i-r'w-^"*' ■."•i ■^•-'■: .''7°' ■■*''/■'■ V'-rv'.. '""'.'' ^iMi'-A^-U 5 . 'Ll.17, PRINCETON, N. J. Collection of Puritan Literature. Division SecHon Number Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://www.archive.org/details/alarmeforsinnersOOfoul An Alarme NNERS: Containing '- The Confellion^ Prayers^^ Letters^ and laft Words of Robert Foulkes, Late Minifter oi Stanton-Lacy in the County oi Salop -^ who was Tryed, Convided, and Sentenced, at the Seflions in the Old Bayly ^ London^ Jamary i6* i^7L and Executed the 31^ following. With an Account of his L I F E. Publilhed from the Original, Written with his own hand, during his Reprieve, and fent by him at his Death to Dodtor Lloyd^ Dean of Bangor, Let him that thinkt^h hefiandeth^ taks heed lefi he fall, i Cor, lo.i 2. Liccnfed, Jan. 2 p . 1578. LO AT D N, Printed for Langky Curtps^ on Ludgate-Htll^ ^^79- TO THE Right Reverend and Honourable M Y L O R D BISHOP o( LONDON. May it pleafe your Lordihip, AS it was an A5t of the Highefi Charity and Conde- fcention in your LorJfiip^ ( upon Dr. LloydV Motion ) fi Jpeedily and effe&ually to Addrefr ■ yourfelfto his Majefty for a Reprieve of my Bo- dy from Deaths forfomefmall tiffte^ in order to the Prepa* ration of my Soul for that Eternity lam ready to enter on 5 fo that I thinks my felfin Duty and Gratitude obliged^ not only to give fome Account to the World how that time is Em- ployed^ but alfo to fubmit this Account to be Ordered and Dijpofed of as fhall feem befi to your Lordfhips great Wif- dom. If it be thought ufeful^ (^ as I hope it may be a loud Caveat againji bold and daring Impiety^ I humbly deftre it may not ftcal abroad^ but take along with it the Honour as well as Authority of your Lordfiip's Imprimatur. That Learned and Charitable Perfon which Prefents it to your Lordfiip, haspr&mifed to Order and Dijpofe of the confufton of thefe loofe Papers^ fi as fiall be leaji troublefome to your Lordjhip in the Perufal 5 and to mak^e my Apology for Pre- finting them to fuch an Honourable Hand, infncha Rude and Diforderly Form. The Circumftances of my prefent A 2 CV«- The Epiftle Dedicatory, Condition will mt fuffer Me to pnt them in any betfer : But vphat I have novo Prefented to your Honour «• fwcerely the Trhth, and there k not a Tittle here but what is the Exa&. Tranfcript of thofe Iwprefions J find upon my Co>?Jcm.ce. 1 hope they may in fome meafure contribute to ihe Advance- ment of His Glory ^ whom I haiefo beyond all Example dif honoured '-i and convince all that are not willing to catch at irrational Inferences to fupport themfelves in their Athe/fme and Debauchery, That our Excellent Religion, and this Sa- cred and Honourable Profejfion, are not to be Judged and difparaged for the Mifcarriages offuch nn found Menu hers as I have been. Thk gives me alfo fome Ground to hope, that I fhall obtain your Lordfiips Pardon and Prayers, together with that of the numerous Clergy under your Lordflj/fs Government, in this great and populous Ci^ ty^ which I mo ft humbly and heartily begg God continue your Honour to be what you are, as great an Ornament to the Proteftant Profejfion, as I have been a Scandal to it. In a deep Senfe ofyeur abundant Chanty^ I fhall not ceaje to improve that Breath yon have borrowed for me, as for my Own^ fo for Your Lordftiip's Eternal Happinefs. Robert Foulkes. Am CO fiffitffi^ffff:fffftffiifii An Alarme F O THAT they who have feen the former ill Example ofmy Life and do now look on this difmal Conclufion of it, might not be Spedators difappointcdj as I had great Reafon To I had a good Occalion to encourage me in this following Account. . That Great God that brings Good out of Evil, fo ordered it, that that very Evening after my Condemnation,! rccei- ^ j^^.^ ^. ^^ ved a very feafonable Vilit from a ^ Reverend Perfon, Indeed the Viht was but ihort, and our Difcourfe alfo interrupted with Matter not fo pertinent to that Lamentable Occafion, fo that ( being under great Difturbance ) I could make little or no- thing of it j but as I lay on my Bed that Night, about one or two of the clock, it came into my thoughts again •, and upon the fearch of my Memory, 1 recolleded two things, which, in Anfwer to my earneft Requeft for his Alfillance, that Worthy Perfon had diredied me to. The firlt was, to Glorifie God : The other, as a means to promote that Chief End, to wipe off all CO all 1 could of the Scandal and Reproach which my Vicious' Life and Ignominious Death refleded upon my Fundion i and both thcfc, He told me, could not be more Effedually performed than by a full ConfetTion of my mawifold Enormities. I then' rcfolvcd upon it, and as foon as I could procure Pen and Paper, let about it •, being willing with all my Heart to Jurtitie the Holy and Righteous God, and all I can to Vindicate that Reverend Employment trom unjut\ Afperfions, though it redounds never fo much to my own Shame and R.eproach : and cannot otherwife be imputed to my Profelfion, but a*s the Effed of great Ignorance of, or great Malignity againfi Canons and Conftitutions fo Regular and Orderly in every Circumftance, fuch as ftridtly oblige to great Circumfpedion and Exad Walking •> from which Excellent Rules I wretchedly departed, as appears by the following Audit of my Life and Adions. I had made no confiderable Progrefs in that Vi^ork, but I found my felf interrupted by that Confideration, That God would not Approve or Licenf^ VavicPs Intention of Building him a Temple to GloriHe his Name in, becaufe his hands had been too deeply concerned in Blood. 'Twas of no Difficult, but of very difcouraging Application ■■, but whether this were a Defign of Satan, or a plot of my own Corruption, or a Concur- rence of both, I will not ftand to Examine. The Advice of ano- ther Able Perfon fo Encouraged me, and baffled the Objcdion, that it vanifhed of it felf. That removed, I confidered, that being now fummoned to a fpeedy Appearance before the Impar- tial and moft Dreadful Tribunal of the Juft and Righteous Judge of all the Earth, there to Anfwer for thofe many and heinous Sins, vifiblc in my Vicious and Ill-led Life •, I hold my felf obliged to enter into a narrow Search, and a very clofe Infpedion of my ■Heart and all my Wayes. And though my Crimes be fo Crying and Publick, the Aggravations of them fuch as make them fo ex- ceeding finful, that the (hamc of them doth cover me, my Hor- rour for tliem, and the jult Reward due to them here on my Body, hereafter on my Soul, in the more dreadful and terrible Miferies of Eternal and unquenchable Burnings, that thefe Sins muft needs draw upon me, if the ha,nd of Iwhnite Mercy does not fnatch me as a brand out of the Flame •, though, I fay, thefe General Con- Cderaiions have almoft diftraded my Thoughts, yet I cannot find any Ca] ^ly reft till I have made a more diligent Scrutiny, a more diftin(^ and particular difcovery of all that Wickednefs that was damm'd up in my Heart, as the Spring and Fountain •, and burft out thence into fuch Rapid and impetuous Streams of Prophanenefs in mv Life. Such were my Irregularities, that I have juft Gaufe, and had long ago realbn to fmart under the (everity of David'' s Reproof or rather o^ David's God: So the words run, PfaL 50. 16, But unto the wich^d^ faith God^ IVhat haji thou to do to declare my Sta- tutes^ or that thou Jhould^ji tak^ my Coven-ant into thy mouthy feeing^ thou hateji Injiru&ion , and cajieii my words behind thee, and haji been partaker tvith Adulterers : but then, Confiictudo peccandi tel- lebat fenfum peccati. 1 was of proof againft the ftroaks of Divine Commijiations. But now that my Sins have found me out, and Gods Juftice has overtaken and arretted me, fo that I am to be a Spedlacle to the World, I may be heard to publifti my Sin, and leave this Warning- behind me •> that all that Jhall hear or fee it ^m ay fear .