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.

John Careles his Letter to Mr. Bradford.

THe Peace of God in Jesus Christ, the Eternal Comfort of his sweet Spirit, which hath surely sealed you unto Eternal Salva∣tion, be with you, and strengthen you in your joyful journey to∣wards the Celestial Jerusalem (my dear Friend, and most faithful Brother Mr. Bradford) to the setting forth of Gods glory, and to your eternal joy in Christ. Amen.

Ever since that good Mr. Philpot shewed me your last Letter (my dear heart in the Lord) I have continued in great heaviness and perplexity; not for any hurt or discommodity that I can perceive coming towards you, unto whom doubtless Death is made life and great felicity: but for the great loss that Gods Church here in England shall sustain, by the taking away of so godly, worthy, and

necessary an instrument, as the Lord hath made you to be. Oh that my life, and a thousand such wretched lives moe, might go for yours! Oh why doth God suffer me, and such other Catterpillers to live, that can do nothing but consume the Alms of the Church, and take away you so worthy a Workman and Labourer in the Lords Vineyard? But woe be to our sins and great unthanfulness, which is the greatest cause of the taking away of such worthy in∣struments of God, as should set forth his Glory, and instruct his People. If we had been thankful unto God for the good Ministers of his Word, we had not been so soon deprived both of it and them. The Lord forgive our great ingratitude and sins, and give us true Repentance and Faith, and hold his hand of Mercy over us for his dear Son Christs sake. Take not away all thy t••ue Preachers forth of this Realm (O Lord) but leave us a Seed, lest Engl••nd be made like unto Sodom and Gomorrah, when thy true Lo•••• be gone.

But what go I about to mingle your mirth with my mourning, and your just joy with my deserved sorrow? If I loved you in∣deed, as I have pretended, I should surely rejoyce with you most heartily, and praise God on your b••half from the very bottom of my heart: I should praise God day and night for your excellent Election in and through his great Mercy and should give him most humble thanks for your Vocation by his Gospel, and your true Knowledge in the same: I should earnestly praise him for your sweet justification, whereof you are most certain by Gods G••ace and Spirit; and should instantly pray unto him for your Glorifica∣tion, which shall shortly ensue: I should rejoyce and be glad to see you dignified by the Crown of Martyrdome and to be ap∣pointed to that honour, to testifie his Truth, and to Seal it with your Blood: I should highly extoll the Lord, who hath given you a glorious v••ctory over all your enemies, visible and inv si le, and hath given you Grace and Strength to finish the Tower that you have begun to build. Finally, if I loved you, I should most hear∣tily rejoice and be glad to see you delivered from this body of sin, and vile person of the Flesh, and brought into that heavenly Tabernacle, where you shall be safely kept, and never offend him more.

This and much more should I do, if I had a good heart towards

God, or you his dear childe. But (alas) I am an hypocrite, and do seek nothing but mine own commodity. I would have Gods everlasting Providence give place to my peevish will and pur∣pose, although it were to the hindrance of his glory, and your sweet commodity. God forgive me my horrible ingratitude, sins, and offences against him; and good Brother, do you forgive me my great negligence and unthankfulness towards you, and hence∣forth I promise you I will put my will to Gods will, and pray that the same may be fulfilled in you, so long as you be on this earth: and when you are taken hence, I will most heartily praise the Lord for you, so long as I have my being in this world. Ah my dear heart, now I must take my leave of you, and as I think, my Ʋltimum Vale in this life, but in the life to come I am right well assured we shall merrily meet together, and that shortly, I trust. And in taking of my leave of you (my dear heart in the Lord) I shall desire you faithfully to remember all the sweet messages that the Lord our good God, and most dear loving Father hath sent you by me his most unworthy Servant, which as they are most true, so shall they be most truly accomplished upon you eternally: and for the more assurance and certificate thereof to your godly Consci∣ence, he hath commanded me to repeat the same unto you again in his own Name and Word.

Therefore now give ear, and faithful credence. Hearken, O ye Heavens, and thou earth give ear, and bear me witness at the great Day, that I do here faithfully and truely the Lords m••ss••ge unto his dear Servant, his singularly beloved and el••ct Childe ••••••n Brad∣ford. John Bradford thou man so specially beloved of God, I pro∣nounce and testifie unto thee in the Word and Name of the Lord Jehovah, that all thy sins whatsoever they be, be they never so many, so grievous, or so great, be fully and freely p••••doned, released and forgiven thee, by the mercy of God in Jesus Christ thine onely Lord and sweet Saviour, in whom thou dost undoubtedly believe. Christ hath cleansed thee with his Blood, and clothed thee with his Righteousness, and hath made ••hee in the sight of God his Father, without spot or wrinckle: so that when the fi••e doth his appointed office, thou shalt be received (as a sweet burnt Sacrifice) into

Heaven, where thou shalt joyfully remain in Gods presence for ever, as the true inheriter of his everlasting Kingdome, unto the which thou wast undoubtedly predestinate and ordained by the Lords in∣fallible purpose and decree, before the foundation of the World was laid. And that is most true that I have said, I call the whole Trinity, the Almighty and Eternal Majesty of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost to my Record at this present: whom I humbly beseech to confirm and stablish in thee the true and lively feeling of the same. Amen. Selah.

Now with a merry heart and a joyfull spirit, something mixed with lawful tears, I take my farewel of you, mine own dear Brother in the Lord: who send us shortly a merry meeting in his King∣dome, that we may both sing praises together unto him with his holy Angels and blessed Spirits for ever and ever. Farewel thou blessed of the Lord, farewel in Christ: depart unto thy rest in the Lord; and pray for me for Gods sake.

As I had made an end of this simple Letter, I heard some com∣fort both of good Mr. Philpots Servant and yours, but (alas) I do scarcely believe them. Well, I will hope in God, and pray all night that God would send me some comfort to morrow; and if the Lord give you sparing to morrow, let me hear four words of comfort from you, for Gods sake. The Blessing of God be with you now and for ever. Amen.

Yours for ever in the Lord Jesus, John Careles living in Hope against Hope.

Notes

• A sweet Letter of John Careles to Mr. Bradford, a little before his Martyrdome
• He mourneth for the loss and l••ck of Mr. Bradfor••. in the Church.
• He rejoyceth for the honour of Mr. Bradfords Martyrdome.
• John Careles ta∣keth his leave of M. Bradford
• Testimony of Gods Spirit.
• John Careles doth Gods mes∣sage to M. Brad∣ford.
• Power and pra∣ctise of the keyes of the Gospel.