Charls Stuart and Oliver Cromvvel united, or, Glad tidings of peace to all Christendom, to the Jews and heathen, conversion, to the Church of Rome, certain downfall: the Irish not to be transplanted. / Extraordinarily declared by God almighty to the publisher, Walter Gostelow. Gostelo, Walter. 1655 Approx. 301 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 161 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A85467 Wing G1318 Thomason E1503_3 ESTC R22601 99871795 99871795 170032 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A85467) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 170032) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 192:E1503[3]) Charls Stuart and Oliver Cromvvel united, or, Glad tidings of peace to all Christendom, to the Jews and heathen, conversion, to the Church of Rome, certain downfall: the Irish not to be transplanted. / Extraordinarily declared by God almighty to the publisher, Walter Gostelow. Gostelo, Walter. [16], 312 p. Printed for the author., [London] : 1655. Place of publication from Wing. Annotation on Thomason copy: "Jan. 20. 1654"; the second 5 in the imprint date has been crossed out. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Charles -- I, -- King of England, 1600-1649 -- Prophecies. Cromwell, Oliver, 1599-1658 -- Prophecies. Prophecies -- Early works to 1800. Great Britain -- History -- Prophecies. 2007-09 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-12 Elspeth Healey Sampled and proofread 2007-12 Elspeth Healey Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion CHARLS STUART AND OLIVER CROMVVEL UNITED , Or , Glad tidings of PEACE To all Christendom , To the Jews and Heathen , Conversion , To the Church of Rome , certain downfall : The Irish not to be TRANSPLANTED . Extraordinarily declared by God Almighty to the Publisher , Walter Gostelow . Psalm 85. vers . 10. 13. Mercy and Truth are met together , Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other and shall set us in the way of his steps . Printed for the Author . 165● . OF GOD. C. R. RESTORED , AND OLIVER CROMVVEL BLESSED . READER , TO Dedicate this Book to any other than to whom God Almighty hath directed it , I dare not , it is first to all you Christian Kings and Princess , more especialy our own , Charls Stuart , and therein it shews you . That when you govern best and most pleasing to the will of the Almighty , whose Vice-Royes you are . And of him made rulers on Earth for the general good , you then live in a general Peace , into which happy condition he hath now put you , that his Temples may be rebuilded , his Worship and his Ministers restored , with what hath been stollen from both , also your Subjects , Gods people , well educated in his houses by his Ministers , sent in the wayes of Justice , Peace , and Holiness , without which no man shall ever see the face of God to his comfort : next it shews you that the so antiently beloved Seed of faithfull Abraham , the Jews are now in his best times remembred , and brought into the Faith of Christ our Lord , the onely Son of God , whom they Crucified , the fulness of the Gentiles coming in with them also to the knowledge of his Gospel , [ his ] that is the onely Shilo , the onely Messia , by the Heathen not yet heard of , by the Jews hoped for , he , I say , comes to both , making himself known , in such a manner as they expect not , most strange & wonderfully affording ▪ them his Vice-Roy Charls Stuart for their Defence & Protection , he professing that Gospel now to be Preached to the whole World , against whose rule and Gospel none shall ever prosper that Rebels , Disobeyeth , or Schismatically riseth up , therefore is the Church of Rome at this time sentenced to certain down-fall . The Church of Rome shall fall . The poor Irish ▪ whom wicked men would have transplanted upon the same principles , as obdurate Pharoah would not let the children of Israel go , covetuousness and hard-hartedness , God doth continue in their own Land , yea , under his , and their own Kingly Government also , to the joy of their hearts . That Nation being neither such a Bear , as we misapprehended them , nor their skin fit to be sold by us that did it , before warrant is given from God to deliver it : they shall not be transplanted . God now shews us , That wicked Rebellion was the design , & contrive of a few in that bloudy , and ever Rebellious Church of Rome , not the allowance of the Nation : this also God shewed unto our now happy , and glorious King in Heaven , whilest good on Earth , it is proved to you in his Letters taken at Naseby , written to her Majesty . My Heart , you will finde the Irish with you Knaves , ( they might deceive the one , they could not deceive the other , ) And since that , how hath God fully cleared their Majesties , as now the Nation , from any allowance of that hideous Rebellion . Own it Church of Rome , it will match well with the Gun-powder Treason , thou didst both , as many others , Thy Nuntio was in Ireland , yet thou shalt fall . Hath not God made his late Majesties abominating that wicked act , clear as the day , to be none of his ollowance ? you know , or may , That Sr. Phillemon O'neal , upon his Trial at Dublin , though pusillanimous and timed in all other things , yet when he was to give an account from whence he had his Commission , God sent him a courage , gave him abilities to speak boldly and truely to Gods glorie , the honour of the Protestant Religion , and the Kings just Vindication , he took Heaven and Earth to witness , he had neither Commission from King or Queen for that Rebellion : he affirmed that himself , with others of the Roman stamp made them , that he might play the best of his own Game ; it further appears , in that Oath imposed on those he subdued to his own obedience . These are things I have had from very good hands , when my self at Dublin , but that Traitor was executed a little before I came thither . Now see what God doth , who is the searcher of all hearts , the King is in Heaven , the Queen declared for Heaven , the Nation not to be transplanted , the contrivers and aspersers of both gone to their own home , or truely discovered to us by the Lord , who now throws down that wicked Church . Well , you shall now see we must all live together in brotherly love under Kingly Government also : but you will say how can these things be , considering what manner of Persons we have been ? this book will shew you . It proceeds onely from the good pleasure and mercifull loving kindness of the Almighty . The Lord hath made our Salvation , not our destruction , his glory , when all we , thy people , O God , had sinned beyond any help , then , O Lord , thou sayest , lo , I come . But after how wonderfull a manner , and how certain our deliverance is , read and know . Actions , salved up with a free forgiveness , are as not done , and as a bone once broken is much stronger after well setting , so is love after reconcilement : God forgives us our iniquities , and in mercy restores us our King again , who deals with us , being guided of God , as Joseph did with his brethren , when onely of God made ruler in Egypt , and had power to punish according to their demerit , then he treats them kindly , following the example of our Lord. He forgives all past injuries , he loades them with good things , he weeps over them , when he tells them he is Joseph , least they , not seeing his heart , might doubt of their forgiveness , he drops Tears as Bloud from pitying eyes and heart ; they well knew what themselves had been to him , unfaithfull brethren , and it s not improbable when they saw themselves by God cast under his power , and dispose , they might fear , tremble , and expect the reward of so high demerit , for the affronts they had put upon Joseph . But least such fears should too much sadden their unquiet Souls , he weeps over them more abundantly , imbraceth them afresh , gives them all they stood in need of , and doth not so much as once remember them of the evil measure they had dealt him , so allows them no ground at all to suspect their safety , whose injuries he had fully forgiven ; Most happy Re-union & meeting , that sweetens more in its return , than it imbit●ered in its absence ▪ Protection my book commands , not craves under Oliver Cromwel Protector , also his conformity thereunto , yet I beseech both , God hath now declared him to be beloved , first in Heaven as you shall read , then of his King , CHARLS STUART , and all good men on Earth , the Almighty both deputed him to be highly instrumental for the bringing of great and strange things to pass in this Kingdom and Christian World , which God will make marvelous in our eyes . As the promote of the Protestant Religion , and Honour of his King. I may not detain you longer , nay , I dare not , from Gods word of Prophesie in this Book , agreeable to his own , in nothing contrary , Proclaim it I must to all concerned , and so I do , though the unworthiest of my Lords servants , a faithfull Communicator of his mercifull , loving kindness I am commanded to be unto all the Sons and Subjects of the Protestant Church , and Gods Vice-Roy on Earth , CHARLS STUART . To the Church of Rome , and the Rebellious faithfull will I also shew my self , that Church shall fall , and no Rebellion ever prosper , God hath said it , and if it come not to pass , put me to Death : I may not for fear , or favour be unfaithfull to my trust , that is a sacriledge of the highest nature , and therefore in spite of the Devil , or danger , I tell you wickedness shall not longer prosper on Earth : Did not the ground open and swallow quick those first Rebels and Schismaticks , Corah , Dathan , and Abyram ? and did not Absolons Mule in the midst , whilst he was acting of his Rebellion , go from under him , leaving him hanging by the head ? Such shall no more prosper than their Church of Rome , which shall fall , good men shall be Honourable , and rule , but for the ungodly , whilest I pray for their conversion , I fear their confusion . WALTER GOSTELO . THE Protestant RELIGION more conspicuously glorious than ever ; the Defendors of that Faith , CHARLES STEWART and OLIVER CROMVVEL United . Sect. I. HAving past from Bristol , the Seas ; and much foul weather in December , 1652. I arrived at Cork : Where I heard the sentence of death pronounced upon some 30 or more of the Irish Gentry and others , for several Barbarous Murders by them committed . The last that spoke from the Bench to those unhappy men , after sentence of death read unto them , was the Lord of Broghill : Who well minded them , that they were not proceeded against upon the accompt they shed our blouds ; either as we were English men , or else because not of their Religion ; both unwarrantable . We should not kill him , we conceive , out of the way ; but rather shew him the way to walk in . 'T was murder justly condemned them to suffer , not rash zeal ; with which God is not well pleased : who would that all men should live , and come to the knowledge of his truth . But for the Murderer , the Law of God was he should die for it : So they suffered not as they were Irish , or Roman Catholicks . This I could not but observe passing the rather because it tended , in that so mixt Assembly , highly to the setting right the judgement ( as I conceive ) to the glorie of God. And indeed the first I ever saw , or heard pronounced , from those new erected High-Courts of Justice : Against which I have heard so many bitter Invectives , that they were like Hell , from whence is no returning . There it was not so : where I also saw many acquitted . From thence my business commanded me to Youghill , in March following : A season more fit for travel and observance . I removed from thence to Lismore , 11 miles off , cituate upon the Black-water : A Seat very ancient , and not a little eminent and honourable . Where having well viewed the improvements and good contrivances of the late deceased Earl of Cork , who had there purchased , caused to bebuilt & made many fair and commodious Seats ; governing in the well mannage of Affairs , as born for the publick good ; for so he was communicable to the imploy of the poor , to the improve of those Lands , to the good example of others , and to the honour of this Nation . That had not War prevented , and death put an end to his dayes ( both broken in upon us as a stream too violent to withstand , those inundations of evil , heightened by our sins and follies of all sorts , the onely inlets of all Gods judgements upon us ) it might be presumed before this time it had in some measure risen again from the ashes ; which former Wars , I conceive , had buried it in . A very fair & strong built Scholehouse , with Almes-houses on both sides of it , that Earl lived to finish there : And now I believe he really intended to re-build the Church . So that like Him that was a man after Gods own heart , in this he followed him , that he loved the place where his Honour dwelleth . And therefore he would so provide for it , that in publick he might be worshipped ; and that youth might early be taught the wayes of godliness . Thus being instrumental to well-accomplish them , he might best serve God and his Nation , in being communicably good to all ; the end for which we were born . This observing , I sometimes was prone to think , That what he happily begun , might in future time , by his posterity and others be carried on , to the making it , what is to be desired , and what it once was ( as informed ) an University : So conveniently is it situate , naturally affording the delights and good accommodations , that may best commode , serve and adorne an University . As also that part of the Land , in regard of its being well inhabited , and remoteness from Dublin , called for and stood much in need of , the Church indowments being there , and thereabouts full for incouragement and invitation , fit to help on with so good and pious a work : were not the possessors of those profits more lovers of themselves , than lovers of God and his service . Is it reasonable that our Fore-fathers , certainly out of love and zeal ( 't is possible not misguided too ) should so largely give and endow , for the Glorie , Worship and Service of God Almighty , and we who have more inlarged Fortunes , should have more streitened hearts , and more cruel hands ? Indeed onely strongly bent , & alwayes ready to pull down : and by Thieving , Sacriledge & Covetousness , which is the root of all evil , make that ours , which neither God , Man , or law ever meant should : Nay , they have all forbid it , with a curse to the Robber : which in the end will prove that Cursed Thing , that will make us and our posterity most miserable . A Cole from that Altar fires all our ill gotten nay other ) goods ; or else fits us and our Posterity for the slaughter , which is the end of the ill-advised . Into the remain of this Church of Lismore , Thursday the 3 of March 1652. I came , ( as well might ; for it had neither door to keep out the unclean beasts , nor in it any thing , becoming a House set apart for the worship and service of God Almighty , ) as inform'd this Church had belonging to it 8 thousand pounds per Annum , before the War. Out of it I often hunted Beasts of several sorts ; which ( indeed ) by their dung , recreating themselves in the ruins of it , had help to make it with their fellows , more like a Den of Thieves , than a House of God. This seeing , I could not but lament , and did there kneel down , and supplicate God Almighty , not to suffer us longer , who pretend to the most and best of Piety , to carry on a War , and continue such actions , as should prove so scandalous to the Protestant Religion ; deterring from the profession of it , Such as there lived among us : who could not certainly be drawn to the profession of it by our so bad example ; living as it were like men of dispositions , onely born to cruelty and irreligion : Beseeching that he would be pleased to return to us in mercy , set every mans sins in order before his face , to the detest of them , resolving never to return to folly : And that of his goodnes he would cast thē all behind his back , that we might once more come into the Houses , built for his Worship and Service , with prepared hearts , devout Souls ; forgiving one the other ; all desirous to be taught of God : & that we might live hereafter more according to his will revealed in his word ; and so knowing his good pleasure , we might readily apply our selves to do it . Further , that the Ministers appointed to officiate in those places , might be men sent from God ; who , understanding his word aright , might to us so divide it . And that we might all harmoniously agree together , not onely to Preach and talk down Sin ; but that we might all live , for the time to come , to serve him in sincerity of heart , and in the beauty of holiness : So that others , observing Gods mercies towards us , and our amendments towards him , might also with us be drawn , to glorifie our Father which is in Heaven . Sometime of that Thursday after-noon I spent in that Remain of Church ; so praying , meditating and reading ; and could not do otherwise . Indeede , the more I prayed , the more I wept ; the more I wept , the more I joyed : and from my Devotions , I remember not that I ever went away with a better return : being very highly comforted , and so assur'd that God would hear , and have mercie ; and from thenceforth , and in that place , bless me ; giving me for consolation , that a well-guided zeal for his House , Worship and Service , made great our own , and establish'd it also . That night I went home to a little House , I then and there lodged at , and had this dream : Me thought there was a very gross and thick Darkness , over the face of the whole Earth ; dark beyond compare : I then heard a very terrible Thunder , which more affrighted me : and looking up to Heaven , I saw a glimering Light ; not clear ; about the bigness , and of the proportion of a round Table , some two yards over : In that Light there appeared to me as the Body of an Oak , about a yard long : Root it had not , nor Top , nor Leaves , nor Fruit : Full of Sangs it was , and offensive Knots : not fit for Timber , or other use than the Fire : This soon vanished , yet the darkness continued , but grew greater than the ●ormer , and the Thunder answerable ; indeed so terrible , that it seemed to me , to waken and rouze up all the people of the Land : which when risen , I prayed in these words : O Lord ! the people are now risen up , and stand in readiness to do thy will : wouldst thou be pleased to let them know it : I beseech thee ( O Lord ) give them a sign in Heaven , or from Heaven , of thy good pleasure ; and we will readily obey thee . There then appeared , as formerly , such another Light ; not clearer , but bigger ; and ( as the former was ) over our heads , about the height , or distance of the Clouds : having in it such a Body of an Oake , as the other ; in this onely differing , 't was bigger and more offensive . As we stood thus gazing , anon the Heavens began to grow light in the East , as approach of day and Sun : We standing , as it were , in the midst of the Kingdom of England , the Light encreased and came on : And with it , rose and came toward us the most glorious Crown ever eyes beheld : the richest for Jewels ; the most transparently cut ; every way the beautifullest imaginable : Having in it , and through it , standing as the three Plumes of Feathers in the Princes Arms , a bunch of Bayes , or small Bay-trees : beautifull for verdure ; bearing Berries , as having Root : Waiting upon this Crown , came many goodly Ships ; which Crown , Bayes , and Ships came all along thus together in the Light , from the East , toward us the people , who with fixed eyes stood looking into Heaven : All which we perfectly discerning , and being come almost over our heads , we the people all of us , with one voice , gladness and consent , cried out , O Lord , we praise thee ; this is of Heaven , we will follow it . I then looked behinde me , for the former Glimmering Light , and Offensive Oake in it , and I saw them flying away so fast , that immediately they were gone , and no more to be seen : The people , seeing it so gone out of the Heavens , reitterated the former words , and said all with one consent , Come , this Crown is of Heaven , we will follow it ; so bowed down and worshipped , praising God. The Light then went over all the Heavens , towards the West , and great was the Light ; the Crown , Bayes and Ships continued in the Heavens ; now light all over . After this , immediately from the Heavens , I heard most sweet and pleasing Sounds , as the voice , or murmur of many waters ; and on the Earth shining , appeared nothing but Beauty and Plenty : amongst the people of the Earth loving kindness and good affections : all with one consent praising God. Thus , ravished with an over-joy , I wakened , and found my self very wet with tears . My greatest joyes and greatest weepings seldom are divided . I spent most of that night in Meditation and casting what this dream might import : for truely this is but one , though the most considerable ( as I conceive ) of the many I have had from Heaven , demonstrating several things . The next day being Fryday , a day in the week , which for some seven years past , I have set apart ( though not alwayes spent , God be pleased to have mercie upon me and forgive me ) as I ought , or should , for fasting and examination of my self : That , as I am one Fryday nearer my end , so I may in one measure , or another grow fitter for it : in regard of the many mercies God Almighty hath been pleased to afford me , from my Cradle hitherto : As that he hath been pleased to preserve me from the noisom Pestilence , from the violence of the War ( where be pleased to observe , I have been committed and taken into custody three times on the Kings side , and five times on the Parliaments ; yet never was in action , or imploy on either part ; ) from so many great and eminent dangers , both by Sea and Land ; from Men lying in wait particularly for my bloud : And lastly , that the Lord hath not cut me off in the midst of my sins , and already given me my portion with that so sad company in Hell , from whence is no returning . These were ( certainly ) grounds enough for every mans Fasting and Prayer ; especially living in a Time , when wickedness seemed to be practiced by a Law ; at least , it was not long since it was so : All these together were grounds ( I say ) more than enough , to beseech God for redress , to a distracted people , and a divided Land. This Fryday I repaired to that Church of Lismore : in it , and places fit for Contempaltion , I passed that day . Saturday , I could not but return thither again , and there pen the subject matter of my prayer on that Thursday afternoon ; also my Dream that night : And decline I must not , nay could not , to impart all so penned , to the now most Honourable Earl of Cork , and his so well accomplished Countess : And home I must press them , forthwith to re-build that Church of Lismore . The reasons cannot but be good and many , who considers the Lord should be publickly served ; and the people well instructed , from the mouth of him , whose lips should preserve knowledge , and tongue speak a word in due season . Such men are the men ( certainly ) sent , and deputed by God himself , for the better turning of sinners from the evil of their wayes , to serve the everliving God : His Temple 's the fittest place also , where holiness is injoined us : Beauty and decency not forbidden . To this Earl and Countess of Cork I apply my self ; in their Garden and private Bed-Chamber they were pleased to hear me to the full . I may not here omit to let you know , that in the morning of that very day , when , going to pray for Gods guidance , in this his business of rebuilding his House , to his own glory , and good of others ; and haveing omitted that morning , to read any part of the Scriptures or Psalms , appointed for the day , ( the reading of Gods Word first , a good way to prepare for acceptable devotion , and praying aright ; ) from my knees I rose , took the Bible , and there opened to me the Prophet Haggai ; which tied my eye upon the place ( a Scripture ( God be mercifull to me ) I was not at all acquainted with : ) Thus opened , I could not go on to Devotion , nor to read the Psalm , untill I had read that Prophet out , being but two Chapters ; directed and over-ruled ( as I firmly then , and now believe ) by God Almighty : For , in the whole Book of God , there is not any place fuller for the business I had in hand . It is well worth your , and all mens observe and retention , that have too low esteem of Gods House . But what speak I of too low esteem ? Indeed , none at all that good is , of the Churches , or Temples , built and set apart to the glory , for the publick Worship and Service of God. Humble men they seem to be ! A Stable , or Kitchin will serve their turns : and ( truely ) good enough too for many , who have the impudence to abuse Gods House , and endeavour there to seduce the more ignorant sort of people . These Schrich-Owls cannot well endure the light of his House ; therefore have they their corners and sculking places . A judicious and publick Auditory , who love the place where his Honour dwelleth ( which they best love to frequent , and thither go with prepared hearts , to learn that they may understand what 's fit to practice ; ) These will not be decoyed by them . With those it matters not what becomes of the House of God : Yet observe and remember ( I beseech you ) what that Prophet Haggai there gives for reason , of all the evils that were sent , and continued upon the Land ; The not-building of Gods House . The lying of that waste , caused the Lord to have no delight in the people . He there adviseth and enjoyns to rebuild his House ; then he assures them , he will dwell with them , and bless them beyond all compare : nay , he will take pleasure in them , verse the 8. He there goes on , He will shake the Heavens , the Earth , the Sea , and the dry Land : All is his , & to his , for the glory of his House , that he will fill with his own glory , and bless the Land with peace and plenty ; such as was never seen , untill the building , or laying of that Foundation . From that very time he blesseth them , when they rebuild his House , for his publick worship and service . The Lord makes that a business fit for the imploy of another Prophet also , the Prophet Zechary . Of so much concernment you see it is with God : But lest , these things being Old Testament , we should conclude they concern us not under the Gospel : so wicked are we grown , and so out of love with any thing , that costs us ought in the Service of God , or is most to his glory and honour ; that , as any place is good enough , so indeed any Calf fit to offer . Thus shift we off the thing , in which our happiness most lies ; that we may make our selves most miserable : Foolish men ! why consider we not , that Christs Courts on earth are his Churches ? And , in representation thereof , he hath a Throne in the midst of his Temple , and sits thereon ; before whom all fall down and worship . But these times call for our lamentation , nay , deep mourning : for in this business , we deal with the House of God and his Worship ( although we pretend much to both ) as Amnon dealt with his sister Tamar ; first Ravish her , then Defile her , and after turn her out of doors . But to return : Truely , I could not but commend those two short , but most full Chapters of this Prophet Haggai , to that so Honourable Earl and Countess : for the better dispose of them ; whose affairs of concernment , are wisely managed by joynt consent . Their quick discern a far off , and sound judgement at home , give them great advantages , for the well-ordering of all their affairs . Who having heard me out , before I once so much as pressed them to it , the Earl met me with this readiness to the work ; My Father intended the building of that Church , I will do it : It is onely by me , for a short time , deferred ; untill these troubles blow over , or time afford a better opportunity , for the carrying on of the work : for the rebuild of which Church , I have many things already fitted , &c. I most heartily wish , and do so pray , that there might be found in all men this readiness , to make themselves happy here , and so ( certainly ) bless'd hereafter . You have the way ; love Gods House , the place where his Honour dwells ; also his Ordinances with sound judgement ; and you cannot but be beloved of him . When David and Solomon think to build God an House , to his glory , worship and service , and do so ; see how the Lord declares himself , in the second of Samuel to the 14. that he will establish their Houses for ever . And are not the best of Kings , the best of Patterns in Gods service ? who can and will do for thee also , so governing , or assisting to his glory ; as shall be most for thy lasting Honour and happiness here , but everlasting hereafter . Thus ends all then done , most happily , in nothing disappointed , which God put me upon . This happy day was Fryday , March the 11. 