A Christian womans experiences of the glorious working of Gods free grace Published for the edification of others, by Katherine Sutton.

A Christian womans experiences of the glorious working of Gods free grace Published for the edification of others, by Katherine Sutton.

Table of contents

Title page

COURTEOUS READER.

ERRATA.

Chriſtian Womans experiences of the glorious working of Gods free Grace.

A fit of deſertion.

The work of the day.

A hint of ſome night meditations and effects of prayer.

COURTEOUS READER,

As I was waiting on the Lord, in that Ordinance of the Lords Supper, this following short Hymne was immediately given in.

Another time I having been waiting on the Lord in breaking bread: And ſoon after was given in this following.

And while the afflicting hand of God was upon mee in ſome meaſure, this following was given in one evening, as a ſong of inſtruction.

This was November the 20. in the Year 1656.

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[Page] [Page] A CHRISTIAN WOMANS Experiences of the glorious working of Gods free grace.

Published for the Edification of others, by KATHERINE SUTTON.

‘Luk. 24: 24. And they found it even ſo, as the VVomen had ſaid.’

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AT ROTTERDAM, Printed by HENRY GODDAEUS, Printer in the Newſtreet, Anno 1663.

COURTEOUS READER.

[Page]

WHEN our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST had fed many with a few Loves, he commanded his Diſciples to gather up the Fragments, that nothing he loſt, Iohn. 6. 12. And when God was pleaſed to poure out of his Spirit upon ſome of his faithful Servants in our Generation, he had alſo ſome of his Handmaides, who gathered up the Crumes of that ſpiritual Bread, which the Lord bleſſed and diſtributed among his Diſciples: Of which Number this holy Marron was one. Now there are three Arguments where by it may appear, that God would not have theſe Fragments (which she hath gathered into her Basket) to be loſt, viz. Firſt, Becauſe, God made them (by his Bl [...]ſſing) food to her ſoul in the gathering, and receiving them into her own heart, and alſo to the ſoules of ſeveral young Virgins in her family, unto whom the Lord made ſome of theſe Crumes the bead of eternal Life. Secondly, Becauſe when she had loſt the manuſcript (where in theſe and many other of her Experiences were written) in a ſea ſtorme wherein she ſuff [...]ed Shipwrack, yet God, who preſerved her life, did alſo preſerve theſe [...]xperiences in her heart, where it ſeemeth they were written, not with ink but by his holy Spirit. Thirdly, Becauſe she bei [...]g preſled in Spirit to Communicate them more publikely, the Spirit of the Lord did bring them ag [...]in to her remembrance, and she hath been made willing to publish them as her Teſtimony and witneſs of the free grace, and fresh Anoyntings of the Lords Spirit, whom he hath promiſed to poure forth upon his ſervants, and Handmaides in the laſt dayes, Ioel 2: 28, 29, 31, 32. Now for as much as this little Book is preſented to thee, CHRISTIAN READER, as a Basket full of Fragments, be not offended with the broakenneſs of any matter, which thou mayeſt meet with in the Reading thereof: conſidering, that God, who hath made them a bleſſing to others, may bleſs them unto thee. Thou mayeſt take notice of three Things in this little Book, which I judge wo [...]thy of every Chriſtians obſervation, to wit, first, Her extraordinary Teachings of God by his holy Spirit and Word, when she could not enjoy the ordinary means of his own appointments. This godly Woman (after God hath begun the good work of grace in her ſoul) would not looſe any opportunity she could get either in publicke or private for her p [...]ecious ſo [...]l, but would often break thorrow ſome difficulties and, endure ſome hard, hips to enjoy ſuch opportunities; and this she did at that time, when many profeſſors ſleighted and neglected (Ogr [...]evous Sin! yea contemned the Miniſtry of the word. Now obſ [...]rve, That a [...] she followed the Lord, and waited upon him in the uſe of the means of Grace, when she could enjoy it, ſo the Lord was pleaſed (of the exceeding Riches of his free Grace) not onely to ſo her ſoul good by his p [...]eſence and power therein: But alſo (when she could n [...]t [...]njoy the ( [...] meme [...] of grace) the Lord waited to be graciou [...] unto her ſoul, and followed her with the [...] teachings of his holy Spirit, and word, as she hath witneſſed in many particulars in this her Book. And if thy experience, COURTEOUS READER, cannot ſeal unto the Teſtimony, that she gives of thoſe Spiritual Teachings: Yet do not ſt [...]mble at them, do not judge her, for she hath received an Unction from the [Page] holy One, and is taught of God. In the Reading of her Book, thou wilt meet with ſome ſuddain and unexſpected Tranſition from one thing to another, (and thou mayeſt think it to be ſome what abruptly) yet Cenſure not too rashly, but rather conſider, that even this alſo may, yea doth hold ſome proportion unto the courſe of Heaven and Heavenly communications. The Husbandman will not wonder to ſee showers and shinings, bright and dark Clouds ſucceed each other, knowing that the Rain which comes from Heaven hath its ſeaſons and its meaſure too. Will the Marriner marvel to ſee the ſeas ſwell and rage in a great ſtorme, or admire the ſtil [...]neſs and ſmoothneſs of the deep watters in a great calme. Or will any who liv supon the ſea coaſt think the frequent Ebbing & flowing of the tyde a ſtrange thing. Neither will any experienced Chriſtian marvel at the ſuddain Ebbing and flowing of joyes, and ſorrowes in the hearts of Saints. The operations and Adminiſtrations of the Spirit are various, 1. Cor. 12: 4, 5, 6, 7. Some times the Spirit is poured out upon the ſoules of Believers (as floods upon the dry ground) And thoſe ſpiritual showers and shinings do make a ſpring of Grace in the wilderneſs of their hearts. Where of the Lord hath ſpoaken by his Prophets. Iſa. 51: 3. and 44: 3, 4. and 32: 15, 16, 17. Ier. 31: v. 12. But at other time the glory of the Saints comforts, joyes, and light is ſo clouded, and eclipſed, that they are under great deſertions, Iſa. 54: verſ. 7, 8, 11. Yea and may for ſome time walk in dakneſs and have no light, Iſa. 50: 10. Secondly, Another thing I judge worthy the Readers obſervation in this Book, is this Chriſtian womans Experience of the preſence and power of God, accompanying her conſciencious endeavours to do good unto the ſouls of others both in her own family eſpecially, and alſo in ſome other families, where she ſo journed ſome time. I mention not this for her praiſe, who deſires that God alone may have all the Glory of whatſoever he hath done for her or by her; (she needs no Epist [...]es of Commendation from men) But ſeeing her Experiences are made ſo publicke, my hearts deſire is, that Parents and Governours of families would follow her Example therein: Endeavouring (as she did) the Converſion and ſanctification of them, whom God had committed to their charge, by Inſtructions, councel, and reprooſe, which she adminiſtred, with ſo much love, wiſdome, zeal, and tenter heart [...]dneſs, that they proved by Gods bleſſing an effectual means of the converſion of many, ſome of whom are yet living witneſſes of the truth hereof, and alſo of many other her Experiences related in this her Book. She was not onely a Governeſſe, but (as it were) a Propheteſs in her family, for she prayed conſtantly with her children and Maidens, she alſo read the holy Scriptures daily unto them, and ſo ſpake from them, that many of them, who heard her (in her family duties) believed and turned to the Lord. She opened her mouth with wiſdome, and in her tongue was the Law of kindneſs, a Solomon ſpake of the virtuous woman, Pro. 31: 26, 27, 28, 29. She did ſo Chatechiſe the young children, and inſtruct the elder maidens, that they all learned to know, and many of them to do their duty to God and man. Thirdly, there is yet one thing more, which I would have thee, Courteous Reader, to ponder in thy heart, to vvit, the gift of ſinging ſpiritual Songs and Hymnes, whih she pr [...]ſents thee with ſome inſtances of in her Book, here and there occaſionally touching, which Adminiſtration I am willing for thy [...]dification to ſay: 1. That ſinging of Pſalmes, Hymnes, and Spiritual Songs (b [...]ing an Ordinance of Gods vvorship) ought to be performed by a gift, and the aſſiſtance of the Spirit, as well as prayer 1. Cor. 14: 12, 15. What is it then? I vvill pray vvith the Spirit, &c. I vviliſing vvith the Spirit, &c. Now as to take a book and r [...]ad a prayer out of it, or to ſay a prayer without the Book, is not to pray in the Spirit, ſo to read a Pſalme in a Book, and ſing it, or to ſing the ſame Pſalme without the Book is [Page] not to ſing in the Spirit: If the ſinging of Pſalmes be a part of Gods worship (as doubtleſs it is) then it ought to be performed by aſſiſtance of the ſpirit, for the true worshippers ought to worship God in ſpirit and truth, John. 4: 23, 24. 2. That Chriſtians ought to ſing Spiritual Songs and Hymnes, as well as Pſalmes, unto the Lord; And that with grace in their hearts, Col. 3: 16. for the melody (which the Lord loveth) i [...] in the heart, rather then in the voyce, Eph. 5: 19. 3. They who performe this part of Gods worship, whether they ſpeak unto themſelves in private, or unto others more publickly, ought to have the word of Chriſt, to dwell richly in them, yea and to be filled with the Spirit, as the Apoſtle teſtifieth, Epheſ. 5: vers 17, 18, 19, 20▪ and Coloſſ. 3: vers 16. I have known ſome other Godly and gracious Chriſtians (beſides this grave and holy Matron) who have this gift of Singing: and I my ſelf have ſome experience of this kinde of Anoynting of the Spirit of praiſe, which will (I hope) ere long be powred forth upon the ſons and daughters of Zion. And then they will praiſe Jehovah, ſinging to the Lord a new Song, and his praiſe in the Congregation of Saints, as is propheſied, Pſal. 149: 1, 2, 5. and Iſai. 51: 11. and 52: 1, 8. &c. The holy Spirit can dictate the Matter, yea and words of praiſe and ſinging, as well as the matter and words of prayer: And why may not the Lord aſſiſt a poor gracious humble ſoul to ſing in the Spirit, as well as to pray in the Spirit: ſeeing there nothing too hard for God, to do? It was by many (and is ſtill by ſome) denyed, that there is any ſuch thing as a Spiritual gift of prayer, ſave onely that vvhich is acquired. And yet the gracious experience of many Godly perſons doth teſtify that there is ſuch a gift of the Spirit, called a ſpirit of ſupplication, which is powred forth upon the Lords people. And although many nay moſt Godly Chriſtians do not believe there is any ſuch Spiritual gift of [...]nging as I have here intimated, yet ſome few poor gracious humble ſoules have good Experience, that there is ſometimes a meaſure of the holy Spirit powred upon them, where by they are ſo filled with the Spirit, that they break forth into ſinging: Pray therefore that thou mayeſt ſing, and praiſe the Lord, when the Redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with ſinging to Zion, Iſa. 51: 11. And the Children of Zion be joyful in their King. Pſal. 149: 1. Unto whom be glory and dominion for ever, AMEN. So prayeth he, who waiteth for his Kingdome and Coming.

HANSERD KNOLLYS.

ERRATA.

PAg. 1. Line 8, 9. read forbearance; line 16. r. ſinned; l. 19. r. petty. Pag. 3. line. 1. r. I was ſtirred; line. 3. 4. r. to me towards Heaven; Pag. 4. l. 7. r. ſtumbleſt; Pag. 6. l. 1. r. heed; Pag. 7. l. 6. r. Chriſtening; Pag. 8. l. 25. 26. r. unbelief: Pag. 9. l. 12. read renewings.

Theſe and ſome other litteral miſtakes the Reader is deſired to mend in the peruſal of this Book.

Chriſtian Womans experiences of the glorious working of Gods free Grace.

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I Had once hard thoughts of the people of God, yet being on a time perſwaded to go to hear them, I went though not out of love to them, but to vvatch vvhat I could obſerve; and being then over perſwaded againſt them, and the Miniſters Text (that then preacht) was Rom. 2: 4, 5, 6. or Diſpiſeſt thou the riches of his goodneſs, and forbeacance, and long ſuffering, not knowing that the goodneſs of God leadeth thee unto repentance; but after thy hardneſs and impenitent heart treaſurest up to thy ſelf wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous Judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds.

Verily at this opportunity the dread of God did much ſmite upon my heart, that I had ſo long ſinnend againſt his patience and goodneſz. He had this paſſage, that the ſword of the Lord hung as in a twine threed, to cut of all pitty ſwearers; and I having been one that durſt not ſwear great oathes, (but ſmall ones I was addicted to) I thought it met with my particular condition: Then had I little acquaintance with any that feared the Lord; unleſs it were one family, and they were much afraid of me for a ſeaſon, becauſe I had been ſo vain.

Then was I caſt upon the Lord alone, who did much ſupport mee by his grace, bleſſed be his name; yet the very firſt night after he began to work upon my heart, I fell under this temptation, that I should not eat any more, but rather die, and then I should ceaſe from ſinning againſt the Lords goodneſs; I then caſt away my prayer-book, for it did not [Page] reach my neceſſities, and I cried unto the Lord alone to teach mee to pray; Then did I endeavour to keep cloſe to the beſt teaching miniſtery I could find; I was very ignorant, yet did ſearch the Scriptures diligently: but found them very dark to mee, I dayly ſaw a more clear diſcovery of my ſinful nature, and then began to be ſorely perplexed with feavs that I could not be a child of God, becauſe I knew not how to get victory over my ſin, and though I uſed all meanes I could, yet my corruptions would ſometimes break forth, which made mee often times ready to diſpare, and to caſt of all.

But one day amongſt the reſt the Lord made mee reſolve, though he kild mee, yet I would truſt in him; he made mee alſo deſire of him that if he would not ſave mee, yet that he would not let mee go back again into ſin (for the ſence of Gods goodneſs was much upon my heart.)

