VVonderfull PREDICTIONS DECLARED In a MESSAGE, as from the LORD, To his Excellency SR. THOMAS FAIRFAX and the Councell of His Army.
By JOHN SALTMARSH Preacher of the Gospell.
His severall speeches, and the manner of his Death.
December 29. 1647.
THis Narrative concerning Mr. Saltmarsh hath been sent to the Army; and there perused, corrected, and made perfect, to be printed and published for the Kingdomes: satisfaction. Imprimatur, Gilbert Mabbot.
Printed at London by Robert Ibbitson, in Smithfield, neer the Queenes-head Tavern, 164 [...].
The Printer to the Reader.
HAving Papers come to my hand to be Printed, concerning these wonderfull passages about Mr. Saltmarsh; and advising with the Licenser concerning the same; It was thought fit that the Papers should be first communicated to the Army, before they were Printed: And accordingly were sent to an eminent person at the Head-quarters, who (after perusall and conections) returned them inclosed in a Letter, as followeth,
I Have (at last) procured the perusall of your Relation concerning Mr. Saltmarsh, and sent it you corrected, together with the inclosed Preamble. And I think the Relation may be fit (for matter of truth) for publique view; and being the very plain Narrative of the businesse, it may be for much satisfaction to the Kingdome therein.
Windsor 27 Decemb. 1647.
A Preamble to the Reader.
IT is decent to speake honourably of the dead, yet not to be partiall. Whilst Mr. Saltmarsh was in the Army, he walked unblameable, kept himselfe to his Text, in labouring to beat down sin: and exalt Christ. He medled not with the present times; else at Northamton and other places hee had not found such esteeme: Hee still preached the bonds of love and peace, praying that that might bee the cord to unite Christians in amitie. He medled not in the Pulpit with Presbytery or Independency. He soly laboured to draw the soule from sin to Christ. Thus he lived amongst Souldiers in time of health, and how his departure was neere his death, you will perceive by what insueth, as to so much of it which is said to bee done at the Head-quarter; most of it may claime beleefe, and the rest probably is true. The circumstance of passages oftentimes addes light to darke actions. Hee appeared at the Head-quaters as one risen from the grave, his eyes almost fixt in his head, or rather as if he had come out of a Trance with feare and trembling to expresse his dreame. This latter may admit a probable conjecture for without doubt hee had trouble upon his spirit, till hee vented what hee apprehended hee had in commission, he did not come with bitter revileings and reproaches, but rather with wholesome admonitions to flye that danger which as he apprehended was hanging over the Army, have we not [Page 2] more cause to suspect our selves of failings then him of Melancholly in what hee said: And may not this bee a good Memento to better things, though hee perhaps mistake in the matter hee delivered, yet however let not the words of a dying man passe unregarded, for it is the heart and not the mouth of such a man that speaketh: his carriage was as if he were of another world, often expressing he should see us no more, and his heart was eased when he delivered his Message, and finishing his course so immediately after, it is remarkable.
Wonderfull Predictions, declared in a Message, as from the Lord, to His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, and the Counsell of his Army, by Mr. John Saltmarsh, Preacher of the Gospel.
Mr. John Saltmarsh (a very holy and reverend Divine, of great learning and parts) one of the Chaplines to the Army; being at his house neere Gilford, in the County of Essex, told his wife Saterday December 4. 1647. that hee had beene in a Trance, seene a Vision, and received a command from God, to go presently to the Army, to make knowne to them, what the Lord had revealed to him, which would be the last work that he had to do for them, and taking his leave of his wife, he hasted to London that night.
He declared to Sir H. M. a worthy Knight (a Member of the House of Commons) his deare friend (and divers others) that he was sent by the Lord with a Message to the Army, to make known some things unto them, which God had revealed unto him, he spake many glorious things concerning God and the Saints.
That night he lay in London, but restlesse to finish the businesse hee went about.
The next morning (it being the Lords day) he found it some difficulty to procure an Horse, which put him into a resolution to walke on foote to Winsor, rather then stay till Munday, but after dinner he was furnished, and mounted about three a clocke in the afternoone, and although ignorant of the way, yet (to avoid craftinating) he ridde himself alone, with a resolution of speede to the Head-quarters, where he intended the Officers a salute the next morning, before they sat in Councell.
