AN AFFLICTED MAN's TESTIMONY CONCERNING His Troubles.  
LOng Afflictions exposing me to many Obloquys and Dangers, I think meet for the Gospel's sake to leave some Account of my Ways by this present Writing, that Truth may appear whatever become of me.  
In my Youth while I studied at Oxford, very piercing inward Troubles pressed my Mind for several Months together; which made me spend many an hour in secret pensiveness, and by supplication to importune the Lord for his Mercy and favour through Christ, in a more earnest manner than I had been acquainted with before. And being heartily convinced of the goodness of God, I took a Resolution to serve him more carefully than I had done, and soon found much sweetness in Duties both public and private. About that time I was visited with a violent Fever, and that danger being past, another surprised me upon the Occasion following: One that seemed a Genteel person took acquaintance with me, who selling a Horse in the Town, entered my Name in the Toll-book as a Voucher for him. The Buyer informing me that he was gone, and that my Name was in the Book in his behalf, I was much vexed at it, because I suspected him to be extravagant. And when he came to Oxford again I urged him to find another Voucher, and to take out my Name, which with much indignation he did, and then swore he would kill me; and I think he came to my Chamber-door for that purpose. Some time after he was taken in a Robbery and put to death, so God delivered me from his hands. About the end of the Civil Wars, Visitors being sent into the University, I was among others questioned to be removed from a Place I had in a College, and another voted in: My Crime was an Answer I had given to the said Visitors, to submit to them as far as lawfully I might; and that was construed to be a Contempt, though I intended Modesty and Wariness by it. Upon the solicitation of some Friends, the matter was deferred, and a Fellowship in another College promised me. In June, 1649 I was appointed to make a Latin Declamation in Praise of Clemency. The Theme being mitigating, and grateful to my Disposition, and several considerable persons being to hear the managing of it, I did it as effectually as I could: And the Meditation thereof being always seasonable, take a true Copy of it as followeth.  

Novum inchoantibus Imperium utilis Clementiae Fama.  
Academici,  
AD arenam hanc literariam audacior accedo, cum non sim Lugdunensem rhetor dicturus ad aram, nec tale scando rostrum ubi severa increpat justitia, sed ubi candida allicit clementia, propter vestram impositionem mihi dicenda, & propter nostram imbecillitatem a vobis exhibenda: & sciatis obsecro non magis necessariam esse clementiam nova inchoantibsu imperia, quam vetera renovantibus exercitia. Eam igitur exiguâ saltem insequamur laude, quae suos magnâ insequitur utilitate. Hic referam Metellum Celtibericum bellum in Hispania gerentem, qui cum partem urbis Centobricae, quam obsidebat, machinâ dirueret, humanitatem propinquae victoriae praetulit. Nam cum Centobricenses diruptionem muri filiis suis replerem, miserescens ab expugnatione discessit. Quo quidem tam clementi facto etsi a cruentis unius urbis moenibus recessit, omnium tamen celtiberarum urbium animos attraxit, sibi benevolos, adeo ut victoriam obtinuerit quod expugnare noluit: eaque provincia in ditionem ejus accessit spontè, quam repudiavit cogere: permittitur amicè regnare, quia noluit hostiliter saevire. Rusticus ferocem juvencum citius subjiciet jugo titillando quam luctando; sin flagellis verberet, & stimulis lacescat, furibundum faciet non domitum; nec accipiet collo jugum, sed rejiciet cornu dominum. Ita & insoliti imperii jugum reipublicae faciliùs imponatur, eam mulcendo quam asperè tractando. Si vero securis dissecet, & ensis perforet, non tam vulnerant quam pungunt, excitantque