A Spiritual Portion OF HEAVENLY TREASURE, Bequeathed By Mr. WILLIAM WHEELER, Late Minister of the Gospel, and Pastor of a Church of Christ at Cranfield in Bedfordshire; AS HIS Last Legacy TO HIS Wife and Children.  
LONDON: Printed in the year 1670.   

The EPISTLE.  
My dear WIFE,  
THis little Piece did I fore-cast to leave in a faithful hand for thee; that if God would, it might be some Comfort and Support to thee after my departure; and add some relief to thy drooping Spirit, having so newly partend from thy dear Husband: And though peradventure upon the first cast of thine Eye over it, it may cause thy tender heart to relent the more, to hear thy dead Husband speaking to thee, as it were out of his Grave; yet I hope when thou hast well weighed the matter, and the comfortable Arguments therein contained; it may be no little comfort and refreshing to thy mind at present. And also if God will, it may be of good use to the remaining part of that little time that thou hast yet to live in this Vale of Tears.  
Now the Lord add his Blessing to it, that it may do thee good. The Reason why I did not show it unto thee in my life-time, was, Because I thought it might take so much the more impression upon thee for thy good and comfort, by how much the more it should come new and unexpected to thy hand, and that at such a time when thou never expectedst to bear any thing more of thy Husband in this World; that then he should as it were come again to thee, and afford thee one half hours discourse for thy comfort in this little Book. And for the occasion that put me upon it, thou mayst perceive that, in the Preface of that little Piece I have writ to my Children.  
Dear Wife! I shall say no more: The Lord be ever with thee, and plant his fear more and more in thee; and replenish thy heart, and my Childrens, with his Grace, and the sweet Knowledge of Christ-Farewell, till I see thee again.  
Thy late dear Husband, William Wheeler.   

A Spiritual Portion OF Heavenly TREASURE. OR, The Last Legacy of Mr. William Wheeler, to his WIFE.  

MY dearest Wife, and faithful Friend,  
For thee( my Love) these Lines I writ,  
To leave with thee, that stay'st behind,  
When I am taken from thy sight.  
And now, because thou canst not see  
My face, not hear my tongue to speak,  
Which doubtless will be sad to thee,  
And make thy tender heart to break.  
I here have left my tongue behind,  
To speak to thee when I am gone;  
And comforts yield unto thy mind,  
When upon earth my Glass is run.  
Dear Heart! It wounds me most of all,  
That thou shouldst grieve thy tender heart,  
And drink down Wormwood mixed with gull,  
And put thyself to needless smart.  
Don't so, my Love; there is no cause;  
'Tis want of faith in them that do:  
I am delivered from the Jaws  
Of Death, and gone to heaven too.  
Consider, 
1 Thes. 4.13.  Love, thou must not mourn  
As those poor Souls that hope have not;  
Thou know'st that to a Kingdom born  
I was, 
Luk. 12.32.  and to it now am got.  
And thou, my Love, unto the same,  
Shalt, after a few days, attain;  
To glorify that blessed Name,  
And both together there remain.  
Don't grieve, my Love; the time is short,  
Till we again in Bliss shall meet,  
Upon the Top of Sion-Fort, 
2 Sam. 5.9.   
And walk the golden-paved street. 
Rev. 21.21.   
The time is short, I say again:  
Let such as Wives or Husbands have, 
1 Cor. 7.29, 30, 31.   
As if without they did remain,  
So be, if they their Souls will save.  
Again( my Love) I am not lost,  
But hide a little from thine eyes,  
To take a slumber in the Dust; 
Dan. 12.2.   
And in the Morning I shall rise. 
Psal. 49.14.   
A little while thou seest me not;  
After a little while again,  
Thou'lt see me stand up in my Lot,  
With thee, amongst that heavenly Train.  
And truly( Dear) if thou didst see  
The truth and case, as 'tis indeed,  
Lively presented unto thee,  
Of sighing thou wouldst see no need.  
'Tis but the darkness of thy mind,  
If ought ( my Dear) thy heart perplex;  
If thou didst see things in their kind,  
Thou wouldst not thy poor heart so vex,  
Didst thou but see all things below  
To work for good, 
Rom. 8.28.  for thee and me,  
And things above in Heaven also,  
Thou wouldst not for me troubled be.  
Didst thou but see both Death and Life,  
True Servants for thy greatest Joy; 
1 Cor. 3.22.   
'Twould end within thy thoughts the strife,  
And from thee take what doth annoy.  
Dear Heart! for us it is a shane,  
That Christians do profess to be, 
1 Pet. 1.3.   
And lively hope have through his Name  
Of Life and Immortality;  
To look on Death as such a thing  
As others do, that faith have not;  
Since Christ hath taken out the Sting, 
1 Cor. 55.57.   
And the Hand-writing out did blot. 
Col. 2.14.   
Dear Love! give ear to what I say;  
We do not die as other men;  
An Earthly House we down do lay,  
To take an heavenly up again. 
2 Cor. 5.1.   
Fie, fie, for shane! what Christians we!  
That should indeed be men of faith;  
And yet at parting wounded be,  
Knowing what Scripture to us saith!  
Alas, how should we balanced be,  
For Life and Death, and all alike, 
Phil. 1.23.   
Both for ourselves and others free,  
even whom Death's Sergeant please to strike!  
Methinks I hate those dreadful thoughts  
That in the hearts of some do dwell,  
That look on parting as a Ghost, 
Job 18.14.   
And Death as black as if 'twere Hell. 
Heb. 2.15.   
Methinks it doth disgrace the Blood  
That for us our sweet Jesus  shed,  
As if his death had done no good,  
Nor broken the deadly Serpents Head. 
Gen. 3.15.   
Methinks that from the work so great,  
That our thrice-bless'd Redecmer wrought,  
It takes away the life and heat,  
And makes it as a thing of nought.  
Methinks( my Love) redeemed Ones  
Should never be so sad in mind, 
Heb. 2.3.   
Since whosoe'er by faith o'ercomes,  
A Crown of Life in heaven shall find.  
And nothing they on earth can loose,  
That lose not Christ their chiefest Joy; 
Mat. 10.39.   
Who under's foot does th' Serpent bruise, 
Gen. 3.15.   
And all things else that can annoy. 
Rom. 8.37.   
Away( my Love) drive from thy heart  
By faith, thy sighs and sorrows all,  
And all that pinching needless smart;  
And in thy Joys and Comforts call.  
For all is thine, if Christ be thine;  
Life, 
1 Cor. 3.22.  Death, Apollo, Cephas, Paul;  
Things present, things of future time;  
O He's( my Dear) thy All in All. 
Col. 3.7.   
And in his hands thy Husband still  
He hath, 
Mat. 28.18.  and back he would him sand  
To thee, thy heart with joy to fill,  
If it unto thy good might tend. 
Rom. 8.28.   
Nay more, himself, even from his Throne  
Of Glory, would to thee come down,  
( So great's his love unto his own)  
If for thy good it might redound:  
And dwell with thee, as once he did  
With Mary, Peter, James and John,  
If it expedient were, 
John 16.7.  and rid  
Thee from thy sorrows, every one.  
But, Love, because he more can do  
In heaven for his, than if on Earth,  
He did from Earth to Heaven go,  
When he had finished here by Death. 
Joh. 19.30.   
For sure such claim and interest  
Each Spouse to her true Love may lay, 
Cant. 2.16.   
That where his presence may be best  
For her, that there he'd ' bide and stay.  
Methinks 'tis strange that such sweet things  
Are held out to us in his Book,  
That as his Heirs, and Sons, and Kings, 
Rom. 8.17.   
Unto himself he hath us took: 
Rev. 1.6.   
And yet we droop as if that he  
For our poor Souls had nothing done;  
And that all was a phantasy, 
1 Cor. 15.31   
Both Promise, Truth, and Book, and Son.  
Christ hath declared he is our Friend,  
Our Father, Brother, Flesh and Bone; 
Eph. 5.15.   
Our Head, and our Companion kind;  
And that we are not two, but one. 
Joh. 17.23.   
That his own flesh is not more dear  
To him, than we poor Sinners are: 
Eph. 5.29.   
Why then should we be sad or fear,  
Since he for his doth take such care?  
All power in heaven and in Earth too, 
Mat. 28.18.   
Is his that us doth love so dear;  
All good things he therefore will do  
For us, we need it not to fear.  
And what may truly hurtful be  
To any that he thus doth love,  
Be sure he can't endure to see, 
Rom. 8.31.   
But it from us he will remove.  
And therefore( Love) we quiter mistake  
When we do think that he doth ought  
That doth against true comfort make, 
Joh. 5.45.   
Since he our Comforts dearly bought. 
1 Pet. 1.18.   
Or when we think that he intends  
By those things which we judge are bad,  
To press our Hearts when he them sends, 
John 14.1.   
And make our Minds and Spirits sad:  
No, no; there's no such bitter thought  
Dwells in his sweet and golden Heart,  
To those that he so dearly bought, 
Luk. 9.55, 56.   
For whom he felt Death's deadly smart.  
And why? Because such bitter things,  
Through Grace, like Pills, do purge away  
The humours ill, 
Isa. 27.9. Hebr. 12.12.  and soundness brings;  
Therefore on us he doth them lay.  
And why? Because these things do tend,  
As the right means, to bring about  
True Comforts in the latter end: 
Joh. 16.20. Heb. 12.6.   
To his in love he sends them out.  
And if this truth was in our Eye  
Always in view, when sad things come;  
An heaven in Hell we should descry, 
Rom. 8.35. Rom. 5.3.   
And joy in what was erst our doom.  
Yea, surely ( Love) we glad should be  
In all sad things that us befall;  
In Peril, 
2 Cor. 11.25, 26.  Sword, the cursed three,  
Distress, Death, Famine; yea, in all:  
In Nakedness, Thirst, Hunger, could,  
Stripes, Prisons, Wants, & loss of Friends;  
In spoil of Goods, 
Rom. 8.25. Heb. 11.  in manifold  
Temptations; for good all tends.  
And surely ( Love) in all these things  
We more are now, 
Rom. 8.37. Rev. 16. Rom. 8.17.  than conquerors,  
Through him that loved us, and as Kings  
And Priests hath made us; yea, his Heirs.  
We should rejoice, and joy again;  
Yea, 
Philip 4.4.  we should evermore rejoice,  
Whate'er befalls, and sing amain;  
Yea, and advance our singing Voice. 
Psal. 68.3, 4 Rom. 8.39.   
What nothing hurt! Nor nothing lose!  
Nor nothing that can do us wrong!  
And yet that we should droop like those  
That never learned that sweet new Song! 
Rev. 14.3.   
What, all things now, both good and bad,  
All working for our greatest gain! 
Rom. 8.28.   
And yet that we should still be sad,  
And from our sighing not refrain! 
Psal. 45.5.   
Fie, fie, for shane! We God displease,  
That for us all this good hath done; 
Deut. 28.47   
To take off smart, and give us ease,  
That we with joy our Race might run. 
Act. 20.24.   
And doubtless ( Love) to this intent,  
That we might live a life of Joy,  
His Son into the world he sent, 
Luk. 1.74, 75.   
To take away what might annoy.  
And now if we do still remain  
In sadness, and do droop in mind;  
We make what he hath done in vain, 
John 14.1, 2, 3. 1 Thes. 4.13, 14.   
And show ourselves to him unkind.  
We many ways do him disgrace  
Hereby, and strongly intimate,  
And show it in our very face,  
That he does from his promise bait:  
And that his love is not so true  
As he pretends, nor power so strong; 
Joh. 16.27.   
Since he doth suffer his to rue,  
And many ways to suffer wrong.  