But the darke clouds soone surprised him, and (having no guide) he by inquiry found that he had digre [...]ed a little from the roade, but was comforted in his confidence that God was with him.
[Page 3] About eleven a clocke (that night) he fell into a Towne, about seven miles on this side Winsor where he (finding the people up at an Inne) alighted, to baite himselfe and Horse.
Whilest hee staied there, he spoke (as it is said) of many wonderfull things, which the Lord had revealed to him. But the man and woman of the house (at first) gave no credit to what he said.
But Mr. Saltmarsh proceeded in a continued discourse (as if he had been preaching in a Pulpit) declaring unto them many things from God; That the great and dreadfull day of the Lord is neere, when all men shall be judged by Jesus Christ, And then shall the wayes, and actions of all men appeare, Beleevers stand on a glorious Gospell, spirituall bottome, supported by their Saviour: And Infidels, clasping about the stones and Pillers of the World, and fleshly phancy, be throwne downe to hell for ever. The Lord hath great things (which he intends) to doe shortly. God will burne up, and consume the earthly matter of his Saints; to translate them out of worldly darkenesse into his heavenly light, through Jesus Christ; and then will God draw up all the sparkles of glory in one confluence to himselfe, and cause every thing to returne to its first originall end.
By that time he had (a little) inlarged himselfe upon these things, the people of the house began to be serious and lay them to their consciences (amazed at the things they heard,) were smitten in their hearts, seemed very penitent. And perswading some further doctrinall points from him, occasioned his longer stay, then was before intended.
But (whilest it was yet darke,) early on Munday December 6. in the morning Mr. Saltmarsh departed from his Inne, intending towards Winsor, but (by mistake of his way) fell into the Forrest, where having view of an house, he approached it: and called the good man (then up) who upon his desire gave him directions of his way; and Mr. Saltmarsh gave him instructions in the way to heaven, and told him many things, concerning God, and his purpose to destroy the wicked, and draw the saints to himself, declaring (also the vanity of corrupt hart [...], the purity of called saints, and the like.
The man being much taken here with, accompanied him in his way through the Forrest, conversing with him till he came neere Windsor, and then returned.
About nine in the morning Mr. Saltmarsh came to the Head-quarters, and saw divers of his acquaintance.
He met with Mr. A. (one of the Adjutators) who saluting him, he said, Mr. A. depart from these Tents, lest you perish with them, for the Lord hath revealed to me, that he is very angry with this Army, because they have forsaken Him.
[Page 4] Captain—(an Officer of the Army asked him how he did. To whom he said, that he had nothing (from God) to say to him, for he had alwaies been a seeker of himself, under spetious pretences.
Seeing of C. D. (another Officer) he saluted him (with good morrow) He said, he could not own him, for he was for destruction: who seeing his countenance and carriage, and hearing his words (for he had strange expressions, both to him, and others) was startled.
Mr. Saltmarsh then went to the Generall Coun [...]ell, where some of the Officers were met in expectation of the Generall and the rest, to sit in Councell, And he spake before them, (both the [...], and also afterwards) much to this purpose. That he was come thither to reveale to them, what he had received from God. That though the Lord [...] much for them, and by them, yet he had of late left them, and was not in their [...], because they had forsaken him. That God would not prosper their consultations, but destroy them by divisions amongst themselves. That he had formerly come to them like a Lamb, but that God had now raised in him the spirit of a Lion, because they had fought to destroy the people of God. That the controversie now before them, calls for the tenderest judgement, because it concerns their faithfull ones, those imprisoned of their own members, having alwayes stood by them through the greatest difficulties. That he would advise all the faithfull to depart from them, lest they be destroyed with them. And many more such like expressions.
Some Officers asked him how hee came to know these things; to whom hee answered, That God (who had heretofore enabled him to tell them what they know came since to passe) had revealed those things to him. And he told some of the Officers, that what he sp [...]ke he was sure, that they knew in their Consciences it was true.
He told them that he wished their own arguments might find [...] to their spirits, that the some sounding of bowels might be heard in them to [...] that they once wished to [...]ear in others, that would have inslaved them, that they would in the flowings of an heavenly spirit, with a fountaine of tears, let the world see that men are not infallible, but may mistake their brethren for enemies.
Some said that Mr. Saltmarsh stared like one distracted, And one told him that he had been sick and was not yet well recovered: To whom he answered, That he had (indeed) been sick not long since: But that now he was (be thanked God) very well in health, and sensible what he spake: And said, it was the last time that ever he should speak to them.
