TO all the Children of God, through Faith and Obedience of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, of what Sect, and by what Name soever, dis­graced, dignified, or distinguished; Grace, Mercy and Peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus; With all Spiritual Wisdom, Strength, Valour, Stability, Patience, Selfdenyal, &c. to you be continued, multiplied and encreased; that as on the one hand the Nobleness of our Extraction, and most Magnificent Possession, and yet greater and far more ad­mirable Right in Reversion, may make us elevate our Minds in the highest Region, above that gross and earthly Body, that the black Monarchy of the Prince of Darkness is erected in, & the poor blind World is benighted with, and captivated by, scorn­ing and utterly contemning those earthly Pleasures and faint Conceptions the Earthly Mind is forming to it self, to take Comfort from, that shall shortly be ingloriously dash'd and precipited, being Expiring Glories; whilst we, moving in our own Sphear, beyond and above their Region, may be without fear of being Let by their faint Opposition, go safely on from strength to strength, till we all appear before our God in Sion.

Yet on the other hand, Considering, how unworthily we have walk'd of this Vocation, and unsutable to this Profession, and unbeseeming the Children of so high a Father, and Heirs of such a Glory, though we were taken from Prison, Death and Condemnation, and raised undeservedly to such an Eternal weight of Glory, yet have we grieved the Spirit of our God, [Page 4]by our estrayings from him; from the sight of which (which I shall in a few words present to my self and you) shame, sor­row and confusion of face lies before us; yet through a right use of it, we may be bettered by it, when we have seen it, and have smarted for it.

1. What a deal of Rust, Dross, and Corrupted matter hath contracted it self to us, by our Motion through various Dispen­sations, even to the provoking of the Lord to arise, and shew his Displeasure against us, by the Symptoms of some straits ap­proaching near us, that are the best and only Remedies for us, as of old, when Israel was in a waste howling Wilderness, in a Land of Desarts and Pits, and the shadow of Death, she was then Holiness to the Lord; but when to crown all their Suffer­ings with signal Mercies, the Lord brought them into Houses that they did not build, and Vineyards that they did not plant, how quickly was those occasions of Praise, turned into a dread­ful Apostacy from the Father of those Mercies? Shall we need to parallel our Conditions, our former Egyptian slavery, with God's eminent Deliverance, by the out-stretched Arm of his Power and Providence, with our yearnings of Spirit then after him is yet memorable? and for our after-declinations, we may it's probable, have it so legible, that we may run and read our Sin in our Punishment: There is a Judgment begun, and it will go round; the Furnace is preparing, and that Fire therein will be that Proving, that will manifest the Verity of each man's building, only the Refined Gold will remain, and it's the Dross alone we shall lose, and by that Loss become Rich; though the Sinners in Sion be afraid, and fearfulness surprising the hearts of the Hypocrites; our number being thereby les­sened, and much of that bulk we made a shew of in our selves being consumed, yet shall we be not thereby weakned; But Oh how mighty! Oh how great! Oh how strong shall we be by that Loss, that Little, and those Few that will be left, standing by it self, will exceed even it self as it stood in com­mon with the rest? why then should we stand afraid of that Poverty by which we become rich, or that Loss by which we get gain?

2. What a Stir and Commotion, and Hurli-burly hath been [Page 5]raised in our Souls? partly by false and contrary Interests we had espoused to our selves, partly by our various Expectati­ons, Helps and Reliefs, to secure them to us (having plodded on in a heartless, lifeless Profession, in conjunction with a vi­gorous pursuit after, overtaking of, and being possessed with Rest, as we thought, in the World) running in the way of Egypt, after Asher and Jareb, putting Confidence in an Aim of Flesh, saying to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods, when in Re­turning and in Rest we should have been saved, Quietness and Confidence should have been our Strength, but we would not, &c. Therefore are we like to be left as a Beacon on the top of the Mountain, our way hedged up with Thorns that we may no more find those Paths, but reduced into the Wilder­ness, a place of Desarts, Pits, Drought, and shadow of Death; that necessity and want of what we would have enjoyed, might we had our wills, may inforce us with the proud Pro­digal, to return to our Father, thankfully accepting what we formerly lightly esteemed, which his ever-to-be-magnified Grace still holds forth to us, which now we begin to experi­ence the worth of, the Commotions in our Souls being stilled, and our prodigal Expectations come to nought, that formerly so clamored in our Souls, that the Voice of the Lord could not be heard. Oh how attentive, watchful and diligent are we now, for which formerly we took little notice of, how home, direct and facile is its entrance! Now, speak Lord, saith the Soul, and I will hear; appear, and I am ready; lead, and I will follow; command, and I will obey: wee'l never say more to the works of our hands, Ye are our gods; for in Thee alone the Fatherless findeth Mercy.

