. Acts 16.3. 1 Theſſ. 3.2, 13. 2 Theſſ. 2.17. Col. 2.7. I dare not omit my duty herein, to do all I can from a Priſon, to diſſolve thoſe doubts, and eſtabliſh thoſe hearts that pant after the Truth. For Doubtings are like Quagmires; the longer men ſtand on them, the more they ſink into them:Sim. and indeed, there is need of a Daniel's ſpirit and wiſdom to diſſolve All Doubts, Dan. 5.12. and what man dare undertake it? (To looſe knots, ſays the Hebrew, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or open aenigmatical Scriptures and Caſes; cut Gordian-knots with the Sword of Gods Word.) Yet if the Lord will let me have ſo much of my inheritance of his wiſdom as I need for ſuch a Task and Treatiſe as this is, I ſhall be enabled to diſſolve ſome Doubts, reſolve ſome Caſes, quicken, comfort and eſtabliſh ſome Conſciences. So that by faith I I go about this Work, that whereas others are always troubling, ſtirring, and thicking the Waters, I may miniſter them (in thoſe very Prophecies of Daniel, Apocalypſe, and other Scriptures) ſo clearly, as may refreſh the ſpirits of the Saints. And therefore help me! O Father! O Fountain of light! and O thou that haſt the ſeven Spirits! that men may eaſily ſee, as in clear water, to the very bottom, where the Truth lies, and what they would clearly underſtand; which they can never do, in thick, muddy, and troubled waters. Sim. And as the honeſt Draper is content to have his Ware brought to light, and examin'd by the ſun-beams; ſo ſhall I to have this Book. Therefore as when one takes a piece of money, if he doubts the goodneſs of it, he takes it, turns it, rubs it, views it diligently, and tries it every way whether it be ſound or no, before he puts it up, or reſts ſatisfied: ſo do with this Treatiſe; believe not what men ſay of it, but ſearch and ſee, (lege & intellige) turn it over and over, man! line by line! page by page! peruſe it, until thou doſt even unſpirit it into thy ſelf! pray for underſtanding! read without prejudice! and that Doctrine which builds you up moſt in Chriſt! tends moſt to mortifie you, redeem you from the world! wealth! pleaſures! honours, &c. to quicken you, and eſtabliſh you! to put you upon preſent work for Chriſt againſt Antichriſt! to keep you upon your watch! waiting! praying! longing for the day of Chriſt! to enlighten you in the Prophecies & promiſe of his coming, &c. that take and practiſe. But ſo much for the ſixth.

