Votivæ Angliæ, Englands complaint to their king:, or, The humble desires of all the zealous and true-hearted Protestants in this kingdome, for a speedy and happy reformation of abuses in church government, being the onely meanes to remove these distractions, and to avert the judgement of God from us. : As they were expressed in sundry petitions, remonstrances and letters, lately presented from them to the king, upon sundry occasions. / Collected by a wel-wisher to reformation.

A DISCORSE OE DIVERS PETITI∣ONS OF HIGH CONCERN∣ment, and great consequence.

This Petition was written upon the Booke for the re∣creation upon the Lords day, and I delivered it to King Iames at Greenwitch: hee tooke it with him in his Coach, and committed mee to Mr. Hut∣chinson, of the guard, for a certaine time, and was graciously pleased to have great care of mee for my dyet and lodging, and after divers disputations with Bishop Neal, and Bishop Buckridge, set mee at libertie.

REad O King, read O King, and then consi∣der well, If ever any such decree was made in Israel. Help O King, help O King, and let not the Sab∣bath. Of our glorious God be thus prophained, With grievous sins in open streets proclaimed: Nor in Dooms dreadfull day this heavy hand∣writing, Bee iustly brought against great Britains Royall King.

The humble Petition of your sinfull Subiect,

JOHN SPENCER.

A Petition delivered to King Iames at Bletfoe.

Good King Iames reforme thy Court of cursed swearing, Which otherwise will undoubtedly Gods heavy iudgements bring: And to his faithfull Ministers gracious bee, Whose ruine else we foone shall see; This happy Boon an earnest suit to thee I make, Oh Consider well, and grant it for Christs sake.

The humble Petition of your sinfull Subiect

Iohn Spencer.

A Petition delivered to our gracious King Charles at Finchingbrook, at his going to his Army Royall, Anno, 1639, March 28.

THe glorious Lord of Heaven and Earth the God of battel, and Lord of Hosts, for our Lord Jesus Christ his sake, blesse our gracious King Charles, and his brave Army, and cover his Royall head in the day of battell, and returne him with honour and victorie to his Royall Queen: but I beseech your Highnesse, give your poor Subiect

leave to intreat you that you would not adventure your selfe in the day of battell; but remember what the Souldiers said unto the valiant King, Da∣vid, 2 Samuel, 21. 17. Thou shalt go no more out with us to the battell, lest thou quench the light of Isra∣el, and consider what counsell that kingly Prophet giveth, Psalme 34. 17. Eschew evill and do good, seek peace and ensue it. And therefore that faire Eng∣lands happy peace may not be now endangered; let the new Scottish Service Book, and the book for the recreation upon the Lords Day, be both throwne over the Scottish Bank, and so I humbly take my leave, and although by reason of my old age, and some wounds that I received at the fa∣mous siege of Ostend, I am disabled to doe your Highnesse service in the war, yet as my bound duty is, I will dayly pray unto the God of Peace, to set your feet in the way of peace.

The humble petition of your loyall Subiect

Iohn Spencer

A Petition delivered unto our gracious King Charles, upon this occasion; The King was to go towards New-market upon Munday, but the waggon and the hounds went thorow Cheapside upon the Lords day, which was not lawfull, O King: I never heard that they removed since upon the Lords day, so gra∣cious was the Kings care herein.

Good King Charles, Remember to keep holy the Sab∣bath day, And let not Charles wain be seen to move on Lon∣don way; But in the high Sphear of heavenly Contempla∣tion: Let that day be spent in holy meditation: Both King, servants, subiects, all zealous for Gods glory, To hate profanenesse, and to abolish all idolatry; That so when thy blest soul shall leave thy Royall breast, Thou mayest in heaven for ever have a glorious rest.

The humble petition of your sinfull subiect

Iohn Spencer

A Petition unto our gracious King Charles, upon the late setting forth of the Book for Recreations upon the Lords day.

Good King Charles to hear be graciously pleased That this Book in the dayes of your Father, King of great renown, Grew very ill, and grievously diseased, And to prevent the mischief that thereby might redowne, Was with wisdoms holy care haply supprest: And so good King Charles for evermore let it rest.

The humble petition of your poor sinfull fervant

Iohn Spencer.

I sent my son with this Petition, who made great haste, and delivered it to the King; it pleased his highnesse to commit him prisoner to the guard of his Royall person, and set him at liberty the next day, and com∣manded the Lords of Scotland to attend his highnesse in Parliament upon Munday, and there concluded a happy peace.

A strange and strong transportation upon the Lords day, April 27. 1639.

THis day going to the Church of great Staughton, and hearing the bels chime I fell into a strong apprehension that I saw King Charles in the field with his brave Army, under his Standard Royall upon a hill, with his owne Squadrons, and the Scottish Army in the field also, and the King gave directions unto his Colo∣nels and Captaines to charge the Scottish Batta∣lions here and there, till the battell grew very bloody and mortall on both sides, and almost all the Peers of England, and all the Nobilitie of Scotland lay slaine in the field: and then the vali∣ant King Charles seeing it grew to such extremity, descended the hill, and with great fury and reso∣lution, charged the scattered body of the Scottish Army and made a great slaughter of them, and so obtained the victory, and forc'd them to leave the field, and then returned to mourn over his noble Peers that there lay slain upon the ground, which put me into such a passion of weeping, that mee∣ting with Mr. Saul our Preacher, and Mr. Bauldin and they seeing of me in such a passion of mour∣ning, and desirous to know the cause thereof, I could not declare to them the cause of my great sorrow, but went into the Church, and prayed with a troubled spirit, The Lord grant if it be thy blessed will, that it may prove but a melancholy

Conceit. but oh that your Highnesse would be be graciously pleased to call a Parliament, turne the faces of these brave Armies towards the Pala∣tinate to settle your Royall Sister in her inheri∣tance, and set at liberty your capitive Nephew Prince Robert and soe you shall make all the Prin∣ces of Christendome stand amaz'd at your high prudence, and great magnanimitie: Consider what I say and doe it, and the Lord will bring it to passe, and then make you the most renouned King of the Christian world, amen, amen, good King Charles send for Colonell Fleetwood, hee is a valiant man, and of great abilities, and will doe you faithfull service in your war, I heare he is lately married to a great mans daughter in those parts, but if it please your Highnesse, to com∣mand him, he will leave his young Lady to doe you service. And now seeing things through Gods gracious providence doe thus happily con∣cur, I beseech your highnesse give me leave to re∣nue my former suit unto you, and your hououra∣ble Court of Parliament for the happy and ho∣nourable uniting of these brave Armies, make your Nephew the Prince Elector (who was now so happily in your Court) make him Generall to lead these brave Armies into the Palatinate, to set∣tle your Royall Sister in her inheritance, and to set at liberty his brother Prince Robert, for that is a shame to all the Princes of Christendome to see a distressed lady so long insulted over by such a bloo∣dy Tyrant; and for the support and transporting of these Armies, I would willingly give ten Sub∣sedies, besides those are already given; and I

hope every able and faithfull Subiect in the Land will doe the same, that so this Royall Prince may beat out the proud Enemie out of the Palatinate, and then settle the Emperiall Crowne of Germa∣ny upon his Royall head, and lead his victoriors Army unto Romes gates, sack the Citie, and burn the Whore of Babylon with fire▪ and so fulfill the Prophecie Revel. 17. 16. 17. verses, And the ten hornes which thou sawest upon the Beast, are they that shall hate the Whore, and shall make her desolate and na∣ked, and burne her with fire; for God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will. Amen, Lord Jesus, amen.

The humble Petition of your loyall sinfull Subiect

Iohn Spencer.

A Coppie of a Letter to a great Peer of this Land, upon a strange discontentment betwixt him and his beauti∣full Lady, about the passing of two Manners unto his onely Sonne as brave and as noble a gentleman as this Kingdome afforded; the Letter I delivered unto his owne hand: he read it, and retired himselfe into an inward Chamber, wept much, and came out againe unto me, gave me thanks, and said never man desi∣red more to gaine awoman than he did to gaine her: to this effect, never did I in al my time know such great dislike about such a slight occasion, betwixt two so vertuous, so noble, so beautifull and amiable, and so long reioycing in happy enioying one another, as will appeare in this dolorous discovrse.

IT may seem strange unto your Lordship that a stranger should write unto you in this strange fashion, but then I beseech you in the feare of God, consider the strange course that you have ta∣ken, that forceth me thereunto: for is it not strange yet most strange, that so noble, grave and religi∣ous a man, should forsake his wise being a vertu∣ous, beautifull and religious Lady, make it not your owne case, and would you thinke it possible a wise man should be so transported, but beleeve it my Lord, such a thing may be, & such a thing is and as the Ptophet Nathan said unto King David, Thou art the man, that have behaved your selfe so undiscreetly, and frowardly: for have not you for∣saken the wife of your youth, that vertuous and beautifull Lady, with whom you have lived with

great happinesse these twenty yeares: who hath approved her faithfull love and constancie unto you in so many strange and forraigne Countries, and adventured her selfe in so many dangerous passages both by sea and land, to yeeld you com∣fort and contentment; now to forsake her when you are gray headed and stand more in need of your mutuall societie and comfort: but now to forsake her to grieve your friends, and make your enemies reioice; to forsake her to vex your selves, and to ruinate your estate, and to en∣danger the losse of your soules and everlasting happinesse, what greater want of wisdome can be shewed? you carry your selfe exceeding for∣wardly herein, that neither the perswasions of friends, nor the intreating of those that love you, nor so many pitifull teares from the faire eies of your Lady can move a reconciliation, but you fly from a distressed Ladie as if you were pursued by an armed enemie; was your no∣ble blood ever stained with such cowardlinesse? how may those renouned Princes of the united Provinces, who held and approved you so noble and valarous in Heroick Atchivements, both in Germany and when you were Lord Deputie of Ireland, be grieved to heare of this strange altera∣tion in you? but this is not the worst disgrace, for herein you have dealt very unwisely, for you have reiected the counsel of the Prophets, of the Apostles, and of our Saviour Christ himself: and have followed the course of your violent passions, or else the shallow device of some giddie heads, as Rehoboam did to his owne confusion: for Solo∣mon

the Mirrour of wisdome advises you thus, Reioyee with the wife of thy youth, let her be as the loving Hinde and the pleasant Roe, let her brests satisfie thee at all times, and delight in her love continually, Prov. 5. 18, 19. but you are so far from reioicing with her, and yeelding those comforts unto her, that you seek to reioice your selfe in hauking and hun∣ting, and in the meane time to vex her with your tedious absence and froward messages, call you this wisdome? nay, my Lord, account it no better than Machavilian policie. Againe, St. Peter advi∣seth you thus, Husbands dwell with your Wives, as men of knowledge, Pet. 3 7. but you flie from Chiswick to London, from London to Hitchin, from Hitchin to Bletfoe, as though some fearfull Dragon did haunt your owne habitation, or the aire was in∣fected where your faire Ladie breathed. Lastly, our Saviour Christ being demanded by the proud Pharises whether it was lawfull for a man to put away his, wife upon every occasion, makes this most holy answer, Matt. 19. 4. And he answered and said unto them, have you not read that he that made them at the beginning, made them male and fe∣male, and said, for this cause shall a man leave Father and Mother, and cleave to his wife, and they twaine shall be one flesh, wherefore they are no more twaine but one flesh. Let therefore no man part asun∣der whom God hath coupled together. Now that you have been thus ioined, you dare not de∣ny, or if you should, the solemn vow you made in the presence of Almightie God, and before those honourable Personages in Cashawberry parlour shall witnesse against you: therfore how

dare you make this fearfull separation, except you will proclaime your selfe a truce-breaker to man, and a traitor to God; the first too scanda∣lous, and the other too dangerous for a man of wisdome to undergo; I beseech you in the ten∣der mercies of Iesus Christ, enter into a serious consideration with your selfe, in what a desperate estate you are in, and heartily repent of the evill you have committed, and earnestly crave pardon of God, and then with all speed make a holy re∣conciliation betwixt you and your fair Lady, that so the scandall of your holy profession may be removed, and the mouths of insulting Papists may be stopped, and your distressed Lady com∣forted, and your consciences quieted: but if you wil be stil wilful and obstinate, then assure yourself these lines shall rise up in condemnation against you, at the dreadfull day of Judgement, before that glorious God of heaven and earth who shall iudge all men according to their works they have done in the flesh, whether they have been good or evill, and that without respect of persons, where your greatnesse shall no wise privilege you, nor my meanenesse not preiudice, the cause of that mighty God who hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the mightie things: unto that all-powrefull God do I humbly pray, that for his deare Son Jesus Christ his sake, he will vouchsafe his great power may be seen in my weaknesse, and his infinit wisdome in my foolish∣nesse, so that this weak means may be made pow∣erfull to make you wise to salvation and produce that holy reformation as may bee to the glorie

of God, and the everlasting happinesse of your owne soule, Amen Lord Jesus Amen.

