Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners [52]
conference there with the justices, they taking my plain dealing with them for a confession, as they termed it, OF THE INDICTMENT, DID SENTENCE ME TO A PERPETUAL BANISHMENT, BECAUSE I REFUSED TO CONFORM. So being again delivered up to the jailer's hands, I was had home to prison, and there have lain now complete twelve years, waiting to see what God would suffer these men to do with me.
320. In which condition I have continued with much content, through grace, but have met with many turnings and goings upon my heart, both from the Lord, Satan, and my own corruptions; by all which (glory be to Jesus Christ) I have also received among many things, much conviction, instruction, and understanding, of which at large I shall not here discourse; only give you a hint or two, a word that may stir up the godly to bless God, and to pray for me; and also to take encouragement, should the case be their own - NOT TO FEAR WHAT MAN CAN DO UNTO THEM.
321. I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the word of God as now: those scriptures that I saw nothing in before, are made in this place and state to shine upon me; Jesus Christ also was never more real and apparent than now; here I have seen and felt Him indeed: Oh! that word, WE HAVE NOT PREACHED UNTO YOU CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES, 2 Pet. i. 16, and that, GOD RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, AND GAVE HIM GLORY, THAT OUR FAITH AND HOPE MIGHT BE IN GOD 1 Pet. i. 21, were blessed words unto me in this my imprisoned condition.
322. These three or four scriptures also have been great refreshments in this condition to me: John xiv. 1-4; John xvi. 33; Col. iii. 3, 4; Heb. xii. 22-24. So that sometimes when I have been in the savour of them, I have been able to laugh at destruction, AND TO FEAR NEITHER THE HORSE NOR HIS RIDER. I have had sweet sights of the forgiveness of my sins in this place, and of my being with Jesus in another world: OH! THE MOUNT SION, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, THE INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS, AND GOD THE JUDGE OF ALL, AND THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT, AND JESUS, have been sweet unto me in this place: I have seen that here, that I am persuaded I shall never, while in this world, be able to express: I have seen a truth in this scripture, WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN, YE LOVE; IN WHOM, THOUGH NOW YOU SEE HIM NOT, YET BELIEVING, YE REJOICE WITH JOY UNSPEAKABLE, AND FULL OF GLORY. 1 Pet. i. 8.
323. I never knew what it was for God to stand by me at all turns, and at every offer of Satan to afflict me, etc., as I have found Him since I came in hither: for look how fears have presented themselves, so have supports and encouragements; yea, when I have started, even as it were, at nothing else but my shadow, yet God, as being very tender of me, hath not suffered me to be molested, but would with one scripture or another, strengthen me against all; insomuch that I have often said, WERE IT LAWFUL, I COULD PRAY FOR GREATER TROUBLE, FOR THE GREATER COMFORT'S SAKE. Eccl. vii. 14; 2 Cor. i. 5.
324. Before I came to prison, I saw what was coming, and had especially two considerations warm upon my heart; the first was, how to be able to encounter death, should that be here my portion. For the first of these, that scripture, Col. i. 11, was great information to me, namely, to pray to God TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS POWER, UNTO ALL PATIENCE AND LONG-SUFFERING WITH JOYFULNESS. I could seldom go to prayer before I was imprisoned; but for not so little as a year together, this sentence, or sweet petition would, as it were, thrust itself into my mind, and persuade me, that if ever I would go through long- suffering, I must have all patience, especially if I would endure it joyfully.
325. As to the second consideration, that saying (2 Cor. i. 9) was of great use to me, BUT WE HAD THE SENTENCE OF DEATH IN OURSELVES, THAT WE SHOULD NOT TRUST IN OURSELVES, BUT IN GOD, WHICH RAISETH THE DEAD. By this scripture I was made to see, That if ever I would suffer rightly,
320. In which condition I have continued with much content, through grace, but have met with many turnings and goings upon my heart, both from the Lord, Satan, and my own corruptions; by all which (glory be to Jesus Christ) I have also received among many things, much conviction, instruction, and understanding, of which at large I shall not here discourse; only give you a hint or two, a word that may stir up the godly to bless God, and to pray for me; and also to take encouragement, should the case be their own - NOT TO FEAR WHAT MAN CAN DO UNTO THEM.
321. I never had in all my life so great an inlet into the word of God as now: those scriptures that I saw nothing in before, are made in this place and state to shine upon me; Jesus Christ also was never more real and apparent than now; here I have seen and felt Him indeed: Oh! that word, WE HAVE NOT PREACHED UNTO YOU CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES, 2 Pet. i. 16, and that, GOD RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, AND GAVE HIM GLORY, THAT OUR FAITH AND HOPE MIGHT BE IN GOD 1 Pet. i. 21, were blessed words unto me in this my imprisoned condition.
322. These three or four scriptures also have been great refreshments in this condition to me: John xiv. 1-4; John xvi. 33; Col. iii. 3, 4; Heb. xii. 22-24. So that sometimes when I have been in the savour of them, I have been able to laugh at destruction, AND TO FEAR NEITHER THE HORSE NOR HIS RIDER. I have had sweet sights of the forgiveness of my sins in this place, and of my being with Jesus in another world: OH! THE MOUNT SION, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, THE INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF ANGELS, AND GOD THE JUDGE OF ALL, AND THE SPIRITS OF JUST MEN MADE PERFECT, AND JESUS, have been sweet unto me in this place: I have seen that here, that I am persuaded I shall never, while in this world, be able to express: I have seen a truth in this scripture, WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN, YE LOVE; IN WHOM, THOUGH NOW YOU SEE HIM NOT, YET BELIEVING, YE REJOICE WITH JOY UNSPEAKABLE, AND FULL OF GLORY. 1 Pet. i. 8.
323. I never knew what it was for God to stand by me at all turns, and at every offer of Satan to afflict me, etc., as I have found Him since I came in hither: for look how fears have presented themselves, so have supports and encouragements; yea, when I have started, even as it were, at nothing else but my shadow, yet God, as being very tender of me, hath not suffered me to be molested, but would with one scripture or another, strengthen me against all; insomuch that I have often said, WERE IT LAWFUL, I COULD PRAY FOR GREATER TROUBLE, FOR THE GREATER COMFORT'S SAKE. Eccl. vii. 14; 2 Cor. i. 5.
324. Before I came to prison, I saw what was coming, and had especially two considerations warm upon my heart; the first was, how to be able to encounter death, should that be here my portion. For the first of these, that scripture, Col. i. 11, was great information to me, namely, to pray to God TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT, ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS POWER, UNTO ALL PATIENCE AND LONG-SUFFERING WITH JOYFULNESS. I could seldom go to prayer before I was imprisoned; but for not so little as a year together, this sentence, or sweet petition would, as it were, thrust itself into my mind, and persuade me, that if ever I would go through long- suffering, I must have all patience, especially if I would endure it joyfully.
325. As to the second consideration, that saying (2 Cor. i. 9) was of great use to me, BUT WE HAD THE SENTENCE OF DEATH IN OURSELVES, THAT WE SHOULD NOT TRUST IN OURSELVES, BUT IN GOD, WHICH RAISETH THE DEAD. By this scripture I was made to see, That if ever I would suffer rightly,