I Have parted with a man of God, a Miniſter of Jeſus Chriſt, an ancient in Iſrael, who hath fought the good Fight and kept the Faith, and is entred into his reſt. He would often lament for thoſe that ſet down in an eaſful State; and would often ſay, that a terrible day would overtake thoſe that are careleſs and at eaſe in Sion that ſlumbers away their time, who are in the Holes, and Caves, and Dens of the Earth. And in the time of his health (that he was able to go forth and viſit friends) he would oft ſay to me, God hath made me a • Huntſman, I muſt viſit many of them there, as • n their Holes and Caves, I muſt be clear of • heir bloud. And would oft ſpeak of the • ore travel and pangs that he had for ſome, which made his Soul oft ſorrowful, as unto death. So in that truth, light, and life that dwelt in him, am I given up to follow the Lord to the end of my days till my change comes: who am a Companion to all that fears the Lord.

This is the Teſtimony that lives in my heart, • oncerning my dear and well beloved friend William Allen; who died the 21ſt. day of the 11th. Month 1679. Who in his life time was a man of an upright heart and walked in the integrity of the Goſpel of Chriſt, of which he received a diſpenſation in the early days of his convincement, about the year 1654. And the Power of the Lord made a ſpeedy change • n him, and ſtirr'd up a Zeal in his Soul againſt • he falſe ways and worſhips, ſuperſtitions and prophaneneſs of thoſe times. Which Zeal for God produced living Teſtimonies from him in divers Towns and places (where he travelled) againſt thoſe things which were evil, which ſometimes occaſioned him to come under hard ſufferings, bonds, and impriſonments; In all which he behaved himſelf as a Faithful and Couragious Souldier of Chriſt Jeſus, and a good example to his fellow ſufferers, Preaching the Goſpel of peace, both in life and doctrine; ſtopt the mouths of many gainſayers: And had a ſweet and comfortable effect, upon many who were reached in their Conſciences by his Teſtimony and Miniſtry, and by his innocent Converſation; ſo that they embraced the Truth he Preached, and ſuffered for, and became Heirs of the Salvation of God, to their everlaſting comfort, and the furtherance of the Goſpel.

I have known him about 24 years, In all which time his Converſation in the Churches of Chriſt where he was led to labour and travel was amiable and lovely, and his Teſtimony received with good acceptation among the faithful. He was a man of a ſevere carriage to ſuch as made a profeſſion of Truth, and walked not with a ſtreight foot in the Goſpel; but very tender over all ſuch as were young and under exerciſes about their inward condition, and did ſometimes ſpeak very effectual to their conditions to the eaſing their afflicted Spiri • as divers have teſtified, and can teſtifie.

He was a good example in this Count • where he lived, encouraging friends both b • exhortation and diligence, in obſerving th • good order of truth to keep things clea • and to keep the Goſpel void of offence 〈◊〉 much as in him lay, and after he fell into 〈◊〉 way of trade in the World, his care was 〈◊〉 keep his word, and that men might be paid i • due time according to their expectations. 〈◊〉 which thing it would be well if all the profe • ſors of truth would follow his exampl • ▪

He was a man that never exalted himſe •• above his Brethren, but carried a good reſpect to them, and to their counſel and judgment, according as God had given judgmen • and wiſdom to his Children; neither did h • exerciſe himſelf in things too high for him but dwelt in a contented Habitation, in th • meaſure and diſpenſation of the Grace an • Goſpel committed to him, ſerving the Lord Jeſus and his Church and people therein with out wearineſs to the end of his days, no • eying his own Intereſt thereby, but in ſimplicity of heart miniſtred to every ones condition, according to the leadings of the gift o • God that was in him.

Great hath been the loving-kindneſs of the • ue God, who after a long night of darkneſs • at hath been over the Nations, yet he hath • t left himſelf without a Witneſs, which in • ery Age and Generation ſtrove with the • ns and Daughters of men, and bore witneſs • to him, and gave men to ſee what it was • at he required of them, and in this Age, as 〈◊〉 other Generations, he hath raiſed up Wit • ſſes and Miniſters, who has born teſtimony 〈◊〉 the Coming of Chriſt, and of his being • ade manifeſt in Spirit, in the hearts of Men • d Women; among whom was this faithful • ervant and Miniſter William Allen, who is gone to his Reſt prepared for him, having • niſhed his courſe in a good time, in the fee • ing of the Power and Majeſty of the Lor • of which I am a Witneſs with him, I bei • with him a few days before his departur • when I ſaw him in great weakneſs of Bod • yet bearing a ſweet and heavenly Image, a • his ſpirit livingly breathing to God, whi •• brought the day of my tender years (in whi • I firſt ſaw him) into my remembrance, wh • firſt the Lord ſhined upon me, and gave me ſight of the good Land: this man of God b • ing the firſt publick Miniſter of the Goſpel 〈◊〉 Jeſus that ever I ſaw, whoſe appearance w • beautifull and lovely, and God's Image w • upon him, and he bore the Image of the he • venly; his words were weighty, and gra • Sentences, who looking upon me, and pe • ceiving my weak condition, he breathed u • to God, for my growth and preſervation 〈◊〉 the Truth, which (bleſſed be the Lord,) Go • heard his Prayers, and anſwered the deſire 〈◊〉 his Petition; for indeed I was as a Bran • pluckt out of the fire. This was the Love 〈◊〉 the long-ſuffering God, who waited to 〈◊〉 gracious to the workmanſhip of his han • Oh Lord keep me in the remembrance of th • • y for ever, that thy Name may be honoured 〈◊〉 me; for ſurely thy Love is great, and thy • ercy endureth for ever to thy ſeed that • eaths after thee, and cannot be ſatisfied • ithout the enjoyment of thee; praiſes to thy • ame for ever.

