VOTIVAE ANGLIAE, England's COMPLAINT TO THEIR KING: OR The humble desires of all the zealous and true-hearted Protestants in this kingdom, for a speedy and happy Reformation of abuses in Church government, being the only means to remove these distractions, and to avert the judgement of God from us.  
As they were expressed in sundry Petitions, Remonstrances and Letters, lately presented from them to the KING, upon sundry occasions.  
Collected by a wellwisher to Reformation.  
LONDON Printed by H. Dudley. 1643.   

TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTY MONARCH CHARLES by Divine providence King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, &c.  
YOur highness may justly condemn this as a high presumption, to present the most eminent King in the Christian World with a discourse of Petitions and copies of Letters: but I have found favour in your sight when I presented them unto your highness upon more dangerous terms, and therefore I trust that blessed Lord will move your heart still to accept of the hearty desires of your poor subject, though they be not clothed with the glorious ornaments of wisdom and Eloquence, as was fit to dedicate to the view of so learned and judicious a Prince, but my comfort is, I speak to a merciful King, that knows how to pass by infirmities, and to pardon great offences: and so beseeching the Lord God of heaven and earth to bless your highness with many happy days, long to reign over us to hear the Petitions of your faithful Subjects, and to redress their wrongs, craving pardon for my boldness, I humbly take my leave.  
Devoted to your highness' Service, John SPENCER.   

A discourse OE DIVERS PETITIONS OF HIGH CONCERNment, and great consequence.  

This Petition was written upon the book for the recreation upon the Lord's day, and I delivered it to King James at Greenwich: he took it with him in his Coach, and committed me to Mr. Hutchinson, of the guard, for a certain time, and was graciously pleased to have great care of me for my diet and lodging, and after divers disputations with Bishop Neal, and Bishop Buckridge, set me at liberty.  
REad O King, read O King, and then consider well,  
If ever any such decree was made in Israel.  
Help O King, help O King, and let not the Sabbath.  
Of our glorious God be thus prophained,  
With grievous sins in open streets proclaimed:  
Nor in Dooms dreadful day this heavy hand-writing,  
Be justly brought against great Britain's royal King.  
The humble Petition of your sinful subject, JOHN SPENCER.   

A Petition delivered to King James at Bletfoe.  
Good King James reform thy Court of cursed swearing,  
Which otherwise will undoubtedly God's heavy judgements bring:  
And to his faithful Ministers gracious be,  
Whose ruin else we soon shall see;  
This happy Boon an earnest suit to thee I make,  
Oh Consider well, and grant it for Christ's sake.  
The humble Petition of your sinful subject John Spencer.   

A Petition delivered to our gracious King Charles at Finchingbrook, at his going to his Army royal, Anno, 1639, March 28.  
THe glorious Lord of Heaven and Earth the God of battle, and Lord of Hosts, for our Lord Jesus Christ his sake, bless our gracious King Charles, and his brave Army, and cover his royal head in the day of battle, and return him with honour and victory to his royal Queen: but I beseech your highness, give your poor subject leave to entreat you that you would not adventure yourself in the day of battle; but remember what the soldiers said unto the valiant King, David, 2 Samuel, 21. 17. Thou shalt go no more out with us to the battle, lest thou quench the light of Israel, and consider what counsel that kingly Prophet giveth, psalm 34. 17. Eschew evil and do good, seek peace and ensue it. And therefore that fair England's happy peace may not be now endangered; let the new Scottish Service Book, and the book for the recreation upon the Lord's Day, be both thrown over the Scottish Bank, and so I humbly take my leave, and although by reason of my old age, and some wounds that I received at the famous siege of Ostend, I am disabled to do your highness' service in the war, yet as my bound duty is, I will daily pray unto the God of Peace, to set your feet in the way of peace.  
The humble petition of your loyal subject John Spencer   

A Petition delivered unto our gracious King Charles, upon this occasion; The King was to go towards New-market upon Monday, but the waggon and the hounds went thorough Cheapside upon the Lord's day, which was not lawful, O King: I never heard that they removed since upon the Lord's day, so gracious was the Kings care herein.  
Good King Charles, Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day,  
And let not Charles wain be seen to move on London way;  
But in the high sphere of heavenly Contemplation:  
Let that day be spent in holy meditation:  
Both King, servants, subjects, all zealous for God's glory,  
To hate profaneness, and to abolish all idolatry;  
That so when thy blessed soul shall leave thy royal breast,  
Thou mayest in heaven for ever have a glorious rest.  
The humble petition of your sinful subject John Spencer   

A Petition unto our gracious King Charles, upon the late setting forth of the Book for Recreations upon the Lord's day.  
Good King Charles to hear be graciously pleased  
That this Book in the days of your Father, King of great renown,  
Grew very ill, and grievously diseased,  
And to prevent the mischief that thereby might redound,  
Was with wisdoms holy care haply suppressed:  
And so good King Charles for evermore let it rest.  
The humble petition of your poor sinful fervant John Spencer.  
I sent my son with this Petition, who made great haste, and delivered it to the King; it pleased his highness to commit him prisoner to the guard of his royal person, and set him at liberty the next day, and commanded the Lords of Scotland to attend his highness in Parliament upon Monday, and there concluded a happy peace.   

A strange and strong transportation upon the Lord's day, April 27. 1639.  
THis day going to the Church of great Staughton, and hearing the bells chime I fell into a strong apprehension that I saw King Charles in the field with his brave Army, under his Standard royal upon a hill, with his own Squadrons, and the Scottish Army in the field also, and the King gave directions unto his Colonels and captains to charge the Scottish Battalions here and there, till the battle grew very bloody and mortal on both sides, and almost all the Peers of England, and all the nobility of Scotland lay slain in the field: and then the valiant King Charles seeing it grew to such extremity, descended the hill, and with great fury and resolution, charged the scattered body of the Scottish Army and made a great slaughter of them, and so obtained the victory, and forced them to leave the field, and then returned to mourn over his noble Peers that there lay slain upon the ground, which put me into such a passion of weeping, that meeting with Mr. Saul our Preacher, and Mr. Bauldin and they seeing of me in such a passion of mourning, and desirous to know the cause thereof, I could not declare to them the cause of my great sorrow, but went into the Church, and prayed with a troubled spirit, The Lord grant if it be thy blessed will, that it may prove but a melancholy Conceit. but oh that your highness would be be graciously pleased to call a Parliament, turn the faces of these brave Armies towards the Palatinate to settle your royal Sister in her inheritance, and set at liberty your capitive Nephew Prince Robert and so you shall make all the Princes of Christendom stand amazed at your high prudence, and great magnanimity: Consider what I say and do it, and the Lord will bring it to pass, and then make you the most renowned King of the Christian world, amen, amen, good King Charles send for colonel Fleetwood, he is a valiant man, and of great abilities, and will do you faithful service in your war, I hear he is lately married to a great man's daughter in those parts, but if it please your highness, to command him, he will leave his young Lady to do you service. And now seeing things through God's gracious providence do thus happily concur, I beseech your highness give me leave to renew my former suit unto you, and your hovourable Court of Parliament for the happy and honourable uniting of these brave Armies, make your Nephew the Prince Elector (who was now so happily in your Court) make him general to lead these brave Armies into the Palatinate, to settle your royal Sister in her inheritance, and to set at liberty his brother Prince Robert, for that is a shame to all the Princes of Christendom to see a distressed lady so long insulted over by such a bloody Tyrant; and for the support and transporting of these Armies, I would willingly give ten Subsedies, besides those are already given; and I hope every able and faithful subject in the Land will do the same, that so this royal Prince may beat out the proud enemy out of the Palatinate, and then settle the imperial crown of Germany upon his royal head, and lead his victorior's Army unto Rome's gates, sack the city, and burn the Whore of Babylon with fire▪ and so fulfil the prophecy Revel. 17. 16. 17. verses, And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the Beast, are they that shall hate the Whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and burn her with fire; for God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will. Amen, Lord Jesus, amen.  
The humble Petition of your loyal sinful subject John Spencer.   

A copy of a Letter to a great Peer of this Land, upon a strange discontentment betwixt him and his beautiful Lady, about the passing of two Manners unto his only son as brave and as noble a gentleman as this kingdom afforded; the Letter I delivered unto his own hand: he read it, and retired himself into an inward Chamber, wept much, and came out again unto me, gave me thanks, and said never man desired more to gain awoman than he did to gain her: to this effect, never did I in all my time know such great dislike about such a slight occasion, betwixt two so virtuous, so noble, so beautiful and amiable, and so long rejoicing in happy enjoying one another, as will appear in this dolorous discourse.  
IT may seem strange unto your Lordship that a stranger should write unto you in this strange fashion, but than I beseech you in the fear of God, consider the strange course that you have taken, that forceth me thereunto: for is it not strange yet most strange, that so noble, grave and religious a man, should forsake his wise being a virtuous, beautiful and religious Lady, make it not your own case, and would you think it possible a wise man should be so transported, but believe it my Lord, such a thing may be, & such a thing is and as the Ptophet Nathan said unto King David, Thou art the man, that have behaved yourself so undiscreetly, and frowardly: for have not you forsaken the wife of your youth, that virtuous and beautiful Lady, with whom you have lived with great happiness these twenty years: who hath approved her faithful love and constancy unto you in so many strange and foreign Countries, and adventured herself in so many dangerous passages both by sea and land, to yield you comfort and contentment; now to forsake her when you are grey headed and stand more in need of your mutual society and comfort: but now to forsake her to grieve your friends, and make your enemies rejoice; to forsake her to vex yourselves, and to ruinate your estate, and to endanger the loss of your souls and everlasting happiness, what greater want of wisdom can be showed? you carry yourself exceeding forwardly herein, that neither the persuasions of friends, nor the entreating of those that love you, nor so many pitiful tears from the fair eyes of your Lady can move a reconciliation, but you fly from a distressed Lady as if you were pursued by an armed enemy; was your noble blood ever stained with such cowardliness? how may those renowned Princes of the united Provinces, who held and approved you so noble and valorous in heroic Atchivements, both in Germany and when you were Lord deputy of Ireland, be grieved to hear of this strange alteration in you? but this is not the worst disgrace, for herein you have dealt very unwisely, for you have rejected the counsel of the Prophets, of the Apostles, and of our Saviour Christ himself: and have followed the course of your violent passions, or else the shallow device of some giddy heads, as Rehoboam did to his own confusion: for Solomon the mirror of wisdom advises you thus, rejoice with the wife of thy youth, let her be as the loving hind and the pleasant Roe, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times, and delight in her love continually, Prov. 5. 18, 19 but you are so far from rejoicing with her, and yielding those comforts unto her, that you seek to rejoice yourself in hawking and hunting, and in the mean time to vex her with your tedious absence and froward messages, call you this wisdom? nay, my Lord, account it no better than Machavilian policy. Again, St. Peter adviseth you thus, Husbands dwell with your Wives, as men of knowledge, Pet. 3 7. but you fly from Chiswick to London, from London to Hitchin, from Hitchin to Bletfoe, as though some fearful Dragon did haunt your own habitation, or the air was infected where your fair Lady breathed. Lastly, our Saviour Christ being demanded by the proud Pharises whether it was lawful for a man to put away his, wife upon every occasion, makes this most holy answer, Matt. 19 4. And he answered and said unto them, have you not read that he that made them at the beginning, made them male and female, and said, for this cause shall a man leave Father and Mother, and cleave to his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh. Let therefore no man part asunder whom God hath coupled together. Now that you have been thus joined, you dare not deny, or if you should, the solemn vow you made in the presence of almighty God, and before those honourable Personages in Cashawberry parlour shall witness against you: therefore how dare you make this fearful separation, except you will proclaim yourself a truce-breaker to man, and a traitor to God; the first too scandalous, and the other too dangerous for a man of wisdom to undergo; I beseech you in the tender mercies of Jesus Christ, enter into a serious consideration with yourself, in what a desperate estate you are in, and heartily repent of the evil you have committed, and earnestly crave pardon of God, and then with all speed make a holy reconciliation betwixt you and your fair Lady, that so the scandal of your holy profession may be removed, and the mouths of insulting Papists may be stopped, and your distressed Lady comforted, and your consciences quieted: but if you will be still wilful and obstinate, then assure yourself these lines shall rise up in condemnation against you, at the dreadful day of Judgement, before that glorious God of heaven and earth who shall judge all men according to their works they have done in the flesh, whether they have been good or evil, and that without respect of persons, where your greatness shall no wise privilege you, nor my meanness not prejudice, the cause of that mighty God who hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the mighty things: unto that all-powerful God do I humbly pray, that for his dear Son Jesus Christ his sake, he will vouchsafe his great power may be seen in my weakness, and his infinite wisdom in my foolishness, so that this weak means may be made powerful to make you wise to salvation and produce that holy reformation as may be to the glory of God, and the everlasting happiness of your own soul, Amen Lord Jesus Amen.  
From him that will honour you according to your noble quality, if you do not dishonour that God that advanced you to this high dignity, JOHN SPENCER.  
A Postscript.  
You are now conversant with a noble and religious Friend whose zealous heart I do assure myself will easily be persuaded to take any pains in this charitable business, consult with him, and then appoint the time and place where you and your Lady may happily meet together to epaire the ruins that sad absence hath made, and beautify your faces with those amiable looks, and your lips with those sweet discourses, wherewith you in happier times did solace yourselves with unspeakable contentment. That so you may make the Proverb true: Amantium ira amoris redintigratio est. After this some great Lords undertook to bring them together but it was too late, but better late than never, for the Lady was very weak in her bed, so they lamented their fatal error, and took their last farewell, for she died within few days, and he lived not long time after.   

A copy of a Letter sent to the Earl of Cleveland and Tho. Lo. Oliver St. John, for ending of a ●●●g suit betwixt justice Fish, and Mr. Mordant, concerning a seat in the Church at Northill.  
Right Honourable,  
When Joab the general of King David's Army besieged Rabath, and fought against it, and took the cities of waters, and thereby weakened them so, that they could hold out no longer: then he sent unto hi● Lord the King to come up with his Army to take the city, lest if he took it he should have the honour, and the City should be called after his name. So I having fought with these two Gentlemen with many arguments, persuasions and earnest entreaties, and so thorough the blessing of the God of peace, have qualified the bitter waters of strife, and weakened the strong hold of their violent passion and contentious humour, that now they can hold out no longer with any Christian resolution, do now send and sue unto your Honours to come up with your commanding power, to take the honour of the day, and the renown to be the noble peacemakers, I have viewed the seat in the Church which is large and spacious for both Parties to sit in, like good Christians and loving Friends; and therefore, if it will please your Lordships now to lay your Command upon them to confirm that which I have so earnestly entreated, that thus, and thus, it shall be for their sitting in the seat; and thus and thus it shall be for the endiug of all suits and controversies betwixt them: then they have both of them faithfully promised before sufficient witness, that they will submit themselves thereunto: and so humbly beseeching that blessed Lord the great peacemaker, who hath pronounced: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the Children of God. To bless your Honours with the continuance of many happy days, to make you zealous for his glory, and to see like good magistrates under so gracious a King, the peace and welfare of your country, I humbly take my leave.  
August 12, 1631. If it please your Lordships to appoint these Gentlemen a day and place, where they may attend to receive your Commands under your hands. Desirous that there was in me any ability to do you service, John Spencer.   

