COnsidering it has been the lot of the best and noblest Souls, that have bore mortal Flesh (even Christ Himself) to be in Prison for a good cause, yea, in a Native Land; And that God has an open ear to the Groans of such; And finding the kindness of Auditors and Visitors, not otherwise to the compensated, 'tis meet (till debts can be paid, in full) to pay in part, by Lines [...] And seeing Stone Walls are but Dumb Preachers, 'tis very Lawful to make the just cryes on the inside, to Eccho to all without: That some that envy'd our Li­berty, may (by seeing their own) pitty our Captivity, and others joyn their Supplications to our Sighs, for the Gospel, and Christs sake.

To that End let Christians at Liberty; Eccho to us in bonds, sensing both our Prison Sorrows, and Supports, the one in this sheet, the o­ther in the next.

For the first, though no Christian, who deserves that Royal Stile, and knows what Sin and Sorrow meanes, can want his Sighs; Yet Pris'ners [...] for Religion, yea thinking Persons at Liberty, with whom any seri [...] Piety, or thoughts of Eternity do obtain; cannot well abandon such secret efforts of mind, (now when the whole Creation Groans,) as these following Sighs and Tears, utter: And sounds reverberate, and Eccho best on the Waters.

Now first, To begin at the root, all sorrow is the Fruit of Sin: He's a Sot that Snarles at the Stone, (as Dogs do) not eying the hand that sent it: No Man how good soever his cause is, but may find Sin enough Personally demerriting the Rod though not from Men: And as God may at the same time inflict a scourge justly for Sin, and yet permit a Tryal to befal us by Men unjustly, and in both lay on a Sanctify'd Cross: So we may in the same breath both condole our Sin and Captivity, the yoke of our Transgression, being wreathed by Gods hand, and also enter our just appeal to God, the just Judge for our Defence and Vindication.

And as each is call'd individually in secret to Mourn for his own; so for others Sins; and the Oppressions of the Day, under which our Li­berties groan; God in Wisdom, laying Sufferings on some, in a Body Politick, though Innocent; for the sake of the nocent: And this is one of our Groans.

Secondly, Some Prisons are as Josephs strait Dungeons, that allow us not the Jura humanae Naturae; and like the House of Jonathan. Jer. 37. 20. Dirty holes to the Prophets of God: Chap. 38. And some of the Keepers [...]gged severe Potiphars, like Paul's Goaler, Acts 16. 22. (though [Page 2] some have no cause to complain so,) such as some of the Marian Martyrs Suffered and Sigh'd under; turgid Alexanders that for gain can torment the Pious, and Favour profane Capital Criminals: S. R. Complain'd that to the Pious; Law and Justice was deny'd, which Rogues and M [...] ­therers have gratis, for Gods sake.

Thirdly, To be clapt up and so forgot is a deep Sigh: This was the Chief Butlers fault, and Joseph's Case, recogniz'd (occasionally) by P [...] ­raoh's Dream; Gen. 49. 17. Though Reason might have taught more g [...] ­titude to Joseph, that foretold his happy Restoration: Men in restra [...] may gladly hear good Tydings, that in Honour forget their [...] Fellows, and Friends: And being advanc'd too high, daign not a look, or recognition, to Equals now below them: And to be forgot is in a sort to be as one Dead, or Buryed alive, Psal. 88. 8. 18. Few grieve for Jo­sephs affliction (or strait) Amos. 6. 6.

Fourthly, The envy of Brethren is yet a Deep Sigh, be they by Nature, Nation, or Profession so: It cut Josephs Soul worse then the Irons did, that Brethren owning the same God, should consult confinement in a Pit, and Captivity to base Isma'lites and Egyptians; against him that came to seek, and feed them, and to scorn him as a Fanatick Dreamer, Gen. 37. 19, 20. Though after twenty Years, Conscience gave them for that Guilt, a just reprimand: And envy was that which gave them so wicked a motion. Acts 7. 9.

No Persecution of Pagans, or Papagans, so bitter and harsh as the Fraternal; for with it Cain began the World, and the cause was [...] dissent in better Worship then his: And Ishmael, Edom, Doeg, nay, the Men of Anathoth, &c. have derived it down, to all the purest Prophets and Professors since: Yea, the very devout vext Paul most: And the last named Perils, was by false Brethren; Acts 13. 50. 2 Cor. 11. 26. So now some may Sigh [Proh dolor! heu gemitus! Fratris ab ense cado.] 'Tis sad, to Sell and Kill for Gods sake, and yet think we do God good Service. Joh. 16. 7.