Then in ſeveral Sermons God was pleaſed to ſpeak peace to my poor ſoul, yet after through the violence of temptations, I often queſtioned my condition; ſometimes I was tempted to murder my ſelf, ſometimes to ſtarve my ſelf; yet the Lord upheld mee, for I could not make my caſe known to any but God for the ſpace of two years, all which ſeaſon I was wonderfully kept by the power of God alone. In this time was I called by my friends into a darck corner of the land full of ignorance, yet I was ſorely troubled, eſpecially when I was overtaken with any ſin, ſtill I fell down befor [...] [...]he Lord bewailing my ſins; then did the Lord give mee much comfort from this place of Scripture. Jer. 31: 20. Is Ephraim my dear ſon is he a pleaſant child, for ſince I ſpake againſt him, I do earneſtly remember him ſtill: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will ſurely have mercy upon him. ſaith the Lord.

Now in the place where I was were many Papiſts, and they much endeavoured to have mee of their judgment: But God kept mee in a thirſting frame of ſpirit after the preaching of the word, and often caſt in my mind, that I should, Matt. 6: 33. First ſeek the Kingdom of God, and the righteouſneſs thereof, and all other things should be added.

Wee had in that place a bad Miniſter, but to God I made my ſupplication, and uſed what means I could to obtain a better, and God was pleaſed to anſwer my deſires, and ſent a better to that very place, who remained there the time that I ſtayed,. under whoſe honneſt teachings I often met with ſweet refreshing.

[Page] Then was ſtirred up by my friends to change my condition, to be married to an husband; upon which I did earneſtly begg of God that I might have one that did fear the Lord, that he might be a furtherance to heaven, and indeed ſo hee was. For I married with a man that was much in practical diuties, yet ſome difference there was in our judgments, which often cauſed no ſmall trouble in my ſpirit: but it had this effect, it cauſed mee to cry to God, and to ſearch the Scriptures, ſo much the more, uſing all means for a [...]ight underſtanding in the things and wayes of God, and it became helpful to mee. And in this time of my earneſt ſeeking of God alone, he was pleaſed to diſcover to mee by dreames and viſions of the night, the ugglineſs of ſin in a far greater manner then ever I ſaw it before: and in dreams brought many Scriptures to mind that did anſwer ſome queſtions, and ſatisfy ſome doubts, that were in my heart: and ſo did cauſe darkneſs to become light before mee at that time: and this did the Lord do in the abſence of other meanes, ſoon after I gained information where the word was powerfully preached: but it being ſomething far from mee, I had ſome difficulty to get to it; yet it being (through grace) more to mee then my ordinary food: I keept cloſe to opportunities of the word there preached; which in an eſpecial manner God was pleaſed to make very uſeful unto mee. And I injoying often many ſweet taſts of the preſence of God in his ordinances, was carried out through all weathers to wait upon him; and this I can truely ſay from real experience that the worſt wheather I went through the more of God, I met within his ordinances, I remember one very wet day, I had much comfort from theſe words; (let this incourage others,) Joh. 1: 2, 3. Now are wee the ſons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall bee: And afterwards while my meditations were ſomething upon Hebrews 6: 5, 6. I was much ſtirred up to mind, how far an Hypocrite might go in Religion: And I began to conſider, whether or no I had gone any further then ſuch a one might go, for I ſaw plainly that a perſon might go very far, and yet be in a ſad ſtate, though they may be [...]nlightened and taſt of the heavenly giſt, and be partakers of the holy Spirit, yea and taſt of the good word, and alſo hear the beſt Preachers gladly, as Herod did Iohn the Baptist, and as Agrippa did Paul, and yet be but almoſt a Chriſtian.

Then I being at a Sermon, the words of the Text were: Marc. 6: vers 20. And he did many things: That Miniſter then shewed, that an Hypocrite or a reprobate might do many things: but yet a true child of God [Page] can do more; he named two things in which a child of God goeth beyond an Hypocrite.

Firſt, that he doth as much deſire to be holy as happy.

2. That he doth as earneſtly fet himſelf againſt all ſin as ſome.

Then was I exceedingly taken up in my thoughts about this thing; but being carried out to ſeek the Lord earneſtly, he was pleaſed to give in this anſwer; Thou tumbleſt ſo much at the ſtone of aſſurance that thou forgeteſt to build, then did God let me ſee that the foundation and topſtone is Jeſus Chriſt, and that I muſt ceaſe from my own workes, and take Chriſt upon his own termes, and then entred I into ſome reſt.

Oh, what a knotty piece was I to work upon! for until he put forth his mighty power I could not believe; and I found nothing ſtronger then free grace to ſtricke at the root of my ſin.

Alſo on another ſnowy day I going many miles to hear, I was refreshed much from theſe words, 2 Cor. 12: 9. My grace is ſufficient for thee.

And on another day from theſe words: Luke 10: 20. But rather rejoyce, becauſe your names are written in heaven. And another time aboundance of comfort from that Scripture: 1 Cor. 2: 9. Eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard neither, hath it entred into the heart of man, to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. It was a very ſore day when I went to this opportunity and a very bitter Journey I had, but God made it exceeding ſweet unto mee.

Alſo I had a very great fit of a feaver, by reaſon of the trouble of conſcience I was under; and in the time of that great feaver, the Lord was pleaſed to ſet that Scripture upon my heart: Rev. 22: 17. The Spirit and the bride ſaid comm, and let him that heareth ſay, come; and let him that is a thirst come; and whoſoever will, let him come, and take of the watters of Life freely: Which did adminiſter ſo much comfort & refreshing to mee from a ſence of the freeneſs of Gods grace, being ſet upon my heart, with ſo much power of the Spirit that I was (contrary to the Judgement of Phyſicians) ſoon raiſed to my health again. For indeed I had at that time been exceedingly troubled in my ſpirit about my ſins, which I had been looking back upon; for I had made a Catalogue of them, and ſpread them before the Lord for pardon: But thinking them to be ſo many, that God would not pardon them; I did much deſire I might die, and go out of the body, and not live any Longer in it, to encreaſe mine iniquities. And [Page] although at this time a good Miniſter did endeavour to comfort mee, yet I put comfort from mee, and ſaid, it did not belong to mee till the God of all grace was pleaſed to give it in by the power of his Spirit, as beſore mentioned, and then after our good God had given mee a taſt of the riches of his pardonning love and grace in Chriſt Jeſus: I was alſo carried out to pitty others, and begge that God would let them alſo taſt of the ſame; and a particular perſon was ſet upon my heart to begge of God for, and in a short time the Lord was pleaſed to anſwer my deſire in working a work of grace in that ſoul.

Then I was called by providence to remove into a dark family, where I had lived ſome time beofore; and I then finding much oppoſition againſt mee, was not willing to go thither again, but ſet my ſelf to pray, not that I might be willing to ſubmit to the will of God, but that I might not remove into that family, though had I then underſtood it, my call was clear enough, being earneſtly deſired there unto by my husband, and invited by the family, who now profeſſed they could not be without mee, though (when I was there before) they did not affect mee well, being lofty, and could not bear ſuch admonitions that ſometime letting fall among them, but upon the importunity of my husband and this family; I then at length ſet my ſelf to ſeek the Lord, that my heart might be made to ſubmit to his will, what ever it were; and that if I did go, I might ſome way or other be uſeful to him in that place. Now that which made mee ſo unwilling to go unto that family, was becauſe of the oppoſition, that I had met with before in the wayes of God, and then a want of the means, both of preaching the word and fellowship with the Saints.

But upon my earneſt ſeeking, to know the mind of God, and to be brought to ſubmit unto it, my heart was ſoon made willing to go, which accordingly I did; and I had not been long there before, it pleaſed the Lord to worke upon one of the family (to my great comfort and refreshing) who was one that I looked upon as unlike as any in the family.

Alſo the Lord was pleaſed by death to take away a child from mee, which was to my caſting down, and for ſome time I was under a cloud, and queſtioned whither I were a child of God? and whither my child were ſaved? In that time a good man laboured to comfort mee, telling mee before, the Lord gave mee a ſon, he gave mee his own ſon; Oh, ſaid I, that I could ſee that! [Page] why ſaid hee, if you will ſee that, take head of a curſting law, a ſlandring devil, and an accuſing conſcience; all which the Lord hath delivered you from, and therefore now wait upon the Lord I am confident the Lord will appear in this thing.

And the Lord was pleaſed after ſeeking of him, to ſet it upon my heart, that that child was well with him, and that he had ſuch another mercy for mee on earth, which he gave mee faith in, notwithſtanding great oppoſitions againſt at that preſent: yet after ſome half a years waiting upon the Lord I was aſſured of it.

A fit of deſertion.

After this the God of comfort was pleaſed to withdraw and leave mee in a deſerted condition, which I found to be very ſad, and I was very much perplexed in my ſpirit, but could not ſpeak of it unto any: But going to hear a Sermon, the Miniſter was upon that Text: Lord forſake mee not utterly (that is to ſay) not overlong leaſt the ſpirit should fail before thee: hee then shewed what deſertion was; and why God doth ſometime ſeem to leave his own people.

Becauſe (ſaid he) throug ſome pride, they thougt they could walk alone, and ſo neglected their watch, then God hide his face, that they might ſee their own inſufficiency: and know that all their peace, ſtrength and comfort is in and from him: And this (through mercy) was a great help unto mee at that time.

Further, while I was under that miniſtry, God was pleaſed to convince mee of the falſneſs of their Worship, which in that place then was uſed, and having an opportunity to go with others to the communion (as they call it) I could not kneell as the reſt did, but ſat down as if I had kneeled; and as I there ſat, it came upon my heart to think thus (as if it had been ſpoken to mee) why diſſembleſt thou a worship before the Lord, hee that commands thee to kneel there, may as well command thee to kneel at an Altar, (although at that time there was nothing known of ſetting up of Altars) which thing I made known to that Miniſter, and did warn him that if Altars should be ſet up, that he would not (for filthy lucre ſake kneell at them himſelf, nor compel others ſo to do: But he told mee he could not believe any ſuch thing should be: but if it should bee ſo he promiſed [Page] mee he would not conform to them. But in a short time after he found il too true, for Altarts were reared up, and he poor man (contrary to his promiſe) did comform himſelf in that thing, and compelled others ſo to do: but the firſt time he did ſo, it pleaſed the Lord to ſmite him with a ſore languishing diſeaſe, that he went out no more.

Soon after I was at the Chriſtenig of a child (as they call it) at which time God was pleaſed to convince mee of the evil and falſeneſs of that piece of Worship alſo.

Then was there in the nation a publique faſt proclamed, and by mans invention there was a form of prayer made and appointed to bo read in every aſſembly that faſt-day, & this was a third conviction that I had about their formal outſide way of worship; I had then an opportunity to come into one of thoſe aſſemblies that faſt-day while that prayer was reading, at which preſent this thought came ſtrongly upon mee: Is this a worship in ſpirit and truth which thy ſoul (when it is upon the wing with God) cannot joyn with all; for I could not joyn with the words then read in that formoſt prayer.

Upon which I even melted in my ſpirit, and fell into shedding of tears, reſolving to ſeperate from, and come no more to joyn in ſuch a way of worship until I had very diligently ſearched into the true way of Gods worship, as it is written in his bleſſed word; and in order there unto I made uſe of all the beſt books I could get, that were then published to that purpoſe, and alſo called in the help of many Godly Miniſters of ſeveral judgment: but when all this was done I was ſtill unſatisfied in that behalf: And then did I cry unto the Lord to teach mee, and it was by the Lord ſet upon my heart, that I muſt not do any thing in the way of his worship but what I had ground for in his holy word; & that Gods Servants were alwayes to obſerve his pattern in all that they do to him, and that Scripture was much ſet upon my heart. Rev. 22. vers 18, 19. For I teſtify unto every man that heareth the words of the propheſy of this book, if any man shall adde unto theſe things, God shall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this book; and if any man shall take away from the words of the Book of this Propheſy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of life, and out of the holy Citty, and from the things which are written in this book: well ſtill I was put upon it to continue ſeeking the Kingdom of God and the righteouſneſs thereof, and the promiſe that all other t [...]ingt should be added unto mee.

[Page] Then did I with ſome others ſeek the Lord by faſting and prayer, for councel what we should do, and wheter we should go to injoy communion with the Lord, in the way of his pure worship, and the Lord was pleaſed in love to anſwer my deſirs in a wonderful manner, for being then intangled with a houſe of which my Husband had a leaſe for ſome years; and upon that account was unwilling to remove, not knowing how to diſpoſe of that houſe: But yet the Lord was pleaſed in a short time to make him willing that I should remove if I could get of that leaſe, and ſome goods I had; which the Lord ſoon holp mee in, by ſending one unexpectedly the very next day, after my Husband declared his willigneſs for my removal upon thoſe conditions, who took of the leaſe of the houſe of our hands with thoſe goods, and ſo I was made free; So forth with I removed to a place where I did injoy the heating of a good man preach, and had the ſweet benefit of ſome private meetings, which was much refreshing unto mee: but yet two things I was very earneſt with God for.