Right Honourable,  
IT is the Rule of the Apostle and of our Saviour Christ, Rebuke not an Elder, but exhort him as a Father: Oh therefore that it would please that blessed Lord, even the God of wisdom, that I might perform this duty to your Lordship with such regard of your noble qualities and tender care of your precious soul as I ought: but however I may fail in point of discretion, ye I hope your Lordship will bear with me, since it doth proceed from a heart that doth unfeignedly desire your everlasting happiness, I know it is a hard task and many times a thankless office, to admonish men of mean quality of their faults, and to bring them to acknowledge their errors; much more than those that are so far our superiors: yet where grace and true nobility is, it will teachmen with meekness to suffer the words of exhortation, and with the kingly Prophet to say, Let the righteous smite me, for that shall be us precious balm unto me, for the wisest and greatest in this world, have their frailties and infirmities. David a man after God's own heart, yet erred in numbering the people, and confessed he had done very foolishly. And Solomon his son the wisest and the greatest statesman that ever was upon the earth, yet erred greatly, and although he provided men-singers, and women-singers; and the delights of the sons of men; yet he doth acknowledge all was but vanity, and vexation of spirit: And so I trust your noble and religious heart, will tell you though you did provide you such excellent singers such rare conceits and curious Actors and numbered the people to behold it, yet all is but vanity, and vexation of Spirit: and the more vanity, and vexation of spirit, because it was on the Lord's day, which should have been taken up with better meditations, and the contemplation of Heaven and heavenly things, and therefore that God might not be hereafter so, dishonoured, nor your everlasting happiness thereby endangered I beseech you, in the tender mercy of our Saviour Christ, give ear to the counsel of your servant, and be you pleased to submit yourself to the censure of your own Court, that so it may appear to the world, that you will not stand out in any thing that is ill, but will give glory to God, and yield obedience to all good laws, and so ye may stop the mouths and stay the fury of many profane people, which proclaim such liberty (from this example, to follow their vain delights upon the Sabbath day, But I hope when they shall hear that such is the justice of the Court, and faithfulness of your Officers, they will execute justice without respect of persons, and therefore in this case will spare neither Lord, Bishop nor Knights nor Ladies: I trust I say when they shall hear of this, it will be a great danting and discouragement to them, and also, through the Lord's mercy, a means to repair again the breach whereat otherwise whole troops of profane wretches will enter to lay violent hands upon the Lord's Day: and so beseeching the Lord God of Sabbath that my counsel might be as wholesome and as acceptable unto you, as the counsel of Abigal was to David, that you might with that holy man say, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel that hath sent thee to meet me, and blessed be thou that hast kept me from giving any countenance or encouragement to any man that dares presume to profane the Sabbath of the great God of heaven, Amen Lord Jesus Amen.  
Haughton More, November, 4. 1631. From him that hath so great cause and is so much bound to your Lordship. John Spencer.   

YOu may be pleased, that my Lord Bishop had lately made me commissary general upon this occasion, the Earl of Cleaveland had built a sumptuous chapel and entreated the Bishop to consecrate the same and it pleased their Lordships to give me notice of the day, so I did attend the Bishop, and the next day he did it with great state and solemnity accompanied with the Earl, and Knights, and Ladies, and a multitude of his clergy; there was a learned Sermon and the holy Sacrament administered, and other rites and Ceremonies performed, so that it was three a clock before they came out of the chapel, and then my Lord Bishop was pleased to question me before the Earl of Cleveland, in this manner: Master Spencer, what will they say to you now, that have been at the consecration of a chapel, received the Sacrament at the hands of a Bishop in his Babylonish garment? I answered; If they have nothing else to say to me, this may very well be answered: But he said unto me, Master Spencer, what shall I do for you now, I know if I should make you my vicar-general, you will dislike of that, because it is a Popish title: but I'll tell you what I will do for you▪ I will make you my commissary-general; and that he thought would please me better, for I had prosecuted his commissary Smith, and charged him with suspicion of Treason against the King's royal person: well I thanked his LO●P. & shortly after made more use of my Office than he would have had me: for one Mr. wilson a cunning musician having contrived a curious Comodie, and plotted it so, that he must needs have it acted upon the Sunday night, for he was to go the next day toward the Court; the Bishop put it off till nine of the clock at night: a whi●e after, the commissary, Doctor Morrison, kept a Court at Huntington, and I came thither and went into the seat with the commissary, and put on my hat: the Doctors and Divines stood with hats off, and gave their attendance; then some offered their presentment, but I told Master commissary, that I had a presentment, and that must be the first, and so he took it, and read it, the tenor was thus:  
We do here present John Lord Bishop of Lincoln, for having a comedy acted in his house upon the Sunday, it began about nine of the clock at night, and continued till two or three of the clock the next morning. We do present also Sir Sidney Mountacute, and his Lady, for leaving their Parish Church to come to hear this comedy. We here present Sir Thomas Headly, and his Lady for the like. We do present Master Wilson, and other actors of the same.  
So when Master commissary had read it, he was somewhat amazed at it, and asked of me who was the commissary general, I bade him ask my Lord of Lincoln who was Commissary general.  
And this presentment we do make, Ex officio, commissary general, John Spencer.  
So when this was registered, I took my leave of Master commissary and came away, for fear I should hear something else: And afterwards, because the Bishop did not appear, I censured him for his fault to build a school-house at Eton, and to endue it with twenty pounds a year for the maintenance of the schoolmaster. Sir Sidney Mountacute to give five pounds and five coats to five poor women, and his Lady five gowns and five pounds for five poor widows: and this censure stands still unrepealed.   

A Letter to Sir William Litton Knight, concerning Master Spencer, that famous learned man, committed to prison for the refusing to stand to the hard award of Mr. Noades, but was upon this letter speedly released, and Sir William Litton took him again into his favour, and was a noble friend unto him during his life.  
GOod Sir William Litten,  
I have visited Mr. Spencer, your famous prisoner whom it pleaseth you to call my Rabbi, I find him so willing to refer himself unto you and Sir Oliver Luke to mitigate his hard award, that Mr. Noades hath made, that I need not any further persuasions to effect the same, only give me leave to make this request unto you, that as humility is an excellent virtue in any man, much more in a man of eminent parts, that you would vouchsafe to be such a Patron thereof in this case, that you will not suffer it to be abused and disgraced by the reproachful taunts of any insulting Skinner man, that knows better how to scrape ten groats out of a translated sheepskin, than how to repair the loss of unvaluable Learning, so long captivated in a loath some prison: I dare not say as St Paul said to Philemon in the behalf of his prisoner si●●●…: if he hath hurt thee, or oweth thee aught, put it on my account: but I will rather put you in remembrance what our Saviour Christ saith unto Simon Peter, There was a certain Lender which had two Creditors, the one ought him an hundred pence, the other fifty, when they had nothing to pay he forgave them both: which of them therefore tell me will love h●m most? Simon answ●red and said, I suppose him that he forgave most: and he said unto him, thou hast t●uly judged: And so I say unto Sir William Litton the more you sh●ll forgive your impoverished prisoner, the more you shall increase his love unto you; and thereby you likewise you shall m●ke the splendour of your charity and true nobility, more clearly appear unto others: consider what I say, and the Lord give you an understanding heart to do that which may be most for his glory, and your everlasting comfort: and so I take my leave,  
and pray for your happiness on earth, and everlasting happiness in Heaven: JOHN SPENCER.   

A copy of a Letter to Mr. John Harvy, My Lord St John's Steward.  
GOod Mr. Harvy,  
considering how dangerous the opposition of great men may be both to Church and commonwealth; and scandalous amongst those that profess the Gospel of peace, I have therefore made bold to use some endeavours to qualify and allay the heat of some unkindness which lately grew betwixt my Lord St. John and my Lord Wentworth, and to that end used many persuasions, & hard entreaties to them both, and found my Lord St. John so nobly disposed in it that he told me, for the thing itself he thought it not worth a matter of unkindness; but that which troubled him, was that he should be so much mistaken in his judgement, esteeming my Lord Wentworth so loving and faithful a friend unto him. To this effect I did much endeavour to remove that conceit of mistaking, and reduce his Lordship to his former good opinion of my Lord Wentworth, and disired that he should pass by that as an error of a young man, and so ground his opinion upon the former and future carriage of my Lord Wentworth towards him, then upon the failing in one particular, which hope gave some satisfaction unto his Lordship, therefore I pray do you second that with your best pe●swasions, as occasion shall give you opportunity; and let us not be discouraged to deal therein, because they are great men, for God hath ordained weak things of the world oft times to confound the mighty: And we may observe in the overthrow of benhadad's mighty army at the siege of Samaria, whereof he made such proud boasts, the overthrow was given by a small number of 232 of the servants of the Princes of the Provinces, 1 King. 20. 10. 7. So likewise when Naaman that great Commander was so discontented with the message that the Prophet Elisha sent him to wash him seven times in the rivers of Jordan, the good council of his servants prevailed with him, and stood him more in stead then if he had had the whole army of the King of Aram, 2 King. 5. 11. and therefore let us use our weak means, and leave the success unto the powerful God of heaven and earth, who is able to make the lion and the lamb, and the falcon and the dove, to live peace able together, unto whose gracious protection I do commend you, and so rest,  
Your loving Friend, John Spencer.   

IN the reign of King James of famous memory, passing through the palace yard, I saw two men very much urging one another to go over into Saint George's field to fight, one wa● M. Phillips the Queen's so or man, the other was M Newman my Lord chamberlains footman the English man a Protestant; the Irish a Papist. I used many persuasions to pacify the business betwixt them, but M. Phillips said it was impossible to satisfy him till they had fought, but I would by no means suffer them to fight, but I would be M Phillips his second, and my Lord of Holland's footman should have been M. Newman's second, they should have fought with single swords, and I had a single sword also. When they saw that I would not leave them, the Irish man asked what religion I was of, I said I did believe to have salvation only by the infinite merits of the death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ, and so I hoped he did likewise: then I demanded what religion he was of, that could warrant him to fight in such a quarrel; he answered, happy man be his dole: In the end they were contented that I should have the hearing of the business betwixt them: so we went to a tavern in King's street, where they fell out at Tables, and drew their swords, but the servants parted them, and upon the examination of the servants that did appear, that the Irish man did the wrong to the English man, and called him boy? and that was the word of disgrace that M. Phillip's would never be satisfied till he fought with him; therefore I did order, that M. Newman should acknowledge that he had done M. Phillip's wrong, and that he was sorry for it; and then M. Newman cried mercy, and then they embraced one another, and with such expressions of love, that they would live, & die together in defending one another's quarrels, to this effect, and as it pleased God I parted this dangerous quarrel without drawing my sword, the Irish man was a proper tallman, but M. Phillips was young, but a brave spirit.  
ANd now that I am upon the point of peacemaking, give me leave to give some few directions for the better effecting of this charitable work.  
1. Humbly pray unto the God of peace, and lover of concord, to give you wisdom and direction, and frame the hearts of the contending parties to unity and concord, then get them into bond to stand to the arbiterment.  
2. Confer with the parties alone by themselves, and then use all the strongest arguments you can to weaken the party you speak unto, by telling him what advantage his adversary hath of him, his great friends, his able parts, and resolute mind, and use the like arguments to the other.  
3. Try if a wife, a child, or friend, may not be a fit agent to persuade in these differences.  
4. Consider what a happy and pleasing thing it is in the sight of God and good men to see neighbours to live together in love and unity.  
But in my long trading in these charitable businesses, I will declare unto you two very rare and unusual means which I have made use of:  
A gentleman of great worth, and Knight of the Parliament house, and his Minister of great worth and of great parts also, having spent much money in suits of Law in the high Commission Court.  
I humbly entreated my Lord Mandevill, that noble peacemaker to take into his consideration they, being his near neighbours, who took great pains to order the business, and end the suits, and got them into bands, but they were both so resolute, they broke their bands, and refused the order, and procured Commiss●ions out of the high Commission Court to examine witnesses, I think almost a fortnight together, to their great charge, and to make such misdemeanours appear to that Court, that some of their good friends thought would make them be fined a thousand pound at the least. The Commission was sealed up, and sent to Huntington to be returned into the high Commission Court. I was sorry to see all our labour lost, & hopes frustrate, yet it pleased God to put a conceit into my head, and therefore. I consulted with two that were nearly allied to the Knight of the Parliament house, and told them we must make an end, ei●her with the consent of the parties, or without their consent; for the first, that the suit was impossible; the second, how could it be, that I will tell you? so we fell to writing, first, that all suit in law should cease: secondly, that thus much the Knight of the Parliament should give the P●eacher for rearages for his tithes, and then to prevent suits here after, the Knight of the Parliament should give thus much a year for composition for his tithes. When we had done, I told them I will engage myself to be bound in this sum, that the Minister shall stand to this, and you shall do the like to me; That the Knight of the Parliament should do the like, we entered into bands, and then sent for them, and when they saw that we stood engaged for them, and it was not their Act they consented to that end, and entered into five hundred pound bonds apiece to stand to that end, thus it pleased God to take off this tedious and dangerous business.  
The other concerned myself: in my old age a gentleman had made a scandalous report of me, that I should send a Cart upon the Sabbath-day to remove certain goods; which was very false, yet he made report of 〈◊〉 ●oble friend of mine which answered very much for the, and would not believe it, used many means to vindicate my reputation; but he would not be satisfied, but gave credit to the report of some lewd malicious companions; so in the end I grew so foolish, that I sent him a challenge, & sent my man with it to meet me the next day by eight of the clock in the morning, upon such a Common, betwixt two Woods, to meet single and with single swords. I came to the place at the time appointed, and beat the air, but he came not; I rode to his gates to call him, but he returned his answer in a kind letter to me, did acknowledge that he had done me wrong, to give credit to the report of such lying and malicious knaves, and that he would satisfy my noble friend how much I was wronged, to this effect, and afterwards we continued very loving friends during his life: this I do relate, but would have no man follow this example, except they will do (and so I hope we should have done) As two knights in King Henry the eighths time, as I take it, that the one was Sir John St. John, and the other Sir Henry Cromwell, two valiant Knights, and brave soldiers, and contended for a piece of ground, and spent more money in Law then they were willing; and seeing it was unfit for soldiers to follow suits in Law, they resolved to determine it with their swords, and appointed a day to meet upon that ground, and there met, but considering better of it, that their valour was well known and what a vain thing it was for them to adventure their lives upon such a quarrel, whereupon they grew to 〈◊〉 offers each to other of the ground, and contented who should give or take it: a vain example of two so noble and valiant Knights; but I would now advise all men to ●ake heed they be not put to that adventure, for men to meet in the field, the devil will put these conceits into their mind that it is not for your honour, to appoint the field and not to fight, and if they fight, than it will be their dishonour to give over with this disadvantage, thy enemy hath given thee more wounds than thou hast done him, and so will urge them to fight still until either one or both are slain: as was seen in the ever to be lamented example of Sir George Wharton, and Sir James Steward that stood upon terms of honour, and were both slain in the field.   

A Copy of a Letter to my Cousin M. bully, a grave Preacher in new England.  
MY very loving Cousin, seeing we can no longer enjoy your company in old England, we would be glad to hear of your safe arrival in new England, and I fear in this little time you find by experience that all things are not answerable to your expectation, and likewise that your friends that did so earnestly desire your stay were not altogether mistaken, when they told you that you should find many inconveniences in that place. Well, howsoever God, the God of infinite wisdom, that hath in his eternal council appointed us our going out and our coming in; that hath in his providence thus directed and inclined your heart unto this course, I trust also he will sanctify both your prosperity and adversity in the same, that all shall work together for the best, to further you to that everlasting rest which he hath prepared for his children in the kingdom of heaven; and therefore now let us be partakers of the truth in both, and especially in the comfort of your freedom in the ordinances of God, and in your public exercises in the holy worshipping of him, for that is the main thing that I desire to be satisfied in: and whether you have yet settled any uniform course to be generally practised for the sanctifying of the Sabbath, and when you begin and end the same, as also for prayer and reading the holy Scriptures, preaching of the Word, and singing of psalms, with the manner of the administrations of the holy Sacraments, and how far you do still hold the order of the Church of England, and wherein you differ from the same, or if you have not yet established such a course, but leave every Minister to order his peculiar Congregation to his own Rule, whether you do not find great variety and differences in men's opinions in that way, and what inconvenience and danger may grow thereby, through sects and schisms, that of necessity is like to fall thereon. And thus good Cousin you see how bold I am to trouble you with so many queries in a foreign land, when it is more need to make enquiry into my own sinful and deceitful heart, to see what is done there in matter of reformation, repentance, and amendment of life.  
And therefore now though we are far remoted in the body, yet let us be present in spirit and prayer, and although you are retured to a place of more privacy, and where your eyes (I hope) do not see such abominations to vex your heart with as ours do, yet pity us and pray for us; and on the other side, be not, oh be not so secure, nor put your confidence in your select company, nor in those remoted woods and solitary mountains; but remember what befell unto Lot, that was righteous Lot whilst he lived in Sodom; but when he would fly out of Zoar to a solitary cave in the mountains, with his two daughters, he committed those abominable sins there, that his soul would have abhorred once to have thought on in Sodom, and therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall, our help is in the name of the Lord, that hath made heaven and earth, who is able to help us in all places, and at all times, and so beseeching the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ the shepherd of his sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make us perfect in all good works, and to do his will, working in us that which is pleasant in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise for ever and ever. Amen Even so I take my leave, and rest,  
Your loving and sinful Cousin, John Spencer.  
I pray remember my respective love to my gracious Cousin, your loving wife, who hath given such a testimony of her love unto you, and the reverend opinion she hath of your honourable Calling, and commend me to the rest of my Cousins, and to so many of our Christian friends as you think fit,  
England, July 9 1635.   