Fifthly, To be slander'd in our good name vyes with that of envy: It be [...]ng as heavy to be blasted in our just Credit for Evil doers, (As Joseph was) as to be hated for well doing: For this, Joseph had his mi [...]timus to Prison, with Irons: So had Jeremy; and Men shut up under such Odious are half murder'd, afore-hand; and rendred incapable to make their [...] defence take away the crime, of the ill Name of Sedition, Faction, Schism, Heresie, Rebellion, given to Paul, (as Acts 6. 13. 24. 5, 14. Chap. 28. 22.) and so the Offence ceases: 'I was a com­plaint Jeremy made to Baruch. Chap. 26. 5. I am shut up and cannot) go to the House of the Lord: An heavy privation, to be stript of, and con [...]in'd from the Place, and Priviledge of Divine approaches, 'tis grie­vous [Page 3] to any, far more to a Prophet: And thus Daniel was accused, as [...]—and cast into the Den of Lions, that yet was able (in's just de­ [...]) to tell the King (when he better adverted on's Innocency) that [...] him, he had done no hurt. Dan. 6. 22. But for such, so to suffer, [...] Sighs. Were it not for the Slander of that Mistress of Whore­ [...] (in our Day) the Pious Chastity of our Josephs, might escape [...] Prison: But God rescued him from the Hungry Lyons, of both sorts: [...] brought him forth, and clear'd his Innocency to the King too: [...] vertue Slandr'd, and the Innocent punisht unconvicted to gratify ra­ [...], may cause a deep Groan. 'Tis a sad Word that in Zach. 11. 6. And [...] fulfill'd on the Jews, in Christs time.

Sixthly, Some Circumstances adjunct to confinement, add wegh of woe, to it: As when 'tis by the rigour of Laws stretcht on the rack; [...] makes it sharp; or by Laws Surreptitiously got, as that Decree a­gainst Daniel was: Or by such men as ought to be a Terrour to the ill; [...] a Praise to the good; when it's otherwise, what Groans ensue? So [...] Religious Conscience, or the Law of our God is concerned in the [...]: as in Dan. 6. 5. There being no greater Cruelty, then to impe [...] [...] Worship, or impose a false, 1 Sam. 26. 19. This is to pull [...] from the Breasts, and cause Souls to pine away, for want of [...] Broad of Life: Oh the Deep Sighs that this sends up every Sabboth, [...] the Ears of the Lord of Zabboth, a late! And if denying Corn, [...] a Curse, what Curse follows the restraint of those that would di­ [...] it, and cannot? O how does it Gratify the Papists, to see A­ [...] rules for restoring Popery, so Observ'd, in Suppression of [...] most noted Dissenters Lectures!

Nor is a Prison a sweet Place, to be amongst Malefactors, as Joseph [...], stript of the Company of Relations, lockt up by others, and kept [...] doing good to the Souls of Criminals: Put to the Charges of Fees, [...], and such Contingencies; in six Months, that would keep our [...] twelve Months: And all out of a Precarious income, that lasts [...] ad libi [...]um: And it's no easy thing to hear the [...]anting Swashbucklers Oaths, Healths, Taunts, and Blasphemies, that daring Fellons Belch [...] against God, and Innocents, as if Religion were a Crime: Nor is is a small Circumstance, for Men whose Education, and Parts, Birth, and Breeding, (beside Divine habiliments) have rendred Pregnant for [...] in their Generations, to be coop't up in a Hole, or Den, for a [...], or Trifle; having nothing to do, save to write their own Life, [...] rather Death Politicially) Nor can we (as Paul,) Preach to the [...] or to Friends, which might sweeten a Prison, and beget Souls [...] God, in our bonds, as Onesimus was: and Vergerius did to a Ma­ [...].

