Vox Coeli TO ENGLAND, OR, England's forewarning from HEAVEN.  
Being a Relation of true, strange, and wonderful Visions, and Prophetical Revelations, concerning these tragical sinful times; and with what care and diligence Reconciliation ought to be laboured for, between the King and Parliament, having never been heretofore published.  
Now thought fit to be published to all that love Christ, and his Kingdom in sincerity.  
By Theophilus Philalethes Toxander.  Prov. 19.29. 
Judgements are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.  
Published according to Order.  
LONDON, Printed for E.W. 1646.   

To the Christian Reader.  
The Publisher wisheth love to Christ, and to his Kingdom; and the spirit of a sound mind.  
BEloved Brother, whosoever thou art, in whose breast the zeal of God's House findeth place (for we need not look for many whom, 
Psal. 69 9 joh. 2.17.  with David, it eateth up) thou needst not doubt of the truth of this Relation, nor foredeem it as a forgery; since there be many worthy Christians, to whose hands I doubt not but it will come as well in Print, as it did before in writ, who (if they shall think it expedient) can well satisfy any man of the truth of it: and some (if it were fitting so to do without their consent) I could name. Only lay aside prejudice, and read it over but with  affections, and candid judgement, and thou mayst find matter enough in itself to vindicate it from such aspersion, if thou wilt be curious to put it so far to the trial. Two eminent persons are named to thee in it, the Marquis of Hambleton, and the Prince's Tutor; times and places particularly set down, and beside His Majesty and the two aforesaid, divers Members of Parliament hinted at, who all know to be true, what is therein set down concerning them. The visions were showed, some of them, six or seven years since, at least, if not more; and the latest here mentioned, but about the time of the King's departure from the Parliament. The party to whom they were showed, having miss of the principalaime of them, which was to have shown them to His Majesty, and which was endeavoured with great travel and expense, but not obtained, His Majesty utterly denying to vouchsafe His audience; the party, I say, was at last induced by divers persons of eminent quality and parts to relate in writ, and represent the truth therein to some select, zealous, and religious Christians: which was done, and the Copy dated Apr. 1644. And now by some of these it is thought expedient to publish it for the common good: the juncture of times being much other, nor then it was; and requiring other procedors almost in all affairs. If then thou read this with a right disposition, for whose good I have published it, thou canst have nothing but edification from it, and comfort in these disconsolate times: if otherwise, we know the Scripture itself is not privileged (to our great grief) in this Kingdom from being blasphemed and abused. But leaving others to their own humours, and judge, 〈◊〉 thou, gracious Christian, who having kept thyself ●●ee from the spirit of giddiness and delusion, that is a roving through this Land, desirest to walk humbly with 〈◊〉 God, and not making haste, but believing and waiting upon him, art neither ashamed, nor afraid to show thyself sad in public with Nehemiah, because the wall of Jerusalem lies yet broken down, and the gates thereof burnt with fire, findest any good thereby, I have my intent: and if I find it acceptable to thee, ere it be long, thou mayest have by God's assistance more and better of this kind.   

THE FORE-SPEECH OF the first Copy.  
TO all God's Saints and faithful servants, which diligently observe his ordinances in keeping his Commandments, and walk mournfully before the Lord of hosts in these black and dreadful times of the fiery trial and bloody agony of his Church.  
1 Pet. 4.12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. 13 But rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings. 14 For the Spirit of glory, and of God resteth upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 But, if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is, that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?  
Matth. 7.15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruits, is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  
1 Tim. 6.3. If any man consent not to wholesome words, even that doctrine that is according to godliness, 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, rail, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse dispute of men that are corrupted in their judgements, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: (behold here the fruits of false prophecy, and not only of heresy, but heterodoxie, or rather heterodidascaly; which is truly false prophecy) from such withdraw thyself. 2 Tim. ●. 16. Eat profane and vain janglings, for they will increase unto more ●●godlinesse. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker. Behold here again the kindly fruits of false prophets: for they are inwardly ravening wolves, saith our Saviour; no question, for the devouring nature of their doctrine: And here again Paul likeneth their doctrine to a canker or gangreen for the same cause of its eating, or devouring: for which cause also there is one sort of canker, that is called a wolf.  