A charitable Consideration, of new England's plantation.  
We read in holy Writ and Law levitical.  
That if a man dyeth, having no child at all;  
His nearest kinsman by the right of alliance,  
Shall take both the widow and the Inheritance;  
To raise up seed to the dead, and by doing well,  
Continue still his brother's name in Israel.  
Fair England of the Northern World the great renown,  
Having late made union with the Scottish crown:  
Thereby involving her title with great Britain,  
And so lieth obscured in that golden chain  
We to continue the name of our Brother,  
In great America hath raised up another:  
The Almighty God grant that ever may remain  
An ornament to England, a terror to Spain.  
FINIS.  
JOHN SPENCER.   

Mtr. Brightman a little before he died, translated the Canticles into verse, whereupon I wrote these verses.  

TH' heavenly song of that bright man,  
Whereto he tuned his latest breath:  
Much like asilver shining-Swan,  
Presaged thereby his present death:  
A goodlier song was never seen,  
And few such singers left there been.   

But you fair Signets which still remains  
By pure streams of sacred Truth,  
Washing your wings from sinful stains,  
With mournful tears and doleful ruth;  
Lest you should him too much deplore,  
For you this song he left in store.   

Never therefore let the profane,  
With sinful lips and hearts impure;  
This sacred Song once dare to name,  
Lest they damnation do procure:  
Let them with Toads their croaking make,  
Till they do their sins forsake.   

But you dear Children of the light,  
Whose lips are tuned to sing this praise,  
Oh labour still to shine more bright,  
And therein spend your happiest days;  
That when your dear Lord shall appear,  
He may you find a Spouse most clear.   
FINIS.  
John Spencer,   

A charitable Supposition of Mtr. Brightman's sudden Dissolution.  
No marvel though so bright a man,  
His glorious life in Heaven so soon began:  
For long his soul had languished in great grief,  
To see God's chosen flock to want their best relief:  
And cruel Wolves, dumb dogs, and lordly Masters;  
Set in the room of Christ's faithful Pastors.  
Therefore his dear Lord seeing his servant thus distressed,  
Took him away unto his everlasting rest.  
FINIS.  
John Spencer.   

Here lieth inter'd Sarah Spencer the virtuous,  
Wife of John Spencer, and Sarah his Virgin-Daughter:  
Both so goodly, fair and courteous,  
As few such Sarah's will be found hereafter:  
Blessed be the Lord God of Heaven and Earth  
That made them so renowned both in life and death.   

A copy of a Letter sent to a great Lady.  
MAdam, my great care of your everlasting happiness, and my respective love to my reverend Cousin Mr. Lee, who now is dead in the Lord, and therefore must cease from his labour: and from those holy endeavours whereby he did labour to plant grace in your heart in your tender years, and whereof you then gave such excellent hopes that in the autumn of your age, he should have seen a plentiful increase of that blessed fruit, and many goodly sheaves of piety and happiness, to his great comfort in the Harvest: but it pleased God, the great Lord of the Harvest to take him away as from other evils to come, so likewise from those griefs that would have wounded his heart to see those flourishing hopes so nipped and withered in your spring-time: it pleased God to make me partaker of his last prayer, and to close his eyes: Oh that it might be his blessed pleasure to make his Spirit to be redoubled on me, that I might be the better able to admonish and exhort you to reform that which is amiss in you, and disgraceful to your holy profession, I mean in respect of your outward carriage and appearance, with so many fond fashions and garish attires, as to deal plainly with you, were more meet for one of painted Jezabel's profession, than for a Lady of your worth: and more fit to furnish a pedlars pack, than to make open show of them in the Church of God, and in the Assembly of the Saints: whereas things should be done with comeliness and decency; and therefore he commandeth that no woman should be covered because of the Angels, 1 Corinth. 11. 10. and that women should pray with their heads covered. But if this be a comely covering to have a woman's head covered with dog's hair, or goat's hair, and cat's dung, and painted feathers, judge you: for my own part, the Word of God wherewith you shall be judged, condemns it as odious and abominable: but it may be you will say it is the Gallants fashion, and what if the Venetian courtesans have brought up that fashion? must the religious Ladies of England follow that fashion? God forbid, the Children of God must not fashion themselves after the world, Rom. 11. 2. But they must fashion themselves according to the rule of God's Word, and then madam mark what fashion you must be in, 1 Timoth. 2. 9, 10. Likewise also the women, that they array themselves with shamefastness and modesty, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly apparel, but as becometh the fear of God with good works. I beseech you in the fear of God deck yourself with these rich jewels, of faith and repentance, humility, patience, fasting and prayer, and good works, that so you may be like the King's Daughter glorious within, and this will make you amiable in the sight of God, and glorious in the eyes of his Saints, and remember you are the Daughter of a religious Lady, and the Wife of an ancient Knight, and the Mother of two Sons: and therefore you must give them good example of wisdom and sobriety, for godliness is great gain, if we can be contented with that we have: and God hath blessed you with a rich portion of outward beauty and comeliness, and therefore do not deface that incomparable work of God, with such base trash and trumpery, for you shall never enter into the kingdom of Heaven, into the company of glorious Saints, with that trumpery on your back, and gauds on your head: Consider what I say, and the Lord give you grace to repent of your sins before you go hence, and be no more seen, Amen, Amen.  
From him that doth desire your endless happiness. John Spencer   

Good Brother,  
I Am desirous to hear if my Father Winne have paid the fifty pounds unto Sir Milss Fleetwood, and also to admonish you (as I take it) of your unseasonable payment of one hundred pounds upon the Sabbath day morning before harbour fair, alas, was that a fit time to tell money, and to make your accounts with men, when you should account with God? was that a fit time to rumble in your Chest for your money-bags, when you should have ransacked your heart for your sius? must not the Lord of sabbaths needs be highly offended, to see the service of men preferred before his divine Service? and more care had for the buying of Oxen, than for the keeping of his holy Sabbath, must not the Lord needs visit for such sins? nay, hath he not already visited, although in great mercy, for was not your dear and only son, within a few days after closed up in a Chest? and there found by his mother speechless, and near his last breathing, had not the Lord in judgement remembered mercy, and restored life when we deserved death; and if you did not already make use of it, I beseech you in the fear of God assure yourself, that in that judgement the Lord would have you take notice of that particular sin; for if you remember when I was with you at Arlsen (I told you before I heard of this, that you must think that there was something amiss that the Lord would have reformed, when he threatened such fearful judgement to this effect: And therefore I beseech you bewail that grievous sin; and as Job made a Covenant with his eyes, so do you make a Covenant with your hands never to abuse them so again, with telling money upon the Sabbath day. And remember it was Balaam's ever to be lamented error, still to pursue the wages of iniquity, although the angel threatened him with a drawing sword; but let his fearful end teach us with wisdom to return in time, and repent of our sins, and make our peace with our God, before we go hence and be no more seen; and to say truth, these days and dangerous times requires a continual preparation for our last departure, when so many wise and strong are taken away, and their honour laid in the dust; and we must look also for our changing we know not how soon, and therefore good brother let us walk circumspectly, as the children of the light, and such as are risen with Christ, setting our affections on things that are above, and not on things that are on the earth, for our life is hid with Christ in God: When Christ which is our life shall appear, then shall we appear with him in glory. In the mean time let us be diligent to exhort and admonish one another, and to edify one another in our holy faith, that so we may grow from grace to grace, and strength to strength till we become perfect men in Christ. Amen, Lord Jesus, Amen.  
Your loving Brother, and the Lords unworthy Creature, John Spencer. Staughton More, Novemb. 7. 1616.   


A Copy of a Letter to the prisoners at Bedford, with a book of common Prayer, and M. Dods exposition upon the commandments bound up together with bosses and clasps.  
BRethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for you poor prisoners, is that your souls might be saved: For I bear you record, that in these places you endure many times hunger, cold, and much misery together, with the fearful expectation of the Judges coming, and the sentence of death, yet if God doth not work in your hearts true repentance, and sanctify these afflictions unto you, it will be but as a forerunner of the appearing before that dreadful judge that will pronounce that fearful sentence of damnation against the wicked, of, go ye cursed into hell fire, and these iron chains, a shadow of those everlasting chains of darkness, wherein the wicked shall be for ever tormented; and therefore that I might be a means (through God's mercy) to further you in that holy work of true repentance, I have procured these two books to be bound up together for your better use in this place of restraint, the one commended and commanded by the public authority for the public service of God, the other the work of a reverend Preacher, an excellent exposition of the commandments, both being undertaken in the fear of God, and diligently used, may be a blessed means to further you in the way of repentance, and to set your feet into the way of peace. First therefore pray earnestly to God to give you understanding hearts, and then read, and then pray and read again: and the Lord of heaven so bless you in reading and praying, that you may truly repent you of all your sins, before you go hence, and be no more seen. Amen.  
Stoughton Moor. 1624. From him that wisheth your everlasting happiness.   

LEt me entreat you in the fear of God, that one of you that is best affected and best enabled, to read Prayers and the psalms, for Morning and Evening Prayer, according to the order that is appointed in the book of common Prayer, and then in stead of the Chapters which you should read in the Bible if you had it, read every morning and evening a portion of the commandments as is appointed for the day of the month that so the book of the psalms and the exposition of the commandments may be read over once every month, and upon every Sabbath day. I would have you (besides the ordinary portion appointed for that day of the month) read the exposition of the fourth commandment, half at morning prayer, and half at evening prayer; Let one read distinctly and reverently, and let the rest hear diligently and devoutly.  
I do humbly desire the honourable Court of Parliament to take that to their consideration, that every prison may be furnished with such a book, and every high sheriff of every country provide a Preacher to visit the prisoners once every week, for it is pitiful to see how they are neglected.    

A Copy of a Letter to M. Hutchinson, to whose hands King James committed me, after I delivered unto him the petition for the Sabbath.  
MY very loving and kind Keeper, although you have been long out of sight, yet you have been oftentime in mind, and often in my thoughts and prayers unto God for you, as I had good cause when I remember the great care and love that you and M. Hutchinson did show unto me when I was prisoner in your house. Oh that it would please the Lord to make me as happy a prisoner unto you, as Saint Paul was unto his Keeper at Philippi, whereof you may read in the sixteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, who at Saint Paul's first coming into the prison, was in such a woeful estate of a persecuting infidel, yet that night being terrified with the earthquake and fear of the loss of his prisoners, would desperately have murdered himself, but Saint Paul having pity and compassion upon him, cried out with a loud voice, do thyself no harm, for we are all here: and then with fear and trembling he fell down before them, and brought them out of prison, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? and Saint Paul preached unto them, to believe in the Lord Jesus, and he and his household should be saved: and so through the Lord's great mercy they were converted and baptised, and greatly rejoiced that he and all his house believed in God. Now though I have not seen you so desperately minded to kill yourself with your sword for fear of my escape, yet I must needs say, I have seen you ready to wound your soul with fearful swearing, and excessive drinking, and how greatly this may endanger your soul and body also you may consider of it: You remember well that the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain; and Saint Paul doth testify, that drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God, Galat. 5. 22. but of these sins I have admonished you of when I was with you, and through the Lord's great mercy found some reformation thereof, in that I did see you refrain from such excessive drinking, and sometimes abstain an oath, and reprove others for swearing. I know that is a hard matter suddenly to cast off such grown sins, and those whereunto you have been so long accustomed; but on the other side also, I know it is an easy thing unto our omnipotent God to set your feet into the way of peace. Oh therefore unto that merciful God to convert your soul, and to set your feet into the way of peace. Oh therefore pray unto that blessed Lord, and importune him with earnest and zealous prayer day and night, until he hath wrought in you that blessed work, to give you grace not only to see your sins, but give you also true repentance and godly sorrow for them, that you may now loathe them more than ever you loved them, and utterly detest and abhor them, though they be as dear unto you as your right eye, and as profitable unto you as your right hand, yet cast them off, and cast them from you; for it is better for us to enter into the kingdom of heaven so maimed and spoiled of our sins, then to enjoy them here for a short time, and then both soul and body to be cast into hell fire, where there is weeping and wailing in everlasting darkness. And now that you may escape those everlasting torments, and attain to the kingdom of heaven and the righteousness thereof, you must settle yourself to the constant performing of those holy duties of prayer and hearing the word of God; and you must take unto you that Christian resolution, that no fear of man's displeasure, nor the mocks and scoffs of wicked men should make you never to neglect the same; I mean, you must not be ashamed to go to Sermons, nor to keep holy the Sabbath-day, nor to pray with your wife and servants, though all the drunken companions in Kent should rail or jeer at you for the same; but remember that those that are ashamed of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his holy service on earth, he will be ashamed to own them in the day of judgement, and leave them to their devilish masters, and to those hellish torments which he hath prepared for such base slaves that do prefer the service of the devil before the service of God: And then will they cry unto the mountains to cover them, and to hills to fall upon them, rather than they would hear the dreadful sentence of, go ye cursed into hell fire, prepared for the devil and his angels; and the woeful execution that follows thereupon, to be closed up for ever in utter darkness, and there to be tormented with those damned spirits, where in stead of their carousing and filthy speaking, they shall have weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth for evermore, and never shall behold the face of any man, nor hear the voice of any creature to yield them comfort; but as they delighted themselves in swearing and staring, in cursing and raging, so they shall have their fill thereof among those raging and furious damned spirits, and yet shall not procure one drop of water to cool their tongues, although they be tormented in those hellish flames, as you may read in the example of Dives, Saint Luke 16. 29. and then my loving Keeper, is it not much better with Moses, to choose rather to suffer afflictions with the children of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, and then to go to everlasting torments. And what if you be mocked and pointed at for a Puritan, and be counted a mad man because you separate yourself from the company of blasphemous wretches and abominable drunkards, and do now resolve to serve the living God with an honest heart; nay, what if you should be persecuted and imprisoned for his namesake? Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the Prophets and holy men of God in former times; and so likewise did the Jews persecute our Lord Jesus Christ, and said, he was mad, and had a devil: And if they dealt thus with him our Lord and Master, shall we look for a greater privilege? nay, let us with a holy resolution arm ourselves to encounter with all their temptations; and with the blessed Apostle rejoice that we are accounted worthy in such an honourable cause, and to be made like unto our Saviour Christ in any sort; for he entered into his kingdom of glory through many tribulations. I am a little the more earnest upon this point, because even while I was with you, I fear there were some that did with scoffing and jeering seek to discourage you in those good courses whereunto you were so tractable: But I beseech the Lord of mercy strengthen your faith, that you may not only come secretly unto Christ, as Nicodemus did, but boldly speak to his glory, as Nicodemus did afterwards: And then I trust you shall find great comfort unto your own soul, and cause the Angels in heaven to rejoice; for as our Saviour Christ saith, Luke 15. I say unto you likewise, joy shall be in heaven for one sinner that converteth, more than for ninety and nine just men which need no amendment of life: and so humbly praying to that blessed Lord, that you and yours, and I and mine, may be found in the number of those true repentant sinners: I rest,  
Your loving friend, John Spencer. Braughton Moor, October 2. 1618.  
I pray remember my respective love and thankfulness unto your wife, and desire her, that whatsoever I have written unto you, she will account that as writ to herself, for you two must be but as one. Commend me to M. John Davies, and to M. Knevett, and to M. Preston, and M. Parsons the great Porter.   