3. What a large measure of Light, Time, Peace and Li­berty have we had from the Lord, beyond what former Times, and, it may be, latter shall enjoy, whereby through the faith­ful Improvement of which, what manner of Persons might we have been, not only in our own inward Injoyments and Fel­lowships, but also to the poor, blind World, captivated by the Devil; as also to those who hang in the Birth betwixt Heaven and Hell, that see but like the half-cured Blind-man, Men like Trees, that fain would move toward Sion, but through the [Page 6]weakness of their sight, the false Representations of the Devil, together with the Dust we by our Contentions have raised, and darkned the way with, that he knows not how hardly to set one foot forward, in order thereto.

And yet, Oh how too truly may we behold how we have hid our Talent in a Napkin, put our Light under a Bushel, whilst we industriously imployed our Wit and earthly Mind in making provision for the Flesh, merchandizing with the Commodities of this Life, or else either exercising them in such a cold fro­zen, heartless, lifeless, customary manner, that we have nei­ther felt, tasted, nor experienced that Strength, Life, Health and Nourishment we might have done, nor by Example, Do­ctrine and Conversation, &c. have we set others so much as we might have done in the way thereto; or, which is worse, than if we had been born dumb, We have by our time, Light, Knowledge, &c. but for the most part got such an opinionative Profession, centring in certain external Institutions (being by Christ appointed not for Rest but Motion) which, although some of which was perspicuous enough in the word, yet others being of doubtful Interpretation, have (in the way that some have practised them) found strong opposition; We have so studyed and imployed our Abilities thereabouts, that our parti­cipation of the Knowledge of Christ hath got from our hearts into our heads, that instead of sweetning our Souls therewith, and refreshing, enlivening and uniting our Souls to every one in whom the Image of the Lord Jesus doth appear, thereby upholding that admirable and ever blessed Communion of the Saints in the Unity of the Spirit and the Bond of Peace, we have (as naturally consequent thereof) so rent the seamless Coat of Christ; so broken and divided the Saints in pieces; so wounded and tortured the Consciences of the Tender; so obstructed the Gospels Propagation; so rejoyced the World, making the Wicked to triumph, erected such Trophies to the Devil's praise, that many have been even Factors for Satan, Fewel­lers for Hell, labouring to bring in more matter for the Ever­lasting Burning, under pretence of beating down Babylon, &c. Christ's Life hath been stifled, and Sion crucified. Oh what a potent deadly Engine of the Devil have we managed, insen­sibly [Page 7]and by unobserved degrees promoted to many-headed Babel, by such as would ascend into Heaven alone, the language of whose Workmen the Lord is now confounding, reducing them into one Common Calamity in order to their Re-unity: The Lord give all his people a Sight, a Sorrow, a Repentance to Amendment, with Pardon for this thing.

