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.

Another Letter of John Careles to a certain godly faithful Sister, by the Name of E. K.

THe grace and free mercy of God in Jesus Christ, the sweet Consolations of the holy Ghost the guide of all Gods dear Children, be with you, strengthen and comfort you, my dearly be∣loved sweet Sister, E. K. now and ever. Amen.

Albeit, my dearly beloved Sister in Christ, that as yet we did never see one another personally to any knowledge, yet by the virtuous report that I have heard of you, and also by the large loving Token that I have received from you, methink that I do even presently see you, and behold your person, faithfully walking in the fear and love of God, joying and rejoycing with you in the Spirit, as though we were sweetly talking together of Christs Verity. The Lord God do I humbly beseech in the bowels and blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that he will strengthen us both with his holy and mighty Spirit, that we may constantly continue in the confession of his Truth unto the end: that like as we now see one another presently in Spirit, we may also see one another personally in the glorious presence of God and his holy Angels, where undoubtedly we shall know one anothers personage, to our great joy, felicity and endless Comfort.

* 1.1And now therefore, dear Sister K. be strong in the Lord our

God, for doubtless the time of triall is at hand; a great persecution, with cruel Murthering of Gods dear Saints, is like to be very short∣ly in this woful wicked Realm of England. Therefore dear Sister, for the love of God prepare you to the Cross with all diligence, and make your self ready to dye with Christ, that you may also live with him for ever. There is no remedy, if you will be Christs disciple, you must needs take up your Cross and follow him, for the Disciple must not look to be above his Master, nor the Servant to be better intreated then his Lord. If we were of the World (good Sister) no doubt the world would love us: But forasmuch as Christ hath chosen us out of the world, to serve God in Spirit & Verity, let us be well assured the World will hate us and persecute us, as it hath done our Lord and Master Christ. But yet let us be of good chear, for Christ hath overcome the World. The pain is but short that we can feel here, but the pleasure is perpetual that we shall feel else∣where.

Let us set before us the Example of Christ, which abode the Cross, and despised the shame,* 1.2 in respect of the joy that was set before him: even so let us consider for whose sake we suffer, whose Cause we defend, and what glorious Reward we shall have at the day of our victory, and then doubtless the consolation of these things will make sweet all our sufferings, and soon swallow up all the sorrows that we are sowled in for Gods sake. I could recite divers Texts of the Scriptures to confirm this point: but I need not, for I am well assured that you do know them most perfectly already. The Lord give you strength, and assist you with his holy Spirit, that you may continually walk in all points according to your godly knowledge: And then shall you do not as the most part of your Gospellers do now adayes the more is the pity. There are a great many in England that do perfectly know, that the Idolatrous Mass is abominable, devillish, and detestable in the sight of God; and yet, alas they be not afraid to pollute and defile their bo∣dies, which ought to be the Temples of the holy Ghost, with being present at it, so sinning against God and their own Con∣science.

But dear Sister K. do you fly from it both in body and Soul, as

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you would fly from the very Devil himself; Drink not of the Whore of Babylons Cup by no means, for it will infect the Body, and poison the Soul. Be not partakers of her sins (saith the An∣gel) lest you be partakers of the Plagues that shortly shall be pou∣red upon her. O what an array is this? that so many that know Gods Truth, will now turn again and defile themselves in the filthy Puddle of Antichrists stinking Religion! They go about to save their lives with their double dissimulation; but doubtless they shall lose everlasting life by it, if they do not Repent in time, and turn unto the Lord. But dear sister, my trust is that you do utterly ab∣horre the coming to any such thing. I hope that you will not by any means turn back into Egypt now, but that you will boldly venture through the Wilderness of Trouble and Persecution, that you may come into the Land that floweth with all kinde of Heavenly pleasures and joyful delectations, and possess the same for ever.

Let us consider, how that every one of us doth owe unto God a death by nature, and how soon the Lord will require it of us, we know not. Oh how happy are we then, if God of his goodness appoint us to pay Natures debt with suffering for his Truth and Gospel sake, and so making us his faithful Witnesses with the Pro∣phets, Apostles, Martyrs and Confessors, yea with his dearly be∣loved Son Jesus Christ, to whom he doth here begin to fashion us like in suffering, that we might be like him also in glory.

Thus, my dearly beloved Sister, I have been bold to trouble you a little with my rude and simple Letter, being made in haste as it doth appear. Yet I desire you to take it in good worth, as a token of my poor zeal unto you, and do accept my good will: And if it please God to spare me life and liberty, I trust hereafter to write unto you more largely. Fare ye well dear Sister E. K. the Lord bless you and all yours, and pour upon you the heavenly dew of his Grace. The Lord indue you with plentiful knowledge of his Verity, and fill you with his holy and mighty Spirit, that you may continually rejoyce in the Comforts of the same now and ever. Amen. Pray, pray, pray with stedfast Faith.

Your daily Oratour, John Careles, Prisoner of the Lord.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Preparation to the Cross.
• * 1.2

  Consolation un¦der the Cross.