But especially to be Depriv'd of publick use to our Native Land, [...] made Home-born Slaves Suspended from our Duty, Cited, and Spited for it, Ejected from places of use, and Dear paid for, not allow'd a hired house, Acts 28. 30. nor to Exhort four in our Chambers: (that the Law allows us) and this without Jury, Oath, or Conviction, and in a Prote­stant Nation, &c. This is Lugendum & Luendum Nefas, and calls [...] great Wrath on the Land: To which, Oh how many add? and th [...]e that would stand in the Gap to turn it away, fail, and are misused, mock­ed, as 2 Chron. 36. 16, 17. till no Healing, no Remedy can Obtain Oh, how fatal is this Work to Court, City, and Countrey, Let Zedekiah with his Successours, the State of the Jews, the City of Jerusalem, twice Wit­ness: being the first time by the Caldees, the second time by the Rom [...] Demolish'd; (both City and Temple) for Temple Rights, and Civil Franchises, stand, or fall together; if Gods Ark (his glory) be delivered up, our strength will soon go Captive; Gods Priesthood, and mans Pro­perties, being forfeit at once, by Male-Administration; next the Ark Truckles to Dagon: That so few see this, though so many will feel it is [...] Groan.

To all the Adjuncts may one Circumstance more of the time be added, that 'tis for so long time: 'tis said of the King of Babylon, he opened not the House of his Prisoners, when he destroyed Cities, and made the World as a Wilderness, Isaiah 14. 17. (i. e.) not for a long time; 37 years J [...] ­achin (Josia's Brother) lay in Prison, till another Successour) Evil [...] ­dach Enlarg'd him, as 2 Kings 24. 15, 17. chap. 25. 27. 29. This was [...] Nebuchadnezzars time, from the first Captivity: This was long enough, to dwell in the Pit: some are put to long Durance, and Patience, So was Joseph also, his Youthful time spent in this, and such like Sufferings and Paul puts it among the Adjuncts of his Cross; Aged, and now Prison [...] too; Phil. 9. and to be at last Dedicated to a block, and lictor, was a palt of Nero's Rage; and he Suffered Prisons often, (by one Six Months [...] out, another Commences,) in Prisons more frequent, so 2 Cor. 11. 23. and Deaths often, and though the Lot of all goes not that length, yet either the Duration, or Iteration of this Cross, or some Adjunct annext, [...] Exile, and Captive too, (so Isaiah 51. 14.) or want, or closeness, or else Sickness (joyn'd Mat. 25. 43.) or as Vagrant, as in Isaiah 49. 21. [...] any of them, (far more if all be conjoyn'd) add weight: So Temptation, Desertion, Dejection, Conjoint, do make a Prison as a dark Dungeon, to be shut up so; that bitter Complaint Suits it of He [...]n (though a wise Soul) I'm shut up that I cannot come forth, Psal. 88. 6, 8. this twists the bands double and treble, the wreath'd Irons are sharpest, the wrath of man alone is hot enough, of God hotter, both United intollerable: no get­ting forth, till he that binds loosen, and say to the Prisoners, come [...] [Page 5] again. One at Liberty is sad Fetter'd thus, but one so in Prison, is now [...] Pit, like Jeremys full of mire; or Joseph in which is no Water, 37. 24. as theirs in Babylon was; no Water of Comfort, though [...] of Gall and Affliction. Oh how pining and dismal like, looks [...] Prisoner now? If the Light of Gods face, makes a Prison a Palace [...]: to want it now is to be in a Hell, on this side Hell: and 'tis the [...] Misery, (therein) once to have been happy.

[...] one Groan more as to this, (and a sad one) The Devil he casts [...] Substitutes) the Saints some of them (and would do all) into Prison, [...] 2. 10. so does he Labourers, to set up Loyte [...]ers, hinder the Gospel [...] ruine Souls: says he, Oh these Ring-leaders of Faction disturb the [...] of my Kingdom; rob me of my Vassals, cast me out of my Possessi­ [...] (long held by Prescription) I hate the Micaiahs, they never speak good [...] me, or my Laws, but Evil: So he rais'd envy (oft in the devout) a­gainst both the first and best of Preachers, in all ages. 'Tis well to be [...]oted, that Apoc. 2 10. is Usher'd in with a behold! to note, when Saints are shut up, all should mind well the Instruments of some's Commit­ment: For though the intermediate cause was Man, (Dioclesian) yet 'twas [...] Devil sat on the bench; or (as the Greek is, Apoc. 2. 13.) on the Throne [...]ce he Emits Vassals, dissolves Assemblies, sends out Judas like In­ [...]mers, or Sycophants; convicts without Oath, confines without Law, [...]shes without Fault, and condemns without Justice; for where he dwells there can be no worse Neighbour: And the purer they be, the [...]rse is his Enmity to them. To say the Devil dwells in Russia, Rome, or China is sad enough; but that he dwells at Britain or London, where Christ and the Gospel have Obtained, is far sadder. That Satan should put his Mantle on Samuels shoulders, was Serpentine Craft, because it decely'd a King; but to lay his Cloven Foot on the Throne of God, and abuse the Scepter of Kings, invading the place of the Holy, to pervert Judgment, and punish the Pious; Causes far deeper Sighs. Let none Judge our Sighs mixt with bitterness, or undue Reflections; for as good as Peter was, Satan was too hard for him, and if he insinuated into the Prince of the Apostles (as some call 'im) who is Exempt from his Py­thonology, How many Countreys (Christian by Profession,) does he pervert to a Scarlet Inquisition?