^ and do no more fo iVick^dly : And in particular, that they who by my ill Life have been led to ill thoughts of that Holy Profeffion and Calling fo dif- honourcd, or of that pure Church of which I was an unworthy Mem- ber, and a more unworthy Teacher •, may no more blafphcme the Fundion of the Miniltry, the Chriftian Faith, or the Church of England-, but be rather ftruck with Horror at my bafe Apolhcy and Impiety, and that by my Example He that (lands may ta^e heed leji hefall^ and fuch as are fallen may be moved to Remember their frfi Love and doe their firli Worlds i left the like Horrible Judg- ments purfue and overtake them. Let the Circtimftances of my Condition add weight to my- Words •, Dying men have no Temptation to warp them from ■ Sincerity, they cannot then be fufpeded either to Lye or De- ceive : And though my former preaching was blafted by my Scandalous Living, and could not be of any Worth or Confi- • deration ■•> yet thefe my laft Words, together with my fad Condi- tion, will (I hope,) fo Affect all Perfons, as to engage their Conii- deration of what I fay. I confefs then, to Gods Glory and my own Shame, that- the Hand of Heaven had been exceeding^ boutvtiful to snc i that great. [43 great God that fiUeth with his BkiTing every living thing, had loaded me v^^ith Benefits > of hU Fulneff I received Grace for Grace^ John I. i6. that Ls Copia & Abundantia Grat't£^ he had given me all things richly to enjoys I had no Reafon to Mur- - mur, as if my Portion had been fparing and penurious, ei- ther in Temporals or Spirituals. 1. I had my Birth and Education not amongft them that arc Aliens from the Common wealth of Ifrael and Strangers to the Covaiant of Promife, &c. But in the Pale of the Church, and n:)t in a Church ftuflfed with Error an J Snperftition, but in a Church fo refined and reformed, that it is become the pu- reft upon Earth. A Church that teacheth no other Dodtrine but what Chrift and his Apofiles delivered, derives none of its Principles from the puddled Fojntain of vain and uncer- tain Tradition, but a fun ITord of Prophecy is that Spring that fends forth all her Doftrlnes > a Church that gives no Encou- ragement to Sin, nor Countenance to fuch vicious Perfons as ( Alas! )1 have been-, all her Articles, all the Parts of her VVor- fliip, all her Cannons and Conftitutions are Pure and Holy •, and fuch, as all they that fmcerely obferve them lliall certainly be faved. In this Church I lived, though not according to its Rules s and in this by Gods AlVillance I ihall dye. ^ 2. But this was not all, God by the outward Mmiltration ot his Word and the inward Operation of his Spirit wrought fo on my Heart, that for fome time his Fear was before my Eyes, fo that I walked tenderly, and endeavoured to keep my Confcicnce void of OlTence, towards God and towards Man •, I ferved him in Secret, and Studyed to glorifie him in my whole Cpnverla- tkMi. In this Path I walked when I was dedicated more im- mediately to his Service, and by Impofition of Epifcopal hands was in Anti-Epifcopal times, ordained a Minifter of his Holy Gofpel. This Ihould have been my Crown, and my Joy, but is now my Shame and Reproach, that I knew God and was an MrH^or of the FooUlh, and a teacher of th Smple, to me therefore it may be faid, thoii who teadxji another Uacbeli thou not thyfelf? rhoHthatfayefl a mau JhoM not commit Adultery, doeft thou commit Adultery ? God [53 ^God alfo bhffed me with competent abilities for the difchargeof that Funftion, fo that had I profecuted my ftudies with that induftry and diligence as I did other vanities, I might have attained to greater improvements of my own and others underftandings. 4. God provided plentifully for me-, by the favour of a noble and an honourable Patron I was fetled very comfortably as to all the concerns of humane life, My lot was fallen in a wry Jair ground^ yea I hadagocdly heritage •, my portion was fo far from being fcanty, that I had enough and to fpare, and f till of latej I was beloved of my Parilhioners, and refpe^ed in my Neighbourhood, 5. The fame bountiful Providence blelTed me with as worthy Rela- tions, a very faithful affedionate Wife, tender of my perfon, careful and induftrious about my affairs, one that had a very good right to Solomons Charafter, Trov. ult. One that bleiTed me with four I'weet Children, and brought me within the reach of that promife, Like a fruitful 'Vine. Thus in all refpefts God dealt gracioufly with me, fo that I was happy as any of my Neighbours ^ and now how much have I to an- fwer for,who had receiv'd fo many Talents, but inftead of employing them in my Mafters fcrvice, did not fo much as lay them np in a naf- kinj but like a prodigal child rvafied all this in riotom living ! And novv I come to the laft and worft of my condition •, wherein without any favour or partiality to my felf,I (hall make a difcovery of my (hame, and expofe my vicious praftices to the eye of the Sun, That tendernefs that was on my Confcience was not long-liv'd*, my own corruptions, with the Devils temptations, foon overcame it : then returned the Devil attended with feven more worfe than him- felf into my fwept and garniflied foul. An unclean, a filthy Devil he was. Then I violated my Baptifmal Vows, and ray Ordination-En- gagements, and the Faith of Wedlock, and delivered my felf fthe great occafion of this difmal conclufion of our wretched courfe of life. This being fo remarlcably the fin of thisprefcnt Age, I will enlarge a little, to conjure all Married perfons to keep tnat Bed H^defiled. When that Faith is once broken, the comforts of the married life quickly expire and come to an end : nor is there any ftop ; but fuch perfons foon pafs over all the ftages of fin ; they run from one wickednels to another, till at laft they ruin both foul and body. Open your eyes therefore, and not only look, but contemplate upon thefc dreadful and tragick inftances, oh Adulterers and Adftlte" repSf2LT\d be not enfnared with a Whores charms-,truft not to her kind- nefles, though confirmed with her Oaths,and Execrations, and Tears ^ they lead on to all manner of fin*, they will wafte your Eftate,divide your Family, ruin your Health, deftroy your Soul *, andifever^ou need her friendship, (he will raoft perfidioufly betray you. But on no fort of men fhall the judgments of God more certam- ly fall, than on the Hypocrites, who think either to hide, or perhaps to gild over their abominations, fo as to make the moft monftrous and deformed of their lufts and vices, peeping under the vizor and mask of Religion, look to deluded eyes with the beauty and comeli- aefs of real virtues. I thought my fin well fecured under the proteftion of one of thefe;! vainly fancied it was done in fecrct, and that it /hould never be brought to light •, but I wasdeceived: the fcandal of it became fo pablick, that my Right Reverend Diocefan the prefent Lord Bifhop of Hereford^ came to the knowledg of it, reproved and admonifh- ed me for it, and ordered his Court to take cognizance of it. It burft out with that violence, like water long dammed up, that all took notice of it *, the love of my friends, the malice of my enemies alarm'd me with it •,. and what I thought to be an zArcanum be- tween my partner and my felf, is now become Vox populi •, the Neigh-- bourhood rings and ecchoes again with it. To this 1 oppofed my con- £dept.deniais,and, thofe confirmed with Oaths and Execrauons,which L 7 1 I too frequently ufcd for my own purgation. I Hood alfo upon points ItOO trequciii. y thoupht would have born roe our. '"l:XhLwwCtho4have%nave tomyluft, andmabfolute ■ ^f ,l™vfle(h vet I briskly receiv'd the affaults ot all that op- vafralagetomyflelh, yetlDr^Ky ^ ,- ,• that I promifed pofed my 'XTete a CO qu ft o« then,, as 1 h'ad obtained over Z iwn Con^^cc^hoTaccufationsIhad almoft perfealy ftiflcd, V °Ct TmlT. but few and very feeble Attempts upon "once indeed it charged me very furioufly ; and having the advan- ta2?of great fit of f^knefs, it made fuch affaultsupon me.that fin I. f la. tfhave loft its hold, for I was driven mto great fears, and 5 n„,.henfion f Oh that 1 had ftill continued fuch a Convert \) thr.e -^"d onfeffions, the confeffions begat vows and pro- mifo but wo is me,they all proved abortive, for 1 foon returned o mv vo'mU, and the health of my body renewed the dtfeafe of my foul-, Te tvrant Sin foon recovers its dominion, and ever fince Con- fden I has b" n kept under hatches. And to pa hate and fude my fin Sore, i ftudied to be more elaborate and zealotts .n my Preachmg, totreer at fktisfaftion of my Hearers; only I feldom medledw.th, or but^very tlnderly touched my own beloved fin •, 1 went about all ?te parts of my Minifterial duty fo carefully, and d.fcharged thetn with ?uch approbation, that the judgments of many chamable and reltaeaning perfons not only acquitted me of the vices I ftood char- ged wUh"l>"t I deluded their good opinion into iome thoughts of "''i™n the7afe oVXfc.