Gal. 5.19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, adultery, fornication, idolatry, witchcraft, seditious, heresies, murders, drunkenness, etc. and such like, of which I tell you, before ye do them, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Why! how now Paul? are the works of the flesh manifest? and is heresy one of those? and as manifest as adultery, fornication, idolatry, witchcraft, murder, drunkenness, etc. and shall it as well exclude from the kingdom of heaven, as these? Now I see of a truth that you have not been of our Sectaries and Independents mind.  
In this general assault and fiery trial of the Church of Christ, by the machinations of that red Dragon in the Revel. 
a Cap. 12.3, 7, 9 , even that old serpent called the devil and Satan, that transforms his own apostles and angels into the Apostles of Christ, and himself into an Angel of light 
b 2 Cor. 11.13, 14. , and deceives the whole world, wherein all the principalities and powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places 
c Ephes. 6.12. , are with all their power and policy, wiles and devices, stratagems and treacheries, designs and depths of Satan, full charged, and furiously engaged to root it out of Christendom; 
Revel. 2.24.  it concerns all that have any sense of God, or of godliness, not to be idle spectators, or hollow neutrals; but (since the public is ever to be preferred before private, spiritual before secular, and God's glory before all) now or never by their utmost power, and endeavours, and liberal contributions of what they can bring conducefull to the cause, to help the Lord against the mighty, lest that dreadful curse of Meroz deservedly befall them 
d judg. 5.23. . Whilst others therefore of greater wealth and worth contributed their means and endeavours largely to this just war, in the eyse of it, against our Romish Philistines, and Antichristian Sectaries and Factionists; and as just may it prove, I pray heaven in the close of it; I trust it will not be unacceptable to any of God's Saints and faithful people, to present to their view this plain, yet pertinent relation (though somewhat late, as some may think) for as much as though some Scenes be past, yet the Play is not done, but another Act like to begin, and perhaps more, that may bring a sadder catastrophe, than most are ware of: Scribes and Pharisees, Erastians' and Independents; Lawyers and Civilian-policy-mongers, with Sectaries and Libertine-conscience-mongers, having now got the place of Straffordians and Canterburians; and as busily compassing Sea and Land, as ever the others were, and leaving nothing  to make Proselytes of their own kind, though when they were made, they became twofold more the children of hell, then before 
e Matth. 23.15. . If it be but like the widow's mite in the Gospel; yet, (which maketh the mite a million) with a free heart, and a fervent zeal to the good of God's people, and Church of Christ in England, she casts it up into the treasury.   

The Narration.  