M. Commissary  
I hear that you are greatly offended, because many well disposed people came to Cople-Church upon Friday the nine and twentieth of August to pray and to hear the word of God preached; for which heinous fact as you would make it, you and your Officials have so terrified both Preachers and people, as though it were in your power to bring them under the Spanish Inquisition. For my own part therefore to save you some labour in your inquiry after me, I do acknowledge myself to be one of them that was there, and one also that did much desire to further that meeting; and that it was my meaning (and I hope the meaning of many others) to humble our souls that day in fasting and prayer, and to pray to the God of heaven for our gracious King, for we heard the week before that he was sick; and likewise that the Lord would bless his great designs then in hand, and protect his army and navy that was then to set forth to sea: And now Master Commissary, if your heart be so malicious that you cannot endure to have us perform this service to God, and duty to our King, but you and your Officials will persecute and restrain us. Assure yourself, if there be any Law in the land will hang you up for it, at Bedford gallows, I will as eagerly pursue you to that place of execution, as if you had cut the throat of my father, and hewed my eldest son in pieces: And if you and your Officials will maintain your Decrees to be the laws of the Medes and Persians, that may not be broken, though the King and his subjects suffer never so much prejudice by the same; and therefore if upon these extraordinary occasions we make our prayers and supplications unto our God in this manner: We shall be cast into the Commissaries den. I trust that mighty God that did deliver his servant Daniel from the rage of such cruel beasts, will likewise deliver us from the fury of your roaring Cannon; and being thus overcharged, make it recoyle-upon yourselves, and tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you, read Psal. 50. ver. 20. Are you so squint-eyed that you can see to trouble an honest man in Bedford for going to hear a Sermon upon the Sabbath-day in the afternoon in the same town, and when there was none at his own Church, and for more expedition, and for double Fees to cite him, and suspend him altogether; but you cannot or will not see to punish some notorious drunkards and swearers, and Tobackonists, and Tossepots, and whoremongers, and blasphemers, &c. Pocklington or pocky-tongue, who in a public Sermon used this blasphemous speech, enveighing against those that stood for preaching, that he sung a Hopkins jig, and so whipped up into the Pulpit: But I trust when our gracious King is humbly petitioned unto, and his highness, and his Parliament truly informed how his poor subjects are dealt with, I hope his highness will see it redressed, and will not suffer us to be thus vexed and terrified for performing the duty of faithful subjects in this holy course of fasting and prayer, which his highness hath to his everlasting fame so often publicly commanded, and in his royal person so reverently performed; and therefore having such a royal precedent, we will follow it, and do you and your Officials the worst you can, and know this is the resolution of  
John Spencer.   

THis letter I sent to Master Commissary by an understanding man, and wished him if the Commissary gave him a shilling for his pains he should not refuse it, and appointed him to run to Bedford, that I might know the Commissaries answer. The Commissary was a very stout and choleric man, and when he had read the letter he stamped and fumed as if he had been wild, and returned me this answer: That he would justify that he did, and if I had any thing to say to him, I must meet him to morrow at his Court at Ampthill, and so I did; and when he was going to his Court in his pomp, I met him in the street, and asked him if he was the Commissary, and he said, yes: then I told him, I do charge you with suspicion of treason against the King's royal person, and so then commanded the Constables to do their office, and then there was a great hurrye to fro, as if we had been driving an ox to the butcher's stall. He made great offers to put in bail, and that he might go to the Church to take order for the dismissing the Court; but I would give no consent, but told him, I knew not whether he might sit there, being thus attached upon treason; yet he prevailed with the Constables, and they went with him to the Church, and I rode to the Church gate, and sent in the Constable to bring him away, he entreated to have a little longer time to dissolve the Court, and there was such a jubilee and going away without paying Fees, as I think was never seen in all his time before. I hastened him away to go to Sir Edmund Conquests to take order for the sending of him up to the council; and told him that I had charged him with suspicion of treason against the King's royal person; and desired his care to send him up safely by the sheriff, or else to send him to Bedford goal that he might be forthcoming. So Sir Edmund said, he must do one of them, and would have known of me what were the words which he should say; but I answered him, that was not so fit for me to tell, th●t I must make that known to the council, and so made haste towards London; and then I saw Master Commissary and the Constable, and three or four more with him a foot, as though they had been going to hunt the fox: they called unto me, and would have me stayed to see if they could have taken up the business betwixt Master Commissary and I, but I would not come at them, but hastened to my Lord President, and related unto him the business betwixt Master Commissary and I: So his Lordship said, that was somewhat irregular, yet he should not disturb me in my devotion. Master Commissary came up, and some friends laboured to take up the matter betwixt us. Sir Beaucham St. John, and other gentlemen we met in Westminster hall; and after some conference about the business, M. Commissary did solemnly protest that he did not prosecute us because we kept afast, and prayed for the King; but heard that it was so well performed, that if it had been with authority, he would have been at it himself, and then I did acknowledge that I was sorry that I did not apprehend it so: To this effect than we did consult what might be done for the repairing of Master Commissaries reputation: so we resolved that Master Commissary should put in a bill against me, and I should not plead against it, and so a writ of enquiry should go out to inquire what damage this was to Master Commissary; and he promised me, if they gave him two hundred pound, he would not take a penny of it: so he put in two bills of complaint what great damage he was put unto; and whereas before he was well esteemed of noblemen and gentlemen now they eschew his company, whereunto I made this short answer:  
When M. Commissary shall clear himself of the suspicion of treason against the King's royal person, and clear his bill of untruths: I hoped I should be at more leisure to make a longer answer, in the mean time desired to be dismissed of the honourable court; so they gave him a hundred pound damage, which I tendered unto him, and he told it, and put it up again every penny; I gave him a piece of plate with two hearts joined together, and this inscription, Amantium ira amoris, redintigratio est: and so we continued very loving friends to his death; and he told a gentlewoman of great worth, his loving neighbour, that never any affliction did him so much good to commiserate this trouble and vexation that he had done to others, and so grew one of the best Commissaries, and died lamented.   

A Copy of a Letter to Sir Oliver Luke Knight, when he was high sheriff.  
SIr,  
the blessed Apostle having used that vehement entreaty unto the Romans, to dedicate themselves to the service of God, chapter the 12. In the next verse he doth second that entreaty, with this excellent exhortation: And fashion not yourselves like unto this world, but be ye changed by the renewing of your minds, that you may prove what that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God is.  
Whereupon I beseech you give me leave to make this profitable application to you in particular, whom it hath pleased God to call now unto an office of great dignity in the common wealth. And humbly I beseech him likewise to give you a wise heart to manage it to his glory, and the good of his Church, and the comfort of your own soul: and that you may so do, take heed you do not fashion yourself like unto this world, not like to a worldly sheriff, especially in these two things, neither in your Officers nor in your Attendancy, for it is oft the custom of carnal minded sheriffs to receive there under officers by tradition whatsoever their condition be; but I pray be not you in that fashion, but follow that grave and holy direction that Jethro gave to Moses, Exod. the 18. the 21. Moreover, provide thou amongst all thy people men of courage, fearing God, men dealing truly, hating covetousness, and therefore I pray make a diligent inquisition amongst your officers, and if you find one lewd bailiff in all your pack let him be discarded, and an honest man put in his place; again, it is the fashion of many vain glorious Sheriffs to exceed so in the number of their attendants, and in their excessive entertainments, that they are forced either to end their house keeping with their office, or else to lay such heavy burdens and wracking rents upon their tenant, as gives them just cause to lament the prodigality of their landlord's Sherivalty seven years after; but I beseech you take heed you be not in any sort drawn to like of this fashion, neither by the instigation of others, nor by the secretary offers of your honourable friends which at this time it may be will be too forward to add fuel to the flame of your one ambition; but I pray consider your own revenue is very competent both for your own rank, and for the support of that office which is imposed upon you, and thanks be unto God for it, Master Oliver Luke is well known and well esteemed of in the country without the liveries of great men's favoures, and therefore I pray stand firm upon your own bottom, and let your own virtues make you still to be honoured, and not your excess lamented, and in my poor conceit it is more for your reputation to show yourself in the habit of true judgement and moderation, and attended with your own servants, then to increase your number with borrowed companies and deck your troops with the gay feathers of other birds. Again consider you are to entertain Judges of the land, men of wisdom and gravity, and such as should punish excess and prodigality as well as theft and usury; besides these times are so peaceable that they need not such troops of horse or Squandrons' of foot to guard their persons nor such pomp nor bravery to divert their mind from the better consideration of these great and serious employments that they are to go about.  
Lastly in the fear of God lay this consideration well to your heart, how unseasonable & unseemly a thing it is to make that a time of feasting, and outward jollity, which should be a time rather of fasting and mourning, wherein both Magistrate, and people should bewail their own sins and the sins of the land, which at such times are so apparent, and for the which many of their Christian brethren do suffer such heavy judgements; and therefore if we were in the right fashion, we should weep with those that weep, and remember those that are in bonds as though we were bound with them, and those that are in affliction as if you were also afflicted, with them, Heb. 13. 3. Thus did that noble Magistrate Ezra fast and mourn for the sins of the people and thus did David Samuel the 1. the 3. the 35. and therefore what great cause is there for our Magistrates to fast and mourn when they hear of so many thefts and murders and abominable sins committed in our streets, and for the which the Lord might justly bring his fearful judgements upon the whole land. And thus good Sir Oliver through the Lord's mercy, you may see that they are very preposterous in their house, & show great want of true judgement and christian-like affection that think these fit times for feastings, pomp and outward bravery. And therefore I beseech you take heed unto your own heart, and let neither the vain examples nor the violent persuasions of vain glorious men, draw you into their vain errors, but evermore remember that most holy saying, and righteous censure of our Saviour Christ, Saint Luke 16. 15. That which is highly esteemed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God, and therefore hold fast that word of truth and follow the holy directions thereof which is able to make you wise unto salvation, and both in these and all other your affairs first prove what that good acceptable and perfect will of God is, and do that with all diligence, and then assure yourself if you should fail of this fading honour that they so eagerly hunt after, yet you shall have everlasting honour in the sight of God, and of his glorious angels in the kingdom of heaven. Amen Lord Jesus. Amen.  
Staughton More, Anno. 1617. From him that would be glad if either his pen or his person might do you that good service he desires. John Spencer.   

A Copy of a letter to his brother Nicholas Spencer, to dissuade him from his inordinate delight he took in cockfighting, which soon after he happily and absolutely gave over.  
IT is said of the churlish inn-keeper of Bethlehem Luke 2. 7. who entertained so many guests in the inn, that the virgin Mary and our blessed Saviour, were thrust out into the stable, because there was no room for them in the inn: but let us in in the fear of God take heed of such Jewish tricks, lest in the end we force our Saviour Christ to leave us in the fight of our sins, and ingratitute, and then it will cost us many a grievous sigh, many mournful tears before we find him again, read Cant. 5. 6. Nay, so woeful shall our estate be that it shall be never out of our mind: and now out of my brotherly love unto you I must admonish you of that bewitching and vain pleasure of Cockfighting, wherein you are so strangely transported that both myself and many of your faithful friends with grief of heart discern a great alteration in your affections to those courses of religion wherein heretofore you have showed yourself more forward and zealous. I beseech ye in the fear of God consider to be a stunling in religion is a fearful thing, but to go ten degrees backward with Ezekiah's dial is most intolerable; alas shall we begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh, shall we be snch greedy elves in our pleasure, sell those heavenly joys and blessed hope of our heavenly inheritance for a mess of vain delights: Oh consider how far we are from the holy zeal of those blessed Saints in Queen Mary's days, that forsook both their goods, wives, and children for the glory of God and the safety of their souls: What vain wretches shall we approve ourselves to be, if we will not forsake our vain pleasures? It is not your fair house, nor your children, nor loving wife I persuade you to forsake, it is the vain and unprofitable sport of cockfighting, which brings ruin to your state, and the endangering of your everlasting happiness: and therefore if either a desire to preserve your estate, or to preserve your everlasting inheritance might prevail, my suit were soon granted. But it may be you will say, if I can prove this you will give over cockfighting; Well, upon that condition I will take some pains to make it manifest: First, to the matter of the ruin of your state, I refer you to the examination of your particular expenses of those occasions, and I pray let Sir William Dyers ruinate estate be a means to make you take heed by other men's harms; for the matter of discontentment I appeal to no other judge then your loving wife, which can tell you what discomforts she often times finds in your long absence, & the dangers that doth fright her when she considers that you are in the company of such swaggering companions, for the latter which is the main point I purpose to insist upon being a matter of such high concernment, first because you make that a cause of your jollity and merriment, which should be a cause of your grief and godly sorrow, for you take delight in the enmity and cruelty of the creatures, which was laid upon them for the sin of man, for the earth was accursed with thorns and briers for our sins, and therefore the bloodshedding of the creatures should rather teach us to shed tears for our sins: thus did Saint Peter when he heard the Cock crow he went out and wept bitterly: I would to God you Cock-masters would make that use of these Cocks. Secondly it is dangerous unto your soul in regard of the time that you misspend, for if ye must give an account of every idle word that we speak Matth. 12. 36. How much more of idle hours and days, and if you did keep as strict an account as you do of your household expenses you should at the week's end see what a heavy reckoning you should make when you shall see before your eyes thus many hours of such a day and so many days of such a week, I have spent in my vain delights, and thus few hours in the service of my God; well, howsoever we are loath to come to this account now, yet we shall be one day, brought to it whether we will or no. Thirdly it is dangerous to your soul in regard of the company with whom you do converse who for the most part are either swearers drunkards, or licentious people, now if it be most true that the prophet saith Psal. 18. 25. With the holy, thou shalt be holy, and with a perfect man thou shalt be perfect. Then on the contrary it must needs be, that with the wicked we shall learn wickedness, and with the profane we shall learn profanes, for it is a hard matter to handle pitch and not to be defield with it, or to lie among thorns and not be pricked with them, as the Prophet saith 2. Sam. 23. 6, 7. But the wicked shall be every one as thorns thrust away because they cannot be taken with hands, but the man that shall touch them must be defenced with iron, or with the shaft of a spear, and they shall be burnt with fire in the same place. therefore dear brother, if you did rightly consider of the hateful and infectious quality of the wicked, it will make you stand upon thorns while you are in their company and to bewail the hardness of your heart which hath not felt them such pricking thorns all this while.  
Lastly it is dangerous to your soul in making your soul guilty of many other men's sins, by drawing away many a poor man from his honest labour whereby he should maintain his wife and children, to spend his time and money in such an idle manner, but also you are guilty of many great men's sins whilst you see and hear the glorious Name of God dishonoured, and dare not, or will not reprove for the same, consider what the Psalmist saith. 50. 16. But unto the wicked said God, what hast thou to do to declare mine ordinances, that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth, seeing thou hatest to be reformed, and hast cast my words behind thee? For when thou seest a thief, thou runnest with him, and thou art partakers with the adulterers. vers. 22. O consider ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you. Now therefore I beseech you observe that those that run with the wicked and are partakers with the ungodly in their wicked delights are those whom the Lord shall tear in pieces: thus you see that not only the wicked themselves, but also their associates and partakers shall be torn in pieces in the day of God's fearful wrath: O consider this, sweet meat must have sour sauce, and then I trust through the Lord's great mercy you will utterly refuse it upon those terms: for what were it to gain the whole world and to lose our souls.  
But to conclude if neither persuasions nor exhortations may prevail with you to break the neck of your cockfighting pleasures, consider well with yourself that the Lord hath put you as it were into the cockpit of the round world to fight his battle against the flesh, the world and the devil, the strongest striking, the sorest hitting, and the cunningest fighting Cock in the world, who is only to be wounded with the spurs of faith and piety, and that all those that will overcome in this battle must be thoroughly fed with the word of God, and daily breath with prayer and, meditation, whereby they strengthen their faith, and sharpen the spurs of their holy zeal: and those that neglect this means let them brag never so much upon their own dunghill, yet when it comes to a sound trial they will prove themselves to be brand fallen Cravens, and likewise consider that every hour idly spent, and every vain word that proceeds out of your mouth is as it were vain to your soul: and all unlawful pleasures like hovels upon the spurs of your devotion: and then with wisdom consider what an unlikely, or rather impossible a thing it is for a poor famished Cock pitifully vained and thus hung and hovelled to overcome a Cock of that wonderful strength and devilish spirit that you are matched withal. Again suppose that those that sit in the lower ring of the cockpit are the devils and wicked Spirits, and those that sit in the upper ring of the cockpit are the glorious Angels and blessed Saints, both beholding this doubtful battle, though with contrary affections, the angels rejoicing when they see you fight this spiritual battle like a good soldier of Jesus Christ, the wicked Spirits wohping and hallowing when they see you strike faint, fight like a Craven, and fall beastly, and hear dear brother that we make ourselves a laughing stock to this wicked spirits: let us pray unto our Lord Jesus Christ to strengthen our faith and to assist us with his grace that we may resist the devil and make him fly from us and in the end tread Satan underfoot and give us a crown of immortal glory. Amen Lord Jesus.  
From your truly loving brother though he deals thus plainly with you. John Spencer.   