-.. the fowls of the air fell on the carka- fesof hebeaftsthat were offered infacrifice •, lb unclean and vic.oijs thouohts haunted aU my duties and performances; only with this d.f- feren«,XU drove\way thofe,but thefe 1 fed and entertained ge- neraUv without theleaft difturbance to my Confcience. Indeed at the Sacrament Ibme fears would arife, and the confideration of the Ex- elTarv execution of mdal, and AHh^, whereby they became mo- numents of Divine vengeance in the very place where they commit- «d the r fin, would fometimes arreft my confidence, and fill me with apprehenfions left fome like judicial proceeding (houlo be lerved up- on me alfo, for daring to prefent my falfe fires upon Gods AI t r which engaged me in fomc fhortliv'd reftraints, that feldom exceed- cd two or three days',by thefe arts I built me a houfe without a foun- dat.on, 1 procured tomyfelffome falie quiet, and fo deceived my fcir as well as others ^ for now that the ftorms and tempefts, the winds and floods of affl.aion beat againft it, I am very fenfble how it fliakes and is ready to fall on my head, now 1 have moft need of fhel- ter and proteaion Not that I dclpair, that I fliall yet through the Grace and mercy of God, and thofe excellent affiftances he haThfent. rne,ftick the Rock of my Salvation. 'T,s of dreadful confideration (I know; what the Scripture fays of the Hypocrites portion. But now God hath taken off the mask, I can't be confidered under that notion an open finner, a very great and hainous one is my Charafter • and I aia fure Chnft came to caU fuch to repentance. Although I never grew to that proficiency in finning, as to be of the Head-form, and to herd my felf amongft them that fay/ There IS no God, no Judgment to come -, yet I muft confefs 1 had fup' prefTed, if not utterly laid afide the thoughts of thofe things ; and all ray care and contrivance was how to hide my fin from the eves I ""f/^ Jl'r'^l V^''. "T' ^''^"^^ t^^" I thought not of it, howlfhould fo baffle and befot my Reafon and Underftanding, a wellas Confcience, and run fo counter to what I deraonftrated to, and inculcated on my Neighbours in a Difcourfe on Ecclef. n 9. where I confidered and argued, and at laft concluded in rea- fon the neceffity of Judgment i and in the clofe (hewing the Quali- fications of the Judg, I infifted fufficiently for that occafion T^on hisOmniprefence and Omnifcience •, and that he does commonly makefignal difcovenes, even in this life bring to light our clofeft contrivances-, and yet the impreffions of that quickly wore out of my own memory. But I find, and (in my inftance) you may read. That not bn^ ts fo fecret but Jhall be revealed: and r,hat is done w clofets, jhall be puhlijhed upon the houfe-top. Be not deceived therefore, God ts not mocked. He will not fuffer fin to lye always concealed, but will bring to light the hidden things of diflioneftv- and when once fin is detefted, he will much lefs indemnifie it, and fuffer It to go unpunifhed ', what though the world commend you, if your own Confcience condemn youj and God whoisgrea- C 9 ] ter than your Confclence knoweth all things. Whither (hall lily from his prefence ? Who when I faU the darknefs floall cover me made the darkfiefs to be light about me, for the darknefs and the lizht are both alike to him. '^ I am now arrived at the height, and by many lower Heps mounted even, to the top of impiety, to which by a long courfe of many Adulteries I have been .fitting my felf : fo fuccefsfullv have I fought the battels of this hellifh Commander, that novv he thmks me courageous enough to be led into a more bloody field. Having by many former repeated afts , arrived at laft to a habit m finning, ray Confcience became fo feared and paft feehng, that I was not afraid to commit this horrid Murther for which the Law has fo juftly judged me •, a crime of a' crimfon complexion, of a fcarlet tinfture; a crime that not on- ly bids defyance to God and Religion, but the very Didates and Principles of Nature and Humanity, would abhor and even ftartle at the fuggeftion to it i a crime indeed not to be thought on^ without horrour i fo formidable and affrighting, that abftraaed from its aggravating-circumftances, it required a conlcience of full proof in Satans fervice to attempt it To deftroy an mnocent Babe, had cruelty enough in it •, but to offer violence to the fruit of ones own body, was fuch a monftrous piece of barbarity, as admits not of a parallel. I cannot remem- ber another inftance. God grant the Repentance may bear Ibme proportion to the vafl: dimenfions of the fin. When I firft entred on this , diflfolute courfe of life, if any body could have fuggefted to me where it would have ended, 1 (hould certainly hav. anfwered with the Syrian, Am 1 adoi that I JhoHld do this! yet 1 am the Dog that did it Sin in Its minority is eafily oppofed', at firft to refift it, requires not lo much labour •, but there is no withftandinP when it has attained to maturity : the heights of wickednefs appear fo monftrous at a diftance to one that is but newly entering upon It, that he flatters himfelf he (hall never come thiiher-, but atter long continuance in it , and fuppreffing many Con- vidiong , Lcvnnc uiolatina out Vows and R.folutions, after many Eva- r r;'rft off the imputation, apologie. to c«ule or lef- nons to m ft ott tn F to deny it, a man becomes len It, Oa hs ana " j^ he was, but is inlenfibty ftrang.ly altered- he « ^«^ ^^"f f„„, „f the Devil, who leads brought more and "o« '"^» J^^ '„„, f,„ d,,v.s on another, him capt.ve at h.s pl"'";^ ' 7„,,uaio„ than another. Like and each "f ^ '"»" .Tho bv their promilcuous Copulat.- the Serpents <>t//""vJ^t^,„„\',nd ugly Monfters as Nature ons have engendered luch ftrange ^r^ "8V^,,^ ^;„f^,f ,„ .^e never intended : Wioio allocs a ^^ foaiUthat praftice of ^Y .one/in, thm.gh he tmnK ^^ ^^^.