populum, semper compertum belluam esse muliorum capitum, & plurium cornuum; quam si obtusum Majestatis Sceptrum instigabat, acutus militis gladius in rabiem irritet. Sola severitatis lima magis acuit quam polit. Acida poma dentes acuminant: ita & austerae tyrannorum actiones subditos exasperant. Quanto intentior est regnantis severitas, tanto remissior est regnati fidelitas, nec ullum violentum Imperium erit perpetuum. Quinimo qui terrore sui tremere facit subditos, discutit suum ex corum cordibus regnum, & languescit imperium quod quotidianâ metus febre, prae tyranni rigore, pallescit. Motus trepidationis non terris convenit, licet astra conservat, civitates destruit. Novam introducentibus gubernationem periculosum est vi obtrudere; coepti legitimatio verbis non verberibus probanda est: Dilemma non biceps gladius sit argumentum; opponentes confutentur syllogismis, non consternantur tormenti globulis: reconciliandi sunt mansuetudine, non perdendi rigiditate. Dominatus qui cruoris diluvio superstruitur, difficulter stabilietur, sed irae minimae exhalatione perpetuò jactabilis, fluetuabit. Quod super cadaverum cumulum erigitur, dicatur sepulchrum potius quam imperium; nec firmum erit potestatis aedificium, quod super aliorum ruinas fabricatur, sed firmissimum erit cujus structura humanitatis coemento conglutinatur. Quorum corpora captivitatis ligabantur catenis, illorum corda nobis strictius vinciemus remissione, & alacriter eye praestabunt obedientiam, quibus debent vitam. Regnum erit tranquillum ubi sereni regis mores; si verò torvi supercilii nubibus nigrescat facies, crepent insurrectionum tonitrua, erumpent candescentis irae fulgura, & ferient potestatis arcem ictuum fulmina. Victoria minimum habebit invidiae, ubi plurimum clementiae. Imperator qui habet in animo mansuetudinem, gerit in sinu Magnetem, nec ulli sunt tam ferreae pertinaciae quin ad se trahet. Quicunque autem castigantes exercent truculentiam, populum perterrent magis quam emendant; stupidum iis injiciunt horrorem, non vividam probitatem: imo Gorgonis ora gerunt, & subditos si non in lapides, saltem in truncos vertunt mutilando. Ad clementem Imperatorem confestim ac alacriter accelerant qui suis peccatis veniam sperent, statuentes aequè tutum esse ad pedes ejus se projicere, ac ad aram confugere. Recentem Romuli urbem populus confluxu sui citò replevit, cum noverat asylum esse: civitatula coespititia peccantibus mansuetum praebendo patrocinium, grande tandem evasit Imperium. Nec exprobretur clementem negligere justitiam, suam enim debitam honestatem cuique restituit, dum quosque ingeniosè pravos efficaciùs ad bonos mores reducit mitiùs castigando: plures enim poenitet deliquisse erga benignam patris patriae bonitatem, quam tyranni saevitiam. Itemque sufficiens, licet humanior poena est, ut delinquentes propter culpas rubescant pudore potius quam sanguine. Quinimo quis propiùs accedit ad Deorum, ignoscere gaudentium, naturam, quam qui exhibet clementiam? Et divinis indito moribus populus religiosius obtemperabit. Hinc provida Natura regi apum negavit aculeum, cogens esse mansuetum tollendo saeviendi instrumentum. Sapientissima mater clementiam fecit illi necessariam quia novit utilem. Herba Ocimum si tractetur leviter spirat suaviter, sin durius affricetur, foetido odore nares infestat: non aliter si subditi molliter tract●ntur gratum emittent obedientiae anhelitum, sin graviter comprimantur, contumaciae graveolentiam exhalabunt. Interim auditores, vereor si aequè prolixè ac imperitè dicerem clementiam, ne vestram suscitarem iracundiam. Malim itaque reliquum hujus virtutis encomium facundiori silentio admirari, quam extenuare exilitate dicendi. Hactenus tantum veniâ digni sunt orationis nostrae soloecismi, quòd clementiae vestrae materiam suppeditaturi, ut incipiat praxis, ubi desinit speculatio.   
