N00939:82
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.
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.
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.
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
We do in the first place, Pray to the God of all Grace, that you may have the Grace to be very sensible of the matchless Favours that God hath bestowed upon you. Look, Oh! Look back, upon your doleful and woeful Circumstances in the Hands of a Bitter and Hasty Nation. Read the Book of Lamentations, as one of the Ancients tells us, he did use to do, when he felt Vanity growing upon his mind; and from thence Revive to your own mind, the Remembrance of your own Lamentable Miseries. But herewith•l Remember, how much you would once have given, to be brought out of those miserable Confusions. And acknowledge that you have Deserved all your Sufferings, from the Hands of a Righteous God, before whom you must indeed say, Lord, Thou hast punished us •ar less than our Iniquities have deserved. ⟨p. 48⟩It is a Surprising Mercy of God, that has rescued you from the Horrible Pit, into which you were fallen; But that which makes it the more Surprising, is, that it is a Singular Mercy. In former Years, the Lions Den, in that part of Barba••, where you have been cast, had this unhappy Character upon it, Few or none Returned. That we now see a Return of so many, who have been a Prey to those Terrible one•, truly, 'tis a New, a Strange, & a Great Sight. We may say upon it▪ This is the Lords Doing, and it is •arvello• in our Eyes!
We do in the first place, Pray to the God of all Grace, that you may have the Grace to be very sensible of the match•ess Favours that God hath bestowed upon you. Look, Oh! Look back, upon your doleful and woful Circumstances in the Hands of a Bitter and Hasty Nation. Read the Book of Lamentations, as one of the Ancients tells us, he did use to do, when he felt Vanity growing upon his mind; and from thence Revive to your own mind, the Remembrance of your own Lamentable Miseries. But herewith•l Remember, how much you would once have given, to be brought out of those miserable Confusions. And acknowledge that you have Deserved all your Sufferings, from the Hands of a Righteous God, before whom you must ndeed say, Lord, Thou hast punished us ar less than our Iniquities have deserved.
What will you now do, but Sing the High Praises of your Almighty Redeemer? Don't so regard Second Causes, as to neglect the First and Chief Cause of all or account Him any other than the Firs• and Chief of all. Methinks, The Hundred and Sixteenth Psalm, the Hundred & Forty Sixth Psalm, the Second Paragraph of the Hundred and Seventh Psalm, the Beginning of the Hundred and Third Psalm the Conclusion of the Fifty Sixth, and Fifty Seventh, and Sixty Sixth Psalms, will afford some good strokes of Thanksgiving for you, when you come to Sing the Praise ⟨p. 49⟩of God. On all fit occasions also, why should you not make a Thankful mention of what you have received! Yea, Mention it not only in Speaking, but also in Writing thereof, & keep a Record, of, How Great Things the Lord hath done for you.
What will you now do, but Sing the High Praises of your Almighty Redeemer? Don't so regard Second Causes, as to neglect the First and Chief Cause of all or account Him any other than the Firs• and Chief of all. Methinks, The Hundred and Sixteenth Psalm, the Hundred & Forty Sixth Psalm, the Second Paragraph of the Hundred and Seventh Psalm, the Beginning of the Hundred and Third Psalm the Conclusion of the Fifty Sixth, and Fifty Seventh, and Sixty Sixth Psalms, will afford some good strokes of Thanksgiving for you, when you come to Sing the Praise ⟨p. 49⟩of God. On all fit occasions also, why should you not make a Thank•ul mention of what you have received! Yea, Mention it not only in Speaking, but also in Writing thereof, & keep a Record, of, How Great Things the Lord hath done for you.
But what signifies a Thanksgiving, without Thanksliving? Sirs, You are under infinite Obligations, to keep the Command•andments of that Good God, who hath brought you out of the Land of Barbary, & […] of the House of Bondage. It is the most Reasonable, and the most Advisable thing imaginable▪ That you •ou should seriously Consider with your selves, and ask Divines and other Christians, to Assist you in Considering, What Lessons you should learn, by the Changes that have passed over you? And apply your Cares, to learn those Lessons, and Live as you have been Less•'d. But in a very particular manner, it becomes you, to get from under your Slavery unto Satan, and unto Sin, which is worse than Satan: For that is a Slaver•, a Million times worse, than what you have seen at Macqueness. Every Unrenewed man▪ is a S•ave to those Destroyers; and You will be so, ⟨p. 50⟩till you have heartily Resigned up your selves unto the Conduct of the Lord JESUS CHRIST with a lively Faith in Him, to be made Righteous and Holy: But, When He shall make you Free, you will be F•ee indeed. Be persuaded now to enter into Covenant with God, and become the Bound Servants of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, who hath brought you out of your dismal Servitude. Hereupon often think with your selves; What shall I render • •he Lord for all His Benefits? And, What special thing shall I do for the Honour of Him, to whom I owe my All? God hath Returned you to the Blessings of His Day, and of His House, whereof you were deprived, when the Filthy Disciples of Mahomet were Lording it over you: You should now make a better use of Them than ever you did, and bring forth more of that Fruit, by which your Blessed Redeemer may be Glorified. Oh! Let the Goodness of God lead you to this Repentance. Truly, There should now be seen in you, a Remarkable Difference from other Men, that never were so Remarkably Delivered as You have been; and from what Y•u your selves were before you were thus Remarkably Delivered.
But what signifies a Thanksgiving, without Thanksliving? Sirs, You are under infinite Obligations, to keep the Command•andments of that Good God, who hath brought you out of the Land of Barbary, & 〈…〉 of the House of Bondage. It is the most Reasonable, and the most Advise•ble thing imaginable▪ That you •ou should seriously Consider with your selves, and ask Divines and other Christians, to Assist you in Considering, What Lessons you should learn, by the Changes that have passed over you? And apply your Cares, to learn those Lessons, and Live as you have been Less•'d. But in a very particular manner, it becomes you, to get from under your Slavery unto Satan, and unto Sin, which is worse than Satan: For that is a Slaver•, a Million times worse, than what you have seen at Macqueness. Every Unrenewed man▪ is a S•ave to those Destroyers; and You will be so, ⟨p. 50⟩till you have heartily Resigned up your selves unto the Conduct of the Lord JESUS CHRIST with a lively Faith in Him, to be made Righteous and Holy: But, When He shall make you Free, you will be F•ee indeed. Be perswaded now to enter into Covenant with God, and become the Bound Servants of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, who hath brought you out of your dismal Servitude. Hereupon often think with your selves; What shall I render • •he Lord for all His Benefits? And, What special thing shall I do for the Honour of Him, to whom I owe my All? God hath Returned you to the Blessings of His Day, and of His House, whereof you were deprived, when the Filthy Disciples of Mahomet were Lording it over you: You should now make a better use of Them than ever you did, and bring forth more of that Fruit, by which your Blessed Redeemer may be Glorified. Oh! Let the Goodness of God lead you to this Repentance. Truly, There should now be seen in you, a Remarkable Difference from other Men, that never were so Remarkably Delivered as You have been; and from what Y•u your selves were befor• you were thus Remarkably Delivered. ⟨p. 51⟩There is one awful Scripture, which 'tis pitty, but you should have your Eyes more than a Thousand Times upon: Even That; Ezr. 9.13, 14. After all that is come upon us, for our Evil Deeds, and thou hast given us such Deliverance as This; if we should again break thy Commandments, wouldest thou not be Angry with us, till thou hast Consumed us?