1652. SECT . II. A Short time after , I fell into several sicknesses and diseases of that Countrey , so that most of the following Summer I past in changes , from one malady to another : At last I broke out into very many Boyls ; so that I may truely say from the Crown of my Head , to my Foot , I was furnished with them ; forty , or fifty at a time of all sizes : My condition in that , and some other things too very like that of Job's : which escaped not my observe , in a Letter , to that so eminently good Countess of Cork : beseeching some of her remedies ; of which she is free , and do heal as Balm , from her munificent and answerable hand . To God Almighty , and that Honorable Countess , I owe most humble thanks for recovery , from my so long and tedious sickness . About Michaelmas I went to Dublin , in the company and safe conduct of that most Honorable Lord , the Lord of Broghill : where I stayed untill near Christmas ; then returned to Youghall . After six dayes there , I could not be quiet , untill I had sapplied my self , by Letter , to his Lordship , giving him to understand , I had a Dream at Lismore , some 9 moneths past : Which Dream , together with what Observance , or Interpretation , God was pleased to put into my heart and minde , I was to communicate to him : Which I could not decline ; and therefore besought his Lordship , that in his presence , and some more persons of Honour , in that Letter named , he and they would be pleased to lend me half an hours time , and their attention . The Gout at that time was violent upon his Lordship , by reason of which incommode , he was disinabled to sit up : so that his Lordship was pleased to answer my Letter , that for that reason onely he desired my forbearance , untill it past over ; of which ( when so ) I should have notice , and in presence of these persons desired ; also admittance so soon as convenient . His Lordships Letter I have , and reaped what promised , a few dayes after . Being in his Bed-Chamber ( Those I desired , present , ) I recited my Dream as formerly : The Observance , or Interpretation I gave thus : The customary sins we were guilty of , and had unhappily involved our selves in , had now begot our security , as in the dead of night and sleep : from which we were not to be wakened , or rowzed , but by the Almighty power of God : And therefore , to let us see our condition , and his displeasure for sin , whom our Impieties had irritated ; he therefore came in Thunder ; to shew us that our seeming righteousness reached not Heaven , nearer then the Clouds : our pretentions to good , went not higher : like an Ignis-fatuus they were , or a Gloe-worm : Light they had , but not substantial , enough to shew us we were strong as the Oak ; which we might there see our wicked selves compared to . Strong we were to work wickedness ; Governours and all : to which Oak they , and we may be compared ; as in the Prophet Zechary the 11. and the 2. Bad we were of choice ; so of practice ; so for works ; so for offence : No Root ; no Top ; no Leaf ; no Fruit ; not so much as virdure ; Offensive on all sides , in regard of the Snags ; not fit for Timber , such our Governours ; onely for the Fire , such their unprofitableness ; just like the Stag's horn , when the velvet of Hypocricy is fallen from it ( as most excellently his Majesty observes in his Book ; ) which wicked Governours , when the people once fail them , and truely understand them , how unprofitable , how offensive , how dangerous , how hurtfull ; they would then sufficiently hate them . When once as this Oak , stript of his bark , nakedly seen , and well observed ; then fit onely for the fire . I command you read the 3 last verses of the first of Isaiah ; and see , if this Interpretation be not of the Lord ; yea , his own : I will give you the words , For they shall be ashamed of the Oaks which you have desired : Ye shall be confounded ; for ye shall be as an Oak , whose leaf fadeth ; and the strong shall be as tow , and the makers of it as a spark , and they shall both burn together . Here are the Oaks ye have chosen , when ye forsook the Lord. Is not this a Vision , and the Interpretation of the Lord ? I made it before I observed this ; I now interline it : 'T is of God the Interpretation . Therefore the Oak abides not , having no allowance , or establishment from God in Heaven . Fly away it doth , when the Light and Crown appear : To both which they being enemies and haters of , God makes them vanish , and be no more seen . Though they lift themselves as high as the Clouds , yet their place is below , whither he throws them . Of his allowance they are not : neither do the people ; when they desire to do the will of God , and he hath opened their eyes , to discern aright , what is of God , as they confess that Light , Crown and Bayes , they then know the Crown , and Him deputed to govern , to be onely of God : And because it hath its allowance of Heaven , with one consent ( praising God ) they invite All to what themselves are now convinced of ; Obedience to Him and It onely : and so breaking forth , they altogether cry , Come , this is of Heaven , we will follow it . And that it may have their best affections , and firm allowance , they give it their Second , the wisest and best Thoughts , resolvingly too ; they reitterate the words , Come , this is of Heaven , we will follow it : And so down to God and It , and worshiped and praised the Lord. Now , although this were , and yet is our depraved condition ; and that we have added wickedness to wickedness , and made our selves strong to do so ; which the Second & greater Light , with the offensive and unprofitable Oak in it , fully implied : yet observe the loving-kindness of God Almighty : We no sooner got into a frame to beg of him inablements to know his Will , resolving then to do it ; and are gotten into a posture of readiness , standing up ; but He lets us see , that his displeasure is blown over : The Thunder , that ceaseth ; those wicked Governours , as offensive Oaks , they are fled ; the seeming Light , that 's annihilated . It is his mercie that endures for ever , and his Compassion assures us , he delights not in the death of a sinner ; but rather , that he would turn from his wickedness , and live : And thus expostulating with us , brings from him this expression , Why will ye die , O ye house of Israel ? Repent , be ye converted , and return from whence ye are fallen , the contempt of Gods House and Worship ; Obedience unto whom I have set over you for good , would you but see it ; did not your continuance in sin blinde your eyes , and deprave your understandings , yea , could not but be happy . Bless us he would , and that to the full too ; as he assures us in that Prophet Haggai , and divers other places ; even from that time we rebuild his House , and obey whom he hath set over us for good . And if thus we would readily apply our selves , and herein obey God and our King , mark and behold , The Heavens they invite you , and demonstrate their allowance ; rejoycing at it , by their pleasant sounds : the Earth also its gladness , shining with variety of Flowers , and abundant Fruitfulness : the Seas their over-joy , thinking it no burden , to their best and well-rigged Ships to give way , and bow down : that all she brings from forreign and the rich returns of Trade , that plough her Ocean , may , when so loaden , in their best dress also , wait upon the Crown , peaceably attending , suffering themselves to be led by it ; All which they did , being Merchant Ships , not Men of War. And now tell me , is it not pitie , & the greatest too , that whom God hath made the more reasonable Creature , Man , should onely be averse , and stand in Rebellion ; going on in disobedience , to his own undoing ? But I may not complain , as anon : I shall let you see He also is , or shall come in ; for who can resist , when God will have it so ? He hath in store , nay , he is now distributing to you the greatest mercy in the world : which I dare not longer conceal , from all the Sons of Men ; but more especially from the so much belov'd of the Lord , the Seed of Abraham , the Jews , Here 's the hope of Israel ! as also to the Heathen , towards whom his Compassions fail not ; and to this our Orthodox , true Protestant Religion , for the honour of it , to the unparalel'd joy of all good mens hearts . These things observed , I then applied my self to Doctor Mollines ; who was one of the ten Persons , I desired to be present : And because I knew him to be a person of good life , & believed him of sound judgement ; I made it my beseech to him , That in a short time , he would be pleased , to give us a Sermon , upon this Subject , or Text ; He that covers his sins , shall not prosper ; but he that confesseth , and forsaketh them , shall finde mercie . For to me it seemed , that Gods return is in mercy , was onely witheld , by our going on in iniquity . Here also I may not omit , but observe to you , that before I came to the Lord of Broghills , I was taken from my knees , and could not go on , to beseech Gods blessing upon what I had to deliver to him , untill I turned to the Reading Psalms : But , as I was cast formerly upon the Prophet Haggai , with good success for the rebuild of that Church ; so here I was cast upon the 84 and 85 Psalms ; both as full as is imaginable , to any that well considers , and compares , what I observed out of my Dream , and desire to the rebuild of Gods House . Oh , how amiable , and how much to be delighted in , is thy House ! how should our Souls long after thy Worship ! Which when I had read , and considered the manner of my being cast upon them ; having already disputed all I intended , or almost all what I would speak to that Company at the Lord Brougills ; I could not but conclude , what I believe every well-observing man will ; That it was the onely Providence of God Almighty ; who , for my further confirmation , gave me those Psalms of Scripture , to strengthen me , and dispose others to their duty ; who he was willing should reap the unparalel'd blessings there assured . Pray , well observe it : the one lets you see , what desires we should have , for the rebuild of , & worship in Gods House the other his return in mercy ; blessing the Land , when we so fear and serve him : Righteousness , as that Light , shall then go before him ; Mercy also and Truth shall meet together ; Righteousness and Peace shall kiss each other ; and so set us in the way of his steps . Full to all . Having done all of Interpretation , in reference to my Dream , I could not pass this lightly over , but observe it to them ; as also how that God had many times shewed me several things , in and from Heaven ; called me to the search , and often advised the reading of his Holy Word ; giving me to understand , that by so doing , I should be abundantly happy and blessed . In particular , one time it seemed to me , he took me into a great Light , when all the World was in darkness ; he placed on each side of me an Angel of the Lord ; that on the right hand , opened a great Book to me , bid me read therein , and took an Angel of Gold off that Book , into his hand , and put it into mine : when received , I folded my arms and bowed before him ; believing it was no other , but ( as the Bush of Moses ) the presence of the Lord : He then told me , he gave it not to be folded up , or hid ; but to be improved were his Talents given ; and so advised me to read . Another time , one night , about the hour ten , walking at the end of Broad-street ( in which I then , and now live , ) looking up into the Heavens , and observing so great a number of Stars , I called to minde the promise made to Abraham , That his Seed should be as numberless , as the Stars in Heaven : So praising God , I there stood , in , or near that place , about half an hour ; where I did see the Heavens opened , my Saviour on the Throne , the Patriarks , Prophets , Apostles , Martyrs , Saints and Angels , waiting round about it , and to my comfort , my own Father : This I saw , when I was awake , and really there standing : Something hath been shewed me , of our ever-blessed King dead , but in Heaven glorious : this also I did observe to his Lordship , but made no other use of it , than this , That forasmuch as all I ever dreamed , or saw , of that nature , was above in the Heavens , or came from thence ; nothing ever from the bottomless pit , the Earth , or Seas : which gave me to believe it was the further from Delusion : and much the more to be believed True , because that which is of Heaven , is Heavenly . And although the Crown was upon no mans head , yet being waited upon by the Ships , it implied He was to come from beyond the Seas , whose undoubted right it was : And who that Man was , to whom it properly belonged , his Star demonstrated , which at Pauls Cross appeared , when there was a Sermon preached there , upon the day he was born on , being the same ( as I conceive ) our Lord rose on ; and his ( our Kings ) Birth also , early in the morning , as his ( our Saviours ) Resurrection , whose Vice-roy certainly he , this CHARLS STUART , is , as ye shall hear anon ; his Father ( our late King ) then present : And as the Gentleman that preached , about the hour of eleven , was giving thanks to God Almighty , That to our then Soveraign Lord the King , and to us his Subjects , was that day born a Son and Prince , in whom our hopes were , and assurance might be , He would prove most Eminent in his Church on Earth , to Gods glorie , and his Majesties and our comfort : So thanking God for this ( for I present was ) I looked up to Heaven ; and there , at almost eleven a Clock , in the moneth of May a most clear day , very near the Sun also did I see that his Star appear : which wondering at , being just over ( as it were ) his place of Birth , White-Hall , or his Fathers head , who was come to give God praise for him at the Cross ; which was also sung by the Quire on the Leads ; his Star then appearing , I my self shewed it to very many ; hundreds , if not thousands witness this . So that the Heavens haveing now again demonstrated Him , the Seas waiting on him , the Earth flourishing under him ; what remains , but that we get our selves into a readiness , to receive so great a blessing , from so good a God ; Whom in mercy he hath appointed over us , as I firmly believe . The Lord of Broghill , I confess , I advised never to right , or draw sword against this King : For the war of Ireland , I now understood it better than formerly ; and therefore did believe , that to his Lordship , who was born there , at Lismore too ( as I conceive ) and resided in that Kingdom , the devices and subtleties of the Church of Rome , in that Rebellion , or since in the carrying on of that War , were better known , than to his late Majesty ; whose goodness by some was too too much abused ; seeing it not with his own eyes , but hearing it by others misrepresented . His Lordship , who had that great advantage , as to be amongst them himself ( which was denied his late Majesty , ) did see , that his Unholiness of Rome had onely a modest design , to suppress the Protestant Religion , and cheat the King of that Kingdom , that he might the better be soon usurper of all the rest . This I now firmly believe was the ground of the Lord of Broghills fighting in that Kingdom . So never at all against the King , but for him : And I do the rather believe this , because I never had any Commission or desire , to treat him , other than with all respect , as a person of Honour , that had great and good accomplishments : For I told him that day , before I went out of his presence , that I believed , he never was against the King : Further , I never had desire to apply my self to any man in that Kingdom but his good self . And see now ( as you shall anon ) how God honoureth that Man , above all the sword-men in that Kingdō ; as Oliver Cromwel only of the sword-men , the most in the Kingdō of England . And more than to these two onely did I never apply my self ; sent of Heaven to these so glorious Saints , first on Earth ; that they may be most glorious ones hereafter in Heaven . But , thou Church of Rome shalt fall ( as anon I shall shew you : ) God will down with thee : These two Persons of Honour have , and shall the most of any two Subjects in the world , help down with her . I had all most forgot my then last observe to his Lordship , A material on it is , that although every man stood up , bowed , and Worshipped God , following the Crown , and with one consent crying out , O Lord , we praise thee for this Crown is of Heaven , come , we will follow and obey it , yet I say this of all people , wherein no one man dissented , did not seem for number to exceed four , or five hundred persons , which occasioned from me then , this observe to his Lordship . That I feared our sins and the punishment for sin would almost lay waste our Land , we having so highly provoked the Lord , by our too much delighted in iniquities and rebellions of all sorts , which we had just ground to bewail , least they consumed us . But truely since I have better hopes , nay , firmly believe I do , that if we would turn to God with all our hearts , and do the things here God adviseth to , by me his unworthy servant in much mercy sent unto you , that you might repent , finde deliverance , and so live abundantly happy , this number of men , which as I former observed , past for the whole people in the Land , of which none dissented , I now hope and pray will most happily prove to be that number of men , which represent the whole people of the Land , and yet exceed not 4 or 5 hundred persons now of this Parliament , to which purpose I beseech every good mans prayers , and every bad mans amendment of life , and for dissenting persons in that body , believe as I do , there will not be found one , or not one to hurt us . Who can be unhappy when all agree to fear God and honour their King , keeping the commandments of the one , the wholesom and well constituted Laws of the other , in which doing there cannot but be happiness here , and ever hereafter , into which good old way of thine and ours good Lord be pleased to set us , that we may be certainly blest , our feet being then found in the way of thy steps . Thus ended all I then observed , and to my Lodging I retired to the Widdow Marricks house in Youghall . SECT . III. VEry few dayes past , but by accidental rancounter , I met and fell into discourse with a Gentleman , who had commanded formerly a Troup of Horse in the Parliament service ; we argued , and to this we came , whether Kings were made so originally of God , or the people : the latter he held , I the former ; which I proved to him out of the Word of God , that first the Choice , next the Anointing of them , was of God onely , and his Prophets sent by his command ; as in Saul , David , and others : so not at all in the people . 'T is true , the people were all along commanded to pray for them , and to obey them , when thus set up by God. So we ended the discourse , and quietly parted . Some four dayes after , one Sunday morning ( as I best remember ) having lain most of that night in Meditation & Prayer , about day I did see , sitting at my beds foot , behinde the curtain , a Man sent of God : whilest He continued there sitting , there fell a Showre of Fire , thick , and in drops , like Rain , all about my beds foot : Full in my eye was the Spirit there sitting , and the fire falling down : Awake I conceive my self to have been ; for at that very time , I called to minde the Fire that came down from Heaven , upon the heads of the Apostles , to their inablement : Anon the Spirit called me by my name , Walter Gostellow : I indeavoured to reply , did open my mouth , tried twice , but my tongue doubled in my mouth , and I could not bring forth my words , or speak : He called me the second time by my name , Walte Gostellow ; I indeavoured the second reply , but my tongue doubled as formerly , and I could not speak : He called me the third time by my name , Walter Gostellow , to which I then answered , Here I am : he asked and said unto me , Did you see the fire come down from Heaven , as a shore of Rain ? I replied , Yes , I did : he then strook by the Curtain , looked me full in the face , so I him : He wept and said unto me , you do well interpret Scripture ; clearly referring , as I believe , to this , That the Choice of Kings , this of ours especially is onely in God , and not at all in the people . This over , I wrote to the Lord of Broghill that nights Vision ( for other I cannot call it , ) besought his Lordship , that once more he would be pleased to admit me before him ; there and then to be present also some ten , or twelve persons , by me desired : He was pleased to afford me the favour , so also most of the others . By this time it pleased Almighty God to let me know , he had deputed me to go to Oliver Cromwell , and after to his Majesty that now is , CHARLES STUART , Charles the Second . The imploy he would inform me of : and for the Commission it self , I must believe , that from strength to strength , He would inable me , untill I came to perfect Peace in Zion . And although the things to be done were great , mighty , strange , and wonderfull ; yet for his Honour , Mercy , and Names sake , he would bring them to pass ; and they should be marvellous in our eyes . Thus began , and thus ended my Commission of the Lord. I then bethought me of what I would say to Oliver Cromwell , and thus resolved , that from God I would reprove him , set his sins in order before his face , and tell him he was that great Deceiver , the scandal of the Protestant Religion , the Dishonour of our Nation , a Whited wall he was , a great and close Hypocrite , a Man of bloud , and Son of Belial , and more than all this ( for I never loved him , ) all this I resolved to say to him : but the Lord reproved me , and gave me to remember , that my self prayed in my Dream , That God would be pleased , to let the men of the world , who were desirous to do his will , know it from Heaven , or in the Heavens , by a sign , which I have given thee , and they would readily obey , applying themselves to walk in conformity thereunto . Having thus altered me , and ( as before ) again reproved me ; letting me know , God judged not as man did : He commanded me to treat , and use him kindly , the dispose of the heart being in the hand of God. So that now from former hating of Him ( for so I did ; no man more ) I now cannot do other than pray for him , ( for so I should , and for all others , ) that God would be pleased to inable him , for the overcoming of all his enemies , more especially his corruptions . And firmly believe I do , that the Lord will make Him highly instrumental for the promote and carrying on things of very high concernment , for his glory , to his Honour , and the astonishment of the world : For I know what apprehensions the most have of him , both at home and abroad : but God judgeth not , as man doth . Before the Lord of Broghill I came the second time , and so began with him , as you read upon Oliver Cromwell : I then told him what I firmly believed , the Lord put into my heart and tongue , by his dictates and Visions ; and how that the Souldery , men of Valour and Honour should submit to the King ; who would not onely forgive them , but give unto them all so doing , Indempnity , Honours , Preferments , Lands , places and Hereditaments ; Seal and confirm them unto them , in the surest Tenure of this Kingdom , as at , or after that of East Greenwich . Further ; that , as the Light came on in Heavens , from the East , haveing in it the richest Crown ever eyes beheld , the Bayes rooted and flourishing , standing in that Crown , as the three Plumes of Feathers in his own Arms & Coronet ; upon which Bayes was store of Berries , which implieth a provision for Posterity ; both waited upon by good store of Shipping : so the King should come from beyond the Seas ; Land in the East of Kent , or thereabouts ; and come on towards the West . See , thus comes the Lightning , in the 24 of Matthew , the 27 verse , out of the East , and shineth even unto the West : so also shall the coming of the Son of Man be . O my God , and my King ! well : I go on : This would fill the Men of the Kingdom , as the Heavens , with rejoycing , the people praising God , and the Souldiery , for their good affections to Gods glory , and the Kings interest ; the Earth giving her encrease . All Animosities thus taken away we should agree , better than ever , dwell together in brotherly love , and the most sure bond of peace , and great should be the praise of God , Honour of the King and the Souldiery ; also the true Protestant Religion receive its Lustre upon the Earth , and flourish beyond compare . Among the Persons present , I then told the Lady Frances Boyl , eldest Daughter to the so excellent Countess of Cork , lamed in her infancy to so much debility , that she halteth the deepest imaginable , but God Almighty hath been pleased to more than recompence that debility , by the more noble endowments of her Soul and minde ; which speak her not onely in them the lively image of her most excellent Countess Mother , but the dearly beloved of God her Father which is in Heaven : To this Lady ( I say ) I applied my self , and told her what I believe God Almighty had put into my heart and tongue : That if she were present , when the King came into England , and so received with content in State ( which would not be long ere it was so , ) she should then see , waiting on him , whom God had deputed for her Husband ; a Man unspotted of the flesh ; with whom she should be abundantly happy . I after besought her second Daughter , the Lady Elizabeth Boyl , to stand forth : before her I kneeled , told her , if she were then present , she should see Him the Lord had deputed for her Husband , CHARLS STUART , Charls the Second , King of England , Scotland , France , and Ireland , Defender of the Faith. Here I could not for bear , but seeing the glory of God , and the Honour of this his Vice-Roy on earth , to be so great , I fell on my face , as in the first of Corinthians the 14 and 25. And so falling down on his face , he will worship God. I take the God of Heaven to witness , I know no other reason of it , it never was the least in my intentions . Since I have read the Prophet did so , as in the 43 of Ezekiel , the 2 verse , and because the words , matter and manner of his Government , there is so very full to my business , give me leave to observe them to you ; the rather because All of mine , whether of Action , or Interpretation , are so long since past , and by me this never observed , untill Thursday the fourth of August 1654. as we accompt : I look upon it , as a further confirm to me , of my so interpreting the Vision , and over-ruled deportment in that action of falling upon my face , the words are these : And behold , the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the East , and his voice was like a voice of many waters , and the earth shined with his glory ; and it was according to the appearance of the Vision I saw ; and I fell upon my face . And so he goes on , that the glory of the Lord filled his House . See what his Providence hath guided me to do : and all to observe to you ; were there but this in it , it migh confirm you , it is no delusion . O Lord , let the World , as I do , stand amazed , love thee , and fear thee for ever . This done , I told them I should go into France , or beyond the Seas , be highly instrumental , to turn the Queen to the Protestant Religion , who with the King , and all of our Nation , should return into this Land , and there , should be no more Heart-burnings , divisions , or disgust amongst us ; but we should all agree , in the future , to fear God , honour the King , and live in brotherly love , one with another ; to our General good content , and admiration of the world . I dare not here omit , to let the Reader know , I did then say , I did believe these happy Mutations would be shortly ; and that the Kings Birth-day , would be a day of great Rejoycing , in these his Kingdoms . Nay I have expected more alterations already than yet I have seen , and said I have to some , that I did believe this Summer past would have made the certain things yet to come to pass much more apparent before now . But I see where the bringing of any things to pass , depends on mans seeing to do Evil , there is nothing but disappointment . O Lord , if thou turn not Man to thy self , or thy self do the work , when will it be ? Those that have robbed thy house , and undone man their brother , whether thy Ministers or others , are in no disposition as yet to part with their so much beloved sins , because profitable : Those that on the otherside , have by swearing , forswearing , uncleanness , and all manner of deboystness , yet continued in giving just occasion to say , the former men , and Times , were as bad as these ; because they repent not , but continue to wallow in all manner of their pleasing sins and corruptions ; who by so doing caused the Protestant religion , as much as the former Evil doers , to be Evil spoken of . Truely reader , if any thing hath befooled , in regard of time , the spiritual man , it is your sins of all sorts , yet continued in . Read the 9 of Hosea and the 7 vers . There you shall see that the iniquity of the people made that Prophet mad ; & yet you , that will not part with your lusts and Hypocrisies , and other impieties of all sorts , must be reckoned the onely sober and wise men , whilst he whom God hath spoken to , you account mad . Did I not tell you , That he which covers his sins should not prosper , but he that confesseth and forsakes them : should finde mercy ? Gods displeasure is ready to blow over , did we but seek him by our unfained repentance , and lay hold on him in faith , by our true and new obedience . Doth not the Scriptures all along give you this for reason of the withhold of Gods mercies ? There are yet reasons : Observe I beseech you , as anon I shall let you see , I had no sooner proclaimd this , and other his loving kindnesses towards us , A distracted and distressed people , in that Church of Youghall , which I could not chuse , neither can I do other , than apply my self to all concerned , either by word of mouth , or by writing : But I truely say unto you , I was there the third day clapt into prison : committed onely for Teason ; when I know no man living is or can be further from the contrivance , or less desirous of shedding any one mans bloud in the world : Nay , I would from the bottom of my heart , & so do I pray , that God would be pleased to set every mans sins in order before his face ; give him the heart , truely to repent of them ; come forth , confess , and truely forsake all his iniquities ; and practice the contrary virtues , for the time to come : So it is clearly certain , God would be most glorified , and we most happy , that have all done amiss , one way , or other . It is the worst of men can kill , but who can make alive ? The good Spirit of God stirs not any man , to any private revenge : Not a Bird of prey , but a Dove , was the shape , wherein our Saviour Christ appeared . Many , O Lord , lived by thee ; never any destroyed , onely the poor Fig-Tree ; as a real Embleme of thy severity , to the unprofitable and fruitless . After mercy so long abused , 't is time for judgement . So that ( I say ) there I was some eight weeks imprisoned : and although I often wrote and sollicited , that I might be sent over to Oliver Cromwell ; to whom I was more particularly deputed , and so most considerable , for the carrying on of this work of the Lord. Nay , I offered , if they pleased , I would pay & bear the whole charge of a convoy to him ; and give it under my hand and faith , I would not so much as endeavour to escape . Further , that if I was found to be deluded , then I was content , they should inflict upon my body what punishment they pleased : But if an Impostor , or one that would deceive by lying , or false promises , speaking unto them , when not sent , or what God had not deputed me for ; then in that case that they burned me , or put me to death ; all these Original papers I have by me , to shew any that doubts it . Yet these prevailed not for my inlargement ; so there I was retarded in prison , and coming over , near 3 months : and almost 2 months more after arrived in England , before I could come to communicate , what I had to say to the General of all the English Forces , Oliver Cromwell . Here was one impede of 5 moneths . May is now gone . Such Aversness have I met with , in all , or most of men : that ( truely ) had not the Providence of Almighty God put into the mindes and mouths of some men , I have on late dayes heard preach , and upon such suitable Subjects also ; ( certainly his Almighty goodness hath guided me to my great consolation , and them also , even to my great amazement , just as if they had been within me , and with me in all my sufferings ; ) I say , had I not been thus supported , I had well nigh sunk under the burden : For so fit encouragements have I had from wise men preaching , that I shall never reckon it other , than the loving kindness of God to me , for my support , and carrying on , in this his business . Even so did the Jews thus evilly persecute , despise , traduce , imprison , and not hearken unto the Prophets sent to them , although men of their own Religion . Thus was I shewed , what I am to expect from All , or almost all : so that now , I thank God , I am armed for it . For further reason , I may not do other , than present you with the passage of Nineveh , and the Prophet Jonah , who told them , that yet 40 dayes , and that great Citie should be destroyed . You may there see the good effect of true repentance , and speedy turning from bad works , how it kept off their judgement 40 years : and can we ( then ) expect , or believe other , but that continuance in sin ( it may be augmenting them also ) will have the contrary effects , to keep off mercie ? There is yet a reason , and that is come to my cognizance and observe , in a Book lately published by Arise Evans ( a man you are unworthy of , ) whom you have persecuted too , as you have all Gods Ministers , almost all , either by Imprisonment , Sequestration , or Death , or otherwise of undoing them . And what to do , I pray , but to commit Idolatry ; that those ye prefer , may set up Imaginations of their own , and you ( as they ) worship that Calf ? But you will say , This is no Idolatry : if so , then let it go for Idiotrey ; and that hath but one Letter difference : pray , let it go for both , as being guilty of both . Those Calfs you set up , after them you low and run , but continue to neglect Gods Ministers , whom you will neither hear , nor prefer , lest you should be converted ; and so become poor . What ? out of love would you have us with that seeming righteousness , zeal , and godly party , which to be of , will certainly prefer us . No ; bewitcht we are with it , and for these reasons will be of no other judgement : It is you that talk foolishly , we profitably . And this kinde of Idolatry in all ages , hath caused Gods wrath to continue even against his own people . How long did these disobediencies keep them from entering into the promised Land ? which indeed was so near them , as we may truely say even at hand Moses goeth but up to the Mount , to converse with God , the people mutiny , and will have him no more govern as King. And for Priest and Prophet , why not others as well as those God onely had set over them , seeing they took too much upon them ? What is the event of this madness ? up goes a Calf presently , worship it they will , they will have Governours and Teachers of their own making , as well as a God ; which shall not take so much upon them : yet ruled they will be too , but it shall be by themselves . Tell not us ( say they of Gods Mission of your Prophets , or Ministers onely ; we know better ; he that can do all without book , learning , or reason , then he is sent , if so gifted , if we like him also it is good warrant . Thus your contempt , neglect , and persecution of those men , who undoubtedly would teach you from Heaven and better things , than you either hear , or practice on earth , is another good reason ; in all ages it hath gone for a good one : And yet one of your little ones must not be offended : but , if he cries and bawls for the life and estate of the most considerable in the Kingdom , to please , it must be given him , or them , Babes of Grace ! for you say the fat of the earth is for you , the seeming Saints ; But you shall finde , and know too , anon , God will do something , for the thus persecuted , but penitent , Sinners . Turn you , turn you , you great Hypocrites , and you shall see these things come to pass in a short time : And therefore gave I that Text to that worthy Doctor Mollines , to let you all see , that he which covers his sins shall not prosper , but who confesseth and forsakes them , shall find mercy : and there is the reason . It is true , that good man Mr. Evans goes on to tell you one fault more , an error it may be , I think it is , I am sure it makes way for a great one , in giving the year its beginning from the Conception , which should take it from the Birth of our Lord. And because you may fill the world with confusion , you keep no day for the Commemoration of that neither : which helps to make that ever to be observed good day no otherwise apparent , than your charity ; whose right hand never yet knew what the left did . But you trouble me ; and I long to be rid of you . Are not these reasons , if you have any for the wise delay of Gods mercies , and restore of our so much desired King ? who , if he comes not yet years & months , of which opinion I am not , yet I will wait and believe ; for God hath said it , He whom you have persecuted , shall shortly come , and that in Honour too : and , because he sowed in tears , he shall reap in joy , and bring his sheaves with him . Oh! could I but perswade every man that reads me , or hears of what the Lord is , in mercy , doing for these Kingdoms , the King , and Protestant Religion , but to turn to him , with all his heart and Soul ( for that is the taking way ) in new obedience , and to leave no sin unrepented of , and no commandment unconform'd unto , in sincerity of heart , and true obedience ; you would then All see that suddenly come to pass , and be fulfilled in your dayes and eyes ; which I do as truely believe will come to pass ( and I shall see it , nay I do already , and enjoy it also , ) as I do