From him that will honour you according to your noble qualitie, if you do not dishonour that God that advanced you to this high dignitie, JOHN SPENCER.

A Postscript.

You are now conversant with a noble and religious Friend whose zealouse heart I doe assure my selfe will easily be perswaded to take any paines in this charitable busines, consult with him, and then appoint the time and place where you and your Lady may happily meet together to epaire the ruines that sad absence hath made, and beautifie your faces with those amiable looks, and your lips with those sweet discourses, wherewith you in hap∣pier times did solace your selves with unspeakable con∣tentment. That so you may make the Proverb true: Amantium ira amoris redintigratio est. After this some great Lords undertooke to bring them together but it was too late, but better late than never, for the Lady was very weake in her bed, so they lamented their fatall errour, and tooke their last farwell, for she dyed within few dayes, and he lived not long time after.

A Coppy of a Letter sent to the Earle of Cleveland and Tho. Lo. Oliver St. Iohn, for ending of a ••••••g suit betwixt Iustice Fish, and Mr. Mordant, con∣cerning a seat in the Church at Northill.

Right Honourable,

VVHen Ioab the Generall of King Davids Army besieged Rabba, and fought a∣gainst it, and took the cities of waters, and there∣by weakned them so, that they could hold out no longer: then he sent unto hi•• Lord the King to come up with his Army to take the Citie, lest if he took it he should have the honour, and the City should be called after his name. So I having fought with these two Gentlemen with many ar∣guments, perswasions and earnest intreaties, and so thorow the blessing of the God of peace, have qualified the bitter waters of strife, and weakned the strong hold of their violent passion and con∣tentious humour, that now they can hold out no longer with any Christian resolution, doe now send and sue unto your Honours to come up with your commanding power, to take the honour of the day, and the renown to be the noble Peace∣makers, I have viewed the seat in the Church which is large and spacious for both Parties to sit in, like good Christians and loving Friends; and therefore, if it will please your Lordships now to lay your Command upon them to confirme that which I have so earnestly intreated, that thus, and thus, it shall be for their sitting in the seat; and

thus and thus it shall be for the endiug of all suits and controversies betwixt them: then they have both of them faithfully promised before sufficient witnesse, that they will submit themselves there∣unto: and so humbly beseeching that blessed Lord the great Peace-maker, who hath pronoun∣ced: Blessed are the Peace-makers, for they shall be called the Children of God. To blesse your Ho∣nours with the continuance of many happy days, to make you zealous for his glorie, and to see like good Maiestrates under so gracious a King, the peace and welfare of your Countrey, I humbly take my leave.

August 12, 1631. If it please your Lord∣ships to appoint these Gentlemen a day and place, where they may attend to receive your Commands under your hands. Desirous that there was in me any abilitie to do you service,

Iohn Spencer.

Right Honourable,

IT is the Rule of the Apostle and of our Savi∣our Christ, Rebuke not an Elder, but exhort him as a Father: Oh therefore that it would please that blessed Lord, even the God of wis∣dome, that I might performe this dutie to your Lordship with such regard of your noble quali∣ties and tender care of your precious soule as I ought: but however I may faile in point of dis∣cretion, yee I hope your Lordship will beare with me, since it doth proceed from a heart that doth unfainedly desire your everlasting happinesse, I know it is a hard taske and many times a thanklesse office, to admonish men of mean qualitie of their faults, and to bring them to acknowledge their errours; much more then those that are so farre our Superiours: yet where grace and true nobi∣litie is, it will teachmen with meeknesse to suffer the words of exhortation, and with the kingly Prophet to say, Let the righteous smite me, for that shall be us precious Balme unto me, for the wisest and greatest in this world, have their frailties and in∣firmities. David a man after Gods owne heart, yet erred in numbring the people, and confessed he had done very foolishly. And Salomon his son the wisest and the greatest statesman that ever was upon the earth, yet erred greatly, and although he provided men-singers, and women-singers; and the delights of the sons of men; yet he doth acknowledge all was but vanitie, and vexation of spirit: And so I trust your noble and religious

heart, will tell you though you did provide you such excellent singers such rare conceits and cu∣rious Actors and numbred the people to behold it, yet all is but vanitie, and vexation of Spirit: and the more vanitie, and vexation of spirit, because it was on the Lords day, which should have been taken up with better meditati∣ons, and the contemplation of Heaven and hea∣venly things, and therefore that God might not be heareafter so, dishonored, nor your everlasting happinesse thereby endangered I beseech you, in the tender mercie of our Saviour Christ, give ear to the Counsell of your servant, and be you plea∣sed to submit your self to the censure of your own Court, that so it may appeare to the world, that you will not stand out in any thing that is ill, but will give glorie to God, and yeeld obedience to all good Lawes, and so ye may stoppe the mouths and stay the fury of many prophane people, which proclaime such libertie (from this example, to follow their vaine delights upon the Sabbath day, But I hope when they shall heare that such is the justice of the Court, and faithfulnesse of your Officers, they will execute justice without respect of persons, and therefore in this case will spare neither Lord, Bishop nor Knights nor Ladies: I trust I say when they shall heare of this, it will be a great danting and discouragement to them, and also, through the Lords mercie, a means to repair again the breach whereat otherwise whole troops of prophane wretches will enter to lay violent hands upon the Lords Day: and so beseeching the Lord God of Sabbath that my counsell might be

as wholsome and as acceptable unto you, as the Counsell of Abigal was to David, that you might with that holy man say, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel that hath sent thee to meet me, and bles∣sed bee thou that hast kept mee from giving any countenance or encouragement to any man that dares presume to prophane the Sabbath of the great God of heaven, Amen Lord Jesus Amen.

Haughton More, November, 4. 1631.

From him that hath so great cause and is so much bound to your Lordship.

Iohn Spencer.

YOu may bee pleased, that my Lord Bishop had lately made me Comissarie Generall up∣on this occasion, the Earle of Cleaveland had built a sumptuous Chappell and intreated the Bishop to consecrate the same and it pleased their Lordships to give me notice of the day, so I did attend the Bishop, and the next day he did it with great state and solemnitie accompanied with the Earle, and Knights, and Ladies, and a multitude of his Clergie; there was a learned Sermon and the holy Sacrament administred, and other rites

and Ceremonies performed, so that it was three a clock before they came out of the Chappell, and then my Lord Bishop was pleased to que∣stion me before the Earle of Cleveland, in this manner: Master Spencer, what will they say to you now, that have been at the consecration of a Chappell, received the Sacrament at the hands of a Bishop in his Babylonish garment? I an∣swered; If they have nothing else to say to me, this may very well be answered: But he said un∣to me, Master Spencer, what shall I do for you now, I know if I should make you my Vicar-Ge∣nerall, you will dislike of that, because it is a Popish title: but Ile tell you what I will do for you▪ I will make you my Commissarie-Generall; and that he thought would please me better, for I had prosecuted his Comissarie Smith, and charged him with suspition of Treason against the Kings royall person: well I thanked his LO••P. & shortly after made more use of my Office then he would have had me: for one Mr. wilson a cun∣ning Musition having contrived a curious Co∣modie, and plotted it so, that he must needs have it acted upon the Sunday night, for he was to go the next day toward the Court; the Bishop put it off till nine of the clock at night: a whi••e after, the Commissarie, Doctor Morrison, kept a Court at Huntington, and I came thither and went into the seat with the Commissarie, and put on my hat: the Doctors and Divines stood with hats off, and gave their attendance; then some offered their presentment, but I told Master Commissarie, that I had a presentment, and that must be the first,

and so he took it, and read it, the tennour was thus:

We do here present Iohn Lord Bishop of Lin∣colne, for having a Comedie acted in his house up∣on the Sunday, it began about nine of the clock at night, and continued till two or three of the clock the next morning. We do present also Sir Sidney Mountacute, and his Lady, for leaving their Parish Church to come to hear this Comedie. We here present Sir Thomas Headly, and his Lady for the like. We do present Master Wilson, and o∣ther Acters of the same.

So when Master Commissarie had read it, he was somewhat amazed at it, and asked of me who wasthe Commissarie Generall, I bad him ask my Lord of Lincolne who was Commissary Generall.

And this presentment we do make, Ex officio, Commissarie Generall,

Iohn Spencer.

So when this was registered, I took my leave of Master Commissarie and came away, for feare I should hear something else: And after∣wards, because the Bishop did not appear, I cen∣sured him for his fault to build a Schole-house at Eaton, and to endue it with twenty pounds a yeer for the maintenance of the Schole-Master. Sir Sidney Mountacute to give five pounds and five coats to five poor women, and his Lady five gowns and five pounds for five poor widdows: and this censure stands still unrepealed.

A Letter to Sir William Litton Knight, con∣cerning Master Spencer, that famous learned man, committed to prison for the refusing to stand to the hard award of Mr. Noades, but was upon this let∣ter speedly released, and Sir William Litton tooke him againe into his favour, and was a noble friend unto him during his life.

GOod Sir William Litten,

I have visited Mr. Spencer, your famous prisoner whom it plea∣seth you to call my Rabbi, I finde him so willing to referre himselfe unto you and Sir Oliver Luke to mitigate his hard award, that Mr. Noades hath made, that I need not any further perswasions to effect the same, onely give me leave to make this request unto you, that as humility is an excellent vertue in any man, much more in a man of emi∣nent parts, that you would vouchsafe to be such a Patron thereof in this case, that you will not suf∣fer it to bee abused and disgraced by the reproach∣full taunts of any insulting Skinner man, that knowes better how to scrape ten groats out of a translated sheep-skin, than how to repair the losse of unvaluable Learning, so long captivated in a loath some prison: I dare not say as St Paul said to Philemon in the behalfe of his prisoner si•••…•••…: if he hath hurt thee, or oweth thee ought, put it on my account: but I will rather put you in re∣membrance what our Saviour Christ saith unto Simon Peter, There was a certaine Lender which had two Creditors, the one ought him an hundred pence,

the other fiftie, when they had nothing to pay he forgave them both: which of them therefore tell me will love h••m most? Simon answ••red and said, I suppose him that he forgave most: and he said unto him, thou hast t••uly iudged: And so I say unto Sir William Litton the more you sh••ll forgive your impove∣rished prisoner, the more you shall increase his love unto you; and thereby you likewise you shall m••ke the splendor of your charitie and true nobi∣litie, more clearly appear unto others: consider what I say, and the Lord give you an understan∣ding heart to doe that wh••ch may be most for his glorie, and your everlasting comfort: and so I take my leave,

and pray for your happinesse on earth, and everlasting happinesse in Heaven:

JOHN SPENCER.

A Coppy of a Letter to Mr. John Harvy, My Lord St Iohns Steward.