1. One that I might be filled with the clear witneſs, and full aſſurance of the eternal Spirit.

2. And the other, that I might injoy more full and cloſe communion vvith God in all his bleſſed ordinances in both, vvhich God vvas pleaſed to anſvver mee in ſome meaſure; as to the firſt he did let mee ſee that I had ſinned againſt him, in that I again queſtioned that aſſurance vvhich before he had given mee in; and then he brought (vvith moſt vvonderful renevving povver) thoſe Scripturs, vvhich many years before at ſeveral times under ſeveral ordinances vvere, ſet vvith much povver and evidence upon my heart: But firſt God vvas pleaſed to shevv mee that it vvas onely unbeief that had cauſed mee (at the appearance of temptation and corruption) to queſtion his love and doubt about his kindneſs, and ſo to conclude againſt my ſelf: But the Lord did shevv me that all this doubting vvas from my evil heart of unbelief, the ſence of vvhich one morning eſpecially God did ſet upon my ſpirit to the breaking of my heart; ſo that for three dayes together I vvas greatly afflicted in my ſpirit: and continued crying unto God, as one that could not be anij longer contented vvithout the Light of his countenance vvith a renevving ſeal of his Love, long ſought vvith ſighes, prayers and tears, and in the third day morning he did ſend the comforther the Spirit, vvhich vvith invvard light, life, and povver ſet upon my heart theſe follovving Scriptures: 1 John. 3: 2. Now are wee the ſons of God, and it doth not yet appear what wee shall be.

[Page] But rather rejoyce, becauſe your names are written in heaven. Luke 10: vers 20.

And who ſoever will, let him come and take of the watters of life freely. Revel. 22. 17.

And my grace is ſufficient for thee. 2 Cor. 12: 9.

Oh! I cannot utter the joy that then was in my heart by the mighty operation of the ſpirit: And then after that, this word came upon my ſpirit, and grieve not the holy Spirit, whereby thou art ſealed unto the day of redemption; and then God did anſwer mee, that there was ſufficiency in his grace in Chriſt, to pardon all my ſins paſt, preſent, and to come.

Then as to my other deſire which was aftet more communion with God in his ordinances. After waiting, the Lord was pleaſed to ſet it upon my heart, to believe that my habitation should be removed, and that I should injoy my deſire by (the time called) Eaſter, and ſo it was accordingly; and I through mercy, after I had gotten the renewigs of the ſeal and clear witneſs of the Spirit, lived for about a quarter of a year as it were in Heaven upon earth, but then began a cloud again to araiſe, and I was under the buffetings of ſome ſore temptations, God with drawing in a great meaſure (though not the witneſs of the Spirit yet the com forts of his Spirit which before I did injoy; and I conceive this might be the cauſe of it (which I wish all others may take heed of, for it coſt mee deare) under that ſwe [...]t ſoul refreshing communion I had with our heavenly Father, I gave way to ſome doubtings and queſtionnings, whither there was not a deluſion in the thing I then injoyed.

This temptation laſted ſome ſix dayes, and I had no peace, day nor night when I was awake, to think that I should grieve ſo good a God, and cauſe him to depart from mee.

And Satan not changing his weapons, made mee think that there was ſomething in mee that I did not ſo fully reſiſt him, for when our dear Lord Jeſus was tempted, he by his powerful reſiſtance made him to change them.

So I lay mourning before the Lord, but could not ſet to praying for the violence of this temptation. Then myſleep d [...]puted, and I grew ſick, & then God gave mee to mind that Abrahams w [...]r [...] lay before mee, when he [Page] went to offer ſacrifice he was to drive away the fowles, Gen. 15. this work the Lord directed mee to do by laying hold upon Jeſus Chriſt, who had prayed for mee, though I could not now pray for my ſelf. Jo. 15: v. 17, 19. And ſo ſoon as my heart was brought to believe this, I was preſently delivered, and in all this temptation the Lord hid not his face from mee, bleſſed be his name.

And then as the Lord carried mee over the Sea, where I did injoy further and fuller communion with himſelf in his ordinances, he gave mee another occaſion for the exerciſe of ſaith and Patience.

For whilſt I was upon that voyage, the veſſel that I was in was purſued with enemies, and troubled with contrary winds, ſo that we were in great ſtraits.

But God gave me to believe that he that delivered Paul out of his ſtraits, would alſo deliver us out of ours, and ſo it was, bleſſed be his name; and ſo very ſafely was I carried unto that place that the Lord called mee unto▪

But preſently after I was there arrived the Lord was pleaſed to exerciſe mee with ſeveral afflictions.

Firſt by taking away a child by death, and then by laying upon my ſelf ſuch a diſtemper that my joynts and ſinnews were by fits bound up, that I could not ſtirre them, nor take any reſt while it laſted, my pain was ſo great, no Doctor could do mee any good (though ſeveral phyſitians conſulted what to do for mee) But concluded, there was no help but I muſt dye.

But when I heard that, I ſaid, there is yet help in God, and it was ſet upon me to believe, that if I could but touch the hemm of the garment of Jeſus Chriſt, that is believingly go to him, I should be healed, being alſo put in minde of that promiſe, that whoſoever forſake any thing for his ſake and the Goſpels, Mat. 19: 29. should receive an hundredfold; then I cryed, Lord give me to be healed of this diſtemper by thee ſeing thou art pleaſed to deny help by man.

And one day our Paſtor called in to viſit me, as he was going to the meeting, whom I did deſire to pray for me, and to ſtirre up the bretheren to joyn with him, and I much incouraged him that they should pray in faith, believing for what they asked, telling him that by faith and prayer he would aſſuredly heal me, and verily according unto my faith it was done unto me, for ever bleſſed be God for J. Chriſt, for as they were praying in his name the diſtemper departed.

[Page] Next the Lord was pleaſed to lay his afflicting hand upon another of my children, then did I much deſire that all afflictions might be ſanctified rather then removed, and that by all I might be made more conformable unto Jeſus Chriſt was I helped then to read and mind thad place in Job, Job 34: 32. That which I ſee not teach thou mee; if I have done iniqu [...]y, I will do no more.

Then our Paſtor coming again to viſit me, I asked him how we should know the mind of God in theſe many afflictions, he anſwered mee, that a man having an orchard or vineyard walkes therein, and among all the trees he makes choyce it may be of ſome one tree, whoſe ſtanding is more pleaſant and conveni [...]nt then others; and that tree he chops, & hacks and makes an Arbour to ſit in for his delight, and ſaid hee, if God wil do ſo by you, will you not there with be content? Oh! yes ſaid I: if that be the good will of my heavenly father; and bleſſed be God I did find it ſo; for though I have ſowed in tears, I have reaped in joy, and have found the times of greateſt outward trouble, and affliction have been the onely times of greateſt inward and ſpiritual joy and ſoul conſolation, verily I cannot expreſs with tongue nor pen the large experience I have had upon this account.

And this I have found, that when a poor ſoul is faithful and ſingle hearted for God walking up to the light id hath received, this is the very way to injoy the preſence of God and his bleſſing upon him, in what ſtate and condition ſo ever he is in; for this I can declare from mine own experience that loſe is the way to gain, troublet is the way to peace, ſorrow is the way to joy, and death is the way to life; he that looſeth his life for my ſake, ſaith Jeſus Chriſt, the ſame shall find it, through the valey of tears lieth the way to the mountain of joy; for whilſt I ſet my ſelfin good earneſt to ſeek the Lord for inſtruction into the truth as it is in Jeſus, I met with many difficulties; but yet out prayer hearing God was pleaſed to come in by degrees; having through his grace given me faith in his ſon (who was exalted as a Prince and a Sàviour to give me repentance) made mee alſo willing to be baptiſed for the remiſſion of ſins.

Now that which made me willing to obey the Lord, in this Ordinance was the Command of Jeſus Chriſt in Mat. 28: 19. and Act. 10: 48. and the example of Chriſt and the practiſe of the Apoſtles, and p [...]imitive Saints, together with the promiſe of the gift of the Holy Ghoſt anexed thereunto Acts 2: 38. And indeed this truth a laſt was ſo ſet upon my [Page] heart by the Lord, that though many difficulties lay in the way, yet the Lord carried me through them all: and after I had obeyed the Lord therein (in very faithſulneſs I muſt declare that I did injoy the incomes of God in a more plentiſul manner then before: But Satan for ſome time laboured to hinder mee in obeying the Lord in this piece of ſervice, with this temptation, that by this meanes a death (in all likelyhood and in an eye of reaſon) would fall upon my livelyhood, but God made it a furtherance to mee and to others alſo, ſo that many of us were at that time (after waiting on God by faſting and prayer) baptized together.

And after that the Lord was pleaſed to bleſs mee in my imployment that following year, with more then ordinary ſucceſs, by which the Devil was proved a lyar.

But afterward I had ſome fears, that my imployment might be a ſuare unto m [...]e (as the world is to many) and that I should bee too earthly in it, for this Scripture did follow mee very much, (which I deſire to give good heed unto) Oh! Earth, Earth, hear the word of the Lord. And often in prayer I did cry unto God, ſaying, ſpeak Lord, for thy ſervant deſires to hear; and was very deſirous to know, what the Lord would have me to underſtand by this word; and when I had conſidered I found ſome thing in my imployment ſinſul, and a hinderance unto my ſpiritual injoyments, to convince mee of which, the Lord wa [...] pleaſed to with hold his bleſſing upon that imployment, which before I had found therein; to the convincing and converting of ſome to himſelf, ſo finding ſomething in it contrary to his will, I was conſtreined to leave it of, and after much ſeeking of the Lord for councel, theſe Scriptures were much with mee, Math. 7: 7. Ask, and it shall be given you: ſeek, and ye shall find: knock [...], and it shall be opened unto you.

If ye then being evil know how to give good guifts unto your children, how much more shall your father, which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him. Math. 7: 11.

And on my ſervants, and on my hand maidens will I pour out of my ſpirit, and they shall propheſy. Acts 2: 18.

Theſe promiſes did dwell with mee for a long ſeaſon, ſo that I was much ſtirred up to pray to the Lord, that he would pleaſe to accomplish them upon mee, and pour out of his bleſſed Spirit upon mee. And after long ſeeking (eſp [...]cially one day) being very earneſt and importunate with the Lord, after which I went out to walk, and on a ſudden I [Page] was indued with the gift of ſinging, in ſuch a way and manner as I had not been acquainted with before; and immediately this following ſong came in (as faſt as I could ſing) as followeth: it was in the year 1655. in the Moneth of February.

Come home, come home, thy work is done,

My glory thou shalt ſee;

Let all the meek ones of the earth

Come home along with thee.

Cast of the world, it is too baſe

And low for thee to dwell;

I have redeem'd thee from the pit,

And lowest place of Hell.

Admire, admire my love to thee,

VVhich took thee from ſo low,

And ſet thee in high places free,

VVhere thou my love might'st know

VVing thou aloft, and caſt thy ſelf

Into mine Arms of love;

Look up, look up, and thou shalt ſee

My glory is above.

Let not the wicked know thy joy:

But let my ſervants hear

VVhat I have done for thee my love,

Since thou to mee drew'ſt near.

My ſervants walk in clouds and bogg's,

They do not ſee my light:

The day draws near, and will appear,

That I will shine moſt bright.

I will appear in my glory, and be a perfect light.

Admire, admire, the thing that I will do,

All nations shall it hear, and know

VVhat I am doing now.

I will a habitation be

To them that fear my name;

They shall lie down in ſafty, and

Give glory to the ſame.

[Page]

All they that in high places ſit,

And takes their honours low,

Shall be made tremble, quake, and pine,

VVhen they my Iustice know.

Come hide, come hide, come hide with me,

Come hide thee in the Rock;

Come draw thy Comforts high from mee,

I my treaſures unlock.

Alſo it was agreed upon by ſome of the Lords people, with whom I was then preſent, that we should appoint and keep a day of ſolemn ſeeking the Lord by faſting and prayer; that wee might know what was the duty Gods poor Children ought to be found in at that time: but after this was agreed upon, and the day appointed: I was before the time came removed about 30 miles from them, and ſo that thing went out of my minde: but God by his Spirit ſet me upon the ſame work, by five in the morning the ſame day, and about the middle of the day God brought to my remembrance that agreement, ſo we were at the ſame work at the ſame time, though far diſtant one from another; and indeed the Lord was graciouſly preſent, pouring out much of the ſpirit of prayer and ſupplication; after which earneſt ſeeking of God, was this following propheſye given in unto mee:

Shall light appear, and darkneſs done away:

Shall Sommers green be cloathed all in gray:

Shall a bright morning ſet in shadowees dark,

Oh! England, England [...], take heed thou dost not ſmart.

And after this propheſy was ſet upon my heart that notable promiſe: 2 Chro. 7: 14. I [...] my people, which are called by my name, turn from their wicked wayes; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their ſin and will heat their Land.

Next morning, about four of the clock, being in my bed, I had this laid before mee, that God would affict that nation with great afflictions: but I (not knowing what God would try the Nation with) did deſire this of the Lord, that I might chuſe with David, rather to fall into the hands of God, then into the hands of mercileſs men: it was much upon my heart at that time; that the Lord would turn a fruitful land into barreneſs, for the wickedneſs of them that dwell therein.

Then the Lord was pleaſed to lay upon mee a ſore affliction, which I finding my ſelf very unable to bear, did as it were repent mee that I in any [Page] meaſure had choſen my condition, and did not rather wholy ſubmit to the will of God; but the Lord did mee good by it, and his ſtrength was made perſect in my weakneſs.

Then was it much ſet upon my heart to conſider what then were the ſins of the nation, for which there was cauſe of great humiliation; and indeed the conſideration of theſe following evils was much ſet upon my heart.

1. That great ſloathfulneſs, deadneſs, and unfruitfulneſs under the means of grace which we injoyed, for which the Lord threatened of old, Iſa. 5: vers 5, 6. To lay his vineyard wast, to plucke up the hedge and breake downe the wall there of.

2. That great abounding ſin of unbelief (notwithſtanding the large experiences we had of Gods power for us, and love to us.) And this I ſaw did cauſe perſons to ſeek themſelves and the world. Unbelief cut them and us short of that reſt that many (yea the moſt of us) promiſed to our ſelves, As this unbelief of old cut Iſrael short of rest, Heb. 3: 10, 11.