That his Relations to us sweet,  
Of Father, Husband, Friend, and Head, 
Joh. 20.17.   
By which he often doth us greet, 
Isa. 54.5.   
Are compliments that are but dead.  
And though these things on us do lay  
A tie, and an engagement strong  
Of love and tender care alway, 
Psal. 103.13.   
To our Relations, old and young;  
To do them all the good we can,  
And free them from all grief and care:  
Yet these Relations a flim-flam  
In God we count, 
Isa. 49.14, 15.  and as the air.  
Though we do attribute to him  
Relations many, kind, and sweet;  
Yet we deny the power therein  
Of love, that we must needs judge meet.  
What fools are they that have a thought  
That God, who made the Eye and Ear,  
And both by wisdom rarely wrought, 
Psal. 94.9.   
That he should neither see nor hear?  
Just so ( my Dear) like Fools do we  
Imagine in our carnal minds,  
That God in us Affections free  
Doth plant, to do what duty binds:  
And yet himself such love doth want,  
And care, that suits a Fathers mind;  
And that his Bowels are more scant  
Than all the Creatures in their kind.  
O no,( my Love) there's no such thing,  
He doth excel the Creatures all:  
And as the Hen under her Wing, 
Mat. 23.37.   
He doth his Children sweetly call.  
To his Relations he's more full  
Than all the Creatures made by him; 
Isa. 49.14, 15.   
And all their love ebbs low, and's dull,  
But he with love is full to th' brim. 
1 John 4.8.   
I'll fay no more: If this be true,  
That I to thee ( my Love) have  told,  
There's nothing ought to make thee rue, 
Phil. 4.6.   
Nor trouble thee, my Heart of Gold.  
Let such as wicked Husbands have,  
Or Wives, or Sons, like Absalon, 
2 Sam. 18.33   
Mourn when they see them laid in Grave,  
Because they judge them lost and gone.  
Let Infidels and Pagans all,  
When their poor Wives & Husbands die,  
Fill their sad Hearts with Brine and gull, 
1 Thes. 4.13.   
And in their mourning, howl and cry.  
Well may these mourn & pierce their heart,  
There is no help for these poor souls;  
They have no faith to ease their smart:  
But we so doing, should be fools.  
Alas, these have not faith to see  
That glorious blessed Hope within,  
Of Life and Immortality;  
Nor are they to our Jesus kin.  
But let not us after this wise  
Mourn, when we lose our Friends below;  
But in a sweet and heavenly guise, 
Joh. 11.32.   
What Nature gives, on them bestow.  
There is a mourning that's in date  
With Saints, that Nature doth require;  
But that is mildred and moderate, 
Phil. 4.5.   
And sweetly mixed with Joy entire:  
Which though it melts the tender heart  
Of gracious Souls, yet is it free  
From that heart-killing deadly smart  
That in poor Worldlings we do see. 
Deut. 14.1.   
And this same Grief doth make the mind  
More gracious, humble, sober, wise,  
More just, good, faithful, tender, kind;  
And in this Baca, Springs do rise. 
Psal. 84.6.   
This is the grief( my Love) that I  
To thee allow, to mourn for him  
Who from thy sight is gone on high,  
And doth in pleasure's River swim.  
Thus mourn, my Love, when thou dost please,  
With those sweet silent joyful Tears;  
If it thy tender heart may ease,  
Or heal frail Nature's kind Disease.  
This will not stop that bubbling Spring  
Which does within thy Belly rise; 
John 4.14.   
Nor hinder thee that Song to fing,  
That none can learn but Godly Wise. 
Rev. 14.3.   
Nay, this thy heart will sweeten more  
With Grace, and set thy mind on fire,  
From Earth to Heaven for to soar,  
Where thou shalt have thy hearts desire.  
And now, my Love, I should of thee  
My leave take for a little while,  
Till we again each other see,  
And on each other sweetly smile.  
But onely that I have in mind  
Still more a word or two to say,  
To thee, my Love, and Friend so kind:  
I'd have thee work while it is day. 
John 9.4.   
This little time that's like a span,  
Thy Christ( my Love) to thee doth lend, 
Psal. 39.5.   
Thy loins to gird up like a man,  
To watch, 
Luk. 12.35, 36.  and burning Lights to spend.  
Gird up thy loins, thy Lamps now light,  
And store up oil, and always watch,  
Until the Bridegroom comes in sight, 
Mat. 25.10, 13.   
All Midnight-Sleepers for to catch;  
And opens to the Virgins wise,  
The Door that lets into the Room,  
That's paved with love in comely guise, 
Cant. 3.10.   
Where they abide with the Bridegroom.  
I say, my Love, and say again,  
Take heed and pray, and always watch,  
Whilst thou in flesh dost here remain, 
Luk. 21.36.   
Lest the old Serpent should thee catch.  
Thou know'st the World's a ticklish place,  
As full of snares as it can hold; 
1 John 2.6.   
And we are weak without his Grace,  
And like to Eve, are too too bold. 
Gen. 3.6.   
And when the Tempter subtly  
For us his Snares and Baits doth lay,  
We taken are even by and by,  
And from him cannot turn away.  
Our Lusts within like Tinder be,  
And his Temptations like a Spark;  
No sooner touch, but take do we;  
And if he shoots, he hits the Mark.  
Alas, my Love, how prove are we  
To 'vice, and Sin, and what is nought; 
Rom. 7.14.   
Unless by Grace upheld we be  
From sin, by him who hath us bought. 
2 Cor. 12.9.   
Methinks I see there is no way  
For us these things for to withstand,  
If we don't always watch and pray; 
Mat. 26.41.   
And when we sink, catch him by th'hand. 
Mat. 14.13.   
When we our frailty well do know,  
The Worlds Temptations manifold,  
The Tempters craft and power also, 
2 Cor. 2.11.   
And who alone can us uphold:  
And thereupon do always pray,  
And lean upon his strength, and watch, 
Cant. 8.5.   
And on his Word by faith do stay;  
The Div'l may tempt, but cannot catch. 
Jam. 4.7.   
And whilst( my Love) this course we take,  
We are within our Castle-wall;  
That though he make our hearts to ache, 
Luk. 22.31, 32.   
He can't prevail to make us fall.  
And therefore( Love) if thou dost heed  
Wisely what I to thee have said,  
To doubt of help thou shalt not need,  
Nor of the Tempter be afraid.  
But when we lean on our own strength,  
Neglect to pray, and keep our guard,  
And lye secure; the Div'l at length  
Doth catch us by his Watch and Ward.  
Thou know'st( my Love) 'twas Peter's Case,  
When his own strength he did not doubt, 
Mat. 26.33, 34.   
Nor lean upon his Masters Grace,  
The Tempter did him quickly rout.  
I hope( my Love) what e'er befalls,  
Still thy Foundation sure doth stand;  
And God doth know those whom he calls, 
2 Tim. 2.19.   
Let that foul Fiend do what he can.  
Yet is it good still to be wise, 
Ephes. 5.15.   
Lest we, like fools, sit down by th'loss;  
For if the Tempter us surprise,  
We must come home by weeping-cross. 
Mat. 26.75.   
Again( my Love) whilst thou liv'st here,  
Be always careful to do good; 
Heb. 13.16.   
Relieve the poor, their Hearts up cheer,  
As Christ hath thine even by his Blood. 
1 Cor. 1.4.   
Thy Bread upon the Waters cast, 
Eccles. 11.1.   
And doubtless after many days  
Thou shalt it find again at last,  
Though it were sunk upon the Seas.  
And do not let thy left hand know  
What thy right hand hath wifely done; 
Mat. 6.3, 4.   
And thou shalt reap what thou dost sow,  
Both here, and in the World to come.  
And let thy carriage friendly be,  
To Poor and Rich, to High and Low, 
Rom. 12.10.   
To Young and Old, to Bond and Free,  
To Wise and simplo, Friend and Foe. 
1 Cor. 10.32.   
An humble carriage is the best,  
And that which God and man doth please; 
1 Pet. 3.4. Prov. 15.1. Prov. 25.15.   
And all men it offendeth least,  
And wrath and anger doth appease.  
Besides, it sweetly doth adorn  
Our minds, and ways that we profess; 
1 Pet. 3.4.   
And stops the mouths of those that scorn,  
That they, in stead of cursing, bless. 
1 Pet. 3.15, 16. 1 Pet. 2.12.   
Again, it wins the hearts of men  
The ways of Christ for to embrace,  
When wise and humble they see them  
That in those ways do walk and trace. 
1 Pet. 3.1.   
Again( my Love) in God alone  
Delight thyself, make him thy All;  
And he thy hearts desires each one, 
Psal. 37.4.   
To thee shall give, even at thy call.  
And one thing more I shall commend  
Unto thy trust and tender care;  
My Children( Love) whom God did lend  
As blessings from his mercy rare.  
O in the nurture of the Lord  
See thou( my Love) them up do bring; 
Ephes. 6.4.   
And train them up in his good word, 
Prov. 22.6.   
That they may worship Sion's King: 
Eccles. 12.1.   
And their Creator learn to know  
In time of youth, that golden day;  
And fear and love his Name also,  
And faithfully his Word obey.  
And truly( Love) I more desire  
This one thing needful for them all, 
Luk. 10.42. Prov. 3.14.   
Than all the Gold that's tried in fire,  
Or Treasures on the earthen Ball.  
If Christ, 
Psal 144.15 Psal. 16.5, 6  my Love, their Portion be,  
I know the Lines to them will fall  
In pleasant Ground, and they shall see  
That they shall never sink nor fall.  
O pray( Dear Heart) and often pray  
Unto thy God, as I have done,  
That they may all his Voice obey,  
And in his Ways their Race may run.  
That we again with them may meet  
In New Jerusalem, 
John 14.3.  and walk  
All hand in hand, 
Rev. 21.21.  i'th' Golden Street,  
And of our Fathers Love may talk.  
And in our Fathers Kingdom we,  
With spotless Saints, and Angels bright,  
Our Fathers face may always see, 
Mat. 8.11.   
In Glory and eternal Light:  
Where we shall also then behold  
Our sweet Redeemers comely face, 
Cant. 5.11.   
In Beauty far excelling Gold,  
And richly decked with heavenly Grace. 
Rev. 1.13, 14.   
And in his Arms shall folded be,  
And filled with Joy up to the brim; 
Psal. 16.11.   
Where we no more shall sorrow see,  
But in sweet Pleasures River swim. 
" Vers. 8.    

farewell( my Love) I now must sleep;  
Though more at parting I should say;  
But parting words may strike too deep:  
And therefore down my Pen I'll lay.   
FINIS.   

A Spiritual Portion OF HEAVENLY TREASURE, Bequeathed By Mr. WILLIAM WHEELER, Late Minister of the Gospel, and Pastor of a Church of Christ at Cranfield in Bedfordshire; AS HIS Last Legacy TO HIS CHILDREN.  
LONDON: Printed in the year 1670.   

The EPISTLE.  
My dear Children:  
HAving little of this Worlds Goods to leave with you after my decease, I thought it my duty to leave to each of you a small Portion or Legacy of such Treasure as the Lord hath bestowed on me: So that I may truly say in this Case,( as Peter once) Silver and Gold have I little; yet such as I have, give I unto you, And I humbly bow my knee to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, That together with it, be would give his Blessing.  
And as for my writing this little Piece of Counsel to you in this kind of Language, which possibly some may except against; take this account: I having a little spare time from my more serious Studies, took my Pen, and began to writ a Verse or two, as it were in jest, and by way of Recreation,( though I had seldom or never formerly wrote any thing in that way.) And as I was writing, I found God, as I thought, very present with me, and my spirit on a sudden made very serious, and deeply engaged in that thing which at first I so carelessly took in hand: So that now I had a greater work lay before me, than I was at all ware of when I first began; neither could I at all decline from it, till I had perfectly waded through the same.  