[...] (And last) Sigh turns to a Supplication: Not to Man for a Release, [...] to God for Relief: Sighs Issue well that drop so in Gods Ear, were it possible to read without the Walls, what Petitions drop on the inside, they would be found to be these, or the like.

[...]ord, that thy Kingdom might come in Power, over the Nations, and [...], that the Prisoners in the Pit might be Visited, as Isaiah 24. 3 last, [...] That the Lord will appear in's Glory to build up Zion, to hear the Pray­er [Page 6] of the low Shrubs, and the Groaning of the Prisoners, and deliver the Sons of Death; that the Prophesies may be Fulfilled that Relate to the latter day Glory; and the Captive Exile may [...]asten out of the pit; and in the mean time, their bread mayn't fail, Isaiah 52. 14. That Judgment and Righteousness might be in the Earth for the poor and opprest. Psal. 72. 6. 13. that wrong doers may be brought to account, that just Law [...] may be Impartially Executed, and unjust Null'd, and the Gospel may be further'd, by Satans hindring of its Preachers: that the Sabbath may not be forgot, nor Assemblies of Saints for ever scattered, but the Days of our Dispersion may be Finished, that the Reproach of the solemn Meetings, may be wiped off, and the Rebuke of his Folk took out of the Earth: that the Lambs now scattered may be gather'd in a Cloudy and Dark day, and the great Shepherds presence amongst them; that the Children cries may be heard in the streets, seeking meat with tears in the Eyes, and hungry Hearts; Saying, Oh, who'll give us Bread to Relieve our Souls? Look what Sighs the Famine of Bread Forces from the Hungry, in a time of Natural Drought such (nay far more dolorous) are extort from Souls pluckt off the Breasts of Scripture Consolation; and Tempted to eat po­luted or poisoned bread, and sit at the Table of Devils, these the least of them (often Itterated and Inlarged) may be found writ on our Prison walls, and with them much Incense added to our how-longs, and are gone up in the Ears of the Lord God of Zabbaoth, and will surely Obtain both Vengeance on some, and Recompence on others.

Now by these hints may be guest what work is on Foot in the house of our Prison, and for our Hopes and Supports, they may deserve a second part. We Conclude the first part thus

The Second Part.

AS this World allows us no comfort, without Crosses mixt, so God ne­ver inflicts Crosses on his, but Crowns them with Consolations not a few; so Preponderating one by the other, that 'tis better to enjoy them both, then to be exempted of the Cross wholly.

Nor is Liberty (tho' in it self very sweet) when a snare, and Terror attends it, so desirable, or Bonds so heavy, but God can, and frequent­ly does, make the latter Evil more Eligible, then the former good, by the adjunct of his own comforting Presence.

Now that which makes Bonds easy, and Prisons sweet, is this, when a Man can appeal to God, and the World, perhaps to some of his Ene­mies Consciences, that he Suffers not as an Evil doer, or Criminal; So Daniel was faultless before (both) the King, and all his Accusers; [...] in the Law, and matters of his God: Dan, 6. 5, 14, 22. And so the [...] [Page 7] freely Confest, Christ had done nothing amiss; Gr. [...] Luk. 23. 41. nil inconveniens, nothing awry, absurd, or out of place: and Jeremy was vindicated by the Princes, against those Malitious Priests, that sought his Blood, since he had done nothing worthy of Death, and what he said, was in the name of the Lord: And the Elders (his Jury) with Ahikam) seconded them, and clear'd him; so his confinement was not Death; nor very long, (tho' itterated) for at last he was relieved, and (that's a wonder) at the sacking of the City, by Nebuzaradan, and releast, to go at Liberty: When his Malicious Natives went Captives. Let good Prophets be Faithful to their Master, and Message, and tho' Country Men vex them for their fidelity, God will make even Babilonians Favour them for their Misery, or set them at Liberty.