4. How have we took up our aboad in the Wilderness, say­ing in our hearts, It's good for us to be here! Or, upon the distrust of this Security, removed but to the Suburbs of Sion, from whence we might either with ease, Retire at pleasure to the old Residence, or enjoy them in Common together; resting in those things, as the End, that by Institution was appointed but as a Mean thereto. How violent hath been our motion after Air and Emptiness, whilst the Eternal Pearl hath stood as a thing not worth the laying out our time, strength and industry for the obtaining of? How comfortable hath the Intelligence of our likelihood of enjoying the Worlds Felicity been unto our Souls, whilst those Eternal Enrichments of the Kingdom of Glory have in their most powerful and lively Delineations, made upon us such faint Impressions, esteeming and rather choosing to abide in these dirty houses of Clay, enslaved to the World, our Souls imprisoned from God, and in our earthly dark mind, which is too much predominant; pore up and down with the poor blind World after Rest and Felicity in those uncertain things, that have it not in themselves, Ra­ther than with Noble, Saint-like Resolutions, contemn those childish Gew gaws (that please but the sensitive and most ig­noble part) and raise up our Souls into the apprehension of, and pursuit after, and restless motion, till we are possessed with those heavenly Treasures, those durable Riches that give full, comfortable and perpetual Satisfaction; which, till the Soul light upon, and center in, as its End of Motion, Oh how sad and lamentable (by accident) how deceitful and damna­ble is every sublunary thing that we give our minds to, that we might gain Rest and Comfort from!

5. How little did we hearken after, or take delight in the Appearance of the Harbingers and fore-runners of our Lord's Presence? how little have we been affected with the approach [Page 8]of the Year and Day of our Deliverance, with the Apprehen­sions and fore-thoughts of our purchased Possession, and Eter­nal Unity and Communion with Christ and all Saints in Light; yea, when the Lord hath by the mighty Power of his Spirit in the Mouthes of some of his Servants brought these Things sweetly to our Ears, with the danger of Negligence, Key-coldness, Formality, and the love of this present World, that so interposeth, eclipseth and hindreth the Influences of these things from our Souls, that they can take neither Life, Strength nor Refreshment therefrom: How formally, sleepily and for­getfully have we given them Entertainment, as things we were not concerned in, or had no need as yet to trouble our selves about; yea, even in that very Institution by which Christ in what he hath done, is a doing and will speedily do for his Saints, is exhibited and represented? How little have we been refreshed, strengthened, and made watchful to the Day of his Appearance, many rather eating and drinking Con­demnation to themselves? first, obstructing and shutting out its Operation from their Souls by their own Unpreparedness, and then go away and report that God was not there to be found, &c.

6. How seldom have we come with hungry and thirsty Souls to, and after the Bread of Life, whereby we might have expe­rienced the Word of the Lord to have been more reviving and delightful to our taste than Honey and the Honey-comb, or any temporal Food to the outward man; and more satisfactory, enriching and desirable than Gold, yea, than much fine Gold? Oh how oftner rather have we so filled and glutted our Ap­petites and Affections with Fleshly Provisions, being rich, full and satisfied before-hand with the World, that the Word of the Lord hath been but as an empty sound, which we have only lent our Ears to, going away, poor, empty, miserable, blind and naked, though we see and knew it not!

7. How common hath it been with us to spend much of our time in discourse of the World, our Imployments therein, and trading therewith, our Gains and Losse thereby; which, after News from Heaven, our Title thereto, and Interest therein, our thriving or losing in and about those Means of Grace that [Page 9]are Assistants thereabout, in breathing forth our Experience of God's Love, in praising the Lord for his admirable Love to us-ward, when we were in our Blood, in the estate of Wrath, Death and Condemnation, shut out from the Presence of God into Prison, Captivity, &c. that then by the precious Blood of the Son of his Love, He should not only ransom and redeem us therefrom, but by the Power of his Word and Spirit, call us into the insight thereof, and Everlasting Rest, Peace and Comfort thereby; being brought into the Arms and Bosom of himself, and made Heirs of Eternal Glory; also, in magnify­ing his Mercy to us-ward, in restraining the Power of Unrea­sonable men, from exercising their Cruelty upon us, who would have devoured us quick, whom yet the Lord would not suffer, but was a brazen Wall round about us, that we might have gone freely about the work of our God without molestation; to have enlightned the eyes of the poor blind World, enlivened, war­med and strengthened the weak Saints, confirmed the Feeble, and rejoyced in and with the Strong; in laying in all strength together, with one heart and one shoulder, to bear up, increase and strengthen the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus; rejoycing with the Strong and Honourable, and weeping with the Poor and Miserable, &c. beating with the Weak and Feeble; and, as Members of one Body, joyned together, and compacted by that which every Joynt supplyeth, according to the Effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase in the Body unto the Edifying of it self in Love. Oh! how negligent have we been in these necessary heavenly Duties, bearing the name of Churches, Saints and Christians, when to the Life of Christ we have been almost strangers!