Now before I had fully ended what I was about, a sense of Death began somewhat strongly to seize upon my heart; and withal, this was impressed upon me, That it might be very good and necessary, that I should writ something by way of Instruction and Counsel, to leave both with your Mother and you. And as I had found the presence of God in this manner and way of writing before, so now again I found my spirit most inclinable to go on in the same, in this little piece of my Advice and Counsel unto you; although I confess for want of practise I was very raw and unskilful in it.  
Again, Upon farther consideration, I thought also that the matter herein contained, would stick and dwell the better upon your minds; Verse being always a friend to weak Memories.  
And lastly, I thought of the president( in the Book of Acts and Monuments) of that blessed Martyr Robert Smith, who wrote his godly Instructions to his Wife and Children in this way; which you may also red at your leisure.  
And thus( my Children) I have given you an account both of my ends and inducements of writing this to you, as also of the manner and way wherein I have done it: Which I the rather thought convenient to do, both that the matter itself might be the more seriously weighed by you; as also, that if any dissatisfied spirit should, by any Providence, come to red the same, they may hereby be induced to look a little, before they leap; and weigh the Case, before they pass Sentence.  
I have yet another word, which is this: If you should show this little Piece to some, they may perhaps tell you, I have been too too sharp against the Ministry, and that I have chalked you out a very narrow path in that respect to walk in. But for that, I here tell both you and them, that I know not where to abate a tittle of what I have spoken: For the carnal and corrupt Ministry( which especially I have here aimed at, and cautioned you against) are I am confident the very Pest of this poor Nation, and the great Obstructors of the Gospel of Christ, and those that murder thousands of poor Souls amongst us; and how can I then with the discharge of my duty to God and you, say less than I have said?  
My Children, It is not the advancing the way of independency, nor the debasing the way of Presbytery( as some possibly may think) that I contend so much for; though I do judge( as you may well perceive in this little Discourse) the latter in some particulars to be much more faulty and discrepant from the Rule, than the former; especially in the way of constituting Churches, and in Church-Communion, and in the business of their pretended Uniformity, with other like things: Yet I say again, it is not these things that lye with so much weight upon my Spirit; but it is this carnal and dead Ministry; because they are a company of blind Guides, as our Saviour calls them: and indeed, the very Enemies of the Gospel, and all good; that neither( as he saith) enter into the Kingdom of God themselves, nor suffer those that are entering. And had I but as able a Pen as some men have, I think I should lay them open to the Worlds view, a little more than yet I have done; that all might see, if God would, the great danger that their poor Souls lye in, whilst they sit down and content themselves under their Ministry.  
Yet( my Children) whilst I thus speak, I would not have you think that I judge all the carnal Ministry to lye onely amongst those of the National Way: No, no; there indeed I believe lieth the greatest bulk of them, though there be here and there a good man amongst them: But yet there are doubtless some carnal Ministers and Preachers, that want the Spirit of Christ, and the lively Word, even amongst those that are called independents, and amongst all other distinct ways of Profession. There be Jades of all colours, if I may use that proverbial expression. And truly I must give you the same Counsel concerning the one, as the other; that is, to take heed how you commit your immortal Souls to the trust and care of either of them.  
For( my dear Children) 'tis the power of Godliness, and the sweet anointing of the Spirit of Grace, both in Ministers and Professors, that I would have you to prefer, before all Forms, Out-sides, and distinct Ways of Profession; as Episcopacy, Presbytery, independency, Anabaptism, and such-like. And though it must needs be that some of these ways, in respect of the outside of Worship, are far worse, and more gross than the other; yet notwithstanding I would have you, if you meet with Ministers or Professors that are really Godly, and anointed with the holy Spirit, whether they be Presbyterians or independents, to reverence them, love them, yea, and if their spirits be not too too bitter, to have communion with them so far as fairly you may or can. And though possibly you cannot own, nor go along with them in their way in many things, because you see 'tis dark, antichristian, and erroneous,( God having not yet opened their Eyes, and enlightened them in these things) yet own the Men, own their Graces, own the anointing of Gods holy Spirit in them, and close with that; and take heed you do not, in disallowing that which is of man in them, disallow that which is of God also; as many, but yet foolishly and injudiciously, do.  
O( my Children) I clearly see that two things in these our days are the confusion of all, and the causes of all Rents and Distractions amongst the Professors of the Gospel:  
I. When men are so injudicious, that if they see others wrapped up in any piece of Antichristian Darkness, that then they think they are wholly Antichristian, and so no kind of Christian Communion to be held with them. Alas for pity! Who is the man that can wash his hands, and say, I am clean? And if not, then by the same Rule, others that see them err, may cast them off in like manner.  
Again, I would fain ask these men this one Question, concerning those that are Godly, and yet lye in much Antichristian Darkness, as they judge, Whether Christ Jesus hath Communion with such, or not? I suppose they cannot but say, Yea, in some measure he hath: Well then, I say who art thou that darest to cast off, and deny all Communion with them, that yet Christ himself hath Communion with? I know indeed in case of evident scandal, or offence given, the People of God both may and ought to withdraw, even from those that they judge Godly, and deny Communion with them for a time; us in that case, doubtless Christ himself doth no less. But I cannot yet believe that that case reacheth this, and that for these three Reasons:  
1. Because 'tis evident to me, that many good men lye wrapped up in much Antichristian Darkness, not wilfully, and being conscious to themselves of it,( as some doubtless are, whom God doth and will deal with accordingly) but because God hath not as yet opened their eyes, and enlightened them to see otherwise.  
2. Because those scandalous offences are things evident, and openly manifest to all, and so cast a foul slain and reproach upon Religion, and so provoke the Lord to jealousy the more; but 'tis not altogether so here, because in many things Antichrist hath twisted and woven so fine a Web, that it is hardly discernible to the best of Saints; at least in these days, that are neither dark nor light, as the Prophet Zachary speaks, Zach. 14.6, 7.  
3. Because I clearly see that Christ doth not charge these kind of errors or mistakes so high, at least upon such who are not wilfully blind, and that do not even shut their eyes against the Light,( as I believe some do) as he doth in the other case of evident and open scandal; by withdrawing his own presence, and suspending his Spirit of Grace from them. And therefore let us take heed that we do not withdraw farther than Christ himself doth: But as we have a general Rule, That Believers in Church-Communion should onely separate from Unbelievers, and the Seed of the Woman from the Seed of the Serpent; so let us see to it, that we keep within our bounds: For truly( let me tell you my thoughts) to withdraw all Christian Communion from those men that we have sometimes judged godly, before we see that God hath utterly withdrawn his presence, and before the Spirit of Grace hath quiter done breathing in them; seems to me, just as if we should leave men and bury them, before the breath is out of their bodies; and therefore as we commonly are careful not utterly to leave men, before their breath is gone; so let us do in this Case: Except onely when either their Spirits are so bitter and invective, that they cannot be born; or else in some eminently contagious spiritual Disease, which may be well compared to the Pox or Plague; and in such Cases I think a withdrawing from them is not amiss.  
II. Again, There is another thing which( as I said) confounds all, and that is this; when men do out of a blind preposterous Zeal, prefer the out-side of Worship and Religion, before the inside and power of it; which we may clearly see in some men: for when they have found out, as they think, a more right way of Worship than others; they presently fall a judging and censuring all that are not in their way, as ignorant, low, and short of themselves; whereas( though it should be even so, in respect of the out-side of Worship, yet possibly) those that are so censured may have five times more of the power and life of Religion and Godliness in them, than those that censure: And the reason is, Because God doth not reveal all parts of his Mind and Worship to his People at once; but makes plain some things to one, and some to another, even as he sees cause; that so all, when they come to see their mistakes and shortness, might see that they are but men, and have need of the help and advice of their Brethren, even as the Members in the natural Body have one of another: That so they might hereby be driven to walk hunsbly with God, and tenderly one towards another.  
These things, my dear Children, I thought good a little to bint out to you; lest( whilst you endeavour to follow my Counsel) to avoid one extreme, you should run yourselves into another, as too many do.  
I have now done: The Lord, who I hope hath been my GOD hitherto, bless you abundantly, and give you plentifully of his Grace and Spirit, and the knowledge of his dear Son in your hearts; and bless the reading of this little Piece to you.  
farewell in the Lord.  
Your dear Father, William Wheeler.   

A Spiritual Portion OF Heavenly TREASURE. OR, The Last Legacy of Mr. William Wheeler, to his Children.  

ATtend, attend, my Children all,  
Unto your Fathers Counsel grave,  
And listen unto Wisdom's Call, 
Prov. 1.20.   
Whereby she seeks your Souls to save.  
Dear Babes, your Father thought it meet,  
Before he left the World below,  
On you( to him so dear and sweet)  
This Paper-Present to bestow.  
That you might clearly red and see  
What once within his heart did dwell;  
And taste what frame of Spirit he  
Was of, for you; these Lines do tell.  
Whilst I did live in perfect health,  
A sense of death, I know not how,  
Did on me seize, as 'twere by stealth,  
Which made my stubborn heart soon bow.  
Methought the Lord me warning give,  
To be preparing for my Change;  
That Death might no advantage have,  
Nor I to think his coming strange.  
Now what effect this Instinct had  
Upon my heart, I here shall show:  
It made me fearful, and yet glad,  
That to my end so near I grew.  
Fearful I was, because I knew  
What deadness, and a barren heart,  
Had late possessed me; and in view  
A world of baseness up did start,  
But glad I was, because I thought  
That God in love did warning give  
To me, to do what long I sought,  
Namely, more like a Saint to live.  
I thought this warning sweet would make  
Me far more careful than before,  
And from vain things my heart off take,  
And make my mind to Heaven soar.  
Thus did these Twins together strive  
Within my heart a little space,  
As if they had been things alive,  
labouring each other to displace.  
But presently I did resolve,  
Through Grace, these few things for to do,  
Before Death should me quiter dissolve,  
And I this world should quiter forego.  
My house in order first to set, 
2 King. 20.1.   
And all things leave in such a frame,  
That nothing might disturb or let  
Me at my parting, to my blame.  
And secondly, I thought it meet  
Some good Instructions to leave  
With you, and with your Mother sweet,  
When you of me Death should bereave.  
Which I, according to my skill,  
In two small Paper-Books have done:  
Pray for the dead, accept the Will;  
When over them your Eye doth run.  
And see that you to heart do lay,  
What good Advice to you I give;  
Don't dare with dying words to play,  
But learn by them how you may live.  
Thirdly, Upon my heart impressed  
A strong desire there was, that I  
Might spend my little time to th' best, 
1 Cor. 5.15, 16. 1 Pet. 4.2, 3.   
Before I in the Grave should lye,  
That now redeem at last I might  
My many mispent-hours, and lay  
My Strength and Talents out for Christ,  
And give myself him to obey. 
Mat. 25.15. Gal. 6.10.   
That now I might do good to all,  
And glory to Gods Name might bring,  
And many Souls from darkness call,  
To worship their eternal King. 
Act. 26.18.   
Much grieved was I, even to the heart,  
To think that I much time had lost;  
This was my wound and bitter smart,  
And many sighs this did me cost.  
And lastly, this did make me pray,  
And pray again unto the Lord;  
That he my svit would not gainsay,  
But some more time to me afford;  
Wherein I might have time and space,  
My strength, with David, to restore; 
Psal. 39.13.   
Before I should depart from hence,  
And on the earth be seen no more.  