3. That Idolatry which mee thought I ſaw abounding in the nation in a threefold ſence.

1. Firſt in reſpect of falſe wayes of worship, contrary to the rule of the Goſpel and primitive exemple.

2. Secondly in reſpect alſo of reſting upon duty, and ſo not reſting upon Ieſus Chriſt that Rock of ages; this alſo was one of poor Iſraels evils, crying out the Temple of Lord, &c. Ier. 7: 4.

3. In reſpect of coveteouſneſs, this in Scripture is called Idolatry alſo; Oh! that too too earneſt deſire! that was in ſome after the Foulish vanities of this preſent evil world, and in others after the vain profits of the world, and in others alſo after the vain glory and preferment thereof: theſe things were much upon my heart, and this was that for which God was angry of old with his people, and ſmote them; and hid his face from them. Iſa. 57: 17.

4. Fourthly, That pride that I ſaw abounding in the lives of many, & I fear was in the hearts of others. Which appeared in their ſlighting the Councel of Gods Spirit: and their perſifting to go on in ſeeking and ſetting up ſelf, nothwithſtanding the hand of God againſt them.

Theſe ſins being very much ſet upon my heart, with a deep conſideration of many Scriptures: ſome of them was very great and ſore threatnings: and other ſome were moſt ſweet and precious promiſes to ſuch as repent and departe from all iniquity; one of which I remember was that very remarkeable place, 2 Chron. 7: 14.

[Page] Then I looked upon it as my duty to make this known, that people might be warned to depart from ſin, that ſo they might not partake of the great wrath and ſore diſpleaſure of God, which I much feared, was coming.

Then ſoon after I had an oppertunity to declare this to ſome that then were in high places, and in the very entring I had this added, which I alſo declared.

Didſt thou not hear a voyce from on high,

Deny your ſelves (take up the croſse) or verily you shall die?

And this was approved on by ſome, and received as a very ſluitable and ſeaſonable word; but pour ſoules, for not hearkening unto councel in departing from ſin they were ſoon brought down, and laid low, yet there is mercy with the Lord that he may be feared, and he will manifeſt his love to all them that truely repent, and we may all make a good uſe of this experience; therefore let others harms become our warnings. Alſo about the year 1658. to the beſt of my remembrance. [for having lost my book, in which I had ſet them down in order, I now wait onely upon the Lord, and as he by his Spirit helps mee, ſo I give an account of theſe things) It was given in with aboundance of power upon my ſpirit, theſe few words following.

Awake therefore to righteouſneſs,
This was again brought to mind in January 1662.

The Lord is near at hand:

And will afflict now very ſore

By ſea and like by land.

And this ſeemes to agree with, and is a further addition to what wa's given mee in before in the Year 1657. which is as followeth.

There is a time approaching near at hand,

That men shall be in fear by ſea and land:

There is a time, there will be alteration;

And this ſame time doth haſten to this nation;

Let now my children hearken to my will,

And they shall ſee I will be with them ſtill.

Theſe with many more ſuch things came upon my ſpitit, and then after ſeeking the Lord he was pleaſed to shew mee by degrees what was the work of the day (for I am a ſtranger and a Pilgrim, therefore I ſeek ſor a [Page] Kingdom whoſe Buylder and Maker is God. I deſire not to ſet up the Idol of covet [...]ouſneſs, but to have it to be my meat and drink, to do the will of my Father, which is in heaven; and 'tis my onely deſire to deny my ſelf, and to honor him) ſeeking to know the preſent work of the day: ſome Scriptures with many waity conſiderations were ſet upon my heart, Hezekiahs prayers and tears, which were accepted of God, when his heart was broaken; A broaken and a comrite heart is acceptable in the ſight of God, and he will dwel [...] with ſuch. Iſa. 57: 15. rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the Lord; indeed when much of the ſorm of Godlineſs appears, but the power is waming, then it is a time to mourn, and in ſome it hath been ſo in all ages, thereſore Gods Prophet was b [...]d cry aloud, and ſpare not, Iſa. 58: 1. VVhen ſinlies hiden in the heart, nothing is accepted, Iſai. 58: 2. Yet yoe ſeek mee early and deſire to know my wayes as a nation that did righteouſneſs; read and mind the whole Cnap. Iſa. 15: 16. Ceaſe to do evil, ſaith the Lord, and learn to doe well, &c.

But unto the wicked, God ſaith, what haſt thou to do to declare my ſtatutes, or that thou shouldeſt take my covenant in thy mouth, ſeenig, thou hateſt to be ref [...]rmed? then it came upon my heart that the duty of the preſent time was for the people of God to be very much in theſe following things.

The work of the day.

1. Firſt, to be watchful that the ca [...]es of this world, and the deceitfulneſs of riches make us not to forget the coming of Chriſt, and the glory that shall then be revealed.

2. Secondly, be moderate in all things, the Lord is at hand; be patient, and act much faith; be much in prayer, do good, lay up treaſures in heaven; theſe be all very weighty things.

3. Be much in humiliation, ſeek not great things for your ſelves, in a day when God is pulling down.

God pronounceth a [...] to them that are at caſe in Sion, that put far away the evil day, and cauſe the ſeat of violence to come near; A mos 6. vers. 3, 4, 5, 6. that lie upon beds of Ivory, and ſtretch themſelves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midſt of the ſtall, and ſo fill themſelves in ſeaſting, delighting in Muſick, and drinking wine in bowles, but are not grieved for the afflictions of Joſeph.

And the ſame evil the Prophet Iſaiah complaines of alſo in the 22 of Iſa. vers. 5, 9, 12, 13, 14. In that day the Lord God of H [...]aſts called to weeping and [Page] mourning, and to baldneſs, and girding with ſack [...]loath, and behold joy and [...], ſl [...]ying ox [...]n, and killing of sheep, &c. In what day was this, you may ſ [...]e in the 5, and 9 verſes; it was a day of trouble, and [...]teading down and pe [...]plexity: But ſee how the Lord takes notice of this their contrary [...]riage in the 14 verſe: he chargeth it upon them, as ſuch an iniquity, as he tells them, shall not be purged from them till they dye verſe the 14.

It is ſaid, when the Judgments of God are abroad in the earth, the inhabitants thereof shall learn righteouſneſs.

But it is threatened, they shall have no peace who go on in the wayes of ſin and wickedneſs, but all that would have peace, muſt come from ſin unto Jeſus Chriſt, and walk in the way of peace, by this way we hide in the rock, and enter into the ſecret chambers, where God had promiſed to keep us till his indignation be over paſt.

Then, benig troubled in my ſpirit, the Lord was pleaſed to give in theſe following promiſes as ſpecial comforts againſt thoſe great and publique calamities, which were coming.

I even, I am he that blotteth out thy tranſgreſsions for mine own ſake, and will not remember thy ſins. Iſai. 34, 25.

I alſo will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. Zeph. 3: 12.

And they shall be mine, ſaith the Lord, in the day that I make up my Iewels, and I will ſpare them as a man ſpareth his own ſon that ſerveth him. Malachy 3: 17.

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and ſatisfy thy ſoul in drought, and make fat they bones, and thou shall be like a wattered garden, and like ſprings of watter whoſe watters faile not. Iſa. 58: 11.

And Moſes ſaid unto the people, Fear ye not, ſtand ſtill, and ſee the ſalvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day; for the Egyptians, whom you have ſeen to day, you shall ſee them again no more [...]or ever. Exod. 14: 13.

The name of the Lord is a ſtrong Tower, the Righteous run into it, and is ſafe. Prov. 18: 10.

They, that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their ſtrentgh, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run and not be weary: and they shall walke and not faint. Iſa. 40: 31.

Alſo the Lord ſet it upon my heart, how the people of God ought to ca [...]ry it in ſuch a day of calamity; namely, that they ought to have upon their hearts a deep ſence of ſin, which is the cauſe of ſorrow, as Lots righteous ſoul was grieved with the unclean converſation of the wicked; [Page] therefore God took care of him, and he was preſerved when others were deſtroyed with the firy ſtorme of Gods.

Alſo God is pleaſed to ſet a mark upon the fore-heads of them that mourn for the abomination of the times.

Alſo it was given me in to believe, that God would be a wall of fire about his people; with this promiſe: That all things shall work together for good, to them that love God, who are the called, according to his purpoſe. Rom. 8: 28.

And the Lord ſaid, All things were made for himſelf, and nothing shall be deſtroyed vvithout mee.

And God appeared unto Abraham, ſaying, I am God alſufficient, &c. Gen. 17: 1.

Let my word be a light to thy feet, and a Lanthorn to thy pathes, for I will keep them in perfect peace, whoſe mindes are ſtayed on mee, becauſe they truſt in mee.

And the Lord is the portion of his people.

And they are to him as the apple of his eye. Zech. 8: 2, 8. And as a gſigne / upon his right-hand: And he to them is a ſtrong tower, a buckler, and shield, a Captain, and leader of his people, and it is written; When ye ſee theſe things begin to come to paſse, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemtion draweth nigh. Luke 21: 28.

If you had but ſo much faith as a grain of muſtered ſeed, you should ſay unto this mount [...]in, be removed, into the Sea; Chriſt reprove Peter, for the ſmalneſs of his faith; All things are poſſible to them that believe.

Fear not them that can kill the body: but f [...]ar him that can deſtroy both body and ſoull in hell. Math. 10: 28.

Fear not little flo [...]k, it is your Fathers good pleaſure to give you the Kingdom. Luke 12: 32.

See that you be not troubled, for theſe things muſt be; but the end is not yet, nation shall riſe againſt nation, and Kingdom againſt Kingdom; and ye shall hear of warres and run ors of warres: but he that watcheth over Iſrael neither ſlumbereth nor ſleepeth.

He that believeth on mee, as the Scriptures hath ſaid, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living watter; but this ſ [...]ake he of the ſpirit, that they, that believe on him, should receive: and is promiſed to be poured out in the latter dayes.

After theſe promiſes and inſtructions followed thi [...] ſo [...]g, in the year 1658.

[Page]

Oh, [...] my ſoule! give glory to the Lord.

[...] this rich mer [...]y he doth thee aſoard;

He made the hearens, and ordered every light;

He takes the hearts up of his people q [...]ue.

And as I was on a Journey, this alſo was given in:

VVhen that this green shall bloſome bear,

And bi [...]ds shall pleaſant ſing;

Then shall there be a kn [...]ll most ſad,

In every place, beard ring.

Then did the Lord poure out upon me much of the ſpirit of prayer, and praiſing, with the knowledg of other things, which he is bringing to paſ [...]: In ſo much that I was much broaken before him, to ſee my own unworthyneſs, and his goodneſs, a ſence of which I lay under for ſome ſeaſon, not long after I had a great ſit of ſickneſs; and I was inquiring of God, what his mind should be in that affliction: he shewed mee, it was becauſe I did not declare to the Church with whom I walked; thoſe things he had made known unto mee.

But benig troubled at my own inſufficiency; and they benig unacquainted with ſuch things; and indeed my ſelf did queſtion at the firſt, whether it were the guilt of God or no? (the guiſt of ſinging.) Then the Lord was pleaſed to ſet it upon my heart, that as thoſe propheſyes were true, and should come to paſs, ſo should I know that this was the true guiſt of God, given in unto mee.

And it was ſo when the ſpring came on, then began that ſickneſs of agues and feavours, that have continued ever ſince, little or much, and there followed two dry ſummers one after another, and alſo we had many light appearances; but they ſet in dark shadows, tili Chriſt our light shall appear, and in great mercy take away and remove our dark and ſad afflictions, and ſorrows; well now, I was at laſt ſo moved in my ſpirit, that I could not tell how to keep in theſe things any longer, and therefore went to the Church to that end, but I then could not find him that I would have ſpoken of it unto, for him to declare unto the reſt, ſo I returned, and did it not.

Then the Lord afflicted mee again, and then I beſought him again, and he gave mee to mind that I was juſtly afflicted for neglecting, to make it known, then being raiſed up again, I did declare ſomething, but not ſo fully as I should; and indeed would have done fearing, it would not [Page] be born, for which I was mourning before the Lord: and as I was mourning, I was put upon ſinging, as followeth:

Ceaſe thou thy mourning, and ſee thou dost praiſe,

For thou shalt do my will in all my wayes:

Thy work shall be praiſes now ſor to ſing,

Becauſe thou haſt choſen Chri [...]t to be thy King.

Lift up your heads redemption draweth near,

Do not at all poſſeſs thy heart with fear:

Lift up your heads, and look to heaven high;

For God will make his people gloriſy.

Draw water from the wells that are ſo deep:

You shall drink flaggons of my love, when others are aſtheep.

Then ſtill ſought I God what I might do to honnor God in my generation; and about three dayes after it was ſet upon my heart in the night, that I muſt writte my experiences; but then I thought, oh, how should I remember thirty years experiences! but then preſently came in theſe promiſes.

Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not diſmayed; for I am thy God, I will ſtrengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will up hold thee with the right-hand of my righteouſneſs. Iſaiah 41:10.

Fear not, thou worm Iacob, I will help thee, ſaith the Lord, and thy Redeemer the holy one of Iſrael. vers. 14. Commit thy way unto the Lord, truſt alſo in him, and he shall bring it to paſs. Pſalm 37:5.

Great things have I laid up for them that fear mee among the ſons of men.

The next day I ſet my houſe in order, that I might go about this work that the Lord had called mee unto, and until I went about it, this word followed mee; be inſtructed least my Spirit depart from thee; and as ſoon as I ſet upon my work, it left mee, and I found the Lord (according to his promiſe) mightyly aſſiſting mee, in bringing things to my remembtance and I wrig them down, and had ſome thoughts to put them in print; but yet through the corruptions of my heart, and the advice of a friend, I was not willing they should be published whilſt I am living: my reaſon was, becauſe I am a poor weak worthleſs worm, and have not the parts and gifts that ſome others have.

