N00939:79
The glory of goodness. The goodness of God celebrated; in remarkable instances and improvements thereof: and more particularly in the redemption remarkably obtained for the English captives, which have been languishing under the tragical, and the terrible and the most barbarous cruelties of barbary. : [Six lines from Psalms]
printed by T. Green for Benjamin Eliot, 1703
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
There was now and then a wretched Christian, who Renounced Christianity & Embraced Mahometism. If These our Friends had been left unto themselves, under their amazing Trials, They, They would have done so too! Sirs▪ I hope ⟨p. 39⟩you readily own, That you did not keep your selves from Falling! Wherefore unto Him that kept you from Falling, be Glory and Majesty, Dominion and Power, both now and forever. Oh: Let us admire Sovereign Grace, and shout, Grace! Grace! upon it, that though these our Friends, were covered with the shadow of Death, yet they did not Forget the Name of our God, into which they had been Baptised, nor deal falsely in their Baptismal Covenant; nor stretch out their Hands unto the Impostor Mahomet, and his accursed Alcoran!
There was now and then a wretched Christian, who Renounced Christianity & Em•raced Mahometism. If These our Friends had been left unto themselves, under their amazing Trials, They, They would have done so too! Sirs▪ I hope ⟨p. 39⟩you readily own, That you did not keep your selves from Falling! Wherefore unto Him that kept you from Falling, be Glory and Majesty, Dominion and Power, both now and forever. Oh: Let us admire Sovereign Grace, and shout, Grace! Grace! upon it, that though these our Friends, were covered with the shadow of Death, yet they did not Forget the Name of our God, into which they had been Baptised, nor deal falsely in their Baptismal Covenant; nor stretch out their Hands unto the Impostor Mahomet, and his accursed Alcoran!
Our Glorious Lord JESUS CHRIST has now and then had a Martyr, of late, in the Torrid zone of Africa.
One Story (related by Brooks,) may not unprofitably be now repeated.
An English-man and a French-man were taken, endeavouring an Escape▪ The next Day, the English-man and the French-man were cared up to Macqueness in Irons, before the Emperor, who by the Moors was informed, what was done. The Emperor, upon Examination, told them, if they did not immediately turn Moors, he would kill them. The French-man yielded; the Emperor then threatened the English-man, ⟨p. 40⟩if he did not turn, he would quickly kill him. He made Answer, Gods Power was greater than the Devils, & let him do what he would, he should not make him turn Moor. The Emperor called for his Sword, and immediately fell to cutting him, threatening him still, to turn▪ He said, He was brought up in the Faith of Jesus Christ, & he would not forsake it. Then this inhumane Wretch in great spleen, Cut him till he fell down, and hacked & hewed him, as if had been butchering an Ox, and caused the Negro-boys to run his Body full of Holes, with Knives, till his Body was as full of Holes as possible it could be. When he had so done, Bring, said he in his own Language, Four English Dogs to fetch that Dog away. And as they carried his Body away, the Negro-boys stoned them, saying, That should be the end of them, if they did not turn Moors: But they were glad to go quietly without answering again; if they had made any Reply, they had certainly been fallen upon by the Negro-boys. So their greatest satisfaction was, his Dying in the Christian Faith, and his counting that more precious than his own Life, holding the same steadfast ⟨p. 41⟩before that Cruel Tyrant, while he had Breath in his Body. Then they carried him to the place, where they lodged under ground; so took off his Irons, and kept there all Night; and the next Morning carried him where he was to be buried, the Negroes still stoning of them as they went along. As soon as they had laid his Body in the ground, they were hurried by the Negroes to work again after their usual manner.
These our Friends, have not thus Resisted unto Blood. But yet they have not been without Bloody Temptations. And, O my Hearers, Will you not now Glorify the Faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who would not suffer these our Friends to be Tempted above what they were able, but made even their Temptations to be their Preservations! One would have thought, that if any thing should have made them turn Infidels, it would have been their Adversity, and the Hope of getting thereby some Relaxation of their Adversity. No; It was remarked, That the Renegado's for the most part, were those who suffered the least share of Adversity. The Fellows who enjoyed more Prosperity ▪ & lived in Gentlemen's Houses, ⟨p. 42⟩with much of Idleness, and Luxury, and Liberty, THESE for the most part were they that fell into the Snare of the Wicked; when those who were toiling about Castles or •rickil•s, continued steadfast in the Faith of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. It was also a notable thing; That few did ever come to cast off the Faith of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, until they were first grown very Vicious in their Morals, and fallen into Vices and Scandals, which made 'em ashamed of appearing before their better disposed Countre•-men; THEN 'twas that they grew desperate, and they departed from the Lord with such a total and final Backsliding, that the Soul of God had no pleasure in them. How Forlorn, how Undone, how Damned for both Worlds had you been, if you had been given over to become such vile Deserters? You saw the strange Hand of God, upon Them: You saw them Hated, Loathed, Scorned, both by the Baptised and the Circumcised: You saw they got nothing, but were Temporally more abject than they were before, & Eternally seized by Chains of Darkness impossible ever to be taken off. You are Glad, that you have been saved from your Apostasy. Did you save your-selves? No; We hear ⟨p. 43⟩you humbly saying this Day before the Lord and His People; Not unto us, Not unto us, O Lord, but unto thy Name give Glory! And, Lord, Thou art He who has delivered my Soul from Death, my Eyes from Tears, and my Feet from Falling.