8. How little have our hearts been rent, our souls grieved, and we sighed and cryed, pouring out our souls before the Lord for the Abominations committed in these Nations, not being inferiour, if not exceeding the Wickedness of Sodom, for, and on which God rained down from Heaven Fire and Brimstone, and made an utter desolation thereof! How is the Name of our God every day blasphemed, his Laws and gracious Precepts derided, and his People shamefully entreated; and, as Mr. Baxter [Page 10]said of the Times some late years past, That it was as much as a Mans Estate at least was worth to hear, Saints Rest, pag. 251. Part 2. a Sermon abroad, when he had none, or worse, at home; to meet for Prayer, or any godly Exercise; and that it was a matter of Credit, and way to Preferment, to revile at, and be enemies to those that are most Consciencious; and every where safer to be a Drunkard, or an A­dulterer, than a painful Christian; and that multitude of humane Ceremonies took place, when the Worship of Christs Institutions was cast out!

So, by reason of the abuse of the King's Indulgence, of about Thirty Persons, whom in that we had no compliance with, nor knowledge of, together with the over-violent activity of his Majesties subordinate Ministers in executing of his Procla­mation against us (though we believe they know in their own Consciences we are free from the first, and consequently not concerned in the last) with their negligence, in not executing his Proclamation against Debauchery and Prophaneness; such in­to many places having free liberty to act Villany: It's come to that passe, that if a few sincere Christians meet together in the fear of God, to build up one another in their most holy Faith; to exhort, comfort, confirm and strengthen each other in the Wayes of God, according to the Command of Christ, and the Example of the Primitive Saints; to which Work the Lord having promi­sed, and God's People sweetly experiencing his Presence; We must be presently apprehended, and carried to a Justice, and so to the Jayl; yea, some of us threatned for reading the Scrip­tures in our Families; when if we would swear, game, be drunk, and lie at an Alehouse, Twenty together day after day, or stand in a Market an hour or two together, to hear the Apostles of the Devil and Factors of Hell, about and on the Market-Cross, with their Ungodly Songs and Speeches, and idle, shameful Deeds and Gestures, to provoke to vanity, both Hearers, Speakers and Singers, shall have free Liberty; when if in the same place, (as some with grief of heart can witness) one doth but say, [Repent of this Folly, and turn to the Lord, His Day is at hand] he shall have company about him presently to lag him forth of [Page 11]Town, as not sufferable therein; Which had it been amongst Pagans and gross Heathens, we might have the less marvelled; but to see it amongst those, that profess in words to be Chri­stians: Oh! what Lamentations, bitter Cryes, Sighes and Tears, and heart-rendings doth this call for! what Humilia­tions, Watchings, Fastings, Prayings, Speakings often one to another, and to the Lord, to forgive, to strengthen, uphold and comfort his People in this day; and to Inform, counsel and direct the King, with the Magistrates of this Nation, in the performance of that which may bring down a Blessing there­with, and a Settlement of Peace with Truth thereby, and that they may see in what the Strength and Safety of a Nation stands in; In the performance of Righteousness, Justice and Equity; breaking every heavy Yoak, and letting the Oppressed go free; in setting free the Gospel and the VVord of the Lord, the Profes­sion and Professors thereof, (that hath so long been confined within the narrow limits of some mens particular Apprehen­sions) that it may run and be glorified, and prevail and prosper in its own single Evidence; and that the Lord would cause them to see the Hamon-like Designs that some purpose against all the Sons of Sion, that refuse to bow to the Pride of their Hearts; and that the Innocency and Righteousness of the Lords People may be brought to light, in despight of those wicked Ones, who seek to impeach and darken it; that so their Covering may not prove like that of Judah's, In looking to their Armour, and making up the Breaches, and fortifying of the Walls, staying on Horses, and trusting in Chariots, because they are many, and in Horsemen, because they are very strong; and then joy and be glad, slay Oxen, and kill Sheep, eat Flesh and drink Wine, think­ing all secure; when they should rather call to Mourning, to Weeping, to Baldness, and to girding with Sackcloath, if the Glory of the Lord and the saving strength of himself, be not the Foundation thereof, Isa. 22.8.—14.31.1.