believe the Heavens to be over my head , and the Earth under my feet . Which if it fail , I am content that you take me , and put me to death . These Reasons given for its Defer , I am brought from what I had of Vision , or my own Dictates , to that , which is most certainly Prophesie , and the word of the Lord. Which , although spoken out of my mouth , & by my tongue pronounced ; yet the matter no more my conceptions , than I now dictate , or write unto you , the words , or thoughts of the most Remote King , or Emperour in the World : for I never so much as had things of that nature in my minde . Hear the manner and the matter : they are both of the Lord : To whom be given for ever Honour , Praise , Glorie , Obedience and Thanksgiving . Amen , O Lord , Amen . And now before I proceed , give me leave to tell you , that , this Fryday , the 5 of August , is come to my observe this of Jeremiah , the 23 Chap. and the 28 vers . The Prophet that hath a Dream , let him tell a Dream ; and he that hath my word , let him speak my word faithfully : what is the Chaff to the Wheat ? saith the Lord. O Lord , this being thy command , I will obey thee : So help me , God ; for now I come to thy own words . SECT . IV. SOme three dayes after , I returned the second time from the Lord of Broghills to my Lodging , the Widdow Merricks house in Youghal ; upon the 3 or 4 of January 1653. lying there in bed , and having spent most part of that night in Meditation and Prayer , rejoycings & weepings ; for of that nature were my weepings ( the fullest of joy imaginable ) that indeed I often conceived ( not feared ) I might sooner die of an over-joy , than any grief . In that night ( I say ) from lying in my bed , I was upon a sudden taken up , that is to say , made to sit up , somewhat bowing : and when so , I did then with a loud voice , somewhat altered from my ordinary speaking , pronounce these words , which words , I say , are the words of the Lord of Hosts , God Almighty , & are these : There is an end of all the Wars in the Christian World. The Jews shall come in , also the Heathen , and shall be converted to the true Religion . The Church of Rome shall fall . The Irish shall not be transplanted . This said , I was laid down : and wondring with my self , that I should be thus taken up , made to speak what I knew I uttered , yet not have any of those thoughts , or conceptions in my minde , nor knew not before I was taken up , that I was rising , nor one word of what I said , before pronounced ; I could not but very much admire ( and so I did ) both the manner and the matter : Well , I then prayed and praised God ; for awake I was , as truely as I am now ; the sequel will prove that . I then concluded it was not at all I that did it , it was the Lord , who would have it so , and his Prophesie it was and is . Much about half a quarter of an hour after , I was taken up again , as formerly , and spake these words : Proclaim CHARLS STUART , King of England , Scotland , France , and Ireland , Defender of the Faith : Charls 2 d King of the whole World. This CHARLS STUART shall never die ; the Lady Elizabeth Boyl shall never die ; the Queen his Mother ( wife to the late King , already blessed ) shall never die ; the now Queen of France shall never die ; the King of France shall never die ; his Brother , the Queens other Son shall never die ; but shall all be taken up into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ , that never shall have end . This spoken , I was laid down again : then did one M. Barret , a Merchant in Bristol that deals in Leather and Skins , who lodged in the same Chamber with me ( but in another bed ) call to me , asked me how I did , and if I was well : I replied to him , very well : He asked me if I was asleep , I said no : he asked me if I knew what I said : I replied , yes , very well : he asked me if I believed what I said , I told him , he must give me leave to believe , what the Lord caused me to speak , and would have done . There lodged also in the next room , one John Marrick , the Widdows son of that house , aged about 21. With him in bed another Merchant , as I take it , of Bristol also , or thereabouts ; to them both well known : Those in that one bed , spake to me also ; I replyed to them ; many words we had , all I remember not . I was anon after , taken up again , as formerly , and spake these words : OLIVER CROMVVELL shall never die ; the Countess of Cork shall never die ; the Earl her husband shall never die ; the Ladie Frances Boyl ( their eldest daughter ) shall never die ; the Lord of Broghill shall never die ; the Ladie Broghill , his now wife , shall never die ; but shall all be taken up into the kingdom of Jesus Christ , which never shall have end . I was laid down again , and considered with my self , What , shall Oliver Cromwell never die ? it pleased me not : But again the Lord reproved me , and would have me know , he judgeth not as man judgeth ; neither did his ways admit of any repine or contradiction . Here again I spoke to the former parties , but little , lay still , praying , weeping , and praising God : for now I firmly believed , and remembered , that although these things were mightie , strange , and wonderfull ; yet , by his Power , for his mercie , glorie , and names sake , he had assured me , he would bring them to pass , and they should be marvellous in our eyes , as the Seal of my Commission was : And remember I did , he was now giving me the matter . Again anon after , I was raised , as formerly , and spake these words : Thou Walter Gostellow shalt never die ; thy three Sons shall never die ; thy wife Anne , and daughter Anne Gostellow shall never die : but shall all be taken up into the kingdom of Jesus Christ ; that never shall have end . Then shall the bodies of the Saints , alreadie dead , arise , and be taken up into heaven also ; the Sheep shall go to the right hand , and the Goats to the left : pronounce this house , a blessed house , and this chamber shall for ever be called the chamber of the Great Prophet . Thus have I set here down every word , then pronounced by me : but certainly the Dictates and good pleasure of the Lord of hosts , that they be published to the world concerned by me Walter Gostellow , his unworthy instrument . I have not added , or taken from , one word that I know of , nor misreported the manner . But as old Eli asked Samuel , after called of God by his name 3 times , Samuel ; & God had spoken unto him , and given him his imploy , what it was the Lord had said unto him , as you may read in the 3 Chapter of that his first Book , and the 17 ver . and Eli there charged him , that he hid nothing from him , but tell him all ; which Samuel tels you and him in the next verse . He did so , hid nothing from him . What follows ? it is the Lord , let him do what seems him good : and the Lord was with Samuel , he grew , and the Lord let none of his words fall to the groūd . So all Israel , from Dan to Beersheba , knew that Samuel was established a Prophet of the Lord , things coming to pass as he had foretold . When I heard the word Prophet , & knew my unworthy self to be the man , O Lord , thou knowest my thoughts both then and now , they are at no time hid from thee , I stand amazed , O Lord , and am silent , lay my hand I do upon my mouth , and my mouth upon the ground . A Prophet ! I am unworthy O Lord , yea , I am unworthy to live , much more unworthy of this so great honor : but , O Lord , thou hast fashioned me , make me I beseech thee , always to do thy will , not mine own , that hath been and now is sinfull ; yea , so hath it been all my days : therefore I most humbly beseech thee , to have mercy upon me , O Lord , the greatest of sinners , nay thou wilt have mercy for thy compassions fail not , and thy mercies , as thy ways , are past finding out . The rest of that night I spent in Meditation and Prayer ; when day , I arose : not fully dressed , took Pen & Ink , wrote all spoken ; but with this addition , I began with a Summons and Invitation to whomsoever , that they would repair the next week , Thursday morning , about nine of the Clock , being the 12 of January , to the Town and Church of Youghal , there to hear a Sermon , upon this Text ; He that covereth his sins , shall not prosper : but he that confesseth , and forsaketh them , shall finde mercy . The Text was given by a Prophet of Almighty God , now here in Youghall , his name Walter Gostelow ; which Prophet will then after Sermon , that day , tell you all in the Church , that there is an end of all the Wars in the Christian World : And so I went on to finish , as before Prophesied and recited . Further , they should that day see riding out in great state , several of those Saints , and this Prophet , out of Town ; and upon the Strand of Youghall : which to me as well as others , was given as a sign , or miracle , being yet to come , for the strengthning of my Faith , as also for the conversion and ground of belief , to the Sons and Daughters of Men. I there went on , The Heathen and the Jews are now fitting by the Lord , to come into his Doctrine , worship and service : and under his Scepter . Against which word of God , the Holy Bible not to be altered ; the Book of Common-Prayer , in some things altered and amended , as by a Council lawfully called , whom God shall direct , shall stand and flourish all over the whole World : The Doctrine and Faith of the Church of England , being the purest in the World : against which word of God , and his sword , put into the hands of this King , CHARLS STUART , no Power on Earth shall ever prevail ; that of Rome is now tumbling down , and melting away like a mighty Snow-ball . The King and Queen of France , with that whole Nation , shall ere long be converted to this Faith : which Kingdom of France , and all others upon the Earth , under the Sun and Heavens , shall be obedient to this Charls the Second , and his Rule in the Kingdom of England : The Lady Elizabeth Boyl , second Daughter to the Earl and Countess or Cork , is this Kings Wife . The General of all the English Forces , Oliver Cromwell shall never die , so I here wrote him , and could not otherwise , though I tried often , and varied to give him several Titles , but could not , the Reason you shall have anon . Be pleased to observe , in the pronounce of the Prophesie , it is onely Oliver Cromwell ; all other Persons of Dignity & Honour , by their Titles as Signiories , his onely Oliver Cromwell , the Reason I promise . I went on ; The Irish Nation should not be removed , but possess their own just Rights , converted to this true Faith they should be : And so , praying that God would enlighten them , and all men , that we might all live in brotherly love and Unity one with another , return again into his Courts with praises , and there serve him in sincerity of heart , and in the beauty of holiness ; ( for so his house ought to be fitted for his service , ) that others might be invited by us and with us , to glorifie our Father , which is in Heaven : whose will be done on earth by men , as it is by Saints and Angels in Heaven . Thus I concluded , writing as fast as possibly , which done : I could not be quiet , but hasted immediately to that so every way eminently good Countess of Cork , read the Paper to her , and after made it my request , very often sollicitous I was by my Letters , that she would send her Letters abroad , to invite in the Nobles , Gentry , and Countrey to the Town of Youghall against that day , the 12 of January : my self having read and communicated the whole to her Honour , was by her and Doctor Mollines over-perswaded , to retire for a time to my Chamber , which I did : But when there , I could not be quiet , but wrote and sent abroad to several , inviting them to Youghall , that 12 of January , to hear , as before recited , all to be divulged by me that day in the Church , after Sermon . I continued soliciting that Countess , that she would do the like , untill I knew I became troublesom , yea very troublesom , even unto two dayes before this 12 of January , did I thus be stir my self . In Fine , my Kinsman , M Leonard Gostelow . Secretary to the Earl , came to me , brought me back from her Honour , divers of my own Letters ; told me weeping , that the Countess and his Lord , with divers others , believed me certainly Mad , that I would so impertinently to no purpose , trouble my self and others . He then asked me , what I would have , I told him onely the Countrey , Nobles , Gentry , and All , to come in to hear the Sermon and Prophesie , that day the 12 of January : He replied to me , if it be company you would have , trouble not your self , there will be enough here ; for on that day will be several Horse-matches : which hearing , I was very much joyed , and after that time , never troubled my self in the least particular , in that business to move further : which I take God Almighty to witness , untill his telling me of it , it came not into my minde ; although I confess , I had formerly heard of it ; but all the time untill then , it was no more remembered by me , than it was known to the most remortest man in the World. But I shall observe to you anon , the wisedom and good pleasure of God Almighty , in casting and bringing to pass , what fell out upon that day ; the day I was most active upon , after the divulge of all I had to say , and did say it in the Church . I cannot but observe to you , that when perswaded to retire to my Lodging , and did so , the Lord of Broghill's Physician came to me , closely attended me , & sweat I must , keep my bed , not stir , not write at any hand , not do any thing , but as prescribed : all which I now see were clear Artifices of the Lord of Broghill , and that otherwise-good Countess of Cork ; lest I should proclaim in the Church , what I had penned in the Paper : for to her Honour I made always my first addresses , untill it pleased God , to direct me to the Lord of Broghill , as more considerable , for the carrying on of this work of the Lords : For it is the Lords , and shall , and will come to pass , though I must tell thee , Reader ( whosoever thou art ) I have met with very little other , then aversness and derision , if not scorn , from almost All ; and to be called Mad , hath been in many of their mouths : Yet , I praise God , though some have endeavoured to make me the sooner Mad , by very uncivil carriages and affronts , no man living can say , nay , I challenge them to it , that they divulge it , if they ever saw , in any of my actions , or Papers ( which I have Copies of , the most considerable , and some Letters returned me ) ought of Levity : if so , let them shew it to the World , spare me not , I beg not their favour , I scorn it , it is no new thing ( O Lord ) to bestow ill and false Appellations , in all ages , upon men , thy servants sent upon the like imploy , to turn others from the errour of their ways that delight in general wickednesses . To declare ought from the Lord , that suites not with their fancies , love and over-carnal apprehensions ; it must be madness in their judgements : & to advise the Great , Rich , Covetous , Proud , & High-minded , to deny themselves , madness it must be . Assuredly , our portion is like that of our Saviours , from the Scribes and Pharisees , who were so : they heard all that was said unto them , yet being proud and covetous , they derided him . But thou , O Lord be thy name for ever praised , and so magnified thou assistest , thou deliverest me , thou providest for me , of thy alsufficiencie , rich mercie , and everlasting loving-kindness ; which , I now most humbly beseech thee may increase in me , not onely in a firm dependance on thee , but a walking before thee all my days , in the true practice of pietie , and ways of thy commandments : which onely can , through thy mercie , deliver in all the Inundations of evil , and practices of proud and obstinate Sinners ; from whom , good Lord deliver me . But I hasten . Thursday the 12 of January came , in bed I would not stay , up I got , to the Church I went , took a seat in the most convenient place , quietly demeaned my self until Sermon was ended : Here I cannot but observe to you , that although Doctor Mollines had his Sermon in readiness ; yet by reason of a sore throat , preached not , but the ordinarie Lecturer for that day : And yet , as if he had been , in some measure , privy to my Prophesie , and Intentions ( which be could not be ) his Sermon was very much for amendment of life . And observe also he did , that Enoch and Elias were translated into heaven , having walked with God , and kept his commandments on earth ; so that ( as I after observed to him ) his Sermon seemed to me , to be a Prophesie of a Prophesie . But I have had many of these , to my consolation , as formerly observed , from a mercifull God. Sermon ended , I then desired the people to stay , and suffer me a few words : I told them , I had to communicate unto them , which was certainly of the Lord , consisting of Dream , its observe and interpretation , Vision also and Prophesie , all of the Lord. I then reached to me the Church Bible , kissed it , and did promise upon that holy Evangelist , I would not speak other to them , than I did believe the Lord had spoken to me , no man living ever dictating a word to me , or disposing me thereunto , nor now to this ; which as I could not do other then , but speak , so now here , but publish by Printing unto them , and all those concerned of the World. Begin I did , as you have heard , declared my Dream , its Interpretation , my Vision , and other dictates of mine own , which I penned not , yet so to them related , as here recited ; the Prophesie I read to them as I wrote it verbatim , the morning after the Lord caused me to speak it . When I came to proclaim the King , away goes the Governor , Colonel Saunders , after him the Major of the Corporation . When of the Protestant Religion I spake , and the flourishing of that again , and how that none should ever prevail , that rose up against the word of God , and his Discipline now to be established , and his Sword also put into the hand of his King , CHARLS STUART , away goes ( as I conceive ) the disaffected to both : for certainly , Congregations are now adays , made up of Goats and Tares , lovers of our selves we are , more than God ; and yet be we must together , until the Harvest come : then the Prophesie , as the most sure written word of God tels you , the Goats must to the left , when the Sheep onely go to the right hand ; Chaff and Tares to their own home . In this Church , although a Sermon-day , but one Servant of the Earl of Corks , not one of the Lord of Broghills , as I saw and remember : and why that one ? and who must that Servant be , but my Cosin their Secretarie , one whom they knew I loved , and would be much ruled by . Well , how governs he ? I suspect , by their order too , he comes to me almost as soon as I was entered upon what I intended , and had to do , desires me to desist , weeps to me , I refuse him , he after pulls me by the Cloak and Arm , uncivil more than enough hales me by both , prayes and weeps to have me out ; I took faster hold , told him if they would burn me , they might ; but I would not stir from that place , nor from that imploy of the Lords , untill I had done that work the Lord commanded me of his : Then crying like a great ( yet Childish ) Kinsman , he went away , whilest I was over-joyed , being so well rid of him ; & so thanking God , I went quietly on , to do all I intended to a word , without any other violence offered me : Yet my Congregation grew very thin in the end . It is the unhappiness of these times , that where He stands up , that is not sent , thither the people run , to which ill advised , we may fitly use that of the Spaniard , who , when he sees one do so , observe ( saith he ) what haste that man makes , to leave his wits behinde him : Yet , to the comfort of those that hold out to the last , though but a few , if in well-doing , the blessing is to them : But its prayers must remedy this , not conceits ; the loving kindness of the Lord must do it : Which , when he shall be pleased to restore to us wiser Teachers , we may then hope to see . In the mean time , it calls for our prayers and tears , that we see it not . It was a witty one of long since deceased Mr. Shuit , officiating in Lombard street , I heard it from him , ( indeed he married me ; may his memory and his works ever live in us ) in a Sermon , complaining of these Times , which he foresaw hastning upon us , ( for such are the true Prophets of the Lord , and therefore ( as I conceive ) called Seers ; ) The age is now grown so Chimical ( said he ) that from a Tailers shop-board , or Weavers loom , we have those now will extract Learning enough , to stand 3 hours in a Pulpit , before an apron'd & giddy Auditory ( with applause too ; ) that should a wise Man put his head in at the Church-dore , he would judge the Famine to be very sore among us , to see an Asses head valued at so many pieces of silver . Mais donne aux ausnes le Chardons , let Asses feed on Thistles . But I must go on . Of a like nature was one I heard , praying in the Pulpit for a Reformation , in those over-active times , dispairingly say , How can we hope for it to Gods glory , when there is not one in our Universities , or Cathedrals but what are Factors for that Whore of Babylon ? Sure , he was never there , he was so ignorant , mistake me not , I mean the University ; if otherwise , give him the Whet-stone , having thus preach'd for it . Truely , I would not make these Aberrations , but for this Reason ; There was with me , all the time of my imprisonment at Youghall , and a prisoner also , a person of great Honour , as I firmly believe , M. David Rooche , the Eldest Son of the Viscount Lord Rooche ; a Gentleman of very great integrity , and faithfulness , where trust and devoir lies upon him . He is a great Devotery and admirer of the Church of Rome , and hath often told me , how like I was to be deluded , because part of my Prophesie was , that the Church of Rome should fall ; which he laboured to have me believe , the Gates of Hell should never prevail against ; as being what Christ promised to his Church , That being it , and no other . He told me , We could shew no Church , neither were we any , since fallen from them , the onely Conspicuous in all ages , visibly shining , as upon an hill . That with him was the strength of his argument , any thing that ever was in Ours , that looked like a Church , see , because it was but like one , how God had now annihilated that also . And for the Preachers of our Church ( as we would have the World yet misbelieve we were a Church ) now amongst us , what were they , but men unsent , who filled the world with Schismes Falshood , Heresie , strange and lying Opinions , few or none of them agreeing ; whereas Unite was the best devote of a true Church , and that theirs onely hath , and always had . 'T was too much said , for him to prove ; yet this I will say of him , ( nay , I have Prophesied it , and it will come to pass ) he is too good a man , to sin against the light of his Conscience , he would fear and serve none but God onely , nor obey any but his King ; and both them with all his heart : Therefore I told him , God had , of his Providence , then sent him my Fellow-Prisoner , to shew him , first or last , the Error of of his Judgement , and that Church : And then , because he was so eminently good otherways in his Countrey so exemplarie , he would , being converted , bring his Countrey to the Service of God , as well as he had formerly done them to his Kings service ; from which interest he would never suffer himself , nor them to be stirred in the least : for in that he was a true Rooche , which in French is a Rock ; whereas now I understand the Honor was in a French Field , but in the good Service of his then King , given to his Ancestors Viscount Lord Rooche . I could not for the honor of our Church , the glorie of God , and discharge of my own dutie , but reply to him , and let him know , that such foolish Babblers as those , which now so preached , were no more of our Church , the true Protestant , than those that make merchandize of the kingdom of heaven now in the delapsed Church of Rome , would be reckoned to be , if that Church were again restored to her Pristine Puritie : which I believe , God would in mercie do , by throwing down and out of her , all the workers of iniquitie , crept in in several ages ; who , for their own ends , defiled her with damnable Tenents and Absurdities . The beloved Church of God , I observed to him , we were , though now thus beclouded . The Moon , to which that Church is compared , is not alwayes at full , she has wanes and changes , and Eclipses also , yet still a Church , as that a Moon . I beseech you , is not now the Honour of the Protestant Religion at stake ? and doth it not clearly appear to all that love her , what discervices these unsent , bold and empty Babblers have done us ? Those Vagabonds are like those Vagabond Jews in the 19 of the Acts , the 13 vers . who took upon them to call over them that had evil Spirits , the name of the Lord Jesus , saying , We adjure you by Jesus , whom Paul preacheth , to come forth ; yet no good is done by them , out they come not , the evil Spirits are where they were , not cast out , but replied to them , Jesus we know , he is sent of God , Paul we know , he is sent of Jesus , but who are you ? who the Devil sent you ? Well : unsent of God they finde them : What doth that man possessed with the evil Spirits do ? He leaps upon them , over-comes them , prevails upon them , so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded . This spread over the Countrey , and the Name of Jesus was magnified ; so shall his Name also be magnified by us , or you in Authority , if you suppress those unsent , vagabond , giddy , bold , empty , scandalous ( what shall I call them ? ) Itinerates , froward & factious Presbyterians , dishonourers of Gods true Religion , Church , and our Nation . By sober men are not these things and times to be lamented ? And are not wise men , if now in power , obliged to help distressed Religion , thus crying out , O Religion , Religion ! thou that art the strongest of policie , which teachest to rule well , and to be so ruled ? Pray , did not the fear of God , which is the beginning of wisedom , not fear of man , make David wiser than his Teachers ? And doth it not strengthen more than ten mighty men ? Oh! its Excellencie invites you to side with it ; though now seemingly down , it will raise it self , and all that love it . Haste you , be ye of this bless'd number . But to the matter . All thus done at Church , I went to the Earl of Cork's house , endeavoured to enter the Parlour , where that day were sate divers Persons of quality at Dinner : I was refused enterance , though my unworthy self , formerly by the good favour of that Earl and Countess , was one they were pleased to admit to their own Table , for some moneths : but now denied enterance I was . Well ; I watched my opportunity , my business being of another nature , than eating ; it was to do the will of my Father which is in Heaven , which was to let that most incomparable Lady , the Lady Elizabeth Boyl ( for other I may not call her , whom God Almighty hath set apart & chosen , to so much Honour and bliss , as to be his Queen , and the beloved of God , ) on my knees I told her , That , in obedience to the Commands of God , I had that day in the Church of Youghall , Proclaimed our King , and her good self his Queen . From my knees I rose , went out , amde no disturbance ( though the most considerable there , so soon as he saw me , I well remember , rose up ) and was for my being had out : but having done what I could not choose , my duty so much desired , I took my self away , for I neither spake more , nor did more , but quietly went away . Now comes the sign given me for confirmation of my Faith , that the things Prophesied shall come to pass , observe how it is made good to me , both for day , persons , state , and place . Dinner there ended , a Coach with six Horses is made ready , which in that place I never saw before : into it gets the Countess of Cork , the Lady Broghall , the Lady Queen Elizabeth Boyl , the Lady Frances Boyl , the Earl of Cork on Hors-back , the Lord of Broghill likewise mounted , and all these well accountred , & no otherwise attended : In good equipage they ride through and out of this Town of Youghall , unto the Strand , where the several Hors-matches were that day run . Well ; they all gone , my self rode after ; coming thither , was looked at by all for my forenoons work , the Governour of the Town there ; on the Strand I rode , to others I told what I had in the Church , did not madly rave , or beget any the least disturbance ; stayed to the last ; rode off the Strand , sometimes betwixt the Lord of Broghill , and the Governour Colonel Saunders ; told them what God Almighty would have done and come to pass ; rode next them all through the Town ; no disturbance all this while ; yet the Lord of Broghill told me several times I must forbear such expressions , otherwise he would order me , and committed I should be . He was as good as his word ; for out of my Lodging I was fetch'd , and had to Prison , but by the Governours Warrant , he not seen in it . Truely , I think I may take his word at all times , for what he promiseth ; hear my reason : In France , some 17 years ago , I furnished upon Bills of exchange , one of his Brothers with a considerable sum of money for his Brothers own use ; after that near upon one hundred pounds more , for this Lord of Broghill , who was not then at age ; his Elder Brother gave me his Bond , Parrole and Honour , to pay those Bills of exchange , given me for repayment in England : This his Brother was killed in the Wars of Ireland ; my money not paid by him the Bills were drawn upon , nor ever by that his elder Brother ; the principle killed , and my whole debt seemingly dead also , being very great . My self now in Ireland , I reminded this Lord of Broghill , of what by Parrole , he was debter to me , with its consideration for 17 years , upon Bill of exchange , signed by his elder brother , but never paid , his Lordship not being at age , became not bound , otherwise than in point of Honour , by his Parrole . Truely , the long time , and my discontinuance beyond the Seas , having made no former Application to him , had worn both out of his memory ; but upon discourse both came to his Lordships reminde ; No sooner so , but we consented to refer all allowances and demands of Interest to the Earl his Brother , and M. Robert Boyl his youngest . This done , by consent , his Lordship a few dayes after told me , Well , if my brothers , to whom we have referr'd this business , see no ground in Law , possibly to proceed upon his Lordship haveing not given either specialty , or promise since his being at age , to pay the moneys , so not liable in Law ; If thus they proceed ( said his Lordship to me ) yet come you to me , and I will compose you in conscience . But his Lordships brothers , whom I found conscientious also , in six words ( as I may say ) composed me , and I have my money : and these grounds I have for the taking of his Paroll , my imprisonment , and the preserve of his Paroll with Honour ; and to those that will preserve it , Honour is due , as here to his Lordship : for the publishing of this Act I was debter , either to the invite , or else to the shame of others , that have more of Title , but less of good conscience . Good Men direct into , not lead out of the way ; I am where I was , and go on to let you know , that this day , Thursday the 12 of January , all those Persons being thus there , and in such good equipage , upon the same place , the sign given me for my confirmation , and others also , is fully made good to me , considering also my not commitment , that day , together with the great concourse of people , from parts far more remote than I intended my Summons , for the invite in of the Gentry and Country , that day , to that place , for to let them know this business of the Lords . Thus the work of the Lord is carried on to the greatest advantage , and so brought to pass , whilest we onely think to do our own wills , how doth he make us to effect his ? Every Creature walks blindfold , onely he that dwells in light sees whither they go . We are for Hors-races , yet see how we fall under his decrees unawares , that we might the more adore the depth of his Providence . For the rumore of what I had said and done that day , and the next , spred over the Country ; Post it went to Dublin ; in England it was in a short time ; and as the Cloud of Elias , raised from the Sea , at first appeared but as an hand-breadth , so this rumour , raised upon the Strand of Youghall , by the Sea-side , little then , as it was , now as that Cloud raised by that Prophet , spread over the whole Heavens and Earth , and falls upon it also , what to do ? but even as his , To glad the people , and make fruitfull the Earth . Publick meetings and great concourses of people , fittest to disperse general mercies to the Sons of men . The Irish desire to know nothing more , nor enjoy any thing on Earth , before their own habitations ; not to be transplanted , and to have the Kingly Government restored . Why , they are ready to die of an over-joy . Oh , the wisdom and loving kindness of the Lord ! Who can do other than obey him ? Well , the third day in Prison I am , and for Treason too , there I pass a moneth , or six weeks , no offer for inlargement : On a sudden , If I will go out , I may , but I must go presently aboard a Ship , there bound for England , ready to depart : Many requests I made before that time , that I might be sent over Prisoner to the General , Oliver Cromwell , to whom I was deputed ; but not in any hearkened unto . Well : Go I would , yet positively I said , that untill I had once more been with the Lord of Broghill , and given him my Prophesie in writing , under my Hand and Seal , delivered and left with him the most material parts of it ; I would not go : that done I would go , and then his Lordship should dispose of me as he pleased , I would afterwards in all things readily obey him . His Lordships Secretary and the Earl of Corks both with me , then making the offer of inlargement upon the terms as before : which when I refused , except upon my own terms , they fairly told me I should ly there three moneths longer , then be proceeded against , and for Treason hang'd : To which I replied , Let them burn me also , if they could ; I would not go out but upon those terms . Appear to the people I would , had they put me in publickly , and will they take me out privatly ? I would appear to the people , even to all that were there , that I was enlarged ; Mad I was not , the business was the Lords , and he would bring it to pass , and deliver whom he had sent and commissionated , in the fittest time . I bade them be gone , told them I would do all that , and more , which was to leave another of my Prophesies , under my own hand , at the House I lodged in , the Widdow Merricks , written in Parchment , boxed up , and hanged over my Beds head , in the Chamber I lodged in , which I pronounced should be called the Chamber of the great Prophet for ever . My Prophesie I wrote , gave it to the Widdow Merricks Son in writing ; a Man grown he is ; he keeps it ten dayes , or more , then returned it me , and told me his Mother durst not suffer it to be hanged up , Here was obedience to Governours : I would it had always been so . Well : the Ship is gone , in Prison I remain , my Keeper again begins ( new it now was not ) to practice some of his former Tricks upon me ; False Prophet he calls me ; a Child of his , some 2 or 3 years old , is also taught to call me so himself owns the teaching of it ; which when I desired him to forbear , or else tell me upon what ground he did it , he replied to me , he had good grounds . You are ( said he ) for the Superstitious keeping of Dayes and Times , as in particular , that in the time of Lent we should do well to fast , pray , and examin our selves , that so , through Gods mercies , we may , as you say , become worthy receivers of his most blessed body and bloud , for the Remission , of sins , at the feast of his Resurrection at Easter ; Nay , you are for a Passion Sermon also , upon good Friday ( as you call it , ) when all dayes are alike : The Commemoration also of the Nativity of our Lord , the Descending of the Holy Ghost , and divers other Superstitious things and times ; all which the true Prophets of the Lord have cried down , and long since declined , as most abominable and Superstitious . Here lay his proof , when I asked him who those Prophets were , he told me the Godly Ministers and Prophets the Parliament had preferred , & appointed to hear preach . I replied little , onely told him some reasons , that induced me to be of that judgement ; yet withall it was worth his consideration , to remember what became of those Children that mocked the Prophet , against whom the Lord sent Bears out of the Wood , to tear them in pieces and devour them . Well : reconciled we were , he told me it should no more be so , neither did his Child any more provoke me ; but on the contrary I loved it , and the Child me . Upon a short time after he told me , If I were a Prophet , then he was a Dog : I reminded him , such expressions did not well become ; he might in that Prophesie unhappily of himself ; Dogs were without , when Prophets were in Heaven . I observed to him , he did all without reason , told him I forgave him and his Son formerly , and that I prayed for both , that God would be pleased to forgive them ; ( It is true , I did so , and do so ) that he would be pleased to have mercy upon them . He bid me keep my prayers to my self , he nor his had no need of them , and desired them not . He was often girding at me , quiet I could not be for him ; I saw he loathed me , which made me sometimes think on those evil Spirits , that though they knew it was our blessed Lord , yet raging , asked him why he was come to torment them before their time : Good he told me I could not be , because I approved not of one Mr. Wood , whom the Parliament power had put in Preacher at Youghall , and settled upon him an handsom Sallery of some an hundred and twenty pounds per annum . His name implies he may be Timber , though some suspect he is not yet fitted for the building up the House of God. God be pleased to make all men wise and better ; Certainly the best accomplished is fittest for his service . This being Sunday , and my keeper going then to hear this Mr. Wood , Command is given , none must come to me ; locked up I am : Things thus hightening , and his prejudice encreasing against me , my Bed the night before taken from under me , sent for away , after he came from M. Woods Sermon , my bolster , sheets , and whatsoever I had of his , taken away from me by himself , so great a zeal brought he home with him , from his so good Preacher M. Wood. Well : to this condition being reduced , my self not very well , not used to such affronts , not such lodgeing , the season winter , truely I walked and prayed most of that night ; abandoned I now saw my self almost by all , nothing but hard usage and aversness do I meet with in all men , to this business of the Lords , which much troubled me : And truely , I might here observe to you , that I besought God Almighty to direct , deliver , and enable me to get from under those great oppressions of men , which without him I could not overcome . Observe , I beseech you , God withdraws not our helps , but for a further advantage , however our hopes may seem crossed . Where his name may gain , we cannot complain of loss : 't was so here ; the work was the Lords , and he was pleased to assure me , I should grow from strength to strength , untill I arrived at perfect peace in Zion : and how that for his Glory , Honour , Mercy and Names sake , he would bring it all to pass , & it should be marvellous in our eyes . Thus beseeching the Lord , I prayed , ( and now do pray the Reader , that he firmly believe , as I do , it being true ) I had that night this Vision , or Call of the Lord , Come away , bring your writings , come away , reitterated just as the people you read before did , when they saw the Light and Crown in the Heavens , bowed to God and it , it being of Heaven , they all said , Come we will follow it ; so here , Come away , bring your writings , come away . I could here truely observe to you , that although my so civil Landlord , was warm that night in a good Bed , ( I cold and had none ) in Bed with him such another Saint , his Wife , educated & married from the house of the once , no less zealous , I believe , than these two , the Lord Brook ; whose Servants they were either both , or one : Yet on a sudden she riseth and runneth , the strong water is fetched , my Landlord very sick , nay , very ill , his Childe had formerly been so : This strong water was to be fetched out of the next Room where I was pounded up ; so know it I did , indeed his wife told me the reason of her haste and coming : Well ; the strong water he had , and my prayers also for his amendment , and Gods forgiveness to him : and though he formerly bade me keep them to my self , he nor his had no need of them , his Child I believe fared not the worse for me , for it after loved me , when well : himself then had them , as also the strong water ; if of any validity , God Almighty have the glory , he had the recovery then ; but a Fool is not alwayes to be answered in his folly . This I should not have observed , but that it is in reverence to what himself hath very often told me , he was that Thomas a Diddimus , that should not believe any thing of my Prophesie , untill he saw it come to pass : the rather because it was against those whom God approved of , and set up to his glorie ; & therefore he took the liberty to call me Traitor , as to them , and false Prophet as in reverence to their Godly Ministery ; such was his zeal , but whether well guided , or of God , that 's the question . But I leave him in his Dog-kennel , for so his then habitable house was formerly called , as himself told me one time : and truely , me thinks upon this account and action , it may well retain the former name , if it hath been discontinued , Dog kennel . Day being come , I penned a Letter , presenting the whole Vision , Come away , bring your writings , come away , to the Secretary of the Lord of Broghill , entreating him , that he forthwith impart it to his Lord , and others concerned for the ordering of affairs in those parts , beseeching they would , after address made to God Almighty for his guidance , forthwith dispose of me as he should please to direct them to do : They , I humbly conceive , did so ; for that day , or the next morning I had word sent me , that I might go whither I would . Yet observed to me it was by that Gentleman , which brought me my enlargement , that I should not proclaim the King in the streets . Truely , I was never guilty of any such madness , neither did it so much as once come into my thoughts . Had I not been guided by God , in the penning of my Prophesie , to do so in the Church , I should never have done it ; but then and there wrote , I could no more decline doing it , than I can now to pray for all men , even his and my own Enemies . No , they are the Commands of God , which carry me on ; and not to conform to them , I neither can chuse , or dare omit . SECT . V. THis very morning , being now the 7 day of September 1654. was I a second time rouzed , and called early from my bed , by a great Crack , or Canon , to rise and go to work , to bring forth this my Book to the World , in it concerned : defer it I dare not , though I have been by some Ministers , but most of all by my other seeming Friends , my Wife and Children crying to me also , not to publish it , all men I have yet sent to , and all means hitherto failing me , for money to get it out . Nay , I have lain these 20 dayes , the most troubled and disconsolate imaginable , for want of money to go on with it : Tried all I know almost ; would have pawned what I had left , that I might raise money to do it ; am refused by all men hitherto I know ; out I would have had it come before the Parliament assembled , as believing it would highly dispose them to serve God , their King and Country , so invite the Lord to send deliverance , and heal our Land. But I see in this , as in all other of Gods proceedings , I must pray to him , depend upon him , abide his good pleasure ; his own time is the best ; so is his way also ; he will do his work himself : It may be he is pleased to see what good effect the Sermon Mr. Thomas Goodwin gave them on Munday last will operate , and have upon those Gentlemen , as also what the Protector did after communicate unto them . At the Sermon I was , I heard all ; in particular , how he well advised to turn from all sin , that God would be pleased to return to us , and that they those now worthy Gentlemen , called of Gods goodness , as I believe , for the healing of our grievances : For , as Mr. Goodwin observed , there was election of persons for works , sometimes by the Lord , as well as to grace and glory . David might intend to build Gods House , but Solomon shall . You see my main rise of all this Book , and unparalel'd Prophesie begins there , as that Gentleman did , adviseth the rebuild of his House , the restore of his Ministers , the giving them for maintenance what God hath given , and to every man his just interest , and then see how be establisheth the Land , & the Kings Throne , which Kings Throne I wish he had fuller pressed , he hath done it in some other works of his ; where he hath observed , that the House of King Solomon was established as Davids , when they thought of , & so did build up the house of God. But he is wise , he leaves that work for the Protector ; if he doth not know it , I do : he shall help to builde Gods House , and bring in his King too , and that will establish his own house also , the most Honourable of a Subject in the World , or else put me to death , if this come not to pass . He went on , he advised them to keep us from falling into , or returning to the Red-sea of bloud , which we , as the Israelites had passed through . Let him now take the comfort of my Book , and this Prophesie of the Lord Almighties , as I had of his Sermon , in many good observances . There is an end of all the Wars in the Christian World ; and I hear since that Oliver Cromwel did that day tell you at a conference , he was ready , as a fellow-worker , to carry on the work of the Lord , and would do so . See now to what purpose my Gun hath wakened me this morning , to call you all to your duty , us to pray for you , that you forthwith fall to it , and work as men , whom God hath highly honoured , and now called to be the restorers of our Religion , Peace , the Honour of our Nation , and our King ; who , because the best in the World , God having made him so , for our good & happiness . Bring him presently , that our rejoycing be not deferr'd , nor the World kept from coming into the then so gloriously professed Protestant Religion , and under his so happy Goverment , to which all Christendom , Jews , and Heathens are to conform also in Gods time , which I beseech him for his name and mercy sake be pleased , O Lord , to hasten . Now , Turks and Infidels look to your selves , our King is CHARLS STUART , the General of all our Forces is Oliver Cromwell , both the so dearly beloved of the Lord of Hosts ; against whose sword put into their hands , as Gods Vice-Roy and his Lieutenant , none drawn on Earth shall ever prevail . O Lord , thou hast wakened me , and I will do my duty , this shall now come in that formerly was not , and my Book shall out in Print , to the World concerned , if I go naked ; for thou knowest ( O Lord ) it had been out before now , if I had had either money to have done it , credit , or goods , to have borrowed money on . At home I continue discontented , enjoy nothing , because it is not published , fear I do , that it 's not coming out time enough , the major part in Parliament will be wanting to their duty , they not yet understanding what God will have done ; were my Book but once read by those Members , for whom , with Oliver Cromwell , I first intended it , I then should fear no Votes in Parliament , contrary to Gods glory , and the Kings just interest with a Parliament ; for divide them I can not . In what a troubled condition I am at home I have shewed you ; opposed and deserted by all , unable to effect any thing of my self . See now how God works for me , and carries on his own work , for his own glory , as assured me he would , that it may be marvelous in my eyes , as well as yours : For to pass it must come , that 's the seal of my Commission , the time and way is his own secret . What doth the Lord now do , my self being at loss ? Upon the 12 of September , to my unpararel comfort , Oliver Cromwell doth this work of the Lords ; it is possible too , when he intends onely to establish himself . The Lord often makes us to be most highly instrumental to bring his good pleasure to pass , when sinfully we may intend onely the carrying on of our own unwarrantable , proud , and ambitious end , I know not , but it was so here with him , and no otherwayes : but I do know , that in the end , thou Oliver Cromwel , shalt delight to do the will of thy God and thy King ; in the first place also , not minding thy self , before thy duty performed to them : in which doing thou canst not fail of being abundantly happy ; otherways disquieted , and miserable beyond all compare . The 12 of September the House door that 's shut up , out go all you , or the most of you , whose froward principal of Presbytery , or other , ( call it what you will ) is not clear for the glory of God , and Honour of his King , but our Sovereign CHARLES STUART ; whose power & unquestionable right with Parliament Oliver Cromwell takes into his own hand , suffers it not to come into yours onely , he remembers very well when you formerly forced it from the King into a Parliament onely , where God and our Laws had never placed it . How you abused it ! Though your pretentions , Oaths , and Votes , at the first , were high , deep , and many , to the contrary ; all that you might not be distrusted ; his person and his honour also you would preserve ; yet see , misimployed this Militia you did , and turned it was to the destruction of his person & honour : the last you first wounded him in , that you might the better kill him in his body : done it was to the perpetual shame of them that did it , profess you what you will for Religion , Presbytery , Anabaptism , Independency , or any thing that is unwarrantable ; distinctions multiplied with your Novelties and successes . Truely my charitie leads me to believe , there were some Gentlemen refused to settle the Militia in the hands of Oliver Cromwell , that it might the sooner return into those hands , which their consciences are now troubled that they ever forst it from : which unhappie Act , I am of opinion , first set us together by the ears , most hastened , and so enabled the Contrivers of that unnatural War ; which the Lord in mercie hath now put an end to . If such another Vote engage us not afresh , from returning to which Red sea of Bloud , good Lord deliver us ; as Mr. Thomas Goodwin preached , advised , and prayed . But this Militia is now safe where it should be , in the hands and power of the best Subject , Oliver Cromwell , for the warrantable interest of the best of Kings , his Master Charls Stuart . See how the ways of God are past finding out ! O Lord , never any man lost by referring all to thy good time , and best way . I do not in the least doubt thee Oliver Cromwell ; I know God hath , or will fit thee for the work , who onely hath thus directed , and over-ruled , that his name may have the glorie , and thy person the greater honor ; forsaking all on earth for the command of heaven . The interest in the Militia is a Crown-Jewel , which God will have thee ( O Cromwell ) not suffer to be divided from the Crown , but give it to the supply and making of a better than that which bad men have by violence taken and shared amongst the Self-deniers , as they call themselves : But thou , Oliver Cromwell , wilt prove thy self one , they onely promised to do what thou canst not but do ; make him a Glorious King ; for by thy means God will have it so . Distrust him not , you Members , yet dissenting , who have a clear mind to do the work of the Lord. Obey God , and your King , with him : Gods Word , and the known Laws of the Land will best direct in both . Comply with Oliver Cromwell , he is for the service of God , and his duty to his Kings just interest with a Parliament : you understand not how highly God will make him subservient to both . My Book is coming to you , to let you know how , much we are mistaken in him , and how transcendently much we are for ever obliged to our mercifull God , whose work this is alone , to the amazement of the World , both for time and manner , his goodness making it marvelous in our eyes . I could not sleep the night of that active day the instrument for subscription was presented ; God keeping me waking to his glory , and my own content : for as his Gun , and Call , hath set me to work at other times , so here I rose and wrote this Letter to Oliver Cromwell the very next morning ; & because but short , I here give it you , that you may see my actions are all above-bord , and that this work on Earth comes from above in Heaven : to pass it must come , God will have it so . Sr. Yesterdays actings , last nights wakings , and this day God directing hath set these words upon this paper , for your Lordships observe . Prudence it is not , to trust the Militia in those hands , who after they had forced it from whence God Almighty had placed it , ( whatsoever they pretended , ) used it to the distroying of him . Sir , you are not of these bad men beloved , neither is there clear thoughts in all of them to do good : some are not fit to be trusted ; Pray God amend them all . Sr. Part with nothing out of your own power ; that is , or may be mis-inployed , hurt the Church of God , or Regal rule . You are of Heaven directed , doubt it not in the least , to be highly sub-servant to both : have courage ( Sir , ) fear not the least ; I know you are hated , and not understood by the most , who would destroy you . Sr. I had a Book ready to publish 20 dayes , or more before the Parliament opened ; the highest imaginable for your advantage , and effecting what God will have done ; by the turning of good men to comply with you in all things , and not to fear any ill , because God is on your side . Sr. All my friends have abandoned me , and money I could not get to Print it , most men conceiving this Parliament would ruin you , so hang me , if I sided with you . Thus deserted and opposed by all , I could not get it out ; but I see God works for me , when man opposeth : so doth he for you ; Go on ( Sir , ) you are blest of Heaven . Your most faithfullest W. Gostelow . Septemb. 13. 1654. This Letter I sent to that hand I have sent divers others , which I know are delivered to his Lordship , so sure as God is in Heaven , my Commission is from thence ; and that the effect will shew you all ; from thence deputed I am . And now , you Honourable Members of this Parliament , who may if you will , readily apply your selves to be good , just , mercifull , and wise , live the Honour of our Nation , the beloved of God , of our King , and of all good men : your selves may have the Honour to be such a Parliament , so wise , so just , so well constituted , so for ever renowned , as those will be , if you should be wanting to your devoirs , which is the applying of your selves to the extirpation of all villany , and the giving to every men his just interest , to which ends we have chosen you , and should all pray , that God would so of his mercy inable you , by such a Parliamēt our already glorified King adviseth in his last words , our now so abundantly happy Soveraign his Son , ever to be ruled by : for Parliaments so principled would readily apply themselves to give the King his just rights , as truely as they would to every subject theirs , which doing , King , people , and Kingdom could not be other than mutually happy and blest , living in rules of Justice and loving kindness , the strongest hold-fasts . And now this thy Call , O Lord , and workings , when my self at my wits end , is like that afforded me of bring thy Papers and come away . A deliverance it is , like that of the Apostle Peter , when the Prison door was set open for him and his Irons fell off ; so was the effect of that Call , Come away , the doors are opened to me the very next day . But close up my mouth , O Lord , I may not complain , every defer of thine is as my self suspended for a further good , I know it : thy own time and workings have none like them : Thou wilt make discoveries of men , and let us see as well , who would be good if there were no law , as who would practice wickedness by a law , & doth not God Almighty put us often into his sive , several wayes also discovering the Wheat from the Chaff , pray we must , believe we must , that all works for the best to them that fear God , and patiently abide his good pleasure . Return I must & go on to my former intentions , yet this believe me in , you worthies of Parliament , this insert was not begot by either of the Protectors two speeches to your good selves ; for I take God Almighty to witness , I had not then read either of them . Inlarged from Prison , I gather in all my material papers , as commanded , which were not a few , I now see them of very great concernment , for the carrying on of this work . I believe I wrote in Prison then twice as much as this Book , and twice over also . This Call thus directing , Come away , bring your Papers , come away , was certainly of God. Well ; my self gotten out of Prison , and my Papers gotten into my possession , I hasten for England , and in Easter week 1654. came to my own house , where I now do , and have resided twenty years , being in Broadstreet , near the Church , over against Gresham Colledge , at which Church once ( but not long enough ) officiated that so eminent and renowned Doctor Oldsworth : but thank you invisible Parliament and such Oakes , our then wicked Governours , you sequestred , imprisoned , and destroyed him , as you did hundreds and thousands of others God sent unto you , of which you were unworthy : but you could not help it ; the Jews your brethren did so persecute those sent unto them ; and aud truely you could not but follow the worst of examples ; the best are to be conformed to by these which are wiser men ; and therefore a true Parliament . You long since , as your actions , have been the dishonour of the Protestant Religion , and the Nation , all the World over ; and future times will never call you a sober Parliament ; but as we desire not to believe you were English men , so well constituted Parliaments for time to come will look upon you , as upon Lots wife , a lasting monument of her shame , for looking towards Sodom when God had set her face towards salvation . But I go on . SECT . VI. HAving passed a few dayes in my house , I could not be in longer quiet , untill I took me a lodging near Saint Jame's his house , attending all opportunities and possible means to speak with the General : whom not meeting with , I wrote unto him several times , to give him to understand , that I had received of the Lord the most considerable and highest things imaginable , to communicate to his good self , being therein concerned , as much as any , and to whom from prison in Youghall God had pleased to send me , for that very purpose , & therefore besought him to hear me . After much attendance , and not a few disappointments , I had first at White-Hall the opportunity onely to speak to him , made my self known to him , but he had not the conveniency at that time to hear me in the things I so much desired ; yet then told me he would speak with me . That further opportunity I had not , though continued seeking it , it , and reminded him by Letters of his promise , untill one Saturday in June , a little before the death of the Portugal , when , and where , it pleased Almighty God to afford me a most convenient one at Hampton Court , and his Lordship there pleased to hear me out to the full , affording me both his patience and attention too , as I firmly believe . There was present Sr. Gilbert Pickering , and a Gentleman or two more , whom I knew not ; for all which I returned , as in duty Obliged , first to God , next to his Lordship , all possible prayers and humble thanks . And now least any thing might scape his Lordships observe , which it is possible did my recital , he hath this second review of it ; but printed more particularly for the World of men in it so highly concerned : for I cannot be quiet , untill to them I publish it also , this being a light not to be hid ; the universal splendor of the Protestant Religion must break forth , also the obedience of men to the Lord , who I conceive and believe is now coming in mercy , and wayes of making himself known to the Christian World , Jews , and Heathen in mercy ; but in judgement to others ; for the evil doer shall not abide in this so great and wonderfull a change . On earth whom is the Lord pleased to make his Viceroy for rule ? his favour and loving kindness is the highest to our King , CHARLS the Second , CHARLS the Great , CHARLS the good , King of the whole World : these are the words and declared pleasure of the ever living and our most mercifull God , which I dare not conceal , nor longer keep uncommunicated , but must publish them to all concerned ; to have an end of all the Wars in the Christian World , with the rest in the Prophesie , is certainly considerable . I confess , after I had wrote to the General , I could not but also do so to his Majesty my King : the import of both refers onely to my duty , in the discharge of which I onely can have quiet . The Original of all Letters to them I have , being to each five , in all ten : in any of them not the least thing advised to but , as I conceive , and so believe the minding both of them to the perform of such their duties , as are most acceptable with God Almighty : the one how to rule well , the other so to obey : things the most to be desired of good Kings , & good Subjects ; of which I wish the whole world were made up of . I have therefore in the end of the book given two of those Letters to publick view , that at once my inward thoughts may appear , to the excite of walking , as best becomes the most excellent of Kings ; and the highest of Subjects , where the meanest also have to observe , that in fearing God , and honouring their King , they are blest here , and ever so to be hereafter ; omitting it , miserable to all eternity . From which sin of Rebellion , because compared with that of witchcraft , we have good reason to pray , The Lord be pleased to deliver us ; especially when covetuousnes is joyned therewith , the root of all evil sins , which some men therefore will have the World justly condemned as a Witch , in the end to be burnt : because it , and its lying vanities hath so bewitched us , as to prefer them before the ever living God , and our walking according to his will , revealed in his word : which is to fear God , honour the King , not to side with those , that are given to change ; but to keep his Commandments , do the thing that is Just , Honourable , and good , that is to all men as we would they should do unto us . If we will take any thing by violence , let it be the Kingdom of Heaven , which ought to be our devoir , not other mens rights , whether of birth , or estates ; which ought to be our restore . Write , O Lord , all these things in our hearts , and incline us to keep thy Law , which is the Commandments of God , and not of men . I have now done referring to all of Dream , and my own Interpretation of that , yet what God was pleased to have me observe ; also finished some of my Visions , which refer to this , as I humbly conceive , most material ; and therein I have observed what I could not but observe . For that of Prophesie , truely I believe , I may without any delusion , or spirit of pride , call it the words and good pleasure of the ever living God : and so far am I from believing it to be other , or that it will not come to pass , that I could not depart Youghall , before I had given it under my hand , sealed with the Coat of the Right Honourable Lord of Broghill , and upon my knees delivered it , before no less than twenty other Honourable and good witnesses , that if it came not to pass they put me to death . Now that I may not appear other than what I was at that time , to the praise and honour of God , well in my sences ; not mad , but true to what I have received of the Lord ; no impostor , nor yet a lying Prophet , or one that would delude by lying vanities , and speak when and what not commissioned of the Lord : I do here again confirm , agree unto , and consent , that if it come not to pass ( the things in the Prophesie I refer to onely , which are of the most wonderfull and strangest nature , there is the most improbability by outward appearance ) if these come not to pass , I say , I consent that you first shew me to the World from place to place , afflicting my body , and after that burn my book , and by death put an end to my dayes , as I conceive deservedly I ought to suffer , if I speak as from the Lord , when never sent . For allowance of which , to me it seems there is good warrant in that Deuteronomy , the eighteenth Chapter , from the twentieth verse to the end , being the word of God , to which words of God and its interpretation , I refer all I have said and Prophesied , to be tried by , as being the most sure rule , against , and contrary to which word of God , no Prophesie , or Prediction of man can stand , as I firmly believe : which indeed the Lord Cromwell well observed to me , when I gave him the knowledge of my Prophesie , by word of mouth . But if this be besides Scripture , yet not contrary to Scripture , then I say , in my Judgement , it is a work fit for the mission of a Prophet , or if it be for further explain of some things in Scripture , not untill now , or yet fully revealed , or well understood , then also hath it warrant : but any new , or giddy Tenets I will never force to my own destruction out of this holy word , O Lord ; which to do , I believe is the greatest sacriledge in the whole world . But willingly I do , as I wish all men would refer all to thy most holy word , of which , I conceive wise men , and the body of that ministery , thou hast sent into the world , to be the fittest Interpreters to our well understanding of it : for to and with such thou hast promised to be assisting with thy holy Spirit for their enablement unto the end of the world , and that neither Hell , nor the Devil shall ever prevail over or against them : And those thus blest and so sent , I believe are not the Pope nor his Cardinals , who for their own ends make marchandise of the Kingdom of Heaven , that they may keep up their own upon earth , so do Schismaticks & others , to the dishonouring of God , & the scandalizing of his Protestant Religion , which shall now flourish beyond all compare . But those shall suddenly fall and melt away , as greater and lesser snow-bals ; this is certain . And now methinks I hear some , as I read those did in the first of the Acts of the Apostles , and the sixth , ask our Lord , Wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom ? Truely I know nothing to the contrary , but it will be so , if you will but break off from your so much beloved , and too long lain in sins and impieties , it may now presently be . Certainly there is no better way to hasten its coming , yet the next verse tells you , It is not for you to know the times and seasons , which the Father hath put in his own power . Read it , the case there just as ours , The Scepter departed from Judah , the Government forst out of the hands of the Jews , the people desire nothing more than the return of it ; Nay , the Apostles themselves are the Persons that enquire if it may not be at this time : Yet observe our Lords answer , even to them ; It is not for you to know what the Father hath put in his own power , for shame seek the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness ; which doing , all other things shall in due time be given unto you . Your selves are the cause it is not already come to pass , by your continuance in sin . Suffer me but a few words , and I have done ; there is an end you hear of all the Wars in the Christian World ; but as yet you see it not : God be thanked for what you do see , more probability than ever . Is it not very far advanced here on earth ? Have we not that already with some Nations & People we never had before , leagues of perpetual peace ( as I have heard ) and are we not with others in treaty ? Nay , very far agreed towards that purpose ? Who well understand the Scriptures know it is very frequently in them used : that very expression by the Prophets sent of God , the present tense for the future , there is an end , that is , it is so decreed in Heaven , and it shall be so on Earth ; it being the ordinary phrase of the Prophets , by reason of the infallible certainty of the events , to speak of things to come , as already past ; the instances are obvious and infinite . See here another motive to repentance , that you may forthwith reap this so great a blessing of peace on Earth , that which makes Heaven so desireable and lovely , having in it the blessing of peace . And yet will you be mad to go on in sin , and make the Prophets , sent to you for amendment of life , mad also ? as your iniquities continued in will do : it did so to that good Prophet , Hosea the 9. and the 7. as before . I hasten to an end ; there are 18 persons you read of , that shall never dye , but be taken up into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ , that never shall have end . These are the very words of this the Lords Prophesie , his almighty dictatings ; of which words and their strangeness , I may say , as the prophet Zacharia did in a vision the Lord gave him , referring to the rebuild of his Temple , restore of his worship , and delight in his service , to which all are enjoyned to be assisting : begging and inviting them , as mine doth , first to seek the Kingdom of Heaven , his glory , worship , and service on earth . This Prophet Zacharia , in the 5. verse of that 4. Chapter , you may there read , having seen that Vision , was asked by the Angel of the Lord , if he knew what the Vision shewed him was , he answered , no my Lord. A second time he answered the very same words in the 13 verse , no my Lord , read on , and you shall finde informed he was by the Angel , that Prince and Nobels , the High Priest and the other Priests under him , are the Persons the two Olive Trees betoken ; and the Candlesticks there lighted , let us see the perfection of beauty and brightness , the Lord will have to be in his house . Certainly where holiness is commanded , beauty , richness , and decency were never forbidden in the house of God. And now to do this , doth not the two green Olive Trees on each side drop golden Oil , to carry on the work ? King & House of Peers , Bishops , Priests & Deacons , see here all your duties , Prince , Priest , & people must be assisting with purse and hand to the rebuild of Gods house , for his publick Worship and service , which when done , nay , doing , observe how he blessed the Land , never the like before for peace and plenty . And here learn also not to wonder , if I yet know not in what manner to understand those words , they shall never die . There was a time , untill the Angel gave that so emiment Prophet to understand what himself did reply to , he understood not . A Prophesie is a wonder sent to posterity , least they complain of want of wonders , it is a letter sealed , and sent , which to the bearer sometimes is but Paper , but to the receiver , and opener , is full of power . To such another non ultra was the Prophet Daniel brought , in his 12. Chapter and the 8. verse , where he saith , I heard , but I understood not what should be the end of these things , the next verse tells that Prophet , the words were closed up , and sealed untill the end ; the last verse of that Chapter assures him he shall stand in the Lot at the end of the dayes . A thousand difficulties might arise out of the particularities of so strange a message , as all this his Prophesie is ; yet observe , when things of such nature have been dictated to the most blessed Saints in holy writ , as our ever blessed Lady , and others , from these we hear of no more objections , no more interrogations . The faithfull heart , when it once hears , or knows the good pleasure of God Almighty , argues no more , but sweetly rests in a quiet expectation , Behold the servant of the Lord , be it unto me according to thy word . And thus without all sciscitation , we are to go blind-fold whither he will lead us . All disputations with God ( after his will known ) arise from infidelity . Great is the mystery of Godliness , and if we will give nature leave to cavil , we cannot be Christians , as good B. Hall observes . T is true we read in holy Writ , that wise , valiant , and good Kings , and other persons of Honour , have been so eminently just , holy , & communicably good to all here on earth , as of them it is said , They shall not die . Nay , we see their renown lives now : That is the meaning of not dying there in one place , and though to wicked mens sense such Godly persons seem to die ; as in the book of Wisdom the 3 Ch. second verse , yet it did but seem to them : so dead they are not , their renown shall never die . Again , we read of Enoch and Elias , those good Prophets , so lived they with God , though here on earth , as that he took them to himself most miraculously by translation , never suffering them to lie buried in the earth , nor their bodies to return to dust ; whose Souls were all heavenly mindedness , and conversation so continually above , that the took their bodies thither also , they did never die . Be it in either of these two senses , here is as much honour & happiness , as mortality is capeable of , agreeable to thy word ( O Lord ) it must be , or it can never stand , nor as I believe , come to pass . But my hand is upon my mouth : thy will be done , and by man for ever be thou praised , O Lord , and now seeing the events of things are the best commentaries upon Prophesies , the best way for these eighteen persons & all others is to walk with God , as Enoch did all his dayes on earth , in a Godly sorrow for sin , weeping for his own and others ; and then taken up into Heaven also they may be , as Enoch was , who never died , but was translated into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ , that never shall have end . You have heard what the Lord is doing . The conversion of the Jews and Heathen at hand , also the downfall of the Church of Rome ; things mighty , strange , and wonderfull , which to pass he will bring for his own glory , name , and mercies sake , making these things marvellous in our eyes . And did he not also formerly work wonderfull things , that we Gentiles might be wrought upon , to come into the knowledge of his Law ? whose fulness is now with the Jews to come in . The Heathen , a people that have not heard of the Scriptures ; the Jews not believing in the Gospel : who , although the beloved seed of Abraham , to whom the promise is for conversion , yet an obstinate , crooked , and wilfull generation . Even to convert Schismaticks , we may also look for signs , in , or from Heaven : all whose conversion we have little hopes to see effected otherwayes than by signs & wonders , in , or from Heaven . For this sixteen hundred years past the Gospel not heard of by the one , not heeded by the other , who remembers not our selves cost our Saviour deer ; and many wonders he did before the people would confess him the Son of God : in Heaven signs , on earth opening the Graves , the dead bodies shewing themselves to those that knew them , himself ascending up into Heaven also , in the presence of many witnesses need of all for conversion , I have done . But remember , Reader , and all you that hear of what the Lord is doing , and bringing by his Almighty power , of his good will , to pass in the World , for the honour of his name and this professed Protestant Religion and good of such as fear him . Take warning , go not on in your sins , break off by speedy and unfeigned repentance , and practice you , as well as invite others , to a more holy obedience than ever ; least that when God giveth deliverance to his Church and people , you be found to be of the number of his adversaries , to whom he renders vengeance at the same time ; Remember I have warned you ; and believe me also , I could not have any quiet , untill I had done so . Thus in all ages God hath sent his Prophets to forewarn , before he consume a people , or in mercy deliver them . I have done my duty , do you yours , repent and live . The number was but few I told you , though all that were then in being , who when they saw this Crown in heaven , worshipped God , and said , This is of Heaven , we will follow it . Which when done , with my self , hear we did pleasant sounds in Heaven , and saw the earth shine with plenty , amongst men good will , all praising God , and participating those blessings ; I once more tell you they were but a small number ; make haste , be you of it . Before judgement is gone out , repentance is seasonable ; but you may cry to late . From this Citie was the Kingdom fyrced , let O Lord , if it be thy good pleasure , the inhabitants tears and thy mercy spare it from an heap of ruin : a City that hath been , and yet is the harlot , mother of Bastard conceptions , and prodigious births ; confusion she hath brought forth , that hath filled the world and land , to her dishonour , with God and men . Spare us , O Lord , we beseech thee , and have mercy upon us , even upon us also , thy most unworthy servants . Here I have ended , but because God hath , as I formerly observed to you , of his wise delay , suspended the publishing of this book , for his own time , which certainly is the best and fittest , as also that my Dependency on him may be the more , as his mercies the greater when deliverance afforded us , I must yet a little go on ; and one insert more be pleased to allow me , it being for the General good . Let me therefore present your eye , and entertain your ear , as of Gods mercy he hath done mine , for your benefit upon the day and night of the 5. of November last , being our Lords day , on which we did commemorate Gods deliverance afforded us from the Gun-powder Treason I dare not but do it , mark it , it is considerable , & of the Lord himself , being the Lord of Hosts , who hath delivered us , doth deliver us , and will deliver us : all good grounds to trust him , and a set Text of Scripture it is for that day to be Treated on . A good Act of Parliament we have , for the thankfull and perpetual commemoration of that so great a mercy , that God was pleased then and so to deliver , Our , so good , so wise , so well-accomplished King and his posterity , to sit upon his Throne , and to sway the Scepter of these Kingdoms for ever , as we see God hath now so appointed , whose ways admit of no variation , or shadow of turning . Deliver he did , we see , the house of Peers , and Persons of Honour , in duty waiting upon their King. Deliver he did the wise and learned Authors of the Protestant Church and Religion : with them also the Judges , both together the best interpreters of his word and his Laws . Deliver he did also those Worthies of the house of Commons , called thither by their King , and sent thither by the wise , obedient , and then quiet people of the land who were : and because so , shared in that deliverance , and long enjoyed they and we the Blessings that succeeded of peace , order , riches , beauty , in Religious worship of God Almighty , in his Churches , to the wonder , as well as to the envie of the world . Here was a Parliament of Gods and good mens choise and blessing , For Majesty and Honour well met together . And this , when so , he delivers from that horrid & unparrall'd Treason , until those times , the like not heard of . And what to do I beseech you , but to let us see how precious in his sight we are , when met together as those , to fear God , honour our King , love brotherly love , all applying our selves to live and do according to his will revealed in his word and our known Laws , the onely rule we should go by , and conform unto ; applying our selves to these , not to our own willdered thoughts , for confusion , covetuousness , rebellion , irreligion , murder of those people , whose persons , peace , and propriety we come to preserve and maintain : not for our self-ends , to kill that we may divide the spoil . Something like him I have heard of in the Church of Rome , who upon the words spoken in a vision to the Apostle S. Peter , Arise , kill and eat , all things are now Common , to please the then Pope of Rome , at difference with the Venetians , gave this gloss upon that Text , that is , saith he , your Holiness may make War with the Venetians , kill them , and devour their estates : up and do it , arise , take , kill , and feed upon them . Thus his unholiness & suitable Cleargy force mis-interpretations of holy Writ to their own and others destruction , Peter's successors they pretend to be , and in the worst of things they certainly follow him , nay , exceed him : draw their sword they do , cut not off the ear onely with Peter , but the heads of Kings and Potentates , which wicked action our Lord reproves , healing the person wounded when but an ear , to let us see his Kingdom was not to be carried on by the sword , and shew us he doth he had no need of a fighting Clergy , he made no Apostle to offer violence , no Bishop in Buff with back-sword to help on with Presbytery , no Priest , or Deacon to kill and supplant , that he might get his more pious , and therefore more peaceable brothers living ; because it is better than his own , which when he hath by violence gotten , he inricheth himself , but starves , or poysons those he pretended to feed better , and do more good for both in body and soul . No , these are not the men fit to build God a Church , he needs no such hackers , or hewers in Field , or Pulpit , such furious fighters , and rash zealous Clergy : Go on to imitate Peter further , the very next apprehension of danger , they deny their Lord and Saviour , for swearing him also , if once in custody , or times of persecution come upon them then they are Sidonians , or Samaritanes , no more Jews , and they have a Temple not yet dedicated to any God , which you their profitable master , so they get by you , shall call them and it what you please , for they are resolved to side with the seeming strongest , & to get by so doing , Cura Romana non capit ovem sine lana . Oh! and have not we such Peters , if but one , too many , but the more the pitie , well , I have shewed you what those furious boote-feux have done , set us and the Christian World on fire ; I would to God I could shew you them imitating that blessed saint Peter repenting ; which would be not onely ours , the Churches , and their own rejoycing , at the conversion of such sinners there is joy in Heaven ; and though by words & actions misunderstood , they have engaged us with , Curse ye Meros so carried on the cause falsly , perswading they are the Lords Battels , outward success going on that side ; what will become of a Church , whose depraved judgements , corrupt head , and rotten Members are thus ill principled ? this Prophesie tells you : They , the Church of Rome and their Factors shall fall : & what is become of such a Parliament , or Parliaments , who have been so principled , your selves see ; gone out they are , like a snuf of the worst lights , & left a stinck behinde them : whereas the memory of the just , and good , God imbalms , for our imitation , and is not spoken of , nor remembred otherwayes than most odoriferously , even as the sweet Oyl poured on our Saviour , leaving a perpetual renown in all ages of sweetness , and goodness , to the immortal honour of that Saint that did it , as in Matthew the 26 vers . 13. whose memorial for good works shall never die , but still lives , and shall for ever . Well ; that day the 5 of November , you see is properly due for thanks to Gods delivering a Parliament made up of King , Lords , and Commons : Let no man therefore dare to have thoughts of promoting any other , but such a one ; except it be by praying to God , and patiently waiting his good pleasure , humbly , and fervently praying that these worthy Gentlemen and Protector , now met in Council for the general good , who cannot but know and finde themselves imperfect , without the better parts of the body of a Parliament , whilst themselves are less profitable Members than they might be , to Gods glory , Religions luster , the Kingdoms strength and peace , also the peoples rejoycing ; Let us not cease to pray , ( I say , ) that they forthwith apply themselves to be so compleated as may best please God , and be most warrantable by the Laws of this Land , which ought not to be broken through , nor can they be nulled , but by the powers that quallified them to become binding : They are the very words , ( I heard themselves observe ) upon the Tryal of the Earl of Straford , when proceeded against for making his paperwarrants , or messengers of force to out-value , being sent out against any subject , the then Laws established : which had their stamp put upon them , and onely made currant by the assent of the Crown , the consent of the House of Peers , and allowance of the House of Commons all proceedings in any other case , pretend what they will , it was Treason . Law I have not , I confess my ignorance , those Gentlemen certainly knew this to be Law , and gave it so there , but good conscience I am sure I have , and ought to have , there ought not to be fast and loose when we please , that we may the better practice wickedness by a Law of our own making : thus we strengthen our selves , and would be exempt from punishment when we do amiss , resolving to live according to the liberty we please to take , in the fairest pastures of other mens demeans and birth-rights , making our fences to others every way offensive , but for our self as much security as knavery can contrive , & violence maintain . Now if they will have us keep this 5 of November , as most commendable it is we should to Gods glorie and our thankfull rememberance ; let them also keep us up such a Parliament , and warrantable Laws as God in mercy then delivered and continued us , if they will not , then I advise to appoint another day , that all those may meet , who with the Devil , Jesuits , and Sons of Rebellion , Sectaries , or others , call them what you will , all who have made their wicked plots take by seeming righteousness , onely pretensions to reform Religion , amend the Laws and circumcise superfluous things , as evil counsellors , or known offenders : yet have blown up , rooted out and for ever destroyed , as much as in them lay , Kings , Religion , Liberty , the peace and honour of this Nation ; let the lovers of those confusions meet in a thanks-giving to their God for their successes also , and let us see who they are , and then if God be the Lord , serve him , if Baal , serve him , for we may not longer halt in things of God and Religion , declare your selves you wicked ones , be no longer Hypocrites and evil doers , the Devil hath helped you to do that above ground , in the shape of an Angel of light , that he could not effect under ground by powder , and your younger brothers , the Jesuits : I have heard of those that have arrived at their wicked ends and purposes by more bloud-shed than you , but never of any that came to them by more Perjury & Hypocrisie , than those that were not long since our Egyptian Tax-masters , the scandal of the Protestant Religion , and dishonour of our Nation . Remember , I have advised you to repent and do your first and best works , from whence you are fallen , or else know your judgement sleeps not , a day , a night , a moment will do it , the Sun rose and shined gloriously that very day , the evening whereof would have shewed you Sodom , Gomorrah , & her neighbour fornicating Cities all in ashes : Thou Fool , this night shall thy Soul be taken from thee , & as in the 12 of Acts , vers . 23. on a sudden in a moment the Angel of the Lord smote Herod , and he was eaten up of Worms : who knows not that in the twinkling of a eye we shall be changed , and our Saviour comes to some , surprizing them as a thief in the dead of night and sleep of sin ? I before shewed you your general condition from whence Gods Thunder onely can awake , but I would not end in a judgement , the Lord knows my heart , I pray for all your amendments and happiness , not a Scotch prayer for all your Gueds , but that you may repent and live . Now give me leave to present your eye with what God did mine that last Sunday night , being Gun-powder Treason , having that day received the most blessed Communion of the body and bloud of our Lord , beseeching him for patience , that I might bear his Cross , which indeed was cast upon me the Saturday and Sunday night , of that very day , just as my Goaler did at Youghall , so here called I am Seducer , false Prophet , deluded , not sent of God , foolish babbler , and worse : See how doth God comfort me , when man thus misuseth me , just as when my Goaler so abused me , and took my bedding from under me , and locked me up , then the Lord , that very night , afforded me deliverance and comfort by his Vision and call ; Come away , bring thy writings , come away ; and I did so ; for this his Call opened the Prison doors to me ; so here that very night for my consolation , the Lord shewed me very strange appearances in Heaven for beauty and curious works , as first a vail , or covering , which , after I had well observed , passed away , then the Heavens forthwith opened , and there did I see one , who was just for favour as our Lord is in his general Pictures Portraited and represented to us ; which sight ravished my Soul , and brought from me this expression : O it is the coming of the Son of Man for the conversion of sinners ; forthwith a vail came over me , that I could see no longer into the Heavens : I then run and hasted to get from under that vail , that I might again look up where I was , so much ravished above in the Heavens , so pressing forward that I might get from under the vail ; and so I was taken from the ground , and so moved untill I came beyond the vail , which impeded my sight , being got from under it I looked up again into Heaven , where I saw what I cannot utter or set out unto you . Help me , O Lord , my soul is too narrow to express that glory and ravishment thou shewedst me there and then : the Heavens yet opening I saw a beautifull place much about the bigness of a quadrangle of a Colledge , and in such a figure also , within which sate some four and twenty persons , all in order as being in four straight lines from side to side , so adorning the whole : they were all arrayed in long white robes , richly Crowned they were , and he that late in the middest the richest , on each hand of him sate also one very richly arrayed and Crowned ; all of them in order and beauty beyond any expression . I was given to understand it was the coming of the Son of man , I can say no more , onely tell you what it was not there was in it no disagreeing , no confusion , no striving for priority , no supplanting of one the other , all obedience , all beauty , all holiness , every one continuing in his own station , lovely throughout beyond all compare or expression ; certainly it was to let me see that at hand his coming is for the conversion of sinners , if they would but get themselves in readiness to receive and meet him with prepared hearts , he would come and dwell with them in beauty and holiness for our amendment , or else take them to himself , unto either of which happy conditions , O Lord , fit us and we shall be fitted : I end , believing God hath now made this book fit for the press and you : Observe to amendment of life . Help out , O Lord , with the book , and into thy favourable loving kindness the sons of men : this day is the first leaf of this book Printed , to finish which , if thou help not , O Lord I cannot give it birth ; I have not this day on penny in the world , yet I doubt not by thy providence this very day to carry on thy work , this book , nor thy power and loving kindness to effect the whole Prophesie in it contained . And now , O Lord , be thou pleased to help so thy most unworthy servant , and carry on this thy great work , strange and mighty to thy own glorie , and good of all men , as I set forth the truth of all , and desire from the bottom of my heart , that thou , O Lord , mayest have the glory of all , and we men the comfort : O Lord , I may not doubt thou wilt do it , for thy glory , mercy , and name sake ; I see it already done , as thou hast promised ; though it be thus strange , yet it is thy work and thou wilt do it , that it may become marvellous in our eyes . Thus I end in the very words , which ends my own Commission : in truth also be pleased , O Lord , to help all men of thy goodness , as thy most indeared , yet unworthy servant From my House the 10 of Novemb . 1654. Walter Gostelow . A POST-SCRIPT , Clearing the Author from Guilt of Pride , or Falshood . WHat ! my Book conceived in sin , and before born , or come into the World , but five sheets out , and in three of them shall I be suspected to be guilty of pride and falsehood ? Certainly I will bestir my self , the rather , because a wise and good man tells me he fears the good intented to Gods glory , Religious luster , and the Kings interest will all suffer in the publishing of it ; and upon these grounds he perswaded me to desist from Printing , which I can no more refuse to do , than I can to breath & live : what shall I wound any of these in the least ? Three things as precious to me , as had I ten thousand lives they should all not come into the scale with one of them ? Moreover , I have presented it in my intentions to the Lord Protector for his protection and defence , and shall I not present it innocent ? I know him set up to be a terrour to the evil doer and deceitfull man , but to calumniated , injuriously oppressed , honest and innocent men a Protector , and comfortable Defender : with all reverence and humility be it spoken , thy glory , O Lord , shall have the praise of this happy Post-script . I know it is for a farther good to me , as well as for the worlds clearer satisfactions : by such seeming oppositions and wise delays hath thy Providence reserved it , and me in the fittest time to become publick , and for the fullest discovery of truth , it is now made much longer than formerly intended , that all things , time and circumstances may be fully examined , and clearly inquired into , if there may , or can be made appear any ground for suspected delusion , or visible falshood . I fear neither , the charge , as Gunpowder makes a noise , but you shall quickly see it turned into smoke and and vanish . I am to demonstrate unto you why I should not justly be condemned of pride for these words in the 55 page , O Lord , let the World , [ as I do , ] stand amazed , love thee , and fear thee for ever , what ! Arguments of innocency brought to convince of evil ? be pleased to look back but two pages , the 53. and so on you have the reason of those words . God of his providence guiding me , at that very time to so full a Scripture , which I there observed for my confirmation , in that my over-ruled deportment of falling upon my face ; Haveing read that portion of Scripture , not till then known to me , 7 months after done ; and my self then penning what I there Printed , I could not but in a thankfull obedience , with all possible humility in my private Chamber fall upon the ground , and praise the Lord for it : I beseech you let it not be laid to my charge as pride , be pleased to read it rather , O Lord , let the whole World , [ as we all should do , ] stand amazed at thy goodness , therefore praise and love thee for ever . This will take me in , and I have what I intended there . The next is in the 56 page , where I say , I expected more alteration already ready than I have yet seen ; and believe I did the Summer past , would have made the certain things to come to pass , much more apparent before now than they yet are . Here confessing my self mistaken is inferred , I clearly demonstrate that sent of God as one of his Prophets , I cannot be ; for they are alwayes guided in words of truth and certainty . I could refer you to what follows , and fasten this yet non-accomplishment upon your selves , by reason of your continuance in sins and impieties , and well might too , but apply I will my self to satisfie reasonable men in all possible wayes and things ; yet observe , before I end that very Section in the two last pages of it , 68 and 69. you shall there read that I being brought from what I had of Vision , dream , or my own dictates , there is the cause of those words to that which is certainly Prophesie immediately following , and the words of God , by which onely I abide as infallably true , and will come to pass : going on you may there see the Scripture quoted , What is the rest but as Chaff to Wheat , whether Dream , Vision , or Dictate : by that Prophesie I will abide whilest I am in this World , yea , O Lord , though men attempt to kill me , I will yet trust in thee . So that all considered , I doubt not but to be cleared in sober mens judgements . Next in page 63 I there tell you , you are unworthy of a man sent unto you ; your eyes have seen what Arise Evans said already fulfilled , and this methinks might free me from this cavil , together with the known hard measure , as imprisonment and affronts late times have put upon him ; whilest the good man ( other I can not call him ) hath for your good indured so much , and almost worn himself out , that you might turn and live : yet him you asperse ; Too many of you miscalling him Mad , Foolish , Babbling mistaken fellow . I confess I knew him not untill my return from Ireland , many times I visited him , and he me , when I lodged at Saint Jameses upon this imploy , waiting for the Protector , I still reserved my self in all things , of what I have here Printed . Curious I was to know the manner of things coming so to his observe , the times also , his Government I enquired after , looked into him as narrowly as I could , observed the effects and fulfill of things Predicted , and what more I could think on , still reserving my self , having understood the manner , and in particular his alwayes being directed to the word of God , in conformity to that his word , advising all men to turn from sin , that God might return in mercy : I could not but conclude him sent of God for that very imploy , if this be to be deceived , then am I also ? but I suspect it not in the least ; he is for the rebuild of Gods House , the restore of his Ministers and Worship , the invite-home of the King , a far greater rule given to him of God , than to any of his Predecessors , also the conversion of the Jews , and the spreading of the Protestant Religion , to which purpose and speedier invite of him home , Oliver Cromwell shall be highly subservient : when done , the Land and people blest . This being his principles in all this , and more , he is in the right , and sent of God he is , I will not cry any of you mercy , for what I have said of him it is too little , he deserves more , he will go for a man sent of God , of whom you are unworthy , whose good admonitions you seem to contemn , as you have done his person : but mark the end of that man , it will be happines , I suspect yours : me , thinks I can right him in what you so much slight him , it is now come to my minde , he told you the King should be restored by May last , as you say , observe now upon the 3 January , 3 Moneths before that May , I tell you from God , he is , and shall be here Crowned King of England , Scotland , France , and Ireland , Defender of the faith , in Heaven it s done , and so I proclaimed him on the 12 of January 1653. In the Church of Youghall as commanded of God. Now to us he is come , I see him already come , so might you also , but that you have neither faith nor good works , in my last letter , at the opening of this Parliament , I wrot to the King these very words . Sir , I see you already come to your crown and dignity , onely I do not sensibly touch you , but restor'd you are . S● do but stand still a little put all iniquity from your heart , believe in God , and your self with others shall see it so suddenly , God will have it so , you may not doubt it . The next and last also , I hope , I am sure the greatest , to give satisfaction to is how I dare be so proud as to stile my self so often a Prophet , nay , a great Prophet also . Here , O Lord , in all possible humility of soul and body , I do acknowledge my self to be the most unworthiest of the Sons of men , and well know that of