Such Urbanity shew'd the Romanes to Paul, Acts 23. 30. Chap. 23 29. Innocency, and a good Conscience [...] are still a good Plea (tho' not ever Successful) and at last obtain with God, and Men, and often do more for the Honour, or discharge of a good Man, then all the Shifts that com­plying Politicians, use for themselves.

But negative Comforts are not all: Tho' it's sweet not to Suffer as an Evil doer; There are some possitive Supports, that Strangers inter­meddle not with, known only to them that taste them, valuable above all Riches; and adapted to the Nature of our Testimony.

First, This has been the lot of the best in all Ages, and for a good cause, tho' by the worst of Men; Josephs chastity could not excuse him; nor M [...]caiahs plain dealing, nor Jeremy's, nor Peter's: Nay, Paul's Gospel, (tho' an Embassy of Peace) even that exposed the Apostle; Preaching oft does in se derivare furorem mundi. One met with that Angel of God, John Bradford then in Prison; some rusled in their Pri­son-straw, in the Marian Days, with more true Content, then others did in Sattin, and Velvet: And good cause for't, God is our Soveraign Disposer, and may need or call for our Liberty, or Life, at pleasure; and we are to resign it, in the service of his Name, and Truth; as of more use then all our Preaching.

Beside there comes a Worldly rust oft on our Graces, (Silver has it's dross and rust;) and a Prison serves (like the Scullions Office) to rub us bright, for the Lords Fable; or the Summer Parlour: The Zeal of a Poor Maid (say Alice Driver, or such a one) shines more on Gods shelf, then all the learning of X Bishops of Cant: or York; Spices smell best, and Graces shine most, when hard Rubbed. This School of Adversity has accomplish't some (in Experience) for God, better then the Uni­versity has, and to better Use.

To bear (as Simon did) with Christ, who (ever) takes the heavier [Page 8] part of our Cross, yea and helps us to bear the lighter too, is no small alay to its weight: And all Saints have so often since shared, that the Cross is (by handling often) planed smooth, and worn light. Bad asso­ciates may make Liberty uncomfortable, and good, makes bonds easy. For

Secondly, God is also present, and so was he with Joseph. Acts 7. 9. And so with Jeremy: Chap. 20. 11. This is no little Honour and Succour; what it imports is not to tell in a few words.

Sometimes it means, a Glorious presence in Duties and Ordinances. This is promised to that Temple-State, by the Name Jehovah Shammah. So Ezek Ʋlt. Sometimes the Incarnation of Christ is noted by it, as in the Title Immanuel: Sometimes the Success of all affairs, as in Josephs trust, and Davids War: And oft it denotes good success in our Prophe­sying, Acts 18. 10. But most usually it notes Support in our Sufferings for Christ, and the Gospels sake▪ Such as Jeremy, Steven, Paul, (of old) and the Martyrs a late had in all Ages past: Nor needs a Man more to be happy: now whatever it may intend in itself; as Glorious it shows in its effects; this has a Spirit of Glory resting on them that have it, what­ever shame, or reproach comes for Christs name and sake: As in 1 Pet. 4. 14. This in bonds, is True Liberty, and gives light in darkness: 'Tis that Precious Stone, that was the light to Noah in the Ark; whilst God shut him up above twelve Months, which H. A. Notes; and let our confinement be what, and how long it will, he that shut Noah in, Gen. 7. 16. call'd him out again, Chap. 8. 16.

This makes darkness light, a Den of Thieves, an House of Prayer, the detestable Dungeon Leonine, a Garden, or Palace of Christ: And by this presence a Gridiron, or a fiery Furnace converts to a Bed of Roses, or pleasant Gallery in which Christ walks and talks with us: And often do Persecutors, both stumble, and fall at this rock, as Jer. 20. 11. He be­lieved, and Macaiah of old found, whom Ahab committed, and see why, and what came of't? 1 King. 22. 8.—v. 27, 28, and 34. compared.