GOod Sir Robert Carr,  
I have received your letter and do acknowledge my thankfulness unto you, that you are pleased to have so good opinion of me and my endeav, to commit your brother unto my care and ordering and that all things accommodate unto my desire at Steeford, but I must entreat you that I may be spared for my coming to undertake care of him, so far remoted from my family, I have my hands full of such dangerous employments; again I hear there are suits in law betwixt you & his mother my Lady Carr who should I think have the custody of him, and therefore matters standing upon those litigious terms I should be loath to meddle with him, but if you would bring him into this country I should be glad to do you the best service I can, and the rather because his mother is very willing to commit him to my care: but if my directions may do you or him any pleasure, I have sent them unto you, and desire you to employ Master Dixie that hath lived with me and is acquainted with his courses: and so I beseech the Lord to bless these or any other good means to yield him comfort. I take my leave and rest,  
Desirous to do you service. JOHN SPENCER.   

The direction for Master Rochester Carr.  
Our help is in the Name of the Lord that made heaven and earth.  
First therefore let that blessed Lord be humbly fought unto by fasting and prayer.  
Secondly let the distressed gentleman be removed from his own house unto some other convenient place well situate for air, and spacious fields: to walk in and to do other exercises.  
Thirdly, settle with him a religious discreet Divine that may constantly pray with him and read unto him evening and morning, and upon all good occasions to keep him company.  
Fourthly, place about him six honest servants men of good discretion and resolution that may be ready upon all occasions to aid and assist in the well ordering of him according to the dirrections of him that shall undertake the government of him, to watch with him, to ride with him, and to exercise with him in shooting or bowling or any other exercise that shall be thought fit for him.  
Fiftly, let them be very careful and take heed that there be no knives, nor swords, nor any wounding instruments left in the rooms wherein he comes, nor worn by others, that he may suddenly snatch at them for their temptations are many times very violent and their resolution sudden and desperate.  
Sixtly let his apparel be decent and comely of cloth or plain stuff without lace or any such curious trimming, and let his attendants give him no titles of honour but in civility call him Master Rotchester or Master Carr, and when he doth any thing well, then to show the more respect unto him: but other wise to slight him, as those that are set over him to command him, and not to be commanded by him.  
Seventhly, let his diet be sparing and moderate, rather to support nature then to pomper the flesh: veal, lamb, pheasant, larks: smelts, trouts, pike, perch, also let him fast often and pray much, let him refrain from all kind of wines and strong drink, if you can by any means, let him sleep six or seven hours in the four and twenty and not above.  
Eightly, let him be held constantly to prayer, and reading an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening, and if the weather be fitting and his strength answerable let him walk a mile out right in the morning and evening and if you find him inclining to a sottish humer put an armour upon him and beat a drum before him and let one attire himself like a captain and put on his gorget and a plume of feathers in his hat & a truncheon in his hand and make to march and exercise his arms, or else set him upon a bounding horse and trot the ring and run a career: and in these martial exercises let the captain command him as his soldier, and if he finds him peevish and froward give him a good knock upon his helmet, and if he find him willing and tractable then to commend and praise him.  
Ninthly, for matter of physic, you must advise with some learned Physician that doth well understand the nature of the disease, and the constitution of his body; for otherwise he may be prodigal of blood-letting, and the want of blood may increase his melancholy: he must likewise take heed of strong vomits, that strain the head, and distemper the brain; in my opinion bathing, and sweating, and bleeding with horseleeches the safer way.  
Lastly, because these maladies and distempers are accompanied with a great deal of peevish crossness, and wilful obstinacy, and a great part of the cure stands in the right crossing of them from those froward and furious humours, which will require great patience, and good observation; for the general, use all fair means you can devise to gain them to the good, and divert them from the ill: but if that will not prevail, you must have patience and pass it over as though you took no notice of it; but if it comes once to this, that they do perceive that you go about to cross them, and that you are in opposition and contesting with them, than you must follow it with all importunity, and resolution to subdue them, and compel them to do it; but be sure you take them with such advantages that you prevail, otherwise the attempting of it will prove dangerous to yourself, and make them more outrageous and insolent.  
 
Postscript.  
Master Dixie I pray be careful to see these directions well performed, and then I hope you will well deserve to have twenty pound a year for your pains, otherwise I would be loath to persuade you to undertake such a dangerous employment.   

A copy of a Letter to a virtuous Gentlewoman greatly afflicted in mind, which it pleased God to give unto her great comfort.  
BLessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, which comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we might be able to comfort them that are in any affliction by the comfort where with we ourselves are are comforted of God: and humbly I beseech that gracious Lord that he will vouchsafe for his dear son Jesus Christ his sake to open your eyes that you may behold those unspeakable mercies and comforts that he will in his appointed time give unto all those that do fear his holy name and call upon him faithfully. x I have lately received, your letter wherein you do acknowledge that when I was with you it pleased God you found some comfort, praised be his holy name for it, but since you have been very ill and so remain, some causes you show for the same, because you cannot be assured of the favour of God towards you, the reasons that you allege, because you find so small comfort in prayer and in hearing of the word. Secondly because of your fearful temptations both past and still continuing: these as I take it are your chief reasons, & being rightly understood they will prove so many sound arguments, to prove that you never had so good cause to rest assured of God's favour towards you, nor ever had so many testimonies of his everlasting mercies towards you as you have now, that afflictions, chastisements and temptations are the signs of God's favour, and the marks of his children, I pray consider what the holy Apostle saith Hebrews the 12. the 5. the 6. my son despise not the chastening of the Lord neither faint when thou art rebuked of him, for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and he scourgeth every son that he receiveth: and mark how he concludes in the eight verse, if therefore ye be without correction, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons, is it not strange that you should vex and torment yourself, because the devil cannot prove you a bastard, but it may be you may say it is not thus in your judgement, but then know that it is not fit for you to be a Judge in you own cause, but submit yourself unto the Judgement of God's word, which is the word of truth. And believe his holy Apostles that knew how to judge in those cases better than you, and they will testify that we have cause rather to rejoice then any wise to be discouraged with afflictions and temptations: Saint Peter 1. 2 My brethren count it exceeding joy when ye fall into temptations, and the blessed Apostle Saint Paul when he was tempted and grievously buffeted by Satan, for the which thing he besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from him, but what was he presently released? no but received this answer from the Lord, and he said unto me my grace is sufficient for thee, for my power is made perfect through weakness, and what was the blessed man dismayed with this answer or concluded as you would do that he was out of the favour of God because his prayer was not granted? no such matter but rather doth conclude greater comfort and assurance, very gladly therefore saith he, will I rejoice in my infirmities that the power of Christ may dwell in me therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguish for Christ sake, for when I am weak then am I strong, thus you may see how the Apostle out of Daniel gathereth matter of comfort, and out of his own weakness increaseth great strength of faith, and thus must you do in these fearful temptations not so much as cast your eyes upon your own weakness, nor upon the strength and power of your malicious enemy, but you must look up with the eye of faith unto our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ who is in the highest heavens, and whose grace is sufficient for us, and he it is who hath triumphed over sin, death and damnation, and hath tramped underfoot all the enemies of our salvation: and therefore with the holy Prophet say, The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom then shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom then shall I be afraid?  
Now concerning your discomfort in hearing the word, because you take so small comfort in the promises, and are so much terrified with the judgements, This I take it proceeds partly from the error of your judgement in misse-aplying the same, and partly from the malice of Satan who evermore labours to drive us into extremities either with Eve not to fear the judgements of God at all, or else with Cain to think our punishment greater than we can bear, but even from your weakness, and from Satan's malice doth the Lord draw out that which may tend to his glory, and to your great comfort, and hereby I trust he hath broken up the fallow grounds of your heart and brought you to godly sorrow for your sins so that I do assure myself, within this short time of your afflictions; more repentant tears have been put up into the Lord's bottle then in many years before, & account not this as a small blessing nor pass it over with a slight thankfulness, but take special notice of it, assure yourself, this fair will not last all the year, and the time will come when you will desire to see these tears of contrition and shall not see them, no though you seek them with fasting and prayer, and that you may the better conceive how blessed their estate is that have a contrite heart and sorrowful spirit, I pray consider of that wonderful comfortable promise of the Lord, Isaiah. 57 15. For thus saith he that is high and excellent, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is the holy one, I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to give life unto them that are of a contrite heart, who would think themselves most happy that had a heart fit to entertain that glorious guest, thus likewise doth the holy prophet testify Psal. 34. 13. The Lord is near unto them that are of a contrite heart and will save such as are afflicted in spirit and our blessed Saviour in whose mouth was no guile, he saith blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted, and in the 16 of S. John verse the 20 Verily, verily I say unto you ye shall weep and lament, and the world shall rejoice, and ye shall sorrow, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy, a woman when she traveleth hath sorrow because her hour is come, but as soon as she is delivered of the child she remembreth no more the anguish for joy a man is borne into the world, and you now therefore are in sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice and your joy, shall no man take from you. Thus you may see this godly sorrow, is but as the throes of our spiritual birth in Christ, which although it may be somewhat grievous for a time yet when we see ourselves thereby borne again of water, and the spirit, and so made able to enter into the kingdom of heaven, oh how joyful and comfortable should this make us to be, many would with Zebedee's sons sit one at the right hand, the other at the left hand of our Saviour Christ in his kingdom, but they are loath to taste of this cup, but let us know assuredly that as he is entered into his kingdom of glory, through many tribulations, so must we follow him thorough many tribulations if ever we will come there; you are now in the way be not weary of well doing, nor turn not back till you come to that holy resting place, and that you may finish your course with joy and comfort, be diligent in prayer, and observe a constant course therein evening and morning and at noon days, and as often as you find your affliction to press and oppress your soul, then make your moan unto your merciful God and power out your souls before him, and especially bewail wicked thoughts and vain lusts where withal you heretofore so mnch delighted yourself, and labour to mourn in secret for them, and likewise all other secret sins, and that your prayers may be more fervent, add thereunto the holy use of moderate fasting, and this I trust through the Lord's mercy, you shall find an excellent means to recover yourself unto your spiritual cheerfulness again, and be not discouraged from these holy exercises though Satan strive neversomuch to vex and terrify you: nay though you fear the Lord is angry with you, nay though you knew that assuredly, yet pray with the Psasmist. Psal. 80. 5. O Lord God of hosts how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people.  
Secondly having in this holy manner recomended your soul and body unto God in prayer wait upon him with a quiet mind, assuring yourself that now the Lord is to take care of you and therefore cast your care upon him, and so with a settled resolution dispose of yourself unto some profitable employments fitting for your calling, and this course the Prophet David took Psal. the 5. 3. hear my voice in the morning, O Lord, for in the morning will I direct me unto thee, and I will wait: and what good success those have that do thus attend, we may read in the Psalm. 147. 11. But the Lord delighteth in them that fear him and attend upon his mercy.  
Thirdly labour for meekness of heart and an humble spirit, for where this grace is in some reasonable manner attained there the heart of affliction doth break away apace, and the danger thereof of is little to be feared, for our blessed Saviour hath pronounced a double blessedness unto such Matthew the 5. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven, blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. And the want thereof hath driven many in their desperate fury, to lose their inheritance both in heaven and earth.  
Fourthly take heed of moderate grief, and violent passions, which at this time is very unseasonable, though easily fallen into; and therefore watch over your own heart diligently and do not entertain so much as a sorrowful sigh into your heart except it be for your sin, nor an impatient word into your lips except it be when you see God dishonoured, and then speak zealously and spare not: and furthermore you must be contented to be admonished of these infirmities by your Christian friends with whom you do converse, for it may be they may discern these things amiss in you when you do not discern it in yourself being overwhelmed with the pleasing humour of Sottish melancholy.  
Lastly, that you may well remember it, you must by all means possible strive to serve the Lord with a cheerful heart and a willing mind, for the Lord loveth a cheerful giver, and especially in matters of his holy worship: therefore when you come to hear his holy word, to fast, to pray, to religious conference or any other holy duty, strive to do it cheerfully, and to rejoice even in your very tears, for I can tell you that is a good cause to make both you and others rejoice it; may be you think it strange, but read what Saint Paul saith to his entirely beloved Timothcus and then I hope you will say I am in the right, desiring to see thee mindful of thy tears that I might be filled with joy. 2. of Timothy the 1. 6. And for neglect of this duty the Lord doth threaten many heavy Judgements against the children of Israel, Deut. 28. 47. Because thou servest not thy Lord thy God with joyfulness and a good heart for the abundance of all things therefore thou shalt serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send upon thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in need of all things. And thus according to my simple understanding I have satisfied your request in setting down some directions humbly beseeching that mighty and glorious God who giveth wisdom to the simple, and worketh great effects by weak means to give such a blessing unto my poor endeavours that his great power may be seen in my weakness, that you may find such comfort to your soul, and such peace to your conscience, that hereafter you may tell unto others the great mercies that the Lord hath showed unto you in the days of your affliction; and therefore say with the Prophet, lo this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us, this is the Lord we have waited for him we will rejoice and be joyful in his salvation. Amen Lord Jesus. Amen.  
From him that would willingly exchange some of his comforts for some of your sorrows, and some of his best delights for some your repentant tears. John Spencer.   