merit there is not any thing on this side Hell , but it is too good for me , beseech thee onely , O Lord , I do for thy Almighty guidance and deliverance herein ; thou canst do it , and make this word good , and I know wilt of thy mercy : thy honour being at stake , I dare not doubt thy power , nor distrust thy loving kindness , who hath assured , that I should by thy enablements grow from strength to strength , until I arrived at perfect Peace in Sion : it is the introduction to thy commission given me for my consolation and inablement in this thy imploys . Yet I will give you some reasons to beget belief in you also , and true ones too , or else may the ground open and swallow me , if I be guilty of any conspiracy , and Hell for ever continue me , if in this , I am rebellious against thee my God : it is the black portion of false Prophets , & may it be mine also , & that quickly too , if I have any Commission for this but thine , or any aim more than thy glory : the reasons of my belief I will give you truly , and as they fell out , some of which I formerly concealed in modesty , because they referred so much to my own honour , yet I now see when calumniated I am , and suspected of pride , God clears me , and more than recompences me , he will now give Honour to me and mine , yea , such Honour , as I was never , in the least , worthy of . Reason 1. VVhen I was the second time before the Lord of Broghall , in the presence of those persons of Honour desired , declaring the vision of the fire that fell down from Heaven upon me in my bed , and the man sent of God called me three times by my name , Walter Gostelow , asked me if I did see the fire that came down from Heaven , whch I replyed to as you there may read , yea , I did then I say , that second time being before his Lordship and those present , declaring that and others of my visions and revelations , in particular one that related to my Eldest Son Richard Gostelow , these words last of all on a sudden came from me . His Father is a Prophet , and his Fathers Father was a Prophet : astonished I was , my very next action amazeth me also : speaking to the Lady Elizabeth Boyl appointed of God , Wife to our King CHARLES STVART when I come to tell that Lady so , I am thrown upon my face , thus over-ruled I was in these two actions of words and demenor , any reason for these two proceedings I cannot give neither of them having ever been in my thoughts or purpose , but when done , to none present more strange than to my self . Now mark Gods providence , as in the book you have it , he guideth me to a Scripture , there observed to you , for the so falling upon my face , gives me satisfaction for my so doing : for the other of words I promise satisfaction : but first observe . That a second time in the dictate of Gods Prophesie which I stand to and will never alter or abate one word upon my life , there in the end of that Prophesie these words are , pronounce this house a blessed house , and this Chamber shall for ever be called the Chamber of the great Prophet , for that second time Prophet spoken by me , as for all the words there , I can give no reason but over-ruled providence , it was no pride , no imagination , no , it was Gods pleasure , and his will and promise by me to be declared to all people , and it was no more what I fancied , or would have come to pass than I wished well to Olliver Cromwel , who is in that Prophesie and happy also a man I hated to the utmost , till God then , as before , reproved me , do you tell me off fancy you talke foolishly , I believe the Prophesie , and I pray for O : Cromwell the Prophesie is Gods , the duty is mine and all yours , God hath or will change O Cromwel to his own glory , and your amazement , as well as mine , he hath assured it me , and I do you , take it for Prophesie , I do . The third time Prophet is after dictated , as soon as light appeared , I rose , before I dressed my self I write , that upon the 12 of January , in the Church of Youghall , a man sent of God for that very imploy , A Prophet , his name Walter Gostelow , will that day in that Church , after Sermon tell you the things God will bring to pass for his glory , mercy , and name sake , making them marvellous in our eyes . For this third time Prophet , I can give you no reason , but over-ruled Providence , just as in that writing I could write Oliver Cromwell by no other dignity , or cognisance , than the General of all the English Forces , as you may there read , so here you have to observe the word Prophet , spoken before the Prophesie , spoken in the Prophesie , and wrote after the Prophesie , in all over-ruled I knew not of it untill done . Yet further observe that in the dictate of Prophesie , the Irish are not to be transplanted , fulfilled that is for your satisfaction ; the time for their transplanting by Act was May last , I am ashamed , I will not call it an Act of Parliament , it was so contrary to Gods good pleasure , or brotherly compassion , to sweep all , that they might have all , therefore transplanted they are not , May is past ; transplanted they shall not be , upon this I will put it , burn me if they be . God hath altered that unmercifull decree , scattering those that made it , given these poor Subjects & us better Law-makers , more mercifull men in the room of them , who , having God before their eies , for their so doing , have learnt . Be ye also mercifull , as your Heavenly Father is mercifull . Such as these shall hereafter sit at Helm , and sway the Scepter of these three Kingdoms , just and mercifull men sent of the omnipotent and mercifull God. In the Prophesie written , the sign there given me , which I was also over-ruled to write , as well as the name Prophet , is made good to me , fulfilled that is also , honourable witnesses I have enough to prove both , for times , persons , and place . There is some ground for further proof , which I cannot wholy pass over , nor decline the giving it to your consideration , just as it was given to my self , being put upon all possible proof , one night forthwith after Mr. Barrel the Merchant , and John Merrick came up into my Chamber , and began thus with me , Mr. Gostelow here is happened below a thing that very much amazeth us , & some others . I asked what is it ? we are amazed we wonder at it , say they , speak , what is it . The little Childe , say they , that came from the Irish Nurses , to which the widdow Merrick is Granmother , and Mr. Landey Merchant her Son in Law , Father , That Child you know is very weak , & can hardly speak any thing , what it learned at Nurse is Irish , we were speaking below to the Childe , and asking it some things in English , amongst others , what you were , the Childe replied twice what we understood not , at last plainly in English , a Prophet , this they admiring , came up to me then in bed , and tell me : you have the men , the matter , and their residence : if this be so , God hath sent me one witness more out of the mouth of this Babe . Out of all which give me leave to observe to you , for I do it with all the humility that is imaginable in the World , but do it I must , I see Gods glory is at stake , and so also your and my well being , for turning from sin to amendment of life , that we may repent & do the first works , so for ever live blessed and happy ; God hath here sent me a Scripture this last Sunday out of the Pulpit , and the mouth too of one of his Ministers , so full is it to give you and me satisfaction for this word Prophet , my over-ruled speaking and writing of it , that it is to me as satisfactory , and as full of Consolation , as the other Scripture his Providence guided me to , for the proof of my over-ruled deportment , in falling down upon my face ; and because so very full , I will give it you in the very words , as I had done that , and let me tell you , the Lord Protector did observe part of this Scripture to me , when I imparted these things to him , who then well advised me to fear God , and walk in his wayes in all humility , and for these things , which were so very strange , if to his glory , good pleasure and his Prophesie , he would bring them to pass , not being contrary to Scriptures , though spoken out of my mouth : as it came happily then from him , so now also from a worthy Gentleman Preaching , God never yet left me in my greatest straights . You have the words in the second Epistle of S. Peter , the first Chapter and the last verse . For the Prophesies came not in old times by the will of man , but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost , and I am sure they wrote so also , but that this be not laid to my charge , as the greatest pride of all , yet spoken , or asserted by me ; I beseech you pray for me to this purpose , for I am bold to tell you my heart is fixed , O Lord , my heart is fixed uprightly and sincerely to keep thy Law , to love and serve thee above all things in the World ; but for any sanctity , merit , or righteousness in me , O Lord , which is not thy onely grace of good will , I abominate and disown it for ever : pray for me , I beseech you , that in all the inundations of evil I may be preserved by the loving kindness of the Lord , and that in all the mutations of this World , whatsoever God would be pleased to make me , and that I may be so ever found , the most humble , lowly , penitent , just , wise , mercifull , meek , patient , faithfull servant of our Lord and God , and King my Master ; O Lord , I love thy House , Worship and Service , and place were thy Honour dwels ; be it in thy Temple , or in man that delights to do thy will , which is to fear God , & honour the King. I am unworthy , O Lord , yea , O Lord , I am unworthy and altogether unfit , but thy wayes , O God , are past finding out , who dares assume the name of a Prophet , not I , O Lord , let me rather from my Soul chuse to die than live a false one , which is to be a Son of Belial , and accursed for ever . But doth it not manifestly appear a delation , having then also said my Sons Fathers Father was a Prophet , to this I am yet a debtor to say what I can . My Father Mr. Richard Gostelow , lived and died , where I was born , in Prescot-house , a place antiently known ( in my memory ) it had groves and good walks about it , some religious house I conceive it to have been , an Altar and Chappel I have known in it , the Parrish is Croppredy in Oxford shire , scituate some three miles from Bambury . My Elder brother , bearing his name , now lives in it , but truly I never knew my Father to have any the least repute to be a Prophet ; a very general repute he had to be an honest , just and charitable man , so had also his three brothers , which I well knew : but seeing the glory of God and my own reputation is to be spoken too , and my self necessitated to defend both in all possible I can , Give me leave to present you in what things he was like a Prophet , and this the Countrey well knew of him . He was a lover of Gods house , Worship and Ministers ; further he married a second Wife , with whom he had a very considerable estate when himself in debt , her estate he imployed and put out in his own name , yet most justly gave her the procedes of it , and when he dyed , left her near four times as much as he left to all his children , which were then nine , yet she had no childe by her former husband nor him , hardly any kindred had she known to my Father : this he did in good conscience , I will next shew you how he was mercifull and patient , remitting very high injuries and bearing his Cross . It falls out often that the richest Wives are not the best , I have heard him traduced , reproached , contumeliously used and more of such dirt thrown at him , from a person , that of all others should not have done it in wisdom or duty . Yet he hath born it not provoking again , Nay , at that very time he hath taken me apart , and commanded me to pray for that very party , always to be obedient to her in good observance of her , telling me it was the Cross God had sent him , and his duty it was to make the best use of it , though others curse , yet let us bless and pray : next he was eminently known to be charitable and full of compassion , to the poor he often gave flesh , bread , and corn , his man , I know , he sent amongst them to distribute ; mony several times , me he hath sent also in one hand a note to whom to give , in the other hand a purse of money , to one a shilling , to others more , to some two as he judged their necessity ; distributing at good times as Christmas & others bountifully . But what is all this to a Prophet , I will come a little nearer , often it fell out that the continual dropping within dores drove him to seek his quiet without dores , and when gotten into his private walks , he would pray and weep ; long also as well as frequently would he do thus . I but what is this to prove him a Prophet ? I will come a little nearer to you as he came nearer his end . A mild & slow way of dying he had , in which gentle sickness he wept much , but withal declared himself it was not that he was affraid to dye , his tears were occasioned by the over-joy he had that he was going to so wholy a God , to so mercifull a Jesus , to such blessed company , and to so glorious a place , all this told me and you , proves him not a Prophet , which I have pronounced him : I am coming a little nearer to you , my self Prentise at London when he was thus drawing towards his end , he was pleased to send me a little money , with it a letter , having a great deal of good counsel in it , well minding me of my condition as a servant , remembering me of the duty I owed to God , next to my master , and charged me not to be wanting in the performance to either , but with all faithfullness to apply my self willingly to discharge it , this indeed speaks him a Wise and good Father , and a childe of God , but not a Prophet . In this my last observe to you I come nearest , & may come home at last that his letter written with his own hand directed to my self I have bearing date 1620 in the end of it he doth pronounce me blessed and happy , first hear on earth , in Heaven abundantly , so it reads something like the great blessings that befell Joseph when ruler in Egypt under his King and Master , who is there mentioned by him for my imitation ; whilst a servant for my consolation : after in that letter of my Fathers there is too much Honour for a Son of my demerit , both to God and him , whose commands I have not conformed too at all as I ought , to pass I say it may come and that will prove him to all a Prophet , but if it do not , O Lord thou ever rallest me to say so , let not man I beseech thee lay this to my charge , to speak me herein also further proud , 't is for truth sake and the Worlds satisfaction , if I can , that I write this in his praise , not for vain and foolish ostentation : you see five leaves of the book was printed , & all material things of high concernment there spoken and quite finished , my self not minded , but forasmuch as in what I wrote my self presently after Gods pronounced Prophesie , wherein I say I was over-ruled . There are also things referring to my self and posterity I am unworthy of ; I shall therefore reserve that , as judging it fittest to shew privately to my King , when time best serves , his most excellent Majesty being upon his Throne : and now seeing God hath so over-ruled & brought about this published honour to my deceased Father , which I never in the least thus intended , as here happily necessitated , give me leave to reminde you that in the book you shall read , when I was awake , and at the end of Broad-street , seeing the Heavens open , and my Saviour upon the Throne , I did there see my Father Richard Gostelow amongst the Patriarchs , Prophets , and Apostles , waiting upon that Throne , and this is no new invented thing made by me now , the better to delude with ( as some have traduced me ) I can produce you witnesses that I have for many years since , but in all comfortable humility , and not otherwise , spoken it . Truth I will give you throughout and nothing else ; this book will pass far from home , inquired into , I believe , every part of it will be ; observed also with desire from some , with sorrow of others for its fulfill , with what concerns my self and Father , as to the name of Prophet , I have done : forget not in the book , I beseech you , the passage of the Goaler when he so abused and reproached me by the name of false Prophet , from whose bitter words and hard usage , God in his own time , which is ever the best , delivered me on a sudden by his Call , and that nights Vision , Come away , bring your Papers , come away , it is but a little , I have more to say , and that is of Croppredy Church and Parish , where my Father lies interred , my self was Christned ; and then I have done this long Post-script . This Parish of Croppredy is 7 or 8 miles about , good Land all of it is , being in a Countrey very populous , Churches it hath in that one Parish four , and one little Chappel of ease , the Tythes of the whole , as I believe rightly informed , are worth 8 hundred pound per annum , there doth reside & officiate in those Churches now 4 Gentlemen , whose Milk , Pigs , Eggs , Nuts , and Apples , with other petty Tyths altogether , are worth somewhat above 100 pound per annum , the Corn , Hay , and Pease worth 6 or 7 hundred pound , that is stollen from the Church , first by the Roman Impropriator , the Lord Abbot , Bishop , or what he was then called , I know not , stollen it is , that Clergy , say they what they will , were the great Thieves , who robbed men first by perswading our forefathers to give to Gods glory , and after stole it from the Church to enrich their Abbies , Covents , or Orders : so robbed they have the Priest of his maintenance , and God of his true worship & service , which should alwayes have been truely maintained with that given . Thieves you see they were , and now pray what are we else , receive we do , buy and sell what they stole , which in other cases , less considerable , we make death by the Law. Fain would I see our Ministers generaly wise , good and charitable , I may never expect to see also , their maintenance once made , what certainly it ought to be good also . Gentlemen , if any in the World , it is to you Schollers I speak , when wise , good , and charitable , doubt not you have a God and a King that will remedy this villenous knavery , Theft , and Sacriledge , which hath undone so many , and made us of the Protestant Religion loose our renown , because we have followed the Church of Rome in this way of Thieving ; for we restore not , which amongst other sins of the greatest magnitude now help to pronounce her down-fall , she shall fall , so shall Church Robbers , doubt it not : if our Saviour did but whip out those that bought and sold in his Temple , what think you he will do to those that buy and sell his Temples , and steal the endowments , and wonder not at it , that Oliver Cromwell will assist in this , God hath set him up for his glory , and your maintenance , and for me his most unworthy servant , I shall have a hand , or a pen in it also , you read where and what of his mercy brought me to this imploy , seeing his Temples lay waste , his Ministers unprovided for , and the people untaught , because the means is stollen from the Church ; if I fall short in this , let me never speak more , thou , O Lord , hast made me after dumb , speak and write this for thy glory , and I do truely say , I love thy Temples and the place where thy honour dwels ; also to see thy Ministers well provided for , that thy name , nor the Protestant Religion be not evil spoken of , but that we may by well doing invite others to be of it , so communicably good to all . One passage more of Croppredy , and I have done : here it was and about my once Fathers house also , that our glorified King personally defeated , Sr. William Waller , a kinde defeat it was , he took no pleasure in the pursuance of his enemies to death , he took from him there part of his Militia , the field-Guns , destroyed not many of his men , yet a defeat it was , he recovered it not . The Militia was that often & dangerous knife we foolish and disobedient children cried for , which haveing gotten , knew not how to use , but to our own , as others destruction , foolish and disobedient Subjects , as well as Children we are found to be . For with it we carry on all our committed violences and outrages , yet , for all that , men professing and practising the Law , tell us this is Law , certainly they speak falsly , except they mean Club-law . Post-master Prideaux , baiting and pursuing in the Gall of bitterness , Sr. John Stowel upon his Trial , part of which I heard had this expression he admired any now would oppose , or indeavour to wrong the so innocent Infant-Common-wealth , very finely spoken Sir , your self the Father and God-father of that so newly named Innocent Babe ; such outcries from the mouth of some blind , not yet nine dayes old , P. P. or Novises in the Law , would not be much wondered at , neither can such deceive us : we well know that sober , honest men and Counsel learned in the Law ; for such there are , go not out of the certain track and known rule of the Laws , such run true all along , open not the mouth to spend in vain , hate to misguide us , deceive us they will not , fearing least we , as they , should catch what we pursue not , and so miss of truth , the onely desired good and Royal Game Magna Charta . A Lawyer with a double heart and two tongues imployed , the one to stifle truth , the other to maintain falshood , I would onely have such tongues cut out , when so ill imployed ; to such wicked ends God never gave them : for we should praise the Lord with all our hearts & with our tongues next . For others that cloath and inrich themselves with bribes and the wages of unrighteousness ( for certainly of both these wicked sorts we have had too many Lawyers ) such I would onely have their skins flead off them , and hang'd up over that place of judicature they cause to be so evil spoken of : I have read , or heard that so good a course was once taken for the punishment , and deter of evil Judges and such Lawyers . Undeniable it is , that not long since wickedness was practised and committed by a Law amongst us , the Lawyer , he as the witness falsly accused , the Sequestrator , he so condemned , the Committee man he levied the Estate , or sold it ; if the Rent was low , then it was fittest for one of the Godly party to grow rich by ; most Trypartite , as a three corner Cap , all of one piece , they have hanged together ; truely , if these evil doers will not repent , and bring forth better fruits , making their conversion to appear , as good Zacheus did , when truely converted , who shewed it by his words and actions . If I have wronged any man , I restore to him fourfould , and for the rest of my goods I give the one half of them to the poor , you have it in the 19 of Luke , verse 8. if they would nor thus uprightly turn , repent , & live , truely they should uprightly and perpendicularly hang together , as being brethren in iniquity ; and this , I believe , would be pleasing to God and man , whom they have injured , and are indebted to : you wicked Judges , Committees , and Lawyers ; repent of your Club-Law , too long practised upon the persons & Estates of men of worth and honour , imprisoning the one , devouring the other ; tell me , if you can , from whence had you these presidences for Law ? not from God , he is a God of mercy ; not from his word , that 's a word of truth , not from our well constituted , and better known Laws ; those are for defence , not offence ; Come , I will tell you whence you are , you say you are of the seed of Abraham , but you do the works of you Father the Devil , and if I mistake not , it was to men of your profession and practise , our Saviour said so , that could not erre . Some gave that for Law , which was not : when time was , they did help to undo a good King ; and run a way after : others of you have played the same game since ; and it is not improbable will shew us such a trick also ; but stay a little , and take some of my counsel before you stir , what you gave and took for Counsel was too dearly bought , neither worth what 't was sold for , nor at all fit to be followed : those you have destroyed or decoyed of your own party will shortly tell you so ; be you ruled by me for the time to come , if you go on to practice in the Law , do in all your cases and causes as I have done in this of mine , presented in this book : Open it aright , carry it one no other ways , present it not falsly in any one circumstance , speak the whole truth , which done , pray to God Almighty that he would be pleased to give you a sentence in favour , if in truth and uprightness of heart , be assured he will : desire onely that the Lord may have the glory of it , and man , his Creature , the benefit of his just but mercifull and righteous judgements . My imploy is not to flatter any one of you , or others , I never spoke word to Sir John in my life , the accomplishments of a judge was found upon that Trial , as well as others to be in the Prisoner at the Bar , Sir John Stowel , in his fixed heart was sincerity , resolution and uprightness , in his head was wisdom and discerning , in his mouth and tongue were the words of truth , the Grand jury were those worthies that gave hin what you Mr. Post-Master Prideaux laboured to beguile him of , the benefit of his Articles , & not you onely , but the rest of the Black Robe that quacked after you , the decoy , upon his left hand : all of you stole , a heard of Goats you are , Hoofs and Horns you have for offence : in the very end of my Prophesie , if you repent not you see the place you are doomed to , as well as the condition you are found in , when others are taken up into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ , that never shall have end , the Sheep , that then stand before the Judge of all men , shall go to the right hand , but the Goats to the left , will any of you evil doers ye go on to sin against conscience for the accursed love of the World ? do no more so ; hear and take my counsel , make not haste , haste , haste , Post-haste to be Rich , run not into destruction , covetuousness is known to be the root of all evil . Do you Sr. for the time to come , nay , let us all do , as new born Babes , desire the pure milk of the Gospel , ( not your Law ) may we become , O Lord , as little Children , Infants unspotted of the flesh , the World , and the Devil , thus being , Heaven is then open to us , and that 's a Kingdom : For your Infant Common-wealth , truely it died ( almost as soon as born , or named , I fear not Innocent also ; how have you lead me out of the way , I must return to Croppredy , where I was named an Infant . From Croppredy-Field his Majesty went into the West the same Summer , there God gave him such another success , but greater & over a greater number : out of their hands he took all the Militia , but their persons go free , not a man perisheth by his good will. Who would not have expected that these mercies , God having cast his Enemies into , and under his own dispose , and all pardoned , who would not I say have presumed these carriages of mercy and unparalell'd clemency would have won his Subjects to a better obedience , than forthwith to fight him afresh , O my God , I heard his majesty speak these words at Southam in Warwick-shire , the very day before Edge-hill fight , he being then , and there importuned presently to hang 80 men that night taken : To perswade him to it , thus some reasoned , the Lord of Essex is near you , the present doing it will deter your Enemy , make his men , that love you not , run away , whose fear , if not affection , will be your great advantages : they were so many and so powerfull , that thus counselled , as indeed my good King had but his good conscience , mercy , and a few persons of Honour on his side , of which very small number was the Lord Henry Wilmot , and the Lord Willowby , Son to the Earle of Linsey , whose Father was mortally wounded the next day at Edge-hill , of which he died in a few dayes after , nay , so bold and so pressing were these in his presence , that they told him , Sir , if we must take these Rebels , and you pardon them , when can you hope to see an end of this Rebellion ; they went on to importune him to hang but 70 of them , yet still to do it presenlly , as therein being his advantage ; his Majesty wisely and mercifully replied , his design was to make a conquest of their judgements and affections by clemency and forgiveness , and not to murder their persons , they grew more impatient , pressed him then to hang 60. his Majesty found out wise delays for not doing of that presently , to 50 to 40 to 30 to 20 they fell , still his Majesty stood unmoveable , at last some of them swore , as I take it , thereby to dispose him , that passing the other day by Coventry , the Enemy had taken and hang'd four of his men : to second him , another said , they had hang'd five of his , more of them went on , three of theirs , two of anothers , his Majesty to get rid of them , and it may be to enquire into the truth of it also , ( first I did so ) told thē he would presently take an order with them , now see the order taken by him , twelve inlarged , and of them continued , not a man suffered in his Person , yet to this good King was laid the false charge of his being guilty of all the bloudshed in the three Kingdoms . To witness this truth in my Kings defence , when his Majesty was upon his Trial , I being near a hundred miles from London , heard of their quick proceedings against him , and had the Saturday night before his death a very strange Vision concerning him ; I made haste towards London , that he might have the benefit of this my witness in that killing and false charge : but upon the way met with the sad news of his being Martyred , so that in this action the wickedness that was done , was quickly done : but I will not wound afresh , or grieve a man of you that did it , or had a hand in the bringing to pass what God would have done , that his name might have the more glory , and you now no less happy in his Sons rule over you : can you but repent of this , as of all your other sins , God forgives , and of the Kings forgiveness you may not doubt , the Stuarts , as the Kings of Israel , are very mercifull Kings , King James a Beati Pacifici , King CHARLS , of ever blessed memory , praieth God to forgive all his Enemies , when inquisition is made for bloud , then , O Lord , let them be found that shed mine be sprinkled with thine , I beseech thee : CHARLS the second , our King , will not consent that his seeming greatest Enemy in the World , Oliver Cromwel shall privately be taken off , an act pleasing enough to many , when the remove , but of that one man onely , might probably without more bloud-shed set him upon his Fathers & his own Throne ; yet see how he Governs , he will not so much as hear of it , you have it observed to you in the wise Admonition to Oliver Cromwell , when Wiseman and others proposed his murther to him , no at no hand , he allows it not , he will wait upon God in all his lawfull wayes , contenting himself to be Charls the good , if not Charls the Great . And being thus principled , see , what is the happy successes of his so doing , God gives to him the Crown for ever , and Oliver Cromwell his ready subjection , this is counsel I have given him , but first given me of God , his Majesty had it from me in April last , as I take it , to forgive all his Enemies , even O : Cromwell , and to refer all to Gods own times & way ; & it may be thou O : Cromwell doth owe me something for thy well being at this day , I am sure thou doest to God Almighty , give him the glory and praise of it in thy better obedience for the times to come , and I have all I desire ; I have but done my duty , and my reward is above in Heaven , whither I most humbly beseech God of his infinite goodnes , and never to be dispaired of mercie , take my good King , thee , me , and all men , even the greatest sinners now on earth . Whom , though the greatest , yet how often is God pleased to make of such the most glorious Saints , when repenting their former wickedness , then it is turn and live for ever , you have the opportunity , lay hold on it . If any man now distrusts his own safety and forgiveness , it is onely he that keeps close his sins , or as Hypocrites seem onely to repent , he that covers his sin shall not prosper , but he , that confesseth and forsakes them , shall finde mercy of God and his King. I fear you think me too long before I give you the reasons promised : why plain Oliver Cromwell and no more in the over-ruled dictate of Prophesie , when all others by their known Titles and Signiories . I will onely shew you the Crown on the other side , and there Proclaim my King , as in Gods Prophesie commanded , that done , go on to let you read what follows more of my observe , as also Gods disposing of Oliver Cromwell to the well liking of all good Subjects : these worthy Gentlemen , I hope , now met in Parliament with them also assisting , readily to the bringing in of his Majesty CHARLS STUART , whose unquestionable the Crown is right . When given unto him , the joy of all good men , the Protestant Religion then more gloriously conspicuous than ever , as clearly appearing to bring forth good fruits , not pretensions onely by , which our Saviour lets us know we cannot judge , and thus in the end as well as in the beginning you have C. S. and O. C. United . This my so long and just defence you must forgive , I know God hath put me upon it , though thus late , that his name may have the more glorie , my self with you the better esteem , and your selves the clearer satisfaction , that I am sent of God with others to the Worlds happiness , as his