7. Experience of freſh Incoms of Light. 7. I finde (in few days) a ſudden and ſweet tranſition of a very Chaos of Darkneſs and Confuſion, by divine Command: and whiles the Spirit moves upon the face of the waters, light breaks in upon me brighter and brighter, and ſhining more and more unto the perfect day, Prov. 4.18. which will bring forth little by little from me to the Saints abroad: and although the Light forces a paſſage into my intellect, by a redundant and more then ordinary irradiation; yet many a time it breaks out at a dark cloud upon my ſpirit; Job 37.21. Men ſee not the bright light that is in the clouds; but the winde (of the Spirit, for ſo I finde it) paſſeth, Expoſ. and cleanſeth them (from all earthlineſs, caliginous thickneſs of vapours or fancies; and ſo I truſt, the Reader that heareth and readeth what the Spirit ſaith, ſhall finde it:) yea, the moſt heavenly light is ſuch a light, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which few arrive at, or derive from: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . Since a participation whereof, with the faſtning of ſome promiſes full upon my ſpirit, I can finde no Truce within me, without ſounding a Call to the Lambs number, in order to their Muster upon mount Sion, (or the New Covenant) and blowing a Trumpet in the enſuing Tract, which (I hope) will give a more certain ſound then hath been hitherto: for, unto the upright there ariſeth a light in the darkneſs, Pſal. 112.4. (a ſweet word!) or, per nubilum tempus: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 it ariſeth by, xpoſ. through, or in a dark and cloudy time, as this is; it doth ſo to the faithful Saints, whiles others grope at noon-day (as the Prophet ſays;) caecutiunt in luce. That alſo in Iſai. 58.10, 11. is much upon my heart: If thou draw out thy ſoul to the hungry, and ſatisfie the afflicted, then ſhall thy light ariſe in obſcurity, (an odde word, to humane reaſon, fleſh and blood, or mans wiſdom) and thy darkneſs ſhall be as the noon-day; and Jehovah ſhall guide thee continually, &c. O bleſſed word to my faith! for my very ſoul and heart-bowels have been drawn out to poor hungry hearts, yea, to miniſter my daily bread at the priſon-bars to the perſecuted Remnant: and I need no more (methinks) now, to fetch me out of Priſon (as I may ſay) to ſo publike a work, wherein I was ſo backward, becauſe ſo darkward therein; yet I have many other promiſes upon motion, as Iſai. 42.16. I will make darkneſs light before thee: and that of Dan. 12.4. Shut up the words, ſeal the book, even to the time of the end, (the 3 yeers and half end, verſ. 7. when the Witneſſes ſhall appear peditatim, and the Little Stone begin to ſtrike the Powers of the fourth Monarchy all to pieces:) then many ſhall run to and fro, and knowledge ſhall be increaſed; yea, light ſhall break out abundantly, Rev. 18.1. (which begins in the laſt three yeers and an half of Daniel's 1290, and John's 1260 Prophetical days) I have a more then ordinary confidence, (if not clear aſſurance) that the Viſions of Daniel's (ſealed) and the light of the Lamb's book, Rev. 5. ſhall be opened to me, as I am able to bear it, (by degrees) yea, be let out upon me like a Sluice, and overtake me in full ſtreams, if I faithfully purſue the Light already given me; which, with the Lords grace, I will do, though I die for it. He (ſaith our Saviour, Joh. 14.21, 22.) ſhall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and I will manifeſt my ſelf to him; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ,Expoſ. i. e. as by the light of the Sun: not by Parts, Arts or Sciences; but ſo, or in ſuch manifeſtations, as the world never had, verſ. 22. in New-Covenant-Light, or Truth breaking out with the brightneſs or luſtre of the Covenant of Grace, and the Fathers love to him: ſuch a one ſhall be like an Angel in the Sun, Rev. 19.17, 18. or cloathed with the Sun, in a fulneſs, body, and ſubſiſtence of Light communicative to others who wait for the benefit of it, who would be refreſhed by it, and do the work of the day in it, which the Light ſets on foot, and is unto us a witneſs, call, ſupport, comfort, aſſiſtance, and aſſurance.

8. All temptations removed, and the way cleared with many ſweet promiſes. 8. To name no more, I was ſomewhat dejected (yet not ſo as to deſpond, or doubt of aſſiſtance) to ſee the moſt tremendous and dreadful wrath of God (which is to begin within 2 or 3 yeers, upon this Apoſtate generation) to paſs before me: ſome temptation ſeiz'd upon me, (through ſelf-diffidence, and bodily diſtemper) as at the apprehenſion of the inextricacie, depth, and incomprehenſiveneſs of thoſe deep Prophecies which I have to ferry over, or paſs thorow; wherein ſo many (more Able) have ſunk and fa • len before me; ſo at the fierce looks, bellowing threats, and atrocity of the Beast now up in England, who will not be able to bear the Tidings of his Deſtruction. But as the firſt part of the temptation was obviated and deforced by the former promiſes; ſo the other, by what follows. For this morning (being the 18 of the 10 m.) to make all the way clear, a full Commiſſion was given me, and Quietus eſt, ſign'd and ſent to me, thus: Firſt, I ſaw in my ſleep a great Dragon of large ſize, with very large outſtretched wings, very lively red, fire-ſparkling gogling eyes, and moſt terribly furious at his mouth, and violent in his claws, with long fierce talons: but it was given me to believe he ſhould not hurt me; and I thought I feared him not. Soon after, I ſaw (I thought) a Tree full of Dragons, with large wings and claws, (ſome 5 or 6 upon the tree having big rolling eyes; but I did not fear them: and before I awaked, I thought I ſaw all them, dead, and no more able to hurt then painted ones, or pictures of Dragons. I ſpeak not this, to take notice of a Dream, but of the effect: for when I awaked, my ſpirit was full, and my break-faſt very ſweet: and conſulting (as I uſe to do,Many Objections made & anſwered. as ſoon as ever my eyes were opened) with the Lord, I was bid to be Up and doing, without more delay, (by a ſudden and ſtrong impulſe of ſpirit.)

Object. Yet I objected: But Lord! though I have a Call from circumſtances, and Saints, &c. yet what have I from the Scriptures?

Anſw. Then came into my minde tumbling abundance of Scriptures and Promiſes one upon another; as Iſai. 35.3, 4. and thoſe I mentioned before; ſo alſo Iſai. 40.1, 2. Comfort ye! comfort ye my people (ſaith the Lord) tell her, her warfare is accompliſhed, her iniquity pardoned, &c. The voice of him that prepareth is come: cry, All fleſh is graſs, all withereth, becauſe the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it. Yea, that of Luk. 22.32. was flung in forcibly upon my Spirit: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; ſo that, when thou art converted, ſtrengthen thy brother: with abundance more.