And becauſe I am an old fruitleſs branch, my memory failes, and my underſtanding is ſo dull, that I am (and was at the beſt) a poor empty one, which I cannot but acknowledg with tears and brokenneſs of heart.

[Page] Oh, that the Lord should be ſo good to mee! and I can bring no more glory and honnour to him; but yet notwithſtanding I muſt give glory to God, for that he hath been pleaſed to poure out of his Spirit upon mee, and ſince that, to fill my ſoul with very ſweet choyce, and heavenly injoyments from himſelf.

The moſt large meaſure of the ſpirit of propheſy was upon mee at two particular times, the one in the year one thouſand ſix hundred and fifty five.

And the other in the year 1658, but at many times God was pleaſed to give me much of the ſpirit of prayer and praiſe.

Then by his hand of providence I was removed again out of England into Holland, and I brought the papers of my experiences with mee: which (the Ship being caſt away) were loſt, with the trunck in which they were: Then was it much ſet upon my heart, that God was diſpleaſed with mee, for not putting them in print, and then the guift of ſinging and praiſing was much ceaſed, and I was troubled; for the which I ſought the Lord, and did begg', that if he were offended at mee, for not printing, and leaving them behind mee, that he would pardon it unto mee; and that, if it were his good pleaſure, I should write them again. I did pray, that he would let his Spirit come to inable mee again in ſinging and prayer, as it was wont to do, and be my remembrancer to write again: and indeed it did ſo, not long after, in the night; both in ſong, and in prayer.

But then I having not time, was much hindered? yet notwithſtanding (according to the time I had) I ſet my ſelf to do it; and the Lord was pleaſed to aſſiſt mee, in bringing again to my remembrance things of long ſtanding.

Now before I departed from England, I was ſatisfied in my ſpirit, that I had a clear call from thee Lord ſo to do; for indeed more then a year I had ſuch a motion in my ſpirit, backed with many Scriptures for its furtherance.

Yet nothwithſtanding in this Voyage we met wich ſome diffciulty, for the Ship I came over in was caſt away; but in the time of the greateſt trouble the Lord gave mee in theſe promiſes; that he would be with mee in ſix troubles, and in the ſeventh he would not forſake mee.

Call upon mee in the day of trouble, I will hear thee, and deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify mee.

With this ſweet word alſo, thou shalt not die, but live, to ſee the mercy I will shew unto thee.

[Page] It was in the night, and after ſome time (the Ship being a ground, and in great danger, and ſo were all the perſons in it) one asked mee, if I were not afraid? I anſwered, the God of heaven my Father hath brought mee hither, and if he may have more honour in drowning of mee, then by preſerving mee, his will be done.

Then, when the maſt was cut down, and the Maſter with ſome others ſaid, we are dead perſons, and like to looſe our lives, yet I had much hope in the Lord, becauſe of his promiſe, and after that I (and ſome others in the Ship with mee) had committed our ſelves unto God by prayer, I being in the Cabbon, laid me down to ſleep: but I had not (it ſeems) lien half an hour, but they called us, and ſaid, there was Land not far of, if wee would ſeek for help? vvhich accordingly vve did.

But it being but about the break of the day, vve did vvander over the ſand [...], but could find no vvay out of the ſea, as it vvere, compaſſing us aboue round; then vve all returned to the Ship again, and ſome concluded vve muſt go in an perish there; ſo they vvent in again.

But vve ſaid, if vve muſt perish, vve vvould be ſtill ſeeking to ſave our lives.

And as our God (to whom we had committed ourſelves) guided us, we went another way on the ſands, and as I was going (looking to God to be my Pilot) not knowing whether vve vvent, for the ſea vvas one both ſides of us, and vvee had but a ſmall vvay on the ſands to vvalk in; and as I vvas begging of the Lord, to keep in the ſeastill vve found out a place, not onely for our ovvn eſcape, but that vve might ſee deliverance for our friends in the Ship alſo, the Lord vvas pleaſed to ſet this upon my heart.

As thy deliverance is, ſo shall Englands be, vvhen they are brought to greateſt ſtreights, then vvill deliverance be from God.

A hint of ſome night meditations and effects of prayer.

I being avvake one night, and very full of trouble in my mind, becauſe I vvas no more ſpiritual, for I had found my ſelf very dead-hearted in prayer over night; for the vvhich I vvas very ſadly afflicted in ſpirit; and indeed then vvanting place of retirement (to ſend up ſtrong cries unto the Lord) did much deaden my ſpirit, for I found it vvas the practice of Jeſus Chriſt, ſometime to be in the vvilderneſs, ſometime in the mountain all night in prayer alone, and ſometimes alone in the gardin; and I find [Page] prayer in ſecret much accept [...]d vvith God, according to that vvord, Pray to thy [...]ather in ſecret, and he will reward thee ope [...]ly: Math. 6: 6. indeed ſo full of ſorrovv vvas I that I uttered no vvords, but ſig [...]d and groaned to the Lord.

Then this came in,

Vpon the [...] thou shalt live,

[...] of [...]o [...]e I will the [...]:

[...] be made all times to ſee,

[...] flowes in mee.

Then did I groa [...]e before the Lord, that he vvould give in ſome promiſe: the Lord caſt in this that the grace or prayer vvas before the guiſt of prayer, and that this vvas the grace of prayer to give up our ſelves in faith to the guidance of the ſpirit, and ſo by [...]aith to have communion vvith the Father and the Son, in the Spirit, for Chriſt t [...]ld the Woman. John. 4: v. 21, 22, 23. Neither in thus mountain no [...] in Ieruſalem sha [...]l m [...]n worship the Father but the [...]our is coming, a now us, when the true worshipp [...]rs shall worship the Father in Spirit and i [...] truth, ſor the [...]ather ſ [...]keth ſuch to worship him; God is a Spirit, and they that worship him muſt worship him in Spirit and in truth: This Woman then could ſay, that Chriſt vvould teach all things; vvhy should not vve look for the teachings of the Spirit novv, ſeeing Chriſt hath not onely been vvith us in the flesh, God and man, but had alſo promiſed us the pourings out of the Spirit, to teach us all things: and to bring all things to our remembrance.

Then further I vvas mourning that I could not injoy the ordinances of God [...]n their purity; and the Lord shevved mee that I muſt offer up my [...]: And vvhen Abraham vvent to do that, he left his ſervants belovv the hill; and conſulte [...] not vvith flesh and blood.

Alſo aftervvard I had ſuch vvonderful experience of communion vvith God, through the Spirit, as I am not able to utter it.

I avvaking another night, vvas greatly complaining, that the flesh did ſo [...] in the Spirits vvork, that vvhen I vvorld do good, evil is preſent. [...]en did the ſpirit put me upon uttering many heavenly complaints in a vvay of ſinging, and after that, vvith the help of the Spirit, to pray vvith much enlarg [...]dneſs.

And a [...]ter that there vvas by the ſame ſpirit, vvith very much povver this vvord: Be ſilent before mee all flesh.

Oh! and then follovved the vvonderful ſpeakings of God by his bleſſed Spirit to my poor ſoul, vvhich I cannot utter as to the manner of them, b [...]t the nature of them vvas exceeding comforting to my ſelf; and alſo filled [...] vvith great hopes to all the people of God.

[Page] And now hereby do I know, that it was the Spirit of God and of truth that did work at this time, becauſe it did lay mee low, and flat before him, that is holy, and made me ſee my own inſufficiency, and his great al ſufficiency, which did much humble mee, and broak, and melted mee exceedingly, then was this promiſe given in; That they that waiton the Lord shall renew their ſtrength, they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.

And my heart was very much drawn out to wait upon God, in a way of believing, both for my ſelf and people of God, having that word as it were whiſpered in my ear: If thou canst believe, all things are poſsible.

Another time I was conſidering, that though I had been a Profeſſor many years, yet I though! indeed I was but a babe in Chriſt, then that word came upon mee: Out of the mouthes of babes and ſucklings thou haſt ord [...]ined praiſe.

And indeed I can incourage the moſt ſimple and weak, to wait on the Lord, for his grace is ſufficient.

At this time I was taught by the ſpirit, that prayer was another thing then ſome take it to be; it is of a divine nature, and they onely, whom God helpeth, can pray, for it is not words that is alwayes needfull, for a ſoul may pray and utter no words, and have ſweet communion with God by faith; yet words ſometimes affect the heart, and I have ſometimes found the voyce cannot be kept in, the heart may be ſo filled. Therefore I blame none, but deſire to be tender of all, for God accepts what himſelf gives, outward performances is as the shell without the kernel; if the ſpirit act not, but what of his own ſpirit is in any duty that God doth accept. And we read of the poor woman in the Goſpel, who met with ſome diſcouragements, yet by the power of faith being inabled to hold on; oh! how greatly he commended her faith, and anſwered her deſire, though her words were but few, onely, Lord help mee, &c.

And Hannahs prayer was heard, who did but move her lips: And although she was a woman of a ſorrowful ſpirit before, yet she went away believing, and alſo rejoycing that God had heard her prayer.

So the deſires of them that fear him shall be anſwered, and he will hear their cry.

Daniel, before he made his ſupplication, was anſwered, the groaning of the ſpirit before the Lord is a loud cry, the prayer of faith doth ſave the ſick.

The Lord is a very preſent help in the time of need.

[Page] They that truſt in him, shall not be diſappointed.

Nay he takes pleaſure in them that fear him, and that hopes in his mercy.

Therefore let them that call on the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.

Further, my heart being carried out long to wait for, and expect ther teachings of the ſpirit more fully to be given mee: and therefore, if any thing comes in further, it is not of nor from my ſelf, but the Spirit of Gods working in and upon a poor weak creature, who though I be very unfit to publish any thing of this nature to the world, yet according to my meaſure I would with that poor woman do what I can with willingneſs and cheerfulneſs, for God loves a cheerful heart in his work, and the Apoſtle ſaith, if there be firſt a willing mind, it is accepted, according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

Yet I am much incouraged to believe that this work is of the Lord, for I have found the flesh exceeding oppoſet thereunto, and when I have neglected it, God hath withdrawn himſelf from mee, and when I ſet to it in good earneſt, then God returns and let mee injoy ſweet communion with himſelf: And the more, the Lord appeared at the firſt comings in of theſe things upon my ſoul, the more his love broake my heart, that I was wonderfully affected to behold the freeneſs of his grace to ſuch a one.

And verily the more watchful I was againſt ſin and unto duty, the more of his divine preſence was affoarded, which is ſo gloriouſly ſweet to injoy, that the more I had, the more ſtill I would have, and ſtill longed for, not onely in the day, but in the night alſo, hearkening what God ſpake, and in the night his vvay to my ſoul hath been to come in vvith many ſvveet ſeaſonable and povverful inſtructions, ſtirring me up to pray, teaching me hovv to pray, and vvhat to pray for, encreaſing my faith and conſidence, to believe for that I have praied for, both for my ſelf and others (and alſo ſtirring mee up to prayſing him) and I find that giving my ſelf vvholy to the diſpoſing of God in prayer, is a very good thing: alſo this fear hath been upon mee ſometimes, that I should offer unto God that vvhich coſt mee nothing, that is, to lay ont the choiſeſt, and moſt of the day about the vvorld, and then bring the ſleepy head to God for a ſacrifice: I minding the ſpirituallity of true prayer, and my unfitneſs for it, I have found the councel of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt very uſeful, vvhere he ſaith, VVatch and pray. Math. 26: 41.

And the Apoſtle ſaith, VVatch unto prayer. Pet. 1: 4, 7. yet I have found [Page] often, when I have been to pray unto God, my heart have been very dead, and I could not get it into ſo ſpiritual a forme as I would, yet durſt not neglect the dayly waiting upon God in that duty: but even then made it my work to petition the Lord, to compoſe my ſpirit and quicken me by his grace and holy Spirit, that I might not offer the blind the halt, and lame in ſacrifice unto God: And indeed then God hath ſo, come in upon my ſpirit, that I ha [...] had more communion with him ſelf yea more then at ſome other time, when I have been apt to think my ſelf more fit.

At other times when I have not found God coming in to help mee, I have gone a way and waited his time, for unleſs God enlarge our hearts, it is not good for us to en large in words, for God is in heaven and thou on the earth, therefore let thy words befew (thy words mark that) and bodily exerciſe proſiteth nothing, my ſon give mee thy heart, ſaith God. Eccleſ. 5: 2.

The poor man that ſaid, God be merciful unto mee a Sinner, went a way more accepted or rather Juſtified then the Phariſe, in the time before the coming of Chriſt in the flesh, if Gods people could not bring a lamb fo ra ſacriffice, if they brought but two pigeons, or a little flower, if it were brought to the Prieſt, it was accepted, ſo if we come to him that Juſtifies the ungodly, and hath promiſed to do all our works in us, and for us beholding his alſufficiency, and ſubmit to him, and be content with that he will give us, as well in ſpirit uals as in temperals, the Lord will accept of us, onely believing we muſt flee unto the hornes of the Althar.

And I have found, when I have neglected prayer, my heart hath been very dead and full of unbelief: And again, I have found it no comfort to reſt upon duties, for that is a dangerous evil to ſet up ſuch an Idol in the heart; but here in lay my comfort, when I by faith could have communion vvith God, and coming near to him, could caſt my burthen upon him, and go avvay quiet in my mind, that Chriſt vvould do all for mee; and vvhen I vvas vvilling, God shtould do vvhat he pleaſed vvith mee, and my vvill vvas brought to his vvill; then have I had the mercy I have asked, and more alſo many times.

I have found retired places and vvatchings, the beſt opportunities and greateſt advantages unto prayer.