GRace Cary sometime wife to Mr. Walter Cary of Bristol, in her widowhood at uske in Monmouthshire, betook herself wholly to private prayer, and constant reading of the holy Scriptures (besides her public frequenting of the House of God) for three years together: which task she imposed on herself the better to inform her judgement in the ways of God; there being even then so many byways in the world, of Popery, and other nice and crazy Sects, and herself having been strongly tempted to Popish superstition; from which temptation it pleased God to deliver her. For having with humble confidence implored the favour of God, and direction of his holy Spirit, and wrestling one day by prayers and tears to overcome that temptation, she had before day in a Sunday morning a most heavenly rapture or trance before she was full awake, much about that hour that she daily used to water her couch with tears, and to seek the Lord early in the morning. The manner of the trance was this. She was for a time in a sweet celestial ecstasy of joy (whether in the body, or out of the body, she knows not) being for the time in Paradise, as she thought; where there were represented unto her, as it were, the appearance of the three most sacred Persons of the Trinity, which seemed to invite her to approach with boldness to the throne of grace. Being awake, she felt in herself a great delectation and enlargement of heart by spiritual joy and inward consolation, which produced great melting of heart, and tears in abundance, accompanied with deep humiliation and thankful recognition of God's wonderful mercy to her poor deluded soul; she having been formerly seduced to invocate Saints and Angels, and to say the Avemary for a prayer, as Papists fond use in their blind devotion: for thus far had she gone. But being now strongly confirmed in the Evangelicall truth, she had a strong desire to walk worthy so rare and high a favour of so indulgent and gracious a God, resolving ever after to walk in the practice of all divine duties, and serve God with pure worship. In pursuance of which pious exercises, it pleased God in a short time after (which was in the year of the Lord 1639.) to show her a further favour, though intermixed with a great affliction of spirit. For both in her private devotion, and in the public ministration at Church, she was in an extraordinary way made sensible of these combustions and disasters which then were to befall, and now for some years have befallen this sinful Nation and Kingdom: the manner whereof was, as followeth. She heard hideous shrieks and outcries of the people oppressed, and captivated by enemies: also a sound of waters, as it were, beyond Sea, accompanied with loud and terrible roaring of waves; A voice also day and night cried, and called to her, even to the interruption of her rest and sleep, saying, Treason and death; Treason, Treason, death, death. There was presented likewise to her sight an apparition and show of blood; and to her hearing, volleys of shot, as if many Pistols and Muskets had been all at once discharged, which terribly affrighted her, and pierced her to the very heart, as if an arrow, or dart of death had remained in her breast. A representation also of a pen, as if it had been writing upon chalk, appeared unto her, as she conceived, to the end that what she saw, felt, and heard, she should commit to writing. And that she might be assured, this was a divine and heavenly vision, certain rays of glory descending from the heavens appeared to her in the day time, and whilst she was awake, which seemed to irradiate her from heaven, even whilst she was reading the book of God, and earnestly in her private duties praying against all satanical illusions: the lustre of which glorious rays being visible to her eye seemed to exceed not only the strrres, but the Sun in his greatest splendour. Furthermore that her faith might be the more confirmed, and her soul the better prepared for whatsoever should ensue, she was strongly moved, and directed to betake herself to fasting and prayer three weeks together: intimating to her thereby, that the terror of the times ensuing (whereof lively representations had been made unto her in the foregoing apparitions) called hard for such duties: at the end of which several weeks respectively she received an extraordinary sign of God's presence and assistance expressed in the appearance of glorious shining lights, accompanied with vehement rushing wind, descending upon her, and the sound thereof entering into her ears three several times. And to make her yet more sensible of the things forementioned, and troubles to come on this Land, while she was at the Church serving God publicly with the Congregation, in Sermon-time on the Lord's day, there appeared plainly and evidently to her view the perfect shape of a King's head and face without a body, which looked very pale and wan: it had a Crown upon it, and the Crown was all bloody in the circle round about.  
This bloody crowned head appeared to her view once only, as aforesaid, and continued so in her sight about half an hour. With this apparition she sensibly heard loud and lamentable cries of God's people persecuted, as she thought, both beyond Seas, and on this side: she heard very sensibly, as it were, a lashing, and whipping of them, to drive them from the true Church, and their holy duties and profession, accompanied with strange languages of foreign Nations, and that in a confused manner, as at the celebration of an idolatrous Mass, to which many seemed to call them. And the confused clamour was such, as the Popish Capuchins made at their solemn superstitious Service in , whither (about three or four years since now) she purposely repaired for her better information in that point, and that she might the more sensibly apprehend, and he cleared in the premises, and have more full notice perhaps, she thought, of the chief actors in our tragical miseries.  
She heard another time a voice or sound of much gold and treasure, and of all sorts of Jewels, with a voice whispering, as it were, and saying these words, Earl, Bishop, and Queen: at which time, she calls God to witness, she knew not any Earl or Bishop so guilty, as appeared afterwards.  