Whether my discourse of Clemency procured me severity, I cannot tell, but sure I am that soon after it was used towards me; for I was accused as disaffected to the things then in being, and denied the Profits of the Fellowship promised me: the Head of the House, and the new Fellows there, with the Visitors connivance, combining to make me Socius Honorarius only, though I was Senior to them all but the Head. Being thus left destitute of any encouragement in the University, after a while I went into the Country to see my Friends, who persuaded me to be there employed, and the Sine Curâ of Llanrhaiad in the Counties of Denbigh and Montgomery being vacant by death, was conferred on me; where being freed from the Parish charge, I exercised my Talon in Preaching there, and elsewhere, and sometimes Catechising, and with such as were willing I monthly fasted and prayed on a Weekday, either in private or in public, and invited others to assist me therein also. And commonly when I spent time in such Exercises, I should have abundant Consolations in my spirit. But some of the richer sort and others in that Country, that did not relish such things, but delighted more in natural Recreations, Company, Compliments, and other Businesses, and were addicted to be litigious, wrought me many troubles: who hearing that the Regius Professor in Cambridge had a Promise of some Sine Cure, invited him to make for mine, and to exhibit Articles against me into the Protector's hand, alleging me to be disaffected to his Government, and insufficient for the Living I held. Thereupon an Order was made, requiring me to appear before the Council, and it was sent down unto my Accusers, who endeavoured to conceal it from me, that I might be outed upon Contempt. They sent a Fellow to my House, that left word with my Servant, that I should be at London within three days, and said no more, neither left any order. Yet they drew an Affidavit, and got him to swear before a Master of Chancery, that he left the Order at my House. Suspecting the matter, I sent up with speed, and had a Copy of my Accusation, and time to answer it: And when it came to a hearing, their Allegation of the first branch of the Accusation was discredited by their collusion in the matter of my Summons to appear, and the other was confuted by the Approvers of public Preachers and others; thereupon I was discharged, as being wrongfully molested. Three Years after as I was riding homewards from preaching in a Winter Night, I observed a Man sit on Horseback at the end of a dark Woody lane, who affronted me as I rid by him, and attempted to assault me, but my Horse outwent him. Soon after one came down with the great Seal to claim my Benefice, and by the Date of his Patent it appeared that it was had out about the time that Lurcher set upon me; but Times then altering, that pretence also became ineffectual. In the Year 1660 about the end of Winter, the Bishop of the Diocese newly installed, sends word that he had my Benefice granted him in Comendam by the King, and demanded of my Farmers the Rents due for the Summer foregoing, while I took pains there and thereabout. For a while it seemed very harsh to me to be deprived of my Livelihood and Employment, and the more, in regard I had obtained it fairly without misplacing any Man, and paid yearly about forty pounds out of it to Widows and Fatherless, and had seven Years possession of it, and his Majesty's Proclamation to continue all in their possessions, unless ejected by due course of Law; neither was any thing demanded of me by Authority, that I refused to do: For nothing was then requisite to be tendered to Incumbents that I heard of, but the Oath of Allegiance, which I took: also for the rich man that had many Flocks, to take away an only Lamb, might grieve a Prophet: Notwithstanding deeming a suit at Law would be as bootless as vexatious, I did quietly sit down by the loss.  
Afterwards I lived very privately, and as inoffensively as I could. For pe●ce sake I o●ten went to hear the Conformists in public, and seldom joined in private Worship with ●ny greater number than the Law allows of, and never meddled with any designs to disturb the Government; yet I could not avoid the frequent molestations of evil Men. In the Year 1666 several armed men, and one of them with his Sword drawn, uttering terrible words, rushed into my House in the Night, and abused my Family, c●lled me a Traitor, thrust into my Cellar, and made themselves drunk with my Beer, and taking me Prisoner, barbarously guarded me to the County Gaol, in several Passions drawing upon me by the way, tho' I was conscious to myself of no Crime, neither did they prove any against me that I heard of. It cost me Time and Money to be released, and upon my return home one of my Children died, that took a Fright by that Riot, and a fret in my absence. Within few Months after my Wife and some of the surviving Children being discouraged in their Obedience to me, by the many Injuries they saw inflicted upon me, became undutiful by the Collusiou of my Persecutors, which did embitter my Afflictions far more than any Prison or Danger I had been in, or feared to come into: For several Years I had Comfort in them, while I had sorrow from others: when it was tempestuous without doors, I had a calm within; before the blows lighted on my clothes, but since on my Bowels. But the worse my Domestic Troubles were for me, the more vigorously they were fomented and increased by those that hated me Some were employed to persuade my Children that it was better for them to be without me; and my Wife was so far alienated from me, that she impourtuned me to part with her and live asunder, though for sixteen Years before we had lived together as lovingly as any couple in that Country. Then by mutual Consent I was induced to go to Oxford, and afterwards to London, where in the Year 1675 as I was busy about the Printing of Welsh Books, my Life was endangered by most violent Poison, causing vehement burning and tearing pains in my Body, and a sensible conflict in my Chest and Bowels, like the beating of Pulses. The fourth Night I lay so, being brought to the sorest plight, upon a sudden the pores of my Body opened, and poured out such abundance of sweat as wet my Shirt in few Minutes, blisters broke out upon my Lips, and I purged somewhat like blood. And a few years after, as I was laboriously employed about correcting an Impression of the Welsh Bible, I was again brought to Death's Door by deadly poison, and while I lay ill, had a great loss by being robbed. And many times before and since have found dangerous baits in my Food, and perilous traps and snares laid for me in my way.  
