The English Spira being a fearful example of an apostate who had been a preacher many years and then apostatized from his religion, miserably hanged himself, October the 13th, 1684 : giving an account of his dispair, and divers conferences had with him, by several ministers and others of his friends : together with his answer, and papers written by his own hand / left attested by Mr. T. Plant, Mr. H. Collings, Mr. B. Dennis, Mr. B. Keach.

TO THE READER.

THAT which hath prevailed with us to publish this Treatise, is, that we might give those many who have desired it, and all that shall vouchsafe to read it, an impartial Account of what hath come to our knowledge concerning the Dreadful Horror of Conscience, and Deplorable End of Mr. John Child: In his Youthful days, a zealous Professor of Religion; in his Riper years, a Backslider from God, under pretence of Change of his Opinion: A Neglecter of Publick Worship, not only in the way he had for∣merly profest, but in that also which of late years, in his Discourses and Arguments, he preferred before the other.

Ʋnder the specious shew of promoting a more full and firm Ʋnion amongst all good Protestants; a great Calumniator of his Brethren, publickly charging many of them in general, as guil∣ty of such Crimes and Blasphemies, as his own Knowledge and Dictates of Conscience, at the season when he did it, could and did testifie they were clear of.

What prompted him hereunto, (besides the Hypocrisie, Pride, and Malice of his own heart) we certainly know not; but have some ground to suspect, when he was about this evil work which caused his downfal, he conversed with some persons, who rather promoted than cautioned him against it.

Ʋnder his Temptation, we fear, he did not consider that an∣ciently-approved, useful, and necessary Caution, which the Apostle

mentions, Be not deceived, evil communication corrupts good manners.

After he was once throughly awakened with the sence of his Sin, he fell under those Horrours of Conscience, which have not been parallel'd in any other that we have heard of, since the Case of Francis Spira, being so dreadful, permanent, and prevalent over him, as to resist all Friendly Endeavours u∣sed to appease his grief; which after several months abiding in the highest extremity, at length tempted and prevailed with him, by his own hands to end his miserable Life.

Ʋpon this occasion we have also given some brief Hints of the Nature and Office of Conscience, and the Obligations we are under to it. All which we recommend to the Readers serious consideration, with our fervent Prayers to God, that what we have herein done, may succeed to his and our own Souls advantage, and peace of Conscience, both here and hereafter.

It may be in many respects useful to take notice that the Pamphlet which was Written and Published by Mr. John Child, and which, with respect to the bitter Reflections and Calumnies therein cast upon his Brethren, did afterwards fill him with so great Horrour of Soul, as to destroy himself, bare the Title of as charitable an Argument, as could be undertaken by the best of Christians.

For a more full and firm Union amongst all good Protestants.

But though in this Title his Words were (as the Psalmist speaks) softer than oyl,* 1.1 yet were they drawn swords. He put forth his hand against such as were at peace with him; his Equals, his Acquaintance, who had walked with him to the House of God in company. The sence whereof when he was awakened to see and feel in his own Conscience, the heinousness of his Crime in slandering his Brethren, did so terrifie him, that it could

not be discerned (either by his Relations, or any of those many of his Brethren whom he had offended, who came to visit him, and endeavoured to pour Balm into, bind up, and heal his deep wounds) that at any time afterwards he enjoyed any peace in his Soul.

The principal inducement to publish a Narrative of this Man's Trouble of Spirit, and Miserable End, is to give an Impar∣tial Account to many who desire to be truly informed thereof, what Conferences were had with him, what Papers on this Sub∣ject were left behind him, and that the whole may be a season∣able Caution to all who read them, to take heed how they do in any case whatsoever presume to sin against the clear Light, Knowledge, and Dictates of their own Conscience: for which end it is intended to say something briefly concerning the Na∣ture and Office of Conscience, and that attendance which every man is to give to it.

But for the avoiding of all sinister Reflections on what is herein undertaken, the Publishers hereof do declare,

First, That they do not ascribe this Man's Miserable End to any Consciencious Change of Opinion in Matters of Religion or Worship, or to any Endeavour of his to propagate Ʋnion amongst Christians in a candid way, by proper Arguments; but they lay the stress of his Miscarriage where he fixed it himself, that is, upon his Backsliding from the Ways of God, forsaking that which was Good, doing that which he knew to be Evil; and upon his Hypocrisie, Pride of Spirit, Covetousness, and his unjustifiable Calumniating, Reproaching, Reviling, and Accusing many of his Brethren of such things as he knew they were not guilty: All which he acknowledged in his own Papers, and frequently charges, himself with.

Secondly, We are so far from Censuring any Attempts that have been made in a Christian manner for a more full and firm Ʋnion amongst all good Protestants, that we heartily wish we

could see more Hearts (and such Hands as are fitly qualified for it) at work on this Subject: for blessed are the Peace-makers, and the Fruits of Righteousness are sown in peace of them that make peace.

Thirdly, To shew our good Will to such an Ʋndertaking, we shall upon this occasion, after we have made some brief Reflections on the Nature and Office of Conscience, and finished the Narra∣tive of this Man's Troubles, assume the Argument, and according to that measure of Faith and Knowledge which God hath given us, speak the Truth in Love, in order to the obtaining (if it may be upon a right Foundation) a better Ʋnderstanding, and from thence a more full and firm Ʋnion among all who love the Lord Jesus in Sincerity.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 55.21.