And like to that same gracious King,  
Who turned himself unto the Wall, 
2 Kin. 20.2, 3   
His chattering plaints all forth to bring,  
And for more time to God did call.  
even so did I, when as I thought  
How much work still I had to do;  
His love to answer, 
2 Cor. 5.15.  which had bought  
My Soul from Death, Hell, Wrath, & Wo,  
Life for itself I did not crave,  
But time to do my Father's will;  
'Cause none can praise him in the Grave; 
Psal. 6.5. Isa. 38.19.   
The Living they may praise him still.  
And thus you see what use I made  
Of what suggested was to me,  
Before my time away did fade,  
And I among the Dead was free. 
Psal. 88.5.   
And now, my Babes, my speech to you  
Directed is; I pray give Ear;  
And what you hear, that strive to do,  
With reverence and with godly fear.  
First let me tell you, That in sin  
You all are dead, 
Ephes. 2.1.  and in the Grave;  
As Adam's Children all have been:  
And none but Christ your Souls can save. 
Act. 4.12.   
Yea, though your Parents Godly were,  
A mercy great, because that they  
Their Children teach the Lord to fear, 
Ephes. 6.4. Gen. 18.19.   
Keep his commands; and for them pray.  
Yet still unless Jehovah do  
Bless their Endeavours by his Grace, 
1 Cor. 3.7.   
And work a change in your hearts too,  
You still are of the Serpents Race.  
'Tis not enough for you to say,  
That you are all of Abram's seed; 
Mat. 3.8.   
Unless you shall his Voice obey,  
And bring forth fruit that's good indeed.  
What though in such an Age you live, 
Isa. 11.9.   
Wherein the Gospel-Sun shines clear?  
Yet if the Lord Light do not give  
Into your hearts, you're never near. 
Ephes. 4.8.   
What though you live that Age to see,  
Wherein Christs Kingdom high shall rise, 
Zech. 9.10.   
And millions of sweet Saints shall be,  
And few that dare the same despise? 
Ezek. 28.24.   
Yet if the Sun of Righteousness  
Don't rise, with healing Wings, 
Mal. 4.2.  upon  
Your Souls, the same with Grace to bless,  
You perish, and are still undone. 
John 12.35.   
O nothing but that Change alone,  
That all things new within doth make, 
Rev. 21.5. John 15.6.   
And you and Christ unites in one,  
Can save you from th' infernal Lake,  
And yet this Change, I must you tell, 
Jer. 13.23.   
Not you, nor Saints, nor Angels all,  
Nor all the Dead, if brought from Hell, 
Luk. 16.31.   
Can work, if his Great Voice don't call.  
But you will say, What shall we do,  
If thus the case with us doth stand?  
Hark, and I will declare to you;  
And you shall hear the matter scanned.  
Though God, and all his People, know  
This work cannot be wrought by man;  
Yet God directs us what to do;  
Namely, at Wisdom's Gates to stand. 
Prov. 8.34.   
And when she calls and cries i'th' streets,  
Or open Gates, 
Prov. 1.20, 21.  or in the place  
Of concourse, and the simplo greets,  
With sweet Reproof; then her embrace.  
When she doth cry, 
Prov. 1.22.  amid the throng,  
Ye simplo ones that me despise:  
And to you saith, How long, how long,  
How long will't be ere you be wise?  
If you at my Reproof will turn, 
Prov. 1.23.   
My Spirit I will pour on you;  
Which in your hearts like fire shall burn,  
And help and teach you what to do.  
There is a time( my Children dear). 
Isa. 64.5.   
When you the Means of Grace attend,  
That Christ( this Wisdom) will come near,  
And to your hearts his Spirit sand. 
Mat. 18.20.   
And that shall rap, and bounce, and knock,  
At Conscience-Door; 
Rev. 3.20.  and shall awake  
The sleepy Soul, now like a Block,  
And make poor guilty Conscience quake.  
This is your time; O fear not now  
To open wide to him the Door; 
Psal. 24.7, 9.   
For he your stubborn hearts will bow,  
And will convince you more and more. 
Prov. 1.23. John 16.8.   
And make you know yourselves and sin,  
And Death & Wrath, the Curse, & Hell;  
And what a woeful case you're in,  
And how the Dev'l doth in you dwell. 
Ephes. 2.2.   
And how you are quiter gone astray  
From him, 
Isa. 53.6. Rom. 3.12.  like all the world beside;  
That all are turned out of the way,  
And all have left their God and Guide.  
And of his glory short do fall, 
Rom. 3.23.   
Involved wholly under sin;  
And in gross darkness lying all, 
2 Cor. 4.4. 2 Tim. 2.26.   
Fast bound and snared in Satan's gin.  
Now when he thus doth call and knock,  
I know that you afraid will be,  
The Door to open and unlock,  
Lest he your guilty hearts should see,  
You will be like that naked man  
Whom in the Garden God did call, 
Gen. 8.10.   
And hid yourselves, if that you can,  
That find you he might not at all.  
But do not so in any case;  
Let me( my Babes) advice you here;  
But let him in, and him embrace; 
Cant. 5.2.   
For you his entrance need not fear.  
'Tis true, as I already said,  
yourselves and sins he'll make you see; 
Joh. 16.8. Exod. 20.20. Joh. 5.36.   
And at first sight you'll be afraid,  
Although he comes to make you free.  
O fear not; for assuredly,  
The end of his approach is this,  
By sight of sin, 
Gal. 3.24. Cant. 1.2. Mat. 1.21. 1 Thes. 1.10.  to make you fly  
Unto your Christ, who will you kiss;  
And save you from yourselves and sins,  
From Death, and from eternal Wrath;  
And from the World, and Satan's 'gins;  
And from your Foes ensnaring Path. 
Luk. 1.34.   
Lo, this is so; I know it well;  
And so do thousands more beside:  
This is the end, we can you tell:  
Ten thousand times hath this been tri'de.  
O do not fear the Door to ope,  
When his convincing Word doth knock;  
Once more I tell you, 'Tis his scope  
To build you upon that sure Rock. 
Mat. 16.18. Joh. 16.8.   
And after you convinced of sin  
He hath, then soon of Righteousness  
He to convince you will begin;  
And then that happy day you'll bless.  
He'll show you how he's satisfied  
By Christs sweet death, 
Heb. 9.12.  for all your sin,  
As much as if yourselves had died  
Upon the across, the Crown to win.  
He'll make you see that 'tis all one,  
That Christ his Law did once fulfil, 
Rom. 10.4.   
As if that you the same had done,  
And perfectly had wrought his will.  
And what your Christ for Sinners wrought,  
He fully will impute to you; 
Rom. 4.6. 1 Cor. 7.23. 2 Cor. 3.5.   
And how you are completely bought,  
Though nothing you yourselves can do.  
He'll show you all that golden Chain,  
How you Elect and Called are, 
Rom. 8.30.   
And justified; with all the Train  
That follows from his mercy rare.  
And furthermore, I this can say,  
If when he knocks, you ope the Door;  
Then he will come in, 
John 14.23.  day by day,  
To help and teach you more and more.  
But if, 
John 3.20.  because your deeds are nought,  
This blessed Light you strive to fly;  
Though your great good it always sought,  
At last this Guide away will high. 
Gen. 6.3.   
It will not always call and knock,  
Though to depart seem loth it do; 
Hebr. 3.7.   
Yet 'twill be gone, if long you mock,  
And scarce return, 
judge. 10.13, 14.  tho much sought to.  
Yet this I say to such as shall  
Out-stand the knockings of this Guess,  
And after see their madness all,  
And hearty themselves address,  
To seek him with their hearts again; 
judge. 10.16.   
He will to them return at last,  
And pour in melting Grace amain, 
Zech. 12.10. Jer. 31.34.   
Forgetting all that's gon and past.  
Yet O take heed; I tell you plain,  
That sacred things will ' bide no jest; 
Gal. 6.7.   
And many hearts full low have lain  
For this, as they have oft confessed.  
And truly this I more shall say,  
Gods secret purpose to pass by,  
This knowing of our time and day, 
Luk. 19.42.   
Is that wherein our Life doth lye.  
And 'tis our death, this not to know;  
Our Habitation desolate  
It makes, and us it lays full low; 
Mat. 23.38.   
Of Hell this opens wide the Gate.  
This is the condemnation just,  
That in the World Life doth appear; 
John 3.20.   
But men to keep their filthy lust,  
Love darkness, but the light they fear.  
Therefore, because I called,( saith he)  
And to my Voice you gave no ear; 
Prov. 1.23, 24, &c.   
So you, in your Calamity,  
Shall call to me, but I'll not hear.  
Again( dear Hearts) as I you  told  
In what sad state your Souls do lye;  
How under Sin and Satan sold  
You are, and what means to apply:  
How you at Wisdom's Gates should tend,  
And wait upon the means of grace;  
And when he doth the Spirit sand  
To knock, that then you it embrace.  
So now again, declare I shall,  
What I by Wisdom's Gates intend;  
And what the means of grace I call,  
To which your ear I'd have you lend.  
That preaching of the Word, say I,  
In which a gracious Spirit runs;  
Therein the means of Grace doth lye;  
Such Preachers are Anointed Ones. 
1 John 2.27. John 3.11.   
Such as do preach what they do know,  
And testify what they have seen;  
These to poor Souls much good will do,  
Their word is like a Svord that's keen. 
Heb. 4.12.   
There is a preaching thats but Chaff,  
As God himself the same accounts; 
Jer. 23.28.   
'Tis nothing else but mere Riff-Raff;  
It to good hearts no more amounts.  
And all such Preachers strangers are  
To God, 
John 10 5.  and to all good men too;  
And for mens Souls they do not care, 
Ezek. 34.2, 3, 4. Rev. 10.10.   
And them to save, they nothing do.  
These men did never eat the Book  
That makes the Preachers Belly sour;  
These like Anointed Ones don't look;  
Nor have they to do good the power. 
Jer. 23.32. Ezek. 34.3, 19.   
But feed themselves, and starve the Flock,  
And water muddy, and make foul;  
They never drank into the Rock;  
But blind they are as any Owl. 
Isa. 42.19.   
And these may preach till Doomsday come,  
And scarcely save one simplo Soul; 
Jer. 23.32. Jer. 23.15.   
But blind-fold all, and harden some,  
That on they'l go, without control.  
The reason is, 
Zach. 11.17.  their Arm's dried up,  
And their right Eye God dark hath made;  
For drinking of that golden Cup, 
Rev. 17.4.   
And making of his Work a Trade.  
'Tis true, some Truths these men dispense,  
And do the same in words declare;  
But not i'th' Spirits evidence, 
2 Cor. 2.4   
As by good men held forth they are.  
And hence they want that Majesty,  
That melting and convincing power, 
Mich. 5.4.   
That doth in all true Preaching lye,  
To shake the heart, that Rocky tower. 
Act. 2 25.   
They speak not by that living Voice,  
That makes the Dead to hear and live; 
John 5.25.   
Christs sheep to hear them can't rejoice;  
Strange sounds to them their Voice doth give.  
There is no savour in their word, 
John 10.5.   
That gracious Souls can taste or find; 
2 Cor. 2.14.   
And at sometimes 'tis like a—  
And nauseous to a gracious mind.  
I know right well there is a Crew  
Of beastly Priests, who if they hear  
What I have said, though 'tis all true,  
Yet will they proudly scoff and jeer.  
But I don't care; for this I'm sure,  
Th' Eternal God will them disown; 
Zach. 11.8.   
Their Kingdom will not long endure,  
They shall in wrath be overthrown.  
The time will come, when as you shall  
The voice of Shepherds howling hear; 
Zach. 11.3.   
Their glory spoiled, and down they fall;  
And at their fall, some quake for fear. 
Rev. 18.15.   