Object. But I objected further: What particular Call have I (who am in priſon) to publiſh to the world any thing that reflects ſo ſharply upon the preſent Powers, Perſons, Armies, or the like?

Anſw. But that of Jam. 5.10. pearch'd upon me in that point immediately: Take the prophets who have ſpoken in the name of the Lord, for an example, &c. for they feared not, in or out of priſon, the powers or perſons of Kings, or the like. So 2 Pet. 1.21. Holy men wrote and ſpake as they were inſpired (or moved) by the Spirit: and therefore begin (by faith) as they did, and I will be with you, (becauſe all true Scriptures or writings are firſt given by inſpiration, 2 Tim. 3.16. Ah then ſaid I! Lord! let me have this Anointing all the way, both in the paſſive and active part of this Testimony!

Object. But I fell upon my unfitneſs, fewneſs of yeers, ſmalneſs of light, ſhallowneſs of judgment, weakneſs of faith, & the like; Anſw. but was preſently ſilenced with Gods words to Moſes and Jeremiah, ſuggeſted unto me, Exod. 4.11. Who made man's mouth? and the dumb to ſpeak? the deaf to hear? or the blinde to ſee?) did not I the Lord? So Jer. 1.6, 7. Say not, I am a childe: for what I command thee, thou ſhalt ſpeak (and write) abroad: and be not afraid of their faces; for I am with thee, to deliver thee, ſaith the Lord. Do not I (the Lord) take when, where, and whom I will? and give of my Spirit, power, and ability to whom I will? Now therefore ariſe! and my Spirit ſhall be with thee the Pen of a ready writer: with which word, my very heart did exult and leap within me, being as full as I could hold. But Lord! ſaid I, What is it that I muſt write? what meſſage ſhall thy poor worm have for the world? When preſently,The Meſſage in the bulk. (before I ask'd, almoſt) much fell upon me at once: The day of the Lord is at hand! it is his day! the day of his wrath! of his vengeance, and of great deſtruction! upon the inhabitants of this world! upon this land, upon theſe Apoſtates, and adulterous generation of evil doers! for they are all turn'd aſide! Blood cryeth unto blood! and the earth ſhall cover her ſlain no more! The Witneſſes ſhall up upon their feet, and the remnant of the Womans ſeed do wondrous things! for by the ſpirit of Eliah they ſhall reſtore all again, Magiſtracie and Miniſtery as at the firſt; and recover the holy City from the Gentiles, that have trod it under this 42 m. They ſhall aſſault the great City, and climb up the wall like men of war: they ſhall pour out the Vials upon the powers, Prieſts and Armies of the Beaſt, and on all his Dominion; and execute the vengeance on all his Worſhippers, and irrefragable Supporters, Subjects and Followers, that have his name or mark upon their Foreheads; yea, the Earthquake ſhall rend them up by the very roots, and the Little Stone ſtrike them up by the very toes; and none ſhall ſave them from the wrath of the Lamb that is come.

Object. But ah Lord! ſaid I, Theſe men in power haſt not thou owned in the field, at Nazeby, Dunbar, Worceſter? and wilt thou now reject them?

Anſw. Upon which, fell theſe Scriptures together upon me, Iſai. 10. Shall the Ax boaſt it ſelf againſt him that heweth therewith? or the Saw magnifie it ſelf againſt him that ſhaketh it? As if the Rod ſhould ſhake it ſelf againſt them that lift it up, or as if the Staff ſhould lift up it ſelf, as if it were no wood. Therefore ſhall the Lord, Jehovah of Armies, ſend among his fat ones leanneſs, and under his glory kindle a burning like the burning of a fire: And the light of Iſrael ſhall be for a Fire, and his holy One for a Flame, which ſhall burn and devour his thorns and his briers all in one day. Beſides this, that of Jer. 18.9, 10. At the inſtant that I ſhall ſpeak concerning a nation, and a kingdom, to build and to plant it; if it do evil in my ſight, and obey not my voice, then will I repent of the good wherewith I ſaid I would benefit them. But eſpecially that of Jer. Tell Coniah, were he as a ſignet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck him thence, and give him into the hand of them that ſeek him.