^ ^^ ,r,an involves '^''?'f f^Vpport it Try not thy felf, but trull a train to attend and lupport «■ y 'j^ Experiment my words, wt.0 fwith forrow °"ff y/™,p„tion io drive '" '!,"""fn^tu/nv TtouTU Lft made fome '"' '"l^I'dv and perhaps haft receiv'd fome returns of """fr nLafuIe Oh confider and learn from me to con- profit or pleaiure , Y"- . . devaftation it wiU brmg dude what a ho" We_ wrack and ^^^ , "?"" i^T V J^ • and if the tempeftuous wrath of God, and aboard the Veffel , and -t n P ^^^^ judgments (hould the Hurricanes of ^^^ f^^^'^^^^fd it appear to thee how overtake and link tnee, uuu " ■■ 'l^ lof,. confider great thy folly was and ^o" " pa^ra^e hy^^ ^^, ,^ the plealures of f" a« but ^ ^^^^^^^ of joy, and degrees ^ '|»^"^f. 7' X evermore; refift the firfl beginnings, t-hoie plealmes that are '<»";""(j '^^ou makeft in fin, brings crulh the Cockatrice —Every It pt ^^ ^^^^ Thus far i have gone, -^^-'V t" r^c^t ' k^p'rut ""^''u' '"'"^h!;fam" efentTdin hisCity' where for many ;tu''ha 'el S «. -'^- - ^-" "■'""" '•'^■' •": [Ill of a common Drunkard •, a foul and fcanda/ou. charge, which ras all other iniputationsj) admits of a deep dye irom mv perfon and profeffion :. and as it makes way for all other fiiis to which the Devils temptations (hall prompt our forward natures, is a vice of pernicious confequence. But how lar I am concerned, is not tin:ie now to conceal. ; 1 remember the time , and I believe 'tis not forgot in my late Neiohbourhood , when 1 had a very competent fliare of te™^^^^ iobriety, 1 can truly attefl that an Alehouie orT Tavern had none,' or but a very little of my cuftome : If at anv time my occafions invited me to them, or their ne- ffiyJrg d me,,\ went not in without reluaancy, thought not them%laces for me; therefore while I ftayM, I was un- eafie, and I haftned my departure: and this was my praaice for feveral years. He that confiders my circumftances, can t in. charity fufpeft I need Witnefles. Btit alas! I too well remember the time and I can giv^ but too good an account of the occaf.on of n^Y /f C^ any degree) into a fm fo contrary to my nature', I the rather reflea on. it, and I wifli I may do it with a proportionable forrow, becaufe it was the Child of what was too^ much the fL of my nature,. Luft and Uncleannefs', thele involved me m quarrels and contentions.-, I had (bits dependmg both in the Civil and Ecclefiaftical Courts-, and to fupport the credit and btereft of the Caufes, 1 fpent I -nfefs, toomuchof my time^^ too much of my Money ui publick Houfes, to treat the SendTand favourers of the Suits, efpecially thofe whofe in- tereft it was to promote and continue, them -, there 1 ftaid ong, and drank %o intemperance, and this I came to da abou two or three years fince -, but 1 have exaauned and bumbled my lelf, and' I thank God , do not ^ -y,k burdened with, any extraordmary guilt upon tbat ac sount. Let not therefore the people by their unjuft detentions of -dues, force their Mlriicers to legal feverities upon any ac- count ^ what is due, part with willingly, and let it not be wrung out by Suits an?^ Law-contentions *, I can't certainly (in thele circumftances) b- -fufpe^led of any felfifh defign to promote my own intereft in ^.iy pleadings of this nature •, I have received my laft , I expert no more •, 'Twill be their advantage therefore, not mine, to adiTiit of thele perfvvafions •, you can't tell what influences you loie , what inconveniences you incur by any fuch injuftice, I will leave it to your own colle»flion, Mul. 3. 8, 9, 10, 11. Befides a blafl: upon the Eftate, it leaves a blot upon the Name-, fuch people as ftrive with the Prieft, being by the Prophet ftiled the worft of men, Hof. 4. 4. But as to the people, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, 1 have done my duty in leaving this Writing behind me. Let it not be thought prefumption by the Clergy, in one who in his life-time had too many experiences of the ill effefts and inaulpicious confequences of fuch differences, now at his death to leave his advice againft them *, you know where they begin, but you can't tell either where or when they will end. They are fires which a fmall matter kindles , but commonly improve themfelves into fuch a flame, as a whole Neighbour- hood affords not water enough to extingui{h, and foraetimcs are not quenched till they confume to afhes the fubjefts that ieed them : Not to reckon up all the mifchiefs it does , there fs too much in this one, the hindrance of the fuccefs of your Minift:ry. As you will be tempted to Preach to the advan- tage of your Caufe, fo the people will receive all your duties wrth prejudice^ and while you quarrel about the Tythe, the Devil takes the advantage to ruin thofe fouls of which you muft give a fevere account. The iecuring or regaining of the Churches Rights, was the anfwer wherewith I flopped the mouths of all objeaions : But now I find to ray forrow, that rhe gaining of fouls, the rights of Chrift, which he purchafed with his own blood , is upon no account to be neglefted or prejudiced. Thus (13) 1,.?? haje.Igone, and in all pf%ability much farther had I proceeded, if my merciful Goa, by a ftjong and 1r efi fcble providence, hadnotftood in the way and Tefifted me Nature. Asl defiretofubm.t toit with filence and contented- nefi, (0 through the aid of his grace, I hope to i^p ovet to his Glory and to fuch fpiritual adrantages for my felf as ^U^admimfter great caufe of eternal graltude anVthank- ,r.^°^»^t'°T''"'^ fy- ' ="" ^">'"' '^' reproach of ?1 ' ir^^l t,°' ''"'' °^'^'' either ft J ,«, ,/° l,p, or Pake the head at me: they either infult upon my 6 You workers of iniquity, be afraid of the judgments of God hlS' "\^''''^»?g^= °'- encouragement^ film mt farfui relch^'v^uf Conr''"'''T'^'' "" i-^"h.s my CoVffion reach youi Confciences ; beheve it, Religion is true theter- but how much moreftall they be fo in that blackneli of rt" f,? r ' f r ''T^'een on, you would certamly loath Ae pleafuresof fin and abhor the thoughts of it. Pray crd my experience. To be brought to the Bar of an Earthly J^^^r I '^'n" ^^"^'Sr^^'i ft-r the precious life, b foe a Judge that will notfpare thee; to hear thy Jury find thee GuJty and thereupon the Judge proceed to CteLeag^ril am Tufrr^^^''""l'"'^^'"^^'"gConfiderat.o„s.^ Bu ^eT)friicrc:„tSLtt:r^^^^^^^^^^^ Think ( My M. ft,.y, for ^^^-. »>- tr-haM dtt by ^at you '^ll: tXfSut ^:ccn«,...ho-by what, now be- falkn mc. ■ .„a for rucb.Weno.^nown;^^^^^^^^^^ ,he too too t-'llyo"''''. , ? „^ vour Ives w,th thke vam ■love your S.iils ; delude not y^"' '^' ,-^ f^,,„ f, „ thoughts and arguinenumons, ^™°"^^^^^^^ come up to this d.eadtui ""=' ' , , when once to look Sown the fca,-ful P'TPfa'Lf fear beCd their back,, men have forfaken Uod, ^"^. ^^^ ^'l^^" „■' ,nto exceffes of there is no force can keep <^^^,/X T t by me learn, that not. Truft not therefore to you^felvs,buby^ ^^ ^^__^, ^^^ yo. who '1° °f^„:,,?:;^Irilh woman, out of which, delivered up to the ln«» o> l-f- [^ you ; and there is no ^" rr fTftbS :: S tL^piexion, but rucha wickednefs ot io biacK aim j profpea ot maniscapableoUommittmg.t. H^dj^^^^ thenavery,orwouldbebutperiuaoe ^^^ ^^^ condition, and convinced, wib what ,^ ^is drudgery, diligence 'l^^X ™" "Vfirir.fe with trouble and anxieties, filling every f ™" °X'"„"tcl.axard and danger, which and that attended on wuhext me ^^. ,^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ (,,sin ™.y-'^) XtXrTboutthe filth and (hame thatw.. , rableruine; and tn.n du (i„„„,h as is noifom and hitherto concealed , wi h that ^^^^f^^^^^^^..^^^^, b„, f offcr/iveto aU men. ^ Ce. ain^ cl ele ^^^ ^^^^^j^^, contribute towards a rctormation. -^-rrtr.stiryi'Ji^"'<^^^"^"..-r while you Itand, take ntvu iv / ^^j^^ (15) make your Calling and Ekaion fure : Work out your falva- tion with fear and trembling; take heed and beware offal- ling from God, and of flacking in, much more of an utter ^ flighting and rejeftion of Religious duties; for fuch an Apo- ( ftacy is often attended with fome ft rank defer tion. God had done fo well for me , that it might have been juftly faid. What more could have been done for him? and you have heard how in all circumftanccs. I lay in the Sunfliine of bis favour, being repleniflied with Divine bleffings. I could' have faid with the Prophet, He mahzth me to lie down /'^^pf^i.