MAster Frankling, a man of great worth, almost a thousand pound a year, fell into a wonderful melancholy and distraction for seven years, his eyes closed up, his mouth closed up, his hands closed up, so that he was like a dead corpse, and almost famished, he was with Master Nappier that famous Physician about a year and a half, but could not prevail with him: some two years after he returned unto his own house, he fell into a strange humour of eating, and drinking wine and strong ale, and it is almost uncredible to report how much he did devour in a day and night: but this putting strength into him, he grew very outrageous, and fell a-burning, and fighting, and greatly endangered the killing of his servants, and the burning of his house; and than my brother Master Gery that married Master Frankl●ngs sister, entreated me to go unto him: I told him my opinion was as it was before, that he must be removed from that house, and have some others placed about him that would follow other directions; my brother was desirous still to have me go to see him, so with his importunity I went▪ and took with me Master Jones, a grave Preacher, and one that had taken great pains with him: we found him in a great chamber the glass windows broken down, and one chair, another afterwards was brought, we sat down, my intention being at this time only to observe his carriage, he was in a slight suit, hardly worth five shillings, like Irish trousers, without a band, the hair of his head on both sides being rubbed off, and standing with his back to a great fire, and looking so terribly, that he would have terrified a man that was not acquainted with furious objects: so having spent some half an hour in observing of him, Master Jones very respectively rose up and put off his hat, and made his apology to Master Franklin because he did not come to see him, for he went to Thurly: but he slighted him, and would make him no answer. Then I spoke to him, and said, Master Franklin you are much beholding to Master Jones for his great care of you, but he swelled up, and said unto me, Sirrah how dare you speak thus unto me? And I saw it was now time for me to get me out of my chair, and because he should see that I was not daunted at his speeches, I drew nearer, and said, Who are you that I must not speak unto you? And thereupon he suddenly darted off the hearth, and with his filthy nails raked over my face, and tore my ruff; so I was so engaged that I must win the horse, or lose the saddle; but it pleased God to give me such strength, that (closing with him) I threw him down, and got his hand and swaked it to the boards, and called for a knife to pare his nails, but he would then have set upon my face with his teeth; I was fain then to lose one of my hands, and take him by the throat, and with all my strength throttle him, but he made a hideous noise, and cried to his brothers to help him, so one of them came and took me off, and then I washed my face; for I had not lost so much blood in any fray since I was at the siege of Ostend: Afterwards he would be friends with me, for he knew that I did it as a soldier of Ostend: A while after there was a meeting of divers justices of Peace and other gentlemen and there he was delivered unto me as by virtue of a commission out of the Court of wards, and so we removed him to another place and set other attendants about him and gave other directions: and so after a short time he rode abroad a hunting and coursing, and grew into great jollity, and married my Lady Charnock's daughter, a brave and virtuous young gentlewoman, by whom he had one daughter and is lately dead.  
And another beautiful young woman one Wapoole's daughter of Southoe near Huntington and one Master Beadles Son falling in love with her and intending to marry her, but after his father perceived it he would not give his consent, because her father was not able to give a portion according to his estate, whereupon she fell into great discontentment and fell distracted, and wandering from her father's house in the depth of winter, and in great floods, towards evening she came to my house, and being in the porch, made a strange kind of noise: I went to see her, and she was wet and moiled as though she had been dragged thorough a river, I feared at first she had coundterfeited and thought of sending her to the constable, but afterward I had more pity on her and caused her to be brought to the fire, and got some warm drinks and a warm lodging, and so with in some few days, it pleased God she was so well amended, that she was able to declare unto me where her father dwelled, and related unto me this pitiful story of her love: after she was able to do some business I sent to her father to fetch her home, he was glad when he heard she was living, for they did think she had been drowned in the great floods; when her father came we had been at prayers, and I was reading a chapter: when her father came in the young woman looked upon him very earnestly, but would neither speak nor do any reverence unto him, I used many persuasions to her, but could not prevail, I sent out her father into another room, but it would not be: then I called for pincers and opened her mouth, and dealt very roughly with her, as though I would have plucked out her teeth, but it would not be: then I took a Bible and bade her read the first commandment, and then she fell a reading and into a passion of weeping, and afterward spoke to her father, her father entreated me that she might stay with me a while longer, and so she did, and returned to her father, and so went up to London where she had two uncles rich men.  
A Joiner and his wife being much perplexed in mind: came over to me, it pleased God in short time to send them comfort: some year after their maid fell into great terror of mind, she sat up late to attend her dames child and there would appear unto her a Spirit (as she term) it like a cat, and would dance about her: I told her it might be it was a cat, she said it spoke to her, I asked her what it said to her, she said, come follow me, than she would cry out, and her master rose and went to prayer with her, but the maid was so troubled that she was almost at her wit's end, and her hands and her face so swelled that they glistered, it pleased God within few days to send her comfort and she returned to her master, and I never heard that she was terrified with the cat since.  
One charity of the same town fell into great terror of mind, her husband brought her over to my house and made great moan for her, I inquired if she was not fierce and dangerous, he told me no; but only trouble of mind: I lodged her that night with one of me servauts, in the night she fell into a fit, and set upon the maid, and almost bit of one of her fingers; the next day I sent her to Saint needs with a servant of mine called godly John, a strong man, who went with her to Saint needs to have her let blood; but as they returned she leapt into a pond, and godly John had much a a do to get her out; but it pleased God she grew well and came to Lady Luke to give her thanks: my Lady Luke had entreated my care of mad Bell that came from London, but I told my Lady, that we had been with charity.  
A great Lady falling into great melancholy, and distracted, and having attempted divers ways to make herself away, the devil did put one strange temptation upon her, as they related to me: she had caused her maid that did attend upon her to bring up good store of wood, and laid it under her bed, and watched a time when her maid was gone down, and locked the door, and made a great fire, and then unclothed her to her naked body, and kneeled down near the flame, and was very earnest in her devotions; the fire being great, made a great smoke, which some perceiving, came to the door, and broke it open, and demanded what she meant to do with herself; she answered she made trial of herself how she could endure the flames of fire if persecution should come for the profession of the Gospel: her husband left her with me some month, and then it pleased God she went away much amended, and comforted. A temptation accompanied with a zeal for the Gospel is hardly to be resisted. The Virgins in the Primitive Church, rather than they would be dishonoured and deflowered by the heathen, would murder themselves; it was their sin, though a zeal, but not according to knowledge.  
Mistress Clements, that married the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, fell into a dangerous melancholy, and burning fever, and terror of conscience, and grew very weak, and past all hope of life; the Bishop and her husband sent for me to come over to her, if ever I would see her alive, for they were persuaded if any man could do her good, I was the man: it was a long journey, and I was loath to go upon such hopeless terms; well, I went and found her very weak, and almost famished, for her throat was so furred with heat, that we could hardly get a spoonful of broth down; I saw that it was grown to that desperate state, her Physicians having left her, I caused a bath to be made of milk and cool herbs, and being in a goodly large room, in the castle caused them to make a good fire, and take her out of her bed, and put her into the bath, and bathe her head and her stomach well, and after some few days, using this means; it pleased God to bless it so, that she could take down her broth, and in a short time came into the chapel to make her prayers unto God, and to give him thanks; but I told them though she had recovered her health, yet this did not cure her mind: and therefore within some few months after, the Bishop and his Lady sent her husband with her to my house in her Lady's chariot, and left her with me; and so within half a year it pleased God to send her much comfort, and now she is very cheerful and comfortable.  
John Crawly of Luton a yeoman's only son of good worth, and Judge Crawly's kinsman, upon some unkind speeches which his father gave him, fell into great melancholy, and attempted to drowned himself, but help came in before he was drowned, and then he strove to famish himself, he was sent unto Chesford in a Cart, and then to my house to keep him from famishing; I took a strange course in feeding him, and do the more willingly declare the manner thereof, that other Physicians may do the like in case of such extremity. I prepared a wheelbarrow, a homely engine, yet very useful for this purpose, for the shafts gave good advantage of the binding of his legs and his arms and putting some hay in the bottom of it, and so his head might lean backward, and we stand about him, then gagged his mouth to keep it open, and four or five with napkins and towels as though we were going to dress a Hog, made them ply his mouth with pouring in milk or posset drink which he would as freely cast up again into our faces and moil us pitifully; but which did the deed, I poured milk into his nostrils and that falling, more backward upon the gullet of his throat, and that passed down, and so fed him divers days and kept him from famishing, and then to make him speak I caused a great fire to be made and bound his arms, behind him, and a spit thorough his arms and held him down to the fire a basting stick and butter to baste him and made him believe we would roast him but he endured a great deal of heat, but it came not to blistering, and my son said unto me, father let us but roast his head to night for the disease lies in his head, so at the last he spoke, and then we took him from the fire, and that night he took his rest well, and in the morning spoke to my wife and asked for his breakfast, and kneeled down to his prayers and read his chapter, and went to the church and behaved himself so orderly that I never saw any in such a desperate estate to mend so much in a short time, and so returned unto his father, and is a more active man and of better discourse than ever he was.  
Margaret Russell a yeoman's daughter of good worth a young woman and very beautiful, fell into a great melancholy, and attempting to make herself away she was in love with a Baker and the Brownistes had tamperd, with her fell likewise into a humour to famish herself, with whom I took the like course to feed her; she was a woman of that strength and nimbleness of her joints as I seldom are met with the like, she was very resolute to famish herself so I was careful to break the points of the knives: but, Except the Lord keepeth the city the watchman watcheth but in vain. For our harvest cart coming home and many of our neighbours with the same we went to prayer and song a psalm as our usual custom was, they fell unto such cheer as it pleased God to bless us withal, and the table being being furnished, Margaret Russell sat down at the table end upon a threshold near the store house, and he that attended her being set at the table, and making merry with our neighbours, my wife and I being in another room with some other young women: Alice Pentlow, my wife's servant, having been at the market, and put on her holy day girdle and knife that had a sharp point, she went into the store house to cut some victuals, and brought a piece of pastry in her hand Margaret Russell made an haighing, and held out her hand as though she would have the pasty but when she was within her reach she snatch at her knife, and Alice made a pitiful screech and cried out Margot, Margot, and held the knife in her hand as fast as she could but the other being to strong for her stabbed herself twice into the throat so I run into the hall and wrenched the knife out of her hand, and one of them was directly upon the throat, as if one had sticked a pig, and bled grievously and we expected her death presently: and therefore kneeled down and prayed unto God for her, and did earnestly entreat her to cry unto God for mercy; but she seemed not to regard it, but rather forced herself to make it bleed more I wished them to bring her to the hall door and give her air, and there we kneeled about her at last I bid on bring me a mallow stalk and search the wound, and found it slip along by her wind pipe and so used some means to staunch the bleeding and healed the wound: within few days she went home with her father, and after grew into great bravery: and I hear is lately richly married, and that her father gave her two hundred pound, the Lord give her grace to repent of her sins, and praise him for this merciful preservation.    

A discourse of mad Dogs, and the danger of their biting, with some directions to cure the same.  
I Came to Cambridge to my brother's Master Edward Spencer's, as I take it, upon a Friday towards the evening, that night I went not into bed, but towards morning fell asleep, and was much troubled with a dream, that I was at the receiving of the Sacrament, and when the Minister delivered the bread he was taken suddenly in such a manner, that he could not come at us, I was much troubled to think what we should do in such a case; but it pleased God I waked, and then was free of that fear. My brother came presently after, and desired me to go with him to see a friend, that could not live but till eight of the clock, it was Master Twells his son, that was then Major, my brother told me a strange discourse of the manner of his sickness, about a month before had a little dog that bit him by the finger and repelled the skin and bled a little and healed up again the little dog grew mad, upon wednesday the young man found him very ill, and went to two or three of the chiefest Doctors of physic, and they used their best endeavours but could not prevail, but the young man grew worse; when I came into his chamber I found his mother weeping, and lamenting, and two or three attending on him: he was a proper tall young man, spoke strongly, and very religiously, with great apprehension of the joys of heaven: oh, that some good man would further me, with their prayers, I saw him so well disposed desired his father to send for some Divines to pray with him: but he desired me to satisfy his desire since he made the motion to me, and so rather than it should not be done I prayed with him, the young man seemed to be greatly affected therewith and made great expressions of his joy and comfort: he was very hot and dry but durst not drink for then he thought he should presently die: and now let me tell you something that hath relation to my troublesome dream, the morning before I came young Master Twels was very desirous to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's supper and resolved to drink the wine though he died for it, and so the Sacrament was administered unto him, and they thought some of the wine went down, but they had much a do to keep life in him: I told his father that I feared he would fall into more extremities, but advised them not to bind him for that would make him worse: but I told my brother that if his sickness grew upon this occasion he would be mad, I would have made him a bath of milk and plunged him in it over head and ears and let it run in at his mouth at his nose and his ears, and in this desperate case put it to that adventure, for otherwise there was no hope: but they had sent that morning to a skilful man, to advise with, and was loath to make trial of it till they heard from him, and I was loath to press it in such a desperate case; so in the afternoon I returned home: but my brother told me that night he fell into a great rage and madness, and in his fits barked like a mad dog: but some hour or two before he died, it pleased God to restore him to his senses again, and he spoke very religiously, and prayed earnestly unto God to pardon his sins, so departed. Now to give some directionsin such dangerous cases: first, pray unto the God of heaven to bless the means, and if the party so bitten with a mad dog be near the Sea let them with all speed throw him into the Sea water and plunge him over head and ears and wash the wounds thoroughly with the Sea water, if that cannot be had, then take the liver of the mad dog and make poridg of it and let them eat the liver and the broth as long as it lasteth, and take the hair of the mad dog and make tents of it and put it into the holes that the mad dogs teeth made, and this I saw in experience by one Richard Haines, a tall young man, pursued a mad dog a masty near the place where I dwell, and standing at the gap the mad dog would come thorough, clasped him in his arms, intending to hold him tell his fellows came, but the dog bit him very grievously in his side and about his belly: they got the mad dog's liver, and made porridge and stuffed the wounds with the hair and so through God's blessing the mad man did very well: Crabs claws, and lobsters claws beaten to powder and put into buttermilk or drink is very good.  
It is for the zeal of God's glory, the desire to yield comfort unto poor afflicted souls, and love of my country, which moves me to write upon this subject.  Samuel. 16. 23. 
And so when the evil spirit sent of God, came upon Saul, David took an harp and played with his hand, and Saul was refreshed, and was eased, for the evil spirit departed from him.  
NOw the question is whether this distemper and distraction grew out of some inordinate affection, which proud, ambitious, covetous and amorous men are subject to fall into: the only help in this case is to pray unto God, to give them humility and patience, to submit themselves unto God's will, and faithfully believe that God will turn all crosses and losses to the best, Rom. 8. 28. Again consider what thy sins have deserved, and thine own unworthiness of the least of God's mercies despise the world, and prize heaven, this is the only music to cheat the heart.  
Secondly if it were some natural in disposition, or distemper Pheniticall, timpheticall, then material drugs might rectify the humour, so a sensible music might recreate the spirits; so a man prefer the spiritual and inward remedies but the corporal and outward also are not to be neglected, as mirth good company or any commendable recreation is not to be refused, but undoubtedly it was an absolute madness or melancholy fury with some intermission, in which time he could hear advice, and do mischief, those mischievous acts of mad men, are both guilty before God, and punishable also before men, when the force of reason is not totally transported and extinquisht. Again if it were a mere obsession that daibolicall spirit troubled and vexed him, and because the devil is God's creature and at God's command he may be said to be an evil spirit sent from God, now in case of demonaicall obsession and affliction I cannot conceive what natural power music or melody sick can have for the profligation or repulsion of devils, and seeing a created Art hath properly, not far upon any proternaturall habit unless music doth delight the seuce, and so draw attention, and so alter the passion: but I resolve it thus this music cured Saul not as music, but as David's music, no music but David's music could do it, otherwise seeing Saul so much hated him he would not have been so much beholding unto David having many other cunning Musicians in the temple, but their music made him more mad: God was pleased to work such an effect to bring him into favour with the king.   

A TRACTATE OF melancholy.  
IT is my love to my Country which incites me to write upon this subject: And since Almighty God hath been pleased to make my studies and labours fortunate in this kind, I have here presented them to the public view; hoping that some mayreceive good by my directions, as many have done by practice. I do not promise an addition to learning, in this respect, nor do I doubt but my long experience may add somewhat to others readings: however, this good the understanding reader shall receive, when as he shall (by my faithful relation) know the effects of those means which I have used he shall either be emboldened to use the like, or enabled by judging them to find out a more excellent way; although I go not accuratly to work, because I intend to be short, and only positive avoiding the more questions: yet to avoid confusion, I will observe this order. First, I will speak somewhat of the humours in general. secondly somewhat of the four chief in particular. Thirdly will set down a method, 1. For knowledge of those things that any wise concern the melancholy humour.  

