Some legible characters of the faith & love towards the blessed cause & kingdom of Christ worthy to be known and read of all men : some of the last meditations of that faithfull servant of the Lord Mr. Thomas Higgenson, lately deceased a very firm friend (both living and dying) unto the interest and work of the Lord Jesus in these last days.

THE EPISTLE To the READER.

THE Breathings of the Spi∣rit of Christ in the Author of the ensuing little Treatise, will certainly be very comforta∣ble, and refreshing to all those, who find any fresh Affecti∣ons stirring in them to that Glorious Cause which hath been so unworthily and so shamefully entreated of late years, by an Apo∣statizing Generation. The mysticall Harmo∣ny of their Spirits, which the King of Saints is now secretly putting in tune, in order to that harping and singing mentioned Revel. 14.2, 3. and 15.3. will be so melodious in some competent space of time, that

many will be very desirous to learn to sing and play up∣on those instruments, which David our King, the sweet singer of Israel, hath invented for his Victorious and Tryumphing Followers and Friends. But it was revealed to the Apostle, that no man could learn that Song, but the hundred four∣ty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth. That, this Servant of Christ late∣ly deceased was much Redeemed from the earth, and indeed from among men, and so the more capable of singing that new song before mentioned, is well known to many in this City and else where.

A true estimate of the Elevation of this Spirit above the base things of the earth, may be easily taken by such Artists as are well skilled in the Celestial or Evangelical Mathematticks; If they do diligently peruse a for∣mer Treatise of his, called, Sighs for Righte∣ousnesse, penned not long after the Cromwelian Apostacy and usurpation. They will find the Spirit that appeareth in those Queries, to be a very serious, a very savoury, a very penetrating * 1.1 Spirit. And I could wish for mine owne part, that the substance and series of that Discourse were deep∣ly

imprinted in my mind, and in the minds of all those, who do fixedly expect those most marvelous Productions, and Mutations which are about to break forth, from the deep Counsels of his will, who is re∣capitulating or bringing all things to a Head in his Son, both which are in Heaven, and which are on Earth, even in him.

I was desired by some of the Authors Friends to per∣fix a Title and a few words, to the Reader for his own good. But who or what am I? that I should hope to promote any thing of this nature, my very Name being of∣fensive to multitudes, But the day will declare, That the cause wherein I have by a most blessed Conduct imbarked my Name, my Liberty, my Estate, my Life, my All, will make a mends for all those scandalous, slanderous Reproaches, wherein it was hoped I might have been bu∣ried alive, long before this time of the day. But I know I am (with all I have) in the same ship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore I can Despise their Despisings, who after all their Insolent Lan∣guage, have cause to be ashamed of the mistakes and other pittifull products of their own shallow fluid judg∣ments, They must take their aim better the next time, if they can. As for me, I blesse the Lord, that I do sometimes meet mine own Spirit touched with the Magnetick vertue of the Spirit of Christ in the Dis∣courses

and Writings of others, whose Spirits were found faithful in the day of Rebuke and Blasphe∣my, which hath passed over us, in the number of whom I reckon this dear disceased Friend to be one. And could have wished, that the Following Papers might have been perfected and published by himself, before his departure: In regard that severall advantages, and elegancies will be found, by judicions Readers, to be very much wanting, through many mispointings, mistakes, and errataes, which were past cure before they came to my hand. Neverthelesse, I shall do the best office I can to serve in love, both his living Readers, and my deceased Friend, by rectifying some things which are amisse, as in the Errataes following.

All is commended to the Blessing of him, who worketh all things after the Counsell of his own will, no more at the present, Reader, from

Thy Friend and Servant for the Lords sake, CHR. FEAKE.

London this 6^th of the 4^th moneth, 1659.

Notes

• * 1.1

  At also in those o∣other Treatises of his called, A Lamenting Word. Glory asar off, now stepping in. The In∣dwellings of the Spirit. A Te∣stimony to the True Jesus.