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 Mr. Philpot to John Careles, profitable to be read of all them which mourn in Repentance for their Sins.

THe God of all comfort, and the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, send unto thee my dear Brother Careles, the inward consolation of his holy Spirit, in all the malicious assaults and troublous temptations of our common Adversary the Devil. Amen.

That GOD giveth you so contrite an heart for your sins, I can∣not but rejoyce to behold the lively mark of the children of God, whose property is to think ••ore lowly and vilely of themselves then of any other, and oftentimes do set their sins before them, that they might the more be stirred to bring forth the fruits of Repentance, and learn to mourn in this world, that in another they might be glad and rejoyce. Such a broken Heart is a pleasant Sacrifice unto God: Oh that I had the like contrite heart. God mollifie my stony heart, which lamenteth not in such wise my former detestable iniquities. Praised be God that he hath given you this sorrowfull heart in respect of Righteousness; and I pray you let me be partaker of these godly sorrows for sin, which be the testimony of the presence of the holy Ghost. Did not the sword of sorrow pierce the heart of the Elect and blessed Mother of our Lord? Did not Peter weep bitterly for his sins, which was so beloved of Christ? Did not Mary Magdalen wash the feet of our Saviour with her tears, and re∣ceived therewithall remission of her sevenfold sins?

Be of good comfort therefore, Mine own dear heart, in this thy sorrow, for it is the Earnest-peny of Eternall Consolation. In thy sorrow laugh, for the Spirit of God is with thee. Bl••ssed be they (saith Christ) that mourn,* 1.1 for they shall be comforted. They went forth and wept,* 1.2 saith the Prophet; such shall come again,

having their gripes full of gladness.* 1.3 And al••hough a sorrowfull heart in consideration of his sin, be an acceptable Sacrifice before God, whereby we are stirred up to more thankefulness unto God, knowing that much is fo••g••ven us, that we might love the more: yet the man of God must keep a measure in the same, lest he be swallowed up by too much sorrow.* 1.4 S Paul would not the Thessalonians to be sorry as other men which have no hope.* 1.5 Such a sorrow is not commend∣able, but worketh damnation, and is farre from the children of God, who are continually sorrowfull in God, when they look upon their own unworthiness, with hope of forgiveness. For God to this end by his Spirit setteth the sins of his Elect still before them,* 1.6 that where they perceive Sin to abound, there they might be assured that Grace shall superabound: and bringeth them down into Hell, that he might lift them up with greater joy into Heaven. Wherefore, mine own Bowels in Christ, as long as you are not void altogether of hope, be not dismayed through your pensive heart for your sins, how huge so∣ever they have been, for God is able to forgive more then you are able to sin; yea, and he will forgive him which with hope is sorry for his sins.

But know, Brother, that as oft as we do go about, by the help of Gods Spirit, to do that is good,* 1.7 the evil spirit Satan layeth hard wait to turn the good unto evil, and goeth about to mix the detestable D••rnell of Desperation, with the godly Sorrow of a pure Penitent Heart. You be not ignorant of his malicious subtilty, and how that continually he assaulteth that good which the grace of God planteth. I see the battel betwixt you and him, but the victory is yours, yea and that daily: For you have laid hold upon the Anchor of Salvation, which is hope in Christ, he which will not suffer you to be made ashamed.

Be not discomforted that you have this Conflict: but be glad that God hath given you the same to try your Faith, and that you might appear daily worthy of the Kingdome of God, for the which you strive. God beholdeth your striving Faith against Satan, and is pleased with your mighty resistance. The Spirit which is in you, is mightier then all the Adversaries power. Tempt he may, and lying await at your heels, give you a fall unawares: but overcome he shall not; yea he cannot, for you are sealed up already with a lively Faith to be

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the childe of God for ever: and whom God hath once sealed for his own, him he never utterly forsaketh.* 1.8 The just falleth seven times, but he riseth again. It is mans frailty to fall, but it is the property of the De∣vils childe to ly still.