Lastly, she heard the grievous cries of Gods persecuted people in her ears, pressing her to point out, as the enemy of God, the greatest Bishop in the Church of England, and with him Earl and cruel Queen; having set down with her pen; Earl, Bishop, and Cruel Queen, as was required, the doleful cry ceased. Soon after she was earnestly commanded, by a celestial voice, to notify all these things to His Majesty. But fearing to undertake so great a task, as conscious of her own unfitness, as she thought, for the performance of so eminent a service, she made only a sparing discovery to certain godly Divines at Bristol, and elsewhere, desiring their spiritual prayers and advice. But finding that neither their prayers, nor her own could prevail with the Lord to spare her from this service, she manifestly saw that she must obey of necessity that heavenly voice (which did not cease to call her thereto) though her brethren, and kindred, and her own inclination and desire strongly dissuaded her. And whilst she prayed and wept to the Lord, saying with Moses; Lord, if thy presence go not with me, send me not hence. Exod. 33.15. She saw, as it were, a light from heaven comforting her, and a star of glory directing her in her way she should travel.  
Being arrived at London, she was strongly pushed on within herself to address herself to the Court, which was then at Whitehall: whither being come, she earnestly pressed in a Petitionary way, to present to His Majesty the effect of what she had heard and seen; but soon found herself neglected, and her Petition slighted. Notwithstanding, she had still a strong call from God both inwardly, and outwardly, to follow the King, whithersoever he went, saying to her, The King, the King; The King, and Kingdom is in danger of utter ruin and desolation. Not long after, by her importunity she was admitted at Richmond to His Majesty's presence; who graciously received her Petition; the Contents being, That He would be pleased to hear her at large declare her errand by word of mouth. The means of her admittance was by the Lord Marquis Hambleton, who was nobly pleased to call her, and to bring her to the King; who taking her by the one hand, and the Marquis by the other, the King asked her for her writing; Which she having presented, and His Majesty slightly viewed over, he demanded if it were her own hand: and she confessing, that it was, he then viewed it better. But His Majesty being then to take horse, rendered her the said Petition, saying, He thought, she meant well, and was a good woman. Here, the Prince's Tutor, in election to be Bishop of Chichester, coming to her, asked her, if she wanted means. She replied, No; telling him, that she came to London on her own charges, and had wherewith to serve her occasions; her coming to Court, having had no other end, but the public good of King, Church and State; and being bound in spirit, she was continually pressed, by God's hand upon her, to follow His Majesty from Court to Court, to her great trouble and charge, hiring one to attend her by water and land. His Majesty being at York, there appeared a dark black cloud over the place, where His Majesty stood (the Scots had then taken in Newcastle) and there she enforced her former suit, humbly petitioning him to hear her speak, but without success; and finding no rest in her spirit for all this, but being still urged to solicit His Majesty: at last by God's providence she found another opportunity, and falling on her knees before him in the Presence Chamber, most humbly besought him to hear her relation; which he then utterly refused. And thereupon it pleased God immediately to discharge her from all further attendance on His Majesty, which she took as a great favour from God; and thereupon returned to London.  
During her abode at York, many pious Christians being defirous to know the truth of these things, she declared it to them, and moreover discovered to them, that it was revealed to her particularly, that great troubles would light upon these parts. In London having found grace and favour with many Noble Barons, Knights, and other worthy Christians, both before her going to York, and after her return (which she esteems as a rare mercy from God, knowing herself less than least of any of his favours) she may not omit amongst others, that she was sent for by a worthy Divine of an eminent place, and at that time of singular estimation; who, when he perceived how God had dealt with her, he told her in brief, that he could not, but approve of her desires, and intendments, as good, and durst say nothing to discourage or dissuade her from the way. So, thenceforth, as when Eliah had cast his mantle upon Elisha, Elias his spirit was pressed upon Elisha, not much unlike, though the Lord had spoken to her before, and used strong impulses on her spirit; yet now the hand of the Lord was stronger and stronger upon her, and even almost in the bitterness of her spirit was she carried (as the Prophet speaketh of himself, Ezek. 3.14. and elsewhere) and so powerful were the impressions made on her, that notwithstanding her great struggle and desires against that long and tedious journey to York, which she would fain have been freed of, that at last being fully overcome, she could not but follow His Majesty even to York also, the love of Christ, and of his Church, now constraining her. And though she reaped not the fruit of her labour, she desired; yet as on is reported to have fetched water every day two mile to water dry ground in hope of fruit, which he did a whole year together; and was content so to do, because he was commanded, thinking it reason enough to do things in some other respects unreasonable, in mere obedience to superiors: so, much more reason was it, that she should show her obedience to her God in a duty of so high an importance and concernment, as the general good of Church, King, and Kingdom; which therefore with all her might she sought to advance, saying in her heart with the woman of Tekoa, 2 Sam. 14.15. I will now speak to the King, it may be the King will perform the request of his handmaid.  