Alſo I have had many temptations againſt prayer, but the beſt vvay to overcome them, is to mind the command of Jeſus Chriſt, vvhich is that vve should vvatch unto prayer, and pray alvvayes, keep cloſe to the duty in the ſtrength of Chriſt, and looſe not the motions of the Spirit neither grieve the Spirit by ſin, but vvatch againſt all appearances of evil, for I hahave [Page] found that the neglect of vvatchfulneſs againſt ſin: and being overcome by it, doth greatly deaden the heart to duty; keep your eyes upon the promiſes by faith, look up unto Chriſt in prayer, and let all take heed of ſetting up prayer, or any other duty, above, or in the roome of Jeſus Chriſt.

I [...] God aſſiſt you to pray for a mercy, though he give it not in preſently, yet hold on if your asking be according to his will, and your end the glory of God, and ye find enlargment from the Spirit of life, you may be ſure he will be anſwer you in that thing or elſe in ſome thing better for you in his ovvn ſeaſon.

My ſelf ſought the Lord 20 years, for one thing, before I had an anſvver, but at laſt being at prayer, after I had done, God gave mee in a moſt gracious anſvver, and ſet dovvn the very time of deliverance, and did accordingly accomplish it at the very time; to him be the praiſe.

And many other things I have ſought the Lord for, and he hath been pleaſed to grant my deſire, eſpecially vvhen he hath made me earneſt and importunate, and have aſſiſted me to hold on, and given me a ſpirit of faith, to believe for the thing prayed for.

Another time I ſought the Lord for a relation of mine, who was thought to be near unto death, and this vvas given in, call upon mee in the day of trouble, I vvil h [...]ar and deliver, and thou shalt glorify mee, and [...]rom that time that perſon amended, and life vvas continued.

Alſo I knew another young perſon that was, by the word preached, convinced of her ſinſul ſtate, and ſet upon the performance of ſome duties: but not being acquainted with the wiles and temptations of Satan, afterward ſome deadneſs ceaſing upon her ſpirit, began to neglect her duty; but one in the family perceiving of it, adviſed her to preſent her ſelf before the Lord, and although she found her ſelf dead, yet to pray that she might pray, whoſe conucel shee took, and shee continuing diligent, the Lord came in by the mighty witneſs of his ſpirit, fully ſatisfying her ſoul in a very short time.

Further: oh! let all that fear God be encouraged to continue in, and not neglect family duties, for I have found by good experience many wrought upon by inſtructions and prayer, when their lot have been caſt into thoſe families, where reading, praying, and Catechiſing, and ſuch duties have been faithfully performed; ô, many young ones have been brought home to God, by his bleſſing upon this meanes!

And amongſt many more I remember one who was very ſtrongly aſſalted with many temptariones to keep her from coming to, and cloſſing with [Page] Jeſus Chriſt, and this t [...]mptation was moſt upon her, that she was too young, and it would be time enough afterward, why should she expoſe her ſelf to ſcorne and reproach by being called a Puritan, and ſo become a luaghing ſtock to others: but the Lord was pleaſed to overcome her, and bring her to himſelf.

X Another alſo who ſet her ſelf againſt them in the family, that wished her ſoules good, and uſed all meanes to g [...]t out of that family, to which end alſo she raiſed ſome lyes, which very evil the Lord ſet upon her heart, and then she came to be convinced of her ſad ſinful ſtate, and was alſo brought home to God through his rich grace in Jeſus Chriſt.

And another who by this meanes vvas vvrought upon that, vvas a young maid, a Miniſters Daughter, and had been vvell inſtructed and educated from a child, vvhereby she vvas informed of the evils of ſcandalous ſins and avoided them, and vvas alſo very conſtant in the performance of duties; and indeed ſo vvalked as none could ſee ought a miſe in her converſation, yet notvvithſtanding the poor heart vvas ignorant of her ſelf, and of Jeſus Chriſt; but she being under a family Catechiſing, and inſtruction vvas (by the mighty povver of the eternal Spirits vvorking) convinced of original ſin, and then she ſavv that (for all her formality) she vvas a ſinner, and had need of a Saviour, and ſo vvas brought home to cloſe with Jeſus Chriſt,

This alſo I have found, that a conſtant cloſe ſecking of God hath been crowned with his preſence, for I my ſelf was with ſome others deſired to pray to the Lord for councel, and direction for them; but they would not tell mee in what it was that they ſought direction, yet notwithſtanding I did not know the thing, I ſet my ſelf to ſeek God for them, and he was pleaſed to shew me what it was, (this was Anno 1657.) and I did pray God to let mee know his mind in that particular, and the Lord put it upon my heart to go and read, and the place of Scripture handed to mee, was quite againſt their work (at that time) which they had upon their heart to do, then I ſought the Lord again, and the ſecond anſwer was; go in and [...]ead; then I looked up to the Lord as I did before, and ſaid, Lord, shew me where I shall read, and that Scripture alſo was flat againſt their work; and juſt ſo I had a third anſwer alſo: And the next day as I was at my work my heart and meditations were above, and my ſecret deſire ſtill to God for the further teachings of his good Spirit, and theſe following lines (with much more) came in as a further anſwer from the Lord:

[Page]

As for the work of Babylon,

It is a mighty work, and ſtrong:

But yet my power shall it compleat,

For my wiſdom it mighty great:

They must ſit ſtill, behold my power,

VVhich worketh for them hour by hour.

And novv my dear Chriſtian friends, into vvhoſe hands this my poor mite, shall come I deſire you take notice of that great love and vvonderful grace of God, vvhich he hath been pleaſed to manifeſt in giving in ſuch ſweet returus of prayer, let him alone have the praiſe, and be ye all incouraged and ſtirred up to pray continually, and be very watchful, that if at any time God do move you to do any thing, do it with all your might, according to the aſſiſtanco the Lord gives you; for I have found it a great grieving of the ſpirit to put it of with delayes, through carnal reaſonings of the flesh, which indeed vvould have hindreed mee in offering of theſe few experiences to the view of the vvorld: but vvhen God vvas pleaſed to give me a heart to it, and I ſet upon it vvith a reſolution in his ſtrength to go through it, not with ſtanding all oppoſition: Oh! then, was the Lord pleaſed to come in again, and fill my ſoul with peace and joy unſpeakable, and full of glory; which was to my great refreshment I being then in a ſtrange Land (Holand) ſeperated from Country, kindred, and fathers houſe; yea there, and then did our good God (according to what I had wont to have) give into my ſpirit heavenly Allelujas, both night and day, with many ſweet Inſtructions from him ſelf (when it was with us as it were a time of famine of the word) our Teathers being removed into corners, and thrown into priſons (in the Year 1662.) O! how was I then ſtirred up by the teachings of that good Spirit, often to praiſing, and often to very earneſt prayer (as for my ſelf, ſo for his pooraſſlicted perſecuted people) and then alſo I found my heart much enlarged to love, and to do good, and lay out my ſelf for ſa ints of all perſwaſions, yea and all others alſo as I had opportunity. And upon this ground becauſe my dear Redeemer, the Lord Jeſus, hath ſet mee a pattern to do good to all, and what talent ſoever we do recieve, we muſt lay it out to his praiſe (if it be but one) and it shall be increaſed: this I have had experience of, be not backward to improve thy talent, becauſe another may have more then thou, that ſprings from a root of pride, and negligence is the way to looſe what thou haſt, but look up to God for a bleſſing upon the right uſe of what thou haſt received, and if he ſeeth it good that thou mayeſt better honnor him with more he will give in thee in his own way and [Page] time, for then shall ye know if ye follow on to know the Lord. Hoſe. 6. 3. It is alſo promiſed, that they who be planted in the houſe of the Lord like a watered Gardin shall they grow and florish, and bring forth fruit in their old age: Pſa. 92: 12, 13. Further, o! let all the beloved of the Lord take a ſpecialcare of every Goſpel ordinance and commandment of our Lord, to hold forth what light you have received, for there is non of the ordinances of the Goſpel to be ſlighted, for they hold out unto us thoſe choyce priviledges that vvere purchaſed for us vvith the precious blood of Jeſus Chriſt, I have found great peace, and injoyed much of Gods preſence in vvaiting upon him in the vvay of his appointments, and I have found the Lord (not leaving but) teaching of mee, vvhen I out of conſcience have forborn vvhere they vvere not tobe injoyed, according to the rule of the Goſpel, and expoſe my ſelf to any ſuffring to injoy them in the purity of them, and indeed God doth take ſpecial notice of them vvho they be, and vvhere they dvvell, Revel. 2: 13. that in ſore perſecuting and ſuffering times hold faſt his truths, and do not deny his name, Mal. 3: 16, and hath promiſed that they vvho keep the vvord of his patience shall be keept in the hour of temptation.

And vvhen he hath humbled us, he vvill shevv us the pattern of his houſe, the goings out, and the comings in thereof, and the fashions, Lawes, and ordinances thereof, that we may do them. Ezek. 43: 11.

And the time doth haſten that God will turn to the people a pure Language.

And all shall know the Lord from the leaſt to the greateſt.

And he will lead the blinde in a way that they know not, he will make darkneſs become light, and crooked things ſtreight, and bitter things ſweet, and hard things eaſy; and this he will do, and not forſake us.

Further let none be diſcouraged to do their duty, though never ſo weak, yet if thou beeſt acted by the Spirit of God, weak meanes often times becomes effectual to accomplish great things, for by experience alſo I know when ſome perſons have been praying together, that one being ſenceable of the ſtate of the other, and mourning over their ſin before the Lord, God have made uſe of thoſe very mournings and breathings, to convince the other of their ſinful ſtate, with the danger of it, and thereby have been cauſed to turn from ſin unto the Lord, whoſe eyes were never opened before.

One Maid who by this meanes was convinced, and ſaid nothing at preſent, but after prayer retiring herſelf to her Bible, with a purpoſe to ſee [Page] what word of comfort she could find there, and it pleaſed God to hand to her that place, Rom. 8: 13. For if ye live after the flesh ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortiſy the deeds of the body, ye shall live: which word God did make very powerful and effectual to help forward his work upon her ſoul.

All theſe ſpeak forth the freeneſs of Gods rich grace, therefore who ever readeth and under ſtandeth what is in this free workings of God, good Spirit, let him alone have all the praiſe and glory; and the Lord inclined my heart every day more and more to praiſe him: for his unchangeable love in Jeſus Chriſt, therefore let them that read this give God praiſe for this undeſerved mercy; and let me have a share in your prayers, that I may be filled with a ſpirit of praiſe: for none have more cauſe then I to ſpeak well of his great and holy name, and that I may honour God that little time that I have to live upon the earth, and that in all changes.

For if God ſees affliction to be good for mee, I deſire not to diſpiſe his chaſtizements; for I have found more ſtrength in a great affliction then in a little one, and my ſoul hath been filled with joy out of meaſure.

Therefore if we be brought to this, take joyfully the ſpoiling of our goods, knowing we have a better inheritance, and the giving up all to the will of God, who gave all to us, we shall have all given to us with advantage, oh! the fulneſs of him that filleth all in all, but I am nothing, and can do nothing, no longer then he doth aſſiſt, therefore praiſe him for ever more.

And ſince I was taken of from my incumbrances in the world, and had more time to ſpend in the wayes and work of God: waiting on him for more of himſelf, the Lord (according to his promiſe) hath revealed himſelf more abundantly, and I have found that a chearfull watchful diligent ſpirit in ones general and particular calling is a great help to prevent miſpending time, for of idleneſs comes no good, therefore it hath been my practice, that if I can do no good, nor receive good, not to ſtay in that place long.

Oh! let us be wary how we ſpend our precious time, for it hat a lock before, but none behind: I am of a fearful timerous ſpirit naturally, but I find it a great help to dash Babilons brats in the firſt rice.

I was about 14 years in the pangs of the new birth before I received the witneſs of the ſpirit, in which time I was exceeding troubled with my unbelieving heart through entertaining falſe fears: and indeed ſome thing of Jeſus Chriſt was in mee all that while: Althoug ſometimes I could not [Page] with comfort be hold him through that thick cloud of my many Iniquities and I never found Satan more foyled, and my own corruptions more ſubdued, then when I by faith could look up unto Gods unchangeable love in Jeſus Chriſt, though I be a poor changeable creature, and verily I have found great gain in true Godlineſs.

And now friends, give me leave to tell you theſe are mine experiences, and I fear it would be burthen ſome to you, if I should be larger, which I could be: but give me leave to tell you the concluſion of all what I endeavour after, which is to preſs after the mark of the high calling, to deny my ſelf, and look up to him that is perfect, and who preſents all his perfect without ſpot or wrinkle.

Not to him that worketh onely, but to him that believeth, for he is holy, I deſire to obſerve all the Commands of Chriſt as my rule of life, but I am not here by juſtified, but alone by a righteouſneſs out of my ſelf, there fore I ſay none but Chriſt, not by workes of rightcouſneſs that we do, but by faith are we ſaved, & that not of our ſelves it is the guift of God, for he that kindleth a fire and compoſeth himſelf about with the ſparks thereof, he shall lie down in ſorrow, Iſa. 50:11. for a man may do much in outward performances, and yet not have a heart right with God: the foolish virgins had lamps of profeſſion as well as the wiſe, but they had not oyle; ſo the young man in the Goſpel ſaid to Chriſt, he had obſerved all the Commandments from his youth, what lacked he yet, but to deny himſelf, and to part with what he had for Chriſt, to take up the croſs and to follow him, which he could not do, except Chriſt had given him a righteous heart for all his outward ſeeming righteouſneſs?

So the Scribes and Phariſees blamed C [...]riſt for all his righteous actions, but could not ſee the Idol in th [...]r own hearts, for all their righteouſneſs ſprung not from a right root, nor was done by a right rule, nor to a right end.