GOod Mr. Harvy,

considering how dange∣rous the opposition of great men may bee both to Church and Common-wealth; and scandalous amongst those that professe the Gospel of peace, I have therefore made bold to use some

endevours to qualifie and allay the heat of some unkindnesse which lately grew betwixt my Lord St. Iohn and my Lord Wentworth, and to that end used many perswasions, & hard intreaties to them both, and found my Lord St. Iohn so nobly dispo∣sed in it that he told me, for the thing it selfe hee thought it not worth a matter of unkindnesse; but that which troubled him, was that he should bee so much mistaken in his judgement, esteeming my Lord Wentworth so loving and faithfull a friend unto him. To this effect I did much endevour to remove that conceit of mistaking, and reduce his Lordship to his former good opinion of my Lord Wentworth, and disired that hee should passe by that as an error of a young man, and so ground his opinion upon the former and future carriage of my Lord Wentworth towards him, then upon the fayling in one particular, which hope gave some satisfaction unto his Lordship, therefore I pray doe you second that with your best pe••swa∣sions, as occasion shall give you opportunitie; and let us not be discouraged to deale therein, because they are great men, for God hath ordained weake things of the world oft times to confound the mighty: And we may observe in the overthrow of Benhadads mighty army at the siege of Sama∣ria, whereof he made such proud boasts, the over∣throw was given by a small number of 232 of the servants of the Princes of the Provin∣ces, 1 King. 20. 10. 7. So likewise when Naaman that great Commander was so discontented with the message that the Prophet Elisha sent him to wash him seven times in the rivers of Iordan, the

good councell of his servants prevailed with him, and stood him more in stead then if he had had the whole army of the King of Aram, 2 King. 5. 11. and therefore let us use our weake meanes, and leave the successe unto the powerfull God of heaven and earth, who is able to make the lyon and the lambe, and the faulcon and the dove, to live peace able together, unto whose gracious pro∣tection I doe commend you, and so rest,

Your loving Friend, Iohn Spencer.

IN the raigne of King Iames of famous memory, passing through the Pallace yard, I saw two men very much urging one another to goe over into Saint Georges field to fight, one wa•• M. Phillips the Queenes so or man, the other was M Newman my Lord Chamberlaines footman the English man a Protestant; the Irish a Papist. I used many perswasions to pacifie the busines betwixt them, but M. Phillips said it was impossible to satisfie him till they had fought, but I would by no means suffer them to fight, but I would be M Phillips his second, and my Lord of Hollands footman should have been M. Newmans second, they should have fought with single swords, and I had a single sword also. When they saw that I would not leave them, the Irish man asked what religion I was of, I said I did beleeve to have salvation onely by the

infinite merits of the death and passion of my Saviour Iesus Christ, and so I hoped he did like∣wise: then I demanded what religion he was of, that could warrant him to fight in such a quarrell; he answered, happy man be his dole: In the end they were contented that I should have the hea∣ring of the businesse betwixt them: so we went to a Taverne in Kings street, where they fell out at Tables, and drew their swords, but the servants parted them, and upon the examination of the ser∣vants that did appeare, that the Irish man did the wrong to the English man, and called him boy? and that was the word of disgrace that M. Phillips would never be satisfied till he fought with him; therefore I did order, that M. Newman should ac∣knowledge that he had done M. Phillips wrong, and that he was sorry for it; and then M. Newman cryed mercy, and then they embraced one ano∣ther, and with such expressions of love, that they would live, & die together in defending one ano∣thers quarrels, to this effect, and as it pleased God I parted this dangerous quarrell without drawing my sword, the Irish man was a proper tallman, but M. Phillips was young, but a brave spirit.

ANd now that I am upon the point of peace∣making, give me leave to give some few dire∣ctions for the better effecting of this charitable worke.

1. Humbly pray unto the God of peace, and lover of concord, to give you wisedome and dire∣ction, and frame the hearts of the contending par∣ties

to unity and concord, then get them into bond to stand to the arbiterment.

2. Conferre with the parties alone by them∣selves, and then use all the strongest arguments you can to weaken the party you speake unto, by telling him what advantage his adversary hath of him, his great friends, his able parts, and resolute minde, and use the like arguments to the o∣ther.

3. Try if a wife, a childe, or friend, may not be a fit agent to perswade in these differences.

4. Consider what a happy and pleasing thing it is in the sight of God and good men to see neighbours to live together in love and unity.

But in my long trading in these charitable busi∣nesses, I will declare unto you two very rare and unusuall means which I have made use of:

A gentleman of great worth, and Knight of the Parliament house, and his Minister of great worth and of great parts also, having spent much money in suites of Law in the high Commission Court.

I humbly intreated my Lord Mandevill, that noble peace-maker to take into his consideration they, being his neare neighbours, who tooke great paines to order the businesse, and end the suites, and gat them into bands, but they were both so re∣solute, they brake their bands, and refused the or∣der, and procured Commiss••ions out of the high Commission Court to examine witnesses, I think almost a fortnight together, to their great charge, and to make such misdemeanors appeare to that Court, that some of their good friends thought would make them be fined a thousand pound at

the least. The Commission was sealed up, and sent to Huntington to be returned into the high Commission Court. I was sorry to see all our la∣bour lost, & hopes frustrate, yet it pleased God to put a conceit into my head, and therefore. I con∣sulted with two that were nearly allyed to the Knight of the Parliament house, and told them we must make an end, ei••her with the consent of the parties, or without their consent; for the first, that the suit was impossible; the second, how could it be, that I will tell you? so we fell to writing, first, that all suite in law should cease: secondly, that thus much the Knight of the Parli∣ament should give the P••eacher for rearages for his tythes, and then to prevent suites here after, the Knight of the Parliament should give thus much a yeare for composition for his tythes. When we had done, I told them I will engage my selfe to be bound in this summe, that the Minister shall stand to this, and you shall doe the like to me; That the Knight of the Parliament should doe the like, we entred into bands, and then sent for them, and when they saw that we stood enga∣ged for them, and it was not their Act they con∣sented to that end, and entred into five hundred pound bonds apeece to stand to that end, thus it pleased God to take off this tedious and dangerous businesse.

The other concerned my selfe: in my old age a gentleman had made a scandalous report of me, that I should send a Cart upon the Sabbath-day to remove certaine goods; which was very false, yet he made report of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••oble friend of mine

which answered very much for the, and would not beleeve it, used many meanes to vindicate my reputation; but he would not be satisfied, but gave credit to the report of some lewd malicious companions; so in the end I grew so foolish, that I sent him a challenge, & sent my man with it to meet me the next day by eight of the clocke in the morning, upon such a Common, betwixt two Woods, to meet single and with single swords. I came to the place at the time appointed, and beat the ayre, but he came not; I rode to his gates to call him, but he returned his answer in a kinde letter to me, did acknowledge that he had done me wrong, to give credit to the report of such ly∣ing and malicious knaves, and that he would satis∣fie my noble friend how much I was wronged, to this effect, and afterwards we continued very lo∣ving friends during his life: this I doe relate, but would have no man follow this example, except they will doe (and so I hope we should have done) As two knights in King Henry the eighths time, as I take it, that the one was Sir Iohn St. Iohn, and the other Sir Henry Cromwell, two valiant Knights, and brave souldiers, and contended for a peece of ground, and spent more money in Law then they were willing; and seeing it was unfit for soul∣diers to follow suites in Law, they resolved to de∣termine it with their swords, and appointed a day to meet upon that ground, and there met, but considering better of it, that their valour was well knowne and what a vaine thing it was for them to adventure their lives upon such a quarrell, where∣upon they grew to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 offers each to other of

the ground, and contented who should give or take it: a vaine example of two so noble and va∣liant Knights; but I would now advise all men to ••ake heed they be not put to that adventure, for men to meet in the field, the devill will put these conceits into their mind that it is not for your ho∣nour, to appoint the field and not to fight, and if they fight, then it will be their dishonour to give over with this disadvātage, thy enemy hath given thee more wounds then thou hast done him, and so will urge them to fight still untill either one or both are slaine: as was seene in the ever to be la∣mented example of Sir George Wharton, and Sir Iames Steward that stood upon tearmes of honour, and were both slain in the field.

A Copy of a Letter to my Cousin M. Bullie, a grave Preacher in new England.

MY very louing Cousin, seeing we can no longer enjoy your company in old Eng∣land, we would be glad to heare of your safe arrivall in new England, and I feare in this little time you finde by experience that all things are not answerable to your expectation, and like∣wise that your friends that did so earnestly desire your stay were not altogether mistaken, when they told you that you should find many inconvenien∣ces in that place. Well, howsoever God, the God of infinite wisedome, that hath in his eternall Councell appointed us our going out and our

comming in; that hath in his providence thus di∣rected and inclined your heart unto this course, I trust also he will sanctifie both your prosperity and adversity in the same, that all shall worke to∣gether for the best, to further you to that everla∣sting rest which he hath prepared for his children in the kingdome of heaven; and therefore now let us be partakers of the truth in both, and especi∣ally in the comfort of your freedome in the ordi∣nances of God, and in your publique exercises in the holy worshipping of him, for that is the main thing that I desire to be satisfied in: and whether you have yet setled any uniforme course to be ge∣nerally practised for the sanctifying of the Sab∣bath, and when you begin and end the same, as also for prayer and reading the holy Scriptures, prea∣ching of the Word, and singing of Psalmes, with the manner of the administrations of the holy Sacraments, and how far you doe still hold the or∣der of the Church of England, and wherein you differ from the same, or if you have not yet esta∣blished such a course, but leave every Minister to order his peculiar Congregation to his own Rule, whether you doe not finde great variety and diffe∣rences in mens opinions in that way, and what in∣convenience and danger may grow thereby, through sects and schismes, that of necessity is like to fall thereon. And thus good Cousin you see how bold I am to trouble you with so many quaeries in a forraign land, when it is more need to make enquiry into my owne sinfull and deceit∣full heart, to see what is done there in matter of reformation, repentance, and amendment of life.

And therefore now though we are far remoted in the body, yet let us be present in spirit and pray∣er, and although you are retvred to a place of more privacy, and where your eyes (I hope) doe not see such abominations to vexe your heart with as ours doe, yet pitty us and pray for us; and on the other side, be not, oh be not so secure, nor put your confidence in your select company, nor in those remoted woods and solitary mountaines; but remember what befell unto Lot, that was righteous Lot whilest he lived in Sodome; but when he would fly out of Zoar to a solitary cave in the mountaines, with his two daughters, he commit∣ted those abominable sinnes there, that his soule would have abhorred once to have thought on in Sodome, and therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall, our help is in the name of the Lord, that hath made heaven and earth, who is able to help us in all places, and at all times, and so beseeching the God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ the shepheard of his sheep, through the bloud of the everlasting covenant make us perfect in all good works, and to doe his will, working in us that which is pleasant in his sight through Je∣sus Christ, to whom be praise for ever and ever. Amen Even so I take my leave, and rest,

Your loving and sinfull Cousin, Iohn Spencer.

I pray remember my respective love to my gracious Cousin, your loving wife, who hath given such a testi∣mony of her love unto you, and the reverend opinion she hath of your honourable Calling, and com∣mend mee to the rest of my Cou∣sins, and to so many of our Christi∣an friends as you think fit,

England, Iuly 9. 1635.

A charitable Consideration, of new Englands plantation.

We read in holy Writ and Law Leviticall. That if a man dyeth, having no child at all; His neerest kinsman by the right of Aliance, Shall take both the Widdow and the Inheritance; To raise up seed to the dead, and by doing well, Continue still his Brothers name in Israel. Fair England of the Northern World the great renowne, Having late made Vnion with the Scottish Crowne: Thereby involving her title with great Brittaine, And so lyeth obscured in that golden chaine

We to continue the name of our Brother, In great America hath rais'd up another: The Almighty God grant that ever may remain An ornament to England, a terror to Spain.

FINIS.

JOHN SPENCER.

Mtr. Brightman a little before he died, translated the Canticles into verse, whereupon I wrote these verses.

TH' heavenly song of that bright man, Whereto he tun'd his latest breath: Much like asilver shining-Swan, Presag'd thereby his present death: A goodlier song was never seene, And few such singers left there been.