^j. t. ireenpafinres.he prepared a table for me tn the prefence of tnim enemies, my cup ran ever. Indeed my pafture was one- Ver. y. ly too rank and furfeiting. Jefuron-hke, I n^axed fat and kicked, for want of applying to my own pradiile, what I oh inculcated upon others, Mofes his caution to the Ijraehtes, I Deut. 6. i i,i^ decreneratedintol/r^e/ifm; inftead of acknowledging, I br- & 8.10,11. i^ ga?Godmy Saviour, and my mind becoming earthly and fen- fual, I lightly efteemed the Rock of my falvation : Therefore he in his moll juft judgment dehvcred me up to the lufts ot my own heart. And you fee what a courfe I have run, and where it ended. You therefore that know his name, dread his iudgments, walk humbly before him, and in all jour ways ac- p^ov. 3.6 knowledge htm, not truflmgyouf own underfiandwg, or your own hearts, with the government and direaien of your ways. There is another fort of perfons I fliall humbly prefume to leave a warning for : Not that I think my felf able to teach, or inftru^ their underftandings ; but the fad circum- ftances of my prefent condition encoui.ige my hope, I may have a perfwading influence upon them, that what they know may be reduced to praAife. I have indeed been Rich a reproach unto them, tha-t I may be afraid and afliaraed to name them ; yet I know their charity is fuch, -that they wiU bear with me in this Hbcrty I take, to (peak and to be tree in my fpeech unto them. C ^ You {,6) You therefore that are the Paftors of the flock of God, which he hath purchafcd with his own blood, Feed that flock, let your light fhine, and by moil Exemplary hves, wipeofi; the blemifli that I have brought on your moft holy Fundlion. You throw mighty and iniiiperable difficulties in your own way, and too effectually obftru61; the fuccefi of your own endea- vours, if you do otherwile. I have found the experiment too true, that loofe living is fatal and deftru6live to the ends of ftri£l preaching. The Minifterial employment being to demolifli the ftrong holds of Satan, who (b takes liberty to fin, countermines himfelf : and in ftead of ffiaking, fortifies the kingdom of the Devil. What effe6ls can that Ambaflador expe6b when his actions fhall contradi6l his inftru(Slions* MJer. in Epifi Mi^^odo ^otefi prajes Ecclejia aifferre malum de medio^ qui mi Tit. in deli^um Jimtle corruit ? with what reafbn fliall I difwade another from that difh I (b heartily feed upon my felf, which yet I often did, as if I would make a monopoly of Sin, and ingrofs it all to my felf. There is this inconvenience in * ^a liber- it, * That It greatly confines and ftraightens a mans zeal and tHte pecc-antem affection, (o that in the management of the fword of the corriperepotefi. Spirit he Cannot fo heartily, and with that vigour fetch his ''^^ rJ""/^^ blow againft fin, andhew it all to pieces. Though I aftedmy det, eadem fe V^^^ "^^ ^o^ ^'^ artihcialiy, yet I lound my lelr under this con- achiififequa hnement : Tis not to kindle but to fnim the light in your torripit. underftandings, that I refer you to St. Vauls inftruflions, to Hier. uot fup. Yimothy and Titus : the one he commands to be an example to believers in his Converfation, the other in all things to fhew r Tim. 4. 1 1 hijjif^lf a pattern of good works ; and St. Peter exhorts the 1' Pif 5 elders to be examples to the flock : *tis the fame word in all the three places, TV 3-©-, a metaphor from a feal or flamp to which the people are like wax , and accordingly receive the ira- jjefTion. ^»hr. (ii Die '^^^ Minifter is the peoples Looking-glafs, by which they I'jtcerd, comnwnly drefs themfelvcs: now if the glafs be falfe and coun- counterfeit, how (quallid and deformed muft their attire be ? Vardon me, I pray, that I thus prefume toinftruft you -, the in- tention of my defire for the prefervation of others from ihofc deftru£live paths wherein I walked, has transported me thus far. I will make but one ftep more, and then we will part for good and all ; I go before to Judgment and you muft follow after. In die Levitical Law I find that the weights and meafures of the San6luary double the common ; certainly the fins of the Officers of the San6luary double and treble the hkc of common people. This is an eafie inferrence and colleftion, from what we read of their expiatory offering ( God preach this Doctrine to tny heart, and make it vifible in my practice ) If thePriefl: anointed finned, his offering and expiation did not ^'V'^- A- 3. only exceed that of the Vulgar but even that of theMagift- '^' ^'» ^^• rate j nay was to be equal to that of the whole Congregation. A deep meafure of Repentance, a greater proportion of Sor- row is certainly required of Conftcrated perfbns, fuppofing their fins to be thefameinallothercircumftances ; the dignity of their employment gives their impieties the deep die, and will certainly aggravate their punilhment : Grandts dignitas (acerdotum, fed et grandis ruina ft peccant, a man of your pro- feflion is faved with greater difficulty than another ; thereaibn of it affrights me, let it awaken you : ^ia debet rationem Aquinas. reddere de profrUs et alienis. Labour therefore (b topra6ticc your own-preaching, as-that you may both lave your ielvcs »nd thole that hear you. To that end, be not earthly-minded, nor hfted up with a profperous condition ; let not your plenty become your Ihare, or puff you wiih pride • make no provifion for your fleffijbut by fire- quentfaftingand prayer, duties by me much neglected, keep in fuhjedion the infolent Rebel, atleaftdifarm and difablehimas much as you can ^ otherwifc he will employ you in the fervice of fin, and caufe you to fall under the condemnation of the Devil. Remember me, who though now (b deplorable a fpcflacle, yet was once, as little likely to fall into this condition as any about me. Thus (i8) . Thus far have I difchargcd Tf^J confcience, which alfobears me^tnefs herein, that n,y only cr.J .. to glor.fieOod and to nUcrthe (han.; aq the nght dore. my Pcrfon notmyFIrG. fX I do again and again requefl and conmrc all perfons wo (hall read°herepapers,to heed them fer.ouHy, becaufethey Com in the laft winmgof a dymgman a •'■'■^"J.h"" ""^ has iuftly expofed topublick reproach for Ins high Cnmes: m whir do not only icknowledg,- the nghtcoufiiels o hispr<> reSnss but fubmit to it andbLfih.m torit; for I do contefs mv confeence was fo dead aOcep in fin, that nothmglefs than te^uld have awakened it out ot itsLettogyand deep fecu- rityXffed be his Name that has not fuftere^nietoneepthe So of death, and though the awakening may feem terrible, V tfsft infinit lymore gentle thantohave the firft awakening in thetr^Wftof everlaftingburnings, from which I hope to bq favS% the Blood that fpeaks better thmgsthan that Inno- cents wbicll I have flied. n:.!' ,!l - 1 For (ip) For Satis faHion to tbofe vpho were at viy TryaU and may have their belief rvarpt to 2incharitablene[s : by the Confidence of viy fellow Criminals Accufations, and the Moderation of My Anfwers. T Was indeed at a great Conteft with my Self, whether I 1 fhould by n y Silence fubmir, and fo Confent to fome un- ^ueRefleaionsfhat were caft upon mem a Place foPublck, in, a Concern fo Great, and to my Prejudice lo Fatal j about thi^ I had great toffings in my thoughts for three or four days fmce my Sentence. Loth I was to lye under a greater Load of lenommy than belonged to me ', my Burden was big Enough of it Self without any fuch Additions. \Vhilic Twas thus Irrefolute I received the Credit as well as the Com- fort of a Vifit from a Reverend Perfon : to him I Commune catcd my doubts, and fram him received this Refoluuon, that I may Lawfully Acquit my fclf oVany unjuft Afperfions; my Expreilons being under the Government of charity, and that Moderation which becomes a l^-erfon under my Ui- cumftances. It is my purpofe to walk by that Rule, and to keepclofeto the Truth, as 1 am deeply Concern'd, who am very Ihortly to Appear before the Judgment Seat ot the God ot Truth. God forbid that I Ihould dare to be fo Audacious as to Scatter my lyes within a Step of his Tribunal (20) It would ill become my Condition, and bring