Having been in London a long while, I had a desire to see my Country, and therefore took a Farm there, intending thereby to be helpful to the remainder of my Children these last Years: and though I thought to live below the Wether, yet Malice wrought against me strangely there, by killing or stealing my cattle in the Night, and throwing open my Corn and Grass to be eaten up, and sometimes turning my cattle to other grounds, that they might be killed or pounded; yea stigmatised Felons were brought to a Court, there to swear falsely against me, and the best of my Beasts were presently driven away by a Levari, though I owed nothing to the Party that procured it, neither should I be permitted to make my defence to evidence the Truth; and being so many ways, and so greatly damnified, I was forced to remove thence.  
In searching Old Authors for Advice in my Straits, and finding good satisfaction therein, I was induced to translate and print some of their Writings, calling them Fatherly Instructions: And being extremely aggrieved with the wrongs done me and others, some openly, but the most secretly, Iniquity working in a Mystery, and that like its Author invisibly; so that when I felt the smart, I must prophesy who smote me, as the Crucifiers of our Saviour bid him do: I added to it that Appendix, called Gildas Minimus, which I wrote to dissuade from Apostasy, and those other Abominations that are like to be very pernicious to these Nations, if not timely repent of. And expecting Calamity to come on the Land, I wrote in it these few Verses, which then I was loath to print: 
Ah Nations proud, he that with many tears  
Bewailed your Sins, some causes of his fears  
Hath written here, amend e'er with great smart  
A Pencil keen engrave them in your Heart.   
Poisons and secret Murders seemed most horrible to me, and the Curses pronounced against them very formidable, as appears in the case of the Men of Anathoth, for seeking to destroy the Prophet Jeremy thereby. What we read in Chapter 11. v. 19 of his Prophecy, Let us destroy the Tree with the Fruit, the Septuagint render, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the vulgar Latin, Mittamus lignum in panem ejus, another, Corrumpamus lignum in pane ejus, the Chald. Paraphr. Mittamus venenum mortiferum in cibo ejus ut disperdamus eum, which is in English, Let's put deadly poison in his meat, that we may destroy him. In 22, 23 Verses, the Lord shows how he would recompense them for it; Their young men should die by the Sword, their Sons and Daughters by Famine, and there should be no remnant of them.  
Having diligently sought Direction of God by Study and Prayer, I got my Mind fully satisfied, that to follow the Precepts and Examples of Christ, and his inspired Servants, Prophets, Apostles, and the Primitive Christians, is the only safe way for living and dying, for doing and suffering, which is the cause I do not run with the stream of the World, nor take the same course as most do, because it's so much differing from that pattern; which instructed me what to do in my case in reference to God and Man. My Soul was earnestly stirred up to examine the Evidence of my Interest in God, and to look to myself, that I live in Obedience to his Gospel, and by seeking of him with a contrite Heart, he enabled me to fear him more than those that can kill my Body, and to be willing to suffer rather than wilfully to sin against him, and to partake of the Afflictions of the Gospel, rather than of the pleasures of Sin. I carefully looked to my deporument towards Men both high and low, yielding Obedience, tribute and tax to whom they were due, praying for Superiors as earnestly as for myself; and when I had opportunity to be serviceable to the public, in correcting Welsh Books, or any thing else, I discharged my Duty with diligence and Faithfulness. And though I have been deprived of my Preferment, which might have raised me a little out of harms reach, that I should not be trodden under all vulgar feet, yet I can be content, when I consider how stormy, tossing and sinful the World hath been, ever since I was concerned to manage any thing in it, making it difficult or impossible for Scholars to obtain preferment, and keep it during Life, without doing and saying, if not swearing contradictories, using of Flatteries, and many questionable practices. Sometimes in my Dangers and Losses I made lawful application to Magistrates for protection, where I had any hopes to be heard, and never meddled with any Plots to molest them, being observant of the Oath of Allegiance; and in case I had not sworn, I thought it inconsistent with my Christianity to live in Fraud or Treachery, and speaking peace to lie in wait for Blood or Spoil. And should I by the wrongfulness of my Sufferings by persuaded of the lawfulness of my defence by resisting any of my Oppressors, my destitute Condition for many Years warns me sufficiently not to expect any to assist me therein: And if it would be imprudence in a Hercules to engage against two Persons, surely it would be so for me alone to assault Legions. Since my Troubles grew extreme, I could have but few to join with me in Prayer, and other Gospel Duties; and if they would not shed tears with me, it is not likely they would shed Blood for me; Vanae sine viribus irae.  