But you faire Signets which still remaines By pure streames of sacred Truth, Washing your wings from sinfull staines, With mournfull tears and dolefull ruth; Lest you should him too much deplore, For you this song he left in store.

Never therefore let the prophane, With sinfull lips and hearts impure; This sacred Song once dare to name, Lest they damnation doe procure:

Let them with Toads their croaking make, Till they doe their sins forsake.

But you deare Children of the light, Whose lips are tun'd to sing this praise, Oh labour still to shine more bright, And therein spend your happiest dayes; That when your dear Lord shall appeare, He may you finde a Spouse most cleer.

FINIS.

Iohn Spencer,

A charitable Supposition of Mtr. Brightmans sudden Dissolution.

No marvell though so bright a man, His glorious life in Heaven so soone began: For long his soule had languish'd in great griefe, To see Gods chosen Flocke to want their best reliefe: And cruell Wolves, dumbe dogs, and lordly Masters; Set in the roome of Christs faithfull Pastors. Therefore his deare Lord seeing his servant thus distrest, Took him away unto his everlasting rest.

FINIS.

Iohn Spencer.

Here lyeth inter'd Sarah Spencer the vertuous, Wife of Iohn Spencer, and Sarah his Virgin-Daughter: Both so goodly, faire and curteous, As few such Sarahs will be found hereafter: Blessed be the Lord God of Heaven and Earth That made them so renouned both in life and death.

A Coppie of a Letter sent to a great Lady.

MAdam, my great care of your everlasting happinesse, and my respective love to my reverend Cousin Mr. Lee, who now is dead in the Lord, and therefore must cease from his labour: and from those holy endevours where∣by he did labour to plant grace in your heart in your tender yeares, and whereof you then gave such excellent hopes that in the Autumne of your age, he should have seen a plentifull increase of that blessed fruit, and many goodly sheaves of pietie and happinesse, to his great comfort in the Harvest: but it pleased God, the great Lord of the Harvest to take him away as from other evils to come, so likewise from those griefs that would have wounded his heart to see those flourishing hopes so nipt and withered in your spring-time: it pleased God to make me partaker of his last prayer, and to close his eyes: Oh that it might be his blessed pleasure to make his Spirit to be redoubled on me, that I might be the better able to admonish and exhort you to reform that which is amisse in you, and disgracefull to your holy pro∣fession,

I meane in respect of your outward carri∣age and appearance, with so many fond fashions and garish attires, as to deale plainly with you, were more meet for one of painted Iezabels pro∣fession, than for a Lady of your worth: and more fit to furnish a pedlers pack, than to make open shew of them in the Church of God, and in the Assembly of the Saints: whereas things should be done with comelinesse and decencie; and therefore he commandeth that no woman should be covered because of the Angels, 1 Corinth. 11. 10. and that women should pray with their heads co∣vered. But if this be a comely covering to have a womans head covered with dogs haire, or goats haire, and cats dung, and painted fethers, judge you: for my owne part, the Word of God where∣with you shall be judged, condemnes it as odious and abominable: but it may be you will say it is the Gallants fashion, and what if the Venetian Curtizans have brought up that fashion? must the religious Ladies of England follow that fa∣shion? God forbid, the Children of God must not fashion themselues after the world, Rom. 11. 2. But they must fashion themselvs according to the rule of Gods Word, and then Madame marke what fashion you must be in, 1 Timoth. 2. 9, 10. Likewise also the women, that they array themselves with shamefastnesse and modestie, not with broidered haire, or gold, or pearls, or costly apparell, but as be∣commeth the feare of God with good works. I beseech you in the feare of God deck your selfe with these rich jewels, of faith and repentance, humilitie, patience, fasting and prayer, and good works,

that so you may be like the Kings Daughter glori∣ous within, and this will make you amiable in the sight of God, and glorious in the eies of his Saints, and remember you are the Daughter of a religi∣ous Ladie, and the Wife of an ancient Knight, and the Mother of two Sons: and therefore you must give them good example of wisdome and sobrietie, for godlinesse is great gaine, if we can be contented with that we have: and God hath bles∣sed you with a rich portion of outward beauty and comelinesse, and therefore do not deface that incomparable worke of God, with such base trash and trumperie, for you shall never enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, into the companie of glo∣rious Saints, with that trumperie on your back, and gaudes on your head: Consider what I say, and the Lord give you grace to repent of your sins before you go hence, and be no more seen, Amen, Amen.

From him that doth desire your endlesse happinesse. Iohn Spencer

Good Brother,

I Am desirous to heare if my Father Winne have paid the fifty pounds unto Sir Milss Fleetwood, and also to admonish you (as I take it) of your un∣seasonable payment of one hundred pounds upon

the Sabbath day morning before Harborough Faire, alas, was that a fit time to tell money, and to make your Accompts with men, when you should accompt with God? was that a fit time to rumble in your Chest for your money-bags, when you should have ransackt your heart for your sius? must not the Lord of Sabboths needs be highly offended, to see the service of men preferred be∣fore his divine Service? and more care had for the buying of Oxen, than for the keeping of his holy Sabbath, must not the Lord needs visit for such sins? nay, hath he not already visited, although in great mercy, for was not your dear and onely son, within a few dayes after closed up in a Chest? and there found by his mother speechlesse, and near his last breathing, had not the Lord in judge∣ment remembred mercy, and restored life when we deserved death; and if you did not already make use of it, I beseech you in the feare of God assure your selfe, that in that judgement the Lord would have you take notice of that parti∣cular sinne; for if you remember when I was with you at Arlsen (I told you before I heard of this, that you must thinke that there was some∣thing amisse that the Lord would have reformed, when he threatened such fearefull judgement to this effect: And therefore I beseech you bewaile that grievous sinne; and as Iob made a Covenant with his eyes, so doe you make a Covenant with your hands never to abuse them so againe, with telling money upon the Sabbath day. And re∣member it was Balaams ever to be lamented error, still to pursue the wages of iniquity, although the

Angell threatened him with a drawing sword; but let his fearefull end teach us with wisedome to re∣turne in time, and repent of our sinnes, and make our peace with our God, before we goe hence and be no more seene; and to say truth, these dayes and dangerous times requires a continuall prepa∣ration for our last departure, when so many wise and strong are taken away, and their honour laid in the dust; and we must looke also for our chan∣ging we know not how soone, and therefore good brother let us walke circumspectly, as the children of the light, and such as are risen with Christ, set∣ting our affections on things that are above, and not on things that are on the earth, for our life is hid with Christ in God: When Christ which is our life shall appeare, then shall we appeare with him in glory. In the meane time let us be diligent to exhort and admonish one another, and to ede∣fie one another in our holy faith, that so we may grow from grace to grace, and strength to strength till we become perfect men in Christ. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Your loving Brother, and the Lords unworthy Creature, John Spencer.

Staughton More, Novemb. 7. 1616.

A Copy of a Letter to the prisoners at Bedford, with a Booke of common Prayer, and M. Dods exposition upon the Commandements bound up together with bosses and claspes.

BRethren, my hearts desire and prayer to God for you poore prisoners, is that your soules might be saved: For I beare you re∣cord, that in these places you endure many times hunger, cold, and much misery together, with the fearefull expectation of the Judges comming, and the sentence of death, yet if God doth not worke in your hearts true repentance, and sanctifie these afflictions unto you, it will be but as a forerunner of the appearing before that dreadfull Iudge that will pronounce that fearefull sentence of dam∣nation against the wicked, of, Goe ye cursed into hell fire, and these yron chaines, a shadow of those everlasting chaines of darknesse, wherein the wic∣ked shall be for ever tormented; and therefore that I might be a meanes (through Gods mercy) to further you in that holy worke of true repen∣tance, I have procured these two bookes to be bound up together for your better use in this place of restraint, the one commended and com∣manded by the publique authority for the pub∣lique service of God, the other the worke of a reverend Preacher, an excellent exposition of the Commandements, both being undertaken in the feare of God, and diligently used, may be a bles∣sed

meanes to further you in the way of repen∣tance, and to set your feet into the way of peace. First therefore pray earnestly to God to give you understanding hearts, and then read, and then pray and read againe: and the Lord of heaven so blesse you in reading and praying, that you may truly repent you of all your sinnes, before you goe hence, and be no more seene. Amen.

Stoughton Moore. 1624.

From him that wisheth your everlasting hap∣pinesse.

LEt me intreat you in the feare of God, that one of you that is best affected and best in∣abled, to read Prayers and the Psalmes, for Mor∣ning and Evening Prayer, according to the order that is appointed in the booke of common Pray∣er, and then in stead of the Chapters which you should read in the Bible if you had it, read every morning and evening a portion of the Comman∣dements as is appointed for the day of the month that so the booke of the Psalmes and the exposi∣tion of the Commandements may be read over once every moneth, and upon every Sabbath day. I would have you (besides the ordinary portion appointed for that day of the month) read the ex∣position

of the fourth Commandement, halfe at morning prayer, and halfe at evening prayer; Let one read distinctly and reverently, and let the rest heare diligently and devoutly.

I doe humbly desire the honourable Court of Parliament to take that to their consideration, that every prison may be furnisht with such a booke, and every high Sheriffe of every countrey provide a Preacher to visit the prisoners once eve∣ry week, for it is pittifull to see how they are neg∣lected.

A Copy of a Letter to M. Hutchinson, to whose hands King Iames committed me, after I delivered unto him the petition for the Sabbath.

MY very loving and kind Keeper, although you have been long out of sight, yet you have been oftentime in minde, and often in my thoughts and prayers unto God for you, as I had good cause when I remember the great care and love that you and M. Hutchinson did shew unto me when I was prisoner in your house. Oh that it would please the Lord to make me as happy a pri∣soner unto you, as Saint Paul was unto his Keeper at Philippi, whereof you may read in the six∣teenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, who at Saint Pauls first comming into the prison, was in such a woefull estate of a persecuting Infidell, yet that night being terrified with the earthquake

and feare of the losse of his prisoners, would des∣perately have murthered himselfe, but Saint Paul having pitty and compassion upon him, cryed out with a loud voice, Doe thy selfe no harme, for we are all here: and then with feare and trembling he fell downe before them, and brought them out of pri∣son, and said, Sirs, what must I doe to be saved? and Saint Paul preached unto them, to beleeve in the Lord Iesus, and he and his houshold should be saved: and so through the Lords great mercy they were converted and baptized, and greatly reioyced that he and all his house beleeved in God. Now though I have not seen you so desperately minded to kill your selfe with your sword for feare of my escape, yet I must needs say, I have seen you ready to wound your soule with fearefull swearing, and excessive drinking, and how greatly this may en∣danger your soule and body also you may consi∣der of it: You remember well that the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine; and Saint Paul doth testifie, that drunkards shall not inherit the Kingdome of God, Galat. 5. 22. but of these sinnes I have admonished you of when I was with you, and through the Lords great mercy found some reformation thereof, in that I did see you refraine from such excessive drinking, and sometimes abstaine an oath, and reprove others for swearing. I know that is a hard matter sudden∣ly to cast off such growne sinnes, and those where∣unto you have been so long accustomed; but on the other side also, I know it is an easie thing unto our omnipotent God to set your feet into the way of peace. Oh therefore unto that mercifull God

to convert your soule, and to set your feet into the way of peace. Oh therefore pray unto that bles∣sed Lord, and importune him with earnest and zealous prayer day and night, untill he hath wrought in you that blessed worke, to give you grace not onely to see your sinnes, but give you also true repentance and godly sorrow for them, that you may now loath them more then ever you loved them, and utterly detest and abhorre them, though they be as deare unto you as your right eye, and as profitable unto you as your right hand, yet cast them off, and cast them from you; for it is better for us to enter into the kingdome of heaven so maimed and spoiled of our sinnes, then to enjoy them here for a short time, and then both soule and body to be cast into hell fire, where there is weeping and wailing in everla∣sting darknesse. And now that you may escape those everlasting torments, and attaine to the kingdome of heaven and the righteousnesse there∣of, you must settle your selfe to the constant per∣forming of those holy duties of prayer and hea∣ring the word of God; and you must take unto you that Christian resolution, that no feare of mans displeasure, nor the mockes and scoffes of wicked men should make you never to neglect the same; I meane, you must not be ashamed to goe to Sermons, nor to keep holy the Sabbath-day, nor to pray with your wife and servants, though all the drunken companions in Kent should rayle or ieere at you for the same; but remember that those that are ashamed of our Lord Iesus Christ, and of his holy service on earth, he will be asha∣med

