Divine consolations for mourners in Sion being an extract of certain choyce epistles of dying martyrs to each other and to their fellow prisioners for the cause of Christ, in the times of cruell and fiery persecution, wherein is much variety of suitable matter of meditation for all such who are burthened under the pressure of their sins and sorrows in these evil times.

To Mr. Green, Mr. Whittel, and certain other Prisoners in Newgate, Condemned and ready to be burnt for the Testi∣mony of the Lord Jesus.

* 1.1THe everlasting peace in Jesus Christ, the continual comfort of his most pure and holy Spirit, be with you my most dear and faithful Brethren and Sisters of Newgate, the Lords appointed Sheep unto the slaughter, to the good performance of the great and notable work of the Lord, which he hath so graciously begun in you all; that the same may redound to the setting forth of his Glory, and to the commodity of his Church, and to your own everlasting comfort in him, So be it.

Ah my dear hearts, and most faithful Brethren and sisters in the Lord, what high lauds and praise, yea what humble and continual thanks am I bound to give to God our Father for you and on your most happy behalf, who so mightily hath magnified himself in you thus far forth, in giving you his holy and mighty Spirit, to the constant confessing of Christs verity, even to the cruel Condemna∣tion, and I doubt not but he will do the same to the death. Oh happy and blessed are you that ever you were born, that the Lord will vouch you worthy of this great dignity, to dye for his sake. Doubtless it is the greatest honour that God can give you in this life. Yea,* 1.2 if they be so blessed of God that dye in the Lord, as the Holy Ghost saith they be;* 1.3 how much more blessed and happy then are you, that dye not onely in the Lord, but also for the Lord? Oh that it were the good will of God, that the good hour were now come, that I might go with you! ah that my sins made me not unworthy of such an excellent dignity!

Be thankful dear hearts, be thankful, and rejoyce in the Lord; for mighty is his mercy towards you, and great is your reward in Heaven, the which you like faithful persons have plucked to you with a godly violence of an invincible Faith. Oh worthy warriers of the most high captain! Oh constant Confessors of the everlast∣ing verity! how glorious a Crown of victory shall you shortly receive, which is prepared for all such as do continue to the end?

Oh you sweet Saints of the Lord, how precious shall your death be in his sight? Oh how dear are your Souls to your Redeemer, in whose hands they shall most joyfully rest, and the pains of death shall never touch you? Oh how blessed shall you be, when Christ shall appear, at the which time you shall receive your bodies again full of Immortality? Oh how joyful shall you be when Christ, according to his promise shall knowledge you before his Father and his holy Angels, as you have most constantly confessed him to be your Lord and onely Saviour before men?

Oh blessed Green, thou meek and loving Lamb of the Lord, how happy art thou to be appointed to dye for his sake? A full dainty dish art thou for the Lords own tooth, Fresh and Green shalt thou be in the house of the Lord, and thy fruits shall never wither nor decay. Although thou go here forth sowing thy good fruits with Tears, the time shall come that thou shalt reap with joy and glad∣ness the fruits of everlasting life, and that without ceasing. Be merry therefore, and fear not,* 1.4 for it is thy Fathers will to give thee a King∣dome, whereunto he hath chosen thee before the foundations of the World were laid.

Oh happy Minister, thou man of God, how glad mayest thou be of Gods gracious favour, which hath prevented thee in the day of thy tryal? Oh happy Peter, whose part thou hast well played; therefore thy reward and portion shall be like unto his. Now hast thou good experience of mans infirmity, but much more proof and taste, yea sense and feeling of Gods abundant bottomless mer∣cy. Although Satan desired to sift thee, yet Christ thy good Captain, prayed that thy Faith should not fail.* 1.5 Gods strength is made per∣fect by thy weakness, and his grace is sufficient for thee his dear Childe. Thine Example did so incourage and strengthen thy poor Brethren, that God is every way glorified by thee, and shortly will he glorifie thee with himself, with that glory which he hath prepa∣red for thee his Elect darling before the World was made. There∣fore rejoyce and be glad, for thou hast good occasion, in finding such favour in his fight.