This strife against sin is sufficient testimony that you are the childe of God,* 1.9 for if you were not, you should feel no such malice as he now troubleth you withall. When this strong Goliah hath the hold, all things be in peace which he possesseth; and because he hath you not, he will not suffer you unassaulted. But stand f••st, and hold out the Buckler of Faith,* 1.10 and with the Sword of Gods Promises smite him on the scalp, that he may receive a deadly wound, and never be able to stand against you any more.* 1.11 S. James telleth you that he is but a coward, saying, Resist the Devil, and he will fly away. It is the will of God that he should thus long tempt you, and not go away as yet, or else he had done with you long ere this. He knoweth already that he shall receive the foyle at your hands, and increase the Crown of your Glory: for he that overcometh shall be crowned. Therefore g••ory in your temptation, since they shall turn to your felicity. Be not afraid of your continuall ass••ults, which be occasions of your daily victory. The Word of G d ab••••eth for ever. In what hour soever a sinner repenteth him of his sins they be for∣given.* 1.12 Who can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? Do you not perceive the manifest tokens of your Election? First your voca∣tion to the Gospel, and after your vocation, the manifest gifts of the Spirit of God given unto you above many other of your condition, with godliness which believeth and yieldeth to the authority of the Scriptures, and is zealous for the same? Seeing you are Gods own dearling, who can hurt you? Be not of a deject minde for these temptations, neither make your unfeigned friends to be more sorrowfull for you, then need doth require.

Since God hath willed you at your Baptism in Christ to be Careles, why do you make your self Carefull? Cast all your care on him▪ Set the Lord before your eyes alwayes, for he is on your right side that you shall not be moved.* 1.13 Behold the goodness of God toward me. I am careless, being fast closed in a Pair of Stocks, which pinch me for very straitness; and will you be carefull? I will not have that unseem∣ly addition to your Name. Be as your Name pretendeth, for doubtless

you have none other cause but so to be. Pray, I beseech you, that I may be still careless in my carefull estate, as you have cause to be care∣less in your easier condition. Be thank••full, and put away all care, and then I shall be joyfull in my strait present care. Commend me to all our Brethren, and desire them to pray for me that I may overcome my tem∣ptations; for the D••vil rageth against me. I am put in the Stocks in a place alone, because I would not answer to such Articles as they would charge me withall in a corner at the Bishops appointment, and because I did not come to Mass when the Bishop sent for me. I w ll lye all the dayes of my life in the Stocks (by Gods grace) rather then I will consent to the wicked generation. Praise God and be joyfull that it hath plea∣sed him to make us worthy to suffer somewhat for his Names sake. The Devil must rage for ten dayes. Commend me to Mr. F. and thank him for his Law-books; but Law, neither Equity will take any place among these blood thirsty. I would for your sake their unjust deal∣ing were noted unto the Parliament-hous••, if it might avail. God shor∣ten these evil dayes. I have answered the Bishop meetly plain already, and I said to him, If he will call me in open Judgemen, I will answer him as plainly as he will require: otherwise I have refused, because I fear me they will condemn me in hugger-mugger. The peace of God be with you my dear Brother. I can write no more for lack of light, and that I have written I cannot reade my self, and God knoweth s is writ∣ten farre uneasily. I pray God you may pick out some understanding of my minde towards you. Written in a Colehouse of da••kness out of a Pair of painfull Stocks, by

Thine own in Christ, John Philpot.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Matth. 15.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 126.
• * 1.3

  Psal. 51. Luke 7. Sorrow in a Christian man ought to be mo∣derate.
• * 1.4

  1 Thess. 4.
• * 1.5

  2 Cor. 7.
• * 1.6

  Rom. 3.
• * 1.7

  Satans practice to bring the godly repen∣tance of a sinner to desperation.
• * 1.8

  Gods children fall. The Devils chil∣dren lye still.
• * 1.9

  Luke 11.
• * 1.10

  Strife against sin is a token of Gods childe.
• * 1.11

  James 4.
• * 1.12

  Ezek. 33.
• * 1.13

  True Christians how they ought to be c reless in their carefull estate.