to owne them in the day of judgement, and leave them to their devillish masters, and to those hellish torments which he hath prepared for such base slaves that doe preferre the service of the de∣vill before the service of God: And then will they cry unto the mountaines to cover them, and to hils to fall upon them, rather then they would heare the dreadfull sentence of, Goe ye cursed into hell fire, prepared for the devill and his angels; and the wofull execution that followes thereupon, to be closed up for ever in utter darkenesse, and there to be tormented with those damned spirits, where in stead of their carousing and filthy speaking, they shall have weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth for evermore, and never shall behold the face of any man, nor heare the voice of any crea∣ture to yeeld them comfort; but as they deligh∣ted themselves in swearing and staring, in cursing and raging, so they shall have their fill thereof among those raging and furious damned spirits, and yet shall not procure one drop of water to coole their tongues, although they be tormented in those hellish flames, as you may read in the ex∣ample of Dives, Saint Luke 16. 29. and then my lo∣ving Keeper, is it not much better with Moses, to chuse rather to suffer afflictions with the children of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season, and then to goe to everlasting torments. And what if you be mocked and pointed at for a Puritane, and be counted a mad man because you separate your selfe from the company of blasphe∣mous wretches and abhominable drunkards, and

doe now resolve to serve the living God with an honest heart; nay, what if you should be persecu∣ted and imprisoned for his name-sake? Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the Prophets and holy men of God in former times; and so likewise did the Iews persecute our Lord Iesus Christ, and said, he was mad, and had a devill: And if they dealt thus with him our Lord and Master, shall we looke for a greater priviledge? nay, let us with a holy resolu∣tion arme our selves to encounter with all their temptations; and with the blessed Apostle rejoice that we are accounted worthy in such an honoura∣ble cause, and to be made like unto our Saviour Christ in any sort; for he entred into his kingdome of glory through many tribulations. I am a little the more earnest upon this point, because even while I was with you, I feare there were some that did with scoffing and geering seeke to discourage you in those good courses whereunto you were so tractable: But I beseech the Lord of mercy streng∣then your faith, that you may not onely come se∣cretly unto Christ, as Nicodemus did, but boldly speake to his glory, as Nicodemus did afterwards: And then I trust you shall finde great comfort un∣to your owne soule, and cause the Angels in hea∣ven to rejoice; for as our Saviour Christ saith, Luke 15. I say unto you likewise, ioy shall be in heaven for one sinner that converteth, more then for ninety and nine iust men which need no amendment of life: and so humbly praying to that blessed Lord, that you and yours, and I and

mine, may be found in the number of those true repentant sinnners: I rest,

Your loving friend, Iohn Spencer.

Braughton Moore, October 2. 1618.

I pray remember my respective love and thankfulnesse unto your wife, and desire her, that whatsoever I have written unto you, she will account that as writ to her selfe, for you two must be but as one. Com∣mend me to M. Iohn Davies, and to M. Knevett, and to M. Preston, and M. Parsons the great Porter.

M. Commissary

I heare that you are great∣ly offended, because many well disposed people came to Cople-Church upon Friday the nine and twentieth of August to pray and to heare the word of God preached; for which hainous fact as you would make it, you and your Officials have so terrified both Preachers and people, as though it were in your power to bring them under the Spanish Inquisition. For my own part therefore to save you some labour in your inquirie after me, I doe acknowledge my selfe to be one of them that was there, and one also that

did much desire to further that meeting; and that it was my meaning (and I hope the meaning of many others) to humble our soules that day in fa∣sting and prayer, and to pray to the God of hea∣ven for our gracious King, for we heard the weeke before that he was sicke; and likewise that the Lord would blesse his great designes then in hand, and protect his army and navy that was then to set forth to sea: And now Master Commissary, if your heart be so malitious that you cannot en∣dure to have us performe this service to God, and duty to our King, but you and your Officials will persecute and restraine us. Assure your selfe, if there be any Law in the land will hang you up for it, at Bedford gallowes, I will as eagerly pursue you to that place of execution, as if you had cut the throat of my father, and hewed my eldest sou in pieces: And if you and your Officials will main∣taine your Decrees to be the Lawes of the Medes and Persians, that may not be broken, though the King and his subjects suffer never so much preju∣dice by the same; and therefore if upon these ex∣traordinary occasions we make our prayers and supplications unto our God in this manner: We shall be cast into the Commissaries denne. I trust that mighty God that did deliver his servant Da∣niell from the rage of such cruell beasts, will like∣wise deliver us from the fury of your roring Can∣non; and being thus overcharged, make it recoyle-upon your selves, and teare you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you, read Psal. 50. ver. 20. Are you so squint-eyed that you can see to trouble an honest man in Bedford for going to

heare a Sermon upon the Sabbath-day in the af∣ternoone in the same Towne, and when there was none at his own Church, and for more expedition, and for double Fees to cite him, and suspend him altogether; but you cannot or will not see to pu∣nish some notorious drunkards and swearers, and Tobackonists, and Tossepots, and whoremongers, and blasphemers, &c. Pocklington or Pockie-tongue, who in a publicke Sermon used this blasphemous speech, enveighing against those that stood for preaching, that he sung a Hopkins jig, and so whipt up into the Pulpit: But I trust when our gracious King is humbly petitioned unto, and his Highnes, and his Parliament truly informed how his poore subiects are dealt with, I hope his Highnesse will see it redressed, and will not suffer us to be thus vexed and terrified for performing the duty of faithfull subiects in this holy course of fasting and prayer, which his Highnesse hath to his everlasting fame so often publiquely commanded, and in his Royall person so reverently performed; and there∣fore having such a royall president, we will follow it, and doe you and your Officials the worst you can, and know this is the resolution of

Iohn Spencer.

THis letter I sent to Master Commissary by an understanding man, and wished him if the Commissary gave him a shilling for his paines he should not refuse it, and appointed him to run to Bedford, that I might know the Commissa∣ries answer. The Commissary was a very stout and cholericke man, and when he had read the letter he stampt and fumed as if he had been wilde, and returned me this answer: That he would iustifie that he did, and if I had any thing to say to him, I must meet him to morrow at his Court at Amp∣thill, and so I did; and when he was going to his Court in his pompe, I met him in the street, and asked him if he was the Commissary, and he said, yes: then I told him, I doe charge you with suspi∣tion of treason against the Kings Royall person, and so then commanded the Constables to doe their office, and then there was a great hurrye to fro, as if we had been driving an Oxe to the butch∣ers stall. He made great offers to put in bayle, and that he might goe to the Church to take order for the dismissing the Court; but I would give no consent, but told him, I knew not whether hee might sit there, being thus attached upon treason; yet he prevailed with the Constables, and they went with him to the Church, and I rode to the Church gate, and sent in the Constable to bring him away, he intreated to have a little longer time to dissolve the Court, and there was such a Jubile and going away without paying Fees, as I thinke was never seen in all his time before. I hastened him away to goe to Sir Edmund Conquests to take

order for the sending of him up to the Councell; and told him that I had charged him with suspi∣tion of treason against the Kings Royall person; and desired his care to send him up safely by the Sheriffe, or else to send him to Bedford Goale that he might be forth-comming. So Sir Edmund said, he must do one of them, and would have knowne of me what were the words which hee should say; but I answered him, that was not so fit for me to tell, th••t I must make that knowne to the Councell, and so made hast towards London; and then I saw Master Commissary and the Con∣stable, and three or foure more with him a foot, as though they had been going to hunt the Foxe: they called unto me, and would have me stayed to see if they could have taken up the businesse be∣twixt Master Commissary and I, but I would not come at them, but hastened to my Lord Presi∣dent, and related unto him the businesse betwixt Master Commissary and I: So his Lordship said, that was somewhat irregular, yet he should not di∣sturbe me in my devotion. Master Commissary came up, and some friends laboured to take up the matter betwixt us. Sir Beaucham St. Iohn, and other gentlemen we met in Westminster hall; and after some conference about the businesse, M. Com∣missary did solemnly protest that he did not pro∣secute us because we kept afast, and prayed for the King; but heard that it was so well performed, that if it had been with authority, he would have been at it himselfe, and then I did acknowledge that I was sorry that I did not apprehend it so: To this effect then we did consult what might be done

for the repayring of Master Commissaries repu∣tation: so we resolved that Master Commissary should put in a bill against me, and I should not plead against it, and so a writ of enquiry should go out to enquire what damage this was to Master Commissary; and he promised me, if they gave him two hundred pound, he would not take a pen∣ny of it: so he put in two bils of complaint what great damage he was put unto; and whereas be∣fore he was well esteemed of noblemen and gen∣tlemen now they eschew his company, whereun∣to I made this short answer:

When M. Cōmissary shal clear himself of the sus∣pition of treason against the Kings Royall person, and cleare his bill of untruths: I hoped I should be at more leasure to make a longer answer, in the meane time desired to be dismissed of the honou∣rable court; so they gave him a hundred pound da∣mage, which I tendred unto him, and he told it, and put it up againe every penny; I gave him a piece of plate with two hearts joyned together, and this inscription, Amantium ira amoris, redinti∣gratio est: and so we continued very loving friends to his death; and he told a gentlewoman of great worth, his loving neighbour, that never any affli∣ction did him so much good to commiserate this trouble and vexation that he had done to others, and so grew one of the best Commissaries, and died lamented.

A Copy of a Letter to Sir Oliver Luke Knight, when he was high Sheriffe.

SIr,

the blessed Apostle having used that ve∣hement intreaty unto the Romanes, to dedi∣cate themselves to the service of God, chap∣ter the 12. In the next verse he doth second that intreaty, with this excellent exhortation: And fa∣shion not your selves like unto this world, but be ye changed by the renewing of your minds, that you may prove what that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God is.

Whereupon I beseech you give me leave to make this profitable application to you in particu∣lar, whom it hath pleased God to call now unto an office of great dignity in the common wealth. And humbly I beseech him likewise to give you a wise heart to mannage it to his glory, and the good of his Church, and the comfort of your owne soule: and that you may so doe, take heed you doe not fashion your self like unto this world, not like to a worldly Sheriffe, especially in these two thinges, neither in your Officers nor in your Attendancy, for it is oft the custome of carnall minded Sheriffes to receave there under officers by tradition whatsoever their condition be; but I pray be not you in that fashion, but follow that grave and holy direction that Iethro gave to Moses, Exod. the 18. the 21. Moreover, provide thou amongst all thy people men of courage, fearing God, men dealing truely, hating covetousnesse, and therefore I pray make

a diligent inquisition amongst your officers, and if you finde one lewd Bayliffe in all your pack let him be discarded, and an honest man put in his place; againe, it is the fashion of many vain glori∣ous Sheriffs to exceed so in the number of their at∣tendants, and in their excessive entertainments, that they are forc't either to end their house keep∣ing with their office, or else to lay such heavy bur∣thens and wracking rents upon their tennant, as gives them just cause to lament the prodigallity of their landlords Sherivalty seaven yeares after; but I beseech you take heed you be not in any sort drawne to like of this fashion, neither by the insti∣gation of others, nor by the volentary offers of your honourable friends which at this time it may be will be too forward to adde fewell to the flame of your one ambition; but I pray consider your own revenue is very cōpetent both for your own ranck, and for the support of that office which is imposed upon you, and thanks be unto God for it, Master Oliver Luke is well known and well esteemed of in the country without the liveries of great mens fa∣voures, and therefore I pray stand firme upon your owne bottome, and let your own vertues make you still to be honoured, and not your excesse lament∣ed, and in my poor conceit it is more for your re∣putation to shew your selfe in the habite of true judgement and moderation, and attended with your own servants, then to encrease your number with borrowed companies and decke your troopes with the gay feathers of other birds. Again consi∣der you are to entertaine Judges of the land, men of wisdome and gravity, and such as should punish

excesse and prodigallity as well as theft and usury; besides these times are so peaceable that they need not such troopes of horse or Squandrons of foote to guard their persons nor such pompe nor bravery to divert their minde from the better consideration of these great and serious imployments that they are to goe about.