With theſe things I was ſatisfied, and fleſh was ſilenc'd, and Faith ſo ſupported, ſupplied, and well raiſed, that I fell (forthwith) upon this Work (by faith and prayer) in the Name of the Lord; which is to beat out into the leaf, the Meſſage which I have received in the lump. Wherein, according to my illumination, I muſt deſire leave to differ from many of our dear brethren, whom I highly honour, that have put us and the preſent Work at too great a diſtance, having ſent it to Germany, (or to other places;) from whence it being ſent back again to us into Great Britanny, (as I can ſhew by Letters from forreign parts, where I hold correſpondence with the choiceſt Lights, who ſee the riſing of the Witneſſes, and ruine of the Beasts dominion in this our ſtreet firſt:) I muſt crave leave to miniſter my L • ght and Opinion upon the enſ • ing Subject, without giving offence to any whom I differ from; whoſe light in other things I eſteem above my own, (or rather, that meaſure of the Lord's) which I muſt thankfully, and with due honour to them, eſteem, as of great uſe and advantage to us in this Treatiſe of the Two Witneſſes, the Lamb's Government, (in Eccleſiaſtical, Military, and Civil Sanction) and the Beast's dominion. Thus far for the Call to it.

It may be I may be judg'd none of the Wiſest, to make ſo much ado in the Entry of the Diſcourſe, We accounted Fools & Mad men; and how we are ſo. to make ſo much ado in the Entry of the Diſcourſe, and to tell ſuch a Story of my Call to this Treatiſe, which few men will heed or hear. Notwithſtanding, it is not labour lost; for one may learn wiſdom by looking upon a Fool: and indeed, I do grant, that I am inſtructed, and ſtudy it every day more and more, to be, and ſpeak, like them whom the Wiſe-men of the Times repute Fools, (i. e. in all plainneſs, ſimplicity, and experimental language) and not in the wiſdom of words, or Arts, as the World would have us, 1 Cor. 2.4.) I have ſtudied to be wife, (as well as others) but now I am learning to be a Fool, which none will look after, becauſe ſuch are the Lord's inſtruments, and by ſuch he will confound the wiſdom of the Wiſe, and the great ones of the World, 1 Cor. 1.27. Iſai. 29.14. So Rom. 10.19. I will provoke you by them that are no people, by a Fooliſh nation I will anger you. Yea, ſuch Aſſes and Ideots as we are, (by grace) the King of Saints ſhall ride upon into his Throne: for, as one ſays, Aſinos & Ideotas Chriſtus eligit, &c. And indeed, I write to and for ſuch Fools, and not to the Wiſe, whoſe wiſdom will periſh, 1 Cor. 1.20. 1. Cor. 4.10. nor yet to them that profeſs themſelves wiſe, Rom. 1.22. or are ſo in their own eyes, Rom. 26.12. for there is more hopes of fools, then of them. But to ſuch fools whom Jehovah hath made promiſe to, Iſai. 35.8. that they ſhall not erre in the way, I write: for ſo the Prophet is a fool, and the ſpiritual man is mad, (ſo accounted at this day.) And who but ſuch Mad-men and Fools (in the worlds opinion) would oppoſe Powers, Armies, Kings, Councels, Prieſts, Lawyers, or the reigning Corruptions of the raging Beast, as they do? who but they, will run their lives, liberties, eſtates, &c. into ſuch apparent hazard? or who but Fools would deſpiſe Preferments and Places, 200, 300, or 1000 l. a year, and tread gold and ſilver under their feet at this day? Who be they, but Fools or Mad-men, that dare be ſo bold againſt great perſons? &c. as to utter all their minde at once, though they die for it? Prov. 29.11. & who but ſuch, will be medling ſo? Prov. 20.3. who but Fools & Mad-men that will venture with a Gideon-Army of 300, againſt an Army of 30, or 40, or 100000 men? and who but Fools that build upon things not ſeen, Heb. 11.1. nor likely in reaſon to come to paſs, as if they were already preſent? & who but they, that look on the ends of the earth? Prov. 17.24. Yet among theſe Fools (for Chriſt's ſake) I am content to be numbered; and for ſuch Fools and Mad-men I calculate and inculcate the enſuing Diſcourſe: ſo that, as the Apoſtle ſays, 2 Cor. 11.21. Wherein any is bold, (I ſpeak fooliſhly) I am bold alſo. Therefore let our Wiſe-enemies at Court, or in Country, give me leave, for once, to ſpeak like a fool, without ſtirring up their anger, ſeeing, as Paul ſays, 2 Cor. 11.19. Ye ſuffer Fools gladly, (not angrily) ſeeing you your ſolves are wiſe. Therefore expect no excellencie of ſpeech from me: for that becometh not a fool, ſays Solomon, Prov. 17.7. whoſe mediocriter is optime: nor any flattering Titles to men; for that is left to wiſe Paraſites and Favourites, who ſtudy the Alphabet of Great mens diſpoſitions, Job 32.22. which Fools do not; but as Solomon ſays, Eccleſ. 20.12. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , the graces of fools are preſently poured out. And ſuch Fools and Mad-men we ſhall be, by the grace of our God, though they bray us in a m • rter, Prov. 27.22. And if the Wiſdom of Solomon were not all Apocrypha at Court, I might put them in minde of Chap. 5.1, 4. The righteous ſhall ſtand in great boldneſs before the face of him that hath afflicted him, and made no account of his labours: then they ſay, This is he whom ſometimes we had a deriſion, with a proverb of a reproach: we fools accounted his life madneſs, and his end to be without honour: but he is numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the Saints. Therefore you that are wiſe, will be more ſolid, ſure, then to be troubled at what we fools ſay, to put us into priſon, or to have us in deriſion, as you have; ſeeing it is ſo unnatural to laugh at a Natural, and the high-way to become ſuch. Therefore, for ſhame, take not ſuch counſel as ye do, how to deal with a fool or mad-man, (as you ſay I am) who ſurely ſhould not offend the wiſe, if he play the fool: but ſuch a Fool I confeſs I am, as wants, and therefore waits for wiſdom of God, or more of that which you count Fooliſhneſs: and if it pleaſeth God to diſcover the preſent Truth by me unto any, it is of meer grace, becauſe it pleaſeth him to ſhew his ſtrength by weak ones, and his wiſdom by fools; and ſo take it, ye wiſe men • yet, it may be, ſome of the best wiſdom may drop from theſe lines, ſeeing many have been the wiſe ſpeeches of Fools, though nothing ſo many as the fooliſh ſpeeches of the Wiſe.

