The new non-conformist; who having obtained help of God, doth persist unto this very day; witnessing, both to small and great, some of those glorious things which the Apostles, the prophets, & Moses, did say should come to pass. Or, the voice of a careful shepherd, crying from his watch-tower at W.C. unto his little flock at W.L. with a loud voice.

A short WORD To the faithful REMNANT, who are of one SPIRIT in the present Truth, and Cause of Christ.

I Alwayes, since I understood the nature of the controversie betwixt Antichrist and the Lord Jesus, in the light of his own Spirit, found it a blessed imployment to be inquiring and hearkning, where the signe of Gods presence was, and, upon which of the Congregations or assemblies, I could finde the most glorious demonstrations of the power of godliness, and where the Lord was pitching his Tents, and revealing himself to his Beloved Ones. This is also my work, at this day, to con∣template and consider what posture the Saints are now in, and to watch that I may know, where the glory of the Lord is reveal∣ed, and where or from whence it will break forth, at the ap∣proaching revolution.

In time past, before the New Model was in being, or extant in the world, it was in the scattered Saints, yet gathered toge∣ther in several meetings, (kept in the City, Army and Countries) to finde out a right way from Babylon to Sion. You remem∣ber what distress the Lords people were in at that time, when that Tyrant had the North and West at his devotion, when Essex his Army was beaten and degenerate, when we were betrayed and forsaken by the old Souldiers of Fortune, when the King and his Princes were victorious and rampant, after the sacking of Leicester.

And when the new Model was despised in almost all mens eyes, save a small remnant of praying and believing Saints, where was the presence of God then? who could declare before whom the pillar of fire did shew it self, as the token of Jehovah's presence?

It must not be forgotten, but remembred with renewed thank∣fulness even at this day, That it did break forth and manifest it self, most gloriously, from Nazeby-field, even every day more and more.

Then the Lord began to use the new Army, as One of the weak, foolish, despised Things of the world.

Then the Council of War used to aske counsel of God, and God was with them, wonderfully to direct them, to bless them with victorious success abundantly.

Then the Head-quarters were famous and amiable, even as the Tabernacles of the Lord of Hosts: Then the Spirit of Glory and of God rested upon them, and marched before them, everywhere; yea, it was as a wall of fire round about them, and the glory in the midst of them, Zech. 2.5.

And so it continued from year to yeer, to the astonishment of the wicked, and to the triumphant rejoycing of the righteous.

At length, after some dangerous Temptations were over∣come, (as the Armies trinkling and tampering with and for the King, Queen, and their Issue, which afterward in their straits, they bewailed in Windsor Castle) the presence and Spirit of the Lord ingaged them also to execute judgement and justice upon the grand murtherer and persecutor of the Saints, (not to mention other strange and great enterprizes) so, as that the whore of Babylon and the Kings of the earth had cause to be exceedingly afraid.

Ireland was reduced also with a high hand, especially at the beginning; and the Lord was gloriously present still with the Ge∣neral and his Army: onely some intelligent self-denying souls did discern plainly, that divers Officers began betimes, even too too early, to minde the prey, even before the work was done: and it cost many of them very dear.

Let us remember also the expedition into Scotland, and the

high Appeal made by our Presbyterian-Brethren, and the Ar∣my, with their friends: nights and dayes were spent in earnest prayer on both sides: the Lord appeared in terrible Majesty at Dunbar.

About that time, the Cause of Christ, the Interest of Christ, the work of God, the downfal of Babylon, and such-like language, sounded from the Head-Quarters, from the great Officers of the Army. My soul was ravished to see and observe the spirit of prayer at White-Hall in those dayes among many of the chief Commanders, as if they had loved none but Christ, as if they cared for none but Christ and his Interest, as if they would never have endured any King but the Lord Jesus, or any Laws but his, or any Ministers but his. We (who through grace were plain-hearted) thought there were not such another people upon the face of the earth, (for love to Christ, to the glory of Christ, that he might be magnified and exalted) as were the conducting and commanding part of the Army.

But Oh! Oh my Bowels, my Bowels! The gradual de∣clension and defection since Worcester, with what words shall I bewail it? how have all the things of Christ been neglected? how hath that most noble and glorious Cause of the Lord Jesus been forsaken, by those, who ought by manifold obligations, to have promoted it to the utmost? there was a price put into their hands, and power was in their hands. Oh this spirit of Baruch to seek great things for our selves, when Jehovah saith, Seek them not. Behold, that which is built, God will pull down; and that which is planted, He will pluck up. The Lord Jesus is making great hast, to break in pieces all these Kingdoms both new and old; and yet men are busie in seeking their own things, and not the things of Jesus Christ. I cannot but speak, I must open my heart to some, who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity: my lise is not dear to me in this Cause. If the Powers of the world and Rulers of the people have a minde to take away my Life, as they have done my Liberty, behold, here it is in a readiness: If the Lord give the word, I am willing through grace not onely to be bound, but to die for the Name of the Lord Jesus, and for the Gospel of the Kingdom. I am free to give di∣rections

to my worst enemies, were they may make inquiry after all my wayes from my childhood to this day; and if they finde I have committed any thing worthy of death, or of bonds, let them take their advantage: but to keep me a Prisoner seven or eight moneths, and not bring me to the place of hearing, that I may know what my crime is, and who are my accusers, and the witnesses; this is not fair dealing. I am loth to aggravate things; but the manner of the Romans was more according to justice, expressed in Acts 25.

Brethren, I desire to keep in memory the Cause of our dear Lord, so do you, and know them who are of this Spirit through the Nation: provoke one the other to wrestle with God, to cry unto our Father. If his children cry unto him, he will not, he cannot long forbear; he will return, and have compassion on the Remnant of his Heritage: for mercy pleaseth him.

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all your Spirits, in the glorious ministration of Grace, Mercy, and Peace con∣tinually, Amen.

From my house of bondage, this 31 of the 6 month, 1654.

Yours for the Lord's sake, to do, or to suffer on your behalf, Christopher Feake.

FINIS.

Notes

• It was com∣monly called in reproach and scorn, both by the King's and Es∣sex his souldi∣ers, The New Model.