My scope is not you to deter  
From hearing any godly man;  
Dissenter though, or Presbyter,  
That faithfully doth what he can:  
And hath Gods holy Spirit, to  
Assist in what he undertakes;  
Although he be not so and so,  
As some men be, whom God so makes.  
I do not like that Spirit in some,  
That none but their own Tribe will hear,  
Though never so gracious, 
2 Cor. 4.2.  and come home  
Unto good hearts, and them up cheer.  
These seem to me, just like to John,  
Who vainly those good men forbid  
To cast out Dev'ls, that had begun, 
Mark 9.38.   
Cause not with them they follow did.  
Nor do I say, That we may not  
At all a carnal Preacher hear,  
When opportunely 'tis our lot  
Where they are preaching, to come near.  
For of my Conscience 'tis the state,  
Not to abridge mens liberty; 
1 Cor. 10.29.   
Though such are almost out of date,  
Yet good we may receive thereby.  
For first, we see the difference  
Betwixt these dead men, and all those  
That do the lively Word dispense,  
Whom for that work the Lord hath choose.  
Besides, we may their spirits taste,  
How light, 
Jer. 23.32.  how flat, frothy and low;  
And how to leave them God makes hast,  
Them and their works to overthrow. 
Zach. 11.8, 9.   
Again, neither dire I deny  
But God to us the Word may bless,  
Whoever it be held forth by;  
Though 'tis but seldom I confess.  
Yet on the other side, I say,  
ourselves we ought not to content,  
That we have heard such preach and pray;  
Because these run, 
Jer. 23.32.  and are not sent.  
And therefore, though sometimes we may,  
On such accounts as I have shown,  
Hear what these men do preach and say;  
Yet still do not them so far own,  
As under them for to sit down,  
And to commit unto their care  
Our precious Souls, though most i'th' Town  
Perhaps may do't; yet don't you dare.  
For God these men doth seldom bless,  
But to themselves he doth them leave,  
That what they do is still fruitless;  
Samll good by them you can receive.  
Therefore as God doth leave these men,  
Even so( dear Babes) leave you them too.  
I mean in frequent hearing them;  
O trust them not; they'l you undo.  
I don't in malice speak these things;  
Both they and I shall one day stand  
Before the Judge, the King of Kings, 
Rev. 20.12.   
Where I believe this shall be scanned.  
And I believe I shall not blushy  
To think what I against them said,  
Before that God that dwelled i'th' bush; 
Deut. 33.16.   
Nor for this Censure be afraid.  
I well do know I frailties have,  
At which I often blushy to think;  
From them the Lord me wash and save: 
Psa. 51.2, 7.   
Yet at these men I cannot wink.  
Because they lanterns dark have been, 
Mat. 15.14.   
To led poor simplo Souls to Hell;  
They under them the Light han't seen,  
But all their Life in darkness dwell.  
I know in this old ministry,  
Which long time hath amongst us been,  
That here and there some good men be;  
But truly they are very thin.  
And for these men, I love them well;  
Though for their way, I judge them out;  
And though in Gifts some do excel,  
Yet in their way God will them rout.  
I don't deny such good men are  
The Ministers of Christ the Lord;  
Them such their very Gifts declare,  
When they do pray, or preach his Word.  
But truly this I must them tell,  
That in this point they are far wide;  
For in their Fold the Goats do dwell, 
2 Cor. 6.14.   
And they profess to be their Guide.  
This is the cause why at this day,  
The Hurdles being now fell down,  
That from these folds Sheep go away,  
'Cause in them lye all Goats i'th' Town.  
The Sheep do love in flocks to go, 
Cant. 1.7.   
And by themselves together feed,  
And single out from Goats also,  
Because they wear not their own weed.  
Again, In this they're strangely out;  
That some poor few of such as those,  
Do join unto a cursed rout  
Of carnal Priests, whom God never choose;  
But one entire thing up to make,  
Namely, a Ministry for Christ,  
And yet aside these few but take,  
The rest from Babel took their rise:  
At leastwise this to me is plain,  
That they much rather do comply  
With those that are of this same strain,  
Than where's more grace and honesty.  
I see full well what is the thing,  
These men fain would their Babel heal, 
Jer. 51.9.   
At such a time when Sion's King  
Will deadly Vengeance to her deal. 
Jer. 51.11.   
And truly it is dangerous  
For all good men still so to do; 
Rev. 18.4.   
God blasts their Gifts, their Counsels close  
Blows up; they can't unplagued go.  
These men, though good, yet still they stand  
Upon the wrong side of that Cloud, 
Exod. 14.20   
Which is to led God's Own by th' hand,  
From Egypt's Land, and Pharaoh proud.  
And one thing I do much desire,  
That all good men who see them err  
Thus grossly, out of love entire  
To pray for them do not defer.  
Some grudge, complain, and hardly speak  
Of them, as there's some cause, no doubt,  
But this won't do, not them off break;  
'Tis God must put them to the rout.  
And certainly much cause have we  
To pity such, and for them pray;  
Because Gods chosen ones they be, 
Gal. 6.1.   
And we may err as well as they.  
And now I have declared to you  
What is the wholesome means of Grace  
That you should all give ear unto,  
And with all diligence embrace.  
That faithful preaching of his word,  
Wherein a gracious Spirit runs,  
Which sharper is than any Sword, 
Heb. 4.12]   
And upside-down mens hearts it turns.  
To which, if farther add you shall,  
The reading of the Scriptures too; 
John 5.39. Psal. 1.2. Heb. 10.25.   
And Meditation in shall call,  
And to good Christian Meetings go:  
This is the means that God ordains  
That change within the heart to make,  
And loose poor Souls from Satan's Chains,  
And from their Necks them off to break. 
call. 1.13.   
O see that you this means attend;  
And then sometimes you'l hear him knock;  
At which time see your Ear you lend,  
And do not that sweet Spirit mock:  
For if you harken, when he calls;  
And him do follow, 
Cant. 1.4.  when he draws;  
That change within then find you shall,  
And in your hearts he'll writ his Laws. 
Jer. 31.33.   
And more and more will teach you still,  
And help and led you by the hand; 
Psal. 25, 8, 9 1 John 2.27. Ephes. 3.19. Isa. 7.15.   
And will your hearts with comfort fill,  
And bring you to that flowing Land.  
He Butter will, and Honey too,  
Cause you to eat, till know you shall  
The good to choose, and bad let go,  
And him account your All in All. 
Ephes. 1.23.   
Besides, his Beauty shining bright,  
He'll make your inward Eyes behold; 
Cant. 5.10.   
Your hearts to ravish with delight,  
By Raptures sweet, 
Cant. 6.5.  that can't be  told.  
Which will your hearts so deep engage  
To him, with love, like flames of fire;  
So hot, 
Cant. 8.7.  much waters can't assuage  
The heat thereof, 'tis so entire.  
And when alive thus made are you,  
And have received Eyes to see, 
Ephes. 1.18.   
And hands to work, and feet to go,  
And from the Grave are thus made free.  
Then farther you I counsel give,  
Like living men to work and act;  
To strive like gracious Saints to live, 
Rom. 6.13.   
And of his Laws to keep the Tract.  
For now in a capacity 
1 Thes. 5.6, 7   
You are, to work, and do Gods will;  
Which whilst in darkness you did lye,  
To do good works you had no skill. 
Tit. 2.11, 12   
For now the Children of the day  
You are, now do the works of light; 
1 Thes. 5.5.   
Aside the works of darkness lay,  
Because with you past is the night.  
Now work whilst that your day doth last; 
John 9.4.   
Your time more precious is, than Gold:  
Now to do good, see you make hast: 
1 Cor. 15.58.   
Time will not be for Rubies sold.  
'Tis but a day that work you can; 
John 9.4.   
There is a night that soon will come:  
Besides, this day's but like a span:  
Work hard before night drives you home.  
Now see that you Communion close 
1 John 1.3.   
With God do keep; now watch and pray;  
Now red his Book; with Saints discourse;  
Now meditate both night and day. 
Psal. 1.2. Psal. 119.62.   
Now rise at Midnight him to praise,  
For all his wondrous works of old,  
And Judgements just, of latter days;  
Which more have been, than can be  told.  
Now don't neglect one precious hour, 
Prov. 8.10.   
Wherein you may the means of Grace  
Enjoy, and feel therein the power 
Prov. 4.13.   
Of Christ, when you the same embrace.  
Now call these days, days of delight; 
Isa. 58.13.   
And long till those sweet days do come,  
That you appear may in his sight,  
His gracious holy Saints among. 
Psal. 84.10.   
Where in is living Temple, you  
May see the Beauty of his face,  
And how your God and King doth go, 
Psal. 68.24. Rev. 1.13.   
A midst his Saints, with Princely grace.  
Now take all opportunities  
That God doth put into your hand, 
Prov. 3.28.   
All good to do that in you lies,  
And evil likewise to withstand. 
Ephes. 5.11.   
Now let your conversation be  
Such as his Gospel may become; 
Phil. 1.27.   
Now walk like Saints, that all may see  
That you this World count not your home. 
Heb. 11.14. Mat. 5.13.   
You are the Light, you are the Salt  
And savour of this World below;  
So walk that none may see you halt,  
But in a heavenly gesture go. 
Jer. 20.10.   
Be holy now, and harmless too,  
The Sons of God without all blame, 
Phil. 2.15.   
Before a crooked Nation, who  
Do watch to scandalise your name.  
Now let the savour of his Grace,  
And of his Knowledge, 
2 Cor. 2.14.  by you be  
Made manifest in every place,  
That poor dark Souls the Light may see.  
Now let those spangling Graces all  
Shine forth in you, 
Phil. 2.15.  which that sweet Dove  
Into your hearts did once let fall,  
True Patience, Meekness, Faith and Love;  
An humble heart wise and sincere, 
Col. 3.12.   
Sober, discreet, faithful and kind;  
And bowels mixed with godly fear,  
And what else suits an heavenly mind.  
In this good way see that you walk,  
So soon as that true change is wrought;  
But else in vain it is to talk,  
To live like Saints, whom Christ hath bought. 
Mat. 1.18.   
You surely will yourselves deceive,  
If that this change first be not laid  
In the foundation, and bereave  
yourselves of Comfort, as was said.  
If that the three be good, 
Mat. 7.18.  then will  
The fruit it bears be good also;  
But if the Tree's corrupt and ill,  
Bad fruit on that same three will grow.  
And if the fountain pute you see, 
Jam. 3.11.   
The streams as pure will from it slide;  
But if the fountain muddy be,  
The streams as muddy will abide.  
But you may say, What should we do?  
Should we not strive like Saints to live,  
Because we are not so and so;  
Nor God this change don't to us give?  
My Babes, you do not hear me say  
One word against your living well;  
No word I speak that tends that way; 
Mat. 5.19.   
I dare not teach you to rebel.  
But I the onely way declare,  
How to this life you might attain;  
And this( dear Babes) is my great care,  
That now you might not strive in vain. 
Gal. 5.7. Gal. 3. ●. 3, 4.   
I show you how begin you should  
To take your work at the right end;  
That you might not at last be fooled,  
And all your pains for nothing spend.  
Some things there be if we begin 
1 Chr. 15. 1●   
At the wrong end, they will not take;  
But out in vain our time we spin,  
And of them we no work can make.  
If Cart before the Horse we set,  
Tho height, Gee, who, but, Ha, we cry;  
Yet something always still doth let,  
And unremov'd the load will lye.  
And if a Skein of Thread you take,  
And with the wrong end think to wind,  
You'll ravel, and your Thread will break,  
And never can your Skein untwine.  
Therefore had we( as oft we've found)  
When thus our work is to no end,  
As good our heels against the ground  
To knock, as thus our time to spend.  
And farther, this is common too,  
Besure that if two ways there be,  
One and the self-same work to do;  
The right we miss, the wrong take we.  