under fufpi- cion, it not conti-adi6l the Sincerity of my Confellion, to Reflet upon the Juftice of fo Honorable a Court, where were Pre- fciit the two Lords Chief Juftices allifted with four of the Judges, the Lord Mayor and Rccordn- o^ London - No I Acknowledge them to be Gods Minifters, and that they bear not the Sword of God in Vain, but Execute Wrath upon them that do Evil: if there were any (harpnefs of Expreffionlat- tribute It to their Zeal againft my Crimes, and not to any prejudice againft my perfon. ^ The day after my Sentence there came to vifit the Prifoners one Mr. Swah the Ordinary of Nen^gate. He was pleafed to tell me ( but in Private) that he oblerved meat my Tryal Gazing about the Court and the Galleries, where Sate feveral Gentlewomen. I confefs I was formerly too apt to delight in luch iights, and let in abundance of Sin at thofe windows of myboul', but at that time J had other thoughts and Appreben- lions : the caufe of that diverfion was tofpy out fome WitnelTes 1 thought Material, which though they were in Court I could nothnd, and fo loft their Evidence; This ('tis very probable) may have been the observation of others as well as Mr. SmitL therefore I infert this j uft Apology. My Partner in the Guilt and Tryal, though not in the Condemnation, was pleafed to load me with (everal Calumnies. I Will only Note thofe that the Court infifted on, and I hear are yet difcourfed to my prejudice in the City. Firft it was Alledged that (he was committed to my Charge and Government byherFat\ier in her Minority and Childhood. This Report is fb generally fpread, and indeed (bunds /bill, that feveral fince my Tryal have difcourfed it as a great Aggravation; to commit fb foul a thing againft (b Great a Truft, and fome have repaired to me for Satisfaction ; to whom I then gave as J dqnow the World this Account, That Her Father was a Gentleman whom I never faw, or had the leaft Intercourfe with There There atetwo more Accufations, which I would notfo much as name but that I found them the only Ingredients that Imbittered my Cup both at my Trial, and at ray Sentence i The one was That I fhouM attempt and endeavour to vitiate her at Nine years old. The other, That 1 had for that purpofe corrup- ted her Judgment, and mifmformed her Confcience to believe Polvgamy lawful: Impeachments highly Criminal agamft the Law of God, and (as I am told) Capital againft the Laws of Mini I confefsl have Sins that exceed them, yet I never vvas guilty of ei- ther of thcfei and in the midft of abundance of Guilt I hnd a little Comfort in this. That I never proftituted the Word, or any Ordinance of God to ferve the turn of Lufts. , . , . , There is fome offence taken, as I hear, at my Charging her with what (he. denied at our Trial, (he did indeed fay. That jhe knew Nothing of the F^d^i for which we were Qieftioned, which Oie de- monfirated by Arguments that could not modeftly be (poken in thatphcc, without fuch unfavoury and noifom demon ft rations : I affirm. Upon the word of a dying Man, That both her Eyes did fee, and her Hands did Ad in all that was done : I am dead in Law, and r know my fayings ^^^ no Evidence againrt her ^ but the next time we meet at the Bar, which we (hall mfallibly do, and two thoufandWitnelTes (hall be produced againft us, that is. Her Confcienceand Mine, thefe things will be found to be trues and as fuch I affert them, as I (hall fuddenly anfwer it before the AU- feeing and Heart. fearching God. Thus I have fatisfied the defires offome of my Friends, done my felf Right, without doing her or anypcrfon in the world wrong. ^.^^,. ., ,.,t As to the World, after excufing my felf of things with which I am uniuftly charged, Khali charge my felf with one thing which every one does not confider. It is indeed, a great Aggravation ot mv Sin againir that poor Infant •, That I , whofe coiiccrn it was to provide for itsfafetyin all Refpeds, (houldin all deprive it as far as in me lay \ For by that barbarous Ad upon its Body, I have done what in me lay to Murther its Soul , by depriving it ot the ordinary means which God had ordained for its Salvation, 1 he ba- crament of Baptifta. Though I am not of his Opinion , who tor his feverity in this Cafe, was called Vurm Tater Infantum-, yet by ihe judsmeat of my own Confeicnce L hnd my k\i to be Vttrus (it) PaUr, that 1 ncvcr once fo much as conndcrea this;, To that the poor innocent and harm! cfs Babe, is only beholding to the Mercy of its Heavenly, and n(.t at all to that of its Earthly Parent for the Happinefs I Iwpe it now enjoys. ^ , . , . , I have done with the World, of which I have no more part i and I praifc God that he has chofcn this way to take me out of it. I oudu not to let fo great a Mercy pafs, without a due acknowledge n.cnt. If God had not by this (evere Courfe opened my Eyes and alarum'd me to Repent, and given me time confiderable and great AtTiftances to perform it , 1 might have been furpnfcd with fomc fudden Dcath,and infallibly funk headlong into Hell , [^om which I have good hopes to be preferved through the Mercy of God, and Non ex Gradu the Merits of my bkffed Saviour and Redeemer, Jefus Chrift, who, ,.t mnp.a v'L^ ■ aoes praciouny accept of the Truth and Reality (though S:t^7;t wcardeg^sfof FaitLnd^Repentance, which his Holy Spirit dtt Juftifici- hath wrought in my Soul. . tldi^ '^ Though this Mcroy was handed to me ma very (harp and bitter -^muu. Providence, yet 1 read a great deal of the Wifdom.and Goodnefs of God in it HisWifdomforefaw, that more gentle Applications would not werk upon a Difeafe grown fo headftrong and invete- rate •, his Goodnefs, (which makes Correaioi* a foreign work to him for he goes out of his place to punilli his People) has pre- v^lcd with him to apply this CQrrofive rather than fuffer his Crea- mre ct^nally S periOiV Therefr.e his glorious Name be eternally praifed. And now to him I turn «i Prayer. "'; i^' ,* , ';: ji^i 'r<: •: .■ a A PRAYER relating to the foregoing Confeifion. OLord, The Great and Dreadful God, the Impartial Judge of all ^ Men, 1 blujh to lift ftp my Face to thee my God, Kighteoufnefr ' helongeth to thee •, for thou art Juji and Holy in all thy TVayes : But I rnn a Vile and Miferahle Sinner, the Reproach of men., and therefore no- -thing belongs to me but Shame and Confufwn of face* Ihou^ Lord^ baji dealt Mercifully and exceeding Bountifully n>ilh me i I was Early taught to feek^and ferve thee \ J felt the motiom of thy Grace, and the towers of the World to eome, to awaken my Confcience, Thou didfi call me to thy Service to ft and and minifter at thy Altar, and thou didfl give nuefuch a meafureofthe good things of this life as was not only beyond rny Veferts, but Expe&ations h But I have forfal^n thee and rebelled againft thee : I waxed wanton in my pknty, and kjck^d againft that light and Eafie Tol^ which IJhould have taught Others to bear, J drew mar to thee with my lips, but my heart was far from thee^ and with my polluted hands I have prefumed to compafs thine Altar ^ and to touch the holy things thereof; therefore it was juft with thee to give, me up to my own Hearts Lufis, and to deliver me over to Judicial hardnefr^ that feeing I might fee and not perceive^ and hearing I might hear and not underjland* I have fervid divers Lufts and Pleafures ; My Eyes and Heart were full of Adultery, fo that I c$uld not ceafe from Sin* Nor have I finned alone^ Lords for I have drawn many with me into thefnare of the Devil; fo that my Sins are Innumerable, and Aggrava- ted by many Circttm fiances; but moft of all that I was called by thy Name,fo that thy Emmies do blafpheme it upon my account, I have to all this added that Execrable Sin ofjhedding Innocent Blood, and done n>hat I could toftifie the motions of thy Good Spirit : But now my Sins and thy Kighteom Judgments have found me out , I ack^nowledge this is in great Mercy to my Soul,that I migh not lye and perijh in my Sins. J am Confounded and AJhamed, I Abhor my felf in dufl and ajhes: I Confefs I do not only deferve to die this Infamous death, hut to he caft out •fthy fight into Outer-darl^efs; for thou art of purer Eyes then to he hold Iniquity, and the Deceitful and BloodJThirfty man thy Soul ^hhor* .