Lastly in the feare of God lay this consideration well to your heart, how unseasonable & unseemly a thing it is to make that a time of feasting, and out∣ward jollity, which should be a time rather of fast∣ing and mourning, wherein both Magistrate, and people should bewaile their own sins and the sins of the land, which at such times are so apparant, and for the which many of their Christian bre∣thren do suffer such heavy Iudgements; and there∣fore if we were in the right fashion, we should weep with those that weep, and remember those that are in bonds as though we were bound with them, and those that are in affliction as if you were also afflict∣ed, with them, Heb. 13. 3. Thus did that noble Magistrate Ezra fast and mourne for the sins of the people and thus did David Samuel the 1. the 3. the 35. and therefore what great cause is there for our Magistrates to fast and mourn when they hear of so many thefts and murthers and abhominable sins committed in our streets, and for the which the Lord might iustly bring his fearfull Iudgements upon the whole land. And thus good Sir Oliver through the Lords mercy, you may see that they are very proposterous in their house, & shew great want of true iudgement and Christianlike affecti∣on that thinke these fit times for feastings, pompe

and outward bravery. And therefore I beseech you take heed unto your own heart, and let neither the vaine examples nor the violent perswasions of vain glorious men, drawe you into their vaine errours, but evermore remember that most holy saying, and righteous censure of our Saviour Christ, Saint Luke 16. 15. That which is highly esteemed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God, and therefore hold fast that word of truth and follow the holy directions thereof which is able to make you wise unto salvation, and both in these and all other your affaires first prove what that good ac∣ceptable and perfect will of God is, and doe that with all diligence, and then assure your selfe if you should fail of this fading honour that they so eager∣ly hunt after, yet you shall have everlasting honour in the sight of God, and of his glorious angells in the Kingdome of heaven. Amen Lord Iesus. Amen.

Staughton More, Anno. 1617.

From him that would be glad if either his penne or his per∣son might doe you that good service he desires.

Iohn Spencer.

A Copy of a letter to his brother Nicholas Spencer, to disswade him from his inordinate delight he took in Cock-fighting, which soon after he happily and abso∣lutely gave over.

IT is said of the churlish Inne-keeper of Bethlehem Luke 2. 7. who entertained so many guests in the Inne, that the virgin Mary and our blessed Savi∣our, were thrust out into the stable, because there was no roome for them in the Inne: but let us in in the fear of God take heed of such Jewish tricks, lest in the end we force our Saviour Christ to leave us in the fight of our sins, and ingratitute, and then it will cost us many a grievous sigh, many mourn∣full teares before we finde him againe, read Cant. 5. 6. Nay, so wofull shall our estate be that it shall be never out of our minde: and now out of my brotherly love unto you I must admonish you of that bewitching and vain pleasure of Cockfight∣ing, wherein you are so strangely transported that both my selfe and many of your faithfull friends wi^th grief of heart discern a great alteration in your affections to those courses of religion wherein heretofore you have shewed your selfe more for∣ward and zealous. I beseech ye in the fear of God consider to be a stunling in religion is a fearfull thing, but to go ten degrees backward with Ezeki∣ahs diall is most intollerable; alas shall we begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh, shall we be snch greedy Elues in our pleasure, sell those heavenly ioyes and blessed hope of our heavenly inheri∣tance

for a messe of vaine delights: Oh consider how farre we are from the holy zeale of those blessed Saints in Queen Maries dayes, that for∣sook both their goods, wives, and children for the glory of God and the safety of their soules: What vaine wretches shall we approve our selves to be, if we will not forsake our vaine pleasures? It is not your faire house, nor your children, nor loving wife I perswade you to forsake, it is the vaine and unprofitable sport of Cock-fighting, which brings ruine to your state, and the endangering of your everlasting happinesse: and therefore if either a desire to preserve your estate, or to preserve your everlasting inheritance might prevaile, my suit were soone granted. But it may be you will say, if I can prove this you will give over Cock-fight∣ing; Well, upon that condition I will take some paines to make it manifest: First, to the matter of the ruine of your state, I referre you to the exami∣nation of your particular exspences of those occa∣sions, and I pray let Sir William Dyers ruinate estate be a meanes to make you take heed by other mens harms; for the matter of discontentment I appeal to no other judge then your loving wife, which can tell you what discomforts she often times findes in your long absence, & the dangers that doth fright her when she considers that you are in the com∣pany of such swaggering companions, for the latter which is the maine point I purpose to insist upon being a matter of such high concernment, first because you make that a cause of your jollity and merriment, which should be a cause of your griefe and godly sorrow, for you take delight in the

enmitie and cruelty of the creatures, which was laid upon them for the sinne of man, for the earth was accursed with thorns and briers for our sins, and therefore the blood-shedding of the creatures should rather teach us to shed teares for our sins: thus did Saint Peter when he heard the Cock crow he went out and wept bitterly: I would to God you Cock-masters would make that use of these Cocks. Secondly it is dangerous unto your soul in regard of the time that you mispend, for if ye must give an account of every idle word that we speak Matth. 12. 36. How much more of idle houres and dayes, and if you did keep as strickt an account as you do of your houshold expences you should at the weekes end see what a heavy reckoning you should make when you shall see before your eyes thus many houres of such a day and so many daies of such a week, I have spent in my vain delights, and thus few houres in the service of my God; well, howsoever we are loath to come to this account now, yet we shall be one day, brought to it whether we will or no. Thirdly it is dangerous to your soul in regard of the company with whom you do converse who for the most part are either swearers drunkards, or licencious people, now if it be most true that the prophet saith Psal. 18. 25. With the holy, thou shalt be holy, and with a perfect man thou shalt be perfect. Then on the contrary it must needs be, that with the wicked we shall learn wickednesse, and with the prophane we shall learn prophanes, for it is a hard matter to handle pitch and not to be de∣field with it, or to lie among thornes and not be pricked with them, as the Prophet saith

2. Sam. 23. 6, 7. But the wicked shall be every one as thornes thrust away because they cannot be taken with hands, but the man that shall touch them must be defen∣ced with iron, or with the shaft of a speare, and they shall be burnt with fire in the same place. Therefor dear bro∣ther, if you did rightly consider of the hatefull and infectious qualitie of the wicked, it will make you stand upon thorns while you are in their company and to bewaile the hardnesse of your heart which hath not felt them such pricking thornes all this while.

Lastly it is dangerous to your soule in making your soul guilty of many other mens sinnes, by drawing away many a poore man from his honest labour whereby he should maintaine his wife and children, to spend his time and money in such an idle manner, but also you are guilty of many great mens sins whilest you see and hear the glorious Name of God dishonoured, and dare not, or will not reprove for the same, consider what the Psalmist saith. 50. 16. But unto the wicked said God, what hast thou to do to declare mine ordinances, that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest to be reformed, and hast cast my words behinde thee? For when thou seest a thiefe, thou runnest with him, and thou art partakers with the adulterers. vers. 22. O consider ye that forget God, least I teare you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you. Now therefore I beseech you observe that those that run with the wicked and are partakers with the ungodly in their wicked de∣lights are those whom the Lord shall tear in pieces: thus you see that not onely the wicked themselves, but also their associates and partakers shall be torne

in pieces in the day of Gods fearfull wrath: O con∣sider this, sweet meat must have sower sawce, and then I trust through the Lords great mercy you will utterly refuse it upon those tearmes: for what were it to gaine the whole world and to loose our soules.

But to conclude if neither perswasions nor ex∣hortations may prevaile with you to break the neck of your Cock-fighting pleasures, consider wel with your self that the Lord hath put you as it were into the Cock-pit of the round world to fight his battel against the flesh, the world and the divel, the strong∣est striking, the sorest hitting, and the cunningest fighting Cock in the world, who is onely to be wounded with the spurres of faith and piety, and that all those that wil overcome in this battell must be thorowly fed with the word of God, and dayly breath with prayer and, meditation, whereby they strengthen their faith, and sharpen the spurres of their holy zeale: and those that neglect this meanes let them brag never so much upon their own dunghill, yet when it comes to a sound tryall they will prove themselves to be brand fallen Cra∣vens, and likewise consider that every houre idely spent, and every vaine word that proceeds out of your mouth is as it were vain to your soule: and all unlawfull pleasures like hovells upon the spurres of your devotion: and then with wisdom consider what an unlikely, or rather impossible a thing it is for a poor famisht Cock pitifully vained and thus hung and hovelled to overcome a Cock of that wonderfull strength and devilish spirit that you are matched withall. Again suppose that those that sit

in the lower ring of the Cock-pit are the Divells and wicked Spirits, and those that sit in the upper ring of the Cock-pit are the glorious Angels and blessed Saints, both behoulding this doubtfull bat∣tell, though with contrary affections, the angels re∣ioycing when they see you fight this spirituall bat∣tell like a good souldier of Jesus Christ, the wick∣ed Spirits wohping and hallowing when they see you strike faint, fight like a Craven, and fall beastly, and hear dear brother that we make our selves a laughing stock to this wicked spirits: let us pray unto our Lord Jesus Christ to strengthen our faith and to assist us with his grace that we may resist the devill and make him flie from us and in the end tread Sathan underfoot and give us a crown of immortall glorie. Amen Lord Jesus.

From your truly loving bro∣ther though he deals thus plainly with you. Iohn Spencer.

GOod Sir Robert Carr,

I have receaved your letter and do acknowledge my thankfull∣nes unto you, that you are pleased to have so good opinion of me and my endeavoures, to commit your brother unto my care and ordering and that all things accomodate unto my desire at Steeford, but I must entreat you that I may be spared for my coming to undertake care of him, so farre remoted from my family, I have my hands full of such dangerous employments; again I hear there are suits in law betwixt you & his mother my Ladie Carr who should I think have the custodie of him, and therefore matters standing upon those litigious termes I should be loath to meddle with him, but if you would bring him into this country I should be glad to do you the best service I can, and the rather because his mother is very willing to commit him to my care: but if my directions may do you or him any pleasure, I have sent them unto you, and desire you to employ Master Dixie that hath lived with me and is acquainted with his courses: and so I beseech the Lord to blesse these or any other good meanes to yeild him comfort. I take my leave and rest,

Desirous to do you service. JOHN SPENCER.

The direction for Master Rochester Carr.

OVr help is in the Name of the Lord that made heaven and earth.

First therefore let that blessed Lord be humbly fought unto by fasting and prayer.

Secondly let the distressed gentleman be re∣moved from his own house unto some other con∣venient place well situate for aire, and spacious fields: to walk in and to do other exercises.

Thirdly, settle with him a religious discreet Di∣vine that may constantly pray with him and read unto him evening and morning, and upon all good occasions to keep him company.

Fourthly, place about him six honest servants men of good discretion and resolution that may be ready upon all occasions to aid and assist in the well ordering of him according to the dirrections of him that shall undertake the government of him, to watch with him, to ride with him, and to exercise with him in shooting or bowling or any other exercise that shall be thought fit for him.

Fiftly, let them be very carefull and take heed that there be no knives, nor swords, nor any woun∣ding instruments left in the roomes wherein he comes, nor worn by others, that he may suddenly snatch at them for their temptations are many times very violent and their resolution sudden and disperate.

Sixtly let his apparell be decent and comely of cloth or plaine stuffe without lace or any such cu∣rious

trimming, and let his attendants give him no titles of honour but in civillity call him Master Rotchester or Master Carr, and when he doth any thing wel, then to shew the more respect unto him: but other wise to slight him, as those that are set over him to command him, and not to be com∣manded by him.

