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For I find by a Letter of another Gentle- P. W. a Lay man of the Laity, dated the 25th of January Gentleman, his laft, and written unto Coppinger in anfwer: Letter to Copthat Coppinger had fent for him up to receive pinger, incou advice of him in fome matters of importance, go on in his raging him to tending to the true Service of God, wherein work. be was labouring: In the end whereof are thefe words, viz. You are in a plentiful Soil, where you may use the advice of many godly wife: Ufe the benefit thereof; And then (as Joshua faid) be bold, and of a good courage: Fear not to be difcouraged, for God, even the mighty God, will protect, and defend you.

In his folliciting the Preachers to take trial of his Gifts and extraordinary Calling, it appeareth he used fome more plainnefs, without much difguifing of the quality of the Action, which he intended, and likewife how faintly he was difcouraged from it by them. For in a Letter of his unto T. L. written the 29th of January laft, he reporteth, that M. E. (a Preacher) moft Chriftianly, The Preachers wifely, and lovingly perfuaded him to be careful advise him to and circumfpect over himself: To take heed left Caution; but do not discoube were deceived by the fubtilty of Satan, and fo mifled; whereby he might endanger himself prove him. both for his Liberty, Eftate and Credit, and alfo be an binderance to the great Caufe, which he would feem to be most defirous to further; but withal, the faid M. E. concluded, that he would be loath to quench the Spirit of God in him, or to binder bis Zeal.

About this time and matter, Coppinger writ also another Letter to T. C. which

rage, nor re

Note.

thing (befides the Letter it felf) appeareth alfo by a Letter of his, written the 24th of Note. February laft, to one M. H. The whole teCoppinger's nor of the Letter unto T. C. is (in mine Letter to Cart

fame Special ferrvice to God

and his

Church; be felf call'd for.

fancied him

wright about Opinion) meet to be here inferted, in many refpects, viz. Right Reverend Sir, I have with much grief been put back from doing fome Special fervice to God, and to his Church, which I hope time will manifeft, that I am appointed for: Which if it had been done by Enemies, it fhould not much have troubled me: But being dore by Perfons as much regarded by me, as flesh and blood can regard men, it goeth near unto me. From you I received this Meffage, That I fhould attempt nothing but by advice of those whom you would procure to counfel me: This was done from you in the name of the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and therefore I obey it with great care and confcience, expecting at your hands, that Monday, being the day appointed for conference, that it may bold; that I may be justified in my courfe, or condemned. The danger that fome ftand in for their lives, is not unknown: ind if I had not been letted, I durft have ventured my life to bave procured their release ere now. God help us: I fee Wisdom, Zeal, Courage, and Love are feen but in few, and those who would gladly use thofe Graces and Gifts which God hath given them, cannot : But God feeth what is best to be done, and be will by contrary effects bring to pass whatsoever pleaseth bim. If you will answer my last Questions, there nay much ufe be made of them. I defire them as much in regard of others, as my felf, who ar

Note.

refolved

you

refolved of divers things, whereof I crave to be
refolved, which I do to good purpose. And as
you commanded me (in the name of God) to be
wife and circumfpect, and to deal by counsel, sɔ,
(as I may) I command you in the name of God,
that advife the Preachers to deal speedily and.
circumspectly, left fome blood of the Saints be
fhed, which must needs bring down vengeance
from Heaven upon the Land. Return this Let-
ter, I beseech you, to me, that I may shew it (a-
mongst other things) when the meeting shall be,
and commend me and my Purposes to God in your
boly Prayers, that they may fo far be blessed, as
bimfelf is the director of them: God keep us ever
his, this 14th of February. There is also this
Poftfcript. I am so full of worldly business, as
I have no time to attend this weighty Action, but
do only weight upon God for the direction of his
Spirit, faving my heart and foul are still mind-
ful hereof, and to morrow (by God's grace) I
will bumble my felf before his Majesty in fafting
and prayer, and hope that God will fir up some
other to join with me in fpirit, though few or
none in perfon do, only one I am affured of, the
Prifoners know it: I leave it to them to join or
not, as God moves them; but if ever men will
fast and
pray, I think it is now more than time
to do it. The Superfcription was this: To
my very loving and reverend Friend, Ma-
fter C.

Note.

Note.

He dealt alfo (about this matter) with another Gentleman of the Laity, in one of J. T. a Lay whofe Letters written in anfwer to Coppin- Gentleman, bis ger's, the 18th of the fifth Month (meaning

thereby

Letter to Cop

pinger, inti

mating caution thereby May) I find these words of fome about fome fin- mark. I confefs (faith he) 1 beard fome buz Bular Course abroad of a fole and fingular course, that either you or Special Praor fome other bad plotted in his head. And a little after thus: I would wish you, and all that bear good will to the holy Caufe in this perilous Age of ours, to take both your eyes in your hands Strive to put (as they fay) and to be sure of your ground and warrant before you ftrive to put in execution.

Etice.

in execution.

Befides these and fome others, he inftanted both by word and Letters (in Eafter Term laft) about this bufinefs, a certain Gentleman. In his firft Letter to the said Gentleman, dated the 19th of May laft, Coppinger Coppinger promifeth to him in the name of the comforteth a Lord, a recompence in the life to come, for that Gentleman in the Star-chamber be feared God more than cenfured in Star-chamber Man, in such a glorious Action, So pleafing to for the Caufe. God, fo beboveful to his Church, which shall also remain of record here to all pofterity. And a little after thus: If after your own boly private Prayer you find any defire of speech with me, let me intreat you, either to fend this Letter to M. Cartwright, or rather (if you can) carry it unto him, &c. The fecond Letter which he writ to the faid Lawyer the 21st of May (they having in the mean time conferred together) was thus word by word. Let thy Spirit (O gracious Father) direct us now and for ever, in all our ways, especially in those, whereby greatest honour may redound to thy glori ois Majesty, most benefit to thy Church, and most danger to thine Enemies.

Good

Good Sir, and my loving Brother in the Lord, though fuch as are admitted to confult with God, and have by prayer and meditation much familiarity and acquaintance with his holy Majesty, need not doubt of good fuccefs in all things which be fetteth them a work in, (though Satan and his Vaffals cross their courfe, and binder their labour by all the means they can) yet is it also neceffary that while we remain in the fellowship and communion of the Saints, that we communicate one with another, that as loving Children we may all join together, to help each other, to be doers of our heavenly Father's will here on Earth, as the Angels do it in the Heavens. The confcience which I had hereof, enforced me to write unto you lately, and the like moved you to speak with me upon that Letter. And truly I did obferve many things (in that little time we spent together) were faid and done, which might move either of us to praise our good God, and to cheer us up, to further fo boly an Action as now is in hand, which must needs speed well in the end, because it is the Lord's own work. And if we adventure our felves to do him fervice here, be will reward elsewhere. You may be bold, for you have the warrant of the Word, the allowance of the State, and you walk in your own Calling: But I am to be fearful and circumfpect, because the Dangers I enter into be infinite, my Courfe mifliked (though unknown) because it is extraordinary; which Callings be ceafed in all mens opinion of judgment, and have not (of long time) been heard of, or to be hoped for, where the Word is not preached at all, or the

but

Church

Note.

1

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