Now because it hath been questioned by sundry well-affected, what she would have expressed to His Majesty, if he had been pleased to give her audience; You shall be pleased to know, that the substance of her speech, she had to express, would have been as followeth, or to the like purpose.  
First, that His Majesty would be pleased with all his might and power to apply himself to the finding out of the great plots and treacheries of Papists and their confederates, Prelates and Idol-shepherds, and Innovators in Religion; wicked and evil Counsellors, State-idolizers, or rather self-seekers and novators in the Commonwealth; and with an high hand to suppress both, with all idolatry, superstition and profanity, and whatsoever was against found doctrine, the power of godliness, and the well and liberty of His Subjects.  
Secondly, that God's faithful Ministers and servants suffering for the cause and truth of Christ under the tyranny and usurpation of Prelates, commonly called Anticonformists, Non-conformists, and Puritans, and sometimes also Sectaries, and Schismatics, might have their freedom and liberty; and those, who were the truly so called Sectaries and Schismatics, the Prelates, Anabaptists, Antinomians, A●●mits, Familists, and especially Papists, and Arminian Innovators, all secretly winked at, and fomented by the Bishops, might be found out, and tried, that so the glorious Gospel of Christ might flourish, and have free passage in plenty and in purity through the land.  
Thirdly, that His Majesty would be pleased with all his might to set himself to use all good means that might be endeavoured for the Queen's conversion, that by God's blessing thereupon she might be gained to the truth, to herself, and to him, and for a comfort to the whole Kingdom; without which, she was given to understand of the great hazard and trouble, yea, and utter ruin both to King and Kingdom: great hazard and trouble, though all the rest should be effected, and that left undone; but utter ruin, if neither that, nor the rest were done. And thus much for the substance of what she would have said, if His Majesty had given her audience.  
But further, since she was discharged of attendance upon the King, and shortly after His Majesty with the Queen departed from London, and deserted the Parliament, whereas she had been in good quiet and repose till then, she fell again into the like agonies of spirit, and hath expressed, that her affliction in the same hath been very great, being pressed in like sort to attend the Parliament, as before she had done the King; so that after the Kings leaving of the Parliament, she hath had very little rest longer, than she was either by expressions and solicitations to Members of the House of Parliament, endeavouring a reconciliation between His Majesty and the Parliament, or in her private and public duties and exercises of Religion pouring out her soul to God for effectuating thereof: so that the sad sense of her walking in these times of trouble and distress, even to the present date of this relation given by her in writ, which was April 1644. hath been so yet that it can not be expressed. Yet hath she not been pleased to make so full and particular relation of all passages between the Parliament and her, as in the other, but hath thought this sufficient for the present.  