The like found Herod. Acts 12. Ʋlt. & if not this, yet none can express the love of God, the Joy of Christ's smiles, the Spiritual Liberty, the Inlarge­ments in Prayer, the Content of mind that's here, save those that find them.

3dly, Since Gods presence Seals not to a blank, our cause is good, 'tis Christ's cause of which none ought to be (nor are we) asham'd: The well strating of which, is a key to let in Comfort to a Pris'ner for Christ's sake, 'tis no small relief to be marry'd to a Cross of Christ's choosing for us, he ever intailing on't what cost the Patient Bearers need, to Bear all the Charges of it.

If any ask Pris'ners what our cause is? We shame not to say, this is the cause we Suffer for, and dare venture further then to Prison, in its De­fence, viz. The Royal dignity, and primacy of Christ over all [...] Col. 1. 18.) the Glorious Liberty of the Gospel, in both the Profession of its Faith, purity of its Worship, and its Liberty [Page 9] of Prophesie: We Suffer for not swearing, to what we do not understand: And because we dare not say (far less Swear) there needs no alteration in Rule, Civil, or Sacred, when all things need it so much; so it be for the better. We Suffer for Preaching Christ, and seeking to win Souls to him by the word; for living in a City corporate when its Franchizes are dis­corporate, and forfieted to the King: And for Praying for its Peace, reducted to Babel: And for the Controversie of Zion, and her stones in the dust: Nay for dwelling Praying in our Famillies, from which had we departed, we should suddenly have been seiz'd, and suspected for Pl [...]ters: And they that commit us, do now force us to live in Lo—who now's in the fault?

These (in part) are our Pious Offences. And in all, we dare with our dying Breath, Sigh out our appeal, to the last Judge, that will one day (perhaps in the Body) call us and our Persecutors to a second fair hearing: And at present we may onely say (as once David—1 Sam. 26. 19.) if the Lord have incensed—but if &c.—or as Micaiah, if such re­turn in Peace—God has not spoken by us: Hear ô People, &c. 1 Kings 22. 28. Not doubting God is on's way, to Judge and Plead.

Fourthly, Our use is not destroy'd by a close Prison, our Walls may be others wells, as Israel's rock gave out both Water and Hony too: Our confinement corporally, may prove others Liberty Spiritually: For the word is not bound. Thus Jeremy had a word from God in the (press yard or) Court of the Prison. Chap. 32. 2. As a promise of Liberty; and as a sign, bought Land there; for nothing is too hard for God, vers 17. 27. and what got not vent by a Pulpit, he propogated by his Pen: as Chap 36. 2, 5, 8, 19. 28 32. And in a second Edition, and with some Additions too. So did Paul; A Prison for Christ is an high (tho' hard) Pulpit, and a good Pen may be a cloven Tongue, loud, and [...]orid; Paul is converted Young, and Preacht long, but a Prisoner aged: as Phil. 9. Ephe'. 4. 1. And then wrote, (when he could not Preach) several of's Epistles, how be it in's Body, he bare the Stigmatas of the Lord Jesus: [...]—be it a literal brand, or some Odium of reproach (as Factious, Seditious,) I say not: Yet still the Gospel got ground; Christ wins more Souls to the Truth by Paul's chaine, and his True Successors in Prison; then by Episcopal palls, and Lawn sleeves: When Bishops began to rusle in Sattin, a Voyce was heard [Hodie vene­rum in Ecolesiam funditur.] As Flint and Steel; the Collision of two hard things (mans enmitie, with Gods Truth) brings out a more Sparkling Glory to Christ: Grace and Truth shine brightest (as Diamonds) in the dungeon. It matters little where the Pulpit stands, so many hear, learn, and edify. Some Sermons are Preacht to few, in one place, or Age: But those are well Preacht indeed, and loudly Canorous, that make thousands abroad, nay after Ages to hear, as Eph 2. 7. And see the exceeding Riches of his Grace: Some of us were pain'd in our silence, and gravid of our Sermons [Page 10] till safely laid in, and brought to bed in N G. and other Prisons; and now our Mr. (nay our Enemies) have took our Testimony (for Christ) off our hands, got us visits, and forc't us to live (safely log'd) in a corporation: Yea eas'd us of our Duty to Souls; and besides took the guilt of our silent Sabbaths, on themselves: And now our cry is on them, be the Blood of Souls, Lo! we are clear and free.