Oh! how little have we been sensible of, affected with, and imployed about these things? though the Lord hath neither been a Wilderness nor a Land of Darkness to us, but planting us a Noble Vine, a holy, a right Seed, walling us about, suffer­ing no man to do us harm; yet have we degenerated into a [Page 12]strange Plant; our Silver become Dross, our Wine mixt with Water, &c. Therefore the Day of Visitation is come, it is come, we shall know it: We have dealt treacherously with the Lord, we have begotten strange Children: now shall a Moth devour them with their Portions; for, the Lord is arisen in the fury of his Jealousie, being provoked through the abuse of his Mercy, to lash us to himself, and correct us for our out-goings from his Grace, and hath prepared his Furnace in Jerusalem, and his Refining Pot in Sion; in which two parts may be consumed, and a third brought through the fire; being thereby made meet for our Masters praise, we may serve him with one consent.

Wherefore, dearly beloved Brethren, you who Fellow-Ci­tizens, and of the Houshold of God, Members one of another, One Body, of which Christ is the Head; Children and Heirs, Heirs of God, yea Joynt-heirs with Christ; and all Strangers and Pil­grims here on Earth, having no continuing City, but are looking after one that hath a foundation, whose maker and builder is God, &c. Let's lay aside our dividing Principles, and formal, lazy, key-cold Profession, and Unchristian-like Imployments, and with one Consent make exact and speedy search into those things in which we have grievously offended, and pour forth our souls be­fore the Lord, Repenting and humbling our selves, and that with all speed; Peradventure we may prevail to a diversion of God's intended Judgments against us; if not, that then they may be of excellent use to us: for when we have once seen the want of that, which when we had, we saw not the worth of, nor had no hearts to use; It will then be more precious in our eyes, more desirable and delightful to our souls; Should the Lord scatter us abroad into other Nations, to wander up and down amongst Mountains, Desarts, Dens, Caves, and Deso­late places of the Earth, destitute, afflicted and tormented; yea, from Sea to Sea, from North to South, running to and fro to seck the Word of the Lord, and shall not find it; Oh how precious would the Communion, the Company, the Fellowship of those be then, notwithstanding circumstantial difference, with whom now we have been at Irreconciliable Variance! how delightful that Presence of the Lord that once we enjoyed in his Sanctuary! how piercing and lively would the fence of [Page 13]those former neglected Mercies come fresh and bleeding in our memories! how satisfactory would the Word of the Lord be to our hungry, starved, empty Souls then! how vivifying and com­fortable to our Hearts, though now being full, we loath the Ho­ney and the Honey-comb! how little should we value a weeks time then, in the performance of that, which a dayes time now hath wearied us in! how near would our Hearts be brought to God, our Affections to Heaven, and from the World! how un-interrupted the course of our Faith, and dead and crucified to the Pleasures of this Life! how desirous to be dissolved, how pained to be delivered! how watchful for our Redemption, and Day of our Lord's Appearance! how attentive to our main work, prepa­ring our wedding Garment! how quick in our motion, and steady in our expectation, looking right on, moving regular in our Journey, turning neither to the right hand, nor to the left! &c. Should we then be, when the Lord with a Witness hath disco­vered, and uncovered our Covering, which He is now about, and hunted us out of our Rests, that were polluted, and would have destroyed us with a sore destruction, and scorched us with the fire of our own kindling, and made those sparks we in­compassed our selves about with, and walk'd in the light of, like those Oaks we have desired, of which we are now asha­med, going away from them, the Lord having rejected that Confidence which we put in them.

