The exceeding riches of grace advanced by the spirit of grace, in an empty nothing creature, viz. Mris. Sarah Wight lately hopeles and restles, her soule dwelling far from peace or hopes thereof : now hopefull, and joyfull in the Lord, that hath caused light to shine out of darknes ... / published for the refreshing of poor souls, by an eye and ear-witness of a good part thereof, Henry Jesse ...

To the Christian Reader, GRACE and PEACE.

MAny of these precious Pearles, these hidden Mysteries of the Treasury of the glorious Gospel being gathered and stored up together by the Rela∣tor, as they were brought to light day by day, before the 27^th of April last: Divers Christian friends, that had been partakers there∣of, judged it unmeet they should be hid and hoar∣ded up for a few to enjoy in private: much desi∣ring they might be published, both for better sup∣ply to themselves, and to many others whom the Lord might please to support, refresh, and en∣rich thereby: When no more was gathered then what might be contained in two sheets or three.

The Earthly Vessell of conveyance being then most likely to return to earth, within a few dayes. Hence was the more cause of willingnesse to yeild to this desire; and to prefix the Letter foregoing (for the better confirmation hereof) writ April 27. 1647. After that day shee remaining as weak as before, and unable to eat at all for eleven weeks together; or to drink, but onely once in two or three, or once in foure or five dayes: and still drinking lesse and lesse, then that before: (Pag.

55, 56.) and her drink being onely faire water, till April 19. and sometimes small beer afterwards (never strong beer.) Thus was this put to the Presse, and in the mean while, one day after ano∣ther was occasion of enlarging it, by Conferences, &c. and of her still drawing neerer death, in outward appearance, till Iune 11. And before Iune 11. and Iune 25. 1647. (which were the dayes of the Lords wonderfull raising up her body by Faith, as is shewed pag. 135.-) a good part thereof was printed. Yet seeing the more goodnesse the Lord magnifi∣ed towards her, the chiefest of sinners; the more his love therein melts and abaseth her; (as Pag. 119. 125. 134. the LORD so abase her still:) Its hoped the LORD will keep her soule in that humble frame: whereby the publishing hereof, which may be for great refreshing to many sad, troubled, disconsolate soules, and to others, who through God may reap abundant fruit hereby; may be no hurt to her; nor any cause at all of repenting, to the Relator, or others; but of rejoycing and thankesgiving to many: which is the longing de∣sire, and humble request of Him that longeth to be made more conformable to the death of Christ:* 1.1 to dye to himselfe, and to live to God; and to walk in, and be led by the Spirit.

H. J.

A Postscript to the Reader.

For better satisfying some, that would know many particulars distinctly, or els they will not beleeve what wonders are here mentioned: Here is added, touching this hand-maids Parents: Her Father was M^r Thomas Wight, (pag. 5.) son to M^r Wight of Daintree; and Brother to M^r Nat. Wight, Preacher in Tewksbury: Her Mother, M^ris Mary Wight, above seven yeeres agoe was also in deep terror and distraction of Spirit, (then living neer London-stone:) till the Lords good time of refresh∣ing came. The Maid that tended on her, (here∣after mentioned,) known to M^r Cradock of Wales, is well known to many of his London acquain∣tance: Her name is, Hannah Guy, daughter to M^r Eli-Iabu Guy, late of Ireland of Trayleigh in Mun∣ster Province: (whose Father went thither, to a∣voyd the Ceremonies here urged.) The Testimony of these two, the Mother and this Maid, of her drinking so little, & not eating at all, for so long, (from March 27. till Iune 11. pag. 55. &c.) both these being of approved faithfulnesse, may be suffi∣cient. (2 Cor. 13. 1.) Of the expressions from pag. 35. to the end of the Book, the Relator was with them, an eare-witnes generally. [A great part of nine leaves, was taken by him from the Relation of them, or one of them, being writ as they spake, Verbatim; (viz. from pag. 16. to pag. 35.) Some of

the Repetitions therein, especially of two Names, being taken with the rest; so passed to the Presse with the rest: which now the Relator likes not, wishing they had been forborne. Thou art entrea∣ted therefore to excuse it: and what other failings are, or appeare to be. Remembring, In many things wee all* 1.2 slip, Jam. 3. 2. Gal. 6. 1, 2.]

Amongst others that have been with this Hand∣maid, were these, of esteeme amongst many that feare the Lord in London; viz. M^r Prime of Cam∣bridge, now Minister in Lawrence Pountney, (lately of Black Fryers;) M^r Cradock Minister in Nicholas lane, M^r Barker Minister at Garlick-hill, M^r Brag from about Bristol, M^r Isaac Knight late of Hol∣land, Captain Harrison: The Lady Mayerne; and M^ris Iane Done her sister; Lady Hartop, with M^ris Fant her sister, (now M^ris Stock) and M^r Ric-Wollaston: M^ris Rolls, wife to Judge Rolls, M^ris Mary Leeb, Hanna Trapnel, Dinah the Blackmore; and those that are named pag. 8. 9, 10. and many o∣thers. The Reason of naming many, is there ren∣dred, viz. that some more incredulous, might the sooner beleeve, and reap benefit, and not reject the mysteries of God, against themselves, to their hurt. (Luk. 7.30.) Which may plead excuse for naming them. Ioh. 4. 39. For the saying of the Woman, many of the Samaritans beleeved on Iesus. Joh. 12. 11. Joh. 11. 45. By reason of Lazarus being so raised up, many beleeved on Iesus. Act. 9. 42. By making knows his raising up of Dorcas, many beleeved on the Lord.

If some yet say; How is it possible, that one so young, and never understanding to purpose till now, should be able so to speak? Tis answered; This is the Lords work, and it is marvellous in our eyes: who out of the mouth of babes and suck∣lings, hath ordained strength, & perfected praise, Mat. 21. 16. And hath promised to his, to powre out of his Spirit in the last dayes, upon them, and up∣on their children, their sons and daughters, Act. 2. 17. 33. 38, 39. Our Lord Jesus promised to his Disciples, that his Holy Spirit should bring to their remembrance, what he had said to them, Joh. 14. 26. This good Spirit brought to her remembrance now, when it was most usefull, what shee had read and heard formerly, and opened her heart to understand them: and opened her mouth to utter them in an hum∣ble, melting manner; as he had opened to her; even when her bodily eyes and ears were held; which since April 19. are both of them opened.

H. I.

Notes

• * 1.1

  London, scrip. stil. 4. Mon. 23. day. Vulg. Iuly 16. 1647.
• * 1.2

  Greek.