These our Friends, have not thus Resisted unto Blood. But yet they have not been without Bloody Temptations. And, O my Hearers, Will you not now Glorify the Faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who would not suffer these our Friends to be Tempted above what they were able, but made even their Temptations to be their Preservations! One would have thought, that if any thing should have made them turn Infidels, it would have been their Adversity, and the Hope of getting thereby some Relaxation of their Adversity. No; It was remark'd, That the Renegado's for the most part, were those who suffered the least share of Adversity. The Fellows who enjoy'd more Prosperity & lived in Gentlemens Houses,
Wherefore yet once again;
Oh! That men would Praise the Lord for His Goodness, and for His wonderful Works to the Children of Men.
IV. It is a Remarkable Goodness of God, That now the Deliverance of these our Friends is accomplished, and in a signal Answer to Prayer accomplished, and this not without great Obstructions to the Accomplishment.
IV. It is a Remarkable Goodness of God, That now the Deliverance of these our Friends is accomplished, and in a signal Answer to Prayer accomplished, and this not without great Obstrctuions to the Accomplishment.
Such was the known Treachery and Perfidy of the False Tyrant, who held these our Friends in Bondage, that every one despaired of their Deliverance.
For instance;
In the Year, 1680. the English Captives, which were under this fierce Tyrant, sent over a Petition to the King of England, that something might be done for them. An English Captain being sent over, came to an Agreement with him, for their Deliverance, and the Captives were actually put into his Hands. ⟨p. 44⟩The Shack of the Jews, who had order to build a Town for this Faithless Monarch, came to him, telling him that if he would let him have the Christians, to build the Jews-Town, he would give him as much Money as the English Captain had agreed with him for. The next Morning, this African Monster sent out his Negroes, to drive back the Christians, which were hurried again to their old Slavery, in the Cruellest manner imaginable: And there was an end of the matter! Though the Vengeance of God quickly pursued that Jew, who not without the Connivance of the Emperor, had his Brains horribly trod out, by one who purposely Rode over him.
In the Year, 1680. the English Captives, which were under this fierce Tyrant, sent over a Petition to the King of England, that something might be done for them. An English Captain being sent over, came to an Agreement with him, for their Deliverance, and the Captives were actually put into his Hands. ⟨p. 44⟩The Shack of the Jews, who had order to build a Town for this Faithless Monarch, came to him, telling him that if he would let him have the Christians, to build the Jews-Town, he would give him as much Money as the English Captain had agreed with him for. The next Morning, this African Monster sent out his Negroes, to drive back the Christians, which were hurried again to their old Slavery, in the Cruellest manner imaginable: And there was an end of the matter! Though the Vengeance of God quickly pursued that Jew, who not without the Connivance of the Emperour, had his Brains horribly trod out, by one who purposely Rode over him.
The Time, the set Time for Favour, was not then come. Now 'tis; and this with a Touch from Heaven upon the Heart of a Devil Incarnate compelling him to deal more truly than he use to do.
The Time, the sett Time for Favour, was not then come. Now 'tis; and this with a Touch from Heaven upon the Heart of a Devil Incarnate compelling him to deal more truly than he use to do.
The Difficulty of Gathering the Ransom was at last got over; every other Impediment was removed: And, who art thou, O Mountain, that shall sta•d in the way, when Gods Time is come? Who is the Potsherd of the Earth, that shall propose to Command the Lord concerning His Children?
The Difficulty of Gathering the Ransome was at last got over; every other Impediment was removed: And, who art thou, O Mountain, that shall sta•d in the way, when Gods Time is come? Who is the Po•sherd of the Earth, that shall propose to Command the Lord concerning His Children?
To what a sweet Change of their Condition, are these our Friends now arrived! Instead of Hellish Moors at their pleasure Kicking and Scourging and Plaguing of them, they are in the Arms of their most agreeable Relatives, and others whom they daily behold with mutual Delight. Instead of being driven to Servile, Tedious, Vexing Employments, they are now Employed Easily, and as they would be. Instead of the Sabbaths which they saw without any Rest in them, they have now as many Opportunities for the Service of God and their Souls, as they wish for.
To what a sweet Change of their Condition, are these our Friends now arrived! Instead of Hellish Moors at their pleasure Kicking and Scourging and Plaguing of them, they are in the Arms of their most agreeable Relatives, and others whom they daily behold with mutual Delight. Instead of being driven to Servile, Tedious, Vexing Employments, they are now Employ'd Easily, and as they would be. Instead of the Sabbaths which they saw without any Rest in them, they have now as many Opportunities for the Service of God and their Souls, as they wish for.