1. Firſt, they had not grace in their hearts.

2. Secondly, neither did they do what they did by the rule of the word of God, but by their own rule.

3. What they did was for their own glory to get them praiſe from men, and not to the glory of God, Amos 4: 4, 5, 6. the which is an abomination to the Lord; this ſacrifice God is weary of, it is as the [...]ffering of Swines blood, and the cutting of a Dogs neck before the Lord, this made Cains ſacrifice to be unacceptable in the ſight of God; mans righteouſneſs is as monſtruous cloathes, and filthy raggs, that comes [...]ot [Page] not from a heart ſanctified where Chriſt dwels; al though it be garnished with never ſo much parts and guifts, the Lord looks upon the inward righteouſneſs of the heart.

Parts and guifts may ceaſe, but the leaſt meaſure of true grace shall hold out to the end.

And what ſoever is parts and not grace, bear not theſe following Characters upon them, ſuch have not the ſpirit, now the ſpirit is Truth, light, and love.

1. Firſt, the ſpirit of truth joynes with the vvord of truth; if an Angel from heaven should bring any other doctrine, we are not to receive it, and them that believe and truſt in the promiſe it leads into all truth, wait for the accomplishment of the promiſe of the ſpirit, to teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, which he hath promiſed shall remaine with us alwayes, John 14: 16.

This is a good antidote againſt error, this teaching for the moſt part, abides and formes the ſoul into it ſelf.

The more of this truth and light comes in, the more a ſoul abhorres it ſelf, ſees it's own emptineſs, and Chriſts fulneſs.

The more of this light comes into the ſoul, the more it thirſteth after light.

The more knowledg it hath of God, the more it loves God, which conformes it into his image, and the more it delights in God, and loves them moſt that have moſt of God in them, Pſ▪ 16. all my delight is in the Saints, and them that are excellent in the earth.

The true ſpirit delights in all the commands of God, which shews true love to God, if you love me keep my Commandments; Jo. 14: 15, 16. and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.

It is a meek and a quiet ſpirit, it hates pride and lifting up; it ſees enough in it ſelf dayly to humble it; Its full of love to all that God loves, though differing from them; by this shall all men knovv that you are my Diſciples, if you have love one to another. Joh. 13: 35

We know that vve are paſſed from death to life; becauſe we love the brethren. 1. Joh. 3: 14.

Now the reaſon why we should cherish this grace of love to God, his people, and all men are theſe.

Firſt, becauſe without love, which is charity, we are but as ſounding braſs or tinckeling Cymbals, all we do without this is nothing. 2 Cor. 13.

[Page] Secondly, becauſe Chriſt hath ſaid, becauſe Iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold in the laſt dayes. Mat. 24. 12.

Thirdly, becauſe it is one of Chriſts laſt and great Commandments. John. 13: 34. 1. of Joh. 2. 7. 8.

Fourthly, it renders us much like unto our Maſter Chriſt Jeſus, Acts. 10: 38. who went about doing good to all; let us labour to follow his example, shevv pitty to them, that God hath not yet shewed ſo much pitty to, as he hath done unto us; do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that diſpitefully uſe you. Mat. 5. 44: 45.

Theſe were Gods teachings to mee in the abſence of faithful Teachers, when they were removed into corners; Which was a ſore affliction to mee, but I look at what mercy God afoards mee in all afflictions, ſeing I am unvvorthy of the leaſt mercy, for it vvere a righteous thing vvith God to cut us of, and I marvailed at his patience and long ſuffering vvith mee, and all others.

I find by experience that reading the Scripture before prayer many times quickeneth the heart to Chriſt.

And to meditate on Gods mercies to our ſoules and bodyes; and what great things Chriſt hath ſuffered to purchaſe theſe mercies for us: is a great help to ſtir up to that heavenly duty of praiſing and thankfulneſs: which is a maine duty I would ſtir up my ſelf and others unto, becauſe our hearts are apt to be very backward unto it; and ſecondly, becauſe it is a duty to be done at all times. In all things give thankes, yea in afflictions: For God hath promiſed, all shall worke together for good to them that love God. Thirdly, to be filled with the Spirit of praiſes, makes the ſoul to live in heaven while it is on earth: verily, we had need be ſtirred up to this duty; for he that offers praiſe glorifies God. Pſal. 50. last verſe.

And Ieſus Chriſt complaines againſt the neglect of it, in that place where the ten Leppers were clenſed, and but one did returne thankes: ſaith Chriſt, was there not ten cleuſed, but where are the nine? O! athankful frame doth compoſe the heart to great contentedneſs in every condition: it is of a divine nature: it ſtirres up the graces of God in the ſoul, as love and faith with hope in God and charity to others.

Therefore pray for the Spirit of God, to put the heart into a praiſing frame for there's need of the exerciſe of much heavenly wiſdome in the performance of this duty: for [...]t is a ſpiritual work.

Another experience I have had that it is our duty, and very profitable to watch againſt all evil thoughs: theſe ften grieve the holy Spirit [Page] of God; as of old he complained, how long shall vain thoughts lodg within you, and God looking upon man, beholding what was in his heart, and ſeeing his thoughts to be evil onely, and continually, and it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at the heart; and God ſaid, I will diſtroy man whom I have created from the facre of the earth, Gen. 5: 6. And then down comes the flood of Gods diſpleaſure upon the old world, not for ſinful actions only, but thoughts alſo: Therefore keep your hearts with all diligence, Prov. 4: 23. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth ſpeaketh: And in the multitude of words is ſin.

I would deſire all to take heed of idle words: and mind well what ye ſpeak, when and how; avoid all needleſs ſpeeches: and put far away all vain foolish jeſting; an evil, which my ſelf was ſome times very prone too, and as too many do harm by, I endeavored to make my ſelf and others merry: but alas, 't is ſinful mirth, and it will bring ſadneſs here, or els which is worſe, end in ſorrow hereafter: thus was I convinced of this ev [...]l being upon a joyrney, meeting one that was a ſtranger to mee, thinking to make him and my ſelf laugh: ſpoake jeſtingly to him; but he preſently fella ſwearing and curſing, and railing; which when I heard, wounded me to the heart, that I by my folly should provoke the poor man ſo to ſin againſt God, my mirth ſoon turned into mourning. And while I mourned before the Lord over this my great evil, which had produced ſuch a ſad effect, God was pleaſed to ſet this upon my heart. Cannot I make thee more merry with heavenly and ſpiritual joy, then thou canſt make thy ſelf with ſuch foolish vain and ſinful mirth. And the Lord hath ſince filled mee with that ſweet refreshing joy: that is a thouſand times better to mee then all ſinful mirth.

Further, in reference to words, I would commend unto yow ſome Scripture rules: Iam. 1: 26. compared with Math. 12: 27. from whence we may obſerve, that when any perſon doth utter words that be vain, earthly, or froward, it doth plainly manifeſt that there is an earthly, vain, and froward heart; whi [...]h is an abomination to the Lord, Prov. 11: 20. and in Iam. 1: 19. The Apoſtle doth perſwade Chriſtians to be ſwift to hear, but ſlow to ſpeak, and ſlow to wrath. And Jeſus doth exhort his followers that their yea should be yea, and their nay nay; ſaying, that what ſoever is more is evil: And Iams 1: 21. bids us lay apart all filthineſs and ſuperfluity of naughtineſs: that is to ſay, what ever is more then needful in words, apparel, and diet; yea, and in all things, and what ever [Page] profeſſion any perſon may make, if they bridle not their tonge, they deceive themſelves and their Religion is vain; hath God through his free grace, paſſed his diſtinguishing love upon a little Remnant: doubtleſs 't is their duty then to diſtinguish themſelves from others, in their words habit, and in their whole converſation ſo to walke as becometh the Goſpel: Phil. 1: 27. Surely if perſons were awakened by the voice of God, that ſpeaks lowd in the preſent afflictions, they would ſo doe▪ 't now is not a time for any of Gods Children to continue their ſuperfluities, when many do want neceſſaries: Let me intreat ſuch to read, and mind what is written in Rom. 12: 1, 2. And 1 Pet. 2: 11. If we could but be moderate in the uſe of all things: what good Stewards should we be of the manifold bleſſings of God; which he hath betruſted us with, and we muſt give an account of in the day of the Lord.

Proſperity hath made many to glory in the flesh; and exalt themſelves, in, which vain glory ſome ſtill do continue: although the great Eternal God hath and doth teſtify from heaven againſt it, but if it be not repented of, and departed from, God wil turn it into shame, Hoſea 4: 7. As they were increaſed, ſo they ſinned againſt me, therefore will I change their glory into shame: its now a trying time, and all perſons by their converſations will diſcover what they are, and were ever the deeds and workes of the flesh appear, and are alowed, 't is evident there is not the Spirit of God in them: And they who have not the Spirit of Chriſt are none of his: And 't is not a talking of, but walking in the Spirit, will help againſt the fulfilling the luſts of the flesh, and manifeſt who are the true Children of God. Oh! that perſons were wiſe, to conſider their latter end, then ſurely they would not neglect the knowledg of thoſe things that belong to their peace: but chuſe that better part, that shall never be taken from them. Which would make them happy for ever.

Oh! that all would be perſuaded to commune with their own hearts, and conſider their own wayes: And to mind the dreadful Judgments of God, and his vials of wrath that shall be powred out againſt ſin and ſinners, ſurely they would ſee it is high time to departe from pride, vain glory, coveteouſneſs, oppreſſion, hypocriſy, mallice, and all ſin: For verily, God is viſiting for theſe things, and for perſons ſtill to continue therein, may it not be feared and juſtly exſpected, that God should increaſe his Judgments, and punish ſeaven times more: Leit. 26: 21, 24. They who departe not from ſin God will departe from them: and hovv ſad that is let ſoules conſider: read Hoſea 9: 11, 12, 14.

[Page] Therefore who ever vvould not be eternally ſeperated from God, let them in time ſeperate from all ſin: And let poor ſoules take ſpeciall heed they live not in any knovvn evil, nor neglect any knovvn duty, but put on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and make no proviſion for the flesh to fulfil the luſts thereof; for if ye live after the flesh ye shall dye: But if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live, Rom. 8: 13. let me propound but this on queſtion, and I vvish all young and old, Rich and poor to mind it, vvhether or no it is not better to ſeparate from ſin, then that ſin should ſeperate thee from God for ever.

Oh! vvhat need is there, that all vvho love God and their ovvn ſoules, should hate, abhorre, and depart from all ſin, becauſe 't is that vvhich God doth ſo hate, as he vvill punish it vvhere ever he finds it. Yea, if a David, a Man after Gods ovvn heart do commit any ſin, he muſt be reproved for it; and God vvill ſo frovvne as it may coſt many ſigths, prayers, and tears, before God reſtore unto him the joy of his ſalvation, and though ſecretly committed, yet God vvill punish openly that others may hear and fear. 2 Sam. 12: 12.

Oh! hovv have I found by ſad experience, that pride is a breeding ſin, and ſpiritual pride is indeed the very vvorſt, vvhen perſons come to have a little knovvledg of the things of God, and have ſet a fevv ſteeps in his vvayes: Many be too prone, then to be puffed up vvith ſelf conceite, and to judg all others to be in errors, vvho are not juſt of their perſwaſion; and ſo to judge cenſure, and condemne them for Heretikes: and to perſecute them at leaſt vvith the tonge, but though ſometimes Paul did thus; he acknovvledgeth it vvas from a Phariſaical ſpirit, which vve had all need to take heed of: and judg not; and ye shall not be judged. Alas! our heavenly Father have many children, but there be babes and ſome ſtronge men: they are not all of an age, nor cannot all ſee alike, not acte alike; let all the beloved of God (ceaſe ſmi [...]ing and) manifeſt true love one another. And vvhat ever their perſwaſion be all vvho are humble and holy, and do faithfully vvalke up to the light they have received, let them be beloved for the Fathers ſake. Oh! that vve may be filled vvith that grace of true Charity; for that is a ſpecial antidote againſt all pride, malice and any evil thoughts, and evil ſpeakings, and prejudice, and offences one againſt another. 1 Cor. 13: 1, 4. &c. There vve may read at large of the excellency of true charity. Oh! the more any one is filled vvith the good Spi it of God, the more shall they be enabled againſt all the vvorks and fruits of the flesh; therefore I vvould counſel perſons vvhen they [Page] avvake, vvait for the teachings of the Spirit, and for the accomplishment of that promiſe made to the laſt dayes. And vvhat the Spirit teacheth do ye commit to the Spirits keeping: and they, vvhith vvhom it is the day of Gods povver are made vvilling both to hear the Spirits voyce, and obey it.

And I vvould have all to endeavor diligently for the injoyment of the Spirit, and hearken every one that hath an ear: vvhat it ſpeaks, for the teachings thereof are very glorious; it makes a ſoul live as it vvere in heaven vvhile on earth. Surely vvhen Daniels faith vvas made ſtrong by the injoyment of this bleſſed Spirit of God, ſo as nothing could hinder him from the vvorship of God. Oh! vvhat ſvveet communion did he injoy vvith God, and although throvvn into the lions den, yet there vvonderfully and comfortably preſerved, I have found this, that vve are too ready to diſpiſe or ſlight the Spirit of God, vvhen it appears in ſomething beyond us, or out of our reach, but let us take heed of this evil alſo.

