much enlargement in my work: though my opponents have heard of it, they have not assayed to molest me. It may be, my missing the way may find

a soul."

"In the court at York there were strong prejudices against me. Some of my adversaries had informed, upon oath, that I was preaching still, and that when some persons came to disturb me, I beat them with my cane, which are palpable and groundless lies: my intelligence informed me, that there was a warrant in the hands of some justices, which the proctor saith, he saw, and desired me in prudence to avoid it. I therefore went into Lancashire for a month, and after ten weeks' continuance at home, heard no more of it. Besides my civil liberty, I have hitherto enjoyed spiritual privileges, though in private, yet with comfort. I have had the communion of saints, in a considerable company, at my house every week, day or night, since I have been debarred from public opportunities. This is the more remarkable, because the churchwarden and constable are very near neighbours to me, and the one is so malicious, that he hath been seen to watch the house himself, and hath been known to set others to watch."

for

"Now, at last, a fatal blow is given to my liberty, my restless adversaries have procured a writ (de excommunicato capiendo,) to apprehend me as an excommunicated man. The Lord providentially brought it on me, by an occasional meeting of the bailiffs, who had a process to take me on May 3, 1664 ; yet they have been exceedingly civil and courteous to me, and were willing to dismiss me, so that I enjoy my full liberty still, beyond my expectation, only promising to be forth-coming when I am called for by the sheriff. I acknowledge the kindness of Dr. Maude as instru

mental in procuring this reprieve: the Lord reward him and others, for all their great labour of love in this behalf. Though this writ hath been procured, and I was in suspense whether I must be confined in prison or not; yet the providence of God hath not only kept me at liberty, but hath ordered me more public employment and usefulness since those fears, than for a long time before. Three whole Lord's days I have preached in parish churches to great congregations. May I not retort on my threatening opponents, 'Why boast ye yourselves in mischief, O mighty men? the goodness of God endureth continually.' I have found it so, and can oppose God's goodness to men's vileness, nor can they be so bad as he is good. I was the first that was begun with in this county, yet many others have been in bonds while I have been at liberty. Shall I thence conclude, that I am more righteous than others? God forbid! rather the Lord Jesus sees my unfitness to suffer, and indulgeth my infirmity. O my soul, bless the Lord, who is thy help and shield, who hath delivered thee out of the hands of all thine enemies, who hath girded thee with strength, who hath prevented all thy fears, and hath been even better to thee than all thy hopes. No weapon formed against me hath yet prospered, and every tongue that hath risen up against me hath been condemned: my God hath censured their censures, and condemned their damnatory sentences, so that hitherto their words have broken no bones, but vanished into air. The more that enemies have spoken against the servants of God, the more we have been able to speak for our God, according to Acts iv. 29. So it is, God opens when men shut. It is a miracle of mercies, that men lay not violent hands on those they account not fit to live in the land. God keeps us in our own

houses, and amongst our dear relations and neighbours; he alone preserves us."

At this time, when at home on the Lord's day, three or four companies privately assembled at different parts of the day, when he preached and they heard as if every season were the last they should enjoy: but when he had opportunities, he preferred preaching in public places at a distance." "May 8th," he says, "I was called out of my bed before sun-rise, by a considerable number of persons who came to hear the word of God. There came also another company in the forenoon, and still more in the afternoon: and we enjoyed the whole day in peace, with abundant spiritual enlargements. It was a delightful day to my soul, though painful to my body; but having so fair a call and a full auditory, I laid out myself not knowing but it might be a parting exercise. I find that when Paul was ready to depart from Troas, he continued his speech till midnight: and I cannot spend myself in a better cause. Blessed be the Lord for his goodness! I question not but the Lord will hear prayer, accept praises, and do our souls good by our fears, tears, and troubles.” May 15th, going to Penistone to hear Mr. Swift,* who to this day enjoyeth his liberty, except three weeks' imprisonment, he importunately urged me to preach, which I was prevailed on to do. I was employed both parts of the day, and though I found not such special assistance of the Spirit, as sometimes I have had and did expect, yet the auditory was much affected; and who knows what good may be done, for

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Mr. Swift was imprisoned three times for his nonconformity, after which he was prevailed on to take the Oxford oath, and read a few of the prayers, though he never complied with the requisitions of the Act of Uniformity. Thus he continued in this small vicarage till his death, which happened Oct. 13, 1689, in the 68th year of his age.

it was a large assembly and many had come very far? A gentleman in the parish sent to me at night, signifying that he had heard that I was in trouble, and entreated me to lodge with him at his house as long as I pleased, and he questioned not but in the ordinary way of providence I might be safe there. I thanked him, but resolved to return to my family and commit myself to the Lord, who I hope will still watch over me as hitherto he hath wonderfully done." A few weeks after this, he preached at Mottram church at the request of the churchwarden, and with the consent of the vicar, who, though a conformist, was present both parts of the day, and was so much pleased with his services as to request he would repeat his visit. “ I bless the Lord," says Mr. H. "that he graciously helped me to deliver his truth with some measure of enlargement and without reflections, which seldom do any good, but often much harm."

In those days of peculiar danger and alarm, Mr. Heywood was frequently engaged with his brethren in tribulation, at special seasons of fasting and prayer in private they were the more earnest in addressing God, as all hope of relief from human authority was improbable. The length and devotional fervour of those services, condemn those who are at ease in Zion, in our times of gospel opportunities. The following extract will probably excite the astonishment of some that read it; but the recollection of the circumstances in which Mr. H. was placed, will justify him from the charge of enthusiasm. Tuesday, June 7th,” he says, “ we had a private day for seeking the Lord in prayer. There was a considerable number of Christians in the room, which was my father Angier's study. I was put to engage in the duty first, and continued about three hours pouring out my soul be

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fore the Lord, principally on behalf of his church. It was a very delightful day and a token for good. The Lord warmed my heart exceedingly, and the hearts of others, and will certainly return answers to all those affectionate breathings and importunate prayers."

The spirit of violent persecution which prevailed about this time, and was cherished by the high church party against the Nonconformists, almost exceeds our credit, were not the fact substantiated by the most in. dubitable evidence. The following instances may be taken as specimens: "July 13th, 1664, being at Shibden-Hall, to visit a friend there, I was desired to tarry dinner. They had invited some friends, and among the rest Dr. Hook, vicar of Halifax, who would not stay to dine, because, as he said, he was bound by his canons, not to eat with an excommunicated person: and though he would have gone away, yet I thought I would rather quit the place than that he should lose his dinner, or be defiled, or his conscience be perplexed." "Stephen Ellis, our churchwarden, came to demand four shillings for my absence from church four sabbaths. My servant answered, that if I came, he would put me out of church. Yes, said he, and so I will too, for the law must be executed, both to keep him away, and punish his absence."

This persecuting spirit was not confined to a few individuals, or displayed only on a few solitary occasions, but prevailed among the members of the British parliament of that day, and induced them to pass what has been called the "Conventicle Act." By this law it was enjoined: "That every person above sixteen years of age, present at any meeting, under pretence of any exercise of religion, in other manner than is the practice of the church of England, where there are five persons more than the household, shall, for the first