Seventhly, let his diet be sparing and moderate, rather to support nature then to pomper the flesh: veale, lambe, pheasant, larkes: smelts, troutes, pike, pearch, also let him fast often and pray much, let him refraine from all kinde of wines and strong drink, if you can by any meanes, let him sleep six or seven houres in the foure and twenty and not above.

Eightly, let him be held constantly to prayer, and reading an houre in the morning and an hour in the evening, and if the weather be fitting and his strength answerable let him walke a mile out right in the morning and evening and if you finde him inclining to a sottish humer put an armour upon him and beat a drum before him and let one attyre himselfe like a Captaine and put on his gorget and a plume of feathers in his hat & a trunchion in his hand and make to march and exercise his armes, or else set him upon a bounding horse and trot the ring and run a career: and in these martiall exerci∣ses let the Captaine command him as his souldier, and if he finds him peevish and froward give him a good knock upon his helmet, and if he finde him willing and tractable then to commend and praise him.

Ninthly, for matter of Physick, you must ad∣vise

with some learned Physician that doth well understand the nature of the disease, and the con∣stitution of his body; for otherwise he may be prodigall of blood-letting, and the want of blood may increase his melancholy: he must likewise take heed of strong vomits, that strain the head, and distemper the brain; in my opinion bathing, and sweating, and bleeding with horseleeches the safer way.

Lastly, because these maladies and distempers are accompanied with a great deale of peevish crossenesse, and wilfull obstinacie, and a great part of the cure stands in the right crossing of them from those froward and furious humours, which will require great patience, and good ob∣servation; for the generall, use all faire meanes you can devise to gain them to the good, and di∣vert them from the ill: but if that will not prevail, you must have patience and passe it over as though you took no notice of it; but if it comes once to this, that they do perceive that you go about to crosse them, and that you are in opposition and contesting with them, then you must follow it with all importunity, and resolvtion to subdue them, and compell them to do it; but be sure you take them with such advantages that you prevail, otherwise the attempting of it will prove dange∣rous to your selfe, and make them more outragi∣ous and insolent.

Postscript.

Master Dixie I pray be carefull to see these directions

well performed, and then I hope you will well deserve to have twenty pound a yeer for your paines, otherwise I would be loath to perswade you to undertake such a dan∣gerous imployment.

A Copie of a Letter to a vertuous Gentlewoman greatly afflicted in minde, which it pleased God to give unto her great comfort.

BLessed be God even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, which comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we might be able to comfort them that are in any affliction by the com∣fort where with wee our selves are are comforted of God: and humbly I beseech that gratious Lord that he will vouchsafe for his deare sonne Iesus Christ his sake to open your eyes that you may behold those unspeakeable mercies and com∣forts that he will in his appointed time give unto all those that do fear his holy name and call upon him faithfully. Cosen I have lately receaved, your letter wherein you doe acknowledge that when I was with you it pleased God you found some comfort, praised be his holy name for it, but since you have been very ill and so remaine, some causes you shew for the same, because you cannot be assured of the favour of God towards you, the reasons that you alledge, because you finde so small comfort in prayer and in hearing of the word. Secondly be∣cause

of your fearful temptations both past and still continuing: these as I take it are your chief reasons, & being rightly understood they wil prove so many sound arguments, to prove that you never had so good cause to rest assured of Gods favour towards you, nor ever had so many testimonies of his ever∣lasting mercyes towards you as you have now, that afflictions, chastisements and temptations are the signes of Gods favour, and the markes of his chil∣dren, I pray consider what the holy Apostle saith Hebrews the 12. the 5. the 6. my son despise not the chastening of the Lord neither faint when thou art rebuked of him, for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and he scourgeth every son that he re∣ceiveth: and mark how he concludes in the eight verse, if therefore ye be without correction, where∣of all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sonnes, is it not strange that you should vex and torment your self, because the divell cannot prove you a bastard, but it may be you may say it is not thus in your iudgement, but then know that it is not fit for you to be a Judge in you own cause, but submit your selfe unto the Judgement of Gods word, which is the word of truth. And beleeve his holy Apostles that knew how to iudge in those cases better then you, and they will testifie that we have cause rather to reioyce then any wise to be discouraged with afflictions and temptations: Saint Peter 1. 2 My brethren count it exceeding ioy when ye fall into temptations, and the blessed Apostle Saint Paul when he was tempted and grie∣vously buffeted by Sathan, for the which thing he besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from

him, but what was he presently released? no but re∣ceaved this answere from the Lord, and he said un∣to me my grace is sufficient for thee, for my power is made perfect through weaknesse, and what was the blessed man dismayed with this answer or con∣cluded as you would do that he was out of the fa∣vour of God because his prayer was not granted? no such matter but rather doth conclude greater comfort and assurance, very gladly therefore saith he, will I rejoyce in my infirmities that the power of Christ may dwell in me therefore I take plea∣sure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguish for Christ sake, for when I am weake then am I strong, thus you may see how the Apostle out of Daniel gathereth matter of com∣fort, and out of his own weaknes encreaseth great strength of faith, and thus must you do in these fearfull temptations not so much as cast your eyes upon your own weaknesse, nor upon the strength and power of your malitious enemy, but you must looke up with the eye of faith unto our blessed Sa∣viour Iesus Christ who is in the highest heavens, and whose grace is sufficient for us, and he it is who hath triumphed over sin, death and damnation, and hath tramped underfoot all the enemyes of our salvation: and therfore with the holy Prophet say, The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom then shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid?

Now concerning your discomfort in hearing the word, because you take so small comfort in the promises, and are so much terrified with the judge∣ments, This I take it proceeds partly from the er∣rour

of your judgment in misse-aplying the same, and partly from the malice of Sathan who ever∣more labours to drive us into extremities either with Eve not to fear the iudgements of God at all, or else with Cain to thinke our punishment greater then we can beare, but even from your weaknesse, and from Sathans malice doth the Lord draw out that which may tend to his glory, and to your great comfort, and hereby I trust he hath broken up the fallow grounds of your heart and brought you to godly sorrow for your sins so that I do assure my selfe, within this short time of your afflictions; more repentant teares have been put up into the Lords bottle then in many yeers before, & account not this as a small blessing nor passe it over with a slight thankfulnesse, but take speciall notice of it, assure your selfe, this faire will not last all the yeer, and the time will come when you will desire to see these teares of contrition and shall not see them, no though you seek them with fasting and prayer, and that you may the better conceave how blessed their estate is that have a contrite heart and sorrowfull spirit, I pray consider of that wonderfull comfort∣able promise of the Lord, Isaiah. 57. 15. For thus saith he that is high and excellent, that inhabiteth eter∣nity, whose name is the holy one, I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to give life unto them that are of a contrite heart, who would think themselves most happy that had a heart fit to enter∣taine that glorious guest, thus likewise doth the ho∣ly prophet testifie Psal. 34. 13. The Lord is near un∣to them that are of a contrite heart and will save

such as are afflicted in spirit and our blessed Saviour in whose mouth was no guile, he saith blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted, and in the 16 of S. Iohn verse the 20 Verily, verily I say unto you ye shall weepe and lament, and the world shall reioyce, and ye shall sorrow, but your sorrow shall be turn∣ed into ioy, a woman when she travelleth hath sorrow be∣cause her hower is come, but assoone as she is delivered of the childe she remembreth no more the anguish for ioy a man is borne into the world, and you now therefore are in sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart shall re∣ioyce and your ioy, shall no man take from you. Thus you may see this godly sorrow, is but as the throes of our spirituall birth in Christ, which although it may be somewhat grievous for a time yet when we see our selves thereby borne againe of water, and the spirit, and so made able to enter into the King∣dome of heaven, oh how ioyfull and comfortable should this make us to be, many would with Zebe∣dees sons sit one at the right hand, the other at the left hand of our Saviour Christ in his kingdome, but they are loth to tast of this cup, but let us know assuredly that as he is entred into his Kingdome of glory, through many tribulations, so must we fol∣low him thorow many tribulations if ever we will come there; you are now in the way be not weary of well doing, nor turn not backe till you come to that holy resting place, and that you may finish your course with ioy and comfort, be diligent in prayer, and observe a constant course therein even∣ing and morning and at noone dayes, and as often as you finde your affliction to presse and oppresse your soule, then make your mone unto your merci∣full

God and powre out your soules before him, and especially bewaile wicked thoughts and vaine lusts where withall you heretofore so mnch de∣lighted your selfe, and labour to mourn in secret for them, and likewise all other secret sins, and that your prayers may be more fervent, adde thereunto the holy use of moderate fasting, and this I trust through the Lords mercy, you shall finde an excel∣lent meanes to recover your selfe unto your spiri∣tuall chearfulnesse again, and be not discouraged from these holy exercises though Sathan strive ne∣versomuch to vex and terrifie you: nay though you feare the Lord is angry with you, nay though you knew that assuredly, yet pray with the Psasmist. Psal. 80. 5. O Lord God of hosts how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people.

Secondly having in this holy manner recomend∣ed your soule and body unto God in prayer waite upon him with a quiet minde, assuring your selfe that now the Lord is to take care of you and there∣fore cast your care upon him, and so with a setled resolution dispose of your selfe unto some profi∣table imployments fitting for your calling, and this course the Prophet David tooke Psal. the 5. 3. Heare my voyce in the morning, O Lord, for in the mor∣ning wil I direct me unto thee, and I will wait: and what good successe those have that do thus attend, we may read in the Psalm. 147. 11. But the Lord delight∣eth in them that fear him and attend upon his mercy.

Thirdly labour for meeknesse of heart and an humble spirit, for where this grace is in some rea∣sonable manner attayned there the heart of afflicti∣on doth breake away apace, and the danger there∣of

of is little to be feared, for our blessed Saviour hath pronounced a double blessednesse unto such Matthew the 5. Blessed are the poore in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven, blessed are the meeke for they shall inherit the earth. And the want thereof hath dri∣ven many in their desperate fury, to loose their in∣heritance both in heaven and earth.

Fourthly take heed of moderate greife, and vio∣lent passions, which at this time is very unseason∣able, though easily fallen into; and therefore watch over your own heart diligently and doe not enter∣taine so much as a sorrowfull sigh into your heart except it be for your sin, nor an impatient word into your lippes except it be when you see God dishonoured, and then speake zealously and spare not: and furthermore you must be contented to be admonished of these infirmities by your Christian friends with whom you do converse, for it may be they may discerne these things amisse in you when you doe not discerne it in your selfe being over∣whelmed with the pleasing humour of Sottish melancholy.

Lastly, that you may well remember it, you must by all meanes possible strive to serve the Lord with a cheerfull heart and a willing minde, for the Lord loveth a chearfull giver, and especially in matters of his holy worship: therefore when you come to hear his holy word, to fast, to pray, to re∣ligious conference or any other holy duty, strive to doe it chearefully, and to reioyce even in your very teares, for I can tell you that is a good cause to make both you and others reioyce it; may be you thinke it strange, but read what Saint Paul saith to

his intirely beloved Timothcus and then I hope you will say I am in the right, desiring to see thee mind∣full of thy teares that I might be filled with ioy. 2. of Timothy the 1. 6. And for neglect of this du∣ty the Lord doth threaten many heavy Judge∣ments against the children of Israel, Deut. 28. 47. Because thou servest not thy Lord thy God with ioyfulnesse and a good heart for the abundance of all things there∣fore thou shalt serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send uppon thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakednes, and in need of all things. And thus according to my simple understanding I have satisfied your request in setting down some directions humbly beseech∣ing that mighty and glorious God who giveth wisdome to the simple, and worketh great effects by weak meanes to give such a blessing unto my poor endeavours that his great power may be seen in my weaknesse, that you may finde such comfort to your soule, and such peace to your conscience, that hereafter you may tell unto others the great mercies that the Lord hath shewed unto you in the dayes of your afliction; and therefore say with the Prophet, loe this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us, this is the Lord we have waited for him we will rejoyce and be joyfull in his salvation. Amen Lord Jesus. Amen.