What has brought all this about? Oh! 'Tis PRAYER, 'Tis PRAYER, that has done it all. Give me leave to speak it with all due Humility; This Deliverance never began thoroughly to operate, until God began to awaken a Spirit of Prayer in the Churches of poor NEW-ENGLAND for it. When the Sons of New-England, and of some very Praying people here, fell into so dire a Captivity, presently a Cry of PRAYER made a Noise that reached up to Heaven. We did not Sin by ceasing to Pray for them· Thus was the A•m of the Lord awakened for the Deliverance of these our Sons; ⟨p. 46⟩and, thou, O Mully Ishmael, with all thy Diabolical Fury, art no longer able t• with-hold from us, the Friends, abou• whom God gave thee an Efficacious Order, To let them go.
What has brought all this about? Oh! 'Tis PRAYER, 'Tis PRAYER, that has done it all. Give me leave to speak it with all due Humility; This Deliverance never began thoroughly to operate, until God began to awaken a Spirit of Prayer in the Churches of poor NEW-ENGLAND for it. When the Sons of New-England, and of some very Praying people here, fell into so dire a Captivity, presently a Cry of PRAYER made a Noise that reach'd up to Heaven. We did not Sin by ceasing to Pray for them· Thus was the A•m of the Lord awakened for the Deliverance of these our Sons; ⟨p. 46⟩and, thou, O Mully Ishmael, with all thy Diabolical Fury, art no longer able t• with-hold from us, the Friends, abou• whom God gave thee an Efficacious Order, To let them go.
But, For what, O my Sons, For wha• are you thus let go from your Servitude bu• that being Delivered out of the Hand• of your Enemies, you may serve the Lord without Fear, in Holiness and Righteousness before Him, all the days of your Lives? Your Friends, are with Raptures of Lov• and Joy, beholding your Deliverance from your Captivity. When we see your Captivity turned, we are like them wh• dream; and with astonished Souls, we make that Acclamation, The Lord hath done Great Things for them! Now, as a most proper Expression of the Affection, wherewith we bid you Welcome unto us we cannot but set before you, the Desire of our Souls after the Improvement and Perfection of your Deliverance. If nothing else, yet the Prayers that we have Day and Night been putting up to Heaven for you, in your Troubles, may bespeak for us the Freedom of tendering you the Counsels, which you may do well to take, now you have received the Answer, and the Harvest of those Prayers i• ⟨p. 47⟩•he Period of your Troubles. Indeed our prayers are not answered, until our Coun••ls be followed; and the greatest service now to be done for you, is freely & plainly to tell you, What those Points •re, for which our Prayers are therefore continued.
But, For what, O my Sons, For wha• are you thus let go from your Servitude bu• that being Delivered out of the Hand• of your Enemies, you may serve the Lord without Fear, in Holiness and Righteousnes• before Him, all the dayes of your Lives? Your Friends, are with Raptures of Lov• and Joy, beholding your Deliveranc• from your Captivity. When we see your Captivity turned, we are like them wh• dream; and with astonished Souls, we make that Acclamation, The Lord hath done Great Things for them! Now, as a most proper Expression of the Affection, wherewith we bid you Welcome unto us we cannot but set before you, the Desire of our Souls after the Improvement and Perfection of your Deliverance. If nothing else, yet the Prayers that we have Day and Night been putting up to Heaven for you, in your Troubles, may bespeak for us the Freedome of tendring you the Counsels, which you may do wel to take, now you have received the Answer, and the Harvest of those Prayers i
An English-man and a French-man were taken, endeavouring an Escape▪ The next Day, the English-man and the French-man were carred up to Macqueness in Irons, before the Emperour, who by the Moors was informed, what was done. The Emperour, upon Examination, told them, if they did not immediately turn Moors, he would kill them. The French-man yielded; the Emperour then threatned the English-man, ⟨p. 40⟩if he did not turn, he would quickly kill him. He made Answer, Gods Power was greater than the Devils, & let him do what he would, he should not make him turn Moor. The Emperour called for his Sword, and immediately fell to cutting him, threatning him still, to turn▪ He said, He was brought up in the Faith of Jesus Christ, & he would not forsake it. Then this inhumane Wretch in great spleen, Cut him till he fell down, and hack'd & hew'd him, as if had been butchering an Oxe, and caused the Negro-boyes to run his Body full of Holes, with Knives, till his Body was as full of Holes as possible it could be. When he had so done, Bring, said he in his own Language, Four English Dogs to fetch that Dog away. And as they carried his Body away, the Negro-boyes stoned them, saying, That should be the end of them, if they did not turn Moors: But they were glad to go quietly without answering again; if they had made any Reply, they had certainly been fallen upon by the Negro-boyes. So their greatest satisfaction was, his Dying in the Christian Faith, and his counting that more precious than his own Life, holding the same stedfast ⟨p. 41⟩before that Cruel Tyrant, while he had Breath in his Body. Then they carried him to the place, where they lodged under ground; so took off his Irons, and kept there all Night; and the next Morning carried him where he was to be buried, the Negroes still stoning of them as they went along. As soon as they had laid his Body in the ground, they were hurried by the Negroes to work again after their usual manner.