How admirably lovely and desirable will Christ, his Truth and Kingdom be, when it stands in competition with Goods, Liberty, Wife, Children, and it may be our own Life also, when we shall be brought to that parting-point, to receive Him singly, or reject Him wholly, Then will be the time to see the worth of that, which whilst other things stood betwixt, we saw not the full glory of! Oh then let's not fear, nor be dis­mayed at that which, if rightly used, we shall be such gainers by, but rejoyce, and leap for Joy, in that Day when men shall hate us, imprison us, separate us from their Company, and speak all manner of evil of us falsly, and take away our Goods, our Houses and Lands, and Liberties from us, &c. For if we stoop under the Cross, and deny our selves, and forsake Houses, Brethren, Sisters, Fathers or Mothers, VVife or Children, or Lands for [Page 14]the Name sake of Christ, we shall receive un hundred fold, and shall inherit Everlasting Life, Matth. 19.29. Only let's be careful to suffer as Christians, not as Thieves, Murderers, busie bodies in others matters, self-revengers, &c. for which we shall have a double punishment; but if as Christians, let's not be ashamed, but glorifie God on this behalf, and commit the keeping of our souls in wel-doing as to a faithful Creator; Considering Him that could have called for the Host of Heaven to have rescued Him, and avenged Him of his Enemies; yet endured the Cross, despised the shame, and the Contradiction of Sinners against Himself, and is set down at the right-hand of God, expecting till his Enemies be made his Footstool: And let us not envy the Pro­sperity of them that know not God, that laugh whilst we weep, and sing whilst we mourn; for they have received their Conso­lation, and are in the flower of their Kingdom; but ours is in Reversion, which when we come to the possession of, out Sor­row shall be turned into Joy, our Tears to Praise, our Poverty to Plenty, and we shall come to Sion with Songs, and Everlast­ing Joy upon our heads; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away, when we shall be made an Eternal Excellency, the Joy of many Genera­tions: For, behold, the Lord will take out of our hand the Cup of Trembling, even the Dregs of the Cup of Fury we shall no more drink, but it shall be put into the hand of them that afflict us, that have said to our souls, Bow down, that we may go over; And we have laid our body as the ground, and as the street to them that went over; when he hath purged away our Dross, and performed his whole work upon us, He will extend Peace to us like a River, and Judgment shall dwell in the VVilderness, and Righteousness remain in the fruitful Field; and the work of Righteousness shall be Peace, and the effect of Righteousness Quietness and Assurance for ever: Which when we see, our hearts shall rejoyce, and our bones flourish, and we shall discern the difference betwixt them that serve God, and them that serve Him not; though now the Proud are called Happy, &c. The hand of the Lord will be known to­ward his Servants, and his Indignation toward his Enemies, when he shall render his Anger with Fury, and his Rebukes with flames of fire. For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an Oven, and all the Proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall be as [Page 15]Stubble, and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch; [...] in flaming Fire will He take Vengeance on all that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ: For, behold, He co­meth with Ten Thousand of his Saints, to execute Judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly amongst them, of all their ungodly deeds, they have ungodlily committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Wherefore let us enter into our Chamber, and shut to the doors, till the Indignation of the Lord lie over-past, and bear it with patience, for we have sinned; and gird up the loyns of our mind and be sober, and hope to the end; and take up the Cross and walk on with patience, lifting up our hands that hang down, and making strait paths for our feet; lest that which is lame be turned out of the way, and run with patience the Race set before us, not being mindful of that Country from whence we came out, though we may have opportunity to return, [Remem­ber Lots Wife] but desire a better, that is, an heavenly; And God will not be ashamed to be called our God, for he hath provided for us a City: and let us not draw back, lest the Lord take no pleasure in us: for, he that seeks to save his life, shall lose it, whilst he that seeks to lose it shall find. Let's not then cast away our Confidence, that hath great Recompence of Re­ward; for we have need of Patience, that after we have done the Will of God, we may receive the Promise: For yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry: whose Reward is with him, and his Work before him, to give to every one as his deeds shall be. In the Expectation of which, and waiting therefore, I am, and remain