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.

A Letter of John Careles to Mrs. Agnes Glascock.

THe everlasting peace of God in Jesus Christ, the continuall ayd, strength and comforts of his most pure, holy and mighty Spirit, be with you my dear and faithfull Sister Glascock, to the good performance of that good work which God hath so graciously begun in you, to his glory, and the commodity of his poor afflicted Church, and to your own eternal comfort in him. Amen.

In our Lord I have most humble and hearty commendations unto you, my dear Sister, and most faithful Mother Glascock, with all remem∣brance of you in my daily Prayers, giving God most hearty land, praise and thanks for you, and on your behalf, in that he of his great mercy hath hitherto so mightily strengthned you, constantly to cleave unto your Captain Christ, notwithstanding the great assaults and manifold tempta∣tions that you have had to the contrary. Doubtless, dear heart, it can∣not be expressed what joy and comfort it is unto my very Soul, to see how mightily the Lord hath magnified himself in you, and other his dear elect darlings, whom he will shortly glorifie with himself, as he hath done other of his sweet Saints that are gone before you. Rejoyce therefore and be glad, for verily you have good cause, if you diligently consider the great dignity that God hath called you unto even in your old age, to be one of his worthy Witnesses unto the World, and I think you shall with me and other your Brethren in Bonds, seal the Lords Verity with the Testimony of your Blood. Surely, sweet Sister, this is the greatest pro∣motion that God can bring you or any other unto in this life, and an ho∣nour that the highest Angel in Heaven is not permitted to have.

Therefore happy are you, Oh faithful daughter of Abraham, that the Lord will now preferre you before many other, yea or any other of your age, that I do know in England. Oh faithful and virtuous Matron, which wilt not be moved from the sure Rock Christ, upon whom you have so firmly built your house, that neither storms nor tempests, neither yet Hell gates, or any other temptations, shall ever be able once to prevail against it. Full well doth it appear by your constant continuance, that you have played the part of a wise builder, in counting the Cost afore∣hand belonging to the finishing of your Tower, and I doubt not but

(through Gods gift) you have sufficient to the performance thereof, that the Hypocrites of their part shall have no just cause to triumph against you, or to mock you, saying, Lo, this woman began to build, but is not able to make an end. Therefore go on boldly, and fear not; for God is faithfull (as S. Paul saith) which will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength, but either will he give you grace and strength to stand unto the death, (which is the gate and entrance into life) or else he will make such an out-scape for you, as shall be to the setting forth of his glory; the which above all other things, we that are his chosen chil∣dren ought for to seek, yea even with the loss of our own lives, being yet well assured that the same shall not be shortned one minute of an hour before the time that God hath appointed.

Cast therefore (dear Sister) all your care upon the Lord, which (as S. Peter saith) careth for you. Great is his Providence for you, and mighty is his love and mercy towards you: with his grace he will defend you, and with his holy Spirit he will evermore guide you, wherewith he hath surely sealed you unto the day of Redemption: He hath also given you the same in earnest for the recovery of the purchased Posses∣sion, which he hath prepared for you before the foundation of the world was laid. Be strong therefore, and take a good heart, as I hear say you be. God for ever be blessed for you, which hath graft his love in your good heart, that nothing is able to separate you from the same, but will rather chuse to suffer adversity with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a little season. Oh happy woman, that canst finde in thine heart to esteem the rebukes of Christ to be greater riches then all the treasures of the world, as good Moses did. Doubtless great is your reward in Heaven, which you shall shortly receive of his free gift, and not of any deserving.

Thus dear Mother Glascock, I have been bold to trouble you with my rude and simple Letters, desiring you to take them in good worth, being done in great haste, as it doth appear; but yet proceeding from a poor heart, which floweth over in love towards you, as my daily prayers for you can testifie, which I trust shall supply that part of my duty to∣wards you, that my Pen now wanteth. I thank you, dear heart, for all your loving Tokens, and for the great kindness you have hitherto shewed unto my poor Brother Tyms, and his Wife and Children, with

all other of Gods people to whom you daily do good: the Lord recom∣pence the same sevenfold into your bosome, as I doubt not but he will, according to his infallible Promises. I pray you have my hearty com∣mendations unto your Husband. I beseech the Lord strengthen him in the Confession of his Truth (as my trust is that he will) that we may all joyfully rest with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdome of God; unto the which he bring us, that with his most precious blood hath bought us. The Blessing of God be with you now and ever. Amen.

Your daily Orator and unfeigned Lover, John Careles, Prisoner of the Lord, Pray, pray, pray.

Notes

• What an high honour it is to suffer for Christ.