- feth ; fo that I may juftlyfear my Trayers are Abomination to thee ; y'et;^ Vf hither {hall Iflyefrom thy frefknce? thy Hand bath overtaken me^and'^ p 2 i'- (1 4) / gm norr Iti 'appear at thy Jutigment Scat : My Sml is full of 7errour^ snd lam afraid of thy Judgments* The 'Remembrance of my Sins is {irictam to me^ ibc 'Burden of them is htohrahle : Tct my only Hope is, ibjt thou art Gracious and Merciful^ Slew to Anger ^ 'Ready to Forgive^ and thy Sen gave Uimfelfto dje^ and bore 07tr Sins on his oivn Body- He tver lives and mahith Intercefjon for Sinners^ and is able to fare to the ttttertnofi all that come t« thee, God, by Him. I cenfefs 1 come at the lafi Moment y ivhen I have nothing elji left me^andfo thou maytijufl- ly rc]£^ me. Tet^ m»!i Merciful Gcd^ taks /"^V on the l^crk^ of thine omi' Hands : Be^et in mc^for Chrift hisfak^e^ a deeper Senfe of my Sin etjd Guilt, that I way Ttemhle for fear of thy Judgment s^ and Cry to ibeeNisiht andVay. Let none of this little time that is given me to Repent^be left : For thy Name fake pardon mine Inicjttity^for it is great ", And deliver mc from Blood-gifiltinefs^ God^ thou that art the God of my Salvatiori : Open my Heart and Lips, that my Mouth mayjh'ervfbrth thy praife : That Sinners feeing thy Judgments and my Repent ance^m ay he Ccn'certcd unto thee '■> That 7, n-ho by my vitious Life have jo much Vifj'onmred Thccy may by my Death Gldrifie Thee. hear and have Mercy on me ', Pity and Pardon^ m oft Merciful Redeemer ^ rpafb my defiled Soul with thy moft Pretious Blood^andfor the Glory of thy M^rcy, feud down upon me thy free Spirit to Convince me of Sin, and of Righ- teoufnefsy and of Judgment : And Gramme^ a IVr etched, and Forlorn Sinner, fome ofthofe Comforts^ that may Support me under thofe Agonies that arefo, terrible. Vifit me rp'ith thy Salvat'ion, Speaks Comfortably to me i fay to my Souly Thy Sins are forgiven thee. Lord deliver me from the fears ofVeath^ and be with me in my laft paffage \ Give me fi'me Glimpfe of Hope ^ that 1 may die rvilh Affuranee of thy Favour and Pardon. I humbly fuhmit to thy Jt^hce in my Veath^ but I moli Earneftly pray that I may be delivered from EternalVeath and Evei'lafting Burnings ; and rvhett my Seul is departed from this vik Body^ Let. it be hn'ught into tJxy Prefence^ that Imay ,Blefs and Glorifie thy Name Ftcr- nully^ fr the Riches of thy Grace and Mercy n>hich hasfe Abounded to- rvards me, , And for thy "Names faks role arpoy the Reproach from thine Heritage.^ and thine on>n Tribe, which 1 have brought upon it. Pre- Jerve thy, Cktrch s Let her Priefts be Clothed with Rigkeoufnefs, and ki. her. Saints fing with Joyfukefs, Be Gracious to the Nurftng Father §fit, onr hread Soveraign Lord the Kings Mod Excellent Majdiy, Pro- Hi^ yis Pcrfon,Profper his A fairs : As for his Enemies, CUth them with Jbame:,, fijome \ hut upon HimfeJfh his Crnon flourifh : Grant that he httomnf^ tohofe Mif^ijfer he is, tnay above all things feek^ thy Honour and Glory-, And that all his Sttbjeds duly Confiderin^ rrhofi Authority he haih^may faithfully fervey honour^ andlmmhly obey him in Thee and for Ihee^ at- cording to thy Ble^d Word and Ordinance. Be Merciful^ Lord^ be Mtrciful^ to my Afflidcd Family^ Comfort my Vefolate Wife according to the Evil that I have canfed her to fee. Teach my Poor Children by my Example mt to fm againji thee, Give true Repentance to all tvhom I have temped to Sin^ in particular^ to that miftrahle perfon who was my Partner in fo much rvick^dnejs i thou hafi given her time to repent^ Lord giiie her grace to do it^ le(i a worfe thing befall her* Provide a faithful P'ajlor for that fioc\J h^tve fcandalizedj that may build up rvhat I have pulled down. And novp into thy hands I commit my Soul, and Conclude in his WQrds^ K>ho taught ttie^rvhen I pray^tofay^ Our Father, &u Having thus (haUen hands with the World, I am too deeply Con- cerned to take a particular leave of my Friends, efpecially my Dear Oho diftrelTed^ Relations, I have done them little Good in my Life •, They may Live to Reap Benefit and Advantage from thcie my Dying Dire(^ioHS. To my Good Wife. Dear PVtfe^ * TT is too late to make wiAes that I had admitted of ' I thy Counfels ; But 'tis not too late, nor unprofi- " -*- table, to Oblerve, That thy Comminations have * proved too Prophetical : The God of Heaven is a Juft *and Righteous God, and has clearly difcovcred which *was in the right, and Vv^hich in the wrong, Thee or I : ^Dear Heartjl am not now to Confefs my Sinsagainft Hhee, Nor am I now to receive thy pardon and forgive- 'nefs. I Rejoyce in the Entirenefs of thy Affect ion, which *-all the cold Water I threw upon it could not quench.. >The: (i6) The Conftancy of it, efpecially in this Extremity, has given me the Comfort, and thee the Charader of being one of the beft of Wives. In order of Nature I might have longer enjoyed the happinefs of thy Af- ff aions, and I was refolved to have made it my on- ly Happinefs in that fenfe. but my Sins, and God's righteous Judgments hurry me hence; yet before we part, I will leave with thee a few Diredions, which is all the Legacy my vicious Courfes have left mc power to bequeath 5 they proceed from entire (^though too late) love to thee. Therefore lay them up and perufe them now and then. •^Firft, For thy felf, thy conftant courfe of private Devotion , Reading the Scriptures according to the dire(5lion of the Church, Fafting and Meditation be- fore the bleffed Sacrament; faveme the labour of any further, or other Advice, favethatof the Apoftle, Be not rveary of well- doings &c. Onl y now thou muft be fure to add to thy private Devotion, what It'»o much neg- leded, Prayer, in thy little Family : I have not time.nor is it neceffary to fay much to the advantage of this Du- ty. Itprocures, it fecures that that is Good, it will be comfortable in thy folitary Condition, to have a good and a bountiful God to converfe with. Therefore, PrAy without ccAJing, *As to thy Children, As thou haft begun, Teach them to Pray, and fee that they perform it , make them conftan^ly read, atleaftevery N ght, in thy prefence the Pfalms and Chapters for the Day, and let them learn by heart fome feled Scriptures that do contain InjunaionstpDuty, or Prohibitions againft Sin, and ' when ^ they. rhifcarry either on the one hand or the * f other i reprove them with the repetition of thofe pla- ces: ^ces Keep them under fevere Difcipllne; and in cafe ^thcVaioufe Rebel againft thee, ^Sp ain to^ their Uncle , and if that jhould not re- ' S them , Addrefs thy felf to the Mmifter of the 'pTaTe,and if that will not do, thentotheMagiftrate .ffiet him be defired to reftrain them. If we ihould -not ftafFer Sin upon our Neighbour but m any we ^Reorove him /then certainly much lefs upon our ^ ChiMrcn^ them all from that Houfe at Stanton, ^ there is nothing to be learnt there but Lying and Hy- ' oocrifie • and not only Opportunities, butEncourage- crnftolui^: I p4 G^'d preserve them fron, and i- ' ftempers. Remember thou art now both Father and ^Mother, and what a defolate family there will be (i8) < if thou (houldft not do well- I am but going before, ' thou Ihalt follow after . and though now we part in 'abundance of Tears and Sorrow, yet I hope God's 'Infinite Mercy will grant we (bdl again meet in Joy 'and Happinefs, never more to part; \\hich God of ^ his Infinite Mercy Grant for Ghrift his fake. In the ^ part with thee and thine, than