1. Of the humours in general.  
Man's body may be divided into such parts as are contained, or such as do contain them: those which be contained are of a fluid and liquid substance, the other may be called the subject or vessels wherein these are kept and do cohere, which otherwise would beas water spilled upon the ground. To omit the parts containing, those which be contained are, humours, and spirits. Concerning spirits let it suffice to know, that they are a thin, aerial vapours substance, the chief instruments which our soul worketh withal, those which be inplanted and fixed in our solid parts from our first generation, be the seat of our native heat and the bond of soul and body: those which be after added to the former, are first natural in the liver conveyed in the veins to the habit of the body, secondly vital made in the least cavity of the heart, partly of the natural spirit and partly of the air which we suck in, and runneth by the arteries through the whole body. Thirdly. Animal, made of the vitals in the brain thence diffused by the sinews into the body stirring up sense and motion therein.  
A humour is either radical or adventitious, that is necessary to the constitution of a thing, this to the preservation thereof. Here is a fat aerial oily substance inplanted, inbred an inherent in the body from the conformation thereof, this we call radical call moisture, or natural balsam, and compare it to a candle: there is likewise an inbred and innate heat (which word does not signify a naked quality but a substance endued with this quality which our most wise creator hath made sensible to our touch so long as the life lasteth) this heat is the instrument of the soul and is likened to the flame wasting the candle, the coexistence of these two in the heart chiefly is the beginning and continuation of life, this is that perpetual fire that continual light (although it never flame) which hitherto the chemics have in vain laboured to imitate and blow up or kindle, when nature saw this heat ever feeding upon, & consuming that moisture, she thought good to add oil to the lamp, and provided ways to repair what was spent, this she appointed should be done by the use of meat, drink, &c. The humour thus generated is called Adventitious, because it is added to the former, now whether the faculties flow with this humour or no, I will not here determine. All those humours which are continually made to renew so much of the radical moisture as is daily spent, are first primairly, such as proceed from the second public concoction the liver of these, to be accounted alimentary or fit to nourish viz. blood and phlegm, the cast excrementitious viz. choler, melancholy and why, the matter of urine; as also those which be expelled from the third and private concoction viz. tears and sweat, secondarily such as proceed from the manifold concoction of the blood till it come to the most perfect degree of assimlation, viz. Ros, Gluten, Humour, Innoninatus, Caubis. The two last are added without necessity, and therefore by some excluded without injury.  
The four humours, blood, phlegm, choler, an melaneholy be made in the liver all at one and the same time, all by one and the same heat. The difference of them is not to be imputed to this heat but to the condition and qualification of the subject matter, if they be mad, when which is the Chylus, that is the meat and drink concocted in the stomach, resembling perhaps no colour & consistence Almond-butter, now this though it seem to be one simple humour yet it never is, no not in the greatest disease. Fornelius, if this Chylus be temperate in a temperate body, than all these humours in that body are temperate in their kind, if all, than choler does not always proceed from an immoderate, but sometimes from a temperate, nay a weak heat. For what man's liver how cold soever it be is altogether without it. This Chylus is carried by the meseraic veins to the liver which encompasseth it with the same heat from all parts, and penetrates it equally, making of the temperate part thereof blood, of the hot part choler, of the crude phlegm, of the terrene melancholy, and all this at the same time. object. But phlegm is cold and crude, the rudiment and shadow of the blood and and may by further, concoction be turned into blood. Ans. 'tis true yet not therefore necessary that we should name all half-concocted-blood phlegm, or think it proceeds therefrom. For than we might call the Chylus our meat or whatsoever we are nourished withal, phlegm: which how dissonant from reason let the obiector judge: moreover if the whole mass of blood were made of phlegm, and choler of that, and melancholy of this, and each thus of other successively; there should be but one humour in us, taking diverse names according to the degrees or continuence of heat working upon it: as a river is called now thus now otherwise, by the inhabitants of this or that town as it passeth by it. It may here seem to be required what phlegm is, but of that hereafter, Thus much of the Galenists opinions, of the humours: the cynics laugh at these and their defenders, calling them Humorists, &c. And count it folly to fetch the common internal causes of diseases from these supposed humours, but derive all from sulphur Salt, and Mercury, which three principles to speak properly, are not bodies, but plainly spiritual (as they say) by reason of the influence from heaven with which they are filled, nor are they spirits because corporal; therefore of a mixed nature participating of both: and do bear anallagey and allusion as follows, viz.  

Salt  
Common Salt  
Acerb and bitter  
The Body  
Matter  
Art  
Sulphur  
Salt peter  
Sweet  
The soul  
Form  
Nature  
Mercury  
Salt ammoniac  
Acid  
The Spirit  
Idea  
Understanding, &c.   
And as they extract these third principles out of natural bodies so they resolve them into the same, hence they argue that bodies are made of the same, and therefore must be well or ill as these shall stand affected, to say the truth, doubtless that which being present in us makes us sick▪ and being expelled from us we are well, was the cause of our sickness, but common experience says a body full of corrupted humours, is sick, and freed from them is well, therefore here is no reason why we should not think those ill humours the causes of our malady: on the otherside I think Bertinus was deceived, when he said that not a crumb of salt lay hid in the body, which if any deny: I think he deserves to be served as Lot's wife.  
Concerning the temper of the body and every part: how the elements concur to their constitution, over ruling qualities result, how there is one equal temper where the qualities of the elements do not exceed each other in quality, nor their substance in quantity, how this is the rule of all the other eight: to speak of these things is too large a discourse, let it therefore suffice to know, that when a man aboundeth with blood, he is not therefore to be called of a sanguine complexion, if with melancholy humours, of a melancholy temper, &c. For the abundance of this or that excrement does not instantly alter a man's particular temper, & doubtless choler phlegm & melancholy, may abound in any nature: if in the liver be cold and dry blood a long time together; it may incline the body to coldness & dryness which is a melancholy temper. Astrologers refer the vari●ty of the constitutions to the several natures of the seven Planets; and hereupon call some jovial, some martial, some venereal, &c. And from each Planet draw two constitutions, as it shall be found well or ill disposed: as from Mars, well disposed, they conclude a man valiant courageous fit to be an Emperor. If ill, they argue a man rash, and foolhardy, no better than a Tyrant. He that desires to know more of this, may have recourse to the learned treatise of M. Perkins, styled a resolution to a country man: in the third volume of his works.   

Of the Blood.  
Blood is a humour hot, yet temperate, sweet and red, prepared in the meseraic veins, made in the liver of the temperate fat, and aerial parts of the Chylus and flows from hence to all parts of the body. Philosophers affirm that we are nourished with his humour only, physicians say with all four. The seeming contrariety may be composed by the distinguishing: thus blood is often taken for the whole mass contained in the veins appointed to nourish the body now this mass is not homogenerall, but of a diverse nature. For the best and most temperate part of the blood is properly and in specie called blood, the hot and dry part of it is called choleric blood, the cold and moist part phlegmatic blood, the cold and dry, melancholic blood, & this diversity is answerable to the qualities of the Chylus whereof it is made, therefore when philosophers say we are nourished with blood alone they understand the whole mass contained in the veins, which neither Aristotle nor any other philosopher will deny to have parts of the foresaid qualities: these parts of the blood thus qualified, must not be taken for excrementitious, but for alimentary humours, since they all nourish the body: here two things are questioned, first whether there be any pure blood in the veins without the 3. humours 2. Whether the blood be only a mixrure of the third sincere humours, so that choler or rather choleric blood in the veins should be the same with that which is in the Gall. I conclude negatively to both, and think that the blood is always accompanied with the rest of the humours, which only resemble those which be separated and received into their proper vessels, this of humours is the best, the treasure of life, many excellent things are spoken hereof, insomuch that Empedocles and Critius say it is the soul, Chrysippus & Zeno say it nourisheth the soul. It is needles here to thrust in a reason among others; why Almighty God sometimes forbade the eating hereof; as also to speak of the circular motion, how it resembles the fountains running to the sea and the sea supplying the fountains.   

Of Phlegm.  
Phlegm (so called by contrariety because of its crudity and that not in respect of the first concoction but of the second) is an humour cold and moist white and without taste, or somewhat sweet. It may be called imperfect blood: for by further concoction it becometh real blood therefore nature hath appointed no vessel to receive it: intending it for alteration not evacuation, this is the Alimentary phlegm, that is the phlegmatic blood That which is preternatnrall (as are all the following kinds) is avacuated with other excrements having no peculiar receptacle, here note, that the filth of the nose is not phlegm properly, but the private excrement of the brain, yet I deny not but that if the body be full of phlegmatic humours part of them may pass this way, of this preternatural phlegm be four kinds: the first is called Nisipid, not absolutely as the Alimentary, but in respect of the other three kinds which follow. This only is properly termed a crude humour: 'tis true, every concoction may have its crudity, but this concoction which attains not its full perfection in the stomach, by way of eminence is called crude, and that body which aboundeth herewith is of the colour of lead, such an humour also appears 1 in the sediment of some urines, 2. Acid, (tasting like vinegar) which remain thus for want of natural heat and is caused by cold and moist diet especially if liberal, large and out of due time: as also by the constitutions which is colder in old men and women than others, by a cold liver, cold air, to much sleep and the want of the ordinary evacuation thereof, thirdly Salt, Avian thinks phlegm becomes salt by adustion of bitter humours, as we find after combustion the fixed salt of any plant as wormwood &c. Galen says 'tis either from putrefaction or from the mixture of a salt whaylike humour, neither do oppose other if rightly understood, for doubtless the true cause is a salt whaylike moisture which is nothing but the superfluous salt of those things which we eat and drink; do we not find tartar in wine casks? and is not such a substance found in the earth wherewith plants are nourished? do we not use salt with many meats? that then hereof, which nature cannot convert to nourishment is the matter of this preternatural humour, which is therefore hot because salt. Fourthly glass this bifference is not taken from the taste as the other, but from the colour and consistence, it represents melted or liquid glass: this is the coldest of these kinds yet not exactly cold, for than it should be like ice, nor exactly moist but thick and viscous partaking of the two other qualities.   

Of Choler.  
Choler, Alimentary is the hot and dry part of the blood and fit to nourish, called choleric blood, because blood thus qualified will easily degenerate unto choler. Secondly, natural this an excrement of the second concoction, hot dry bitter and yellow, separated from the blood in the liver, conveyed to the gall, hence it distils upon the first gut adhering to the stomach, and by its acrimony excits the slow expulsive faculty of the guts to excretion, this is that which we mean when we say choler, viz. Yellow not black choler, this in cold bodies is somewhat pale: in hot bodies somewhat red. Thirdly preternatural which is not made after the law of nature: of this be four kinds, first is in consistence and colour like the yolk of a raw egg, this is hotter and thicker made of choler adust, so Galen. Second resembles the juice of leeks, such are infants stools: for milk in them is soon corrupted, garlic and onions cause it in others, third is of colour like verdigris; here the heat is more vehement, fourth resembles the colour which the herb Woad maketh, and is made by a further adustion. The material cause is hot and dry diet, sweet, and fat meats. The efficient cause hot and dry constitution of the body, air, and age which is youth watching, hunger, anger, vehement exercise, and lastly the suppressiou of natural evacuation.   

Of Melancholy.  
Melancholy, 1. Alimentary is the fourth part of the blood cold and dry. 2. Natural: this is a humour cold and dry, thick, black, bitter, and sour, made of the thick & druggy part of nourishment; and according to the vulgar opinion drawn from the liver to the spleen, and transmitted from thence to the stomach, to further the actions thereof. Thirdly preternatural which differs much from the former kind, for that is a cold and dry juice made naturally in a healthful man, this hot and dry, tasting like the sharpest vinegar, this of the four humours is the worst: this kind of the foregoing kinds is the worst, it wastes the body, melts the flesh, it works upon the earth like Ceaver upon meat, and no beast will taste thereof. But I cease to write more hereof under this head: because it shall be the subject of the ensuing discourse, unto which, this which I have already penned is but an apparatus.  
But having so much tired out myself with this sad Subject; I will here give some ease to my pen, and leave this to be supplied by some learned physician, beseeching the great God of heaven and earth, the great physician of soul and body, to give this good blessing upon this weak means, and if any poor afflicted souls receive any comfort by it: to give the glory and praise unto God, unto whom it doth of all right belong: Amen Lord Jesus. Amen.  
At my lodging in Black friars. April. 19 1641.    

MAny times it falls out that a loving husband parting with his dear wife, behaves himself like the child of some great man; Whose Father hath given him a fine top to play withal: but afterwards perceiving his son to much carried away with that pleasure or too lusty in justling the top, or else to try the boy's disposition, takes up the top, and puts it up into his own pocket; whereat the boy puts finger in the eye, pouts, and cries, notwithstanding his father persuades him to be content, tells him what fine coats he hath given him, what dainty things he hath for him, and what goodly land and houses he will bestow on him; but for all that the sulling boy sits pouting, and lowering, and will not so much as thank his Father for all these, because he hath taken away his top, and yet when he had it, the best use he made of it, was to play with it: In like manner the Lord of heaven and earth gives a man a dear wife, adelightfull companion wherein a man takes great pleasure, sometimes to make her go, sometimes to see her sleep, and some unkind wretch's delight to scourg them with bitter words, and to justle them by cursed usage; the Lord of wisdom seeing either our too much doting affection on the on side, or our to much contempt on the other side, or else to try our disposition how willingly we would part with that he hath so freely bestowed upon us, takes away this delightful playfellow from us; And we then for the most part behave ourselves like sullen boys, and murmur, and repine against the proceedings of that gracious Lord that doth all things in infinite wisdom and judgement, and therefore is evermore holy in all his ways, and righteous in all his works, who giveth and taketh in his appointed time, and therefore unto him be all praise glory and thanksgiving for ever and ever. Amen. Amen.   

In this heavy affliction in parting with so dear beautiful and virtuous a wife.  
I Have found by lamentable experience that as we draw near the Irish climate, so we have to much Irish nature in us. For they are (Commonly) very fond & loving to their foster children, & too rebellious to their governors. God the great commander of Heaven & Earth gives unto a man a wife to foster, & to make fit for the court of Heaven, as the King of England should commit his son to a noble man in Ireland, to be brought up till he be fit for his own Court, but this foster Father having got the possession of this princely child, & finding it some comfort, and great honour unto him, and yet withal a great care, and a continual watchfulness required for fear the child should miscarry in his hands. The King seeing his fit time sends for his son home to his own Court, and sets him in his own presence, and gives the foster Father an honourable reward for his loving care and pains taken, notwithstanding the fosterer of this noble child is mal-content and falls a mourning, and murmuring, because he is freed of his great care: even so the King of Kings, gave unto me a beautiful and blessed child to foster, and hath now freed me of that honourable charge, with full assurance that he hath taken her into the Court of Heaven, where she enjoys the highest happiness, in the presence of his glorious Majesty: he hath likewise given mean honourable reward for my slight care and attendance 'of Gold, silver, friends & Aliances; and many divine things of her gathering for the comfort of my soul. Notwithstanding, all this yet I have behaved myself like a murmuring and unthankful rebel towards my dread sovereign, because he hath taken away his own dear child, and my dear charge. O Lord! what will become of so vile a rebel; and such a murmuring wretch? But Lord, good Lord, for thy dear sons sake, Pardon my sins, and consider my frailty, and heal mine infirmities, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice, Amen Lord Jesus. Amen.   

A Speech, Master Spencer made upon this occasion, their was agreat discontentment, and quarrel betwixt Sir Jarrad Harvie, and his neighbours of Carington, about a levy had not the God of peace, framed their hearts to peace, by the powerful sermon that Master Saul that famous Preacher, and the great importunity of Master Spencer, which took such happy success, that they lived together like loving Friends until the death of that valiant Knight, who's death was much lamented, and he lies their interred in a Magnificent tomb: in Mr. Saul's Text was, 
Behoed how good, and how pleasant, It is for Brethren to dwell together in unite  Psal. 133. 1.  
MY Christian friends and loving neighbours you may well think that there is some extraordinary occasion that makes me thus far from my own Parish Church, and assure yourselves, so there is; For I have heard of some differences, and discontentments that have been betwixt this noble Knight, Sir Jarret Harvie, and you his neighbours of this Parish, I must needs confess I was much grieved to think that there should be such discord and opposition, among those whom I did so tenderly affect on both sides; you as my loving neighbours, that dwell so near the place where I was borne, and received my first breathing; and this noble Knight not only our Countryman but also a man of great and valour, who for the good service that he hath done to his Prince and country with the loss of his blood and the danger of his life, in so many brave adventures in the wars, both in Spain and in the lowcountries, and against the Rebels in Ireland, may justly challenge a great deal of love and respect, not only from us his native countrymen, but also from this Nation, and the whole kingdom; and therefore to receive unkindness, and disregard from you in this place, whither he is retired in his old age, to do good and to end his days in peace like a good soldier of Jesus Christ; I say to receive unkindness and disregard from you, must needs be a great discomfort and no small provocation to a well restrained mind, and therefore to qualify discontentments of this quality, it is no easy matter; For the word of God doth teach us, that the discord of brethren are like the bars of the gate of a City, strong and hard, for flesh and blood to beat through, and so I find in searching into these businesses, that there are to many bars that will keep out these happy guests of unity, and amity, which I so much desire to bring in amongst you; and therefore do beseech the great God of Heaven, that is the God of peace and lover of comfort, that he would vouchsafe to break in sunder these Iron bars of revenge, and hard conceit, and frame your hearts to meekness, and to suffer the word of exhortation with patience, for Sir Jarret Harvie as a soldier, and standing upon the point of honour, cannot pass by such wrongs & oppositions as it may be (as he conceives) hath been offered unto him. For in that little experience that I have had, I know in the point of honour, and being opposed by an enemy, a soldier must make way to revenge, though he runneth upon the point of the sword, and marcheth against the mouth of the Cannon and so likewise the Country People, to be contradicted in their ancient customs & to be drawn out of their road way, though an other way may be better and more commodious, it is so hard a matter to prevail with us, as is seen by daily experience.  
But if it please Sir Jarret Harvie to lay aside the resolution of a man of war, and to take unto him the disposition of a Christian soldier, and to follow the direction of that blessed Lord, and great commander under whose banner we have vowed manfully to fight, that is to learn of our Saviour Christ, to be meek and lowly, love our Enemies, and to pray for them that persecute us.  
And you on the other side, to lay aside the peevish, & froward disposition of corrupt Nature, which makes us so prone to rebel against God, & and to reject his commandments, and so likewise makes us so wilfully to oppose our superiors, & to disdain their good council & wilfully run in those courses, that tend to everlasting destruction, as like the men of Sodom, who said unto that holy man Lot, that had deserved so much of them, yet when he persuaded them from that furious and beastly rage, in pressing upon his house to offer violence upon his angelical guests, they cried out against that good man, away with him, & they said he is come alone as a stranger, and shall he rule, & judge, we will now deal worse with him, then with them; But you know what became of them, the Lord preserved his servant Lott, and safely conveyed him out of the City, and smote the outrageous men with blindness, and the next morning caused fire, and brimstone to rain down upon them, & utterly consume them, & their city: this instance I bring to show what we are, when we are led by the unruly Passions of our sinful nature, but now I speak to men, I hope of wisdom, and such as God hath endued with grace; and that will teach us to deny ungodly lusts, and to behave ourselves charitably, that if any man be fallen by occasion into any sin, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one with the Spirit of meekness considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Gal. 6. 1. And therefore I beseech you, if any here have fallen by any such sudden passion, or caused others by their provocations, O let them now acknowledge their error, & unfeignedly desire to entertain one another, with all love and cheerfulness; and assure yourselves as it is the honour of a soldier to be the first that entereth the breach, and for the countryman that hath the first blow at the Ball, so it will be the honour of a Christian man that shall now show himself most forward to acknowledge his error, and to seek a holy reconciliation.   

