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 THE CHRISTIAN READER.

Good Reader,

AMong all the sweet and precious fruits and graces of the Spirit of God held forth unto us in the Holy Scriptures, how much are those of Faith and Love commended unto us, as the principal and leading Graces unto all other the sweet fruits of the Spirit wrought in the hearts of the Elect of God?

To instance two or three places speaking to this purpose: The Au∣thor to the Hebrews, in his Catalogue of Saints,* 1.1 how highly doth he advance the actings of Faith in their hearts and lives, beginning with Abel, that blessed Servant of the Lord, and Proto-Martyr of the World, whom our blessed Lord and Saviour honoureth with the same honour, placing his Name in the Front of that blessed Company (by the Name of Righteous Abel) who had laid down their lives in the Cause,* 1.2 and for the Truths of God? And for the grace of Love, in that of 1 Cor. 8. the beginning; whatever Instructions the Apostle had given them before, he doth as it were recall himself, and let them un∣derstand, that all would prove as nothing, unless it proceed from Love or Charity. And further we are taught, that although the grace of Faith be first in laying hold of the blessed object, even our Lord Jesus, who came into the World to save sinners, yet this also of Love is by the gracious working of the same good Spirit of God begotten in the Soul, even at the same instant of time with that of Faith, and from

their first appearing come forth as blessed Twins never to part again, the same blessed Spirit carrying on the work of Grace in the Soul, untill perfected in Glory. To this purpose Gal. 5.6. it's said to be Faith which worketh by Love. Also to mention no more, 1 Tim. 1.14. The grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus. A Reverend Messenger of Christ lately compared them to the two Arms that clasped Christ about, ac∣cording to that of the Spouse, Cant. 3.5. It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my Soul loveth; I held him, and would not let him go. Never do these precious gifts of the Holy Ghost so affect the hearts of the people of God, as when the Saints are drawn forth to cause this Light to shine forth in their lives and act∣ings, which usually appears in them most clearly in times of greatest Sufferings. How much are we of these times bound unto our gracious God, for the innumerable helps the Lord hath this way granted us, especially from the unwearied Labours of that man of God, of blessed memory, Mr. Iohn Fox, out of whose rich Volumes this little Trea∣tise following is taken, being a particular brief story of him whose Soul as much longed for the Crown of Martyrdome, (although he passed through the Fire to it) as any we reade of from the time of the Primi∣tive Martyrs. And notwithstanding the Lord of his Infinite wise∣dome, denyed him that which he so much thirsted for, reserving him (al∣though in Prison) yet to be an Instrument who from his great experi∣ences might Administer sweet Consolations unto others (the sweet Saints and Martyrs of Jesus) as indeed he did, to the refreshing of many a good Soul, as by the several excellently Spiritual Epistles of his doth manifestly appear; and by which it may undoubtedly be gathered, that himself was to be accounted among the blessed number of those that in his Generation loved the Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity.

To those who have tasted how good the Lord is, these following Epistles may through mercy prove unto them as that speaking of David did to Ionathan,* 1.3 who no sooner heard him, but his Soul was knit with the Soul of David, and he loved him as his own Soul. To this very end is this smal thing drawn out of the aforesaid Volume, that the sorrowful Souls of such as are affected with Gods threatnings in this hour of dark∣ness and temptation, may finde some refreshing and support; to which

very end also they were first written by the Au••hor.

God is greatly threatning on every side, even us who have sate in peace whilest our Breth••en lay bleeding; yea, were filled with plen y, w••••lest they were stripped of their comforts, and even brought near to desolation: surely we hav•• n t improved our precious opportunities, but with Iesurun, being waxed fat, have lifted up the heel; and now may justly fear, that our day of visitation is hastening, wherein we are like to drink of the Cup of Gods displeasure, of which the Nations have begun before us. Is not the L••rd now crying aloud, as sometimes to Jerusalem, Oh New-England! Oh Boston! When will thou be made clean? when will it once be? when shall thy Pride and Propha∣ness, Licentiousness, Ʋncleanness and Ʋnrighteousness, with so much cleaving to Self-interest cease to lodge within thee? Blessed be the Lord, who hath affected the hearts of thy Rulers, so as to call for seeking God by Fasting and Prayer, being the way and meanes of Gods appointment for the obtaining mercy in the day of thy distress. The Lord hear thee in the day of thy seeking,* 1.4 and teach thee to Rent thy heart and not thy garments, and turn unto the Lord, who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him.

Oh that God would give his People an heart to hearken to his voice, and to turn unto him by unfeigned Repentance, for surely they that yet see it not, are like shortly to see,* 1.5 that this time is a time for the Pru∣dent to keep silence, for it is an evil time, as the Prophet saith; therefore let us seek good and not evil, and so the Lord God of Hosts shall be with us: Let us hate evil and love good, and establish Judgement in the Gate, it may be that the Lord God of Hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

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Notes

• * 1.1

  Hebr. 11.
• * 1.2

  Matth. 23.35.
• * 1.3

  1 Sam. 18.1.
• * 1.4

  Joel 2.13, 14.
• * 1.5

  Amos 5.13.14, 15.