From him that would willingly exchange some of his comforts for some of your sorrows, and some of his best delights for some your repentant teares. Iohn Spencer.

MAster Frankling, a man of great worth, almost a thousand pound a year, fell into a wonder∣full melancholie and distraction for seven yeares, his eyes closed up, his mouth closed up, his hands closed up, so that he was like a dead corps, and al∣most famished, he was with Master Nappier that famous Physician about a yeere and a halfe, but could not prevaile with him: some two yeares af∣ter he returned unto his own house, he fell into a strange humour of eating, and drinking wine and strong ale, and it is almost uncredible to report how much he did devour in a day and night: but this putting strength into him, he grew very out∣ragious, and fell a burning, and fighting, and great∣ly endangered the killing of his servants, and the burning of his house; and then my brother Master Gery that maried Master Frankl••ngs sister, entreated me to go unto him: I told him my opinion was as it was before, that he must be removed from that house, and have some others placed about him that would follow other directions; my brother was desirous still to have me go to see him, so with his importunity I went▪ and took with me Master Iones, a grave Preacher, and one that had taken great pains with him: we found him in a great chamber the glasse windows broken down, and one chaire, another afterwards was brought, we sate down, my intention being at this time onely to observe his carriage, he was in a slight suit, hard∣ly worth five shillings, like Irish trouses, without a band, the haire of his head on both sides being

rubbed off, and standing with his back to a great fire, and looking so terribly, that he would have terrified a man that was not acquainted with furi∣ous obiects: so having spent some halfe an hour in observing of him, Master Iones very respectively rose up and put off his hat, and made his Apologie to Master Franklin because he did not come to see him, for he went to Thurly: but he slighted him, and would make him no answer. Then I spake to him, and said, Master Francklin you are much be∣holding to Master Iones for his great care of you, but he sweld up, and said unto me, Sirrah how dare you speak thus unto me? And I saw it was now time for me to get me out of my chaire, and because he should see that I was not daunted at his speeches, I drew neerer, and said, Who are you that I must not speak unto you? And thereupon he suddenly darted off the hearth, and with his fil∣thie nailes raked over my face, and tore my ruffe; so I was so ingaged that I must win the horse, or lose the saddle; but it pleased God to give me such strength, that (closing with him) I threw him down, and gat his hand and swaked it to the boards, and called for a knife to pare his nailes, but he would then have set upon my face with his teeth; I was fain then to loose one of my hands, and take him by the throat, and with all my strength thrattle him, but he made a hideous noise, and cryed to his brothers to help him, so one of them came and took me off, and then I washed my face; for I had not lost so much blood in any fray since I was at the siege of Ostend: Afterwards he would be friends with me, for he knew that I did

it as a Souldier of Ostend: A while after there was a meeting of divers Iustices of Peace and other gentlemen and there he was delivered unto me as by vertue of a commission out of the Court of wards, and so we removed him to another place and set other attendants about him and gave other directions: and so after a short time he rode abroad a hunting and coursing, and grew into great jolli∣ty, and married my Ladie Charnockes daughter, a brave and vertuous young gentlewoman, by whom he had one daughter and is lately dead.

And another beautifull young woman one Wapooles daughter of Southoe neer Huntington and one Master Beadles Son falling in love with her and intending to marry her, but after his father per∣ceived it he would not give his consent, because her father was not able to give a portion accord∣ing to his estate, whereupon she fell into great dis∣contentment and fell distracted, and wandering from her fathers house in the depth of winter, and in great floudes, towards evening she came to my house, and being in the porch, made a strange kinde of noise: I went to see her, and she was wet and moiled as though she had been dragged thorow a river, I fear'd at first she had coundterfeited and thought of sending her to the constable, but after∣ward I had more pitty on her and caused her to be brought to the fire, and got some warme drinkes and a warme lodging, and so with in some few dayes, it pleased God she was so well amended, that she was able to declare unto me where her fa∣ther dwelt, and related unto me this pittyfull story

of her love: after she was able to doe some busi∣nesse I sent to her father to fetch her home, he was glad when he heard she was living, for they did thinke she had been drowned in the great floods; when her father came we had been at prayers, and I was reading a chapter: when her father came in the young woman looked upon him very earnestly, but would neither speak nor do any reverence un∣to him, I used many perswasions to her, but could not prevaile, I sent out her father into another roome, but it would not be: then I called for pin∣sers and opened her mouth, and dealt very roughly with her, as though I would have plucked out her teeth, but it would not be: then I took a Bible and bad her read the first commandment, and then she fell a reading and into a passion of weeping, and afterward spake to her father, her father intreated me that she might stay with me a while longer, and so she did, and returned to her father, and so went up to London where she had two Vncles rich men.

A Joiner and his wife being much perplexed in minde: came over to me, it pleased God in short time to send them comfort: some yeare after their maid fell into great terror of minde, she sat up late to attend her dames child and there would appear unto her a Spirit (as she tearme) it like a cat, and would dance about her: I tould her it might be it was a cat, she said it spake to her, I asked her what it said to her, she said, come follow me, then she would cry out, and her master rose and went to prayer with her, but the maid was so troubled that

she was almost at her wits end, and her hands and her face so swelled that they glisterd, it pleased God within few dayes to send her comfort and she returned to her master, and I never heard that she was terrified with the cat since.

One Charitie of the same Towne fell into great terror of minde, her husband brought her over to my house and made great moan for her, I enquired if she was not fierce and dangerous, he tould me no; but only trouble of minde: I lodged her that night with one of me servauts, in the night she fell into a fit, and set upon the maide, and almost bit of one of her fingers; the next day I sent her to Saint Needes with a servant of mine called godly Iohn, a strong man, who went with her to Saint Needes to have her let blood; but as they returned she leapt into a pond, and godly Iohn had much a a do to get her out; but it pleased God she grew well and came to Lady Luke to give her thankes: my Lady Luke had entreated my care of mad Bell that came from London, but I tould my Lady, that we had been with Charitie.

A great Lady falling into great melancholie, and distracted, and having attempted divers waies to make her selfe away, the devill did put one strange temptation upon her, as they related to me: she had caused her maid that did attend upon her to bring up good store of wood, and laid it un∣der her bed, and watched a time when her maid was gone down, and locked the doore, and made a great fire, and then unclothed her to her naked

body, and kneeled down neere the flame, and was very earnest in her devotions; the fire being great, made a great smoke, which some perceiving, came to the doore, and brake it open, and demanded what she meant to do with her selfe; she answered she made triall of her selfe how she could indure the flames of fire if persecution should come for the profession of the Gospel: her husband left her with me some moneth, and then it pleased God she went away much amended, and comforted. A temptation accompanied with a zeale for the Gospel is hardly to be resisted. The Virgins in the Primitive Church, rather then they would be dishonoured and deflowred by the heathen, would murder themselves; it was their sin, though a zeal, but not according to knowledge.

Mistris Clements, that married the Bishop of Co∣ventry and Lichfield, fell into a dangerous melan∣choly, and burning feaver, and terrour of consci∣ence, and grew very weak, and past all hope of life; the Bishop and her husband sent for me to come over to her, if ever I would see her alive, for they were perswaded if any man could do her good, I was the man: it was a long journey, and I was loath to go upon such hopelesse tearms; well, I went and found her very weak, and almost fa∣mished, for her throat was so furred with heat, that we could hardly get a spoonfull of broth down; I saw that it was grown to that desperate state, her Physicians having left her, I caused a bath to be made of milke and coole herbs, and be∣ing in a goodly large roome, in the Castell caused

them to make a good fire, and take her out of her bed, and put her into the bath, and bathe her head and her stomack well, and after some few dayes, using this meanes; it pleased God to blesse it so, that she could take down her broth, and in a short time came into the Chappell to make her prayers unto God, and to give him thanks; but I told them though she had recovered her health, yet this did not cure her minde: and therefore within some few moneths after, the Bishop and his Lady sent her husband with her to my house in her Ladies charet, and left her with me; and so within halfe a yeere it pleased God to send her much comfort, and now she is very chearfull and comfortable.

Iohn Crawly of Luton a Yeomans onely son of good worth, and Judge Crawly's kinsman, upon some unkinde speeches which his father gave him, fell into great melancholie, and attempted to dround himselfe, but help came in before he was drouned, and then he strove to famish himselfe, he was sent unto Chesford in a Cart, and then to my house to keep him from famishing; I took a strange course in feeding him, and do the more willingly declare the manner thereof, that other Physicians may do the like in case of such extre∣mity. I prepared a wheele-barrow, a homely en∣gin, yet very vsefull for this purpose, for the shafts gave good advantage of the binding of his legges and his armes and putting some hay in the bottom of it, and so his head might leane backward, and we stand about him, then gagged his mouth to keep it open, and fower or five with napkins and

towells as though we were going to dresse a Hog, made them ply his mouth with pouring in milke or posset drinke which he would as freely cast up againe into our faces and moile us pitifully; but which did the deed, I poured milk into his nostrils and that falling, more backward upon the gollet of his throat, and that passed downe, and so fed him divers daies and kept him from famishing, and then to make him speak I caused a great fire to be made and bound his armes, behinde him, and a spit thorow his armes and held him down to the fire a basting stick and butter to bast him and made him beleeve we would roste him but he endured a great deale of heat, but it came not to blistering, and my sonne said unto me, father let us but roste his head to night for the disease lies in his head, so at the last he spake, and then we took him from the fire, and that night he took his rest well, and in the morning spake to my wife and asked for his break∣fast, and kneeled downe to his prayers and read his chapter, and went to the church and behaved him∣selfe so orderly that I never saw any in such a des∣perate estate to mend so much in a short time, and so returned unto his father, and is a more active man and of better discourse then ever he was.

Margaret Russell a Yeomans daughter of good worth a young woman and very beautifull, fell in∣to a great mellancholy, and attempting to make her selfe away she was in love with a Baker and the Brownistes had tamperd, with her fell likewise into a humonr to famish her selfe, with whom I took the like course to feed her; she was a woman of that

strength and nimblenesse of her ioynts as I seldome are met with the like, she was very resolute to famish her self so I was carefull to break the points of the knives: but, Except the Lord keepeth the citie the watch∣man watcheth but in vain. For our harvest cart co∣ming home and many of our neighbours with the same we went to prayer and song a Psalme as our u∣sall custome was, they fell unto such chear as it plea∣sed God to blesse us withall, and the table being being furnish't, Margaret Russell sat downe at the ta∣ble end upon a threshold near the store house, and he that attended her being set at the table, and making merry with our neighbours, my wife and I being in another roome with some other young women: Alice Pentlow, my wives servant, having been at the market, and put on her ho∣ly day girdle and knife that had a sharpe point, she went into the store house to cut some victuals, and brought a piece of pastie in her hand Margaret Russell made an haighing, and held out her hand as though she would have the pasty but when she was within her reach she snatch at her knife, and Alice made a pittifull scritch and cryed out Marget, Mar∣get, and held the knife in her hand as fast as she could but the other being to strong for her stabd her self twice into the throat so I run into the hall and wrencht the knife out of her hand, and one of them was directly upon the throat, as if one had stickt a pig, and bled grievously and we expected hir death presently: and therefore kneeld down and prayed unto God for her, and did earnestly entreat her to cry unto God for mercy; but she seemed not to regard it, but rather forc'd her selfe to make it bleed

more I wished them to bring her to the hall door and give her ayre, and there we kneeld about her at last I bid on bring me a mallow stalk and search the wound, and found it slip along by her winde pipe and so used some meanes to staunch the bleed∣ing and heald the wound: within few dayes she went home with her father, and after grew into great bravery: and I heare is lately richly married, and that her father gave her two hundred pound, the Lord give her grace to repent of her sinnes, and praise him for this mercifull preservation.