A PRAYER which Master Spencer doth use ordinarily in his family, Morning and Evening, which he doth earnestly desire might be zealously and devoutly performed in every family in this kingdom, that are not provided of a better.  
O Lord open our lips, and teach us to pray, that we may humble our souls and truly repent of all our sins, for our Lord Jesus Christ his sake, in whose holy name only we presume to come unto thee to beg, and crave mercy in thy sight.  
O Most Heavenly Father and gracious Lord God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, the God of mercy and salvation, we poor creatures do humbly prostrate ourselves before the throne of mercy, confessing and acknowledging that we are miserable sinners conceived in sin, and brought forth in iniquity; nay we must acknowledge we stand guilty of that original sin of our first parents, for the transgressing thy holy holy commandments, and eating of the forbidding fruit: plunged themselves, and their posterity unto shame and confusion, their souls and bodies to be tormented in hell fire, with the devil and his Angels in utter darkness, and in that miserable estate thou might have left us all to perish in our sins, but this is not that we have to answer for, But we have made ourselves seventy times the Children of the devil more by our actual transgressions in violating all thy holy laws and commandments, both with vile thoughts, wicked speeches, and abominable actions, which we have done in the sight of men, to the great dishonour of thy holy name, and the utter damnation of our own souls, and the greatly endangering of others, by our evil example; and that not only in the time of Ignorance, and practise, we have desperately, and presumptuously, gone on in those wicked courses, which our Conscience have accused us, and thy sacred word condemned us, and therefore thou mightest have cast us off in thy heavy displeasure, never more showed pity upon us but exposed us to the heaviest judgement this world could afford of plunge, pestilence, utter madness and despair, and when we have passed all the miseries of this life, then to cast us down in utter darkness, with the devil and his Angels, to be tormented in everlasting darkness: but good Lord, good Lord pity us, and show mercy upon us, and teach us to bewail our sins, and truly to repent us of them before we go hence, and be no more seen: and that we may find mercy, and favour in thy sight, remember us, oh remember us with that everlasting love of thine towards us, in sending thy eternal son Christ Jesus our blessed Saviour, and our everlasting Redeemer; to take upon him our human nature in all things, sin only excepted, to become the son of the blessed Virgin Mary, and so both God and man in one person, to accomplish the glorious work of our redemption, by leading a most pure and holy life, by fulfilling all thy holy commandments, in one absolute and perfect manner, that he might free us from that death and damnation, that our sins have justly deserved, and by his death and passion, and those bitter torments, and again which he suffered upon the cross: which neither the tongue of man, and Angels is able to express, and shed his precious blood, even unto death, which is of that iufinite value, to make satisfaction for the sins of the whole world, and of that infinite virtue, to purify our souls and consciences, and make them as pure, and undefiled, as if we never committed any sin, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and is ascended into the highest heaven, and there sits in all glory at the right hand of God, and triumpheth, over all the enemies of our salvation, Hell, Death, & damnation, and shall come from thence to judge both the quick, and the dead, and hath oppened the Kingdom of heaven to all believers: we do believe, Lord help our unbelief, and give us grace to use all holy means, that we grow more in faith, than ever we have done: make us more zealous for thy glory, more devout in prayer, and zealous in good works, more careful to keep holy the Sabbath, and come more reverently unto thy holy ordinances, and walk diligently, and faithfully, in our calling, and work in our hearts an everlasting hatred against all sins and the sins especially, that we are most prone unto by nature, and those whereunto the devil doth so eagerly tempt us, and allure us; and those sins which wicked and ungodly men, that run the headlong course to hell, and damnation do enforce, persuade us, but Lord let them never prevail with us and ours, to give any liking and allowance thereunto, but ever let us hate and abhorce them as cursed works of darkness: and have nothing to do with them, and grant us grace to serve thee in holiness, and righteousness all the days of our life, and labour to keep our souls and bodies pure and undefiled, as the temples of the holy Ghost, and walk honestly and religiously in our calling, and deal justly, and charitably all the days of our life, that so it may be well with us at our last breathing, and in the dreadful day of judgement, and in this confidence we do not only pray for ourselves, but also for all our christian brethren upon the face of the Earth, those especially that are wounded in their souls, and consciences, and those, that suffered for the truth, sake, and those that are visited with mortal distress and tormenting crosses, and wear new the point of death, and prepare them for thy glorious kingdom; good Lord bless our gracious King Charles and his great Court of Parliament work graciously in the heart of the King, and all his Subjects, and in the heart of the Prince and all his people, godly sorrow for all our sins, and give us grace to weep and mourn, night and day for the sins, and abominations of these sinful times, and cry mightily unto the Lord to turn away those heavy judgements we have justly deserved, and continue his great mercy towards us, and inflame their hearts with all holy zeal, and devotion to advance the glory of God, and do good unto thy faithful ones, and on the other side, to raise up their hearts with an everlasting hatred of all sins, and utterly to abolish that, and to root that out, and make them zealous to execute justice upon the malefactors, that have so dishonoured God, and labour to bring in Idolatry, Popery, and shed innocent blood, and persecute thy faithful ones, that there may be that due execution of justice upon them, as may most tend to thy glory, the peace of the Church, and comfort of thy faithful ones; and to the terror of all wicked and profane men, bless our royal Queen, & convert her heart more & more glorious to the love of the gospel, & that she may renounce all popery, and Idolatry, and wholly rest upon our Lord Jesus Christ, to be her only Saviour, and her everlasting Redeemer, that so the Angels in Heaven might rejoice to see her true conversion unto. Thee, and bless all good means, that may effect the same in thy due and appointed time, and make all faithful Bishops and ministers of thy sacred word, take all opportunities to effect the same as they will answer that in the dreadful day of judgement, good Lord bless the Prince and the Princess, and all those of the royal posterity, and the Prince of Orringe, and his royal Consort, sanctify their hearts now in their tender years, with the truth of thy holy religion, and work in their hearts an everlasting hatred against all Popery, Idolatry and profaneness.  
Good Lord bless the Prince Elector, work graciously in his royal heart, godly sorrow for all his sins, and let, oh let (We humbly beseech thee) the precious blood of our Saviour Christ, cleanse him from all his sins, and make him as pure, both in soul, and body; as if he never had sinned, but continued in the first state of innocency, and clothe him with the holiness, and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ; that he may stand ever acceptable in thy fight, and enabled to perform that great service unto thee, to burn the Whore of Babylon with fire, and revenge the blood of thy Saints, to that end put it into the hearts of all the Kings, and Princes of the Earth, to fulfil thy will, to hate the Whore, make her desolate, and naked and burn her with fire.  
Good Lord for the Lord Jesus sake, bless the Queen of Bohemiah, and the Queen of Swedon, & those of that royal issue, that hath pleased the a long time, to humble them with a dejected state and to suffer the enemies of thy truth, greatly to insult over them, to spoil their goodly Cities, to burn down their houses with fire, and carry so many of our Christian brethren, and sisters, into a miserable captivity, and to shed so much innocent blood, but thou dost all things with infinite wisdom, thou knowest the fittest means to humble thy children, and thou knowest the fittest time to make them glorious in their deliverance, good Lord in thy blessed time revenge their cause, and settle them again in the inheritance of their Fathers, and set them up to sit with the Princes of thy people, in the mean time, give unto thy servant's faith, and patience, a godly sorrow for all their sins, and holy zeal and wisdom, to make their inheritance sure in heaven, and lay up their treasure where that is not subject to these alterations, and changes, and confound the power of Ante-Christ, that man of sin, and his adherentes, that they may not to much insult ovet thy Children, nor to much disturb the peace of thy faithful ones, but in thy blessed time make it appear how precious the blood of thy Saints, is in thy sight, and what a fearful account they shall make for the same, at the day of judgement, before the great God of Heaven and Earth, that art no respector of persons.  
Bless the good Bishops, and faithful Ministers of thy sacred word especially those that thou hast placed over us, give them wisdom and grace to preach thy heavenly word powerfully and profitablely to our soul and consciences, and bless them in their lives and conversations, that ye may be pure and peaceable, that so they may be a a blessed means to convert many souls unto thee.  
Root out those that are so scandalous and ignious, and labour to bring in Idolatry and profanes, and make them evermore to find by experience, that thou, that fittest in the heavens will laugh them to scorn, and have them in derision. Be merciful unto our Christian brethren in the Palatinate in Germany & other places of Christendom, which suffer for the truth and the profession of the glorious gospel, and deliver them from blood thirsty men, and graciously supply all their wants both soul and body in thy appointed time.  
Bless our Christian brethren in Virgenia and new England & those remoted places of the world, keep them from secret schisms, heresies and set their feet into the way of peace, and deliver them from their enemies  
Bless our Nobles, pears, judges of the land, and councillors of state: blefle them and their council, that tend to thy glory, the peace of the Church, and the good of the commonwealth, that their counsels may evermore be happily established, to the confusion of the wicked devices of ungodly men and women, that labour to bring in idolatry, popery, and profaneness: oh bless we beseech thee our afflicted brethren, & sisters, that are humbled with the sight of their sins, and the terror of thy judgements due unto them for the same & make clearly appear unto them thy everlasting mercy towards them in our Lord Jesus Christ, their blessed Saviour, and Redeemer, and that his precious blood doth cleanse them from all their sins, and make them as pure in thy sight, as if they continued in their happy estate of innocency, and let thy grace be sufficient for them to support them in all their afflictions: And confound the power and malice of the devil, and all his devilish devices, whereby he labours to drive them to despair, and to lay violent hands upon themselves, and make him fear and tremble with the consideration, that all these evil thoughts and wicked suggestions, which he puts into our hearts shall be set upon his own score, and add to his greater damnation in utter darkness and hell fire.  
Bless all our Christian brethren, that are visited with the Plague and other mortal diseases, comfort their souls and work in their hearts godly sorrow for all their sins, and that they may cry mightily unto the Lord for mercy, before they go hence and be no more seen, and give them faith to believe in our Lord Jesus to be their Saviour and everlasting Redeemer, and that his precious blood, that cleanseth from all their sins, and that he will vouchsofe to be unto them advantage both in life and death. O bless we beseech Thee, our distressed brethren that are in distraction, raging madness & fury, those that we have taken the special care & custody of, whether present or absent, oh stay them from laying violent hands on themselves or others, & thou that art the God of infinite wisdom and power, that stillest the raging of the Seas, and the madness of the people, stay those raging fits, and set their feet into the way of peace,  
Bless all our Christian friends, Father, Mother, sisters and brothers, those we have taken the special care and custody of wife, children and servants, and other our neighbours and friends, amongst whom we live, grant that we and they may labour to keep our souls and bodies pure and undefiled, and make our houses the houses of prayer, & not a den of thieves, and keep us from all infection of Idolatry, popery and profaneness, and if it shall please thee to bring us to such an honourable trial, grant that we may witness thy truth with our best blood.  
And now good Lord in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ, we praise & magnify thy holy name, for that everlasting love of thine towards us, in sending our Lord Jesus to be our Saviour, for all those blessed comforts revealed unto us in thy sacred word, for comforting our souls when we have been so near the point of despair, & raising our weak bodies, when we have been so near the point of death, and set our feet in the way of peace when we have been running the headlong course to damnation, and blessed our labours and made us a means to yield comfort to any of our distressed brethren and sisters, and blessed be thy holy name that hath enabled us to write this book unto our gracious King, good Lord bless it that it may tend to thy glory, to the confounding of Antichrist and his friends, and the comfort of our afflicted brethren in their afflicted state. And blessed be thy holy name for blessing us with the good things of the land, thou hast given us the first and second rain, and caused the earth to bring forth herbs for the use of man, and fodder for cattle, and caused our valleys to stand so thick with corn and wheat; that we have cause to tell of thy goodness all the day long, and sent us peaceable days, that we might receive the fruit of the Earth in due season, notwithstanding the fear and terror of the Schottish Armies, hast given such holy wisdom to our gracious King to compose those dangerous wars with honour and safety to both Nations, and blessed be thy holy name for continuing thy holy word unto us, thy holy sacrament, and thy holy ordinances unto us, and blessed be thy holy name, that continues our gracious King unto us, and our great counsel of Parliament, and us with comfort and confidence, that thou wilt be graciously pleased to make a holy reformation on both in Church and Common wealth, and rise up with all holy indignation, to root out all Idolatry, popery and all profaneness, and Papeists, Atheists, and Anabaptists, that do so oppose thy truth, & authority, & government of our gracious King, oh convert their hearts, or else confound their devices, and bring them to their well deserved ends.  
And blessed be thy holy name, that hast done such great things for us, in discovering those horrible treasons, and rebellious Idolatry, popery and profaneness, and so confounded them and brought many of them to their shameful and well deserved ends.  
And blessed be thy holy name, for thy gracious providence over us this night, that we have not perished in works of darkness, that we have not fallen into despair, raging madness, that thou hast not suffered our houses to be burnt down with flames of fire, or our enemies to possess our gates: and now good Lord, what shall we render unto thee for all thy mercies showed towards us, still take up the cup of salvation, and still entreat thy mercies to be continued towards us this day, and for evermore, and that we may be the better for thy service, and the works of our calling, sanctify all the faculties of our souls, and all the parts and members of our bodies, make our will ever liable to thy will, our understanding apt to conceive of those mysteries of our salvation, and our memories apt to retain all holy lessons, & good directions, that we may make use of them in our lives and conversations: sanctify all the affections of our hearts, our love, that it may be settled upon thee, and thy sacred word, our fear, that it may make us fear, and tremble to commit the least sin, or do any thing, that might tend to thy dishonour, or the hurt of our neighbour, and sanctify our anger that it make us zealous for thy glory, and boldly to reprove sin, both in ourselves and in others, and sanctify our sorrow, that it may be termed into a godly sorrow for our sins, and the abominations of this land.  
And sanctify all the parts and members of our bodies, that our ears may be diligent to hear the word of God and all good council, that our eyes may be diligent to see and observe thy glorious works in the creatures, and to admire thy infinite wisdom, and power in the creating of them, and thy mercy and goodness in preserving them for our use and comfort: our speeches, that they may be gracious and tend to thy glory, and the edifying of one another in our holy faith, and keep us from lying and swearing, that whereunto by nature we are so prone: and sanctify our taste and smelling, that we may not abuse them to drunkenness, and gluttony, and sanctify our hands, that we may employ them diligently in our calling, and that they may be ready to defend the poor fatherless, & Widows: sanctify our feet, that they may be swift to hear thy word, to visit the poor in their afflicted state, and sanctify our bodies, that we may keep them pure and undefiled all the days of our life, for these and other graces, which we stand in need of, Lord mercifully supply them for our Lord Jesus sake, in whose most holy name, in whose most holy words we pray unto Thee as our blessed Saviour hath taught us, saying; Our Father which art in Heaven &c.  
FINIS.