Now, as she hath not held her life dear to confirm this truth of God of this divine work wrought in her; and to manifest it to be a divine vision and heavenly call, would not tempt God therein by too much refusal and disobedience, but by faith in God, having her warrant from him, with Daniel in the Lion's den, or the three Children in the fiery furnace, she submitted herself, and doth, under the mighty hand of God: so now having with that widow in the Gospel cast these her spiritual mites into the Church's treasury, in hope that this her freewill-offering will be (as such oblations ever were) accepted of God and all good men; she humbly submits her hearty, and well-meaning, though weak endeavours to the charitable censure of the godly, wise, impartial and unprejudicate Christians: beseeching the Almighty God of heaven, if it may stand with his glory and good pleasure, to unite the heart of the King and Parliament unanimously, as the heart of one man, to consent to that reformation both of Church and State, that the Lord doth require, that idolatry, superstition, profanity, faction, godless State-policy (Jeroboams sin) heresy, schism, and all interest that is not agreeable to God's interest, and his eternal Son the Lord Jesus his, the only King and Lord of his Church, being swept away, and suppressed, the glorious Gospel of Christ may reflourish in its full lustre, and the Sceptre of his Government (sufficiently declared in his Word to such as with humble sincerity, and love to the truth to obey it, seek the same diligently) may be universally obeyed, and submitted to by Prince, Parliament, and people: and happy shall that people be; that in sincerity and constantly endeavour this; whereas contrarily, oppose it who will, they shall not prosper to the end; but in his own time, he that sitteth in the heavens will laugh; the Lord will have them in derision, saying, yet (for all your falsehood, fraud, and force to the contrary) Yet have I set my King upon mine holy hill of Sim, and that with your envy, Psal. 2.4, 5, 6, 9.10. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings; 
Revel. 2.9. Cap. 3 7, 8, 9, 10.11.  be instructed ye Judges of the earth. Leave off ye Sectaries to blaspheme, and say, that ye are the only Jews, the only visible Saints, the preciousest men upon earth; whereas ye are not, but are rather the synagogue of Satan; and submit yourselves to the loving, lovely, and beloved Philadelphia, where Christ mystical, or his Church in his practicals hath holiness, in her doctrinals truth, in her government and administrations the key of David, and she only, how ever weak she may appear in the eye of the world, and hath in truth but a little worldly strength; yet such an open door set before her, that no man shall ever be able to shut; submit yourselves to her, and be content to worship God before her feet, as her daughters and scholars, and to acknowledge that Christ hath loved her. For she only of all the Churches on the earth shall be delivered out of that fearful hour of temptation, which now is begun, and shall run through, and pass upon all the Nations of the world, before it have done, to try all them that dwell upon the earth; and none shall have any further security in a Church, or in a Nationall way, and warrant of delivery, than they flee in to her, and submit themselves to worship before her feet. And she alone shall continue that pillar in the Temple of God that shall go no more out, on whom shall be written the Name of the City of her God, the new Jerusalem, Jehovah-shammah, Ezek. 48.35. or, The Lord is there; she alone both a Church, and the Church, when all other Churches are gone to ruin, even that Church upon which shall be built the Church of the called Jews, and rich fullness of the Gentiles, and engrafted into her as their stock, and hung upon her as glorious lights upon their  pillar of truth: she alone shall be that wall on which shall be built this palace of silver; and she alone, that door, that shall be enclosed with these boards of Cedar. Cant. 8.9. The which things that ye may all do respectively in your places and conditions, to whom this exhortation hath been addressed, this mournful widow with this her mite, addeth yet further to pray with the blessed Apostle, Col. 1.9, 10, 11. That all Gods Saints and professors may be fulfilled in all knowledge of his will, in all wisdom, that they may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in all good works, strengthened with all his glorious power to all patience, that the Lord may rejoice over you, to do you good, and plant you in this land, and take pleasure in you with his whole heart and soul. Amen. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. 
jer. 32.41. Eph. 6.24.  Amen.  Psal. 22.24. 
For he hath not despised, nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him, but when he cried unto him, he hath heard.  Revel. 2.2. 
I know thy work, and thy labour, and thy patience; and how thou canst not bear them that are evil; and how thou hast tried them, which say, they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.  Revel. 2.3. 
And hast born, and hast patience, and for my Names sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.  
He that hath an car, let him hear, what the Word saith unto England.  
FINIS.