Fifthly, Cryes are hence ascending not only our own, but others for us: And that of divers kinds For how can the opprest hold? Prayers have a cry, like that of the poor Widows for vengeance and at last obtains, the Lambs that are spoil'd of the green pastures, and expell'd to common, cry; and say as Ezek. 4. 14. or Peter, Acts 10 14. Lord, we never eat what was [...], common, or Polluted. And the bleating Sheep, in the Wood and Pits, cry, as Mica. 7. 14. Feed thy flock that dwell solitary: So do the Darlings that like Joseph, are in the Pit, cry; and though men hear not the anguish of their Souls, (like his, Gen. 42. 21.) God surely hears. The very wrongs (themselves) suffer'd, have a Cry; often in the Consciences of Oppres­sors; and is not still'd, till Exonerate.

David cry'd to the Most High out of the Low Deepes, and never rest­ed till God pull'd him out; and set his Feet on a Rock, and perform'd all for him; Psal. 40. 2. 130. 1. 140. 5, 6, 12. 142. 1, 5, 7. and brought him out of Prison; If one can Pray, and make the Walls, or Mountains Eccho again; no Distress, or Bonds will rest long: The Holy Unction of Prayer will supply the hard knots, resolve the Fetters of Brass; Psal. 107. 10. 13, 14. and serve as a Golden Key, to open all Doors of Iron, of themselves: Acts 12. 10. This was an Effort of Prayer EKTENES—drawn out for Peter, v. 5. So was Paul freed of old, and Larmouth a late, when at Prayer, a piece of the Prison-wall fell down, and a Voice called him out. If the Mountains, Timber, Stones, may speak, and cry (as once, Ezek. 7. 7. Habac. 2. 11 Luke 19. 40.) why not our Prison-walls? They that think to destroy Religious Assemblies for Prayer and Prophesy, by shutting our Doors Seizures and Confinements, may consider whether they do not by violent practices rather propagate them: and tho' they should scatter us, they do but truly multiply us; and for one Meeting of many together, cause ten and twenty perhaps an hundred) to grow out of the ruines of that one; so impossible is the purpose a foot, of suppres­sing us totally. If the Tears of a Widow, one Orphant, or Opprest, cry so loud to God, what will the Cry of Blood, and Souls under the Altar obtain, that are slain for the Word of God, & Testimony they held to the very last?

6thly, As Cryes hence are many, so mighty, God heard and was with Joseph, and Daniel in the Den; and so heard every Groan, Psal. 102. 20. Nexorum ut gemitus audiat—As Bucha?—Christ was pleased to declare both his care of, and concern'dness in his; by the procedure of the Final Judg­ment, Mat. 25. 36, 43. both in rewarding the Sheeps and the [...] [Page 11] the one for visiting him, the other for the neglect of it; and takes what is done, or omitted to his little ones, as unto himself. So the Reproach­es in Aegypt, are called Reproaches of Christ, Heb. 11. 26. (or for him) which as it carryes a Rebuke (on the first view) for the omission that some excuse too easily; So it shows both what a good Master and Advocate Christ the Judge will be, on whom we may draw all our Bills of Exchange, and (on sight) our Benefactors will receive payment in full, for every good work: and also what revenges he'll take for lawless confinement of his Saints and Witnesses, that Labour'd in his Word and Name: If he's an­gry at omitting to visit his, far more at commit [...]ing them to Goals. Nor will it excuse, to have been civil to them, (as Pilate scourging Christ, to release him) or to say, 'twas but according to Law, &c. for if Humane Laws, may be once allow'd to thwart with the Divine, Daniel and the three Children were far out, and the Apostles too, Acts 4. 19, 20. 5. 28, 29. in exposing themselves to needless Sufferings, (as one lately avers) for a Moat, or Rite: But Fides Venales, and a Cheveral Conscience, we still detest, and demur on our Cause, and appeal to the ulmitate Judgment.