As I am not Conscious to myself of any Crime against Superiors, I am ignorant also what others think of me in that respect, for no Body tells me what my Affliction is for. When Joab's Corn was consumed, he knew of whom to inquire the cause of it, and how to prevent such another loss. But no body is found to deal so well with me, as an ill Man did with him. So that I must say to every Instrument of my Affliction, as our Saviour to him that buffeted him most wrongfully: If I have spoken or done evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why smitest thou me?  
And as I kept innocence towards those above me, I did so also towards those about me, not seeking to wrong, hurt, or defile any in Soul or Body, Name, or Goods, either secretly or openly, traudulently or violently; yea, sometimes I had opportunity, and took it to show benevolence not only to my Friends, but to my Foes also, by praying, admonishing, and helping them in outward needs, and if I can I will do so again. I acknowledge that under great pressures I have complained of my wrongs, and the doers thereof, to such as might dissuade them from their evil; but that I did any thing publicly or privately, with intention to bring any of them to punishment, I utterly deny; and if any mischief befell any of them, it hath been without my Design, Contrivance, or Consent. Yea, I am not without fears, lest some of my dear Relations, and loving Acquaintance, have been prejudiced by my Persecutors, upon occasion of my Friendly Converse with them, or Communication of them▪ And if it be so, I hope God will not impute to me what was done against my Will, any more than the Death of those innocent Children to the Wise Men that came to worship Christ at his Birth, who though wise, yet contrary to their expectation, by their devout Enquiry stirred up Herod's Cruelty, tidings of a meek Saviour making him a Bloody Destroyer beyond all suspicion. My Disposition was Moderate also towards the established Ecclesiastical Government, acknowledging its usefulness in exhibiting the Scriptures and Prayers to these Nations in their vulgar Tongues, upholding Learning, and a deal of smooth and grave Praying and Preaching, and melodious Singing, which I hope by some are devoutly improved: And the generality it keeps in a Customary Profession of the Christian Religion, hitherto keeping out Popery, Mahometanism, and Paganism, which are embraced by other Nations.  
Yet forasmuch as the greatest part of our Countries are void of true Grace, and Christian Godliness, or the likeness of it, as we may well conclude by Scripture and Experience, and therefore unfit to communicate at Christ's Table, and to do many other Duties demanded in the Gospel, I think it dangerous that Christ should be deprived of a Spiritual, Zealous, Holy Worship, and Church-Government, according to the pattern given us in the New Testament. And therefore am glad for the liberty given to such as God enlightens and sanctifies with his good Spirit, and makes able to live according to the Gospel, to meet together in Christ's Name, to worship him with their Spirits, and to participate of his Supper, being the seeketh such to worship him, Joh. 4. and to exercise Spiritual Instruction and Discipline, as he hath ordained, and which the carnal multitudes in all Nations are unqualified for. As praying in the Spirit, pouring out their Souls with groans and tears, and elevated affections in thanksgivings, without external Monitors, as Christ and his Servants did in Primitive times, John 17. Acts 4. 24. Rom. 8. 26, 27. preaching with warmth and earnestness, Comforting others with the same comforts that themselves are comforted of God, 2 Cor. 1. 4. Spiritually admonishing and restoring a lapsed Brother, and casting out the impenitent, that God may have a clean though little Temple to dwell in, and not a Den of Thiefs. And though of a long time my Afflictions have bereft me of the help of such Gospel Society, and forcibly hindered me to exercise my Talon, as I would, for the promoting thereof, yet I congratulate that others may have it.  