The Lord having viſited a Remnant in our • ge and Generation, with the knowledge of • s everlaſting Truth, by cauſing his Day to • wn from on high, did raiſe up ſeveral faith •• ll Miniſters, as Inſtruments in his hand, for • e carrying on of his Work, and redeeming • s people from the Kindreds, Tongues and • nguages, and from the many by-ways, • ere they were ſcattered upon the barren • ountains, to bring them to the one Shep •• rd and one Sheepfold, among whom was • r deceaſed Friend William Allen, who was • lled forth near the beginning of the day, • d endued with a living and powerfull Mini •• y, whereby many by him were turned from • rkneſs to light, and from Sathan's power to • e power of God, (ſome of whom remains • is day as the ſeal of his Miniſtry) which though it was not adorned with the words 〈◊〉 man's wiſdom, yet it was reaching and co • vincingly effectual unto many, who we • made ſenſible of the Life that dwelt in hi • and by which he ſounded a certain Alarm 〈◊〉 thoſe he travelled amongſt, (being moſtly i • Norfolk, Suffolk, Eſſex, and Cambridgeſhir • and Parts adjacent) and was read and unde • ſtood by the breathing travelling Babes, t • whom he miniſtred ſuitably, giving Milk t • them, and Meat to thoſe of riper age, (h • being skilfull in dividing the Word aright ſo that by him the mourners were comforte • and the feeble ſtrengthned and encouraged, t • perſevere on in their moſt holy Faith; but hi • teſtimony was as a ſword to the rebelliou • and diſobedient, and would oft declare, tha • the Meſſage committed to him, was not onl • to proclaim liberty to the captives, and gla • tidings to the meek, but the day of vengeanc • of our God, to all that obeyed not the Goſpel, that being convinced of the truth, ſat • down in a whole-hearted ſtate, and knowin • God did not like to retain him in their knowledge, and therefore would oft cry, In a • much as the day haſtens, wherein the Lord would take vengeance on ſuch in flames o • fire, Come away, come away, haſte, flee for our lives, come out of Babylon, ſtick not 〈◊〉 her skirts, partake not with her of her ſins, • ſt you partake of her plagues, but come up, • ome up to the holy Hill, that you may be • old what the Lord is doing in his Sanctuary, • ho is creating Jeruſalem a praiſe, and her • eople a rejoycing, the day being now come • at was propheſied of, that ſhe ſhould be in •• bited without walls, the Lord himſelf be •• g a wall of fire round about her, and her • ory in the midſt of her. Therefore let the • habitants of the Rock now ſing, and ſhout • oud for joy, for Sion's Light is come, and •• e Glory of the Lord is riſen upon her, and 〈◊〉 now become as an overflowing Stream.