This good Spirit of God is that vvhich vvill enable us to chuſe to ſuffer rather then to ſin, and in all our ſuffering it vvill vvonderfully aſſiſt and uphold us, and carry through the foreſt firy tryals, and if vve be throvvn into ſufferings for Chriſt ſake, be ſure he vvil make one vvith us to uphold us in the furnis; and vve need not ſtudy hovv vve shall be delivered from our ennemies, for God vvill deal vvith them as he did vvith Daniel, and the three Children; for he will recompence the wickedneſs of the wicked upon their ovvn heads; therefore fear not, but ſtand ſtill and vvait, and yovv shall ſee the ſalvation of God. And I do not think that theſe things be given in to me from the Lord for my ovvne ſake only, but for your benefit, to vvhom it may come; and I hope I am ſo far from having high thoughts of my ſelf, that the more I ſee of God, and injoy from God, ſo much the more cauſe I have to be humble; and if others find theirhearts as bad as I have found mine, they vvill ſee cauſe enough to uſe all means vvith them; and vvhen allis done; it muſt be faith in Jeſus Chriſt muſt remove this mountain; faith vvill carry us out of ourſelves unto Chriſt, and cauſe us to reſt on him to do all our vvorkes for us, and in us, do ye cherish a holy fear againſt ſin, and an holy bouldneſs to come to God, and a holy confidence in him for vvhat we come for, and let not the fear of man hinder from any duty God calls thee unto; to conclude, I only commend unto you that vvord in Micha 6: 8. So shal I leave this to the bleſſing of the Lord, and the conſideration of the vviſe.

COURTEOUS READER,

[Page]

IF theſe my Experiences ſute not with thy condition, yet let it have a patient view of thee, and paſs by what is of the fleſh, Own what is of the ſpirit, and Iudg not, what thou ſhalt meet with of the truth: becauſe thou art not yet acquainted in that way, for the ſecrets of God are ſometime with pore weak ones that ſears him, and what is come to paſs I hope you will believe; If it was not out of obedience to God, it should not have com'd to your vew, neither would I have put my name to it, if I could have avoided it, for fear of the raſh Iudgment of ſome, Leaſt it should be thought, I did it out of pride, or to own a prophetical ſpirit, which I know not, But I own a Prophetical voice of Chriſt, which if he pleaſes to ſpeak, he can make mee to hear, yea to believe, this I have Experience of: And if theſe Crumes which I have gathered from my bountiful Lords table, you cann [...]t find it ſavory to you, leave it to the hungry broaken hearted Chriſtians, to wh [...] ever crumbe of mercy is ſweet, when it comes out of love from our bleſſed Saviour. And let not this be diſpiſed, becauſe it is the Spirits working in the weakeſ [...] veſſel; for Chriſt did not reject the woman though weak, ignorant, and ſinful; and where he hath forgiven much, he maketh them love much, and follow him to the laſ [...], eſpecially if they keep the word of his patience, holding fast to every truth of God, though it be in an evil time when truth is diſpiſed.

Mary followed Chriſt to the last, and the Lord did ſo aſsist her with his Spirit, who ſhewed her ſtrong affections to him, gonig early in the mornning to the ſepulchre, and Christ put this honour upon her, that ſhe must bring the firſt glad tidings of the Goſpel of the reſurrection unto the Diſciples.

And his appearance to her in that ſeaſon, when ſhe knew not where to ſeek him.

Chriſt herein ſhewed his great Love to ſinners; for ſhe being a poor ignor ant woman, though full of affection, did as many of us do now a dayes, ſeek the living among the dead: but where Chriſt keeps up the affections of a ſoul to himſelf, he manifeſts more of the knowledg of himſelf; and Chriſt doth teſtify in Iohn. 4. Th [...] it was his meat and drink to do his fathers will, and that was to teach the poor t [...] knowledg of his will. And when he made known himſelf to that poor woman, [...] affections where ſo enlarged that ſhe goes and calls others ver. 34. thus Christ finished the work of his father, to take care of the weakeſt of his ſtock, that as the woman was firſt in the tranſgreſſion, she might have firſt knowledg of the reſurrection▪ the guift of the well of watter, which ſprings up unto everlaſting life: and this guift God is pleaſed to give it unto women as well as unto men.

And he doth require that they should honour him as well as men, for the free grace [Page] of God in Chriſt as wel [...] to the one as the other, and 't is his free grace that I am what I am; and if this ſmall mite be not accepted (by all,) I shall take it as an high honnor to ſuffer for well-doing; for [...]hough in my ſelf I am low, and find the flesh would hinder, and my memory bad, yet I can through grace ſay, the ſpirit hath been my remembrance, and in the ſimplicity of my heart I have done this, and out of obedience to my good God, which makes the Son of righteouſneſs to shine on the weak and on the ſtrong. And truely I have nothing to glory in, for I never did ſee my ſelf ſo weak as now, and ſince I had communion night and day with God, I never was ſo much in ſelf-loathing and abhorring as now; therefore praiſe the Lord with mee, for I am a poor ſinful creature, and I deſire that all that fear the Lord, to whom this shall come, would pray earneſtly to God for me, that I may ſtand faſt in this evil day, and may walk humbly, blameleſly, and very harmleſly towards all: ſo that I may honour him which hath honoured me, with his Son, to whom be glory and praiſe for ever.

Now, to teſtify to all that I have received (from the Lord) that gift of ſinging as well as the gift of prayer, and any other, therefore I shall preſent to your view ſome of thoſe Hymnes and ſpiritual Songs: with an account how and when they were given in; and ſo shall leave it to the ſpiritual to Iudge.

As I was waiting on the Lord, in that Ordinance of the Lords Supper, this following short Hymne was immediately given in.

O Now my ſoul go forth with praiſe,

For God excepteth thee alwayes;

Thy life is bound up now in mee,

My precious death hath ſet thee free.

This Testimony I thee give,

At this bread was broaken, ſo was I,

That thou in mee mighteſt never dye:

My blood doth juſtify the ſame,

That thou mayest praiſe my holy Name.

My Covenant I have made with thee,

So that thou art now whole ſet free:

Sin nor Sa [...]han cannot thee charge,

Becauſe my love hath thee inlarg'd,

So ſure as I am plas 't above,

So ſure art thou now of my love.

Your waiting shall be upon me, till I your ſouls hath filled; and in the way of righteouſneſs you shall be made to yeeld.

Another time I having been waiting on the Lord in breaking bread: And ſoon after was given in this following.

[Page]

THE Spring is come the dead is g [...]ne,

Sweet ſtreams of love doth flow:

There is a Rock, that you must knock,

[...]rom whence theſe ſtream do go.

The Banquets ſ [...]t, the King is c [...]me,

To entertain his Guest:

All that are weary of their ſins,

He waites to g [...]ve them reſt.

Then come, and take your fill of love,

Here's joy enough for all,

To ſee our King ſo richly clad,

And g [...]ve ſo loud a call.

Here's Wine without money or price:

Here's milk to nurish babes:

You may come to this banquet now,

And f [...]ede of it most large.

Then comf [...]rt you your ſelves in him;

Tis ſweet to ſee his love,

That they, that are redeemed by him,

May live ſo free above.

And while the afflicting hand of God was upon mee in ſome meaſure, this following was given in one evening, as a ſong of inſtruction.

AFflictions are not from the dust,

Nor are they in vain ſent:

But they shall work the work of him,

That is moſt nobly Bent.

Then let thine eyes look upon him,

Which worketh in the dark;

And let thine heart imbrace his love,

Leaſt thou from him should'ſt ſtart.

Although thou canſt not ſee his work,

Yet waite on him with joy;

For none shall hinder now his work,

Nor none shall him Anoy.

Thou muſt be willing to take up

The croſs, to follow him,

And waite till he will make his cup,

To flow up to the brim.

Seeing thou art now called unto

The purpoſe of his will,

Let not afflictions trouble thee,

Believe, and ſtand thou ſtill.

If that the Lord did not thee love,

He would not this pains take,

To let thee ſee his grace in thee,

And alſo thee awake.

It ſ [...]owers away the dr [...]ſ [...] from thee,

And takes away thy tinne:

It makes thy ſoul ſit for to hear

The voice of thy ſweet King.

It makes the ſoul further to know

The Sonship of his grace;

And weanes the ſoul from things below,

That it m [...]y ſeek his face.

It puts the wiſe to ſee his work,

And puts him in the way,

That he may forthwith ſeek the Lord,

Without further delay.

It mak [...]s him now reſolve upon

Obedience to his grace;

And watchful in the way he goes,

That he may ſeek his face.

It makes him look for ſtrenght from God,

To heale his ſliding back:

It makes him look up to the Rock,

For that vvhich he dot lack,

This was November the 20. in the Year 1656.

[Page]

ZION is God's precious plant,

The Lord vvill vvatter it every day:

O! Zion is God's holy one,

It shall not vvhet her nor decay.

Zion is that fenced vvell,

A Tovver that none shall throvv dov [...]n:

O! Zion is that glorious hold,

That God vvill keep both ſafe and ſovvnd.

Zion is that pleaſant Plant,

That God vvill hedg about each hour;

O! Zion is Gods heritage,

And he vvill keep it by his povver.

Therefore let not thy heart novv faint,

For Zions ſake hold not thy peace;

For our God vvill hear Zions Plaint;

Therefore give thy God novv no rest,

Till thou vvith Zion he hath blest.

Let Zion knovv her time dravves near,

She may look up novv vvithout fear:

Let Zion knovv her God doth live,

That hath her portion for to give.

Let Zions Children novv rejoyce,

And lett hem praiſes ſing:

O! let them lift up pleaſant voyce,

In honnor to their King.

Let Zion knovv her God is true,

That vvill her mercies novv renevv,

She shall receive great things from him,

Who is her glory, and her King.

Althoug afflictions should hold on,

And troubles should ariſe;

Yet God vvill ovvn his precious one,

Their prayers hee'll not deſpiſe.

Our King shall reigne in righteouſneſs,

His glory shall shine forth;

He vvill come forth in Iudgment then,

For the confirmation hereof do ye mind theſe two Scriptures Eſai. 45: 13. and Pſalm 89: 19.

For his poor ſaints comfort.

Our King shall reigne in glory then,

He shall himſelf come up,

His ennemies then shall fall vvith ſpeed

And be made but a puf.

Then let my people quiet ſit,

And vvait on him vvith joy;

There is a time dravves near at hand,

Nothing shall them Anoy.

§

THE poor then of the flock shall find a rest;

And I their God, and portion, will them bleſs:

And they shall to me for a refuge fly,

And I will be their helpe continually.

Then shall their ſouls alone in mee rejoyce,

That I have made of them my onely choyce;

I vvill ſill them in that day vvith my povver,

So they shall vvait on me then every hour.

Their ſoul shall be as vvattered plants vvith devv,

And I my mercy vvill to them renevv;

Their heats shall be ingaged vvith my love,

For I vvill move in them from povver above.

This is the portion that I novv vvill give,

Vnto all thoſe that ſtrifes humbly to live;

Therefore rejoyce in God your onely guide

VVhich in this day of trouble vvill you hide.

END.

§

[Page]

Awake, awake, put on my ſtrength,

And mine owne comelyneſs,

Look upon mee for I have

Wroght thy deliverance.

Thou art black, but comely in

Mine eyes, that doth behold

Thee ſwearing mine owne righteouſneſs,

Which glory can not becould.

I waited long on thee, to ſee,

When thou wouldſt mee [...]mbrace,

And when thou would'st look up to mee,

To ſee my glorious face.

And now, what ſay'st thou unto mee?

Have I not done thee good?

And have not ſpar'd to ſet thee free,

[...] own Sons pretious blood.

Therefore let all thy life be now

A ſacrifice of praiſe,

And to my holyneſs give up

Thy ſelf in all my wayes.

Let not the World ſo ſad thy heart,

Nor caſt thee down ſolow,

For [...]f thou wait upon my grace,

My ſecrets thou shalt know.

Be watchful, and keep do cloſe to me [...]

Thy Garments: do not ſtaine;

And that will be to thy poor ſoul,

A certain heavenly gain.

Take heed of glorying in my love

But walk humbly and low,

[...]or it is onely my fulneſs,

That makes thee thus to flow.

There is by pathes to wander in,

That Sathan would advance,

But I will keep thee by my power,

And be thy deliverance.

Be watchful and keep cloſe to mee,

My Garments do not ſoyl,

For they are thine to cover thee;

Be watchful then a while.

§

OH! where shall I find now

A people quicken'd ſtill,

That ſeek all times to live on God,

And eck to do his will.

A people that deny them ſelves,

And eck the croſs up take,

That doth delight in God alone,

And eck the World for ſake.

A people that abhor themſelves,

And over their ſins weep,

A people mourning o'r the Land,

And doth him dayly ſeek.

A people that believes in God,

By faith drawes vertue ſtill;

Lay hold on promiſe which is true

Contented with his will.

A people that the word eſteem,

Keeping cloſe there dayly,

And for a rule the ſame doth take,

When others from it fly.

Their hearts are faſtened on the Lord,

They for are fuge fly,

That God vvould novv help by his povver,

In their extremity.

Their cries are novv unto the Lord,

Thy ſeek in him to hide,

To take of novv his heavy hand,

And not let vvrath abide

With ſuch a people vvould I ſpend,

My life and dayes novv here:

Oh! think upon thy ſervant Lord,

And to me novv dravv near.

I aſſure you COURTEOUS READER theſe are not ſtuded things, but are given in immediately.

FIN.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

A Christian womans experiences of the glorious working of Gods free grace Published for the edification of others, by Katherine Sutton.

[Sutton, Katherine]

Edition statement

1663

Publication

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A62005

ID [STC]

Wing S6212

ID [STC]

ESTC R221690

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99832963

ID [PROQUEST]

99832963

ID [VID]

37438

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A62005)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 37438)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2154:14)

Source

— A Christian womans experiences of the glorious working of Gods free grace Published for the edification of others, by Katherine Sutton., [Sutton, Katherine], Knollys, Hanserd, 1599?-1691..

Extent

[4], 44 p.

printed by Henry Goddæus, printer in the Newstreet,. At Rotterdam :: anno 1663.. ("To the courteous reader: signed: Hanserd Knollys.) (Errata at foot of *2v.) (Reproduction of the original in the Cambridge University Library.)

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EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.