Afterwards, he went to the Generall, (but did not move his hat,) saying, That he had not command from God to honour him now at all: That he had honoured him so much, that he offended in doting upon his person. That God had revealed unto him, that he was highly displeased with his com [...]ting of Saints, [Page 5] and would not now prosper him, nor could he honour him.
When he had parted with his Excellency he went to L. G. whom he met in the Hall, who asked him how he did, Mr. Saltmarsh put not off his hat to him neither: But told him that the Lord was very angry with him, for causing those godly men to be imprisoned, sleighted, and abused, for those Engagements which he had formerly owned, and the persons such as he knew faithfull in the Cause of God: That the Armies falling off from their former principles, it would be their ruine, and destruction: and would raise such fractions among themselves, as would undo them. And much other discourse to that purpose.
L. G. told him, that some things were not so well as he could wish: but that he wondred at those passages that fell from him. But Mr. Saltmarsh proceeded on, declaring to him, as he had done to the Generall Councell of the Army. And at last L. G. took a paper out of his pocket, (which he said was sent to him from Mr. S.) which he read: Some of the matter being not much different from what was then said.
Another Officer (then present) spake of something that had lately fallen from an other Member of the Army relating to that purpose.
Hereupon Mr. Saltmarsh replyed (saying) Looke ye here now, out of the mouthes of two or three witnesses, the truth of God is confirmed and I am glad saith he to L. G. that there is some tendernesse of heart in you: And (after some further discourse) they parted.
Then Mr. Saltmarsh went to C. I. and spake to that effect to him, which hee had done to the rest, and told him that God had left him and would not prosper his councell.
He met with C. R. and told him the message that he was come to declare to the Army from God.
To Mr. P. he said, That he had many good things in him, but he was (of late) overcome by others, who have mis led him: but that there is [...] a [...] dernesse in his spirit. And bad him take heede that his heart be not hardened.
To Mr. C. (who was to receive a summe of monies for him) he declared that he would not receive it. And being demanded how he could be without it, he said, God would provide, but to take a penny of it to himselfe he durst not: And appointed Mr. C. (upon the receipt of the monies) to distribute it to poore prisoners in London, to the souldiers secured in Windsor, about the late disorder, and to other distressed Christians.
On Tuesday morning December 7. Mr. Saltmarsh went (againe) to L. G. telling him that he had one thing yet to deliver to him; which God required of him (which was this) That he would (immediately) take [Page 6] effectuall course for the inlargement of the members of the Army, that were committed for not complying with the Generall Councell: And that he do not prosecute against those who have beene so faithfull. (And some other expressions to that purpose).
Mr. Saltmarsh further declared, that he was sorry to see such obstinacy. And that although some tendernesse was upon his spirit (the day before) yet now he saw that his heart was hardned. But wished him to be mindfull of what God required of him.
That morning Mr. Saltmarsh declared to C. B. and others, the same things again, which he had done the day before, at the Generall Councell.
C. B. asked him, whether he would advise all the honest faithfull members to leave the Army, and lay down Armes, and quite leave off the Military practice, To whom he answered, No; For, saith he, God hath yet a great work to be done: In which he will make use of Members of this Army, to do great things for the glory of his Name.
After that he had taken his leave of the Officers, telling them, That he had then done his errand, and must leave them, never to see the Army more: he came that night to London.
On Wednesday Decemb. 8. he acquainted divers of his Friends (about the City, what he had done, and took his leave of them) saying to some that his work was now done, his Message delivered: And desired them to be carefull of his wife.
On Thursday Decemb. 9. he went from London very cheerfull and well, and came that night to his house neere Gilford, not sick at all, and told his wife what he had done.
On Friday Decemb. 10. he told his wife, that he had now finished his course; and must go to his Father: And in the afternoon he complained that his head did ake, desiring to lie down upon his bed, where his wife took all possible care she could of him. But whatsoever he received for sustenance, he could not retain it: yet he rested well, all that night.
On Saturday Decemb. 11. In the morning, he was taken speechlesse. And in the afternoon, about foure or five a clock, he dyed very peaceably and quietly. And his soule is, no doubt, at rest with the Lord.
Windsor, Examinat. Decemb. 27. 1647.