Prophet for this very imploy of my God & my King , whom God preserve . Amen . CHARLS the Second , KING of England , Scotland , France , and Ireland , Defender of the Faith , KING of the whole world . To this Charls the good , and Charls the Great , is Oliver Cromwell by God also Honoured to be General of all his Forces . Long live my King , and his Lieut. O. C. Amen , Amen . Yea , let all the people say , Amen . BUt I am to give you what I promised , why Oliver Cromwel , and no more in the dictate of the Lords Prophesie , when as all others have accompanying them their Titles and Seignories , and further , why I could not pen him by any other Title than the General of all the English Forces , although I did upon the then writing of that Prophesie so much endeavour it , yea , I tried and varied it several times but could never do it , forthwith when done , was given me this for reason , which indeed I have already given the General himself , when I declared the whole to him , as now to you the Reader . The fountain of honour is Originally in God , derivative in Kings , not at all in the people , for proof of this you have the written Word of God , his most holy Scriptures : confirmed to me further by God , when the fire fell down from Heaven in that Vision all about my Beds feet , and his messenger called me three times by my name , Walter Gostelow , also spake to me , saying , you well understand the Scriptures , Kings are of God , especialy yours ; from thence issues true honour , not from the people , for this reason is it in the Prophesie , Oliver Cromwell and no more , by him that ers not , the Lord. See , it is then true honour , and worth having , onely when conveyed in its right Channel , otherwayes it is just as the Calf the people set up , which wise-men know is not of God , and therefore worship it not . Sleep yet a little in Windsor Chappel , my most glorious and immortal King , for dead thou art not , Garter , Spur , and Star , yet lie still in your Beds of Honour , untill your Son arise , we see already his Aurora , as plain as we did his day-Star at his birth , so visible to us is his , and all your resurrections . Welcome my King , welcome now for ever ; thou shalt set no more , the day and year that brings thee must terminate , but the Kingdom thou shalt be taken up into , is that of Jesus Christ's that never shall have end . Wharton where art thou ? what the best Astronimer , at sometime a Prophet , and doth not thy rich sublime Transcendent wit and Pen yet appear , make us Te Deums and Laudamus Domine , I have left thee a break in this Book more than fill it , and the world of good hearts , with Gods , & thy Kings just praises , but thy own duty , were not those thy verses I have so much inquired after , as well as thy most worthy self , since returned from Ireland , thine , or Cleavelands sure , but not yet so happy as to see either . Verses that Prophesied the King being inbalmed at Windsor , the Garter and Spur should lie dormant , untill some Prophet sent of God should raise them from there locked up and sealed Wardrop , raised they are , make haste , adorn them , thou hast for thy enablement a Mine of Excellencies ; Cleaveland and thee have all , give God and your King the glory of it , they have your hearts already , pen us Songs and Praises to our God , the Quoristers and Church-men did sing us such at St. Pauls Cross upon his Birth-day , that good example was given by the Angels , who did so at the glorious King of Kings Birth-day , who now sends our King CHARLS the Second , his Vice-Roy on earth , to rule the Sons of men , Honours he brings with him from the Almighty fountain , to be derived and conferred upon such as fear God , Obey , and Honour this his Vice-Roy our King , C. S. Come now , come O : Cromwell , take not a share , but thy full measure , God judgeth not as man doth , we thought thee not at all worthy , now shall that celestial Colour , Order , Ribbon of the Garter , I had the Honour to sell it to my King , but never thought the least to be so Honoured as to repossess him of it from God. Come I say , let this badge of the greatest Honour now on Earth , given from the greatest King , thine also , C. S. let it now be put on thee , I said it in Ireland , the Honourable and good Souldiery submitting to their King , whom God would dispose and over-rule so to do , of which thou art found the most eminent ; they should have honours conferred upon them , indempnity , forgiveness , and large rewards given unto them , of , & by the King when restored ; put on this rich Garter , which hath for its inscription Hony soit qui maly pense , the other Order Ribin worn upon the body , remembers all Subjects we should not so much as think an evil thought of the King in our hearts . And now complain not , but rejoyce for ever , O : Cromwell thou seest with whom God hath ranged thee , with the greatest and happiest of Kings , Queens , and Princes , now thy Honour is worth having , there was something in it , that thy good , aged , and so lately deceased Mother was as I hear a Stuart , she is gone to the common Wardrop of the world , the grave . Be comforted , thy Father is a Stuart too , & he lives , the Father of his Countrey , and the King of all good Subjects for their Consolation , of which blest number we may not doubt thou art Son and Subject , since God hath so declar'd it , & made you United Sons of the now more visible and glorious Protestant Church than ever , in Heaven glorious to all eternity . This our King hath now largely given to him of the fountain , and as our blessed Saviour came to his universal Dominion , not by fighting , but winning his Subjects by dying for them : so by merit , and of purchase had the ends of the Earth for the bounds of his Kingdom , which being but earth , the rule of it he now gives to his Vice-Roy , CHARLS STUART , whom in his uncontrolable and unsearchable wisdom and mercy he hath made worthy of as much Honour , Command , and rule on Earth , as Mortality is capable of , not of merit , but to let us see that he , which gives himself to do the will of his Saviour , which is in Heaven , and denies him not on Earth , which thy now blessed Father our King did in obedience to the Commands of his God , for such a witness the Almighty made of him , and such a Martyr we have put to death , and such a glorified Saint was the Crown of your rejoycing , my most blessed , and for ever happy Queen , when he your Majesties on Earth , now in Heaven glorified . Be not troubled , Madam , they were Villains and Rebels that aspersed your Honour , and his Majesty , you see it , as also your no otherways , vertuous and for ever happy , Sister , now Queen of France . See how the Lord loves your Souls , Honours your Persons , and establisheth your posterity , to you , Madam : Behold , the Lord , now gives his and your Son , but our so much Honoured and ever blessed Soveraign to be King of the whole World ; and to you , Madam , the best of France's Queens , whose two Sons ; good men , saw what God did for you , gave you them both from Heaven , 't is true , to make your patient expectancies , hopes , and faithfull dependencies , on him the Almighty , visible to the World , as they were to Heaven , he defers it in his wise delayes , which are always the best , for 23 years , untill your glorified King also was going thither , in whose last dayes his graces , as his blessings were at the highest , for your comfort Madam , and the Worlds thankfull , and happy acknowledgement , had they but grace to see it , as now all may . Was there ever two such Kings , and Mother Queens on Earth , yet see how the Devil and his instruments would eclipse them , and hath aspersed both , but God witnesseth for you , and hath now declared you and yours beloved in Heaven , and to be obeyed on Earth . Most excellent Queen of France , you were pleased some sixteen years past , my self being at Saint Jermains , I came thither with the now Lord Jermain , your Majesty after honours and favours by your most excellent and good self afforded , did interrogate me what Religion I was of , I then humbly satisfied your Majesty I was a Catholick ; your Majesty further demanded of me what Catholick , I answered the best , said your Majesty it is then Roman Catholick , is it not . I bowed before your Majesty as in duty , and replied it was Catholick è Protestant , a la mode d' Angleterre , point de Rome . Your Majesty , whom God hath made to your power communicably good to all , pitying my condition , was pleased to offer me a Letter to your Kings Confessor , of good will desiring my conversion , I humbly acknowledge the favour , but replied , my Religion I liked so well , as not to change it . Madam , be pleased to see now how God more than retributes , and no otherwayes recompenseth this your good will , to Gods glorie and my good , ( as intended ) my unworthy self , Madam , is now sent unto you by the Lord , not onely to your so pious , and so eminently good self , but also to more than your whole Kingdom , to bring your Majesty and them into his only true Church , that Church , which is not that of Rome , into one of whose Chappels at Saint Jermains , your Majesty was that day further pleased to Command me , when returned from seeing the then Dolphin , now King of France , your Majesties Son then in his Cradle , to wait upon you to that Chappel , to hear the Musick and Vespers . Madam , in obedience I did so , be pleased to let me assure your Majesty , I have heard very many Sermons , and some good ones too in the Churches of France and Spain , tending to mortification , yet never was I of the Roman Catholick Religion in all things . No , Madam , it is their unwarrantable Innovatious , Traditions , Superstitions , Excesses , and Idolatries of the Priests and Factors for Rome , and his unholiness , the Pope and that Hierarchy . That your Majesty and all must turn now from , that is the cup of fornication she hath made the Kings and Princes of the Earth drunk with , for which wicked acts of hers , they and all shall now hate her , God hath said it in this his Prophesie , down she shall , her fatal time is come , and her self must drink the dregs of that cup of fornication , hers it is , and take it she shall , the Lord will have it so , she shall fall . Yet Madam , the Lord is good to all his , though of that Church , for he will purge her as your Majesty shall further read anon . Be pleased so excelling Queen , I most humbly beseech your favourable allowance , that I go on to wait upon my own King , and Gods true Church , in this his business and my imploy . And now , O my King , rejoyce fully , there is no place for sorrow ( but for sin ) how like thy Saviour was thy Father , who dying , prayed his Father in Heaven , to forgive those Murderers on Earth , that so despitefully used him , it is not all the indigne cruelties of men that can rob him of those rich mercies ; thou , my King , prayedst for them dying , wicked , & sinfull people , you would be miserable , but he will not let you ; Father forgive them they know not what they do : Blest art thou , O Land , when thy King is the Son of Nobles , who , because faithfull unto death , I will give him a Crown of life : as in the 11 of the Ecclesiastes and the 17. also Revelations the 2. and 10. I am now in Heaven in the this dayes discharge of my duty , I fear you Rebels , and all evil doers , as I do the Devil , not at all . But I return to thee O. Cromwell , the so much beloved of the Lord , which we now seeing wonder it should be so : But God judgeth not as man doth , when he pleaseth the Lion shall lie down with the Lamb , 't is so here . Oliver Cromwell , I expect thee , nay , I believe thee no more ill byassed , if ever ; no more rebellious , no more ambitious , except it be of being more just and good in all wayes of Honour and obedience , now endeavour thou , or encrease to be communicably good to all , the high end thou was born for : there now lies thy choice and complacencie , and for thy former wayes , as errors of thy judgement , not want of zeal to God's glorie , be comforted , it offends not that our affections are moved with zeal , but that they are inordinate : thou art not onely now thy self a detestor of them , when inordinate , but a dehortor of others from the like phrensie-practises ; so that of the mercie of God changed , or to us made known , thou here helpest to make good what our already glorified King Prophesied to his now so Highly Honored and restored happy Son and people . That those his Subjects , which had erred by the artifice of others , or misguided zeal , would , when they saw the errors of their wayes , and the villenous practises of those , that had deluded and seduced them , their eyes so opened , they would then most hate them and best obey their King , here is this now fulfilled in our dayes and eyes : O you people of this Land and the world also , judge now , was not my King and Soveraign a great Prophet , as well as the best of Kings . O you deceivers ! who traduced him in his Honour , that you might the better Murder his Person , and divide the inheritance ; if there yet lives any of you , ( for your time is but short , except you repent ) the bloud-thirsty and deceitfull man shall not live out half his dayes . Whether can you turn to be in quiet , or to be beloved , who hates you not , that is either wise , or good . But God is mercifull , he is the best of Paterns , his mercie is over all his works , and his compassions fail not , I must obey him , and let you know where your well-being lies , you bad men once gave the worst counsel and it prevail'd , now take the best , and follow it , from God & me , come forth , humble your selves , leave no sin unrepented of : Murder and Hypocrisie are two great ones , confess to God and to his glory , forsake all , that was of the Devil in you , contempt of Gods house , Ministers , Worship and Service , violence to Man thy Brother , restore to God and Man what is not your own , but stollen from both ; make all possible amends you can , for otherwayes I do tell thee , whomsoever thou art , whether yet in this Kingdom , or fled already into another , that God will give deliverance to his Church and people , but render vengeance to his adversaries both at once , Deuteronomy the 32. verse the 43. and this he will do , that so wherein the wicked dealt proudly , God might shew himself above them , Exodus the 18. and the 11. My next observe is how doth God Honour that Religion , which to have been of , the World hath counted madness : The Jews , the Heathen , the Roman and our sneaking Schismaticks , those that either despised Christ , or falsly told you with them he was , and no where else , they are all now truely shewed , his delight was , and favour is , where they thought and taught him not to be , with the faithfull Professers of that so ancient true Church of God , but lately so much despised , and by them contemned Church of England ; to whom , because the purest , God is now pleased to give so much Honour , beauty , and renown , for the former contempt , persecution and ashes of her glorified Professers and Martyrs , of which number it is now demonstrative our late King is the greatest : see , God judgeth not as man doth . This is righteous judgement , which himself Prophesied you should have hereafter when falsly condemned him , and had provided your selves of those at your backs , and about your Bar of Justice , for so it was , a Bar of Justice , where you had placed your Criers for Justice , Justice , as their fellows did against our Lord , Crucifie him , Crucifie him , spit upon him you did too , as I have heard , condemn him you did that I am sure of , no end of your malice , his bloud you thirsted for , as also the Ministers of the Lord , you had it , you have taken them , yet see , as he prayed , you are found besprinkled with the bloud of Jesus , when inquisition is made for his and others , and thus he prayed for you , you would never confess your selves guilty , but God sees it , and forgives it too , with him there is mercie , if you confess and forsake your sins , making all possible amends and for the time to come , all your dayes walk before him in a holy obedience : to this end he in mercie hath sent me to you , that you might truely repent and live . My next observe is the Church of Rome shall fall , a Church you see she is , so I ever , believed her to be , once a pure one in whose Churches often , both in France and Spain , many a good instructive Sermon to amendment of life I have heard , and truely in their Churches also I have often performed , I hope , acceptable Devotions , beseeching God that when the people came into those Churches to pray and to learn , that they might go forth , do , and practise for the time to come better things , to which end I believe our pious Fore-fathers built them , pray and beseech we should for the people there assembled , that God then would be pleased to hear in Heaven , also send thither to officiate such Pastors and Teachers , as might be most agreeable to his holy Word , so more to Gods glorie and the peoples good , that the people might not longer be deluded by those jugling villains , which make merchandize of the Kingdom of heaven , and hold the people in sinfull ignorance , turning almost all their practises , and ( miscalled ) Devotions into ( finenesses ) crafty frauds to inrich themselves by : just one with our late temporizers are those Jesuits , such a stall do they both make of the Pulpit , from thence teaching damnable Doctrines , contrary to the word of God , calling evil good , and good evil , one of whose Tenents is the depose of Kings ; yea , & killing them too , if they rule not according to their fancies , is 't not pity the Kings of the Earth should allow either of you residence in any of their Territories : fire brands you are , whose damnable Tenents are so declared contrary to the King of Heavens : in this I couple you together , Rebels both , Jesuits and Sectaries , I would I could exempt the Presbyterian , the froward , and worst , are not guiltless : our late King was in the right , when he advised our now Soveraign his Son not to have a prejudice against the Protestant Religion , in regard of the ill measure dealt to him his Father , assure your Majesty he doth , it was by such done who were no true Sons of that Church , the Church of England abhord , as the Church of God should do , all such damnable practices and wicked Tenents . See here again , my King , was not your glorified Father , a light of Heaven shining in a dark place , as in the midst of a wicked and froward generation , to keep your feet & judgment in the way of Gods Commandments ? Behold now the goodness of God in letting the world see , that the Protestant Religion taught no such corrupt Doctrine , neither were the major part of the people of England so ill principled , I have heard , and from a good hand also , that the reformed Churches of France did upon that Act of cuting off the King , assembled their Doctors and Pastors , who declared and Printed to the World , as a Gentleman of Rochel of good account assured me , that the word of God warranted so such damnable proceedings in Subjects , and for their Reformed Church of France , as the true Church of England , they neither taught nor allowed any such Doctrine of Devils , or practises of wicked men . Behold , I say , how God hath freed this his Church from that asperse , and this our Nation from that dishonour , the lesser and inconfiderable : number , never yet included the greater and the wiser : it was well observed by Mounsiour Causabon , a learned and Honourable Father of the Church of France , by King James he was invited hither , and rests Honourably interred in West-minster Abby . That it was the violence of the Church of Rome , not our choice that hath excluded us : because we could not love her errors , she hath ejected our persons . These are those wicked ones , that had rather rend the Church , than want their wills , who can be content to sacrifice truth , peace , millions of souls , Kings and all , to their own ambition and covetuousness ; one of which sins alone is the root of all evil , what is it then with the rest of their rabbel , but I may not aggravate where God hath pardoned , if we repent and bring forth better fruits : This also was prophesied , that their seditions , and madness , would at once be the scandal of the true Church of God , and give advantages to the false , which is the Church of Rome , know you not that I speak truth ? Well , down they must , both fellow-workers of iniquity . Sectaries and Church of Rome ; a Church you see she is call'd , though adulterous , and Idolatrous , we read the Lord calls the people of Israel so guilty , yet his people , and you my people Israel ; when at the same time he sends his Prophets to let them know , that for these very sins his punishments were hastening to come upon them , yea to lay them waste , and cast them out of the land ; as those rebellious Israelies his people , so that of Rome a Church . Thus we allow the greatest robber to be a true man , though a notorious Thief , much the better , this keeps him not from the gallows , to which a true man comes not but to look on and be premonished , by so sad a spectacle , here me thinks we might be reconciled , take now the best of all sides , something good in all hold it fast , put that together ; and you have the onely true Church , against which you see the gates of Hell shall never prevail , and because of the strength and yet power of that Church of Rome , we cannot take away the Hay , and stubble , and mistempered morter , her Babel-builders have raised her to this height with , that her confusion , as her fall , may be the greater , the Lord himself comes to do the work , down they must , and this Church of Rome shall fall , he hath said it . But see the loving kindness of the Lord extended to the Sons of men , and to that Church also , in that he tells them not onely of her fall , but whither they shall repair for safety , even under his wings , into his Church , and to the Obedience of his King , CHARLS STUART , by the Lord now declared Defender of the Faith. Here 's a visibility and Church , the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against , also a rule given and a sword put into the hands of the General of all his Forces , Oliver Cromwell by name , against whose rule and sword never shall any prosper that riseth up or is drawn ; first proved in Gods word for the defence of his Church , now also by this his Prophesie , and immediate dictate from Heaven . Well what is to be done , forthwith turn to this so mercifull Lord your God withall your hearts , proclaim a fast , and keep it truely , and let us know when you do it , that we may pray together , God would be pleased to have mercie upon you , and now so direct all your Counsels to his glorie , for the promotion of the true Protestant Religion , the just interest of all men , beseeching God for his guidance in all things and times for the best , doubt not then , but we shall all live together in brotherly-love , and the Land be blest . The King presently invite home , when come , a general Council assemble to reform all amiss in the Church and House of God , begin , here , and you do , what God by our late King , by Haggai , by Zacharie , by his Prophets , and by me now sent unto you , the most unworthiest of all advise too . You see we all agree in the way , it is undoubtedly the only course to remedy all amiss . Thus to promote Gods glorie , your Soveraigns Honour , and to preserve his posterity hath been the most of your pretensions , now let it be the best and speediest of your practises ; do this and live , the envy of the World , wicked men , and Devils , but the joy of Saints and Angels , also the dearly beloved of the Lord and good-men you will be , or else put me to death ; I will neither run nor hide my self to avoid it , Walter Gostelow dwelling in Broad-street assures you of it , God having first assured him for manner and matter , as you read . The next in order is , the poor Irish shall not be transplanted , see here is the Bears skin you divided , before taken into power to dispose of Your cruel Act was , that after last May it must be death for any , not qualified as you there please to set down , if taken on this side the River Chanon : Mercifull men you are , & just too , as you would have us misbelieve , but pray what is become of your selves ? are not some of you gone thither ? the Irish Nation is not , God put it into the heart of Oliver Cromwell to turn you out , that would be turning of others out , that you might divide the spoil , which your selves make , no , they shall not be transplanted , to Gods glorie and my comfort , this part of his Prophesie is fulfilled already , as well as his sign given me for the strengthning of my Faith and yours : here also you see God judgeth not as man doth , there are hundreds and thousands of that Nation , I firmly believe , and I have good ground for it also , which hate that Rebellion as they did the Contrivers of it , and the Actors of all Rebellion , the Devil & his instruments , with this poor and oppressed Nation I have spent some time , I know this to be true , and now to their comfort I here assure it them in Print , they shall not be transplanted , they and the Land also may be made much better by our good example , peaceably and loveingly co-habiting : the Land affords room enough , and would be made good too , if wise-men sate at Helm , which I assure them shortly will , in the mean time , and at all times I advise them to the remedy of two things , to speak truth , and not to give themselves to idleness & stealing , the Devil being the Father of all lies , and the other his forge for all villanies : our own good example in this may much the sooner remedy both : for the former , they hate many of us , and use it as a rod of our own making for to scourge us with : for the latter , our pride and covetuousnes makes them chuse rather to steal and hang , laze and starve , than work for their beggerly , proud , & Schismatical Lord-like usurpers . There is a great increase of a sort of seeming strict , and consciencious living people gotten thither , they call them Anabaptists , in Cristmas week 1653. to Youghall came one they called Doctor Lamb , this Wolf cast many there then upon their backs into the water , to hear , as well as see , what he did , I went ; he told them that to be sprinkled onely , as used in England , made us no more Christians then those were that liv'd in France , Rome , or Spain ; Nay , no more than such as lived in the remotest place of the World and had never heard of Christ ; 't was what he did our . Saviour onely injoyned , and our Lord himself was not baptized untill about 30 years of age , believing first also ; truely at this I could not keep silence , I observed our Saviour alwayes believed , and was baptized when he pleased , and for the Church of England , certainly he traduced and falsly slandered them , this Doctor further added , wicked men , having power in their hands , had for these many years persecuted the true people of God , which they were , & laboured also to suppress his Ordinances , which was to baptize & believe , as they did only : it is long to tell you more what I said in the defence of my faith and Church , in fine , two of his party . Sword men in that place , stood up and close to me also , and told me we had no Church in England ; seeing what it was like to come to force of Argument , I went out and staid with others to see the two then to be ducked , the woman near sixty years old could hardly be gotten down , she hanged so about this Doctor Lamb ; when in the water , under water he could not get her , the man , Young by name , dived like an old duck , Doctor Lamb , after he had well werted them , laught at both : all this I saw and heard , these things I hope will be amended : when I was in prison , I wrote to the Lord of Broghill , that I would witness those words , spoken by Lamb , to the slander of Gods word and his Church , it is before you Gentlemen these things require a remedy , you imagine not what a strange sort of cattle we have in Ierland for Religion , mercifulness , civility , you may finde better in America , and upon my conscience many of them will be sooner converted to the Protestant Religion , than too many of those Saints will cease to be villains , to the great dishonour of the Protestant Religion , and deterring of those poor people to come in to it ; I am ashamed of it , that men , which pretend to piety , should have so little ; my Land-lord the Goaler is a Saint to some of them , yet what you have read of him is true : preachers and wise men they have amongst them , as they call them , that will tell you , me they have , I am sure of it , that there is no Hell , and that their consciences never yet troubled them , though they daily swear , whore , drink drunk , besides other wickednesses , indeed what not , for sin by links is made a chain , to this they came , their conscience ought not to trouble them , for who ever yet resisted Gods will ; for your Ministers , which tell you this and that story out of what they call the word of God , it is but to this end , that they may the better pick your pockets , when you are amazed and over-awed by them , and so went on , I do tell you Moyses was no more a Prophet than the rest of the Magitians , onely more cunning in smiting them first , they were all alike say these , I am afraid to tell you what I have heard amongst the wicked rabble there of new opinionests , if you will transplant any in Ireland transplant these and your Anabaptists , and when they have brought these wicked ones to a true belief , let them then , as the Eunuchs , be rebaptized : amongst the Heathen send them also , continue them not here to make rents in Church & government , for they would conform to neither , had they force : they told me the Lord was now coming to take the power out of wicked Governors hands , and to put it into theirs , and truely that power I expected would have been exercised on me , for the sword-men stept up close to me , when Doctor Lamb could reason no more ; you are mistaken in them if you think them meek , they are furious and not wise , I will not call them fools , although their own words are , they desire to live and not sin against conscience , and then all cannot but be well with them , you have heard how their consciences stands affected . Doth not this clearly shew you , that what our so late , but ever blessed and wise King CHARLS Prophesied , is now come to pass and fulfilled in your eyes . Your disordering and tearing up by the roots the Power and Government of the Church , that being laid wast & contemned , would bring in all sorts of wicked Athiesm , Villeny and such practises , speak : can any of you continue to be mad ? will you as formerly go on , what blinde for ever , adding sin to sin untill your measure is made full ? if you will do so , be sure you shall be removed , cease to do evil , learn to do well , about it presently , that this scandal may not stick upon the Professors of the Protestant Religion , least they say of us , as they do of the Spaniard in America , that it cannot be Heaven where such bad men are , so come not to their Religion : but my belief is , that blest America , and those people , will shortly have a better Religion before their eyes than that of Rome ; and a better people also to cohabite with than the Spaniard : I know what God is doing , he is fitting the Jews and Heathen to come into the Protestant Religion , and I believe many of them there in America , the Church of Rome shall fall . To the rest of the Prophesie , the two Letters promised , they are now made three , the first to our King , the second to Oliver Cromwel , the third occasioned by a Book , not untill this was almost ready for the Press , then through Gods blessing come to my hand and view , written by Manasseth Ben-Israel , the Book intituled the Hope of Israel ; to that Author is my third , in those next ensuing Letters , is the rest of the Prophesie in some things spoken to . I would not swell this to a Volume , which I intended for every mans pocket & heart , I would gladly leave the Reader with good appetite , that he might not do other than be in love with the precepts and mercies of the Lord , and his Prophets also , which never were compared to the flat , dull , and tiresom , empty babblings of the Priests of Baal , or the Idiots of these times , both unsent of God. My second Letter to our Soveraign , C. REX . Most worthy Doctor , SIR , Mine of the tenth present , I hope is received by you , it was directed to Mounsieur Renier Bazine Merchant , residing in Rue de Mavise Parroles PARIS : my charge to him that forthwith he carry it to you , Sir , or my Soveraign , and deliver it to none else : which since I understand is done . Sir , This is to describe to you the two Ladies , Frances the Elder , and Elizabeth Boyl , the 2 d. daughter to the Earle and Countess of Cork , chosen , by the Almighty , Wife for our Soveraign Lord the King : the the Elder , Sir , is lamed by a fall taken at Nurse , so that she goes not but with the deepest halting that is imaginable , hardly without leading ; she is very vertuous , and some 18 years of age . For the Lady Elizabeth , Sir , she hath the most loveliest face ever eies beheld , the most of Majesty in it , nothing but loveliness in every part of it , Excellency throughout : her hair is brown , her eyes black , her mouth little , her teeth the best , her complexion , as that of the Canticles , brown , but most lovely , and comely as ever eyes beheld : her body the perfection of workman-ship , none did I ever see so made as to resemble it : she is aged about thirteen , she dances well , she speaks very good French , she delights in reading , serving of her God , and obeying her Parents ; the Chaplain in that house is Doctor Mollines , Son to him of the Church of France , a wise and good man , and of the Church of England a true Son also . Sir , You may not doubt the indowments of her Soul and minde , whom God hath set apart to be so blest , as to be our Soveraigns Queen , and his delight ; for she cannot be other , all that see her admire her outward perfections and deportments ; and for charity and humility , two good adorns , she is already eminent , as a Queen Elizabeth . Sir , Let me be believed in a word , she is a Queen of Queens , and an Angel on Earth : and this is my rejoycing , that the Lord hath in mercie given such a Lady to my King , that will go hand in hand with him in all paths of vertue and godliness ; that she is as well a Nursing Mother to the House of God , as his most blessed Majesty by God appointed , and so commanded to be a Nursing Father to us , and all his now happy people . Sir , I spake truth to you , and all of the Lords doing for our King , whom as his Queen God Almighty ever bless , and let their rejoycings in his good will and commands be not deferr'd , to the joy of our hearts admiration and obedience of the World : Let us pray , God save my King , CHARLS the Second , and his most delightfull Queen Elizabeth , both the Servants of the ever living God. O my King , fail not , I beseech you of the most sincere performance of your Devotions , by fasting and prayer every Friday , and let there be no looking back , nor return to any sins whatsoever : let not any of a bad life , that will not be reformed , eat one bit of your bread , or receive a favour from you , more than prayers for his , or their amendment and punishment , where it is not conformed unto , be you Sir , I beseech you , frequent in Devotion and receiving of the most blessed Communion of the body and bloud of our Lord , to which you are to come alwayes well prepared , that you eat not to condemnation . O my King do you truely forgive , and so pray for the very worst of your Fathers , Mothers , and your own Enemies , God will do you right , who ever lost by referring all to his Almighty power , times , and goodness ? Thus shall your Fathers Counsel be followed , his ever blessed memory & unparaleld good example live in you , to the joy of Angels and good men . Sir , God is turning for you , and to his own glory the hearts of all , or most of all to love true Religion , your just interest , brotherly love , in which onely we can be happy , in that good way and best example , I beseech God be you the first and most eminent ; I may not doubt of it , for whom God Almighty hath reserv'd , nay , declared such everlasting loving kindnesses . Sir , I do truely tell you , I could with the most ardent desire & greatest hazard endeavoured to have hang'd , or murdered all your Enemies , but God hath reproved me , I can now do nothing with more delight than to pray for them , yet let 's not trust them , that 's a folly I beseech God to deliver us from : the wisdom of the Serpent is not denied , though the innocency of the Dove be injoyned , both most excellent for imitation . Sir , I have no intelligence more than with the common , it is believed that some dayes since from Holland came expresses of the confirmation of peace , I believe after this summer , within a short time , there will be an end of all the Wars in the Christian world : Sir , I have seen letters reporting your affairs at Ratisbon to be well advanced , and in good condition ; humane wisdom , the strength of allies , and confederates for the probable carrying on or promoting of your just interest may not be neglected , or refused : but Sir , I do hope ; Nay , believe , that the Almighty will do this great work for the good of all without bloudshed , if we give over to abuse his mercy , and provoke not his wrathfull indignation , then for his mercy , honour & name sake he hath promised to bring all these things to pass for you , this Land , & Protestant Religion ; and although mighty , strange , and wonderfull these things are , yet he will do it for the reasons above , and it shall be marvelous in our eies ; as in my first Papers you have it at full , consisting of ten sheets , numbred in the margent , as they should be read , Sir , the time is now at hand , in May you shall see the fulfilling of another part of that Prophesie , which the Lord was pleased to have spoken by me , his most unworthy Servant and Prophet , the not transplanting of the Irish Nation : I beseech you , Sir , let Doctor Earls first read my Letters , for I spell ill , write ill , and point not well , he is a good man , let him also chuse your Clergie , and be you , Sir , advised by him ; God Almighty be pleased to preserve you , give you abundantly of his grace , mercie , and wisdom , and with it all things that good is . Sir , So prayes the humblest and unworthiest of the servants of the Lord my God , and you my King. April 21. 