Envy need not counterwork this matter, the success thereof in this sinful Age not being like to be exceeding great. Providence in Judgement for our Provocations, threatening to remove our Candlesticks, rather than promising to increase our Lights. And the way that leadeth to Heaven being narrow, and not paved with Pearls, nor strewed with Temporal alluring Flowers, but Thorns rather, will be frequented but by few. If there be no pieces of Silver given to the Judass, but that they be left as destitute as the Nathaniels, if the setting Dogs and Wolves in Sheepsclothing fare no better than the innocent Lambs, 'twill be apparent that Christ's true Disciples be but a little Flo●k; Virtue being poor, seldom hath many Suitors. Though the Apostles and their immediate Successors in outward poverty drew many followers after them by the sweet Ointment poured forth upon them, and the power of miraculous Healing; yet now the Case is altered in the following circumstances. Then the Gentile Churches were in their fruitful Youth and teeming Season, and brought forth many Sons and Daughters by the Gospel seed; but now they are grown old, withered and barren; both the Eastern and Western Nations having neglected to walk according to the Gospel for many Generations, the Lord in anger permits them to obey unrighteousness; and because they received not the love of the Truth that they might be saved, they are left to continue in strong delusion. In the last days times are predicted to be very perilous, and little Gracious, 2 Tim. 3. 1, 2. The Spirit of God also being so generally mocked, becomes more reserved; Christ refusing to work because of Unbelief, and other heinous sins, which makes religious Duties in most places less vigorous than they have been formerly.  
Furthermore, The World needs not fear hurt by godly Ones, whether they be many or few, together or asunder; Hypocrites I do not plead for. As our Saviour's Kingdom is not of this World, so his children's main part of it is not here, but elsewhere laid up with him, and therefore have the less need to fight in its defence with carnal Weapons. Their Armour is spiritual, Faith their Breastplate, Zeal their Fire, Tears their Bullets, and these are used for their Enemy's protection and salvation. So that the World may expect benefit by having good men in it: I mean not that benefit which some Politics write of, That the Prince is safer by having Subjects at Variance, as Cato would keep Servants that were at odds with one another, that if one embezzled any thing, the other might betray him. If differences among men be of use to their Governor, there are enough about worldly matters. But I mean such a benefit as Joseph brought upon the House of Potiphar. All Mankind at present is more beholding to eight such Persons in Noah's Family, than to all the multitudes in that Age, though mighty and of Renown, Gen. 6. and well it had been for Sodom and Gomorrah, if ten righteous ones had been tolerated among them.  
And though the World need not fear hurt by the preservation of God's Servants, yet it should greatly fear it for their destruction. Saul and all Israel with him paid dear for slaying the Priests of the Lord, and so did Jerusalem for slaying his Son, and stoning his Prophets: And probably wrath for Persecuting is one deadly Ingredient in the Cup of Trembling now put into the hands of most Nations, to cause in them such a Bloodyflux. It were well for these Nations in the present dangers, if all Parties ceasing from Spite, and calling one another to their several Devotions, as the Mariners did in Jonah's Tempest, could with their joint endeavour pacify God. It's to be much doubted whether the Melody of our Organs and Temples can drown the Cries of our Sins, and the wail of the Fatherless and Widows; or that the Halls of our Corporations be so well furnished with Civil or Spiritual Righteousness, or our Country Barns with such good Wheat, as will keep off the Fire of God's wrath from consuming us as Stubble and Tares, without more general amendment. It would prove a beneficial Indulgence, if the languid spirits of the several Forms of our Religion should be so well revived, as to be able to divert, or overcome those strong Judgements, that our Irreligion is like to bring upon us.  
In my Case I have had many Experiences of God's goodness; I have seen much of his Power and Faithfulness in all my Troubles: I put my trust in him, though I saw for certain that most of the World about me was against me: Great and Small, Friends and Foes, Professors and Profane, Relations and Strangers, some reproaching me to the World, and accusing me to men in Power, some robbing and defrauding me of my Estate, some tempting me to Uncleanness, others poisoning my Body; some writing, others Preaching against me, and such Ordinances were mounted in many Pulpits as were leveled at me, not to edify, but to batter down my spiritual Comforts, and I should hear terrifying Voices not from black Clouds only, but from bright ones also; insomuch that such as knew my Integrity durst not own me, but were afraid to consort with me; and seeing me set up as a Mark for all to shoot at which venomed Arrows, they were cautious of coming near me, lest they should be hit also; yet when all forsook me, the Lord stood with me, and hath hitherto delivered my Life from the innumerable Dangers assaulting it. And though he permitted most of my Estate to be gone from me, yet he giveth me content and necessary Supplies to this day, and good Hopes of having in Heaven a better and an enduring Substance, and more comfortable Mansions, and Relations, than those I am deprived of. Divine Providence in my behalf giveth evidence, that the Foolishness of God is wiser than subtle Devils, and his Weakness stronger than mighty malicious men; and that such as put their trust in him shall not be confounded, whatever they suffer for his sake; and when this frail Life is offered up, he'll give me that of whose Duration and Felicity I shall never be deprived.  