Just so 'tis here; two ways there are  
To do good works, and to live well;  
The one by faith, 
Heb. 11.33.  that gift so rare,  
Which onely in new hearts doth dwell.  
The other is by Natures Light,  
joined with some carnal Knowledge too, 
Rom. 2.14.   
Out of Gods written Law so bright;  
And thus men think good works to do. 
Phil. 3.5, 6. Phil. 3.7.   
But all in vain, in vain, alas!  
For backward now these men do drive;  
Their work they'l never bring to pass, 
Rom. 9.30, 31, 32.   
Though out their very hearts they strive.  
It cannot be, so Christ doth say;  
Except you shall abide in me, 
John 15.5.   
Like Branches dead and cast away  
You are, and fruitless you will be.  
But if in me abide you shall,  
Abundant fruit you forth shall bring:  
But else you can do nought at all,  
If close to me you do not cling.  
O that the World this Truth did know!  
But Priest and People here are blind;  
Most Priests the People this don't show; 
Isa. 42.14.   
Nor to them do this Knot untwine.  
I know right-well they often teach  
Of Faith, Repentance, and a Change;  
And of Conversion too they preach:  
Therefore you'll say my words are strange.  
But mark what now to you I say;  
'Tis true of these things they do speak,  
And preach, but 'tis in such a way,  
That it the heart can never break.  
Nor do they plainly make't appear  
That all the world are dead in sin; 
Ephes. 1.1. & 2.12. Rom. 5.10.   
Nor make each Mothers Child to hear  
One dram of Grace they han't within.  
Nor one good work that do they can,  
Until the mighty God above, 
Psal. 14.1. Gen. 6.5. Gal. 6.5.   
Do change the heart that is in man,  
By that same Faith that works by Love.  
They Faith do preach, and works also;  
But there's no Life in what they say;  
And on confusedly they go, 
Ezek. 13.10 11.   
That few by them can learn the way.  
They do not strive to make men see,  
That till in them this Change be wrought,  
Like to the barren dead Fig-Tree, 
Luk. 13.7.   
They never yet good fruit forth brought.  
And why? 
Ephes. 2.13.  Because they strangers are  
Themselves, unto a heart made new;  
And so this work of grace so rare, 
John 3.4.   
Within their Gardens never grew.  
I'll say no more, but onely so,  
Do you yourselves take heed you lay  
A good foundation first below, 
1 Cor. 3.11.   
That on it safely build you may.  
For if your works do not proceed  
From a new heart, 
Tit. 1.15.  and grace within,  
They never will be good indeed,  
Nor yet in Gods fight worth a Pin.  
They will no better be than loss,  
Though once to you they seemed gain; 
Phil 3.7, 8.   
Yea, you shall see them dung and dross,  
If Christ to know you do attain.  
But if your work from faith do flow,  
From grace, 
John 3.21.  and from that union sweet  
Wi●h God and Jesus Christ also,  
God in those works will with you meet: 
Jam. 1.25.   
And fill your hearts with comforts true,  
So high, 
John 14.21, 23. Rom. 8.23.  so full, so sweet, so rare;  
That by them you may take a view,  
What Joys at his Right Hand there are.  
So Christ hath said: If you me love,  
And my Commands keep and obey; 
John 14.23.   
I and the Father from above,  
Will come to you, even day by day:  
And you yourselves beloved shall be;  
And we to you will manifest  
ourselves, and our abode shall be  
With you, in which you will be blessed.  
And farther, I am bold to say,  
If from that faith that works by love,  
You hi Commands strive to obey, 
John 14.15, 16   
From heaven to you he'll sand the Dove.  
Which will so sweetly on you shower  
Refreshing Dews of heavenly grace;  
That from on high you shall have power  
On earth with joy to run your Race.  
And this will also be your Guide, 
John 14.26.   
Of truth to led you in the way;  
So that your foot shall never slide,  
Because you'l walk in light of day. 
John 11.9.   
Besides, a Comforter most sweet,  
To you this heavenly Dove will be, 
John 14.16.   
In troubles all, with which you meet;  
And from them all 'twill set you free.  
And all his Paths then Pleasantness  
Will be, his Ways will then be Peace; 
Prov. 3.17.   
And in them you he'll always bless,  
And from all bondage you release.  
For then to his Commands will he  
Your hearts so sweetly svit alway,  
That grievous they will seldom be; 
1 John 3.5.   
Nay Joy 'twill be them to obey.  
Thus have I now bestowed on you  
The greatest part of my Advice;  
What I advice, I hope you'll do;  
And on my Counsel set a price.  
For be you sure these Lines were penned  
With Tears and prayers to God on high,  
That with them he'd his Blessing sand,  
Your hearts to change and mend thereby.  
And now I should take leave indeed,  
But that,( my Hearts) I still suppose  
A little more Advice you'll need,  
Before this my discourse I close.  
And therefore I a few things more  
Shall add, to what's already said;  
That they may lye by you in store,  
When I within my Grave am laid.  
And first, Let me enjoin you all,  
If God so merciful shall be,  
As any one of you to call, 
Rom. 1.6, 7.   
His love and grace in Christ to see:  
Which of you first is called, I say,  
And changed by his converting grace, 
1 Cor. 6.11.   
O see that for the rest thou pray,  
That they like thee may Christ embrace. 
Rom. 10.1. Heb. 12.23.   
Dear Child! Thou which art that first-born  
By grace, of all thy Fathers seed,  
And seest the rest all lye forlorn,  
Still wrapped up in old Adam's weed. 
Ephes. 3.6.   
O Child, pray, pray, and pray again,  
That God in Grace would on them look,  
And wash their Souls from that foul slain  
Of sin, 
Rev. 1.5. Luk. 10.20.  and writ them in his Book.  
And use all means to do them good,  
To make them see that they are lost;  
And for what cause Christ  shed his blood, 
1 Pet. 1.18, 19. Psal. 14.1, 2   
And what a price Redemption cost.  
For these things yet they cannot see,  
And thou these things dost know full well,  
Thy Christ hath made them plain to thee, 
1 Cor. 2.10. 1 John 1.2.   
And all the world thou canst them tell.  
Now therefore strive to make them plain  
Before their Eyes, that by Gods grace, 
Luk. 22.32.   
They unconvinc'd may not remain,  
But see the Light with open face. 
2 Cor. 3.18. Isa. 2.3. 1 Pet. 2.3. Prov. 3.17. Rom. 8.5.   
And draw them out along with thee,  
To all good Opportunities;  
For thou well know'st how sweet they be,  
But they as yet are not so wise,  
Thy Senses all, as yet they want;  
Thy Sight, thy Taste, thy Hearing too;  
Thy Smell, thy Feeling, 
1 Cor. 2.14.  these they han't  
When they unto the Means do go:  
And therefore can't that sweetness find, 
Psal. 119.103. Psal. 119.162.   
As thou dost, in the means of grace,  
Nor can their hearts be so inclined,  
With greediness it to embrace.  
Again, Let me you all advice,  
If God this Change shall work in you,  
That what you know, 
John 13.17.  you would be wise  
The same most faithfully to do.  
For if you practise hearty,  
What God to you makes manifest;  
Then He'll make known, even by and by,  
The Bosom-Secrets of his breast.  
And his whole Counsel you shall see; 
Act. 20.27.   
Yea, nothing from you he will hid;  
His Privy Council you shall be,  
His heart to you he'll open wide.  
So saith our Jesus to us all;  
If my Commands you keep and do, 
John 15.14.   
Not Servants I, but Friends you call;  
And as with Friends, I'll deal with you.  
The Lord, the secrets of his mind;  
Unto his Servants will not tell,  
But to his Friends he is so kind, 
John 15.15.   
To show what in his heart doth dwell.  
So all things which our Christ hath seen,  
And of his Father heard also;  
Though secrets they of old have been,  
Yet these his Friends shall surely know.  
So David, that good man, could say, 
Psal. 119.98, 99.   
I than my Teachers am more wise,  
Because thy Laws I do obey,  
And them to keep, at midnight rise.  
Shall I( saith God) from Abram hid 
Geu. 18.18.   
The thing which I intend to do;  
Since be all his will teach and guide,  
My ways to know, and keep also?  
And he that doth my Father's will,  
My Doctrine he( saith Christ) shall know; 
John 7.17.   
And he to judge shall have the skill,  
Whether 'tis from above or no.  
For if the Eye but single be,  
The Body will be full of light; 
Mat. 6.22, 23.   
But if the Eye corrupt you see,  
The Body will be dark as night.  
And one thing more I shall commend,  
As that which is the onely way,  
To bring you to that blessed end,  
His ways to know, and to obey.  
You must your wisdom lay aside,  
And your own strength you must deny; 
Prov. 3.5.   
For your own Wisdom's a blind Guide,  
And your own strength is but a lie. 
1 Cor. 3.18. Job 32.8.   
You by your wisdom can't attain,  
Not one good Truth truly to know;  
Nor all the strength that doth remain  
In you, 
2 Cor. 3.5. Rom. 8.7.  the least Command can't do.  
For first, your wisdom's enmity  
To God, and doth against him fight;  
And doth oppose rebelliously  
Against his Laws, and that true Light.  
And therefore Fools become you must, 
1 Cor. 3.18.   
If ever you think to be wise;  
And lay your wisdom in the dust,  
And see what darkness in it lies. 
Mat. 6.23.   
Nay farther, you must Children be,  
As well as Fools; yea, small ones too;  
Like such which from the breast you see  
New taken, that can scarcely go.  
Whom shall we teach our Knowledge true? 
Isa. 28.9.   
Whom shall we make to understand  
Our Doctrine? Such as weaned new  
Are from the breast, and lead by th' hand.  
And he that shall Gods Kingdom take, 
Mat. 18.3.   
Must take it as a little Child;  
Or else he can no entrance make:  
None enters but the Meek and mildred.  
So David, that good man, could say,  
The Meek he will in Judgement guide; 
Psal. 25.9.   
The Humble he will teach his way;  
So as their Feet shall never slide.  
'Tis this the wise men of our Age,  
That makes to stumble and to fall; 
1 Cor. 1.21.   
'Tis this our rabbis wise and sage,  
That makes so dark and blind-fold all. 
1 Cor. 2.8.   
Yea those blind Priests of these our days,  
Their minds have darkened like a Cloud,  
That they can't see the Sun's bright Rays, 
1 Cor. 3.18, 19. Prov. 26.12.   
'Cause of their Parts they are so proud.  
'Tis this that all men wrongs indeed,  
●●at our sweet Christ han't humble made,  
That they may see their pinching need  
Of his prophetic teaching Trade.  
And hence it is that Christ full low  
In us doth lay this wisdom proud, 
2 Cor. 10.5.   
And daily doth it overthrow,  
And makes it like a dusky Cloud.  
And hence it is in this our Age,  
Of those great wonders wrought by's hand,  
Poor Babes the depth can only gauge, 
Mat. 11.25. Zach. 11.11.   
But wise men can't them understand.  
'Tis hence that he to foolishness 
1 Cor. 1.19.   
The wisdom of this world doth bring;  
Because thereby men cannot guess, 
Mat. 13.55, 56.   
That He's both Prophet, Priest, and King.  
'Tis hence that he doth backward turn  
Wise men, 
Isa. 44.25.  and makes Diviners mad;  
That they like Dogs with madness gurn,  
And at his doings are full sad.  
But on the other side, I say,  
If you shall Meek and Humble be,  
And shall aside your wisdom lay,  
Then you the Light shall clearly see.  
For if the blindness of your mind 
Prov. 30.2.   