1654 Walter Gostelo . My second Letter to the PROTECTOR , O. C. Most excellent Sir , MY belief , as my hopes is , that what your Lordship was pleased to say unto me , I shall in the best & fittest time reap the speaking with you : I did return to my Lodging at Saint James the Tuesday , I promised your good self , but there I met with this affront , as to have it disposed of in my absence , contrary to my order and expectations , affronts in other places also : Indeed , Sir , I meet with little else but aversness to good in men , I have since expected your Lordships Command , or the happiness of seeing you , neither yet come to hand , or eye , did not the goodness of God , from the mouth of such as his Providence guided me to hear Preach , let me see what I am to expect from man , though of my own Religion , my Spirits would fail me : the Jews so ill treated the Prophets sent to them in their times , and we , no better , follow their bad examples . My Lord , be not backward to hear and consider the great good , the Lord is pleased to do and bring to pass for the honour of the Protestant Religion , the general good of all men , amongst whom more particularly our Soveraign CHARLS STUART and your good self , so sure as the Heaven is over my head , and the Earth under my feet : I do believe his Majesty and some others , of which number you are , to be blest with long life , honour , as much as mortality is capable of here , & everlasting happiness hereafter : My Lord , as these things are the decree of heaven , so are they to all assured the strongest Obligations of the strictest obedience upon Earth : I have already wrote to my King , I could not do otherwayes . First to let him know what God is pleased to assure shall be done for him , next to minde him of his dayly duty , how that without holiness no man shall ever see the face of God to his comfort : Further , that he forgive all his Fathers , Mothers , and his own Enemies , for no man yet ever lost by referring all to God ; in this he will best imitate his glorified Father , certainly in Heaven , who prayed dying for forgiveness to those that put him to death . For the remitting of the highest injuries we have the best of patterns our Lord himself . My Lord , if I have any other end than the glory of God , the honour of the Protestant Religion , the discharge of my duty , to the command of my God in my desire to speak with you , then do thou , O Lord , whom I believe hath deputed me to these very ends , never suffer me to see your face : Therefore , good my Lord , be not backward to let me speak with you , which done , as God shall direct , I shall afterwards haste , as concerned into other Kingdoms , to those in Ireland ; and this , when communicated to your good self , I have done my duty , and shall I presume then have quiet , and after see the fulfill of all to Gods glory , who for his name and mercy sake hath assured me he will bring it to pass , and it shall be marvelous in our eyes . My Lord , I ever shall continue to pray that God would bless , and preserve you to the overcoming of all your Enemies ; but more especialy your corruptions . So prayes the unworthiest of the Lords servants , and yours , S r , Walter Gostelow At my house in Broadstreet , May 25. 1654. A POST-SRIPT . MY Lord be pleased to allow this Post-script , I dare not omit it , your Lordship hath heard me , and now read my Prophesie , I believe divers others also , that of Elenor Channel , who was sometimes taken dumb , a Prophesie very highly considerable , failing out in a time much about mine , the matter one with mine , sent upon that imploy of the Lords to your good self , as most considerable in this Kingdom ; disquieted , as I was , untill she had communicated , or made known the whole , to you onely addressed : Now because it is so very full , and falls in such a conjuncture of time with mine , and but short , I have printed it at the end of this . My Lord , I well remember you were pleased , after the good Admonition given me to serve God , and to walk according to his will revealed in his word , to let me understand your self formerly had , and now lately also , some things presented unto you , which were since come to pass also ; but to rely on Visions , or Revelation we should not , having the more sure word of God , the Scriptures to rest on , good counsel it was , I agree all , and the best to avoid delusion ; the Prophesie being the Lords , I cannot have a dis-esteem of one word of that . My Lord ; is not all I have said unto you agreeable to the word of God ? Is it not your duty to fear God , Honour , and obey your King , to assist the rebuild of Gods House , the restore of his Ministers and their maintenance , not to side with those that are given to change ? to be in love with all men , also with justice , mercie , and forgiveness ; to seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness , and then all other things less considerable unpursued shall be given unto you ? My Lord , do this and live for ever happy . Now because its possible this hath not been done by you , certainly not by the Nation , see , God sends his Prophets unto both , and that you may know they are his , they bring nothing contrary to Scripture ; 't is true they come to you in a unwonted and seeming strange way , the reason of that is this : To persons of Honour , or a people the Lord intends mercy too , it hath been his accustomary manner of proceeding , to such he sends his Prophets , that they may repent and live , and shall Gods mercy , your own happiness , and the Kingdoms welfare become our contempt , your destructions , if not harkned unto ? No , God forbid , do you as all others what I have advised too , and be happy , Nay , you shall do it . There is a Gentleman of known worth and Honour , his name I will not Print , his Paper I have , with this Gentleman God hath sent me acquainted very lately ; my Lord , this person of good accomplishments tells me of a Vision he had some time since , and in it how he saw the King and your Lordship on one side of the water , Moderators on the other , debating upon the 39 Articles of the Church of England , from Article to Article : the word Protestant Religion was much insisted , upon , and discussed it was , whether in so large a sence you intended it , as to take in the Sectaries and disturbers of the peace of that Church , and this Kingdom , so to comprise all ; my Lord , in fine there was so much said to his Majesty , and such clear satisfaction given to your Lordship by such as sate as Moderators , that it brought your Lordship to a most humble and thankfull submission , and so bowing before his Majesty , you came both into one Boat , where the King kindly and with good affection imbraced you , and so went away both together in good understanding . That done , this Gentleman heard the Bells generaly ring , saw the bone-fires , and great was the acclamations , as well as the rejoycings of the people in the Land. My Lord , make all this good , do you Proclaim , as well as pray , God save the King ; and then the people will pray and say , God save the best of Subjects , and the honourablest of Souldiers , O. Cromwell . Amen say I , God preserve both . The PROPHESIE and Message of ELNOR CHANNEL , sent to the Lord Protector , Oliver Cromwell , April 19. 1654. 1. PEace be to this House , and Peace be to the whole Kingdom , and the peace of God be with us for ever . 2. The God of Abraham , the God of Isaac , and the God of Jacob hath opened the mouth of the Dumb to speak for peace , the Sword must be stayed , the World draweth toward an end , and the knots of peace and love must be made in all the Christian Lands . 3. Sir , You have taken upon you to be a Protector of your Lords Vineyard , but he requireth that you should make the Hedges and the Walls of it , which is peace and love , and the true Gospel , and that you Protect the Stuart , to plant his Vine-yard . 4. If a man fall into the hands of a Creditor , if his Creditor be one of Christs servants , he will not take body and goods , if his Body payes the Debt , his Heir shall have the Inheritance . REader observe , this ELNOR CHANNEL , Arise Evans , & my self with others , I have heard of , all agreeing and sent unto Oliver Cromwell Protector upon this very imploy , the rebuild of Gods House , the return of his Ministers , the restore of the King , the Promote , and declare of a General Peace through the Christian World , the Conversion of the Jews , the Protestant Religion more Glorious than ever , with its fruits of peace and love amongst all men : we , I say , whom God hath sent to promote and declare these things of his mercy for you coming to pass , are all of the Protestant Religion , the true Church of England , no Papists , no Schismaticks , no abettors to any faction whatsoever , yet as in duty bound , we continue to pray for the Conversion of all them , and more to the true Religion , which Gods Word shews you , as well , as our Prophesies now tells you is the Protestant , and shall be now more conspicuously glorious than ever . The Defenders of which Faith is CHARLS STUART , and Oliver Cromwell United . AN ADMONITION to Covetuous , and therefore miserable men . WHat ! Compassion left the Christian World , and fled into America ? Certainly the Gospel follows ; he hath said it , that is the word of Truth ( whose Compassions fails not ) through the world that shall be preached , happy America , most happy Exchange hath thou made for thy Clay and Dirt , the surface of that Earth is not so Barren , Thorny , & Stony as our hearts , which stick to thy Ore , as to our All , Thou wisely sents it from thee , as a Servant to do thy will , it 's unhappily become our Master , whilest we neglect and contemne the onely Jewel , to purchase which we should sell all : this Gospel Teacheth better things than you formerly have either heard , or we practised , covetuous and miserable comforters are you all , more than thirty of you in six Moneths solicitation not lend so much money as to Print this Book , which I told you was so highly to Gods glory , the Kings interest , and the Worlds general good , with the honour of the Protestant Religion , to all which you pretend good affection , but to promote any of them , this ready answer , no money ; would you borrow to set up Gods Kingdom , he can do that without you , our mony is to set up our own , let him look to his , we and you to our own callings , I can value your Estates worth at least 150 thousand pounds , your persons I cannot value at more than so many 0000000000 , miserable men , bring forth better fruits for the time to come , & know that mercy neglected , leaves room for judgement : follow me Reader , and I will in the next place shew thee better Jews than these were , & therefore God sends them his Gospel to guide their feet in the wayes of his Commandments , which are Compassion and loving kindness : it is the mercifull that shall finde mercie , Misers you are , going out of the world also , you shall shortly finde , if your treasure be laid up in Heaven , ( for there it perisheth not ) but I may not flatter you , you have counted gain godliness , not godliness great gain ; you will reap what you have sowed , amend your lives if you would be happy , the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand , to your comfort , or destruction . Rich men hardly enter into Heaven , covetuous and unmercifull men , not at all . I beg of God for your amendments , although you have necessitated me to beg of the World mony to Print this Book , which I will repay God willing . Yet I believe some that commoded me , rather thought it given than lent , so visibly poor hath violent men , and these ill times made me , I have lost by hundreds & thousands , despoiled of all , but what makes a continual feast : it is not for faithfull servants and good subjects to lie down in Beds of Roses , when their Saviour stands Crowned with Thorns , and their King falls shorter by the Head , we must suffer with them , before we can Raign with them , happiness is for him that overcometh , and the Crown of Glorie is given to such as fear God , and Honour the King. Of which blest number , though I cannot presume you are , yet I hope this Rabby and good Jews , I next direct too , will shortly be . For Mannasseth BEN-ISRAEL , at AMSTERDAM . Most Learned Rabby , SIR , your Book intituled the Hope of Israel , Dedicated to the Supream Court of England , a Parliament , came not to my hand untill this was near ready for the Press . Certainly Sir , you have been of Gods goodness guided aright to make your addresses to this Church and Nation , you observe well , we have continued to pray for your conversion , duty binds us to it , to treat your persons otherwayes than well , we should not ; to assist what possible we can , a people so anciently the beloved Sons of God , and most honourable off-spring of Faithfull and blessed Abraham is , and ought to be all our devoirs . Sir , I read your so excellent and profitable resolution to carry on the Famous and Learned History of Josephus . And also further observe your desire , that if any thing offer to men in the Christian world fit for your purpose , your request is they would be pleased to acquaint you with it . Sir , In this Book you will finde things very highly considerable , God having been pleased to communicate it to the World in his own way by Prophesie , your Brethren expect a deliverance & restauration , not far off , because all the Prophesies amongst your own are fulfilled . Sir , It is my firm belief , that in our Kings Raign , CHARLS STUART , Charls the Second , and under his government you will have deliverance , Peace , and Protection , the ground for my so believing this book will inform you , I have therefore given you it , with all its circumstancies at full , that thereby you may have the clearer satisfaction , that it is not delusion . About the 18 th . year of my age I was in several of your Synagogues , my eldest Brother a Studient and fellow of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford , there with me , to observe , & accomplish himself for the good of others . He , Sir , having conversed with divers of your Rabbies , did after tell me what they so believed , as not to be moved from . That for a people so beloved of God , and to whom the promises of the Almighty were so peculiarly good , so many , so frequently afforded and made known , as to the Jews they were , your Rabbies could not be perswaded , that Shilo , or the Messiah could be come into the World , and they not know of it , to whom , say they , he was promised as a King to deliver , restore , and govern them in this World ; take heed , Sir , the love of this world , deceives a world , thus to bound the Almighty , and herein to place your happiness , demonstrates your misapprehend of him , & what was Prophesied by your own of him , David tells you , as well as others , his Kingdom was not of this World , he came to his own , which were your selves , but ye refused him , he after turned to us the Gentiles , who indeed injoy him , that you yet hope for . I wonder , Sir , you see not this clearly fulfilled and proved to you in your own Prophets , as also in that so excellent piece of History , you are carrying on , Josephus , was not Jerusalem destroyed and made a heap of stones ? all which our Saviour long foretold it should be so , and that Generation should not pass untill all were fulfilled , as in the 22 of Luke , and the 32 verse , referring to the destruction of Jerusalem , that it was fulfilled , Josephus his story confirmeth , and the continuance of that verdict is yet evident . The other Prophesie , which evidently argues Christs Divinity , by its success also , is what your self , and your own Rabbies cannot but see and hear fulfilled , concerning the Woman that spent the Oyntment on our Saviour , for which he told that it should never be forgotten , but with the Gospel be Preached to all ages , as in Matthew the 26. and the 13. your self , Sir , living in the Christian World cannot but see , read , and hear this fulfilled , the Fathers of our Church & Protestant Religion have published to the World the fulfill of your allowed Prophesies , and shewed it you clear as the Sun. Sir , have you ever lain so long under Gods displeasure , as since you have shut your eyes against so great and clear a truth ? That God will in mercy gather you from the corners , & parts of the World is my belief , as well as yours , that many of you are in America I may not doubt , neither do I allow for other than true the relation given to your self and others at Amsterdam , in the year 1644. by Antony Montezinus . I now onely advise , and especialy commend to your reading the New Testament , you have it with you in languages : very many of you now sufficiently understand , God hath put us of this Church and Nation to give it you in more languages , hasting to you Sir , that will acquaint you with truer and better things to Salvation , than the story of the Saba●…ic●l River , whose great stones you say rest upon your Sabboth onely , but all other dayes continue to be carried about in motion . Sir , to the frequent reading of that New Testament , the best Book in the whole World , be pleased to joyn your often prayers , beseeching the Almighties guidance in all things for the better understanding of it , thus continuing in well doing , reading , and praying , you are sure to be taught of God , and know you will , that what the Prophet Isaiah Prophesieth in his 28 Chapter , and 16 vers . Behold , I lay in Zion for a foundation , a stone , a tried stone , a precious corner stone , a sure foundation : he that believeth shall not make haste . Now , Sir , would you , and all yours , as new born Babes , desire the sincere Milk of the word , that ye may grow thereby , you would suddenly know , that this corner stone , and sure foundation , is Christ our Lord already come , To whom coming as unto a living stone , disallowed indeed of men , but chosen of God , and precious , would you I say , but come thus fitly prepared , ye also as lively stones , are built up a spiritual house ; an holy Priesthood , to offer up spiritual sacrifice , acceptable to God by Jesus Christ , and he that thus believeth on him , shall not be confounded ; this stone which the builders disallowed ( you Jews , ) the same stone is made the head of the corner . Converted to him you shall be , therefore look about you , your time is at hand , ye are a chosen generation , a royal Priest-hood , an holy Nation , a peculiar people , that ye should shew forth the praises of him , who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light : So that with the fulness of Gentiles now coming in , you make perfect that building which himself the living corner stone holds together . This observe you have in the 1 of Peter , the 2 Chapter , from the 4 to the 10 verse , in that Testament is the fulfill of all your Prophesies of him that was to come , Shilo already come , look , I say , on that his word , and know him , look not for Him as a Temporal King. Next , Sir , for your further good , make your applications to CHARLS STUART Charls the Second , Gods Vice Roy on Earth , who sitting in Parliament makes then the Supream Court of England , before not : so rightly called , thus Charls is your and our King , blest and happy for ever , by God and him you may not doubt to be freed ere long from the many unsupportable pressures & sufferings ( your Antony Montezinus truely tells you , and us ) are imposed upon you in America , and yet endured by your brethren the Jews , from the cruel hands , swords , and tongues of those proud , idolatrous , high minded , and puft up Nation the Spaniards , constraining the Roman Religion , which Church of Rome shall fall , God hath said it , and that Nation shall not long Tyrannize over you nor those poor Indians there : if this come not to pass , put me to death your deliverance is not far off . Sir , we have an Earthly King for your comfort , that will shew you in his professed Protestant Religion the wayes of truth , which you and all are commanded to walk in , that you may at the last , to your comfort also , know and see him the King of glory , Jesus Christ our Lord , that is above in Heaven , which Heavens must contain him untill his second coming , whose appearance , or making of himself known to you , for your conversion , I hope , ( nay , I believe ) is at hand : I beseech God open your eyes , that you may see him , though you have stopt your ears , as being not willing to hear his Gospel , charm he never so sweetly : Sir , you are sure of my readiness to serve you in all I can , to God first praying for you , next in my true endeavours for you and your Nation , to this my King CHARLS STUART , Gods Vice-Roy on Earth , that whilest you live in this World , you may be favoured , and defended of his goodness and power , by his so victorious , happy , and prosperous Lieutenant General of all his Forces , Oliver Cromwel . Lastly , Sir , when your bodies shall go the way of all flesh , my prayers have been , are , and shall be , that your Souls may go the way of all Saints , and so all of you sit down and keep a perpetual Sabbath of rest with Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , in the Kingdom of Heaven ; to which Kingdom , God of his infinite mercie bring all of you and us . Sir , I doubt not to prevail with that worthy Gentleman which translated your book , Mr. Moses Wall , to translate this my Letter into a language fitter for your observe , your accomplishments speak you skilled in Arts and Tongues , my self bread to Trade and Negotiation , Sir , I beseech Almighty God to improve all your studies to his glory , and your brethrens good Such is the most affectionate & harty prayers of your undoubted friends , and servants of this Nation , as also more particularly Sir , Your for ever to command W. GOSTELO . To the worthy Persons of Honour , now being , or to be , in PARLIAMENT with the PROTECTOR . GEntlemen , this Book hath told you what God will certainly do for this Church , King , and people , yea , he will do it . I have told you in some measure what you ought to do , Gods word , a good conscience , and the known Laws of the Land will best guide you : If not all observed to you , return you into those wayes , from which late Parliaments , pretenders to Reformation , have deviated . When the Prophet , which God sent upon his imploy to wicked Jeroboam , who indeed , as all wicked Governours , when named , is remembred to posterity , he that made Israel to sin , when this Prophet went out of his way back again with that false one that had seduced him to eat and make provision for the flesh , as you may read in the first of the Kings , and 3 Chapter , what doth the Lord do to that disobedient man sent to them for reformation ? he commands a Lion to meet him and kill him , the Lion doth so , after stands by him , justifies the doing of it , being commissioned of God , so obeyes God in all things , ●he preyes not upon the body , he devours him not , though a disobedient Prophet . Gentlemen , you have now to deal with great offenders , and presumptuous wickednesses , I believe you are sent of God , be not you afraid of any . Vice seasonably checked , pulls in the head , and seeks rather a hideing place than a Fort , he fears every thing , that fears not God , he that fears God , fears not man at all , when disobedient to his Lord , King , and Maker . Worthies , be you bold , as this Lion sent of God , you have a Lion for your leader , sent of God also , Oliver Cromwel , for the punishment of evil doers , follow him , do you as he adviseth , God hath commissioned him , he must act boldly , justly , and yet mercifully , Gods will in all things must be done , Rebellion , Schism , & and Villeny must be extirpated , and left dead , not stir again : I know you are too good to fall upon any man in unjust wayes for his Estates sakes ; this Lion did not so , he eat him not , declare you your selves that none disobedient shall escape , or go unpunished ; be an enemie to all vice , no mans person , the evil doer will vomit our his surfeits , rather than die . Those boasts , if you closely pursue them will do as that I have heard of , but now remember not his name , bie of his precious stones , rather than loose himself . This will make the best amends to injured men , and give offenders the opportunity of amending also ; having taken from them their money , which is the root of all evil , give to every man his just interest , whether in Church , or State , take heed of foolish pity , it marrs a Citie . I have heard that the yet Bishop of London & Wells B. B. now ( great and rich ) complaining of the active School-boyes for throwing stones , and breaking the windows of one , or both those Cathedral Churches , an innocent and bold boy readily replied , Sir , had your care been as great to remove the small stones , as it was to dispose of , and remove the great ones , with other things also from those Cathedrals , we could not have offended you : thus he laid the fault upon the B. it may be those innocent boys intended onely a civility , to keep open the way , which too many come in by , the window : foreseeing that the dore is like shortly to be shut against them , who have shut and bard it too , against others , especialy , if the Living were great & profitable . Persons of Honour , have no mans person in esteem , that v●lueth not his actions : that 's the duty , & therein will be your honour , for fears & scruples they are to be suggested by the wicked onely , who indeed fly when no man pursues them , but the just and good are bold as this Lion , sent of the Lord , have you , nothing before your eyes but Gods glory , religions luster , & the peoples good , in your hearts his fear onely , do thus & you will have no need of guards , Militia , or what else , bad men think to secure themselves by ; A good conscience , and wisdom , fortifies more than ten mighty men , God is then on your side , so is all good men , fear God , your King , and to sin , and you cannot fear wicked men , let me hear of no looking back to sins , or cowardise , God hath shewed you salvation : if your hearts be in Sodom , ( for the wickedness of that Citie , Gomorra , and all the five Cities hath been practised in this one ) I say , if your hearts delight in sin , your judgement sleeps not . The Protestant Religion , the Kings Honour , Oliver Cromwell also , the peoples just Right and Interest must flourish , live , and be injoyed to all good mens comfort ; whilest destruction must be suffered by those onely which continue Rebellious , and will not be reformed ; whose remove will be our rejoycing , as well as Gods good pleasure , for deliverance shall come from Heaven to this Land and people , the evil doer shall be rooted out , and sent to his own home with a vengeance . But for thee , Oliver Cromwell , with Souldiers of Honour , and such , as are of good Counsel with thee , who advise the speedy remedying of all that is amiss , for such I continue to pray . That you , forthwith apply your selves to do his will , and that 's to be more than Conquerors . A King & rulers on Earth , whose right it is not , shall stinck on Earth , ( as he that made Israel to sin ) and howle in Hell too very shortly , but as the memory of the just , good , and mercifull shall begin to live for ever on Earth , and that shortly too , so shall thine , Oliver Cromwell , and others , declared in this Gods Prophesie , be taken up with thy King into the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ , that never shall have end ; then also shall good people , & such subjects go , as the sheep in this , Prophesie , to the right hand , wicked & Rebellious ones , as the Goats , to the left hand , unto the former happiness God of his mercie , I beseech him , bring us all , from the later , God deliver us all , he onely can do it that hath said and spoken now by me , the Church of Rome shall fall ; But our Church for ever flourish . God save the KING . Amen , yea , let all the people say , Amen . FINIS . THere are two Books , which have Traveled far with me , if well understood , and no otherwayes practised , the two sorts of people they are more particularly directed unto , cannot miss of the best end of all our Travels , Heaven . The one is a Priest to the Temple , or the Countrey Parsons Character , and rule of holy life . The Author , Mr. George Herbert : the other as the former commends a holy life here , and tells you , That the habitual observing of the Law of Christ , is indispensibly necessary to Salvation , the Author , Mr. Richard Stanix , B. D. one that I believe lives as he writes , and would have all do so . He that in Travel carries in each pocket one , and in his heart both to practise , needs not doubt but one day his face shall shine with glory , having so conversed with God , be he Priest , or people , for whom I pray , that God be pleased to make all , good , and happy . Walter Gostelow .