The Lord has been often pleased to let me have Experiment also of his readiness to hear my Cries in all my straits: When in sorrows for Losses, or apprehensions of Dangers, my Soul is cast down or disquieted within me, by making my Application to God in earnest Prayer, I usually obtain Comfort, and shall be as secure and peaceable in my Mind, as if nothing ailed me. In my Distresses I have had my Heart enlarged to pour out supplications to the Author of Life, and found them sure Antidotes against the Infection of Temptations that seek the destruction of my Soul, and against the painful Operations of poison in my Body, and have sometimes obtained ease before I arose from off my Knees. When I had a swelling on the side of my Neck, which could not be abated by taking Physic, soliciting God for help, I had notice by Dream to cut an Issue, which dispersed the Humour in few weeks. Once a Carpenter working at my House slit his Finger with his Hatchet, and though the Blood at that time was soon staunched, yet the man being gone to his Lodging, and opening the wound to one that was skilful in Cures, thereat it fell a Bleeding again so violently, that no means could stop the Blood till several quarts of it were lost, and the man brought to the point of Death. Being called out of my Bed, I went to him, and being grieved to see him in that Condition, and the more, because he was hurt at my House, I called upon God in his behalf, and immediately after it came into my Mind that putting his Arm in cold Water might be a means to help him: And thereupon I held his Arm from his Elbow to his Wrist in Water, and plied it with a wet Cloth, and presently the Blood recoiled and stopped; and though the wounded Man fell into a Swoon that Morning, yet in due time he recovered his perfect Health. It pleased God in that great need to put me upon that Remedy, which before I had never thought of. Long ago I had a sensible attack by some Spirit, and deliverance from him while I called on God. Having sat up late at my Study, and none being with me in the room, I thought I heard the rustling of one behind me, when I turned I could see no body. As soon as I was in bed, something near me made a snarling noise like that of Cats fight, but somewhat louder, and several times blew at my throat very violently: I thought the wind of it stronger than that which cometh from Black smiths Bellows. In my Fright I fell to Prayer, and before I had uttered many words in it, the storm ceased.  
Lastly, I observe that the Lord exerted his righteousness many times in my Concerns. I have often seen his hand pleading my Cause with those that injured me, and dealing severely with them, and that without my contrivance; for I addicted not myself to seek revenge upon them, when I seemed to have some advantage for it. Some that unanimously molested me while I was Beneficed, afterwards fell out among themselves, and ruined one another. Some that were active in depriving me, died suddenly thereupon. And the Officer that commanded the rude Soldiers to carry me to Prison, soon after fell out with his own Kinsfolk, which caused great disturbance in Markets by tumultuous fightings, and in open Sessions by mutual Suits at Law. And near the same time Twelvemonth as he sent me to Denbigh Gaol, he went into the great Sessions held in the said Town, to wage Law against his Adversaries, and there in the heat of Anger was suddenly dispatched by a violent Fever. Others besides me, took notice how his Judgement in the sight of the County pointed at his late Oppressing injury. And within two or three years after most of his rude men died also in the prime of their Age. I might give many Instances more of this kind. I wish the rest of my Persecutors may take Example, and not be made such.  
Though I have not laid down here one wrong of a hundred inflicted on me, nor one Mercy of a Thousand God showed me, yet it may be sufficient (if the Lord please) that Iniquity may stop her mouth, and the considerate understand the Lovingkindness of the Lord: And I fear here's more than some will either improve or bear at present: But that in God's time they may receive Repentance and Mercy upon Examination of their ways, shall be the Prayer of  
London, July 1. 1691. Charles Edward's.  
FINIS.   

The Writer hereof hath many British and English Books by him to sell.