You truly feel, and shall see clear  
That you Gods Truths can never find,  
Unless to you revealed they are: 
1 Cor. 2.11.   
And humbly thus to Christ shall go,  
And sue unto him for his grace; 
Jam. 1.5.   
Then all his Truths he'll make you know,  
And them you'll see with open face. 
2 Cor. 3.18. 1 John 2.27.   
And such a Teaching Christ to you,  
Will at all times unto you be,  
That to one Sermon you can't go, 
Isa. 54.13. Psal. 16.7. Psal. 119.130.   
But still more heavenly Truth you'll see.  
Nor shall you any Chapter red,  
Nor one good Meeting e'er attend,  
But some Truth to supply your need,  
He there into your hearts will fend.  
Again, I say in the next place,  
If you likewise your strength deny,  
And wholly lean upon his grace,  
Then he'll you strengthen by and by.  
So saith Saint Paul; When weak am I,  
Then am I strong in Gods own strength;  
Gods strength in weakness still doth lye, 
2 Cor. 12.9.   
The weak shall strong be made at length.  
Therefore in my infirmities 
2 Cor. 12.10.   
Most gladly I'll rejoice, saith he,  
Because in me though weakness lies,  
Yet I thereby his strength shall see.  
Nay, God himself the same doth speak;  
Sufficient for thee is my Grace,  
My strength's made perfect in the weak,  
When truly they the same embrace.  
Again, Let me advice you all,  
If you that blessed Life would live,  
That Life which heaven on Earth we call, 
Psal. 1.1, 2.   
Which God to some sweet Souls doth give.  
Then give yourselves with all your might,  
To do your Fathers work and will; 
John 4.34.   
Make it your business and delight  
His mind and pleasure to fulfil.  
Count it your onely work I say,  
That you have here below to do, 
2 Cor. 5.15.   
Your Fathers will for to obey,  
Though you thereby do all forego.  
Your meat and drink now let it be,  
To do his will even all your days;  
So shall you taste, and also see,  
Sweet Comforts flowing from his ways. 
Prov. 3.17.   
For this a certain Truth you'll find,  
That when with all your strength & might  
To do his will you are inclined,  
Making his ways your whole delight: 
Psal. 1.2.   
Then, then, I say, and then alone,  
The sweetness of his ways you'l know; 
Job 22.26, 27, 28. 2 Chr. 31.21   
But until then you'll always groan,  
And under yokes and burdens go,  
So saith the Prophet wise and grave,  
If that you shall in God alone 
Psal. 37.4.   
Delight yourselves, then you shall have  
Of him your hearts desires each one.  
And on the other side, we know  
There is a curse to them that shall 
Jer. 48.10.   
Be negligent Gods work to do,  
That doubtless will upon them fall.  
We think( poor fools!) if we should give  
ourselves, our hearts, and all our might,  
Wholly to God, like Saints to live,  
And onely make him our delight;  
That then, at least whilst here we dwell  
Upon the earth, sure lose we shall  
Our ease, our gain, and such a deal  
Of good, that here would us befall.  
And therefore we prudential are,  
One corner of our hearts to save,  
To serve ourselves, and so to share  
With God, lest he the whole should have.  
Some part of time, and heart, and strength,  
We are content him to allow;  
But that he should have all at length, 
Prov. 23.26.   
O this against the stream doth row.  
But O poor hearts! this is the thing  
That us of heaven on Earth deprives;  
And doth our hearts to sorrow bring  
Full oft, i'th' compass of our lives:  
And makes Gods pleasant ways to be  
Ruff, rugged, sour, and hard to bear;  
Whereas if that our hearts were free,  
They would be sweet beyond compare. 
Prov. 3.17.   
And now I should conclude indeed,  
But that a word or two remains;  
Which if I writ, and if you red,  
It may be still worth all our pains.  
One word is this, I you advice  
That you would very careful be,  
And circumspectly in any wise,  
About your keeping company:  
Of such Companions still make choice,  
As truly practise what they know; 
Psal. 119.63. 2 Thes. 1.3.   
And in their friendship most rejoice,  
Within whose hearts true faith doth grow.  
With sober Souls, that faithful are,  
That know the weight and power of sin, 
Rom. 7.24.   
And such as can to you declare  
How good their God to them hath been. 
Psal. 66.16.   
With such who their own hearts do know,  
Their faults and frailties manifold; 
Rom. 7.18.   
And for the same have lain full low,  
As they to you have often  told. 
Psal. 32.3, 4 2 Cor. 2.11.   
With such, the Tempters craft that know,  
His 'gins, his darts, his subtlety;  
Acquainted with his wil●ss also, 
Ephes. 6.16.   
As having oft smarted thereby.  
With such as strict and circumspectly 
Ephes. 5.15.   
Are in their words, and actions too;  
And quickly are by Conscience checked,  
When the least thing amiss they do. 
1 Sam. 24.5.   
With such yourselves associate,  
And daily keep their company;  
Decline not such at any rate,  
For you'll much good receive thereby. 
Prov. 10.11.   
And out of these, choose one or two,  
That wise, and fast, and faithful are;  
To whom, and that with safety too,  
You may your hearts freely declare.  
Because their hearts most sweetly be  
matched, paired, and suited to your own,  
By that great Workman, because he  
The same things hath to both made known.  
To these your hearts wide open lay,  
Your sins, your griefs, temptations, all  
Your frailties, 
Jam. 5.16.  and together pray  
For help, and comfort find you shall.  
Twill ease your hearts, and grief assuage,  
Through grace, and healing you shall find;  
Which will your hearts to God engage,  
When he'll with oil your wounds up-bind. 
Isa. 61.3.   
And as I counsel and advice  
You all to keep such company;  
So I'll you tell, contrariwise,  
What sort of men I'd have you fly.  
All such Professors as you see  
Light, 
2 Tim. 2.16.  frothy, loose, airy, unsound;  
All Notionists; for such men be  
All Head, 
2 Tim. 3.4, 5  no Heart in them is found.  
These men have Notions quaint and rare,  
And they with gallant words can talk;  
But all's but froth, 
2 Pet. 2.18.  mere words and air;  
For though they speak, they do not walk.  
They want in them that savour sweet,  
That oil, 
Col. 4.6. Mark 9.50.  that juice, that Sap of Grace,  
With which in all good Souls you meet,  
And red it in their very face.  
And if their Notions should be right,  
Yet you small good shall gain thereby; 
2 Tim. 2.14.   
But if against the Truth they fight,  
Then you by them in danger lye. 
2 Tim. 2.17.   
Besides, if with these men you trade,  
Like them you'll light and frothy be;  
And lose your Salt; yea, quickly fade,  
And whither like a sapless three.  
And hardly you'll get up again,  
Unto your former frame of heart;  
And though you tug and strive amain,  
Before you can, 'twill cost you smart.  
Again, All such as formal are, 
2 Tim. 3.5.   
That for mere Forms and Outsides stand,  
And for the power have little care,  
Avoid these on the other hand.  
For though these think they zealous be  
For God, and for his Worship too; 
Rom. 10.2. Rom. 2.20, 21.   
Yet from Religion they are free,  
And nought that's truly good they do.  
Because these their Religion place  
Not in the Kernel, but the shell;  
Not in that inward work of grace,  
By which Christ in the heart doth dwell. 
Eph. 3.17.   
But in some outside things alone,  
Which though even God himself appoints;  
Yet Christs they make of them each one,  
Instead of him whom God anoints. 
Heb. 1.9.   
My Children, don't mistake me here,  
As though against all Forms I speak;  
For I have often made it clear,  
That way true Worship soon will break.  
But that which I against do drive,  
Is, when men with the power of grace,  
The outside part of Worship strive, 
Jer. 7.4. Mat. 3.8. Mat. 23.24, 26.   
To set, at least, in equal place.  
These foolish are, and blind also,  
Yea, saltless Souls, sapless and dry,  
For nothing rightly do they know,  
And therefore leave their company. 
2 Tim. 3.5.   
For you'll no good amongst them get,  
Whate'er's their way they do profess;  
And though much time apart you set  
With them, you'll profit less and less.  
And of this sort of Formalists,  
In all our several ways and kind  
Of Professors, you cannot miss  
In each great store of these to find.  
And 'twill be fo, till with his fan,  
Christ Jesus hath gone over them all, 
Mat. 3.12.   
And then like Chaff, do what they can,  
They'll fly away, 
1 Pet. 2.8.  stumble, and fall.  
Again, With Christians when you meet,  
See that your time you well do spend; 
Ephes. 4.29.   
Don't fall into Discourse unmeet,  
That onely doth to by-things tend.  
Don't about forms and words dispute,  
Nor yet for needless Questions strive, 
2 Tim. 2.14, 23.   
Seeking each other to confute;  
Your Souls by this will never thrive.  
Neither affect high things to speak,  
Nor things in which you do not live,  
For so beyond your line you'll break, 
Psal. 131.1. Act. 4.20.   
To which no blessing God will give.  
But let your talk of such things be,  
As savour well, and chiefly tend  
Your Souls of sin and deaah to free, 
Eph. 4.29.   
And further you your lives to mend.  
And such discourse as gives you light  
To see your base deceitful heart; 
Jer. 17.9.   
And Satan's wil●ss, and every slight,  
By which( if snared) your Souls will smart. 
2 Cor. 2.11.   
And lets you see Christs fullness too,  
The Creatures vanity and loss; 
Eph. 1.23.   
That if them both compare you do, 
Eccl. 12.8. Phil. 3.8.   
The latter will appear but dross.  
Such talk too, as will sinners wound,  
And broken hearts doth heal and bind;  
'Tis this that makes men right and sound, 
Isa. 50.4.   
And of a sweet and sober mind.  
Christ in this talk with you will meet,  
Warming your hearts, making them glow, 
Isa. 64.5. Luk 24.32.   
That you from their communion sweet,  
refreshed and cheered away shall go.  
Before this point aside I lay,  
About your keeping Company,  
Another word still I shall say,  
Wherein some weight and stress may lye.  
When you upon your legs are set,  
And peace with God have now obtained,  
And nothing doth your Comforts let,  
Because the Devil up is chained.  
Don't spend your time as formerly,  
With such as high in faith are grown,  
But now yourselves to th' Babes apply, 
Rom. 14.1.   
And such as under burdens groan.  
Now feed the Babes, give them the breast, 
1 Thes. 5.14.   
And nurse and tittle up the Young;  
And show the weary Souls their Rest, 
Isa. 28.12. Heb. 12.12.   
Their feeble knees and hands make strong.  
And labour now dead Souls to wake,  
That yet lye fast asleep in sin; 
Ephes. 5.14 Jer. 23.29.   
And strive their stony hearts to break,  
That so their lost Souls you may win.  
And if in this way you shall go,  
To wake the dead, the wounded heal,  
And weak make strong, more good you'll do,  
I truly think, by a great deal,  
Than if your time you always spend  
With Saints that strong and skilful are,  
Their helps to crave, and yours to lend,  
And over each other take the care.  
I know for both there is a time, 
Eccles. 3.1. 1 John 2.14.   
For strong and weak, for old and young;  
But yet your Musick's dainty Chime,  
Sounds best the broken Hearts among. 
Rom. 10.15.   
And sure I am, more Comfort you  
By far to your own hearts will find; 
Job 29.13.   
Yea, and more profit you'll get too,  
If to this way you are inclined.  
Enough of this, I'll say no more:  
But yet I have another thing,  
Which if you keep by you in store,  
Much good unto you it may bring.  
'Tis this, I must you warning give,  
Of one base cursed bitter Root;  
Which poisons all where it doth live,  
And where it can but set the foot.  
'Tis Cov'toufness, that cursed Brat, 
Ephes. 5.5.   
That Canker-worm, that doth devour  
All Grace, all Good, and lays it flat,  
Where it doth get but Head or power.  