But thus I have paved the ground, to lay a Foundation, in clearing my Call and Encouragement to proceed, let it coſt me ever ſo deat, ſeeing I am out at the King's (the Lord Christ's) charges, and not at mine own; 1 Cor. 9.7. For who goeth to warfare at his own charges? Praefat. in 3 Serm. 4 Tom. Hieron. p. 408. I have been a little tedious, which I confeſs, with Eraſmus, is my fault as well as others: multi mei ſimiles hoc morbo laborant ut cum ſcribere neſciant tamen a ſcribendo temperare non poſſint, and this is a diſeaſe (then) they are apt to fall into, that think they ſhall never write more, to write much (as once for all) eſpecially ſince this TREATISE will be ſo large, and the matter of it ſo lively and important, and ſeeing the oppoſition of our Perſecutors, and of thoſe that ( 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ) are Cromwell fied, have neceſſitated ſo much for an INTRODUCTION. Now in the name of JEHOVAH-TSADEK our JEHOVAH-JIREH, who will be ſeen in the Mount, am I ready to preſent and publiſh theſe Apocaliptick Accounts Documents and Propheſies to all the True (yet few) NATHANIELS of our Times, that wait with a high Faith, and holy Patience (in all wel-doing and wel-ſuffering) for the approaching Day of Chriſt, and his Kingdom work; eſpecially to the ſpiritually enlightned Churches and Saints (thoſe of them that are left and kept faithfull) Paſtors and others of the ſame hope with us, ſeparate from Babylon, (whole Babylon) as well Civill, Military as Eccleſiaſtick; (and ſo growing up together into ONE, a one Body, a Temple-ſtate, or the Tabernacle open'd in heaven, where the Viols or Vengeance of the Lord, of the Lamb, of the Martyrs, of his Saints, and of his Temple, muſt Iſſue out ſhortly; and upon whom the Day of the Lord is come. I ſee from Mount Piſgah it is begun, yea already begun (as 1 Pet. 4.17.) by purging, ſifting, trying, ſeparating, diſcovering, quickning, afflicting and refining) I ſay to thoſe DEAR ONES or Jewels of the Lord and the Lamb, with all the Love, Life and Light which I received from above, with the abnegation of all that I am from below, and ſo with the grace and humility of both, I moſt heartily offer a few yeers pains, ſearch and teachings from the Holy one, unto them, and lay my judgement at their feet in theſe weighty matters of Chriſt, (if I may but get them publiſhed) in all the bleſſed properties, principles and prophecies of the Kingdom (to be revealed on earth in theſe laſt daies) for which we now contend, and truſt ſhall unto the END with Triumph and Rejoycing. Even ſo Amen.