In the Interim, expecting that a word will come, like Josephs, from God, or Men; (Preceptive, or providential,) to free us: For the Lord will not cast off forever, nor will he approve to crush underfoot (Lam. 3. 34.) all the Prisoners of the Earth: And if it be not True of the Lyon, to spare what is prostrate, nor proper to Kings to open Dens, and call Prophets out: Yet God himself will do it: And if our hopes fail here, and we dye in the Pit as one alate did, that may not fail, there's a General Jaol delivery at hand.

And so 7ly, and Lastly, 'tis an allay to Confinement to be assur'd the time is confin'd, and set, by him that bounds rage of Man, and turns it to his praise. 'Tis a Title given to God (with other attributes,) the Lord foreseeth Prisoners. Psal. 146. 7. So he did of old by Joseph, and so to Peter, Paul, Silas, and so to many in the Marian Days; and some condemned to Death: I mean not only at Death, which is the final deliverance, when the Pris'ners rest together, they bear not the Voice of the Oppressors, and the weary be at rest: Job. 3. 17, 18. But in life (oft) God owns that Title. For, 'Tis a part of Christ's Office (by Prophesie) to open the Prisons to them that are bound: And to say to them come forth and feed—Isai. 42. 7. 49. 9. He also paid the Ransome, after which, 'tis unjust with Men, to hold them fast; the Blood of the covenant, is so valuable a price to God, that it builds a strong hold of Hope to us; our fleeing to't, is both safety, and discharge. Job. 33. 24. I have found a Ransome, my Son paid it, (says the Father) and now go open the Doors, and bring them out, with gladness.

Besides, Experience verifies the facts Joseph lay but untill his word came. Psal. 105. 19. Gods Word in the promise, becomes ours in performance; and that which tryed his Faith, freed him, at last.

Nor are Examples wanting how this is done in all Ages, both Ordinary, [Page 12] and wonderful; whereof all storys are well fraught: Sometimes the Rulers themselves that detain'd them unjustly, release them (on better advice) more justly; as Pharaoh did Joseph; Darius did Daniel: Breaking an unre­pealable Persian Law, to do it Dan. 6. 23, 24. Because he trusted in's God: So they that (earst) had shut Paul up, are glad precariously, to perswade him out; Acts 16. 37 39. as not able to justify that illegal confinement.

So was that Earthquake, a wonderful mean of his discharge, tho' under a double restraint: ver. 24-26. God will shake the foundations of the Pri­sons, rather then suffer his Embassadors of Peace to be long shut up, as Pris'ners of War: Sometimes Prayers are drawn out at length, to draw them out; and so Peter was rescu'd by an Angel, Acts 12. 5, 10. And (now and then) the Angel knocks a Herod &c. on the Head (as with the Key) ver. 23. and so the word grows, and multiplies; being water'd both with the Blood of Martyrs, and at last of Malicious Persecutors. Some condemn­ed to dye in flames, were by Queen Marys Death free'd.

And if the time be ask't for, one Psalm indigitates it, when God appears in's Glory to build Zion, to hear the Prayer of the lowly, and destitute, and to look from's Sanctuary on the Earth, and hear the Groaning of the Pris'ners, and lose the Sons of Death, as it is in Psal. 102. 13, 15, 27. 19, &c. to 22 ver. (A Glorious Prophetick Psalm.) And tho' the time be pro­long'd, and some may drop (as ripe Figs) ere it's accomplish't: Yet by the encrease, of the guilt of some, and the Cryes of oppressed Souls at and un­der the Altar, it cannot be long; it's seldom seen but violence to Sacred matters, is aveng'd in the same Age, 'tis committed: As the Eagles theft, of flesh from the Altar, carry'd alive coal thence, that fired her nest, young and all; tho some Sinners are bore long with, yet after Patience has suffer'd sufficient abuse, Divine Wisdom, Justice (and goodness it self) consult a time, swiftly and speedily, to repay recompences. Joel. 3. 4. Hab. 2. 7. Zac. 5. 1-4. &c. And the delay makes a good (expected long, more Glorious.

Now if it be so, if those be our just Groans, and if they ascend on high; and these our present allays, for a fore taste of better hopes, at the day of our full Redemption, and Kingdom of our Lord; let none grudge, if we impart of our Prison scraps, to many abroad that Hunger: And say to any that own Humanity, or Christianity; For the Lord's sake, remember the Pris'ners: If not, we chear our selves in the dark (as singing Nightingales) hoping day, in this Gallicinium