all the World befides / *But God's Will be done. I remember thy good Bro- 'ther. to whom, next God, I bequeath thee for Ad^ ' vice and Diredion : Be governed by him. Onceagairi * Adieu, forget my many faults, and remember only 'thofe days, when we were at a diftance from that 'fatal Family. God of his Mercy be thy Husband^ *and a Father to thy Fatherlefs Children, is the 'Prayer of ■Zh^ Jffe^kmH hut Dijireffeii R. Foulkes. C*9] . To My Children, My fweet and diftreffed Infants, ALthoHgh (at prefefit) poor Jnnocents , your ten- der jige and flender under fi an ditJgs may make you uncapable of benefit from what I Jball here fay, yet your riper years may give you better Apprehenjtons-':, and poor wretches, 1 will come as near your prefent Capacites as I can. I have no token to fend you by your dear Mother but my blefing, and it wtU be the laji that ever you will receive from me^ for by that time thff reaches you, your poor Father will be in his Grave: Therefore in the Name of God the fountain of Blejftngs, J blefs you with all the powers of my Soul, and I charge yon upon it to be dutiful to your Mother and Vncle, they will (you may be Jure) com- mand you nothing but what is for your Temporal and Eternal good'-i you tnufi remember now your Mother hath a double power over you^ mine and her own s therefore be careful yon do nothing of moment with- out her confent 5 grieve but as little as you can at my fhameful end , bear patiently the Scandal and Reproach that will reflet upon you for it, and let it I charge you be a loud and a conjiant warning to you to live in the fear of God, and to avoid thofe wicked and ungodly courfes that will expo fe you to his Righte- ous Judgments : Forgive thofe you may think, to be the occaffons of my Death, feek. not Revenge but leave all to God, in whofe fear I charge you to live, and love one another, i k»orP you can already fay what 'your Duty it towards God and your Neighbour, labour to underftand thofe plain Anfwers, and what you un- E derjtand C?o3 derftaftdhe fire to praaife. Mj dear little ones, re- member who it is thaifpeak/ to you, even your dying Father, who fnmf up all his Advice in thefe twofiort Direaions: Do not venture upon akjiown Stn though never Co little, that will harden and encourage you to more and greater: Do not negUa a k,»own Duty efpecially your Prayers Night and Morning'^ Prayer wtU keep you under Gods prote&ion. Forgive me (good Children^ that 1 have made myfeiffo much worle than an Infidel by making no better provifton for you. Betty, remember Modefty and Chaftity are great Ornaments of a Woman, I charge thee on my blefing to preferve them 5 Thou art old enough to Uferve what rume and deftruaion Whoredom makes in the world: be not harflo to poor Billy and Robin, yet if you obferve them in any fault advtfe them to forbears if they refufe, complain, but do not make unneceffary complaints: Now my dear Orphans, I am ready to part with the World, but very loth to leave you, but we mujt pMrt^ God fend m a joyful meeting in Heaven, is the earnejt Prayer of Your difconfolate but tender Father, R,F, To To my Succepur in the farip? of Stan^ ton-Lacy. SIR "f Hope the Honourable Patron will fettle there a Man of "1 worth and underitanding,which may feem to make my wel(- " meant Advice unneceflary : but a Refidenceof leventeen or " eighteen years amongft them may perhaps enable me to fpeak *'fomething that isfeafonable, yet but a few words. If You *' look over, once mine, now your, Study Door, you will hnd " thefe words affixed. Deus & Dies. Dicmihi cur Dei memor fa atqne Diet f OrOj Laboro, « Whether the ignorance or indociblenefs of fome of the People « be confidered, you-wiil find great need of both prayers and di- « ligence •, they are fuch as require the Apoftles Iharp Reproof, " and you may ufe it in the Pulpit, but take heed of it out, they "will be led,but not driven. But to prepare your way,I have one " requeft to propound to you, endeavour it, if not for mine, yet « for your own fake. Labour to compofe and draw up a wide "Rent or Schifm between the Parifhioners ; It may feem to *' commence, and bear no longer date but in my time, but I "know 'tis much more Ancient, almofb Hereditary to feme ot "them^ Cut off the Entail if you can, and fo having cleared *' the paflage by removing their prejudices, then apply your '' felf to your work ; I will not prefume to dired you, but I de- " fire you to make a work andnotaplay orjeftof if, yo« wiU "find employment for both your hands, for your utmoft di- '' ligence f There is nomanfo ftirringand adive, butmay ad- **mit of the Gentle Spur, I am fure if you well confult it, **you will find that the very neceflities of your People may *'ferve to whet your endeavours: I am fo acquainted with "their State, that though it be contrary to my Refolution, yet E 2 leant '* I can't forbear to offer my opinion, take it , I pray, with " the fame Candor as it comes •, I fuppofe that either frc- "quent (Ihad almoftfaidconftant) Catechizing, orCatechi- "Itical Preaching is the moft proper for them, 1 am certain „ . *' they are fuch as have more need of Milk, than of ftrong 5* *3« cc Mcat,for though fuch points have been often inculcated upon " them,yet they have been fuch flow Proficients in the School of ** Chrift, that they have need to be taught again which are ** the very firft Principles of the Oracles of God : In the de- I Cor. 14.9. "livery whereof, you are to be induflrioufly plain. St. Pauls " aim was to fpeak words eafie to be underltood , aft a mn " altn^ which if you obferve not, after many years you will "find you have fruftrated your owndefign, andbefides bcat- I Cor. 15. 1. "ingtheAir have done nothing at all, and will benoother- *' wife than as a founding Brafs or a, tinkling Cymbal \ 'Twere " eafie to enlarge, even to a Surfeit, but 1 hope you have lit- " tk need ; I am fure I have lefs time. I have no more to " add, but my Prayers, That you may be in that Place the "Spiritual Father of a numerous Offspring, by begetting m» " ny Sons and Daughters unto God , and enjoy more Com- " fort and Tranquillity there than did Your fredecejjoury R» Foulkes. To To the Tarijhioners 0/ Stanton -Lacy. Dear Friends^ and late good Neighhour/, *' r Am now in view of Death , and have my Grave in pro- "i fped, I cannot therefore (charitably) be fufpe ' t I Intend not^ and I hope yoH will not expeSi any long Difcourfe at this time 5 bnt I haz/e tah^n care that my Confejpon, where- in ( 06 IflyaU by and by anfn^er to the God af truth) yoHtPtll ffide notbingbnt the truth, (hall be fubltfJjsd more fully , and to your better ad'uantagey thin I coM pojfibly mah^ it here. Jft a few words therefore^ Toumay in mc fee what fin is^ and what ^ will end in : you may in me fee the lamentable and irreparable mifcbiefs of Vncleannefs and Hypocrifiem particular t, and what it is for one who was the Member of Chrift , to mak^e htmfelf the Member of a Harlot. It is a fin that fel- dome goes ftngU and alone : it is the Mother- fin to abundance more^ and they more ugly and de^ formed than it f elf : Ihave found itby fad and woful experience. It led me to Lyings to Oaths and Execrations ^to conceal and defend it : N^j'*. I went further, to advife^ contri*v^y and afffi. i^ f what n>hat might procure Abortions ; which certainly^ ifi]lhe fjght of God, was Mnrther in intention, 2meiit mak^F me expiate that Guilt, for the JrJgnient falls upon my orvnpjte y but I bope^ through the mercy of Cod, and merit of Chrifij will proceed no further than my body. I deftre all that hear me, to take warning, not to continue in fin, but betimes ^c? ceale co do evil, and learn to do well. Now the Lord be with you all, and have mercy upon my poor Soul , for which I deftre y oil to pray with me and for me to the laft ntQ- ment of my life. I $-'fi:Smm'm^