And it was not only given to him to be •• eve, but alſo to ſuffer for the Teſtimony com • itted to him, being in perils and priſons oft, • s at Colcheſter Caſtle, being taken at Weathers • eld as he was going to a meeting near that • own, and committed by Dudly Templar, • alled Juſtice, Anno 1658. (as alſo at Cam • ridge-Caſtle, Ely, and Lyn) while he was at •• e Caſtle at Colcheſter, (he having after ſome • me ſome liberty granted him) was made • erviceable there, ſounding forth the everlaſting Goſpel, ſo that divers were awaken • and gained to the Truth; amongſt others, 〈◊〉 was made inſtrumental to me, and hath be • as a Father to me for theſe divers years, ſee • ing and travelling for • y preſervation in t •• way of life, ſo that we were near and dear 〈◊〉 one another; and oft have I been refreſhe • (with many more) through that ſtream 〈◊〉 Life that ran through him in the Aſſemblies 〈◊〉 the Lord's people, ſo that I can truly ſay, 〈◊〉 was pleaſant to me to ſit and hear the ſound 〈◊〉 Life through him, his care being (as he wou • oft by way of counſel ſay to others) to wa • that God might give the breath, (that w • might be as Trumpets in his hand) for the • only it gave a certain ſound; his heart w •• upright to God, (and his care was over th • Flock of God, where his lot was caſt) who •• glory he ſought above all, and hath his r • ward with him in Glory for ever, though h • met with exerciſes as to the outward man, (incident to mankind while in this Tabernacl • of clay) eſpecially within a year and ha • before his deceaſe, being much afflicted wit • bodily Weakneſs and Sickneſs, but would o • ſay he was content in the Will of his Fathe • and to drink the Cup at his hand. In whic • • ime he ſhewed forth the Meekneſs and Pati • nce of him that dwelt in him, and a large ſhare • e had of his Father Job's exerciſes, as he • ould himſelf ſay. But the Lord in due time • eeing it was enough, (and that he had born a • rge ſhare of the heat of the day) (ſpending • nd being ſpent for the Goſpel) put a period • o his days: Who was filled with the glory of • he Lord to the laſt (ſo that he ſaid he could • out for joy but that he wanted ſtrength of • ody) which he ſaid was but an earneſt of • hat he ſhould more fully enjoy when this • arthly Tabernacle was diſſolved. Who now 〈◊〉 entred into his reſt and ſhines as a Star in the • irmament, and his memory is bleſſed, who • et lives, and with whoſe Spirit we feel uni • y and Fellowſhip (though the earthly Taber • acle is returned to its center) which unity • ſts and endures through ages and generations, • here the Spirits of juſt men made perfect are • elt, that are gon before us; and that life which • welt in them remains with us; which is our • oy, Comfort, and Encouragement to perſe • ere on in the way of life: and to us is a cer • ain Teſtimony that (though the Lord is plea • ed to remove his Servants and Prophets from 〈◊〉 ) he will not leave nor forſake us, but will ſtill lead his people, as a Flock to the freſh Paſtures of life, there to lie down, where none can make afraid; wherein the bleſſed ſence of the overcomings of his love, the holy high praiſes is offered up unto him who is worthy of it, for all his Mercies and Bleſſings daily enjoyed, increaſed, and multiplyed upon us, who hath been our preſerver and upholder to this very day, and is our ſtay and ſtrength in the deepeſt exerciſes: Bleſſed are they who keep to him, they never are forſaken. To him be the Glory and Praiſe for ever.

THis dear worthy of the Lord and Valiant in Iſrael, who engaged in the Lambs Warfare till he overcame; he was made a • Pillar in the houſe of God, and as a Trumpet that gave a certain ſound; Sounding forth an alarme from Gods holy Mountain, whereby many were awakened to righteouſneſs, and their Spirits quickened; and a remnant are the ſeal of his Miniſtry at this day; to whom he was an inſtrument in the hand of the Lord, for the turning their minds from darkneſs to light, and from Sathans Power to the Power of God. My Spirit is bowed before the Lord, and the cry of my Soul is, that all who were ſo turned by him may for ever walk worthy of the Lords goodneſs, and anſwer his • arge love to our Souls, ſo ſhall we anſwer the • abour and travels of this our dear deceaſed • riend, that they be not beſtowed upon us in vain, who breathed for the proſperity of Sion, that all whoſe faces were turned Sion-wards night not look back, nor linger in the Suburbs of Babylon; thoſe that did ſo, he would oft declare ſhould be left behind, and Amalek ſhould prevail over them.

Much might be written concerning the bleſ • ed life and power which dwelt in this our dear • riend, wherein he obtained a good increaſe, • hrough his faithfulneſs to the Lord: the ſtreaning forth thereof was very ſweetly refreſhing, • nd conſolating to thoſe whoſe hearts were tru • y bowed to God.

OUr dear friend William Allen is gone, and Immortal is his Crown, and he is at reſt in his Fathers boſom. In his ſickneſs he would ſay that he was filled with the joy of the Lord, and with the preſence of his Father. Our loſs is great, for I can truly ſay that he was an Inſtrumennt in the hand of God to do good to my Soul, and to many more, and the living preſence of the Lord was with him, for our Souls have been refreſhed with his living Miniſtry many a time, and although his body is removed from us, yet we injoy him in that I which is Immortal, as we abide faithful.

There is ſomething in my heart to wri •• concerning our dear Friend William Alle • whom the Lord hath taken out of the Bod • but his Life ſtill lives with the upright in heart he was a man that did truly fear the Lord and ſought his Glory alone; he turned man • from darkneſs to light, and from Sathan power to the power of God, and there ar • many living Witneſſes thereof. The Lord was good to him night and day, beyon • what words can declare, and although h • felt Exerciſes as to the outward man to abound, yet his conſolation in the heavenly power much more abounded; for the Lord fill'd him with the flagons of his Love, and new Wine of the Kingdom, that he was ſtraitned in the earthly Tabernacle, being ſo filled with the living preſence of the Lord, •• at he would ſay he wanted room, Let me • o.

Much might be ſpoken as to that living • ower that wrought in him, and his faith •• lneſs thereunto, and many of his living • xpreſſions doth remain with me, as con • erning Friends keeping low in the middle • ath of judgement, where the Redemption • f Sion comes to be witneſſed. But not • nto us, not unto us, but unto the heavenly • ower, Spirit and Life, that wrought effe • tually in him, and preſerved him to the • nd of his days, be all praiſe, power, domi • ion, and thanks given, for ever and evermore, Amen, ſaith my Soul.