This is most true (oh my other Brethren, whom I do not know, neither have I heard much of you) happy are you that ever you

were born, and blessed be our God which hath given you such Victory over the bloody Beast. Shortly shall you be clothed in large white garments,* 1.6 and fine rayness of Righteousness, and so shall you follow the Lamb on Mount Sion with new Songs of Mirth and Melody, for your delivery forth of Satans Power and tyranny. God for evermore be blessed for you, and strengthen you to the end, as I doubt not but he will: for he never failed them that put their trust in him.

Oh my dear and faithful sister Joane Warner, what shall I say to thee? Thy tryal hath been great; thy Victory in Christ hath been notable, thou hast overcome many a sharp shower and storm: shortly shalt thou arrive at the Haven of quiet rest, and receive a reward due to a constant Martyr. Thou shalt go home to thy Heavenly Father, and possess for ever the inheritance which Christ hath purchased for thee, where thy earthly Parents be, still looking for thee, which have triumphed over Antichrist most victoriously. Oh blessed Parents of happy Children, which have shewed such an example, as the like hath been seldome seen. I salute thee dear Sister of like constant minde; whose constant example is worthy of continual memory. Praised be God for you mine own sweet sisters,* 1.7 which hath made you to play such wise Virgins parts. He hath plentifully poured the oyle of his Spirit into the Lamps of your Faith, so that the light hereof shall never be extinct. You shall enter with your Bridegroom into everlasting joy, whereunto you were chosen in him from the beginning.

Oh my dear Brethren and sisters, you blessed Saints of the Lord, how much and how deeply am I bound to praise God for you both day and night? Pray, pray for me (my dear hearts) for the ten∣der mercy of God, that I may be made worthy to follow your trace. Oh that I had run the race of my life as far as you have done yours,* 1.8 and were as nigh my journeys end as you be unto yours. But alas, I lye like the lame man at the Pooles side by Solomons Porch, and every man goeth into the place of health before me: But God will appoint me one, one day to put me in. I trust my Lord of London's Colehouse is empty, and all his Officers idle: therefore they must shortly fetch more sheep to the shambles; for

he is the common slaughter-slave of all England.* 1.9 But happy are you that are passed through the Pikes, and delivered out of his hands, and from all the Angels of the Darkness of this World, which long tempted you in the Wilderness of the same: but now shall the Angels of God come and minister unto you, for they are your Servants to hold you up in their hands, that you shall not hurt your foot, no nor one hair of your head shall perish. They shall carry you up to heaven in a fiery Chariot,* 1.10 though you leave your Mantle behinde you for a time, till God restore the same to you again in a more ample and glorious sort.

Thus in haste, (as it doth appear,) I am constrained to make an end, committing you all to Gods most merciful defence: who ever have you in his blessed keeping; desiring you all to remember me in your godly and faithful Prayers, as I will not forget you in mine, by Gods grace. The blessing of God be with you all, my dear Brethren and sisters. All our Brethren and fellow-prisoners here have them most heartily commended unto you, and pray for you without ceasing. God send us a merry meeting in his Kingdome. Amen.

By your Brother and unfeigned lover, John Careles Prisoner, abiding his most merciful will and pleasure. Pray, pray, pray.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Another Letter of John Careles wherein he doth animate Green, Whittel, and the rest of that com∣pany unto their Martyrdome.
• * 1.2

  Apoc. 11.
• * 1.3

  To dye in the Lord: and for the Lord.
• * 1.4

  Luk. 12.
• * 1.5

  Luk. ••••.
• * 1.6

  Apoc. 19.
• * 1.7

  Mat. 25.
• * 1.8

  John 5.
• * 1.9

  B. Bonner called the slaughter slave of England
• * 1.10

  Psal 60. 2 King 2.