First, This will make your Graces all,  
That green have been, 
Luk. 16.13.  and shining bright,  
To whither, pine, wax dead, and fall,  
And that in open view and sight.  
Again, your hearts pierce through it will,  
With divers cares, 
1 Tim. 6.9.  temptations,  
And all your Lives this Root will fill  
With gull, grief, and vexations.  
Besides, a cursed Train it draws  
Of sins and vices with it too; 
1 Tim. 6.10.   
Which on poor Conscience daily gnaws,  
And doth the gracious Soul undo.  
Lastly, 'twill spoil your savour sweet,  
Which should scent forth like Lebanon, 
Hos. 14.6.   
To all with whom you live or meet,  
You'll be as dry as any Bone.  
Therefore this Colloquenquidine,  
That soon will your good Pottage spoil, 
2 King. 4.40.   
Keep out, cast out o'th' heart betime,  
Else afterward it will you foil.  
But though of this I warn you all,  
That you be not insnar'd thereby;  
Yet I must needs upon you call,  
That you in slothfulness don't lye. 
Rom. 12.11. 2 Thes. 3.11.   
But in some honest Calling see  
You live, and to it set your hand,  
That in it you employed may be,  
For this doth svit with Gods Command. 
Ephes. 4.28.   
Yea farther, I you counsel give,  
To follow it with all your might, 
Eccles. 9.10.   
That you a good full Trade may drive,  
For this is pleasing in Gods sight.  
But yet take heed, take heed, take heed,  
That with your wit, and strength, & hand,  
( All which must be employed indeed)  
Your heart don't join, & with them band; 
Psal. 62.10.   
Its own design to bring to pass,  
And set up Mammon as its God: 
Col. 3.5.   
O here take heed, my Babes! alas,  
'Tis this that makes what's even, odd.  
This also poisons all you do,  
even all to which your hand you set; 
Deut. 32.21. Jam. 5.1, 2, 3, 4.   
This brings a curse upon you too;  
And with your Goods, the Devil you get.  
I know it is the hardest thing  
The hand closely at work to be  
On earth, 
Eccl. 9.10.  and yet the heart on wing  
Heav'n-ward, 
Col. 3.2.  and from the Earth set free.  
And he that can command his heart  
In this, and bend it to his Bow;  
He's more the Master of his Art,  
Than all in Oxford-streets that go.  
And yet you must this Lesson learn,  
Your hand with diligence to give  
Unto your Calling, 
Prov. 10.14  so to earn  
That by which you and yours may live.  
And the more diligent you are,  
So that your heart be dis-engag'd, 
Prov. 12.27.   
The better you and yours may fare,  
And all your war's more easily waged.  
You may provide things honest too,  
And good in all mens sight; 
Rom. 12.17.  beside,  
Well fed, well clothed you may go,  
And so may bid the world to slide. 
Prov. 31.15 21. Prov. 31.20   
Again, you may the better feed  
The Poor, and sweetly deal about  
Your bounty, where you see there's need;  
So you their love shan't go without. 
Eph. 4.28.   
And surely a more blessed thing  
It is, 
Act. 20.35.  to give, than to receive;  
The blessing of the Perishing  
Shall on you come, 
Job 29.13. Rev. 8.3, 4.  and to you cleave.  
Besides, poor Saints, whose prayers do run  
Each day and night unto the Throne,  
You may relieve and help each one,  
Which is to you a good seed sown. 
Luk. 16.9.   
Again, the greater sway you'll bear  
I'th' place God points you out to dwell; 
Prov. 12.24   
That what profaneness shall appear  
There, you may it the better quell.  
Again, more time you then may spare  
In Gods sweet worship to abide;  
Without that base distracting care  
That over your faithless hearts will slide.  
More time to red, to praise, to pray,  
In private by yourselves alone;  
More time with Christians you may stay,  
When you do meet with them each one.  
More time to hear, and Meetings go,  
More time to stay when you be there;  
More time to visit Friends also,  
And see how it with them doth fare.  
These are the ends that I propound,  
Why in your Calling you should be  
Most diligent and daily found,  
If some good Call don't set you free.  
But O take heed! take heed I say,  
That whilst these things you do pretend,  
You do not steer another way,  
And quiter unto another end.  
Namely, that you might great become,  
And rich, and high i'th' worlds account;  
That you might bravely live at home,  
And when abroad might all surmount.  
That you might flaunt and tear about,  
As you see some brave Sparks to do,  
Where e'er they come, to make a rout,  
Poor fools, and think 'tis gallant too.  
Or else that your Posterity  
Might bravely live when you are dead, 
Psal. 49.11.   
And have a name half up to th' Sky,  
That so of you it might be said,  
This was the old mans Providence,  
That makes his Children live so well;  
And though his Grave hath took him hence,  
Yet still he hears this Tale some tell.  
Take heed of such base ends, I say,  
Which soon into your hearts may get;  
And if you watch not night and day,  
These footing in the same will set.  
And poison all your labours too;  
And you and your Posterity  
Gods curse will blast, 
Psal. 73.19, 20. Prov. 16.7.  and quiter undo,  
And root you out from under th' Sky,  
I have another word to say,  
Before this point let pass I shall;  
Do you give ear to it I pray,  
It may be useful to you all.  
If you your Calling follow close,  
With honest care and diligence,  
And for a blessing have recourse  
To God, 
Psal. 19.17.  and yet he don't dispense  
His blessing so upon the work  
Of your own hands, but still you see  
A secret curse through all to lurk, 
Hag. 1.6.   
And you at this much sadded be;  
Because so fast you cannot thrive  
I'th' world, as some( less painful do)  
Although you faithfully do strive  
And daily beg Gods blessing too:  
Then first the cause do you search out,  
Why God his blessing doth suspend; 
Hag. 1.5. Lam. 3.40.   
Through Conscience make both rack & rout,  
That you may see't, and so amend.  
And if by search you cannot find  
What is the cause you do not thrive,  
Because your sin hath made you blind, 
Ezek. 7.19.   
Then go to God, and with him strive;  
To show you what the cause may be,  
Pray hard, and to the Promise fly, 
Psal. 19.12.   
That he would ope your eyes to see  
Where curfed Achan close doth lye.  
But if God should not presently  
show you the Cause, then wait a while, 
Hab. 2.3.   
Still pray, believe, and to him cry;  
And then at last he in will smile, 
Isa. 30.18.   
And cast on Achan's head his lot,  
And out the cursed Villain bring; 
Josh. 7.18.   
Then ston the Wretch, and spare him not,  
O don't forbear at him to fling;  
And don't you cry, as David cried  
For his white Boy, O Absalon, 
2 Sam. 18.33.   
My Son, that I for thee had died!  
O Abfalon, my Son, my Son!  
But if no Achan should appear,  
When you the means thus used have,  
Then for the matter take no care;  
Yet still do you his Blessing crave:  
And cheerfully wait on him still;  
The time it may be come is not, 
John 2.4.   
When he your prayers answer will,  
And your own askings you allot.  
Or else his end may be to try  
How you'll submit unto his hand,  
And be content in poverty, 
Heb. 13.5. Phil. 4.11.   
As well as in a flowing Land.  
And when your hearts unto his Bow  
He thus hath bent, a blessing then  
On all your Labours he'll bestow, 
Deut. 28.12   
And to your prayers say, Amen.  
But if he should with Poverty  
Still all along you exercise;  
Then know it for a certainty, 
Mat. 6.8. Rom. 16.27.   
It is because he's onely wise;  
And knows your frailties all; yea, he  
Knows how his mercies you'd abuse, 
Psal. 49.12.   
And Blessings Curses soon would be,  
When them you know not how to use, 
Eccles. 5.   
And then, because he loves you dear,  
And knows that this condition's best 
Eccles. 5.13.   
For your immortal Souls welfare,  
In this estate he'd have you rest. 
Mark 10.25.   
O Children, therefore be content,  
If you into this state shall fall; 
Phil. 4.11, 12   
And let not your poor hearts resent,  
As if you fared the worst of all.  
No, no; I tell you 'tis not so;  
God loves you, as I said before;  
And if you walk as you should do,  
He heavenly Blessings hath in store. 
Psal. 50.23.   
And he'll make up abundantly  
Your outward wants with inward Grace,  
And with his Spirit you supply, 
Mark 10.30. Act. 20.24.   
That sweetly you may run your Race.  
For if your hearts with faith he fill,  
Although you live and norning have, 
2 Cor. 6.10.   
Yet you( as if the world at will  
You had) shall sweetly live, and brave.  
Though in this world you be but poor,  
Yet if you rich in faith shall be,  
And Heirs o'th' Kingdom evermore, 
Jam. 2.5.   
O happy then, thrice happy ye!  
Besides, consider 'twas the state  
In which God put his onely Son;  
So as he lived but at your rate,  
Whilst his sweet course i'th' world he run.  
Foxes had holes, the Birds had Nests, 
Mat. 8.20.   
But yet the glorious Son of man  
Had not a place his head to rest,  
Though on his head the Dove did stand. 
Mat. 3.16.   
This was th' Apostles portion too,  
Those glorious Hero's of their Age, 
Act. 3.16.   
Who walked i'th' world here to and fro,  
In a most heavenly equipage. 
1 Cor. 4.11.   
And of those holy men of old,  
That clad with Sheep and Goatskins were, 
Heb. 11.37.   
To keep their bodies from the could,  
In Deserts wandring here and there:  
Who oft in Dens and Caves did lye,  
Of whom the world not worthy were; 
Heb. 11.38.   
These this worlds glory did defy,  
And now at Gods right hand they are.  
This Path most Saints have soundly trod,  
I think almost in every Age;  
This Lot was lined them out by God,  
As their sweet earthly heritage.  
And now methinks this rugged way  
So often trod, should grow more plain  
To us that live i'th' Gospel-day,  
And follow all this heavenly Train.  
I have but one word more to give,  
By way of Counsel to you all,  
To teach you how you here should live,  
And I to God commit you shall.  
'Tis this: I'd have your carriage be  
Kind, lovely, affable, and sweet, 
Rom. 12.10. Eph. 4.31, 32 1 Cor. 10.32.   
To High and Low, to Bond and Free;  
To all with whom you live or meet.  
Speak friendly, and act friendly too,  
Yet so as Grace and Wisdom may 
1 Pet. 3.8.   
Appear in all you speak and do:  
O you had need for this to pray. 
Col. 4.6.   
And see that you do not comply  
With fin, 
Eph. 5.11.  or what is done amiss;  
Nor unreproov'd yet let it lre,  
Though fools may laugh at you for this. 
Prov. 14.9.   
And if you kind and courteous are,  
With Wisdom, Grace, and Gravity;  
Wise men good will to you will bear,  
And persons vain will from you fly. 
Job 29.8.   
And this will stop the mouths of those  
That else would say you're proud & stout, 
1 Pet. 2.15. Psal. 69.12.   
And none but Drunkards, I suppose,  
Will dare at you to scoff and flout.  
And if they should, yet certainly  
Their Conscience will accuse, 
1 Pet. 3.16.  and tell  
Them, what they say is but a lie,  
And they shall smart for it in Hell.  
Again, This way much honour you  
Unto Religion sure may bring; 
Phil. 1.27.   
And you more good by far may do,  
To bring in Souls to Christ your King. 
1 Pet. 2.12.   
Well now( my Babes) I finished have  
What in my heart I had to say:  
A Blessing on it I do crave,  
That to your Souls do good it may.   

And now the Blessing of that GOD  
That once within the Bush did dwell, 
Deut. 33.13, 14, 15. Gen. 49. 25, 26.   
And which on Joseph' s Head abode,  
Make you in Blessings to excel.   
FINIS.